USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > A history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., from its first settlement. > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
Epitaph.
Here lies interred ye body of JOB GIBES. He died of ye small-pox, Dec. ye 18th, 1760, in ye 37th year of his age. I'm here confined, as you must be,
Oh then prepare to follow me,
Because from death no age is free,
Get faith in God's eternal Son, In him there is salvation,
Boast not thyself of coming time,
Because to-morrow is not thine, Seek then, to-day, that you may find.
Gillet, Jonathan was from Colchester, in 1745. He lived in several places during his early years, but finally established himself in 1753 where George Skinner now lives. Here he resided thirty years and kept a tavern. He sold this place in 1783, and pur- chased of Timothy Carrier, Jun. the place where George White now lives, where he resided till his death. He was representative to the Assembly at the
83
TOWN OF SHARON.
May and October sessions in 1788, and a delegate to the convention called to ratify the constitution of the United States. His wife was a daughter of Thomas Day, and sister of Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Pres- toIl. Mr. Gillett died December 31, 1814, at the age of eighty-nine.
Gillet, Charles was a brother of the preceding and came to Sharon from Colchester, in 1755. He was a blacksmith by trade, and settled where Henry J. Platt now lives. He was town treasurer from 1760 to 1771, when he removed to the mountain, having pur- chased of Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Preston, the place lately owned by John Jackson. He enlisted into Capt. Downs' company, and marched to the northward in 1776. While the army lay at the Cedars, in Canada, he was killed by a party of Indians, lying in ambush, as he was riding out on business connected with his duty as commissary. He left several chil- dren, one of whom was the wife of the late Capt. Ed- mund Bennett.
Gillson, Eleazer was from Goshen, Orange county, N. Y. and came to Sharon in 1784. He had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, and settled a little north of Deacon Woodward's. He was one of the first emigrants to Ohio, and the first mail carrier on the post road between Pittsburgh and Cleaveland. He carried the whole mail in his pocket on foot. He died recently at the age of nearly ninety years.
Goodrich, William was the ancestor of the Goodrich family which has been quite numerous in the town. He was originally from Wethersfield, and first moved to Litchfield, where he remained ten years. He after- wards removed to Sheffield, Mass. and when the township of Sharon was sold, he became the purchaser of two rights. He brought his family to the town in the fall of 1738, and built a hut near the outlet of
84
HISTORY OF THE
Mudge Pond. Here he spent the winter, with no neighbors except Indians, nearer than the Dutch set- tlements at Leedsville. He went to mill on foot, during the winter, once to New Milford, and once to Red Hook, N. Y. on snow shoes, and carried his wheat on his back. That he was a sincere Christian we may well believe from the introductory clause in his last will and testament, the first recorded on the probate records for the district of Litchfield. After speaking of the uncertainty of life as a reason for making his will, he says: "wherefore, committing my body to the dust, from whence it was taken, and my soul to the bosom of my dear Lord Jesus Christ, hoping and believing that he will raise me up with all his saints at the glorious morning of the resurrection, I give, &c." Mr. Goodrich died on the 31st day of March, 1743, at the age of fifty-six. He had sons, Samuel, Jared, William, Elnathan, David, Elisha, and Solomon, and their descendants have been very numerous. His wife survived him about seven years, and one tomb stone marks the resting place of both, on which is inscribed the following
Epitaph.
Here lie the husband and the wife, Interred beneath this double tomb, This double witness may suffice, To prove that death will be our doom.
Goodwin, John P. was from Hartford, and came to Sharon in 1784. He lived where his son, the late Hezekiah Goodwin, resided, and died on the 5th of May, 1807, aged eighty-two. He had two sons, John P. and Hezekiah, the last of whom was a man much respected and beloved. Ile was a corporal in the continental army, and was eight years in the service. His discharge, under the hand of General Washington, spoke highly of his merits. He was a representative
85
TOWN OF SHARON.
to the Assembly in May, 1818. He was killed at the raising of a small building, belonging to Benjamin Ilollister, Esq. on the 15th of May, 1833, and his un- timely end was deeply lamented. He died at the age of seventy-two.
