USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > A history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., from its first settlement. > Part 6
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Camp, Abel from New Milford, came to Sharon in 1769. He lived on the mountain where the late Capt. Bennett resided, and remained in town about twenty years.
Canfield, Hon. John was a son of Samuel Canfield, of New Milford, who was one of the judges of the county court, for Litchfield county, and a deacon of the church in New Milford. Mr. Canfield was born at New Milford in 1740, and graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1762. He studied law and established him- self in the practice of his profession in this town, in
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1765, being the first lawyer that lived here. He pur- chased of Parson Smith, the lot next south of Judge Sterling's, and built the old brick house now owned by that gentleman. Mr. Canfield enjoyed an enviable reputation and was holden in high estimation by his fellow citizens. He represented the town in the legislature at ten different sessions. He was a profes- sor of religion and enjoyed the reputation of a sincere and humble Christian. In 1786 he was elected a member of the Continental Congress, and had he lived to take liis seat in that body, would probably have been a distinguished member. He died, however, on the 26th day of October, 1786, at the age of forty-six. The grief of the community at his death was general and deep, and the old men of this day speak of him with unbounded confidence and attachment. He left but one son, John M. Canfield, Esq. who now resides at Sacket's Harbor, N. Y. and a number of daughters. The Hon. John C. Spencer, now Secretary of War, is his grandson.
His Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of the Hon. JOHN CANFIELD, A member of Congress for this State, who died the 26th day of October, A. D. 1786, in the forty-sixth year of his age.
'T is not for lifeless stone to tell thy worth, A partner's heart the deep impression wears,
Thy orphans oft, around this hallowed earth, Shall tell a father's love with speaking tears, And numerous friends who swell the tide of grief, Thy great and generous deeds shall oft relate,
Thus through revolving years thy name shall live, 'Till to immortal life, this slumbering dust shall wake.
Canfield, Hon. Judson was a son of Col. Samuel Canfield, of New Milford, and a nephew of Hon. John Canfield. He graduated at Yale College in 1782. He came to Sharon in 1787, and commenced the practice of law. He built the house now occupied by
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TOWN OF SHARON.
Nathaniel Berry and lived there. He was a member of the house of representatives at seventeen sessions, and for several years a member of the council. He was also a judge of the court of common pleas. He left Sharon in 1815, and removed to the state of Ohio, where he died in 1839, at the age of more than eighty years.
Canfield, Col. Samuel was a brother of the prece- ding, and came to Sharon in early life. He was an assistant commissary of issues, in the war of the revo- lution, and toward the close of his life drew a hand- some pension. He was for many years a merchant of extensive business, and was town clerk from 1792 to 1815, having succeeded Daniel Griswold, Esq. in that office. He was a member of the assembly at several sessions. He died while on a visit at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. on the first day of October, 1837, at the age of eighty-three.
Carrier, Deacon Timothy was from Colchester, in 1747. He bought of Jacob Bacon a part of the twelfth home-lot, where George White now lives. He was appointed a deacon of the church in 1766, which office he held until his death. He had but one son who survived him, and he removed from the town soon after the decease of his father. He died on the 22d day of February, 1781, at the age of eighty-two. Ilis wife died about the same time, and the stone which marks their resting place has upon it the fol- lowing
Epitaph.
Here man and wife, secure from strife, Lie slumbering side by side, Though death's cold hands dissolved the bands, It could not them divide.
This tomb shall burst and yield its trust, This pair will live again,
With purer love to soar above, Where joys immortal reign.
