USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > A history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., from its first settlement. > Part 8
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Lord, Jonathan, was from Colchester, and was one of the first inhabitants of Ellsworth, where he settled in 1743. He lived where Lewis St. John now lives. He died in 1760.
Lord, Joseph, Esq., was a son of the preceding, and came to the town with his father in 1743. He was for many years the only Justice of the Peace in Ells- worth. He was for several years a Select man, and member of the Assembly in October 1777. He died Oct. 28, 1778, at the age of fifty-eight. He was the first person buried in the burying yard now used in Ellsworth.
Lott, Baltus .- This individual appears to have been a squatter upon the public lands before the town- ship was sold. He was probably a Dutchman, and had taken possession of a considerable tract of land in Connecticut and New York, and had erected a house and barrack, and made considerable clearings. His territory embraced what is now called the Burr farm. The proprietors made many efforts to remove him, but he resisted them all until March 1742, when Joseph Skinner purchased his possessions for 300 pounds old tenor, and he went away. He afterwards lived in the north part of Amenia, New York.
Lovell, John, came to this part of the country from Rochester, Mass., in 1745. He first settled in Oblong,
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N. York, where Lewis Lockwood now lives. In 1770 he removed to Sharon, and purchased of David Boland the 2d home-lot, where his grandson, John B. Lovell, now lives. He died Nov. 3, 1789, at the age of fifty- eight. His only son, Capt. Joshua Lovell, who was a respectable citizen of the town, lived upon the same place until his death, in February 1838, at the age of seventy-one.
Lovell, Joseph, was from Rochester, Massachusetts. He first settled in Kent, but in 1767 he purchased the 35th lot in the first hundred acre division, of Samuel Hollister, Jr. He lived at what was formerly known as the Clurton place, on the road leading east from Caleb Chapman's. He had two sons, Levi and Jo- seph.
Manrow, Joseph, was from Norwalk, in 1744. He settled on the corner opposite John S. Jewett's, and the old orchard which he planted is still standing. In 1750 he exchanged farms with Matthew Fuller, and removed to the mountain, near David Curtis'. In 1752 he sold this place to John Jackson, and became the owner of a grist-mill near the Bates place. This property he sold in 1757 to David Hamilton, and re- moved from the town.
Manrow, Noah, was for more than forty years an inhabitant of Mudgetown. He came from Salisbury in 1751. He lived on the borders of the Pond, in a house lately destroyed by fire, then owned by Captain Benjamin Lines. He died May 5th, 1793, at the age of sixty-four. He left sons, Noah, Younglove, Daniel and Philo.
Marchant, Amos, from Newtown, came to Sharon in 1773. He bought of Ebenezer Sprague the home- lot on which Calvin Gay, Esq., now resides, and built the brick house now owned by that gentleman. He
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was one of the victims of the small pox, which swept over the town with such terrible severity in 1784 .- He had sons, Joseph, Ashbel, Wheeler and Elijah.
Epitaph. In memory of Amos Marchant, who died of the small pox, Dec. 19, 1784, aged 62. Though death be potent as a king, And wounds with his envenom'd sting, Yet faith fresh vigor will impart, To rob the tyrant of his dart.
Marriner, Capt. Ephraim, was from Colchester, in 1765. He settled in Abel street, where Stephen Tick- ner now lives, and lived there until 1786. He then removed to the north part of the town, and resided there till his death in 1810. He was a member of the Assembly in May 1787, and in May and October 1788. He had two sons, Ephraim and Buel, who removed to Yates Co., N. York, several years since.
Marsh, Pelatiah was from Lebanon in 1764. He settled in the east part of the town, where his grand- son, Elijah Marsh, now lives. He died April 8, 1790, at the age of eighty-three. His son, Jesse Marsh, father of Elijah Marsh, lived at the same place, and died October 25, 1822, at the age of eiglity.
Martin, Eliphalet was from Windham in 1786. He first settled where Adonijah Maxam now lives, which place had previously been owned by David Bar- rows. He afterwards purchased of Dr. Samuel Rock- well, the Elmer place, near the stone bridge, where he resided till his death. Hle was much employed in the business of the town. He died April 11, 1801, at the age of forty-seven.
Marvin, John Jun. was from Norwalk in 1748. He bought of Elihu Ketcham, the farm called the Bates place, about one mile easterly from the meeting-house, and lived there. He was also a part owner in the
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iron works at the mouth of Mudge pond. In 1752, sold the Bates place to his father, who then removed to the town, and who died February 9, 1774, at the age of ninety-six. Mr. Marvin was a member of As- sembly in May, 1756 and 176S. In 1770 he removed to Brook Haven, Long Island, where he resided till his death in 1783.
Maram Adonijah was from the old Colony in 1748. The name, in the early records, is spelt Maxam, and is so pronounced by elderly people at the present day. Mr. Maxam settled where Orrin Abel now lives, on the Ellsworth turnpike, where he died in 1760. He left four sons, Samuel, Benjamin, Adonijah and Jacob. The third son, Adonijah, after having gone through the active and perilous services of the revolutionary war, which have been detailed in a preceding chapter, still survives in vigorous health and in the full enjoy- ment of his mental faculties, at the age of eighty-eight.
