USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II > Part 35
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Matthew Hubbell died Apr. 10, 1872, aged 67.
Abigail, his wife, died Feb. 20, 1812, aged 64.
In memory of
Miss Abiah Nichol, Youngest daughter of Mr. Josiah Nichols, who departed this life May 12, 1786, in the 21" Year of her age.
Tho' greedy worms devour my skin,' And gnaw my wasting flesh,
When God shall raise my bones again, He'll clothe them all afresh.
In memory of
Mr. Josiah Hawkins Nichols, who departed this life Dec. 11, 1794, in the 27 year of his age.
In memory of Ezra French, who died Jan. 23, 1823, in his 53 year.
In memory of two infants, a son and a daughter of John & Emmaline Beach -the son died Feb. 17, 1823 ;
Abegail died Dec. 17, 1824. Died Feb. 18, 1829. David C., son of Philo & Hannah Bennett, aged 2 ys.
In memory of
Robert French, who died July 16, 1841, aged 58.
Ruth, wife of Robert French, died Apr. 27, 1850, aged 61 years. In memory of
Sally Ann Curtis, wife of Abijah Curtis, who died May 21, 1800, A. 26.
.
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1043
Burying-place at Trumbull Center.
Burying-place at Trumbull Center.
Abel S. Beach Died April 15, 1864 Aged 81.
Polly Ann Wife of Abel S. Beach Died Feb. 17, 1864, aged 78.
In memory of
Sarah Beach wife of Abel Beach who died May 8. 1826, in her 79 year. BEACH. [A MONUMENT.] Alfred Beach Died Dec. 9, 1849, Aged 73 yrs.
Sibyl, His Wife, Died April 23, 1829, Aged 54 yrs.
Betsy Ann, daughter of Charles & Elizabeth E. Beach died Aug. 9. 1848, Æ. 17 years.
Branford S. Beach Died July 21, 1866, A. 21 yrs. & 8 mo.
In memory of Daniel Beach who died March 30, 1825, A. 71 yrs. & 3 mo. Also,
Comfee his wife, who died Feb. 21. 1845, Æ. 90 yrs. & 6 mo.
In memory of Mr. Eleakim Beach who died Jan. 16, 1821, in the 70 yr.
In memory of Abiah Beach, wife of Eliakim Beach who died Oct. 31, 1842, Æ. 86 yrs.
In memory of Eli B. Beach, who died March 24, 1854, Aged 64 years.
In memory of
Jerusha Beach wife of Eli B. Beach who died Feb. 7, 1826, in her 30 year. Elihu Beach, Esq. Died June 13, 1865, aged 82.
Polly, wife of Elihu Beach Esq. Died Apr. 22, 1870, aged 83 Yrs.
In memory of Elijah Beach Jun+ Esg. who died Jan. 30, 1817, A. 41.
In memory of Elijah Beach who died Nov. 1, 1817 aged 45 Years.
In memory of
Phebe, wife of Elijah Beach who died July 18, 1852, aged 80 years.
Elijah Beach, son of Mr. Elijah & Mrs. Phebe Beach died March 7, 1800, aged 1 year & 14 days.
In memory of Mary Ann daughter of Elijah & Phebe Beach who died Sept. 18, 1823, in her 20 year.
Stop passing stranger drop a tear While you this darksome dwelling view, Wake up your senses all to hear The warning voice which call to you.
Elijah S. Beach Died May 11, 1869, Aged 60 years.
There is rest for thee in Heaven.
Lydia E. wife of Elijah S. Beach Died Sept. 20. 1870, Aged 57 years. Rest thee Mother, forever with Jesus, and loved ones, sweetly rest.
Annie M. daughter of Elijah S. & Lydia E. Beach, Died Aug. 9, 1867 Aged 26.
Annie's dying request : "Young friends love Jesus."
Mary Ann, daughter of Elijah S. & Lydia E. Beach died Jan. 24, 1839, aged 4 mos. & 14 days.
Ernest, Son of William O. & Belle M. Beach Died May 10, 1883 ÆE. 16 Days.
Harriet A. wife of Prosper E. Beach, died Jan. 18, 1863, aged 24 yrs. & 2 mos.
