USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > A biographical history of the county of Litchfield, Connecticut: comprising biographical sketches of distinguished natives and residents of the county; together with complete lists of the judges of the county court, justices of the quorum, county commissioners, judges of probate, sheriffs, senators, &c. from the organization of the county to the present time > Part 18
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ty which then, and for a considerable time after, was in the mi- hority in the State, he received no higher appointment than that of Representative to the State Legislature, to which he was six times elected between and including the years 1803 and 1816. When the political party to which he was attached gained a partial ascendency, he was elected, in 1817 and again in ISIS, an Assistant, or member of the Upper House. In May, 1819, when the New Constitution of the State went in- to operation, he was elected to the State Senate, and continued in that body until May, 1821, when he was elected to the Senate of the United States. He occupied his seat in the 'at- fer body during the two sessions of the seventeenth Congress.
and continued a member until his death, w.1. "nich took place at Boardman, Ohio, (while on a visit There,) August 18, 1823. His remains were brought to New Mitford for interment.
From nature. Concation, and habit, he was emphatically a practical man in all Ant respects. His business talents were un- common . , and his constancy in their exercise was rarely sur- essed. His natural temperament inclined him to hilarity ; but his strictly moral and industrious habits so far repressed this natural propensity, as to give him rather the appearance of gravity than of its opposite, in the latter part of his life. Yet his natural and acquired case and urbanity, rendered him a pleasing companion both to the grave and the gay. His ten- der emotions were easily excited, and not easily concealed ; nor were they ever suppressed but from a sense of duty or pro- priety. He was benignant and exemplary in his domestic re- lations-and just in his dealings with all. He had been for many years previous to his death, a consistant member of the Episcopal Church.
On the 25th of September, 1792, Mr. Boardman was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ann Whiting, daughter of Dr. William Whi- ting, of Great Barrington, Mass., and had six children. viz , 1, Hon. William W., of New Haven ; 2, Henry M., who mar-
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ried Sarah H., daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Benham, then of New Milford, and died at Boardman, Ohio, in 1346, leaving four sons ; 3. George S., who graduated at Union College, and died at the age of 26; 4. Caroline M .. the wife of the Rev. John Frederick Schroeder, D. D., of New York, who has eight children ; 5. Mary Anna, who died at the age of 17 years ; 6: Caroline E., unmarried.
Mrs. Boardman was a lady eminent for her piety, judgment, talents, and dignity of character. She died in June, 1848 ; and during the following year, her Memoirs, edited by Dr. Schroeder, were printed in a handsome volume of 478 pages.
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ELISHA WHITTLESEY.
ELISHA WHITTLESEY is a native of Washington, New Preston Society. While he was a child, his parents removed to Salisbury, where his boyhood was chiefly speut. He early qualified himself for admission to the bar, and commenced the practice of his profession on the "Connecticut Reserve," in the State of Ohio. He rose rapidly in public estimation, and was soon universally esteemed not only for his soundness and ability as a lawyer, but as a gentleman of singular uprightness and disinterestedness of purpose.
In 1823, Mr. Whittlesey was elected to Congress from the Reserve, and was continued a member of that body, by suc- cessive re-elections, for EIGHTEEN YEARS ! Of his long and distinguished congressional career we prefer to let others speak: In 1837, the " Pennsylvania Inquirer," published in Philadel - phia, contained a series of sketches of public men, under the head of " Portrait Gallery," which were widely copied. The second sketch of the series is as follows-
The Honorable ELISHA WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, is one of the oldest members of Congress, and has held a seat in the House of Represen- tatives ever since I can remember. Of his early history I know but Hule. Hle is a native of Connecticut, but early in youth emigrated to Ohio, and there commenced the practice of the law. As a lawyer, he Was soon distinguished in the west, for the soundness of his judgment, the correctness of his purposes, and an unyielding integrity, which, if the scandal of the world is to be accredited, does not always attach itself to the followers of the legal profession. The confidence reposed in him by the people, soon induced them to delegate him as their Representative to Congress, and if I mistake not, he has held the seat ha now occupies since the year 1821.
