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Jl^^Jy\J^yvK>J^^. 


A  MODERN  HISTORY 


OF 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


CONNECTICUT 


EDITOK-IN-CHIEF 

BENJAMIN  TINKHAM  MARSHALL,  A.M..  D.D. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONNECTICUT  COLLEGE,  NEW  LONDON 


VOLUME  II 

1922 
LEWIS  HISTOMCAL  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 

NEW  YOPvK  CITV 


COPYRIGHT 

LBWIS  KTiOT^RICAL  PUBLISHING   COMPAi^T 

1822 


HISTOKY  OF 

NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  XV. 

BANKS 

By  Nathan  A.  Gibbs 

A  bank  is  an  establishment  having  power  to  receive  deposits,  discount 
business  paper,  loan  and  remit  money,  pay  checks,  and  make  collections.  It 
may  also  deal  in  notes,  foreign  and  domestic  bills  of  exchange,  coin,  bullion 
and  credits.  Originally,  banks  were  used  only  as  places  for  the  safe  keeping 
of  money,  bullion,  plate,  or  the  like,  which  was  left  unused  and  unproductive 
in  the  vaults  of  the  bank  until  the  depositors  should  call  for  it. 

Modern  banking  may  be  traced  to  the  money  lenders  of  Florence  as 
lenders  of  money  and  receivers  of  deposits  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  The 
Jews  of  Lombardy,  Italy,  arc  supposed  to  be  the  first  to  make  a  business  of 
dealing  in  money.  They  had  benches  or  tables  upon  which  they  exchanged 
money  and  bills.  These  benches  were  called  "bancos."  This  word  "banco" 
is  supposed  to  be  the  original  of  the  word  bank.  Some  claim  it  came  from 
"banco"  when  applied  to  a  heap — "a  heap  of  money." 

The  Bank  of  Venice  was  established  in  1171.  The  republic,  wanting 
funds,  compelled  each  citizen  to  contribute  one  per  cent,  of  his  possessions 
to  the  State  at  four  or  five  per  cent,  interest,  for  which  he  received  cer- 
tificates of  stock  which  were  bought  and  sold  on  the  open  market.  The  Bank 
of  Amsterdam,  founded  in  1609,  was  the  first  bank  organized  for  the  pro- 
motion of  commerce. 

The  Bank  of  England  was  chartered  in  1694.  This  bank  has  two  sepa- 
rate departments,  one  for  note  issue  and  one  for  general  business.  Up  to  the 
time  of  the  World  War  it  governed  commerce  and  credits  over  all  the  world. 
Since  then  the  United  States  has  taken  perhaps  the  leading  part  in  this  world 
business. 

The  Bank  of  North  America  was  the  first  authorized  bank  in  the  United 
States,  Robert  Morris  being  a  leader  in  its  organization.  It  began  in  1781, 
and  aided  greatly  in  establishing  American  independence.  The  first  Bank 
of  the  United  States  was  founded  by  Alexander  Hamilton  in  1791,  with  a 
fixed  capital  of  $10,000,000,  and  expired  at  the  termination  of  its  charter  in 
181 1.  The  second  Bank  of  the  United  States  was  chartered  in  1816  with  a 
capital  of  $35,000,000,  w^hich  expired  in  1836,  when  Congress  refused  to  renew 
its  charter. 

"Wild  Cat  Banks"  were  old  State  banks  organized  under  State  charters 
by  private  individuals.  Charters  are  now  issued  to  State  banks,  savings 
banks,  and  trust  companies,  by  the  States,  and  to  National  banks  by  the 
Federal  Government.  Each  have  their  own  separate  functions,  but  possess 
many  features  in  common.  The  National  banks  come  nearest  the  business 
life  of  the  Nation,  although  State  banks  and  trust  companies  are  vital  to  its 
prosperity.  Mutual  savings  banks  touch  the  lives  of  more  people  than  do 
the  others,  and  their  statements  present  the  best  barometer  of  the  financial 
condition  of  the  country. 


424  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

The  National  Bank  S3'stem  was  begun  by  the  passage  of  the  National 
Bank  Act  in  1863,  and  banks  organized  under  it  are  now  the  only  banks 
issuing  bank  notes,  outside  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Banks.  These  National 
Banks  are  under  the  direct  control  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency.  They 
are  subject  to  not  less  than  two  examinations  by  his  department,  and  two  by 
its  own  directors,  in  each  year.  Not  less  than  five  reports  of  condition  are 
required  from  them  each  year. 

The  National  Bank  system  was  established  to  provide  a  market  for  gov- 
ernment bonds,  and  to  give  the  country  a  unified  currency  system.  The 
growth  of  the  system  has  four  periods:  1st.  1863  to  1882 — Formative  Period. 
Throughout  the  earlier  period  of  banking,  the  use  of  bank  credit  was  in  the 
form  of  note  issue,  and  being  subjected  to  no  central  supervisor,  lacked  sta- 
bility and  constant  value.  The  national  banking  period  developed  larger  use 
of  deposits  than  of  note  issue.  Note  issue  as  a  privilege  under  federal  super- 
vision resulted  in  stable  values.  This  period  ended  by  the  passage  in  face 
of  bitter  opposition,  of  a  bill  permitting  the  extension  of  charters  of  existing 
banks  for  twenty  years  more.  The  second  period,  from  1883  to  1899,  "^^^ 
one  of  natural  development.  While  circulation  was  declining,  the  extending 
of  credits  through  deposits  was  rapidly  growing.  The  third  period,  from 
1900  to  1913,  was  that  of  development  of  smaller  banks.  This  was  aided  by 
the  reduction  of  the  required  National  Bank  capitalization  from  $50,000  to 
$23,000,  by  which  many  small  places  were  enabled  to  enjoy  banking  privileges. 

The  passage  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Act  in  1913  ushered  in  the  present 
period.  Under  the  National  Bank  system  of  note  issue  it  was  very  inelastic, 
and  no  provision  was  made  that  enabled  banks  in  time  of  distress  to  realize 
upon  their  commercial  paper.  This  led  to  many  banks  carrying  large  lines 
of  bonds,  which  they  used  as  collateral  for  loans  from  the  reserve  banks  in 
the  larger  cities.  When  these  larger  cities  lacked  funds,  money  was  high  and 
credit  difficult  to  get.  This  led  to  violent  fluctuations  in  interest  rates.  Under 
the  reserve  system,  the  use  of  commercial  paper  in  these  stringent  periods 
was  developed  and  the  cause  of  these  rapid  changing  rates  was  removed.  In 
case  of  need,  these  Federal  Reserve  Banks  can  issue  their  own  notes  secured 
by  government  bonds  or  by  other  collateral.  They  are  allowed  to  rediscount, 
for  the  member  banks  of  the  system,  commercial  paper  under  certain  con- 
ditions, as  follows : 

(a)  It  must  be  a  note,  draft,  or  bill  of  exchange  which  has  been  issued 
or  drawn,  or  the  proceeds  of  which  have  been  used  or  are  to  be  used  in  the 
first  instance  in  producing,  purchasing,  carrying,  or  marketing  goods  in  one 
or  more  steps  of  the  process  of  production,  manufacture,  or  distribution,  or 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  or  trading  in  bonds  or  notes  of  the  United  States. 

(c)  It  must  not  be  a  note,  draft,  or  bill  of  exchange  the  proceeds  of  which 
have  been  used  or  are  to  be  used  for  permanent  or  fixed  investments  of  any 
kind,  such  as  land,  buildings,  or  machinery,  or  for  any  other  capital  purpose. 

(c)  It  must  not  be  a  note,  draft,  or  bill  of  exchange  the  proceeds  of  which 
have  been  used  or  are  to  be  used  for  investment  of  a  purely  speculative  char- 
acter or  for  the  purpose  of  lending  to  some  other  borrower. 

(d)  It  may  be  secured  by  the  pledge  of  goods  or  collateral  of  any  nature, 
including  paper,  which  is  ineligible  for  rediscount,  provided  it  (the  note,  draft, 
or  bill  of  exchange)  is  otherwise  eligible. 


BANKS  425 

This  system  has  developed  a  sound  financial  protection  against  panics, 
as  shown  in  the  two  years  following  the  close  of  the  World  War  when  our 
Nation  passed  through  the  greatest  deflation  period  in  financial  history,  in 
an  orderly  process,  in  great  contrast  with  previous  sudden  financial  disasters. 
By  regulating  credits  through  its  members,  thereby  stopping  inflation,  unnum- 
bered failures  were  prevented. 

There  are  now  twenty  banks  in  New  London  county,  all  well  estab- 
lished, with  a  long  and  honorable  past  to  justify  the  confidence  with  which 
they  approach  the  future.  This  statement,  of  course,  does  not  apply  to  the 
four  trust  companies  recently  formed,  they  all  being  less  than  a  year  old, 
with  their  history  yet  to  be  made.  There  are  eight  National  Banks :  The 
Thames,  Merchants',  and  Uncas,  of  Norwich ;  the  National  Whaling,  New 
London  City,  and  National  Bank  of  Commerce,  of  New  London;  the  First 
National  of  Stonington,  and  the  Mystic  River  National,  of  Mystic.  There  are 
two  combined  bank  and  trust  companies— the  Union,  of  New  London,  the 
oldest  financial  institution  in  the  county,  and  the  Pawcatuck,  the  youngest. 
There  are  three  trust  companies  doing  business — the  Bankers',  of  Norwich; 
the  Winthrop,  of  New  London;  and  the  Jewett  City,  of  Jewett  City.  The 
seven  savings  banks  are :  The  Savings  Society,  the  Chelsea,  and  the  Dime, 
of  Norwich;  the  Groton,  of  Mystic;  the  Jewett  City,  of  Jewett  City;  the 
Savings,  and  Mariners',  of  New  London.  These  institutions,  working  under 
the  recognized  plans  under  which  banks  may  lawfully  operate,  provide  the 
county  with  excellent  banking  facilities,  and  in  New  London  county,  as  else- 
where, they  have  met  and  resisted  shocks,  thus  preventing  appalling  disaster 
to  the  business  of  the  county,  which  would  otherwise  have  followed.  New 
London  county  has  had  bankers  of  high  quality,  men  of  brain,  courage  and 
vision,  men  of  highest  integrity,  and  its  present  prosperity  is  in  a  large  meas- 
ure due  to  its  proc;rcs5ivc,  enlightened,  public-spirited  financiers,  working  in 
connection  with  their  contemporaries  under  a  wise  banking  law,  the  Federal 
Reserve  Act  of  1913. 

Union  Trust  and  Bank  Company — As  has  been  previously  stated  in 
this  chapter,  the  first  bank  chartered  in  the  territory  we  now  know  as  the 
United  States  of  America  was  established  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  un- 
der an  all-embracing  title  suitable  for  such  an  institution,  The  Bank  of  North 
America.  That  was  in  1781,  when  the  American  Colonies  were  still  battling 
for  their  freedom.  Eleven  years  later,  in  January,  1792,  there  were  but  five 
banks  in  the  United  States:  The  Bank  of  North  America,  Philadelphia, 
instituted  1781 ;  Massachusetts  Bank,  of  Boston,  1784;  the  Bank  of  New 
York,  17S4;  the  Bank  of  Maryland,  Baltimore,  1790;  and  the  Providence 
Bank,  Rhode  Island,  1791.  In  "1792  three  banks  were  chartered  in  Connecti- 
cut, one  in  May,  the  others  in  October.  New  London  county  had  then  wfthin 
its  borders  two  towns  that  bid  for  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  establish 
a  bank.  New  London  and  Norwich.  The  Legislature  of  the  period  would 
not  consider  authorizing  two  banks  in  the  same  county,  and.  not  wishing  to 
seem  to  advance  one  town  bevond  the  other,  the  applicants  were  induced  to 


426  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

merge  their  claims,  New  London  to  have  the  bank  location,  but  the  directors 
to  be  chosen  from  both  towns  in  equal  numbers,  the  institution  to  be  known 
as  the  Union  Bank  of  New  London  and  Norwich.  This  was  the  best  solution 
of  the  diflkulty,  and  the  bank  was  chartered  in  May,  1792.  The  form  of  title 
was  shortened,  and  as  "The  Union  Bank"  the  institution  had  a  prosperous 
life,  both  the  name  and  the  institution  being  perpetuated  in  The  Union  Bank 
and  Trust  Company  of  New  London. 

The  May  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  which  in  1792 
granted  the  Union  Bank  its  charter,  granted  also  similar  privileges  to  the 
Bank  of  New  Haven  and  the  Hartford  Bank,  but  if,  as  claimed,  the  Union 
opened  its  doors  at  an  earlier  period,  it  may  be  called  the  oldest  bank  within 
the  limits  of  the  State,  which  gives  the  Union  Bank  and  Trust  Company  the 
distinction  of  being  the  oldest  bank  in  the  State  of  Connecticut  and  the  fifth 
oldest  in  the  United  States,  and,  of  course,  the  oldest  in  New  London.  In 
fact,  it  is  the  oldest  existing  institution  of  any  sort  in  the  city  today. 

The  first  recorded  movement  for  obtaining  a  charter  for  the  Union  Bank 
was  at  a  meeting  held  in  New  London  on  February  loth,  1792,  at  which  a 
committee  of  six  was  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of 
$ioo,oco.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  held  at  the  tavern  of  Ephraim  Minor  on 
the  fifth  day  of  March,  it  appeared  that  the  full  amount  of  stock  had  been 
subscribed,  divided  among  one  hundred  and  seven  persons,  no  one  having 
taken  more  than  thirty  shares.  At  this  session  the  following  directors,  about 
half  of  whom  were  residents  of  Norwich,  were  chosen :  General  Jedediah 
Huntington,  Marvin  Wait,  Guy  Richards,  William  Stewart,  Edward  Hallam, 
Joseph  Perkins,  Joshua  Lathrop,  Joseph  Howland,  Joseph  Williams,  Daniel 
L.  Coit,  Samuel  Woodbridge,  George  Phillips,  Samuel  Wheat. 

The  name  of  the  new  bank  was  The  President,  Directors  and  Company 
of  the  Union  Bank  in  New  London.  The  same  day  Jedediah  Huntington  was 
elected  president,  and  John  Hallam.  cashier.  The  capital  stock  was  fixed  at 
$iOO,oco,  with  liberty  to  increase  the  same  to  half  a  million  at  any  future 
time.  i\n  act  of  corporation  was  granted  at  a  General  Assembly  of  the  State, 
held  on  the  second  Thursday  of  May,  1792,  and  thus  the  Union  Bank  sprang 
into  existence. 

The  first  m.eeting  of  the  directors,  after  the  incorporation,  was  held  June 
5,  1792,  and  arrangements  were  made  for  immediate  business.  The  record 
of  this  meeting  shows  that  the  president  was  instructed  to  procure  an  office, 
desk,  seals,  scales  and  weights,  and  to  send  to  Philadelphia  for  sixteen  reams 
of  paper.  Notes  to  be  discounted  were  required  to  have  two  witnesses  to 
the  signature  of  the  maker,  and  no  loan  should  be  made  for  a  longer  period 
than  sixty  days.  At  an  annual  rental  of  thirty  dollars,  u  banking  room  was 
secured  in  the  brick  building  owned  by  Edward  Hallam  &  Company,  and 
was  standing  on  the  west  side  of  Water,  just  below  Hallam  street,  until 
about  ten  years  ago.  Here  the  bank  was  located  until  the  removal  to  its 
old  State  street  quarters. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors,  held  November  9,  1798,  it  was 
voted  "that  fifteen  dollars  be  allowed  for  Mr.  John  Prentis  as  a  compensa- 
tion for  the  trouble  in  his  house  in  consequence  of  the  business  of  the  bank 


BANKS  427 

being  clone  there  about  five  weeks,  during  the  prevalence  of  the  epidemic 
fever." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  directors,  held  November  18,  1817,  it  was  resolved 
that  the  president,  Mr.  Starr,  and  Mr.  Law,  be  a  committee  for  the  purpose 
of  contracting  for  the  building  of  a  stone  bank  on  the  ground  bought  of 
George  Williams,  on  the  north  side  of  State  street.  The  contract  referred 
to  was  awarded  to  Colonel  Potter,  and  the  entire  cost  of  the  building  and 
land  was  $6,225.  The  bank  moved  into  its  new  building  in  1818.  The  pres- 
ent building  which  the  Union  Bank  and  Trust  Company  occupies,  was  built 
in  1905.  While  it  is  a  most  compact  and  well  laid  out  building,  it  long  since 
was  outgrown,  and  in  the  very  near  future  it  will  be  added  to  in  a  manner 
that  will  double  its  capacity. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  held  March  28,  1865,  it  was  voted  to 
convert  the  bank  into  a  national  banking  association  under  the  general  bank- 
ing laws  of  the  United  States.  On  January  10,  1882,  it  was  deemed  expedient 
to  go  into  liquidation  as  a  National  Bank,  and  that  the  business  be  continued 
as  a  State  bank  by  the  resumption  of  its  charter  of  1792,  which  had  been 
suspended  since  1865. 

The  only  amendment  to  the  bank  charter  since  organization  was  in  1913, 
at  which  time  trust  company  privileges  were  granted,  and  in  addition  to 
conducting  a  regular  banking  business  the  bank,  through  its  trust  depart- 
ment, transacts  all  business  of  a  trust  nature,  such  as  trustee,  executor, 
guardian,  transfer  agent,  etc. 

There  is  no  recorded  action  of  the  bank  relating  to  the  suspension  of 
specie  payments  during  the  War  of  1812;  the  only  matter  of  record  indicating 
a  disturbed  condition  of  the  currcncj'  at  that  period,  is  found  in  a  vote  of 
the  directors,  passed  February,  1815,  by  which  a  dividend  was  declared  paj-^- 
able  m  New  York  bills.  The  bank  redeemed  its  own  bills  all  through  the 
War  of  1812,  but  probably  conducted  most  of  its  transactions,  as  did  the 
country  at  large,  in  the  depreciated  currency  of  the  times. 

At  a  m.eeting  of  the  directors,  held  October  14,  1857,  the  period  of  the 
memorable  financial  panic,  it  was  resolved  that  under  existing  circumstances 
and  because  of  the  suspension  of  specie  payment  by  the  banks  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  the  payment  of  specie  by  this  bank  be  necessarily  suspended. 
This  action  was  reconsidered  at  a  m.eeting  held  December  15  and  the  above 
vote  rescinded. 

The  first  dividend  of  this  bank  was  two  per  cent.,  paid  March,  1793,  and 
the  one  paid  in  January,  1921,  was  the  261st.  From  its  commencement  it  has 
never  passed  a  dividend.  During  the  centennial  of  its  existence,  832-)4  per 
cent,  had  been  paid  to  its  stockholders,  more  than  eight  times  its  capital 
stock,  84J4  per  cent,  of  which  was  in  extra  dividends.  During  the  last  forty- 
five  vears  the  number  of  individual  depositors  has  increased  over  three  hun- 
dred per  cent. 

During  its  long  career  of  prosperity,  one  hundred  and  thirty  years,  the 
bank  has  had  but  ten  presidents.  Jedediah  Huntington  held  the  office  for 
twenty-six  years,  1792-1818;  his  successors  in  office  being:  George  Hallam, 
1818-1825;  William  P.  Cleveland,  1825-1834;  Jonathan  Starr,  1834-1852;  Rob- 


428  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

ert  Coit,  1852-1858;  William  H.  Chapman,  1858-1893;  Robert  Coit,  1893-1904; 
George  Tinker,  1904-15;  William  H.  Coit,  1915-20;  Charles  H.  Klinck, 
elected  in  1920,  being  the  present  incumbent. 

The  cashiers  for  the  same  period  have  been  but  eight:  John  Hallam, 
1792-1800;  Robert  Hallam,  1800-1827;  Ebenezer  C.  Sistare,  1836-1851 ;  Charles 
C.  Sistare,  1851-1860;  Leonard  C.  Lawrence,  1860-1885;  J.  Lawrence  Chew, 
1885-1905;  Carlos  Barry,  1905,  until  the  present,  1922.  Mr.  Barry  came  to 
the  bank  in  1874,  just  out  of  school,  beginning  as  a  clerk.  Forty-eight  years 
have  since  elapsed  and  the  association  then  formed  has  never  been  broken, 
Mr.  Barry  being  with  one  exception  the  oldest  member  of  the  banking  fra- 
ternity of  his  city  in  point  of  years  of  service. 

Condensed  statement  of  the  condition  of  The  Union  Bank  and  Trust 
Company,  New  London,  Connecticut,  May  5,  1922 : 

RESOURCES  LIABILITIES 

Loans  and  Discounts $1,297,914.11            Capital   Stock    $300,000.00 

Overdrafts    800.56             Surplus  and  Undivided  Prof- 
Stocks  and  Securities 319,276.79                 its    272,896.07 

Banking  House   95,000.00            Due  to  Banks 104,777.63 

Furniture   and   Fixtures 10,193.04            Dividends  Unpaid    107.50 

Cash  and  Due  from  Banks..       271,150.47            General   Deposits    1,208,819.72 

Bills   Payable    100,000.00 

Reserves     7,73405 


$i.994,334-07  $i,994,334-97 

Officers — Charles  H.  Klinck,  president;  Alfred  Coit,  vice-president;  Car- 
los Barry,  cashier;  Edward  Bull,  Jr.,  assistant  cashier;  Joseph  A.  Stanners, 
assistant  cashier. 

Directors —  Charles  H.  Klinck,  Carlos  Barry,  Alfred  Coit,  Lucius  E. 
Whiton,  Benjamin  L.  Armstrong,  Charles  E.  White,  James  Bathgate,  W. 
Kyle  Sheffield,  Laurence  A.  Chappell,  Joseph  A.  Stanners. 

New  London  City  National  Bank — This  is  the  same  banking  institu- 
tion that  was  granted  a  State  charter  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecti- 
cut at  the  May  session,  1807,  under  the  name  of  "The  President,  Directors 
and  Company  of  the  New  London  Bank."  It  was  known  as  "The  New  Lon- 
don Bank"  until  1865,  when  by  reason  of  conditions  growing  out  of  the 
Civil  War  it  was  reorganized  under  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  with  a 
change  of  name,  becoming  "The  New  London  City  National  Bank."  From 
that  time  until  the  present  it  has  been  operated  under  the  requirements  and 
safeguards  of  the  National  Banking  Act,  and  with  the  supervision  and  advice 
of  the  National  Bank  Examiners.  The  increase  in  its  business  and  resources 
has  kept  pace  through  all  these  years  with  the  growth  and  development  of 
the  city,  and  with  the  tremendous  changes  that  have  come  about  everywhere 
in  banking  ideas  and  methods. 

It  is  interesting  to  recall  the  fact  that  in  1807,  New  London,  with  a 
population  then  of  little  more  than  3,000  people,  was  the  only  city  in  the 
State  to  have  two  banks.  There  were  but  five  other  banks  in  Connecticut, 
at  Hartford,  New  Haven.  Middletown,  Norwich  and  Bridgeport,  each  being 


BANKS  429 

served  by  one  only ;  while  in  New  London  was  the  Union  Bank,  dating  from 
1792,  and  the  New  London  Bank,  just  established  in  1807.  The  desire  of 
New  London  for  greater  banking  facilities  than  the  Union  Bank  could  afford, 
very  probablj'  arose  from  the  need  of  financing  the  marine  enterprises  carried 
on  here.  Beside  the  West  Indian  trade,  there  was  the  whaling  industry,  then 
beginning  to  assume  importance.  Its  future  magnitude  could  be  foreseen, 
although  it  did  not  come  to  its  height  until  forty  years  later.  The  building 
and  fitting  out  of  whale  ships  required  the  use  of  large  sums  of  money  and, 
during  the  long  voyages  of  one,  two  or  three  }  ears,  the  banks  had  often  to 
virtually  carry  some  of  the  ship  owners  and  some  of  the  local  merchants.  It 
is  not  easy  to  overestimate  the  value  of  the  assistance  rendered  by  the  banks 
of  New  London  not  only  in  the  whaling  ventures,  but  in  manufacturing  and 
other  enterprises,  that  has  tended  to  promote  the  steady,  healthy  growth 
which  New  London  has  enjoyed  during  the  past  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  years. 

The  record  of  the  New  London  Bank  (or  the  City  Bank,  as  it  is  called 
today),  has  been  a  most  excellent  one  during  its  existence  of  more  than  a 
century.  It  has  weathered  the  many  financial  storms  that  the  country  has 
encountered,  through  days  of  war  and  days  of  peace  as  well.  Its  manage, 
ment  has  been  proved  to  be  wise  and  capable  to  a  marked  degree ;  and  its 
support  and  help  have  ever  been  ready  and  generous  when  the  Nation  or  the 
city  were  in  need.  A  list  of  those  who  have  been  officers  of  this  bank  would 
include  many  of  New  London's  most  prominent  and  successful  citizens.  Henry 
P.  Haven,  president  of  the  bank  in  1876;  J.  N.  Harris,  its  president  from 
1876  to  1896;  and  Asa  Otis,  a  director  from  1834  to  T859,  are  all  widely 
known  for  the  many  public  benefactions  that  have  come  from  their  large 
fortunes.  A  list  of  the  directors  of  the  bank  who  have  been  prominent  in  the 
business  affairs  of  the  city,  would  embrace  many  names  familiar  to  one 
acquainted  with  the  old  New  London  families,  but  perhaps  it  would  not  be 
sufficiently  of  general  interest  to  call  for  such  mention.  As  the  population 
of  the  city  has  been  changing  in  its  character  through  succeeding  genera- 
tions, so  the  management  and  operation  of  the  bank,  which  once  was  ex- 
clusivel)'  in  the  hands  of  a  few,  is  now  fully  representative  of  all  elements 
and  interests  of  our  city,  and  serves  all  impartially  and  acceptably. 

The  old  stone  building  on  Bank  street,  which  was  built  for  this  institu- 
tion in  1820  and  was  occupied  by  it  for  eighty-five  years,  was  in  most  respects 
sufficient  for  the  need  of  former  days,  but  in  1905  it  seemed  evident  that  the 
time  had  come  for  increased  facilities,  and  the  present  structure  was  erected, 
covering  the  old  site  and  also  the  land  extending  to  the  corner  of  Golden 
street.  This  is  a  modern  building,  with  a  well  protected  vault  and  such 
other  equipment  as  the  business  of  the  bank  has  thus  far  required.  That  the 
days  to  come  will  call  for  greater  facilities  and  more  room,  there  can  be  no 
doubt ;  and  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  bank's  officers  to  meet  fully  and  adequately 
such  legitimate  demands  as  the  future  shall  bring  to  us. 

The  New  London  City  National  Bank  was  the  second  bank  chartered 
in  New  London,  its  history  dating  from  May,  1807,  when  the  Connecticut 
Legislature  gave  it  birth  as  The  New  London  Bank.     The  first  board  of 


430  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

directors  was  composed  of:  Elisha  Denison,  Edward  Chappell,  William 
Williams,  Edward  Hallam,  Elias  Perkins,  Isaac  Thompson,  Jacob  B.  Gurley, 
Gushing  Eells,  William  Noyes. 

That  board,  at  their  first  meeting,  held  July  i8,  1807,  elected  Elias 
Perkins,  president,  and  Anthony  Thatcher,  cashier.  In  July,  1808,  Elias 
Perkins  resigned  the  presidency,  and  Elisha  Denison  succeeded  him,  holding 
office  until  1828.  Jacob  B.  Gurley  was  the  next  president,  and  for  nineteen 
years  held  the  office,  resigning  in  1847,  Ezra  Chappell  becoming  the  third 
president.  Mr.  Chappell  held  office  until  1853,  when  he  resigned  and  was 
succeeded  by  Elijah  F.  Dutton,  formerly  cashier.  Mr.  Dutton  resigned  in 
1856,  Albert  N.  Ramsdell  following  him  as  president,  an  office  he  held  until 
his  death  in  1873.  It  was  in  1865,  under  President  Ramsdell,  that  the  bank 
was  reorganized  under  the  National  Banking  Act  and  became  The  New 
London  City  National  Bank.  President  Ramsdcll's  place  as  president  was 
taken  by  Richard  N.  Belden,  who  resigned  the  office  of  cashier,  which  he  had 
held  for  twenty  years,  to  accept  the  honor.  President  Belden  held  the  presi- 
dency three  years,  until  January  11,  1876,  when  Henry  P.  Haven  was  elected 
his  successor,  Mr.  Belden  returning  to  the  cashier's  desk.  President  Haven 
died  only  three  months  after  becoming  president,  the  next  to  hold  that  office 
being  Jonathan  N.  Harris,  who  was  elected  in  May,  1876.  He  held  the  office 
until  October,  i8g6,  when  death  ended  his  tenure  of  office.  In  October,  1896, 
William  Belcher  was  elected  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term,  and  in  January 
following  was  elected  for  a  full  term,  a  formality  that  has  now  been  complied 
with  twenty-five  times,  Mr.  Belcher  being  the  present  incumbent  (1922).  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  New  London  county  bar  for  fifty  years,  and  is  also 
president  of  The  Savings  Bank  of  New  London. 

The  first  cashier  of  the  bank,  Anthony  Thatcher,  held  the  office  twenty- 
six  years,  until  1833,  when  he  resigned,  Elijah  F.  Dutton  succeeding  him. 
Mr.  Dutton  after  twenty  years  as  cashier,  1833-1863,  resigned  to  accept  the 
office  of  president,  which  he  held  three  years,  1853-1856.  Mr.  Dutton  was 
succeeded  as  cashier  by  Richard  N.  Belden,  who  held  the  office  for  twenty 
years,  1853-1873.  At  the  death  of  President  Ramsdell  in  1873,  Cashier  Bel- 
den became  President  Belden,  he  being  succeeded  as  cashier  by  Edwin  R. 
Belden.  In  1876  Richard  N.  Belden  returned  to  the  cashier's  desk,  holding 
until  January  27,  1877,  when  he  gave  way  to  William  H.  Rowe,  whose  term 
of  office  was  longer  than  that  of  any  other  cashier  of  the  bank — thirty  years, 
1877-1907.  Frank  E.  Barker  was  cashier,  1907-1910;  John  R.  Latham,  the 
present  incumbent,  succeeding  him  in  the  latter  year. 

The  present  (1922)  officers  are:  William  Belcher,  president;  Herbert 
L.  Crandall,  vice-president;  L.  T.  Sheffield,  vice-president;  J.  R.  Latham, 
cashier;  Ira  S.  Avery,  assistant  cashier. 

Directors — William  Belcher,  L.  Tracy  Sheffield,  Arthur  Keefe,  Frank  V. 
Chappell,  Charles  A.  Gallup,  Herbert  L.  Crandall,  Samuel  A.  Goldsmith,  Wil- 
liam E.  Withey,  John  R.  Latham,  William  M.  Darrow. 

Statement  of  the  New  London  City  National  Bank  at  the  close  of  busi- 
ne.«s,  December  31,  1921 : 


BANKS  431 

RESOURCES  LIABILITIES 

Notes   and   Discounts ?i, 202,825.1; J            Capital  Stock   .t-^oo.ooo.oo 

United   States    Bonds 490,247.21            Surplus    100,000.00 

Bonds   for  Investment 153,313.73            Undivided  Profits   19,692.40 

Banking  House   50,000.00            Kcscrveu  for  Taxes 2,500.00 

Cash   due   from   Banks 287,439.99            Dividends   Unpaid    6,699.00 

Redemption    Fund    10,000.00             Circulation     200,000.00 

Deposits    742,590.34 

Savings   Deposits    924,345.11 


$2,198,826.85  $2,198,826.85 

In  1920  a  savings  department  was  added  to  the  bank,  and  authority  ob- 
tained to  administer  trusts  and  settle  estates. 

The  Merchants  National  Bank  of  Norwich — Dating  from  the  organ- 
zation  of  the  Merchants  Bank  of  Norwich,  wliich  was  organized  in  July, 
1823,  the  Merchants  is  the  oldest  National  Bank  now  doing  business  in  Nor- 
wich, the  Thames  dating  from  1825,  the  Uncas  from  1852.  The  first  board 
of  directors  consisted  of:  F.  A.  Perkins,  Walter  Lester,  N.  K.  Fitch,  Elisha 
Tracy,  James  L.  Ripley,  Samuel  Kellogg,  Epaphras  Porter,  William  Williams, 
Jr.,  John  Lathrop,  Charles  E.  Lester,  Stephen  Fitch,  Charles  Coit,  Sherwood 
Raymond,  Lewis  Hyde,  Joseph  H.  Doane. 

The  presidents  of  the  bank  have  been,  in  turn,  William  Williams,  Jr., 
Henry  B.  Tracy,  John  Brewster,  J.  Hunt  Smith,  and  Costello  Lippitt,  the  dean 
of  Norwich  bankers,  who  was  chosen  the  fifth  president  of  the  bank,  January 
19,  1909,  and  is  the  present  head  of  the  oldest  of  Norwich  National  Banks. 
Joseph  Williams  was  chosen  the  first  cashier,  his  successors  having  been 
Joel  W.  White,  James  M.  Meech,  and  Charles  H.  Phelps,  the  present  incum- 
bent, who  was  elected  February  i,  1886,  having  been  acting  cashier  since 
1885. 

In  June,  1865,  a  National  Bank  charter  was  applied  for  and  secured,  the 
Merchants  National  Bank  then  beginning  business.  The  paid  in  capital  of 
the  bank  is  $100,000.  The  ofificcrs  of  the  bank  are:  Costello  Lippitt,  presi- 
dent; Frank  L.  Woodard,  vice-president;  Charles  H.  Phelps,  cashier.  These 
with  Lucius  Brown,  James  C.  Henderson,  Joseph  Hall  and  L.  Henry  Saxton, 
comjirise  the  board  of  directors.  Arthur  E.  Storey  is  assistant  cashier.  The 
bank  building  is  located  on  Main  street. 

Charter  No.  1481.  Reserve  District  No.  i.  Report  of  condition  of  the 
Merchants  National  Bank  at  Norv.ich,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  at  the 
close  of  business  on  May  5th,  1922: 

RESOURCES  LI.\BIL1T1ES 

1.  Loans    and    Discounts $390,456.56  17.  Capital  stock  paid  in $100,000.00 

2.  Overdrafts,   unsecured   ...  69.33  'S.  Surplus  fund   35,000.00 

4.  U.  S.   Government  securi-  19.  Undivided  prof- 
ties  owned:                                                                    ils    $29,492.52 

Deposited  to  se-  c  Less  current  ex- 
cure    circulation  penses,  interest 

(U.     S.     bonds,  and   taxes  paid       2,914.34 

par  value)    $100,000.00  26,578.18 


432 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


All  other  United 
States     Govern- 
ment   securities 
(including     pre- 
miums. 


75,100.00 
175,100.00 

5.  Other    bonds,    stocks,    se- 
curities, etc 21,450.00 

6.  Banking  House    5,000.00 

S.  Lawful  reserve  with  Fed- 
eral  Reserve   Bank 28,845.58 

10.  Cash  in  vaults  and  amount 

due  from  National  Banks      103,408.34 

11.  Amount  due  from  banks, 
bankers  and  trust  compa- 
nies in  the  United  States 
(other    than    included    in 

Items  8  and  10) 2,372.10 

13.  Checks  on  other  banks  in 
the  same  city  or  town  as 
reporting  bank   5,516.57 

14.  Miscellaneous  cash  itema  3,746.76 
items    3.746.76 

15.  Redemption  fund  with  U. 
S.     Treasurer     and     due 

from  U.  S.  Treasurer....  5,000.00 


20.  Circulating  notes  out- 
standing           100,000.00 

2J.  -Amount  due  to  State 
banks,  bankers  and  trust 
companies  in  the  United 
States    51,024.6^ 

24.  Certified  checks  out- 
standing     896.96 

Total  of  Items  23  and  24, 
$51,431.65. 

Demand  deposits  (other  than 
bank  deposits)  subject  to 
reserve  (deposits  payable 
within  30  days) : 

26.  Individual  deposits  sub- 
ject to  check 427,880.30 


30.  Dividends  unpaid 

Total  of  demand  deposits 
(other  than  bank  de- 
posits) subject  to  re- 
serve, Items  26  and  30, 
$427,955-30. 


7500 


Total    $740,965.13 


Total    $740,965.13 


The  Norwich  Savings  Society  —  This,  the  oldest  financial  institution 
in  Norwich,  and  almost  the  oldest  savings  bank  in  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
dates  back  to  the  administration  of  James  Monroe,  twenty-fourth  President 
of  the  United  States ;  to  the  time  when  slavery  was  a  "God-given"  institu- 
tion ;  when  Queen  Victoria  was  a  girl ;  when  but  two  cities  of  the  United 
States,  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  had  over  100,000  population ;  when  Chi- 
cago was  a  town  of  4,000  people;  when  emigrants  came  in  sailing  vessels; 
when  Calvin  Goddard  was  mayor  of  Norwich,  John  Hyde  was  postmaster, 
and  Lafayette  street  was  the  only  thoroughfare  through  which  to  reach  the 
river. 

The  Society  was  incorporated  in  May,  1824,  with  the  following  members: 
Charles  Rockwell,  Charles  P.  Huntington,  John  Lathrop,  Russell  Hubbard, 
Amos  H.  Hubbard,  John  L.  Buswell,  P.  Newcomb  Kinney,  Eber  Backus, 
Joseph  Williams,  Jabez  Huntington,  Bela  Peck,  John  Breed,  Dwight  Ripley, 
Nathaniel  Shipman,  Lyman  Brewer,  Isaac  Story,  Francis  A.  Perkins,  George 
L.  Perkins,  William  C.  Gilman. 

At  the  first  meeting  other  members  were  elected,  making  the  original 
forty  members.  The  first  officials  were:  Charles  Rockwell,  president;  Jabez 
Huntington,  John  L.  Buswell,  William  C.  Gilman,  Russell  Hubbard,  vice- 
presidents;  George  L.  Perkins,  John  Lathrop,  Richard  Adams,  Joseph  Wil- 
liams, Charles  P.  Huntington,  Erastus  Coit,  Roger  Huntington,  John  Breed, 
Lyman  Brewer,  directors  and  trustees ;  Francis  A.  Perkins,  treasurer ;  Joseph 
Williams,  secretary. 


BANKS  433 

Presidents  from  organization  have  been:  Charles  Rockwell,  two  years; 
Jabcz  Huntington,  until  1833;  Charles  \V.  Rockwell,  seven  years,  resigned; 
William  Williams,  five  years,  resigned;  Henry  Strong,  1847-1851 ;  Lafayette 
S.  Foster,  1851-1856;  Joseph  Williams,  1856-1866;  Charles  Johnson,  1866- 
1879;  Francis  Nichols,  1879-1891 ;  Amos  W.  Prentice,  1891-1894,  died;  John 
Mitchell,  1894-1901,  died;  Charles  Bard,  1901-1913.  Arthur  H.  Brewer,  the 
present  head,  was  elected  in  1913,  succeeding  Mr.  Bard. 

Treasurers — Francis  A.  Perkins,  1824-1833;  Jabez  Huntington,  1833- 
1847;  Francis  A.  Perkins,  1847-1863;  Benjamin  Huntington,  1863-1878;  Cos- 
tello  Lippitt,  elected  assistant  treasurer  and  treasurer  in  1878,  and  is  yet 
(1922)  treasurer  and  secretary,  also  a  vice-president,  having  been  in  the  bank- 
ing business  fifty-eight  years. 

Prior  to  1847,  deposits  were  received  and  general  business  transacted  in 
the  old  Norwich  Bank.  But  in  1847  a  banking  house  was  erected  at  a  cost 
of  $5,000  on  Main  street,  next  east  of  Trinity  Church.  That  building  was 
occupied  until  June  27,  1864,  when  a  new  building  was  occupied,  the  old 
building  later  becoming  the  home  of  the  Dime  Savings  Bank.  For  thirty-one 
years  the  Norwich  Savings  Society  occupied  that  second  building,  then 
moved  to  the  newly  completed  building  which  is  yet  their  home,  opening 
for  business  January  i,  1895.  For  thirty-five  years  the  Society  was  the  only 
savings  bank  in  Norwich,  but  in  1858  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank  was  organ- 
ized, and  the  Dime  Savings  Bank  in  1869.  The  Farmers  and  Merchants 
Savings  Bank,  organized  in  1854,  discontinued  a  few  years  later. 

The  first  deposit  was  made  in  the  Norwich  Savings  Society,  July  23,  1824, 
in  the  name  of  Dorcas  Mansfield,  of  Norwich,  the  amount,  $200.  The  second 
deposit,  $30,  was  made  July  26,  1824,  in  the  name  of  William  C.  Oilman,  of 
Norwich.  A  perusal  of  the  accompanying  statement  shows  the  amount  now 
deposited  to  be  in  excess  of  nineteen  millions  of  dollars.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  directors  in  1870,  General  William  Williams  introduced  a  resolution  that 
the  bank  receive  no  more  deposits  after  that  year,  saying:  "Why,  gentle- 
men, our  deposits  now  total  five  millions  of  dollars,  and  who  will  care  for 
this  enormous  sum  after  we  are  gone?"  The  Society  has  passed  through 
many  financial  crises,  and  today  is  stronger  and  safer  than  ever.  In  only  one 
year,  1854,  has  a  dividend  been  passed.  It  is  one  of  the  best  known  institu- 
tions of  the  county,  and  from  its  successful  past  a  greater  future  is  argued. 

Oflficers — Arthur  H.  Brewer,  president;  Lucius  Brown,  S.  Alpheus  Gil- 
bert, Costcllo  Lippitt,  Charles  D.  Noyes,  vice-presidents;  John  Porteous, 
Charles  R.  Butts,  Nelson  J.  Ayling,  Ebenezer  Learned,  John  T.  Almy,  Henry 
A.  Tirrell,  Charles  Henry  Osgood,  Frank  B.  Ricketson,  John  P.  Huntington, 
directors;  Costello  Lippitt,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Charles  R.  Butts,  assist- 
ant treasurer;  John  P.  Huntington,  attorney. 

Trustees — Lucius  Brown,  Costello  Lippitt,  Adams  P.  Carroll,  Arthur 
H.  Brewer,  George  B.  Prest,  Charles  S.  Johnson,  Nathan  A.  Gibbs,  Frank 
W.  Brewster.  Reuben  S.  Bartlett,  Charles  R.  Butts,  Albert  H.  Chase,  William 
H.  Shields,  John  Porteous,  Ebenezer  Learned,  Dwight  L.  Underwood,  Angus 
Park,  John  T.  Almy,  Allyn  L.  Brown,  James  L.  Hubbard,  Lewis  R.  Church, 

X.L.— 1-28 


434  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  , 

Chaiincey  B.  Woodworth,  Frank  E.  Palmer,  John  P.  Huntington,  Henry  A. 
Tirrell,  Reuben  B.  S.  Washburn,  Traver  Briscoe,  S.  Alpheus  Gilbert,  Charles 
D.  Noyes,  Charles  Henry  Osgood,  John  C.  Rlorgan,  James  M.  Young,  Nelson 
J.  Ayling,  William  A.  Norton,  Frank  B.  Ricketson,  John  F.  Rogers,  W.  Rus- 
sell Baird,  Charles  D.  White,  Arthur  F.  Libbey,  Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  Edwin  H. 
Baker,  Jr. 

Statement,  May  31st,  1922: 

ASSETS  Cash  in  Brinks  and  Safe 550,308.40 

Loans    $3,964,202.39 -_ 

United  States  Bonds 1,988,167.38  $20,909,017.37 

Foreign  Government  Bonds.  1,397,575. 80 

State  Bonds    123,288.00  LIABILITIES 

Municipal  Bonds   3,609,746.65             Deposits  $19,609,636  05 

Railroad  Bonds    8,335,953.50             Surpius   600,000.00 

Water  Co.  Bonds 14,156.25            Undivided  Profits   699,381.32 

Telephone   Bonds    346,393-75                                                                    — ■ 

Railroad     Equipment     Trust  $20,909,017.37 

Notes   286,219.44 

Stocks,  Bank,  etc 170,342.59  Tlie    par    or    maturity   value    of   bonds 

Banking  House   ioo,coo.oo  exceeds  t>ook  values  as  above  by  $1,398,- 

Safe   Deposit   Department...  22,463.22  453.56. 

The  Thames  National  Bank,  Norwich,  Connecticut — There  have  been 
six  National  Banks  organized  and  chartered  in  Norwich  —  The  First 
National,  successor  of  the  Ouinnebaug  Bank,  incorporated  in  May,  1832,  or- 
ganized as  the  First  National  Bank  in  June,  1865,  capital  $250,000;  Lucius  W. 
Carroll,  president;  Lewis  A.  Hyde,  cashier.  The  Thames  National  Bank, 
successor  to  the  Thames  Bank,  of  further  mention.  The  Merchants  National, 
successor  to  the  Merchants  Bank,  of  further  mention.  The  Second  National 
Bank,  organized  in  March,  1864;  J.  Hunt  Adams,  the  first  president;  James 
D.  Mowry,  cashier.  The  Shetucket  National,  organized  in  April,  1853;  Charles 
Osgood,  president;  David  O.  Strong,  cashier;  this  bank  was  nationalized 
May  15,  1865;  capital  $100,000.  The  Uncas  National,  organized  in  1852.  Of 
these  seven  banks,  three  survive  at  this  writing,  June  I,  1922 — The  Thames, 
Merchants,  and  Uncas,  the  others  having  been  closed  or  merged  with  exist- 
ing banks.  The  history  of  the  three  yet  doing  business  will  be  given  in  this 
chapter. 

The  Thames  Bank  was  the  second  institution  of  the  kind  chartered  in 
Norwich,  with  a  capital  of  $200,000,  in  1825.  By  its  charter  the  bank  was 
obliged  to  purchase  the  stock  of  the  Norwich  Channel  Company,  and  "main- 
tain a  depth  of  at  least  ten  feet  of  v/ater  in  the  channel  of  the  Thames  river 
at  common  and  ordinar}^  tides."  The  charter  also  permitted  the  bank  to 
collect  toll  from  all  vessels  coming  to  Norwich.  These  provisions  of  the 
charter  were  complied  with  so  long  as  the  bank  operated  under  its  State 
charter.  The  bank  was  also  obliged  to  receive  deposits  from  the  State  school 
fund,  ecclesiastical  societies,  colleges  and  schools,  at  par,  and  pay  on  such 
deposits  such  dividends  as  were  paid  to  their  stockholders.  The  first  bank 
rooms  were  on  Main  street,  where  the  John  &  George  H.  Bliss  jewelry  store 


BANKS  435 

is  now  located.  The  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $300,000  in  1847,  and 
again  in  1854  to  $500,000. 

The  bank  prospered,  and  was  able  in  1861  to  vote  "That  to  assist  the 
State  in  meeiing  the  requisition  of  the  President  for  troops  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  general  government,  the  Thames  Bank  offer  a  loan  of  $100,000." 
That  amount  was  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  when 
the  question  was  an  open  one  whether  there  would  be  a  government  when  it 
became  due.  Prosperity  made  it  necessary  to  add  to  the  facilities  of  the 
bank  in  order  to  properly  meet  the  demands  of  increasing  business,  and  in 
1862  the  bank  erected  enlarged  quarters  on  Shetucket  street.  In  1864  the 
Thames  Bank  was  succeeded  by  the  Thames  National  Bank,  which  was  char- 
tered with  an  authorized  capital  of  $2,000,000,  of  which  $1,000,000  was  paid 
in,  and  another  career  of  prosperity  was  entered  upon.  Its  National  Bank 
charter  was  renewed  in  18S4  and  again  in  1904,  the  home  of  the  bank  cen- 
tering in  the  same  quarters  on  Shetucket  street  until  191 1,  when  the  present 
building  begun  in  1910  was  finished  and  occupied. 

On  April  21,  1920,  the  Thames  National  Bank  was  granted  the  right  to 
act,  when  not  in  contraventicni  of  State  or  local  law,  as  trustee,  executor, 
administrator,  registrar  of  stocks  and  bonds,  guardian  of  estates,  assignee, 
receiver,  committee  of  estates  of  lunatics,  or  in  any  other  fiduciary  capacity 
in  which  State  banks,  trust  companies  or  other  corporations  which  come  into 
competition  with  National  Banks,  are  permitted  to  act  under  the  laws  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  subject  to  regulations  prescribed  by  the  Federal  Re- 
serve Board. 

The  first  president  of  the  Thames  Bank  was  William  P.  Greene,  who 
served  seventeen  years,  1825-1842.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence,  who  left 
a  deep  imprint  upon  his  city,  notably  in  that  part  known  as  Greeneville.  Ed- 
ward Whiting  was  president  from  1842  until  1851,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Franklin  Nichols,  who  served  until  1890.  The  fourth  president  was 
Edward  N.  Gibbs,  who  served  from  1890  to  1897.  The  fifth  president  was 
Stephen  B.  Meech,  he  serving  from  1897  to  1909.  The  sixth  president  was 
Willis  A.  Briscoe,  who  served  from  1909  to  1913.  The  seventh  president, 
Charles  L.  Hubbard,  served  from  1913  until  1918,  when  Arthur  H.  Brewer, 
the  eighth  president,  was  elected,  and  is  yet  in  office. 

President  Brewer  is  a  grandson  of  Lyman  Brewer,  the  first  cashier  of  the 
bank,  1825-1857.  Cashier  Brewer  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Bard,  who  served 
until  1871,  when  he  gave  way  to  Edward  N.  Gibbs,  who  served  from  clerk 
to  president,  and  went  from  the  Thames  National  Bank  in  1892  to  become 
treasurer  of  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  Company.  Edward  N.  Gibbs  was 
succeeded  as  cashier  in  1889  by  Stephen  B.  Meech,  who  was  in  turn  succeeded 
by  Charles  W.  Gale  in  1894.  Mr.  Gale  was  followed  in  1918  by  the  present 
cashier,  Nathan  A.  Gibbs. 

Among  prominent  men  of  Norwich  who  have  served  the  bank  in  official 
capacity  may  be  named  Lafayette  S.  Foster  (lawyer  and  statesman  and  act- 
ing Vice-President  of  the  United  States  after  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln),  who  was  a  director;  Charles  W.  Gale,  who  was  clerk,  officer  and 


436 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


director  for  nearly  fifty-six  years;  Ebenezer  Learned,  elected  a  director  in 
1850;  Alfred  A.  Young,  in  1852;  James  L.  Hubbard  in  1855;  James  Lloyd 
Greene  and  Lorenzo  Blackstone,  in  1864;  Walter  M.  Buckingham,  Timothy 
P.  Norton,  Hugh  H.  Osgood,  John  Mitchell,  Thomas  D.  Syles,  each  a  director, 
and  many  others.  Costello  Lippitt,  dean  of  the  Norwich  banking  fraternity 
(1922),  for  fifty-eight  years  a  banker,  was  connected  with  the  Thames  Bank 
for  a  time. 

The  present  officers  are:  Arthur  H.  Brewer,  president  and  director; 
Oliver  L.  Johnson,  vice-preaident  and  director;  Nathan  A.  Gibbs,  cashier 
and  director;  William  T.  Crandall,  assistant  cashier;  Leonard  P.  Church, 
trust  officer  and  assistant  cashier;  Walter  M.  Buckingham,  assistant  cashier; 
Henry  L.  Bennett,  assistant  cashier.  The  other  directors  not  officers  are: 
John  Porteous,  William  Young,  Grosvenor  Ely,  Arthur  M.  Brown,  James  L. 
Hubbard,  Charles  H.  Osgood,  Walter  F.  Lester,  Hugh  B.  Campbell. 

The  following  statement  shows  the  bank's  condition  at  the  close  of  busi- 
ness. May  5,  1922: 


RESOURCES 

Loans  and  Discounts $2488,805.74 

Customers'  Liability,  a/c  Ac- 
ceptances Executed  by  this 
Bank    50,000.00 

U.  S.  Government  Securities      940,886.48 

Bonds,  Securities,  etc.  (other 
than   U.  S.) 844,930.75 

Banlcing  House,  Furniture, 
etc 138,137.50 

Reserve  with  Federal  Re- 
serve  B.nnk    162,715.73 

Cash  and  Cash  Items 152,828.89 

Due  from  Banks  and  Bankers     493,696.86 

Due  from  U.  S.  Treasurer..        20,000.00 

Interest  earned,  not  collected        23,296.83 


LIABILITIES 

Capital   $1,000,000.00 

Surplus    550,000.00 

L'ndividcd  Profits   116,282.65 

Reserved    for    Interest    and 

Taxes    2,099.06 

Unearned  Discount   15,820.97 

Circulation    396,4oaoo 

Deposits: 

Certified  Checks 
and     Due     to 

Banks    $821,950.80 

Demand      Deal- 
ers Accounts.  1,875,222.7s 
Time  and  Postal 

Savings    402,387.55 

United  States  . .      69,134.98 

3,168,696.10 


Acceptances      Executed      by 

this  Bank  for  Customers.. 

Letters   of   Credit 


50,000.00 
16,000.00 


$5,315,298.78 


$5,315,298.78 


The  Savings  Bank  of  New  London — Soon  now,  the  Savings  Bank  of 
New  London  will  reach  the  century  mark  of  life,  ninety-five  of  those 
years  having  been  passed,  during  which  an  exceptional  record  of  success  and 
prosperity  has  been  compiled.  In  all  those  years  the  bank  has  never  passed 
a  dividend,  and  moneys  deposited  have  always  been  available  for  immediate 
use.  Being  purely  a  mutual  institution,  it  is  conducted  solely  in  the  interest 
of  its  depositors  and  the  community  which  it  serves.  The  profits  accrue  for 
the  benefit  of  its  depositors,  and  its  investments,  carefully  regulated  by  law, 
are  restricted  to  those  that  experience  has  proven  to  be  of  unquestioned  safety. 

Today  the  Savings  Bank  of  New  London  has  more  than  22,000  depositors. 


BANKS  437 

and  resources  amounting  to  more  than  $i6,ocx),ooo.  Its  loans  on  real  estate 
amount  to  more  than  $6,300,000,  and  have  been  the  means  of  enabling  thou- 
sands of  persons  to  own  their  own  homes.  Its  Christmas  Club,  starting  in 
December  in  each  year  and  running  for  fifty  weeks,  provides  a  method  where- 
by thousands  of  its  patrons  establish  funds  for  themselves  to  mature  and  be 
available  at  a  time  when  extra  money  is  especially  needed.  Its  mail  depart- 
ment, which  is  yearly  gaining  in  popularity  and  size,  is  a  means  for  safely 
and  conveniently  transacting  banking  without  the  necessity  of  a  personal 
visit  to  the  bank.  By  this  method,  business  is  being  carried  on  with  de- 
positors throughout  the  country  and  in  foreign  countries  as  well.  During 
the  last  few  years,  many  changes  have  been  effected  in  the  system  of  book- 
keeping in  this  institution  and  in  the  convenience  of  the  banking  rooms.  To- 
day there  are  few  banks  more  conveniently  laid  out  for  the  workers,  and 
none  using  better,  simpler  or  more  effective  methods  of  accurately  keeping 
its  various  accounts. 

The  Savings  Bank  of  New  London  was  incorporated  in  May,  1827,  being 
the  fourth  savings  bank  to  do  business  in  Connecticut.  The  first  Connecticut 
Savings  Bank  to  incorporate  was  The  Society  for  Savings  in  Hartford,  1819; 
the  Norwich  Savings  Society  following  in  1824;  the  Middletown  Savings 
Bank,  in  1825;  the  Savings  Bank  of  New  London,  in  1827.  The  incorpo- 
rators of  the  lastnamed  bank  were:  William  P.  Cleaveland,  Robert  Coit,  Isaac 
Thompson,  Archibald  Mercer,  Nathaniel  I.  Perkins,  Ebenezer  Learned,  the 
first  president;  Edward  Learned,  Ephraim  Cheeseborough,  Jireh  Isham,  Na- 
thaniel Saltonstall,  Peter  Richards,  Increase  Wilson,  Thomas  West,  Guy 
Turner,  Ezra  Chappell,  William  P.  Cleaveland,  Jr.,  Charles  I.  Stockman, 
Thomas  Williams,  Jacob  B.  Gurley. 

Business  was  begun  July  i,  1827,  in  the  banking  rooms  of  the  Union 
Bank  on  State  street,  that  institution  the  first  bank  in  Connecticut,  having 
organized  in  1792.  The  first  business  of  the  savings  bank  was  a  deposit  of 
ten  dollars  made  by  Robert  Jones,  a  colored  man,  and  the  total  deposits  for 
the  first  month  amounted  to  but  one  hundred  and  seventy  dollars.  The  total 
resources  of  the  bank  for  the  end  of  the  first  year  were  $2,301.  From  such  a 
humble  beginning  has  the  bank  grown  to  its  present  proportions.  There  have 
been  but  six  presidents  at  the  head  of  this  institution  in  its  life  of  nearly  a 
century,  Ebenezer  Learned  being  the  first.  He  served  for  one  year,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Ezra  Chappell,  whose  term  of  office  was  from  1828  to  1832. 
Ebenezer  Learned  was  reelected  president  in  1832,  and  served  for  twenty 
years.  Robert  Coit  became  president  in  1852,  his  term  expiring  in  1866,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Chapman,  who  was  president  until  his  de- 
cease in  1912,  more  than  forty-five  years.  Frank  L.  Palmer  was  president 
for  four  years,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  William  Belcher,  who  is  also  presi- 
dent of  the  New  London  City  National  Bank.  The  treasurers  have  been : 
Robert  Coit,  1827;  Joseph  Sistare,  1828-1852;  Francis  C.  Learned,  1852-1871 ; 
Joshua  C.  Learned,  1871-1892;  Walter  Learned,  1892-1915;  William  Belcher, 
1915-1918;  Charles  E.  White,  the  present  treasurer. 

Officers,  1921 — William  Belcher,  president ;  Alfred  Coit,  Horace  C. 
Learned,  Belton  A.  Copp,  vice-presidents;  Charles  E.  White,  secretary  and 


438  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

treasurer;  George  Whittlesey,  assistant  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer. 
Directors — William  Belcher,  Alfred  Coit,  George  B.  Prest,  Bolton  A.  Copp, 
Horace  C.  Learned,  George  Whittlesey,  Graham  S.  Hislop,  Charles  E.  White, 
Albert  C.  Woodruff. 

Statement  made  by  the  Savings  Bank  of  New  London,  December  ist, 
I92I  : 

ASSETS  Banking  House   100,000.00 

Loans  on  Real  Estate $6,462,755.00  Acceptances    56,000.00 

Loans  on  Collateral  Security     483,395.00  Cash  in  Bank  and  Vaults....      396,254.60 

Loans  on  Personal  Security.        12,000.00  

Municipal  Notes    212,366.67  $16,792,276.40 

tjnitcd   States   Securities....    1,377,426.38 

State  and   Foreign   Bonds...      823,500.00  LIABILITIES 

Municipal  Bonds   1,550,000.00  Deposits    $15,264,153.34 

Railroad  Bonds   4,632,750.00  Surplus   1,221,374.07 

Public  Utility  Bonds 275,000.00  Undivided  Profits   305,503.99 

Bank  Stocks   331,675.00  Partial  Payments  on  Liberty 

Railroad  and  Otlier  Stocks . .        77,620.00  Bonds   1,245.00 

Real    Estate,    Insurance    and  

Ta.xes  1,53575  $16,792,27640 

The  National  Whaling  Bank — For  fully  eight^ynine  years  the  Na- 
tional Whaling  Bank  as  a  State  and  National  institution  has  been  one  of  the 
helpful,  trustworthy  factors  in  the  upbuilding  of  New  London,  the  com- 
munity it  still  serves.  Three  generations  have  profited  by  the  intelligent  man- 
agement of  the  institution,  and  that  it  has  been  of  service  to  thousands  in  a 
financial  way  as  well  as  having  done  so  at  a  profit  to  its  stockholders,  is  the 
record  of  the  National  Whaling  Bank,  of  New  London. 

A  commission  composed  of  S.  Ingham,  Lyman  Law,  John  Brandegee, 
J.  Lawrence  and  Albert  Latham  met  early  in  1S33,  and  having  been  granted 
a  charter  for  a  bank  in  New  London,  organized  the  same  on  the  first  day  of 
July,  that  year.  The  name,  The  Whaling  Bank,  was  adopted  for  this  new 
enterprise,  as  practically  all  the  stockholders  in  this  bank  were  connected 
with  the  whaling  industry.    It  has  always  been  in  the  same  location. 

The  following  were  the  larger  original  stockholders,  with  number  of 
shares  taken  by  each :  Peter  C.  Turner,  100;  Wantan  A.  Weaver,  100;  Abner 
Bassett,  100;  C.  Wilson,  100;  Lyman  Law,  lOO;  S.  Ingham,  100;  J.  Lawrence, 
200;  John  Brandegee,  200;  Noyes  BilHngs,  lOO;  William  W.  Billings,  lOO. 
Shares  were  valued  at  $25  each. 

On  July  8,  1853,  the  first  stockholders'  meeting  was  held  in  the  Prentis 
Hotel,  where  the  following  officers  and  directors  were  elected:  Coddington 
Billings,  president.  Directors — Joseph  Lawrence,  Aborn  Smith,  Abner  Bas- 
sett, John  Brandegee,  Peter  C.  Turner,  Sabin  Smith,  Acors  Barns,  Daniel 
Hempstead.  Peter  C.  Turner  resigned  from  the  directorate  in  August  of  the 
same  year,  the  vacancy  being  filled  by  Wantan  A.  Weaver. 

Old  records  of  this  bank  show  a  rather  unusual  circuinstance  which  arose 
one  day  in  1834,  through  which  it  was  necessary  to  swear  in  a  cashier  pro  tem. 
Mr.  Turner  found  it  impossible  to  be  present  this  particular  daj^  for  one 
reason  or  other,  and  as  a  note  had  to  be  signed,  the  directors  requested  J.  C. 


BANKS  439 

Douglas  to  take  the  oath  of  the  cashier's  office  and  to  act  in  that  capacity 
so  that  the  note  might  be  given.  Ten  years  later,  Mr.  Douglas  became  the 
elected  cashier  of  the  institution. 

Bolton  A.  Copp,  Sr.,  was  elected  a  director  of  the  National  Whaling  Bank 
in  1845.  At  that  time  Andrew  C.  Lippitt  was  its  attorney,  Augustus  Brande- 
gee  holding  that  position  in  1861.  Bolton  A.  Copp,  Jr.,  was  appointed  cashier 
of  the  institution  in  January,  1880,  and  in  1909  was  elected  president,  an  office 
he  is  now  holding.  In  that  same  year  the  present  vice-president,  Sidney 
H.  Miner,  was  first  elected  to  that  office.  N.  H.  .\vcry  was  chosen  cashier  in 
1909,  serving  until  January,  1921,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Harold  G.  Pond. 

The  present  officers  of  the  bank  arc:  Bolton  A.  Copp,  president;  Sidney 
H.  Miner,  vice-president;  Harold  G.  Pond,  secretary  and  cashier;  Raymond 
Stearns,  teller.  Directors — Bolton  A.  Copp,  Harold  G.  Pond,  Sidney  H. 
Miner,  W.  B.  Burrows,  C.  B.  Whittlesey. 

State  of  condition  at  close  of  business,  December  31,  1921 : 

RESOURCES  LIABILITIES 

Loans  and   Discounts $276,604.10  Capital  Stock   $150,000.00 

United  States  Bonds 37,500.00  Surplus  and  Profits 491,840.65 

Liberty  Bonds   60,000.00  Circulating  Notes   36,80000 

Bonds,  Securities,  etc 603,995.21  Certified  and  Cashier's  Checks              19.18 

Banking  House   4,000.00  Dividends,  Unpaid    9.238.7S 

Due  from  Banks 51,404.66  Deposits    365,251.09 

Due    from   Treasurer   of   the 

U.  S 1,87500 

Cash   17,770.70 


$1,053,14967  $1,053,14967 

The  banking  house  is  located  at  40  Bank  street,  New  London,  and  from 
organization  that  location  has  been  the  home  of  the  National  Whaling  Bank. 

\ 
The  Mystic  River   National  Bank  —  This  bank,   now   approaching  its 

seventy-first  birthday,  is  located  in  Mystic,  where  the  building  it  now 
occupies  was  erected  and  occupied  in  1851.  The  bank  was  organized  August 
5,  1851,  under  its  present  title,  minus  the  word  "National,"  that  being  added 
at  the  time  the  bank  reorganized  under  the  National  Banking  Act.  The  build- 
ing which  has  housed  the  institution  during  its  entire  life  of  seventy-one  years 
(1851-1922)  is  located  on  West  Main  street,  in  Mystic,  no  material  alteration 
having  been  made  since  its  erection.  The  bank's  career  has  been  one  of 
usefulness  and  benefit  to  the  community  it  serves,  and  under  its  present  man- 
agement the  same  condition  and  spirit  prevails. 

The  Mystic  River  Bank  operated  as  a  State  bank  from  August  5,  1851, 
until  December  5,  1864,  when  it  became  the  Mystic  River  National  Bank, 
capital  $100,000.  The  first  president  of  the  Bank  was  Charles  Mallory;  the 
first  cashier,  George  W^.  Noyes.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  since  its  organi- 
zation in  1851,  a  Noyes  has  been  cashier,  but  three  men  ever  filling  that  office, 
the  present  incumbent  succeeding  his  father.  The  presidents  in  turn  have 
been  as  follows:  Charles  Mallory,  Nathan  G.  Fish.  William  Clift,  Francis 
M.  Manning,  Evan  D.  Evans,  the  present  incumbent.     The  cashiers  have 


440 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


been :  George  W.  Noyes,  Henry  B.  Noyes,  and  his  son,  Henry  B.  Noyes, 
who  is  the  present  cashier.  The  trustees  at  this  time  (1922)  are:  Evan  D. 
Evans,  Edwin  B.  Noyes,  Benjamin  L.  Holmes,  Louis  P.  Allyn,  Frederick 
Denison,  Sidney  Siswick,  Henry  B.  Noyes. 

The  report  of  the  bank  to  the  Treasury  Department  made  at  the  close 
of  business  on  May  5,  1922,  is  appended : 


RESOURCES 
Loans  and  dis- 
counts, including 
rediscounts,  ac- 
ceptances of  oth- 
er banks,  and 
foreign  bills  of 
exchange  or 
drafts  sold  with 
indorsement  of 
this  bank  (ex- 
cept those  shown 

in  b  and  c) $148,0335.31 

Acceptances  o  f 
other  bands  dis- 
counted      70399 

Total  Loans  $148,739.31 

Overdrafts  unsecured   2.00 

U.  S.  Government  securities 
owned: 
Deposited  to  se- 
cure circula- 
tion (U.  S. 
Bonds  par  val- 
ue    $100,000.00 

All    other   U.    S. 
Government 
securities     (in- 
cluding premi- 
ums, if  any)..     40,000.00 

140,000.00 

Other  bonds,  stocks,  securi- 
ties, etc 276,320.50 

Banking  house,  $1,000;  furni- 
ture and  fi.Ktures,  $100....  1,100.00 
Lawful  reserve  with  Federal 

Reserve   Bank    33,003.58 

Cash  in  vault  and  amount  due 

from   National   Banks 96,679.65 

Amount  due  from  State 
banks,  bankers,  and  trust 
companies  in  the  United 
States  (other  than  included 
in  Items  8,  9,  or  10) 18,844.06 


Total  of  Items  9,   10,  11,   12, 

and  13,  $115,523.71. 
Miscellaneous  cash  items....  8,744.43 

Redemption  fund  with  U.  S. 

Treasurer  and  due  from  U. 

S.  Treasurer 5,000.00 


Total   $728,433.53 

LIABILITIES 

Capital  stock  paid  in $100,000.00 

Surplus  fund 20,000.00 

Undivided  profits. $186,407.33 
Less     current     ex- 
penses,    interest 
and  taxes  paid..       7,503.59 

178,903.74 

Circulating  notes  outstanding        97,797-50 
Amount   due  to  State  banks, 

bankers   and    trust   compa- 
nies   in    the   United   States 

and  foreign  countries  (oth- 
er than   included  in   Items 

21   or  22) 45,444.96 

Certified   checks   outstanding  12.00 

Total  of  Items  21,  22,  23,  24, 

and  25,  $45,456.96. 
Demand  deposits   (ther  than 

bank   deposits)    subject   to 

reserve    (deposits    payable 

within  30  days): 

Individual  deposits  subject 

to  check   279,010.23 

Certificates  of  deposit  due 
in  less  than  30  days  (oth- 
er than  for  money  bor- 
rowed)     7,202.60 

Dividends  unpaid   62.50 

Total     of     demand     deposits 

(other  than  bank  deposits) 

subject    to    reserve,    Items 

26,   27,   28,   29,  30,   and   31, 

$286,275.33. 


Total   $728,433.53 


The  First  National  Bank  of  Stonington — This  bank  was  chartered  by 
the  Connecticut  Legislature  in  185 1  as  the  Ocean  Bank,  with  a  capital 
of  $100,000.    A  building  was  erected  facing  Cannon  Ball  Park,  and  business 


BANKS  4Ai 

began  the  same  year.  The  first  board  of  directors  consisted  of:  Charles  P. 
Williams,  president;  W.  J.  H.  Pollard,  cashier;  Gurdon  Trumbull,  Stiles 
Stanton,  Latham  Hull,  Jr.,  William  Hyde,  Jr.,  A.  S.  Matthews,  F.  C.  Walker. 

The  Ocean  Bank  was  chartered  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Stonington, 
February  i,  1865.  The  board  of  directors  was  reduced  to  five:  Stiles  Stanton, 
Moses  Pendleton,  Oliver  B.  Grant,  William  E.  Brewster,  Andrew  S.  Mat- 
thews. 

The  first  president  was  Stiles  Stanton;  William  J.  H.  Pollard  was  the 
first  cashier;  and  N.  A.  Pendleton,  teller.  The  second  president  of  the  bank 
was  William  J.  H.  Pollard;  Franklin  B.  Noyes,  the  third  to  hold  that  office, 
was  succeeded  by  Charles  P.  Williams,  son  of  the  first  president  of  the  Ocean 
Bank,  who  still  holds  the  office  (1922).  Moses  Pendleton,  a  member  of  the 
first  board  of  directors  after  nationalization,  was  later  vice-president,  and  his 
son,  the  first  teller,  became  cashier.  Another  son,  Moses  A.  Pendleton,  suc- 
ceeded A.  S.  Matthews  as  director  in  1884,  succeeded  his  father,  Moses  Pen- 
dleton, as  vice-president  in  1891,  and  yet  holds  that  office  (June,  1922). 
Grandsons  of  Moses  Pendleton  are  connected  with  the  bank  as  director, 
cashier,  and  assistant  cashier,  making  the  three  generations  of  Pendletons 
associated  with  the  bank  in  official  capacity. 

The  present  officials  and  directors  are:  Charles  P.  Williams,  president 
and  director;  Moses  A.  Pendleton,  vice-president  and  director;  Horace  N. 
Pendleton,  director;  Everett  N.  Pendleton,  director  and  cashier;  George  H. 
Robinson,  director. 

The  report  of  the  bank  made  to  the  authorities.  May  5,  1922,  show  total 
resources  $329,809.61  ;  with  liabilities  the  same,  the  latter  including  $100,000 
capital  stock  paid  in;  $50,000  surplus  fund;  $120,824.42  subject  to  check; 
and  $48,435  circulation  outstanding.  The  bank  management  is  conservative, 
and  great  care  is  exercised  in  all  departments. 

The  National  Bank  of  Commerce  of  New  London  —  This  bank  was 
originally  chartered  as  a  State  institution  in  October,  1852,  under  the 
title.  The  Bank  of  Commerce.  The  proposed  capital  was  $50,000,  but  so 
much  confidence  was  shown  in  the  enterprise  and  the  gentlemen  associated 
in  the  organization  of  the  institution,  that  in  four  days  the  entire  capital  was 
subscribed.  It  was  immediately  decided  to  double  the  capital,  and  the  addi- 
tional amount  was  subscribed  within  a  few  days.  Three  months  later,  Janu- 
ary, 1853,  the  capital  was  further  increased  to  $150,000,  and  the  following 
July  it  was  increased  to  $200,000,  so  that  the  bank  within  a  year  had  become 
an  institution  with  a  capital  of  $200,000.  In  1872  the  capital  was  again  in- 
creased to  $300,000,  at  which  figure  it  has  remained  until  the  present  time. 
This  capital,  with  a  substantial  surplus  of  over  $400,000,  makes  it  one  of  the 
strongest  commercial  institutions  in  Eastern  Connecticut. 

The  bank  continued  as  a  State  institution  until  December  5,  1864,  when 
it  became  a  national  association  under  the  Federal  banking  laws,  which  had 
at  that  time  been  enacted  by  the  Federal  Government.  The  bank  performs 
all  the  functions  of  a  National  Bank  and  a  trust  department  authorized  by 
the  United  States  Government  to  act  as  executor  of  wills,  administrator  of 


442 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


estates,  trustee  for  trust  funds,  transfer  agent  and  registrar  for  issue  of  stocks, 
bonds,  etc.  A  savings  department  for  savings  accounts  is  also  a  feature  of 
the  bank's  advantages. 

The  first  board  of  directors  was  chosen  September  9,  1852,  that  board 
consisting  of  nine  members:  Acors  Barns,  Henry  P.  Haven,  Daniel  Latham, 
F.  W.  Holt,  G.  L.  Ford,  Lyman  Allyn,  Martin  K.  Cady,  Benjamin  F.  Brown, 
Charles  W.  Strickland.  The  board  organized  by  electing  Acors  Barns  presi- 
dent, an  office  he  held  until  his  death,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 
William  H.  Barns,  who  served  until  his  death,  the  third  president  being 
Charles  Barns,  a  brother  of  the  two  former  presidents,  he  also  dying  in  office. 
The  bank  has  had  but  five  presidents  during  its  lifetime  of  seventy  years, 
and  three  of  these,  the  Barns  brothers,  died  in  office. 

Notable  for  their  long  periods  of  service  in  connection  with  the  bank  as 
directors,  are  Christopher  C.  Comstock,  who  was  elected  director  in  1854  and 
continued  to  the  date  of  his  death,  a  period  of  about  thirty-five  years,  and 
Charles  D.  Boss,  Jr.,  who  was  elected  director  in  January,  1873,  and  has 
served  until  the  present  time  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  when  he 
withdrew,  but  was  subsequently  reelected.  George  B.  Prest,  the  present 
vice-president,  came  to  the  bank  in  1873,  '^^'^  has  never  severed  his  connection, 
he  being  dean  of  the  banking  fraternity  of  New  London,  his  forty-nine  years 
of  unbroken  service  constituting  a  record.  He  is  closely  followed  by  Carlos 
Barry,  of  the  Union  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  who  came  to  that  bank  in 
1874,  both  just  from  school  when  they  entered  the  banking  business. 

The  first  business  transactions  of  the  bank  were  in  the  office  of  Williams 
&  Havens,  whaling  merchants,  on  October  14,  1852,  when  notes  aggregating 
$11,000  were  discounted — a  fair  day's  business  for  an  infant  institution.  Sub- 
sequently the  bank  obtained  permanent  quarters  in  the  second  story  of  the 
Union  Bank  building,  at  the  present  location  of  the  Union  Bank  and  Trust 
Company.  When  the  Crocker  house  building  was  constructed,  the  National 
Bank  of  Commerce  took  a  lease  of  its  present  location  for  fifty  years  from 
April  I,  1872. 

The  directors,  desiring  to  furnish  their  patrons  with  the  best  conve- 
nience and  comforts  for  transacting  business,  decided  to  erect  a  building 
which  the  bank  would  occupy  at  the  expiration  of  its  lease  of  the  Crocker 
house  quarters,  or  earlier  if  possible.  To  this  end  a  lot  was  purchased  on 
State  street,  next  east  to  the  First  Baptist  Church,  extending  around  the 
church,  with  a  frontage  on  Washington  street  as  well  as  on  State  street,  and 
the  present  fine  home  of  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce  is  the  result  of  its 
decision  to  own  its  own  home. 

The  following  men  have  been  associated  with  the  bank  as  directors  and 
officers:  Directors — Acors  Barns,  Henry  P.  Haven,  Daniel  Latham,  F.  W. 
Holt,  G.  L.  Ford,  Christopher  C.  Comstock,  Charles  Miner,  John  Dennis, 
Charles  D.  Boss,  Jr.,  F.  H.  Harris,  Frank  H.  Chappcll,  Frank  L.  Palmer,  Ben- 
jamin A.  Armstrong,  Charles  W.  Barns,  Alfred  H.  Chappell,  Charles  Royce 
Boss,  William  H.  Reeves,  Morton  F.  Plant,  Simon  L.  Ewald,  Lyman  Allen, 
Martin  K.  Cady,  Benjamin  F.  Brown,  C  W.  Strickland,  J.  N.  Harris,  William 


BANKS  443 

Sterne,  William  H.  Barns,  Henry  R.  Bond,  Charles  Barns,  Robert  A.  Morgan, 
C.  Augustus  Williams.  Charles  W.  Butler,  C.  F.  Spaulcling,  James  Hislop, 
George  B.  Prest,  Billings  P.  Learned,  George  P.  Fenner,  Henry  R.  Bond,  Jr., 
Ralph  H.  Melcer. 

There  have  been  five  presidents :  Acors  Barns,  who  acted  from  the  or- 
ganization of  the  institution  in  October,  1852,  to  the  date  of  his  death,  Novem- 
ber iS,  1862;  William  H.  Barns  succeeded  his  brother,  Acors  Barns,  and 
continued  as  president  until  February  14,  1886,  when  he  died ;  Charles  Barns 
succeeded  his  brother,  William  H.  Barns,  and  continued  president  until  bis 
death  on  the  20th  of  July,  1902;  Henry  R.  Bond  succeeded  Charles  Barns 
and  continued  president  for  two  years,  when  ill  health  compelled  him  to 
resign,  on  the  i8th  of  July,  1904;  Benjamin  A.  Armstrong,  who  had  been 
identified  with  the  bank  as  a  director  since  March  i,  1886,  succeeded  Mr. 
Bond  on  July  25,  1904.  Mr.  Armstrong  has  now  been  president  eighteen 
years,  1904-1922,  and  under  his  administration  the  bank  has  continued  its 
most  prosperous  career. 

There  have  been  five  cashiers  of  the  bank:  Deacon  Charles  Butler  acted 
as  cashier  from  the  organization  of  the  bank  until  his  death,  March  18,  1878. 
Charles  W.  Barns  succeeded  Deacon  Butler,  and  continued  until  ill  health 
compelled  him  to  resign,  January  10,  1893,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  George 
B.  Prest,  who  served  until  January,  1905,  when  he  was  elected  vice-president. 
William  H.  Reeves  was  elected  cashier  in  January,  1905,  and  continued  until 
Jannuary,  1913,  when  he  resigned,  and  George  B.  Prest  again  assumed  the 
duties  of  cashier.  Milton  M.  Baker,  the  present  cashier,  was  elected  January 
II,  1921. 

Officers — Benjamin  A.  Armstrong,  president;  William  H.  Reeves,  vice- 
president;  George  B.  Prest,  vice-president ;  M.  M.  Baker,  cashier.  Directors — 
B.  A.  Armstrong,  J.  P.  T.  Armstrong,  Theodore  Bodenwein,  Henry  R.  Bond, 
Jr..  Simon  L.  Ewald,  F.  L.  McGuire,  Ralph  H.  Melcer,  F.  W.  Mercer,  G.  B. 
Prest.  W.  H.  Reeves. 

Statement  of  condition  at  close  of  business,  May  5,  1922: 

RESOURCES  LIABILITIES 

Loans  and   Discounts 5'i446,497.29  Capital  $300,000.00 

Overdrafts  1,209.69  Surplus   200,000.00 

TJ.  S.  Government  Bonds. .. .      501,500.00  I'ndivided  Profits 2.;.),87i.23 

Oilier  Bonds,  Stocks,  Securi-  Circulation    182,000.00 

ties,  etc 477,094.50  Due  to  Banks 18,384.91 

Canking    House,     Furniture,  Individual  Deposits   1,466,522.40 

Fi.xturcs   244,294.90            Otlier  Demand  Deposits....      658,381.54 

Lawful  Reserve  with  Federal  Dividend  Unp.tirl  50.00 

Reserve  Bank 134,866.36 

Cash  in  Vault  and  Due  from 

Banlcs 253,647.34 

Due  from  L'.  S.  Treasurer.  . .  9,100.00 


$3,068,210.08  $3,068,210.08 

The   Uncas    National   Bank— Although    organized    in    1852,   the    Uncas 
Bank  was  not  incorporated  under  the  general  act  until  1855.    The  first  board 


444 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


of  directors  consisted  of  nine  members:  James  A.  Hovey,  J.  L.  Greene,  W. 
A.  Buckingham,  H.  B.  Norton,  J.  S.  Webb,  Jesse  S.  Ely,  Joseph  Backus,  J.  M. 
Huntington,  Gurdon  Chapman. 

The  first  president  of  the  bank,  James  A.  Hovey,  held  the  office  twenty- 
one  years,  1852-1873.  He  was  succeeded  by  Jesse  S.  Ely,  who  served  six 
years,  1873-1879.  The  third  president  was  Lyman  Gould,  who  was  succeeded 
by  Edwin  S.  Ely,  his  successor  being  Daniel  B.  Spaulding.  The  sixth  presi- 
dent was  John  M.  Johnson;  the  seventh,  William  N.  Blackstone;  the  eighth, 
Wallace  S.  Allis;  the  ninth,  Arthur  D.  Lathrop,  who  was  succeeded  by  the 
present  chief  officer,  William  H.  Allen,  who  was  elected  the  tenth  president, 
January  9,  1917.  The  first  cashier  of  the  bank,  E.  H.  Learned,  held  the  office 
twenty-seven  years,  1852-1879.  His  successors  have  been  Charles  M.  Tracy, 
Walter  Fuller,  James  H.  Welles,  Willis  Austin,  Dwight  H.  Huff  and  H.  L. 
Frisbie,  the  present  cashier,  who  was  elected  February  5,  1917. 

In  1865  the  bank  rechartered  as  the  Uncas  National  Bank,  capital  stock, 
$100,000.  Officers:  William  H.  Allen,  president;  Calvin  H.  Frisbie,  vice- 
president;  Henry  L.  Frisbie,  cashier;  Charles  D.  Greenman,  assistant  cashier. 
Directors — William  H.  Allen,  Calvin  H.  Frisbie.  C.  Morgan  Williams,  Willis 
Austin,  Frank  E.  Palmer,  Rutherford  C.  Plant,  Michael  M.  Donahoe,  Herbert 
F.  Dawley,  Emanuel  Kaplan,  William  G.  Park. 

The  following  is  a  condensed  statement  of  condition  of  bank  at  the  close 
of  business,  May  5,  1922: 


RESOURCES 

Loans  and   Discounts 

U.  S.  Bonds  to  Secure  Circu- 
lation     

U.  S.  Bonds 

Other  Bonds  and  Securities. 

Banking  House  and  Fixtures 

Exchanges  and  Cash  Items.. 

Due  from  Federal  Reserve 
Bank    

Cash  in  Vault  and  Net 
Amount  Due  from  National 
Banks  

Due  from  U.  S.  Treasury... 

Interest  Earned  but  not  Col- 
lected   


$401,152.74 

60,000.00 
29,950.00 
75,670.00 
36,500.00 
15,900.07 

37,005.76 


114,049.61 
3,000.00 

2,767.20 


LIABILITIES 

Capital  $100,000.00 

Surplus  and  Undivided  Profits  52,877.45 

Circulation    60,000.00 

Deposits,  Banks   33,215.79 

Deposits,  Individual 526,198.63 

Certified  Checks    220.OO 

Discount    Collateral  but   not 

Earned 1,783. 51 

Cashier's  Checks 1,700.00 


$775,995-38  $775,995-38 

The  bank  occupies  a  handsome  structure  on  Shetucket  street,  erected 
in  1913. 


The  Groton  Savings  Bank  —  The  Groton  Savings  Bank  of  Mystic  has 
for  sixty-eight  years  conducted  its  business  in  the  bank  building  on  West 
Main  street,  Mystic,  which  it  has  for  the  same  period  of  time  occupied  jointly 
with  the  Mystic  River  National  Bank,  organized  three  years  earlier.  Like 
that  institution,  under  whose  fostering  care  its  youth  was  passed,  the  Groton 
Savings  Bank  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  town. 


RANKS  445 

and  its  usefulness  has  found  strength  and  prosperity.  The  bank  has  had  but 
three  presidents,  Henry  B.  Noyes  beinp:  the  present  incumbent.  Five  treas- 
urers have  served  the  bank,  three  of  these  by  name,  Noyes.  The  presidents 
have  been  Nathan  G.  Fish,  William  Clift,  Henry  B.  Noyes.  The  treasurers 
have  been  George  W.  Noyes,  ?Icnry  B.  Noyes,  Abel  H.  Simmons,  Ira  C. 
Noyes,  and  Jesse  B.  Stinson,  the  last  named  being  the  present  treasurer 
(1922).  The  trustees  at  the  present  time  are:  E.  D.  Evans,  C.  H.  Latham, 
Charles  W.  Lamb,  Frederick  Denison,  John  W.  Phillips,  Jesse  B.  Stinson, 
H.  B.  Noyes. 

The  prosperity  the  bank  enjoys  is  best  expressed  by  the  following  state- 
ment made  to  the  banking  department,  June  i,  1922: 

.ASSETS  Industrial  Bonds 20,500.00 

Loans  on  Real  Estate $541,275.00            \'ictory   Xotes    14,891.56 

Loans  to  Towns 55,000.00            Cash  in  Bank,  viz 45,612.15 

Loans  to  School  Districts...  7,000.00                                                                

United  States  Bonds 76,620.13                       Totals $1,948,828.50 

State   Bonds   45,000.00  LL\BILITIES 

City  Bonds   557.762.50            Deposits  $1,752,932.75 

R.iilroad  Bonds   523,350.00            Surplus   177,171.0.4 

Railroad  Stocks 750.00            Profit  and  Loss 18,724.71 

Bank  Stocks   60,750.00                                                                

Expenses 3i7-i6                       Totals $1,948,828.50 

The  Chelsea  Savings  Bank — Under  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly, 
May  session,  1858,  Section  i,  Erastus  Williams,  John  Dunham,  Henry  B. 
Norton,  L  M.  Buckingham,  Lorenzo  Blackstone,  John  T.  Wait,  David  Smith, 
Elijah  A.  Bill,  James  M.  Huntington,  Gurdon  Chapman,  Augustus  Brewster, 
Moses  Pierce,  John  W.  Stedman,  Henry  Bill,  John  S.  Lester,  Edward  H. 
Learned,  Learned  Hebard,  Henry  H.  Starkweather,  Ralph  Hurlbutt,  William 
W.  Backus,  Comfort  D.  Fillmore,  S.  T.  Holbrook,  James  A.  Hovey,  Samuel 
H.  Grosvenor,  Timothy  P.  Norton,  O.  J.  Lamb,  John  P.  Barstow,  William  P. 
Nash,  Alfred  A.  Young,  Dwight  Bailej',  William  Smith,  W.  R.  Wood,  Henry 
Hallett,  N.  B.  Williams,  William  E.  Baker,  Jeptha  Geer,  Thomas  A.  Clarl^ 
Dudley  R.  Wheeler,  and  Walter  Peck,  were  incorporated  by  the  name,  style 
and  title  of  "The  Chelsea  Savings  Bank." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  incorporators,  held  June  28,  185S,  these  officers  were 
i:lected:  Lorenzo  Blackstone,  president;  David  Smith,  Learned  Hebard, 
Henry  Bill,  vice-presidents;  L  M.  Buckingham,  Elijah  A.  Bill,  Comfort  D. 
Fillmore,  John  T.  W'ait,  Gurdon  Chapman,  S.  T.  Holbrook,  Erastus  Williams, 
directors;  John  Dunham,  secretary-treasurer;  James  A.  Hovey,  attorney. 

For  about  a  quarter  of  a  century,  Lorenzo  Blackstone  and  Henry  Bill 
continued  as  president  and  vice-president,  Mr.  Bill  then  succeeding  to  the 
presidency.  The  third  president  was  General  Edward  Harland,  his  successor 
being  John  C.  Averill,  who  in  turn  gave  way  to  the  present  incumbent,  Charles 
E.  Chandler,  who  was  elected  in  1919.  The  original  attorney  for  the  corpora- 
tion, James  A.  Hovey,  held  that  relation  to  the  bank  until  his  elevation  to  the 
bench  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecticut,  his  former  '.aw  partner,  John  M. 
Thayer,  succeeding  him  as  attorney.    The  first  treasurer,  John  Dunham,  only 


446  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

served  until  January  28,  1859,  when  Othniel  Gager  was  elected  to  that  office. 
He  seems  not  to  have  served,  and  in  September,  1859,  vv^as  succeeded  by 
Charles  M.  Coit,  then  barely  twenty-one,  but  so  capable  and  so  esteemed  by 
the  bank  officials  that  when  in  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army,  the  trustees  in  highly  complimentary  resolutions  declared  that  the 
position  should  be  kept  open  for  him.  This  was  done,  and  Colonel  Coit 
upon  his  return  from  the  war  was  unanimously  elected  to  his  former  position. 
He  served  with  great  acceptability  until  suddenly  called  hence  by  death,  July 
3,  1878. 

The  home  of  the  bank  was  in  the  Merchants  Hotel  building  until  April, 
1864,  when  quarters  were  secured  on  Shetuckct  street,  which  were  occupied 
until  1909,  when  the  bank  building  was  so  badly  damaged  by  fire  that  the 
erection  of  a  new  modern  building,  large  and  imposing,  was  decided  upon. 
The  present  building,  most  splendidly  located  and  planned,  was  finished  and 
occupied  in  November,  1911.  The  first  deposit  was  made  over  the  counter 
of  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank  on  July  i,  1858,  in  the  name  of  Julia  O.  Bill, 
the  amount  being  $100.  On  March  i,  1922,  deposits  in  the  bank  had  reached 
the  great  total  of  $10,704,234.23,  and  the  bank  assets  on  that  day  touched 
$11,388,137.68,  the  surplus  $500,000,  with  a  profit  and  loss  account  of  $183,- 
903.45.    A  study  of  the  accompanying  report  is  interesting : 

President,  Charles  E.  Chandler;  vice-presidents,  Henry  G.  Peck,  Oliver 
L.  Johnson,  Willis  Austin.  Directors — Archibald  Mitchell,  Grosvenor  Ely, 
James  C.  Macpherson,  Frederic  W.  Gary,  Frank  Hempstead,  Frederick  W. 
Lester.  Andrew  B.  Davies,  Arthur  M.  Brown,  Howard  L.  Stanton.  Secretary 
and  treasurer,  Frank  Hempstead ;  assistant  secretary-treasurer,  James  Dana 
Coit ;  attorney,  Wallace  S.  Allis.  Members  of  the  Corporation — Henry  H. 
Gallup,  Samuel  N.  Morgan,  Charles  E.  Chandler,  Winslow  T.  Williams, 
Archibald  Mitchell,  Frank  H.  Allen,  George  H.  Loring,  Jeremiah  J.  Desmond, 
George  E.  Parsons,  Frederick  T.  Sayles,  Calvin  FT.  Frisbie,  Witter  K.  Tingley, 
Edwm  A.  Tracy,  Frederick  W.  Cary,  Henry  F.  Parker,  Julius  W.  Cadden, 
William  H.  Allen,  John  D.  Hall,  Leonard  O.  Smith,  Joseph  D.  Aiken,  Philip 
T.  Welles,  Martin  E.  Jensen,  Joseph  H.  Hall,  Frederick  W.  Lester,  Henry  G. 
Peck,  George  O.  Stead,  Willis  Austin,  Wallace  S.  Allis,  Ernest  H.  Crozier, 
Howard  L.  Stanton,  Charles  E.  Lamb,  Oliver  L.  Johnson,  Grosvenor  Ely, 
James  C.  Macpherson,  Frank  Hempstead,  Arthur  M.  Brown,  James  Dana 
Coit,  Ralph  PL  Melcer,  Percival  W.  Chapman,  Andrew  B.  Davies,  Jacob 
Munz,  William  L  Allyn,  Arthur  C.  Brown,  William  FL  Collins,  Herbert  M. 
Lerou.  William  H.  Oat,  L.  Henry  Saxton. 

Statement.  March   i,  1922: 

ASSETS  R.'iilroad  Bonds   3,y5i,025.oo 

Loans — Rcs.l  Estate 53,777,661.00  Eqiiipment  Trust  Obligations        63,000.00 

Loans— Cities  and  Towns. . .  35,000.00            Bank  Stocks   103,480.00 

Loans — Per.sonal   4,125.00             Banking  House   111,140.19 

Loans— Collateral 132,677.75             Insurance  and  Taxes 175.00 

United  States  Bond.s 717,650.00            Bank  Acceptances    278,479.66 

State  Bonds  95,000.00  Cash  in  Bank  and  on  Hand . .      191,340.38 

i>onds  of  Foreign  Coinitvies.  1,128,024.00                                                                     

Municipal  Bonds  569,219.70  $11,388,137.68 

Public  Utility  Bonds 430,140.00 


BANKS  447 

LIABILITIES  I'lofit  and  Loss 183,903.45 

Hepcsits  $10,704,234  23  

SurpUis   '. 500,000.00  $11,388,137.68 

Henry  H.  Gallup,  who  became  a  member  of  the  corporation  in  1875,  is 
the  oldest  in  point  of  3ears  of  service  of  any  one  connected  with  the  bank 
(1922).  The  oldest  officer  of  the  bank  in  point  of  years  of  service  is  Frank 
Hempstead,  wJio  entered  the  employ  of  the  corporation  in  1878,  and  is  the 
present  secretary-treasurer. 

The  Mariners  Savings  Bank  of  New  London — ^In  1917  the  Mariners 
Savings  Bank  of  Xew  London,  Connecticut,  celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary. From  the  souvenir  booklet  issued  by  the  bank  in  that  year  the  follow- 
ing facts  concerning  organization  are  taken : 

Fifty  years  ago,  at  the  May  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  Ma- 
riners Savings  Bank  of  New  London  was  incorporated.  Thomas  M.  Waller, 
then  a  practicing  attorney,  was  responsible  for  the  movement  which  culmi- 
nated in  the  organization  of  the  bank  on  July  29,  1867,  the  following  being 
the  incorporators:  William  H.  Allen,  Christopher  Allyn,  Erasmus  D.  Rogers, 
F.  H.  Chappell  Co.,  T.  M.  Waller,  C.  S.  Holt,  John  A.  Tibbits,  Theophilus 
Brown,  Daniel  Latham,  Henry  P.  Haven,  C.  W.  Strickland,  Elias  F.  Morgan, 
Richard  H.  Chappell,  Ebenezer  Morgan,  Henry  R.  Bond,  George  C.  Benja- 
min, F.  L.  Allen,  John  M.  Chapman,  John  Dennis,  A.  N.  Ramsdell,  William 
C.  Gorton,  Samuel  Green,  Charles  D.  Boss,  Jr.,  Rial  Chaney,  Charles  Miner, 
Benjamin  Stark,  C.  C.  Comstock,  J.  N.  Harris,  Robert  A.  Morgan,  O.  Wood- 
worth,  Charles  Howard,  Samuel  P.  Smith,  Edward  Church,  Henry  Williams, 
James  Griswold,  J.  T.  Shepard,  William  H.  Barnes,  Leander  Williams,  Eras- 
mus D.  Avery,  Richard  P.  Huntley,  William  L.  Peckham,  Charles  M.  Daboll, 
J.  C.  Avery.  Nearly  every  one  of  these  men  was  in  some  way  connected  with 
the  whaling  business,  which  at  that  time  was  the  chief  industry  of  the  town. 

The  meeting  was  held  at  half-past  two,  in  the  parlors  of  the  Metropolitan 
Hotel  on  Bank  street,  and  was  called  to  order  by  Thomas  M.  Waller.  Henry 
P.  Haven  was  chosen  chairman,  and  Thomas  M.  Waller,  secretary.  The  char- 
ter was  formally  accepted,  and  it  was  voted  that  "the  seal  of  the  bank  shall 
consist  of  an  anchor  surrounded  by  the  words  Mariners  Savings  Bank  of  New 
London,  Connecticut." 

By-laws  were  adopted,  and  the  following  officials  were  edected :  Captain 
Daniel  Latham,  president;  Henry  P.  Haven,  James  Griswold,  W.  H.  Allen,  A. 
N.  Ramsdell,  F.  L.  Allen,  Ebenezer  Morgan,  L.  T.  Shepard,  C.  C.  Comstock, 
Oliver  Woodworth,  vice-presidents;  Henry  R.  Bond,  W.  H.  Barnes,  Benja- 
min Stark,  Richard  H.  Chappell,  Rial  Chaney,  directors;  National  Bank  of 
Commerce,  treasurer;  Charles  Butler,  secretary;  Thomas  ^L  Waller,  attorney. 

Thomas  M.  Waller  was  attorney  for  the  bank  until  1885,  when  he  be- 
came Consul-General  of  the  United  States  at  London.  Previously  he  was 
mayor  of  New  London  from  1873  to  1879,  and  governor  of  the  State  from 
1883  to  1885.  He  was  succeeded  as  attorney  by  Charles  W.  Butler,  son  of 
Charles  Butler,  the  first  secretary,  who  in  turn  was  suceedcd  in  1894  by  Charles 


448  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

B.  Waller,  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  son  of  ex-Governor 
Waller,  the  first  attorney  and  organizer  of  the  bank. 

The  first  office  of  the  bank  was  with  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce, 
which  then  occupied  quarters  on  the  second  floor  of  the  Union  Bank  build- 
ing. In  1872  the  Bank  of  Commerce  moved  to  its  offices  in  the  Croker 
House  block,  and  the  Mariners  Savings  Bank  moved  also  and  occupied  the 
rear  of  the  room,  remaining  with  the  Bank  of  Commerce  until  January  i, 
1907,  when  the  Mariners  Savings  Bank  moved  to  its  own  new  home  next  to 
the  post  office.  The  first  depositors  were  two  sailors — Manuel  Roderique, 
who  placed  $194.03  to  his  credit ;  and  Louis  De  Pena,  who  deposited  $167.03 — 
this  constituting  the  first  day's  business.  The  deposits  at  the  end  of  the 
first  decade  and  each  succeeding  period  of  ten  years  until  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary show  remarkable  gains.  The  deposits  of  the  bank  on  March  i,  1877, 
were  $1,054,411.51 ;  March  i,  1887,  $1,576,480.91 ;  March  i,  1897,  $2,092,844.71 ; 
March  i,  1907,  $3,432,326.99;  March  i,  1917,  $4,788,462.99. 

The  first  dividend  was  declared  on  March  i,  1868,  at  the  rate  of  seven 
per  cent.,  which  rate  was  continued  until  September,  1871,  when  the  divi- 
dend was  reduced  to  six  per  cent.,  and  continued  at  six  per  cent,  until  March 
I,  1877,  when  it  was  again  reduced  to  five  per  cent.,  and  to  four  per  cent, 
on  September  i,  1880,  at  which  rate  it  has  continued  until  the  present  time, 
not  a  dividend  period  ever  having  been  passed. 

The  presidents  of  the  bank  have  been  eight :  Daniel  Latham  held  from 
organization  in  1867  until  May  15,  1870,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Henry  R.  Bond,  who  declined  a  reelection  after  serving  five  years, 
1871-1876.  William  H.  Barnes  was  the  third  president,  his  term  covering 
the  decade  1876-1886.  Christopher  C.  Comstock,  the  fourth  president,  served 
but  one  year,  and  in  1887  was  succeeded  by  Daniel  D.  Latham,  who  held 
until  189S.  The  sixth  president,  William  H.  Allen,  guided  the  bank's  des- 
tinies five  years,  1898-1903,  then  gave  way  to  George  C.  Strong,  who  was 
president  six  years,  1903-1909.  James  P.  Johnston,  the  eighth  president,  was 
elected  in  1909  and  has  served  until  the  present  date,  June,  1922. 

John  E.  Darrow  was  secretary-treasurer  of  the  bank  thirty-four  years, 
1869-1903.  Two  of  the  original  board  of  trustees  elected  in  1867  were  living 
at  the  time  af  the  fiftieth  anniversahy  in  1917 — Charles  D.  Boss,  whose  service 
had  been  continuous,  and  Thomas  M.  Waller.  One  of  the  original  incorpo- 
rators, William  L.  Peckham,  was  vice-president  of  the  bank  from  January, 
1874,  until  his  death  in  191 1,  at  the  age  of  ninety-three.  Thomas  A.  Miner, 
of  Groton,  was  a  vice-president  for  twenty-one  years  preceding  his  death  in 
1914,  at  the  age  of  ninety-four;  these  two  men  were  contemporary  officials 
of  the  bank  when  both  were  past  ninety.  John  E.  Darrow,  previously  re- 
ferred to,  was  the  first  individual  treasurer  of  the  bank,  the  Bank  of  Com- 
merce having  acted  in  that  capacity  during  the  first  two  years,  1867-1869. 
In  1903  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood  succeeded  Mr.  Darrow,  and  was  holding  the 
office  of  secretary-treasurer  at  the  end  of  the  fifty-year  period  in  1917,  the 
bank  having  had  but  these  two  treasurers  during  the  half  century,  Mr.  Har- 
wood yet  being  in  office  as  vice-president  and  treasurer. 


BANKS  449 

The  following  were  the  vice-presidents  of  the  bank  since  organization : 
Henry  P.  Haven,  1868-1876;  A.  N.  Ramsdell,  1867-1873;  J.  T.  Shepard,  1867- 
1874;  James  Griswold,  1867-1892;  F.  L.  Allen,  1867-1872;  C.  C.  Comstock, 
1867-1886;  W.  H.  Allen,  1867-1898,  1903-1907;  Ebenezer  Morgan,  1867-1883; 
Oliver  Woodworth,  1867-1872;  E.  D.  Avery,  1872-1893;  Norman  B.  Church, 
1872-1874;  Samuel  Green,  1873-1889;  William  L.  Peckham,  1874-1912;  E. 
Clark  Smith.  1876-1882;  Robert  A.  Morgan,  1882-1885;  D.  D.  Latham,  1883- 
1887;  Hiram  D.  Harris.  1886-1896;  C.  W.  Strickland.  Jr.,  1887-1903;  F.  S. 
Newcomb,  1887-1907;  George  C.  Strong,  1887-1903;  Eldridge  P.  Beckvvith, 
1889-1897;  John  Hopson,  1892-1911;  Thomas  A.  Miner,  1893-1915;  Richard 
C  Morris.  1896-1904;  James  P.  Johnston,  1897-1909;  F.  H.  Parmelee,  1904- 
1921 ;  A.  R.  Darrow,  1906-1917;  Charles  A.  Klinck,  1920;  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood, 
1921. 

The  directors  of  the  first  fifty  years  ending  July  i,  1917,  were:  Henry 
R.  Bond,  Benjamin  Stark,  Rial  Chaney,  W.  H.  Barnes,  Richard  H.  Chappell, 
Thomas  A.  Miner,  W.  R.  Perry,  Horace  Landphere,  Joseph  Starr,  Albert  R. 
Darrow,  Daniel  Latham,  J.  N.  Harris,  Robert  A.  Morgan.  James  Fitch.  Daniel 
D.  I^atham,  Eldridge  P.  Beckwith,  Henry  L.  Dudley,  Daniel  P.  Hempstead, 
F.  S.  Newcomb,  George  C.  Strong,  John  W.  Luce,  C.  W.  Strickland,  Jr., 
John  S.  Morgan,  Charles  Allyn,  Thomas  W.  Gardner.  Richard  C.  Morris, 
James  P.  Johnston.  Isaac  W.  Thompson.  F.  H.  Parmalee,  George  E.  Starr, 
Elisha  V.  Daboll,  Charles  H.  Klinck,  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood,  Charles  B.  Waller, 
William  T.  May,  Charles  S.  Starr,  Christopher  L.  Avery,  Sidney  A.  Brown. 

The  board  of  trustees  in  service  July  1,  1915.  with  year  of  election: 
Charles  D.  Ross.  1867;  J.  S.  Nichols,  1887;  W.  Fitzmaurice,  1891;  James  P. 
Johnston.  1891 ;  P.  H.  Parmalee,  1891;  Charles  H.  Klinck,  1896;  M.  Wilson 
Dart,  1896;  P.  H.  Shurts,  1896;  R.  A.  Brubeck,  1896;  William  T.  May,  1902; 
S.  L.  Ewald,  1902;  J.  D.  Cronin,  1902;  Edward  T.  Brown,  1903;  Charles  B. 
Walker,  1903;  William  H.  Reeves,  1903;  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood,  1904;  James 
R.  May,  1906;  S.  H.  Miner,  1906;  C.  L.  Avery.  1910;  Charles  A.  Gallup,  1910; 
Henrv-  Holt  Smith,  1910;  Sidney  A.  Brown,  1914;  G.  Fred  Brown,  1915. 

The  officers  of  the  bank  are  (1922):  James  P.  Johnston,  president; 
Charles  H.  Klinck.  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood,  vice-presidents ;  P.  Le  Roy  Har- 
wood, treasurer;  Henry  Holt  Smith,  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer;  Charles 
B.  Waller,  attorney.  Directors — William  T.  May,  Charles  A.  Gallup,  Charles 
H.  Klinck,  P.  Le  Roy  Harwood,  Sidney  A.  Brown,  Percy  C.  Eggleston,  James 
P.  Johnston. 

The  following  statement  is  of  April  25,  1917,  showing  the  condition  ot 
the  Mariners  Savings  Bank  as  reported  by  certified  public  accountant  W.  P. 
Landon  at  the  end  of  the  first  half  century  of  existence: 

ASSETS  C::sh  on  Hand  and  on  Deposit       85,456.90 

Loans  on   Real  Estate $2,165,570.00  

Loans  on  Collateral  Security     217,997.83  $5,074,622.38 
Kotes    of   Towns,    Counties, 

etc 108,200.00  LLABILITIES 

^^unicipal  Bonds 559.525  00  Amount  Due  Depositors $4,837,791.30 

Railroad  Bonds   1,750,720.00  Surplus  Account 175,000.00 

N.L.— 1-29 


45° 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Corporation  Bonds 29,625.00            Interest  Account  15,028.35 

Dank  Stocks   105,135.00            Profit  and  Loss  Account 32,382.23 

Banking  House   50.000.00  Safe    Deposit    Account     (:n- 

Suspensc  Account   210.00                come)  230.50 

Expense  Account   2,143.21            Special  Bond  Account 14,190.00 

Advances       on       Mortgaged  

Property    3944  $5,074,622.38 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  condition  of  this  bank  as  of  March  i, 
1922: 

ASSETS  Banking  House   50,000.00 

V.    S.     Liberty     Bonds    and                                  Foreclosed  Real  Estate 397-95 

Notes $92,344.27  .Vdvances  for  Ta.xes  and  In- 

Railroad  Bonds   1,778,936.28                 surance   779.93 

Municipal  Bonds 308,350.00  Cash  in  Banks  and  in  Vault . .       194,377.87 

Corporation  Bonds 167,050.00                                                                    

Bonds  of  Foreign  Countries.  372,002.00  $6,242,731.05 

Bank  Stocks   98,800.00  LIABILITIES 

Town,    County    and    School  Deposits  $5,905,40606 

District  Notes   64,200.00            Surplus   200,000.00 

Personal  Loans   3,627.50            Profit  and  Loss 137.324.99 

Mortgage  Loans   2,762,565.00                                                                    

Collateral  Loans   349,300.25  $6,242,731.05 

The  bank  was  the  pioneer  in  night  banking  in  New  London,  and  has 
always  been  among  the  leaders  in  promoting  thrift  movements. 

The  Dime  Savings  Bank  —  The  Dime  Savings  BanSk,  of  Norwich, 
was  established  in  1869,  and  in  1874  bought  the  building  at  No.  40  Main 
street,  vacated  by  the  Norwich  Probate  Court,  occupied  it  the  same  year,  and 
has  since  been  located  there.  The  bank  is  one  of  the  solid  institutions  of 
the  city,  and  in  its  more  than  half  a  century  of  life  has  filled  a  useful  and 
important  place  in  the  financial  world. 

The  Dime  Savings  Bank  was  organized  September  26,  1869.  Assets — 
"Faith — Hope — Courage."  Liabilities — "Sundry  bills  for  blank  books  and 
stationery,  amotmt  unknown."  The  officers  of  the  company  on  that  Septem- 
ber 26,  1869,  were :  Trustees — E.  R.  Thompson,  Amasa  C.  Hall,  E.  N.  Gibbs, 
Francis  J.  Leavens,  Gurdon  A.  Jones,  Jr.,  N.  T.  Adams,  A.  S.  Bolles,  H.  H. 
Osgood,  Julius  Webb,  P.  St.  M.  Andrews,  Charles  T.  Palmer,  Elijah  Kinney, 
Willis  R.  Austin,  Charles  R.  Richards,  James  Burnet,  Curtis  Jillson,  Horace 
Whitaker,  John  E.  Ward,  William  C.  Osgood,  E.  B.  Trumbull. 

President,  E.  R.  Thompson  ;  vice-presidents — Amasa  C.  Hall,  H.  H.  Os- 
good, W.  R.  Austin.  Directors — Horace  Whitaker,  James  Burnet,  William 
C.  Osgood,  A.  S.  Bolles,  G.  A.  Jones,  Jr.,  C.  T.  Palmer,  E.  N.  Gibbs,  F.  J. 
Leavens.    Attorney,  A.  S.  Bolles ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  D.  Coit. 

For  twenty-nine  years  Edward  R.  Thompson  guided  the  destinies  of  the 
Dime  Savings  Bank  wisely  and  well.  He  was  succeeded  in  1898  by  Hugh 
Henry  Osgood,  who  held  the  office  two  years,  giving  way  in  1900  to  J.  Hunt 
Smith,  who  was  president  of  the  bank  nine  years.  The  fourth  president  of 
the  bank  was  Francis  J.  Leavens,  who  was  president  until  September  25,  1921. 
The  present  head  of  the  institution  is  Gardner  Greene,  the  fifth  man  to  hold 
that  office. 


BANKS  451 

Under   President  Leavens   the  bank  celebrated   its  golden  anniversary 

with  suitable  ceremonies,  including  a  banquet,  a  feature  of  which  was  a  menu 
which  was  accompanied  by  a  statement  showing  the  growth  in  fifty  years,  as 
follows : 

Statement — September  26,  1869.  Assets — "Faith,  Hope  and  Courage." 
Liabilities — "Sundry  Bills  for  Blank  Books  and  Stationery,  Amount  Un- 
known." 

Statement,  September  10,  1919,  a  half  century  later: 

.'\SSETS  Bank  Stock   64,17000 

As  above,  plus  a  satisfactory  degree  of  Banking  House  and  Real  Es- 

public    confidence,    and    tlie    following  tate    17,101.00 

items    audited    this    day   by    the    State  Tax    and    Expense 8,108.30 

Bank   Examiner:  Cash     163,793.22 

Real    Estate    Loans $1,280,380.73  

Collateral       and        Personal  Total  .Xsscts    $3,706,230.19 

Loans    106,737.65  LIABILITIES 

V.    S.     Bonds    and    Foreign  Total   Deposits    $3,509,849.58 

Government  Bonds  and  W.  Interest,   Surplus   and    Profit 

S.  S 397.373.54  and  Loss    189,435.14 

Municipal  and  State  Bonds..      478,769.00  Liberty  Loan  Subscribers...          6,945.47 

Railroad     and      Corporation  

Bonds   1,189,796.75  Total   Liabilities    $3,706,230.19 

The  last  statement  made  under  date  of  May  i,  1922,  shows  continued 
prosperity : 

ASSETS  Banking  House   14,000.00 

Real  Estate  Loans $1,321,659.79  Cash  in  Bank 200,856.45 

Collateral  Loans   103,757.73  Cash    on    Hand 9,777.66 

Personal  Loans  13.850.00  

United  States  Bonds 416,084.76  $4,021,479.87 

Foreign   Government    Bonds     388,607.73 

Municipal    Bonds    337,55900  LI.VBILITIES 

Railroad  Bonds   1,069,134.25  Deposits    $3,860,224.05 

Railroad  Stocks   3,00000  Surplus    120,000.00 

State   Bonds   24,210.00  Profit   and   Loss 41,255.82 

Corporation   Bonds    54,812.50  


Bank  Stock  64,170.00  ,  $4,021,479.87 

The  following  constitutes  the  bank's  president  personnel :  Corporators 
— Gardiner  Greene,  Frank  L.  Woodard,  Reuben  S.  Bartlett,  J.  Frank  Clark, 
Royal  G.  Holmes,  .^rthv.r  E.  Story,  Russell  F.  Smith,  Gurdon  L.  Bidwell, 
Frank  H.  Pullen,  Wallace  S.  Allis,  Charles  H.  Phelps,  William  B.  Young, 
B.  P.  Bishop,  Albert  S.  Comstock,  Walton  C.  Davenport,  Maxton  Holms, 
Shepard  B.  Palmer,  John  H.  Perkins,  Walter  F.  Lester.  Otto  E.  Wulf,  F"rank 
A.  Bill,  Arthur  L.  Peale,  William  B.  Birge,  Edmund  W.  Perkins,  James  C. 
Henderson,  Lucius  Briggs,  James  L.  Crawford,  Herbert  B.  Cary,  F.  B.  Ricket- 
son,  Arthur  E.  Sherman,  Charles  A.  Saxton,  Charles  D.  Greenman,  Edwin 
H.  Baker,  Jr.,  Herbert  W.  Gallup,  Arthur  M.  Thompson  W.  Tyler  Olcott, 
Richard  S.  Gernon.  Dickson  H.  Leavens.  Morris  L.  Bergstresser,  Samuel  E. 
Holdridge,  Carl  W.  Brown,  E.  LaRue  Bliven,  Hugh  B.  Campbell. 

President,  Gardiner  Greene;  vice-presidents — Reuben  S.  Bartlett,  Wil 
liam  B.  Young,  B.  P.  Bishop.     Directors — Frank  L.  Woodard,  Shepard  B. 


452 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Palmer,  Walter  F.  Lester,  Charles  H.  Phelps,  Edmund  W.  Perkins,  James  C. 
Henderson,  Herbert  B.  Cary,  Russell  F.  Smith,  Frank  H.  Pullen.  Treasurer, 
Frank  L.  Woodard ;  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer,  John  H.  Perkins ;  at- 
torney, Edmund  W.  Perkins. 

Treasurer  Frank  L.  Woodard  has  been  with  the  bank  since  1878,  and 
treasurer  since  1888,  being  one  of  the  oldest  bankers  of  the  city  in  point  of 
years  of  service.    John  H.  Perkins  has  been  with  the  bank  since  1888. 

i. 

The  Jewett  City  Savings  Bank  —  Now  approaching  the  fiftieth  an- 
niversary of  its  birth,  the  Jewett  City  Savings  Bank  reviews  a  career  of  use- 
fulness and  prosperity  in  which  many  individuals  have  participated.  The 
bank  declared  its  first  dividend  three  months  after  beginning  business,  at  the 
rate  of  seven  per  cent,  per  annum,  then  reduced  to  six,  to  five,  and  finally  to 
tlie  regular  savings  bank  rate,  four  per  cent. 

The  bank  was  chartered  June  11,  1873,  with  the  following  corporators: 
Thomas  L.  Shipman,  John  W.  Fanning,  Thomas  A.  Clark,  John  R.  Tracy,  Ira 
G.  Briggs,  Jeremiah  K.  Adams,  George  Sanger,  Erastus  C.  Kegwin,  Phineas 
Boyle,  William  Soule,  Joseph  E.  Leonard,  Frederic  P.  Patridge,  Alfred  F. 
Brown,  Levi  J.  Branch,  Daniel  S.  Anthony,  Asher  P.  Brown,  Alfred  A.  Young, 
Welcome  A.  Browning,  Andrew  C.  Burnham,  Philetus  Rathbun,  James  O. 
Sweet,  Hezekiah  L.  Reade,  Silas  E.  Sherman,  Beriah  H.  Browning,  Henry  L. 
Johnson,  John  A.  Rockwell,  Israel  Mathewson,  Cornelius  Murphy,  Edwin 
Lathrop,  Patrick  Murtha. 

First  Officers — Hezekiah  L.  Reade,  president;  Asher  P.  Brown,  vice- 
president:  Henry  T.  Crosby,  secretary-treasurer.  Trustees — Thomas  A. 
Clark,  John  R.  Tracy,  Phineas  Boyle,  Welcome  A.  Browning,  James  O.  Sweet, 
John  A.  Rockwell,  Andrew  C.  Burnham,  Alfred  A.  Young,  Silas  E.  Sherman, 
Beriah  H.  Browning,  William  Soule,  Cornelius  Murphy.  Attorney,  Erastus 
C.  Kegwin. 

The  bank  began  business  in  the  building  formerly  used  as  a  banking 
house  by  the  Jewett  City  Bank,  but  in  1889  erected  the  building  which  it  has 
since  occvipied.  The  first  depositor  was  Miss  Mary  L.  Brown,  who  placed 
$100  to  her  own  credit,  June  23,  1873.  Miss  Brown's  account  remained  an 
active  one  on  the  bank's  books  until  finally  closed,  June  10,  1921. 

Hezekiah  L.  Reade,  the  first  president  of  the  bank,  served  until  July  11, 
1900;  then,  when  the  directors  would  have  elected  him  for  the  twenty-eighth 
time,  he  declined  the  honor.  The  board  then  elected  James  O.  Sweet  presi- 
dent, he  serving  until  his  death,  March  27,  1913.  The  board  chose  Edward 
M.  Anthony  to  succeed  Mr.  Sweet,  he  serving  until  the  next  regular  election, 
July  9,  1913,  when  he  was  chosen  to  the  office,  which  he  has  since  ably  filled, 
being  the  third  president  to  serve  the  bank  during  its  nearly  half  a  century 
of  life.  Henry  T.  Crosby,  the  first  secretary-treasurer,  was  succeeded  by 
Charles  Edw.  Prior,  who  served  until  February  i,  1895,  when  he  resigned. 
Frank  E.  Robinson  was  chosen  to  fill  out  Mr.  Prior's  unexpired  term,  then 
at  the  regular  meeting  of  the  corporators  was  regularly  elected  to  the  office 
of  secretary-treasurer,   as   he   has   been    annually   during  the  years,   twenty- 


BANKS  453 

seven,  which  have  since  intervened.  The  bank  has  had  but  three  secretary- 
treasurers  since  organization,  Mr.  Robinson  yet  being  in  office. 

Present  Officers  (1922) — Edward  M.  Anthony,  president;  John  C. 
Hawkins,  vice-president;  Daniel  L.  Phillips,  vice-president;  Frank  E.  Robin- 
son, secretary  and  treasurer.  Directors — Frank  E.  Robinson,  John  Potter, 
Albertus  C.  Burdick,  Adelbcrt  R.  Young,  Arthur  M.  Brown,  Archibald  M. 
Clarke,  John  H.  Tracy. 

Statement  January  i,  1922: 

RESOURCES  Cash  on  Hand  and  in  Banks        26,320.76 

Real   Estate  Loans $336,204.00                                                                

Collateral  Loans  50,280.00  $1,926,085.73 

Town,  Borough,  and  School  LL\BILITIES 

District  Loans   169,475.00           Deposits    $1,782,519.30 

Municipal    Bonds    252,895.50           Surplus    50,eoo.oo 

United  States   Bonds 361,245.75            Profit   and   Loss 69,228.23 

Bonds  of  Foreign   Countries  188,039.72  Interest,    less     Current     Ex- 
Railroad  Bonds   429,425.00  penses  and  Taxes  Paid. .. .        24,211.45 

Public    Utility    Bonds 40,000.00            Rent    126.75 

Bank  Stocks   65,200.00                                                                    

Banking  House    7,000.00  $1,926,085.73 

When  Mr.  Robinson  assumed  the  duties  of  his  present  office,  February  i, 
1895,  the  bank  had  seventeen  hundred  depositors,  their  deposits  amounting  to 
$737,000.  At  this  date,  June  8,  1922,  the  number  of  depositors  has  reached 
twenty-five  hundred  and  fifty,  and  their  deposits  total  something  over  $1,800,- 
000.  The  showing  bears  out  the  statement  made  in  the  beginning,  that  "the 
bank  reviews  a  career  of  usefulness  and  prosperity,"  and,  we  may  add,  and 
honor. 

The  Jewett  City  Trust  Company  —  The  Jewett  City  Trust  Com- 
pany, located  in  Jewett  City,  opened  its  doors  for  business  October  3,  1921. 
The  company  has  a  capital  of  $25,000,  and  a  paid  in  surplus  of  $6,250.  At 
the  end  of  the  first  si.x  months  deposits  were  $140,000. 

The  officers  are:  L.  M.  Carpenter,  president;  Daniel  F.  Finn,  Joseph  C. 
Worth,  vice-presidents ;  H.  M.  Dunbar,  treasurer ;  Edward  A.  Faust,  secretary. 
Directors — L.  M  Carpenter,  Joseph  C.  Worth,  Edward  A.  Faust,  Andrew 
McNicol,  James  H.  Shea,  Daniel  F.  Finn,  H.  M.  Dunbar,  Alex.  McNicol, 
George  H.  Jennings,  W.  C.  Terry,  A.  D.  Tripp. 

The  Bankers  Trust  Company  —  Among  the  youngest  of  the  financial 
institutions  of  New  London  county,  the  Bankers  Trust  Company  began  busi- 
ness on  Franklin  Square,  Norwich,  Connecticut,  December  14,  1921.  A  state- 
ment of  condition  three  months  later,  March  10,  1922,  shows  a  remarkable 
growth  during  that  short  period : 

ASSETS                                           demand)    22,908.36 

Bills  Discounted   $42,532.06            Mortgage  Loans   i,.-,oooo 

Demand  Loans  (without  col-                                  Town  and   City   Notes 4,800.00 

lateral)    1,275.00            Funds  Set  .'\side  for  Savings 

Collateral    Loans    (time    and                                      Depositors    53339.62 


454 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


ASSETS— (Continued) 

Stocks    and    Securities 24,850.00 

Furniture   and   Fixtures 15,289.66 

Due  from  Banks  and  Bankers  271,225.09 
United   States    and   National 

Bank   Notes    50,418.00 

Gold  Coin   1,187.50 

Silver  Coin   4,099.89 

Checks,  Casli  Items  and  Ex- 
changes      1,649.52 

Other  Assets,  viz.: 

Revenue  Stamps  3.38 

Prepaid  Interest  on  Bonds  314.28 

Expense  Account   5,047.80 


LIABILITIES 

Capital  Stock  $100,000.00 

Surplus    25,000.00 

Due  to  Banks  and  Bankers.  2,943.43 

Savings   Deposits    53,339-62 

General   Deposits    299,146.01 

Certificates     of    Deposit,    de 

mand    19,000.00 

Treasurer's   Checks    S4-90 

Certified  Checks    50.25 

Christmas  Savings   or  Thrift 

Funds     900.50 

Other   Liabilities,  viz.:     Sus- 
pense Account   5.4s 


$500,440.16 


$500,440.16 


Officers — Angus  Park,  president;  Timothy  C.  Murphy,  Charles  A.  Sax- 
ton,  Joseph  C.  Worth,  vice-presidents ;  George  A.  Finn,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. The  directors  are:  David  B.  Disco,  James  J.  Donahoe,  Edwin  W. 
Higgins,  Angus  Park,  Herbert  M.  Lerou,  Charles  D.  Foster,  Louis  J.  Fon- 
taine, Timothy  C.  Murphy,  Martin  Rozychi,  William  H.  Cruikshank,  James 
Graham,  Abner  Schwartz,  Joseph  C.  Worth,  Charles  A.  Saxton,  George  A. 
Finn. 

With  such  an  auspicious  beginning,  the  future  seems  bright  for  this 
addition  to  the  financial  family  of  the  county. 

The  Pawcatuck  Bank  and  Trust  Company  —  This,  the  youngest  of 
all  New  London  county  financial  institutions,  began  business  in  Pawca- 
tuck, Connecticut,  March  2,  1922,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000.  The  officers  are: 
Elias  B.  Hinckley,  president;  R.  J.  Randall,  chairman  of  board;  F.  S.  Opie, 
H.  A.  Stable,  vice-presidents;  F.  M.  Robertson,  cashier;  C.  C.  Gray,  secre- 
tary. Directors — William  H.  Casey,  Charles  F.  Champlin,  F.  L.  Furness, 
Charles  C.  Gray,  Elias  B.  Hincklc}-,  George  O.  Murphey,  Fred  S.  Opie,  Lee 
Perley,  R.  J.  Randall,  H.  A.  Stable,  George  H.  Stone,  Frank  N.  Wilcox, 
William  A.  Wilcox,  F.  S.  Nardone. 

One  hundred  thousand  dollars  on  deposit,  and  has  accumulated  a  surplus 
of  $6,250. 

The  Winthrop  Trust  Company  —  This  company  opened  for  business 
in  temporary  quarters  in  the  Plant  building,  310  State  street.  New  London, 
Connecticut,  on  March  i,  1922,  being  the  two  hundred  and  seventy-sixth  year 
after  the  founding  of  New  London  by  John  Winthrop,  the  younger. 

Officers — P.  LeRoy  Harwood,  president;  Ernest  E.  Rogers,  vice-presi- 
dent; Frank  C.  Cutler,  secretary-treasurer.  Directors — Ward  T.  Ailing,  W. 
Ellery  Allyn,  Arthur  P.  Anderson,  Rosemary  O.  Anderson,  Charles  Borland, 
Sidney  A.  Brown,  Donald  Chappell,  Waldo  E.  Clarke,  Cornelius  C.  Costello, 
Marion  R.  Davis,  Percy  C.  Eggleston,  Harry  T.  Griswold,  James  G.  Ham- 
mond, Philip  Z.  Hankey,  Frank  J.  Howell,   Ludwig  Mann,  James  R.  May, 


BANKS 


455 


Robert  J.  Sisk.  Frank  B.  Walker,  Charles  B.  Waller,  E.  O.  Winship,  Thomas 
A.  Woodruff,  Homer  Brooke. 

Report  of  the  condition  of  the  Winthrop  Trust  Company,  New  London, 
Connecticut,  at  the  close  of  business  on  May  5th,  1922: 


ASSETS 

Demand  Loans  (without  col- 
lateral)     

Collateral  Loans  (time  and 
demand)    

Motgagc  Loans   

Otlicr  Loans   

Ijonds  to  Secure  Savings 
Deposits    

Funds  Set  Aside  for  Savings 
Depositors    

United  States  Bonds 

Stocks  and  Securities 

I'urniturc   and    Fixtures 

Due  from   Reserve  Agents.. 

Due   from   Banks  and  Bank- 


ers 


United  States  and  National 
Banks  Notes 

Gold   Coin    

Silver  Coin    

Minor  Coin  

Checks,  Cash  Items  and  Ex- 
changes     

Other  .*\ssets,  viz.:  Bank  Ac- 
ceptances     


$13,625.00 

88,255.00 

500.00 

42,374.00 

8,077-25 

2,111.69 
9,922.50 

47,418.47 
4,088.46 

56,895-26 

740.21 

5,73<5.oo 

215.00 

340.50 

18.97 

10.63 

19,868.89 


Accrued    Interest   on   Stocks 

and   Bonds   Paid  Our 508.33 

Expenses   5,037.60 


Total   Assets    ?305, 7.13.76 


LIABILITIES 

Capital  Stock   

Surplus     

Savings   Deposits    

General   Deposits    

Treasurer's   Checks    

Certified  Checks   

Exchange,  Collection  Charges 
on  Drafts  

Interest  Earned  on  Savings 
Funds  

Other  Liabilities,  viz.:  In- 
surance  Commission    

Commission  on  Sales,  Stocks 
and    Bonds    

Interest  Earned 

Discount  (unearned  interest 
on  loans  discounted) 


$100,00000 

25,000.00 

10,178.91 

164,866.64 

3,597-21 

S-OO 

5-24 

10.03 

1.42 

31-83 
568.15 

1.479-33 


Total   Liabilities    $305,743.76 


!:hapter  XVI 

FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 
By  W'ai.tkr  F.  Lester 

A  Primitive  Necessity. — The  spirit  of  mutual  dependence  so  profoundly 
voiced  by  the  franiers  of  the  Mayflower  Compact  has  never  failed  to  pervade 
the  colonies  planted  by  them,  nor  the  communities  which  later  developed 
therefrom.  Indeed,  into  the  fabric  woven  by  those  who  "solemnly  and 
mutually'"  covenanted  and  combined  themselves  together  "into  a  civil  bodj' 
politic  for  our  better  ordering  and  preservation,"  there  entered  as  the  basic 
element  the  relation  of  each  to  the  other.  Periods  of  dire  distress  at  times 
sorely  tried  these  relations,  yet  through  the  deep  cultivation  and  refinement 
of  common  disaster  they  proved  too  well-rooted  to  suffer  destruction,  and 
endured.  Through  mutual  understanding,  therefore,  as  well  as  necessity, 
our  forefathers  came  to  be  among  the  world's  most  noble  exponents  of  the 
exhortation,  "Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens." 

Built  upon  such  a  foundation  and  fostered  by  hereditary  spirit  in  the 
succeeding  generations,  were  it  possible  for  our  humane  institutions  of  to-day 
to  have  achieved  a  lesser  degree  of  development?  Quite  naturally  these  people 
who  believed  in  personal  equality ;  who  established  and  protected  a  like  oppor- 
tunity for  all  in  religion  and  education;  whose  men  stood  as  sentinels  about 
the  church,  guarding  the  worshipping  congregation  against  the  ravages  of 
the  hostile  savage; — quite  naturally  these  people  had  anxiety  to  protect 
themselves  against  the  ravages  of  a  fickle  friend — usually  one  of  their  potent 
allies,  but  erstwhile  thc-ir  most  vicious  enemy.  As  a  result  we  find  written 
into  the  early  records  and  later  into  the  official  statutes,  rules  and  laws 
relating  to  the  prevention  of  and  protection  from  damage  by  fire.  These 
regulations  were  primitive  and  the  natural  deduction  from  the  circumstances, 
but  a  person  of  even  average  intelligence  would  declare  them  to  be  so  self- 
evident  as  to  be  superfluous.  Ordinarily  this  would  be  true,  yet,  ever  since 
fire  underwriting  has  been  a  factor  in  the  economic  world,  those  engaged  in 
the  business  have  been  endeavoring  to  understand  the  psychologic  phenom- 
enon of  mankind's  apathy  to  the  great  hazards  of  fire,  and  the  most  elementary 
warnings  seem  essential,  though  universally  unheeded.  Undoubtedly  it  was 
in  recognition  of  this  trait  of  human  nature  that  our  New  England  ancestors 
came  to  a  realization  that  losses  by  fire  were  sure  to  occur  and  that  precau- 
tionary measures  to  prevent  fire  would  frequently  fail,  making  it  necessary 
to  find  some  means  through  which  the  individual  loser  would  not  be  obliged 
to  suffer  all  the  burden  alone,  but  that  the  toll  exacted  might  be  distributed 
over  the  entire  community.  There  appears  therefore  as  early  as  1640  frag- 
mentary references  pointing  to  the  fact  that  a  mutual  understanding,  at  least, 
was  entered  into  among  the  people  of  some  of  the  separate  communities  in 
southern  New  England  looking  toward  a  contributorship  or  assessment 
levied  on  the  many  to  cover  the  misfortune  of  the  few.  This  of  course  was 
quite  natural,  as  in  some  sections  the  idea  of  all  real  property  of  whatever 


458  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

nature  being-  to  the  public  weal  was  carried  out  to  the  letter,  remaining  so 
until  such  things  as  partitions,  deeds  and  records  became  an  official  verity. 
In  this  manner  the  way  was  paved  for  a  more  definite  and  organized  method 
by  which  the  people  might  be  reimbursed  for  and  in  some  degree  protected 
against  loss  by  fire,  and  all  early  organizations  of  this  nature  were  on  a 
strictly  mutual  basis. 

The  belief  should  not  be  ventured  that  the  settlers  in  New  England  were 
by  any  means  the  pioneers  in  instituting  a  compensating  plan  with  relation 
to  loss  by  fire.  The  actual  beginning  of  the  practice  is  obscure,  though  it 
appears  that  nearly  three  thousand  years  ago  in  the  East,  particularly  in 
Assyria,  magistrates  were  appointed  in  each  town  and  district  to  levy  con- 
tributions from  each  member  of  the  community  to  provide  a  fund  against 
such  calamities  as  drought  and  fire. 

It  is  quite  certain,  however,  that  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century, 
proportional  to  the  amount  of  property  involved,  organized  fire  insurance 
protection  was  as  rapidly  developed  in  southern  New  England  and  Pennsyl- 
vania as  in  any  part  of  the  world  at  any  period  in  history.  There  was  very 
good  reason  for  this.  Clearance  of  the  lands  meant  production  of  lumber, 
and  it  was  quite  natural  that  this  should  be  absorbed  in  erection  of  buildings, 
accounting  in  a  large  measure  for  the  prevailing  wooden  construction  of  our 
communities.  The  fire  hazards  through  these  conditions  were  naturally  more 
menacing  than  in  the  older  European  communities  where  brick  and  tile  and 
stone  and  cement  could  be  used  with  greater  facility  and  had  for  many  year.s 
been  employed  in  building  construction.  Moreover,  business  was  expanding 
b;,-  leaps  and  bounds ;  mercantile  houses  were  increasing  in  number  to  an 
amazing  extent.  In  modern  times,  fire  insurance  has  come  to  be  recognized 
as  an  indispensable  element  in  the  business  world  as  a  guarantor  of  credit. 
This  fact  early  in  the  nineteenth  century  was  rapidly  becoming  recognized, 
and  mercantile  houses  were  clamoring  for  enlargement  of  such  facilities. 
Thus  from  the  demands  created  through  the  hazards  of  frame  construction, 
as  well  as  the  insistent  appeal  of  business  for  financial  protection,  from  the 
small  beginning  of  the  neighborhood  group  who  mutuallv  covenanted  to  share 
each  others'  losses,  were  developed  the  highly  organized  fire  insurance  com- 
panies of  New  England,  among  which  those  of  Connecticut  and  of  New 
London  county  have  gained  a  very  enviable  place. 

First  American  Companies. — It  has  been  stated  that  Pennsylvania  shared 
with  New  England  in  the  earliest  establishment  of  organized  fire  insurance 
Companies,  and  the  first  whose  title  appears  on  record  was  The  Philadelphia 
Contributorship  for  the  Insurance  of  Houses  from  Loss  by  Fire — a  typical 
Philadelphia  title.  This  honorable  institution  was  organized  on  March  25, 
1752,  Benjamin  Franklin  being  a  director,  and  is  still  doing  business,  its  sole 
territory  being  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Manv  other  companies  were  organ- 
ized in  the  succeeding  years,  either  to  succumb  shortly  or  to  live  a  feeble 
existence  which  has  left  no  record,  with  the  exception  of  The  Mutual  Assur- 
ance Company  for  Insuring  Houses  from  Loss  by  Fire,  organized  in  1786 
in  Philadelphia,  and  still  in  existence.    These  were  nearly  all  in  Pennsylvania, 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  459 

however,  and  none  in  Connecticut  until  forty-two  years  later. 

In  1792  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America  came  into  being  in 
the  same  room  in  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia,  where  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  had  been  signed  sixteen  years  bfore.  This  company  to-day 
enjoys  the  highest  regard  of  the  insuring  public  in  every  State  of  the  United 
States,  as  well  as  the  provinces  of  Canada,  and  is  one  of  our  strongest  and 
largest  underwriting  institutions.  It  may  not  be  an  unpardonable  digression 
if  here  are  quoted  the  words  of  a  paragraph  from  a  book  recently  published 
by  this  oldest  American  joint-stock  insurance  corporation,  recountmg  its 
distinguished  history:  "Its  early  history  is  closely  interwoven  with  the  history 
of  the  Government  itself,  and  reflects  at  every  step  the  early  struggles  of 
the  fathers  of  a  nation  to  make  the  Great  Republic  we  have  to-day.  The 
North  America  has  therefore  veritably  grown  up  out  of  and  with  the  country 
itself.  Its  archives  teem  with  entries  and  records  concerning  great  historical 
names  and  transactions  connected  with  places,  property  and  events  that  occu- 
pied the  thoughts  and  inspired  the  hopes  of  the  makers  of  liberty  and  their 
successors,  the  makers  of  the  country." 

The  stage  being  thus  set  with  sufficient  background  to  make  an  impres- 
sion as  to  the  antiquity  of  the  event,  we  now  come  to  a  very  important 
episode  and  one  which  relates  intimately  to  our  study  of  fire  insurance  in 
New  London  Count}' — indeed,  is  the  very  inception  of  enduring  fire  insurance 
organization  in  Connecticut,  if  not  in  New  England.  For,  yielding  only  two 
years'  priority  to  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  in  1794  were 
born  twins  into  the  insurance  held.  One  was  the  Insurance  Company 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  other  The  Norwich 
Mutual  Assurance  Company,  in  Norwich,  Connecticut :  the  full  dignified  name 
of  the  Insurance  Company  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  Philadelphia, 
perhaps  this  abundant  title  is  more  in  keeping  with  the  characteristic 
Philadelphia  copiousness  of  cognomen.  We  may  dispose  of  the  Insurance 
Company  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  with  but  a  word.  In  fact,  it  to  some 
extent  disposed  of  itself,  when  in  191 3,  after  more  than  a  century  of  honor- 
able record,  its  individuality  was  somewhat  sacrified  through  merger  with 
the  American  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia,  a  youngster  ( !) 
organized  in   iSio. 

The  Mutual  Assurance  Company  of  the  City  of  Norwich. — In  the  Mutual 
Assurance  Company  of  the  City  of  Norwich,  however,  we  have  a  great 
interest.  Its  unique  distinction  of  being  the  first  established  enduring  insur- 
ance organization  in  the  Eastern  United  States  of  the  period  creates  a  heritage 
of  which  New  London  county  may  well  be  proud. 

A  serious  fire  occurring  in  Norwich  in  1794  so  painfully  illustrating  the 
inefficiency  of  the  fire  engines  and  the  total  losses  to  which  all  property 
owners  were  liable,  was  the  direct  cause  of  the  founding  of  the  Mutual 
Assurance  Company.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the  court  house  in  Norwich 
Town,  Monday,  December  29,  1794,  Dr.  Joshua  Lathrop  was  chosen  chair- 
man, and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Secretary,  Zachariah  Hunting- 
ton ;   Directors,   General   Ebenezer   Huntington,   Mr.  Joseph   Rowland,   Mr. 


46o  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

Daniel  Coit,  Mr.  Thomas  Fanning,  Mr.  Samuel  DeWitt,  Colonel  Joshua 
Huntington,  Mr.  Levi  Huntington  and  Colonel  Christopher  Leffingwell. 

On  May  i8,  1795,  the  members  petitioned  "The  Honourable  General 
Assembly  now  sitting  in  Hartford,"  for  an  act  of  incorporation  "for  the 
purpose  of  rendering  any  future  loss  which  may  happen  to  them  by  fire,  as 
light  as  possible  to  individuals  sustaining  such  loss,"  and  for  the  purpose 
of  mutually  insuring  each  other.  This  request  was  granted  the  second 
Thursday  of  May,  1795. 

In  this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  nine  months  prior  to 
the  first  meeting  of  the  local  organizers,  or  in  March,  1794,  the  firm  of 
Sanford  and  Wadsworth  of  Hartford  began  business  by  issuing  policies  under 
the  names  of  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company.  The  following  year 
the  same  parties,  with  some  additional  members,  continued  business  for  a 
short  time,  using  the  title  of  Hartford  and  New  Haven  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany. As  both  of  these  ventures  were  partnerships  which  began  and  con- 
tinued without  special  legislative  sanction,  the  Mutual  Assurance  Company 
of  the  City  of  Norwich  became  the  earliest  incorporated  body  of  its  kind  in 
Connecticut.  The  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company,  which  succeeded  this 
informal  enterprise,  was  not  chartered  until  1810.  The  Security  Insurance 
Company  of  New  Haven,  probably  also  a  successor,  was  organized  in  May, 
1841. 

The  company  never  had  a  president.  Among  those  who  succeeded  Dr. 
Joshua  Lathrop  as  chairman  or  moderator  were  Nathaniel  Shipman,  Captain 
John  L.  Buswell,  Charles  P.  Huntington,  Roger  Huntington,  General  William- 
Williams,  George  Bliss,  General  Joseph  Williams,  Eleazer  L.  Lathrop,  Apple- 
ton  Meech,  Abiel  S.  Sherman,  Oliver  P.  Wattles,  Gardner  Thurston,  Z.  R. 
Robbins,  Henry  Bill,  Samuel  B.  Case,  Edmund  B.  Roath  and  General  Edward 
■  Harland. 

This  first  policy  issued  February  i6th,  1795,  was  as  follows: 

NORWICH    MUTUAL   ASSURANCE    COMPANY    FOR    INSURING 
BUILDINGS  FROM  LOSS  BY  FIRE 

No.  I. 
THIS  POLICY  Witnesseth,  That 

Christopher  Leffingwell 
having  become,  and  by  these  presents  becoming  a  Member  of  the  MUTUAL 
ASSURANCE  COMPANY  of  the  city  of  Norwich,  pursuant  to  a  Deed  of 
Settlement,  bearing  date  the  fifteenth  Day  of  December,  One  Thousand  Seven 
Hundred  and  Ninety-Four.  And  for  and  in  Consideration  of  the  Sum  of 
Five  Dollars  &  Twenty-five  Cents  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Christopher 
Leffingwell  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  said  Assurance  Company,  being  the 
Amount  of  Premium  for  insuring  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  and  fifty 
Dollars  unto  the  said  Christopher  Leffingwell  his  Heirs,  Executors,  Admin- 
istrators and  .\ssigns,  upon  the  Dwelling  House  in  which  he  now  lives.  Situ- 
ated on  the  west  side  of  the  main  street  in  Norwich,  two  stories  high,  forty 
three  feet  front  and  Forty  three  feet  Wide,  Built  of  wood,  the  Chimney 
therein  being  also  included,  as  recorded  in  the  register  book  of  the  Treasurer 
of  said  Assurance  Company,  Letter  A,  Page  ist.  during  the  term  of  one  year 
from  the  date  hereof ;  the  said  Policy  commencing  the  l6th  Day  of  February 
instant,  and  ending  on  the  l6th  Day  of  February  next,  commencing  and  end- 
ing at  12  o'clock  at  noon. 


FIRE  IXSURAXCE  IN  XEW  I,OXDO\'  COUNTY  461 

This  policy  was  dated  the  i6th  of  February,  1795,  was  signed  by  Zach. 
Huntington,  secretary,  and  by  Ebcnczer  Huntington  and  Jacob  DeWitt, 
directors,  and  insured  three-fourths  of  the  estimated  fourteen  hundred  dollar 
valuation  of  the  house,  the  premium  being  at  the  rate  of  one-half  of  one 
per  cent.  This  insurance,  which  has  never  lapsed,  still  protects  the  old 
dwelling  near  Harland's  corner,  Norwich  Town. 

Other  insurance  which  was  issued  the  same  day  and  is  still  in  force  is 
as  follows:  Policy  No.  4,  insured  the  same  Christopher  LefTingwell  in  the 
sum  of  $600,  "on  his  Dwelling  house  in  which  Mr.  Belsher  now  lives,  situated 
on  the  Cross  Road  so  called  from  the  meeting  house  to  his  said  Leffingwells 
Trading  Store  and  near  the  Potters  Kiln,"  which  residence  was  recently  the 
property  of  the  late  Epaphras  Porter;  No.  9  was  issued  to  Joshua  Lathrop 
in  the  sum  of  $900,  and  covered  "his  Dwelling  house  in  which  he  lives,"  "on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  main  Street,"  which  property  in  later  years  became 
known  as  the  Gardner  Thurston  place;  No.  14  was  issued  in  the  sum  of 
$750  to  Daniel  Lathrop  on  "his  Dwelling  house  in  which  he  now  lives,"  "on 
the  east  side  of  the  main  Street,"  which  homestead  became  in  time  the  resi- 
dence of  the  late  Deacon  James  Stedman. 

Other  early  insurance  which  is  still  existent  is  represented  by  Policy 
No.  36,  which  bore  date  February  23,  1795,  and  in  the  sum  of  $525,  insured 
Thomas  Ilarland  on  "his  Dwelling  house  in  which  he  lives,  situated  on  the 
east  of  the  main  street  in  Norwich  opposite  Christopher  Leffingwell's  trading 
store."  This  fine  old  property  has  never  been  alienated,  and  was  the  home 
of  the  late  Gen.  Edward  Harland  at  his  death.  Policy  No.  53,  issued  to  Daniel 
L.  Coit,  Feb.  24,  1795,  in  the  sum  of  $1275  on  "his  dwelling  house  in  which 
he  now  lives,  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  main  street,  in  Norwich." 
This  residence,  still  known  as  "the  Coit  house,"  passed  by  inheritance  to  the 
Oilman  family. 

Among  other  early  policy  holders  were  Gen.  Ebenezer  Huntington, 
Thomas  Fanning,  Levi  Huntington,  Col.  Joshua  Huntington,  Thomas  Hub- 
bard, Rev.  Joseph  Strong,  Ebenezer  Carew,  Gardner  Carpenter,  James  Hyde, 
Ebenezer  Thomas,  Joseph  Carpenter,  Mundator  Tracy,  Christopher  Starr, 
Elisha  L.  Reynolds,  on  "his  dwelling  house  in  which  his  Honoured  Mother, 
Mrs.  Phebe  Reynolds  now  lives,"  and  many  others. 

The  company  issued  policies  on  property  not  only  in  Norwich  Town  and 
Landing,  but  in  Bozrah,  Windham,  and  other  nearby  places,  and  had  accred- 
ited agents  in  New  London,  the  first  of  whom,  Major  Simeon  Smith,  Capt. 
Nichol  Fosdick  and  Mr.  Isaac  Treby,  were  appointed  March  7,  1803. 

The  company  early  "voted  that  on  every  principal  building,  in  each  policy 
insured,  there  shall  be  a  badge,  in  a  conspicuous  place,  in  the  front  of  the 
building  with  the  words  ("Mutual  Assurance")  ingraved,  painted  or  plated 

MUTU.-\L 

ASSUR.AlXCE 

No.  203 

thereon,  together  with  the  No.  of  the  building  agreeably  to  the  number  of 
the  policy,  by  which  the  same  is  insured." 


462  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

For  many  years  and  until  a  comparatively  recent  time,  these  quaint  tokens 
embellished  many  local  habitations,  particularly  those  at  Norwich  Town,  but 
have  now  generally  disappeared.  One  may  yet  be  seen,  however,  over  the 
front  door  of  the  home  of  the  Ladies  Oilman,  in  that  section  of  the  town.  Its 
presence  is  something  of  a  mystery,  as  its  number  (203)  corresponds  with 
that  of  a  policy  issued  September  6,  1797,  in  the  sum  of  $450,  to  John  French 
on  "his  dwelling  house  improved  by  himself  situated  in  New  London,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  road  leading  from  the  church  to  Greens'  brick  house." 

For  many  years  the  amount  set  aside  for  the  payment  of  losses  and 
dividends  was  $6,666.67  '•  the  assets  at  the  close  of  the  year  1865  were  $8,979.95 1 
they  are  now  $18,346.84. 

Annual  meetings  are  held  in  January  and,  the  Company  being  purely 
mutual,  the  dividends  then  declared  are  devoted  to  the  payment  of  premiums. 
While  taking  excellent  care  of  old  clients  by  continuing  their  policies  at  one- 
quarter  of  one  per  cent.,  the  company  has  declined  new  business  during  the 
past  twenty-five  years.  The  present  directors  of  the  company  are  C.  R.  Butts, 
F.  D.  Sevin,  H.  L.  Yerrington,  Z.  R.  Robbins,  and  S.  B.  Palmer.  Charles 
R.  Butts  is  its  present  secretary,  having  held  this  position  since  1904. 

Last  of  Eighteenth  and  First  of  Nineteenth  Century. — Of  some  one  hund- 
red and  thirty  American  companies  doing  business  in  Connecticut  in  1920,  the 
so-called  Norwich  Mutual  was  the  oldest,  save  one,  the  Insurance  Company 
of  North  America  previously  referred  to.  The  next  oldest  company  reporting 
to  the  Connecticut  Insurance  Department  is  the  Providence-Washington 
Insurance  Company  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  organized  in  1799,  and,  as 
a  matter  of  fact,  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  the  Mutual  As- 
surance Company  of  the  City  of  Norwich  and  the  Providence-Washington 
Insurance  Company  are  the  only  American  companies  doing  business  in  Con- 
necticut organized  in  the  eighteenth  century.  Indeed,  of  all  the  fire  insurance 
companies  now  entered  in  Connecticut  of  any  nationality  whatsoever — and 
practically  all  comprehensive  companies  of  this  and  every  other  country  in 
the  world  are  so  entered — the  list  of  those  organized  in  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury embraces  only  nine.  In  addition  to  the  three  referred  to  previously  are 
six  English  companies:  The  Sun  Insurance  Office,  London,  the  oldest  insur- 
ance company  in  the  world,  organized  in  1710;  the  Union  Assurance  Society 
of  London,  organized  in  1714;  the  London  Assurance  Company,  and  the 
Royal  Exchange  Assurance  Company,  both  of  London,  and  both  organized 
in  1720;  the  Phoenix  Assurance  Company,  London,  organized  in  1782;  and 
the  Norwich  Union  Fire  Insurance  Society,  of  Norwich,  England,  organ- 
ized in  1797.  None  of  this  group  of  six,  however,  were  in  the  field  in  the 
United  States  when  the  other  group  of  three  were  organized.  The  Phoenix 
Assurance  Company  was  the  first  foreign  fire  insurance  company  to  enter 
the  United  States,  in  1804.  The  State  of  Pennsylvania  was  alert  to  protect 
its  young  companies,  and  in  view  of  what  has  been  said  of  the  Pennsylvania 
companies  in  the  early  days,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  legislature  of 
that  State  in  1810  passed  an  act  prohibiting  all  insurance  by  foreign  corpora- 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  463 

tions,  and  the  Phoenix  accordingly  withdrew  from  Pennsylvania  (and  the 
United  States)  and  did  not  return  until  1879.  The  London  Assurance  Com- 
pany entered  tlie  country  in  1872,  the  Norwich  Union  in  1877,  the  Sun  in 
1882,  the  Royal  Exchange  in  1891,  and  the  Union  Assurance  in  1907.  The 
Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company,  organized  in  Liverpool, 
England,  in  1S36,  entered  the  United  States  in  1848  and  therefore,  with  the 
exception  of  the  temporary  entrance  of  the  Phoenix  Assurance,  has  longest 
done  an  American  business.  Of  late  years  companies  of  all  countries  are 
doing  business  here,  China  and  Japan  being  strongly  represented,  though  next 
to  the  English  companies  the  French  predominate.  Previous  to  the  earliest 
of  these  dates,  hov.-ever,  practically  all  of  the  companies  of  the  United  States, 
including  those  of  Connecticut  and  New  London  county,  to  which  we  are 
about  to  refer,  were  organized.  It  will  therefore  be  evident  that  these  institu- 
tions found  their  inception  in  the  necessity  for  the  facilities  which  they 
afforded,  rather  than  to  meet  competition  of  outside  corporations;  it  is  the 
source  of  great  satisfaction  to  know  that  early  American  industry  and  busi- 
ness had  the  sagacity  and  courage  to  care  for  its  own  risks  unaided. 

Reference  was  made  in  a  previous  paragraph  to  the  rapid  development 
and  institution  of  fire  insurance  organizations  in  the  early  part  of  the  last 
century  in  the  Colonial  United  States.  While  other  States,  notably  Pennsyl- 
vania as  aforesaid,  were  productive  to  some  degree  in  such  organizations, 
their  record  did  not  begin  to  compare  with  that  of  Massachusetts  and  Con- 
necticut. Between  1800  and  1840  in  Massachusetts  no  less  than  thirty  fire 
insurance  companies  began  operation.  In  Connecticut  during  that  period, 
sixteen  entered  the  business.  Of  these,  two  stock  companies  now  survive, 
both  being  institutions  which  have  taken  the  name  of  Connecticut  into  proud 
places  and  are  the  epitome  of  solidarity  and  integrity:  The  Hartford  Fire 
Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  commenced  business  under  charter  in  August, 
1810,  and  the  .^tna  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  on  August  19th,  1819. 

The  Norwich  Fire  Insurance  Company. — In  1803  there  was  chartered  in 
Norwich  the  first  stock  fire  insurance  company  in  Connecticut.  The  original 
title  was  the  Norwich  Marine  Insurance  Company,  but  apparently  the  strictly 
marine  business  was  not  favorable,  and  in  1818  the  name  was  changed  by  act 
of  legislature  to  The  Norwich  Fire  Insurance  Company,  the  capital  being 
increased  from  $50,000  to  $100,000,  with  privilege  for  further  increase  to  not 
more  than  $300,000,  a  large  figure  for  the  times,  indicating  ambitions  for  a 
leading  place  in  the  business  of  the  period.  The  directors  subsequently  fixed 
the  capital  at  $100,000,  this  being  raised  to  $150,000  in  1849,  j"st  previous  to 
the  company  being  admitted  to  do  business  in  the  State  of  New  York.  The 
capital  stock  was  increased  to  $200,000  in  i860,  and  to  the  maximum  of 
$300,000  in  1864. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  company,  both  a  marine  (insurance  of  ships  and 
cargoes)  and  fire  business  was  done.  Risks  were  carefully  selected,  though 
in  the  absence  of  the  present  statutory  restraint  no  reserves  were  erected 
against  the  liabilities  of  the  company — or  the  amount  at  risk — and  as  soon  as 
a  dollar  reached  the  treasury  it  was  looked  upon  as  earned.     It  was  not  until 


464  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

1837  that  regulation  of  insurance  was  attempted  by  the  State.  An  Act  passed 
in  Massachusetts  in  that  year  creating  the  so-called  "reinsurance  reserve  fund" 
was  the  inception  of  the  present  comprehensive  and  wise  State  supervision 
existent  country-wide.  The  conditions  of  to-day,  therefore,  are  that  a  com- 
pany does  not  consider  the  premium  paid  by  the  assured  as  earned  for  itself 
until  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  risk  for  which  liability  was  assumed. 

With  this  company,  therefore,  there  seems  to  have  been  successive  periods 
of  encouragement  through  smiling  fortune,  and  of  gloom  subsequent  to 
adverse  caprices  of  fate,  abundance  and  destitution  appearing  to  alternate. 
Every  loss,  however,  was  met  with  punctilious  zeal.  In  1849  the  premiums 
had  reached  $22,056.35,  and  interest  $1,204.20.  Losses  and  stock  dividends 
amounted  to  $22,270.38. 

The  presidents  of  the  company  were:  Samuel  Woodbridge,  Simeon 
Thomas,  1807;  Thomas  Lathrop,  1810;  Ebenezer  Huntington,  1813;  David 
Ripley,  1819;  Charles  P.  Huntington,  1820;  John  Bushwell,  1825;  George  L. 
Perkins,  1830;  William  Williams,  Jr.,  1836;  Lewis  Hyde,  1845;  Charles  John- 
son, 1846;  John  G.  Huntington  (when  elected  also  being  president  of  the 
New  London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company),  1849;  Samuel  Mor- 
gan, 1853;  Augustus  Brewster,  1854;  and  Ebenezer  Learned,  1864.  The 
secretaries  were :  Shubael  Breed,  Joseph  Williams,  1814,  serving  an  unusual 
term  of  forty  years;  Ebenezer  Learned,  1854;  John  L.  Dennison,  1864;  and 
W.  T.  Steere,  1868. 

The  great  Chicago  fire  in  October,  1871,  caused  losses  so  far  in  excess  of 
resources  that  retirement  was  inevitable,  and  the  company,  which  at  that 
time  had  the  tradition  of  being  the  oldest  stock  fire  insurance  company  in 
Connecticut,  was  obliged  to  cease  business. 

A  New  London  Company. — It  is  of  interest  to  record  that  in  October, 
1818,  the  Thames  Insurance  Company  was  chartered  in  New  London,  being 
the  only  company  of  record  organized  in  that  city.  The  records  of  the  Insur- 
ance Department  in  Hartford  do  not  disclose  any  facts  relative  to  the  company 
and  it  is  doubtful  whether  much  if  any  business  was  done. 

Other  Early  Companies  in  Connecticut. — Of  the  Mutual  Companies  or- 
ganized in  Connecticut  during  the  period  of  1800-1840,  the  principal  ones  were 
primarily  instituted  as  county  affairs;  some  of  the  smaller  ones  were  township 
companies  only.  The  oldest  was  organized  in  Brooklyn,  and  known  as  the 
\\  indham  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  commencing  business  in 
1826.  The  Tolland  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  organized 
in  Tolland,  in  1828.  In  1906  both  of  these  companies  retired,  disastrous  expe- 
rience in  the  insuring  of  farm  risks  primarily  leading  to  their  cessation.  The 
Hartford  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  was  organized 
in  1832.  The  Litchfield  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Litchfield  com- 
menced business  in  1833.  On  June  13th,  1836,  the  Middlesex  Mutual  Assur- 
ance Company  began  business  in  Middletown.  The  New  London  County 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Norwich  was  organized  in  July,  1840. 
These  companies  are  all  in  active  operation,  the  Hartford  County  Mutual  Fire 


F]RE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  465 

Insurance  Company,  the  Middlesex  Mutual  Assurance  Company  and  the  New 
London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  being  the  leading  mutual 
companies  in  Connecticut,  while  the  Litchfield  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany enjoys  an  equally  high  repute,  though  not  conducting  its  business  on 
quite  as  large  a  scope. 

The  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. — At  the 
biennial  session  of  the  Connecticut  legislature  opening  in  January,  1840,  there 
was  passed  a  resolution  incorporating  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  a  copy  of  which  is  as  follows: 

Resolved  by  this  Assembly : 

Section  I.  That  Joseph  Backus,  Henry  B.  Norton,  William  P.  Eaton,  Newcomb  Kinney, 
and  Frederick  Prentice,  with  such  other  persons  as  may  become  members  or  associates  with 
them  as  hereinafter  provided,  and  their  successors,  are  hereby  constituted  a  corporation,  by 
the  name  of  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  for  the  purpose  of 
insuring  against  loss  liy  fire,  whether  the  same  shall  happen  by  accident,  lightning  or  any  other 
means,  except  by  design  or  fraud  of  the  assured,  or  by  invasion  of  a  public  enemy,  or  by 
insurrection ;  and  that  by  that  name  shall  have  the  power  to  hold,  purchase,  receive,  possess 
and  enjoy  lands,  rents,  tenements,  hereditaments,  goods,  chattels,  and  effects  of  every  kind, 
and  the  same  to  sell  and  convey;  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded,  defend  and  be 
defended  in  all  courts;  to  have  and  use  a  common  seal  and  the  same  to  change  at  pleasure: 
to  make  and  execute  such  by-laws  and  regulations,  not  inconsistent  with  this  charter  or  the 
laws  of  this  state  or  of  the  United  States,  as  shall  be  deemed  proper  for  tlie  government  of 
said  Company. 

Authorized  through  the  granting  of  this  charter,  in  the  Town  Hall,  Nor- 
wich, and  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1840,  the  members  of  the  New  London 
County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  met  and  formally  organized  the 
company.  The  first  directors  were  Joseph  Backus,  William  P.  Eaton,  Fred- 
erick Prentice,  William  L'Homedieu,  Elijah  A.  Bill,  David  Smith,  Samuel 
Mowry,  George  Sherman,  Sydney  Miner,  William  C.  Crump,  Gurdon  Trum- 
bull, Edward  R.  Warren,  Joseph  Tyler,  Thomas  P.  Wattles  and  Learned 
Hibbard. 

One  of  the  early  by-laws  was  that  all  policies  of  insurance  expire  on  the 
first  Monday  in  January  each  year.  This  may  have  been  in  accord  with  the 
custom  of  the  Mutual  Assurance  Company  of  the  City  of  Norwich,  which  had 
then  been  in  business  for  forty-six  years.  The  Mutual  Assurance  Company 
still  retains  the  custom  to  the  present  day.  In  February,  1842,  the  by-laws 
of  the  New  London  County  !Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  were  amended, 
allowing  policies  to  be  written  for  any  term  of  not  over  three  years;  and  at 
a  later  d.-ite,  to  conform  with  the  customs  of  the  business  in  general,  to  a 
maximum  term  of  five  years. 

In  August,  18.40,  it  was  voted  by  the  directors  that  the  office  of  the 
company  should  be  at  the  office  of  John  DeWitt  (its  first  secretary)  in 
Norwich.  By  common  understanding  its  office  has  always  remained  in 
Norwich,  the  present  home-office  building  at  Nos.  59-61  Broadway  having 
been  purchased  by  it  in  1913  and  developed  for  handling  its  business  in  the 
most  modern  and  efficient  manner. 

The  first  policy  contract  issued,  adopted  on  August  4th,  1840,  was  a  model 
instrument,  and  as  in  the  early  days  the  State  did  not  attempt  to  control  the 


466  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

form  of  policy  and  each  company  doing  business  in  Connecticut  did  so  on  its 
own  contract,  with  minor  amendments  the  original  policy-contract  of  the 
company  held  for  fifty-three  years.  In  1893  there  was  introduced  into  the 
General  Statutes  of  Connecticut  by  act  of  legislature  a  specified  standard  form 
of  policy  to  which  all  companies  doing  business  in  the  State  must  conform. 
Though  this  prescribed  form  of  fire  insurance  contract  has  now  been  extant 
in  Connecticut  for  twenty-eight  years,  it  is  a  peculiar  fact  that  even  to-day 
frequently  an  assured  will  take  his  company  to  task  for  clauses  in  the  agree- 
ment which  he  infers  may  have  been  written  into  the  instrument  arbitrarily 
by  his  own  individual  company,  and  with  malice  aforethought  to  his  disad- 
vantage. This  is  particularly  true  in  some  cases  following  loss.  The  com- 
panies are  not  responsible ;  'tis  the  law  of  the  State,  and  even  the  size  of  type 
to  be  used  in  the  printing  is  specified ( !). 

Since  the  first  board  of  directors  elected  in  1840,  in  all  there  have  been 
forty-six  individuals  directing  the  affairs  of  the  company  in  that  capacity. 
The  present  directors  are  F.  H.  Allen,  H.  H.  Gallup,  S.  A.  Gilbert,  W.  F. 
Lester,  S.  B.  Palmer,  W.  H.  Prothero,  N.  D.  Sevin,  and  E.  A.  Tracy  of  Nor- 
wich;  J.  K.  Guy  of  Middletown ;  C.  R.  Marvin  of  Deep  River;  F.  A.  Stevens 
of  Meriden ;  and  O.  E.  Wulf  of  Putnam. 

Joseph  Backus  was  the  first  president  of  the  company,  being  elected  at 
its  first  meeting,  and  serving  until  March  1st,  1844,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Joel  W.  White,  who  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  Jonathan  G.  Huntington 
in  1848.  Mr.  Huntington  presided  over  the  destinies  of  the  Company  for 
fifteen  years,  and  was  its  presiding  officer  when  he  died,  and  his  successor, 
Elijah  A.  Bill,  was  elected  on  April  21st,  1859.  On  January  13th,  1868,  Eben- 
ezer  F.  Parker  was  elected  president.  Mr.  Parker's  long  term  extended  to 
January  15th,  1895,  when  he  was  obliged  to  retire,  Charles  J.  Winters  being 
elected  in  his  place.  The  office  was  held  by  Mr.  Winters  until  February  3rd, 
1903,  when  the  present  president  of  the  company,  Hon.  Henry  H.  Gallup,  was 
elected. 

The  first  secretary  was  John  DeWitt,  whose  faithful  service  during  its 
years  of  inception  was  invaluable  to  the  company.  He  retained  the  office  until 
on  December  loth,  1847,  it  was  necessary  to  name  Joshua  H.  DeWitt  as 
secretary  pro  tern.,  being  confirmed  secretary  in  March,  1849.  Mr.  DeWitt 
resigned  on  July  ist,  1853,  the  secretaryship  being  taken  temporarily  by 
Horace  Whitaker  until  the  election  of  John  L.  Devotion  on  December  30th, 
1853.  For  twenty-two  years  Mr.  Devotion  filled  the  office,  and  was  secretary 
of  the  company  at  his  death  in  February,  1875.  During  the  remainder  of 
1875  there  was  no  secretary  elected  in  the  interim,  Clarence  J.  Fillmore  and 
P.  St.  M.  Andrews  acting  pro  tern.  At  the  succeeding  annual  meeting  held 
on  January  24th,  1876,  Clarence  J.  Fillmore  was  elected  secretary,  resigning 
on  July  24th,  1878.  He  was  immediately  followed  by  William  Roath,  who 
was  confirmed  secretary  of  the  company  on  January  23rd,  1879.  Mr.  Roath 
resigned  on  January  19th,  18S5.  On  January  23rd,  1885,  Jerome  F.  Williams 
was  elected  secretary,  retaining  the  office  until  his  sudden  death  in  the  office 
of  the  company  on  April  28th,  1902.  Bela  P.  Learned  was  elected  June  19th, 
1902,  being  succeeded  by   Frank   L.   Lathrop   on   February   3rd,   1903.     Mr. 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  467 

Lathrop  resigned  on  January  19th,  1909,  and  was  succeeded  by  Walter  F. 
/-ester,  present  secretary. 

The  first  recorded  loss  registers  a  quaint  note  on  the  minutes:  "Voted, 
That  the  Secretary  cause  the  House  of  George  Kelley  to  be  painted  at  the  end 
and  the  injury  sustained  by  the  late  fire  on  Said  House  repaired."  The  growth 
of  the  company  in  the  early  years  was  that  of  any  new  organization  of  the 
nature,  necessarily  conservative.  The  first  concrete  tabulation  of  premium 
income  and  loss  outgo  appears  in  1842,  when  the  losses  paid  were  $1,028.24 
(premiums  $2,011.42).  Ten  years  later  the  losses  paid  were  $4,768.82  (pre- 
miums $4,468.66!).  In  1920  nearly  four  hundred  losses  were  paid,  covering 
every  township  in  Connecticut  and  amounting  to  $63,817.91  (premiums 
$190,468.58). 

By-law  2  of  the  original  rules  stated  the  purpose  for  which  the  Company 
was  organized:  the  insurance  of  dwelling  houses  primarily,  though  furniture, 
barns  and  out-buildings  were  also  mentioned,  as  well  as  libraries  and  other 
public  buildings.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  in  common  with  all  of  the 
New  England  mutual  companies,  the  main  subjects  of  insurance  were  private 
dwelling  houses  and  their  contents.  This  soon  took  them  by  necessity  into 
the  rural  districts,  and  at  the  present  time  this  class  of  companies  is  the 
insurer  of  practically  all  farm  property  in  New  England,  and  to  a  very  large 
measure  in  the  entire  country.  Apparently  the  scope  of  operation  was  not 
sufficient,  for  in  May,  1841,  it  was  voted  by  the  directors  that  "hereafter  this 
office  will  extend  their  risques  to  stores  and  merchandise."  It  is  doubtful  if, 
without  this  added  latitude,  the  company  could  have  gained  a  broad  business. 
The  premiums  soon  began  to  increase,  and  in  i860  the  total  for  the  year  was 
$5,745.08.  Growth  was  slow  during  the  period  influenced  by  the  Civil  War, 
and  in  1886,  about  twenty  years  after  the  close  of  the  war,  showed  only 
$7,072.71.  Succeeding  this,  expansion  was  more  rapid,  and  in  1900  premium 
income  was  $29,981.04.  In  the  past  twenty  years  the  figures  are  as  follows: 
1905.  $51,882.97;  1910,  $65,807.29;  1915,  $112,348.00;  while  in  1920  the  gross 
premium  income  was  $190,468.58,  and  less  reinsurance  and  return  premium, 
a  net  of  $162,674.17.  Since  its  organization  the  combined  premium  income 
of  the  company  has  been  nearh-  two  and  one-half  millions,  and  the  entire  loss 
payment  about  one  and  one-half  millions.  The  recent  rapid  growth  of  the 
company  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  more  than  one-half  of  the  figures  of 
premium  just  quoted  have  been  received  in  the  past  twelve  years;  and  in  the 
past  fifteen  years  about  one-half  of  the  total  losses  have  been  paid.  The 
premium  income  of  a  week  to-day  is  nearly  equivalent  to  that  for  a  year 
fifty  years  ago. 

The  first  agent  appointed  to  represent  the  company  outside  of  Norwich 
was  A.  C.  Lippitt,  in  New  London,  on  December  22nd,  1842;  the  second 
similar  appointment  was  Samuel  W.  Wood,  of  Ledyard,  to  cover  the  territory 
in  the  towns  of  Ledyard,  Stonington,  North  Stonington,  Groton,  Preston 
and  Griswold.  Other  appointments  were  slowly  made  until  fifteen  years  later, 
in  1855,  ten  agents  were  in  the  field.  On  April  i6th,  1849,  Timothy  T.  Merwin 
was  appointed  "for  taking  insurance  in  the  City  of  Boston  and  Vicinity." 
The  name  of  Enoch  Hobart  appears  on  the  records  for  some  years  succeeding. 


468  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

though  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  the  amount  of  business  transacted  in 
Boston ;  probably  this  was  small.  It  is  also  impossible  to  establish  the  facts 
relative  to  the  activity  of  the  company  in  New  York,  and  it  would  appear  that 
little  was  done. 

Two  living  agents  have  represented  the  company  for  a  period  approaching 
fifty  years.  James  K.  Guy  was  appointed  agent,  first  for  the  city  of  Meriden, 
in  1877;  he  is  now  agent  in  Middletown,  having  been  located  there  for  many 
years.  Silas  Chapman,  Jr.,  agent  for  the  city  of  Hartford  and  vicinity,  first 
became  connected  with  the  company  in  1879,  and  is  still  representing  it  in 
his  field.  The  office  of  William  C.  Atwater  &  Sons  in  Derby  has  represented 
the  company  continuously  for  over  fifty-one  years.  William  C.  Atwater  was 
appointed  agent  in  1870,  his  business  being  immediately  taken  up  by  his  sons 
at  his  decease  on  March  19th,  1909. 

The  present  personnel  of  agents  numbers  sixty-four,  covering  every  city, 
town  and  hamlet  in  Connecticut.  Thirty-five  of  these  have  represented  the 
company  twenty-five  years  or  more.  The  company  is  entered  only  in  Con- 
necticut, and  does  no  business  outside  of  its  home  State.  In  its  own  field, 
however,  in  1919  it  out-ranked  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  of  the  one  hundred 
and  seventy-eight  American  and  foreign  companies  doing  business  in  Con- 
necticut in  amount  of  premium  received.  Of  the  twenty-one  companies  doing 
a  larger  business,  a  large  proportion  were  the  great  stock  companies  of  Hart- 
ford. Indeed,  outside  of  Connecticut  companies,  only  nine  American  and 
five  foreign  companies  exceeded  its  business  in  the  State. 

A  total  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
forty-nine  (228,849)  policies  have  been  issued  to  this  date  (May  17th,  1921). 
In  the  year  1920  a  total  income  of  $210,406.78  was  received,  and  the  last 
annual  statement  on  December  31st,  1920,  shows  gross  assets  of  $490,027.33. 
All  liabilities  amounted  to  $222,798.36,  this  figure  being  made  up  of  an  item 
of  $1,480.50  covering  unpaid  current  losses  in  process  of  adjustment,  and  an 
unearned  premium  reserve  of  $221,317.86;  this  is  the  reserve  held  by  State 
law  to  protect  risks  in  force,  as  referred  to  in  a  previous  paragraph.  In  the 
aggregate  the  company  carries  risks  in  Connecticut  amounting  to  about  thirty- 
five  million  dollars. 

The  present  ofificers  are:  Henry  H.  Gallup,  president;  Walter  F.  Lester, 
secretary;  William  H.  Prothero,  treasurer;  Arthur  L.  Peale,  assistant  secre- 
tary. The  last  quinquennial  examination  of  the  company  by  Hon.  Burton 
Mansfield,  Insurance  Commissioner  of  Connecticut,  was  completed  in  De- 
cember, 1920,  and  in  the  official  report  of  the  results  made  by  Actuary  Thomas 
F.  Tarbell,  committee  for  the  examination,  appears  the  following:  "In  general 
I  find  that  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  is  in 
very  good  financial  condition ;  its  loss  settlements  are  made  promptly  and 
with  fairness  to  the  insured;  its  business  is  carried  on  efficiently;  and  its 
underwriting  policy  is  conservative." 

In  1859  the  fourth  fire  insurance  company  to  be  organized  in  Norwich 
was  instituted  by  capitalists  of  that  city  under  the  name  of  the  Thames  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  beginning  with  a  capital  of  $113,700,  increasing  to 
$200,000  in  1864.     The  president  of  the  company  was  Amos  W.  Prentice, 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  469 

and  its  secretaries  O.  P.  Rice,  1859;  B.  B.  Whittemore,  1864.  Having  settled 
all  claims.,  the  company  went  out  of  business  in  1866,  the  stockholders  receiv- 
ing fifty  per  cent,  of  the  face  value  of  their  shares. 

Fire  Insurance  Agents  in  the  County. — Many  a  fling  has  been  taken  at 
the  good  old  doctor  whose  supplementary  occupation  was  that  of  soliciting 
life-insurance,  as  well  as  the  merchant  whose  sign  announced  to  the  public 
his  engagement  in  the  dual  business  of  undertaking  and  fire  insurance. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  at  its  inception,  insurance,  particularly  the  branch  of 
fire  insurance,  did  not  achieve  recognition  as  the  important  element  in  the 
commercial  world  it  enjoys  now,  and  in  the  early  days  a  sparse  living  would 
be  that  of  the  man  depending  alone  on  his  emoluments  as  a  fire  insurance 
agent.  Thus  the  grocer  would  frequently  employ  his  proverbial  back-room 
for  another  purpose  than  that  for  which  back  rooms  were  supposed  to  be 
used,  and  occasionally  would  flourish  his  pen  in  the  execution  of  a  fire 
insurance  policy  therein;  the  tinsmith  would  pause  in  his  labors  to  issue 
contracts  of  protection  to  his  neighbors ;  and  even  the  lowly  barber  between 
tonsorial  efforts  frequently  sought  auxiliary  income  through  representation  of 
a  fire  insurance  company.  Modern  tendency  in  the  smaller  places  is  inclined 
still  to  link  the  fire  insurance  business  with  other  lines  of  endeavor,  a  very 
common  combination  being  that  of  real  estate  and  insurance  pursuits. 

One  of  the  earliest  appointments  in  New  London  county  as  agent  for  an 
outside  company  is  that  of  Jonathan  George  Washington  Trumbull,  who  was 
designated  as  such  by  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company  for  Nonvich  and 
vicinity  in  the  year  that  company  was  chartered,  1810.  The  Hartford  Fire 
has  been  represented  continuously  in  this  vicinity  by  successive  appointments 
as  follows:  Russell  Hubbard,  May,  1823;  Samuel  H.  Starr,  November,  1838; 
Charles  B.  Andrews,  November,  1845;  Ebenezer  Learned,  May,  1846;  Perkins 
&  Learned,  April,  1866;  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  August,  1869;  Perkins  &  Parker 
Bros.,  March,  1879;  Parker  Bros.,  August,  1880;  and  John  F.  Parker,  January, 
1886,  who  still  represents  it.  The  present  incumbent,  however,  began  his 
connection  with  the  insurance  business  on  June  27th,  1865,  on  that  date  be- 
coming clerk  for  Thomas  H.  Perkins.  Mr.  Parker,  while  being  connected 
by  succession  with  probably  the  oldest  continuous  agency  in  the  county,  is 
also  second  in  his  term  of  identification  with  the  fire  insurance  business,  being 
superceded  only  by  Alden  A.  Baker  of  Colchester. 

Alden  A.  Baker,  agent  in  Colchester  on  original  personal  appointment  for 
nearly  fifty-eight  years,  is  easily  the  dean  of  the  business  in  New  London 
county  and  possibly  in  the  State.  Mr.  Baker  was  appointed  on  October  ist, 
1864,  as  the  first  agent  in  Colchester  for  the  City  Fire  Insurance  Company 
of  Hartford,  this  company  having  long  since  retired  from  business.  He  has 
since  represented  other  companies  by  subsequent  appointments,  now  repre- 
senting the  ^tna  Insurance  Company  and  the  Hartford  County  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  both  of  Hartford. 

Among  living  agents  the  next  in  term  of  connection  is  Jerome  S.  Ander- 
son of  Stonington,  who  is  in  his  fiftieth  year  as  agent.  Mr.  Anderson  was 
appointed  in  January,  1872,  and,  like  Mr.  Baker  in  Colchester,  organized  his 


Xjo  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

agency  individually,  and  has  also  similarly  continued  in  business  without 
associates.    He  now  represents  ten  of  the  leading  companies. 

Others  now  in  the  business  who  have  been  identified  with  it  in  the  county 
for  thirty  years  or  more  are,  in  order:  Frank  L.  Lathrop,  of  the  firm  of  J.  L. 
Lathrop  &  Sons,  of  Norwich ;  Frank  W.  Batty,  of  the  firm  of  T.  E.  Packer 
&  Co.,  of  Mystic ;  Horace  C.  Learned,  of  the  firm  of  J.  C.  Learned  &  Sons, 
of  New  London ;  Harley  B.  Buell  and  Samuel  P.  Willard,  of  the  firm  of  Buell 
&  Willard,  Colchester;  Henry  L.  Bailey,  agent  at  Groton;  Walter  F.  Lester, 
secretary  of  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of 
Norwich ;  George  H.  Robinson,  agent  at  Stonington ;  Royal  G.  Holmes,  of 
the  firm  of  N.  Tarrant  &  Co.,  Norwich ;  Frank  L  Royce,  agent  at  Norwich ; 
and  Miss  Janie  L.  Edgar,  agent  at  New  London.  Others  who  have  had  a 
substantial  connection  with  the  business  are  Isaac  S.  Jones,  William  F.  Hill, 
Ebenezer  Learned,  and  Miss  Margaret  Fuller,  in  Norwich;  Sidney  H.  Miner, 
J.  M.  Graves,  Wallace  R.  Johnson,  William  S.  Chappell,  Samuel  Prince,  James 
R.  May,  Fitch  D.  Crandall,  P.  Hall  Shurts  and  Reginald  W.  Rowland,  in 
New  London ;  Frederick  S.  Leonard,  Jewett  City ;  William  E.  Manning, 
Yantic;  Daniel  B.  Denison  and  Frank  H.  Hinckley,  Mystic;  Alvah  B.  Cone, 
Groton;  William  P.  Adams,  Colchester;  Charles  J.  Manwaring,  Niantic. 
Many  other  agencies  exist  in  the  county  of  more  recent  organization,  a 
number  of  which  have  come  to  be  leading  elements  in  the  business. 

In  the  past  thirty-five  years  the  number  of  agents  has  nearly  quadrupled. 
The  list  published  by  the  Connecticut  Insurance  Department  in  1886  embraces 
twenty-nine  names  in  New  London  county.  In  1921  the  list  shows  one 
hundred  and  eight.  Of  the  twenty-nine  shown  in  the  list  of  1886,  only  eleven 
appear  identically  the  same  in  1921. 

In  the  foregoing,  reference  is  made  only  to  living  fire  insurance  agents 
in  New  London  county,  and  it  is  impossible  to  record  in  full  the  agencies  that 
have  come  and  gone.  Interesting  facts,  however,  relate  to  the  origin  of  the 
older  existent  agencies,  some  of  which  find  their  inception  previous  to  the 
middle  of  the  last  century.  Of  these  the  three  oldest  (and  all  organized 
previous  to  1850)  are  B.  P.  Learned  &  Company  and  James  E.  Fuller  &  Com- 
pany in  Norwich,  and  J.  C.  Learned  &  Sons  in  New  London.  The  first  men- 
tioned was  founded  by  Ebenezer  Learned,  in  May,  1846.  In  October,  1870, 
it  was  taken  over  by  his  son,  Bela  P.  Learned,  and  conducted  in  the  name 
of  the  latter  until  May,  1903,  when  the  firm  of  B.  P.  Learned  &  Company 
was  established,  Ebenezer  Learned  (son  of  Bela  P.)  and  Walter  F.  Lester 
becoming  partners.  Mr.  Lester  withdrew  from  the  firm  in  January,  1909, 
upon  election  to  the  secretaryship  of  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  and  on  March  loth,  1910,  Bela  P.  Learned  died.  Since 
that  date  the  agency  has  been  continued  in  the  name  of  B.  P.  Learned  & 
Company  by  Ebenezer  Learned,  grandson  of  its  founder. 

In  1847,  J.  C.  Learned  established  the  agency  now  known  as  J.  C.  Learned 
&  Sons,  in  New  London.  In  1865  Walter  Learned,  a  son,  became  a  member 
of  the  firm  under  the  name  of  J.  C.  Learned  &  Son,  and  in  1882  Horace  C. 
Learned,  another  son,  was  admitted  to  partnership,  the  firm  then  becoming 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY  471 

J.  C.  Learned  &  Sons,  the  senior  member  continuing  his  connection  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death  in  1892.  Walter  Learned  died  in  1915,  and  the  agency 
is  now  operated  by  Horace  C.  Learned  under  the  last  adopted  title. 

Up  to  1842,  Ebenezer  Fuller  was  engaged  in  Norwich  in  the  dry  goods 
business.  Ceasing  the  dry  goods  business  in  that  year,  it  is  quite  probable  that 
he  at  once  engaged  in  the  business  of  fire  insurance,  even  if  he  had  not  pre- 
viously combined  the  two  pursuits.  Through  these  facts  it  is  quite  possible 
that  this  agency  antedates  the  two  agencies  just  referred  to,  and  may  be  the 
earliest  instituted  firm  now  conducted  by  a  member  of  the  family  of  the 
organizer.  The  first  definite  evidence,  however,  of  Ebenezer  Fuller's  con- 
nection with  the  business  is  the  record  of  his  being  agent  in  1848  (how  much 
earlier  cannot  be  ascertained,  though  the  connection  began  previously)  of 
the  Middlesex  Mutual  Assurance  Company  of  Middletown,  Connecticut,  of 
which  company  he  was  a  director  from  June,  1857,  to  June,  1866.  James 
Ebenezer  Fuller,  son  of  Ebenezer  Fuller,  succeeded  him  and  conducted  the 
agency  for  a  great  many  years.  Upon  his  recent  death,  the  business  was 
continued  by  his  daughter,  Afargaret  Fuller,  who  conducts  it  under  the  title 
of  James  E.  Fuller  &  Company. 

Some  time  prior  to  1856,  Charles  H.  Denison  started  an  agency  in  Mystic, 
but  in  that  year  associated  wih  himself  Thomas  E.  Packer,  the  firm  becoming 
Denison  &  Packer.  In  1875  William  H.  Potter  entered  the  firm  under  the 
title  of  Denison,  Packer  &  Company,  continuing  until  1882,  when  Messrs. 
Denison  and  Potter  withdrew.  Mr.  Packer  then  operating  the  agency  alone, 
on  May  7th,  1882,  began  the  employment  of  his  son-in-law,  Frank  W.  Batty, 
as  clerk,  who  in  1884  was  admitted,  the  firm  becoming  T.  E.  Packer  &  Com- 
pany. This  firm  continued  in  business  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Packer  in 
October,  1903,  left  Mr.  Batty  as  the  only  member.  The  agency  is  still  con- 
tinued under  the  same  title  by  Mr.  Batty,  having  associated  with  himself 
Mrs.  Addie  B.  (Packer)  Batty  in  April,  1920. 

The  agency  in  New  London  now-  operated  by  Janie  L.  Edgar  was  organ- 
ized by  Miss  Edgar's  father,  Thomas  Edgar,  in  1861.  Through  admission 
of  his  son,  George  P.  Edgar,  in  1877,  the  name  became  Thomas  &  George  P. 
Edgar,  being  changed  in  1886  to  Thomas  Edgar  as  originally.  At  the  death 
of  Thomas  Edgar  in  1909,  the  agency  was  taken  by  his  daughter,  who  con- 
ducts it  in  her  own  name. 

Henry  L.  Bailey,  agent  in  Groton,  is  direct  successor  to  the  agency  organ- 
ized in  that  township  in  July,  1864,  by  Asa  Perkins  (2nd).  Mr.  Bailey  pur- 
chased the  business  in  July,  1890,  and  continues  it  individually.  At  one  time 
Mr.  Perkins  was  a  popular  school-master,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that 
his  agency  evolved  from  that  profession. 

Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the  agency  of  Alden  A.  Baker,  estab- 
lished in  Colchester  in  1864,  and  of  Mr.  Baker's  unique  distinction  in  con- 
tinuously and  individually  maintaining  its  operation  to  the  present  time. 

In  Colchester,  Salmon  C.  Gillette  organized  an  agency  some  time  prior 
to  i86g,  successors  to  whom  are  Messrs.  Buell  &  Willard  of  that  place. 

Between  1870  and  1900  the  following  existent  agencies  were  established: 
Selden  &  Royce  (now  Frank  I.  Royce)  Norwich,  1870;  N.  Tarrant  &  Com- 


i^j2  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

pany,  Norwich,  1871 ;  Jerome  S.  Anderson,  Stonington,  1872;  J.  L.  Lathrop  & 
Sons,  Norwich,  1872;  James  H.  Hill,  New  London,  1875;  H.  C.  Weaver  & 
Company,  New  London,  1876;  J.  E.  Leonard  &  Son,  Jewett  City,  1882; 
E.  V.  Daboll  &  Company,  New  London,  1888;  William  P.  Adams  &  Son, 
Colchester,  1888;  George  H.  Robinson,  Stonington,  1890;  Sidney  H.  Miner, 
New  London,  1894;  Isaac  S.  Jones,  Norwich,  1897;  W.  E.  Manning,  Yantic, 
1898;  James  E.  May,  New  London,  1898;  A.  B.  Cone,  Groton,  1900;  and  D.  B. 
Denison,  Mystic,  1900. 

A  number  of  important  agencies  have  commenced  business  since  1900, 
and  the  following  is  a  complete  list  of  all  agencies  in  New  London  county: 

Colchester— William  P.  Adams  &  Son,  Alden  A.  Baker,  Buell  &  Willard, 
George  Cutler,  and  Walter  B.  Lombard. 

Franklin — R.  W.  Woodward. 

Groton — Frank  W.  Allen,  Henry  L.  Bailey,  Frank  L.  Brake,  Raymond 
C.  Bugbee,  Alvah  B.  Cone,  W.  Irving  Dowsett,  and  Lydia  E.  Morgan. 

Jewett  City — Burdick  &  McNicol,  John  A.  Hourigan,  J.  E.  Leonard  & 
Son  and  Herbert  C.  Webster. 

Lyme — J.  F.  Bugbee,  Edgar  R.  Champion  and  George  P.  Ely. 

Montville — George  H.  Bradford,  Charles  R.  Carlyle,  John  F.  Casto. 

Mystic — D.  B.  Denison,  James  Foley,  Frank  H.  Hinckley,  Newton  H. 
Maynard,  T.  E.  Packer  &  Company,  John  W.  Phillips. 

New  London — D.  M.  Buckley,  John  J.  Burns,  A.  C.  Caracausa,  W.  S. 
Chappell,  Jerome  J.  Collins,  F.  D.  Crandall  &  Son,  Elisha  V.  Daboll  &  Com- 
pany, Thomas  F.  Dorsey,  Jr.,  Janie  L.  Edgar,  Samuel  Girven,  F.  L.  Goss, 
George  Goss,  Marie  M.  Grove,  James  H.  Hill,  M.  H.  Hollandersky,  Wallace 
R.  Johnson,  J.  C.  Learned  &  Sons,  Louis  B.  Lincoln,  Reuben  Lord  &  Com- 
pany, Archibald  S.  MacFarland,  James  R.  May,  McGinley  Bros.,  Inc.,  Sidney 
H.  Miner.  James  Moran,  Thomas  R.  Murray  &  Son,  Charles  C.  Perkins, 
Samuel  Prince,  Allen  C.  Richards,  Patrick  A.  Sheridan,  P.  Hall  Shurts  &  Son, 
Anthony  Silva,  The  Standard  Realty  Co.,  Augustus  C.  Stearns,  John  H. 
Walker,  H.  C.  Weaver  &  Company,  Thomas  T.  Wetmore,  Jr. 

Niantic — Charles  J.  Manwaring,  E.  C.  Russell,  Henry  J.  Weldon. 

Noank — C.  Hull  Anderson,  Gertrude  B.  Sawyer. 

Norwich — Joseph  S.  Adams,  Frank  L.  Arnold,  Thomas  H.  Beckley, 
Harold  S.  Burt,  Carter's  Insurance  Agency,  James  L.  Case,  Archa  W.  Coit, 
Angello  V.  Covello,  John  F.  Craney,  Francis  D.  Donohue,  Louis  J.  Fontaine, 
Charles  D.  Foster,  James  E.  Fuller  &  Company,  William  F.  Hill  &  Son, 
G.  Curtis  Hull,  Isaac  S.  Jones,  George  A.  Lathrop,  J.  L.  Lathrop  &  Sons, 
B.  P.  Learned  &  Co.,  Herbert  M.  Lerou,  Louis  H.  Maples,  John  A.  Moran, 
John  F.  Parker,  Edmund  A.  Prentice,  Lee  R.  Robbins,  Royce  Insurance 
Agency,  N.  Tarrant  &  Company. 

Pawcatuck — Albert  G.  Martin,  Charles  A.  Morgan. 

Stonington— Jerome  S.  Anderson,  Harry  H.  Doty,  Lewis  E.  Hammond, 
Matthew  T.  Leahy,  Oscar  F.  Pendelton,  George  H.  Robinson. 

Waterford— Alonzo  M.  Beebe,  William  C.  Saunders. 

Yantic — William  E.  Manning. 

It  would  appear  that  New  London  county  has  acquitted  itself  well  as 
relates  to  the  matter  of  fire  insurance.  Its  insurance  companies  have  pro- 
tected many  million  dollars'  worth  of  property ;  its  fire  insurance  agents  have 
been  among  the  very  earliest  in  the  field  in  representation  of  companies  of 


FIRE  INSURANCE  IN  NE\¥  LONDON  COUNTY  473 

every  class  and  country,  affording  the  broadest  facilities  in  the  insurance 
world. 

It  would  hardly  be  fair  to  refrain  from  a  word  as  to  the  people  of  New 
London  county  generally  in  their  bearing  on  the  subject  of  fire  insurance. 
Their  attitude  of  the  early  days  made  possible  the  cradling  of  insurance  insti- 
tutions in  the  community  and  created  an  atmosphere  of  receptivity.  In 
addition  to  helpng  to  organize  such  functions,  they  stood  loyally  behind  them 
and  their  actual  support  sustained  them.  They  have  ever  been  ready  to 
cooperate  with  insuring  companies  in  the  betterment  of  the  physical  hazard 
and  condition  of  property  under  their  control.  If  any  company  has  ever 
withdrawn  from  the  county  on  account  of  its  unfavorable  underwriting  ex- 
perience, such  withdrawal  is  not  evident.  The  attitude  of  business  interests 
in  general  toward  a  given  section  may  be  quite  clearly  indicated  by  the  bear- 
ing of  the  insurers  toward  the  assured ;  this  with  reference  to  the  great  fire 
insurance  companies  doing  business  the  world  over.  And  it  may  truthfully 
be  said  that  such  companies  have  a  very  cordial  feeling  for  this  section  of 
Connecticut;  New  London  county  business  has  proven  profitable  to  them 
through  the  attributes  of  its  people. 

Doubtless  among  the  illustrious  industrial  achievements  of  Connecticut 
during  all  periods  of  her  wonderful  progression,  no  accomplishment  is  more 
notable  than  that  of  the  establishment  of  the  splendid  insurance  institutions 
for  which  her  name  is  now  famous.  By  the  same  token,  no  page  in  the 
history  of  the  mercantile  life  of  the  state  will  be  more  brilliant  than  that  on 
which  is  written  the  outstanding  record  of  the  chartering  of  her  first  Fire 
Insurance  Companies,  both  stock  and  mutual,  in  the  county  of  New  London. 


ABOVE.  FIRST  FIRE  ENGINE  OWNED  IN  NORWICH;  BUILT  17GII,  STILL,  IN  EXIST- 
ENCE. BELOW,  POTTER  FIRE,  FEBRUARY  4,  llWl.  MERCURY  5  BELOW  ZERO,  6 
A.  M.  ON  MORNING  OF  5TH. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

NORWICH  FIRE  DEPARTMENT 

By  Howard  L,  Stantom 
Chief  of  Fire  Department 

That  Norwich  had  certain  rough-and-ready  provision  against  fire  from 
its  earliest  date  one  can  readily  surmise,  for  the  first  settlers  were  men  of 
iudgment.  Any  provision  made  against  fire  prior  to  1830  was  mostly  by 
buckets  which  every  householder  was  required  to  keep  ready  and  to  respond 
in  case  of  fire. 

For  the  last  fifty  years  Old  Torrent  Engine  No.  i,  built  by  John  Bliss  in 
1769,  has  been  in  the  care  of  the  Norwich  Fire  Department  and  at  this  time 
is  stored  at  the  Central  Fire  Station  and  kept  as  a  relic.  This  old  machine 
has  neither  suction  connection  nor  outlets  for  hose  (as  neither  was  in  existence 
in  those  days),  but  a  copper  pipe  was  screwed  to  the  outlet,  six  feet  long 
with  a  three-quarter  inch  hole  at  the  end.  This  old  pipe  or  nozzle  is  still  with 
the  engine.  It  is  known  that  this  old  engine  is  the  sixth  oldest  American-made 
in  the  country.  There  were  five  American-made  engines  built  prior  to  the 
building  of  Old  Torrent.  They  were  built  in  Boston,  Philadelphia,  and  New 
York.  There  is  no  doubt  about  this  old  machine  antedating  the  Revolution, 
as  a  crude  figure  of  a  crown  and  the  letters  M.  S.  on  the  tire  of  one  of  the 
wheels  are  still  plainly  traceable.  The  last  time  the  old  machine  was  used 
at  a  fire  was  at  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Mr.  Williams,  on  West  Town  street, 
about  1870.  At  that  fire  the  machine  was  stationed  near  the  blazing  building, 
with  a  few  men  to  work  the  wheezy  old  brake,  while  water  was  passed  in 
buckets  along  a  double  row  of  citizens  from  a  neighboring  brook  and  poured 
into  the  diminutive  tank.  The  stream  of  water  it  threw  was  not  very  effec- 
tive. Old  Torrent  engine  has  traveled  much  since  it  went  out  of  service. 
It  was  at  the  Cincinnati  Exposition,  the  Centennial  Exposition,  at  Boston, 
Hartford,  Kansas  City,  and  in  many  parades.  This  old  engine  was  the  only 
fire  apparatus  in  the  town  until  the  early  part  of  1804,  when  a  company  was 
formed  at  the  Landing,  as  the  present  center  of  the  city  was  called. 

It  is  said  that  in  1773  Thomas  Harland  removed  from  England  to  this 
town  and  erected  a  shop  in  which  he  plied  the  watch  and  clock  trade,  and 
that  he  built  in  his  shop  a  fire  engine  which  was  in  service  at  Norwich  Town. 
There  is  some  uncertainty  about  the  identity  of  this  old  Harland  engine,  and 
some  infer  that  it  was  built  prior  to  the  Old  Torrent.  The  subscription  list 
showing  the  amount  subscribed  in  pounds  and  shillings  for  the  building  of 
Old  Torrent  engine  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Misses  Bliss,  descendants  of 
John  Bliss,  who  built  the  engine. 

The  first  fire  station  was  built  on  what  is  now  Church  street,  near  the 
site  of  the  present  Trinity  Episcopal  Church.  The  company  was  known  as 
the  Red  Jackets,  and  comprised  the  most  influential  residents  down  town, 
from  twenty-five  to  forty  members.  Its  distinctive  uniform  was  a  red  shirt, 
from  which  the  members  took  the  name  of  "Red  Jackets."  For  about  ten 
years  the  company  had  the  down-town  field  entirely  to  itself.     Its  engine 


476  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

was  almost  a  duplicate  of  Torrent  engine,  without  suction,  and  at  fires  citi- 
zens were  pressed  into  service  to  carry  water  buckets  back  and  forth  from 
the  rivers  and  Franklin  street  brook,  then  uncovered  its  entire  length. 

About  1815  another  engine  company  was  organized  and  an  engine  house 
built  for  it  on  Church  street,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Central  Baptist 
Church,  and  was  known  as  Engine  Company  No.  2,  and  later  known  as 
Niagara  Engine  Company.  In  1828  another  engine  was  purchased  by  the 
city  and  located  at  the  Falls  section,  in  a  building  located  on  what  is  known 
as  Yantic  street,  and  which  has  since  been  altered  into  a  tenement  house  and 
owned  by  the  Falls  Cotton  Company.  This  company  was  known  as  No.  3, 
and  later  as  Uncas  Engine  Co.  No.  3.  In  addition  to  the  protection  afforded 
the  residents  and  mill  at  the  Falls,  another  engine  was  built  and  controlled 
by  the  Thames  Company,  now  known  as  the  Falls  Cotton  Company.  This 
engine  was  known  as  No.  4.  Both  were  suction  engines.  From  1828  until 
1846  the  Norwich  fire  apparatus  was  not  increased.  During  that  period  Nos. 
I  and  2  engines  down  town  and  Nos.  3  and  4  at  the  Falls  and  the  Old  Torrent 
at  Norwich  Town,  composed  the  entire  fire  equipment  of  Norwich.  In  1846 
a  hand  engine  was  placed  in  service  in  the  Greenville  end  of  the  town,  and 
known  as  the  Ouinnebaiig. 

November  26,  1793,  fifteen  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire  in  Chelsea, 
as  the  down-town  section  of  the  town  was  then  called.  The  Congregational 
meeting  house,  four  dwellings,  six  stores  and  shops  and  four  barns  were 
destroyed.  This  fire  started  in  a  store  on  Water  street,  nearly  in  the  range 
of  the  present  Merchants'  Bank,  continuing  to  the  junction  of  Main  street 
and  thence  to  the  river.  Most  of  the  buildings  were  old  and  of  very  small 
value;  a  large  portion  of  the  goods  were  saved,  but  there  was  no  insurance 
on  any  of  the  property.  There  was  at  this  time  a  fire  engine  of  small  capacity 
in  Norwich  which  was  brought  out  for  the  occasion,  but  little  could  be  done 
to  arrest  the  flames.  The  loss  was  estimated  at  $8,000,  a  small  sum  compared 
with  the  extent  of  the  flames. 

In  1834  there  was  a  fire  of  some  magnitude  on  Cliff  street,  in  Elijah 
Curtis's  blacksmith  shop  and  the  barn  and  carpenter's  shop  of  J.  Q.  and 
G.  H.  Cox.  Only  adjoining  property  was  saved.  From  now  onward  the 
history  of  the  Fire  Department  becomes  very  much  clearer. 

The  next  fire  of  consequence  was  the  burning  of  the  Hubbard  paper 
mill  at  the  Falls  in  the  winter  of  1836-37,  at  which  the  clumsy  engines  dem- 
onstrated their  utter  powerlessness  to  stay  the  fury  of  a  conflagration.  An- 
other fire  at  about  the  same  date  burned  out  Henry  Allen's  shop  on  Chestnut 
street,  but  the  firemen  succeeded  in  saving  a  portion  of  the  building,  which 
is  now  standing,  and  occupied  by  N.  S.  Gilbert  &  Sons  as  a  repair  and  refinish- 
ing  shop,  in  connection  with  their  furniture  business.  In  the  winter  of 
1841-42  another  large  fire  occurred  in  which  two  carriage  shops,  a  tannery 
and  small  buildings  were  destroyed.  In  the  summer  of  1842  the  Shetucket 
cotton  mill  at  Greenville  was  burned.  The  fire  had  made  such  progress  before 
the  engines  reached  the  scene  that  the  factory  was  beyond  the  power  of  the 
fire  department  to  save  it. 

Two  disastrous  conflagrations  occurred  in  February,  1844.     One  swept 


NORWICH  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  477 

everything  clean  on  the  south  side  of  Franklin  square  from  Rose  Alley  to 
Ferry  street  and  to  the  site  of  the  present  Vaughn  foundry.  The  other,  one 
week  later,  cleaned  up  all  the  buildings,  of  wood,  on  the  south  side  of  Main 
street  from  Lee  &  Osgood's  store  to  Shetucket  street  and  thence  to  Little 
Water  street.  At  this  fire  the  department  had  a  desperate  struggle  to  save 
the  business  portion  of  the  town  from  total  destruction. 

The  two  destructive  fires  in  the  winter  of  1844  aroused  the  city  authorities 
to  the  necessit}-  of  providing  more  modern  and  effective  fire-fightng  appa- 
ratus. June  23rd,  1846,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Court  of  Common  Council,  the 
chief  engineer  reported  the  condition  of  the  Fire  Department  and  the  neces- 
sity of  procuring  three  new  engines  and  building  cisterns  for  water.  The 
following  resolution  was  presented  and  the  same  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Mayor  and  Chief  Engineer  be  a  committei  with  power 
to  procure  for  the  use  of  the  city  three  new  fire  engines  of  the  most  approved 
construction,  and  that  they  be  authorized  and  empowered  to  construct  not 
exceeding  eighteen  cisterns  for  the  supply  of  engines  in  times  of  fires,  and  to 
locate  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  .sum  of  $3,000  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  appropriated 
to  defray  the  expense  of  the  above  engines  and  cisterns. 

Resolved,  That  it  recommend  to  the  first  city  meeting  that  a  tax  of  four 
cents  on  the  dollar  be  laid  upon  the  city  list  last  perfected,  to  meet  the 
appropriations  for  the  fire  department. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Court  of  Common  Council  on  July  9,  1846,  it  was 
voted  that  the  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  procuring  three 
new  engines  for  the  Fire  Department  be  and  hereby  arc  instructed  to  procure 
three  of  Waterman's  best  engines. 

During  the  fall  of  1846  a  committee  was  appointed  to  purchase  a  lot,  and 
contract  for  and  build  an  engine  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  with 
full  power  to  act  in  the  premises.  The  lot  was  purchased  of  W.  W.  Coit, 
and  the  building  erected  on  Thames  street;  cost  of  lot,  $320.  The  two  old 
engines  Nos.  i  and  2  were  disposed  of  in  1847  as  per  vote  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Council,  April  7,  1847.  Neptune  Engine  Company  No.  5  was  organ- 
ized in  1846,  and  assigned  the  new  station  on  Thames  street,  and  given  one 
of  the  so-called  Waterman  engines.  The  other  two  Waterman  engines  went 
to  engine  companies  Nos.  i  and  2. 

About  this  time  the  building  on  Main  street  now  occupied  by  Chemical 
Company  No.  i  was  erected.  The  upper  part  of  the  building  was  used  by  the 
Court  of  Common  Council  until  the  erection  of  the  City  Hall.  This  station 
was  first  used  by  Engine  Company  No.  i,  with  the  Waterman  engine  that  first 
went  into  service  in  the  old  building  on  Church  street.  Later,  in  March, 
1861.  the  first  steam  fire  engine  was  purchased  and  placed  in  service,  and  the 
name  of  the  company  changed  to  Wauregan  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company 
No.  I.  At  the  organization  of  Blackstone  Hose  Company  No.  I  in  1868,  they 
were  assigned  quarters  in  the  same  building  with  Wauregan  Steam  Fire 
Engine  Company  No.  i. 

Common  Council  records  show  that  $470  was  appropriated  in  1849  for  a 
lot  on  Union  Street,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building  to  house  Engine 


478  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

No.  2.  This  company  was  later  known  as  Niagara  Engine  Company  No.  2, 
and  always  held  No.  2  as  its  number  until  the  company  was  disbanded  in 
IQ03  to  make  room  for  the  part  paid  fire  department  then  in  its  formative 
period.  This  No.  2  station  was  built  in  1849  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  and  at  this 
date  is  a  portion  of  the  building  owned  by  Mr.  L.  L.  Chapman  and  enlarged 
into  an  office  building  at  the  junction  of  Broadway  and  Bath  streets.  Broad- 
way at  this  point  was  formerly  Union  street,  and  what  is  now  Broadway  was 
formerly  Allen  street. 

Common  Council  records  also  show  that  the  residents  of  the  so-called 
Falls  district  to  the  number  of  67  petitioned  the  Court  of  Common  Council, 
July  3,  1850,  for  a  new  engine  and  hose,  and  at  the  meeting  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Council  October  2,  1850,  the  committee  recommended  an  appro- 
priation of  $1,000  for  a  new  engine  and  hose,  and  a  suitable  house  at  a  further 
cost  of  $800,  including  lot. 

About  this  time  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  5  decided  their  station  was 
not  suitable,  although  it  had  only  been  built  five  years.  Their  petition  was 
referred  and  a  report  was  presented  recommending  that  fifteen  feet  of  land 
be  purchased  at  the  rear  of  this  building  on  Thames  street,  and  the  building 
lengthened  and  the  roof  raised,  with  other  improvements  necessary  to  obviate 
the  difficulties  complained  of.  The  expense  of  these  improvements,  including 
additional  land,  should  be  about  $500.  The  petition  of  No.  3  from  the  Falls 
district  for  the  new  engine  and  house,  and  the  petition  from  the  West  Side 
for  changes  to  No.  5  station,  were  granted,  and  at  a  city  meeting  held  in  Octo- 
ber, 1850,  $2,300  was  appropriated  to  pay  the  cost  of  same. 

After  the  disastrous  fire  on  Central  Wharf  in  1851,  in  which  there  was  a 
loss  of  $200,000,  the  city  of  Norwich  enjoyed  a  notable  immunity  from  serious 
fires  for  upwards  of  ten  years,  and  in  that  period,  too,  the  history  of  the 
department  was  devoid  of  striking  events  and  few  improvements  were  made 
in  its  equipment.  The  apparatus  which  was  procured  in  1846-47  was  as  good 
as  the  resources  of  the  times  aiTorded,  and  was  satisfactory  to  the  city  up  to 
the  era  of  steam  fire  engines  in  the  latter  part  of  the  1850-60  decade. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Court  of  Common  Council,  September  15,  1859,  an 
appropriation  of  $1,300  was  made  for  a  lot  and  $1,400  for  the  erection  of  a 
station  on  Union  street,  adjoining  Engine  Company  No.  2,  for  the  use  of 
Wauregan  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  recently  organized,  and  who  owned 
their  own  truck.  The  first  ball  of  this  company  was  given  in  Apollo  Hall, 
February  22,  1859,  and  was  considered  the  event  of  the  season. 

In  March,  1859,  Neptune  Engine  Company  No.  5  petitioned  the  Court 
of  Common  Council  for  a  new  station.  April  11,  1859,  the  Council  voted 
$350  for  a  lot  on  West  Main  street,  and  $1,200  for  the  building.  This  building 
is  still  used  as  a  fire  station,  and  at  this  date  is  housing  Chemical  Company 
No.  2. 

The  first  steam  fire  engine  purchased  by  the  city  was  an  Amoskeag 
engine  built  at  Manchester,  New  Hampshire,  and  was  a  wonder  for  those 
da3's.  It  was  known  as  "the  big  steamer,"  or  Wauregan  Steam  Fire  Engine 
No.  T.  This  engine  weisjhed  9,600  pounds  and  had  a  capacity  of  about  700 
gallons   per  minute,  although  in  those  days   measurements  as  to   capacity 


NORWICH  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  479 

were  not  considered  as  at  the  present  time.  This  engine  went  into  service 
in  March.  iS6i,  and  continued  in  service  until  1905,  when  it  was  traded  in 
at  the  time  the  new  Metropolitan  engine  was  purchased,  three  years  after 
the  part  paid  Fire  Department  organized.  In  1866  two  more  steam  fire  engines 
were  purchased.  They  were  of  small  capacity,  and  at  first  were  drawn  by 
hand,  but  horses  were  provided  later.  One  went  to  No.  3  at  the  Falls,  and 
the  other  to  No.  5  at  the  West  Side.  These  two  engines  were  built  by  William 
Jeffers,  of  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island,  and  were  single  acting  pumps  of  about 
300  gallons  capacity  per  minute.  In  1867  the  Greenville  end  of  the  town 
before  it  was  annexed  to  the  city,  through  its  Fire  Association  purchased  a 
Jeffers  engine,  which  made  four  steam  fire  engines  in  the  town.  At  the 
annexation  of  Greenville  to  the  city,  this  engine  became  No.  7. 

These  steam  fire  engines  displaced  the  hand  apparatus  entirely,  and  the 
one  on  the  West  Side,  known  as  No.  5,  was  sold  to  Stonington,  Connecticut. 
This  was  an  end-stroke  Hunneman  machine,  purchased  in  the  early  sixties, 
which  superseded  the  Waterman  engine  purchased  in  1846.  The  old  Water- 
man was  sold  to  Winslow  W^illiams,  at  Yantic,  to  protect  the  mills  at  this 
end  of  the  town,  and  is  in  existence  in  the  station  at  Yantic  at  this  date.  No. 
3  hand  engine  was  sold  to  Bristol,  Connecticut,  and  No.  i  hand  engine  to 
the  Eagle  Armory,  on  the  Greenville  road,  near  the  present  plant  of  the  silk 
mill  of  Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company. 

The  next  important  improvement  to  the  fire  service  was  the  building  of 
the  water  works  in  the  late  sixties,  the  completion  and  celebration  occurring 
in  1870.  The  completion  of  the  water  system  with  hydrants  and  water  under 
pressure  for  fire  service  was  perhaps  the  greatest  stride  ever  made  before  or 
since  for  the  quick  control  of  fires. 

January  20,  1869,  occurred  the  fire  at  the  Falls  in  the  so-called  braid 
mill  or  worsted  manufactory.  The  building  was  owned  by  Charles  A.  Con- 
verse, and  the  mill  was  occupied  by  one  James  Townsend.  This  fire,  result- 
ing in  considerable  damage,  was  of  incendiary  origin  as  reported  to  the  Court 
of  Common  Council  by  the  Fire  Marshal,  February  22,  1869.  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1869,  at  12:30  A.  ^I.,  occurred  the  so-called  Apollo  Hall  fire.  This 
building  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Boston  Store  building,  now  occupied 
by  the  Reid  &  Hughes  Company.  The  fire  did  not  start  in  the  Hall  building, 
but  in  a  frame  building  near  where  the  present  annex  to  the  Shannon  building 
stands.  This  was  the  largest  fire  in  many  years,  or  since  the  burning  of  the 
old  court  house  on  the  night  of  the  day  that  news  reached  Norwich  of  the 
fall  of  Richmond  in  1865.  The  old  court  house  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Allen  apartments  on  Court  street. 

After  the  completion  of  the  water  works,  several  hose  companies  were 
organized,  among  them  being  the  Blackstone  Hose  Company  No.  i.  Indepen- 
dence Hose  Company  No.  6,  and  later  Norwich  Hose  Company  No.  4.  Black- 
stone  Hose  Company  was  quartered  in  Main  street,  in  the  building  with 
Engine  Company  No.  i,  and  a  new  station  was  erected  in  Thamesville  for 
Independence  Hose  Company  No.  6  in  1876.  The  station  on  Boswell  avenue 
was  erected  in  the  late  seventies  to  house  Norwich  Hose  Company  No.  4. 
As  previously  stated,  the  water  system  was  constructed  in  the  late  sixties, 


4So  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

and  the  first  public  test  of  the  fire  hydrants  was  made  January  8th,  1869,  under 
the  direction  of  William  M.  Williams,  chief  of  the  Fire  Department.  The 
reservoir  gate  was  closed  for  filling  the  reservoir  October  23rd,  1868,  and 
the  water  began  to  overflow  at  the  waste-way  January  16,  1870.  The  time 
passed  between  the  closing  of  the  gate  and  the  commencement  of  the  overflow 
was  450  days. 

From  1870  to  1900,  or  a  period  of  about  thirty  years,  the  Fire  Department 
was  maintained  as  a  first-class  volunteer  organization.  Joseph  B.  Carrier  was 
elected  chief  in  1869  and  served  two  years,  being  succeeded  by  Daniel  A. 
Delanoy,  who  served  two  years.  Chief  Carrier  was  again  appointed  in  July, 
1873,  and  served  until  his  death  in  September,  1890.  Chief  Carrier  was  a  typical 
chief  of  a  volunteer  fire  department.  In  1876  he  was  made  a  permanent  chief, 
and  his  duties  were  increased  by  being  appointed  fire  marshal  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  fire  alarm  system  whch  had  been  installed  early  in  1876. 

During  the  time  of  Chief  Carrier's  connection  with  the  department,  the 
volunteer  organization  was  at  its  height.  In  1888  the  Greenville  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company  was  organized  and  given  the  old  truck  of  Truck  Company 
No.  I,  a  new  one  having  been  purchased  for  No.  i.  Greenville  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company  No.  2  is  still  a  volunteer  company,  but  has  a  light  city- 
size  Seagrave  truck.  Under  Chief  Carrier,  the  best  and  finest  fire  parades 
took  place  annually,  thousands  flocking  to  the  city  to  witness  them.  During 
the  peak  of  volunteer  days  there  were  eleven  volunteer  organizations,  includ- 
ing the  fire  police. 

November  9,  1872,  the  great  Boston  fire  occurred  and  assistance  was 
requested  from  Norwich.  James  Lloyd  Greene  was  mayor,  and  Daniel  A. 
Delanoy  chief  of  the  department.  Request  for  aid  was  received  Sunday, 
November  10,  and  at  3  P.  M.  one  passenger  car  and  two  freight  cars  started 
for  Boston  with  steamers  i  and  5  with  their  hose  carrages,  also  the  hose 
carriage  of  Truck  Company  No.  i  known  as  Ghost  Hose,  which  this  company 
maintained  in  addition  to  their  truck.  Accompanying  the  firemen,  who  num- 
bered upwards  of  one  hundred  men  from  the  several  companies,  were  Mayor 
Greene  and  several  prominent  citizens  who  looked  out  for  the  welfare  of 
the  firemen.  The  Norwich  contingent  arrived  in  Boston  early  in  the  evening 
and  unloaded  their  apparatus,  but  did  not  go  into  service  until  after  10  P.  M., 
as  the  fire  was  considered  under  control.  About  that  hour  an  explosion 
occurred  and  the  Norwich  firemen  were  assigned  to  the  district  at  Washing- 
ton and  Summer  streets,  the  engines  taking  water  from  a  cistern  in  front  of 
the  Boston  Theater.  The  loss  at  this  fire  was  upwards  of  eighty  million 
dollars.  The  department  arrived  back  in  Norwich  on  Monday,  November 
nth,  at  midnight,  completely  tired  out,  but  with  the  knowledge  of  their 
services  being  appreciated  by  the  authorities  of  Boston. 

The  services  of  the  department  have  been  requested  from  many  of  the 
towns  about  Norwich  in  the  past  fifty  years,  and  have  always  been  regarded. 
At  some  of  the  fires  to  which  they  have  responded  they  have  saved  consid- 
erable property.  While  there  were  several  large  fires  in  Norwich  between 
1870  and    1890,  there  were  none   of   large   proportions.     In  May,   1883,  the 


NORWICH  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  481 

Allen  Spool  and  Printing  Company  building  at  the  Falls  was  destroyed  with 
a  total  loss. 

At  the  death  of  Chief  Carrier  in  September,  1890,  First  Assistant  Chief 
Engineer  Louis  W.  Greenberg  was  elected  to  the  vacant  position,  and  served 
until  July  l,  1901,  when  he  resigned.  Chief  Grcenberg's  administration  was 
along  the  lines  of  Chief  Carrier.  No  improvements  were  made  except  the 
erection  of  the  new  double  station  at  Greenville  to  replace  the  small  wooden 
building  destroyed  by  fire.  This  building  was  erected  in  1895  at  a  cost  of 
about  $15,000,  and  is  at  this  date  in  good  condition,  housing  the  only  two 
volunteer  companies  left  in  Norwich — Engine  Company  No.  2,  and  Truck 
Company  No.  2. 

The  period  from  1895  to  1901  was  the  beginning  of  the  decline  of  the 
Volunteer  Fire  Department.  Other  cities  of  the  State  had  already  changed 
to  a  part  paid  department,  and  interest  had  commenced  to  decline  among  the 
members  of  the  department.  The  annual  fall  fire  parade  of  1896  was  the  last 
of  the  old-time  parades  of  any  size.  There  have  been  parades  of  firemen  with 
other  organizations  since  that  date,  but  of  small  proportions.  During  Chief 
Greenberg's  administration  there  were  several  fair-sized  fires,  but  the  largest 
one  occurred  February  4th,  1900,  at  6:05  A.  M.,  in  the  Hopkins  &  Allen  Arms 
Company  on  Franklin  street,  caused  by  an  explosion.  The  Hopkins  &  Allen 
building  was  entirely  destroyed,  and  considerable  damage  was  done  to 
surrounding  property,  the  losses  amounting,  insured  and  uninsured,  to  up- 
wards of  $175,000.  This  large  fire  demonstrated  to  the  citizens  that  it  was 
time  to  move  for  a  part  paid  fire  department  and  have  horse-drawn  apparatus, 
with  a  few  men  in  stations  at  all  times  so  as  to  respond  at  once.  At  a  city 
meeting  held  in  June.  1900,  $8,oco  was  added  to  the  regular  appropriation 
for  the  purchase  of  modern  fire  apparatus. 

What  has  already  been  written  about  the  Norwich  Fire  Department  will 
prove  that  when  the  citizens  of  Norwich  saw  the  necessity  of  changing  from 
one  type  of  fire  apparatus  to  another  in  order  to  modernize  and  progress  along 
lines  of  other  cities  and  to  conform  to  the  best  practice,  they  invariably  voted 
the  necessary  appropriations  to  make  the  change.  The  two  pieces  of  horse- 
drawn  apparatus  ordered  in  the  summer  of  1900  arrived  in  ^lay,  1901,  and 
were  placed  in  storage,  as  provision  had  not  been  made  for  their  being  put 
into  service.  One  of  the  pieces  was  a  65-foot  aerial  ladder  truck,  and  the 
other  was  a  combination  chemical  and  hose  wagon,  both  up-to-date  pieces  of 
apparatus. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Court  of  Common  Councl,  June  12,  1901,  the  resigna- 
tion of  Louis  W.  Greenberg,  Chief  of  the  Fire  Department,  was  presented 
and  accepted  to  take  effect  July  i,  1901,  after  serving  as  chief  nearly  eleven 
years,  from  September,  1890,  to  Tulv.  iqoi.  At  the  same  meeting  Howard  L. 
Stanton  was  elected  chief  engineer,  fire  marshal  and  superintendent  of  the 
Fire  Alarm  Telegraph,  and  he  is  holding  the  same  positions  at  this  date. 
At  the  time  of  the  election  of  Chief  Stanton  he  was  not  a  member  of  the 
Fire  Department,  having  resigned  July  i,  1899,  after  a  service  of  eighteen 
years  as  assistant  chief,  with  a  previous  record  in  the  department  in  the  West 
Side  Com.pany  known  as  Neptune  No.  5,  and  also  as  Delanoy  No.  5,  starting 

N.L.— 1-31. 


482  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

in  Neptune  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  as  a  signal  boy  in  1870. 

The  following  volunteer  companies,  eleven  in  number,  were  in  commis- 
sion July  I,  1901 :  Wauregan  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  i ;  Wauregan 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  i  ;  Blackstone  Hose  Company  No.  I  ;  Wil- 
liam M.  Williams  Hose  Company  No.  3 ;  Shetucket  Steam  Fire  Engine  Com- 
pany No.  7;  Greenville  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  2;  Niagara  Hose 
Company  No.  2;  Norwich  Hose  Company  No.  4;  Neptune  Hose  Company 
No.  5;  Independence  Hose  Company  No.  6;  and  the  Norwich  Fire  Police. 

October  7,  1901,  the  Court  of  Common  Council,  on  the  recommendation 
of  the  fire  commissioners,  decided  to  disband  the  fire  police  in  the  interest 
of  economy,  as  the  regular  city  police  attended  all  fires.  The  amount  appro- 
priated for  the  Fire  Department  in  1901-02  was  $11,000,  and  little  could  be 
done  toward  a  part  paid  department  on  that  amount.  The  inventory  of  the 
Fire  Department  at  this  time  was  $76,355,  including  buildings,  apparatus  and 
supplies.  There  were  65  alarms  of  fire  during  the  year,  with  a  loss  of  $14,- 
444.  The  appropriation  was  increased  in  1902  and  1903  to  $17,500,  which 
enabled  the  department  to  get  started  toward  a  part  paid  department;  also, 
an  appropriation  was  made  for  the  new  Central  Fire  Station. 

Under  an  ordinance  of  the  city  regulating  the  Fire  Department,  adopted 
September  22,  1902,  the  fire  commissioners  approved  the  purchase  of  a  pair 
of  horses,  and  stalls  were  fitted  in  the  West  Side  station.  The  volunteer 
company  was  disbanded  and  three  permanent  men  hired,  with  call  men  to  fill 
six  beds  every  night.  The  names  of  the  first  permanent  men  were  Alvin  D. 
Lewis,  captain;  Edward  F.  Stinson,  driver;  and  Patrick  J.  Caples,  hoseman. 
The  combination  machine  purchased  in  1900  was  finally  placed  in  service  on 
November  i,  1902,  and  was  known  as  Chemical  Company  No.  i.  There  were 
79  alarms  during  the  year,  with  a  loss  of  $22,089.  ^  "^w  hose  wagon  arrived 
in  April,  1903,  and  another  pair  of  horses  were  purchased.  This  apparatus  was 
placed  in  service  temporarily  in  Niagara  No.  2  station  on  Broadway,  and  was 
known  as  Hose  Company  No.  5.  Niagara  Hose  Company  No.  2  and  BlacK- 
stone  Hose  Company  No.  i  were  disbanded  July  i,  1903,  as  volunteer  organ- 
izations to  form  the  second  part  paid  company.  The  men  from  the  two  dis- 
banded companies  who  desired  positions  in  the  new  companies  were  retained. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1904,  there  were  102  alarms,  with  a  loss 
of  $23,989.  The  largest  fire  of  the  year  was  the  so-called  Potter  fire,  on 
Thames  street,  February  8,  1904,  in  zero  weather,  with  a  loss  of  $14,000. 

A  new  light  Seagrave  truck  with  a  45-foot  extension  ladder  and  the  neces- 
sary equipment  of  shorter  ladders  amounting  to  upwards  of  200  feet,  was  pur- 
chased and  placed  in  commission  with  Greenville  Hook  and  Ladder  Company 
No.  2  during  the  year,  and  paid  for  from  the  regular  appropriation,  the  old 
truck  being  taken  by  the  makers  in  part  payment.  The  appropriation  for  the 
year  was  $16,000.  At  this  time  there  were  six  permanent  men  and  eleven  call 
men,  with  six  substitutes,  constituting  the  part  paid  force  of  the  Fire  De- 
partment, and  five  horses,  including  the  chief's  horse. 

There  were  113  alarms  of  fire  during  the  year  ending  June  30,  1905,  with 
a  loss  of  $22,548.  The  largest  single  loss  was  at  the  fire  at  the  residence  of 
Dr.  Patrick  Cassidy,  May  i,  1905.     The  wind  was  blowing  a  gale,  and  only 


ABOVE.  SHANNON  BT'IT^niNr,,  BRFOliK  FIRE  OF  FEBRUARY   n,   11)00. 

LOWER   LEFT.   SAME.   .\FTER   FIRE. 

Lower    Iti^lit.    White   Slar  Shows    where   People   Were   Taken    Out. 


NORWICH   FIRE   DEPARTMENT  483 

by  efficient  work  of  the  dei)artmcnt  was  the  house  saved,  with  a  loss  of  $10,000 
on  buildings  and  contents. 

The  Central  Station  was  completed  in  November,  1904.  With  its  com- 
pletion and  the  placing  of  the  aerial  truck  in  commission  at  the  station  after 
being  housed  in  a  barn  for  over  three  years,  the  department  began  to  make 
more  rapid  strides. 

Waurcgan  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  organized  in  1858,  and  Wauregan 
Steam  Fire  Engine  Company,  organized  in  1861,  were  disbanded  October  i, 
1904,  the  disbandment  leaving  but  one  volunteer  company  in  the  center  of 
the  city.  Three  horses  were  purchased  for  the  aerial  truck,  increasing  the 
number  of  horses  owned  by  the  department  to  eight,  with  twelve  permanent 
men  and  forty  call  men.  Another  hose  wagon  was  added  to  the  equipment 
and  two  exercise  wagons,  all  built  by  Scott  &  Clark  Company,  this  city. 

At  the  completion  of  the  Central  Station,  the  closed  Broadway  station 
was  sold  to  L.  L.  Chapman  for  $11,000.  The  appropriation  to  cover  expenses 
of  the  department  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1905,  was  $17,000,  with  a  deficit 
of  $4,690  caused  by  the  purchasing  of  furnishings  for  the  new  station,  etc. 
From  July  i,  1905,  to  June  30,  1906,  the  department  responded  to  127  alarms, 
with  a  fire  loss  of  $13,650,  with  an  insurance  loss  of  $12,903.  A  storage  battery 
and  switch  board  were  installed,  with  a  new  automatic  repeater,  and  the 
Metropolitan  steam  fire  engine  was  placed  in  service.  There  were  fourteen 
permanent  men  and  forty-three  call  men  in  the  department,  besides  the  volun- 
teers from  five  companies.  Also  there  were  ten  horses  in  addition  to  those 
hired  for  the  volunteer  companies.  The  amount  of  the  appropriation  was 
$30,850. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30.  1907,  there  were  125  alarms  of  fire,  with 
an  insurance  loss  of  $9,910.  Hose  Companies  No.  4  and  No.  6  were  disbanded, 
leaving  three  volunteer  companies.  The  number  of  permanent  men  had  in- 
creased to  seventeen  and  the  call  force  numbered  forty-one.  The  name  of 
Shetuckct  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  7  was  changed  to  Engine  Com- 
pany No.  2,  and  a  new  Metropolitan  engine  was  placed  in  service  with  No.  2. 
The  Main  street  station  had  been  changed  over  so  as  to  house  Chemical  Com- 
pany No.  I,  and  two  more  horses  purchased,  making  twelve  in  service.  Ap- 
propriation, $34,250. 

The  report  of  the  chief  of  the  Fire  Department  for  the  year  ending  June 
30,  1908,  shows  the  department  responded  to  145  alarms  of  fire,  with  a  loss 
of  $99,835.  The  largest  fires  of  the  year  were  that  at  the  William  H.  Page 
Boiler  Company,  on  Franklin  street,  and  that  at  the  Norwich  Belt  Manufac- 
turing Company  in  Water  street.  The  number  of  permanent  men  in  the 
department  had  been  increased  to  twenty  and  the  call  men  forty.  The  amount 
appropriated  for  the  Fire  Department  was  $27,000,  and  the  amount  expended 
was  $27,665. 

There  were  132  alarms  of  fire  during  the  year  ending  June  30,  lyoy. 
Three  of  the  number  were  for  fires  out  of  the  city  limits — one  being  at  Taft- 
ville,  for  a  fire  in  the  Sacred  Heart  Parochial  School,  and  one  at  Baltic,  among 
several  buildings.  The  department  responded  and  rendered  efficient  service. 
The  largest  fire  in  the  city  was  the  burning  of  the  Shannon  building,  February 


484  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

9,  1909,  at  2 :30  A.  M.  The  fire  was  not  discovered  in  time  to  send  in  an  alarm 
soon  enough  to  save  the  building,  which  was  a  total  loss  with  most  of  the 
contents.  In  addition  to  the  loss  of  the  Shannon  building,  the  adjoining 
property  was  damaged  to  a  greater  or  less  amount.  The  loss  amounted  to 
$293,000,  with  an  insurance  loss  of  $201,000.  The  insurance  loss  for  the  year 
was  $216,392. 

In  October,  1908,  the  hose  wagon  purchased  in  1903  was  equipped  with 
a  25-gallon  chemical  tank  and  other  equipment,  and  placed  in  service  in 
Station  No.  3  at  the  Falls,  displacing  the  volunteer  hose  company,  which  was 
disbanded.  This  change  necessitated  the  purchase  of  two  more  horses  and 
the  transfer  of  several  men.  Two  new  hose  wagons  were  also  added  to  the 
equipment  and  used  for  exercise  wagons.  The  appropriation  was  $30,500,  and 
$32,210  was  expended  owing  to  the  changing  of  No.  3  Company  to  a  perma- 
nent company. 

From  July  i,  1909,  to  June  30,  1910,  the  department  responded  to  154 
alarms,  five  of  them  over  the  city  line.  The  largest  loss  was  at  the  Max 
Gordon  Company  storehouse,  Sunday,  March  13,  1910.  This  building  was 
stored  with  bales  of  cotton  and  woolen  rags  ready  for  shipment,  and  resulted 
in  a  loss  of  $8,000,  mostly  on  stock.  The  loss  for  the  year  was  $23,000.  Old 
No.  4  Hose  house  on  Boswell  avenue  was  sold  for  $900,  and  the  money  turned 
over  to  the  city  treasurer.  The  amount  appropriated  for  the  department  was 
$32,200,  and  an  unexpended  balance  of  $26  was  returned.  The  inventory  of 
the  department  property  was  $135,000.  There  were  twenty-two  permanent 
men  and  thirty-four  call  men,  and  fourteen  horses  to  haul  the  apparatus,  and 
four  horses  were  hired  from  outside  parties  to  respond  to  Truck  2  and 
Engine  2. 

The  fire  record  for  alarms  from  July  i,  1910,  to  June  30,  191 1,  was  165 
alarms,  nine  of  them  over  the  city  line.  The  largest  fire  was  May  19,  1911, 
at  2:45  A.M.,  at  the  Lucas  Hall  property,  corner  of  Shetucket  and  Water 
streets.  The  fire  started  in  a  bowling  alley,  and  was  coming  from  the  upper 
windows  when  discovered.  The  loss  was  $60,000.  The  loss  for  the  year 
was  $78,000. 

During  the  month  of  November  of  1910  the  water  was  very  low  in  the 
reservoir.  Pressure  in  the  business  district  dropped  from  90  to  35  pounds, 
and  in  some  sections  of  the  city  there  was  no  water  in  the  hydrants.  At  this 
time  a  touring  car  was  hired  and  equipped  with  small  chemical  extinguishers 
and  other  tools,  which  helped  matters  to  some  extent.  The  appropriation  was 
$30,500,  and  was  exceeded  by  $990  on  account  of  low  water. 

The  Fire  Department  was  inspected  by  engineers  from  the  National 
Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  in  January  and  February,  1911;  many  recom- 
mendations were  made,  and  some  were  complied  with,  but  many  have  never 
received  the  attention  they  deserve. 

In  March,  1912,  the  first  piece  of  motor-driven  fire  apparatus  was  pur- 
chased and  placed  in  commission  at  headquarters  station.  It  was  the  begin- 
ning of  an  entirely  new  era  in  fire  fighting  apparatus.  It  was  built  by  the 
Pope  Hartford  Company  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  was  still  in  service  in 
1921.    The  fire  loss  was  only  $9,300,  during  the  year,  with  149  alarms,  four  of 


NORWICH    FIRE   DEPARTMENT  485 

them  over  the  city  line.  Two  horses  were  displaced  by  the  purchase  of  the 
automobile,  leaving  twelve.  The  appropriation  was  $31,000,  and  the  amount 
expended  was  $35,474,  on  account  of  the  purchase  of  the  automobile. 

The  fire  loss  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1913,  was  $144,000,  with  174 
alarms.  The  largest  loss  was  at  the  Central  Wharf  fire,  August  29,  1912, 
at  12:15  ^-  ^I->  followed  by  a  general  alarm  at  12:25  A.  M.  The  fire  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  started  by  tramps  who  were  known  to  have  been  sleeping 
in  one  of  the  sheds.  The  remains  of  two  persons  were  taken  from  the  ruins 
after  the  fire.  The  loss  at  the  Central  Wharf  fire  was  $110,000.  The  next 
largest  loss  was  at  the  fire  in  the  Austin  Block,  January  24,  1913,  at  5  :45  A.  M., 
resulting  in  a  loss  of  $14,000,  mostly  on  contents.  Eleven  of  the  174  alarms 
were  for  fires  out  of  the  city  limits,  one  being  at  Lebanon,  twelve  miles  away, 
the  run  being  made  in  twenty-eight  minutes.  The  force  of  the  Department 
remained  the  same  as  the  preceding  year,  as  well  as  the  apparatus.  The 
appropriation  was  $31,000.  Stony  Brook  reservoir  had  been  completed  and 
there  was  water  in  abundance  the  latter  part  of  1913. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1914,  243  alarms  were  responded  to,  ten 
being  out  of  the  city  limits.  One  of  the  most  severe  fires  of  the  year  was  at 
the  Swedish  Church,  Saturday,  February  21,  1914,  at  11:44  P.M.,  in  zero 
weather.  Also  the  fire  in  the  Marguerite  building,  Thursday,  February  12th, 
1914,  at  12:15  ^-  M.,  also  in  zero  weather.  January  13,  1914,  was  a  very  cold 
day  to  fight  fires,  and  the  department  had  five  working  fires  through  the  day, 
two  going  at  the  same  time.  Several  of  the  members  were  frost-bitten  during 
the  day  while  at  work  at  the  fires.  The  apparatus  and  personnel  of  the 
department  remained  as  in  the  previous  year,  regardless  of  recommendations 
made  for  more  motor  apparatus.    The  appropriation  was  $32,000. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1915,  there  were  212  alarms,  eleven  being 
out  of  the  city  limits.  The  greatest  distance  traveled  to  out-of-town  fires 
was  to  Willimantic,  January  9,  1915,  the  distance  of  eighteen  miles  being 
covered  in  thirty-four  minutes  with  the  Pope  Hartford  automobile  chemical. 
The  largest  fire  out  of  the  city  the  department  was  called  upon  to  render 
assistance  at  was  at  Taftville,  May  30,  1915,  when  ten  buildings  were  de- 
stroyed. At  this  fire  Engine  No.  i  was  used,  as  well  as  the  Pope  automobile. 
The  largest  fire  in  the  city  during  the  year  was  at  the  so-called  Bailey  building, 
June  3rd,  with  a  loss  by  exposure,  etc.,  of  $10,000.  The  appropriation  was 
$36,000.  There  were  thirteen  horses  connected  with  the  department  in  addi- 
tion to  those  hired  to  draw  the  Greenville  apparatus.  The  number  of  perma- 
nent men  was  twenty-four,  and  there  were  twenty-eight  call  men,  in  addition 
to  the  volunteer  companies  in  Greenville.  At  a  city  meeting  in  June,  1915, 
an  appropriation  was  made  for  the  purchase  of  a  triple  combination  chemical 
pump  and  hose  car  at  an  expense  of  $9,000.  The  new  auto  pumper  arrived  the 
latter  part  of  December,  191 5,  and  has  always  proven  a  valuable  piece  of 
apparatus.  The  number  of  permanent  men  remained  at  twenty-four,  with 
twenty-four  call  men  and  about  twenty  volunteers  that  could  be  depended  on. 
The  regular  appropriation  was  $36,000,  and  with  the  $g.ooo  for  the  auto 
pumper  made  $45,000.  At  this  time  there  were  505  hydr.-nts  in  the  cit;-  and 
town. 


486  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1916,  there  were  139  alarms,  with  four 
out  of  the  city.  The  city  was  free  from  any  large  or  serious  fires,  although  the 
gasoline  hazard  furnished  several  working  fires.  The  loss  for  the  year  was 
$16,300. 

From  July  i,  1916,  to  June  30,  1917,  186  alarms  of  fire  were  responded  to, 
with  a  fire  loss  of  $11,700.  The  appropriation  was  $35,500.  A  Buick  automo- 
bile was  purchased  for  the  deputy  chief  from  the  regular  appropriation,  mak- 
ing three  pieces  of  motor  apparatus  in  service.  There  were  26  permanent  men 
and  20  call  men  in  service.  Hon.  Allyn  L.  Brown  was  mayor  and  Guy  B. 
Dolbeare  was  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1918,  the  department  responded  to  193 
alarms,  fourteen  for  fires  out  of  the  city  limits,  one  of  them  being  at  Baltic, 
Connecticut.  The  loss  for  the  year  was  $15,000.  The  appropriation  was 
$42,000.  Salaries  and  pay  rolls  were  $30,776.  The  department  was  improved 
by  the  addition  of  a  Cadillac  automobile  rebuilt,  with  the  old  body  and 
chemical  tanks  from  the  first  piece  of  horse-drawn  apparatus.  This  piece  of 
apparatus  was  placed  in  service  at  Chemical  Company  No.  2,  on  the  West 
Side,  and  has  proven  a  good  investment.  A  Reo  car  was  purchased  for  the 
chief,  and  by  the  purchase  of  the  two  pieces  of  motor  apparatus  only  five 
horses  were  left  in  the  department.  The  number  of  permanent  men  remained 
at  26  and  the  call  men  at  16,  in  addition  to  the  volunteers  at  Greenville.  Hon. 
Jeremiah  J.  Desmond  was  mayor,  and  Joseph  A.  George  chairman  of  the 
Board  of  Fire  Commissioners.  Like  other  cities,  the  Fire  Department  felt 
the  effects  of  the  World  War,  then  at  its  height,  by  the  draft  and  enlistments 
of  the  men.  During  the  summer  of  IQ18  the  United  States  Housing  Corpora- 
tion endeavored  to  secure  the  services  of  the  chief,  the  position  of  Federal 
Fire  Marshal  for  the  L'nited  States  Housing  Corporation  being  tendered  to 
him  but  declined. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1919,  the  department  responded  to  175 
alarms.  Nine  were  for  fires  out  of  the  city  limits.  The  largest  fire  attended 
out  of  the  city  limits  was  at  the  Glen  Woolen  Mills  at  Bean  Hill,  March  12, 
1919.  Two  companies  were  sent  to  this  fire,  and  the  assistance  sent  from  the 
city  department  saved  the  mills.  The  greatest  distance  traveled  to  out-of- 
town  fires  was  at  the  Fitchville  fire.  June  22,  1919,  five  and  one-half  miles,  and 
the  fire  at  the  Eastern  Connecticut  Power  Company  plant  at  Montville,  eight 
and  one-quarter  miles.  There  were  several  large  fires  in  the  city  during  the 
year,  among  them  being  the  grain  elevator  of  Charles  Slosberg  &  Son,  on 
Cove  street,  August  i,  1918,  with  a  loss  of  $11,000.  The  two  fires  of  the  Max 
Gordon  &  Son  Company,  which  occurred  at  the  same  time,  one  on  Falls 
avenue  and  the  other  on  West  Main  street,  resulted  in  a  loss  of  $12,650.  The 
fire  in  the  Round  House  of  the  N.  Y.,  N.  H.  &  H.  R.  R.  Co.,  December  8,  1918, 
made  a  loss  of  $8,000.  April  2,  1919,  another  fire  in  the  Max  Gordon  Company 
storehouse  on  Falls  avenue  resulted  in  a  loss  of  $13,500.  Several  other  fires 
occurred  with  losses  between  $2,000  and  $5,000,  which  made  a  total  fire  loss 
for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1919,  of  $69,000,  and  an  insurance  loss  of  $53,000. 
The  amount  appropriated  for  the  Fire  Department  was  $50,241,  of  which 


NORWICH    FIRE    DKl'ARTMENT  487 

amount  $39,747  went  for  salaries  and  pay  rolls.  The  inventory  of  the  depart- 
ment property,  real  estate,  apjjaratus  and  equipment  was  $139,225. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1920,  the  department  responded  to  134 
alarms,  twelve  being  for  fires  out  of  the  city  limits.  The  fire  at  the  residence 
of  the  Misses  Butts,  272  Washington  street,  September  9,  1919,  was  caused 
by  lightning,  and  proved  to  be  the  most  disastrous  of  any  over  the  city  line, 
although  only  one  end  of  the  house  was  damaged.  The  department  also 
responded  to  the  fire  at  Bozrahvillc  post  office  and  store,  December  2,  1919. 
The  only  fire  that  resulted  in  loss  of  life  was  also  out  of  the  city  limits,  in  the 
so-called  Adam's  Tavern,  Sunday,  November  23,  1919,  in  which  Mr.  Alfred 
A.  Adam  lost  his  life.  The  fire  was  very  small  and  was  caused  by  a  rubber 
hose  attached  to  a  gas  heater  burning  or  slipping  off  the  connection  while 
Mr.  Adam  was  asleep  or  fainted  in  the  bath  room.  The  largest  city  loss  of 
the  year  was  at  Andrews'  Bakery,  June  17,  1920,  with  a  loss  of  $6,500.  The 
second  largest  loss  was  in  the  so-called  Hiscox  building,  in  a  garage  operated 
by  the  Barrett,  Hudson  Company,  with  a  loss  of  $4,500  on  building  and  auto- 
mobiles. The  fire  loss  was  $19,148,  and  the  insurance  loss  $18,642.  The 
appropriation  was  $50,245,  and  the  salaries  and  pay  rolls  account  had  grown 
to  $43,442,  owing  to  increase  of  salaries  and  pay  rolls  made  necessary  by  the 
high  cost  of  living  and  after-the-war  conditions.  There  were  27  permanent 
men  and  14  call  men  sleeping  at  the  stations.  A  summary  of  the  working 
force  of  the  department  June  30,  1920,  was:  permanent  men,  27;  call  men,  in 
all  positions,  20;  volunteers  who  could  b,c  partly  depended  on,  20;  total,  67 
men.  The  number  of  horses  remained  at  five,  and  the  equipment  remained 
as  in  the  past  three  years. 

The  Firemen's  Pension  Fund  created  bj'  an  act  of  the  Legislature  at  the 
1919  session  and  not  operative  until  January  i,  1921,  showed  the  amount  on 
hand  June  30,  1920,  to  be  $6,234.  The  pension  fund  is  supported  by  two  per 
cent,  of  salaries  from  all  permanent  men  of  the  department,  and  from  dona- 
tions to  the  fund  by  citizens. 

At  this  date  there  were  526  fire  hydrants,  14  fire  cisterns  connected  to 
city  mains  for  filling,  and  68  fire  alarm  boxes,  with  34  miles  of  wire.  Hon. 
Herbert  M.  Lerou  was  mayor,  and  C.  V.  Pendleton,  chairman  of  the  board 
of  fire  commissioners. 


THE  NEW  LONDON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT 
CHAPTER  XVni 

In  tlie  year  1805,  New  London  was  empowered  by  the  legislature  to 
establish  tire  companies  consisting  of  eighteen  men  each,  a  privilege  that  had 
been  previously  granted  to  Hartford,  Middletown  and  Norwich.  This  trans- 
ferred the  fire  department  from  the  town  to  city  authority,  and  three  com- 
panies were  soon  formed,  a  fourth  being  added  later.  Two  engines  were 
bought  in  1848,  and  in  1850  the  Independent  Nameaug  Fire  Company  was 
formed  and  equipped  with  a  fine  engine  paid  for  by  popular  subscription. 
In  1921  "The  Day,"  in  honor  of  its  fortieth  birthday,  published  a  special 
number  descriptive  and  historical,  and  in  it  had  the  following  to  say  upon 
the  subject  which  furnishes  the  caption  for  this  review: 

New  London  has  always  felt  very  proud  of  its  volunteer  fire  department. 
It  had  one  in  1880  and  long  before  that  time,  and  has  one  at  present.  Forty 
years  ago  the  engine  company  houses  were  about  the  only  existing  rendez- 
vous for  young  men  outside  of  the  saloons,  and  naturally  fire  companies  were 
strong  in  membership.  Everybody  who  w-as  anyljody  belonged  to  one  com- 
pany or  the  other,  although  many  did  not  do  active  service. 

A  water  service  introduced  in  1872  had  put  the  old  pumpers  out  of 
business,  as  the  pressure  at  the  hydrants  was  generally  powerful  enough 
to  send  a  stream  through  the  hose  wherever  it  was  needed.  Hose  companies 
ran  with  their  hose  carriages  and  reels  to  the  scene  of  the  fire,  coupled  the 
hose  to  a  hydrant,  and  played  the  stream  upon  the  fire.  When  the  water 
pressure  failed  in  localities  or  in  the  case  of  big  fires  where  unusual  number 
of  streams  were  required,  two  engines  owned  by  the  department  pumped 
through  the  pipes  with  greater  pressure. 

The  members  of  the  hose  company  pulled  their  apparatus  to  the  fire, 
and  there  was  great  rivalry  among  the  various  companies  to  see  which  could 
get  a  stream  of  water  on  first.  The  two  engines  had  to  be  drawn  by  horses. 
Later,  horses  were  provided  to  draw  the  hose  carriages,  and  still  later,  motor- 
driven  apparatus  was  provided  by  the  city.  The  Niagara  Engine  Company 
at  its  own  expense  in  the  year  1902  purchased  a  steam  propelled  ajiparatus 
which  was  not  only  a  novelty  but  a  very  valuable  acquisition  to  the  fire 
department.  Now  all  the  companies  are  equipped  with  motor-driven  appar- 
atus owned  by  the  city.  In  1880  the  chief  engineer  of  the  department  was 
William  B.  Thomas,  whose  regular  business  was  trucking.  The  assistant 
chief  engineer  was  Peter  McMullen,  of  the  firm  of  McMullen  &  Osborn,  who 
conducted  a  popular  cafe  on  Bank  street. 

The  companies  then  in  existence  were  Niagara  Engine  Companv  No.  i  ; 
Nameaug  Engine  Company,  No.  2;  Relief  No.  3,  which  had  a  hand  engine 
and  which  was  renamed  the  W.  B.  Thomas  Hose  Company ;  and  Konomoc 
Hose  Company  No.  4.  For  years  an  annual  firemen's  parade  was  held.  It 
was  the  talked-of  event  of  the  year.  Every  uniform  each  company  could 
obtain  had  to  be  filled  on  parade  dav,  and  generally  was,  even  if  non-mem- 
bers had  to  be  drafted  for  the  purpose.  Each  member  was  supposed  to  turn 
out  or  provide  a  substitute.  The  honor  of  having  the  largest  number  of 
men  in  line  lay  between  the  Namcaugs  and  Niagaras.  All  the  company 
carnages  were  tastefully  decorated  with  flowers  and  flags,  each  company 
vymg  with  the  other  as  far  as  its  means  permitted.  Sometimes  on  the  nnnu.il 
parade  day  there  were  contests  in  throwing  streams  of  water  and  making 


,„^  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

quick  hydrant  connections,  which  created  great  interest.  Visiting  companies 
generally  took  part  in  the  parade,  and,  with  each  company  providing  a  band, 
the  annual  firemen's  parade  day  was  an  occasion  long  remembered  by  the 
townspeople.  William  B.  Thomas,  Alonzo  W.  Sholes,  Charles  L.  Ockford 
and  John  H.  Brown  were  the  popular  chiefs  of  the  departments  at  different 
periods  during  the  past  forty  years,  and  headed  the  annual  parades  with 
their  assistants,  each  carrying  a  silver  trumpet  under  the  left  arm,  the  bell 
end  filled  with  a  huge  bouquet  of  flowers.  The  present  chief,  John  Stanners, 
has  been  head  of  the  department  about  twenty-five  years. 