In memory of
Miles Beach, who died Nov. 10, 1839, aged 26 yrs.
In memory of Phillip Beach who died July 12, 1837, aged 47 yrs. Boast not thy self of to-morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. In memory of
Rebecca Beach, wife of Mr. Everard Beach who departed this life Aug" 1" 1809 in the 51" year of her age.
In memory of Rice E. Beach who died July 24, 1860, A. 80 yrs. 4 mos. & 28 Ds. In memory of Betsey Beach, wife of Rice E. Beach, who died Nov. 20, 1839, aged 53 yrs. In memory of Dr. Samuel Beach who died July 2 AD. 1802 aged 21 years 11 months. Abraham Brinsmade Died July 31, 1864 A. 83 yrs. & 5 mos.
Betsey wife of Abraham Brinsmade Died June 29, 1857, ÆE. 77 yrs. & 5 mos.
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History of Stratford.
Benjamin F. Brinsmade died Oct. 14, 1866. A. 35 yrs. Franklin ! thou art gone to rest, Thine is an early tomb ; Jesus has summoned thee away, To thine eternal home.
Federal Brinsmade Died Feb. 18, 1868, Aged 79 yrs. & 7 mos. Farther thou has gone to meet the loved ones gone before. .
Mrs. Eunice S. Brinsmade, wife of Mr. Federal Brinsmade died Sept. 7, 1813 ; in the 23 year of her age.
Reliance, wife of Federal Brinsmade. died Oct. 10, 1862, aged 69 yrs. & 9 mos. We love to think of thee Mother.
Abigail, daughter of Federal & Reli- ance Brinsmade Died Aug. 31, 1846, Æ. 22 yrs.
Her God sustained her in ber final hours Her final hours gave glory to her god.
In memory of Clarinda, daughter of Federal & Re- liance Brinsmade who died Jan. 2, 1827, aged 4 yrs. 4 mot. Young children die And so must I. Emily C., daughter of Federal & Re- liance Brinsmade died Feb. 21. 1840 aged II years. Here you behold an opening bud Just blooming into day Laid low by death's resistless hand And turned to native clay.
Theron K., Son of Federal & Reliance Brinsmade died Mar. 10, 1838, aged 3 yrs. & 6 months.
In memory of Clarinda, wife of Alden Burton who died Apr. 13, 1839. aged 38 yrs.
In memory of Mr. Eli Burton who died May 26, 1819, in the 47 year of his age. Farewell vain world and all below Where only pain and sorrow grow No more can thou allure iny hart Nor cause my comforts to depart.
Nancy wife of Eli Burton died June 25, 1843, aged 62 yrs.
Harriet A., wife of Benjamin Burton Died May 27, 1854, 2. 38.
Mr. John Burton died Dec. II, 1813, in the 89 year of his age.
In memory of Lewis Burton Esq. who died July 29, 1842, JE. 82 yr. & 3 mo. Anna Burton, wife of Lewis Burton Esq. died Apr. 21, 1840 aged 75.
CENOTAPH Rollin S. Burton a member of Co. D 23ª Regt. C. V. Died while in the service of his country at New Orleans, La., June 30, 1863, aged 22 yrs. Here we have no continuing City but we seek one to come. E. B. I. U.
Alice wife of James R. Edwards Died Aug. 28, 1846, JE. 74 yrs. & 4 mo'.
Ephraim T. Edwards Died Mar. 19, 1859 ÆE. 62.
Lucretia S. His Wife, [died] May 6, 1875, Æ. 78.
In memory of
Nehemiah R. Edwards who died September 27, 1851, aged 80 years.
In memory of
Abagail, wife of Nehemiah R. Ed- wards, who died March 13, 1821, aged 47 years.
In memory of
Abigail P. Edwards, wife of Nehe- miah R. Edwards, who died May 3. 1852, aged 73 years.
EDWARDS. [A MONUMENT.] South Side. Wilbur S. Edwards Died May 9, 1868, Aged 19 yrs.
Orvill B. Edwards Died Sept. 10, 1868, Aged 13 yrs. & 3 mos.
North Side.
Ermina N. Edwards Died Apr. 28, 1872, Aged 20 yrs. & 7 mos.