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For many years past, Mr. Whittlesey has held the important and .esponsible place of Chairman of the Committee on Claims, an office that requires a greater degree of industry, actual labor, and patience, than any other that falls within the duties of the House. The business of this committee is to examine and investigate all private claims, or claims presented by individuals against the government, and report their merits to the House. In discharging duties like these, the chairman of the committee is necessarily subjected to intense labor, as many of the claims presented to him involve all the principles of the common and statute law of the country, and not unfrequently are closely connected with the documentary history of the Republic from its very foundation. To ascertain the justice of Amey Darden's ;laim for the loss of a horse during the war of the Revolution, for in- stance, all the papers of the old Continental Congress, and the regis- try of the original War office, had to be ransacked-a labor that would, at its opening, have staggered and dismayed any other man than Mr. Whittlesey. Claims, requiring a corresponding amount of labor, are of daily occurrence, and are investigated with alacrity by the indefatigable and untiring Chairman of the Committee on Claims. The duties of the Chairman of the Ways and Means, are but trifles, so far as labor is concerned, in comparison with those which devolve on the Chairman of the Committee on Claims, and which are dischar- ged with promptitude and a zeal that command the respect of all sides of the House of Representatives.
The House has unbounded confidence in the ability and integrity of Mr. Whittlesey, so much so, that it invariably adopts whatever he may report ; and it is only necessary to have it understood, that the Chairman of the Committee on Claims has reported favourably to a claimant, to secure immediate redress. The confidence thus secured is as advantageous to the business of this House, as it is to the security of justice to individual merit, and the futherance of parliamentary jus- tice. And whilst it subserves the ends and aims of legislative action, it reflects a credit on Mr. Whittlesey of far greater moment than all the glory that can be attained at the hands of partizan warfare.
As a useful-as an indefatigable legislator, Mr. Whittlesey has no superior in Congress -. nay, he has not an equal. His whole time and study are directed to the furtherance of the public good, not to the promotion of mere party warfare and discipline; and in the discharge of the trusts reposed in him, he is above the reach of the contamin- ating influence of party creeds and party dictation. In legislating he knows but one party-his country. Ever anxious to promote the best interests of the people, and expedite the true course of legislation, he never annoys the House with a harrangue for the purpose of send- ing a speech home to operate in his district, or to influence his election. He daily has occasion to participate in debate, but he is always brief, concise, distinct, and confines himself exclusively to the subject under
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discussion. If he rises to offer a few remarks on the Navy Appro- priation, or on any other subject, he discusses the subject itself, and does not, like nine-tenths of the speakers in the House, direct himself to all other matters this side of the grave, to the exclusion of the question at issue.
In debate, he is distinguished for clearness, perspicuity, precision, and a rigid adhesion to facts as they present themselves, and never strains at effect. He is always listened to with attention and great respect ; and what he utters always produces a desirable influence. His manner is plain and unostentatious, adapted to the every day scenes and business of life. No man ever listened to him for a moment, without passing judgment in favor of his integrity, his statesmanlike qualities, and practical good sense.
Mr. Whittlesey is about five feet eight or ten inches high, rather thick set, and possesses a countenance which is an idex of his heart. Stern integrity, benevolence, and morality, are to be read in his fea- tures ; and his whole life has been a comment, and an illustration of his physiognomy. Without any ostentatious parade of his benevo- lence and morality, he has devoted a life, now somewhat protracted, to the good of his country and the world; and I do not believe, that he has at any time perpetrated an act, for the consequences of which he need blush. Although now well advanced in life, he is in the midst of a " green old age ;" and notwithstanding he is on the down- hill side of sixty, a course of morality, of virtue, temperance, and of lionor, has shielded his constitution against the invasions of age, and he does not appear to be more than two-and-forty.
Mr. Whittlesey is a whig, and acts with the party in maintaining its general principles, but is by no means a violent or a noisy partizan. He undoubtedly is of opinion, and correctly too, that the principles of a party, and the honour of a country, can be maintained without re- sorting to acts of violence, or to the enactment of the scenes of actual outrage, which not unfrequently, at all stages of the world, hare dis- graced party struggles.