Gould, John was an original proprietor, from He- bron, and drew the thirty-fourth home-lot, the same on which George Cole now lives. His house stood on the hill west of Mr. Cole's present dwelling-house. He appears to have been, at one time, a man of hand- some estate, but in his old age became poor, and was supported by the town. He was grave digger for many years. He died about 1782.
Gould, Job was from New Milford, in 1763, and purchased of Deacon Jackson, the place on the moun- tain now owned by his grandson Major David Gould. He had two sons, Job and David, the former of whom settled in Mudge town, near Isaac Reed's, and the latter remained on the mountain. Mr. Gould, the elder, died February 27, 1795, at the age of ninety- five. His son David, died April 19, 1824, at the age of seventy-seven. Job, Jun. died at the time indica- ted in the following
Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of JOB GOULD, Jun. who died April 19, 1794, aged fifty-nine.
O painful thought, yet we must know, The grave's the place where all must go, If dear, good, wise, and just they be, Yet death's their lot as here we see.
Gray, John was from Scotland, and came to Sharon in 1743. He first settled in the valley, and his house stood on the bank, a little east of Henry Hotchkiss's. In 1748, he sold this place to Abel Wood, and removed to the mountain, a little east of the Gould place, where he died in 1761. He left sons, John, Silas, Darius
8
.
86
HISTORY OF THE
and William. Darius was the father of Silas A. Gray, Esq. The revolutionary services of William have been described in a former page.
Gregory, Joseph was from Norwalk in 1759. He lived where Philo Hamlin now lives. He was a mer- chant for many years. He removed to Catskill, N. Y. where he died. He had sons, Stephen, Justus, Eben- ezer, Uriah, Elias and Daniel.
Griswold, Ephraim was an early settler, and lived where David Woodard now lives. He had three sons, Azariah, David and Jabez. He removed to Spencertown, N. Y. before the revolution. Azariah Griswold, was a subaltern officer in the revolutionary army. He lived where William Knibloe now lives. He sold this place in 1786 to John Foster.
Griswold, Daniel Esq. was from Norwich in 1756. He lived where Richard Smith, Esq. now lives. He was a physician and pursued the practice of that pro- fession for many years. He was appointed a justice of the peace at an early day. On the death of Col. Williams in 1774, he was appointed town clerk, which office he held till his death. He also succeeded the latter gentleman as deacon in the church.
Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of DANIEL GRISWOLD, Esq. who departed this life Dec. 22, 1792, aged sixty-six.
The wise, the good, the virtuous and the just, Lies here entomb'd to moulder into dust,
But death must yield, resign the mouldering clay, To shine and sparkle in eternal day.
Griswold, Francis was a brother of the preceding, and came to Sharon in 1762. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and he lived on the corner a little north of Ansel Mallory's. His tannery was near his house where the cider-mill now stands. He died November 6, 1778, at the age of forty-three.
87
TOWN OF SHARON.
Griswold, Capt. Adonijah another brother of Dan- iel Griswold, Esq. came to Sharon in 1762. He set- tled in Mudge town where Jesse Lake now lives. He was a lieutenant in Capt. Down's company in 1776. He died September 19, 1807, at the age of sixty-eight. He had three sons, Adonijah, Chester and John, the latter of whom is still living in Tompkins county, N. Y.
Hamilton, David, was from Lebanon, and was the first settler on the place now owned by Judge Ster- ling. He afterwards lived opposite Governor Smith's. He appears to have been the great land speculator of the day, his name appearing on the records as the grantor or grantee in deeds, more frequently than any other. He was also for a time a deputy sheriff. He died in 1781, leaving sons, Dudley, John, and Joseph. Joseph was a physician, and practised medicine in the town for several years. Dudley formerly lived where Trowbridge Lockwood now lives. Mr. Hamilton dis- posed of most of his real estate in town previous to his death. He was largely interested in land in Ver- mont, and in what was called the Susquehannah Pur- chase.