For  years  the  New  London  Volunteer  Department  had  to  be  reckoned 
with  in  politics.  Whoever  could  get  the  vote  of  the  firemen  could  be  assured 
of  election.  Nameaug  Company  was  once  very  powerful,  and  later  Konomoc 
Company  succeeded  it  in  political  strength.  Naturally  their  favor  was  much 
sought.  But  as  the  firemen  themselves,  through  jealousy  of  each  other,  finally 
split  up  into  rival  camps,  their  political  influence  became  less  potent  in  time, 
although  even  up  to  recent  years  some  of  the  fire  companies  exerted  con- 
siderable influence  in  party  nominations  and  elections.  In  the  old  days  a 
popular  member  of  the  fire  department  generally  was  able  to  defeat  at  the 
polls  once  more  able  to  serve  the  public  with  distinction. 

In  recent  years,  the  department,  still  on  a  volunteer  basis  and  with  the 
city  providing  social  accompaniments,  has  taken  on  a  more  professional 
character,  and  each  company  has  several  paid  members  constantly  on  duty, 
ready  to  run  out  the  apparatus  upon  call.  Nor  is  the  love  of  display  as  strong 
as  in  former  times,  so  that  the  annual  firemen's  parade  has  long  ceased  to 
be  a  fixed  custom. 

Since  1881  there  have  been  six  chiefs  of  the  Department:  William  B. 
Thomas.  Thomas  Riley,  Alonzo  W.  Sholes,  John  H.  Brown,  Charles  L. 
Ockford,  John  Stanners. 

The  present  Department  consists  of  one  hook  and  ladder  company,  two 
engine  companies  and  four  hose  companies.     Personnel : 

F.  L.  Allen  Hook  and  Ladder  Company — House,  243  Bank  street,  Fore- 
man, Thomas  Grogan;  First  Assistant,  Daniel  McQueen;  Second  Assistant, 
George  Ryan ;  Secretary,  John  Kane ;  Treasurer,  Jeremiah  Lyons. 

Niagara  Engine  Company  No.  i — House,  288  Bank  street;  Foreman, 
Charles  R.  Brown ;  First  Assistant,  Clarence  W.  Thompson ;  Second  Assist- 
ant, Arthur  R.  Thompson ;  Secretary,  Samuel  M.  Davidson ;  Treasurer, 
George  H.  Powers;  Engineer,  Joseph  Hyde,  Jr.;  Fireman.  Samuel  C.  Harris. 

Nameaug  Engine  Company  No.  2 — House,  26  Masonic  street,  near  City 
Hall;  Foreman,  Elmer  E.  Allyn ;  First  Assistant,  Charles  C.  Edwards;  Second 
Assistant,  Victor  Farrar;  Secretary,  John  C.  Turner;  Treasurer,  Elmer  Allen. 

W.  B.  Thomas  Hose  Company  No.  3 — House,  Rosemary,  corner 
Cole  street;  Foreman,  Manuel  Martin;  First  Assistant,  George  Enos;  Sec- 
ond Assistant,  Richard  Smith;  Secretary,  Charles  A.  Smith;  Treasurer, 
Charles  T.  Chester. 

Konomoc  Hose  Company  No.  4 — House,  corner  Union  and  State 
streets;  Foreman,  W.  R.  Pollock;  First  Assistant,  James  Nisson ;  Second 
/vssistant.  George  West;  Financial  Secretary,  Allen  C.  Richards;  Recording 
Secretary,  Daniel  McCabe ;  Treasurer,  William  C.  Fish. 

C.  C.  Ockford  Hose  Companv  No.  5 — House,  247  Shaw  street; 
Foreman,  Robert  B.  Burdick ;  First  Assistant,  Frederick  Rathbun;  Second 
Assistant,  Frank  Sullivan;  Secretary,  Walter  Peters;  Treasurer,  A.  E. 
JJrumm. 


NEW  LONDON   FIRE  DF.PARTAIK.VT 


491 


Peqiiot  Hose  Company  No.  6.  Incorporated  in  1906 — House,  25  Lower 
Boulevard ;  Foreman,  E.  T.  Kirkland ;  First  Assistant,  Donald  Bain ;  Second 
Assistant,  Thomas  Perkins;  Third  Assistant,  John  PenncU  ;  Financial  Secre- 
tary, I'cnjamin  N.  Pennell ;  Recording  Secretary,  W'illiam  H.  Corkey,  Jr.; 
Treasurer,  John  A.  Scott. 

Northwest  Hose  Company  No.  7 — House  on  Brainrrd  street;  Foreman, 
Joseph  H.  Conpdon ;  First  Assistant,  Ralph  Baker;  Second  Assistant,  L.  J. 
Allen;  Financial  Secretary,  W'illiam  A.  Slocum;  Recording  Secretary,  Edwin 
B.  Swadkins;  Treasurer,  Malcolm  M.  Scott. 

The  officers  of  the  Department  for  1921  were:  Chief  Engineer,  John 
Stanners;  First  Assistant,  Charles  H.  Rose;  Second  Assistant,  Joseph  W. 
Goldie. 

New  London  is  well  equipped  with  a  fire  alarm  telegraph  system  having 
fifty-two  fire  boxes  widely  distributed  throughout  the  city,  through  which 
alarms  are  sent  in  to  the  Central  Station.  The  Department  has  been  well 
tested  on  many  occasions,  and  has  successfully  fought  some  large  confla- 
grations. 

Groton  has  a  fire  company,  Pioneer  Hose  Company  No.  i,  with  house  on 
Pleasant  street.  The  officers  are:  Chief,  Herbert  White;  Assistant  Chief, 
A.  F.  Hodgdon;  Foreman,  James  A.  Stitt;  First  Assistant,  William  Harris; 
Second  Assistant,  William  Lingner;  Recording  Secretary,  James  J.  Doyle; 
Financial    Secretary,   Howard   A.   Edgecomb ;   Treasurer.    Milton    M.    Baker. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

COMMUNITY  ACTIVITIES 

Chief  Business  Enterprises — Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company — Thames  Tow  Boat 
Company — D.  E.  Whilon  Machine  Company — New  London  Ship  and  Engine 
Company — M.  A.  Kane  Company — Botlinclli  Monumental  Company — W.  R.  Perry 
Ice  Corporation — Cleary  Plumbing  and  HeaUng  Company — BabcocU  Printing 
Press  Company  —  J.  B.  Martin  Company  —  PonemaJi  Mills  Company  —  Other 
Industries. 

Any  true  history  of  New  London  county  must  give  some  picture  of  the 
community  activities.  How  do  people  get  on  with  one  another?  Is  there 
a  spirit  of  mutual  co-operation  for  the  good  of  the  whole  civic  body?  What 
is  the  relation  between  labor  and  capital?  The  present  chapter  will  deal 
with  some  of  these  questions. 

And  first  we  submit  certain  sketches,  drawn  from  authoritative  sources, 
of  the  rise  of  the  chief  business  enterprises  of  the  county,  supplementary  to 
the  statistics  already  printed.  What  is  said  of  one  company  will  hold  for 
many  others ;  the  story  of  success  is  a  story  of  individual  enterprise,  fair 
business  methods,  a  spirit  of  co-operation  in  the  whole  establishment. 

The  enviable  and  well-earned  reputation  of  the  Brainerd  &  Armstrong 
Company  covers  a  period  of  over  half  a  century.  In  1867  a  partnership  was 
formed  by  Benjamin  A.  .A.rmstrong  and  James  P.  Brainerd  for  the  manufac- 
ture and  sale  of  spool  silks.  These  gentlemen  had  become  experienced  in  the 
sale  of  spool  silks,  and  their  acquaintance  with  the  trade,  of  New  York  State 
particularly,  led  them  to  believe  that  they  could  successfully  manufacture 
and  market  their  own  brand  of  goods. 

The  twelve  years  following  were  devoted  to  creating  a  demand  for  the 
goods  in  the  large  Eastern  cities,  by  liberal  advertising  and  active  canvass 
of  the  trade.  Sure  though  this  process  may  have  been,  that  it  was  slow  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  in  1879  only  seventeen  hands  and  a  superintendent 
were  employed  at  the  mill  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  in  the  manufacture 
of  the  goods.  The  company  owned  no  plant  of  its  own,  but  in  1880  rented 
power  and  space  from  a  wood  turning  shop  along  the  New  London  wharf 
line. 

In  these  quarters,  the  business  showed  a  growth  to  seventy  hands  by 
1881.  That  year  the  company  started  its  own  dyeing,  with  six  or  seven  hands 
employed  in  that  department.  By  1883,  some  125  hands  were  in  the  employ 
of  the  company,  and  plans  were  undertaken  for  the  purchase  of  a  building  site 
in  the  heart  of  the  city  and  the  erection  of  a  modern  brick  factory  which  it 
was  estimated  would  meet  all  demands  of  growth  for  the  next  twenty  years. 

On  Good  Friday.  1885,  the  company  moved  into  the  new  plant,  w'ith  two 
hundred  hands  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  spool,  sewing,  knitting  and 
crochet  silks  and  plain  embroidery  silk  of  the  ordinary  dye  then  in  use. 


494  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

The  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company  is  in 
a  large  measure  due  to  the  fact  that  it  was  the  pioneer  of  the  wash  embroidery 
silk  movement  in  this  country.  In  1886,  the  company  made  a  number  of  re- 
markable discoveries  by  which  it  was  able  to  dye  silks  so  that  they  would 
stand  washing  in  hot  soap  suds.  A  few  .shades  of  the  embroidery  silk,  pro- 
duced at  that  time,  in  the  old  fashioned  manner,  would  stand  a  mild  and 
careful  rinsing  in  luke-warm  water.  The  newly  discovered  method  of  the 
Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company,  made  it  possible  to  produce  their  "Asiatic 
Dye"  wash  silks  which  would  stand  washing  at  212  degrees  without  loss  of 
color  or  injury  to  the  most  delicate  fabrics.  The  introduction  of  those  goods 
gave  a  new  impetus  to  the  art  of  embroidery  throughout  the  entire  country, 
and  although  at  the  present  time  a  number  of  manufacturers  produce  em- 
broidery silks  called  "wash  colors,"  still  there  is  no  brand  of  silk  in  this  coun- 
try that  can  claim  to  have  stood  the  test  of  so  many  years  as  that  produced 
by  the  Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company. 

In  1894,  the  Brainerd  &  Armstrong  Company  originated  and  advertised 
another  original  invention  which  marked  another  advance  in  the  use  of  em. 
broidery  silks.  The  device  was  an  ingenious  way  of  putting  up  wash  em- 
broidery silks  in  paper  holders,  in  such  a  manner  that  embroiderers  are  saved 
the  trouble  of  unwinding  the  skeins  and  rewinding  them  again  on  cardboard 
as  was  customarily  done  with  the  old-fashioned  skeins,  to  prevent  them  from 
roughing  and  snarling. 

In  1888,  the  companj'  become  interested  in  weaving  broad  silks,  and  a 
few  looms  were  started  on  the  manufacture  of  silk  art  fabrics.  In  several 
more  years,  as  the  demand  for  this  class  of  goods  became  less,  these  looms 
were  superceded  by  looms  for  the  manufacture  of  such  staple  goods  as  tailors' 
silk  and  satin  linings.  This  end  of  the  business  has  shown  a  wonderful  and 
steady  growth  so  that  at  the  present  time  the  company  has  over  600  looms 
devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  a  wide  range  of  dress  silks  and  silk  and  satin 
fabrics  for  tailors'  use. 

The  plant  that  in  1885  seemed  likely  to  take  care  of  the  company's  growth 
for  many  years,  has  time  and  again  demonstrated  itself  as  insufficient  for  the 
company's  business,  and  additions  and  extensions  have  been  frequently  made. 
Besides  these  additions,  the  company  years  ago  acquired  the  entire  plant  of 
the  Orlo  Atwood  Silk  Company,  in  an  entirely  different  part  of  the  city.  This 
plant  is  now  devoted  wholly  to  throwing,  i.  e.,  to  spinning  and  twisting  the 
silk  fibre  into  the  finished  thread.  In  more  recent  years  there  has  been  added 
a  modern  and  convenient  dye  house  of  large  capacity  with  its  own  private 
supply  of  absolutely  pure  water  of  chemical  properties  extraordinarily  adapted 
to  dyeing.  A  model  weaving  plant  has  also  been  established  in  the  neigh- 
boring city  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  \ 

During  the  term  of  the  w-ar,  over  half  the  capacity  of  those  mills  was 
employed  in  the  production  of  machine  twist  and  sewing  silk  for  the  use  of 
the  armies  and  navies  of  the  United  States  and  of  our  allies. 

The  mills  of  the  company  cover  large  area  and  in  full  operation  furnish 
employment  to  1,000  operatives.    The  product,  consisting  of  silk  threads  and 


<.V)M.\irXITY  ACm-lTIKS  495 

fabrics,  is  supplied  to  dealers  and  storekeepers  throughout  the  United  States 
through  salesrooms  located  in  New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  St.  Paul  and  San  Francisco.  Nor  is  the  selling 
field  confined  to  this  country,  for  the  products  of  this  company  are  largely 
sold  in  Mexico,  Cuba,  and  the  countries  of  Central  and  South  America. 

In  1884  the  comjiany  was  reorganized  and.  at  that  time,  Mr.  Brainerd's 
active  connection  with  the  concern  came  to  an  end.  Benjamin  A.  Armstrong 
still  remains  the  active  head  of  the  company.  The  concern  is  one  that  has 
long  enjoyed  the  highest  regard  and  esteem  of  the  trade  and  of  the  public  by 
reason  of  the  superior  qualities  it  has  developed  and  maintained  in  its  goods, 
as  well  as  by  the  consistent  practice  of  a  policy  of  fair  and  honest  dealing, 
all  of  which  accords  with  the  best  traditions  of  Xew  England  where  was 
bred  our  old-fashioned  religion  which  in  the  final  analysis  is  at  the  bottom 
of  all  permanent  industrial  success. 

The  Thames  Tow  Boat  Company  was  incorporated  in  Norwich,  Decem- 
ber 29,  1865,  by  Mr.  Edward  Chappell  and  other?  with  a  small  capital  stock 
and  did  river  and  harbor  towing  for  a  number  of  years  with  two  or  three  small 
tug  boats.  The  business  was  finally  transferred  to  New  London,  February 
28,  1879,  the  controlling  interest  being  acquired  by  Mr.  Frank  H.  Chappell 
and  others.  The  business  was  gradually  enlarged  and  barges  and  larger  tugs 
built  and  bought  so  as  to  operate  a  towing  and  transportation  business  on 
Long  Island  Sound  and  New  York  waters.  The  business  could  not  stop 
here,  so  the  field  of  operations  went  into  ocean  tawing  and  transportation, 
and  the  Thames  Tow  Boat  Company  were  the  pioneers  in  the  tow  boat  busi- 
ness of  transportation  of  coal  from  Norfolk,  Virginia,  to  points  east  as  far  as 
Bangor,  Maine,  in  its  own  barges  and  towed  by  its  own  tug  boats.  The 
business  of  increased  tonnage  as  to  barges  and  tugs  needed  more  capital 
and  it  was  increased  from  time  to  time  and  it  reached  $250,000.  In  1900  the 
fleet  of  tugs  and  barges  was  of  such  size  that  it  necessitated  continued  repairs, 
so  it  was  considered  expedient  to  have  a  shipyard  of  its  own,  and  the  site 
on  the  Thames  River  was  selected  for  the  plant  and  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  make  the  plant  large  enough  to  accommodate  all  of  its  own  work  and  any 
outside  work  that  came  along  so  as  to  make  the  shipyard  a  paying  proposition. 

A  goodly  number  of  the  barges  and  tugs  that  the  company  owns  were 
built  on  Winthrop  Point,  before  it  started  the  shipyard,  but  afterwards  at  its 
own  yard  the  "John  Forsyth,"  a  large  barge,  and  the  tugs  "Paul  Jones" 
and  "Bess,"  and  two  large  steam  lighters,  were  built  for  the  Thames  Tow  Boat 
Company's  fleet.  The  tug  "Paul  Jones"  was  sold  to  a  firm  of  brokers  in  New 
York  in  December,  igi6,  and  was  afterwards  sold  by  them  to  the  French 
government.  She  was  at  that  time  the  largest  steam  tug  on  the  Atlantic 
seaboard. 

On  the  first  of  the  year  191 7.  the  business  having  been  quite  prosperous 
during  the  preceding  years,  the  capital  was  increased  to  $i, 000,000.  The  com- 
pany has  a  large  fleet  of  barges  and  tugs  and  a  shipyard  with  two  large  marine 
railways  and  shops  with  a  large  inventory  of  merchandise  on  hand  for  the 
repairs  of  all  classes  of  vessels,  both  steam  and  sail,  wood  or  iron.    The  class 


496  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

of  mechanics  employed  are  of  the  best.  During  the  World  War  a  large  num- 
ber of  United  States  government  vessels  were  repaired. 

Mr.  F.  H.  Chappell,  who  was  still  president  of  the  company,  died  in 
November,  1919.  The  oflficers  at  the  present  time  are  as  follows:  Laurence 
A.  Chappell,  president;  Frank  H.  Chappell,  Jr.,  vice  president  and  treasurer; 
Lee  S.  Denison,  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer;  Edward  F.  Clark,  agent. 

The  main  office  of  the  company  is  located  at  258  Bank  street,  in  the  im- 
posing three-story  stone  building,  formerly  owned  by  the  Brown  family,  which 
has  been  remodeled  inside  for  an  up-to-date  office. 

The  company  is  prepared  to  transport  coal  and  other  merchandise  in 
barges  of  its  own  from  400  to  4,000  tons  and  to  tow  barges  and  vessels  on 
river,  sound  and  ocean  on  the  Atlantic  seatoard.  The  new  set  of  marine 
railways  that  it  is  now  building  at  its  shipyard  will  enable  them  to  take  care 
of  any  rush  work  that  may  come  along. 

The  manufacturing  plant  of  D.  E.  Whiton  was  originally  established 
in  West  Stafford,  Connecticut,  in  1856.  It  was  built  for  the  purpose  of  man- 
ufacturing centering  machines  and  lathe  chucks.  In  1881  Lucius  E.  Whiton, 
who  had  then  finished  preparatory  school,  engaged  in  the  business  with  his 
father  under  the  firm  name  of  D.  E.  Whiton  &  Son.  In  1882  the  business 
having  outgrown  its  West  Stafford  quarters,  a  location  was  secured  in  New 
London  and  a  branch  established.  The  first  plant  of  the  Whiton  Machine 
Company  in  New  London  was  located  in  the  building  with  the  Livesey  Roller 
Bushing  Company,  which  had  been  vacated  by  the  Brown  Cotton  Gin  Com- 
pany, and  a  part  of  what  was  afterward  the  Hopson  &  Chapin  foundry  in 
Howard  street.  In  1886  the  concern  was  incorporated  for  $50,000  and  the 
present  fine  plant  on  Howard  street  was  erected  especially  for  the  industry 
and  to  it  all  of  the  works  were  moved.  Though  this  doubled  facility  for  pro- 
duction, additions  to  the  plant  have  since  been  made  and  it  is  now  particularly 
well  adapted  for  the  company's  needs  and  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  in  the 
country  for  the  special  lines  manufactured.  The  foundry  of  the  Whiton 
Machine  Company  was  erected  in  1904.  Since  then  various  other  additions 
have  been  made  and  others  are  under  way.  The  original  plant  started  with 
twelve  employes ;  when  it  was  moved  to  New  London,  fifty  men  were  em- 
ployed; today,  when  the  business  is  running  at  capacity,  more  than  two  hun- 
dred employes  are  on  its  pay  roll. 

The  D.  E.  Whiton  Machine  Company  manufacturers  several  specialties 
in  machinists'  tools,  including  the  original  centering  machines  and  lathe 
chucks,  gear  cutting  machines  and  drills  for  special  uses.  These  are  all  ideas 
developed  by  Messrs.  D.  E.  and  L.  E.  Whiton  and  are  nearly  all  patented, 
most  of  the  patents  being  owned  by  the  company.  The  products  of  this  con- 
cern are  sold  largely  through  machinery  dealers,  the  company  having  long 
established  connections  with  the  most  prominent  firms  in  this  trade  in  all  the 
leading  cities  of  this  country  and  abroad. 

Upon  the  death  of  David  E.  Whiton  in  September,  1904,  the  management 
and  full  charge  of  the  business  fell  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  son,  Lucius,  who 


COMMUNITY  ACTIVITIES  497 

is  still  at  the  helm.     Mr.  Whiton  has  the  honor  and  distinction  of  being  the 
first  councilman  elected  under  the  newly  made  council-manager  plan  charter. 

The  New  London  Ship  and  Engine  Company  is  located  at  Groton,  Con- 
necticut, overlooking  the  beautiful  Thames  River  and  New  London  harbor. 
It  is  the  pioneer  builder  of  Diesel  engines  in  America,  and  is  today  the  largest 
manufacturer  of  strictly  Diesel  marine  engines  in  the  country.  Nelseco  is 
the  abbreviated  name  and  trademark  of  the  New  London  Ship  and  Engine 
Company,  a  component  company  of  the  Submarine  Boat  Corporation. 
Early  in  1908  the  United  States  navy  department  decided  that  some  means 
for  propelling  submarines  must  be  found,  other  than  gasoline  engines.  The 
reasons  given  were:  The  danger  pertaining  to  the  use  of  gasoline  in  a  space 
as  confined  as  that  in  a  submarine,  and  the  cost  of  fuel  to  operate  engines 
in  the  large  sizes  necessary. 

This  attitude  of  the  department  made  it  necessary  for  the  Electric  Boat 
Company,  who  were  pioneers  in  submarine  construction,  to  find  a  suitable 
heavy  oil  engine  that  would  be  satisfactory  for  this  work.  The  only  practical 
solution  seemed  to  be  in  the  Diesel  engine.  .\t  that  time  marine  Diesel 
engines  had  never  been  built  or  operated  in  the  LTnited  States. 

After  careful  consideration  it  was  decided  to  send  a  representative  of 
the  Electric  Boat  Company  abroad  to  study  the  engine  situation,  and  to  find, 
if  possible,  a  design  suitable  for  submarine  work.  This  representative,  after 
careful  investigation  of  the  European  field,  decided  that  the  engine  designed 
and  built  by  the  Maschinenfabrik  Ausburg-Nurnberg  A.  G.,  commonly  known 
as  the  M.  A.  N.,  was  the  best  design  for  submarine  work  that  had  been  de- 
veloped up  to  that  time.  The  exclusive  right  for  the  construction  of  this 
engine  in  the  United  States  was  purchased  of  the  M.  A.  N.  Company. 

It  was  apparent,  however,  at  this  time  that  the  Diesel  engine  would 
eventually  be  highly  developed  for  commercial  work,  both  marine  and  sta- 
tionary. In  view  of  this,  the  New  London  Ship  and  Engine  Company  was 
incorporated  in  October,  1910,  primarily  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the 
manufacture  of  Diesel  engines  in  the  United  States,  and  this  company  is 
today  the  largest  concern  in  the  United  States  devoted  almost  exclusively 
to  tlie  development  and  manufacture  of  these  engines. 

The  Nelseco  engine  has  been  developed  from  the  engine  built  and  de- 
signed in  Germany  by  the  M.  A.  N.  Company,  but  the  "Nelseco"  has  many 
exclusive  features  and  improvements  which  have  been  added  by  the  engineers 
of  the  company  since  its  incorporation.  The  first  Diesel-engined  "fisherman" 
in  America  was  the  "Manhasset;"  the  first  Diesel-engined  yacht  in  America 
was  the  "Idealia,"  and  the  first  Diesel-engined  tug  in  America  was  the 
"Chickamauga,"  all  of  which  were  equipped  with  Nelseco  engines.  The  first 
Diesel  electric  beam  trawler  in  this  country  was  the  "Mariner,"  operating 
out  of  Gloucester,  Massachusetts.  It  is  driven  by  twin  240  B.  H.  P.  engines, 
and  has  given  her  owners  splendid  service. 

The  property  on  which  the  plant  now  stands  was  purchased  of  the  New 
Vork,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad  Company,  and  in  November,  1910, 

X.I..— 1-S2 


498  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

ground  was  broken  for  the  construction  of  the  original  shop.  By  July,  1911, 
the  original  buildings  were  completed.  Shop  operations  on  engines  were 
then  commenced.  The  plant  at  this  period  consisted  of  an  administrative 
building,  machine  shop,  pattern  shop  and  store  room.  Of  these  buildings, 
the  machine  shop  held  an  important  place,  which  at  that  time  was  165x100 
feet,  two  stories  in  height  and  built  of  brick  and  steel.  Since  that  date,  this 
model  shop  has  had  a  large  number  of  extensions  and  additions  made,  and 
is  now  over  700  feet  long.  Not  only  has  this  shop  been  lengthened  out,  but 
it  has  also  been  made  wider,  to  accommodate  other  complete  units,  such  as 
coppersmith  shop,  screw  and  bolt  shop,  and  power  plant,  etc.  From  the  start, 
the  business  of  the  company  increased  with  great  rapidity,  and  it  was  found 
necessary  even  after  being  in  operation  for  six  months,  to  increase  both  office 
and  shop  facilities. 

An  idea  of  the  rapid  development  of  this  plant  during  the  past  ten 
years  may  be  gained  from  the  fact  that  today  it  covers  a  site  of  fifty-five 
acres,  including  besides  its  factory  units,  a  model  park,  modern  hotel,  and 
farm. 

The  Diesel  engine,  like  most  new  inventions,  has  had  and  is  still  having 
a  hard  road  to  travel.  To  convince  the  old  steam  engineer  that  this  type  of 
engine  is  better  than  the  one  he  has  been  using  all  his  life  is  more  or  less 
difficult,  and  no  matter  how  much  reliable  data  we  can  show  him  he  is  still 
skeptical,  and  it  requires  a  vast  amount  of  missionary  work  to  overcome  preju- 
dice, but  if  the  old-fashioned  engineer  is  to  stay  in  business  he  must  give  way 
to  modern  practice. 

For  marine  purposes,  the  advantages  of  the  heavy  oil  engine  over  the 
steam  engine  are  even  greater  than  for  stationary  purposes.  For  example, 
the  question  of  weight  is  an  important  factor  in  marine  work.  Class  for  class, 
the  oil  engine  is  materially  lighter  than  the  combined  weight  of  the  steam 
engine  and  boiler,  and  when  the  weight  of  the  fuel  consumed  is  taken  into 
consideration,  the  saving  in  weight  is  enormous.  At  the  same  time,  there  is 
a  very  material  saving  in  space  which  comes  about  by  the  fact  that  the  oil 
engine  installation  itself  takes  up  much  less  room  than  the  steam  engine  and 
boilers.  In  addition,  the  fuel  per  given  voyage  takes  up  much  less  space  and, 
moreover,  can  be  stored  where  coal  could  be  stored,  thus  utilizing  area 
otherwise  wasted.  Again,  the  room  used  for  berthing  the  fireroom  force  is 
saved. 

In  this  case,  also,  the  engines  have  the  great  advantage  of  being  able  to 
start  very  quickly  without  involving  any  stand-by  losses,  and  there  would 
be  material  saving  in  time  and  labor  in  taking  aboard  fuel.  In  other  words, 
as  compared  with  a  steam-driven  ship  of  the  same  size  and  power,  the  oil 
engine  ship  not  only  costs  considerably  less  to  operate,  but  at  the  same  time 
her  gross  earning  capacity  is  materially  increased  on  account  of  the  additional 
weight  and  space  made  available  for  cargo.  These  combined  advantages  in- 
crease the  net  maximum  earning  capacity  of  a  given  ship  very  materially. 
Exact  figures  would  vary  with  different  ships  and  trades,  but  in  all  cases  the 
possible  increase  in  net  earnings  would  be  very  'irge. 


at.MMUNITY  ACTIVITIES  499 

The  very  latest  method  of  using  Diesel  engines  for  ship  propulsion  is 
the  electric  drive.  This  particular  type  of  installation  has  many  advantages 
over  direct  drive.  The  single  screw  motorship  using  only  one  engine  has  only 
one  chance  in  case  of  a  serious  breakdown.  In  the  case  of  the  electric  drive, 
several  smaller  engines  would  be  used  to  make  up  the  total  power  and  the 
power  of  any  one  of  these  engines  would  be  sufficient  to  bring  the  vessel  home 
at  a  reduced  speed.  Another  distinct  advantage  of  the  electric  drive  over  an 
engine  directly  connected  to  propeller  shaft  is  the  question  of  control.  The 
control  of  the  propeller  can  be  placed  on  the  bridge  or  at  any  other  point  in 
the  ship  and  is  absolutely  independent  of  the  engine  room,  thereby  eliminating 
delay  and  misunderstanding  of  signals  from  the  bridge  to  engine  room.  Many 
of  the  submarines  of  the  United  States  and  foreign  navies  are  equipped  with 
Nelseco  Diesels,  especially  designed  for  undersea  service.  Twenty  British 
submarines,  built  in  1916  by  the  Electric  Boat  Company,  are  equipped  with 
Nelseco  Diesels,  and  the  service  and  cruising  radius  of  the  vessels  drew  official 
recognition  from  the  admiralty.  Perilous  voyages  of  more  than  3,000  miles 
were  made  to  the  Dardanelles,  the  Baltic,  and  other  salients  during  the  war. 
The  Nelseco  Diesel  is  built  in  its  entirety  at  the  works  at  Groton.  Every 
part  is  manufactured  from  the  raw  material  to  the  finished  product.  To 
accomplish  this  it  was  necessar}-  to  build  a  grey  iron  and  steel  foundry,  brass 
foundry,  pattern  shop,  power  house,  forge  shop,  a  large  machine  shop,  elec- 
trical shop,  as  well  as  several  storehouses,  heating  plant,  and  a  large  ad- 
ministration building. 

The  bottling  works  of  The  M.  A.  Kane  Company  was  established  in 
1890  by  the  late  William  Kane,  at  its  present  location  in  Jefferson  avenue. 
Mr.  Kane  managed  the  business  for  two  years,  and  upon  his  demise  control 
of  it  came  to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Charles  U.  Sauter,  who,  with  her  husband, 
managed  the  business  until  two  years  ago.  Upon  Mrs.  Sauter's  death,  Mr. 
Sauter  sold  the  business  to  Bagdan  Brothers  of  New  York,  who  have  since 
made  many  improvements  in  the  equipment  and  the  buildings. 

The  M.  A.  Kane  Company  bottle  all  kinds  of  soft  drinks,  from  pure 
spring  water,  which  is  secured  from  a  tested  spring  right  inside  its  building. 

The  Bottinelli  Monumental  Company,  19  Reed  street,  is  the  successor  to 
Francis  D'Avignon,  who,  for  many  years  kept  a  monumental  works  in  what 
is  now  Tyler  Square. 

Mr.  Bottinelli  came  to  New  London  from  Westerly  two  years  ago  last 
September,  buying  out  the  old  stand  and  establishing  himself  in  the  D'Avig- 
non quarters.  When  the  property  in  Bank  street  was  bought  by  the  city  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  park,  Mr.  Bottinelli  purchased  the  property  where 
his  present  establishment  is  located  and  built  a  modern  shop  for  the  conduct 
of  his  business.  Here  will  be  found  the  choicest  variety  of  stones  for  monu- 
ments and  markers,  both  cut  and  uncut.  Mr.  Bottinelli's  workmanship  will 
be  found  superior  to  the  average,  due  to  his  many  years  experience  in  the 
business  before  locating  in  New  London. 


500  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

W.  R.  Perry,  the  founder  of  The  \V.  R.  Perry  Ice  Corporation,  com- 
menced the  building  of  a  6,000-ton  capacity  ice  house  at  Cohanzie  Lakes  in 
1888,  and  upon  the  completion  of  this  in  1889,  entered  into  the  wholesale  and 
retail  ice  business  in  this  city.  The  business  steadily  grew,  necessitating 
various  new  storage  houses,  one  of  which,  for  4,000  tons,  was  erected  near 
the  first  house  at  Cohanzie,  another  in  1896,  for  6,000  tons,  was  erected  at 
South  VVillington,  Connecticut.  Again  in  1901  an  addition  was  made  to  the 
latter  house,  whereby  its  capacity  was  increased  to  10,000  tons. 

Perry  ice  has  ever  been  known  as  of  first  quality,  and  it  has  been  the  aim 
of  this  company  to  always  render  adequate  service,  besides  giving  full  value. 
Especially  in  emergency  cases,  the  Perry  company's  special  delivery  has 
been  found  invaluable.  Numerous  auto  trucks  and  horse-drawn  wagons  are 
used  to  supply  this  company's  demand. 

The  business  was  incorporated  in  1902.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Perry 
in  1905,  the  management  of  the  business  devolved  upon  Courtland  E.  Colver, 
former  superintendent  of  the  Groton  Water  and  Electric  Departments,  who 
has  since  ably  managed  the  affairs  of  this  successful  company.  During  the 
past  two  years  the  Perry  company  has  opened  several  small  ice  selling 
stations  where  persons  may  go  and  secure  their  ice  needs  at  a  price  from  which 
the  cost  of  delivery  has  been  deducted.  These  have  proven  exceptionally 
successful.  The  present  officers  of  The  W.  R.  Perry  Ice  Corporation  are: 
Loren  E.  DaboU,  president ;  Mrs.  Anna  B.  Perry,  secretary,  and  Courtland  E. 
Colver,  treasurer. 

The  T.  P.  Cleary  Plumbing  and  Heating  Company  was  first  started  in 
New  London  some  thirty  years  ago,  when  the  late  Thomas  P.  Cleary  was  in 
partnership  with  Joseph  V.  Jordan,  under  the  firm  name  of  Jordan  &  Cleary. 
The  store  and  shop  of  this  concern  was  located  at  139  Main  street.  After 
about  five  years  Mr.  Jordan  withdrew  from  the  firm  and  it  was  continued 
under  the  firm  name  by  Mr.  Cleary.  In  1914,  Mr.  Cleary  decided  to  move 
his  business  to  his  home,  and  established  himself  at  93  Ocean  avenue,  where 
he  continued  a  successful  plumbing,  heating,  tinning  and  ventilator  business 
until  his  death. 

To  the  citizens  of  New  London  who  are  familiar  with  its  industrial  de- 
velopment the  acquisition  of  the  former  Brown  Cotton  Gin  plant  by  the  Bab- 
cock  Printing  Press  Manufacturing  Company  is  a  matter  of  interest.  It  is 
now  a  little  more  than  thirty-nine  years  since  the  incorporation  of  the  latter 
company  under  the  laws  of  Connecticut. 

The  original  plan  for  building  cylinder  printing  presses  in  New  London 
was  arranged  with  the  Brown  Cotton  Gin  Company  by  George  P.  Fenner, 
who  had  spent  several  years  in  the  drafting  room  of  Cottrell  &  Babcock  and 
of  the  C.  B.  Cottrell  &  Sons.  He  formed  a  partnership  for  that  purpose.  At 
the  request  of  his  uncle,  Nathan  Babcock,  the  partnership  was  merged  into  a 
corporation  under  the  name  of  The  Babcock  Printing  Press  Manufacturing 
Company,  in  June,  1882,  and  at  once  commenced  business,  building  the  presses 
entirely  from  drawings  made  by  Mr.  Fenner  and  under  his  direct  supervision. 


COMMUNITY  ACTIVITIES  501 

The  first  press  was  completed  in  about  six  months  and  on  January  3,  1883, 
was  shipped  to  W.  W.  Ames  of  DeRuyter,  New  York.  This  machine  has  been 
in  constant  use  for  thirty-six  years  and  is  still  doing  good  work  and  owned 
by  the  original  purchaser.  Since  then  over  seven  thousand  presses  have 
been  sold  and  are  in  operation  in  practically  all  countries  of  the  world. 

In  1899,  the  local  shop,  employing  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  was 
unable  to  handle  all  the  business  of  press  building,  and  arrangements  wer«*i 
made  with  the  Standard  Machine  Company  of  Mystic  to  build  certain  sizes  of 
machines.  Later  this  work  was  taken  to  the  Narragansett  Machine  Company, 
of  I'awtuckct,  Rhode  Island.  Throughout  the  years  of  its  manufacture, 
the  Babcock  Printing  Press,  of  whatever  style  or  design,  has  established  a 
reputation  for  strength,  reliability,  economy,  accuracy  and  speed  that  has 
placed  it  in  the  offices  of  the  leading  printers  in  every  State  in  the  Union, 
Alaska,  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  Philippine  Islands,  Canada,  Mexico,  South 
.America — many  European  countries.  South  Africa,  India,  Dutch  East  Indies 
and  China. 

The  unquestioned  excellence  of  the  Babcock  Printing  Press  is  due  to  the 
untiring  industry  and  inventive  genius  of  Mr.  Fenner.  Through  all  the  years 
of  the  establishing  of  the  business,  a  fourtcen-hour  day  was  the  ordinary  day's 
work  for  him,  and  in  fact  there  was  never  any  limit  to  the  time  he  was  willing 
to  give  to  the  interests  of  the  business.  Between  1882  and  1915  he  was  granted 
about  one  hundred  patents,  upon  valuable  inventions  for  improving  printing 
machinery,  all  of  which  are  the  property  of  the  company. 

With  the  purchase  of  the  shop  in  which  the  machines  of  the  company 
have  been  built  since  its  incorporation.  The  Babcock  Printing  Press  Manu- 
facturing Company  is  re-established,  and  upon  a  manufacturing  basis  that 
cannot  fail  to  bring  increased  success.  The  officers  of  the  company  express 
their  appreciation  of  the  fine  spirit  which  has  actuated  every  man  connected 
with  the  press  work  during  the  years  of  their  connection  with  the  company 
and  particularly  to  those  who  have  so  loyally  and  unselfishly  served  to  the 
utmost  during  the  three  years  when  the  company  suffered  the  loss  of  invalu- 
able service  in  its  management,  and  the  disastrous  World  War  made  it  the 
patriotic  duty  of  all  business  manufacturing  not  for  war  purposes  to  be  cur- 
tailed to  the  utmost  limit.  Throughout  the  trying  period  of  the  war  the 
business  was  successfully  maintained  and  is  now  efficiently  organized  for 
progressive  development  upon  a  constantly  increasing  scale. 

The  present  officers  are:  President  and  manager,  James  E.  Bennet; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  George  P.  Fenner ;  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer,  Wilfred 
D.  Wells;  chief  engineer,  Fred  S.  English;  general  superintendent,  Howard 
L.  Hetherington ;  sales  manager,  Charles  W.  Britcher. 

James  E.  Bennet  is  very  prominent  in  the  printing  trade,  being  secretary 
of  the  Printing  Press  Manufacturers'  Association  of  the  United  States,  and 
has  been  connected  with  the  company  for  about  twelve  years.  Wilfred  D. 
Wells  has  been  connected  with  the  company  for  over  thirty  years,  and  F.  S. 
English,  Howard  Hetherington  and  C.  W.  Britcher  for  nearly  twenty  years 
each.    These  men  are  thoroughly  trained  to  carry  on  the  business  to  a  greater 


502  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

magnitude  than  it  has  ever  before  reached.     When  the  plant  is  in  full  oper- 
ation, a  force  of  about  four  hundred  men  is  required. 

The  property  of  The  Babcock  Printing  Press  Manufacturing  Company 
covers  about  seven  acres  of  land  on  which  are  buildings  with  floor  space 
aggregating  about  180,000  square  feet.  The  foundry  work  turned  out  by 
this  plant  has  been  for  years  considered  of  exceptional  quality.  The  Babcock 
Printing  Press  Company's  plant  ranks  as  one  of  the  finest  machine  building 
plants  in  New  England. 

The  foregoing  accounts  give  only  a  very  partial  view  of  the  process  by 
which  New  England  thrift  and  perseverance  and  New  England  business 
methods  have  succeeded  in  developing  the  county. 

In  Norwich,  the  J.  B.  Martin  Company  produces  one  million  yards  of 
velvet  annually;  the  U.  S.  Finishing  Company  prints  85  million  yards;  the 
Totoket  Mills  have  a  capacity  of  2,000,000  yards  a  year;  The  Falls  Company, 
five  and  a  half  million  yards;  the  Shetucket  Company,  six  million  yards;  the 
Ponemah  Mills  twenty-two  million  yards  a  year.  The  Aspinook  Company  at 
Jewett  City,  the  Ashland  Cotton  Company,  the  Slater  Mills,  the  Palmer 
Brothers'  Quilt  Mills  at  New  London,  Montville  and  Fitchville,  with  a  capacity 
of  14,000  quilts  a  day,  and  at  Baltic  the  huge  cotton  mills,  combined  with 
many  other  mills  throughout  the  country,  furnish  occupation  for  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  total  county  population. 

The  casual  visitor  will  see  that  these  mills  are  more  than  manufacturing 
plants ;  they  are  little  worlds  in  themselves,  with  a  community  spirit,  with 
recreations,  civic  organizations,  social  activities  that  promote  the  welfare  of 
all  members  of  the  families  of  the  villages. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  article  to  make  comparisons  or  to  enter  into 
disputed  questions  as  to  the  relation  of  labor  and  capital,  but  for  the  sake  of 
conveying  to  the  reader  a  true  picture  of  a  New  England  manufacturing 
village,  the  following  account  of  life  in  Taftville  is  presented.  Inasmuch  as 
the  Ponemah  Mills  Company  is  by  far  the  largest  in  the  county  and  one  of 
the  largest  in  the  country,  it  presents  an  interesting  picture  of  the  co-operative 
spirit  on  a  large  scale. 

The  Ponemah  Mills  was  chartered  in  1866  under  tht  name  of  the  Orray 
Taft  Manufacturing  Company,  by  Mr.  E.  P.  Taft,  and  associated  with  him 
were  Cyril  Taft  and  James  S.  Atwood,  who  in  company  with  Mr.  Moses 
Pierce  formed  the  Cecum  Power  Company.  The  charter,  secured  in  1866, 
with  later  amendments  is  broad  in  its  character,  including  rights  in  four  towns 
—Franklin,  Sprague,  Bozrah  and  Norwich,  and  is  a  proof  of  the  broad  vision 
of  its  founder.  In  1867,  after  some  financial  difficulties,  a  reorganization  took 
place,  and  John  F.  Slater,  Edward  Chappell  and  Lorenzo  Blackstone  became 
associated  with  the  original  members. 

The  first  mill,  now  called  Mill  No.  i,  had  originally  80,000  spindles,  all 
American  made.  The  preparatory  machinery  was  originally  American,  but 
replacements  have  been  imported  from  England.  The  mill  from  the  first  made 
fine  goods,  such  as  had  previously  been  imported  into  the  United  States  from 


COMML'XITV  ACTIVITIES  503 

Manchester,  England.  Fine  lawns,  organdies,  mechanical  cloths  and  fancy 
goods  for  ladies'  wear,  men's  shirtings,  ginghams,  mixed  silk  and  cotton 
goods,  and  tire  yarns  for  the  highest  grade  cord  tires  are  a  few  of  the  products 
of  the  company.  The  original  80,000  spindles  have  been  increased  to  161,000 
and  the  original  1500  looms  to  over  3800. 

The  mills  now  include  Mill  No.  i,  a  five-story  structure  750  feet  by  75 
feet,  with  an  ell;  Mill  Xo.  2,  built  in  1880,  500  feet  by  lOO  feet;  Mill  No.  3, 
200  feet  by  120  feet;  Mill  No.  4,  built  in  1910,  600  feet  by  200  feet,  with  2300 
looms.  For  power,  the  mills  have  2500  horsepower  developed  at  full  water 
by  its  water  power,  and  the  difference  of  1500  horse  power  needed  for  oper- 
ation is  developed  by  steam,  which  develops  further  any  deficit  in  water  power 
due  to  low  water. 

During  the  war,  the  mill  was  busy  making  cloth  for  balloons  and  air- 
planes, etc.,  on  government  work.  Today  one  may  see  in  the  office  the  first 
sample  made  to  match  the  linen  sample  submitted  by  the  government.  This 
substitute  for  linen  was  made  necessary  by  the  loss  of  the  vast  linen  supplies 
at  Riga  after  the  Germans  had  captured  that  port.  This  original  sample  was 
36  inches  wide,  68  by  68  threads  to  the  square  inch,  weight  four  yards  to  the 
pound,  and  made  from  three-ply  80  yarns  for  warp  and  filling.  Its  strength 
may  be  seen  from  the  required  test  of  over  70  pounds  to  the  square  inch  before 
breakage.  It  was  furthermore  almost  non-stretchable  For  a  number  of 
months  before  and  during  the  war,  the  mills  operated  as  many  as  1,000  looms 
on  aircraft  cloth,  balloon  and  airplanes.  It  was  estimated  that  one  loom  pro- 
ducing about  150  }ards  of  airplane  cloth  a  week  would  only  provide  for  the 
wear  and  tear  supply  for  one  airplane. 

To  a  novice  there  is  a  fascination  in  tracing  the  steps  bj'  which  the  cotton 
passes  on  through  the  bale  breaker  and  blender,  the  picking  and  carding 
machinery,  the  drawing  and  doubling  process,  the  combers  ever  drawing  and 
parallelizing  the  fibres,  the  fly  frames  consisting  of  slubbers,  intermediates 
and  jacks,  the  ring  frames  which  draw  and  twist  and  thereby  spin  the  thread, 
the  spoolers,  the  warjjers,  the  slashers  which  starch  or  dress  the  yarn  so 
that  it  may  resist  the  friction  and  wear  of  the  loom  in  the  weaving  process. 
To  an  untrained  observer  it  seems  incredible  that  a  pound  of  cotton  can  be 
spun  out  to  a  length  of  nearly  one  hundred  miles.  On  the  whole,  the  most 
wonderful  thing  about  the  material  part  of  the  manufacturing  process  is  the 
combination  of  strength  and  delicacy  shown  in  the  machiner3%  the  result  of 
long  experience,  countless  experiments,  the  long  evolution  of  inventive  genius 
combined  with  farsighted  business  sagacity.  The  evolution  of  the  cotton 
industry  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  chapters  of  human  progress.  Such  a 
history  must  be  written  by  the  expert.  But  what  these  steps  have  meant  to 
mankind  in  the  way  of  cheaper  and  better  clothing,  in  furnishing  of  pro- 
ductive labor  for  many  thousands  of  people,  in  the  indirect  benefits  conferred 
upon  many  other  forms  of  business,  even  the  casual  obsers'er  may  perceive. 

The  Poncmah  Mills  form  the  nucleus  of  a  whole  community  life.  In  its 
mills,  its  homes,  its  farms,  its  reservoirs,  its  electric  plant,  its  many  community 
activities,  it  is  a  model  village,  interesting  as  a  community  no  less  than  a 


504  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

manufacturing  plant.  The  company  owns  five  hundred  tenements,  with  au 
estimated  population  of  3500.  It  owns  four  miles  of  streets,  eight  miles  of 
sidewalks,  covering  nearly  a  square  mile  of  land.  It  has  its  own  water  supply 
for  fire  protection — each  hydrant  has  about  75  pounds  of  pressure — its  own 
electric  power.  It  sells  some  water  and  electricity  to  adjacent  residents  who 
seek  this  convenience.  It  has  two  reservoirs,  one  of  86,728,000,  one  of  24,445,- 
500  gallons.  It  has  constructed  a  complete  sewerage  system  of  over  eight 
miles  in  length ;  every  house  has  modern  plumbing.  The  dairy  farm  contains 
an  accredited  herd  of  tested  Holsteins  and  furnishes  bottled  milk  at  current 
rates.  A  co-operative  boarding  house  furnishes  adequate  and  inexpensive 
board  for  such  residents  as  do  not  take  houses. 

The  financial  offices  are  in  Providence.  The  secretary  and  treasurer  is 
Mr.  J.  A.  Atwood,  who  is  also  treasurer  and  large  owner  in  the  mills  at 
VVauregan  and  at  Danielson.  The  payroll  is  $30,000  per  week,  about  one- 
fifth  the  total  payroll  of  all  the  industries  in  Norwich.  The  average  wage 
of  operatives,  without  including  oversight,  salaries,  etc.,  is  $20  per  week  for 
all  workers. 

The  annual  product  is  approximately  twenty  million  yards  of  cloth  of  a 
value  of  five  and  one-half  million  dollars,  one-fifth  of  the  whole  manufactured 
product  of  Norwich.  In  the  management  of  the  mills,  efficiency  is  revealed 
not  only  in  the  product  of  the  mills  but  also  in  the  no  less  important  work 
of  the  community  life  as  a  whole.  In  general  it  is  the  policy  of  the  manage- 
ment to  do  whatever  is  for  the  welfare  of  the  village.  If  the  village  "pays 
for  itself  outside  the  mill  fence,"  it  is  satisfied,  and  does  not  aim  to  make  a 
profit  from  the  various  community  enterprises  enumerated  above.  For  in- 
stance, it  is  estimated  that  many  of  the  mill  houses  yield  less  than  two  per 
cent  on  the  cost  of  construction.  The  rents  charged  are  surprisingly  low. 
A  seven-room  tenement  rents  for  $1.66  a  week,  with  running  water  and 
sanitary  plumbing.  If  the  tenants  desire  a  bathtub,  a  charge  of  five  cents  a 
week  is  added.  If  the  tenants  desire  to  use  steam  heat,  twenty  cents  a  week 
extra  is  charged;  for  electric  lighting,  five  cents  per  socket  is  charged  for  elec- 
tricity used  from  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  to  midnight ;  no  meters  are  in- 
stalled. Young  couples  or  old,  with  one  worker  in  the  family,  may  secure  a 
tenement  in  a  four-family  house  for  $1.18  per  week.  For  a  two  tenement 
seven-room  house  (standard  type),  the  rental,  including  light  and  water  and 
bath  room,  is  $2.50  per  week. 

Statistics  regarding  wages  are  of  interest:  In  1899  the  average  weekly 
wage  for  one  class  of  operative  was  $11.24  for  58  hours'  work.  In  1916  this 
had  risen  to  $17.09.  At  the  peak  of  war  wages,  the  average  wage  of  these 
operatives  in  1920  was  $38.15.  Today  the  average  wage  is  $29.49.  The  lengtn 
of  the  working  week  was  lessened  in  1913  to  55  hours,  and  as  a  war  require- 
ment or  condition  in  1919  to  48  hours. 

The  attitude  of  the  company  towards  the  help  is  in  all  things  benevolent 
and  co-operative;  accommodations  are  furnished  for  all  the  many  clubs  that 
exist  on  the  initiative  of  the  workers.     The  management  believes,  and  very 


COMMTXITV  ACTIVITIES  505 

wisely,  it  seems  to  the  writer,  that  the  most  helpful  enterprises  are  those 
started  by  the  operatives  themselves. 

Ponemah  Mills  provides  two  free  beds  at  the  William  W.  Backus  Hos- 
pital for  all  its  villagers.  These  beds  arc  of  special  help  in  maternity  cases, 
and  in  the  many  other  cases  discovered  by  its  trained  nurses.  Two  trained 
nurses,  with  proper  rooms  for  emergency  use,  exercise  a  most  helpful  super- 
vision of  the  villagers.  Whenever  an  illness  occurs  in  a  home  the  case  is  at 
once  reported  to  a  nurse,  who  before  noon  visits  the  home,  provides  for  first 
aid,  advises  a  physician  in  case  of  need,  and  thus  is  a  great  help  in  the  pre- 
vention as  well  as  the  cure  of  disease.  A  complete  card  index  of  all  cases  is 
filed,  and  a  detailed  report  is  made  at  stated  intervals.  The  office  keeps  its 
hand  in  this  way  on  the  pulse  of  its  village  for  the  betterment  of  all  its  resi- 
dents. In  the  past  year  over  eight  thousand  special  cases  for  approximately 
4000  individuals  were  personally  treated. 

The  village  has  its  ov.n  Red  Cross  Chapter — this  of  itself  is  unusual. 
The  Chapter  by  its  annual  roll  call  raises  enough  to  support  one  free  bed  at 
the  William  W.  Backus  Hospital,  to  do  a  useful  home  service  work,  and  in 
general  to  offer  help  to  any  one  in  the  community  who  may  be  in  distress. 

The  company,  as  might  be  expected  from  its  other  activities,  is  a  cheerful 
contributor  to  every  enterprise  that  tends  to  uplift  the  villagers.  As  one  visits 
the  plant  and  realizes  that  the  Ri]iley  Farms  was  sixty  years  ago  a  rural,  un- 
developed waste;  that  the  original  John  Sullivan,  who  helped  cut  away  the 
brush  for  the  first  survey,  is  still  a  resident  of  Taftville;  as  one  views  the 
orderly  and  systematic  arrangement  of  the  village,  the  well  kept  homes,  the 
prosperous  operatives,  it  becomes  evident  that  the  gap  between  capital  and 
labor,  if  it  is  ever  to  be  bridged,  will  be  crossed  by  such  organizations  as 
Ponemah  Mills.  The  care  for  the  welfare  of  the  operatives,  with  the  freedom 
given  them  in  initiating  their  own  social  life,  the  efficient  business  system 
by  which  community  enterprises  are  managed,  furnish  an  object  lesson  in 
good  government  that  might  be  studied  with  great  profit  by  many  of  the 
municipalities  of  our  land. 

It  is  also  true  of  many  other  industries  in  New  London  county  that  the 
welfare  of  the  helpers  is  of  first  importance  to  the  administrators.  Only  lack 
of  space  prevents  us  from  describing  in  detail  some  of  the  other  manufacturing 
concerns  with  which  our  county  is  so  well  supplied.  As  the  children  of 
these  manufacturing  villages  enter  our  schools  they  come  to  have  the  true 
American  spirit.  And  the  hope  of  New  England,  composed  today  of  a  popu. 
lation  which  is  largely  of  foreign  parentage,  consists  in  perpetuating  New 
England  ideals,  even  if  the  old  New  England  families  are  declining  relatively 
in  numbers. 


CHAPTER  XX 

FRATERNAL  BROTHERHOODS 

Masonic— Odd   Fellows — Other   Orders. 

This  chapter  will  deal  principally  with  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows 
orders,  as  perhaps  they  come  closest  to  the  lives  of  more  people  in  New 
London  county  than  any  others.  Moreover,  the  great  age  of  the  one  and 
the  many  years  which  have  accrued  to  the  other,  give  them  a  dignity  and  a 
prestige  that  justifies  their  selection  as  representative  organizations  where 
space  cannot  be  given  to  all.  The  record  is  brought  down  from  the  forming 
of  the  "Mother  Lodge"  of  Masons  in  Colchester,  to  practically  the  present, 
and  will  long  be  useful  as  a  work  of  reference  as  well  as  a  source  of  pleasing 
information. 

There  are  fourteen  lodges  in  New  London  county  subordinate  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  They  are  in 
numerical  order  as  follows: 

Wooster  No.   lo,  Colchester 157  members 

St.  James  No.  23,  Norwich 308  members 

Union  No.  31,  New  London 711   members 

Somerset  No.  34,  Norwich 542  members 

Pythagoras  No.  45,  Old  Lyme 77  members 

Asylum  No.  57,  Stonington   141   members 

Charity  and  Relief  No.  72,  Mystic 363  members 

Mt.  Vernon  No.  75,  Jewctt  City 190  members 

Pawcatuck  No.  90,  Pawcatuck 195  members 

Brainard  No.  102,  New  London 736  members 

Oxoboxo  No.  116,  Montville   173  members 

Bay  \''iew  No.  120,  Niantic 108  members 

This  comprises  a  total  of  3,001  affiliated  Master  Masons  reported  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1922  from  the  twelve  lodges  of  the  county. 

Wooster  Lodge,  No.  10,  the  most  ancient  of  all  Masonic  lodges  in  New 
London  county  as  indicated  by  its  number,  was  the  tenth  organized  under 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 
This  is  the  "Mother  Lodge"  of  the  county  and  is  widely  known  in  that  role. 
The  lodge  is  located  in  Colchester,  and  reported  to  the  grand  lodge  in  1922, 
157  members.  The  regular  communications  of  the  lodge  are  held  on  the 
third  Friday  of  each  month.  The  principal  officers  of  the  lodge  are:  Elmer 
H.  Foote,  worshipful  master;  Edward  H.  Norton,  senior  warden;  Charles 
F.  Kramer,  junior  warden;  Cyrus  E.  Pendleton,  treasurer;  William  T.  Curry, 
secretary. 

The  first  lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  instituted  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  was  chartered  by  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  in 
the  year  1767,  as  appears  in  the  records  of  said  grand  lodge  now  in  possession 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  Columbia  Lodge  was  chartered  by 
Massachusetts  Grand  Lodge,  Joseph  Webb,  grand  master,  on  July  23,  1785, 
the  petitioners  being  Philip  Turner,   Bela  Turner,  John   Richards,   Samuel 


5o8  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

Mott,  Jeremiah  Harris.  These  lodges  have  long  been  out  of  existence. 
The  oldest  Masonic  lodge  in  Norwich  now  active  is  St.  James,  No.  23, 
which  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  May  18,  1793. 
Communications  were  held  in  the  town  of  Preston  until  1846,  when  the 
following  entry  appears  in  the  records:  "The  Brethren  deeming  it  inex- 
pedient to  try  to  keep  up  the  organization  of  the  lodge  any  longer,  sent 
information  to  the  grand  lodge  and  they  sent  a  committee  who  took  the 
charter,  jewels  and  implements  and  placed  them  in  the  hands  of  the  grand 
secretary  of  the  grand  lodge  of  Connecticut." 

The  original  charter  of  St.  James,  No.  23,  was  revived  September  12, 
1872,  under  the  authority  of  Luke  A.  Lockwood,  grand  master,  and  was 
regranted  June  16,  1873,  under  the  old  name  and  number  to  the  following 
petitioners:  H.  Hobart  Roath,  H.  Clay  Albro,  S.  Alpheus  Gilbert,  Allen 
Tenny.  P.  St.  M.  Andrews,  A.  D.  Smith,  C.  H.  DiUaby,  Nathan  S.  Gilbert, 
James  Kirker,  L  W.  Carpenter,  George  W.  Miller,  Costello  Lippitt,  J.  L.  W. 
Huntington,  Charles  Webb,  Hugh  H.  Osgood,  W.  H.  Hovey,  John  Irish, 
Ansel  A.  Beckwith.    The  first  worshipful  master  was  Joseph  J.  Wait. 

The  lodge  has  since  rechartering  been  located  in  Norwich,  and  has  a  present 
membership  of  308.  Regular  communications  are  held  on  the  first  and  third 
Tuesdays  of  each  month.  The  five  principal  officers  are :  William  J.  Honey- 
man,  worshipful  master;  Frederick  J.  Prothero,  senior  warden;  Alexander  H. 
Abbott,  junior  warden;  Albert  S.  Comstock,  treasurer;  Walter  M.  Bucking- 
ham, secretary. 

Concerning  Union  Lodge  No.  31,  of  New  London.  There  is  a  tradition 
that  a  Masonic  lodge  existed  in  New  London,  prior  to  the  Revolution, 
and  there  is  a  record  preserved  in  the  history  of  St.  John's  Lodge  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  under  date  of  January  12,  1753,  which  recites  that 
"the  petition  of  several  brethren  residing  at  New  London  in  the  colony  of 
Connecticut  for  dispensation  to  erect  a  lodge  there  was  granted."  There  is 
no  record  of  the  forming  or  working  of  this  lodge,  nor  is  mention  made  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut  of  there  being  a  subordinate 
lodge  in  New  London  prior  to  the  October  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1795,  when  Elias  Perkins  is  recorded  as  a  member  from  Union  Lodge  of  New 
London. 

The  original  charter  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  31,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
bears  date  of  May  20.  1795.  being  granted  upon  the  application  of  Amasa 
Learned,  Elijah  Bingham,  Elias  Perkins.  Lyman  Law,  Moses  Warren, 
William  Richards,  Richard  Law,  Jr.,  Lemuel  Lee.  The  first  worshipful 
master  was  William  Richards,  1795.  The  lodge  has  had  a  continuous  ex- 
istence for  127  years,  1795-1922,  and  now  numbers  542  members.  Meeting 
nights  are  the  first  and  third  Wednesdays  of  each  month.  The  principal 
officers:  W.  Everett  Eagles,  worshipful  master;  Robert  Ferguson,  senior 
warden;  Walter  M.  Slocum,  junior  warden;  Frederick  C.  Burrows,  treasurer; 
Robert  H.  Byles,  secretary.  Union  Lodge  owns  its  own  property,  a  large 
building  on  Union  street,  in  which  lodge  meetings  are  held. 


FRATERNAL  RROTIIERHOODS  509 

Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Norwich,  was 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  May  25,  1795,  with  the  fol- 
lowing members:  Elijah  Clark,  P.  Ct)it,  Stephen  Culver,  Cushing  Eells, 
Jeremiah  Harris,  Giles  L'Hommcdieu,  Ebenezer  Huntington,  Samuel  Hunt- 
ington, Daniel  Lathrop,  Gordon  Lathrop,  Simeon  Lathrop,  David  Nevins, 
Robert  Niles,  John  Richards,  Benjamin  Snow,  Asa  Spaulding,  Elisha  Rich- 
ards. Elisha  Tracy.  John  Trumbull,  John  Turner,  Philip  Turner. 

The  first  master  of  Somerset  Lodge  was  Asa  Spaulding,  a  lawyer;  Ebenezer 
Huntington,  the  first  senior  warden;  Benjamin  Snow,  the  first  junior  warden. 
The  lodge  charter  was  revoked  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  May  9,  1838,  but  was  re- 
stored May  14,  1845.  The  first  stated  communication  of  record  was  held 
June  8,  1795.  Peter  Lamman  was  the  first  candidate  initiated.  The  lodge 
met  in  private  rooms  at  first,  the  first  lodge  room  being  Captain  Nathaniel 
Peabody's  "brick  store  chamber,"  which  was  fitted  up  in  due  form  and  first 
used  in  1801.  On  June  5,  1850,  the  lodge  rented  the  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  room, 
which  was  used  until  June  19,  1865,  when  Uncas  Hall  was  dedicated  to 
Masonic  uses. 

The  regular  communications  of  Somerset  Lodge  are  held  on  the  first 
and  third  Wednesdayys  of  each  month.  The  membership  as  reported  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1922  is  542.  The  officers  are:  Alexander  Pinlayson,  wor- 
shipful master;  Herman  Stclzner,  senior  warden;  William  W.  Tannar,  junior 
warden;  Herbert  M.  Lcrou,  treasurer;  Arthur  M.  Thompson,  secretary. 

Pythagoras  Lodge,  No.  45,  the  next  Masonic  lodge  to  be  chartered  in 
New  London  county,  is  located  in  Old  Lyme,  and  has  a  present  member- 
ship of  seventj'-sevcn.  The  lodge  meets  in  regular  communication  the  first 
and  third  Monday  of  each  month.  Officers :  Edward  Hopper,  worshipful 
master ;  Carleton  L.  Hopper,  senior  warden ;  Alfred  S.  Howard,  junior  war- 
den;  George  Griswold.  treasurer;  Edward  C.  Plimpton,  secretary. 

Asylum  Lodge,  No.  57,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  located  in  Ston- 
ington,  and  numbers  141  members.  Stated  meetings  are  held  on  the  second 
and  fourth  Tuesdays  of  each  month.  Officers :  Ernest  F.  Williams,  wor- 
shipful master;  Albert  P.  Fort,  senior  warden ;  Allan  C.  Slade,  junior  warden; 
Frank  R.  Trac}-,  treasurer;  Carl  B.  Seamon,  secretary. 

Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  No.  72,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  located 
in  Mystic,  meeting  in  regular  communication  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays 
of  each  month.  The  lodge  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  1922  a  member- 
ship of  363.  Officers:  James  Orkney,  worshipful  master;  John  A.  Irving, 
senior  warden ;  Charles  S.  Sawyer,  junior  warden ;  Edward  H.  Neubury, 
treasurer ;  Charles  C.  Dodd,  secretary. 

Mt.  Vernon  Lodge,  No.  75,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  a  Jewett  City 
institution,  meeting  in  regular  communications  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays 
in  each  month.  The  1922  membership  of  the  lodge  is  190.  Officers:  Norman 
B.  Parkhurst.  worshipful  master ;  Frank  D.  Browning,  senior  warden ;  George 
T.  Bell,  junior  warden;  Everett  TT.  Hisco.x,  treasurer;  George  H.  Prior, 
secretary. 

Pawcatuck  Lodge,  No.  90,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  located  in  Paw- 


5IO  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

catuck.  and  has  a  present  membership  of  195.  The  lodge  meets  in  regular 
communication  the  second  Thursday  of  each  month.  The  principal  officers 
are:  Harry  Sutclifi'e,  worshipful  master;  Archie  Knott,  senior  warden ;  Frank 
L.  Friend,  junior  warden  ;  Elbert  W.  Clarke,  treasurer  ;  D.  E.  Hoxie,  secretary. 

Brainard  Lodge,  No.  102,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  has  passed  fifty- 
five  years  of  prosperous  life,  having  been  chartered  June  i,  1867.  The  peti- 
tioners for  the  charter  were:  Edward  B.  Rowe,  John  H.  Heath,  George  W. 
Bentley,  Charles  W.  Wilcox,  Christopher  Culver,  Samuel  \V.  Caulkins, 
Benjamin  P.  Watrous. 

The  first  worshipful  master  was  Edward  B.  Rowe,  who  served  from 
1867  until  1873.  The  lodge  has  a  present  membership  of  736,  and  meets  in 
stated  conclave  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesdays  of  each  month.  The  home 
of  the  lodge  is  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  corner  Starr  and  Greene  streets,  which 
became  the  home  of  the  order  in  New  London  in  1896,  the  Brainard  Cor- 
poration holding  the  property.  Officers  (1922) :  Omar  R.  McCoy,  worshipful 
master;  John  G.  Austin,  senior  warden;  Francis  Allamach,  junior  warden; 
Malcolm  M.  Scott,  treasurer;  George  A.  Sturdy,  secretary. 

O.xoboxo  Lodge,  No.  116,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  is  one  of  the  strong 
fraternal  bodies  of  Montville,  having  in  1922  a  membership  of  173,  meeting 
in  stated  communication  the  first  and  third  Fridays  in  each  month.  The 
officers  are :  Robert  Paton,  worshipful  master ;  W.  Victor  Washabaugh, 
senior  warden ;  Walter  J.  Auwood,  junior  warden ;  Chester  W.  Comstock, 
treasurer;  Harry  W.  Auwood,  secretary. 

Bay  View  Lodge  No.  120,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Niantic,  was 
the  last  Masonic  lodge  chartered  in  New  London  county.  It  has  a  present 
membership  of  108,  and  meets  in  stated  communications  the  first  and  third 
Saturday  in  each  month.  The  five  principal  officers  of  the  lodge  are :  George 
H.  Clark,  worshipful  master;  Clift'ord  E.  Chapman,  senior  warden;  Elford 
P.  Rogers,  junior  warden;  John  F.  Luce,  treasurer;  William  E.  Smith,  sec- 
retary. 

The  Grand  Chapter  of  Connecticut  Royal  Arch  Masons  was  organized 
in  1798,  and  now  consists  of  fifty-two  subordinate  chapters,  with  a  member- 
ship of  14,390  (1922  report).  There  are  four  chapters  in  New  London  county 
— Franklin,  No.  4,  of  Norwich ;  LTnion,  No.  7,  of  New  London ;  Benevolence, 
No.  21,  of  Mystic,  and  Palmer,  No.  28,  of  Pawcatuck,  reporting  a  total  of 
1,740  companions. 

Capitular  Masonry  had  its  beginning  in  New  London  county  with  the 
organization  of  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in  Norwich, 
in  1796,  one  year  after  the  founding  of  Somerset  Lodge  in  the  same  city. 
Franklin  Chapter  was  constituted  under  a  dispensation  granted  by  "a  Wash- 
ington Chapter  of  New  York  on  March  15,  1796."  The  following  are  the 
petitioners  for  that  charter:  Joseph  Huntington,  Jacob  Smith,  Luther  Spald- 
ing, Consider  Sterrv,  Elisha  Tracy.  John  Warner.  The  first  most  excellent 
high  priest  of  the  chapter  was  Elisha  Tracy. 

The  officers  of  the  chapter   (1922)   are:     Peter  S.  Wilson,  high  priest; 


FRATERNAL  P.ROTIIF.KHOODS  511 

Herman  Stclzer,  king;  Paul  H.  Zahn,  scribe;  Alb'^rt  S.  Comstock,  treasurer; 
Walter  M.  Buckingham,  secretary;  Frank  B.  Lathrop,  captain  of  the  host; 
Robert  Cochran,  ])rincipal  sojourner;  Sidney  P.  Smith,  royal  arch  captain; 

Harry  M.  Clark,  third  vail;  William  A.  Buckley,  second  vail;  ,  first 

vail ;  James  C.  Fitzpatrick,  tyler. 

While  a  charter  was  granted  Unitjn  Chapter,  No.  7,  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
September  i,  1801,  naming  Elepham  Buckley  as  most  excellent  high  priest, 
lanus  Baxter,  scribe,  and  Allen  King  as  king,  there  is  no  other  record  of 
the  forming  or  working  of  the  chapter  until  1805,  when  Union  Chapter,  No. 
7,  of  New  London,  was  represented  at  a  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
Royal  Arch  Masons  of  Connecticut,  held  in  Hartford,  October  9,  1805.  From 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Connecticut  until  1855,  that  body 
did  not  print  its  proceedings,  the  records  being  in  manuscript. 

Union  Chapter  meets  in  stated  convocation  in  the  Masonic  Temple, 
Greene  and  Starr  streets.  Officers,  1922:  George  Paton,  high  pritst ;  Ellery 
N.  Edwards,  king;  George  S.  Gadbois,  scribe;  Frederick  A.  Beebe,  treasurer; 
George  A.  Sturdy,  secretary:  Frederick  W.  Edgerton,  captain  of  the  host; 
Henry  E.  Wagner,  principal  sojourner;  Murray  A.  Patten,  royal  arch  cap- 
tain; Frncst  F.  Gates,  third  vail;  James  C.  Coldwell,  second  vail;  Charles  B. 
Hansen,  first  vail ;  David   Conner,  tyler.     Union  Chapter  has  a  membership 

of  565- 

Benevolence  Chapter,  No.  21,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  is  located  in  Mystic 
and  has  a  membership  of  255.  Stated  convocations  are  held  on  the  second 
Monday  of  each  month.  Officers  (1922) :  James  Orkney,  high  priest;  Hollis 
H.  Price,  king;  Edward  E.  Bucklin,  scribe;  Charles  H.  Latham,  treasurer; 
John  H.  Paton,  secretary;  Rowland  S.  Hewitt,  captain  of  the  host;  George 
H.  Griswold,  principal  sojourner;  Henry  J.  Latham,  royal  arch  captain; 
Frank  H.  Anderson,  third  vail;  Edward  L.  Schofield,  second  vail;  Oscar  R. 
Cottrell,  first  vail ;  George  D.  Johnson,  tyler. 

Palmer  Chapter,  No.  28,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  is  situated  at  Pawcatuck, 
and  has  a  membership  of  306.  Officers  (1922) :  James  McKenzie,  high 
priest ;  Bourdon  A.  Babcock,  king ;  Arthur  E.  Thompson,  scribe ;  Walter  C. 
Hiscox,  treasurer;  Albert  E.  Barber,  secretary;  John  A.  Hogg,  captain  of 
the  host;  William  M.  Spencer,  principal  sojourner;  John  E.  Young,  royal 
arch  captain;  George  Smith,  third  vail;  Robinson  H indie,  second  vail;  Joseph 
W.  Bryant,  first  vail ;  William  A.  Stillwell,  tyler. 

Cryptic  Masonry  dates  in  New  London  county  from  the  forming  of 
Franklin  Council,  No.  3,  and  the  granting  of  a  warrant  of  dispensation  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1818.  Jeremy  L.  Cross,  who  was  invested  with  authority  for  the 
purpose,  appointed  James  Cushman,  grand  master,  and  David  Tracy,  deputy 
grand  master,  who,  with  Elijah  Ames,  granted  the  dispensation  under  which 
Franklin  Council  No.  3  met  and  worked. 

A  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  for  the  State  of  Connecticut 
was  organized  May  18,  1819,  Franklin  Council  being  represented  in  that  body 


;i2 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


by  James  Cushman,  Samuel  Bailey  and  Amos  Williams,  Companion  Cush- 
man  being  elected  the  first  grand  principal  conductor. 

Franklin  Council  worked  "under  dispensation"  until  May,  1821,  when  a 
charter  was  granted  which  remained  in  force  until  May  9,  1839,  when  it  was 
revoked  by  tre  Grand  Council,  the  council  having  failed  to  make  returns  to 
the  Grand  Council  as  required  by  its  by-laws,  or  to  send  representatives  to 
it.  That  condition  existed  for  seven  years,  when  Franklin  C.  Burgess 
appeared  before  the  Grand  Council  on  May  14,  1846,  and  in  behalf  of 
the  members  of  the  late  Franklin  Council  No.  3,  petitioned  that  the  charter 
be  restored  to  the  companions.  The  prayer  was  granted,  and  on  May 
7,  1847,  the  council  reorganized  with  Chauncey  Burgess  as  thrice  illustrious 
master,  he  serving  in  that  oflRce  two  years  1847-49.  The  first  master  of  the 
council  was  James  Cushman,   1818-19. 

The  officers  of  the  council  (1921)  are:  Harry  B.  Ford,  T.  I.  master; 
Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  R.  I.  deputy  master;  Claudius  V.  Pendleton,  I.  P.  C.  of  work; 
Walter  B.  Crooks,  captain  of  guard ;  Albert  S.  Comstock,  P.  M.  G.  M.,  treas- 
urer; Walter  M.  Buckingham,  recorder;  Herman  Stelzner.  conductor;  Alex- 
ander Finlayson,  steward;  E.  Allen  Bidwcll,  P.  M.  P.  G.  M.,  chaplain;  James 
C.  Fitzpatrick,  P.  M.,  sentinel.  Regular  assemblies  are  held  the  second  Thurs- 
day in  each  month. 

Gushing  Council,  No.  4,  Royal  and  Select  Masters  of  New  London,  named 
in  honor  of  Thomas  H.  Gushing,  who  was  worshipful  master  of  Union  Lodge 
No.  31,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  was  chartered  May  10,  1855.  The  council 
meets  in  Masonic  Temple,  Greene  and  Starr  streets. 

Knight  Templarism  in  New  London  county  dates  from  the  instituting  of 
Columbian  Commandery,  No.  4,  in  Norwich,  November  9,  1853,  when  the 
following  officers  were  installed:  William  FL  Copp,  eminent  commander; 
Appleton  Meech,  generalissimo ;  Isaac  Williams,  captain  general ;  William  L. 
Brewer,  prelate;  John  W.  Steadman,  senior  warden;  John  H.  Cutler,  junior 
warden;  Calvin  G.  Rawson,  treasurer;  John  Backus,  recorder;  John  H.  Gale, 
sword  bearer;  William  FL  Flyde,  standard  bearer;  Isaac  H.  Roath,  warder. 

The  present  officers  of  the  commandery  are  (1922)  :  Peter  S.  Wilson, 
eminent  commander;  Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  generalissimo;  Ernest  J.  Jones, 
captain-general ;  Harry  B.  Ford,  senior  warden  ;  George  E.  Zimmerman,  junior 
warden;  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  P.  C,  prelate;  Alexander  H.  Abbott,  associate 
prelate ;  Costello  Lippitt,  P.  G.  C,  prelate-emeritus ;  Herbert  R.  Kind,  P.  C, 
treasurer;  Frederick  W.  Lester,  recorder;  .\ubrey  W.  Jarvis,  standard  bearer; 
Herbert  E.  Lawrence,  sword  bearer;  Paul  H.  Zahn,  warder;  Herman  Stelzner, 
third  guard;  Robert  Cochran,  second  guard;  Clifford  E.  Wilson,  first  guard; 
.A.lexander  Finlayson,  assistant  guard ;  Otis  B.  Dorsey,  assistant  guard ;  James 
C.  Fitzpatrick,  sentinel. 

The  beginning  of  organized  Scottish  Rite  Masonry  may  be  traced  to  the 
year  1863,  when  the  sublime  and  superior  degrees  and  orders  of  Ineffable 
Masonry  were  conferred  upon  Charles  U.  Carter,  of  Norwich,  and  others,  in 


FRATERNAL  BROTHERHOODS  513 

Providence,  Rhode  Island.  Early  the  following  spring,  several  Sir  Knights, 
members  of  Columbian  Commandery  No.  4,  Norwich,  arranged  to  receive 
the  degrees  of  the  rite  up  to  and  including  the  32nd,  and  did  receive  them 
April  14,  1864,  in  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  The  same  day  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Massachusetts  authorities  for  a  dispensation  to  open  and 
hold  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection  in  the  city  of  Norwich  under  the  title  of 
King  Solomon  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection.  This  dispensation  was  granted, 
the  officers  to  take  rank  in  the  order  in  which  their  names  appeared  on  the 
dispensation.  The  charter  was  granted  King  Solomon  Grand  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection, April  14,  1864,  the  following  being  the  first  officers  and  charter 
members :  Charles  W.  Carter,  William  W.  Avery,  Henry  L.  Parker,  John  G. 
Brady,  John  liackus,  Hiram  Cook,  George  A.  Harris. 

The  new  body  secured  accommodations  with  Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  was  annexed  to  the  Masonic  district  of  Rhode 
Island.  The  first  meeting  for  work  was  held  May  26,  1864,  high  officials  of 
the  Rite  being  in  attendance  including  K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer,  33rd  degree 
sovereign  grand  commander  of  the  Supreme  Council,  Northern  Jurisdiction, 
United  States  of  America.  At  that  meeting  John  W.  Steadman,  William  H. 
Tingley  and  George  H.  Lovegrove  received  the  degrees  of  the  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  4th  to  the  14th. 

The  following  day  (May  27,  1864)  application  was  made  to  the  sovereign 
grand  commander  for  the  remaining  bodies  of  the  Rite,  and  dispensations  were 
then  granted  under  the  following  titles :  Van  Rensselaer  Council  of  Princes 
of  Jerusalem;  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix;  Connecticut  Sovereign  Con- 
sistory of  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  32nd  degree. 

In  the  hands  of  the  few  brethren  named  began  the  existence  of  the  bodies 
of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  in  Norwich.  The  little  band  in 
order  to  succeed  were  compelled  to  contribute  largely  from  their  private 
resources  and  to  employ  every  leisure  moment  m  perfecting  themselves  in 
the  ritual  and  other  duties.  At  the  annual  session  of  the  Supreme  Council 
held  in  Boston  in  May,  1865,  the  Norwich  bodies  were  fully  represented  in 
the  sovereign  grand  consistory,  and  the  progress  they  had  made  was  com- 
plimented by  advancing  two  of  their  members  to  honorary  membership  in  the 
Supreme  Council,  and  later  an  active  member  was  created  from  the  honorary 
list  and  made  a  deputy.  On  Monday,  February,  25,  1865,  ^^^  illustrious 
deputy  delivered  to  King  Solomon  Lodge,  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection,  the 
Council  of  Princes,  the  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix,  and  the  Consistory  their 
charters,  and  then  proceeded  to  constitute  the  bodies  and  install  their  officers. 
The  first  State  Council  of  Deliberation  for  the  Masonic  district  of  Con- 
necticut was  held  in  Norwich,  December  17,  1867.  The  following  are  the 
bodies  of  the  Scottish  Rite  in  Norwich  with  the  officers  elected  in  1921 : 

King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection — Charter  dated  Ijar  22,  Anno  Mundi 
5624.  Ineffable  grades,  4  to  14,  inclusive.  Communications  fourth  Monday 
of  January,  May  and  September.  Officers:  Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  T.  P.  master; 
Archibald  Mitchell,  Jr.,  deputy  master;  Herbert  R.  Kind,  senior  warden;  Otto 
C.  Mush,  junior  warden;  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  33°,  orator;  Frederick  W.  Lester, 
33°,  treasurer;  J.  Frank  Corey,  secretary;  George  A.  Keppler,  master  of  cere- 
N.L.— 1-33 


514  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

monies;  Charles  H.  Phelps,  hospitaler;  John  A.  Ferguson,  guard;  James  C. 
Fitzpatrick,  tyier.  Trustees:  Arthur  H.  Brewer,  33°,  1923;  Costello  Lippitt, 
33°,  1923;  N.  Douglas  Sevin,  33°,  1924.  Finance  Committee:  Charles  H. 
Phelps;  Albert  S.  Comstock,  33°  ;  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  33°. 

Van  Rensselaer  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem — Charter  dated  Ijar  22, 
Anno  Mundi  5624.  Ancient,  historical  and  traditional  grades  15°  and  16°. 
Officers:  Archibald  Mitchell,  Jr.,  sovereign  prince;  Herbert  R.  Kind,  high 
priest ;  George  R.  Morris,  senior  warden ;  Elbert  L.  Darbie,  junior  warden ; 
Frederick  W.  Lester,  33°,  treasurer;  J.  Frank  Corey,  secretary;  Arthur  M. 
Brown,  33°,  master  of  ceremonies;  Charles  H.  Phelps,  hospitaler;  Louis  H. 
Geer,  master  of  entrances;  James  C.  Fitzpatrick.  tyler.  Trustees:  Charles 
H.  Phelps,  Albert  S.  Comstock,  33°  ;  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  33°. 

Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix  De  H. — Charter  dated  Ijar  22,  Anno 
Mundi  5624.  Philosophical  and  doctrinal  grades,  17°  and  18°.  Assemblies 
fourth  Monday  in  March.  May  and  November.  Officers:  George  A.  Keppler, 
M.  W.  master;  C.  Hadlai  Hull,  senior  warden;  Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  junior  war- 
den; E.  Allen  Bidwell,  33°,  orator;  Frederick  W.  Lester,  33°,  treasurer;  J. 
Frank  Corey,  secretary ;  Herbert  E.  Lawrence,  master  of  ceremonies ;  Charles 
H.  Phelps,  hospitaler;  Walter  B.  Crooks,  guard;  James  C.  Fitzpatrick,  tyler. 
Finance  Committee — Charles  H.  Phelps,  Albert  S.  Comstock,  33°  ;  E.  Allen 
Bidwell,  33°. 

Connecticut  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S. — Charter  dated  Ijar  22,  Anno  Mundi 
5624.  Modern,  historical  and  chivalric  grades,  19  to  32,  inclusive.  Officers: 
James  C.  Macpherson,  33°,  com. -in-chief ;  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  33°.  first  lieut. 
com.;  Thomas  \V.  Morgan,  33°,  second  lieut.  com.;  Archibald  Mitchell,  Jr., 
orator;  Carey  Congdon,  33°,  chancellor;  Frederick  W.  Lester,  33°,  treasurer; 
J.  Frank  Corey,  secretary ;  George  E.  Parsons,  master  of  ceremonies ;  Charles 
H.  Phelps,  hospitaler:  William  A.  Wells,  eng.  and  sen.;  George  A.  Sturdy, 
standard  bearer;  George  A.  Keppler,  guard  ;  J.  Frank  Corey,  musical  director; 
Frederick  W.  Lester,  2^°,  organist;  James  C.  Fitzpatrick,  sentinel. 

The  Masonic  Temple  Corporation  of  Norwich  was  organized  April  20, 
1892,  and  erected  the  Masonic  Temple,  the  first  building  in  the  world  erected 
by  Masons  exclusively  for  Masonry,  in  which  all  the  York  and  Scottish  Rite 
degrees  are  conferred,  except  the  thirty-ehird  and  last  degree  of  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite. 

Members  of  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation — "In  all,  but  twenty-seven 
and  no  more :"  Howard  L.  Stanton,  Frederick  W.  Lester,  George  A.  Keppler, 
Albert  S.  Comstock,  George  A.  Kies,  James  L.  Hubbard,  George  E.  Parsons, 
Guy  B.  Dolbeare,  Louis  H.  Geer,  Arthur  H.  Brewer,  Tyler  Cruttenden,  J. 
Oliver  Armstrong,  Reuben  S.  Bartlett,  Costello  Lippitt,  Herbert  R.  Kind, 
Arthur  M.  Thompson,  N.  Douglas  Sevin,  S.  Alpheus  Gilbert,  Nelson  J.  Ayling, 
Daniel  F.  McNeil,  James  C.  Macpherson,  Archibald  Mitchell,  Jr..  Charles  B. 
Lee,  Arthur  M.  Brown,  Herbert  M.  Lerou,  E.  Allen  Bidwell,  Charles  H. 
Phelps. 

Directors — Arthur  H.  Brewer,  Costello  Lippitt,  Charles  B.  Lee,  Howard 
L.  Stanton,  N.  Douglas  Sevin,  Albert  S.  Comstock,  Frederick  W.  Lester, 
James  C.  MacPherson,  E.  Allen  Bidwell. 

Officers — President,  Arthur  H.  Brewer;  Vice-President,  Charles  B.  Lee; 
Treasurer,  Costello  Lippitt;  Secretary,  Frederick  W.  Lester;  Bibliophilist, 
Albert  S.  Comstock;  Auditor.  Charles  B.  Lee;  Trustee  for  bondholders. 
Nathan  A  Gibbs.  Building:  Committee— Charles  B.  Lee.  Howard  L.  Stan- 
ton, Albert  S.  Comstock.     Finance  Committee — .Arthur  H.   Brewer.   Charles 


FRATERNAL  HROTHERHOOUS  515 

B.   Lee,  Costello  Lippitt.     Superintendent,  James  C.   Fitzpatrick. 

Masonic  Calendar,  1921— Lodge,  Anno  Lucis,  5921  ;  Chapter,  Anno  In- 
ventionis  2451;  High  I'ricsthood,  A.  B.  3832;  Council,  Anno  Depositionis 
2921;  Comniandery,  Anno  Ordinis  803;  A.  A.  S.  Rite,  Anno  Mundi  5681-82. 

The  following  are  the  grand  bodies  to  which  the  lodges,  chapters,  coun- 
cils and  ccjmmanderies  of  New  London  county  are  subordinate,  with  their 
meeting  dates  and  meeting  i)laces  for  the  year  1922: 

The  134th  Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  was  held  at  Hartford,  February  i  and  2,  1922.  Charles  W. 
Cramer,  Hartford,  M.  W.  Grand  Master;  George  A.  Kies,  Hartford,  Grand 
Secretary;  Henry  R.  Tisdale,  New  London,  deputy  for  the  Eighth  Masonic 
District. 

Masonic  Charity  Foundation — Annual  meeting  held  at  Hartford,  February 
I,  1922.  Frederick  A.  Verplanck,  South  Manchester,  president;  George  A. 
Kies,  Hartford,  secretary. 

Grand  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  124th  Annual  Convocation,  held  at 
Hartford,  Tuesday,  May  9,  1922.  Edgar  B.  Ellis,  Bridgeport,  Grand  High 
Priest ;  George  A.  Kies,  Hartford,  Grand  Secretary. 

Order  of  High  Priesthood,  Royal  Arch  Masons — Annual  grand  conven- 
tion held  at  Hartford,  Tuesday,  May  9,  1922.  Walter  N.  Boynton,  Bran- 
ford,  president ;  Frank  W.  Bcardslcy,  Shclton,  recorder. 

Grand  Council,,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  104th  annual  assembly  held 
at  Hartford,  Wednesday,  June  7,  1922.  Edward  B.  Ailing,  New  Britain,  M. 
P.  Grand  Master;  George  A.  Sturdy,  New  London,  Grand  Recorder;  Edward 
B.  Ailing,  New  Britain,  Grand  Visitor. 

Grand  Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  95th  annual  conclave  held  at 
Meriden,  Tuesday,  ^Liy  2,  1922.  Frederick  L.  Huntington.  Meriden,  R.  E. 
Grand  Commander;  Eli  C.  Birdsey,  Meriden,  Grand  Recorder;  Thomas  W. 
Morgan,  Hartford,  Grand  Inspector. 

Grand  Encampment,  Knights  Templar,  of  the  United  States,  36th  tri- 
ennial conclave  held  at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  Tuesday,  April  25,  1922. 
Joseph  Kyle  Orr,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  M.  E.  Grand  Master;  Frank  H.  Johnson, 
Louisville.  Kentucky,  R.  E.  Grand  Recorder. 

Connecticut  Past  Grand  Commanders — Annual  meeting  held  at  Meriden, 
Monday,  May  i,  1922.  George  H.  N.  Johnson,  Bridgeport,  president;  Eli  C. 
Birdsey,  Meriden,  secretary. 

Masonic  Veteran  Association  of  Connecticut  —52nd  annual  reunion  held 
at  Bridgeport.  Thursday,  June  22,  1922.  John  O.  Rowland,  Wallingford, 
Venerable  Master;  William  B.  Hall,  Meriden,  Secretary;  Harold  B.  Waldo, 
Glastonbury.  Registrar.  Masons  over  twenty-five  years  eligible  to  mem- 
bership.    Fee  $t.oo.     No  dues. 

Degrees  Conferred  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  Norwich,  Connecticut:  York 
Rite — In  the  Blue  Lodges :  Entered  Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft,  Master  Mason. 
In  the  Chapter:  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  Most  Excellent  Master,  Royal 
Arch  Mason.  In  the  Council :  Royal  Master,  Select  Master,  Super  Excellent 
Master.  In  the  Commandery:  Companion  of  the  Red  Cross.  Knight  Templar, 
Knight  of  Malta. 

Scottish  Rite — In  the  Lodge:  4,  Secret  Master;  5,  Perfect  Master;  6. 
Intimate  Secretary;  7,  Provost  and  Judge:  8,  Intendant  of  the  building;  9, 
Master  Elect  of  Nine  ;  10.  Master  Elect  of  Fifteen ;  1 1 ,  Sublime  Master  Elected  • 
12.  Grand  Master  Architect;  13,  Master  of  the  Ninth  Arch;  14,  Grand  Elect 
Mason. 

In  the  Council— 15,  Knight  of  the  East  or  Sword  ;  16,  Prince  of  Jerusalem. 

In  the  Chapter— 17.  Knight  of  the  East  and  West;  18.  Knight  of  the 
Rose  Croix  de  H.  R.  D.  M. 


5i6  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

In  the  Consistory — 19,  Grand  PontifiF;  20,  Master  Ad  Vitam;  21,  Patri- 
arch Noachite ;  22,  Prince  of  Libanus ;  23,  Chief  of  the  Tabernacle ;  24,  Prince 
of  the  Tabernacle;  25,  Knight  of  the  Brazen  Serpent;  26,  Prince  of  Mercy; 
27,  Commander  of  the  Temple ;  28,  Knight  of  the  Sun  ;  29,  Knight  of  St. 
Andrew ;  30,  Grand  Elect  Knight,  K-D,  or  Knight  of  the  White  and  Black 
Eagle;  31,  Grand  Inspector  Inquisitor  Commander;  32,  Sublime  Prince  of 
the  Royal  Secret. 

The  33rd  and  last  degree,  that  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General, 
is  conferred  triennially  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  on  other  years  at  such 
places  in  the  Northern  Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  America 
as  may  be  designated. 

THE   INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS 

This  great  fraternal  brotherhood  had  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  report- 
ing to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1921,  one  hundred  and  one  lodges,  the  oldest,  Quin- 
nipiac,  No.  i,  of  New  Haven;  the  youngest,  Fairview,  No.  loi,  Groton,  New 
London  county.  These  lodges  reported  a  total  membership  on  June  30,  1920, 
of  28,511.  Of  these  lodges,  nine  are  in  New  London  county — Uncas  at  Nor- 
wich, Niantic  at  Niantic,  Stonington  at  Mystic,  Shetucket  at  Norwich,  Re- 
liance at  Jewett  City,  Mohegan  and  Pequot  at  New  London,  Crystal  at  Lyme, 
and  Fairview  at  Groton.  These  nine  lodges  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
1921  a  total  membership  of  2,864.  At  the  same  time  there  were  in  the  State 
sixty-two  Rebekah  lodges,  seven  of  these  being  in  New  London  county — 
Gates  of  Niantic,  Osprey  of  New  London,  Hope  of  Norwich,  Orient  of  New 
London,  Ruthie  of  Jewett  City,  Home  of  Groton,  and  Mystic  of  Mystic. 
Tkere  are  seven  Encampments  of  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  three  of  these  being  in  New  London  county — Palmyra 
at  Norwich,  Orion  at  New  London  and  Mystic  at  Mystic.  There  are  twenty 
Cantons  of  Patriarchs,  Militant  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the 
State,  and  in  New  London  county  three — Oneco  of  Norwich,  Aram  of  Mystic, 
Unity  of  New  London. 

The  Odd  Fellows  Home  of  Connecticut  is  located  at  Fairview,  in  New 
London  county.  The  home,  incorporated  January  13,  1893,  was  founded  by 
and  is  supported  by  voluntary  contributions  from  the  lodges  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Connecticut,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing 
a  home  for  the  aged  and  indigent  members  of  the  order,  their  widows  and 
orphans.  The  property  consists  of  forty-seven  acres  lying  about  one  mile 
north  of  the  village  of  Groton,  and  there  suitable  buildings  have  been  erected 
for  the  care  and  comfort  of  the  inmates. 

The  officers  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Home  of  Connecticut,  1921-1922,  are  as 
follows:  President,  Grant  U.  Kierstead,  P.  G.  M.,  Hartford;  Vice-Presidents, 
Theodore  Kassenbrook,  56  Deerfield  avenue,  Hartford ;  Fred  Williams,  Wil- 
limantic ;  Elof  Lundblad,  New  Haven ;  Secretary,  Wallace  R.  Johnson,  New 
London;  Treasurer,  Clarkson  N.  Fowler,  Hartford:  Chaplain,  Rev.  Chas.  H. 
Smith,  Granby,  Mass. ;  Board  of  Managers,  W.  S.  Hutchinson,  P.  G.  M.,  No. 
31,  New  Haven;  Philip  Pond,  P.  G.  M.,  No.  5,  New  Haven;  Harry  Hirsch, 
P.  G.  M.,  No.  II,  New  London;  William  F.  Peters,  No.  9,  Cheshire;  William 
F.  Reardslcy,  No.  7,  Danbury;  Charles  R.  Hathaway,  No.  31,  South  Man- 
chester; Samuel  Prince,  P.  G.  P.,  No.  55,  New  London;  Dorr  R.  Whitney, 
No.  99,  Bridgeport ;  George  M.  Chapman,  P.  G.  M.,  No.  89,  Waterbury ;  M.  L. 


FRATERNAL  BROTHERHOODS  51? 

Reynolds,  P.  G.  P.,  No.  4,  Bridgeport;  R.  B.  Crocker,  No.  72,  New  Britain; 
H.  L.  Scofield,  No.  37,  New  Canaan;  Herbert  J.  Phillips,  G.  M.,  ex-effieio 
member,  Waterbury. 

Rebekah  Auxiliary— William  H.  Marigold,  P.  G.  M.,  No.  4,  Bridgeport; 
Henry  C.  Stevenson,  P.  G.  M.,  No.  4,  Bridgeport;  Marion  R.  Davis,  No.  17, 
Niantic;  Fred  J.  Boese,  No.  78,  New  Haven;  Lucius  H.  Fuller,  P.  G.  M.  No. 
33,  Putnam. 

Officers  of  Veterans'  Association,  L  O.  O.  F.  of  Connecticut,  1921-1922 — 
Chief  Veteran,  H.  H.  Squires,  Union  City;  Vice-Veteran,  Theodore  Kassen- 
brook,  Hartford;  Secretary,  William  H.  Hutchinson,  P.  G.  M.,  New  Haven; 
Treasurer,  William  H.  Lowe,  Waterbury.  Directors,  Karl  L.  Winter,  P.  G. 
P.,  Waterbury;  Sidney  W.  Challenger,  P.  G.  M.,  Middletown;  Samuel  Prince, 
P.  G.  P.,  New  London ;  Alfred  L.  Thompson,  New  Britain ;  William  Taft 
Hayden,  Hartford.     Meetings  semi-annually. 

The  following  is  the  directory  of  subordinate  lodges  of  L  O.  O.  F.  in 
New  London  county,  1921 : 

Uncas,  No.  11,  Norwich,  reinstated  February  17,  1864,  membership  341. 
William  H.  Aldrich,  noble  grand ;  John  F.  Amburn,  recording  secretary. 
Meets  Monday  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  324  Main  street. 

Niantic,  No.  17,  Niantic,  instituted  February  27,  1878,  membership  219. 
Bernard  A.  Ray,  noble  grand ;  Maurice  E.  Howard,  recording  secretary. 
Meets  Wednesdays. 

Stonington,  No.  26,  Mystic,  instituted  December  12,  1845,  membership 
476.  David  E.  Brown,  noble  grand ;  Erastus  Fish,  recording  secretary. 
Meets  Wednesdays. 

Shetuckct,  No.  27,  Norwich,  instituted  December  14,  1880,  membership 
283.  W'illiam  G.  Frohmander,  noble  grand,  Versailles;  A.  A.  Guile,  recording 
secretary,  6  Kinney  avenue,  Norwich.    Meets  Tuesdays  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 

Reliance,  No.  29,  Jewett  City,  instituted  September  22,  1890;  membership 
lOi.  Normand  Parkhurst,  noble  grand;  David  A.  Bothwell,  recording  sec- 
retary.   Meets  Mondays. 

Mohegan,  No.  55,  New  London,  instituted,  April  14,  1886,  membership 
406.  Andrew  Morris,  noble  grand,  113  Howard  street.  New  London;  Richard 
N.  W^oodworth,  recording  secretary,  27  Lee  avenue,  New  London.  Meets 
Wednesda}S,  at  205  Bank  street. 

Pequot,  No.  85,  New  London,  instituted  June  2,  1869,  membership  522. 
Harry  C.  Wilson,  noble  grand,  18  Alger  street.  New  London ;  Ernest  S. 
Decker,  recording  secretary,  100  Riverside  avenue.  New  London.  Meets 
Fridays. 

Crystal,  No.  88,  Lyme,  instituted  September  2'j,  1871,  membership  115. 
William  C.  Peck,  noble  grand,  R.  F.  D..  Lyme;  Robert  H.  Noble,  recording 
secretary,  Lyme.    Meets  Thursdays. 

Fairview,  No.  loi,  Groton,  instituted  November  20,  1893,  membership 
40r.  Charles  R.  Brown,  noble  grand,  64  Mitchell  street,  Groton;  Irving  H. 
Poppe,  recording  secretary,  Monument  Street  Extension.     Meets  Mondays. 

The  following  is  the  directory  of  Rebekah  Lodges  in  New  London 
county,  1921 : 

Gates.  No.  19.  Niantic,  instituted  March  14,  1921.  Mrs.  Lena  A.  Beck- 
with,  noble  grand,  Niantic;  Miss  Ethel  L  Beckwith,  recording  secretary, 
Niantic.     Meets  second  and  fourth  Mondays. 

Osprey,  No.  20,  New  London,  instituted  March  18,  1884.  Mrs.  Ada  Sparks, 
noble  grand.  4  Coit  street;  Mrs.  Emily  Kingdon,  175  Lincoln  avenue.  Meets 
second  and  fourth  Tuesdays. 


5i8 


NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 


Hope  No  21,  Norwich,  instituted  June  ii,  1884.  Florence  Douglass, 
noble  grand,  19  Penotscot  street;  Mrs.  Ada  M.  Revell,  recording  secretary, 
SS  Baltic  street.     Meets  first  and  third  Wednesdays. 

Orient,  No.  27,  New  London,  instituted  September  21,  1891.  Jennie  L. 
Barbour,  noble  grand,  148  Montauk  avenue ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Klein,  recording 
jecretary,  51  West  Coit  street.     Meets  first  and  third  Thursdays. 

Ruthie,  No.  28,  Jewett  City,  instituted  April  3,  1908.  Jennie  Wilds,  noble 
grand,  R.  F.  D.  No.  4,  Norwich;  George  H.  Thornton,  recording  secretary, 
79  Ashland  street.     Meets  first  and  third  Tuesdays. 

Home,  No.  50,  Groton,  instituted  November  25,  1904.  Lulu  Metcalf,  noble 
grand,  Poquonnock  Bridge ;  Mrs.  Jennie  Morgan,  recording  secretary,  Groton. 
Meets  second  and  fourth  Thursdays. 

Mystic,  No.  56,  instituted  May  15,  1914.  Lillian  Price,  noble  grand;  Mrs. 
Ettabelle  Griswold,  recording  secretary.    Meets  first  and  third  Fridays. 

Directory  of  Encampments,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  New 

London  county,  1921 : 

Palmyra,  No.  3,  Norwich,  instituted  June  15,  1843.  C.  Leslie  Schlough, 
chief  patriarch,  59  Dunham  street,  Norwich ;  J.  F.  Amburn,  recording  scribe, 
P.  O.  Box  88,  Norwich.    Meets  second  and  fourth  Thursdays. 

Orion,  No.  4,  New  London,  instituted  April  23,  1879.  John  F.  Gallup, 
chief  patriarch,  34  Stewart  street.  New  London ;  Andrew  Morris,  recording 
scribe,  113  1-2  Howard  street.  New  London.     Meets  first  and  third  Tuesdays. 

Mystic,  No.  17,  Mystic,  instituted  January  8,  T891.  William  B.  Ward, 
chief  patriarch,  20  New  London  road.  Mystic ;  L.  S.  Doyle,  recording  scribe, 
Williams  avenue.  Mystic.     Meets  second  and  fourth  Fridays. 

Cantons  Patriarchs  Militant,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  New 
London  county,  1921 : 

Oneco,  No.  3,  Norwich.  Herbert  Willey,  captain,  323  Main  street,  Nor- 
wich;  James  H.  Smith,  clerk,  Winchester  street,  Norwich. 

Aram,  No.  10,  Mystic.  Charles  G.  Cox,  captain,  Noank ;  Horace  K. 
White,  clerk,  Noank. 

Unity.  No.  19,  New  London.  Charles  L.  Maxson,  captain,  Lee  avenue. 
New  London;  Daniel  E.  Crouch,  clerk,  140  Main  street.  New  London. 

In  the  county  are  lodges  and  societies  of  many  names  and  of  many  kinds, 
some  of  them  large,  prosperous  and  influential,  owning  property  and  club 
house  and  contributing  richly  to  the  social  life  of  the  community,  and  prac- 
ticing wide  charity.  Among  these  are  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks;  Knights  of  Pythias;  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men;  Knights  of 
Columbus ;  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles ;  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics ;  Knights  of  Maccabees ;  Foresters  of  America ;  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose;  and  the  Order  of  Owls.  Bodies  pertaining  to  the  different  nation- 
alities, trades  and  labor  organizations,  societies  patriotic,  philanthropic,  social, 
and  religious,  are  well  represented  in  all  the  towns,  and  each  in  its  own  way 
strives  to  accomplish  something  for  the  benefit  of  its  members  and  the  com- 
munity. 

The  women's  fraternal  orders — Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Daughters  of 
Rebekah,  Daughters  of  Pocahontas,  the  Pythian  Sisters,  and  others,  are  rep- 
resented through  lodges  in  different  towns ;  also  the  Daughters  of  the  Revo- 
lution, Daughters  of  America,  and  other  patriotic  societies.  Being  coast 
territory  with  many  rivers,  yacht  and  boat  clubs  abound,  and  there  is  an 
association  devoted  to  the  interest  of  master  mates  and  pilots.     The  Boy 


FRATERNAL  BROTHERHOODS 


519 


Scouts  flourish,  and  both  Norwich  and  New  London  have  Young  Men's 
Christian  Associations  and  Young  Women's  Christian  Associations,  with 
special  buildings  for  their  work. 

In  Norwich  the  Elks  occupy  a  beautiful  mansion  on  Main  street,  next  to 
the  post  office,  and  in  New  London  their  home  is  on  Washington  street, 
next  to  the  Armory. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDRY 

This  Order,  which  now  has  granges  in  every  agricultural  State  of  the 
Union,  dates  its  existence  from  the  year  1868,  fifty-four  years  ago.  The 
oldest  grange  in  New  London  county  was  organized  in  Lebanon,  March  21, 
1884,  sixteen  years  after  the  founding  of  the  order.  There  are  now  in  the 
county.  Pomona  Grange  No.  6,  which  has  jurisdiction  over  Bozrah,  Col- 
chester, Franklin,  Griswold,  Groton,  Lebanon,  Montville,  New  London,  Nor- 
wich, North  Stonington,  Preston,  Salem,  Sprague,  Stonington,  Voluntown, 
and  VVaterford  (East  Lyme,  Lyme  and  South  Lyme  being  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Pomona  Grange  No.  8) ;  and  subordinate  granges,  sixteen  in 
number,  located  in  Lebanon,  Waterford,  Colchester,  Griswold,  Preston,  North 
Stonington,  Lyme,  East  Lyme,  Bozrah,  Old  Lyme,  Ledyard,  Stonington, 
Mystic,  Norwich,  Groton  and  Franklin.  There  are  no  granges  in  New  Lon- 
don, Lisbon,  Montville,  Sprague  or  Voluntown.  Although  the  order  in  its 
half  century  of  usefulness  has  become  widely  known,  its  origin  is  not  a  matter 
of  general  knowledge.  This  fact  renders  the  following  history  timely  and 
interesting: 

Frcdonia  Grange,  No.  i.  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  was  the  first  grange  of 
the  order  ever  organized,  and  to  Chautauqua  county.  New  York,  belongs  the 
honor  not  of  giving  birth  to  the  grange  idea,  but  of  giving  the  idea  form  and 
being.  The  founder  of  the  order  was  Oliver  Hudson  Kelley,  known  by 
grangers  throughout  the  United  States  as  "Father  Kelley."  He  was  born 
in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  January  7,  1826,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  city.  He  left  Boston  when  he  v,as  twenty-one  years 
old,  and  for  a  time  was  a  reporter  on  the  "Chicago  Tribune."  For  some  time 
thereafter  he  was  a  telegrapher,  later  going  to  Minnesota,  where  he  traded 
with  the  Indians.  While  living  on  his  farm  there,  he  operated  the  first  reaping 
machine  ever  used  in  that  State.  In  1864  he  was  appointed  a  clerk  in  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington,  and  when  the  close  of  the  War 
between  the  States  created  conditions  little  understood  at  Washington,  Mr. 
Kelley  was  chosen  by  Isaac  Newton,  United  States  Commissioner  of  Agri- 
culture, in  January,  1866,  to  travel  through  the  Southern  States  and  from 
actual  contact  with  the  people  and  through  personal  acquaintance  with  them 
gain  a  true  knowledge  of  conditions  and  furnish  the  government  with  needed 
statistics.  There  was  considerable  danger  attached  to  such  a  mission,  but 
Mr.  Kelley's  personality,  his  high  character  and  his  fraternal  affiliations, 
enabled  him  to  gain  a  close  view  of  the  needs  of  the  people.  While  on  this 
mission,  the  "Grange"  idea  was  born  in  his  brain,  that  "idea"  comprehending 
an  organization  of  agriculturists,  non-partisan,  non-sectarian,  an  organization 
national  in  scope,  "united  by  the  strong  and  faithful  tie  of  agriculture,"  a 
band  of  brethren  among  whom  no  dissension  could  arise.  This  idea  con- 
ceived in  1866  was  perfected  after  Mr.  Kelley's  return  to  Washington,  and 
on   December  4,    1867,   the   National   Grange.   Patrons   of   Husbandry,   was 


522  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

organized  as  a  temporary  head.  A  school  of  instruction  was  also  instituted 
in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  personal  enthusiasm  of  Mr.  Kelley  carried 
conviction,  and  six  men  became  imbued  with  the  faith  and  courage  of  the 
founder,  each  chosen  for  some  particular  trait,  and  all  men  of  strong  char- 
acter. These  seven  men  are  entitled  to  be  considered  the  founders  of  the 
Order:  Oliver  H.  Kelley,  William  M.  Ireland,  Rev.  John  Trimble,  Rev.  A. 
B.  Grosh,  F.  M.  McDowell,  J.  R.  Thompson,  William  Saunders,  all  residents 
of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  all  except  F.  M.  McDowell,  who  was  a  pomologist 
of  Wayne  county.  New  York,  being  in  government  employ.  A  constant  co- 
worker with  these  men  was  Mr.  Kelley's  niece.  Miss  Caroline  A.  Hall,  who 
advocated  and  finally  secured  the  admission  of  women  to  the  order  upon 
terms  of  equality.  In  its  early  years,  Miss  Hall  did  an  immense  amount  of 
clerical,  publicity  and  detail  work  which  contributed  largely  to  its  very 
existence.  While  Mr.  Kelley  must  always  be  regarded  as  the  founder  of 
the  Grange  idea,  Miss  Hall's  mothering  in  those  early  days  enabled  the  infant 
to  survive  childhood. 

These  founders  of  the  order  for  nearly  two  years  labored  with  great 
energy  and  with  a  faith  and  zeal  amounting  almost  to  inspiration,  until,  with 
the  assistance  of  friends  who  became  interested,  they  completed  a  well- 
devised  scheme  of  organization,  based  upon  a  ritual  of  four  degrees  for  men 
and  four  for  women,  which  is  unsurpassed  in  the  English  language  for  orig- 
inality of  thought,  purity  of  sentiment,  and  beauty  of  diction.  Having  formed 
a  constitution  to  govern  the  order,  these  men  met  on  December  4,  1867,  and 
constituted  themselves  the  National  Grange  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry, 
with  William  Saunders  as  master;  J.  R.  Thompson,  lecturer;  William  M. 
Ireland,  treasurer,  and  O.  H.  Kelley,  secretary.  The  remaining  offices  for 
obvious  reasons  were  left  vacant.  The  first  Subordinate  Grange  was  organ- 
ized in  Washington,  D.  C,  January  8,  1868,  as  a  school  of  instruction,  with 
William  M.  Ireland  as  master. 

The  little  brown  building  in  which  the  organization  was  effected  was  at 
that  time  the  office  of  Mr.  Saunders,  and  stood  embowered  with  the  trees  in 
the  gardens  of  the  Agricultural  Department  on  the  corner  of  Four  and  One 
Half  street  and  Missouri  avenue.  Later  the  late  Colonel  Aiken,  of  South 
Carolina,  and  other  members  of  the  order,  made  vigorous  efforts  to  have  the 
government  preserve  this  historic  building,  but  they  were  unsuccessful. 

In  February,  1868,  Mr.  Bartlett,  of  Madison,  Ohio,  wrote:  In  the 
orgianizatiort  of  this  Order  we  will  be  expected  to  initiate  might}!  re- 
forms, and  the  world  will  be  disappointed  if  we  do  not.  Here  may  be 
inaugurated  the  idea  of  equality  between  the  se.xes  by  simply  removing  the 
disabilities,"  and  in  this,  as  all  else,  they  were  fully  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ahead  of  their  time.  Early  in  1868  Mr.  Kelley  decided  to  give  up  all  other 
business  and  devote  his  entire  time  to  the  establishment  of  the  Order,  and 
April  3  he  left  Washington  for  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  for  that  purpose. 
This  measure  was  strongly  opposed  by  his  more  conservative  associates,  but 


PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDRY  523 

with  supreme  faith  in  the  ultimate  success  of  his  plan  and  little  dreaming  of 
the  years  of  hard  labor  before  him,  he  left  Washington  with  only  two  dollars 
and  a  half  of  Grange  funds  and  a  ticket  for  Harrisburg.  Failing  in  his  eiTort 
to  establish  a  grange  there,  but  obtaining  some  financial  aid,  and  granting  a 
dispensation  for  a  grange,  he  came  on  to  Penn  Yan,  New  York,  where  another 
effort  was  made  which  also  failed.  From  there  he  went  to  Wayne,  Steuben 
county,  the  home  of  F.  M.  ^TcDowcll,  who  was  the  representative  of  New- 
York  among  the  founders,  and  ever  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  cause.  Here 
he  received  a  warm  welcome  and  many  cheering  words  which  helped  him  to 
endure  the  dark  hours  of  the  struggle,  for  as  he  tersely  expresses  it,  "the 
order  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry  ought  to  endure,  for  it  was  founded  upon  the 
solid  rock  of  poverty,  than  which  there  can  be  nothing  harder." 

A.  S.  Moss,  of  Fredonia,  had  become  greatly  interested  in  the  plan  and 
succeeded  in  interesting  many  other  Chautauqua  people,  so  to  him  Mr.  Kelley 
next  appealed.  He  arrived  in  Fredonia  on  April  15,  and  the  next  day,  April 
16,  1868.  having  at  last  found  broad  and  liberal-minded  men  ready  to  back 
their  faith  with  their  money  and  their  influence,  he  organized  Fredonia 
Grange. 

The  first  State  Grange,  that  of  Minnesota,  was  organized  February  22, 
1869,  but  the  new  order  grew  slowly  until  1872,  when  it  had  an  existence 
in  twenty-two  States.  The  years  of  1873  and  1874  were  years  of  wonderful 
growth,  and  in  1875  at  the  annual  meeting  held  in  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
Secretary  Kelley  reported  that  the  order  had  issued  in  the  United  States  alone 
24,290  charters  to  subordinate  bodies.  Iowa  led  <;1I  other  States  in  1873,  with 
754  granges.  New  York  is  now  the  P>anner  State  with  (January  i,  1920)  915 
subordinate  granges,  and  a  total  membership  of  127,966,  a  net  gain  for  the 
year  1919  of  6,377  members.  In  1875  the  order  was  stronger  in  the  Southern 
States;  later.  New  England  was  the  leading  section;  but  now  it  is  strong 
everywhere  in  the  Union,  and  the  dream  of  the  founder  has  come  true,  and 
granges  with  the  "tie  that  binds"  are  scatteered  from  Maine  to  California  and 
from  W'ashington  to  Texas,  teaching  the  value  of  organization  and  fraternity. 

Oliver  H.  Kelley,  the  founder,  after  serving  the  National  Grange  as  sec- 
retary several  years,  about  1878  interested  himself  in  building  a  town  named 
Carabelle,  in  honor  of  his  niece,  on  the  gulf  coast  of  Florida.  He  commenced 
there  in  a  Sibley  tent  in  the  forest,  eighteen  miles  from  a  neighbor.  Fifteen 
years  later  there  was  a  town  of  one  thousand  population,  with  churches, 
schools,  saw  mills,  hotels,  daily  mail,  in  fact,  most  modern  improvements. 
The  tract  contained  several  thousand  acres  of  land,  and  not  a  dollar  debt 
on  it.  Later  he  removed  to  Washington,  D.  C,  Kalorama  road,  where  he  was 
called  to  "Cross  the  Bar,"  after  eighty-seven  years  of  tossing  on  life's  changing 
seas. 

Fredonia  Grange  No.  i  celebrated  the  twenty-fifth  birthday  of  the  order, 
one  of  the  features  of  the  occasion  being  the  presence  of  Oliver  Hudson 
Kelley,  the  founder,  who  had  been  brought  to  Fredonia  as  the  guest  of  the 
grange  from  his  Florida  home.     The  golden  anniversary  was  also  celebrated 


524  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

in  a  fitting  manner  and  the  "Mother  Grange"  is  now  enjoying  middle  age 
prosperity,  passing  her  fifty-second  birthday  with  735  members.  The  first 
master  of  the  "Mother  Grange"  was  V.  E.  Dodge,  who  until  his  death  at  the 
age  of  eighty-six  years  took  an  active  part  in  grange  affairs. 

There  are  ten  Pomona  Granges  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  Pomona 
No.  6  being  the  New  London  county  organization,  having  jurisdiction  of  all 
towns  of  the  county  except  Lyme,  East  Lyme  and  South  Lyme  as  stated. 
The  following  named  are  the  officers  of  the  various  bodies: 

Connecticut  State  Grange — Allen  B.  Cook,  master,  Niantic;  Minor  Ives, 
overseer,  South  Meriden ;  Charles  A.  Wheeler,  lecturer,  Storrs ;  Louis  G. 
Tolles,  steward,  Southington;  Charles  M.  Adams,  assistant  steward,  Groton ; 
Rev.  L  H.  Hoyt,  chaplain,  New  Canaan ;  N.  S.  Piatt,  treasurer.  New  Haven ; 
Ard  Welton,  secretary,  Plymouth ;  William  F.  Clark,  gate  keeper,  Lyme ; 
Mrs.  Ruth  T.  Randall,  Ceres,  Bridgewater;  Mrs.  Beatrice  Peirpoint,  Pomona, 
Waterbury ;  Mrs.  Walter  S.  Hine,  Flora,  Orange;  Alice  E.  Corbett,  lady 
steward,  Glastonbury. 

New  London  County  Pomona  No.  8 — C.  M.  Adams,  master,  Groton ;  J. 
P.  Hollowell,  overseer,  Norwich;  Rev.  G.  F.  Goodenough,  lecturer,  Norwich, 
R.  F.  D.  No.  6;  M.  F.  Bartlett,  steward,  Jewett  City;  Charles  Armstrong, 
assistant  steward,  Jewett  City ;  Cyrus  Avery,  chaplain,  Groton ;  E.  J.  Hemp- 
stead, treasurer.  New  London  ;  Alice  A.  Bishop,  secretary,  Norwich,  R.  F. 
D.  No.  9;  Edward  Cook,  gate  keeper,  Norwich;  Mrs.  F.  Spaulding,  Ceres, 
Norwich ;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Bishop,  Pomona,  Norwich ;  Mrs.  Eliza  Barnes,  Flora, 
Old  Mystic;  Flora  Work,  lady  assistant.  North  Stonington ;  Mrs.  John  O. 
Peckham,  committee  on  home  economics,  Norwich.  Meetings  third  Thurs- 
day in  February,  April,  June,  August,  October  and  December. 

The  Subordinate  Granges  are  as  follows,  postofRce  address  same  as  name 
of  grange  unless  otherwise  indicated: 

No.  21,  Lebanon,  organized  March  31,  1884.— E.  N.  Geer,  master,  Leon- 
ard's Bridge;  Leslie  Clark,  overseer.  Liberty  Hill;  Edward  M.  McCall,  Jr., 
lecturer,  Leonard's  Bridge ;  Mrs.  Iva  Burgess,  steward,  North  Franklin ; 
Andrew  Lathrop.  assistant  steward,  Leonard's  Bridge;  Rev.  Hollis  Camp- 
bell, chaplain,  Lebanon;  N.  C.  Pultz,  treasurer,  Willimantic ;  Armstead  Bur- 
will,  secretary,  Lebanon;  Herbert  Nielson,  gate  keeper,  Lebanon;  Mrs.  Clara 
Abell,  Ceres,  Lebanon ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Troland,  Pomona,  Lebanon ;  Mrs. 
Myrtle  Geer,  Flora,  Leonard's  Bridge ;  Mrs.  Edith  Hewitt,  lady  assistant, 
Lebanon;  Mrs.  Katherine  Sweet,  committee  on  home  economics,  Lebanon;  J. 
Thomas,  insurance,  Leonard's  Bridge.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Thurs- 
days at  Grange  Hall. 

No.  41,  Konomoc,  at  Waterford.  organized  March  25,  1886 — Ernest  Bar- 
rett, master,  Waterford ;  Elmer  Peabodv,  overseer,  Waterford ;  Miss  Marjorie 
Peabodv,  lecturer,  Waterford,  R.  F.  D.  No.  2;  Guy  F.  Radway,  steward,  New 
London;  William  W.  Wright,  assistant  steward,  Waterford;  Hugh  Mac- 
Kenzie,  chaplain,  Waterford;  George  A.  Forsvth,  treasurer,  Waterford;  Fred 
Jacques,  secretary,  Waterford:  John  Miner.'gate  keeper,  Waterford;  Miss 
Arlmc  Peabodv,  Ceres,  Waterford;  Miss  Ella  Phillips,  Pomona,  New  Lon- 
don ;  Miss  Agnes  Edwards,  Flora.  Waterford ;  Miss  Margaret  Wright,  lady 
assistant,  Waterford  ;  Mrs.  Carrie  Carlough,  committee  on  home  economics, 
Waterford;  George  A.  Forsythe.  insurance,  Waterford. 

T7  ^°'J^-  ^".'Chester,  organized  February  14.  18S8— Myron  A.  Abell,  master ; 
KM.  Browning,  overseer;  Mrs.  Hannah  Miller,  lecturer;  Miss  Belle  L 
Strong,  steward :  Clayton  G.  Miller,  assistant  steward;  Mrs.  Emma  Stebbins, 
chaplain:  Mrs.  Ella  Brov.-ning,  treasurer;  Edwin  R.  Gillette,  secretary ;  Elmer 


PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDRY  525 

H.  Foote,  gate  keeper;  Mrs.  Clara  Gillette,  Ceres;  Mrs.  Etta  Lombard, 
Pomona;  Mrs.  Carrie  Abcll,  Flora;  Mrs.  Nettie  Meigs,  lady  assistant;  Mrs. 
lilla  Staples,  committee  home  economics;  Myron  R.  Abell,  insurance,  all  o£ 
Colchester.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  evenings  of  each  month 
at  Grange  Hall,  Colchester. 

No.  90,  I'achaug,  at  Jcwett  City,  reorganized  March  19,  1909— Harold 
Geer,  master,  Jewett  City,  R.  F.  D.  No.  1 ;  Edwin  Lewis,  overseer,  Norwich; 
Miss  M.  Brewster,  lecturer,  Jewett  City,  R.  F.  D.  No.  i ;  C.  Frank  Morgan, 
steward,  Griswold;  George  Palmer,  assistant  steward.  Norwich;  Rev.  J. 
Richardson,  chaplain,  Norwich ;  Mrs.  Lena  Chesbro,  treasurer,  Griswold ; 
Ernest  Richmond,  secretary,  Norwich;  Charles  Campbell,  gate  keeper,  Gris- 
wold; Miss  Mary  Wilkinson,  Ceres,  Jewett  City;  Miss  Ellen  Campbell, 
Pomona,  Jewett  City;  Miss  Winifred  Briggs,  Flora,  Jewett  City;  Miss  Lucy 
Grey,  lady  assistant,  Voluntown;  Mrs.  Harrictta  Kanahan,  committee  on 
home  economics,  Norwich;  William  A.  Edmund,  insurance,  Jewett  City. 
Meetings  first  and  third  Thursdays  of  every  month  at  Town  Hall,  Griswold. 
No.  no,  Preston,  at  Preston  City,  organized  December  2i,  1889 — Sidney  G. 
Hall,  master;  Walter  McClimon,  overseer;  Nathan  H.  Hall,  lecturer;  Mrs. 
Pearl  Holden,  steward;  Charles  Pendleton,  assistant  steward;  Sterry  Pierce, 
chaplain;  Arthur  E.  Shedd,  treasurer;  Fred  Benjamin,  secretary;  Howard 
Zabriskie,  gate  keeper;  Miss  Marcia  Zabriskie,  Ceros  ;  Miss  Florence  Kennedy, 
Pomona;  ^Iiss  Alice  Krug,  Flora;  Miss  Cynthia  Crary,  lady  assistant;  Miss 
Cynthia  Crary,  committee  on  home  economics,  all  of  Norwich.  Meetings 
second  and  fourth  Tuesdays  at  Preston  City  Congregational  Church  Vestry. 

No.  138,  North  Stonington,  organized  December  22,  1893 — Irving  R. 
Maine,  master,  Westerly;  Harry  B.  Lewis,  overseer.  Westerly;  John  B. 
Perry,  lecturer,  Clarkes  Falls ;  E.  F"rank  White,  steward.  North  Stonington ; 
Dudley  W.  Stewart,  assistant  steward,  Westerly ;  O.  D.  Fisher,  chaplain, 
North  Stonington ;  Charles  C.  Gray,  treasurer.  North  Stonington ;  Frank  W. 
White,  secretary.  North  Stonington;  Clark  Coon,  gate  keeper.  North  Ston- 
ington; Miss  Emily  P.  Maine,  Ceres,  North  Stonington;  Miss  Bertha  M. 
Maine,  Pomona,  Westerly;  Miss  Sarah  Gray,  Flora,  North  Stonington;  Miss 
L.  G.  Thompson,  lady  assistant.  North  Stonington.  Meetings  second  and 
fourth  Friday  evenings  of  each  month  at  Grange  Hall. 

No.  147,  Lyme,  organized  April  9,  1896 — Wilson  Irvine,  master,  Lyme; 
J.  W.  Stark,  overseer,  Lyme;  Mrs.  Helen  Daniels,  lecturer,  Lyme;  Mrs. 
Florence  Hall,  steward,  Hamburg;  Lyman  Harding,  assistant  steward,  Lyme; 
Miss  Josephine  Daniels,  chaplain,  Lyme;  William  Marvin,  treasurer,  Lyme; 
Reginald  Stark,  secretary,  Lyme ;  Maurice  Peck,  gate  keeper,  Lyme ;  Mis.' 
Charlotte  Stark,  Ceres,  Lyme;  Mrs.  Hazel  Lee,  Pomona,  Hamburg;  Mrs. 
Helen  Gage,  Flora,  Lyme;  Mrs.  Lydia  Irvine,  lady  as!^istant,  Lyme;  Mrs. 
Hattie  Reynolds,  committee  on  home  economics,  Hamburg;  Ray  Harding, 
insurance,  Lyme.  Meetings  first  and  third  Thursday  evenings  of  every 
month  at  Grange  Hall. 

No.  157,  East  Lyme — Allan  B.  Cook,  master,  Niartic;  Frank  Harris, 
overseer,  Niantic ;  Mrs.  Grace  Hadlock,  lecturer,  Niantic ;  Mrs.  Rose  Hislop, 
steward.  East  Lyme;  Arthur  Saunders,  assistant  steward,  Niantic;  Fred 
Beckwith,  chaplain.  Niantic;  Wilfred  Scott,  treasurer,  Niantic;  Walter  Scott, 
secretary,  Niantic ;  Arthur  Winslow,  gate  keep-?r.  East  Lyme ;  Miss  Alice 
Cook,  Ceres,  Niantic;  Miss  Dorothy  Bindloss,  Pomona.  East  Lyme;  Miss 
B.  Maynard.  Flora,  East  Lyme:  Miss  Leslie  Beckwith,  lady  assistant,  Niantic; 
Mrs.  Rose  Richmond,  committee  on  home  economics.  Ni.-mtic;  Julius  Rogers, 
insurance,  East  Lyme.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  evenings  at 
Comstock  Hall.  East  Lyme. 

No.  161,  Bozrah,  organized  June  2,  1904 — Charles  E.  Davis,  master.  Yan- 


526 


NEV/  LONDON  COUNTY 


tic;  Oliver  C.  Gardner,  overseer,  Yantic ;  Clarence  Parker,  lecturer,  Yantic ; 
Mrs.  Ethel  M.  Lathrop,  steward,  Norwich  Town  ;  George  Smith,  assistant 
steward,  Fitchville ;  Rev.  W.  Hetherington,  chaplain,  Fitchville ;  E.  Leroy 
Lathrop,  treasurer,  Norwich  Town;  Edward  Bishop,  secretary,  Norwich 
Town;  Lawrence  Avel,  gate  keeper,  Yantic;  Mrs.  Hattie  Smith,  Ceres,  Fitch- 
ville ;  Miss  Maude  Eiler,  Pomona,  Norwich  Town ;  Miss  Lucy  Wilcox,  Flora, 
Fitchville;  Mrs.  Lena  Bishop,  lady  assistant,  Norwich  Town;  Mrs.  Robie 
Abel,  committee  on  home  economics,  Yantic;  Nelson  Stark,  insurance,  Fitch- 
ville. Meetings  first  and  third  Wednesdays  of  each  month  at  Bozrah  Town 
Hall. 

No.  162,  Old  Lyme — Nathaniel  M.  Terry,  Jr.,  master;  William  F.  Clark, 
overseer;  Bessie  Connolly,  lecturer;  Mrs.  Myra  Morgan,  steward;  Eugene 
D.  Caulkins,  assistant  steward;  Mrs.  Nellie  Hughes,  chaplain;  Mrs.  Lucy 
Caulkins,  treasurer;  Earle  G.  Morgan,  secretary;  Harrv  P.  Appleby,  gate 
keeper;  Louisa  M.  Terry,  Ceres;  Miss  Frances  Saunders,  Pomona;  Mrs. 
Minnie  Sterling,  Flora ;  Miss  Gladys  Morgan,  lady  assistant,  al  of  Lyme. 
Meetings  second  and  fourth  Fridays  of  each  month  at  Grange  Aid  Society 
Hall. 

No.  167,  Ledyard,  organized  April  19,  1907 — S.  E.  Holdridge,  master, 
Norwich ;  Fred  Doolittle,  overseer,  Norwich  ;  Andrew  Avery,  lecturer.  Nor- 
wich ;  Ursula  E.  Avery,  steward,  Norwich  ;  Irving  Maynard,  assistant  stew- 
ard, Norwich;  Theodore  D.  Taylor,  chaplain,  Norwich;  Mrs.  Fanny  Lamb, 
treasurer,  Norwich ;  Ray  D.  Holdridge,  secretarv,  Norwich ;  John  Barrett, 
gate  keeper,  Norwich  :  Miss  Carrie  Finnegan,  Ceres,  Mystic ;  Miss  Dorothy 
Doolittle,  Pomona,  Norwich;  Miss  B.  Goodenongh,  Flora,  Norwich;  Miss 
Sarah  Corev,  lady  assistant,  Norwich.  ^Meetings  first  and  third  Fridays  ot 
each  month  in  Town  Hall,  Ledyard. 

No.  168.  Stonington,  organized  July  5,  1907 — Ralph  C.  Wheeler,  master. 
Stonington ;  Harold  Critcherson,  overseer.  Westerly ;  Mrs.  Carrie  M.  Wheeler, 
lecturer,  Stonington  ;  Mrs.  Gertrude  C.  Noyes,  steward,  Stonington ;  Ralph 
C.  Wheeler,  Jr.,  assistant  steward,  Stonington;  Mrs.  Eliza  P.  Noyes,  chaplain, 
Stonington  ;  Courtland  B.  York,  treasurer.  Westerly  ;  Joseph  Noyes,  secretary, 
Stonington;  Sanford  Billings,  Jr.,  gate  keeper,  Stonington;  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Harvey.  Ceres,  Stonington ;  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Stewart,  Pomona,  Stonington ; 
Miss  Hattie  Wheeler,  Flora,  Stonington;  Mrs.  Lena  York,  lady  assistant. 
Westerly :  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Wheeler,  committee  on  home  economics,  Stonington  ; 
Amos  G.  Hewitt,  insurance.  Mystic.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Wednes- 
days in  month  at  Road  Church  parlors,  Stonington. 

No.  171,  Mystic,  organized  August  20,  1908 — The  list  of  officers  of  this 
lodge  not  at  hand. 

No.  172,  Norwich,  organized  September  10,  1908— Mr.  John  E.  Fanning, 
master;  Mrs.  Ivy  O.  Peckham,  overseer;  John  M.  Swahn,  lecturer;  Miss 
Ruth  M.  Breckenridge,  steward  ;  William  H.  Rush,  assistant  steward  ;  Charles 
E.  Ellis,  chaplain;  Edward  Cook,  treasurer;  Willis  J.  V.  Baker,  secretary; 
Wallace  Harbeck,  gate  keeper;  Mrs.  Marv  N.  Brown,  Ceres;  Miss  Helen  B. 
Moore,  Pomona;  Mrs.  Lena  Pukallus.  Flora;  Mrs.  Nellie  F.  Rush,  lady 
assistant;  Mrs.  Ivy  O.  Peckham,  committee  on  home  economics;  William 
S.  Case,  insurance,  all  of  Norwich.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Wednesdays 
of  each  month  in  Steiner's  Hall,  Norwich. 

N'o.  176,  Groton,  organized  Mav  27.  1909 — Edw.  J.  Chapman,  master; 
Richard  J.  Whitman,  overseer;  Mrs.  Richard  J.  Whitman,  lecturer;  Miss 
Laura  Perkins,  steward:  Charles  M.  Adams,  assi-^tant  steward;  Dea.  Cvrus 
Avery,  chaplain  ;  W.  S.  Thomas,  treasurer;  Marcus  L.  Trail,  secretarv  Harry 
Hayes,  gate  keeper:  Miss  Hattie  York,  Ceres;  Miss  Marv  Crouch,  Pomona; 
Mrs.  Jennie  Hays,  Flora:  Mrs.  Lucie  Adams,  ladv  assistant,  all  of  Groton; 


PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDRY  527 

Mrs.  Anna  Mavnard,  committee  on  home  economics,  New  London.  Meetings 
second  and  fourth  Fridays  of  each  month  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  Groton. 

No.  184,  Franklin,  organized  May  17,  1913— Ray  H.  Beckwith,  master, 
Yantic;  Louis  Starkweather,  overseer,  North  Franklin;  Miss  Anita  B.  Holton, 
lecturer,  North  F-ranklin;  Mrs.  Anna  H.  Lathrop,  steward,  North  Franklin; 
Harold  A.  Duerr.  assistant  steward,  Yantic;  Fred  S.  Armstrong,  chaplain, 
Yantic;  Milton  P.  Beckwith,  treasurer,  Yantic;  Stan.  E.  Armstrong,  secretary, 
Yantic;  Arad  Robinson,  gate  keeper.  North  Franklin;  Miss  Winifred  Holton, 
Ceres,  North  Franklin;  Miss  Theresa  M.  Lamb,  Pomona,  North  Franklin; 
Mrs.  E.  M.  Armstrong,  Flora,  Yantic;  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Duerr,  lady  assistant, 
Yantic.  Meetings  second  and  fourth  Saturday  evenings  of  every  month  at 
Franklin  Town  Hall. 

New  London  County  Subordinate  Granges.  (922 — 21,  Lebanon,  Lebanon; 
41,  Konomoc,  Waterford  ;  78,  Colchester,  Colchester;  96,  Jewett  City,  Gris- 
wold  ;  no,  Preston  City,  Preston;  138,  North  Stonington,  North  Stonington ; 
147,  Lyme,  Lyme;  157,  East  Lyme,  East  Lyme;  161,  Bozrah,  Bozrah  ;  162, 
Old  Lyme,  Old  Lyme;  167,  Ledyard,  Ledyard  ;  168,  Stonington,  Stonington; 
171,  Mystic,  Mystic;  172,  Norwich,  Norwich;  176,  Groton,  Groton;  184.  Frank- 
lin, Franklin. 

The  county  organization  is  efficient,  and  through  the  subordinate  lodges 
the  aims  and  purposes  of  the  order  are  being  r.ealizcd  to  the  benefit  of  the 
individual  farmer,  while  as  a  whole  the  business  of  agriculture  is  benefitted. 
Mr.  Cook,  now  master  of  the  .State  Grange,  was  formerly  overseer,  and  is  one 
of  New  London's  progressive  agriculturists,  now  superintendent  of  the  State 
Detention  Farm  at  Niantic. 

Other  communities  having  demonstrated  the  value  of  a  Patrons'  Fire 
Relief  Association,  the  Connecticut  State  Grange  considered  the  expediency 
of  organizing  an  association  for  the  benefit  of  the  members  of  the  grangei 
The  result  was  the  forming  of  the  Patrons'  Mutual  F'ire  Insurance  Company. 
Control  is  vested  in  a  board  of  directors,  the  board  electing  its  own  officers. 
These  for  the  year  1922  are:  Frank  E.  Blakeman,  president,  Oronoque ;  J. 
Arthur  Sherwood,  vice  president,  I-ong  Hill ;  \V.  H.  Carrier,  treasurer,  Glas- 
tonbury; H.  C.  Dunham,  secretary,  Middletown.  The  president,  secretary 
and  treasurer,  with  two  others,  constitute  an  executive  committee. 

Although  but  little  over  fifty  years  of  age,  the  order.  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry, has  become  a  solid  national  institution.  It  has  met  a  want  of  rural 
communities  and  has  amply  justified  the  hopes  of  its  founders.  It  has  suc- 
cessfully demonstrated  the  abilitj'  of  the  farmers  to  organize  for  mutual 
benefit,  and  has  [)ro\ed  otherwise  a  blessing,  for  the  Grange  spirit  is  one  of 
love  and  helpfulness,  and  its  value  as  :;n  organized  force  for  good  cannot  be 
overestimated.  So  long  as  it  shall  be  true  to  its  mission,  the  moral  and  edu- 
cational ui)lift  of  its  members,  and  true  to  its  spirit  of  fraternit}',  friendship 
and  faith,  so  long  will  it  flourish  and  scatter  blessings  along  the  pathway 
of  its  members.  Small  in  its  beginning  and  of  little  force,  now  strong  and 
influential,  the  order  is  becoming  more  and  more  the  farmers'  spokesman. 
In  his  address  to  the  State  Grange,  in  its  forty-seventh  annual  session  in 
Rochester.  New  York.  February  3.  1920,  Worthy  Master  Sherman  J.  Lowell 
in  his  peroration  said: 


528  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

As  my  parting  word  let  me  picture  the  Grange.  It  is  whatever  you  make 
it,  nothing  more.  It  is  your  belief  in  yourself,  your  dream  of  what  a  people 
may  become.  It  lives  a  changing  life,  a  life  of  words  and  passions,  of  heart 
breaks  and  tired  muscles.  Sometimes  it  is  strong  with  pride,  when  men  do 
honest  work.  Sometimes  it  is  loud  and  garish  and  full  of  pride  that  blasts 
judgment.  But  always  it  is  all  you  hope  it  to  be  or  you  have  the  courage  to 
try  for.  It  is  your  hopes  and  fears,  struggle  and  panic.  It  is  the  day's  work 
of  the  weakest  and  the  dream  of  the  most  daring.  It  is  the  battle  of  yesterday 
and  the  mistake  of  tomorrow.  It  is  the  mystery  of  those  who  do  without 
knowing  why,  the  birth  of  ideas  and  the  purpose  of  resolutions.  It  is  no  more 
than  what  you  believe  it  to  be  and  all  you  believe  it  to  be  it  can  be.  It  is  what 
you  make  it,  nothing  more. 


CHAPTER  XXII 
THE  RED  CROSS 

We  have  touched  upon  the  Red  Cross  Chapter  of  Taftville,  and  at  this 
point  give  a  brief  resume  of  Red  Cross  work  in  the  county-at-large. 

The  Red  Cross  work  of  New  London  county  has  been  highly  commend- 
able, especially  during  the  World  War.  The  main  chapters  number  four — 
Norwich,  New  London,  Jewett  City  and  Taftville,  and  have  been  greatly 
aided  by  auxiliaries  in  nearby  towns. 

The  Norwich  Chapter,  one  of  the  oldest  in  Connecticut,  was  started  in 
1907,  took  part  in  relief  work  at  the  time  of  the  San  Francisco  disaster,  and 
was  efficiently  managed  for  ten  years  under  the  presidency  of  Mr.  Francis  J. 
Leavens,  who  was  succeeded  in  1917  by  Ivev.  Joseph  H.  Selden.  Any  complete 
list  of  public-spirited  citizens  who  aided  in  the  work  would  be  out  of  place 
ir  this  work.  Among  those  who  have  filled  responsible  positions,  either  as 
officers  or  committee  workers,  may  be  mentioned  Mrs.  William  Lauman,  Mrs. 
Robert  W.  Perkins,  Mrs.  Frank  Mitchell,  Miss  Edith  M.  Young,  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Learned,  Mr.  F.  W.  Lester,  Dr.  Hugh  B.  Campbell,  Dr.  John  S.  Blackmar, 
Miss  Faith  Leavens,  Miss  Audrey  Gernon,  Mrs.  Walter  Buckingham,  Miss 
Matilda  Butts,  Mrs.  John  P.  Huntington,  Mr.  Philip  A.  Johnson,  Mrs.  Mary 
G.  Osgood,  Mrs.  Frances  E.  Tingley,  Mr.  Frank  J-.  Woodard,  Mr.  James  C. 
Macpherson,  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Preston,  and  many  others  whose  names  are 
found  in  its  records. 

With  the  entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  World  War,  came  the 
"drives"  that  showed  the  great  hearts  of  the  American  people.  As  a  sample  of 
the  work  of  the  Norwich  Chapter  we  include  a  brief  report  of  the  annual 
meeting  for  1919:  Receipts  for  the  year  1918-1919,  $15,065.38;  disbursements, 
$15,704.09;  balance  October  i,  $9,427.75.  Second  Roll  Call  members,  9629. 
Production  in  the  year — surgical  dressings,  3323 ;  garments,  7862 ;  knitted 
garments,  1919;  linen  pieces,  2343.  School  auxiliaries  in  23  schools — 4500 
paper  articles  made  by  Junior  Red  Cross,  2770,  with  contributions  of  $1337.16. 
Families  served,  1049:  money  given  to  them,  $4521.25.  Numerous  question- 
naires were  issued,  classes  were  conducted,  and  much  miscellaneous  work 
done. 

From  November  i,  1919,  to  November  i,  1920,  the  annual  report  shows 
the  work  of  the  Public  Welfare  Committee  of  the  Norwich  Chapter,  Chair- 
man Mrs.  Witter  K.  Trigley.  The  members  of  the  committee  were:  Mrs. 
John  D.  Hall,  Mrs.  Zoe  Meade,  Mrs.  Frank  Mitchell,  Miss  Elizabeth  Culver.. 
Mr.  Edward  J.  Graham,  Mr.  Wallace  S.  Allis,  Dr.  Hugh  B.  Campbell,  Dr. 
Edward  J.  Brophy,  Dr.  George  Thompson.  The  chief  activities  of  this  com- 
mittee for  the  year  are:  (i)  The  organization  of  classes  in  home  hygiene,  care 
of  the  sick,  and  home  dietetics;  (2)  preparation  of  emergency  plans  for 
epidemics  or  disasters;  (3)  development  of  public  health  nursing. 

Three  instructors  were  appointed  for  classes  in  home  nursing;  thirty- 
N.L.— 1-34 


530  NEW  LONDON  COUN'IY 

nine  students  were  successfully  taught,  of  whom  the  greater  number  received 
certificates.  Plans  were  made  in  co-operation  with  the  William  W.  Backus 
Hospital  for  meeting  epidemics  or  disasters  that  might  occur,  available  means 
being  carefully  organized. 

The  chapter  took  an  active  and  constructive  part  in  organizing  the  health 
program  of  the  community  as  a  whole.  Their  plans  and  successful  efforts 
were  reported  by  the  Atlantic  Division  of  the  Red  Cross  as  a  model  program 
for  similar  chapters  elsewhere.  Such  topics  were  well  analyzed,  as  public 
health  nurses,  day  camp  for  children,  medical  inspection  of  schools,  a  patho- 
logical laboratory  at  the  W.  W.  Backus  Hospital,  the  promoting  of  nursing 
as  a  profession,  appointment  of  a  visiting  housekeeper  for  the  community,  a 
highly  organized  scheme  in  co-operation  with  the  State  Tuberculosis  Hos- 
pital, a  census  of  health  conditions  in  schools  and  in  general,  a  constructive 
leadership  in  the  improvement  of  local  health  conditions,  especially  for  chil- 
dren. In  all  this  work  the  local  chapter  was  concerned  primarily  with  starting 
a  desirable  movement  and  then  in  turning  its  own  efforts  to  other  needed 
improvements  such,  for  instance,  as  dental  and  aural  hygiene.  For  this  year 
the  treasurer's  report  showed  receipts  of  $7235.24,  and  disbursements  of 
$9139.59,  with  a  cash  balance  on  hand  of  $1646.10.  Since  1920  the  Norwich 
Chapter  has  taken  special  interest  in  the  Home  Service  work  with  the  families 
of  war  veterans  who  have  suffered  from  the  effects  of  exposure,  or  are  in 
financial  difficulties.  An  efficient  committee  has  helped  thousands  of  individu- 
als in  such  a  variety  of  matters,  as  insurance,  travel  pay.  delayed  allotments, 
lost  discharges,  compensation,  vocational  training,  investigation  of  lost  ad- 
dresses, helping  in  burial  expenses  and  doing  in  many  other  days  invaluable 
service  to  needy  war  victims.  The  work  of  the  Junior  Red  Cross  under  the 
leadership  of  Miss  Faith  Leavens  and  later  of  Miss  Aubrey  Gernon  was  of  the 
same  general  nature  as  in  other  communities,  with  especial  emphasis  on  school 
contributions  of  money  and  of  useful  articles  of  dress,  and  of  children's  togs 

The  work  of  the  Norwich  Chapter  was  greatly  aided  by  auxiliaries  in 
Lebanon,  Fitchville,  Preston  City,  Gales  Ferry,  Canterbury,  Occum,  Poque- 
tanuck,  Salem  and  Leffingwell. 

On  March  i,  1922,  the  United  Workers,  a  most  capable  organization  of 
the  various  charitable  activities  of  the  community,  took  over  from  the  Red 
Cross  Chapter  the  work  of  the  Home  Service  Department,  and  at  present  this 
v/ork  is  being  carried  on  under  the  direction  of  the  social  workers  of  the 
United  Workers. 

Of  the  work  in  New  London  the  chapter  chairman,  Cora  A.  Marsh,  writes 
as  follows: 

_  This  Chapter  received  its  chapter  charter  in  January,  1917,  and  began 
active  work  after  the  call  by  President  Wilson  for  full  organization  in  Feb- 
ruary. By  armistice  in  1918,  we  comprised  besides  New  London,  twelve 
branches,  and  our  departments  included  military  relief,  home  service  with  two 
paid  workers,  production  which  was  carried  on  in  a  large  house,  railroad 
canteen,  motor  corps,  enrollment  of  nurses  for  the  government,  nursing  sur- 
vey, also  classes  in  first  aid,  home  nursing,  dietetics  and  surgical  dressings. 
We  have  been   gradually   deflating   ever  since   the    armistice,  but   have 


RED  CROSS  531 

carried  on  each  department  until  the  need  ended.  Our  production  ends,  I 
hope,  with  the  shipment  made  this  spring  and  our  home  service  is  almost  at 
an  end,  although  we  still  have  a  few  cases  and  information  which  we  still  pay 
our  former  home  service  secretar;,-  to  handle.  We  gave  up  the  canteen  and 
motor  corps,  but  we  took  up  public  health  work  and  have  been  of  assistance 
to  the  city  Health  Department  and  school  clinic.  We  pay  the  salary  of  the 
supervising  Red  Cross  public  health  nurse  who  heads  up  in  the  district 
nursing  work  of  the  Visiting  Nurse  Association.  Another  new  line  is  our 
Life  Saving  Corps  at  the  beach.  The  corps  is  made  up  of  young  men  volun- 
teers who  have  passed  the  tests,  and  for  two  summers  we  have  employed 
a  public  health  nurse  for  two  months.  At  present  the  corps  is  reorganizing 
and  the  nurse  will  go  on  duty  when  she  recovers  from  her  present  illness. 
W'e  now  have  several  qualified  instructors  in  home  nursing,  and  classes  are 
being  taught.  Through  the  influence  of  Red  Cross,  the  teaching  of  physiology, 
anatomy  and  hygiene  has  been  combined  and  made  practical,  and  is  taught 
in  the  grade  schools  by  the  school  nurses,  and  in  the  grammar  grades  some 
first  aid  and  home  care  of  the  sick  is  included.  A  small  beginning  has  been 
made  in  Braille  work  under  the  direction  of  our  recording  secretary,  Miss 
Tyler,  in  co-operation  with  a  few  women,  and  she  reports  that  the  women 
find  Braille  fascinating. 

I  think  most  of  our  work  is  ended  as  our  city  is  better  organized  in 
health  lines  than  most  places  of  its  size,  and  our  other  work  will  not  be 
needed.  Our  branches  almost  all  now  have  public  health  nurses  who  work 
also  with  the  schools. 

I  think  the  Visiting  Nurse  Association  would  best  provide  its  own 
nurses  and  by  another  year  probably  can  do  so ;  also,  the  city  Health  De- 
partment will  provide  the  nurse  at  the  Red  Cross  Beach  Hut  by  another 
summer,  1  expect. 


ABOVE,  JOSEPH  CARPENTER'S  SILVERSMITH  SHOP;  NOW  MUSEUM  OF  FAITH 
TRUMBULL,  CHAPTER,  D.  A.  R.  BELOW,  OLD  AVERY  HOUSE.  PRESTON  PLAINS. 
WHERE  JOHN  AVERY  CARRIED  ON  HIS  TRADE  OP  SILVERSMITH. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

NOTABLE   PLACES  AND   HOMES 

Revolutionary  Worthies — Stage  Coach  and  Tavern    Days — Norwich    Potteries — Silver- 
smiths of  New  London  County — Pinehurst. 

By  Mrs.  Edna  Miner  Rogers,  Regent  of  Faith  Trumbull  Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 

During  the  period  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  many  notable  men  and 
officers  visited  Norwich.  There  were  several  reasons  for  this;  one  was  the 
situation,  at  the  head  of  navigation,  as  boats  could  come  through  Long  Island 
Sound  to  New  London  and  then  to  Norwich ;  or  passengers  leaving  the  boats 
at  New  London  would  come  by  land  to  Norwich  and  then  on  to  Providence 
and  Boston. 

Another  perhaps  more  potent  reason,  was  that  not  many  miles  from 
Norwich  lived  the  Governor  of  Connecticut,  Jonathan  Trumbull.  The  Trum- 
buUs  were  among  the  largest  shipping  merchants  of  those  days,  and  their 
business  interests  reached  far  and  wide.  When  the  news  of  the  Lexington 
alarm  arrived,  Jonathan  Trumbull's  store  in  Lebanon  was  the  place  where  all 
the  soldiers  in  his  own  vicinity  who  marched  for  the  relief  of  Boston  were 
supplied.  In  the  little  office  of  the  store  was  transacted  much  of  the  business 
of  the  war,  and  here  and  in  the  Governor's  house  next  door  were  entertained 
many  of  the  most  conspicuous  characters  of  the  Revolution.  Among  these 
may  be  mentioned  Generals  Washington,  LaFaj'ette,  Knox,  Sullivan,  Put- 
nam, Doctor  Adams,  John  Jay,  Jefferson,  the  Count  Rochambeau,  Ad- 
miral Tiernay,  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  the  Marquis  de  Chastellux,  and  many 
others.  It  is  said  that  the  gay  young  French  officers  were  very  fond  of 
company  and  cordially  accepted  hospitalities  extended  to  them,  and  the  bloom- 
ing belles  of  Windham,  Lebanon  and  Norwich  had  the  good  fortune  to  par- 
ticipate in  many  brilliant  entertainments,  while  the  silver  freely  lavished  by 
these  young  men  found  its  way  to  many  a  farmer's  pocket. 

Governor  Trumbull's  wife  was  Faith  Robinson,  and  from  her  Faith 
Trumbull  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  received  its  name;  their  daughter.  Faith  Trum- 
bull, married  General  Jcdediah  Huntington  Cin  1766),  who  in  May,  1777,  was 
appointed  a  brigadier-general  "at  General  Washington's  request."  With  the 
Governor's  son-in-law  living  in  Norwich,  where  also  lived  Colonel  Leffingwell, 
another  ardent  patriot  and  one  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  it  is 
readily  seen  how  close  the  connection  between  Lebanon  and  Norwich  must 
become.  David  Trumbull  gave  up  his  house  in  Lebanon  to  the  Duke  de 
Lauzun,  and  his  wife  came  to  Norwich. 

One  of  Washington's  visits  to  Governor  Trumbull  was  in  April,  1776, 
when  they  met  by  appointment  at  General  Jedediah  Huntington's  home  in 
Norwich.  Washington  had  written  on  March  21st  that  he  should  take  his 
army  from  Boston  to  New  York  by  the  seacoast  route,  coming  through 
Norwich,  and  on  April  13  they  dined  with  Huntington  and  conferred  together 
till  evening,  when  Washington  proceeded  to  New  London. 

Rochambeau  had  written  to  Trumbull  in  regard  to  the  cantonment  of 
the  troop  commanded  by  the  Duke  de  Lauzun ;  this  was  a  celebrated  legion 
of  horse,  six  hundred  strong.  About  two  hundred  and  forty  of  these  Hussars 
with  about  an  equal  number  of  horses  were  stationed  on  Lebanon  Commons, 


534  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

still  called  "the  Barracks" ;  here  they  remained  for  seven  months,  and  traces 
of  their  brick  ovens  still  exist.  Of  the  trips  made  by  some  of  the  officers  to 
Norwich,  we  have  already  heard. 

On  March  5th,  1781,  Washington  stopped  at  Lebanon,  and,  with  great 
satisfaction  alike  to  himself,  the  French,  and  the  crowds  of  spectators,  be- 
stowed upon  Lauzun's  imposing  legion  the  compliment  of  a  stately  review. 

The  War  Office,  as  it  was  later  called,  was  restored  by  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  and  dedicated  on  June  15,  1891.  The  house  has  been 
occupied  for  many  jears  by  Miss  Mary  E.  Button,  and  now  by  two  of  her 
cousins.  It  is  said  that  people  were  so  crazy  to  have  some  souvenir  from 
this  house  that  the  oaken  boards  of  the  attic  floor  were  sold  in  pieces. 

Washington's  death,  on  December  14,  1790,  was  commemorated  in  Nor- 
wich with  solemn  religious  services.  On  the  Sabbath  following.  Dr.  Strong 
delivered  a  memorial  sermon.  At  the  Landing,  the  Episcopal  and  Congrega- 
tional churches  were  both  shrouded  in  black,  and  the  two  congregations 
united  in  the  commemorative  services.  They  assembled  at  the  Episcopal 
church,  where  prayers  were  read  and  a  solemn  dirge  performed.  A  procession 
was  then  formed  of  both  sexes,  which  moved  with  plaintive  music  and  tolling 
bells  to  the  Congregational  church,  where  a  discourse  was  delivered  by  Mr. 
King  from  the  text,  "How  are  the  mighty  fallen."  Subsequently,  on  the 
day  recommended  by  Congress  for  tre  national  observance,  the  societies 
again  united ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tyler  delivered  an  oration,  and  several  original 
odes,  hymns  and  lamentations  were  sung  or  chanted.  The  sermons  of  Messrs. 
Strong  and  King  and  the  eulogy  of  Mr.  Tyler  were  each  separately  published. 
(Caulkins'  "Hist.  Norwich,  Conn.,"  page  525.) 

Colonel  (afterwards  General)  Samuel  Mott,  at  whose  house  General 
Washington  is  said  to  have  called,  lived  at  Preston  City ;  his  house  occupied 
the  spot  where  now  stands  the  Public  Library  of  that  town,  the  Library  and 
the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Monument  on  the  lawn  having  been  given  by  some 
native  sons  of  the  place.  This  General  Samuel  Mott  was  a  Revolutionary 
patriot  who  was  a  local  magistrate,  and  a  civil  engineer  of  such  note  as  to 
have  made  the  preliminary  plans  and  drawings  of  the  military  works  at  West 
Point. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  houses  up-town  is  the  one  which  was  known 
far  and  wide  for  many  years  as  the  Leffingwell  Inn.  This  is  situated  at  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  East  Town  streets,  and  is  known  by  all  passers-by, 
as  nearly  everyone  remarks  on  the  way  the  house  is  set  to  the  road.  As  early 
as  1701,  the  house  began  to  be  used  as  an  inn,  and  in  early  days  slaves  are 
said  to  have  been  auctioned  off  at  the  north  door. 

Miss  Perkins  says:  "The  house  is  large  and  rambling,  and  many  parts 
of  it  bear  the  marks  of  great  age.  Some  of  the  rooms  are  on  a  much  lower 
level  than  others,  and  these  may  indicate  where  additions  were  made  to  the 
original  Backus  homestead,  for  this  is  one  of  the  houses  which  claims  to  date 
from  the  settlement  of  the  town.  The  windows  still  retain  their  wooden 
shutters,  the  door  its  bar-fastening,  and  the  rooms  are  heavily  wainscoted, 
and  the  large  parlor  panelled  throughout."  Deep  window  seats  open  like  the 
lid  of  a  chest.    "The  entrance  door  was  formerly  on  the  north  side  of  the 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  535 

house  and  faced  the  old  highway  coming  down  over  the  hill.  Either  the 
course  of  this  highway,  or  the  desire  to  have  the  house  stand  due  north  and 
south,  may  perhaps  account  for  its  singular  position  at  the  present  day." 

At  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  Colonel  Christopher  Leffingwell 
owned  and  occupied  the  house,  with  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Coit,  daughter  of 
Captain  Jospeh  Coit,  of  New  London  and  Norv.ich.  He  was  an  ardent  patriot, 
and  was  appointed  on  the  committee  of  correspondence.  The  first  announce- 
ment of  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Concord  was  addressed  to  him,  and  at 
the  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  Norwich,  in  1859,  the  original  document 
was  exhibited,  from  which  not  only  the  citizens  of  Norwich  but  Governor 
Trumbull  himself  first  heard  those  alarming  tidings.  Colonel  Jedediah 
Huntington  writes  to  him  from  the  camp  at  Roxbury,  a  little  later,  and 
Colonel  Trumbull  from  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  asking  for  supplies. 

General  Parsons,  on  his  wa\-  to  Bunker  Hill,  June  loth,  1775,  writes  that 
one  of  his  companies  will  lodge  at  Norwich ;  Captain  Leffingwell  must  provide 
for  them.  Innumerable  calls  were  made  upon  him,  but  amid  them  all  he 
exercised  a  generous  hospitality.  In  August,  1776,  Colonel  Wadsworth  intro- 
duces to  him  an  English  loyalist  who  had  been  advised  to  leave  New  York, 
but  who  is  worthy  of  respectful  and  considerate  treatment  in  the  rural  dis- 
tricts. Titus  Hcsmer  introduces  to  him  Mr.  Timothy  Dwight,  who  had  been 
a  tutor  for  several  years  in  the  college  of  which  he  was  afterwards  the  dis- 
tinguished president,  and  who  thinks  of  settling  in  Norwich  to  practice  law. 
General  Washington  in  one  of  his  visits  partakes  of  the  hospitality  of  the 
Lefhng^vell  home,  and  Governor  Trumbull  sends  his  respectful  apology  that 
he  is  unable  to  meet  at  Mr.  Leflingweirs  the  commander-in-chief. 

It  is  said  that  of  all  the  companies  which  marched  at  various  times  to 
New  London,  none  equalled  in  order  and  equipment  the  light  infantry  under 
Captain  Leffingwell.  In  his  historical  discourse  in  1859,  Dr.  Gilman  says: 
"As  I  mention  his  name,  there  arc  many  present  who  will  recall  his  stately 
and  venerable  form,  his  head  white  with  years,  the  dignified  bearing  which 
marked  the  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  and  the  energetic  manner  which  was 
equally  characteristic  of  the  successful  man  of  business." 

After  the  close  of  the  v.-ar,  in  1784,  Colonel  Leffingwell  was  appointed  by 
General  Washington  the  first  naval  officer  under  the  new  government.  The 
wife  who  shared  those  troubled  times  with  him,  died  November  9,  1796; 
Colonel  Leffingwell  died  November  7,  1810. 

Later  on,  the  house  came  into  the  possession  of  a  granddaughter,  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Huntington.  The  house  itself,  w-ith  its  well-kept  grounds,  always 
attracts  the  attention  of  strangers  in  the  town,  as  well  as  those  who  have 
always  been  familiar  with  its  appearance.  An  amusing  little  tradition  may 
be  whispered  here:  It  is  said  that  one  Monday,  General  Washington  came  to 
the  house  unexpectedly.  The  family  washing  was  under  way,  in  the  base- 
ment. Needless  to  add  that  the  tubs  were  very  hurriedly  put  away  in  the 
cellar. 

Not  many  miles  from  Norwich  is  another  house  which  was  visited  by 
Generals  Washington  and  LaPayette.  In  Plainfield,  on  the  main  road 
traversed  by  travelers,  was  situated  the  "LaPayette  Inn." 


536  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

By  1710,  public  travel  through  Plainfield  had  increased  so  greatly  that 
the  governments  of  both  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  were  obliged  to  make 
provision  for  better  accommodations.  In  171 1  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island  ordered  "That  a  highway  should  be  laid  out  from  Providence 
through  Providence,  Warwick,  to  Plainfield,"  and  representations  were  made 
to  the  Connecticut  Assembly  that  travelers  from  the  westward  to  Boston  and 
Providence  met  with  great  difficulty  and  were  exposed  to  great  danger  for 
want  of  a  suitable  road  through  Plainfield,  so  the  selectmen  of  Plainfield  were 
ordered  to  lay  out  a  suitable  road.  This  road  went  through  Plainfield  village, 
and  is  now  known  as  Plainfield  street.  The  needful  land  was  given  by  the 
owners  "in  consideration  that  it  is  convenient  and  necessary  for  travellers, 
being  the  nearest  and  best  way  to  and  from  Providence,  Rhode  Island  (mean- 
ing the  island  of  Rhode  Island),  Narragansett,  and  many  other  places,  and 
convenient  for  town  and  country."  A  tavern  or  inn  was,  of  course,  the  logical 
sequence  of  the  opening  of  this  road.  When  LaFayette  Inn  was  built  is  not 
known  to  the  writer,  but  is  said  to  have  early  stood  there.  General  Gates  and 
his  division  marched  through  Plainfield,  Canterbury  and  Windham  on  their 
withdrawal  from  Newport.  The  following  item  concerning  the  old  inn  is 
taken  from  the  "Norwich  Record"  of  May  10,  191 1 : 

A  large  crowd  attended  the  auction  sale  of  furniture  held  by  Mrs.  H.  B. 
Ball  at  L.aFayette  Inn  on  Saturday.  Mrs.  Ball  recently  sold  the  inn  prop- 
erty at  public  auction  to  H.  A.  Gallup.  The  LaFayette  Inn,  which  was 
formerly  the  old  Plainfield  Hotel,  has  been  a  public  tavern  and  hostelry  for 
over  a  century,  it  being  one  of  the  relays  for  the  old  stage  coach  line  between 
Providence  and  Hartford.  There  is  a  whole  lot  of  history  connected  with 
this  old  inn.  General  Washington  and  Marquis  de  LaFayette  stopping  in  it 
over  night  on  their  way  to  Philadelphia.  LaFayette  wrote  a  letter  while 
sitting  in  a  combination  desk  chair  which  has  since  bore  the  name  of  the 
"LaFayette  chair."  This  chair,  which  is  very  well  preserved  for  one  that  has 
done  so  much  service,  was  bid  off  at  the  auction  on  Saturday  for  $26,  but  it 
is  the  public  opinion  that  it  was  bid  in,  for  it  is  reported  that  Mrs.  Ball  had 
a  standing  offer  of  $100  for  it  by  some  Colonial  association  in  Philadelphia 
long  before  the  auction  sale. 

The  house  was  divided  and  part  of  it  was  moved  nearer  the  street,  thus 
making  two  buildings. 

STAGE    COACH    AND    TAVERN    DAYS 

In  these  days  of  good  roads,  trolley  cars,  automobiles,  fast  expresses,  fast 
steamships  and  flying  machines,  with  their  accompaniment  of  immense  hotels 
where  every  luxury  is  obtainable  and  the  watchword  is  not  "anything  in 
season,"  but  "everything  in  any  season,"  so  quickly  do  people  accept  the 
innovations  and  become  accustomed  to  conveniences  that  few  pause  to  reflect 
on  the  fact  that  these  things  have  come  mainly  within  a  period  of  seventy 
years,  and  the  greatest  of  them  within  even  twenty-five  years.  While  appre- 
ciating the  advantages  of  many  of  our  modern  ways,  and  perhaps  to  more 
recognize  their  value,  let  us  look  back  briefly  to  a  time  when  these  things 
were  not,  and  see  how  they  came  to  be,  and  to  a  later  time  when,  fully 


NOTABLE  TLACES  AND  IIO.MES  537 

"Long  ago  at  the  end  of  the  route, 
The  stage  pulled  up  and  the  folks  stepped  out." 

As  the  Indians,  the  aboriginals  of  this  country,  wandered  here  and  there 
from  one  hunting  ground  to  another,  or  from  tribe  to  tribe  as  messengers  or 
visitors,  they  made  faint  trails  on  the  most  used  ways.  Their  moccasined 
feet  passed  lightly  over  the  grassy  plains  and  through  the  forests,  for  their 
instinct  of  direction  was  unerring.  When  the  white  men  came  to  this  country, 
they  found  these  faint  trails  leading  in  various  directions,  as  also  trails  made 
by  wild  watering  places.  The  settlers  utilized  these  trails,  and  soon  deepened 
and  enlarged  them  with  their  heavy  shoes.  At  first  everybody  walked,  even 
the  governors;  domestic  cattle,  called  the  best  of  pathmakers,  were  soon 
introduced,  and  aided  in  the  work  with  their  heavy,  leisurely  tread ;  it  was 
not  long  before  the  trails  became  "trodden  paths,"  worn  narrow  lanes,  scarcely 
two  feet  wide,  in  which  it  was  necessary  to  walk  Indian  file. 

In  1635,  horses  were  imported,  small  and  poor,  it  is  true,  but  soon  replaced 
by  better  ones ;  then  little  walking  was  done,  and  the  narrow  trodden  paths 
became  a  scarcely  wider  bridle  path  for  horses,  while  blazed  trees  served  as 
guide  posts.  As  new  settlements  were  made  and  communication  established 
with  the  older  ones,  paths  slowly  grew  to  rough,  uncertain  roads  and  cart- 
ways. Many  of  these  roads  followed,  and  still  follow,  the  old  trails,  and 
some  of  our  best  and  most  used  highways  are  simply  an  improvement  and 
elaboration  of  some  old  Indian  trail  or  early  "trodden  path"  of  the  white 
settler. 

The  earliest  path  mentioned  in  the  records  is  the  old  Plymouth  or  Coast 
path,  connecting  Plymouth  and  Boston,  and  passing  through  Braintree,  now 
the  regular  thoroughfare.  This  path  was  established  by  order  of  the  General 
Court  of  Massachusetts  in  1635.  The  Old  Connecticut  path  started  at  Cam- 
bridge and  continued  through  Marlborough,  Grafton,  Oxford,  on  to  Spring- 
field and  Albany;  the  New  Connecticut  path,  also  starting  at  Cambridge, 
went  through  Grafton,  Worcester  and  Brookfield  to  Albany.  The  Providence 
path  led  from  Boston  to  Providence  and  the  Narragansett  Plantations.  Per- 
haps the  most  familiar  to  us  of  this  part  of  New  England  is  the  famous 
"Pequot  path,"  later  called  the  Post  road,  leading  from  Providence  through 
Wickford,  Charlcstown,  and  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  to  New  London,  or 
"Pequit,"  Connecticut.  This  old  path  is  frequently  mentioned  in  land  deeds 
and  in  the  court  records  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut;  it 
is  practically  identical  with  the  favorite  automobile  road  of  the  present  day, 
and  is  also  closely  followed  by  the  Shore  Line  railroad. 

The  longest  and  best-known  path  in  Massachusetts  was  the  Bay  path, 
passing  through  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  as  it  was  formerly  called  ; 
this  path,  starting  at  Cambridge,  left  the  old  Connecticut  path  at  Wayland, 
then  went  through  Marlborough,  Worcester,  Oxford,  Charlton  to  Brookfield ; 
here  the  Hadley  path  branched  ofT  to  Ware.  Belchcrtown  and  Hadley,  while 
the  Bay  path  joined  the  old  Connecticut  path  and  so  on  to  Springfield  and 
Albany.  This  Bay  path  is  made  familiar  to  us  by  J.  G.  Holland's  story  of 
that  name. 


538  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

As  the  number  of  settlements  increased,  travel  increased  in  proportion; 
then  came  the  demand  made  by  travelers  overtaken  by  storm  or  darkness  for 
a  place  of  shelter,  food  and  lodging.  Few  homes  of  that  period  were  prepared 
to  entertain  strangers  at  any  and  all  hours,  and  as  the  dignitaries  themselves 
had  to  travel  frequently  on  business  for  the  colonies,  they  immediately  took 
action  in  the  matter. 

In  1644,  as  shown  by  the  Colonial  Records  of  Connecticut,  the  General 
Court  ordered  "one  sufficient  inhabitant"  in  each  town  to  keep  an  "ordinary," 
since  "strangers  were  straitened  for  lack  of  entertainment."  In  1656,  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts  made  the  towns  liable  to  a  fine  for  not  sus- 
taining an  ordinary. 

These  houses  of  public  entertainment  were  at  first  called  "ordinaries," 
probably  ordinary,  in  the  sense  of  common,  and  established  by  law.  The 
ordinary  was  under  the  supervision  of  the  General  Court  and  later  of  the  town 
officers,  and  was  hedged  about  with  so  many  regulations  and  restrictions  that 
the  landlord  of  the  present  day  would  give  up  in  despair.  The  ordinary  was 
usually  a  large  house  with  g^eat  fireplaces,  and  many  rooms,  and  ample  stable 
accommodations : 

"Across  the  road  the  bams  display 
Their  lines  of  stalls,  their  mows  of  hay." 

The  better  class  had  a  parlor  which  was  used  as  a  sitting  room  for  ladies, 
or  was  engaged  by  some  dignitary  for  himself  or  family.  The  most  interesting 
as  well  as  the  most  used  room  of  the  house  was  the  taproom ;  its  enormous 
fireplace,  bare,  sanded  floor,  and  ample  settles  and  chairs,  with  a  constant  flow 
of  visitors,  combined  to  make  a  cheerful  spot.  A  tall,  rudely  made  writing 
desk  served  as  a  place  for  the  landlord  to  cast  up  his  accounts,  and  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  few  guests  who  desired  to  write.  The  bar  itself  was 
usually  made  with  a  sort  of  portcullis  gate,  which  could  be  closed  if  desired. 
While  the  bars  remained  until  very  recently  in  some  of  these  places,  the  old 
portcullis  gate  is  rarely  seen.  At  Howe's  Tavern  in  Sudbury,  Massachusetts, 
more  familiar  to  us  as  the  scene  of  Longfellow's  "Tales  of  a  Wayside  Inn," 
this  gate  remained,  as  also  at  the  Wadsworth  Inn,  built  in  1828;  this  house 
stands  on  the  Albany  turnpike,  about  three  miles  from  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
and  was  one  of  the  twenty-one  inns  within  twenty  miles  on  that  road. 

By  the  end  of  the  Seventeenth  Century  the  designation  "ordinary"  had 
passed  into  disuse,  and  "tavern"  was  the  name  by  which  the  ordinary  was 
known.  It  was  singular  that  the  word  "inn,"  used  in  England,  was  not 
common  in  America ;  "inn"  was  a  word  of  Anglo-Saxon  origin,  meaning 
house ;  while  tavern  was  in  France  taverne,  in  Spain  and  Italy,  taverna,  while 
the  Latin  form,  taberna,  was  also  used — all  derived  from  the  Latin  root,  tab, 
hence,  tabula,  a  table.  One  v.onders  what  influenced  the  colonists  at  that 
early  day  to  use  this  form  rather  than  the  customary  English  one.  In  later 
days,  the  word  tavern  has  fallen  into  disrepute,  but  formerly  it  denoted  a 
highly  respectable  place,  kept  by  a  most  worthy  landlord. 

As  to  the  entertainment  of  these  places,  opinions  differed.  In  1637,  Lord 
Ley    declined    Governor    Winthrop's    invitation    to    make    his    home    at    the 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOAIES  539 

Governor's  house,  on  the  plea  that  he  was  so  comfortably  situated  at  the 
ordinary.  Hempstead,  in  his  journey  to  Maryland  in  1749,  writes  of  being 
"handsomely  entertained";  while  Madam  Sarah  Knight,  on  her  trip  to  New 
York,  found  the  accommodations  little  to  her  liking,  as  she  has  fully  in- 
formed us. 

Each  tavern  was  known  by  name,  and  some  of  these  names  are  most 
interesting — the  Blue  Anchor,  the  Great  House,  the  King's  Arms,  the  King's 
Head,  the  Thistle  and  Crown,  Rose  and  Thistle,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  St. 
George  and  the  Dragon,  the  Red  Lion,  the  Green  Dragon.  Dog's  Head  in  the 
Manger,  the  Fighting  Cocks,  the  Black  Horse,  the  Three  Cranes,  Bunch  of 
Grapes,  Plow  and  Harrow  (one  of  the  places  where  Hempstead  stopped),  are 
some  of  the  names  adopted.  The  corruption  of  some  names  gave  amusing 
signs — the  Bag  o'  Nails,  from  the  "Bacchanalians";  this  was  a  favorite  name; 
the  Cat  and  Wheel,  from  St.  Catharine's  Wheel ;  the  Goat  and  Compass,  from 
"God  Encompasseth  Us";  Pig  and  Carrot,  from  the  French  pique  et  carreau; 
lan  English  one  was  the  Bull  and  Mouth,  from  the  Boulogne  Mouth  or 
Harbour. 

Like  the  inns  of  Shakespeare's  day,  some  of  the  large  taverns  had  names 
for  each  room.  The  King's  Arms  in  Boston,  Mass.,  one  of  the  earliest,  stood 
at  the  head  of  Dock  street,  and  in  1651  was  sold  for  £600;  an  inventory  of  the 
goods  and  furnishings  of  the  house  showed  that  some  of  the  chambers  were 
the  Star  Chamber,  the  Court  Room,  the  Nursery,  etc.  The  Blue  Anchor, 
another  Boston  ordinary,  had  among  its  rooms  the  Rose  and  Sun  Low,  the 
Cross  Keys,  the  Anchor  and  Castle,  the  Green  Dragon — which  are  more 
interesting  than  our  Pink  Room,  Blue  Room,  Red  Room,  and  the  like. 

Before  it  became  customary  to  name  the  streets  and  number  the  houses, 
at  a  time  when  comparatively  few  people  were  able  to  read  or  write,  sign 
boards  were  a  necessity,  for  the  sign  language  is  universal.  Not  only  inn- 
keepers, but  men  of  all  trades  and  callings,  made  use  of  them.  The  signs 
were  widclv  varied;  some  were  painted  or  carved  boards;  and  images — some 
carved  from  stone;  modeled  in  terracotta  or  plaster;  painted  on  tiles;  wrought 
of  various  metals;  and  even  stuffed  animals  were  utilized.  Some  of  these  old 
signs  are  still  in  existence;  occasionall>'  such  a  sign  is  noticed  at  some  inn, 
whose  landlord  has  recognized  its  value  and  drawing  power  in  these  days 
of  antique  hunting.  Such,  for  example,  is  "Ye  Golden  Spur,"  on  the  East 
Lyme  trolley  line;  and  the  signboard  bearing  the  Lion  and  the  Unicorn,  at 
the  Windham  Inn,  on  Windham  Green.  More,  however,  are  carefully  pre- 
served among  the  treasures  of  the  historical  societies. 

In  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  1645,  the  law  granted  the  landlord  a  license 
provided  "there  be  sett  up  some  inoffensive  sign  obvious  for  direction  to 
strangers."  The  Rhode  Island  court  in  1655  ordered  that  all  persons  appointed 
to  keep  an  ordinary  should  "cause  to  be  sett  out  a  convenient  Signe  at  ye 
most  perspicuous  place  of  ye  said  house,  thereby  to  give  notice  to  strangers 
yt  it  is  a  house  of  public  entertainment,  and  this  is  to  be  done  with  all  con- 
venient speed."  The  signs  were  attached  to  wooden  or  iron  arms  extending 
from  the  tavern,  or  from  a  post  or  a  nearby  tree,  or  from  a  frame  supported 


540  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

by  two  poles.     The  Buck's  Horn  Tavern  in  New  York  City  had  a  pair  of 
buck's  horns  over  the  door.    Of  the  "Wayside  Inn"  Longfellow  wrote  that 

"Half  effaced  by  rain  and  shine. 
The  Red  Horse  prances  on  the  sign." 

In  the  library  at  Windham  Green  is  preserved  an  image  of  Bacchus, 
carved  from  a  piece  of  pine  by  British  prisoners  confined  at  Windham  during 
the  Revolutionary  War,  and  bequeathed  by  them  to  Widow  Cary,  who  kept 
a  tavern  on  the  Green.  Miss  Larned  says :  "The  comical  Bacchus,  with  his 
dimpled  cheeks  and  luscious  fruits,  was  straightway  hoisted  above  the  tavern 
for  a  sign  and  figure-head,  to  the  intense  admiration  and  delight  of  all  be- 
holders." 

In  the  custody  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society  at  Hartford  is  a 
signboard  showing  on  one  side  the  British  coat-of-arms,  and  on  the  other 
side  a  full-rigged  ship  under  full  sail,  flying  the  Union  Jack ;  it  has  the 
letters  "U  A  H,"  and  the  date  1766.  This  sign  belonged  to  Uriah  and  Ann 
Hayden,  who  kept  a  tavern  near  the  Connecticut  river,  in  Essex,  then  the 
Pettapaug  parish  of  Saybrook. 

Bissell's  Tavern,  at  Bissell's  Ferry  in  East  Windsor,  Connecticut,  had 
an  elaborate  sign  depicting  thirteen  interlacing  rings,  and  in  the  center  of 
each  was  a  tree  or  plant  peculiar  to  the  State  designated,  the  whole  sur- 
rounding a  portrait  of  Washington.  It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  during 
and  after  the  War  of  the  Revolution  scarcely  a  town  but  had  its  Washington 
tavern,  with  varied  Washington  signboards;  all  names  or  signs  relating  to 
the  King  or  to  the  British  Kingdom  were  discarded,  and  as  the  Golden  Lion 
changed  into  the  Yellow  Cat,  so  the  other  names  underwent  a  similar  change. 

Not  only  are  these  old  signs  interesting  in  themselves,  but  they  have  a 
still  greater  value  for  the  reason  that  many  noted  painters,  even  great  artists, 
have  frequently  been  compelled  to  make  use  of  the  signboard  as  a  temporary 
means  of  livelihood.  Hogarth,  Richard  Wilson,  Gerome,  Cox,  Harlow, 
Millais,  Holbein,  Corregio  and  Watteau  are  among  those  thus  accredited ; 
while  Paul  Potter's  famous  "Young  Bull"  is  said  to  have  been  painted  for  a 
butcher's  sign  .  Benjamin  West  is  said  to  have  painted  many  of  the  tavern 
signs  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  "Bill  of  O.  Cromwell's  Head"  was  designed 
by  Paul  Revere. 

As  has  been  said,  the  ordinaries  were  established  by  order  of  the  General 
Courts  at  first,  and  later  by  the  town  authorities,  who  considered  them  as 
town  offices,  the  appointment  one  of  honor,  and  were  therefore  very  particular 
to  whom  a  license  was  granted.  A  landlord  was  one  of  the  best-known  men 
in  town,  influential,  and  possessed  of  considerable  estate.  The  first  house  of 
entertainment  in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  was  kept  by  a  deacon  of  the 
church  who  was  afterward  made  steward  of  Harvard  College.  The  first 
license  to  sell  strong  drink  in  that  town  was  granted  to  Nicholas  Danforth,  a 
selectman  and  representative  to  the  General  Court. 

In  New  London,  Connecticut,  on  June  2,  1654,  "Goodman  Harries  is 
chosen  by  the  Towne  ordinary  keeper."  The  good  man  died  the  following 
November,  and  on  the  sixth  of  that  month  "John  Elderkin  was  chosen  Ordi- 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  541 

nary  Keeper."  "Widow  Harris  was  granted  by  voat  also  to  keep  an  ordinary 
if  she  will."  On  Foxen's  Hill,  at  the  other  end  of  the  town,  Humphrey  Clay 
and  his  wife  Catharine  kept  an  ordinary  till  1664.  In  this  same  town,  "At 
a  General  Town  meeting  September  i,  1656,  George  Tongue  is  chosen  to 
keep  an  ordinary  in  the  town  of  Pcquot  for  the  space  of  five  years,  who  is  to 
allow  all  inhabitants  that  live  abroad  the  same  privilege  that  strangers  have, 
and  all  other  inhabitants  the  like  privilege  except  lodging.  He  is  also  to  keep 
good  order  and  sufficient  accommodation  according  to  Court  Order  being 
not  to  lay  it  down  under  six  months  warning,  unto  which  I  hereunto  set  my 
hand.    (Signed)  George  Tonge." 

George  Tongue  bought  a  house  and  lot  on  the  Bank,  between  the  present 
Pearl  and  Tilley  streets,  and  opened  the  house  of  entertainment  which  he 
kept  during  his  lifetime  and  which,  being  continued  by  his  family,  was  the 
most  noted  inn  of  the  town,  for  sixty  years.  Plis  daughter  married  Governor 
Winthrop,  and  after  the  Governor's  death  his  widow  went  to  live  in  this 
house  on  the  Bank,  which  she  inherited  from  her  parents. 

In  Norwich,  on  December  11,  1675,  "Agreed  and  voted  by  ye  town  yt 
Sergent  Thomas  Waterman  is  desired  to  keepe  the  ordynary.  And  for  his 
encouragement  he  is  granted  four  ackers  of  paster  land  where  he  can  con- 
veniently find  it  ny  about  the  valley  going  from  his  house  into  the  woods." 
He  was  succeeded  in  1690  by  Deacon  Simon  Huntington.  Under  date  of 
December  iS,  1694,  "The  towne  makes  choise  of  calib  abell  to  keep  ordinari 
or  a  house  of  entertaynement  for  this  yeare  or  till  another  be  chosen."  In 
1700,  Thomas  Leffingwell  received  a  license,  and  this  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  commencement  of  the  famous  Leffingwell  Tavern,  situated  at  the 
east  corner  of  the  town  plot,  and  continued  for  more  than  a  hundred  years. 
In  1706,  Simon  Huntington,  Junr.,  and  in  1709,  Joseph  Reynolds,  were 
licensed.  On  December  i,  1713,  "Sergeant  William  Hide  is  chosen  Taverner." 
Here  is  shown  the  change  of  name  from  "ordinary"  to  "tavern." 

Women  sometimes  kept  the  ordinary  and  tavern,  as  quoted  in  the  case 
of  Widow  Harris  and  Widow  Cary ;  some  of  the  taverns  kept  by  them 
became  quite  noted.  In  1714,  Boston,  with  about  ten  thousand  inhabitants, 
had  thirty-four  ordinaries,  of  which  twelve  were  kept  by  women  ;  four  com- 
mon victuallers,  of  whom  one  was  a  woman ;  forty-one  retailers  of  liquors, 
seventeen  of  these  being  women ;  thus  proving  that  women  were  accorded 
some  rights  and  privileges  in  the  early  daj's. 

The  taverns  were  not  used  entirely  as  a  convenience  to  travelers ;  the 
Puritans  had  no  special  reverence  for  a  church  except  as  a  literal  meeting 
house;  often  until  a  church  edifice  could  be  erected,  services  were  held  in 
barns,  as  in  Deacon  Park's  barn  in  New  London ;  oftener,  their  meetings  were 
held  in  the  large  room  of  a  tavern.  The  Great  House  at  Charlestown,  Massa- 
chusetts, the  official  residence  of  Governor  Winthrop,  became  a  meeting 
house  in  1633,  and  later  a  tavern.  The  "Three  Cranes,"  kept  by  Robert  Leary 
and  his  descendants  for  many  years,  had  the  same  experience,  the  building 
being  destroyed  in  June,  1775,  in  the  burning  of  the  town. 

In  New  London  North  Parish,  Samuel  Allen,  from  Massachusetts,  built 
a  large  house  on  the  Governor's  road  leading  from   New  London  through 


542 


NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 


Colchester  to  Hartford ;  he  was  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern,  and  was  one  of  the 
seven  men  who  organized  the  church  in  the  North  Parish ;  before  the  meeting 
house  was  built,  services  were  held  in  the  great  east  chamber  of  his  tavern, 
and  here  the  Rev.  James  Hillhouse  preached  his  first  sermons  and  received 
his  call  to  become  their  pastor.  This  house  stood  on  or  near  the  present  site 
of  the  Montville  town  farm. 

The  relations  of  the  town  and  meeting  house  did  not  end  here,  but  con- 
tinued on  the  most  friendly  terms.  The  church  officials  looked  sharply  after 
the  conduct  of  these  houses  of  sojourn.  Usually  ordinary  and  meeting  house 
kept  close  companj',  the  license  generally  specifying  that  condition;  in  the 
intervals  between  serm.ons,  the  congregation  frequently  repaired  to  the  tavern, 
which  must,  however,  be  cleared  during  the  hours  of  worship.  Besides  serv- 
ing as  a  place  to  hold  religious  services,  if  needful,  the  tavern  was  an  impor- 
tant factor  in  the  social  and  political  life  of  the  early  settlers.  Here  they  met 
to  exchange  news  and  views,  to  discuss  town  afifairs,  talk  over  the  horrors 
of  Indian  warfare,  and,  incidentally,  to  sample  the  solacing  liquors  on  tap. 

At  Brookfield,  then  Ouambaug,  Massachusetts,  the  only  ordinary  was 
kept  by  Captain  Ayers,  who  was  the  captain  of  the  trainband  of  the  place, 
and  this  tavern  was  the  garrison  house  of  the  settlement.  Its  interesting 
story  has  been  often  told. 

The  taverns  also  served  as  recruiting  stations  for  the  French  and  Indian 
wars;  the  trainbands  met  and  drilled  there;  here  were  held  "Book  Auctions," 
"Consorts"  of  music ;  entertainments,  dramatic  and  otherwise ;  the  agents  for 
various  lines  of  business  made  the  tavern  their  headquarters;  the  first  insur- 
ance agencies  were  there,  so  that  the  tavern  may  well  be  called  the  original 
business  exchange;  lodges  of  Freemasons  organized  and  held  their  meetings, 
as  did  the  medical  societies.  At  the  tavern  was  frequently  to  be  found  the 
only  newspaper  in  the  town. 

The  story  of  the  War  of  Independence  cannot  be  dissociated  from  that 
of  the  old  taverns,  and  those  which  still  remain  are  counted  among  our  most 
interesting  relics,  and  pilgrimages  are  made  to  them.  The  meetings  of  those 
who  were  among  the  first  to  rebel  against  injustice  were  held  at  the  taverns, 
and  Paul  Revere  has  left  a  record  of  the  conferences  of  the  band  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  their  meetings  being  held  at  the  Green  Dragon  in  1774 
and  1775.  On  that  night  when  Revere  stood  "impatient  to  ride,"  watching 
for  the  signal,  at  the  Wright  Tavern  in  Concord  was  lodged  Major  Pitcairn, 
the  British  commander,  and  in  the  parlor  of  this  tavern,  on  the  morning 
before  the  battle  of  Concord,  he  stirred  his  glass  of  brandy  with  his  bloody 
finger,  saying  that  thus  he  would  stir  the  rebels'  blood  before  night.  The 
Buckman  Tavern  at  Lexington  was  the  headquarters  of  Captain  John  Parker, 
on  that  night  of  April  18,  1775,  and  the  rallying  place  of  the  minute-men ;  the 
tavern  contains  many  a  bullet  hole  made  by  the  shots  of  the  British  soldiers. 
Lord  Percy  made  his  headquarters  at  the  Monroe  Tavern  at  Lexington,  on 
that  April  iQth.  After  the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  American  men  reassem- 
bled at  the  Wavside  Inn  at  Sudbury  and  the  Black  Horse  Tavern  at  Win- 
chester. Cooper's  Tavern  and  Russell  Tavern,  both  at  Arlington,  were  the 
scenes  of  great  activity  during  this  war. 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOAIES  543 

In  the  village  of  Bennington,  Vermont,  the  most  noted  tavern  was  that 
built  before  1770,  by  Captain  Stephen  Fay.  The  north  and  south  road 
passed  through  the  village  and  became  the  thoroughfare  for  much  travel 
between  Connecticut  and  western  Massachusetts  to  the  new  lands  to  the 
northward.  Many  people  went  from  eastern  Connecticut  to  Bennington. 
Gradually  the  thoroughfare  became  a  route  from  Boston  to  Albany.  The 
tavern  was  a  great  resort  for  travelers  and  emigrants,  and  was  widely  known 
as  the  headquarters  of  the  settlers  in  the  contest  over  the  lands  claimed  by 
New  York.  On  the  top  of  a  high  signpost  before  the  front  door  was  placed 
the  stuffed  skin  of  a  catamount,  "grinning  defiance  at  the  State  of  New  York" ; 
hence  Landlord  Fay's  house  was  more  generally  known  as  "Catamount 
Tavern."  One  of  the  rooms  was  used  for  meetings  on  town  affairs,  and  in 
the  marble  mantel  over  one  of  the  fireplaces  was  cut  in  deep  letters  the 
words  "Council  Room."  Before  the  fireplace  in  this  council  chamber  sat 
Ethan  Allen  the  night  before  he  sent  forth  his  summons  for  the  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys  to  muster  for  the  capture  of  Fort  Ticonderoga,  on  !May  10,  1775; 
here  sat  the  Vermont  Council  of  Safety  during  that  tr\-ing  campaign  of  1777: 
and  here  Stark  and  Warner  planned  their  famous  attack  which  won  the 
victory  at  Bennington.  August  16,  1777.  Five  sons  of  Captain  Fay  partici- 
pated in  this  battle,  one  of  them  being  killed.  In  177S,  David  Redding,  a 
traitor  and  spy,  was  tried  here  and  condemned.  Afterv.-ards  the  tavern  was 
used  as  a  private  dwelling  house,  and  was  burned  to  the  ground,  March  30, 
1871.  The  site  of  the  old  place  is  now  marked  by  a  finely  modeled  bronze 
catamount  mounted  on  an  immense  block  of  black  marble. 

The  tavern  at  Shrewsbury,  Massachusetts,  was  kept  by  Major  John 
Farrer,  who  became  an  officer  of  the  Revolution;  there  was  great  rejoicing 
at  this  house  when  Washington  visited  it  in  his  triumplial  journey  through 
the  country.  This  same  place  was  later  known  as  the  Pease  Tavern,  and  was 
kept  by  Levi  Pease,  who  has  been  called  the  "Father  of  the  Turnpike." 

At  Wickford,  Rhode  Island,  the  Phillips  farmhouse,  still  standing,  was 
used  as  a  tavern;  the  two  immense  chimneys  are  over  twenty  feet  square  and 
take  up  so  much  room  that  there  is  no  central  staircase,  but  little  winding 
stairs  ascend  at  three  corners  of  the  house;  on  each  chimney  piece  are  hooks 
to  hang  firearms,  and  at  one  side  are  set  curious  little  drawers  for  pipes  and 
tobacco.     Landlord  Phillips  was  a  major  in  the  Revolution. 

Time  is  lacking  for  mention  of  the  many  taverns,  large  and  small,  noted 
or  obscure,  of  even  our  own  State  or  section.  Our  valued  historians  in  the 
"History  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,"  and  in  the  "Old  Houses  of  the  Antient 
Town  of  Norwich,"  have  named  some  of  them — the  Leffing^vell  Tavern, 
Peck's  and  Jesse  Brown's  taverns,  all  still  standing;  the  latter  became  the 
home  of  Mr.  Moses  Pierce,  and  is  now  the  Rock  Nook  Home;  the  Lathrop 
Tavern,  destroyed  by  fire  soon  after  1821  ;  on  the  site  was  erected  by  the  Union 
Hotel  Company  the  brick  building  now  known  as  the  Johnson  Home,  belong- 
ing to  the  King's  Daughters  of  the  city. 

At  various  times,  at  Bean  Hill,  Major  Durkee  Webster  and  Jacob  Witter 
kept  a  public  hou.'-.e ;  Morgan  at  East  Great  Plain ;  at  the  Landing,  Ebenezer 
Fitch  and  Jeremiah  Harris.     Between  Norwich  and  New  London  were  at 


544  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

least  three — Raymond's,  Bradford's  and  Haughton's.  Haughton's  tavern  was 
near  Haughton's  Cove  in  Montville,  and  during  the  war  of  1812,  v^'hen  the 
warships  were  anchored  in  the  river,  the  officers  of  the  ships  often  visited  this 
tavern  for  social  recreation.  Much  of  the  business  of  the  town  was  transacted 
there,  and  the  trainband  met  for  its  annual  drill.  A  large  room  was  fitted 
up  for  dances,  parties  and  entertainments. 

With  the  advent  of  stage  and  mail  coaches,  travel,  and  consequently  the 
number  of  taverns,  increased.  The  milestones  themselves  could  tell  a  story 
of  those  days.  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  postmaster  general,  undertook  the 
work  of  setting  up  milestones  on  the  post  roads.  The  Pequot  path,  later  the 
King's  highway  and  then  the  Post  road,  was  one  of  those  so  marked,  and  it 
is  said  that  one  of  these  milestones  still  stands  at  New  London  and  another 
at  Stratford.  One  of  the  advertisements  of  tavern  and  stage  coach  lines 
stated  that  "This  Elegant  road  is  fully  Set  with  well  cut  milestones." 

Judge  Peleg  Arnold,  one  of  the  most  ardent  patriots  of  the  Revolution, 
kept  a  tavern  in  the  northern  part  of  Rhode  Island,  where  is  now  Union  Vil- 
lage (a  suburb  of  Woonsocket),  on  the  Great  Road  from  Smithfield  to  Men- 
don,  Massachusetts.  In  1666  this  road  was  a  footpath,  which  by  1773  had 
grown  into  a  cart-path.  Judge  Arnold  was  one  of  a  committee  appointed 
to  re-lay  the  old  road,  and  near  the  northern  boundary  of  his  farm  he  set 
up  the  milestone  with  the  inscription,  "14  miles  to  Providence;  Peleg  Arnold's 
stone,  1774." 

The  first  turnpike  of  the  United  States  is  claimed  by  Miss  Caulkins  to 
have  been  established  in  1792,  between  Norwich  and  New  London.  Turn- 
pikes meant  better  roads  and  more  travel,  and  tavern  and  stage  coach  reached 
the  height  of  their  popularity  together.  At  Windham  Green,  for  example,  as 
late  as  1840,  four-horse  stage  coaches  passed  through  daily,  going  north, 
south,  ea?t  and  west,  with  smaller  stage  lines  for  mail  service  from  Windham 
to  Woodstock,  Middletown  and  other  points.  Similar  conditions  prevailed 
everywhere. 

Then  came  the  railroad  and  steam  coach  and  the  doom  of  the  stage  coach 
was  at  hand.  In  1840  there  were  four  hundred  and  twenty-six  miles  of  rail- 
road lines  in  New  England  in  short,  disconnected  lines ;  they  increased  rap- 
idly, and  line  after  line  of  stage  coaches  was  discontinued,  and  tavern  after 
tavern  fell  into  disuse,  until  before  many  years  had  gone  by,  stage  coach 
and  tavern  were  found  only  in  isolated  regions.  Nothing  has  been  said  of 
the  discomforts  and  inconveniences  of  those  early  days  of  travel,  nor  need 
we  pity  the  travelers  too  much.  As  the  old  lady  remarked,  when  asked  how 
she  managed  to  get  along  without  certain  conveniences,  "You  don't  miss 
what  you  never  had."  Looking  back  over  the  changes  the  years  have  brought, 
the  question  inevitably  arises  whether  the  same  number  of  years  in  the  future 
will  bring  equally  great  many  changes  in  means  of  travel  and  manner  of 
living. 

THE    POTTERIES    OF   NORWICH,    CONNECTICUT 

Among  the  vanished  industries  of  Norwich,  though  of  great  interest  to 
the  collector,  are  the  potteries,  fine  specimens  of  whose  work  are  still  to  be 


'f^^'m 


f*tf^l 


OLD  HUNTINGTON  HOUSE,    RENTED   BY   CAPTAIN   RENE 
GRIONON   FOl;  A  GOLDSMITH'S   SHOP. 


iiIJ)   PI  iTTEItY  OF  SII  >Ni;v    l:ISLi:v.    IsUIOr'liOh  A|:i  ilT    Is:;.', 


XOTAIJLE  PLACES  AXD  HOMES  545 

seen  in  the  town.  Coarse  pottery  was  made  to  a  certain  extent  soon  after 
the  settlement  in  New  England  ;  our  ancestors  used  pewter  and  wooden  dishes. 
spoons  and  other  utensils,  many  of  these  being  retained  in  Norwich  families. 
Pottery  was  not  common  in  American  houses  until  the  middle  of  the  eight- 
eenth century,  and  few  persons  of  Revolutionary  times  had  ever  seen  por- 
celain. Wooden  trenchers,  spoons,  pewter  dishes,  mugs,  water  pitchers,  and 
similar  articles,  appear  in  many  old  inventories.  In  1822  there  were  only 
twelve  potteries  in  Connecticut,  the  value  of  the  earthen  and  stone  ware  being 
$30,740. 

Pottery,  in  its  broadest  sense,  includes  everything  made  of  clay,  either 
wholly  or  in  part,  and  then  baked  in  a  fire  or  furnace ;  and  all  makers  of 
wares  consisting  of  clay,  either  pure  or  combined,  and  finished  by  baking, 
were  potters.  As  it  is  now  generally  understood,  objects  made  of  clay  and 
baked,  which  are  opaque,  are  called  pottery ;  those  which  are  translucent  are 
called  porcelain.  Such  ware  is  also  distinguished  as  soft  pottery  and  hard 
pottery ;  soft  pottery  is  made  of  any  ordinary  clay,  like  a  common  house  brick 
or  a  flower  pot,  the  color  depending  on  the  kind  of  clay  used  and  the  amount 
of  firing,  and  the  coloring  matter.  Hard  pottery  is  made  by  mixing  stone  or 
sand  with  the  clay,  which,  on  baking,  becomes  hard,  not  easy  to  scratch,  and 
will  stand  much  usage  and  is  made  in  various  colors;  hence  we  have  the  terms 
"Stone  and  Earthen  Ware"  in  the  old  advertisements. 

The  clay  itself,  in  all  its  varieties,  is  characterized  by  its  coherence, 
weight  and  compactness;  it  is  hard  when  dry,  but  stiff,  viscid  and  ductile 
when  moist,  hence  a  pottery  has  to  have  a  good  water  supply.  It  is  smooth 
to  the  touch,  not  readily  diffusible  in  water,  and  when  mixed,  not  subsiding 
readily  in  it.  It  contracts  by  heat,  but  is  so  tenacious  that  it  is  readily  moulded 
into  shape,  "as  the  clay  in  the  potter's  hands."  The  glaze  is  secured  by  the 
introduction  of  salt  into  the  kiln  when  the  temperature  is  the  highest,  and 
this  is  known  as  "salt  glaze." 

The  tools  were  of  the  simplest;  a  potter's  wheel  is  a  revolving  disk  turned 
by  the  foot  of  the  potter,  by  an  assistant,  or,  later,  by  machinery.  The  clay 
is  moistened  witli  water,  then  thrown  on  the  potter's  wheel,  which  is  set  in 
motion  by  the  thrower,  who  with  thumb  and  fingers,  curved  sticks  and  a  few 
other  simple  tools,  shapes  the  vessel.  The  potter's  wheel  is  one  of  the  earliest 
known  implements  of  the  trade,  for  Jeremiah  writes,  "Then  I  went  down  to 
the  potter's  house,  and  behold  he  wrought  a  work  on  the  wheels." 

Some  of  the  vessels  were  made  in  forms;  large  bottles  or  jugs  with  small 
necks  were  made  in  two  sections,  the  lower  one  first,  and  next  the  neck, 
which  was  then  fitted  to  the  lower  part  and  pressed  with  the  slip  until  the 
jointure  had  entirely  disappeared.  Relief  ornaments  for  the  surface  were 
either  engraved  in  the  mould,  or  moulded  separately  and  fastened  on  with  a 
slip  of  the  paste  ;  handles,  spouts,  etc.,  were  made  separately  and  then  fastened 
on.  The  colors  were  obtained  from  colored  earths  mixed  with  some  vitrifiable 
substance,  which  must  be  earthy  or  metallic,  as  vegetable  colors  disappeared 
in  the  process.  Blue  was  obtained  from  cobalt;  green  from  copper,  or  cobalt 
and  iron;  browns  from  iron,  antimony,  nickel,  iron  and  platinum;  white  from 
tin  and  arsenic,  and  rose-pink  from  gold,  with  silver  and  tin.  So  the  potter, 
X.L.— 1--,.-. 


546  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

like  the  artist,  must  know  how  to  mix  his  colors,  to  obtain  the  desired  results. 
Blue  seems  to  have  been  oftenest  used  here,  in  the  decorations  of  the  stone- 
ware, perhaps  because  that  color  showed  to  best  advantage  on  the  stone-gray 
color,  or  perhaps  it  was  cheaper  and  more  easily  obtained.  The  cobalt  mines 
at  Chatham,  east  of  the  Connecticut  river,  may  have  been  a  factor  in  its  use. 
With  these  points  in  mind,  our  Norwich  potteries  and  their  products  may  be 
readily  understood. 

As  has  been  previously  stated,  pottery  was  not  manufactured  in  New 
England  to  any  extent  till  after  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century;  the 
earliest  mention  so  far  found  by  the  writer  of  a  pottery  in  Norwich  is  the 
one  established  by  Colonel  Christopher  Leffingwell.  Colonel  Leffingwell 
was  an  ardent  patriot,  a  descendant  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  Lefifingwell,  one 
of  the  founders  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  a  friend  of  Uncas,  Sachem  of  the 
Mohegans.  The  Lefifingwell  family  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
the  development  of  the  town,  as  told  in  Miss  Caulkins'  "History  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,"  and  Miss  Perkins'  "Old  Houses  of  the  Antient  Town  of  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut." 

A  few  years  before  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  Colonel 
Leffingwell  started  a  number  of  business  enterprises  in  Norwich,  perhaps 
partly  on  account  of  the  financial  side,  but  also  perhaps  from  the  far-sighted- 
ness with  which  he  and  other  prominent  men  foresaw  the  inevitable  struggle 
with  the  Mother  Country.  Among  these  enterprises  were  a  grist  mill,  a 
paper  mill,  a  chocolate  mill  and  a  pottery.  Just  when  the  pottery  was  first 
in  operation  is  not  known,  but  on  April  9,  1774,  Colonel  Leffingwell  sold  to 
Thomas  Williams  "about  fourteen  rods  of  land  lying  a  little  southerly  from 
my  Stone  ware  Kiln  in  the  First  Society  of  Norwich  .  .  .  with  the  privilege 
of  passing  and  repassing  upon  my  land  from  the  east  end  of  said  lot  on  twenty 
feet  broad,  thence  in  a  direct  line  by  my  said  Potters  Kiln  &  Shop,  between 
said  Shop  and  my  House  that  Judah  Paddock  Spooner  Lives  in,  to  the 
Highway." 

The  following  advertisements  appeared  in  the  "Norwich  Packet  &  The 
Weekly  Advertiser"  in  August,  1779: 

To  be  SOLD  for  Cafh  or  Country  Produce,  by  the  Maker,  at  his  houfe 
near  Doctor  Lathrop's  at  Norwich;  A  NEW  ASSORTMENT  of  home-made 
Earthen  WARE;  confifting  of  Milk  pans.  Chamber  Pots,  Mugs,  &s.  &c.,  &c. 

To  be  Sold  at  the  Printing  Office,  (for  Cafh  or  Country  Produce)  A 
FRESH  ASSORTMENT  of  Home  Made  Earthen  WARE;  confifting  of  the 
following  articles,  viz.  Milk  Pans,  Butter  Pots,  Pitchers,  Jugs,  Pudding-Pans, 
Bowls,  Mugs,  Platers,  Plates,  &c.,  &c.  (In  1793  the  business  was  carried  on 
by  Charles  Lathrop,  son-in-law  of  Colonel  Leffingwell,  and  later  still  by 
Christopher  Potts,  whose  advertisement  appears  in  the  Norwich,  Connecticut. 
"Gazette"  of  September  15,  1796.) 

C.  Potts  &  Son  informs  the  Public  that  they  have  latelv  established  a 
Manufactory  of  Earthenware  at  the  shop  formerly  improved  by  Mr.  Charles 
Lathrop,  where  all  kinds  of  said  Ware  is  made  and  sold,  either  in  large  or 
small  auantities  and  guaranteed  good.  (This  Christopher  Potts  wa'^  prob- 
ably of  the  New  London  or  Groton  family,  and  a  descendant  nf  William 
Potts,  who  came  from  New  Castle,  England,  and  married  in   1678,  in  New 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  547 

London,  Connecticut,  Rebecca  Avery,  daughter  of  Captain  James  Avery.  In 
1790,  Christopher  was  livinf^:  in  Norwich,  with  Asahel  Case  and  Gideon 
Birchard  as  neighbors.) 

In  "Morse's  Gazetteer"  for  1797,  stone  and  earthen  ware  is  mentioned 
among  the  industries  of  Norwich. 

Thomas  Williams,  in  whose  deed  from  Colonel  Leffingwell  the  first 
mention  is  made  of  a  pottery,  built  a  house  upon  his  little  piece  of  land,  and 
in  August,  1796,  sold  it  to  Rufus  Sturdevant,  and  in  this  deed  Leffingwell's 
stone-ware  kiln  is  mentioned.  In  August,  1797,  Sturdevant  sold  the  place 
with  the  same  privilege  of  crossing  the  land  of  Christopher  Leffingwell,  "in 
a  direct  line  by  the  Pottery  Kiln  &  Shop,  between  said  Shop  and  the  house 
owned  by  said  Leffingwell,  to  the  highway,  to  Asa  Spalding,  who  died  in  181 1, 
and  in  1813  Luther  Spalding  sold  the  property  to  Joseph  H.  Strong,  with  the 
same  privilege  of  crossing,  the  Potters'  Kiln  and  Shop  being  again  mentioned, 
and  also  the  house  of  Epaphras  Porter,  who  had  purchased  some  adjoinmg 
propertw 

Colonel  Leffingwell  died  in  1810,  and  in  his  inventory  were  included: 
"One  Shovel  for  a  Potter's  Kiln,  three  Turning  Machines  for  a  Potter,  One 
Machine  for  grinding  paint  and  forty-five  pounds  of  yellow  ochre." 

In  "Morse's  Geography"  of  1805,  Norwich  is  quoted  as  manufacturing 
paper  of  all  kinds,  stockings,  clocks,  watches,  chaises,  buttons,  stone  and 
earthen  ware,  wire,  oil,  chocolate,  bells,  anchors  and  all  kinds  of  forge  work. 
At  what  date  the  manufacture  of  pottery  at  this  place  was  discontinued  is 
not  definitely  known.  In  181 1,  Cary  Throop  had  a  shop  there,  but  probably 
not  used  as  a  pottery,  and  before  1816  the  pottery  seems  to  have  disappeared. 

The  location  of  the  first  pottery  has  in  years  past  been  the  source  of 
much  discussion,  but  the  place  is  definitely  fixed  by  the  deeds  mentioned, 
some  of  these  being  mentioned  in  Miss  Perkins'  "Old  Houses  of  The  Antient 
Town  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  1660-1800."  (1895;  pages  82,  83.)  Mention 
of  the  pottery  is  found  on  page  83.  Between  pages  168  and  i6q  is  a  map  of 
Norwich  in  1795,  showing  location  of  houses  still  standing,  and  houses 
removed  before  and  after  1795.  Number  24  is  listed  as  house  of  Thomas 
Williams,  owner;  No.  25  is  the  pottery  kiln  and  shop,  both  down  near  the 
Yantic  river,  on  the  road  leading  from  Harland's  corner  to  Norwich  Town 
Church,  both  removed  since  1795.  It  may  also  be  located  by  (a)  the  houses 
of  "Tossit"  and  "E.  Porter"  on  the  colored  map  used  as  a  frontispiece  of 
that  book,  the  map  being  entitled  "Norwich,  circa  1830;  A  Boyish  Remem- 
brance, Don"  G.  Mitchell"   (Ike  Marvel.) 

Fine  specimens  of  the  wares  made  at  this  pottery  are  owned  in  Norwich  ; 
a  red  plate  with  yellow  scroll  is  an  unusual  piece.  In  the  Morgan  Memorial 
at  Hartford,  Connecticut,  arc  two  pieces  of  pottery,  a  jug  and  a  jar,  which  are 
labeled  as  having  been  made  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  about  1810.  They 
are  of  a  deep  red  color,  with  black  blotches  made  by  admitting  smoke  into 
the  kiln,  and  have  a  special  lead  glaze.  Bowls,  large  and  small,  and  jars  tall 
and  deep,  or  round  and  squat,  of  this  ware,  are  seen,  besides  many  examples 
of  the  stone  ware  utensils. 


548  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

The  second  pottery  of  which  anything  has  been  learned  was  located  near 
the  so-called  Clinton  Woolen  Mills,  in  that  part  of  Norwich  commonly  known 
as  Bean  Hill,  now  the  Saxton  Woolen  Company  on  Clinton  avenue. 

Andrew  Tracy,  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Bushnell)  Tracy,  inherited 
some  land  from  his  father,  and  in  1781  sold  to  his  brother,  Isaac  Tracy,  some 
of  the  land,  one  parcel  of  which  was  described  as  lying  at  the  west  end  of 
the  Town  street,  and  was  formerly  part  of  his  honored  father,  Mr.  Isaac 
Tracy's,  home  lot,  excepting  and  reserving  a  free  highway  one  and  one-half 
rods  wide  on  the  easterly  side  to  pass  and  repass  to  and  from  the  Town  street 
to  the  Corn  Mill.  In  1791,  Isaac  Tracy  sold  this  land  with  a  dwelling  house 
and  corn  mill,  known  as  Tracy's  Mills,  bordering  on  the  river  and  mill  pond, 
his  right  being  one-third  of  said  land,  house,  mill  and  lane,  and  including  the 
"lane  to  the  Town  street,"  together  with  the  dam  across  the  river.  No  men- 
tion is  made  of  a  pottery. 

On  December  24,  1798,  Andrew  Tracy  mortgaged  to  a  Boston  firm  three 
parcels  of  land  in  Norwich,  the  third  of  which  is  described  as  lying  south  of 
the  highway  on  Bean  Hill,  so-called;  bounded  by  the  highway  (Town  street) 
on  the  north,  and  south  on  the  river ;  "Including  the  mill  lot,  mill  house,  the 
privilege  and  appurtenances  Rents  &  Profits  viz :  my  two  thirds  part  thereof 
and  all  my  interest  in  the  Blacksmith  Shop,  forge  trip  hammer  &  tools.  Pot- 
ter's works,  &c."  This  is  the  first  mention  of  a  pottery  on  these  premises. 
Andrew  Tracy  removed  to  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  January, 
1800,  appointed  Elisha  Hyde  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  his  attorney.  On  the 
following  June,  Tracy  gave  a  quit-claim  deed  of  the  premises,  including  the 
potter's  works,  to  Captain  Joseph  Hosmer,  who  had  purchased  the  mortgage 
of  the  Boston  firm. 

Captain  Joseph  Hosmer  came  from  Salem,  Massachusetts;  he  is  thought 
to  have  been  the  son  of  Captain  David  and  Mary  (Cabot)  Hosmer,  who  for 
a  time  resided  in  Norw^ich.  He  probably  carried  on  the  pottery  business  as 
a  side  issue,  in  connection  with  other  enterprises.  He  died  in  July,  1803, 
and  the  inventory  of  his  estate  included  hollow  ware  and  stone  and  earthen 
ware.  On  June  3,  1805,  the  Widow  Hannah  Hosmer,  with  Captain  James 
Hyde,  as  executors  of  the  estate,  sold  part  of  the  estate  to  William  Cleveland ; 
the  deed  describes  the  land  as  beginning  at  the  south-westerly  corner  of  the 
potter's  shop  standing  on  the  premises,  and  is  bounded  westerly  on  the  river, 
touches  the  mill  pond  and  mill  ditch,  and  included  a  dwelling  house,  grist 
mill,  blacksmith  shop  and  stone  potter's  works  standing  thereon,  with  the 
privilege  of  an  open  way  from  the  Town  street  to  the  premises  as  the  mill 
lane  then  lay,  and  the  flow  of  water  for  the  convenience  of  all  the  works 
thereon  standing. 

William  Cleveland,  also  a  descendant  of  a  Norwich  family,  came  from 
Salem,  Massachusetts,  as  did  his  predecessor.  Captain  Joseph  Hosmer.  Pur- 
chasing the  pottery  in  1805,  he  continued  the  business  till  May  2,  1814,  when 
he  sold  out  to  Peleg  Armstrong  and  Erastus  Wentworth,  both  of  Norwich. 
The  previous  April,  Cleveland  had  sold  part  of  his  land  to  Ebenezer  and 
Erastus  Fluntington,  and  the  Huntingtons  v.ere  improving  one  of  the  build- 
ings as  a  spinning  and  w-eaving  factory.     The  part  sold  to  Armstrong  and 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  549 

Wentworth  included  a  stone  pottery  shop,  wood  shed,  and  a  stone  pottery 
kiln  on  the  premises,  and  gave  to  the  Huntingtons  the  privilege  of  passing 
to  and  from  a  door  about  the  center  of  their  factory  building. 

The  Huntington  and  Backus  Company  became  the  Norwich  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  which  in  1829  purchased  part  of  the  land  of  Armstrong  and 
Wentworth.  In  June,  1834,  Armstrong  sold  out  his  share  in  the  business  to 
Wentworth,  so  that  pottery  marked  Armstrong  &  Wentworth,  or  A  &  W, 
dates  from  1814  to  1834.  The  manufacturing  company  evidently  wanted  more 
room,  so  the  ne.xt  .ear  Wentworth  sold  land  with  "the  buildings  heretofore 
occupied  by  me  as  a  Pottery."  This  company  has  been  at  various  times  the 
Huntington  &  Backus  Company,  the  Norwich  Manufacturing  Company, 
Uncas  Woolen  Mill,  Elting  Woolen  Mill,  Clinton  Woolen  Mills,  and  now  is 
the  Saxton  Woolen  Company. 

The  lane  leading  from  the  Town  street  to  the  mill  is  now  Clinton  avenue. 
About  twents-  years  ago,  while  excavations  were  being  made  for  repairs  on 
the  dam,  many  pieces  of  earthenware  were  dug  up,  consisting  of  broken  scraps 
and  imperfect  specimens  for  the  greater  part.  Some  of  the  squat  stoneware 
ink  bottles  in  good  condition  were  preserved  as  curiosities  by  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  mill. 

Peleg  Armstrong  was  born  April  14,  1785,  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  the 
son  of  Jabez  and  Anne  (Roath)  Armstrong;  he  married  (first)  Lucy  Went- 
worth, sister  of  Erastus  Wentworth,  and  on  her  decease  he  married  her 
sister,  Mary  Wentworth.  Erastus  Wentworth  was  born  November  8,  1788, 
in  Norwich,  the  son  of  Lemuel  and  Elizabeth  (Sangar)  Wentworth,  of  Nor- 
wich ;  he  married,  in  Stonington,  Connecticut,  Esther  States,  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Esther  (Noyes)  States  of  Stonington.  This  Adam  States  came 
from  Holland  and  established  a  pottery  at  Stonington  before  1800.  Miss 
Wheeler  tells  of  this  States  family  and  the  pottery,  and  relates  an  amusing 
story  of  "L'ncle  Wentworth"  in  her  "The  Homes  of  Our  Ancestors  in  Ston- 
ington, Connecticut"  (1903;  pp.  212,  213). 

The  next  pottery  was  near  the  second  one,  and  was  located  on  the  river, 
near  Yantic  bridge,  and  is  still  remembered  by  some  who  lived  in  the  neigh- 
borhood or  had  occasion  to  pass  over  that  road. 

Erastus  Wentworth  sold  his  land  and  shop  on  October  22,  1835,  and  on 
the  31st  of  the  same  month  he  purchased  of  Joseph  H.  Strong  "the  kiln  lot 
so  called,"  bounded  northerly  by  the  highway  and  westerly  by  the  river 
Yantic.  This  was  around  the  bend  of  the  river  from  the  other  pottery,  and 
had  been  perhaps  used  for  extra  work.  Business  did  not  seem  to  prosper, 
for  in  December,  1835,  Wentworth  assigned  to  Henry  B.  Tracy  several  parcels 
of  land,  one  of  them  being  the  kiln  lot,  with  a  pottery  and  other  buildings. 
Also  two  one-horse  wagons,  and  one  wagon  harness,  the  pottery  wheels  in  the 
pottery,  wheelbarrow,  pads  and  all  of  the  tools  and  machinery  in  the  pottery 
and  the  land  on  which  the  pottery  stood.  The  following  April,  Henry  B. 
Tracy,  as  trustee,  sold  to  Lewis  Hyde,  the  highest  bidder,  the  land  v.ith  the 
pottery  and  other  buildings.  Mr.  Wentworth  moved  to  Stonington,  where  he 
carried  on  the  business  at  the  States  place,  and  nothing  further  has  been 
learned  of  the  pottery  at  Bean  Hill,  though  it  is  said  tl^at  for  a  time  the  busi- 


550  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

ness  was  carried  on  by  Joseph  Winship,  who  had  worked  with  Mr.  Went- 
worth,  and  a  Mr.  Spencer  from  Hartford,  Connecticut,  who  soon  returned  to 
Hartford,  while  Mr.  Winship  went  to  work  in  the  newly  opened  pottery  of 
Sidney  Risley,  at  the  Landing. 

Of  the  size,  shape  or  general  appearance  of  these  earlier  potteries  there 
seems  to  be  no  record  or  description,  but  particulars  of  the  next  one  are 
obtained  from  an  old  resident  of  Norwich,  who  used  to  live  in  the  vicinity. 

Sidney  Risley  came  to  Norwich,  where  he  married,  on  April  28,  1841, 
Mary  Dodge,  of  Norwich;  he  was  then  called  of  East  Hartford,  Connecticut; 
in  1845  ^^  owned  land  and  a  dwelling  house  on  School  street.  He  established 
a  small  pottery  in  Thamesville,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  almost  directly  back 
of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  John  E.  Post,  76  West  Thames  street,  prob- 
ably on  leased  ground.  The  buildings  were  small  but  some  good  work  was 
done,  examples  being  still  extant.  Before  September,  1845,  Risley  had  re- 
moved to  Cove  street,  and  in  the  first  Norwich  directory  published  in  1846 
was  listed  as  "Sidney  Risley,  stoneware  pottery.  Cove  street,  W.  C."  (W.  C, 
West  Chelsea.)  While  the  west  bank  of  the  Thames  river  was  at  that  time 
the  home  of  a  number  of  sea  captains  and  the  site  of  shipyards,  the  section 
around  Cove  street,  in  what  was  then  called  West  Chelsea,  was  almost  unde- 
veloped. The  large  stone  house  of  Captain  William  W.  Coit,  on  the  present 
Fairmount  street,  later  occupied  by  Mr.  John  Porteous,  was  the  only  prom- 
inent dwelling  house  of  the  section. 

In  the  "Norwich  Directory"  of  1857  is  the  advertisement  of  "Sidney 
Risley,  No.  4  Cove  St.,  Manufacturer  of  Stone  Ware  in  Every  Variety.  The 
Trade  supplied  with  all  kinds  of  Stone  Ware,  at  the  lowest  market  prices. 
N.B.  All  orders  thankfully  received  and  promptlv  attended  to."  In  this  same 
directory  appears  the  name  of  Joseph  F.  Winship,  potter,  living  on  Salem 
turnpike,  employed  by  Risley ;  in  1861  he  was  still  working  in  the  pottery. 
This  Winship  has  been  mentioned  as  formerly  in  the  employ  of  Erastus  Went- 
worth  at  Bean  Hill. 

Additions  were  made  to  the  original  plant,  so  that  in  later  years  consid- 
erable space  was  occupied.  The  calendar  for  1921  issued  by  the  "Norwich 
Morning  Bulletin,"  shows  the  old  pottery,  the  picture  being  taken  from  an 
old  print  in  possession  of  .A.ttorney  V>'illiam  H.  Shields,  of  Norwich.  The 
sheds,  workroom,  and  old  kiln,  on  the  bank  of  the  cove,  are  most  interesting, 
and  contrast  sharply  with  the  appearance  of  the  spot  at  the  present  day.  A 
small  arm  of  the  Yantic  river  ran  up  to  the  place  where  the  pottery  was 
situated,  and  from  this  the  street  obtained  its  name  of  Cove  street.  Wood 
for  the  kiln  could  be  brought  by  boat  or  team.  Everyone  in  that  section  of 
the  town  knew  when  the  fires  were  going  at  the  pottery,  for  the  dense  black 
smoke  from  the  three-foot  sticks  filled  the  sky  for  a  space  of  from  36  to  50 
hours,  according  to  the  particular  kind  of  work  being  done.  The  clay  used 
in  the  manufacture  of  the  wares  is  said  to  have  been  brought  from  New 
Jersey  and  Long  Island  in  schooners  which  anchored  in  the  river  nearby. 

The  wares  of  the  Risley  pottery,  like  those  of  Armstrong  &  Wentworth, 
were  loaded  in  wagons  and  peddled  through  all  the  eastern  part  of  Connec- 
ticut.    Wentworth,  as  has  been  said,  had  two  one-horse  wagons ;  Alvin  T. 


notai;le  places  and  homes  551 

Davis  was  one  of  the  old  drivers  for  Risley,  and  his  pottery  wagon  with  a 
fine  pair  of  Newfoundland  dogs  hitched  on  ahead  of  the  horses  is  still  re- 
membered. 

Risley  at  first  leased  the  property,  but  in  1856  purchased  it  and  continued 
the  business  until  his  death  on  April  26,  1875,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years. 
His  son,  George  L.  Risley,  then  continued  the  works  until  his  tragic  death 
on  the  day  before  Christmas,  1881.  He  had  gone  to  the  pottery  to  light  the 
fires  under  an  upright  boiler,  which  blew  up,  and,  going  through  the  roof  of 
the  building,  landed  in  the  cove  about  120  feet  away.  It  is  said  that  the  force 
of  the  explosion  was  so  great  that  the  1500-pound  boiler  passed  completely 
over  a  fifty-foot  elm  tree  at  the  rear  of  the  pottery.  Mr.  Risley  was  so  badly 
injured  that  he  died  that  evening.  An  account  of  the  accident  appeared  in 
the  "Scientific  American"  in  January,  1822. 

B.  C.  Chace  opened  the  pottery  about  a  year  later,  under  the  name  of  the 
Norwich  Pottery  Works;  in  1S85  he  was  succeeded  by  George  B.  Chamber- 
Iain,  who  continued  it  for  about  two  years.  Perhaps  a  little  more  ornamental 
work  was  attempted  at  this  time,  for  a  Norwich  resident  remembers  seeing 
one  of  the  Chamberlain  girls  make  a  vase,  with  flower  ornament.  The  busi- 
ness was  then  continued  by  Otto  N.  Suderburg  till  1895,  when  it  was  discon- 
tinued. 

All  the  buildings  comprising  the  pottery  have  now  disappeared  and  the 
locality  is  greatly  altered  in  appearance.  The  cove  was  filled  in  when  the 
New  London,  Willimantic  &  Palmer  railroad  was  built,  and  its  successor,  the 
New  London  Northern  railroad,  became  owners  of  part  of  the  property. 
What  was  left  of  the  buildings  was  torn  down  in  1900,  the  old  brick  was 
thrown  into  a  hole  in  the  lot,  and  a  new  building,  used  as  a  warehouse,  was 
erected  on  the  old  pottery  site  by  Mr.  Charles  Slosberg.  The  warehouse, 
with  the  Slosberg  name,  may  be  seen  from  the  Central  Vermont  railroad 
station  on  the  West  Side.  Thus,  after  a  period  of  over  one  hundred  and 
thirty  years,  vanished  one  of  the  industries  of  Norwich. 

In  these  days  when  glass  in  many  forms — jars,  bottles,  tumblers,  dishes 
of  all  kinds  even  to  baking  dishes — is  in  general  use,  it  is  hard  to  realize  that 
our  grandmothers  had  to  put  up  all  their  preserves,  mostly  "pound  for  pound," 
and  kept  them  in  earthen  or  stone  jars  of  various  shapes  and  sizes.  Home- 
made beer,  cider,  wine  and  other  liquid  refreshments  were  kept  in  stone  bottles 
or  jugs.  The  ink  bottles,  large  and  small,  were  of  this  stoneware;  mugs, 
pitchers,  milk-pans,  butter  pots,  pudding  pans,  platters  and  plates,  are  men- 
tioned in  the  old  advertisements.  The  soft  soap,  without  which  no  household 
was  kept  properly  clean,  was  stored  in  one  of  these  jars,  one  in  particular 
being  in  mind  which  in  former  days  was  considered  only  a  little  old  red  jar, 
but  which  in  later  years  was  recognized  as  an  unusually  fine  specimen,  of 
deep  red  color  and  graceful  lines.  Some  crockery  was  imported  from  England, 
and  after  the  China  trade  was  opened,  dishes  became  more  plentiful,  but  it 
was  many  years  before  the  use  of  such  ware  became  general. 

Thus  it  is  easily  seen  that  a  pottery  was  a  necessary  industry;  wagon- 
loads  of  the  red  soft  pottery  and  the  stone  and  earthen  ware  were  sent  out 
over  the  roads  in  all  directions,  even  as  the  tin-peddler's  cart  of  a  later  day. 


552  XF.W  LONDON   COUNTY 

The  former  has  entirely  disappeared,  and  the  latter  is  now  rarely  seen.  The 
early  potters  rarely  stamped  their  work  with  any  distinctive  mark,  in  this 
section  at  least;  but  those  who  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  examine  the  red, 
smoke-blotched  ware  or  the  red  with  yellow  trimmings,  would  recognize  the 
work  again.  Armstrong  &  Wentv.'orth  used  the  mark,  "A  &  W,"  or  later, 
"Armstrong  &  Wentworth,  Norwich."  One  of  the  jugs  made  by  this  firm 
has  the  owner's  name  written  in  the  clay,  because  he  did  not  want  to  have 
his  jug  mixed  up  with  that  of  anyone  else.  Risley's  mark  was  usually  "S. 
Risley." 

This,  in  brief,  is  the  story  of  the  potteries  of  Norwich ;  some  who  read 
mav  be  interested  enough  to  look  over  the  old  jugs,  jars  and  bottles  in  attics 
or  cellars,  which  have  been  displaced  by  some  more  modern  utensils,  and  may 
be  rewarded  by  finding  some  token  or  mark  which  will  indicate  the  approxi- 
mate time  of  their  making.  Not  every  town  can  boast  of  a  pottery,  and  so 
if  the  piece  of  pottery  or  stoneware  tells  its  own  story  of  having  been  "made 
in  Norwich,"  then  indeed  is  the  finder  the  fortunate  possessor  of  a  specimen 
of  one  of  the  vanished  industries  of  Norwich. 

THE    SILVERSMITHS    Or    NEW    LONDON    COUNTY 

The  craftsmen  of  a  country'  are  one  of  the  best  indications  of  its  growth 
and  prosperity.  When  New  England  was  first  settled,  only  the  barest  neces- 
sities were  obtainable,  and  for  many  years  old  inventories  revealed  very 
humble  circumstances.  But  as  time  passed  and  the  population  increased 
and  trade  with  the  old  country  became  easier,  the  home  soon  showed  the 
effects  of  the  increasing  demands.  Then,  as  now,  people  of  means  would 
obtain  from  New  York  or  Boston  articles  of  superior  workmanship  and 
material,  but  the  people  in  general  were  content  to  patronize  a  workman  near 
home.  Many  fine  examples  of  the  skill  of  New  York  or  Boston  silversmiths 
may  be  seen  in  New  London  county,  but  interest  in  the  old  families  of  the 
county,  and  much  of  the  silver  used  by  them,  is  enhanced  by  a  knowledge  of 
the  old  gold  or  silversmiths  of  the  section.  !Much  interest  was  aroused  by  an 
exhibit  of  old  silver  held  by  the  New  London  County  Historical  Society  on 
February  8,  1912,  in  Slater  Hall,  Norwich.  Many  of  those  who  attended  the 
exhibition  went  home  to  examine  their  old  silver,  and  found  to  their  delight 
that  they  were  now  able  to  identify  the  maker. 

Old  silver  has  a  fascination  pecnliarl''  its  own — its  sheen,  its  unmistak- 
able touch,  its  shape  and  design,  the  man'-  forms  in  which  it  appeared  and  the 
unusual  ways  in  which  it  was  used — each  has  its  charm,  and  the  joy  of  pos- 
session grows  deeper  when  something  is  known  of  the  craftsman  who  made  it, 
or  when  some  incident  in  connection  with  its  inception  is  told.  New  London 
county  may  well  be  proud  of  the  number  of  gold  and  silversmiths  who  appear 
on  its  records  and  of  their  work  which  still  remains.  So  in  this  sketch  of  the 
silversmiths  are  linked  some  old  families,  their  homes,  and  their  workmanlike 
beads  upon  a  chain  of  their  own  making. 

Rene  Grignon  was  the  first  goldsmith  of  whom  anything  is  known  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  second  in  the  colony ;  he 
was  here  as  early  as  1708,  when  he  presented  to  the  First  Church  of  the  town 


i 


NOTAIJLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  553 

a  bell  which  -was  "thankfully  accepted."  He  was  received  as  a  regular 
inhabitant  in  1710,  and  in  171 1  he  purchased  land  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  the  town;  in  December,  1711,  he  is  called  "Rene  Grignon  of  Norwich, 
Goldsmith,"  and  in  other  deeds  is  called  "captain."  He  occupied  a  house 
owned  by  the  Huntingtons.  on  the  corner  of  the  present  North  Washington 
and  East  Town  streets,  which  has  since  been  torn  down. 

Miss  Perkins,  in  her  "Old  Houses  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,"  writes, 
"Capt.  Rene  Grignon  was  a  French  Huguenot  who  came  to  this  country  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  and  joined  the  French  settlement 
at  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island.  Driven  from  thence  with  the  rest  of  the 
settlers  by  persecution,  in  1691  he  went  to  Oxford,  Massachusetts,  and  when 
that  French  settlement  was  abandoned  after  the  Indian  massacre  of  1696,  he 
moved  to  Boston,  where  he  was  at  one  time  'Ancien,'  or  elder  of  the  French 
church.  In  1699  an  attempt  was  made  to  re-establish  the  French  settlement 
at  Oxford  and  many  of  the  former  inhabitants  returned.  *  *  *  In  1704 
occurred  the  Deerfield  massacre,  and  the  French  at  Oxford,  thoroughly 
alarmed  and  disheartened,  again  abandoned  the  settlement,  and  it  was  prob- 
ably soon  after  this  date  that  Captain  Grignon  came  to  Norwich." 

He  died  in  1715,  his  wife  having  passed  away  not  long  before.  On  March 
17,  1714-15,  he  appears  on  the  land  records  of  Norwich  as  "goldsmith,"  and 
made  his  wil!  the  twentieth  of  the  same  month.  He  gives  to  Capt.  Richard 
Bushnell.  one  of  his  neighbors,  his  silver-hilted  sword,  double-barreled  gun 
and  pistols,  and  appoints  him  executor.  To  Daniel  Deshon,  a  young  French 
Huguenot  in  his  employ,  he  wills  "all  my  Gooldfmith  Tools  and  Defire  he  may 
be  bound  out  to  fome  suitable  person  in  Boston  till  he  arrive  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years ;  To  learn  the  trade  of  a  Goldfmith  and  I  also  give  him 
Ten  pounds  to  be  paid  b.im  v,-hen  said  Daniel  com.es  cf  age."  He  gives  "To 
my  man  Jam.es  Barett  the  Time  I  have  in  him  and  direct  my  Executor  to 
make  him  free  as  soon  as  I  shall  be  Interred."  He  remembers  Jane  Jearson, 
alias  Normandy,  and  bequeaths  the  remainder  of  the  estate  to  "my  dear  and 
well-beloved  friend,  Mary  Urennc."  The  inventory  of  the  estate  of  "Rene 
Grignon,  of  Norwich.  Gentleman,"  was  taken  March  28,  171 5,  and  shows  that 
besides  the  goldsmith  trade,  he  carried  a  large  variety  of  other  goods.  Among 
the  articles  enumerated  were  "rare  jewels  of  gold,  316  precious  stones,  pearls 
and  precious  stones,  bags  of  bloodstones  and  others,  gold,  gold  dust,  plate  and 
bullion,  bullion,  a  box  of  chirurgeon's  instruments,  taylers  sheers,  locks,  pew- 
ter, dozen  verspective  glasses,  wigs,  hair,  cambric,  cotton  and  tow  cloth,  need- 
les, thimbles,  shoe  buckles,  leather  gloves,  girdles,  hatbands,  silk,  jack  knives, 
other  kinds  of  knives,  various  kinds  of  spices,  ivory  combs,  spirit  vitrioll,  drugs 
of  many  kinds,  and  numerous  other  articles."  Also  "Mrs.  Grignon's  apparel. 
£32."  Besides  the  house  and  land  in  the  w-estern  part  of  the  town,  he  owned 
"five  lotts  in  Voluntown."  That  he  had  a  large  and  widespread  custom  is 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that  debts  were  due  to  the  estate  from  persons  in  Wind- 
ham, Colchester,  Lebanon,  Plainfield,  Ashford,  Derby,  New  London  and 
Groton.  On  the  records  of  the  New  London  county  court  are  many  actions 
for  debt  brought  by  the  executor  to  recover  the  money  due.  His  inventory 
recalls  that  of  Samuel  Gray  of  New  London,  and  like  that  estate,  when  every- 


554 


MiW  LONDON   COUNTY 


thing  was  settled,  there  was  very  little  left.  Two  pieces  of  silver  believed  to 
have  been  his  work  are  still  extant;  one  of  them,  a  cup,  is  shown  in  "Early 
Silver  of  Connecticut  and  Its  Makers,"  by  George  M.  Curtis  (facing  page  47). 
His  mark  was  "R.  G."  crowned,  a  stag  (?)  passant  below,  in  a  crowned  shield, 
and,  judging  from  these  pieces,  he  was  an  excellent  workman. 

About  the  time  Captain  Rene  Grignon  was  carrying  on  the  goldsmith 
business  in  Norwich,  Samuel  Gray  had  a  similar  trade  and  store  at  New 

London.      He   was   born   in    1684,   in    oBston,    Massachusetts,    son    of  • 

and  Susanna  Gray  of  Boston.  He  married  Lucy  Palmes,  daughter  of  Major 
Edward  and  Lucy  (Winthrop)  Palmes,  and  granddaughter  of  Governor 
Winthrop,  but  did  not  long  survive  his  marriage.  Hempstead  records  in  his 
Dian.',  under  date  of  May  25,  1713,  "Mr.  Small  Gray  Died,  had  been  Sick 
a  Long  time."  He  was  buried  in  the  "Ancient  Buriall  Place  of  New  London," 
and  the  "most  elaborately  wrought  stone  in  the  place  is  erected  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Samuel  Gray,  who  married  Lucy,  the  daughter  of  Major  Palmes.  It 
is  of  purplish  slate,  small  in  size  but  thick,  with  a  very  skillfully  carved 
border:  "Here  Lyes  ye  body  of  Mr.  Samuel  Gray,  Aged  28  years  and  7  months. 
Deed  May  ye  25th,  1713."  As  in  the  case  of  Capt.  Grignon,  what  is  known 
of  his  goldsmith  business  is  learned  from  the  inventory  of  the  estate.  For 
that  early  day,  it  was  very  valuable.  Among  the  items  were :  99  oz.  of  plate 
in  3  tankards,  3  cups,  i  spoon,  6  forks  (this  last  an  unusual  item)  ;  more  plate 
in  buckles  and  buttons ;  76  oz.  of  plate ;  2^  oz.  of  gold  "wanting  40  gr." ; 
silver  plate,  more  gold  plate,  chafing  dish  ;  "Gold  Smith  tooles  and  Implements 
with  a  parcel  of  enamel ;  some  Gold  and  Silver  filings  with  other  Small  tooles, 
with  a  parcel  of  Charcoal."  Listed  under  "Shop  Goods"  appeared  "blue 
cotton,  red  cotton,  buckram,  linen,  calico,  kersey,  crape,  muslin,  broadcloth, 
gloves,  loco  pins,  lace,  fans,  knives,  forks,  scissors,  buttons,  needles,  brass 
thimbles,  chocolate  grater,  ribbon,  silver  lace,  beads,  spices,  a  barrel  and  one- 
half  of  molasses  not  good,"  silver  sarvet.  pewter,  etc.  The  total  amount  was 
$539,  but  the  debts  amounted  to  $405.  Samuel  Gray  had  made  his  will  before 
his  marriage,  leaving  his  estate  to  his  mother,  Susanna  Gray,  of  Boston, 
widow;  the  widow  Lucy  Gray  appealed  from  this  will,  and  the  mother  ap- 
pointed her  son  "John  Gray  of  Boston  aforesaid,  goldsmith,"  as  her  attorney. 
A  settlement  was  reached  by  the  mother  (who  seems  to  have  received  the 
goldsmith  tools)  and  the  widow,  who  later  married,  as  second  wife,  Samuel 
Lyndes  of  Saybrook,  Connecticut.     She  had  no  issue  by  either  husband. 

John  Gray  came  to  New  London  in  1713  to  settle  his  brother  Samuel's 
estate;  married  there  on  October  21,  1714,  Mary  Christophers,  daughter  of 
Richard  Christophers  of  New  London,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the 
town.  He  continued  the  business  of  his  brother,  having  a  shop  of  assorted 
wares,  and  pursued  his  trade  of  goldsmith.  He  lived  only  a  few  years  after 
coming  to  New  London,  dying  in  January,  1720,  at  the  age  of  twcntv-eight 
years.  He,  too,  was  buried  in  the  oldest  cemetery  in  New  London,  where  a 
stone  still  bears  the  inscription :  "Here  lies  the  body  of  Mr.  John  Gray,  who 
died  January  ye  14th,  1720,  aged  twenty-eight  years."  The  inventory  of  his 
estate  included  silver  buttons,  silver  buckles,  nine  ounces  of  silver,  etc.  His 
estate  was  divided  equally  between  his  widow  and  his  mother,  Susanna  Gray 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  555 

of  Boston.  Among  the  articles  set  off  to  his  mother  were  "The  gold  smiths 
tooles,  vi?. :  bellows,  anvil,  Hammers,  files  and  Implements  of  various  sorts 
all  belonging  to  the  trade,"  and  valued  at  six  pounds.  It  is  from  these  inven- 
tories that  much  is  learned  of  the  tools  used  by  a  goldsmith  of  early  times. 
The  widow  married  for  a  second  husband,  in  1721,  Jonathan  Prentis,  of  New 
London. 

The  next  goldsmith  of  whom  anything  is  known  in  New  London  was 
Daniel  Deshon,  born  about  1697.  He  was  an  apprentice  of  Captain  Rene 
Grignon  of  Norwich,  who  in  his  will  made  the  following  provision  for  him: 
He  gave  "To  Daniel  Deshon  all  my  Gooldfmith  Tools  and  I  Defire  he  may 
be  bound  out  to  fome  suitable  person  in  Boston  till  he  arrive  at  the  age  of 
twenty  one  years,  to  learn  the  trade  of  Goldsmith.  I  also  give  him  Pen 
pounds  to  be  paid  when  said  Daniel  comes  of  age."  He  settled  in  New  London, 
where  he  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Christopher  Christophers,  Esq.  He  died 
in  November,  1781  ;  his  wife  died  in  1775.  Three  of  their  sons  were  prominent 
in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  Both  are  interred  in  the  old  burying  ground 
in  New  London.  The  Deshon  family  were  prominent  in  New  London  for 
many  years,  the  wife,  Ruth,  being  a  descendant  of  Elder  William  Brewster, 
of  the  "Mayflower." 

Pygan  Adams  was  born  March  27,  1712,  in  New  London,  son  of  the  Rev. 
Eliphalet  and  Lydia  (Pygan)  Adams  of  New  London,  and  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  William  Adams  of  Dedham,  Massachusetts,  by  his  first  wife,  Mary 
Manning. 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Adams  was  for  many  years  pastor  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  New  London,  and  here  his  son  Pygan  was  one  of  the  dea- 
cons. Captain  Pygan  Adams  held  many  prominent  positions  in  his  town,  and 
represented  the  district  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  colony,  most  of  the 
sessions  between  1735  and  1765.  He  was  at  one  time  overseer  of  the  Mohegan 
Indians,  and  one  of  the  builders  of  the  New  London  lighthouse.  He  is  mostly 
mentioned  as  a  merchant,  but  in  a  deed  executed  in  1736  his  father  called  him 
a  goldsmith,  and  as  it  is  always  interesting  to  learn  something  of  a  man  from 
his  cotemporaries,  the  following  items  are  given  from  the  "Diary  of  Joshua 
Hempstead"  of  New  London,  1711-1758: 

1735,  July  9  I  pd  Pygan  Adams  37s  for  i  pr  of  Gold  Buttons  &  mending 
the  Link  of  the  other  pr  &  he  had  the  old  link  of  them  I  lost.     (Page  290.) 

1738,  March  15,  I  went  in  to  Town  &  bot  2  axes  of  Mr.  Saltonstall  & 
Some  Plate  Buttons  of  Pygan  Adams.     (Page  332.) 

1744,  March  24  Got  my  Watch  mended  bv  Pygan  adams  the  main  Spring 
being  broke.     (Page  423.) 

He  was  perhaps  one  of  the  best  craftsmen  of  his  kind  in  Connecticut;  a 
fine  porringer,  with  the  mark  "P.  A.,"  a  rat-tailed  spoon  and  tankard,  owned 
in  Lyme,  and  several  fine  spoons  owned  on  the  eastern  end  of  Long  Island, 
are  attributed  to  him,  as  no  other  silversmith  with  these  initials  is  known. 
He  died  in  July,  1776;  the  Rev.  Robert  Hallam,  D.D.,  was  one  of  his  descend- 
ants. 

Of  the  goldsmith,  Theophilus  Burrill  or  Burrell.  nothing  is  known  except 


556  I\b\V  LONDON   COUNTY 

what  is  learned  from  Hempstead's  Diary  above  quoted.  Under  date  of  Jan- 
uar}^  I,  1738-39,  he  writes:  "Mond  fair  &  Exceeding  Icy  Slippery,  the  ground 
is  al  like  Glass.  I  was  at  the  Town  meeting  and  ye  Choice  of  Taverners  & 
Theophilus  Burrell  a  Goldsmith  aged  about  (  )  Died  with  Convulsion  fitts. 
he  belonged  to  Boston  but  hath  Sojourned  in  Town  2  or  3  years.  January  3 
Burll  buried."  (Page  344.)  Probably  it  was  the  same  man  who  was  so 
badly  affected  during  that  teriffic  thunderstorm  of  August  31,  1735,  of  which 
Hempstead  tells  on  page  293  of  the  Diary,  when  several  people  were  killed 
by  the  lightning,  and  others  were  seriously  injured  "&  one  Burrell  a  Stranger 
in  the  Gallery  by  ye  Stairs  on  ye  East  Side  (of  the  church)  were  al  Struck 
&  by  bleading  &  propper  means  they  Recovered." 

For  some  years  after  the  death  of  Capt.  Rene  Grignon  in  1715,  no  record 
of  a  goldsmith  in  Norwich  has  been  noted.  In  1750,  Capt.  Charles  Whiting 
leased  some  land  from  Daniel  Tracy,  "opposite  Col.  Jedediah  Huntington's," 
and  here  had  his  shop.  He  was  born  in  1725,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
(Bradford)  Whiting,  a  descendant  of  Major  William  Whiting  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  and  of  Governor  William  Bradford  of  Plymouth,  Massa- 
chusetts. In  1749  he  married  Honor,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  and  Honor 
(Deming)  Goodrich,  of  Wethersfield,  and  lived  in  Huntington  lane.  Captain 
Whiting  died  in  1765,  as  on  August  6  of  that  year  administration  on  his  estate 
was  granted  to  the  widow.  Honour  Whiting.  The  inventory  included  "Spoon- 
punches,  money  scales,  nest  of  weights,  burnishers,  draw  plates,  rings,  silver 
seals,  silver  cost  buttons,  brass  stamps,  silver  jewels,  17  pwt  of  gold,"  etc. 
His  mark,  or  specimens  of  his  work  are  not  known. 

Of  several  of  the  gold  and  silversmiths  of  the  time,  only  brief  glimpses  are 
vouchsafed.  One  of  these  is  Samuel  Post,  born  February  12,  1736,  in  Norwich, 
son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Griswold)  Post.  He  is  said  to  have  practised  his 
trade  in  New  London,  but  went  south  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  has 
not  been  further  traced.  Another  was  a  Boston  silversmith  stopping  in  New 
London,  of  whom  Hempstead  notes,  1758:  "Jan  27  Fryd  a  man  belonging  to 
Boston  a  Silversmith  a  Journeyman  Died  of  a  Consumption,  his  name  was 
Richardson."  "Saturd  28  fair  and  very  cold. — Richardson  buryed,  a  wife  & 
I  child  at  Boston."     (Page  698.) 

W'illiam  Adgate  was  born  in  Norwich  in  1744,  and  died  there  in  1779; 
he  married  in  1767  his  step-sister,  Eunice  Waterman,  and  lived  on  the  Town 
street,  now  North  Washington  street,  just  above  the  Lowthorpe  meadows, 
v.-here  he  had  his  goldsmith's  shop. 

David  Greenleaf  was  a  goldsmith  who  lived  in  Norwich  from  1761  to 
1769;  he  was  born  July  13,  1737,  in  Bolton,  Massachusetts,  son  of  Dr.  Daniel 
and  Silence  (Marsh)  Greenleaf.  In  1763  he  married  Mary  Johnston,  of  New 
London  North  Parish,  now  Montville,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Samuel  John- 
ston of  Chesterfield  Society,  in  New  London.  This  Mary  Johnston  has  been 
called  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Kinne)  Johnson,  and  also  of  Ebenezer 
and  Deborah  (Champion)  Johnson,  but  a  deed  from  David  Greenleaf  and 
wife  Mary,  then  living  in  Windham,  Connecticut,  in  1778,  shows  that  she  was 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  Johnston  of  New  London ;  this  family  then  spelled 
the  name  "Johnston,"  in  distinction  from  the  Johnsons. 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  557 

In  October,  1761,  David  Greenleaf  of  Norwich,  "Gooldsmith,"  purchased 
a  piece  of  land  on  the  Town  street,  "near  Christopher  Leffingwell's  Shop." 
About  1769  he  moved  to  Lancaster,  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  living  in 
March,  1772,  but  soon  after  went  to  Bolton,  Massachusetts;  in  Windham  and 
Coventry.  Connecticut,  in  1778.  He  died  in  Coventry,  December  13,  1800. 
His  wife  Mary  died  in  Hartford,  at  the  home  of  her  son,  David  Greenleaf, 
May  I,  1814.  His  trade-mark  was  "D.  Greenleaf,"  and  articles  made  by  him 
are  owned  in  Norwich. 