He possesses all the great talents necessary to the office of Chief Executive of the United States, and if people could be induced to se- lect a candidate for their suffrages, on the basis of legitimate worth and merit, their favour would be conferred on just such a man as the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio-a man who is an honor to his country, and who has proved himself, by a long series of public duty, to be a Patriot too pure, and a man too incorruptible, to be swayed by party, whilst engaged in discharging the duties of an enlightened American Statesman.
U pon the elevation of General Harrison to the Presidency, Mr. Whittlesey was appointed Auditor of the United States Treasury for the Post Office Department. He consequently
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declined a re-election to Congress, and on the 19th of March, 1841, he entered upon the duties of his new office, and re- mained in their faithful and efficient discharge until near the close of President Tyler's administration, when he resigned.
In 1845, he was appointed General Agent and Director of the Washington National Monument Society-a post which he still holds. His energetic and systematic efforts in behalf of this grand national enterprise, have contributed in an emi- nent degree to its success. In 1849, Mr. Whittlesey was made First Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States, and he still continues to discharge the complicated and res- ponsible duties of that important office.
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JUNIUS SMITH.
JUNIUS SMITH, LL. D., a son of Major-General David Smith, was born in Plymouth, October 2, 1780. He gradua- ted at Yale College in 1802, and during the following year he was a member of the Litchfield Law School. In 1803, h e pro- nouned the annual oration before the " Cincinnati of Connec- ticut," a Society composed of Revolutionary Officers.
In 1805, by a somewhat singular train of circumstances, Mr. Smith became a resident of London. His brother, David, was engaged in commercial business in New Haven, and was, in conjunction with Captains Gad Peck and Elnathan Atwater of that city, owner of the ship "Mohawk," and engaged in the West India trade. This ship was captured by a British crui- zer, sent into Tortola, and condemned. The subject of this sketch was then practicing law in New Haven, and was appli- ed to by the owners to go to London and prosecute an appeal in the High Court of Admiralty. He accepted the invitation, and sailed from New York on the 25th of November of that year. He had no idea of remaining in London longer than might be necessary to complete the business entrusted to his care ; but the time was protracted more than four years, be- fore the Lords of Appeal would even give him a bearing. The decision of the Vice Admiralty Court in Tortola was reversed, and the avails of the ship and cargo were restored. In the mean time Mr. Smith had become extensively engaged in commerce, and connected as he was with the house of Tall- madge, Smith & Co., of New York, it was not an easy matter for him to quit his post.
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In 1810, his business requiring his presence in New York, he sailed for that city on the 19th of November. Having dis- solved his partnership, and visited his friends in Connecticut and elsewhere, he returned to London during the following spring. On the 9th of April, 1812, he was married to Miss Sarah Allen, daughter of Thomas Allen, Esq., of Huddenfield, in Yorkshire-a young lady distinguished for her many accom- plishments and her ardent piety.
Mr. Smith continued his mercantile pursuits until 1832- sometimes with much success, and sometimes in adversity- when he commenced the great work of Atlantic Steam Navi- gation, which has led to such important results. On the 12th of August, in that year, he sailed from London for New York, with his wife and daughter, in the British barque, St. Leonard, Captain Rutherford. He chartered the vessel for the voyage out, and had 150 passengers on board. The passage proved rough and tedious, and was protracted to fifty-seyen days. The practicability of crossing the Atlantic by steam, and the vast advantages which would result from that mode of conveyance, occupied his thoughts ; and the more he consid- the subject, the more clearly it developed itself to his mind, until he became perfectly convinced that it was not only prac- ticable but the most philosophical mode of navigating the ocean. Upon his arrival in New York, he began to disclose his views on this subject, and to argue the question with those of his friends who differed from him in opinion, and who could see nothing but insuperable difficulties. The project was never out of his mind, and all the objections raised and all the difficulties foreseen, only served to confirm his own opinion. He answered all objections to his own satisfaction, and gath- ered strength in the combat, although he knew they remained unconvinced, for their incredulity was visible in every feature.
It was not a slight affair for a single individual, without the co-operation of others, to devise, shape and follow out measures
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which were to change the system of commercial intercourse between Europe and America, and establish a mode of navi- gation, new in itself, against the combined interests of com. inercial and nautical men, against the uniform practice of al. past ages, and the stubborn, unbending prejudices of the world.