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Cartwright, Nicholas was the common ancestor of the Cartwright family, which have been numerous in the town. He was originally from Barnstable, Massa- chusetts, and lived a short time on Philip's Patent, now South-East, N. Y. He came to Sharon in 1756, and settled near the place where Earl Cartwright now lives. He was baptized in September, 1781, when he was nearly eighty years of age. He died in May, 1782. He had three sons, Reuben, Christopher and Samuel. Reuben lived where George W. Peck now lives. He died, leaving a numerous family, in May, 1790, aged forty. Christopher lived near David Cur- tiss' present residence, and before the revolutionary war he removed to Shaftsbury, Vermont. In 1775, he joined the army under general Montgomery, and was in the battle of Quebec, in which Montgomery fell. He died of the small-pox, in the American camp, on the island of Orleans, before the retreat from Canada. Samuel lived where Austin Cartwright now lives. He was also in the army with his brother Chris- topher, but escaped his untimely end. He lived to a good old age, and died January 17th, 1819, aged seventy-eight. He left two sons, Nicholas and Anson, who are both now deceased.
Chafee, Joshua was from Mansfield, and came to Sharon in 1755. He married the only child of Mat- thew St. John, Jun. and first settled where Caleb and Richard B. Cole now live. In 1760, he removed to Ellsworth, where his son Joel Chaffee now lives. He died in 1789, aged fifty-six. He left three sons, Joel, Matthew and Joshua B. Matthew died soon after the death of his father. Joshua B. died in 1832. He was at the time of his death one of the magistrates of the town. Joel is still living at an advanced age.
Chamberlain, Deacon Isaac was born in New Marl- borough, Mass. and came to Sharon with his step-
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father, Mr. John Hollister, in 1756. He was a car- penter and joiner by trade. He married a daughter of Jonathan Sprague, and had several children. He entered the army early in the revolutionary war, and was sergeant of artificers. He was appointed a dea- con of the congregational church in 1799, which office he held till his death. He was a man of strong mind, of great decision of character, and for many years was one of the pillars of the town.
His Epitaph.
Deacon ISAAC CHAMBERLAIN, a patriot of '76, A soldier of the revolution, and for many years of his subsequent life an officer of the first church in Sharon. Born in New Marlborough, Mass. Oct. 24, 1756, died at Sharon, July 14, 1833. Grounded and settled in the faith .- St. Paul.
Chapman, Obadiah was from Colchester, and came to Sharon in 1741. He settled in the south part of the town, opposite Anson Bolanid's present residence. He was the owner of a large real estate. He died in 1761. He left four sons, Obadiah, Pelatiah, Mat- thias and Robert. Obadiah died in 1763. Pelatiah was the father of the late William Chapman, and he died in 1759. His widow afterwards married Dr. Ashbel Goodrich. Robert, the youngest son, and the survivor of them all, was a soldier in the old French war, and after his return from the service settled in the south west part of the town, where his son, the late Elijah Chapman lived. He died in 1814, at the age of eighty. He was the father of Obadiah Chap- man who still survives.
Chapman, Samuel was from Colchester. He came with the first settlers. He settled on the forty-sixth home-lot, near Calvin Jackson's. He afterwards re- moved to the lower end of Abel street where his grand- son Caleb Chapmam now lives. He had three sons,
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Samuel, Ezekiel and Nehemiah. Caleb Chapman is a son of the last named. Ezekiel died a soldier in the French war.
Chappel, Amos was a son of Caleb Chappel, of Lebanon, one of the original proprietors. He came to Sharon in 1760, and settled in Ellsworth, where Gamaliel Everett lives.
Church, Jehiel was from Great Barrington, Mass. and lived a little north of Adolphus Everett's. lle died May 1, 1819, at the age of seventy-seven. He had nine children.
Cluxton, Samuel was originally from the old Ply- mouth colony. He came to Sharon in early life. He lived where Ansel Cartwright now lives. He was a faithful soldier in the revolutionary war and died in 1820.