Hamlin, Cornelius, was an early settler from Ware- ham, Massachusetts, and lived near Mrs. Hunt's. He afterwards lived in the Hollow, near the iron works, in which he was a part owner. He also lived for a while near the head of Mudge Pond. In 1760 he re- moved to Spencertown, New York, but soon returned, and here spent his days. He had one son, Cornelius, who died in early life.
Hamlin, Deacon Ebenezer, was also from Ware- ham, and first lived where George Skinner now lives. He afterwards removed to the south part of the town, below Hitchcock's Corner. By his last will, he left 24 pounds old tenor bills, for the support of the gos_
88
HISTORY OF THE
pel in the Congregational society at the Corner. He had sons, Ebenezer, Thomas, Isaac and Lewis .- Thomas was the grandfather of Philo Hamlin, who is the only descendant of Deacon Hamlin now remain- ing in the town. Deacon Hamlin died in 1755.
Hamlin, Deacon Benjamin, was son of Deacon Eleazer Hamlin, of Fredericksburg, now Carmel, in Putnam county, New York. He came to Sharon in 1780, and lived at different places in the north-west part of the town. He was elected Deacon of the Congregational Church in 1793, and held the office till his death. He maintained a very pure and spot- less character, and died, universally lamented.
Epitaph.
The remains of BENJAMIN HAMLIN, Seniour Deacon of the first Church of Christ in Sharon, whose piety, meekness, and sweetness of temper, rendered him alike a blessing to the church, an ornament to society, and the delight of his acquaintance. This eminent servant of God,
expired in full assurance of a blessed immortality, on the 6th Oct, 1820, in the 61st year of his age.
Hanchet, Sylvanus, was from Salisbury, in 1769. He lived where Alden Bryan now lives. He is cele- brated as being the first person who formally invited the Methodist preachers into Sharon, in 1788. It was at his house that the first Methodist society was formed, by Rev. Freeborn Garretson, and where pub- lic worship was celebrated for several years. He re- moved to the State of New York many years since, where he died.
Harvey, Joel, was from New Milford, in 1742, and settled in the valley. He built a grist-mill, which stood more than sixty years. He also built the stone house, in the valley, in 1747. He was a large land holder, and had a very numerous family, many of whom died
89
TOWN OF SHARON.
of the consumption. Mr. Harvey died Dec. 26, 1796, at the age of 84. His Epitaph,- All nations must Return to dust.
Hatch, Capt. Ebenezer, was from Kent, in 1768. He lived on the place now owned by Rev. Aaron Hunt, below Hitchcock's Corner. He was a respectable man, and served many years as selectman, and in other important offices. He left the town many years since.
Heath, Bartholomew, was from Lebanon, and was among the first settlers. He lived in the north part of the town, where his son, Thomas Heath, now lives. Thomas Heath is the only person now living in the town, who is a son of one of the original proprie- tors.
Epitaph.
In memory of Mr. Bartholomew Heath, who died Feb. 11, 1789. in ye 79th year of his age. My glass is run, my days are spent, The fleeting moments Heaven hath sent ; And now to God I yield my breath, And calmly fall asleep in death.
Hide, David, was from Lebanon, in 1748. He purchased of Samuel Gillet the 41st home lot, the same on which Homer Pardee now lives. He was appointed constable in 1750, and served in that capa- city, and as collector, ten years. He was also a dep- uty sheriff for several years. He was unfortunate in not being able to render a satisfactory account of the moneys he had collected, and on that account fell into disrepute the latter part of his life.
Hide, William, was from Lebanon, in 1759. He lived where John Parsons now lives. He had two sons, Eleazer and William W. He died Dec. 26, 1770, at the age of fifty.