Samuel  Noyes  was  born  November  3,  1747,  in  Groton,  son  of  William 
and  Sybil  (Whiting)  Noyes.  His  grandfather.  Deacon  John  Noyes,  had  mar- 
ried as  second  wife  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Whitin<j,  so  he  probably  learned  the 
goldsmith's  trade  from  his  uncle,  Captain  Charles  Whiting  of  Norwich.  He 
married,  in  1770,  Abigail  Harding,  and  set  up  his  goldsmith's  shop  not  at  the 
Green  at  Norwich  Town,  where  his  uncle  had  located,  but  at  "the  Landing," 
as  that  portion  of  Norwich  was  called,  and  which  by  that  time  had  begun 
to  be  settled  as  a  business  and  residential  section  of  the  town.  His  advertise- 
ment appeared  in  the  "Norwich  Packet  and  the  Weekly  Advertiser,"  for 
September  22,  1779:  "Wanted,  as  an  Apprentice  to  the  goldfmith  and  jew- 
eller's bufiness,  an  active  BOY,  of  about  14  or  15  years  of  age — For  furthe» 
particulars,   enquire  of  SAMUEL   NOYES   in  Norwich    Landing.     Auguft 

7,^-  1 779-" 

In  1777  he  bought  some  land  in  the  East  Society  of  Norwich,  "at  a  place 
called  Pauquetannock  Village,  near  the  Head  of  the  Cove  Called  by  that 
name,"  and  here  he  lived.  This  locality  is  always  a  puzzle  to  students  of 
Norwich  history ;  at  the  time  of  Noyes'  purchase,  Poquetannock,  as  it  is  still 
called,  was  in  the  bounds  of  the  town  of  Norwich,  but  in  1786  was  set  off 
to  the  town  of  Preston,  and  the  dividing  line  between  the  town  of  Norwich 
and  the  part  of  Groton  now  included  in  Ledyard,  went  through  the  village. 
The  Noyes  family  would  naturally  have  attended  the  Congregational  church 
at  Long  .Society  (still  so  known)  on  the  east  side  of  the  Shetucket  river,  but 
instead  they  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  as  told  by  the  following 
item  taken  from  Long  Society  Church  records:  "Norwich  Jany  23:  1786.  This 
is  to  Ccrtifie  that  Samuel  Noyes  Late  of  Norwich  Deceased  was  at  his  Death 
and  for  Several  Years  before  a  professor  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Certified 
by  John  Tyler,  Minister  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Norwich."  This  certifi- 
cate was  given  so  that  the  widow  would  not  have  to  pay  a  church  rate  to 
both  churches. 

A  gold  or  silversmith  often  worked  at  other  trades,  and  it  is  stated  that 
in  1775  Samuel  Noyes  made  and  repaired  guns  and  bayonets  for  the  light 
infantry.  He  was  buried  in  Christ  Church  burying  ground,  and  a  stone  bears 
the  inscription :  "In  memory  of  Samuel  Noyes,  son  of  William  Noyes,  who 
died  July  24th,  1781,  in  the  33d  year  of  his  age." 

Probably  the  most  prominent  silversmith  of  his  day  in  Norwich  was 
Thomas  Harland,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1753,  came  to  New  England 
in  1773,  and  appeared  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  that  same  }ear;  he  married 
Hannah  Clark,  daughter  of  EHsha  and  Hannah  (LefTingAvell)  Clark,  the 
mother  beirg  of  the  old  Lefifingwell  family.     The  house  built  and  occupied 


558  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

by  him  at  Harland's  corner  is  one  of  the  picturesque  old  houses  of  the  town. 
He  was  an  experienced  goldsmith,  having  served,  according  to  the  English 
custom,  a  long  apprenticeship.  At  first  he  called  himself  a  watch  and  clock 
maker  from  London ;  he  had  his  shop  near  the  store  of  Christopher  Lefifing- 
well,  and  seems  to  have  immediately  secured  a  large  and  constantly  increasing 
trade.  He  advertised  extensively  and  employed  ten  or  twelve  hands  con- 
stantly. It  is  said  that  his  annual  output  was  two  hundred  watches  and  forty 
clocks.  Clocks  made  by  him  are  still  in  use ;  one  of  them  stands  in  the  hall 
in  the  Harland  homestead.  His  skill  as  a  silversmith  is  well  demonstrated 
by  some  beautiful  old  pieces  in  possession  of  the  family — a  heavy  silver  ladle ; 
a  porringer,  with  a  cover,  which  was  unusual ;  spoons,  large  and  small,  with 
a  dainty  shell  design  on  the  handle.  His  talent  was  also  demonstrated  in 
another  direction;  when  the  town  of  Norwich  wanted  a  fire  engine,  he  drew 
plans  and  assisted  in  carrying  them  out. 

He  died  in  1807,  and  the  inventory  of  his  estate  is  most  interesting  in 
the  number  and  make  of  the  watches,  &c. ;  also  the  large  number  of  books 
in  his  library  was  an  unusual  collection  for  those  da}S,  and  included  a  large 
number  of  French  works.  Among  his  apprentices  were  David  Greenleaf, 
Nathaniel  Shipman,  William  Cleveland,  grandfather  of  President  Grover 
Cleveland,  perhaps  Joseph  Carpenter,  and  others.  Eli  Terry,  of  clock  fame, 
and  Daniel  Burnap,  the  clock-maker  and  silversmith  of  East  Windsor,  Con- 
necticut, were  also  his  apprentices.  A  descendant,  Henry  Harland,  was  a 
well  known  author,  who  wrote  under  the  nom  de  plume  of  "Sidney  Luska." 

Jonathan  Trott  was  born  in  1734,  and  was  a  jeweler  and  goldsmith  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1772;  in  1778  he  was  in  business  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, where  on  April  12,  his  son,  George  Washington  Trott,  was  bap- 
tized at  the  First  Church  of  that  town.  He  also  kept  the  tavern  on  Norwich 
Town  Green,  later  known  as  the  Peck  tavern ;  he  is  said  by  the  Hon.  Charlesi 
Miner,  a  native  of  Norwich,  but  later  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  to  have 
been  an  ardent  patriot,  and  one  of  Mr.  Miner's  earliest  recollections  was  the 
thunder  of  the  cannon  in  front  of  the  tavern  when  peace  was  proclaimed 
in  1784. 

In  the  "Connecticut  Gazette"  of  December  18,  1783,  Jonathan  Trott, 
Innholder,  of  Norwich,  has  a  notice  to  the  eflFect  that  the  meeting  of  the 
Medical  Society  of  New  London  County  would  be  postponed  by  adjournment 
till  January,  1784.  On  the  22nd  of  same  month  he  was  one  of  the  signers 
for  a  charter  for  the  city  of  Norwich.  Before  1790  he  had  removed  to  New 
London,  where  he  died  October  4,  1815,  at  the  age  of  81  years.  His  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Proctor,  and  one  of  his  sons  was  named  John  Proctor  Trott.  Sev- 
eral pieces  of  his  work  remain  to  testify  to  his  skill  as  a  silversmith.  Two 
of  his  sons,  Jonathan  Trott,  Junior,  and  John  Proctor  Trott,  followed  their 
father's  trade.  Jonathan,  Jr.,  died  February  17,  1813,  aged  42  years.  There 
is  said  to  be  owned  in  Lyme  a  tea-set  of  the  style  popular  about  1810,  and 
bearing  the  mark,  "I.  T.,"  which  was  ascribed  to  this  younger  Jonathan. 

John  Proctor  Trott  was  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1769.  learned 
his  trade  of  his  father,  and  removed  with  him  to  New  London.  In  1793  John 
P.  Trott  and  William  Cleveland  bought  a  parcel  of  land  in  New  London,  on 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  TTOMES  550 

the  street  leading  from  the  court  house  to  the  market,  Cleveland  selling  his 
part  in  1794  to  Trott.  This  same  year.  Trott  and  Cleveland  purchased  another 
parcel  of  land.  John  P.  Trott  married.  December  11,  1796,  Lois  Chapman, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Joseph  Chapman,  of  Norwich ;  both  are  buried  in  Cedar 
Grove  Cemetery  in  New  London.  Their  home  stood  where  the  Mohican 
Hotel  now  stands;  in  the  deeds  the  lot  was  referred  to  as  Hill's  or  Erving's 
lot.  Miss  Caulkins,  in  her  "History  of  New  London,  Connecticut,"  published 
in  1852,  writes:  "Where  the  Trott  mansion  now  stands  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  place  where  stood  the  house  of  Charles  Hill,  fortified  in  the  time  of 
the  Indian  War.  The  present  house  was  built  by  Samuel  Fosdick,  at  the  head 
of  Niantic  river,  but  taken  apart,  brought  into  town,  and  erected  in  1786.  It 
has  Deen  occupied  by  J.  P.  Trott,  its  present  owner,  more  than  half  a  century  " 
In  the  second  edition  of  the  "History  of  New  London,"  under  the  heading  of 
"New  London  in  i860,"  she  adds.  "The  Trott  house,  an  ancient  building  on 
State  street,  antique  and  venerable  in  its  appearance,  but  of  post-Revolution- 
ary date,  was  taken  down  in  1854.  It  stood  at  the  corner  of  Meridian  street, 
a  site  occupied  in  the  infancy  of  the  town  by  the  house  of  Mr.  Charles  Hill, 
which  was  one  of  the  six  fortified  houses  of  King  Philip's  War  in  1676."  Next 
to  the  Mohican  Hotel,  on  Meridian  street,  is  an  old  house  with  an  old  garden, 
which  its  occupants  say  was  built  by  John  P.  Trott;  they  also  say  that  his 
shop  was  on  State  street,  between  where  Perry  &  Stone  have  their  jewelry 
store,  and  the  corner  of  Bank  street,  long  called  Keeny's  corner.  A  consid- 
erable number  of  articles  of  silver  made  by  him  bear  his  mark,  "JPT,"  in  cap- 
ital letters,  or  "JPT"  in  script.  Trott  &  Cleveland  advertised  in  1792,  and 
Trott  eS:  Brooks  in  1798. 

Robert  Douglas  was  born  in  New  London,  in  1740,  and  in  1766  he  adver- 
tised that  his  silversmith's  shop  was  next  door  to  Capt.  Titus  Hurlbut's,  and 
that  he  made  shoe  and  knee  buckles,  cha])es  and  tongues,  buttons,  stones, 
crystal  rings,  sparks,  and  cyphered  earrings.  He  died  at  Canterbury,  Con- 
necticut, while  on  his  way  home  from  Boston  to  New  London,  in  1776,  while 
serving  his  country  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

John  Gardiner  was  another  goldsmith  of  New  London ;  he  was  born 
October  7,  1734,  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  the  son  of  Dr.  Jonathan  and 
Mary  (Adams)  Gardiner,  and  grandson  of  Rev.  Eliphalet  Adams,  and  a 
descendant  of  the  Gardiner  family  of  Gardiner's  Island.  He  probably  learned 
the  trade  of  his  uncle,  Pygan  Adams;  he  died  in  1776,  and  his  inventory  filed 
in  1777  includes  a  long  list  of  silversmith's  tools,  among  which  were  two 
stamps  used  as  his  trade-mark,  "J :  Gardner"  in  a  rectangle.  The  silver  cup 
belonging  to  the  Berkeley  Divinity  School  is  an  example  of  his  skillful 
workmanship. 

John  Champlin  was  born  about  1745,  and  had  a  shop  in  New  London, 
which  was  entered  by  burglars  in  1779  and  a  number  of  articles  stolen;  among 
them  were  "12  strings  of  gold  beads;  40  pairs  of  silver  shoe  buckles  and  a 
parcel  of  silver  knee  buckles ;  3  or  4  silver  plated  and  pinchbeck  knee  buckles ; 
6  silver  table  spoons;  3  dozen  tea  spoons;  10  silver  watches;  a  large  quantity 
of  watch  chains,  keys,  main  springs,  stock  buckles,  stone  rings,  jewels, 
broaches,  etc."    When  New  London  was  burned  September  6,  1781,  his  loss 


56o  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

was  estimated  at  £104-8-5,  and  on  November  30,  1781,  he  notified  his  old  cus- 
tomers and  others  that  since  tlie  destruction  of  his  shop  by  the  enemy  he  had 
erected  a  new  one  by  his  dwelling  in  Main  street.  He  died  June  18,  1800,  a 
record  stating  that  he  was  a  goldsmith  and  died  of  dropsy  at  the  age  of  55 
years.  According  to  the  land  records  of  North  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  in  1779,  a 
Thomas  Bissell,  a  native  of  the  place,  conveys  some  land,  and  in  the  deed 
cals  himself  a  goldsmith,  of  New  London,  Connecticut. 

John  Hallam,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth  (Latimer)  Hallam,  was  born 
October  7,  1752,  in  New  London,  and  died  there  May  7,  1800.  He  married 
(first)  Mary  Harris,  and  (second)  Elizabeth  Prentice.  In  1773  he  advertised 
"At  his  shop  near  the  signpost,  makes  and  sells  all  kinds  of  goldsmiths  and 
jewellers  work  as  cheap  as  can  be  had  in  this  Colony."  He  engraved  the 
plates  for  the  bills  of  credit  issued  by  the  Colony  in  1775.  When  New  Lon- 
don was  burned  in  1781,  among  those  who  suffered  "by  the  ravages  of  the 
British  army"  was  John  Hallam.  John  Hallam  lost  £417-10-0;  a  John  Hallam 
&  Benjamin  Harris  lost  £300,  and  Edward  and  John  Hallam  lost  £310.  No 
specific  mention  is  made  in  the  inventory  of  his  estate  of  tools  used  for  the 
goldsmith  work,  but  did  include  a  large  quantity  of  silver;  two  tankards,  a 
can,  a  cup,  two  porringers,  milk-pot,  pepper-pot,  punch  ladle,  sugar  bowl, 
table  and  tea  spoons,  a  soup  spoon,  and  "i  French  Fork." 

Ezra  Dodge,  born  in  1766,  was  one  of  the  silversmiths  who  combined 
several  occupations ;  in  "A  Short  Account  of  the  Yellow  Fever  as  it  appeared 
in  New  London  in  August,  September  and  October,  1798,"  in  the  list  of 
deaths  is  that  of  "Ezra  Dodge,  watch  maker,  clock  maker,  gold  and  silver 
smith,  brass  founder,  gunsmith,  locksmith,  grocer,  &c.  &c.  32.  An  ingenious 
mechanic,  good  man  and  valuable  citizen."  A  local  record  notes  among  the 
deaths,  "August  29,  179S,  Ezra  Dodge,  goldsmith,  interred  by  the  masons." 
Among  the  debts  due  to  the  estate  were  those  of  Widow  Warner  of  Wind- 
ham, William  Brian  of  New  York,  and  Church  &  Havens  of  New  York. 

John  Greenleaf,  born  in  1778,  was  probably  an  apprentice;  he  also  died 
in  the  yellow  fever  epidemic,  and  in  the  account  mentioned  above  is  "Jofeph 
Greenleaf,  gold  and  filver  fmith  20." 

Gurdon  Tracy  was  born  in  Norwich,  January  18,  1767,  son  of  Isaac 
Tracy,  Jr.,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Rogers,  of  New  London ;  he  advertised 
as  conducting  a  silversmith  business  in  Norwich  in  1787,  but  was  in  New 
London  before  1791,  when  he  purchased  a  small  lot  of  land  "on  which  his 
Goldsmith's  Shop  now  stands."  He  also  combined  this  business  with  other 
trades,  and  the  following  letter  in  regard  to  the  clock  in  the  tower  of  the  new 
church  in  New  London  is  of  interest  in  that  connection ;  the  letter  was  dated 
at  Norwich,  December  i,  1790,  and  written  by  Thomas  Harland  of  Norwich 
to  Marvin  Wait: 

Sr.  Being  unwell  I  sent  the  Bearer  to  ?ee  what  was  amiss  in  your  clock 
from  whence  he  has  just  now  returned.  Had  the  person  who  winds  the  clock 
known  where  to  have  apply'd  a  few  drops  of  oyl  the  difficulty  would  have  been 
prevented ;  from  whence  you  will  see  the  proprietj'  of  having  the  clock  wound 
up  by  a  person  who  is  acquainted  with  the  business.  Mr.  Gurdon  Tracy  was 
at  my  house  last  week  and  says  He  would  be  glad  to  v.'ind  up  and  take  the 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  561 

whole  care  of  it  for  a  reasonable  compensation.    Should  you  see  cause  to  give 
him  the  charge  of  it  I  have  no  doubt  of  his  doing  it  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned.    At  the  same  time  should  any  part  of  the  work  fail  or  give  way  I 
shall  be  every  ready  to  wait  u])on  you  at  the  shortest  notice. 
Your  most  obliged  humble  Servant 

Thomas  Harland. 

His  suggestion  was  acted  upon,  for  on  January  9,  1792,  the  society  com- 
mittee gave  Tracy  an  order  for  forty  shillings  for  keeping  the  clock  in  repair 
for  one  year  to  dale.  Gurdon  Tracy  made  his  will  on  June  22,  1792,  and  died 
July  10  or  II,  1792.  He  gives  "or  releases  to  my  honored  father,  Isaac  Tracy, 
whatever  balance  may  be  due  to  me  from  him,"  and  the  same  to  his  brother 
Erastus  Tracy,  and  the  balance  is  given  to  his  wife  Lucy.  He  was  buried  in 
the  "Anticnt  Buriall  Place  of  New  London,"  where  a  stone  bears  the  inscrip- 
tion, "In  memory  of  Mr.  Gurdon  Tracy  who  died  July  11,  1792,  in  the  26th 
year  of  his  age." 

The  inventory  of  his  estate,  taken  July  18,  1792,  shows  that  he  had  a  full 
equipment  for  carrying  on  his  trade,  and  is  here  given  as  an  illustration  of  the 
kind  and  variety  of  tools  and  implements  used  just  previous  to  1800.  In- 
cluded were  an  "anvil,  i  Tankard  58V2  oz,  i  Can.  i  Porringer,  2  bottom  stakes, 
I  soup  spoon  punch,  a  child  spoon  punch.  Swage  for  porringer  bottoms.  Stake 
for  punch  ladle,  a  Milk  pot  anvill,  5  pitching  hammers,  i  Raising  hammer, 
I  Booging  hammer,  2  forging  hammers,  i  small  planishing  hammer,  i  small 
round  punch,  i  salt  spoon  punch,  i  pr  Iron  screws  for  casting,  a  large  vice, 
a  smaller  one,  smallest,  a  Lathe,  a  large  Ingot  Skillet,  vice  tongs,  flasks, 
hollow  stamping  iron,  Stake,  7  hammers,  15  punches,  a  teaspoon  punch,  Ladle 
ditto.  Sheers  and  sundry  small  things,  forging  tongs,  plating  mill,  2  bullets, 
a  Brace  Kitt,  Gun  brasses,  Watch  Engine,  Drawer  of  Buckle  patterns,  a  clock 
engine.  Drills,  Engravers,  Burnishers,  a  blow-pipe,  plating  nippers,  plyers, 
springs,  mandrill,  square  and  magnet,  watch-making  tools,  a  variety  of  small 
watch  tools,  4  cases  stakes,  2  sett  of  beadtools,  compasses,  magnifying  glass, 
Turkey  oil  stone,  drawer  of  buckle  tools,  vice  plates,  ring  measure,  moulds, 
grindstones,  also  shoe,  knee,  stock  and  boot  buckles  all  of  silver,  silver  steeltop 
thimbles,  English  buckles,  horse  buckles,  sleeve  buttons,  stone  jewels,  gold 
jewels,  locket,  chain,  seals,  pennants  and  bows,  silver  bars,  chrystals,  hatpins, 
and  the  goldsmith's  shop  and  land."  A  silver  tankard  nine  inches  high,  made 
by  "G.  Tracy"  of  Norwich,  in  1790,  is  now  owned  in  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Gurdon  Tracy's  mother  belonged  to  a  well-known  and  wealthy  New  London 
family,  which  may  account  for  his  having  established  himself  in  New  London. 

Erastus  Tracy,  brother  of  Gurdon,  was  born  December  31,  1768,  in  Nor- 
wich, where  in  1790  he  advertises  as  follows: 

The  fubscriber  has  lately  opened  a  SHOP  oppofite  Capt.  Jabez  Perkins 
Store  at  Norwich  Landing;  where  he  carries  on  the  CLOCK  and  WATCH 
making  GOLDSMITH  and  JEWELLER'S  bufiness ;  thofe  who  pleafe  to 
favour  him  with  their  cuftom  may  depend  on  the  ftricteft  attention  and  dif- 
patch  by  their  humble  fervant.  ERASTUS  TRACY.  Norwich  Landing, 
Sept.  30,  1790. 

After  the  death  of  his  brother  Gurdon  he  appears  to  have  removed  to 
N.I-.— i-sn 


562  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

New  London,  perhaps  taking  his  brother's  shop,  but  did  not  live  many  years. 
His  death  occurred  on  August  17,  1796,  and  is  noted  as  "Erastus  Tracy 
formerly  of  Norwich,  aged  26  years,  of  consumption." 

Another  goldsmith  of  New  London  county  was  John  Breed,  who  was 
born  November  15,  1752,  in  Stonington,  the  son  of  John  and  Silence  (Grant) 
Breed.  His  relative,  Gershom  Breed,  had  business  dealings  with  people  in 
Colchester,  which  may  have  influenced  John  Breed  to  remove  to  Colchester, 
where  he  married.  May  19,  1773,  Lucy  Bulkley,  who  belonged  to  the  old  and 
influential  Bulkley  family.  His  house  stood  near  the  meeting  house  in 
Colchester,  on  the  Town  street,  which  in  early  days  was  called  the  "Gov- 
ernor's road,"  and  was  the  main  highway  leading  from  Hartford  to  New 
London.  The  Rev.  Salmon  Cone,  for  thirty-eight  years  minister  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church,  was  his  next  door  neighbor.  In  passing  through 
Colchester,  attention  is  attracted  by  the  fine  broad  grass  plots  lying  between 
the  sidewalks  and  the  street.  The  highway,  or  Governor's  road,  was  laid  out 
very  wide,  and  in  1807  the  inhabitants  of  Colchester  voted  to  sell  some  of 
this  land,  not  needed  for  the  road.  In  1808  the  town  sold  to  Lucy  Breed 
some  of  the  land  in  front  of  her  house,  "near  Collins'  hill,  so  called,"  the  line 
beginning  at  a  "Large  Rock  at  the  mouth  of  Mutton  lane,  so  called." 

In  the  "Connecticut  Gazette"  of  May  3,  1776,  John  Breed  of  Colchester 
advertised  as  a  goldsmith.  It  is  probable  that  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life 
he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  for  the  inventory  of  his  estate  showed 
very  little  in  the  line  of  his  trade,  except  his  silversmith's  anvil  and  a  case 
of  tools.  He  died  May  2,  1803;  by  his  will  made  November  11,  1798,  he  left 
all  his  estate  to  his  wife  Lucy  Breed,  including  "a  right  in  the  Colchester 
Library,  and  1500  acres  of  land  in  the  tov.'n  of  Newton,  Susquehannah."  After 
her  husband's  death,  Lucy  lived  in  the  house  with  her  two  handmaidens, 
Hannah  Bunce  and  Nabby  Hazard,  whose  faithful  services  she  remembered 
in  her  will.  Among  other  legacies  she  left  to  the  town  of  Colchester  $500 
"to  be  applied  toward  building  a  house  for  the  poor  of  the  Town."  The 
inventory  of  her  estate  included  the  cherished  "Case  of  Silversmith's  tools" 
and  the  silversmith's  anvil.  This  is  undoubtedly  the  case  which  was  sold  in 
191 1  to  a  well-known  collector  of  old  silver. 

John  and  Lucy  (Bulkley)  Breed  are  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  back  of 
the  Bacon  Academy,  near  the  Bulkley  family.  The  inscriptions  on  their 
gravestones  are  as  follows:  "Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  Mr.  John  Breed,  who 
died  May  2d.  1803,  in  the  51st  year  of  his  age."  "Sacred  to  the  memory  of 
Mrs.  Lucy  Breed,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Breed,  who  died  Dec.  30,  1821,  aged  72 
years." 

Joseph  Carpenter  was  born  in  Norwich  in  1747,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  (Lathrop)  Carpenter;  as  early  as  1769  he  was  established  in  busi- 
ness as  a  goldsmith,  in  a  shop  belonging  to  his  step-father,  for  which  he  paid 
a  yearly  rent.  In  1772  he  purchased  boards  and  stones  for  "stoning  the 
seller,"  and  for  the  underpinning  of  a  shop;  in  1773  he  bought  stepstones, 
shingle  nails  and  eight  scaffold  poles,  so  it  may  be  assumed  that  it  was  about, 
this  date  that  he  built  the  interesting  building  now  used  by  Faith  Trumbull 
Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  as  a  museum.     In  1774  and  for  some  years  after,  he  paid 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  563 

rent  to  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Lord,  for  the  church  society,  for  the  land  "my 
shop  stands  on."  After  the  parsonage  lands  are  ceded  to  the  church  he 
received  a  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years  lease  of  this  land,  then  known 
as  lot  No.  4.  It  is  said  that  he  occupied  one  side  of  the  shop,  while  his 
brother  carried  on  a  mercantile  business  in  the  other  part.  The  building  has 
been  very  little  altered,  and  still  retains  its  gambrel  roof  and  old-fashioned 
shutters  and  all  the  features  of  a  shop  of  the  olden  times.  His  stock  in  trade 
consisted  of  gold  necklaces,  and  beads,  rings  and  stone  earrings,  teaspoons, 
smelling  bottles  "specktacals"  or  '"specticls,"  stone  nubs,  bonnet  pins,  "torta- 
shell  buttons,"  brass  holberds,  cristols,  knee  and  stock  buckles,  watches  and 
clocks.  He  also  advertises  in  January,  1776,  that  he  has  for  sale  engravings 
of  "four  different  views  of  the  Battles  of  Lexington,  Concord,  ike,  copied  from 
origmal  Paintings  taken  on  the  Spot.  The  price  is  six  shillings  per  set  for 
the  plain  engravmgs  and  eight  shillings  for  the  colored  ones." 

He  married,  in  1775,  Eunice  Fitch,  and  built  the  house  next  to  the  shop, 
where  Joseph  Carpenter,  the  third  of  the  name,  lived,  occupying  the  old  store 
for  the  general  merchandise  business.  After  the  latter's  death,  when  the  old 
store  was  looked  over,  an  interesting  copper  plate  which  had  belonged  to  the 
goldsmith  was  found.  "Wm  Robinson,  Sculpt"  was  the  engraver.  At  the 
top  are  the  words,  "Arts  and  Sciences,"  a  tea  set,  a  flying  cherub,  a  tall  clock, 
a  globe,  a  ship  in  full  sail,  a  knife  box,  are  among  the  group,  while  the  inscrip- 
tion is  "Joseph  Carpenter,  Goldfmith  and  Jeweller."  His  trade-mark  seems 
to  have  been  "I  C"  in  a  square,  and  later  on  "J  C"  in  a  square.  He  died  in  1804. 

His  son,  Charles  Carpenter,  who  settled  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  learned 
the  trade  from  him  ;  perhaps  also  Henry  and  Rufus  Farnham  were  his  appren- 
tices. Henry  Farnham  was  born  in  Norwich  in  1773,  son  of  Ephriam  and 
Sarah  (Hunn)  Farnham  or  Farnum.  In  September,  1807,  Charles  Carpenter, 
of  Boston,  jeweler,  sold  to  Rufus  Farnham  and  Henry  Farnham,  both  of 
same  Boston,  jewelers,  his  one-sixth  part  of  the  house,  shop,  store,  and  land 
lately  occupied  by  his  father,  Joseph  Carpenter,  situated  on  the  plain  near 
the  courthouse.  Another  apprentice  ma}'  have  been  George  Dennis,  who  was 
baptized  Sept.  3,  1749,  at  the  First  Church  of  Norwich,  the  son  of  George  and 
Desire  (Bliss)  Dennis.  He  advertised  in  Norwich  in  1778,  as  a  gold  and 
silversmith,  but  little  is  known  of  him. 

Another  silversmith  who  learned  his  trade  of  Joseph  Carpenter  was 
Roswell  Huntington,  born  in  1763,  in  Norwich,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah 
(Edgerton)  Huntington.  A  family  record  written  by  Fanny  Lord  Rogers 
about  1843,  about  some  of  her  relatives,  including  the  Edgertons,  states  that 
"Sarah  Edgerton  married  for  her  first  husband,  Ebenezer  Huntington,  by  him 
she  had  one  son.  Mr.  Huntington  declined  of  consumption,  went  to  the  south 
for  his  health  and  died  there.  The  son  learnt  the  silversmith  trade  of  Mr. 
Joseph  Carpenter  &  went  to  Hillsborough  N.  Carolina."  In  1784  he  adver- 
tised his  place  of  goldsmith  and  jeweler  as  opposite  the  store  of  Gen.  Jedediah 
Huntington. 

There  was  a  Philip  Huntington  born  Sept.  26,  1770,  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Mary  (Carew)  (Brown)  Huntington.  He  was  chosen  town  clerk  in  1801. 
immediately  on  the  death  cf  his  father,  who  held  thr.t  position.     It  is  said 


564  NKW  LONDON   COUNTY 

that  the  town  clerk's  office  was  a  small  gambrel-roofed  building  painted  red 
and  standing  close  to  the  street.  An  ell  was  added  on  one  side  and  this  was 
used  at  times  as  a  shop.  A  spoon  with  the  mark  "P  H"  has  always  been  said 
to  have  been  the  work  of  this  Philip  Huntington,  and  he  may  have  combined 
this  business  with  that  of  town  clerk.  He  died  in  1825,  his  wife  Phila  Grist 
having  died  in  1806. 

William  Cleveland,  son  of  Aaron  and  Abiah  (Hyde)  Cleveland,  was  born 
December  20,  1770,  in  Norwich;  he  was  one  of  the  apprentices  of  Thomas 
Harland,  from  whom  he  learned  the  jeweler's  trade  and  watch  and  clock 
making.  For  a  time  he  was  in  New  London  associated  with  John  Proctor 
Trott  under  the  firm  name  of  Trott  &  Cleveland.  He  went  to  New  York  for 
a  time  but  returned  to  Norwich,  where  in  1830  he  bought  some  property  of 
the  Lord  heirs;  next  to  the  house  he  built  a  small  shop  where  he  carried  on 
the  silversmith  and  watch  business.  On  page  296  of  Barber's  "Historical 
Collections  of  Connecticut"  is  a  view  of  the  Norwich  Town  Green,  in  which 
this  shop  is  shown.  An  old  lady  long  since  dead  remembered  the  shop  because 
of  its  sign,  an  immense  wooden  watch  hung  above  the  door.  Many  spoons 
made  by  him  are  owned  in  Norwich ;  his  mark  w^as  an  index  hand  in  a  square, 
the  name  "Cleveland"  in  a  long  rectangle,  and  an  eagle,  displayed,  in  a  circle. 
He  married  Margaret  Falley,  and  his  son,  Richard  Falley  Cleveland,  was  the 
father  of  Grover  Cleveland,  late  President  of  the  United  States.  Deacon 
William  Cleveland  later  lived  in  Worthington  and  Salem,  Massachusetts,  and 
in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  he  was  associated  with  a  Mr.  Bliss.  He  died  at 
Black  Rock,  New  York,  in  1837. 

A  William  Gurley,  born  in  Mansfield  in  1764,  advertised  in  Norwich 
in  1804,  but  evidently  did  not  long  remain. 

Nathaniel  Shipman  was  an  apprentice  of  Thomas  Harland ;  he  was  born 
in  Norwich,  May  17,  1764,  son  of  Nathaniel  Shipman  and  his  second  wife, 
Elizabeth  Leffingwell.  He  set  up  in  business  for  himself,  and  his  advertise- 
ment appeared  in  the  Norwich  "Packet"  for  October  8,  1790: 

CASH  given  for  Old  Gold  &  Silver,  by  NATHANIEL  SHIPPMAN.  who 
has  for  fale  Clocks,  Watches,  &  a  general  Assortment  of  Gold  Smiths  Work. 
Norwich,  Sept.  i,  1790. 

He  became  a  man  of  considerable  influence  in  the  town,  which  he  repre- 
sented many  times  in  the  legislature;  he  was  judge  of  the  county  court  and 
judge  of  probate.  He  died  in  Norwich,  July  14,  1853.  Besides  his  silversmith 
work,  he  also  made  clocks,  some  of  which  are  still  in  use  in  Norwich  homes. 
He  was  grandfather  of  the  late  Judge  Nathaniel  Shipman. 

Abel  Brewster,  born  February  6,  1775,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
(Witter)  Brewster,  had  a  goldsmith  shop  on  the  meeting  house  green  in 
Canterbury,  Connecticut,  where  his  brother,  Walter  Brewster,  also  lived. 
In  the  "Courier,"  published  at  Norwich,  April  3,  1799,  J.  Huntington  &  Co. 
advertise  among  other  things,  "Table  and  Tea  Spoons  made  to  any  pattern 
by  Abel  Brewster  of  Canterbury,  may  be  had  of  Huntington  &  Co.,  also  orders 
for  any  kind  of  Goldsmith  and  Jewellry  Articles  left  with  them  will  be 
executed  by  faid  Brewster  with  neatness  and  dispatch.  Norwich  Port,  March 
26,  1799." 


I 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HQiT^IES  565 

In  November,  1804,  he  seems  to  have  set  up  his  shop  in  Norwich  Land- 
ing, and  advertises  that  he  is  now  selling  for  the  most  reasonable  prices  in 
cash  or  approved  notes,  a  variety  of  warranted  middling  and  low  prized 
watches,  chains,  seals,  keys,  warranted  silver  table,  tea,  salt  and  mustard 
spoons;  su.aar  tongs,  silver  thimbles,  a  variety  of  fashionable  gold  ear  rings, 
knobs,  lockets,  bosom  pins,  and  finger  rings;  warranted  gold  necklaces  of 
superior  quality;  ladies'  and  gentlem.en's  morocco  pocket  books;  pen  knives, 
most  kinds  of  watch  materials  and  a  variety  of  other  articles  in  his  line. 
"N.B.  All  kinds  of  Watches  repaired  with  the  utmost  punctuality  and  dis- 
patch. Cash  and  the  highest  price  given  for  old  gold  and  silver."  On 
February  27,  1805,  he  advertises,  "A  SUCCESSOR  WANTED— ABEL 
BREWSTER.  Finding  the  care  necessary  in  his  business  too  great  for  the 
present  state  of  his  health,  offers  to  dispose  of  his  whole  stock  in  Business, 
consisting  of  Watches,  Furnishing  Materials,  Jewelry,  Silver  and  Fancy 
Work,  Tools,  &c,  &c.  He  thinks  the  call  highly  worth}-  the  attention  of  some 
Gentleman  of  the  profession.  Also  for  sale,  the  house,  shop  and  garden 
formerly  occupied  by  him  and  beautifully  situated  on  Canterbury  Green." 
In  "The  Courier"  of  April  3.  1803,  he  announces  that  "Having  disposed  of 
his  business  to  Messrs  Judah  Hart  and  Alvin  Wilcox,  he  requests  all  persons 
indebted  to  him  (whose  debts  have  become  due)  to  make  immediate  payment 
without  further  notice."  He  died  in  1807,  and  the  inventory  of  his  estate 
included  a  small  house  and  lot  "in  Swallowall"  (now  Franklin  Square)  in 
Norwich. 

The  day  of  the  old-time  gold  or  silversmith  had  nearly  passed ;  much  of 
the  work  was  now  done  by  machinery,  and  while  spoons  still  continued  to 
be  occasionally  made,  •  et  seldom  has  a  good  specimen  been  found  in  this 
section  of  later-day  work. 

Judah  Hart  was  born  in  New  Britain,  in  1777;  began  business  in  Middle- 
town  in  1800,  and  was  in  partnership  with  Charles  Brewer,  and  in  1803  with 
Jonathan  Bliss.  In  March  or  April,  1805,  with  Alvan  Wilcox,  he  purchased 
the  business  of  Abel  Brewster,  in  Norwich,  Connecticut;  and  on  April  30, 
1805,  they  advertise  for  sale  a  number  of  second-hand  clocks,  watches,  jewel- 
er's and  silversmith's  tools.  Many  spoons  bearing  the  mark  of  "H  &  W," 
with  an  index  hand,  are  in  use  in  Norwich.  In  1809  Wilcox  sold  his  share 
to  Hart,  who  then  used  the  index  hand,  and  the  letters  "J.  Hart."  "Hart  & 
Wilcox"  had  also  been  used  as  the  firm's  trade-mark.  In  1815,  Judah  Hart 
bought  some  land  in  Norwich,  on  Franklin  Square,  which  in  1816  he  sold  to 
Thomas  C.  Coit  and  Elisha  H.  Mansfield.  He  then  seems  to  have  been  for 
a  time  in  Griswold,  Connecticut,  and  later  removed  to  Brownsville,  Ohio. 

The  Alvan  Wilcox  who  was  associated  for  a  few  years  with  Judah 
Hart  in  Norwich,  was  born  in  Berlin,  Connecticut,  in  1783.  In  1824  he  was 
living  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  his  shop  was  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Church  and  Chapel  streets,  where  a  number  of  early  silversmiths  were 
located  before  his  day.  The  evolution  of  the  business  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  in  1841  he  is  called  a  silver  worker;  in  1850  a  gold  and  silver  thimble  and 
spectacle  maker,  and  in  1857  a  silver-plater.    He  died  in  1865. 


566  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

Eliphaz  Hart,  a  younger  brother  of  Judah  Hart,  born  in  1789,  in  New 
Britain,  Connecticut,  learned  the  trade  of  his  brother,  Judah;  spoons  having 
the  mark  of  E.  Hart  are  in  existence,  but  he  probably  did  not  continue  in  the 
business  for  long.  He  died  in  Norwich,  in  the  suburb  known  as  Greeneville, 
in  1866. 

The  firm  of  Coit  &  Mansfield,  which  in  1816  bought  out  the  business  of 
Judah  Hart,  carried  a  much  different  stock  of  goods  from  the  previous  owner; 
in  April  of  that  year  they  advertise  that  they  have  just  received  and  oflfer 
for  sale,  "a  good  assortment  of  Military  Goods  viz  Elegant  silver  and  gilt 
epauletts ;  silver  Lace ;  gold  and  silver  cord ;  tinsel  do ;  elegant  gold  and  gilt 
Hat  Loops ;  Sword  Knots ;  do  Hangers ;  horseman's  brass  mounted  Swords ; 
artillery  do;  Pistols;  Plumes;  Feathers;  Stocks;  Cockades;  Red  Cord  for 
trimming  pantaloons  etc.  They  expect  in  a  few  days  an  assortment  of  very 
nice  military  Guns  Likewise  for  sale  English  and  French  watches  (which 
will  come  low  &  warranted) ;  elegant  gilt  Watch  Chains;  Seals  &  Keys;  Silk 
Chains;  Knives;  Beads;  Spoons;  and  Jewellry  as  usual."  This  stock  was  laid 
in  evidently  in  response  to  the  demand  for  such  articles  following  the  War 
of  1812.  If  one  doubted  as  to  whom  or  where  such  goods  could  be  sold,  the 
following  might  be  the  answer.  At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Norwich  Sep- 
tember 15,  1814,  "Whereas  from  the  great  number  of  Merchant  ships  which 
are  laid  up  in  this  Harbour,  the  Contiguity  of  three  Publick  Vessels  of  War, 
(one  of  which  is  peculiarly  an  Object  of  the  enemy's  wishes)  the  great 
number  of  Cotton,  Woolen,  Flour  and  other  valuable  Manufactories ;  a  public 
arsenal,  and  divers  ship  yards.  Together  with  the  peculiar  local  situation  of 
this  City,  and  its  Adjacent  Villages  and  districts  at  the  head  of  Navigation 
on  the  River,  the  same  are  eminently  in  danger,  assailable  by  the  Enemy  and 
Subject  (unless  personally  defended)  to  his  threatened  waste  and  Destruction, 
And  Whereas  if  an  invasion  were  renewed  at  the  Eastern  end  of  the  Sound, 
it  would  be  doubtless  so  conducted  as  to  leave  no  hope  that  a  military  force 
could  be  spared  from  the  New  London  station  for  our  defence  And  from 
the  suden  manner  in  which  a  descent  of  the  Enemy  may  be  made,  the  work 
of  Outrage  &  Destruction  may  be  completed  before  the  militia  of  the  Adja- 
cent territory  can  be  brought  to  the  defence  of  the  State,  while  the  encreasmg 
strength  of  New  York  (by  rendering  hopeless  an  attack  there)  and  the  ad- 
vanced season  of  the  year,  renders  our  situation  daily  more  critical  &  alarm- 
ing disquieted  as  we  arc  with  general  terror  &  anxiety,"  the  petitioners 
requested  His  Excellency  the  commander-in-chief  and  the  ofificers  of  this 
military  district  to  send  two  thousand  of  the  military  forces  of  the  State  to 
be  stationed  in  or  near  this  city.  Some  spoons  owned  in  Norwich  have  the 
mark  "C.  M."  with  the  index  hand  used  by  Hart  &  Wilcox. 

Thomas  Chester  Coit,  one  of  the  partners,  belonged  to  the  old  Coit 
family  of  Norwich,  where  he  was  born  in  1791 ;  he  was  apprenticed  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  and  was  in  the  silversmith  business  in  Norwich  for  four- 
teen years;  later  he  moved  to  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  died  in  New  York. 

Elisha  Hyde  Mansfield,  the  other  partner,  was  born  in  Norwich  in  1795, 
died  in  Norwich,  married  Sally  Davison,  and  named  one  of  his  sons  Chester 
Coit  Mansfield.     He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Hannah   (Hyde)   Mansfield, 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  IlOiMES  567 

and  the  old  house  known  as  the  Mansfield  house  stood  on  the  original  home 
lot  of  the  Hydes. 

After  iboo,  the  persons  who  worked  at  all  at  the  old  silversmith's  trade 
made  little  but  spoons,  but  had  manufactured  articles  for  sale. 

Roswell  Walstein  Roath  was  born  in  Norwich,  in  1805,  the  son  of  Ros- 
well  and  Eunice  (Tyler)  Roath,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  John  Tyler.  In  the 
"Courier"  of  October  25,  182b,  he  advertised  that  he  had  just  returned  from 
New  York  and  had  for  sale  "Watches,  Jewellry  &  Fancy  Hardware,  fifes, 
clarionets,  spectacles  &.c."  His  store  was  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Sheiucket 
streets,  where  later  Kinney  and  then  Parlin  kept  a  similar  store.  Roswell  W. 
Roath  removed  with  two  sons  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  they  all  died. 

Thomas  Kinney  had  this  location  at  a  later  date,  and  one  elderly  lady 
of  the  town  remembered  it  as  the  place  where  she  used  to  buy  a  thimble-fuU 
ot  beads  for  a  cent.  Samples  of  his  work  as  a  silversmith  are  seen,  with 
his  mark  of  "T.  K."  S.  R.  Parlin  occupied,  it  is  said,  this  corner,  before  he 
moved  to  the  opposite  corner.    His  mark  was  "S.  R.  Parlin — Pure  Coin." 

Elisha  Tracy  Huntington,  born  1817,  died  1859,  married  Malvina,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Thomas  Goswell ;  he  is  called  "a  jeweller."  His  brother  married  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Kinney.  His  store  was  on  the  corner  now  occupied  by 
the  Norwich  Savings  Society,  and  which  was  afterwards  occupied  by  a  Mr. 
Faulkner  and  still  later  by  S.  R.  Parlin.  This  store  is  of  interest  as  the  inn 
where  General  Washington  rested  on  the  night  of  June  30,  1775.  It  has  been 
taken  down  in  recent  years  to  make  way  for  the  new  building  erected  by  the 
Norwich  Savings  Society. 

This  completes,  so  far  as  is  known,  the  workers  in  gold  and  silver  in 
Norwich  and  vicinity.  Many  fine  examples  of  the  work  of  the  old  gold  and 
silversmiths  are  cherished  in  this  part  of  Connecticut,  and  the  beauty  of 
hnish,  delicacy  of  work  and  the  graceful  forms,  make  one  sigh  again  for  the 
vanished  days  when  the  craftsman  loved  his  work  and  gave  to  it  of  his  best. 

There  were  a  few  silversmiths  who  carried  on  that  business  m  Preston 
and  Stonington,  Connecticut. 

John  Avery,  born  December  6,  1732,  died  July  23,  1794,  in  Preston,  was 
a  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Stanton)  Avery,  both  from  old  families  of  New 
London  and  Stonington.  He  was  a  farmer  and  goldsmith,  having  taken  up 
the  latter  trade  at  a  comparatively  late  period  in  life,  on  account  of  a  partial 
failure  of  his  health.  He  possessed  much  mechanical  ingenuity,  as  illustrated 
by  the  fact  that  he  studied  out  and  carried  into  effect  the  entire  process  of 
making  a  brass-wheeled  clock  without  ever  having  learned  the  trade.  In 
addition  to  his  farming  work,  he  carried  on  quite  an  extensive  business  in 
manufacturing  clocks,  silver  shoe  buckles,  knee  buckles,  silver  spoons  and 
gold  beads,  employing,  it  is  said,  at  times  as  man}-  as  seven  journeymen  and 
apprentices.  Four  of  his  sons,  John,  Jr.,  Samuel,  William  and  Robert,  learned 
of  him  the  goldsmith's  trade.  Clocks  made  by  him  are  still  seen,  also  spoons, 
beads,  etc.  When  the  Revolutionary  W'ar  broke  out,  being  in  poor  health 
and  having  a  growing  family,  he  could  not  go,  but  procured  a  substitute,  and 
served  on  various  committees  at  home.  Two  of  his  sons,  John  and  Samuel, 
in  company  with  many  other  young  men  from  Preston  and  the  neighboring 


568  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

towns,  were  on  their  way  to  the  fort  in  Groton  when  it  was  captured  by  the 
British  in  September,  1781. 

Among  the  goldsmith's  tools  included  in  his  inventory  was  one  not  here- 
tofore named,  viz.  "7  Love  whirls  and  arbors."  His  trade  mark  was  "L  A." 
in  a  small  square,  and  some  spoons  made  by  him  have  a  little  rose  (?)  orna- 
ment where  the  handle  is  joined  to  the  bowl.  An  old  account  book  belonging 
to  him  and  beginning  March  14,  1762,  has  an  interesting  list  of  articles  made 
or  repaired  by  him.  The  number  of  silver  dollars  brought  to  be  made  into 
spoons,  and  clocks  to  be  mended,  was  rather  surprising,  for  Avery  lived  some 
distance  in  the  country  on  Avery  (now  called  Preston)  Plains.  The  house 
where  he  lived  and  had  his  shop  is  still  standing. 

John  Avery,  son  of  the  above,  worked  with  his  father  at  the  trade  of 
silversmith  and  clock  maker,  but  little  is  known  of  his  work;  he  was  born  in 
1755,  and  died  in  1815.  Samuel  Avery,  another  son,  also  learned  the  trade  of 
silversmith,  but  seems  to  have  turned  his  attention  more  to  other  things,  and 
was  the  inventor  of  a  nail-cutting  machine.  He  was  born  in  1760  and  died 
in  1836.  Of  William  Avery,  another  son,  litle  is  known  of  him  as  a  worker 
in  gold  and  silver;  probably  all  articles  made  in  the  father's  shop  bore  the 
father's  trade-mark,  though  perhaps  made  by  one  of  the  sons.  Of  Robert 
Stanton  Avery,  another  son,  born  in  1771,  died  in  1846,  more  is  known.  He 
lived  and  died  in  the  house  in  which  he  was  born,  situated  on  the  east  side  of 
Avery's  Plains,  in  Preston.  Some  examples  of  his  handiwork  in  gold  and 
silver  are  now  in  the  possession  of  descendants.  A  story  is  told  of  six  table- 
stones  made  by  him ;  one  day  "Granny  Treat"  Brewster,  so-called  because 
her  maiden  name  was  Treat,  brought  to  the  shop  six  Spanish  silver  dollars 
to  be  made  into  spoons  for  her  granddaughters.  She  had  the  spoons  marked 
"D.  B."  (Dorothy  Brewster),  and  gave  two  spoons  each  to  her  three  grand- 
daughters. Robert  made  the  spoons  under  his  father's  directions,  and  when 
they  were  finished  he  placed  them  in  his  hatband,  stem  down,  and  rode  off 
on  horseback  to  deliver  them.  In  the  course  of  time,  Robert  married  one  of 
the  granddaughters,  and  so  two  of  the  spoons  came  back ;  then  on  her  death, 
he  married  another  of  the  grandaughters,  and  two  more  came  back.  At  the 
old-fashioned  supper  of  bread  and  milk  or  mush  and  milk,  if  any  other  spoon 
was  handed  to  Robert,  he  would  say,  "Oh,  I  want  one  of  my  own  spoons!" 
One  of  these  particular  spoons  is  in  a  Norwich  home,  while  others  are  in 
Ledyard. 

After  his  father's  death,  Robert  gave  up  the  silversmith  business  and 
devoted  himself  to  farming;  he  became  a  successful  breeder  of  blooded 
stock,  and  his  herd  of  deep-red  cattle  was  one  of  the  finest  anywhere  around. 
He  also  engaged  in  wool-growing  and  had  a  large  flock  of  sheep.  He  was 
captain  of  the  militia  company  and  justice  of  the  peace;  is  said  to  have  been 
the  first  man  in  the  town  to  use  a  cast  iron  plow  and  to  own  a  wagon,  and 
held  many  public  offices. 

Daniel  Billings  was  a  goldsmith  who  was  in  business  in  Poquetannock 
Village  in  1795,  as  learned  from  an  old  account  book  owned  by  Isaac  Greer 
of  that  place.  Little  is  known  of  him,  but  spoons  with  the  mark  "D.  Billings" 
are  in  the  possession  of  some  whose  grandparents  lived  in  Poquetannock,  on 


PINEHURST.    NOnWICH. 


i 


CHATEAU  DE  CHAVANIAC-LAPAYETTE,  BTRTHPU-VCE  OF  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 
PURCHASED  BY  A  GROUT'  OF  AMERICAN  MEN  AND  WOMEN  TO  HE  A  FRANCO- 
AMERICAN  MEMORIAL   MUSIOUM,   OR   "FltENCH   M<UTNT   VKJINON." 


NOTABLE  TLACES  AND  HOMES  569 

the  line  between  the  present  town  of  Ledyard  and  the  town  of  Preston. 

Another  worker,  Christopher  Gallup,  born  June  22,  1764,  in  North  Groton 
(now  Ledyard),  Connecticut,  was  the  son  of  Col.  Nathan  Gallup,  a  brave 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  his  wife,  Sarah  Giddings.  He  died  July  30, 
1849.  The  house  where  he  lived  in  Ledyard  is  still  standing-,  in  good  repair, 
and  the  room  in  which  he  used  to  work  at  his  silversmith's  trade  is  pointed 
out  by  his  descendants.  His  mark  was  "C.  G.,"  and  from  the  quality  of  the 
work  on  these  spoons  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  made  other  articles, 
but  so  far  none  have  been  identified. 

In  Stonington,  Connecticut,  a  David  Main,  born  1752,  died  1843,  perhaps 
the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Thankful  (Brown)  Main,  was  called  a  gold  or 
silversmith,  but  his  work  is  not  known. 

There  were  three  of  the  Stanton  name  who  lived  in  Stonington,  and  there 
pursued  the  calling  of  a  silversmith.  Enoch  Stanton  was  born  in  1745,  and 
perished  at  the  massacre  of  Fort  Griswold,  in  September,  1781.  He  held  the 
rank  of  lieutenant,  and  on  April  8,  1783,  his  widow  sent  the  following  to 
Captain  William  Latham :  "Sir,  please  to  send  me  by  the  bearer  hereof,  Mr. 
Zebulon  Stanton,  the  sum  of  Fifty  pounds  of  my  deceased  husband  (Lieut. 
Enoch  Stanton's)  wages  for  his  service  in  Fort  Griswold  and  his  receipt  shall 
discharge  you  from  the  same.  (Signed)  Wait  Stanton."  He  left  a  widow 
and  seven  small  children,  the  oldest  about  twelve  years  old. 

His  brother,  Zebulon  Stanton,  was  born  in  1753  and  died  in  1828;  the 
house  which  he  built  about  1776  faces  the  Park,  and  the  beautiful  spreading 
elms  before  it  testify  to  its  age.  The  house  is  large,  and  the  ell  at  the  right, 
with  its  two  large  show  windows  full  of  small  panes  of  glass,  was  formerly 
the  shop  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  Spoons  made  by  him,  with  his  mark, 
"Z.  S.,"  are  owned  by  Stonington  people. 

A  Daniel  Stanton  was  a  silversmith  in  Stonington,  but  which  Daniel  is 
not  definitely  settled.  His  mark,  "D.  Stanton,"  would  indicate  a  later  date 
than  the  two  above  mentioned.  Daniel,  brother  of  Enoch  and  Zebulon  Stan- 
ton, peri.shed  at  the  massacre  of  Fort  Griswold,  but  a  Daniel,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Mary  (Eldridge)  Stanton,  was  also  in  the  fort  at  that  time,  was  wounded, 
but  recovered,  and  died  in  later  years. 

PINEHURST 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  when  colonists  were  seek- 
ing homes  in  the  land  called  by  them  New  England  in  memory  of  the  England 
which  they  had  left,  a  company  of  men  purchased  a  tract  of  land  "nine  miles 
square,"  "lying  and  being  at  Moheagan,"  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut. 

Few  as  yet  were  the  settlements  in  the  colony.  Hartford,  Windsor  and 
Wethersfield  were  established  in  the  Connecticut  Valley  between  1633  and 
1636,  and  Saybrook,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  in  1635;  in  the  western  section. 
New  Haven  was  founded  in  1638;  while  in  the  eastern  part  a  grant  had  been 
made  to  Mr.  Winthrop  in  1644  for  "a  plantation  at  or  near  Pequod";  this 
plantation  became  in  time  the  present  town  of  New  London.  The  nine  miles 
square  which  the  white  men  bought  in  1659  of  their  red  brothers,  "Onkos, 
Owaneco,  Attanwanhood,  Sachems  of  Mohegan,"  was  situated  fourteen  miles 


570  NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

north  of  the  Pequot  plantation,  in  the  midst  of  the  Mohegan  territory.  It 
was  a  fertile,  well  watered  region ;  the  Great  river,  called  also  Monheag  or 
Pequot  river  (now  the  Thames);  the  Yantic,  with  its  beautiful  falls;  the 
Shetucket  and  Quinebaug  rivers — all  flowed  through  the  country.  The 
waters  teemed  with  an  abundance  of  bass,  shad,  trout,  and  other  varieties  of 
fish.  Shell-fish,  such  as  clams,  oysters  and  lobsters,  were  plenty;  water- 
fowl made  their  homes  in  the  ponds  and  marshes ;  while  wild  turkeys,  quail, 
partridge  and  other  game  birds  were  common.  Dense  forests  gave  protection 
to  numerous  wild  animals;  in  the  forests  the  underbrush  was  frequently 
cleared  away  by  fires  started  for  that  purpose  by  the  Indians,  while  faint 
paths,  traversed  in  single  file  by  wild  man  and  wilder  beast,  led  through  them 
here  and  there  to  the  Indian  lands  lying  to  the  north  and  west,  which  in  after 
years  became  the  towns  of  Lebanon,  Windham  and  Plainfield.  At  certain 
seasons  of  the  year  the  Indians  came  to  the  Great  river  to  fish,  hunt,  or 
gather  the  fruit  of  the  wild  plum. 

Such  was  the  tract  of  land  named  by  its  owners  Norwich,  at  the  time  of 
its  purchase  from  the  Indians.  Some  of  the  new  proprietors  came  from  New 
London,  some  from  Saybrook,  while  a  few  were  from  still  more  distant  settle- 
ments. There  were  no  roads  over  which  to  convey  their  families  and  house- 
hold effects ;  to  try  to  make  their  way  by  the  Indian  trails  would  have  been 
difficult  and  dangerous ;  but  transportation  by  water  from  Saybrook  and  New 
London  was  easily  effected.  Uncas,  the  Mohegan  Sachem,  had  shown  him- 
self very  friendly  to  the  whites  who  had  befriended  him  in  his  difificulties  with 
the  Narragansetts.  What  more  likely  than  that  he  himself  should  have 
directed  their  course  up  the  Great  river,  past  his  fort  at  Shantok  Point,  where 
he  had  been  relieved  by  one  of  the  newcomers,  up  to  the  head  of  the  river, 
on  past  the  steep  hills  whose  woods  in  many  places  crept  down  to  the  edge 
of  the  water,  where  now  lies  the  fair  city  of  Norwich,  up  the  Yantic  Cove  to 
the  Indians'  landing  place,  below  the  falls.  Not  only  would  this  be  the 
easiest  and  most  obvious  way,  but  the  numerous  references  in  the  early  land 
deeds  to  the  Indian  Landing  Place,  and  the  old  landing  place,  show  it  to  have 
been  the  way  commonly  used.  In  the  beginning,  a  house  lot  with  pasture 
land  adjoining  or  lying  nearby  was  assigned  to  each  settler.  A  road  was 
cleared,  and  the  lots  were  laid  out  on  it  from  the  Reynolds  house  (which 
is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Reynolds  family)  to  Yantic  bridge. 

All  the  rest  of  the  "nine  miles  square"  was  held  in  common  by  the  pro- 
prietors, and  was  known  as  common  or  undivided  land.  A  mill  for  grinding 
corn  was  one  of  the  first  necessities  of  a  new  settlement;  and  the  earliest 
town  act  of  which  any  record  has  been  found  is  dated  December  ii,  1660, 
and  is  the  renewal  of  a  contract  said  to  have  been  made  at  Saybrook  between 
the  "Town  of  Moheagan"  on  the  one  hand  and  John  Elderkin  on  the  other, 
concerning  the  erection  of  a  mill.  Elderkin  agreed  to  pay  a  forfeit  if  the  mill  at 
Norwich  was  not  completed  by  November  ist,  1661.  He  was  a  millwright 
and  carpenter  and  is  traced  from  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  down  to  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  to  New  London,  Connecticut,  and  finally  to  Norwich,  where 
he  ended  his  days.  In  each  place  he  built  mills,  churches  and  houses,  and 
many  inducements  were  offered  to  persuade  him  to  locate  in  new  settlements. 


I 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  571 

The  mill  at  Norwich  was  first  erected  at  No-man's  Acre,  above  the  Yantic 
Falls,  but  was  soon  removed  to  a  site  below  the  Falls. 

A  home-lot  had  been  assigned  to  Elderkm  on  the  Town  street  with  the 
other  families,  but  this  lot  not  being  convenient  to  his  business,  he  was 
granted  a  place  by  the  mill.  Today  the  spring  still  gushes  forth  the  pure 
water  which  made  it  noteworthy  in  the  olden  time.  Elderkin's  Mill,  "the 
valley  near  the  mill  in  which  tiie  Spring  is,"  "the  deep  valley  that  goeth 
down  to  Goodman  Elderkin's  house,"  and  the  "island  before  his  house  at  the 
Mill  Falls"  are  all  mentioned  in  early  deeds. 

For  nearly  a  year  the  pioneers  were  employed  in  erecting  shelters  for 
their  families,  putting  up  walls  and  fences  and  preparing  for  planting;  but 
by  1661  they  were  in  better  condition  and  needed  more  land  for  crops  and 
pasturage,  so  in  April  of  that  year  the  division  of  some  of  the  land  held  in 
common  was  made.  This  was  long  known  as  the  "First  Division  Land."  In 
this  distribution  was  included  the  Little  Plain,  so  called  in  distinction  from 
the  Great  Plain  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town.  Among  the  allotments  was 
one  to  Lieut.  Thomas  Tracy  of  a  parcel  of  land  in  the  "Little  Plaine  by  the 
Indian  Burieing  Place." 

When  the  purchasers  of  Norwich  came  to  their  new  home  they  found  up 
on  the  hill  near  the  landing-place,  a  "place  of  Indian  Graves."  There  was  no 
reservation  of  the  spot  included  in  the  deed  from  the  Indians,  nor,  so  far  as 
is  known,  was  it  ever  secured  to  them  in  any  legal  way,  yet  some  under- 
standing or  tacit  agreement  must  have  existed,  for  their  right  of  interment 
was  not  questioned,  and  when  Lieutenant  Tracy's  allotment  was  found  to 
encroach  on  this  place,  another  parcel  was  substituted  for  part  of  it — "Eight 
acres  of  pasture  land  given  by  the  town  in  way  of  exchange  for  land  in  the 
little  plaine  (viz)  the  Indian  Burying  place."  The  "Indians'  Land,"  and  the 
"Indians'  Burying  Place,"  are  frequently  mentioned  in  the  old  deeds.  This 
spot  is  familiar  at  the  present  day  as  the  small  enclosure  within  which  stands 
the  Uncas  Monument  and  a  few  graves ;  but  formerly  the  burying  place  cov- 
ered a  much  larger  area.  The  land  adjacent  to  the  Falls  and  on  the  Little 
Plain  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  Indians,  of  whom  traces  were  found  for 
many  years.  Deposits  of  arrow-heads  were  found  on  the  brow  of  the  hill 
above  the  Yantic  Cove;  in  1859,  Dr.  Daniel  Coit  Gilman  stated  that  "for 
many  years  he  had  received  from  Mr.  Angel  Stead  what  he  terms  'a  crop 
of  arrow-heads'  gathered  annually  in  his  gardening  on  the  plain  between  the 
landing  and  up-town."  Miss  Caulkms  says,  in  connection  with  the  house 
built  by  Major  Whiting  and  afterwards  owned  by  Captain  Dunham,  that 
"the  ground  plot  included  the  ancient  Indian  cemetery  and  sixteen  acres 
of  land  running  down  to  the  neighborhood  of  Lathrop's  Mills.  In  preparmg 
for  the  foundation  of  this  house,  a  gigantic  Indian  skeleton  was  exhumed, 
and  many  rude  stone  tools  and  arrow-heads  were  thrown  up."  (This  is  now 
the  site  of  the  house  of  Mr.  F.  L.  Osgood.) 

De  Forest,  in  his  "History  of  the  Indians  of  Connecticut,"  writes  that 
when  an  Indian  was  buried,  implements  of  war  and  hunting  were  placed  by 
his  side  in  the  grave,  and  dishes  for  food,  for  the  use  of  the  disembodied 
spirit.    In  digging  for  a  sewer  on  Sachem  street  in  recent  years,  human  bones 


572  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

and  a  skull,  supposed  to  be  Indian,  were  thrown  up  by  the  workmen.  Only 
the  dead  of  the  royal  line  were  brought  here  for  sepulture.  In  view  of  the 
earnest  efiforts  made  not  long  ago  by  the  descendants  of  the  IMohegan  In- 
dians to  establish  their  claim  to  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Indian  Graves, 
these  glimpses  of  the  way  in  which  the  original  proprietors  regarded  it  is 
interesting.  No  interment  has  been  made  for  many  years.  Barber,  in  his 
"Connecticut  History  Collections,"  writes  that  in  1826,  when  a  descendant 
of  Uncas  was  buried  there,  "Mrs.  Calvin  Goddard,  in  whose  immediate 
vicinity  the  burial  yard  lies,  invited  the  tribe,  a  score  or  two,  to  partake  of 
a  collation." 

Although  Lieut.  Thomas  Tracy  received  eight  acres  of  land  in  another 
place  by  way  of  exchange,  yet  he  was  allowed  to  retain  part  of  the  original 
allotment;  among  his  lands  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Grants  appears  the  fol- 
lowing: "Six  &:  one  half  acres  of  upland  more  or  less,  in  the  little  plaine  by 
the  Indian  Graves,  abutting  Indian  land  westerly  sixty-four  rods — abutting 
land  of  John  Elderkin  Southerly  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  eighteen  rods — 
abutting  easterly  on  the  highway  sixty-three  rods— abutting  Northerly  on 
Land  of  John  Olmstead  eighteen  rods;  part  of  his  first  Division  Land.  Laid 
out  Aprill  1661."  This  piece  was  nearly  rectangular,  being  eighteen  rods 
in  width,  sixty-four  rods  on  the  western  side  and  sixty-three  on  the  eastern. 
To  John  Elderkin  was  granted  forty  acres  on  the  southerly  side  of  Little 
Plaine  side-hills,  abutting  Lieutenant  Tracy's  land  on  the  north;  in  1665  he 
had  another  grant  of  twenty-six  acres  on  the  "southward  side  of  Littfe 
Plaine."  In  this  grant  the  Indians'  right  is  also  respected,  and  incidentally 
the  former  grant  to  Tracy  is  mentioned.  Elderkin's  twenty-six  acres  is  de- 
scribed as  bounded  "Easterly  on  Land  formerly  belonging  to  Lieut.  Thomas 
Tracy— seventy-six  rods  on  the  brow  of  the  hill.  The  Indians  to  have  liberty 
to  pass  &  Repass  from  the  Cove  up  the  hollow  to  their  Burying  Place  and 
also  to  have  liberty  to  Cutt  and  make  use  of  the  wood  halfe  the  waye  down 
the  hill  all  along  the  land  formerly  belonging  to  Lievt.  Thomas  Tracy  And 
not  to  be  molested."  In  the  settlement  of  Lieutenant  Tracy's  estate,  the  six 
and  one-half  acres  by  the  Indian  Graves  was  given  in  1692  to  his  son  Samuel, 
but  Samuel  d\ing  in  1693,  without  heirs,  it  fell  to  his  brother,  Daniel  Tracy, 
then  to  Daniel  Tracy,  Junior,  in  whose  possession  it  remained  till  his  death 
in  1771 ;  it  was  then  placed  in  the  inventory  as  "Six  acres  of  land  at  the 
Indian  Graves,  at  £18  an  acre,  amounting  to  £108."  In  the  division  of  the 
estate  this  parcel  of  land  was  set  out  to  the  son,  Samuel  Tracy,  and  was  listed 
at  £192,  which  was  quite  an  increase  in  value.  Land  was  plenty  in  those 
early  days,  and  many  of  the  original  home-lots  and  grants  contained  much 
more  than  the  nominal  measurement;  in  February,  1773,  Samuel  Tracy  sold 
to  his  sister's  children,  Samuel  and  Hannah  Huntington,  "About  Nine  acres 
on  Little  Plain  at  or  near  the  Indian  Graves — abutting  on  Col.  Simon  Loth- 
rop's  land,"  and  still  had  a  small  piece  left,  as  will  be  seen.  Meanwhile, 
Col.  Simon  Lothrop  had  been  acquiring  the  Elderkin  holdings,  including  the 
mill,  dwelling-house  and  island  near  it,  and  in  1736  the  last  piece  of  Elderkin 
property  in  this  vicinity  was  purchased  by  him;  in  July,  1773,  he  conveyed 
to  his  son,  Elijah  Lothrop,  the  tract  adjoining  the  Tracy  lot. 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  573 

In  the  first  years  of  the  settlement  of  the  town,  the  inhabitants  were 
tillers  of  the  soil,  but  with  the  passing  of  the  years  and  a  better  knowledge 
of  the  country,  the  natural  advantages  of  their  situation  were  recognized  and 
business  was  extended  in  various  directions.  For  a  long  period  the  principal 
part  of  the  settlement  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Norwich  Town  Green, 
the  Town  Plot,  as  it  was  designated.  The  busiest  part  of  the  Norwich  of 
the  present  day  was  long  known  as  the  East  Sheep-walk,  and  consisted  of 
nine  hundred  acres,  belonging  to  the  dwellers  of  the  eastern  section  of  the 
town  and  was  used  for  pasturing  cattle.  The  Indian  Landing  Place  was  the 
one  in  common  use  till  1684,  when  the  town  voted  to  lay  out  land  for  a  public 
landing  at  the  mouth  of  Yantic  Cove,  and  have  a  suitable  highway  connect 
with  it.  Thereafter  this  was  known  as  the  Landing  Place,  or,  in  common 
parlance,  the  Landing,  which  term  is  still  used  by  old  residents. 

Mill-lane  (now  Lafayette  street)  was  the  regular  road  to  the  landing 
place  and  mill ;  the  side  road  leading  down  to  the  little  plain  being  a  pent,  or 
closed  way,  with  bars.  In  1670  it  was  ordered  that  "if  any  person  shall  pass 
with  horse  or  cattle  over  the  general  fence  and  so  come  through  the  Little 
Plain  to  or  from  the  town,  he  shall  pay  a  fine  of  5  shillings." 

One  of  the  old-time  stories  was  that  of  the  deaf  old  man  who  used  to 
ask,  "Is  your  father  at  home  or  gone  to  the  Landing,  hey?"  The  "Old 
Landing  Place"  was  the  term  used  to  designate  the  one  first  used.  As  build- 
ing and  traffic  increased,  a  better  road  was  needed ;  in  1740  some  of  the 
inhabitants  petitioned  that  a  convenient  highway  might  be  opened  to  the 
Landing,  in  place  of  the  two  pent  highways  then  in  use.  Although  the  peti- 
tion was  refused  at  that  time,  yet  a  few  years  later  the  closed  highways  were 
opened  and  two  roads  were  laid  out,  one  on  the  east  and  the  other  on  the  west 
side  of  the  central  hill,  variously  called  Waequaw's  Hill,  Fort  Hill,  Reeky, 
Savin,  and  now  Jail  Hill.  This  western  road  was  given  in  the  "District  of 
Highways  at  Chelsea"  in  December,  1752,  as  "beginning  at  the  water,  south 
from  }  e  westerly  corner  of  Daniel  Tracy  Tr's  house  at  the  Landing  place, 
thence  a  straight  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Daniel  Tracy's  land  where 
the  highway  goes  Cross  Wawecos  Hill,  thence  by  Daniel  Tracy's  land  and 
land  of  John  Bliss — thence  a  straight  line  to  the  Parting  of  the  Paths  on  the 
Little  Plaine  at  Oliver  Arnold's  corner."  The  West  Road,  as  it  was  called 
for  many  years,  practically  coincided  with  the  present  Washington  street. 
Up  to  1780  there  were  many  houses  at  the  Town  plot  and  at  the  Landing 
or  Chelsea  Society ;  the  first  church  built  by  the  Episcopalians  was  erected 
on  the  site  of  the  present  Christ  Church ;  but  northward  on  the  West  Road 
there  were  no  houses  to  the  head  of  the  plain  till  Elijah  Lothrop,  Junior,  built 
a  house  on  the  land  "lying  in  Chelfea  Society  in  said  Norwich  Northward 
from  the  Church  on  the  Westerly  side  of  the  highway,"  which  his  father 
had  given  him  in  1775.  This  house  originally  stood  where  the  Lee  house 
now  stands,  to  the  south  of  the  Tracv  land.  About  this  time,  Hannah  Hunt- 
ington, who  had  married  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Lyman,  of  Woodstock,  laid  out 
the  land  purchased  of  her  uncle  Samuel  Tracy,  and  sold  it  in  parcels  suitable 
for  building  lots,  which  were  described  as  "lying  on  the  west  side  of  the 


574  NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 

West  Road  leading  from  Norwich  Town  plat  to  the  Landing  place  in  said 

Norwich." 

Major  Ebenezer  Whiting  was  the  first  purchaser  of  a  lot,  in  April,  1780; 
said  lot  butted  "westerly  on  Land  Supposed  to  be  the  Indian  Burying  place ;" 
this  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  burying  place  was  seldom  visited,  and 
that  the  location  of  graves  was  uncertain.  Here  Major  Whiting  built  his 
house,  which  after  his  death  was  bought  by  Captain  Daniel  Dunham ;  later 
on  it  was  owned  by  Calvin  Goddard,  and  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  F.  L.  Osgood. 
The  lot  adjoining  Major  Whiting's  was  taken  by  Daniel  Rodman,  but  he 
may  not  have  built  a  dwelling  house.  In  the  same  month  (June,  1781), 
Samuel  Woodbridge  bought  the  lot  south  of  Rodman's  and  here  erected  a 
house  in  what,  as  Miss  Caulkins  writes,  "was  then  considered  a  wild  and 
secluded  spot,  but  exceedingly  beautiful  in  situation ;  a  contemporary  notice 
speaks  of  it  'as  an  excellent  place  for  rural  retirement.'  " 

The  same  time  that  Rodman  and  Woodbridge  bought  their  lots,  Thomas 
Mumford  purchased  the  one  south  and  in  1787  the  lot  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Dan  &  EHz.  Huntington  of  Woodbridge,  but  did  not  build  a  house.  (He 
afterwards  lived  in  the  house  on  Broadway,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Priscilla 
Adams.)  Thus  till  after  1799  the  only  houses  above  the  church  on  the  West 
road  were  those  of  Elijah  Lothrop,  Samuel  Woodbridge  and  Major  Whiting. 
They  were  fine  houses  for  those  days,  situated  in  a  beutiful  locality  and 
occupied  by  influential  citizens.  But  a  different  element  was  introduced  in 
1799. 

For  many  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town  there  were  few  needy 
persons ;  only  two  or  three  required  assistance  during  a  year,  and  these  were 
cared  for  by  the  selectmen.  At  a  later  date  the  poor  were  placed  with  those 
who  would  take  them  at  the  lowest  terms.  As  the  town  grew,  the  number 
of  poor  people  increased  and  more  room  was  necessary.  At  a  town  meeting 
held  December  26,  1798,  it  was  voted  that  a  committee  should  be  appointed 
"to  examine  whether  there  is  not  some  more  suitable  place  for  a  Poor  House 
than  that  now  fixed  upon  &  whether  if  such  a  place  be  found,  it  will  be 
expedient  to  cause  a  poorhouse  to  be  erected  there  providing  it  can  be  done 
without  any  further  expense  to  the  Town  than  what  is  contained  in  the 
Contract  already  made  by  the  Committee  for  building  the  Poor  House  and 
to  report  at  the  next  Meeting."  At  the  meeting  held  April  11,  1799,  it  was 
voted  that  the  selectmen  should  be  authorized  on  behalf  of  the  town  "to 
make  such  agreements  with  Mr.  Samuel  Woodbridge  and  the  contractor  for 
building  a  poorhouse,  as  they  shall  think  reasonable  relative  to  removing  the 
poorhouse  to  the  lots  owned  by  said  Woodbridge  and  Ebenezer  Erastus  Hunt- 
ington southerly  and  adjoining  the  old  church  lot  in  Chelesa  and  relative  to 
an  exchange  of  the  Land  where  the  poorhouse  now  stands  for  the  land  proper 
to  place  the  poorhouse  on."  But  a  different  arrangement  was  effected.  Sam- 
uel Tracy,  of  the  fourth  generation,  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1798  still 
owned  a  portion  of  the  grant  in  the  Little  Plain  which  had  been  made  to 
Lieut.  Thomas  Tracy  in  1661 ;  in  the  division  of  his  estate,  "The  Land  at 
Indian  Graves  where  the  Poorhouse  is  building"  valued  at  £40  i8s  6d,  was 
set  off  on  April  17,  1799,  to  Ebenezer  Tracy,  the  second  son,  and  on  May  9, 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AXIJ  IICXMES  575 

1799,  "Ebenezer  Tracy  of  Middletovvn,  Connecticut,  Physician  and  Surgeon, 
sold  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Norwich  for  $137.50  a  certain  tract  of 
Land  lying  in  Chelsea  Society  in  Norwich  aforesaid,  on  the  west  road  leading 
from  the  Court  House  to  the  Landing  on  the  Littale  Plain  so  called,  Con- 
taining One  acre  and  Sixty  rods  and  is  butted  and  bounded  as  follows  viz: 
Beginning  at  the  Southeasterly  corner  of  a  Lot  of  Land  belonging  to  Daniel 
Huntington  at  the  Public  Highway;  thence  South  West — to  the  brow  of  the 
hill  next  to  the  Cove;  thence  South  East — to  the  Public  Highway  aforesaid; 
thence  North  East  nine  rods;  Thence  on  the  line  of  the  highway  as  it  now 
runs  to  the  First  corner,  and  is  the  same  lot  of  land  set  out  to  me  in  the 
division  of  my  Honored  Father  Samuel  Tracy  Esq.  Deceased,  Estate."  So  in 
1799  the  last  portion  of  the  grant  in  the  Little  Plain  by  the  Indian  Graves 
passed  out  of  the  Tracy  ownership.  Here  the  poorhouse  was  builded,  and 
in  1806,  in  coirii)liance  with  the  law,  a  workhouse  was  erected  near  it.  For 
twenty  years  these  buildings  stood  here.  During  this  period  the  neighbor- 
hood changed  greatly.  As  has  been  said,  the  grist-mill  was  situated  below 
the  Falls ;  the  w-aterfall  at  this  place  was  considered  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting natural  curiosities  of  the  region,  and  is  described  in  Barber's  "Historical 
Collections,"  published  in  1836:  "The  bed  of  the  river  consists  of  a  solid  rock, 
having  a  perpendicular  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet,  over  which  the  whoie 
body  of  water  falls  in  an  entire  sheet  upon  a  bed  of  rocks  below.  The  river 
here  is  compressed  into  a  very  narrow  channel,  the  banks  consisting  of  solid 
rocks.  For  a  distance  of  15  or  20  rods,  the  channel  or  bed  of  the  river  has  a 
gradual  descent,  is  crooked  and  covered  with  pointed  rocks.  The  rock  form- 
ing the  bed  of  the  river  at  the  bottom  of  the  perpendicular  falls,  is  curiously 
excavated,  some  of  the  cavities  being  five  or  six  feet  deep,  from  the  constant 
pouring  of  the  w^ater  for  a  succession  of  ages.  At  the  bottom  of  the  falls  there 
is  the  broad  basin  of  the  cove,  where  the  enraged  and  agitated  element  resumes 
Its  usual  smoothness  and  placidity,  and  the  whole  scenery  about  these  falls 
is  uncommonly  beautiful  and  picturesque." 

Since  the  diversion  of  the  water  for  the  mills,  it  is  only  in  the  time  of  the 
spring  floods  that  glimpses  of  its  former  grandeur  and  beauty  are  seen.  Col. 
Simon  Lathrop  carried  on  the  business  of  the  grist  mill  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  son  Elijah,  w^ho  with  his  brother  Simon  added  an  oil  mill  in  1778. 
During  the  Revolutionary  War,  iron-wire  and  nails  were  also  manufactured 
here,  but  for  many  years  the  Falls  region  had  only  two  or  three  mills  and 
the  dwelling  house  of  Elijah  Lathrop,  Sr. 

At  last,  however,  the  commercial  value  of  the  site  was  recognized,  the 
old  Lathrop  house,  the  grist  and  oil  mills,  with  the  old  distillery  and  tannery 
with  the  land  adjoining  were  purchased  by  a  company  consisting  of  men 
from  out  of  town.  The  West  Road,  being  not  far  from  the  mill  sites,  was 
sought  for  residences.  Calvin  Goddard,  one  of  the  company,  purchased  the 
Dunham  house ;  William  Williams  bought  the  Teel  house,  now  the  residence 
of  Dr.  Howe ;  about  1808,  Theodore  Barrell  had  built  a  house  across  the 
road  from  the  Lathrop  home;  this  became  the  property  of  William  P.  Greene, 
another  of  the  company.  The  Elijah  Lathrop  house  and  lot  of  25  acres  had 
been  purchased  in  1809  by  Mr.  John  Vernett,  who  had  it  removed  farther 


5/6 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


down  the  street,  where  it  still  stands,  the  second  house  above  Christ  Church. 
Mr.  \'ernett  then  erected  a  fine  new  house  on  the  old  site,  and  planned  for 
many  improvements,  but  financial  losses  compelled  the  sale  of  the  place, 
which  was  bought  by  Benjamin  Lee  in  iSii.  This  house  remains  nearly  the 
same,  with  the  exception  of  the  veranda  added  in  recent  years.  It  is  said 
that  the  double  row  of  trees  which  at  present  serves  as  a  driveway  to  the 
barn  of  the  Tyler  place  was  planted  to  screen  the  aristocratic  mansion  from 
the  Almshouse.  The  Woodbridge  property  had  been  purchased  in  1811  by 
Richard  Adams,  a  gentleman  from  Essequobo,  who  had  visited  in  Norwich 
when  a  lad ;  Adams  also  bought  the  Huntington  lot,  which  lay  between  him 
and  the  Almshouse  and  which  had  been  sold  to  Bela  Peck  in  the  settlement 
of  Huntington's  estate. 

In  the  meantime  the  Almshouse  had  become  inadequate  to  the  demands 
made  on  it,  and  at  a  town  meeting  held  April  30,  1819,  it  was  voted  that  "a 
committee  of  five  persons  be  appointed  to  sell  the  land  on  which  the  present 
Alms  House  stands  with  the  buildings  on  the  best  terms  which  may  oifer. 
And  to  purchase  another  tract  of  land  about  twenty  acres  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  a  New  Almshouse  thereon  of  sufficient  size  and  dimentions  to 
accommodate  all  the  poor  of  said  town."  This  was  accordingly  done  and 
the  same  year  a  new  almshouse  was  erected  on  the  present  site.  On  Novem- 
ber 23rd,  1819,  Bela  Peck,  Charles  P.  Huntington,  John  L.  Buswell,  and 
Francis  Asher  Perkins,  a  committee  of  the  town  of  Norwich,  by  virtue  of 
a  vote  authorizing  them  "to  sell  the  land  on  which  the  (then)  present  Alms- 
house &  Workhouse  stand,  together  with  the  buildings,"  for  $860  conveyed 
to  Charles  Bowen,  "in  part  of  his  Contract  for  building  the  new  Almshouse, 
a  certain  piece  of  Land  being  in  Chelsea  Society  in  Norwich  aforesaid  on  the 
west  road  leading  from  the  Court  House  to  the  Landing,  on  the  Little  Plain 
(so  called)  Containing  One  acre  &  Fifty  five  rods — and  is  the  same  land  con- 
veyed to  the  Town  of  Norwich  by  Dr.  Ebenezer  Tracy  of  Middletown,  Conn., 
— it  being  our  intention  to  convey  all  the  land  bought  of  said  Tracy  (Except- 
ing that  part  which  has  been  laid  out  en  the  Main  Street  for  a  highway) 
together  with  the  buildings  and  appurtenances  thereon  standing."  The 
following  April,  Bowen  sold  to  Richard  Adams,  who  owned  the  adjoining 
property,  this  "tract  of  land  Situated  in  Norwich  on  the  west  road  leading 
from  the  Court  House  to  the  Landing.  Containing  One  acre  and  fifty-five 
rods  or  thereabouts  and  is  the  same  which  was  conveyed  to  said  Bowen  by 
the  Town  of  Norwich,"  the  consideration  being  $500.  Among  those  whom 
the  manufacturing  facilities  attracted  to  the  Falls  district  was  William  C. 
Oilman,  of  Boston,  who  established  here  a  naillery  in  1813;  later  he  became 
one  of  the  members  of  the  Thames  Manufacturing  Company.  On  his  mar- 
riage with  Eliza  Coit,  daughter  of  Daniel  Lathrop  Coit,  he  lived  for  a  time 
in  the  Barrell  house,  w^th  the  Lees  across  the  road  for  neighbors ;  in  Novem- 
ber, 1823,  Mr.  Oilman  purchased  from  Richard  Adams,  for  $600,  "a  parcel  of 
land  on  the  west  road  from  the  Town  to  Chelsea  Landing,  near  the  Mansion 
House  of  said  .A.dams; — beginning  at  a  post  now  erected  at  the  corner  of 
said  Lot  on  the  Highway — thence  Southwest— thence  Southeast — to  the 
line  of  the  west  road ;  the  last  courses  abutting  on  land  of  the  Thames  M'f'g 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AMU  liO.MES  577 

Company;  tlicnce  by  the  west  road  to  the  first  bound, — containing  about  Two 
and  one  half  acres  and  includes  all  the  land  conveyed  to  sd  Adams  by  a 
deed  from  Charles  Bowen  and  including  about  One  acre  of  the  land  conveyed 
to  sd  Adams  by  Bela  Peck,  Esq.,  directly  north  of  said  Bowen  Lot." 

Here  Mr.  Oilman  built  a  house  which  stood  near  the  street  nearly  oppo- 
site the  house  now  occupied  by  General  William  A.  Aiken.  It  is  said  that 
it  was  the  first  house  built  of  new  lumber  on  which  the  carpenters  had  worked 
for  a  long  time;  owing  to  the  War  of  1812,  and  the  economies  ensuing,  old 
lumber  had  of  necessity  been  used  in  building  and  repairing.  Cherry  trees 
were  planted  in  front  of  the  house,  and  a  welt  was  in  the  corner  by  the  street. 
As  the  ground  sloped  more  sharply  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  an  open  basement 
was  made.  The  house  had  many  conveniences  unusual  at  that  day,  among 
them  being  a  bathtub,  which,  however,  had  to  be  in  the  basement  on  account 
of  the  water  supply.  The  water  from  a  spring  on  an  elevation  across  the  road 
had  a  sufficient  fall  to  furnish  an  ample  supply  for  the  large  tank.  Madam 
Oilman  took  great  pleasure  in  her  garden,  which  was  enlarged  in  1837  by 
the  purchase  from  the  Norwich  and  New  York  Manufacturing  Company  of 
a  parcel  of  land  adjoining  the  rear  of  the  Oilman  yard.  This  tract  was 
described  as  "Beginning  at  a  corner  of  the  fence  on  Yantic  Street  so  called, 
at  the  easterly  side  of  the  road  and  in  the  rear  of  land  belonging  to  Richard 
Adams,  Esq.  thence  up  the  Hill  in  the  line  of  the  picket  fence  to  land  of 
said  Adams,  thence  following  the  line  of  said  Adams  to  land  conveyed  by 
said  Adams  to  William  C.  and  Eliza  Oilman,  thence  by  said  Oilman's  line 
to  the  Road  and  thence  by  the  Road  in  the  line  of  the  present  fence  or  wall 
to  the  place  of  beginning;  said  lot  being  part  of  the  land  conveyed  by  the 
heirs  of  Elijah  Lathrop  to  the  Thames  M'f'g  Co.  and  by  them  to  the  present 
grantors."  This  land  was  part  of  one  of  John  Elderkin's  grants  which  had 
been  purchased  by  Col.  Simon  Lathrop,  and  conveyed  by  him  to  his  son 
Elijah,  who  in  his  will  dated  1808  gave  "To  son  Simon  for  the  support  of  my 
negro  woman  Beulah,  all  my  land  from  the  south  line  of  Thomas  Fanning's 
Esq.  tan  house  lot  to  the  poorhouse;  if  he  refuses  or  Beulah  dies  before  it 
is  all  used — it  is  to  go  to  the  support  of  my  son  Lynde.  then  to  Lynde's  two 
children  by  present  wife,  Orover  and  Abbe."  In  the  inventory  is  the  "Land 
from  the  Poorhouse  toward  the  mills,  ii50."  On  November  7,  1823,  "Orover 
L'Hommedicu  Lathrop  and  Dan  Platts  3rd  and  Abby  Platts  wife  of  Dan 
Platts,  all  of  Saybrook,  Conn.,  for  $300  sold  to  the  Thames  Manufacturing 
Co.,  one  certain  lot  of  land  in  Norwich,  containing  six  acres  more  or  less  and 
is  bounded  on  the  Thames  Cove — on  land  of  Benjamin  Lee — on  land  of 
Richard  Adams  and  on  land  of  the  Thames  M'f'g  Company,  and  is  the  same 
land  that  was  given  to  the  said  Orover  and  Abby  by  the  will  of  their  Orand- 
father,  Mr.  Elijah  Lathrop  late  of  said  Norwich  deceased,  with  a  right  of  way 
through  it."  (This  right  of  way  became  Yantic  street.)  This  addition  nearly 
doubled  the  size  of  the  Oilman  premises,  and  here  Mrs.  Oilman  had  her  Swiss 
gardener  lay  out  winding  and  picturesque  paths,  some  of  which  still  remain. 
In  his  gardening,  the  man  unearthed  a  deposit  of  Indian  arrow-heads  made  of 
quartz,  flint,  and  of  some  hard  stones  not  indigenous  to  the  region.  Mr. 
Oilman  was  mayor  of  the  city  in   1839,  and  was  the  first  president  of  the 

N.L.— l-.-iT 


578 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad.  Here  was  born,  in  183 1,  Dr.  Daniel  Coit 
Oilman,  the  beloved  president  of  Johns  Hopkins  University ;  he  delivered  the 
historical  address  at  the  bi-centennial  celebration  of  Norwich  in  1859,  and 
died  in  October  preceding  the  250th  anniversary  of  the  town.  After  living 
here  for  about  twenty  years,  business  interests  took  Mr.  Gilman  to  New 
York,  where  he  removed  with  his  family  in  1845. 

When  the  Gilman  house  was  built  it  faced  the  West  Road,  while  below 
it  was  the  "Road  that  Turns  out  that  Gows  to  the  Mills";  "at  a  Court  of  the 
Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Norwich,  Holden  at  the  House  of  Mr.  New- 
comb  Kinney,  January  17,  1833,  at  6  P.  M.,  Mayor  Lanman,  presiding,  the 
committee  appointed  at  a  former  meeting  to  take  into  consideration  the 
petition  of  William  L'Hommedieu,  Thomas  Robinson  and  others  for  naming 
the  streets  of  the  city  made  a  report  and  thereupon  each  street  was  put 
separately  and  carried  in  the  affirmative.  The  Street  commencing  at  Mr. 
Wickham's  Dwelling  House  by  Lyman  Brewer's  and  Calvin  Goddard's  to 
the  Dwelling  House  of  Walter  Lester  to  be  called  Washington  Street.  From 
Washington  Street  near  W.  C.  Gilman's  by  the  falls  and  Peleg  Hunt's  and 
E.  Corson's  to  the  North  line  of  the  City  to  be  called  Clay  Street." 

Clay  street  was  altered  to  Yantic  street,  at  a  meeting  held  four  days  later. 
Mrs.  Eleanor  Kip,  from  New  York,  then  came  to  live  here,  purchasing  the 
property  for  $8,000;  Mrs.  Kipp,  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Whittredge,  and  her 
daughter  Mrs.  Austin  and  two  grandchildren,  lived  here  till  October,  1850, 
when  he  sold  the  place  to  Joshua  Newton  Perkins  and  returned,  it  is  said, 
to  New  York.  Washington  street  had  now  become  one  of  the  most  desirable 
residential  streets  of  the  city,  and  the  price  paid  was  $10,000;  at  this  date  and 
in  all  the  later  conveyances  down  to  the  last  one  in  1904,  the  premises  are 
described  as  lying  on  the  west  side  of  Washington  street  by  which  it  is 
bounded  easterly;  bounded  southerly  and  westerly  by  Yantic  street;  the  only 
change  being  the  name  of  the  owner  on  the  north ;  on  that  side,  the  land  was 
owned  by  the  Falls  Company  and  by  Richard  Adams  till  his  death,  then  by 
William  P.  Green.  Mr.  Perkins  soon  made  many  changes ;  the  grounds  were 
filled  in  and  graded,  the  Gilman  house  was  moved  up  the  street,  and  has 
long  been  occupied  by  Mr.  Lewis  A.  Hyde.  The  front  remains  the  same,  but 
the  veranda  is  a  later  addition.  A  New  York  architect,  Mr.  Gervase  Wheeler, 
and  his  associate,  William  T.  Hallett,  erected  the  brick  house  where  it  now 
stands.  The  house  was  large  and  commodious,  and  its  position  aflForded  a 
fine  view  of  the  valley  and  cove.  It  resembled  the  Italian  villas  on  the  shores 
of  the  lakes.  A  photograph  taken  in  1866  shows  the  simplicity  and  beauty  of 
the  plan ;  the  "Newton  Perkins  Place"  was  one  of  the  show  places  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Perkins  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Norwich,  active  in  the 
advancement  of  its  educational  and  industrial  interests.  After  a  period  of 
some  twenty  years,  business  affairs  took  him  to  New  York,  and  the  house 
passed  into  the  possession  of  Robert  Bayard  of  New  York.  The  Bayards 
did  not  occupy  the  house,  which  was  in  charge  of  a  caretaker  till  it  was 
purchased  by  Mrs.  Edward  Gibbs,  who  made  many  alterations  and  additions, 
among  them  the  wide  verandas ;  the  "Newton  Perkins  Place"  was  merged  into 
"Pinehurst,"  its  present  name.    It  was  on  these  verandas  that  Paul  Leicester 


NOTABLE  PLACES  AND  HOMES  579 

Ford  worked  on  his  story,  "The  Honorable  Peter  Stirling,"  which  he  dedi- 
cated (1894)  "To  those  dear  to  me  at  Stoney  Wolde,  Turners,  New  York; 
Pinehurst,  Norwich,  Conn. ;  Brook  Farm,  Proctorsville,  Vermont ;  and  Dune- 
side,  East  Hampton,  New  York,  this  book,  written  while  among  them,  is 
dedicated."  The  little  sylvan  altar  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  house  still 
remains  to  recall  the  christening  of  George  Gibbs  Mansfield,  the  son  of  Richard 
Mansfield,  the  great  actor.  By  an  odd  coincidence.  New  York  again  proved 
a  magnet,  and  the  Gibbs  family  went  to  that  city  to  reside.  The  house  again 
was  uninhabited,  till  1904.  when  Frank  Allyn  Roath,  a  descendant  of  Robert 
All}n,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Norwich,  became  the  owner;  Mr. 
Roath  enjoved  his  beautiful  home  but  a  few  short  years.  He  left  it  to  his 
wife,  Gertrude  Hakes  Roath,  who  is  much  interested  in  horticulture,  and  a 
true  lover  of  nature.  Under  her  supervision  the  grounds  show  the  effects  of 
the  renewed  care,  and  many  wild  flowers  are  finding  homes  in  congenial  soil. 
Mrs.  Roath  (now  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Gale)  is  a  descendant  in  the  eighth  gen- 
ertaion  from  John  Elderkin,  who  built  the  first  house  and  mill  at  the  Falls, 
and  who  received  as  an  original  grant  from  the  town  of  Norwich  a  portion 
of  the  land  on  which  this  many  times  great-grandchild  now  lives. 

The  Barral  House — Louis  P^arral  (Rariel,  I'arrel),  1780,  married  Mary 
Beckwith,  and  had  two  children:  Mary,  born  1782;  Louis,  born  1784.  In 
1785  he  bought  land  on  Mill  Lane  of  Joseph  Reynolds,  and  built  the  house 
at  present  occupied  by  Hunt,  the  florist,  on  Lafayette  street.  In  the  latter 
part  of  1792,  intending  to  leave  Norwich,  he  ofTered  his  house  and  land  for 
sale,  and  in  1795  lived  in  Northampton,  Massachusetts.  Philip  Hyde  bought 
the  house  in  1800,  and  in  1826  David  Yeomans ;  Daniel  Tree  bought  it  in  1846. 
LaFayette  said  to  have  called  here  on  Louis  Barrel,  possibly  in  1785,  when 
the  General  was  in  America. 


MILITARY  HISTORY 
CHAPTER  XXIV 

New  London  County  in  the  Civil  War — In  the  Spanish  American  War — In  the  World 
War— Vv'orld  War  Honor  Rolls. 

During  the  Civil  War,  there  were  three  companies  from  New  London 
county  in  the  Second  Regiment,  Connecticut  Infantry,  under  President  Lin- 
coln's call  for  "three  months'  men."  These  were:  Company  A,  Frank  S. 
Chester,  captain;  Company  B,  Henry  Peall,  captain;  and  Company  C,  Edwin 
C.  Chapman,  captain.  These  were  all  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  on  May  7,  1861.  They  were  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and 
were  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  end  of  their  term,  August  7,  1861. 

The  Third  Regiment,  Connecticut  Infantry,  had  but  one  company  from 
New  London  county  when  it  marched  away  from  Hartford  on  May  25,  1861, 
Company  D,  mustered  into  service  May  11,  1861,  Edward  Harland,  captain. 
The  regiment  was  engaged  at  Bull  Run,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service 
in  August,  1861. 

Company  H,  composed  of  New  London  county  men,  most  of  whom  had 
been  out  with  the  "three  months'  men,"  w^as  organized  in  1861,  and  was  a 
part  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  Connecticut  Infantry,  a  fighting  regiment  that 
saw  service  from  Fort  Pulaski,  April  10,  1862,  until  Fort  Fisher,  January 
19,  1865. 

The  Eighth  Connecticut  Regiment  of  Infantry  contained  two  New  Lon- 
don companies — D,  John  E.  Ward,  captain  and  G,  Hiram  Appleman,  captain. 
This  regiment  saw  hard  service  under  command  of  Colonel  Edward  Harlan, 
of  Norwich,  who  rose  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  and  Colonel  John  E. 
Ward,  who  succeeded  him  in  command.  Lieutenant  Marvin  Wait,  son  of 
John  Turner  Wait,  of  Company  A  of  this  regiment,  was  mortally  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Antietam.  Another  hero  of  this  regiment  was  Colonel  Charles 
M.  Coit,  of  Norwich,  who  was  badly  wounded,  but  resumed  his  position  in 
the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank,  and  later  was  postmaster. 

The  Ninth  Connecticut  Regiment  contained  but  few  New  London  men, 
but  the  Tenth  Regiment  had  two  companies — F,  Joseph  W.  Branch,  cap- 
tain ;  and  H,  Robert  Leggett,  captain.  The  Tenth  served  until  Appomattox, 
and  was  in  many  battles. 

The  Twelfth  Connecticut  Regiment  contained  two  companies  recruited 
in  New  London  county — D,  Nathan  Frankau,  captain;  and  K,  Edward  K. 
Abbott,  captain. 

The  Thirteenth  Connecticut  Regiment,  which  enjoyed  the  distinction 
of  the  longest  term  of  service  of  any  Connecticut  regiment,  contained  two 
companies  that  were  partly  recruited  from  New  London  county.  The  regi- 
ment was  mustered  into  service  April  25,  1866. 

In  the  First  Connecticut  Regiment  Heavy  Artillery  was  one  company 
of  New  London  men — D.  Joseph  C.  Dunford,  captain.  Henry  W.  Birge, 
of  Norwich,  was  major.    The  regiment  made  an  excellent  record. 

The  First  Connecticut  Regiment  of  Cavalry  had  one  company  recruited 
from  New  London  county — C,  William  S.  Fish,  captain. 


jg2  NEW  LONDOxN  COUNTY 

The  Fourteenth  Regimen  of  Infantry  had  two  companies  from  New 
London  county— E,  William  H.  Tubbs,  captain;  and  H,  Samuel  H.  Davis, 

captain. 

The  Eighteenth  Regiment  of  Infantry  was  recruited  from  New  London 
and  Windham  counties,  and  left  for  the  front  August  22,  1862,  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  William  G.  Ely,  of  Norwich. 

The  Twenty-first  Regiment  of  Infantry  was  recruited  in  Hartford,  New 
London  and  Windham  counties,  Hiram  B.  Crosby,  of  Norwich,  being  major; 
John  E.  Wood,  of  Groton,  captain  of  Company  C;  Charles  T.  Stanton,  of 
Stonington,  captain  of  Company  E ;  William  Spittle,  of  New  London,  captain 
of  Company  F ;  James  E.  Brown,  of  North  Stonington,  captain  of  Company 
G ;  Ralph  C.  Foote,  Jr.,  captain  of  Company  H. 

The  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  of  Infantry  was  recruited  almost  exclusively 
from  New  London  county,  the  staff  officers,  with  one  exception,  being  county 
men:  Thomas  G.  Kingsley,  of  Franklin,  colonel;  Joseph  Selden,  of  Nor- 
wich, lieutenant-colonel ;  Henry  Stoll,  of  New  London,  major.  The  captains 
were:  A,  Jesse  C.  Maynard,  of  Salem;  B,  Clark  Hanenfon,  of  Norwich; 
C,  Enoch  Myers,  of  Old  Lyme;  D,  Samuel  T.  Huntoon,  of  Norwich;  E, 
Christian  Goff,  of  New  London ;  F,  Loren  A.  Gallup,  of  Norwich  ;  G,  John  L. 
Stanton,  of  Norwich;  H,  Daniel  Champlin,  of  Stonington;  I,  William  H. 
Bentley,  of  New   London;  K,  Jedediah   Randall,  of  Groton. 

The  above  were  the  companies  and  regiments  which  New  London  county 
men  were  in  as  organized  bodies.  Many  soldiers  from  the  county,  however, 
served  in  other  regiments,  and  New  London  county  had  no  cause  to  apologize 
either  for  the  quantity  or  the  quality  of  her  soldiery. 

The  Order  growing  out  of  the  Civil  War,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, has  been  well  represented  in  New  London  county,  though  the  repre- 
sentation necessarily  grows  smaller  each  year.  There  are  now  in  the  county 
five  Grand  Army  Posts:  Sedgwick  No.  i,  Norwich,  Orrin  S.  Price,  com- 
mander; W.  W.  Perkins,  No.  47,  New  London,  Louis  J.  Baker,  commander; 
Williams,  No.  55,  Mystic,  Thaddeus  Pecor,  commander;  J.  F.  Trumbull, 
No.  82,  Stonington,  E.  H.  Sheffild,  commander;  M.  A.  Taintor,  No.  9,  Col- 
chester, J.  M.  Huntley,  commander.  Each  of  these  Posts  has  an  auxiliary 
body — the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  that  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  the 
Order;  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  composed  of  sons  of  Civil  War  soldiers;  and  the 
Daughters  of  Veterans,  a  com.panion  organization — these  have  camps  in  the 
county.  Ann  Rogers  Lyon  Tent,  No.  i.  Daughters  of  Veterans,  is  located 
in  New  London. 

There  are  twenty-one  camps  of  United  Spanish  War  Veterans  in  Con- 
necticut, of  which  two  are  in  New  London  county :  R.  S.  Griswold  Camp, 
No.  6,  E.  W.  Grant  Baker,  commander;  George  Cole  Camp,  No.  7,  New 
London,  Robert  J.  Shovlin,  commander.  In  the  anniversary  number  of 
"The  Day,"  published  in  October,  1921,  appeared  the  following  interesting 


MILITARY  HISTORY  583 

review  of  the  military  companies  of  New  London  for  a  period  of  forty  years, 
188Q-1921 : 

New  London  was  headquarters  of  the  Third  Re,s;iment,  Connecticut 
National  Guard,  forty  years  ago,  and  at  that  time  there  were  two  companies 
of  infantry  in  this  city.  Colonel  William  H.  Tubbs,  of  this  city,  commanded 
the  regiment,  and  his  associate  ofificers  were  Lieutenant-Colonel  Edward  S. 
King,  Putnam  ;  Major  Henry  W.  Johnson,  Putnam  ;  Adjutant,  Captain  George 
Haven,  New  London;  Quartermaster,  Lieutenant  George  W.  Phillips,  Willi- 
mantic;  Pa  master.  Lieutenant  Joseph  W.  Gilbert,  Norwich;  Inspector  of 
Target  Practice,  Captain  Alonzo  W.  Sholes,  New  London;  Chaplain,  Edward 
W.  Bacon,  New  London. 

The  local  companies  and  their  officers  were:  Company  D,  Captain  Wii. 
liam  H.  Bentley ;  First  Lieutenant  Fred  E.  St.  Clare;  Second  Lieutenant 
William  M.  Mason.  Company  I,  Captain  Abner  N.  Sterry ;  First  Lieutenant 
J.  Emerson  Harris;  Second  Lieutenant  William  M.  Mercer.  Afterwards 
Company  A  was  added  to  the  local  battalion,  and  a  machine  gun  battery  and 
sections  of  the  signal  and  hospital  corps  were  also  added.  The  armory  was 
in  the  old  Aborn  hall  building  on  Bank  street,  the  site  of  the  new  theatre  of 
the  Walter  T.  Murphy  Amusement  Company. 

On  June  28,  1898,  Companies  A,  D,  and  I,  Third  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  left  this  city  for  the  Spanish-American  War.  The  three  local 
companies  left  the  State  Armory  at  10.45,  and  marched  down  State  street  to 
the  Union  Station,  wheer  they  entrained  for  Camp  Haven,  Niantic.  There 
the  companies  were  federalized  a  few  days  later.  Captain  Henry  S.  Dorsey 
commanded  Company  A  ;  Captain  Frank  W.  Rogers,  Company  D ;  and  Cap- 
tain Eugene  T.  Kirkwood,  Company  L 

In  1903  the  Coast  Artillery  was  organized  in  Connecticut,  and  the  first 
two  companies  of  the  State  were  recruited  in  this  city.  At  that  time  there 
were  two  infantry  companies  in  the  city — Company  D,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Frank  V.  Chappell ;  and  Company  L  commanded  by  Captain  David 
Conner.  The  artillery  companies  were  designated  as  the  First  and  Second 
Companies.  The  First  Company  was  recruited  entirely  of  new  blood,  with 
Captain  Hadlai  A.  Hull  in  command.  The  Second  Company  was  recruited 
from  Company  D,  Infantry,  and  Captain  Chappell  was  retained  in  command. 
This  gave  New  London  two  coast  artillery  companies  and  Company  I.  Later 
another  coast  artillery  company  was  organized  from  Company  I  and  was 
designated  Tenth  Company,  with  which  the  Second  Company  was  merged, 
Captain  Chappell  resigning  and  Captain  David  Conner  being  in  command. 

The  First  and  Tenth  Companies  continued  in  existence  untl  1917.  when 
the  World  War  broke  out  and  they  were  federalized  and  merged  with  other 
regular  army  and  national  guard  units,  both  seeing  service  in  France. 

In  March,  1917,  when  war  with  Germany  became  inevitable,  the  Home 
Guard  was  organized  in  Connecticut,  and  three  infantry  companies  and  one 
machine  gun  company  were  organized  here.  The  three  infantry  companies 
were:  Company  E,  Captain  Jeremiah  J.  Murphy;  Company  H,  Captain  E. 
T.  Kirkland  ;  and  Company  K,  Captain  J.  N.  Lapointe.  The  machine  platoon 
was  in  command  of  First  Lieutenant  Ernest  E.  Rogers.  Later,  the  Third 
Regiment  was  formed  in  this  county,  and  Colonel  E.  T.  Kirkland  was  placed 
in  command. 

About  a  year  later  the  Home  Guard  became  the  Connecticut  State 
Guard,  and  the  Third  Regiment  retained  its  designation,  with  Colonel  Kirk- 
land in  command,  with  headquarters  in  this  city.  A  year  ago  the  National 
Guard  was  reorganized  in  Connecticut,  and  gradually  the  units  of  the  Third 
Regiment  were  demobilized.     At  the  demobilization  there  were  two  infantry 


584 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


companies  in  this  city— Company  A  and  Company  B,  also  Headquarters 
Company.  The  Tenth  Company,  Coast  Artillery,  now  Battery  A,  was  re- 
cruited principally  from  Company  A,  Captain  Elwood  T.  Stanton,  and  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Elmer  E.  Watson  enlisting  and  being  commissioned  officers 
in  the  new  Tenth  Company,  and  First  Lieutenant  Alfred  Ligourie  being 
placed  in  the  officers'  reserve  corps.  Company  B,  Captain  Edmund  B.  Reed, 
continued  in  existence  until  last  winter,  when  Headquarters  Company,  Coast 
Artille^3^  was  recruited,  Captain  Reed  and  First  Lieutenant  George  King 
being  commissioned  officers  in  the  National  Guard,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
George  E.  Fisher  being  discharged.  With  the  depletion  of  the  regiment  on 
account  of  the  National  Guard,  Colonel  Kirkland  and  staff  resigned,  and  the 
Headquarters  Company  was  disbanded. 

At  present.  New  London  is  the  headquarters  of  the  One  Flundred  and 
Ninety-second  Artillery,  Connecticut  National  Guard,  with  Colonel  Morris 
B.  Payne  commanding.  Two  of  the  units  are  located  here — Headquarters 
Company,  commanded  by  First  Lieutenant  Edmund  B.  Reed ;  and  Battery  A, 
in  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Troland. 

The  New  London  Armory  was  started  in  1884.  It  is  located  on  the  site 
of  the  old  Coit  house,  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Coit  streets,  and 
was  ready  for  occupancy  in  1885.  Recently  the  building  has  been  changed 
by  the  cutting  of  large  doors  on  both  streets  for  the  purpose  of  accommodating 
the  large  gun  which  the  United  States  Government  has  turned  over  to  the 
State,  and  the  tractors  and  autos  that  will  be  stored  in  the  basement. 

The  county  was  a  seat  of  great  activity  during  the  World  War,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  shipyards,  forts  and  the  submarine  flotilla  made  it  a 
military  and  naval  base.  The  city  of  New  London  was  taxed  to  the  limit 
to  provide  accommodations,  and  every  town  in  the  county  contributed  liber- 
ally of  men  and  means  after  the  United  States  entered  the  conflict.  The 
names  of  those  who  entered  the  service  have  been  preserved  in  the  town 
histories,  and  need  not  be  recorded  here.  Like  the  Civil  War  veterans,  these 
soldiers  have  banded  themselves  together  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  friend- 
ships that  were  formed,  to  guard  their  mutual  interests,  and  to  keep  in  close 
touch  with  each  other  for  social  and  for  patriotic  purposes.  The  greatest  of 
these  orders,  the  American  Legion,  has  ninety-five  posts  organized  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  seven  of  these  being  in  New  London  county :  Robert 
O.  Fletcher,  No.  4,  Norwich,  John  S.  Blackmar,  commander;  John  Coleman 
Prince,  No.  9,  New  London,  Thomas  S.  McGinley,  commander;  Lyme  No. 
41.  Old  Lyme;  Donald  A.  Bigelow,  No.  54,  Colchester,  E.  L.  Keely,  com- 
mander; Sergeant  Richard  William  Morgan,  No.  55,  Mystic,  John  R.  Wheeler, 
commander;  James  W.  Harvey,  No.  58,  Stonington,  Fred  E.  Hyde,  com- 
mander; Joseph  St.  Germain,  No.  85,  Sprague,  Odilla  N.  Arpin,  commander. 

There  are  State  societies  of  national  organizations  basing  membership 
upon  descent  from  veterans  of  the  various  wars  in  which  the  American 
Colonies  and  States  have  engaged.  Connecticut  has  State  chapters  of  the 
following:  Society  of  the  Cincinnati;  Society  of  Colonial  Wars;  Sons  of 
the  Revolution;  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution;  Society  of  the  War  of 
1812 ;  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  (with  five  chapters  in  New 
London  county,  at  New  London,  Mystic,  Groton  and  Stonington,  Norwich 
and  Jewett  City).  A  Commandery  of  the  Military  Order  of  Foreign  Wars 
of  the  United  States,  and  a  State  body  of  the  Naval  and  Military  Order  of  the 


MILITARY  HISTORY  585 

Spanish-American  War.  A  State  Department  of  Connecticut  Veterans  of 
Foreign  Wars  of  the  United  States  and  a  State  branch  of  the  National  Society 
of  United  States  Daughters  of  1812. 

New  London  is  headquarters  of  the  First  Coast  Artillery  of  the  Con- 
necticut National  Guard,  Colonel  I^Iorris  B.  Payne,  of  New  London,  com- 
mander. The  armory  is  on  Washington  street.  Other  officers  of  the  regi- 
ment from  New  London  county  are:  Major  Charles  H.  Hull,  commander  of 
First  Battalion;  Captain  David  Conner,  regimental  adjutant;  Captain  James 

D.  Copp,  intelligence  officer;  Captain  Henry  B.  Selden,  adjutant  First  Bat- 
talion; Lieutenant  Otto  H.  Schroeter,  plans  and  training  officer,  First  Bat- 
talion; Lieutenant  Robert  W.  Young,  orienteur  officer;  Lieutenant  Paul  H. 
Bolles;  Lieutenant  Robert  A.  Keefe. 

The  Headquarters  Battery  of  the  regiment  is  quartered  in  the  Armory 
at  New  London;  Edmund  B.  Rccd,  captain;  George  L.  King,  first  lieutenant. 

Battery  A,  of  New  London,  One  Hundred  and  Ninety-second  Regiment 
of  Artillery,  Connecticut  National  Guard,  is  commanded  by  Captain  Thomas 

E.  Troland,  First  Lieutenant  Ehvood  L.  Stanton,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Elmer  E.  Watson.  Battery  B  of  the  same  regiment  is  located  in  Norwich, 
the  armory  there  also  housing  the  headquarters  battalion  and  combat  train 
Battery  B  is  commanded  by  Captain  William  B.  Denison,  First  Lieutenant 
Ernest  L.  Bartolucci,  Second  Lieutenants  David  A.  Tongen  and  Jonathan 
L.  Johnson.  Fleadquarters  Battalion  and  Combat  Train  is  commanded  by 
Captain  Herbert  F.  Burdick,  First  Lieutenant  Harry  W.  House,  Second 
Lieutenant  Tracy  R.  Burdick. 

For  many  years  patriotic  New  Londoners  dreamed  of  some  day  having 
a  great  Naval  Station  lour  miles  up  the  river,  but  none  could  have  foreseen 
what  form  this  improvement  would  take.  A  Naval  Station  on  the  Thames 
river  there  had  been  from  the  early  seventies,  but  its  activities  were  short- 
lived and  it  gradually  declined  in  importance  until  it  became  merely  a  navy 
yard  in  name.  Only  a  few  watchmen  were  maintained  there,  to  prevent  the 
junk  from  being  stolen. 

Then  through  Congressional  pressure  the  Navy  Department  determined 
to  utilize  the  yard  as  a  coaling  station.  Coal  pockets  were  erected,  and  for 
a  time  there  was  a  revival  of  activity,  but  there  did  not  seem  to  be  much 
need  for  a  coaling  station.  Then  it  was  proposed  to  make  of  it  a  training 
quarters  for  marines.  Buildings  were  altered,  new  quarters  added  and  a  drill 
ground  laid  out,  but  before  much  more  could  be  done  the  Spanish-American 
war  came  along  and  all  the  marines  were  called  away,  never  to  come  back. 

With  the  development  of  the  submarine  and  its  utility  for  harbor  de- 
fense, a  new  use  was  found  for  the  Thames  Naval  Station.  It  was  dis- 
covered to  be  a  specially  good  place  for  the  maintenance  of  undersea  craft. 
However,  not  much  progress  was  made  in  the  way  of  needed  improvements 
until  the  World  War,  and  then  the  Submarine  Base  took  on  a  pronounced 
boom.  An  appropriation  of  several  millions  was  spent  in  developing  it. 
Officers'  quarters,  barracks,  wharves,  storehouses,  etc.,  w-ere  erected,  until  it 


586 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


has  grown  to  be  a  city  by  itself.  At  one  time  during  the  war,  nearly  ten 
thousand  men  were  stationed  or  in  training  there.  Since  the  close  of  the 
Great  War,  the  force  of  men  has  been  much  diminished,  but  the  work  of 
developing  is  still  going  on.  The  government  has  fortified  the  harbor,  and 
an  adequate  force  of  men  provide  protection  against  foe. 

Muster  roll  of  the  3rd  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  for 
Spanish-American  war  ser\-ice.  Mustered  into  the  United  States  Service  at 
Niantic,  July  2-6,  1898.    Mustered  out  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  March  20,  1899. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF 
Col.  Augustus  C.  Tyler  (resigned;  discharged  Jan.  31,  1899),  New  London. 
Lieut.-Col.  Alexander  Rodgers  (promoted  to  colonel  Jan.  31,  1899),  Washington,  D.  C. 
Maj.  Henry  J.  Thayer  (resigned;  mustered  out  Sept.  9),  Putnam. 
Maj.  Gilbert  L.  Fitch  (resigned  Sept.  19),  Stamford. 

First  Lieut,  and  Adjutant  Roswell  D.  Trimble  (promoted  to  major  Oct.  31),  New  London. 
First  Lieut,  and  Quartermaster  Percy  H.  Morgan,  Poquonnock. 
Maj.  and  Surgeon  Julian  La  Pierre  (resigned;  mustered  out  Sept.  21),  Norwich. 
First  Lieut,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Hiram  B.  Thomson   (promoted  to  major  and  surgeon 

Sept.  23),  New  London. 
First  Lieut,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Harry  M.  Lee,  New  London. 
Assistant  Surgeon  John  S.  Blackmar  (appointed  Oct.  3),  Norwich. 
Chaplain  J.  Spencer  Voorhees,  Hartford. 

NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF 


Sergt.-Maj.  Richard  P.  Freeman,  Jr.,  New 
London.    Discharged  Sept.  8. 

Q.  ^L-Sergt.  lanics  D.  Copp,  New  Lon- 
don.   Discharged  Sept.  8. 

Chief  Musician  Chas.  H.  Phillips,  New  Lon- 
don.   Reduced  to  ranks. 

Prin.  Musician  Aubrey  J.  Newburg,  New 
London. 

Hosp.  Steward  Clarence  D.  Scvin,  Norwich 

Hosp.  Steward  Harry  F.  Thompson,  New 
London. 

Hosp.  Steward  Hubert  F.  Pierce,  East  Nor- 
walk. 

Corp.  Sidney  E.  Morton.    Reduced  to  ranks. 

Corp.  Edward  Pendleton.  Reduced  to  ranks. 
Promoted  to  corporal. 

COMPANY  A,  OF  NEW  LONDON 

Capt.  Henry  S.  Dorsey. 

First  Lieut.  Edward  T.  Drea;  resigned 
Nov.  28. 

Second  Lieut.  Edward  H.  Corcoran. 

First  Sergt.  Frank  A.  McDonald. 

Q.  M.-Sergt.  John  A.  Malona,  Waterford. 

Sergt.  Hubert  W.  Ryan;  reduced  to  ranks. 

Sergt.  John  J.  Lawless,  Waterford;  pro- 
moted to  first  sergeant,  to  second  lieu- 
tenant, Co.  D. 

Sergt.  Walter  W.  Philbrick. 


Sergt.  Edward  A.  Lawless,  Waterford. 

Corp.  Daniel  A.  Rankin. 

Corp.  John  T.  Sweeney;  reduced  to  ranks. 

Corp.  Joseph  D.  Phillips,  Waterford ;  re- 
duced to  ranks. 

Corp.  Edward  C.  Smith ;  reduced  to  ranks. 

Corp.  Jeremiah  T.  Moriarty ;  reduced  to 
ranks ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Musician  Frank  Joseph. 

Privates 

Brccn,  Michael  E. 

Berardinelli,  Peter  S.,  Waterford;  dis- 
charged Jan.  24. 

Brtncll,  Herbert,  Noank. 

Caracausa,  Joseph. 

Chapman,  Edward  K.,  Groton. 

Carney,  Thomas. 

Carey,  Patrick  J.,  Stonington ;  promoted  to 
corporal. 

Chapman,  Andrew  G.,  Norwich. 

Cleveland,  Robert  I. 

Cotter,  John  F.,  New  Britain. 

E'rudy,  John  D. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Dunn,  Daniel  F. 

Dclap.  George  T. 

Dcfflcy,  James  E. 

Doyle,  Joseph  M. 

Foley,  Michael. 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


587 


Greer.  Benjamin 

Hynds,  John  J. 

Howard,   Jo<;eph 

Jaeger,  Robert  H. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Kay,    Rcnjaniin    F.,    Groton;    promoted    to 
corporal. 

Kopp,  George 

McCarthy,    Robert    J. ;    dishonorably    dis- 
charped. 

Mead,  Harry  A.,  Portchester,  N.  Y. ;  trans- 
ferred to  regimental  band. 

Mealady,  Daniel  J. 

Morgan.  Charles  L.,  Montville. 

McLaughlin,  James  H. ;  deserted  Sept.  i. 

McMoran,  Eugene. 

O'Rourke,  Edward  J. 

O'Rourke,      Thomas;      dishonorably      dis- 
charged. 

Petty,  George 

Perrin,  Frederick  A. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Powers,   \Vm.    P.,   Hartford;   dishonorably 
discharged. 

Ryan,  John  F. 

Rogers,  Edward  H.,  East  Lyme. 

Sullivan,  Dennis  D. 

Sullivan,  James ;  dishonorably  discharged. 

Sheridan,  John  J. 

Sheridan,  W'm.  J. 

Storey,  W'm.  J.;  deserted  Nov.  11. 

Saunders,  Lyman  R.,  Mystic. 

Shea,  Daniel  F. 

Skinner,  John  O. 

Sauter,  John  F.,  Norwich. 

Turk,  Harry 

Tumelty,  Thomas 

Tracey,  W'm.  D. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Wilson,  John 

Wil'^on,  Wm. ;  dishonorably  discharged. 

Williard.  .Xrthur  L. ;  appointed  musician. 

Weinstein,  Joseph 

Wright,  Fred  C.  Pomfret;  discharged  Feb. 
6,  1899. 

W'atson,   Wm.   L.,   Hartford ;   dishonorably 
discharged. 

W'oods,  John  E.,  New  Britain. 

Waldron,  James  E.,  Wallingford ;  dishonor- 
ably discharged. 

COMPANY  B,  OF  PAWCATUCK 
First  Lieut.  John  F.  Murphy,  Pawcatuck; 

promoted  to  captain  Co.  L,  Nov.  22. 
Second  Lieut.  Isaac  F.  Gavitt. 
First  Sergt.  James  F.  Spellman. 
Q.  M.-Sergt.  Esbon  H.  Gavitt. 
Sergt.  James  J.  Murphy;  promoted  to  sec- 


ond lieutenant  Co.  H,  Jan.  22. 

Sergt.  John  J.  Bentlcy. 

Sergt  Patrick  W.  Shea. 

Sergt.  Michael  F.  O'Conncll. 

Corp.  Tliomas  F.  Lenihan ;  discharged  Feb. 
13,  1899. 

Corp.  John  T.  Fitzgerald. 

Corp.  John  H.  Shea. 

Corp  Cornelius  L.  Shea. 

Corp.  James  P.  McMahon. 

Corp.  James  D.  Neville. 

Corp.  Dennis  F.  Connell. 

Corp.  John  J.  Donahue. 

Corp.  James  M.  Lindsay. 

Musician  John  J.  Cunningham. 

.Artificer  Dennis  C.  Brown. 

Wagoner  James  J.  McCort,  Stonington ;  re- 
duced to  ranks. 

Privates 

Alvcs,  Charles,  Stonington. 

Ahem,  Henry  P.,  Norwich. 

Buck,  Henry  IL ;  deserted. 

Brightman,  Frank,  Stonington. 

Barry,  Joseph,  Norwich. 

Boles,  John,  Jr. 

Church,  Walter,  Stafford. 

Carson,  Edward  R.,  Stonington. 

Carey,  John  E. 

Casey,  Daniel  J.,  appointed  wagoner. 

Casey,  John  F. 

Casey,  John. 

Connor,  James  J.,  Norwich. 

Donahue,  James  F. 

Donahue,  Michael  E. 

Donahue,  John  F. 

Doran,  Andrew  E..  Manchester. 

Eaton,  Ervin  J. 

Ennis,  John,  Stonington. 

Farrcll,  John  E. 

Fenton,  Edwin  H. 

Fallon,  John,  Stonington. 

Fairfield,  David  ^L;  transferred  to  band. 

Fogarty,  William  L.,  Norwich ;  dishonor- 
ably discharged. 

Griffin,  John,  Boston,  Mass.;  dishonorably 
discharged. 

Gilmore,  Dennis,  Stonington. 

Gould,  Ezra,  Monson,  Mass. ;  promoted  to 
corporal. 

Holland,  Bert  E.,  transferred  to  band. 

Knight,  Wm.  B. 

Keegan,  John  H. 

Knowles,  George  E.,  North  Stonington. 

Luck,  Gus?ie  .\. 


S88 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Maxson.  John  \V.,  Stonington;  discharged 

Nov.  l8,  disability. 
McDonald,  John  J. 
McDonald,  Thomas  J. 
McGrath,  John  D. 

McKay,  Robert;  transferred  to  Company  I; 
promoted  to  corporal;  transferred  to  N. 
N.  C.  S.,  Dec.  14,  as  sergeant-major. 
McQuard,  James. 
O'Gara,  James  P. 

Palmer,  Henry  E. ;  discharged  Jan.  16,  1899. 
Preston,  Roger  A. 

Rushlow,  Joseph  T. 

Robinson,  Henry,  Stonington. 

Roche,  Patrick  D. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Shea,  Daniel  C. 

Shea,  Daniel,  Stonington. 

Sutton,  James,  Stonington. 

Sullivan,  Edward  J. 

Smith,  Joseph. 

Tedford,  Robert,  Stonington. 

Whalen,  John  J. 

Wilcox,  Jerome  A.,  Stonington ;  deserted. 

Wright.  Robert  W.,  Derby. 

Witcnheimcr,  Albert  H.,  Derby;  pro- 
moted to  sergeant-major.,  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant,  Dec.  8. 

COMPANY  C,  OF  NORWICH 

Capt.  Charles  A.  Hagberg. 

First  Lieut.  Harry  E.  Comstock. 

Second  Lieut.  Frank  Q.  Smith. 

First  Sergt.  Milo  R.  Waters. 

Q.  M.-Sergt.  John  Gembel. 

Sergt.  John  A.  Hagberg;  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant  Co.  B,  Nov.  22. 

Sergt.  Charles  A.  Polsten;  reduced  to 
ranks. 

Sergt.  Edward  T.  Waterman. 

Sergt.  Charles  E.  Ramage,  Montville ;  dis- 
charged Feb.  2,  1S9C). 

Corp.  Charles  H.  Thorpe,  Uncasville ;  pro- 
moted to  sergeant. 

Corp.   Wm.    C.   Zelze ;    discharged    Feb.    2, 

1899- 

Corp.  Alfred  A.  S.  L'Heureux,  Taf tville ; 
reduced  to  ranks. 

Corp.  James  N.  Clark,  Jr. ;  reduced  to  ranks. 

Corp.  John  Hubbard ;   discharged   Oct.   10. 

Corp.  Frederick  W.  Burton. 

Corp.  George  \V.  Rathbun ;  discharged  Feb. 
2,  1899. 

Corp.  Henry  H.  Morrill ;  promoted  to  ser- 
geant. 

Corp.  Charles  Sabrowski. 


Musician  Leopold  A.  Grzywacz,  transferred 
to  band. 

Privates 

Audctte,  Elmer,  Taftville. 

Audette,  Alfred,  Taftville. 

Aspinall,  Henry. 

Ahern,  Wm.  H. 

Bauman,  John. 

Benjamin,  James  H. 

Bliven,    George    L.,    Lebanon ;    discharged 

Sept.  6. 
Barnes,  Philo  H.,  Preston. 
Brock,  Eugene  S. 
Chase,  Walter  ^L ;  transferred  to  Co.  D; 

appointed  musician. 
Coffee,   Walter  C. ;   promoted   to  corporal; 

promoted  to  sergeant. 
Casey,  Daniel  C. 
Corcoran,  Murty,  Taftville. 
Cox,  Thomas  J. 
Caruthers,  Wm. 
Connell,  Patrick  F. 
Cahoon,  David  A. 
Carter,  John. 
Callahan,  Dennis. 

Callahan,  John  F. ;  discharged  Feb.  3,  1S99. 
Carroll,  Wm.  F.,  Preston. 
Comstock,  James  H. ;  transferred  to  band. 
Dyrdal,  Giordi. 

Duff,  Daniel ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
Dnrfey,  Frank,  Greenville. 
Donahue,  Patrick  H. ;  appointed  artificer. 

Fletcher,  W;m.  C. ;  discharged  Jan.  24,  1899. 

Fletcher,  George  H. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Foren,  John  M.,  Jewett  City. 

Fitzgerald,  Frederick. 

Gambel,  John,  Taftville;  died  Sept.  19. 

Gaj',  James  M. 

Gadle,  George  H. ;  appointed  wagoner. 

Gibson,  Herbert  A. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Grover,  Anson  E.,  Preston. 

Geary,   Morris  F.,  Montville. 

Haselden,  John  W. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Hughes,   Joseph. 

Hiscox,  Judson  L.,  Preston. 

Jack,  James,  Jr.,  Greeneville ;  promoted  to 
corporal. 

Jeffers,    Walter   B.    S.,   Jewett    City;    pro- 
moted to  corporal. 

Kellog,  Walter  J. 

King,  Joseph  W. 

L'Heureux,  Nelson  S.,  Taftville. 

Loffler,  John  T. 

Lynch,    George    H.,    Preston;    discharged 
Nov.  27,  1898. 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


589 


Lumsdcn,  George  R. 

Lctcndre,  George,  Taftville. 

Maguire,  Wtn.  F. 

Malone,  Wm.  J.,  Taftville. 

McClure,  Wm.,   Preston. 

McVcy,  Peter. 

Merrill,  Orville  W.,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Miner,  Huburt,  Greeneville. 

Moore,  Michael  M. ;  promoted  to  corporal; 

reduced  to  ranks. 
Morgan,  James,  Jr. 
McGill,  John  H.,  Stamford;  discharged  Jan. 

3.  1899- 

McCormick,  James,  Maysville,  Ky. 

Mausmann,  Andrew  H.,  Franklin. 

Olsson,  Ivar,  Greeneville. 

Osborne,  John  C. ;  appointed  musician. 

Oliver,  Charles  B. 

Perkins,  Charles  T. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Pcckhani,  Wm.  W.;  transferred  to  band. 

Pierce,  Arthur  W.,  Jewett  City. 

Pickorski,  Mike. 

Reeves,  George  P.,  Taftville. 

Robinson,   Walter   C. ;   appointed   musician. 

Rushlow,  Peter. 

Rathbun,  Charles  I.;  transferred  to  band. 

Raphael,  Robert,  Montville. 

Sabrowski,  August ;  discharged  Jan.  24, 
1899. 

Ecllick,  Frederick  W. 

Sikorski,  Albert. 

Sikorski,  John,  Greeneville. 

Simpson,  Louis  F  ,  Franklin. 

Sk'nner,  Benjamin  F. 

Sterry,  Frank  E. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Sullivan.  Patrick,  Taftville. 

Thorp,  .Mbert;  promoted  to  corporal. 

Thorpe,  William  H.,  Montville;  pro- 
moted to  corporal. 

Tookcr,  Frederick  B. ;  transferred  to  band. 

Turner,  George  A. 

Tyiendar,  Antoni. 

Woodworth.  Harvey  L. 

Wclden,  Albert  C. 


Sergt.  Carlos  G.  Champlin ;  transferred  to 

Co.  H,  2d  U.  S.  Vols.,  Engrs..  Dec.  6. 
Sergt.  Wm.  R  Chipman ;  promoted  to  first 

sergeant. 
Corp.   Joseph   J.   Carr;    reduced   to   ranks; 

dishonorably  discharged  Feb.    18.   1899. 
Corp.  Daniel  B.  Scoville ;  reduced  to  ranks. 
Corp.  Harry  B.  Prince ;  reduced  to  ranks. 
Corp.  John  J.  Butler. 
Corp.  Frank  J.  Martin. 
Corp.    Michael    F.    Hogan,    North    Plains; 

deserted  Oct.  13. 
Corp.  Michael  C.  Carey. 
Corp.  John  F.  Conway. 
Corp.  Byron  W.  Bemis,  Shelton ;  promoted 

to  sergeant. 
Musician    George    E.    Ryley;    reduced    to 

ranks ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
Musician  Charles  Ormsby. 
Wagoner  Cassius  A.  Harding. 

I 
Privates 

Albccker,  Edward,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Allen,  Henry,  Norwich. 
Lee,  James  T.,  Norwich. 
Polskey.  Joseph,  Montville. 
NS'illey,  Frank,  Norwich. 

COMPANY   F,  OF  DANIELSON 

Contained    one    man    from    New    London 

county — Jolly,  James   K.,  Norwich. 

COMPANY  H,  OF  STONINGTON 

Capt.  Hadlai  A.  Hull;  promoted  to  major 
Sept.  23rd;  resigned  Oct.  17th. 

First  Lieut.  Herbert  D.  Utley,  New  Lon- 
don; resigned  Oct.  nth. 

Second  Lieut.  Walter  F.  Fish,  Mystic;  re- 
signed Jan.  ist. 

Corp.  Oscar  W.  Palmer,  Norwich ;  pro- 
moted to  first  sergeant. 

Corp.  Myron  A.  Maynard,  Jewett  City. 

Corp.  Wilfred  Prevost,  Jewett  City. 

Wagoner  George  Conrad,  Norwich. 


COMPANY  D,  OF  NEW  LONDON 

Capt.  David  Conner,  New  London. 

First  Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Ryley,  New  London ; 
discharged  Jan.  24,  1899. 

Second  Lieut.  Charles  P.  Kirkland ;  pro- 
moted to  captain  Co.  M,  Sept.   11. 

First   Sergt.  George  Hennes. 

Q   M.-Sergt.  Emmett  L.  Crowell. 

Sergt.  Frank  L.  Beck^vith  ;  reduced  to  ranks. 


Privates 
Abby,  George,  North  Stonington. 
Bassett,    Edwin    B.,   Norwich. 
Brennan,  Humphrey,  Norwich. 
Carroll,  John  T.,  Norwich. 
Cavanaugh,  Patrick,  Stonington. 
Conrad,  John,  Preston. 
Coughlin,  David,  Norwich. 
Carrigg,  Thomas,  New  London. 


S90 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Callahan,  Christopher,  New  London. 
Carter,  John  F.,  Norwich ;  discharged  Aug. 

22nd. 
Daniels,  Richard,  Stonington. 
Dcvine,  Michael,  Jr.,  Norwich. 
Dupois,  Joseph  O.,  Occum. 
Galbraith,     Arthur,     Norwich;     appointed 

artificer. 
Gay,  Frederick  A.,  Norwich. 
Gay,  William  T.,  Norwich. 
Hallesey,  \Vm.,  Norwich. 
Hewlett,  Charles,  Lebanon. 
Healy,  Daniel,  New  London. 
Kehr,  \\  m.,  Norwich. 
Kelly,  John  N.,  Norwich. 
Lamb,  Walter  H.,   Norwich;   promoted   to 

corporal. 
Lukoski,  Joseph,  Norwich. 
Mell,   Charles   B.   Norwich. 
Mullaney,  John  H.,  Groton. 
Pariseau,  Nelson,  Glasgow. 
Powers,    Ralph    F.,    Norwich;    discharged 

Aug.  22nd. 
Rourke,  John,  Preston. 
Sullivan,  Patrick,  Norwich. 
Shannon,  Jeremiah,  Jewett  City. 
Sparks,  Ernest,  Norwich. 
Shcehan,  Daniel,  Jewett  City. 
Wallace,  Wm.  E.,  Griswold. 
Whipple,  Frederick  E.,  Jewett  City. 
Winans,  Frank  J.,  Norwich. 

COMPANY  I,  OF  NEW  LONDON 
Capt.    Eugene    T.    Kirkland ;    promoted    to 

major    Sept.    nth;    to    lieutenant-colonel 

Feb.  27,  1899. 
First  Lieut.  Albert  P.  Ware;  promoted  to 

captain  Sept.  nth. 
Second  Lieut.  Carey  Congdon ;  promoted  to 

first  lieutenant  Sept.  15th;  resigned  Dec. 

4th. 
Second  Lieut.  Daniel  Tyler  Moore. 
First    Sergt.    Harris    Pendleton,    Jr. ;    pro- 
moted to  Second  Lieut.  Co.  M,  July  23rd ; 

to  first  lieutenant  Co.  E,  Oct.  isth. 
Quartermaster  Sergt.  John  T.  Sherwin. 
Sergt.  Richard  B.  Smith ;  promoted  to  first 

sergeant. 
Sergt.  Louis  H.  Goddard. 


Corp.  Thomas  H.  Jennings,  promoted  to 
sergeant;  to  second  lieutenant. 

Corp.  Clark  S.  Bishop ;  promoted  to  ser- 
geant. 

Corp.  Jeremiah  J.  Murphy;  promoted  to 
sergeant. 

Corp.  John  H.  Broadwell. 

Corp.  John  L  Stubbert ;  promoted  to  ser- 
geant. 

Corp.  John  E.  Angus,  Groton. 

Musician  Harry  A.  Wiley. 

Musician  Wni.  M.  Dunn. 

Privates 
Allen,  Wm.  H. 
.^Ilen,  Lucian  O.,  Mystic. 
Blake,  Frederick  C. 
Blanchard,  Frederick  C,  Norwich. 
Brobeck,  Albert. 
Butterly,  Peter. 

Callahan,  Wm.  F. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
Crump,  Richard  L. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
Farrell,  Frank  F.,  Norwich. 
Gernhard,  Adam  J.,  Norwich ;  promoted  to 

corporal. 
Gleason,  Wm.  J. 

Hunter,  John   A.,  Jr.,  Norwich. 
Hanrahan,  John,  Norwich. 
James,  Frederick  H. 
Kelly,  James  F. 
Latham,  Albert,  Groton. 
McCarron,  John. 
McGregor,  James  J.,  Mystic ;  promoted  to 

corporal. 
Malona,  Charles  ;  appointed  artificer. 
Mills,  John,  Waterford. 
Mulligan,  Frank. 
Newburg,  Harry  N.,  Groton. 
Noland,  Wm.  H. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
O'Neil,  Owen,  Norwich. 
Peppin,  Frederick,  Taftville. 
Rehly,  Charles,  Norwich. 
Smith,  Jesse,  Groton. 
Williams,  Frank  E.,  Groton. 
Willows,  Henry  L. ;  promoted  to  corporal. 
Wolfe,  David,  Mystic. 

COMPANY   M,  OF  WINSTED 
Private  Turner,  Theodore,  Norwich. 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


59' 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  NORWICH  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 


a — Jacob  Abelman 

a — Arthur  C.  Adams 

n — Harold  G.  Adams 

n — Hunter  D.  Adams 

n — Lawrence  J.  Ahcarn 

a— Michael  J.  Aldi 

a — Saratin  Aliano 

n — Christopher  G.  Allen 

n— Ellsworth  Allen 

a— Frank  P.  Allen 

a — George   M.   Allen 

n — Horace  H.  Allen* 

a — Louis  C.  Allen 

a— Ward  T.  Ailing 

a — Harry  W.  Allyn 

a — J.  Alvis 

a — George  H.  Aniburn 

n — George  A.  Anderson 

a — John  J.  Anderson 

a — Otto  A.  Anderson 

a — Frank  Andree 

a — John  M.  Antoncopoulos 

n— Robert  J.  Appley 

a — Jacob  Ariewitz 

a — Bcrton  Armstrong 

a — Henry  R.  Armstrong 

a — Percy  Armstrong 

a— Richard  T.  Arnold 

a — Andre  Arsenault 

a — Reginald  G.  Ashbey 

a — Andrew  Assault 

n — Thomas  J.  Aubrey 

n — Rolland  L.  Auclair 

a — Andrew  M.  Avery 

a— Welcome  H.  Babbitt 

a — Bertram  B.  Bailey 

a — Dominick  Bailey 

a — Earl  G.  Bailquiti 

a — Frederick  Baker 

a — L.  Baldessarre 

a — Johnston  B.  Banfield 

a — G.  Baraduce 

a — Burton  E.  Barber 

a — Dominick  Barber* 

a — Peter  A.  Barber 

a — Allen  Barbour 

a— Harold  R.  Barney 

a — Dennis  J.  Barry 

n — Eugene  Barry 

a — Felix  J.  Barry 

n — Francis  P.  Barry 

a— J.  A.   Barry 

a — Michael  Barry 

a — Thomas   C.    Barry 


a — Ernest   L.   l^artosiewicz         a— 

n — John  W.  Barwcll  a— 

a — Abraham  Bass  a— 

a — Philip  Baunigartncr  a— 

a — Adolf   Bartosiewicz  a— 

a — Armand  Bazinet  a— 

a — Lucien   Bazinet  a— 

a — Frank  J.  Beattie.  Jr.  a— 

a — Alfred  Beausoliel  a— 

a — Osias  P.  Beausoliel  ii-- 

n — Frank  E.  Beckwith  a— 

n — DcUoyd  E.  Beebe  a— 

a — Joseph   Belair  a 

a — Elmer  C.  Beldcn  a— 

a — George  C.  Bell  a- 

1 — Michael  J.  Bellcfieur  a- 

a — Oliver  M.  Bcllclleur  n- 

1 — Dominick  A.  Belliveau*  a- 

a — Philip  Belliveau  a- 

a — Natale  Bclloni  a- 

a — Charles  Belloni  n- 

a — Theodore  Belvol  a- 

a — Benjamin  Bendctt  a- 

a — Harold  J.  Bennetv  a- 

1 — John   S.   Bennett  a- 

1 — F.   Benoit  a- 

i — Harvie  A.  Benoit  a- 

1— Alfred  H.  Benoit  a- 

n — Raymond  H.  Benoit  a- 

1— Frank  G.  Benson  a- 

a — Charles  N.  Bcntley  a- 

n — Harold   Bentley  a- 

n — Howard  P.  Benjamin  a- 

a— Peter  J.  Bernal  a- 

a — D.   Bernaseoni  a- 

a — Frank  A.  Bernier  a- 

a — Hector  Bernier  a- 

a — Ernest  J.  Bernier  a- 

1 — Henry  J.  Berry  a- 

a — Charles   Bertrand  a- 

a — Arthur  X.  Bessette  n- 

a — Francis  C.  Bidwcll  n- 

a— Peter  BioKky  a- 

a — William  C.  Birge  a- 

n — Lawrence  W.  Bjurstrom  a- 

a — John  S.  Blackmar  a- 

a — James  Blair,  Jr.  i'.- 

a— John  W.  Blair  a- 

a — Lionel  Blair  a- 

a — George  Bliss  a- 

a — Walter  N.   Block  a- 

a — Ignatius  BIynn  a- 

a — Nathan  Blumcnthal  n- 

a — John   W.   Blumley  a~ 


William  C.  Bode,  Jr. 
■Ilcnry   Bode 
■Irving  E.  Boguc' 
-Louis  H.  Bogue 
•Harold  E.  Bolando 
•Louis  J.  Bolton 
Hoaam   Bondarcn 
•Anthony  C.  Benin* 
•Edward  L.   Bonin 
-George  1".  Boon 
•William  Booth 
-Earnest  J.  Bosscy* 
-F'cd   Boscoe 
-V\  illiam  Brault* 
-Carl  Brend 
-William  R.  Brend 
-William   Brennan 
-Robert   Bricrly 
-Clarence  L.  Briggs 
-Benjamin  Briscoe 
-Traver  Briscoe 
-Frank  Britton 
-Joseph  J.  C.  Broadhurst 
-Ferdinand    Brodeur 
-John   Bromley 
-John    Brongo 
-Joseph  Brongo 
-Salvatore  Brongo 
-Arthur  D.  Brooks 
-Fred  J.  Brophy 
-Amiel  C.  Brosofski 
-Edward  Brosofski 
-James    Brongus 
-Allen  Brown 
-Edward  L.  Brown 
-•George  P.  Brown 
-Thomas  G.  Brown 
-Elmer  B.  Browne 
-John  Browne 
-Wladystaw  Brursynie 
-Leon  S.  Bruckner 
-Francis  Buckley 
-Michael  O.  Bulka 
-Roger  A.   Bullard 
-Charles  A.  Burdick 
-Leland  M.  Burdick 
-William  Burgess 
-Edwin  Burgess 
-August  Burke 
-Edward  J.  Burke 
-Frank  D.  Burke 
-George  H.  Burke 
-James  J.  Burke 
-James  T.  Burke 


592 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


I— Gustave  Burke 
1— Raymond  J.  Burke 
■Edward  J.  Burns 
•Martin  F.  Burns 
•  William  J.  Burns 
•Durlin  D.  Bushnell 
Cliarles  E.  Bushnell 
Herbert  J.  Bushnell 
•William  C.  Bushnell 
-Adam  Butkiewicz 
•William  E.  Brosofski 
•Irving  R.  Bottomley 
■Joseph   E.   Bottomley 
-Joseph  A.  Boutote 
■Lucio  Bove 
-Albert  H.  Bowe,  Jr. 
-Daniel  J.  Bowen 
-Dennis  J.  Bowen 
-Joseph  R.  Bowen 
-Carlton  S.  Bowers 
-John  R.  Bowman,  Jr. 
-William  Boyd 
-John  W.  Boyle 
-Paul  Bradlaw 
-Patrick  J.  Bradley 
-Earl   W.  Bramble 
-Nelson  T.  Branch 
-Henry  Brayman 
-Jesse  Brayman 
-Joseph  F.  Byington 
-Louis  Byer 
-Harwood  Byrnes 
-Matthew  E.  Byrnes 
-Stephen  J.  Bokowski 
-Joseph  Boucek 
-.Alfred  Cadarette 
-Ovila  Cadarette 
-Louis  J.  Caisse 
-Emory  E.  Calkins 
-James  E.  Calkins 
William  P.  Callahan 
-John  W.  Callahan 
•Arthur  F.  Campbell,  Jr. 
•David  Y.  Campbell 
■Harold  D.  Campbell 
■Lawrence  Cantwell 
■Nicholas  Capseledakis 
P.  Caraslanis 
-James  Carberry 
-William  F.  Carberry 
-John  A.  Carbray 
■Peter  J.  Carbray 
•Emery  W.  Card 
•Edward  T.  Cary 
■Ulderic  J.   Chenette 


a- 
a 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
a- 
n 
n^ 
a 
a 
a 
n 
a- 
a 
a^ 
a- 

2l- 

a- 

a- 
a- 
a- 
z- 
a- 
a^ 
n 
&■ 
a- 
a- 
a 
n^ 
n 

a — 
a 

a — 
a — 
a — 
n — 
a — 
a — 
a — 
a- 
a— 
a — 
a — 
n — 
a — 


a — Joseph   M.   Carey 
a— George  VV.  Carpenter 
a — Guy  b\  Carpenter 
a— Paul  C.  Carpenter 
a — Wilham  T.  Carpenter 
a— John  J.  Carroll 
a — William  Carson 
n— Henry  J.  Carter 
a — M.  J.  Carter 
a— William  H.  Caruthers 
a — James  Carver* 
n — Frederick  C.  Case 
a — Raymond  B.  Case 
a — George  H.  Casey 
a — John  L.  Casey 
a — Joseph  Casey 
n — George  A.  Cass 
a — Charles  W.  Cassidy 
n— Richard  E.  Cassidy 
a — Dennison  R.  Caswell 
a — Edward  Caughcy 
a — David  Cellucci 
a — Stanislaw  Cieslak 
a — Wiersic  Ciniafiey 
a — Ernest  J.   Champagne 
a — Merrill  T.  Champlin 
a— -Ovila  Chancerelle 
a — Albert  R.  Chandler 
a — Chester  A.  Chapman 
a — Ralph  W.  Chapman 
a — Robert  S.  Chapman 
a — Percival  JvL   Chapman 
a — Frank  L.  Chappell 
a — William  Charbino 
n — Charles   Charbonneau 
n — Fred  Charbonneau 
n — Alexis  H.  Charnetski 
a — John  B.  Charon 
a — Le  Grand  Chartier 
n— Otlio  Chase 
n — A.  Prentice  Chase 
a — George  K.  Chase 
a — Thomas  C.  Chase 
n— Robert  H.  Church 
a — Antonio  Ciccona 
a — Saralin  Ciliano 
a-David  M.  Clark 
a -Leonard   S.   Clark 
a — William  H.  Clarkson 
a — Andrev/  J,  Clcndennin 
a — Fred  A.   Clouticr 
II — Erwin  A.  Cohen* 
a — Meyer   Cohen 
n — Jeffery  V.  Colt 
a — B.  Colberg 


a — John  J.  Coleman 

a — Patrick  Coleman 

a — Dennis  Collins 

a — Howarth  C.  Collins 

n — Patrick  J.  Collins 

a — Thomas  J.  Collins 

n — Harry  Comstock 

a — Walter  F.  Congdon 

a— Lawrence  Connelli 

a — Daniel  Connelly 

n — Thomas  J.  Connelly 

a — Gavin  Connor 

a — William  Connors 

a — Otis  Conrad 

a — George  F.  Cook 

a — James  J.  Cook 

n — Phillips  C.  Cook 

a — Webster  D.  Copp 

a— Edward  J.  Corcoran 

a — Joseph  Corcoran 

a — Mat  Cordinon 

a — William  E.  Corey 

n— Charles  J.  Corkery 

a — Joseph  Cormier 

a — Maxime  A.  Cormier 

a— Thomas  J.  Cosgrove 

a — Frank  S.  Coskey 

a — George  E.  Counihan 

a — James   P.  Counihan 

n — Horace  Coyle 

a— James   H.   Craney 

a — Harold  W.  Cranska 

a — Wesley   Cranska 

n — Frederick  B.  Craven 

n — Harold  Crawford 

n — J.  Lincoln   Crawford 

a— Leonard  F.  Cromona 

n — W'illiam  H.  Croston 

a— Robert  E.   Cross 

a — Charles  Crowe 

n — George  A.  Crowe 

a — Samuel  Crowe 

a — Frederick  S.  Crowell 

n_Clayton  E.  Cruikshank 

n — William  J.   Cruikshank 

a — W'illiam  L.  Cummings 

n — John   H.   Cunningham 

n— John  A.  Cunningham 

a — John  Curry 

a — Joseph  Curto 

a — Antoni  Czaplinski 

a — Joseph    Czpruer 

a— Michael  D.  D'Atri 

a — James  J.  Daley 

a — Wactaw  Dabrowski 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


593 


a— John  W.  Dale 
a — Stephen  Langlowitz 
a — John   Danglowitz 
a — Arthur  Danglowitz 
a — Arthur  K.  Davignon 
a — ircrman  Davignon 
n — Harold  S.  Darbie 
n — Frank  J.  Davis 
a — George  H.  Davis 
a— Komnas  Davulclis 
n — Joseph  Dayall 
a — Felix  Dcbarros 
a — John  DeBrunncr 
a — Raymond  A.  Decelles 
n — Harold  Decelles 
n — Leon  F.  Decelles 
a — Leo  Decrassar 
n — Patrick  Delancy 
a — Thomas  Dclaney 
n — James  R.  DeMars 
a — Rocco  DeMattia 
a — William   R.   Dcnnison 
a — William  G.  A.  Denker 
a — William  Depena 
a — John  C.  Desantels 
a — Robert  Deshelly 
a— Patrick  J.  Desmond 
a — Tliomas  G.  Desmond 
a — George  Desrosiers 
a- — Daniel  F.  Devine 
n— Albert  H.  Dexter* 
n— Albert  Dilhvorth 
n — Samuel  R.  Dilhvorth 
n— John  R.  Dilhvorth 
a — Deo  J.  Dion 
a — Joseph  Disero 
a— Thomas  Dixon 
a — Patrick  J.  Donahue 
a — Harwood  B.  Dolbeare 
a — William  H.  Donahue 
a — Patrick  F.  Donahue 
a — William  F.  Donahue 
a — Francis  P.  Donnelly 
n — John  R.  Donovan 
a — John  C.  Donovan 
n — Walter  Donovan 
a — Otis  B.  Dorsey 
a — John  F.  D.  Dougherty 
a — John  \V.  Dougherty 
a — William  H.  Douglas 
a — Frederick  J.   Dowdell 
n — John  Downing 
a — Patrick  F.  Downing 
a — Jeremiah  Downing 
a — George  Draper 
N.I..— 1-38 


a— William  J.  Drake 

n 

a — Charles  F.  Drew 

n 

a — Joseph  F.  Drew 

n- 

a— D.  A.  Driscoll 

n 

a— William  T.  Driscoll 

a- 

a — George  Drohan 

n- 

a — Peter  G.  Drosser 

a- 

a— Thomas  J.  Duane 

a 

a — William  Dubois 

n 

a-Fred  D.  Dubrill 

a- 

a — Arthur  Dufour 

a 

a — John  T.  Dunion 

a- 

a — Adolph  Dugas 

a- 

n — John  W.  Durnan 

a- 

a — Paul  B.  Ducharme 

n 

a — Timothy  J.  Dunne 

a- 

a — F'rank   Durr 

a- 

a — Henry  Durr 

a- 

a — W'illiam   Durr* 

a- 

a — Christopher    Dutkowski 

a- 

a — Joseph  Dydo 

n- 

n— George  H.  Dyer 

a- 

a — William  0.  Dyer 

a- 

a — Edward  H.  Duro 

a- 

a — Manley  Eastwood 

a- 

n — John  W.  Eaton 

a- 

a — Nathan  G.  Eccleston 

n- 

a — Oscar  C.  Eccleston 

a- 

n — Arthur  Edwards 

a- 

a — Frank  C.  Eldredge 

a- 

n — James  E.  Ellis 

a- 

n — James  G.  Emerson 

a- 

n — Martin  J.  Enright 

a- 

a — Thomas  J.  Enright 

n- 

a — Fred  Ensling 

n- 

a — Clarence  Epps 

a- 

n — Carl  Ericson 

a- 

a — Helgo  F.  Ericson 

a- 

a — Elmer  F.  Ericson 

a- 

n — Albert  Evans 

a- 

a— John  T.  Evans 

a- 

a — John  Evans 

a- 

a — E.  Raymond  Ewing 

a- 

a — Albert  J.  Exley 

a- 

a— Gerrit  Eyeberse 

a- 

a — Albert  T.  Fairbanks 

a- 

n— Otis  T.  Fairbanks 

a- 

a— Cornelius  A.  Falvey 

n- 

a — Paul  Fanning 

n- 

a— Joseph  J.  Farrell 

a- 

a— Peter  J.  Farrell 

a— 

a— Imbert  Fellows 

a— 

a— Robert   Fcnsley 

a— 

n — George   R.   Ferguson 

n- 

n — Herbert  Ferguson 

n- 

Albert  E.  Fielding 
Lemuel  O.  Fielding 
John  F.  F'ields 
— Leslie   M.   Fillmore 
— Kelsic  M.  Fillmore 
— R.  Day  Fillmore 
— Albert  Fiore 
—Charles  T.  Fish 
—Ashley  J.  Fitzgerald 
— C.  William  Fitzgerald 
— Arthur  H.  Fitzgerald 
— John  T.  Fitzgerald 
-Frank  Fitzmaurice 
-James  F.  Fleming 
-William  A.  Fleming 
-Robert  O.  Fletcher* 
-William  L.  Fletcher,  Jr. 
-James  J.  F'lynn 
-John  C.  F"'lynn 
-Thomas  M.  Flynn 
-Patrick  F.  Foley 
-Percy  Ford 
-William  Ford 
-Donat  B.  Fournier 
-Picrro  Fournier 
-Wilfred  F'ournier 
-William  Fournier 
-Ernest  D.  Fox 
-Dahir  M.  Francis 
-Donald   Eraser* 
-Homer  Fraser 
-Ernest  Frechette 
-Horedare  A.  F'rcgeau 
-Henry  A.  Freeman 
-Louis  Friedberg 
-Joseph  Frincona 
-Charles  W.  Frink 
-Frederick  A.  Friswell 
-Andrew   Frobaniandcr 
-W;n.  G.  Frohamandcr 
■David  Frost 
-George  Fulton 
-Paul  Gadle 
-Francis  Gadle 
-Clayton  M.  Gager 
•Leslie  T.  Gager 
■Arthur  J.  Gagnon 
-Ernest  F.  Gagnon 
-Andrew  W.  Gailey 
■Julian  B.  Gale 
Peter  Gallan* 
Elmer  K.  Gallup 
Arthur  Ganier 
Joseph  Gates 
George  D.  Garvey 


594 

a— George  A.  Garpie 
a_Thomas  Gauthier 
a— Albert  H.  Gebrath 
a_Frcdtrick  H.  Geer 
a — Herman  G.  Gehr 
a— Lloyd  G.  Gelino 
n_Robert   Gelino 
a— John  H.  Gembel 
a— George  J.  Genereux 
a — Jack  Geno 
a— Charles  H.  Geners 
a— Vincenzo  S.  Germano 
a— Charles  J.  Gesinowski 
a_Raymoiid  E.  Gibson* 
n— Archibald  R.  Gilchrist 
a— Edward  J.  Gilchrist 
n— G.  Harold  Gildersleeve 
n_\Yilliam  B.  Gilles 
a_George  H.  Gilman 
a— Alfred  Gladue 
a— L.  P.  Gladue 
a— John  S.  Gleason 
a— Frank  H.  Glcy 
n— Alfred  A.  Gobeille 
a — Louis  J.  Godaire 
a— Arthur  Goderre 
a — Felix  Gordz 
a — Louis  Goldberg 
a — Benjamin  Goldfarb 
n — Robert  Goldstein 
a — Frank  J.  Golkowski 
n — William  H.  Gordon 
a — William  C.  Gorman 
a — William  R.  Gordon 
a — Samuel  P.  Gorton 
a — William  H.  Gorton 
a — Charles  H.  Govers 
a — Adelard  Goyette 
a — John  A.  Graber 
a — John  F.  Grady 
a — Joseph  T.  Grady 
a — Thomas  Grady 
a — Ralph  D.  Graham 
a — Charles  A.  Gray 
n — Alfred  Grebe 
a — James  E.  Green 
a — Edmund   Greenheigh 
a — P.  A.  Grenier 
n — Gustave  Greenwood 
a — Richard  P.  Gregson 
n — John  C.  Griffith 
a — Guiscppe  Grisafe 
a — John  Guericcio 
a — S.   R.  Guibeault 
a — John  B.  Gunsalve 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 

n — William  F.  Gley 

a — Walter  Haberski 

a— Fred  A.  Hagberg 

a— George  A.  Hagberg 

a— Alfred  Harsh 

a — Fred  C.  Haglund 

a— David    Hall 

a — Carl  Hahn 

a— Ralph  S.  Hall 

n— W  iiUam  J.  Flail 

a— Daniel  C.  Hallisey 

n — Edwin  M.  Hanks 

a— William  C.  Hansen 

a — Vasil  Haralambon 

a— Thomas  J.  Harrington 

a — Henry  J.  Harrington 

a — Daniel  L.  Harris 

a — John  Harris 

a — John  Harris 

n — Alfred   K.  Hartley 

a — Bernard  M.  Hasler 

n — Fred  B.   Hasler* 

n — Carleton  H.  Havens 

a — Theodore  Z.  Haviland 

n — Joseph  Hazard 

a — Walter  R.  Hazard 

n— J.  Frank  Healey,  Jr. 

a — Albert   C.   Heber 

a — Augustus   Heber 

a— Otto  A.  Heebner 

a — Toloke   Heliniak 

a — John  Helm 

a — Alfred  Henault 

a — Henry  Hendrickson 

a — Arthur  E.  Henshaw 

a — Simeon  Herard 

a — Leonard  E.   Herard 

a — Harry  Herd 

a — Earl  C.  Herrick 

a— Frank  V.  Hero 

a — Max  Hertz 

a — Pfarold  J.  Hetrick 

a — Raymond  T.  J.  Higgins 

a — Henry  H'ildcriirand 

a— Edmund  W.  Hill 

a— Lcland  S.  Hill 

n— Rowland  D.  Hill,  Jr. 

a — Norman  E.  Himes 

a — Manley  Hitchon 

n- — John  J.  Hoar 

a — Cornelius  R.  Hoelck 

n— John  F.  Holland 

a^William  Hollin 

a — James  W.  Hollingworth 

a — Simon  J.  Holmes 


n — Frank  W.  Holmes 

a — Jesse  F.  Holt 

a — Harold  B.  Hotchkiss 

n — Edward  O.  Hotchkiss 

n — Warren  S.  Hotchkiss 

n — B.  J.   Houlihan 

n — Dennis  J.  Houlihan 

a — James  Hourigan 

a— James  E.  Hourigan 

a — Joseph  W.  Hourigan 

a — Richard  E.  Hourigan* 

a — Harry  W.  House 

a — Chauncey  C.  House 

a— George  C.  Houston 

a — Earl  W.  Howard 

a — Leslie  A.  Howard 

a — Harvey  C.  Howard 

n — James  L.  Hubbard 

a — John  E.  Hughes 

a— Harold  P.  Hull 

n — Joseph  O.  Hull 

a — Lewis  Hull,  Jr. 

a — Russell  E.  Hunt 

a — Channing  P.  Huntington 

a — Gurdon   Huntington 

a — William  L.  Huntington 

a — Charles  W.  Huntley 

a — Frank  C.  Huntley 

a — C.  G.  Hyde 

a — Ruble  A.  Hyman 

a — Lawrence  J.  Hyde 

a — Luigi  lacai 

a — James  T.  Isbister 

n — William  Isbister 

a — Anthony  F.  Izbicki 

a — Wladystaw   Jabiclski 

a — Arthur  V.  Jackson 

n — George  T.  Jackson 

a — Henry  Jackson 

a — Myron  R.  Jackson 

a — Charles  A.  Jacobs 

n — Leo  L.  Jacques 

a — Allan  T.  Jahn 

a — Carl  P.  Jahn 

a — Emil  Jahn 

a — Joachim  Jajesnica 

a — Stanley  Jacobowski 

a — Thomas  K.  James 

a — George  L.  Jarvis 

a — Michael   Jaskiweicz 

a — Paul  F.  Jatkoqski 

a — Henry  Jennes 

II — Sam  Jennis 

n — Carl  W.  Jennison 

n — Edmund   C.   Jensen 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


595 


n — Roger  Jensen 

n — Harold  T.  Jensen 

a — Edward  \V.  Jewett 

n — Laurens  C.  Jewett 

a — Carl   G.  Johnson 

a — Carl  H.  Johnson 

a — Charles  Johnson 

a — Charles  P.  Johnson 

a — Jonathan  L.  Johnson 

a — Raymond  B.  Johnson 

a — Robert  L.  Johnson 

n — Frederick  A,  Johnson 

a— Clinton  S.  Jones 

n — Emerson  B.  Jones 

a — Harry  Jones 

a — James  E.  Jones 

a — Philip  A.  Johnson 

a — John  Jones 

a — Earl  C.  Judge 

a — James   J.   Kane 

a — Edward  A.  Karkutt 

a — Herman  Karkutt 

n— William  Karkutt 

a — Harold  Kaseowitz 

a — Louis  Katz 

a — William  T.  Kearney 

a— Samuel  Kearns 

a— Francis  H.  Keeley 

a — John  Keeley 

a — James  M.  Keene 

a— C.  J.  Kelleher 

a — Daniel  Kelly 

a — Frederick  J.  Kelly 

a — Harry  Kelly 

a— Thomas  J.  Kelly 

a — Edward   Kendall 

a — John  F.  Kendall 

a— Clyde  S.  Ken  field 

a — Israel    Kenig 

a — John  R.  Kennedy 

a — Fred  L.  Kent 

a— Harry  B.  Kent 

a — John  R.  Keyton 

n — Edward  J.  Kilday 

n — James  J.  Kildenny 

a — Alexander  J.  Kilroy 

a— Ronald  M.  Kimball 

a — Arthur  A.  King 

n — John  M.  King 

n — Carl  E.  Kinney 

a — Frank  J.  Kelleher 

a — George  W.  Kirby 

a — Edward  Kirby,  Jr. 

a — Jamej  A.  Kirker 

a — Joseph   Kimel 


n — Stanley  J.  Kohanski 
a — Paul  Kolosky 
a — Karinucars  Koprowski 
a — John  Koulofoulas 
a — Joseph  D.  Kousquet 
a — Frank   Kowinski 
a — John   Kowinski 
a — Micholaj  Kozak 
a — Paul  Kozloski 
a — John  J.  Kozlowski 
a— Rawet  Kozlowski 
a — George  H.  Kramer 
a — Joseph  Krauczak 
a — Harry  Kronier 
a — Anton  Kronicski 
a — Martin  Krousc,  2nd 
a — Antoni   Kowolewski 
a — William  Krzywicky 
a— Alfred  H,  I.aBarre 
a — Thomas  Labbee 
a — Napoleon  Labrea 
a — Lewis  J.  LaBounty 
a — Charles  LaCavera 
n — Ralph  A.  LaFemina 
a — Henry  J.  LaFontaine 
a — Leroy  Lacy 
a — James  Lacy 
n — Joel  R.  Lacy 
a — Charles  Ladd 
a — Edward  D.  Ladd 
a — Adelarde  Laflesh 
a — Arthur  Lafond 
a — Benjamin  Lahn 
a — George  Lake 
n — Victor  J.  LaMorey 
a — William  J.  LaMorey 
a — Eppolcon  Lambert* 
a— Rodolph  Lambert 
a — William  J.  Lambert 
n— Henry  S.  Landolt 
a — Frederic  T.  Lane 
a — Richard  E.  Lane 
n — Charles  G.  Langlais 
a — John  J.  Langue 
a— Edwin  J.  Larkin 
a — Howard   E.   Larkin 
a— Joseph  R.  LaRoche 
n — Arthur  C.  Larsen 
a — Lawrence  N.  Larsen 
a — Alexander  Laskoski 
a — Peter  Lasonde 
a — P.urril  D.  Lathrop 
n— Paul  W.  Latham 
a — Clifford  Lathrop 
a — Herbert  Lawrence 


a — John  Lawson 

n — Joseph  F.  Lowry 

a — Onil  Loutagne 

a — Eugene  Lavalle 

n — George  E.  Leahy 

n — John  P.  Leahy 

n — Thomas  Leahy 

a — Philip  Leany 

a — Andrew  LeBlanc 

n — Jeffrey  LeBlanc 

a — Philip  Leany 

n — Arthur  Legare 

a — Manuel  Lcion 

a — William  Leion 

a — Peter  P.  Lemioux 

a — Ira  C.  Leonard 

a — Michael  P.  Leonard 

a— Leo  M.  LePage 

a — Francesco  Lerante 

a — Ord  Leseman 

a — W.  O.  Lessin 

a — Horace  C.  Lester 

a — Samuel  L.  Lester 

a — Francesco  Levante 

a — Abraham  Levine 

a — Harry  Levine 

n — William  Levitsky 

a— Otto  Levitsky 

a — Frank  Lewandowski 

n — John  H.  Lewis 

a — Napoleon  B.  Lewis 

a — Christian   Liepold 

n — Spencer  C.  Lincoln 

a — Harold   E.   Linderson 

a — Philip  F.  Linderson 

a — F.  L.  Linehan 

a — Peter  Linos 

n — T.  Auston  Linton 

a — Leoyotte  Liskievvicz 

n— Charles  R.  Locke 

a — Frank  M.  A.  Lohnman 

a — Tony  Longo 

n — Robert  Lonsdale 

a — Maurice  B.  Looby 

a — Franklyn  T.  Lord 

a — Joseph  Lorettc 

a — Prosper  M.  Lorette 

a — Homer  D.  Loudon 

n — Arthur  Lovell 

n — Joseph  Lovell 

a — Fred  F.  Lovely 

a — John  F.  Ludwig 

a — Frank  E.  Lumis 

a — Joseph  R.  Lumis 

a — Walter  S.  Lumsdon 


596 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


a_\Valtcr  Luiid 

a— Isaac  Lurctte 

n— Charles  H.  Luther 

a — James  E.  Lynch 

a— John  F.  Lynch 

a— John  P.  Lynch 

n — Joseph  Lynch 

n— George  O.  Lynch 

a— Carl  E.  Lyons 

a—David  T.  Lyons 

a— William  J.  Lyons 

n— James  J.  Madden 

a— Joseph  Maddock 

a— John  J.  Magner 

a— Francis  A.  Magner 

a— Robert  H.  Mahoney 

a — George  J.  Malcolm 

a — Harold  R.  Malcolm 

a — Luigi   Malcrba 

a — Edward  E.  Maloney 

a— John  J.  Mallett 

a— Ralph  P.  Malo 

a — William  J.  Maloney 

a — Leslie  V.  Manchester 

a — Harry  Mandell 

a — Alfrec  Mandcrville 

a — Victor  Mankowski 

a — Eugene  A.  Manning 

a — John  J.  Manning 

a — Andrew  J.  Marchiel 

n — Gerado  Mariano 

a — Antony   F.   Markey 

a — Harry  Markoff 

a — Herman  Marshak 

a — Frederick  J.  Marshall 

a — Henry  F.   Marshall 

a — William  J,  Marshall 

a— William  B.  Martin 

a — Eli  J.  Martin 

a— Horace  J.  Martin 

a — Charles  F.  MacNamara 

n — Francis  E.  Massad 

a — Habeeb  E.  Massad 

a — Henry  J.  Masse 

a — Charles  R.  Mason 

n — Michael  J.  Matri 

n — Everett  J.  Maurice 

a — Tony  Mesiano 

a — Eugene  Mercier 

a — John  Mercik 

a — Abraham  Meyer 

a — Charles  Meyer 

a — Napoleon  P.  Miclette 

a — William  Mikolasi 

a — Andrew  H.  Millea 


a — Gurdon  E.  Miller 

a — Everett  A.  Miller 

a — Peter  G.  Mitchell 

a — Fred  J.  Mitterer 

a — John  J.  MacDonald 

a — John  H.  MacDonald 

a — Patrick   MacMalion 

a — Bruce  S.  MacMillan 

n — Robert  McAllister 

a — Patrick  McAtarvey 

a — Edmund  J.  McCarthy 

a — Michael  J.  McCarthy 

a- — James  E.  McCavvlcy 

a — William   L.  McClimon 

a — Leroy  McCluskey 

a — Joseph  F.  McCormack 

a — Frank  J.  McCormick 

a — John  J.  McCormick 

a — James  D.  McCrohan 

a— William  H.  McKnight,  J 

a— Walter  H.  McNeely 

a — James  F.  McGill 

a — James  McGlone 

a — John  McGrath 

a — John  McGraw 

a — James  B.  McGrory 

a — John  F.  McGrory 

a — Lawrence  McGrory 

n — Thomas  A.  McGrory 

a — John  H.  Mclntyre 

a — Charles  J.  McKay 

a — Edward  G.  McKay 

a— Matthew  P.  McKay 

a — Francis  P.  McKenna 

a — Charles  A.  Mclntyre 

a — Frank  R.  Mclntyre 

a — Harry  McQuade 

a — James  McLaughlin 

a — Frank  B.  McMahon 

a — Felix  B.  McMahon 

n — Joseph  McMahon 

a — Arthur  J.  McNamara 

a — John  McNeely 

n— Sheldon  R.  McNickle 

n — Daniel  McShefFry 

a — Charles   McSheffry 

a— John  D.  McWilliams 

a— Emil  O.  Moll 

a — Edward  T.  Monahan 

a — Peter  W.  Montey 

a — Cornelius  C.  Moore 

a — Harold  E.  Moran 

a — James  R.  Moran 

n — John  A.   Moran 

n — Richard  C.  Moran 


a-  -Walter  P.  Moran 

a — C.  Benjamin  Morgan 

a — Frank  L.  Morgan 

a — ^Ripple  G.  Morgan 

a — IvTartin  J.  Morlcy 

n — Stephen  Morras 

n — Leo  R.  Morris 

a — James  T.  Morrison 

a — George  Morrow 

a — Arnold  J.  Mosier 

a — Edward   H.   Mott 

a— Frank  W.  Mott 

a — Philip  Iifudderman 

a — Charles  O.  Murller 

a — Cuno  N.  Mueller 

a— James  F.  Mulholland 

a — 'Arthur  J.  Mullen 

n— George  T.  Mullen 

a— John  W.  Mullen 

a— Albert  T.  Murphy 

n — Dennis  Murphy 

n — J.  Desmond  Murphy 

a — Edward   Murphy 

a — James  ^L  Murphy 

a — John  L.  Murphy 

a — Michael   Murphy 

a — Thomas  P.   Murphy 

n — Timothy  J.  Murphy 

n — William   P.  Murphy 

a — Edward  F.  Murray 

a^Leonard  P.  Murray 

n — Francis  Murtha 

a — Henry  H.  Mussell 

a — Ronald  P.  Mussel! 

a — Ludwick  W.  ^Vyscinski 

a — Arthur  Nadolny 

a — George  R.  Nadolny 

a — Isadore  Nagdyman* 

a — Louis  Nagdyman 

a — Ernest  Nahas 

a — Hillary  Naruserwick 

a — Frank  Navis 

n — James  V.  Neary 

n — Rudolph  Nelson 

n — 'James  J.  Nevins* 

a — Charles  R.  Nichols 

a — William  Nichols 

a — Alexander  Niewiemjaki 

a — George  R.  Nolan 

a — Lawrence  E.  Nolan 

a — A.  W.  Norman 

a — Arthur  B.   Norton 

a — John  C.  Noyes 

n — John  B.  Noyes 

a — R.  Gale  Noyes 


a— Clifford  C.  Oat 

n— G.  Waldo  Oat 

a — Lewis  J.  Oat 

a— George  A.  O'Brien 

a — William  T.  O'Brien 

a— William  St.  L.  O'Brien 

a — William  O'Brien 

a — John  P.  O'Connell 

a— J.  F.  O'Connell 

a — Charles  T.  Ogden 

a — Michael  O'Hearn 

a — Zigmund  J.  Olaf 

a- — Alexander   Olaff 

a— Frank  W.  Oloff 

a — Charles  M.  Olson 

a — John  Olsen 

a — Dennis  O'Neil 

a — Frank  O'Ncil 

n— Peter  T.  O'Neil.  Jr. 

n— William  F.  O'Neil 

a — Pasqi'.ale  Orsinie 

a — William  Ortmann 

n — W.  Leroy  Osborn 

a — Edward  Ouellet 

a — Raymond  Ouellet 

a — Victor  Ovezschowski 

n— Alfred  O.  Palmer 

a — Antonio  Paniocco 

a — Antonio  Panto 

a — Peter  Papas 

a— Harry  Pappagallo* 

a— C.  J.  Papyis 

a— Peter  J.   Paquette 

a — Reginald  Pardy 

a — Antonio  Parrotta 

a — Arthur  Parent 

a — Charles  J.  Patridge 

a — Maurice  E.  Patridge 

n— Alfred  W.  Watterson 

a — George  Patterson 

a — Joseph  Patti 

a — Joseph  Paul 

a— Stanislaw  Pavolalc 

a — Vincenty  Pavolak 

a — James  T.  Payard 

a — James  A.  Pearson 

a — Charles  J.  Pechewlys 

a— Roland  C.  Peck 

n— Walter  A.  Peck 

a — Edmund  J.  Pcckham 

a — Howard  L.  Peckham 

a — August  J.  Poliquin 

a — S.  Pene 

n — David  H.  Pendleton 

a — Domingo  Penna 


MILITARY  HISTORY 

a — Ulric  A.  Pepin 
a — Napoleon  Peppin 
a — James  H.  Ptrrm* 
a— Lorcto  Perruzzo 
a — William  E.  Perry* 
n— Knud  W.  Peters 
a — Andas  Peterson 
a — Martin  S.  Peterson 
a — Nathaniel  Peterson 
a — Anestes  Petrus 
a — Thomas  J.  Pfeiffer 
a — Victor  Phaneuf 
a — Albert  Pierce 
a — Everett  W.   Pierce 
a — Luigi  Pierette 
n— Robert   Pilling 
a— Fred  J.  Plante 
a— Henry  L.  Plante 
a — Joseph  L.  Plante 
n — Everett  Pinigree 
a — Bronislaw  Podieski 
a — Philip  Poirier 
a — Ernest  Pollard 
a — Arthur  F.  Poole 
a — Clarence  M.  Poole 
a — George  H.  Popham 
n— Albert  H.  Portelance 
n— Earl  H.  Post 
a— John  P.  Post 
n— Howard  N.  Porter 
n — Clarence  Potter 
a— Fred   K.  Potter 
a — Howard  F.  Potter 
n— J.  Dyer  Potter 
a— John  W.  Potts,  Jr. 
a — Frederick  B.  Powers 
a — Vincent  Powloicz 
a— Harold  J.  Powers 
a — Harold  F.  Powers 
a — George  J.  Poyerd 
a— Ovila  J.  Preavy 
a — Richard  K.  Prentice 
n— Harold  R.  Preston 
n — Robert  E.  Preston 
n— Douglas  K.  Proctor 
a— Joseph  W.  Prosser,  Jr. 
a — Romeo  Prse 
a — Henry  Pukallus 
a— Benedict  C.   Pullen 
n^.^ndrcw   F.   Purdon 
n — Ernest  L.  Purvis 
a — Norman  A.  Pierce 
a — James  F.   Poyerd 
a — Edward  P.  Quinn 
a — Robert  Quinn 


597 


a — John  Quericio 
a — Nathan  Rabinovitch 
a — Berton  I.   Rainford 
n — Arthur  Ramsie 
a — George  L.   Randall 
a— R.  M.  Raphael 
a — Joseph  Ratcliffc 
a — Charles  L.  Rathbone 
a — George  E.  Raughtican 
a — Arthur  A.   Raymond 
a — Eugene  F.  Raymood 
a — Moses  \V.  Raymond 
a — Edward   F.   Rcardon 
a — John  J.  ReardoB 
a — John  W.  Reardon 
a — Michael  J.  Rcardon 
n — Edward  W.  Reavey 
a — Joseph    Recavc 
a — James  J.   Redden 
a — Michael  J.  Redmond 
n — Michael  J.  Reed 
a — Henry  A.  Reek 
a — J.   Rcnibroski 
a — Thomas  F.  Reynolds 
a — Frank  Riccardi 
n — Charles  I-  Richards 
a — Calvin  M.  Richardson 
a — Harold   Richardson 
n — Harry  M.  Richmond 
n— Carlos  M.  Ricker 
a— J.   Bradford  Rictetts 
a— Kirk  Ricketts 
a— Jay  B.  Ricketts 
a— Paul  S.  Ricketts 
a — James  E.  Riding 
a— Steve  Riel,  Jr. 
a — Albert  H.  Riese 
a — Norris  Riley 
a — Frank  Rinella 
n — Herbert   E.   Ring 
n — Joseph  T.  Ring 
n — Henry   Ringland 
n — Myron  J.  Ringland 
n— Charles  J.  Riordon 
a — H.  Frank  Riordon 
a — Howland  P.  Rivers 
a — Benjamin  J.   Robak 
a — .Mfred    Roberts 
a— George  W.  Roberts 
a — Henry  Roberts 
a — Joseph  Roberts 
a — Fred  M.  Robinson 
a — Harold  T.  Robinson 
a — Winton  A.  Robinson 
a — George  Robish 


598 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


a — Henry  Robiter 

a— Charles  E.  Rogers 

a— Charles  P.  Rogers 

a— Bruce  F.  Rogers 

n— Frank  F.  Rogers 

a— Gilbert  E.  Rogers 

a— Henry  Rogers 

a— S.  J.  Rokowski 

a— Paolo  B.  Rollo 

a— Joseph  Rondeau 

a— Silvio  Rondeau 

a — Innocenzio  Rondina 

a — Fred  Roscoe 

a — Manuel  Rose 

a — Clifford   Rouse 

a— Henry  Rousseau 

a — John  Royston 

a— John  Rozanski 

a— George  L.  Russell 

a— Amos  Ruley 

a— Francis  B.  Ryalls 

a— Charles  Ryan 

n— David  Ryan 

a— Gerald  Ryan 

n — James  Ryan 

n — William  Ryan 

a— William  J.   Ryan 

n — Arthur  Rymsza 

a — Stephen  Rupka 

a — Eugene  Savourin 

n — Harry  Sabrowski 

a — Jack  Sack 

a — Max  Sadinsky 

H — John  Sadinsky 

a — Jolin  E.  Sadinsky 

n — Michael  A.  Sandusky 

n — Edward  F.  Sage 

a — Fillmore  B.  Sage 

n — Frederic  E.  Sage 

a — Wilfred  J.  Sage 

a — Silas  N.  Sandberg 

a — Archie  W.  Sanders 

a — Yincenzo  Sangermano 

a — Charles  F.  Sands 

a — William  C.  Santo 

a — Fclol.e   Sarbicki 

a — Archie  Saunders 

n — Frank  A.  Sautter 

a — Lewis  J.  Savage 

n — William  M.  Savage 

a — Thomas  D.  Sayles 

a— Arthur  Schofield* 

a— John  P.  Schoff 

a — M;i>:  E.  Scliranrm,  Jr. 

a — Harry  Schulman 


a— Arthur  P.  Schulz* 

n — Paul  A.  Schwartz 

a — John  Scofanfava 

n — Thomas  P.  Sears 

a — Herman  I.  Sezvey 

a — Max  E.  Schramm 

a — George  Segal 

a — Murray  M.  Segal 

a — James  Sellas 

a — Louis  A.  Senecal 

n — Clarence  W.  Sevin 

a — Albert  V.  Sevina 

a — William  Shabecoff 

a — David  E.  Shahan 

n — Michael  Shahan 

n — Raymond  Shahan 

n — Thomas  Shahan 

n — Bronislaw  Shalkowski 

a — Joseph  Shalkowski 

a — Walter  J.  Shanley 

a — J.  Henry  Shannon 

n — John  J.  Shannon 

a — William  Sharvan 

a — George  L  Shaw 

a — Harold  T.  Shaw 

n — William  G.  Shaw 

n — Foster  H.  Shaw 

a — John   Shea 

a — Michael  Shea 

a — Patrick  J.  Shea 

n — William  Shea 

a — George  Shedlock 

a — David  F.  Sheehan 

a — Edward  L.   Sheehan 

a — Michael  E.  Sheehan 

a — Richard  J.  Sheehan 

n — Thomas  A.  Sheehan 

a — L.  Shereshevsky 

a — Aleck   Sherewifski 

a — Raymond  B.  Sherman 

n — Joseph  J.  Sherry 

a— William  H.  Shields,  Jr. 

a— Nikito  Shillo 

a — George  Shore 

a — Jack  Shugrue 

n — William  J.  Shugrue 

a — Sigmund  Siegel 

a — K.   Silinski 

a — Donas  Simino 

a — John  Simioski 

a — Arba  W.  Simons 

a — Harold  S.  Simpson 

a — Walter  H.  Simpson 

a — David  H.  Sirkin* 

a — Charles  F.  Sisson 


a — V.'arren  O.  Si=son 

a — Augustus   C.   Skelly 

a — George  M.  Skelly 

a— William  M.  Skelly 

a — Harold  T.   Slattery 

a — John  J,  Slattery 

a — Thomas  F.  Slattery 

a — William  H.  Slattery 

a — Joseph  Slikowski 

n — Edward  F.  Smiegiel* 

a — Carlcton  Small 

a — Warren  Sharpies 

a — James  B.  Smith 

a — Alex  Smith 

a — Edmund  S.  Smith 

a — Edward  F.  Smith 

a — Frank  E.  Smith 

a — F.  Russell  Smith 

n — George  Q.  Smith 

a — Harry  W.  Smith 

a— Herbert  H.  Smith 

n — Isaac  B.  Smith 

n — Lindsey  G.  Smith 

a — Ralph  S.  Smith 

a— Tracy  Smith 

n — William  L  Smith 

a — William  J.   Smith 

a — Edward  G.  Snow 

a — Max  Sogoran 

a — Norman  E.  Soules 

a — Frederick  R.  Sourbier 

a — Earl  E.  Sparks 

a — Nicholas  J.  Spellman 

a — H.  E.  Spencer 

a — Raymond  G.  Spencer 

a — Earl  R.  Spicer 

a — Earl  W.  Stamm 

a — Lawrence  J.  Stanley 

a — Tyler  S.  Stanton 

a — Lowell  R.  Stark 

a — F.  Leroy  Stearns 

a — William  Stankiewicz* 

n — Rufus  H.  Stanton* 

a — Stanley  Stefanick 

a — Daniel  Steiiner 

a — E.  R.  E.  Steffenson 

a— TV'illiam   Stelzner 

a — Howard  Sterry 

a — Robert  W.  Sterry 

n — Loue  E.  Stockwell 

a — Leon  Stoller 

a — George  A.  Stone 

a — Theodore  L.  R.  Story 

a— Ralph  R.  Stott 

a— Willism  A.  Stott 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


599 


a- 

— Edwin  H.  Street 

a- 

a- 

— licnjamiii  F.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-Dennis  J.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

— Jozcf  Stuisiak 

n- 

a- 

-Eugene  \V.  Sullivan 

n- 

n- 

—Francis   P.   Sullivan 

a- 

n- 

-Fred  J.  Sullivan 

a- 

n- 

—Guy  A.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-James  L.  Sullivan 

a- 

n- 

-John  J.   Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-John  L.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-John  Sullivan 

a- 

n- 

-Lester  J.   Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-Michael  J.  Sullivan 

n- 

a- 

-Robert  M.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-Woodruff  T.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

-William  J.  Supa 

a- 

n- 

-William  A.  Super 

n- 

a- 

-Alex  Swaich 

n- 

a- 

-Leroy  A.  Swati* 

a- 

n- 

-Mertin  L.  Swan 

a- 

n- 

-William  A.  Swan 

a- 

n- 

-Robert  Swanton 

n- 

a- 

-Sigurd  V.  Swanson 

a- 

n- 

-Gerald  J.  Sullivan 

a- 

a- 

—Louis  ^L  Swatzburg 

n- 

a- 

-Daniel  M.  J.  Sweeney 

n- 

a- 

-Arthur  J.  Sylvia 

a- 

a- 

-Frank  Sylvia 

a- 

a- 

-Frank  Szachna 

a- 

a- 

-Wladislaw  Szbalinski 

a- 

a- 

-Felix  Szmanski 

a- 

a- 

-Alex  Szulhansky 

a- 

a- 

-William  A.  Sweeney 

a- 

a- 

-George  A.  Tague 

a- 

a- 

-Waller  Tarbo:. 

a- 

a- 

-William  G.  Tariv 

n- 

a- 

-Joseph  Tarnoski.  Jr. 

a- 

a- 

-Mecky  Tarnowski 

a- 

a- 

-Richard  L.  Tarrant 

a- 

11- 

-Edward  J.  Taylor 

n- 

a- 

-Ellis  Taylor 

a- 

a- 

-Emile  Tellier 

a- 

n- 

-Lucio  Tempesta 

a- 

a- 

-O.  Tetrault 

a- 

a- 

-John  J.   Thomas 

n- 

a- 

-Pierre  K.  Theve 

n- 

n- 

-Daniel  Thompson 

a- 

a- 

-James  J.  Thompson 

a- 

a- 

-Robert  Thompson 

a- 

a- 

-Frank  R.  Thresher 

a- 

a- 

-Algard  Thuotte 

n- 

n- 

-Percy  H.  Thurlow 

a- 

a- 

-Charles  W.  Tingley 

a- 

a- 

-Kenneth  E.  Tobin 

a- 

—Francis  M.  Toomcy 
-Leslie  F.  Tourtelotte 
-William  K.  Thomas 
-Fred  A.  Townc 
-Thomas  Tracy,  Jr. 
-Lewis  F.  Trcpasso 
-Roy  Trcadway 
-Frank  D.  Treckman 
-William  Treckman 
-.Mfrcd  A.  Trembly 
-Henry  Tremblay 
-John  Tsuros 
-Louis  Tucoi 
-John  B.  Tumicki 
-Albert  J.  Turner 
-Frederic  Turner 
-John  Ulanovich* 
-Frank  E.  Ulmcr 
-John  W.  Ulmer 
-Guy  Underwood 
-J.  Ustack 

-Peter  J.  VanVyanick 
-Elmer  C.  Veddcr 
-Fotios  Vassolardies 
-Whitney  M.  Vergason 
-.Mbert  Xf.  Vetter 
-Arthur  H.  Vetter 
-Louis  B.  Vincente 
-Peter  J.  Virona 
-Peter  G.  Vuono 
-Ernest  IT.  Watson 
-John  Walaziniski 
-Thomas  J.  Waldron 
-James  P.  Walsh 
-John  S.  Walsh 
-Nicholas  V.  Walsh 
-Leslie  F.  Ward 
-Arnold  T.  Ware 
-Arthur  G.  Warwick 
-William  O.  Weinert 
-Benjamin  Weinstein 
-Charles  A.  Weinstein 
-Samuel  Weinstein 
-Edward  Weisgrabler 
-Edgar  C.  Welden 
-George  Weller 
-Russell  Welles 
-.Augustus  H.  Weltin 
-George  C.  Weltin 
-William  A.  Weeden* 
-Howard  J.  Whalom 
-Herbert  L.  W'Tieeler 
-Sidney  \\  hippie 
-Clarence  W.  WTiite 
-John  J.  White 


a— Ernest   D.   Whiteford 

a— LeRoy  H.  Uhitmarsh 

a  -William  H.  Wicks 

n — Lorenzo  E.  Wicsc 

a — Thomas  Wignall 

n — James  F.  Wilbcr 

a — Homer  F.  Wilbur 

a — Joseph  A.  Wilcot 

a— I'Vank  A.  Wilcox* 

a — Raymond  Willet 

a — Daniel  Williams 

a — Erastus  W.  Williams 

n — Julian  L.  Williams 

a — Ralph  S.  W  illiams 

a — Ernest  J.  Williamson 

a— Percy  J.  Willis 

n— Charles   W.  Willey* 

a— Claude  R.  Wilson 

a — Clifford  E.  Wilson 

n — Frank  S.  Wilson 

a — George  M.  Wilson 

a — Robert  Winchester 

a — Bronislaw  Wineza 

a — Anthony  Wisneski 

a — Joseph  Wit 

a — Wladyslaw  Witkowski 

a — Edward  O.  Witchoski 

a — Fred  J.  Wolfenberger 

a— Fred  D.  Wood 

a — John  H.  AVood 

a — Dewey  H.  Woodw-orth 

a — Walter  J.  Woodmansee* 

n — Clarence  H.  Woodworth 

n — Ernest  C.  Woodworth 

n — Everett  C.  Woodworth 

a — ^John  G.  Woronick 

a —         ?        Woselowski 

a— Otis  H.  Wright 

n— Oliver  R.  Wulf 

a — William  E.  Wright 

a — Anton  Wunderlick 

a — John  W'underlick 

a — Frank  Yakubielski 

a — Vinkor  Yinkowski 

a--John   B.  Yansalve 

a — Spragay  Yantuz 

a— John  Yates 

a— Edwin  F.  Yerrington 

n — Frank  Yerrington 

11 — Joseph  R.  Yerrington 

a — Charles  J.  Yesionowski 

a— Cecil  G.  Young 

a— Charles  R.  Young 

n — Fred  O.  C.  Young 

a— Harold  H.  Young 


6oo 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


n — James  M.  Voung,  Jr. 
a— John  B.  Young 
n — Norman  VV.  Young 
a— Richard  VV.  Young 
a — Wilham  A.  Young 
a— Winifred  C.  Young 


Raynie  P.  Stebbins 
Annie  Allen 


a— Fred  W.  Rocssler 

a — Frank  Wyrod 

a — Stanislaw  Zav.'islenski 

a — Anthony  Zecchilli 

a — Charles  Zdanccwicz* 

a — Michael  R.  Zeigler 


a — Peter  Zenski 
a — Edward  Zcralski 
a — Frank  Zerahki 
a — Felix  Zonoski 
a — Andzic  Zysk 


NORWICH  WOMEN  IN  THE  SERVICE 


Grace  Greenwood 
ler  J.  Manwaring 


Mary  J.  McCloud 
Gladys  V.  Wilson 


HONOR  ROLL  NEW  LONDON  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 


Adams,  Henry 
Agostino,  Ross 
Ahearn,  Arthur 
Alexander,  James 
Alger,  Harold  J. 
Alizio,  Constantini 
Allen,  Carl  D. 
Allen,  Henry 
Ailing,   Ward   T. 
Ames,  Tracy 
Anderson,  Chas.  L. 
Anderson,  John  Gustav 
Anderson,  Theodore  F. 
Andrews,  Avery 
Appledorn,  Herman  H. 
Archer,  Robert  H. 
Archer,  Harry  J. 
Arieno,  Philipo 
Arms,  Frank  T. 
Arms,  Guy  T. 
Armstrong,  George  E. 
Armstrong,  Frank  M. 
Arnold,  Leslie  P. 
Atkinson,  Arthur 
Avena,  Donate 
Avery,  Herbert  N. 
Babbidge,  Eben  G. 
Babcock,  Leon 
Babcock,  William  T. 
Badeau,  Frederick  R. 
Baier,  Ernest  A. 
Baier,  Henry 
Baily,  Edmond  J. 
Bajorski,  Peter 
Baker,  Ralph  P. 
Baratz,  Edward 
Barber,  Alexander 
Barber,  Ames 
Barker,  Alexander 
Barker,  Lionel  J. 
Barnes,  Arthur  O. 


Barr,  Eric  L. 
Barrett,  Rollin  H. 
Barrosa,  Frank 
Barrows,  Ernest  R. 
Barrows,  Walter  A. 
Barry,  Carlos,  Jr. 
Barry,  Christopher  F. 
Barry,   Robert  P. 
Barszcz,  Theophilus 
Bartholucci,  Etalo 
Barton,  William  L. 
Baruch,  Marten 
Basilico,  John 
Bastista,  Antonio 
Bates,  Earl  K. 
Beally,  Lawrence 
Beatty,  Desmond  A. 
Beckley,  Chester  A. 
Beckwith,  Arthur  M. 
Beckwith,  Frank  L. 
Beckwith,  Frank  M. 
Beckwith,  Russell  E. 
Beebe,  Christopher  B. 
Beebe,  Fred  A. 
Beebe,  Fred  E. 
Beebe,  Leon  G. 
Beebe,  Stephen  B. 
Beebe,  William  F. 
Beers,  Ralph  I. 
Belcher,  Chas.  F. 
Belcher,  Duncan 
Belcher,  Gregory 
Belcher,  William  A. 
Belcher,  William  W. 
Bell,  Hugh  M. 
Bengteson,  Gustav 
Bengtston,  Bror.  G. 
Bennett,  Lester  S. 
Bcntlcy,  A.  Jackson 
Benton.  Chas. 
Beran,  James  A. 


Berardi,  Albert 
Bergenstein,  Gustav 
Berling,  Arthur  S. 
Bernian,   Phillip 
Bertz,  Otto  F. 
♦Bestick,  Howard  I. 
Bishop,  Chas.  E. 
Bishop,  Giles 
Bishop,  Joseph  B. 
Bitonnis,  George 
Black,  Ross  E. 
Blackadar,  Frank  L. 
Blair,  Albert  J. 
Blaisdell,   Fillmore   T. 
Bloomer,  Edward  H. 
Bloomfield,  W.  G. 
Bodeau,  Frederick 
Bodenwein,  Gordon 
Bogue,  Albion  R. 
Bogue,  John  Joseph 
Bolezak,  Anthony 
Bolles,  Paul  H. 
Boiling,  Phillip 
Bonitz,  Albert 
Boramai,  Carlo 
Boser,  Alfred 
Bontin,  Emil 
Bowers,  Forrest  C. 
Bowers,  Sylvester 
Bowser,  Campwell  W. 
Boylan,  Joseph  B. 
Boyle,  Edward  F. 
Bracewell,  Edwin  R. 
Bradford,  Frank  A. 
Bradford,  Herbert  H. 
Bradham,  David  W. 
Bradshaw,  Wesley  B. 
Bradwell,  Clinton  L. 
Brady,  William  J. 
Bragan,  Chester  G. 
Branch,  Earl  C. 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


6oi 


Brannan,  Adlai  E. 

Brannan,  Dwight 

Bray,  Clyde  E. 

Bray,  Maynard  L. 

Britton,  Frank 

Broadwell.  C.  E. 

Brodie,  Benjamin 

Brody,  Samuel  A. 

Bronslein,  George  H. 

Brooks.  William  F. 

Brooks.  William  H. 
•Brown.  Archie,  Jr. 

Brown.  Bennett 

Brown.  Brainard 

Brown,  Qias.  W. 

Brown,  Earl 

Brown,  Emmett  W. 

Brown.  Everett  W. 

Brown,  Frank  DeWitt 

Brown,  Frank  W. 

Brown,  George  J. 

Brown,  George  T. 

Brown,  Lloyd  L. 

Brown,  Robert  L. 

Bruce.  Arthur  W. 

Bruckner,  Herman  \. 

Brutzman,   Edward 

Brozozka,   Alexander 
♦Ruck,  Walter  F. 

Buck,  Willis  L. 

Budzisjuoski,  Anthony 

Budzisjuoski,  S. 

Buell,  John  H.,  Jr. 

Burdick,  George  H. 

Burdick.  Thomas  E. 

Burr.  Howard  Tinker 

Burrows,  Ray 

Burrows,  Wilfred  C. 

Burrows,  W.  E. 

Butler,  John  G. 

Butler,  Joseph  F. 

Byrne.  W.  F. 

Bystrzah.   Anthony 

Bystrzah,   Stanislaw 

Cabsal,  Anthony  M.,  Jr. 

Cabsal.  Francis  J. 

Cabsal.  Joseph  L. 

Cabsal.  Manuel  G. 

Cahey.  Chas.  R. 

Cahey,  Richard 

Cahey,  Thomas  J. 

Calderah,  Antonio 

Caldon.  Harold  A. 

Callahan.  James  A. 

Callahan,  John  B. 


Callahan,  J.   F. 
Campbell,  Alexander 
Campbell,  Warren  E. 
Campo,  Euplio 
Cantanzau.  Louis 
Cantwell,  William  J. 
Caplett,  Daniel  L. 
Capwcll,  George 
Capwcll,  Walter  F. 
Caracausa,  Albert  C. 
Carlin,  Harry  A. 
Carlson,  Phillip  C. 
Carlson,  Verner  A. 
Carlson,  William  S. 
Caron,  Fred 
Caron,  Victor  L. 
Carino,  Harrj-  A. 
Carino,  Michael 
Carr.  Walter 
Carrolls,  Stavadros 
Carver,  Edward  J. 
Carver.  Edward  M. 
Carver,  George  R. 
Carver,  John  D. 
Casey,  Frank  P. 
Casey,  George 
Casey,    jcc  rge  Francis 
Casey,  Walter  S. 
Casey,  William  T.  C. 
Casden,  Xelson 
Cassara,  Thomas  C. 
Cassidy,  James  H. 
Cauhey.  Edward 
Cavanaugh.  Dennis  W. 
Chabcreck.  Gideon 
Chaffee.  Robert  W. 
Chaney,  Morgan  R. 
Chaoinski,   Joseph 
Chapel,  Chas. 
Chapel,  Walter 
Chapin,  Frank  L. 
Champion,  Ernest  D. 
Chapman.  Edward  N. 
Chappcll.  Alfred  H. 
Chappell,  Daniel 
Chappell,  Ira  L. 
Chappell,  Orris  S. 
Charlop,   Samuel  D. 
Chcady,  John 
Cheney.  George  P. 
Cherby,  Frank 
Cherkasky,  Samuel  N. 
Chester,  Daniel  A. 
Childs,  Gilbert 
Childs,  Paul  D. 


Christie,  George  B. 
Cirrito,  Joseph 
Clairbornc,  W.  H  . 
Clark,  Harold  B. 
Clark,  J.  W. 
Coates,  Thomas  C. 
Cobb,  Stanley  M. 
Coe,  George  R. 
Cogan,  Hugh   A. 
Colbert,  James  J. 
Cole,  Alfred  F. 
Cole,  Alister  H. 
Coleman,  Daniel 
Coleman,  John 
Coleman,  Mathew  J. 
Coleman,  Nelson 
Coleman,  Thomas  J. 
Collins,  Benjamin  Xf. 
Collins,  Christopher  J.,  Jr. 
Collins,  Edward  T. 
Collins,  Robert  P. 
CoIIoski,   Dominick 
Colsi,  Frank 
Comeau,  Harry  A. 
Conistock,  Raymond  G. 
Conboy.  Thomas   P. 
Cone,  Harold  J. 
Congdon,  Stephen  G. 
Congdon,  Thomas  B. 
Connell,  Thomas  G. 
Connelli,  Lawrence 
Conner,  David 
Conti,  Lawrence  J. 
Coombs,  Thomas  A. 
Coomljs,  Walter  V. 
Copper,  Aubrey 
Corcoran,   Patrick 
Corcoran,  William  J. 
Corkey,  William  M. 
Cornell,  William  H. 
Cote,  Napoleon 
Courtney,  John  J. 
Cox,  John  A. 
Coyle,  Henry 
Craig,  Chas.  C. 
Craig.  Walter  L. 
Craig.  William   P. 
Crandall.  George  H.,  Jr. 
Crandall,  Richard 
Cranker,  Daniel  F. 
Cranker,  Joseph  N. 
Crawford.  Leroy 
Crocker,  Thomas  L. 
Cronesburj',  Harold  A. 
Crooks,  Edward  B. 


6o2 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Croiiclier,  William  H. 
Crosby.   Ralph 
Crowell,  Clias.  E. 
Crowell,  John  F. 
Cruise,  Edwin 
Cruise,  John  H. 
Cruise,  Robert 
Cullen,  Brainard  V. 
CuUen,  Francis  J. 
Cullen,  Julius 
Culver,  Christopher 
Cummings,  Michael  J. 
Curran,  John 
Curley,  John  Edward 
Curtis,  Chas.  A. 
Czarnecki,  Louis 
Czerniawski,  Woiciech 
Dallas,  Josiah 
Dalton,  Joseph  A. 
Daly,  Bartholomew 
Daly,  James  P. 
Daly,  John 
Daly,  Joseph 
Daly,  Thomas  E. 
Damas,  Joseph  W. 
Daniels,  Fremont 
Dardis,  Martin  N. 
Darling,  George 
Darrow,  Robert  B. 
Darrow,   William 
Dart,  Benjamin  F. 
Dart,  Charles  S. 
Dart,  Edison 
David,  Milton 
Davidson,  Robert  F. 
Davis,  Adam  J. 
Davis,  Daniel  S. 
Davis,  Edison  O. 
Davis,  Edward  W. 
Davis,  Milton  W. 
Davis,  William  H. 
Davison,  Christopher  H. 
Davison,  Frank  J. 
Davison,  George 
Decarlo,  Gesnelda 
Decker,  Harold  W. 
DeGauge,  Francis 
Delap,  Thomas  L. 
Delmore,  John  M. 
DeLong,  G.  Emery 
DeMarco,  Vinceiizo 
Dcmuth,  Ronald 
Denisoii,  Ernest  R. 
Dcnnison,  Lloyd  W. 
DeRocher,  Joseph  A. 


Derry,  Charles  E. 

Devins,  Lewis 

Dewey,  Robert  K. 

Diamond,  Edward  L 

Diamond,  Harry 

Diamontis,  A.  K. 

Dibble,  Sherwood  M. 

Dickinson,  Thomas  S. 

Dickson,  J.  Courtland 

DiFranco,  Camilo 

Dipolino,  Carmelo 

Dolbeare,  Kenneth  C. 

Dolbeare,  Walter  G. 

Dolci,  Santa 

Domenico,  Dippolliana 

Donahue,  George  W. 

Donahue,  John  F. 

Donahue,  Richard  H. 

Donahue,  Robert  C. 
*Donahue,  William  A. 

Donald,  Claude  M. 

Dondero,  Edward 

Donnelly,  Dudley  S. 

Donnelly,  Henry  T. 

Donovan,  John  J. 

Doran,  James 

Doran,  James  J. 

Dorsey,  Edward  J. 

Dorsey,  Henry  S. 

Dorsey,  John  E. 

Dorsey,  Michael  F. 

Dorsey,  Michael  J. 

Dorsey,  Peter  B. 

Dorsey,  Thomas  F.,  Jr. 

Dougal,  William  W. 

Douglas,  Lewis  E. 

Douglas,  William  M. 

Douglass,  Alex  H. 

Douglass,  Clifford  L. 

Douglass,  Walter  L. 

Douglass,  William 
*Dow,  Edward  C. 

Dow,  F.  Pierpont 

Downey,  Edmond  J. 

Doyle,  Daniel  J. 

Doyle,   Thomas 

Doylittlc,  Bassell 

Dray,  John  D. 

Driscoll,  Alphonsus  P. 

Dubois,  Nelson  J. 

DutTy,  Robert  L. 

Duggan,  Mortimer  C. 

Dunbar,  Harris  W. 

Dunham,  William  H. 

Dunn,  James  C. 


Dunster,  Albert  E. 
Durkee,  \\  illiam  S. 
Durkins,  Michael 
Dymnicki,  Joseph 
Dziangizlewski,  Joseph 
Dziczek,  Adam 
Eagles,  William  E. 
*Earle.  Thomas 
Eastwood,  George  W. 
Ebersale,  William  J. 
Ecclcston,  Luther  A. 
Edgcomb,  Harry  J. 
Edmond,  Walter  M. 
Edmonds,  William  A. 
Edwards,  Edward  W. 
Edwards,  Ellery  N. 
Edwards,   Robert  J. 
Edwards,  William  F. 
Eglise,  Charles  N. 
Eisenberg,  Isadore 
Eisenstein,   Irving 
Elfenbein,  David 
Elionsky,  Henry 
Elionsky,  John 
Elliot,  Addison  S. 
Elliot,  Frank  W. 
Elliott,  Walter  C. 
Enos,  Anthony  F. 
Enos,  George  H. 
Enos,  Joseph  V. 
Enos.  Manuel 
Enright,  Joseph  T. 
Epolite,  John  D. 
Epps,  Charles  E. 
Eshenfelder,  George  A. 
Eslen,  George  W.,  Jr. 
Fahey,  Gilbert 
Falvey,  Thomas  K. 
Fanjoy,  Roy  G. 
Fargo,  Edward  W.,  Jr. 
Farine,  John 
Farley,  Benjamin  H. 
Farley,  Joseph 
Farrar,  Louis  L. 
Farrar,  Richard  M. 
Farrcll,  Roger  L. 
Fecteau,  Moses  L. 
Feeley,  Raymond  F. 
Fcngar,  Cyrus   B. 
Fengar,  Frederick  E. 
Fengar,  Henry  Clay 
Fenwick,  Edward  A. 
Feraci,  Tonay 
Ferino,  Joseph 
Ficarra,  Salvatore 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


603 


Ficlitliorn,  Lcgr'd  J.  P. 
Filalus,  Frank 
Finn,  Edward 
Finn,  Robert  R. 
Finncgan,  George  E. 
Finncgan,  James  E.,  Jr. 
Fiorcntini.  Guisseppe 
Fitzgerald,  Daniel  J. 
Fitzgerald,  David  J. 
•Fitzgerald,  James 
Fitzgerald,  John  J. 
Fitzgerald,  John  P. 
Fitzgerald,  Thomas  J. 
Fitzpatrick,  James  T. 
Fitzsimmons,  William  C. 
Flaherty,  Edward  M. 
Flaherty,  John 
Flaherty,  Leonard  M. 
Flynn,  Edward 
Flynn,  Edwin  A. 
Flynn,  Richard  M. 
Foley,  C.  Barrett 
Follows,  Arthur 
Ford,  Leroy  H. 
Ford,  William  J. 
Foster,  Frederic  J. 
Foster,  John  M. 
Fournicr,  Xclson 
Francis,  Frank  J. 
Francis,  Tyler  E. 
Franklin,  Victor 
Frascr,  Daniel  M. 
Eraser,  Frank 
Fraser,  Raymond  S. 
Frascr,  Simon  C. 
Friars,  Harold  E. 
Frink,  Joseph  1. 
Frishman,  Harry 
Funk,  Joseph  J. 
Funkel,  Charles  C. 
Funora,  James 
Furlong,  Fred  M. 
Furncllo,  \icholas 
Gaetano,  Napoli 
Gaffney.  Joseph  J. 
Gagan,  Robert 
Galbo,  John 
Gallup,  John  F. 
Ganey,  Joseph  M. 
Gangloff,  William  H. 
Gannon,  Andrew 
Gardiner,  John 
Gardner,  Clarence  P. 
Gardner,  Robert  S. 
Gardner,  T. 


Gates,  Curtis  W. 

Gates,  Emmette  R. 

Gates,  Ernest  F. 

Gates,  Harold  P. 

Gatlcy,  Edward  A. 

Gauthier,  Joseph  A. 

Gawlawski,  Joseph 
*Gcer,  Ed^ar  S. 

Gcer,  Harold  E. 

Geer,  Roy  P. 

Gentill,  Peter 

George,  Anthony  J. 

George,  Charles  J. 

George,  Nathaniel  J. 

Gershowitz,  Abraham  J. 

Getchcll,  Clyde  B. 

Gianiotis,  Kostas 
*Gicrsz,  Peter 

Giflford,  Webster  G. 

Gilbert,  George  A. 

Gilmartin,  John  M. 

Gilmore,  Charles  W. 

Giordano,  Rosario 

Gironard,  Adelard 

Glenn,  Frank  A. 

Glossenger,  Leroy  F. 

Glynn,  John  C. 

Gniazdowski,  Stanislaw 

Goddard,  George  R. 

GofT,  Phillip  H. 

Goff,  Robert  J. 

Goggin,  Thomas 

Goldberg,  Isadora 

Goldberg,  Louis  G. 

Goldberg,  Nathan 

Goldie,  George  S. 

Goldie,  William  S. 

Goldsmith,  Stanley  A. 

Goldstein,  Oscar  I. 

Gomez,  Leroy 

Gonsalves,  Antonio 

Gontarzncuski,  Stanislaw 

Gontarz,  Boleslaw 

Good,  Ralph  E. 

Goodwin,  James  J. 
♦Gorchow,  Harry  B. 

Gordon,  Joseph 

Gordon,  Morris 

Gorman,  Arthur 

Gorman,  John  J. 

Gorra,  Nicholas  J. 

Gorton,  Joseph 

Goss,  Albert  W. 

Goss,  Frederick 

Goss.  George  A.,  Jr. 


Gracewell,  E.  R. 

Graham,  Clifford 

Grane,  Arthur  R. 

Grane,  Charles  H. 

Graves,  Charles 

Graves,  Harry  S. 

Graves,  Stephen 

Gray,  Jose|)h  D. 

Gray,  \\  illard  A. 

Gray,  William  A. 

Gray,  William  F. 

Green,  James 

Green,  Samuel  S. 

Grccnbcrg,   Albert 

Greenman,  Frank  P. 

Greenwood,  .'\nios  L. 

Griffin,  John 

Griflin,  Thomas  A. 

Griffith,  John  C. 

Grillo,   Rosario 

Grimes,   Leslie 

Grimes,  Paul  J. 

Grimes,  Richard  A. 

Griswold,  Horace  H. 

Griswold,  William  H. 

Gross,  Lawrence  B, 

Grove,  Phillip  B. 

Grover,  Raymond  G. 

Gulloy,  Wiliiani  H. 
♦Gurney,  George  M. 

Guthrie,  Russell  S. 

Hague,  Joseph  F. 

Hale,  Harold  B. 

Hale,  John  S. 

Hale,  Wells  L. 

Hall,  John  S. 

Hall,  Reginald 

Halyburton,  W.  J. 

Hamilton,  Andrew 

Hamilton,  Cyril  A. 
♦Hamilton,  F'rank  W. 

Hamilton,  Robert 

Hammond,  Carl  T. 

Hanney,  Herbert  A. 

Hanley,  George  F. 

Hanscom,  Ridgley 

Hanson,  Karl  T. 

Harrington,  John,  Jr. 

Harrington,  Joseph  T. 

Harris,  Frank 

Harris,  Jocsph  P. 

Harris,  Louis 

Harris,  Russell  S. 

Harris.  Samuel, 

Harrison,  Bathas 


(x)4 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Harvey,  Charles  W. 

Harvey,  Herbert  J. 

Harvey,  John  A. 

Harvey,  John  N. 

Hatfield,  Delbert  K. 

Haven,  Morgan  B. 

Havens,  Edward  W. 
♦Havens,  George  E. 

Havens,  Harold  M. 

Hawkins,  Patrick 

Hayden,  Randolph  L. 

Hayes,  John  J. 

Hedlund,  Raymond  F. 

Hefferman,  John 

Hendel,  Isadore 

Herbert,  George  J. 

Herdt,  John  \V. 

Herman,  Eli 

Herman,  Louis 

Hersant,  John  J. 

Hesney,  Dennis  A. 

Hester,  John  F. 

Hcfcr,  Albert 

Hetherson,  Richard  J. 
Hewitt,  Ralph  H. 
Hcyman,  Arthur  J. 
Hick,  Harry  S. 
Hicks,  George  A. 
Higgins,  John  F. 
Higgins,  Thomas  W. 
Hill,  Percy  P. 
Hirsch,  Morris 
Hislop,  Gordan  I. 
Hitchcock,  Richard 
Hobron,  George  L. 
Hodges,  George  E. 
Holdredge,  Fred  I. 
Holmes,  Carleton  A. 
Holmes,  Everett 
Holmes,  Francis  E. 
Holmes,  Walter 
Holt.  Robert  W. 
Hooker,  J.  Henry 
Hopf,  F.  Emil 
Hopkins,  Charles  C. 
Hopkins,  Edwin  W. 
Horen,  Morris  O. 
Horton,  Ellsworth  J. 
Hoskins,  Harry  B. 
Howard,  Fred  H. 
Howard,  Garfield 
*Howard,  Henry 
Howard,  William  H. 
Howell,  Kimbark  J. 
Howell.  William  H. 


Howlett,  Raymond 

Howland,  Howard  E. 

Hrabc,  John  H. 

Hull,  C.  Hadlai 

Hull,  William  H. 

Hullivan,   David   F. 

Hullivan,  Fred  T. 

Humphries,  Charles 

Humphrey,  William 

Hunt,  D.  J. 

Hunt,  Richard  E. 

Hunt,  Robert  F. 

Huntley,  Edward  J. 

Hutchings,  C.  C. 

Hyde,  Loring 

Hyde,  Robert  H. 

Irlande,  James 

Ivby,  Linwood  W. 

Jagcr,  Robert  H. 

Jamczewski,  Albin 

James,  John  H. 

James,  Joseph  A. 

James,  Leroy  A. 

Janik,  John 

Jasionwski,  Boleslaw 

Jasper,  Richard 

Jastrezembski,  F.  T. 

Jenkins,  Wilbur  W. 
Jennings,  Thomas  H. 
Jensen,  Niels  C. 
Jensen,  Oscar 
Johnson,  George 
Johnson,  Harry  E. 
Johnson,  Rongwald  O. 
Johnston,  C.  H. 
Jones,  E.  McKinley 
Jordan,  Lawrence  A. 
Jordan,  R.  Raymond 
Jordan,  Samuel  R. 
Jordan,  Theodore  F. 
Jordon,  Joseph  H. 
Joseph,  Guy  D. 
Joseph,  Roland  T. 
Judd,  H.  Norman 
Kahn,  Henry  H. 
Kahn,   Reuben   L. 
Kahn,  Samuel 
Kaliszewski,  Frank 
Kane.  John  S. 
Kane.  William  M. 
Kaplan,  Leon 
Kaufman,  Charles 
Kearney,  William 
Keating,  John  J. 
Kecfe,  Edward  R. 


Keefe,  Joseph  C. 
Keefe,  Robert  A. 
Keefc,  William 
KeiHicy,  George  N. 
Keeney,  Robert  M. 
Kelley,  Cornelius  E. 
Kelley,  Michael  E. 
Kenerson,  Freman  E. 
Kennedy,  John  J. 
Kenney,  Hilcon  C. 
Kenny,  Robert  M. 
Kenure,  James  R. 
Kenure,  John 
Kenyon,  Earl  E. 
Kenyon,  Herbert 
Kenyon,  John  G. 
Kenyon,  John  J. 
Keilhorn,  Lloyd  V. 
Kilburne,  Geo.  H.,  Jr. 
Kiley,  Geo.  J. 
Kiley,  James  P. 
Kiley,  Richard  P. 
Kiley,  Thomas  H. 
King,  Frank  H. 
King,  John 
King,  Warren  E. 
Kiskoi,  Alex. 
Kjellander,  Carl  S. 
Knowlton,  Guy  R. 
Knowlton,  K.  R. 
Koczkodan,   /Mex. 
Kolodzieczuk,  Martin 
Kosky,  Elmer 
Kowalczyk,   Constant'e 
Kowalczyk,  Czeslow 
Kownlczyk,   John 
Kozlin,  Lewis 
Kroth,  Henry  J. 
Kupisz,  Frank 
Kurpiewski,  Czeslow 
Kurpiewski,  Francis 
Labinsky,  Alfred 
La  Brie,  Arthur  J. 
Lake,  William  N. 
Landers,  Lorenzo  V. 
Lane,  Edward  W. 
Lane,  John 
Lann,    Frank 
La  Pointe,  Lionel 
Larkin,   Irving  C. 
Larscn,  Harold 
Later,  Charles  W. 
Latham,  Benjamin 
Latham,  Stanton 
Lavoie,  Oliver 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


6<)_^ 


Lawless,  Roderick  D. 

Lawless,  Sebasti'n  K. 

Lawrence,  Eugene,  Jr. 

Lawrence,  John  V. 

Lawrence,  Samuel 

Leahy,  James  C. 

Leary,  A.  M. 

Leary,  Charles  E. 

Leary,  Edward  T. 

Leary,  William  J. 

Leary,  William  P. 

Lee,  Charles  H. 

Lee,  Harry  M. 

Lee,  Meredith 
*Lee,  Schuyler 

Lee,  Stephen  M. 
♦Lettie,  Amos 

Levine,  Henry  D. 

Levinson,  Eli  W. 

Lewis,  Herbert  E. 

Lewis,  Roswell  E. 

Leyshon,  Richard 
*Librizzi,  Carl 

Libbrizzi,  Joseph 

Liljenstein,  G.  M. 

Liljenstein,  Oscar 

Linicus,  Geo.  A. 

Linicus,  Jacob  M. 

Linnehan,  Frank  P. 

Linsley,  R.  Scott 

Lipinski,  Alexander 

Little,  Joseph  E.,  Jr. 

Littlefield,  Edwin  C. 

Littlefield,  John 

Lis,  Frank 

Loftus,  Peter  P. 

Loomis,  Percy  H. 

Leper,  William  S. 

Lougle,  Gilman  E. 

Lougle,  Louis  L. 

Lubchansky,  Louis 

Lubchansky,   William 

Lucy,  Norman 

Lundgren,  Earl  E. 

Lusk,   Thomas  J. 

Lyman,  William  J. 

Lynn,  Clarence  R. 

Lyons,  Bernard  L. 

Lyons,  Henry  D. 

Lyons,  Jeremiah  T. 

Lyons,  John  C. 

Lyons,  John  J. 

Lyons,  Thomas  J. 

Mace,  Frank 

Magnusdal,  Arnt  O. 


Magnusdal,  Henry  M. 

Magnusdal,  Otto  T. 

Mahan,  Alfred  W. 

Maher,  Edward  J. 

Maher,  Patrick  F. 

Maimone,  Marco 

Makarewicz,  Andrew 

Makuch,  Paul 

Maletsa,  Polihrones  *^. 

Malkowski,  Anthony 

Mallen,  Frank 

Mallen,  Phillip 

Mallon,  J.  M.,  Jr. 

Manley,  John  1. 

Manning,  John  B. 

Mansfield,  John  P. 
*Mansficld,   Richard,  2nd 

Manstield,  R.  E. 

Marcotte,  J.  H. 

Marid,  Frank 
*Mariani,  Rocco 

Marsters,  Foster  M. 
*Marsters,  R.  C. 

Marsters,  Silas  M. 

Marston,  Walter  C. 

Martin,  Arthur  J. 

Martin,  George  A. 

Martin,  Harry  M. 

Martin,  Raymond 

Martin,  Tony 

Mascotte,  J.  H. 

Mastcrton,   Alexander  D. 

Mason,  Robert 

Mather,  Stanley  H. 

Mattison,  John 

May,  Edward  R. 

May,  Walter  D. 

May,  William  T.,  Jr. 

Maynard,  A.  E. 

Maynard,  C.  J. 

Maynard,  George 

Maynard,  Harry  A. 

^faynard,  Herbert 

Maynard,  Leon  D. 

Mayo,  Harry  P. 

Maxson,  Charles  D. 

Maxson,  Charles  L. 

Meade,  Thomas  T. 

Mercer,  William  A. 

Metzmacher,  James 

Miller,  Charles  E. 

Miller,  Daniel  S. 

Miller,  Ernest  W. 

Miller,  John  Wares 

Miller,  Louis  G. 


Mills  Robert  D. 
Miner,  Sidney  B. 
Miner,  Waldo  L. 
Mires,  George 
Mis,  John 

Mitchell,  Charles  D. 
Mitchell,   Dawson 
Mitchell,  Donald,  Jr. 
Mitchell,  George  W. 
Mix,  Albert  T. 
Mix,  George 
Mlynek,  Stanislaw 
Mochon,  Harry  H. 
Moffit,  Thomas  C. 
Momm.  Charles  H. 
Mono,  Peter  G. 
Moon,  John  W. 
Moon,  Spencer  W. 
Moore,  Harry  G. 
Moore,  Harold  R. 
Moore,  John  P. 
Xfoore,  Walter  R. 
Moran,  Daniel  D. 
Moran,  Edwaid  J. 
Moran,   Walter 
Morelli,  Guiseppe 
Morey,  Frank 
Morey,  John  Timothy 
Morg.-.n,  PhMlip  C. 
Moi'arity,  Charles  G. 
Moriarity,  George   E. 
Moriarity,  John  F. 
Moriarity,  Perley 
Moriarity,  William  A. 
Morris,  Charles  H. 
Morris.  George  R.,  Jr. 
^^orrison.  Frank  L. 
Morrison,  George  W. 
Morrison,  William  C. 
Morton,  Howell  F. 
Mosier,  Arnold  J. 
Mulcahey,  David 
Mulcahcy,  Mathcw  R. 
Mulliiigs,  Edward 
^furphy,  Bernard  L. 
^!urphy,  Clyde  F. 
Murphy,  George  R. 
Murphy,  Harold  A. 
^furphy,  James 
*. Murphy,  Mark  J. 
Murphy,  Oswald  P. 
Murphy,  Thomas  P. 
Murphy,  William  G. 
Murray,  Frederick  G. 
Murray,  James  H. 


6o6 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Murray,  James  P. 

Murray,  Raymond  N. 

Murray,  William  B. 

Muscovy,  Gregory 

Myers,  Charles  A. 

-MacDonakl,  Alexander 

MacDonald,  G.  C. 

MacDonald.  H.  D.  A. 

MacDonald,  John  C. 

MacDonald,  John  J. 

MacDonald,  M.  R. 

MacGIaflin,  Charles  H. 

MacKay,  William 

MacLachlan,  D. 

MacMahon,  George  R. 

MacWhinney,  Karl  E. 

MacWhinney,  William  J. 

McCarthy,  Arthur  J. 

McCarthy,  Edward  T. 

McCarthy,  James  T. 

McCarthy,  Percy  D. 

McCarlhj-,  Thomas  J. 

McCastor,  Joseph  T. 

McClellan.  J.   Byron 
*McClure,  Edward  J. 

McCormick,  John  B. 

McCoskey,  George  I. 

McCurdy,  Harley  M. 

McDonald,  Herbert  D. 

McDonald,  John  J. 

McDonald,  Joseph 

McEleaney,  Chas.  A. 

McEiianey,  Arthur  J. 

McEnaney.  John  D. 

McEwcn,  Lawrence  B. 

McGarrah,  Floyd  D. 

McGarry,  John  T. 

McGeary,  Edward  T. 

McGinley,  Arthur  B. 

McGinley,  Lawrence  J. 

McGinley,  Stephen  E. 

McGinley,  Thomas  S. 
McGinley,  Winthrop  E. 
*McGourty,  John  F. 

McGrath,  John  S. 

McGrath,  Lawrence  E. 

McKay,  Angers  S. 

McLain,  Bernard 

McLaughlin,  Chas.  H. 

McLaughlin,  Edward  J. 
McLaughlin,  John  J. 

McLaughlin,  Joseph 
McLaughlin,  Leon 
McLaughlin,  W.  Harold 
McLaurin,  Neal  A. 


McMahon.  Patrick  F. 
McMullen,  Edward  J. 
McPortland,  Hugh  D. 
McQueen,  Robert 
McShanc,  Chas.  P. 
NaDolmy,  Arthur 
NaDolmy,  John 
Nagle,  Harold  D. 
Napiorkowski,  Roman 
NaPoIe,  Geateno 
*Neale,  Arthur  W^ 
Keary,  John  D. 
Neff,  Raymond  A. 
Neilan,  Raymond 
Nevins,  John  C. 
*Newbury,  Carl  S. 
Newbury,  Herbert 
NewComb,  Aubrey  W. 
NewComb,  Richard  C. 
NewComb,  Theodore 
Niedzwiedski,  Felix 
Noble,  Clarence  S. 
N'oona,  Thomas  D. 
Noonan,  John  G. 
Noonan,  W'illiam  D. 
Noosek,  Henry  J. 
Nott,  Harry  T. 
Noven,  Frank  E. 
Noyes,  Roscoe  P. 
O'Brien,  Charles  L. 
O'Brien,  Harry  F. 
O'Brien,  James  J. 
O'Brien,  Joseph  T. 
O'Brien,  Terrance 
O'Connell,  John 
O'Connell,  John  C. 
O'Connell,  John  J. 
O'Connor,  John  G. 
O'Donnell,  John  J. 
O'Donnell,  Maurice 
Oddo,  Joseph  A. 
Olbrys,  Adam 
Olbrys,  Wladislaw 
Oliver,  Floyd  H. 
Olsen,  Trygve 
O'Neil,  Daniel  J. 
O'Neil,  John  Joseph 
O'Neill,  Herbert  W. 
O'Neill,  James  F. 
O'Neill,  John   Brooks 
O'Neill,  John  M. 
O'Neill,  Owen  Eugene 
Orazzi,  Victor 
Ortmann,  Ernest  W.  J. 
O'SuUivan,  James  F. 


O'Sullivan,  Joseph  M. 
Packer,  Ralph  M. 
Packer,  Ray  H. 
Palmer,  Charles  H. 
Palmer,  Courtland  L. 
Palethrope.  Harold 
Parker,  Gilbert  L. 
Parkhurst,  George  C. 
Parlow,  Ralph  L. 
Parmelee,  William  E. 
Parris,  Thomas  E. 
Patterson,  Stephen 
Payne,  Morris  B. 
Pendleton,  Harold  D. 
Pendleton,  Harris,  Jr. 
Penharlow,  Clarence  L. 
Peck,  John  E. 
Peck,  Ray  H. 
Peckham,  Arthur  H. 
Peckham,  Fred  H. 
Peckham,  Walter  H. 
Pelke}',  Thomas 
Pelleteir,  Amabel 
Perkins,  Harold  C. 
Perkins,  W.  E. 
Perronc,   Crazio 
Perrone,  Guiseppi  S. 
Perrone,  Joseph 
Perry,  Frank  E. 
Perry,  John  W. 
Perry,  Joseph  N. 
Perry,  Manuel  E. 
Pcrsie,  Silvia 
Peters,  Harold  F. 
Peters,  Vi'alter  F. 
Peterson,  Stavros  F. 
Petrohelos.  George 
Philips,  Louis  D. 
Phillips,  W'inslow  A. 
Philopena,   Frank 
Photos,  Gust  Peter 
Piankos,  Leon 
Piascik,  Constanstin 
Piascik,   Konstanty 
Piather,  Carlos  D. 
Pickett,  Thomas  C. 
Pimer,  Arthur  K. 
Pindclski,  Eolcslaus 
Pine,  Jacob 
Piney,  Harold 
Piro,   Nicola 
Piscatello,  Guiseppi 
Plattus,  Perry  D. 
Pocoro,  Antonio 
Podeszwa.  Wladeslow 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


607 


Pol  in  ski,  Edward 

Polinski,  Samuel 

Polkcy,  Ernest 

Porter,  John  T. 

Potter,  William  R. 

Powers,  Harry  T. 

Pratt,  George  O. 

Prentis,  Chas.,  Jr. 
*Prince,  J.  Coleman 

Proctor,  William  B. 

Prusaczyk,  Jerome 

Przbylowski,   Stephen 

Pumcrantz.   Benjamin 

Putiinm,  Russell  \. 

Pync,  Albert  George 

Quagliano 

Quinn,  George  E. 
Quinn,  John 
Rainey,  Walter 
Raita,  Albert 
Raleigh,  Andrew 
Rammi,  August 
•Ratcliffe,  Albert  E. 
Ratcliffe,  Henry  A. 
♦Rathburi;,   Earl   B. 
Ray,  Alfred  J. 
Raymond.  Edward  I. 
Reagan,  Daniel  L. 
Redden,  Frank 
Redden,  William  C. 
Reed,   Edmond   B. 
Reed,   William   \. 
*Reeves.  Frank  G. 
Reeves,  George  H. 
Reeves,  William  K. 
Rehm.  John  C.,  Jr. 
Reichert,  Victor 
Rcinacher,  George  L. 
Reinacher,  George  W. 
Rennie,  Ferguson,  Jr. 
Reynolds,  Oliver  L. 
Rhcaume,  Ovelid  I. 
Richard,  Albert  J. 
Richard.  .A.uthur 
Richards,  Howard  S. 
Richman,  Abraham 
Riddle,  Alexander  A. 
Riggs,  Thomas  L. 
Rinehart,  George  F. 
Robbins,  James  C. 
Roberts,  Lemon  C. 
Robillard.  Paul  M. 
Robinske,  Boleslow 
Roche,  Thomas  F. 
Rockwell,  \\'illiam  A. 


Rodamanski,  Jeremiah 

Rogalski,  Conny 

Rogers,  Charles  F. 

Rogers,  C.  R. 

Rogers,  Ernest  W. 

Rogers,  Harry  W. 

Rogers,  Osborn  \V. 

Rogers,  Ralph  S. 

Rogers,  Samuel 

Rogers,  \\  illiam  B. 

Rollo,  Albert  F. 

Rollo,  Leonard 

Rollu,  Michael  H. 

Rondonianski,    Prz'st'w 

Rondonianski,  Vincent 

Rondonianski,  Wm.  S. 

Root,   Charles   S. 

Rose,  Earl  N. 

Rose,  Frank 

Uosse,  Agostino 

Round,  Harold  F. 

Rowland,  Elsworth 

Rowley,  Edward  L. 

Rowley,  Newton  E. 

Row'lej',  Raymond 

Rowley,  Walter  E. 

Ruddy,  James  H. 
Ruggies,  Annello 

Ryan,  Chas.  F. 
Ryan,  Geo.  A. 
Ryan,  Geo.  D. 
Ryan,  Geo.  J. 
Ryan,  Geo.  W. 
Ryan,  Herbert  \V. 
Ryan,  Hubert  P. 
Ryan,   James    P. 
Ryan,  John  H. 
Ryan,  John  J.,  Jr. 
Ryan,  Thomas  F. 
Sabczyk,  Joseph 
Sablowski,  S. 
Sack,  Fedor 
Saindon,  Louis 
Sampsell,  Paul  L. 
Sanford,  Oscar 
Sargent,  Benjamin  F. 
Sarvas,  Sturos  G. 
Satti,  Andrew  J. 
Saunders,  Joseph  M. 
Savage,  Phillip  J. 
Sawicki,  Joseph 
Scarpa,  Salvatore 
Schwartz,  Joseph 
Schwartz,  Joseph  R. 
Scott,  Jernada 


Scott,  J.  H. 

Scott,  Thoma  A  . 

Scripture,  Ward 

Seagrave,   Walter  A. 

Searle.  Herbert  A. 

Secteau,  N.  L. 

Sclcsnitzky,  Carlos 

Seltzer,  Paul 

Senay,  Chas. 

Seratiti,  Wm.  T. 

Scvigny,  Adlord  J. 

Shea,  Alfred  J. 

Shea,  Cornelius  J. 

Shea,   Cornelius,  Jr. 

Shea,  Daniel  M. 

Shea,  Dennis  W'. 

Shea,  Frank  S. 

Shea,  James  H. 

Shea,  John  J. 

Shea,  Michael  F. 

Shea.  Patrick  J. 

Shea,  Thomas 

Shea,   Wm.  B. 

Sheedy,  James  H. 

Sheedy,  John  W. 

Shcehan,  Harold  T. 

Shechan,  John  J. 

Shechan,  Patrick 

Sheehan,  Stephen  M. 
Sheehan,  William  M. 
Shcflot,  Richard  F. 
Sheldon,  Louis  M. 
Shelley,  Chester  R. 
Shelley,  Walter  H. 
Shenski,  Louis 
Sheridan,   Jerome 
Sheridan,  Phillip  P. 
Sheridan,   William   J. 
Sherman,  Alie 
Sherman,  Lester  T. 
Shipman,  Thomas   H. 
Shontell,  Jesse 
Shreenan,  James  J. 
Shngruc,  Chas.  E. 
Silva,  Chas.  F. 
Silva.  Chas.  L. 
Silva,  Frank 
Silva,  Joseph 
Silvers,  Har\'ey  D. 
Semone,  Tony  H. 
Sisk,  Chas.  T. 
Sisk,  Walter  R. 
*Sisson.  William  B. 
Sistare,  William  M.,  Jr. 
Sitscr,  James  W. 


6o8 


NEW  LONDON   COUNTY 


Skaling,  Arthur  B. 
Slavin,  V.  illiam  H. 
Sloan,  Bruce  E. 
Snieraldi,  Peter 
Smiddy,  Chas.  D. 
Smitkins,  Erving  M. 
Smith,  Cecil 
Smith,  Chas.  A. 
Smith,  Clarence  S. 
Smith,  Clifford  E. 
Smith,  C.  Scott 
Smith,  Frank 
Smith.  George  E. 
Smith,  Harold  F. 
Smith,  John  J. 
Smith,  Leroy  B. 
Smith,  Lester 
Smith,  Peter 
Smith,  Raymond  B. 
Smith,  Reginald  E.  A. 
Smith,  Walter 
Smith.  William  C. 
Smoleski,  Alexander 
Sniarowski,  Antoni  J. 
Snitkin,  Erving  M. 
Solotoreff,  Herman 
Soltz,  Herman 
Soltz,  Thomas 
Sonu,  Jacob 
Sopczyk,  Joseph 
Southworth,  F.  H. 
Southworth,  H.  S. 
Souzdral,  Tony 
Spadaro,  Patsy 
Sparrow,  David 
Spellman.  Mitchel  L. 
Stahler,  Chas.  E. 
Stanhope,  Burton 
Stauners,  John  J. 
Stahr,  Fritz  E. 
Starr,  Geo.  H. 
Starr,  Howard 
Starr,   Richard  M. 
Starr,  Rowland 
Stearns,  William  L. 
Stefanski,  Anthony 
Stefanski,  Antoni 
Stefanski,  Roman 
Steinwacks,  Franklin 
Stephens,  Joseph  H. 
Sterry,  Allen  W.  H. 
Stebbins,  Edward  M. 
Stcbbins,  Harold 
Stebljins,  Joseph 
Steward,  George  C. 


Stewart,  John  C. 
Stewart,  Thomas  L. 
St.  John,  Frank  B. 
Stoddard,  Henry  H. 
Stokes,  Albert  W. 
Stone,  John 
Strceter,  Bert  A. 
Strickland,  Wm.  E. 
Sullivan,  Daniel 
Sullivan,  Daniel  J. 
Sullivan,  Edward  J. 
Sullivan,  Edward  P. 
Sullivan,  Eugene  J. 
Sullivan,  Frank 
Sullivan,  Jeremiah  J. 
Sullivan,  John  A. 
Sullivan,  John  E. 
Sullivan,  John  F. 
Sullivan,  John  T. 
Sullivan,  Morris  J. 
Sullivan,  Mitchel  J. 
Sullivan,  Raymond  F. 
Sullivan,  Stephen 
Sullivan,  Timothy  John 
Sullivan,  Timothy  Joseph 
Sullivan,  Wm.  P. 
Sutton,  Edward  A. 
Swan,  Edward  A. 
Swan,  Harwold 
Swan,   Walter  F. 
Swanson,  Albert 
Swan  son,  Fred  A. 
Swanson,  Robert 
Sweeney,  John  J. 
Swiacky,  Stanislew 
Sylvester,  Salvatoir 
Symocli,  Sawas 
Szczuberlek,  Anthoni 
Szczuberlek,  Stanislew 
Szczuberlek,   Stephen 
Szczubeliski,  Stanislaw 
Taber,  W'illis  Leroy,  Jr. 
Taradajczyk,  Salomon 
Taylor,  John  O. 
Temple,  Francis  C. 
Terry,  Leon  A. 
Tetu,  Amos 
Tevlin,  Roland  J. 
Theroux,  Henry  O. 
Thomas,  Chas.  W. 
Thomas,  Grady 
Thomas,  Erving  O. 
Thomas,  John  H. 
Thomas,  William  G. 
Thomas,  William  R. 


Thompson,  Arthur  R. 
Thompson,  George  H.  M. 
Thompson,  James  F. 
Tilden,  Walter  C. 
Tinker,  Francis  M. 
Tinker,  John  S. 
Tinker,  John  W. 
Tisdale,  Walter  H. 
Towne,  Marcus  W. 
Towson,  Arthur  W. 
Tracy,  Joseph  F. 
Tracz,  Peter 
Traphigen,  James  L. 
Travers,  Geo. 
Troc,  Peter 
Troland,   Zabriel 
Troland,  Gerard  B. 
Troland,  Thomas  E. 
Troland,  Thomas  R. 
Tucker,   Theodore 
Tudisco,  Antonio 
Turello,  Samuel 
Turner,    Edward    S. 
Turner,   Harry   E. 
Turner,  James  C. 
Tuttle,  William 
Tyborowski,  John 
Tyszko,  Stanislaw 
Vacher,  John 
Valentine,  Carl 
Valentine,  Luther  T. 
Van  Gilder,  Earl  G. 
Vaughan,   Herbert 
Vealie,  James  W. 
Vera,  Lawrence 
Vickory,  Chas.  W. 
Vickory,  Elwood  W. 
Vickory,  Frank  R. 
Viclory,  Harry  S. 
Villano,  Anthony 
Vroezos,  Foteos  T. 
Wainwright,  Walter 
Wainwright,  William  A. 
Waldo,  George  T. 
Wallis,  Herbert 
Walsh,  Chas.  B. 
Walsh,  Harold 
Walsh,  John  J. 
Walsh,  Thomas  J. 
Walsh,   William  E. 
Walsh,  William  H. 
Ware,  Elmer 
Ware,  Arnold  T. 
Wargo,  George  P. 
Warren,  Hill  F. 


MILITAF>:V  HISTORY 


609 


Waterman,  Willis  C. 
Watson.  Elmer 
Wcatherby,  Geo.  G. 
Webster,  James  H. 
Weed,  David  A. 
Weed,  Walter  D. 
Weed,  William  H. 
Weeks,  Erving  W. 
Welch,  John 
Wellington,  H.  W. 
Wells,  Clarence  H. 
Wessell,  Francis  H, 
Wesslowsky,  Dominick 
Wetmore,  Herbert  V. 
Wetmore,  T.  T.,  Jr. 
Werjaut,  Chas.  J, 
Wheeler,  Arthur  W. 
Wheeler,  Joseph  H. 
Wheeler,  Roy  P. 
Whitcome,  Henry  A. 
White,  John  C. 
Whittlesey,  Geo.  C. 
Whittlesey,  Gordon 


Whittlesey,  Harry  W. 
Wieczorek,  Stanislaw 
Wilbur,  Harry  C. 
Wilbur,   Roy  G. 
Williams,  Geo.  I. 
Williams,  John 
Williams,  Mace 
Williams,  Samuel 
Williams.  Walter 
Wilkinson,  Arthur  H. 
Wilkinson,  Aubrey 
Wilkinson,   Ralph  A. 
Wilson,  Harry  C. 
Winskill,  Norman 
Winslow,  Clarence 
Winslow,  Harold  M. 
Winslow.  Henry  D. 
Winthrop.  Henry  C,  Jr. 
Wolf,  Geo. 
Wood,  Frederick  J. 
Wood,  William  J. 
Woods,  George 


Woods,  George 
Woods,  James  E. 
Woodbury.  Th'n  W.,  Jr. 
Woodcock,  Horace 
Woodruff,  Percival  C 
Woodruff,  Thomas  A. 
Woodstock.  Waiter 
Wright,  Elmer  N. 
Wyman,  Grey  H. 
Wyman,  Grey  J. 
Wyman.  Marchall  F. 
Yaczunsky,  Albert 
Yarvots,  Paul 
Young,  James  L. 
Young,  Leslie  N. 
Young,  Oliver  H.  P. 
Youngs,  Geo.  L. 
Zazlow.  Abraham 
Zazlow.  Barney 
Zerill.  Angelo 
Zimmer,  Max 
Zimmerman.  Louis 


GROTON   HONOR   ROLL   IN  WORLD  WAR 


Ayers,  Charles 
Anderson,  Chas.  B. 
Anderson,  Herman 
Ashby,  S. 
Anderson.  Henry 
Allyn,  Wilson  T. 
Archer.  Frederick  J. 
Angeles.  Juanito 
Avery,  John  D. 
Allen,  Guy  G. 
Anderson,  Theodore  A. 
Appecelli,  Louis 
Alexander,  William  Douglas 
Armstrong,  Clara  W. 
Allen,  Louis  B. 
Anderson,  Theodore  F. 
Allyn,  Irving  Raymond 
Allen,  Guy  G. 
Bates,  Harry 
Bradley,  Carl 
Bradshaw,  Austin 
Brown.  Albertus 
Breed.  Harold  E. 
Burdick.  Harlan 
Bray,  Harry  E. 
Beauchamp.  Arthur 
Bendetto.  John 
Beauchamp.  Charles 
Babcock,  Leon 
Bailey,  Lewis  P. 


Bailey,  Brucius 
Boiselle,  Joseph 
Bonacci,  Edmond 
Bruno,  Frank  Paul 
Brown,  Everett  E. 
Burrows,  Robert  D. 
Bell,  Holman 
Brogan.  Edward  E. 
Brewer,  Paul 
Branigan,  John  W. 
Brown,  Nelsoi* 
Baker,  Elmer 
Banks.  Albert 
Banks,  John 
Burdick,  Thomas  E. 
Bracewell,  Edward  R, 
Bogue,  John  G. 
Banks,  David  W. 
Bogue,  Oliver  G. 
Babcock,  Elijah  B. 
Bcauvais,  Charles  A. 
Barnes,  Datey 
Barnes,  Arthur  Orsenina 

(Not  accepted) 
Brogan,  Harry  C. 
Bealey,  Lawrence 
Bogue,  Wilmot 
Bromley,  I.  H. 
Bennett.  Lester  G. 
Cole,  Albert 


Crandall,   Richard 
Crary,  Dayton 
Cutler,  Ralph 
Clift,  Jack  Y. 
Chapman.  Harry  Otis 
Craig,  William  P. 
Cook,  Willard  S. 
Cook,  Edmund  L. 
Chesebro,  Everett 
Chesebro,  Everett  L. 
Candage.  Herbert  LeR. 
Craig,  Charles 
Crandall,  Chauncey  G. 
Comeau,  Antine 
Clemens,  Arno  W. 
Chagnon,  Alfred 
Cook,  George  L. 
Christianson,  Frank  M, 
Christie,  Willis 
Christie.  George  D. 
Church,  Everett 
Collins,  Henry  1. 
Coe,  George  Rodman 
Crandall.  Paul 
Crandall.  Caleb  Rawn 
Cross,  Raymond  G. 
Conroy,  Frank 
Carter,  Carlos 
Copper.  John 
Cox,  Edward  M. 


6io 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Campbell,  G.  E. 

Carney,  Thomas 

Campbell,  Annie  E. 

Capwell.  Walter 

Christensen,  Walter 

Cushing,  Edward 

Chapman,  Bernard  C. 

Croucher,  William  H. 

Ctidgma,  Matthew 

Crouch,  Zera  C.  W. 

Comi,  Peter  A. 

Cross,  Walter  F. 

Chapman,  Chester  R. 
Craig,  Walter  L. 
Cunningham,  Niles  F. 
Chapman,  John  Harry 
Donovan,  James 
Deker,  Harold  W. 
Duer,  John 
Dugan,  James 
Dugan,  Merton 
Daniels,  Lee 
Dillon.  John 
Doorubas,  Carl 

Douglass,  Edmund  L. 
Douglass,  Melvin  L. 
Dean,  Robert  E. 
Davis.  George  W. 
DeLance,  William  F. 
Davy,  James 
Davy,  Carl 
Coucett,  John  J. 
Dewey,  Lloyd  A. 
Deveau,  Archie 
Davis,  Daniel  S. 
Dickinson,  Thomas  Leon 
Edwards,  Robert  J. 
Edgcomb,  Orrin  B. 
Epps,  Charles 
Foster,  Alfred  R. 
Fitch,  Ralph 
Faulkner,  Earl  A. 
Ford,  Bert  W. 
Ford,  Drion  C. 
Fowler,  Ear! 
Feld,  Jacob 
Foley,  Albert 
Fitzpatrick,  J. 
Francke,  Brono  E. 
Fraser,  Lloyd  W. 
Fields,  George  J. 
Fowler,  Clyde 
Farrow,  William  E. 
Feld,  Peter  J. 
Friars.  Harold  E. 


Gilbert,  Earl 
Gianette,  Albert 
Gremley,  Lawrence 
Gilbert,  John  W. 
Gremley,  Charles 
Gavin,  Edward 
Graham,  Clifford 
Green,  Paul  W. 
Grover,  Royal  E. 
Gillett,  Lawrence 
Gillogly,  James  P.,  Jr. 
Gerhard,  Harry  L. 
Gillogly,  William 
Gillogly,  Clifford  H. 
Girard,  Alexander 
Gould.  William 
Gilbert,  Lawrence  S. 
Goss.  Fred  C. 
Guiliani,  Armando 
Holdredge,  Morris 
Holdredge.  Heman 
Hanks.  Edwin  M. 
Hruby,  Jerry 
Hamilton,  Frank  W. 
Kale.  Wells  L. 
Harris,  Charles 
Hazier.  Walter  E. 
Keinrich,  Frank 
Heinrich.  John  P. 
Hewitt.  Truman  H. 
Hillyer,  Newton  F. 
HoUoway,  Stuart 
Hulbert,  Chauncey  P. 
Hulbert,  Winifred  E. 
Heinrich,  Fred 
Harrap.  William  J. 
Hunt,  Stanley  B. 
Hundunsky,  James  F. 
Hilton.  William 
Holloway,  Harry  F. 
Hillyer.  Walter  S. 
Hulbert,  Woodward  D. 
Hills,  Arthur  C. 
Hill,  Rowland 
Hill.  Norbert 
Hadley,  Charles  H. 
Harvey,  Charles  W. 
Heffeman,  Geary  C. 
Hopwood,  James 
Hillyer,  William 
Hulbert,  H,  W.,  D.D. 
Hewes.  Frank  W.,  Jr. 
Inderelst,  William 
Itiderelst.  John 
Ii.derelst,  Carl  H. 