Cole, Caleb was from Norwalk and came to Sharon, in 1743. He settled on the place now owned by his great grandson, Albert Cole. He had sons, Zebulon, Matthew and David, which last named was the father of Caleb Cole and Richard B. Cole. He died in 1780
Coleman, Josiah came from Hebron in 1771. He lived where Earl Cartwright lives. He was a son of Noah Coleman, of Colchester, one of the original proprietors of the township. He was a practical sur- veyor and was considerably employed in that business. He was a member of the General Assembly in Octo- ber, 1783, and in May, 1784, and again in May, 1788. He was also a delegate to the convention which rati- fied the Constitution of the United States, to the adop- tion of which he was very strongly opposed. One of his sons, Josiah, was taken prisoner at Fort Washing- ton, in 1776, and on his return from captivity died at Milford, January 8, 1777, of disease contracted in the British prison-ships. He had four other sons, Aaron, Elihu, Jesse and Amasa. The eldest, Dr. Aaron
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Coleman is still living at Warren, at a very advanced age. Mr. Coleman died February 23, 1813, aged eighty.
Epitaph.
When rocks dissolve and skies in smoke decay, Rise, sleeping dust, to an unclouded day.
Comstock, Samuel was from Lyme, and came into Sharon with the first settlers. He built a log house directly opposite Caleb and Richard B. Cole's present dwelling house, and a cluster of apple-trees which he planted the first year, is still standing. He was the first collector of taxes in the town, and was a highly respectable man. He sold his place in 1748 to Dea- con Matthew St. John, of Norwalk, and himself remo- ved to New Fairfield. His home-lot was the thirty- second.
Conkling, Capt. Benjamin was from Norwalk, and lived for many years where Bela Lamb now lives. He was often appointed select-man of the town, as well as to other offices. He afterwards lived in Ver- mont for several years, but towards the close of life returned to Hitchcock's Corner, where he died on the Ist of October, 1823, at the age of eighty-six. He was the father of Dr. Ebenezer H. Conkling, who formerly lived at Hitchcock's Corner.
Corbet, John was the first settler at the place where the late Samuel Petit lived, in the north part of the town. He was from Lebanon in 1743. He built a saw-mill, at an early day, near Abel Benedict's. He afterwards lived on the mountain at the Elderkin place, so called, near Elijah Marsh's.
Crippen, Jabez was from Colchester, and was an original proprietor of the township. He drew the twenty-first home-lot, and his house stood on the ground now occupied by the Grosvenor house, so called, nearly opposite Governor Smith's. He was the first select-
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man ever chosen in the town. He had sons, Jabez, John, Samuel, Thomas and Joseph. His son Thomas lived where Russel B. Calkin now lives. About the year 1752, the father removed with several of his sons, into Amenia, N. Y. near where the late Jonathan Pennoyer lived ; and that neighborhood was formerly called Crippentown. Mr. Crippen died at Manches- ter, Vermont, about 1785.
Crocker, Oliver was from Lebanon, before the rev- olutionary war. He settled where Philander Abel now lives, and died April 12, 1812, at the age of eighty-one. His widow died recently, at the age of more than ninety years. He left no son.
Curtice, Caleb was from Hebron and was an original proprietor. He drew the thirtieth home-lot, and lived where the late Elijah H. Williams lived. He had sons, Caleb, Jeremiah, Daniel and Nathaniel. Caleb lived at the Lockwood place, near Dr. Sears. Jere- miah lived at the Hanchet place, now occupied by A. Bryant, and Daniel at the place owned by the late Capt. Gibbs. Nathaniel lived on the home-lot. He was killed by the kick of a horse, October 19, 1802. Mr. Curtice, the elder, died November 20, 1777, at the age of seventy-four.
Curtis, Seth was from Danbury, and came to Sharon in 1782. He lived where George W. Peck now lives. He was the father of the late Noch Curtis, and of David Curtis, yet surviving. He died March 27, 1804, at the age of sixty-seven.