Jonathan Gould Died Mar. 20, 1863. A. 72.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Sally, wife of Jonathan Gould Died Dec. 22, 1855, Æ. 61.
I looked and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet, talking with me which said come up higher.
Polly B., daughter of Jonathan & Sally Gould and wife of Lorenzo B. Gould, Died Sept. 20, 1866, Æ. 42 yrs. Yet again we hope to meet thee, When the day of life is filed, Then in heaven with joy to greet thee, Where no farewell tear is shed.
Father & Mother.
Czar Hawley Died Nov. 9, 1845 aged 47 yrs.
Maria, His wife Died Feb. 25, 1884, aged 81 yrs.
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Burying-place at Trumbull Center.
In memory of Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Al- fred & Mary Hawley, who died April 10, 1851, aged 7 years.
William A. son of Plum & Nancy Hoyt, died Apr. 27, 1852, Æt. 1 yr. 6 mo. & 10 days. We love thee.
Delia wife of Alanson Hubbell, Died Dec. II, 1877, aged 66 years & 6 months.
We miss thee dearest mother. Delia Ann, daughter of Lanson & Delia Hubbell died Dec. 15, 1862, Æ. 33. "Sorrow endureth for a night but joy cometh in the morning."
Elizabeth, daughter of Zalmon & Laura Hubbell, died Sept. 20, 1822, aged 2 years.
Dea. Andrew B. Nichols Died Aug. 25. 1880, aged 63 yrs. His works do follow him.
Estella V., daughter of Andrew & Mary Nichols, died Feb. 10, 1852, A. 7 years.
Thy Savior called thee home. We loved thee. Edward W., Son of Andrew B. & Mary Nichols, Died Aug. 23, 1863, 2. 2 yrs. & 3 mo.
In memory of
Cyrus Nichols, son of Mr. Philo & Mrs. Caty Nichols, who was unfortu- nately drowned in Stratford Harbour Sept. 12, 1818 aged 18 years.
In memory of Capt. David Nichols who died Feb. 25, 1823, aged 81 years 5 months. In memory of Mrs. Hannah Nichols wife of Capt. David Nichols who died Feb. 15, 1818 in the 76 year of her age. NICHOLS. [A MONUMENT.] David P. Nichols Died Apr. 2, 1878, aged 63 years.
-
Hobart L. Nichols Died Oct. 26, 1880, aged 34 yrs.
Lulu Bertha, Daughter of Austin & Hattie Nichols, Died Jan. 2, 1881, aged I yr. 25 ds.
In memory of
Mr. James Nichols, who departed this life Nov. 23, 1824, in his 82 year. Mrs. Phebe, wife of Mr. James Nich- ols, died July 5, 1820, in her 80 year. Little Louis, Son of Plumb B. & Esther E. Nichols, Died Sept. 27, 1873 aged 14 ds.
In memory of
Lucious Nichols, son of David Nich- ols Junr. who died May 10, 1811, in the 15th year of his age.
In memory of
Nathan Nichols, who died May 31 ** 1811, aged 64 years.
Phebe, wife of Nathan Nichols, who died Sept. 17, 1822, ÆEt. 77 yrs.
Nathan H. Nichols Died March 30, 1846, aged 74 years.
Mary, wife of Nathan H. Nichols, died Dec. 13, 1862, Æ. 92.
In memory of
Dea. Philo Nichols who died Oct. 15, 1844, aged 79 years.
In memory of
Caty, wife of Dea. Philo Nichols who died Feb. 4, 1857, aged 89 years.
Roswell S. Nichols Died Mar. 16, 1873, Æ. 63 Yrs.
Silas Nichols, Died March 5, 1854, Æ.81.
Once was I bright and early To the summer sun, Now my days are ended And this cold grave must be my home.
In Memory of
Polly H. Nichols, wife of Silas Nichols who died March 1849, aged 69 yrs.
This stone is erected by her Brother Eben Fairchild.
In memory of
Hannah, wife of Silas Nichols who died April 7, 1832, A. 54 yrs.
In Memory of
Anna wife of Jacob Pardee, who died Dec. 10, 1851, aged 78 years.
Almon E. Plumb
Betsy Ann Plumb, his wife
Birdsey B. Plumb Emeline Plumb, his wife
Charles E. Plumb died Oct. 29, 1863, A. 4 years, 6 mos.