Johnson,  Charles 
Johnston.  Charles 
Jauncey.  Louis  W. 
Jones,  William  H. 
Jordan.  William  H. 
Kierstead.  Earl 
Klippell,  Henry 
Krause.  Anthony 
Kripps,  Philip  D. 
Kjellander.  Carl  S. 
Latham,  Henry 
Lyons,  R.  R. 
Lewis.  William  E. 
Lewis,  George 
Lewis,  Charles  A. 
Liese,  Fred  W. 
Lucy,  John  F. 
Lamphere,  Winfred 
Lamb,  Orrin  T. 
Lamb,  Everett  R. 
Latham.  Nelson  C. 
Lawton,  Walter  E. 
Leonard.  Walter 
Lundgren.  Elinor 
Leandri,  Albert 
Lewis,  Nick 
Lccascio,  Joseph 
Larkin.  Irving  G. 
Langworthy.  Henry 
Lunaas,  Magua 
Lunaas,  Peter 
Lake,  William  H. 
Miller,  Alexander 
Murphy,  Bernard 
Murphy,  Mark 
Murphy.  Clyde 
Miner,  Harry  A. 
Melvin,  Stewart  C. 
Mitchell,  Harold   R. 
Maxson,  James  R. 
Montgomery,  George 
Mosher,  Emdon  N. 
Maxson.  Charles  P. 
Maxson.  Donald  T. 
Marnielli.  Dominick 
Marquardt,  Adrian  C. 
Marquardt.  Arthur  P. 
Miller.  William 
Minson,  Clarence 
Moskovey,  Gregory 
Morgan,  Edward 
Morrison,  John  F. 
Morrison,  Neil 
Miner.  Charles  Eugene 
Murphy.  Bartholomew 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


6n 


Maynarcl,  George  C. 
Maynard,  Harry  Allen 
Mclnnis,  Charles 
McNamara,  William  J. 
McKonc,  Edward   O. 
MacNutt.  Harry 
McMuIlen,  William 
Norton,  Harold  H. 
Nelson,  Walter 
Northam,  Clarence 
Nichols,  Luman  C. 
Osborne,  Alfred  E. 
Oviatt,  William  D. 
Oliver,  L.  M. 
O'Mara,  Lawrence  P. 
Ober,  Crawford  S. 
Park,  Archie 
Phillips.  Fred  A. 
Perkins,  Leland 
Perry,  Hoi  f red  T. 
Purdy,  Marshall 
Payne,  William 
Perkins,  Hollis  I. 
Phillips,  James  Fred 
Patterson,  Clyde  E. 
Perkins,  Frank  S. 
Plant,  Henry  B. 
Packer,  Ray 
Perry,  Walter  O. 
Palmer,  George  C. 
Perkins,  Charles  A. 
Perlatti,  Alfred 
Pendleton,  Clyde 
Perkins,  Roy  C. 
Palmer,  Walter 
Paterson,  Albert  B. 
Porter,  Leslie 
Perkins.  Harold  C. 
Perkins,  Arthur  C. 
Ryley,  Norris 
Reiners,  Charles 
Richerman,  Harold 
Roberts,  Pearl  E. 
Reed,  Elbert  A. 
Rehill,  Ivan 
Richard,  Florencio  G. 
Roscoe,  William 
Rowe,  Thomas 


Raymond,  Joseph 
Riddle,  Alexander  A. 
Rogers,  John  Thomas 
Rogers,  Ernest  W. 
Rcnnie,  Ferguson 
Rcithal,  Max 
Rogers,  Osborne  W. 
Richard,  Albert  J. 
Reed,  Albert  H.,  Jr. 
RadclifTe,  Charles  P. 
Rafuse,  Frederick 
Rathbiin,    Benjamin    F. 
Sparks,  Russell 
Schnellen.  Carl 
Searles.  Merton  L. 
Sherman,  Ralph  C. 
Sheehan,  William  H. 
Stanton,  William  E. 
Smith,  Howard 
Sylvia,  Christopher 
Sherburne,  Fred  C. 
Schellans,  Eugene 
Schellans,  George 
Schellans,  Richard 
Sistare,  Lawrence  A. 
Smith,  Lester  L. 
Smith,  Lawrence  G. 
Stooks,  Walter  F. 
Starr,  Edward  F. 
Skinner,  Robert  L.  (Killed) 
Smith,  Ira  C. 
Slater,  Earl  A. 
Sherman,  Emery  E. 
Stone,  Bradford 
Stockton,  Albert  C. 
Scuris,  Peter 
Sylvester,  Salvatori 
Smith,  Charles 
Schellens,  Christopher  A. 
Shute.  Isaac  C. 
Spicer,  Elihj 
Stark,  Ira 
Stark,  Ernest 
Turner,  Robert  F. 
Taylor,  Edward  W. 
Tuerr,  John  F. 
Turner,  Edward  S.,  Jr. 
Tansy,  John 


Tabor,  Leroy 
Trail,  M.  Henry 
Trcadway,  Nelson  W. 
Trent,  James  A. 
Tourtclot,  Leslie 
Towne,  Charles  F. 
Tuthill,  John 
Tomlinson,  John  H. 
Taber.  Willis  R. 
Tcbreault,   Bartholomy 
Tucker,  Lawrence  E. 
Valette,  Helen 

(Yeomancttc,  N.L.) 
Wilson,  Albert 
Whittle,  John  "  1 

Whittback,  Henry  F. 
Wall,  Jack  T.  • 

Wolf,  Walter 
Wall,  Jeffrey  E, 
Wainwright,  Walter 
Wainwright,  William  A. 
Wilson,  Fred  A. 
W'ilson,  Everett  P. 
Wainright,  W.  H. 
Ware,  Arnold 
Ware,  Elmer  L. 
Weaver,  Arnold 
W'oodward,  Harry 
Whittct,  William 
Williams,  Chelsea  J. 
Williams,  Henry  Mills 
Whittlesey,  Harry  W. 
Walker,  Fred 
Weismiller.  William 
Weaver,  Starry  A. 
Weatherbce,  George  ' 

Witbraham,  Hazel  J. 

(Yeomanette) 
Wilbur.  Clifford  E. 
Weismiller,  Joseph  G. 
Weeks,  Ralph  Martin 
Ward,  Charles 
Ward,  Harrison 
Wilcox,  Archibald 
Watly,  Hedley 
Wargo,  George  P. 
Woodcock,  Horace  El. 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  LEDYARD  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 


Billings  T.  Avery,  Jr. 

(Killed) 
Eugene  N.  Bragaw 
Frederick  Baldwin 
Capt.  William  H.  Burns 
Bapista  Castagnoli 


(Killed) 
Howard  Clark 
Henry  I.  Collins 
Mrs.  W.  T  Euster 

(Yeomanette) 
Geo.  A.  Garypie 


Charles  A.  Gray  (and) 
Carrol  S.  Hullbut 
Maurice  Hold  ridge 
Harry  Jones 
Raymond  A.  Kinmonth 
Sergt.  Samuel  E.  Lester 


6t2 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Carleton  B.  Lawson 
G.  Alfred  Montgomery 
Andrew  P.  K.  Miller 
Aristide   Musctti 
Frank  L.  Morgan 
Fala  Massimiliano 
Horace  H.  Main 


Wilton  L.  Morgan 

Harland  Newberry 

Orsi  Orgenti 

Lieut.  John  Raymond  Perkins 

Alfred  C.  Palmer 

Harry  Rogers 

Sergt.-Maj.  Lyman  J.  S. 


Richards  (Killed) 
Gilbert  Rogers 
Sergt.  Edward  B.  Shelden 
Capt.  Charles  Satterlee 

(Killed) 
George  Watrous 
Q.  M.-Sergt.  Chas.  VViederman 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  LISBON  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 


John  Kendall 
George  Allen 
Carl  Benjamine 
James  Emerson 
William  Emerson 
Walter  Benjamine 
Walter  Corbett 
William  Burgess 
Harry  Foot 
(jeorge  Howard 
Martin  Krauss 
Charles  Meyer 


Harry  Remmich 
Joseph  Montague 
Sidney  Melvin 
F.lisha  Preston 
John  Helm 
John  Seidel 
Arthur  Oddie 
Arthur  Peltier 
Augustus  Peloquin 
Jessie  Peloquin 
Frederick  Rosier 


Frank  Silvia 
Emanuel  Spinal 
Henry  Smidth 
Clarence  W  hitaker 
Otis  Wright 
William  Clark 
George  Herman 
George  Weiland 
August  Ernest 
Edward  Heinrich 
Napoleon  Theotte 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  LYME  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 


William  Baborsky 
Arthur  M.  Beebe 
Reginald  L.  Lord 
Norman  S.  Syme 
Peter  Damon 
Ogden  Power 
Julian  G.  Ely 
Roland  E.  Gay 
Ansel  Earl  Clark 
Emest.S.  Ely 


William  Czikowsky 
Guy  Wiggins 
Raphael   Passarella 
Olive  H.  Stark 
Elmer  H.  Blackwell 
Leslie  Cone 
Leon  Rosseau 
William  G.  Stark 
Harold  F.  M.  Clark 


Paul  W.  Reynolds 
Theodore  Schnering 
Maurice  H.   Peck 
Niles  F.  Cunningham 
Sidney  Melanson 
Norris  E.  Joseph 
Arumah  C.  Tooker 
William  Butler 
Francis  Rosseau 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  TOWN  OF  OLD  LYME 


Ellis  K.  Devitt 
Maurice  S.  Chapman 
Harry  R.  Appleby 
Joseph  Appleby 
Nathaniel  Appleby 
Thomas  Appleby 

(Died  in  France) 
Waldo  F.  Ashley 
Willis  C.  Babcock 
Harold  Bartlett 
William  W.  Bugbee 

(Died  in  France) 
Warren  E.  Campbell 
Clifford  Champion 
Edgar  W.  Champion 
Joseph  Champion 
Frank  Chapman 
C.  Wellington  Crosby 
William  P.  Howard,  Jr. 
Clifford  Howard 
Charles  E.  Chapman 
Clarence  Maynard 
Daniel  Appleby 
Ronald  Morgan 

(Killed  in  France) 
John  Beckwith 


Fred  R.  Bretler 
Charles  H.  Maynard 
Allen  B.  Stanhope 
John  L.  Rice 
Myron  A.  Mitchell 
Will  Howe  Foote 
Ray  O.  Maynard 
J.   Monforth    Schley 
John  H.  Smith 
John  J.  Speirs 
Nathaniel  M,  Terry,  Jr. 
Chas.  H.  Waterhouse 
Dudley  A.  Weaver 
Kenneth  B    Welles 
Clark  W.  Smith 
John  Muller 
James  Scalzo 
Philip  P.  Peck 
Harold  A.  Bump 
Lawrence  A.  Carter 
Walter  P.  Magee 
Raymond  E    DeWolf 
James  Fratus 
Henry  MuIlcr 
Alexander  Fra.<er 
Montie 


Piersin 

Charles  Darling 
George  A.  McLeabe 
M.  McLean  Goldie 
Harry  T.  Griswold 
Joseph  S.  Huntington 
Richard  L.  Maynard 
Charles  Milshell 
Daniel  Moore 
Frank  Peck 
Kenneth  D.  Plimpton 
Piatt  Hubbard 
Thomas  Ball 
Frank  L.  Maynard 
Carlton  L.  Hopper 
Grafton  Wiggins 
Herman  L.  Babcock 
Guy  Chadwick 
Elliot  Rose 
Fred  W.  Shearer 
Earl  Northrope 
Charles  W.  Anderson 
Henry  Lewis 
Frank  J.  Appleby 
Jerome  M.  Rice 
David  S.  Beckwith 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


6'3 


Capt.  William  G.  Tarbox 
Capt.  Richard  Blackmore 
Capt.  Harold  A.  Richmond 
Lieut.  Webster  D.  Copp 
Lieut.  Calvin  M.  Richardson 
Sergt.  Gilbert  E.  Rogers 
Lieut.  William  P.  McClimon 
Serpt.  Walter  S.  Tarbox 
Sergt.  Edward  H.  Street 
Corp.  William  H.  Wicks 
Strgt.  Napoleon  Labrea 
Laurence  Ahem 
John  Jones 
C.  A.  Bell 
Clarence  H.  Luther 
John  P.  Leahy 


PRESTON  HONOR  ROLL 

Charles  A.  Burdick 
Everett  D.  Miller 
Peter  Mitchell 
John  Money 
William  A.  Swan 
W'auren  Sisson 
R.  H.  Underwood 
Victor  Susigan 
John  C.  Flynn 
Joseph  Gray 
Frank  Higgins 
Leander  Hill 
Carl  Jansen 
Homer  Richard 
Coreny  Weise 


Leiand  Burdick 
John  Dunn 
Oscar  C.  Ecclesfone 
Charles  Fish 
Grant  C.  Swan 
Robert  Thompson 
Fred  Rosere 
Strvatur  Maenaus 
William  Matoney 
Niles  Olesen 
Arthur  M.  Ogden 
Charles  J.  Partridge 
Maurice  E.  Partridge 
Peter  Van  ZjTick 
Edward  E.  Yerrington 


HONOR  ROLL.  TOWN  OF  BOZRAH 


Harold  Duerr 
Charles  Duerr 
Henry  Duerr 
Charles  Rogers 
Ambrose  Riven 
William  Rivers 
Joseph  Rivers 
John  Kane 
John  Beswick 
Clinton  Thompson 
Warren  Kelly 
Jeremiah  Sweeney 
Henry  Robinson 


\\'i!liam  Leary 
Charles  Rathbone 
Myron  Wilcox 
John  Lynch 
Patrick  Kelley 
Francis  Kelley 
William  Murphy 
Harry  Lathrop 
Harold  Bentley 
Charles  Bentley 
Joseph  Johnson 
Julius  Schatz 


Joseph  Marra 
Pearl  Ross 
George  Mahoney 
Robert  Chapman 
James  De  Mar 
Charles  Congdon 
Isadore  Aronofsky 
John  Goss 
Michael  Gory 
Michael  Stockman 
Joseph  Zamioth 
John  Zanita 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  MONTVILLE 


Allen,  George 
Ambum.  Clarence  R. 
Amburn,  Fred  V. 
Austin.  Reuben  S. 
Brouillard,  Henry 
Brierly,  George 
Burgman,  Walter 
Bonville.  Bennie 
Bugbee,  Ernest  E. 
Babcock,  Newton 
Braingan,  Thomas 
Babbitt,  Carl 
Beckwith,  Henry  W. 
Blacker,  Charles  H. 
Blacker,  Francis 
Berwick,  Nathan 
Bullard,  Roger 
Bouchard,  Leon  A. 
Bolger,  John 
Craig,  Frank 
Chapel,  Charles  F. 
Curtin,  Lewis 
Curtin,  Michael 
Casavant,  Leo  J. 
Cooke,  Francis 


Chapman,  Florence 
Cohan,  Sam 
Coutrie,  Paul 
Casto,  Albert  L. 
Cordima,  Matt 
Charitonchrk,  Kondrat 
Cohen,  Samuel 
Curtin,  Edward  M. 
Dodd.  Robert 
Dodd,  John 
Driscoll,  Con. 
Dr\den,  William 
Edwards,  Pierpent 
Fairbanks,  Percy  E. 
Foley,  John 
Geary,  Edward  H. 
Gilchrist,  Thomas  W. 
Gilchrist,  Edward  J. 
Gley,  August 
Grardonry,  Joe  C. 
Hagberg.  George  A. 
Haack,  Walter  C. 
Hirshman,  Lewis 
Hantman,  William 
Hickey,  Joseph  L. 


Holmes.  Earl  C. 
McArdle.  James 
Kelsey,  Howard 
Freiburg,  Max 
Howe,  John  B. 
Hart.  Rovston  W. 
Hatfield,  Harold 
Hotchkiss.  Harold 
Johnson,  Duffy 
Johnson,  Fred  A. 
Johnson,  Ernest  T. 
Johnson,  George 
Killen,  Edward 
Killen,  John 
Kcnnerson,  Robert  A. 
Kellv,  Edward 
Kelly,  John 
Kent,  Frederick  .\. 
Kent,  Harry 
Kutia,  John 
Kaplan,  Robert 
Kezie.  Isadore 
Kcenan,  Fred.  W. 
Kcssler,  Robert 
La  Bounty,  Lewis 


6i4 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Lyman,  William 
Lavsie,  Henry 
Lambert,  Napoleon 
Ordowskey,  Rasner 
Quinn,  Alice 
Ucoener,  Jennie 
Lebedcine,  Joseph 
Ludognr,  Lon 
Lynik,  Pemice 
Lobodowicki,  Frank 
Merriman,  Arthur  T. 
Metcaff,  James 
Mather,  Richard 
Miner,  Joseph 
Miller,  Lathrop 
Muck,  Emil 
Moloshya,  Tony 


>rcFarlane,  Get. 
Neff,  Dawley 
Neggmann,   Lizzie 
Pierce,  Henry 
Phillip,  James  L. 
Phillip,  Lewis  J. 
Plouffe,  Armond 
Perecca,  Andrew 
Roseland,  Andrew 
Rice,  Fred 
Rogers,  Herbert  W. 
Rogers,  Edward  F. 
Yardusky,  William 
Freeland,  Jacob 
Frank,  Max 
Frieburg,  Max 
Rogers,  Samuel  R. 


Rhaume,  Arthur  Z. 
Rhaummc,  Ovide 
Rosin,  Phillipp 
Ramage,  Charles  E. 
Rozolognitz,  Barney 
Rozolognitz,  Jacon 
Richard,  Frederick 
Sheehan,  Edward  G. 
Stockumers,  Joe 
Smith,  Lyman  E. 
Spencer,  Fred  J. 
Sedronick,  Chas.  W. 
Sanberge,  Silas 
Sheldon,  Fred 
Teft,  Robert  A. 
Wreckane,  Alex 


NORTH  STONINGTON  HONOR  ROLL 


Gardner  Arzamaiski 
Harold  Bliven 
Raymond  Brown 
Chester  Burdick 
Walter  Coon 
Arthur  Gould 
Charles  E.  Gray 
Vincent  Jones 
George  G.  Kinnear 
George  Lihon 
John  A.  Morgan 


Otis  Morgan 
S.  Frank  Palmer 
Benajmin  L.  Peabody 
Gordon  M.  Reed 
Calvin  M.  Richardson 
Frank  W.  Stolpe 
Maurice  Swanson 
John  Tillinghast 
George  W.  Tryon 
Frank  Underwood 


Roy  Underwood 
Herbert  E.  Walker 
Earl  B.  Wheeler 
Noyes  D.  Wheeler 
Allan  W.  York 
Fred  P.  York 

In  Memoriam 
Thomas  E.  Callahan 
Floyd  L.  Main 
Harold  W.  Merrill 


Allard.  Alcide 
Allard,  Joseph 
Arpin,  Odila 
Arsenault,  Andre 
Almquist,  Arthur 
Anderson,  Arvid 
Anderson,  Gustaf 
Bernier,  Alfred 
Bessette,  Joseph 
Bibeault,  Wilfred 
Boucher,  Francois 
Blais,  Harold 
Blance,  Clark 
Babbitt,  Albert  G. 
Bouchard,  William 
Bell,  Thomas 
Balkcom,  Cecil 
Brown,  John 
Cadorette,  Ovilla 
Cardin,  Wilfred 
Caron,  Alfred 
Caron,  Elzear 
Charon,  John  B. 
Charon,  Thomas 
Charon,  Charles 
Charon,  John  B.,  2nd 
Chartier,  Joseph 
Chartier,  William 


HONOR  ROLL  OF  BALTIC 

Clocher,  Alcidas 
Cooney,  William 
Cote,  Melville 
Couillard,  Arthur 
Cronin,  John  L. 
Cullen,  James 
Cullen,  Albert 
Collins,  Ernest 
Coombs,  Harry 
Crofts,  Peter 
Crofts,  Alfred 
Crofts,  Arthur 
Clarke,  William 
Despathy,  Wilfred 
Drescher,  Lawrence 
Dumais,  Napoleon 
Dumais,  John 
Donohoe,  John 
Erickson,  Ernest 
Enos,  Joseph* 
Egle,  Raymond 
Foumier,  Armand 
Fournier,  Pierre 
Fournier,  Joseph 
Fournier,  Pierre,  2nd 
Fournier,  Donat 
Foumier,  William 
Flynn,  John  C. 


Gaucher,  Henry 
Gauvin,  Francois 
Greishammer,  George 
Herard,  Leo 
Herard.  Simon 
Hines,  Robert 
Hines,  Warren 
Holmes,  Simon 
Houle,  Aldei 
Hope,  Clayton 
Hauschild,  Josef 
Hussey,  James 
Jodoin,  Roderick 
Jones,  Arthur 
Jones,  William 
Joubert,  Philip 
Johnson,  Carl 
Kelly,  Edward 
Kusian,  Edward 
Kusian,  Ernest 
Lacroix,  Henri 
Lacroix,  Wilfred 
Lafleur,  George 
Lambert,  Rudolph 
Lambert,  Leo 
Lasch,  Frederick 
Leith,  David 
Lemoine,  Alfred 


MILITARY  HISTORY 


f'l.S 


Lemoine,  Wilfred 
Ltmoine,  Joseph 
Lynch,  Rev.  Thomas 

(Chaplain) 
Love,  Raymond 
Lanagan,  Arthur 
Malzacker,  Frederick 
Marshall,  William 
McGuire.  William 
Morin,  Eloi 
Morisette,  William 
Murphy,  Thomas 
Neault,  Octave 
Neault,  J.  A. 
Nolan,  Louis  E. 
Papineau,  John 
Patenaude,  Norbert 
Paul,  Joseph 


Paul,  Jean  B. 
Peloquin,  Alfred 
Pcloquiii,  Arthur 
Pcloquin,  August  J. 
Quinn,  Edward 
Raymond,  Eugene 
Rial,  Etienne 
Robitaille,  Henri 
Rocheleau,   George 
Rocheleau,  Alexander 
Roy,  George 
Ridgeway,  Willis 
Rader,  Lewis 
Sevigny,  Alpherie 
Schutter,  George 
Simoneau,   Wilfred* 
Stevens,  Clarence 
Stefon,  William 


St.  Germain,  Joseph* 
Sullivan,  George 
Swan  son,  Joel 
Swanson,  Gustave 
Swanson,  Sigurd 
Smith,  Charles  L. 
Silva.  Frank 
Standish,  Ralph 
laylor,  Samuel 
Taylor,  Albert 
Tessier,  Arthur 
Tanner,  Albert  J. 
Trcckman,  William 
Treckman,  Frank 
Walker,  Robert 
W^ood,  Aime 
Wood,  George 


Adams,  Edward 
Adams,  Irving 
Andrews,  Robert 
Arnott,  George 
Arnott,  James 
Arnott,  John 
Arnott,  William 
Babcock,  Bourden  A. 
Barker,  Fred  II.,  Jr. 
Bell,  James  F. 
Bentley,  John  L 
Bcrafriac,  John 
Billings,  Edward  E. 
Bliven,  Carl 
Bliven,  Percy  E. 
Bliven,  Walter  G. 
Bogue,  Raymond 
*Eourdeau,  Joseph 
Brickcr,  Henry  M. 
Brindley,  Herbert 
Bromley,  Hollis 
Brophy,  Charles  A. 
Brophy,  John  M. 
Brown,  Albert 
Brown,  Alzero  F. 
Brown,  William  E. 
Brown,  William  J. 
Browning,  McKinley  H. 
Browning,  Vaughan 
Burdick,  Charles  W. 
Burdick,  Clarence  A. 
Burdick.  Harold  R. 
•Burdick,  Harry  E. 
Burdick,  Lloyd 
Burdick,  Stanton  A. 
Burdick,  Varian 
Byers,  Elvin  B. 
Card,  Charles 
Castagna,  Thomas  A. 
Champlin,  William  McK. 
Chapman,  George 


PAWCATUCK  HONOR  ROLL 

Chase,  Edward 
Clachrie,  William 
Clark,  William  A. 
Clark,  Charles  H. 
Clark,  Frederick  A. 
Clark,  William  H. 
Collins,  Frank  E. 
Collins,  Fred 
Collins,  William 
Congelosi.  Rosario 
Connors,  Francis  J. 
Connors,  Joseph 
Connors,  Maurice 
Cooper,  Thomas 
Counsel,  Samuel 
Crandall,  Louis  E. 
Craven,  Joseph,  Jr. 
Crompton,  William  W. 
Cronin,  Dennis 
Crosby,  Edward  A. 
Crosby,  Henry  H. 
Crowther,  Effie  R. 
Crumb,  E.  Merle 
Cusack,  John  J. 
Cronin,  John  L. 
Dawley,  Roy  L. 
Dawson,  James 
Deady,  Timothy  C. 
Delaney,  Frank 
Denehey,  John  R. 
Devancy,  Charles 
Diedrich,  Gustave 
Dion,  Albert  L 
Donahue,  James  A. 
Donahue,  James  F. 
Donahue,  John  J. 
Downic,   Charles,  J. 
Duggan,  Walter  J. 
Dunn,  Philip 
Durfce,  William 
Eaton,  Fred  J. 


Ellis,  Charles  R. 
Fallon,  John  H. 
Fishwick,  William  M. 
Fountaine,  Albert 
Frank,  Samuel 
Freestone.  Roliert  M. 
Galaher,  David 
Gallagher,  John 
Gallagher,  William 
Gardiner,  Charles 
Gardiner,  Thomas 
Gordon,  Sol 
Greene,  Howard  A. 
Greene,  Lewis  R. 
Grills,  Jacob 
Grills,  Joseph 
Haggcrty,  George 
Hall,  Duttee  J. 
Harroca,  Joseph 
Hartson,  Byron  A. 
Harvey,  Charles  H. 
Harvey,  W'alter  J. 
Hemphill.  Russell 
Higginbotham,  Charles 
Higginbotham,  D.  Lester 
Higgins,  Edwin  C. 
Higfiiiis,  William  R. 
Hillard,  Paul  N. 
Hoag,  Clifford 
Hodge,  Emery  E. 
•Holdsworth,  John  W. 
Holmes,  Margaret  M. 
Holt,  Edward 
If  organ,  John  L. 
Howard,  James  D. 
Ibson.  Thomas  P 
Johnson,  Oscar  E. 
Johnson.  John   W. 
Johnson,  William 
Jordan,  Aloysius 
Jordan,  Andrew  R..  Jr. 


6i6 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Jordan,  Charles 
Keane,  James 
Keefe,  William  J. 
Keegan,  Allison 
Keegan,  Charles  L. 
Keegan,  Michael  A. 
Kelleher,  James 
Kelleher,  Michael 
Kennard,  Harry  P. 
Kenyon,  Benjamin 
Kenyon,  Harry 
Kenyon,  M.  Elwood 
Kenyon,  Robert 
Kenyon,  Spicer 
Kitchen,  John  E. 
Kitchen.  William  F. 
Knight,  Chas.  E. 
Knight,  Chas.  N. 
Knott,  Archie 
Lahn,  Abraham 
Lahn,  David 
Lavimoniere,  Chas. 
Lavimoniere,  Wm.  A. 
Law.  John  B. 
Lebrecque.  Arthur  L. 
Lebrecque,  Homer 
Ledwith,  Charles 
Lee,  Joseph  C. 
Leiper.  Alexander 
Leiper,  Thomas 
Lenihan,  Wm.  J. 

Leonard.  Raymond 

Lewis,  Byron  F. 

Lewis,  Merton  B.,  Jr. 

Lihou,  Geo.  M. 

Linger,  Harry  H. 

Lorello,  Nicholas 

Lugar,  George 

Mahoney,  Edward  J. 

Mahoney,  James  H. 

Marr,  E.  George 

Martel,  Henry 

Mawson,  Alvin  W. 

Maxwell,  Clarence 

Mayne,  Joseph  W. 

McGowan,  William  L 

McGowan,  Thomas  J. 

McGrath,  Arthur 

McGuinness,  Howard 

McGuinness,  J.  Joseph 

McKenna,  John  E. 

McMahon,  Jeremiah 

McShane,  John  F. 

McVeigh,  William 

Mellow,  David 

Mellow,  Fred 

Mills,  William 
Afiner,  Elias 
Moore.  James  J. 


Moore,  Raymond 
Moran,  Joseph 
Morrocco,  Joseph 
Murphy,  Everett 
Moriarity,  James 
Morey,  William 
Murphy,  Michael  J. 
Murphy,  William 
Nash,  Arthur  M. 
Nelder,  Edward 
Nelder,  Horace  L. 
Newton,  Charles  B. 
O'Connell,  John  A. 
O'Connell,  Leon 
O'Neil,  Arthur  E. 
O'Neil,  Joseph  J. 
O'Neil,  Raymond 
Orlando,  .\ntonio 
Orlando,  Joseph 
Orlando,  Rosario 
Ouilette,  Anthony 

*Ozanne.  Joseph  A. 
Parker,  Frank 
Parkinson.  James 
Parkinson,  Richard,  Jr. 
Parkinson,  Vincent 
Pasetti,  Columbus 
Peabody,  T.  Edward 
Pendleton.  Raymond 
Phillips.  William  A.,  Jr. 
Pill,  William  A. 
Purtill,  Joseph  J. 
Ray,  Harold 
Ray,  Charles  W. 
Ripple,  Clarence  F. 

''Roberts.  Clarence 

Roberts,  Fred 

Rock,  Alexander 

Rodgers,  Albert  E. 

Rook.  Lawrence 

Roy,  John  W. 

Rushlaw,  Joseph  D. 

Ryan,  James,  Jr. 

Ryan,  Thomas 

Salvatore,  Frank 

Scialabba,  Rosaio 

Schiller,  John  A. 

Senior,  William  B. 

Shaw,  James 

Shea,  Daniel  R. 

Shea,  D.  Gerard 

Shea.  Richard  (ys. 

Shea.  Harold  F. 

Shea.  James 

Shea.  Jeremiah  J 

Shea.  Jeremiah  S. 

Shea,  John 

Shea,  John  R. 


Shea,  Patrick  J. 
Shea,  Stephen  A. 
Shea,  Thomas 
Shortman,  Howard  B. 
Shortman,  Simeon  R. 
Shugrue,  Roger 
Simons,  Herman  R. 
Sisson,  Ralph  L. 

Slaughter,  Harold  E. 

Smith,  Clifford 

Smith,  John  E. 
*Snyder,  Ira  A. 

Stefanski,  John 

Stillman,  George  A. 

Stillman,  Karl  G. 

Stockwell,  Alfred 

Sullivan,  Arthur 

Sullivan,  Daniel 

Sullivan,  James  T. 

Sullivan,  John,  Jr. 

Sullivan,  John  J. 

Sullivan,  John  L. 

Sullivan,  John  S. 

Sullivan,  Joseph 

Sullivan,  M.  Joseph 

Sullivan,  Patrick  J. 

Sullivan.  Thomas 

Surber,  William 
♦Sutcliffe,  Harry  H. 

Sutcliffe,  John  H. 

Tarbox,  Emery 

Tarbox,  Edward 

Tarbox,  Orrin 

Tassell,  Carl  S. 

Terranova,  Natale 

Tetlow,  Aaron 
*Tetlow,  Ernest 
Tetlow,  James 
Thorp,  Walter 
Trant,  William 
Tuite,  Frank 
Tuite,  Thomas  P. 
Twomey,  Al.  J. 
Verry,  Harry  C. 
Virountas,  Nicholas 
Wallwork,  John 
Wheeler,  Edward 
Whelock,  William 
Wheewell,  George 
White,  Ernest 
White,  Joseph 
Whiting,  Harold 
Whitlock,  Oscar  M. 
Willett,  Anthony 
Willett,  Eugene 
Williams,  James 
Wright,  John  W. 
Wilcox,  Byron  E. 


ADDENDA 

Mary  Lydia  Bolles  Branch  died  since  the  writing  of  the  matter  con- 
cerning her  on  the  narrative  pages  of  this  work.  She  was  born  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  June  13,  1840,  the  daughter  of  John  Rogers  and  Mary 
(Hempstead)  Bolles.  She  was  educated  in  New  London  schools  and  in  the 
school  of  Lincoln  F.  Emerson,  Boston,  Massachusetts.  In  1870  she  married 
John  L.  Branch,  a  lawyer.  Her  early  married  life  was  spent  in  Painesville, 
Ohio,  hut  most  of  her  married  life  was  passed  in  New  York  and  Brooklyn. 
Later  she  lived  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  in  the  old  Hempstead  house, 
which  had  been  the  liome  of  Ikt  mother's  family  for  eight  generations  be- 
fore she  herself  went  there  to  live.  She  was  for  a  while  assistant  editor  of 
"The  Ladies'  Friend,"  and  she  also  was  the  author  of  many  poems.  One  of 
these,  "Petrified  Fern,"  has  a  secure  place  in  American  Anthologies.  She 
was  best  known,  however,  for  her  stories  for  children.  Many  of  these  ap- 
peared in  "The  Youth's  Companion,"  "Wide  Awake,"  and  "St.  Nicholas." 
"Kantcr  Girls,"  which  has  been  a  popular  book  among  children  for  many 
years,  was  published  in  1895  by  Scribner.  This  was  followed  by  "Guld,  the 
Cavern  King,"  in  191 7.  She  wrote  several  pamphlets  of  value  to  local  his- 
torians and  lovers  of  earlj-  American  life.  These  were  "The  Old  Hempstead 
House — the  Home  of  Eight  Generations,"  1896;  "A  Visit  to  Newfoundland," 
1901 ;  "The  Manner  of  Life  of  Nancy  Hempstead,"  1902.  Her  last  book, 
"Poems,"  was  published  in  1922. 

Mrs.  Branch  was  active  in  club  and  philanthropic  work.  In  Brooklyn 
she  was  a  member  of  the  Froebel  Society,  an  organization  of  mothers  who 
founded  and  watched  over  a  school  for  their  own  children  and  others,  called 
the  Froebel  Academy.  She  was  also  a  valued  member  of  the  Women's 
Prison  Association,  and  did  pioneer  work  for  the  Women's  Reformatory  in 
New  York.  After  much  labor  on  the  part  of  the  Association  this  Reforma- 
tory was  finally  established  at  Bedford.  After  she  came  to  New  London 
she  was  active  in  the  life  of  the  D.  A.  R.,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Connecticut  Mayflower  Society. 

Mrs.  Branch's  father,  John  Rogers  Bolles,  was  the  author  of  several 
books,  among  them  two  books  of  verse,  "The  Gates  of  Hell  Ajar,"  and  "The 
Edelweiss."  He  was  the  first  to  conceive  of  the  idea  of  the  Navy  Yard  at 
New  London,  Connecticut,  and  it  was  owing  to  his  labors,  against  much 
opposition,  that  the  Navy  Yard  was  secured  for  that  city.  Mr.  Bolles  was 
a  lawyer  and  a  publisher,  and  was  also  something  of  a  local  historian, 
for  he  wrote  "The  Rogerenes-  A  Vindication,"  in  which  he  explained  and 
defended  the  vigorous  but  persecuted  people  who  fought  and  won  the  battle 
for  religious  freedom  in  Connecticut.  Mary  Hempstead,  the  mother  of  Mary 
Lydia  Bolles  Branch,  wrote  and  illustrated  "The  Casket  of  Toys,"  a  book  of 
stories  and  poems  for  children.  It  is  probably  the  first  children's  book  written 
in  Connecticut,  and  was  published  by  her  husband,  John  R.  Bolles.  Mary 
P.oUes  Branch  died  April   17.  1922. 


6j8  new  LONDON  COUNTY 

Benedict  Arnold,  page  35.— Since  the  printing  of  the  paragraph  ending 
with  "there  is  nothing  more  to  be  said,"  it  has  occurred  to  the  editors  that 
the  words  just  quoted  may  be  misconstrued  as  an  affront  to  Norwich.  Such 
was  not,  of  course,  intended,  and  the  writer,  a  native  of  that  city,  would  be 
the  last  to  pen  such  a  reflection.  The  words  were  meant  as  a  commentary 
on  the  later  career  of  Benedict  Arnold,  than,  had  it  been  as  glorious  as 
bis  deeds  before  his  fall,  Norwich  would  have  no  richer  memory  to  treasure. 
On  pages  63,  64,  71,  76,  106-109,  and  again  on  page  138  of  this  History,  the 
reader  may  get  a  picture  of  both  sides  of  Benedict  Arnold's  life. 

With  regard  to  the  Groton  Massacre,  pages  63-76,  it  is  to  be  said  that  the 
editors  have  printed  the  narratives  of  Jonathan  Rathbun,  Rufus  Avery  and 
Stephen  Hempstead,  not  because  they  give  a  true  recital  in  all  details  of  the 
Battle  of  Groton  Heights,  but  rather  because  they  are  interesting  source  ma- 
terial for  historical  research,  and  have  for  years  been  out  of  print.  On  pages 
107-109  will  be  found  Benedict  Arnold's  account  of  the  expedition.  On  page 
75  is  a  comment  on  the  death  of  Colonel  Ledyard  that  leaves  much  doubt  in 
the  unprejudiced  mind  as  to  just  how  he  was  slain.  It  is,  indeed,  a  purely 
academic  question,  for  surely  in  American  and  in  British  hearts  today  there 
can  hardly  survive  any  bitterness  on  a  matter  so  distant  as  the  Revolutionary 
War,  when,  in  the  view  of  living  historians  in  both  countries,  the  Colonists 
were  fighting  not  against  fellow-Englishmen,  but  rather  against  the  despotism 
of  a  foreign  king  and  his  sympathizers.  Local  anecdotes  survive,  but  the  truth 
persists  that  Englishmen  even  in  that  day  believed  that  their  fellow-English- 
men in  the  Colonies  were  fighting  for  the  true  principles  of  liberty  as  under- 
stood both  in  England  and  in  America.  The  editors  of  this  History  admire  Pitt 
and  Edmund  Burke  as  adherents  of  the  same  great  ideals  as  those  of  Wash- 
ington and  Franklin. 

Fire  Insurance  in  New  London  County,  page  459. — Reader  will  dis- 
regard entire  paragraph  beginning  "The  stage  being  thus  set,"  and  read 
as  follows: 

The  stage  being  thus  set  with  sufificient  background  to  make  an  im- 
pression as  to  the  antiquity  of  the  event,  we  now  come  to  a  very  important 
episode  and  one  which  relates  intimately  to  our  study  of  fire  insurance  in 
New  London  County — indeed,  is  the  very  inception  of  enduring  fire  insurance 
organization  in  Connecticut  if  not  in  New  England.  For,  yielding  only  two 
years'  priority  to  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  in  1794  were 
born  twins  into  the  fire  insurance  field.  One  was  The  Insurance  Company 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  other  The  Norwich 
Mutual  Assurance  Company,  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  the  full  dignified 
name  of  this  company  being  The  Mutual  Assurance  Company  of  the  City 
of  Norwich— perhaps  this  abundant  title  is  more  in  keeping  with  the  char- 
acteristic Philadelphia  copiousness  of  the  cognomen  of  its  Pennsylvania  twin. 
We  may  dispose  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
with  but  a  word.  In  fact,  it  to  some  extent  disposed  of  itself,  when  in  1913, 
after  more  than  a  century  of  honorable  record,  its  individuality  was  somewhat 
sacrificed  through  merger  with  the  American  Fire  Insurance  Company  of 
Philadelphia,  a  youngster  ( !)  organized  in  1810. 


ADDENDA  619 

On  page  467,  disregard  last  paragraph,  and  in  its  stead  read  as  follow*: 

The  first  agent  appointed  to  represent  the  company  outside  of  Norwich 
was  A.  C.  Lippitt  in  New  London,  on  December  22nd,  1842;  the  second 
similar  appointment  was  Samuel  W.  Wood  of  Ledyard,  to  cover  the  territory 
in  the  towns  of  Ledyard,  Stonington,  North  Stonington,  Groton,  Preston  and 
Griswold.  Other  appointments  were  slowly  made  until  fifteen  years  later,  in 
1855,  ten  agents  were  in  the  field.  On  April  i6th,  1849,  Timothy  T.  Merwin 
was  appointed  agent  for  the  City  of  New  York,  and  on  the  same  date  Enoch 
Hobart  was  appointed  "for  taking  insurance  in  the  City  of  Boston  and  Vicin- 
ity." The  name  of  Enoch  Hobart  appears  on  the  records  for  some  years 
succeeding. 

Norwich  Fire  Department,  page  487. — The  following  additional  informa- 
tion has  been  given  since  the  narrative  referred  to  passed  through  the  press : 

There  were  167  alarms  of  fire  during  the  year  ending  June  30,  1921,  the 
largest  fire  being  at  the  Kolb  Carton  Company  at  Thamcsvillc,  at  end  of  city 
limits,  the  loss  being  $115,000.  At  this  date  there  were  twenty-eight  perma- 
nent men  and  fifteen  call  men,  with  three  horses  left  to  haul  the  aerial  truck. 
The  appropriation  for  the  year  was  $64,850. 

The  Department  was  improved  during  the  year  1921-22  by  the  purchase 
of  five  pieces  of  motor  apparatus  and  the  displacing  of  all  horses,  thus  ending 
the  horse  era  in  connection  with  fire  apparatus.  The  pieces  purchased  were 
two  Seagrave  triple  combination  hose  and  pumps,  one  75-foot  American 
LaFrance  truck,  a  Rco  runabout  for  the  deputy  chief,  and  a  Reo  squad  car 
for  general  work;  $41,000  was  appropriated  to  make  the  above  change.  Sev- 
enty-five fire  alarm  boxes  are  now  in  circuit.  The  station  at  Thamesville 
was  overhauled,  and  a  new  company  organized  and  known  as  Engine  Com- 
pany No.  6,  with  one  of  the  new  pumpers  placed  therein. 

.Ml  companies  are  now  known  as  Engine  Companies — i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6;  and 
Trucks  Nos.  i  and  2.  Old  No.  3  Station  at  the  Falls  was  sold  for  $2,600, 
and  the  proceeds  used  to  place  No.  6  Station  in  condition.  There  were  180 
alarms  for  fires  during  the  year,  the  largest  being  at  the  pants  factory  fire, 
located  on  Thames  street,  March  21,  1922,  with  a  loss  of  about  $30,000. 
The  appropriation  was  $65,550  in  addition  to  the  $41,000  for  new  apparatus 
and  the  $2,600  from  sale  of  old  No.  3  Station.  Number  of  permanent  men 
31,  call  men  15. 

The  officiary  is:  Hon.  Milo  R.  Waters,  mayor;  Anson  R.  Grover,  chair- 
man of  the  Fire  Committee ;  Howard  L.  Stanton,  Chief  of  Department ;  Henry 
R.  Taft,  Deputy  Chief. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


N.L.— :i.i 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


BENJAMIN  T.  MARSHALL— In  the  presidency 
of  Connecticut  College  for  Women,  New  London, 
Connecticut,  Rev.  Benjamin  T.  Marshall,  A.M.,  U.D., 
heads  the  work  of  the  youngest  College  for  Women 
in  New  England,  an  independent,  endowed  college 
of  liberal  arts  and  sciences,  which  already  enrolls, 
in  its  eighth  year,  a  total  of  425  students,  represent- 
ing twenty-five  different  Stares,  and  three  foreign 
nations.  In  the  seven  years  of  active  academic  life 
it  has  demonstrated  to  discriminating  educators  and 
friends  the  need  for  its  founding  and  the  value  and 
service  of  its  purpose,  ideal  and  program. 

Dr.  Marshall  is  the  second  president  of  the  Col- 
lege. Dr.  Frederick  H.  Sykes  served  the  College  four 
years,  two  years  in  necessary  preliminary  work  pre- 
ceding the  opening  of  the  College  in  September, 
1915,  and  continuing  two  years  to  June,  1917.  Dr. 
Sykes  laid  foundations,  and  gave  the  College  a  vision, 
which  his  successor,  and  all  the  latter's  colleagues, 
have  gratefully  accepted  as  legacy  and  stimulus. 

Dr.  Marshall  was  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
August  12,  1872,  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Emily  Ann 
(Hentz)  Marshall,  his  father  a  leather  manufacturer 
in  Boston.  .After  passing  through  the  Dudley  Gram- 
mar School,  Boston  (1885),  and  the  Roxbury  High 
School  (1888),  with  graduation.  Dr.  Marshall  entered 
St.  Johnsbury  Academy,  St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont, 
graduated  in  1893,  then  entered  Dartmouth  College 
and  received  the  degree  of  B.  A.  with  high  honors 
in  1897.  He  attended  the  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  graduated 
with  honor,  with  the  degree  B.  D.  in  1900.  .Accom- 
panying his  studies  in  the  Seminary,  he  pursued  post- 
graduate courses  at  Columbia  University  in  history, 
economics  and  political  science.  He  was  ordained 
in  his  home  church,  the  Eliot  Congregational  Church, 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  May  10,  1900,  and  was  called, 
upon  the  completion  of  his  theological  studies,  to  be 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Scarborough, 
New  York,  where  he  had  been  assistant  for  two 
years,  and  where  he  served  as  pastor  from  1900  to 
1906.  In  1906  he  was  called  to  the  pulpit  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in  New  Rocbelle,  New 
York,  of  old  Huguenot  founding,  a  parish  established 
in  1698  by  a  French  Huguenot  Protestant  congre- 
gation. From  1912  to  1917  he  was  Phillips  Professor 
of  Biblical  History  and  Literature  in  his  alma  mater, 
Dartmouth    College,    Hanover,    New    Hampshire. 

In  1917  he  came  to  his  present  post  as  president 
of  Connecticut  College  for  Women,  New  London, 
Connecticut. 

He  married,  July  11,  1900,  Laura  Alice  Hatch,  of 
StraflFord.  Vermont.  There  were  four  children  :  Andrew 
Marshall  (2nd):  Mary  Hatch  Marshall;  Elizabeth 
Ripley  Marshall;  and  Benjamin  Tinkham  Marshall, 
Jr.  Their  home  is  at  the  College,  New  London, 
Connecticut. 


Dr.  Marshall  was  chaplain  of  the  Third  Regiment. 
Connecticut  State  Guard,  for  one  year,  previous  to 
the  dissolution  of  that  organization  and  the  new 
desxlopment  of  the  National  Guard  within  the  State. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon,  Phi 
Beta  Kappa,  of  the  Dartmouth  Senior  Society, 
Casque  and  Gauntlet,  the  Rotary  Club  of  New  Lon- 
don, the  Chamber  of  Contmerce  of  New  London,  in 
which  he  is  now  serving  a  second  term  as  director. 
He  retains  his  connection  as  a  Presbyterian  clergy- 
man with  the  Presb>'tery  of  Westchester,  New  York. 
He  and  his  family  attend,  in  New  London,  the  Second 
Congregational  Church.  F.  Y.  H. 


WILLIAM  BISSELL  WILCOX— This  branch 
of  the  Wilcox  family  came  to  the  town  of  Norwich, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  from  Rhode  Is- 
land, Major  John  Wilcox  buying  the  farm  to  which 
his  grandson,  William  Bissell  Wilcox,  came  as  a 
boy  of  twelve,  later  became  owner  of  the  farm, 
there  passed  away,  and  there  his  widow  yet  resides 
(1921).  Major  John  Wilcox  obtained  his  title  in 
the  militia  service.  William  Bissell  Wilcox  served 
his  county  as  State  Senator,  and  gave  to  his  coun- 
try a  son,  Frank  A.  Wilcox,  who  fell  on  a  French 
battlefield  with  his  face  to  the  foe  within  fifty  feet 
of  the  German  lines  in  the  Argonne.  He  was  a 
good  soldier  and  an  honor  to  the  Wilcox  name. 

(I)  Major  John  Wilcox  was  a  farmer  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  militia. 
Later  he  moved  to  a  farm  on  Scotland  road  in  the 
town  of  Norwich,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
and  there  resided  from  1856  until  his  passing.  He 
was  a  substantial  farmer.  He  was  long  survived 
by  his  widow,  Mary  (Barber)  Wilcox,  who  died 
at  the  farm,  aged  one  hundred  and  one  years  and 
three    months. 

(II)  Abram  Wilcox,  son  of  Major  John  and 
Mary  (Barber)  Wilcox,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  but  in  youthful  manhood 
moved  to  the  town  of  Griswold,  New  London 
county,  Connecticut,  and  bought  a  farm  near  Glas- 
gow, also  operated  a  small  woolen  mill  there  until 
his  death.  He  married  Rebecca  Sheldon,  born  in 
South  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  died  in  Voluntown, 
Connecticut,  having  moved  to  that  town  after  the 
death   of   her   husband. 

(III)  William  Bissell  Wilcox,  son  of  Abram  and 
Rebecca  (Sheldon)  Wilcox,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Griswold,  near  Glasgow,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  August  II,  1858.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
he  came  to  live  with  his  grandfather.  Major  John 
Wilcox,  at  the  farm  on  Scotland  road  in  the  town 
of  Norwich,  and  there  attended  the  public  district 
school.  Later  he  was  his  grandmother's  farm  as- 
sistant, but  subsequently  he  established  a  livery 
business    at    West    Kingston,    Rhode    Island,    which 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


he  continued  until  1885.  In  that  year  he  returned 
to  the  Major  Wilcox  farm  and  there  cultivated  the 
acres  with  which  he  had  become  well  acquainted 
when  a  boy.  He  was  elected  selectman  of  the  town 
of  Norwich,  and  in  his  official  capacity  had  charge 
of  all  public  town  roads.  He  became  well  informed 
on  road  construction  and  repair  while  selectman, 
and  after  surrendering  that  office  he  established  in 
business  as  a  contractor  of  road  building  under  the 
firm  name,  William  B.  Wilcox  &  Sons.  He  built 
many  miles  of  State  road  in  Eastern  Connecticut, 
continuing  the  active  head  of  the  firm  until  1914, 
when  he  retired  from  the  management  in  favor 
of  his  sons.  He  became  the  owner  of  the  Major 
Wilcox  farm  on  Scotland  road,  and  there  died  Oc- 
tober I,  1919,  being  at  the  time  of  his  passing  a 
State  Senator. 

Senator  Wilcox  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
a  power  in  the  party  in  Eastern  Connecticut.  In 
1896  he  was  elected  assessor  of  taxes,  and  in  1887- 
88-89-1909,  11-13  second  selectman.  He  was  long 
a  member  of  the  Democratic  town  committee,  and 
in  1918  was  elected  State  Senator  from  New  London 
county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  of  Norwich  Lodge,  No.  430,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  was  highly  esteemed 
in  his  township,  and  was  one  of  the  strong  and 
valuable   men   of   Norwich. 

Senator  Wilcox  married,  January  21,  1884,  in 
South  Kingston.  Mabel  Kenyon,  born  in  Richmond, 
Rhode  Island,  daughter  of  Senator  Alfred  Whitman 
and  Susan  Melissa  (Hoxie)  Kenyon.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Senator  and  Mrs.  Wilcox:  i.  Lowell 
John,  born  July  20,  1885;  he  is  a  road  contractor, 
succeeding  his  father,  with  whom  he  was  previously 
associated;  he  married  Almeda  Capron,  and  resides 
on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Lisbon,  New  London 
county,  Connecticut.  2.  Frank  A.,  of  further  and 
extended  mention.  3.  Erroll  Kenyon,  born  July  26, 
1891,  in  the  town  of  Norwich,  Connecticut;  now 
principal  of  South  Kingston,  Rhode  Island  High 
School;  he  married  Ethel  P.  Henderson,  of  Hop- 
kinton,  Rhode  Island,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Erroll  K.  (2),  William  James  and 
Philip  De  Haven  Wilcox.  4.  Emily  Mabel,  born  in 
the  town  of  Norwich,  October  20,  1894;  now  a 
teacher  in  Norwich  schools.  5.  Susan  Rebecca,  born 
October  29,  1896;  a  teacher  in  the  high  school, 
Wallingford,  Connecticut.  Mrs.  Wilcox,  the  mother 
of  these  children,  survives  her  husband  and  con- 
tinues her  residence  at  the  old  Wilcox  homestead 
on  Scotland  road  in  the  town  of  Norwich,  first 
owned   in   the   family  by   Major  John   Wilco.x. 

(IV)  Frank  A.  Wilcox,  second  son  of  Senator 
William  Bissell  and  Mabel  (Kenyon)  Wilcox,  was 
born  on  the  farm  near  Glasgow,  in  the  town  of 
Griswold,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  May 
20,  1887,  and  died  in  battle  in  the  Argonne,  France, 
October  13,  1918,  and  there  was  buried.  While  he 
was  still  a  boy  his  parents  moved  to  the  Wilcox 
farm  on  Scotland  road,  town  of  Norwich,  and  there 
attended    the    district    public    school,    finishing   his 


education  at  Norwich  Free  Academy  with  the 
graduating  class  of  1909.  He  then  became  associated 
with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  firm  of  William 
B.  Wilco-x  &  Sons,  road  contractors.  In  1914  the 
father  retired,  turning  the  business  over  to  his  sons, 
Lowell  J.  and  Frank  A.  Wilcox,  who  thereafter  con- 
ducted the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Wilcox 
Brothers.  The  brothers  made  the  farm  on  Scot- 
land road  the  headquarters  of  their  business,  and 
executed  contracts  for  road  and  bridge  construction, 
doing  a   prosperous    business. 

Frank  A.  Wilcox  was  within  age  limit  for  the 
selective  draft,  and  in  October,  1917,  was  called  for 
duty  in  the  United  States  army  for  service  in  the 
war  against  Germany.  He  reported  to  the  authori- 
ties at  Camp  Devens,  Massachusetts,  and  was  re- 
jected for  physical  reasons  due  to  a  previous  opera- 
tion for  appendicitis.  On  February  2,  1918,  he  was 
again  called  to  Camp  Devens,  passed  the  required 
physical  tests,  and  on  February  26,  1918,  was  ac- 
cepted and  a  few  days  later  was  sent  to  Camp  Up- 
ton, Long  Island.  There  he  was  assigned  to  Com- 
pany L,  307th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  77th  Division, 
United  States  Army,  and  after  training  was  sent 
overseas  with  the  77th  Division.  The  division  landed 
in  England,  going  thence  to  France,  in  a  front  line 
sector,  Corporal  Wilcox  being  engaged  in  all  the 
battles  in  which  the  77th  Division  took  part.  In 
the  fierce  fighting  in  the  Argonne,  October  13,  1918, 
he  fell  when  within  fifty  feet  of  the  German  trenches 
they  were  charging.  He  was  buried  in  a  soldier's 
cemetery  on  the  battlefield,  but  later  the  precious 
dust  was  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  on  Sep- 
tember 17,  1921,  he  was  laid  in  Maplewood  Cemetery 
in  the  city  of  Norwich,  with  suitable  honors.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  lovable  disposition,  a  good  son, 
a  good  citizen,  a  good  soldier,  typical  of  the  best 
in   young   American  manhood. 


JUDGE     HENRY     ARCHIBALD     ROGERS  — 

Coming  of  a  family  identified  with  the  early  history 
of  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  and  himself 
deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  the  community, 
Judge  Henry  Archibald  Rogers  may  well  be  called 
a  representative  man   of  Salem,  Connecticut. 

Jonathan  Rogers,  Mr.  Rogers'  grandfather,  was 
born  in  the  city  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  in 
Revolutionary  times,  and  spent  his  lifetime  in  New 
London  county.  He  married  Sarah  Rogers,  daugh- 
ter of  John  (3)  and  Delight  (Green)  Rogers,  the 
latter  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Alma  (Angel) 
Green.  Benjamin  Green  was  a  brother  of  Major- 
General  Nathanae!  Greene,  one  of  General  Wash- 
ington's staff.  (Judge  Henry  Archibald  Rogers  has 
a  picture  of  General  Washington  bidding  farewell 
to  his  officers  on  December  4,  1783,  and  General 
Greene  is  among  them;  this  he  prizes  very  highly). 
John  Rogers  (3)  was  a  son  of  John  Rogers,  Jr.;. 
he  was  a  son  of  John  Rogers,  Sr.,  son  of  James 
Rogers,   who   came  here   from   England   about   1620. 

Jonathan  (2)  Rogers  was  born  in  the  city  of  New 
London,    on    August    10,    1800,   and   died    at   Salem, 


^^u^^-^  ^ /f^i>^^^-/^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


Connecticut,  on  November  19,  1882.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  New  London,  and  was 
in  Fort  Griswold,  at  New  London,  when  the  British 
burned  the  city.  He  picked  up  one  of  the  cannon 
balls  that  was  fired  ashore  by  the  British,  and  kept 
it  as  a  souvenir,  and  now  it  is  in  the  possession  of 
one  of  his  grandsons.  His  first  business  activity 
was  as  a  clerk  in  a  store,  but  after  the  close  of  the 
War  of  1812,  he  went  to  sea  in  a  whaling  vessel, 
making  many  trips  to  sea  with  Captain  Joe  Law- 
rence, a  famous  whaler  of  that  time.  Later,  satis- 
fied with  adventure,  and  tired  of  the  hardships  of 
the  sea,  he  settled  down  in  New  London,  and  es- 
tablished a  grocery  store  there,  on  Main  street.  He 
became  a  successful  man  of  business,  and  prominent 
in  the  afTairs  of  the  city.  He  filled  several  minor 
ofTices,  then,  on  June  10,  1839,  was  elected  alderman. 
His  son  now  preserves,  among  relics  of  other  days, 
one  of  the  ballots  used  at  that  election.  In  1854 
Jonathan  (2)  Rogers  gave  up  his  interest  in  the 
grocery  business,  and  coming  to  Salem,  took  charge 
of  the  Elihu  White  farm,  the  home  of  his  father-in- 
law,  who  was  then  becoming  too  old  and  decrepit 
to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  place.  This  brought 
his  wife  back  "co  her  girlhood  home  and  when  the 
old  man  died,  she,  of  course,  inherited  the  place. 
They  spent  their  remaining  days  on  the  old  home- 
stead. Jonathan  (2)  Rogers  married  Lucretia  White, 
daughter  of  Elihu  and  Lucretia  (Maynard)  White, 
who  was  born  in  Salem,  Connecticut,  on  January 
21,  181J,  and  died  there  on  January  3,  1882.  They 
had   thirteen    children,   four    s'till    living. 

Judge  Henry  Archibald  Rogers,  son  of  Jonathan 
(2)  and  Lucretia  (White)  Rogers,  was  born  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  on  July  28,  1852.  The  family 
moving  to  Salem,  Connecticut,  when  he  was  two 
years  of  age,  his  education  was  begun  at  the  district 
school  on  Ramson  Hill,  which  is  now  called  the 
Pond  District  School.  Later  he  attended  the  public 
schools  of  New  Haven,  and  still  later  a  private  school 
conducted  by  Rev.  Warren  N.  Waldcn,  at  Plainfield. 
With  this  e.xccUent  preparation,  the  young  man  en- 
tered upon  the  profession  of  school  teacher.  He 
first  taught  the  Tiffany  District,  now  known  as  the 
Seventh  District  School,  in  the  town  of  Salem,  Con- 
necticut, then  ne.Kt  in  the  Tiffany  District,  later 
teaching  in  the  Walnut  Hill  District  School  in  the 
town  of  Lyme,  Connecticut. 

During  all  these  years  Mr.  Rogers  was  keenly 
alive  to  the  public  questions  of  the  day,  for  in  the 
stirring  times  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  following 
period  of  reconstruction,  as  vital  a  matter  in  the 
North  as  in  the  South,  he  was  still  too  young  to  t.ike 
an  active  hand.  With  three  of  his  older  brothers 
fighting  for  the  Union,  he  was  close  to  the  heart 
of  the  struggle. 

After  seven  years  of  teaching,  Mr.  Rogers  turned 
to  the  out-door  life,  and  located  on  a  farm,  which 
he  rented,  on  Raymond  Hill,  in  Montville.  This 
was  in  1876,  the  year  of  his  marriage.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  returned  to  Salem,  and  working  on  a 
share  basis,  conducted   his   father-in-lav.''s   farm   for 


three  years.  Being  a  practical  young  man,  well 
versed  in  farm  lore  as  well  at  in  the  learning  gained 

at  school,  he  prospered  in  the  agricultural  line,  and 
in  1880  purchased  the  TifTany  farm  in  Salem,  where 
he  lived  and  conducted  extensive  farming  operations 
until  1890.  In  that  year  he  sold  the  Tilfany  farm 
and  bought  the  Chadwick  farm,  in  the  Central  School 
District.  This  was  even  then  a  splendid  farm  of  150 
acres,  and  Mr.  Rogers  went  into  dairying,  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  had  large  interests 
along  these  lines,  but  has  of  late  done  much  less 
in  the  dairy  line,  turning  his  attention  to  the  less 
exacting  branches  of  farming.  Mr.  Rogers  still  re- 
sides here,  and  actively  manages  his  still  important 
interests,  but  has  largely  placed  the  heavy  work  in 
other  hands.  The  place  is  now  known  as  Echo  Glen 
Farm. 

Mr.  Rogers'  prominent  position  as  one  of  the 
leading  farmers  of  Salem  has  brought  him  many 
public  responsibilities.  He  has  been  elected  to 
every  office  in  the  town  except  town  clerk  and 
treasurer.  He  has  been  judge  of  probate  for  the 
past  four  years,  and  still  holds  that  office.  The 
period  of  his  service  as  sclcclnian  covered  the 
period  of  our  connection  with  the  World  War,  when 
the  problems  of  the  day  reached  into  every  rami- 
fication of  government.  Mr.  Rogers  lias  always 
supported  the  principles  and  policies  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  In  other  activities  Mr.  Rogers  is 
also  prominent.  He  is  an  influential  member  of 
the  New  London  County  Farm  Bureau,  and  always 
interested  in  forwarding  the  progress  of  that  organi- 
zation, which  is  doing  a  most  practical  work  in 
agricultural   districts. 

Mr.  Rogers  has  always  identified  himself  with  the 
work  of  the  church,  and  his  religious  views  are 
broadly  liberal.  He  is  a  member  of  the  North  Lyme 
Baptist  Church,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Chester- 
field Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  clerk  for 
many  years.  He  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  of  the  North  Lyme  Church,  having  held  that 
office  for  three  years,  and  never  misses  a  Sunday 
in  attendance.  For  four  months  during  the  illness 
of  the  pastor,  he  served  this  church  as  minister. 
At  one  time,  also,  Mr.  Rogers  acted  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school  of  the  Saleni  Congrega- 
tional  Church. 

On  March  15,  1876,  in  Salem,  Connecticut,  Mr. 
Rogers  married  Susie  Bailey  Tiffany,  of  Salem,  Con- 
necticut. She  is  a  native  of  this  town,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Susan  (Bailey)  Tiffany, 
both  the  Tiffany  and  the  Bailey  families  being  very 
old  families  in  this  vicinity,  reaching  back  into  early 
Colonial  times,  and  aUvays,  in  every  generation,  be- 
ing represented  in  the  most  progressive  circles,  in 
many  branches   of  human  endeavor. 

Still  active  in  the  public  service,  although  at  an  age 
when  many  men  lay  down  their  responsibilities, 
Judge  Henry  Archibald  Rogers  is  perhaps  most 
widely  known  in  the  work  that  has  always  been 
nearest  his  heart.  For  fifty  years  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  educational  work,   having  been   on   the 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


school  board  in  some  capacity  ever  since  he  re- 
signed from  his  profession  as  a  teacher.  Few  men 
can  serve  the  people  more  broadly  or  more  wisely 
than  those  in  whose  hands  the  education  of  the  chil- 
dren is  entrusted. 


partment  of  Mystic,  being  a  member  of  the  B.  K. 
Hoxie  Engine  Company.  Socially,  he  is  a  popular 
member  of  the  Rotary  Club  of  New  London,  of 
which  organization  he  is  now  president.  Mr.  Cos- 
tello  is  a  devout  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


CORNELIUS  CONNOR  COSTELLO  —  In  the 
business  world  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  and  in 
the  social  and  political  world  of  Mystic,  where  he 
resides,  the  name  of  Cornelius  Connor  Costello  is 
familiarly  known  and  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  A 
prominent  jeweler,  and  now  (1921)  State  Senator 
from  his  district,  Mr.  Costello  may  truly  be  counted 
among  the  men  of  the  day  in  New  London  county. 

Mr.  Costello  is  a  son  of  Michael  Edward  and  Mary 
C.  (Connor)  Costello,  both  natives  of  Cork,  Ireland. 
Michael  E.  Costello  came  to  the  United  States  when 
a  child,  his  family  locating  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut. There  he  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  then,  entering  business  life,  he  became  a 
machinist  by  trade,  following  along  this  life  all  his 
life,  and  is  still  active.  He  now  resides  in  Mystic. 
His  wife,  who  also  came  to  the  United  States  when 
a  child,  died  in  1902.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  four  are  now  living. 

Cornelius  Connor  Costello  was  born  in  Hope  Val- 
ley, Rhode  Island,  on  December  6,  1883.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Mystic, 
then  attended  the  high  school  in  the  same  town. 
In  1898  he  went  to  New  London,  Connecticut,  and 
there  apprenticed  himself  to  one  of  the  leading 
jewelers  of  that  city,  Norman  M.  Ruddy.  When  he 
had  completed  his  apprenticeship,  Mr.  Costello  re- 
mined  with  Mr.  Ruddy,  his  marked  business  ability 
making  him  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  working 
force.  He  is  now  manager  of  the  store  and  part 
owner  of  the  business. 

This  position  in  the  business  world  has  placed  Mr. 
Costello  in  the  public  eye,  and  for  some  time  he  has 
been  active  in  political  circles.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  1920  that  he  was  induced  to  accept  public  of- 
fice. He  was  nominated  then  by  the  Republican 
party  for  State  Senator  from  this  district  and  was 
elected  by  a  gratifying  majority.  This  spectacular 
entrance  into  politics  while  still  a  comparatively 
young  man  is  believed  by  his  friends  to  be  only  the 
beginning  of  a  brilliant  career.  He  has  served  as 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  Capitol  Furniture  and 
Grounds;  chairman  of  Contingent  Expense  Com- 
mittee; Senate  member  of  the  Banks  Committee,  and 
was  appointed  judge  by  the  governor  for  a  two 
years'  term,  1921-23,  for  the  town  of  Groton. 

In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Costello  is  widely  known. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  New  London  Lodge,  No.  360.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Father  Murphy  Council,  No.  1943, 
Knights  of  Columbus,  of  Mystic;  of  the  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose,  of  New  London;  and  of  Pequot  Camp, 
Modern   Woodmen   of   America,   of   Mystic. 

Mr.  Costello  is  a  member  of  the  New  London 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  which  body  he  is  second 
vice-president.     He    is   identified   with   the    fire    de- 


GILBERT  COLLINS,  tlie  son  of  Daniel  Prentice 
and  Sarah  R.  Collins,  was  born  on  August  26,  1846, 
in  Stonington  borough,  Connecticut,  of  English  an- 
cestry, which  emigrated  from  England  to  Massachu- 
setts and  thence  to  Connecticut.  The  Collins  coat- 
of-arms  is  as  follows:  Gules,  on  a  bend  or  three 
martlets  sable. 

Daniel  Collins,  great-great-grandfather  of  Gilbert 
Collins,  was  born  in  1710,  died  July  16,  1797.  He 
was  a  son  or  grandson  of  James  Collins,  who,  with 
his  brothers,  John  and  Robert,  came  from  Kent  or 
Esse.x  in  England  in  1669  and  settled  in  Massachu- 
setts. Daniel  Collins,  in  1731,  was  of  New  London, 
Connecticut,  and  afterward  moved  to  Stonington. 
He  married  (first)  February  7,  1731,  Alice  Pell,  of 
New  London,  (second)  July  7,  1754,  Rebecca  Stan- 
ton, of  Stonington,  widow  of  Samuel  Stanton.  By 
his  first  wife  he  had  one  son,  Daniel  (2),  of  whom 
further. 

Daniel  (2)  Collins,  son  of  Daniel  (l)  and  Alice 
(Pell)  Collins,  was  born  in  New  London,  Connecti- 
cut, March  10,  1732,  and  died  in  Stonington,  April 
6,  1819.  He  was  the  progenitor  of  a  very  large 
family  and  a  man  of  prominence.  His  farm  was  on 
the  old  Post  Road,  opposite  the  present  meeting- 
house of  the  First  Congregational  Society  of  Ston- 
ington. He  served  in  the  Continental  army  from 
1775  as  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  First  Regiment  of 
the  Connecticut  Line.  He  married  (first)  December 
26,  1756,  Dorothy  Wells;  (second)  Anne  Potter 
(Widow  Hillard).  Children  by  his  first  wife:  I. 
William,  born  in  March,  1759;  married  Polly  Ross. 
2.  Pell,  died  unmarried.  3.  Hannah.  4.  Daniel,  died 
unmarried.  5.  Lydia.  6.  Polly.  7.  Eley,  died  young. 
8.  John  Wills,  born  December  5,  1773,  married  Mercy 
Langworthy.  Children  bj'  his  second  wife:  9.  Rob- 
ert, born  April  14,  1788;  married  Ruth  Browning. 
10.  Gilbert,  of  whom  further.  11.  Rebecca,  married 
Henry  Worden.  12.  Maria,  married  Justin  Denison. 
13.  Betsy,  died  young.  14.  Anne,  married  John  D. 
Noyes. 

Gilbert  Collins,  son  of  Daniel  (2)  and  Anne  (Pot- 
ter-Hillard)  Collins,  was  born  April  14,  1790,  at 
Stonington,  died  there  March  24,  1865.  He  was  a 
farmer,  a  highly  respected  citizen,  and  for  several 
terms  represented  the  town  in  the  State  Legislature. 
He  married  (first)  May  3,  1807,  Prudence  Frink, 
of  Stonington;  (second)  April  28,  1916,  Lucy  Breed; 
(third)  Susan  Wells  (Widow  Dickens).  Children 
by  first  wife:  i.  Benjamin  Franklin,  born  September 
10,  1808.  2.  Anne,  married  John  Robbins.  3.  Daniel 
Prentice,  of  whom  further.  Children  by  second 
wife:  4.  Gilbert  W.,  born  February  19,  1817;  died 
January  19,  1865.  5.  Ethan  Allen,  born  November 
24,  1818;  died  in   1896.     6.  John   Noyes,  died  young. 


<rCe-i^>-^-t' 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


7.  Tliomas  B.,  born  Kcbruarj'  10,  1823.  8.  Frances 
Marion,  died  young,  g.  John  Pierce,  born  October 
i>I,   1827;   died    February   28,    1859. 

Daniel  Prentice  Collins,  son  of  Gilbert  and  Pru- 
dence (Frink)  Collins,  was  born  August  21,  1813. 
He  became  a  manufacturer  and  has  an  extensive 
business  in  the  borougli  of  Stonington.  He  also 
had  business  interests  in  Jersey  City.  He  died  in 
1862,  leaving  but  a  slender  estate,  which  led  his 
son  Gilbert  to  give  up  a  course  at  Yale  College, 
where  he  had  matriculated.  In  1863  the  family 
moved  to  Jersey  City.  In  1870  Gilbert  Collins  mar- 
ried Harriet  Kingsbury  Bush,  a  daughter  of  John 
O.  Bush.  Six  children  were  the  fruit  of  this  mar- 
riage: Walter,  who  died  November  11,  1900,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-eight  years,  a  lawyer  of  marked  abil- 
ity and  great  promise,  practicing  in  Jersey  City; 
Blanche  and  Marjorie,  who  are  still  living;  and 
three  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Collins  died  on 
May  15,  1917.  Gilbert  Collins  died  in  Jersey  City, 
January  29,  1920. 

These  facts  concerning  Gilbert  Collins'  ancestry 
and  family  are  of  signal  significance  in  any  con- 
sideration of  his  life.  His  character  was  a  compound 
of  courage,  patience,  resourcefulness  and  fine  intelli- 
gence. He  seems  to  have  been  endowed  with  all 
the  good  qualities  of  his  ancestry  and  to  have  turned 
them  to  maximum  account  by  a  tireless  industry 
and   application. 

On  settling  in  Jersey  City,  Mr.  Collins  read  law 
with  Jonathan  Dixon,  then  a  rising  lawyer  there, 
and  afterwards,  until  his  death  in  1906,  a  justice  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
After  Mr.  Collins'  admission  to  the  bar,  which  took 
place  in  1869,  Mr.  Dixon  and  Mr.  Collins  formed  a 
partnership,  which  lasted  until  Mr.  Dixon's  appoint- 
ment to  the  bench  in  1875.  Thereafter,  Mr.  Collins 
formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  L.  Corbin,  and 
later  with  William  H.  Corbin,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Collins  &  Corbin.  Charles  L.  Corbin  was  a  man 
of  the  very  highest  attainments  in  the  legal  pro- 
fession, and  William  H.  Corbin  was  a  sound  lawyer 
and  splendid  business  man.  This  partnership  was 
interrupted  by  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Collins  as 
justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  in  1897,  but  was  re-established  in  1903  upon 
his  resignation  therefrom,  and  continued,  with 
changes  in  its  membership,  until  the  death  of  Mr. 
Collins,  and  still  continues  under  that  name.  Mr. 
Collins  lived  a  life  of  most  varied  richness.  He 
touched  a  life  at  many  points,  and  always  fruit- 
fully. He  brought  to  the  performance  of  the  duties 
of  every  task  which  he  undertook  a  tireless  energy 
and  a  resourceful  and  profound  intelligence.  He 
did  not  confine  himself,  as  so  many  professional 
men  do,  to  "treading  the  shadowy  thoroughfares 
of  thought,"  but  mingled  largely  in  the  public  af- 
fairs of  his  time.  In  1884  he  was  nominated  on 
the  Republican  and  Citizens'  Association  tickets 
for  mayor  of  Jersey  City.  The  city  had  seldom 
elected  a  Republican  mayor,  but  Mr.  Collins  car- 
ried  the   city   by   a    pronounced    majority    and    con- 


ducted a  very  satisfactory  administration.  He  was 
a  staunch  champion  of  the  city's  rights  in  many 
controversies  with  large  financial  interests,  and  dis- 
played a  wide  knowledge  of  public  matters  and  a 
fine  facility  in  their  administration.  He  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  National  Republican  Convention  that 
re-nominated  President  Harrison  in  1892.  He  was 
a  candidate  on  the  Republican  ticket  for  Presiden- 
tial Flector-at-Large  in  1912,  and  ran  on  that  ticket, 
in  the  overwhelmingly  Democratic  county  of  Hud- 
son, for  Senator  and  Congressman,  but  was  not 
elected  to  any  of  these  offices.  So  conspicuous 
was  his  desirability  and  fitness  for  public  office  that 
he  was  frequently  besought  in  later  years  to  allow 
his  name  to  be  used  in  conventions  as  a  candidate 
for  governor,  but  he  always  declined. 

Many  people  seem  to  entertain  the  notion  that  it 
is  unwise  to  appoint  to  judicial  positions  men  who 
have  loomed  large  in  political  life,  but  in  the  case 
of  Mr.  Collins  it  was  not  so  much  a  politician  who 
had  been  made  a  judge  as  it  was  a  judge  who  had 
spent  a  little  time  in  politics.  As  a  participant  in 
political  affairs,  Mr.  Collins  always  displayed  a  fine 
dignity,  a  sterling  honesty,  and  a  high  regard  for 
the  public  interest.  As  a  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  Mr.  Collins  was  peculiarly  in  his  element. 
Before  going  on  the  bench  be  had  had  a  large  and 
varied  practice  which  fitted  him  to  be  an  ideal  judge 
at  Circuit,  and  such  he  was.  His  temperament  was 
judicial,  his  mind  was  quick  and  alert,  his  legal 
learning  was  sound  and  accurate.  He  not  only 
achieved  a  high  judicial  reputation,  but  won  the  love 
and  respect  of  the  people  of  the  whole  State,  and 
when  he  retired  from  the  bench  to  resume  the  prac- 
tice of  the  law,  he  was  held  in  such  high  esteem 
by  the  bar  that  they  gave  a  dinner  in  his  honor,  to 
which  flocked  all  the  leading  members  01  the  bar 
of  his  own  State  and  many  of  the  leaders  of  the 
bar  from  neighboring  states.  His  judicial  opinions 
arc  models  of  clearness,  brevity  and  precision.  They 
all  bear  the  peculiar  stamp  of  his  mind;  they  arc 
thorough  without  being  prolix,  exhaustive  without 
being  exhausting;  they  arc  not  essays  on  the  law, 
but  clear  and  concise  applications  of  legal  principles 
to  the  facts  in  dispute. 

At  the  bar  Judge  Collins  was  easily  the  best 
loved  of  its  members.  He  was  the  idol  of  the  young 
lawyers,  and  the  admiration  and  despair  of  the  old. 
The  scope  of  his  work  was  tremendous,  yet  his 
clear  grasp  of  the  facts  in  each  case,  and  of  the 
law  applicable  thereto,  was  as  accurate  as  if  he 
had  only  one  case  to  try  and  infinite  time  for  its 
preparation.  Yet  he  never  seemed  too  busy  to  place 
his  knowledge  and  wisdom  at  the  disposal  of  the 
young  men  who  sought  his  counsel  in  ever-increas- 
ing numbers.  His  practice  was  enormous,  and  a 
catalogue  of  the  cases  in  which  he  was  engaged 
during  his  practice  would  read  like  an  index  to 
the  law  reports  of  the  State.  His  dexterity  as  a 
trial  lawyer  and  his  soundness  as  counsel  were  pro- 
verbial, and  the  bar  of  the  State  lost  its  brightest 
ornament   when   he   passed   away.     He   took   a   very 


8 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 
of   his 


active  part  in  the  business  and  social  life 
city  He  was  a  member  of  numerous  clubs  and  a 
director  in  several  corporations.  Wherever  he  was, 
he  was  never  a  null  figure.  His  nature  was  bright 
and  pleasing  in  the  extreme.  In  manner  he  was 
gentle  and  urbane,  and  his  capacity  for  friendship 
and  love  was  boundless.  At  the  bar,  on  the  bench, 
and  in  public  life,  he  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
capacity  and  personality;  in  society  and  m  his  home 
he  was  a  constant  spring  of  light  and  joy;  and  the 
record  he  leaves  of  a  life  of  faithfulness  and  full- 
ness constitutes  his  enduring  monument. 

RICHARD  ANSON  WHEELER.  Stonington's 
"grand  old  man,"  former  judge  of  probate,  histor- 
ian, genealogist,  legal  adviser,  writer,  public  speaker 
and  in  all  ways  an  influential  and  useful  citizen  of 
Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  was 
born  there  January  29,  1817,  and  there  died  April  6, 
1904,  a  life  of  unusual  activity,  fruitfulness  and  in- 
spiration then  closing.  He  was  the  only  son  of 
Richard  and  Mary  (Hewitt)  Wheeler,  through  both 
of  whom  he  descended  from  a  long  line  of  distin- 
guished ancestors,  including  men  of  marked  promi- 
nence in  the  making  of  American  history,— soldiers, 
government     officials,     and    public     men     of     many 

types. 

Thomas  Wheeler,  born  in  England,  came  to  Lynn, 
Massachusetts,  in  1635,  and  was  the  founder  of  the 
Wheeler  family  in  America.  William  Chesebrough, 
another  early  ancestor,  came  from  Lincolnshire, 
England,  with  the  Winthrop  company  in  1630,  he 
being  the  first  white  resident  of  Stonington  and  a 
deputy  to  the  general  courts  of  both  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut.  Thomas  Hewitt,  an  early  maternal 
ancestor,  was  a  mariner  who  commanded  a  vessel 
on  the  Mystic  river,  Connecticut,  in  1656,  and  was 
an  early  landowner  of  Stonington.  Jolin  Gallup, 
another  noteworthy  progenitor  of  Judge  Wheeler's, 
came  from  England  to  Massachusetts  in  1630,  and  in 
1636  took  part  in  the  fight  with  the  Pequot  Indians 
off  Block  Island,  known  in  history  as  the  first  naval 
battle  fought  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  His  son,  Cap- 
tain John  Gallup,  was  killed  in  the  great  swamp 
fight  with  the  Indians  forty  years  later.  Another 
distinguished  ancestor  was  Thomas  Stanton,  inter- 
preter-general during  the  Indian  hostilities,  while 
another.  Captain  George  Denison,  a  deputy  to  the 
general  court  of  Connecticut  for  fifteen  sessions,  a 
captain  of  the  Connecticut  forces  in  King  Phi'ip's 
War  and  a  fighter  in  a  number  of  other  encounters 
with  the  Indians,  was  a  soldier  of  unusual  distinc- 
tion. 

Soldierly  blood  ran  in  the  veins  of  Judge 
Wheeler's  ancestors,  and  his  father  although  a  far- 
mer was  a  captain  of  militia.  From  him  the  son  in- 
herited traits  of  generosity,  hospitality  and  gentle- 
ness as  well  as  a  keen  instinct  in  military  tactics. 
From  his  mother  he  inherited  many  Christian 
graces  and  the  mental  alertness  that  repeated  itself 
in  his  keen  legal  and  judicial  ability,  in  his  accuracy 
and  aptness  as   a  historian   and  in   his   humor  and 


eloquence  as  a  public  speaker  and  conversationalist. 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  tilled  by  his  ancestors 
and  as  he  was  strong,  robust  and  vigorous  he  had 
plenty  of  hard  manual  labor  to  perform.  He  loved 
to  read  as  well  as  to  play  boy's  games  and  he  pe- 
rused history,  poetry,  law  books,  biographies,  and 
the  newspaper  with  great  eagerness  and  apprecia- 
tion. His  education  was  the  limited  one  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  the  time,  supplemented  by  a  three 
months'  course  at  a  private  school  in  Old  Mystic 
when  he  was  seventeen.  He  was  anxious  for  a  col- 
lege education  but  felt  it  his  filial  duty  to  remain  at 
home  because  of  his  father's  ill  health.  At  eighteen 
he  was  chosen  sergeant  of  the  Sixth  Company,  of 
the  Eighth  Regiment,  Third  Brigade,  Connecticut 
Militia,  and  two  years  later  he  became  captain  of 
that  company.  He  served  with  great  credit  for 
three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he  was  hon- 
orably   discharged. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  service  Richard  A. 
Wheeler  settled  down  on  the  home  farm  where  so 
many  of  his  youthful  years  had  been  spent  and 
where  the  foundations  of  his  rugged  health  and  in- 
dustrious habits  had  been  laid.  He  remained  a 
fnrmcr  Tf  the  mnst  solid  and  prosperous  type  the 
rest  of  his  long  life,  but  never  to  the  exclusion  of 
public  service  or  mental  activity.  He  was  interester 
in  religion,  education,  politics,  and  all  social  prob- 
lems and  he  was  both  an  energetic  leader  and  a 
faithful  servant  in  public  life.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Stonington  Board  of  Education  for  fifteen  years, 
selectman  and  assessor  for  several  terms  each,  rep- 
resentative in  the  General  Assembly  in  1851;  judge 
of  probate  for  twenty-three  years;  justice  of  the 
peace  for  forty  years;  notary  public  for  fifty-five 
years,  and  high  sheriff  of  New  London  county  for 
twelve  years.  Though  he  never  desired  or  obtained 
admission  to  the  bar,  he  acquired  a  thorough  legal 
knowledge  and  was  considered  an  authority  on  all 
matters  of  probate  law.  He  wrote  over  six  hundred 
and  fifty  wills  and  settled  scores  of  estates.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  president  of  the  Stonington 
Savings  Bank  which  office  he  had  held  for  twelve 
years.  In  politics  he  was  a  steadfast  and  active 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party.  In  creed  he  was 
a  Congregationalist,  and  was  the  oldest,  in  years 
and  membership,  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church   of   Stonington. 

Judge  Wheeler  was  clerk  and  a  member  of  the 
standing  committee  of  that  church  for  sixty-six 
years  and  he  made  a  conscientious  study  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  church  and  parish,  resulting  in  a  three 
hundred  page  volume,  published  in  1875,  called 
"The  History  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of 
Stonington",  and  containing  the  records  since  1674. 
He  also  wrote  historical  sketches  of  a  number  of 
other  churches  in  New  London  county.  Indeed,  it 
is  as  a  historian  and  genealogist  that  Judge 
Wheeler's  name  is  most  widely  known  and  will  be 
perpetuated  long  after  those  fortunate  enough  to 
have  known  him  personally  have  passed  away.  In 
1900    he    published    his    "History    of    the    Town    of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


Stonington"  including  careful  genealogies  of  eighty- 
seven  families.  Many  addresses  which  he  made  at 
public  and  patriotic  gatherings  have  been  published 
in  pamphlet  form  and  have  become  a  part  of  the 
local  history  of  his  county.  He  was  the  author  of 
a  history  of  the  Pequot  Indians  and  of  a  most  inter- 
esting paper  called  "Memories."  written  at  Ihe  re- 
quest of  the  New  England  Historical  Society  and 
published  at  the  very  time  of  his  death. 

At  one  time  Judge  Wheeler  was  president  of  the 
Connecticut  Historical  Society  and  a  member  of 
similar  societies  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  in  Tennessee,  and 
the  l^awtucket  Valley.  He  was  also  a  member  of 
the  New  London  County  Historical  Society  and 
was  tendered  membership  in  the  Royal  Historical 
Society  of  London,  England.  His  mind  was  a 
ttorehouse  of  historical  and  genealogical  informa- 
tion, "the  result  of  painstaking  study  and  keen  in- 
terest. 

Judge  Wheeler  married  (first),  in  1843,  Frances 
M.  Avery.  She  died  in  1855  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond), Lucy  A.  Noycs,  who  died  October  27,  1905. 
Three  daughters,  Mrs.  Henry  Tyler,  Mrs.  Seth  N. 
Williams  and  Miss  Grace  D.  Wheeler  survived  their 
father.  Though  Judge  Wheeler  had  no  sons  he  was 
the  popular  adviser  and  comrade  of  young  men  to 
whom  he  was  a  constant  example  of  cheerfulness, 
courtesy,  unselfishness,  modesty,  integrity  and  in- 
dustry, fittingly  called  the  "grand  old  man  of  Ston- 
ington." The  purity  of  his  principles,  the  soundness 
of  his  mind,  and  the  sweetness  of  his  character  are 
best  realized  in  the  advice  which  he  himself  fol- 
lowed so  admirably.  "Be  a  Christian,  love  your 
home  and  country,  cultivate  habits  of  industry  and 
perseverance,  study  to  strengthen  and  enrich  your 
mind,  take  an  interest  in  those  about  you  to  do 
them  good,  use  your  money  in  right  and  proper 
ways  and  enjoy  each  day  of  life." 


GEORGE  ELMER  PITCHER— The  high  repu- 
tation of  Mr.  Pitcher,  who  is  a  resident  of  Norwich, 
and  his  extended  professional  connections,  cover- 
ing a  period  of  more  than  a  third  of  a  century,  ren- 
der superfluous  any  introduction  other  than  the  in- 
scription of  his  name  at  the  head  of  this  article. 
He  has  been  active  in  the  public  life  of  his  com- 
munity, filling  for  long  terms  the  offices  of  city  en- 
gineer and  town  surveyor. 

George  W.  Pitcher,  father  of  George  Elmer 
Pitcher,  was  born  December  12,  1829,  in  Norvvich- 
town,  called  Peck's  Corner,  and  at  the  age  of  nine 
years  was  bound  out  to  a  family  named  Huntington, 
in  Franklin,  Connecticut.  At  thirteen  he  ran  away 
and  returned  to  his  native  place,  where  he  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade  at  the  Sterry  Faucet  Works. 
After  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years,  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  firm  of  Breed  &  Wil- 
liams, who  conducted  a  large  blacksmith  shop  at 
Central  Wharf,  Norwich,  and  after  he  had  been  with 
them  about  two  years,  was  chosen  to  take  charge 
of  all  blacksmith  work  for  the  railroad  which  was 
then  in  process  of  building  and  known  as  the  New 


London,  Willimantic  &  Springfield,  but  now  the 
Central  Vermont  railroad.  Alter  being  associated 
with  Mr.  Breed  about  ten  years  in  all,  ill  health 
forced  him  to  resign  and  he  then  lived  two  years 
on  a  farm  now  known  as  the  De  Wolf  Farm,  at 
Trading  Cove,  Connecticut.  His  health  being  re- 
stored, he  found  employment  for  about  a  year  in 
a  gun  shop  conducted  by  Horace  Walker,  and  then 
entered  the  service  of  Dr.  Charles  Osgood,  of  Nor- 
wich, doing  the  forging  for  five  engines  for  steam- 
boats. About  1862  he  went  to  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  was  employed  by  Cheney  Brothers, 
who  constructed  rifles  for  use  in  the  Civil  War.  He 
enlisted,  but  so  valuable  were  his  services  to  the 
firm  that  President  Lincoln  refused  to  accept  his 
enlistment.  He  remained  with  Cheney  Brothers  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war  and  then  returned  to  Nor- 
wich, finding  employment  with  the  Mowcry  Axe- 
handle  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1868.  He  was  then  sent  for  by  the 
Wheeler  &  Wilson  Machine  Company,  of  Bridge- 
port, Connecticut,  and  remained  in  their  service 
until  October,  1876,  when  he  decided  to  retire  from 
business  and  returned  to  Norwich.  His  retirement, 
however,  was  of  short  duration.  In  the  spring  of 
1877  his  old  employers,  Cheney  Brothers,  sent  for 
him  and  he  went  with  them  to  South  Manchester, 
Connecticut,  remaining  until  May,  1897,  when  he 
again  decided  to  retire.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  an  attendant  of  the  Broadway  Con- 
gregational Church  of  Norwich.  Mr.  Pitcher 
married  Nancy  Ann  Thompson,  who  was  born 
April  6,  1831,  at  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  and 
their  children  were:  I.  Leveret  T.,  born  May  10, 
1856,  in  Thamesville,  Norwich,  and  now  lives  in 
that  town;  he  married  Lillian  Harrington,  of  Green- 
ville, Connecticut,  who  died  in  189J.  2.  George 
Elmer,  mentioned  below.  3.  Hattie  R.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  four  years.  In  October,  1897,  five  months 
after  his  second  retirement  from  business,  Mr. 
Pitcher  passed  away,  and  the  death  of  his  widow 
occurred  in  May,  1912,  in  Norwich. 

George  Elmer  Pitcher,  son  of  George  W.  and 
Nancy  Ann  (Thompson)  Pitcher,  was  born  May  23, 
1865,  at  Norwich,  and  received  his  rudimentary  edu- 
cation in  schools  of  his  birthplace,  afterward  attend- 
ing Norwich  Free  Academy  for  about  two  years. 
He  was  then  obliged  to  relinquish  his  studies  in  con- 
sequence of  illness,  but  having  recovered,  he  began, 
in  October,  1884,  to  study  civil  engineering  and  sur- 
veying under  the  preceptorship  of  C.  E.  Chandler, 
of  Norwich.  After  about  three  years'  application 
he  entered,  on  May  23,  1887,  his  twenty-second 
birthday,  into  business  for  himself.  His  office  was 
in  the  old  Piatt  building  on  Shetucket  street,  near 
the  corner  of  Main,  and  there  he  remained  until 
April,  1890,  when  he  moved  to  Providence,  Rhode 
Island,  and  engaged  with  the  Union  Street  Railroad 
Company,  which  was  then  substituting  electricity 
for  horse-power.  He  remained  with  the  company 
until  August,  1894,  and  during  this  time  with  the 
railroad  did  a  large  amount  of  work  for  the  State's 


10 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Attorney  in  the  criminal  courts  of  Providence 
county. 

It  iiad  been  Mr.  Pitcher's  intention  to  open  an 
office  in  Providence,  but  he  was  eventually  per- 
suaded to  return  to  Norwich  and  there  opened  an 
office  in  the  Chapman  building,  in  Franklin  Square. 
At  the  end  of  a  year  he  moved  to  the  Lucas  build- 
ing, at  Shetucket  and  Water  streets,  where,  for  sev- 
enteen years,  he  carried  on  a  flourishing  business. 
About  1912  the  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  and 
he  then  moved  to  his  present  quarters  on  Broadway. 
On  May  20,  1920,  he  completed  thirty-two  years  of 
State  work  for  the  criminal  courts  of  New  London 
county,  and  there  is  no  official  now  connected  with 
the  courts  who  was  holding  office  when  he  entered 
upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  in  1888.  During 
that  time  there  have  been  three  sheriffs,  three  dis- 
trict attorneys,  and  three  coroners. 

In  the  sphere  of  politics  Mr.  Pitcher  adheres  to 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  and  in  1902 
was  elected  city  engineer,  an  office  which  he  re- 
tained continuously  until  1910,  receiving  the  tribute 
of  a  re-election  in  1912  and  serving  until  1914.  For 
twenty  years  he  has  been  town  surveyor  for  Mont- 
ville,  Connecticut,  and  has  also  filled  the  same  office 
in  most  of  the  surrounding  towns.  As  surveyor  he 
has  been  sent  to  several  states  to  render  service  in 
connection  with  law  suits  and  he  does  most  of  the 
surveying  required  by  the  Norwich  attorneys  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  work.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Congregational  Church  of  Norwich  and  is 
enrolled   in  its   Brotherhood. 

Mr.  Pitcher  married,  December  25,  1888,  Mariam 
S.  Greene,  born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island, 
daughter  of  Ephraim  G.  and  Abbie  (Love)  Greene, 
both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Greene  was  a 
native  of  Cape  Cod,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  War- 
wick, Rhode  Island.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pitcher  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children  i.  Eva.  G.,  born 
November  29,  1889,  in  Norwich;  married  H.  S. 
Bailey,  and  has  one  child,  Howell  P.  2.  Lottie  T., 
born  December  6,  1891,  in  Cranston,  Rhode  Island; 
married  Gerard  L.  Ranger,  and  has  two  children, 
George  A.  and  Ilva  C.  3.  Elmer  E.,  born  Novem- 
ber 21,  1893,  who  since  1910  has  been  associated 
with  his  father  as  engineer  and  surveyor.  4.  .Mar- 
iam S.,  born  May  25,  1897,  in  Norwich,  and  is  now 
engaged  in  a  telephone  office  in  that  place.  5. 
Nancy  A.,  born  May  12,  1914,  in  Norwich. 

In  the  truest  sense  of  the  word  Mr.  Pitcher  has 
been  a  successful  man.  He  has  built  up  a  strong 
and  prosperous  business  and  in  doing  so  has  com- 
manded the  high  respect  and  friendly  regard  of  his 
fellow-citizens  of  New  London  county. 


JOHN  SANDS  SPICER— Until  his  passing,  John 

S.  Spicer  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  and  influential  in  public  life  in  both 
Ledyard  and  Norwich;  Ledyard  was  the  family 
home  until  1893,  when  Mr.  Spicer  disposed  of  the 
business  he  was  then  conducting  and  bought  a  well 


located  farm  on  Laurel  Hill,  Norwich.  But  he  was 
more  the  business  man  than  the  farmer  and  after 
a  few  years  he  entered  business  life,  retaining  the 
Laurel  Hill  estate  where  Mrs.  Spicer  dispensed  a 
charming  hospitality.  Mrs.  Spicer  survives  her 
husband  and  continues  to  make  her  home  on  the 
Laurel  Hill  farm  where  so  many  of  the  years  of  her 
married  life  were  spent.  Mrs.  Spicer  descends  from 
John  and  Jane  (Hubbard)  Williams,  through  their 
son  Peter  Williams  and  his  wife  Michel  Lambert; 
their  son  John  Williams  and  his  wife  Susanna 
Latham;  their  son  Peter  Williams  and  his  wife 
Mary  Morgan;  their  son  John  Williams  and  his 
wife  Phoebe  Williams;  their  son  Peter  Williams  and 
his  wife  Susan  Barnes;  their  daughter  Anna  M.  Wil- 
liams married  John  Sands  Spicer,  whom  she  sur- 
vives. 

(I)  The  Spicer  ancestry  in  New  England  begins 
with  Peter  Spicer,  who  settled  in  that  part  of  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  now  called  Ledyard,  in 
the  year  1666,  on  twenty  acres  granted  him  by  the 
township  of  New  London,  the  land  lying  near  the 
line  of  the  town  of  Norwich.  The  tract  is  now  en- 
tirely in  the  hands  of  strangers.  Peter  is  believed 
to  have  come  to  Connecticut  from  Virginia  and  to 
have  been  a  son  of  Edward  Spicer  who  came  from 
England  to  Virginia  in  1635.  He  fought  in  King 
Philip's  War  and  received  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  the  colony  land  at  Voluntown,  Connecticut. 
That  grant  was  sold  by  his  son  Edward  in  1719, 
Peter  Spicer's  estate  being  inventoried  in  1695, 
which  is  the  year  of  his  death.  He  married  in  War- 
wick, Rhode  Island,  the  record  there  stating  the 
date  as  December  15,  1670,  the  bride  "Mary  Busecot 
of  ye  town  of  Warwick  in  ye  town  of  Warwick." 
Nine  children  are  named  in  the  settlement  of  his  es- 
tate, Edward  presumably  the  eldest,  as  he  inherited 
the  greater  part  of  his  father's  estate. 

(II)  Edward  Spicer,  son  of  Peter  and  Mary 
(Busecot)  Spicer,  was  born,  it  is  believed,  in  Led- 
yard, Connecticut,  his  name  being  often  mentioned 
here  in  town  meeting  records  and  in  land  records. 
He  inherited  the  homestead  farm  which,  in  1719,  he 
deeded  to  his  only  son  John  Spicer,  but  ownership 
not  to  pass  during  the  lifetime  of  Edward  or  his 
wife.  About  1695  he  married  Catherine  Stone, 
daughter  of  Hugh  and  Abigail  (Busecot)  Stone,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  their 
births  recorded  in  Groton,  the  second  child  a  son, 
John. 

(III)  John  Spicer,  eldest  son  of  Edward  and 
Catherine  (Stone)  Spicer,  was  born  at  Groton, 
Connecticut,  January  i,  1698,  and  there  died  Au- 
gust 28,  1753.  He  also  married  in  Groton,  in  1720, 
Mary  Geer,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Tyler) 
Geer,  of  that  town,  and  on  January  11,  1762,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Allyn.  By  his  first  marriage  John  Spicer 
had  six  children,  his  marriages  and  the  births  of 
his  children  being  all  recorded  in   Groton. 

(IV)  Edward  Spicer,  eldest  child  of  John  and 
Mary  (Geer)  Spicer,  was  born  in  Groton,  Connecti- 
cut, April  4,  1721,  and  there  died  in  December,  1797. 
He   married,  October   17,   1743,  Hannah   Bill,  daugh- 


^^_^,/V5C^     -tC-Tt^^Ct^^-CY 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


II 


tcr  of  Joshua  and  Hannah  Bill,  born  September  30, 
1725,  who  died  between  December  15,  1759,  the  date 
of  the  birth  of  her  youngest  and  seventh  child,  and 
October  18,  1762,  the  date  of  the  marriage  of  Edward 
Spicer  to  Abigail  Allyn,  his  second  wife.  Abigail 
of  John  and  Johanna  (Miner)  /illyn.  They  we^e 
Allyn  was  born  in  Groton,  June  25,  1737,  daughter 
the  parents  of  five  children,  the  fourth  a  son  John, 
bis  father's   eleventh   child. 

(V)  John  Spicer,  fourth  child  of  Edward  Spicer 
and  his  second  wife,  Abigail  Allyn,  was  born  in 
Groton,  Connecticut,  August  14,  1770,  died  in  Lcd- 
yard,  Connecticut,  March  2,  1856.  He  lived  and 
died  on  the  homestead  farm  left  by  his  father,  and 
was  a  man  of  prosperity  and  prominence.  He 
served  the  town  of  Groton  as  selectman  from  1803 
to  1806,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature 
at  New  Haven  in  1806,  and  at  Hartford  in  1807. 
He  was  also  instrumental  in  dividing  'the  town  of 
Groton  in  1836,  his  farm  being  in  the  part  set  off 
as  Ledyard.  He  married,  at  Groton,  September  7, 
1794,  Elizabeth  Latham,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  the  eighth  a  son,  Edmund  Spicer. 

(VI)  Captain  Edmund  Spicer,  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Latham)  Spicer,  was  born  in  North 
Groton,  Connecticut  (now  Ledyard),  January  11, 
1812,  died  at  his  home  in  Ledyard,  May  I,  1890.  He 
was  educated  in  the  town  schools  and  in  his  early 
manhood  taught  school  for  a  number  of  terms  in 
the  district  schools,  with  excellent  results.  He  suc- 
ceeded his  father  in  the  ownership  of  the  home- 
stead farm  near  the  center  of  the  town  and  there 
resided  until  the  close  of  his  life,  holding  a  position 
in  the  community  which  commanded  general  re- 
spect. In  addition  to  his  farm  he  also  managed  a 
mercantile  business  and  was  frequently  honored  by 
his  townsmen  with  public  olTice.  He  was  captain  of 
a  rifle  company  for  several  of  his  younger  years  of 
manhood,  thus  gaining  the  title  which  he  bore 
through  life.  He  was  chosen  selectman  no  less 
than  seven  times  between  the  years  1836  and  1851; 
was  town  clerk  and  treasurer  from  1853  until  1865; 
representative  to  the  State  Legislature  in  1849; 
and  probate  judge  for  twelve  consecutive  years, 
1855  until  1867,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster, 
an  office  he  held  as  long  as  he  lived.  In  1862  he  was 
a  candidate  for  State  Senator,  and  for  eighteen  years 
prior  to  1885  was  secretary  of  the  Bill  Library 
Association  of  Ledyard,  of  which,  from  the  date  of 
its  organization  in  1867,  until  his  passing  in  1890, 
he  was  the  treasurer  and  librarian.  In  a  memorial 
resolution  the  Association  placed  on  record  the 
high  appreciation  in  which  Mr.  Spicer  was  held  by 
his  associates  and  testified  to  his  ability  and  fidelity 
in  the  discharge  of  the  varied  but  highly  important 
trusts  committed  to  his  care.  In  religious  faith  Mr. 
Spicer  was  a  Congregationalist,  uniting  with  the 
church  in  Ledyard  in  1843,  and  served  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  as  a  member  of  the  church  committee 
and  as  chairman  of  the  standing  committee  of  the 
Ecclesiastical  Society  for  several  years  prior  to  his 
death. 


Captain  Spicer  married,  November  16,  1836, 
Bethia  W.  Avery,  who  died  March  7,  1886,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Sands  and  Bethia  (Williams)  Avery,  of 
Groton.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
I.  Mary  Abby,  born  September  23,  1837,  married 
George  Fanning.  2.  John  Sands,  of  further  men- 
tion, to  w^hom  this  review  is  dedicated.  3.  Jo- 
seph Latham,  born  March  4,  1845,  died  in  infancy. 
4.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  .Vugust  3,  1847,  married 
Nathan  Larrabee  Lester.  5.  Caroline  Gallup,  born 
May  28,  1850,  married  Amos  Lester.  6.  Cecelia 
Williams,  born  September  30,  1852,  married  Jona- 
than Fairbanks  Lester.  7.  Edward  Eugene,  born 
July  25,  1856,  married  Sarah  Adelaide  Griswold. 
8.  George  Walter,  born  December  31,  1858,  mar- 
ried  Fannie   Elizabeth   Griswold. 

(VII)  John  Sands  Spicer,  eldest  son  of  Captain 
Edmund  and  Bethia  W.  Avery,  was  born  in  Led- 
yard, New  London  county,  Connecticut,  September 
20,  1842,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Norwich,  Connecti- 
cut, May  13,  1906.  He  grew  to  youthful  manhood  at 
his  home  farm  in  Ledyard,  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict public  schools  and  at  Connecticut  Literary  In- 
stitute, at  Suffield,  Connecticut,  and  there  for  one 
winter  taught  the  home  district  public  school.  He 
continued  as  his  father's  farm  and  store  assistant 
until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1890,  then  with  his 
brother,  George  Spicer,  bought  the  store  from  the 
estate,  and  for  a  time  operated  it  as  a  partnership. 
Later  Mr.  Spicer  bought  his  partner's  interest,  and 
continued  the  business  alone  until  1893,  when  he 
sold  his  mercantile  business  and  bought  the  farm 
on  Laurel  Hill,  Norwich,  Connecticut.  Here  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  exclusively,  until  1899,  when  he 
re-entered  mercantile  life,  establishing  a  retail  groc- 
ery store  at  No.  118  Water  street,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  conduct  until  his  retirement.  He  also 
operated  a  feed,  grain  and  hay  business  on  the  same 
street  and  conducted  botli  departments  very  suc- 
cessfully. He  was  trustee  of  the  Chelsea  Savings 
Bank  of  Norwich,  succeeding  his  father  on  the 
board,  and  a  treasurer  of  the  Bill  Library  Associa- 
tion at  Ledyard,  holding  both  these  responsible  po- 
sitions until  the  close  of  his  life.  He  also  followed 
his  honored  father  as  postmaster  of  Ledyard,  an 
office  he  held  until  removing  to  Laurel  Hill,  Nor- 
wich, in  1893,  when  he,  of  course,  resigned.  He  was 
an  excellent  business  man,  successful  in  his  private 
enterprises  and  as  careful  in  handling  public  or  cor- 
porate business  as  though  it  were  his  own.  He  was 
very  active  in  the  Congregational  church  while  a 
resident  in  Ledyard,  but  after  movmg  to  Norwich 
joined  the  Broadway  Church.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat,  but  from  IQ06  until  his  death  was  iden- 
tified with  the  Republican   party. 

Mr.  Spicer  married,  in  Ledyard,  May  27,  1873, 
Anna  M.  Williams,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Susan 
(Barnes)  Williams.  Peter  Williams  was  born  in 
Ledyard,  Connecticut,  December  12,  1810,  died  at 
the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  John  S.  Spicer  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  October  2,  1899,  son  of  John 
and   Phoebe   Williams,   his   father   a   farmer.     Peter 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Williams  grew  up  a  farmer  and  after  reaching  man's 
estate  settled  on  a  farm  near  the  Williams  home- 
stead and  there  resided  until  the  death  of  his  fa- 
ther, November  28,  1864.  He  then  returned  to  the 
homestead  and  there  resided  until  the  death  of  his 
wife,  Ikfarch  10,  1888,  when  he  went  to  the  home  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  John  S.  Spicer,  later  removing 
with  her  to  the  new  homestead  at  Laurel  Hill,  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  an 
attendant  of  the  Congregational  church  and  al- 
though he  was  approaching  his  eighty-ninth  birth- 
day, was  in  full  possession  of  his  health  and  mental 
vigor,  his  death  being  hastened  by  a  fall.  He  was 
a  man  highly  esteemed  for  his  manly,  upright,  in- 
dustrious life.  He  married  in  Preston,  Connecticut, 
Susan  Barnes,  born  in  Ledyard,  December  18,  1815, 
daughter  of  Amos  and  Mary  (Williams)  Barnes, 
the  latter  a  daughter  of  Uriah  and  Johanna  (Sted- 
man)  Williams.  Mrs.  Susan  (Barnes)  Williams,  a 
most  lovable  and  estimable  lady,  died  March  10, 
1888,  leaving  a  daughter,  Anna  M.,  now  the  widow 
of  John  Sands  Spicer,  and  an  adopted  daughter, 
Mary  Ann,  who  was  born  ,\pril  i,  1847,  married 
Israel  Allyn,  and  died  in  Lcdyara,  leaving  three 
children:  Henry;  William;  and  Susan,  wife  of  Wil- 
liam E.  Baldwin.  To  John  Sands  and  Anna  M. 
(Williams)  Spicer  four  children  were  born:  i. 
John  Williams,  born  April  11,  1874,  a  graduate  of 
Norwich  Business  College  and  of  Norwich  Free 
Academy,  and  now  engaged  in  business  as  a  mer- 
chant. He  married,  November  3,  1906,  Florence 
Elizabeth  Bradford,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children:  Elizabeth  Barnes,  Dorn  October  30, 
1907;  Dorothy  Williams,  March  14,  1909;  Beatrice 
Bradford,  October  9,  1911;  Marie  Marsh,  April  20, 
1913;  Helen  Avery,  November  6,  1914;  William 
Bradford,  July  12,  1917;  and  John  Williams,  April 
13,  1920.  2.  Joseph  Edmund,  born  February  17, 
1878,  a  graduate  of  Norwich  Business  College,  also 
a  merchant.  He  married  Frances  M.  Parkhurst, 
October  2,  1904,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Anna  Williams,  born  January  17,  1906; 
George  Edmund,  born  May  20,  1908;  and  John 
Sands,  born  January  11,  1915.  3.  Susan,  born 
March  12,  1880,  a  graduate  of  Norwich  Free  Acad- 
emy, class  of  1900,  and  a  student  at  Simmonds  Col- 
lege in  1912,  married  Walter  B.  Crooks,  September 
17,  1912,  and  has  two  children:  Margaret  Anna,  born 
June  13,  1913;  and  Walter  B.  Jr.,  born  June  2,  1920. 
4.  Frank,  born  August  23,  1883,  a  graduate  of  Nor- 
wich Free  Academy,  class  of  1904,  and  now  a  mer- 
chant in  Norwich;  married,  December  9,  1907,  Mar- 
guerite  MacNeil. 

Mrs.  Anna  M.  Spicer  continues  her  residence  at 
the  Laurel  Hill  farm,  Norwich,  to  which  she  first 
came  in  1893,  having  resided  in  Ledyard  during  the 
previous  twenty  years  of  her  married  life.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Broadway  Church,  of  Norwich, 
and   a  lady   highly  esteemed. 


EDGAR  RUTHVEN  CHAMPION— When  Henry 
Champion,  the  founder  of  the  family  in   New  Eng- 


land, sought  permanent  settlement,  he  came  to  that 
part  of  the  town  of  Lyme  now  known  as  the  "Meet- 
ing House  Hill"  and  in  that  town  Champions  have 
ever  resided,  valiant  in  war  and  most  useful  in  the 
gentler  arts  of  peace.  This  review  deals  with  the 
ancestry  and  career  of  a  present  day  representative 
of  the  family,  Edgar  Ruthven  Champion,  Ph.G.^ 
pharmaceutical  chemist,  in  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
and  New  York  City,  now  in  the  general  insurance 
business  in  the  old  Lyme,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut.  Descent  is  traced  in  this  line  from 
Henry  Champion,,  the  settler,  through  his  son, 
Henry  (2)  and  his  wife,  Susanna  (De  Wolf)  Cham- 
pion; their  son  Captain  Henry  (3)  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  (Peterson)  Champion;  their  son  Captain 
Henry  (4)  and  his  wife,  Sarah  (Peck)  Champion; 
their  son  Henry  (5)  and  his  wife,  Eunice  (Miller) 
Champion;  their  son  Frederick  and  his  wife,  Mary 
(Rogers)  Champion;  their  son,  Calvin  Ilurnham  and 
his  wife,  Ann  Rachel  (Slate)  Champion;  their  son, 
Wallace  Ruthven,  and  his  wife,  Lillie  Louise  C.  (But- 
ler) Champion;  their  son  Edgar  Ruthven  and  his 
wife,  Edith  Josephine  (Valentine)  Champion;  their 
children:  Edgar  Wallace  and  ClifTord  Valentine  of 
the  tenth  generation  of  the  family  founded  in  Lyme 
by   Henry   Champion. 

(i)  Henry  Champion,  the  ancestor  of  the  Ameri- 
can Champions,  came  from  Old  England  to  New 
England  and  settled  at  Saybrook,  Connecticut, 
where  he  is  found  as  early  as  1647.  The  first  known 
records  of  the  town  of  Saybrook  were  begun  about 
1660  and  several  tracts  of  lands  are  there  recorded 
in  his  name.  He  was  married  twice  and  had  six 
children.  After  having  assisted  in  the  development 
of  Saybrook,  he  moved  his  family  to  the  cast  side 
of  the  Connecticut  river,  where  most  of  his  lands 
were  situated,  and  settled  in  that  part  of  Lyme^ 
now  known  as  "Meeting  House  Hill,"  and  became 
one  of  the  first  and  most  active  founders  of  Lyme. 
He  built  his  house  near  the  old  burying  ground  and 
occupied  himself  chiefly  with  agriculture.  Of  the 
wife  of  Henry  Champion  no  particulars  as  to  name 
or  family  have  been  gleaned  from  the  early  records; 
"she  was  probably  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  early 
Saybrook  Settlers,"  says  F.  B.  Trowbridge,  in  his 
Champion  Genealogy.  "The  exact  date  of  her  death 
and  birth  are  likewise  unknown,  so  that  she  has 
come  on,  been  the  mother  of  children,  and  passed 
off  the  stage  and  we  know  nothing  more  of  her." 

"His  second  wife  was  a  shrewd,  scheming  woman, 
for  she  induced  this  old  man  to  make  a  very  advan- 
tageous marriage  settlement  upon  her,  and  finally  in- 
volved him  in  a  law  suit  with  the  widow  of  his  eld- 
est son,  w!io  resisted  the  resumption  of  her  father- 
in-law's  gifts  made  to  her  husband,  and  maintained 
in  a  very  spirited  manner  the  rights  of  herself  and 
children." 

(II)  His  son  Henry,  to  whom  he  gave  the  land 
and  who  also  received  several  tracts  from  the  town 
by  grant  also  lived  at  "Meeting  House  Hill,"  married 
Susanna  DeWolf  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


13 


(III)  Captain  Henry  Champion,  a  grandson  of 
the  settler,  married  Sarah  Peterson  and  they  had 
four  children  born  in  Lyme.  He  was  appointed  en- 
sign of  a  company  in  Lyme,  and  was  promoted  cap- 
tain on   May  9,   1734. 

(IV)  Captain  Henry  Champion,  a  great-grand- 
son of  the  settler,  was  also  born  in  Lyme,  and  mar- 
ried Sarah  Peck.  He  was  appointed  lieutenant  of 
the  company  of  Lyme,  and  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  captain  on  May  9,  1771.  He  lived  in  that 
part  of  Lyme,  known  as  Flat  Rock  Hill  and  was  a 
man  of  quite  some  means.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-three,  leaving  a  wife  and  seven  children. 

(V)  Henry  Champion,  of  the  fifth  generation, 
■was  born  in  Lyme,  in  1769,  had  served  in  the  War  of 
1812.  He  married  Eunice  Miller  and  had  seven  chil- 
dren. He  was  the  largest  landowner  in  the  town 
of  Lyme,  besides  owning  what  was  known  as  the 
Goshen  farm  in  New  London  on  which  the  Pequot 
House  stands. 

(VI)  His  son,  Frederick,  was  born  in  South 
Lyme,  1795.  He  also  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  He 
married  (first)  in  1820,  Mary  Rogers  (second),  a 
Miss  Tinker.  Nine  children  were  born  by  the  first 
wife,  and  one  by  the  second. 

(VII)  Calvin  Burnham  Champion  was  born  in 
Old  Lyme,  Connecticut,  September  21,  1824,  died  at 
his  farm  "Between  the  Rivers"  in  Old  Lyme,  Au- 
gust 3,  1876.  In  early  life  he  followed  the  sea  but 
after  his  marriage  he  became  a  farmer,  the  acres 
he  owned  and  tilled  in  Old  Lyme  yet  being  owned 
in  the  family.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church.  He  married  Ann  Rachel 
Slate,  who  died  in  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut,  in  her 
eighty-sixth  year.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children:  I.  Philena  Augusta,  born  March  9,  1848, 
married  G.  W.  DeWoIf.  2.  Wallace  Ruthven,  born 
September  19,  1849.  3.  Calvin  Winslow,  born  April 
22,  1851,  died  June  23,  1874.  4.  Christine,  born  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1853,  married  John  Downer.  5.  Frederick 
Lathroup,  born  September  25,  1854,  died  1858.  6. 
Israel,  born  September  18,  1856,  died  1859.  7. 
Imogene  .'\bigail,  born  October  8,  1858,  married  J. 
Hopper.  8.  Ann  Mehetable,  born  June  14,  i860, 
married  H.  Lay.  9.  Mary  Rogers,  born  May  28, 
1862,  married  Rev.  J.  C.  Lamb.  10.  Ida  Jane,  born 
June  10,  1864,  married  H.  M.  Caulkins.  11.  Roger 
Burnham,  born  May  30,  1866,  married  A.  Daniels. 
12.  .Ansel  .Anderson,  born  .Xpril  19,  1868,  married 
Ella  Ashley.  13.  Edith  Manwaring,  born  June  7, 
1870,  died  1886.  14.  Edward  GrifTin,  born  February 
28,  1872.     15.  Virgil,  born  January  28,  1874. 

(VIII)  Wallace  Ruthven  Champion,  eldest  son  of 
Calvin  Burnham  Champion,  was  born  in  Old  Lyme, 
Connecticut,  September  19,  1849,  and  there  yet  re- 
sides, a  merchant,  although  previously  in  business 
elsewhere.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  old  farm  in 
Lyme  "Between  the  Rivers",  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  school.  He  elected  mercantile  life  and 
was  formerly  in  business  in  Meriden,  Connecticut, 
then  returned  to  Old  Lyme  where  he  is  yet  in  busi- 
ness (1922).     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has 


served  his  town  as  clerk.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  mar- 
ried Lillie  Louise  Cummings  Butler,  born  in 
Wrcntham,  Massachusetts,  October  24,  1852,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Frederick  Robins  and  Harriet  Louise 
(Cummings)  Butler,  her  father  a  physician  of  Rock 
Hills  and  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  but  now  deceased. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Butler  had  other  children:  Arthur, 
of  Lyme;  Blanche,  married  Carl  Morgan  of  New 
York;  Bertha,  married  F'red  Fo.x,  of  Center  Brook, 
Connecticut.  Wallace  R.  and  Lillie  Louise  Cum- 
mings (Butler)  Champion  arc  the  parents  of  three 
children:  i.  Edgar  Ruthven,  of  further  mention; 
2.  Florence  Augusta,  born  October  20,  1875,  at  East 
River,  Connecticut,  died  at  Upper  Montclair,  New 
Jersey,  in  1920,  graduated  from  Morgan  School  and 
Smith  College;  married  Reverend  Rodney  Roundy, 
a  graduate  of  Amherst  and  Yale,  and  now  secretary 
of  Home  Mission  Council,  New  York  City,  and  had 
three  children:  Paul  Champion  Roundy,  Rodney 
Roundy,  Jr.,  and  Virginia  Roundy.  3.  Gertrude 
Louise  Champion,  born  December  2,  1880,  in  Old 
Lyme,  Connecticut,  graduated  from  Morgan  School 
and  Smith  College;  married  Reverend  Grove  Ekins, 
a  graduate  of  .Amherst  and  Yale,  now  (1922)  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  church  of  Rocky  Hill,  Connec- 
ticut, and  they  arc  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Robert  Champion  Ekins,  Margaret  Lass  Ekins, 
Grove  Frederick  Ekins,  and  Sarah  Louise  Ekins. 

(IX)  Edgar  Ruthven  Champion,  of  the  ninth 
American  generation  of  his  family,  son  of  Wallace 
R.  and  Lillie  Louise  Cummings  (Bu'tler)  Champion, 
was  born  in  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut,  April  16,  1872. 
He  was  educated  in  Old  Lyme  Academy,  Morgan 
High  School,  and  the  College  of  Pharmacy,  Columbia 
University,  New  York.  His  father  was  then  clerk 
in  the  Roger  DeWolf  store,  but  later  removed  to 
East  River,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  a  grocery 
clerk.  A  little  later,  Wallace  R.  Champion  moved 
to  Hartford  and  opened  a  wholesale  fiour,  feed  and 
grain  store  on  Main  street  where  he  remained  for 
several  years,  afterward  returning  to  Old  Lyme 
where,  for  the  firm  of  Morley  and  Champion,  he 
conducted  the  grocery  business  at  the  "Corner 
Store."  After  graduation  from  Columbia  Uni- 
versity, Edgar  R.  Champion  entered  the  service  of 
A.  W.  Sawtelle,  Hartford,  Connecticut,  for  about 
one  year  and  it  was  while  there  he  married,  and  ac- 
cepted a  position  with  the  Marwick  Drug  Company 
as  pharmaceutical  chemist.  Later  he  resigned  and 
returned  to  New  York  as  manager  of  the  Garretson 
Pharmacy,  where  he  remained  for  several  years. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  uncle,  Roger  B.  Champion,  he 
returned  to  his  birthplace  and  assisted  his  father  at 
the  "Corner  Store."  Here  he  continued  for  ten 
years  when  he  entered  the  insurance  field  for  the 
Connecticut  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  and 
gradually  built  up  a  general  insurance  business.  He 
moved  from  Hartford  to  Old  Lyme,  and  there 
opened  an  office  representing  twelve  of  the  largest 
insurance  companies  in  America.  In  politics  Mr. 
Champion  is  a  Democrat  and  has  for  a  number  of 


14 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


years  taken  an  active  part  in  town  public  affairs. 
He  has  served  as  member  of  the  school  board,  act- 
ing scliool  visitor,  financial  agent,  health  officer. 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  chairman  of  the  board  pf 
relief.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum, 
Flushing,  New  York;  Pythagoras  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  of  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut,  past 
master;  Burning  Bush  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  and  president  of  Past  Masters'  Association 
of  the  Seventh  Masonic  District,  Essex,  Connecti- 
cut; and  of  Old  Lyme  Grange,  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry. He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church. 

Mr.  Champion  married,  October  li,  1893,  Edith 
Josephine  Valentine,  born  in  New  York  City,  June 
7,  1870,  only  daughter  of  Peter  J.  and  Elizabeth 
(Clark)  Valentine,  her  father  (now  deceased),  born 
in  New  York  City,  where  he  was  a  wholesale 
dealer  in  meats;  her  mother  born  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  died  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  aged  fifty-six. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edgar  Ruthven  Champion  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  sons:  i.  Edgar  Wallace  Champion, 
born  April  30,  1894,  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  mar- 
ried, October  4,  1919,  Netta  Madeline  Strong,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  H.  and  Marie  Bugbee  Strong.  He 
volunteered  his  services  before  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War,  and  joined  Troop  B,  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut.  This  troup  afterwards  became 
the  loist  Machine  Gun  Battalion  of  the  26th  Divi- 
sion. He  served  in  si.x  sectors  in  France  and  was 
honorably  discharged  upon  his  return  to  his  native 
land  after  the  armistice,  and  again  assumed  his  du- 
ties as  examiner  in  the  Aetna  Insurance  Company, 
Hartford,  Connecticut.  2.  Clifford  Valentine  Cham- 
pion, born  November  15,  1901,  in  Flushing,  New 
York,  now  associated  with  his  father  in  general  in- 
surance at  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut. 


JUDGE  NELSON  J.  AYLING— The  life  histories 
of  New  England's  prominent  men  run  far  back  and 
are  bound  up  with  the  history  of  this  country  and 
with  the  history  of  the  countries  of  Europe.  The 
Ayling  family  came  to  this  country  after  the  coast 
strip  had  been  fairly  well  settled  and  when  Penn- 
sylvania was  beginning  to  receive  the  advance  wave 
of  the  westward  flow  of  population. 

From  the  County  of  Surrey,  England,  came  John 
Ayling,  grandfather  of  Nelson  J.  Ayling,  bringing 
with  him  his  wife,  Jane  (Trussler)  Ayling,  and  his 
family.  They  settled  in  Columbus  township,  War- 
ren county,  Pennsylvania,  then  a  comparatively  new 
section  close  to  the  frontier  where  the  conditions 
of  pioneer  life  must  be  met.  They  reared  a  family 
of  thirteen  children,  each  of  whom  lived  to  marry 
and  have  children  of  their  own.  One  of  the  thirteen 
was  Henry  M.  Ayling,  father  of  Judge  Ayling,  who, 
born  June  26,  1835,  in  the  County  of  Surrey,  Eng- 
land, came  to  this  country  with  his  father  when  he 
was  a  young  lad  and  lived  the  strenuous  life  of  the 
frontier,  helping  on  the  farm  and  adding  to  his 
substance  by  lumbering  in  the  winter  season.  Later 
in  life,  he  went  into  the  lumbering  business  for  him- 


silf,  rafting  the  lumber  down  the  Allegheny  river 
and  often  down  to  Ohio  river  ports.  Still  later, 
Henry  M.  Ayling  concentrated  his  attention  upon 
farming,  in  which,  as  in  the  lumbering  business,  he 
was  successful,  and  became  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  his  section,  where  he  and  his  wife  were  very 
highly  esteemed  and  numbered  among  the  best 
citizens.  He  married  Mary  Carrier,  daughter  of 
Nelson  and  Thurza  (Marble)  Carrier,  the  paternal 
ancestry  of  whom  goes  back  two  hundred  years  of 
New  England  history  to  the  time  of  the  Salem 
witchcraft,  when  Martha  (.'Mien)  Carrier,  wife  of 
Thomas  Carrier,  was  burned  at  the  stake  in  1692. 
Henry  M.  and  Mary  (Carrier)  Ayling  had  two  chil- 
dren: Nelson  J.,  of  whom  further;  and  Lola  M., 
whose  husband,  William  R.  Carr,  holds  a  position 
of  trust  with  the  Erie  Railroad  Company.  Henry 
M.  Ayling  was  an  active  supporter  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  and  served  as  commissioner  of  Warren 
county,   Pennsylvania. 

Nelson  J.  Ayling  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
where,  except  for  the  time  he  was  away  at  school, 
he  passed  the  first  nineteen  years  of  his  life.  He 
did  his  share  of  work  on  the  farm  and  acquired  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  farm  work,  but  his  ambi- 
tions led  in  other  directions,  and  when  his  high 
school  course  was  finished,  he  went  to  Oswego, 
New  York,  and  entered  the  business  college  there, 
after  which  he  took  a  position  as  bookkeeper  and 
stenographer  with  Sawyer,  Manning  &  Company, 
yarn  and  knit  goods  manufacturers,  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  remaining  with  them  until  1891, 
when  he  accepted  a  similar  position  with  Union 
Hardware  Company,  of  Torrington,  Connecticut. 
This  last  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  known  con- 
cerns of  Connecticut,  and  they  recognized  young 
Ayling's  ability  and  faithfulness  by  increasing  his 
responsibilities,  making  him  purchasing  agent  and 
giving  him  full  charge  of  the  requisition  department. 
But  Mr.  Ayling's  connections  with  the  manufactur- 
ing business  served  him  only  as  a  means  to  an  end, 
and  the  tempting  future  opening  before  him  in  the 
business  world  was  powerless  to  hold  him  when 
he  saw  his  way  clear  to  begin  to  realize  his  ultimate 
aim.  In  1894  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  Halsey 
&  Briscoe,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  New  London  county  in  De- 
cember, 1898.  He  began  active  practice  at  once, 
which  he  continued  with  unusual  success  until  he 
was  appointed  judge  of  probate  of  the  Norwich 
District,  January   I,  1905. 

The  Norwich  Probate  District  is  the  largest  in 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  and  includes  seven  towns: 
Norwich,  Griswold,  Preston,  Lisbon,  Franklin, 
Sprague,  and  Voluntown.  To  the  responsibilities  of 
this  large  district  Mr.  Ayling  brought  qualifications 
of  a  high  order,  not  the  least  being  his  faithfulness 
and  thoroughness.  He  has  made  a  close  study  of 
the  working  of  the  probate  courts  and  of  probate 
law,  and  in  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Probate 
Judges  Association  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  has 
been  an  earnest  and  largely  successful  advocate  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


15 


standardization  of  the  application  of  the  probate 
laws  of  the  State,  of  ways  and  means  management, 
and  of  probate  court  procedure.  That  the  district 
he  serves  has  appreciated  the  high  quality  of  his 
work  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  since  his  first 
election  in  1905,  he  has  been  bi-annually  re-elected 
without  a  single  interim.  In  each  of  tlicse  consecu- 
tive elections,  with  the  e.KCcption  of  the  last  three, 
he  has  been  the  candidate  of  both  the  Republican 
and  the  Democratic  parties,  a  case  of  fusion  which 
has  been  true  of  no  other  candidate  in  the  history  of 
the  district.  Politically,  Mr.  Ayling  supports  the 
Republican  party,  but  "that  honest  service  has  been 
appreciated  by  both  parties  is  clearly  shown  in  the 
elections  of  the  last  sixteen  years.  He  works  hard 
for  the  success  of  his  party,  however,  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  its  strongest  men  in  Norwich.  In 
November  1902,  he  was  elected  to  the  Connecticut 
Senate  from  the  Tenth  District,  where  he  served 
as  chairman  of  three  important  committees:  .Agri- 
culture, Rules  (Joint),  and  Amendments  (Joint), 
and  rendered  valuable  service. 

Judge  Ayling  is  a  trustee  of  the  Norwich  Savings 
Society.  With  his  numerous  and  exacting  duties, 
he  finds  time  for  fraternal  affiliations.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  of  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  of  Franklin  Council,  No.  3,  Royal  and  Se- 
lect Masters;  Columbian  Commandery,  No.  4, 
Knights  Templar,  Norwich;  and  of  Sphinx  Temple, 
Hartford,  Ancient  .Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mys- 
tic Shrine.  He  is  a  past  commander  of  Harmony 
Lodge,  No.  27,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  a  member 
of  Harmony  Division,  Uniform  Rank,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Torrington,  Connecticut;  now  a  member 
of  Gardner  Lodge,  No.  16,  Norwich;  a  member  of 
Norwich  Lodge,  No.  430,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  of  which  he  is  a  past  exalted  ruler, 
having  been  exalted  ruler  when  the  new  home  on 
Main  street  was  built,  and  chairman  of  the  building 
committee  that  erected  the  new  lodge  room  addi- 
tion; a  member  of  the  Past  Exalted  Rulers'  Associa- 
tion, and  of  the  Arcanum   Club,  of  Norwich. 

Judge  Ayling  is  also  president  and  director  of 
the  Richmond  Lace  Works,  Richmond,  Rhode  Is- 
land; and  a  director  of  the  Algonquin  Company,  of 
the  Manhassett  Land  Company,  and  of  the  Nassau 
Development  Company,  all  of  Norwich,  but  having 
offices  in  New  York  City.  He  is  also  a  trustee  of 
the  Norwich  State  Hospital,  and  a  member  of  the 
New  London  County  Bar  Association  and  of  the 
Connecticut    State    Bar    Association. 

On  June  ",  1904.  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  he 
married  Mildred  GifTord,  daughter  of  G.  Parker  and 
Olive  E.  (Fisher)  Gifford,  of  that  city.  They  had 
two  children:  John  Henry,  born  September  10,  1912, 
and  died  June  10,  1920;  and  Ruth  Gifford,  born  De- 
cember I,  1915.     Mrs.  Ayling  died  March  9,  1916. 


CARLISLE    FRANKLIN    FERRIN,    M.  D.,    an 

eminent  physician  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  is  a 
son  of  Dr.  Chester  Manuel  Ferrin,  born  in  Holland, 


Vermont,  who  in  youthful  manhood  enlisted  in  the 
Hospital  Corps  attached  to  the  Eighth  Regiment, 
Vermont  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  thai 
organization  all  through  the  Civil  War.  In  1865 
he  returned  to  his  native  Vermont  and  became  a 
medical  student,  attending  Harvard  Medical  School 
and  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Vermont,  receiving  his  M.D.  from  the  last-named 
institution.  He  began  professional  practice  in  East 
St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont,  but  later  moved  to  Essex 
Junction,  Vermont,  where  he  practiced  for  more 
than  forty  years.  This  veteran  of  war  and  medical 
practice  then  retired  and  now  (1921)  resides  in  the 
city  of  Burlington,  Vermont,  not  far  from  Essex 
Junction,  the  scene  of  so  much  of  his  professional 
activity.  For  many  years  he  has  been  lecturer  in 
Fanny  Allen  Hospital,  Winooski,  Vermont,  a 
member  of  the  visitors'  staff  of  the  Mary  Fle'tcher 
Hospital,  Burlington,  and  also  attends  some  of  his 
old  patients  who  will  not  allow  him  to  retire  com- 
pletely from  professional  work.  He  continues  a 
deep  interest  in  his  comrades  of  the  Grand  .Army 
of  the  Republic,  serving  as  secretary  of  his  regiment 
organization,  and  in  1918  was  surgeon  general  of 
the  National  body.  He  is  yet  secretary  of  the 
Eighth  Vermont  Regimental  Association,  member 
of  County,  State,  and  National  Medical  societies, 
and  a  man  beloved  and  esteemed  wherever  known. 

Dr.  Chester  M.  F'errin  married  Marion  Elizabeth 
Benedict,  born  in  Hinesburg,  Vermont,  died  in  Bur- 
lington, Vermont,  in  1917. 

Carlisle  Franklin  Ferrin,  son  of  Dr.  Chester  M. 
and  Marion  E.  (Benedict)  Ferrin,  was  born  in  St. 
Johnsbury,  Vermont,  April  22,  1868,  and  in  Essex 
Junction  attended  the  public  schools  and  the  Classi- 
cal Institute.  He  entered  the  University  of  Ver- 
mont, whence  he  was  graduated  A.M.,  class  of  1891, 
and  in  1895  was  graduated  M.D.  from  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Columbia  University, 
New  York.  He  began  private  practice  in  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  the  same  year,  and  there  con- 
tinues in  medical  and  surgical  practice  (1921) —  spe- 
cializing in  diseases  of  children.  Pediatrics  is  a 
branch  of  medicine  which  has  always  interested  him, 
and  for  many  years  he  advocated  the  medical  exami- 
nation of  school  children,  believing  and  preaching 
the  doctrines  that  it  is  more  important  to  teach 
the  child  health  rules,  hygiene  and  physical  laws 
than  to  force  mental  development.  He  was  medical 
inspector  of  the  New  London  schools  for  two 
years,  and  inaugurated  the  system  of  health  exami- 
nations now  in  vogue.  His  gospel  is  "teach  the 
child  the  proper  way  to  health,  and  satisfactory 
mental  development  will  surely  follow,  for  a  healthy 
child  is  a  better  student."  For  two  years  Dr.  Fer- 
rin performed  the  labor  of  school  inspec*cor,  and 
through  his  influence  and  example  five  other  physi- 
cians of  the  city  gave  their  services  free  for  school 
health  inspections,  and  finally  it  became  a  fixed  part 
of  New  London's  school  work.  He  also  served  for 
three    years   as   city    physician. 

Dr.  Ferrin  is  an  ex-president  of  the  New  London 


i6 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


City  Medical  Society,  and  of  the  New  London 
County  Medical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Connecticut  State  Medical  Society  and  of  the 
American  Medical  Association.  For  eight  years  he 
was  school  visitor  for  New  London,  was  on  the 
medical  staff  of  the  old  Memorial  Hospital,  a  pres- 
ent member  of  the  medical  staff  of  Lawrence  and 
Memorial  Associated  Hospital,  and  chief  general 
physician  in  pediatrics  and  chief  of  staff  in  Mitchell 
Isolation  Ward.  He  is  a  member  of  Jared  R.  Avery 
Camp,  No.  20,  Sons  of  Veterans;  Brainard  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  and  the  Thames  Club. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Congregational 
Church,  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 

Dr.  F'errin  married,  in  New  London,  June  2,  1896, 
Blanche  Eggleston,  bcrn  in  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, daughter  of  Julius  and  Catherine  (Percy)  Eg- 
gleston, her  parents  both  deceased.  For  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  Dr.  Ferrin  has  given  to  his 
adopted  city  his  services  as  physician  and  surgeon. 
No  pliase  of  his  work  has  been  more  important  than 
the  labor  for  the  prevention  of  disease  through  care 
and  instruction  of  school  children.  He  is  a  man  of 
learning,  skill  and  experience,  whose  opinions  carry 
weight  both  among  his  brethren  of  the  profession 
and  among  laity.  His  offices  are  at  No.  32  Hunt- 
ington stree'c.  New  London.  He  was  city  physician 
for  three  years. 


HON.  FREDERICK  JOHN  BROWN,  long 
one  of  the  strong  supporters  of  the  Republi- 
can party  in  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  and 
widely  known  as  an  active  leader,  an  expert  lobbyist, 
and  a  faithful  official,  filled  a  prominent  place  in  the 
public  life  of  his  county  and  State.  A  man  of 
energy,  tact,  and  discernment,  he  was  especially 
skillful  in  piloting  his  local  party  organizations 
through  dilTicult  places  and  in  adjusting  delicate 
situations.  Interested  in  all  phases  of  public  life, 
and  blessed  with  a  goodly  share  of  that  rare  quality 
known  in  some  localities  as  "horse"  sense,  in  others 
as  "common"  sense,  but  styled  in  New  England 
just  plain  "gumption,"  he  was  a  power  to  be 
reckoned  with  in  whatever  work  he  undertook,  and 
has  left  his  mark  upon  the  life  of  his  community, 
his  county  and  his  State.  Born  of  several  genera- 
tions of  good  New  England  stock,  he  possessed  in 
full  measure  many  of  the  characteristic  traits  of 
which  this  region  is  justly  proud,  and  occupied  a 
high  place  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his 
fellow-citizens. 

The  grandfather  lived  in  Lyme,  Connecticut, 
where  he  was  a  capable  farmer,  and  was  twice  mar- 
ried, the  children  of  the  first  marriage  being:  David, 
who  was  a  farmer  in  Colchester;  John  M.,  of  whom 
further;  Christopher,  who  died  in  Lebanon;  and 
Henry,  a  farmer,  who  died  in  Lyme,  Connecticut. 

John  M.  Brown,  father  of  Frederick  J.  Brown, 
was  born  in  Lyme,  Connecticut,  in  1807.  While  a 
small  boy,  he  for  a  time  made  his  home  with  a  Mr. 
Wright   in  Colchester,  but  later  returned  to  Lyme, 


where  he  spent  his  early  manhood  as  an  enterpris- 
ing farmer.  Several  times  he  changed  his  place 
of  residence,  testing  out  farms  in  Bolton,  Hebron, 
and  Colchester,  and  finally,  in  the  spring  of  1866, 
removed  to  Lebanon,  locating  on  a  farm  which  he 
continued  to  operate  throughout  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  and  which  after  his  death,  #.lay  5,  1879,  was 
owned  by  his  son,  Frederick  J.  Energy  and  thrift 
brought  their  reward,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  in  comfortable  circumstances  and  stood  high 
in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow-townsmen. 

Politically,  he  was  one  of  those  Whigs  who,  as 
the  divergence  of  sectional  interests  throughout  the 
country  brought  new  issues  to  the  front,  took  his 
stand  for  those  principles  which  gave  birth  to  the 
newly-organized  Republican  party  and  gave  his  sup- 
port to  the  candidates  put  forward  by  that  party 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  married  Louisa 
Lombard  who  survived  him  until  March  22,  1882, 
when  she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Their 
children  were:  I.  Cornelia  Louise,  born  September 
16,  1833,  married  George  Daggett,  and  died  at  An- 
dover,  Connecticut,  leaving  one  son,  Calvin.  2. 
Abby  Jane,  born  March  4,  1835,  died  February  28, 
1883,  married  Edwin  Alvard,  a  wealthy  paper  maker 
and  prominent  citizen,  and  has  three  children:  Ella, 
married  John  Looniis,  and  died  in  Manchester;  Ida 
Jane,  married  Mr.  Bond,  an  attorney  of  St.  Louis; 
and  Edwin,  a  business  man  of  Hartford.  3.  Lucy 
O.,  born  January  20,  1837,  died  February  23,  1838. 
4.  Joseph  L.,  born  April  27,  1839,  married  Lucy 
Ann  Alvard,  and  died  in  Vernon,  Connecticut, 
leaving  six  children.  5.  Frederick  J.,  of  further 
mention.  6.  George  O.,  born  June  25,  1846,  died 
May  23,  1869.  7.  Frank  M.,  born  March  2,  1849, 
married   Mattie   Cowles,  and   has  a   son,   Frank. 

Frederick  John  Brown  was  born  in  Lyme, 
Connecticut,  March  27,  1844,  but  was  taken  to  Leb- 
anon by  his  parents  when  he  was  three  years  old, 
and  six  years  later  again  removed  with  his  parents, 
this  time  to  Colchester.  He  remained  in  the  home 
at  Colchester  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  and 
then  went  to  live  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Al- 
vard, with  whom  he  made  his  home,  at  intervals, 
until  he  was  twenty-one.  School  days  over,  he  mar- 
ried early,  and  tried  various  lines  of  work,  engaging 
in  farming  for  two  years,  during  which  time  he  re- 
sided in  Colchester.  He  then  went  to  Hebron, 
where  for  a  year  he  was  employed  by  P.  W.  Tur- 
ner, of  Turnerville,  later  returning  to  Colchester, 
where  he  worked  for  two  years  in  the  factory  of 
the  L^nion  Wheel  Company.  When  he  left  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Union  Wheel  Company  he  returned  to 
Lebanon  and  took  over  the  management  of  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns,  but  which  was  then  occupied 
by  his  father  and  owned  by  August  Spafard.  With 
characteristic  energy  and  efficiency,  Mr.  Brown 
went  to  work,  not  only  scientifically  getting  his 
land  into  shape  and  raising  his  crops,  but  applying 
systematic  business  methods  to  the  important  mat- 
ter of  selling.  After  a  time  he  bought  the  farm, 
and    made    extensive    improvements,    developing    a 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


17 


modern  scientific  agricultural  plant.  When  work- 
ing for  others  he  had  shown  himself  to  be  a  swift, 
efficient  worker,  and  now,  engaged  in  the  compli- 
cated business  of  farming  for  himself,  he  manifested 
equal  ability  and  thoroughness.  He  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  lumbering,  and  came  to  be  gener- 
ally recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists 
of    the    town. 

But  business  affairs  did  not  absorb  all  of  the 
abundant  energy  of  this  capable  man.  Always  in- 
terested in  public  affairs,  and  willing  to  devote  time, 
energy  and  means  to  the  advancement  of  the  gen- 
eral welfare,  Mr.  Brown  early  took  an  active  part  in 
local  and  county  affairs,  soon  demonstrating  his 
ability  to  see  clearly  and  to  act  strongly.  It  was 
not  long  before  his  fellow-citizens  began  to  look  to 
him  for  certain  qualities  of  leadership  essential  to 
the  success  of  party  measures,  and  more  and  more 
they  found  that  Frederick  J.  Brown  was  likely  to  ac- 
complish what  he  set  out  to  do.  They  elected  him 
to  fill  several  town  offices,  including  those  of  se- 
lectman, assessor,  and  member  of  the  Board  of 
Relief.  They  made  him  a  member  of  the  Republi- 
can Town  Commi'ttee  for  many  years.  His  powers 
demonstrated  in  these  local  offices,  they  chose  him 
for  larger  responsibilities  and  sent  him  to  represent 
his  district  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1893,  where  he 
served  on  the  important  Committee  on  Railroads. 
Later  they  bestowed  upon  him  a  still  higher  mark 
of  confidence  and  placed  in  his  keeping  a  still  larger 
field  for  service.  They  elected  him  to  represent  the 
Eleventh  District  in  the  State  Senate,  and  here  he 
served  efficiently  and  with  honor.  He  was  made 
Senate  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Temperance, 
and  tliroughout  his  term  was  active  in  furthering 
the  welfare  of  his  constituents  and  in  seeking  to 
promote  the  general  good.  Known  to  the  big  busi- 
ness interests  of  Connecticut  as  a  skillful  lobbyist, 
his  influence  came  to  be  feared  or  desired  according 
to  the  character  of  the  ends  sought,  and  he  was 
recognized  not  only  as  one  of  the  leading  Republi- 
cans in  Lebanon,  but  as  one  of  the  party's  strongest 
supporters  in  the  entire  county.  He  was  elected  by 
New  London  county  to  serve  on  the  Central  State 
Committee,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  county 
commissioner. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Brown  was  a  member  of  Leb- 
anon Lodge,  No.  23,  .-Kncient  Order  of  United 
Workmen;  of  Oliver  Woodhouse  Lodge,  No.  51, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  of  Colchester;  and  a  member 
of  the  American  Order  of  Fraternal  Helpers.  Sena- 
tor Brown  died  at  his  home.  Maple  Glen  Farm,  in 
the  town  of  Lebanon,  April  24,  1918,  sincerely 
mourned  by  a  host  of  friends  and  acquaintances, 
leaving  vacant  a  place  hard  to  fill  in  the  life  of  his 
community. 

On  April  15,  1866,  he  married  Nancy  Lombard, 
born  April  14,  1841,  in  Lebanon,  daughter  of 
Orienzo  and  Hannah  (Bailey)  Lombard,  and  three 
children  were  born  to  the  marriage:  I.  Cornelia 
Louisa,  born  March  .8,  1867,  married,  September  13, 
1892,  E.  H.  McCall,  who  was  born  March  10, 
N.L.— 2-2 


1868,  educated  at  Norwich  Free  Academy,  and  East- 
man Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsic,  New  York, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1889.  He  is  a  staunch 
Republican,  and  in  1899  represented  Lebanon  Dis- 
trict in  the  Legislature,  serving  on  the  Committee 
on  Appropriations.  Four  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCall:  Royce  Frederick,  Calvin 
Hale,  Edwin  Hobart,  and  Dorothy.  2.  Frederick 
Otis,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows.  3.  Ernest,  born 
April  27,  1875,  died  June  9,  1879. 


FREDERICK  OTIS  BROWN,  general  manager 
of  the  Meech-Brown  Grain  Company,  of  Colchester, 
Connecticut,  has  shown  himself  to  be  not  only  a 
man  of  executive  and  administrative  ability  and  an 
energetic  business  man,  but  a  progressive  citizen, 
an  able  political  leader,  and  a  faithful  representative 
of  the  interests  of  his  constitutcnts.  He  was  born 
in  Unionville,  town  of  Colchester,  New  London 
county,  July  27,  1871,  son  of  Frederick  J.  and  Nancy 
(Lombard)  Brown  (see  preceding  sketch).  In  1872 
his  parents  moved  to  Lebanon,  New  London  county, 
and  in  the  district  school  of  that  town  Frederick 
Otis  Brown  received  the  beginnings  of  his  educa- 
tion. He  later  attended  school  at  South  Windham, 
and  then  entered  Morse  Business  College,  at  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut.  Like  most  of  the  boys  of  his 
time,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  during  va- 
cations and  before  and  after  school  hours,  and  for 
a  time  after  completing  his  course  at  business  col- 
lege. He  then  engaged  in  the  teaming  and  native 
lumber  business  for  himself,  working  hard  and  sav- 
ing thriftily  in  order  that  he  might  buy  a  farm  for 
himself.  This  hope  was  realized  in  1893  when  he 
bought  the  Deacon  Benjamin  Nye  farm,  near  the 
Exeter  church,  in  Lebanon.  Here  he  carried  on  a 
general  farming  and  lumbering  business,  succeeding 
in  both  lines,  and  later  branching  out  into  other 
lines  which  he  carried  on  in  addition  to  his  first  in- 
terests. In  1896  he  engaged  in  the  road  contracting 
business  and  built  one  of  the  first  modern  roads  in 
the  town  of  Lebanon,  twenty-seven  miles  long,  in 
the  Exeter  society  district.  He  also  built  other 
roads  and  repaired  poor  ones,  greatly  benefitting 
that  section  by  thus  improving  its  means  of  com- 
munication and  transportation.  A  man  of  many  in- 
terests, he  has  always  been  able  to  keep  several  pro- 
jects under  way  at  the  same  time  seemingly  without 
loss  of  efficiency,  and  from  1916  to  1921  he  engaged 
in  cattle  dealing  on  a  large  scale,  using  the  home 
farm  as  headquarters.  From  1898  to  1912  he  acted 
as  sales  manager  for  the  C.  M.  Shea  Fertilizing 
Company,  of  Groton,  Connecticut.  Of  a  strongly 
scientific  bent,  the  chemical  properties  of  soils  and 
the  processes  by  which  deficiencies  for  special  crops 
might  be  overcome  by  the  use  of  properly  com- 
pounded fertilizers  early  appealed  to  him,  and  be- 
came a  special  field  for  study  and  experiment.  Soil 
conditions  are  of  such  vital  importance  to  success- 
ful farming  in  New  England,  where,  in  many  sec- 
tions, thin  and  impoverished  soils  sap  the  energies 
of  the  farmer  and  yield  him  little  or  no  return  for 


i8 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


his  labor,  that  the  enterprising  mind  of  Mr.  Brown 
saw  in  this  line  of  endeavor  an  opportunity  to 
serve  his  community  and  perhaps  the  entire  New 
England  section  while  at  the  same  time  conducting 
a  profitable  business  for  himself.  In  1912,  there- 
fore, he  established  a  fertilizer  business  for  himself 
in  Lebanon.  He  had  special  fertilizers  made  to 
suit  various  soils  and  different  crops  which  he  sold 
under  the  trade  name  of  Brown's  Special  Formulas. 
Prospective  customers  could  state  the  crops  they 
desired  to  raise,  and  have  the  fertilizer  specially 
compounded  to  meet  their  needs.  He  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  this  work  and  was  soon  selling  his  spe- 
cial fertilizers  all  over  New  England,  but  in  1920 
he  sold  out  to  the  Piedmont-Mount  Airy  Guano 
Company,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  accepted  the 
position  of  sales  manager  of  the  New  England  dis- 
trict for  that  company.  In  1918  he  had  removed 
from  Lebanon  to  Colchester,  Connecticut,  and  be- 
came manager  of  the  Meech-Brown  Grain  Company, 
formerly  known  as  the  Colchester  Farm  Products 
Company,  Inc.,  which  had  gone  into  bankruptcy. 
As  manager  of  the  Meech-Brown  Grain  Company, 
Mr.  Brown  has  exercised  the  same  energy,  ability, 
and  skill  which  had  already  brought  him  success  in 
his  various  lines  of  business,  and  has  built  up  a 
large  and  increasingly  prosperous  concern,  of  which 
he  is  still   (1922)   manager. 

With  all  his  various  and  successful  business  in- 
terests Mr.  Brown  has  found  time  for  public  affairs, 
and  has  served  his  community  faithfully  and  effi- 
ciently in  various  offices.  He  represented  the  Leb- 
anon district  in  the  State  Legislature,  1907-09,  serv- 
ing on  the  Roads,  Rivers  and  Bridges  Committee, 
after  having  gained  an  earlier  experience  as  door- 
keeper of  the  Senate  in  1903-05.  After  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  in  the  Legislature,  he  served,  in 
1909,  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the  State  Capi- 
tol, at  Hartford.  From  1916  to  1920  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Selectmen,  of  Lebanon,  but  hav- 
ing removed  to  Colchester  in  1918,  he  resigned  his 
place  on  the  board  in  1920.  In  Colchester,  Mr. 
Brown  and  his  family  attend  the  Congregational 
church,  while  in  Lebanon  he  was  of  material  aid  to 
the  Exeter  church,  which  during  the  critical  years 
of  its  existence  found  in  him  a  generous  supporter. 
He  is  a  member  of  Wooster  Lodge,  No.  10,  Free 
and  .^ccepted  Masons,  of  Colchester,  Connecticut; 
of  Wooster  Chapter,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star;  and 
has  been  an  active  member  of  Colchester  Grange, 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  for  thirty  years.  Mr. 
Brown's  life  has  been  a  most  energetic  and  suc- 
cessful one.  A  man  of  large  affairs  and  many  inter- 
ests, he  has  handled  each  line  in  which  he  engaged 
with  great  skill  and  efficiency,  winning  success  in 
each.  In  Colchester,  as  in  Lebanon,  he  is  known 
and  respected  as  a  public-spirited  citizen,  ably  and 
willingly  aiding  in  all  projects  undertaken  for  the 
good   of   his   community. 

On  October  i,  1895,  he  married  Grace  Webster 
Hazen,  born  June  21,  1873,  daughter  of  Marcus  M. 
and   Elizabeth   (Webster)   Hazen,   and   thev  are   the 


parents  of  four  children,  all  born  in  Lebanon, 
Connecticut:  Ruth  Hazen,  born  September  21, 
1899;  Harold  Frederick,  born  February  22,  1901; 
Clarice  Eva,  born  January  2,  1904;  and  Lloyd  Web- 
ster, born  December  8,   1904. 


NATHAN     AUGUSTUS     GIBBS  — Before     the 

Puritans  came  to  New  England,  Gibbs  was  a  com- 
mon name  in  England,  William  Gibbs  of  Lenham,  in 
Yorkshire,  being  on  record  as  having  received  from 
his  King  for  signal  service  he  had  rendered,  a  tract 
four  miles  square  lying  in  the  center  of  the  town. 
The  younger  sons  of  this  William  Gibbs  came  to 
New  England  and  settled  in  Boston.  One  of  these 
is  believed  to  have  been  Matthew  Gibbs  who  was 
living  in  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  between  the 
years  1650  and  1654.  Thomas  Gibbs  who  probably 
came  from  Kent,  England,  settled  in  Barnstable, 
Massachusetts.  In  New  England  the  family  in- 
creased, settling  in  every  State  of  that  section,  and 
their  descendants  are  now  found  in  every  part  of 
the  Union.  The  name  graces  the  lists  of  eminent 
statcmen,  professional  men,  business  men,  and  those 
of  high  military  and  naval  rank.  This  review  deals 
with  the  career  of  Nathan  Augustus  Gibbs  of  the 
Barnstable  (Massachusetts)  branch,  a  banker  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  son  of  Nathan  Perry  Gibbs, 
one  of  the  famed  masters  of  ships,  who,  in  the  years 
now  unhappily  gone,  carried  the  American  mer- 
chant marine  flag  and  fame  in  honor  in  every  sea 
and  into  every  port.  Captain  Nathan  Perry  Gibbs 
was  a  descendant  of  Commodore  Perry,  and  a  love 
of  the  sea  was  inherent  in  the  family.  Captain 
Gibbs  was  born  in  Wareham,  Massachusetts,  in 
1830,  and  after  a  life  of  great  activity  died  in  191 1. 
He  married  Hannah  Swift  Churbuck  of  Wareham,  a 
descendant  of  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Joseph  Rogers 
of  the  "Mayflower,"  1620,  and  she  was  the  mother  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Nathan  Au- 
gustus, of  further  mention;  and  Edna  Forest,  wife 
of  Charles  F.  Spooner,  of  New  Bedford,  Massachu- 
setts. 

Mr.  Gibbs  was  a  young  man  of  nineteen  when  he 
entered  the  banking  field  of  business  activity  and  he 
has  never  quitted  it,  but  has  gone  from  promotion 
to  promotion  until  reaching  his  present  position, 
that  of  cashier  and  director  of  the  Thames  National 
Bank,  leading  financial  institution  of  the  city  of 
Norwich.  His  banking  connection  covers  a  period 
of  forty-si.x  years,  and  all  but  about  five  of  these 
years  have  been  spent  with  the  Thames  National 
Bank.  He  is  a  pleasing,  effective  speaker  and  a 
strong  writer  on  financial  subjects,  the  chapter  on 
banks  in  the  1922  "History  of  New  London  County" 
being  from  his  pen  largely. 

Nathan  A.  Gibbs  was  born  in  East  Wareham, 
Massachusetts,  May  21,  1857.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Wareham  High  School  and  Comer's  Commercial 
College  of  Boston,  and  at  one  period  of  his  school 
life  he  attended  Pierce  Academy  in  Middleboro, 
Massachusetts,  being  a  schoolmate  of  General  Leon- 
ard Wood.  On  November  21,  1876,  he  entered  the  em- 


cyUc6L>^.^-..'-^-4-<iM^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


19 


ploy  of  the  Norwich  Savings  Society,  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, an  institution  now  approaching  its  centennial 
and  there  spent  nearly  five  years  as  a  clerk  and  book- 
keeper. On  September  l,  1881,  he  transferred  his 
allegiance  to  tlie  Thames  National  Bank  of  Nor- 
wich, and  continued  there  in  a  clerical  position  and 
as  assistant  teller  until  1892,  when  he  was  made 
teller.  Ten  years  were  spent  at  the  teller's  window, 
a  period  which  expired  on  Octoebr  i,  1902,  when  he 
was  made  assistant  cashier,  a  position  lie  filled  for 
si.xteen  years.  On  November  30,  1918,  he  was  ap- 
pointed cashier,  a  post  of  great  responsibility  in  the 
Thames  National,  which  he  has  most  ably  filled  until 
the  present  (1922).  Since  August  15,  1914,  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Thames  National  Bank  and  for  thirty  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Nor- 
wich Savings  Society,  the  institution  in  which  his 
banking  life  began  in   1876. 

While  Mr.  Gibbs  carries  heavy  responsibilities  he 
has  not  given  Iiimself  slavishly  to  business  but  has 
developed  the  social  side  of  his  nature  along  with 
the  business  talent  he  possesses  and  is  one  of  the 
most  genial,  companionable  and  approachable  of 
men.  The  door  to  his  private  office  stands  open 
and  no  guardian  of  the  portal  demands  a  card  or 
the  nature  of  the  caller's  business.  In  the  words 
of  another  successful  business  man  he  "wants  to 
see  everybody  that  wants  to  see  him."  His  pleas- 
ing personality,  his  genial,  friendly  nature  renders 
him  personally  very  popular,  and  the  friends  these 
traits  win  him  are  retained  by  the  force  of  his  manly, 
upright  character  and  his  unswerving  loyality  to 
the   interests   committed  to  his  care. 

During  the  war  period  1917-18,  Mr.  Gibbs  took  an 
active  part  in  the  different  campaigns  and  "drives," 
serving  as  secretary  in  two,  and  as  chairman  of  the 
committee  in  charge  of  the  Victory  Loan  Cam- 
paign. He  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  the  Norwich 
Board  of  Education;  a  former  vice-president  of 
Norwich  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  which  he  is  a 
present  director;  an  organizer  and  has  been  treas- 
urer and  a  director  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association;  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  was  for 
twenty-five  years  treasurer  of  the  Second  Congrega- 
tional Sunday  School,  and  from  1892  until  1919  was 
treasurer  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church  and 
Society;  now  custodian  of  the  United  Congrega- 
tional Church,  Incorporated,  since  the  last  two 
named  organizations  were  merged  with  it;  president 
of  the  United  Congregational  Church  Brotherhood. 
His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  different  Nor- 
wich bodies  of  the  York  and  Scottish  Rites  of  Free- 
masonry, he  being  a  past  master  of  St.  James  Lodge, 
has  held  offices  in  chapter,  council  and  coinman- 
dery,  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  of  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  is  now  serving  the  Ma- 
sonic Temple  Corporation  of  Norwich  as  member 
and  trustee.  He  was  a  regent  of  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum and  has  been  president,  vice-president  and 
treasurer  of  the  Arcanum  Club.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Chelsea  Boat   Club  and  has   long 


been    officially    connected    with    that    organization. 

For  ten  years  he  has  been  active  in  Boy  Scout 
work,  and  his  appointment  as  a  member  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  of  the  Boy  Scouts  of  America  was 
the  first  and,  as  yet,  the  only  one  made  to  that  body 
from  Norwich. 

Nathan  A.  Gibbs  married,  at  Norwich,  June  I, 
1881,  Emily  Reynolds  King,  who  passed  away  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1922,  daughter  of  Charles  Jackson  and 
Charlotte  (Ransom)  King,  the  former  having  been 
a  manufacturer  and  a  grain  merchant  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  were  born 
three  children:  l.  Natalie  King  Gibbs,  born  May 
18,  1882,  resides  with  her  father  in  Norwich.  2. 
Nathan  Jackson  Gibbs,  born  December  26,  1883,  was 
accidcntly  killed  at  Tompkins  Cove,  Rockland 
county.  New  York,  on  December  27,  191 1.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  Norwich  Free  Academy,  a  student  at 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology  and  was  for 
four  years  connected  with  the  building  of  the  Pa- 
nama Canal,  being  one  of  the  youngest  superinten- 
dents in  the  canal  zone.  He  married,  in  July,  1911, 
Emma  Grace  Wright,  of  Auburn,  New  York.  3. 
Mary  Riidd  Gibbs,  born  May  10,  1892,  married,  June 
9,  1917,  Carlton  P.  Browning,  now  general  manager 
of  the  Howe  Sound  Copper  Company,  Brittania 
Bay,  British  Columbia,  Canada.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Browning  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Emily  King 
Browning,   born    May  21,    1918. 


CLARENCE  GEORGE  BROOKS,  D.D.  S.— 

.\mong  the  professional  men  of  New  London 
county.  Dr.  Brooks,  of  New  London,  is  widely 
known.  With  a  handsome  suite  of  offices  in  the 
Plant  building  he  is  counted  as  a  leader  in  the  den- 
tal profession,  and  is  making  his  way  to  large  suc- 
cess. A  native  of  Middlesex  county,  but  reared  in 
New  London  county.  Dr.  Brooks  is  descended  from 
early  Connecticut  ancestors,  on  both  paternal  and 
maternal  sides.  He  is  a  son  of  George  O.  and  Mary 
Eleanor  (Beebe)  Brooks.  His  father,  who  was  born 
November  11,  1848,  was  for  many  years  a  carpenter 
and  builder.  For  a  time  he  worked  as  a  stone- 
cutter, and  was  very  successful,  but  with  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Stone-cutter's  Union,  he  withdrew 
from  this  field,  holding  conscientious  scruples 
against  labor  organizations.  He  is  now  (1922)  liv- 
ing in  Niantic,  in  this  county.  The  mother  was 
born  November  13,  i860,  and  died  August  15,  1914. 
Dr.  Brooks  was  born  in  Higganum,  Connecticut, 
June  8,  1882.  His  early  education  was  received  in 
the  public  and  high  schools  of  Niantic,  and  having 
chosen  his  field  of  professional  effort,  he  entered 
the  Pliiladclphia  Dental  College,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1907.  Be- 
fore the  close  of  the  same  year  Dr.  Brooks  began 
his  professional  career  in  New  London  as  an  assis- 
tant to  Dr.  Crosby,  then  a  leading  dentist  of  this 
city,  with  whom  he  continued  for  about  three  years, 
at  the  old  offices  in  the  Lyric  Hall  building,  and  in 
1911  bought  out  his  veteran  associate.  He  has 
been  very  successful  since  practicing  independently. 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


and  in  1918  secured  his  present  fine  location  in  the 
Plant  building.  In  fraternal  and  social  circles  Dr. 
Brooks  is  prominent.  He  was  president  of  the  Xi 
Psi  Phi  dental  fraternity  in  the  year  of  his  gradua- 
tion froui  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College.  He  is 
a  well  known  Mason,  being  past  master  of  Bay  View 
Lodge,  No.  120,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  past 
high  priest  of  Union  Chapter,  No.  7,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  past  thrice  illustrious  master  of  Cushing 
Council,  No.  4,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  junior 
warden  of  Palestine  Commandery,  No.  6,  Knights 
Templar,  and  Connecticut  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite,  having  attained  the  thirty- 
second  degree.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Club  of  New  London,  and  the  Harbor  Club,  of 
which  he  is  past  president.  Politically  he  supports 
the  Republican  party,  although  he  has  not,  thus 
far,  become  interested  in  the  political  game.  Bene- 
volent and  welfare  work  holds  a  strong  appeal  for 
Dr.  Brooks,  and  he  has  for  years  been  active  as  a 
director  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
now  serving  as  chairman  of  the  physical  department 
committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
with  which  denomination  his  parents  also  are  af- 
filiated, in  Niantic,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church.  His  chief  recreative  inter- 
ests are  tennis  and  fishing,  and  he  takes  a  fishing 
trip   every   fall. 

Dr.  Brooks  married,  in  Niantic,  November  28, 
igii,  Ethel  L.  Rogers,  born  December  28,  1887, 
daughter  of  Raymond  Edward  and  Sarah  (Collins) 
Rogers,  both  Mrs.  Brooks'  parents  now  being  de- 
ceased. 


CHARLES  SHEPARD  HOLBROOK— The  pres- 
ent incumbent  of  the  office  of  town  clerk  and  treas- 
urer of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  1900,  and  in  which  he  is  still  serving  in 
1922,  is  Charles  S.  Holbrook,  a  man  of  enterprise 
and  public  spirit,  exemplifying  in  his  career  the 
characteristics  of  his  ancestors,  traits  that  go  to 
the  making  of  good  citizens,  they  having  been 
among  the  pioneers  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for 
so  much  of  the  comforts  and  pleasures  of  the  pres- 
ent day. 

The  naine  Holbrook  is  both  ancient  and  distin- 
guished. As  early  as  the  reign  of  Richard  H  one  of 
the  name  was  advanced  to  the  order  of  knighthood 
and  a  coat-of-arms  granted  him.  In  books  of  her- 
aldry tliere  are  many  coats-of-arms  under  the  name. 
The  pioneer  ancestor  of  the  line  here  under  consid- 
eration was  Thomas  Holbrook,  supposedly  a  native 
of  England,  from  whence  it  is  supposed  he  came  to 
New  England  with  the  colony  of  settlers  from  Wey- 
mouth, Dorsetshire,  in  1624.  He  was  a  resident  of 
Weymouth,  Massachusetts,  in  1640,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  1674-76.  His  wife,  Joanna  Holbrook, 
bore  him  four  children,  the  second  of  whom  was 
Thomas,  Jr.,  the  next  in  line  of  succession.  Thomas 
Holbrook,  Jr.,  was  a  resident  of  Scituate,  Wey- 
mouth and  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  a  man  of  stand- 
ing in   those  communities,  who   died   in    1697.     His 


wife  Joanna  Holbrook,  bore  him  seven  children,  the 
fourth,  Peter  Holbrook,  born  6th  of  7th  month, 
1655.  was  a  man  of  wealth  and  importance,  leaving 
to  his  sons  land  which  subsequently  was  included  in 
Bellinghani,  Massuchusetts.  He  was  married  twice 
and  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  among  whom 
was  Joseph  Holbrook,  born  May  8,  1683,  died  in 
Bcllingham,  April  25,  1750.  He  married  Mary  Cook 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children.  The 
oldest  son,  Joseph  Holbrook,  Jr.,  was  born  Nov- 
ember 24,  1714,  died  July  14,  1784.  His  wife,  Grace 
Holbrook,  bore  him  seven  children,  among  whom 
was  Seth  Holbrook,  born  November  24,  1751,  died 
November  13,  1839.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier, 
and  later  was  a  United  States  pensioner.  He  was 
a  resident  of  Bellingham.  He  married  Dinah  Hol- 
brook, and  they  were  the  parents  of  ten  children. 
The  sixth  was  Sabin  Holbrook,  born  October  19, 
1786,  resided  in  Dorchester  and  Bellingham,  and 
died  in  1833.  His  wife,  Mary  Holbrook,  bore  him 
five  children,  among  whom  was  Supply  Twyng  Hol- 
brook, of  whom  further,  father  of  Charles  S.  Hol- 
brook,  of  this   review. 

Supply  Twyng  Holbrook  was  born  September  7, 
1822,  in  Ro.xbury,  Massachusetts.  He  received  a 
practical  education  in  the  schools  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  his  home,  and  also  took  a  course  of  study 
in  music,  for  which  he  possessed  an  unusual  talent. 
In  early  manhood  he  became  a  resident  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  from  whence  he  removed  to  New  Lon- 
don, same  State,  and  about  the  year  1844  located  at 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  In  the  latter  named  city  he 
accepted  the  position  of  organist  of  the  Second 
Congregational  Church,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
satisfactorily  for  many  years,  having  previously 
taught  vocal  music,  one  of  his  students  having  been 
the  late  Charles  W.  Carter,  of  Norwich.  His  taste 
and  inclination  being  along  the  line  of  law,  he  be- 
came a  student  in  the  oiTice  of  Hon.  Jeremiah  Hal- 
sey,  of  Norwich,  and  in  due  course  of  time,  in  1856, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  New  London  county, 
and  in  that  same  year  was  elected  judge  of  probate, 
to  which  he  was  re-elected  for  twelve  consecutive 
years.  In  1879  he  was  again  called  to  the  same  re- 
sponsible office,  and  held  the  same  by  re-election 
until  1892,  when  he  reached  the  age  limit,  seventy 
years.  While  serving  as  probate  judge  he  was  sev- 
eral times  elected  president  of  the  Connecticut  Pro- 
bate Assembly.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature  in  1873  and  again  in  1876  and  dur- 
ing both  terms  "took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in 
the  business  of  the  House.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Second  Congregational  Church  of  Norwich.  Judge 
Holbrook  married  (first)  Sarah  Shepard,  of  Nor- 
wich, and  (second)  Carrie  Stark.  His  children 
were:  Charles  Shepard,  of  whom  further;  Frank 
W.,  Mrs.  E.  G.  Tewksbury,  Mrs.  Rooert  A.  France, 
and  Mrs.  B.  P.  Sands. 

Charles  Shepard  Holbrook  was  born  in  the  city 
of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  October  28,  1856.  He  was 
a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  Norwich  and  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


21 


Norwich  Free  Academy,  acquiring  a  practical  edu- 
cation which  prepared  him  for  his  subsequent  ca- 
reer. Deciding  upon  a  mercantile  career  as  his 
chosen  life  work,  he  became  an  employee  of  the 
firm  of  Lee  &  Osgood,  druggists,  of  Norwich,  with 
whom  he  learned  the  business  thoroughly  and  with 
whom  he  spent  a  quarter  of  a  century  as  a  druggist, 
a  commendable  record  and  well  worthy  of  emula- 
tion by  the  youth  of  this  country.  He  was  the 
choice  of  his  fellow-citizens  for  the  office  of  town 
clerk  and  treasurer,  elected  in  1900,  and  is  still  serv- 
ing after  a  period  of  twenty  years,  this  fact  amply 
testifying  to  his  fitness  for  the  positions  and  to  the 
interest  and  zeal  he  has  displayed  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties.  He  is  progressive  in  his  ideas,  adopt- 
ing new  measures  when  necessary,  and  is  considered 
the  right  man  in  the  right  place.  He  attends  the 
Congregational  church,  gives  his  allegiance  to  the 
Republican  candidates,  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Arcanum  Club  of  Norwich. 

Mr.  Holbrook  married,  in  Norwich,  June  15,  1892, 
Ella  P.  Plummer,  daughter  of  Frank  J.  and  Jo- 
sephine (Wyman)  Plummer,  of  Norwich.  They 
are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Josephine  A.,  born 
May  9,  1902. 


CHARLES     FOSTER     WELLS— The     life     of 

Charles  Foster  Wells,  one  of  the  foremost  execu- 
tives in  the  manufacturing  world  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  is  a  history  of  upward  progress  from 
the  rank  and  file,  each  step  placed  on  the  solid 
foundation  of  worthy  effort  and  hard-won  achieve- 
ment. Descended  from  men  who  have  borne  a 
constructive  part  in  the  establishment  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  nation,  Mr.  Wells  is  giving  of  his  time 
and  energy  to  the  welfare  of  the  city  as  a  civic 
body. 

Mr.  Wells  traces  back  to  the  Ashley  family,  of 
early  Colonial  times,  when  one,  Samuel  Ashley, 
married  Sarah  Kellogg.  Daniel  Ashley,  their  son, 
married  Thankful  Hawks.  Samuel  Ashley,  the  next 
in  line,  married  Eunice  Doolittlc.  Susan  Ashley, 
their  daughter,  married  Porter  Lummis.  Their 
daughter.  Alma  Lummis,  married  Seth  Hart.  Back 
two  generations  from  this  point  is  found  the  mar- 
riage of  Thomas  Putnam  and  Rachael  Wetherbee, 
linking  this  family  with  these  other  famous  Colonial 
names.  Susanna  Putnam,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Rachael  (Wetherbee)  )  Putnam,  married  Josiah 
Hart.  Their  son,  Seth  Hart,  married  Alma  Lummis, 
daughter  of  Porter  and  Susan  (Ashley)  Lummis. 
Sarah  ^fcCready,  daughter  of  Seth  and  Alma  (Lum- 
mis)  Hart,  married  Foster  P.  Wells. 

Charles  Ashley  Wells,  father  of  Charles  Foster 
Wells,  was  a  son  of  Foster  P.  and  Sarah  McCready 
(Hart)  Wells.  He  was  born  in  Springville,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  7,  1841.  The  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  found  him  a  youth,  not  yet  twenty  years 
of  age,  but  fired  with  the  patriotic  fevor  which  was 
his  heritage  from  the  generations  of  empire  builders 
whose  blood  flowed  in  his  veins.  He  enlisted  in 
Company   C,   27   Regiment,    New   York   Volunteers, 


was  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  and  rose 
steadily  in  rank,  being  promoted  to  first  lieutenant, 
then  to  captain,  both  before  his  twentieth  birthday. 
He  was  thereafter  promoted  to  brevet  major,  then 
to  major,  and  finally,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  held 
the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  First  New 
York  Veteran  Cavalry.  He  saw  service  in  many  en- 
gagements. He  was  in  the  First  Battle  of  Bull  Run, 
in  the  battles  of  West  Poin'c,  Gaines  Mil),  Savage 
Station,  Charles  City  Cross  Road,  White  Oak 
Swamp,  Malvern  Hill,  the  Second  Battle  of  Freder- 
icksburg, and  the  battles  of  Newmarket,  Piedmont, 
and  Monocacy  Junction.  After  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War,  Charles  Ashley  Wells  was  for  many  years  con- 
nected with  the  real  estate  business,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Phillips  &  Wells,  with  offices  in 
the  Tribune  building.  New  York  City.  He  was  made 
inspector  of  customs  for  the  port  of  New  York 
City,  on  recommendation  of  James  G.  Blaine.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Abraham  Lincoln  Post,  No.  13,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  of  which  post  he  was  commander 
for  many  years.  This  was  the  leading  Grand  Army 
Post  of  New  York  City. 

Charles  Ashley  Wells  married  Angclinc  Fuller- 
ton,  daughter  of  Judge  Daniel  Fullerton,  and  niece 
of  Judge  William  Fullerton  and  Judge  Stephen  W. 
Fullerton,  of  New  York  City,  now  deceased,  both 
the  latter  famous  as  the  defenders  of  Henry  Ward 
Beechtr  in  his  trial  with  Theodore  Tilton. 

Charles  Foster  Wells,  son  of  Charles  Ashley  and 
Angclinc  (Fullerton)  Wells,  was  born  in  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  May  9,  1867.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Middlctown,  New  York,, 
where  the  family  resided  in  his  boyhood.  So  far  as 
formal  education  is  concerned  this  was  the  extent 
of  his  opportunities,  but  while  yet  a  boy  he  realized 
the  value  of  knowledge  and  lost  no  opportunity  to 
store  his  mind  with  useful  information,  from  what- 
ever source,  or  in  whatever  form  it  was  available. 
Leaving  school  at  the  early  age  of  eleven  years, 
he  entered  the  business  world  in  the  employ  of  the 
First  National  Bank,  of  Middlctown,  New  York. 
His  duties  in  this  connection  included  the  sweeping 
and  cleaning  of  the  bank  before  the  opening  hour 
and  the  care  of  the  stove.  From  nine  o'clock 
until  four  he  sorted  bills  and  silver.  For  two  years 
he  fulfilled  these  responsibilities  with  the  precision 
and  thoroughness  characteristic  of  all  the  business 
activities  of  the  man  in  his  later  career.  His  next 
connection  was  with  the  North  River  Bank,  of  New 
York  City,  where  he  became  clearing  house  clerk 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  Leaving  this  institution 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  he  spent  one  year  in  as- 
sociation with  his  father  in  the  firm  of  Phillips  & 
Wells,  in  New  York.  But  the  real  estate  business  did 
not  appeal  to  the  young  man  as  a  field  of  permanent 
effort,  and  he  made  other  plans  for  the  future.  /Xt 
seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Florida,  remain- 
ing for  four  years.  Upon  his  return  North  he  be- 
came connected  with  the  Brooklyn  Union  Elevated 
Railroad  which  was  subsequently  taken  over  by    the 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Brooklyn  Rapid  Transit  Railroad  Company.  When 
this  consolidation  was  effected,  Mr.  Wells  remained 
with  the  new  company  until  October,  1906.  He 
was  successively  clerk  in  both  auditor's  and  comp- 
troller's departments,  with  both  companies.  With 
the  Brooklyn  Rapid  Transit  Company  he  became 
chief  clerk  to  the  superintendent  of  elevated  trans- 
portation, later  chief  of  time-keeping  department, 
and  when  severing  his  connection  with  the  Brook- 
lyn Rapid  Transit  Company  had  for  some  years 
been   auditor   of   receipts. 

In  October,  1906,  Mr.  Wells  formed  the  associa- 
tion in  which  he  is  today  prominent.  He  became  a 
part  of  the  ofTice  force  of  the  United  Metal  Manu- 
facturing Company,  Incorporated,  first  as  cost  clerk, 
and  now  as  general  manager  of  the  concern.  Mr. 
Wells  is  a  stockholder  in  the  company,  and  holds 
the  office  of  treasurer.  Since  the  removal  of  the 
factory  to  Norwich,  in  1914,  the  output  has  been  in- 
creased, and  the  factory  is  now  one  of  the  leading 
manufacturing  interests  of  the  day  in  Norwich,  and 
a  force  for  progress   in  New   London  county. 

Mr.  Wells  has  not  been  permitted  to  occupy  his 
present  prominent  position,  without  being  sought 
for  the  public  service  of  the  city  of  Norwich.  He 
served  as  alderman  from  June,  1919,  to  June,  1920. 
He  was  elected  president  of  the  Norwich  Chamber 
of  Commerce  in  January,  1920,  and  was  one  of  the 
active  forces  which  brought  about  its  increased  eflfi- 
cicncy  through  the  reorganization  which  was  ac- 
complished on  Oc'tober  I,  1920.  At  that  time  he  was 
le-elected  president,  and  also  director,  of  the  Nor- 
wich Chamber  of  Commerce,   Incorporated. 

Politically  Mr.  Wells  is  a  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  his  religious  convictions  place  his 
membership  with  the  Episcopal  church.  He  is 
prominent  fraternally,  being  a  member  of  Somerset 
Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Nor- 
wich, raised,  December  8,  1920;  exalted  in  Franklin 
Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  March  10, 
1921;  greeted  in  Franklin  Council,  No.  3,  Royal  and 
Select  Masters,  March  30,  1921;  knighted  in  Colum- 
bian Commandcry,  No.  4,  Knight  Templars,  April  22, 
1921;  made  a  Noble  of  Sphinx  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  June  4,  1921.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Norwich  Lodge,  No.  430,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  a  member  of  Lafayette 
Camp,  Sons  of  Veterans,  of  New  York  City,  and  a 
member  of  the  Arcanum  Club,  and  the  Rotary  Club, 
both  of  Norwich. 


FRANK  H.  PULLEN— In  journalistic  circles  in 
Norwich,  Frank  H.  Pullcn  is  a  prominent  figure  as 
editor  and  owner  of  the  evening  daily  of  this  city, 
the  "Norwich  Evening  Record."  Mr.  Pullen  has 
been  a  resident  of  Norwich  nearly  thirty-four  years, 
and  during  this  entire  period  has  been  active  in  the 
printing  and  publishing  business.  A  son  of  Weston 
and  Mary  E.  (Barnes)  Pullen,  Frank  H.  Pullen  was 
born  in  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  October  4,  1858. 
His  education  was  received  in  the  public  and  high 


schools  of  his  native  city,  and  as  a  young  man  he 
entered  the  employe  of  the  "Lowell  Courier,"  with 
which  paper  he  remained  for  about  fifteen  years, 
during  a  number  of  those  years  being  active  as  man- 
ager of  the  business  department.  Coming  to  Nor- 
wich in  1888,  Mr.  Pullen,  in  association  with  a  part- 
ner, bought  out  the  old  weekly  newspaper  known 
as  "Cooley's  Weekly,"  and  the  printing  plant  con- 
nected there  with,  which  also  h.=>ndled  a  job  printing 
business.  Under  the  firm  name  of  Cleworth  & 
Pullen  this  concern  progressed  for  over  seventeen 
years,  or  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Cleworth  in  1906, 
since  which  time  Mr.  Pullen  has  controlled  the  busi- 
ness, operating  under  the  name  of  the  Pullen  Pub- 
lishing Company.  Meanwhile,  in  1890,  the  firm 
bought  the  "Evening  Record,"  which  Mr.  Pullen 
still  publishes.  Mr.  Pullen  has  long  been  actively 
identified  with  various  phases  of  progress  in  Nor- 
wich. A  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  he 
is  also  a  director  of  the  Dime  Savmgs  Bank.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club,  his  religious  affilia- 
tion is  with  the  Park  Congregational  Church. 

Mr.  Pullen  married,  in  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  in 
1885,  Annie  L.  Carpenter,  of  that  city,  daughter  of 
Benedict  O.  Carpenter,  and  of  their  six  cliildren, 
five  are  living,  as  follows:  Elizabeth  F.;  Weston  C; 
Benedict  C;  Marion  L.,  wife  of  Clifford  M.  Story, 
of  Hackensack,  New  Jersey;  and  Esther,  wife  of  C. 
Werter  Van  Deusen,  of  Hudson,  New  York.  Both 
of  Mr.  Pullen's  sons  are  residents  of  Norwich  and  in- 
terested in  the  business  life  of  the  city. 


EVERETT     PALMER     BARNES— Among     the 

very  old  families  of  New  England,  few,  if  any,  have 
so  many  branches,  as  has  the  Barnes  family,  promi- 
nent in  the  beginnings  of  various  sections  of  the 
country,  but  especially  in  New  England,  and  repre- 
senting among  its  various  members  every  profession 
and  trade. 

The  branch  of  the  family  to  which  Everett  Palmer 
Barnes  belongs  was  already  settled  in  Ledyard, 
Connecticut,  in  1730,  for  in  that  year  and  in  that 
place  Ezra  Barnes,  great-grandfather  of  Everett 
Palmer  Barnes,  was  born.  He  farmed  at  Ledyard 
all  his  life.  He  married  Eunice  Morgan,  born  at 
Ledyard,  1737,  and  died  October,  1815.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  sixteen  children,  all  born  in 
Ledyard:  Ezra,  Asa,  Eunice,  Lucy,  Nathan  and 
Amos  (twins).  Prudence,  Desire,  Jedediah,  Phoebe, 
Erastus,  Hannah,  Sally,  Avery,  and  two  who  died 
in   infancy. 

(II)  Avery  Barnes,  youngest  son  of  Ezra  and 
Eunice  (Morgan)  Barnes,  was  born  March  17,  1782, 
in  Ledyard.  He  married  Abigail  Cooke,  December 
27,  1804,  and  they  had  eleven  children,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  a  very  old  age.  Avery  Barnes  died  Febru- 
ary 5,  1875,  and  Abigail  Barnes,  his  wife,  died  De- 
cember 21,  1876.  Avery  Barnes  was  reared  in  Led- 
yard, but  soon  after  his  marriage,  in  1804,  he  came 
to  Preston,  where  he  purchased  from  Nathan  Cooke 
the  ne.xt  farm  west  of  the  present  Everett  P.  Barnes 
place,    in    the    northern    part    of    Preston.      Here    he 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


23 


farmed  until  his  death,  and  here  all  his  children  were 
born.  They  were:  Nabby,  Eunice,  Avery  VV.,  Sally, 
Amy,  Lucy,  Elmina,  Prudence,  Ruth  Ann,  Almeda, 
and   Clicstcr  Morgan. 

(III)  Chester  Morgan  Barnes,  son  of  Avery  and 
Abigail  (Cooke)  Barnes,  was  born  June  6,  1826.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  I'reston,  and  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  August  6, 
1854,  to  Lucretia  Lucinda  Palmer,  daughter  of  Tim- 
othy and  Betsy  (Herskell)  Palmer,  of  Preston.  He 
then  bought  the  present  E.  P.  Barnes  farm,  a  tract 
of  one  hundred  acres,  adjoining  his  father's  farm, 
then  a  part  of  the  Nathan  Cooke  property.  He  de- 
molished the  old  buildings  on  the  place  and  built 
the  substantial  modern  farm  housings  which  arc  a 
part  of  the  necessary  equipment  of  the  scientific 
agricultural  plant.  He  farmed  here  throughout  his 
life,  and  here  he  died,  ."Xpril  24,  iyi8.  His  wife,  Lu- 
cretia L.  Barnes,  died  here  September  6,  1918.  They 
were  the  parents   of  one  child,  Everett   Palmer. 

(IV)  Everett  Palmer  Barnes,  son  of  Chester 
Morgan  and  Lucretia  Lucinda  (Palmer)  Barnes, 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Preston,  Connec- 
ticut, March  2,  1852.  He  attended  the  local  district 
schools  of  Preston  and  the  Preston  City  Select 
School,  after  which  he  entered  Woodstock  Academy, 
completing  his  preparation  in  the  Putnam  High 
School,  at  Putnam,  Connecticut.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, he  began  teaching,  first  at  the  Broad  Brook 
School,  in  Preston,  then  at  the  Herskell  School,  in 
the  same  town,  for  two  years,  the  former  being  the 
district  school  of  the  Long  Society,  or  First  School 
district,  of  Preston.  He  then  taught  school  at  Glas- 
gow in  Griswold,  after  which  he  taught  for  three 
winters  in  the  Evening  School  of  Norwich,  Connec- 
ticut. For  twenty  years  he  continued  teaching,  al- 
ways living  on  the  home  farm,  working  with  his  fa- 
ther during  the  summers,  and  assisting  him  between 
school  hours.  In  1897  he  gave  up  the  profession  of 
teaching  and  devoted  all  his  time  to  the  home  farm, 
relieving  his  father  of  the  heavy  work  which  was  get- 
ting to  be  too  much  for  his  advancing  years.  Here 
he  has  remained  and  has  become  a  most  excellent 
farmer.  In  all  the  region  round  about  there  is  not 
a  farm  kept  in  better  condition  than  that  of  the  ex- 
schoolman.  In  1913  his  father  deeded  the  farm  to 
him.  He  does  general  farming  and  dairying,  and  is 
an  active,  enthusiastic  member  of  the  Grange,  hav- 
ing taken  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  organization  at 
Preston.  By  his  pen  as  well  as  by  personal  partici- 
pation in  its  activities  he  has  advanced  the  interest 
of  both  the  local  and  the  general  organizations,  and 
in  him  Preston  City  Grange,  No.  no,  has  an  effec- 
tive, forceful  member.  A  prolific  writer  on  many 
subjects,  he  has  taken  special  interest  in  the  activi- 
ties of  the  Grange  and  in  its  history,  making  his  pen 
serve  both  the  organization  of  which  he  writes  and 
those  interests  which  the  Grange  represents  and  pro- 
motes, regardless  of  membership.  He  has  been 
prominent  in  the  life  of  the  town,  serving  as  select- 
man, as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Relief,  and  at  the 
present    time    (1921)    is    serving    in    the    capacity    of 


heahli  officer  and  fire  warden.  Politically  he  sup- 
ports the  Republican  party.  He  is  an  attendant  of 
the  Congregational  church;  is  a  member  of  Preston 
City  Grange,  No.  no,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master; 
of  Pomona  Lodge,  New  London  county.  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  also  past  master;  of  the  Connecticut 
State  Grange;  and  of  the  National  Grange.  His 
wile,  his  son,  and  his  son's  wife  are  also  members  of 
all  the  above  organizations.  Mr.  Barnes  is  also 
president  of  The  Barnes  l-amily  .\ssociation,  having 
served  in  that  capacity  I9n-I2,  1915-17,  and  1919-22. 
A  successful  farmer,  he  not  only  has  the  love  and 
respect  of  his  community  but  has  been  of  great 
service  to  the  civic  life  of  Preston. 

Everett  Palmer  Barnes  married  (first),  at  Preston, 
September  i,  1880,  Mary  Barnes  Zabriskie,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Mariah  Louise  (Cleveland)  Za- 
briskie,  who  w-as  born  in  New  York  City,  December 
15,  i860,  and  died  November  19,  1887.  Of  this  mar- 
riage was  born  one  child,  Erva  Lyon,  born  May  12, 
1883.  Mr.  Barnes  married  (second),  at  Preston,  Au- 
gust 2,  1892,  Susie  Belle  Hyde,  daughter  of  George 
M.  and  Ella  (Wright)  Hyde,  who  was  born  in  Pres- 
ton, Connecticut,  March  24,  1870.  To  this  marriage 
also  one  child  was  born,  Zylpha  Eurctta,  born  at 
Preston,  July  26,  1903.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  New 
London  V'ocational  Technical  High  School,  at  New 
London,   Connecticut. 

(V)  Erva  Lyon  Barnes,  son  of  Everett  P.  and 
Mary  Barnes  (Zabriskic)  Barnes,  attended  the 
Connecticut  State  Agricultural  College  for  three 
years,  and  is  now  associated  with  his  father  in  farm- 
ing the  home  place.  He  married,  October  14,  1909, 
Evangeline  Stedman,  of  North  Stonington,  Connecti- 
cut, and  they  have  two  children:  Donald  Lyon, 
born  at  White  Rock,  Rhode  Island,  December  8, 
1911;  and  Douglas  Stedman,  born  August  3,  1915. 


FRANCIS    JOSEPH    HARPER,    M.  D.— Nearly 

twenty  years  of  active  and  successful  practice  in  his 
native  city  of  Norwich  have  so  firmly  intrenched  Dr. 
Harper  in  the  confidence,  respect  and  affection  of  his 
fellow-citizens  as  to  render  any  further  words  of  in- 
troduction more  than  superfluous.  Dr.  Harper  has 
been  active  in  the  political  life  of  his  community, 
having  filled  with  credit  more  than  one  local  office 
of  trust  and   responsibility. 

Richard  Harper,  father  of  Francis  Joseph  Harper, 
was  born  in  Ireland,  and  as  a  young  man  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Greenville,  Coinnecticut, 
on  Greenville  road.  He  soon  found  employment  in 
the  bleachery  there  and  learned  the  trade  of  dyer 
and  bleacher,  which  he  followed  until  he  was  about 
forty  years  old.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Harper  married 
Mary  .'\nnc  Williams,  who,  like  himself,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland,  and  their  children  were:  Francis  Jo- 
seph, mentioned  below;  Katherine,  deceased;  Sophia, 
deceased;  Isabelle  also  deceased;  and  Mary  Anne, 
married  James  H.  Hankins,  of  Lakewood.  New  Jer- 
sey, and  now  lives  in  Norwich,  whfc  she  and  her 
brothers  and  sisters  were  born.     Mr.  Harper,  while 


24 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


at  his  work  in  the  blcachery,  me't  with  an  accident, 
from  the  elTects  of  which  he  died  two  days  later. 
His  wife  passed  away  in  Norwich  about  1893. 

Francis  J.  Harper,  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  Anne 
(Williams)  Harper,  was  born  in  Norwich,  and  re- 
ceived his  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city,  afterward  spending  one  year  at 
the  Vermont  University,  and  two  years  in  the  Medi- 
cal Department  of  the  University  of  Georgia.  He 
graduated  from  the  latter  in  1899,  and  supplemented 
this  with  a  si.x  months'  course  in  the  New  York  Post 
Graduate  Medical  School,  University  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  In  1899  Dr.  Harper  began  practicing  as 
a  physician  and  surgeon  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  but 
at  the  end  of  a  year  returned  to  his  native  city  of 
Norwich,  where  he  opened  an  office  and  where  he 
has  ever  since  been  continuously  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  building  up,  at  the 
same  time,  a  lucrative  connection  and  an  enviable 
reputation.  The  assured  professional  position  now 
held  by  Dr.  Harper  is  entirely  of  his  own  making  and 
rests  on  the  sure  foundation  of  innate  ability,  thor- 
ough and  comprehensive  equipment,  and  unswerving 
fidelity  to  every  duty. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Dr.  Harper  is  given 
to  the  principles  upheld  by  the  Democratic  party, 
and  for  eight  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Norwich  Water  Board.  For  the  last  eighteen  years 
he  has  held  office  as  one  of  the  three  town  physi- 
cians of  the  city.  He  affiliates  with  Norwich  Lodge, 
No.  430,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
of  Norwich;  Norwich  Lodge,  No.  950,  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose;  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hiberians,  of 
Norwich,  Division  2.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Pa- 
trick's Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  Harper  married,  in  New  London.  Connecticut, 
November  25,  1903,  Matilda  F.  Gustafson,  born  in 
Sweden,  daughter  of  Gustaf  and  Charlotte  (Sols- 
berg)  Gus'tafson,  natives  of  that  country.  Mr.  Gus- 
tafson died  in  Sweden,  and  his  widow,  who  came  to 
the  United  States,  passed  away  in  New  London.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Harper  have  been  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Francis  Gustaf,  born  in  Norwich,  October  25,  19OS, 
died  tliere  December   17,  1914. 


GEORGE  GRANVILLE  GRANT— Like  most  of 
New  England's  family  trees,  the  roots  of  that  of 
Gforrrp  G'Tinville  Grant  run  far  back  into  the  earliest 
history  of  the  country.  On  the  paternal  side  he  is 
a  uL'Suendant  of  Matthew  Gran't,  one  of  the  original 
company  who  came,  in  1630,  to  Dorchester,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  the  "Mary  and  Jolm,"  with  Maverick 
and  Warham,  and  later  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  company  which  settled  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
Matthew  Grant  married  (first)  Priscilla,  whom  he 
wedded  November  16,  1621;  and  (second)  Susanna 
(Chapin)  Rockwell,  May  29,  1645.  The  children,  all 
born  of  the  first  marriage,  were:  Priscilla,  Matthew, 
Tahan,  and  John,  the  first  two  being  born  in  Eng- 
land, the  next  two  at  Dorchester,  and  the  last  at 
Windsor.  Matthew  Grant  was  the  first  town  clerk 
of  Windsor,  which  office  he  held  for  years.     He  was 


also  town  surveyor,  and  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  organization  and  transplanting  of  the  Congre- 
gational church  formed  in  Plymouth,  England,  and 
later  removed  to   Dorchester,   Massachusetts. 

Charles  Henry  Grant,  grandfather  of  George 
Granville  Grant,  was  born  about  1814,  in  Stonington, 
Connecticut.  As  a  young  man  he  clerked  in  a  coun- 
try store  in  Preston,  and  later  went  to  Brooklyn, 
Connecticut,  where  he  purchased  a  general  store  and 
carried  on  the  business  until  his  death  in  1849.  He 
married  Elizabeth  A.  Prentice,  daughter  of  Hezekiah 
and  Elizabeth  (Leonard)  Prentice,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  Jane  H.,  and  Charles 
William,  of  whom  further. 

Charles  Vv'illiam  Grant,  father  of  George  Gran- 
ville Grant,  was  one  of  the  successful  self-made  men 
of  his  section.  Born  in  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  April 
12,  1845,  his  father  died  when  he  was  a  child  of  four 
and  he  was  placed  in  the  family  of  his  maternal 
grandfather,  Hezekiah  Prentice,  in  Griswold,  where 
he  remained  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He 
worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  district  school 
until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  went  to  Norwich  and 
entered  the  employ  of  William  H.  Bushnell,  farmer 
and  teamster,  working  for  $6.50  a  month  for  the 
first  year  and  for  $7.50  a  month  during  the  second 
year.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  Edward  Hun- 
ter, a  farmer  living  near  what  is  now  Taftville,  re- 
maining three  and  a  half  years,  after  which  he  be- 
gan teaming  on  shares.  The  ne.xt  year  he  bought  a 
team  of  his  own  and  did  the  first  teaming  done  in 
the  construction  of  the  Taftville  mills.  Until  March, 
1885,  he  continued  at  teaming  and  farming,  then 
went  into  the  livery  business  at  Versailles  until 
1889,  when  he  closed  out  the  Versailles  establishment 
and  bought  the  livery  business  at  Taftville,  then 
owned  by  Andrew  Holdredge.  This  he  conducted 
until  April,  1902,  when  he  disposed  of  it  to  his  son, 
George  Granville  Grant,  and  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  teaming,  living  on  his  farm  near  Taft- 
ville, purchased  by  him  in  1897  from  the  heirs  of  his 
father-in-law.  He  married,  November  4,  1869, 
Isadora  M.  Staples,  daughter  of  Elias  W.  and  Abby 
(Standish)  Staples,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  a  direct 
descendant  of  Miles  Standish,  and  four  children  were 
born  of  the  marriage:  George  G.,  of  whom  further; 
Abbey  S.,  wife  of  John  Sharpies,  a  machinist  of 
Taftville,  they  the  parents  of  two  children,  War- 
ren and  Clayton  Douglas;  Walter  S.,  engaged  in 
teaming  in  Taftville,  married  Ida  May  Wellerand, 
and  has  two  children,  Sarah  Isadora  and  Charles 
Walter;  and  Bessie  M.  Charles  William  Grant  died 
May  27,  1916. 

George  Granville  Grant  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  January  5,  1871.  He  attended  the 
schools  of  the  district  and  then  went  to  Snell's  Busi- 
ness College  at  Norwich.  He  worked  with  his  father 
until  April  I,  1902,  gaining  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  details  of  farming,  teaming,  and  the  livery 
business.  The  Taftville  livery  business  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  teaming  business  he  bought  from  his  fa- 
ther,  April    I,   1902,   and   successfully   continued   the 


^^?^ 


<Z^Cc^z^^ 


I 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


25 


business  until  1919,  when  he  disposed  of  it.  Mr. 
Grant  conducts  an  undertaking  establishment,  hav- 
ing prepared  himself  for  this  work  by  attending  the 
Massachusetts  Embalming  School  at  Boston,  Mass- 
achusetts, under  the  direction  of  Professors  Sullivan 
and  Dodge,  and  then  serving  for  a  number  of  years 
in  the  establishment  of  H.  B.  Knowles,  of  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island.  That  his  tact  and  courtesy 
enable  him  to  meet  the  requirements  of  this  last 
business  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  his  clientele 
includes  the  best  families  of  Taftville  and  vicinity. 
In  addition  to  all  these  activities,  the  versatile  tal- 
ents and  the  energy  of  Mr.  Grant  find  expression  in 
still  another  direction.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  large 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  in  Montville, 
Connecticut,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming 
and  dairying.  He  has  made  the  farm  thoroughly 
modern  in  all  respects  and  has  one  of  the  best  herds 
of  thoroughbred  Ayrshire,  registered  cattle  in  the 
State.  Mr.  Grant  votes  independently.  Fraternally, 
he  is  a  member  of  Taft  Lodge,  No.  25,  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  of  which  he  was  trustee 
for  several  years,  and  a  charter  member  of  Court 
Wequonoc,  No.  88,   Fores'ters  of  America. 

Mr.  Grant  married,  July  23,  1895,  May  C.  Gilbran- 
son,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Frances  M.  (Corliss) 
Gilbranson.  One  child  was  born  of  the  marriage, 
Ruth  May,  who  married  Thomas  Perkins  Sears,  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  Mr.  Scars  is  aasociated  with 
his  father-in-law  in  business,  the  two  families  making 
their  homes  together.  Thomas  Perkins  Sears,  Jr., 
was  born  May  22,  1921. 


COURTLAND    EVERETT   COLVER  — .Aimong 

New  England's  old  family  names  tliat  of  Colver 
ranks  as  one  of  the  oldest.  Amos  Colver,  the  great- 
grandfather of  Courtland  Everett  Colver,  was  born 
August  7,  1753.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War  in  1779,  enlisting  from  Groton,  Connecticut. 
He  married  Esther  Colver,  and  the  two  became  the 
parents  of  six  children,  among  whom  was  Moses 
Jones  Colver,  of  whom  further. 

Moses  Jones  Colver,  son  of  .\mos  and  Esther 
Colver,  was  born  December  25,  1783.  He  lived  to 
be  eighty  years  of  age,  residing  in  District  No.  2, 
near  the  navy  yard.  He  married  Sarah  Buddington, 
and  reared  a  family  of  eleven  children,  among  them 
Coddington  and  Jonathan  Colver,  of  whom  further. 
He  and  his  wife  were  buried  in  the  Starr  burial  place 
at  Groton. 

Coddington  Colver,  son  of  Moses  Jones  and  Sarah 
(Buddington)  Colver,  was  born  in  District  No.  2, 
Groton,  Connecticut,  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
four  j'ears,  at  Center  Groton,  to  which  place  he  had 
gone  in  1845.  He  worked  at  farming,  also  at  the 
wood  and  timber  business,  and  was  actively  inter- 
ested in  the  life  of  his  community.  He  was  promi- 
nent in  business  and  church  affairs,  was  road  over- 
seer for  some  time,  and,  while  living  in  Old  Mystic, 
was  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church.  He  married 
Esther  Buddington,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Budding- 
ton,   and    their    children    were    eight,    among    them 


Moses  Jones  (2)  Colver,  of  whom  further  mention. 

Moses  Jones  (2)  Colver,  son  of  Coddington  and 
Esther  (Buddington)  Colver,  was  born  in  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  and  came  to  Center  Groton  when 
he  was  five  years  old,  there  attending  school  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  sea,  ship- 
ping on  the  coast  vessel  "Sylph,"  of  New  London, 
and  later  on  the  "Noank,"  a  halibut  fishing  vessel  en- 
gaged in  business  off  Georges  Bank.  During  the 
Civil  War,  he  was  on  the  "Elizabeth  D.  Hart,"  en- 
gaged in  carrying  supplies,  and  was  later  quarter- 
master on  the  transport  "Cassandra."  He  was  en- 
gaged on  several  vessels  at  different  times,  and  while 
on  'the  "Liberty,"  met  with  an  accident  which  nearly 
cost  him  his  life.  On  January  22,  i860,  he  married 
Ursula  B.  Chapman,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Eliza 
(Hazen)  Chapman.  Moses  Jones  (2)  Colver  is  a 
cousin  of  Courtland  Everett  Colver. 

Jonathan  Colver,  another  son  of  Moses  Jones  (i) 
Colver  and  his  wife,  Sarah  (Buddington)  Colver, 
was  born  in  Leyden,  Massachusetts,  in  1820.  He  at- 
tended school  in  Groton,  and  then  tor  twenty-eight 
years  engaged  in  deep  sea  and  whale  fishing,  sailing 
from  New  London,  Mystic,  and  New  Bedford, 
Connecticut,  and  whaling  in  the  Southern  Pacific 
Ocean,  Okhotsk  Sea,  and  the  Arctic  Ocean.  For 
many  years  he  had  command  of  a  coasting  vessel  on 
the  Pacific,  and  in  the  course  of  his  sea-faring  life, 
made  the  difficult  passage  around  Cape  Horn 
five  times.  He  married  Sarah  A.  Chapman,  daughter 
of  Courtland  Chapman,  of  Ledyard,  Connecticut. 
During  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  he  worked  at 
fanning,  near  the  navy  yard,  in  Groton.  He  was  an 
active  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  school  board 
in  Groton.  He  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Carlton  and  Kate  B.,  twins,  born 
in  1863,  both  deceased,  Carlton  having  died  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  months,  and  Kate  B.  died  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1921;  and  Courtland  E.,  of  whom  further. 

Courtland  E.  Colver,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah 
A.  (Chapman)  Colver,  was  born  September  8,  1875. 
He  attended  the  Groton  schools  and  then  went  to 
tlie  New  London  Business  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1S93.  He  then  studied  electrical  engi- 
neering, and  on  June  i,  1902,  was  appointed  superin- 
tendent of  the  Groton  Water  and  Electric  Company, 
which  position  he  filled  with  efficiency.  But  having 
once  achieved  success,  Mr.  Colver  does  not  rest 
upon  his  laurels.  He  goes  deeply  and  thoroughly 
into  whatever  enterprise  he  undertakes  and  is 
constantly  adding  to  his  efficiency.  In  1903  he 
received  the  degree  of  Master  of  the  Science  of  Ac- 
counts from  the  New  London  Business  College.  On 
.'\pril  I,  1906,  he  became  superintendent  and  manager 
of  the  Perry  Ice  Company,  of  New  London,  and  at 
the  present  writing  is  manager  and  treasurer  of  the 
company. 

Politically,  Mr.  Colver  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  31,  Free  and  .\cccpted 
Masons,  of  New  London.  He  also  is  an  active  and 
valued  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Gales 
Ferry,  Ledyard   Connecticut,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee 


26 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


and  in  which  he  has  served  as  Sunday  school  super- 
intendent for  nearly  twenty-two  years.  Groton  Con- 
clave, No.  382,  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs,  num- 
bers Mr.  Colvcr  among  its  members. 

Mr.  Colver  married  (first),  on  November  12,  1902, 
Bertha  E.  Rodman,  daughter  of  John  B.  Rodman. 
Mrs.  Colver  died  March  22,  1903.  On  April  9,  1909, 
he  married  (second),  Louisa  Julia  Egger,  of  New 
London,  and  the  two  became  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Courtland  E.,  Jr.;  Helen  Louise;  Margaret 
Sarah;  and  Frederick  Bowne,  who  died  December 
8,  1919.  All  were  born  at  Groton,  Connecticut,  with 
the  e-xception  of  Frederick  B.,  who  was  born  in  New 
London. 


ALEXANDER  MARSHALL  PURDY,  M.D.— In 

that  part  of  the  township  of  Groton,  New  London 
county,  Connecticut,  comprised  in  Mystic,  Dr. 
Purdy  has  practiced  his  profession  since  1887,  thirty- 
five  years  having  elapsed.  He  is  a  native  son  of 
Connecticut,  his  parents,  the  Rev.  Alva  B.  and 
Eliza  (Marshall)  Purdy,  and  his  grandfather,  John 
Purdy,  of  Round  Hill,  Connecticut. 

Rev.  Alva  B.  Purdy,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  married  Eliza  Marshall,  daughter 
of  Newcomb  Marshall,  of  Stamford,  Connecticut. 
They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  Alexander 
Marshall,  the  principal  character  of  this  review; 
and  CalvinTompkins,  who  married  Clara  Selleck. 

Alexander  M.  Purdy  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Greenwich,  Stamford,  Connecticut,  September  20, 
1862.  Under  the  law  of  the  itinerancy  governing 
Methodist  ministers,  changes  of  pastorate  are  fre- 
quen't,  and  thus  the  lad's  schools  were  varied,  but 
most  of  his  early  school  years  were  passed  at  Tom- 
kins  Cove,  New  York.  Later  he  was  a  student  at 
Literary  and  Commercial  Institute,  Bridgehampton, 
Long  Island,  and  there  graduated.  He  also  attended 
Brooklyn  public  schools.  He  studied  medicine  under 
Dr.  Davis,  of  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  and  in  1882 
entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Vermont,  graduating  in  1884.  Dr.  Purdy  began  prac- 
ticing in  Voluntown,  Connecticut,  but  later  located  in 
Old  Mystic,  in  the  town  of  Stonington.  In  1887  he 
settled  in  that  part  of  Mystic  contained  within  the 
town  of  Groton,  and  there  has  since  continued,  his 
practice  large,  his  reputation  of  the  highest.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  New  London  County  and  Connecti- 
cut Sta'te  Medical  societies:  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  and  the  Masonic  order,  belonging 
to  lodge  and  chapter.  In  1901  he  was  appointed 
health  officer  of  the  town  of  Groton. 

Dr.  Purdy  married  at  Canterbury,  Connecticut, 
Carrie  Kingsley,  daughter  of  John  P.  Kingsley,  of 
Plainfield,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Purdy  are  the  parents  of 
four  children:  Clifford,  Marshall,  Dorothy  and  Con- 
stance. 


WILLIAM  BENNETT  LAWTON  CRANSTON, 

of  the  old  and  well  known  firm  of  Cranston  & 
Company,  is  one  of  those  stalwart  business  men, 
who  have  for  many  years  maintained  on  solid  foun- 


dation and  at  the  same  time  greatly  extended  the 
commercial  interests  of  Norwich.  It  is  not,  however, 
with  these  interests  alone  that  Mr.  Cranston  is  ac- 
tively identified;  to  everything  essential  for  the 
progress  and  well-being  of  the  community  he  has 
ever  given  the  aid  not  of  money  alone,  but  of  what 
counts  for  even  more,  the  aid  of  personal  influence 
and  well-directed  effort. 

Benjamin  T.  Cranston,  Jr.,  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  review,  was  born  in  Warren,  Rhode  Island, 
September  I,  1832,  and  died  in  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
March  19,  1900.  He  was  brought  by  his  father  to 
Norwich  when  but  a  boy,  his  father,  Benjamin,  Sr., 
having  built  the  first  brick  building  on  the  west 
side,  and  it  is  still  standing  today.  It  is  the  second 
building  south  from  Main  and  Thames  streets.  Here 
Benjamin,  Sr.,  opened  a  grocery  store  and  there  con- 
tinued  successfully    for   about    thirty-five   years. 

Benjamin  T.  Cranston,  Jr.,  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Norwich,  and  entered  upon  his 
business  career  as  clerk  in  the  clothing  store  of 
Ebenezer  Fuller,  where  he  remained  until  1853,  when 
he  moved  to  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and  there 
accepted  a  position  as  cashier  with  the  Adams  Ex- 
press Company.  Nine  years  later  he  removed  to 
Norwich  and  entered  into  partnership  with  Morgan 
Safford,  who  had  been  in  the  stationery  business 
since  1840.  This  partnership  continued  until  1887, 
when  Mr.  Cranston  bought  out  the  interests  of  Mr. 
Safford  and  took  into  the  firm  his  two  sons,  William 
B.  L.  and  Thomas,  the  firm  name  being  the  Cran- 
ston Company.  Here  Benjamin  T.  Cranston  con- 
tinued until  his  death.  He  was  always  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  in  the  community,  and  when  he 
passed  away  Norwich  lost  one  of  her  finest  types  of 
citizens.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and,  in 
religion  a  devout  member  of  the  Central  Baptist 
Church.  He  married  Cornelia  Anne  (Safford), 
September  5,  1853,  and  to  them  were  born  three 
children:  William  B.  L.,  of  further  mention; 
Thomas,  born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  July  21, 
1856,  and  died  in  Norwich,  May  I,  1909;  and  Morgan 
Safford,  born  November  29,  1873,  and  died  November 
5,  1874. 

William  B.  L.  Cranston  was  born  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  March  17,  1855,  and  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  coming  there 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  with  his  father.  In  1873  he 
became  clerk  in  his  father's  store,  his  brother 
Thomas  entering  the  business  at  about  the  same 
time.  After  the  father's  death,  William  B.  L.  and 
Thomas  carried  on  the  business  until  the  latter's 
death  in  May  1909,  when  William  B.  L.  took  C. 
Edward  Smith  into  the  business,  which  was  incorpo- 
rated in  1914  under  the  name  of  the  Cranston  Com- 
pany. The  business  since  1916  has  been  located  on 
Broadway,  near  the  Wauregan  Hotel,  and  the  store 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-equipped 
stationery  stores  in  Connecticut.  Mr.  Cranston  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  but  has  never  cared  for  of- 
fice. He  affiliates  with  St.  James  Lodge,  No.  23, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;   Franklin   Council,  No. 


CyU/iA^M,  l)r<^(A4^^yv)Ac;iAyi^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


37 


3,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Franklin  Chapter,  No. 

4,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  Tuenibcrs 
of  the  Arcanum  Club  of  Norwich,  and  was  a  charter 
iiicniber  of  the  Chelsea  Boat  Club.  In  religion  he 
is  a  Baptist,  and  was  librarian  of  the  Sunday  school 
there   for  twenty-five  years. 

Mr.  Cranston  married,  .Xugust  25,  1917,  Julia  .^nn 
(Morgan)  Chapman,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Ma- 
tilda Jane  (Lewis)  Morgan.  Mrs.  Cranston  has  one 
child,  a  son  by  her  first  marriage,  Percy  Morgan 
Chapman. 


ELISHA  WATERMAN— Bearing  a  name  that 
earlier  generations  of  his  family  carried  in  honorable 
participation  in  the  stirring  events  of  Colonial  times 
and  in  the  arduous  labors  of  pioneer  life,  Elisha 
Waterman,  of  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  former  Repre- 
sentative and  State  Senator,  traces  a  long  and  distin- 
guished ancestry  in  New  England. 

The  first  American  ancestor  was  Robert  Water- 
man, who  married,  December  9,  1638,  Elizabeth 
Bourne,  of  Marshfield.  Thomas  Waterman,  their 
second  son,  was  born  in  1644,  and  probably  came  to 
Norwich  with  his  uncle,  John  Bradford.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1668,  he  married  Miriam  Tracy,  only  daughter 
of  Thomas  Tracy.  Thomas  Waterman  died  in  1708, 
leaving  an  estate  inventoried  at  £835  us  4d.  He  had 
three   sons  and  five  daughters. 

Thomas  (2)  Waterman,  son  of  Thomas  (i)  and 
Miriam  (Tracy)  Waterman,  was  born  in  1670,  and 
died  in  1755.  He  married,  when  not  quite  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  June  29,  1691,  Elizabeth  Allyn,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  .-Vllyn.  Their  union  was  prolonged  to 
a  term  of  sixty-four  years,  and  their  deaths  oc- 
curred within  a  few  months  of  each  other,  in  1755. 
They  had  seven  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Lieutenant  Elisha  Waterman,  fifth  son  of  Thomas 
(2)  and  Elizabeth  (Allyn)  Waterman,  is  said  to  have 
died  in  Havana,  a  victim  of  the  fatal  expedition 
undertaken  against  the  Spanish   in   1762. 

Captain  .-\ndrew  Waterman,  son  of  Lieutenant 
Elisha  Waterman,  was  born  May  18,  1737,  and  died 
February  16,  1822.  He  settled  in  Lebanon,  about  the 
time  of  his  marriage,  1759,  and  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  known  as  Captain  Andrew  Waterman.  He 
married,  September  11,  1759,  Elizabeth  Fitch,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  Elizabeth,  Ezra  F.,  Lebbeus, 
Andrew  (2),  Betsy,  Sarah,  and  Elisha  (2),  of  whom 
further. 

Elisha  (2)  Waterman,  son  of  Capta:n  Andrew  and 
Elizabeth  (Fitch)  Waterman,  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  October  I,  1777.  He  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  supplemented  this  training  with  a 
few  terms  in  an  academy  at  Lebanon,  Connecticut, 
taught  by  Nathan  Tisdale.  In  young  manhood  he 
became  a  school  teacher  and  taught  for  several 
terms.  He  then  became  a  farmer,  cultivating  more 
than  three  hundred  acres.  He  was  a  Whig  in  poli- 
tics and  then  a  Republican,  and  filled  all  of  the  town 
offices,  several  times  representing  his  town  in  the 
State  Legislature  and  his  district  in  the  Senate  for 


one  term.  For  many  years  he  was  judge  of  probate. 
He  was  a  regular  attendant  of  the  Congregational 
church,  a  man  of  positive  character,  upright  and  re- 
spected. He  married,  September  20,  1812,  Betsy 
Mason,  daughter  of  James  Fitch  Mason.  She  was 
born  October  10,  1790,  died  May  4,  1862,  and  with 
her  husband  is  buried  on  Goshen  Hill,  Lebanon, 
Connecticut.  Children:  Andrew,  died  young-  Eliza- 
beth F.,  James  F.  M.,  Elisha  (3),  Nancy  .M  ,  and 
Andrew  (3),  of  whom  further. 

Andrew  (3)  Waterman,  son  of  Elisha  (2)  and 
Betsy  (Mason)  Waterman,  was  born  on  the  Water- 
man homestead,  in  Goshen,  town  of  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  June  13,  1833,  and  died  there  in  March' 
1910.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and 
Norwich  Academy,  and  spent  his  life  on  the  home 
farm,  which  he  inherited  from  his  father.  During  his 
active  life  the  property  was  greatly  improved  and 
the  main  part  of  the  present  house  was  built.  He 
pursued  general  farming  and  cattle  raising  opera- 
tions and  upon  his  retirement  in  his  later  years  the 
management  of  the  farm  fell  upon  his  son.  He  mar- 
ried, at  Lebanon,  February  5,  1873,  Julia  Emma 
Stark,  born  January  13,  1847,  died  in  Lebanon,  March 
2,  1898,  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Sarah  Ann  (Geer) 
Stark,  of  Lebanon.  Issue:  i.  Elisha  (4),  of  whom 
further.  2.  Clarence  Mason,  born  May  17,  1879,  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority, when  he  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he 
now  resides.  3.  Frank  Edsall,  born  January  27, 
1881,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  attended 
Mount  Hermon  School  for  Boys.  At  the  time  of  his 
death.  May  9,  1908,  he  was  associated  with  the 
Waterbury  Brass  Company,  of  Waterbury,  Connec- 
ticut. 4.  Bessie  Mason,  born  March  30,  1886,  mar- 
ried Frank  R.  Bartlett.  5.  Mary  Emma,  born  .April 
II,  1889,  married  Harry  E.  Prentice,  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut. 

Elisha  (4)  Waterman,  son  of  Andrew  (3)  and  Julia 
Emma  (Stark)  Waterman,  was  born  on  the  home- 
stead in  Goshen,  town  of  Lebanon,  Connecticut, 
September  10,  1875.  -After  attending  the  district 
schools  he  entered  Bacon  .Academy,  and  was  later  a 
student  in  Spencer's  Business  College,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  graduated,  September  i,  1894. 
In  young  manhood  he  established  a  trucking  business 
for  the  Bozrahville  Cotton  Company,  also  taking 
charge  of  the  home  farm  when  his  father  laid  aside 
its  responsibilities.  Upon  the  death  of  the  elder  Mr. 
Waterman  he  came  into  possession  of  the  homestead, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  To  the  original 
three  hundred  acres  he  has  added  one  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  by  purchase,  and  with  his  agricultural 
operations  has  raised  and  dealt  extensively  in  cattle. 
Holstein  stock  has  had  his  attention  to  the  exclusion 
of  all  other  breeds,  and  he  has  long  had  one  of  the 
finest  herds  in  the  region. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Waterman  has  been  chairman 
of  the  Republican  Town  Committee,  and  in  1909  he 
filled  a  seat  in  the  State  Legislature.  In  1919  he 
served  in  the  State  Senate,  and  in  both  lower  and 
upper  houses  ably  and  faithfully  worked  for  the  best 


28 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


interest  of  his  district  and  the  State.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church,  and  atTihates  with 
Wooster  Lodge,  No.  lo.  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  Mr.  Waterman  is  identified  with  all  pro- 
gressive movements  in  the  d'slrict,  and  has  a  wide 
circle  of  friends  made  in  public  and  private  life. 

Mr.  Waterman  married,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
October  25,  191 1.  Ella  Mercy  Tucker,  born  in  Le- 
banon, daughter  of  Orlando  C.  and  Minnie  Catherine 
(Bronson)  Tucker,  her  father  a  native  of  Lebanon, 
her  mother  born  in  Mystic.  Issue:  Natalie  Cather- 
ine, born  September  15,  1912;  and  Evelyn  Tucker, 
born  November  26,   1914- 

MASON  FITCH  COGGESHALL— The  ancestry 
of  the  Coggeshall  family  dates  back  to  the  days  of 
the  Norman  occupation  of  England.  Possessed  of 
large  estates  in  Essex  and  SufTolk,  including  the 
manor  of  Little  Coggeshall  and  Codham  Hall, 
Wethersficld,  near  Coggeshall-on-the-Blackwater,  the 
oldest  families  of  the  name  followed  the  Norman 
custom  and  wrote  their  names  with  the  preposition 
as  did  Thomas  de  Coggeshall,  owner  of  these  vast 
estates  in  the  reign  of  King  Stephen  of  Blois,  grand- 
son of  William  the  Conqueror,  who  was  the  reigning 
King  from  113S  to  1 154-  Five  of  the  family,  several 
of  whom  were  knights,  were  sheriffs  of  Essex,  and 
Coggeshall  Abbey  (the  most  famous  ot  the  Cister- 
cian Order)  was  built  by  King  Stephen,  1 142,  and  en- 
dowed by  Matilda,  of  Boulogne  and  Eustace,  son  of 
the  King,  with  their  lands  in  France.  The  coat-of- 
arms  of  the  Coggeshalls  of  Essex,  from  whom  John 
Coggeshall,  progenitor  of  the  Coggeshalls  in  Amer- 
ica, is  descended,  indicates  their  connection  with  the 
crusades  and  is  probably  one  of  the  oldest  in  English 
heraldry. 

John  Coggeshall,  merchant,  and  emigrant  New 
England  settler,  was  born  in  1599  in  the  county  of 
Essex,  England.  He  came  to  New  England  in  16.^2, 
arriving  in  Boston  on  the  ship  "Lion,"  with  his  wife 
Mary  and  three  children,  John,  Joshua  and  Ann. 
Fie  removed  to  Boston  in  1634,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  board  of  selectmen  of  that  city,  c'losen  in  1634. 
He  was  also  deputy  during  that  same  year  and 
served  in  that  capacity  several  times.  When  Anne 
Hutchinson  came  under  the  displeasure  of  the  author- 
ities of  the  Massachuserts  colony,  John  Coggeshall 
was  one  of  the  seventy-five  supporters  who  were  dis- 
armed by  the  officials,  and  he  was  one  of  the  six- 
teen persons  who,  in  1638,  went  to  Providence  and 
bought  from  the  Narragansetts  the  island  of  Aquid- 
neck,  later  called  Rhode  Island.  They  were  incorpo- 
rated in  a  body  politic  and  began  the  settlement  of 
Pocassett,  later  known  as  Portsmouth.  John  Cog- 
geshall was  also  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Ports- 
mouth who  settled  in  Newport  in  1639,  and  when, 
in  1640,  Portsmouth  and  Newport  were  united,  he 
was  chosen  one  of  the  assistants.  In  1644,  when  the 
union  of  several  settlements  into  Providence  Plan- 
tations was  made  effectual,  John  Coggeshall  was 
elected  president  of  Providence  Plantations,  and  died 


in  olTice  about  November  23,  1647.    His  widow  died 
December   \g,  1684. 

The  children  of  John  and  Mary  Coggeshall  were: 
I.  John,  born  in  England  about  1618,  died  at  New- 
port, Rhode  Island,  October  I,  1708;  he  held  sev- 
eral offices,  was  acting-governor  1689-90,  and  was 
appointed  major  of  the  militia  in  1684.  He  resided 
in  Newport.  2.  Joshua,  born  in  England  in  1623, 
died  in  Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island,  May  I,  1688.  3. 
Ann,  born  in  England  in  1626,  died  at  Newport, 
March  6,  1687  or  1689.  4.  Hanniel,  baptised  in  Bos- 
ton, May  3,  1635.  5.  Wait,  baptised  in  Boston,  Sep- 
tember II,  1636,  died  May  9,  1718.  6.  Bedaiah,  bap- 
tised in  Boston,  July  30,  1637. 

Able  and  enterprising,  the  descendants  of  John  atid 
Mary  Coggeshall  have  been  much  honored  with  pub- 
lic office  in  which  capacities  they  have  served  their 
communities  faithfully  and  well.  Of  the  later  gen- 
erations. Reverend  Samuel  Wilde  Coggeshall,  D.D.,  a 
scholarly  man  and  an  able  preacher  ot  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  Reverend  Freeborn  Cogges- 
hall, an  Episcopalian  clergyman,  and  Hon.  Henry  J. 
Coggeshall,  lawyer  and  legislator,  as  well  as  public 
lecturer,  have  worthily  borne  the  name,  adding  to 
the  distinction  already  conferred  by  famous  ances- 
tors. 

John  Adley  Coggeshall,  grandfather  of  Mason 
Fitch  Coggeshall,  was  the  first  member  of  the  family 
to  locate  in  Montville.  Born  in  Mansfield,  Connec- 
ticut, he  grew  to  manhood  in  that  place  and  became 
a  merchant,  carrying  on  business,  first  in  Mansfield, 
later  in  Norwich,  and  finally  in  Montville.  Through- 
out his  lifetime  he  was  a  consistent  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  the 
party  in  Montville,  being  elected  first  selectman  of 
the  town,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  two  years 
and  then  was  chosen  town  representative  to  the 
State  Legislature  at  Hartford.  He  married  Mary  S. 
Cardwell,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Effie  M.,  now  the  wife  of  John  S.  Baker,  of 
New  London;  William  A.,  a  resident  of  Portland, 
Oregon;  Mason  J.,  who  resides  in  Montville;  and 
Everett  W.,  who  resides  in  New  York  City.  The 
mother  died  in  Willimantic,  Connecticut,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-four  years. 

Mason  Jennings  Coggeshall,  third  child  and  sec- 
ond son  of  John  Adley  and  Mary  S.  (Cardwell)  Cog- 
geshall, was  reared  in  Montville,  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  town, 
later  entering  Bryant  and  Stratton  Business  College, 
at  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  where  he  made  thor- 
ough and  practical  preparation  for  his  career.  As  a 
traveling, salesman  he  has  been  very  successful,  and 
has  resided  both  in  Norwich  and  Montville.  A 
staunch  Democrat,  he  served  for  four  years  on  the 
City  Council  of  Norwich.  He  married  Anna  J., 
daughter  of  Elisha  and  Annie  J.  (Fitch)  Palmer,  of 
Montville.  Elisha  Palmer  died  in  1865  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four  years.  Mason  J.  and  Anna  T.  (Pal- 
mer) Coggeshall  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Agnes    Madeline,    now    the    wife    of    Peleg    Horace 


I^atrich  ^.  C^arrinian,  fl@.  2D. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


»J 


Bramley,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Norwich,  and 
mother  of  one  child,  Horace  Dwight;  John  Adley,  of 
Montvillc,  also  a  farmer;  and  Mason   Fitch. 

Mason  Fitch  Coggeshall  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  October  27,  1894,  and  attended  the 
Broadway  grammar  school  of  that  city.  With  the 
removal  of  the  family  to  Mon"tville  while  he  was  yet 
scarcely  more  than  a  boy,  Mr.  Coggeshall  became 
interested  in  farm  life  and  later  took  up  farming 
seriously  as  a  business.  He  carried  on  quite  exten- 
sive operations  in  general  farming,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  most  promising  young  men  of  the  com- 
munity. 

By  political  affiliation  Mr.  Coggcsliall  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  public  progress, 
but  has  thus  far  declined  to  take  a  leading  part  in 
political  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  being  a  member  of  Thames 
Lodge,  No.  22,  of  Montvillc,  Connecticut.  He  at- 
tends, and  assists  in  the  support  of  the  Central  Bap- 
tist Church.  Mr.  Coggeshall  and  his  brother,  John 
Adley,  operate  the  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  at 
Trading  Cove,  known  as  the  Fitch  Hill  Farm. 

On  October  27,  1921,  Mr.  Coggeshall  married  Kath- 
erine  Taylor,  daughter  of  Jerome  Taylor,  formerly  a 
farmer  of  Redfield,  Connecticut,  but  now  of  Bozrah, 
Connecticut,  and  of  Jennie  (Fribie)  Taylor. 


JOHN  ADLEY  COGGESHALL— Among  the  suc- 
cessful farmers  of  this  vicinity  the  name  of  John  A. 
Coggeshall  stands  out  most  prominently.  He  was 
born  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  December  6,  1892,  the 
son  of  Mason  Jennings  and  .Anna  J.  (Palmer)  Cog- 
geshall, and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Norwich 
until  he  had  completed  the  grammar  course.  He 
then  turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  farming,  and 
has  since  devoted  himself  to  that  occupation.  With 
his  brother.  Mason,  he  purchased,  in  the  mother's 
name,  the  two  hundred  acre  tract  known  at  the  Fitch 
Hill  Farm.  The  land  was  naturally  fertile  and  the 
two  brothers  have  spared  no  labor  in  making  it  a 
thorouglily  modern  agricultural  plant,  equipped  with 
the  best  labor-saving  machinery,  cultivated  according 
to  the  most  scientific  methods,  and  operated  with 
practical  ability  and  far-seeing  sagacity. 

While  John  A.  Coggeshall  has  never  taken  any  ac- 
tive part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  community,  he 
has  always  aided  to  the  utmost  any  project  which  he 
deemed  wisely  planned  for  the  advancement  of  the 
community.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Thames  Lodge, 
No.  22,  of  Montville,  Connecticut.  Politically  he  is 
a  Republican.  He  attends  and  supports  the  Central 
Baptist  Church,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  In  1917 
he  was  chosen  to  serve  on  the  board  of  relief  for  the 
town  of  Montville,  Connecticut,  and  has  continued  to 
serve  in  that  capacity  down  to  the  present  time.  Mr. 
Coggeshall   is   unmarried. 


PATRICK  HENRY  HARRIMAN,  M.D.— But  a 
short  half  century  of  years  were  allotted  Dr.  Pat- 
rick H.  Harriman  on  earth,  but  they  were  well  im- 


proved, and  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  his  pro- 
fessional life  was  spent,  there  arc  records  and  monu- 
ments that  show  his  love  for  his  fcllowmen  and  tes- 
tify to  his  usefulness. 

James  and  Helen  Elizabeth  (Ryan)  Harriman,  his 
parents,  were  both  born  in  Ireland,  whence  they 
came  in  youth  to  the  United  States.  At  the  time  of 
the  birth  of  their  son,  Patrick  Henry,  they  were  liv- 
ing in  Calais,  Washington  county,  Maine.  Later  they 
moved  to  Winchendon,  Massachusetts,  where  James 
Harriman  was  foreman  of  a  furniture  factory  until 
his  death.  He  was  survived  by  his  wife,  who  re- 
sided in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  with  her  son.  Dr. 
Harriman,  until  her  death  in  August,  1901. 

Patrick  Henry  Harriman  was  born  in  Calais, 
Washington  county,  Maine,  March  17,  1861,  and  died 
in  the  ci"ty  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  February  16, 
1912.  He  was  educated  in  Winchendon,  Massachu- 
setts, in  the  public  schools,  grade  and  high,  passing 
then  to  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester,  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  was  graduated  with  honors,  A.B., 
class  of  1881.  Having  decided  upon  medicine  as  his 
profession,  he  entered  Dartmouth  Medical  School 
and  continued  medical  study  at  the  University  of 
New  York,  where  he  was  graduated  M.D.,  class  of 
March,  1884.  In  June,  1884,  he  was  awarded  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  A.M.  by  his  alma  mater.  He  was  for 
a  few  months  after  graduation  assistant  physician 
at  Sanford  Hall,  Flushing,  Long  Island,  and  in  1885 
located  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  began 
practice  and  continued  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
general  practitioner,  but  specialized  in  obstetrics,  and 
was  recognized  as  the  leading  physician  of  his  city, 
where  he  was  universally  esteemed.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  visiting  staff  of 
Backus  Hospital,  and  for  a  time  was  lecturer  at  the 
Nurses'  Training  School.  He  was  a  member  and  at 
one  time  president  of  the  Norwich  Medical  Society; 
a  member  of  the  New  London  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  the  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society. 

In  politics,  Dr.  Harriman  was  an  ardent  Democrat 
and  held  a  number  of  offices,  the  gift  of  the  people  of 
Norwich.  He  was  not  a  party  man,  but  one  deeply 
intersted  in  party  success  and  a  leader.  In  1898  he 
was  elected  to  represent  his  ward  on  the  Board  of 
Aldermen  and  served  two  years,  compiling  an  excel- 
lent record.  For  three  terms  he  served  on  the  Board 
of  Water  Commissioners,  beginning  m  1901  and  re- 
tiring in  1907,  with  a  record  of  efficient  service  as 
president  of  the  board.  In  1898  he  was  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  State  Senator,  and  in  a  strong 
Republican  district,  he  was  defeated  by  but  eight 
votes.  During  his  aldcrmanic  service  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners,  and  in 
1900  he  took  so  deep  an  interest  in  the  establishment 
of  a  paid  fire  department  for  Norwich  that  he  was 
termed  the  "Father"  of  that  department  of  the  city 
government.  Following  the  destruction  of  the  Hop- 
kins and  Allen  plants,  he  induced  Chief  Grecnberp  to 
send  in  a  recommendation  to  the  board  for  a  partly- 
paid  fire  department,  and  through  Dr.  Harriman's 
efforts  and  influence  a  beginning  was  made  and  the 


30 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


present  paid  fire  department  is  a  monument  to  his 
memory. 

In  all  civic  matters  he  was  greatly  interested,  and 
his  influence  was  always  exerted  for  every  good 
cause.  A  man  of  rare  judgement  and  unusual  ability, 
he  was  deeply  mourned  by  his  townsmen,  whose  con- 
fidence he  had  earned  and  whose  esteem  he  had 
gained.  He  was  the  friend  of  the  poor,  and  no  man, 
woman  or  child  was  ever  turned  away  without  the 
aid  of  the  good  doctor  if  within  his  power  to  bestow 
it.  He  gave  liberally,  generously  to  relieve  suffering. 
He  lived  and  worked  among  the  common  people,  and 
he  practiced  to  the  fullest  extent  the  "Golden  Rule." 
He  was  a  man  of  great  deeds  but  few  words,  al- 
though when  oratory  was  the  order  of  the  day,  Dr. 
Harriman  was  one  of  the  silver-tongued  orators 
whose  flights  of  eloquence  marked  many  a  public 
occasion.  But  his  usual  style  was  clear  and  con- 
cise, full  of  feeling  and  carrying  the  weight  of  con- 
viction. He  was  a  consistent  member  of  St.  Patrick's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  took  an  important  part 
in  the  lay  work  of  that  parish. 

Dr.  Harriman  was  a  member  of  Hartford  Lodge 
No.  19,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
and  he  was  the  organizer  of  Norwich  Lodge  No.  430, 
of  this  order,  which  he  organized  in  April,  1898.  He 
was  second  vice-president  of  the  Norwich  Board  of 
Trade,  ex-prcsidcnt  of  the  First  Division,  Ancient 
Order  of  Hibernians;  member  of  White  Cross  Coun- 
cil, No.  13,  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  of  the  Father 
Murray  Assembly,  Fourth  degree  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus;  Court  City  of  Norwich,  No.  63,  Foresters 
of  America;  New  England  Order  or  Protection; 
White  Cross  Council,  Catholic  Benevolent  League; 
member  and  physician  to  Lafaye'tte  Council,  Societe 
of  St.  Jean  Baptiste. 

On  September  30,  1890,  Dr.  Harriman  married 
(first)  at  Norwich,  Bertha  E.  Condon,  who  died  in 
Norwich,  July  2,  1895.  He  married  (second)  Novem- 
ber 5,  1902,  at  Norwich,  Mary  Teresa  McNamara, 
born  in  Limerick,  Ireland,  daughter  of  Patrick  Wil- 
liam and  Winifred  (Bray)  McNamara,  her  parents 
both  born  in  Limerick.  The  family  came  to  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  in  1882,  Patrick  W.  dying  in  1915,  his 
wife  yet  surviving  him,  a  resident  of  Norwich.  To 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Harriman  a  son  was  born,  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  Henry  Joseph,  born  April  27,  1904.  Mrs. 
Harriman  survives  her  husband,  and  continues  her 
residence  in  Norwich,  her  home  at  No.  175  Broadway. 

Ever  loyal  in  his  friendships,  Dr.  Harriman  was 
ready  to  do  his  part  in  behalf  of  another,  and  he 
thought  carefully  on  both  sides  of  all  questions,  thus 
eliminating  narrowness,  and  right  governed  his  de- 
cisions. Rare  public  spirit,  with  nicely  balanced 
judgment,  distinguished  him,  and  the  cardinal  traits 
of  his  character  were  generosity,  honor,  integrity  and 
upright  living,  and  devotion  to  his  home  and  to  his 
family. 


is  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of 
Lebanon  township.  Public-spirited  and  progressive, 
he  loves  his  town,  and  no  movement  looking  for  bet- 
ter things  for  the  community  is  without  his  gener- 
ous support. 

William  Kneeland,  father  of  Albert  Greene  Knee- 
land,  was  born  at  Marlboro,  Connecticut,  May  8, 
1817,  and  came  to  Lebanon  in  1865,  where  he  re- 
sided until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1899.  He 
married  (first)  Lucy  Amy  Park,  who  died  in  Hek- 
ron.  To  them  was  born  two  children:  William 
Henry  and  Edwin  Park.  Mr.  Kneeland  married 
(second)  Bessie  McCall,  of  Lebanon,  and  by  this 
union  there  were  four  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Harriett  Eliza  (Mrs.  William  B.  Loomis),  of 
Missouri;  and  Albert  Greene,  of  further  mention; 
the  second  Mrs.  William  Kneeland  passed  away 
December  3,  1873.  Mr.  Kneeland  married  (third) 
Harriett  Newall  McCall,  of  Lebanon. 

Albert  Greene  Kneeland  was  born  at  Andover, 
Connecticut,  April  11,  1852,  and  received  his  ele- 
mentary education  in  the  schools  of  V^ernon,  after 
which  he  entered  Bacon  Academy,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years  and  then  came  to  Lebanon,  where 
at  intervals  he  has  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
During  the  winter  months  until  1916  he  taught 
school  in  various  towns  throughout  New  London 
county,  since  which  time  however,  he  has  been  serv- 
ing as  judge  of  the  Probate  Court.  He  has  brought 
to  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office  a  fixed 
purpose,  conducts  his  duties  impartially  and  firmly, 
according  to  the  law  and  the  evidence  as  he  under- 
stands it.  The  rare  judgement  which  he  displays  in 
the  performance  of  his  judicial  duties  is  dictated  by 
a  mind  discerning  and  discriminating,  a  mind  stored 
with  a  vast  amount  of  knowledge  outside  of  his 
profession. 

In  1884  Judge  Kneeland  was  elected  representa- 
tive from  this  district,  and  has  served  as  selectman 
for  two  years.  He  has  also  been  grand  juror  for 
many  years,  and  has  served  on  the  Board  of  As- 
sessors and  the  School  Board  of  Lebanon. 

Un  November  25,  1875,  Judge  Kneeland  was. 
united  in  marriage  with  Harriett  Johnson  Manning, 
daughter  of  Warren  F.  and  Ruby  Anne  (Johnson) 
Manning.  Judge  and  Mrs.  Kneeland  are  the  par- 
ent of  two  children:  i.  William  Albert,  born  Febru- 
ary 17,  1877,  now  located  in  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
and  is  in  the  employment  of  the  Hartford  Gas  Com- 
pany. 2.  Warren  Manning,  born  August  23,  1879, 
located  in  Hartford,  in  the  employ  of  the  Phoenix 
Insurance  Company.  Judge  Kneeland  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Leb- 
anon, the  former  having  been  deacon  and  treasurer 
there  for  many  years. 


ALBERT  GREENE  KNEELAND,  probate  judge 
until  1921,  which  office  he  has  held  for  fourteen  years, 


WELLS  ROOT  FOWLER— New  England's  ros- 
ter of  names  prominent  as  manufacturers,  or- 
ganizers, and  managers  is  a  long  one.  Her  honor 
list  for  patriotic  service  in  all  wars,  including  the 
World   War,   is   also   long,   and   upon   both   of   these 


XdljUjL^  /r^L^^^-^^CLLf^iy^ , 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


31 


rolls  may  be  found  the  name  of  Wells  Root  Fowler, 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Westerly  Textile 
Company. 

The  Fowler  family  in  New  England  is  descended 
from  a  very  old  English  family,  the  first  American 
pioneer  of  that  name  being  James  Fowler,  who  was 
born  in  Exeter,  England,  January  5,  1668,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  some  time  before  1710.  His 
son,  Samuel  Fowler,  was  born  at  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,  in  April  of  the  latter  year,  lived  in  New- 
port, married,  reared  a  family,  and  became  the  fa- 
ther of  the  second  Samuel  Fowler,  born  in  New- 
port, Rhode  Island,  May  31,  1737.  This  second 
Samuel  Fowler  had  a  son  Benjamin,  born  in  East 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  February  7,  1767,  who  in 
turn  became  the  father  of  the  second  Benjamin 
Fowler,  born  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  December  7, 
1799.  Benjamin  Fowler,  the  second,  was  twice  mar- 
ried. He  first  married  Ann  Weeks  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut.  She  died  without  children,  and  he 
then  married  Mary  Coomes,  of  Longmeadow, 
Massachusetts,  who  became  the  mother  of  Charles 
Alfred  Fowler,  born  at  Hartford,  Connecticut,  July 
16,  1839,  and  died  at  Bayonnc,  New  Jersey,  March  8, 
1914.  Charles  Alfred  Fowler  married  Emily  Black, 
of  Lubec,  Maine,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  the  first  of  whom  was  Frederick 
Everett,  the  father  of  Wells  Root  Fowler. 

F"redcrick  Everett  Fowler  was  born  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  December  16,  1866,  and  died  February 
23,  1920.  His  family  moved  to  Hartford  when  he 
was  three  years  old,  and  he  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  town.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  became  bookkeeper  for  Root  &  Childs, 
commission  merchants  of  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
and  later,  at  about  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he 
moved  to  Rocky  Hill,  Connecticut,  still  retaining 
his  position  with  Root  &  Childs.  In  1898  he  took  a 
position  with  the  I.  E.  Palmer  Company,  in  their 
cotton  mill,  working  in  all  departments  until  he 
became  an  expert  cotton  manufacturer.  In  1900 
he  moved  to  Middletown,  Connecticut.  In  April, 
1912,  he  resigned  his  position  as  business  manager 
and  agent  of  the  above  company,  and  removed  his 
family  to  Westerly,  Rhode  Island.  There  he  or- 
ganized the  Westerly  Textile  Company,  making  it 
one  of  the  big  cotton  concerns  of  Westerly,  an  I 
serving  as  president  and  treasurer  until  his  death. 
He  also  organized  the  Ninigrct  Mills  Company,  of 
Westerly,  and  filled  the  office  of  president.  He  mar- 
ried at  Middletown,  Connecticut,  Gertrude  Sher- 
wood, and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Gertrude  Lillian,  born  at  Rocky  Hill,  Connecticut, 
who  died  there  at  the  age  of  three  years;  Charles 
Sherwood,  born  at  Rocky  Hill,  July  i,  1892,  married 
Nora  E.  Gordon,  and  resides  at  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  and  is  president  of  the  Westerly  Textile 
Company;  Wells  Root,  of  whom  further;  and  Aileen 
Mae,  born  at  Middletown,  Connecticut,  May  31,  1903, 
living  at  the  family  home  in  Westerly. 

Wells  Root  Fowler  was  born  in  Rocky  Hill, 
Connecticut,    November    i,    1895.     He    attended    the 


grammar  and  high  schools  of  Middletown,  Connec- 
ticut, and  in  1912  went  to  Westerly,  Rhode  Island, 
entering  the  service  of  the  Westerly  Textile  Com- 
pany with  his  father.  He  worked  in  all  departments 
in  order  that  he  might  gain  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  business,  and  spent  his  evenings  taking  a 
business  course  in  the  Westerly  Business  College. 
By  energy  and  ability  he  has  worked  himself  up 
to  the  position  of  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
company,  which  position  he  ably  fills  at  the  pres- 
ent time  (1922).  Politically,  Mr.  Fowler  is  a  Repub- 
lican. He  is  a  church  member  and  also  finds  time 
for  fraternal  affiliation.  He  is  a  thirty-second  de- 
gree Mason,  being  a  member  of  Franklin  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Is- 
land; the  Westerly  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Westerly  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Narra- 
gansett  Commandery,  No.  427.  Knights  Templar, 
of  Westerly,  and  of  Palestine  Temple,  Ancient  Ara- 
bic Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Powler  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  10,  of  the  Coast  Artillery 
Corps,  and  after  receiving  his  preliminary  training 
at  Fort  Witherell,  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  was 
made  a  corporal  in  December,  1917;  later  he  passed 
the  examination  for  officer's  training,  which  he  re- 
ceived at  Camp  Johnson,  Florida,  and  was  made  a 
second  lieutenant  in  the  Quartermaster's  Corps, 
January  27,  1918.  In  February,  1918,  he  sailed  for 
France  with  the  81  st  Division,  known  as  the  "Wild- 
cat Division,"  and  composed  of  Georgia  troops. 
This  division  saw  hard  service  in  the  Meuse-Ar- 
gonnc  sector  and  in  the  Vosges  sector.  Mr.  Fow- 
ler was  made  first  lieutenant  February  3,  1919,  at 
Colombe,  France,  and  sailed  from  St.  Nazairc, 
France,  June  15,  1919,  arriving  at  Newport  News, 
Virginia,  June  2:,  1919,  and  receiving  his  discharge 
at  Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  June  24,  1919. 

Wells  R.  Fowler  married  Esther  Ellen  Bindloss, 
daugliter  of  William  Park  Bindloss,  of  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  and  they  have  one  child,  Esther  Bickley 
Bindloss,  born  September  11,  1920. 


WITTER  KINNEY  TINGLEY,  M.D.— No  royal 

road  to  professional  success  has  ever  been  discov- 
ered nor  can  the  needed  characteristics  be  accurately 
described,  but  the  successful  modern  physician  must 
be  a  man  of  wide  learning,  not  alone  professional; 
he  must  be  courteous,  dignified,  sympathetic  and  a 
thoroughly  manly  man  with  all  that  the  word  im- 
plies. With  learning  must  go  the  experience,  and 
while  this  comes  with  the  years  a  great  deal  is 
gained  by  hospital  training  in  large  cities  where  a 
year  as  interne  equals  in  educational  value  perhaps 
ten  years  of  private  practice.  Dr.  Witter  Kinney 
Tingley,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  chief  surgeon  of 
William  W.  Backus  Hospital,  has  met  with  success 
in  his  profession,  and  his  career  may  be  considered 
in  the  light  of  an  illustration.  A  graduate  of  Bclle- 
vue  Hospital  Medical  College,  he  secured  through 
his  standing  in  class  an  interne's  position  in  Belle- 
vue  Hospital,  and  for  two  years  he  served  as  junior 


3^ 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


and  senior  assistant,  tlien  liouse  physician  in  Hospi- 
tal Medical  Division.  This  experience,  gained 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  was  of 
great  importance.  He  has  always  been  a  student, 
and  in  home  and  foreign  institutions  has  sought 
for  deeper  learning  and  a  more  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  human  body,  its  ills  and  their  treatment.  To 
his  other  acquirements  he  adds  the  gift  of  a  ready 
pen  and  the  ability  to  impart  to  others,  through 
the  medium  of  a  printed  page,  the  results  of  his 
search  and  experience.  Thus  he  has  enriched  the 
literature  of  his  profession  with  various  papers  and 
pamphlets  given  to  his  brethren  through  the  "Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Connecticut  Medical  Society."  As 
far  back  as  1891,  he  read  before  that  society  a  paper 
on  "Meningitis  Tuberculosa,"  which  is  yet  in  print 
and  widely  quoted.  Another  of  his  well  known  pa- 
pers is  a  "Resume  of  Ectopic  Pregnancy  to  Ma- 
turity." He  has  specialized  in  surgery  in  later 
years,  and  has  won  honorable  rank  among  the 
leaders  in  that  branch  of  his  profession.  His  pro- 
fessional life  has  been  largely  spent  in  his  native 
city,  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  he  springs  from  an- 
cient New  England  family.  The  Connecticut  Ting- 
ley  family  came  to  South  Windham  from  Rhode  Is- 
land, where  John  Hartford  Tingley  was  born  and 
grew  to  youthful  manhood.  He  settled  »n  South 
Windham,  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  there 
married,  and  resided  until  death.  Among  his  chil- 
dren was  a  son,  William  Henry. 

William  Henry  Tingley  was  born  in  South  Wind- 
ham, Connecticut,  in  1834,  and  spent  his  youth  there, 
coming  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  a  young  man.  In 
Norwich  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  small- 
arms  during  the  Civil  War  period,  1861-65,  but  later 
was  intcres'ted  in  a  flax  growing  enterprise.  He 
finally  engaged  in  business  in  Norwich  as  a  whole- 
sale grocer,  and  there  died  in  1872,  at  the  early  age 
of  thirty-eight.  He  married  Sarah  Kinney,  born  in 
Norwich  in  1832,  who  resided  tlicre  all  her  life,  and 
died  in  1908,  aged  seventy-six,  surviving  her  hus- 
band thirty-six  years.  William  H.  and  Sarah  (Kin- 
ney) Tingley  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Witter  Kinney,  the  eminent  physician  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  to  whom  this  review  is  inscribed;  Wil- 
liam Henry,  a  medical  student,  who  was  lost  at 
sea,  a  young  unmarried  man;  Harriet  Clarke,  mar- 
ried John  Dixon  Hall,  a  lawyer  and  former  prosecu- 
ting attorney  for  the  city  of  Norwich. 

Sarah  (Kinney)  Tingley,  wife  of  William  H. 
Tingley,  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Witter  and  Har- 
riet (Clarke)  Kinney,  her  father  born  in  Preston, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  son  of  Ncwcomb 
Kinney,  who  was  long  proprietor  of  the  Merchant's 
Hotel,  a  famous  Norwich  hostelry  of  "Ye  olden 
time,"  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Por- 
teous  Mitchell  Department  Store. 

Witter  Kinney  Tingley,  eldest  of  the  children  of 
William  H.  and  Sarah  (Kinney)  Tingley,  was  born 
in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  at  the  Kinney  homestead, 
July  25,  1862.  His  graduations  were  from  Broadway 
Grammar  School   in   1878,  and  Norwich   Free  Acad- 


emy, class  of  1882.  From  boyhood  he  had  a  desire 
which  ripened  into  a  fixed  ambition  to  become  a 
physician.  This  ambition  was  encouraged  by  his 
uncle.  Dr.  Elijah  Clarke  Kinney,  who  was  a  physi- 
cian of  Norwich,  and  after  graduation  from  the 
academy,  the  young  man  was  admitted  to  his  uncle's 
offices.  No.  28  Washington  street,  Norwich,  as  a 
medical  student.  He  advanced  there  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, then  entered  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  Col- 
lege, New  York  City,  whence  he  was  graduated 
M.D.,  March  26,  1886,  one  of  the  four  honor  men  of 
that  class. 