Day, Thomas was from Colchester and came to Sharon in 1755. He lived where Calvin Jackson now lives, on the mountain. He had two sons, Jona- than and Jeremiah, the former of whom died in early life. His younger son, Jeremiah, was educated at Yale College and graduated in 1756. Soon after he left college he was married, and settled in town as a
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farmer. He was constable in 1765, and 1766, and selectman the latter year. He was representative to the Assembly in October, 1766, and in May, 1767. His wife died in August, 1767, and soon after that event he turned his attention to the ministry. He was, for many years, the minister of the parish of New Preston, in Washington. He was the father of the Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D. President of Yale Col- lege and the Hon. Thomas Day, for many years sec- retary of the state of Connecticut.
Epitaph. In memory of Mr. JONATHAN DAY, who departed this life January 8, 1763. Spectator! here you see Exemplified in me, What you must shortly be.
In memory of Mrs. Sarah Day, the late amiable consort of the Rev. Jeremiah Day, who departed this life Aug. 25, 1767. She gives life, but O, pitiable consideration ! gives it at the expense of her own, and at once becomes a mother and a corpse. Flere et meminisse relictum est.
In memory of Mr. Thomas Day, Died February 28, 1772, aged eighty-two.
Life how short, Eternity how long !
Davis, Jonathan was from Rutland, Mass. and came to Sharon in 1746. He purchased of Jacob Bacon, the sixth home-lot, opposite the stone house now owned by Anson Boland. He sold this property in 1750, and purchased a large tract of land below Hitchcock's Corner. He had one son, Ezra, who died in early life, leaving a widow and three children. Mr. Davis afterward lived over the line, in Oblong, but where he died is not known.
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HISTORY OF THE
Delano, Deacon Thomas was from Wareham, Mass. He lived a short time in Tolland, and came to Sharon in 1759. He settled in the south-west part of the town. The name was originally spelt De La Noy. Mr. Delano was chosen deacon of Mr. Knibloe's church in 1767. He died September 8, 1803, aged seventy-seven. He had two sons, Jethro and Stephen, the latter of whom died in 1840, at the age of more than ninety years.
Epitaph. In memory of JETHRO DELANO, who died July 17, 1787, aged twenty-nine, Virtue alone to him did give, The gift of knowing how to live ; A pattern to the growing youth, A never failing friend of truth.
Deming, Daniel was from Saybrook, and came to Sharon in 1782. He purchased of Amos Tyler, the place where his widow now lives. He was the father of Stephen Deming, Esq. of Litchfield, and Dr. Ralph Deming of Sharon. He died May 15, 1816, at the age of sixty-six.
Dibble, Capt. Ebenezer was from Salisbury in 1776, He lived in the Great Hollow, near the watering place. He sold his farm to Adonijah Maxam in 1795, and removed to Saratoga county, N. Y.
Dibble, Ebenezer was a son of Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, of Stamford, formerly Episcopal missionary in Sharon. He was a merchant and owned the brick house now known as the Taylor house. In 1781 he sold out to Robert G. Livingston, Esq. of New York, and removed to Pine Plains, N. Y. where he died. He was the father of Fyler Dibble, Esq. now of the city of New York.
Dotey, Capt. Samuel was the ancestor of the Dotey family. He was from the old Plymouth colony, and
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TOWN OF SHARON.
came to Sharon in 1747. He lived a little south of Lovell W. Chapman's. He practised surveying. He and his wife were both cut off by the small-pox in 1784. He had two sons, David and Perez. David was a physician and lived near Hitchcock's Corner, and was for a while a captain in the revolutionary service. He died February 9, 1817, at the age of seventy-six.
Downs, David Esq. was from New Haven, and came to Sharon about the year 1768. He married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Day, and settled on the mountain near Calvin Jackson's. He was a tailor by trade. He was captain of a company in the revolu- tionary service, and was, with his company, taken pris- oner at the Cedars in Canada, in 1776. He was for many years one of the magistrates of the town, and one of its representatives in the Assembly at eleven sessions. He had several sons who maintained a highly respectable character, but there are none of his descendants now remaining in the town. He died December 13, 1813, at the age of seventy-seven.