Howard E. Died Mar. 29, 1870, Aged 2 mo.
Charles E. Plumb, Lieut. of Co. D. 23d Regt. Conn. Volunteers, who went forth at the call of his country, to help suppress the Southern Rebel- lion, and died at home June 24, 1863, Aged 21 Years.
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History of Stratford.
[A MONUMENT.] Eli Plumb Died Oct. 14, 1865, aged 88 yrs.
Betsey Plumb, his wife, Died Jan. 14, 1837, aged 59 yrs.
Pixley J. Plumb Died July 23, 1826, aged 26 yrs.
Betsey Ann Plumb Died Jan. 27, 1827, aged 16 yrs.
George, son of Peter & Julia Ritchie, Died July 28, 1868, A. 7 mo. 14 ds.
In Memory of
John F. Seeley, who died Jan. 15, 1825, A. 48 years.
Reuben H. Sherwood Died Aug. 14, 1877, Aged 45.
Abby Booth, wife of Rueben H. Sherwood, Died Nov. 7, 1870, Aged 34.
STERLING. [A MONUMENT.] West Side. Charles N. Sterling Born May 10, 1 1808, Died Aug. 7, 1877.
South Side. Emily L. Sterling, Born Sept. 28, 1860, Died July 20, 1884.
Le Grand, son of George C. & M. P. Sterling, Born Sept. 30, 1875 ; Died July 20, 1876.
Nathaniel Sterling died Oct. 18, 1839, aged 68 years.
Phebe, wife of Nathaniel Sterling, Died Mar. 3, 1862, ÆE. 85.
Mother. Rebecca J., wife of Stephen H. Ster- ling, Died May 6, 1868, Aged 46 yrs. Wee miss thee.
TAIT. [A MONUMENT.] West Side.
Andrew Tait
Isabella R. Tait, His Wife, died May 22, 1875, A. 75 yrs.
Isabella Tait, his daughter, died April 11, 1851, A. 20 yrs.
James S. Tait, his son, died Jan. 27, 1842, Æ. I Day.
South Side.
William Tait Grace Tait
Andrew Tait, His son, died June 23, 1863, A. 2 yrs.
North Side.
William F. Tait Mary E. Tait, his wife, died Feb. 3, 1878, A. 23 yrs. & 8 mos.
In memory of
Mr. Ephraim Thompson, who died March 7th, 1812, aged 65 years.
In memory of
Eunice, relict of Ephraim Thompson, who died Dec. 22, 1831, aged 82 years.
Miss Ruth Ann Thompson, Daughter of Mr. Ephraim Thompson, died May 9, 1813, aged 23 years, & 7 months.
Death rent me from my mourning friend, Hope waft me to the sky, Like Kings and Slaves Forgotten here to lie.
Roswell Thorp Died Sept. 5, 1872, Æ. 66 yrs.
Sally, wife of Roswell Thorp, died Oct. 19, 1852, Æ. 56.
In memory of Caty, adopted daughter of Roswell & Rosilla Thorp, who Died Nov. 25, 1863, Æ. 8 yrs.
We lay thee in the silent Tomb, Sweet blossom of a day, We just began to view thy bloom And Thou art called away.
In memory of Lucius Thorp who died June 8, 1845, aged 33 yrs.
In memory of
William Thorp who died Oct. 16. 1844, aged 21 yrs.
In memory of
Zopher Thorp who died Dec. 1, 1843, Æ. 72 yrs.
Eunice, wife of Zopher Thorp, Died Nov. 25, 1868, aged 95 yrs.
In memory of Daniel Ufford who died Sept. 11, 1824, aged 85 years, Also of Mary, his wife, who died Aug. 27, 1824, aged 80 years.
In memory of Doct. Daniel Ufford who died Nov. 30, 1832, aged 32 years & 8 months.
Thomas Ward Died July 30, 1838, Æ. 85 yrs.
Anna, His wife, Died Nov. 4, 1865, Æ. 96 yrs. 4 mos.
In memory of
Comfee, widow of Caleb Wheeler, who died April 18, 1846, aged 67 years.
1047
Trumbull.