Having maturely considered the undertaking in all its bear- ings, he determined, previous to his leaving New York in De- cember, 1832, to propose the scheme to some of the most influ- ential merchants of that city. He did so ; and the answer was characteristic if not rational-"Try the experiment when you get back to London, and if it succeeds, we will then join you." Not one favored the plan upon independent grounds. He was not much disappointed-for he had no very sanguine expecta- tions that the merchants of New York would lead the way.
Mr. Smith sailed from New York on the 20th of December, and on the 24th of January he arrived in London. To en list the public generally, at that period, in such an undertaking, was to his mind an unpromising undertaking. The only chance of success seemed to be, that of inducing those already engaged in the steam coasting trade, and who had therefore had some experience in a small way, to look favorably upon the project. With this view he called upon Mr. Jones, a Director of the London and Edinburgh Steam Navigation Com- pany, whose steam vessels were then the largest afloat, explain- to him his views, and solicited his co-operation in carrying into effect the plan of navigating the Atlantic by steam. After two or three interviews, this gentleman requested Mr. Smith to commit his ideas to writing, and he would lay them before the Directors. In compliance with this request, he wrote the fol- lowing letter :
London, Feb. 9, 1833:
DEAR SIR,-In conjunction with my friends in New York, I am de- girous of forming a line of steam-packets to run between this port and New York. I apprehend that four in number will be sufficient, and fully equal to the twelve American sailing ships now running on the
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same line ; and the cost of the four steam-packets, at 30,000l. each, will be about the same as the aggregate cost of the twelve American line of packets now running.
It is my intention to have two British and two American ships ; and the reason is, first, to combine the interests of the two countries in their support ; and secondly, to afford a certain conveyance both ways for goods of foreign as well as domestic growth and manufacture. By the treaty of commerce with the United States, British skips cannot take foreign goods into the United States, nor can American ships bring foreign goods from the United States to England for home con- sumption, but the converse is true of both. It will, therefore, be read - ly seen that a line formed of the ships of both nations, to sail alternately will embrace all branches of the carrying trade. I left London for New York in August last, and the latter place for London, on the 20th December. My friends in New York make no doubt of the practica- bility nor of the success of such an undertaking, and have assured me that they will build two steam-vessels suited to the object in view, as soon as they learn that the plan, so far as regards the British interest, can be carried into execution here.
In New York, the plan is regarded as one of the first importance to the commercial interests of both countries.
I examined and traveled in many American steam-packets, but they have not one calculated for a sea voyage. They are all constructed to run upon the rivers, sounds, bays, and canals. These packets are in general very roomy, and calculated to carry a great many passengers.
The North America, in which I took passage on the 16th October, at New York, for Albany, 145 miles up the Hudson river, is 230 feet in length, 30 feet beam, has two 60-horse low-pressure engines, which work at the rate of 26 strokes of the piston per minute. This packet is calculated to accommodate 1200 passengers, and there were 400 on board at the time mentioned. She draws but 4 feet of water, and performed the passage to Albany, against the current of the river, in twelve hours, including stoppages at the numerous landing-places on both sides of the river. Several other packets of nearly equal dimen- sions ply upon this river, a particular description of which is unneces- sary here. The same general description of packets run in all the rivers, sounds, bays, &c., from which you will perceive their unfitness for the high seas.
The commercial intercourse between Great Britain and New York is of late years so amazingly increased, that more than 40,000 pa- sengers and emigrants landed in the last year in the port of New Yc from Europe, chiefly from Great Britain.