His  high  standing  secured  him  appointment  to  the 
post  of  interne  at  Bellevue  Hospital,  together  with 
thee  others  of  the  class  who  were  marked  for  that 
distinction,  it  being  Bellevue's  custom  to  honor  the 
four  highest  honor  men  of  each  class.  It  is  an 
honor  highly  prized,  and  perhaps  there  is  no  dis- 
tinction which  has  come  to  Dr.  Tingley  through 
his  professional  life  which  he  values  above  the  ap- 
pointment as  interne  in  Bellevue  Hospital.  For 
two  years  he  remained  with  the  hospital,  gaining  an 
experience  equal  to  many  years  of  private  practice 
in  the  average  community.  With  such  experience 
reinforcing  his  theoretical  attainments,  he  began 
private  practice  in  1888,  associating  himself  with 
his  uncle  and  former  perceptor.  Dr.  Elijah  C.  Ken- 
ney,  of  Norwich.  He  occupied  offices  at  No.  28 
Washington  street  with  his  uncle  until  the  latter's 
death,  October  19,  1892,  then  continued  alone  at 
the  same  location  until  1900,  when  he  caused  his 
present  office  building  to  be  erected  on  Main  street, 
a  building  devoted  to  his  own  personal  office  use. 

Dr.  Tingley,  during  the  years  1889-94,  was  surgeon 
on  the  private  yachts  "Sagamore"  and  "Eleanor," 
owned  by  his  friend,  William  A.  Slater,  a  man  of 
great  wealth,  residing  in  Norwich,  and  with  Mr. 
Slater  he  cruised  the  world  over.  After  his  return 
from  a  voyage  to  Europe  with  Mr.  Slater  in  1894, 
he  decided  to  make  surgery  his  special  line  of  prac- 
tice, and  in  that  year  he  took  advanced  post-gradu- 
ate courses  at  the  University  of  Vienna,  the  hospi- 
tals of  Vienna,  Dresden,  Brussels,  Paris  and  Lon- 
don. After  completing  his  self-imposed  course  of 
study  he  returned  to  Norwich  and  resumed  practice. 

In  1S92  Dr.  Tingley  became  one  of  the  incorpo- 
rators of  the  newly  organized  William  W.  Backus 
Hospital  in  Norwich,  and  from  that  year  has  been 
a  member  of  the  staff  of  that  institution.  His  serv- 
ice to  the  hospital  has  been  invaluable,  his  skill  as 
a  surgeon,  coupled  with  the  high  reputation  he 
bears,  being  a  guarantee  of  the  excellence  of  the 
institution  he  serves.  From  its  organization  in  1892 
until  January  i,  1920,  he  was  surgeon  and  gynae- 
cologist to  the  hospital,  and  since  the  latter  date 
surgeon  in  chief,  the  first  man  to  hold  that  rank  at 
the   hospital. 

Dr.  Tingley  has  a  very  large  practice,  and  in  the 
line  of  professional  duty  in  the  old  days  he  fre- 
quently drove  his  team  to  patients  twenty-five 
miles  from  Norwich,  but  with  the  modern  motor 
car   distance   is   not   considered.     He   has   won   high 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


33 


reputation,  and  while  the  demands  upon  him  are 
heavy  he  gives  liimself  freely  to  professional  duty 
and  meets  every  demand  made  upon  him  if  hu- 
manely possible.  He  filled  the  post  of  city  health 
officer  for  four  years;  served  the  city  of  Norwich  as 
common  councilman  two  years;  is  a  member  of 
Norwich  Medical  Society;  New  London  County 
Medical  Society;  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society; 
American  Medical  Association;  Bcllevue  Hospital 
Alumni  Association;  and  shares  with  his  uncle,  Dr. 
Elijah  C.  Kinney,  and  the  late  Dr.  Anthony  Peck, 
the  distinction  of  being  the  only  three  physicians  in 
Norwich  medical  history  to  serve  as  internes  at 
Bellevue  Hospital.  Dr.  Tingley  is  a  Republican  in 
politics;  a  member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church; 
Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; Franklin  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Franklin  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Colum- 
bian Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  and  in  the  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite  holds  the  degrees  of 
King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection;  Council  of 
Princes  of  Jerusalem;  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose 
Croix  and  Connecticut  Consistory.  He  is  also  a 
Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  Norwich   Lodge  of  Elks. 

Dr.  Tingley  married,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
September  29,  1910,  Ethel  Frances  Ryan,  of  Nova 
Scotia  ancestry,  a  graduate  of  the  William  W. 
Backus  Hospital  Training  School  for  nurses.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Tingley  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
John  Kinney,  born  September  30,  191 1 ;  Barbara 
Kinney,  born  June  2,  1913;  Sarah  Kinney,  born  Oc- 
tober  30,    1915. 


ELIJAH  CLARKE  KINNEY,  M.D.— A  "native 
son,"  l)r.  Kinney  gave  thirty-one  years  of  his  valua- 
ble life  to  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Norwich,  and 
there  his  useful  life  ended  "in  the  harness,"  for  he 
practiced  until  his  last  illnesss.  He  came  to  Nor- 
wich, not  only  a  graduate  of  Bellevue  Hospital 
Medical  College,  but  with  the  experience  of  an  in- 
terne, for  as  an  honor  man  of  his  class  he  had 
earned  appointment  to  an  internship  in  Bellevue 
Hospital.  This  experience  had  been  supplemented 
by  some  years  of  study  abroad,  so  that  when  he 
began  private  practice  in  Norwich,  in  1861,  he  was 
the  physician  of  experience,  and  ordinary  standards 
had  been  applied.  During  those  thirty-one  years 
of  practice,  Dr.  Kinney  developed  a  wonderfully 
strong  character,  and  to  use  the  words  of  a  comtem- 
porary,  "he  was  one  of  the  finest  men  that  ever 
lived,  loved  by  all  who  knew  him  and  a  physician 
of  the  highest  type."  His  professional  strength 
was  acknowledged  and  rejoiced  in  by  his  brethren 
of  the  profession  in  that  State,  and  they  expressed 
their  satisfaction  by  elevating  him  to  the  highest 
office  within  their  gift,  the  presidency  of  the  Connec- 
ticut State  Medical  Association.  Generous,  sympa- 
thetic and  helpful,  his  good  will  and  his  great  in- 
terest in  his  native  city  was  expressed  in  many  ways, 
but  no  where  was  it  more  apparent  than  in  his  atti- 
N.L.— 2-J 


tude  toward  the  William  W.  Backus  Hospital,  which 
he  lived  to  see  completed  and  in  operation. 

Dr.  Elijah  Clarke  Kinney,  son  of  Jacob  Wi'cter  and 
Harriet  (Clarke)  Kinney,  and  grandson  of  New- 
comb  Kinney,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  July  25,  1829,  there  spent  his  life,  and 
died  October  19,  1892.  After  completing  his  classi- 
cal education,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under 
the  pcrceptorship  of  Dr.  Fordyce  Barker  in  Nor- 
wich, going  thence  to  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical 
College,  New  York  City,  whence  he  was  graduated 
M.D.  with  honors.  His  standing  in  the  class 
brought  him  appointment  as  interne  on  the  house 
staff  of  the  Bellevue  Hospital,  and  later  he  held  the 
same  relation  to  Nursery  and  Child's  Hospitals, 
New  York  City.  He  then  spent  some  years  abroad 
in  medical  study,  returning  in  1861  and  beginning 
practice  in  his  native   Norwich,  Connecticut. 

His  offices  in  Norwich  were  at  No.  28  Washington 
street,  and  these  he  occupied  during  his  entire  pro- 
fessional career  (thirty-one  years),  until  his  passing, 
October  19,  1892.  Starting  thoroughly  equipped, 
Dr.  Kenncy,  during  his  thirty-one  years  of  practice, 
kept  well  abreast  of  all  advance  in  diagnosis  or 
treatment,  and  never  was  so  well  satisfied  wi^h  him- 
self that  he  ceased  to  study  and  read.  He  stood  at 
the  head  of  the  medical  profession  in  Norwich  as 
a  physician  (he  made  no  pretension  in  surgery) 
and  enjoyed  not  only  a  lucrative  practice,  but  the 
love,  confidence  and  respect  of  his  community. 
Many  families  retained  him  as  their  physician  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century  or  more,  and  he  was  the  wel- 
come guest  in  their  merrymakings  as  well  as  their 
refuge  and  support  when  trouble  came  to  them  in 
the   form  of  sickness. 

Dr.  Kinney  was  well  known  throughout  the  State. 
He  was  president  of  the  Connecticut  State  Medical 
Society  for  one  term  and  served  his  time;  was  presi- 
dent of  New  London  County  Medical  and  Norwich 
Medical  societies.  He  served  William  W.  Backus 
Hospital,  of  Norwich,  as  vice-president,  and  did  a 
great  deal  toward  the  founding  and  completion  of 
that  institution.  He  was  generous  to  the  poor  and 
gave  freely  of  professional  service  even  though  no 
fee  was  to  be  charged  or  paid.  His  life  was  a  useful 
one,  and  he  gave  to  his  day  and  generation  faithful 
service,  and  to  medical  annals  a  page  of  honorable 
history.  Dr.  Kinney  never  married,  but  made  his 
home  with  his  sister,  Sarah,  who  is  the  wife  of  the 
late  William  H.  Tingley,  and  mother  of  Dr.  Witter 
Kinney  Tingley  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Clarke  (Tingley) 
Hall. 


GEORGE  EDGAR  FELLOWS— Since  the  year 

1894,  Mr.  Fellows  has  alternately  been  engaged  in 
private  business  in  the  city  of  Norwich,  and  the  in- 
cumbent of  the  office  of  street  commissioner  of 
the  city  and  commissioner  of  New  London  county. 
A  successful  business  man,  he  has  faithfully  served 
the  public  as  an  official  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
and  highly  regarded  citizens  of  the  Norwich  district. 


34 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


George  E.  Fellows  is  a  son  of  Joshua  E.  Fellows, 
who  was  born  in  Connecticut,  a  mason  and  builder 
of  New  London  until  1858,  when  he  disposed  of  his 
New  London  interest  and  moved  with  his  family  to 
Norwich,  where  he  continued  in  business  as  a  mason 
and  builder  until  his  death.  He  was  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  War,  serving  for  one  year  in  Company  F, 
26th  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  en- 
listing from  Norwich.  He  was  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  an  official  member  of  the  JSlethodist  Epis- 
copal church.  Joshua  E.  Fellows  married  Eunice 
Hannah  Hemstead,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  all  born  in  New  London,  Connecticut:  Ed- 
win H.,  born  August  25,  1847,  died  March  28,  1855; 
George  Edgar,  born  October  11,  1850,  died  Decem- 
ber 6,  1850;  Anna  Elizabeth,  born  October  20,  1851, 
married  J.  M.  Currier,  and  now  lives  in  Chelsea, 
Massachuse'cts;  George  Edgar  (2),  mentioned  below; 
Lizzie  Hannah,  born  January  i,  1856,  died  in  Nor- 
wich, October  3,  1917.  Mr.  Fellows  died  in  Norwich, 
February  21,  1885,  and  his  wife  died  July  31,  1913, 
having  survived  her  husband  twenty-eight  years. 
Both  were  highly  esteemed  residents  of  the  city 
which  for  so  many  years  was  their  home  and  the 
birthplace   of  their   children. 

George  Edgar  Fellows,  fourth  child  of  Joshua  E. 
and  Eunice  Hannah  (Hemstead)  Fellows,  was  born 
in  New  London,  Connecticut,  August  9,  1853,  but 
five  years  later,  Norwich  became  the  family  home 
and  there  he  spent  the  years  which  have  since  in- 
tervened. He  was  educated  in  Norwich  public 
schools  and  East  Greenwich  Academy,  then,  school 
years  being  over,  he  began  learning  the  mason's 
trade  under  his  capable  father.  He  became  a  skilled 
worker  and  continued  his  father's  assistant  in  the 
building  business  until  the  latter's  death  in  1885. 
He  then  succeeded  his  father,  and  as  head  of  the 
firm.  Fellows  &  Rice,  continued  the  business  until 
September,  1893,  when  he  became  sole  owner  by 
purchasing  his  partner's  interest.  He  continued 
alone  as  a  contractor  and  builder  for  about  one  year, 
then  accepted  appointment  as  street  commissioner 
for  the  city  of  Norwich.  He  served  a  full  term  of 
three  years,  then,  in  1898,  resumed  his  former  busi- 
ness and  gave  it  his  entire  attention  until  1908,  when 
he  again  accepted  appointment  as  street  commis- 
sioner. He  served  two  years  under  that  appointment, 
then  resigned  to  become  county  commissioner,  un- 
der appointment  of  the  governor,  to  fill  out  an  un- 
expired term.  He  was  appointed  in  May,  1910,  and 
at  the  close  of  his  term  was  chosen  for  a  full  term 
of  four  years  in  the  same  office.  At  the  expiration 
of  his  term  as  county  commissioner,  he  returned 
to  his  private  business,  but  in  1916  was  again  called 
to  the  office  of  street  commissioner  of  Norwich, 
holding  until  July,  1918.  From  that  date  until 
July  I,  1020,  he  was  engaged  in  private  business, 
but  on  the  latter  date  again  assumed  the  duties  of 
the  street  commissioner's  office,  serving  Norwich  in 
that  capacity  until  July  i,  1921.  At  the  present  time 
(1922)  he  is  holding  the  ofTice  of  County  Commis- 
sioner.    He   is  a   Republican   in   politics;   an   attend- 


ant of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church;  and  affiliated 
with  St.  James  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
of   Norwich. 

Mr.  Fellows  married,  in  Norwich,  Lila  E.  Harvey, 
born  in  Preston,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Elvira  (Friswell)  Harvey,  her  parents  both  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fellows  are  the  parents  of 
four  children,  all  born  in  Norwich:  Elizabeth 
Amanda,  born  October  27,  1877,  now  employed  in 
the  Norwich  Savings  Bank;  Lillie  Louise,  born 
April  20,  1880;  Alice  Helen,  born  November  2, 
1882,  died  November  13,  1896;  George  Robert,  born 
October  13,  1897,  now  employed  in  the  Thames  Na- 
tional Bank,  Norwich,  married,  March  31,  1916, 
Edith  Lane,  born  in  Norwich,  and  has  two  children. 

That  he  has  been  so  often  called  to  serve  as 
street  commissioner  is  the  best  proof  that  Mr.  Fel- 
lows has  satisfactorily  discharged  the  duties  which 
pertain  to  that  office.  He  is  highly  esteemed  as  a 
citizen  and  as  a  neighbor,  and  the  name  of  his 
friends   is   legion. 


I 


CHARLES  JUDSON  ABELL  — In  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  the  northernmost  town  of  New  Lon- 
don county,  Connecticut,  the  name  of  Abell  has 
stood  for  generations,  and  Charles  Judson  Abell, 
who  for  more  than  thirty  years  has  filled  the  office 
of  town  clerk,  is  still  active  in  the  community. 

Silas  Abell,  Mr.  Abell's  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Lebanon,  and  spent  his  entire  lifetime  there.  He 
was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  also  had  considerable 
farming  interests.  He  died  at  the  comparatively 
early  age  of  forty-two  years.  He  married  Rhoda 
Webster,  who  was  born  in  Cooperstown,  New  York, 
and  died  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut. 

James  Madison  Abell,  son  of  Silas  and  Rhoda 
(Webster)  .'\bcll,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  on  Novem- 
ber 14,  1810,  in  the  first  frame  house  ever  built  in 
Exeter  Society,  the  village  of  Exeter  being  a  small 
settlement  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Leb- 
anon. He  received  his  education  m  the  district 
schools  of  the  neighborhood,  but  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years  was  obliged  to  leave  school  and  go  to 
work  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  father.  He  fol- 
lowed farm  labor  by  the  month  for  several  years, 
eventually  renting  a  farm,  and  conducting  it  for 
himself.  This  first  rented  farm  was  in  Lebanon, 
then,  after  his  marriage,  he  rented  a  farm  in  Abing- 
ton,  a  part  of  the  town  of  Pomfret,  Windham 
county,  where  he  continued  for  eight  years,  return- 
ing thereafter  to  Lebanon.  Still  interested  in  farm- 
ing operations,  he  rented  land,  and  then  purchased 
from  his  wife's  paren'ts,  the  old  James  Congdon 
place,  on  Goshen  Road.  He  continued  to  run  this 
farm  until  his  wife  died,  when  he  sold  out  his  in- 
terests and  made  his  home  with  his  son,  Charles  J., 
during  the  rest  of  his  lifetime,  for  fifteen  years,  his 
death  occurring  in  March,  1896.  He  married  Sarah 
Congdon,  who  also  was  born  in  Lebanon,  and  there 
passed  away.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, all  but  the  youngest  being  born  in  Pomfret. 
They  were  as  follows:       I.  Thomas  Congdon,  a  car- 


I 
I 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


35 


I^tnter,  and  later  farmer,  who  went  West  and  con- 
ducted farming  operations  there,  he  dying  in  Blue 
Rapids,  Kansas.  2.  JaniLS  Madison,  Jr.,  carpenter, 
contractor  and  builder,  of  Middletown,  Connecticut, 
who  died  in  Lebanon.  3.  John  Webster,  who  was 
also  a  farmer,  served  for  three  years  in  the  Civil 
War,  from  1861  to  1864,  in  Company  C  of  the  i8th 
Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  then  went  West, 
conducting  a  farm  in  Linneus,  Linn  county,  Missouri, 
where  he  was  later  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness, and  died  there.  4.  Charles  Judson,  of  whom 
further. 

Charles  Judson  Abell  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  on  September  25,  1848.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  town, 
then  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  rented 
a  farm  in  Lebanon,  which  he  conducted  for  twelve 
years.  Then,  in  1884,  he  purchased  the  Huntington 
place,  a  fine  farm  of  seventy-five  acres,  near  Leb- 
anon Green,  where  he  still  resides  (1922).  This  farm 
up  to  the  time  Mr.  Abell  bought  it,  had  been  con- 
tinuously owned  in  the  Huntington  family  since  its 
acquisition  from  the  Indians.  Mr.  Abell  has  al- 
ways done  general  farming,  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful, making  many  improvements  about  the 
place,  and  installing  the  most  up-to-date  equipment 
and  conveniences.  He  has  now,  however,  practically 
retired  from  active  farm  w-ork,  but  keeps  an  over- 
sight on  all  his  affairs. 

Mr.  Abell,  many  years  ago,  was  called  to  serve 
the  people  in  an  official  capacity.  He  is  one  of  the 
leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  town  of  Leb- 
anon, and  was  made  selectman  and  tax  assessor  at 
the  same  election.  The  former  office  he  held  for 
two  terms,  four  years,  being  first  selectman  during 
one  term.  He  was  tax  assessor  for  a  period  of  fif- 
teen years,  and  later  was  tax  collector  for  two  years. 
In  'che  year  1890,  Mr.  Abell  was  elected  town  clerk  of 
Lebanon,  and  has  been  re-elected  to  the  office  con- 
tinuously until  the  present  time.  His  work  in  con- 
nection with  this  office  has  always  been  most  ac- 
ceptable to  the  town,  and  his  keen  mentality  and 
comprehensive  grasp  of  affairs  make  him  particu- 
larly fitted  for  this  office.  He  holds  the  cordial  re- 
spect and  good-will  of  all  his  associates  in  the  affairs 
of  the  town. 

On  April  4,  1872,  Mr.  Abell  married  Lucy  Williams 
Robinson,  who  was  born  in  Lebanon,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Harlow  and  Elizabeth  (Loomis)  Rob- 
inson. Her  father  was  born  in  Chaplin,  Connecticut, 
and  her  mother  in  Lebanon.  Mrs.  Abell  died  on 
October  18,  1918.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abell  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  one  is  now  deceased.  They  arc 
as  follows:  Willard  Judson,  deceased;  Anna  Eliza- 
beth, the  wife  of  Edward  C.  Hall,  a  post  office  em- 
ployee, of  Naugatuck,  Connecticut;  Sarah  Louise, 
who  resides  at  home;  Frederick  Madison,  who  mar- 
ried Gertrude  E.  Lillie,  of  Lebanon,  and  is  a  farmer 
in  this  town;  Charles  Harrison,  who  married  Gwen- 
dolyn S.  Clark,  of  Lebanon,  and  is  now  with  Lan- 
ders,   Frary   &    Clark,    the    world-famous   manufac- 


turers, of  New  Britain,  Connecticut;  Clara  Loomis, 
who  is  with  the  Michigan  Copper  and  Brass  Com- 
pany, of  Detroit,  Michigan,  as  office  manager;  and 
John  Webster,  who  married  Bertha  Haetz,  of 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  is  purchasing  agent  for 
Landers,  Frary  &  Clark,  of  New  Britain.  The  fam- 
ily have  always  been  leading  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  of  Lebanon. 


ABEL   PALMER   TANNER— Now    one    of    the 

oldest  members  of  the  New  London  county  bar 
(admifced  1875),  Mr.  Tanner  has  won  his  way  to 
honorable  rank  among  the  leaders  of  that  bar.  A 
man  of  strong  convictions,  he  has  made  it  a  point  of 
honor  to  preserve  the  highest  traditions  of  the 
profession.  The  poor  client  has  always  his  sympa- 
thy, and  no  fee  is  large  enough  to  tempt  him  to 
lend  his  aid  to  a  case  which  does  not,  to  his  honest 
mind,  have  the  element  of  right  in  its  favor.  De- 
voted to  a  client's  interest,  the  size  of  the  fee  does 
not  affect  the  conscientious,  faithful  service  he  ren- 
ders. With  clear  convictions  of  duty,  a  good  ci"ti- 
zcn,  a  lawyer  of  ability  who  loves  his  profession,  an 
eloquent  public  speaker  with  a  critical  taste  in  litera- 
ture, no  man  more  justly  deserves  the  high  esteem  of 
his  community  nor  is  any  member  of  the  New  Lon- 
don county  bar  held  in  higher  esteem  by  his  con- 
temporaries  of  that  bar. 

.'\bel  P.  Tanner,  son  of  Abel  and  Clarissa  (Wat- 
rous)  Tanner,  was  born  near  Old  Mystic  in  the 
town  of  Groton,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
July  7,  1850,  his  father  a  stationary  engineer  of  Mys- 
tic for  many  years,  and  one  of  the  Abolition  orators 
of  New  England,  1835-60.  He  attended  the  district 
public  schools  of  Groton,  1855-65;  the  village  public 
school  of  Old  Mystic,  1866-68;  Professor  Palmer's 
Select  School  of  Mystic,  1868;  under  Professor  Hop- 
kins of  Mystic,  1869-70;  and  in  September,  1870,  en- 
tered Brown  University,  whence  he  was  graduated 
A.B.,  class  of  1874.  He  studied  law  under  the  di- 
rection of  Colonel  Hiram  Appleman,  of  Mystic,  and 
was   admitted   to   the   New    London    county   bar   in 

187.=;. 

Mr.  Tanner  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Mystic 
and  there  continued  for  seven  years  before  moving 
to  the  city  of  Nev/  London  in  1882.  Forty-seven 
years  have  elapsed  since  he  came  first  to  the  New 
London  bar,  and  forty  years  since  locating  in  the 
city  of  New  London.  He  has  during  those  years 
built  up  a  reputation  as  a  lawyer  of  ability,  and 
has  always  commanded  a  good  practice.  He  has 
been  admitted  to  the  State  and  Federal  courts  of  the 
district,  and  appears  in  them  all  from  time  to  time. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  many  years,  1884-1920, 
and  occasionally  acted  as  judge  of  the  city  Police 
Court.  In  1912-13  he  was  corporation  counsel  for 
the  city  of  New  London,  and  was  president  of  the 
New  London  Bar  .Association,  1906-14. 

Always  keenly  interested  in  public  affairs,  Mr. 
Tanner  has  had  close  and  intimate  relations  with 
the  politics  of  city.  County,  and  State,  his  earlier 
political  views  being  contrary  to  the  orthodox   Re- 


36 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


publican  or  Democratic  creeds.  In  1882  he  was  the 
candidate  for  governor  of  Connecticut,  on  the  green- 
back ticket  and  Anti-Monoply.  Later  he  became 
a  supporter  of  Democratic  principles,  and  he  has 
been  one  of  the  eloquent  orators  whose  services 
have  been  freely  given  in  support  of  party  princi- 
ples in  his  and  other  states.  He  represented  his  dis- 
trict in  the  Connecticut  General  Assembly  in  1913, 
serving  on  the  Committee  of  Corporations.  In  1876 
he  ran  for  State  Senator  from  the  Seventh  District 
of  Connecticut,  and  received  a  majority  vote,  but  was 
not  declared  elected  because  of  a  miscount.  In  i8g6 
he  was  Democratic  nominee  for  presidential  elector, 
and  in  1894  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  Con- 
gress in  the  Third  Connecticut  District.  During  the 
period  of  Mr.  Tanner's  greatest  political  activity  the 
Democratic  party  was  out  of  power,  consequently 
few  political  honors  have  fallen  to  him. 

At  Brown  University  Mr.  Tanner  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Wayland  Literary  Society,  and  during  1873-74 
was  its  president.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Thames 
Club,  1908-10,  is  a  member  of  the  Jibboom  Club  of 
New  London,  and  of  the  New  London  County  His- 
torical Society.  As  a  public  speaker,  Mr.  Tanner 
is  very  effective.  He  is  at  his  best  m  extended  ora- 
tion, and  with  time  and  place  and  length  to  develop 
his  subject,  never  fails  to  delight  and  charm.  At 
the  unveiling  of  the  memorial  tablet  on  the  site  of 
the  old  fort  at  Stonington,  he  was  the  chief  speaker 
and  delivered  an  address  of  historical  value,  eloquent 
and  patriotic.  In  the  chapter  "Courts  and  Lawyers" 
in  this  work,  most  appropriate  and  eloquent  tributes 
to  fallen  members  of  the  New  London  bar  will  be 
found,  some  of  them  delivered  by  Mr.  Tanner. 

Abel  P.  Tanner  and  Emma  Bertha  Whitford  were 
married  June  18,  1874,  in  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
of  Old  Mystic,  town  of  Groton,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut.  To  them  a  daughter,  Bertha  Virginia, 
was  born  January  2,  1882,  both  daughter  and  mother 
now  deceased,  Mrs.  Tanner  passing  away  at  the  fam- 
ily home  in   New  London. 


W.  TYLER  BROWNE,  M.D.— As  one  of  the  fore- 
most specialists  in  Eastern  Connecticut,  Dr.  Browne 
stands  among  the  widely  prominent  professional 
men  of  Norwich.  He  has  added  to  his  record  of 
personal  achievement  a  measure  of  success  in  Roent- 
genology, which  constitutes  a  distinct  contribution 
to  that  science.  Dr.  Browne  comes  of  a  very  old 
Connecticut  family,  and  is  a  grandson  of  Tyler 
Browne,  who  for  many  years  kept  a  general  store  in 
Lisbon,  in  this  county,  and  was  a  man  of  prominence 
in  the  community. 

Daniel  M.  Browne,  son  of  Tyler  Browne,  and  the 
father  of  Dr.  W.  Tyler  Browne,  was  born  in  Lisbon, 
Connecticut,  and  was  a  resident  of  that  community 
throughout  his  lifetime.  He  became  a  leader  in  local 
political  affairs,  was  elected  town  representative  to 
the  State  Assembly,  and  various  re-elections  re- 
tained him  at  the  capitol  for  a  long  period.  He  died 
in  1900,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
He  married  Phoebe  Bidwell  Burnham,  who  was  born 


in  Kinsman,  Ohio,  but  whose  people  were  originally 
from  Lisbon,  and  she  died  in  1913. 

W.  Tyler  Browne,  only  child  of  the  above  parents, 
was  born  in  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  December  26, 
1856.  His  early  education  was  acquired  at  the  dis- 
trict schools  near  his  home  and  the  Quaker  School  at 
Providence,  Rhode  Island.  Then  followed  a  four 
years'  course  at  Phillips  Academy,  at  Andover, 
Massachusetts,  and  a  course  at  Sheffield  Scientific 
School  (Yale  University),  and  he  is  a  graduate  of 
both  Phillips-Andover  and  Sheffield.  With  this  very 
comprehensive  preparation  the  young  man  entered 
Harvard  L'nivcrsity  Medical  School,  from  which  in- 
stitution he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1882.  Dur- 
ing the  last  year  at  Harvard,  Dr.  Browne  was  active 
in  hospital  training,  and  his  hospital  e.xperience  in-  a 
eluded  a  period  of  internship  at  the  Boston  City  H 
Hospital,  the  House  of  the  Good  Samaritan,  and 
the  Children's  Hospital,  all  of  Boston.  Dr.  Browne 
began  practice  in  Lisbon,  his  native  place,  where 
he  was  engaged  for  ten  years.  In  1890  he  came  to 
Norwich,  located  on  Main  street,  and  entered  upon 
his  activities  in  this  city.  For  three  decades  he  has 
handled  a  constantly  increasing  practice,  and  since 
7'>oo  ln>  been  located  ?t  his  present  offices.  No.  27S 
Broadway.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  active  as 
a  general  practitioner,  but  during  that  period  was 
fitting  himself  by  post-graduate  work  and  research 
for  those  specialties  in  which  he  has  since  been  so 
successful,  especially  in  the  line  of  therapeutic  elec- 
tricity. With  the  discovery  of  the  X-Ray  he  pur- 
chased the  original  experimental  machine  of  the 
General  Electric  Company  and  for  several  years  had 
the  only  X-Ray  apparatus  in  the  county.  In  1903 
he  traveled  abroad,  visiting  "che  private  X-Ray  labra- 
tories  of  specialists  and  those  of  the  principal  hospi- 
tals of  Europe.  For  many  years  he  has  been  obliged 
to  decline  all  general  practice,  and  has  devoted  his 
attention  to  these  specialties,  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and 
throat,  also  Roentgenology  and  its  affiliated  thera- 
peutic agents,  electricity,  the  violet  ray  and  vibration. 
He  is  now  consulting  Roentgenologist  at  the  Backus 
Hospital,  and  is  esteemed  an  autliority  in  his  spe- 
cialties. He  is  a  member  of  the  .'American  Medical 
Association,  the  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society 
and  the  Norwich  Medical  Society,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Roentgen  Ray  Society  and  the 
New  York  Electro-Therapeutic  Society.  Dr.  Browne 
was  a  pioneer  in  the  use  of  automobiles  in  this  part 
of  the  State,  for  as  early  as  1898  he  had  what  was 
then  known  as  a  horseless  carriage,  which  was  pro- 
pelled by  a  storage  battery.  Broadly  interested  in 
the  civic  advance  of  Norwich,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  gives  his  endorsement 
to  all  civic  progress.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Park 
Congregational  Church,  of  which  for  many  years  he 
has  been  deacon. 

Dr.  Browne  married,  in  Monson,  Hampden  county, 
Massachusetts,  in  1889,  Gertrude  Bell,  of  that  place. 


JOHN   CLARKE— To   merit   the   confidence   and 
esteem  of  the  fellow-citizens  of  the  town  in  which 


^J«4^>^-^'^^£:^'''^ .  c^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


37 


you  rcsidf  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  chosen  by  them 
to  fill  public  otYiccs  denotes  that  the  man  so  honored 
must  be  a  man  of  integrity,  public  spirit  and  enter- 
prise, and  these  atttributes  of  character  are  domi- 
nant in  the  person  of  John  Clarke,  tlic  present  as- 
sessor of  Liberty  Hill,  Lebanon  townsliip,  Connecti- 
cut, who  also  served  in  various  other  public  capa- 
cities, namely,  representative,  selectman  and  justice 
of  the  peace. 

Joseph  Clarke,  the  earliest  member  ot  the  family 
of  whom  we  have  definite  information,  was  a  resi- 
dent and  probably  a  native  of  Charlcstown,  Rhode 
Island,  where  he  pursued  the  occupations  of  farm- 
ing and  fishing.     His  wife,  (Nichols)  Clarke, 

bore  him  seven  children,  the  eldest  ot  whom  was 
Joseph,  through  whom  the  line  descends. 

Joseph  (2)  Clarke  removed  to  Lebanon,  Connecti- 
cut, from  Carolina  Mills,  Rhode  Island,  and  later 
removed  to  Columbia,  Connecticut,  purchasing  a 
small  farm  and  subsecjucntly  a  larger  one,  upon 
which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  his  death 
occurring  July  2,  l88l.  He  married  Margaret  Cran- 
dall,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  ITiey  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children;  the  eighth  of  whom  was 
James  M.  Clarke,  father  of  John  Clarke,  of  this 
review. 

James  M.  Clarke  as  born  in  Columbia,  Connecticut, 
March  22,  1831,  and  died  at  Liberty  Hill,  December 
5,  1919.  His  active  years  were  devoted  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits  in  various  towns  of  Connecticut, 
namely,  Lebanon,  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Liberty 
Hill,  in  the  latter  named  place  conducting  a  general 
store  in  connection  with  farming  for  several  years. 
He  married,  October  26,  1854,  Mary  Taylor,  born  in 
Lebanon,  Connecticut,  July  19,  1835,  a  daughter  of 
John  B.  and  Prudence  (/Vvery)  Taylor.  Children: 
I.  James  Henry,  married  (first)  Elizabeth  Webster, 
(second)  Sarah  Strong.  2.  John,  of  whom  further. 
3.  Minnie  E.,  became  the  wife  of  Henry  V.  Ochlers. 
Mrs.  Clarke  died  October  6,  1920. 

John  Clarke  was  born  in  Franklin,  Connecticut, 
June  26,  1861.  He  acquired  his  early  education  in  the 
local  common  and  select  schools,  and  later  taught 
school  in  Lebanon  and  Andover.  Since  four  years  of 
age  he  has  resided  at  Liberty  Hill  on  the  pres- 
ent homestead,  which  he  purchased  in  1884,  and  his 
active  years  have  been  devoted  to  farming.  He  has 
greatly  improved  his  original  purchase,  and  has  ac- 
quired other  property  until  he  has  large  holdings 
of  real  estate  at  Liberty  Hill.  He  also  acted  as  local 
agent  for  the  firm  of  Long  &  Saunders,  of  Quincy, 
Massachusetts,  dealers  in  monuments,  and  as  pur- 
chasing agent  for  the  Providence  Dairy  Company, 
establishing  their  milk  routes,  which  proved  of  bene- 
fit to  the  farmers  of  Lebanon,  Colchester,  Columbia 
and  Hebron.  He  has  also  been  instrumental  in  the 
settlement  of  estates,  acting  recently  for  some  of 
the  largest  estates  in  Lebanon,  both  in  the  capacity 
of  executor  and  trustee. 

Mr.  Clarke  has  aUvays  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
the  political,  fraternal  and  social  affairs  of  the  town- 
ship, gaining  and  retaining  the  confidence  and  trust 


of  all  who  have  the  honor  of  his  acquaintance.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  1887  was  chosen 
to  represent  his  town  at  the  first  bi-ennial  session  of 
the  State  Legislature,  and  served  on  the  com- 
mittee on  Woman  Suffrage.  He  was  the  youngest 
man  ever  sent  to  represent  the  town,  and  next  to 
the  youngest  member  of  the  House.  He  also  served 
as  first  selectman,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  for  the 
past  thirteen  years  and  at  the  present  time  (1922) 
is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Assessors,  proving  of 
value  to  the  board  and  to  his  constituents.  He 
united  with  the  Exeter  Congregational  Church,  May 
3,  1891,  and  was  elected  as  its  deacon,  September  3, 
1894,  which  oflFice  he  held  for  18  years.  He  also 
served  the  church  in  various  official  capacities.  In 
1912  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Liberty 
Hill  Church,  and  was  elected  as  deacon  and  trustee, 
which  offices  he  still  holds.  He  also  assisted  in  the 
merging  of  the  Exeter  and  Liberty  Hill  churches  in 
1920,  when  the  Liberty  Hill  church  became  the  Exe- 
ter Liberty  Hill  Congregational  Church,  and  he  is 
also  serving  in  the  capacity  of  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  connected  therewith.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Lebanon  Lodge,  No.  23,  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  and  of  the  American  Order  of 
Fraternal  Helpers  until  their  dissolution. 

Mr.  Clarke  married,  June  7,  1882,  Amelia  Footc, 
born  in  Exeter,  December  5,  1861,  daughter  of  Hor- 
ace and  Lucy  Ann  (Webster)  Foote,  who  has  been 
an  inspiration  and  help  in  all  his  various  enterprises. 


JAMES  EVELEIGH  LORD— The  first  Lord  of 
this  branch  to  settle  in  New  London  county,  Connec- 
ticut, was  James  A.  Lord,  an  Englishman,  and  the 
father  of  James  Eveleigh  Lord,  prcwnoter  of  the 
summer  settlement  on  Fishers  Island  Sound, 
known  as  Lord's  Point,  in  the  town  of  Stonington. 
James  A.  Lord,  formerly  a  mariner,  settled  down  to 
farming  after  his  Civil  War  service,  he  having  served 
one  year  in  Company  H,  26th  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteer  Infantry,  nine  months'  men.  When  his 
son,  James  Eveleigh  Lord,  chose  a  permanent  oc- 
cupation he,  too,  turned  to  the  land,  Lord's  Point 
being  first  a  part  of  his  farm. 

James  A.  Lord  was  born  in  Oldham,  a  county 
parliamentary  and  municipal  borough  of  Lancashire, 
England,  one  of  the  leading  centers  of  cotton  spin- 
ning in  England.  When  a  lad  he  left  home  secretly 
and  went  to  sea  as  cabin  boy  on  a  packet  ship  com- 
manded by  a  Captain  Eveleigh,  who  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  "ihe  boy,  and  caused  him  to  supplement  the 
education  received  in  the  public  schools  by  a  course 
of  study  under  the  captain's  personal  direction  on 
board  the  ship.  James  A.  Lord  continued  a  mariner 
for  several  years,  and  rose  to  authority,  being  first 
officer  on  the  ship  "Star  of  Empire"  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two.  After  leaving  the  sea  he  settled  in  Led- 
yard,  New  London  county,  Connecticjt,  where  his 
father,  John  Lord,  had  been  superintendent  of  the 
mill,  until  the  spring  of  i860,  when  he  moved  with 
his  father-in-law,  Henry  W.  Hill,  to  the  Stonington 
Town   Farm,  of  which  Mr.   Hill  was   made   superin- 


38 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


tendent.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  26th  Regiment, 
Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until 
wounded  in  the  attack  and  capture  of  Port  Hudson, 
by  General  Banks,  July  9,  1863.  He  rejoined  his 
regiment  after  his  recovery  and  con'cinued  in  the 
service  until  he  returned  to  Connecticut,  with  an 
honorable  discharge,  settled  in  the  town  of  Storiing- 
ton.  New  London  county,  and  there  tilled  the  soil  he 
owned  until  his  death  in  1904.  He  married  (first) 
Mary  E.  Hill,  who  died  in  1888,  daughter  of  Henry  W. 
Hill,  who  was  a  grandson  of  Samuel  Hill,  a  patriot 
of  the  Revolution,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Groton 
Heights  in  1781.  Henry  W.  Hill  married  Emeline 
Eliza  Main,  a  direct  descendant  of  Ezekiel  Main  and 
his  wife  Mary,  whose  names  appear  in  the  early 
history  of  the  Road  Church.  James  A.  and  Mary  E. 
(Hill)  Lord  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  James 
E.,  of  further  mention;  Mary  G.,  wife  of  John  V.  Syl- 
via, of  Stonington;  Emmeline,  widow  of  Augustus 
Pearson,  who  married  (second)  Orrin  H.  Babbitt, 
and  resides  in  Derry,  New  Hampshire;  John  W., 
married  May  StanclifTc,  and  resides  in  Stonington, 
Connecticut;  Henry  A.,  married  Irene  S.  Russell,  and 
resides  in  Norwich,  Connecticut.  James  A.  Lord 
married  (second)  Mary  E.  Coffin,  of  Waterbury, 
Connecticut,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born: 
Fannie  A.,  wife  of  William  D.  Ferguson,  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts;  and  Helene,  of  Wellesley  Hills, 
Massachusetts. 

James  Eveleigh  Lord,  eldest  son  of  James  A.  and 
Mary  E.  (Hill)  Lord,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Led- 
yard,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  August  30, 
1859,  but  in  i860  the  family  moved  to  Stonington,  in 
the  same  county.  There  he  attended  the  Road 
school,  later  Phillips  Grammar  School  in  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  and  in  1880  was  a  graduate  of  the 
Ipswich  High  School  of  that  town.  After  complet- 
ing his  studies  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the 
Boston  office  of  the  auditor  of  the  New  England 
railroad,  but  on  account  of  ill  health  he,  after  a 
brief  experience,  returned  to  New  London  county, 
where  for  the  next  decade  he  was  employed  with  his 
grandfather,  Henry  W.  Hill,  at  the  Stonington  Town 
Farm.  In  1892  he  bought  the  Samuel  C.  Langworthy 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  the  town 
of  Stonington  and  has  spent  the  intervening  years 
in  cultivating  and  developing  that  property,  conduct- 
ing it  as  a  general  farming  and  dairy  business.  He 
was  the  first  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Tang- 
wank  Creamery  Company  of  North  Stonington. 
His  farm  lying  along  the  Sound,  separating  the 
Connecticut  shore  from  Fishers  Island,  offered  excel- 
lent summer  resort  advantages,  and  in  August,  1898, 
a  small  cottage  was  built,  which  made  the  com- 
mencement of  the  summer  community  at  Lord's 
Point.  The  Point  has  become  very  popular  and  is 
now  one  of  the  attractive,  well  known  Sound  resorts. 
Mr.  Lord  established  at  the  Point  a  water  system  for 
the  use  of  the  residents,  there  now  being  eighty  cot- 
tages, two  hotels,  stores,  and  a  post  office  within  the 
limits  of  the  settlement,  which  is  now  in  its  twenty- 
third  year. 


Mr.  Lord,  nov/  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  for 
some  years  a  Democrat,  served  his  town  as  member 
of  the  Board  of  Relief  in  1898,  member  of  the  Board 
of  Assessors  for  five  years,  and  for  twenty  years 
was  clerk  of  the  town  Board  of  Selectman,  and  for 
two  years  he  was  a  selectman.  He  is  a  member  of 
Latham  Post,  Sons  of  Veterans,  of  Mystic;  and  the 
Royal  Arcanum;  treasurer  of  the  Lord's  Point  Com- 
munity Society;  member  of  the  committee  and  treas- 
urer of  the  First  Congregational  Ecclesiastical  So- 
ciety, and  deacon  of  the  First  Congregational  church, 
of  Stonington,  Connecticut. 

In  his  efforts  to  improve  the  quality  ol  stock  and 
poultry,  Mr.  Lord  has  accomplished  a  great  deal  of 
good.  As  far  back  as  1892,  in  company  with  Charles 
P.  Williams,  of  Stonington,  sheep  breedmg  was  car- 
ried on  at  the  Lord  farm,  the  partnership  continuing 
until  1908.  They  specialized  in  registered  Shropshire 
sheep,  and  through  their  efforts  as  breeders  and  ex- 
hibitors they  placed  a  great  deal  of  blooded  stock 
throughout  New  England  and  other  States.  From 
boyhood  Mr.  Lord  had  the  care  of  the  turkey  flock 
at  the  farm,  and  in  1905  he  began  exhibiting  some  of 
his  fancy  birds  at  important  poultry  shows,  making 
a  modest  winning  in  the  great  show  at  Boston.  In 
1906,  and  for  twelve  consecutive  years  following, 
assisted  by  Mrs.  Daniel  C.  Amos,  of  Oakland,  Ken- 
tucky, he  exhibited  the  famous  "Dan  Amos"  breed  of 
mammoth  bronze  turkeys  which  they  had  developed 
through  cross  breeding.  The  winnings  of  these 
birds  in  competition  were  phenomenal,  the  owners 
exhibiting  them  in  Boston,  New  York  and  Chicago 
poultry  shows  and  in  other  cities.  Choice  birds  of 
this  breed  were  shipped  as  far  as  Australia,  and  to 
other  foreign  countries,  and  eggs  were  demanded 
from  poultry  fanciers  all  over  England  and  Germany. 

Mr.  Lord  married,  October  23,  1895,  Fannie  Noyes, 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Maria  (Morgan)  Noyes,  of 
Stonington,  and  a  direct  descendant  of  Rev.  James 
Noyes,  born  in  1608,  in  England,  who  came  to  New 
England  in  1634.  He  was  settled  over  the  church  at 
Newbury,  Massachusetts,  in  1633.  and  continued  pas- 
tor of  that  congregation  until  his  death,  October  22, 
1656.  Mrs.  Lord  also  traces  descent  from  Elder  Wil- 
liam Brewster  of  the  "Mayflower."  She  is  a  graduate 
of  the  State  Normal  School  at  Willimantic,  and  was 
a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Stonington.  When 
the  Lord's  Point  farm  was  purchased  they  were  to- 
gether in  the  enterprise  and  together  they  have 
planned  and  executed  the  development.  When  Mr. 
Lord  left  the  Stonington  Town  Farm,  which  had 
been  his  home  for  ten  years,  and  came  to  his  own 
farm,  he  brought  with  him  his  grandparents,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  W.  Hill,  who  had  made  a  home  for  him, 
and  at  the  Lord  farm  they  were  made  very  welcome 
and  happy  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 


EDWIN   LORD   DANIELSON— The   profession 

of  medicine  is  one  that  requires  the  utmost  skill, 
perseverance,  energy  and  integrity,  all  of  which  at- 
tributes were  markedly  in  evidence  in  tTie  person  of 
Dr.   Edwin   L.   Danielson,  late   of  Lebanon,   who  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


39 


addition  to  liis  extensive  private  practice  served  in 
public  office,  the  obligations  of  which  he  fulfilled  in 
a  manner  that  was  satisfactory  to  all  concerned. 

The  family  of  which  the  late  Dr.  Daniclson  was  a 
worthy  representative  was  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  substantial  in  Eastern  Connecticut,  and  it  fur- 
nished representatives  in  all  the  stirring  movements 
of  Colonial  and  National  history.  The  first  .\mcrican 
ancestor  of  whom  we  have  authentic  information 
was  Sergeant  James  Danielson,  born  about  1648,  died 
January  22,  1728,  in  what  is  now  Killingly,  Connecti- 
cut. He  was  of  record  as  a  freeholder  of  Block  Is- 
land in  1696,  was  sergeant  of  the  town  in  1700,  was  a 
member  of  the  Town  Council  in  1704-05,  and  was 
chosen  a  deputy  to  the  General  Assembly  in  August, 
1705.  He  married  (first)  -Abigail  Rose,  (second) 
Mary  Ackers.  Samuel  Danielson,  son  of  the  second 
wife,  was  born  in  1701,  and  died  in  1786.  He  was 
a  graduate  of  Yale  College.  He  married  Sarah 
Douglass,  who  bore  him  ten  children,  among  whom 
was  William  Danielson,  born  August  II,  1729,  died 
August  19,  1798.  He  attained  the  rank  of  colonel  in 
the  war  with  England,  serving  with  the  Connecticut 
troops.  He  married  Sarah  Williams,  and  the  Sarah 
Williams  Danielson  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the 
.•\merican  Revolution,  at  Danielson,  was  named  in 
her  honor.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
among  whom  was  James  Danielson,  born  January  18, 
1761,  died  in  Killingly,  Connecticut.  He  married 
Sarah  Lord,  who  bore  him  six  children,  among  whom 
was  Elisha  Daniclson,  born  in  Killingly,  March  4, 
1796,  died  there  in  1866.  He  served  as  captain  in  the 
local  militia  for  many  years.  He  married  three 
times,  his  third  wife,  Sarah  (Ely)  Daniclson,  died 
in  1871.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
namely:  Katharine  E.,  Charles  E.;  William  H.; 
Sarah;  Edwin  Lord,  of  this  review;  George  E.,  and 
Walter. 

Edwin  Lord  Danielson,  son  of  Captain  Elisha  and 
Sarah  (Ely)  Danielson,  was  born  in  Daniclson, 
Connecticut,  May  24,  1852.  His  early  education  was 
obtained  in  the  schools  of  Killingly  township,  and 
his  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  homestead  farm. 
Having  chosen  medicine  as  his  life  work,  he  matricu- 
lated in  Columbia  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons, from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1882,  having  previously 
studied  under  the  preception  of  Dr.  Rienzi  Robinson, 
of  Danielson.  He  opened  an  office  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Canaan,  Connecticut,  there  prac- 
ticing for  four  years,  the  number  of  his  patients  in- 
creasing with  each  year,  then  spent  a  year  in  the 
State  of  Texas,  and  in  1887  returned  to  his  native 
State  and  opened  an  office  in  Lebanon,  building  up 
an  excellent  practice,  the  direct  result  of  his  skill  in 
the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  disease.  Although 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  was  taken  up  with  his 
inside  and  outside  calls,  he  yet  was  able  to  serve  in 
a  public  capacity,  filling  the  position  of  health  officer 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  1892  was  chosen  medi- 
cal examiner  for  the  town  of  Lebanon,  for  which 
position  he  as  well  qualified.     He  also  served  as  a 


member  of  the  School  Board.  Dr.  Danielson  was 
staunch  in  his  advocacy  of  Republican  principles,  and 
he  affiliated  with  Buckingham  Lodge,  No.  57,  Ameri- 
can Order  of  Fraternal  Helpers,  for  which  he  was 
medical  examiner. 

Dr.  Danielson  married,  November  29,  1893,  Emma 
Prances  Gay,  of  Lebanon,  born  March  7,  1857, 
daughter  of  the  late  William  Read  and  Catherine 
(Wettmore)  Gay.  One  child  was  born  of  this  mar- 
riage, Sarah  Catharine,  born  in  Lebanon,  November 
10,  1895,  died  August  2,  1919,  at  Hartford,  Connecti- 
cut. Dr.  and  Mrs.  Danielson  were  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  of  Lebanon,  which  he  served 
as  clerk  for  a  number  of  years.  Dr.  Danielson  died 
at  his  home  in  Lebanon,  January  18,  1918,  and  his 
remains  were  interred  in  Danielson  Cemetery. 


THE  CHURCH  FAMILY  dates  from  John  at 
Church  (that  is,  living  near  a  certain  church,  whence 
his  patronymic.)  He  lived  at  Great  Parndon,  Essex, 
1335-96.  He  married,  in  1360,  Catherine  Winchester, 
daughter  of  Richard  Winchester.  Their  son,  Robert 
Church,  died  in  1420,  leaving  a  daughter,  Joan,  who 
married  Richard  Maistor.  John  (2)  Church,  the 
second  son  of  John  at  Church,  was  a  resident  of  the 
city  of  Leicester,  where  he  held  much  property.  In 
1399  he  was  a  member  of  Parliament,  and  also  in 
1420,  from  Leicester;  from  1402  to  1422  he  was  mayor 
of  Leicester.  He  had  sons,  John  (3)  and  Robert, 
(the  latter  a  haberdasher  in  London,  and  father  of 
Thomas  Church,  the  sculptor),  and  a  daughter,  Ca- 
therine, who  died  before  July  25,  1450.  Of  these, 
John  (3)  Church,  a  merchant,  had  two  sons,  John  (4) 
and  Reynold.  Reynold  Church,  son  of  John  (3)  and 
.•\gnes  Church  married,  in  1496,  Margaret  Green, 
daughter  of  Robert  Green,  of  Chester.  To  Reynold 
Church  was  given  a  coat-of-arms.  The  arms  of  the 
Maiden,  Essex,  branch  is  almost  identical  with  the 
Nantwick  coat-of-arms. 

John  (5)  Church,  son  of  Reynold  and  Margaret 
(Green)  Church,  was  alderman  and  bailiff  of  Maiden, 
Essex.  He  married  (first)  Joan  Henkyn;  (second) 
Mary  Tyrrell,  daughter  of  Edmond  Tvrrell,  a  des- 
cendant of  Walter,  who  slew  King  William  Rufus. 
This  line  is  closely  connected  with  the  Greens  of  Es- 
sex, who  also  intermarried  with  the  Wrights  of 
Essex,  in  several  instances.  William  Church,  second 
son  of  Reynold  and  Margaret  (Green)  Church,  had  a 
son  Richard,  who  built,  in  157?.  the  half-timbered 
house  still  standing  at  Nantwick,  styled  "Church's 
Mansion."  Richard  Church  married  Margaret 
Wright,  daughter  of  Roger  Wright,  and  died  in  1592. 
Robert  Church,  third  son  of  Reynold  and  Margaret 
(Green)  Church,  born  about  1505.  in  Castle  Camps, 
Cambridgeshire,  was  a  counscllor-at-law,  and  also 
steward  of  the  Earl  of  Oxford  (Harleian  M.  T.  1542). 
He  had  two  sons,  Bartholomew  and  Tohn  (6).  The 
first  married  .Mice  Runner.  John  (6)  Church,  brother 
of  Bartholomew  Church,  was  of  Sanford  county,  Es- 
sex, and  married  Catherine  Swan,  circa  I>47:  and 
their  children  were  John  and  Thom?s.  The  latter 
married  Thomasine  (the  feminine  name  of  Thomas). 


40 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


He  was  warden  of  St.  Clements,  Ipswich,  1597.  Jolin 
(7)  Church,  son  of  John  (6)  Church,  of  Sanford  (or 
Samford),  married  Joan  Titerall;  he  died  before  Nov- 
ember 4,  1593,  leaving  several  children,  of  whom 
Richard  Church,  born  May  9,  1570,  married  Alice, 
widow  of  his  brother  Henry,  and  was  a  merchant 
tailor.  Richard  Church,  settled  in  Braintree,  Essex, 
where  he  was  thrown  into  contact  with  many  subse- 
quent settlers  of  this  country,  the  Greens,  Marshes, 
Wards  and  Graves.  His  son,  Richard  (2)  Church, 
was  the  immigrant,  and  evidently  came  over  with 
his  relatives,  John  and  Nathaniel  Marsh,  and  Isaac 
Graves,  from  Braintree,  Essex,  to  Braintree,  New 
England.  The  father,  Richard  (l)  Church,  had  five 
children,  who  married  into  these  families:  Alice,  born 
January  12,  1603,  married.  May  18,  1624,  Thomas 
Green,  of  Witham,  Essex;  John,  born  May  7,  1607, 
died  July  15,  1638,  married  Elizabeth  Marsh,  daughter 
of  Robert  Marsh,  of  Braintree;  Henry,  born  in  1609, 
married  a  Browne,  but  died  without  issue;  Richard 
(2),  already  named  as  the  immigrant;  and  Arnold, 
born  March  23,  161 1,  married  Margaret  Ward,  sister 
of  Nathaniel  Ward,  later  of  Hartford  and  Hadley. 

(I)  Richard  (2)  Church,  the  immigrant  ancestor, 
born  February  6,  1610,  married,  May  18,  1627,  Anna 
Marsh,  daughter  of  Edward  Marsh,  of  Braintree. 
In  1636  he  came  with  the  Hookes  to  Hartford,  and 
was  one  of  the  original  proprietors,  and  resided  on 
the  east  side  of  Burr  street  (originally  known  as  the 
road  from  "Centinel  Hill  to  the  Cow  Pasture,"  ac- 
cording to  W.  L.  Porter).  "Centinel  Hill"  is  that 
part  of  Main  street  at  the  head  of  the  present  Mor- 
gan street,  and  was  originally  much  higher  than  it 
now  is.  The  "Cow  Pasture"  was  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  present  Kency  Memorial  tower,  and  it  was  di- 
rectly east  of  the  "Cow  Pas'ture"  that  Richard 
Church  lived,  his  land  probably  extending  down  to 
the  present  Windsor  street.  He  was  a  participant 
in  the  great  controversy  which  divided  the  First 
Church  in  Hartford,  and  he  sided  with  the  party 
which  opposed  the  Rev.  Samuel  Stone,  as  his  signa- 
ture to  a  letter  to  Mr.  Stone's  remonstrance  shows. 
This  letter  bears  date  of  March  12,  1655,  at  which 
time  Richard  Church  was  in  Hartford.  Probably,  in 
1659,  he  removed  to  Hadley,  wi"ch  the  "withdrawers," 
and  there  died,  December  16.  1667.  He  left  five  chil- 
dren: Edward,  born  February  26,  1628,  died  Septem- 
ber 10,  1704;  Samuel,  born  March  3,  1629,  died  young; 
Mary,  born  November  2,  1632;  John,  of  whom  fur- 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  was  born  May  9,  1636,  died 
April  3,  1684. 

(II)  John  Church,  son  of  Richard  (2)  Church,  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  was  born  May  9,  1636,  died 
October  16,  1691.  He  married,  October  27,  1657, 
Sarah  Beckley,  daughter  of  Richard  Beckley,  of  New 
Haven  ("Hartford  town  records").  John  Church 
may  have  gone  to  Hadley  with  his  father,  as  no 
births  of  his  family  are  found  at  Hartford.  Richard 
Beckley  removed  from  New  Haven  (founding  the 
well  known  family  there)  to  Wcthersficld.  If  John 
Church  did  go  to  Hadley,  he  returned  to  Hartford 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Second  Church.  February 


26,  1670.  No  mention  of  his  wife  is  made  at  this  time, 
but  she  was  admitted  to  the  church,  June  23,  1678. 
'J"hc  names  of  their  children  are  known  from  his  ad- 
ministration and  will,  and  are  as  follows:  Sarah, 
born  in  1659,  married  George  Knight,  died  in  1730; 
Richard,  of  whom  further;  Mary,  died  January  30, 
1705;  John,  born  in  1670,  married  Abigail  Cadwell, 
in  1699,  died  in  1735;  Samuel,  born  in  1671,  married 
Elizabeth  Clark,  in  1710,  died  in  1718;  and  Deliver- 
ance, born  in  1679. 

(III)  Richard  (3)  Church,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Beckley)  Church,  was  born  in  1663.  He  married, 
March  3,  1692,  Elizabeth  Noble,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Noble,  of  Boston,  born  February  9,  1663.  He  set- 
tled in  Westfield  Massachusetts,  where  eight  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them.  Af^er  1705  they  removed 
to  Colchester,  Connecticut,  where  he  died  April  I, 
1730,  in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  His  widow  married 
Deacon  Samuel  Loomis,  and  died  in  Colchester,  Au- 
gust 10,  1741,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  six  months 
and  one  day.  Their  son,  James  Church,  born  at 
Westfield,  Massachusetts,  October  26,  1696,  came  to 
Hartford,  and  married,  in  1722,  Abigail  Stanley, 
daughter  of  Caleb  Stanley.  He  was  ensign,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  South  Church,  March  28,  1725.  He 
died  in  1751.  His  will,  dated  March  13,  1750-51,  men- 
tioned wife  Abigail,  and  gives  to  son  Joseph  the 
land  in  Colchester,  "it  being  the  lot  my  honored  fa- 
tlicr  lived  on,  with  the  buildings."  To  "my  son 
James,  one-half  of  my  dwelling  house  in  Hartford. 
.Son  James,  who  is  under  age,  to  be  maintained  at 
college ;  tlircc  daughters,  Abigail,  Jcrusha  and  Mary." 
Joseph  Church,  a  grandson,  is  given  a  hundred  acres 
of  land  in  Litchfield.  Lands  in  the  'cown  of  Bed- 
ford are  also  mentioned.  Children  of  Richard  and 
Elizabeth  (Noble)  Church:  Hannah,  born  October  5, 
1692;  Rachel,  born  March  I,  1694;  John,  born  Janu- 
ary 12,  1695,  died  June  19,  1754;  James,  mentioned 
above;  Joseph,  born  December  7,  1698;  Jonathan,  of 
whom  further;  Samuel,  born  November  28,  1702;  and 
Elizabeth,  born  March  26,  1705. 

(IV)  Jonathan  Church,  son  of  Richard  (3)  and 
Elizabeth  (Noble)  Church,  was  born  December  7, 
1700,  and  died  October  27,  1 761.  He  was  an  early  set- 
tler of  North  Parish,  New  London,  now  Montville, 
where  he  came  from  Colchester.  First  notice  of  him 
is  in  his  marriage,  February  24,  1724,  to  Abigail  Fair- 
banks, born  in  1705,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Chris- 
tian (Chapel)  Fairbanks,  by  Rev.  James  Hillhouse. 
Soon  after  this  union  he  purchased  a  farm  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Uncasville,  at  a  place  afterwards  called 
"Pennytown."  His  wife  was  a  woman  of  considera- 
ble ability  and  moral  character.  Her  mother  was  a 
member  of  the  Hillhouse  church.  These  children 
have  been  recorded:  I.  Jonathan,  Jr.,  born  in  1726; 
married  (first)  Mary  Angel!,  February  13,  1762, 
daughter  of  William  and  Almy  (Harding')  .iXngell,  of 
Warwick,  Rhode  Island,  he  served  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War  as  private  in  Colonel  Erastus  Wolcott's 
regiment  at  New  London,  February  28,  1777;  married 
(second)  Mary  .'\ngel  Fairbanks:  (third)  Jemina  An- 
gel; he  died  previous  to  1800;  his  widow  sold  out  his 


I 


R-^^/Y^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


41 


interest  in  the  farm  to  Levi  Lester  in  1801  and  re- 
moved to  New  York  State.  2.  Fairbanks,  born  in 
17J8.  3.  John,  born  in  1734.  4.  Amos,  born  in  1736. 
5.  Pelcg,  of  whom  further. 

(V)  Peleg  Church,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Abi- 
gail (Fairbanks)  Churtli,  was  born  in  1738.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Congdon,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and 
Ann  (Chapel)  Congdon.  He  was  a  blacksmhh,  and 
first  started  a  shop  on  the  land  bought  of  Joseph 
Church,  in  1764,  in  Uncasville,  then  called  "Penny- 
town."  He  afterwards  removed  to  tlic  Fort  Hill 
farm  at  Mohcgan,  where  it  is  said  he  lived  for  over 
thirty  years.  He  served  in  the  Kcvolutlonary  War  as 
a  private  in  Captain  Calkins  company,  General  Lati- 
mer's regiment,  at  Saratoga,  in  1777.  He  died  before 
1805.  His  children  are:  Elizabeth,  Pelcg,  Jr.,  of 
whom  further;  Sanford,  born  in  1768,  married  Sarah 
Monroe;  John,  born  in  1770,  married  Sarah  Leach, 
sister  of  Mary  Leach,  wife  of  Peleg  Church,  Jr. 

(VI)  Peleg  Church,  Jr.,  son  of  Peleg  and  Eliza- 
beth (Congdon)  Church,  was  born  in  1766.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Leach,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Gray) 
Leach,  of  Mohegan.  His  children  arc:  Erastus,  of 
whom  further;  Peleg,  born  in  1793,  married  Jane 
Harrington;  Henry,  born  in  1795,  married  Partlicma 
Bradford,  in  January,  1816,  daughter  of  William 
Bradford;  Nancy,  born  in  1796,  married  Ebenczer 
Story;  Maria,  born  in  1798,  married  Joshua  Rogers; 
James  B.,  born  in  1790,  married  Julia  O'Brien; 
Lydia,  married  Joseph  Fuller  in  1830;  Eliza,  born 
April  2,  1800,  married  Samuel  Atwell;  William,  mar- 
ried Harriet  Lucas;  and  Abby,  married  George  F. 
Dolheise. 

(VH)  Erastus  Church,  son  of  Peleg,  Jr.  and 
Mary  (Leach)  Church,  was  born  .\pril  6,  1792.  He 
married  (first)  Nancy  Ford,  daughter  of  John 
Ford,  and  had  children:  i.  Mary,  born  November 
2,  1812,  married  George  Carpenter,  and  died  January 
5,  1848.  2.  Elisha  R.,  mentioned  below.  3.  Alniira, 
born  April  23,  1821,  died  September  24,  1822.  4. 
Emelinc,  born  September  20,  1822,  married  (first) 
George  Cranston;  (second)  Dr.  King,  of  Norwich. 
5.  Eliza,  born  January  16,  1824,  married  Nathan 
Champlin  Chappell.  6.  Nancy,  born  December  20, 
1826,  married  Edward  Burdettc,  and  died  aged  forty- 
one  years.  Erastus  Church  married  (second)  Mrs. 
Fitche  (Comstock)  Church,  widow  of  George  Whit- 
man Church,  and  daughter  of  Ebcnezer  and  Desire 
(Comstock)  Comstock,  born  in  Montville,  in  1790. 
She  had  five  children  by  her  first  marriage:  I. 
Mary  Ann,  born  December  21,  1815,  married  Mr. 
Carpenter,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  2.  Captain 
James  Lcander,  born  January  19,  1819,  and  died  Jan- 
uary 15,  1901;  married  Anstriss  Wentworth  Sweet, 
born  in  1830,  and  died  June  16,  1900,  daughter  of  Na- 
thaniel and  Betsey  (Ellis)  Sweet,  of  Providence, 
Rhode  Island.  3.  George  W.  4-  Electa,  born  August 
20,  1821,  married  (first)  John  Chapman,  and  (second) 
Levi  Lester.  5.  Dudley,  died  young.  Children  by 
Erastus  Church's  second  marriage  to  Mrs.  Fitche 
(Comstock)  Church.  I.  Captain  Erastus,  born  .April 
13,  1834,  died  March  5,  191 1;  married  Helen  M.  Saw- 


yer, born  September  20,  1859,  died  September  6, 
1919.  2.  Charles  E.,  born  February  14,  1837,  died  May 
23,  1902;  married  Isabelle  Utky  Becbe.  3.  Nicholas 
W.,  born  May  24,  1839;  married  (first)  Ellen  Cong- 
don, (second)  February  2,  1880,  Juliet  Maynard,  born 
October  14,   1839,  died   February  28,   1914. 

(VIH)  Elisha  R.  Church,  son  of  Erastus  and 
Nancy    (Ford)    Church,   was   born   April   2,    1816,   in 

Mohcgan.      He   married   (first)    Augusta  , 

March  4,  1844,  the  Jicv.  Mr.  Potter  performing  the 
ceremony.  She  was  born  .August  14,  1826.  He  mar- 
ried (second)  Melissa  S.  Williams,  daughter  of  John 
and  Eliza  (Brown)  Williams,  who  was  born  in 
Montville,  October  4,  1841.  She  died  November  5, 
1918.  He  died  in  Preston,  February  6,  1892.  Chil- 
dren by  first  wife:  Bishop  S.,  Isabell  A.,  and 
Charles  B.  Children  by  second  wife:  Theodore  N.; 
Henry  E.;  Jane  E.;  Leonard  P.,  of  whom  further; 
Elisha,  twin  brother  of  Leonard  P.,  died  young; 
Warren   W.;   Evelyn. 

(IX)  Leonard  P.  Church,  son  of  Elisha  R.  and 
Melissa  S.  (Williams)  Church,  was  born  April  2, 
1868,  in  Preston,  Connecticut,  where  he  spent  his 
boyhood  days  and  received  his  education.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  employ  of 
Charles  OfTenheiser,  of  Norwich,  as  bookkeeper, 
where  he  remained  for  one  year,  after  which  he  was 
employed  by  Welcome  A.  Smith  for  two  years  in 
the  same  capacity.  On  December  l,  1889,  he  en- 
tered the  Thames  National  Bank,  where  he  has 
served  continuously  since,  having  reached  the  posi- 
tion of  assistant  cashier,  which  position  he  now 
holds. 

Mr.  Church,  in  his  religious  faitif,  is  a  Baptist, 
he  and  his  family  belonging  to  the  Central  Baptist 
Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  frater- 
nally, a  member  of  the  Arcanum  Club  since  1890, 
and  a  member  of  the  Chelsea  Boat  Club,  serving  for 
many  years  as  treasurer. 

On  .April  5,  1893,  Mr.  Church  married  Harriet  C. 
Briggs,  born  January  17,  1872,  daughter  of  Horace 
A.  and  Esther  (Green)  Briggs,  of  Norwich.  To 
this  union  has  been  born  two  children:  Natalie  N., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years;  and  Kenneth 
Briggs,  who  graduated  from  Clark  College  in  1920, 
and  then  entered  Clark  University,  and  is  now  em- 
ployed as  a  chemist  at  the  .Aspinook  Company, 
Jewett  City. 


ARTHUR  H.  BREWER— In  May,  1922,  Arthur  H. 
Brewer,  president  of  the  Thames  National  Bank, 
of  Norwich,  celebrated  the  seventy-fourth  anniver- 
sary of  his  natal  day,  and  amid  the  scenes  in  which 
his  most  useful  life  began, — Norwich,  Connecticut. 
No  man  ever  lived  in  the  city  of  Norwich  whose 
life  has  been  more  persistently  devoted  to  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  the  city,  as  merchant,  manufacturer 
and  banker.  The  mercantile,  industrial  and  financial 
history  of  Norwich  could  not  be  written,  and  the 
career  of  .Arthur  H.  Brewer  be  omitted,  neither 
could  the  history  of  several  leading  corporations 
of    the    city    be    chronicled,    truly,    without    a   great 


42 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


deal  of  space  being  given  to  the  following:  The 
Edward  Chappell  Company,  coal  and  lumber,  one  of 
the  largest  and  oldcs't  businesses  of  its  kind  in  East- 
ern Connecticut;  the  Hopkins  and  Allen  Arms 
Company;  the  Shetucket  Company;  the  Falls  Com- 
pany; the  Ashland  Cotton  Company  (Jewett  City); 
the  Ponemah  Mills;  the  Norwich  Savings  Society, 
the  oldest  of  financial  institutions  in  Norwich;  the 
Thames  National  Bank,  the  largest  of  all  New  Lon- 
don county  banks;  and  a  dozen  others.  In  which  he 
has  held  or  holds  official  position.  So,  too,  there 
would  be  blank  pages  were  his  name  and  his  deeds 
omitted  from  the  records  of  the  city's  church,  chari- 
table, philanthropic  and  fraternal  institutions.  While 
the  years  have  taken  their  toll,  Mr.  Brewer  is  still 
"in  the  harness,"  and  he  can  be  found  at  his  office 
in   the  Thames   National   Bank  every  business   day. 

Mr.  Brewer  comes  of  ancient  New  England  fam- 
ily, his  grandfather,  Lyman  Brewer,  coming  to  Lud- 
low, Massachusetts,  then  to  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
in  early  life.  Lyman  Brewer  was  of  the  si.xth  gen- 
eration of  the  family  founded  in  New  England  by 
Daniel  Brewer,  who  came  in  the  ship  "Lion"  in 
1632.  This  family  history  is  traced  from  Daniel  and 
Joanna  Brewer,  the  American  ancestors,  to  Arthur 
H.  Brewer,  of  Norwich,  through  their  son,  Daniel 
(2)  Brewer,  and  his  wife,  Hannah  (Morril)  Brewer, 
they  of  Ro.xbury,  Massachusetts;  their  son.  Rev. 
Daniel  (3)  Brewer,  a  graduate  from  Harvard  Col- 
lege, 1687,  an  ordained  minister  of  the  Gospel,  of 
Springfield,  Massachusetts,  and  his  wife,  Catherine 
(Chauncey)  Brewer;  their  son  Isaac  Brewer,  of  Wil- 
braham,  Massachusetts,  and  his  wife,  Mary  (Bliss) 
Brewer;  their  son.  Lieutenant  Isaac  {2)  Brewer,  a 
large  landowner  of  Ludlow,  Massacliusetts,  and  his 
wife,  Sybil  (Miller)  Brewer;  their  son,  Lyman 
Brewer,  of  further  mention,  and  his  wife,  Harriet 
(Tyler)  Brewer;  their  son,  Charles  H.  Brewer,  of 
further  mention,  and  his  wife,  Martha  L.  (Witter) 
Brewer;  their  son,  Arthur  H.  Brewer,  to  v.'hom  this 
review  is   inscribed. 

Along  maternal  lines,  Mr.  Brewer  traces  through 
his  mother,  Martha  L.  (Witter)  Brewer,  to  Professor 
John  Witter,  of  Yale  University,  son  of  Jacob  Witter, 
of  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  son  of  Nathan  Witter,  of 
Brooklyn;  son  of  Ebenezer  Witter,  of  Preston, 
Connecticut;  son  of  Deacon  Ebenezer  Witter,  born 
in  Scotland,  in  1668,  who  came  to  New  England, 
settling  in  Preston,  where  he  died  in  1712,  aged 
forty-four  years.  Through  his  grandmother,  Har- 
riet (Tyler)  Brewer,  descent  is  traced  from  Rev. 
John  Tyler  (Yale,  1765),  first  rector  of  Christ  Epis- 
copal Church,  Norwich,  who  served  that  church  for 
fifty-four  years.  Through  his  great-grandmother, 
Hannah  Tracy,  Arthur  H.  Brewer  finds  an  ancestor 
in  Lieutenant  Thomas  Tracy,  whose  English  line 
of  descent  was  from  Egbert,  the  first  Saxon  king  of 
all  England,  who  was  sixth  in  direct  line  from  Cedric 
the  Saxon,  of  the  sixth  century. 

Lyman  Brewer,  of  the  sixth  American  generation, 
was  born  in  1786,  settled  in  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
where   he   died  June    19,   1857.     In   early  life   he  en- 


gaged as  a  merchant,  but  in  1825  aided  in  organiz- 
ing the  now  Thames  National  Bank,  and  became  its 
cashier,  continuing  in  that  position  until  his  death, 
thirty-two  years  later.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Norwich  Savings  Society,  of  Nor- 
wich, in  1824,  these  being  the  first  two  banking  in- 
stitutions in  Norwich  and  both  survive  as  leaders, 
one  now  a  National,  the  other  a  savings  bank. 
Lyman  Brewer  resided  in  the  old  Brewer  house,  at 
No.  92  Washington  street,  which  is  occupied  by 
Miss  Louisa  J.  Brewer,  one  of  the  eleven  children 
of  Lyman  and  Harriet  (Tyler)  Brewer.  Mrs.  Har- 
riet (Tyler)  Brewer  died  in  Norwich,  November  3, 
1880,  aged  ninety  years,  eleven  months. 

Charles  H.  Brewer,  son  of  Lyman  and  Harriet 
(Tyler)  Brewer,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connec'cicut, 
August  9,  1824,  but  spent  little  of  his  business  life 
there,  dying  suddenly  in  San  Francisco,  California, 
January  10,  1891.  For  more  than  a  decade  of  years 
he  was  a  resident  of  San  Mateo,  California,  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother.  Rev.  Alfred  L.  Brewer,  D.D., 
head  of  a  military  school  there.  In  1890  he  left  his 
home  in  Norwich  to  look  after  some  real  estate  in 
California,  and  there  died.  He  is  buried  in  Yantic 
Cemetery,  Norwich.  Charles  H.  Brewer  married, 
in  1847,  Martha  L.  Witter,  born  in  1828,  died  Decem- 
ber 9,  1873,  daughter  of  Professor  John  and  Eliza 
(Buckley)  Witter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Brewer 
were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Arthur  H.,  of 
further  mention;  Frank  C,  a  banker;  Annie  Louise, 
married  Walter  L.  Wellington,  a  merchant;  Kate 
Tyler,  married  Robert  DuBois,  a  merchant. 

Arthur  H.  Brewer,  of  the  eighth  American  Brewer 
generation  in  New  England,  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  May  17,  1848,  and  there  resides,  an 
honored,  "native  son,"  (August,  1922).  He  was 
educated  in  Norwich  and  Boston  schools,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty  entered  the  employ  of  Edward  Chap- 
pell, a  coal  dealer  of  Norwich.  Ten  years  later,  in 
1878,  Mr.  Chappell  admitted  Mr.  Brewer  to  a  one- 
third  partnership  interest,  Enoch  F.  Chapman  also 
having  an  equal  interest.  Mr.  Cliappell  died  in  1891, 
Messrs.  Brewer  and  Chapman  continuing  the  busi- 
ness until  the  latter's  death  in  January,  1898,  when 
Mr.  Brewer  admitted  his  former  most  worthy  em- 
ployees, Messrs.  Washburn,  Hatch,  Chapman  and 
Crary,  reorganizing  as  a  corporation,  The  Edward 
Chappell  Company.  The  company  waxed  prosper- 
ous and  great,  its  management  claiming  Mr.  Brew- 
er's able  interest  until  1913,  when  he  retired  from 
the  management,  not  to  private  life,  but  to  an  en- 
larged field  of  activity.  The  interest  Mr.  Brewer 
held  in  The  Edward  Chappell  Company  he  disposed 
of  among  his  sons-in-law,  William  A.  Norton,  Willis 
Austin  and  Lucius  Briggs. 

It  would  require  a  volume  to  chronicle  in  full  the 
ramifications  of  Mr.  Brewer's  numerous  interests, 
so  important  have  they  been.  He  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  president  of  the  Hopkins  &  Allen 
Arms  Company;  president  of  the  Falls  Company; 
vice-president  of  the  Ponemah  Mills  Company,  act- 
ing president  during  President  William  A.  Lester's 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


43 


absence  abroad;  president  of  the  Ashland  Cotton 
Company  of  Jcwett  City;  secretary-treasurer  of  the 
Uncas-Hall  Company;  director  of  the  Norwich  Gas 
and  Electric  Company;  president  of  the  Crescent 
Fire  Arms  Company;  vice-president  of  the  Norwich 
Water  Power  Company;  director  of  the  Uncas  Paper 
Company;  president  of  Bard  Union  Company;  and 
numerous  others.  He  has  retired  From  executive 
place  in  many  of  these  corporations,  but  holds  di- 
rectorships in  several. 

Mr.  Brewer's  banking  interests  are  very  importan: 
and  have  become  his  sole  activity  In  the  business 
life  of  his  city.  On  June  21,  1913,  he  became  presi- 
dent of  The  Norwich  Savings  Society,  which  institu- 
tion, in  1924,  will  celebrate  its  centenary.  In  1918 
he  was  elected  the  eighth  president  of  the  Thames 
National  Bank,  and  is  yet  holding  tnat  office  with 
the  institution  that  his  grandfather,  Lyman  Brewer, 
aided  in  organizing  and  served  as  its  first  cashier, 
1825-1857.  This  in  brief  is  an  outline  of  the  business 
career  of  a  real  captain  of  industry,  but  it  is  only  an 
outline  of  half  a  century  of  useful  effort,  and  a  rec- 
ord not  completed  but  still  in  the  making. 

The  Norwich  institutions  devoted  to  charity  and 
philanthropy  have  always  had  a  warm  friend  in  Mr. 
Brewer,  although  he  has  acted  in  a  quiet,  unobtru- 
sive way,  few  knowing  how  deep  his  interest  is  and 
how  broad  his  charity.  He  has  long  served  as  a  di- 
rector of  the  Eliza  Huntington  Memorial  Home;  is 
an  ex-president  of  the  Norwich  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; member  of  the  .Arcanum  Club,  and  its  presi- 
dent when  the  club  revamped  and  occupied  its  pres- 
ent quarters  on  Webster  HeiglTts,  the  acquirement 
of  which  was  originally  instigated  by  Mr.  Brewer; 
trustee  of  Norwich  Free  .'\cademy;  member  of  the 
Society  of  Colonial  Wars,  and  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  sitting  as  a  delegate  in  the  National  con- 
vention in  1896  that  first  nominated  William  Mc- 
Kinley  for  president  of  the  United  States.  Political 
office  had  no  place  in  his  scheme  of  life,  and  he  never 
accepted  one,  cither  appointive  or  elective,  although 
opportunities  have  not  been  lacking. 

In  the  Masonic  order  his  record  covers  all  degrees 
of  .Vmerican  Masonry.  He  was  "made  a  mason"  in 
Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  .'\ccepted  Masons, 
upon  becoming  of  lawful  age,  December  27,  1869. 
He  sat  in  the  Senior  Warden's  chair  in  1878,  and  in 
'9-0  ^•,•n!;  elected  worshipful  master,  in  1890  he  was 
elected  trustee  of  the  lodge  and  has  he'd  that  office 
until  the  present  (1922).  He  is  a  companion  of 
Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  ex- 
alted September  30,  1873;  master  of  the  second  vail, 
T874;  king,  1875;  high  priest,  1876-77-  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Franklin  Council.  No.  3.  Royal  and  Select 
Masters,  making  his  entrance  into  Cryptic  Masonry, 
November  20,  1873;  was  captain  of  the  Guard,  1874- 
77.  principal  conductor,  1878,  captain  of  the  guard, 
1879-81,  deputy  master,  1882,  thrice  illustrious  mas- 
ter 1883-8-'  He  was  knighted  in  Columbia  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar,  May  9,  1879,  and  on 
January  9,  1880.  entered  King  Solomon  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite.    He  was 


treasurer  of  all  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies  1891-95,  and 
has  been  a  trustee,  1895-1922.  He  became  a  member 
of  Van  Renssalaer  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  of 
tlie  same  rite,  June  18,  1880,  and  was  treasurer  of 
the  Council,  1891-95.  He  acquired  the  degrees  of  the 
Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix,  AncTcnt  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  June  18,  1880,  was  master,  1884-1907. 
He  became  a  member  of  Connecticut  Consistory, 
.\ncicnt  Accepted  Sco'ttish  Rite,  June  25,  1880.  On 
September  14,  1880,  he  was  honored  with  the  highest 
degree  of  the  Order  in  the  United  States,  the  hon- 
orary thirty-third,  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the 
.'\ncient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  a  degree  conferred 
by  the  Supreme  Council  for  "distinguished  service 
rendered  the  Order."  Mr.  Brewer  was  the  leading 
spirit  and  chairman  of  the  preliminary  committee  of 
the  organization  of  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation, 
and  was  elected  first  president  of  the  corporation, 
April  29,  1892,  and  has  continued  its  executive  head 
until  the  present  (1922). 

On  August  4,  1873,  Mr.  Brewer  married  Mary 
Phipps  Young,  born  October  26,  1847,  died  Febru- 
ary 22,  1903,  daughter  of  Caius  C.  and  Mary  G. 
(Phipps)  Young.  Three  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brewer,  as  follows:  Martha  W.,  married 
William  A.  Norton;  Annie  Huntington,  married 
Willis  Austin;  Mary  Goffe,  married  Lucius  Briggs. 
The  family  are  members  of  'the  Episcopal  church, 
Mr.  Brewer  having  been  a  vestryman  and  treasurer 
of  Christ  Church  for  several  years.  Mrs.  Brewer 
was  a  gracious  lady,  greatly  beloved  for  her  at- 
tractive personality  and  wide  charity.  The  Brewer 
home  was  the  scene  of  a  generous  hospitality,  and 
its  greatest  attraction  was  the  devoted  wife  and  mo- 
ther. In  the  chancel  of  Christ  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  she  was  a  member,  a  memorial  has 
been  placed. 


GEORGE  HENRY  LORING— No  list  of  the  re- 
tired representatives  of  the  agricultural  interests  of 
New  London  county  would  be  complete  without  the 
name  which  stands  at  the  head  of  this  review.  Mr. 
Loring  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  political  life 
of  Norwich,  his  home  town,  and  is  closely  identified 
with  church  work  and  with  a  number  of  other  in- 
terests important  to  his  community.  He  is  a  son 
of  William  Loring,  and  a  descendant  of  Deacon 
Thomas  Loring,  who  came  from  Axminster,  Devon- 
shire, to  Dorchester,  in  Suffolk  county,  Massachu- 
setts. 

(I)  Deacon  Thomas  Loring,  the  first  of  his  name 
in  New  England,  married,  in  England.  Jane  Newton, 
and  on  December  22,  1634,  they  left  England,  bring- 
ing their  two  sons,  Thomas  and  John.  The  family 
lived  in  Dorchester,  Hingham  and  Hull,  Deacon 
Thomas  Loring  dying  in  the  last  named  town,  .-\pril 
I,  1661,  his  widow,  August  25,  1672.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  deacons  of  the  Hingham  Church,  and  an 
honorable,  upright  man.  From  Deacon  Thomas 
Loring  the  line  is  traced  in  this  branch  through  his 
second  son,  John. 

(II)  John  Loring,  son  of  Deacon  Thomas  Lor- 


44 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


ing,  was  born  in  England,  December  22,  1630,  and 
died  at  tlie  home  of  his  son,  Captain  Thomas  Loring, 
in  Hingham,  Massachusetts,  September  19,  1714.  He 
was  brought  from  England  by  his  parents  in  1634, 
and  after  removal  to  Hingham  was  ever  a  resident 
there.  John  Loring  married  (first)  December  16, 
1656,  Mary  Baker,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Baker. 
She  died  July  13,  1679,  and  he  married  (second)  Sep- 
tember 22,  1679,  Rachel  Buckland.  By  his  first  wife 
there  were  ten  children  born  and  by  his  second  wife 
four  children. 

(HI)  Isaac  Loring,  son  of  John  Loring  and  his 
first  wife,  Mary  (Baker)  Loring,  was  born  in  Hull, 
Massachusetts,  January  22,  1666,  and  died  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  December  3,  1702.  He  married,  Au- 
gust 5,  1691,  Sarah  Young,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

(IV)  William  Loring,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah 
(Young)  Loring,  was  born  December  23,  1700.  He 
was  a  carpenter  and  joiner  of  Boston.  He  married, 
November  19,  1724,  Ann  Holland,  who  died  in  1784. 
To  them  were  born  five  children. 

(V)  Isaac  (2)  Loring,  son  of  William  and  Ann 
(Holland)  Loring,  was  born  in  Boston,  November 
30,  1729,  and  died  prior  to  March  31,  1758,  as  an  ad- 
ministrator was  appointed  on  that  date  to  settle  his 
estate.     He   married   Elizabeth    Russell. 

(VI)  Captain  William  (2)  Loring,  son  of  Isaac 
(2)  and  Elizabeth  (Russell)  Loring,  was  born  in 
Boston,  January  5,  1756.  He  was  a  master  mariner, 
and  the  following  from  Mr.  Caulkin's  "History  of 
New  London"  thus  gives  his  fate:  "In  February, 
1788,  the  brig  'Clarissa'  came  from  Port  and  Prince: 
her  master.  Captain  William  Loring,  had  died  on  the 
passage  home  just  as  they  came  upon  the  coast. 
The  vessel  touched  at  Elizabeth  Island  and  they 
buried  Captain  Loring  at  Tarpaulin  Cove  that  very 
cold  Tuesday  night,  February  5,  1788."  There  is  a 
tombstone  at  Naushon,  Elizabeth  Island,  on  which 
is  the  following  inscription:  "In  memory  of  Captain 
William  Loring  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  He  was 
born  at  Boston,  January  5,  1756,  and  died  at  sea, 
February  2,   1788. 

"Loring  in  all  the  prime  of  life, 
Hath  quit  this  brittle  clay. 
And  calmly  steered  his  single  bark 
To  yonder  world  of  day." 

Captain  Loring  married  Zerviah  Lord,  May  7, 
1781,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  children. 
She   married   (second)   Daniel   Dunham. 

(VII)  George  Loring,  son  of  Captain  William 
(2)  and  Zerviah  (Lord)  Loring,  was  born  April  23, 
1786,  and  died  December  13,  1852.  He  married, 
March  23,  1809,  Lucy  Lester,  born  February  8,  1787, 
and  died  August  12,  1836,  daughter  ot  Elijah  and 
Daman  (Lord)  Lester.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight   children. 

(VIII)  William  (3)  Loring,  son  of  Georpe  and 
Lucy  (Lester)  Loring,  was  born  in  North  Pieston, 
now  known  as  Griswold,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  February  3,  1817,  and  died  in  Norwich, 


Connecticut,  December  10,  1896.  He  was  early  ac- 
quamted  with  farm  pursuits  and  all  his  life  was  a 
farmer,  only  retiring  a  few  years  beiore  his  passing. 
When  stUi  a  young  man,  he  was  the  owner  01  a  larm 
of  125  acres,  and  tor  many  years  alter  was  prominent 
among  the  farmers  of  his  community.  He  also  en- 
gaged, to  some  extent,  in  the  breeding  of  cattle  and 
sheep.  He  was  a  Republican,  but  never  an  oltice- 
holder,  and  belonged  to  no  orders.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church  of  Preston,  in 
which  he  served  as  deacon  for  over  thirty  years.. 
Mr.  Loring  married,  February  2,  1842,  Harriet  Kin- 
ney Morgan,  daughter  of  Erastus  and  Polly  (Meach) 
Morgan,  and  a  native  of  Preston,  Connecticut.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Loring  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Lucy  L.,  born  at  Preston,  and  died  in  Norwich^ 
Connecticut;  Mary  F.,  born  at  Preston,  and  now  re- 
sides in  Colorado;  and  George  Henry,  mentioned 
below.  A  few  years  before  his  death,  VVilliam  Lor- 
ing removed  to  Norwich,  locating  on  Laurel  Hill 
avenue,  where  he  died  in  his  eightieth  year.  Mrs. 
Loring,  a  good  and  noble  woman,  died  January  20^ 
1894. 

(IX)  George  Henry  Loring,  son  of  William  (3) 
and  Harriet  Kinney  (Morgan)  Loring,  as  born  Sep- 
tember I,  1851,  at  Preston,  Connecticut.  He  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  district  schools  of  his 
native  town,  afterward  entering  Eastman  Business 
College,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1871.  Choos- 
ing to  make  agriculture  his  life  work,  Mr.  Loring  be- 
came assistant  to  Lyman  Randall,  a  farmer  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Norwich,  remaining  with  him  about 
nine  years,  then  continued  to  manage  the  farm  for 
the  widow.  In  the  spring  of  1885,  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres  on  Scotland  road,  Connecticut, 
the  Alba  F.  Smith  farm,  and  cultivated  it  success- 
fully for  about  twelve  years.  In  1898  he  sold  the 
property  and  bought  his  present  home  on  Lincoln 
avenue  and  LTncas  street,  Norwich,  where  he  has 
since  led  a  life  practically  retired,  though  retaining^ 
and  manifesting  a  lively  interest  in  affairs,  local, 
State  and  National.  In  town  and  county  politics, 
Mr.  Loring  has  been  very  active,  always  supporting 
the  Republican  party.  In  1916  and  1917  he  served 
as  alderman  in  the  City  Council  of  Norwich.  He 
belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Norwich,  and  to 
the  Park  Congregational  Church,  of  Norwich,  taking 
an  earnest  and  helpful  interest  in  its  welfare  and 
support. 

Mr.  Loring  married,  Oc'tober  24,  1884,  Lillian 
Avery,  born  in  Preston,  July  30,  1859,  daughter  of 
LTlysses  and  Lucy  A.  (Williams)  Avery,  both  of  whom 
are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loring  are  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children,  all  of  whom  were 
born  in  Norwich;  Nellie  A.;  Sarah  L.,  married  Ray- 
mond B.  Sherman,  of  Norwich;  Lucy  Williams,  mar- 
ried Joseph  O.  Hull,  of  Norwich;  and  Ruth  Lester. 
These  children,  with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Sherman 
and  Mrs.  Hull,  reside  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Lor- 
ing is  a  man  respected,  influential  and  well  liked  by 
his  fellow-townsmen,  his  record,  bo'th  as  farmer  and 
citizen,  one  which  he  may  review  with  satisfaction. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


45 


REV.  HENRY  WOODWARD  HULBERT,  A.M., 
D.D. — An  ordained  minister  of  the  Gospel,  college 
professor  and  investigator,  Dr.  Hulbert  has  accom- 
plished valuable  work  for  the  cause  of  church  and 
education,  following  the  example  of  an  honored  fa- 
ther. Rev.  Calvin  Butler  Hulbert,  D.D.,  clergyman 
and  teacher.  Dr.  Hulbert  has  served  the  twin  causes, 
religion  and  education,  in  his  native  land  and  in  far 
away  Syria,  and  since  1914  has  been  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  of  Christ  (Congregational),  Groton, 
Connecticut.  To  his  ministerial  worKs  he  adds  a 
great  deal  of  literary  and  platform  work,  his  con- 
tribution to  the  literature  of  his  profession  being  ex- 
ceedingly  valuable. 

Henry  Woodward  Hulbert,  son  of  Rev.  Calvin 
Butler  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Woodward)  Hulbert, 
was  born  in  Sheldon,  Vermont,  January  26,  1858. 
He  prepared  for  college  at  Burr  and  Burton  Semi- 
nary at  Manchester,  Vermont,  then  entered  Middle- 
bury  College,  whence  he  was  graduated  A.B.,  class 
of  1879.  After  graduation,  in  1879-80,  he  was  in  Eng- 
land investigating  English  common  schools  under 
authority  of  the  United  States  Government,  to  whom 
his  report  was  made.  Upon  his  return  from  Eng- 
land he  spent  the  school  year,  1880-81,  as  teacher  in 
the  Academy  at  Mechanicville,  New  York,  then  was 
for  another  year,  1881-82,  tutor  in  English  literature 
and  history  at  his  alma  mater,  there  receiving  his 
Master's  degree  in  1882.  Three  years  were  then 
spent  in  studies  in  divinity  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary,  New  York  City,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated, class  of  1885.  The  next  two  years,  1886-88, 
were  spent  abroad  as  instructor  in  church  history 
at  the  Mission  Theological  Seminary  at  Beirut, 
Syria,  then  six  years  were  passed  at  Marietta  Col- 
lege, Marietta,  Ohio,  1888-94,  as  professor  of  history 
and  political  science.  In  1889  he  was  ordained  a 
minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  but  continued 
his  work  as  an  educator  until  1897.  He  remained 
at  Marietta  until  1894,  then  accepted  the  chair  of 
church  history  at  Lane  Theological  Seminary,  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1897.  In 
that  year  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

His  love  for  the  teaching  profession  caused  him  to 
accept  the  chair  of  church  history  at  Bangor  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  Bangor,  Maine,  filling  that  posi- 
tion, 1902-06.  In  1907  he  accepted  a  call  from  High 
Street  Congregational  Church,  Portland,  Maine,  and 
was  there  located  until  191 1.  In  1914  he  came  to 
the  First  Church  of  Christ,  Groton,  Connecticut,  and 
has  there  continued  in  most  pleasant  pastoral  rela- 
tions until  the  present  (September,  1922).  During 
the  interval  between  leaving  Bangor  in  1906,  and 
taking  the  pulpit  at  Portland  in  1907,  Dr.  Hulbert 
went  abroad  on  an  official  mission  to  investigate 
religious  conditions  in  Russia.  He  is  the  author  of 
"The  Church  and  Her  Children."  1012.  and  is  a  fre- 
quent contributor  to  religious  encyclopedias,  diction- 
aries, and  theological  reviews.  Durmg  the  World 
War  period,  1917-18,  he  was  actively  engaged  in  war 
work  as  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  educa- 


tional secretary,  his  field  being  the  six  forts  and 
bases  in  the  New  London  district.  He  is  the  founder 
of  the  "The  Children  of  the  Covenant,"  a  member 
for  many  years  of  the  American  Society  of  Church 
History,  Delta  Upsilon  fraternity  and  the  Ariston 
Club  of  New  London.  He  received  from  Middlebury 
College  the  degree  of  D.D.  in  1900,  and  the  same 
year  Marietta  College  conferred  the  same  honor. 

Dr.  Hulbert  married  (first),  March  31,  1891,  in 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  Eliza  Lyman  Pinneo,  who  died 
June  9,  1905,  daughter  of  Samuel  Lyman  and  Mary 
(Wilcox)  Pinneo.  To  them  were  born  six  children: 
Winifred  Elizabeth,  born  at  Marietta,  Ohio.  July  4, 
1892;  Chauncey  Pinneo,  born  at  Marietta,  Ohio, 
January  21,  1894;  Woodward  Dennis,  born  at  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  July  18,  1896;  Kathryn,  born  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  June  1,  1898;  Ralph  Wheelock,  born  at 
Bangor,  Maine,  July  4,  1903,  died  there,  July  24, 
1904;  Hilda  Lyman,  born  at  Bangor,  Maine,  July  4, 
1903.  Dr.  Hulbert  married  (second)  Annie  Eliza 
McMaster,  at  Bangor,  Maine,  July  17,  1907. 

In  coming  to  New  London  county  the  family  was 
in  reality  coming  back  to  the  home  of  their  ances- 
tors, being  descendants  of  Christopher  Huntington, 
who  was  the  first  boy  born  in  the  Norwich,  Connec- 
ticut settlement  (1660),  and  of  Eleazar  Wheelock, 
who  established  Moor's  Charity  School  for  Indian 
boys  in  connection  with  his  church  at  North  Leb- 
anon (now  Columbia),  and  later  removed  to  Han- 
over, New  Hampshire,  where  he  founded  Dartmouth 
College.  Dr  Hulbert  was  active  in  the  formation 
of  the  Federation  of  Churches  of  ICcw  London  and 
vicinity,  of  which  he  has  been  the  secretary  from 
the  beginning.  The  family  home  is  No.  34  Monu- 
ment street,  Groton,  Connecticut. 


THE  SHEFFIELD  FAMILY,  of  whom  Dr. 
Washington  Wentworth  ShefTield,  of  New  London, 
Connecticut,  was  an  eminent  member,  dates  back  to 
the  time  of  the  Norman  Conquest  of  England.  Then- 
one,  Edmund  ShefTield,  accompanied  William  the 
Conqueror  on  his  invasion  of  England.  In  process 
of  time  three  brothers,  who  descended  from  Edmund 
Sheffield,  came  to  America  and  one,  Amos  Shef- 
field, settled  in  Rhode  Island. 

Amos  Sheffield,  the  immigrant  ancestor  of  the 
family  in  .America,  was  born  in  Sheffield,  England, 
lune  7.  1602,  and  came  to  .\merica  in  1630,  presum- 
ably with  the  Winthrop  Colony.  The  line  follows 
down  through  his  son,  Isaiah  Sheffield,  who  was 
born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  July  10,  1638; 
Amos  (2)  Sheffield,  son  of  Isaiah  Sheffield,  born  in 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  July  27,  1660;  John  Shef- 
field, son  of  Amos  (2)  Sheffield,  born  m  Newport, 
May  3,  1710;  and  Amos  (3)  Sheffield,  son  of  John 
Sheffield,  born  February  3,  1764.  Amos  (3)  Shef- 
field married  a  cousin  of  the  famous  Sweet  family 
of  New  Eneland.  and  they  were  the  parents  of  six 
children:  Rev.  John,  William.  Amos  (4).  Betsey, 
Hannah  and  Mary.  Af^er  the  death  of  Amos  (3) 
Sheffield,  his  widow  married  William  Merrin,  and 
gave  birth  to  two  children:     John  and  .■Xmanda. 


46 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Rev.  John  Sheffield,  eldest  son  of  Amos  (3)  Shef- 
field, was  born  in  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  November 
20,  1798.  When  still  a  young  man  he  went  to  Ston- 
ington,  Connecticut,  and  there  engaged  in  business 
as  a  carriage  maker,  attaining  an  unusual  degree  of 
success,  and  becoming  a  prominent  figure  in  the  pub- 
lic life  of  the  town  as  well  as  in  business.  One  of 
the  earliest  to  embrace  the  principles  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  he  served  as  trial  justice  of  the  town,  and 
as  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  also 
represented  the  town  in  the  Connecticut  State  Legis- 
lature of  1847.  He  was  always  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  and  was  ordained  a  minister  of 
this  church  by  Bishop  Janes,  on  July  7,  1844.  He 
married  on  February  6  1S20,  Eliza  Lewis,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  all  born  in  North 
Stonington:  Frances  Eliza,  born  September  21,  1821; 
John  Franklin,  born  June  8,  1823;  an  mfant  son, 
who  died  December  27,  1825,  at  the  age  of  seven 
weeks;  Washington  Wcntworth,  of  whom  extended 
mention  follows:  Lucius  Tracy,  born  February  20, 
1830;  Andrew  Jackson,  born  May  12,  1832;  Ann 
Judson,  born  May  11,  1834;  Julia  Tracy,  born  July 
31,  1837;  Mary  Hannah,  born  July  19,  1839. 

Dr.  Washington  Wentworth  Sheffield,  fourth 
child  and  third  son  of  Rev.  John  and  Eliza  (Lewis) 
Sheffield,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connecti- 
cut, April  23,  1827.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  town.  For  his  profes- 
sional studies  he  entered  one  of  the  leading  dental 
colleges  of  the  day,  and  after  his  graduation,  supple- 
mented that  -training  by  practical  experience  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  J.  A.  G.  Comstock,  of  New  London,  a 
successful  practitioner  of  that  day.  Later,  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  he  was  under  the  expert  tuition  of  Dr. 
Potter,  of  New  York  City,  and  through  this  breadth 
of  learning  and  e.xpericnce.  Dr.  Sheffield  became  one 
of  the  best  authorities  of  his  time  on  dental  topics. 
He  returned  to  New  London  in  April,  1852,  and  con- 
tinued practice  here  for  several  years  before  his  bril- 
liant career  was  ended  by  death.  He  was  the  inven- 
tor of  tlic  crown  and  bridge  work,  which  is  one  of 
the  triumphs  of  modern  dentistry.  For  many  years, 
in  his  private  practice,  he  used  a  formula  of  dental 
cream,  which  he  had  composed.  At  length,  its  popu- 
larity and  the  universal  demand  for  it  led  him  to 
erect  a  laboratory  for  its  production  on  a  commer- 
cial scale.  The  business  grew  steadily,  and  gave 
Sheffield's  Dentifrice  national  reputation.  Dr. 
Sheffield's  two  grandsons,  Washington  Kyle  and 
Lucius  Tracy  Sheffield,  are  today  manufacturing  on 
a  large  scale  not  only  the  original  formula,  but  many 
others  for  the  leading  pharmaceutical  concerns  in 
the  United  States  and  foreign  countries.  The  indus- 
try is  still  carried  on  under  the  name  of  the  Shef- 
field Dentifrice  Company.  In  191 1  the  New  Eng- 
land Collapsible  Tube  Company  was  incorporated 
by  the  grandsons  for  the  purpose  of  satisfying  the 
popular  demand  for  the  tin  tube  containers  used  for 
pharmaceutical  and  toilet  preparations.  This  com- 
pany   is    today    the    largest    manufacturer    of    these 


popular  containers,  and  is  supplying  the  leading  con- 
cerns using  tin  tubes. 

Dr.  Sheffield  married  Harriett  P.  Browne,  of 
Providence,  Rhode  Island,  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Julia  Browne,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  one  son, 
Lucius  Tracy  Sheffield,  who  was  born  in  New  Lon- 
don, in  1854.  He  married  Mary  J.  Kyle,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons,  born  in  New  York 
City,  Lucius  Tracy,  Jr.,  and  Washington  Kyle  Shef- 
field, who  are  carrying  on  the  business  founded  by 
their  grandfather,  L.  Tracy  Sheffield  being  president 
and  treasurer,  and  W.  Kyle  Sheffield  being  vice- 
president  and  secretary. 

Dr.  Washington  W.  Sheffield  died  in  New  London, 
in  1897,  and  the  following  tribute,  published  in  the 
columns  of  a  local  paper  at  the  time,  was  one  of  the 
many  expressions  of  regret  among  the  people  who 
had  known  and  loved  this  eminent  man: 

"The  death  of  Dr.  Washington  W.  Sheffield, 
which  took  place  at  his  home  on  Broad  street,  re- 
moves from  New  London  one  of  its  most  respected 
citizens.  As  a  citizen  and  a  professional  man,  he 
had  for  fifty  years  occupied  a  conspicuous  place  in 
the  city.  Of  striking  appearance,  affable  manners, 
and  ready  sympathy,  he  won  the  respect  of  all 
classes." 

Mrs.  Sheffield  survived  her  husband  until  July 
26,  1903,  when  she  passed  away  at  her  home.  No. 
170  Broad  street.  New  London,  Connecticut. 


CHARLES    ALLEN    CHAPMAN— Held    in    the 

highest  esteem  by  his  contemporaries,  and  promi- 
nent in  every  good  work  of  the  town,  the  death,  in 
1913,  of  Charles  Allen  Chapman,  of  Montville, 
Connecticut,  was  regarded  as  a  great  loss  to  the 
community. 

Politically,  Mr.  Chapman  had  been  very  active, 
holding  at  different  times  every  office  connected 
with  public  affairs.  In  the  business  life  of  Mont- 
ville he  had  for  many  years  been  a  merchant,  for  the 
last  forty  years  of  his  life  conducting  a  successful 
grocery  establishment.  His  death  occurred  when 
seventy-four  j^ears  of  age,  and  he  was  buried  in  the 
local  cemetery. 

Charles  Allen  Chapman  married  (first)  Mary  Ed- 
wards, by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Nellie  Evelyn, 
who  died  in  1918,  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years. 
Mr.  Chapman  married  (second)  Laura  Comstock, 
of  Montville,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Caroline 
(Whipple)  Comstock,  the  former  named  one  of  the 
original  settlers  of  Montville.  The  family  of  his 
wife,  the  Whipples,  had  been  closely  identified  with 
the  life  of  New  London  county  since  public  records 
have  been  kept.  The  Comstock  family  is  one  of  the 
oldest  in  this  part  of  the  United  States,  their  origi- 
nal ancestor  coming  to  this  country  in  1620  when 
the  "Mayflower"  brought  the  English  refugees  from 
Holland.  A  sister  of  Mrs.  Laura  (Comstock)  Chap- 
man is  Carrie  Comstock,  a  member  of  the  exclu- 
sive   organization,    "The    Daughters    of    the    May- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


47 


flower."  Their  brother  was  the  late  Judge  Corn- 
stock,  who  during  his  lifetime  was  a  very  able  law- 
yer,   prominently    known    throughout    the    State. 

By  his  second  marriage  Charles  Allen  Chapman 
and  his  wife,  Laura  (Conistock)  Chapman,  had  four 
children:  i.  Charles  Everett,  born  in  Montville, 
February  17,  1878;  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 
2.  Mildred  May,  born  May  29,  1886.  3.  Florence 
Caroline,  who  during  the  World  War  was  in  the 
service  of  her  country  as  an  ambulance  driver  in 
France;  she  is  now  postmistress  of  Palmertown. 
4.  Laura  Conistock,  born  June  13,  1900;  married 
Mark  Furber,  and  resides  in  Montville.  The  widow 
of  Charles  Allen  Chapman,  Mrs.  Laura  (Comstock) 
Chapman,  is  still  residing  at  her  home  in  Montville, 
aged  sixty-four  years.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist   church   of   Montville. 


WILLIAM  H.  OAT— In  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
the  name  of  William  H.  Oat  stands  for  one  of  the 
formative  forces  of  the  day,  which  is  always  en- 
listed on  the  side  of  sane  and  righteous  civic  and 
national  progress,  the  "Xorwich  Bulletin."  Mr.  Oat 
was  born  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  February 
2i,  1867,  a  son  of  Lewis  .'\.  and  Jane  M.  (Colby) 
Oat,  his  father  for  many  years  a  leading  contractor 
of  New  London  county,  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War. 

As  a  boy  Mr.  Oat  attended  the  educational  in- 
stitutions of  New  London  and  Norwich,  and  in 
April,  1884,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  "Norwich 
Bulletin,"  in  the  capacity  of  mailing  clerk.  From 
that  subordinate  position  he  has  risen  through  the 
various  departments  of  the  plant,  until  at  this  time 
he  is  in  the  executive  offices  of  the  Norwich  Bulle- 
tin Company,  as  secretary  and  manager  of  the  cor- 
poration. The  "Bulletin"  is  one  of  the  oldest  news- 
papers in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  having  been 
founded  in  the  year  1796,  and  is  one  of  the  eight 
morning  dailies  published  in  the  State  at  the  present 
time  (1922).  Republican  in  its  political  allegiance,  the 
editorial  policy  is  one  of  fearless  advocacy  of  Repu- 
lican  principles,  conservatively  expressed.  Mr.  Oat's 
personal  convictions  aligne  him  with  the  same  party, 
and  his  influence  in  local  affairs  is  definite  and  al- 
ways for  advance.  Fraternally  he  holds  the  thirty- 
second  degree  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Rotary  Club,  and  a  life  member  of 
the  Norwich  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks. 


SILAS  MAXSON,  SR.— Back  to  the  early  days 
of  New  England,  when  the  sea  offered  the  great  ad- 
venture and  the  great  opportunity,  beyond  that,  to 
England  and  Oliver  Cromwell,  when  religion 
marched  with  the  sword,  and  still  further  into  the 
stirring  days  of  the  Norman  Conquest,  one  must 
go  if  he  would  follow  the  fortunes  of  the  Maxson 
family   from    the   beginning. 

Richard  Maxson  was  one  of  the  early  Colonists 
of  New  England.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church  in 
Boston,  October    2,    1634.     In    1638    he    and    others 


were  admitted  as  inhabitants  of  the  Island  of  Aquid- 
neck  (Rhode  Island).  On  April  30,  1639,  he  and 
twenty-eight  others  signed  a  compact  acknowledg- 
ing themselves  subjects  of  his  Majesty,  King 
Charles,  and  banding  themselves  into  a  civic  body 
politic. 

According  to  family  tradition  and  old  church 
memorials,  Richard  Maxson  was  among  the  first 
who  attempted  a  landing  on  the  Connecticut  shore, 
and  was  with  the  group  which  settled  on  Throg's 
Neck,  or  Maxson's  Point,  trading  with  the  Indians 
until  the  time  of  the  Pcquot  War  in  1637.  An  inci- 
dent of  that  war  is  told  of  this  settlement.  The 
Indians,  pretending  to  desire  to  trade,  asked  that 
the  dogs  be  confined.  Their  request  was  granted, 
whereupon  they  promptly  attacked,  some  of  the 
settlers  being  killed  and  others  seeking  refuge  in 
an  open  shallop  on  the  Sound.  The  survivors 
landed  on  the  Island  of  Aquidneck,  and  there,  in 
the  spring  of  1638,  a  son  was  born  to  Richard  Max- 
son, the  first  white  child  to  be  born  on  this  little 
island  sacred  to  the  principles  of  religious  ITberty. 
In  1661  this  son,  John  Maxson,  then  twenty-three 
years  old,  joined  a  company  which  was  formed  in 
Newport  for  the  purchase  and  settlement  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  Narragansett  country  called  by  the  In- 
dians, Misquamicnt.  The  articles  of  agreement  were 
signed  March  22,  1661,  and  Mr.  Maxson  soon  after 
removed  to  this  new  settlement.  .'Vt  the  outbreak  of 
King  Philip's  War  nearly  all  the  pioneer  settlers 
were  obliged  to  flee  the  region  and  take  shelter  in 
Newport,  and  for  five  years  no  deputies  were  sent 
to  the  General  Assembly.  King  Philip  fell  at  Mt. 
Hope  on  .Xugiist  I,  1676,  and  soon  families  returned 
to  build  their  homes  in  the  wilderness.  These  early 
settlers  not  only  had  troubles  with  the  Indians,  but 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  pleading  old  claims 
from  Indian  conquests  sought  to  annex  the  region 
to  their  jurisdiction.  Robert  Burdick  and  Tobias 
Saunders  (maternal  ancestors  in  the  Maxson  fam- 
ily) were  forcibly  seized  and  confined  in  the  prison 
at  Boston  until  they  should  pay  a  fine  of  £40,  and 
give  security  for  £100  for  their  future  good  con- 
duct. But  the  purchasers  of  Misquamicnt  were  sus- 
tained by  the  royal  charter  and  by  the  deed  of 
Sosoa. 

John  Maxson  married  Mary  Mosher,  daughter  of 
Hugh  Mosher,  who  later  was  first  pastor  of  the 
first  church  at  Dartmouth,  Rhode  Island.  John 
Maxson  took  an  active  interest  in  and  joined  the 
Sabbatanian  church  organized  in  Newport.  In  1708 
a  separate  church  was  organized  in  Misquamicnt,  or 
Westerly,  and  John  Maxson,  Sr.,  was  ordained  an 
elder  to  the  congregation  in  and  about  Westerly  by 
fasting  and  praying  and  laying  on  of  hands.  He 
died  December  17,  1720,  and  was  buried  near  the 
Pawtucket  river  in  view  of  the  place  where  he 
preached,  and  later  his  remains  were  removed  to 
the  minister's  circle  in  the  burial  pround  on  the  site 
of  the   old  Hopkinson   Meeting  House. 

John  (2)  Maxson,  son  of  John  (i)  and  Mary 
(Mosher)    Maxson,  born   in    1666,   was  appointed   in 


50 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Adams  Pope  Carroll,  of  further  mention. 

Lucius  \V.  Carroll  was  born  at  Thompson,  Connec- 
ticut. Tanuary  22,  1815.  and  died  in  Norwich,  Connec- 
ticut, September  20,  1900.  He  entered  busmess  life 
and  spent  seven  years  with  Wiswall  &  Stockwell,  of 
Webster,  Massachusetts,  becoming  a  partner  in  the 
firm  while  yet  a  minor,  having  a  one-fourth  interest 
in  three  stores.  He  continued  in  business  in  Mass- 
achusetts until  February  i,  1843,  when  he  opened 
the  store  on  Water  street,  Norwich,  previously  re- 
ferred to,  and  there  he  spent  fifty-seven  years,  until 
his  death.  He  conducted  business  alone  until  1865, 
then  he  admitted  E.  P.  Jacobs  and  Loren  A.  Callup 
as  partners,  under  the  firm  name  L.  W.  Carroll  & 
Company.  In  1876  Mr.  Carroll  admitted  his  eld- 
est son  Adams  P.,  to  a  partnership,  and  as  L.  W. 
Carroll  &  Son  the  business  has  been  continued  ever 
since. 

Lucius  W.  Carroll  was  one  of  the  promoters  of 
the  water  power  at  Taftville  and  Cecum,  and  owned 
a  conon  mill  at  Griswold.  He  had  large  banking  in- 
terests, was  president  of  the  Quinebaug  Bank,  which 
became  the  First  National  Bank  of  Norwich,  of  which 
he  was  also  president  from  1856  to  1866.  He  was  a 
Baptist  in  religion,  and  for  many  years  a  member  of 
Central  Church,  Norwich.  In  politics  he  was  a  Re- 
publican, but  never  sought  public  office,  although 
keenly  alive  to  every  duty  of  citizenship,  and  was 
intensely  public-spirited.  He  served  a  term  in  Nor- 
wich Common  Council,  took  an  active  interest  in 
furthering  the  Union  cause  during  the  Civil  War, 
1861-65;  and  in  his  quiet  way  accomplished  a  great 
deal  of  good.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of 
Norwich  Free  Academy,  and  was  not  only  a  friend  of 
that  school,  but  of  the  cause  of  education  generally. 
Although  he  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-six  he  re- 
tained his  fine  memory  and  was  unusually  active 
until  the  last.  He  was  laid  at  rest  in  Yantic  Ceme- 
tery. 

Lucius  W.  Carroll  married.  May  17,  1843,  in  Mill- 
bury,  Massachusetts,  Charlotte  Lathe  Pope,  born 
January  18,  1819,  died  December  29,  1897,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  Adams  and  Olive  (Lathe)  Pope,  of  the 
seventh  generation  of  the  family  founded  in  New 
England  by  Thomas  Pope,  born  in  1608,  who  was 
an  inhabitant  of  Pylmouth,  Massachusetts,  in  163I. 
The  line  of  descent  to  Mrs.  Lucius  W.  Carroll  from 
Thomas  Pope  was  through  his  son.  Lieutenant  Seth 
Pope,  of  Dartmouth,  Massachusetts;  Captain  Lemuel 
Pope,  of  Dartmouth;  Captain  Louis  Pope,  of  New 
Braintree,  Massachusetts,  an  officer  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, West  Pope,  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island; 
Jonathan  Adams  Pope,  of  Oxford  and  Milbury, 
Massachusetts,  and  Norwich,  Connecticut;  Charlotte 
Lathe  Pope  (Mrs.  Lucius  W.  Carroll). 

Lucius  W.  and  Charlotte  L.  (Pope)  Carroll  were 
the  paren'ts  of  five  children:  Charlotte  Aueusta, 
died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  Charles  Lucius,  lost 
at  sea  in  1864,  aged  seventeen;  .Adams  Pope,  of  fur- 
ther mention;  William  Crosby,  died  in  infancy;  and 
GeoTrp  Wvman,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows. 
Adams     Pope     Carroll     was     born     in     Norwich, 


Connecticut,  June  20,  1850,  and  there  resides  at  the 
present  time  (1922).  He  attended  Norwich  public 
schools,  then  prepared  for  college  at  Norwich  Free 
Academy,  being  graduated  from  the  academy  as 
valedictorian  of  his  class,  1868.  He  then  entered 
Brown  University,  whence  he  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Ph.B.,  class  of  1871.  After  the  death  of 
E.  P.  Jacobs,  and  the  retirement  of  Captain  Loren  A. 
Gallup,  in  1876,  Adams  P.  Carroll  was  taken  into 
the  business  which  then  became  L.  W  Carroll  & 
Son,  manufacturers'  supplies,  Nos.  17-21  Water 
street,  Norwich,  Connecticut.  For  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century  father  and  son  continued  a  prosperous 
business  connection,  the  senior  partner  surrendering 
the  greater  part  of  the  burden  of  management  to 
the  son  during  the  later  years,  and  in  1900  finally 
closed  his  long  connection  with  the  business  he  had 
founded  fifty-seven  years  earlier.  Since  1900,  Adams 
P.  Carroll  has  continued  the  business,  with  which  he 
has  now  been  connected  for  forty-six  years,  1876- 
1922. 

In  politics  Mr.  Carroll  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
long  been  an  official  member  of  the  Central  Baptist 
Church,  serving  as  trustee  and  president  of  the 
board.  As  trustee  of  Otis  Library  and  of  Norwich 
Savings  Society,  he  has  rendered  valued  service,  and 
he  is  a  man  thoroughly  esteeme<I  and  respected. 


GEORGE  WYMAN  CARROLL,  youngest  son  of 
Lucius  W.  and  Charlotte  L.  (Pope)  Carroll,  was 
born  in  Norwich,  May  4,  1859,  and  resides  there 
still.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Nor- 
wich and  entered  business  life  as  an  employe  of 
L.  W.  Carroll  &  Son,  a  firm  with  which  he  was  as- 
sociated for  a  number  of  years  and  from  which  he 
withdrew  in  1902  to  enter  the  bond,  stock  and  real 
estate  business  in  Norwich,  in  which  he  is  at  the 
present  time  engaged.  In  politics,  Mr.  Carroll  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  Central  Baptist  Church. 

He  married,  October  i,  1884,  Emma  Frances 
Briggs,  born  January  27,  1861.  daughter  of  Ira 
Greene  and  Lydia  (Andrews)  Briggs,  her  father  a 
wealthy  textile  manufacturer  and  a  man  of  affairs, 
of  Voluntown,  Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carroll 
are  the  parents  of  a  son,  George  Wyman,  Jr..  born 
May  9,  i886,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Nor- 
wich Free  Academy;  Dr.  Holbrook's  Military 
School,  at  Ossining,  New  York;  St.  Paul's  School, 
Garden  City,  New  York;  and  Brown  University, 
class  of  1908. 


LEWIS  J.  SAXTON— A  story  of  indomitable 
energy  and  dauntless  ambition  is  told  in  the  story 
of  the  life  of  Lewis  J.  Saxton,  late  of  the  Saxton 
Woolen  Corporation,  of  Norwich.  Connecticut. 

Lewis  J.  Saxton  was  born  in  Saltzweidel,  Germany. 
He  was  educated  in  the  National  schools  of  that 
country,  and  learned  the  trade  of  the  cabinet  maker 
there.  From  boyhood  his  ambition  was  to  become 
a  manufacturer,  and  he  studied  and  worked  con- 
stantly to  that  end.  While  still  a  young  man,  he 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  LTnitcd  States  offered 


(] 


I^X/I 


SM^  (^^^y^/^ 


-^PVCulIl^       (^     ^^C^u^^.-'^i^-j^*^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


SI 


greater  opportunities  of  success  than  any  other 
country,  and  he  left  his  native   land  and  came  to 

America.  He  located  in  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  and  for  several  years  worked  at  his 
trade.  Early  in  the  Civil  War  period  he  enlisted  in 
the  Twenty-sixth  Connecticut  regiment,  which 
served  in  the  Army  of  the  Gulf,  under  General  Ben- 
jamin F.  Butler,  and  participated  in  the  capture  of 
New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  With  his  regiment,  Mr. 
Saxton  subsequently  served  under  General  Nathaniel 
P.  Banks  in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson,  Mississippi, 
which  was  in  progress  while  General  Grant  was  be- 
seiging  Vicksburg.  Vicksburg  surrendered  to  Grant 
on  July  4,  1863,  and  Port  Hudson  to  Banks  on  the 
9th.  These  two  great  events  were  closely  rela'ccd, 
and  were  the  most  important  in  the  West  of  all  that 
great  war  year.  Mr.  Saxton's  service  comprised  a 
period  of  fifteen  months  of  great  activity. 

In  187s,  Mr.  Saxton  became  paymaster  for  the  Clin- 
ton Mills  Company,  of  Norwich,  manufacturers  of 
woolen  fabrics.  From  the  first  he  made  the  most  of 
every  opportunity  to  learn  the  business.  His  great 
eflficiency  and  tireless  industry  won  him  one  promo- 
tion after  another,  until  in  1906  he  became  agent  for 
the  company.  All  this  time  he  had  practiced  the 
most  rigid  economy  and  saved  a  large  proportion  of 
his  income.  In  1910  he  realized  his  life  ambition  by 
buying  out  the  concern  by  whom  he  had  been  em- 
ployed for  thirty-five  years.  As  an  example  of 
tenacity  of  purpose  and  final  achievement  this  record 
is  rarely  equaled.  The  business  was  now  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  the  Saxton  Woolen  Corporation, 
with  Lewis  J.  Saxton  as  president.  He  lived  but  a 
comparatively  short  ti.me  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his 
success,  but  long  enough  to  see  his  ambition  fully 
realized,  to  see  his  sons  filling  responsible  positions 
in  the  organization,  and  to  read  a  future  of  continued 
success  for  the  industry  which  he  had  made  his  own. 
His  death  occurred  in  Norwich  on  November  13, 
1912. 

Lewis  J.  Sa.xton  married  Sarah  Bingham,  of  New 
London  county,  who  now  resides  in  Norwich.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  five  are 
living,  and  are  as  follows:  Carroll,  deceased;  Alice 
D.,  who  resides  at  home;  Louis  Henry,  a  sketch  of 
whom  follows;  Eliza  L.,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
Charles  B.  Bartlett,  of  Washington,  D.C.;  Charles 
A.,  (q.  v.);  and  Mabel  S.,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
Charles  H.   Standish,  of  Norwich. 


LOUIS  HENRY  SAXTON,  son  of  Lewis  J.  and 

Sarah  (Bingham)  Saxton  (see  preceding  sketch),  was 
born  in  South  Windham,  Connecticut,  on  September 
5,  1873.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  city  of  Norwich,  and  the  Norwich  Free  Acad- 
emy. He  made  his  start  in  life  as  a  clerk  in  a  groc- 
ery store,  continuing,  however,  for  only  a  short  pe- 
riod. In  1906  he  became  assistant  superintendent  in 
the  mill  with  his  father.  From  that  time  on  he  was 
constantly  associated  with  his  father,  and  when  the 
plant  was  taken  over  by  the  elder  Mr.  Saxton,  he  re- 
mained with  the  new  corporation,  becoming  treas- 


urer   and    general    manager,    which    oflicts    he    still 
holds. 

Louis  Henry  Saxton  fills  a  position  of  prominence 
and  dignity  in  the  community,  lie  is  a  director  of 
the  Merchants'  National  Bank  of  Norwich,  and  has 
been  a  director  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  for 
two  years,  also  an  incorporator  in  the  Chelsea  Sav- 
ings Banks.  In  political  alTiliation  he  is  a  Kepublican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  Lodge  No.  430;  also  of  the  Nor- 
wich Golf  Club,  and  the  Arcanum  Club,  of  which  lat- 
ter he  was  a  director  for  three  years  during  the 
World  War.  Mr.  Saxton  married,  on  June  17,  J 896, 
in  South  Windham,  Maine,  Minnie  E.  Hayman,  of 
Webster,  Massachusetts,  and  they  have  one  ohild, 
Olive  M.  The  family  have  always  Decn  members  of 
the  Congregational  church. 


CHARLES  ADAMS  SAXTON— At  the  head  of 

the  Saxton  Woolen  Corporation,  of  Norwich,  stands 
Charles  Adams  Saxton,  a  representative  manufact- 
urer of  New  London  county,  Connecticut. 

Charles  Adams  Saxton,  son  of  Lewis  J.  and  Sarah 
(Bingham)  Saxton,  (q.  v.),  was  born  ?n  Norwich,  on 
November  5,  1879.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  then  prepared  for  a 
business  career  in  the  Norwich  Commercial  School. 
He  then  entered  the  mill  with  his  father,  but  instead 
of  taking  a  desk  position,  went  into  the  various  de- 
partments, making  himself  acquainted  with  the 
routine  of  each,  and  its  relation  to  the  office  and  the 
outside  market,  in  fact,  making  himself  thoroughly 
familiar  with  woolen  manufacture,  down  to  the  small- 
est detail.  Next  Mr.  Saxton  took  up  outside  lines 
of  business  to  become  acquainted  with  general  busi- 
ness principles  and  methods.  He  went  to  New  York 
City  in  1900,  where  he  was  employed  for  four  years 
in  the  offices  of  the  American  Agricultural  Chemical 
Company  as  clerk.  Following  that  he  became  a 
salesman  on  the  road  for  the  Underwood  Typewriter 
Company,  winning  from  this  experience  a  vast 
amount  of  valuable  business  knowledge,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  the  intimate  understanding  he  gained  of  the 
problems  which,  later  on,  his  own  salesmen  would 
meet.  Still  further,  Mr.  Saxton  went  into  the  real 
estate  business  in  New  York  City  .  This  was  in  1906, 
and  he  continued  along  this  line  until  1910,  when 
Lewis  J.  Saxton  bought  the  plant  of  the  Clinton 
Mills  Company,  and  the  Saxton  Woolen  Corporation 
was  formed.  Mr.  Saxton  then  returned  to  Norwich, 
to  become  secretary  of  the  company,  and  upon  his 
father's  death  in  1912,  he  became  president.  This 
splendid  equipment,  and  long,  definite  training  for 
such  an  executive  position,  have  since  told  amazingly 
in  the  success  of  the  company  under  Mr.  Saxton's 
presidency. 

Mr.  Saxton  does  not  allow  all  of  his  time  to  be 
absorbed  in  business.  He  has  accepted  public  re- 
sponsibility along  various  lines  which  need  the  bal- 
ance of  business  judgment  and  executive  ability.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  from  I9'8 


52 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


to  1920,  and  also  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  William  Buckus 
Hospital,  of  Norwich,  and  a  trustee  of  the  Norwich 
Dime  Savings  Bank.  He  has  long  been  affiliated 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  a  sane,  but  enthusias- 
tic leader  in  its  ranks.  He  has  wide  social  and  frater- 
nal connections;  is  a  member  of  Crescent  Lodge,  No. 
402,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  New  York  City; 
a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  No.  430,  of  Norwich;  a  member  of  the  Ar- 
canum Club,  and  of  the  Golf  Club.  He  also  is  chair- 
man of  the  house  committee  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  He  has  not  declined  to  be- 
come identified  with  Christian  work,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Washington  Heights  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  New  York  City. 

Mr.  Saxton  married,  in  New  York  City,  on  October 
19,  1905.  Eleanor  S.  Bailey,  daughter  of  James  H. 
and  May  (Mulford)  Bailey,  of  New  York  City. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  KNIGHT  BUCKLYN,  A.M., 
LL.D. — As  an  educator,  preacher  and  lecturer.  Cap- 
tain Bucklyn  was  well  known  in  civil  life,  his  mili- 
tary title  being  an  added  honor,  gained  through  va- 
lorous service  in  the  Civil  War.  He  is  best  known  as 
the  founder  and  long  time  head  of  Mystic  Valley  In- 
stitute, an  institution  from  which  many  young  men 
passed  out  to  lives  of  usefulness  and  honor. 

Captain  John  K.  Bucklyn  was  born  in  Foster, 
Rhode  Island,  March  15,  1834,  died  in  Mystic,  Con- 
necticut, March  15,  1906.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  and  Smithville  Seminary,  then  entered 
Brown  University,  whence  he  was  graduated  class 
of  1861.  There  he  became  a  member  of  Phi  Beta 
Kappa,  and  was  highly  rated  as  a  student  and  young 
man  of  promise.  On  September  I,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Battery  E,  First  Regiment,  Rhode  Island  Light 
Artillery,  and  until  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  con- 
tinuously on  field  and  staff  duty,  compiling  an  ex- 
cellent record  of  patriotic  service.  Among  evidences 
of  his  record  was  the  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor 
conferred  upon  him  under  Act  of  August  23,  1899,  for 
"conspicuous  bravery."  He  was  commissioned  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  March  i,  1862;  first  lieutenant,  Octo- 
ber 9,  1864,  and  was  brevetted  captain  for  gallant, 
meritorious  and  often  distinguished  services  before 
Richmond,  and  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  In  1865 
he  was  commissioned  a  full  captain  and  at  the  close 
of  the  war  was  honorably  discharged.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  forty-five  battles  and  severe  skirmishes; 
was  wounded  at  Frederickburg  and  also  at  Gettys- 
burg, where  he  commanded  his  battery.  In  1864 
and  1865,  he  v/as  on  staff  duty  at  headquarters  of 
the  Sixth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  under 
command  of  the  distinguished  General  Sedgwick. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  in  1865,  Captain 
Bucklyn  began  his  career  as  an  educator,  serving  as 
principal  of  Mystic  public  school  until  1868,  when 
he  established  at  Mystic  the  institution  of  which  he 
v.'as  the  honored  head  until  his  passing  thirty-eight 
years     later — the     Mystic     Valley     Institute.     The 


institute  received  a  charter  from  the  State  of 
Connecticut  in  1880,  and  that  year  Dr.  Buck- 
lyn also  toured  Europe.  He  traveled  extensively  in 
the  United  States  and  was  a  well  known  figure  upon 
the  lecture  platform.  He  gave  himself  wholly  to 
professional  work,  and  was  one  of  the  foremost  edu- 
cators of  his  day. 

Captain  Bucklyn  was  a  member  of  the  Military 
Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States; 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 
commander  of  Williams  Post  for  years;  member  of 
the  Society  of  Soldiers  and  Sailors;  Rhode  Island 
Historical  Society;  New  London  County  Historical 
Society;  was  for  thirty  years  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  of  the  Union  Baptist  Church  of  Mys- 
tic, and  an  official  member  of  that  church.  His  pro- 
fessional standing  was  high,  and  as  a  citizen  his  rec- 
ord was  above  reproach. 

Captain  Bucklyn  married,  January  9,  1864,  in  Cen- 
tral Baptist  Church,  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  Rev. 
Dr.  Swain  officiating,  Mary  McKee  Young,  daughter 
of  Edward  R.  Young.  Captain  and  Mrs.  Bucklyn 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  John  Knight  (2),  a 
sketch  of  whom  follows;  and  Frank  Abbott,  a  grad- 
uate in  medicine,  but  not  a  practitioner,  who  died 
December  27,  1918.  He  married  Elizabeth  Beckwith, 
of  New  York  City,  and  left  a  son,  Harold  E.,  who 
resides  with  his  uncle.  Dr.  John  K.  Bucklyn,  in 
Mystic. 

Thus  a  useful  life  was  passed,  spending  and  being 
spent  in  service.  The  results  of  such  living  cannot 
be  estimated,  but  that  great  good  for  humanity  was 
accomplished  by  the  many  young  men  who  went 
out  from  under  the  teaching  of  Dr.  Bucklyn  cannot 
be  doubted. 


JOHN  KNIGHT  BUCKLYN,  M.D.,  eldest  son  of 
Captain  John  K.  and  ^.lary  McKee  (Young)  Buck- 
lyn (see  preceding  sketch),  was  born  in  Mys- 
tic, town  of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  July  31, 
1865.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mys- 
tic until  the  opening  of  Mystic  Valley  Institute, 
of  which  his  honored  father  was  founder  and 
head,  and  after  graduation  from  that  institution 
entered  New  York  College  of  Homoeopathy,  whence 
he  was  graduated  M.D.,  class  of  1887.  In  that  year 
he  located  in  Mystic,  his  native  village,  and  there  for 
three  decades  has  practiced  his  profession,  built  up 
a  large  practice,  and  been  very  successful.  Dr.  Buck- 
lyn specializes  in  electrical  treatments,  the  X-ray, 
Violet-ray,  and  other  modern  methods  of  treating 
disease,  those  methods  having  proved  their  value. 
He  has  won  high  reputation  as  a  physician  of  skill 
and  learning,  and  is  held  in  the  highest  regard  bv 
both  the  profession  and  laity. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Bucklyn  is  a  Republican,  and  in 
religious  faith  a  Baptist.  For  years  he  served  on  the 
Mystic  School  Board,  and  is  a  member  of  Stoning- 
ton Lodge,  No.  26,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, of  Mystic.  His  professional  societies  are  the 
New  London  County,  Connecticut  State  Medical,  and 
the  American  Medical  Association. 


1 


5H.I'.«»..^ 


^Am  Kv  Q^ui-itNO  ,4'.  (^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


53 


Dr.  Bucklyn  married,  June  25,  1891,  Mary  Emma 
Hall,  of  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Nathan 
S.  and  Permelia  Hall,  her  parents  born  in  Rhode 
Island. 


TRAVER  BRISCOE,  a  son  and  grandson  of 
former  eminent  members  of  the  Connecticut  bar, 
prepared  for  the  same  profession,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  practice,  but  his  plans  were  swept  aside  by 
the  World  War  of  1917-18,  in  which  he  bore  a  part, 
serving  with  the  United  States.  Two  years  were 
thus  passed  and  he  is  now  building  anew  his  inter- 
rupted practice  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  the  city  of 
his  birth,  and  the  seat  of  his  honored  father's  law 
practice. 

The  Briscoe  family  traces  in  New  England  to  Na- 
thaniel Briscoe,  son  of  Edward  and  Ann  Briscoe  of 
England,  who  was  baptized  in  1595,  married  Alice 
Taylor  and  came  to  New  England  in  1639,  but  re- 
turned to  England  in  1651.  Savage  gives  him  as  a 
rich  tanner  and  selectman  of  Watertown  in  1648-50. 
The  line  of  descent  is  traced  from  Nathaniel  and 
Alice  Taylor  Briscoe,  through  their  son  Nathaniel 
(2)  Briscoe,  who  was  baptized  in  Little  Messenden, 
England,  May  18,  1629.  Savage  gives  him  at  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts,  in  1639,  and  says  he  prob- 
ably moved  to  Milford,  Connecticut,  where  he  was 
an  early  settler  without  doubt  prior  to  1646.  The 
line  continues  through  his  son  Nathaniel  (3)  Briscoe 
and  his  wife  Mary  Camp;  their  son  James  Briscoe 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth  Adams;  their  son  Lieutenant 
Nathaniel  (4)  Briscoe  and  his  wife  Eunice  Kurd 
Johnson;  their  son  Isaac  Briscoe  and  his  wife  Anna 
Sherman;  their  son  Charles  Briscoe  and  his  wife 
Mary  Davidson;  their  son  Charles  Henry  Briscoe 
and  his  wife  Anna  J.  Traver;  their  son  Willis  Anson 
Briscoe  and  his  wife  Leila  Rogers  Smith;  their  son 
Traver  Briscoe  and  his  wife  Margaret  Clark  Alt- 
house  .A.tterbury. 

In  all  these  generations,  Milford,  Newtown  and 
Enfield,  Connecticut,  were  places  of  family  settle- 
ment, Willis  Anson  Briscoe  of  the  ninth  generation 
moving  in  1882  to  Norwich.  All  the  heads  of  genera- 
tions were  men  of  ability  and  thrift,  highly  regarded 
in  the  communities  in  which  they  resided.  Particu- 
lar attention  is  paid  in  this  review  to  Judge  Charles 
Henry  Briscoe  of  Enfield  and  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
His  son,  Willis  Anson  Briscoe  of  Norwich,  and  his 
grandson,  Traver  Briscoe,  all  members  of  the  Con- 
necticut bar,  the  first  two,  eminent  in  the  profession, 
the  last  named  just  on  the  threshold  of  his  career. 

Charles  Henry  Briscoe  was  born  in  Newtown, 
Connecticut,  December  20,  1831,  died  in  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  January  21,  1918,  having  been  for  sixty- 
four  years  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  as  attorney 
and  jurist.  He  was  educated  in  Newtown  schools, 
prepared  for  the  practice  of  law  under  a  local  law- 
yer, Amos  S.  Treat,  and  in  1854  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year,  he  began  practice  in  Enfield,  Connecticut, 
and  there  ever  made  his  home.  In  1868  he  moved 
his  law  office  to  Hartford,  there  practicing  alone 
until  1877,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  T.  M. 


Maltbic,  that  association  terminating  in  October, 
1881.  From  January,  1882,  until  January,  1894,  Mr. 
Briscoe  was  in  law  partnership  with  James  P.  An- 
drews. He  then  practiced  alone  until  his  passing, 
but  of  course  during  the  last  two  decades  of  his 
years,  eighty-seven,  he  surrendered  all  but  the 
lighter  burdens  of  legal  practice. 

As  a  lawyer,  he  ranked  high  and  his  practice  was 
large  and  important,  he  having  been  connected  with 
some  very  celebrated  cases.  Full  of  energy,  quick, 
wiry  and  alert,  he  moved,  thought  and  acted  quickly. 
As  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Hart- 
ford county  (the  first  judge  of  that  court),  he  com- 
piled a  wonderful  record.  During  the  six  years  he 
sat  on  that  bench,  1869-75,  but  nineteen  appeals  were 
taken  from  his  decisions  and  upon  review  by  the 
higher  court,  fifteen  were  sustained  and  but  four 
reversed. 

His  public  service  was  notable.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  represented  Enfield  in  the  Con- 
necticut General  Assembly  in  1857,  1864,  and  1878, 
being  speaker  of  the  House  in  this  last  term.  In 
1861  he  represented  the  district  in  the  State  Senate, 
and  served  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  mili- 
tary affairs.  In  1869  he  was  elected  judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Hartford  county,  hold- 
ing until  1875,  when  he  returned  to  private  practice. 

Judge  Briscoe  married,  November  14,  1855,  Anna 
J.  Traver,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  who  died  in 
March,  1875,  leaving  children:  Willis  Anson,  head  of 
the  ninth  generation  in  this  line  and  of  further  men- 
tion; Annie  T.  and  Alice  U.  Judge  Briscoe  married 
(second)  in  June,  1878,  Alice  E.  Bradley,  daughter  of 
George    W.    Bradley,   of   Newtown,    Connecticut. 

Willis  Anson  Briscoe,  only  son  of  Judge  Charles 
Henry  and  Anna  J.  (Traver)  Briscoe,  was  born  at 
Enfield,  Connecticut,  December  16,  1856,  died  sud- 
denly at  his  home  in  Norwich,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  April  28,  1913. '  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  at  Thompsonville,  Connecticut,  Hart- 
ford High  School,  class  of  1873,  anti  Yale  University, 
whence  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  A.B. 
in  1877,  being  among  the  youngest  members  of  his 
class.  He  began  the  study  of  law  the  same  year 
under  T.  C.  Coogan,  and  in  May,  1879,  was  admitted 
to  the  Connecticut  bar  after  passing  a  most  credit- 
able oral  examination.  He  began  practice  in  Bristol, 
Connecticut,  in  partnership  with  James  P.  Andrews, 
reporter  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  that  year  as- 
sisted ^fr.  .'\ndrcws  in  preparing  the  first  edition 
of  the  "Index  Digest  of  (Connecticut  Report,"  issued 
in  Harford,  in  1883. 

In  September,  1881,  the  retirement  of  John  C. 
Averill  to  become  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court,  left 
a  vacancy  in  the  offices  of  Jeremiah  Halscy,  an  emi- 
nent lawyer  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  a  vacancy  that 
was  filled  by  Mr.  Briscoe  taking  the  place  formerly 
filled  by  Mr.  Averill.  Jeremiah  Halsey  at  that  time 
was  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  bar  In  Eastern  Con- 
necticut, and  the  law  firm  Halscy  &  Briscoe  con- 
tinued successful  practice  until  Xfr.  Halscy's  death  in 
1889.  Mr.  Briscoe  continued  the  firm  business,  tak- 
ing over  Mr.  Halscy's  private  clients  in  addition  to 


54 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


his  own,  and  until  his  death  in  1913  was  the  able 
head  of  a  large  and  important  legal  business.  In 
addition  to  his  practice,  he  served  as  a  director  of 
the  Thames  National  Bank  from  1889,  was  elected 
vice-president  in  1907,  and  president  in  1919,  servmg 
four  years  until  his  passing.  He  ranked  high  both  as 
lawyer  and  financier,  and  was  genuinely   respected 

and  admired. 

Mr.  Briscoe  married  (first)  October  3.  1882,  Jessie 
E.  Drew,  who  died  July  22,  1885,  daughter  of  George 
W.  and  Betsey  Cornelia  (Munson)  Bradley.  He  mar- 
ried (second)  September  5,  1888,  Leila  Rogers  Smith, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Ann  E.  Smith.  Mrs.  Briscoe 
died  January  6,  1891,  leaving  a  son  Traver. 

Traver  Briscoe,  only  son  of  Willis  Anson  Briscoe 
and  his  second  wife,  Leila  Rogers  (Smith)  Briscoe, 
was  born  in  Norwich,  January  i,  1891.  He  com- 
pleted courses  of  study  at  Norwich  Academy  with 
graduation  class  of  1908,  Yale  University  A.B.  class 
of  1912,  Harvard  Law  School  LL.B.  class  of  1915- 
He  began  practice  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  after 
graduation,  continuing  study  in  New  Haven  law 
offices  then  was  admitted  to  the  Connecticut  bar, 
practicing  in  Norwich  until  the  entrance  of  the 
United  States  into  the  World  War  in  1917,  when  he 
entered  the  service. 

He  enlisted  May  8,  1917.  in  the  United  States 
Naval  Reserves  as  a  first  class  boatswain's  mate,  and 
on  June  21,  1917,  was  called  to  active  duty.  He  was 
stationed  in  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  until  Septem- 
ber 19,  1917,  then  with  second  officers  reserve  class 
was  sent  to  the  United  States  Naval  Academy  at 
Annapolis,  and  on  February  I,  1918,  was  graduated 
with  the  rank  of  ensign.  He  was  assigned  to  the 
cruiser  "Salem"  and  a  few  months  later  to  the  battle- 
ship "New  Mexico"  as  junior  watch  and  division  of- 
ficer, and  torpedo  defence  and  battery  officer.  On 
August  II,  1918,  he  was  promoted  a  lieutenant  of 
the  junior  grade,  and  in  September  following,  was 
transferred  to  mine  sweeper  "Brant"  assigned  to 
duty  in  the  submarine  area  off  the  Virginia  and  Caro- 
lina coasts.  In  October,  1918,  he  was  transferred  to 
a  submarine  chaser  as  executive  officer,  and  sent  on 
patrol  duty  off  the  Virginia  capes.  He  continued  in 
the  service  until  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation 
December  31,  1918,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  the 
naval  station  at  Bay  Ridge,  New  York  harbor. 

He  then  returned  to  Norwich  and  resumed  the 
practice  of  law  and  there  continues  in  general  prac- 
tice. He  is  the  owner  of  the  Troy  Steam  Laundry, 
which  he  bought  December  ii,  1920,  from  Albert  A. 
Fournicr,  who  established  the  business  in  1880.  He 
is  Republican  in  politics,  member  of  Somerset 
Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Frank- 
lin Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin 
Council,  No.  3,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Co- 
lumbian Commandery,  No.  4,  Knights  Templar  of 
the  York  Rite;  King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection; 
Van  Rensselaer  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem;  Nor- 
wich Chapter  of  Rose  Croix;  Connecticut  Consistory, 
Soverign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret  of  the  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  all  of  Norwich;  Sphinx 
Temple,  Hartford,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 


the  Mystic  Shrine;  Zeta  Psi;  Yale  Club  of  New  York 
City;  American  Legion,  Robert  O.  Fletcher  Post,  No. 
4,  of  Norwich;  Graduates'  Club  of  New  Haven;  New 
Haven  Yacht  Club;  United  States  Power  Squadron; 
American  Association  of  Yachtsmen;  Norwich  Golf 
Club;  Chelsea  Boat  Club  of  Norwich;  Military  Order 
of  World  War  Veterans;  Military  Order  of  Foreign 
War  Veterans  of  the  United  States;  Norwich  Fish 
and  Game  Club;  trustee  Norwich  Savings  Society 
and  a  member  of  Christ  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church. 

Traver  Briscoe  married,  June  28,  1918,  Margaret 
Clark  (Althouse)  Attcrbury,  widow  of  Allen  W. 
Atterbury,  steel  manufacturer  of  Detroit,  Michigan. 


CHARLES  SYLVESTER  BRIGGS— As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Legislature,  as  the  incumbent  of 
several  other  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  in 
his  native  State,  Connecticut,  and  as  a  progressive 
and  successful  agriculturist,  Charles  S.  Briggs  has 
fulfilled  all  the  duties  and  obligations  in  a  manner 
that  has  brought  upon  him  the  reputation  of  being 
a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity  of  character,  honora- 
ble and  upright,  a  man  who  can  be  trusted  in  all 
matters.  He  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  New  England 
family,  one  which  is  particularly  numerous  in  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island.  Palmer  Briggs,  grandfather 
of  Charles  S.  Briggs,  was  a  resident  of  South  Kings- 
ton, Rhode  Island,  where  his  death  occurred.  He 
was  married  twice,  having  children  by  both  wives, 
but  the  line  that  we  are  here  following  is  through 
the  son  of  his  first  wife.  Amy  (Wilcox)  Briggs, 
namely,  Charles   Wilcox. 

Charles  Wilcox  Briggs,  the  father  of  Charles  S. 
Briggs,  was  born  at  South  Kingston,  Rhode  Island, 
July  21,  1813,  and  died  at  Lebanon,  December  I, 
1898,  his  remains  being  interred  in  the  West  Yard 
at  Lebanon.  In  April,  1830,  he  changed  his  place  of 
residence  to  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  there  working 
for  various  farmers  in  the  neighborhood,  and  after 
his  marriage  he  operated  rented  farms  until  he  ac- 
quired sufficient  capital  to  purchase  a  farm,  formerly 
owned  by  a  Mr.  Manning,  which  he  cultivated  and 
improved  in  such  a  manner  as  to  have  it  rank  among 
the  best  in  that  neighborhood.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Lebanon,  and  a  Whig  in  poli- 
tics until  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party, 
when  he  joined  its  ranks,  but  was  not  bound  to  it, 
casting  his  vote  for  the  man  best  qualified  in  his 
judgment,  for  office.  He  married  Delia  Frances 
Gager,  born  March  19,  1822,  at  Franklin,  Connecti- 
cut, daughter  of  Gordon  and  Amelia  (Robinson) 
Gager,  and  they  lived  to  celebrate  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary of  their  marriage.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Briggs:  Ellen  Amelia,  Henry  Wil- 
liams, Frances  Delia,  Charles  Sylvester,  Leroy 
Stanton,  Warren  Palmer,  Mary  Melinda,  Amy 
Adelaide,  Jennie  Roxanna,  and  Annie  Louise. 

Charles  Sylvester  Briggs  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  March  29,  1851. 
He  attended  the  select  school  in  the  town  of  his 
birth,  completing  his  studies  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
and   from   then    until   he   attained   his   majority   as- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


55 


sisted  liis  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm,  thus 
gaining  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  work  which  he 
has  since  devoted  his  energies.  He  then  rented  a 
farm  in  his  native  town,  which  he  operated  until 
1900,  in  which  year  he  purchased  what  was  known 
as  the  Brown  farm,  consisting  of  150  acres,  which 
yields  him  a  goodly  return  for  labor  expended,  his 
methods  and  appliances  being  modern  and  up-to- 
date.  Mr.  Briggs  is  a  staunch  advocate  of  Republi- 
can principles,  is  prominent  in  the  councils  of  his 
party,  and  in  1903  was  elected  to  the  State  Legis- 
lature, in  which  body  he  served  on  the  committee 
on  claims.  In  1911  he  was  appointed  doorkeeper  at 
the  House  of  Representatives  in  Hartford,  and  for 
si.K  years  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
assessors.  His  election  to  these  offices  amply  testi- 
fies to  the  confidence  and  trust  reposed  in  him  by 
his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  a  member  of  Lebanon 
Lodge,  No.  23,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Workmen's  Benefit 
Association,  an  auxiliary  of  the  former  order.  He 
was  also  for  a  considerable  period  one  of  the  di- 
rectors of  the  Lebanon  Creamery,  his  advice  and 
counsel   on   those  matters  being  of  value. 

Mr.  Briggs  married,  March  18,  1873,  in  Lebanon, 
Elizabeth  P.  Nye,  a  native  of  South  Kingston,  Rhode 
Island,  coming  to  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  when 
young,  with  her  parents,  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
(Champlin)  Nye,  her  father  a  member  of  the  Con- 
necticut Legislature  in  1889.  The  children  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Briggs  are:  i.  George  Emmctt,  born 
February  9,  1874,  a  graduate  of  Snell's  Business  Col- 
lege of  Norwich,  and  of  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Willimantic;  serving  as  deputy  sheriff  of  the  town- 
ship; married  Mary  Manning.  2.  Charles  Henry, 
born  July  I,  1879;  married  Anna  L.  Bogue.  3. 
Delia  Louise,  born  May  7,  1883.  4.  Emily  Elizabeth, 
born  August  6,  1885.  5.  Leroy  Stanton,  born  May 
9.  1892.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Briggs  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church  of  Lebanon,  actively  interested  in  the 
work  thereof,  Mr.  Briggs  having  served  as  leader  of 
the  choir  for  a  number  of  years. 


CHARLES  H.  PECKHAM— Regularly  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Congregational  church,  the  late 
Charles  H.  Peckham  followed  his  calling  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  July  31,  1904,  at  Leffingwell, 
Connecticut.  .As  a  minister  he  labored  earnestly  in 
behalf  of  the  cause  he  loved.  High-minded,  cour- 
teous and  sympathetic  by  nature,  these  qualities  were 
the  secret  of  his  success  as  a  pastor. 

Charles  H.  Peckham  was  born  December  6,  1854, 
at  Pcrryville,  Rhode  Island,  the  son  of  Edward  H. 
and  Margaret  (Champlin)  Peckham.  Mr.  Peckham, 
senior,  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  entire  life,  and 
for  fourteen  years  resided  in  Goshen.  To.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peckham  were  born  five  children,  of  which 
number  there  are  but  two  living:  Charles  H.,  of 
further  mention;  and  Kate,  who  married  George 
Lyman,  son  of  Ludlow  and  Harriet  Lyman,  of  Leb- 
anon, Connecticut.  After  finishing  his  education 
Charles  H.  Peckham  taught  school  for  a  few  years 
at  Yantic,   Connecticut,  but   in   the   meantime,   hav- 


ing decided  upon  the  ministry  for  his  life  work, 
he  prepared  himself  for  his  chosen  career,  and  on 
July  I,  1896,  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Scott  Hill 
Church,  subsequently,  on  February  7,  1897,  ac- 
cepting a  call  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  at  Leffingwell,  Connecticut,  where  he  faith- 
fully served  until  his  death.  The  same  sterling  qual- 
ities which  characterized  his  latter  years  were  promi- 
nent in  him  as  a  young  man,  and  while  a  teacher  he 
always  took  an  active  part  in  the  welfare  of  the 
community,  and  served  on  the  Yantic  school  board 
for  several  years. 

Charles  H.  Peckham  married  (first)  Jennie  Brcn- 
nan,  a  step-daughter  of  Abel  Palmer  of  Goshen,  and 
by  this  union  became  the  father  of  a  son,  George. 
Mr.  Peckham  married  (second)  Grace  G.  Kingslcy, 
a  native  of  Franklin,  Connecticut,  her  birth  having 
occurred  there  June  9,  1859.  Mrs.  Peckham  was  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Harriet  (Chapman)  Kings 
ley.  Thomas  Kingsley  served  as  colonel  of  the 
Twenty-sixth  Connecticut  Regiment  during  the  Civil 
War.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peckham  were  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Ralph  Kingsley,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Peckham  died  in  September,  1921;  she  was  promi- 
nently identified  for  many  years  with  the  charitable 
work  of  the  community. 


DR.  GEORGE  E.  BITGOOD,  for   two  decades, 

has  been  active  in  New  London  as  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon, and  in  this  broadly  useful  vocation  he  has 
won  his  own  success  and  alleviated  the  lot  of  that 
group  of  creatures  for  whom  too  little  thought  is 
ordinarily  taken.  Dr.  Bitgood  is  a  son  of  Frank  S. 
and  Mary  M.  (Tabor)  Bitgood.  His  father,  who  was 
born  March  16,  1843,  w-as  a  lumberman  by  occupa- 
tion, and  served  in  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of 
the  2ist  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry. 
The  mother  was  born  September  22,  1845,  and  both 
are  now  deceased. 

George  E.  Bitgood  was  born  in  Pawtucket,  Rhode 
Island,  July  8,  1876.  His  early  education  was  ac- 
quired at  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place,  and 
he  attended  the  North  Stonington  High  School,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  due  course.  A  great 
lover  of  animals  from  childhood,  the  young  man 
early  determined  upon  his  choice  ot  a  profession, 
and  following  his  graduation  from  high  school  he 
entered  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College,  Ontario, 
Canada,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
the  class  of  1901.  Within  the  year.  Dr.  Bitgood  re- 
turned to  his  native  State  and  opened  an  ofTice  for 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Arctic,  Kent  county, 
Rhode  Island.  The  following  year,  however,  he 
was  persuaded  to  locate  in  New  London,  Connecti- 
cut, and  has  since  remained  here  permanently. 
From  the  beginning  he  has  been  very  successful,  and 
has  commanded  the  patronage  of  the  leading  stock- 
men over  a  wide  district  in  the  southern  part  of  this 
county.  He  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  the 
movement  of  civic  and  fraternal  affairs,  in  politics 
holds  independent  convictions,  and  has  never  sought 
the  honors  of  ofTice.  He  has  long  been  a  member 
of  Konomoc  Hose  Company,  No.  4,  and  fraternally 


56 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


he   holds  membership  in  New  London  Lodge,   No. 
360,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.. 

Dr.  Bitgood  married,  in  September,  1903,  in  Mys- 
tic, Connecticut,  Lucy  y\nn  Chapman,  daughter  of 
Martin  \V.  and  Annie  (Low)  Chapman.  Her  father 
was  born  June  18,  1856,  and  her  mother  November  i, 
1862.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bitgood  have  two  children: 
George  E.,  Jr.,  born  December  26,  1904;  Lucille  M., 
born  May  15,  1906.  Dr.  Bitgood's  office  and  resi- 
dence are  at  No.  244  Willctts  avenue,  New  London. 


STEPHEN  H.  REEVES— -A.  responsible  position 
in  the  public  trust,  that  of  city  treasurer,  is  ably  filled 
by  Stephen  H.  Reeves,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut. 
Mr.  Reeves  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Hortense  (Au- 
bertin)  Reeves,  both  natives  of  Montreal,  Province 
of  Quebec.  Peter  Reeves  came  to  the  United  States 
in  the  early  fifties,  being  one  of  the  earliest  French 
Canadian  pioneers  to  locate  in  Eastern  Connecticut. 
He  stayed  for  a  short  time  in  Putnam,  Connecticut, 
then  settled  in  Danielson  for  a  short  period,  later 
in  Baltic,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  employed  in 
the  cotton  mills  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  He 
died  in  Norwich,  in  1892.  His  wife  died  in  Baltic, 
Connecticut,  in  1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  of  whom  Stephen  H.  Reeves,  of  Norwich, 
is  the  ninth. 

Stephen  H.  Reeves  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Con- 
necticut, on  February  25,  1857.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  and  for  a  short  period 
worked  as  an  operative  in  the  cotton  mills  in  Baltic, 
Connecticut.  After  leaving  Baltic,  he  went  to  Can- 
terbury, where  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  received  his 
education.  In  1876  he  went  to  Wauregan,  where  he 
worked  as  clerk  for  C.  B.  Wheatley,  in  the  general 
store  in  that  village,  remaining  in  this  connection 
until  1878.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Norv/ich,  and 
was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  men's  furnishing 
store  of  B.  Bchrisch  for  eight  years.  In  1886  he  es- 
tablished a  store  of  his  own  along  the  same  line  of 
business,  continuing  for  several  years.  In  1893  he 
became  a  commercial  traveler  for  the  George 
Spaulding  Company,  of  Boston.  In  1901  he  became 
superintendent  of  the  Norwich  branch  of  the  State 
Free  Employment  Bureau,  ably  filling  that  office  for 
over  ten  years.  From  1912  to  1919  he  was  district 
manager  for  the  Sperry  &  Hutchinson  Green  Trad- 
ing Stamp  Company  in  the  city  of  Norwich.  With 
this  broad  experience  in  executive  work  of  a  high 
order,  Mr.  Reeves  accepted  the  responsible  office  of 
cily  treasurer  of  Norwich,  to  v/hich  he  was  elected 
in  1919.  He  has  already  abundantly  well  demon- 
strated his  fitness  for  the  position. 

Mr.  Reeves  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  an  ardent  worker  in  sup- 
port of  its  candidates.  Although  never  before  hav- 
ing accepted  public  office,  he  has  long  been  a  signifi- 
cant factor  in  the  political  situation,  fearlessly 
throwing  his  influence  toward  public  betterment. 
He  is  a  member  of  Somerset  Lodge  ,  No.  34,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  of  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  3, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Council,  No.  4,  Royal 


and  Select  Masters;  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  Shetucket  Lodge,  No.  27,  of  Norwich;  of 
Gardner  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias;  and  the  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men.  Mr.  Reeves  attends 
and  supports  the  Universalist  church. 

Mr.  Reeves  married,  in  Norwich,  November  5, 
1882,  Rev.  L.  H.  Chamberlain  officiating,  Ida  L. 
Gile,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Mary  Ann  Gile,  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  Mrs.  Reeves  died  April  30, 
1916. 


FORREST  CURTIS  LEFFINGWELL— There  is 

a  most  interesting  story  to  tell  concerning  the 
founder  of  the  Leffingwell  family  in  Connecticut, 
Thomas  Leffingwell,  the  ancestor  of  Forrest  Curtis 
Leffingwell,  of  Montville,  Connecticut.  Thomas  Lef- 
fingwell, born  in  Croxhall,  England,  was  one  of  the 
earliest  planters  of  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  and  a 
friend  of  the  Mohegan  chief,  Uncas,  whom  he  met 
in  connection  with  a  land  grant  along  the  sound  and 
the  river  Thames,  on  which  was  a  famous  spring, 
near  which  the  village  of  Uncas  was  located.  Later 
the  Mohegans  were  attacked  in  overwhelming  num- 
bers by  Narragansett  Indians  from  Rhode  Island, 
and  would  have  exterminated  them  but  for  the  aid 
furnished  by  Thomas  Leffingwell,  who  brouglit 
provisions  and  help  through  the  Sound  and  up  the 
Thames  to  his  Indian  friends  in  distress.  In  grati- 
tude for  the  timely  aid  which  enabled  him  to  defeat 
his  enemies  and  slay  their  chieftain,  Uncas  deeded 
to  his  friend  nine  miles  square  of  land  in  the  present 
town  of  Norwich,  but  Thomas  Leffingwell  appar- 
ently placed  little  value  upon  the  tract,  for  he  never 
had  the  deed  recorded.  He  was  also  given  several 
hundred  acres,  the  deed  for  which  he  did  record, 
property  which  is  now  included  in  three  towns  of 
the  county  of  New  London — Montville,  Norwich  and 
Bozrah.  Upon  this  property  Thomas  Leffingwell, 
known  as  Lieutenant  Thomas,  built  five  houses, 
one  for  each  of  his  sons,  these  all  within  signaling 
distance  of  each  other.  Lieutenant  Leffingwell  was 
one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Nor- 
wich, and  until  his  death  there,  about  1710,  was  ac- 
tive in  the  affairs  of  town  and  colony.  Through 
his  five  sons  and  two  daughters  a  numerous  family 
has  grown,  and  Leffingwell  is  a  common  name  in 
New  London  county.  The  line  of  descent  from  Lieu- 
tenant Thomas  Leffingwell  is  through  his  son,  Sam- 
uel Leffingwell,  and  his  wife,  Ann  Dickinson;  their 
son,  Samuel  Leffingwell,  and  his  wife,  Hannah  Gif- 
ford;  their  son,  Andrew  Leffingwell,  the  first  deacon 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Bozrah,  and  his  wife, 
Mercy  Nobles;  their  son,  Gurdon  Leffingwell.  and 
his  wife,  Polly  Avery;  their  son,  Marvin  Leffingwell, 
and  his  first  wife,  Abby  Ann  Chapman;  their  son, 
Daniel  Chapman  Leffingwell,  and  his  wife,  Anna 
Edith  Curtis;  their  son,  Forrest  Curtis  Leffingwell, 
of  the  eighth  American  generation  of  the  family 
founded  in  Connecticut  by  Lieutenant  Thomas  Lef- 
fingwell. 

Daniel   Chapman   Leffing^vell  was   born   in   Mont- 
villle.    New    London    county,    Connecticut,   June   20, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


57 


1836,  the  family  homestead  one  of  the  five  houses 
built  by  Lieutenant  Thomas  Lcffinguell,  and  given 
by  him  to  his  fourth  son,  Nathaniel.  This  house  de- 
scended from  generation  to  generation  of  LctTing- 
wells  until  finally  supplanted  by  a  new  house  built 
by  Marvin  Leflfingwell.  The  farm  surrounding  the 
home  contains  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of 
the  original  tract  deeded  by  Chief  Uncas  to  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas  Leflingwell,  and  on  it  is  the  famous 
spring  by  which  the  Indian  chief  and  the  white  set- 
tler first  met.  For  years  a  part  of  the  income  of 
Daniel  C.  LefFingwell  was  derived  from  the  sale  of 
this  pure  spring  water  to  customers  in  Norwich. 
He  married,  March  18,  185S,  -Anna  Edith  Curtis, 
daughter  of  Elijah  \V.  and  Mary  (Bushnell)  Curtis, 
of  Norwich.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LcfTingwell  were  the  par- 
ents of  two  sons,  Forrest  Curtis,  of  further  mention; 
and  Frederick  Arthur,  born  May  20,  1865,  at  the 
homestead,  where  he  died,  unmarried,  January  27, 
1890. 

Forrest  Curtis  LefFingwell  was  born  at  the  home- 
stead in  Montville,  New  London  county,  Connecticut 
(that  has  never  been  out  of  the  Leffingwcll  name 
since  first  deeded  by  Chief  Uncas),  July  16,  i860. 
The  nearest  school  to  his  home  was  in  the  town  of 
Bozrah,  and  there  he  obtained  his  education.  His 
early  years  were  spent  in  farming  and  teaming,  but 
he  wanted  to  see  more  of  the  world,  and  he  went 
West,  spending  six  years  in  the  gold  mines  of  Mon- 
tana and  on  Montana  ranches  near  Butte  as  a  cow- 
boy. He  returned  to  Montville  in  1897,  and  for  ten 
years  engaged  in  contract  hauling  of  timber  and  gen- 
eral teaming.  In  1907  he  bought  the  old  LefFingwell 
grist  and  saw  mill,  built  one  hundred  and  fifty  years 
prior  to  his  purchase  by  one  of  his  ancestors,  the  mill 
being  located  in  Montville  on  Trading  Cove  Brook. 
He  has  now  operated  the  mill  for  thirteen  years,  and 
restored  it  to  its  old  condition  of  usefulness  as  a 
neighborhood  convenience,  and  a  profitable  business 
enterprise.  For  the  past  three  years,  1917-20,  Mr. 
LefFingwell  has  been  a  member  of  the  Third  Com- 
pany, Coast  Artillery  Corps,  Connecticut  National 
Guard,  although  past  the  age  of  military  service,  but 
discharged  as  sergeant  in  1921.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Bozrah. 

Mr.  Leffingwcll  married  in  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
August  20,  1884,  Addie  Emma  Lay,  born  in  Salem, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  daughter  of 
Carlos  W.  and  Mary  (Avery)  Lay.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
LefFingwell  are  the  parents  of  five  children:  l. 
Clarence  Frost,  born  in  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  Au- 
gust 10,  1888,  now  in  the  teaming  business  in  Groton, 
Connecticut.  He  married  (first)  Mary  Wheeler;  sec- 
ond) Lila  Treadway  Egglcston.  ^.  Edith  Anna, 
born  in  Bozrah,  July  8,  1890,  now  assistant  matron 
of  Warner  Memorial  Home  for  Needy  Boys,  at  Sax- 
ton's  River,  Vermont.  3.  Irene  Curtis,  born  at 
Basin,  Montana,  July  16,  1892,  married  George  Shel- 
don, of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  4.  Frederick  Arthur, 
born  in  Bozrah,  May  22,  1896,  married  .'Xnna  Holmes, 
of  Norwich.  5.  Gladys  Marian,  born  in  Bozrah, 
June     15,    1897.     These    children    are    of    the    ninth 


Auierican  generation  of  the  family  founded  by  Lieu- 
tenant Thomas  LefFingwell,  and  the  only  direct  de- 
scendants of  their  grandparents,  Daniel  Chapman 
and  Anna  Edith  (Curtis)  LefFingwell.  The  LcfTing- 
well farm  is  just  ofF  the  Norwich  Salem  road  in  the 
town  of  Montville,  on  Route  2,  Norwich  Rural  Free 
Deliverv. 


REV.  JOHN  FRANCIS  X.  QUINN,  as  pastor  of 
St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Uncasville, 
Connecticut,  is  well  known  as  a  zealous,  learned  and 
eloquent  divine,  and  a  public-spirited,  patriotic  citi- 
zen. 

John  Quinn,  father  of  Rev.  John  Francis  X.  Quinn, 
was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  23,  1854.  A  young 
man  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  heartily  in 
sympathy  with  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  fired 
with  the  patriotism  which  swept  the  North  at  the 
news  of  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter,  he  enlisted  at 
Hartford,  going  almost  immediately  to  the  firing 
line.  He  served  two  years,  and  was  wounded  in  ac- 
tion. Ater  the  war  he  went  to  Mechanicsville,  Con- 
necticut, where  for  several  years  he  was  an  overseer 
in  a  mill  there.  He  now  lives  retired  at  Worcester, 
Massachusetts.  He  married  Maria  Black,  a  native 
of  Ireland;  she  died  December  30,  1896.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Quinn  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Henry;  Mary;  Francis,  who  died  in  infancy; 
John  F.  X.,  of  further  mention;  William;  Fred;  Ed- 
ward; Leo;  and  Margaret,  who  died  during  the  in- 
fluenza epidemic  in  1918. 

Father  Quinn  was  born  in  Mechanicsville,  Connec- 
ticut, May  18,  1875.  He  received  his  early  education 
at  the  schools  of  his  native  place  and  then  spent  one 
year  at  the  Putnam  High  School.  He  then  entered 
St.  Lawrence  College,  going  thence  to  the  Grand 
Seminary  at  Montreal,  where  he  was  ordained  a 
priest,  December  21,  1901,  at  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
by  .'\rchbishop  Bruschcsi,  of  Montreal.  His  first 
assignment  was  at  Hartford,  Connecticut,  where  he 
remained  for  thirteen  years.  In  1914  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  Uncas- 
ville, where  he  has  since  remained.  Father  Quinn  is 
a  member  of  many  organizations  for  the  civic  and 
social  betterment  of  the  community.  During  the  re- 
cent period  of  war  with  Germany  he  was  most  ac- 
tive in  his  support  of  the  cause  of  the  allies,  and 
intimately  connected  with  the  dilTerent  movements 
having  for  their  object  the  welfare  of  the  men  in  the 
service..  A  noble  man,  full  of  courage,  zeal  and 
abiding  faith  and  devotion  to  his  parishioners,  this 
is  the  type  of  priest  and  the  manner  of  friend  Father 
Quinn  is  to  all  who  know  him. 


JOSEPH  GEORGE  COMEAU— Anthony  Com- 
cau,  father  of  Joseph  George  Comeau,  was  a  lifelong 
resident  of  the  city  of  Montreal,  Canada,  and  died 
there  in  1865,  aged  twenty-nine  years.  He  married 
Virginia  Frachette,  and  to  them, were  born  two  sons: 
Edmond,  married  Mary  L.  Duncan,  and  resides  in 
Montreal;  and  Joseph  George,  of  further  mention. 
Mrs.  Virginia  Comeau  married  (second)  John  P. 
Richards,  and   they  were   the  parents  of   four  chil- 


58 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


dren:  May,  married  Joseph  Chenette,  of  Providence, 
Rhode  Island;  Joseph,  deceased;  Alfred,  a  dentist 
of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  married  May  Buckley; 
Flora,  married  Adolph  Delphins  Limothe,  a  dentist 
of  American  Falls,  Idaho.  Mrs.  Richards  (formerly 
Mrs.  Conieau)  died  in  1911,  in  Norwich,  Connecticut. 

Joseph  George  Comeau,  son  of  Anthony  and  Vir- 
ginia (Frachette)  Comeau,  was  born  in  Montreal, 
Canada,  September  12,  1865,  died  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, September  29,  1920.  He  was  a  pupil  in  the 
parochial  school  of  St.  John's,  in  Montreal,  and 
later  entered  Ottawa  College,  Ottawa,  Canada.  He 
then  studied  dentistry,  and  in  1894  became  con- 
nected with  the  Albany  Dental  Association  in  Nor- 
wich. In  1896  he  established  private  dental  practice 
in  Norwich,  and  so  continued  until  his  passing 
twenty-four  years  later.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics;  a  member  of  Norwich  Lodge,  No.  430, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  Court 
Sachem,   Foresters  of  America. 

Dr.  Comeau  married,  June  29,  1897,  Laudia  Eva 
Barthel,  of  Gardner,  Massachusetts,  and  to  them  two 
children  were  born:  Georgette  Lillian,  born  in  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  August  13,  1898,  an  employe  of 
Connecticut  Agricultural  College,  Starrs,  Connecti- 
cut; and  Berthold  Roderick,  born  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, August  28,  1901.  Mrs.  Comeau  survives  her 
husband,  a  resident  of  Norwich.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  St.  Patrick's  Church. 


HENRY  A.  TIRRELL,  A.M.— Since  the  year  1903, 
Professor  Henry  Archelaus  Tirrell  has  been  prin- 
cipal of  Norwich  Free  Academy,  an  institution  to 
which  he  came  as  a  teacher  in  1896.  He  has  won 
secure  position  among  the  educators  of  New  Eng- 
land during  this  quarter  of  century  of  service,  and 
under  him  the  academy  has  greatly  prospered.  He 
is  a  son  of  Rev.  Eben  and  Julia  A.  (Harding)  Tir- 
rell, his  father  a  clergyman,  serving  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  long  and  faithfully.  Rev.  Eben 
Tirrell  served  his  country  with  equal  zeal,  and  was 
enrolled  among  the  volunteers  in  the  Union  service 
during  the  Civil  War. 

Henry  A.  Tirrell  was  born  at  South  Chatham, 
Massachusetts,  August  7,  1873,  and  obtained  his 
early  education  in  the  schools  of  the  different  towns 
in  which  his  father  was  pastor,  the  itinerant  law 
then  governing  Methodist  ministers  making  fre- 
quent changes  necessary.  Later  he  entered  the  in- 
stitution over  which  he  now  presides,  finishing  with 
the  graduating  class  of  1890.  He  arranged  with  his 
father  the  financing  of  a  college  course  and  entered 
Wcsleyan  University,  whence  he  was  graduated 
A.B.,  1894.  The  same  year  he  secured  appointment 
to  the  faculty  of  Pennington  Seminary  at  Penning- 
ton, New  Jersey,  and  there  remained  two  years.  In 
1896  he  came  to  the  faculty  of  Norwich  Free  Acad- 
emy, Norwich,  Connecticut,  there  teaching  until 
1899,  when  he  spent  a  year  in  study  at  the  University 
of  Chicago.  In  1903  he  was  elected  principal  of  Nor- 
wich Free  Academy,  and  has  now  been  the  honored 
head  of  that  most  excellent  institution  for  twenty- 
two   years. 


There  were  other  sons  in  the  Tirrell  family  of 
which  Professor  Tirrell  was  the  eldest,  and  when  he 
began  teaching,  the  money  advanced  for  his  college 
course  was  repaid  and  another  son  started  through 
college.  Professor  Tirrell  has  received  many  evi- 
dences of  appreciation,  and  the  honors  of  his  pro- 
fession have  been  awarded  him,  but  nothing  has 
given  him  as  much  satisfaction  as  the  payment  of 
the  amount  expended  on  his  education  by  his  fa- 
ther, who  bore  the  burden  as  gladly  as  the  son  re- 
lieved  him. 

Professor  Tirrell  has  entered  heartily  into  the  life 
of  the  city  which  so  long  has  been  his  home,  and  is 
widely  known  throughout  his  State.  He  is  a  direc- 
tor of  Norwich  Savings  Society,  the  oldest  financial 
institution  in  Norwich;  is  a  corporator  and  trustee 
of  the  Norwich  Free  Academy;  was  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Park  Commissioners;  member 
of  the  State  Public  Library  Commission  for  several 
years;  present  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Educa- 
tion; president  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Wil- 
liam W.  Backus  Hospital,  Norwich,  Connecticut; 
secretary  of  the  Otis  Library,  Norwich;  member  of 
the  Park  Congregational  Church;  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican.  In  1910  he  received  from  Trinity  Col- 
lege the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 

In  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  1899,  Professor  Tirrell 
married  Agnes  Helen  Butler,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
P.  and  Mary  L.  (Twohcy)  Butler.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tirrell  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Mary 
Agnes,  Charles  Henry,  Helen  Butler  and  William 
Harding   Tirrell. 


JOHN  JOSEPH  MACREADY— Standing  high 
among  the  executives  of  New  London  county  manu- 
facturing interests  is  John  Joseph  Macready,  presi- 
dent of  the  Shetucket  Worsted  Mills,  of  Baltic, 
Connecticut,  and  owner  of  the  plant. 

Mr.  Macready  comes  of  a  long  line  of  sturdy 
Scotch  ancestry,  and  is  a  son  of  Morris  and  Mary 
(Montgomery)  Macready,  both  natives  of  Dundee, 
Scotland.  Morris  Macready  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1888.  He  located  in  Schaghticoke, 
New  York,  where  he  was  an  overseer  of  flax  spinn- 
ing. This  was  the  line  of  endeavor  which  he  fol- 
lowed all  of  his  active  life.  He  now  lives  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  but  is  retired  from  all  parti- 
cipation in  business  affairs.  Morris  and  Mary 
(Montgomery)  Macready  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  of  whom  John  J.  Macready,  of  Baltic,  is  the 
eldest. 

John  Joseph  Macready  was  born  in  Dundee,  Scot- 
land, November  26,  1886.  Coming  to  this  country 
when  only  two  years  of  age,  with  his  parents,  his 
education  was  received  in  the  public  schools  of 
Schaghticoke,  New  York,  up  through  the  grammar 
grades.  He  then  took  a  commercial  course  at  Tem- 
ple University.  He  entered  upon  his  business  ca- 
reer in  the  field  of  woolen  manufacture,  working  for 
a  time  among  the  mills  of  Philadelphia.  During  this 
period  he  took  advantage  of  the  famous  textile 
schools  of  that  city,  studying  designing  at  the  night 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


59 


■courses.  With  this  preparation  for  a  higher  class 
of  work,  the  young  man  came  to  Yantic,  Connecti- 
cut, in  1912,  as  assistant  superintendent  and  designer 
for  the  Yantic  Woolen  Mills.  Remaining  there  until 
1914,  he  then  accepted  the  superintendcncy  of  the 
Shetucket  Worsted  Mills,  of  Baltic,  remaining  for 
one  year  in  that  capacity.  Returning  thereafter  to 
Gcrmantown,  Pennsylvania,  as  manager  of  the  Shet- 
land Mills  of  that  city,  he  continued  there,  rising  to 
the  office  of  president  of  the  company. 

On  January  1,  1920,  still  holding  the  office  of 
president  of  the  Shetland  Mills,  Mr.  Macrcady  came 
to  Baltic,  Connecticut,  and  bought  out  the  Shetucket 
Worsted  Mills.  The  business  was  incorporated, 
with  Mr.  Macready  as  president,  under  the  name  of 
the  Shetucket  Worsted  Mills,  Incorporated.  Still 
a  young  man,  and  at  the  head  of  great  industrial 
interests,  through  his  own  energy  and  ambition,  Mr. 
Macrcady  is  a  power  in  the  field  of  woolen  manufac- 
ture, and  his  career  gives  promise  of  a  brilliant  fu- 
ture. 

Mr.  Macready  is  interested  in  every  phase  of  pub- 
lic progress,  poltically  affiliated  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  by  religious  faith  a  Roman  Catholic.  He 
is  a  member  of  St.  Lawrence  Council,  No.  841, 
Knights  of  Columbus,  of  Philadelphia.  He  is  a 
fourth  degree  knight,  and  is  past  grand  knight  of 
this  lodge. 


WILLIAM  SHEFFIELD  BREED— There  is  no 

time  when  the  record  of  the  lives  of  the  prominent 
and  useful  citizens  of  a  generation  past  ceases  to  be 
an  important  and  interesting  part  of  the  history  of 
a  district,  and  although  a  quarter  of  a  century  has 
nearly  spent  its  length  since  William  Sheffield 
Breed  trod  his  accustomed  paths,  the  present  chron- 
icle has  welcome  place  for  a  review  of  his  life  story. 

The  family  of  which  he  was  a  member  traces  to 
Allen  Breed,  who  was  of  record  in  Lynn,  Massachu- 
setts, as  early  as  1630.  He  was  born  in  England  in 
1601,  and  his  death  occurred  March  17,  1692.  The 
name  of  his  wife  is  unknown,  but  he  became  the  fa- 
ther of  five  children. 

Allen  (2)  Breed,  son  of  Allen  (i)  Breed,  was  born 
in  1626,  and  by  his  wife  Mary  became  the  father  of 
six  children. 

John  Breed,  son  of  Allen  (2)  Breed,  was  born 
January  18,  1663.  He  married  (first)  April  28, 
1686,  Mary  Kirtland,  who  bore  him  one  child,  Sarah, 
born  July  15,  1687,  died  January  28,  168S.  He  married 
(second),  June  8,  1690,  Mercy  Palmer,  who  died 
January  28,  1752.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
and  daughter,  John  Breed  moved  from  Lynn,  Mass- 
achusetts, to  Stonington,  Connecticut,  where  he  and 
his  second  wife  were  members  of  the  First  Con- 
gregational Church.  Issue  by  second  wife:  .'\nna, 
born  November  8,  1693;  Mary,  born  lanuary  8,  1697; 
John,  of  whom  further;  Elizabeth,  born  January  28, 
1702;  Sarah,  born  February  i,  1704;  Zerviah,  born 
August  27,  1706;  Joseph,  born  October  4,  1708; 
Bethia,  born  December  30,  1710;  Allen,  born  August 
29,   1714;   Gershom,  born   November   15,   1715. 


John  (2)  Breed,  son  of  John  (l)  Breed,  was  born 
January  26,  1700,  and  married,  October  14,  1725, 
Mary  Prentice.  Issue:  Mercy,  born  August  3,  1727; 
John,  of  whom  further;  Nathan,  born  December  13, 
173';  Mary,  born  December  25,  1733;  Sarah,  born 
December  28,  1736;  Eunice,  born  February  23,  1738; 
Grace,  born  June  2,  1740;  Ann,  born  June  2,  1742; 
Amos,  born  December  23,  1744;  Lucy  born  Decem- 
ber 18,   1746. 

John  (3)  Breed,  son  of  John  (2)  Breed,  was  born 
September  5,  1729,  and  married,  May  19,  1750,  Si- 
lence Grant,  born  January  31,  1731.  Issue:  Mary, 
born  February  9,  1751 ;  John,  born  November  15, 
1752;  Sarah,  born  December  16,  1754;  Oliver,  born 
February  6,  1757;  Reuben,  born  September  23,  1758; 
Prentice,  born  January  i,  1761;  Eunice,  born  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1763;  Samuel,  of  whom  further;  Marcy, 
born  February  6,   1769. 

Samuel  Breed,  son  of  John  (3)  Breed,  was  born 
March  23,  1765,  and  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  in 
Stonington.  He  married  (first)  Eunice  AUyn,  and 
(second)  Polly  Sheffield,  daughter  of  Isaac  Shef- 
field. Issue  by  second  wife:  Eunice,  born  Novem- 
ber 26,  1799;  Mary  Ann,  born  February  21,  1802, 
married  Benjamin  F.  Breed;  Freelove,  born  May  7, 
1803,  married  Jesse  B.  Breed;  Isaac  Sheffield,  of 
whom  further;  Harriet,  born  December  24,  1806; 
twins,  who  died  at  birth. 

Isaac  Sheffield  Breed,  son  of  Samuel  Breed,  was 
born  December  19,  1804,  and  died  February  17,  1882. 
liy  occupation  he  was  a  farmer,  and  followed  that 
calling  all  his  life  in  Stonington,  his  latter  years  be- 
ing spent  on  a  farm  in  the  north  part  of  the  town. 
He  married  Phebe  P.  Hewitt,  born  August  24,  1806, 
died  July  6,  1893,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Desire 
(Babcock)  Hewitt.  Issue:  Isaac  B.,  who  died  July 
7,  1829,  at  the  age  of  eight  months;  William  Sheffield, 
of  whom  further;  Jane  P.,  born  November  15,  1831, 
married  Erastus  D.  Miner,  of  Stonington;  Henry  E., 
married  (first)  Sarah  Slocum,  (second)  Harriet 
Pendleton;  Mary  E.;  Sarah,  married  Dr.  Henry  M. 
Rising,  of  South  Glastonbury;  Emily  D.,  married 
James  H.  Cleveland,  of  Stonington;  Annie  M.,  born 
April  24,  1842,  married  Allison  B.  Ladd,  and  died 
June  18,  1901;  Frances  Louise,  died  August  22,  1846, 
aged  nineteen  months;  Charlotte  Ellen,  died  Septem- 
ber 6,  1850,  aged  thirteen  months. 

William  Sheffield  Breed,  son  of  Isaac  Sheffield 
Breed,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
.'\pril  17,  1830,  and  obtained  his  general  education  in 
the  public  schools.  During  his  youth  his  practical 
training  was  in  farming,  and  upon  reaching  man's 
estate  he  went  to  Stonington  Point,  where  he  be- 
came a  clerk  in  the  store  of  an  uncle,  John  Breed. 
Until  1861,  he  cultivated  rented  land  in  Ston- 
ington and  North  Stonington,  in  that  ye»r 
moving  to  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  renting  Allen 
Hill's  farm  for  one  year.  In  1862  Mr.  Breed 
purchased  the  property  upon  which  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  was  spent,  now  known  as  Ash 
Lawn  Farm,  Baltic,  Connecticut.  From  the  time  of 
its  original  transfer  from  the  Indians  this  farm  was 


6o 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


successively  in  the  ownership  of  the  Perkins  family, 
George  Olin,  and  Mr.  Breed,  the  fine  old  homestead 
having  been  erected  in  1791  for  the  occupancy  of  a 
Perkins  family.  Its  three  hundred  acres  he  de- 
voted to  general  farming  and  to  the  breedmg  of 
Holstein-Friesian  thoroughbred  cattle,  subsequently 
disposing  of  about  twenty-five  acres.  His  opera- 
tions, both  agricultural  and  in  stockraising,  were  at- 
tended by  success,  and  in  all  of  his  farm  work  he  was 
progressive,  receptive  to  new  ideas,  and  constantly 
seeking  for  improvement.  He  considered  his  work 
in  the  nature  of  a  life  calling,  worthy  of  intensive 
study,  and  capable  of  generous  rewards  if  followed 
with  the  svstematic  diligence  given  other  lines  of 
endeavor.  He  read  widely,  principally  along  techni- 
cal lines  related  to  his  work,  and  one  of  his  ac- 
quaintances, speaking,  after  Mr.  Breed's  death,  of 
that  gentleman's  acute  and  well-stored  mmd,  said:  "I 
always  learned  something  when  I  talked  to  Mr. 
Breed." 

Mr.  Breed  was  a  Democrat  in  earlier  years,  but 
later  espoused  Republican  principals.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  filled  the  ofifice  of  assessor,  accepting  the 
honor  and  responsibility  this  position  carried  as  a 
part  of  his  public  duty  rather  than  as  an  expression 
of  personal  appreciation.  He  was  a  man  of  splendid 
physique  and  temperate  habits,  never  having  used 
tobacco  or  liquor  in  any  form.  Through  the  dis- 
trict there  was  universal  respect  for  his  judgment 
and  character,  and  when  his  friends  called  upon  him 
for  counsel  and  aid  it  was  never  in  vain.  All  of  his 
interests  centered  in  his  home,  and  here  the  best  of 
a  kind,  generous  and  loving  nature  found  e.xpres- 
sion. 

Mr.  Breed  married  (first),  while  a  resident  of 
Stonington  Point,  Lucy  Ann  SafTord,  who  died  in 
Stonington,  in  1859.  They  had  one  son,  Charles 
William,  born  November  19,  1859,  died  in  Windham, 
Connecticut,  March  28,  1892,  who  married  Lillian  M. 
Porter.  Mr.  Breed  married  (second),  June  12,  i860, 
Sarah  A.  Williams,  born  April  21,  1832,  in  North 
Franklin,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Lathrop  and 
Abby  (Prentice)  Williams.  Prior  to  her  marriage, 
Mrs.  Breed  was  a  school  teacher,  and  was  a  cap- 
able and  devoted  helpmate,  staunchly  supporting 
her  husband  in  all  of  the  emergencies  of  life.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Hanover  Congregational 
Church,  which  he  also  attended,  although  his 
church  was  the  Baptist,  and  Mrs.  Breed  was 
a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  for  a  number 
of  years.  Their  one  daughter,  Katherine  Abby, 
born  November  21,  1863,  was  graduated  from  the 
Norwich  Free  Academy  in  1885,  receiving  the 
Newton  Perkins  prize  in  mathematics,  and  mar- 
ried, in  1899,  Allison  B.  Ladd,  Jr.,  son  of  Allison  B. 
and  Annie  M.  (Breed)  Ladd.  Mrs.  Ladd  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Hanover  Congregational  Church,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a  teacher  and  officer  of  the  Sun- 
day school,  in  which  her  father  was  deeply  inter- 
ested. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ladd  are  the  parents  of:  Ger- 
trude Huntsman,  born  November  10,  1899,  and 
Louise  Breed,  born  January  28,  1902. 


William  Sheffield  Breed  died  June  27,  1899,  and 
he  is  buried  at  Hanover.  His  name  recalls  to  those 
of  his  family  and  acquaintance  who  survive  him  a 
man  strong  in  virtue,  upright  in  principle,  whose 
every  work  was  good. 


JOHN  FRANCIS  CARROLL— Martin  Carroll, 
father  of  John  F.  Carroll,  was  born  in  Limerick,  Ire- 
land, and  there  reared  and  educated  in  the  national 
schools.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1866,  lo- 
cating in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  secured 
employment  with  the  United  States  Finishing  Com- 
pany. He  continued  with  that  company  in  the  dye- 
ing department  until  the  present  date,  1921.  He  mar- 
ried Ellen  Martin,  also  born  in  Limerick,  who  died 
in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  1901.  They  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  the  third  a  son,  John 
Francis,  of  further  mention. 

John  Francis  Carroll  was  born  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, February  7,  1878,  and  there  was  educated 
in  St.  Mary's  Parochial  School.  In  1895,  being  then 
seventeen  years  of  age,  he  began  an  apprenticeship 
at  the  trade  of  carpenter,  in  South  Windsor,  under 
H.  L.  Stark,  and  remained  with  him  as  a  journey- 
man carpenter  until  1907.  In  that  year  he  returned 
to  Norwich  and  entered  the  employ  of  C.  M.  Wil- 
liams, a  contracting  builder  of  Norwich,  remaining 
in  that  employ  until  1918.  In  the  latter  year  Mr. 
Carroll,  in  partnership  with  James  Fenton,  of  Nor- 
wich, began  a  general  contracting  and  building  busi- 
ness. Carroll  &  Fenton  have  been  very  successful 
during  their  three  years  of  business,  and  at  the 
present  time,  1921,  are  building,  under  contract,  St. 
Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  a  handsome  and  im- 
posing granite  building,  their  most  important  con- 
tract to  date.  Mr.  Carroll  is  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
a  member  of  White  Cross  Council,  No.  13,  Knights 
of  Columbus,  Court  City  of  Norwich,  Foresters  of 
America,  and  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Carroll  married,  at  Taftville,  Connecticut, 
Catherine  Veronica  West,  daughter  of  William 
West,  of  Norwich.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carroll  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  Helen  JiLargaret,  born  in 
March,  1914;  John  Francis  (2),  born  July  27,  1919; 
both  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut. 


ROBERT  JORDAN  COLLINS,  D.D.S.— Ad- 
vancement in  any  of  the  learned  professions  is  not 
so  much  the  result  of  fortuitous  circumstances  nor 
of  influence,  as  it  is  the  result  of  individual  merit, 
application  and  skill.  When  these  are  combined 
with  ambition,  and  a  fixed  determination  to  achieve 
success,  success  surely  follows:  Dr.  Robert  J. 
Collins,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  has  achieved  this 
enviable  reputation  in  the  practice  of  dentistry,  and 
has  just  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  fact  that  through 
his   skill   good  results  have  been  attained. 

Captain  John  Collins,  father  of  Dr.  Collins,  was 
born  in  Portland,  Maine,  and  died  in  Bristol,  Rhode 
Island,  in  1898.  He  followed  the  sea  from  youth, 
was  a  master  of  ships  at  twenty-one,  and  during  his 
long  career  commanded   some   of  the   largest   ships 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


6l 


then  afloat,  making  several  voyages  around  the 
world.  A  man  of  steady  nerve  and  sound  judgment, 
a  skilled  navigator  and  a  man  of  great  endurance, 
he  was  nuicli  admired,  and  was  held  in  high  esteem 
by  his  many  friends  in  Bristol.  During  the  last 
years  of  his  life  he  retired  from  the  sea  and  was  a 
government  revenue  collector  until  the  time  of  his 
passing.  Captain  Collins  married  Abbie  Gladding, 
of  Bristol,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Susan  T.,  deceased;  John  J.,  a  resident  of 
Providence,  Rhode  Island;  Robert  J.,  of  further 
mention;   and   Daisy,  who  died   in   infancy. 

Robert  J.  Collins  obtained  his  elementary  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place,  where  he 
was  born  October  27,  1879.  He  then  took  a  course 
in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  and  then 
entered  upon  his  business  career,  his  first  employ- 
ment being  with  the  Brown  &  Sharpe  Machine  Com- 
pany of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  where  he  ser\-ed 
his  apprenticeship  as  a  machinist  and  then  traveled 
in  the  countries  of  South  America  and  Europe  for 
two  years.  After  his  return  he  matriculated  at 
Baltimore  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1912,  with  the  degree  of  D.D.S.  He  then 
went  immediately  to  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  where 
he  was  associated  with  Dr.  Griffin  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  removed  to  Naugatuck,  Connecticut,  and  a 
few  months  later,  in  1913,  came  to  Norwich,  where 
he  opened  his  present  offices,  at  No.  148  Main  street. 

Dr.  Collins  is  affiliated  with  Morning  Star  Lodge, 
No.  13,  Free  and  .■\ccepted  Masons,  of  Woonsocket, 
Rhode  Island,  and  with  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  Woonsocket  Lodge,  No.  850. 
He  also  is  a  member  of  the  Norwich  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

Dr.  Collins  married,  October  30,  1916,  at  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  Margaret  Loretta  Flynn,  a  native  of 
Norwich,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Margaret  (Lyons) 
Flynn. 


WALTER  FITCH  LESTER— In  a  business  ca- 
reer devoted  entirely  to  fire  insurance,  Mr.  Lester 
has  become  prominent  in  a  special  field  covered  by 
the  mutual  companies,  and  for  more  than  a  decade  of 
years  has  been  the  efficient  secretary  of  the  New 
London  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
with  headquarters  in  Norwich.  Mr.  Lester  is  a 
native  son  of  Norwich,  his  parents,  Charles  Davison 
and  .'Xnna  (Hubbard)  Lester.  Charles  D.  Lester,  a 
bookkeeper,  died  September  23,  1893,  his  wife  yet  a 
resident  of  Norwich,   (1922). 

Walter  Fitch  Lester  was  born  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, July  7,  1872,  and  there  was  educated  in  the 
grammar  schools  and  Norwich  Free  Academy. 
After  graduation  from  the  academy  in  1891,  he- 
entered  the  employ  of  B.  P.  Learned,  fire  insurance, 
as  clerk,  having  served  Mr.  Learned  as  temporary 
clerk  during  the  available  hours  of  his  last  year  in 
school.  He  continued  a  clerk  with  Mr.  Learned  for 
a  number  of  years,  then  was  admitted  to  a  partner- 
ship under  the  firm  name  of  B.  P.  Learned  &  Com- 
pany, so  continuing  until  January,  1909,  when  he 
became  secretary  of  the  New  London   County  Mu- 


tual Fire  Insurance  Company,  a  position  he  yet 
most  ably  fills.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Thames 
National  Bank,  of  Norwich,  the  Dime  Savings  Bank, 
of  Norwich,  State  vice-president  of  the  National 
.Association  Mutual  Insurance  Companies,  director 
of  Norwich  Building  and  Loan  .Association,  a  di- 
rector and  a  former  president  of  the  Norwich  Hous- 
ing Company.  He  is  a  man  of  energy  and  ability, 
an  authority  on  fire  insurance,  and  so  recognized. 

Mr.  Lester  has  twice  served  his  city  as  a  member 
of  the  Council,  and  is  a  member  of  the  town 
school  board  of  the  town  of  Norwich.  He  is  a 
deacon  of  the  United  Congregational  Church,  of 
Norwich,  vice-president  of  the  Brotherhood  of  that 
church,  and  for  twenty-eight  years  (1892-1920)  was 
baritone  of  the  church  choir.  He  has  always  been 
deeply  interested  in  music,  particularly  vocal,  and 
was  well  known  on  the  concert  stage  and  in  opera 
as  a  member  of  quartettes  and  choral  singing  so- 
cieties. He  resigned  from  the  church  choir  in  1920, 
but  his  interest  has  never  lessened.  A  quarter  of 
a  century  ago,  when  the  bicycle  was  king,  he  was 
very  much  interested  in  that  sport,  particularly  in 
the  racing  feature,  and  was  president  of  the  Rose  of 
New  England  Wheel  Club,  of  Norwich,  one  of  the 
leading  New  England  wheel  clubs  of  its  period.  He 
was  also  for  many  years  a  member,  and  active  in 
the  interests  of  the  Chelsea  Boat  Club  and  the  Ar- 
canum Club,  Incorporated,  both  of  Norwich.  He  is 
a  member  of  Norwich  Chamber  of  Commerce;  Nor- 
wich Young  Men's  Christian  Association;  associate 
member  of  the  Connecticut  State  Association  of 
Local  Fire  Insurance  -Agents;  member  of  Somerset 
Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  member 
of  Insurance  Library  Association  of  Boston;  Na- 
tional Fire  Protection  Association;  was  president 
of  Norwich  City  Beautiful  Association,  an  organ- 
ization of  usefulness,  now  out  of  existence,  and  is 
a  member  of  Norwich  Grange,  No.  172,  Patrons  of 
Husbandry. 

On  August  28,  1900,  in  Norwich,  Mr.  Lester 
married  (first)  Rose  E.  Kasche,  who  died  Septem- 
ber 24,  1910,  daughter  of  Edward  Kasche,  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut.  Mr.  aand  Mrs.  Lester  were  the 
parents  of  a  daughter,  Dorothy,  born  November 
17,  1903,  and  of  a  son,  Everard  Mason,  born  July 
31,  1906.  Mr.  Lester  married  (second),  in  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  February  10,  1911,  Mary  A.  Coutts, 
daughter  of  Rev.  James  A.  Coutts.  of  Los  Angeles, 
California. 


MEREDITH  LEE — .Although  but  a  young  man 
of  twenty-five,  Mr.  Lee  has  passed  through  the  ex- 
perience of  a  lifetime  in  many  things.  He  early 
responded  to  the  call  for  volunteers  in  1917.  and 
until  the  spring  of  1919  was  overseas  w-ith  the 
.American  Expeditionary  Forces  in  the  air  service, 
a  branch  in  which  both  the  sons  of  Rev.  James  Bev- 
eridge  Lee.  pastor  of  the  Second  Congregational 
Church  of  New  London,  served.  Lieutenant  Lee  re- 
turned in  safety,  but  his  brother  made  the  supreme 
sacrifice,  being  killed  in  action.  .A  great  sorrow  came 
to  Lieutenant  Lee  in  the  death  of  his  young  wife,  and 


62 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


he  tasted  deeply  of  the  cup  of  life  for  so  young  a 
man. 

Rev.  James  Beveridge  Lee,  born  in  Bovina  Center, 
Delaware  county,  New  York,  in  the  western  Catskill 
region,  chose  the  holy  profession,  and  after  gradua- 
tion from  Hamilton  College,  A.  B.,  class  of  1884, 
entered  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York 
City,  and  in  1890  was  graduated  B.  D.  He  was  or- 
dained a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
for  several  years  was  settled  over  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Bloomfield,  New  Jersey,  and  while  there 
his  son  Meredith  was  born.  Later  he  transferred 
his  allegiance  from  the  Presbyterian  church  to  the 
Congregational  church,  and  has  long  been  the 
regularly  settled  pastor  of  the  Second  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  New  London,  Connecticut.  He 
married  Minna  Greenman,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Helen,  married  Charles  B.  Gil- 
bert, and  resides  in  New  London;  Meredith,  of  fur- 
ther mention;  Schuyler,  born  in  Bloomfield,  New 
Jersey,  July  29,  1898,  was  a  student  at  Andover 
Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Massachusetts,  and 
with  a  Unit  recruited  from  Andover  entered  the 
United  States  service  as  sergeant  in  the  Ambulance 
Corps.  Later,  overseas,  he  secured  a  transfer  to  the 
French  Army  Flying  Corps,  becoming  a  member 
of  the  famous  Lafayette  Escadrille,  ranking  as  ser- 
geant. After  a  glorious  career  he  met  his  death  in 
action,  April  2,  1918,  at  Alontdidier,  in  the  Sommc 
sector,  about  forty  miles  north  of  Paris,  and 
twenty-one  miles  southeast  of  Amiens.  He  was  in 
command  of  the  machine,  and  in  action  in  the  air 
when  shot  down. 

Meredith  Lee,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  James  B.  and 
Minna  (Greenman)  Lee,  was  born  in  Bloomfield, 
New  Jersey,  April  9,  1897.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  in  a  preparatory  school,  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  and  at  Yale  University,  receiv- 
ing his  Bachelor's  degree  from  Yale  in  1919.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  class  of  1918,  but  with  the  dec- 
laration of  war  against  Germany  in  1917,  he  left  the 
university  and  on  August  3,  following,  enlisted  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  the  Aviation  Corps  of  the 
United  States  Army.  He  was  sent  for  training  to 
Cadet  Training  School  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey, 
and  on  November  20,  1917,  sailed  overseas  with  the 
15th  Foreign  Detachment,  Air  Service  Cadets, 
stationed  at  Mons,  France,  but  was  later  trans- 
ferred to  airplane  radio  service,  and  on  June  4,  1918, 
was  commissioned  second  lieutenant.  He  continued 
in  overseas  service  until  ordered  home,  March  i, 
1919-  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  and  was 
located  at  Garden  City  until  July,  1919,  when  he  re- 
turned to  the  family  home  in  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut,where  he  was  variously  employed  until  Septem- 
ber, 1921.  On  that  date  he  came  to  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, and  in  association  with  C.  H.  Williams  and 
Charles  B.  Gilbert  he  bought  out  the  Baird  Tire 
Company,  of  Norwich,  which  they  reorganized  as 
the  Williams  Tire  and  Supply  Company,  Meredith 
Lee,  secretary  and  manager.  Mr.  Lee  is  an  Inde- 
pendent in  politics;  a  member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional   church,    of    New    London,    his    home;    and    a 


member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  Norwich,. 
his  business  headquarters.  Mr.  Lee  has  many 
friends  who  wish  him  well,  and  there  seems  a  un- 
animity of  sentiment  concerning  his  extremely  gen- 
ial, generous  and  manly  character. 

Mr.  Lee  married,  in  New  London,  November  4, 
1917,  Madlyn  L.  Burton,  who  died  in  Wilmington,. 
Delaware,  October  15,  1918. 


JAMES  BARTON  GRAY— In  the  farming  com- 
munity of  Ledyard,  New  London  county,  Connecti- 
cut, the  name  of  Gray  has  long  been  a  prominent 
and  honored  one.  James  Barton  Gray,  now  one  of 
the  leading  members  of  this  family,  has  thus  far 
spent  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Thomas  Baxter  Gray,  grandfather  of  James  B. 
Gray,  was  born  in  Ledyard,  and  was  a  farmer  here 
all  his  life. 

Amandan  Gray,  son  of  Thomas  Baxter  Gray,  was 
born  in  Ledyard,  in  1835.  He  was  also  a  farmer 
throughout  his  lifetime,  and  was  always  prominent 
in  the  public  affairs  of  the  tovi^n  and  county,  serving 
repeatedly  in  public  office,  and  being  aligned,  po- 
litically, with  the  Democratic  party.  He  married 
Francina  Peckham,  daughter  of  Elder  Peckham,  of 
Ledyard.  Amandan  Gray  died  in  1908,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-three  years,  and  his  wife  died  in  1899. 
They   lie   side  by  side   in  the   Ledyard   Cemetery. 

James  Barton  Gray,  son  of  Amandan  and  Francina 
(Peckham)  Gray,  was  born  in  Ledyard,  just  below 
his  present  home.  May  23,  i860.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town,  and 
those  in  the  vicinity  of  Mystic.  From  the  time  he 
completed  his  education  he  was  active  in  the  life 
of  the  farm.  First  helping  his  father  on  the  old 
homestead,  he  later  rented  the  Williams  place, 
which  he  conducted  for  a  period  of  twelve  years. 
Thereafter  he  purchased  his  father's  interests,  and 
has  since  conducted  the  homestead  farm,  which 
has  now  been  in  the  family  for  over  half  a  century. 
For  many  years  he  has  specialized  in  peaches,  but 
recent  abnormal  conditions  in  the  farm  labor  market 
hav<  made  it  necessary  to  devote  his  energies  to 
other  crops  more  extensively  for  the  past  few  years. 
Mr.  Gray's  success  is  that  of  the  man  long  estab- 
lished upon  a  secure  footing,  and  still  looking  for- 
ward. In  the  public  life  of  the  community,  Mr.  Gray 
has  long  been  a  prominent  figure,  having  served  on 
the  Boird  of  Assessors,  and  also  on  the  Board  of 
Relief. 

Mr.  Gray  married  (first)  Helene  Maria  Littlefield, 
daughter  of  Captain  George  and  Caroline  (Tibbets) 
Littlcfield,  of  Washington  county,  Maine,  a  family 
long  prominent  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Wells.  She  died  in 
1900,  and  is  buried  in  Ledyard.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children:  Bessie,  Bertha,  Albe,  Julia, 
Charles,  Fred,  Helene.  Mr.  Gray  married  (second) 
Marian  Littlefield,  sister  of  the  first  Mrs.  Gray,  and 
the  children  of  this  marriage  are  three  sons:  James. 
Calvin,  George. 


GEORGE  RAYMOND  GRAY— In  the  memorial 

records   of  New  London   county,   Connecticut,  there 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


63 


are  many  honored  names,  names  which  mean  much 
to  the  county  in  the  growth  and  development  which 
have  made  it  a  leading  section  of  the  State.  Among 
these  names  there  is  none  more  worthy  of  com- 
memoration in  a  work  of  this  nature  than  that  of 
George  Raymond  Gray,  long  active  in  the  business 
circles  of  the  county,  and  always  a  progressive  citi- 
zen of  lofty  principles  and  valiant  spirit. 

Mr.  Gray  was  a  son  of  John  Choppley  Gray,  a 
member  of  the  Gray  family,  long  prominent  in  the 
history  of  this  county.  John  Choppley  Gray  mar- 
ried Delia  Baldwin,  of  Mansfield,  Connecticut,  and 
their  other  sons  are  Harry,  now  a  resident  of  Nor- 
wich, and  John  Benjamin. 

George  Raymond  Gray  was  born  in  Chaplin,  Con- 
necticut, January  18,  1868,  and  died  in  November, 
191 1,  in  the  prime  of  life,  not  yet  having  completed 
his  forty-fourth  year.  He  was  buried  in  the  Avery 
family  lot,  Groton.  Receiving  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  near  his  home,  the  young  man 
was  graduated  from  the  Sheffield  High  School,  of 
ShefTield,  Massachusetts,  where  the  family  lived  at 
the  time.  After  his  graduation  he  entered  the  busi- 
ness world  in  Wilton,  Massachusetts,  being  em- 
ployed there  for  a  time,  and  later  came  back  to  his 
native  State  and  conducted  a  dry  goods  business  in 
Willimantic.  Although  he  was  very  successful  along 
this  line,  he  was  persuaded  to  sell  out  this  interest, 
and  he  then  became  associated  with  the  Larrabee 
Grocery  Company.  Later  he  severed  this  connec- 
tion to  take  charge  of  the  Mill  store,  at  Turner- 
ville,  Connecticut.  With  this  experience,  Mr.  Gray 
finally  came  to  New  London,  purchasing  the  busi- 
ness of  his  wife's  father,  at  the  time  of  the  latter's 
death. 

This  business  he  developed  to  an  important  in- 
terest, and  became  a  leading  merchant  of  the  city  of 
New  London.  He  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  and 
while  of  progressive  and  ambitious  spirit  was  never 
a  man  to  profit  by  another's  misfortune.  In  the 
passing  of  such  a  man  a  community  suffers  a  loss 
that  is  not  readily  filled.  A  decade  has  gone  by 
since  George  Raymond  Gray  was  a  familiar  figure 
in  the  business  world  of  New  London,  but  his  name 
is  still  spoken  of  as  that  of  a  man  whose  spirit  is 
alive,  and  still  working  out  good  for  the  people.  He 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten,  and  those  who  bear  his 
name  will  long  be  held  in  high  esteem  for  his  sake. 

Mr.  Gray  married  Josephine  Lamb  Avery,  a  mem- 
ber of  one  of  the  oldest  of  New  London  county 
families,  and  a  daughter  of  Jerrod  Reed  and  Joseph- 
ine Alice  (Lamb)  Avery,  of  Groton,  where  she  was 
born.  Her  birth  occurred  November  2,  1867.  This 
Avery  family  was  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
New  London  county,  and  the  first  Jerrod  Reed 
Avery,  ^^rs.  Gray's  grandfather,  was  pastor  of  the 
old  Groton  church,  a  Congregational  Society,  for 
twenty-three  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  i.  Willard  Avery,  born  May  16,  1896,  a 
student  at  Yale  University,  of  the  class  of  1921.  2. 
Dorothy  Baldwin,  born  November  23,  1897;  was  a 
member  of  the  first  graduating  class  of  the  Connec- 


ticut College  for  Women,  in  New  London.  3. 
Eunice  Cutler,  born  December  9,  1898;  now  the  wife 
of  Max  Underbill,  of  New  London,  and  has  an  in- 
fant daughter,  Winifred  Gray.  4.  Jerrod  Reed, 
born  December  9,  1900.  5.  John  Choppley,  born 
January  4,  1903.  6.  Allan  Baldwin,  born  July  27, 
■90S-     7-    Josephine  Avery,  born  October  25,  1907. 


ISAAC  GARDINER  LARKIN— Although  not  a 
native  son,  Isaac  G.  Larkin  has  resided  in  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  since  1864,  and  is  a  representative  citi- 
zen of  that  flourishing  community,  widely  known 
for  his  public  spirit  and  his  deep  interest  in  every 
forward    movement. 

Mr.  Larkin  traces  his  descent  from  Edward  Larkin, 
who  is  of  record  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  in 
1655.  The  line  is  traced  from  Edward  Larkin,  the 
founder,  through  his  son  Roger,  son  Samuel,  son 
Samuel  (2),  son  William,  son  William  (2),  son 
Alfred  .Mdrich,  son  Isaac  Gardiner  Larkin,  of  the 
eighth  American  generation. 

.•\lfred  .Mdrich  Larkin  was  born  at  Richmond, 
Rhode  Island,  February  29,  1828,  and  died  at  Leb- 
anon, Connecticut,  July  3,  1894,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
six  years.  He  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  entire 
life.  He  married  Mary  Janet  Gardiner,  who  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  and  who  died  at 
Lebanon,  September  i,  1908,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
one  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larkin  were  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Isaac  Gardiner,  of  whom  further 
mention;  Martha  Anne,  widow  of  James  A.  Pen- 
dleton, of  Lebanon,  Connecticut;  Sarah,  deceased, 
wife  of  Henry  Edward  Card,  and  the  mother  of 
four  children:  Lottie  Janet,  born  April  2.  1881; 
.Mfred  Edward,  born  September  23.  1883;  Herbert 
Aldrich,  born  December  16,  1885;  Florence  .-Vnnie, 
born  May  21,  1888. 

Isaac  Gardiner  Larkin,  son  of  .Alfred  Aldrich  and 
Mary  Janet  (Gardiner)  Larkin,  was  born  November 
7,  1849,  at  South  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  and  there 
spent  the  first  fourteen  years  of  his  life.  He  attended 
South  Kingston  public  schools  until  the  removal 
of  the  family  to  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  in  1864, 
and  there  he  resumed  public  school  study,  continu- 
ing until  reaching  the  age  of  seventeen.  He  then 
became  identified  with  the  agricultural  and  dairying 
interests  of  his  section,  and  since  1906  has  been  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  Lebanon 
Creamery.  In  politics,  Mr.  Larkin  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  town  affairs. 
For  thirty  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Relief,  and  in  1909  he  represented  the  Lebanon 
district  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Connecticut 
Legislature. 

Mr.  Larkin  married,  January  4,  1870,  Ellen  Ame- 
lia Briggs,  daughter  of  Charles  Wilcox  and  Delia 
Frances  (Gager)  Briggs.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larkin  are 
the  parents  of  six  children:  i.  Nellie  Gardiner, 
born  May  23,  1871,  died  March  7,  1872.  2.  Clara 
Aldrich,  born  May  S,  1873,  married  John  Francis 
Sherman,  Jr.,  died  August  11,  1914.  the  mother  of 
four  children:  Marjorie  Ellen  Shcrmaii,  born  May 
13,   1901;   Lucy   Eliza  Sherman,  born   December   10, 


64 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


1902;  John  Francis  (3)  Sherman,  born  December 
II,  1904;  Elinor  Warren  Sherman,  born  November 
24,  1909.  3.  Warren  Gardiner,  born  September  27, 
1877,  died  December  8,  1894.  4.  Mary  Frances,  mar- 
ried Elmer  E.  Sharpc,  of  Lebanon,  and  has  a  son, 
Arthur  Ellsworth  Sharpe,  born  September  I,  1909. 
5.  Annie  Charlotte,  born  April  25,  1S85,  married 
Carroll  L.  Adams,  of  Lyme,  Connecticut.  6.  Helen 
Bronson,  born  August  6,  1887,  now  a  teacher  in 
Willimantic,  Connecticut. 


GEORGE   WASHINGTON    WILCOX— One    of 

the  most  prominent  names  in  New  London  county 
is  that  of  Wilcox,  and  the  family  reaches  back  to 
the  early  history  of  New  England  in  Colonial  times, 
various  branches  of  the  family  having  given  to  the 
professions  and  to  the  industries  men  who  have 
been  significant  factors  in  the  general  progress. 
Within  the  memory  of  many  present  day  citizens 
of  this  county,  two  brothers.  Captain  Elias  Wilcox 
and  Elnathan  M.  Wilcox,  were  prominent  figures 
in  the  coast  towns  of  the  county  and  in  the  fishing 
industry. 

Elnathan  M.  Wilcox  was  born  in  Stonington,  and 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  an  earlier  day. 
The  call  of  the  sea  early  came  to  him  as  an  appeal 
of  permanent  force,  and  he  became  a  fisherman, 
thus  following  the  example  of  many  of  his  forbears. 
But  he  was  a  man  of  broad  mental  capacity  and 
more  than  ordinary  originality  of  action,  and  found 
the  nucleus  of  an  industry  of  importance  to  the 
landsman  in  the  products  of  the  sea.  He  estab- 
lished a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  commercial 
fish-oils  and  fertilizer,  which  is  still  conducted  by 
his  sons,  and  is  one  of  the  important  industrial 
enterprises  of  the  town  of  Mystic.  The  latter  part 
of  his  life  he  spent  in  Quinebaug,  in  the  town  of 
Stonington,  on  his  farm,  retired  from  all  active 
business,  and  there  he  died.  May  29,  1886.  He  was 
twice  married,  the  second  wife  being  Julia  A.  Deni- 
son,  who  was  born  February  22,  1825,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Lucy  (Smith)  Dcnison. 
They  were  married  May  9,  1S47,  and  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children:  A  son  who  was  born  and 
died  February  18,  1848;  Hettie  ^L,  who  became  Mrs. 
Palmer,  born  January  i,  1849,  now  residing  in 
Providence,  Rhode  Island,  at  the  home  of  her  son- 
in-law,  Fred  White,  a  cotton  broker;  Jesse  H.,  born 
August  10,  1852,  now  superintendent  of  the  Wilcox 
Fertilizer  Works;  Lucy  E.,  born  October  8,  1854, 
and  twice  married,  first  being  Mrs.  Strickland,  now 
Mrs.  Brown;  Moses  H.,  born  August  15,  1858;  Deni- 
son  Elmer,  born  July  21,  1861;  George  W.,  whose 
name  heads  this  review;  and  Jennie  D.,  now  Mrs. 
Clark,  born  March  31,  1867.  All  but  the  eldest  of 
these  children  are  still  living,  and  all  but  Mrs. 
Palmer  are  residents  of  New  London  county.  They 
are  all  married,  and  have  children  who  are  following 
the  family  traditions  of  usefulness,  some  having 
grandchildren. 

George  Washington  Wilcox  was  born  on  the 
family  homestead  farm  in  Quinebaug,  in  the  town 
of  Stonington,  in  this  county,  August  15,  1864.    Edu- 


cated in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town,  he 
also  followed  the  sea  from  his  youth  as  a  fisherman, 
and  has  been  very  successful.  Mystic,  which  was 
scarcely  more  than  a  fishing  village  in  his  3'outh, 
has  grown  into  a  large  and  prosperous  business  and 
industrial  community,  and  come  out  almost  to  the 
doors  of  the  homestead,  but  he  still  resides  in  the 
community  where  he  was  born,  and  is  still  actively 
engaged  in  the  industry  which  has  been  his  life 
work. 

Mr.  Wilcox  has  long  been  counted  among  the 
leading  men  of  this  section,  and  is  highly  esteemed, 
but  though  a  staunch  Republican  in  political  affilia- 
tion, has  never  sought  the  responsibilities  of  leader- 
ship. He  is  a  member  of  Stonington  Lodge,  No.  26, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church. 

Mr.  Wilco.x  married,  on  June  27,  1887,  Mina  B. 
Roe,  daughter  of  George  O.  and  Nellie  L.  (War- 
field)  Roe,  of  New  York  City,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Walter  Elwood,  born 
September  30,  1888,  who  married  Harriet  M.  Glover; 
Harold  Anthony,  married  Ruth  Rogers;  and  Gladys 
I.  The  older  son,  Walter  E.  Wilcox,  is  a  graduate 
of  Colgate  University,  Hamilton,  New  York  (class 
of  1912),  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  also 
received  his  Master's  degree  from  Columbia  Univer- 
sity, of  New  York  City,  in  1917;  is  a  member  of  the 
Phi  Beta  Kappa  fraternity,  and  of  the  Masonic 
order.  He  is  now  principal  of  Woodward  School,  at 
No.  700  Bates  street,  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  The 
younger  son,  Harold  A.  Wilcox,  is  a  paper  manu- 
facturer, at  Oneco,  Windham  county,  Connecticut, 
and  the  daughter  is  a  teacher  in  New  Jersey. 


HUGH  FRANCIS  LENA— When  the  World  War 
called  for  men  from  the  medical  profession,  Dr. 
Hugh  F.  Lena  was  one  of  those  who  "sponded,  he 
being  assigned  to  the  naval  hospii  .1  in  N  w  London. 
While  on  duty  there  he  made  many  friends,  and  so 
insistent  were  they  that  he  make  New  London  his 
home  after  the  war  was  over,  that  on  April  14, 
1920,  he  did  return  and  at  No.  154  Broad  street 
established  a  private  hospital.  The  hospital  has 
evidently  met  a  public  need,  for  its  capacity  has 
been  taxed  to  its  limit  for  some  time,  and  Dr.  Lena 
has  there  performed  a  great  many  major  operations 
during  the  year  the  hospital  has  been  in  operation. 
One  of  the  features  of  its  equipment  is  an  X-Ray 
department  of  the  most  modern  type,  and  in  each 
department  all  equipment,  sanitation,  ventilation, 
etc.,  is  along  modern  lines  of  discovery  and  practice. 

Dr.  Lena  is  a  son  of  Patrick  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Lennon)  Lena,  his  parents  both  born  in  Belfast, 
Ireland.  Patrick  H.  Lena  came  to  the  United  States 
a  young  man,  settled  in  Lawrence,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  became  an  expert  weaver  and  foreman 
of  the  cloth-room  in  one  of  the  Lawrence  mills.  He 
died  in  Lawrence,  in  November,  1900.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth   (Lennon)   Lena   died   there   in   May,    1915. 

Hugh  Francis  Lena  was  born  in  Lawrence, 
Massachusetts,  March  22,  1888.  He  completed  high 
school  courses.     He  was  graduated  A.B.,  Dartmouth 


>/— ^ 


liKKJRAPHlCAL 


6S 


College,  1912;  Johns  Hopkins  University,  M.D.,  1916, 
both  college  courses  pursued  in  full  and  with  honor. 
After  graduation  he  returned  to  Massachusetts  and 
became  an  interne  at  the  City  Hospital,  Boston, 
there  continuing  until  March,  1918,  when  he  was 
commissioned  lieutenant  of  the  junior  grade,  United 
States  Navy  Medical  Corps,  and  assigned  to  duty 
at  the  Naval  Hospital  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 
In  April,  1918.  he  was  promoted  lieutenant  of  the 
senior  grade,  and  on  October  i,  1919,  was  honorably 
discharged  from  the  United  States  service.  During 
the  influenza  epidemic  the  Naval  Hospital  in  New 
London  gave  up  all  possible  work  to  fight  that 
dread  disease.  Dr.  Lena  obtained  the  use  of  the 
State  Armory  in  New  London  and  was  in  charge 
of  the  hospital  established  therein. 

After  his  release  from  the  army,  Dr.  Lena  re- 
turned to  his  Lawrence  home  for  rest,  and  after  a 
time  took  a  special  course  in  the  Massachusetts  Eye 
and  Ear  Hospital  in  Boston,  his  study  covering 
diseases  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  .After 
concluding  his  course  in  the  spring  of  1920,  he 
located  in  New  London,  as  stated,  and  there  has 
since  conducted  a  private  hospital  with  gratifying 
success.  He  is  a  member  of  the  medical  societies 
of  Massachusetts,  and  is  a  surgeon  of  acknowledged 
skill  and  learning.  Dr.  Lena  is  a  member  of  the 
New  London  County  Medical  Society,  Connecticut 
State  Medical  Society,  Medical  Society  of  Essex 
County,  Massachusetts;  the  Massachusetts  State 
Medical  Society,  American  Medical  Association, 
New  London  Lodge,  No.  364,  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Ell;s;  fourth  degree  Knight  of 
Columbus;  American  Legion;  and  is  a  communicant 
of  St.   Mary's   Roman   Catholic   Church. 

Dr.  Lena  married,  in  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
June  26,  1920,  Helen  Francis  Gartland,  born  in 
Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Mary   Gartland. 


FREDERICK  MORGAN  SMITH— New  London 
was  the  birthplace  and  lifelong  home  of  Frederick 
Morgan  Smith,  whose  passing,  .'\ugust  3,  19171  at 
the  age  of  seventy,  was  so  deeply  regretted  by  his 
many  friends.  Mr.  Smith  was  connected  with  his 
father,  Nathan  B.  Smith,  in  the  manufacture  of 
melodeons,  and  latter  engaged  in  business  as  a 
dealer  in  pianos  and  organs.  He  was  highly  es- 
teemed as  a  business  man,  and  as  a  citizen  his  vir- 
tues  were   conspicuous. 

Mr.  Smith  traced  descent  from  five  Colonial  gov- 
ernors: Governor  William  Coddington,  Governor 
William  Hutchinson,  Governor  John  Winthrop,  Gov- 
ernor John  Sanford  and  Governor  Pcleg  Sanford. 
He  also  was  a  descendant  of  Revolutionary  heroes, 
one  of  these.  Colonel  Oliver  Smith,  an  aide  to  Gen- 
eral Washington  and  with  him  at  Valley  Forge. 
Later  Colonel  Smith  commanded  the  Eighth  Regi- 
ment of  the  Connecticut  line.  Another  ancestor  was 
Nathaniel  Fanning,  who  was  a  midshipman  under 
John  Paul  Jones,  and  later  in  life  was  commandant 
of  the  Charlcstown  navy  yard.  The  destroyer 
"Fanning"  of  the  United  States  navy  was  so  named 
N.L.— 2-5 


in  his  honor.  The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Rev. 
Nchemiah  Smith.  Descent  is  traced  through  eight 
American  generations  to  Frederick  Morgan  Smith, 
of  the  ninth  generation.     The  generations  follow: 

(I)  Rev.  Nehemiah  Smith,  one  of  the  original 
proprietors  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  progenitor 
of  this  branch  of  the  family,  came  to  America  in 
1637.  He  was  born  in  England  in  about  1605,  and 
died  in  1686.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Bourne, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Bourne,  of 
Marsfield,  Massachusetts. 

(II)  Nehemiah  (2)  Smith,  son  of  Rev.  Nehemiah 
(l)  and  Sarah  .Ann  (Bourne)  Smith,  was  baptized 
October  24,  1646,  and  died  .August  8,  1727.  He  mar- 
ried, October  24,  1664,  Lydia  Winchester,  daughter  of 
Alexander  W^inchester,  of   Roxbury,  Massachusetts. 

(III)  Nehemiah  (3)  Smith,  son  of  Nehemiah  (2) 
and  Lydia  (Winchester)  Smith,  was  born  November 
14.  1673.  and  died  November  21,  1724.  He  married, 
April   22,   1696,  Dorothy   Wheeler. 

(IV)  Nathan  Smith,  son  of  Nehemiah  (3)  and 
Dorothy  (Wheeler)  Smith,  was  born  November  or 
September  16,  1702,  and  died  December  4,  1784.  He 
married  Mary  . 

(V)  Oliver  Smith,  son  of  Nathan  and  Mary 
Smith,  was  born  .Xpril  29,  1739,  on  the  Smith  home- 
stead at  Poquonock,  Connecticut.  He  married,  April 
5.  1759.  Mary  Denison,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Noyes)  Denison. 

(VI)  Denison  Smith,  son  of  Oliver  and  Mary 
(Denison)  Smith,  was  born  June  19,  1769,  at  Ston- 
ington,  Connecticut.  He  married,  March  6,  1788, 
Waity  Smith,  of  Poquonock,  only  child  of  Jabez  and 
Waity  (Burrows)  Smith. 

(VII)  Nathan  (2)  Smith,  son  of  Denison  and 
Waity  (Smith)  Smith,  was  born  at  Groton,  Con- 
necticut, March  31,  1793.  He  was  a  farmer  at 
Poquonock,  and  died  there  April  4,  1851.  He  mar- 
ried,  March    6,    1814,   Fanning,    daughter    of 

Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Fanning.  She  was 
born    September    II,    1796,    and    died    December   24, 

1879. 

(VIII)  Nathan  D.  Smith,  son  of  Nathan  (2) 
.Smith,  was  born  at  Poquonock,  Connecticut,  Septem- 
ber 14,  1815.  He  married,  September  12.  1841,  Mary 
Abby  Morgan,  born  in  1828,  daughter  of  Elisha  and 
Caroline  Morgan.  Their  children  were:  .Adriana, 
born  June  27,  1844;  Frederick  Morgan,  born  August 
27,  1847;  and  .Aborn   Fanning,  born  .April  19,  1849. 

(IX)  Frederick  Morgan  Smith,  son  of  Nathan 
D.  and  Mary  .Abby  (Morgan)  Smith,  was  born  in 
New  London,  Connecticut,  in  1847,  and  died  in  the 
city  of  his  birth,  .August  3,  191 7.  He  was  a  graduate 
of  Dr.  Fitch's  School,  at  Windham,  and  a  student 
at  New  London  and  Poughkecpsie  schools.  After 
school  years  were  over  he  became  associated  in 
business  with  his  father,  Nathan  D.  Smith,  who  was 
then  a  manufacturer  of  melodeons  and  organs,  the 
Smith  instruments  being  the  acme  of  perfection  in 
their  day.  The  store  operated  by  the  company  was 
located  where  the  Bank  Street  New  Theatre  now 
stands,  and  a  large  business  was  there  conducted. 
When  Nathan  D.  Smith  was  called  away  he  admitted 


66 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


his  brother,  Aborn  F.  Smith  as  a  partner,  and  for 
many  years  the  firm  conducted  a  piano  and  organ 
store.  The  firm  title  at  first,  M.  D.  Smith  &  Sons, 
was  changed  to  Smith  Bros.  Aborn  F.  Smith  later 
retired  from  the  company,  and  Frederick  M.  Smith 
carried  on  the  business  alone  until  the  admission  of 
his  son,  Richard  B.  Smith.  Naturally  quiet  and 
retiring  in  nature,  Mr.  Smith  took  no  active  part  in 
public  affairs,  althougli  keenly  alive  to  his  duties 
as  a  citizen.  During  his  many  years  in  business  in 
New  London,  he  earned  for  himself  an  enviable 
reputation  among  his  fellowmen.  His  circle  of 
friends  was  unusually  large,  and  because  of  his 
genial  personality  and  sympathetic  manner,  he  won 
the  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
Frederick  M.  Smith  married,  April  15,  1873,  Annie 
Holt,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Nathan  H.,  Frederick  M.,  Jr.,  Richard  B.,  Henry  H., 
and  Lucy  Bishop,  married  Hugh  T.  Cuthbert,  of 
Arizona. 


JEAN  BAPTISTE  MARTIN— The  largest  manu- 
facturers in  America  of  the  finest  quality  silk  vel- 
vets, yet  only  a  branch  of  the  parent  factory  in 
Lyons,  France — this  is  the  significance  of  the  e.>:tcn- 
sive  buildings  which  form  the  plant  of  the  J.  B. 
Martin  Company,  Incorporated,  at  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut. 

Jean  Baptiste  Martin,  grandfather  of  the  present 
Mr.  J.  B.  Martin,  was  the  founder  of  this  industry. 
He  was  born  in  Lyons,  France,  in  the  year  1799,  and 
died  there  in  1863,  having  lived  in  that  city  all  his 
life.  He  entered  the  silk  manufacturing  industry 
as  a  boy,  in  Lyons,  the  greatest  silk  producing  cen- 
ter in  the  world.  He  went  through  all  the  depart- 
ments, learning  the  business  from  every  angle,  and 
also  attended  the  Textile  School,  at  Lyons.  Even- 
tually he  began  the  manufacture  of  silk  velvets, 
building  up  a  large  and  important  interest  along 
this  line  in  his  native  city.  At  his  death,  in  1863, 
his  widow  continued  the  business  until  their  son, 
Andre,  was  able  to  take  over  the  management. 
The  firm  name  has  never  been  changed,  except  by 
the   articles   of  incorporation. 

Andre  Martin,  son  of  Jean  Baptiste  Martin,  the 
founder  of  this  industry,  was  born  in  Lyons,  France. 
He  received  the  advantage  of  a  broadly  comprehen- 
sive technical  education,  including  a  course  in  civil 
cncrinr-ering,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
honors.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  studies  he  re- 
turned to  Lyons,  fully  equipped  to  relieve  his  mother 
■'  ■  --'fs  of  the  business,  and  entered  ♦'-■'  velvet 
manufacturing  world.  Under  his  hand  the  business 
was  developed  to  a  remarkable  extent,  and  after 
seriously  considering  the  feasibility  of  such  a  project, 
decided  upon  the  erection  of  a  branch  factory  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Thus  in  1896  he  incor- 
porated the  business  in  France,  under  the  name  of 
the  J.  B.  Martin  Company,  the  better  to  arrange 
the  business  for  his  absence,  and  came  to  the 
United  States,  accompanied  by  Mr.  George  Caband, 
and  Mr.  J.  Sounery,  of  the  firm,  and  sought  a  loca- 
tion for  the  proposed  plant. 


In  1898  the  present  site  of  the  J.  B.  Martin  Com- 
pany, in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  was  purchased,  and 
building  operations  begun,  the  most  modern  de- 
signs and  materials  of  that  day  being  used.  The 
first  section  of  the  mill  was  completed  in  1899,  and 
from  that  time  until  the  present,  additions  and 
improvements  have  been  made,  constantly  increas- 
ing the  extent  and  capacity  of  the  plant.  In  1919  j, 
the  company  purchased  the  Pequot  Mill,  of  Nor-  ■ 
wich,  converting  it  into  a  mill  for  throwing  silk, 
again  increasing  their  facilities.  In  1920  they  bought 
the  large  modern  plant  of  the  Marlin-Rockwell  Com- 
pany, in  the  center  of  Norwich,  erected  during  the 
World  War  by  that  celebrated  firearms  company, 
for  the  manufacture  of  machine  guns.  In  these 
various  Norwich  plants  the  J.  B.  Martin  Company 
now  employs  eight  hundred  operatives,  and  they 
manufacture  only  the  very  finest  and  most  e.xpensive 
velvet  and  deep  pile  plushes.  The  company  is  in- 
corporated in  the  State  of  Maine.  Andre  Martin,  re- 
turning to  France  when  the  American  plant  of  the 
company  was  well  established,  is  still  the  active 
head  of  the  French  plant.  He  married  Margaret 
Arbelot,  and  they  reside   in   Lyons. 

Jean  Baptiste  Martin,  the  present  head  of  the 
American  plant  of  the  J.  B.  Martin  Company,  In- 
corporated, and  son  of  Andre  and  Margaret  (Arbe- 
lot) Martin,  was  born  in  St.  Germain  en  Laye, 
France,  on  May  29,  1890.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  of  Paris, 
continuing  through  the  high  school  there.  He 
graduated  from  the  German  Technical  School,  at 
Ronigliche  Webeshule,  at  Crefeld,  in  Rhineland, 
Germany.  Returning  to  his  native  land,  he  enlisted 
in  the  French  army,  as  cavalryman,  and  completed 
the  two  years  of  service  in  1912.  Mr.  Martin  came 
to  America  in  that  year  with  his  father,  Andre 
Martin,  and  Julian  Crozier,  nephew  of  the  manager 
of  the  American  plant  in  Norwich. 

This  history  would  be  incomplete  without  at  least 
passing  mention  of  this  young  man,  who  later  gave 
his  life  for  his  country.  He  remained  at  the  plant 
of  the  company  until  the  declaration  of  war  in 
France.  In  August,  1914,  he  returned  to  France  to 
enlist  in  the  French  army,  and  was  killed  in  action 
in  December  of  the  same  year.  He  was  well  known  M 
in  Norwich,  in  both  social  and  business  circles,  and  '■ 
his  loss  is  mourned  by  many  friends  here,  and  the 
name  of  Julian  Crozier  will  long  be  remembered 
in  Norwich. 

Mr.  Martin  remained  at  the  Norwich  plant  of  the 
company,  familiarizing  himself  with  every  detail, 
until  May,  1914,  when  he  returned  to  France.  Enter- 
ing the  French  army  in  August,  1914,  he  was  as- 
signed to  service  with  the  British  army,  as  inter- 
preter, with  the  British  Indian  Army  Corps,  from 
Hindustan.  He  was  with  this  corps  as  interpreter 
in  English,  German,  French  and  Indian  languages, 
continuing  in  this  capacity  through  1915  and  1916. 
During  this  time  he  was  in  the  battles  of  the  Somme, 
the  first  and  second  battles  of  Ypres,  and  many 
other  engagements.  In  1916  he  was  commissioned 
second-lieutenant    of    Dismounted    Cavalry,    of    t';e 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


67 


French  army,  and  continued  in  that  office  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Chcniin 
Des  Dames,  in  1916  and  1917;  in  the  battle  of  Nayon 
in  1918,  beginning  on  March  23,  and  lasting  for  eight 
days;  at  the  front  in  the  battle  of  Plcsses-dc-Roye, 
in  1918;  in  the  battle  of  tlie  Argonne  Forest,  in  1918, 
and  was  with  that  branch  of  the  army  when  the  war 
was  ended.  He  was  discharged  from  active  duty 
in  March,  1919,  and  assigned  to  the  reseive  army 
of  France. 

In  October,  1919,  Mr.  Martin  returned  to  his  busi- 
ness interests  in  Norwich,  after  an  absence,  on  ac- 
count of  the  war,  of  nearly  six  years.  Here  he  re- 
sumed his  position  as  general  manager  of  the  J.  B. 
Martin  Company,  Incorporated,  and  is  continuing 
and  broadening  the  business  policies  by  which  his 
father  gave  the  company  its  initial  impulse  in  this 
country.  His  position  as  head  of  the  largest  manu- 
facturing establishment  of  its  class  in  America,  places 
Mr.  Martin  in  the  forefront  of  the  manufacturing 
interests  of  this  coimty  and  State. 

Mr.  Martin  married,  in  Paris,  on  June  24,  1914. 
Margaret  May  Aubert,  who  was  born  in  Paris, 
France,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Albert  Aubert.  Mrs. 
Martin's  father,  who  is  now  deceased,  was  a  promi- 
nent architect  in  the  city  of  Paris.  Mr.  iid  Mrs. 
Martin  have  one  daughter,  Anne  Moniquc.  born  in 
Paris,  June  12,  1916.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church. 


HOWARD  L.  STANTON,  chief  of  the  Norwich 
Fire  Department,  was  born  at  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
July  17,  1854,  the  eldest  son  of  George  H.  and  Helen 
(Sparks)  Stanton.  He  attended  public  schools  until 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  was  obliged  to  go  to 
work.  Nine  years  was  the  length  of  time  of  his 
service  in  the  machine  shop  of  C.  B.  Rogers  & 
Co.,  builders  of  woodworking  machinery.  During 
a  portion  of  the  time  he  was  apprenticed  to  the 
machinist  trade.  In  1875  he  went  to  work  for  the 
Bacon  Arms  Company,  builders  of  revolvers  and 
pistols,  in  the  capacity  of  tool  maker,  as  at  this  time 
he  was  recognized  as  a  first-class  mechanic.  In 
August,  1881,  he  went  with  Lester  &  Wasley,  build- 
ers of  automatic  envelope  machinery,  where  he  re- 
mained until  July,  1901.  July  i,  1901,  he  was 
elected  chief  of  the  Norwich  Fire  Department.  His 
connection  with  the  fire  department  dates  from  his 
early  years  in  the  machine  shop,  he  having  worked 
up  through  all  grades  to  the  position  of  assistant 
chief  in  1881,  holding  the  position  until  1899,  when 
he  resigned  to  give  his  entire  time  to  Messrs.  Lester 
&  Wasley. 

He  is  a  director  in  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank  and 
of  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation;  vice-president 
and  director  of  the  Lester  &  Wasley  Company,  a 
member  of  the  Connecticut  Society  and  Sons  of 
the  American  Revolution.  He  has  received  all  the 
Masonic  degrees  in  the  York  and  Scottish  Rite, 
including  the  thirty-third,  and  the  last  degree  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  the  Northern 
Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, and  has  passed  the  chairs  of  most  of  the  bodies. 


He  is  also  a  life  member  of  Pyramid  Temple,  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut; 
also  a  member  of  the  International  Association  of 
Fire  Engineers;  of  the  International  Association  of 
Municipal  Electricians;  of  the  National  Fire  Protec- 
tion Association;  of  the  New  England  Association  of 
Fire  Chiefs,  a  life  member  of  the  Connecticut  State 
Firemen's  Association  and  c.x-prcsidcnt  of  the  same; 
also  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Fire  Chiefs'  Club 
and  ex-president  of  the  same;  member  of  the  Nor- 
wich Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Commonwealth 
Club  of  New  York. 

October  22,  1874,  Mr.  Stanton  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Frances  Loosee  Hotchkiss,  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  who  died  December  19,  1899,  daughter 
of  Edwin  O.  and  Eliza  Hotchkiss,  of  Norwich.  He 
married  (second)  Kathrine  K.  Kind,  January  25, 
1905,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Henrietta  Kind,  of 
Norwich.  Two  children  were  born  of  the  first  union: 
.*\my  Louise  Stanton,  and  Gcorgie  Coit  Stanton,  both 
residents  of  Norwich;  Amy  L.  was  born  January  3, 
1878,  and  Gcorgie  C.  was  born  April  30,  1879. 


HON.  WILLIAM  A.  BUCKINGHAM,  LL.D.— 

The  following  narrative  of  the  life  of  Hon.  William 
A.  Buckingham  was  prepared  by  the  late  Noah 
Porter,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  at  the  time  preside»t  of  Yale, 
and  appeared  as  a  "Memoir  of  Senator  Backingham" 
in  the  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical 
Register  of  January,  1876,  and  without  question  it 
is  the  most  complete  character  sketch  of  Mr.  Buck- 
ingham in  print.  "The  writer  of  this  sketch  knew 
Senator  Buckingham  from  before  the  beginning  of 
his  public  career  to  the  end  of  his  life,  and  had  fre- 
quent opportunities  to  judge  of  him  in  almost  every 
one  of  the  relations  which  have  been  named.  After 
abating  all  that  might  be  required  from  the  particu- 
lars of  personal  friendship,  he  can  honestly  give 
his  testimony  that  a  conscientious  sincerity  and  a 
graceful  symmetry  gave  the  strength  and  beauty  to 
a  character  which  other  generations  may  reasonably 
hold  in  the  highest  honor." 

William  .-Mfrcd  Buckingham  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  May  28,  1804.  His  father,  Samuel,  was 
born  in  Saybrook,  and  was  a  descendant  in  the 
direct  line  from  the  Rev.  Thomas  Buckingham,  the 
minister  of  Saybrook  (1665-1709),  one  of  the  ten 
founders  of  Yale  College,  and  one  of  the  moderators 
of  the  Synod  which  framed  the  Saybrook  Platform. 
Thomas  was  the  son  of  Thomas,  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  New  Haven  Colony,  but  soon  re- 
moved to  Milford,  where  he  was  one  of  the  "seven 
pillars"  of  the  church  at  its  organization.  His 
mother,  Joanna  Matson,  was  born  in  Lyme.  Connec- 
ticut, January  25,  1777.  died  December  9,  1846.  The 
parents  began  their  married  life  in  Saybrook.  but 
soon  removed  to  Lebanon,  where  they  died  and 
were  buried.  William  was  the  second  of  six  chil- 
dren, the  others  being:  .\bigail,  born  March  26.  1801, 
died  June  27,  1861;  Lucy  Ann,  born  October  25,  1806, 
died  September  2,  1853;  Samuel  Matson,  born  July 
12,    1809,    died    November    26,    1810;    Samuel    Giles, 


68 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


born  November  i8,  1812;  Israel  Matson,  born  August 

5.  1816. 

Lebanon  is  a  quiet,  pleasant  country  town,  scarcely 
a  village,  eleven  miles  from  Norwich,  on  the  high 
road  to  Hartford.  Its  broad  and  grassy  street  is 
bordered  by  a  few  farm  houses,  comfortable  and 
neat  rather  than  elegant,  which  are  distributed  at 
convenient  distances  for  the  uses  of  the  more  than 
usually  comfortable  farmers  who  own  them.  Near 
the  meeting-house  are  a  few  dwellings  a  little  more 
distinguished,  as  the  former  residences  of  the  Gov- 
ernors Trumbull,  and  the  "store,"  which,  during 
and  ever  since  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  has  been 
dignified  by  the  name  of  the  "Old  War  Office." 
Lebanon  had  been  for  nearly  fifty-four  years— from 
December.  1772,  to  February,  1826 —  trained  and 
honored  by  the  ministry  of  Solomon  Williams,  D.D., 
brother  of  Elisha  Williams,  rector  of  Yale  College, 
and  himself  a  leader  among  the  Connecticut  divines. 
Here  was  born,  in  1710,  the  first  Jonathan  Trum- 
bull, who  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1727,  and 
was  chosen  Governor  of  Connecticut  annually  from 
1769  to  1783— which  office  he  resigned  after  fifty 
years  of  public  service.  His  son  Jonathan,  born  at 
Lebanon,  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1759,  was 
paymaster  to  the  army,  1776-1778;  secretary  and  aide 
to  Washington,  1780-1783;  in  1789,  member  of  Con- 
gress; in  1791,  speaker  of  the  Lower  House;  in  1794, 
senator;  and  from  1798  to  1809,  governor  of  Con- 
necticut. An  academy  also  graced  this  village  green, 
and  had  been  sustained  for  many  years  with  more 
or  less  regularity. 

Here  were  all  the  conditions  for  the  training  of  a 
character  like  that  of  Senator  Buckingham.  A  small 
population  a'l  known  to  one  another;  nearly  enough 
upon  a  level  to  be  animated  by  a  common  sympa- 
thy, and  yet  sufficiently  varied  in  position  and  cul- 
ture to  be  able  to  give  without  condescension,  and 
to  receive  without  servility;  all  devout  in  their 
habits,  and  worshiping  with  simple  rites  in  the  one 
church  which  their  fathers  had  planted;  all  laboring 
for  a  livelihood,  and  therefore  industrious  in  habits 
and  simple  in  manners;  all  believing  in  intelligence 
and  courtesy  as  only  inferior  to  godliness.  No 
thoughtful  youth  could  live  in  such  a  community 
without  special  incitements  to  public  spirit  and  the 
love  of  country.  The  traditions  of  the  old  war  office 
would  stir  the  heart  of  any  aspiring  boy  who  saw 
with  his  own  eyes  the  marks  of  the  spurs  left  by 
orderlies  and  aides-de-camp  as  they  sat  waiting  for 
dispatches,  and  listened  with  bated  breath  to  the 
stories  of  the  Revolution,  which  fell  from  the  lips  of 
all  the  elders  of  the  town,  and  heard  them  describe, 
as  they  had  seen,  the  persons  of  Washington,  Lafay- 
efce,  KnoK  and  Rochambeau.  Nor  could  such  a 
boy  stand  before  the  Trumbull  tomb  in  the  old  bury- 
ing ground,  where  were  garnered  the  sacred  dust 
of  the  two  governors,  of  Joseph,  the  first  commis- 
sary-general in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  of 
William  Williams,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declara- 


tion of  Independence,  without  imbibing  some  of  that 
patriotism. 

Living  from  his  earliest  years  under  such  influ- 
ences, the  dignity  of  a  life  of  public  duty,  and  of 
sacrifices  for  God  and  country,  could  not  but  be  im- 
pressed upon  a  nature  so  sensitive  and  hiijh-minded 
as  was  that  of  young  Buckingham.  Most  influen- 
tial of  all  was  the  atmosphere  of  his  own  home, 
over  which  the  grave  but  gentle  father  presided 
with  unpretending  dignity,  and  which  was  pervaded 
by  the  cheerful  sunlight  of  an  active  and  loving 
mother,  whose  ministries  of  love  and  blessing  filled 
the  whole  community.  Besides  the  education  of  his 
home,  with  its  lessons  of  industry  and  duty,  of 
self-sacrifice  and  courtesy,  and  the  education  of  the 
community,  with  its  patriotic  memories  and  pride, 
Mr.  Buckingham  had  the  best  advantages  of  the 
public  schools  and  academy  of  Lebanon,  and  of 
the  Bacon  Academy  at  Colchester,  which  at  that 
time  was  much  resorted  to.  One  of  his  schoolmates 
at  Colchester,  from  a  distant  par"!  of  the  State,  had 
described  him  as  being  in  his  youth  what  he  was  in 
manhood,  singularly  manly,  earnest,  noble  and  at- 
tractive. He  labored  upon  the  farm  with  a  willing 
heart  and  strong  hands.  He  taught  a  district  school 
at  Lyme  a  single  winter,  when  eighteen  years  old, 
with  great  success.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he 
entered  a  dry  goods  house  in  Norwich  as  clerk. 
After  a  year's  experience  there  and  a  few  months  in 
a  wholesale  house  in  New  York,  he  opened  a  dry 
goods  store  in  Norwich.  In  1830  he  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  ingrain  carpets,  which  he  con- 
tinued for  eighteen  years.  In  1848  he  relinquished 
both  these  occupations  and  embarked  in  the  manu- 
facture of  India-rubber  goods,  and  was  made  the 
treasurer  and  an  active  director  in  the  Hayward 
Rubber  Company.  Subsequently  he  became  inter- 
ested in  several  important  manufacturing  enterprises. 
As  a  man  of  business  he  was  distinguished  for  in- 
dustry, integrity  and  promptness.  He  uniformly  ful- 
filled his  engagements,  and  his  credit  was  unques- 
tioned for  any  sum  which  he  required  for  himself, 
or  for  his  country. 

On  September  27,  1830,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Eliza  Ripley,  daughter  of  Dwight  Ripley,  of  Nor- 
wich, she  being  eminently  fitted  to  make  his  life 
cheerful  and  public-spirited,  and  whose  hospitality 
was  as  cordial  and  liberal  as  his  own.  Mrs.  Buck- 
ingham died  April  19,  1868,  leaving  his  home  and 
heart  desolate.  His  only  son,  William  Ripley,  died 
in  early  childhood,  and  his  surviving  daughter,  Eliza 
Coit,  born  December  7,  1838,  was  married  August 
28,  1861,  to  William  A.  Aiken,  who  served  upon  his 
staff,  as  quartermaster  general,  during  the  war,  and 
since  his  marriage  has  made  his  home  in  Norwich. 