8*
90
HISTORY OF THE
Hitchcock, Samuel, was from Norwalk, in 1752 .- He purchased of Jonathan Gillet the place where Gov. Smith now lives, and resided there five years - He then removed to the south part of the town, where his son, the late Asa Hitchcock lived, and there spent the remainder of his days. It was at his house that the first Methodist sermon, preached in the town, was delivered. He died January 1, 1794, at the age of sixty-eight. He had seven sons, Samuel, Thomas, Solomon, Amariah, Penuel, Stephen, and Asa. The latter died Dec. 26, 1829, at the age of fifty-nine.
Holley, Israel, was an early settler, from Stamford., He first owned and lived upon the 39th home lot, which he sold to John Gay, Esq., in 1743, and re- moved to the Great Hollow. He there lived on the place lately owned by Capt. Dibble. He had two, sons, Israel and Nathaniel.
Holley, Joseph, was from Stamford, and was the. original owner of one half of the 36th home lot, the same on which the late George Bissell afterwards. lived. This he sold in 1743, to John Sprague, and he afterwards lived in Turkey Hollow, a little north of Deacon Woodard's. He had three sons, Jona- than, John, and Sylvanus. Jonathan removed to Richmond, Massachusetts. Sylvanus lived near the outlet of Indian Pond. John, who was the second son, was the father of Luther Holley, Esq., who was for many years an eminent citizen of the town of Salis- bury. This last named gentleman was born in Tur- key Hollow in 1752.
Hollister, Josiah, from Glastenbury, was the com- mon ancestor of the Hollister family which resided in the south part of the town. He purchased of Matthew Judd, in 1742, the 2d home lot, the same on which John B. Lovell now lives. He had two sons, Josiah and Samuel. Josiah settled on the home lot, and
91
TOWN OF SHARON.
Samuel settled where Deacon Woodard now lives .- Josiah had two sons, John and Benjamin. Benjamin settled in Oblong, New York, near the present village of Leedsville, where his descendants yet remain .- He died Oct. 3, 1801, at the age of 74. Lient. John Hollister died May 19, 1769, at the age of fifty, leav- ing sons, Jeremiah, David, John, Nathan, and Josiah. John was killed at the battle of Stillwater, in 1777 .- David became the owner of a large and valuable real estate. He lived where Enoch Lambert now lives .- He was the father of the late John J. Hollister, and of Joseph L. Hollister, now living, who is the only survivor of this once large family now remaining in łowIl.
Epitaph.
In memory of David Hollister, who departed this life Feb. 20, 1807, in the 53d year of his age.
Alas! how soon all earthly joys are fled, Our dearest friend is buried with the dead.
In vain we mourn, in vain the loss deplore, In vain look back to what he was before, From us he's gone, on earth he's seen no more.
Hollister, Samuel, from whom the family of that name in the south-east part of the town are descend- ed, was from the parish of Kensington, in Farming- ton, now Berlin. In 1744 he purchased of Dr. George Holloway, of Cornwall, one hundred acres of land on the Ousatonic River, which had formerly been laid out to Joseph Skinner. There he settled and died. He had two sons, Gershom and Elisha. Gershom was unfortunately killed at the raising of a barn, in Cornwall, in 1792. Elisha lived to an advanced age, and died in 1815. He left sons, Samuel, Elisha, Amos and Asahel. There are many of his descend- ants yet remaining in that neighborhood.
Hunt, Daniel, was from Lebanon, at the earliest
settlement of the town. He lived on the mountain, at what was called the Randall House. He after- wards lived at the Tanner place. He removed to Ver- mont before he died. One of his daughters, who was the mother of Dr. Sears, lived to the age of ninety- four years.
Hunt, Phineas, a brother of the preceding, was from Lebanon, in 1747. He bought of Caleb Chappell, the farm on which his descendants now reside in Ellsworth. He had but one son, the late Phineas Hunt, to whom, by his will, he gave all his estate. - He died August 22, 1787, at the age of 72. The son died Oct. 28, 1827, at the age of 69.