For twenty years or more the people of North Stratford Society sought to become a township with full civil authority, but did not succeed until 1797.
An Act incorporating the town of Trumbull, passed October, 1797.
"Resolved by this Assembly, That the description of that part of said town of Stratford which follows, shall be and the same is hereby incorporated into a distinct town, viz : begining at the southwest corner boundary of the town of Huntington, lying southerly of Booth's hill, and running from thence in the line of said Huntington to Weston line, and thence southerly in said Weston line until it intersects the dividing line between said society of North-Stratford and the society of Stratfield, and thence in the dividing line of said Stratfield and North-Stratford, until it comes to the dividing line between said Stratfield and the first or old society in said Stratford, and from thence in said dividing line to Huntington line, thence in Huntington line to the place begun at : and the fore- going part of said town of Stratford shall forever hereafter be a distinct town, known and called by the name of ' Trumbull,' the inhabitants of which shall enjoy all powers, privileges, immunities and franchises which the inhabitants of other towns in this State enjoy, except that said town shall never send more than one Representative to the General Assembly at any one session of Assembly."15
Representatives from Trumbull.
May 1798. Mr. Edmund Curtiss.
Oct. 1808. James Beardsley.
Oct. 1798.
Mr. Judson Curtiss, Jr.
May 1809. Abijah Uffoot.
May 1799. Mr. Stephen Beardsley.
May 1809. Joseph Bennett.
Oct. 1799.
Mr. James Beardsley.
Oct. 1809. Stephen Beardsley.
May 1800. Mr. James Beardslie.
May 1810.
Daniel Wakelee.
Oct. 1800. Mr. Nath'l J. Burton.
Oct. 1810. Jabez Beach.
May 1801.
Mr. Nath'l I. Burton.
May 18II. Stephen Beardslee.
Oct. 1801.
Mr. Hezekiah Curtis.
Oct. 1811. James Beardslee.
May 1802.
Mr. James Beardsley.
May 1812. Jabez Beach.
Oct. 1802.
Mr. S. Middlebrooks.
Oct. 1812.
David Booth, Jr.
May 1803.
Mr. Benjamin Burton.
May 1813.
Daniel Wakely.
Oct. 1803.
Mr. S. Middlebrook.
Oct. 1813.
Samuel Gregory.
May 1804.
Mr. Stephen Beardsley.
May 1814.
Amos H. Wheeler.
Oct. 1804.
Mr. James Beardsley.
Oct. 1814.
James Beardsley.
May 1805.
Ebenezer Wheeler.
May 1815.
Stephen Middlebrook.
Oct. 1805.
David Beardsley.
Oct. 1815.
David Beebe.
Oct. 1806.
Philo Booth.
May 1816. Oct. 1816.
Amos H. Wheeler.
May 1807. Stephen Beardsley.
May 1817.
Isaac Booth.
May 1807. Jeremiah Osborn.
Oct. 1817. Ebenezer Wheeler.
Oct. 1807. David Beardsley.
May 1818. Daniel Seeley.
Oct. 1807. Salmon. Sherwood.
Oct. 1818. Lewis Fairchild.
May 1808.
Ebenezer Wheeler.
May 1819.
Samuel Gregory.
May 1806. Stephen Middlebrook.
Jonathan Beers, Jr.
15 Connecticut Private Acts, 1190.
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1048
History of Stratford.
1820. David Beebe.
1851. David B. Hinman.
1821. Eli Edwards.
1852. William Squire.
1822. Elijah Middlebrook.
1853. Ebenezer Wheeler.
1823. Isaac Booth.
1854. Daniel Fairchild.
1824. Elijah Middlebrook.
1855. Burr Watkins.
1825. Nehemiah R. Edwards.
1856. Elem Hawley.
1826. Stephen Gregory.
1857.
L. W. Clark.
1827. Robert Middlebrook.
1858. Edwards Beach.
1829. Samuel Beardsley.
1860. Daniel Curtiss.
1830. David Curtiss.
1861. LeGrand G. Beers.
1831. Samuel Beardslee.
I862. Isaac E. Booth.
1832. Rice E. Beach.
1863. Lucius B. Burroughs.
1833. Robert Middlebrook.
1864. Charles Ambler.
1834.