In  1830  he  became  a  communicant  of  the  Second 
Congregational  Church,  and  was  prominent  in  the 
organization  of  a  new  church  in  1842,  of  which  he 
was  a  deacon,  and  a  conspicuous  and  most  zealous 
friend    and    benefactor.     He    was    a    Sunday    school 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


69 


teacher  for  thirty-seven  years  of  his  life,  excepting 
four  years  during  the  war.  He  was  principal  chair- 
man of  the  National  Congregational  Council  in  Bos- 
ton in  1865.  He  was  always,  in  public  and  private, 
pronounced  in  the  avowal  of  the  Christian  faith,  and 
always  fervent  and  decided  in  the  expression  of 
Christian  feeling.  The  prayers  which  hallowed  his 
home  and  edified  many  Christian  assemblies  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  them.  His 
Christian  liberality  was  from  the  first  to  the  last 
uniformly  generous,  cheerful  and  systema'cic.  He 
was  in  principle  and  in  practice  a  decided  friend  of 
temperance,  and  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of 
his  public  life,  which  was  distinguished  for  lavish 
and  refined  hospitality,  he  never  deviated,  in  public 
or  in  private,  from  the  letter  or  the  spirit  of  his 
avowed  pledges  and  principles.  His  interest  in  edu- 
cation was  intelligent,  constant  and  most  liberal. 
He  was  foremost  in  all  the  movements  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  for  the  improvement  of  the  public  schools, 
was  active  and  generous  from  the  first  in  the  en- 
dowment and  management  of  the  Norwich  Free 
Academy,  and  was  a  princely  benefactor  of  Yale 
College,  especially  of  the  Theological  Department. 
Some  of  his  liberal  contributions  were  the  spon- 
taneous offerings  of  his  conscientious  and  willing 
generosity.  He  was  not  content  with  giving  him- 
self, but  was  active  in  prompting  others  to  con- 
tribute, and  always  with  refined  courtesy.  His  bene- 
factions were  by  no  means  confined  to  public  so- 
cieties and  institutions.  To  the  poor  and  unfortu- 
nate he  was  a  sympathizing  and  tender-hearted 
friend,  giving  with  a  cheerful  heart,  with  wise  dis- 
cretion, with  a  delicate  regard  to  the  feelings  of 
those  whom  he  helped,  and  with  unfeigned  modesty. 
Before  he  entered  political  life,  he  was  known  as 
a  quiet  and  modest  citizen,  unobtrusive  in  manners, 
thougli  firm  in  principle,  rarely  if  ever  participating 
in  public  discussion,  conspicuously  intelligent,  cour- 
teous and  refined,  and  as  conspicuously  unobtrusive 
in    the    public    manifestations    of    his    opinions. 

Though  decided  in  his  political  sympathies  and 
opinions,  and  though  not  infrequently  solicited  to  be 
a  candidate  for  a  scat  in  the  Legislature  of  the 
State,  he  consented  but  once,  and  was  defeated. 
In  1849,  1850,  1856  and  1857  he  was  mayor  of  Nor- 
wich. In  1858  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Connec- 
ticut, not  so  much  on  the  ground  of  his  eminent 
political  services  or  any  special  gifts  of  statesman- 
ship, as  on  account  of  the  universal  confidence  which 
was  reposed  in  his  good  sense,  his  integrity,  his 
courtesy,  and  his  eminent  moral  worth.  He  had  not 
been  known  to  the  people  of  the  State  as  a  public 
leader.  He  had  been  least  of  all  prominent  as  man- 
ager or  leader  in  any  party  relations,  although  he 
had  been  decided  and  zealous  at  home  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  Republican  party  from  its  firs't  organiza- 
tion, as  he  had  previously  been  in  the  Whig  party 
before  it.  He  had  never  had  the  opportunity  of 
being  known  to  the  leading  men  of  the  State  as  a 
speaker  in  legislative  assembly,  or  in  any  other  than 
small  assemblies  of  men,  and  in  them  only  as  they 


were  gathered  for  some  philanthropic  or  religious 
object.  Rut  he  was  well  known  and  thoroughly  re- 
spected in  Norwich,  and  in  all  eastern  parts  of  the 
State,  as  an  honest,  single-minded,  firni-licirted, 
public-spirited  Christian  gentleman,  who  united  in 
liiinsclf  a  rare  combination  of  (|ualitics  which  are 
fitted  to  command  the  respect  and  to  win  the  confi- 
dence and  love  of  his  fcllow-nien.  He  was  first 
elected  by  a  small  majority,  later  elections  giving 
him  very  large  majorities,  and  for  eight  years  was 
continued  in  the  office,  until  he  resigned  its  duties 
and  honors. 

.^t  the  time  of  his  election  to  the  olTice  of  Gov- 
ernor, neither  he  nor  his  friends  anticipated  what 
was  before  him.  Had  he  either  known,  or  even 
dimly  foreboded,  that  the  olTice,  from  being  little 
more  than  a  place  of  easy  routine  and  formal  admin- 
istration, would  be  suddenly  transformed  into  a 
post  of  the  most  serious  responsibility,  involving 
perplexity,  toil  and  anxiety,  both  he  and  his  friends 
would  have  hesitated  in  thinking  that  he  was  the 
fittest  man  to  fill  the  place  and  to  fill  it  so  long.  No 
one  would  have  dared  to  predict  that  he  would  meet 
all  its  responsibilities  with  such  distinguished  suc- 
cess. But  in  review  it  may  be  confidently  affirmed, 
that  from  the  time  when  the  first  mutterings  of 
war  were  heard,  to  the  moment  when  they  died  into 
silence,  no  citizen  of  the  State  was  ever  thought 
of  as  in  any  respect  superior  to,  or  comparable  with, 
the  noble  "war  Governor"  who  represented  the  ?::: 
of  Connecticut.  Whether  his  relations  are  consid- 
ered to  the  Executive  of  the  United  States,  to  the 
governors  of  the  other  States,  to  the  party  of  Con- 
necticut opposed  to  the  war,  to  the  soldiers  and 
officers  from  Connecticut,  to  the  men  who  were  re- 
cruited or  drafted,  who  were  sick  or  in  prison,  to 
the  banks  and  men  of  business  all  over  the  country, 
or  to  the  American  people  as  far  as  they  knew  of 
him,  his  fitness  for  his  place  was  unquestioned. 
Whether  on  horseback  at  an  election  parade  or  in  a 
public  reception,  whether  reading  his  own  messages 
or  speaking  at  a  sudden  call,  often  under  very  trying 
circumstances,  whether  writing  stirring  letters  to 
President  Lincoln,  or  addressing  regiment  after 
regiment  as  each  was  hurried  away  to  the  field, 
whether  conferring  with  his  staff  or  trusted  friends 
in  sudden  exigencies,  he  was  always  heroic,  patii'iit. 
self-controlled  and  courteous.  He  met  the  demand 
of  every  public  occasion  with  dignity  and  self-pos- 
session. At  the  time  when  he  was  elected  he  had  been 
little  accustomed  to  public  speaking,  or  to  writing 
anything  more  than  letters  of  business.  Though 
familiar  with  political  topics  he  had  not  been  trained 
to  wrfte  or  speak  on  them  in  public,  because  the 
necessity  of  defending  and  enforcing  his  political 
opinions   had   never   been   imposed   upon   him. 

His  friends  could  never  doubt  that  he  would  suc- 
cessfully meet  all  the  practical  demands  of  his  office, 
while  they  might  reasonably  question  whether  he 
would  meet  its  intellectual  requisitions  with  any 
special  eclat.  It  was  interesting  to  see  how  quickly 
he  came  up  to  the  requirements  of  the  position  in 


70 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


these  respects;  how  well  from  the  first  he  wrote  and 
spoke  on  the  many  occasions  on  which  he  was 
called  upon.  It  was  still  more  interesting  to  notice, 
v/hen  the  country  was  firs^  aroused  to  defend  its  life, 
how  clearly  his  mind  was  enlarged,  and  his  heart 
glowed  with  patriotic  feeling,  and  how  nobly  he 
spoke  and  wrote.  His  messages  and  correspondence 
were  not  only  important  documents  in  the  history 
of  the  war,  but  they  reflect  the  highest  honor  on  the 
mind  and  head  of  their  author.  His  own  clear  and 
practical  intellect  discerned  earlier  than  many  prac- 
ticed statesmen  what  the  issues  were,  and  how  stern 
and  lasting  the  struggle  would  be.  His  decisive  and 
ringing  words  bespoke  serious  and  painful  fore- 
bodings on  the  one  hand,  but  they  breathed  only 
courage  and  triumph  on  the  other.  He  wrote  and 
spoke  as  a  prophet,  because  he  wrote  and  spoke 
from  those  firm  convictions  which  were  in- 
spired by  his  faith  in  the  right,  and  in  God  who 
had  defended  the  right  in  the  past  and  could  not 
desert  it  in  the  present.  The  people  of  Connecticut 
believed  in  him,  because  they  recognized  in  his 
measured  yet  fervent  words,  and  read  in  his  consis- 
tent character  and  acts,  their  own  strong  convictions 
and  their  unshaken  purposes.  Whatever  might  have 
been  thought  of  single  acts  of  his,  no  Connecticut 
man  who  believed  in  the  war  failed  to  believe  in 
Governor  Buckingham.  He  reflected  so  perfectly 
the  wishes  and  resolves  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  him  as  their  leader. 
In  multitudes  of  households  his  portrait  was  con- 
spicuously displayed,  and  his  name  is  still  pro- 
nounced with  love  and  honor.  The  services  ren- 
dered by  him  to  Connecticut  and  to  the  Union  were 
also  self-sacrificing  and  laborious.  His  private  busi- 
ness was  to  a  great  extent  transferred  to  others. 
His  days  and  nights  were  spent  in  unremitted  labor. 
His  mind  was  oppressed  by  public  care  and  his  heart 
was  tried  by  ready  sympathy.  While  it  was  also 
true  that  he  had  grown  in  intellect  and  character 
under  the  noble  opportunities  to  which  he  so  nobly 
responded,  it  was  also  true  that  he  had  given  to  others 
the  best  strength  and  the  best  days  of  his  life.  It  was 
not  surprising  that  after  he  resigned  his  office,  in 
1866,  he  was  elected  in  May,  1868,  to  fill  the  first 
vacancy  which  occurred  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States.  In  that  office  he  continued  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  one  month  before  his  term  c^ipired. 
As  a  senator  he  was  dignified,  courteous  and  con- 
scientious, and  won  the  respect  and  affection  of 
men  of  all  parties.  In  debate  he  was  always  clear, 
pointed  and  brief. 

He  comprehended  with  great  clearness  the  politi- 
cal and  financial  difficulties  incident  to  the  process 
of  reconstruction,  and  he  endeavored  to  meet  these 
difficulties  with  entire  fidelity  to  his  convictions.  No 
man  ever  doubted  his  honesty  or  his  uprightness 
during  the  years  of  experiment  and  doubt  in  which 
he  filled  his  high  position.  If  it  is  premature  to 
pronounce  upon  the  wisdom  of  every  measure  which 
he  supported,  or  of  every  individual  action  which  he 
performed  while  a  Senator,  it  is   not  premature  to 


assert  that  he  retained  his  personal  and  his  political 
integrity  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  His  home 
in  Washington  was  elegant  and  hospitable,  and  it 
was  hallowed  by  domestic  worship;  and  in  his  pub- 
lic duties  he  never  overlooked  or  lightly  esteemed 
his  duties  to  God,  or  to  his  own  Christian  profes- 
sion. In  the  summer  preceding  his  death  he  showed 
symptoms  of  debility.  These  increased  as  the  win- 
ter came  on.  In  the  anticipation  that  his  life  might 
soon  be  terminated,  he  was  entirely  serene,  and 
on   the   night   of   February  4,   1875,  he   died. 

Senator  Buckingham  was  especially  remarkable 
for  the  symmetry  of  his  constitution  and  character. 
In  person,  in  bearing,  in  manners,  in  disposition,  in 
intellect,  in  industry,  in  patience,  in  reserved  energy, 
in  the  knowledge  of  affairs,  in  an  affectionate  and 
sympathizing  nature,  in  scrupulous  conscientious- 
ness, in  fervent  and  enlightened  religious  feeling  he 
was  harmoniously  endowed  and  moulded  into  a  rare 
example  of  human  perfection.  In  his  own  home 
this  example  shone  most  brightly.  To  his  friends 
he  was  frank  and  open-hearted.  To  the  poor  and 
friendless  he  was  ever  sympathizing  and  helpful. 
To  Jiis  fellow-citizens  he  was  the  soul  of  probity 
and  honor.  To  the  community  he  was  eminently 
public-spirited  and  generous.  To  the  State  and  the 
country  he  gave  all  that  he  was  and  all  that  he 
could  perform.  To  God  he  gave  a  filial  and  trusting 
heart  and  an  obedient  and  conscientious  life,  in 
which  he  followed  his  Great  Master  in  meek  and 
humble  discipleship. 

A  bronze  statue  of  Governor  Buckingham  was 
unveiled  in  the  State  House  at  Hartford,  Connecti- 
cut, on  June  18,  1884. 

His  residence  in  Norwich — now  known  as  "The 
Buckingham  Memorial"— is  owned  and  occupied  by 
Sedgwick  Post,  No.  i,  Department  of  Connecticut, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  also  used  by  its 
affiliated  organizations,  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps 
and  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  who  cherish  it  and  its 
historic  associations  (as  also  connected  with  visits 
from  Lincoln,  Grant  and  many  other  noted  men), 
with  the  most  scrupulous  tenderness.  Upon  his 
granite  monument  in  Yantic  cemetery,  Norwich,  is 
the   following   inscription: 

"William  Alfred  Buckingham,  Governor  of  Con- 
necticut, 1858-1866.  U.  S.  Senator,  1869-1875.  His 
will  was  inflexible,  his  courage  dauntless,  his  devo- 
tion to  duty  supreme,  his  faith  in  God  absolute." 


I 


HON.  AMOS  W.  PRENTICE  was  late  of  Norwich. 
In  every  community,  large  or  small,  there  are  a  few 
men  who  by  their  force  of  character  are  intuitively 
recognized  as  leaders,  men  who  are  successful  in 
their  business  undertakings,  generous  and  fair  in 
their  relations  with  others,  and  who  perceive  and 
warmly  advocate  those  measures  which  insure  the 
public  well-being.  In  the  city  of  Norwich  there  was 
no  name  better  known  than  that  of  Amos  W.  Pren- 
tice. He  was  intimately  associated  with  'those  enter- 
prises through  which  the  city  has  attained  a  higher 
and  broader  life.     He  aided  or  led  in  every  move- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


71 


mcnt  for  the  public  good,  and  as  a  merchant  and 
banker,  as  v/ell  as  popular  and  eminent  citizen,  he 
was   prominent   in   its   material   growth. 

Mr.  Pren'tice  was  a  native  of  what  is  now  the 
town  of  Griswold,  Connecticut,  born  December  20, 
1816,  a  son  of  Amos  and  Lucy  (Wylie)  Prentice,  and 
a  descendant  in  the  eighth  generation  from  Captain 
Thomas  Prentice,  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  his 
lineage  being  through  Thomas  (2),  Samuel,  Joseph, 
Eleazer,  John   and   Amos   Prentice. 

(I)  Captain  Thomas  Prentice,  born  in  England 
in  i6ji,  appears  early  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts, 
the  birth  of  two  of  his  children  being  of  record 
there  in  1650.  The  family  lived  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Cambridge  village  and  later  in  Newtown,  Massa- 
chusetts, where  Mr.  Prentice  died  July  6,  1710.  He 
was  appointed  captain  of  the  troop  of  horse  in  the 
Indian  war,  June  24,  1675.  The  Christian  name  of 
his  wife  was  Grace.  She  and  their  eldest  child  ac- 
companied Mr.  Prentice  to  this  country.  Their 
children  were:  Grace,  baptized  in  England  in  1648; 
Thomas,  born  in  1649;  Elizabeth,  baptized  January 
22,  1650;  Mary,  born  in  1652;  John,  baptized  in  1653; 
and  Hannah,  born  in  1661.  The  mother,  Grace,  died 
October  9,  1692. 

(II)  Thomas  (2)  Prentice,  born  in  1649,  married, 
March  20,  1675,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Captain  Thomas 
and  Ann  (Lord)  Stanton.  Mr.  Prentice  died  .^pril 
19,  16 — ,  and  his  widow  married  (second)  Captain 
William  Denison,  and  died  in  1713.  Children: 
Thomas,  born  January  13,  1676;  Grace,  1678;  Sam- 
uel, about  1680;  and  John,  1682. 

(III)  Samuel  Prentice,  born  about  1680,  married 
Es'ther,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Hammond,  of  New- 
town, Massachusetts.  Before  1700  Mr.  Prentice  owned 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
and  went  there  to  live  not  far  from  1709.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Samuel  born  November  25,  1702;  Jo- 
seph, January  26,  1704:  Grace,  January  16,  1705; 
Mary,  April  12,  1708;  Jonas,  September  28,  1710; 
Esther,  December  12,  1713;  Eunice,  December  8, 
1717;  Thomas,  October  25,  1719;  Oliver,  October 
25,  1720;  Dorothy,  December  13,  1723,  and  Lucy, 
May  20,  1727. 

(IV)  Joseph  Prentice,  born  January  26,  1704,  in 
New"town,  Massachusetts,  married  November  10, 
1725,  Mary  Wheeler.  Their  children  were:  Joseph, 
born  August  24,  1727;  Priscilla,  January  20,  1729; 
Eleazer,  September  28,  1735;  Elisha,  January  i,  1737; 
Jonathan,  May  28,  1740;  Mary,  June  19,  174 — ;  Han- 
nah, March  7,  1747;  and  Manassah  and  Ephraim 
(twins),  July  22,  1749. 

(V)  Eleazer  Prentice,  born  September  28,  173S, 
in  Preston,  Connecticut,  married  there,  October  19, 
1757,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Stanton  (3),  of  Pres- 
ton. She  died  in  December,  1805,  aged  seventy 
years.  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  born  March  8, 
1739;  Lucy,  March  27,  1761;  Olive,  October  9,  1763; 
John,  September  i,  1766;  Desire,  June  16,  1771;  Na- 
than, .Augus't  4,  1773;  and  Rufus,  December  24,  1776. 

(VI)  John  Prentice,  born  September  I,  1766, 
married,   December  25,    1791,   Betsey   Cleft,  and   re- 


sided in  Preston,  Connecticut.  Their  children  were: 
.'\mos,  born  August  5,  1792;  Sally.  May  21,  1794; 
Frederick,  May  14,  1796;  John,  November  28.  1800; 
Charlotte.  October  26,  1802;  Betsey  C,  April  15,  1805; 
William  C,  March  6,  1807;  Frances  H.,  March  s. 
1809;  and  Caroline  A..  March   12.  1812. 

(VII)  Amos  Prentice,  born  August  5,  1792,  was 
a  farmer,  and  resided  in  Griswold,  Connecticut.  He 
married.  January  16.  1816.  Lucy  Wylic.  and  their 
children  were:  Amos  W.,  born  December  20.  1816, 
and  Samuel  T..  born  January  9.  1820.  The  latter 
served  in  the  Civil  War,  and  died  in  New  York. 

(VIII)  Amos  W.  Prentice,  subject  proper  of  this 
article,  was  but  a  small  boy  when  his  father  died, 
and  when  about  seven  years  old,  in  1823,  came  to 
Norwich  and  made  his  home  with  his  uncle.  Freder- 
ick Prentice,  who  resided  there.  He  received  some- 
what meager  educational  advantages,  but  improved 
every  opportunity.  When  a  boy  he  was  a  clerk  in 
the  store  of  William  A.  Buckingham,  and  in  1831 
he  entered  the  hardware  store  on  Water  street  kept 
by  Joseph  and  John  Breed.  This  business  was 
founded  in  1764  by  Gershom  Breed,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Jesse  and  Simon  Breed,  and  they  in  turn 
by  Joseph  and  John  Breed.  Mr.  Prentice  proved  to 
be  industrious  and  competent,  and  in  1840  was  ad- 
mitted to  membership  in  the  firm,  the  name  being 
chanjjed  to  John  Breed  &  Co.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Breed,  Mr.  Prentice  became  the  senior  partner, 
and  in  1864  the  firm  name  became  A.  W.  Prentice 
&  Co.  Mr.  Prentice  continued  in  active  business 
until  1889,  when  he  retired,  and  the  firm  was 
changed  to  Eaton,  Chase  &  Co.  Mr.  Prentice's 
career  as  an  active  business  man  covered  a  period  of 
fifty-seven  years.  Such  a  record  is  seldom  equalled, 
and  is  one  of  which  any  man  might  well  feel  proud. 

Being  public-spirited  and  progressive,  and  desir- 
ing to  sec  Norwich  advance,  Mr.  Premice  took  a 
deep  interest  in  public  affairs  early  in  life.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  an  old-time  Whig,  and,  after  the  exit  of 
that  party,  a  stanch  Republican.  In  1854  he  repre- 
sented the  Eighth  District  in  the  State  Senate, 
among  his  colleagues  in  that  body  being  James 
Dixon,  of  Hartford  (afterward  a  United  States  Sena- 
tor), Henry  B.  Harrison  (afterward  Governor),  of 
New  Haven,  and  ex-Governor  William  T.  Minor,  of 
Stamford.  From  1858  to  i860  he  was  mayor  of  the 
city,  and  in  1877  he  represented  the  town  in  the 
State  Legislature  in  company  with  the  late  Horace 
Whitaker.  Besides  being  mayor  he  was  a  member 
of  the  court  of  Common  Council  for  a  period  of  ten 
years.  He  possessed  rare  ability  as  a  presiding 
officer  and  often  guided  the  deliberations  at  town 
and  city  meetings.  He  sometimes  served  on  com- 
missions to  settle  disputes  and  questions,  and  never 
failed  to  give  satisfaction.  Mr.  Prentice  did  not 
seek  prominence  at  the  hands  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
for  in  his  case  it  can  be  truthfully  said  the  office 
sought  the  man.  He  was  always  fair  in  politics,  and 
never  tried  to  force  his  political  opinions  on  any  one. 
Mr.  Prentice  always  took  a  deep  interest  in  religious 
matters  and  in  1842  aided  in  organizing  the  Broad- 


12 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


way  Congregational  Church,  of  which  he  served  as 
clerk  and  member  of  the  society's  committee.  In 
1875  he  succeeded  the  late  Governor  Buckingham  as 
deacon  of  the  church.  He  was  a  liberal  contributor 
to  all  kinds  of  religious  work.  Mr.  Prentice  was  a 
trustee  of  the  Free  Academy  for  many  years  and 
always  attended  the  graduating  exercises.  In  him 
education  always  had  a  firm  friend. 

Mr.  Prentice  occupied  a  prominent  and  enviable 
position  in  business  circles.  For  many  years  he  was 
a  director  of  Norwich  Savings  Society,  one  of  the 
largest  and  oldest  institutions  of  its  kind  in  the 
State,  succeeding  the  late  Franklin  Nichols  as  presi- 
dent on  November  15,  1890.  He  w^as  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank  and  also  of  the  Richmond 
Stove  Company,  and  also  held  other  positions  of 
trus't.  He  was  one  of  the  very  first  in  New  Eng- 
land to  suggest  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  for 
the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  doing 
this  in  a  public  meeting  when  Mr.  Lincoln  was  just 
beginning  to  gain  fame.  Before  and  during  the 
Civil  War,  when  meetings  were  held  in  Norwich  to 
discuss  'the  ways  and  means  of  helping  the  soldiers 
and  Union,  Mr.  Prentice  almost  invariably  presided 
at  such  meetings,  and  no  man  in  Norwich  did  more 
than  he  for  the  cause.  During  the  dark  days  of 
the  war  he  was  Governor  Buckingham's  true  friend 
and  adviser,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  aid  the  cause 
of  the   Union  and  assist  the   soldiers. 

Amos  W.  Prentice  was  easily  the  ideal  citizen  of 
Norwich.  He  was  the  soul  of  honor,  and  enjoyed 
the  full  confidence  of  the  people  of  this  vicinity. 
He  possessed  a  broad  mind  and  a  kindly  disposition, 
and  was  charitable  to  all  in  need.  One  of  the  best 
testimonials  to  his  high  character  is  that  during  all 
his  years  in  business  those  in  his  employ  held  him 
in  high  esteem,  and  the  best  of  feeling  prevailed 
between  employer  and  employe.  His  family  rela- 
tions were  happy.  His  death  occurred  after  a  short 
illness,  on  December  14,  1894,  and  he  is  buried  in 
Yantic  cemetery,  at  Norwich. 

On  May  18,  1840,  Mr.  Prentice  was  married  to 
Hannah  E.  Parker,  a  native  of  Middletown,  Connec- 
ticut, a  daughter  of  Elias  and  Grace  (Mansfield) 
Parker.  Mrs.  Prentice  passed  away  December  24, 
1887,  aged  sixty-five  years. 


HON.  SUPPLY  TWYNG  HOLBROOK— In  the 
death  of  Judge  Holbrook,  which  occurred  at  his 
home  on  River  avenue.  Laurel  Hill,  Norwich,  on 
April  19,  1895,  the  community  lost  one  of  i'cs  best 
known  and  most  prominent  citizens. 

Born  September  7,  1822,  in  Roxbury,  Massachu- 
setts, Judge  Holbrook  was  a  son  of  Sabin  and  Mary 
(Whittemore)  Holbrook,  and  came  on  both  sides 
from  early  New  England  ancestry.  On  his  father's 
side  he  was  a  descendant  in  the  eighth  generation 
from  Thomas  Holbrook,  of  Weymouth,  Massachu- 
setts, from  whom  his  lineage  is  'ihrough  Thomas 
(a),  Peter,  Joseph,  Joseph  (2),  Seth  and  Sabin 
Holbrook. 


The  name  of  Holbrook  is  one  both  ancient  and 
distinguished.  As  early  as  the  reign  of  Richard  II 
one  of  the  name  was  advanced  to  the  order  of 
knighthood  and  a  coat  of  arms  given  him.  In  books 
of  heraldry  there  are  many  coats-of-arms  under 
the  name.  The  details  of  the  generations  referred 
to   above  and   in  the   order  there   named   follow: 

(I)  Thomas  Holbrook,  of  Weymouth,  Massachu- 
setts, as  early  as  1640,  is  thought  by  Morse  to  have 
probably  come  with  the  colony  of  settlers  from 
Weymouth  in  Dorsetshire,  England,  in  162.4.  For  a 
number  of  years  between  1641  and  1654  inclusive 
he  was  a  selectman  of  the  town.  He  died  in  1674- 
76.  His  widow,  Joanna  died  before  April  24,  1677. 
Their  children  were:  John,  born  in  1617;  Thomas, 
William  and  Ann. 

(II)  Thomas  (2)  Holbrook  was  a  resident  of 
Scituate,  Weymouth  and  Braintree,  and  was  a  man 
of  enterprise  and  wealth.  He  died  in  1697,  and 
was  survived  by  his  wife,  Joanna.  Their  children 
were:  Thomas;  Mary;  John,  born  15th  of  8th 
month,  1653,  at  Braintree;  Peter,  born  6th  of  7th 
month,  1655;  Joanna,  born  30th  of  8th  month,  1656; 
Susanna;  and  Joseph,  born  loth  of  12th  month,  1660. 

(III)  Peter  Holbrook,  born  6th  of  7th  month,  1655, 
married  (first)  Alice,  and  settled  at  Mendon,  and 
(second)  Elizabeth  Poor.  Alice  died  April  29,  1705.  Mr. 
Holbrook  was  an  important  man  for  his  day,  and 
laid  the  foundation  of  great  good  to  his  race,  many 
of  whom  are  still  enjoying  it  within  the  circle  of  his 
former  influence  and  possessions.  The  lands  which 
he  left  to  his  sons  were  mostly  subsequently  in- 
cluded in  Bcllingham.  He  died  May  3,  1712.  His 
children  were:  John,  born  September  24,  1679;  Peter, 
October  16,  1681;  Joseph,  May  8,  1683;  Silvanus, 
.'\ugust  15,  1685:  Jonah,  March  7,  1686-S7;  Richard, 
May  30,  1690;  Eliphalet,  January  27,  1691-92;  Wil- 
liam, March  28,  1693-94;  Samuel,  February  27,  1695- 
96;  and  Mary,  October  14,  1702. 

(IV)  Joseph  Holbrook,  born  May  8,  1683,  mar- 
ried December  29,  1710,  Mary  Cook;  was  a  husband- 
man, and  resided  in  Bellingham,  Massachusetts.  He 
died  April  25,  1750.  His  children  were:  Alice,  born 
February  14,  1712,  at  Mendon;  Joseph,  November 
24,  1714;  Rachel,  January  16,  1716-17;  Asahel,  Janu- 
ary 3.  1718-19;  David,  March  15,  1721  (at  Belling- 
ham); Mary,  October  13,  1723;  and  Martha,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1726. 

(V)  Joseph  (2)  Holbrook,  born  November  24, 
1714,  died  July  14,  1784.  His  wife,  Grace,  died  May 
13.  I79I-  Their  children  were:  Esther,  born  April 
I,  1739;  Bethia,  April  13,  1741;  Phebe,  November  28, 
■743;  Jonathan,  May  31,  1746;  Joseph,  October  15, 
1718;  Seth,  November  24,  1751;  and  Melatiah,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1755. 

(VI)  Seth  Holbrook,  born  November  24,  1751, 
married,  in  1775,  Dinah  Holbrook,  and  resided  in 
Bellingham.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
being  a  member  of  a  company  of  militia  which 
marched  from  Bellingham,  Massachuse'cts,  April  19, 
1775,   under    command    of   Captain   Jesse    Holbrook. 


RIOGRAPHICAL 


73 


He  was  also  a  sergeant  of  Captain  Cowcll's  com- 
pany in  the  Suffolk  and  York  Regiment,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Robinson,  in  March,  1776.  Mr.  Holbrook 
became  a  United  States  pensioner.  He  died  Novem- 
ber 13,  1839.  His  children  were:  Rachel,  born  Jan- 
uary 17,  1777;  Clary,  January  22,  1779;  Esther,  No- 
vember 5,  1780;  Roxanna,  July  24,  1782;  Luke,  July 
12,  1784;  Sabin,  October  19,  1786;  Seth,  July  29,  1789; 
Persis,  October  14,  1791;  Merinda,  September  3, 
1794;  and  Valentine  R.,  December  14,   1800. 

(VII)  Sabin  Holbrook,  born  October  19,  1786, 
resided  in  Dorchester  and  Bellingham,  Massachu- 
setts. He  died  in  1833,  and  his  wife,  Mary,  born 
March  27,  1787,  died  in  1824  or  1825.  Their  children 
were:  Sabin,  born  September  18,  1813;  Mary,  No- 
vember 5,  1815;  Joseph  Warren,  January  18,  1817; 
Amanda,  June  2,  1819;  Supply  Twyng,  September 
7,  1822. 

(VIII)  Supply  T.  Holbrook  was  given  a  good  edu- 
cation by  his  parents,  and  being  musically  inclined, 
proper  attention  was  given  his  talents  in  this  line  un- 
til he  became  well  versed  and  proficient  in  music.  In 
early  manhood  he  became  a  resident  of  Hartford, 
and  while  there  was  a  member  of  a  brass  band. 
From  Hartford  he  went  to  New  London,  and  after 
a  year  there,  about  1844,  he  located  at  Norwich, 
which  ever  afterward  for  fifty  and  more  years  was 
his  place  of  residence.  Here  he  soon  was  identified 
with  the  musical  interests  of  the  town.  He  accepted 
the  position  of  organist  of  the  Second  Congrega- 
tional Ch.urch,  at  that  time  under  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Bond,  and  for  many  years  most  efficiently 
and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  congregation  sus- 
tained such  relations  to  the  choir  and  church.  In 
his  earlier  years  Mr.  Holbrook  also  taught  vocal 
music  in  the  basement  of  the  Universalis':  Church. 
He  bore  the  reputation  of  being  a  good  teacher  and 
was  popular  with  his  scholars,  among  whom  was  the 
late  Judge  Charles  W.  Carter,  of  Norwich. 

Acting  on  the  advice  of  the  late  Henry  Bill,  Mr. 
Holbrook  decided  to  prepare  himself  for  the  legal 
profession,  and  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office 
and  under  the  direction  of  the  late  Hon.  Jeremiah 
Halsey,  of  Norwich.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
New  London  county  in  1856,  and  in  that  same  year 
was  elected  judge  of  probate,  a  position  he  held  by 
re-election  with  intelligence,  ability  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  people  of  the  district  for  twelve  con- 
secutive years.  After  an  intermission  of  a  decade 
he  was  again,  in  1879,  chosen  judge  of  probate,  and 
held  the  office  by  continuous  re-election  until  1892, 
when  he  became  legally  disqualified  from  further 
tenure  of  office  on  account  of  having  reached  the  age 
limit — seventy  years.  While  serving  as  probate 
judge  he  was  several  times  elected  president  of 
the  Connecticut  Probate  .Assembly.  "Judge  Hol- 
brook was  a  man  of  broad  culture  and  was  looked 
upon  as  an  authority  in  matters  connected  with  prac- 
tice in  the  probate  court.  His  studies  extended  into 
various  fields  of  learning."  During  his  long  period 
of  service  as  judge  of  probate — twenty-five  years — 


he  fulfilled  the  obligations  with  dignity  and  grace, 
and  although  he  was  by  virtue  of  his  office  entitled 
to  fees,  they  were  rarely  taken  by  him  from  people 
who  could  ill  afford  to  pay.  Between  the  periods  of 
Judge  Holbrook's  service  as  judge  of  probate  he 
was  chosen  to  preside  over  the  county  court,  whose 
jurisdiction  was  similar  to  that  of  the  present  court 
of  common  pleas,  and  held  the  position  until  the 
court  was  abolished. 

Judge  Holbrook  was  twice  elected  a  member  of 
the  State  Legislature,  first  in  1873,  when  he  had  for 
a  colleague  the  late  Hon.  John  Turner  Wail;  and 
second  in  1876,  at  which  time  his  brother  member 
from  Norwich  was  Hon.  George  B.  Hyde.  During 
both  terms  Judge  Holbrook  took  an  active  and 
prominent  part  in  the  business  of  the  House.  When 
not  in  office  Judge  Holbrook  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law  and  did  not  lack  clients.  He  was 
often  chosen  to  settle  estates.  The  loss  of  his  law 
library  and  a  portion  of  his  other  collection  of  books, 
by  fire,  about  a  year  before  his  death,  was  a  serious 
one,  as  his  annotations  in  his  law  books  could  not  be 
replaced.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Second  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Norwich.  He  was  a  man  of 
sunny  and  cheerful  disposition,  the  kind  of  man  it 
was  a  pleasure  to  meet  in  the  daily  walks  of  life. 
His  home  was  perfect.  As  a  citizen  he  was  always 
above  reproach.  He  was  a  kind  friend  and  neighbor, 
and  went  to  his  reward  with  the  high  esteem  and 
regard  of  the  community  in  which  he  had  moved  so 
long. 


ROBERT  COIT— For  upwards  of  250  years  the 
Coits  have  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
interests  of  the  ancient  town  of  New  London,  in  the 
social  life  and  in  public  afltairs,  in  which  members  of 
a  number  of  generations  during  this  long  period  have 
figured  more  or  less  conspicuously.  Until  June  19. 
1904,  active  in  the  town's  life  was  Hon.  Robert  Coit, 
president  of  the  New  London  &  Northern  Railroad 
and  of  the  Union  Bank,  and  an  honored  and  re- 
spected citizen. 

The  progenitor  of  the  New  London  and  Norwich 
Coits  was  John  Coit,  the  first  of  the  name  in  New 
England,  who  came  probably  from  Glamorganshire, 
Wales,  between  1630  and  1638.  He  was  in  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  had  a  grant  of  land  m 
1638.  In  1644,  he  removed  to  Gloucester,  and  m 
1648  was  selectman  there;  he  was  a  freeman  in  1647. 
He  had  considerable  land  on  Wheeler's  Point  and 
Planter's  Neck,  and  received  a  grant  of  land  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  in  1650,  to  which  he  came  the 
next  year.  In  England  he  wedded  Mary  Ganners, 
or  Jenners,  and  in  that  country  all  of  his  children 
were  born  previous  to  emigration.  He  died  August 
29,  1659,  and  his  widow  died  January  2,  1676.  Their 
children  were:     John,  Joseph,  Mary  and  Martha. 

From  this  John  Coit  the  lineage  of  Robert  Coit, 
late  of  New  London,  is  through  Deacon  Joseph, 
John   (2),  Joseph,  Hon.  Joshua,  and   Robert  Coit. 

(II)     Deacon  Joseph  Coit,  born  about  1633,  prob- 


74 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


ably  came  with  his  father  from  Gloucester  to  New 
London  about  1651,  and  passed  the  most  of  his  life 
there,  carrying  on  the  trade  of  ship  builder  with 
his  brother-in-law,  Hugh  Mould.  He  married,  July 
15,  1667,  Martha,  daughter  of  William  and  Edith 
Harris,  of  Wethersficid;  both  joined  the  church  in 
1681,  he  later  becoming  a  deacon.  He  died  March 
27,  1704,  and  Mrs.  Coi'c  passed  away  July  14,  1710. 
Nearly,  if  not  all  the  Coits  of  America,  says  the 
genealogist  of  the  Coit  family,  are  descended  from 
him.  His  children  were:  John,  Joseph,  William, 
Daniel,  Solomon  and  Samuel,  all  born  between  1670 
and  1692,  inclusive. 

(HI)  John  (2)  Coit,  born  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, December  I,  1670,  married  January  25,  1693, 
Mehetabel  Chandler,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
Chandler,  of  Woodstock.  Mr.  Coit  passed  a  long 
life  in  New  London  in  ship  building,  for  which  busi- 
ness in  1699,  the  town  granted  him  land  for  ship- 
yard near  the  Poin'c  of  Rocks,  where  in  1729  he  built 
a  wharf.  Mr.  Coit  died  October  22,  1744.  His  wife 
survived  him,  dying  November  3,  1758.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  John,  Joseph,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Eliza- 
beth and  Martha,  all  born  between  1696  and  1706, 
inclusive. 

(IV)  Joseph  Coit,  born  November  15,  1698,  in 
New  London,  married,  in  June,  1732,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hunting,  of  Easthampton,  Long 
Island;  she  died  March  29,  1733,  leaving  one  child — 
Jonathan,  born  in  that  year.  He  married  (second) 
January  9,  1739-40,  Lydia  Lathrop,  of  Norwich,  and 
their  children  were:  Elizabeth,  Lucy,  Lucretia,  Jo- 
seph, Thomas,  Daniel,  Jerusha  and  Joshua,  all  born 
between  1741  and  1758,  inclusive.  The  mother  of 
these  was  born  in  1718,  and  died  January  10,  1794. 
The  father  died  April  27,  1787.  He  passed  the  onost 
of  his  early  life  in  sailing  as  master  from  New  Lon- 
don, and  later  in  mercantile  and  commercial  pursuits 
until  the  disturbance  of  Revolutionary  times,  when 
he  removed  to  Norwich.  In  middle  life  he  was 
active  in  matters  of  public  interest.  He  was  received 
into  the  church  in  1718. 

(V)  Hon.  Joshua  Coit,  born  October  7,  1758,  in 
New  London,  married,  January  2,  1785,  Ann  Boradill, 
born  in  1764,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth 
Hallam,  of  New  London.  Mrs.  Coit  was  a  superior 
woman  and  brought  up  her  children  with  singular 
discretion.  She  died  March  22,  1844.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Coit  were  born  the  following  children:  Robert, 
born  November  6,  1785;  Lydia,  born  December  12, 
1787;  Leonard,  born  November  12,  1789;  Fanny, 
born  February  11,  1792;  Nancy,  born  June  10,  1795; 
and  Susan,  born  April  28,  1798.  Joshua  Coit  was  a 
rare  man.  He  was  graduated  from  Harvard  in  1776, 
studied  law  and  early  settled  in  practice  in  New 
London.  There  he  attained  an  honorable  position, 
receiving  numerous  offices  of  trust  from  his  fellow- 
citizens.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  Lower 
House  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1784,  1785,  1788, 
1789,  1790,  1792  and  1793,  serving  repeatedly  as  clerk 
and  speaker.     He  was  a  representative  in  the  United 


States  Congress  from  1793,  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  September  5,  1798,  when  but  forty  years  of 
age.  In  politics  he  adhered  mainly  to  the  Federal 
party,  but  separated  from  that  party  on  particular 
points  in  Congress,  illustrating  his  own  independent 
charac'ter  and  incurring  some  displeasure.  In  1798 
yellow  fever  prevailed  in  the  central  part  of  New 
London,  and  he  fell  a  victim  to  that  scourge. 

(VI)  Robert  Coit,  born  November  16,  1785,  mar- 
ried, October  15,  1821,  Charlotte,  daughter  of  David 
and  Elizabeth  (Coit)  Coit.  After  making  a  few 
voyages  on  commercial  business  to  the  West  Indies 
Mr.  Coit  settled  in  New  London  in  the  ship-chand- 
lery business,  and  later  was  a  dealer  in  lumber  and 
coal.  Mr.  Coit  passed  a  long  life  of  honorable  and 
successful  industry,  receiving  in  many  ways  tokens 
of  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He 
was  for  a  period  the  president  of  the  Union  Bank, 
withdrawing  from  the  office  prior  to  1867,  but  re- 
taining the  presidency  of  the  Savings  Bank,  of  wljich 
he  was  one  of  the  founders.  He  served  as  a  deacon 
in  the  Congregational  Church  in  New  London.  He 
died  in  October,  1874,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in 
January,  1874.  Their  children  were:  Fanny  L., 
born  February  16,  1823,  was  married  on  August  26, 
1861,  to  Rev.  Aaron  L.  Chapin,  a  former  president 
of  Beloit  College,  Wisconsin,  and  she  died  at  Beloit 
in  September,  1904;  Charlotte,  now  deceased,  born 
May  27,  1825,  was  married  May  9,  1866,  to  Rev. 
Thomas  P.  Field,  D.D.,  a  former  pastor  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church  in  New  London;  Ann  Bora- 
dill,  born  March  5,  1827,  died  unmarried;  Robert, 
born  April  26,  1830;  Joshua,  born  Feb.  4,  1832,  was 
married  October  2,  i860,  to  Mary  L.  Chandler,  and 
is  a  Congregational  minister  at  Winchester,  Massa- 
chusetts; Alfred,  born  May  23,  1835,  married  Ellen 
Hobron,  and  became  the  father  of  Judge  Alfred 
Coit,  of  New  London;  and  Ellen,  born  November  3, 
1S37,  married  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Field,  D.D.,  now  de- 
ceased, and  she  resides  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin. 

(VII)  Robert  Coit,  formerly  president  of  the  Union 
Bank  and  of  the  New  London  Northern  Railroad 
Company,  a  son  of  the  late  Robert  Coit,  was  born 
April  26,  1830,  in  New  London.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  in  private  schools  in  his  naitve  town  and 
Farmington,  Connecticut.  He  entered  Yale  Col- 
lege, and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1850. 
Studying  law  with  William  C.  Crump,  and  at  the 
Yale  Law  School,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New 
London  county  in  1853,  and  commenced  the  practice 
of  law  in  his  native  town.  In  i860  he  was  elected 
judge  of  probate  for  the  New  London  district,  and 
efficiently  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  for 
four  years.  Following  this  service  he  was  for  a 
time,  and  continuing  in  office  as  long  as  it  was  in 
force,  register  in  bankruptcy,  for  his  district.  After 
1867,  when  chosen  treasurer  of  the  New  London  and 
Northern  Railroad  Company,  Mr.  Coit's  active  busi- 
ness life  was  greatly  taken  up  with  the  interests  of 
that  corporation,  and  he  lived  to  see  the  value  of 
its  business  more  than  doubled,  and  the  value  of  its 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


75 


stock  increased  in  like  proportion.  He  was  elected 
mayor  of  New  London  in  1879,  and  directed  the 
affairs  of  the  city  with  ability  and  good  judRtncnt. 
In  that  same  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  and  served 
on  the  Judiciary  Committee  and  the  Committee  on 
Constitutional  Amendments.  Following  this  service 
he  was  for  four  years  a  member  from  the  Ninth  Dis- 
trict of  the  State  Senate,  where  he  served  on  various 
comimittecs,  being  chairman  of  the  committees  on 
Corporations,  Cities  and  Boroughs  and  on  Insur- 
ance. During  his  second  term  of  two  years.  Senator 
Coit  was  president  pro-temporc  of  the  Senate.  In 
1897  he  was  again  elected  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Corpora- 
tions. While  in  the  House  and  Senate  Mr.  Coit  was 
recognized  as  one  of  the  most  influential  members. 
He  had  been  elected  to  both  branches  by  hand- 
some majorities,  and  in  the  Eastern  part  of  the 
State,  where  he  was  most  widely  known,  his  popu- 
larity was  and  remained  great.  His  ability,  con- 
scientiousness and  acumen  were  recognized  by  those 
of  both  political  parties.  For  many  years  Mr.  Coit 
was  identified  with  the  banking  interests  of  New 
London,  anid,  too,  with  other  corporations  and 
enterprises,  being  president  of  the  Union  Bank, 
vice-president  of  the  New  London  Savings 
Bank,  president  of  the  New  London  Steam- 
boat Company,  and  also  of  the  New  London  Gas  & 
Electric  Company.  He  was  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Smith  Memorial  Home,  and  a  trustee  of  the 
J.  N.  Harris  estate. 

The  following  complimentary  notice  of  Mr.  Coit, 
written  by  his  fellow-townsman,  Hon.  Augustus 
Brandegee,  appeared  some  years  ago  in  the  New 
London    "Telegraph": 

"He  was  just  entering  upon  a  successful  career  at 
the  bar,  when  some  evil  genius  persuaded  him  to  take 
the  position  of  treasurer  of  the  New  London  North- 
ern Railroad,  from  which  he  was  ultimately  pro- 
moted to  be  its  president.  He  had  every  quality  to 
have  made  a  great  lawyer  and  ultimately  a  great 
judge.  He  was  cultured  in  ancient  and  modern 
literature.  He  was  familiar  with  the  useful,  as  well 
as  graceful  sciences  and  arts.  He  had  a  diction  and 
power  of  speech  when  once  aroused  that  carried  not 
only  persuasion  but  conviction  with  it.  He  knew 
how  to  express  his  thoughts  with  the  pen  as  well  as 
the  tongue  in  pure  English,  undefiled.  He  had 
studied  law  as  a  science  from  its  deep  English  foun- 
dations, and  his  mind  was  broad  enough  and  strong 
enough  to  apply  it  with  its  limitations  and  adapta- 
tions to  the  whole  business  of  life.  And  then  he 
had  a  character  as  pure  as  the  sunlight,  which  had 
come  to  him  through  a  long  line  of  noble  ancestors, 
with  whom  honesty,  fidelity,  integrity  and  honor 
were  hereditary  transmissions,  and  to  whom  a  stain 
was  a  wound.  So  equipped,  I  hoped  to  see  him  pass 
from  the  front  rank  of  the  bar  to  the  front  rank  of 
the  bench,  as  one  of  the  great  names  in  our  judicial 
history.     But  just  as  his  sun  began  to  mount  to  its 


TTicridian  he  left  the  bar  for  the  more  congenial 
activities  of  a  business  life  as  president  of  the  New 
London  Northern  Railroad.  To  him  more  than  any 
and  all  others,  it  is  due,  that  the  stock  of  that  local 
corporation,  in  which  so  many  of  the  people  of  this 
vicinity  are  interested,  stands  higher  in  the  market, 
with  but  two  or  three  e.xceptions,  than  any  other 
railroad  in  the  United  States." 

On  August  I,  1854,  Mr.  Coit  was  married  to  Lucre- 
tia  Brainard,  daughter  of  William  F.  and  Sarah 
(Prentis)  Brainard,  of  New  London,  and  to  them 
came  children  as  follows:  i.  Mary  Gardiner,  born 
January  21,  1857,  died  in  childhood.  2.  William 
Brainard,  born  July  23,  1862. 

The  Hon.  Robert  Coit  passed  away  on  Sunday 
night,  June  19,  1904.  As  late  as  the  Wednesday  before, 
he  had  been  down  town,  and  the  news  of  his  death, 
so  unexpected,  caused  universal  and  sincere  regret 
among  all  classes  of  society.  His  strong  personal- 
ity, his  high  attainments,  his  sterling  integrity,  and 
his  great  good  heart  were  appreciated  by  his  fellow- 
citizens,  who  revered  him  as  a  man  and  citizen — 
one  who  reflected  credit  on  the  town  and  the  busi- 
ness interests  with  which  he  was  identified.  The 
flags  on  the  city  hall  and  the  liberty  pole  were  at 
half  mast  in  his  honor. 

Mr.  Coit  believed  strongly  in  birth,  feeling  it  a 
duty  he  owed  to  his  ancestors  to  maintain  unsullied 
the  family  escutcheon.  He  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars  in  Connecticut,  and 
he  was  chairman  of  the  commission  to  place  a  bronze 
statue  of  John  Winthrop  in  New  London.  In  hii 
death  the  whole  State  mourns  with  the  bereaved 
widow  and  son,  for  the  noble  man  who  entered  into 
rest. 

Of  him  the  New  Haven  "Register"  said: 

"The  death  of  Robert  Coit  of  New  London  re- 
moves from  the  life  of  that  city  one  of  its  foremost 
citizens.  He  had  reached  a  ripe  old  age,  and  at  the 
moment  of  his  death  was  enthusiastic  in  a  state 
service  designed  to  honor  the  first  governor  of  Con- 
necticut, and  the  city  of  New  London,  in  which  he 
lived.  Personally,  he  was  a  most  charming  man, 
fond  of  his  friends  and  delighting  in  their  company. 
Keen  as  a  man  of  affairs,  his  probity  of  character 
and  his  rare  sense  of  humor  made  him  a  representa- 
tive son  of  old  Connecticut." 

The  Norwich  "BulIetin"of  date  June  20,  1904,  paid 
this  tribute  to  his  memory: 

"Endowed  with  keen  intelligence,  marked  execu- 
tive ability  and  conservative  judgment  in  financial 
affairs,  he  always  held  the  confidence  of  the  public, 
faithfully  discharging  the  duties  of  a  number  of 
important  offices.  He  was  an  esteemed  member  of 
the  Republican  party." 


HON.  JEREMIAH  HALSEY— The  Connecticut 
bar  has  given  to  New  London  county  some  of  the 
most  brilliant  legal  minds  the  world  has  ever  known, 
and  among  these  none  held  a  more  honored  place, 
won  not  alone  by  his  clear  reasoning,  sound  conclu- 


76 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


sions,  and  thorough  mastery  of  the  technicahties, 
but  bv  his  native  nobility  and  dignity  of  character, 
than  the  late  Jeremiah  Halsey,  who  entered  into  rest 
on  Sunday,  February  9,  1896,  at  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia. 

Mr.  Halsey  was  born  in  Preston,  Connecticut, 
February  8,  1822,  a  son  of  Jeremiah  S.  and  Sally 
(Brewster)  Halsey,  and  a  grandson  of  Col.  Jeremiah 
Halsey,  of  Preston,  who  was  an  active  officer  in 
the  Continental  army.  Mrs.  Sally  (Brewster)  Hal- 
sey was  a  descendant  in  the  sixth  generation  in 
direct  line  from  Elder  William  Brewster,  of  the 
"Mayflower"  company. 

Jeremiah  Halsey  received  his  literary  training  in 
the  public  and  private  schools  of  Preston,  and  for  a 
time  was  a  student  at  Norwich  Academy.  It  had 
been  his  intention  to  enter  Yale,  but  ill  health  made 
that  an  impossibility,  and  he  was  obliged  to  go 
South  in  search  of  a  milder  climate.  He  located  at 
Hawkinsville,  Georgia,  and  became  a  student  in  the 
law  office  of  Polhill  &  Whitfield.  On  April  23,  1845, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Georgia,  and,  on  De- 
cember nth  following,  to  that  of  Windham  county, 
Connecticut.  His  health  had  not  improved  suffi- 
ciently for  him  to  engage  in  continued  work,  so 
that  until  September,  1849,  he  passed  his  time  in 
travel  and  study.  He  then  opened  a  law  office  in 
Norwich  with  the  late  Samuel  C.  Morgan,  and  from 
that  time  until  his  death  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  the  profession  he  so  loved.  When, 
as  a  young  lawyer,  he  faced  the  bar  of  New  London 
county,  he  found  many  there  who  had  acquired  far 
more  than  a  local  fame,  but  Mr.  Halsey  in  a  very 
short  time  displayed  the  ability  and  erudition  that 
made  him  their  equal,  and  that  firmly  fixed  his  place 
in  the  front  rank  of  the  foremost  lawyers  of  the 
State.  In  April,  1863,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  the  United  States  Circuit  Court,  and  on  February 
20,  1870,  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 
In  the  courts  of  the  State  and  nation  his  practice  was 
most  varied,  but  in  all  departments  of  law  he 
seemed  equally  at  home. 

Mr.  Halsey  preferred  his  profession  and  the  hon- 
ors of  legal  battles,  bravely  and  honorably  fought 
and  won,  to  distinction  in  the  political  arena.  Or- 
iginally he  was  a  Whig,  but  later  became  a  Republi- 
can. While  he  held  many  oifices,  the  office  always 
sought  him.  In  1852  and  1853  he  represented  Nor- 
wich in  the  State  Legislature,  and  again  in  1859  and 
i860.  In  1873  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Ingersoll 
one  of  the  commissioners  to  supervise  the  construc- 
tion of  the  new  statchouse  at  Hartford,  and  he  so 
served  until  the  completion  of  the  building  in  1880. 
This  statchouse,  to  the  honor  of  the  commis- 
sioners be  it  said,  was  built  within  the  appropriation. 
In  1853  Mr.  Halsey  was  made  city  attorney,  and  for 
fifteen  years  efficiently  discharged  the  duties  of  that 
office,  and  for  several  years  he  was  corporation 
counsel.  Men  of  all  parties  reposed  confidence  in  him, 
because  of  his  uncompromising  honesty  and  his  abso- 
solute  impartiality.    Among  the  lawyers  of  the  State 


he  early  became  first.  His  cases  were  always  well 
studied,  and  his  logical  reason  and  perfect  command 
of  language  literally  gave  to  his  opponent  no- 
loophole.  Judges  and  lawyers  admired  him  as  a 
brilliant  member  of  their  profession,  and  they  re- 
spected him  as  a  man  among  men.  His  life  was 
pure,  his  habits  simple  and  democratic,  and  his  ca- 
reer showed  no  shadow  nor  stain.  While  his  disposi- 
tion was  somewhat  retiring,  his  friends  knew  him 
to  love  him.  His  pupils  found  in  him  a  sympathetic 
listener  and  a  most  congenial  companion,  and  in 
his  home  he  was  a  most  devoted  husband. 

Mr.  Halsey  was  a  trustee  of  the  Norwich  Free 
Academy;  a  member  of  the  advisory  council  of  the 
L'nited  Workers;  a  member  of  the  citizens  corps  of 
Sedgwick  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  trus- 
tee and  counsel  of  the  Norwich  Savings  Society; 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank;  counsel  for 
the  Chelsea  Savings  and  Thames  National  banks; 
director  of  the  New  London  Northern  Railway  Com- 
pany; and,  associated  with  Rev.  W.  W.  Sylvester 
(former  rector  of  Trinity)  and  Hon.  John  T.  Wait, 
was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Hunt- 
ington Memorial  Home. 

In  his  religious  belief  Mr.  Halsey  was  an  Episco- 
palian, and  a  member  of  Christ  Church  parish,  tak- 
ing an  active  interest  in  its  welfare.  His  death 
occurred  at  the  "Hamilton  Hotel,"  in  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  whither  he  and  his  wife  had 
gone  for  the  winter.  His  health  had  been  poor  for 
some  time,  but  such  was  his  power  of  endurance 
and  self-effacement  that  few  realized  his  race  was- 
so  nearly  run,  and  the  sad  intelligence  that  all  was 
over  was  a  severe  shock  to  the  many  friends  at 
home.  Services  at  the  capital  were  attended  by 
many  whose  names  are  household  words  all  over 
the  land — men  whom  he  had  met  in  public  life  and 
who  had  learned  to  admire  him  for  his  upright  char- 
acter and  his  great  ability.  All  gathered  to  pay  a 
last  tribute  to  this  sturdy  son  of  Connecticut.  Final 
services  were  held  at  his  Norwich  home,  and  were 
attended  by  the  mayor,  the  city  council,  town  and 
county  officials,  representatives  of  the  great  finan- 
cial institutions  of  the  county,  and  a  large  number 
of  the  members  of  the  New  London  county  bar.  Be- 
sides these,  noted  judges  from  all  over  the  State 
came  to  do  honor  to  one  they  loved  and  esteemed. 
The  interment  took  place  in  Yantic  cemetery,  the 
burial  services  being  read  by  Rev.  Erit  B.  Schmitt, 
of   Stonington    (formerly   of   Trinity,   this   city). 

On  June  I,  1854,  Jeremiah  Halsey  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Elizabeth  Fairchild,  of  Ridgefield, 
Connecticut. 


HON.  HUGH  HENRY  OSGOOD,  for  a  number 

of  years  one  of  the  leading  druggists  of  the  State 
of  Connecticut,  at  the  time  of  his  death  president 
of  the  Norwich  Druggists'  Association,  and  asso- 
ciated with  numerous  other  enterprises,  commer- 
cial and  otherwise,  in  his  city,  county  and  State,  was 
one    of   the    most   progressive,    successful    and   alto- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


gcthcr  creditable  citizens  Norwich  has  ever  had 
the  honor  to  claim.  Perhaps  no  better  description 
of  the  character  of  the  man  could  be  given  than 
that  which  appears  on  the  tablet  at  the  entrance  to 
the  beautiful  parish  house  of  Park  Congregational 
Church,  erected  to  his  memory:  "An  interested  and 
generous  member  of  Park  Congregational  Church 
from  its  organization;  a  sincere  and  earnest  Chris- 
tian; a  public-spirited  citizen;  a  broad-minded  pa- 
triot; a  wise  counsellor;  a  devoted  and  unselfish 
friend;  a  man  of  noble  powers,  nobly  used."  The 
last  clause  is  the  keynote  to  his  whole  life. 

Colonel  Osgood  was  born  October  lo,  1821,  in 
Southbridge,  Massachusetts,  son  of  Artcmas  and 
Saloma  (Johnson)  Osgood,  and  passed  his  earlier 
years  at  his  native  place.  At  the  age  of  ten  he 
came  to  Norwich,  and  first  lived  with  an  uncle,  but 
his  parents  came  hither  later,  from  Pomfret,  and  the 
family  resided  in  what  is  now  the  Young  block,  on 
Franklin  Square.  Mr.  Osgood's  early  ambitions  in- 
clined him  toward  the  drug  business,  and  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Samuel  Tyler  &  Son  (afterward  Tyler 
&  Devotion),  who  conducted  a  drug  store  in  a 
small  wooden  building  on  Water  street,  where  the 
Tyler  building  now  stands.  In  March,  1842,  in 
company  with  his  uncle.  Dr.  Charles  Lee,  he  opened 
a  drug  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Lee  &  Osgood, 
occupying  the  room  later  used  for  part  of  their 
wholesale  business.  Dr.  Lee  remained  as  a  member 
of  their  firm  until  his  death,  in  tlic  middle  sixties, 
and  Mr.  Osgood  continued  in  the  business  for  over 
half  a  century,  until  his  death  on  October  22,  1899. 
The  concern  prospered  beyond  all  expectation,  in 
time  requiring  two  large  buildings,  and  Mr.  Osgood 
came  to  the  front  not  only  in  that  line,  but  in  every 
branch  of  commercial  enterprise  in  his  section.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  president  of  the  Uncas 
Paper  Company,  the  Goodwin  Cork  Cormpany,  the 
Dime  Savings  Bank,  and  the  Sterling  Dyeing  &  Fin- 
ishing Company  of  Sterling,  Connecticut.  He  served 
a  long  time  as  president  of  the  Worcester  Thread 
Company,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and  the 
Glasgo  Yarn  Company,  of  Glasgo,  Connecticut,  until 
they  were  absorbed  by  the  .-Xmerican  Thread  Com- 
pany. He  served  a  long  time  as  president  of  the 
Norwich  Bleaching,  Dyeing  &  Printing  Company, 
and  when  it  was  merged  into  the  United  States 
Finishing  Company,  of  New  York,  he  became  vice- 
president  of  the  new  concern.  He  was  a  director 
of  the  Thames  National  Bank,  the  First  National 
Bank,  the  Ashland  Cotton  Company,  of  Jcwett  City, 
the  Norwich  Gas  &  Electric  Company,  the  Yantic 
Woolen  Company,  and  the  Richmond  Stove  Com- 
pany. Ever  on  the  alert  to  advance  the  interests 
of  his  own  city,  he  was  one  of  the  early  promoters 
of  the  "Norwich  Bulletin,"  and  acted  as  president 
of  the  Bulletin  Association  and  the  Bulletin  Com- 
pany; and  he  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the 
organization  of  the  Norwich  Board  of  Trade,  was 
the  first  president  of  that  body,  and  never  lost  his 
interest  in  it. 


Mr.  Osgood  was  equally  active  in  the  public  life 
of  the  community.  He  served  several  trrnu  at  a 
member  of  the  Court  of  Common  Council,  and  wii 
subsequently  honored  with  the  mayoralty  of  the 
city,  serving  from  1875  to  1876,  and  from  1877  to 
1886,  with  what  satisfaction  may  be  best  judged 
from  the  length  of  his  term.  Whenever  he  con- 
sented to  run  he  was  elected  with  flattering  majori- 
ties, which  were  fully  explained  by  the  character  of 
his  administration.  Many  public  improvementJ 
were  inaugurated  and  carried  through  while  he  was 
in  office,  among  the  most  important  being  a  sewer 
system  in  the  central  part  of  the  city,  and  the 
introduction  of  the  fire  alarm  telegraph.  He  was 
always  interested  in  the  fire  department.  When 
the  Wauregan  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  was 
organized,  his  name  headed  the  list,  and  he  was 
foreman  several  years,  and  always  a  warm  friend 
of  the  organization,  in  which  he  retained  an  honor- 
ary membership  until  his  death.  Public  c<lucation 
was  another  matter  to  which  he  gave  especial  atten- 
tion. He  was  a  Fellow  of  the  Corporation  of  the 
Norwich  Free  Academy,  and  for  over  forty  years 
served  as   treasurer  of  the   Center  school  district. 

During  the  Civil  War  Mr,  Osgood  was  an  ardent 
Union  man,  aided  in  raising  and  sending  troops  to 
the  front,  and  was  a  member  and  on  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Loyal  League,  an  organization 
formed  to  advance  the  Union  cause.  VV'hile  William 
A.  Buckingham  was  governor,  Mr.  Osgood  was  a 
member  of  his  stafT,  ranking  as  colonel,  and  he  was 
the  only  one  on  the  staff  who  served  through  that 
Kovcrnor's  entire  administration.  He  was  a  pro- 
moter of  the  organization  of  the  Buckingham  Rifles. 
His  political  allegiance  was  originally  given  to  the 
Whig  party,  and  he  joined  the  Republican  party  at 
its  organization,  and  was  ever  after  one  of  its 
stanchest  supporters. 

Socially,  Mr.  Osgood  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Kitemaug  Association,  of  which  he  was  pres- 
ident; was  a  charter  member  of  the  Norwich  Club; 
and  held  membership  in  the  Arcanum  Club.  Fra- 
ternally, he  stood  high  in  Masonic  circles.  In  i860 
he  joined  Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  and  in  1872  he  became  a  charter 
member  of  St.  James  Lodge,  No.  23,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  he  also  affiliated  with  Franklin 
Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Coun- 
cil, No.  3,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Columbian 
Commandery,  No.  4,  Knights  Templar;  and  all  of 
the  Scottish  Rite  bodies.  He  was  one  of  the  tru»- 
tees  of  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation  bonds. 

Mr.  Osgood's  religious  connection  was  with  the 
Park  Congregational  Church,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  constituent  members,  and  he  served  for  years 
as  chairman  of  the  society's  committee.  He  at- 
tended services  regularly,  and  was  ictive  in  every 
branch  of  work  undertaken  by  the  congregation, 
but  he  was  particularly  interested  in  the  Parish 
House  Association,  organized  to  promote  church 
work  and  build  a  parish  house  to  accommodate  the 


78 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


needs  of  an  increasing  membership,  and  afford  room 
for  the  various  entertainments  and  social  functions 
of  the  congregation.  In  February,  1895,  it  was 
voted  to  purchase  a  piece  of  land  south  of  the  chapel, 
which  had  been  offered  to  the  association  for  $3,000. 
Colonel  Osgood  purchased  the  land  himself,  and 
before  his  death  deeded  it  to  the  association.  He 
was  much  interested  with  the  idea  of  having  this 
needed  building,  and  on  the  Easter  morning  after 
his  death  it  was  annoimced  that  Mrs.  Osgood  would 
make  a  gift  of  a  parish  house  in  memory  of  her 
husband.  The  beautiful  building,  complete  in  every 
detail,  and  ample  for  every  requirement,  was  dedi- 
cated on  Sunday,  November  2,  1902,  and  is  a  fitting 
memorial  to  the  high  Christian  character  in  whose 
honor  it  was  reared.  It  is  the  most  beautiful  struc- 
ture of  the  kind  in  eastern  Connecticut.  Colonel 
Osgood  v.'as  interested  in  all  benevolent  and  charit- 
able work,  was  a  vice-president  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association;  was  a  member  of  the  advisory 
committee  of  the  United  Workers;  and  for  two 
years  was  president  of  the  Norwich  City  Mission. 
In  all  these  organizations,  as,  indeed,  in  every  body 
with  which  he  was  connected,  Mr.  Osgood  was  a 
power  for  good,  possessing  much  influence  with  all 
his  associates — the  result  of  a  life  of  unimpeachable 
integrity,  combined  with  ability  of  a  high  order. 
The  welfare  of  his  employes  was  always  a  matter  of 
concern  to  him,  and  he  had  their  unbounded  confi- 
dence and  esteem,  and  the  same  might  be  said  of 
his  relations  with  his  patrons,  among  whom  he  was 
regarded  with  feelings  of  the  utmost  respect.  He 
was  often  chosen  to  act  as  chairman  at  public  meet- 
ings, and  invariably  gave  satisfaction  in  such  posi- 
tions, his  remarks  being  few  and  well  chosen,  typical 
of  his  unassuming  and  retiring  disposition.  All  the 
honors  he  received  came  to  him  entirely  unsolicited, 
and  Dr.  Howe  expressed  the  general  sentiment  when, 
in  his  funeral  address,  he  said:  "No  office  in  his 
reach  could  have  brought  him  added  honor.  The 
few  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  which  his  fel- 
low-townsmen thrust  upon  him  added  nothing  to 
the  name  he  won,  and  were  only  accepted  as  the 
means  of  rendering  his  city  a  needed  service."  Such 
was  the  impression  he  made  upon  those  with  whom 
he  daily  associated. 

On  June  23,  1892,  Mr.  Osgood  was  married,  bv 
Rev.  Dr.  S.  H.  Howe,  to  Miss  Mary  Ruth  Lee,  of 
Manlius,  New  York,  who  survives  him.  He  was 
also  survived  by  his  twin  sister,  Miss  Jane  E.  Os- 
good (now  deceased),  and  several  nieces  and 
nephews.  Mrs.  Osgood  is  a  most  estimable  lady, 
and,  like  her  husband,  deeply  interested  in  works 
of  a  benevolent  and  charitable  nature.  She  has  been 
connected  with  the  W.  W.  Backus  Hospital  since 
It  was  established,  and  is  chairman  of  the  advisory 
committee  of  that  institution.  Mrs.  Osgood  is  a 
member  of  the  local  chapter  of  the  Daughters  of 
the  American   Revolution. 

On  October  7,  1899,  Mr.  Osgood  and  wife  left 
Norwich  for  Niagara   Falls,  where  Mr.  Osgood  at- 


tended the  national  convention  of  wholesale  drug- 
gists. On  the  return  trip  he  was  taken  ill,  but  not 
regarding  his  cold  as  serious,  proceeded  to  Manlius, 
New  York,  near  Syracuse,  where  Mrs.  Osgood  re- 
sided before  her  marriage.  There  he  was  again 
prostrated,  and  became  sick  with  pneumonia,  which, 
with  heart  failure,  caused  his  death,  on  October  22. 
His  health  had  not  been  good  for  the  last  several 
years.  The  death  of  a  citizen  whose  interests  were 
so  numerous,  whose  sympathies  were  so  wide,  caused 
universal  grief  in  Norwich,  and  throughout  that 
part  of  the  State  in  general,  and  many  were  the 
expressions  of  sorrow  at  his  demise.  A  number  of 
prominent  citizens  met  the  remains  at  the  depot,  and 
all  honor  was  shown  to  one  who  had  throughout 
life  shown  himself  worthy  and  highly  deserving. 
During  the  funeral  almost  every  place  of  business 
in  the  city  was  closed,  and  the  court  house  bell  was 
tolled  for  half  an  hour  at  noon  that  day — the  first 
time  such  an  honor  was  ever  paid  to  a  private  citi- 
zen. There  were  many  other  unusual  marks  of  re- 
spect. At  the  funeral  services  in  the  church  were 
members  of  the  city  and  town  government,  bank 
officials  and  representatives  from  the  various  organi- 
zations to  which  Mr.  Osgood  belonged,  and  the 
members  of  Sedgwick  Post,  No.  I,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  were  present  in  a  body,  in  citizen's 
dress.  Relatives,  friends,  neighbors,  business  asso- 
ciates, employes — all  came  to  do  honor  to  the  mem- 
ory of  one  who  had  ever  commanded  their  respect 
and  affection,  and  a  most  touching  address  was  de- 
livered by  his  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  Howe.  Among  the 
resolutions  of  sympathy  passed  by  the  organizations 
with  which  he  had  been  connected,  "Cooley's 
Weekly,"  of  Friday,  October  27,  1899,  published 
those  from  the  Common  Council,  the  Norwich  Board 
of  Trade,  Sedgwick  Post,  No.  i.  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation, 
Hugh  H.  Osgood  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  M.  U.,  the  Wauregan  Steam  Fire 
Engine  Company,  the  Dime  Savings  Bank,  the  Nor- 
wich Savings  Society,  the  Thames  National  Bank, 
the  First  National  Bank,  the  Norwich  Druggists' 
Association,  the  Uncas  Paper  Company,  and  the 
Crescent  Fire  Arms  Company.  A  few  extracts 
from  these  will  not  be  out  of  place  in  this 
connection.  From  the  Masonic  Temple  Corpora- 
tion: 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  directors  of  the  Masonic 
Temple  Corporation,  held  in  Masonic  Temple,  Mon- 
day evening,  the  following  minute  and  vote  were 
unanimously   passed: 

"While  Hon.  H.  H.  Osgood,  thirty-second  degree, 
was  not  a  director,  nor  even  an  incorporator,  of  this 
corporation,  it  is  felt  that  his  death  should  receive 
something  more  than  a  passing  notice  from  us.  In 
spite  of  the  almost  innumerable  interests,  public, 
corporate  or  private,  which  demanded  his  atten- 
tion, he  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  formation  and 
success  of  this  corporation,  subscribing  liberally  for 
our   bonds,   willingly   consenting   to   act   as    trustee 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


79 


for  the  bondholders,  in  which  capacity  his  autograph 
appears  upon  all  the  bonds. 

"He  was  ever  ready  with  his  mature  judgment 
to  give  us  the  benefit  of  his  vast  experience  at  the 
time  of  our  organization  and  later  in  the  conduct 
of  affairs,  and  the  success  which  has  attended  the 
corporation  was  a  source  of  deep  gratification  to 
him. 

"It  is  therefore  voted:  That  a  page  in  the  records 
of  this  corporation  be  set  apart  to  the  memory  of 
Hon.  Hugh  Henry  Osgood,  the  upright  citizen,  the 
incorruptible  public  official,  the  firm  and  devoted 
friend,  in  short,  the  consistent  Mason,  with  all  that 
is  implied  thereby. 

"Official.  Arthur  H.  Brewkr, 

"Chas.   B.   Chapman,   Secy.  President. 

The  Thames  National   Bank: 

"By  the  death  of  the  Hon.  Hugh  H.  Osgood  there 
is  lost  to  the  State  and  community  a  patriotic  and 
public-spirited  citizen  of  the  best  type,  to  our  busi- 
ness interests  an  exemplar  of  enterprise,  thrift  and 
honorable  conduct  of  affairs,  to  the  poor  a  friend 
ever    sympathizing,    helpful    and    generous. 

"Full  of  years  and  honors  he  has  gone  to  his  rest 
with  the  respect,  the  esteem  and  the  love  of  all  to 
whom  he  was  known.  No  man  has  been  more  widely 
identified  with  all  the  varied  interests  of  a  com- 
munity, with  its  political  and  social  life,  its  churches 
and  schools,  its  manufacturing,  mercantile  and 
financial  enterprises,  and  in  all  he  was  a  leader, 
not  by  reason  of  self  seeking,  but  by  the  common 
consent  of  his  fellows,  who  have  recognized  in  him 
a  superiority  in  wisdom,  in  self  control,  in  tact 
and    disinterestedness. 

"Kindly  in  heart,  and  genial  in  bearing,  he  in- 
vited confidence  and  from  the  stores  of  his  large 
experience,  gave  counsel  to  the  inexperienced  or 
perplexed.  No  measure  for  the  public  welfare,  no 
plan  to  relieve  private  distress,  but  enlisted  his 
ready  sympathy  and  active  assistance. 

"Always  progressive,  he  kept  pace  with  the  ad- 
vance of  the  age,  and  in  appreciation  of  every  mate- 
rial improvement  in  social,  scientific  and  industrial 
affairs  he  was  as  one  entering  upon  a  career  and 
desirous  of  equipping  himself  with  the  best  instru- 
ments of  success.  Large  minded  and  far  seeing, 
he  v-frought  for  the  best  interests  of  the  community 
in  which  he  lived,  and  among  the  successful  institu- 
tions of  his  town  there  are  few  which  do  not  bear 
the  impress  of  his  energy,  knowledge  and  public 
spirit. 

"In  voicing  its  own  severe  loss  this  board  but 
joins  in  sympathy  with  a  community  which  is  be- 
reaved of  its  foremost  citizen. 

"Voted,  That  this  banking  house  be  closed  dur- 
ing the  hours  of  the  funeral  and  that  the  directors 
attend  the  services  in  a  body. 

Chas.  \V.  Gale,  Cashier." 


The   First  National  Bank: 

"The  death  of  Hon.  Hugh  H.  Osgood  has  fallen 
upon  this  community  with  suddenness,  and  with 
almost  paralyzing  force.  On  ever  side  spontaneous 
expressions  of  respect  and  affection  are  heard,  and 
sincere  regret  that  this  community  has  lost  its  first 
citizen. 

"No  eulogistic  expression  can  completely  portray 
his  character,  which  had  for  its  broad  foundation 
truth,  honor  and  integrity,  and  all  those  character- 
istics which  marked  the  moral,  the  social,  the  re- 
ligious and  the  business  life  of  an  upright  man. 

"He  was  in  touch  with  and  his  force  was  felt  in 
business  enterprises  to  a  greater  extent  than  is  the 
choice  or  possibility  with  few  men  only.  He  yielded 
his  personal  comfort  and  pleasure  at  the  solicita- 
tion of  friends,  who  leaned  upon  him  in  association 
for  advice  and  assistance.  In  business  his  was 
notably   the    strong  arm. 

"In  church  and  school,  and  in  the  broader  walks 
of  life,  he  was  an  intelligent,  sympathetic  and  strong 
leader,  the  supporter  of  all  that  is  good  and  true. 

"In  charities  the  kindest  sympathies  and  the  gen- 
erous impulses  of  a  Christian  philanthropist  took 
expression  in  the  deeds  done,  the  number  of  which 
none  can  know. 

"Joining  in  the  universal  expression  of  sorrow, 
and  in  sympathy  and  love  for  a  true  friend,  this 
board  desires  to  record  their  appreciation  of  the 
man,  and  their  pleasure  in  having  so  long  enjoyed 
his  friendship  and  association,  as  well  as  his  valu- 
able advice  and  co-operation  in  its  affairs. 

"It  is  further  ordered  that  the  bank  be  closed 
on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday,  26th,  and  that  the 
directors   attend    the    funeral   services. 

"F.  S.  Jero.me,  Cashier." 

Following  is  the  editorial  which  appeared  in  the 
paper  mentioned,  and  in  which  the  foregoing  no- 
tices appeared: 

"In  the  death  of  Hon.  Hugh  H.  Osgood,  Norwich, 
as  a  community,  suffers  an  almost  irreparable  loss, 
that  is  universally  recognized  and  sincerely  felt. 
The  many  large  business  interests  with  which  he 
was  so  long  and  closely  identified  arc  deprived  of 
a  wise  counsellor,  and  hundreds  of  individuals  mourn 
the  departure  of  a  personal  friend  whose  substantial 
aid  has  time  and  again  been  unostentatiously  ten- 
dered them. 

"Colonel  Osgood  was  a  self-made  man,  who 
achieved  the  highest  measure  of  usefulness  and  in- 
fluence in  both  public  and  private  life.  He  was  suc- 
cessful not  only  in  promoting  business  enterprises,  but 
also  in  winning  by  honest  and  able  effort  the  hearty 
esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  Firm  in  his  own  con- 
victions, he  was  yet  tolerant  of  opposing  opinions, 
and  his  advice  for  years  had  been  sought  by  men 
of  affairs  in  all  walks  of  life.  His  going  out  creates 
vacancies  many  and  varied.  He  will  be  sadly  missed, 
yet   the  genuine   public  sorrow   that   marks  hit  pai- 


8o 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


sage  from  the  scenes  of  his  life  work  is  mellowed  by 
the  realization  that  his  years  of  activity  were  pro- 
longed nearly  a  decade  beyond  the  allotted  life  of 
man.  His  work  is  done,  and  the  memory  of  it 
will  long  be  gratefully  cherished  by  his  appreciative 
townsmen." 


MOSES  PIERCE,  whose  death,  August  i8,  1900, 
removed  from  Norwich  one  of  her  most  useful  and 
progressive  citizens,  was  born  in  Pawtucket,  Rhode 
Island,  then  known  as  North  Providence,  July  3, 
1808,  eldest  of  the  eight  children— five  boys  and  three 
girls— of  Benjamin  B.  and  Susan  (Walker)  Pierce, 
the  former  a  native  of  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Isl- 
and, and  a  tanner  by  trade,  but  later  in  life  a  cotton 
manufacturer. 

Moses  Pierce  received  his  literary  training  in 
the  district  schools  of  his  native  State,  between  the 
ages  of  four  and  twelve,  at  the  latter  age  beginning 
work  as  a  chore  boy  in  a  factory  store,  at  the 
munificent  wages  of  seventy-five  cents  per  week. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  became  the  book- 
keeper, and  from  that  time  until  he  was  twenty  he 
was  engaged  in  that  and  other  capacities  in  the 
cotton  mill  business,  thereby  gaining  a  thorougih 
knowledge  of  cotton  manufacturing.  In  1828  he 
located  in  Willimantic,  Connecticut,  and  as  super- 
intendent took  charge  of  a  small  cotton  mill,  one 
of  the  first  in  that  now  thriving  manufacturing  cen- 
ter. The  bleaching  business  had  begun  to  attract 
attention,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  men  of  capital 
Mr.  Pierce  became  the  junior  member  of  an  enter- 
prising firm,  and  built,  started  and  superintended 
mills  in    Rhode   Island  and   Massachusetts. 

In  October,  1839,  on  the  invitation  of  the  late 
Jedeiah  Leavens,  Mr.  Pierce  came  to  Norwich  to 
consider  the  outlook  for  the  bleaching  business. 
The  following  May,  having  concluded  his  other 
engagements,  he  secured  a  lease  of  water  from  the 
Water  Power  Company,  and  the  ground  was  broken 
for  the  first  mill  on  the  site  of  what  was,  until 
recent  years,  the  Norwich  Bleaching  &  Calender- 
ing Company.  On  September  10,  1840,  the  machin- 
ery started,  and  the  history  of  that  great  company 
was  begun.  From  1840  to  1888  Mr.  Pierce  was  the 
real  head  of,  first,  the  company,  and  afterward,  the 
corporation. 

In  1863  Mr.  Pierce,  witli  about  twenty  others, 
chiefly  of  Norwich,  united  to  form  the  Occum  Com- 
pany, to  acquire  lands  and  flowage  rights  which 
should  enable  them  to  control  the  Shetucket  river 
from  the  tail  race  of  the  Baltic  mill  to  the  upper 
end  of  the  Greeneville  Pond.  Three  years  later  Taft- 
ville  began  its  career.  Associated  with  Mr.  Pierce 
in  this  enterprise  were  E.  P  and  Cyrus  Taft,  of 
Providence,  and  James  L.  Arnold,  of  Plainfield.  A 
charter  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature,  though 
violently  opposed  because  of  the  large  amount  of 
money  involved,  permitting  a  capital  of  $1,500,000. 
The  stock  was  marketed,  and  when  the  company 
was  organized,  Mr.  Pierce  became  a  director,  hold- 


ing this  place  until  1887,  when,  by  a  sale  of  certain 
stock,  the  management  passed  into  other  hands. 

Among  other  ventures  in  which  Mr.  Pierce  played 
a  conspicuous  part  was  the  Ashland  Cotton  Com- 
pany at  Jewctt  City,  of  which  he  was  president  for 
thirty-five  years.  Another  was  the  Aspinhook  Com- 
pany of  the  same  village.  From  1873  the  water 
power  at  Jewett  City,  easily  made  serviceable  by  a 
dam  across  the  Quinebaug,  was  a  pet  project  of 
Mr.  Pierce.  Twenty  years  later  he  saw  his  dream 
realized  by  the  erection  of  a  printing,  bleaching 
and  calendering  plant  on  the  plateau  south  of  t!ie 
falls,  and  of  this  company  he  was  president  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  In  all  the  var  ous  concerns 
with  which  Mr.  Pierce  was  prominently  connected, 
about  2,000  persons  are  constantly  employed,  and 
the  annual  payroll  cannot  be  less  than  a  million 
of  dollars. 

In  the  political  world  Mr.  Pierce  was,  from  1831, 
a  strict  advocate  of  temperance  principles,  giving 
of  his  time  and  money  to  further  the  cause.  He  was 
an  Abolitionist  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  after- 
ward voted  with  the  Republican  party.  In  1854  he 
represented  his  district  in  the  State  Legislature. 
Although  positive  in  his  own  opinions  he  was  tol- 
erant toward  the  views  of  others.  While  residing  at 
Fall  River,  in  1834,  Mr.  Pierce  united  with  the 
Congregational  church,  for  many  years  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  at  Norwich  town,  and  remained 
connected  with  that  denomination  for  the  remainder 
of  his  days,  later  transferring  his  membership  to 
the   Park  Church,  in   Norwich. 

Mr.  Pierce's  charities  were  legion.  From  t'  e  be- 
ginning of  his  career  he  gave  in  proportion  to  his 
means.  In  1878  he  gave  to  the  United  Workers  the 
large  house  at  Norwich  town,  now  known  as  the 
Rock  Nook  Children's  Home.  One  of  the  build- 
ings connected  with  the  training  school  for  negroes 
and  Indians  at  Hampton,  Virginia,  made  famous 
by  its  founder.  General  Armstrong,  costing  way  up 
into  the  thousands,  was  built  with  Mr.  Pierce's 
money.  His  practical  consideration  has  assisted 
many  an  object  whose  end  was  the  good  of  hu- 
manity. L'ntil  a  few  years  before  h's  death  his 
constitution  was  robust,  a  fact  which  he  attributed 
to  his  temperance  in  all  th-ngs.  He  was  able  to 
ride  out  up  to  within  ten  days  of  his  death.  Mr. 
Pierce  was  a  very  methodical  man,  and  possessed 
of  a  great  deal  of  energy,  his  native  energy  being 
far  superior  to  his  strength  in  his  old  age,  and  he 
was  always  in  danger  of  overtaxing  himself.  He 
loved  to  be  doing  something,  and  always  did  as 
much  as  his  strength  would  allow.  He  retained 
every  faculty  until  the  last. 

Wholly  without  any  solicitation  on  h's  part  Mr. 
Pierce  was  called  to  many  public  positions.  In 
Fall  River,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  was  cap- 
tain of  a  fire  company  of  eighty-six  men.  In  1858 
he  was  elected  director  of  the  Norwich  &  Worcester 
Railroad.  He  was  president  of  the  Norwich  &  New 
York    Steamboat    Company    for    eleven    years,    and 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


8i 


was  for  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  d. rectors 
of  the  Second  National  Bank  and  the  Chelsea  Sav- 
ings Bank.  In  the  forties  he  was  vice  president  of 
an  Association  of  Inventors,  lioldir.g  their  meet.ngs 
in  the  Franklin  Institute,  Phi.adtlph.a.  He  was 
trustee  of  the  Hampton  school,  which  he  often 
visited.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Metropolitan  Museum,  of  New  York;  a  fel- 
low of  the  American  Geographical  Society  in  New 
York,  and  of  a  library  association  in  Boston;  and  a 
member  of  the  Cotton  Manufacturers'  Association, 
and  of  the  Home  Market  Club  of  that  city. 

Mr.  Fierce  had  traveled  extensively,  crossing  the 
Atlantic  eight  times  for  business  and  rest.  His 
faith  in  the  future  of  his  own  country  made  him 
venture  much,  and  amply  was  he  repaid.  In  his 
business  affairs  he  was  ever  found  honest  and  pro- 
gressive, faithful  to  duty,  and  considerate  of  his 
employes.  His  life,  showing  what  one  man  can 
accomplish  by  industry,  honesty  and  perseverance, 
suggests  possibilities  and  gives  courage  to  those 
aspiring  youths  who  arc  obliged  to  hew  their  own 
way.  In  this  age  when  the  worker — the  doer — is 
the  man  most  honored,  the  career  of  Moses  Pierce 
cannot  fail  to  give  a  lofty  conception  of  right  and 
purposeful  living.  His  remains  rest  in  Yantic  ceme- 
tery at  Norwich. 


TRUMBULL — Seven  generations  of  the  Trum- 
bull family  have  resided  in  what  is  now  New  Lon- 
don county.  The  first  of  the  name  residing  within 
these  limits  was  Joseph  Trumbull,  who  was  a  grand- 
son of  John,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  his  line,  a 
cooper,  who  came  to  New  England  from  Newcastlc- 
on-Tyne,  and  settled  in  1640  at  Rowley,  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  held  the  position  of  town  clerk  and 
schoolmaster.  He  brought  with  him  his  wife,  Elli- 
nor,  whose  maiden  name  was  Chandler,  and  a  son 
John.     The  family  line  runs  as  follows: 

(II)  Children  of  John  and  F.H'nor  (Chandler) 
Trumbull,  who  were  married  in  16.^5:  Bcriah,  born 
in  1617.  died  in  infancy;  John,  born  in  1639,  mar- 
ried Deborah  Jackson,  and  died  in   1690. 

(ITI)  Children  of  John  and  Deborah  (Jackson) 
Trumbull:  John,  born  in  1670,  died  in  I7=;i,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Winchell  (removed  to  Suffield,  Con- 
nertirut):  Hann.ih.  born  i67.'?:  ^^arv.  born  167:;,  mar- 
ried Captain  Job  Ellsworth;  Joseph,  born  1678.  died 
June  16.  17';^  (removed  to  Lebanon,  Connecticut), 
married  Hannah  Higley,  August  31,  1704.  who  was 
born  at  Windsor,  April  22,  1683,  and  died  November 
8,  1768;  .Ammi,  born  1681  (removed  to  East  Wind- 
sor), married  Ann  Burnham;  Benoni,  born  1684  (re- 
moved to  Hebron). 

(IV)  Children  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  (Higley) 
Trumbull:  Joseph,  born  March  27,  1705,  died  1732, 
married  Sarah  Bulkley,  November  20,  1727.  Jona- 
than, born  October  12,  1710,  died  August  17,  1785, 
married  December  9,  1735,  Faith  Robinson.  Mary 
was  born  August  21,  1713.  Hannah,  born  1715,  died 
young.     Hannah   (2)   was  born   September   18,   1717. 

N.L.— 2-6 


Abigail  was  born  March  6,  1719.     David,  born  Sep- 
tember 8,  1723,  died  July  9,  1740. 

(V)  Children  of  Jonathan  and  Faith  (Robinson) 
Trumbull:  Joseph,  born  March  II,  1737,  died  July 
'■'X  1778,  married  March,  1777,  Amelia  Dyer.  Jona- 
than, born  March  26,  1767,  Eunice  Backus.  Faith, 
born  January  25,  1743,  died  November  24,  1775,  mar- 
ried Colonel  (afterward  General)  Jcdeiah  Hunting- 
ton. Mary,  born  July  16,  1745,  died  February  9. 
183!.  married  February  14,  1771,  William  Williams, 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  David, 
born  February  5,  I7S>-.S2,  died  January  17,  1822! 
married  December  6,  1778,  Sarah  Buckus,  who  was 
born  February  7,  1760,  died  June  2,  1846.  John, 
born  June  6,  1756,  died  November  10,  1843,  mar- 
ried in  London. 

(VI)  Children  of  Jonathan  and  Eunice  (Backus) 
Trumbull:  Jonathan,  born  December  24,  1767,  died 
young.  Faith,  born  February  i,  1769,  married  Dan- 
iel Wadsworth,  of  Hartford.  Mary,  born  Decem- 
ber 27,  1777,  died  young.  Harriet,  born  September 
2.  1783.  married  Professor  Benjamin  Silliman,  of 
Yale  College,  September  17,  1809,  Maria,  born 
February  14,  1785,  married  Henry  Hudson,  of  Hart- 
ford. 

(VI)  Children  of  David  and  Sarah  (Backus) 
Trumbull:  Sarah,  born  September  6,  1779.  died 
October  3,  1839,  married  William  T.  Williams;  Abi- 
gail, born  January  2,  1781,  married  Peter  Lannan; 
Joseph,  born  December  7,  1782,  died  August  4,  1861, 
removed  to  Hartford;  John,  or  John  M.,  born  Sep- 
tember 19,  1784,  married  (first)  Ann  H.  Gibbons, 
of  Savannah,  Georgia,  March  15,  i8lo;  (second)  Han- 
nah W.  Tunis,  of  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  January 
17,  1819;  (third)  Eliza  Bruen,  of  Belleville,  New 
jersey,  January  II,  1825;  Jonathan  George  Wash- 
ington, born  October  31,  1787,  died  September  5. 
1 8.-3,  married  Jane  Eliza  Lathrop,  who  was  born 
July  26,  1795,  died  October  21,  1843. 

(VII)  Children  of  John  M.  and  Ann  H.  (Gib- 
bons) Trumbull:  Thomas  Gibbons,  born  January 
30,  181 1,  at  Norwich;  John  Heyward,  born  Febru- 
ary 24,  1812,  at  New  York;  Ann  Heyward,  born  De- 
cember 8,  1813,  at  Hartford;  Sarah  Backus,  born 
June  25,  1815,  at  Elizabethtown;  Joseph,  born  May 
29,   1817,  at  Elizabethtown,  died  young. 

Children  of  John  M.  and  Hannah  W.  (Tunis) 
Trumbull:  David,  born  November  1,  1819,  at  Eliza- 
bethtown; Susan  Landis,  born  March  21,  1821  (died 
young);  Julia  Gorham,  born  March  5,  1823  (died 
young). 

Children  of  John  M.  and  Eliza  (Bruen)  Trumbull: 
Caroline  Ward,  born  February  4,  1826;  James  Hed- 
den,  born  January  16,  1828;  Jane  Lathrop.  born 
June  6,  1830;  Joseph,  born  November  24,  1832  (died 
young);   Harriet   Silliman,  born   March    13,    1835. 

(VII)  Children  of  Jonathan  George  Washington 
and  Jane  E.  (Lathrop)  Trumbull:  Daniel  Lathrop, 
born  August  21,  1816,  died  March  31,  1873,  married 
November  16,  1841,  Alexandrine  Navarre  Wilson; 
Lydia  Lathrop,  born  October  13,  1818,  died  October 


82 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


8,  1822;  Joseph,  born  June  11,  1821,  died  January 
23,  1826;  William  Williams,  born  March  28,  1825, 
died  October  19,  1830. 

(VIII)  Cliildren  of  Daniel  Lathrop  and  Alexan- 
drine Navarre  (Wilson)  Trumbull:  Jane  Lathrop, 
born  September  9,  1842,  died  March,  1869,  married 
Lieutenant  (afterward  Colonel)  Robert  Watkinson 
Huntington,  United  States  Marines;  Jonathan,  born 
January  23,  1844,  married  Dec.  17,  1868,  Harriet 
Roosevelt  Richards,  of  Poughkecpsie,  New  York. 

(IX)  Children  of  Jonathan  and  Harriet  Roosevelt 
(Richards)  Trumbull:  Jonathan,  born  November 
19,  1869  (died  September  26,  1871);  Harriet  Roose- 
velt, born  March  19,  1871;  Alexandrine  Na\-arre, 
born  February  25,  1873;  Thomas  Brinckerhoff,  born 
June  1,  1877;  Elizabeth  Maria,  born  July  13,  1882. 

Of  the  first  of  the  TrumbuUs  of  New  London 
county,  Joseph,  who  was  of  the  third  generation  of 
his  line  in  America,  we  find  that  he  removed  from 
SufTield,  then  in  Massachusetts,  now  in  Connecticut, 
to  Simsbury,  Connecticut,  in  1703,  where  in  1704,  he 
married  Hannah  Higley,  removing  to  Lebanon  in 
the  following  year.  At  this  time  the  town  had  been 
organized  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly  for  about 
four  years,  but  the  boundaries  of  the  proprietors 
and  of  the  township  were  not  definitely  established 
until  1705,  when  Lebanon  sent  her  first  delegates  to 
the  General  Assembly,  and  commenced  her  career 
as  a  part  of  Windham   county. 

Joseph  Trumbull  established  himself  as  a  mer- 
chant and  farmer  in  Lebanon,  buying  the  home- 
stead of  Rev.  Joseph  Parsons,  the  first  minister  of 
the  town,  and  mortgaging  it  for  ^340  at  the  time 
of  purchase.  He  appears  to  have  been  enterprising 
and  probably  prosperous,  as  we  find  himjater  send- 
ing ships  to  foreign  ports  and  sending  his  son  to 
Harvard  College.  During  his  residence  in  Lebanon 
he  was  a  lieutenant,  and  later  a  captain,  in  the 
troops  of  the  county. 

Joseph,  his  eldest  son,  was,  during  his  short 
career,  his  father's  right-hand  man.  In  June,  1732, 
while  on  a  voyage  to  London,  in  the  interests  of  his 
father's  growing  business,  he  was  lost  at  sea,  thus 
ending  a  promising  career  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
seven. 

Jonathan,  the  second  son  of  the  first  Joseph,  was 
destined  to  an  important  career,  especially  through 
the  eventful  period  of  the  Revolution.  His  long, 
eventful  life  can  only  be  sketched  in  outline  in  this 
connection.  In  1727,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
graduated  from  Harvard  College,  with  a  good  rec- 
ord for  proficiency  in  the  studies  of  the  day,  in 
which  the  dead  languages,  including  Hebrew,  were 
prominent.  He  commenced  the  study  of  divinity 
under  Rev.  Solomon  Williams,  of  Lebanon,  and  in 
due  time  became  a  licensed  clergyman.  At  the  time 
of  the  death  of  his  brother  Joseph  he  had  under 
consideration  a  call  to  become  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Colchester.  The  loss  of  this  brother,  however, 
changed  the  current  of  his  life,  for  his  father  needed 
the   assistance   of  his   son   to   take  the   place   of   the 


lost  brother.  Duty,  perhaps,  rather  than  inclina- 
tion, called  the  son  Jonathan  to  fill  this  place.  His 
business  career  and  his  public  career  commenced 
within  the  following  year.  In  1733  he  was  elected 
a  delegate  to  the  General  Assembly,  which  position 
he  again  held  continuously  from  1736  to  1739.  in 
which  year,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  he  was  made 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  In  1740 
he  was  elected  assistant,  which  position  made  him 
a  member  of  the  Council  of  the  Colony.  He  occu- 
pied this  position  for  twenty-two  years.  At  the 
same  time  he  occupied  several  judgeships.  In  1766 
he  was  elected  deputy  governor  of  Connecticut  and 
in  1769  was  elected  Governor,  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  of  Governor  Pitkin,  who  died  in  office.  From 
that  time  until  1783  he  was  annually  re-elected, 
declining  re-election  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
thus  completing  a  period  of  public  service  covering 
exactly  fifty  years.  His  mercantile  career  extended 
over  a  large  portion  of  this  time,  proving  a  failure 
in  1766,  but  resumed  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Revo- 
lution, from  which  time  to  the  close  of  his  public 
career  he  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  the  cause 
of  his  country. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  oppressive  measures 
of  Great  Britain  which  finally  resulted  in  our  inde- 
pendence, Jonathan  Trumbull  was  a  firm  and  stead- 
fast supporter  of  the  rights  of  the  Colonies.  When 
Governor  Fitch,  in  1765,  insisted  on  taking  the  re- 
quired oath  to  enforce  the  Stamp  Act,  Trumbull, 
with  six  of  his  associates,  withdrew  from  the  coun- 
cil, refusing  to  sanction  this  hateful  ceremony  by 
their  presence.  And  when,  in  March  and  April, 
1768,  application  was  made  to  him  as  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Superior  Court  to  issue  writs  of  assistance 
to  customs  officers  of  the  Crown,  he  refused  the 
application;  and  with  this  refusal  the  General  As- 
sembly when  appealed  to,  declined  to  interfere. 
From  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  to  its  close 
he  was  in  constant  correspondence  with  Washing- 
ton, who  continually  applied  to  him  for  men,  money 
and  materials,  and  never  applied  in  vain.  Of  all  the 
governors  of  the  thirteen  Colonies  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  he  was  the  only  one  who  was  not  a 
Loyalist  or  Tory,  as  they  were  then  called.  The 
relations  between  Washington  and  Trumbull  were 
of  so  confidential  a  nature  that  a  cherished  tradition 
of  Connecticut  tells  us  that  when  supplies  or  coun- 
sel were  needed  in  the  darkest  days  of  the  war  a 
favorite  remark  of  Washington's  was:  "We  must 
consult  Brother  Jonathan,"  From  this,  it  is  said, 
originated  the  popular  name  of  the  American  people. 

The  War  Office  at  Lebanon,  now  preserved  and 
owned  by  the  Connecticut  Society  of  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  was  during  the  Revolution 
the  customary  place  of  meeting  of  the  Council  of 
Safety- — a  council  appointed  to  assist  the  Governor 
when  the  General  Assembly  was  not  in  session. 
Within  the  walls  of  this  little  building  more  than 
eleven  hundred  meetings  of  this  council  were  held 
during  the  war. 


BIOGR.\PHICAL 


83 


The  wife  of  Governor  Trumbull,  Faith  Robinson, 
was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Robinson,  of  Dux- 
bury,  Massachusetts.  It  is  stated  by  Stuart  that 
she  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Robinson,  of 
Lcyden,  the  Puritan  leader,  but  this  statement  lacks 
proof,  though  much  research  has  been  made  to  es- 
tablish it.  She  was,  however,  a  lineal  descendant 
of  John  Alden,  the  pilgrim;  and  such  memorials 
as  are  left  of  her  show  that  she  was  a  patriotic  and 
devoted  wife  and  mother,  and  was  held  in  the  high- 
est esteem  in  the  community. 

Governor  Trumbull  lived  but  two  years  after 
retiring  from  public  life.  These  two  years  were 
passed  in  study,  and  in  carrying  out  the  intention 
expressed  in  his  farewell  address,  where  he  says: 
•     •  "that   at   the    evening   of   my   days,    I    may 

sweeten  their  decline,  by  devoting  myself  with  less 
avocation,  and  more  attention  to  the  duties  of  re- 
ligion, the  service  of  my  God,  and  preparation  for  a 
future  happier  state   of  existence." 

The    children    of    Governor    Trumbull    were,    as 
might  be  expected,  all  ardent  patriots.     Joseph,  the 
eldest  son,  was  destined  to  a  career  which,   if  less 
distinguished    than    that    of    his    father    and    two    of 
his    brothers,    was    no    less    important.     A    Harvard 
graduate,   like  his  father,  he  also  in  close  imitation 
of  his  father's  early  career  engaged  in  business,  be- 
coming a  partner  in  his  father's  firm  at  the  age  of 
twenty-seven,   and   losing   his   all   in   the   subsequent 
failure  of  the  firm.     From  1767  he  was  for  six  years 
a   deputy   from   Lebanon   in   the   General   Assembly, 
and    during   this    time    was    a    captain    in    the    First 
Company  of  the  Twelfth   Regiment  of  Connecticut 
militia.     He   was   a   member  of   the   "Committee   of 
Correspondence  and  Enquiry"   in   1773,  and  in   1774 
was  appointed   as   an  additional  or   substitute  dele- 
gate to  the  Continental  Congress.     It  does  not  ap- 
pear, however,  that  he  was  a  member  of  this  Con- 
gress.    In    April,    1775,    he    was    appointed    by    the 
General  Assembly  Commissary-General  of  Connec- 
ticut.    This   position    sent   him   at   once   to   the   seat 
of    war.     On    the    arrival    of    Washington    at    Cam- 
bridge,  in   July,    1775,   to   assume   command   of   the 
army,  he  commends  especially,  in   a  letter  to  Con- 
gress, the  commissariat  of  Connecticut,  and  recom- 
mends the  appointment  of  Joseph  Trumbull  as  Com- 
missary-General   of    the    Continental    Army.     This 
appointment  was  immediately  made.     The  duties  of 
this  newly  created  office  were  of  a  most  perplexing 
and   exacting  kind.     The   lack   of   money,   the    diffi- 
culties of  transportation  and  the  dissatisfaction  oc- 
casioned   by    jealousies    between    men    of    different 
Colonies,  were  some  of  the  burdens  of  the  situation. 
The    conflict    of    authority    with    commissaries    ap- 
pointed   by    their   own    Colonies    and    by    Congress 
formed  still  another  burden.     At  last,  in  June,  1777, 
the   Continental   Congress,  which   had  already  ham- 
pered  the   department   by   orders   and   commissions 
which    constantly    interfered    with     its    usefulness, 
undertook    a    complete    reorganization   of   the    com- 
missary department,  which  rendered  the  position  of 


son 
mer 


Commissary-General  so  ineffective  that  Joseph 
Trumbull  at  once  resigned  his  office.  This  crimin- 
ally foolish  piece  of  legislation  resulted  in  the  ter- 
rible winter  at  Valley  Forge,  and  witll  this  les 
before  it  Congress  practically  reinstated  the  for 
organization   of   the   commissary   department. 

On  the  27th  of  November  following  his  resigna- 
tion, Joseph  Trumbull  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  War,  but  failing  health  prevented  him 
from  active  service  in  this  capacity,  and  he  was 
obliged,  for  this  reason,  to  resign  in  the  following 
April.  From  this  time  his  health  continued  to  fail 
until  his  death,  on  the  23d  of  July,  1778.  The  inces- 
sant care  and  overwhelming  difficulties  of  the  posi- 
tion in  which  he  was  placed  undermined  his  natur- 
ally vigorous  constitution,  and  brought  him  to  a 
comparatively  early  grave.  His  services  were  fre- 
quently commended  by  Washington.  A  portion  of 
the  inscription  on  his  tombstone  at  Lebanon,  reads 
as   follows: 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Joseph  Trumbull,  eld- 
est son  of  Governor  Trumbull,  and  first  Commis- 
sary-General of  the  United  States  of  America,  a 
service  to  whose  perpetual  cares  and  fatigues  he  fell 
a  sacrifice,   A.   D.   1778,  aetat  42." 

Jonathan   Trumbull,  Jr.,   the   second   son   of   Gov- 
ernor Trumbull,  was  more  distinguished  in  his  pub- 
lic   services   and    offices   than   any    of   his   brothers. 
Like  his  father  and  elder  brother,  he  was  a  graduate 
of   Harvard    College,   in    which    institution   he    com- 
pleted his  course  with  honor  in  1759.     The  opening 
of  the  Revolution  finds  him  a  deputy  from  Lebanon 
to   the   General   .Assembly  of  Connecticut.     In    1775 
he  was  appointed  Deputy  Paymaster-General  for  the 
Northern  Department  of  the  army,  a  position  which 
he  held  until  the  close  of  the  northern  campaign  of 
1778.     Upon    the    death    of    his    brother   Joseph,    it 
was  necessary   that  his  accounts  should  be  settled, 
and  this  duty  devolved  upon  his  brother  Jonathan, 
necessitating  his  retirement  from  the  army,  for  the 
time  being.     During  this  interval  he  was  re-elected 
as  a  deputy  to  the   General  Assembly.     During  the 
presentation  of  his  brother's  accounts   to  the   Con- 
tinental   Congress    at    Philadelphia    he    became    ac- 
quainted with  the  leading  members  of  this  Congress, 
who  recognized  his  financial  abilities  in  such  a  way 
that   in   November,    1778,   he   was   appointed   Comp- 
troller   of    the    Treasury,    under    Roger    Sherman's 
plan  of  organization,  being  the  first  holder  of  this 
important  office,  a  position   which,  as   Roger  Sher- 
man wrote  his  father,  placed  him  at  the  licad  of  the 
Treasury    Department.     During   the    following   year 
this    department    was    reorganized    by    placing   it   in 
control  of  a  board  of  five  commissioners,  of  whom 
he  was  made  one.     The  salary  of  each  of  these  com- 
missioners  was   fourteen   thousand   dollars   in   Con- 
tinental   money;    but    it    must    be    remembered    that 
this  was  a  very  uncertain  value,  and  that  before  the 
close    of    this    year    a    dollar   in    "hard    money,"    or 
specie,  was  worth  forty-five  Continental  dollars.     In 
the   following  year,   1780,   he    was   appointed   secre- 


84 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


tary  and  first  aid  to  General  Washington,  a  position 
which  placed  him  in  intimate  relations  with  that 
great  man  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
remained  in  the  field  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis. 

After  a  short  interval  of  private  life  he  was,  in 
1788,  elected  once  more  a  deputy  to  the  General 
Assembly,  and  was  made  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  He  was,  in  the  following  year, 
called  to  the  more  important  position  of  a  repre- 
sentative from  Connecticut  in  the  first  Congress  of 
the  United  States  under  the  Constitution.  In  179' 
he  was  made  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  that  body,  and  in  1794  he  was  elected  a 
Senator  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  Upon 
his  election  as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  his  native 
State,  in  1796,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States,  and  devoted  himself  to  the 
duties  of  the  new  office  to  which  his  State  had 
called  him.  Upon  the  death  of  Governor  Oliver 
Wolcott,  in  1798,  Trumbull  was  elected  Governor, 
and  held  that  position  by  continuous  re-elections 
until  his  death,  in  1809,  a  period  of  nearly  twelve 
years. 

He  bore,  in  a  marked  degree,  the  distinguishing 
traits  of  his  father— punctuality,  close  and  patriotic 
attention  to  duty,  and  fixedness  of  purpose  when 
once  convinced  that  he  was  in  the  right.  His  dis- 
position, like  his  father's,  was  benevolent,  and  his 
manners  and  bearing  entirely  free  from  that  for- 
bidding dignity  and  pomp  which  were  sometimes  to 
be  noticed  even  among  his  compatriots  in  the  then 
budding  great  republic.  Like  his  father,  too,  he 
left  behind  him  a  clean  record.  It  is  said  by  his 
contemporaries  that  in  the  times  of  bitter  political 
controversy  through  which  he  passed,  his  personal 
character  was  never  assailed,  and  only  his  public 
measures  were  criticized. 

David,  the  third  son  of  Governor  Trumbull,  pur- 
sued a  career  which,  while  it  has  not  enrolled  him 
among  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  entitles  him 
to  credit  for  continual  and  active  service  to  the 
cause.  Of  the  four  sons  of  the  Governor,  he  was 
the  only  one  who  was  not  a  Harvard  graduate. 
At  the  time  when  he  was  prepared  to  enter  college 
the  disastrous  failure  of  his  father  in  business  ren- 
dered the  expense  of  a  college  course  for  this  son 
impracticable.  He  received,  however,  a  good  educa- 
tion at  the  then  famed  school  of  Nathan  Tisdale, 
of  Lebanon.  The  growing  cares  and  increasing  re- 
sponsibilities of  his  father's  public  position  at  this 
time  rendered  it  necessary  that,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Revolution,  one  of  his  sons  should  remain  at 
home  as  his  fatlier's  right  hand  man.  It  fell  to  the 
lot  of  the  son  David  to  occupy  this  position.  In 
addition  to  this  duty  he  was  entrusted  by  the  Coun- 
cil of  Safety  with  many  important  duties,  conspicu- 
ous among  which  were  the  care  and  custody  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  the  purchase  of  supplies  for 
the  departments  both  of  the  Commissary  and  the 
Quartermaster,  and  the  furnishing  of  transportation 


of  these  supplies.  He  was  also  entrusted  with 
large  sums  of  money  by  the  State  and  by  Congress, 
for  all  of  which,  as  for  the  munitions  of  war  in  his 
custody,  he  appears  to  have  accounted  with  scrupu- 
lous exactness.  His  services  were  of  such  a  nature 
that,  although  he  never  bore  a  military  title,  his 
widow  was  granted  a  pension  by  Congress  after  his 
death.  Although  each  of  his  brothers  attained  much 
higher  official  positions  than  he  did,  none  served 
as  continuously  in  the  inconspicuous  but  important 
duties  which  devolved  upon   him. 

John,  the  fourth  and  youngest  son  of  Governor 
Trumbull,  pursued  a  career  which  distinguished  him 
from  his  brothers,  and  which,  as  it  proved,  was 
almost  unique  for  the  times  in  which  he  lived.  In 
his  boyhood  his  health  was  delicate,  and  he  joined 
but  little  if  at  all  in  the  sports  of  his  companions. 
He  lived,  however,  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  Although  his  military  career  is  worthy 
of  notice,  he  is  principally  remembered  as  a  painter, 
and  as  one  of  the  pioneers  in  American  art.  He 
graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1773.  having 
entered  at  the  age  of  fifteen  in  the  middle  of  the 
junior  or  third  year,  graduating  in  full  standing  at 
the  age  of  seventeen,  and  having,  to  the  surprise  of 
his  family,  learned  the  French  language  by  private 
instruction  during  his  college  course.  His  taste  for 
painting  developed  in  his  boyhood,  and  he  pursued 
the  study  and  practice  of  the  art  at  his  home  in 
Lebanon,  soon  after  his  graduation,  though  he  was 
interrupted  by  being  called  to  take  charge  of  Mr. 
Tisdale's  then  celebrated  school  during  the  illness 
of  the  schoolmaster,  which  continued  for  nearly  six 
months.  In  1774  he  became  intensely  interested  in 
the  impending  struggle  with  the  Mother  Country, 
and  made  careful  studies  of  military  science  to  pre- 
pare himself  for  the  life  which  seemed  to  open 
before  him.  In  the  following  year  he  joined  the 
army,  as  an  aid  to  General  Spencer.  Learning,  soon 
after  the  arrival  of  Washington  at  Cambridge,  that 
he  was  anxious  to  procure  a  plan  of  the  enemy's 
works,  Trumbull  stealthily  approached  the  works, 
and  being  skilled  in  drawing,  made  a  plan  which 
proved  to  be  so  accurate  that  Washington's  atten- 
tion was  called  to  the  young  draughtsman,  -.vho  was 
soon  made  second  aid-de-camp  to  the  Commander- 
in-Chief.  This  position  was  not  congenial  to  Trum- 
bull, owing  to  the  formalities,  both  social  and  mili- 
tary, which  it  involved.  He  was  soon  appointed 
to  the  more  congenial  office  of  major  of  brigade, 
and  became  a  favorite  officer  of  Genera!  Gates,  by 
whose  authority  he  was  appointed  adjutant  and 
quartermaster-general,  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 

The  Continental  Congress  was  slow  in  recogniz- 
ing such  appointments,  and  when,  at  least,  Trum- 
bull's commission  arrived,  it  bore  a  date  several 
months  later  than  the  date  of  the  .appointment,  at 
which  he  took  great  offense,  returning  his  commis- 
sion to  Congress,  accompanied  by  a  letter,  written 
February  22,  1777,  which  was  rather  more  spirited 
than    respectful.     This    terminated   his    official    con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


85 


nection  with  the  army.  It  was  during  his  service 
in  the  Northern  army  that  he  made  a  discovery, 
which  had  his  advice  been  followed,  would  have 
made  a  great  difierence  in  the  campaign.  In  Au- 
gust, 1776,  v.'hen  tlie  army  was  posted  at  Fort  Ticon- 
deroga  and  in  its  vicinity,  Trumbull  insisted  that  the 
position  would  be  untenable  if  the  enemy  should 
occupy  Mount  Defiance,  bringing  artillery  to  bear 
from  that  commanding  point.  He  was  laughed  to 
scorn  by  his  seniors,  who  claimed  that  the  point 
was  out  of  range  and  that  it  would  be  impossible 
to  carry  even  light  artillery  to  the  summit.  Both 
these  statements  Trumbull  had  the  satisfaction  of 
controverting  by  actual  experiment,  but  the  position 
remained  unoccupied  by  the  Americans.  Burgoyne 
later  advanced  upon  the  position,  "established  a 
battery  of  heavy  guns  on  the  summit  of  Mount  De- 
fiance, the  shot  from  which  plunged  into  the  old 
French  fort  and  lines,  so  that,  as  I  (Trumbull) 
had  predicted,  the  whole  position  became  unten- 
able, and  was  immediately  abandoned. 

In  this  year,  1777,  he  went  to  Boston  for  the 
purpose  of  resuming  his  studies  in  art,  but  finding 
no  suitable  instructor,  he  was  at  last  persuaded  to 
go  to  London,  with  letters  of  introduction  to  Ben- 
jamin West,  under  whose  auspices  he  was  much 
helped  and  encouraged  in  the  pursuit  of  his  chosen 
profession.  While  in  London,  on  the  isth  of  No- 
vember, 1780,  when  the  news  of  the  capture  and 
execution  of  Andre  was  received,  Trumbull  was 
arrested  on  the  charge  of  being  in  the  military  serv- 
ice of  the  Americans,  and  was  kept  in  prison  for 
seven  months,  still  practicing  painting,  and  finally 
released  on  bail,  West  and  Copley  being  his  sureties. 
His  release  was  upon  the  condition  of  his  leaving 
the  kingdom  within  thirty  days,  not  to  return  until 
peace  should  be  declared  between  Great  Britain 
and   America. 

After  a  trip  to  Holland  and  a  perilous  voyage  to 
America  he  remained  at  or  near  his  home,  engaged 
principally  in  assisting  his  brother  in  carrying  out 
a  contract  for  supplies  for  the  army.  He  passed  a 
part  of  this  time  at  headquarters  on  the  North  river, 
where  he  renewed  his  acquaintance  with  Washing- 
ton, who  received  him  kindly.  Upon  the  declaration 
of  peace,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  father 
and  the  previous  advice  of  the  President  of  Har- 
vard College,  he  resumed  his  career  as  an  artist, 
continuing  it  uninterruptedly  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  passing  much  of  his  time  in  London  and  in 
Continental  Europe.  He  married,  rather  mysteri- 
ously, an  English  lady,  in  London,  a  woman  of  rare 
beauty  and  of  noble  birth. 

Trumbull  is  principally  known  as  an  historical 
painter,  who,  far  more  than  any  other  American 
artist,  has  commemorated  the  important  events  of 
his  times  by  paintings  familiar  to  every  schoolboy 
of  today.  Principal  among  these  are:  The  Battle 
of  Bunker  Hill,  The  Death  of  Montgomery,  The 
Sortie  from  Gibraltar,  The  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ance.  The  Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  Capture   of  the 


Hessians  at  Trenton,  The  Battle  of  Princeton,  The 
Surrender  of  Burgoyne,  The  Resignation  of  Gen- 
eral Washington.  He  was  also  noted  as  a  portrait 
painter.  The  largest  collection  of  his  works,  which 
is  in  the  Yale  School  of  Fine  Arts,  was  given  to 
Vale  University  during  his  life,  under  an  agreement 
for  an  annuity,  at  a  lime  when  he  had  reached  ad- 
vanced age.  (See  Autobiography,  Reminiscences 
and  Letters,  by  John  Trumbull,  1841;  John  Trum- 
bull: a  brief  sketch  of  his  life,  to  which  is  added  a 
catalogue  of  his  works;  by  John  F  Weir,  N.  A., 
M.  A.,  1901.) 


WILLIS     ROGERS     AUSTIN— The     name     of 

Austin  appears  among  those  of  the  earlier  settlers 
of  New  Haven,  and  frequently  and  prominently  in 
the  records  of  the  town  since.  The  name  is  said 
to  have  been  derived  from  the  sect  of  Christians 
who  were  followers  of  St.  Augustine.  It  is  certain 
the  Austins  who  came  to  Connecticut  were  devout 
Christian  people,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  devices  of 
their  antique  coat-of-arms,  which  they  brought  from 
England,  and  which  was  in  the  possession  of  the 
late  Willis  R.  Austin,  who  was  a  descendant  in 
the  sixth  generation  from  John  Austin,  the  immi- 
grant ancestor  of  this  branch  of  the  Austin  family, 
his  lineage  being  through  David,  David  (2),  David 
(3),  and  John  Punderson  Austin.  The  details  of 
each  of  these  generations  follow  and  in  the  order 
indicated: 

(I)  John  Austin,  of  New  Haven,  married  (first) 
November  S,  1667,  Mercy,  born  February  29,  1647, 
daughter  of  the  first  Joshua  Atwater;  she  died  in 
1683,  and  he  married  (second)  January  21,  1684, 
Elizabeth  Brockett.  Mr.  Austin  was  one  of  the 
Greenwicli  petitioners  in  favor  of  New  Haven  in 
1650.  His  children  were:  John,  David,  Joshua, 
Mary,  John,  Mary  (2),  a  son  unmarried,  and  Sarah. 

(II)  David  Austin,  born  February  23,  1670,  mar- 
ried April  5,  1699,  Abigail,  daughter  of  John  .Ailing, 
and  their  children  were:  Abigail,  David,  Stephen, 
Jonathan,  Mercy  and  Lydia. 

(III)  David  (2)  Austin,  born  October  25,  1703, 
married  (first)  Fcbrary  II,  1732,  Rebecca  Thompson, 
born  February  26,  1709,  and  (second)  Hannah  Pun- 
derson. His  children  were:  David,  Samuel,  John, 
Hannah,  Punderson  and  Jonathan. 

(IV)  David  (3)  Austin,  born  March  6,  1733,  mar. 
ried  (first)  December  14,  175-2.  Mary  Mix,  born  in 
1733;  she  died  September  3,  1781,  and  he  married 
(second)  Esther,  widow  of  Daniel  Allen.  Mr. 
Austin  was  a  deacon  in  the  North  Church  in  New 
Haven  from  1758  to  1801,  a  period  of  forty-three 
years.  He  was  the  founder  and  first  president  of 
the  New  Haven  Bank,  and  to  him  and  Hon.  James 
Hillhouse  New  Haven  is  indebted  for  the  stately 
elm  trees  that  have  for  so  many  years  adorned  the 
New  Haven  Green.  He  was  collector  of  customs 
for  the  port  of  New  Haven.  He  served  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution,  going  to  the  defense  of  New 
Haven   July   5,   1779,   and   was  wounded  there      Mr. 


86 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Austin  lived  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Church  and 
Crown  streets,  and  built  two  large  houses  on  oppo- 
site corners  for  his  sons  David  and  John  P.  He 
died  February  5,  1801.  His  children  were:  Rebecca, 
born  December  16,  I7S3;  Mary,  born  October  24, 
1755;  Sarah,  born  in  1757;  David,  born  March  19, 
17—-  Ebenezer,  born  June  18,  1761;  Sarah  (2),  born 
July'4  1763;  Elizabeth,  born  June  I,  1765;  Hannah, 
born  October  26,  1767;  Elisha,  born  March  23,  1770; 
John  Punderson,  born  June  28,  1772;  Ebenezer  E., 
baptized  February  16,  1772;  and  Mary,  born  in  1770- 

(V)  John  Punderson  Austin,  born  June  28,  1772, 
in  New  Haven,  married,  September  11,  1797.  Susan 
Rogers,  born  September  15,  1778,  and  to  them  came 
thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  grew  up  and  married. 
Mr.  Austin  was  graduated  from  Yale  College,  from 
which  institution  an  older  brother  had  also  been 
graduated  and  became  an  eminent  divine,  and  from 
which  institution  younger  members  of  the  family 
have  since  been  graduated.  The  father  of  John  P. 
Austin  had  been  a  man  of  wealth,  which  on  his 
death  had  unfortunately  been  lost  through  an  elder 
son,  and  this  embarrassment  caused  the  removal  of 
John  P.  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  an  intellectual 
and  cultured  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  On  going 
to  Norwich  he  engaged  in  teaching,  and  gave  his 
time  largely  to  the  rearing  of  his  large  family  of 
children,  thirteen  in  number,  three  of  whom  were 
born  in  Norwich.  Mr.  Austin  died  June  24,  1834, 
while  temporarily  absent  from  home,  in  Brazos, 
Texas.  His  wife  survived  until  1870,  dying  August 
24th,  when  aged  ninety-one  years. 

(VI)  Willis  Rogers  Austin,  son  of  John  Punderson 
Austin,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  Janu- 
ary 31,  1819.  He  was  educated  for  the  legal  pro- 
fession, was  graduated  from  Yale  Law  School  in 
1849,  and  shortly  after  this  event  visited  Texas.  It 
was  his  intention  to  have  located  there  in  the  prac- 
tice of  the  law,  but  after  some  successful  operations 
in  cotton,  he  concluded  to  return  North,  and,  locating 
in  Philadelphia,  he  engaged  in  the  banking  business. 
In  this  he  was  also  successful,  and,  having  gathered 
in  a  few  years  a  fair  amount  of  this  world's  goods, 
he  determined  to  retire  from  business  and  take 
relaxation  in  travel.  He  first  traveled  extensively  in 
this  country,  and  then  went  abroad  and  traveled  over 
Europe  and  Asia,  spending  three  years  on  his  tour. 
Upon  returning  to  the  United  States  he  fixed  upon 
Connecticut,  the  State  of  his  ancestors,  and  Norwich, 
his  native  city,  as  his  future  home,  and  there  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  Mr.  Austin  died  March 
4,  1896,  and  was  buried  in  Yantic  cemetery.  He  was 
fond  of  outdoor  life,  and  remained  active  until  his 
death,  which  was  unexpected,  coming  after  a  brief 
illness.  He  was  very  fond  of  hunting,  of  his  horses 
and  his  dogs,  owning  a  number  of  blooded  animals. 

Mr.  Austin  had  never  sought  political  preferment. 
Personally  popular,  however,  he  had  often  been 
urged  to  accept  oflfice,  but  steadily  refused  until,  at 
the  urgent  solicitation  of  his  fellow-citizens  of  Nor- 


wich, he  consented  to  be  one  of  their  representatives 
in  the  General  Assembly  of  1874.  In  1875  he  was 
re-elected  a  representative  in  the  General  Assembly, 
and  in  1876  he  was  elected  Senator  from  the  Eighth 
District  of  the  State.  His  service  in  the  Legisla- 
ture was  characterized  by  the  most  constant  and 
faithful  attendance  and  attention  to  his  duties.  Dur- 
ing the  sessions  of  which  he  was  a  member  he 
served  upon  the  committees  on  Finance  and  Rail- 
roads, and  on  Constitutional  Amendments. 

After  Mr.  Austin's  term  of  service  in  the  Senate 
he  was  induced  to  serve  as  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican State  Central  Committee  for  a  period  of  five 
years,  and  during  the  years  1877-80  he  was  president 
of  the  New  London  County  Agricultural  Society. 
These  four  years  the  society  experienced  marked 
prosperity,  the  grounds  were  enlarged,  new  build- 
ings erected,  premiums  and  expenses  all  paid,  and  a 
considerable  sum  of  profit  remained  each  year.  He 
also  served  as  chairman  of  the  Connecticut  Board 
of  Charities.  Mr.  Austin  was  a  confirmed  believer 
in  the  maxim  that  occupation  and  usefulness  are 
requirements  for  the  health  and  happiness  of  man- 
kind; hence  he  selected  his  home  with  ample 
grounds,  that  he  might  see  the  growth  of  various 
objects  of  ornament  and  necessity.  He  always  held 
himself  ready  to  discharge  all  the  duties  of  friend 
and    citizen. 

For  nearly  thirty  years  Mr.  Austin  was  a  prom- 
inent resident  of  Norwich  and  stood  high  in  business 
circles.  In  all  public  matters  he  took  a  deep  inter- 
est, and  was  anxious  to  see  Norwich  progress. 
He  was  vice-president  of  the  Dime  Savings  Bank 
and  a  director  in  the  Second  National  Bank.  While 
"The  Elms"  existed  he  was  a  prominent  member, 
was  an  incorporator  of  the  Norwich  Club,  and  a 
member  of  the  Arcanum  Club.  He  was  also  an 
active  worker  in  the  Board  of  Trade.  For  many 
years  he  was  a  member  and  faithful  attendant  of 
Christ   Church. 

.^t  the  first  meeting  of  the  Norwich  Club,  some 
years  ago,  Mr.  Austin  was  elected  president,  which 
office  he  held  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a 
Mason,  holding  membership  with  a  Philadelph  a 
lodge,  and  at  the  centennial  meeting  of  Somerset 
Lodge,  in  Norwich,  a  short  time  previous  to  his 
death,  he  occupied  the  seat  of  honor  in  the  Ea<:t. 
"Mr.  Austin  is  one  of  the  most  cultured  men  in  the 
State.  He  is  a  clear  and  forcible  speaker  when  oc- 
casion requires,  and  his  judgment  is  entitled  to  the 
fullest  deference."  He  was  widely  known  as  Colonel 
Austin,  having  been  colonel  of  a  regiment  of  local 
militia  during  his  residence  in  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
-Austin  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Societv  of 
the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  admitted  as 
a  descendant  of  David  Austin,  of  New  Haven.  Con- 
necticut, wounded  in  the  defense  of  New  Haven 
during  Tryon's  raid,  July  5,  1779,  and  of  David 
Rogers,  a  surgeon  in  the  army. 

In  1851  Mr.  Austin  was  married  to  Louisa,  daugh- 
ter  of  the   late   E.   B.   M.   Hughes,   of   New   Haven, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


87 


well  remembered  for  her  personal  attractions  and 
true  excellence  of  character,  whose  death  occurred 
in  Philadelphia,  where  they  resided  in  1854.  She 
left  a  daughter  of  two  years,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  eighteen.  In  1864  Mr.  .Austin  married  (second) 
Mary  McComb,  a  very  accomplished  woman,  who 
was  born  in  Geneva,  New  York,  daughter  of  John 
McComb,  of  a  well-known  and  prominent  New  York 
family,  and  granddaughter  of  John  McComb,  who 
was  identified  with  almost  all  the  progressive  im- 
provements of  the  day.  One  child,  a  son,  named 
Willis  Austin,  was  born  of  this  union  October  18, 
1878.  He  was  educated  in  Norwich  Free  Academy, 
and  under  private  instruction,  and  when  in  his  early 
teens  spent  three  years  abroad.  He  was  married 
November  26,  1901,  to  Annie  Huntington  Brewer, 
daughter  of  Arthur  H.  and  Mary  (Yoimg)  Brewer, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Willis  Phipps,  born  October  ji, 
1903.  Mrs.  Willis  R.  Austin  died  February  u,  1S94, 
aged   fifty-four  years. 

The  Rogers  lineage  of  the  late  Willis  Rogers 
Austin  follows,  and  as  in  the  foregoing  in  regular 
order  from   the   immigrant   ancestor,   John    Rogers: 

;:,)  John  Rogers,  born  about  161 5,  of  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  is  generally  conceded  to  have  been 
the  John  Rogers  who  at  the  age  of  twenty  embarked 
in  the  ship  "Increase,"  in  1635,  for  America.  He 
married,  at  Stratford,  Connecticut,  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Rowland,  and  became  an  inhabitant 
of  New  London,  Connecticut,  as  early  as  1660.  He 
died  there  in  1687,  and  his  widow  in  1709. 

(II)  James  Rogers,  born  February  15,  1652,  mar- 
ried in  Milford,  Connecticut,  November  5,  1674, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Jeffrey  Jordan.  Mr.  Rogers  died 
November  6,   1714. 

(III)  James  (2)  Rogers,  born  February  2,  1676, 
in  New  London,  Connecticut,  married  (first)  Eliza- 
beth, and  (second)  June  29,  1713,  Freelove  Hurlbut. 
Mr.  Rogers  was  prominent  in  public  affairs,  was 
deputy  to  the  General  Court  si.xteen  times,  and 
served  as  the  speaker  of  that  body.  He  died  July 
9.  173s.  in  Norwalk,  whither  he  had  removed  in  1726. 

(IV)  Dr.  Uriah  Rogers,  born  October  10,  1710, 
married,  about  1734,  Hannah,  daughter  of  James  and 
Lydia  (Smith)  Lockwood.  He  died  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  May  6,  1773. 

(V)  Dr.  David  Rogers,  born  August  21,  1748, 
married  Martha,  daughter  of  Charles  Tenncnt,  of 
Maryland,  and  twelve  children,  ten  sons  and  two 
daughters,  were  born  to  them.  Dr.  Rogers  was  a 
distinguished  physician  of  New  York  City,  and  for 
years  was  city  physician.  He  served  in  the  Con- 
tinental army  in  the  Revolution.  He  passed  the 
last  years  of  his  life  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  re- 
siding with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  John  Punderson 
Austin,  and  died  there  in  1831. 


WILLIAM  H.  FITCH— From  the  very  dawn 
of  the  settlement  of  Norwich  through  a  period 
of  nearly  two  and  a  half  centuries,  the  name  of 
Fitch   has  been   conspicuous   in   the   annals   of   that 


and  neighboring  towns.  For  a  hundred  years  or 
more,  from  soon  after  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  Colonel  ;\sa  Fitch,  his  sons,  and  in  turn 
some  of  his  grandsons,  have,  with  little  exception, 
been  among  the  foremost  men  of  business  activity, 
enterprise  and  public  spirit  among  their  contem- 
poraries in  their  locality.  Energetic,  active  men, 
they  were  not  content  with  the  old  New  England 
farm  and  forge,  but  went  to  the  East — across  the 
sea,  and  some  to  the  "Golden  Gate,"  and  were  there 
as  at  home  princes  among  business  men  and  most 
successful  in  their  pursuits.  Such  names  as  Rev. 
James  Fitch,  the  first  minister  of  Norwich,  Colonel 
.■\sa  Fitch,  .Asa  Fitch  (2),  Stephen,  Douglass  Wood- 
worth,  William,  Asa  Douglass,  and  William  Hunt- 
ington Fitch  will  long  live  in  connection  with  his- 
tory of  the  old  town  of  Norwich  and  Bozrali,  and 
some  of  them  as  well  with  cities  in  France,  on 
the  Pacific  coast,  and  in  our  Eastern  metropolis — 
New  York. 

It  is  with  these  men  and  their  Fitch  lineage  this 
article  is  to  treat.  The  last  of  this  group  of  men, 
William  Huntington  Fitch,  a  leading  citizen  and 
wealthy  man  of  Norwich,  passed  away  October  28, 
J  904. 

The  Rev.  James  Fitch,  a  native  of  the  County  of 
Essex,  England,  born  December  24,  1632,  was 
brought  by  his  mother,  with  other  sons,  to  America 
in  163S.  It  appears  that  the  father  of  the  family 
had  previously  died.  All  that  is  known  of  young 
Fitch  previous  to  his  ordination,  in  1646,  is  the 
statement  of  his  birth,  emigrating  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  and  seven  years  of  theological  instruction 
at  Hartford  under  Revs.  Hooker  and  Stone.  After 
a  pastorate  of  fourteen  years  at  Saybrook  he  with 
the  larger  portion  of  his  church  removed  to  Nor- 
wich in  1660.  He  was  a  useful  and  valued  citizen, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  founders  of  the 
town.  "As  a  pastor  he  was  zealous  and  inde- 
fatigable. In  addition  to  his  other  labors,  he  trained 
several  young  men  for  the  ministry,  as  he  himself 
had  been  trained  by  Mr.  Hooker.  Rev.  Samuel 
Whiting,  of  Windham;  Taylor,  of  Westfield;  and 
.Adams,  of  New  London,  received  a  part  at  least  of 
their  theological  instruction  from  him."  Mr.  Fitch 
was  twice  married  and  had  fourteen  children,  the 
first  six  of  whom  were  born  at  Saybrook.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  in  October,  1648,  -Abigail,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Henry  Whitefield.  She  died  at  Saybrook,  Sep- 
tember 9,  1659,  and  in  October,  1664,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Priscilla  Mason,  who  survived  him.  Rev. 
Mr.  Fitch,  in  the  year  1701,  retired  to  the  new  plan- 
tation of  Lebanon — a  plantation  in  which  he  took 
great  interest,  having  figured  in  lands  there,  and 
where  several  of  his  children  had  established  their 
homes.  Here  he  died  November  18  or  19,  1702, 
when  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age  Of  his  sons, 
James  went  to  Canterbury;  Samuel  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Preston;  Daniel  became  an  inhabitant  of 
the  North  Parish  of  New  London,  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  Norwich,  but  not  within  its  bounds; 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


John  went  to  Windham;  Jabez  pursued  his  minis- 
terial calling  at  Ipswich  and  Portsmouth,  and  the 
four  others  took  up  farms  in  Lebanon.  The  five 
daughters  of  Rev.  Mr.  Fitch  were  connected  in 
marriage  as  follows:  Abigail  with  Captain  John 
Mason  (2);  Elizabeth  with  Rev.  Edward  Taylor,  of 
Westfield,  Massachusetts;  Hannah  with  Thomas 
Meeks,  or  Mix;  Dorothy  with  Nathaniel  Bissell,  and 
Anna,  the  only  daughter  of  the  second  marriage, 
with  Joseph  Bradford. 

From  the  foregoing  source  came  the  Fitches  of 
whom  we  write,  and  through  Stephen  Fitch  of  the 
Lebanon  branch  of  the  family.  From  this  Stephen, 
William  H.  Fitch,  of  Norwich,  descended  through 
Colonel  Asa  and  Stephen  Fitch,  sketches  of  whom 
with  others  of  the  family  follow. 

Colonel  Asa  Fitch,  son  of  Stephen  of  the  Lebanon 
branch,  born  February  14,  1755,  in  Bozrah,  married 
(first)    February  8,   1781,   Susanna   Fitch,  born   Ji^ne 

4,  1757,  in  Bozrah,  and  after  her  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  22,  1814,  he  married  (second)  Mary 
House.  The  children  born  to  the  first  marriage 
were:  Neheniiah  H.;  Lois  F.;  Clarissa;  Asa,  born 
May  6,  1787;  Susan;  Stephen,  born  August  21,  1790; 
Fannie;  Douglass  W.,  born  February  18,  1796;  Wil- 
liam, born  October  27,  1800;  Clarissa  (2),  born  June 

5,  1802  (married  October  14,  1824,  Major  John  W. 
Haughton,  and  died  in   Bozrah  October  8,  1886). 

Mr.  Fitch,  familiarly  called  "Colonel  Fitch,"  was 
a  farmer  and  manufacturer  of  iron  at  Fitchville. 
He  lived  to  advanced  years,  and  his  career  was 
one  of  usefulness.  He  was  industrious  and  ener- 
getic in  business  affairs,  and  active  in  matters  per- 
taining to  the  welfare  of  the  town,  having  held  va- 
rious town  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  performed 
with  efficiency.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  Congregational  church.  His  political  affiliations 
were  with  the  Democratic  party.  His  upright  char- 
acter and  purity  of  purpose  were  known  and  ad- 
mired by  all.  Colonel  Fitch  died  August  19,  1844. 
Miss  Caulkins  in  her  "History  of  Norwich"  (1886), 
thus  refers  to  Colonel  Fitch:  "Colonel  Asa  Fitch, 
the  proprietor  of  the  old  iron  works  at  this  place 
(Fitchville),  was  a  man  of  marked  character,  full 
of  energy  and  decision.  In  the  Revolutionary  war, 
whenever  an  alarm  was  sounded  that  the  enemy 
were  threatening  the  Connecticut  coast,  he  was  al- 
iiost  invariabl>  the  first  of  his  company  to  shoulder 
ti.c  musket  and  start  for  the  scene  of  action.  He 
was  a  son  of  Stephen  Fitch,  of  the  Lebanon  line  of 
descent  from  Rev.  James.  His  first  wife,  Susanna, 
was  a  daughter  of  Benajah  Fitch,  of  East  Norwich, 
or  Long  Society." 

Stephen  Fitch,  son  of  Col.  Asa  Fitch,  born  August 
21,  1790,  in  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  married  March  23, 
1817,  Mary  I.  Rogers,  born  January  4,  1794,  in  Nor- 
wich. 

Mr.  Fitch  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Bozrah,  and 
to  the  iron  business  with  his  father,  and  he  con- 
tinued thus  occupied  until  his  marriage.  He  then 
removed    to    New    Hartford,    New    York,    and    was 


there  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1832, 
when  he  returned  to  his  native  State,  settling  in 
Norwich.  Here  he  remained  until  after  the  death  of 
his  wife,  September  22,  1837.  After  this  event  he 
removed  to  Bozrah,  and  for  many  years  was  ac- 
tively engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods, 
associated  in  business  with  his  brother  Asa,  at  Fitch- 
ville. Mr.  Fitch  held  a  number  of  town  offices,  and 
was  a  representative  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
Connecticut.  He  was  an  energetic  and  active  busi- 
ness man  of  good  ability  and  judgment  and  he  held 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  His 
political  affiliations  were  with  the  Democratic  party 
— the  party  of  his  forefathers.  He  died  in  Bozrah, 
October  6,'  1868. 

The  children  of  Mr.  Fitch  and  his  wife  were: 
(i)     Sophia   Ingraham   Fitch,   born   December   10, 
1817,  married  William  S.  Cruft,  of  Boston,  and  died 
in  Paris,  July  i,  1873. 

(2)  Asa  Douglass  Fitch  was  born  March  27,  1820, 
at  New  Hartford,  New  York.  In  early  boyhood 
he  attended  common  and  select  schools,  and  later 
entered  Washington  Institute  in  New  York  State, 
(where  he  was  a  schoolmate  of  William  H.  Vander- 
bilt),  from  v/hich  he  was  graduated  in  1837.  After 
his  graduation  young  Fitch  began  a  business  career 
as  a  clerk  in  the  New  York  house  of  his  uncles,  Asa 
and  William  Fitch,  who  were  then  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  commission  business.  In  1842  the  nephew 
left  New  York,  and  took  charge  of  the  stores  of 
his  uncle  and  father,  located  at  Fitchville,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut.  He  remained  so  occu- 
pied until  1849,  when  he  went  to  Stockton,  Califor- 
nia, via  Cape  Horn.  After  a  year's  residence  in 
Stockton,  he  went  to  Portland,  Oregon,  where  for 
ten  years  he  was  associated  with  his  brother,  Wil- 
liam Huntington  Fitch,  in  mercantile  pursuits.  True 
to  the  family  and  education,  he  was  a  Democrat  of 
the  old  school.  While  in  the  West  he  held  a  num- 
ber of  public  trusts,  and  was  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Portland,  being  a  member  of  the  common  council 
of  the  city  and  for  several  terms  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  county  in  which  Portland  is  located.  He  was 
also  commissioner  of  the  penitentiary  during  the 
building  of  that  institution,  and  while  Oregon  was 
yet  a  territory.  He  died  November  27,  1891,  at 
the  home  of  his  brother,  William  H.,  in  Norwich 
Town. 

(3)  Mary  Elizabeth  Fitch,  born  July  27,  1827, 
married  (first)  Hon.  R.  H.  Winslow,  of  Westport, 
Connecticut,  and  (second)  Dr.  R.  C.  M.  Page,  of 
Virginia.  Mrs.  Page  is  a  woman  of  superior  ac- 
complishments, and  has  been  a  liberal  contributor 
to  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Westport. 

Mr.  Winslow  in  his  lifetime  began  the  erection 
of  a  new  church,  but  he  died  before  he  had  it  fairly 
started.  His  widow  as  a  memorial  to  him  built 
the  church  (Holy  Trinity),  and  is  a  most  liberal 
contributor  to  its  support. 

(4)  William  Huntington  Fitch  is  referred  to 
farther  on. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


80 


Asa  (2)  Fitch,  son  of  Col.  Asa  Fitch,  born  May  6, 
1787,  in  Bozrah,  never  married.  In  youth  he  was 
possessed  of  a  delicate  constitution  and  broke  down 
in  an  attempt  to  pursue  an  academic  course  of 
study,  a  clerkship  in  Norwich,  and  also  to  obtain  a 
mechanical  trade.  At  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  the 
hope  of  bettering  his  physical  condition  by  a  sea 
voyage,  he  embarked  as  a  passenger  in  the  brig 
"Walton,"  bound  on  a  fishing  and  trading  voyage 
to  Green  Island,  Newfoundland  and  Europe.  He  left 
the  vessel  at  Lisbon  in  October,  1805,  just  prior  to 
receipt  of  the  news  there  of  the  battle  of  Trafalgar 
and  the  death  of  Lord  Nelson.  Finding  the  climate 
invigorating  and  beneficial  he  went  to  Alicante, 
and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  the  ofTice  of  the 
.\merican  consul.  Later  he  engaged  in  mercantile 
afTairs,  and  remained  some  ten  years,  during  which 
period  he  made  the  reputation  of  a  substantial  man 
and  merchant.  In  1814  he  removed  to  Marseilles, 
where  he  established  a  commission  and  banking 
house  that  soon  became  recognized  as  a  link  in  the 
chain  of  commerce  between  France  and  the  United 
States.  At  Alicante  Mr.  Fitch  had  favored  in  mone- 
tary matters  certain  royal  exiles,  who,  when  later 
returned  to  power,  showed  their  appreciation  of  the 
accommodations,  and  through  them  he  was  wel- 
comed to  the  best  society  in  France,  and  he  after- 
ward entertained  at  his  table  nobles,  statesmen  and 
literary  men  of  the  first  reputation  in  the  country. 

Mr.  F'itch  was  there  joined  by  his  brother,  Doug- 
lass Woodworth  Fitch,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Fitch  Brothers  &  Co.  Vessels  from  many  of  the 
large  ports  of  the  United  States  were  consigned  to 
this  house.  These  men  were  also  agents  of  the 
United  States  navy,  furnishing  supplies  and  making 
payments  to  the  government  vessels  in  the  Med- 
iterranean. They  executed  orders  from  America  for 
the  purchase  of  French  goods,  and  had  corre- 
spondents in  the  United  States  to  receive  consign- 
ments of  French  produce  from  the  merchants  and 
manufacturers  in   F'rance. 

In  1828  Asa  Fitch  returned  to  America  to  take 
charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  house  in  this  country. 
The  oflFice  of  the  New  York  house  was  on  Exchange 
place.  In  that  city  Mr.  Fitch  purchased  a  number 
of  lots  on  Broadway,  New  street  and  Exchange 
place,  upon  which  subsequently  he  built  a  number 
of  stores  which  proved  most  profitable  investments. 
Gradually  Mr.  Fitch  retired  from  the  details  of 
business,  and  returned  to  his  native  place,  where 
he  lived;  and  for  more  than  twenty-five  years  was 
fairly  occupied  in  the  improvement  of  a  naturally 
rough  country  district.  He  built  a  mansion  house 
beside  the  old  iron  works,  where  his  father  and 
elder  brother  had  labored.  Here,  too,  he  built  a 
cotton  mill,  a  grist  mill  and  a  church — and  even  a 
village  itself.  He  here  purchased  farm  after  farm 
until  his  domain  was  measurable  by  miles,  and  his 
outlay  of  money  in  these,  and  his  operations, 
amounted  to  more  than  a  million  of  dollars. 

In  body  and  mind  Asa  Fitch  was  ever  alert  and 


active.  He  was  full  of  energy,  one  of  his  chief 
characteristics  being  ceaseless  activity.  He  was  a 
remarkable  man  in  many  ways,  especially  in  plan- 
ning, laying  out  and  constructing  work,  and  few 
persons  have  had  a  more  eventful  life.  His  death 
occurred  October  31,  1865.  The  following  reference 
to  Fitchville  and  its  founders  is  from  the  "History 
of   Norwich"   (1866),  by   Miss  Caulkins: 

"No  part  of  the  nine  miles  square  has  a  stronger 
claim  to  notice  in  our  history  than  Fitchville.  It 
is  not  only  a  striking  example  of  what  may  be  done 
by  persevering  enterprise  in  softening  the  sterile 
and  homely  features  of  nature  into  productiveness 
and  beauty,  but  it  furnishes  a  pleasing  link  to 
connect  our  reminiscences  with  the  founders  of 
the  town. 

The  present  proprietor,  from  whom  the  village 
derived  its  name,  is  a  descendant  through  both 
parents  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fitch,  the  first  minister 
of  Norwich,  of  whose  parish  this  was  a  part;  the 
,'\bells  and  Huntingtons,  the  first  owners  of  the 
land,  were  members  of  the  church  and  congregation 
of   Norwich   town   plot,  etc. 

"We  cannot  close  this  sketch  of  Bozrah  without 
adverting  to  the  improvements  that  have  been  ef- 
fected in  a  portion  of  the  town  since  1832,  by 
wealth,  energy  and  perseverance,  under  the  con- 
trol of  Asa  Fitch,  Esq.  The  taste  and  efficiency  that 
have  converted  an  ancient  iron  works  and  a  rugged 
farming  district  into  the  village  of  Fitchville,  with 
its  large  agricultural  area,  its  mansion  house  beau- 
tifully embowered  and  skirted  with  landscape  beauty, 
its  symmetrical,  well-built  church,  its  cotton  mill,  its 
lines  of  heavy  stone  wall,  and  its  two  miles  of 
graded  road,  prepared  for  a  railway,  command  our 
unqualified   admiration." 

Douglass  W.  Fitch,  son  of  Col.  Asa  Fitch,  born 
February  18,  1796,  in  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  married 
in  October,  1834,  Louisa  Clemence  Beck,  of  Mar- 
seilles. Mr.  Fitch  became  associated  with  his 
brother  at  Marseilles,  France,  and  shared  with  him 
the  development  and  successful  operation  of  their 
extensive  business.  With  his  wife  and  family  Mr. 
Fitch  visited  America  in  1838.  Of  their  children, 
Harold,  born  October  10,  1837,  died  in  Marseilles; 
and  Charles  D.,  born  October  10,  1845,  resides  in 
Marseilles.     The  father  died  June   11,  1848. 

William  Fitch,  son  of  Col.  Asa  Fitch,  born  October 
27,  1800,  in  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  there  assisted  in  season  in  the 
farming  operations,  and  in  the  winters  attended  the 
neighborhood  schools.  He  had  manifested  at  an 
early  age  a  desire  for  study,  became  deeply  inter- 
ested in  books,  and  at  about  fifteen  years  of  age 
furthered  his  studies  at  Bacon  Academy,  Colchester, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated.  He 
taught  several  terms  of  school  before  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  entering  the  New  York  branch  of  the 
Fitch  establishment  in  1820.  There  he  remained 
until  1848,  and  was  in  charge  of  the  correspondence 
of  the  house.     Owing  to  failing  health  he  returned 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


90 

in  1848  to  his  native  town,  and  for  several  years 
thereafter  was  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  busi- 
ness, associated  with  his  brother,  Asa.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1858  Mr.  Fitch  settled  in  the  town  of  Nor- 
wich Connecticut,  and  there  resided  until  his  death, 
December  23,  1880.  He  was  for  several  years  post- 
master at  Fitchville.  Mr.  Fitch  "was  a  member  of 
Trinity  Church  and  was  characterized  for  benevo- 
lence among  that  people.  He  was  a  man  of  gen- 
erous impulses,  and  will  be  missed  by  many  poor 
families.  His  was  a  long  and  useful  life,  peacefully 
closed  with  a  full  hope  of  immortality." 

On  October  14,  1857,  Mr.  Fitch  was  married  to 
Mary  E.  Williams,  born  June  23,  1825,  in  Bethlehem, 
Connecticut,  daughter  of  Dr.  Elias  and  Mary  Ann 
(Hillhouse)  Williams.  Six  children  were  born  to 
the  marriage,  namely:  William  Asa  (who  died  in 
infancy).  Marian  H.,  Susan  L.,  Elizabeth  M.. 
Fanny  R.,  and  Sarah  G.,  all  born  in  Norwich. 

William  Huntington  Fitch,  son  of  Stephen  Fitch, 
was  born  November  4,  1830,  in  New  Hartford,  New 
York.    Though   a   native    of   the    Empire    State,   he 
was  by  inheritance,  education  and   residence   a  son 
of  New  England.     When  he  was  two  years  old  his 
parents  and  family  returned  to  Connecticut,  residing 
in  Norwich   until  the  death  of  the  mother  in   1837. 
In  that  year  the  family  removed  to  Fitchville.     Wil- 
liam  H.   received  good   common-school   advantages 
in    Norwich,    and    vicinity,    and    then    furthered    his 
studies  in  the  Cheshire  Academy,  from  which  he  was 
graduated.     When    about    twenty    years    of    age.    in 
the  spring  of  1850.  he  turned  his  course  westward, 
going  to  California  by  way  of  the  Isthmus.     There 
he  tarried  for  a  time,  and  there  he  joined  his  brother, 
Asa  D.,  and  thence  proceeded  on  to  Portland,  Ore- 
gon, in  which  place  the  brothers  established  a  mer- 
cantile   business.     Young    Fitch    was    associated    in 
business  with  his  brother  until   1859,  in  which  year 
he  returned  East,  and  became  associated  in  a  part- 
nership   with    his    uncle,    Asa    Fitch,    at    Fitchville, 
under  the  firm  title  of  W.   H.   Fitch  &  Co.,  manu- 
facturers   of    cotton    goods.     This    partnership    was 
continued   until   the   death   of   Asa   Fitch,   and   then 
conducted  by  the  nephew  until   1867.  in  which  year 
he  retired  to  a  farm  of  some  300  acres,  beautifully 
situated    between    Fitchville    and   Yantic.     This    ex- 
tensive farm  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  locality,  weli- 
watered  and  improved,  its  buildings  commodious  and 
modern.     Mr.    Fitch    (as   was   his   father)    was   fond 
of  blooded  and   speed  horses,  and  on  his   farm  he 
had  one  of  the  best  half-mile  tracks  in  the  State.     He 
kept    some    very    fine    horses.     A    couple    of    yea'' 
ago  he  disposed  of  the  farm.     His  late  residence  is 
near  the  Green,  in  Norwich  Town,  and  there  he  died 
October  28,   1904;  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family 
burial   plot  in   Bozrah.     Mr.   Fitch   for   a   number  of 
years  past  was  a  director  of  Uncas  National  Bank, 
and  in  1903  was  elected  vice-president  of  that  insti- 
tution.    At  a  meeting  of  the  directors   of  the  bank 
the  following  minutes  were  entered  upon  its  records: 
"Upon   the  occasion   of  the  death  of  William   H. 


Fitch,  the  vice-president  of  this  bank,  his  fellow 
directors  desire  to  place  upon  record  their  appre- 
ciation of  his  efficient  services  in  the  interests  of 
this  institution  and  of  those  personal  qualities  which 
he  possessed,  and  which  so  well  entitled  him  to  the 
respect   and   confidence   of  this   community. 

"Mr.  Fitch  has  been  a  director  of  this  bank  since 
1896,  and  since  1903  its  vice-president.  His  exten- 
sive and  varied  business  training  and  practical 
knowledge  of  human  nature  as  well  as  a  prior  serv- 
ice as  director  in  another  bank  in  Norwich  and  his 
close  touch  with  many  of  the  financial  interests  of 
the  city,  entitled  his  judgment  to  much  considera- 
tion and  rendered  his  services  with  us  of  much  more 
than   ordinary  value. 

"He  was  a  man  of  independent  views,  positive  con- 
victions and  the  strictest  integrity.  With  him  there 
was  no  such  thing  as  any  deviation  as  a  matter  of 
policy  from  what  he  considered  as  right.  His  own 
rights  were  no  more  sacred  with  him  than  those  of 
others.  His  presence  upon  the  board  of  any  insti- 
tution was  an  element  of  safety  in  its  financial  man- 
agement. 

"Altogether,  Mr.  Fitch  was  a  man  of  rugged  and 
marked  personality.  He  possessed  qualities  which 
just  entitled  him  to  the  regard  and  respect  with 
which  he  was  held  by  those  who  knew  him.  Such 
men  are  too  few  among  us.  and  seem  sometimes 
to  belong,  too  often  only,  to  the  training  of  a  past 
generation.  In  his  death,  not  only  this  institution, 
but  this  community  has  suffered  a  great  loss. 
"In  his  memory  we  enter  this  minute  upon 
records,  and  direct  that  this  bank  be  closed  at 
o'clock  on  the  day  of  the  funeral,  and  request 
its   directors  attend   the   services   in  a  body." 

Mr.  Fitch's  political  affiliations  were  with 
Democratic  party,  the  party  of  his  forefathers, 
never  sought  political  preferment  or  offices  of  any 
kind,  but  he  had  various  honors  bestowed  upon  him, 
among  them  the  position  of  judge  of  probate  for 
his  district.  W'hile  in  Oregon  (and,  by  the  way, 
this  was  before  that  territory  had  assumed  State- 
hood) he  served  as  assistant  commissary  during 
the  Indian  troubles  on  the  frontier.  A  man  of 
means,  Mr.  Fitch  was  also  one  of  influence  and 
power  in  eastern  Connecticut.  He  ably  sustained 
the  reputation  made  by  the  earlier  generations  of 
the  family. 

On -January  13,  1870,  Mr.  Fitch  was  married  to 
Louise  C.  Smith,  born  December  3,  1844,  in  Bozrah, 
Connecticut,  daughter  of  Captain  William  Smith, 
of  Norwich.  Three  children  blessed  this  union, 
namely:  Mary  I.,  now  deceased;  Stephen  D.,  also 
deceased;  and  William  D..  born  October  25.  1879. 


our 
one 
that 

the 
He 


COL.  CHARLES  FARNSWORTH— The  Farns- 
worths  in  the  United  States  are  of  English  origin, 
and  without  doubt  derive  their  names  from  one 
of  two  places  in  Lancashire,  England,  and  most 
likely  from  Farnsworth.  in  the  parish  of  Dean,  not 
far    from    Manchester,    in    Salford    Hundred.     Mat- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


91 


thias  Farnworth,  as  first  written,  and  pronounced 
"Farnoth,"  appears  first  in  America  in  1657,  at  Lynn, 
Massachusetts,  but  he  is  believed  to  have  been  here 
at  Lynn  some  years  before  that.  He  was  probably 
married  twice,  second  to  Mary  Farr,  daughter  of 
George  Farr,  of  Lynn.  Mr.  Farnworth  later  re- 
moved to  Groton.  He  died  January  21,  1689,  at 
which  time  he  was  about  seventy-seven  years  of 
age.  His  widow  died  in  1717.  Mr.  Farnworth  was 
a  member  of  the  church,  as  were  all  his  children. 
He  filled  many  town  oiTices,  among  them  those  of 
constable  and  selectman.  He  was  a  weaver  by  occu- 
pation. His  children  were:  Elizabeth,  Matthias, 
John,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  Harry,  Sarah,  Samuel,  Abi- 
gail and  Jonathan. 

(II)  Benjamin  Farnsworth,  born  about  1667,  mar- 
ried in  1695,  Mary,  born  February  3,  1674,  daughter 
of  Jonas  and  Mary  (Loker)  Prescott.  Mr.  Farns- 
worth owned  considerable  land  in  Groton.  He  held 
several  town  offices,  among  them  that  of  selectman. 
Both  himself  and  wife  were  members  of  the  church, 
and  their  children  were  all  baptized;  they  were: 
Mary,  Martha,  Benjamin,  Isaac,  Ezra,  Amos,  Lydia, 
Aaron,  Martha,  Jonas  and  Deborah.  The  father 
died  .\ugust  15,  1733,  and  the  mother  passed  away 
October  28,  1735. 

(III)  Amos  Farnsworth,  born  November  27, 
1704,  married  November  20,  1735,  Lydia  Longley, 
born  June  26,  1716,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Prescott)  Longley,  the  latter  of  whom  witnessed 
the  murder  of  his  parents  and  several  of  their  chil- 
dren by  the  Indians,  and  he  himself  was  captured, 
taken  into  Canada  and  retained  five  years.  Amos 
Farnsworth  was  a  man  six  feet,  four  inches  in 
height,  and  of  striking  appearance.  He  was  pos- 
sessed of  much  energy  and  was  well  educated  for  a 
farmer  of  his  time.  After  the  conquest  of  Canada, 
when  the  lands  opened  for  settlement,  he  went 
thither,  engaged  in  surveying  and  received  grants  of 
land.  He  erected  buildings  thereon  and  prepared  to 
remove  his  family  there.  He  placed  agents  on  the 
property  and  returned  for  his  wife  and  children, 
and  took  them  on,  but  during  his  absence  the  agents 
had  through  certain  misrepresentations  to  the  offi- 
cials of  the  Nova  Scotia  government  had  the  title 
to  the  lands  transferred  to  them.  He  was  crowded 
out  and  returned  to  Groton  in  1774  with  a  part  of 
his  family.  The  Revolutionary  War  soon  followed, 
in  which  he  took  great  interest,  but  on  December  5, 
I775i  he  and  his  youngest  son,  Benjamin,  were  both 
drowned  by  the  upsetting  of  a  boat  in  the  Nashua 
river.  His  widow  died  in  1810.  Their  children 
were:  Sarah,  Rachel,  Lydia,  Susanna,  Lucy,  Amos, 
Jonas,  Mary,  Amos   (2),  and  Benjamin. 

(IV)  Major  Amos  Farnsworth,  born  April  28, 
1754.  in  Groton,  married  May  7,  1782,  Elizabeth 
Rockwood,  born  April  17,  1757,  in  Groton,  daughter 
of  Elisha  and  Elizabeth  (Adams)  Rockwood.  At 
the  age  of  eleven  years  Mr.  Farnsworth  went  with 
his  father  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  returned  with  him 
in    1774.     Directly   on   his   return   he   united   himself 


with  a  company  of  "minute  men"  that  was  organized 
m  Groton  under  the  command  of  Captain  Henry 
Farwell  for  the  defense  of  popular  rights.  On  the 
Lexington  Alarm  young  Farnsworth  marched  with 
the  company  for  the  scene  of  action,  but  arrived  too 
late  to  participate  in  the  fight.  Mr.  Farnsworth  at 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  fought  behind  the  breast- 
works until  they  were  captured  by  the  British  forces; 
in  the  retreat  his  right  arm  was  shattered  by  a  ball. 
In  1776  he  was  ensign  in  Captain  Shattuck's  com- 
pany at  Ticonderoga.  The  next  winter  he  was  in 
New  Jersey.  In  1780  he  helped  to  organize  the 
artillery  company  of  Groton,  with  which  he  re- 
mained as  lieutenant,  captain  and  major  until  1798. 
Major  Farnsworth  had  the  reputation  of  being  an 
efficient  and  very  popular  officer.  In  addition  to 
his  military  services  he  was  for  several  years  a 
deacon  of  the  church  in  Groton,  and  he  served 
the  church  in  many  business  ways  until  old  age 
diminished  his  powers.  He  died  October  29,  1847, 
in  his  ninety-fourth  year,  and  his  widow  passed 
away  December  11,  of  that  same  year,  aged  ninety 
years.  Their  children,  all  born  in  Groton,  were: 
Luke,  Amos,  Elizabeth,  Ralph  and  Walter. 

(V)  Ralph  Farnsworth,  M.  D.,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 20,  1795,  in  Groton,  Massachusetts,  the  fourth 
child  and  third  son  of  Major  Amos  Farnsworth. 

.Vfter  working  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  had 
arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  determined  to 
acquire  a  thorough  education.  His  was  naturally 
a  strong  intellect,  and  he  was  able  to  fit  himself  for 
college  at  the  Groton  Academy  in  eleven  months, 
and  entered  Harvard  in  1817.  There,  by  sheer 
force  of  intellect  and  hard  work  he  graduated  among 
the  first  seven  of  the  noted  class  of  1821.  This  was 
a  noted  class,  inasmuch  as  many  of  its  members  be- 
came eminent  men  in  their  professions,  among  them 
being  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson,  philosopher;  Edward 
Kent,  LL.  D.,  eminent  lawyer,  ninth  and  eleventh 
Governor  of  Maine;  Robert  Woodward  Barnwell,  a 
noted  Southern  lawyer;  Josiah  Quincy,  son  of  Presi- 
dent Quincy  of  Harvard,  and  fourth  mayor  of  Bos- 
ton; Oliver  Hunter  Blood  and  Cyrus  Briggs,  emi- 
nent  physicians. 

After  graduating,  Ralph  Farnsworth  taught  school 
for  a  time  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  where 
he  stood  so  well  as  an  educator  that  Dartmouth 
College  gave  him  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  in 
1825.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  John  C.  War- 
ren, of  Boston,  and  took  his  degree  of  M.  D.  at  Har- 
vard Medical  School  in  1826,  and  the  thesis  which 
he  prepared  for  the  occasion  was  so  well  appreciated 
by  the  examiners  that  it  was  awarded  the  Boylston 
prize.  He  located  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  that 
same  year,  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine,  which 
he  pursued  with  enthusiasm  to  the  end  of  his  life, 
his  death  occurring  July  16.  1875.  He  was  a  splen- 
didly developed  man  physically,  capable  of  enduring 
any  amount  of  continuous  work,  and  he  was  also  as 
well  equipped  mentally.  Dr.  Willard  Parker  spoke 
of  him  as  "several  men  in  one."     He  brought  to  his 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


professional  labors  a  mind  fit  for  the  work,  thor- 
oughly equipped  with  all  that  was  then  known  to  his 
profession,  and  he  never  ceased  adding  to  his  knowl- 
edge by  carefully  examining  all  the  current  niedical 
literature  of  his  time  and  making  it  subservient  to 
the  wants  of  his  practice.  He  was  unfitted  by  nature 
to  be  a  mere  routine  physician,  bringing  all  new  dis- 
coveries, not  only  in  his  profession,  but  in  general 
science,  to  assist  his  work,  and  he  won  a  reputation 
for  skill  and  capability  as  a  practitioner  throughout 
the  State.  He  enjoyed  one  of  the  best  practices  of 
any  physician  in  eastern  Connecticut. 

The  doctor  took  a  strong  interest  in  all  public 
movements,  and  was  a  man  of  very  strong  opinions. 
He  was  among  the  first  to  take  the  position  that 
slavery  was  a  great  wrong,  and  was  to  be  attacked 
wherever  it  could  be  reached.  He  did  not,  however, 
favor  the  formation  of  a  third  political  party  to 
secure  the  desired  end,  but  thought  slavery  could 
be  best  opposed  in  the  old  Whig  party  until  the 
formation,  by  a  sort  of  natural  selection,  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  with  which  he  united,  and  his  strong 
convictions  made  him  an  ardent  supporter  of  it. 
Such  a  constitution,  with  such  convictions,  usually 
aroused  opposition;  they  did  so  in  this  case.  Weaker 
and  less  positive  minds  do  not  see  things  with  the 
distinctness  with  which  they  appear  to  the  stronger 
man.  But  he  usually  expressed  his  opinions  with 
such  clearness  that  they  could  be  understood  by  all, 
and  they  were  acceded  to  because  his  logic  was 
invincible.  Yet  he  was  a  man  of  the  kindest  heart 
and  tendcrcst  sympathies.  No  man  was  ever  looked 
to  by  people  of  all  grades  and  associations  in  times 
of  real  trouble  with  more  confidence  that  he  would 
both  understand  and  appreciate  their  conditions  than 
Dr.  Ralph  Farnsworth.  Dr.  Farnsworth  was  a  large 
and  well-proportioned  man,  six  feet  in  height  and 
weighing  nearly  two  hundred  pounds. 

Dr.  Farnsworth  married,  November  25,  1828,  Miss 
Eunice  Williams  Billings,  of  New  London,  the 
daughter  of  Coddington  BilHngs,  Esq.,  and  Eunice 
(Williams)  Billings.  Mrs.  Farnsworth  died  Sep- 
tember 26,  1877,  and  is  buried  with  her  husband  in 
the  family  lot  in  Yantic  cemetery,  Norwich.  The 
children  of  Dr.  Farnsworth,  all  born  in  Norwich, 
were:  Coddington  Billings,  born  September  9,  1829; 
Walter  W.,  born  October  10,  1830;  Isabella  S.,  born 
December  11,  1832;  William  W.,  born  November  4, 
1834;  Charles,  born  January  30,  1836;  Noyes  B., 
born  April  12,  1839;  George  E,,  born  August  20, 
1840;  Frederick,  born  December  5,  1842;  and  Eliza- 
beth R.,  born  May  s,  1845.  Of  this  family  three 
sons  lived  to  maturity,  Coddington  Bilhngs,  Charles 
and  Frederick.  The  first  named  was  a  practicing 
physician  and  succeeded  his  father.  He  died  at 
Norwicli,  Connecticut,  May  5,  1897. 

Charles  Farnsworth,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisted  October  18,  1861,  in 
the  1st  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer  Cavalry, 
and  at  once  was  commissioned  adjutant  by  Governor 


William  A.  Buckingham.  He  was  mustered  in  as 
captain  of  Company  B,  and  October  I,  1863,  was  pro- 
moted to  major,  on  January  20,  1864,  being  made 
lieutenant-colonel.  This  latter  commission  was  re- 
voked at  his  own  request,  and  his  resignation  as 
major  took  place  May  17,  1864.  In  April,  1862,  while 
scouting  with  twelve  men,  he  was  attacked  by  a 
strong  force  of  Rebels,  and  was  severely  wounded. 
He  halted  his  men  and  formed  them  into  line  of 
battle,  but  fainting  from  loss  of  blood  he  was 
brought  into  camp.  Recovering  from  his  injuries,  he 
rejoined  his  command.  He  was  appointed  major  as 
a  recognition  of  his  valiant  services.  His  regiment 
had  headquarters  much  of  the  time  at  Camp  Cheese- 
borough,  Maryland,  and  Captain  Farnsworth  had 
charge  of  the  camp. 

On  July  14,  1863,  at  the  engagement  of  Bolivar 
Heights,  he  was  ordered  with  forty-nine  men  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy's  position.  He  did  so, 
charged  upon  a  cavalry  picket  of  two  hundred  men 
and  drove  them  within  their  lines,  capturing  many 
prisoners.  The  enemy,  finding  that  his  force  was 
small,  rallied,  and  a  hand-to-hand  fight  followed. 
His  horse  was  shot,  and  he,  with  twenty-six  of  his 
men,  was  taken  prisoner  and  put  in  Libby  prison, 
where  he  remained  for  nine  months.  He  was  then 
appointed  lieutenant-colonel,  but  his  health  was  so 
broken  by  wounds  and  imprisonment  that  he  re- 
signed, and  was  honorably  discharged  May  17,  1864, 
with  the  rank  of  colonel,  and  with  the  record  of  a 
brave  and  spirited  officer,  well  adapted  to  his  arm 
of  the  service.  The  report  on  Rebel  prisons  says: 
"Among  those  who  contributed  testimony,  based 
on  personal  knowledge,  was  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Charles  Farnsworth.  His  letters  were  of  great  in- 
terest; his  evidence  on  points  of  fact  emphatic,  ex- 
posing clearly  the  suffering  and  horrors  incident  to 
life  in   Libby  prison  and  at  Belle  Isle." 

In  another  place  the  report  says:  "Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Farnsworth  of  the  1st  Connecticut  Cavalry 
was  also  an  inmate  of  Libby,  and  while  there  did 
what  he  could  to  see  that  those  of  his  command  cap- 
tured with  him,  as  well  as  others  whom  he  knew, 
shared  with  him  the  good  things  sent  to  him  from 
his  home.  His  thoughtfulness  and  zeal  in  this  par- 
ticular were  remembered  with  devout  gratitude  by 
those  who  returned  to  speak  of  it,  and  who  felt 
their  own  preservation  from  death  by  starvation  was 
due  to  him.  When  he  was  exchanged  and  returned 
home  he  not  only  had  words  of  testimony  concern- 
ing the  inhuman  treatment  which  prevailed  at  Rich- 
mond, but  he  forwarded  as  early  as  possible  to  those 
he  left  behind  him  in  confinement  a  box  containing 
such  things  as  he  knew  from  experience  would 
comfort  and  cheer  them." 

By  the  time  Colonel  Farnsworth  had  recovered 
from  the  effects  of  his  wounds  and  imprisonment, 
the  bitter  struggle  had  come  to  an  end.  He  mar- 
ried, November  i,  1865,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
Harriet    Peck    Lester,   and    removed    to    Savannah, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


93 


Georgia,  and  was  engaged  in  rice  culture.  His 
deatli,  by  drowning,  caused  by  the  sinking  of  his 
boat  during  a  storm  on  the  Ogcechce  river  while 
en  route  from  his  residence  to  his  rice  plantation, 
occurred  April  15,  1867.  He  left  a  posthumous  son, 
Charles,  born  June  11,  1867. 


CHARLES   M.   COIT— John    Coit,   the    emigrant 

ancestor  of  the  New  London  and  Norwich  Coits, 
came  probably  from  Glamorganshire,  Wales,  be- 
tween 1630  and  1638.  He  was  in  Salem,  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  had  a  grant  of  land  in  1638.  In  1644 
he  removed  to  Gloucester,  and  in  1648  was  select- 
man there.  He  had  considerable  land  on  Wheeler's 
Point  and  Planter's  Neck.  He  was  a  freeman  in 
1647.  In  1650  he  received  a  grant  of  land  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  and  came  to  it  in  1651.  He 
married  Mary  Ganners,  or  Jenncrs,  in  England, 
where  all  of  his  children  were  born  previous  to  emi- 
gration. He  died  .\ugust  29,  1659,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  January  2,  1676.  Their  children  were: 
John,  Joseph,  Mary  and  Martha. 

From  this  ancestor  the  lineage  of  the  late  Colonel 
Charles  M.  Coit  and  the  present  George  D.  Coit,  of 
Norwich,  is  through  Deacon  Joseph,  Rev.  Joseph, 
Colonel  Samuel,  John,  Nathaniel  and  Colonel 
Charles  Coit. 

(II)  Deacon  Joseph  Coit  probably  came  with  his 
father  from  Gloucester  to  New  London  about  1651, 
and  he  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  lifetime  in 
the  latter  place,  carrying  on  the  trade  of  shipbuild- 
ing with  his  brother-in-law,  Hugh  Mould.  On  July 
15,  1667,  Deacon  Coit  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
William  and  Edith  Harris,  of  Wethersfield;  both 
joined  the  church  in  1681,  he  later  becoming  a  dea- 
con. He  died  March  27,  1704,  and  Mrs.  Coit  passed 
away  July  14,  1710.  Nearly,  if  not  all  the  Coits  of 
America,  says  the  genealogist  of  the  Coit  family, 
are  descended  from  him.  His  children  were:  John, 
Joseph,  William,  Daniel,  Solomon  and  Samuel,  all 
born  between  1670  and  1692,  inclusive. 

(III)  Rev.  Joseph  Coit,  born  April  4,  1673,  in 
New  London,  married  September  18,  1705,  Experi- 
ence Wheeler,  daughter  of  Isaac  Wheeler,  of  Ston- 
ington,  Connecticut,  and  the  union  was  blessed  with 
ten  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  born  February  19, 
1706-07;  Samuel,  in  1708;  Joseph,  baptized  in  171 1; 
Martha,  born  in  1713;  Isaac,  December  26,  1714! 
Abigail,  about  1716;  Mary,  about  1718;  William,  No- 
vember 20,  1720;  Experience,  about  1722,  and  Daniel, 
in  1731.  Mr.  Coit  was  graduated  from  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1697,  and  was  admitted  the  Master's  de- 
gree at  the  first  commencement  at  Yale  College  in 
1702.  In  the  latter  part  of  1698  he  preached  at  Nor- 
wich, and  was  invited  to  settle  there,  but  he  soon 
went  to  Plainfield,  where  he  preached  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  for  five  years.  In  1 704  he  received 
and  accepted  a  call  to  settle  as  pastor  of  the  church 
at  that  point,  and  for  forty-three  years,  until  1748, 
he  sustained  such  relations  with  the  church,  at  the 
close  of  which  period,  owing  to  age,  he  asked  for 


dismissal.  Rev.  Mr.  Coit  continued  to  reside  in 
Plainfield  until  his  death,  July  i,  1750.  Mrs.  Coit 
passed  away  January  8,  1759. 

(IV)  Colonel  Samuel  Coit,  born  in  1708,  in  Plain- 
field,  married  (first)  March  30,  1730,  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  Spalding,  of  Plainfield.  Colonel 
Coit  settled  in  the  North  Society,  Preston  (now 
Griswold),  and  there  spent  a  long  and  honored  life, 
dying  October  4,  1792,  when  eighty-four  years  of 
age.  In  military  life  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel, 
and  in  1758  had  command  of  a  regiment  raised  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Norwich  which  wintered  at 
Fort  Edward.  Colonel  Coit  represented  Preston  in 
the  General  .Assembly  in  1761,  1765,  1769,  1771,  1772 
and  1773.  In  the  time  of  the  Revolution  he  sat  as 
judge  on  the  bench  of  the  county  court  and  of  a 
maritime  court.  He  also  served  in  other  public 
capacities.  He  was  received  into  the  church  at 
Preston  in  1742,  and  his  wife  in  1733.  His  wife, 
Sarah  (Spaling),  died  July  II,  1776,  aged  sixty-five 
years.  Their  children  were:  Benjamin,  born  March 
28,  1731;  Samuel,  July  23,  1733;  William,  February 
13.  1735;  Oliver,  February  23,  1736-37;  Wheeler,  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1738-39;  John,  June  4,  1741;  Sarah,  May  12, 
1743;  Joseph,  baptized  May  2,  1746;  Isaac,  baptized 
October  3,  1748;  and  Olive,  baptized  April  5,  1752. 

(V)  John  Coit,  born  June  4,  1741,  married  Febru- 
ary 6,  1766,  Mchitabcl  Tyler,  daughter  of  John  Tyler, 
of  Preston,  and  passed  his  life  there.  Mr.  Coit  wai 
the  owner  of  a  large  farm  in  Preston,  and  occupied 
himself  in  its  oversight.  His  death  occurred  March 
3,  1808,  and  the  death  of  his  wife  January  3,  1806. 
Their  children  were:  Lydia,  born  December  13, 
1766;  Nathaniel,  May  5,  1768;  Sarah.  May  i,  1770; 
Olive,  February  22,  1772;  John,  December  20,  1773; 
Sophia,  October  14,  1775;  James  Tyler,  October  I, 
1778;  Rebecca,  February  2,  1783;  and  Roger,  January 
25,  1786. 

(VI)  Nathaniel  Coit,  born  May  5,  1768,  in  Pres- 
ton, married  (first)  March  14,  1792,  Betsey  Morgan, 
of  that  town,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
(Lord)  Morgan.  Captain  Coit  (by  which  title  he 
was  known  and  which  he  acquired  in  military  serv- 
ice) settled  in  Preston  as  a  farmer,  in  which  pursuit 
he  was  quite  successful.  A  number  of  honors  were 
bestowed  upon  him  by  his  fcllow-townsmcn,  who  had 
great  confidence  in  his  judgment,  integrity  and  faith- 
fulness. His  moral  character  was  beyond  reproach, 
but  not  until  late  in  life  did  he  make  a  profession 
of  religion,  then  uniting  with  the  church  in  Jewctt 
City.  Captain  Coit  died  at  that  place,  which  was 
formerly  included  in  Preston,  March  II,  1848.  His 
wife  died  March  13,  1831.  Their  children  were: 
Charles,  born  February  19,  1793;  Martha,  December 
12,  1795;  Charlotte,  .August  11,  1797;  Olive,  October 
12,  1799;  Betsey,  January  10,  1802;  a  son,  March  2, 
1804  (died  in  infancy);  Charlotte  (2),  September  20, 
1805;  Hannah  M.,  May  28,  1808;  George,  April  29, 
181 1 ;  and  William. 

(VII)  Colonel  Charles  Coit,  born  February  19, 
1793,  married   (first)   May  21,   1821,   Lucretia  Tyler, 


94 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


daughter  of  Colonel  Moses  and  Olive  (Coit)  Tyler. 
She  died  in  1822,  and  he  married  (second)  Lydia 
Tyler,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  died  in  October, 
1834,  and  he  married  (third)  Sarah  Perkins  Gros- 
venor,  daughter  of  General  Lemuel  Grosvenor,  of 
Pomfret.  Colonel  Coit  took  part  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  afterward  continued  in  the  militia  service,  ris- 
ing to  the  rank  of  colonel  of  artillery.  In  about 
1817  he  removed  to  Norwich  and  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business,  which,  in  various  forms,  particularly 
in  the  grocery  line,  he  carried  on  until  his  death, 
October  26,  1855,  when  aged  sixty-two  years.  Colonel 
Coit  united  with  the  Second  Congregational  Church 
in  Norwich  in  1822  and  for  many  years  officiated  as 
deacon  and  as  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school. 
In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  exhibited  a  character 
seldom  equalled  for  blamelessness  and  faithfulness. 
His  fellow-citizens  generally  acknowledged  him  to 
be  a  pillar  in  society,  contributing  essentially  to  the 
strength  and  beauty  thereof  by  his  intelligence,  dig- 
nity, uprightness,  sincerity,  discretion  and  benevo- 
lence. Two  children  were  born  of  the  second  mar- 
riage of  Colonel  Coit,  Lucretia,  and  one  unnamed, 
both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Four  children  were 
born  of  the  last  marriage,  namely:  Ellen  Gros- 
venor, November  15,  1835;  Charles  Morgan,  March 
28,  :838  (died  July  3,  1878);  Sarah  Perkins,  October 
16,  1840  (died  May  17,  1843);  and  George  Douglas, 
January  2,  1845. 

(VIII)  Miss  Ellen  Grosvenor  Coit  resided  at 
Norwich  until  a  few  years  ago,  but  she  now  spends 
her  winters  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  her  sum- 
mers at  her  cottage  at  Eastern  Point,  town  of  Gro- 
ton,  Connecticut. 

(VIII)  Colonel  Charles  Morgan  Coit,  son  of 
Col.  Charles  Coit,  was  born  in  Norwich,  March  28, 
1838.  During  his  seventeenth  year  the  death  of 
his  father  changed  all  his  plans  for  life,  and  led  him 
with  deep  regret  to  exchange  a  college  course  for 
a  business  situation.  He  first  entered  the  Uncas 
Bank,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  was  made  treas- 
urer of  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank,  which  responsible 
position  he  occupied  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion.  Although  ardently  desirous 
of  enlisting  under  the  first  call  for  troops,  the  claims 
of  his  family,  of  wliich  he  was  the  oldest  male  mem- 
ber, seemed  to  render  imperative  for  him  the  duty 
of  remaining  at  home.  But  as  reverses  occurred 
to  our  armies  and  President  Lincoln's  second  call 
for  troops  was  made,  young  Coit,  after  mature  and 
prayerful  deliberation,  decided  that  the  claim  of  his 
country  was  paramount  to  all  others,  and  entered 
the  service  as  adjutant  of  the  8th  Connecticut  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  then  being  organized  under  Colonel 
Edward  Harland.  His  military  record  in  brief  is 
as  follows:  Enlisted  September  18,  1861,  mustered 
October  5,  1861;  promoted  from  adjutant  of  the  8th 
Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry  to  captain  of  Com- 
pany B,  of  that  regiment,  March  27,  1862;  wounded 
October  28,  1864,  at  Fair  Oaks,  Virginia;  promoted 
lieutenant-colonel    by    brevet    March    13,    1865;    dis- 


charged May  27,  1865.  But  to  give  more  in  detaif 
the  maneuvers  of  the  8th  Regiment  and  Colonel 
Coit's  identity  with  it  the  following  is  appended, 
taken  from  a  sketch  of  Colonel  Coit  in  the  chapter 
on  the  military  history  of  Connecticut,  published  in 
the  "History  of  New  London  County,"  by  Hurd: 

"This  regiment  left  the  State  October  17,  1861, 
joining  the  Burnside  expedition  to  Nortli  Carolina, 
and  on  the  8th  of  January  following  had  its  first 
experience  of  actual  battle  at  the  capture  of  Roanoke 
Island,  when  by  their  coolness  and  good  descipline 
the  men  won  the  hearty  approval  of  Generals  Burn- 
side  and  Foster.  From  this  time  onward  until  the 
close  of  the  war  the  career  of  this  gallant  regiment 
was  one  of  unusual  hardship  and  honor.  Almost 
uninterruptedly  in  the  front  and  in  active  service,  its 
engagements  were  many,  its  losses,  both  from  the 
casualties  of  the  field  and  from  the  exposures  inci- 
dent to  tlie  service,  terribly  severe,  and  the  record 
always  of  work  well  and  bravely  done.  After  its 
North  Carolina  campaign,  in  which  the  regiment 
had  borne  a  prominent  part  at  the  seige  of  Fort 
Macon  and  the  capture  of  Newbern,  and  during 
which  Adjutant  Coit  had  been  promoted  to  a  cap- 
taincy, the  9th  Army  Corps,  to  which  the  regiment 
was  attached,  was  ordered  north  to  join  General  Mc- 
Clellan,  and  participated  in  the  fircely  contested  bat- 
tles of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam.  Especially 
in  the  latter  action  was  the  gallantry  of  the  8th 
Regiment  conspicuous  and  of  the  highest  service  to 
its  whole  corps.  Nine  color-bearers  were  struck 
down,  yet  another  always  stood  ready  to  fill  the 
vacant  place  and  uphold  the  flag.  The  entire  list 
of  casualties  included  more  than  one-half  of  those 
v/ho  entered  the  battle.  The  regiment  was  in  front 
of  Burnside's  advance  with  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, helping  to  lay  the  pontoon  bridge  at  Freder- 
icksburg, and  after  the  battle  serving  on  the  picket 
line  beyond  the  city,  and  being  among  the  last  to 
recross  the  river.  In  the  spring  of  1863  the  8th  saw 
active  service  at  the  siege  of  Suffolk  and  the  bril- 
liant storming  of  Fort  Huger.  During  the  following 
fall  and  winter,  while  the  regiment  was  enjoying  its 
longest  experience  of  the  comparative  comfort  of 
quiet  camp  life.  Captain  Coit  was  ordered  to  duty 
at  the  conscript  camp  at  New  Haven,  a  service 
which,  though  in  some  respects  an  exceedingly 
agreeable  change  from  field  service,  was  in  other  re- 
spects most  unpleasant  and  difficult.  Returning  to 
the  regiment  before  the  commencement  of  active 
operations  in  the  spring  of  1864,  he  was  constantly 
on  duty  with  his  command  through  the  terrible  cam- 
paign on  the  James,  commencing  with  the  severe 
engagement  at  Walthall  Junction,  in  which  the  regi- 
ment lost  seventy-four  men,  and  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  the  four  days'  battle  at  Drury's  Bluff,  with 
further  heavy  loss.  During  the  'battle  summer' 
that  followed,  in  the  absence  of  the  field-officers, 
the  regiment  was  commanded  by  Captain  Coit.  Its 
history  and  his  is  a  record  of  marches  and  battles 
almost  daily,  until  the  latter  part  of  June,  when  it 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


95 


was  ordered  to  the  front  of  the  line  investing  Peters- 
burg. From  June  21  to  August  27,  under  the  scorch- _ 
ing  summer  sun,  the  men  lay  in  their  rifle-pits, 
rarely  by  day  or  night,  beyond  the  range  of  the 
enemy's  cannon.  In  one  of  the  regiment's  charges 
on  the  enemy's  works,  so  gallantly  did  the  men  do 
their  work  that  their  commander.  General  'Baldy' 
Smith,  said  he  'felt  like  giving  a  commission  to  the 
whole  regiment  that  had  done  that  gallant  deed.' 
The  last  severe  fighting  of  the  regiment  at  Fort 
Harrison,  September  29,  was  another  of  its  most 
gallant  achievements.  Charging  across  nearly  a 
mile  of  open  field,  still  commanded  by  Captain  Coit, 
the  men  stormed  the  fort,  driving  the  gunners  from 
their  places  and  planting  their  flag  on  its  ramparts. 
The  regiment  lay  in  the  trenches  about  the  fort 
nearly  a  month,  repulsing  in  the  meantime  all  the 
attempts  of  the  enemy  to  regain  their  lost  ground. 
When  at  the  end  of  the  month  the  men  were  re- 
lieved and  assigned  to  lighter  duty,  the  regiment 
had  become  so  reduced  by  the  casualties  of  the  field, 
'fatigue  duty,  watching,  picketing,  storms,  and  lack 
of  even  shelter  tents,  which  were  not  then  allowed 
at  the  front,'  that  but  ninety  muskets  could  be  mus- 
tered. 

"Soon  after  the  capture  of  Fort  Harrison,  Captain 
Coit  was  assigned  to  duty  as  assistant  adjutant-gen- 
eral on  the  brigade  staff,  and  while  here  received  a 
commission  as  major  of  his  regiment,  which  he  de- 
clined. He  had  been  with  his  regiment  in  every 
action  in  which  it  had  taken  part  without  receiving 
a  wound;  but  October  28,  while  on  staff  duty  at 
Fair  Oaks,  in  one  of  the  latest  engagements  of  the 
army  before  Richmond,  he  was  wounded,  it  was  sup- 
posed, mortally.  He  was  removed  to  Chesapeake 
Hospital,  Fortress  Monroe,  where  he  remained  four 
months,  lying  for  many  weeks  with  the  scales 
trembling  between  life  and  death,  suffering  not  only 
from  his  wound,  but  from  the  almost  fatal  effects 
of  the  severe  service  of  the  past  summer.  But 
skillful  treatment  and  the  tender  care  of  loving 
friends,  aided  by  his  naturally  strong  constitution 
and  good  habits,  were  finally  blessed  to  his  recovery. 
As  soon  as  health  would  permit  he  returned  to  his 
regiment,  but  the  war  being  over,  army  life  had  no 
charms  for  him,  and  he  resigned  May  30,  1865.  He 
was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  from  March  13, 
1865. 

"Soon  after  his  return  to  Norwich  from  the  war 
Colonel  Coit  was  chosen  to  his  former  position  as 
treasurer  of  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank,  and  filled 
the  position  with  marked  ability  and  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all  interested.  He  served  one  term 
as  postmaster  of  Norwich.  He  was  an  aide  on  the 
staff  of  General  Joseph  R.  Hawley,  when  that  gen- 
tleman was  governor  of  Connecticut.  Colonel  Coit 
was  prominent  among  the  founders  and  early  sup- 
porters of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Boston  Com- 
mandery  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States. 

"Colonel  Coit  was  a  consistent  and  active  member 


of  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  holding  the 
offices  of  deacon  and  treasurer  of  the  church,  and 
librarian  of  the  Sunday  school.  Colonel  Coit  lost 
his  life  on  Juy  3,  1878,  by  drowning  in  New  London 
harbor;  his  little  son  had  fallen  overboard  from  a 
yacht  and  in  an  effort  of  the  father  to  rescue  him, 
in  which  he  was  successful,  he  lost  his  own  life." 

On  June  18,  1872,  Colonel  Coit  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  B.  Hillard,  and  to  them  came  two  chil- 
dren, both  of  whom  arc  living:  Charles,  born  March 
28,  1873,  and  .'Vugustus,  born  ■\pril  29,  1876. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  directors  of  the  Chelsea  Sav- 
ings Bank,  held  July  5,  1878,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  unanimously  passed: 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  recent  sudden  death  of 
Colonel  Charles  M.  Coit,  our  secretary  and  treasurer, 
this  bank  has  suffered  the  greatest  loss  which  it  has 
ever  been  called  upon  to  bear.  We  have  lost  one 
who  has  been  identified  with  the  bank  for  nearly 
twenty  years,  in  whose  sound  judgment  and  busi- 
ness capacity  we  have  always  had  the  greatest  con- 
fidence, one  whose  integrity,  both  in  thought  and 
deed,  was  such  that  it  seems  impossible  to  replace 
him. 

"Resolved,  That  in  Colonel  Coit's  death  this  com- 
munity suffers  a  loss  of  one  who,  having  passed  his 
entire  life  among  them,  except  that  portion  given 
to  his  country,  had  gained  their  confidence,  respect, 
and  love  to  a  very  unusual  degree.  As  a  citizen,  a 
patriot  soldier,  and  a  public  officer,  he  has  always 
shown  those  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  en- 
deared him  to  all  who  were  brought  in  contact  with 
him.  Though  cut  off  in  his  prime,  the  example  of 
such  a  life  is  of  incalculable  value  to  the  community. 

"Early  professing  his  love  for  Christ,  Colonel 
Coit  exhibited  through  the  pleasures  of  youth,  the 
trials  and  temptations  of  army  life,  and  the  cares  of 
business,  such  a  sincere,  unostentatious,  but  decided 
Christian  spirit  as  left  no  room  for  question  or  cavil. 
His  unswerving  allegiance  to  his  God  controlled  all 
his  life  and  has,  we  believe,  won  for  him  at  the 
judgment  on  high  the  same  verdict  so  heartily  given 
by  all  who  knew  him  here. — 'Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant.'  " 


HON.  DAVID  AMES  WELLS.  M.  D.,  LL.  D., 
D.  C.  L.,  economist,  was  born  June  17,  1827,  at 
Springfield,  Massachusetts.  He  was  graduated  from 
Williams  College  in  1847.  He  was  associate  editor 
of  the  Springfield  "Republican"  in  1848-49,  and  was 
appointed  assistant  professor  at  the  Lawrence 
Scientific  School,  Harvard  University,  in  1850.  In 
1852  he  received  the  degree  of  B.  S.  from  Harvard, 
and  in  1863  the  honorary  degree  of  M.  D.,  from  the 
Berkshire  Medical  College.  In  1857-58  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  general  book  and  publishing  business 
in  New  York,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  G.  P. 
Putnam  &  Co.  He  removed  to  Troy,  New  York, 
in  1858,  and  thence  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  1870. 
In  April,  1865,  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  United 
States  Revenue  Commission,  and  w.t*  1•^•^"."'(•(l  spc- 


96 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


cial  commissioner  of  revenue  of  the  United  States 
in  1867.  The  same  year  he  was  sent  on  a  mission 
to  Europe  by  the  United  States  Government.  He 
retired  from  the  oflfice  of  special  commissioner  of 
United  States  revenue  by  limitation  of  term  of 
office  in  July,  1870,  and  received  on  retirement  a 
letter  of  thanks  for  has  ofTicial  services  from  a  ma- 
jority of  both  branches  of  Congress.  In  July,  1870, 
he  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  New  York  a 
commissioner  to  revise  the  laws  for  the  assessment 
and  collection  of  taxes  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  in  this  new  position  he  prepared  and  submitted 
to  the  Legislature,  in  1872  and  1873,  two  reports 
and  a  code  of  laws.  All  of  these  reports  have  been 
since  reprinted  in  the  United  States,  and  in  Europe; 
and  one  of  the  first  acts  of  the  French  National 
Assembly,  after  the  conclusion  of  the  German  war, 
was  to  order  the  translation  and  official  publica- 
tion of  Mr.  Well's  reports  as  special  commissioner 
for  1868-69.  This  compliment  was  further  supple- 
mented, in  the  spring  of  1874,  by  the  unanimous 
election  of  Mr.  Wells  by  the  Institute  of  France 
to  fill  the  chair  of  Foreign  Associate,  made  vacant 
by  the  death  of  the  late  John  Stuart  Mill;  and  later 
by  the  voting  to  him  of  the  degree  of  D.  C.  L.,  by 
the  University  of  Oxford,  England.  The  honorary 
degree  of  LL.D.  had  been  given  him  by  the  college 
of  his  graduation — Williams,  and  on  his  retirement 
from  Washington,  a  testimonial  of  the  value  of 
several  thousand  dollars  was  also  presented  him 
by  the  merchants  of  New  York,  without  distinction 
of  party,  as  a  "token  of  their  esteem  for  his  unsul- 
lied integrity,  high  personal  character,  and  as  a 
slight  recognition  of  his  inestimable  services  to  his 
countrymen." 

In  1872  the  corporation  of  Yale  College  elected 
Mr.  Wells  university  lecturer  on  political  science. 
In  1873,  on  invitation  of  the  Cobden  Club,  he  visited 
England  and  delivered  the  address  at  the  annual 
meeting  and  dinner  of  the  club.  The  name  of  Mr. 
WeHs  was  brought  prominently  forward  in  the 
spring  of  1874  as  a  candidate  for  United  States 
Senator  for  Connecticut.  In  the  spring  of  1875  he 
was  elected  president  of  the  Democratic  State  Con- 
vention of  Connecticut;  and  as  such  firmly  com- 
mitted the  party  in  the  State  to  the  doctrine  of 
hard  money  and  taxation  for  revenue  only.  In 
March,  1876,  he  was  chosen  president  of  the  Ameri- 
can Association  for  the  Promotion  of  Social  Science. 
Originally  he  was  a  believer  in  the  economic  system 
of  protection,  but  his  experience  abroad,  in  investi- 
gating the  industries  in  competition  with  those  of 
the  United  States,  resulted  in  his  acceptance  of  free 
trade  doctrines.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Demo- 
cratic National  Conventions  of  1872  and  1880,  and 
in  1876  he  was  a  candidate  for  Congress  from  Con- 
necticut. He  was  appointed  by  the  United  States 
court  in  1876  one  of  the  trustees  and  receivers  of 
the  Alabama  &  Chattanooga  Railway  Company,  and 
in  fourteen  months  rescued  the  corporation  from 
bankruptcy  and  expended  a  considerable  sum  for  im- 


provements and  repairs,  without  incurring  an  addi- 
tional dollar  of  indebtedness.  In  1877  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  State  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners 
cha-rman  of  a  commission  to  consider  the  subject 
of  tolls  on  the  New  York  canals,  and  in  1878  made 
an  exhaustive  report.  He  was  one  of  the  trustees 
of  the  bondholders  that  bought  under  foreclosure 
and  sale,  and  reorganized,  the  Erie  Railway  Com- 
pany. In  1879  he  was  elected  by  the  associated  rail- 
ways of  the  L'nited  States  a  member  of  the  board 
of  arbitration,  to  which  they  agreed  to  refer  all 
disputes  and  arrangements  for  "pooling"  or  appor- 
tioning their  respective  earnings.  Mr.  Wells  was 
elected  a  foreign  associate  of  the  Academy  dei 
Lincei  of  Italy,  receiving  its  medal  of  honor  in 
1863.  He  was  president  of  the  American  Social 
Science  Association  in  1875-79;  president  of  the  New 
London  County  (Connecticut)  Historical  Society  in 
1880,  and  of  the  American  Free  Trade  League  in 
1881. 

Mr,  Wells  was  a  prolific  writer  in  pamphlets  on 
economic  subjects,  some  of  the  best  known  of  which 
are:  "The  Creed  of  the  the  Free  Trade"  (1875)  "Pro- 
duction and  Distribution  of  Wealth"  '(1875);  "Why 
We  Trade  and  How  We  Trade"  (1878);  "The  Silver 
Question  or  the  Dollar  of  the  Fathers  vs.  the  Dol- 
lar of  the  Sons"  (1878);  and  "Principles  of  Taxa- 
tion" (1886).  In  book  form  he  published  "Year 
Book  of  Agriculture"  (Philadelphia,  1856);  "Wells' 
Science  of  Common  Things"  (New  York,  1856); 
"Report  of  United  States  Revenue  Commission" 
(Washington,  1866);  "Reports  of  United  States  Spe- 
cial Commissioners  of  Revenue"  (4  Vols.,  1866- 
60);  "Robinson  Crusoe's  Money"  (New  York,  1876); 
"Our  Merchant  Marine:  How  it  Rose,  Increased, 
became  great.  Declined  and  Decayed"  (1882);  "A 
Primer  of  Tariff  Reform"  (1884);  "Practical  Econ- 
omics, a  Collection  of  Essays"  (1S85);  "A  Study  of 
Mexico"  (1887);  "A  Short  and  Simple  Catechism" 
(188S);  and  "Relation  of  the  Tariff  to  Wages"  (1888). 

With  others,  Mr.  Wells  published  "History  and 
Sketches  of  Williams  College"  (Springfield,  1847). 
In  Cambridge  he  began  with  George  Bliss,  in  1849, 
the  publication  of  the  "Annual  of  Scientific  Discov- 
ery," wliich  he  continued  until  1866.  He  compiled 
"Science  of  Common  Things"  (New  York,  1857); 
"Elements  of  Natural  Philosophy"  (1857);  "Prin- 
ciples and  Applications  of  Chemistry"  (1858);  and 
"First  Principles  of  Geology"  (1861),  of  which  works 
two  were  translated  into  Chinese,  and  that  on  chem- 
istry was  adopted  as  a  textbook  at  the  United 
States  Military  Academy. 

On  May  9,  i860,  Mr.  Wells  was  married  to  Mary 
Sanford  Dwight,  born  October  13,  1826,  daughter 
of  James  Sanford  and  Elizabeth  Dwight,  he  a  mer- 
chant of  Springfield,  Massachusetts.  After  her 
death,  Mr.  Wells  married  (second),  June  10,  1879, 
Ellen  A.  Dwight.  One  son,  David  Dwight  Wells 
(now  deceased),  was  born  to  the  first  marriage, 
April  22,  1868.  David  Ames  Wells  passed  away  at 
Norwich,  November  5,  1898. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL 


97 


AMOS  CODDINGTON  SWAN— In  the  very  prime 
of  his  splendid  powers,  Amos  Coddington  Swan  was 
removed  from  earthly  activities,  his  passing  deeply  re- 
gretted by  the  community,  as  his  life  had  been  spent 
from  its  sixteenth  year  in  the  city  of  Norwich.  He  was 
a  son  of  CoddinRton  W.  Swan,  son  of  Coddington  B. 
Swan,  son  of  Charles  Swan,  son  of  William  Swan,  son 
of  John  Swan,  son  of  Robert  Swan,  son  of  Richard 
Swan,  the  founder  of  the  Swan  family  of  Connecticut. 

(I)  Richard  Swan  resided  in  Boston  and  Rowley, 
Massachusetts,  and  in  1666  represented  Rowley  in  the 
Massachusetts  General  Court.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Colonial  army,  and  fought  in  King  Philip's  War.  He 
died  May   14,   1678. 

(in  Robert  Swan,  son  of  Richard  Swan,  was  also  a 
soldier  and  was  in  the  Great  Swamp  fi^ht.  a  defeat 
which  broke  the  power  of  King  Philip.  He  died  Feb- 
ruary II,  1698. 

(HI)  John  Swan,  son  of  Robert  Swan,  settled  in  thi 
town  of  Stonington,  New  London  county.  Connecticut, 
in  1707.  His  farm  was  in  North  Stonington,  in  what 
was  known  later  as  Swantown  Hill.  He  died  there, 
May  I.  1743.  aged  seventy-five  years.  He  married  Mrs. 
Susanna  Wood,  widow  of  Thomas  Wood,  who  was 
killed  with  three  of  his  children  by  the  Indians,  Marcn 
15,  1607.  ^•''■>-  Swan  died  December  20.  1772.  being  then 
in  her  one  hundredth  year. 

(TV)  William  Swan,  son  of  John  and  Susanna 
(Wood)  Swan,  married  Thankful  Holmes,  and  resided 
ir,  Stonington.  Connecticut,  where  their  son,  Charles,  of 
whom   further,  was  born. 

(V)  Charles  Swan,  son  of  William  and  Thankful 
(Holmes)  Swan,  was  born  May  24,  1746.  He  married 
Eunice  Barnes,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  Codding- 
ton Billings,  of  whom  further. 

(VI)  (Coddington  Billings  Swan,  son  of  William  and 
Eunice  Barnes  settled  in  the  town  of  Montvillc;  and 
t!-ei-  son  wns  Coddington  W.,  of  whom  further. 

(VII)  Coddington  W.  Swan,  son  of  Coddington  B. 
and  Cynthia  (Hev.^itt)  Swan,  was  born  in  Waterford, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  July  27.  1822.  He 
was  brought  to  Montville  when  a  child,  and  in  that  town 
lie  died,  June  13.  1802.  He  was  in  his  younger  years 
his  father's  farm  assistant,  in  the  employ  of  George 
Loomis  in  Norwich,  a  steamboat  man  for  some  years, 
and  a  "forty-niner,"  remaining  in  California  about  three 
years.  He  saved  about  $2,000,  but  on  his  return  by 
vessel  that  was  stolen  from  him,  but  he  had  other 
resources,  and  upon  his  return  to  Montville  he  bought 
the  Shcrrod  Hillhouse  farm  and  there  resided  until  his 
death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Montville  Congrega- 
tional church,  and  in  politics  a  Republican.  He  married. 
December  31,  1851,  Susan  Williams,  daughter  of  Pren- 
tice and  Abby  Cliff  (Prentice)  Williams.  Mrs.  Swan 
va':  born  in  Lcdyard,  Connecticut.  November  21,  1828, 
a  farmer's  daughter ;  she  survived  her  husband  and  con- 
tinued her  home  at  the  homestead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cod- 
dington V\\  Swan  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children: 
Susan  Williams,  married  Frank  E.  Austin,  of  Montville, 
Connecticut;  Lucy  Victoria,  married  Charles  W.  Hew- 


itt, of  Cogsv;ell,  North  Dakota;  Cynthia  Abby,  a  highly 
accomplished  lady,  a  teacher,  died  in  1917;  Sarah  Caro- 
line, deceased  wife  of  Herold  O.  White,  of  Jackson- 
ville. Illinois;  Eleanor  Elizabeth,  died  in  girlhood;  Jane 
Cliff,  married  Richard  DeWitt  Perry,  of  Elyria.  Ohio; 
Isabella  C..  died  young;  Amos  C,  of  further  mention; 
William  Morgan,  married  Minnie  Leight,  both  deceased; 
Grant  Prentice,  died  aged  eighteen  years;  Mcrton  Orrin, 
married  Frances  Wilcox,  and  tilled  the  homestead  acres 

(VIII)  Amos  Coddington  Swan,  eighth  child  of  Cod- 
d'ngton  W.  and  Susan  (Williams)  Swan,  was  born  in 
Leffingwell,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1863,  and  died  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  January 
21,  1920.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and 
remained  at  the  home  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age, 
v/hen  he  left  the  farm  and  entered  the  employ  of  A. 
W.  Prentice  &  Company,  now  the  Eaton  Chase  Com- 
pany, of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  was  with  that  firm 
for  eighteen  years,  being  promoted  superintendent  of 
the  electrical  department  in  1893.  In  1906.  he  entered 
the  automobile  business  with  Avery  C.  Smith,  whose 
interests  were  later  bought  by  W.  Russell  Baird.  Sub- 
sequently Mr.  Swan  purchased  the  Baird  interest,  and 
the  A.  C.  Swan  Company  was  incorporated  with  Mr. 
Swan  as  president  and  treasurer,  A.  F.  Howard,  secre- 
tary. He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  automobile  dealers  of 
Eastern  Connecticut,  held  the  original  agency  for  the 
Cadillac  car  in  that  section,  and  the  A.  C.  Swan  Com- 
pany of  Norwich  and  New  London,  which  he  founded, 
and  of  which  he  was  the  president-treasurer,  are  yet 
agents  for  that  car.  Mr.  Swan  was  also  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Norwich  Electric  Company,  No.  42 
Franklin  street,  incorporated  in  1906,  with  Mr.  Swan 
its  president  and  treasurer,  offices  he  held  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Swan  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
affiliated  with  Somerset  Lodge.  No.  34,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  and  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal  Arch 
Masons.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, and  of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  He  was  a 
successful  business  man,  upright  and  honorable  in  all 
things,  and  one  of  the  progressive  public-spirited  men 
of  his  city  who  could  be  depended  upon  to  support  all 
forward  movements.  His  life  was  a  useful  one  and  an 
inspiration  to  those  who  knew  him. 

Amos  Coddington  Swan  married,  August  17.  1886. 
Jennie  Pease  Parsons,  born  July  6,  1864.  died  in  Nor- 
v/ich.  Connecticut,  September  11,  1019.  daughter  of 
Frank  and  Caroline  (Schoonmaker)  Parsons.  Mr.  and 
^frs.  A.  C.  Swan  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Hazel  Grace ;  and  LeRoy  Amos,  a  sketch  of  whom  fol- 
lows 

(IX)  Hazel  Grace  Swan,  only  daughter  of  Amos  Cod- 
dington and  Jennie  Pease  (Parsons)  Swan,  was  bom  in 
Norwich.  Connecticut.  June  30.  1887.  and  educated  m 
tilt  city  schools ;  she  married  Edward  Whitehead  Jewett. 
son  of  William  R.  and  Susan  (Fitch)  Jewett.  his  father 
the  owner  of  a  lemon  grove  in  California.  Edward 
■Whitehead  Jewett  is  president  of  the  A  C.  Swan 
Company. 


X  I-.- 


98 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


LIEUTENANT  LeROY  AMOS  SWAN,  only  son 
of  Amos  Coddington  and  Jennie  Pease  (Parsons)  Swan, 
of  the  ninth  generation  of  the  family,  was  born  in 
1894,  and  died  at  the  Wilbur  Wright  Aviation  field  in 
Dayton,  Ohio,  June  19,  1918,  the  victim  of  an  aero- 
plane accident.  He  was  the  first  man  from  Norwich  to 
give  his  life  as  a  sacrifice  to  his  country  during  the 
recent  World  War. 

He  attended  the  Mount  Pleasant  street  public  school, 
completing  his  studies  there  in  1909,  then  entered  Nor- 
wich Free  Academy,  standing  high  in  his  studies  at  the 
academy  and  in  all  departments  of  school  life,  being 
captain  of  the  football  team,  member  of  the  Boys'  Glee 
Club,  and  vice-president  of  the  class  of  1913.  From  the 
academy  he  passed  to  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology, whence  he  was  graduated  B.  S.,  class  of  1917. 
At  "Tech"  he  was  a  member  of  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon 
and  Theta  Tau  fraternities,  the  latter  being  in  the  en- 
gineering department ;  for  two  years  he  was  one  of  the 
leading  characters  in  the  annual  show ;  a  member  of 
the  several  musical  clubs;  assistant  editor  of  "Tech- 
nique," membei  of  the  Student  Institute  Committee  (the 
governing  body  of  the  institute),  and  was  one  of  the 
fifteen  members  of  the  senior  class  elected  to  "Osiris." 
the  senior  society.  He  was  awarded  his  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Science  two  months  before  the  end  of  the 
school  year,  and  sent  to  Riverside  Boiler  Works,  Cam- 
bridge, as  assistant  to  the  manager,  who  assigned  him 
to  special  government  work.  Very  shortly  after  this 
honor,  a  call  came  from  the  war  department  for  two 
men  to  be  sent  to  the  aviation  school  at  Toronto, 
Canada,  for  training  and  to  return  to  the  institution 
school  of  military  aeronautics  as  instructor.  He  en- 
listed, July  14,  191 7,  and  spent  eight  weeks  at  the  train- 
ing camp  in  Toronto,  after  which  he  returned  to  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  and  in  Septem- 
ber, 1917,  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the 
Aviation  section  of  the  Signal  Reserve  Corps,  United 
States  army.  From  February  i,  1918,  to  March  I,  1918, 
he  was  in  attendance  at  the  school  of  military  aero- 
nautics at  Columbus,  going  thence  to  Washington,  D.  C, 
having  been  assigned  to  duty  in  the  gunnery  branch  of 
the  .Aviation  section.  As  inspector  he  visited  many  of 
the  plants  in  the  United  States  engaged  in  making  ma- 
chine guns,  and  made  government  tests  for  accuracy, 
speed  and  workmanship.  About  April  1,  1918,  he  was 
ordered  to  the  Wilbur  Wright  Aviation  Field,  Dayton, 
Ohio,  and  there  was  assigned  to  the  experimental  work 
on  mechanical  gears  for  synchronizing  the  machine  gun 
firing  so  that  the  shots  would  always  pass  between  the 
propeller  blades  of  the  firing  aeroplane,  all  possible 
ground  tests  had  been  completed  under  his  supervision, 
and  on  June  ig,  1918,  Lieutenant  Swan  took  to  the  air 
to  make  the  first  firing  tests  under  actual  flying  con- 
ditions. 

These  tests  had  been  most  successfully  completed, 
when  at  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet.  Lieutenant  Frank 
Patcrson,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  an  experienced  officer  of 
the  United  States  Army  Aviation  Corps,  who  was 
acting  as  pilot,  sent  the  machine  into  a  nose  dive.  W^en 
he  attempted  to  bring  the  airplane  to  a  normal  flying 


position  after  dropping  through  the  clouds,  some  part 
failed,  the  wings  of  the  aircraft  collapsed,  and  a  swift 
drop  to  the  earth  followed.  Lieutenants  Paterson  and 
Swan  were  dead  when  the  scene  of  the  accident  was 
reached  by  a  rescuing  party. 

Thus  did  Roy  Swan,  as  he  was  always  known,  one 
of  the  most  popular  young  men  of  his  city,  a  gallant 
youth,  whose  life  was  given  for  his  country,  pass  away 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty-four  years.  He  was  an  honor 
to  his  country  and  to  his  ctiy,  and  ranks  high  among 
those  gallant  men  of  the  air  service  of  every  land  whose 
deeds  form  so  inspiring  a  chapter  of  the  great  World 
War. 

Lieutenant  Swan  married,  November  22,  1917,  Edna 
Margaret  Troland,  daughter  of  Grant  and  Josephine 
Troland,  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  1892,  died 
there  December  26,  1918. 


HON.  JEREMIAH  JOSEPH  DESMOND,  one  of 
the  most  eminent  attorneys  of  New  London  county, 
many  times  a  public  servant,  and  for  two  years  mayor 
of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  is  a  figure  of  more  than  usual 
prominence  in  the  city  in  which  he  has  resided  for 
thirty-four  years. 

Timothy  Desmond,  Mr.  Desmond's  father,  played  a 
large  part  in  the  development  of  the  railway  facilities 
of  Western  Connecticut.  He  was  born  in  1800,  in 
County  Cork,  Ireland.  He  received  his  early  education 
ii,  the  National  schools  of  that  country,  after  which  he 
became  a  farmer,  and  followed  this  calling  until  1848, 
when  he  came  to  the  United  Slates,  locating  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts.  There  he  became  associated  with  Lynch 
Brothers,  contractors  and  builders,  whose  sister  he  had 
married  a  number  of  years  before  coming  to  this 
country. 

About  1850  Lynch  Brothers  secured  a  contract  to 
build  a  section  of  the  New  London  &  Worcester  rail- 
road, between  Norv/ich  and  Allen  Point,  near  New 
London,  Connecticut.  Mr.  Desmond  held  the  position 
of  assistant  manager  and  bookkeeper  on  this  contract. 
Not  long  after  the  completion  of  this  stretch  of  road 
a  more  important  contract  was  taken  by  the  Lynch 
Brothers,  namely,  the  building  of  a  section  of  the  Hart- 
ford &  Providence  branch,  between  Willimantic  and 
Baltic,  Connecticut.  At  that  time  the  brothers  bought 
a  farm  near  Windham,  Connecticut,  and  Mr.  Desmond 
took  charge  of  it,  housing  all  the  laborers.  He  con- 
ducted this  farm  until  the  contract  was  completed,  then 
hired  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Preston,  where  he  remained 
until  1866,  then  bought  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Mansfield, 
Connecticut,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  until 
1875.  He  then  retired  from  active  work,  selling  the 
farm  and  moving  his  family  to  Norwich,  there  to  spend 
his  declining  years.  He  died  there  in  i8gi,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-one  years.  His  wife,  Julia 
(Lynch)  Desmond,  was  also  a  native  of  Ireland;  sht 
died  in  1887.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children, 
of  whom  the  Norwich  attorney  was  the  fourteenth. 

Jeremiah  Joseph  Desmond  was  born  in  Windham, 
Windham  county,  Connecticut,  on  April  4,  1856.  He 
received  his  primary  education  in  the  district  schools  of 


i'Cni'^  y^vw^  ^- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


90 


the  town  of  Preston,  and  later  attended  school  in  Mans- 
field. In  1870  he  entered  the  Nicolct  Preparatory 
College,  at  Nicolet,  in  the  Province  of  Quebec, 
Canada.  In  1871  he  was  ready  for  his  higher  course, 
and  entered  the  Montreal  College.  In  1875  he  en- 
tered the  Holy  Cross  College  at  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts, taking  the  academic  course,  and  in  1878 
was  graduated,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts.  In  the  same  year  he  came  to  Norwich.  For 
one  year  he  studied  law  with  Wait  &  Green,  then 
went  to  Columbia  University  Law  School,  New 
York  City,  to  complete  his  studies.  He  received 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  Holy  Cross 
College.  In  November,  1880,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  and  in  the  same  year  opened  an  office  in 
Norwich. 

Mr.  Desmond's  legal  career  may  be  summed  up 
in  the  statement  that  he  has  practiced  in  Norwich 
from  that  date  to  the  present.  But  this  says  nothing 
whatsoever  of  the  struggles  and  triumphs  through 
which  he  has  passed,  nor  of  the  meaning  which  his 
name  has  come  to  possess  to  his  friends,  to  the 
general  public,  to  the  community.  By  political 
affiliation  a  Democrat,  he  has  served  the  city  in 
many  waj-s. 

Mr.  Desmond  was  corporation  counsel  from  1888 
to  iSqo,  and  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Town 
Committee  for  many  years.  He  served  as  secretary 
of  the  Greenville  School  Board  for  eight  years,  and 
was  on  the  School  Board  of  the  Central  District 
for  several  years.  This  was  before  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  schools  now  in  force.  In  1918,  Mr.  Des- 
mond was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Norwich, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  for  two  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Benevolent  Legion;  of  the 
Foresters  of  America;  and  of  White  Cross  Council, 
No.  13,  Knights  of  Columbus.  Mr.  Desmond  is 
now  (1921)  county  coroner  of  New  London  county. 

Mr.  Desmond  married  (first),  in  June,  1896,  Mar- 
guerite A.  Cunningham,  of  Norwich.  Two  children 
were  born  of  this  union:  Thomas  G.,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Catholic  University  of  America,  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  in  June,  1920;  and  Catherine  G.. 
now  a  student  at  New  Rochelle  College,  New  Ko- 
chelle,  New  York.  Marguerite  A.  (Cunningham) 
Desmond  died  on  June  16,  1906.  Mr.  Desmond 
married  (second),  in  ign,  Catherine  C.  Somers,  of 
Norwich.  The  family  have  always  been  devout 
members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 


JOHN  HOWARD  TRACY— Success  in  any  call- 
ing of  life,  whether  along  professional,  business, 
political,  or  social  lines,  is  generally  the  direct 
result  of  industry,  perseverance,  integrity  and  con- 
scientiousness, and  this  statement  is  true  as  regards 
Mr.  Tracy,  of  this  review,  a  descendant  of  a  family 
that  has  long  been  seated  in  New  England,  the 
members  of  which  in  each  succeeding  generation 
having  worthily  borne  their  part  in  the  upbuilding 
and  development  of  the  various  communities  in 
which  they  made  their  homes. 

Lieutenant  Thomas  Tracy,  progenitor  of  the  line 


of  the  Tracy  family  herein  recorded,  was  a  native 
of  England,  born  in  Tewkesbury,  Gloucester,  in 
1610,  and  died  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  i68j. 
His  first  location  in  the  New  World  was  at  Massa- 
chusetts Bay  Colony,  and  later  he  was  a  resident  of 
Salem,  Massachusetts,  Wethersfield,  Saybrook  and 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  The  line  of  descent  if 
through  his  son,  Thomas  Tracy,  a  native  of  Pres- 
ton, Connecticut;  his  son,  Jeremiah  Tracy,  a  native 
of  Preston;  his  son,  Deacon  Andrew  Tracy,  a  native 
of  Lisbon,  Connecticut;  his  son,  Jesse  Tracy,  a 
native  of  Lisbon ;  his  son.  Freeman  Tracy,  a  native  of 
Lisbon  ;  his  son,  John  Reede  Tracy,  father  of  John  H. 
Tracy,  who  was  born  in  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  January 
7,  1809,  died  at  his  home  in  Jewett  City,  Connec- 
ticut, March  16,  1894,  his  remains  being  interred 
in  the  Reede  Cemetery  at  Lisbon.  In  early  life  he 
was  employed  in  the  Slater  mills,  located  at  Jewett 
City  and  Hopevillc,  served  in  the  capacity  of  fore- 
man in  the  Kellogg  mills  at  Rockville,  Connecticut, 
and  was  also  employed  in  the  mills  at  Norwich, 
becoming  proficient  in  his  chosen  line  of  work. 
He  was  honored  by  his  townsmen  by  election  to 
various  public  offices,  including  selectman  of  Gris- 
wold,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  twelve  suc- 
cessive years,  several  years  serving  as  chairman  of 
the  board;  in  the  State  Legislature,  representing 
Griswoid;  and  in  the  State  Senate,  appointed  by  the 
Eighth  District.  He  was  a  Congregationalist  in 
religion,  holding  the  office  of  deacon  in  the  church 
Vv'ith  which  he  was  connected,  and  a  Republican  in 
politics. 

He  married  (first)  Hannah  Tiffany,  .-.nd  (second) 
Mrs.  Julia  (Hutchinson)  Knight,  both  of  whom  are 
buried  in  the  Reede  Cemetery,  Lisbon. 

John  Howard  Tracy,  only  child  of  John  Reeds 
and  Julia  (Hutchinson-Knight)  Tracy,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Griswoid,  Connecticut,  March  31,  1864. 
He  obtained  a  preliminary  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Jewett  City,  and  this  was  supplemented 
by  attendance  at  the  New  Bedford  (Massachusetts) 
high  school.  He  gained  his  first  experience  along 
business  lines  by  employment  in  the  Ashland  mills, 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  machinist,  remaining 
'here  for  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time 
he  went  West,  following  tl-.e  advice  of  Horace 
Greeley,  residing  in  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota,  working  at  his  trade  in  both  cities.  He 
then  decided  that  the  East  held  more  attractions 
for  him  than  the  West,  and  accordingly  he  returned 
to  his  native  State,  and  for  the  following  five  years 
was  engaged  as  machinist  at  the  Slater  mills.  He 
then  took  up  his  residence  in  W'oonsockct,  Rhode 
Island,  and  there  engaged  in  the  book-binding  busi- 
ness, which  he  followed  for  a  short  period  of  time, 
then  disposed  of  the  same,  and  accepted  a  position 
in  the  same  line  with  a  firm  at  Wethersfield,  Con- 
necticut, taking  charge  of  that  department.  .'Vt  the 
end  of  his  three  years'  connection  with  that  firm, 
during  which  time  he  was  deprived  by  death  of 
his  wife,  he  returned  to  Jewett  City  and  accepted 
a   position    as   machinist   with    the    .'Vspinook    Com- 


.100 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


pany,  continuing  as  employee  until  the  year  1898. 
In  March  of  that  year  he  embarked  in  business  on 
his  own  account,  erecting  a  building  in  which  he 
carried  on  a  hardware  and  stove  business,  dealing 
also  in  paints,  oils,  bicycles  and  electrical  supplies, 
also  attending  to  plumbing  and  similar  work.  This 
enterprise  met  with  success  from  the  beginning, 
owing  to  the  thorough,  efficient  manner  in  which 
he  conducted  his  transactions,  and  his  willingness 
to  comply  with  the  requests  and  wishes  of  his 
patrons.  Although  he  devotes  the  greater  part  of 
his  time  to  his  business,  which  is  steadily  increasing 
in  volume  and  importance,  he  manifests  a  keen 
interest  in  town  affairs,  and  was  chosen  by  his 
fellow-citizens  to  represent  them  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature, but  failed  of  election  at  the  polls. 

Mr.  Tracy  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
being  a  member  of  Mount  Vernon  Lodge,  No.  75. 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Jewett  City;  Frank- 
lin Chapter,  No.  4,  of  Norwich;  Franklin  Council, 
No.  3,  of  Norwich;  Columbian  Commandery,  No.  4, 
Knights  Templar,  of  Norwich;  and  also  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 

Mr.  Tracy  married  (first)  September  14,  1886,  at 
Jewett  City,  Bertha  Chapman,  of  that  place,  daugh- 
ter of  Otis  and  Fannie  (Campbell)  Chapman.  Her 
death  occurred  in  VVethersfield,  Connecticut,  in  1893, 
and  she  v^as  interred  in  the  Reede  Cemetery,  Lis- 
bon. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tracy  were  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Sybil  V.,  Marian  K.,  Normiin  Hutchinson, 
and  John  Reede.  Mr.  Tracy  married  (second),  at 
Staflford  Springs,  Connecticut,  Rose  Beckwith, 
daughter  of  Charles  Walton  and  Sarah  Sophia 
(Foote)  Beckwith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tracy  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  Congregational  church  of  Jewett 
City. 

REV.  EDWARD  MERRITT  ANTHONY— For 
twenty  years  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  ohurch,  regularly  ordained,  Rev.  Edward 
M.  Anthony  was  settled  over  several  churches  of 
New  England  under  the  law  of  the  itineracy,  and 
accomplished  great  good  for  the  cause  he  loved. 
Since  1883  he  has  been  identified  with  Jewett  City, 
Connecticut,  and  the  Jewett  City  Savings  Bank,  and 
since  1913  has  been  the  honored  head  of  that  valu- 
able institution.  Eighty  and  six  have  been  the 
years  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage,  and  he  is  still  the 
active  executive  head  of  the  bank,  giving  little  evi- 
dence of  the  years  he  carries. 

Daniel  Sisson  Anthony  came  to  Jewett  City,  Con- 
necticut, about  1840,  and  in  connection  with  Nehe- 
miah  T.  Adams  established  a  cotton  mill,  under  the 
name  of  Anthony  &  Adams.  In  i860  they  sold  the 
plant  to  the  Ashland  Cotton  Company,  and  this 
company  is  here  to  date.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1893,  he  was  one  of  the  owners. 

Albert  Anthony,  father  of  Rev.  Edward  M.  An- 
thony, was  born  at  Coventry,  Rhode  Island,  in  1810, 
and  died  there,  in  i860.  He  obtained  his  education 
in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  then 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  machinist's  trade, 
subsequently    becoming    master    mechanic    at     the 


Anthony  Cotton  mills.  Some  years  later  he  became 
associated  with  his  cousin,  William  H.  Anthony, 
and  together  they  rented  a  mill  at  Coventry,  Rhode 
Island,  which  they  named  the  Coventry  Cotton  Mill. 
This  partnership  lasted  until  Albert  Anthony's 
death,  in  i860.  Mr.  Anthony  married  Almy  A. 
Arnold,  born  at  Anthony,  Rhode  Island,  in  1815. 
After  her  husband's  brother  came  to  Jewett  City  in 
1840,  Mrs.  Anthony  also  came,  and  there  resided 
until  her  death,  January  15,  1883.  To  Mr,  and  Mrs. 
Anthony  were  born  three  children:  Edward  Merritt, 
of  further  mention;  Adeline  A.,  wife  of  Stephen  A. 
Gardner,  both  deceased;  Lyman  Herbert,  who  died 
in   Anthony,  Rhode   Island. 

Rev.  Edward  Merritt  Anthony  was  born  in  Coven-  m 
try,  Rhode  Island,  September  3,  1835,  and  began  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  Anthony,  Rhode 
Island,  going  thence  to  East  Greenwich  Academy. 
He  then  entered  Wesleyan  University,  at  Middle- 
town,  Connecticut,  whence  he  was  graduated,  with 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  After  graduation 
and  until  1863  he  was  principal  of  Manchester 
Academy,  and  then,  after  theological  study,  was 
admitted  to  the  Southern  New  England  Conference 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  that  church.  The  following  twenty 
years  he  filled  the  pulpits  of  various  Methodist 
churches  in  that  conference  and  then  retired  from  the 
ministry. 

In  the  year  1S83  Mr.  Anthony  came  to  Jewett  City 
and  entered  the  Jewett  City  Savings  Bank  as  a 
clerk,  subsequently  advancing  through  the  offices  of 
the  bank  until  upon  the  death  of  James  O.  Sweet, 
president,  in  1913,  he  was  elected  his  successor.  As 
executive  head  of  the  Jewett  City  Savings  Bank,  Mr. 
Anthony  has  borne  his  part  in  carrying  the  financial 
burdens  imposed  upon  the  community  by  the  World 
War,  and  has  also  ably  fulfilled  his  obligations  to 
those  who  look  to  the  bank  as  their  source  of 
supply. 

Rev.  Edward  M.  Anthony  married,  April  16,  1861, 
Abby  Gould  Bailey,  of  Hingham,  Massachusetts, 
who  died  November  15,  1915,  in  Jewett  City.  One 
child  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anthony,  a  son, 
Albert  Haywood  Anthony,  born  in  Duxbury,  Massa- 
chusetts, November  28,  1863,  died  in  Jewett  City, 
December  30,  1918.  He  was  early  instructed  in  the 
schools  of  the  towns  in  which  his  father  was  settled 
as  pastor,  finally  completing  his  studies  at  Wilbra- 
ham  Academy,  Massachusetts.  He  then  learned  the 
trade  of  machinist,  and  from  1890  until  1914  was  a 
resident  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  screens,  nuts, 
bolts,  etc.  He  came  to  Jewett  City,  Connecticut, 
where  he  died  two  years  later.  Albert  H  Anthony 
married  (first)  Harriet  Wilcox,  and  to  them  two 
rhi'drcn  were  born:  Marion  Vin.nl,  who  died  De- 
cember 29,  1918;  and  Earl  W.,  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mrs.  Harriet  (Wilcox)  Anthony  died  November  19, 
1916,  and  Mr.  Anthony  married  (second)  Alice 
Mary  Young,  of  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  who  survives 
her  husband  and  resides  in  Jewett  City  with  her 
father-in-law. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


101 


Rev.  Edward  M.  Anthony,  now  well  advanced  in 
octogenarian  rank,  reviews  his  long  career  with  the 
satisfaction  which  comes  from  duty  well  performed. 
As  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  labored  earnestly 
for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  he  loved  and  was 
one  of  its  powerful  advocates.  As  a  layman  he  has 
won  his  v/ay  to  high  position,  and  has  at  no  time 
sacrificed  the  high  principles  which  made  him  so 
valiant  a  Soldier  of  the  Cross.  Now  walking  amid 
the  greatly  lengthened  shadows,  he  is  full  of  the 
spirit  of  his  work,  and  with  duty,  home  and  friends, 
his  cup  of  life  is  filled  to  the  brim.  A  man  of 
strong  character,  with  positive  likes  and  dislikes, 
the  years  have  not  robbed  him  of  his  pronounced 
personality,  and  he  is  in  truth  Jcwett  City's  "grand 
old  man.' 


CHARLES  BENJAMIN  PALMER  —  William 
Palmer,  in  1720,  built  the  "old  Palmer  homestead," 
which  has  three  times  been  rebuilt  and  has  been  the 
home  of  the  Palmer  family  for  several  generations.  The 
farm  descended  to  his  grandson,  George  Denison 
Palmer,  who  was  the  grandfather  of  Charles  Benjamin 
Palmer,  the  present  owner. 

George  Denison  Palmer  w^as  born  on  the  homestead, 
January  20,  1804,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life,  and 
there  died  October  5,  1889.  He  married  Harriet  Ben- 
jamin, born  in  Preston,  New  London  county,  Con- 
necticut, January  17,  1815,  and  died  on  the  Palmer  home- 
stead, June  2,  igoo. 

George  Benjamin  Palmer,  their  son,  was  born  on  the 
"old  homestead,"  May  24,  1843,  and  grew  up  on  his 
father's  farm,  assisting  him  with  his  work.  Later  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Reynolds,  and  Rey- 
nolds &  Palmer  conducted  a  livery  and  sale  stable  in 
Jewett  City.  In  1880,  after  the  death  of  his  father,  he 
sold  his  interest  in  the  business  and  returned  to  the 
old  farm,  which  he  cultivated  until  his  death,  April  9, 
1907. 

He  married  Mary  .-Xda  Bennett,  born  in  Plain- 
field,  Connecticut,  April  15,  1867,  daughter  of  Durien 
and  Mary  (Hayes)  Bennett.  Mr.s.  Palmer  still  survives 
her  husband  and  resides  (1920)  at  the  home  farm  in  the 
town  of  Griswold.  Two  children  were  born  to  George 
Benjamin  and  Mary  Ada  (Bennett)  Palmer,  namely: 
Charles  B.,  of  further  mention;  and  George  Denison, 
born  July  6,  1899.  residing  on  the  home  farm. 

Charles  Benjamin  Palmer,  son  of  George  Benjamin 
and  Mary  Ada.  (Bennett)  Palmer,  was  bom  on  the  "old 
Palmer  homestead"  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  New  Lon- 
don county,  Connecticut,  August  17,  1895,  and  there  his 
twenty-six  years  have  been  passed.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  Connecticut  Agricultural 
College  at  Storrs,  finishing  his  courses  in  1914.  He  then 
became  manager  of  the  home  farm,  and  until  May  9, 
■  1917,  made  that  his  business.  On  the  date  mentioned,  he 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  navy,  doing  so  immediately 
after  Congress  declared  a  state  of  war  between  the 
United  States  and  Germany.  He  was  sent  to  the 
training  camp  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  and  on  Sep- 
tember 3,    1917,   was   assigned   to   duty  on   the   United 


States  destroyer,  "Tramp  No.  643,"  on  the  Atlantic 
coast,  for  patrol  duty.  He  remained  on  that  vessel 
until  October  27,  1918,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the 
naval  ship,  "VVinthrop,"  destined  for  service  in  European 
waters.  The  signing  of  the  armi.sticc  ended  his  naval 
career,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged,  December  I, 
1918,  as  first-class  machinist's  mate. 

He  then  returned  to  the  farm,  which  he  had  left 
eighteen  months  earlier,  and  resumed  its  management. 
The  old  Palmer  farm  lies  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  on 
Rural  Free  Delivery  Route  No.  3  from  Norwich,  and 
contains  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Educated  in 
modern  agricultural  methods,  and  with  the  aid  of  mod- 
ern farm  equipment,  the  energetic,  progressive  and 
patriotic  young  man  is  making  a  splendid  success,  and 
is  causing  the  acres  of  the  old  farm,  upon  which  he, 
his  father  and  grandfather  were  born,  to  produce 
abundantly. 

Mr.  Palmer  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  also  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Jcwett  City;  Mount 
Vernon  Lodge,  No.  75,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
Jewett  City;  Undaunted  Lodge,  No.  134,  Knights  of 
Pythias;  Preston  City  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry; 
and  a  charter  member  of  Griswold  Post,  American 
Legion. 

Charles  Benjamin  Palmer  married,  in  Bethel,  town  of 
Griswold,  July  12,  1920,  Katherine  Jane  McKenzic,  who 
was  born  in  Nairn,  a  seaport  of  Scotland,  where  she 
lived  until  1914,  when  she  joined  an  uncle  and  aunt 
living  in  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  They  arc  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Eunice  Katherine,  born  on  the  homestead, 
March  8,  1921. 


GEORGE  HERMAN  JENNINGS,  M.D.,  is  one 
of  those  scholarly  physicians  whose  deep  research  into 
the  fields  of  medicine  has  peculiarly  fitted  him  for  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  That  tribute  of 
respect  and  admiration  which  is  always  justly  given  to 
those  who  have  worked  their  way  to  positions  of 
prominence  in  a  community  is  due  him,  and  his  ability 
ii  amply  attested  by  the  success  he  has  achieved. 

James  Jennings,  father  of  George  H.  Jennings,  M.D.. 
was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  and  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  place.  .\t  the  age  of  twenty  he 
came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Norwich, 
where  he  followed  his  vocation  of  gardening  until  his 
death,  July  21,  1881.  He  married  Christina  Dankcrs.  a 
native  of  Germany;  she  died  in  Norwich,  in  1889.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jennings  were  born  nine  children:  Anna, 
wife  of  Nathan  D.  Sevin,  of  Norwich:  Christina,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Samuel  R.  Knapp,  and  resides  at  Norwich, 
Connecticut;  John  B.,  who  married  Harriet  Champlin,. 
of  New  London,  both  deceased;  James  C,  who  married 
Sarah  ,  and  resides  in  West  Willington,  Con- 
necticut; Lila  J.,  who  married  Lieutenant  William  S. 
Baldwin,  of  New  York,  a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States 
navy  during  the  Civil  War,  now  deceased,  she  now  mak- 
ing her  home  in  Norwich;  Frank  W.,  married  Mary 
Reed,  and  are  residents  of  Oakland.  California;  George 
Pferman,  of  further  mention  ;  Charles  F.,  a  resident  of 
Xorivich;  and  Robert  N.,  who  died  in  infancy. 


102 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


George  Herman  Jennings  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Preston,  now  a  part  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  March  20, 
1850.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  place  and  at  Norwich  Free  Academy,  after  whicn, 
having  decided  upon  the  profession  of  medicine,  he 
matriculated  at  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  from 
v/hich  he  was  graduated  in  1875,  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  then  came  immediately  tc 
Jewett  City,  where  he  has  since  been  established  m 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  having  gained  the 
confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  patients  and  the  esteem 
cf  his  colleagues  as  well. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Jennings  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held 
many  positions  of  prominence  in  the  community,  having 
been  first  selectman  of  the  town  of  Griswold  for  two 
years,  1900-1902,  health  officer  and  medical  examiner 
for  twenty-five  years,  and  chairman  of  the  school  com- 
mittee for  thirty-seven  years.  Professionally,  he  affili- 
ates with  the  Connecticut  Medical  Association  and  the 
New  London  Medical  Society.  He  has  also  long  been 
prominent  in  Masonic  circles  in  the  State,  being  a 
member  of  Mount  Vernon  Lodge,  No.  75,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons ;  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  3,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Franklin  Council,  No.  4,  Royal  and  Select 
Masters ;  Columbian  Commandery,  No.  4,  Knights 
Templar;  and  Connecticut  Consistory,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scotti.sh  Rite,  thirty-second  degree.  He,  with  his 
family,  attend  and  support  the  Congregational  church. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  World  War,  Dr.  Jennings 
offered  his  services  in  the  United  States  army.  He  was 
rated  a  first  lieutenant  on  special  commission  for  the 
■tuberculosis  stations  at  Camp  Meade  and  Camp  Greene. 
He  is  now  a  reserve  surgeon  of  the  United  States  army. 

On  October  18,  1876,  Dr.  Jennings  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Annie  Greenwood,  of  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, daughter  of  William  A.  and  Mary  (Green) 
Greenwood,  of  New  Hampshire.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Jen- 
nings are  the  parents  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom 
are  now  living;  i.  George  G.,  a  railroa'd  man  and  resi- 
dent of  Norwich,  married  Eva  Richmond.  2.  Carl  W., 
married  Mabel  Rood,  of  Griswold,  and  resides  in  Dan- 
ielson,  Connecticut.  3.  Lila  J.,  died  in  infancy.  4.  Mary 
A.,  married  John  W.  Gregg,  professor  in  the  Horticul- 
tural Department  of  the  University  of  California,  lo- 
cated at  Berkeley,  California.  5.  Lila  J.  (2),  married 
Joseph  F.  Watt,  and  they  reside  at  Groton,  Connecticut. 
6.  Jasper,  deceased.  7.  Dr.  John  G.,  who  served  as  a 
captain  in  the  medical  corps  of  the  United  States  army 
during  the  World  War ;  married  Doris  Macomber,  and 
now  resides  in  Waltham,  Massachusetts.  8.  Anna,  mar- 
ried Ernest  C.  Wright,  and  they  reside  in  Leonia,  New 
Jersey. 


GRAHAM  SHIELS  HISLOP— The  department 
store,  that  triumph  of  modern  merchandising,  was  estab- 
lished in  New  London  by  James  Hislop,  and  developed 
by  his  son,  Graham  S.  Hislop,  president  of  the  James 
Hislop  Company,  Inc.,  a  corporation  owning  and  oper- 
ating the  department  store  business  in  New  London 
founded  by  James  Hislop,  a  Scotchman,  who  came  to 


New  London  in  1874  to  take  especial  charge  of  the  store 
established  there  by  the  firm  of  Hislop,  Porteous  & 
Mitchell  some  time  before.  The  large  department  store 
he  founded  and  brought  into  successful  being  was  but 
one  of  many  enterprises  James  Hislop  was  responsible 
for  and  interested  in.  New  London's  possibilities  early 
attracted  him  and  eventually  he  became  a  very  large 
real  estate  holder  and  a  very  important  man  of  affairs. 
When  the  "adopted  son"  laid  down  the  burden  of  life  in 
IQ08,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son,  Graham  Shiels 
Hislop,  a  "native  son,"  who,  trained  to  the  business  he 
now  manages  as  its  executive  head,  has  worthily  suc- 
ceeded to  the  heavy  responsibilities  of  his  position. 

James  Hislop  was  born  in  Peebles,  Scotland,  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1847,  and  died  in  New  London,  Connecticut, 
March  28,  1908.  The  first  twenty-one  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  in  Peebles,  where  he  was  educated,  but  as  J 
soon  as  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  came  to  the  J 
United  States,  arriving  in  1868.  He  located  in  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  firm  of 
Brown,  Thompson  &  Company,  an  old  dr\'  goods  com- 
pany of  the  city.  With  that  firm  his  industry,  interest 
and  devotion  met  with  a  response  in  the  form  of  pro- 
motions, and  in  a  few  years  he  was  holding  a  well 
paying,  responsible  place  in  the  firm's  business.  But 
flattering  as  were  his  prospects,  the  young  man  had 
larger  ambitions  and  soon  afterward  with  two  Hartford 
men,  John  Porteous  and  Archibald  Mitchell,  he  formed 
the  firm  of  Hislop,  Porteous  &  Mitchell,  and  opened  a 
general  store  in  Norwich,  Connecticut.  That  venture 
proving  an  immediate  success,  the  firm  established  a 
store  in  New  London,  and  he  then  went  West  to  Fort 
Wayne,  Indiana,  and  to  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  estab- 
lishing stores  in  both  cities.  In  1874  Mr.  Hislop  came 
to  New  London,  Connecticut,  to  give  the  branch  there 
his  personal  attention,  and  thereafter  that  city  was  his 
home.  Later  Hislop,  Porteous  &  Mitchell  dissolved,  Mr. 
Hislop  retaining  the  New  London  branch.  Under  his 
direction  the  business  became  one  of  the  important  mer- 
cantile establishments  of  the  State  of  Connecticut.  He 
continued  head  of  the  business  until  his  passing,  then 
was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Graham  Shiels  Hislop. 

Mr.  Hislop  was  associated  with  the  Post  Hill  Im- 
provement Company,  which  added  City  Ocean  Park, 
Riverside  Pai'k,  Neptune  Park,  and  other  residential 
districts  to  the  city's  attractions,  and  he  was  at  the  time 
of  his  death  president  of  the  New  London  Gas  and 
Electric  Company,  a  director  of  the  Savings  Bank  of 
New  London,  director  of  the  National  Bank  of  Com- 
merce of  New  London,  and  had  other  important  busi- 
ness interests.  He  was  a  man  highly  esteemed  and 
popular,  holding  his  place  in  the  world  of  business 
through  his  own  ability  and  strong  personality.  He 
held  to  the  strictest  rules  of  business  integrity,  was 
exceedingly  jealous  of  his  honor,  and  in  all  the  walks 
of  life  which  he  traversed  he  held  himself  above 
reproach. 

James  Hislop  married  Annie  Marion  Brown,  daughter 
cf  Thomas  and  Jcanette  (Garvie)  Brown,  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut.  Mrs.  Hislop  survives  her  husband,  as  do 
their  three  children,  all  born  in   New  London,  where 


y^rv^v:^,^^^!..--^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


lOJ 


Mrs.  His'op  yet  resides.  Their  children  are :  Annie, 
married  Dr.  Gordon  Spiccr  Allyn,  of  Waterford,  Con- 
necticut, and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  sons,  James 
Hislop  and  Gordon  Spiccr,  Jr.;  Graham  Shiels,  ot 
further  mention ;  Gordon  Irving,  a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Tennessee  as  medical  doctor. 

Graham  Shiels  Hislop  was  born  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, June  15,  1S82,  and  there  completed  public  school 
courses  of  study  at  Bulkeley  High  School.  He  then 
entered  Phillips  Andover  Academy,  finishing  with  the 
class  of  igoji,  then  entered  Yale  University,  whence  he 
was  graduated  with  the  usual  bachelor's  degree,  class  of 
IC)07.  He  at  once  secured  a  position  with  his  father  in 
his  department  store  business,  and  until  the  latter's 
death  in  iqc8.  father  and  son  were  closely  associated. 
He  succeeded  his  father  as  president  of  the  James 
Hislop  Company,  Inc.,  and  to  the  title  "oldest  depart- 
ment store  in  New  London"  he  has  added  "largest  and 
best." 

Mr.  Hislop  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  has  devoted 
himself  to  the  development  of  his  private  business,  al- 
though keenly  alive  to  his  obligations  as  a  citizen.  He 
has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  Scottish  Rite 
Masonry,  is  a  member  of  New  London  Lodge,  No.  360, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the 
Thames  and  John  Winthrop  clubs.  His  college  fra- 
ternity is  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon,  Yale. 

Mr.  Hislop  married,  September  23,  1914,  Frances 
Elizabeth  Peckham,  born  in  New  London,  daughter  of 
James  Morris  and  Catharine  (Dale)  Peckham.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hislop  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Eliza- 
beth Ann. 


JUDGE  ARTHUR  B.  CALKINS— Tlie  Calkins 
family  of  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  trace  de- 
scent from  Hugh  Calkins,  the  first  of  his  name  in  Con- 
necticut, his  settlement  dating  from  1651,  although  his 
coming  to  New  England  antedated  his  coming  to  Con- 
necticut eleven  years.  Nine  generations  of  the  family 
have  lived  in  New  London  county,  but  Dr.  Daniel 
Calkins,  of  the  fifth  generation,  moved  to  East  Lyme, 
where  the  succeeding  three  generations  in  this  branch 
were  born. 

The  present  review  deals  with  the  ancestry  aiid 
career  of  .Arthur  B.  Calkins,  of  the  eighth  generation, 
now,  and  since  1910,  judge  of  the  Probate  Court  for 
the  district  of  New  London.  His  children  constitute  the 
ninth  generation  in  this  branch  of  the  de.';cendants  of 
Hugh  Calkins.    The  line  is  thus  traced : 

(I)  Hugh  Calkins,  born  in  1600,  at  Chepstone,  in 
Monmouthshire,  England,  came  to  Gloucester,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  16.JO,  bringing  with  him  his  wife  and 
children.  At  that  place  he  was  a  selectman  and  deputy 
to  the  General  Court.  He  removed  to  New  London 
about  1651,  where  he  was  also  a  deputy  to  the  General 
Court.  In  1660  he  located  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and 
was  one  of  the  thirty-five  proprietors  of  that  town.  He 
was  several  times  chosen  deputy  to  the  General  Court 
from  Norwich,  where  he  died  in  1690,  aged  ninety  years. 
His  children  were:  John;  David,  of  whom  further; 
Rebecca,  Sarah,  Mary,  Susan  and  Deborah. 


(II)  David  Calkins,  married  Mary  Bliss,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Bliss,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  settled 
at  New  London,  v.hcre  he  died.  November  25,  1717. 
His  children  were:  David,  bom  July  5.  1674;  Anne,  born 
November  8,  1676;  Jonathan,  of  whom  further;  Peter, 
bom  October  9.  1681 ;  John,  Marj-,  Joseph,  baptized 
November  3,  1694;  Lydia,  baptized  August  9,  1696;  and 
Anne   (2). 

(III)  Lieutenant  Jonathan  Calkins,  born  January  9, 
1679,  married  (first)  December  11,  1700,  Sarah  Turner, 
bom  October  28,  1683,  daughter  of  Ezckicl  and  Susanah 
(Keeney)  Turner,  of  New  London.  They  settled  al 
New  London,  where  she  died,  August  15,  1718,  and  he 
married  (second)  December  8,  1719,  Anne  Pembcr.  His 
children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage,  were :  Jonathan, 
born  September  6,  1701  :  Sarah,  born  in  July.  1703: 
Hannah,  born  July  20,  1705;  Amos,  of  whom  further; 
Grace,  born  June  23,  1711;  and  Thomas. 

(IV)  Amos  Calkins,  born  October  14,  1708,  married, 
in  October,  1730,  Mary  Calkins,  born  May  15,  1700, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Calkins,  and  settled  at  New  Lon- 
don, v.here  he  died,  June  23,  1775,  and  his  wife  died 
there,  May  i6,  1775. 

(V)  Dr.  Daniel  Calkins,  born  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, September  6,  17.16,  later  moving  to  East  L>-me, 
Connecticut,  married  (first)  Mary  Chappell,  who  died 
May  23,  1777.  He  married  (second)  January  I,  1778, 
(widow)  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Moore.  Three  daughters 
were  born  of  the  first  marriage:  Eunice,  Hannah,  and 
Esther.  The  following  were  born  of  the  second  mar- 
riage: Ethelinda,  Daniel  H.,  W'illi.im  S.,  Amos.  Samuel; 
Elisha  C,  of  whom  further;  and  Betsey. 

(VI)  Elisha  C.  Calkins  was  born  at  East  Lyme, 
Connecticut,  and  was  married,  on  March  6,  1816,  to 
Abby  Chapman,  bom  November  23,  1794,  in  East  Had- 
drm,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Hon.  Isaac  and  Abigail 
Chapman,  of  East  Haddam.  They  resided  in  E^st  Lyme, 
End  their  children  were :  Elizabeth  A.,  born  September 
!0,  1817;  Juliet  G..  bom  February  23.  1820;  Epapharus 
C,  born  March  16,  1823;  Daniel,  of  whom  further; 
Swab  L.,  born  February  22,  1828;  Caroline  S.,  bom 
October  S,  iSjO;  and  Frances  .Ann,  who  was  born 
June  7,   1^36. 

(VII)  Dr.  Daniel  Calkins,  born  at  East  Lyme,  Au- 
gust 23,  1825,  married,  in  October,  1850,  Elizabeth  M. 
Caulkins,  daughter  of  Nehemiah  Caulkins,  who  died 
July  15,  1SS9.  Three  sons  were  b^rn,  of  whom  two 
died  in  infancy.    Dr.  Daniel  Calkins  died  March  25.  1901. 