Hunter, Jonathan, was from Wareham, Massachu- setts, where he had been Deacon of the church. He came to Sharon in 1747, and purchased of Benjamin Richmond the farm on which Benjamin Sears now lives. His wife was a daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Hamlin. He died in 1762. He had two sons, Da- vid and Jonathan, who removed, soon after his de- cease, to Stillwater, New York. His widow after- wards married Lieut. John Pardee.
Hunter, Ebenezer, was from Norwich, about the year 1760. He lived on the mountain, in the south- west part of the town. His son, Nathaniel Hunter, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, is yet living, at the age of eighty-three.
Hurlburt, Capt. Samuel, was from Lebanon, in 1743. He purchased of Caleb Strong the west half of the 25th home-lot, on which Capt. Benjamin Lines now lives. He was the first merchant in the town .- He was at one time possessed of a large and valuable estate, but before the close of his life he was reduced to poverty. He died June 4, 1789, aged 77.
Hutchinson, Samuel, Esq., was one of the first set tlers, and the second magistrate in the town. He was
93
TOWN OF SHARON.
from Lebanon, and drew the 10th home-lot, the same on which the stone house now owned by Anson Bo- land stands. In 1751 he sold that place, and pur- chased the first minister's lot of the Rev. Peter Pratt. His house stood where Judson St. John's tavern now stands. In 1762 he removed to Spencertown, New York, where it is supposed he died. He had three sons, Samuel, Ezra, and Solomon, the two latter of whom settled in this town, and gave the name to Hutchinson Hollow, where they lived. The only descendant of Esq. Hutchinson now residing in town, is his great grandson, Orrin Hutchinson.
Jackson, Deacon Ebenezer, was from Norwalk, and settled on the 42d home lot, now owned by David Gould, on the mountain. He was early chosen Dea- con of the church, and was a highly reputable and useful man. He had six sons, Ebenezer, Joshua, John, Abraham, Stephen and Joseph, most of whom settled in the eastern parts of the town. In 1763 he sold his home lot to Job Gould, and from that time lived with one of his sons at the River till his death, in 1766.
Jewett, Capt. Caleb, was from Norwich, now Lis- bon, in 1743. He first purchased and occupied the lot on which Gov. Smith now lives, but in 1744 he sold it to Deacon Elmer, and bought of Samuel Chap- man, the farm on the mountain now owned by his grandson, John S. Jewett. He was selectman of the town twelve years, and Representative to the As- sembly at eleven sessions. He had sons, Caleb, Na- than, Thaddeus and Alpheus, the last of whom, after a life of much public employment, and of great use- fulness, died recently at the age of S6.
Epitaph.
In memory of Capt. Caleb Jewett, who died Jan. 18, 1778, in the 68th year of his age. Let not the dead forgotten lie, Lest we forget that we must die.
94
HISTORY OF THE
Jennings, Joseph, was from Fairfield, in 1771 .- He lived at the place lately owned by George Bissell. He died August 5, 1780, at the age of 64. He left sons, Justin, Reuben, Charles and Joseph. They all left the town soon after the death of their father.
Johns, Benjamin, was an early settler in the Valley, and lived on the Burr place. He sold out in 1752 to Samuel Smith, and removed into the State of New York, near the present residence of Moses Clark, in North East. He died of the small pox.
Jones, Evan, was the first settler upon the place owned by Deacon William M. Smith. He came with the first settlers, from Hebron, and remained in the town till 1750, when he sold out to the Rev. John Searl.
Juckett, Elijah, was originally from old Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. He served faithfully and hon- orably through the Revolutionary war, and was a ser- geant in the light infantry under General La Fayette. He was in the severe conflict at Stony Point, when that post was taken by General Wayne, as well as in several other battles. He was a pensioner under the act of 1818. He died in 1839, at the age of 78.