Isaiah Peet.
1865. Sam'l G. Beardsley.
1835.
Ephraim W. Beach.
1866. C. W. Blakman.
1836. Joshua L. Nicholls.
1867. Morse D. Mallett.
1837. Samuel Edwards.
1868. Albert S. Coan.
1838.
Stephen Middlebrook.
1869. Sherman French, 2d.
1839.
Francis Beach.
1870. Geo. B. Ambler.
1840. Eli Brinsmade.
1871. S. H. Burroughs.
1841.
Abel Mallett.
1872. Abel S. Beach.
1842.
George Dyer.
1873. Aaron B. Mallett.
1843.
Walker Wheeler.
1874.
George E. Peet.
1844. Ephraim Middlebrook.
1875. John H. Beach.
1845. Ephriam T. Edwards.
1876. Charles N. Fairchild.
1846.
David Hawley.
1877. Stephen G. Nichols.
1847.
Plumb N. Fairchild.
1878. William Miles Ufford.
1848. Miles Beardslee.
1879. Elliot M. Beardsley.
1849. Franklin P. Ambler.
I880. Ormel Hall.
1850. John C. Mallett.
1881. Seth Hill.
Physicians in Trumbull were not many during the first seventy-five years after its settlement. The first was the Rev. Richardson Miner, the pastor of the church of Unity. He was a remarkably acceptable physician, and often baptized children the same day they were born. His practice, appar- ently, extended from 1730 to 1744, when, while on his journey to England for Episcopal ordination, he died.
The next in the then North Stratford society appears to have been Stephen Middlebrook, father of Doct. Elijah Mid- dlebrook. The latter, famous as the publisher of the " Middle- brook Almanac," was in active practice here about half a century. Among others who practiced here were Daniel Beard, Isaac Jennings, Daniel Ufford, and George Dyer. The resident physician of the town at present is Doct. Seth Hill, of Tashua.
- 1828. Eben Fairchild.
1859. F. P. Ambler, Jr.
1049
: .
Trumbull.
Nichols' Farms, called at first-190 years ago-" Old Farm," is located in the southeast corner of the town of Trumbull, where the first land laid out was surveyed to individuals about 1670; to Richard Booth a little before, to Isaac Nichols in' 1671, twelve acres, and to Caleb Nichols in 1674." The highway to Nichols' Farms was laid out in 1696, at which time there seems to have been no one residing at that place, but the road was called the " Farm Highway," and the place the "Captain's Farm,"" but who the captain was that cleared and cultivated that first farm is not yet ascertained.
The farmers of that part of the town built their residences along the highways in a village, while their farms extended east and west to a considerable distance, sometimes a mile.
The Nichols families were prominent, with the Curtisses, Booths, Beardsleys and Fairchilds and others. The Booths, Hawleys and Hinmans were more of them in the valley west, called White Plain. The Beach families were prominent in the southeast part of the society and town and the Brinsmades in the northern part.
About 1815 Reuben and Eben Fairchild commenced the manufacture of saddle-trees to a small extent, supplying the home demand at Bridgeport. In 1822 they secured the aid of Franklin P. Ambler as superintendent of their manufactur- ing business, and in 1825 Mr. Ambler became partner in the business, as also Isaiah Peet, which firm continued until 1844, when Mr. Ambler bought the concern and conducted it in
16 " 1674. Caleb Nichols hath as woods division lying beyond Mishua hill seventy two acres of upland, bounded with Richard Booth to ye south, John Peak [Peat] to ye north, east and west with commons."
17 " Dec. 7, 1696. There is a highway laid out by the present selectmen running out of the north end of the town called the farm Highway running noth- erly into ye woods being laid out from ye town as farr as ye brook yt runs on the south end of Misha hill, being full eight rods wide til it comes to ye extent of three miles bounds & is bounded at its entrance out of ye two miles commons over nesumpaws Creek with ye land of Benjamin Curtiss on the northeast side & with ye land of Joseph Booth on the southwest side & soe bounded in several places with stones on both sides the said highway, with stones at the second hill at Pekekemut brook -the highway is twelve rods wide til it comes to Misha hill, & at Zechariah Curtiss his land & at Capt. farm, &c." (Land Rec. B. II, Part I, 218). -B. Q., Part I, 218.