Dunham, Capt. Jonathan was from Colchester, and was a leading man in the first settlement of the town. He lived opposite Jay S. Canfield's, and there kept the first tavern in the town. He was the agent to the Assembly to procure the incorporation of the town- ship, and was appointed to call the first town meeting. He was standing moderator of all the town meetings holden during his life time, and select man of the town during the same period. His race, however, was a short one, as he died on the 28th day of February, 1745, at the age of fifty-nine. He had several sons, one of whom, Samuel, built the stone house, now owned by Aaron Boland. Capt. Dunham's grave stone is the oldest in our church yard.
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Elliott, Samuel S. was from Killingworth and came to Sharon in 1780. Ile purchased of his brother-in law, Reuben Hopkins, the place where Joel B. Beecher now lives. His wife was the daughter of Colonel John Williams. He was the father of John A. Elliott, who now resides in town. He died on the 22d day April, 1812, at the age of sixty.
Elmer, Deacon Jonathan was from Norwalk, and came to Sharon in 1746. He first purchased of Caleb Jewett, the lot on which Gov. Smith now lives, and there resided till 1751, when he sold it to Jonathan Gillet, and removed to what is now called the Martin place, near the stone bridge. There he lived till his death January 5, 1758, at the age of seventy-three. He was highly respected as an officer in the church, and as a member of society. He had several sons, who lived in town, but there are none of his descend- ants bearing his name, remaining among us.
Elmer, Martin was a son of the preceding, and was a cooper by trade, and a Baptist by religious profes- sion. He lived a bachelor, and died on the Sth day of August, 1778, at the age of seventy-three. The following epitaph is said to be highly expressive of his character :
In silent shade, Here lies the dust, Of him who made, The Lord his trust.
Elmer, Colonel Samuel was a son of Deacon J. Elmer, and was a brave officer in the revolutionary war. He was appointed a major in Colonel Hinman's regiment, in 1775, and was engaged in active duty in the campaign of that year. 'The next year he was appointed a colonel in the New York line, and con- tinued in command of a regiment while he remained in the army. He lived in the town until about 1801,
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when he removed to the town of Elmore, in Vermont, where he remained till his death. He was the father of John Elmore, Esq. of Canaan .*
Everett, Ebenezer was from Hebron, in 1745, and settled where Adolphus Everett now lives. He had three sons, Isaiah, Ebe and Eliphalet, the two latter of whom were revolutionary soldiers. Eliphalet was for several years the steward of General Washington's military family. He lived many years where Erastus Lord now lives, in Ellsworth, but spent the latter part of his life in Watertown, N. Y. Isaiah Everett died August 4, 1834, at the age of eighty-two, leaving sons Adolphus, Asa, Gamaliel, Russell, and William. Ebe Everett died January 5, 1840, at the age of eighty-six, leaving sons, Samuel E. Augustus, Elmore and John.
Everett, John was a brother of Ebenezer Everett, and came to Sharon from Windham in 1757. He was a blacksmith by trade, and lived on the road which formerly led north from Philo Hamlin's, now discontinued. He had but one child, a daughter, who married Ebenezer Sprague. Mr. Everett went to Ohio, in the early settlement of that state and died there.
Foster, David was from Lebanon in 1750. He lived on the place which was occupied by the late John Jackson, who was his son-in-law. He was a leading man in the affairs of the town for many years. He was a member of the Assembly at the October sessions in 1763 and 1764, and selectman eight years. He died in 1793.
* Colonel Elmer's name was, by mistake, spelt Elmore, in the commission he received from Congress, and from that circum- stance, he adopted the latter method of spelling it, and it has been continued by the family till the present time.
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Foster, Elijah was a son of the preceding, and was a highly respectable man. He lived where Dr. Sears now lives, and was an early favorite of the town. He was for many years a constable. He entered the con- tinental army as a lieutenant in the campaign of 1776, and was in active service till the close of the year.