(VIII)  Arthur  B.  Calkins,  son  of  Dr.  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  M.  (Caulkins)  Calkins,  was  bom  at  East 
Lyme,  New  London  county.  Connecticut,  April  20,  1867. 
After  completing  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  he 
studied  law  under  the  prcccptorship  of  A.  C.  Lippitt,  of 
New  London,  and  on  January  11.  1889,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  he  was  admitted  to  the  New  London 
county  bar.  He  began  practice  in  New  London  at  once, 
but  until  1903  retained  his  residence  in  East  LvTue,  then 
removed  to  New  London,  which  has  since  been  his 
home  and  the  seat  of  his  professional  activity.  In  1910 
he  was  elected  judge  of  probate  for  the  New  London 
district,  and  has  held  that  office  continuously  until  the 
present  (1921). 


104 


NEW  LX5ND0N  COUNTY 


In  politics,  Judge  Calkins  is  a  Democrat,  a  party 
allegiance  which  has  been  lifelong.  While  living  in  East 
Lyme  he  represented  his  district  in  the  State  Legislature 
in  i8g3,  1897,  and  1901.  During  the  sessions  of  1897 
and  1901,  he  was  chosen  Democratic  leader  of  the 
House,  serving  on  the  Judiciary  Committee,  and  as 
chairman  of  other  important  committees.  In  1903  he 
was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  Secretary  of  State. 
While  his  elections  to  the  office  of  judge  of  probate 
have  been  as  a  Democrat,  he  has  several  times  been 
endorsed  as  the  Republican  candidate,  and  elected  with- 
out opposition,  a  striking  tribute  to  official  integrity  and 
ability  from  political   foes. 

Judge  Calkins  is  a  past  master  of  Bay  View  Lodge, 
and  a  member  of  Brainerd  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  is  a  companion  of  Union  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  a  sir  knight  and  past  eminent  commander  of 
Palestine  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  and  in  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  has  attained  the  thirty- 
second  degree.  He  is  a  past  noble  grand  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  and  a  member  of  New 
London  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  He  is  a  member  of  a  number  of  social  organiza- 
tions, including  the  Thames  Club,  of  which  he  is  an 
ex-president. 

Mr.  Calkins  married  (first),  April  16,  1893,  Clara  I. 
Jerome,  who  died  February  15,  1901,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren, as  follows :  Dorothy  J.,  who  married,  April  6,  1920, 
Gardner  O'Rea,  of  New  York ;  Elizabeth  M.,  who  mar- 
ried, June  26,  1920,  Leonard  W.  Lanabee,  of  New  Bri- 
tain, Connecticut;  and  Clare  J.,  who  resides  in  New 
London.  He  married  (second),  November  5,  1904,  Alfa 
(Curtis)    Barber. 


FRANK  VALENTINE  CHAPPELL— V/ay  back 
to  the  beginning  of  the  English  settlement  of  New 
London  and  Norwich,  Connecticut,  the  name  Chappell 
is  found,  and  for  at  least  five  generations  Chappells 
have  been  prominent  bankers  and  merchants  of  New 
London.  The  present  representative,  Frank  V.  Chap- 
pell, is  of  the  eighth  generation  of  the  family  in  Con- 
necticut, son  of  Alfred  II.  Chappell,  grandson  of  Frank- 
lin Chappell,  great-grandson  of  Ezra  Chappell,  and 
great-great-grandson  of  Captain  Edward  Chappell,  who 
was  the  first  of  the  five  generations  of  business  men 
who  have  made  New  London  the  seat  of  their  business 
enterprise.  Captain  Edward  Chappell,  of  the  fourth 
generation,  was  a  master  of  ships,  and  when  he  retired 
from  the  sea  opened  a  store  in  New  London  for  the 
sale  of  West  India  products,  and  laid  the  foundation  for 
the  erection  of  the  splendid  commercial  structure  which 
his  sons  and  grandsons  unto  the  fourth  generation  have 
reared  in  New  London. 

(I)  The  family  of  Chappell  in  New  London  trace 
their  descent  from  George  Chappell,  who  came  to  New 
England  in  the  ship  "Christian,"  landing  at  Boston  in 
163s,  he  then  being  a  young  man  of  twenty.  He  was 
in  Wethersfield,  Connecticut,  in  1637,  and  until  1649, 
which  is  about  the  time  he  came  to  Pequot  (New  Lon- 
don). 

Children:  Mary;  Rachel;  John;  George,  men- 
tioned below;  Elizabeth,  born  August  30,  1656;  Hester, 


born  April  15,  1662;  Sarah,  born  February  14,  1665-66; 
Nathaniel,  born  May  21,  1668;  Caleb,  born  October  7, 
1671.  George  Chappell  died  in  1709,  at  which  time  his 
wife  and  nine  of  their  children  were  living. 

(II)  George  (2)  Chappell,  son  of  George  (i)  Chap- 
pell, was  born  March  5,  1633-54.  He  married  (first) 
Alice  Way,  (second)  Mary  Douglas,  and  had  two  sons: 
George;   Comfort,  mentioned  below. 

(III)  Comfort  Chappell,  son  of  George  (2)  Chap- 
pell, married  and  had  a  son,  Edward,  mentioned  below. 

(IV)  Captain  Edward  Chappell,  son  of  Comfort 
Chappell,  was  born  about  1744,  was  a  mariner  of  note, 
and  for  many  years  sailed  from  the  port  of  New  Lon- 
don as  master  of  merchant  vessels.  On  his  retirement 
from  the  sea  he  opened  a  store  in  New  London  for  the 
sale  of  West  India  products,  and  for  years  engaged  in 
commercial  lines.  He  died  at  New  London  in  1824. 
He  married,  and  among  his  children  was  a  son  Ezra, 
mentioned  below. 

(V)  Ezra  Chappell,  son  of  Captain  Edward  Chappell, 
was  born  in  1775,  in  what  was  then  New  London,  but 
now  Waterford,  Connecticut,  and  died  in  1865,  at  the 
age  of  ninety,  familiarly  known  as  "Uncle  Ezra."  a 
title  of  affection  and  esteem.  He  succeeded  to  the  busi- 
ness of  his  father,  but  he  so  extended  that  enterprise, 
and  embarked  in  so  many  other  ventures,  that  for  half 
a  century  he  v.-as  one  of  the  most  prominent  merchants 
of  New  London. 

Mr.  Chappell  was  engaged  in  the  West  India 
and  whaling  trade,  and  distributed  his  importations  from 
the  West  Indies,  besides  his  local  trade,  to  other  towns 
throughout  the  county.  He  was  a  jobber  as  well  as  an 
importer,  doing  no  retailing.  His  old  stand  was  in  the 
vicinity  of  Golden  street,  but  in  1807  he  moved  to  the 
corner  of  John  and  Water  streets,  and  in  1828  pur- 
chased the  property  and  there  occupied  a  store  until 
1843,  when  he  engaged  in  a  bond  and  brokerage  busi- 
ness, which  he  continued  until  his  death.  From  early 
life  Ezra  Chappell,  outside  of  his  regular  business, 
engaged  more  or  less  in  real  estate,  buying,  building  and 
selling,  a  business  in  which  he  was  most  successful, 
several  buildings  now  standing  in  the  city  as  monu- 
ments to  the  family  name.  He  was  the  first  director 
of  the  Savings  Bank  of  New  London  on  the  organiza- 
tion of  that  institution  in  1827,  and  its  first  president, 
an  office  he  held  for  five  years,  resigning  in  1833,  when 
he  was  made  a  trustee  of  the  bank.  He  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  bank  in  1836,  and  continued  in 
office  several  years,  when  he  resigned.  For  years 
he  was  identified  officially  with  what  is  now  the 
New  London  City  Bank,  becoming  a  director  in  1823, 
and  in  1847  president.  He  showed  his  patriotism 
and  evidenced  farsightedness  in  his  large  purchases  of 
government  bonds  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War. 
He  married,  about  1804,  Wealthy  Arnold. 

(VI)  Franklin  Chappell,  son  of  Ezra  Chappell,  was 
a  man  of  remarkable  business  ability  and  benevolence. 
He  was  the  originator  of  the  bread  fund,  which  became 
one  of  the  most  valuable  charities  of  the  city.  He  mar- 
ried, November  10,  1841,  Hannah  S.  Huntington,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  David  and  Mary  Hallam  (Saltonstall)  Hunt- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


105 


ington,  of  Bridgewater,  Massachusetts,  his  father  a 
grandson  of  General  Jcdediah  Huntington,  of  Rcvolu- 
tionan,'  fame.  The  children  of  Franklin  and  Hannah  S. 
(Huntington)  Chappell  were:  Frank  Huntington,  born 
February  4,  1843;  William  Saltonstall,  born  April  15, 
1847;  Alfred  H.,  mentioned  below.  Franklin  Chappell 
died  February   19,  1849. 

(VII)  Alfred  H.  Chappell,  son  of  Franklin  and 
Hannah  S.  (Huntington)  Chappell,  was  born  m  New 
London,  Connecticut,  at  the  homestead.  Federal  and 
Union  streets.  May  12.  1849,  and  died  August  4,  1912,  a 
successful  business  man,  student,  and  public  official. 
He  was  educated  in  New  London  public  schools,  Berke- 
ly  High  School,  and  Berkcly  Divinity  School  of  Mid- 
dletown.  Connecticut,  prep.nring  himself  for  the  Episco- 
pal priesthood  in  the  latter  institution.  He  tutored 
under  Rev.  Dr.  Hallani,  but  decided  not  to  enter  the 
priesthood.  Subsequently,  while  on  a  trip  abroad,  Mr. 
Chappell  embraced  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  and  re- 
mained a  devout  communicant  at  St.  Mary's  Star  of  the 
Sea  Church  throughout  his  life. 

With  his  brothers,  Frank  H.  and  William  S.,  Alfred 
Chappell  was  interested  in  the  coal  and  lumber  business 
with  their  uncle,  Edward  Chappell,  between  1865  ^"^ 
1869.  Edward  Chappell  withdrew  from  the  business  in 
1869,  but  the  business  organization  of  F.  H.  and  W.  S. 
Chappell  continued  until  1875.  From  that  year  F.  H. 
Chappell  conducted  the  business  alone  until  1889,  when 
Alfred  H.  Chappell  became  a  partner  of  F.  H.  &  W.  S. 
Chappell  Company,  which  became  a  corporation  in  i8g8. 
Up  to  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Chappell  was  treasurer 
of  the  company  and  an  important  factor  in  the  business 
of  the  company,  which  extended  to  New  York.  New 
Haven  and  Newport.  His  brother,  Frank  H.,  was  known 
as  the  pioneer  of  ocean  transportation  of  coal,  and  w-ith 
him.  Alfred  H.  Chappell  built  up  to  business  success  the 
Thames  Towboat  Company,  Thames  Ferry  Company, 
and  a  ship  building  and  repairing  plant,  operated  under 
the  towboat  company's  management  at  Riverside. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Chappell  was  organist  of  the 
First  Church  of  Christ,  St.  James'  Episcopal  Church, 
and  St.  Mary's  Star  of  the  Sea  Church.  He  was  the 
first  teacher  of  music  in  New  London  public  schools, 
and  instructor  of  the  graduation  chorus  of  the  Young 
Ladies'  High  School.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 
served  two  terms  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  for 
a  time  was  a  member  of  Common  Council,  and  was  a 
candidate  for  mayor.  The  movement  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Connecticut  College  for  Women  received 
his  earnest  support,  and  at  the  first  meeting  of  the 
promoters  of  the  college  project,  he  was  chosen  treas- 
urer of  the  committee.  He  was  also  treasurer  of  the 
campaign  fund  which  was  raised  in  New  London  to 
insure  the  building  of  the  college  in  New  London,  and 
subsequently  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  college  board 
of  trustees. 

Mr.  Chappell  was  ever  intensely  interested  in 
all  matters  which  might  tend  to  the  improvement  of 
New  London,  and  especially  in  the  Atlantic  Deep 
Waterways  convention.  He  was  director  of  the  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Commerce,  director  and  treasurer  of  the 


F.  H.  &  A.  H.  Chappell  Company,  Thames  Ferry  Com- 
pany, director  and  president  of  the  Lyceum  Thcatrr 
Company.  He  was  president  for  several  years  of  the 
Thames  Club,  a  member  and  director  of  the  Pequot 
Casino  Association,  a  member  of  the  Manhattan,  White- 
hall, and  Catholic  clubs  of  New  York.  He  was  one 
time  president  of  Nathan  Hale  Chapter,  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  and  a  member  of  the  New  Lon- 
don County  Historical  Society. 

A  broad  man,  excelling  in  many  things,  he  was  one 
of  the  best  business  men  of  his  time  in  New  London. 
He  was  a  man  of  literary  tastes,  read  much  and  deeply, 
and  accumulated  a  large  private  library  of  the  choicest 
books.  He  was  one  of  the  best  musicians  New  London 
ever  produced,  having  a  musician's  temperament,  rare 
musical  taste,  an  alert  mind  with  indomitable  industry 
and  ambition.  He  played  the  piano  like  a  master,  while 
at  the  organ  he  was  a  veritable  marvel,  and  had  he 
devoted  himself  entirely  to  music  he  would  have  un- 
doubtedly become  one  of  the  world's  greatest  organists. 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Chappcll's  death,  Mayor  B.  F.' 
Mahan  paid  him  the  following  tribute: 

"There  is  no  other  man  in  New  London  who,  by 
reason  of  his  kindliness  of  heart,  the  lovableness  of 
his  character,  the  breadth  of  his  outlook  on  life,  and 
his  unfailing  public  spirit  and  self-sacrificing  devotion 
to  the  welfare  of  the  community,  would  be  so  deeply 
missed  as  he.  In  his  death  the  city  suffers  an  irrepar- 
able loss.  No  matter  how  effectively  others  may  take 
up  the  works  that  were  his,  it  will  be  long  before  New 
London  ceases  to  feel  the  lack  of  the  intimate  qualities 
that  belonged  so  distinctively  to  this  best  son  and  best 
friend.  In  his  going  there  has  passed  into  the  land  of 
dreams  a  character  of  infinite  gentleness  and  great- 
hearted friendship." 

Alfred  H.  Chappell  married  Adelaide  Shepard.  Nine 
children  were  born  to  them,  seven  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Those  surviving  are :  Frank  Valentine,  mentioned 
below;  George  S.,  of  New  York:  Henry  C. ;  Mrs.  W. 
Kyle  Sheflield;  and  Alfred  H.,  Jr. 

(VIII)  Frank  Valentine  Chappell,  son  of  Alfred  H. 
and  Adelaide  (Shepard)  Chappell.  was  born  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  Februao'  12.  '876,  and  there  yet 
resides,  a  wholesale  coal  merchant  and  honored  citizen 
He  passed  all  grades  of  the  public  schools  of  New 
London,  finishing  with  graduation  from  Bulkeley  High 
School,  class  of  1894.  He  then  entered  Yale  University, 
whence  he  graduated  Ph.  B..  class  of  1898.  Shortly 
after,  he  entered  business  life  in  New  London,  and  is 
now  prominently  connected  with  many  important  indus- 
tries. He  is  president  of  the  New  Haven  Coal  Com- 
pany, president  and  director  of  F.  H.  &  A.  H.  Chap- 
pell Company  and  Thames  Improvement  Company, 
president  of  the  Newport  Coal  Company,  president  of 
the  Norwalk  Coal  &  Supply  Company,  director  of  the 
New  London  City  National  Bank,  and  trustee  of  the 
Savings  Bank  of  New  London. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  New  London  Board  of  Aldermen  from  1901  until 
1914.    Since  1912  he  has  been  chairman  of  the  Rivers, 


io6 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Harbors  and  Bridges  Commission  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, and  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Connecticut 
College  for  Women,  New  London. 

When  the  Spanish-American  War  broke  out,  Mr. 
Chappcll  was  a  student  at  Yale,  and  served  with  the 
Yale  Battery,  recruited  for  that  war.  He  was  sergeant 
ot  Battery  A,  Connecticut  National  Guard,  from  May  3 
until  November  30,  1898;  captain  of  Company  D  from 
October,  1899,  to  July,  1902,  and  retired  from  service 
in  1903.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Thames  Club,  New 
London:  Graduates'  Club,  New  Haven;  and  University 
and  Yale  clubs  of  New  York. 


NATT  HAZARD— The  Hazards  of  this  review 
are  descended  from  a  well-known  Rhode  Island  family 
founded  by  Thomas  Hazard,  who,  coming  from  Boston 
in  1635,  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Newport.  There 
Thomas  Hazard  and  his  descendants  became  large  land 
owners,  scattering  throughout  South  countv  and  be- 
coming broadly  influential  in  the  affairs  of  his  time  and 
generation. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Jeffrey  Hazard,  Mr.  Hazard's 
great-grandfather,  lived  in  the  locality  known  as  Esco- 
heag,  in  the  town  of  West  Greenwich,  Kent  county, 
Rhode  Island,  and  was  a  man  of  very  wide  prominence 
in  his  day. 

Robert  Hazard,  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Rhode 
Island,  also  resided  in  this  community,  which,  although 
now  isolated  from  railroads  and  therefore  a  quiet  sec- 
tion, was  in  those  early  days  a  busy  trading  center. 
Many  men  of  national  prominence,  among  them  Daniel 
Webster,  were  guests  in  the  homes  of  various  members 
of  the  Hazard  family. 

John  Randolph  Hazard,  son  of  Judge  Robert  Hazard, 
and  father  of  Natt  Hazard,  was  born  in  West  Green- 
wich, Rhode  Island,  March  3,  1820,  and  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.  He  was  the  first 
postmaster  at  Escoheag,  Rhode  Island,  and  served  in 
this  capacity  for  a  period  of  thirty  years,  and  in  con- 
nection with  the  post  office  conducted  a  general  pro- 
vision store. 

John  R.  Hazard  married  Almira  Burdick,  of 
Charlestown,  Rhode  Island.  John  Randolph  Hazard 
dith  in  June,  1888,  and  his  wife  died  September  18, 
1913,  in  the  ninety-first  year  of  her  age.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Natt,  of  whom  further; 
Amey,  who  became  the  wife  of  Granville  Field  (now 
deceased)  of  Taunton,  Massachusetts;  and  George 
Carder  Hazard,  who  was  for  many  years  a  railroad 
conductor  between  New  York  and  Boston. 

Natt  Hazard  was  born  at  West  Greenwich,  Rhode 
Island,  February  21,  1850,  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools  near  his  home.  Later  he 
attended  a  private  school  for  young  men  in  Providence, 
completing  his  studies  there.  He  cared  little,  however, 
for  a  professional  career,  and  allowed  his  tastes  ts 
govern  his  choice  of  occupation,  for  several  years  man- 
aging farms  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts.  Later 
he  purchased  the  Champlin  farm,  in  Charlestown,  Rhode 
Island,  the  largest  original  "steading"  in  the  State, 
comprising  seven  hundred  and  forty  acres.     Removing 


to  Connecticut  in  i8go,  Mr.  Hazard  bought  his  present 
home,  which  previous  to  this  transfer  had  been  in  the 
Noyes  family  since  the  house  was  built  (1705)  by  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Noyes  for  his  bride,  a  granddaughter  of 
Governor  Coddington.  Mr.  Hazard  has  since  conducted 
agricultural  operations  here,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
breeder  of  pure-bred  Shorthorn  cattle.  He  has  led  a 
quiet,  pastoral  life,  his  deepest  interest  next  to  the  wel- 
fare of  his  family,  being  his  inherent  love  of  fine 
animals. 

Mr.  Hazard  takes  only  the  interest  of  the  progres- 
sive citizen  in  public  life,  but  supports  the  principles 
and  policies  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  New  London  County  Farm  Bureau, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

On  October  3,  1871,  Mr.  Hazard  married  (first) 
Martha  Jane  Goodchild,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary 
Ann  (Whaley)  Goodchild,  of  South  Kingston,  Rhode 
Island.  She  died  December  13,  1880,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren :  Robert,  who  was  educated  at  the  Pawcatuck 
High  School,  and  is  employed  at  the  Westerly  post 
office,  married,  July  23.  IQ17.  Etta  M.  Wilcox,  of  West- 
erly; and  Amey  A.,  educated  in  Pawcatuck  High  School, 
Willimantic  State  Normal  School,  and  Columbia  Uni- 
versity, New  York,  now  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of 
East  Orange,  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Hazard  married  (sec- 
ond), on  December  27,  1881,  Harriet  S.  Warner,  who 
was  born  at  Inglesville,  Nova  Scotia,  August  3,  1851, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  John  F.  and  Mary  (Bent)  War- 
ner. To  them  were  born  three  children :  i.  Natalie 
Sabra,  who  was  educated  in  the  Pawcatuck  public  and 
high  schools,  and  taught  for  several  years  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  town.  After  special  work  at  Simmons 
College,  she  became  an  assistant  librarian  at  the  West- 
erly Public  Library.  2.  James  Ovington  Hazard,  who 
after  being  graduated  from  the  Pawcatuck  High  School, 
also  graduated  from  Brown  University  and  Yale  Forest 
School,  and  is  now  engaged  in  forestry  work  in  New 
Jersey.  He  married,  June  11,  1913,  Emma  Elizabeth 
Backus,  daughter  of  Samuel  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Hoag- 
land)  Backus,  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  originally  a  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  family,  and  they  have  four  children:  Eliza- 
beth, Helen,  Natalie  Sabra,  second,  and  James  Ovington, 
Jr.,  the  family  residing  in  Hammonton,  New  Jersey. 
3.  Beulah  I.,  who  was  educated  in  the  Pawcatuck  High 
School,  Northfield  Seminary,  and  the  Boston  School  of 
Domestic  Science ;  for  a  few  years  she  taught  school  in 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  but  has  since  been  associated 
with  the  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts  State 
colleges  as  a  member  of  the  agricultural  extension  staffs 
of  those  institutions. 


EDWIN  CLIFFORD  CHIPMAN,  M.D.  — Dr. 
Chipman's  paternal  American  ancestor,  John  Chipman, 
came  from  England  to  New  England,  July  14,  1631. 
He  married  Hope  Howland,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Tilley)  Howland,  all  of  the  Mayflower 
company  of  Pilgrims.  Down  through  the  three  cen- 
turies which  have  since  elapsed,  the  line  is  traced  in 
paternal  line  from  John  and  Hope  (Howland)  Chip- 
man,  who   married   in    1646,   and  were   the  parents  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


107 


eleven  children,  the  mother  passing  away  in  1683,  the 
father  April  7,  1708.  John  Chipman  was  the  first  one 
of  the  name  to  seek  a  home  in  New  England,  and  it 
is  said  that  until  1850  there  was  not  a  Chipman  in  New 
England  who  did  not  descend  from  him.  He  resided 
inost  of  his  life  in   Barnstable. 

Dr.  Edwin  C.  Chipman,  New  London's  skillful  physi- 
cian, is  of  the  eighth  American  generation,  the  line 
from  John  and  Hope  Chipman  being  traced  through 
their  eldest  son,  Samuel  Chipman,  and  his  wife,  Sarah 
(Cobb)  Chipman;  their  son,  Samuel  (2)  Chipman,  and 
liis  first  wife,  Abiah  (Hinklcy)  Chipman;  their  son, 
Samuel  (3)  Chipman,  and  his  wife,  Ruth  (Baker)  Chip- 
man:  their  son,  Charles  Chipman,  and  his  wife,  Martha 
(Burch)  Chipman;  their  son,  Nathan  Fellows  Chipman, 
and  his  wife,  Martha  (Burdick)  Chipman;  their  son, 
Nathan  Truman  Chipman,  and  his  wife,  Harriet  A. 
(Lewis)  Chipman;  their  son,  Edwin  Clifford  Chipman, 
of  New  I^ondon,  Connecticut. 

The  family  was  introduced  into  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  by  Samuel  (3)  Chipman,  a  currier  by  trade, 
who  located  in  Groton.  Connecticut,  in  youthful  man- 
hood, and  there  died  April  17,  1791,  aged  seventy.  His 
sen,  Charles  Chipman,  and  a  grandson,  Nathan  Fellows 
Chipman,  heads  of  the  fifth  and  sixth  generations, 
were  born  in  Groton,  but  the  latter  moved  to  Charleston, 
Rhode  Island,  where  his  son.  Nathan  Truman  Chipman, 
was  born  February  9,  1826.  Nathan  T.  Chipman 
learned  the  currier's  trade  at  Hope  Valley,  Rhode 
Island,  later  in  life  moved  to  Saugcrties,  Ulster  county. 
New  York,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  twelve 
years,  then  returned  to  Hope  Valley,  where  he  spent 
eight  years.  He  then  abandoned  his  trade,  moved  to 
Mystic,  Connecticut,  and  there  engaged  in  farming  and 
spent  the  remaining  years  of  his  life,  dying  March  2, 
1896.  He  married,  November  25,  1847,  Harriet  A. 
Lewis,  of  North  Stonington,  Connecticut,  born  in  1828, 
died  while  on  a  visit  to  her  son,  Dr.  Edwin  C.  Chipman, 
in  Niantic,  Connecticut,  in  October,  1903.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children:  Thomas  Lewis,  Sarah  A., 
Charles  H.,  Jessie  E.,  Alice,  Edwin  Clifford,  Abbie  M., 
T.  Wesley,  and  Nathan  Ernest,  all  of  whom  reached 
adult  years  except  the  two  youngest.  It  was  during  the 
residence  of  the  family  in  Saugerties,  Ulster  county. 
New  York,  that  Edwin  Clifford  Chipman  was  born  and 
spent  his  early  boyhood.  It  is  with  his  career  that  this 
review  will  deal. 

Dr.  Chipman's  professional  career  began  with  a 
country  practice,  he  having  succeeded  to  Dr.  Elisha 
Mungcr's  large  practice  in  Niantic,  Old  Lyme.  East 
Lyme,  Waterford  and  New  London,  in  1891,  when  a 
young  graduate  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  Columbia  University.  The  years  have 
brought  liini  professional  distinction  and  the  rewards 
of  an  arduous  calling,  but  greater  than  these,  the 
years  have  brouglit  him  contentment  of  mind,  a 
broad  outlook  upon  life,  a  sympathetic  spirit  and  a 
kindly  charity  which  uplifts  the  fallen,  strengthens 
the  weak  and  encourages  the  strong.  These  the  years 
have  brought  him,  and  there  is  no  finer  typo  of  a 
New  England  gentleman  than  this  fine,  cultured 
physician  tb.at  goes  among  his  people  thinking  only 


of    the    good    in    life,    spe.iking    ill    of    none,    radia- 
ting good  rhccr,  a   man   whom   to   know  is   to  love. 

Edwin  Clifford  Chipman  was  born  March  7,  i86t,  in 
West  Saugerties,  Ulster  county.  New  York.  After  his 
parents  returned  to  Hope  Valley,  Rhode  Island,  he 
attended  school,  but  he  early  contributed  to  the  family 
support,  and  it  was  only  by  intense  application  that 
he  received  his  education  for  he  had  no  one  to  look 
to  for  financial  aid.  He  was  reared  in  the  Faith  of 
the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church,  and  at  Alfred,  Alle- 
gheny county.  New  York,  that  denomination  main- 
tained Alfred  University,  to  which  Dr.  Chipman  gained 
admission,  after  suitable  preparations,  and  there  was 
graduated  A.  B.,  class  of  1887.  From  Alfred  University 
he  went  to  Columbia  University,  medical  department 
(College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons)  there  receiving 
his  M.  D.,  class  of  1891.  He  began  practice  in  Niantic, 
Connecticut,  and  for  thirteen  years  remained  there,  his 
piactice  very  large  and  extending  over  a  wide  extent 
of  territory  from  the  Connecticut  river  to  New  Lon- 
don. This  practice  was  very  wearing,  and  desiring  a 
city  practice,  Dr.  Chipman  closed  out  at  Niantic  and 
opened  offices  in  New  London  in  1904,  although 
a  good  portion  of  his  county  practice  refused 
to  recognize  any  change  and  he  continued  their 
family    physician. 

In  New  London,  Dr.  Chipman  has  a  large  clientele 
to  whom  he  gives  of  his  learning,  skill  and  experience 
v/ithout  stint  or  thought  of  personal  convenience,  the 
man  being  lost  in  the  physician.  He  practices  in  strict- 
est accord  with  the  highest  medical  code  of  ethics,  and 
is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  his  brethren  of  the 
profession.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Home 
Memorial  Hospital  of  New  London,  and  is  president  of 
the  present  hospital  staff.  He  has  won  his  own  way  in 
the  world,  and  his  heart  beats  for  every  boy  or  man 
who  is  striving  against  odds  to  rise  superior  to  his  cir- 
cumstances. He  is  a  member  of  the  medical  societies 
of  City.  County  and  State;  is  affiliated  with  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  political  faith 
he  has  been  for  years  an  ardent  Prohibitionist.  He 
served  New  London  as  health  officer  from  February  I, 
1916,  to  February  I,  1920,  and  as  such  gave  special  at- 
tention to  the  health  of  school  children,  securing  from 
councils  an  appropriation  for  their  benefit.  In  1902  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Constitutional  Con- 
vention, but  has  never  sought  nor  held  purely  political 
office.  He  is  strong  in  his  convictions,  and  never 
occupies  middle  ground.  He  has  the  courage  of  his 
convictions,  and  it  is  a  wonderful  thing  that  has  come 
to  him  after  his  lifelong  fight  for  prohihition  (in 
which  he  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father)  to 
have  it  made  the  law  of  the  land  by  the  enactment 
of  the  Eighteenth   Amendment. 

Dr.  Chipman  married,  November  7,  1888,  Eunice  C 
Crumb,  of  Mystic,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
F.  and  Mary  E.  Crumb,  of  Old  Mystic,  Connecticut. 
They  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  all  born  in 
Niantic,  Connecticut:  i.  Clifford  E..  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  A.  B.,  1914.  where  he  took 
the  forestry  course;  he  married  Carlene  Nichols, 
daughter  of  Frank  C.  and  Caroline  (Parker)  Nichols. 


io8 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


and  has  a  daughter,  Carolyn.  2.  Truman  F.,  a  graduate 
of  the  Connecticut  Agricultural  College,  was  first  lieu- 
tenant of  the  2ist  Company,  155th  Depot  Brigade,  and 
served  at  Camp  Devcns  during  the  World  War  period 

3.  Harriet  E.,  died  in   New   London,   September,   1919. 

4.  Mary  Agnes,  graduate  of  Connecticut  College  for 
Women,  Ph.  D.,  class  of  1919;  married,  August  27,  1919, 
Frank  Edward  Morris,  of  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  in- 
structor of  psychology  at  the  Connecticut  College  for 
Women  ;  they  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Marylyn. 

In  1914  Dr.  Chipman  and  his  sons  bought  a  160-acre 
farm  in  Waterford,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
which  is  now  the  widely  known  Konomoc  Fruit  Farm. 
The  sons,  both  specialists,  one  in  forestry,  one  in  agri- 
culture, are  developing  the  farm  along  modern  scientific 
lines  of  fruit  and  dairy  farming,  and  from  an  old, 
v;orn-out  and  practically  abandoned  tract,  Konomoc 
Fruit  Farm  is  becoming  a  model  for  fruit  farmers 
and  dairymen  to  observe. 


MORRIS  BENHAM  PAYNE  —  As  architect, 
engineer  and  soldier,  Colonel  Payne  has  gained  wide 
acquaintance  and  popularity  in  military  and  professional 
circles,  his  connection  with  the  forts  in  the  vicinity  of 
Connecticut  and  elsewhere  antedating  his  purely  mili- 
tary service  during  the  war  between  the  United  States 
and  Germany.  He  is  now  a  memner  of  the  talented 
firm  of  architects  and  engineers,  Payne,  Griswold  & 
Keefe,  Manwaring  building,  New  London.  He  ren- 
dered distinguished  service  as  major  of  a  battalion  of 
the  56th  Artillery,  C.  A.  C,  in  France,  and  was  gassed 
in  the  fighting  along  the  Marne,  but  remained  with  his 
regiment  until  all  were  brought  back  to  the  United 
States  on  the  United  States  battleship  "South  Dakota," 
in  January,  19IQ.  His  work  with  the  Connecticut  Na- 
tional Guard,  both  before  and  after  his  United  States 
military  service,  has  been  of  the  highest  value,  his  very 
latest  work,  the  organizing  of  a  regiment  of  mobile 
artillery  for  coast  defense,  a  work  just  completed. 

Colonel  Payne  is  a  son  of  Sergeant  Charles  William 
Payne,  born  in  New  London,  lived  his  life  in  his  native 
city,  and  there  died  in  July,  1907.  He  enlisted  in  the 
"three  months"'  men  of  the  Civil  War,  fought  and  was 
wounded  and  captured  at  First  Bull  Run,  confined  in 
Libby  Prison  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  for  ten  months, 
then  was  released  and  returned  to  New  London.  Later 
he  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Connecticut  In- 
fantry, serving  with  that  command  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  being  mustered  out  as  first  sergeant.  After 
the  war  he  was  with  the  Vermont  Central  railroad,  and 
for  thirty  years  was  chief  clerk  for  that  road  in  New 
London.  He  married  Elizabeth  Gillen,  who  died  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  in  June,  1912,  surviving  her  hus- 
band five  years. 

Morris  Benham  Payne  was  born  in  Waterford,  Con- 
necticut, January  19,  1885,  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city.  He  was  ambitious  to 
become  a  civil  engineer,  and  began  what  has  proved 
his  life  work  in  the  office  of  Daball  &  Crandall,  an 
engineering  firm  of  New  London.    From  1906  until  1912, 


he  was  connected  with  the  United  States  engineering- 
department  as  civil  engineer,  and  was  engaged  in  river,, 
harbor  and  coast  defense  work.  During  that  period  he 
was  in  charge  of  the  installation  of  the  fire  control 
stations  of  the  artillery  corps,  defenses  and  fortifica- 
tions at  Forts  \\'right,  Terry  and  Mansfield,  and  also- 
installed   the  searchlights  at  those   forts. 

In  1912  he  resigned  his  position  and  returned  to  civil 
practice  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Duffy  &  Payne,. 
architects  and  engineers,  his  partner,  James  S.  Duffy. 
This  partnership  dissolved  in  one  year,  to  be  followed 
in  1913  by  the  f^rm  of  Payne  &  Adams,  his  partner  and 
Major  Payne  continuing  together  until  the  departure 
of  the  senior  partner  for  the  war  in  1917,  then  Mr. 
Adams  continued  the  business  in  his  partner's  absence 
until  stricken  by  death  in  February,  1919.  After  Major 
Payne's  return  from  France,  and  the  death  of  Mr. 
Adams,  his  partner,  he  formed  a  new  association,  and. 
in  June.  1919,  the  firm  of  Payne,  Griswold  &  Keefe, 
architects  and  engineers,  made  its  appearance  in  New 
London,  and  there  is  successfully  operating. 

I\Iajor  Payne's  military  career  began  in  April,  1902, 
with  his  enlistment  in  the  First  Company,  Coast  Artil- 
lery Corps,  Connecticut  National  Guard.  He  was  suc- 
cessively promoted  corporal,  sergeant,  lieutenant,  cap- 
tain, and  major,  his  last  promotion  coming  in  1912. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  from  1906  until  1912,  Major 
Payne  was  civilian  engineer  in  charge  of  important 
work  at  United  States  forts,  Wright,  Terry  and  Mans- 
field, eastern  coast  defenses.  This  gave  him  wonderful 
opportunity  for  observation  of  artillery  methods,  his 
daily  contact  with  artillery  officers  of  the  regular  army 
being  exceptionally  valuable  to  the  young  officers  of  the- 
Connecticut  National  Guard,  the  artillery  being  his 
branch  in  that  organization. 

On  July  25,  1917,  Major  Payne  was  commissioned 
major  of  the  United  States  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  and 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Third  Battalion,  56th 
Artillery,  C.  A.  C,  United  States  army,  on  its  organiza- 
tion at  Fort  H.  G.  Wright  on  Fisher's  Island.  The 
regiment  sailed  for  France,  March  28,  1918,  and  arrived 
April  4,  following.  Major  Payne  was  engaged  with  his- 
battalion  at  Oise-Aisne,  and  Muese-Argonne,  in  the 
First  Army  Defense  Sector,  and  was  a  victim  of  a 
gas  attack  on  the  Marne  front.  He  continued  in  the 
service,  however,  until  the  regiment  was  ordered  home, 
leaving  Brest,  France,  on  the  United  States  battleship- 
"South  Dakota,"  January  5,  1919,  Major  Payne  in  com- 
mand. The  "South  Dakota"  arrived  in  New  York 
Harbor  January  18,  1919,  and  the  regiment  was  de- 
mobilized as  a  war  regiment  at  Fort  Schuyler,  New 
York,  January  27,  1919.  and  at  once  reorganized  as  a 
United  States  regular  army  regiment,  one  hundred  and' 
seventy  of  the  old  men  remaining,  the  remainder  re- 
ceiving honorable  discharge.  On  May  31,  1919,  Major 
Payne  was  transferred  to  the  United  States  Army  Re- 
serve Corps  as  major  of  artillery,  and  returned  to  his 
professional  work  in  New  London. 

Although  not  in  any  sense  a  politician.  Major  Payne 
has  been  alderman  of  the  fifth  ward  of  New  London^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


iw 


and  in  November,  1920,  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Connecticut  House  of  Representatives,  and  is  serving 
as  chairman  of  committee  on  military  affairs.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  his  political  faith,  in  religion  a  Baptist. 
He  is  past  master  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  31,  Free  and 
Act*  pted  Masons ;  Union  Chapter,  No.  7,   Royal  Arcli 

Masons;  Commandery,  Knights  Templar; 

and  in  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  has  attained 
the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is  also  a  noble  of  Pyra- 
mid Temple.  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Bridge- 
port, Connecticut ;  New  London  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose:  and  a  charter  member  of  John  Coleman  Prince 
Post  of  the  American  Legion,  also  a  charter  member  of 
Murphy  Rathbun  Post,  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars  of 
the  United  States,  and  member  of  Connecticut  Chapter, 
Military  Order  of  Foreign  Wars.  He  is  president  of 
the  Masonic  Club  of  New  London,  and  a  member  of 
Thames  and  Harbour  clubs. 

Major  PajTie  married,  in  New  London.  October  14, 
1009.  Jeannie  Crandall  Nash,  born  in  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  daughter  of  Captain  Albert  D.  and  Mary  E. 
(Hibbard)  Nash,  her  father  a  sea  captain  of  New 
London,  where  he  and  his  wife  now  reside.  Major  and 
Mrs.  Payne  are  the  parents  of  a  son,  Harry  Nelson 
Payne,  born  in  New  London,  December  9,  191 1. 


ELI  GLEDHILL — .^s  vice-president  and  business 
agent  of  the  Mystic  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Mystic, 
Connecticut,  Eli  Gledhill  occupies  an  influential  place  in 
the  textile  world,  that  company  being  manufacturers 
of  high  grade  worsted  cloth.  Mr.  Gledhill  began  his 
connection  v;ith  the  textile  industry  when  a  lad  of 
nine  years,  and  since  then  he  has  been  connected  with 
textile  manufacturing  in  every  branch  from  the  lowest 
rank  to  his  present  position.  He  is  of  English  birth 
and  parentage,  son  of  Ingham  and  Sarah  (Calverly) 
Gledhill,  his  parents  also  of  English  birth. 

Ingham  Gledhill  was  horn  in  Huddersfield,  England, 
and  literally  grew  up  in  the  textile  mills,  finally  be- 
coming superintendent  of  a  woolen  mill.  He  spent 
three  years  (1861-64)  in  the  United  States,  in  the  State 
of  Maine,  then  returned  to  Huddersfield,  England, 
where  he  remained  until  1893,  when  he  made  permanent 
settlement  in  the  United  States,  locating  in  Rockville, 
Connecticut,  where  he  died  March  6,  1894.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  Sarah  Calverly  in  Huddersfield,  England, 
she  dying  there,  December  17,  1883.  He  married  (sec- 
ond) Amanda  Brooks,  of  Huddersfield,  who  came  to 
Rockville  with  her  husband  in  1893,  and  after  his  death 
moved  to  Mystic,  Connecticut.  Ingham  and  Sarah 
(Calverly)  Gledhill  were  the  parents  of  a  large  family, 
Eli,  the  principal  character  of  this  review,  being  the 
eldest.  In  order  of  birth  from  Eli  Gledhill  the  children 
v/ere :  Betsey,  deceased ;  Annie,  married  H.  A.  Crow- 
ther.  and  resides  in  Mystic;  Martha,  married  James 
Earden,  and  resides  in  Mystic;  Rose,  married  Robert 
Nichols,  and  resides  in  Mystic;  Herbert  H.,  a  textile 
designer,  married  Helen  Ayres,  and  died  in  Mystic, 
January  12.  1919;  Frederick,  also  a  designer,  married 
Elsie   Clarke,   and   resides  in  Mystic;   Lillian,   married 


Louis  Barstow,  and  resides  in  Mystic. 

Eli  Gledhill  was  born  in  Huddersfield,  Ejigland,  Au- 
gust IS,  1866.  He  there  attended  public  schools  until 
nine  years  of  age.  when  he  became  a  half-time  worker 
in  the  textile  mills.  During  this  half-time  period,  he 
continued  in  school  the  other  half  of  each  day,  and  thus 
completed  a  course  of  special  work  in  a  technical  school. 
At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  became  a  full  time  mill  worker, 
and  so  continued  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years.  He  was  then  thoroughly  experienced  in 
every  detail  of  textile  mill  working,  and  had  also 
arrived  at  a  high  position  as  a  designer,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  winning  first  prize  for  designing  given  by  the 
Huddersfield  Technical  School. 

Arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  left  home 
and  went  to  Bradford,  England,  there  spending  three 
years  as  a  textile  designer,  following  that  experience 
by  fifteen  months  in  Nortonthorpe  mills.  Deciding  to 
broaden  his  horizon  by  foreign  travel,  he  sailed  for  the 
United  States,  January  17,  1892.  He  located  in  Rock- 
ville, Connecticut,  with  his  father,  and  secured  a  posi- 
tion as  designer  with  the  Hockamum  Mill  Manufac- 
turing Company,  remaining  with  that  corporation  until 
1897.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Mystic,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  and  there  organized.  Janu- 
ary 17.  1897.  the  Mystic  Manufacturing  Company,  of 
which  he  was  elected  secretary-treasurer,  a  post  which 
he  has  filled  for  many  years,  until  his  appointment  to 
the  office  of  vice-president.  That  company  manufac- 
tures high  grade  worsteds,  plain  and  fancy,  and  is  a 
prosperous  corporation.  Mr.  Gledhill  is  also  vice- 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  Old  Colony 
Woolen  Mill  Company,  with  mills  in  New  Hampshire 
and  Maine;  president  of  Eli  Gledhill,  Inc.,  of  New 
York  City,  the  last-named  company  a  selling  corpora- 
tion handling  the  output  of  several  .American  woolen 
mills.  Mr.  Gledhill  i.s  a  member  of  the  National  Manu- 
facturing Association,  and  the  Connecticut  Woolen  and 
Worsted  Association. 

In  politics  a  Republican,  Mr.  Gledhill  has  been  very 
active  in  public  affairs,  and  in  October,  tooo,  he  was 
elected  selectman  of  the  town  of  Stonington,  was 
re-elected  in  1902,  and  in  1903  was  chosen  selectman. 
In  1904  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  State 
Convention,  and  in  1910  was  chosen  to  represent  the 
town  of  Stonington  in  the  Connecticut  Legislature, 
serving  on  the  railroad  committee.  In  the  Masonic 
order  he  has  attained  all  degrees  of  the  York^  Rite, 
and  is  affiliated  with  Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  No.  72. 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Mystic:  Mystic  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Mystic  Council,  Royal  and  Select 
Masters;  and  Palestine  Commander>-.  Knights  Templar. 
He  is  also  a  noble  of  Pyramid  Temple.  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Bridgeport,  Con- 
necticut; and  of  Stonington  Lodge,  No.  26.  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Mystic.  His  clubs  are  the 
Athletic  of  New  York  City,  the  Manhattan  of  New 
York  City,  and  the  Thames  of  New  London.  His 
religious  preference  is  for  the  Unitarian  church. 
Mr.    Gledhill     married,    in    Huddersfield,    England, 


no 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


March  I,  1890,  Martha  Haigh,  who  died  January  18, 
1893,  in  Rockville,  Connecticut,  leaving  a  daughter, 
Winifred,  bom  in  England,  October  15,  1890,  now  the 
wife  of  Ernest  Connor,  of  Mystic,  Connecticut.  Mr. 
Gledhill  married  (second)  in  Rockville,  Connecticut, 
November  13,  1894,  Agnes  Glaeser,  of  Rockville,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Henry,  died  in 
infancy;  Margery,  born  February  28,  1901,  now  pur- 
suing musical  study  under  Professor  Witherspoon  in 
New  York  City;  Ernest,  now  a  student  in  Bordentown, 
New  Jeresy.  The  family  home  is  in  Mystic,  Con- 
necticut. 


SANFORD  NELSON  BILLINGS  — The  exact 
date  of  the  first  settler  of  the  Billings  name  in  Ston- 
ington,  Connecticut,  is  not  knovra,  but  the  name  of 
William  Billings  appears  among  the  earliest  settlers. 
He  came  from  Taunton,  England,  and  first  appears  in 
New  England  in  Dorchester  and  Braintree,  wedding  a 
wife,  Mary,  in  Braintree,  February  5,  1658.  He  erected 
a  house  on  Casatuc  Hill,  Stonington,  became  a  large 
land  owner,  and  there  died  in  1713.  He  named  in  his 
will  children :  William,  Lydia.  Mary,  Abigail,  Dorothy, 
Patience  and  Ebenezer.  This  William  Billings  is  the 
American  ancestor  of  Sanford  N.  Billings,  of  the 
town  of  Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
of  the  eighth  American  generation,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  and  a  leading  agriculturist  of  his  town. 
He  descends  from  William  and  Mary  Billings  through 
the  latter's  son,  Ebenezer;  his  son,  Lieutenant  Eben- 
ezer (2)  ;  his  son,  Ebenezer  (3)  ;  his  son,  Sanford;  his 
son.  Captain  Gilbert;  his  son;  Horatio  Nelson;  his  son, 
Sanford  Nelson  Billings. 

Ebenezer  (i)  Billings  served  with  distinction  in  the 
early  wars  of  the  colony,  and  became  the  head  of  a 
large  family,  his  wife,  Anna  (Comstock)  Billings,  to 
whom  he  was  married,  March  I,  1680,  bearing  him  ten 
children.  The  eldest  of  the  sons  of  this  marriage  was 
Lieutenant  Ebenezer  (2)  Billings,  who,  like  his  father, 
was  a  well-known  soldier  of  the  colony  who  arrived  at 
the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  1731.  He  married,  April  2, 
1706,  Phoebe  Denison,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children.  The  third,  a  son,  Ebenezer  (3)  Bil- 
lings, was  born  March  20,  1711,  and  married,  November 
20,  1733,  Mary  Noyes.  Their  second  child  was  a  son, 
Sanford  Billings,  born  April  20,  1736,  died  April  25, 
1806. 

He  married,  January  24,  1760,  Lucy  Gcer,  daugh- 
ter of  James  Geer,  a  descendant  of  John  and  Priscilla 
(Mullins)  Alden,  of  the  "Mayflower."  Mrs.  Lucy 
(Geer)  Billings  died  April  25,  1810,  the  mother  of  ten 
children,  the  fourth  a  son,  Gilbert. 

Captain  Gilbert  Billings,  of  the  sixth  generation,  born 
November  25,  1768,  died  in  Griswold,  Connecticut,  May 
4,  1856.  He  was  a  master  mariner,  commanding  vessels 
in  the  coastwise  trade,  and  well  known.  He  married,  in 
1792,  Lucy  Swan,  who  died  December  16,  1854.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  the  sixth,  a  son, 
Horatio  Nelson  Billings,  born  November  26,  1805.  He 
followed  his  father's  example  and  was  a  mariner  for 
many  years,  going  to  sea  when  quite  young.     He  was 


first  mate  of  a  vessel  which  in  1849-50  made  the  passage 
around  Cape  Horn  to  California,  arriving  safely,  but 
after  his  arrival,  Horatio  N.  Billings  was  never  again 
heard  from,  his  fate  being  an  absolute  mystery.  He 
married,  January  30,  1838,  Mary  Ann  Fish,  daughter 
of  Moses  Fish.  Their  children  were :  Lucy  H.,  graduate 
of  Cooper  Institute,  New  York  City,  the  authoress  of 
"The  Ruined  Statues  and  Other  Poems,"  became  the 
wife  of  John  L.  Spaulding,  both  deceased;  Sanford 
Nelson,  whose  career  is  hereinafter  traced;  Edward 
E.,  deceased;  and  Marj-  A.,  deceased  wife  of  Charles 
D.  Thompson,  of  North  Stonington. 

These  were  the  direct  ancestors  of  Sanford  Nelson 
Billings,  born  in  North  Stonington,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  May  18,  1841.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  then  began  working 
for  his  uncle,  Benjamin  F.  Billings,  a  farmer  of  the 
town  of  Griswold.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  he 
was  employed  by  the  owner  of  the  old  William  Billings 
homestead  and  there  continued  until  his  enlistment  in 
the  Union  army,  August  20,  1862.  On  that  date  he 
became  a  private  in  Company  G,  21st  Regiment,  Con- 
necticut Volunteer  Infantry,  and  on  September  5,  1862, 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  Military  Service. 
For  eighteen  months  he  was  jail  turnkey  in  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  a  service  for  which  he  was  detailed,  and  it 
was  not  until  May,  1864,  that  he  was  again  in  active 
field  service. 

It  was  bis  ill  fortune  to  be  taken  prisoner  by 
the  Confederates,  May  16,  1864,  and  he  was  sent  to 
Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Virginia.  Two  weeks  later 
he  was  sent  to  the  Andersonville  prison  pen  and  there 
confined  until  the  fall  of  1864.  He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  after  three 
weeks  there  was  sent  to  Florence,  thence  to  Goldsboro. 
By  that  time,  although  in  rags  and  barely  able  to  walk, 
Mr.  Billings  and  a  comrade  effected  their  escape,  and 
in  their  wanderings  were  fortunately  found  by  a  Union 
soldier  who  cared  for  their  immediate  needs  and  led 
them  to  rest,  food  and  safety.  Mr.  Billings  was  a 
wreck,  physically,  unable  to  tell  his  own  name  or  where 
he  came  from.  Weeks  of  careful  nursing  restored  hini 
to  such  an  improved  condition  that  he  was  sent  home, 
arriving  in  Stonington,  Connecticut,  the  merest  shadow 
of  his  former  self,  his  former  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  pounds  being  reduced  to  ninety-four  pounds.  Al- 
though he  escaped  the  enemy's  bullets,  and  has  lived  to 
a  good  old  age,  the  memory  of  those  months  of  im- 
prisonment in  Southern  prisons  left  wounds  which 
more  than  half  a  century  of  life  has  not  effaced.  He 
was  officially  discharged  from  the  service  of  his  countrj'. 
May  10,   1865,  in  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

.'\fter  his  restoration  to  health  and  the  return  of  his 
strength,  Mr.  Billings  resumed  farming,  and  in  Ston- 
ington and  North  Stonington  was  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  operated  for  a  time  in 
partnership  with  W.  W.  Billings,  a  relation,  who  was 
the  first  farmer  in  that  vicinity  to  import  pure  breed 
Jersey  cattle.  Since  1873  Mr.  Billings  has  owned  and 
resided  upon  the  fine  farm  owned  formerly  by  W.  W. 
Billings,  and  with  other  property  has  an  estate  of  three 
hundred  acres.     He  has  confined  his  operations  to  gen- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


III 


eral  farming  stock,  and  his  farm  is  among  the  valuable 
pieces  of  property  in  the  town  of  Stonington.  He  has 
prospered  abundantly,  and  is  now  enjoying  in  his  de- 
clining years  the  fruits  of  his  labor,  energy  and  thrift. 
Now  an  octogenarian,  he  reviews  his  life  with  the 
satisfaction  that  comes  from  duty  well  performed,  and 
he  has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Billings  married,  October  28,  1867,  Lucy  E.  Main, 
daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Elmira  (Eggleston)  Main. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanford  N.  Billings  are  the  parents  ot 
eight  children:  I.  Byron,  born  January  4,  1869,  and  is  a 
leading  business  man  of  Stonington ;  married  Geneva 
N.  Rogers.  2.  Mary,  born  May  15,  1871,  now  deceased; 
married  Arthur  G.  Wheeler,  of  Stonington.  3.  William 
W.,  a  farmer  of  North  Stonington ;  married  Mary 
Clark.  4.  Lucy,  a  teacher.  5.  Grace  W.,  married 
Horace  D.  Miner,  a  farmer  of  Stonington.  6.  Lillie  M., 
born  July  6,  1886,  a  teacher,  died  January  31,  1907.  7- 
Priscilla  Alden,  married,  August  28,  1916,  Parker  John- 
son. 8.  Sanford  Nelson,  Jr.,  born  August  17,  1895,  now 
at  home. 

This  record  of  eight  generations  of  one  line  of  the 
descendants  of  William  Billings,  who  lived  practically 
in  one  locality,  shows  a  family  remarkable  for  the 
virtue  of  constancy  and  devotion  to  the  soil.  Gilbert 
Billings,  of  the  sixth  generation,  was  a  sea  captain, 
but  owned  landed  property,  and  his  son,  Horatio  Nel- 
son Billings,  was  a  mariner,  but  in  this  line,  v,-ith  these 
exceptions,  the  head  of  each  of  the  eight  generations 
was  a  successful  farmer  of  Stonington  or  North  Ston- 
ington, a  good  citizen  and  neighbor,  honorable  and 
upright. 

The  children  of  Sanford  N.  and  Lucy  E.  (M;i:n) 
Billings  are  of  the  ninth  generation  in  New  Lon- 
don county,  vvhile  their  grandchildren  constitute  a 
tenth  generation. 


KIMBALL  FAMILY— It  is  from  Richard  Kim- 
ball that  the  great  majority  of  Kimballs  in  New  Eng- 
land descend,  and  among  the  many  descendants  of  this 
Puritan  of  the  long  ago  was  Nathan  Pride  Kimball, 
now  gone  to  join  that  "innumerable  caravan."  The  old 
Kimball  homestead  in  Preston,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  is  now  the  home  of  Janet  Louisa  and 
Irving  Washington  Kimball,  children  of  Nathan  Pride 
and  Harriet  (Frink)  Kimball,  of  the  seventh  genera- 
tion of  Kimballs  in  New  En.gland. 

(I)  Richard  Kimball  v;ith  his  family  sailed  from 
Ipswich,  England,  in  the  ship  "Elizabeth."  April  10,  163;. 
landed  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  but  soon  afterward 
settled  in  Watertown,  Massachusetts.  He  was  recorded 
then  as  aged  thirty-nine  years,  and  soon  became  active 
in  the  life  of  the  new  settlement.  His  home  lot  of  six 
acres  is  now  in  Cambridge,  that  municipality  many 
years  ago  having  annexed  the  eastern  part  of  Water- 
town.  He  was  made  a  freeman.  May  6,  1635,  was  a 
proprietor  in  1636-37,  and  soon  afterward  moved  to 
Ipswich,  that  town  having  offered  inducements  for  a 
good  wheelwright  to  settle  there.  He  was  granted 
lands  in  Ipswich,  and  there  spent  his  after  life,  which 
extended  past  his  eightieth  birthday.     He  made  a  will, 


March    5,    167.1-75,    that    was    probated    September    28, 

1675.  He  was  one  of  the  strong  men  of  his  town,  and 
of   frequent  mention  in  the  records. 

Richard  Kimball  married  (first),  in  England,  Ursula 
Scott,  daughter  of  Henry  Scott,  of  Rattlcsdcn,  England. 
He  married  (second),  October  23,  1661,  Margaret  Dow, 
widow  of  Henry  Dow,  of  H.impton,  New  Hampshire. 
Richard  Kimball  died  June  22,  1675,  his  widow  March 
I,  1676. 

Richard  and  Ursula  (Scott)  Kimball  were  the 
parents  of  eleven  children:  I.  Abigail,  born  in  England, 
died  in  Salisburj-,  Massachusetts,  June  17,  1658;  she 
married  John  Severans,  in  England,  and  later  they  came 
to  New  England.  2.  Henry,  born  in  England.  3.  Eliza- 
beth, born  in  England.  4.  Richard,  born  in  England, 
died  in  Wcnham,  Massachusetts.  5.  Mary,  born  in  Eng- 
land, married  Robert  Dutch.  6.  Martha,  born  in  Eng- 
land, married  Joseph  Fowler,  who  was  killed  by  the 
Indians  near  Decrfield,  Massachusetts,  May  19,  1676. 
7.  John,  of  further  mention.    8.  Thomas,  died  May  3, 

1676.  9.  Sarah,  born  in  Watertown,  Massachusetts, 
married  Edward  Allen.  10.  Benjamin,  born  in  Ipswich, 
Massachusetts,  1637,  died  June  n,  1695.  n.  Caleb,  born 
in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  1639,  died  in  1682. 

(II)  John  Kimball,  son  of  Richard  and  Ursula 
(Scott)  Kimball,  was  born  in  Rattlesden,  SulTolkshirc. 
England,  in  1O21,  and  came  to  New  England  with  his 
parents  in  the  "Elizabeth"  in  1634.  He  settled  in 
Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  and  there  died  May  6,  1698.  He 
was  a  wheelwright  by  trade,  but  bought  and  sold  lands 
frequently,  and  was  an  extensive  farmer.  He  married, 
about  1655,  J-'ary  Bradstrcet,  who  came  over  in  the 
same  ship  with  him,  she  being  accompanied  by  her 
parents.  John  and  Mary  (Bradstreet)  Kimball  were 
the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  all  born  at  Ipswich: 

I.  John,  died  young.  2.  Mary,  married  Deacon  Thomas 
Knowlton,  of  Ipswich.  3.  Sarah,  married  John  Potter. 
4  Hannah,  died  your.g.  5.  Rebecca,  married  Thomas 
Lull.  6.  Richard,  married  Lydia  Wells.  7-  Elizabeth, 
born  September  22,  1665.  8.  .Abigail,  married  (first) 
Isaac  Estey,  and  (second)  William  Poole.  9.  John,  of 
furth;r  mention.     10.  Benjamin,  married  Mar\-  Kimball. 

II.  Moses,  married  Susanna  Goodhue.  12.  Aaron,  born 
January,  1674.     13.  Joseph,  born  January  24.  1675. 

(III)  John  (2)  Kimball,  son  of  John  (i)  and  Mar>- 
(Bradstreet)  Kimball,  was  horn  in  Ipswich,  Massa- 
chusetts, March  16,  1668-69,  and  died  in  Preston,  Con- 
necticut. Mav  4.  1761.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  wheel- 
wright. He  married,  in  1692.  and  lived  in  Ipswich  until 
the  fall  of  1726,  when  he  moved  with  his  family  to 
Stonington.  Connecticut.  In  the  spring  of  1727.  he 
moved  to  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  the  towji  of 
Preston,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  which  he 
had  bought  the  preceding  year  for  seven  hundred 
pounds.  Connecticut  Biils  of  Credit.  There  he  spent 
the  remaining  thirty-four  years  of  his  life.  He  married 
in  Watertown.  Massachusetts.  December  2.  1602.  Sarah 
Goodhue,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (^^h'PP'e' 
Goodhue.  Thev  were  the  parents  of  nine  children: 
I  John,  born  October  IQ.  1693.  married  Patience  Lar- 
rabee.  2.  Joseph,  born  October  19.  '693.  d'ed  young. 
3    Marv,  born  February  24,  1697,  married  a  Mr.  Law- 


112 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


rence.  4.  David,  of  further  mention.  5.  Nathan,  born 
October  31,  1702.  6.  Isaac,  born  April  19,  1705,  mar- 
ried Prudence  Parke.  7.  Jacob,  born  October  12,  1706, 
married  Mary  Parke.  8.  Abigail,  born  October  11,  1709, 
married  a  Mr.  KoUman.  9.  Sarah,  married,  November 
3,  1736,  Richard   Parke. 

(IV;  David  Kimball,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Sarah 
(Goodhue)  Kimball,  was  born  May  8,  1700,  and  died  in 
1776  in  Preston,  Connecticut.  He  moved  from  Ipswich 
to  Preston  during  the  winter  of  1723-24.  having  bought 
of  David  Boardman,  of  Preston,  for  one  hundred  and 
thirty  pounds  lawful  money,  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  Preston,  December  19,  1723.  He  married  (first), 
October  20,  1725,  Sarah  Pride,  who  died  February  10, 
1769.  He  married  (second),  March  24,  1774,  Mary  Cul- 
ver. Children,  all  born  in  Preston:  I.  Mercy,  born 
January  31,  1727,  married  Matthias  Button.  2.  Eunice, 
born  September  15,  1729,  married  Andrew  Davidson. 
3.  Nathan,  of  further  mention.  4.  David,  born  Septem- 
ber 9,  1734.  5.  Jonathan,  born  April  i,  1738.  6.  Sarah, 
born  April  l,   1738,  married  Andrew  Frink. 

(V)  Nathan  Kimball,  son  of  David  and  Sarah 
(Pride)  Kimball,  was  born  in  Preston,  Connecticut, 
March  8,  1732,  and  died  there  June  4,  1811.  He  mar- 
ried, February  13,  1753,  Margaret  Rix.  They  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children,  all  born  in  Preston: 

1.  Annie,  born  July  7,  1754,  married  a  Mr.  Starkweather. 

2.  Ziphora,  born  February  17,  1756,  married  a  Mr.  Ray, 
of  Preston.  3.  Zuriah,  born  October  II,  1757.  4.  Jona- 
than, born  July  10,  1759.  5-  Margaret,  born  August  13, 
1761.  6.  David,  born  May  20,  1763,  died  December  22, 
1811;  married  Eunice  Brown.  7.  Sarah,  born  January 
22,  1765.  8.  Nathan,  born  December  10,  1767,  twice 
married.  9.  Prosper,  of  further  mention.  10.  Eunice, 
born  April  22,  \T7\.     11.  Mercy,  born  January  21,  1774. 

(VI)  Prosper  Kimball,  son  of  Nathan  and  Margaret 
(Rix)  Kimball,  was  born  at  the  homestead  in  Preston, 
Connecticut,  July  22,  1769,  and  died  July  II,  1832.  He 
married,  April  II,  1790,  Marjery  Dorrance,  born  Octo- 
ber II,  1766,  and  died  January  7,  1837.  He  spent  his  life 
in  Preston,  and  there  reared  a  family  of  six  children : 

1.  Barton,   born   June   22,    1792,    died    March   14,    1S37. 

2.  Eliza,  born  January  29,  1795,  married  Ralph  Hutchin- 
son. 3.  Charles,  born  October  16,  1799,  married  Sarah 
A.nn  Frink,  and  resided  in  Preston  and  Griswold ;  he 
died  in  1857.  4.  Frank,  born  April  2,  1801,  died  Decem- 
ber 22,  1809.  5.  Dayton,  born  February  18,  1802,  died 
September  16,  1S59.  Nathan  Pride,  of  further  men- 
tion. 

(VII)  Nathan  Pride  Kimball,  son  of  Prosper  and 
Marjery  (Dorrance)  Kimball,  was  born  in  Preston, 
Connecticut,  October  27,  1808,  and  died  December  27, 
1884. 

He  was  born  on  the  old  Kimball  homestead,  there 
his  children  were  born,  and  there  his  son,  Irving  W., 
and  daughter,  Janet  L.,  reside  (1921).  Nathan  Pride 
Kimball  married,  February  22,  1837,  Harriet  Frink, 
born  January  20,  iSiS,  and  died  July  19,  1895.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  I.  Harriet 
Frances,  born  March  24,  1839 ;  married,  October  24,  1870, 
Frederick    D.    Cheesboro,    of    Stonington,    Connecticut, 


now  deceased.  2.  Margery,  born  August  2,  1841,  died 
June  27,  1913.  3.  Nathan  Chester,  born  September  11, 
1843,  died  August  II,  1896.  4.  Mary  Jane,  born  De- 
cember 23,  1845,  died  May  30,  1846.  5.  Emily  A.,  born 
April  7,  1848,  married,  February  22,  1886,  Ralph  L. 
Main,  a  farmer  of  Franklin,  Connecticut.  6.  Irving 
Washington,  born  December  20,  1853,  a  farmer,  living 
on  and  cultivating  the  old  homestead  in  Preston,  where 
five  generations  of  Kimballs  were  born.  7.  Janet 
Louisa,  born  May  21,  1859,  residing  on  the  old  home- 
stead where  her  life  has  been  passed. 

Such  is  the  record  of  one  branch  of  the  Kimball  fam- 
ily that  settled  in  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
nearly  two  centuries  ago,  1727  to  1921,  the  founder, 
John  Kimball,  being  of  the  third  generation  in  New 
England.  The  men  of  each  generation  have  been 
generally  men  of  substance  and  reliability,  good  citi- 
zens and  neighbors.  That  the  family  in  England  bore 
arms  is  proven  from  this  quotation  from  "The  Her- 
ald's College,  London":  "The  family  of  Kimball  is 
fiom  the  County  of  Cumberland,  England,  and  takes 
its  origin  from  a  parish  of  that  name  upon  the  Scottish 
border. 

The  family  arms  are  as  follows:  Arms — Argent,  a 
lion  rampant,  gules  upon  a  chief,  three  crescents,  or. 
Crcsl — A  lion  rampant,  holding  in  the  dexter  paw  a 
dagger  proper.    Motto — Fortis  nan  ferox. 


JOHN  NICOLL  DIMON,  M.D.,  was  horn  on 
Shelter  Island,  Suffolk  county.  New  York,  June  16, 
1S62,  son  of  Theodore  Dwight  and  Hannah  Schellinger 
(Cartwright)  Dimon.  his  father  born  in  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  his  mother  in  Shelter  Island  in  the  same  house  in 
which  her  son  was  born.  Theodore  D.  Dimon  was  a 
lawyer,  and  during  his  lifetime  lived  at  Fishkill  Land- 
in,5.  and  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  at  Patchogue  and 
Sag  Harbor,  Long  Island,  his  principal  practice  being  in 
New  York  City.  At  Sag  Harbor  he  was  connected  \v\th 
the  Sag  Harbor  Savings  Bank,  his  death  occurring  in 
Amagansett,  Long  Island,  June  30,  1904. 

John  N.  Dimon  attended  Brooklyn  grammar  schools 
and  high  schools  until  the  age  of  seventeen,  then  for 
one  year  studied  under  a  private  tutor.  He  chose  the 
medical  profession  and  prepared  at  Long  Island  Hos- 
pital Medical  College,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  whence  he 
was  graduated  M.  D.,  June  19,  1883,  and  after  serving 
Eastern  District  Hospital,  Brooklyn,  one  year  as  ambu- 
lance surgeon,  he  spent  three  months  in  special  study 
in  Berlin,  Germany.  Upon  returning  to  the  United 
States  he  served  as  interne  at  the  Eastern  District 
Hospital,  Brooklyn,  then  for  three  years,  1885-88,  prac- 
ticed medicine  in  Brooklyn  privately.  From  1888  until 
1S92,  he  practiced  at  Shelter  Island,  New  York,  thence 
removed  to  New  London,  Connecticut,  in  1892,  where  he 
is  now  the  oldest  physician  of  the  city  in  point  of  years 
in  practice,  1892-1921.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
necticut Society,  Sons  of  the  Revolution;  past  grand 
of  Mohcgan  Lodge,  No.  55,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  of  New  London;  commander.  Knight*  of  the 
Maccabees.  Camp  No.  10;  medical  examiner,  Camp  No 
7523,   Modern    Woodmen    of   America,    and   of   Beulah 


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BIOGRAPHICAL 


"3 


Lodge,  No.  228,  New  England  Order  of  Protection. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  at  Shelter  Island 
served  the  town  as  health  officer.  He  is  a  member  of 
Jibboom  Club  No.  i  of  New  London. 

Dr.  Dimon  married  (first)  in  Brooklyn,  New  York, 
June  16,  1S87,  May  Kirtland  Washbourne,  born  in 
Watcrbury.  Connecticut,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  a 
daughter,  Margaret.  Dr.  Dimon  married  (second), 
Ocotber  8,  1901,  Annie  Louise  Quinn,  born  m  New 
London.  They  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Katharine 
Joraleamon,  now  a  student  at  Connecticut  College  for 
Women,  New  London. 


PHILIP  Z.  HANKEY  is  a  leading  attorney  of 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  corporation  counsel 
for  the  city  of  New  London,  legal  adviser  for  many 
organized  interests,  and  is  individually  prominent  in 
various  branches  of  social  and  civic  endeavor,  in  the 
interests  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Hankey  is  a  son  of  Jacob  C.  and  Clarissa 
(Crouch)  Hankey.  Jacob  C.  Hankey  was  born  in 
Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1861  he  was  graduated 
from  the  Pennsylvania  University,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  enlisted  for  the  Civil  War  imme- 
diately after  his  graduation,  and  served  as  lieutenant  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  taught  school  in  various  places  until  about  1870. 
when  he  went  to  New  York  City.  There  he  became 
associated  with  the  Willcox  &  Gibbs  Sewing  Machine 
Company  as  manager,  and  continued  in  this  capacity 
during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  He  died  in 
Arlington,  New  Jersey,  in  1905.  His  wife,  Clarissa 
(Crouch)  Hankey,  was  born  in  Ledyard,  Connecticut, 
and  died  in  1874.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children:  J.  Crouch,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years;  Philip  Z.,  of  whom  further;  and  Clara  C.,  now 
the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Kenyon,  residing  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island. 

Philip  Z.  Hankey  was  born  in  Ledyard,  Connecticut, 
on  June  11,  1872.  He  lived  first  in  New  York  City  and 
then  in  Arlington,  New  Jersey,  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools.  He  attended  the  Montclair  High  School, 
and  later  the  Newark  Academy,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  i8g2.  For  about  three  years  thereafter, 
the  young  man  was  employed  in  mercantile  business  in 
New  York  City.  In  1895  he  entered  Yale  Law  School, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1897,  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  Admitted  to  the  Connecticut  bar 
in  the  same  year,  he  continued  his  studies,  and  in  189S 
he  also  received  his  Master's  degree  from  Yale  Uni- 
versity. 

In  1899  Mr.  Hankey  took  up  the  practice  of  law  in 
New  London,  where  his  name  stands  high  in  the  pro- 
fession. Outside  of  his  private  practice  Mr.  Hankey 
has  become  widely  associated  with  the  progress  of 
various  public  activities.  In  1915  he  was  appomted  a 
member  of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary  Administration 
of  the  Connecticut  State  Bar  Association  and  has  been 
reappointed  each  year  since.  In  1916  he  was  made  cor- 
poration counsel  for  the  city  of  New  London,  which 
office  he  still  ably  fills  (1921).     Since  1914  he  has  been 


attorney  for  the  New  London  Building  and  Loan  As- 
sociation. For  years  he  was  secretary  of,  and  also 
attorney  for,  the  Business  Men's  Association  of  this 
city.  Politically,  he  is  a  leader  in  the  Republican  party 
in  this  city,  and  prominent  in  its  deliberations  and 
active  in  its  support. 

Personally,  Mr.  Hankey  is  well  known  in  fraternal 
and  club  circles  in  New  London.  He  is,  of  course,  a 
member  of  the  State  Bar  Association,  and  of  the  New 
London  County  Bar  Association.  He  is  a  member  of 
Brainard  Lodge,  No.  102,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Union  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Cushing  Council, 
Royal  and  Select  Masters ;  and  Palestine  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  all  of  New  London.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  Lodge  No.  360,  of  New  London.  He  is  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Thames  Club. 

On  November  i,  1905,  Mr.  Hankey  married  Charlotte 
J.  Bancroft,  daughter  of  Major  Eugene  A.  and  Eleanor 
(Croes)  Bancroft,  the  major  being  a  retired  United 
States  army  officer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hankey  have  one 
daughter,  Phyllis  B.  The  family  are  members  of  St. 
James'  Episcopal  Church  of  New  London. 


FREDERICK  A.  STARR  —  For  many  years 
broadly  active  in  construction  work  at  different  points 
in  the  East,  F"rederick  A.  Starr  has  for  the  past  nine 
years  been  identified  with  the  J.  Warren  Gay  Electrical 
Company,  of  New  London,  for  nine  years  in  the  office 
of  president. 

Mr.  Starr  is  a  son  of  Domenick  and  Anjanora  C. 
(Dayton)  Starr.  Domenick  Starr  was  born  in  Trieste, 
Italy,  in  1808.  He  began  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  city,  then  coming  to  the  United  States  in 
1820,  he  located  in  Portland,  Maine.  He  became  a  sea- 
faring man,  and  followed  the  sea  for  many  years.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  War  he  was  in  the  United 
States  Revenue  service,  and  served  during  that  war  as 
seaman  on  the  revenue  cutter  "Campbell,"  taken  over 
by  the  United  States  navy.  The  "Campbell"  Ictt  New 
London  with  sealed  orders,  being  sent  to  Vera  Cruz, 
Mexico,  on  police  duty.  After  the  close  of  the  Mexican 
War  he  returned  to  New  London  and  here  became  a 
rigger  on  whaling  vessels  in  the  shipyards.  Contin- 
uing in  this  work  until  1857,  he  then  purchased  a  farm 
in  the  town  of  Waterford,  Connecticut,  which  he 
operated  until  1865.  At  that  time  he  gave  up  farming, 
and  returned  to  New  London,  and  to  his  former  occu- 
pation of  rigger,  which  he  followed  industriously 
until  his  death. 

He  died  in  New  London,  in  1881.  His  wife,  who 
was  born  in  Waterford,  died  here  in  1897.  They 
were   the  parents  of  seven   children. 

Frederick  A.  Starr,  sixth  child  of  Domenick  and 
Anjanora  C.  (Da>-ton)  Starr,  was  born  in  Waterford. 
Connecticut.  June  7.  1859.  Receiving  a  practical  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  New  London,  he  started  life. 
in  1876,  as  clerk  in  a  New  London  dry  goods  store. 
Here  he  remained  for  three  years,  then,  in  1879.  went  to 
New  York  City,  and  there  was  engaged  as  salesman 
for  a  wholesale  house  for  seven  years.     Returning  to 


N.L.- 


114 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


New  London  in  1886,  he  entered  the  dry  goods  business 
in  the  emploj*  of  his  brother,  Joseph  Starr,  but  con- 
tinued for  only  a  short  period.  His  next  work  was  in 
the  capacity  of  clerk  for  the  Adams  Express  Company, 
where  he  was  employed  until  1893.  At  that  time  he 
became  inspector  at  the  United  States  Custom  House 
at  New  London,  and  later  as  deputy  collector,  continuing 
in  that  position  until  1897.  He  then  became  clerk  in 
the  United  States  Engineering  Department,  at  the  New 
London  office.  WTien  he  resigned  from  this  office  he 
was  superintendent  of  construction.  This  was  m  De- 
cember, 1905,  and  the  following  year  Mr.  Starr  became 
superintendent  of  construction  for  the  Miller-Collins 
Company,  of  New  York  City.  In  this  capacity  he  was 
placed  in  charge  of  construction  operations  at  different 
points,  and  handled  much  important  work.  He  had 
charge  of  the  highway  bridge  built  at  Haverhill,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  1907,  for  the  New  Jersey  &  West  Virginia 
Bridge  Company,  as  superintendent  of  construction.  He 
built  a  highway  bridge  over  Fore  river  at  Portland, 
Maine,  in  1908,  for  the  Coleman  Brothers  Company,  of 
Boston. 

Mr.  Starr  liad  charge  of  building  the  sea  wail  at 
Eastern  Point,  in  the  town  of  Groton,  for  the  Morton 
F.  Plant  estate,  and  thereafter  was  transferred  for  a 
short  period  to  Providence.  Rhode  Island,  for  work  on  a 
concrete  arch  bridge  over  the  Blackstone  Canal.  In 
1909-10  Mr.  Starr  was  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  New 
York,  as  superintendent  of  construction  for  the  Uni- 
formed Fibrous  Talc  Company,  for  the  building  of  a 
dam  on  the  Oswegatchie  river,  with  a  power  house  and 
factory  foundations.  In  1911  he  had  charge,  in  the 
same  capacity,  of  construction  work  on  the  Thomas 
Howell  estate  at  West  Hartland,  Connecticut,  then  for 
a  short  time  was  superintendent  for  the  Eastern  Dredg- 
ing  Company  of   Boston. 

Retiring  from  the  construction  field  in  1910,  Mr.  Starr 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  J.  Warren  Gay  Electrical 
Company,  of  New  London,  electrical  contractors  and 
dealers  in  electrical  supplies.  In  1912  he  became  presi- 
dent of  the  company,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted 
his  time  entirely  to  the  development  of  the  business. 
This  concern  is  one  of  the  leaders  in  its  line,  both  in 
the  contracting  end  of  the  business  and  the  finely 
stocked  store  where  all  kinds  of  electrical  supplies  are 
sold. 

Mr.  Starr  is  a  member  of  the  New  London  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  and  interested  in  the  public  life  of  the 
rity.  Under  the  Cleveland  administration  he  served  as 
deputy  collector  of  customs.  He  has  always  supported 
the  best  man  in  the  field,  irrespective  of  party.  He 
is  one  of  the  veteran  members  of  the  Konomoc  Hose 
Company,  having  joined  in  1878. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Starr  is  very  widely  prominent.  He 
is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  31,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons;  of  Union  Chapter,  No.  7,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  of  Gushing  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters; 
of  Norwich  Valley  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree ;  and  is  a 
past  commander  of  Palestine  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar.     He  is  also  a  member  of   Pyramid  Temple. 


Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
is  a  member  of  Mohican  Lodge,  No.  55,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  New  London,  in  which  order 
he  is  past  noble  grand.  He  has  for  many  years  been 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  this  order.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Club,  of  New  London.  He 
is  well  regarded  in  all  these  associations. 

On  December  23,  1910,  Mr.  Starr  married  Hattie 
Wood,  of  Gouverneur,  New  York.  They  reside  at 
No.  36  Richard  street.  New  London,  and  attend  the 
Second  Congregational  Church  of  this  city,  of  which 
they  are  both  members. 


RHODES  KING  LEWIS— For  many  years  a 
prominent  and  now  a  venerable  resident  of  the  town  of 
Preston,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  Rhodes  King 
Lewis  has  been  identified  with  the  industrial  life  of  the 
town  for  the  past  forty-five  years. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  a  son  of  Caleb  and  Patience  Myra 
(Johnson)  Lewis.  Caleb  Lewis  was  born  in  Rhode 
Island,  in  1819,  and  conducted  extensive  farming  opera- 
tions in  Foster,  in  that  State,  then  later,  in  Plainfield, 
Connecticut,  following  this  line  of  endeavor  durmg  all 
his  long  and  active  life.  He  died  in  Jewett  City,  Con- 
necticut, in  1892,  and  his  wife  died  in  Norwich.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Rhodes 
King  Lewis,  of  Preston,  is  the  oldest  now  living. 

Rhodes  King  Lewis  was  born  in  Foster,  Rhode  Island, 
on  April  20,  1841.  Educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Plainfield  and  Jewett  City,  Connecticut,  he  entered  the 
world  of  industry  as  a  young  man,  working  in  the 
cotton  mills  of  the  neighborhood  and  assisting  his 
father  on  the  farm.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War 
he  was  one  of  the  first  to  ofifer  his  services  in  defense 
of  the  Union,  and  became  a  member  of  Company  F, 
Eighth  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Connecticut,  set- 
tling in  Jewett  City,  where  he  worked  for  diflferent 
people  until  1877.  In  that  year  he  purchased  the  mill 
property,  which  is  still  owned  in  the  family.  This  is 
a  grist  mill,  and  was  built  in  1818  by  a  Mr.  Saflford, 
who  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  neighborhood. 
The  waters  of  Broad  Brook  form  the  motive  power. 
The  mill  property  passed  through  other  hands,  being 
owned  in  the  Frink  family  for  many  years  and  up  to 
the  time  Mr.  Lewis  secured  it.  It  is  one  of  the  old  land- 
marks of  Preston,  having  served  the  public  for  more 
than  a  century.  Mr.  Lewis  operated  the  mill  until  1910, 
when  he  retired,  turning  the  management  of  the  busi- 
ness over  to  his  son,  Edwin  E.  Lewis,  who  continues 
its  operation  with  noteworthy  success. 

During  all  these  years  in  which  Mr.  Lewis  has  been 
a  resident  of  Preston,  he  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
the  progress  of  the  town,  and  in  all  public  events. 
Politically,  he  has  always  been  a  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party,  although  for  political  preferment  he 
has  never  cared,  and  has  consistently  declined  public 
office. 

Mr.  Lewis  married,  on  November  4,  1865,  Mary  Ellen 
Ingraham,  of  Colchester,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Jo- 
hial  and  Abby  Ingraham,  of  that  town.     Two  children 


MR.  and  MRS.  RHODES  K.  LEWIS 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


•  15 


were  born  of  this  marriage:  John  R.,  who  married 
Adah  B.  Richmond,  of  Norwich,  on  January  15,  1901, 
and  Edwin  E.,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows.  Mrs.  Rhodes 
K.  Lewis  died  in  Preston,  on  October  31,  1919.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  of   Preston. 


EDWIN  EVERETT  LEWIS,  of  Preston,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  is  a  leader  in  that  younger 
group  of  men  who  are  significant  factors  in  the  prog- 
ress of  the  town.  Coming  of  prominent  Connecticut 
and  Rhode  Island  families,  and  himself  a  prosperous 
business  man  of  the  day,  he  represents  one  of  the 
important  interests  of  the  town.  He  is  a  grandson  of 
Caleb  and  Patience  Myra  (Johnson)  Lewis,  and  a  son 
of  Rhodes  King  and  Mary  Ellen  (Ingraham)  Lewis, 
all  of  whom  are  of  extended  mention  in  the  previous 
sketch. 

Edwin  Everett  Lewis,  younger  of  the  sons  of  Rhodes 
King  and  Mary  Ellen  (Ingraham)  Lewis,  was  born  at 
the  Lewis  homestead,  in  the  town  of  Preston,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  March  12,  1882.  He  passed 
the  first  eighteen  years  of  his  life  at  the  homestead, 
obtaining  a  good  public  school  education,  and  assisting 
bis  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  and  in 
the  operation  of  the  Preston  grist  mill.  In  1900  he 
entered  business  life  as  a  manufacturer  of  lumber, 
purchasing  tracts  of  standing  timber  in  different  locali- 
ties and  converting  them  into  lumber.  For  ten  years 
he  continued  in  that  business,  moving  his  saw  mill  from 
tract  to  tract  as  each  was  cleared  of  the  merchantable 
timber,  then,  in  1910,  returned  to  the  home  farm,  his 
father's  advancing  years  demanding  his  retirement  from 
the  management  of  the  grist  mill,  and  the  turning  over 
of  that  department  to  his  son,  Edwin  E.  Lewis,  im- 
mediately followed. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  an  energetic,  modern  business  man,  full 
of  enthusiasm  concerning  the  future  of  agriculture  in 
New  London  county.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Pachaug  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  in  politics 
he  reserves  the  right  to  individual  decision  in  all  mat- 
ters, and  is  not  identified  with  either  party. 

On  August  I,  1908,  Mr.  Lewis  married  Lulu  May 
Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Montville,  Connecticut, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Melissa  (Daniels)  Johnson,  her 
father  also  born  in  Montville,  being  a  fireman  in  tlie 
mill  there.  Mrs.  Melissa  (Daniels)  Johnson  died  in 
1918.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  three  children  :  Mary 
Ada,  born  in  Montville  on  September  21,  1909;  Clayton 
Ed\v4n,  also  bom  in  Montville,  on  March  3,  151 1;  and 
Reginald  Archibald,  born  in  Preston  on  July  13,  igiS- 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Bethel  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  Griswold. 


ROSS  ELLIOT  BLACK,  M.D.— For  something 
over  a  decade  Dr.  Black  has  practiced  the  healing  art 
in  New  London,  coming  to  that  city  after  full  medical 
courses  at  Columbia  Universit>'  and  three  years'  service 
in  hospital  work.  The  years  have  brought  him  suc- 
cess, and  he  has  won  an  established  position  in  the 
profession  he   follows. 

Dr.    Ross    Elliot    Black   is   of    Pennsylvania   birth 


and  parentage,  his  parents  both  born  in  that  State. 
He  is  one  of  the  four  sons  of  his  parents  to  embrace 
professions,  two  being  engineers  in  China,  two  physi- 
cians in  Connecticut.  The  father,  Jacob  Hoffman  Black, 
was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  becoming  one  of 
Huntingdon's  early  educators,  serving  as  principal  of 
schools  there,  and  at  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania,  for  many 
years,  then  opened  a  drug  store  in  Huntingdon,  which 
he  conducted  from  1894  until  his  death  in  1914.  He 
married  Emma  Freiling,  born  in  Sunbury.  Pennsylvania, 
who  survives  her  husband  and  resides  with  two  of  her 
sons,  civil  engineers,  located  in  China.  Another  son  of 
Jacob  H.  and  Emma  (Freiling)  Black  is  Dr.  John  T. 
Black,  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Health  Commis- 
sion; another  son.  Dr.  Ross  Elliot  Black,  of  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  is  the  principal  character  of  this 
review. 

The  daug'htcrs  of  Jacob  11.  and  Eimjia  (l-'rci- 
ling)  Black  are  as  follows :  Elsie,  who  married  O.  H. 
Irwin,  cashier  of  the  Huntingdon  National  Bank,  re- 
sides in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  Rachel,  wife  of 
John  Runk,  instructor  in  chemistry  in  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College.  Laura,  married  Ray  Howe,  an  officer 
of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  resides  in  old  home- 
stead in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania. 

Ross  Elliot  Black  was  bom  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  26,  1879.  He  there  completed  public 
scliool  courses  with  graduation  from  high  school.  After 
a  course  of  study  at  Juniata  College,  Huntingdon,  Penn- 
sylvania, he  entered  the  medical  department  of  Colum- 
bia University,  New  York  City,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated M.  D.,  class  of  1905.  For  eighteen  months  fol- 
lowing graduation  he  was  interne  at  St.  Barnabas  Hos- 
pital. Newark,  New  Jersey.  That  experience  was  fol- 
lowed by  six  months'  service  in  Lying- In-Hosital,  New 
York  City,  and  twelve  months  in  the  employ  of  the 
New  York  City  Health  Department,  his  connection  being; 
with  the  Contagious  Disease  Hospital  on  North  Brothers 
Island,  and  Willard  Parker  Hospital,  Manhattan  and 
Kingston  avenues,  Brooklyn,  New  York.  At  these  hos- 
pitals he  made  a  special  study  of  the  contagious  dis- 
eases treated  during  his  year  of  service  with  them. 
During  the  summer  of  1908,  Dr.  Black  resigned  his 
position  and  located  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  there 
engaging  in  the  private  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery, 
but  making  a  specialty  of  contagious  diseases,  and 
laboratory  work  connected  therewith.  He  has  been 
continuously  engaged  in  practice  in  New  London 
since  that  time  with  the  exception  of  time  spent  in 
the  military  service. 

He  was  lieutenant,  later  captain,  of  the  Medical 
Corps,  Connecticut  National  Guard,  on  duty  with  the 
Coast  Artillery  Corps  in  1910:  examiner  for  the  New 
London  draft  board  until  1918,  when  he  was  commis- 
sioned captain  of  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United 
States  army,  instructing  Yale  Army  Laboratory  School, 
and  was  later  assigned  to  duty  at  Base  Hospital  No. 
142.  He  was  in  the  service  until  honorably  discharged, 
September  25,  1910,  when  he  returned  to  New  London 
and  resumed  medical  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
New  London   Medical  Society,  and  for  six  years  was 


n6 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


its  secretary;  New  London  County  Medical  Society; 
Connecticut  State  Medical  Society ;  American  Medical 
Association;  and  in  his  practice  is  thoroughly  modern 
and  progressive,  keeping  abreast  of  all  medical  dis- 
covery in  diagnosis,  treatment  or  operation. 

Dr.  Black  has  built  up  a  large  practice  and  is  rated 
with  the  successful  men  of  his  profession.  He  has 
served  his  city  as  acting  health  officer,  and  is  an  ardent 
advocate  of  the  doctrine  of  prevention  of  disease  by 
sanitary  precaution  and  sane  living.  He  is  an  Inde- 
pendent in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  and  holds  thirty-tw6  degrees  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Free  Masonry;  mem- 
ber of  Knights  Templar  and  Palestine  Commandery; 
he  is  also  a  member  of  Pyramid  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Bridgeport,  Con- 
necticut, and  of  Mohegan  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  of  New  London.  His  club  is  the  Harbour 
of   New   London. 

Dr.  Black  married,  in  New  London,  April  5,  1914, 
Laura  Ellen  Page,  born  in  New  London,  daughter  of 
John  and  Ellen  (George)  Page.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Black 
are  the  parents  of  a  son,  Ross  Elliot   (2nd). 


MAJOR  JOHN  J.  LAWLESS— One  of  the  prom- 
inent figures  in  the  life  of  New  London  is  Major  John 
J  Lawless,  whose  career  as  an  attorney  and  military 
leader  has  attained  the  success  which  is  achieved  by 
but  few. 

William  Lawless,  father  of  Major  Lawless,  was  born 
at  Connaught,  Ireland,  in  1845,  and  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  National  schools  there.  In  1865  he  came  to 
this  country  and  located  at  New  London,  where  he 
served  an  apprenticeship  as  a  granite  and  marble  cutter 
with  John  B.  Palmer.  He  continued  at  this  trade  until 
he  retired  from  active  life  in  igi8,  and  now  lives  with 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Maud  M.  McLaughlin,  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

Mr.  Lawless  married  Mary  S.  Kearney,  who  bore 
him  fourteen  children.  Mrs.  Lawless  also  resides  with 
her  daughter.  Children:  John  J.,  mentioned  below; 
Edward  A.,  deceased,  who  was  an  attorney  in  Indian- 
apolis, and  during  tlie  Spanish-.^merican  War  served 
ill  Company  A,  3rd  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteer 
Infantry ;  Mary  E.,  deceased,  who  married  William  J. 
Mahon,  of  New  London  ;  Maud  M.,  who  married  Ben- 
jamin F.  McLaughlin,  and  resides  in  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
Annie,  who  married  Clark  Laycock,  and  resides  at  San 
Diego ;  Evelyn  K.,  who  married  Franklyn  L.  Kimball, 
a  resident  of  New  London ;  William  A.,  who  married 
and  resides  at  Bethel,  Vermont ;  Patrick  H.,  deceased ; 
twins,  deceased  ;  James  F.,  deceased ;  Winifred  F.,  who 
married  John  Carmen,  and  resides  at  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia ;  Sebastian  K.,  deceased,  who  served  with  the 
6<)th  Regiment  in  France,  enlisting  in  the  Connecticut 
National  Guard,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  and  was  killed 
by  accident  in  Southern  California;  Roderick  D.,  the 
fourteenth  child,  served  with  the  68th  Regiment  in 
France,  and  now  resides  in  New  London. 

John  J.  Lawless  was  born  at  Vinal  Haven,  Maine, 
May  17,  1876.     He  received  the  preliminary  portion  of 


his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  New  London, 
having  been  brought  to  this  city  when  very  young  by 
his  parents.  After  graduating  from  the  New  London 
High  School,  during  which  time  his  attention  had  been 
turned  forcibly  to  the  legal  profession,  he  decided  to 
make  it  his  career  in  life  and,  accordingly,  prepared  for 
college  at  Mystic  Valley  Institute,  graduating  from  this 
institution  in  1901  and  subsequently  matriculating  at 
the  Albany  Law  School,  from  which  he  won  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Laws  in  the  class  of  1903.  Returning 
to  New  London,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Abel  P. 
Tanner,  where  he  remained  until  1904,  when,  after 
passing  his  bar  examinations,  he  established  himself  in 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  which  has  proven 
extraordinarily  successful,  having  grown  extensively 
up  to  the  present  time. 

Major  Lawless  has  always  been  interested  in  military 
life,  and  during  the  Spanish-American  War  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Connecticut  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, being  later  ..-ommissioned  a  second  lieutenant. 
After  the  war  he  v/as  commissioned  captain  of  the 
Third  Regiment,  and  held  this  post  for  many  years. 
The  World  War  offered  him  another  opportunity  and 
this  he  was  quick  and  eager  to  grasp.  Successfully 
passing  the  examinations  for  major  at  Fort  H.  G. 
Wright,  New  York,  he  was  sent  to  Plattsburg,  where  he 
was  assigned  to  the  gth  Company  of  the  New  England 
Training  Division,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service 
July  15,  1919.  Major  Lawless  is  now  a  member  of 
the  American  Legion,  and  is  also  past  commander  of 
the  George  M.  Cole  Camp,  United  Spanish  War  Vet- 
erans. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  ahvaj'S 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  organiza- 
tion. For  many  years  he  was  chairman  of  the  Re- 
publican Town  Committee  of  Waterford.  Profession- 
ally he  holds  membership  in  the  New  London  County 
Bar  Association.  Major  Lawless  has  always  been  prom- 
inent in  fraternal  organizations  and  as  such  is  affiliated 
with  the  following:  Oxoboxo  Lodge,  No.  116,  of  Mont- 
ville,  Connecticut,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  holds 
all  the  degrees  up  to  and  including  the  thirty-second; 
the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  344,  of  which  he  is 
past  dictator;  past  sachem  of  Nonowantuc  Tribe,  No. 
42,  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men;  and  the  Kono- 
nioc  Grange,  of  Waterford.  He  also  holds  membership 
in  the  Jibboom  Club,  No.  i,  which  is  the  only  club  of 
its  kind  in  the  world.  We  have  not  said  that  Major 
Lawless  is  a  good  citizen,  for  that  fact  is  self-evident. 
Respected  as  he  is  both  in  New  London  and  his  home 
town,  Waterford,  his  advance  can  have  known  no 
deviation  from  the  strictest  probity  and  the  most  up- 
right methods.  Such  a  record  is  certainly  worthy  of 
emulation. 

Major  Lawless  married,  July  5,  1910,  Alice  Wilbur 
Talbot,  daughter  of  George  L.  and  Emma  Wilbur  Tal- 
bot, of  Putnam,  Connecticut. 


DUDLEY  ALDRICH  BRAND— The  Brand  fam- 
ily of  whom  the  late  Dudley  Aldrich  Brand  was  a 
member  was  among  the  oldest  in  Westerly,  Rhode 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


"7 


Island,  the  old  concern  known  as  Brand's  Iron 
Works  being  founded  by  a  member  of  this  family 
over  a  century  ago. 

Captain  Dudley  Brand,  father  of  Dudley  Aldrich 
Brand,  was  a  native  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  and 
for  many  years  followed  the  sea.  Later  in  life  he 
purchased  a  large  farm  in  New  London,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  lifetime.  He  married 
Catherine  (Champlin)  Burdick,  who  by  a  former 
marriage  had  one  son,  William  Burdick.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brand  were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Dudley  Aldrich,  of  further  mention;  John  H.,  who 
resides  in  Porto  Rico;  Harriett,  deceased;  L>inan, 
deceased. 

Dudley  Aldrich  Brand  was  born  at  Pawcatuck, 
Connecticut,  January  12,  1852.  At  the  age  of  ten 
he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Fishers'  Island,  where 
for  a  time  his  father  was  engaged  in  farming. 
Later,  however,  the  family  removed  to  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  where  they  lived  on  a  large  farm, 
on  Ocean  avenue,  known  as  the  Brand  farm,  and 
here  the  son  remained  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  became  tired  of  the  routine  of 
farm  life. 

The  young  man  shipped  as  a  deckhand  on  an  old 
whaler  and  was  gone  for  a  year,  then  he  returned 
to  the  home  farm,  where  he  remained  until  he 
became  engaged  in  coasting  trade,  which  he  subse- 
quently discontinued  in  order  to  become  a  yachts- 
man. His  first  trip  was  as  a  captain  on  the  yacht 
"Alice."  Later  he  became  captain  of  the  yacht 
"Wander,"  which  was  privately  owned  by  James  A. 
Stillm.an,  then  president  of  the  City  National  Bank, 
of  New  York  City.  His  next  command  was  of  the 
"Marguerita,"  which  belonged  to  A.  J.  Drexel,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  This  yacht  was  later 
sold  to  Henry  Walter,  of  New  York  City,  who 
renamed  her  the  "Narada,"  he  still  retaining  Cap- 
tain Brand  in  command.  Captain  Brand  remained 
in  charge  of  the  yacht  until  May,  1914,  when  on 
account  of  a  serious  illness  he  was  forced  to  retire. 
He  died  October  26,  1920.  Captain  Brand  was 
affiliated  with  Brainard  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  was  a  Knight  Templar.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  the  Harbour  Club,  a  member  of 
the  Jibboom  Club,  and  belonged  to  the  Master 
Pilots'  Association  of  New  York  City  and  Boston, 
Massachusetts.     In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

Captain  Dudley  A.  Brand  married  (first)  in  1878, 
Charlotte  Brown,  of  Waterford,  Connecticut,  daugh- 
ter of  Lyman  and  Mary  Ann  (Jones)  Brown.  Chil- 
dren by  first  marriage:  Mary  Katherine,  wife  of 
C.  Harrison  Whittemore,  of  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut; and  Harold  E.,  of  New  London.  Captain 
Brand  married  (second)  in  June,  1903,  Jennie  Fal- 
coner Dickerson,  a  native  of  Saybrook,  Connec- 
ticut, where  her  birth  occurred  August  3,  1858. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  the  late  Captain  Richard 
and  Harriett  N.  (Otis)   Dickerson. 


Dusseldorf,  Germany,  in  1864,  and  came  lO  this 
country  when  five  years  of  age,  the  child  of  Ger- 
man parents  in  humble  circumstances.  He  received 
his  education  in  country  schools  of  Groton,  Connec- 
ticut. 

In  1885  he  became  one  of  the  founders  of  "The 
Morning  Telegraph,"  which  succeeded  the  old 
"Evening  Telegraph,"  which  had  failed.  He  dis- 
posed of  his  interests  in  that  paper,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1891,  purchased  "The  New  London  Day" 
that  had  been  founded  by  Major  John  A.  Tibbetts, 
a  well-known  writer  and  politician.  "The  Day"  had 
been  leading  a  checkered  career  for  ten  years  and 
was  heavily  encumbered  with  debt.  The  new  pro- 
prietor quickly  brought  order  out  of  chaos,  showing 
excellent  executive  ability,  and  the  paper  was  put 
almost  at  once  on  a  paying  basis.  Its  growth  in 
circulation  and  influence  was  remarkable.  When 
he  succeeded  to  the  business  in  1891  the  circulation 
of  "The  Day"  was  not  over  t,ooo;  to-day,  in  1921, 
it  has  grown  to  nearly  1 1, 000. 

Mr.  Bodenwein  is  a  member  of  numerous  clubs 
and  societies.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
served  as  alderman  in  the  New  London  Court  of 
Common  Council,  and  as  sewer  commissioner  of  the 
city  from  1903  to  1906.  In  1904  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Republican  State  Convention  for  Secretary 
of  State,  and  was  elected.  He  was  renominated 
and  re-elected  in  1906,  and  served  another  term 
of  two  years.  Mr.  Bodenwein  has  been  constantly 
active  in  civic  affairs,  and  while  he  has  held  several 
public  positions  his  duties  as  editor  and  publisher 
of  "The  Day"  have  engrossed  the  most  of  his  at- 
tention. 


THEODORE    BODENWEIN,    one    of    the    well 
known    journalists    in     Connecticut,    was    born     in 


JOHN  M.  CALLAHAN,  president  of  the  C.  W. 
Strickland  Company,  and  one  of  the  representative 
business  men  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  is 
descended  from  good  Irish  ancestry,  his  father, 
Patrick  J.  Callahan,  having  been  born  in  Cork,  Ireland. 
Patrick  J.  Callahan  came  to  the  United  States  as  a 
j'oung  man,  locating  in  New  London  in  1854,  where 
he  worked  during  all  his  active  life,  but  is  now 
retired.  He  married  Nora  Lawley,  who  was  born 
in  County  Cork,  Ireland,  and  died  in  New  London. 

John  M.  Callahan  was  born  in  New  London, 
March  13,  1864.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  there,  after  which  he  entered  the  depart- 
ment store  of  Hislop,  Porteous  &  Mitchell  as  clerk, 
remaining  with  that  firm  until  1887.  He  then  en- 
tered the  store  of  Strickland  &  Gaillard,  in  the 
same  capacity,  this  being  then,  as  now,  a  high-class 
men's  tailoring  and  outfitting  shop.  Remaining 
with  them  during  the  intervening  years,  Mr.  Calla- 
han, with  Richard  W.  Johns,  in  1917  purchased 
the  business,  and  upon  its  incorporation,  in  the 
same  year,  under  the  name  of  the  C.  W.  Strickland 
Company,  Mr.  Callahan  was  made  president  of  the 
concern.  Now,  in  addition  to  carrying  on  one  of  the 
foremost  business  houses  in  men's  apparel,  they  also 
carry  an  exclusive  line  of  haberdasher>'. 

Politically,    Mr.    Callahan    reserves    the    right    to 


ii8 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


independent  thought  and  action.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  New  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
for  twenty  years  has  been  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Literary  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's 
Roman   Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Callalian  married,  in  1893,  Nellie  A.  Keefe, 
of  New  London,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth 
(Brown)  Keefe.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callahan  have  one 
daughter,  Eleanor. 


HAROLD  HANKINSON  HEYER,  M.D.— Since 
the  year  1894,  Dr.  Heyer  has  been  a  medical  and 
surgical  practitioner  in  the  city  of  New  London, 
Connecticut,  and  there  has  won  professional  stand- 
ing and  public  confidence.  He  stands  equally  high 
as  a  citizen,  and  has  been  particularly  useful  as  a 
member  of  the  city  Board  of  Education  and  friend 
of  the  public  school  system.  He  is  a  son  of  Levi 
Heyer,  born  in  New  York  City,  where  all  his  active 
life  was  spent  in  the  provision  business.  After 
retiring  from  business  he  located  in  New  London, 
Connecticut,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  He  married  Phoebe  Ann  Helm,  who  died 
February  19,  1921,  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years. 

Harold  H.  Heyer  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
April  7,  1S64,  and  was  successively  graduated  from 
grammar  school,  high  school  and  from  the  College 
of  the  City  of  New  York,  he  receiving  his  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine  with  the  class  of  1887,  from  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  New  York  University, 
which  later  merged  with  the  Bellevue  Hospital 
Medical  College.  He  was  given  an  opportunity  to 
gain  hospital  experience  at  Bellevue  Hospital  while 
practicing  privately  in  New  York  City,  where  he 
continued  for  a  few  years,  until  his  health  failed, 
when  he  located  in  Peekskill,  New  York,  there  prac- 
ticing for  five  years  amid  country  surroundings, 
but  not  in  Peekskill. 

In  1894  Dr.  Heyer  located  in  New  London, 
where  he  has  since  been  successfully  engaged 
as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  He  was  formerly 
a  member  of  the  stafT  of  the  Old  Memorial  Hos- 
pital, now  a  member  of  the  surgical  staff  of  the 
Home  Memorial  Hospital  of  New  London.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  City,  County  and  State  Medical 
societies  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  is  a  member  of  Brainard  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  and  of  Union  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
the  present  coroner's  physician  for  New  London 
county.  In  religions  faith  he  is  connected  with  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  New  London. 

Dr.  Heyer  for  twelve  years  was  a  member  of  the 
New  London  Board  of  Education,  and  supervisor 
of  the  Harbor  School,  which  at  the  time  of  his 
election  was  located  in  an  old  wooden  structure  in 
a  bad  state  of  repair.  Dr.  Heyer  insisted  that  the 
district  should  have  a  new  and  adequate  school 
building,  and  when  the  majority  of  the  board  de- 
cided upon  repairing  the  old  building  at  a  cost  of 
over  fifty  per  cent  of  its  value,  he  went  over   their 


heads  to  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  and 
secured  an  appropriation  of  $120,000  for  a  new 
modernly  equipped  brick  structure  for  the  Harbor 
School  district.  That  building  was  later  erected 
within  the  appropriation  and  the  Harbor  School 
stands  a  monument  to  the  public  spirit,  courage 
and  determination  of  Dr.  Harold  H.  Heyer, 

Dr.  Heyer  married,  at  New  London,  in  July,  1897, 
Margaret  Lane,  who  was  born  there,  daughter  of 
V/illiam  Lane,  an  expert  cabinet-maker  of  New 
London. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Heyer  are  the  parents  of  a  daugh- 
ter, Margaret  Grace  Heyer,  now  a  student  in  the 
Connecticut  College  for  Women,  New  London. 
The  family  home  and  Dr.  Heyer's  office  is  at  No. 
70  Coit  street,  New  London. 


GEORGE  LESLIE  BILDERBECK,  president 
of  Bilderbeck  &  Langdon,  Inc.,  one  of  the  leading 
firms  of  architects  and  engineers  of  New  London 
county,  was  born  in  Hartwick,  New  York,  August 
6,  1881,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  and  high  schools  of  that  place.  Entering 
Cornell  University  in  1902,  he  was  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  June,  1906,  with  the  degree  of 
Civil  Engineer. 

With  this  practical  and  thorough  preparation  for 
his  career,  Mr.  Bilderbeck  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  at  their  Philadelphia 
offices,  where,  under  the  direction  of  Elisha  Lee, 
D.E.,  he  was  engaged  for  about  seven  months  on 
drafting  and  field  work  in  connection  with  exten- 
sions of  the  system  and  grade  eliminations  at  vari- 
ous points. 

It  was  in  February  of  1908  that  Mr.  Bilderbeck 
came  to  Connecticut,  where  for  nearly  two  years  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Bridge  Com- 
pany, at  East  Berlin,  detailing  structural  steel  work 
under  the  direction  of  Orville  Benson.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1908,  he  became  connected  with  the  quarter- 
master's corps  of  the  United  States  War  Depart- 
ment, and  for  one  year  was  associated  with,  and 
under  the  direction  of,  John  L.  Cozzens,  then  for 
four  years  Mr.  Bilderbeck  was  in  full  charge  of 
construction  work  on  barrack  quarters,  roads, 
wharves  and  water  extension,  aggregating  a  cost  of 
$700,000,  and  taking  him  to  forts  H.  G.  Wright, 
Terry,  Mansfield  and  Michie. 

In  December,  1913,  Mr.  Bilderbeck  entered  upon 
his  duties  as  assistant  engineer  in  the  employ  of 
the  Rivers,  Harbors  and  Bridges  Commission  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  and  for  three  years  and  eight 
months  was  principally  engaged  in  structural  de- 
signing for  the  steamship  terminal  at  New  London. 
In  August,  of  1917,  he  became  engineer  of  con- 
struction at  the  Groton  Iron  Works,  at  Groton,  in 
this  county,  and  during  his  association  with  this 
company  (about  sixteen  months)  his  work  com- 
prised the  designing  and  supervision  of  buildings, 
crane-ways,  ship-ways,  cofferdam,  fitting-out  dock, 
and  other  important  construction  work  which,  in 
the    records    of    the    Connecticut    Society    of    Civil 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


119 


Engineers  (1919)  have  become  history.  In  January, 
1919,  Mr.  Bildcrbcck  formed  the  present  concern,  m 
association  with  Frcdericl<  S.  Langdon,  and  since 
that  time  their  activities  along  the  allied  lines  of 
architecture  and  engineering  have  included  the  de- 
signing and  construction  of  many  of  the  newer 
industrial,  educational  and  business  buildings  in  the 
city  and  county  of  New  London  and  elsewhere,  and 
the  laying  of  pipe  lines,  the  making  of  surveys, 
maps,  etc.  Mr.  Bilderbeck  is  a  recognized  authority 
in  his  field  and  has  written  various  articles  for  the 
leading   technical   journals. 

CHARLES     CLARK     PERKINS  —  Prominently 

identilied  with  the  history  of  New  London  county 
for  many  years,  Charles  Clark  Perkins  is  also  a 
scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  that  county. 
He  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Jolin  Perkins,  who  was 
first  at  Groton,  Connecticut,  and  whose  ancestry  is 
traced  back  to  the  originator  of  the  Perkins  name. 
Previous  to  the  year  1400,  surnames  were  not  com- 
mon. 

It  soon  became  a  custom  to  add  certain  termina- 
tions to  the  name  of  the  father,  one  of  these  bein^ 
"kin,"  which  is  very  similar  to  our  present  "Jr." 
In  this  manner  the  names  of  Wilkins,  Tomkins,  and 
similar  names  originated.  Perkins  is  from  Pierre- 
kin,  gradually  softened  to  the  form  now  in  use.  In 
the  reign  of  Richard  II.,  Pierre  de  Morlaix  (who 
was  probably  a  Norman  from  Morlai.\,  France) 
was  high  steward  of  tile  estates  of  Hugo  Despcnter. 
The  latter  was  one  of  the  most  wealthy  noblemen 
of  England.  His  son,  Henry,  was  known  as  Henry 
Pierrekin,  and  his  son  wrote  the  name  Perkins  and 
Perkyns.  The  great-grandson  of  the  latter  was  the 
John  Perkins  above  mentioned.  He  married  Sarah 
Bailey,  and  tl;eir  descendants  have  been  among  the 
most  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  New 
London  county.  One  of  these,  Phineas  Perkins, 
great-grandfather  of  Charles  Clark  Perkins,  took 
part  in  the  defense  of  Fort  Griswold,  at  Groton 
Heights,  duriiig  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Servillian  Perkins,  youngest  son  of  Phineas  Per- 
kins, was  born  August  8,  1808,  and  died  November 
18,  i8;8.  He  married,  August  9,  1832,  Lucy  B. 
Potter,  born  May  23,  1814,  in  Noank,  Connecticut, 
and  died  August  3,  1856.  Servillian  Perkins  was  a 
fisherman  and  sailor,  and  his  last  years  were  spent 
in  cod  fishing  at  George's  Bank.  During  the  "gold 
fever"  J>Ir.  Perkins  was  among  those  who  went  to 
California. 

Albert  W.  Perkins,  son  of  Servillian  and  Lucy  B. 
(Potter)  Perkins,  was  born  at  Noank,  October  3. 
1833,  and  died  June  2,  1913.  From  the  time  he  was 
a  boy  of  ten  years  he  was  accustomed  to  the  water 
and  was  frequently  with  his  father  on  many  of 
his  trips.  He  followed  the  water  until  he  was 
thirty-four  years  old,  retiring  at  that  time  to  enter 
mercantile  pursuits  in  Noank.  Mr.  Perkins  was  a 
very  successful  business  man  and  was  a  Icadmg 
citizen.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
several   times  honored   with   positions  of  trust   and 


responsibility.  Fraternally,  he  was  a  member  of 
Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  was  a  charter  member,  the  first,  of  the 
.'Vncient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  married, 
January  22,  iS.iS,  Julia  Avery  Burrows,  born  De- 
cember i3,  1841,  died  .\pril  15,  1908,  daughter  of 
Austin  and  .Mmira  (Hill)  Burrows  They  were  the 
parents  of  six  children :  i.  Lucy,  who  married 
Charles  I.  Fitch.  2.  Charles  Clark,  of  further  men- 
tion.    3.   Alniira   Hill,   who   married    Otto    Monroe. 

4.  Warren    Chcsebro,   who   married    Flora   Stanton. 

5.  Albert  W.,  Jr.  6.  Abbie  H.  The  family  attended 
the  Baptist  church  of  Noank. 

Charles  Clark  Perkins,  son  of  .Mbert  W.  and 
Julia  A.  (Burrows)  Perkins,  was  born  November 
5,  1864,  in  the  town  of  Noank,  Connecticut,  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  During  the 
intervals  he  was  not  at  sc'nool  he  was  accustomed 
to  work  about  his  father's  store,  and  when  he  was 
sixteen  years  old  went  to  Providence,  where  he 
accepted  a  position  with  a  wholesale  haberdasher, 
and  there  remained  for  several  years.  During  his 
first  year  tliere  he  took  a  business  course,  which 
was  of  great  va'.'.:e  to  him  in  his  mercantile  v/ork. 
His  father's  health  being  somewhat  impaired,  Mr. 
Perkins  returned  home  and  tool;  charge  of  the 
latter's  interests.  In  1885,  Mr.  Perkins  went  to  New 
London,  where  he  remained  for  four  years,  and  there 
went  into  the  hat  and  furnishing  business  on  his  own 
account,  all  the  time  retaining  his  interest  in  his  father's 
business.  In  April,  1889,  Mr.  Perkins  bought  the  busi- 
ness of  George  Meeker,  and  because  the  building  was 
very  small,  he  called  it  "The  Hat  Box."  In  time,  as 
his  business  grew,  this  name  became  synonymous  with 
quality  in  hats.  Later,  in  more  commodious  quarters, 
the  name  was  changed  to  "The  Hat  Palace."  Mr. 
Perkins  opened  a  branch  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  which 
he  continued  until  1894,  then,  by  consolidation  with  the 
firm  of  Shepard  &  Harris,  the  C.  C.  Perkins  Company 
was  formed,  and  S.  E.  Tyler  was  admitted  a  partner. 
After  five  years  he  withdrew  and  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  Baumes  &  Perkins,  and  this  arrangement 
continued  for  two  years,  when  Mr.  Perkins  sold  his 
interests  to  Mr.  Baumes.  On  March  7,  1903,  he  pur- 
chased the  clothing  house  of  C.  B.  Ware,  which  had 
been  in  existence  for  thirty-five  years,  and  the  new 
company  was  known  as  the  Perkins  Clothing  Company, 
Inc.  In  this  business  Mr.  Perkins  continues  to  the 
present  time  (1921).  successful  and  prosperous  through 
his  business  acumen,  pleasing  personality  and  high 
standard  of  business  ethics. 

Outside  of  business  Mr.  Perkins  has  been  very  active 
in  public  matters  and  like  his  father  has  held  many 
public  offices.  For  four  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  his  great  in- 
terest in  the  youth  of  his  city  led  him  to  organize  the 
Success  Club,  which  won  a  prize  for  being  the  most 
progressive  club  in  the  United  States.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  is  at  all  times  ready  and  willing 
to  aid  in  all  practical  movements  for  the  general 
welfare. 


lao 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


In  fraternal  circles  of  New  London,  Mr.  Perkins  is 
prominent.  He  is  grand  master  of  the  Connecticut 
Lodge  of  Masons,  and  following  is  his  Masonic  his- 
tory in  detail: 

He  was  raised  a  Mason  in  Union  Lodge,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  of  New  London,  November  2, 
1905;  was  junior  deacon,  1906;  junior  warden,  1907; 
senior  warden,  1908;  worshipful  master,  1909;  treas- 
urer, 1910  to  1913,  inclusive.  In  1910  and  191 1  he  was 
Deputy  for  the  Eighth  Masonic  District;  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  he  was  grand  junior  steward  in  1912;  grand 
senior  steward  in  1913;  grand  marshal,  1914;  grand 
junior  deacon,  1915;  grand  senior  deacon,  1916;  grand 
junior  warden,  1917;  grand  senior  warden,  1918;  deputy 
grand  ma.'ster,  1919.  Mr.  Perkins  was  exalted  in  Union 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  April  2,  1906.  He  was 
master  of  the  third  vail  in  1908;  scribe  in  1909;  king, 
1910:  high  priest  in  191 1.  He  was  received  and  greeted 
in  Cushing  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  June  19, 
1906;  was  steward  in  191 1;  captain  of  the  Guard  in 
1912;  deputy  illustrious  master  in  1913 ;  thrice  illus- 
trious master,  1914.  In  Palestine  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  he  was  knighted  November  24,  191 1,  and  has 
held  several  offices  in  that  body.  He  received  his 
Scottish  Rite  degrees  in  the  Norwich  bodies,  as  fol- 
lows: King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection,  January 
2-}.  1913 :  Van  Rensselaer  Council,  Princes  of  Jeru- 
salem. February  24,  1913 :  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose 
Croix,  March  24,  1913 ;  Connecticut  Consistory,  Sublime 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  May  26,  1913.  He  has 
been  an  officer  in  King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection, 
and  is  a  former  president  of  the  Actual  Past  Masters' 
Association  of  New  London  county.  He  was  made 
grand  master,  February  4,  1920. 

In  Odd  Fellowship  Mr.  Perkins  is  a  past  grand  of 
Mohegan  Lodge,  and  past  chief  patriarch  of  Orion 
Encampment,  both  of  New  London.  For  two  years  he 
was  district  deputy.  ISfr.  Perkins  is  a  member  of  sev- 
eral of  the  local  clubs  of  New  London,  and  through 
his  ancestor,  Phineas  Perkins,  is  a  member  of  the  Sons 
of  the  American  Revolution;  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  New  London  County  Historical  Society.  In  Sep- 
tember. 1921,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  new  City 
Commission. 

Mr.  Perkins  married,  November  27,  1887,  Hattie  S. 
Fish,  daughter  of  Samuel  W.  and  Amanda  J.  (Smith) 
Fish,  of  New  London.  They  were  the  parents  of  an 
only  child.  Alice  Tyler  Perkins,  born  March  23,  i8gi, 
married,  June  4,  1914,  Ralph  M.  Packer,  and  the  mother 
of  Charles  Clark  Packer,  born  March  8,  1916.  Mrs. 
Alice  Tyler  (Perkins)  Packer  died  May  25,  1916. 


GEORGE  POTTER  FENNER— The  history  of 
the  Fenner  family  extends  far  back  into  the  troublous 
days  of  religious  and  political  dissention  in  England 
when  Oliver  Cromwell  led  his  praying  soldiers  to  con- 
quest and  supremacy.  Captain  Arthur  Fenner,  a  lieu- 
tenant in  Cromwell's  army,  after  having  fought  through 
to  victory  and  the  execution  of  the  king,  in  1649,  war 
weary,  perhaps,  or  not  willing  to  go  the  full  length  of 
Oliver   Cromwell's  increasingly  severe   policy  of   arbi- 


trary rule  and  ruthless  suppression,  came,  with  his  wife, 
Mehitable  (Waterman)  Fenner,  to  Providence,  Rhode 
Island,  where  he  was  appointed  captain  of  the  king's 
garrison,  and  where,  as  civil  engineer,  he  laid  out  the 
boundaries  of  the  plantation.  He  was  made  assistant 
to  the  governor,  by  appointment,  and  was  commissioned 
to  "put  in  order  and  have  printed  the  statutes  of  the 
colony." 

Major  Thomas  Fenner,  son  of  Captain  Arthur  Fen- 
ner, married  Dinah  Borden,  and  became  the  father  of 
Thomas  Fenner,  who  married  Mary  Abbott.  Their 
son,  William  Fenner,  and  his  wife,  Christian  (Arnold) 
Fenner,  were  the  parents  of  Stephen  Fenner,  who  in 
turn  became  the  father  of  Philip  Arnold  Fenner.  Philip 
Arnold  Fenner  and  his  wife,  Sally  (Potter)  Fenner, 
were  the  grandparents  of  George  Potter  Fenner. 
Charles  Arnold  Fenner,  father  of  George  Potter  Fen- 
ner, was  a  native  of  Poland,  New  York,  and  a  ship- 
builder of  note  in  Connecticut.  He  built  for  the  gov- 
ernment a  number  of  vessels,  among  which  was  the 
''Galatia,"  which  was  later  transformed  into  an  iron- 
clad and  was  among  the  first  of  that  class  of  ves- 
sels  to  be   placed  in   service. 

George  P.  Fenner  was  educated  in  the  old  Hopkinton 
Academy,  Ashaway,  Rhode  Island;  in  public  and  private 
schools  in  Mystic,  Connecticut ;  and  at  the  Providence 
(Rhode  Island)  Commercial  College.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  he  began  his  training  in  the  business 
of  manufacturing  printing  presses,  entering  the  employ 
of  Cottrell  &  Babcock,  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island, 
Nathan  Babcock  of  that  firm  being  his  uncle.  For 
eight  years  he  worked  in  the  pattern  shop  and  drawing- 
room,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1882,  in  partnership 
with  a  fellow  worker,  he  established  a  similar  business 
in  New  London.  At  the  request  of  his  uncle,  this 
company  was  merged  into  the  Babcock  Printing  Press 
ATanufacturing  Company,  New  London,  and  from  that 
time  on  he  devoted  his  energies  to  the  manufacture  and 
improvement  of  printing  presses.  He  was  originally 
assistant  treasurer  and  superintendent  of  the  business, 
but  for  the  fifteen  years  preceding  his  death  he  was 
president  and  treasurer.  In  addition  to  his  executive 
and  administrative  ability,  Mr.  Fenner  contributed  a 
large  amount  of  creative  ability  to  the  prosperity  of 
the  business.  He  was  the  author  of  many  valuable 
inventions,  receiving  some  sixty-seven  patents  between 
1882  and  1915,  the  most  important  of  which  were:  The 
adjustable  roller  socket,  the  adjustable  diameter  plunger 
head,  the  spiral  slider  controller,  printed-side-up  deliv- , 
er>',  a  ball  and  socket  joint,  telescoping  delivery  slide 
rods  and  detachable  carriage  connection,  ball  roll  on 
end  of  star  gear  rack,  spiral  table  roll  drive,  and  roller 
throw-off.  Year  by  year,  with  unflagging  energy,  Mr. 
Fenner,  from  an  humble  beginning,  developed  the  Bab- 
cock Printing  Press  Manufacturing  Company,  which  is 
now  generally  acknowledged  to  be  the  makers  of  the 
best  flat-bed  printing  presses  in  the  world,  having  been 
awarded  medals  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  Europe 
and  America. 

Aside  from  his  manufacturing  interests,  Mr.  Fenner 
was  for  years  a  director  in  the  National  Bank  of  Com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


121 


merce.  of  New  London.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
executive  board  of  the  Associated  Charities  of  New 
London,  and  of  All  Souls'  Church  (Unitarian-Uni- 
versalist),  New  London,  having  for  eighteen  years 
served  the  latter  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
His  dominating  personal  characteristics  were  business 
integrity,  and  perfectly  square  and  honest  dealings  with 
individuals.  He  was  a  man  of  untiring  industry,  was 
public-spirited,  generous,  a  lover  of  home  and  family, 
of  keen  intellect,  and  withal  was  possessed  of  a  great 
capacity  for  friendship.  Fond  of  good  literature  from 
his  earliest  years,  he  possessed  a  retentive  memory  and 
the  ability  to  talk  entertainingly,  was  a  genial  host,  and 
a  welcome  addition  to  any  company. 

Since  Mr.  Fenncr's  death.  Mrs.  Fenncr  has  con- 
tinued the  business  with  success,  having  enlarged  and 
considerably  increased  it.  Under  her  control  the  com- 
pany has  been  able  to  purchase  the  land  and  buildings 
occupied  by  it  for  so  long,  and  now  owns  its  shops. 
Mrs.  Fenner's  position  in  the  company  is  that  of  treas- 
tirer.  She  was  elected  president  of  the  company,  but 
immediately  resigned  in  favor  of  one  of  the  other 
officers  of  the  concern,  deeming  it  better  business  policy 
to  have  a  man  at  the  head  of  the  business.  The  com- 
pany now  employs  over  four  hundred  hands,  many  of 
whom  have  been  in  its  em.ploy  for  many  years.  At  a 
meeting  and  banquet  of  the  officers  and  foremen  of  the 
company,  held  in  1918,  it  was  found  that  their  com- 
bined years  of  service  amounted  to  over  five  hundred 
years.  From  its  humble  beginning  to  the  generally 
recognized  position  as  builders  of  the  best  flat-bed 
printing  presses  in  the  world,  the  company  was  brought 
by  the  untiring  industry  and  inventive  genius  of  Mr. 
Fenner.  For  years  he  worked  seven  days  in  the  week 
until  he  had  put  the  business  on  a  paying  and  successful 
basis.  It  was  his  life  work,  and  he  loved  it  as  few  men 
love  their  work,  giving  it  the  most  of  his  time  and 
energy.  It  was  this  very  love  for  this  creation  of  his 
that  induced  Mrs.  Fenner,  after  his  death,  to  carry  on 
the  business  as  a  merited  monument  to  his  achieve- 
ment. 

Mr.  Fenner  married.  July  7.  1887.  in  Hanover,  Con- 
necticut. Annie  Cutler  Smith,  daughter  of  Xorman  and 
Sarah  Adeline  (Cutler)  Smith,  who  were  married  No- 
vember 15.  1849.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  merchant  and  a 
farmer  of  Hanover,  born  in  that  place,  June  8,  1826.  and 
descended  from  distinguished  ancestors  through  both  the 
paternal  and  maternal  lines.  He  was  a  descendant  of 
Myles  Standish  through  his  father,  and  on  the  mother's 
side  from  John  Robinson,  the  Lcyden  preacher,  whose 
son  Isaac  emigrated  to  America,  and  was  the  pro- 
genitor of  this  branch  of  the  family  in  America.  The 
line  of  descent  is  as  follows : 

(l)  Captain  Myles  Standish.  Duxbury.  Massachu- 
estts;  (2)  Captain  Josiah  Standish.  Norwich.  Connec- 
ticut; (3)  Josiah  Standish.  Stafford,  Connecticut:  (4) 
Hannah  Standish,  married  Nathan  Foster,  Stafford, 
Connecticut;  (5)  Lois  Foster,  born  1732,  married,  Au- 
gust 4.  1752,  Elihu  Palmer,  Scotland,  Connecticut;  (6) 
Eunice  Palmer,  born  August  25,  1755,  married  Josiali 
Smith;  (7)  Dr.  Vine  Smith,  married  Lydia  Lillie;  (8) 
Norman  Smith. 


(l)  Rev.  John  Robinson  and  Bridget  (White)  Rob- 
inson. Leydcn,  Holland;  (2)  Isaac  Robinson,  emigrant; 
(3)  Peter  Robinson,  married  Experience  Manton;  (4) 
Peter  Robinson,  Jr.,  born  1697,  died  1785,  married  Ruth 
Fuller,  Mansfield,  Connecticut;  (s)  Experience  Robin- 
son, born  January  3,  1768,  married  Nathan  Lillie;  (6) 
Lydia  Lillie,  married,  1832,  Dr.  Vine  Smith;  (8)  Nor- 
man  Smith,  married   Sarah   Adeline  Culler. 

(i)  Rev.  John  Robinson  and  Bridget  (White)  Rob- 
inson. Leyden,  Holland;  (2)  Isaac  Robinson;  (3)  Peter 
Robinson ;  (4)  Elizabeth  Robinson,  died  1798,  married 
Josiah  Smith;  (5)  Josiah  Smith,  married.  1776,  Eunice 
Palmer;  (6)  Dr.  Vine  Smith,  born  January  5.  1796; 
(7)   Norman  Smith. 

Mr.  Fenner  was  survived  by  his  wife  and  one  daugh- 
ter, Mildred  Lucile,  wife  of  Walter  L.  Douglas.  He 
died  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  October  21,  1915. 


ERNEST  OLIVER  WINSHIP,  M.D.— Any  his- 
tory of  the  medical  profession  of  this  locality  would  be 
incomplete  without  the  name  of  Dr.  Ernest  Oliver  Win- 
ship,  who  as  a  surgeon  and  an  eye  and  ear  specialist  has 
been  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession 
in  New  London,  Connecticut,  since  1910.  Dr.  Winship 
is  also  identified  with  the  religious  and  social  life  of 
the  community,  being  respected  and  valued  as  a  con- 
scientious, public-spirited  citizen,  also  as  an  able  and 
devoted  physician. 

Ernest  Oliver  Winship  was  born  at  Danby,  Vermont, 
on  December  19,  1874.  the  son  of  John  F.  and  Matilda 
(Warner)  Winship.  John  F.  Winship  was  a  carpenter 
throughout  his  entire  lifetime,  and  died  in  1913;  he  was 
interred  at  Danby.  The  preliminary  education  of  the 
boy,  Ernest  O.,  was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
place,  after  which  he  attended  the  Burr  and  Dutton 
Seminary  at  Manchester.  Vermont,  where  he  prepared 
for  college,  having  in  the  meantime  decided  to  adopt 
medicine  as  a  profession.  In  1897  he  matriculated  at 
the  University  of  Vermont,  and  was  graduated  wnth 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  this  institution 
in  1900,  subsequently  going  to  New  York  City,  where 
he  took  a  course  in  surgery  at  the  Post-Graduate  Hos- 
pital. Here  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  went 
to  Rockville.  Connecticut,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  until  1008.  when  he  returned 
to  New  York  City  and  for  the  following  year  and  a 
half  devoted  himself  to  special  study  of  the  eye  and 
ear,  after  which  he  came  to  New  London,  Connecticut, 
establishing  himself  in  practice  and  winning  a  high  and 
honorable  standing,  and  with  this  position  has  come  the 
material  regard  that  properly  accompanies  profes- 
sional success. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Winship  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
been  school  physician  for  many  years.  Professionally, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  .Association, 
the  New  London  County  Medical  Society  and  the  Con- 
necticut State  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  member 
of  Brainard  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
New  London;  Union  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Gushing  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Palestine 


122 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  and  has  attained  the 
thirty-second  degree  in  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies.  He  is 
also  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
In  religious  preference  he  is  a  Congregationalist  and 
attends  the  church  of  this  denomination  at  New  London. 
On  December  3,  1902,  Dr.  Winship  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Bessie  Margin,  and  to  them  have  been 
born  three  children:  Marjorie,  Dorothy  and  Eliza- 
beth Winship. 


JOHN  FORD  PARKER  — Among  the  highly 
honored  and  esteemed  citizens  of  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
is  John  Ford  Parker,  who  conducts  the  oldest  insurance 
agency  in  New  London  county,  and  is  himself  the  oldest 
insurance  agent  in  that  county.  Mr.  Parker  comes  of 
a  very  old  family,  which  for  more  than  a  centurj'  and 
a  half  has  held  a  prominent  place  in  the  life  of  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  and  in  the  life  of  the  nation.  Cap- 
tain Timothy  Parker  was  a  hero  of  the  Revolution ; 
his  son.  Captain  John  Parker,  was  a  commodore  in  the 
Mexican  navj-;  and  the  latter's  son,  Ebenczer  Fitch 
Parker,  was  well  known  in  commercial  life.  Three  of 
the  sons  of  Ebenezer  Fitch  Parker  who  remained  in 
Norwich  are  Henry  Lester,  Robert  Bottum,  and  John 
Ford  Parker.     The   family  lineage  is  as  follows : 

(I)  Robert  Parker,  of  Barnstable,  Massachusetts, 
supposed  to  be  a  son  of  William  Parker,  married  (first), 
on  January  28,  1657,  Sarah  James,  and  to  the  marriage 
were  born  children,  among  whom  was  Joseph  Parker, 
from  whom  the  Norwich  branch  of  the  family  is 
descended. 

(II)  Joseph  Parker,  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah 
(James)  Parker,  was  born  in  February,  1672.  He  mar- 
ried, June  30,  1697-98,  Mercy  Whiston,  sometimes  in- 
correctly written  as  Whetstone  and  Whiton.  He  died 
in  1732,  and  among  his  children  was  John,  of  whom 
further. 

(III)  John  Parker,  son  of  Joseph  Parker,  born  in 
1700,  removed  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  about  1745.  He 
v/as  admitted  to  the  church  at  Falmouth,  Massachu- 
setts, in  November,  1741.  In  1734  he  married  Elizabeth 
Smith,  and  among  their  children  was  Timothy,  of  whom 
further. 

(IV)  Captain  Timothy  Parker,  born  May  17,  1733.  i" 
Falmouth,  Massachusetts,  was  about  ten  years  of  age 
when  the  family  moved  to  Norwich,  Connecticut.  He 
was  a  naval  commander  and  remained  in  the  merchant 
service  after  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 
In  1776,  returning  from  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies, 
he  was  captured  and  taken  to  New  York,  endured  much 
suffering,  and  w-hen  released  was  commissioned  lieuten- 
ant on  the  "Oliver  Cromwell."  Promoted  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  "Oliver  Cromwell,"  he  captured  many 
British  armed  vessels,  but  was  himself  finally  captured 
by  the  "Daphne,"  and  again  confined  in  a  prison  ship, 
from  which  he  made  his  escape  by  way  of  Long  Island, 
finally  reaching  Norwich,  Connecticut.  He  was  later  in 
command  of  various  privateers,  the  last  of  which  was 
the  "Scourge,"  a  twenty-gun  ship.  After  the  war  he 
resumed  service  in  the  merchant  marine,  and  died  May 


27,  1797.  On  March  23,  1769,  he  married  Deborah 
Lester,  and  among  their  children  was  John  Parker,  of 
whom   further. 

(V)  John  Parker,  son  of  Captain  Timothy  and  De- 
borah (Lester)  Parker,  was  born  March  10,  1772,  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  He  became  a  sea  captain,  con- 
tinuing as  such  until  the  War  of  1812  crippled  his  line 
of  business,  when  he  went  to  Mexico,  entered  the 
Mexican  navy  when  that  country  was  at  war,  was  com- 
missioned commodore,  and  died  of  a  fever  aboard  his 
vessel  in  the  Bay  of  Honduras,  being  buried  ashore, 
May  27,  1819.  For  his  services  in  that  war  he  was 
granted  tracts  of  land  by  the  Mexican  government, 
but  they  were  never  claimed  by  his  family.  On  April 
25,  1802,  he  married  Sarah  Fitch,  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  August  10.  1771,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and 
Mary  (Huntington)  Fitch,  Ebenezer  Fitch  being  a  son 
of  Daniel  and  Anne  (Cook)  Fitch,  and  grandson  of 
the  Rev.  James  Fitch,  the  first  minister  of  Norwich, 
whose  wife  was  Alice,  granddaughter  of  Governor  Wil- 
liam Bradford,  of  the  "Mayflower."  Among  the  chil- 
dren of  John  and  Sarah  (Fitch)  Parker  was  Ebenezer 
Fitch  Parker,  of  the  sixtli  generation,  of  whom 
further. 

(VI)  Ebenezer  Fitch  Parker,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Fitch)  Parker,  was  born  in  Norwich,  (Connecticut,  De- 
cember 25,  1812.  Reared  and  educated  in  Norwich,  he 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  maker  with  Deacon  Horace 
Colton,  worked  at  that  trade  for  two  years,  and  then 
filled  various  positions  until  1840,  when  he  was  made 
master  of  transportation,  in  charge  of  the  freight  de- 
partment of  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad,  whic'.i 
position  he  held  for  nearly  forty  years,  resigning  in 
1877.  Later,  he  was  accountant  for  the  Reade  Piper 
Company,  and  devoted  the  attention  of  his  later  years 
to  the  affairs  of  the  New  London  County  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  was  president  for 
more  than  thirty-five  years.  He  died  September  21, 
1S97,  and  was  buried  in  Yantic  Cemetery.  On  Novem- 
ber 9,  1836,  Ebenezer  Fitch  Parker  married  Susan  Cross 
Clark,  of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  James 
and  Lydia  (Noyes)  Clark.  She  died  January  i,  1879, 
aged  fifty-eight  years.  Seven  children  were  born  of  this 
marriage,  all  in  Norwich:  i.  Henry  Lester,  born  Au- 
gust 21,  1837,  died  in  November,  igo8;  he  married  Ann 
Meech  Roath,  and  has  children:  Susan  May,  Elizabeth 
Roath,  Gerard  Lester,  Ann  Meech,  deceased,  and  Henry 
Fitch.  2.  Walter  Farnsworth,  born  August  3,  1839 ;  mar- 
ried, December  22,  1861,  Sarah  Catherine  Hartt,  of  Long 
Island;  died  in  New  York  City  in  June,  1918:  and  their 
children  were :  Ella  Crane ;  Carrie  H.,  deceased ;  Marco 
Smith;  and  Walter  F.  3.  Robert  Bottum,  born  Octo- 
ber 21,  1842;  married.  September  19,  1877,  Annie  Cor- 
nelia Kelley,  who  died  May  13,  1879;  he  was  for  a 
number  of  years  ticket  agent  at  Norwich  for  the  Nor- 
wich &  Worcester  railroad,  later  engaged  in  mercantile 
business;  he  died  December  20,  1917,  at  Norwich.  Con- 
necticut. 4.  John  Ford,  mentioned  belov.-.  5.  Ebenezer 
Fitch  (2),  born  October  21,  1854;  is  married  and  re-  j 
sides  in  New  York.  6.  George  Brewster,  born  .August 
7,    1857;    was    unmarried,    and    resided   in   New   York, 


BIOGliAI'HlCAL 


lis 


where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  and  where 
he  died  January  14,  1917.  7.  Frank  Clark,  born  No- 
vember 8,  iSOo,  died  September  5,  1861. 

(VII)  John  Ford  Parker,  son  of  Fbenezer  Fitch  and 
Susan  Cross  (Clark)  Parker,  was  born  at  Norwich, 
August  2,  1846,  and  attended  the  public  schools 
and  the  Free  Academy,  after  which  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad  freight 
office,  where  he  remained  from  1863  to  1865  as 
clerk.  In  1865  he  became  clerk  in  tlie  large  fire 
insurance  office  of  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  of  Norwich, 
and  continued  in  that  office  until  1877.  In  tliat  year 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother,  Henry 
L.,  under  the  firm  name  of  Parker  Brothers,  and 
established  a  fire  insurance  agency  in  Norwich. 
This  partnership  continued  until  1886,  when,  because 
of  ill  health,  Henry  L.  withdrew,  and  John  Ford 
Parker  continued  alone,  he  being  the  oldest  insur- 
ance agent  in  New  London  county  at  the  present 
time  (1921).  He  has  a  large  clientele  and  is  handling 
a  big  fire  insurance  business.  Known  for  years, 
and  trusted  by  his  fellow-citizens,  the  proprietor  of 
the  oldest  insurance  establishment  in  the  county,  he 
bids  fair  to  continue  to  increase  the  prosperity  of 
his  enterprise.  In  1909  the  Shannon  building  in 
which  he  was  located  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  he 
removed  to  tlie  Chapman  building,  where  his  offices 
are  still  located. 

Politically,  Mr.  Parker  supported  the  Democratic 
party  for  many  years,  but  now  votes  independently. 
During  his  residence  in  the  Central  school  district, 
he  served  on  tlie  Board  of  Education,  and  also 
served  several  terms  as  a  member  of  the  School 
Committee  of  the  Falls  district.  Fraternally,  he  is 
a  member  of  St.  James  Lodge,  No.  23,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  Columbian  Commandcry,  No.  4,  Knights 
Templar;  Franklin  Council,  No.  4,  Royal  and  Select 
Masters;  and  Sphinx  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Hartford.  Mrs. 
Parker  and  her  daughters  are  members  of  the 
Faith  Trumbull  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution.  The  family  attend  the  Park  Congre- 
gational  Church. 

On  February  18,  1869,  at  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, John  Ford  Parker  married  Fannie  Treadway 
Fitch,  daughter  of  Harris  T.  and  Elmira  N.  (Brown) 
Fitch,  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  and  they  arc 
the  parents  of  one  child,  Myra  Fitch,  born  in  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  February  i,  1873;  she  is  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Free  A.cademy  and  of  the  Normal  de- 
partment of  that  same  institution,  being  now  a 
successful  and  higlily  regarded  school  teacher  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut. 


GEORGE  DANIEL  COATS— The  Coats  family 
is  an  old  one  in  the  town  of  Stonington,  Connec- 
ticut, three  men  of  the  Coats,  or  Coatcs,  name 
having  settled  in  that  part  of  the  town  now  known 
as  North  Stonington  about  the  year  1700.  Descend- 
ants have  been  numerous  and  prominent  in  business 
and  professional  life.     Ansel  Coats,  grandfather  of 


George  D.  Coats,  was  born  in  North  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  March  14,  1794.  He  married,  January 
18,  1821,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  Kcv. 
G.  B.  Perry,  Eunice  Randall,  who  was  born  .August 
II,  1804,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: 

I.  Ashcr,  a  merchant  of  Binghamton,  New 
York,  who  married  Mrs.  Phoebe  Bartlett,  and  died 
in  Binghamton.  2.  William,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  War,  and  married  Nettie  Grove,  of  Mon- 
trose, Pennsylvania.  3.  RoswcU,  a  resident  of 
Binghamton,  New  York,  married  Julia  E.  Davis. 
4.  George  Francis,  of  further  mention.  5.  John,  a 
college  graduate,  a  soldier  in  tlie  Civil  War,  and 
later  a  lawyer  in  New  Britain,  Connecticut,  and 
judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Picas,  in  Hartford, 
Connecticut;  he  married  Josephine  Walker.  All  of 
the  above  are  now  deceased  (1921). 

George  Francis  Coats,  son  of  Ansel  and  Eunice 
(Randall)  Coats,  and  father  of  George  D.  Coats, 
was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connecticut,  April 
7,  1841.  He  taught  school  in  North  Stonington  and 
in  other  Connecticut  towns  until  1863,  and  then, 
after  his  marriage,  bought  a  farm,  which,  while 
mainly  located  in  North  Stonington,  extended  into 
the  town  of  Stonington.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century 
he  remained  upon  this  farm,  and  then  moved  into 
the  village  of  North  Stonington,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business  for  a  few  years  before  his 
retirement  from  active  business  life.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  School  Directors,  and  was 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  serving  on  the 
Town  Republican  Committee,  and  representing  the 
town  of  North  Stonington  in  the  Connecticut  Legis- 
lature. He  died  in  North  Stonington,  December 
16,  1918.  He  married  Frcderica  Maria  Koopman, 
who  was  born  in  Stonington,  and  died  in  North 
Stonington,  June  18,  1918,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  two  children:  George  D.,  of  further  men- 
tion; and  Nellie  Francis,  born  August  1,  1S70,  died 
April  14,  1883. 

George  Daniel  Coats,  son  of  George  Francis  and 
Frederica  Maria  (Koopman)  Coats,  was  born  in 
North  Stonington,  Connecticut,  July  14,  1864,  and 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Stonington  and 
North  Stonington.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the 
home  farm  for  a  while,  and  then  bought  a  farm  in 
North  Stonington.  In  March,  l8o5.  he  bought  his 
present  splendid  farm  of  235  acres,  the  Ephraim 
Wheeler  place,  situated  about  one  mile  north  of  the 
village  of  North  Stonington,  and  there  he  has  spent 
twenty-five  years  of  his  life.  He  conducts  various 
farming  operations,  specializing  in  stock  and  dairy 
farming.  The  energy  and  ability  of  Mr.  Coats  have 
transformed  the  old  Ephraim  Wheeler  place  into  a 
modern  scientific  agricultural,  stock  raising,  and 
dairy  plant,  all  of  the  buildings  of  which,  with  the 
exception  of  the  dwelling  house,  have  been  erected 
by  the  present  owner.  Along  with  his  successful 
farming  operations,  Mr.  Coats  has  been  active  in 
local  civic  and  political  aflfairs,  giving  generously  of 
his  time  and  of  his  ability  for  the  promotion  of  the 


124 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


welfare  of  his  community.  He  was  first  elected 
selectman  in  1905,  and  has  been  a  member  of  that 
board  continuously  during  the  years  that  have 
passed  since  that  time,  with  the  exception  of  one 
period  of  two  years,  still  serving  in  that  capacity  at 
the  present  time  (1921).  For  twelve  years  he  has 
been  first  selectman.  A  member  of  the  Third  Bap- 
tist Church,  he  has  been  a  liberal  supporter  of  all 
its  work,  giving  of  his  means,  his  time,  and  his 
influence. 

He  is  a  past  master  of  North  Stonington 
Grange,  No.  138,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  is  still 
an  active  member.  He  was  president  of  the  North 
Stonington  Fair  Association  for  nine  consecutive 
years,  and  it  was  during  his  term  of  office  that 
Grange  Hail  was  erected  and  that  the  annual  fair, 
now  a  fixed  institution  for  ten  years,  was  first  held. 
A  public-spirited  citizen,  a  friend  to  trust,  Mr.  Coats 
has  contributed  largely  to  the  prosperity  and  the 
welfare  of  his  community.  Politically,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Mr.  Coats  married,  at  North  Stonington,  March 
16,  1886,  Fannie  Wheeler  Main,  born  in  North 
Stonington,  daughter  of  John  Sands  and  Frances 
Abbie  (Wheeler)  Main,  both  of  whom  v/ere  also 
born  in  North  Stonington.  George  D.  and  Fannie 
Wheeler  (Main)  Coats  became  the  parents  of  two 
children,  the  first  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the 
second  of  whom  is  Allen  Ansel  Coats,  of  further 
mention. 

Allen  Ansel  Coats,  son  of  George  D.  and  Fannie 
Wheeler  (Main)  Coats,  was  born  December  19, 
1889,  and  has  been  his  father's  assistant  on  the 
farm,  taking  a  large  share  of  responsibility  and 
contributing  largely  to  the  prosperity  of  the  estab- 
lishment. He  married,  August  10,  1910,  Nellie  Hcn- 
drick  Stedman,  daughter  of  Orrin  Richard  and  Mary 
Janet  (Hendrick)  Stedman.  Orrin  R.  Stedman,  born 
in  South  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island,  was  a  carpenter 
and  farmer,  and  long  a  resident  of  North  Stoning- 
ton, Vifhere  he  died  April  19,  1913.  Mrs.  Stedman 
survives  him  and  continues  her  residence  in  North 
Stonington.  Allen  Ansel  and  Nellie  Hendrick  (Sted- 
man) Coats  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Ansel 
Wheeler,  born  June  2,  191 1;  Clifton  Thurlov/,  born 
August  23,  1914;  and  Ruth  Pauline,  born  January 
II,  1918. 


CLARA  M.  (HAMMOND)  McGUIGAN,  M.D.— 

Perhaps  no  profession  offers  greater  opportunity 
for  valuable  service  to  the  human  race  than  does 
that  of  the  physician.  When  with  thorough  train- 
ing, and  a  keen,  forceful  intellect,  there  is  united 
the  intuition  and  the  e.xquisite  sympathy  of  the 
finest  type  of  womanhood,  the  possibilities  of  the 
work  of  the  physician  cannot  be  estimated.  Such 
has  been  the  character  of  the  professional  work  of 
Clara  Maria  (Hammond)  McGuigan,  M.D.  De- 
scended from  a  long  line  of  able  and  cultured 
ancestors,  who  have  taken  their  full  share  of  the 
world's  work,  Clara  M.  (Hammond)  McGuigSn 
was  born  with  a  sense  of  responsibility  for  the 
full    and    effective    use    of    the    powers    with    which 


nature  and  her  ancestors  had  so  richly  endowed 
her. 

(I)  The  Hammond  line  is  traced  back  to  Thomas 
Hammond,  who  was  baptized  at  Milford,  England. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Cason,  November  12,  1623, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1636,  where,  set- 
tling in  Hingham,  Massachusetts,  he  took  a  free- 
man's oath  in  1636,  and  was  a  grand  juror  in  1637. 
Removing  to  the  location  of  the  present  city  of 
Newton,  Massachusetts,  he  became  a  pioneer  settler 
in  that  place  and  a  large  landholder,  possessing  a 
farm  of  si.x  hundred  acres.  He  died  at  Newton, 
November  5,  1675,  his  wife  dying  in  the  same  place 
at  an  unknown  date.  The  line  of  descent  runs 
through  his  son,  Thomas   (2). 

(H)  Thomas  (2)  Hammond  was  born  in  England, 
and  died  at  Newton,  Massachusetts,  October  20, 
1678.  He  farmed  on  his  father's  estate  at  Newton, 
Massachusetts.  He  married  Elizabeth  Stedman, 
December  17,  1662,  and  she  died  in  1715. 

(III)  Isaac  Hammond,  son  of  Thomas  (2)  and 
Elizabeth  (Stedman)  Hammond,  was  born  at  New- 
ton, December  20,  1668,  died  at  Newton,  January  1, 
1715.  He  married  Ann  Kenrick,  born  July  3,  1672, 
died  in  1719.  Isaac  Hammond  was  a  farmer  in 
Newton. 

(IV)  Josiah  Hammond,  son  of  Isaac  and  Ann 
(Kenrick)  Hammond,  was  born  in  Newton,  March 
12,  1700,  died  October  5,  1793.  He  married  Mary 
Davis,  October  17,  1722.  He  came  to  Woodstock, 
Connecticut,  and  bought  a  farm  in  Pomfret,  Wind- 
ham county. 

(V)  Josiah  (2)  Hammond,  son  of  Josiah  (i)  and 
Mary  (Davis)  Hammond,  was  born  January  21, 
1724,  died  in  Hampton,  Connecticut,  August  21, 
1802.  He  married  Abigail  Durkee,  born  April  14, 
1734,  died  December  28,  1819,  daughter  of  Cap- 
tain William  and  Abigail  Durkee,  the  former  of 
Revolutionary  fame.  Josiah  (2)  Hammond  was  also 
a  Revolutionary  soldier,  fought  in  the  battle  of 
Lexington,  and  was  captain  of  the  Third  Battalion. 
Connecticut  Troopers,  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
erals Spencer  and  Wooster. 

(VI)  Josiah  (3)  Hammond,  son  of  Josiah  (2) 
and  Abigail  (Durkee)  Hammond,  was  born  in 
Hampton,  Connecticut,  January  9,  1760,  died  March 
3,  1S44,  at  Hampton,  where  he  lived  all  his  life. 
He  married,  September  28,  17S0,  Elizabeth  Moseley, 
who  was  born  July  11,  1757,  and  died  September 
20,  1839. 

(VII)  Charles  W.  Hammond,  son  of  Josiah  (3) 
and  Elizabeth  (Moseley)  Hamm.ond,  was  born  at 
Hampton,  Connecticut,  April  27.  1794,  died  at  Ash- 
ford,  Connecticut,  November  27,  1S51.  He  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools  and  at  Woodstock  Academy.  He 
farmed  for  a  time  in  Hampton,  also  studied  medicine, 
but  did  not  finish  his  course.  He  later  moved  to  the 
town  of  Ashford,  where  he  farmed  until  he  died.  He 
married  Artemisia  Rindge,  April  2,  1818,  she  born  in 
1798,  and  died  September  25,  1846. 

(VIII)  Josiah     (4)     Hammond,    second    child    of 
Charles  W.  and  Artemisia  (Rindge)  Hammond,  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


born  May  21,  1821,  in  Ashford,  Connecticut.  He 
received  liis  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Ashford,  Connecticut,  but  being  slightly  deaf  he 
did  not  attend  college  like  his  brothers,  but  took  to 
farming,  in  Hampton,  where  he  bought  land,  and 
prospered.  He  later  moved  to  Ledyard,  New  Lon- 
don county,  where  he  bought  land  and  farmed,  spe- 
cializing  in  small  fruit  raising  and  especially  m 
strawberries,  in  which  occupation  he  became  fa- 
mous, and  was  known  as  the  "Strawberry  King." 
His  daughter,  Clara  M.  (Hammond)  McGuigan,  still 
owns  part  of  the  old  farm  in  Hampton,  and  also 
the  farm  in  Ledyard  where  her  father  raised  his 
famous  strawberries.  Josiah  (4)  Hammond  retired 
in  1S85  and  moved  to  Mystic,  making  his  home  at 
the  Oral  School  which  his  wife  conducted  for  a 
time.  He  died  at  the  school,  February  25,  1895,  his 
wife  dying  in  Putnam,  Connecticut,  January  31, 
1914.  while  on  a  visit  there.  Josiah  (4)  Hammond 
married  (first)  Ruth  Maria  Smith;  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Margaret  Whipple,  on  November  29,  i860, 
daughter  of  Noah  and  Christian  (Crouch)  Whipple, 
of  Ledyard,  New  London  county,  Connecticut.  Two 
children  were  born  of  this  marriage:  Clara  Maria, 
an  account  of  whose  life  follows;  and  Freddie  Jo- 
siah, wlio  was  born  December  I,  187J,  and  who  died 
May  IS,  1873. 

(IX)  Clara  Maria  Hammond,  daughter  of  Josiah  (4) 
and  Margaret  (Whipple)  Hammond,  was  born  at 
Hampton,  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  August 
21,  1863.  She  attended  the  public  schools  of  Led- 
yard, and  after  studying  under  the  tutorship  of 
Professor  Samuel  Lamb,  taught  school  for  two 
terms  in  Ledyard,  Connecticut.  Always  capable, 
alert,  energetic  and  ambitious,  she  continued  her 
studies,  and  in  1881  graduated  from  the  New  Britain 
Norma!  School,  and  then  taught  school  and  became 
principal  of  the  grammar  school  at  Ivoryton,  Con- 
necticut, later  taking  a  classical  course  at  Mystic 
Valley  Institute,  graduating  in  1884.  She  entered 
the  Woman's  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  same  year,  1884,  and  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  1887,  receiving  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  For  fifteen  months  after  her  graduation 
she  was  resident  physician  at  the  City  Hospital, 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1889  went  to 
Mystic,  Connecticut,  to  supervise  the  W'hipple  Home 
School  for  deaf  and  dumb  children.  This  school  is 
a  most  interesting  and  valuable  one  and  has  per- 
formed a  very  great  service.  The  oral  method 
used  there  in  teaching  deaf  and  dumb  children  to 
speak,  and  to  read  the  lip  movements  of  others,  was 
used  by  Jonathan  Whipple,  who  devised  the  plan 
and  worked  it  out  step  by  step  in  a  devoted  effort 
to  teach  his  son,  Enoch  Whipple,  how  to  speak  and 
to  read  lip  movements,  and  has  been  in  use  there 
since  1866,  the  school  having  been  established  by 
Mr.  Whipple's  grandson,  Zerah  Colburn  Whipple, 
in  order  that  other  deaf  and  dumb  children  might 
receive  the  benefit  of  the  method  which  had  been 
of  such  service  to  Jonathan  Whipple's  son,  Enoch. 
Dr.  Clara  M.  (Hammond)  McGuigan's  mother, 
Margaret     (Whipple)     Hammond,     purchased     the 


school  and  managed  it  for  several  years  as  a  private 
school,  and  it  was  as  assistant  to  her  mother  that 
Mrs.  Dr.  McGuigan  first  took  charge  of  the  school 
work.  She  remained  there  until  1891,  in  which 
year,  on  July  21,  she  married  Dr.  John  I.  McGuigan, 
of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  John  I.  Mc- 
Guigan, son  of  Dr.  James  A.  and  Ella  (Shoemaker) 
McGuigan,  of  Philadelphia,  was  born  in  that  city, 
garduated  from  LaSallc  College  with  the  degree  of 
A.  M.,  then  from  Jefferson  Medical  College,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.,  and  has  since  that  time  been 
in  private  practice  in  Philadelphia.  He  is  now  an 
eye,  ear,  and  nose  specialist,  practicing  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

In  1S95,  the  Whipple  Home  School  being  in  poor 
condition  because  of  lack  of  good  management, 
Mrs.  Dr.  McGuigan  went  back  to  Mystic,  reor- 
ganized the  school  as  the  Mystic  Oral  School, 
financially  and  otherwise,  taking  full  charge  in  the 
capacity  of  superintendent  and  manager.  In  1921, 
she  sold  the  school  and  all  its  property  to  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  and  upon  the  foundation  built 
by  her  has  developed  the  leading  school  of  its  kind 
in  Connecticut,  as  well  as  the  first  of  its  kind  in 
the  world.  So  efficient  has  th.e  method  devised  by 
Jonathan  Whipple  for  his  son  proved  itself  to  be 
that  it  is  now  used  wherever  the  deaf  and  dumb 
are  taught  to  speak  and  to  read  lip  movements, 
practically  all  over  the  world.  The  school  has  about 
one  hundred  students.  Its  history  is  given  at  length 
in    the    distorical    department    of    this    work. 

Politically,  Mrs.  Dr.  McGuigan  is  a  Republican. 
She  is  a  member  of  Independence  Hall  Chapter  of 
Philadelphia,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, and  a  life  member  of  the  Colonial  Dames  of 
America.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Founders 
and  Patriots  of  America;  of  the  New  London 
County  Historical  Society;  of  the  Mayflower  Society, 
being  a  descendant  of  John  .■Mdcn;  and  a  member 
of  the  Century  Club,  of  Philadelphia.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Quaker  church,  of  Ledyard,  Connec- 
ticut. 


WILLIAM  PARK  BINDLOSS— The  English 
seat  of  the  English  ancestors  of  the  Bindloss  fam- 
ily of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  was  Kendal,  a  town 
in  Westmoreland,  England,  in  the  beautiful  valley 
of  the  Kent.  The  Flemings  settled  there  in  1337, 
and  before  long  the  town  was  noted  for  its  woolens 
and  Kendal  green  buckram,  a  line  of  manufacture 
which  still   continues.     The  population  in   1901   was 

14,183. 

The  Bindloss  family,  of  which  William  P.  Bindloss 
of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  is  representative  is 
traced  in  England  to  Sir  Christopher  Bindloss,  who 
was  mayor  and  head  of  the  corporation  of  the  town 
of  Kendal,  England,  in  1579-80,  under  a  charter 
granted  by  Queen  Elizabeth.  Sir  Christopher  and 
his  son  Robert  were  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  woolens,  and  to  facilitate  the  delivery  of  their 
famous  goods  they  established  a  regular  express 
service   between    Kendal   and    London.      Descent   is 


126 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


traced  in  this  branch  through  his  son,  Christopher 

(2)  Bindloss,  who  was  baptized  in  Kendal,  in  1570; 
his  son,  Peter  Bindloss,  baptized  at  Heversham, 
January  8,  1607;  his  son,  Robert  Bindloss,  baptized 
at  Heversham,  March  27,  1630;  his  son,  Christopher 

(3)  baptized  at  Heversham,  December  4,  1666,  and 
there  buried,  April  27,  1715,  a  typical  English  far- 
mer; his  son,  Robert  (2)  Bindloss,  born  1722,  died 
June  15,  1796,  and  his  wife,  Jane  Park;  their  son, 
Philip  Bindloss,  baptized  November  2,  1766,  died 
January  29,  1802,  and  his  wife,  Jane  Watson;  their 
son,  William  Bindloss,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  Connecticut,  and  his  wife,  Afargaret  Palmer; 
their  son,  William  (2)  Bindloss,  and  his  wife,  Mary 
Ellen  Park;  their  son,  William  Park  Bindloss,  of 
the  tenth  recorded  generation  of  his  family  and  of 
the   third  generation  in   Connecticut. 

William  (i)  Bindloss,  son  of  Philip  and  Jane 
(Watson)  Bindloss,  was  baptized  in  Kendal,  County 
of  Westmoreland,  England,  March  5,  1795,  died  at 
his  home  farm,  just  outside  the  city  of  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  in  1864,  and  was  buried  in  Cedar 
Grove  Cemetery.  He  passed  fifty-three  years  of 
his  life  in  Kendal,  where  he  was  popular  in  com- 
mercial and  public  life,  he  holding  several  offices 
of  the  town,  and  his  brother,  Thompson  Bindloss, 
was  mayor  of  Kendal  for  two  terms.  He  married, 
in  Liverpool,  England,  January  1,  1822,  Margaret 
Palmer,  youngest  daughter  of  Thomas  Palmer,  of 
Liverpool,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  were  living  in  1905,  the  eldest 
in  her  eighty-fifth  year,  the  youngest  in  her  sixty- 
fifth  year,  all  living  in  the  United  States. 

In  1848,  William  (i)  Bindloss  and  his  wife  came 
to  the  United  States,  bought  a  farm  just  outside 
New  London,  Connecticut,  and  there  resided  until 
his  death,  in  1864.  Mrs.  Margaret  (Palmer)  Bind- 
loss died  m  1858,  aged  sixty-two,  and  six  years  later 
her  husband  was  laid  by  her  side  in  Cedar  Grove 
Cemetery,  New  London,  Connecticut.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  i.  Ellen,  born  in  1823;  married.  May  12, 
1847,  Henry  Hilliar.  2.  William  (2),  of  further 
mention.  3.  Jane,  born  September  27,  1825;  mar- 
ried, April  9,  1843,  Leander  Utley  Knight,  whom 
she  survived,  she  being  the  first  of  the  family  to 
come  to  the  United  States  and  make  her  home  near 
New  London,  Connecticut.  4.  Margaret  Ann,  born 
May  17,  1827;  married,  August  9,  1848,  George 
Elliott,  whom  she  survived,  she  coming  to  the 
United  States  in  1844,  and  after  her  marriage  lived 
near  her  sister  Jane,  whom  she  followed  to  this 
country.  5.  Esther  B.,  born  July  31,  1828,  married 
Daniel  Collins,  and  died  April  28,  1897.  6.  Thomas 
Palmer,  born  December  19,  1829,  resided  in  New 
London  until  very  old.  7.  Mary,  born  July  13,  1831; 
married  Joseph  Scraggic,  they  both  deceased.  8. 
Philip  George,  born  January  27,  1833;  married, 
October  27,  1858,  Irene  C.  Tatem,  and  died  in  New 
London.  9.  Thomas,  died  aged  two  years.  In 
England  the  family  were  members  of  the  Church 
of  England;  in  New  London  all  united  with  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church. 


William  (2)  Bindloss,  eldest  son  of  William  (i> 
and  Margaret  (Palmer)  Bindloss,  was  born  in  Ken- 
dal, County  of  Westmoreland,  England,  July  22, 
1824,  died  in  Mystic,  Connecticut,  in  August,  1906. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1844 
and  settled  in  New  London,  later,  in  1852,  going, 
to  Mystic,  Connecticut,  where  he  owned  and  oper- 
ated a  grist  mill,  continuing  in  this  busmess  until 
his  retirement  in  1896.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church;  in  politics  a  Democrat.  He  mar- 
ried, February  27,  1853,  Mary  Ellen  Park,  who  died. 
September  12,  1917.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  I.  William  Park,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 2.  Julia  Ellen,  born  in  Mystic,  Connecticut; 
married  James  W.  Pollard,  and  resides  in  Mystic. 
3.  Catherine,  the  widow  of  Oliver  Braman,  of  New- 
port, Rhode  Island,  where  she  resides.  4.  Austin 
Valmer,  who  married  Zella  Chipman,  and  resides 
in  Mystic.  5.  Dudley,  who  married  Minnie  Owens> 
and  resides  in  Mystic.  6.  Margaret  Ann,  who  re- 
sides in  Mystic.  7.  Frank  Miner,  a  sketch  of  whom, 
follows.     Three  children  died  young. 

William  Park  Bindloss,  son  of  William  (2)  and 
Mary  Ellen  (Park)  Bindloss,  was  born  in  Groton, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  January  10,  1854, 
and  was  educated  in  Groton  and  New  London 
schools.  During  his  spare  time  in  the  winter  he 
assisted  his  father  in  his  business,  working  at  farm 
work  in  the  summer.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he 
served  as  an  apprentice  at  mason  work,  working 
at  this  trade  for  some  time,  then  later,  in  1892,  be- 
came a  partner  of  J.  N.  Hancock,  of  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  and  in  1897  he  bought  out  the  busmess 
of  the  Hancock  Coal  Company  and  carried  on  the 
business  under  the  name  of  William  P.  Bindloss. 

Mr.  Bindloss  holds  all  degrees  of  the  York  Rite 
in  Freemasonry,  and  in  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  He 
is  affiliated  with  Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  No.  76,. 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Mystic;  Benevolent 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Mystic  Council,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters ;  Palestine  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  of  New  London;  King  Solomon  Lodge  of 
Perfection;  Van  Rensselaer  Council,  Princes  of 
Jerusalem,  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix;  Con- 
necticut Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal 
Secret  (Valley  of  Norwich);  Palestine  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  In  religious  faith 
Mr.  Bindloss  is  an  Episcopalian;  in  politics,  a 
Democrat.     He  is   chief  burgess   of  the  borough. 

William  P.  Bindloss  married,  April  7,  1881,  in 
Lee,  Massachusetts,  Elizabeth  Esther  Bickley, 
daughter  of  John  and  Esther  (Pocock)  Bickley,  of 
England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bindloss  are  the  parents  of 
four  children:  I.  William,  born  January  2,  1895, 
and  resides  at  home.  During  the  World  War  he 
enlisted,  February  27,  1918,  and  served  with  the 
317th  Signal  Corps,  and  was  gassed  in  Argonne 
Forest.  He  was  in  France  si.x  months,  then  re- 
turned to  the  United  States  and  on  March  27,  I9I9^ 
was    discharged    at    Camp    Devens,    Massachusetts. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


127 


2.  Esther  Ellen,  born  January  25,  1896;  married, 
July  16,  1919,  Wells  R.  Fowler,  of  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Westerly  Textile 
Company.  They  \s'ere  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Esther  Bickley,  born  September  11,  1920.  3.  Rutli 
Elizabeth,  born  November  23,  1898,  now  (1921)  at 
home.  4.  John  Bickley,  born  December  4,  1900, 
resides  at  home. 


FRANK  MINER  BINDLOSS  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Mystic,  in  the  town  of  Groton,  Connecticut, 
all  his  life,  having  been  born  there  October  2,  1S78. 
When  a  boy  he  attended  the  villa.cje  school,  and 
when  older,  completed  his  education  at  the  Mystic 
Academy. 

Frank  Miner  Bindloss  is  the  son  of  William  (2) 
and  Mary  Ellen  (Park)  Bindloss  (q.v.).  The  boy, 
Frank  M.,  grew  up  accustomed  to  assisting  his 
father  in  his  grist  mill,  and  it  was  but  natural  that 
after  leaving  school  and  having  grown  to  manhood 
he  should  remain  in  the  same  line.  His  father's 
death  occurring  in  1906,  Frank  Miner  Bindloss  car- 
ried on  the  business  until  1910,  then  having  an 
opportunity  to  increase  his  business  he  bouglit  out 
the  repair  shop  of  John  W.  Noyes,  of  Mystic,  and 
since  that  date  has  conducted  a  general  repairing 
business  for  small  vessels  under  the  name  of  the 
Mystic  Marine  Railway  Company. 

In  Masonic  circles  Mr.  Bindloss  is  very  active, 
being  a  member  of  Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  No. 
72,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Mystic;  also  of 
Benevolent  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  of 
Mystic  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters.  In  poli- 
tics, Mr.  Bindloss  is  not  bound  to  cither  of  the 
large  political  parties,  but  is  independent  in  his  views 
and  political  action. 

In  March,  191 1,  Frank  Miner  Bindloss  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Helen  S.  Brown,  a  resident  of  North 
Stonington,    Connecticut.      She    is    the    daughter   of 

Colonel    James    and   (Greene)    Brown,    who 

also  resided  there.  Of  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born;  I.  Elizabeth,  born  in  New  London,  now 
(1921)  living  at  home.  2.  Sybil,  born  in  New  Lon- 
don, also  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bindloss  and  their 
daughters  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Mystic. 


JOHN  McGINLEY— .\mong  the  many  names 
which  have  borne  especial  significance  to  the  people 
of  New  London  is  that  of  John  McGinley,  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  for  many  years  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  the  New  London  "Day,"  and  tliercafter  post- 
inaster  of  the  city  of  New  London  until  his  death. 

John  McGinley  was  born  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, March  8,  1844,  and  was  a  son  of  Captain 
John  and  Louisa  M.  (Lax)  McGinley,  both  of  New 
London. 

Receiving  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  Mr.  McGinley,  as  a 
young  man,  completed  his  studies  at  Eaglewood 
Academy,    at    Perth    Amboy,    New   Jersey.     There- 


after, he  was  identified  with  the  white  goods  trade, 
in  the  employ  of  such  houses  as  Muir,  James  Roths- 
child, and  the  A.  J.  Findlay  Company,  leading  mer- 
chants of  tliat  day  in  New  York  City.  In  the  spring 
of  1861,  with  all  the  best  young  manhood  of  the 
nation,  Mr.  McGinley  answered  the  call  of  his 
country,  ready  to  give  his  life  for  th.e  side  he  be- 
lieved to  be  right.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army, 
but  never  saw  active  service,  for  he  was  mustered 
out  at  the  end  of  three  months.  Returning  then  to 
his  home  in  New  London,  Mr.  McGinley  accepted 
a  position  as  city  editor  of  the  New  London  "Day." 
For  thirty-six  years  he  was  actively  engaged  as  a 
member  of  the  stafT  of  this  daily  newspaper, 
handling  multitudinous  and  far-reaching  responsi- 
bilities, and  bringing  to  bear  upon  the  trend  of 
the  times  the  constructive  influence  of  an  able  and 
exalted  mind.  How  much  the  city  of  New  London 
owes  to  him  can  never  be  accurately  computed. 
The  word  of  inspiration,  the  attitude  of  spirit 
evinced  in  daily  contact  with  the  people  —  these 
count  immeasurably,  and  with  John  McGinley  they 
counted  for  progress.  In  1898,  Mr.  McGinley  re- 
signed from  his  desk  at  the  office  of  the  "Day"  to 
accept  the  appointment  as  postmaster  of  the  city 
of  New  London,  conferred  upon  him  by  President 
McKinley.  This  office  of  public  trust  he  filled  until 
a  short  time  before  his  death.  He  passed  away 
on  October  2,  1915,  leaving  behind  him  a  record  of 
a  life  well  spent,  of  duty  unostentatiously  per- 
formed. He  will  long  be  missed  in  many  circles, 
and  his  name  will  be  spoken  with  reverent  affection 
for  many  years  to  come. 

During  his  entire  lifetime  Mr.  McGinley  was  a 
supporter  of  the  principles  and  policies  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  was  a  leader  in  party  matters 
in  this  city,  but  never  permitted  the  interests  of 
the  people  to  become  subservient  to  the  party.  At 
various  times  he  served  the  city  in  public  ofticc, 
for  a  considerable  period  as  city  treasurer,  and  at 
another  time  as  clerk  of  the  city  court.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the 
State  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  influential  in  the 
deliberations  of  that  body. 

For  many  years  Mr.  NIcGinley  was  a  member  of 
the  W.  W.  Perkins  Post,  Grand  .Xrmy  of  the  Re- 
public, which  he  served  as  commander  for  several 
terms.  He  was  a  member  of  Mohegan  Lodge, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  New 
London  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  He  was  first  sachem  of  the  first  tribe  organ- 
ized in  New  London  of  the  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men.  His  clubs  were  the  Army  and  Navy, 
and  the  Thames.  He  was  a  devout  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  served  for  years  as  junior 
and  senior  warden  of  the  church,  and  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school. 

Mr.  McGinley  married  Evelyn  Essex,  who  was 
born  in  Phoenix,  Rhode  Island,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children:  I.  John,  Jr.,  an  officer  of 
the    Travelers'    Insurance    Company.     2.    Winthrop 


128 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


E.,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows.  3.  Stephen  E.,  a 
clergyman.  4.  Arthur  B.,  a  journalist.  5.  Thomas 
S.,  a  real  estate  and  insurance  agent.  6.  Lawrence 
J.,  manager,  in  motion  picture  business.  7.  Evelyn 
E.  8.  Morgan,  a  student.  ^Mr.  McGinley  is  still 
survived  by  his  wife  and  children. 


WINTHROP  ESSEX  McGINLEY,  M.D.,  of 
New  London,  Connecticut,  v/ho  is  taking  a  leading 
position  as  phj'sician  and  surgeon,  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Evelyn  (Essex)  McGinley,  of  this  city.  John 
McGinley,  whose  life  is  reviewed  in  the  preceding 
sketch,  is  widely  remembered  for  his  long  activity 
on  the  staff  of  the  New  London  "Day,"  and  his 
able  service  in  the  office  of  postmaster  of  New 
London,  which   terminated   only  with   his   death,   in 

IP'S- 

Dr.  McGinley  was  born  in  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, February  i,  1886,  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  the  city.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  Bulkeley  High  School,  in  the 
class  of  1902,  then  spent  one  year  in  the  New  Lon- 
don Business  College,  after  which  he  entered  the 
New  London  City  National  Bank  in  the  capacity  of 
clerk,  later  becoming  teller,  and  continued  in  the 
employ  of  that  institution  until  1910.  Having  deter- 
mined to  fit  himself  for  a  professional  career,  he 
resigned  from  this  position  in  1910  to  enter  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1914, 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  During 
his  summer  vacation  periods  while  in  college,  he 
returned  to  his  former  position  at  the  bank.  After 
his  graduation  Dr.  McGinley  served  as  interne  at 
Mercy  Hospital  in  Baltimore  for  one  year,  then 
for  a  year  and  a  half  served  as  house  physician  at 
the  Montana  State  Hospital,  at  Warmsprings, 
Montana.  In  1916  he  returned  to  New  London, 
and  here  engaged  in  the  private  practice  of  medi- 
cine. He  continued  for  only  a  short  period,  how- 
ever, enlisting  for  service  overseas  as  soon  as 
United  States  intervention  had  become  an  inevitable 
fact. 

Dr.  McGinley  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant 
of  the  Medical  Corps,  United  States  army,  on  July 
30,  1917,  and  was  assigned  to  active  service  at  the 
Army  Medical  School,  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  where  he  remained  for  two  weeks.  He 
was  then  assigned  to  service  with  the  British  army, 
sailing  October  9,  1917,  for  England.  For  five 
months  he  was  in  the  surgical  ward  of  the  Bethnal 
Green  Military  Hospital,  at  London,  then,  on  March 
23,  1918,  was  ordered  to  field  service  with  the  Brit- 
ish army  in  France.  He  was  attached  to  the  28th 
Field  Ambulance,  9th  (Scottish)  Division,  and  as 
medical  officer  of  the  6th  Battalion,  the  King's  Own 
Scottish  Borders.  Later,  he  was  for  seven  months 
medical  officer  of  the  8th  Battalion,  "The  Black 
Watch"  (Scottish  Highlanders),  as  a  part  of  the 
Second  British  army  in  the  Army  of  Occupation 
in  the  Cologne  area.    When  the  8th  Battalion,  "The 


Black  Watch,"  was  sent  in  to  occupy  territory  in 
the  Soling'en  district  of  Germany,  they  were  sta- 
tioned at  Harlebcke,  Belgium.  This  was  after  the 
signing  of  the  Armistice,  and  owing  to  threatened 
disturbances  on  the  part  of  the  Germans,  they 
m.irched  all  the  way  from  Harlebeke  to  SoHngen, 
a  distance  of  three  hundred  miles.  Dr.  McGinley 
remained  with  the  Second  British  army  in  the 
Solingen  district  for  a  period  of  four  months,  then 
in  May,  1919,  was  ordered  to  the  camp  of  the 
American  forces  at  Camp  St.  Aignan,  in  France. 
He  sailed  for  home  from  Marseilles,  France,  on 
May  17,  1919,  landing  at  New  York  City,  and  re- 
ceived his  discharge  at  Camp  Dix.  Dr.  McGinley 
was  in  active  service  at  the  Kemmel  Hill  Defence, 
on  April  25,  1918,  a  three  days'  engagement,  in  the 
attack  of  Hoogenacker  Ridge,  in  the  offensive  ad- 
vance from  Ypres  to  the  Scheldt,  Belgium.  At 
London,  England,  on  April  4,  1919,  he  was  decorated 
by  King  George  V.,  at  Buckingham  Palace,  with 
the  British  Military  Cross,  and  received  a  citation 
from  the  British  Government. 

Following  his  discharge  from  the  service.  Dr. 
McGinley  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  New 
York  Post-Graduate  Medical  School  and  Hospital, 
of  New  York  City,  after  which  he  returned  to  New 
London,  and  once  more  resumed  his  interrupted 
practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  in  January,  1920. 
He  has  developed  an  extensive  practice  in  the  short 
time  which  has  elapsed  since,  and  the  future  is  very 
promising. 

Dr.  McGinley  is  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
State  Medical  Society,  of  the  New  London  County 
Medical  Society,  and  of  the  New  London  City 
Medical  Society.  He  served  on  the  staff  of  the 
Memorial  Hospital  in  1917,  and  is  now  on  the  staff 
of  the  Home  Memorial  Hospital.  He  is  a  member 
of  Connecticut  Commandery,  Military  Order  of 
Foreign  Wars;  of  the  John  Coleman  Prince  Post, 
American  Legion;  and  of  the  Black  Watch  Asso- 
ciation, composed  of  veterans  of  the  Black  Watch 
Regiment  of  the  British  army.  Politically,  he  thinks 
and  acts  independently.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Rotary  Club,  Thames  Club,  and  is  ex-treasurer  and 
now  an  honorary  member  of  the  John  Winthrop 
Club.  Of  the  McGinley  family  five  sons  served  in 
the  World  War. 


CARLOS  WILSON  ALLYN— Nine  generations 
of  this  branch  of  the  Allyns  have  lived  in  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  the  children  of  Carlos 
Wilson  Allyn,  of  Groton,  being  of  the  ninth  gener- 
ation of  the  family  founded  by  Robert  Allyn,  who 
was  of  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  1637,  and  of  New 
London,  Connecticut,  in  1651.  His  original  grant 
of  a  large  tract  of  land  was  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Thames  at  a  place  in  the  town  of  Ledyard  still 
known  as  Allyn's  Point,  and  where  he  died  in  the 
year   1683. 

Descent  from  Robert  Allyn  is  traced  through  the 
founder's  son,  John  Allyn,  born  in  Salem,  Massa- 
chusetts, May  22,  1642,  who  inherited  Allyn's  Point, 


II 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


129 


and  there  died  in  1709.  He  was  assistant  to  the 
lirst  County  Court  in  1661,  presided  over  the  Court 
in  1671,  and  in  1676  was  Indian  commissioner.  His 
son,  Robert  (2)  Allyn,  inherited  Allyn's  Point. 
Robert  (2)  Allyn  had  a  son,  James  Allyn,  who 
inherited  it  in  part,  but  with  him  the  large  landed 
estate  acquired  by  Robert  (i)  Allyn  at  .-Mlyn's 
Point  passed  out  of  this  branch. 

Carlos  Wilson  Allyn,  of  the  eighth  generation,  is 
a  son  of  Wilson  and  Ellen  E.  (Chapman)  Allyn, 
who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ledyard,  New  London 
county,  Connecticut,  May  28,  1829,  and  died  in  Gro- 
ton,  Connecticut,  March  29,  1901.  He  attended  the 
Ledyard  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years 
began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade  with  Erastus 
Gallup,  of  Groton,  Connecticut.  He  served  three 
years  as  appentice,  then  worked  for  years  as  a 
journeyman,  becoming  an  e-\pert  workman,  partic- 
ularly famous  locally  as  a  stair  builder  and  interior 
finisher. 

In  time  he  became  a  contracting  builder  and 
was  ranked  as  one  of  the  best  workmen  of  his  day. 
He  thoroughly  understood  his  business,  and  was 
as  successful  as  a  contractor  as  he  was  as  a  work- 
man. The  best  houses  in  New  London  and  Groton 
and  several  churches  of  the  county  showed  his  skill, 
and  the  staircases  in  the  C.  A.  Williams,  the  Rogers 
and  the  Colonel  Tyler  houses  are  remarkable  for 
their  beauty,  design  and  workmanship.  It  is  said 
that  he  was  at  work  upon  the  staircase  in  the 
Rogers  house  for  eighteen  months.  Although  al- 
ways busy  with  his  building  operations,  Mr.  Allyn 
did  a  great  deal  of  church  and  philanthropic  work, 
nursing  the  sick,  and  in  connection  with  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  and  other  societies 
doing  a  vast  amount  of  good.  He  was  a  devout 
Christian,  a  deep  student  of  the  Eiblc,  and  long  a 
deacon   of   the   Congregational   church. 

Mr.  Allyn  married,  in  1862,  Ellen  E.  Chapman, 
born  in  Ledyard,  Connecticut,  May  28,  1829,  died 
in  Groton,  July  30,  191 1.  They  were  the  parents 
of  a  daughter,  Cora,  now  residing  in  Santa  Barbara, 
California;  and  a  son,  Carlos  Wilson,  whose  career 
is  herein  reviewed. 

Carlos  Wilson  Allyn,  only  son  of  Wilson  and 
Ellen  E.  (Chapman)  Allyn,  was  born  in  Groton, 
Connecticut,  October  31,  1871.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Groton,  finishing  with 
high  school.  He  later  entered  Yale  Art  School, 
but  his  eyesight  proving  inadequate  to  the  strain 
art  study  imposed,  he  left  college  and  returned 
home.  He  was  clerk  in  the  employ  of  John  S. 
Morgan  and  W'alter  Starr  in  the  Borough  of  Gro- 
ton, but  in  April,  1892,  he  succeeded  Mr.  Starr  and 
has  since  been  in  business  for  himself.  In  1897  he 
bought  the  flour  and  feed  store  of  B.  M.  O'Brien, 
but  in  1898  he  erected  the  .Allyn  block  on  Thames 
street,  near  the  ferry  landing,  and  established  a 
modern  grocery,  which  he  yet  successfully  conducts 
under  his  own  name.  In  addition  to  the  grocery  he 
has  a  meat  market  and  caters  to  a  large  patronage 
in    both    departments.      In    politics    Mr.   Allyn    is   a 

N.L.— 2.9. 


Republican,  and  for  three  years  was  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Commissioners.  Since  1882  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of 
Groton,  and  since  1901  a  deacon,  succeeding  his 
honored  father.  He  is  a  member  and  for  eight 
years  treasurer  of  Fairvicw  Lodge,  No.  loi.  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Union  Lodge,  No. 
91,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  New  London; 
and  01  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of 
New   London. 

Mr.  Allyn  married,  September  19,  1895,  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Throop,  of  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  W.  and  Matilda  (Williams)  Throop. 
Mr.  and  Mrs,  Allyn  are  the  parents  of  five  children: 
I.  Wilson  Throop,  born  July  19,  1896;  a  civil  engi- 
neer; a  graduate  of  Tri-State  College.  Illinois:  served 
for  fifteen  months  in  France  with  the  20th  Engineer 
Corps,  United  States  Army,  during  the  war  between 
the  United  States  and  Germany,  1917-18.  2.  Matilda 
Williams,  born  May  18,  1900;  a  graduate  of  Norwich 
Free  Academy  and  Connecticut  College  of  New  Lon- 
don; resides  with  her  parents.  3.  Richard  Wightman, 
born  July  30,  1903;  now  a  student  in  Norwich  Free 
Academy.  4.  Robert  Chapman,  born  September  12,  1908. 
5.  Elizabeth  Sweet,  born  April  9,  1914. 


STEPHEN  JAMES  DOWNEY— Among  those 
sons  01  Ireland,  who  looking  about  them  in  early 
manhood  and  seeing  only  the  prospect  of  a  long 
losing  struggle  against  conditions  over  which  they 
had  no  control,  decided  to  sail  westward  to  the 
new  world  with  its  larger  opportunities,  was  one 
Roger  Downey,  born  in  Cork,  Ireland,  where  he 
grew  to  young  manhood,  and  married  Catherine 
Shcehan.  With  youth,  courage,  and  a  genius  for 
hard  work,  the  pair  set  sail  for  America  and  settled 
first  in  Montville,  New  London  county,  Connec- 
ticut, where  the  young  husband  engaged  in  farming 
on  a  small  scale,  and  sv.clled  the  family  income  by 
working  in  the  Robertson  mill  when  farm  work 
v/as  slack.  In  1886,  the  Downey  family  moved  to 
New  London,  Connecticut,  and  there  the  father  was 
in  city  employ  until  his  death  in  1906.  Catherine 
(Shechan)  Downey,  his  wife,  was  born  in  County 
Kerry,  Ireland,  and  died  in  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, in  1894. 

Stephen  J.  Downey,  son  of  Roger  and  Catherine 
(Sheehan)  Downey,  was  born  in  Montville,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  March  28,  1875.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  that  place  until  he 
was  eleven  years  of  age,  when  the  family  removed 
to  New  London,  Connecticut,  locating  on  Blackball 
street.  There  the  lad  continued  to  attend  the  pub- 
lic schools  until  his  graduation  from  Bulkeley  High 
School. 

During  his  high  school  days  he  had  made  the 
most  of  his  spare  time  by  working  in  the  store 
of  Charles  Rogers,  the  druggist  on  Main  street, 
where  he  had  become  deeply  interested  in  the  drug 
business.  After  graduation,  he  became  a  regular 
employee  in  the  Rogers  Pharmacy,  using  his  scant 
spare  time  preparing  himself  for  the  pharmaceutical 


130 


NEW  UONDON  COUNTY 


examinations.  With  characteristic  energy  and  thor- 
oughness this  work  was  done  with  the  result  that 
when  he  went  before  the  State  Board  of  Examiners 
he  passed  the  test  successfully  at  the  first  trial, 
and  became  a  registered  druggist.  Wishing  now  to 
engage  in  business  for  himself,  he  bought  out  the 
firm  of  Rogers  &  Rogers  on  State  street,  where  he 
continued  the  business  for  five  years,  until  1899, 
when  the  lease  of  the  store  expired  and  he  removed 
to  the  corner  of  Bank  and  Howard  streets,  contin- 
uing the  business  there  until  his  death  in  1915,  when 
it  was  continued  in  the  same  place  by  Mrs.  Downey 
until  1919.  Mrs.  Downey  is  plucky,  energetic,  and 
capable,  and  in  April,  1919,  closed  out,  and  spent 
the  time  from  April  to  September  looking  for  a 
new  location.  She  selected  No.  735  Bank  street, 
where  she  is  still  conducting  a  successful  and  profit- 
able business.  She  has  bought  a  fine  house  on 
Montauk  avenue,  and  is  proving  herself  to  be  a 
business  woman  of  ability. 

Mr.  Downey  was  greatly  interested  in  everything 
that  looked  tov.-ard  betterment  and  progress  in  New 
London,  and  took  an  active  part  in  bringing  about 
many  public  improvements.  It  was  largely  due  to 
his  efforts,  in  connection  with  other  leading  citizens, 
that  the  Connecticut  College  for  Women  was 
brought  to  New  London.  He  was  also  in  a  large 
measure  instrumental  in  bringing  the  Standard 
Brass  and  Copper  Tubing  Company  to  the  city. 
While  serving  as  alderman  and  assistant  police  com- 
miss-'oner,  he  brought  about  a  number  of  improve- 
ments in  the  force,  one  of  which  was  the  installa- 
tion of  a  motor  patrol  wagon,  replacing  the  old 
"Black  Maria."  He  was  alderman  for  nine  years, 
during  seven  of  which  years  he  was  senior  alder- 
man, and  frequently  acted  as  mayor  when  that 
official  was  obliged  to  be  absent  from  the  city. 
Politically,  he  was  a  staunch  Republican,  doing  his 
utmost  to  advance  the  interests  of  his  party,  and 
though  nominated  nine  times  for  alderman  in  a 
Democratic  ward,  he  never  failed  to  be  elected  by 
a  substantial  majority.  He  was  frequently  urged 
by  his  fellow  citizens  to  accept  the  nomination  for 
mayor,  but  always  declined.  He  read  a  great  deal 
and  was  an  excellent  public  speaker,  eloquent, 
choice  in  his  selection  of  words,  and  forceful  in 
driving  home  his  points. 

Mr.  Downey  took  considerable  interest  in  military 
affairs.  He  was  captain  of  a  local  artillery  company 
of  the  Connecticut  National  Guard,  which  company 
was  later  transferred  to  the  Coast  Defence  Service, 
Mr.  Dov/ney  retaining  his  captaincy  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Fraternally,  he  was  well  known.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  New  London  Lodge,  No.  360, 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  was  an 
exalted  ruler,  and  the  first  man  in  Eastern  Con- 
necticut to  have  a  life  membership  conferred  upon 
him.  It  was  also  due  to  his  efforts  that  the  mem- 
bership of  the  local  lodge  was  more  than  doubled. 
In  connection  with  other  influential  men  of  the 
city,  he  organized  a  carnival  for  the  benefit  of  the 


lodge,  the  proceeds  of  which  enabled  the  order  to 
buy  tlie  old  Brown  homestead  and  establish  them- 
selves in  comfortable  and  spacious  quarters.  He 
was  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
and  a  devout  and  active  member  of  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Downey  married,  April  19,  1899,  Mary  Hig- 
gins,  born  in  New  London,  daughter  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Cunningham)  Higgins,  William  Hig- 
gins  having  come  from  Ireland  when  he  was  a 
small  boy,  who  later  engaged  in  farming,  then  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade,  which,  in  connection  with 
carriage  making,  he  carried  on  for  many  years 
He  then  engaged  in  the  coal  business  in  Nev.'  Lon- 
don, but  finally  retired,  and  with  his  wife  made  his 
home  in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  until 
his  death  in  April,  1919.  His  wife  still  (1921)  re- 
sides in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia.  Stephen 
James  Downey  and  his  wife,  Mary  (Higgins) 
Downey,  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Roger 
Williams,  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  and  twelve 
days;  S.  Catherine  Agnes,  born  November  28,  1904; 
Stephen  William,  born  January  2,  1906;  Marion 
Rosalind,  born  February  8,  1907.  The  family  home 
is  No.  465  Montauk  avenue. 

Mr.  Downey  died  June  15,  1913.  He  was  a  man 
of  sterling  integrity  and  of  great  kindness  of  heart, 
charitable  in  feeling  tovi'ard  all  men,  generous  in 
giving  of  his  substance  to  those  in  need,  and  greatly 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  active  interest 
in  civic  affairs  and  in  public  welfare  made  his 
passing  a  distinct  loss  to  the  community  in  which 
he  lived  and  which  he  served  so  faithfully. 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS  E.  TROLAND,  a  native 
son,  has  been  a  continuous  resident  of  New  London 
since  birth,  is  a  product  of  the  city  public  schools, 
and  in  his  professional  study  his  preceptors  were 
eminent  members  of  the  New  London  bar.  He  is  a 
young  man  who  has  gone  far  in  his  profession,  and 
is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  1917-18,  in  which 
he  won  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  He  is  a  son 
of  Thomas  H.  and  Catherine  M.  (McNamara)  Tro- 
land.  Thomas  H.  Troland  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  there  was  educated  and  learned  his 
trade,  and  is  now  engaged  as  master  mechanic  with 
the  Brainerd,  Armstrong  Company  of  New  Lon- 
don, a  position  he  has  long  held.  He  married 
Catherine  M.  McNamara,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Thomas  E.,  of  further  mention; 
Girard  B.,  a  graduate  of  West  Point  Military  Acad- 
emy, who  served  in  France  during  the  World  War 
with  the  602nd  Engineers,  American  Expeditionary 
Forces,  ranking  as  captain;  Catherine  L.,  an  in- 
structor in  an  American  school  in  the  City  of  Mex- 
ico; and  John,  who  is  residing  at  home  with  his 
parents. 

Thomas  E.  Troland,  eldest  son  of  Thomas  H. 
and  Catherine  M.  (McNamara)  Troland,  was  born 
in  New  London,  Connecticut,  January  22,  1893.  H* 
was  educated  in  the  city  public  schools,  finishing 
with    graduation    from    Bulkeley   High    School    with 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


«3i 


the  class  of  igog.  In  1910  he  began  the  study  of 
law  under  the  preccptorship  of  Hull,  McGuire  & 
Hull,  of  the  New  London  bar,  continuing  with  that  firm 
until  191.),  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  at  once 
began  the  practice  of  law  in  Xew  London  and  there  con- 
tinues, well  established  in  public  confidence  and  well 
advanced  along  the  pathway  which  leads  to  suc- 
cess. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  New  London  County 
and  the  Connecticut  State  Bar  associations,  his 
standing  among  his  contemporaries  of  these  asso- 
ciations being  of  the  highest. 

When  the  World  War  made  its  demands  among 
the  young  men  of  the  nation,  Mr.  Troland  quickly 
responded,  and  in  May,  1917,  was  a  student  at  the 
First  OfTiccrs'  Training  School  at  Plattsburg,  New 
York.  He  passed  all  required  tests  and  was  com- 
misioned  second  lieutenant,  38th  Regiment  of  In- 
fantry, 3rd  Division,  United  States  army.  On  No- 
vember I,  1917,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Coast 
Artillery  Corps,  and  stationed  at  Fort  Monroe,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  served  as  instructor  ot  artillery  at 
the  Coast  Artilley  School.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  from  the  United  States  army  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  ranking  as  first  lieutenant.  He  is 
now  a  member  of  the  Reserve  Corps,  and  a  captain 
of  Batterj'  A,  192nd  Artillery,  Connecticut  National 
Guard,  with  a  record  of  most  useful  and  honorable 
service. 

In  politics,  Captain  Troland  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  affiliated  with  Trumbull  Lodge,  No.  48,  Knights 
of  Pythias;  John  Coleman  Prince  Post  of  the 
American  Legion,  and  is  an  attendant  of  St.  James' 
Protestant  Episcopal   Church. 

Mr.  Troland  married,  August  18,  1917,  Roberta 
Morgan,  of  New  London,  daugi'.ter  of  Dr.  George 
S.   and    Etta    (Henderson)    Morgan. 


THURMAN  PARK  MAINE,  M.D.— The  name 
of  Maine  in  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  rep- 
resents one  of  the  oldest  and  most  honored  families 
in  the  county,  members  of  which  have  distinguished 
themselves  in  the  trades  and  the  professions,  not 
only  within  the  boundaries  of  New  London  county, 
but  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  even 
abroad.  Of  the  younger  members  of  this  family, 
Dr.  Thurman  Park  Maine,  now  a  practicing  physi- 
cian of  North  Stonington,  is  one  of  the  most  note- 
worthy. 

Dr.  Maine  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Betsey  A. 
(Maine)  Maine.  Isaac  Maine  was  born  in  North 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  and  during  all  his  life- 
time was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  New  Lon- 
don county.  He  died  in  191 5,  and  his  wife  survives 
him,  still  living  on  the  old  home  farm.  She  was 
born  in   Ledyard,  in  the  same  county. 

Receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  North  Stonington,  the  young  man  then 
went  to  the  Wheeler  High  School,  of  North  Ston- 
ington, later  taking  a  course  at  the  New  London 
Business  College.  Then,  having  decided  on  the 
medical  profession  as  his  life  v.-ork,  he  entered  the 


Mcdico-Chirurgical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, which  is  now  a  part  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  from  this  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  1912,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  For  his  hospital  practice  Dr.  Maine 
remained  in  Philadelphia,  as  interne  at  the  Mcdico- 
Chirurgical  Hospital.  He  also  took  a  special  course 
in  obstetrics  at  the  Philadelphia  Lying-in  Charity 
Hospital.  Returning  to  Connecticut  he  engaged  in 
the  private  practice  of  medicine  in  Norwich  for  one 
year,  and  upon  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1915, 
returned  to  his  native  town. 

Dr.  Maine  has  not  been  permitted  to  confine  his 
activities  to  those  matters  incident  to  his  personal 
interest.  He  is  afTiliated  with  the  Democratic  party 
and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  Town  Com- 
mittee, and  v/as  elected  a  member  of  the  Town 
School  Committee,  then  elected  auditor.  In  1912 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  as  repre- 
sentative of  the  town  of  North  Stonington,  in  the 
session  of  1913,  and  while  at  the  Capitol  was 
placed  on  the  Public  Health  and  Safety  Committee, 
and  served  as  secretary  of  same.  He  is  now  health 
ofTicer  and  medical  examiner  of  the  town  of  North 
Stonington.  He  served  as  secretary  of  the  organi- 
zation composed  of  the  members  of  the  legislature 
from  New  London  county. 

Dr.  Maine  is  a  member  of  the  Norwich  Medical 
Association,  of  the  New  London  County  Medical 
Society,  of  the  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society, 
and   the   American   Medical   Association. 

Socially  and  fraternally  the  doctor  is  also  promi- 
nent. He  is  an  influential  incj.iber  of  North 
Stonington  Grange,  No.  138;  also  a  member  of 
Pav.'catuck  Lodge,  No.  90,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  He  is  a  member  of  Palmer  Chapter,  No. 
s8.  Royal  Arch  Masons;  of  Mystic  Council,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters,  of  Mystic,  Connecticut;  of 
Narragansett  Commandery,  No.  27,  Knights  Tem- 
plar, of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island;  of  Norwich  Con- 
sistory, Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  and  of 
Palestine  Temple,  Ancient  .Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island. 

Dr.  Maine  married,  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
on  December  25,  1910,  Harriet  Maria  Miner,  daugh- 
ter of  Rolland  Smith  and  Lucy  C.  (Brown)  Miner, 
leading  members  of  the  farming  community  of 
North  Stonington.  Mrs.  Maine  was  born  in  this 
town,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Society 
of  the  Descendants  of  the  Mayflower.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Maine  have  three  daughters,  all  born  in  North 
Stonington:  Katherine  Brown,  born  on  September 
2,  1912;  Eleanor  Louise,  born  on  October  8,  1916; 
and  Ruth  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  on  March  12, 
1919. 


LEWIS  CLARK  GADBOIS— The  Gadbois  fam- 
ily, well  known  in  East  Lyme,  Connecticut,  is  of 
French  ancestry,  three  generations  having  been 
active  in  the  life  of  the  town.  The  present  repre- 
sentative  of  the   family,   Lewis   Clark  Gadbois,   is  a 


132 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


merchant  of  New  London,  and  a  grandson  of  the 
founder. 

Peter  Gadbois  came  from  Montreal,  Canada,  and 
settled  at  North  Stonington,  in  New  London 
county,  Connecticut,  later  moving  to  Central  Vil- 
lage, where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Peter  Gadbois 
married  Mary  Stuart,  of  North  Stonington,  a  de- 
scendant of  early  Colonial  family.  Later,  Peter 
Gadbois  moved  to  the  town  of  East  Lyme  and 
bought  a  farm,  upon  which  his  wife  died.  Soon 
after  his  wife's  death,  in  1886,  he  returned  to  North 
Stonington,  where  he  died,  in  1888.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Washington  Irving,  of 
further  mention;  George  Orrin;  Isabella  Stuart, 
and  Ardella. 

Washington  Irving  Gadbois,  eldest  son  of  Peter 
and  Mary  (Stuart)  Gadbois,  was  born  in  North 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  February  22,  1847.  He 
moved  with  the  family  to  Central  Village,  where 
he  was  his  father's  assistant.  In  1861  he  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  ist  Regiment,  Connecticut  Cavalry, 
and  served  with  the  cavalry  division  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  under  General  Sheridan  until  the 
close  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  engaged  in  over 
forty  battles  and  came  through  them  all  unharmed. 
After  the  war  he  was  employed  in  government  serv- 
ice in  Washington  for  a  short  time,  then  returned 
to  the  old  farm  in  Central  Village.  He  was  for 
many  years  a  conductor  on  the  Vermont  Central 
railroad,  but  finally  retired  and  located  in  the  town 
of  East  Lyme,  where  he  became  prominent  in 
public  life  and  a  landowner,  having  four  farms  in 
the  town.  He  was  selectman  of  the  town,  assessor, 
and  in  1909  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  House 
of  Representatives,  and  from  191 1  to  1913  he  was 
doorkeeper  of  the  Connecticut  State  Senate,  and 
recognized  as  a  most  efficient  officer. 

Washington  I.  Gadbois  married  Josephine  Will- 
iams, and  to  them  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Walter  T. ;  Edward  A. ;  Lewis  C,  of  whom 
further;  Wilford  L.;  Clyde  E.,  deceased;  Jennie  B., 
wife  of  Louis  Monroe,  and  Flora  D. 

Lewis  Clark  Gadbois,  son  of  Washington  Irving 
and  Josephine  (Williams)  Gadbois,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  East  Lyme,  New  London,  Connecticut, 
January  17,  1882.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
and  was  graduated  from  the  Niantic  High  School. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  for  the  Spanish- 
American  War,  but  was  immediately  discharged 
when  his  true  age  was  discovered.  Later,  he  served 
five  years  in  the  Connecticut  National  Guard.  Until 
coming  of  age,  he  was  his  father's  farm  assistant. 
He  spent  two  years  traveling  in  different  parts  of 
the  State.  Upon  his  return  to  East  Lyme  he  mar- 
ried, and  spent  four  years  in  the  employment  of 
the  East  Lyme  Trolley  Company.  In  March,  191 1, 
he  established  a  grocery  business  in  New  London, 
on  Truman  street,  where  he  yet  continues  a  pros- 
perous business  (1921). 

In  politics,  Mr.  Gadbois  is  a  Republican.  He  is 
a  member  of  Pequot  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 


Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Junior  Order  United  Amer- 
ican. Mechanics. 

Mr.  Gadbois  married,  in  1904,  Catherine  Conklin, 
born  in  East  Lyme,  November  8,  1881,  daughter  of 
Matthew  B.  and  Lavinia  Conklin,  they  the  parents 
of:  Catherine,  Harry,  William,  and  Frank  Conklin. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gadbois  are  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Francis  Lewis,  born  May  26,  1905;  Mat- 
thew Irving,  who  died  in  1909,  aged  two  years,  nine 
months;  Washington  Irving  (2),  born  May  26,  1909; 
and  Lincoln  Stuart,  born  December  11,  1920. 


HENRY  H.  VIGNOT— Since  1906  Mr.  Vignot 
has  been  connected  with  poster  advertising  com- 
panies in  New  Haven  and  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, his  present  relation  to  the  business  being  as 
president  of  the  New  London-Norwich  Poster 
Advertising  Company,  of  Nevif  London.  Henry  H. 
Vignot  is  a  son  of  Alfred  and  Marietta  (Ferguson) 
Vignot,  of  New  York  City.  Alfred  Vignot  died  in 
1891,  his  widow  marrying  (second)  Alfred  Van 
Buren,  who  died  in  1910.  Her  death  followed  in 
1914. 

Henry  H.  Vignot  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
March  18,  1887,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  New  York.  He  later  spent  two  years  as 
a  student  of  electrical  engineering,  but  in  1902,  at 
the  age  of  fifteen,  he  began  his  connection  with 
business  life  as  assistant  in  his  step-father's  office, 
the  latter  being  an  advertising  specialist.  He  re- 
mained with  his  step-father  for  a  time,  then,  in 
1906,  located  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  where  he 
became  connected  with  a  poster  advertising  com- 
pany, and  remained  seven  years.  In  1913  he  located 
in  New  London,  and  there  organized  the  New  Lon- 
don-Norwich Poster  Advertising  Company,  Henry 
H.  Vignot,  president  and  treasurer.  He  is  a  pro- 
gressive, energetic,  business  man,  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  every  detail  of  the  business  he  man- 
ages, and  is  one  of  the  young  business  men  of  New 
London  whose  further  rise  may  be  safely  predicted. 

Mr.  Vignot  is  independent  in  political  action,  and 
a  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
of  Norwich.  He  is  affiliated  with  New  London 
Lodge,  No.  360,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks;  the  Thames  Club;  Rotary  Club,  of  New 
London;  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  New 
London  and  Norwich.  Mr.  Vignot  married,  in 
June,  1906,  Ellen  Dickson,  of  New  York  City,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Isabella, 
Henry,  and  Marietta. 


HON.  SAMUEL  VICTOR  PRINCE— The  posi- 
tion of  the  Hon.  Samuel  Victor  Prince,  of  New 
London,  Connecticut,  is  of  peculiar  interest  to  the 
people  of  the  county  and  State,  as  he  is,  undoubt- 
edly, the  youngest  judge  in  Connecticut,  if  not  in 
New  England. 

Judge  Prince  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Emma 
(Beebe)  Prince,  residents  of  New  London.  Samuel 
Prince  was  born  in  Dudley,  England,  and  was  edu- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


133 


cated  there.  When  he  reached  his  early  manhood 
he  looked  Westward,  across  the  seas,  and  believed 
that  here  he  would  find  greater  opportunities  of 
success  than  in  the  Mother  Country.  Accordingly, 
he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  New 
London,  Connecticut.  This  was  in  1880,  at  which 
time  he  entered  the  brokerage  field,  also  branching 
out  into  real  estate  and  insurance.  He  was  most 
successful,  and  developed  a  large  and  wide-reaching 
business.  He  has  been  closely  identified  with  the 
course  of  progress  which  has  placed  the  city  of 
New  London  in  the  last  forty  years  among  the 
leading  industrial  and  residential  centers  of  the 
State.  Mr.  Prince  is  now  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent men  in  his  line  in  New  London,  and  handles 
very  large  interests.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in 
Noank,  in  the  town  of  Groton,  Connecticut,  died 
on  June  22,  1918. 

Samuel  Victor  Prince  was  born  in  New  London, 
Connecticut,  December  24,  1892,  and  was  the  young- 
est of  nine  children.  Receiving  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  New  London,  he  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Bulkeley  High  School  of  this  city, 
in  the  class  of  1910.  Thereafter,  he  took  a  post- 
graduate course  at  the  Bulkeley  High  School,  ex- 
tending over  one  year.  In  191 1  he  entered  the 
Boston  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1915,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  Dur- 
ing his  first  year  at  Boston  University,  Judge  Prince 
took  a  special  course  at  Harvard  University  also, 
1911-1512. 

In  191S,  Judge  Prince  was  admitted  to  the  Con- 
necticut bar,  and  in  the  same  year  entered  upon  the 
general  practice  of  law  in  New  London,  as  partner 
of  the  Hon.  Richard  P.  Freeman,  representative  to 
the  United  States  Congress  from  the  Second  Dis- 
trict since  1915.  The  offices  of  the  firm  arc  in  the 
Plant  building,  in  New  London.  The  rise  of  the 
young  attorney  was  rapid  and  sure.  He  was  made 
assistant  judge  of  the  City  and  Police  Court  of 
New  London  under  Judge  William  B.  Coit,  and 
upon  the  death  of  Judge  Coit,  was  appointed  judge. 
He  was  reappointed  to  the  same  office  on  July  I, 
1921.  Thus,  at  only  twenty-eight  years  of  age, 
Judge  Prince  attained  a  position  of  dignity  and 
trust  in  the  community — responsibility  rarely  en- 
trusted to  men  without  years  of  experience  and 
the   ripened  judgment   gained   therefrom. 

Politically,  Judge  Prince  is  a  leader  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  New  London 
County  Bar  Association,  and  is  an  influential  mem- 
ber of  the  New  London  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Personally,  he  is  a  man  among  men — approachable, 
and  with  a  friendly  spirit  toward  every  man,  and 
deservedly  popular. 

Fraternally,  Judge  Prince  is  also  prominent.  He 
is  a  member  of  Brainard  Lodge,  No.  102,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  New  London;  a  member  of 
Union  Chapter.  No.  7,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Cushing 
Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Palestine  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar,  of  New  London;  and 
of  Pyramid  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 


of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut. 
Socially,  Judge  Prince  is  widely  sought,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  leading  clubs  of  the  city,  including 
the  Thames  Club,  the  Harbor  Club,  and  the  Ma- 
sonic Club.  He  has  not  declined  to  identify  himself 
with  the  religious  progress  of  the  day,  and  is  a 
member  of  St.  James'  Episcopal  Church. 


EMANUEL  ALEXANDER  HENKLE,  M.D.— 
In  far  away  Russia  was  born,  August  18,  1874,  ■" 
tlie  historic  city  of  Moscow,  Dr.  Hinkle,  now  one 
of  the  leading  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  city 
of  New  London,  Connecticut,  and  there  he  spent 
his  first  si.xteen  years.  His  father,  Alexander 
Henkle,  was  a  merchant  of  Moscow,  and  gave  his 
son  the  advantages  of  the  city  schools,  but  m  1890 
the  young  man  decided  that  the  new  world  oiiered 
better  educational  opportunities,  and  leaving  his 
home  came  to  the  United  States  alone,  finding 
home  and  employment  in  New  York  City.  In 
later  years  his  parents,  Alexander  and  Anna  (Bay- 
liss)  Henkle,  came  to  the  United  States,  the  father 
establishing  in  the  mercantile  business  in  New 
York  City,  v/here  he  is  now  living  retired,  his  wife 
having  passed  away. 

In  New  York  the  lad,  Emanuel  A.  Henkle,  found 
his  first  employment  in  a  drug  store,  his  ultimate 
ambition,  however,  having  long  been  the  medical 
profession.  He  later  entered  Cornell  Medical  Col- 
lege, and  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree  of 
M.  D. 

He  had  decided  upon  his  location,  and  at 
once  came  to  New  London,  Connecticut,  where  he 
began  practice  the  year  of  his  graduation.  Twenty- 
two  years  have  since  elapsed  and  Dr.  Henkle  has 
grown  and  developed  with  the  years  until  he  ranks 
with  the  leading  practitioners  of  medicine  and 
surgery  in  the  city.  His  medical  practice  is  general, 
although  he  is  an  expert  in  the  use  of  the  X-Ray. 
For  nineteen  years  he  served  on  the  staff  of  Me- 
morial Hospital,  New  London,  until  it  became  the 
Lawrence  and  Memorial  Hospital.  He  is  now  on 
the  staff  of  the  Home  Memorial  Hospital,  and 
physician  to  the  New  London  Day  Nursery.  His 
clientele  is  large,  and  he  has  the  perfect  confidence 
of  the  community  in  which  his  entire  professional 
life  has  been  passed.  His  offices  are  at  No.  51 
Federal  street,  he  purchasing  that  find  old  house  in 
1901  and  retaining  it  as  both  residence  and  office 
until  1918,  when  he  removed  his  home  to  Ocean 
Beach  near  by.  He  has  since  converted  the  build- 
ing into  an  office  building,  which  has  become  head- 
quarters for  doctors,  several  physicians  of  the  city 
having  offices  there. 

Dr.  Henkle  is  a  member  of  the  New  London 
County,  State,  and  New  London  City  Medical  so- 
cieties, having  served  the  city  society  as  secretary 
and  president,  and  a  member  of  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  is  United  States  pension 
examiner  and  was  medical  examiner  to  the  New 
London  draft  board  during  our  war  with  Germany, 


134 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


1917-1918.  He  has  also  served  his  city  as  member 
of  the  school  board.  In  politics  he  is  an  Inde- 
pendent. His  club,  the  John  Winthrop;  his  fra- 
ternal order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows; his  society,  the  Independent  Order  B'nai 
Brith. 

On  October  8,  1899,  Dr.  Henkle  married,  in  Mont- 
\'ille,  Connecticut,  Sophia  Slimauk,  born  in  Mos- 
cow, Russia,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Pauline 
(Hoffman)  Shniauk.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Henkle  are  the 
parents  of  three  children,  all  born  in  New  London: 
Dorothy  Lucile,  a  graduate  of  Connecticut  College 
for  Women,  class  of  19J1;  Robert  Theodore,  and 
Edward  Ralf,  both  of  whom  are  students  in  Bulkeley 
High   School. 


JOSEPH  ROODE,  SR.— Although  a  farmer  and 
a  man  of  large  business  interests,  Joseph  Roode 
was  widely  known  throughout  Connecticut  as  a 
ready  public  speaker,  a  strong  debater,  and  as  a 
man  of  public  spirit.  In  his  own  community  he 
was  known  for  his  kindness  of  heart,  his  spirit  of 
charity,  his  readiness  to  aid  all  good  causes,  and 
his  fairness.  He 'was  a  warm  personal  friend  of 
Captain  John  K.  Bucklyn,  principal  of  Mystic  Val- 
ley Institute,  and  for  twenty-five  years  they  were 
near  and  dear  to  one  another.  Mr.  Roode  was  a 
great  lover  of  books,  and  through  his  reading  and 
intense  thirst  for  knowledge  became  possessed  of 
an  excellent  education.  He  had  a  natural  gift  for 
public  speaking,  and  from  the  rich  storehouse  of 
his  mind,  aided  by  a  good  memory,  he  could  draw 
facts  that  rendered  him  an  opponent  to  be  feared 
in  public  debate. 

Joseph  Roode,  son  of  Solomon  and  Mercy  Roode, 
was  born  in  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  December  I, 
1834,  and  died  at  his  home  in  the  town  of  Griswold, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  February  27, 
1905.  He  attended  the  district  school,  and  spent 
his  early  years  in  Plainfield,  where  he  owned  and 
for  several  years  conducted  a  lumber  yard  very 
successfully.  He  there  took  active  part  in  public 
affairs,  serving  as  first  selectman  and  as  a  member 
of  the  school  committee.  About  i860  he  retired 
from  the  lumber  business  and  boug'ht  the  Fry  home- 
stead in  the  town  of  Griswold,  Nev/  London  county, 
the  former  home  of  his  wife,  Frances  (Fry)  Roode. 
This  farm  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  is  situ- 
ated on  the  turnpike  between  Hartford,  Connec- 
ticut, and  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and  was 
formerly  known  as  the  Fry  Tavern  Farm.  Mr. 
Roode  cultivated  his  purchase  for  more  than  forty 
years,  dealing  also  extensively  in  hay  and  cattle, 
and  giving  employment  to  many  men.  He  was  a 
successful  farmer  and  prospered  abundantly. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Roode  served  the 
town  of  Griswold  as  first  selectman,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  in  the  years  1876  and  1885  represented 
the  town  in  the  General  Assembly  at  Hartford. 
During  his  last  term,  he  was  chairman  on  the 
Committee  of  Humane  Institutions.     He  spoke  at 


length  on  several  pending  measures,  and  gained 
high  reputation  as  a  ready  debater  and  a  convincing 
speaker.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Hope- 
ville  Lyceum,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  lyceum 
debates.  He  was  frequently  called  upon  to  speak 
in  public,  and  never  failed  to  entertain  and  instruct 
his  audience.  He  was  a  member  and  a  past  chan- 
cellor commander  of  Undaunted  Lodge,  No.  34, 
Knights  of  Pythias;  member  of  Mount  Vernon 
Lodge,  No.  75,  Free  and  Accepted  Alasons;  mem- 
ber of  Reliance  Lodge,  No.  29,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  and  was  a  charter  member  of 
Quinebaug  Council,  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  during  its  period  of  existence.  For  sev- 
eral years  he  was  a  member  of  Hopeville  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  but  later  afliliated  with  the  First 
Congregational  Church  at  Pachaug,  continuing  his  mem- 
bership there  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Roode  married,  December  22,  1849,  Frances 
Fry,  born  in  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  in  1835,  died  in 
Griswold,  Connecticut,  April  10,  1916,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  and  Nancy  Fry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roode 
were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Nathaniel,  John, 
Daniel,  Charles  W.,  and  Joseph,  Jr.,  all  now  de- 
ceased except  the  youngest,  Joseph,  a  sketch  of 
whom  follows.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roode  celebrated  the 
golden  anniversary  of  their  wedding  day,  December 
22,  1899,  and  six  years  later  the  bond  was  broken. 
The  old  farm  is  still  in  the  family  name,  their  son, 
Joseph   (2),  continuing  its  ownership  and  operation. 

Mr.  Roode  was  laid  at  rest  in  Pachaug  Cemetery, 
the  funeral  services  being  according  to  the  beautiful 
burial  ritual  of  the  Masonic  order,  in  the  presence 
of   many   sorrowful   friends. 


JOSEPH  ROODE,  JR.— Born  upon  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns  and  cultivates,  Joseph  Roode, 
Jr.,  succeeded  his  honored  father  in  its  ownership 
and  management,  and  is  repeating  the  success  which 
Joseph  Roode,  Sr.,  attained  as  a  practical  farmer 
and  cattle  raiser. 

Joseph  Roode,  youngest  and  last  surviving  child 
of  Joseph  and  Frances  (Fry)  Roode,  was  born  at 
the  old  Fry  homestead  in  the  town  of  Griswold, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  January  i,  1S76, 
and  there  has  passed  his  j-ears,  forty-five.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  district,  and 
when  school  years  were  over  became  his  father's 
farm  assistant.  When  Joseph  Roode,  Sr.,  was 
gathered  to  his  fathers,  his  son  Joseph  inherited 
the  homestead  farm,  which  was  the  old  Fry  home- 
stead. It  is  one  of  the  largest  farms  in  the  town 
of  Griswold,  and  Mr.  Roode  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  farmers  in  New  London  county.  The 
farm  consists  of  450  acres  lying  partly  in  Griswold, 
where  his  residence  is  located,  and  partly  in  the 
town  of  Plainfield,  Windham  county,  the  county 
line  running  through  the  farm.  Since  Joseph 
Roode,  Jr.,  has  had  possession  of  the  farm  he  has 
greatly  improved  the  place,  added  a  farm  tractor 
and    other    modern    farm    equipment,    erected    two 


C6M•S^^^ 


^^«c^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


«3S 


silos,  milk  macliinc,  electric  lights,  etc.  The  resi- 
dence which  was  originally  on  the  farm  was  the  old 
Fry  Tavern,  to  which  Mr.  Roode,  Sr.,  added  con- 
siderably, practically  making  it  over.  This  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1896,  and  the  present  residence, 
which  was  erected  on  the  same  site,  was  erected 
that  year  by  Mr.  Roode,  Sr.,  the  same  cellar  being 
used  for  the  new  residence.  Mr.  Roode,  Jr.,  main- 
tains a  dairy  of  seventy  cows,  as  well  as  conducting 
general  fanning  operations.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  New  London  County  Farm  Bureau.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  his  town  as 
selectman.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Griswold,  and  interested  in  all  good 
works. 

Mr.  Roode  married  (first),  February  22,  1897, 
Minnie  Bromlcj',  v/ho  died  March  20,  1899,  daughter 
of  Horace  and  Hannah  (Kinney)  Bromley  of  Griii- 
wold.  Her  only  child,  Frances  M.  Roode,  is  now 
a  teacher  and  resides  on  the  home  larm.  M.-. 
Roode  married  (second),  October  24,  1900,  Carrie 
Eunice  Burton,  daughter  of  Albert  and  Ella  (Bur- 
dick)  Burton,  of  Griswold.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roode 
are  the  parents  of  four  children,  all  born  on  the 
same  farm  as  their  father:  Ethel  Minnie,  born  June 
29,  1902;  Theodore  Martin,  born  July  27,  1904,  died 
April  20,  1905;  Royal  Leslie,  born  March  26,  1909; 
Donald  Joseph,  born  May  5,  1914. 


ANTHONY  CROCICCHIA,  M.D.,  was  born  in 
Rome,  Italy,  of  an  ancient  Italian  family,  and  there 
obtained  a  classical  and  protessional  education 
which  fitted  him  for  any  position  he  desired  to 
fill.  His  first  professional  work  performed  in  the 
United  States,  after  his  arrival  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ago,  was  as  demonstrator  of  surgery  i  n 
Georgetown  Medical  School,  Washington,  D.  C, 
but  since  1S99  he  has  been  engaged  m  private  prac- 
tice in  connection  with  dispensary  work  as  oculist 
in  New  York  City,  in  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  and 
New  London,  Connecticut,  his  residence  and  med- 
ical practice  dating  from  July  1,  191S.  He  is  a  man 
of  learning,  experience  and  skill,  popular  with  his 
countrymen  and  townsmen,  and  esteemed  by  his 
professional  brethren. 

Dr.  Crocicchia  is  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Isabella 
(Simoncini)  Crocicchia,  his  father  born  in  Rome 
in  1824,  died  there  in  1899,  a  man  highly  educated, 
and  a  successful  wholesale  dealer  in  drugs.  His 
wife  died  in   Rome,  Italy,  in  1897. 

Anthony  Crocicchia  was  born  in  Rome,  Italy, 
October  13,  1867,  and  there  remained  until  De- 
cember, 1896.  He  was  educated  in  the  Roman 
gymnasium,  where  he  was  a  student  for  five  years, 
followed  by  three  years  in  the  Lyceum,  thus  com- 
pleting an  eight  years'  course  of  study  necessary 
to  gain  admission  to  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Rome.  He  pursued  medical  study  at 
the  University  for  six  years,  until  July  5,  1893, 
when  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  then  receiving  ap- 
pointment as  assistant-surgeon  in  the  United  Hos- 


pitals of  Rome,  filling  that  position  for  three  years. 
He  was  then  appointed  assistant  professor  in  dis- 
eases of  the  eye  at  the  University  of  Rome,  filling 
that  post  until  coming  to  the  United  States  in 
December,   1896. 

Dr.  Crocicchia  landed  in  the  United  States  at 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  the  following  spring  was 
appointed  demonstrator  of  surgery  at  Georgetown 
Medical  School,  Washington,  D.  C.  Later  he  en- 
gaged in  private  practice  in  New  York  City,  and 
was  also  dispensing  oculist  at  Columbus  Hospital 
in  that  city.  Having  met  with  financial  losses,  he 
removed  to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  ana  opened 
a  drug  store  which  he  conducted  until  July  i,  1918, 
when  he  located  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  and 
began  medical  practice.  In  1919  he  bought  the 
established  Moon's  Pharmacy,  No.  404  Bank  street, 
New  London,  and  conducts  that  business  in  con- 
nection with  his  private  practice  which  has  grown 
to  large  proportions.  He  is  a  most  learned  and 
skillful  physician,  and  has  made  a  host  of  friends 
in  his  adopted  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  medical 
societies  of  New  York  City  and  State,  and  is  li- 
censed to  practice  by  the  boards  of  medical  exam- 
ination for  the  states  of  New  York,  Massachusetts, 
Nev/  Jersey,  Connecticut,  and  the  District  of  Col- 
umbia, and  through  his  M.  D.  received  from  the 
University  of  Rome,  can  legally  practice  in  Italy. 
He  is  also  a  registered  pharmacist  lor  the  states  of 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Roman  Catholic. 

Dr.  Crocicchia  married,  in  Rome,  Italy,  November 
27,  1896,  Emma  Vannutelli,  born  in  that  city,  daugh- 
ter of  County  Henry  and  Agues  (Travcrsi)  \'annu- 
telli,  of  Rome,  and  a  niece  of  Cardinals  Vincent 
and  Seraphine  Vannutelli  and  niece  of  Baron  Kunz- 
ler,  general-in-chief  of  the  papal  soldiery  at  the 
Vatican.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Crocicchia  are  the  parents 
of  four  children:  i.  George  James,  born  m  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  November  28,  1897.  The  James  in 
this  name  is  in  honor  of  the  eminent  Cardinal 
James  Gibbons,  recently  deceased,  who  was  the 
child's  god-father.  He  was  educated  in  the  law  at 
New  York  University  and  Boston  University  Law 
School,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
bar,  practicing  in  New  London.  2.  Isabella  Agnes, 
born  in  New  ^'ork  City,  September  8,  1900,  now  a 
registered  pliarmacist  of  New  London.  3.  Henry, 
born  in  New  York  City,  May  13,  1906.  4.  Charles, 
born  in  New  York  City,  November  4,  1910.  The 
family  home  is  in  New  London. 

While  residing  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Dr. 
Crocicchia  and  his  wife  were  introduced  to  ofTicial 
Washington  society,  their  social  standing  being  the 
means  of  their  making  many  friendships  among 
foreign  and  American  statesmen,  including  President 
McKinlcy,  who  was  then  in  office. 


WILLIAM  ALONZO  PONES— The  T.  A.  Scott 
Company,  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  William  A. 
Fones    president,    bears    the    name    of    one    of    the 


136 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


famous  divers  and  wreckers  of  the  Atlantic  Coast, 
Captain  Thomas  A.  Scott,  under  whom  both  Will- 
iam H.  Fones  and  his  son,  William  A.  Fones, 
worked  when  Captain  Scott  was  head  of  his  salvag- 
ing business  and  did  his  own  diving.  The  business 
has  been  a  corporation  since  1903,  but  from  the 
age  of  sixteen  William  A.  Fones  has  been  connected 
therewith. 

The  Fones  family  in  this  country  trace  descent 
from  Captain  John  Fones,  who  is  of  mention  as 
early  as  1659,  and  may  be  followed  through  New- 
port, Jamestown,  and  ICingstown.  He  was  one  of 
six  who  in  1692  bought  land  in  Narragansett  of 
the  Indians;  was  deputy  in  1679-80-81;  was  taxed  in 
1680;  was  conservator  of  the  peace,  Kingstown, 
1682-83;  was  made  justice  of  the  peace  in  1680, 
clerk  of  court  of  commissioners  the  same  year; 
was  again  deputy  and  also  assistant  in  1698.  He 
died  in  1703,  his  wife,  Margaret,  in  1709.  Their 
children  were:  l.  John,  born  in  1663,  married  Lydia 
Smith,  was  of  North  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island,  and 
purchased  land  in  Narragansett,  in  1709,  died  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1738,  his  widow  surviving  him  until  Jan- 
uary 24,  1741.  They  had  daughters:  Lydia  and 
Mary.  2.  Jeremiah,  born  in  1665,  married  (first) 
in  1694,  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  1709,  married  (sec- 
ond) in  1710,  Martha  Chard.  He  was  of  Kingstown, 
Jamestown  and  North  Kingstown,  was  taxed  in 
1687,  v/as  freeman  in  1703,  and  constable  in  1705. 
He  died  in  1747,  his  wife,  Martha,  dying  the  same 
year.  Children  by  first  marriage:  James,  Jeremiah, 
Joseph,  a  daughter,  Margaret,  and  John.  Children 
by  second  marriage:  Mary,  Daniel,  Samuel,  a 
daughter,  and  Thomas.  3.  Samuel,  born  in  1666, 
married  (first)  Anna  Tibbitts,  who  died  in  170J, 
married  (second)  Meribah.  He  was  of  North 
Kingstown,  was  taxed  in  Kingstown  in  1687,  was 
town  clerk  from  1704  to  1715,  justice  of  the  peace 
in  1708,  and  deputy  in  171 1.  One  child,  Ann,  was 
born  of  the  first  marriage,  and  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born  of  the  second  marriage:  Samuel, 
Sarah,  Margaret,  Mary,  a  son,  and  Francis.  4. 
Mary,  born  in  1668,  married,  in  1689,  James  Greene. 
S.  James,  born  in  1670,  died  young.  6.  Daniel,  born 
in  1672,  died  young.  From  one  of  these  sons  of 
Captain  John  Fones  was  descended  the  great- 
grandfather of  William  A.  Fones.  By  trade  he  was 
a  ship  carpenter,  and  resided  in  Wickford,  Rhode 
Island,  for  many  years.  His  children  were:  I. 
Samuel,  who  went  West  and  died  there.  2.  Ben- 
jamin, who  died  at  North  Kingstown,  Rhode  Is- 
land. 3.  Joseph,  of  whom  further.  4.  John,  who 
died  in  North  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island.  5.  Ruth, 
who  married  Randall  Fones,  and  died  in  North 
Kingstown. 

Joseph  Fones,  grandfather  of  William  A.  Fones, 
was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  and  died  at  Centerville, 
in  that  State,  in  middle  life.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
married  Julia  Jecoy,  of  Harnsville,  Rhode  Island, 
and  had  the  following  children:  i.  William  H.,  of 
whom  further.  2.  Joseph,  a  spinner  of  woolen, 
who   died   in    Providence,    Rhode    Island.     3.   Sybil, 


vvho  married  William  Hunt,  and  died  in  North 
Kingstown,  Rhode  Island.  4.  James,  who  kept  a 
hotel  in  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island,  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  died  there.  5.  John,  who  died  in 
New  York,  a  plumber  by  trade.  6.  Alary,  who  mar- 
ried William  Hunt,  Jr.,  of  Lonsdale,  Rhode  Island. 
7.  Daniel,  who  died  in  Davisville,  Rhode  Island. 
S.  Sarah  Ann,  who  married  Carlton  Chase,  and 
died  in  Davisville.  9.  Abigail,  who  married  Daniel 
Whitman.     10.   Susan,  who  married   Edward   Dunn. 

William  Haven  Fones,  father  of  William  A. 
Fones,  was  born  February  i,  1S18,  in  North  Kings- 
town, Rhode  Island,  and  attended  the  schools  of 
his  native  town.  He  left  school  when  quite  young 
and  took  up  farming,  which  was  really  the  principal 
business  part  of  his  life,  although  he  follov.-ed  the 
sea  for  about  ten  years,  during  that  period  making 
three  whaling  voyages.  He  lived  on  Gardiners 
Island,  Long  Island  Sound,  for  about  eight  years, 
engaging  there  in  farming,  then  removed  to  Fisher's 
Island  and  for  seven  years  was  in  the  employ  of 
Robert  Fox,  who  was  then  owner  of  that  island. 
Mr.  Fones  then  came  to  New  London  and  was 
employed  by  Captain  Thomas  A.  Scott  during  the 
building  of  the  Race  Rock  Light  House,  remaining 
with  him  for  about  one  year,  after  which  he  resided 
with  his  son,  William  A.  Fones,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1909. 

William  H.  Fones  married  Evelyn  Franklin,  of 
Centerville,  Rhode  Island,  who  died  in  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut,  August  21,  1902,  daughter  of 
Waterman  and  Patience  (Pratt)  Franklin.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fones  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  I. 
Julia  A.,  who  died  on  Fisher's  Island;  married 
(first)  Sylvester  Miller,  and  (second)  George 
Abbott.  2,  Catherine  G.,  who  married  Chauncey 
Piatt,  and  died  in  Norwalk,  Connecticut.  3.  Anna 
Maria,  wlio  married  Charles  Chapman,  and  died  in 
Groton,  Connecticut.  4.  William  A.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 5.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  married  Herbert  C.  Burdicic, 
of  New  London. 

William  A.  Fones,  only  son  of  William  Haven 
and  Evelyn  (Franklin)  Fones,  was  born  at  Springs, 
Long  Island,  April  9,  1855.  He  attended  public 
schools  at  Mystic  and  Burnetts  Corners,  Connec- 
ticut, and  in  Brooklyn,  his  school  years  ending  at 
the  age  of  thirteen.  From  that  age  he  was  his 
father's  assistant  at  the  home  farm  on  Fisher's 
Island,  remaining  there  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age,  after  which  he  went  to  work  for  Captain 
T.  A.  Scott,  the  well  known  diver  and  wrecker  of 
New  London,  and  the  same  year  he  was  made 
hoisting  engineer  and  assistant  in  running  the  air 
pumps,  etc.  He  later  became  an  engineer  and  pilot 
on  the  tug  boats  used  in  the  wrecking  operations, 
and  in  1888  he  was  made  superintendent,  continuing 
in  that  capacity  until  1894,  when  he  was  promoted 
to  the  responsible  post  of  general  manager  of  the 
business.  On  May  8,  1903,  at  the  incorporation  of 
the  T.  A.  Scott  Company,  with  a  capital  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  Mr.  Fones  was  made 
secretary  of  the   company,  was  elected  treasurer  in 


y^fK^ejA,  C/UK^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


137 


1907,  and  also  continued  as  general  manager,  and 
in  igi8  he  was  elected  president  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Fones  attends  the  First  Baptist  Church  of 
New  London,  of  which  his  family  also  are  mem- 
bers. Politically,  he  is  Republican,  but  has  never 
sought  nor  held  public  office. 

Mr.  Foncs  married,  January  20,  1879,  Abbie  Eliza- 
beth Sterry,  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Leonora  L. 
(Ames)  Sterry,  of  New  London,  Connecticut.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fones  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
both  born  in  New  London:  Byron  Alonzo,  born 
March  I,  1880,  married  Arline  Scott;  Leonora  May, 
born  September  28,  18S1,  married  Herbert  L.  Dunn, 
of  New  London,   Connecticut. 


JOSEPH  CHRISTOPHER  WORTH— Prominent 
in  the  busmess  world  of  New  London  county,  Con- 
necticut, popular  in  social  circles,  and  well  known 
fraternally,  Joseph  Christopher  Worth  is  a  leader 
of  the  group  of  younger  men  who  are  carrying  the 
city  of  Norwich  forward  in  every  branch  of  worthy 
endeavor.  Mr.  Worth  is  a  son  of  Joseph  Christopher 
Worth,  Sr.,  and  Eliza  Ann  (Williams)  Worth.  The 
elder  Mr.  Worth  is  nov/  deceased. 

Joseph  Christopher  Worth,  president  of  the  Jewett 
City  Textile  Novelty  Company,  and  president  (1920- 
21)  of  the  Rotary  Club,  of  Norwich,  was  born  in 
Norwich,  July  2,  1892.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Norwich,  and  the  Norwich 
Free  Academy  from  which  latter  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1910.  After  his  gradua- 
tion he  entered  the  Dime  Savings  Bank,  as  clerk, 
remaining  for  one  year.  Then  going  to  New  York 
City  he  entered  the  employ  of  Charles  F.  Noyes,  a 
former  Norwich  man,  then  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness in  that  city,  and  remained  in  that  connection  for 
one  year.  Returning  to  Norwich,  he  became  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  the  wholesale  produce  busi- 
ness, the  firm  being  J.  C.  Worth  &  Company,  and 
being  then  a  partnership  between  the  elder  Mr. 
Worth  and  Alexander  Jordan,  whose  career  is  also 
reviewed  herein.  At  his  father's  death,  on  February 
15.  1916,  Mr.  Worth  took  over  his  half  interest  in 
this  business,  and  was  himself  identified  with  the 
business  until  December  17,  1917.  On  that  date  he 
sold  his  interest  to  Alexander  Jordan,  who  still  con- 
tinues the  business  under  the  old  name.  Immedi- 
ately after  disposing  of  his  business  interests  in 
Norwich,  Mr.  Worth  became  engaged  in  war  work, 
with  the  Federal  War  Trade  Board  in  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia.  He  was  later  assigned  to  the 
War  Trade  Board  in  New  York  City  as  an  expert  on 
food  in  charge  of  foodstuffs,  and  continued  there 
until  the  end  of  the  war. 

Returning    to    Norwich,    Mr.    Worth    bought    an 


interest  in  the  Jewett  City  Textile  Novelty  Com- 
pany, of  Jewett  City,  accepting  the  offices  of  vice- 
president  and  secretary  of  this  concern,  and  on 
January  i,  1921,  became  president,  also  serving  as 
sales  manager.  This  association  still  continues.  The 
company  is  engaged  in  the  printing  and  bleaching 
of  cotton  textile  goods,  largely  in  novelty  fabrics  and 
designs,  and  tlieir  plant  is  located  in  Jewett  City, 
Connecticut,  nine  miles  north  of  the  center  of  Nor- 
wich. Mr.  Worth  is  also  treasurer  and  director  of 
Herbert  E.  Ring  Company,  Inc.,  of  Norwich,  who 
operate  a  public  market  in  Norwich. 

Mr.  Worth  is  a  member  of  the  Norwich  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  of  which  he  is  a  director.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  that  organized  the  Nor- 
wich Rotary  Club  in  April,  1920,  and  upon  the  com- 
pletion of  this  work  he  was  elected  its  first  president. 
Under  his  enthusiastic  leadership  the  club  pros- 
pered and  gained  an  influential  membership,  and 
ranks  as  one  of  the  up-to-date,  live  Rotary  organ- 
izations of  New  England.  Mr.  Worth  was  elected 
to  the  Common  Council  of  Norwich,  in  1916,  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  Politically,  he  supports  the 
Republican  party,  but  is  broadly  interested  in  the 
public  welfare,  and  gives  generously  of  his  time  and 
energies  to  forward  the  progress  of  the  City,  State 
and  Nation. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Worth  holds  the  thirty-second 
degree  in  the  Masonic  order,  is  a  member  of  Som- 
erset Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  .-Vccepted  Masons; 
Franklin  Chapter  No.  3,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Frank- 
lin Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Columbia 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  and  in  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  holds  the  degrees  of  King 
Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection,  Council  of  the  Princes 
of  Jerusalem,  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix,  Con- 
necticut Consistory. 

Mr.  Worth's  clubs  include  the  leading  social  organ- 
izations of  this  city.  He  is  president  of  the  Norwidi 
Golf  Club,  where  he  enjoys  his  favorite  recreation. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Arcanum  Club,  of  Norwich, 
and  of  the  Thames  Club,  of  New  London. 

On  October  31,  1917,  Mr.  Worth  married  Olive 
Huntington,  of  Norwich,  who  was  born  in  New 
York  City,  but  reared  and  educated  here.  Mrs. 
Worth  is  a  daughter  of  Channing  and  Helen  Barstow 
(Piatt)  Huntington.  Her  father,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, was  born  in  New  York,  and  her  mother  was 
born  in  Norwich,  and  still  resides  here.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Worth  have  one  son,  Huntington,  who  was 
borji  in  Norwich,  December  2,  1918.  The  family  are 
members  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  of  Norwich, 
of  which  Mr.  Worth  was  at  one  time  a  vestryman. 


138 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


JUDGE   CHARLES   CRESSINGHAM   GRAY— 

A  member  of  one  of  the  leading  families  of  North 
Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  suc- 
cessful in  his  individual  undertakings,  and  broadly- 
useful  in  the  administration  of  the  town  affairs. 
Judge  Charles  Cressingham  Gray  is  truly  repre- 
sentative of  that  citizenship  which  works  ever  along 
constructive  and  forward-moving  lines. 

Mr.  Gray's  grandfather,  John  Gray,  was  one  of 
two  brothers,  John  and  Robert  Gray,  who  came  to 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  nineteenth  century.  Robert  Gray  settled  in 
New  London,  and  John  came  to  North  Stonington, 
where  he  located  on  a  farm  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  village.  There  he  conducted  the  farm  until  his 
death.  He  was  a  man  of  studious  mind  and  broad 
interests.  He  married  Lucy  York,  who  was  born  in 
North  Stonington,  a  member  of  one  of  the  very  old 
families  there,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  a  large 
family  of  children,  who  entered  classical  fields,  and 
became  noted  as  teachers  and  men  of  great  intellect. 
One  was  a  merchant,  and  also  town  clerk  of  West- 
erly, Rhode  Island;  one  was  a  physician,  and  four 
were  school  teachers,  all  the  teachers  being  noted 
mathematicians,  to  whom  people  often  brought 
knotty  problems.     AH  were  accomplished   penmen. 

LaFayette  Gray,  son  of  John  and  Lucy  (York) 
Gray,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
and  always  lived  in  this  town.  He  received  his 
education  in  its  public  schools,  and  being  by  nature 
a  scholar,  every  source  of  knowledge  was  to  him  an 
open  book.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  but 
was  so  much  sought  as  a  school  teacher  that  he  had 
little  opportunity  to  work  at  his  trade.  Indeed  he 
taught  school  practically  all  his  life,  and  was  most 
successful  in  this  vocation.  He  died  in  North  Ston- 
ington at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  He  married 
Martha  York  Palmer,  who  also  was  born  and  died 
here. 

Charles  Cressingham  Gray,  son  of  LaFayette  and 
Martha  York  (Palmer)  Gray,  was  born  in  North 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  May  22,  1859.  He  received 
a  practical  and  thorough  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  the  town,  then  assisted  his  mother  on  the 
family  homestead  farm.  He  was  only  twelve  years 
of  age  when  his  father  died,  and  he  and  his  brothers 
carried  on  the  farm  until  his  mother's  death,  when 
Mr.  Gray  bought  out  the  other  heirs  and  came  into 
full  possession  of  the  farm.  He  remained  there  until 
1895,  then  removed  to  the  Shunoc  section  of  the 
town,  where  he  conducted  a  farm  for  ten  years.  He 
removed  thereafter  to  the  village  of  North  Stoning- 
ton, where  he  did  carpenter  work  for  one  year. 
Then  in  1906  he  went  to  Westerly,  Rhode  Island, 


where  he  conducted  a  farm  for  a  year  and  a  half, 
after  which  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives,  on  the  edge  of  the  village  of  North  Stoning- 
ton. This  is  an  excellent  farm  of  fifty  acres,  well 
located  and  a  delightful  place. 

Mr.  Gray  was  some  years  ago  sought  for  the 
public  service  of  the  town  of  North  Stonington.  He 
is  a  leader  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  has  more 
than  once  received  also  the  cordial  support  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of  con- 
stable, first  selectman,  tax  assessor,  etc.  Far  from 
being  an  office  seeker,  the  office  has  always  sought 
the  man.  He  was  elected  judge  of  probate  in  the 
year  1912,  and  has  been  re-elected  every  second 
year  since.  He  was  originally  elected  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  then  in  1914,  1916,  1918  and  1920  was 
the  candidate  on  both  tickets  and  has  filled  this 
office  continuously  from  1912  to  date  (1921).  In 
1917  Mr.  Gray  was  elected  town  clerk,  and  in  1919 
was  re-elected  as  the  candidate  of  both  parties.  In 
the  same  way,  the  same  years,  he  was  elected  also 
town  treasurer.  In  the  North  Stonington  Grange, 
No.  138,  Mr.  Gray  is  a  leading  member,  and  has 
been  treasurer  of  the  organization  for  many  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Third  Baptist  Church,  is 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church,  and  very  active 
in  its  work. 

On  February  2,  1882,  Mr.  Gray  married  Emma 
K.  Chapman,  daughtc-  of  Rev.  Daniel  Frank  and 
Rebecca  (Getchell)  Chapman.  Mrs.  Gray's  parents 
were  both  born  in  New  London,  and  her  father  was 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  on  Pendleton  Hill,  in 
the  town  of  North  Stonington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray 
are  the  parents  of  four  children:  I.  Cressingham 
LaFayette,  who  was  born  May  22,  1884;  educated 
in  the  schools  of  North  Stonington;  farmed  with 
his  father  for  a  time,  then  worked  in  machine  shops 
for  several  years;  later,  in  1914,  he  went  to  Dover, 
New  Hampshire,  where  he  is  an  extensive  farmer; 
married  Alice  Tillinghast,  of  North  Stonington.  2. 
Lyle  Chapman,  born  August  2,  18S6;  now  a  pros- 
perous farmer  of  North  Stonington;  married  Alice 
Richmond,  of  Preston,  Connecticut,  and  has  four 
children:  Marjory  Fostina,  Jeannette  Evangelin, 
Anita,  and  Marolyn  Alice.  3.  Leslie  Jennings,  born 
March  23,  1895,  died  March  6,  1908.  4.  Charles 
Ernest,  now  postmaster  of  North  Stonington; 
married  Evelyn  Main,  of  this  town,  and  has  one 
son,  Douglass.  Charles  Ernest  Gray  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  army  for  service  in  the  World  War. 


ARTHUR  HARVEY  LATHROP— The  roots  of 
New  England's  ancestral  trees  run  far  back  into  the 
past.     Beyond  the  sailing  of  the  "Mayflower"  to  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


139 


still  stormier  days  of  the  early  clashes  between 
'dissenters  and  orthodox  churchmen  one  must  go 
if  he  would  find  the  tap  roots  of  the  Lathrop  ances- 
try. Back  in  1624  there  was  born  in  Egertown, 
Kent,  England,  one  John  Lathrop,  destined  to  take 
an  active  part  in  the  troublous  times  which  sent  so 
many  exiles  for  faith  across  the  waters  to  the  wide 
haven  in  the  West.  He  dared  largely  for  those 
times,  and  having  the  courage  to  become  pastor  of 
an  independent  church,  he,  with  thirty-four  of  his 
flock  was  arrested  by  order  of  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  for  daring  to  interpret  for  themselves 
the  teachings  of  the  New  Testament.  After  two 
years  of  imprisonment,  he  and  a  few  others  were 
released  on  condition  that  they  leave  the  country. 
They  came  to  America  in  1634,  and  Pastor  Lathrop 
soon  organized  a  church  at  Scituate,  Massachusetts. 
He  became  a  freeman  of  the  Pl>-mouth  Colony  in 
1636,  and  in  1638  went  with  a  number  of  his  flock 
to   Barnstable,   Massachusetts. 

One  of  the  sons  who  came  from  England  with 
Pastor  Lathrop  was  Samuel  Lathrop,  who  married, 
November  28,  1644,  Elizabeth  Scudder,  and  then 
moved  to  Barnstable,  v»here  he  lived  and  worked 
as  farmer  and  carpenter.  He  built  houses  in  Boston, 
and  was  one  of  the  five  Lathrops  of  Barnstable 
liable  to  bear  arms.  He  was  in  Major  Simon  Wil- 
lard's  expedition  against  Xinncgrct,  the  Indian  chief, 
and  went  to  the  relief  of  Uncas,  under  Lieutenant 
James  Avery,  in  1657.  In  1648  he  went  to  New 
London,  with  young  John  Winthrop,  and  was  one 
of  the  original  settlers  of  New^  London,  Connecticut, 
his  house  lot  being  third  from  that  of  Governor 
Winthrop.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in  the  new 
settlement,  acting  as  judge  of  the  local  court  in  1649. 
In  1668  he  moved  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where 
he  was  constable  and  in  many  waj's  served  the  town. 
He  died  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  February  29,  1700. 
His  farm  lay  in  what  is  now  the  residential  section 
of  the  city,  the  hill,  known  as  Jail  Hill,  being  part 
of  it. 

Israel  La'throp,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
{Scudder)  Lathrop,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecti- 
cut, October,  1659.  He  married  Rebecca  Bliss,  be- 
came the  father  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters, 
and  died  March  28,  1733,  his  wife  following  him 
August  22,  1737.  Both  are  buried  in  the  old  Norwich 
burying  ground,  and  the  stones  marking  their  rest- 
ing place  are  the  oldest  in  the  cemetery. 

Samuel  (2)  Lathrop,  son  of  Israel  and  Rebecca 
(Bliss'  Lathrop,  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Connecticut, 
July  12,  1692,  and  married  Elizabeth  Waterman, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Waterman,  one  of  the  original 
thirty-five   founders   of  the   town   of  Norwich.     His 


farm  was  in  that  part  of  the  original  town  of  Nor- 
wich which  is  now  the  town  of  Lebanon. 

Captain  Elisha  Lathrop,  son  of  Samuel  (2)  and 
Elizabeth  (Waterman)  Lathrop,  was  born  at 
Lebanon,  Connecticut,  July  13,  1713.  He  was  a 
farmer  at  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  for  a  time,  but  later 
went  to  Lebanon,  New  Hampshire,  where  l-.c  was 
killed  by  the  fall  of  a  tree,  July  2,  1787.  At  the 
latter  place  he  was  major  of  the  militia  and  justice 
of  the  peace.  In  both  places  he  was  a  prominent 
citizen.  He  was  twice  married,  and  the  father  of 
sixteen  children,  one  of  tl-.esc  being  Lebbcus,  son  of 
Margaret  (Sluman)  Lathrop.  This  Lebbcus  became 
the  father  of  Lebbeus  (2),  born  at  Bozrah,  Con- 
necticut, in  1780,  a  farmer,  who  passed  his  whole  life 
at  Bozrah  and  at  Lebanon,  his  death  occurring  at 
the  latter  place,  January  25,  1866.  He  married  Lu- 
cretia  Maples,  and  one  of  their  sons  was  Harvey 
Lathrop,  a  farmer  and  teamster,  who  married  Octa- 
via  Woodworth,  raised  a  family,  and  died  January 
10,   1879. 

One  of  the  sons  of  Harvey  and  Octavia  (Wood- 
worth)  Lathrop  was  Arthur  Douglas  Lathrop,  father 
of  Arthur  Harvey  Lathrop.  He  was  born  at  Lebanon, 
Connecticut,  February  25,  1849.  He  attended  the 
schools  of  Lebanon,  and  then  went  to  Montville, 
Connecticut,  where  he  formed  the  firm  of  Church  & 
Lathrop,  and  engaged  in  the  teaming  and  trucking 
business.  In  1874  he  dissolved  this  partnership  and 
moved  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  estab- 
lished a  trucking  and  teaming  business.  The  busi- 
ness grew  steadily,  the  local  and  long-distance  mov- 
ing and  the  freight-handling  lines  growing  enor- 
mously, and  was  continued  by  Mr.  Lathrop  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  substantial  busi- 
ness man  of  Norwich,  highlj'  respected  in  his  com- 
munity, and  a  strong  man  in  the  Republican  party, 
serving  for  nine  years  as  first  selectman  of  the  town 
of  Norwich.  He  married,  November  30,  1870,  Belle 
Emily  Bolles,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Chap- 
man) Bolles,  at  Montville,  Connecticut,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  two  children:  .'Xrthur  Har- 
vey, of  whom  further;  and  Charles  Bolles;  they  also 
have  an  adopted  daughter,  Lizzie  Belle,  who  married 
Charles  Greenman,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut. 