1050
History of Stratford.
partnership with his three sons. He bought land and built the present factories, except the enlargements which were needed as the business increased. He purchased of Philo Lord the house now owned and occupied by his grandson, Mr. Richard C. Ambler, which he enlarged, remodeled and made it his home with his most noble and valued wife. His children settled in homes in that immediate vicinity, and with the busy life of the prosperous manufacturing the place became a stirring village, and for a time was popularly called Amblersville.
The saddle-tree business began in a small way, Eben Fairchild, a son of Lewis, born in 1784, learned the cabinet makers trade, and was an ingenius man. He took apart an old saddle-tree, made one like it, then a dozen, had them ironed and sold them in New York. He made more and sold them in the same way ; then secured as partner Isaiah Peet, the blacksmith, to do the ironing. In 1844 F. P. Ambler bought the business and with his sons conducted a large and profitable business until the end of the war of the rebellion, when the business began to diminish, and is now small in proportion.
Franklin P. Ambler was born in Danbury, June 3, 1797, and was descended from Richard Ambler, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1611. His father, 'Squire Ambler, served in the Revolutionary war, and was still with his command at Yorktown at the surrender of Cornwallis.
Franklin P. served his time with a Mr. Hull, of Danbury, in the saddle-tree trade, then he went to New York as an employee in the tree-factory of Benjamin Stiles. Later he came to Derby, Conn., where he was employed in the factory of Mr. Chatfield. Here he met and married Eliza, the daugh- ter of Jared Bartholomew, in 1819, and three years later came to Nichols' Farms and followed his trade with success as above described.
John Beardsley was the village chair maker in Nichols' Farms many years ago. His shop stood near his house, in the field opposite the house of Mrs. Shelton Nichols. His son James continued the business in later years quite exten-
1051
Trumbull.
sively, employing several workmen, besides apprentices. He afterwards went to Newark, N. J., with Eli Edwards and established the first saddle-tree factory in that city.
Carriage building has been another of the village manu- facturing interests. The firm of Nichols, Peck and Company conducted for several years an extensive business, as may be seen in the sketches below of Hezekiah and George H. Nich- ols. The business at present is conducted by David and Carlos Nichols.
Abraham Nichols, son of Caleb and Anna (Ward) Nichols, and grandson of Francis, the first at Stratford, was born in 1662, and was a lateral descendant of Sir Richard Nicolls, the first governor of New York. Abraham Nichols' first cousin married the Rev. Israel Chauncey, one of the founders of Yale College, and son of Charles Chauncey, the second president of Harvard College. The Rev. Israel Chauncey's nephew, Nathaniel, being the first graduate of Yale College. Abraham Nichols was born in Stratford in 1662 and probably went to Woodbury with his father about 1690, returning to take charge of the land left at Old Farm and in Stratford by his father. Inheriting a proprietary right in the township, he probably located the divisions which were made to his right after 1687 at Old Farm, and thus became possessed of a large land property. In Decem- ber, 1684, he married Rachel Kellogg, of Norwalk, and may have resided a short time soon after at Old Farm, but of it there is no certainty at present.
Capt. Joseph Nichols, son of Abraham and Rachel (Kellogg) Nichols, was born September 21, 1685. His cousin, the Rev. James Nichols, was the last candidate who went to Scotland for Orders in the Episcopal Church, and is supposed to be one of the convocation which met to take measures which led to the appointment of Bishop Seabury.
Capt. Joseph Nichols was a prominent citizen, a captain of the train-band or military company, and one of the fifteen men who first constituted the church of Unity, now Trumbull, in 1730. Four of the fifteen were Nichols, namely : Abraham Nichols, Joseph Nichols, Daniel Nichols and Abraham Nich-
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History of Stratford.
ols, Jr. In December, 1704, Joseph Nichols, being nineteen years of age, married Mary Curtiss, whose family had lands adjoining the Nichols homestead in Unity. In May, 1726, he " was made Lieutenant of the company or train band of the parish of Unity," and in May, 1738, he was made " Captain of the 4" company or train band in the town of Stratford," which was the Unity company. He died in 1742, aged 57 years.
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