His Epitaph.
Here lies the body of Lieut. ELIJAH FOSTER, who died of the small-pox, January 14, 1777, in the forty-second year of his age, on his return from the army.
Inspired with freedom and her virtuous cause, To save his country from a tyrant's laws, Resolved an end to the unnatural strife, And in the glorious conflict, lost his life.
Frisbie, Deacon Ebenezer was from Branford, and was the first settler at the place occupied by the late Benjamin Bailey, on the Ellsworth turnpike. He came to Sharon with the first settlers, and being a surveyor, he was much employed in laying out lands in the early location of the township. He was town clerk from December 1743 to January 1746, and one of the deacons of the church nearly the whole time of his residence in the town. He had one son, Capt. Hezekiah Frisbie, who settled where Aaron Dunbar now lives, in Ellsworth. He died October 20, 1793, aged eighty-nine.
Epitaph.
How short is life we mortals see, How long is vast eternity, In time prepare for death and be Happy to all eternity.
Deacon Frisbie was buried in the Ellsworth grave yard.
Fuller, Benjamin was from Colchester, and came with the first settlers. He lived on the next lot below Governor Smith's. He was among the first who died
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TOWN OF SHARON.
in the town, having departed this life in December, 1740. His widow afterwards married Nathaniel Skinner, Esq. He had three sons, Matthew, Josiah and Benjamin, the latter of whom was father of the late Capt. John Fuller.
Gager, Dr. Samuel R. was born at Norwich, May 23, 1763, and was an assistant surgeon in the navy in the revolutionary war. Soon after the close of the war he visited England. He established himself, in Sharon in the practice of surgery in 1788. He was long celebrated in his profession, and was much re- spected as a citizen. He represented the town in the Assembly in the years 1821, 1822 and 1829. He was also for many years a justice of the peace. He died August 4th, 1835 .*
Gallow, Joseph was from Hudson, N. Y. in 1785. He owned and occupied the place where Dr. John W. Smith now lives, and kept a tavern there for many years. He finally returned to Hudson, where he died.
Gay, John Esq. was born in Dedham, Mass. and in early life settled in Litchfield, and was among the first white inhabitants of that town. In 1743 he came to Sharon, and purchased of Israel Holley, the thirty- ninth home-lot, which was in the north part of the town. His house stood nearly opposite the present residence of his grandson, Calvin Gay, Esq. and was standing till within a few years. Mr. Gay was a highly respectable man, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four. He died on the 6th day of August, 1792. He had sons, John, Ebenezer, Fisher and Perez. John was the father of the late Capt. Daniel
* It is worthy of remark that William Gager, the ancestor of the Gager family in this country, was of the same profession as his descendant, here noticed. Gov. Dudley calls him "a right godly man and a skilful chyrurgeon." His son John came to Connecticut with the younger Gov. Winthrop and settled in New London, and from him Dr. Gager descended.
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Gay. He died January 1, 1776, at the age of forty- eight. Ebenezer was a merchant, and built the brick house now owned by Mrs. Hunt. He was a colonel in the militia, and frequently commanded detachments in the revolutionary war. He was the father of the late Mr. David Gay. He died July 16, 1787, at the age of sixty-one. Fisher Gay settled in Farmington, where his descendants now reside. He died in the city of New York, early in the revolutionary war. Perez Gay died of the small-pox in 1784. He was the father of Calvin Gay, Esq. now living.
Gibbs, Job was from Wareham, Mass. and came to Sharon in 1747. His house is still standing, being the old dwelling next north of Jay S. Canfield's. Mr. Gibbs was a merchant and did a large business for those times. He had three sons, Sylvanus, Heman and Job. Capt. Sylvanus Gibbs, the eldest, was an officer in the revolutionary war, and died on the 19th of June, 1834, at the age of eighty-one.
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