.\rthur  Harvey  Lathrop,  son  of  Arthur  D.  and 
Belle  E.  (Bolles)  Lathrop,  was  born  in  Montville, 
Connecticut,  September  13,  1871.  He  received  a  thor- 
ough and  practical  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Norv.ich,  and  then  worked  as  a  clerk  for  the  Eaton 
Chase  Company.  In  1894,  however,  he  associated 
himself  with  his  father's  business.  He  brought  the 
energy  and  enthusiasm  of  youth  to  put  new  life 
into  the  business,  and  when  his  father  died  he  be- 
came the  sole  proprietor  of  the  business,  which  he 


140 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


has  carried  on  ever  since.  The  business  is  the  oldest 
of  its  kind  in  town  and  has  a  comi>lete  and  up-to- 
date  equipment. 

Mr.  Lathrop's  interests  and  activities  are  not  con- 
fined to  his  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  affiliating  with  Somerset  Lodge  No. 
34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chapter, 
No.  3,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Council,  No.  4, 
Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Columbian  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  of  Norwich;  and  is  a  noble  of 
Sphin.x  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason  of 
the  thirty-second  degree,  and  a  member  of  Norwich 
Lodge,  No.  430,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  and  of  the  Society  of  the  Founders  of  Nor- 
vifich,  being  a  descendant  of  fourteen  of  the  original 
thirty-five  founders  of  the  town  of  Norwich.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  a  Republican. 

On  June  3,  1907,  Mr.  Lathrop  married  Elizabeth 
MacLaren  Palmer,  daughter  of  Oscar  Orrin  and 
Jean  (Cassaday)  Palmer.  They  became  the  parents 
of  one  child,  Jean  Palmer,  now  dt'ceascd. 


NATHAN  HUNT  HALL,  A.B.— .AJthough  edu- 
cated for,  and  for  several  years  engaged  in  the  pro- 
fession of  pedagogy,  Nathan  Hunt  Hall,  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  ago,  abandoned  that  profession 
and  returned  to  the  business  usually  followed  by 
his  forebears,  general  and  dairy  farming.  The  years 
have  brought  him  prosperity  and  reputation,  and  he 
is  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  the  county, 
verj'  prominent  in  the  county  and  local  granges 
of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  a  citizen  of 
influence  and  worth. 

Mr.  Hall  is  of  the  ninth  generation  of  the  family 
founded  in  New  England  by  George  and  Mary  Hall, 
who  were  of  Duxbury,  Massachusetts,  in  1637,  and 
George  Hall  was  one  of  the  forty-si.x  original  pro- 
prietors of  the  town  of  Taunton,  and  a  founder  in 
1639.  George  Hall  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the 
first  iron  bloomery  established  in  that  section  by 
the  famous  Leonard  family  of  iron  masters,  also  was 
a  founder  of  Pilgrim  Congregational  Church  and 
Society  of  Taunton.  He  passed  away  in  Taunton, 
October  30,  1669,  a  citizen  of  wealth  and  influence. 
The  line  of  descent  in  this  branch  is  traced  through 
their  son,  Samuel. 

(H)  Samuel  Hall,  son  of  George  and  Mary  Hall, 
was  born  in  1644,  and  died  in  Taunton,  Massachu- 
setts, early  in  1690.  He  was  associated  with  his 
brothers  and  father  in  the  iron  works,  and  was  a 
large  land  owner,  sharing  in  the  Taunton  North  and 
South  purchases.  He  married  Elisabeth  White,  who 
(lied  in  1709,  after  seventeen  years  of  widowhood, 
daughter    of    Nicholas    White,    an    early    settler    of 


Taunton.  He  held  official  position  in  the  town, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  original  Taunton  church. 
(HI)  George  (2)  Hall,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Elizabeth  (White)  Hall,  v.-r.s  born  January  25,  1681. 
He  resided  in  that  part  of  Taunton  set  off  as  Norton 
in  1711,  and  Easton  in  1725.  He  married  Lydia  Dean, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Stephens)  Dean, 
and  they  reared  a  large  family. 

(IV)  Isaac  Hall,  son  of  George  (2)  and  Lydia 
(Dean)  Hall,  was  born  in  Norton,  Massachusetts, 
January  12,  1714.  He  removed  to  Lyme,  Connecticut, 
1739-40.  He  was  an  iron  worker  and  operated  a 
"forge"  in  connection  with  the  farm.  He  died  in 
Lyme,  July  26,  1778.  He  married  Sarah  Forbes,  of 
Preston,  Connecticut,  who  died  in  1786,  and  both 
are  buried  in  a  small  graveyard  east  of  Laysville, 
on  the  turnpike  in  Lyme. 

(V)  Ezra  Hall,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Forbes) 
Hall,  spent  his  life  as  a  farmer,  settling  along  the 
road  leading  to  Grassy  Hill  in  Lyme. 

(VI)  Jonathan  Hall,  son  of  Ezra  Hall,  was  a 
farmer  of  Lyme,  who  died  aged  eighty-two  years, 
his  death  resulting  from  being  thrown  from  a  wagon. 
He  was  buried  in  Old  Lyme.  He  married,  April  8, 
iSoo,  Betsey  Lord,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
ten  children. 

(\I1)  Ezra  (p.)  Hall,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Dctsey 
(Lord)  Hall,  was  born  in  Lyme,  Connecticut,  Janu- 
ary 6,  1803,  and  died  February  9,  1859,  spending  his 
entire  life  in  the  town  of  Lyme.  He  was  a  success- 
ful farmer,  settling  after  marriage  on  the  farm  ad- 
joining the  home  of  his  youth.  He  was  a  member  of 
Grassy  Hill  Congregational  Church,  a  Whig  in  poli- 
tics, but  just  before  his  death  united  with  the  newly 
founded  Republican  Party.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Kellogg,  born  in  Colchester,  Connecticut,  who  sur- 
vived him,  dying  in  Lyme,  aged  seventy-four  years. 

(VIII)  Judah  Selden  Hall,  son  of  Ezra  (2)  and 
Elizabeth  (Kellogg)  Hall,  was  born  in  Lyme,  Con- 
necticut, September  9,  1836,  and  there  died  March 
20,  1898.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  a  quiet,  re- 
served man,  strong  physically  and  mentally,  serving^ 
his  town  as  selectman  and  in  other  positions  of  trust. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican,  and  in  religious 
faith  a  Congregationalist,  a  devout  member  of  the 
Lyme  church  and  a  strong  pillar  of  support.  His 
years,  sixty-two,  were  well  spent,  and  he  passed 
away  honored  and  esteemed.  He  married,  Novem- 
ber 27,  1862,  in  Lyme,  Hannah  Miller,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Alpha  and  Hannah  (Hunt)  Miller,  her  father 
performing  his  daughter's  marriage  ceremony.  Mrs. 
Hall  survived  her  husband,  as  did  their  five  children, 
all  born  in  Lyme:  i.  Edwin  J.,  who  became  a  gen- 
eral merchant  of  Shortsville,  New  York;  married 
Inez   Haas.     2.     Nathan   Hunt,  of  further  mention. 


Q.bi/EC  Will:(iyns  S  Bre  f' 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


141 


3.  Joseph  Kellogg,  a  farmer  of  the  town  of  Ledyard, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut;  married  Mary  E. 
Gillette.  4.  Henry  Strong,  a  teacher  of  music  in 
Middletown,  Connecticut;  married  Edith  Burr.  S. 
William  Miller,  a  mechanical  draughtsman  and  ma- 
chinist of  New  York  City;  married  Ora  Bowen,  of 
VV'aterbury,  Connecticut. 

(IX)  Such  were  the  antecedents  of  Nathan  Hunt 
Hall,  of  the  ninth  Hall  generation  in  New  England, 
of  the  sixth  generation  in  Connecticut,  and  of  the 
first  in  the  town  of  Preston,  New  London  county. 
He  was  born  in  Lyme,  Connecticut,  April  13,  1868, 
and  there  obtained  his  public  school  instruction.  He 
then  entered  Phillips  Andover  Academy,  finishing 
with  the  class  of  1887,  passing  thence  to  Williams 
College,  receiving  his  bachelor  degree,  class  of  1891. 
He  began  teaching  in  a  private  business  college  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  continuing  one  year,  then  for 
two  years  v/as  a  teacher  of  English,  German  and 
French  in  Bordentown  Military  Institute,  Borden- 
town.  New  Jersey.  He  taught  Latin,  Greek  and 
English  in  the  preparatory  school  conducted  in  New 
York  by  Louis  Pressor,  for  one  year;  the  same 
studies  in  Erie  Academy,  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  for 
another  year;  then  for  a  time  was  an  instructor  in 
Reedsville  Academy,  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania.  After 
a  short  time  as  instructor  in  Reedsville,  he  became 
head  of  the  academy,  conducting  it  for  a  year  under 
his  own  name.  His  father  died  in  the  spring  of  1898, 
and  the  same  j'ear  Professor  Hall  abandoned  his 
profession,  purchased  the  William  Morse  farm  in 
the  town  of  Preston,  New  London  county,  Connecti- 
cut, and  has  ever  since  devoted  himself  to  the  culti- 
vation of  its  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres. 
General  farming  with  special  attention  to  the  dairy 
department  has  been  the  line  followed,  and  he  has 
caused  his  acres  to  produce  abundantly.  Fine 
blooded  Jersey  cattle  are  his  choice  for  his  dairy 
herd,  although  he  has  some  graded  stock.  The 
dairy  feature  of  the  farm  has  grown  into  greater 
prominence  with  each  year,  until  it  outranks  the 
general  farming  department.  Butter  making  is  con- 
ducted on  a  large  scale,  and  every  modern  aid  to 
successful  farming  or  dairying  is  employed.  Mr. 
Hall  is  a  practical  farmer,  but  gladly  avails  himself 
of  all  the  aid  books  and  periodicals,  agricultural  col- 
leges, farmers'  institutes  and  organizations  c?.n  give. 
He  is  also  a  scientific  farmer,  but  does  not  overlook 
the  fact  that  there  is  a  "rule  of  thumb"  which  often 
produces  good  crops,  and  he  welcomes  all  sugges- 
tions from  those  who  farm  in  their  own  way  without 
regard  to  science  of  books. 

He  has  long  been  affiliated  with  the  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  and  is  a  leader  in  that  organization 
which   has   done   so   much   for   the   farmer  and   the 


farmer's  family.  He  has  been  master  of  the  Preston 
City  Grange,  and  in  1916-17  was  master  of  Pomona 
Grange,  the  county  organization  of  the  Patrons  of 
Husbandry.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  has 
served  the  town  of  Preston  as  first  selectman.  He 
has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  of 
the  Preston  City  Congregational  Church  for  the  past 
eighteen  years,  and  has  been  equally  interested  in  the 
Church  Society  and  its  several  branches  of  work. 

In  Lyme,  Connecticut,  Mr.  Hall  married  (first), 
August  30,  1894,  Ursula  Raymond  Ely,  who  died  in 
Preston,  September  i,  1913,  the  mother  of  four 
children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  He  married 
(second),  October  3,  1916,  Alice  Dickey  Abell,  widow 
of  Charles  .^bcll,  of  Bozrah,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut. 


LEWIS  M.  CARPENTER— As  agent  and  official 
of  the  Ashland  Cotton  Company,  Lewis  M.  Car- 
penter holds  a  prominent  place  in  the  manufacturing 
life  of  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  and  in 
addition  is  officially  associated  with  the  various 
activities  of  municipal  life. 

Mr.  Carpenter  is  a  son  of  Joseph  E.  Carpenter, 
who  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  there 
attended  the  public  schools.  When  a  young  man 
he  became  stationary  engineer  at  Allyns  Point,  Con- 
necticut, and  later  was  with  the  Holmes  Transporta- 
tion Company  of  New  Jersey  as  engineer.  While 
serving  in  this  capacity  on  vessels  of  the  company, 
he  sailed  into  many  of  the  important  ports  of  the 
v.'orld.  In  1906  he  retired  from  active  service,  and 
now  (1921)  is  living  at  Fort  Point,  Preston,  Con- 
necticut. At  one  time  Mr.  Carpenter  represented  the 
tov^-n  of  Preston  in  ihc  Connecticut  Legislature, 
where  he  was  a  member  of  the  Humane  Committee. 
He  married  Isabella  Maynard,  formerly  a  school 
teacher  of  Fort  Point,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living:  Esther 
M.,  a  Red  Cross  nurse,  who  died  in  1918;  William 
S.,  a  railroad  engineer,  married  Harriet  Treadway, 
and  resides  at  Putnam,  Connecticut;  Ruth  E.,  man- 
ager of  the  Hartford  Golf  Club,  at  Hartford;  Lewis 
M.,  of  further  mention;  Charles  F.,  deceased;  Paul 
C,  office  manager  for  the  Turner  Halsey  Company, 
of  New  ^'ork  City;  and  .Mma  B. 

Lewis  M.  Carpenter  was  born  in  Ledyard,  Con- 
necticut, May  21,  1881,  and  obtained  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Norwich,  Norwich  Free 
.\cademy,  and  Norwich  Business  College,  complet- 
ing the  commercial  course  at  the  last-named  institu- 
tion in  1903.  He  began  business  life  in  the  textile 
industry,  entering  the  employ  of  the  American 
Thread  Company,  there  remaining  until  1908,  gaining 
a  practical  knowledge  of  the  different  branches  of  the 


142 


NEW  bONDON  COUNTY 


industry  and  attaining  the  position  of  cliief  clerk  in 
the  superintendent's  oi'fice.  For  the  following  two 
years  he  was  salesman  for  the  Chelsea  File  Works, 
of  Norwich,  then,  in  iQio,  he  accepted  the  position  of 
office  manager  for  the  Ashland  Cotton  Company,  of 
Jewett  City;  he  advanced  to  the  office  of  superin- 
tendent in  IQI4,  w^.s  appointed  agent  in  1918,  then  to 
his  present  position  as  agent,  assistant  secretary  and 
assistant  treasurer  of  the  company.  To  those  wlio 
know  Mr.  Carpenter  there  is  nothing  but  satisfaction 
expressed  at  his  success,  for  it  has  been  won  through 
merit.  He  began  as  a  boy  to  acquire  business  experi- 
ence, and  he  filled  each  place  so  well  that  he  was 
the  logical  candidate  for  the  next  higher  position. 
He  has  studied  the  theory  of  manufacturing  costs, 
the  science  of  wages,  records,  the  art  of  developing 
men,  and  organization,  and  with  all  is  intensely 
practical  and  progressive. 

Politically  Mr.  Carpenter  is  a  Republican,  and 
takes  a  keen  and  helpful  interest  in  civic  affairs.  He 
is  chairman  of  the  Republican  Committee  of  the  town 
of  Griswold,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Burgesses 
of  the  borough  of  Jewett  City.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  National  Association  of  Cotton  Manufacturers; 
an  incorporator  and  auditor  of  the  Jewett  City  Sav- 
ings Bank;  trustee  of  the  Slater  Library  of  Jewett 
City;  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the 
town  of  Griswold.  He  is  a  director  of  Barstow,  Hill 
&  Company,  Inc.,  bankers  of  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
also  of  the  Ashland  Cotton  Co.,  and  of  the  Mustards 
Products,  Inc.,  of  New  York  City.  A  man  of  action, 
he  demonstrates  his  public  spirit  by  aiding  civic 
movements,  and  responds  to  any  reasonable  call 
made  upon  him.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Ashlands, 
one  of  the  first-class  ball  clubs  of  Eastern  Connec- 
ticut, and  it  was  through  his  influence  that  the  open 
air  dance  pavilion  in  Jewett  City,  known  as  the  Ash- 
land Casino,  was  erected. 

Mr.  Carpenter  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles, 
being  affiliated  with  Mt.  Vernon  Lodge,  No.  75,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  4, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Council,  No.  3,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters;  Columbian  Commandery,  No. 
4,  Knights  Templar;  King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection; Van  Rensselaer  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusa- 
lem; Norwich  Chapter,  Rose  Croix;  Connecticut 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  thirty- 
second  degree;  and  a  noble  of  Sphinx  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  Reliance  Lodge,  No.  29, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  past  grand 
master  of  Jewett  City  encampment  of  the  order. 

Lewis  M.  Carpenter  married,  October  31,  1912, 
Agnes  R.  Wilson,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Agnes 
(Wilson)  Wilson.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  are  the 


parents  of  one  child,  Russell  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Car- 
penter are  members  of  the  Jewett  City  Congrega- 
tional Church. 


MARTIN  VAN  BUREN  BRAINARD— The  use- 
ful life  of  Martin  Van  Buren  Brainard  extended  over 
a  period  of  three-quarters  of  a  century,  1836-1911, 
and  from  1896  until  the  age  of  constitutional  re- 
quirement, he  filled  the  office  of  judge  of  probate 
for  the  town  of  Montville,  Connecticut.  So  well  did 
he  perform  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  so  thorough- 
ly did  he  understand  its  business,  that  when  super- 
seded as  probate  judge  on  account  of  his  years,  he 
was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Probate  Court  that  the 
new  judge  might  have  the  benefit  of  his  long  experi- 
ence and  wisdom.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  char- 
acter, and  so  strong  was  the  confidence  his  manly, 
upright  life  inspired  within  his  townsmen  that  there 
was  scarcely  an  office  within  their  gift  which  they 
did  not  bestow  upon  him.  Public-spirited  and  pro- 
gressive, his  spirit  of  usefulness  did  not  stop  with 
civic  affairs,  but  he  was  equally  helpful  in  the  church, 
where  as  deacon  and  as  Sunday  school  superintend- 
ent he  gave  many  years  of  his  life  to  church  work. 
No  man  was  more  highly  esteemed  by  any  com- 
munity than  he,  and  his  passing  in  1911  was  genuine- 
ly regretted.  He  was  a  good  man,  a  good  citizen, 
and  a  good  neighbor. 

Judge  Brainard  was  a  son  of  Zeno  Brainard,  and 
a  direct  descendant  of  Daniel  Brainard,  who  was 
brought,  a  lad  of  eight  years,  to  Hartford,  Connec- 
ticut, and  later  became  a  land  proprietor  of  Haddam. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  a  deacon  of  the 
church,  and  a  prosperous,  influential  citizen.  Zeno 
Brainard,  a  descendant  of  Daniel  Brainard,  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  Connecticut,  was  born  in 
Lcdyard,  Connecticut,  May  6,  1809,  and  all  his  active 
years  engaged  in  farming.  He  conducted  a  farm  of 
seventy-five  acres  in  East  Haddam,  Connecticut, 
until  1845,  when  he  moved  to  Montville,  where  he 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  on  the  old 
Chesterfield  and  Norwich  Turnpike.  He  conducted 
that  farm  very  profitably  until  his  death,  and  gained 
at  the  same  time  the  respect  of  his  neighbors  who 
grew  to  admire  the  genial,  good-natured  man  and 
to  appreciate  his  good  qualities.  He  was  an  ardent 
Democrat,  and  held  several  town  offices,  including 
that  of  assessor.  He  died  in  Montville,  August  8, 
1899,  aged  eighty  years,  three  months,  two  days. 
Zeno  Brainard  married  Mary  Hilliard,  born  in  Salem, 
Connecticut,  September  18,  1812,  died  September  19, 
1897,  in  Montville,  daughter  of  Deacon  Hilliard,  a. 
local  preacher.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren,   this    review   following    the    career    of    Martin 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


143 


Van  Buren,  the  eldest  son  and  second  child. 

Martin  Van  Buren  Brainard  was  born  in  Salem, 
Connecticut,  February  27,  1836,  and  died  at  his  home 
in  Montville,  Connecticut,  November  22  191 1.  The 
first  nine  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  East  Had- 
dam,  Connecticut,  when  the  family  moved  to  the 
Montville  farm,  and  there  he  attended  school  and 
assisted  in  the  farm  labor  until  seventeen  years  of 
age.  During  the  winter  of  1853,  he  taught  for  the 
first  time  in  a  Montville  district  school,  then  for  a 
term  was  a  student  in  a  Xcw  London  school.  Not 
liking  farm  work,  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
and  in  1870  formed  a  partnership  with  W.  Irving 
Browning,  his  wfe's  brother,  and,  as  Brainard  & 
Browning,  conducted  a  wheelwright  shop  and  car- 
riage factory,  which  proved  a  successful  enterprise, 
Mr.  Browning  becoming  sole  owner,  Mr.  Brainard's 
health  failing  about  1880,  causing  his  withdrawal. 

Even  before  leaving  the  carriage  business,  Mr. 
Brainard  had  served  as  administrator  and  executor 
of  several  estates,  his  bonds  at  one  time  amounting 
to  Sqo.ooo.  Ke  bought  land  in  Palmcrtown,  which 
he  divided  into  building  lots,  and  conducted  limited 
farming  cpcrp.tions  until  1S56,  when  lie  was  elected 
judge  of  probate  for  the  town  of  Montville,  and  by 
continuous  election  he  was  continued  in  that  office 
until  reaching  the  age  limit  in  1906.  He  then  served 
ai  clerk  of  the  Probate  Court  one  term  and  then 
retired. 

Otlier  oflfices  which  he  filled  for  many  years  were 
town  clerk,  to  which  he  w-as  first  elected,  September 
I,  1897;  school  committeeman,  twenty  years;  select- 
man, seven  years;  first  selectman,  four  years;  assess- 
or; member  of  the  Board  of  Relief;  and  justice  of 
the  peace.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  in 
religion  a  Baptist,  and  a  pillar  of  the  Montville 
church.  From  1892  until  his  death  he  was  a  deacon 
of  that  church,  and  from  about  the  same  date  was 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  was  truly 
a  "useful"  man,  and  a  volume  would  be  too  small  to 
record  all  his  good  deeds. 

Judge  Brainard  married,  January  2,  1866,  Martha 
Maria  Browning,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  Browning, 
of  Montville.  Mrs.  Brainard  survived  her  husband, 
and  was  a  resident  of  the  village  of  Palmertown  in 
the  town  of  Montville.  Her  death  occurred  in  Mont- 
ville, April  6,  1921. 


ROBERT  ROBERTSON  AGNEW.  M.D.— For  a 
decade  Dr.  Agncw  has  practiced  medicine  in  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  and  there  has  attained  honorable 
standing  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Icarninp  and 
skill.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Robert  R.  Agnew,  a 
captain  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War, 
who  after  the  close  of  that   conflict  left  his  native 


Connecticut  and  moved  to  Albany,  New  York,  where 
his  son,  William  B.,  was  born. 

William  Banker  Agnew  was  born  in  Albany,  New 
York,  and  there  educated  in  the  public  schools.  In 
18S0  he  located  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  where 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  New  V'ork,  New 
Haven  &  Hartford  railroad.  He  passed  through  the 
various  grades  of  promotion  between  the  apprentice 
and  the  right-hand  side  of  the  locomotive  cab,  event- 
ually becoming  a  trusted  engineer.  Of  a  mechanical 
turn  of  mind,  he  learned  pattern-making  after  retir- 
ing from  the  railroad,  and  while  his  home  is  yet  in 
New  Haven,  he  is  employed  at  the  plant  of  the 
Malleable  Iron  Fittings  Company  in  Branford,  Con- 
necticut. William  B.  Agnew  married,  in  1881,  Alice 
E.  Paige,  born  in  Lancashire,  England,  comng  to  the 
United  States  in  a  sailing  vessel  with  her  parents, 
who  settled  in  Branford.  William  B.  and  Alice  E. 
(Paige)  .Agnew  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Robert  R.,  of  further  mention;  George  A.,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Malleable  Iron  Fittings  Company  of 
Branford;  and  Edith  May,  wife  of  Alvin  P.  Sanford, 
of  New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

Dr.  Robert  U.  .Agnew,  eldest  son  of  V.illi.'.in  B.  and 
Alice  E.  (Paige)  .Agnew,  was  born  in  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  August  I,  1882.  He  attended  gram.mar 
and  high  schools  in  New  Haven,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  was  employed  in  a  drug  store,  continuing 
in  that  position  and  studying  pharmacy  until  :90i. 
He  was  not  yet  twenty  years  of  age  when,  on  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1901,  he  went  before  the  State  board  01 
c;:aminers  and  successfully  passed  the  examination 
in  pharmacy,  receiving  under  the  seal  of  the  State 
of  Connecticut  his  license  as  a  registered  pharmacist. 
This  was  not  the  goal  of  his  ambition,  however,  and 
for  three  years,  1901-1904,  although  employed  as  a 
pharmacist,  he  was  a  student  at  Booth  Preparatory 
School,  and  in  1904  entered  Yale  Medical  School 
and  pursued  medical  study  for  four  years,  working 
as  a  pharmacist  during  college  vacation,  and  doing 
relief  work  in  the  drug  store  during  the  college 
months.  He  was  graduated  M.  D.,  class  of  1908,  and 
to  the  experience  gained  while  a  student  in  surgc.y 
and  as  house  physician  in  the  New  Haven  hospital, 
he  added  a  year's  service  as  interne  at  the  William 
W.  Backus  Hospital  in  Norwich,  Connecticut.  He 
became  interne,  July  i,  1908.  and  the  following  year 
he  established  in  private  medical  and  surgical  prac- 
tice in  Norwich,  surgery  of  the  abdomen  and  head 
his  specialties.  Surgery  was  his  ambition  always, 
and  during  his  years  of  practice  he  has  taken  con- 
tinuous post-graduate  courses  at  the  New  York 
Post-graduate  Hospital,  going  to  New  York  City 
one  day  in  each  week.  Even  yet,  as  surgeon  in  the 
William  W.  Backus  Hospital,  he  commands  a  large 


144 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


practice  and  has  made  great  progress.  He  is  de- 
voted to  his  profession  and  is  highly  regarded  both 
by  his  brethren  and  the  laity.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Norwich,  New  London  County,  and  Connecticut 
State  Medical  societies,  and  the  American  Medical 
Association.  In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Congre- 
gationalist,  being  a  member  of  the  Greenville  Con- 
gregational Church.  Dr.  Agnew  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  being  afTiliated  with  Somerset  Lodge, 
No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  a  member 
■  of  the  Norwich  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the 
Rotary  Club,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Dr.  Agnew  married,  in  Ivoryton,  Connecticut, 
February  9,  1910,  Ellen  Eliza  Griswold,  born  in 
Ivoryton,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Eliza  (Jamieson) 
Griswold,  her  father  born  in  Ivoryton,  her  mother 
in  Middletown,  Connecticut.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Agnew 
are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Marion  Elizabeth; 
William  Griswold;  and  Robert  Jamieson. 


WILLIAM  CHANNING  BLANCHARD— One  of 

the  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Lebanon,  Connecti- 
cut, is  William  Channing  Blanchard,  known  far  and 
wide  as  an  expert  blacksmith  and  skilled  master 
workman.  Standing  at  the  forge  for  thirty-five 
years,  he  saw  to  it  that  the  horses  of  the  region  were 
skillfully  and  honestly  shod,  and  many  a  vehicle 
ran  the  more  smoothly  because  his  dexterous  hand 
had  wrought  the  iron  rims  on  its  wheels.  Broken 
tools  brought  to  him  for  repairs  were  promptly  re- 
stored to  usefulness  by  the  touch  of  his  magic,  and 
while  the  clanging  strokes  of  his  hammer  rang  upon 
the  anvil,  his  friends  and  cronies  loved  to  sit  about 
and  recall  the  olds  days  when  they  faced  death 
together  in  the  Civil  War,  or  to  discuss  public  affairs 
or  crop  conditions.  Children,  peeping  in  on  their 
way  to  or  from  school  were  delighted  with  the 
showers  of  sparks  that  his  vigorous  arm  sprayed 
from  the  glowing  iron,  and  like  the  famous  "village 
smithy,"  who  wrought  "under  the  spreading  chestnut 
tree,"  he  had  a  good  word  for  all. 

William  Channing  Blanchard,  son  of  Daniel  and 
May  Ann  (Hoxie)  Blanchard,  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  September,  4, 
1842.  His  father,  Daniel  Blanchard,  was  a  native  of 
Eastern  Connecticut,  who,  after  the  death  of  his 
father,  when  he  was  six  years  of  age,  was  raised  by 
his  grandfather,  a  farmer  living  in  Brooklyn,  Con- 
necticut. Daniel  Blanchard  settled  in  Lebanon, 
eventually,  where  he  took  up  farming.  He  married 
Mary  Ann  Hoxie,  of  Lebanon,  and  died  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight  years.  They  were  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Edwin,  a  farmer  of  Lebanon,  who  died, 
unmarried,  at  the  age  of  forty;  Harriet  M.,  now  a 
resident  of  Lebanon;  Samuel  W.,  a  farmer  of  Leban- 


on, who  died  unmarried;  William  Channing,  of 
whom  further;  Frank  B.,  a  farmer,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-eight;  and  one  child  who  died  in 
early  infancy. 

William  Channing  Blanchard  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Lebanon,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  like 
thousands  of  other  lads,  he  laid  aside  personal  plans 
and  ambitions  and  answered  the  call  of  the  Federal 
Government  for  defenders  of  its  honor  and  its 
authority.  He  enlisted,  October  27,  1861,  at  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  in  Company  D,  8th  Connecticut 
Volunteer  Infantry,  for  a  term  of  three  years.  His 
regiment  accompanied  the  General  Burnside  expedi- 
tion organized  to  capture  Roanoke  Island,  taking 
part  in  the  battles  of  Roanoke  Island,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  in  battles  at  Newbern  and  at  Morehead,  also 
in  North  Carolina.  In  1862  the  regiment  was  as- 
signed to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  General 
McClellan,  and  served  at  Cold  Harbor  and  Peters- 
burg, two  of  the  severest  engagements  of  the  war. 
He  was  discharged  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  near  Citypoint,  Virginia,  in  October, 
1864,  never  having  received  a  wound  throughout 
I'.is  three  years'  term  of  service.  He  returned  to 
Lebanon,  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  and  for 
thirty-five  years  continued  to  ply  that  trade  in 
Lebanon.  He  built  a  shop,  which  is  now  occupied 
by  the  Lebanon  creamery,  where  he  daily  practiced 
his  honest  magic  until  1906,  when  he  retired.  In 
1S80  he  bought  his  present  home  of  twenty-three 
acres,  on  the  north  end  of  Lebanon  Green,  the  old 
Stiles  place,  the  homestead  of  his  wife's  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Blanchard  is  a  Republican,  and 
though  he  has  never  been  active  in  the  machine 
work  of  his  party,  was  elected  to  represent  the  town 
of  Lebanon  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1892,  serving 
in  the  1893  session,  and  during  that  time  being 
placed  upon  the  Alilitary  Committee  and  on  the 
Cities  and  Boroughs  Committee.  He  saw  hard  ser- 
vice with  General  Burnside  and  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  is  now  (1921),  one  of  Lebanon's 
tv»o  surviving  Civil  War  Veterans. 

At  Lebanon,  January  6,  1876,  Mr.  Blanchard  mar- 
ried Ella  Maria  Stiles,  daughter  of  Edmund  Alonzo 
and  Sophia  (Sweet)  Stiles,  her  father  born  at  Kil- 
lingly,  Connecticut,  and  a  farmer  of  Lebanon,  and 
her  mother  a  native  of  Lebanon,  both  now  dead. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blanchard  are  both  enjoying  excel- 
lent health  and  the  high  esteem  and  respect  of  the 
people  of  Lebanon.-  Upon  their  goodly  acres,  where 
the  associations  of  more  than  one  generation  linger, 
and  with  the  memories  of  long  years  of  faithful 
service  to  sweeten  and  strengthen  their  declining 
years,  the  evening  shadows  will  fall  gently  and  peace- 
fully upon  this   stalwart   smithy  and  his  wife,  who 


J^^icy&^-r^:^i^\>-e.^^i^L4. 


(5.     fl-      jU^A^~^^y^^. 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


145 


have  served  their  day  and  generation  actively  and 
well,  and  who  still  continue  to  serve  in  those  more 
quiet  ways  in  which  the  later  years  of  well-spent 
life  minister  to  their  remaining  circle  of  contem- 
porary friends  and  to  the  younger  generations 
around  them. 


GEORGE  RANDALL  HAVENS— It  is  eminently 
fitting  that  the  memory  of  men  who  have  contribu- 
ted to  the  prosperity  and  well  being  of  the  com- 
munity should  be  perpetuated,  that  the  generations 
who  are  to  come  should  know  of  their  worth  to  the 
public,  and  their  excellence  and  probity  as  individual 
members  of  society.  George  Randall  Havens,  ivhose 
death  is  remembered  as  a  deep  loss  to  the  city  of 
Norwich  and  Jewett  City,  Connecticut,  was  a  man 
whose  personal  influence  and  public  e.xample  were 
always  on  the  side  of  right.  He  was  a  son  of  Edwin 
Havens,  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  born  in  that 
city,  and  educated  in  its  institutions.  He  was  for 
years  a  successful  interior  decorator  in  Newport,  but 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  was  among  the 
first  to  enlist  in  defense  of  the  Union.  He  never 
returned,  but  gave  up  his  life  amid  the  horrors  of 
Andersonville  Prison.  He  married  Lucy  Hopkins, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  one  of 
whom  was  a  son,  George  Randall  Havens,  the 
youngest.  Lucy  (Hopkins)  Havens  survived  her 
husband  many  years,  dying  in  Newport,  Rhode 
Island. 

George  Randall  Havens  was  born  in  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  April  i,  1856,  and  died  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  October  12,  1918.  He  received  a  prac- 
tical education  in  the  public  schools  of  Newport,  but 
the  loss  of  his  father  in  his  boyhood  placed  higher 
educational  advantages  out  of  his  reach.  In  spite 
of  this  he  improved  every  opportunity,  and  he  has 
won  from  life  more  than  many  whose  paths  are 
strewn  with  advantages.  About  1866  the  family 
removed  to  Voluntown,  Connecticut,  where  the  boy 
worked  on  the  farm  for  his  mother,  cheerfully  under- 
going the  hardships  of  farm  life  to  get  his  start. 
The  first  opening  that  offered  was  one  he  made  a 
stepping-stone  to  the  business  in  which  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  was  spent.  This  first  interest  he 
developed  into  a  large  and  profitable  wholesale  busi- 
ness in  junk,  and  in  1873  he  was  able  to  buy  a  sub- 
stantial interest  in  the  Norwich  Grain  Company,  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  From  1873  until  1912,  Mr. 
Havens  confined  his  business  interests  to  Norwich, 
but  in  that  year,  although  retaining  his  residence  in 
Norwich,  he  established  a  branch  in  Jewett  City, 
purchasing,  outright,  the  grain  business  theretofore 
conducted  by  J.  E.  Leonard  &  Son,  of  that  place. 
Mr.   Havens   admitted   his   son,  Carleton   H.,  to  the 

N.L.— 2.10. 


business  as  his  assistant  and  partner,  under  the  firm 
name,  Jewett  City  Grain  Company,  Inc.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  Mr.  Havens  had  become  a  power  in  the 
grain  trade  of  the  county,  and  his  passing  was  keenly 
felt,  not  only  by  his  associates  and  employees,  but 
by  his  contemporaries  throughout  a  wide  region. 
The  passing  of  such  a  man  is  always  a  source  of 
deep  regret,  and  to  the  people  who  knew  and  es- 
teemed him,  the  name  of  George  Randall  Havens 
will  long  be  a  sacred  memory. 

Mr.  Havens  married  (first)  Carrie  A.  Harding, 
who  died  December  3,  1914.  They  were  the  parents 
of  two  children:  Grace,  who  died  in  infancy;  and 
Carleton  Harding,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows.  Mr. 
Havens  married  (second)  October  7,  1918,  Mabel 
Allyn  Fox,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  daughter  of 
Joel  and  Addie  (Woodmansee)  Fox,  of  Montville, 
Connecticut. 


CARLETON      HARDING      HAVENS— Trained 

from  youth  in  the  best  school  of  business  ethics  by 
his  capable  father,  Carleton  H.  Havens,  as  his 
father's  successor,  has  found  no  occasion  to  depart 
from  the  lines  laid  down  for  him  to  follow,  but  as 
time  and  occasion  have  demanded,  has  enlarged  and 
expanded  those  lines  to  conform  to  modern  require- 
ments and  opportunities.  At  the  age  of  nineteen, 
he  entered  the  business  of  the  Jewett  City  Grain 
Company,  Inc.,  and  six  years  later  succeeded  to  the 
management  of  the  business,  under  the  firm  name, 
Havens  &  Son.  He  is  one  of  the  largest  grain  deal- 
ers of  Eastern  Connecticut,  the  main  business  being 
located  in  Jewett  City,  with  a  branch  store  in  Plain- 
field,  Connecticut. 

Carleton  Harding  Havens,  only  son  of  George 
Randall  and  Carrie  A.  (Harding)  Havens  (q.  v.),  was 
born  January  29,  1893,  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  Norwich  Free  Academy,  graduating  with 
the  class  of  1912.  He  grew  up  under  the  business 
training  of  his  honored  father,  became  a  partner  in 
the  Jewett  City  Grain  Company,  and  when  the  head 
of  that  firm  passed  away,  his  son  succeeded  him  in 
the  Jewett  City  business,  and  yet  conducts  it  in 
association  with  Mabel  A.  (Fox)  Havens,  his  step- 
mother under  the  firm  name.  Havens  &  Son,  and 
along  the  lines  which  brought  success  to  the  founder. 
Modern  methods  prevail,  and  modern  equipment 
alone  is  in  use  in  the  business,  the  scope  of  which 
has  been  greatly  broadened.  In  January,  1921, 
Havens  &  Son  opened  a  branch  of  their  grain  busi- 
ness in  Plainfield,  Connecticut. 

Mr.  Havens,  a  man  of  character  and  force,  suc- 
cessful in  business,  and  highly  esteemed  in  his  com- 
munity, has  many  interests  outside  his  business.   He 


146 


NEW  IX)NDON  COUNTY 


is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  affiliating  with 
Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
Franklin  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin 
Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  and  Columbian 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  and  he  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  Mason  of  the  Connecticut  Consistory, 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Valley  of  Norwich; 
a  noble  of  the  Sphinx  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Hartford.  He  is 
also  an  Odd  Fellow,  being  a  member  of  Uncas 
Lodge,  No.  II,  of  Norwich;  a  Knight  of  Pythias, 
member  of  LTndaunted  Lodge,  Jewett  City;  member 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Arcanum  and  the 
Masonic  Clubs  of  Norwich;  and  the  Sphinx  Club, 
of  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

During  the  World  War,  1917-18,  between  the 
United  States  and  Germany,  Mr.  Havens  served  in 
the  United  States  navy,  from  April  7,  1918,  until 
honorably  discharged  at  New  London,  Connecticut, 
December  14,  1918,  rating  as  machinist's  mate  of  the 
second-class.  Part  of  his  service  was  at  New  Lon- 
don, but  later  he  was  transferred  to  the  submarine 
chaser  No.  132,  and  then  to  the  submarine  patrol 
boat.  No.  327.  While  on  No.  132,  chasing  a  German 
submarine  off  the  coast  of  Virginia,  on  June  4,  1918, 
a  United  States  cruiser  cut  the  little  craft  in  half, 
the  crew  of  No.  132  all  escaping  with  their  lives,  but 
with  cuts  and  bruises  and  the  loss  of  all  their  per- 
sonal belongings.  At  the  time  of  the  collision,  Mr. 
Havens  was  on  duty  in  the  engine  room  of  the 
chaser.  Mr.  Havens  is  a  member  of  Orville  La 
Flamme  Post,  American  Legion,  of  Jewett  City;  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Broad- 
way Congregational  Church.  His  fraternity  is 
Epsilon   Upsilon,   Norwich    Free   Academy   Chapter. 


GEORGE  BOARDMAN— With  the  passing  of 
George  Boardman  his  many  friends  lost  a  striking 
example  of  lofty  faith  and  dauntless  courage,  tried 
by  years  of  suffering,  and  the  town  of  Griswold, 
Connecticut,  lost  a  citizen  who  held  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  public  at  heart,  although  for  many  years 
denied  active  participation  in  the  affairs  of  the 
town. 

(I)  Mr.  Boardman  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
very  old  Colonial  families.  The  name  was  originally 
Boreman,  and  Thomas  Boreman,  immigrant  ances- 
tor of  this  family,  came  from  Claydon,  England, 
where  he  was  baptized  October  18,  1601.  No  record 
has  been  found  of  his  whereabouts  before  that  date. 
He  was  a  cooper  by  trade.  His  wife's  Christian 
name  was  Margaret.  He  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts. 

(H)  Daniel  Boreman,  or  Boardman,  the  form  of 
name  having  been  changed  soon  after  the  establish- 


ment of  the  family  in  America,  was  a  son  of  Thomas 
Boreman.  He  was  born  January  20,  1639,  and  died 
in  Topsfield,  Essex  county,  Massachusetts,  April  27, 
1708.  Old  records  show  that  he  was  selectman  of 
the  town  of  Topsfield  from  1668  to  1673.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  Hutchinson,  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Alice    (Bosworth)    Hutchinson. 

(HI)  Wait  John  Boardman,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Hannah  (Hutchinson)  Boreman,  or  Boardman,  was 
born  in  Topsfield,  Massachusetts,  August  23,  1676, 
and  died  February  2,  1739.  He  came  to  Connecticut 
about  1710,  and  settled  in  Preston,  now  Griswold. 
Here  he  married.  May  4,  1713,  Mary  Billings,  who 
was  born  April  24,  1689.  Wait  John  Boardman 
dropped  his  first  name  here,  and  appears  in  all  the 
town  records  as  John. 

(IV)  Captain  Joseph  Boardman,  son  of  (Wait) 
John  and  Mary  (Billings)  Boardman,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Preston,  Connecticut,  on  the  Boardman 
farm,  October  20,  1722.  He  was  a  captain  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and  some  of  his  sons  were  in 
his  company.  He  died  September  23,  1796.  He 
married  Rachael  Killam,  who  was  born  February 
8,  1749,  and  died  May  19,  1809. 

(V)  Hezekiah  Boardman,  son  of  Captain  Joseph 
and  Rachael  (Killam)  Boardman,  was  born  at  the 
old  Boardman  Homestead,  which  he  farmed  all  his 
life,  and  died  November  6,  1827.  He  married, 
October  6,  1783,  Hannah  Cook,  who  was  born  June 
19,   1760,  and  died  January  30,  1838. 

(VI)  Hezekiah  (2)  Boardman,  son  of  Hezekiah 
(i)  and  Hannah  (Cook)  Boardman,  was  born  in 
the  Boardman  Homestead,  February  25,  1801.  This 
was  still  in  the  town  of  Preston,  but  in  that  section 
which  was  set  off  in  1818  to  form  the  town  of  Gris- 
wold. He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  strength  and 
vitality,  never  ill  a  day  in  his  life  until  three  weeks 
before  his  death,  which  occurred  April  24,  1890.  He 
conducted  the  old  farm  all  his  life,  and  was  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  community.  He  married 
Frances  Maria  Prentice,  February  20,  1831.  She  was 
born  in  Pachaug,  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  March 
5,  1809,  and  died  on  the  Boardman  farm,  January 
29    1896. 

(VII)  George  Boardman,  v.'hose  noble  life  will 
long  be  an  inspiration  to  those  who  knew  him,  vras 
born  in  the  old  Homestead,  April  6,  1846,  son  of 
Hezekiah  (2)  and  Frances  Maria  (Prentice)  Board- 
man.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  neighborhood,  and  assisted  with  the 
farm  work  until  his  father's  death  in  1890.  At  that 
time  he  and  his  brother  Joseph  Boardman,  inherited 
the  farm,  and  they  continued  in  partnership.  When 
his  brother  died,  in  1897,  Mr.  Boardman  purchased 
from  his  widow  the  brother's  share  of  the  property 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


147 


and  tried  to  continue  operations  alone.  He  was, 
however,  seriously  handicapped  by  increasing  ill 
health,  due  to  rheumatism,  and  in  1899  gave  up  the 
unequal  struggle.  He  sold  the  greater  part  of  the 
farm,  which  had  been  in  the  family  for  nearly  two 
hundred  years,  to  Mrs.  Laura  Button,  wife  of  Ray 
Button,  and  retired  from  all  participation  in  active 
work.  He  lived  in  a  house  on  the  same  farm,  which 
ho  reserved  for  his  home,  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  there.  This  was  the  house  to  which  he 
brought  his  bride  nearly  fifty  years  before,  and  she 
still  resides  there. 

For  forty  years  Mr.  Boardman  was  an  invalid, 
suffering  with  rheumatism.  But  he  bore  up  under 
his  sufferings  with  the  most  sublime  courage  and 
patience.  His  mental  capacity  was  very  fine,  and  he 
spent  many  hours  in  reading  and  study,  being  partic- 
ularly interested  in  historical  and  biographical  topics, 
and  in  keeping  records  of  various  kinds.  During  his 
more  active  years  Mr.  Boardman  was  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  public  affairs  of  the  town.  State  and 
Nation.  By  political  choice  he  was  a  Democrat,  and 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  party  in  this  section. 
He  was  elected  town  representative  to  the  State 
Legislature  of  1878-79,  the  year  in  which  the  Capital 
of  the  State  of  Connecticut  was  changed  from  New 
Haven  to  Hartford.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first 
session  which  met  in  the  new  Capitol  building  in 
Hartford. 

Mr.  Boardman  married,  September  i,  1868,  at 
Pachaug,  Phebe  Esther  Lillibridge,  daug'hter  of 
Nathan  B.  and  Lucinda  (Douglas)  Lillibridge.  Mrs. 
Boardman's  father  was  born  in  Exeter,  Rhode 
Island,  and  her  mother  was  born  in  Voluntown, 
Connecticut.  Mrs.  Boardman  still  survives  her  hus- 
band.   She  was  born  May  16,  1850. 

On  July  8,  1918,  George  Boardman  was  released 
from  his  sufferings,  passing  out  of  human  ken  into 
the  Great  Beyond.  A  man  of  usefulness,  courage 
and  dignity,  he  will  long  hold  a  place  of  honor  in 
the  memory  of  his  friends. 


HAROLD  THOMAS  ROBINSON,  one  of  the 
prominent  young  men  in  the  social  and  business 
world  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  comes  of  an  old 
New  England  family  represented  in  Norwich  for 
many  years.  His  grandfather,  Thomas  B.  Robinson, 
was  born  in  Portland,  Maine.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation there  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  then 
came  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  a  young  man.  He 
worked  as  a  tool-maker  in  the  railroad  shops;  and 
later  conducted  a  bakery,  continuing  in  that  business 
until  his  death  in  Norwich,  in  1905.  He  married 
Maria  D.  Quinn,  who  was  born  in  New  Brunswick, 
and    now    resides    in    Norwich    with    her    grandson. 


Their  only  child  was  Thomas  Arthur  Robinson,  of 
whom  further. 

Thomas  Arthur  Robinson  was  a  long  and  well 
known  and  well  loved  figure  in  Norwich,  the  city  of 
his  birth.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
learned  the  printer's  trade,  but  later  conducted  a 
cigar  store  for  many  years.  This  store  was  not 
merely  a  place  where  tobacco  was  sold,  but  was  a 
meeting  place  where  intelligent,  congenial  men  dis- 
cussed the  questions  of  the  day,  and  met  the  cordial 
friendliness  of  its  proprietor  with  a  feeling  that 
ripened  to  the  warmest  friendship.  Vital  issues  were 
often  the  subject  of  conversation,  and  from  this 
club-like  atmosphere  radiated  a  spirit  of  fidelity  to 
high  ideals  of  citizenship  which  has  helped  to  make 
Norwich  a  secure  and  tranquil  city  of  homes.  Mr. 
Robinson  was  a  Democrat,  but  so  wide  was  his 
popularity  and  in  such  deep  regard  was  he  held  by 
all  the  people  that  for  a  period  of  about  nineteen 
years  his  name  appeared  on  both  the  Democratic 
and  Republican  tickets  at  every  election.  In  June, 
1898,  he  was  elected  tax  collector  and  held  that  posi- 
tion up  to  the  date  of  his  death.  May  9,  1920.  He 
married  Frances  R.  Mather,  and  they  had  two  sons: 
Arthur  Frederick,  who  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  Uni- 
versity, A.  B.,  and  a  law  student  in  the  offices  of 
William  H.  Shields,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut;  he 
did  not  practice  law,  but  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Monson  Steamship  Company  of  New  York  City, 
and  there  died.  May  24,  1913;  and  Harold  Thomas, 
of  whom  further. 

Harold  Thomas  Robinson  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  September  17,  1894.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  Norwich  Free  Academy, 
completing  his  studies  at  the  academy  with  the 
graduating  class  of  1914.  He  began  his  career  as  a 
reporter  on  the  Norwich  "Bulletin,"  a  work  which 
was  interrupted  by  the  part  he  took  in  the  World 
War.  Mr.  Robinson  enlisted,  April  3,  1917,  in  the 
5th  Company,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  Connecticut 
National  Guard,  this  company  being  assigned  to 
Fort  Terry,  New  York.  There  the  company  was 
reorganized  and  designated  Company  Coast  Defense 
of  Long  Island  Sound  and  later  as  Battery  D,  56th 
Regiment,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  U.  S.  A.,  Private 
Robinson  being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant. 
He  sailed  with  Battery  D  from  New  York  City, 
March  28,  1918,  and  in  due  time  arrived  in  France. 
Shortly  afterward  Sergeant  Robinson  was  detached 
from  his  battery  and  assigned  to  duty  as  instructor 
of  tractor  artillery  at  Clermont  Fcrand,  France.  He 
was  on  duty  at  that  station  continuously  until  after 
the  signing  of  the  armistice.  He  sailed  from  France 
January  26,  1919,  and  arrived  in  New  York  February 
9th,  following.     He  was  honorably  discharged  from 


148 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


the  service  and  mustered  out  at  Camp  Devens,  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1919.  He  at  once  returned  to  Norwich, 
where  he  worked  in  a  garage  for  a  short  period. 

On  January  9,  1920,  Mr.  Robinson  was  elected  tax 
collector  for  the  city  of  Norwich,  succeeding  his 
father  who  had  filled  the  office  for  nearly  two 
decades.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  like  his 
father  he  numbers  his  friends  in  both  parties.  He 
is  a  charter  member  of  the  Robert  O.  Fletcher  Post 
of  the  American  Legion,  Norwich,  and  was  the  post's 
first  adjutant. 

Mr.  Robinson  is  a  member  of  Somerset  Lodge, 
No.  34,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Council,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters;  Columbian  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  Connecticut  Consistory,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  and  he  is  a  noble  of  Sphinx 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Hartford,  Connectcut.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Norwich  Lodge,  No.  430,  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  of  the  Arcanum  Club. 
The  family  have  long  been  attendants  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 


EDWARD  AUGUSTUS   BISHOP— Broadly  and 

constructively  active  in  the  business  interests  of  the 
town  of  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  Edward  Augustus 
Bishop  is  a  leader  also  in  the  public  affairs  of  the 
community. 

Mr.  Bishop  is  a  son  of  James  and  Olive  Adelia 
(Parker)  Bishop.  The  elder  Mr.  Bishop  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Lisbon,  New  London  county,  near 
Versailles.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  Versailles,  then  as  a  young  man,  worked 
in  the  capacity  of  clerk  in  Haskell's  hat  store,  Nor- 
wich. His  health,  however,  soon  forbade  the  con- 
tinuation of  indoor  activities,  and  Mr.  Bishop  looked 
about  for  a  home  in  the  country.  Deciding  upon  a 
farm  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town  of  Bozrah,  he 
purchased  it.  This  was  in  1866.  It  was  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  be  conducted 
quite  extensive  farming  operations  on  this  place 
until  he  died,  November  27,  1897.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  character,  much  esteemed  by  the  townspeople, 
was  for  several  years  town  clerk  of  Bozrah,  and  was 
also  elected  town  representative  of  Bozrah  in  the 
State  Legislature.  His  wife  was  born  in  Bozrah, 
and  now  resides  on  the  old  home  farm.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  children,  all  born  on  this  farm: 
I.  Edward  Augustus,  of  whom  extended  mention 
follows.  2.  Samuel  Howard,  now  in  the  grocery 
business,  married  Mae  Jones,  of  Yantic,  Norwich- 
town.  3.  Alice  Adams,  who  resides  at  home,  and 
has  become  a  local  celebrity  through  her  ability  as 
a  school  teacher,  and  her  invariable  custom  of  open- 


ing her  school  with  absolute  promptness  in  all  kinds 
of  weather,  never  daunted  by  the  heaviest  snows. 

Edward  Augustus  Bishop  was  born  in  the  town 
o^  Bozrah  on  the  present  home  farm,  July  27,  1870. 
He  received  a  practical  education  in  the  district 
schools,  and  later  became  a  skilled  stone  mason, 
doing  a  great  deal  of  contract  work  along  this  line. 
He  has  always  lived  on  the  home  place,  and  upon  the 
death  of  his  father  took  charge  of  the  farming  opera- 
tions, although  he  still  did  a  considerable  amount 
of  contracting  also.  Besides  doing  general  farming, 
he  raises  fine  stock  and  does  an  important  dairy 
business. 

Mr.  Bishop  has  long  been  recognized  in  Bozrah 
as  a  man  of  unusual  ability,  and  has  been  and  still 
is  connected  with  various  public  interests.  He  is  a 
charter  member  of  the  Bozrah  Grange,  is  past  master 
of  the  organization,  and  an  enthusiastic  worker  for 
its  success.  He  was  for  some  time  highway  com- 
missioner of  the  town.  His  political  affiliation  is 
with  the  prohibition  party,  and  he  has  always  been 
a  tireless  advocate  of  the  cause  of  Prohibition.  He 
is  a  member  of  Shetucket  Lodge,  No.  27,  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Mr.  Bishop  married,  June  4,  1913,  in  Colchester, 
Lena  Hinks,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Coal- 
beck)  Hinks.  Mrs.  Bishop  was  born  in  Branford, 
Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop  are  prominent 
member  of  the  Bozrah  Congregational  Church,  of 
which  Mr.  Bishop  has  been  a  deacon  for  twenty 
years. 


WHEELER  FAMILY— The  Wheelers  of  this  re- 
view descend  from  Thomas  Wheeler,  who  first  ap- 
peared in  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  in  1635.  After  leav- 
ing the  Massachusetts  Colony  in  1667,  he  came  to 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  his  friendship  for  Rev. 
James  Noyes  probably  influencing  his  change  of 
residence.  He  was  representative  to  the  General 
Court  in  1673,  and  was  one  of  the  nine  original  mem- 
bers and  organizers  of  the  first  Congregational 
church  of  Stonington,  "The  Road  Church."  He 
erected  his  home  in  North  Stonington,  and  there  died, 
March  6,  1686.  Descendants  are  numerous  in  New 
London  county,  and  Wheelers  have  ever  been  lead- 
ers in  agriculture,  business  and  the  profession.  This 
review  deals  with  a  representative  of  the  ninth  gen- 
eration, Ralph  Cooper  Wheeler,  and  his  father,  Silas 
Burrows  Wheeler,  grandson  and  son  of  Hiram 
Worthington  Wheeler,  son  of  Silas  Wheeler  and  his 
wife,  Mary  (Thompson)  Wheeler.  Silas  Wheeler 
was  a  son  of  Richard  Wheeler,  a  descendant  of 
Thomas  Wheeler,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  Con- 
necticut. The  Wheeler  homestead  farm,  where  all 
these  people  were  born,  is  now  the  home  of  Silas 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


MO 


Burrows  Wheeler,  the  house  in  which  he  lives  hav- 
ing been  built  in  1870.  The  original  residence,  built 
on  the  Wheeler  farm,  was  built  in  1680  by  Captain 
John  Gallup,  who  owned  the  land  at  that  time,  it 
being  granted  to  him  by  the  King  of  England  as  a 
reward  for  his  service  to  the  crown  during  the  Indian 
Wars.  Captain  John  Gallup  built  this  residence  for 
his  son,  Ben  Adam  Gallup,  who  began  farming  part 
of  the  tract.  This  residence  served  as  the  Wheeler 
home  until  1870,  when  Silas  B.  Wheeler  built  the 
present  Wheeler  residence  on  the  farm.  In  1895 
Mr.  Wheeler  demolished  the  old  house,  and  now 
nothing  remains  but  part  of  the  original  chimney. 

For  nearly  half  a  century  Silas  B.  Wheeler  has 
been  identified  with  the  schools  of  the  town  of  Ston- 
ington,  all  of  his  years,  seventy-six,  the  old  Wheeler 
homestead  in  the  Pequotsepos  Valley  in  the  same 
town,  has  been  his  home.  He  is  a  son  of  Hiram 
W^orthington  and  Mary  (Burrows)  W'heelcr,  his 
father  also  born  on  the  homestead.  Hiram  W.  and 
Mary  (Burrows)  Wheeler  were  the  parents  of  five 
children:  I.  Hiram  Worthington,  Jr.,  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  who  took  up  a  tract  of  land  in  Minnesota, 
under  the  Homestead  Act,  and  was  accidentally 
drowned  there.  2.  Samuel  Arnold,  a  superintendent, 
in  charge  of  the  road  bed  of  that  section  of  the  New 
York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  railroad,  between 
New  London,  Connecticut,  and  Providence,  Rhode 
Island,  now  deceased.  3.  Ralph,  born  May  14,  1843, 
judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecticut,  died 
February  14,  1913,  in  New  London;  he  was  a  gradu- 
ate of  Yale  College,  class  of  1864,  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  New  London  county,  1867,  elected  member  of 
the  Board  of  Education  of  the  city  of  New  London, 
1868,  common  councilman,  1869,  state  senator,  1874, 
mayor  of  New  London,  1891-93,  associate  judge  of 
Superior  Court,  1893  until  his  death.  Judge  Wheeler 
married,  February  28,  1884,  Mrs.  Helen  M.  Graves, 
of  Kennebunk,  Maine;  she  survived  her  husband  until 
December  1919.  4.  Silas  Burrows,  of  further  men- 
tion. 5.  Mary  Augusta,  now  living  with  her  brother, 
Silas  Burrows,  on  the  homestead,  they  the  last  sur- 
vivors of  their  immediate  family. 

Silas  Burrows  Wheeler  was  born  on  the  home- 
stead in  Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connecti- 
cut, June  25,  1845.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  district 
schools,  and  Mystic  River  Academy,  intending  to 
enter  college.  He  was  unable  to  provide  funds  for 
a  college  education,  so  abandoned  that  ambition  and 
became  a  district  public  school  teacher.  His  first 
position  was  as  teacher  of  the  Williams  district 
school,  twenty-five  scholars  attending  that  school, 
his  remuneration  being  sixteen  dollars  monthly,  in 
addition  to  his  board,  and  every  alternate  Saturday 


school  was  open  as  usual.  For  twenty-eight  years 
Mr.  Wheeler  taught  school,  mostly  in  the  town  of 
Stonington,  and  during  all  that  period  retained  his 
residence  on  the  old  homestead.  He  taught  his  first 
school  in  1862,  his  last  in  1890.  IJuring  all  those 
years  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  After  the 
death  of  Hiram  W.  Wheeler,  the  homestead  became 
the  property  of  Silas  B.  Wheeler,  who  yet  makes  it 
his  home  and  its  management  his  business. 

For  forty  years,  1875-1915,  Mr.  Wheeler  was  a 
member  of  the  School  Board  of  his  town,  and  has 
never  lost  any  of  his  interest  in  the  cause  of  public 
education.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  in  1889 
was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in  the  State 
Legislature,  serving  two  terms.  He  has  also  served 
his  town  as  assessor,  member  of  the  Board  of  Relief, 
and  justice  of  the  peace.  In  religion  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church. 

Silas  B.  Wheeler  married,  in  Centerville,  Rhode 
Island,  September  3,  1872,  Mary  Abbic  Cooper,  born 
in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 
and  Abbic  Ann  (Carpenter)  Cooper,  her  father  born 
in  Leeds,  England,  her  mother  in  Woodstock,  Con- 
necticut. Rev.  John  Cooper  was  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Old  Mystic,  and  served  many  other  charges.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wheeler  are  the  parents  of  four  children, 
all  born  on  the  homestead,  in  the  town  of  Stoning- 
ton: Edna  May,  wife  of  Orson  C.  Pulver,  of  Hills- 
dale, New  York;  Ralph  Cooper,  of  whom  further; 
Richard  Worthington,  died  at  the  age  of  three  years; 
Helen  Louise,  wife  of  George  L.  Dcnison  oi  Ston- 
ington. 

Ralph  Cooper  Wheeler,  son  of  Silas  Burrows  and 
Mary  Abbie  (Cooper)  Wheeler,  was  born  on  the  old 
Wheeler  homestead  in  the  Pequotsepos  Valley,  town 
of  Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
November  5,  1876.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  district.  Mystic  Valley  Institute,  Wes- 
leyan  Academy,  Wilbraham,  Massachusetts;  and 
Connecticut  Literary  Institute,  Suflield,  Connecticut, 
finishing  his  studies  at  the  last-named  institution. 
After  leaving  the  Institute,  he  engaged  in  farming 
for  his  own  interests,  working  a  rented  farm  for 
four  years  and  making  it  a  profitable  enterprise.  In 
1904  he  bought  the  old  James  A.  Lord  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  acres,  near  Road  Church, 
in  the  town  of  Stonington,  and  there  yet  continues 
(1921),  prosperous  and  contented.  From  time  to 
time  he  has  added  improvements  until  he  has  made 
his  farm  over  quite  completely,  its  barns  and  build- 
ings being  greatly  enlarged,  and  all  departments  of 
his  business  conducted  on  strictly  modern  lines.  He 
is  a  well-known  breeder  of  fine  cattle,  stock  raising 
being  his  specialty,  and  his  Ayrshircs  have  been  con- 
sistent prize  winners  at  New  London  county  fairi. 


ISO 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


In  politics  Mr.  Wheeler  is  a  Democrat,  now  serv- 
ing as  supervisor  of  highways  for  the  town  of  Ston- 
ington.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Stonington 
Grange,  No.  i68.  Patrons  of  Husbandry;  in  1920  was 
elected  its  master,  and  in  1921  re-elected.  Mrs. 
Wheeler  is  also  a  charter  member  of  the  same 
Grange,  and  both  are  members  of  the  National 
Grange,  and  hold  the  seventh  degree,  the  highest 
honor  of  this,  the  greatest  of  all  farmers'  organi- 
zations. 

Mr.  Wheeler  married,  in  Mystic,  Connecticut,  June 
22,  1898,  Carrie  Merritt,  born  in  Groton,  Connecticut, 
daughter  of  Francis  Edwin  and  Abbie  Ella  (Crouch) 
Merritt,  her   father  born   in   North   Stonington,  her 
mother  in  Groton,  where  she  is  yet  living.     Children 
of   Ralph  C.   and   Carrie  Wheeler:   I.   Ralph   C,  Jr., 
born  in   Groton,   January  30.  1900;   graduated  from 
Stonington    High    School,    now    his    father's    farm 
assistant.     2.   Marian   Merritt,   born   in   Stonington, 
November  23,  1902;  graduated  from  Stonington  High 
School,    1918;    graduated    from    Eastman's    Business 
College,    Poughkeepsie,    New    York,     1919;     taught 
school  in  Columbia  county,  1920,  now  school  teacher 
in    Road    District    School,   Stonington,    Connecticut. 
3    Carrie  Marie,  born  in  Stonington,  March  3,  1904; 
graduated  from  Stonington  High  School,  now  school 
teacher  in  Taugwank  School,  Stonington,  Connecti- 
cut.    4.  Richard  Burrows,  born  in  Stonington,   Feb- 
ruary 3,  1905;  a  student  in  Stonington  High  School. 


WILLIAM     THOMAS     DRISCOLL,     M.D.    -- 

When  Dr.  Driscoll  located  in  Norwich,  Connecti- 
cut, and  offered  his  services  as  a  physician,  he  did 
not  come  as  a  stranger,  but  rather  as  one  returning 
to  an  old  home,  for  Jewett  City,  his  boyhood  home, 
is  but  nine  miles  north  of  Norwich  and  he  was  for 
two  years  a  student  in  Norwich  Free  Academy.  He 
has  now  been  a  resident  of  the  city  since  1914.  has 
become  thoroughly  identified  with  the  progressive 
element  of  his  city,  and  as  physician  and  citizen 
has  won  public  confidence. 

Timothy  Driscoll,  father  of  Dr.  Driscoll,  was  born 
in  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  and  obtained  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Jewett  City,  after  which  he 
worked  as  a  stone  cutter  for  a  few  years.  In  1880 
he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  with  W.  A.  Slater 
of  Jewett  City,  subsequently  becoming  manager  of 
the  grocery  department,  which  position  he  held  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  March  I,  I91S-  He  married, 
Margaret  Shea,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children, 
of  whom  William  Thomas,  mentioned  below,  is  the 

eldest. 

William  Thomas  Driscoll  was  born  at  Jewett  City, 
Connecticut,  July  24,  1886,  and  received  his  pre- 
paratory education  in  the  public  schools  of  Jewett 


City.     Then   followed   two   years   at   Norwich   Free 
Academy,  after  which  he  entered  Anselm's  College, 
Manchester,   New   Hampshire,   where   he    completed 
the  prescribed  course  in  pharmacy  in  1905,  and  was 
placed  in  charge  of  Herrick's  Drug  Store.     In  1908 
he   matriculated   at   the   College    of   Physicians   and 
Surgeons,  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  was  graduated 
from    that    institution    M.    D.,    class    of    1912.      For 
eighteen  months  following  graduation.  Dr.  Driscoll 
was  resident  physician  at  St.  Mary's  Hospital,  New 
York   City,   then   chose   Norwich   as   a   location   and 
began    practicing   there   in   1914.     Seven   years   have 
since    elapsed   and    those    years    have   brought    him 
respect  and  appreciation,  as  well  as  a  satisfactory 
practice.    He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  the  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society, 
and  the  New  London  County  Medical  Society.     He 
holds  the  esteem  of  his  brethren  of  the  profession, 
and  has  gained  a  secure  position  among  the  city's 
younger  physicians. 

In  1917  Dr.  Driscoll  was  commissioned  first  lieu- 
tenant in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United  States 
army  and  was  called  for  service  in  February,  1918, 
being  assigned  to  the  Base  Hospital  at  Camp  Shel- 
den,  Mississippi.  In  November,  1918,  he  sailed  for 
France  and  was  assigned  to  Base  Hospital  No.  91. 
He  was  commissioned  captain  in  January,  1919,  and 
returned  to  the  United  States  in  July,  following, 
receiving  honorable  discharge  July  10,  1919. 

Politically,  Dr.  Driscoll  is  an  Independent;  is  af- 
filiated with  White  Cross  Council,  Knights  of  Col- 
umbus; with  the  Foresters  of  America;  and  Robert 
O.  Fletcher  Post,  American  Legion.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  Driscoll  married,  June  25,  1918,  Isabel  M. 
Murphy,  daughter  of  Timothy  C.  Murphy,  mention 
of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


\ 


WILLIAM    PALMER    HOLMES— In    Griswold, 
Connecticut,  the  name  of  Holmes  has  for  well  over 
a  hundred  years  been  prominently  identified  with  all 
that  was  progressive  in  public  activity  and  private 
enterprise.     William    Palmer    Holmes,    the    present 
representative   of   this    family   name,    is    now    doing 
an  extensive  business  in  farm  and  automobile  equip- 
ment, and  is  a  leader  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  town. 
Bartlett   Holmes,   grandfather   of  William   Palmer 
Holmes,  was  born  in  Griswold,  and  became  a  man 
of  somewhat  more  than  local  renown.    He  conducted 
large  farming  operations,  and  was  very  prominent  in 
his   day,  and  most  highly  esteemed  by   the   towns- 
people.    He   was   a   captain   in   the   militia,   and   his 
farm  is  still  known  as  the   Bartlett  Holmes  Home- 
stead.   It  is  beautifully  situated  between  the  villages 
of  Bethel  and  Pachaug. 


BIOr,R,\PHICAL 


IS' 


George  Nelson  Holmes,  son  of  Bartlett  Holmes, 
was  born  in  this  house,  and  rcceivcil  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  the  town.  After  completing  his 
studies,  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the 
farm  until  his  marriage,  immediately  thereafter  going 
to  the  Douglas  farm,  near  Hopeville,  which  he  occu- 
pied for  several  years.  He  then  purchased  the 
Captain  Boardman  farm  in  the  village  of  Pachaug, 
removing  there  in  :88o,  and  conducting  this  farm 
until  his  death,  about  1901.  He  was  considered  one 
of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  time  in  this  section, 
was  a  tireless  worker,  and  never  idle.  He  brought 
up  a  large  family,  those  who  came  to  maturity  taking 
positions  of  honor  and  respect  in  the  community. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  was 
honored  by  election  to  many  difTcrcnt  town  offices, 
in  which  his  excellent  judgment  and  wise  administra- 
tion well  served  the  public. 

Mr.  Holmes  married  Amanda  Palmer,  who  was 
born  in  Rhode  Island,  and  died  at  the  Douglas  farm 
when  William,  the  youngest  child,  was  only  eighteen 
months  old.  George  Nelson  and  Amanda  (Palmer) 
Holmes  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  four 
of  whom  are  now  living:  i.  Asher  Bartlett,  a  mer- 
chant in  the  line  of  paints,  oils,  etc.,  in  VVillimantic, 
Connecticut;  he  married  Helen  Murdock,  of  Tolland 
county,  Connecticut.  2.  Louisa,  the  wife  of  Robert 
Sherman,  of  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island,  who  died, 
leaving  her  v/ith  two  children.  3.  Sarah  Amanda, 
widow  of  Captain  James  B.  Howard,  of  Niantic, 
Connecticut,  and  mother  of  two  children.  4.  William 
Palmer,  whose  life  is  reviewed  herewith. 

William  Palmer  Holmes  was  born  in  the  village 
of  Hopeville,  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  on  May  19, 
1865.  He  attended  the  district  schools  of  Pachaug, 
then  later  went  to  Willimantic  and  learned  teleg- 
raphy. He  worked  as  operator,  first  for  the  Cen- 
tral Vermont  railroad,  at  West  Willington.  Connec- 
ticut, remaining  with  this  road  for  one  year.  He 
then  became  connected  with  the  office  of  the  Com- 
mercial Cable  Company,  at  Brockton,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  was  operator  for  twenty  years.  Resigning 
from  this  office  in  1901,  Mr.  Holmes  came  to 
Pachaug  and  bought  his  father's  farm,  the  elder 
Tnan  having  become  quite  feeble,  and  rem^.ined  on 
the  farm  until  his  wife's  death.  Shortly  after  that, 
in  1918,  he  sold  the  farm  and  purchased  the  present 
property,  then  unimproved,  in  Pachaug.  Here  he 
erected  the  buildings  in  which  he  now  carries  on 
extensive  business  operations.  He  is  engaged  in  the 
selling  of  farm  machinery  of  many  kinds,  silos, 
electric  lighting  plants,  etc.,  also  doing  a  consider- 
able business  in  automobile  supplies  and  accessories. 

Mr.  Holmes  is  widely  known,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  this  vicinity.    He 


is  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  27,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  of  Brockton,  Massachusetts,  of  which  he 
is  past  master,  and  is  an  influential  member  of 
Pachaug  Grange,  No.  96.  Politically  he  is  a  staunch 
Republican. 

On  .April  12,  1886,  Mr.  Holmes  married,  at  Willi- 
mantic, Connecticut,  Rose  Crane  Ford,  daughter  of 
Srmuiel  B.  and  Lilly  (Henry)  Ford,  both  natives  of 
Lebanon,  Connecticut,  and  farming  people  there. 
Mrs.  Holmes  was  born  in  Lebanon,  and  died  at 
Pachaug,  in  February,  1916.  Their  three  children 
are  as  follows:  I.  Harry  Ford,  who  was  born  in 
Brockton,  Massachusetts,  and  is  now  employed  by 
the  Highway  Department  of  the  city  of  Willimantic; 
he  married  Olive  Tanner,  of  Ekonk  Hill,  in  the  town 
of  Voluntown,  and  they  arc  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: Evelyn  and  George.  2.  Flora  Amanda,  who 
was  born  in  Brockton,  Massachusetts,  March  7,  1894, 
and  who  now  conducts  a  restaurant  at  Lexington, 
Massachusetts.  3.  Frank  Leroy,  v/ho  was  born  in 
Pachaug,  on  July  23,  1903.  The  family  have  always 
been  connected  with  the  Congregational  church,  and 
now  attend  the  First  Congregational  Church  of 
Pachaug. 


ALEXANDER  JORDAN— Achieving  prominence 
and  success  entirely  through  his  own  efforts,  Alex- 
ander Jordan,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  stands 
among  the  leading  merchants  of  this  city,  and  is 
well  and  favorably  known  in  social  and  fraternal 
circles. 

Mr.  Jordan  is  a  son  of  James  and  Louisa  Clem- 
entine Jordan,  long  residents  of  New  London 
county.  James  Jordan  was  born  in  the  Azores 
Islands,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  his  youth, 
locating  in  the  city  of  New  London.  He  was  a 
laboring  man,  and  also  followed  the  sea,  making 
many  long  trips  before  the  mast.  Both  he  and  his 
wife,  who  was  also  a  native  of  the  Azores  Islands, 
died  in  New  London. 

Alexander  Jordan  was  born  in  New  London, 
Connecticut,  on  March  27,  1868.  He  received  a 
practical  education  in  the  excellent  public  schools 
of  that  city,  but  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years 
entered  the  business  world.  Coming  to  Norwich, 
he  secured  employment  with  J.  C.  Worth,  a  whole- 
sale fish  and  produce  merchant,  and  it  is  the  busi- 
ness then  conducted  by  Mr.  Worth  that  Mr.  Jordan 
now  owns.  At  that  time  he  remained  with  Mr. 
V\''orth  for  a  considerable  period,  later  being  cm- 
ployed  by  O.  C.  Dimock  &  Son.  This  was  a  retail 
grocery  firm,  and  here  Mr.  Jordan  remained  for 
several  years,  buying  an  interest  in  the  business. 
His  brother,  John  Jordan,  also  bought  an  interest 
in  the  firm  of  O.  C.  Dimock  &  Son,  and  the  busi- 


152 


NEW  LXDNDON  COUNTY 


ness  was  continued  under  tlu  same  name.  At 
length  Alexander  Jordan  withdrew  from  the  firm, 
disposing  of  his  interest  to  the  original  owners. 

This  was  in  1890,  and  at  that  time  Mr.  Jordan 
again  became  associated  with  J.  C.  Worth.  He 
continued  here  as  an  employee  until  the  year  1906, 
when  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  this  business. 
Ten  years  later  Mr.  Worth  died,  and  his  son,  J.  C. 
Worth,  Jr.,  took  over  his  father's  interest  in  the 
store.  In  1918  Mr.  Jordan  purchased  the  interest 
of  J.  C.  Worth,  Jr.,  and  became  full  owner  of  the 
J.  C.  Worth  Company.  Thus  Mr.  Jordan  has  been 
continuously  associated  with  this  company  for  over 
thirty  years,  and  he  is  still  conducting  the  business 
under  the  old  name.  The  business  continues  along 
thi.  line  Oi  wholesale  produce,  and  their  market 
covers  a  broad  territory. 

Mr.  Jordan  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
the  public  affairs  of  the  city,  and  politically  affili- 
ates with  the  Democratic  party.  His  ability  was 
long  since  recognized,  and  for  four  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  of 
Norwich.  He  is  interested  in  every  phase  of  public 
v/elfare,  and  is  vice-president,  trustee,  and  director 
of  the  Norwich   Cemetery  Association. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Jordan  is  widely  connected.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Norwich  Council,  No.  720,  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  is  past  regent  of  the  order, 
having  held  this  chair  for  iwo  terms.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  White  Cross  Council,  Knights  of  Col- 
umbus, and  of  the  Norwich  Council,  No.  309,  United 
Commercial  Travelers'  Association.  Mr.  Jordan  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Arcanum  Club,  of  Norvvich. 
He  was  a  director  of  the  club  for  three  years,  vice- 
president  for  two  years,  and  is  now  (1920)  serving 
as  president  of  the  club  for  the  second   time. 

On  January  13,  1890,  Mr.  Jordan  married  Louise 
Anna  Enos,  of  Norwich,  born  in  this  city,  who  is 
a  daughter  of  Frank  P.  and  Anna  C.  (Francis) 
Enos,  both  natives  of  the  Azores  Islands.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jordan  have  three  children,  all  born  in  Nor- 
wich: I.  Ruth  Louise,  born  April  25,  1892,  and  now 
the  wife  of  Charles  V.  James,  attorney-at-law,  of 
Norwich,  they  being  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Charles  Jordan  and  Clementine  Edith.  2.  Clemen- 
tine Edith,  a  teacher  in  Spanish  and  English  in 
Bulkeley  High  School,  New  London;  she  graduated 
from  the  Norwich  public  school,  Norwich  Free 
Academy,  and  the  Connecticut  College  for  Women 
in  the  class  which  graduated  in  June,  1919.  3.  Har- 
old Alexander,  born  December  31,  1900,  who  is 
associated  with  his  father  in  business.  The  family 
are  members  of  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


CHARLES    PRENTICE    BUSHNELL— On    the 

agricultural     interests     of     the     Commonwealth     is 


founded  much  of  its  prosperity,  and  thus  on  the 
breadth  of  view  and  individual  probity  of  the  far- 
mer does  the  progress  of  the  State  and  of  the 
Nation  largely  depend.  In  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  and  during  his  all  too  brief  sojourn 
at  the  State  Capitol,  as  town  representative,  Charles 
Prentice  Bushnell,  of  Norwichtown,  has  for  many 
years  been  a  recognized  force  for  rural  as  well  as 
civic  progress. 

Mr.  Bushnell  is  a  member  of  a  very  old  New 
London  county  family.  His  grandfather,  James 
Bushnell,  was  born  on  the  family  homestead  farm 
near  Occum,  Norwichtown,  and  lived  on  the  same 
farm  all  his  life,  carrying  on  extensive  agricultural 
operations  there.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  integ- 
rity, and  highly  esteemed  in  the  community.  His 
wife  was  a  native  of  Hanover,  in  the  town  of 
Sprague,  New  London  county,  Connecticut.  Her 
people  were  the  prominent  Smith  family  of  that 
section,  owners  and  operators  of  the  mills  which 
formed  an  interesting  and  significant  chapter  in 
the  early  history  of  Hanover. 

William  Henry  Bushnell,  their  son,  was  born  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Norwichtown.  He  received  a 
practical  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the 
neighborhood,  then  as  a  young  man  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm.  After  his  marriage  he  removed 
to  Canterbury,  Connecticut,  where  he  rented  the 
Dr.  Baldwin  farm,  which  he  conducted  for  three 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  became  outside 
foreman  for  the  Shetucket  Mills,  in  charge  of  the 
Mill  Farm,  in  Norwich,  remaining  in  this  connec- 
tion for  three  years.  Then  in  1855  he  purchased 
the  present  Bushnell  farm,  the  birthplace,  and  now 
the  home  of  Charles  Prentice  Bushnell,  his  son. 
This  place  is  located  on  the  Canterbury  Turnpike, 
in  Norwichtown,  and  was  theretofore  owned  by 
Charles  Allen.  At  that  time  it  comprised  forty- 
five  acres,  and  Mr.  Bushnell  carried  on  the  place 
thus  until  1872,  when  he  added  to  his  holdings,  by 
purchase,  the  old  Eben  Lathrop  farm  adjoining. 
Removing  to  the  residence  on  the  Lathrop  farm,  he 
continued  to  conduct  the  two  places  tmtil  1884.  He 
was  then  beginning  somewhat  to  feel  the  abating 
of  strength  due  to  advancing  years,  and  he  retired 
from  the  active  management  of  the  farm  work, 
which  he  turned  over  to  his  sons,  Charles  Prentice 
and  Nathan  Stanton.  They  took  charge  of  the 
farm  from  that  time  on,  although  their  father  still 
resided  on  the  place  until  his  death,  August  4,  1908. 
William  Henry  Bushnell  was  a  kindly  old  man,  who 
held  the  genuine  regard  and  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  considered  one  of  the  most 
prominent  farmers  of  Norwichtown,  but  never  could 
be   induced   to  accept   political   honors. 

He  married  Jane  Gray  Prentice,  who  was  born  in 
Griswold,    New    London    county,    Connecticut,    and 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


IS3 


died  on  the  Buslincll  farm,  May  2S,  1912.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children:  William  Henry, 
Jr.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  months; 
Mary  Jane,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years; 
Charles  Prentice,  whose  name  heads  this  review; 
and  Nathan  Stanton,  also  a  farmer  in  Norwichtown. 

Charles  Prentice  Bushnell  was  born  on  the  Bush- 
ncU  farm,  which  he  now  owns,  December  1,  1859. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  Norwichtown,  then  attended  the  graded 
school  in  Taftvillc,  later  taking  a  special  course  in 
bookkeeping  and  language,  in  Norwich.  He  worked 
on  the  liome  farm  with  his  father  until  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of 
R.  C.  Kelley,  in  Taftville,  who  conducted  a  meat 
and  grocery  business   there  at  that  time. 

In  1884,  when  his  father  retired  from  active  work, 
Mr.  Bushnell  became  associated  with  his  brother, 
Nathan  S.  Bushnell,  in  conducting  the  old  home 
farm,  remaining  for  one  year  in  this  partnership. 
On  April  i,  1885,  he  rented  the  old  part  of  the 
Bushnell  farm,  living  in  the  old  Allen  residence. 
When  the  elder  Mr.  Bushnell  died,  the  sons  divided 
the  propertj',  a  step  which  they  could  not  bring 
themselves  to  take  as  long  as  their  father,  who  had 
brought  about  the  union  of  the  two  farms,  lived  to 
see  the  separation  of  the  property.  Charles  P. 
Bushnell  then  became  the  owner  of  the  old  home 
place,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  land, 
as  his  share  of  the  property.  He  still  owns  this 
farm,  unchanged,  but  for  the  constant  improvements 
which  have  been  made  under  his  hand.  He  does  an 
extensive  business  in  general  farming,  dairying, 
and  stock  raising,  and  the  place  is  now  a  fine,  up- 
to-date  property,  with  every  equipment  and  modern 
convenience.  Mr.  Bushnell  is  a  tireless  worker,  and 
is  exhaustively  informed  on  all  farm  topics,  a  man 
of  broad  sympathies  and  keen  interests,  alive  to 
every  phase  of  public  progress. 

It  was  but  natural  that  a  man  of  Mr.  Bushnell's 
calibre  should  be  pressed  into  the  public  service. 
He  served  as  Democratic  registrar  of  voters  in 
1884,  and  was  school  tax  collector  for  the  Wequon- 
noc  School  District  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  school  committee  for  his  district 
until  the  consolidation  of  the  districts.  He  is  now 
a  selectman  of  Norwichtown,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Selectmen  since  1913.  He  is 
afriliatcd  with   the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Bushnell  is  a  member  of  the  Norwich 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  the  Connecticut  State 
Dairymen's  Association,  and  of  the  Connecticut 
Poultry  Association,  and  is  past  master  of  the 
Norwich  Grange.  For  the  past  two  years  he  has 
been  president  of  the  New  London  County  Farm 
Bureau.     But  it   is  not   through   these   activities,   of 


a  more  or  less  local  nature,  that  Mr.  Bushnell  is 
most  widely  known.  In  1908  he  was  elected  town 
representative  to  the  Connecticut  State  Legislature, 
serving  during  the  session  of  1909-10.  His  work 
in  that  capacity  included  many  noteworthy  examples 
of  public  duty,  fearlessly  performed.  He  was  clerk 
of  the  committee  on  roads,  bridges  and  rivers. 
This  was  one  of  the  important  committees  of  the 
session,  particularly  so  to  New  London  county,  as 
the  new  bridge  at  New  London  over  the  Thames 
was  in  process  of  construction  at  that  time,  a  costly 
project  and  a  feat  of  engineering  successfully  per- 
formed. 

Mr.  Bushnell  has  led  a  busy  life,  full  of  useful 
activities,  with  little  leisure,  and  is  still  in  full 
command  of  his  many  interests.  He  has  little  time 
for  social  amenities,  and  his  only  fraternal  con- 
nection is  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, Taft  Lodge,  No.  25,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
member  since  1896,  and  is  past  master  workman. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Taftville  Congregational 
Church. 

On  February  20,  1884,  Mr.  Bushnell  married 
Helen  Emogene  Ladd,  of  Brooklyn,  Connecticut, 
who  was  born  in  Sprague,  Connecticut,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Henry  Merrill  and  Sarah  Elizabeth 
(Burdick)  Ladd.  Her  father  was  born  in  Franklin, 
Connecticut,  and  was  boss  farmer  for  the  Sprague 
Mills  for  many  years,  and  her  mother  was  a  native 
of  Plainfield,  Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bushnell 
are  the  parents  of  four  children,  all  born  in  the 
same  house  in  which  their  father  and  grandfather 
were  born:  i.  Sarah  Jane,  the  wife  of  John  P. 
Thompson,  of  Willimantic,  now  a  resident  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  who  has  one  son,  Charles  Henry. 
2.  Thomas  Henry,  who  died  in  infancy.  3.  Charles 
Edward,  associated  with  his  fatlicr  on  the  farm, 
who  served  for  nineteen  months  in  the  .Aviation 
Corps  of  the  United  States  Army  in  the  World 
War;  he  married  Ida  Reynolds,  of  Montville, 
Connecticut.  4.  Helen  Mary,  wife  of  William  C. 
Santo,  a  farmer  of  Wethersficld,  Connecticut,  who 
served  in  Battery  D,  56th  .\rtiller}-.  United  States 
Army,  in  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  in 
France,  going  through  all  the  principal  battles  of 
the  World  War. 


CASPER  KIRKNER  BAILEY,  first  selectman  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  is  a  man  of  prominence  in 
that  city,  and  has  always  lived  in  New  London 
county. 

His  father.  Perry  L.  Bailey,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  North  Stonington,  Connecticut,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  in  Preston  City,  in  the  town 
of  Preston,  Connecticut.  He  has  followed  farming 
all  his   life,  first   in   Preston,  where   he  disposed  of 


154 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


his  place  in  1885;  he  then  bought  a  farm  in  Nor- 
.wichtown,  where  he  still  lives,  although  retired 
from  active  work.  He  married  Hattie  L.  GifFord, 
and  they  had  two  children:  Casper  Kirkner  and 
Lilian.  The  daughter  now  resides  with  her  father. 
Mrs.  Bailey  died  in  1892. 

Casper  Kirkner  Bailey  was  born  in  Preston, 
Connecticut,  September  23,  1874.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norwich,  then 
shared  the  work  of  the  farm  with  his  father  for 
a  number  of  years.  At  length,  deciding  to  go  into 
business  for  himself,  he  took  the  line  for  which  his 
work  had  best  fitted  him,  and  established  a  livery 
stable  in  Norwich,  doing  in  connection  with  it  a 
great  deal  of  general  contracting.  He  made  the  start 
in  1895,  and  from  the  beginning  was  very  successful. 
With  the  advent  of  the  automobile,  and  its  con- 
stantly increasing  popularity,  the  livery  business 
became  less  important,  but  the  rapid  grov«-th  of 
the  city  made  the  contracting  branch  of  the  busi- 
ness constantly  develop  and  broaden  out  until  .t 
became  of  much  the  greater  importance  and  a  very 
profitable  interest.  In  1918  Mr.  Bailey  sold  out  the 
entire  business,  as  other  matters  dem.anded  his 
attention. 

Always  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party,  Mr. 
Bailey  has  .ong  been  a  loyal  worker  in  support  of 
its  policies  and  principles,  and  in  1913  accepted 
nomination  to  the  City  Council  and  v/as  elected  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  He  was  alderman  in  1916  and 
1917;  and  from  1915  to  the  prese.it  lime  he  has 
been  first  selectman.  This  office  he  has  filled  with 
the  greatest  efficiency,  and  finding,  during  the 
earlier  years  of  his  service,  that  he  could  not  do 
justice  to  it  and  continue  his  usual  attention  to  his 
business  interests  he  sold  out  his  business,  as  above 
stated,  in  1918,  and  has  since  given  his  entire  tiine 
to  the  duties  of  his  office. 

Mr.  Bailey  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  Norwich,  No.  430;  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Shetucket 
Lodge,  No.  27;  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias;  of  the 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  950;  of  the  .'\ncient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Somerset  Lodge,  No. 
.34;  Franklin  Chapter,  No.  3;  Franklin  Council,  No. 
4;  and  of  the  Arcanum  Club,  and  the  Rotary  Club, 
of  Norwich,  Connecticut. 

Mr.  Bailey  married  Faith  Monroe,  daughter  of 
Frank  and  Nettie  (Larkin)  Monroe,  of  Norwich, 
and  they  have  one  child,  Casper  K.,  Jr.,  born  in 
Norwich.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Fir.st 
Congregational  Churcli  of  Norwich. 


MILO  ROBERTSON  WATERS,  owner  of  a  large 
printing  establishment  at  No.  103  Broadv/ay,  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  is  numbered  among  the  most 
progressive   representatives  of  his   line   of  business. 


In  addition  to  his  identification  witli  printing  inter- 
ests, Mr.  Waters  holds  a  recognized  place  in  tlie 
business  circles  of  the  community,  and  is  active  in 
all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his 
home  city. 

Henry  M.  Waters,  father  of  Milo  R.  Waters,  was 
born  in  Hanover,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  He  was  obliged  to  go  to  work  when 
but  a  boy,  and  entered  the  woolen  mills  at  Hanover, 
later  going  to  Centcrville,  Iowa,  where  he  was 
placed  in  charge  of  a  woolen  mill,  remaining  there 
for  five  years,  when  he  returned  to  Connecticut, 
subsequently  accepting  the  position  of  superintend- 
ent of  woolen  mills  at  Coventry,  which  office  he 
held  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  married  Jane 
Robertson,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three 
children,  Milo  Robertson,  of  further  n-,ention,  being 
the  only  surviving  child. 

Milo  Robertson  Waters  was  born  in  Centerville, 
Iowa,  August  15,  1867,  where  he  lived  until  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  four  i'ears,  when  he  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Coventry,  Connect'cut,  v^herc  lie 
obtained  his  education.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he 
secured  work  in  the  Hallville  Woolen  Mill  at  Nor- 
wich, and  remained  there  for  three  years,  at  t'.:e 
end  of  which  time  he  began  an  apprenticeship  to 
the  printer's  trade  with  Frank  Utley.  After  finish- 
ing his  training  as  a  printer,  he  secured  a  position 
with  N.  B.  Hamilton,  and  was  there  engaged  when 
the  Spanish  War  broke  out.  He  enlisted  and  served 
throughout  the  war  with  Company  C,  3rd  Connec- 
ticut Regiment  of  Volunteer  Infantry.  After  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge,  he  returtied  to  Nor- 
wich and  established  himself  in  the  printing  busi- 
ness in  a  small  shop  at  No.  265  Main  street.  The 
enterprise  developed  favorably,  and  in  1907  Mr. 
Waters  moved  to  his  present  location  at  No,  103 
Broadway,  where  he  has  a  plant  equipped  with 
every  modern  device. 

.A.  Democrat  in  politics,  Mr.  Waters  has  always 
been  interested  in  public  affairs,  and  holds  decided 
views  upon  all  questions  which  come  before  the 
public  for  discussion  and  settlement.  In  1912  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of 
the  city  of  Norwich,  was  reelected  in  1914,  and  in 
1916  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Alder- 
men. He  affiliates  with  Griswold  Camp,  No.  6, 
L'nited  Spanish  War  Veterans,  having  been  camp 
adjutant  ever  since  the  camp  was  organized,  and 
with  Uncas  Lodge,  No.  ii.  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  and  of  the  Rotary  Club  of  Norwich. 

On  March  I,  1891,  Mr.  V\'aters  married  (first) 
Rachael  Alaggs,  who  died  October  15,  1899.  To 
them  was  born  one  child,  Louis  F.,  who  is  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  business;  he  married  Gladys 
Thomas,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


J  55 


Ciordon  and  Mazie.  Mr.  Waters  married  (second) 
July  29,  1905,  Myra  A.  Cochrane,  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  (Henderson)  Cochrane,  and  to  them 
were  born  two  children:  Doris  and  John  Robert. 


WILLIAM  SOULE,  M.D.— From  the  date  of  his 
graduation  from  medical  college,  in  1851,  until  his 
death  in  1900,  Dr.  William  Soule  was  engaged  in 
the  general  practice  of  medicine,  three  years  in 
Pascoag,  Rhode  Island,  and  forty-six  years  in 
Jcwctt  City,  Connecticut.  He  was  a  skilled  physi- 
cian, and  beloved  by  the  people  with  whom  he  spent 
nearly  a  half  century  in  close  and  intimate  relation. 
He  was  a  descendant  of  George  Soule,  "The  Pil- 
grim," and  a  son  of  Ivory  H.  and  Marilla  (Bing- 
ham) Soule.  Ivory  H.  Soule  was  born  in  Abington, 
Connecticut,  July  4,  1800,  and  died  in  Jcwett  City, 
Connecticut,  in  1882.  .'Kt  one  time  he  was  a  manu- 
facturer of  boots  and  shces. 

William  Soule,  eldest  of  the  four  children  of  Ivory 
H.  and  Marilla  (Bingham)  Soule,  was  born  in  Chap- 
lin, Connecticut,  August  2.4,  1827,  and  died  in 
Jewett  City,  Connecticut,  May  15,  1900.  He  passed 
through  the  public  schools  of  Chaplin,  was  a  student 
at  Woodstock  Academy,  Woodstock,  Connecticut, 
and  took  a  course  of  private  instruction  under  Rev. 
Erastus  Dickinson,  of  Woodstock.  That  completed 
his  classical  education,  and  choosing  the  profession 
of  a  physician,  he  entered  Yale  Medical  School, 
whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  class  of  1849.  He 
at  once  beg«n  practice  in  Pascoag,  Rhode  Island, 
there  continuing  until  1852,  when  he  located  in 
Hampton,  Connecticut,  and  in  1854  moved  to  Jewett 
City,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  in  general  practice 
until  his  death,  forty-six  years  later.  In  addition 
to  his  medical  practice,  Dr.  Soule  owned  and  con- 
ducted a  drug  store  in  which  he  was  succeeded  by 
his  son,  William  O.   Soule. 

Dr.  Soule  married  (first)  Harriet  A.  Hall,  who 
died  January  17,  1857,  leaving  three  children:  Mary 
E.,  George  C,  and  Delia  A.  He  married  (second) 
June  2,  1858,  Martha  P.  Chapman,  of  Voluntown, 
Connecticut,  who  died  in  Jewett  City,  February  25, 
1913,  leaving  two  children,  Carrie  E.  and  William  O. 

William  O.  Soule  was  born  in  Jewett  City,  Con- 
necticut, April  22,  1871.  He  attended  the  public 
schools,  read  medicine  under  his  father,  and  later 
attended  Baltimore  Medical  College.  He  was  his 
father's  assistant  in  the  management  of  the  drug 
business,  and  at  Dr.  William  Soule's  death  in  1900, 
the  son,  William  O.  Soule,  succeeded  to  the  busi- 
ness, which  he  sold,  March  15,  1921,  to  James  T. 
Wilbur,  and  since  then  has  led  a  retired  life  in 
Jewett  City.  He  married,  December  23,  1503,  Edith 
Richards,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut. 


HERBERT  MORGAN  LEROU— In  1902  Herbert 
Morgan  Lerou,  then  a  young  man,  came  to  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  an  experienced  pharmacist,  with 
a  pleasing  personality  and  an  ambition  to  succeed 
in  the  business  world.  Nearly  two  decades  have 
since  elapsed  and  the  young  man  is  now  the  veteran 
merchant,  his  store  on  Main  street  a  great  center 
of  business  activity.  Mr.  Lerou  is  also  the  chief 
executive  of  Norwich,  one  of  New  England's  fairest 
cities.  Business  success  invariably  follows  correct 
ni-cthods,  energy  and  ability,  and  that  Mayor  Lerou 
has  succeeded  as  a  business  man  need  not  be  dv/clt 
upon,  for  he  possessed  the  qualities  that  cannot  be 
denied.  Success  in  public  is  not  so  easily  explained, 
for  the  public  is  not  always  easy  to  please,  but 
when  convinced  that  a  man  is  their  friend,  that  he 
is  honorable,  upright  and  to  be  trusted,  he  can 
always  rely  upon  their  support.  The  feeling  the 
voters  of  Norwich  have  for  Mr.  Lerou  is  of  that 
nature,  for  he  has  proved  his  loyalty  to  the  public 
interest  in  lower  positions,  and  when  he  was  pre- 
sented for  their  consideration  as  a  candidate  for 
mayor,  they  rallied  to  his  standard,  and  though 
there  were  strong  opposing  forces,  and  party  spirit 
ran  high,  he  was  returned  the  victor  at  the  polls, 
although  the  margin  was  so  close  as  to  be  almost 
negligible.  But  it  was  victory,  and  the  presidency 
of  the  United  States  was  once  won  by  a  single  vote. 

Mayor  Lerou  is  a  son  of  Evans  M.  and  Elizabeth 
(Evans)  Lerou,  his  father  born  and  educated  in 
Paris,  France,  his  mother  in  Swansea,  South  Wales. 
Evans  M.  Lerou  came  to  tlie  United  States  when 
a  young  man,  an  expert  silversmith.  He  located  in 
East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  there  became  foreman 
in  a  leading  silver  manufacturing  establishment, 
and  died  in  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lerou  are  the 
parents  of  four  children,  this  review  following  the 
fortunes  of  their  son,  Herbert  Morgan  Lerou. 

Herbert  Morgan  Lerou  was  born  in  East  Had- 
dam, Connecticut,  March  23,  1871,  and  educated  in 
the  grade  and  high  schools  of  Meridcn.  Connecticut. 
He  entered  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  the  drug 
store  of  John  R.  Briggs,  in  Meridcn,  and  during 
the  years  employed  there  he  studied  pharmacy. 
His  next  position  was  with  C.  A.  Pelton,  a  druggist 
oi  Middletown,  Connecticut,  with  whom  he  remained 
several  years.  There  he  continued  his  studies,  and 
in  1S94  he  passed  the  examinations  of  the  State 
Board  of  Pharmacy  and  was  listed  as  a  registered 
pharmacist.  With  that  dignity  he  located  in  Spring- 
field, Massachusetts,  where  he  was  pharmacist  with 
the  N.  F.  Wheeler  Company  for  eight  years.  He 
rose  high  in  his  profession,  improved  his  oppor- 
tunities, accumulated  some  capital,  and  with  the 
confidence  of  youth,  and  strong  in  his  belief  in  I'.is 
own  ability,  he  came  to  Norwich  in  1902  and  opened 


156 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


a  drug  store.  His  pleasing  personality  brought  him 
friends,  and  it  was  soon  demonstrated  that  Mr. 
Lerou  was  an  unusually  skilled  pharmacist.  He 
prospered  in  his  first  store  in  the  western  part  of 
the  city,  and  in  1910  opened  a  second  store  at  No. 
289  Main  street.  This  second  store  became  the 
more  important,  and  after  a  time  Mr.  Lerou  sold 
his  original  store  and  gave  his  entire  attention  to 
the  Main  street  establishment,  now  one  of  the  most 
widely  known,  and  well  patronized  in  every  depart- 
ment. Mr.  Lerou  gives  his  business  his  close  per- 
sonal supervision  and  it  has  been  his  energy,  coupled 
with  his  ability,  that  has  made  his  success. 

Coming  closely  in  touch  with  the  people  of  his 
city  in  a  business  way,  and  avowedly  a  man  of  the 
people,  Mr.  Lerou  has  a  deep  and  abiding  interest 
in  all  that  concerns  the  public  welfare.  This  led 
him  into  political  life  and  a  mere  liking  for  politics 
as  a  game.  He  embraced  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  1905  was  elected  to  repre- 
sent his  ward  in  the  Common  Council.  In  1906  he 
was  elected  registrar,  an,',  in  1910  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  city  Board  of  Education  and  for  two 
years  served  as  secretary  of  the  board.  His  high 
standing  as  a  pharmacist  was  recognized  by  Gov- 
ernor Holcomb,  who  on  February  21,  1917,  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Lerou  a  member  of  the  State  Board 
of  Pharmacy  for  a  term  of  five  years.  On  June  7, 
1920,  came  the  crucial  test  of  Mr.  Lerou's  popularity 
and  influence,  when  he  was  elected  mayor  of  Nor- 
wich, the  strong  opposing  factions  making  it  the 
most  closely  contested  election  in  the  history  of 
the  city,  Mr.  Lerou  as  the  Republican  candidate 
winning  by  one  vote. 

Mr.  Lerou  is  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the 
Chelsea  Savings  Bank  of  Norwich;  is  a  trustee  of 
Maplewood  Cemetery;  is  one  of  the  incorporators 
of  the  Masonic  Temple  Corporation  of  Norwich; 
member  of  the  Connecticut  State  Pharmaceutical 
Association,  of  which  he  was  president  in  191 1; 
member  and  Treasurer  of  Somerset  Lodge,  No.  34, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Franklin  Council,  Royal  and 
Select  Masters;  Columbian  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar;  and  in  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
holds  the  degrees  of  King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection, Van  Rensselaer  Council  of  the  Princes  of 
Jerusalem,  Norwich  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix,  and 
Connecticut  Consistory,  Sublime  Princes  of  the 
Royal  Secret.  He  is  a  noble  of  Sphinx  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabian  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
His  clubs  are  the  Arcanum,  of  Norwich,  and  the 
Rotary,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

Mr.  Lerou  married  (first),  in  Norwich,  February  7, 
1895,  Bertha  B.  Carroll,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Emily  (Rathbun)   Carroll,  of  Norwich.     Mrs.  Lerou 


died  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  March  2,  1902, 
leaving  two  children,  one  of  whom,  Edna  Evans 
Lerou,  is  living.  Mr.  Lerou  married  (second)  March 
a4,  1908,  Mary  S.  Tourtelotte,  daughter  of  James 
Newton  and  Harriet  (Clark)  Tourtelotte,  of  Nor- 
wich. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lerou  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  church. 


FRANK  HAMILTON  SMITH— The  name  of  the 
late  Frank  Hamilton  Smith,  for  many  years  con- 
nected with  the  old  firm  of  J.  P.  Barstow  &  Com- 
pany, is  familiar  to  the  citizens  of  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, of  two  generations.  Not  only  was  Mr. 
Smith  influentially  and  unostentatiously  identified 
with  the  business  interests  of  this  community,  but 
as  a  citizen  he  was  ever  ready  to  do  all  in  his 
power  to  promote  her  best  welfare  and  truest 
progress. 

The  Smith  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  and  one  which  has 
given  to  the  State  many  good  and  honorable  citi- 
zens who  have  played  well  their  parts  in  public  and 
municipal  affairs,  as  well  as  in  private  life.  This 
name  has  also  been  identified  with  many  of  the 
landmarks  of  this  historical  town;  one  of  these  is 
Smith's  corner,  the  first  branch  of  the  family  to 
locate  here  being  the  two  sons  of  Prentice  P.  Smith. 
It  was  here  that  Frank  Hamilton  Smith  was  born, 
March  28,  1852,  the  second  son  of  John  Ovv-en  and 
Abby  Shaplcy  (King)  Smith.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Norwich,  and  Norwich  Free 
Academy,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class 
of  1869.  The  following  year  he  entered  into  busi- 
ness life,  securing  a  position  in  the  store  of  J.  P. 
Barstow,  and  six  years  later  became  a  partner  in 
the  firm  of  J.  P.  Barstow  and  George  S.  Byles, 
doing  business  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  P.  Bar- 
stow &  Company.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Barstow 
the  business  was  continued  by  Mr.  Smith  and  Mr. 
Byles,  under  the  old  firm  name,  until  Mr.  Byles 
retired  from  active  business  life  owing  to  ill  health, 
and  Mr.  Smith  continued  the  business  under  the 
time-honored  firm  name,  the  house  dating  back 
about  sixty-one  years. 

Besides  being  actively  engaged  in  the  business  of 
J.  P.  Barstow  &  Company,  Mr.  Smith's  real  estate 
activities  were  extensive.  In  1889  he  built  for  his 
own  occupancy  a  large  residence  on  Washington 
street.  This  was  the  first  of  several  dwellings 
erected  on  land  formerly  belonging  to  the  Lloyd 
Greene  estate,  which  was  purchased  and  opened 
up  in  1889  by  the  Greene  Avenue  Company,  of 
which  Mr.  Smith  was  a  member.  Later,  Mr.  Smith 
developed  a  large  tract  on  the  other  sice  of  Wash- 
mfeton  street,  purchasing  and  renovating  the  old 
Sturtevant  mansion,  in  which  he  resided  at  the  time 
of   his    death.     He    was    also   one    of   the    principal 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


«57 


organizers  of  the  Norwich  Land  Improvement  Cor- 
poration, which  in  1902  opened  up  and  improved 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  Thamcsville,  Connecticut. 
In  April,  1915,  Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  prime 
movers  in  the  Norwich  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation, being  its  first  president. 

In  the  old  Norwich  Board  of  Trade  he  was  one 
of  the  charter  members,  as  well  as  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Norwich  Business  Men's  Association, 
now  united  with  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of 
Norwich,  Mr.  Smith  having  been  an  active  factor 
in  the  merger.  Among  other  interests  towards 
the  town's  welfare,  he  was  one  of  the  active  organ- 
izers of  the  Norwich  Cemetery  Association,  and  as 
a  director,  aided  in  the  development  of  Maple- 
wood  Cemetery.  A  strong  promoter  of  the  Eastern 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  he  was  one  of  the  most 
widely  known   men   in   this  part  of  Connecticut. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Smith  was  always  a  strong  and 
liberal-minded  Republican  who,  as  recent  chairman 
of  the  town  committee  and  in  other  numerous 
capacities,  had  for  years  worked  unceasingly  for 
the  welfare  of  the  party  and  its  standard  bearers 
without  seeking  public  ofTicc  for  himself. 

Fraternally,  he  was  long  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  being  affiliated  with  James  Lodge, 
No.  23,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Franklin  Chap- 
ter, No.  4,  Royal  .'Vrch  Masons;  Franklin  Council, 
No.  3,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Columbian  Coni- 
mandery.  No.  4,  Knights  Templar;  Sphinx  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Perfection,  Van  Rensselaer 
Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  Norwich  Chapter 
of  Rose  Croi.x,  and  Connecticut  Consistory,  Sublime 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  .Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite.  He  was  also  a  charter  member  of  the 
United  Commercial  Travelers'  Association,  and  held 
office  in  Norwich  Grange,  No.  172,  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry. 

Mr.  Smith  married  (first)  in  187S,  Florence  Proc- 
tor, of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  who  died  in  1879. 
Mr.  Smith  married  (second)  July  n,  1883,  Martha 
Maud  Richmond,  and  by  this  marriage  there  were 
two  children:  Hellcn  Buckingham  and  F.  Russell, 
who  continue   the  business. 

Frank  Hamilton  Smith  closed  a  career  rich  in 
fulfillment,  and  still  richer  in  promise,  passing  away 
on  September  25,  1917,  leaving  very  many  in  all 
classes  of  the  community  to  mourn  his  loss  and  to 
regret  that  he  had  not  been  granted  greater  length 
of  days.  In  every  relation  of  life  he  was  admirable, 
and  his  death  was  a  great  loss  both  for  the  present 
and  the  future,  for  by  it  Norwich  lost  one  of  her 
most  valued  citizens. 


mont  in  1917,  Dr.  Gadlc  at  once  began  his  profes- 
sional career  in  his  native  Norwich,  where  he  is 
winning  his  way  to  a  good  practice.  He  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  P.  and  Margaret  (Murtha)  Gadlc,  his 
parents  also  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  which  is 
still  their  home  (1921).  Joseph  P.  Gadle,  after 
public  school  course,  became  a  paper  mill  employee 
and  in  varied  capacity  has  since  been  connected 
with  Norwich  mills.  Dr.  Paul  F.  Gadle  is  the 
eldest  of  four  cliildren. 

Paul  Francis  Gadle  was  born  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, and  obtained  his  early  education  in  St. 
Mary's  Parochial  School  there.  He  completed 
courses  in  study  in  Norwich  Free  Academy,  class 
of  1912,  then  for  a  year  was  a  student  in  the 
preparatory  school  of  the  University  of  Vermont. 
Deciding  upon  the  profession  of  medicine  as  his  life 
work,  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
University  of  Vermont,  whence  he  was  graduated 
M.  D.,  class  of  1917,  being  honor  man  of  his  class 
and  its  president.  His  fraternity  is  Alpha  Chapter 
Phi   Chi. 

After  graduation.  Dr.  Gadle  was  for  a  time 
interne  at  Fanny  Allen  Hospital,  Winooski,  Ver- 
mont, then  returned  to  Norwich  and  for  eighteen 
months  was  house  physician  at  the  Backus  Hospital. 
With  this  hospital  practice  experience  to  accom- 
pany his  college  training,  the  young  physician 
opened  offices  in  the  Thayer  building  in  Norwich 
and  began  the  practice  of  medicine.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Norwich  Medical,  New  London  County 
Medical  and  Connecticut  State  Medical  societies, 
and  of  the  American  Medical  -Association.  He  is 
serving  the  city  of  Norwich  as  head  of  the  Milk 
Inspection  Bureau,  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a 
member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  of 
White  Cross  Council,  Knights  of  Columbus. 


PAUL  FRANCIS  GADLE,  M.D.— Upon  receiving 
his    medical    degree    from    the    University    of    Ver- 


JOHN  B.  CARON— The  Specialty  Shop,  Inc.,  lo- 
cated at  No.  140  Main  street,  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
is  the  favorite  shopping  place  for  the  particular 
ladies  of  this  section.  John  B.  Caron,  owner  and 
manager  of  the  business,  is  one  of  the  leading 
merchants  in  this  line  in  Norwich. 

Mr.  Caron  is  a  son  of  Louis  and  Rosalie  (Cote) 
Caron,  natives  of  Wcedon,  Province  of  Quebec,  Can- 
ada. Louis  Caron  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
parents  when  a  boy  of  twelve.  This  was  in  1858, 
and  the  family  located  in  Baltic,  in  the  town  of 
Sprague,  New  London  county,  Connecticut.  The 
father  was  employed  in  the  Baltic  Mills,  in  the 
spiiming  department,  and  soon  became  second  hand 
and  repair  man  of  the  department.  These  mills 
manufacture  a  fine  grade  of  cotton  fabric.  In  1883, 
after  fifteen  years  in  this  country,  Louis  Caron  re- 
turned to  his  native  land,  where  he  spent  two  years 
on  the  farm.     In    1886,  however,  he  again  came  to 


15? 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


this  country,  accepting  a  position  as  overseer  of 
spinning  in  the  Aldrich  Cotton  Mill,  at  Moosup, 
Connecticut.  He  remained  there  but  a  short  time, 
then  went  to  Danielson,  where  he  was  again  em- 
ployed in  the  cotton  mills.  Here  he  remained  until 
1901,  when  he  was  induced  to  return  to  the  Province 
of  Quebec,  and  take  up  farming.  He  continued 
along  this  line  until  1916,  when  he  returned  to  the 
United  States,  and  now  resides  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, retired  from  all  active  business  interests. 
His  wife  died  in  Weedon,  Province  of  Quebec, 
Canada,  in  1916.  Of  their  six  children,  live  are  now 
living:  Ovilar,  deceased;  Louis  V.,  Henry,  Octave  J., 
Louis  P.  and  John  B.,  of  whom  further. 

John  B.  Caron,  the  Norwich  merchant,  was  born 
in  Weedon,  Provmce  of  Quebec,  Canada,  on  August 
24,  18S4.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Danielson,  Connecticut,  then  pre- 
pared for  a  career  in  the  business  world  at  the 
Norwich  Commercial  School.  He  first  went  to 
work  for  the  J.  B.  Martin  Company,  then,  in  1907, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  George  W.  Allen,  a  prom- 
inent merchant  in  Norwich,  where  he  remained  until 
191 1.  In  that  year  he  formed  a  partnership  and 
went  into  business,  which  at  first  did  not  prove 
successful,  so  in  1915  the  partner  v/as  dropped  and 
the  business  incorporated.  This  venture,  which 
has  proved  so  successful,  gives  to  the  people  of  this 
city  a  high  class  garment  shop.  The  business  was 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  Specialty  Shop, 
Inc.,  and  was  capitalized  at  $25,000.00.  It  attracts 
the  attention  of  the  most  exclusive  shoppers,  and 
has  gone  forward  until  it  novv-  stands  among  the 
leaders  in  this  line  in  a  wide  region. 

Mr.  Caron  is  broadly  interested  outside  his  busi- 
ness. Politically,  he  supports  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  is  interested  in  all  public 
affairs,  although  declining  any  office.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  the  Union  St.  Jean 
de  Baptiste,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  of  Norwich,  Connecticut. 

On  October  15,  1912,  Mr.  Caron  married  Adelia 
Saborin,  and  they  have  one  child,  Jean  A.,  born  in 
Norwich.  The  family  have  always  been  members 
of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


ISAAC  MAINE— The  Maine  family  of  which  Isaac 
Maine  was  representative  were  farmers  of  the  town 
of  North  Stonington,  New  London  county,  Connec- 
ticut, where  Isaac  Maine,  his  father.  Prentice  Maine, 
and  his  grandfatlier  all  occupied  in  turn  the  old 
home  farm  in  District  No.  67,  North  Stonington. 
There  Isaac  Maine,  to  whose  memory  this  review 
is  offered,  lived  and  died,  tilling  the  home  acres 
as  boy  and  man  until  the  close  of  his  long  and 
useful    life.      Three    years    prior    to    his    death    he 


deeded  the  old  farm  to  his  son,  Thurman  P.  Maine, 
who  later  deeded  it  to  Isaac  Maine,  Jr.,  only  re- 
serving enough  land  for  a  home  plot  on  which  he 
built  his  own  residence.  Isaac  Maine,  Jr.,  took 
possession  of  the  farm,  April  i,  igi2,  and  six  days 
later,  April  7,  1912,  he  died.  The  father  survived 
his  son  three  years,  the  mother  still  residing  (but 
not  in  the  same  house)  on  the  old  farm  to  which 
she  came  a  bride  forty-four  years  ago.  Simeon 
Maine,  the  grandfather  of  Isaac  Maine,  married 
Martha  York,  who  in  her  old  age  was  widely 
known  as  "Grandma  Patty."  Simeon  Maine  and 
his  wife  were  both  born  in  North  Stonington  and 
there  died. 

Prentice  Maine,  son  of  Simeon  and  Martha 
(York)  Maine,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  and 
there  spent  his  life  which  began  February  22,  1796. 
and  ended  February  4,  1890,  he  having  passed  inta 
the  ranks  of  the  nonagenarians  of  his  town  before 
his  useful  life  was  finished.  He  started  life  a  poor 
boy,  but  piece  by  piece  he  accumulated  a  large 
estate  and  became  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
ot  his  town.  He  dealt  extensively  in  cattle  and 
was  considered  an  excellent  business  man.  He  was 
connected  with  the  Old  Militia  organization  of  the 
town,  and  although  a  man  of  a  quiet,  home-loving 
disposition,  he  was  of  strong  forceful  character,, 
and  a  devoted  member  of  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  North  Stonington.  He  married  Ann 
Miner,  born  in  Stonington,  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Katura  (Brown)  Miner.  Mrs.  Prentice  Maine  died 
May  28,  1888,  her  husband  surviving  her  about  two- 
years. 

Isaac  Maine,  only  son  of  Prentice  and  Ann 
(Miner)  Maine  to  survive  infancy,  was  born  July 
8,  1833,  and  died  at  his  home  at  the  Maine  home- 
stead on  April  30,  191S,  in  North  Stonington,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  where  his  life  had 
been  spent.  His  only  sister,  Eunice  Ann,  married 
John  D.  Babcock,  of  North  Stonington,  and  is  now 
deceased.  He  attended  the  public  district  school, 
and  when  quite  young  he  became  his  father's  farm 
assistant  and  was  his  right-hand  man  until  weight 
of  years  compelled  him  to  retire  in  favor  of  his  son 
Isaac.  Finally  Prentice  Maine  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  ninety-four,  and  Isaac  became  the  owner,  as 
he  had  long  been  the  manager,  of  the  homestead 
farm.  He  added  to  the  area  of  the  Prentice  Maine 
farm  and  continued  its  owner  until  1912,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Isaac,  Jr.,  who  as  stated 
before,  died  six  days  after  coming  into  possession. 
After  the  death  of  his  father  in  1890  Isaac  Maine 
built  a  new  residence  on  his  farm,  moving  out  of 
the  old  homestead  and  occupying  the  new  home 
until  1912.  His  health  having  failed,  he  sold  the 
farm  to  his  son,  Thurman  P.,  and  built  on  the  tract 
he  had  reserved  for  that  purpose  still  another  resi- 


3iJG(iac  tBainc 


1 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


J  59 


dencc  on  the  home  farm,  and  there  lived  uiuil  his 
death  three  years  later.  Mr.  Maine  was  a  successful 
farmer  and  cattle  dealer,  noted  for  his  upright  and 
honorable  life.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but 
never  sought  public  otTicc,  his  business  and  his 
home  fillinp;  his  cup  of  life  to  the  brinj  with  content- 
ment and  happiness.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Second  Baptist  Church  of  North  Stonington. 

Isaac  Maine  married,  at  Ashaway,  Rhode  Island, 
July  30,  1877,  Betsey  Ann  Maine,  born  in  Ledyard, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  April  11,  1858, 
daughter  of  .Xmasa  Morgan  and  Lucy  Orey  (Frink) 
Maine.  Her  father  was  born  in  Ledyard,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming,  and  her  mother  was  born  m 
North  Stonington.  Mrs.  Maine  survives  her  hus- 
band and  continues  her  residence  in  North  Stoning- 
ton. Nine  children  were  born  to  Isaac  and  Betsey 
Ann  Maine:  i.  Isaac  (2nd)  born  July  6,  i^'Z, 
married  Nellie  J.  Chapman,  and  died  at  the  home 
farm,  .'\pril  7,  1912,  leaving  two  children,  Dorothy 
Evelyn,  wife  of  Edward  O'Leary,  of  Westerly, 
Rhode  Island,  and  a  daughter,  Violet  Marie  Maine. 

2.  Lucy  Maria,  born  October  4,  1879,  died  August 
22,  1883.  3.  Amaoa  M.,  born  April  13,  1SS2;  mar- 
ried Nettie  Bell  Benjamin,  a  farmer  of  Preston 
county,  and  has  five  children:  Nettie  Belle,  Ray- 
mond Park,  Clarence,  Harold  and  Estclie  Benjamin. 

4.  James  Washington,  born  June  19,  1883,  died 
August  23  following.  5.  Arthur  Prentice,  born  June 
II,  1885,  died  October  15  following.  6.  Thurman 
Park,  born  July  30,  1888,  a  physician  of  North 
Stonington  (see  sketch  elsewhere  in  this  work). 
7.  Jenny  Lind,  born  .\pril  19,  1891,  married  Wilbur 

5.  Maine,  of  North  Stonington.  8.  Adlai  Edward, 
born  August  18,  1892,  died  November  23,  1893.  9. 
Daisy  Geneva,  born  October  8,  1894,  died  December 

3,  1894. 


CAIUS  CASSIUS  PALMER— Manufacturing  has 
been  very  attractive  to  the  Palmers  of  New  Lon- 
don county,  and  several  valuable  patents  have  been 
issued  to  them,  one  for  extracting  oil  from  fla.x- 
seed,  Andrew  Jackson,  then  president  of  the  United 
States,  signing  the  letters  patent,  December  14, 
1830.  Some  have  entered  the  professions,  and 
others  have  been  tillers  of  the  soil  and  business 
men,  but  in  whatever  walk  of  life  selected  the 
Palmers  have  been  worthy  and  usually  successful. 
Caius  C.  Palmer  owned  and  cultivated  the  old 
Palmer  farm,  as  did  his  father  before  him,  the  farm 
lying  in  North  Stonington.  He  traced  descent  from 
Walter  Palmer. 

(I)  Walter  Palmer  came  to  the  Plymouth  Colony 
in  1629,  being  on  one  of  the  ships  that  came  over 
under  command  of  John  Endicott.  He  was  sworn  a 
freeman  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  in  May,  1631; 


he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Charlcstown,  Massa- 
chusetts; he  removed  in  1642  to  Rehoboth,  Plymouth 
Colony.  There  he  purchased  large  tracts  of  land,  and 
filled  various  town  offices.  He  was  next  recorded  in 
Connecticut  purchasing  land  of  Governor  Hayncs, 
in  1655.  He  had  1,191  acres  of  land — this  land  situ- 
ated on  the  shores  of  Wcquetcquock  Cove,  town  of 
Stonington.  He  was  born  in  England  as  early  as 
1585,  died  November  10,  1661,  and  is  buried  in  what 
is  known  as  the  old  Wequetequock  burial  place. 
He  married  (first)  in  England,  long  before  he  came 
to  .\merica.  He  married  (second),  June  I,  1663, 
Rebecca  Short  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
Deacon  Gcrshom  Palmer,  the  ancestor  of  this 
branch. 

(II)  Deacon  Gershom  Palmer  located  perma- 
nently 0.1  Pendleton  Hill,  Stonington,  now  North 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  established  the  present 
Palmer  homestead,  and  there  died  in  1719.  He 
served  with  Connecticut  troops  in  Colonial  wars, 
and  was  prominent  in  the  church.  His  first  wife 
was  Ann  (Denison)  Palmer,  daughter  of  Captain 
George  and  Ann  (Borodell)  Denison,  who  died  in 
1693,  leaving  among  other  children  a  son  George, 
head  of  the  third  generation,  all  of  whom  were 
born  on  the  Palmer  homestead  on  Pendleton  Hill. 

(III)  George  Palmer,  born  May  29,  1681,  in 
Stonington,  Connecticut,  married,  March  24,  171 1, 
Hannah  Palmer.  Among  their  children  was  a  son, 
Dr.  Joseph  Palmer,  head  of  the  fourth   generation. 

(IV)  Dr.  Joseph  Palmer  practiced  medicine  in 
his  native  town  of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  and 
was  famous  for  his  skill  as  a  physician.  He  was 
the  typical  country  doctor,  the  friend  and  adviser 
of  the  families  he  treated  upon  every  subject,  and 
he  was  greatly  beloved.  He  was  well  versed  in  the 
corrimon  legal  processes,  and  did  a  large  amount 
of  legal  work.  He  was  very  thrifty,  became  a  large 
landowner,  and  built  several  houses  on  his  farms 
for  his  children,  on  Pendleton  Hill.  He  married 
Zipperah  Billings,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
Gershom  Palmer,  grandfather  of  Caius  C.  Palmer, 
of  this   review. 

(V)  Gershom  Palmer  was  born  on  the  home 
farm  owned  by  his  father.  Dr.  Joseph  Palmer, 
there  spent  his  life  and  died.  He  was  succeeded 
by  his  son  .\bel. 

(VI)  Abel  Palmer  was  born  on  the  home  farm 
in  1800,  spent  his  life  there,  and  died  in  the  year 
1872.  He  married  Sarah  Main,  born  on  the  Rufus 
Main  farm  on  Pendleton  Hill,  and  died  at  the 
Palmer  farm.  Abel  and  Sarah  (Main)  Palmer  were 
the  parents  of  three  children:  i.  .Monzo,  a  physician, 
practicing  in  both  Connecticut  and  Hhodc  Island. 
2.  George,  a  prominent  physician  of  Kalamazoo. 
Michigan,  where  he  maintained  a  private  sanitarium 


i6o 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


for  nervous  diseases;  later  he  moved  to  Flint, 
Michigan,  where  he  died.  3.  Caius  Cassius,  to 
whose  memory  this  review  is  dedicated. 

(VII)  Caius  Cassius  Palmer  was  born  on  the 
family  homstead  in  North  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
January  2,  1846,  and  died  there  December  14,  1885. 
He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  on  Pendleton 
Hill,  attended  public  school  and  prepared  for  col- 
lege, but  the  death  of  his  mother  caused  his  return 
to  the  farm,  his  two  brothers  having  both  entered 
professional  life  as  physicians.  He  continued  his 
father's  assistant  until  the  latter's  death,  then 
located  in  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  where  he  estab- 
lished a  general  mercantile  business,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  nine  years.  His  health  failing,  he  sold 
his  store  and  again  returned  to  the  home  farm, 
which  he  cultivated  until  his  death  at  the  age  of 
thirty-nine  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  an  attendant  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  North  Stonington.  His  early 
death  was  lamented  by  his  many  friends  both  in 
North  Ston-ington  and  Westerly,  Khode  Island, 
friends  he  had  attracted  by  his  manly  character  and 
pleasing  personality.  He  was  a  man  of  high  intel- 
ligence, better  adapted  in  many  ways  for  a  pro- 
fessional than  a  business  career,  but  he  filled  well 
his  place  in  the  world,  and  left  behind  him  the 
record  of  an  honorable  life. 

Mr.  Palmer  married,  in  Mystic,  Connecticut, 
February  25,  1867,  Mary  Pendleton  Billings,  born 
on  the  Billings  farm  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
town  of  Griswold,  New  London  county.  Mrs. 
Palmer  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Franklin  and 
Ann  Potter  (Palmer)  Billings,  her  father  born  in 
the  town  of  Griswold,  her  mother  at  Pendleton 
Hill  in  the  town  of  North  Stonington.  Mrs.  Pal- 
mer survived  her  husband,  and  from  his  death  until 
her  death,  which  occurred  on  the  homestead,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1921,  managed  this  old  historic  Palmer 
farm,  said  to  be  the  only  one  in  the  town  which 
has  never  been  out  of  the  family  name  from  its 
first  holder.  Mrs.  Palmer  was  of  ancient  Colonial 
family,  tracing  her  lines  to  John  Alden,  of  the 
Plymouth  Colony,  and  to  Noyes  Billings  (Yale, 
1819),  lieutenant-governor  of  Connecticut  in  1846, 
son  of  Coddington  Billings,  and  brother  of  William 
Billings  (Yale,  1821),  a  successful  New  London 
merchant.  She  was  a  lady  of  education,  and  dis- 
played strong  business  quality  in  the  management 
of  her  business  affairs  during  her  long  widowhood. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Caius  C.  and  Mary  P. 
(Billings)  Palmer,  one  of  these  deceased.  The 
living  are:  I.  Winifred  Irene,  born  on  the  home- 
stead, now  wife  of  Charles  H.  Cottrell,  a  farmer 
of  Pendleton  Hill.  2.  Mary  Christie,  born  in 
Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  resides  with  her  mother 
on   the   home  farm.     3.   Cecil   Cassius,  born   on   the 


homestead  in  North  Stonington,  educated  in  Rhode 
Island  State  Normal  School,  now  a  school  teacher. 
These  are  hallowed  memories  and  associations 
which  make  the  old  home  a  place  sacred  to  its 
occupants.  Palmers  have  always  tilled  its  acres 
and  since  the  building  of  the  house  long  years  ago, 
Palmers  only  have  occupied  it. 


MICHAEL  JOSEPH  HICKEY,  prominent  mer- 
chant of  the  village  of  Palmertown,  in  the  town  of 
Montville,  Connecticut,  and  broadly  active  in  the 
public  life  of  the  town,  is  one  of  those  progressive, 
forward-looking  men  who  are  holding  New  Lon- 
don county  in  the  lead  in  every  worthy  branch  of 
public  endeavor. 

Mr.  Hickey  is  a  son  of  James  and  Catherine 
(Haley)  Hickey,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  James 
Hickey  came  to  America  as  a  young  man,  many 
years  ago,  and  settled  in  the  Greenville  district  of 
the  city  of  Norwich.  There  he  worked  in  the 
bleachery  plant,  which  is  now  known  as  the  United 
States  Dyeing  and  Finishing  Company.  He  was  a 
hard  worker,  and  later  went  South,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  Galveston,  Texas. 

Michael  Joseph  Hickey  was  born  in  Greenville,  a 
part  of  Norwich,  April  5,  1870.  He  was  only  a 
child  when  his  parents  died,  and  from  a  very  early 
age  was  obliged  to  provide  for  his  own  necessities. 
He  lived  in  Norwich  until  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
then  came  to  Montville,  where  he  made  his  home 
with  his  uncle.  He  was  far  from  a  burden,  how- 
ever. He  worked  for  his  uncle  about  the  farm, 
growing  constantly  more  useful  and  valuable  in 
the  production  end  of  the  farm  activities,  as  well 
as  the  thousand  and  one  little  things  that  are 
turned  over  to  the  most  available  small  boy. 
Later  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Palmer 
Brothers  Company,  working  in  their  cloth  room. 
He  continued  at  this  mill  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
five  years,  resigning  from  their  employ  in  1912, 
having  reached  the  position  of  overseer  of  the  room 
in  which  he  first  began  work.  In  that  year  he  was 
appointed  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Capitol 
Building  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  in  Hartford, 
which  office  he  held  for  one  year.  In  1913,  Mr. 
Hickey  entered  upon  the  business  in  which  he  has 
met  with  such  marked  success.  He  established  a 
grocery  store  in  Palmertown,  among  the  people 
where  he  had  always  lived,  and  who  knew  his  char- 
acter. He  has  been  very  successful  from  the  begin- 
ning, commanding  the  trade  of  the  best  people  of 
the  vicinity,  and  becoming  one  of  the  most  popular 
merchants  of  this  section.  He  stands  today  among 
the  leaders. 

Mr.  Hickey  has  for  years  been  in  the  public  serv- 
ice of  the  town  of  Montville.  A  staunch  Democrat, 
he  was  long  ago  sought  by  the  leaders  of  his  party 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


i6i 


for  some  of  the  most  responsible  offices  in  the  gift 
of  the  town.  He  was  elected  constable  of  the  town 
ot  Montville,  in  1895,  and  was  repeatedly  re-elected, 
serving  continuously  until  January,  1917,  fulfilling 
his  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  In 
1917  Mr.  Hickey  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  by 
Sidney  A.  Brown,  which  office  he  still  holds.  For 
over  twenty-five  years  he  has  served  continuously 
in  this  branch  of  the  town  government,  and  his 
record  is  a  source  of  pride  to  his  many  friends. 
Fraternally  Mr.  Hickey  is  well  known  hereabouts. 
He  is  a  member  of  Pequot  Council,  No.  125, 
Knights  of  Columbus,  in  which  order  he  is  past 
grand  knight.  He  is  a  member  of  Cochegan  Camp, 
No.  9366,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  which 
organization  he  has  been  clerk  for  the  past  five 
years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Second  Division 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  of  New  Lon- 
don,   Connecticut. 

On  April  5,  1892,  Mr.  Hickey  married  Mary 
Dywer,  in  Montville,  Connecticut.  She  was  born 
in  Norwich,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Catherine  (Brown)  Dywer,  of  that  city.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hickey  have  six  children:  Agnes  Mary,  Joseph 
Lloyd,  Teresa  Cecelia,  Catherine  Helen,  Frances, 
and  Rose. 

Mr.  Hickcy's  son,  Joseph  Lloyd  Hickey,  en- 
listed in  the  United  States  navy  for  the  World 
War,  and  served  on  the  United  States  mine  layer 
"San  Francisco."  For  many  months  he  saw  the 
hardest  and  most  hazardous  service  in  the  North 
Sea  and  in  other  mine-infested  waters  of  Europe. 
His  return  in  safety  was  a  matter  of  congratulation 
to  his  family,  and  the  source  of  great  rejoicing 
among  his  hosts  of  friends.  All  the  family  are 
members  of  St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  BENTLEY,  whose 
death  in  Preston,  Connecticut,  February  21,  1920, 
saddened  the  hearts  of  his  many  friends,  was  a 
member  of  one  of  the  old  New  London  county 
families,  who  came  to  this  section  from  Rhode 
Island  in   the  eighteenth   century. 

(I)  The  family  originally  came  from  England, 
William  Bcntley  sailing  from  Gravescnd,  England, 
in  the  good  ship  "Arabella,"  Captain  Richard 
Sprague,  master  of  the  ship.  May  27,  1671.  William 
Bentley  was  a  resident  of  Narragansett,  Rhode 
Island,  in  January,  1679,  records  dated  on  the  29th 
of  that  month  bearing  his  name.  His  will  was 
approved  at  Kingston,   Rhode   Island,  in   1720. 

(II)  William  (2)  Bcntley,  son  of  William  (i) 
Bcntley,  was  born  in  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  and 
probably  spent  his  entire  lifetime  in  that  vicinity. 
He  married  Mary  Elliot. 

(III)  George  Bentley,  son  of  William  (2)  and 
Mary     (Elliot)     Bentley,    was    born     in     Kingston, 

N.L.— 2.11. 


Rhode  Island.     He  married   Ruth  Barber,  and  after 
his   marriage   removed  to   Westerly,    Rhode    Island. 

(IV)  George  (2)  Bcntley,  son  of  George  (1)  and 
Ruth  (Barber)  Bentley,  was  born,  undoubtedly,  in 
Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  in  1730,  and  died  October 
28,  1814.     He  married,  June  27,  1751,  Amy  Carter. 

(V)  Robert  Bentley,  son  of  George  (2)  and  Amy 
(Carter)  Bentley,  was  born  in  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  August  6,  1765,  and  was  educated  there. 
He  followed  farming  all  his  life,  and  while  still  a 
young  man  came  to  North  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
and  bought  the  farm  which  for  many  generations 
was  known  as  the  Bentley  Homestead.  He  died  on 
this  farm,  his  wife  surviving  him,  and  later  going 
to  Goshen,  Connecticut,  to  live  with  her  son,  Adam, 
at  whose  home  she  died.  Robert  Bentley  married 
Desire  Dennison,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  some  of  whom  went  West,  and 
now  many  descendants  of  these  children  trace  back 
to  this  Bentley  line. 

(VI)  Benjamin  Franklin  Bentley,  one  of  the 
eleven  children  of  Robert  and  Desire  (Dennison) 
Bentley,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connec- 
ticut. He  received  his  education  there,  and  taking 
up  farming,  remained  in  North  Stonington  until 
April  I,  1843.  On  that  date  he  removed,  with  his 
little  family,  to  Preston,  where  he  rented  what  was 
then  known  as  the  old  Dr.  Witter  Kinney  farm, 
near  Preston  City.  He  remained  here  for  three 
years,  but  as  the  owners  were  unwilling  to  sell  the 
place,  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Franklin.  There 
he  rented  the  Loomis  farm,  on  the  top  of  Franklin 
Hill,  remaining  there  for  a  period  of  five  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  removed  to  the  locality 
known  as  the  Long  Society  district,  in  the  town 
of  Preston,  Connecticut,  renting  there  for  one  year. 
After  this  delay,  which  had  not  been  entirely  un- 
profitable, Mr.  Bentley  was  able  to  negotiate  for 
the  farm  which  was  his  original  choice,  and  bought 
the  Dr.  Witter  Kinney  farm,  in  1852.  He  conducted 
this  farm  until  his  death,  October  24,  1889,  a  period 
ot  thirty-seven  years.  It  was  a  fine,  large  farm  of 
four  hundred  acres,  and  he  was  a  man  of  great 
ambition  and  skilled  in  his  line  of  endeavor.  He 
was  highly  esteemed  among  his  townspeople,  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  this  section.  He  married 
Laura  Benjamin,  of  Griswold,  who  died  in  1871. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Elum  Benjamin,  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Griswold.  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Laura 
(Benjamin)  Bentley  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: I.  Calistia  Almira,  born  in  North  Stonington, 
now  deceased;  married  Nathan  York,  of  Westerly, 
Rhode  Island,  who  was  in  the  Twenty-sixth  Infan- 
try, Connecticut  V'olunteers,  in  the  Civil  War,  and 
is  also  now  deceased.  2.  Benjamin  Franklin,  whose 
name  heads  this  review.  3.  Hannah,  born  in  Frank- 
lin, who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 


l62 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


(VII)  Benjamin  Franklin  (2)  Bentley,  whose 
death  in  1920  left  a  gap  which  will  long  remain 
unfilled  in  the  little  village  of  Preston  City,  was 
born  in  North  Stonington,  New  London  county, 
Connecticut,  January  27,  1843,  and  was  the  second 
child  and  only  son  of  Benjamin  Franklin  (i)  and 
Laura  (Benjamin)  Bentley.  His  early  education 
was  gained  in  the  Franklin  District  School,  then 
the  boy  attended  the  district  schools  of  Preston, 
and  later  the  select  schools  at  Jewett  City  and 
Preston  City.  His  education  was  completed  at  the 
Connecticut  Literary  Institution,  Suflfield,  Connec- 
ticut, after  which  he  returned  to  the  Bentley  home- 
stead and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  At  his 
father's  death  Mr.  Bentley  inherited  the  place, 
which  he  continued  to  run  until  1900.  Then  finding 
it  necessary  to  relieve  himself  of  the  heavy  work 
incident  to  the  care  of  a  place  of  this  size,  he 
sold  the  farm  and  removed  to  Preston  City,  where 
he  made  his  home  for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

In  the  public  life  of  the  town  of  Preston,  Mr. 
Bentley  was  from  that  time  until  his  death  a  promi- 
nent figure.  While  still  on  the  farm  he  had  served 
as  selectman,  and  then  was  made  tax  collector,  and 
fulfilled  the  arduous,  and  too  often  thankless,  duties 
of  this  office  with  the  s.ime  thorough  conscientious- 
ness as  that  which  marked  every  step  of  his  career. 
He  held  this  ofifice  continuously  for  nineteen  years, 
being  re-elected  each  succeeding  year  by  a  large 
majority.  He  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  Re- 
publican party. 

On  March  24,  1881,  Mr.  Bentley  married  Charity 
Frink,  at  the  old  Frink  homestead  where  she  was 
born,  in  the  town  of  Preston,  April  20,  1832.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  George  Washington  and  Maria 
(Williams)  Frink,  of  Preston.  Her  father  was  born 
June  17,  1820,  and  died  in  Preston  .City,  in  May, 
1892.  They  were  one  of  the  old  families  of  the 
town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bentley  were  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Laura  Cornelia,  who  was  born  at  the 
Bentley  homestead,  March  31,  1882.  She  married 
William  Aaron  Bennett,  at  Preston  City,  December 
26,  1900,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Dorothy 
Claire,  who  was  born  in  Preston  City,  April  9, 
1908.  Mrs.  Bentley  still  survives  her  husband,  and 
resides  in  Preston  City.  The  family  have  always 
been  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  deeply 
interested  in  the  social  and  benevolent  activities  of 
the  church. 


DANIEL  SIMMS  GUILE— Twenty-five  years  ago, 
June  18,  1896,  Daniel  Simms  Guile,  one  of  the 
well-known,  substantial  and  influential  farmers  and 
business  men  of  the  town  of  Preston,  New  London 
county,  Connecticut,  passed  away,  his  death  closing 
a  career  of  great  usefulness  and  honor.  The  farm 
which   he   owned   and  operated   in   connection   with 


his  business  interests  contained  two  hundred  acres, 
and  was  formerly  known  as  the  John  A.  Williams 
farm.  Upon  the  death  of  her  husband,  the  widow, 
Mrs.  Lydia  A.  (Crumb)  Guile,  succeeded  to  the 
ownership,  and  with  great  ability  has  managed  its 
various  departments. 

The  Guile  family,  under  various  spellings — Guild, 
Guile,  Gile — descends  from  John  Guild,  who  came  to 
New  England  in  1636,  married  Elizabeth  Crooke, 
of  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  and  founded  a  family 
now  found,  throug'h  descendants,  in  every  State  of 
the  Union. 

Harry  Guile,  father  of  Daniel  Simms  Guile,  was 
born  June  24,  1804,  in  Preston,  Connecticut,  died  on 
the  old  Guile  homestead  near  the  Griswold  town  line 
in  Preston,  February  14,  1880-81.  Harry  Guile  was 
a  son  of  Nathan  Guile,  born  in  Preston,  August  11, 
1750,  and  his  wife,  Eunice  (Ladd)  Guile,  whom  he 
married  April  9,  1784.  Nathan  Guile  was  a  son  of 
John  and  Lydia  (Gecr)  Guile,  of  Preston.  Harry 
Guile  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  owning  a  saw 
mill,  and  was  a  good  business  man.  He  was  a 
member  of  what  is  now  the  Bethel  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  a  Democrat,  and  for  several  years  a 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  married,  in  1825,  Eleanor 
Lewis,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Sheldon) 
Lewis,  and  a  granddaughter  of  William  Sheldon. 
Harry  and  Eleanor  (Lewis)  Guile  were  the  parents 
of  eleven  children,  Daniel  Simms  being  the  fourth 
child. 

Daniel  Simms  Guile  was  born  in  Preston,  New 
London  county,  Connecticut,  in  1832,  and  died  in 
his  native  town,  June  18,  1896.  He  attended  the 
district  school  known  as  the  Brown  School,  but 
when  quite  young  became  his  father's  farm  assis- 
tant, there  remaining  until  reaching  legal  age.  He 
was  started  in  life  with  the  gift  from  his  father  of 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  to  which  he  brought 
his  bride,  Lydia  A.  Crumb,  in  1856.  That  farm  was 
his  home  until  his  death,  and  there  Mr.  Guile  con- 
ducted general  farming  operations  and  dealt  in 
stock.  He  was  also  engaged  in  lumber  manufac- 
turing, operating  a  saw  mill  on  Broad  brook,  in 
the  town  of  Preston,  and  another  mill  located  on 
Stone  Hill  in  the  town  of  Griswold.  At  these  mills 
he  turned  out  lumber  of  all  kinds,  a  great  deal  of 
it  heavy  ship  timbers;  also  manufactured  buckets 
and  other  articles  of  wood.  He  gave  employment 
to  many  men  and  teams,  and  was  himself  a  hard, 
energetic  worker.  He  was  a  man  of  large  and 
portly  figure,  genial  in  disposition,  and  an  agree- 
able companion.  He  was  careless  of  his  own  health, 
his  death  resulting  from  rheumatism  brought  on  by 
exposure.  He  was  highly  respected  in  his  com- 
munity,   and    his     passing    was     deeply     regretted. 

In  politics  a  Democrat,  Mr.  Guile  held  many  town 
offices    and    represented    his    district    in    the    State 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


i6ti 


Legislature.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  of  Preston,  and  liberal  in  his  support 
of  all  good  causes. 

Mr.  Guile  married,  October  13,  1856,  Lydia  Ann 
Crumb,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Phoebe  (Richard- 
son) Crumb,  of  Norwich.  Two  sons  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  S.  Guile:  Frank  Edgar,  of 
whom  further;  and  Henry  Daniel,  who  married 
Hannah  Bacon,  and  has  children,  Sarah,  Allen  Gay, 
and  Clara.  F'rank  Edgar  Guile,  the  eldest  son,  mar- 
ried Ida  Pierce,  of  Griswold,  and  until  his  death 
was  a  farmer  of  Preston.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  I.  George  Daniel,  died  young.  2. 
Colonel  Daniel  S.,  principal  of  the  Glasgo  school, 
and  now  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Ledyard;  mar- 
ried Anna  Barnes,  of  Stonington,  and  has  four 
children:  Harry,  deceased;  Olive,  a  teacher,  who 
married  Dewey  Manilla  Taylor,  of  North  Stoning- 
ton; Inez;  and  Woodrow  Wilson  Guile.  3.  Princess 
Carrie  Alice,  wife  of  Fred  Chapman,  of  Norwich, 
and  mother  of  two  children:  Gladys  and  Doris 
Chapman.  4.  Flora  Victoria,  died  in  mfancy.  Mrs. 
Lydia  A.  Guile,  now  a  great-grandmother,  still  re- 
sides at  the  old  homestead,  to  which  she  went  a 
bride  sixty-five  years  ago,  in  1856.  Since  January 
1,  1897,  the  Guile  farm  has  been  managed  by 
Charles  Rufus  Greenman,  and  under  his  efficient 
management  the  farm  has  been  brought  to  a  high 
state  of  cultivation. 


ROSWELL  PARK  WOODMANSEE— Among 
those  who  have  passed  on,  yet  whose  memory  lives 
in  the  hearts  of  those  who  still  walk  the  daily  paths 
of  finite  existence,  the  name  of  Roswell  Park 
Woodmansee,  of  Preston  City,  Connecticut,  standi 
out  as  a  living  inspiration  to  noble  thought  and 
high  endeavor.  Living  near  to  Nature,  and  simple 
and  unaffected  in  all  his  manners  and  tastes,  he 
lived  near  also  to  the  God  of  all  Nature. 

Mr.  Woodmansee  was  a  son  of  James  and  Lu- 
cinda  (Park)  Woodmansee.  His  father  was  born 
in  Groton,  New  London  county,  Connecticut.  He 
was  educated  there,  and  in  early  life  was  interested 
in  farming  operations  in  that  town,  later  coming 
to  Preston.  Here  he  occupied  various  farms  until, 
eventually,  he  purchased  a  permanent  home  near 
Preston  City.  This  farm  he  conducted  until  his 
death.     His  wife  was  born  and  died  in   Preston. 

Roswell  Park  Woodmansee  was  born  on  the  home 
farm  near  Preston  City,  June  14,  1819.  and  died  in 
the  same  town,  April  3,  1900.  Receiving  a  practical 
education  at  the  district  schools  of  Preston,  he 
went  out  upon  the  farm,  and  worked  side  by  side 
with  his  father.  At  his  father's  death  he  inherited 
the  property,  conducting  extensive  farming  opera- 
tions there  until  1865,  when  he  sold  the  old  place, 
and  purchased  the  Amos  Avery  farm  in  the  south- 


ern part  of  Preston.  Here  he  remained  until  1875, 
when  he  rented  this  place,  and  removed  to  the  home 
of  his  grandfather,  buying  the  place  in  Preston  City, 
and  practically  retiring  from  active  farming,  rele- 
gating to  other  hands  the  heavier  part  of  the  work. 
He  lived  out  his  remaining  years  on  this  place,  and 
died  here  on  April  3,  1900. 

While  Mr.  Woodmansee  was  always  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  the  public,  and  a  staunch 
supporter  of  the  policies  of  the  Republican  party, 
he  took  little  interest  in  the  political  game,  his 
tastes  being  of  the  quiet  and  home-loving  sort.  His 
extensive  interests  along  farming  and  dairying 
lines  absorbed  the  greater  part  of  his  time,  and  he 
found  his  relaxation  in  the  comfort  of  the  fireside. 
He  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  in  the  work  of  this  organization  was  ever  a  dili- 
gent and  devoted  laborer.  His  daily  life  was  en- 
tirely consistent  with  the  position  he  held  in  the 
church,  and  many  of  his  friends  and  neighbors  have 
felt  the  influence  of  his  upright  life  and  worthy 
example.  Although  a  new  generation  is  now  grow- 
ing up  about  the  place  where  he  walked,  his  name 
is  still  often  spoken  with  sincere  reverence. 

Roswell  Park  Woodmansee  married,  in  Preston 
City,  February  29,  1848,  Eunice  Crary  Morgan, 
daughter  of  Erastus  and  Polly  Mary  (Mecch) 
Morgan,  members  of  the  oldest  families  of  Preston. 
Mrs.  Woodmansee  was  born  on  the  old  Morgan 
homestead,  Preston  City,  and  also  died  there.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Woodmansee  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  all  born  in  North  Stonington,  Connec- 
ticut: I.  Emily  Crary,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Dv/ight  Brownley,  a  prominent  North  Stonington 
farmer,  in  1873,  and  died  in  1874.  2.  Ida,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  James  O.  Towson,  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  who  is  now  engineer  of  the  Connecticut 
College  for  women,  at  New  London;  they  have  two 
children:  i.  Mae,  who  married  Joseph  Hilton  Smith, 
a  native  of  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  now  of  New 
London,  whose  children  are:  Richard  T.,  Theodore 
H.  and  Carlisle  P.,  all  born  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, ii.  Arthur,  who  married  Christine  Phillips, 
of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  one  son,  James  A.  3.  Mary  Park,  whose 
devoted  care,  through  all  the  years  of  their  decline, 
was  lavished  upon  her  father  and  mother.  She 
now  resides  on  the  homestead,  Preston  City. 


HERMAN  ERASTUS  MINER— During  his  years, 
sixty-seven,  Herman  E.  Miner  always  resided  in 
the  same  district  in  the  town  of  Stonington,  in 
which  both  he  and  his  father  were  born.  Both 
were  men  of  thrift  and  integrity,  and  both  served 
the  Broad  Street  Christian  Church  of  the  town  of 
Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  as  deacon.  Both  are  now 
gathered  to  their  fathers,  but  they  left  an  example 


i64 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


of  righteous  living,  well  worthy  of  emulation.  They 
were  of  ancient  Colonial  ancestry,  and  the  present 
Herman  E.  Miner,  Jr.,  is  of  the  ninth  generation  of 
his  family  in  New  England. 

The  Miner  family  of  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
trace  descent  from  Thomas  Miner,  a  Colonial  sol- 
dier of  the  Indian  wars,  who  married,  April  23, 
1634,  Grace  Palmer,  daughter  of  Walter  Palmer,  of 
Charlestown,  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  descendant 
of  Henry  Miner,  who  was  granted  a  coat-of-arms 
by  his  sovereign.  King  Edward,  and  died  in  1359. 
The  descent  from  Henry  Miner  is  through  Henry 
(2)    Miner,  and   his  wife,  Henrietta    (Hick)    Mmer; 

their    son,    William    Miner,    and    his    wife,    

(Greeley)  Miner;  their  son,  Lodowick  Miner,  and 
his  wife,  Anna  (Dyer)  Miner;  their  son,  Thomas 
Miner,  and  his  wife,  Bridget  (Hewie)  Miner;  their 
son,  William  Miner,  and  his  wife,  Isabella  (Haicope) 
Miner;  their  son,  Clement  Miner,  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  (Pope)  Miner;  their  son,  Thomas  Miner,  of 
the  eighth  generation  of  the  family  in  England,  and 
the  first  of  his  line  in  New  England.  The  line  of 
descent  from  Thomas  Miner  and  his  wife,  Grace 
(Palmer)  Miner,  to  Herman  E.  Miner,  of  Stoning- 
ton, Connecticut,  is  traced  through  their  son, 
Ephriam  Miner,  a  soldier  of  King  Philip's  War, 
and  his  wife,  Hannah  (Avery)  Miner;  their  son, 
James  Miner,  and  his  wife,  Abigail  (Eldridge) 
Miner;  their  son,  Charles  Miner,  and  his  wife,  Mrs. 
Mary  (Wheeler)  Miner;  their  son,  Christopher 
Miner,  and  his  wife,  Mary  (Randall)  Miner;  their 
son,  Elias  Miner,  and  his  wife,  Betsey  (Brown) 
Miner;  their  son,  Erastus  Denisor\  Miner,  and  his 
wife,  Jane  P.  (Breed)  Miner;  their  son,  Herman 
E.  Miner,  to  whom  this   review  is  dedicated. 

Erastus  Denison  Miner,  of  the  fourteenth  re- 
corded generation  of  his  family,  and  of  the  seventh 
generation  in  New  England,  was  born  at  the  family 
farm  in  the  Taugwank  Valley,  town  of  Stonington, 
New  London  county,  Connecticut,  December  16, 
1829,  and  died  April  23,  1907.  He  remained  at  the 
home  farm  until  the  age  of  twenty-four,  then  spent 
four  years  on  a  farm  near  Avondale,  Rhode  Island. 
In  1857  he  bought  a  farm  in  Stonington,  New  Lon- 
don county,  Connecticut,  called  the  Ichabod  Dick- 
erson  farm,  and  later  bought  the  Noyes  farm.  He 
was  a  deacon  of  Broad  Street  Christian  Church  in 
the  town  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  and  a  man  of 
deep,  religious  life.  He  married,  August  15,  1852, 
Jane  P.  Breed,  born  November  15,  1831,  died  July 
I,  1910,  at  the  home  place  in  Stonington.  Children: 
Herman  E.,  of  further  mention;  Sarah  J.,  married 
Herman  C.  Brown;  Mary  E.,  married  Frank  Wilcox; 
Annie   E.,  married  John  Seymour. 

Herman  Erastus  Miner  was  born  in  the  Anguilla 
district  of  the  town  of  Stonington,  Connecticut, 
August  9,  1853,  his  birthplace,  the  homestead  farm 


of  his  grandfather,  Elias  Miner.  He  died  on  his 
own  farm  in  the  Anguilla  district,  August  2,  1920. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  dis- 
trict and  at  a  private  boarding  school,  and  all  his 
after  life  was  spent  in  farming.  He  remained  at 
the  home  farm  in  Stonington  until  1880,  then  bought 
a  large  farm  in  the  same  district,  which  he  suc- 
cessfully cultivated  until  his  death,  forty  years 
later.  He  was  a  good  farmer,  used  his  land  right, 
and  it  yielded  him  abundant  returns.  He  was  of  a 
deeply  religious  nature,  like  his  father,  and  from 
the  age  of  eleven  was  a  member  of  Broad  Street 
Christian  Church,  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island.  In 
1902  he  succeeded  his  father  as  deacon  of  that 
church,  and  held  that  office  until  his  death.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  extremely  inde- 
pendent. 

Herman  E.  Miner  married  (first)  March  12,  1884, 
Fanny  M.  Gavitt,  of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  born 
September  9,  1855,  died  January  12,  1891,  daughter 
of  Timothy  P.  and  Freelove  V.  (Thompson)  Gavitt. 
Mr.  Miner  married  (second)  Fanny  F.  Wilcox,  in 
Mystic,  Connecticut,  December  8,  1897,  born  in 
Mystic,  October  22,  1857,  died  in  Stonington,  Oc- 
tober 30,  1904,  daughter  of  Lodowick  and  Sarah  A. 
(Davis)  Wilcox.  Mr.  Miner  married  (third)  June 
6,  1907,  Annie  Ethel  Thorp,  born  in  Leicester,  Eng- 
land, July  17,  1880,  daughter  of  William  Henry  and 
Ann  Ada  (Sargent)  Thorp.  William  Henry  Thorp, 
a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker,  was  born  in  Lin- 
colnshire, and  until  the  death  of  his  wife  he  re- 
mained in  England.  After  her  death  he  came  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  in  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  where  he  was  employed  at  his  trade  until 
his  death,  April  19,  1914.  One  child  was  born  to 
Herman  E.  and  Annie  E.  (Thorp)  Miner,  Herman 
E.  (2),  born  at  the  Miner  farm  in  Stonington,  Con- 
necticut, March  27,  1910.  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Miner 
survives  her  husband  and  resides  in  Westerly, 
Rhode  Island,  with  her  son,  now  a  lad  of  ten  years, 
a  representative  of  the  ninth  generation  of  the 
Miners  formerly  founded  in  New  England  by 
Thomas  Miner,  the  Englishman,  and  of  the  six- 
teenth recorded  generation  of  Miners  in  England 
and  the  United  States,  1300-1920. 


EDWIN  HOXEY  KNOWLES,  M.D.— A  decade 

ago  there  was  no  physician  in  Eastern  Connecticut 
more  skillful,  beloved  or  esteemed  than  Dr.  Edwin 
Hoxey  Knowles,  of  North  Stonington,  New  London 
county.  He  came  to  the  village  of  North  Stoning- 
ton just  out  of  medical  college  and  there  practiced 
the  healing  art  for  half  a  century,  then  answered 
the  summons  of  the  Great  Physician.  He  was  a 
country  doctor,  not  only  ministering  to  the  bodily 
ills  of  his  people  but  to  their  mental  ills,  their  sor- 
rows and  their  troubles.     He  was  the  confidant  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


I6S 


the  young,  the  adviser  of  the  middle  aged,  the  hope 
and  comfort  of  the  aged.  No  trouble  was  too  deep 
for  them  to  carry  to  the  good  doctor  who  always 
stood  their  friend  nor  was  there  a  great  joy  in 
their  lives  but  they  wanted  him  to  share  it.  He 
practiced  in  some  county  families  a  full  half  cen- 
tury, danced  at  the  weddings  of  children  he  aided 
in  bringing  into  the  world,  performed  the  same 
service  for  their  children  and  their  grandchildren, 
and  then  went  down  to  the  very  brink  of  the  dark 
river  with  them  ere  he  bid  them  good  bye.  Dr. 
Knowles  came  from  a  family  of  physicians,  being  a 
son  of  Dr.  John  Hoxey  Knowles,  a  practicing  physi- 
cian of  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  who  had  four  sons, 
three  of  whom  were  physicians.  Dr.  John  H. 
Knowles  and  his  two  sons,  Drs.  Isaac  Collins  and 
William  C.  Knowles  practiced  in  Rhode  Island, 
Dr.  Edwin  H.  Knowles,  in  Connecticut.  Dr.  John  H. 
Knowles  was  born  in  Exeter,  Rhode  Island,  where 
he  practiced  medicine  all  his  life,  there  married 
C?fherine  Collins,  and  there  both  died.  Their  four 
sons  were:  Isaac  Collins,  William  C,  Edwin  Hoxey, 
all  physicians;  and  John,  a  farmer. 

Edwin  Hoxey  Knowles  was  born  in  Chepacket, 
Khode  Island,  February  i8,  1842,  died  in  North 
.'^tonington.  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  May 
,10,  1910.  When  very  young  Exeter  became  the 
family  home  and  there  Edwin  H.  Knovvrles  lived 
until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  obtained  a  good 
education  in  Exeter  schools,  but  in  1861  when  war 
5iegan  between  the  States,  North  and  South,  he 
enlisted  and  went  to  the  front  with  a  Rhode  Island 
regiment  of  infantry.  He  saw  hard  service  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  all  his  after  life 
carried  a  bullet  in  his  leg  received  in  one  of  the 
many  battles  fought  by  that  army.  After  the  war 
'■ndcd,  he  attended  college  in  New  York  for  one 
year,  then  decided  upon  the  profession  graced  by 
his  eminent  father  and  for  which  his  two  elder 
brothers  were  preparing.  To  that  end  he  entered 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  there  was  awarded  his  M.  D.  at  gradu- 
ation. 

Dr.  Knowles  chose  the  village  of  North  Stoning- 
ton  in  which  to  begin  practice  and  the  wisdom  of 
his  choice  was  confirmed  by  his  alw.-iys  remaining 
there.  He  grew  in  skill  as  experience  taught  him 
practical  truth,  not  taught  in  medical  schools,  and 
IS  he  grew  in  skill  so  he  grew  into  the  hearts  of 
his  people,  and  when  a  half  century  later  he  passed 
to  his  reward,  a  town  mourned  the  loss  of  a  faith- 
ful, skillful  physician,  a  dear  friend  and  a  high- 
minded  citizen.  He  served  his  town  for  tv.-o  terms 
'n  the  State  Legislature,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
member  of  the  school  board  of  North  Stonington. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  New  London  Medical 
and  Connecticut  State  Medical  societies  and  of  the 


American  Medical  Association,  and  highly  esteemed 
by  his  professional  brethren  of  these  bodies  of 
medical  men.  In  the  business  world  Dr.  Knowles 
was  known  as  the  able  president  of  the  Pawcatuck 
Bank  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber and  past  commander  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  Post  at  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  and 
in  the  Masonic  order  had  attained  the  thirty-second 
degree  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish   Rile. 

Dr.  Knowles  married,  in  Westerly,  Rhode  Island, 
March  28,  1865,  Mary  Elizabeth  Champlin,  born  in 
South  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  March  25,  1844, 
daughter  of  George  Washington  and  Esther 
(Champlin)  Champlin.  Two  sons  were  born  to 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  H.  Knowles:  William  Hoxey 
and  Charles  Edwin. 

William  Hoxey  Knowles  was  born  in  Stoning- 
ton, Connecticut,  May  24,  1867.  After  completing 
his  studies  in  Stonington  and  Westerly  schools,  he 
was  employed  in  a  dental  office  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  going  thence  to  a  similar  position  in 
York,  Pennsylvania.  He  then  decided  to  make 
dentistry  his  life  work  and  pursued  a  full  course  in 
Cleveland  Dental  College.  After  graduation  he 
practiced  his  profession  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  a 
few  years,  then  practiced  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
a  few  years,  finally  locating  permanently  in  Daniel- 
son,  Connecticut,  where  he  practiced  dentistry  until 
his  death,  December  6,  1920.  He  married  Catherine 
Robertson,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  who  survives  him 
with  one  child,  a  fourth  Dr.  Knowles  in  direct  line. 
He  is  Dr.  James  Robertson  Knowles,  a  graduate  of 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, now  surgeon  for  the  Boston  &  Maine  rail- 
road. During  the  period  of  war  between  the  United 
States  and  Germany,  he  served  in  the  United  States 
Army. 

Charles  Edwin  Knowles  was  born  in  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  November  8,  1869.  After  completing 
public  school  course  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Nicholas  &  Harris  Drug  Company  of  New  London, 
Connecticut,  there  remaining  four  years.  He  then 
entered  New  York  College  of  Pharmacy,  whence  he 
was  graduated  Ph.  G.  He  then  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Wilson  Drug  Company  of  Willimantic,  Con- 
necticut, where  he  died  October  8,  1892.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Bennett,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  Mrs. 
Knowles,  bereft  of  husband  and  sons,  continues  her 
residence  in  North  Stonington  where  her  married 
life  of  forty-five  years  was  spent  and  her  eleven 
years  of  widowhood.  She  is  as  dearly  beloved  as 
was  her  honored  husband,  and  now  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven  her  friends  are  many. 


EDWARD  AUSTIN  GEER— Among  the  agricul- 
turists of  the  town  of  Griswold,  New  London 
county,   Connecticut,   Edward   A.   Gcer   was   one   of 


i66 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


the  most  highly  esteemed.  Quiet  and  home-loving 
in  disposition,  he  took  but  little  part  in  political 
alTairs,  his  deepest  interest  being  his  home  and 
family,  and  Pachaug  Congregational  Church,  of 
which  he  was  long  a  deacon.  His  farm,  near 
Jewett  City,  was  his  birthplace,  there  he  died,  and 
there  his  widow  and  son  yet  reside.  The  farm 
has  been  in  the  family  from  the  time  it  was  first 
granted  to  a  white  man  by  the  Indians.  Of  ancient 
Colonial  family,  dating  in  New  England  from  1635, 
and  in  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  from  1631, 
Mr.  Geer  had  an  inheritance  of  good  blood,  sound 
body,  and  clear  mind,  which  well  fitted  him  for  the 
battle  of  life  which  he  so  bravely  fought  and  so 
honorably  won. 

He  was  a  descendant  of  George  Geer,  who  with 
a  brother,  Thomas  Geer,  came  from  England  to 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1635.  George  Geer  set- 
tled in  New  London,  Connecticut,  in  1651,  and  on 
February  17,  1658,  m.arried  Sarah  Allyn,  daughter 
of  Robert  Allyn,  one  of  New  London's  earliest  set- 
tlers. After  their  marriage  they  settled  on  a  grant 
of  fifty  acres,  made  by  the  town  of  New  London, 
now  the  town  of  Ledyard.  Mr.  Geer  was  selectman 
of  his  town,  and  lived  to  the  Lge  of  one  hundred 
and  five  years,  dying  in  1726.  The  line  of  descent 
is  through  his  son,  Robert  Geer,  and  his  wife 
Martha  (Tyler)  Geer;  their  son,  Ebenezer  Geer, 
and  his  wife  Prudence  (Wheeler)  Geer;  their  son, 
John  Wheeler  Geer,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and 
his  wife  Sally  (Dennison)  Geer,  their  home  a  tract 
of  two  hundred  acres  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  yet 
known  as  "Geer  Hill";  their  son,  Elijah  D.  Geer, 
of  Griswold,  and  his  wife  Dorothy  (Geer)  Geer, 
daughter  of  David  Geer;  their  son,  David  Austin 
Geer,  and  his  wife  Sarah  (Leonard)  Geer;  their 
son,  Edv/ard  Austin  Geer,  to  whose  memory  this 
review  is  dedicated. 

David  Austin  Geer,  of  the  sixth  American  genera- 
tion, v/as  born  at  the  Geer  homestead,  August  17, 
1824,  where  he  also  died,  March  29,  1907.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  four  winters,  during  which  he  taught  school, 
farming  was  his  lifelong  and  only  work.  His  father 
died  August  10,  1B48,  and  he  came  into  full  manage- 
ment of  the  beautiful  farm  granted  to  his  ancestor 
by  the  Mohegan  Chief,  Uncas  Owaneco,  and  there 
became  a  prosperous  man.  For  over  half  a  cen- 
tury he  was  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational 
(Pachaug)  Church,  his  wife  and  four  sons  also  be- 
coming members  of  that  church.  He  married,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1857,  Sarah  Leonard,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Joseph  and  Laura  (Johnson)  Leonard.  Mrs.  Sarah 
(Leonard)  Geer  died  November  23,  1906.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  sons:  Albert  Stanton,  of 
Three  Rivers,  Massachusetts;  Edward  Austin,  of 
further  mention;  Henry  Denison,  of  Three   Rivers, 


Massachusetts;  Joseph  Tyler,  of  Three  Rivers, 
Massachusetts.  Of  these  sons,  Edward  Austin  alone 
remained  on  the  old  farm,  the  others  engaging  in 
different  activities  in  Three   Rivers,   Massachusetts. 

Edward  Austin  Geer,  son  of  David  Austin  and 
Sarah  (Leonard)  Geer,  was  born  on  the  homestead, 
January  5,  1S61,  and  there  died,  April  2,  191S.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  district  school,  and  at 
Mystic  Valley  Institute,  and  after  his  own  studies 
were  completed  he  taught  school  for  several  term.s 
in  Danielson,  Connecticut,  in  Windham  county,  in 
the  town  of  Ledyard,  and  in  several  other  of  the 
towns  of  New  London  county.  He  was  very  suc- 
cessful as  a  teacher,  and  is  yet  remembered  among 
the  excellent  educators  of  the  county,  although  his 
teaching  experiences  were  all  prior  to   1887. 

In  that  year  his  father,  David  Austin  Geer,  then 
a  man  of  sixty-three,  had  a  desire  to  retire  from  the 
active  management  of  the  farm,  and  induced  his 
son,  Edward  A.  Geer,  to  undertake  the  task  of 
operating  it.  The  young  man,  upon  his  return,  be- 
came the  home  farm  manager,  and  in  his  thorough 
way,  in  order  to  keep  the  promise  made  to  his 
father  that  he  would  not  only  keep  it  up  to  its 
former  Geer  standard  of  productiveness,  but  that 
"he  would  make  it  one  of  the  very  best  farms  in 
the  State,"  he  raised  the  standard  of  fertility,  im- 
proved the  homestead  and  farm  buildings,  and  in 
course  of  time  added  new  and  enlarged  buildings, 
a  silo  was  built,  and  new  and  separate  buildings 
for  the  horses  and  cows.  He  carried  on  general 
farming  operations,  raised  live  stock,  operated  a 
dairy,  and  raised  sheep.  Dairying  was  an  important 
department  of  the  firm's  activities,  and  in  all  his 
undertakings  he  prospered.  He  was  president  of 
the  Jewett  City  Creamery  Company,  but  the  farm 
v.-as  the  principal  business  interest. 

For  twenty  years  he  was  a  deacon  of  the  Pachaug 
Congregational  Church,  and  he  never  lost  his  inter- 
est in  the  public  schools,  serving  many  years  on 
the  School  Board  for  love  of  the  work  and  a  sin- 
cere desire  to  be  of  service  to  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion. He  also  served  on  the  Board  of  Relief,  but 
a  purely  political  olTice  he  v.'ould  never  accept. 

Mr.  Geer  married,  in  Sterling,  Connecticut,  Octo- 
ber 26,  1887,  the  year  of  his  return  to  the  farm, 
Margaret  Gallup  Frink,  born  in  Sterling,  daughter 
of  Albert  and  Mary  Ann  (Briggs)  Frink,  a  member 
of  one  of  the  oldest  agricultural  families  of  tlie 
town  of  Sterling,  Windham  county.  Mrs.  Geer  sur- 
vives her  husband,  and  with  her  daughter  and  son 
continues  her  residence  at  the  farm  to  which  she 
came  a  bride,  and  where  she  spent  thirty-one  years 
of  wedded  life  ere  her  husband  left  her  to  tread 
life's  pathway  alone.  Three  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  A.  Geer:  i.  Bertha  Louise, 
born  July    29,    1889;    a    graduate    of    Norwich    Free 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


167 


Academy,  and  of  the  Connecticut  State  Normal 
School  in  VVillimantic;  after  teaching  for  seven 
years  in  Griswold  and  East  Hartford,  she  took  a 
librarian's  course  in  Springfield  City  Library, 
Springfield,  Massachusetts,  and  is  now  assistant  in 
the  children's  department  of  that  library.  2.  Har- 
old Frink,  born  May  28,  1892;  a  graduate  of  Jewctt 
City  Grammar  School;  after  taking  the  live  stock 
and  dairying  course  in  the  Connecticut  Agricultural 
College,  he  became  manager  of  the  home  farm;  he 
registered  for  the  selective  draft  at  the  time  war 
broke  out  between  the  United  States  and  Germany, 
but  as  the  only  son  was  not  called  from  the  farm; 
he  is  an  active  member  of  Pachaug  Grange,  No.  yo. 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  of  Undaunted  Lodge, 
No.  34,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Jewett  City.  3.  Clarence 
Edward,  born  September  2,  1894,  was  a  graduat»; 
of  Norwich  Free  Academy;  he  met  death  by  drown- 
ing, March  17,  1912. 


HON.  BENJAMIN  H.  HEWITT— In  New  Lon- 
don county,  Connecticut,  the  name  of  Benjamin  H. 
Hewitt  is  one  in  which  the  people  take  justifiable 
pride.  Standing  high  in  the  legal  fraternity  of  the 
county  and  of  the  State,  and  having  filled  with  dis- 
tinction various  offices  of  public  honor,  Mr.  Hewitt, 
still  a  young  man,  is  one  of  the  leading  attorneys 
of  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

Mr.  Hewitt  is  the  fourth  Benjamin  Hewitt  in  line, 
and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  P.  and  Jennie  (Meade) 
Hewitt.  Benjamin  P.  Hewitt  was  born  in  Stoning- 
ton.  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  and  educated 
in  the  district  schools  of  that  town,  at  East  Green- 
wich Academy,  and  at  Suffield.  During  all  his  life- 
time he  has  followed  farming,  and  still  resides  in 
the  town  of  his  birth.  The  children  of  Benjamin 
P.  and  Jennie  (Meade)  Hev/itt  are:  Cassie  W.,  who 
resides  at  home;  Jennie,  also  at  home;  Sarah  L., 
who  became  the  wife  of  Colonel  Attmore  Tucker, 
Chief  of  Staft  to  Governor  James  Higgins,  of  Rhode 
Island;  H.  Lillian,  who  is  now  supervisor  of  writing 
in  the  schools  of  Norwalk,  Connecticut;  and  Hon. 
Benjamin  H.,  whose  name  heads  this  review. 

Hon.  Benjamin  H.  Hewitt,  now  the  prominent 
Mystic  attorney,  was  born  in  North  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  April  11,  1884.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Mystic,  Bulkcley  High  School 
in  New  London,  and  Yale  Law  School.  In  1906  he 
was  admitted  to  the  Connecticut  bar,  and  opened  law 
offices  in  New  London.  For  twelve  years  he  con- 
ducted a  constantly  increasing  practice,  also  having 
an  office  in  Mystic.  In  1918  Mr.  Hewitt  gave  up 
his  practice  to  become  special  assistant  to  the 
United  States  attorney  for  the  District  of  Connec- 
ticut for  the  duration  of  the  World  War.  He  now 
devotes  all  his  time  to  the  wide  practice  v/hich  has 
reached   him   in    Mystic,  and   occupies   commodious 


offices  on  West  Main  street. 

In  1914,  the  Republican  party  in  looking  for  a 
man  who  could  be  elected  Senator  in  the  Twentieth 
District,  which  two  years  before  had  gone  Demo- 
cratic, selected  Mr.  Hewitt  for  its  nominee,  and  the 
selection  proved  to  be  a  very  wise  one,  as  Mr. 
Hewitt  was  as  energetic  and  efficic.it  on  the  stump 
as  in  the  court  room  and  won  many  votes  for  the 
Republican  party,  carrying  the  district  by  a  large 
majority.  While  in  the  Senate  he  served  as  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Banks,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Committee  on  Excise  and  also  a  member  of 
the  Committee  on  Rules.  He  has  long  been  and 
still  is  prosecuting  attorney  of  the  town  of  Stoning- 
ton. In  his  profession  Mr.  Hewitt  stands  high, 
being  an  influential  member  of  the  Connecticut 
Bar  Association  and  of  the  American  Bar  Associa- 
tion. Mr.  Hewitt  is  a  member  of  the  Union  Baptist 
Church,  of  Mystic. 

On  January  i,  1921,  Mr.  Hewitt  was  married  to 
Ann  M.  Wangelin,  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hewitt  reside  in  Mystic. 


MASON  MANNING— The  generations  of  this 
branch  of  the  Mannings  have  lived  in  New  England, 
William  Manning,  of  Cambridge,  the  American 
ancestor,  and  Mason  Manning,  of  Mystic,  Connec- 
ticut, of  this  review,  a  member  of  the  tenth  genera- 
tion. The  first  five  generations  continued  in  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts,  but  Dr.  Luther  Manning,  of 
of  the  sixth  generation,  practiced  medicine  in  the 
town  of  Norwich,  New  London  county,  Connecticut, 
and  when  the  British  burnt  the  town  of  New  Lon- 
don during  the  Revolutionary  War  he  was  acting 
there  as  assistant  surgeon.  From  Dr.  Luther 
Manning  (son  of  Hezekiah,  son  of  Samuel  (2),  son 
of  Samuel  (i),  son  of  William  (2),  son  of  William 
(i)  Manning)  spring  the  New  London  county  line, 
culminating  in  Mason  Manning,  of  Mystic.  Dr. 
Luther  Manning,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of 
Eastern  Connecticut  and  an  eminent  citizen,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Smith,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
two  sons  who  became  physicians,  Dr.  Luther  (2) 
Manning,  who  practiced  in  Scotland,  Connecticut, 
and  Dr.  Mason  Manning,  head  of  the  seventh  Man- 
ning generation  in  the  line. 

Dr.  Mason  Manning  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Norwich,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  August 
27,  1796,  and  died  at  his  home  at  the  head  of  Mystic 
river,  town  of  Stonington,  same  county,  February 
10,  1883,  and  was  buried  in  Elm  Grove  Cemetery, 
Mystic,  Connecticut.  He  was  graduated  M.  D., 
Yale  Medical  School,  class  of  1818,  and  at  once 
began  practice  in  Scotland,  Connecticut,  with  his 
elder  brother,  Dr.  Luther  Manning.  Later  Dr. 
Mason  Manning  practiced  alone  in  Milltown,  going 
thence    to   the   town   of   Stonington,   where   he   was 


i68 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


in  successful  practice  and  attained  the  highest  pro- 
fessional standing,  continuing  his  healing  mission 
among  "his  people"  until  old  age  disqualified  him. 
He  was  very  popular  both  as  physician  and  neigh- 
bor, and  like  all  old  time  country  doctors  the 
depository  of  all  the  troubles,  secrets,  hopes  and 
fears  of  the  young,  middle  aged  and  the  old.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  New  London  County  and 
Connecticut  State  Medical  societies,  a  Republican, 
and  in  later  life  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  at  Old  Mystic,  having  formerly  been 
a  Congregationalist.  Dr.  Mason  Manning  married 
(first)  Fanny  Hovey,  born  January  8,  1799,  daugh- 
ter of  Dudley  and  Mary  Hovey,  of  Scotland,  Con- 
necticut. Mrs.  Manning  died  September  23,  1822, 
and  is  buried  with  her  husband  in  Elm  Grove  Ceme- 
tery. She  was  the  mother  of  Francis  Mason  Man- 
ning, head  of  the  eighth  generation.  Dr.  Manning 
married   (second)   Harriet  C.  Leeds. 

Francis  Mason  Manning,  son  of  Dr.  Mason  Man- 
ning, was  educated  in  Old  Mystic  schools  and  in 
the  Connecticut  Literary  Institute,  SuiTield,  Connec- 
ticut, and  East  Greenwich  Academy,  Rhode  Island. 
After  school  years  were  over  he  spent  two  years 
in  a  Norwich  drug  store,  then  in  1846  opened  a 
drug  store  in  Mystic,  there  continuing  in  successful 
business  until  1880,  when  he  sold  his  interests  in 
the  store  to  Mr.  Wheeler.  Later  he  became  presi- 
dent of  the  Alystic  River  National  Bank,  Mystic, 
Connecticut,  and  had  other  important  business  in- 
terests. He  was  interested  with  his  son,  John  L. 
Manning,  in  the  grain  business,  was  president  of 
Elm  Grove  Cemetery  Association,  president  of 
Mystic  Oral  School,  trustee  of  Mystic  and  Noank 
Library,  and  in  a  public-spirited  way  helped  in  the 
advancement  of  community  interests  until  his 
death. 

Mr.  Manning  married,  in  Old  Mystic,  Connec- 
ticut, December  8,  1847,  Ann  E.  Williams,  daughter 
of  Eleazer  and  Nancy  (Avery)  Williams.  Their 
only  child  was  John  Leeds  Manning,  head  of  the 
ninth  generation. 

John  Leeds  Manning  was  born  in  Old  Mystic, 
Connecticut,  September  15,  1848,  and  resides  in 
Mystic,  aged  seventy-three.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  and  as  a  young  man  was  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  grain  business,  the  firm  of 
Manning  &  Son  becoming  one  of  the  strong,  reli- 
able firms  of  the  town.  Manning  &  Son  also  owned 
the  formula  for  manufacturing  the  one  time  pop- 
ular patent  medicine,  Atwood's  Bitters,  which  they 
manufactured  in  Groton,  Connecticut,  until  1880, 
when  they  sold  the  medical  remedy,  and  with  John 
Leeds,  in  the  village  of  Mystic,  town  of  Stonington, 
established  a  grain  business  under  his  own  name. 
He  conducted  that  enterprise  successfully  until 
1916,   when  he   retired   from  active   participation   in 


the  business.  He  married  Julia  A.  Wheeler,  born 
in  Mystic,  Connecticut,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Wheeler,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  an  only  child. 
Mason  Manning,  head  of  the  tenth  generation. 

Mason  Manning,  of  the  tenth  generation,  only 
son  of  John  L.  and  Julia  A.  (Wheeler)  Manning, 
was  born  in  Mystic,  Connecticut,  January  29,  1883. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Old  Mys- 
tic, and  when  school  years  were  completed  he  was 
variously  employed  until  1892,  when  he  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  grain  business. 
For  twenty-four  years  they  were  in  business  to- 
gether, the  father  then  retiring,  and  Mason  Man- 
ning assuming  the  entire  responsibility.  He  still 
continues  the  business  very  successfully,  being  of 
the  third  generation  of  his  family  to  engage  in 
grain  dealing,  his  father  succeeding  his  father,  then 
he  in  turn  being  succeeded  by  his  son.  Mason  Man- 
ning is  chief  of  the  Mystic  Fire  Department,  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  he  attends  and  supports 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  is  a  young 
man  of  force  and  energy,  a  good  citizen,  and  a 
capable   business   man. 

Mr.  Manning  married,  December  28,  IQ08,  Maud 
Powers,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Ellen  Powers,  of 
Waterford,  Connecticut. 


JAMES  HOOKER  C0M3T0CK— Some  men 
are  gifted  with  such  a  personality  that  their  resi- 
dence in  any  locality  makes  for  public  welfare. 
Such  a  one  is  James  Hooker  Comstock,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Stonington,  Connecticut,  who  is  regarded 
by  his  fellow-citizens  as  a  public-spirited  man,  ever 
ready  to  assist  in  any  movement  for  the  betterment 
of  his  town  or  its  inhabitants. 

James  Hooker  Comstock  comes  of  good,  old 
Connecticut  stock;  his  father  was  Captain  Amos 
Comstock,  veteran  of  the  War  of  1812,  who  was 
born  in  Montville,  New  London  county,  Connec- 
ticut, in  1794.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  of  his  native  village,  and  after  leaving  school 
was  engaged  in  the  shipping  business  along  the 
coast  for  a  time.  During  the  twenties,  of  the  last 
century,  he  went  to  Troy,  New  York,  where  he 
became  captain  of  a  boat  plying  up  and  down  the 
Hudson  river.  Captain  Comstock  followed  this 
for  years,  then  retired  and  moved  his  family  to 
New  York  City,  where  he  died  in  1S76.  His  wife 
was  Caroline  (Lockwood)  Comstock,  a  native  of 
Troy,  New  York.  Her  death  occurred  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  in  1866.  Captain  and  Mrs.  Comstock 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children:  i.  John  L.,  who 
died  in  1864.  2.  Joseph  H.,  who  married  Mary 
Clark,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York;  his  death  occurred 
in  1869.  3.  Sarah,  who  married  George  Whclpley, 
of  New  York;  bath  deceased.  4.  Elizabeth,  became 
the  wife  of   Frederick   Peoble,   of   New  York;   both 


.  ^-  ■>'*'■ ,  :<;&aa.'i- 


i^itaiiiii 


..i^r^d 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


169 


deceased  .  5.  Mary,  married  Alfred  LaForge;  both 
deceased.  6.  Frances  A.,  a  school  teacher  in  New 
York  City  for  fifty-four  years,  in  the  Borough  of 
Manhattan.  7.  Emily  A.,  wife  of  Frank  B.  Polley; 
both  deceased.  8.  Ellen,  married  Frank  B.  Policy, 
of  New  York,  also  deceased.  9.  Charlotte,  died  in 
infancy.  10.  Alice,  died  in  infancy.  11.  James 
Hooker. 

The  youngest  child  of  this  large  family,  James 
Hooker  Comstock,  was  born  in  New  York  City, 
September  i,  1847.  Attending  the  public  schools 
there,  the  boy  acquired  a  good  education,  and  when 
grown  to  young  manhood  learned  the  trade  of  a 
marine  machinist  with  the  W.  &  A.  Fletcher  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  remaining  with  them  for  seven- 
teen years.  When  he  resigned  from  their  employ, 
Mr.  Comstock  had  advanced  to  the  rank  of  master 
mechanic  of  this  company.  He  left  New  York  to 
accept  the  position  of  master  mechanic  of  the  New 
England  Steamship  Company,  in  charge  of  their 
mechanical  department  at  the  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,  shipyard. 

For  twenty-seven  j-ears  Mr.  Comstock  remained 
with  this  concern  in  Newport,  then  he  was  trans- 
ferred, still  with  the  same  company,  to  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  as  master  mechanic  here,  until  he  was 
retired  by  them  on  a  pension  in  1913.  He  now 
resides  in  Stonington,  where  he  is  enjoying  a  quiet, 
retired  life  after  many  years  of  faithful,  efficient 
service.  During  his  residence  in  Newport,  Mr. 
Comstock  was  an  active  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  conduct  of 
municipal  afTairs.  He  was  a  councilman  for  fifteen 
years,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  for 
five  years,  being  president  of  the  board  for  two 
years.  He  also  served  on  the  poor  committee  for 
seven  years.  In  the  early  years  of  his  life  in  New- 
port, Mr.  Comstock  and  eight  other  influential  resi- 
dents organized  the  Newport  Building  &  Loan 
Association.  This  institution  is  now  capitalized  at 
$1,250,000,  and  stands  high  in  the  estimate  of  the 
public. 

Mr.  Comstock  has  always  been  greatly  interested 
in  fraternal  matters.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  I,  of  Newport,  Ancient  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  worshipful  master  in  1891; 
of  Newport  Chapter;  also  of  De  Blois  Council,  of 
Newport.  In  addition  to  these  he  is  affiliated  with 
Ocean  Lodge,  of  Newport,  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  During  his  residence  in  New- 
port, Mr.  Comstock  and  his  family  attended  the 
Unitarian  church,  but  since  he  has  lived  in  Stoning- 
ton he  has  been  connected  with  the  Congregational 
church,  and  is  an  ardent  upholder  and  supporter  of 
it  and  its  work. 

In  September,  1868,  James  Hooker  Comstock 
was   united   in    marriage   with    Mary    C.   Canfield,   a 


resident  of  New  York.  Of  this  union  eight  children 
were  born:  I.  Caroline,  now  the  wife  of  Harry  Wil- 
son; she  resides  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  2.  Emc- 
line,  married  Packer  Braman,  residing  in  Newport, 
Rhode   Island.     3.  Ada,  single,  resides  in   Newport. 

4.  Grace  E.,  wife  of  George  Brownell,  of  Newport. 

5.  Frances  A.,  living  at  home.  6.  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Henry  Shalling,  of  Stonington,  and  now  re- 
sides in  East  Cleveland,  Ohio.  7.  Andrew  F.,  mar- 
ried; living  in  Newport.  8.  Catherine,  lives  at  home. 
Mrs.  Comstock  died  in   Stonington  in  July,   1918. 


CLIFFORD  BABCOCK  THOMPSON— On  Pen- 
dleton Hill,  in  the  town  of  North  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  one  of  the  old  familiar  names  is  that 
of  Thompson,  and  the  Thompson  Homestead  is  a 
typical  old  New  England  home.  Clifford  Babcock 
Thompson,  who  now  farms  the  ancestral  acres,  is 
a  young  man  of  prominence  in  the  community,  suc- 
cessful in  his  individual  enterprises,  and  standing 
high  in  the  esteem  of  the  community. 

(I)  Aaron  Thompson,  great-grandfather  of  Clif- 
ford B.  Thompson,  who  himself  was  a  native  of 
North  Stonington,  was  the  one  who  settled  upon 
this  farm  and  founded  the  homestead  for  his  chil- 
dren and  his  children's  children.  He  married  El- 
mira  York. 

(II)  Benjamin  Thompson,  son  of  Aaron  and 
Elmira  (York)  Thompson,  was  born  in  this  house, 
and  spent  his  entire  life  on  the  home  farm,  carrying 
on  the  interests  of  the  place  and  improving  the 
property.  He  married  Frances  Hilliard,  who  was 
born  in  North  Stonington,  and  both  died  on  the 
Thompson  farm. 

(III)  Albert  Thompson,  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Frances  (Hilliard)  Thompson,  was  born  on  the 
homestead,  and  he  also  spent  his  entire  life  on  the 
farm,  following  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  at 
the  early  age  of  thirty-two  years,  February  20,  1898. 
He  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  of  North  Stonington;  in  the  Pendleton  Hill 
church  he  took  an  active  interest  in  all  church 
work,  and  served  as  one  of  the  trustees  for  many 
years.  Ho  married  Jennie  June  Babcock,  who  was 
born  on  the  old  Babcock  homestead,  on  Pendleton 
Hill,  and  has  spent  all  her  life  in  this  community. 
She  still  survives  her  husband,  living  on  the  old 
Thompson  farm. 

(IV)  Clifford  Babcock  Thompson,  son  of  Albert 
and  Jennie  June  (Babcock)  Thompson,  was  born 
on  the  Thompson  homestead  on  Pendleton  Hill, 
March  4,  1890.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  Pendleton  Hill,  then  attended 
the  Hopkinton,  Rhode  Island,  High  School,  there- 
after taking  a  course  in  the  Westerly  Business  Col- 
lege. Having  been  only  eight  years  01  age  at  his 
father's  death,  he  returned  to  the  home  farm  at  the 


170 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


close  of  his  studies,  and  cared  for  the  place  in  his 
mother's  interest.  In  1914,  his  brother,  Irving  Hil- 
lard  Thompson,  became  half  owner  of  the  place 
with  him,  both  having  passed  their  twenty-first 
birthdays.  Irving  H.  Thompson  now  resides  in 
Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  but  still  holds  his  interest 
in  the  farm,  and  Cliflford  B.  Thompson  conducts 
all  the  farming  operations.  It  is  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  acres,  always  well  tilled,  and  cared  for  and 
improved  by  the  successive  generations  to  whom  it 
has  been  a  much-loved  home  as  well  as  a  means  of 
livelihood. 

In  the  social,  political  and  religious  life  of  the 
town,  Mr.  Thompson  is  bearing  a  constructive 
share.  He  supports  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  is  always  interested  in  every  form 
of  public  progress.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Relief  of  North  Stonington  for  a  period 
of  five  years.  He  is  alert  to  every  forward  move- 
ment which  bears  relation  to  the  agricultural  activi- 
ties of  the  day.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  of  Pendleton  Hill,  is  one  of  the  trustees 
of  the  church,  and  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Mr.  Thompson  married,  March  4,  1914,  in  Asha- 
way,  Rhode  Island,  Marcia  Stanton  Bentley,  who 
was  born  in  Bozrah,  New  London  county,  Connec- 
ticut. She  is  a  daughter  of  Lathan  Nelson  and 
Martha  Altana  (Frink)  Bentley;  both  her  parents 
were  born  in  North  Stonington  and  both  are  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Bentley  had  charge  of  the  White 
Rock  Farm  at  White  Rock,  Rhode  Island,  for 
twenty-one  years,  this  farm  being  the  property  of 
B.  B.  and  R.  Knight.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Thompson 
have  one  little  daughter,  Kathryn  Bentley,  born  on 
the  old  Thompson  farm,  January  i,  1915.  Mrs. 
Thompson  is  also  active  in  the  church  work  at 
Pendleton  Hill.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  mem- 
bers of  North  Stonington  Grange,  No.  13S,  Pa- 
trons of  Husbandry,  of  which  he  is  at  present 
master;  New  London  County  Pomona;  Connecticut 
State  Grange,  both  having  taken  the  seventh  degree. 


HENRY  LATHAM  BAILEY— The  Baileys  of 
Groton,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  trace  to 
early  Colonial  days,  although  in  this  branch  of  the 
family  two  generations  lived  in  Ashtabula  county, 
Ohio,  and  for  a  time  Henry  L.  Bailey  lived  there,  his 
father  marrying  in  Groton,  going  west  in  1865,  and 
in  1880  returning  to  Groton,  Connecticut,  where 
he  worked  on  his  father's  farm.  Henry  L. 
Bailey,  since  1884,  has  been  intimately  connected 
with  the  business  and  official  life  of  Groton,  the 
many  public  offices  he  has  held  and  holds  being 
strong  evidence  that  he  possesses  the  confidence 
of  his  townsmen  to  an  unusual  degree.  He  is  a 
great-grandson    of    Jonathan    Bailey,    of    Groton,    a 


soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who  from  May  26,  1781, 
served  in  Captain  Matthew  Smith's  company  in  the 
battalion  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  David 
Waterbury.  In  July,  1781,  that  battalion  joined 
General  Washington's  army,  then  at  Philipsburg, 
New  Jersey,  and  for  a  time  was  under  the  command 
of  General  Heath. 

Gurdon  Bailey,  son  of  Jonathan  Bailey,  the  Revo- 
lutionary soldier,  was  born  in  Groton,  but  with  five 
brothers  and  two  sisters  left  Groton  and  journeyed 
westward  until  reaching  that  part  of  Ohio  known 
as  the  Western  Reserve,  where  they  settled  in 
Baileyville,  Morgan  township,  Ashtabula  county. 
He  married,  before  leaving  Groton,  Phoebe  Will- 
iams, of  Mystic,  Connecticut,  she  making  the  jour- 
ney to  Ohio  with  him  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  oxen. 
They  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  Ashta- 
bula county,  Ohio,  and  at  the  home  farm  in  that 
county  their  children  were  born. 

Elijah  Williams  Bailey,  son  of  Gurdon  and 
Phoebe  (Williams)  Bailey,  spent  his  youth  in  Ash- 
tabula county,  Ohio,  and  there  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Lenox 
and  Morgan  townships.  He  returned  to  Groton, 
Connecticut,  and  here  married  Mrs.  Melinda 
(Latham)  Fiske,  widow  of  John  Fiske,  and  daugh- 
ter of  George  Latham.  He  returned  to  Ohio  with 
his  bride,  and  there  Louise,  their  eldest  child,  was 
born.  The  next  tvifo  children,  Henry  Lathan  and 
Gurdon  F.  Bailey,  were  born  in  Groton;  their 
youngest  child  Helen  E.,  in  Lenox  township,  Ash- 
tabula county,  Ohio.  In  1880  the  family  removed 
to  Groton,  Connecticut,  where  Elijah  Williams 
Bailey  died  in  1885.  He  was  long  survived  by  his 
widow,  who  spent  her  last  years  with  her  daughter 
Helen  E.  in  Derby,  Connecticut.  Children:  i. 
Louise  M.,  born  in  Ohio,  there  married  David  M. 
Leslie,  of  Trumbull,  and  had  children:  Charles  L., 
John  E.,  Carrie  M.,  and  Helen  Leslie.  2.  Henry 
Latham,  of  further  mention.  3.  Gurdon  F.,  born  in 
Groton,  a  Congregational  minister,  married  Mary  S. 
Chapman,  of  Groton,  and  has  four  children:  Harold 
C,  Marian  L.,  Louise  P.,  Lucile  D.  Bailey.  4.  Helen 
E.,  born  in  Ohio,  married  William  H.  Williams,  and 
resides  in   Derby,   Connecticut. 

Henry  Latham  Bailey,  eldest  son  of  Elijah  Will- 
iams and  Melinda  (Lathan-Fiske)  Bailey,  was  born 
at  the  Latham  homestead,  two  miles  north  of 
Groton,  July  23,  1861,  his  mother  having  been  born 
in  the  same  house  as  her  son.  Later  he  was  taken 
West  by  his  mother  to  the  Bailey  home  farm  in 
Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he  spent  the 
years  until  1880.  He  was  educated  m  the  district 
schools  nearest  his  homes  in  Lenox  and  Morgan 
townships,  Ashtabula  county,  and  at  Rock  Creek 
Institute  in  the  same  county.  He  remained  at  the 
home    farm    until    the    family    removed    to    Groton, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


I7» 


Connecticut,  and  there  engaged  in  farming  for  four 
years  after  his  return. 

Leaving  tho  farm  in  1884,  a  young  man  of  twenty- 
three,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wilson  Manu- 
facturing Company,  in  New  London,  Connecticut, 
theru  acting  as  shipping  clerk  until  1887.  In  1888 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Walter  J.  Starr,  they 
opening  a  grocery  in  Groton,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Starr  &  Bailey.     The  firm  continued  until  April 

1,  1890,  when  Mr.  Bailey  sold  his  mtcrest  in  the 
business  to  Mr.  Starr,  and  established  an  insurance 
oflfice  and  agency  in  Groton.  In  January,  1891, 
he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Jason  L.  Ran- 
dall, they  engaging  in  the  grocery  business  as 
Bailey  &  Randall.  In  November,  1892,  Mr.  Bailey, 
after  purchasing  Mr.  Randall's  interest,  joined  in 
partnership  with  Ernest  Coe  and  formed  the  firm 
of  Coe  &  Bailey,  that  firm  continuing  until  1908. 
In  the  year  1900,  Mr.  Bailey  bought  the  Groton 
insurance  agency,  owned  by  Asa  Perkins,  an  agency 
for  certain  companies  covering  the  territory  be- 
tween the  Connecticut  river  and  the  State  of  Rhode 
Island. 

In  politics  a  Democrat,  Mr.  Bailey  has  given 
much  of  his  time  to  the  public  service.  In  1890  he 
was  chosen  assessor  of  t.-i.xes,  the  vote  by  v.'hich  he 
was  elected  being  the  largest  ever  polled  in  the 
town  for  that  office.  In  1902  he  was  delegate  to 
the  State  Constitutional  Convention,  i;nd  since  1907 
has  been  town  clerk  (fourteen  years).  He  was 
treasurer  of  Groton  Fire  District,  No.  I,  treasurer 
of  the  Groton  Monument  .\ssociation,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  chairman  of  the  School  Board.  Since 
May  10,  1897,  he  has  been  a  member  of  th.e  Sons 
of  the  American  Revolution;  is  a  Master  Mason  of 
Union  Lodge,  No.  31,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 
a  companion  of  Union  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  a  member  of  Fairview  Lodge,  No.  loi. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Groton  Con- 
clave, No.  382,  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs,  and 
Thames  Lodge,  No.  13,  .'\ncient  Order  of  United 
"Workmen,  of  Groton.  In  religious  connection  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  Groton. 

During  the  World  War,  Mr.  Bailey  was  very 
active  in  promoting  all  bond  drives,  r.lso  served  as 
chairman  of  committees  for  town  of  Groton  for  the 
promotion  of  War  Savings  and  Thrift  stamps. 

Mr.  Bailey  married,  in  April,  1889,  Louisa  S.  Hol- 
loway,  of  Groton,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four 
children:  I.  Cassie  Willi.ims,  pursued  special  course 
in  music  in  the  Connecticut  College,  now  at  home. 

2.  Lewis  Porter,  born  in  Groton,  who  served  in  the 
United  States  navy  during  the  World  War,  sta- 
tioned at  Newport  during  the  entire  period  of  the 
war;  enlisted  April  7,  1917,  placed  on  reserve  Jan- 
uary 29,  1919;  discharged,  June,  1921.  3.  Henry 
Latham,  Jr.,  born   in   Groton,   Connecticut,   Decem- 


ber I,   1901,  at  home.     4.  Alfred  Starr,   died   in   in- 
fancy. 


FRANK  WARE  GUILD— A  good  example  of 
the  successful  business  man  who  has  risen  through 
his  own  efforts  to  a  position  of  prominence  which 
he  now  holds  in  the  business  circles  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  is  Frank  Ware  Guild,  jeweler,  at  No. 
21  Broadway.  It  is  not,  however,  with  this  interest 
alone  that  Mr.  Guild  has  been  actively  identified, 
but  in  everything  essential  to  the  progress  and 
well-being  of  the  community  he  takes  a  keen  in- 
terest. 

William  Guild,  father  of  Frank  W.  Guild,  was 
born  in  Franklin,  Norfolk  county,  Massachusetts, 
and  died  in  Milford,  Massachusetts,  in  1896.  When 
a  young  man  he  was  employed  in  a  felting  mill,  of 
which  he  was  stationary  engineer,  going  later  with 
the  H.  E.  Barrows  Company,  of  North  Attleboro, 
Massachusetts,  as  chief  engineer.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  takin„  a  lively  interest  in  that 
phase  of  public  administration  wl:ich  makes  for  the 
highest  good  of  the  community.  He  married  Mary 
Ware,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living:  William  A.,  a  resident  of 
North  Attleboro,  Massachusetts;  Frank  Ware,  men- 
tioned below;  Arthur,  now  a  die-cutter  in  North- 
Attleboro. 

Frank  Ware  Guild  was  born  in  Wrentham, 
Massachusetts,  January  19,  1864.  He  was  educated 
in  the  district  school  of  City  Mills  and  the  public 
schools  of  Franklin,  Massachusetts.  .-Vt  the  age  of 
fifteen  he  entered  upon  his  business  career,  securing 
a  position  in  the  jewelry  factory  of  J.  G.  Cheevcr 
&  Company  in  North  Attleboro,  Massachusetts. 
During  the  thirteen  years  that  he  remained  here  he 
gained  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  diiTcrent 
branches  of  the  industry,  but  wishing  to  specialize 
in  watch  repairing  he  took  a  special  course  in  watch 
making  in  the  Chadsey  &  Young  School.  In  1893 
he  established  himself  in  the  jewelry  business  in 
HoUiston,  Massachusetts,  but  after  three  years  sold 
out  and  returned  to  Franklin,  Massachusetts,  where 
he  carried  on  a  successful  business  in  this  particular 
line  for  many  years,  subsequently  selling  out  to 
accept  the  position  of  manager  for  the  D.  A.  Hison 
Jewelry  Company  at  Lockport,  New  York,  where 
he  remained  for  two  and  one-half  years.  In  1907 
he  was  made  manager  of  the  jewelry  department  of 
the  Plant  Cadden  Company  on  Main  street,  Nor- 
wich, and  seven  years  later  opened  his  present 
jewelry  store,  which  is  located  at  No.  21  Broadway. 
In  politics  Mr.  Guild  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  attends 
the  Central  Baptist  Church  of  Norwich.  In  the 
Masonic  order  he  has  been  very  active  and  has 
attained     the    highest    rank,    holding    the    coveted 


172 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


thirty-second  degree  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite.  He  is  a  member  of  Excelsior  Lodge,  of 
Franklin,  Massachusetts,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; Miller  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Frank- 
lin, Massachusetts,  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Mas- 
ters; Columbian  Commandery,  Knights  Templar; 
Connecticut  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Arcanum 
Club  of  Norwich. 

On  August  19,  191S,  Mr.  Guild  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mabel  Zappie,  a  native  of  Melrose, 
Massachusetts,  daughter  of  John  C.  and  Mary 
Zappie,  of  Dutch  descent,  the  latter  named  born  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  They  are  the  parents  of  two 
children,  born  in  Norwich:  Frank  Ware,  Jr.,  born 
October  i,  1919;  Joclyn  Alida,  born  December  3, 
1921. 


CHARLES  FRANCIS  MORGAN— A  successful 
business  man,  popular  with  all  classes,  genial,  gen- 
erous and  open-hearted,  thoroughly  alive  to  his  re- 
sponsibilities as  a  citizen,  Charles  Francis  Morgan, 
postmaster  at  Pachaug,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  the  community. 

Charles  Francis  Morgan,  Sr.,  v/as  born  in  the 
town  of  Griswold,  Connecticut,  and  attended  the 
district  school  of  his  native  place.  Later  he  moved 
to  Pachaug  and  there  became  owner  of  a  general 
store,  and  postmaster,  holding  the  latter  office  until 
his  death  in  1918.  As  in  private  business,  so  in 
public  life,  Mr.  Morgan  was  progressive,  public- 
spirited  and  loyal.  He  met  every  obligation  of  his 
life  fairly,  and  while  modest  and  quiet  by  nature,  he 
shirked  no  duty  and  left  a  record  of  tasks  well  per- 
formed. He  married  Ardelia  C.  V'ood,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  children:  i.  Pearl  D.,  who  is  in  the 
advertising  department  of  the  Goodyear  Tire  and 
Rubber  Company  in  Hartford,  Connecticut;  married 
Ida  Fawley,  of  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island.  2.  Susan 
L.  3.  Willis  H.,  a  farmer  in  Griswold;  married 
Annie  Anderson.  4.  Charles  Francis,  of  further 
mention.  5.  Edwin  H.,  twin  of  Charles  F.,  who  died 
when  an  infant. 

Charles  Francis  Morgan  was  born  April  15,  1888, 
in  Pachaug,  Connecticut.  He  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Griswold,  after  which  he 
entered  his  father's  store  and  there  continued  as 
clerk  until  his  father's  death,  since  which  time  the 
business  is  carried  on  by  the  estate.  In  1914  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  of  Griswold,  post  office  in 
Pachaug  village,  which  office  he  still  retains.  He 
is  capable,  earnest  and   sympathetic. 

During  the  World  War,  Mr.  Morgan  was  called 
to  the  service  of  his  country,  October  2,  1918,  and 
served  in  Company  C,  of  the  adjutant  general's 
department  in  Washington,  D.  C.  Here  he  remained 
until  January,   1919,  when  he  was  ordered  to   Camp 


Meigs,  Md.,  where  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  has 
never  sought  public  office,  neither  has  he  shirked 
any  duty,  public  or  private,  but  has  met  squarely 
every  demand  made  upon  him,  and  in  a  public- 
spirited  manner  discharged  every  obligation  of  citi- 
zenship. He  is  a  member  of  the  Pachaug  Grange, 
and  the  Pachaug  Library  Committee,  and  affiliated 
with  the  American  Legion,  Orville  LaFlamme  Post, 
of  Jewett  City,  Connecticut.  In  religion  he  is  a 
Congregationalist  and  attends  the  church  of  that 
denomination  in  Pachaug. 

On  April  7,  1919,  Charles  Francis  Morgan  was 
united  in  marri:.ge  with  Minda  Tanner,  daughter  of 
John  and  Harriett  (Burdick)  Tanner,  the  former  of 
Sterling,  the  latter  of  Voluntown,  Connecticut.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Morgan  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Ruth,, 
born  January  24,  1920. 


JEREMIE  BOURDEAU— The  Bourdeaus  herein 
mentioned  came  to  the  United  States  from  Canada,. 
Moses  Bourdeau  removing  from  his  native  village^ 
St.  Valentine,  in  the  Province  of  Quebec,  to  Spring- 
field, Massachusetts,  in  1S59.  He  was  a  brickmaker 
in  Canada,  and  in  Springfield  followed  the  same 
occupation,  becoming  a  foreman.  He  later  bought 
clay  lands,  set  up  brick-making  machines,  and  con- 
tinued in  business  as  a  brickmaker  until  his  death. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Choroug)  Bourdeau,  was  alsO' 
born  at  St.  Valentine,  Quebec,  Canada,  and  died  in 
the  same  province  at  the  age  of  si.xty. 

Jeremie  Bourdeau,  son  of  Moses  and  Elizabeth 
(Choroug)  Bourdeau,  was  born  at  St.  Valentine,. 
Quebec,  Canada,  November  3,  1849.  He  remained 
in  his  native  village  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  but 
in  1866  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Dan- 
ielson,  Connecticut,  where  he  found  work  in  a  cottoa 
mill.  From  Danielson  he  went  to  Voluntown,  Con- 
necticut, where  he  was  employed  in  the  Briggs 
Manufacturing  Company  mill.  Later  he  was  in 
South  Bridge  and  Taunton,  Massachusetts.  In 
1890,  he  bought  a  small  tract  of  land  in  Stonington, 
New  London  county,  on  which  he  made  his  home 
until  ten  years  later,  when  he  bought  a  farm  in  the 
Anguilla  district  of  the  same  town,  and  there  has 
spent  the  years  which  have  since  elapsed.  He  has- 
prospered  as  a  farmer  and  owns  a  well  improved 
and  fertile  farm. 

Jeremie  Bourdeau  married  (first)  in  Voluntown,. 
Connecticut,  November  13,  1S78,  Flora  Plant,  born 
in  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  died  in  Stonington, 
August  20,  1905,  the  mother  of  eight  children: 
Jeremie  (2),  a  carpenter  of  Norwich;  Flora,  widow 
of  Arthur  Cote,  of  White  Rock,  Rhode  Island; 
Hebe,  deceased;  Fred,  a  soldier  of  the  regular 
United  States  army,  who  was  accidentally  killed  in. 
1902,  while  on  duty  in  New  Mexico;  Eva,  deceased; 


31o0epl)  3,  Bourtieau 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


173 


Louisa,  deceased;  Joseph  J.,  see  forward;  Zilda, 
deceased.  Jcrcmie  Bourdcau  married  (second)  in 
Stonington,  in  May,  1916,  Mary  Rock,  born  in  St. 
Edward,  Quebec,  Canada,  widow  of  John  Rock. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rock  were  parents  of  five 
children:  Emma,  Lena,  Leda,  Mary,  Alexander. 


JOSEPH  J.  BOURDEAU— At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two,  Joseph  J.  Bourdcau,  of  Pawcatuck,  Connec- 
ticut, an  .American  soldier,  made  the  supreme  sacri- 
fice, death  coming  to  him  on  the  field  of  battle,  and 
there  in  the  Argonne  Forest  he  lies,  his  resting 
place  the  spot  on  which  he  fell.  He  was  a  good 
soldier  and  by  his  quiet  unassuming  manner,  his 
obedience  to  orders  and  his  bravery  in  battle,  won 
the  admiration  of  officers  and  comrades.  He  met 
a  soldier's  death  with  his  face  to  the  foe,  and  helped 
to  bring  the  great  victory  which  so  soon  followed 
his  passing.  Of  the  many  young  men  who  entered 
the  army  from  Pawcatuck,  he  was  the  only  one 
who  fell  in  battle. 

Joseph  J.  Bourdeau,  seventh  child  of  Jeremie  and 
Flora  (Plant)  Bourdeau,  was  born  in  Pawcatuck,  in 
the  town  of  Stonington,  Xew  London  county,  Con- 
necticut, February  8,  1896.  He  was  called  for  serv- 
ice from  the  selective  list,  May  22,  1918,  and  after 
a  month's  training  at  Camp  Upton  on  Long  Island, 
he  was  sent  overseas  as  a  private  in  Company  "I," 
39th  United  States  Infantry,  .American  Expedition- 
ary Force,  and  with  his  regiment  went  to  the  front 
line.  The  regiment  saw  hard  fighting  almost  from 
the  first  and  was  in  the  fighting  in  the  Argonne 
Forest,  where  on  September  23,  1918,  private  Joseph 
J.  Bourdeau  was  killed.  He  was  found  by  his  com- 
rades during  the  advance  from  hill  304  to  the  Bois 
de  Boret  and  there  was  buried,  his  grave  being 
marked  with  a  cross  to  which  is  fastened  his  identi- 
fication tag. 

Soldier  rest !   thy  warfare   o'er. 
Sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  not  breaking. 


Dream  of  battled  fields  no  more. 
Days  of  danger,  nights  of  waking. - 


-Scott. 


WILFRED  STANLEY  LAMB  —  Among  the 
business  men  of  Mystic,  Connecticut,  Wilfred  Stan- 
ley Lamb  takes  rank  with  the  practical,  progressive 
group  of  younger  men  who  are  carrying  the  town 
forward  in  the  county,  and  placing  it  in  the  lead  as 
a  business  center. 

Mr.  Lamb  is  a  son  of  Prentice  Lamb,  who  was 
born  in  Mystic,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  town.  He  was  a  young  man  of  resource  and 
ambition,  and  with  this  equipment  for  the  battle  of 
life    entered    the    employ    of   the    New    York,    New 


Haven  &  Hartford  railroad,  in  the  electrical  de- 
partment. Later  he  became  connected  with  the 
signal  department  of  the  same  company,  where  he 
is  still  actively  engaged.  He  married  Aimic  Collins, 
of  Nantucket,  ^L^ssachusetts,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children. 

Wilfred  Stanley  Lamb,  the  youngest  son  of  Pren- 
tice and  Annie  (Collins)  Lamb,  was  born  in  Mystic, 
Connecticut,  June  25,  1886.  He  received  a  thor- 
oughly practical  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Mystic,  then  entered  the  business  world  in  the 
capacity  of  clerk  in  the  store  of  a  brother.  In  this 
connection  he  worked  until  1919,  when  he  became 
associated  with  William  R.  Leonard,  then  just  dis- 
charged from  the  Coast  Patrol  Service  of  the  United 
States  army.  Together  these  young  men  estab- 
lished the  firm  of  Lamb  &  Leonard,  and  went  into 
the  grocery  business.  Both  young  men  possessed 
excellent  business  ability,  and  their  success  was 
assured  from  the  beginning.  They  became  one  of 
the  most  enterprising  grocery  firms  in  town,  and 
command  the  best  class  of  trade.  After  the  death 
of  Mr.  Leonard,  Mr.  Lamb  purchased  the  business 
from  the  Leonard  estate,  and-  conducts  the  same 
under  his  own  name.  Mr.  Lamb  is  interested  in 
every  branch  of  public  progress,  and  politically  sup- 
ports the  principles  and  policies  of  the  Republican 
party. 

On  September  18,  1909,  Mr.  Lamb  married  Edith 
Bradley,  daughter  of  Robert  D.  and  .\rline  (Rath- 
bun)  Bradley,  of  Mystic.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamb 
attend  and  support  the   Baptist  church. 


WILLIAM  R.  LEONARD— Prominent  in  busi- 
ness circles  in  Mystic,  Connecticut,  and  with  a 
worthy  war  record  in  connection  with  the  recent 
overseas  struggle,  William  R.  Leonard  was  truly 
representative  of  that  young  manhood  of  America, 
which,  from  the  smallest  detail  of  routine  work  to 
the  great  emergencies  of  life  and  death,  is  equal  to 
every  occasion. 

Mr.  Leonard  was  a  son  of  William  and  Melvina 
J.  (Browning)  Leonard.  The  elder  Mr.  Leonard 
was  born  in  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  and  there 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  There- 
after becoming  an  expert  machinist,  he  was  for 
years  in  the  employ  of  C.  B.  Cottrell  &  Son  Com- 
pany, the  world-famed  manufacturers  of  printing 
presses  and  other  machinery.  During  the  latter 
part  of  this  association,  he  was  erecting  engineer  for 
the  company,  this  work  carrying  him  to  all  parts  of 
the  United  States,  and  he  is  still  thus  engaged.  His 
wife  resides  in  Westerly.  They  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Louis  W.,  who  is  connected  with  the 
United  States  torpedo  station  in  Newport,  Rhode 
Island;  and  William  R.,  of  further  mention. 


174 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


William  R.  Leonard  was  born  in  Wi;sterly,  Rhode 
Island,  August  12,  1896,  and  died  in  Mystic,  Con- 
necticut, February  27,  iqji.  He  attended  Westerly 
public  school,  but  completed  school  years  in  Ston- 
iiigton,  Connecticut,  High  School  in  1912.  When 
school  days  were  over,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
A.  F.  Babcock,  of  Westerly,  one  of  the  leading  gro- 
cery and  meat  dealers  in  that  town.  Here  he  con- 
tinued until  the  call  of  humanity  reached  the  young 
men  of  America,  in  191 7,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  selling  his  interest  in  the  busi- 
tiess  to  Mr.  Babcock. 

During  the  war,  Mr.  Leonard  was  stationed  at 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  and  later  at  New  London, 
Connecticut,  in  the  coast  patrol  service.  He  was 
discharged  at  New  London,  in  December,  1918.  In 
January,  1919,  resuming  interrupted  civilian  inter- 
ests, Mr.  Leonard  came  to  Mystic,  Connecticut,  and 
in  association  with  Wilfred  S.  Lamb,  whose  sketch 
precedes  this  in  the  work,  established  a  prosperous 
grocery  business,  this  association  continuing  until 
Mr.  Leonard's  passing.  The  success  of  this  firm 
had  been  assured  from  the  first,  and  the  store 
became  one  of  the  leading  establishments  in  its  line 
in  Mystic. 

Politically,  Mr.  Leonard  was  a  Republican.  In 
fraternal  circles  he  v.fas  prominent,  being  a  member 
of  Charity  and  Relief  Lodge,  No.  72,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Mystic;  Deliverance  Chapter, 
No.  21,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  Mystic  Council, 
Royal  and  Select  Masters. 

Mr.  Leonard  married  (first)  September  22,  I9l7i 
Marian  Elizabeth  Bradley,  who  died  in  April,  1919, 
leaving  an  infant  daughter,  Arline  Rathbun.  Mrs. 
Leonard  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  O.  and  Arline 
(Rathbun)  Bradley,  of  Mystic,  Connecticut.  Mr. 
Leonard  married  (second),  December  7,  1910. 
Esther  Coit,  daughter  of  Herbert  and  Lida  (Chip- 
man)  Coit.  Though  young  in  years,  Mr.  Leonard 
had  won  honorable  rank  as  a  business  man  and 
citizen,  and  leaves  behind  him  the  record  of  a  well- 
spent  life. 


LLEWELLYN  EUGENE  KINNEY  —  With 
many  years  of  training  to  his  credit  as  a  practical 
jeweler,  Llewellyn  Eugene  Kinney  brought  scien- 
tific experience  with  him  when  he  came  to  Mystic  as 
manager  of  the  jewelry  store  which  he  opened  in  the 
town  for  the  firm  of  Perry  &  Stone,  owners,  of  New 
London,  Connecticut. 

Connecticut  has  been  the  home  of  the  Kinney 
family  for  several  generations.  Llewellyn  Eugene 
Kinney  was  born  in  Willimantic,  Connecticut,  May 
23,  1876,  and  his  father,  Andrew  E.  Kinney,  was 
born  in  Ashford,  Connecticut,  and  lived  in  the  State 
all  his  life;  he  was  educated  in  the  district  school 
of  the  village,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War 
he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  Connec- 
ticut Volunteers,  and  fought  all  throughout  the 
war.  Having  taken  up  the  study  of  interior  deco- 
ration,  he   entered   into   the   decorating   business    in 


W'illimantic  and  carried  it  on  until  his  death  in  1908. 
The  wife  of  Andrew  E.  Kinney  was  before  her 
marriage  Clara  Taylor,  a  native  of  Boston.  She  died 
in  New  London,  February  16,  1920.  They  had  two 
children:  Llewellyn  Eugene,  and  Burton,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Llewellyn  Eugene  Kinney  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Willimantic,  and  later  was  a  pupil 
in  the  Windham  High  School,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1895.  He  then  began  his  business  career 
by  working  in  the  jewelry  store  of  J.  C.  Tracy,  of 
Willimantic,  remaining  with  him  for  four  years. 
Going  to  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  in  1899,  Mr.  Kin- 
ney obtained  employment  in  the  jewelry  store  of 
Davis  &  Hawley,  but  at  the  end  of  three  years  he 
returned  to  Willimantic  and  became  a  salesman  for 
Herbert  E.  Smith,  also  in  the  jewelry  line,  remain- 
ing with  him  until  1908.  It  was  at  this  time  that 
Messrs.  Perry  &  Stone,  of  New  London,  were  in 
need  of  a  manager  for  their  new  establishment  in 
Mystic,  and  securing  the  services  of  Mr.  Kinney, 
the  arrangement  was  continued  until  1915,  at  which 
time  Mr.  Kinney  bought  out  the  store  and  stock  of 
Perry  &  Stone  and  has  been  its  proprietor  ever 
since. 

Mr.  Kinney  is  a  most  enthusiastic  member  of  the 
Masonic  brotherhood,  being  connected  with  every 
division  of  it  up  to  the  thirty-second  degree;  some 
years  ago  he  joined  St.  John's  Lodge,  of  Williman- 
tic, Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  also  Benevolent 
Chapter,  of  Mystic,  and  Mystic  Council;  he  is  con- 
nected with  Columbian  Commandery,  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  and  with  the  Consistory,  of  Norwich, 
Mr.  Kinney  is  equally  interested  in  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Stonington  Lodge,  No.  26, 
of  Mystic,  and  in  Westerly  Lodge,  No.  678,  Benev- 
olent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

In  addition  to  all  these  fraternal  orders,  Mr. 
Kinney  is  equally  popular  as  a  club  man;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Men's  Club  of  Mystic  and  of  the 
Country  Club,  also  of  the  Hook  and  Ladder  Com- 
pany of  the  Mystic  Fire  Department.  He  is  not  a 
politician,  though  he  is  an  upholder  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  Mr.  Kinney  and  his  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church,  of  Mystic,  and 
are  particularly  active  in  all  things  pertaining  to 
its  support. 

On  October  10,  1907,  in  Willimantic,  Llewellyn 
Eugene  Kinney  was  united  in  marriage  with  Har- 
riet Little,  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Little,  whose 
wife  was  a  Miss  Jordon,  of  Willimantic.  Two  chil- 
dred  have  been  born  of  this  union:  Lois  Paige,  and 
Osmond   L.,  both  born  in  Mystic. 


JOHN  S.  SULLIVAN— In  political  circles  in  the 
town  of  Bozrah,  Connecticut,  John  S.  Sullivan  is  a 
leading  figure.  No  less  noted  for  his  extensive 
farming  operations,  and  carrying  on  a  large  team- 
ing and  trucking  business,  Mr.  Sullivan  is  prominent 
in  many  activities. 

Mr.  Sullivan  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  pioneer  Irish- 
men   of    this    section,    Michael    Owen    Sullivan,    a 


>^^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


«7S 


sturdy  farmer  from  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  who 
came  to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  He 
located  in  Colchester,  Connecticut,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  also  worked  in  a  grocery  store. 
After  a  time  he  bought  a  farm  in  E.xetcr  Society, 
in  the  town  of  Lebanon,  where  he  conducted  farm- 
ing operations  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
died  on  that  place.  He  was  a  quiet,  estiirtablc, 
home-loving  man,  who  won  the  friendship  of  every 
one  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  married, 
in  Colchester,  Nora  Sullivan,  who  was  also  born  in 
County  Kerry,  Ireland.  She  died  on  the  old  farm 
in  Exeter.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
all  born  in  Lebanon,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living: 
I.  Alice,  of  East  Portchestcr,  New  York.  2.  Mary, 
a  Sister  of  the  Sisters  of  \(ercy,  now  known  a.i 
Sister  Mary  Louise,  at  the  Sacred  Heart  Convent, 
New  Haven,  Connecticut.  3.  Julia,  wife  of  Red- 
mond Walsh,  of  Jewett  City,  Connecticut,  a  prom- 
inent engineer  of  that  town.  4.  John  S.,  whoso 
name  heads  this  review.  5.  James  Patrick,  deceased, 
who  was  an  undertaker  in  Stamford,  Connecticut; 
married  Jennie  Thompson,  and  she  and  their  son, 
Eugene  L.,  of  Middletown,  Connecticut,  still  survive 
him.  6.  Barbara  A.,  of  East  Portchester,  New  York. 
7.  Rev.  Father  Eugene  Lawrence,  v.'hose  early  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  Lebanon  schools,  and 
the  Bacon  Academy,  of  Colchester,  and  who  pur- 
sued his  theological  studies  in  St.  Bonavcnturc 
Theological  College,  Allegany,  New  York;  was 
ordained  priest  in  1895,  and  is  now  pastor  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  East 
Portchester,  New  York.  8.  Margaret,  of  Orange, 
New  Jersey. 

John  S.  Sullivan  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Connec- 
ticut, near  Exeter,  March  3,  1864.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  Lebanon,  and 
the  Bacon  .-\cademy,  of  Colchester.  When  he  had 
finished  his  studies  he  returned  to  the  home  farm 
in  Exeter,  and  worked  with  his  father.  Later  he 
worked  for  himself  along  farm  lines,  and  in  1884 
removed  to  the  town  of  Bozrah,  where  he  bought 
the  William  F.  Bailey  farm.  This  is  a  property  01 
three  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  from  the  first 
Mr.  Sullivan  has  handled  large  interests.  He  docs 
a  great  deal  of  general  farming,  and  also  of  stock 
raising.  He  carries  on  a  very  large  dairy,  an  auto- 
mobile  truck  being  required  to  haul  away  the  milk. 
Aside  from  the  farm  work,  as  outlined,  he  does  a 
large  business  in  auto  trucking,  and  also  in  teaming, 
his  interests  thus  covering  a  wide  scope.  He  has 
further  bought  and  sold  a  number  of  farms,  but  the 
original  property  purchased  in  Bozrah  has  always 
been  his  home. 

Mr.  Sullivan  is  a  very  popular  leader  of  the 
Democratic  party  in  Bozrah.  He  has  served  the 
town  in  various  capacities,  and  the  sound  common 
sense  which  has  carried  his  individual  interests  to 
success  has  been  well  applied  in  public  affairs.  He 
was  first  made  a  member  of  the  School  Board,  then 
later  was  elected  second  selectman  of  Bozrah,  and 
his  re-elections  l.eld  him  in  this  office  for  a  period 


of  eight  years.  In  1907  he  was  elected  town  repre- 
sentative to  the  State  Legislature,  and  served  on 
the  committee  on  agriculture.  Again  in  1911  he 
was  elected  to  the  liouse  of  kcprcscnialivcs  at 
Hartford,  and  was  a  member  of  the  same  com- 
mittee. For  the  past  eight  years  he  has  been  first 
selectman  of  the  town  of  Bozrah.  He  is  one  of  the 
strongest  men  in  his  party,  usually  running  well 
ahead  of  his  ticket. 

On  February  5,  1886,  Mr.  Sullivan  married,  in 
Lebanon,  Lucy  Agnes  McGrath,  daughter  of  Pat- 
rick and  Catherine  (Ruddy)  McGrath,  both  natives 
of  Ireland,  and  one  of  the  earliest  Irish  families  to 
locate  in  Lebanon,  where  Mrs.  Sullivan  was  born. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sullivan  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  and  all  born  011 
the  present  home  farm:  1.  Michael  Lawrence,  born 
November  24,  1886,  and  now  associated  with  his 
father  on  the  farm.  2.  Patrick  John,  born  August 
5.  1889,  and  also  associated  with  his  father  on  the 
farm.  3.  Eugene  Redmond,  born  September  18, 
•893-  4.  James  Thomas,  born  December  7,  1895. 
5.  Mary  Rose,  born  August  29,  1901,  a  successful 
school  teacher.  6.  Lucy  Alice,  born  June  30,  1909, 
died  July  21,  1909.  7.  Francis  Joseph,  born  July 
7,  1910.  8.  Louis  .^ugustinc,  born  May  4,  1914.  The 
family  are  members  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  of  Lebanon. 


WILLIAM  FRANK  BOGUE— The  record  of  the 
Boguc  family  in  tlic  Civil  War  is  one  t!;at  is  well 
worthy  of  preservation.  Russell  Bogue,  a  Connec- 
ticut farmer,  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regi- 
ment, Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four,  and  in  that  regiment  were  his  four  sons: 
Ichabod,  David,  John  W.  (father  of  William  F. 
Bogue),  and  George  F.  Russell  Bogue,  the  father, 
and  his  son,  David  Bogue,  gave  up  their  lives  in 
the  service,  dying  in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  John 
W.  Bogue  was  wounded  in  battle,  and  George  F. 
Bogue,  after  serving  his  first  enlistment  term  of 
nine  months,  rcenlistcd,  but  in  another  regiment. 
To  tiiis  honorable  record  of  his  forbears  there  is 
now  to  be  added  the  record  of  Irving  Edwin  Boguc, 
son  of  William  F.  Bogue,  of  Norwich,  who  sleeps 
in  a  hero's  grave  in  France,  having  made  the  su- 
preme sacrifice  in  the  fierce  fighting  between  the 
forces  of  the  United  States  and  Germany  at  Verdun. 

John  W.  Bogue,  father  of  William  F.  Bogue, 
was  born  in  Salem,  Connecticut,  and  after  a  life 
of  activity  as  a  farmer  in  New  London  county,  now 
resides  in  Montville.  He  was  a  farmer's  boy,  a 
soldier  of  the  Civil  War,  wounded  in  battle,  and  a 
farm  owner,  his  farm  in  the  town  of  Montville  now 
the  property  in  part  of  the  city  of  New  London 
and  a  part  of  the  waterworks  system,  .\ftcr  selling 
his  farm,  Mr.  Bogue  moved  to  the  village  and  there 
yet  resides,  aged  eighty-five,  a  Democrat,  and  still 
interested  in  town  afltairs.  He  married  Mary  Jane 
Chapman,  daughter  of  Joseph  L.  Chapman,  and  a 
descendant  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  They  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  all  born  in  Montville. 


176 


NEW  LONDON  COUNTY 


Connecticut:  i.  Charles  R.,  married  Nellie  Brown, 
of  Waterford,  Connecticut.  2.  Louis  H.,  of  Nor- 
wich, married  Lavcna  Harvey,  of  New  Jersey,  who 
is  now  deceased.  3.  Jennie  L.,  wife  of  John  \V. 
Adams,  of  Montville.  4.  William  Frank,  mentioned 
below.  5.  Grace,  died,  unmarried,  at  Montville. 
6.  Alma  P.,  married  George  P.  Smith,  of  Menden, 
Connecticut.  7.  Annie  L.,  wife  of  C.  Henry  Briggs, 
of  Lebanon,  Connecticut. 

William  Frank  Bogue,  son  of  John  W.  and  Mary 
Jane  (Chapman)  Bogue,  was  born  April  25,  1866,  in 
Montville,  and  received  his  education  in  Chester- 
field, Connecticut.  In  1881,  being  then  fifteen  years 
old,  he  obtained  employment  in  the  quilt  mill  of 
Palmer  Brothers,  in  Oakdale,  Connecticut,  serving 
a  regular  apprenticeship,  working  twelve  hours  a 
day,  walking  to  and  from  his  place  of  employment, 
covering  nine  miles  daily.  But  he  stood  the  test 
and  for  a  year  and  a  half  met  the  strenuous  re- 
quirements of  his  position.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  he  secured  a  clerkship  in  the  general  store  of 
William  J.  Baldwin,  in  Oakdale,  and  remained  there 
about  two  years.  In  1884,  in  association  with  his 
brother,  he  engaged  in  the  meat  business  in  Mont- 
ville, where  for  two  years  the  brothers  carried  on 
a  successful  business.  In  1886  William  F.  Eogue 
established  a  meat  market  under  his  own  name  in 
Yantic,  Connecticut,  which  he  conducted  success- 
fully for  twelve  years.  In  1806  he  came  to  Nor- 
wich, opened  another  store  and  for  two  years  con- 
ducted both  establishments.  In  1898  he  gave  up 
his  Yantic  store,  and  in  1904  sold  out  his  Norwich 
business.  About  that  time  he  was  chosen  second 
selectman,  and  soon  afterward  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  the  City  Gas  and  Electric  Company  of 
Norwich. 

After  serving  in  this  capacity  until  1913,  Mr. 
Bogue  became  interested  in  the  automobile  busi- 
ness and  the  same  year  secured  the  Norwich 
agency  for  the  Ford  car.  A  year  later  he  moved  to 
his  present  commodious  garage  and  business  head- 
quarters on  North  Main  street.  The  business  has 
prospered  until  it  is  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind 
in  the  city,  and  since  the  death  of  his  son  in  France, 
has  been  conducted  as  the  Irving  E.  Bogue  Com- 
pany. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Bogue  is  a  Democrat,  and  from 
early  manhood  has  been  interested  in  public  affairs. 
In  l888  and  again  in  1890  he  represented  the  town 
of  Bozrah  in  the  State  Legislature,  being  the  young- 
est member  of  that  body  during  both  terms.  His 
reelection  proves  that  in  spite  of  his  youth  his  serv- 
ices were  satisfactory  to  his  constituents.  He  also 
served  as  second  selectman  of  Norwich. 

Mr.  Bogue  married.  March  2,  1892,  in  Bozrah, 
Connecticut,  Elizabeth  Jane  Frink,  born  in  Nor- 
wich, daughter  of  James  and  Venella  (Sanger) 
Frink,  her  father  dying  while  his  daughter  was  a 
child,  her  mother  marrying  (second)  Edwin  L. 
Rathbun,  who  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bogue  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Elsie  R-, 
born  January  7,  1893,  in  Yantic,  now  bookkeeper 
for    the    firm   of   Hall    Brothers,   residing   at   home; 


Irving  Edwin,  whose  biography  follows:  Ruth,  born 
December  25,  1896,  at  Yantic,  now  living  at  home; 
Harlow  L.,  born  June  26,  1899,  in  Norwich,  now 
associated  with  his  father  in  business. 


IRVING  EDWIN  BOGUE— The  greatest  war  in 
the  history  of  the  world  called  for  the  greatest 
sacrifice  of  blood  and  treasure  the  world  ever  knew. 
.Among  the  men  who  marched  away  from  homes  all 
over  the  world  never  to  return  was  that  young 
citizen-soldier  of  our  own  America,  Irving  Edwin 
Bogue,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  who  made  the 
supreme  sacrifice  on  a  battlefield  of  France,  falling 
in  the  Verdun  fighting  of  October  23,  1918.  and 
breathing  his  last  three  days  later.  He  was  a  good 
soldier,  the  records  showing  that  his  division  went 
into  the  front  line  trenches  in  France  immediately 
after  training  was  complete,  early  in  1918,  and  were 
engaged,  with  a  course  of  rest  periods,  until  the  sign- 
ing of  the  armistice.  Private  Bogue  met  every 
soldierly  requirement  to  the  full,  and  even  when  for 
physical  reasons  he  might  have  gone  to  the  hos- 
pital, refused  the  opportunity  and  took  his  place 
with  his  comrades  in  their  posts  of  danger.  He 
was  cheerful  and  uncomplaining,  ready  for  every 
duty  with  his  command,  which  was  organized  from 
the  Connecticut  National  Guard,  and  won  the  re- 
spect of  his  ofTicers  by  his  soldierly  obedience  and 
devotion  to  duty. 

Irving  Edwin  Bogue,  son  of  William  Frank  and 
Elizabeth  Jane  (Frink)  Bogue  (q.v.),  was  born  in 
Fitchville,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  Feb- 
ruary II,  1894,  died  in  Emergency  Hospital,  No. 
18,  near  the  battle  line  in  Verdun,  France,  October 
26,  1918,  from  wounds  received  in  battle  three 
days  earlier.  He  passed  through  the  grades  of 
the  Broadway  Street  Gramjuar  School,  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  then  entered  Norwich  Free  Academy. 
The  next  five  years  were  spent  in  the  employ  of 
the  City  Gas  and  Electric  Company,  of  which  his 
father  was  then  superintendent.  He  was  princi- 
pally employed  as  a  driver  of  the  first  electrically 
driven    truck    owned   by   the   city. 

Then  came  the  great  World  War,  and  finally  the 
entrance  of  the  United  States  into  that  war,  in 
April,  1917,  and  then  the  selective  draft.  Irving 
.Edwin  Bogue  was  called  for  duty,  and  on  Sep- 
tember 6,  1917,  he  reported  to  Camp  Devens,  being 
the  second  man  of  the  first  five  per  cent  called  to 
leave  Norwich,  Connecticut.  For  eleven  days  he 
was  attached  to  the  Camp  Devens  Dapot  Brigade, 
then  was  assigned  to  Company  G,  One  Hundred 
and  Second  Regiment,  United  States  Infantry,  then 
being  organized  from  the  Connecticut  National 
Guard  at  Yale  Field,  New  Haven,  as  part  of  the 
Twenty-si.xth  "Yankee"  Di\Tsion.  Company  G, 
One  Hundred  and  Second  Regiment,  was  formerly 
Company  G  of  the  First  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
Connecticut  National  Guard,  Captain  Bissell  com- 
mander of  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Second 
Regiment. 

In  September,  1917,  the  One  Hundred  and  Second 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


177 


Regiment  left  Yale  Field  for  Hobokcn,  New  Jersey, 
there  taking  the  government  transport,  "Lenape," 
and  starting  overseas.  Engine  trouble  and  rough 
weather  drove  the  "Lenape"  back,  and  three  days 
after  leaving,  the  ship  returned  to  port.  The  troops 
were  disembarked  and  sent  to  Fort  Totten,  New 
York,  where  they  rem.iincd  until  early  in  October, 
when  they  sailed  on  the  "Adriatic,"  and  on  October 
12,  191 7,  disembarked  in  Liverpool,  England.  Two 
days  later  th.ey  arrived  at  Havre,  France,  and  went 
into  camp  at  Rouvrese  La  Chetivc,  and  there  were 
in  training  three  months.  The  "Yankee"  Division 
(Twenty-Sixth)  left  training  camp  February  18, 
1918,  and  went  into  front  line  trenches  in  the  then 
quiet  sector  on  the  Chcmin-des-Dames  front.  Here, 
later,  they  encountered  some  heavy  fighting  of  a 
minor  degree  and  held  the  trenches  until  early  in 
April,  when  they  were  sent  to  the  Toul  sector, 
where  Company  G  took  part  in  the  first  big  battle, 
the  engagement  at  Siecheprey,  fought  on  April  21, 
T918,  the  first  attack  made  by  the  Germans  on  .\mcr- 
ican  troops.  The  regiment  gave  way  before  the 
terrific  attack,  but  later  regained  the  lost  ground. 
Company  G,  to  which  private  Bogue  belonged,  los- 
ing heavily.  He  was  on  the  Toul  front  until  July 
2,  1918,  when  the  "Yankee"  Division  was  relieved 
and  sent  to  Chateau-Thierry,  where  they  relieved 
the  Second  Division,  composed  of  regiments  of  the 
regular  United  States  Infantry  and  the  United 
States  Marines. 

The  Twenty-Sixth  Division,  in  making  that  move, 
traveled  by  train,  Toul  to  Paris,  to  Tricport,  thence 
to  Chateau-Thierry,  twenty-five  miles  distant  on 
foot,  arriving  July  lOth.  On  the  l8th,  the  Twenty- 
Sixth  Division  (the  One  Hundred  Second  Regi- 
ment and  Company  G  a  part)  started  the  famous 
Chateau-Thierry  drive,  that  division  leading  the  van. 
On  this  advance  eighteen  towns  were  freed  from 
German  control.  Company  G,  Private  Bogue's  com- 
pany, lost  heavily  during  the  advance,  and  on  July 
28th  was  relieved  and  sent  to  rest  camp  at  La 
Ferte,  marching  fifteen  miles  to  reach  that  camp. 
Ten  days  later  they  were  back  in  the  St.  Mihiel 
drive  with  the  "Yankee"  Division,  which  again  led 
the  advance.  From  there  they  were  sent  to  the 
Metz  front,  thence  to  Argonne  Forest,  and  both  at 
Metz  and  in  the  Argonne  the  division  encountered 
very  hard  fighting.  Then  followed  the  battle  of 
Verdun,  and  on  October  23,  1918,  while  Company 
G  was  under  heavy  machine  gun  fire,  the  brave 
young  soldier,  Irving  Edwin  Uogue,  fell,  mortally 
wounded.  He  was  sent  at  once  to  Emergency  Hos- 
pital, Xo.  18,  and  there  breathed  his  last,  October 
26th,  following.  .Among  all  the  souls  that  went  out 
from  that  dreadful  field  of  carnage  there  was  no 
braver,  nobler  spirit  than  that  which  left  the  body 
of  that  young  citizen-soldier,  who  died  that  liberty 
might  endure.  Corporal  Irving  Edwin  Bogue,  Com- 
pany G,  One  Hundred  and  Second  Regiment.  Twenty- 
Sixth  Division,  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
In  Gloria  Cemetery,  near  Verdun,  this  brave  boy 
is   buried,  and   willing   hands,   inspired   by   grateful 

VL.— 2.1c. 


hearts,  will  care  for  the  stranger  who  died  for  them 
until  the  government  shall  at  the  request  of  the 
bereaved  family  return  the  precious  dust  to  it» 
native  land.  The  spot  where  he  lies  was  visited  by 
two  sisters  of  the  dead  hero  during  the  summer  of 
1&19,  as  was  the  battlefield  on  which  he  fell. 

Just  before  the  St.  Mihiel  drive.  Private  Bogue 
was  advanced  to  the  rank  of  corporal.  He  was  a 
runner  in  all  the  fighting  prior  to  the  St.  Mihiel 
battle,  his  duty  being  to  carry  messages  from  one 
officer  to  another  as  ordered,  a  most  dangerous 
duty,  as  the  runner  is  more  exposed  to  danger  than 
the  man  in  the  trenches  or  on  the  battle  line.  He 
was  one  of  the  men  of  Company  G  who  always  re- 
sponded to  a  call  for  volunteers  for  a  raid  into 
"\o  Man's  Land,"  or  for  patrol  duty  in  that  danger 
ground  between  the  two  armies.  He  was  popular 
in  Norwich,  and  popular  with  his  comrades,  always 
quick  to  share  his  money  or  luxuries  received  from 
home  with  his  comrades.  After  the  battle  of 
Chateau-Thierry,  Corporal  Bogue  was  on  the  sick 
list,  his  company  then  being  away  in  rest  camp. 
He  was  designated  as  one  of  those  to  go  to  the  hos- 
pital, and  he  could  have  kept  out  of  much  fighting 
by  availing  himself  of  the  privilege,  but  he  elected 
to  stay  with  the  colors,  and  there  was  no  action  in 
which  Company  G  took  part  that  he  was  not  with 
them  until  he  fell.  Since  losing  his  son  the  busi- 
ness of  his  father  has  been  incorporated  as  the 
Irving  E.  Bogue  Company,  in  honor  of  the  son  who 
fell  in  France. 


WILLIAM  THOMAS  VEAL,  M.D.— Locating  a 
few  years  ago  in  Stonington.  Connecticut.  Dr. 
William  Thomas  Veal  has  become  a  very  busv  man 
and  has  made  many  friends  among  the  people  of 
that  vicinity. 

Dr.  Veal  is  an  American,  born  of  English  parents, 
his  father,  William  J.  Veal,  having  been  born  in 
Cornwall,  England,  and  living  there  until  manhood. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  granite  worker  in 
Cornwall.  He  was  still  young  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  locating  in  Westerly,  Rhode 
Island,  he  obtained  employment  there  in  a  granite 
concern,  residing  in  Westerly  up  to  the  present 
time.  William  J.  Veal  married  Georgina  Opie.  also 
horn  in  England,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
William  Thomas;  Selena,  living  at  home  with  her 
parents. 

William  Thomas  Veal  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Westerly  and  later  in  the  High 
School,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1908.  After  leav- 
ing Westerly  High  School,  the  young  man  entered 
the  medical  school  of  Jefferson  College,  and  after  a 
four  year  course  graduated  in  1012  with  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  From  1912  to  191.I  Dr.  Veal  served  as  an 
interne  in  St.  Joseph's  Hospital.  Reading.  Pennsyl- 
vania, after  which  he  went  to  Hope  Valley.  Rhode 
Island,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  191.1  entered  into 
private  practice  there.  For  four  years  Dr.  Veal 
remained    at    Hope    Valley,    and    in    1917    came    to 


178 


NEW  DONDON  COUNTY 


Stonington  and  has  built  up  a  lucrative  practice, 
entering  into  the  various  interests  of  the  com- 
munity, and  at  the  present  date  (1921)  is  still 
engaged  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Veal  has  been  for 
some  time  back  an  active  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington County  Medical  Society,  now  holding  the 
office  of  vice-president  of  the  same.  He  is  also 
connected  with  Charity  Lodge,  No.  23,  Ancient  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Hope  Valley,  and  Benevo- 
lence Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  Mystic.  While 
not  at  all  a  politician.  Dr.  Veal  votes  the  Republican 
ticket. 

On  June  13,  1916,  at  Hope  Valley,  William 
Thomas  Veal  married  Ruth  E.  Allen.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  George  E.  and  Annie  (Greene)  Allen, 
residents  of  Hope  Valley.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Veal  have 
one  child,  Marion  E.,  born  May  II,  IQ17.  He  is  a 
member  and  supporter  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 


FREDERICK  C.  CROWELI — A  conspicuous  fig- 
ure in  the  business  circles  of  Norwich,  Connecticut, 
is  Frederick  C.  Crowell,  owner  of  a  large  paint  and 
oil  business,  which  is  located  at  No.  87  Water 
street. 

Zadoc  C.  Crowell,  father  of  Frederick  C.  Crowell, 
was  born  in  Chatham,  Massachusetts,  and  died  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  1890.  When  but  a  lad  he 
learned  the  painter's  trade  at  Sag  Harbor,  subse- 
quently coming  to  Norwich,  v/hcre  he  secured 
employment  with  Rogers  &  Willoughby,  con- 
tractors. Later  he  entered  partnership  v/ith  Mr. 
Willoughby,  which  continued  for  a  number  of  years, 
during  which  time  the  business  was  changed  to 
paints  and  oils.  After  this  partnership  was  dis- 
continued, Mr.  Crowell  formed  a  partnership  with 
M.  P.  Lewis,  under  the  firm  name  of  Crowell  & 
Lewis,  and  was  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
very  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  organization.  He 
was  chief  of  the  local  police  force  for  many  years, 
served  on  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  was  Repub- 
lican candidate  for  mayor  in  1870,  but  was  defeated. 
Mr.  Crowell  was  very  active  in  church  affairs,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  for  many  years  acted  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  married  Mary  H.  Ryder,  a 
native  of  Sag  Harbor,  Long  Island;  she  died  in 
Norwich,  in  1899.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crowell  were 
born  four  children:  I.  Mary  Emma,  born  in  Sag 
Harbor,  married  John  W.  Siers;  she  is  now  de- 
ceased. 2.  Jennie  P.,  now  deceased;  married  E.  J. 
Haynes,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  who  was  a 
Methodist  minister  and  preached  in  Brooklyn,  New 
York.  3.  Frederick  C,  mentioned  below.  4.  Nellie 
H.,  now  deceased,  formerly  the  wife  of  William  T. 
Hill,  of  Norwich. 

Frederick  C.  Crowell  was  born  in  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, April  30,  1857,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place  and  Nor- 
wich  Free   Academy.     At  the  age   of   seventeen   he 


began  his  business  career,  securing  a  position  as 
clerk  in  the  drug  store  of  William  K.  Shew.  After 
having  been  there  for  three  years  he  bought  the 
business,  which  he  conducted  for  anoth.er  three 
years,  then  sold  out  and  went  to  work  for  his 
father  in  the  paint  and  oil  business.  L^pon  the 
latter's  death  Frederick  C.  Crowell  bought  Mr. 
Lewis'  interests  and  moved  to  his  present  location, 
where  for  many  years  he  has  been  highly  successful. 
In  politics  Mr.  Crowell  is  a  Republican;  he  attends 
the  United   Congregational   Churcli,  of   Norwich. 

Mr.  Crowell  married  (first)  December  28,  1893,  at 
Hopkinton,  Rhode  Island,  Adelaide  Spicer,  who 
died  in  September,  1913.  To  them  was  born  one 
child,  Frederick  Spicer,  February  8,  1895,  now  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  business.  Mr.  Crowell 
married  (second)  on  May  10,  1915,  Annie  M.  Brown- 
ing, a  native  of  Preston,  Connecticut.  Tliey  have 
no  issue. 


FRED  JOSEPH  HOPE,  for  many  years  a  resi- 
dent of  Montville,  Connecticut,  has  been  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  public  affairs  of  the 
community,  having  held  for  seven  years  past  the 
office  of  town  treasurer,  and  has  also  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Relief. 

Fred  Joseph  Hope  is  of  English  parentage,  his 
father,  John  Charles  Hope,  having  been  born  in 
Truo,  Cornwall  county,  England,  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Elizabeth  (Anear)  Hope.  John  Charles  Hope 
came  to  the  United  States  many  years  ago,  settling 
in  Montville,  where  he  was  employed  for  fifty  years 
in  the  woolen  mills  of  R.  G.  Hooper  Company  there. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  (.A.near)  Hope,  was  also  a  native 
of  Truo,  England.  She  died  November  7,  189S,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-six  years,  in  Montville,  and  her 
husband  died  there,  February  24,  1912,  aged  seventy- 
six  years.  To  the  union  were  born  si.x  children, 
Fred  J.  Hope  the  fourth  child. 

Fred  Joseph  Hope  was  born  October  7,  1865,  in 
Montville,  Connecticut,  where  lie  acquired  his  early 
education  in  the  local  schools.  After  leaving  school 
Mr.  Hope  found  employment  in  the  mills  of  the 
Hooper  Company,  in  Montville,  Connecticut,  re- 
maining with  this  concern  for  fifteen  years  in  the 
weaving  department.  In  1895  he  established  a 
variety  store  in  Montville,  and  for  twenty-five  years 
has  carried  on  the  business.  Not  only  is  Mr.  Hope 
interested  in  financial  matters  in  his  borough,  but 
he  is  also  connected  with  several  of  the  leading 
organizations.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
W^oodmen  of  the  World.  A  third  degree  Free 
Mason,  Mr.  Hope  is  affiliated  with  Oxobo.xo  Blue 
Lodge.  In  politics  he  is  a  regular  voter,  and  has 
been  quite  active  in  the  Republican  party. 

Fred  Joseph  Hope  was  united  in  marriage,  Octo- 
ber 27,  1888,  in  Montville,  Connecticut,  with  Helen 
May  Skinner,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Fen- 
ton)  Skinner,  she  a  native  of  Watkins  Glen,  New 
York.  No  children  have  been  born  of  this  union. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hope  are  members  of  Union  Baptist 
Church  of  Montville,  Connecticut. 


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