Kellogg, Oliver, Esq., was from Sheffield, Massa- c usetts, and settled in Sharon in 1788. He was a clothier by trade, and lived at Hitchcock's Corner .- He was a highly respectable and influential citizen, and was a representative to the Assembly at sixteen sessions. He was also for many years one of the ma- gistrates of the town. He died Sept. 17, 1830, at the age of 70.
Ketcham, Elihu, was the first settler on the Bates place, so called, now owned by Merrills McLean .- This he sold in 1748 to John Marvin, Jr. From that time to 1753 he lived near the school-house in the Boland district, when he left the town.
95
TOWN OF SHARON.
King, George, was from Windsor, in 1784. He had previously been connected with the commissary department of the army, and at the close of the war, established himself as a merchant, in company with Eli Mills. He prosecuted business with great suc- cess for many years, and accumulated a large and val- uable estate. He died Nov. 31, 1831, at the age of seventy-seven.
Knibloe, Rev. Ebenezer, some account of this gen- tleman is given in a foregoing part of this work. It may here be added that he had three sons, William, Elijah, and John.P., all of whom were cut off within a few weeks of each other, by the epidemic which swept over the town in 1812.
Knickerbacker, Cornelius, was one of the early Dutch inhabitants of Salisbury, and lived at the Fur- nace Village. In 1748 he exchanged farms with Capt. John Sprague, and took possession of the 37th home-lot, where the Messrs. Prindle now live in Gay street. The pond now called Beardslee Pond, was for many years called Knickerbacker's Pond, from its vicinity to his residence. He died March 3, 1776, at the age of eighty-four.
Lake, Joseph, was a soldier in the old French war, and in the war of the Revolution. He came to Sha- ron from Stratford, in 1772, and purchased of Jabez Hamlin the place where his son, Andrew Lake, now lives, near the Indian Pond. He lived, for many of the last years of his life, in the eastern part of the town, where Jeremiah Calkin now lives. He died April 24, 1813, at the age of seventy-four.
Landers, Joseph, was from Wareham, Massachu- setts, in 1748. He bought of Caleb Chappell the 8th home-lot, on which Dr. Ralph Deming now lives .- He died on the 5th day of August, 1781, at the ad-
1
96
HISTORY OF THE
vanced age of 94. His wife, who died the preceding January, reached the age of ninety-seven.
Their Epitaph.
Behold and see this wonder here, This couple lived full seventy year In wedlock bands ; now yield to death,- Ninety odd years 'tis from their birth.
Landers, Joseph, Jr., was a son of the preceding, and lived with his father on the 8th home-lot. He was appointed a Deacon of the Church in 1781, in the place of Deacon Frisbie, resigned, which office he retained till his death. He was a representative to the Assembly at the May session 1782.
Epit :ph.
In memory of Deacon Joseph Landers, who died August 31, 1801, aged 79.
Entomb'd in earth, beneath this stone, My aged body lies at rest,
With this terrestrial ball I've done, And now reside among the blest .-
Far from confusion here I lie, And calmly rest my hoary head;
My loving friends, prepare to die, For there's no peace but with the dead.
Lewis, Samuel, was from Hebron, in 1743. He was the first settler on the 9th lot in the first hundred acre division, the same where Ichabod Everitt now lives in Ellsworth. He continued in town about thir- ty years, and then removed to New Ashford, Massa- chusetts. His son, Samuel Lewis, Jr., was a soldier in the early part of the Revolutionary war, and a his- tory of his captivity in England, and his escape, is given in the former part of this work. He died soon after his return, leaving a wife and three children.
Lillie, David, was from Windham, in 1765. He settled in Gay street, and built the house now owned
1
97
TOWN OF SHARON.
by the Messrs. Prindle. IIe removed to Ohio about the year 1800.
Lockwood, Nathaniel, was from New Canaan, in 1784, and purchased the farm on the mountain known as the Lockwood place, near Mr. Jewett's. He died Feb. 26, 1785, at the age of thirty-three, of consump- tion. His sons, Trowbridge and Lewis, still survive. His widow afterwards married John Williams, and she is still living at a very advanced age.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.