Since the construction of the Erie Canal, running through the Sti of New York 350 miles, from Albany to Lake Erie, opening a wa! communication every step of the way from London to the Niaga
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Falls, the Lakes, Canada, Ohio, Michigan, and all of the western part of the United States, now peopling with astonishing rapidity, and the establishment of elegant and convenient packet-boats upon the canal for the accommodation of passengers, New York has become the great thoroughfare for travelers and emigrants from every part of Europe. Whatever mode of conveyance will shorten and facilitate the passage from Europe, is certain to have a preference ; and a line of steam'- packets from London to New York, would have not only the support of Great Britain, but of all Europe. I can hardly expect in a short letter to open up the subject so fully to those unacquainted with the American trade, as to induce them to enter into my views fully at . once, or to appreciate the commercial advantages which it promises. It was under this impression that I proposed, if the company enter- tained doubts as to the success of the undertaking, to charter of them a suitable vessel for two voyages, or two vessels for one voyage each, and to take upon myself the result of such an experiment.
The distance from Portsmouth to New York is about 3, 000 miles, and a good packet ought to make the passage in twelve or thirteen days.
From March to October is generally the best season of the year for passengers, and if we sail from London 20th April to Ist May, it would be in' good time.
I am quite sure that no foreign port can offer such decided advan- tages for a line of steam-packets as New York, and up to the present time the ground is unoccupied.
I abstain at present from entering into any calculations as to the probable returns to New York. If these hints are not entertained, F . should be glad to have them considered as confidential, and should feel obliged for as early an answer as practicable, for my future govern- ment. Your obedient servant,. JUNIUS SMITH.
20, Abchurch-lane.
To this letter the following laconic answer was received, which put an end to any further correspondence in that quar- ter.
35 Leaderhall'-street, Feb. 27, 1833.
Mr. Junius Smith -- SIR: Your letter of the 9th Instant, addressed. to Mr. Jones, was this day laid before the committee of the London and Edinburgh Steam-packet Company, and I am directed to state,. they decline your proposal for this season, as all their vessels are oth: erwise appointed. Sir, your most obedient servant,
A: MITCHELL.
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There was but one other steam vessel in England besides those owned by the London and Edinburgh Company, of suf- ficient size, or in any way adapted to risk a voyage across the Atlantic, and that was the " London Merchant." This ship was then in the service of Don Pedro, in Portugal. Mr. Smith resolved to wait her return. In May, 1833, she arrived at Blackwall, and he went down immediately to examine her. " She was a strong, well built ship, in bad condition, miserably fitted up -- and could not well have been more filthy if a cargo of pigs, instead of Don Pedro's soldiers, had inhabited her. Still, he thought she might be put in condition to go the voy- age, and accordingly applied to a gentleman interested in the ship, and offered to charter her for New York. After some days spent in talking, he learned that there were sixteen own- ers ; and to induce sixteen owners of one vessel to listen to so preposterous a scheme as the one contemplated, was entirely hopeless-and he consequently abandoned her.
Seeing the difficulties which attended all his efforts to char- ter a ship, and feeling at the same time the unsuitableness of the ships themselves for so long a voyage, he turned his atten- tion most seriously to the formation of a company for the pur- pose of building steam-ships for Atlantic navigation. The more he resolved this point in his mind, the clearer he saw he was following the safest and most correct course, "and there- fore was soon reconciled to former disappointments.
Not a single individual whom he consulted at this time, gave him the slightest encouragement, and as yet he had taken no steps to ascertain the bearing of public opinion. It seemed necessary that some measures to that end should be taken ; for he felt that ultimate success must depend upon public sup- port. He knew London well. Few men had experienced more of its commercial life than he had. Hence, he was well aware of the importance of wealth, distinguished con- nexions, and a titled name, in successfully carrying forward
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any new enterprize in that great metropolis. Without these, and cyen without the least encouragement from the honored and great, he was not disheartened. Relying solely upon the intrinsic merit of his enterprize, he resolved to persevere.
On the 1st of June, 1835, he published a Prospectus of a joint stock steam navigation company in his own name-for in truth he find could no one to second him-proposing to raise £100,000 in 200 shares, of £500 each, to construct · steam ships for the New York trade. These Prospectuses were widely distributed, at a considerable expense of money and labor. No person in the American trade was omitted, and most of the public companies and public officers were furnished with a copy. Not a single share was applied for, nor did Mr. Smith expect many applications: But one object he had in view was answered. Through those employed in distributing the prospectuses, he learned what the feeling of the public was upon the subject. A few looked upon the scheme with some favor, and several gentlemen called upon
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