Millard, Joshua was from Cornwall in 1768. He was the first settler upon the place now owned by Walter Skiff in Ellwsorth. He remained in town about thirty years, and then removed to Egremont, Mass.
Miller, Henry was from Branford in 1750. He was the first settler on the farm now owned by deacon Jabez Swift, on the Ousatonic river, and his house, the remains of which are still visible, was on the old road that formerly led north from Swift's bridge. He afterwards lived in Kent. He was the grand-father of Hubbel Miller, Esq. of Kent.
Miller, Deacon Gain was born in Ireland, in 1716. He came to Sharon in 1763, and purchased of Daniel Hunt, the place formerly occupied as a poor house, near Capt. John Parson's, where he resided during his life. He was elected deacon July 6, 1781, which office he resigned in August, 1799, and the late deacon
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Chamberlain was chosen in his place. He left one son, the late Thomas Miller, who was the father of Daniel Miller, yet living.
Epitaph.
In memory of Deacon GAIN MILLER, who died November 16, 1809, aged ninety-three.
I've long'd to join the heavenly song, Of anthems ever new,
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, And bid the world adieu.
Mudge, Ebenezer was one of the original proprie- tors of the town, and was from Colchester. He drew the twenty-fifth home-lot, lying on both sides of town street, and embracing the places now owned by Capt. Lines and Baldwin Reed on the west, and by major Gould, Mrs. Hunt and Messrs. Skinner and Camp on the east. In 1743 he settled on the western border of Skinner's pond, as it was then called. Here he lived until his death April 21, 1758, at the age of seventy-five. He had six sons, viz. Samuel, Mica, Abraham, Ebenezer, Jarvis and Joseph. Samuel lived
on the place now owned by Isaac Reed, which he sold in 1772, to Job Gould, Junior. Mica lived a while in Ellsworth, and was a part owner of the first mill near Lorin Emons's. He removed to Albany county, New York, in 1758. Abraham lived at the Gris- wold place, now owned by Jesse Lake. Ebenezer removed to Canaan in 1763, where he lived till 1775, when he removed to New Ashford, Mass. Jarvis settled on the homestead, but he soon sold it to Noah Monroe, and left the town. Thus, this nu- merous and respectable family had all left the town previous to the revolutionary war, but the beautiful lake on whose borders they settled will commemorate their name through all succeeding time.
North, Capt. Thomas was from Wethersfield in
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HISTORY OF THE
1743. He was one of the first proprietors of the iron works in the Hollow. He lived on the twenty-sixth home-lot, known as the Captain Patchen place. He served as select-man for several years. He removed into the state of New York in 1753.
Noyes, Calvin was from Lyme, and was a direct descendant of the Rev. Mr. Noyes, the first minister of that town. He came to Sharon in 1792, and pur- chased a large and valuable real estate in the neigh- borhood of Benedict's mill, where he resided. He was distinguished for his public spirit, and for his many acts of private charity. Ile lived a bachelor, and for the last few years of his life was entirely blind. By his last will he gave the greater part of his estate to the Congregational society in Sharon, the Ameri- can Education Society, the Connecticut Missionary Society and the Connecticut Bible Society. Each of those societies has received nearly seventeen hundred dollars from his estate. He died at the residence of his brother, deacon Moses Noyes, in Poultney, Vt. January 22, 1831, at the age of eighty.
Noyes, Selden was a younger brother of the prece- ding, and came with him from Lyme, in 1792. He lived where Eliakim S. Stoddard now lives. He was cut off in early life by consumption. He left sons, Milton, Selden, John and Joseph.
Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of SELDEN NOYES, who died July 5, 1804, aged thirty-four years. Though death's cold stroke the bond has broke, That joined the hand and heart,
Yet should they stand at Christ's right hand, They never more can part.
Orton, John was from Litchfield in 1764. He married a daughter of deacon Joseph Landers, and settled on the place now owned by his son, Joseph 1
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Orton, which originally belonged to John Davis. He left two sons, Joseph and Luther.
Epitaph.
In memory of JOHN ORTON, who died April 9, 1785, in the forty-second year of his age. In prime oflife he yields his breath, While weeping friends lament his death, But death must yield, his dust restore, Where friends shall meet but weep no more.
Pardee, Lieut. John the patriarch of the numerous family of Pardee, in Sharon, was from Norwalk, and was an original proprietor. He was a shoemaker and tanner by occupation, and settled near the stone bridge north of the meeting-house. He was a leading and prominent man in all the affairs of the town, and was a very large land-holder. He was one of the first representatives of the town in the legislature, being elected such in October, 1755, when the town was first represented in that body ; and he was chosen to that office at six sessions. He died July 13, 1766, aged sixty-nine. He had six sons who settled in the town, and whose descendants are very numerous, viz. Thomas, Jehiel, John, James, George and Moses. Thomas settled on the mountain, where Simeon B. Sears now lives, and he was the father of the late Capt. Samuel Pardee. He died August 1, 1806, at the age of eighty-four. Jehiel settled where Clark Pardee now lives and was grand-father to the last named gen- tleman. John settled in the Great Hollow, and he was the father of the late Isaac Pardee, Esq. James lived on the home-lot and built the brick house now known as the Pardee house. George and Moses lived just north of the stone bridge. Thomas and James were members of the Assembly several times, as was their nephew, the late Isaac Pardee, Esq. This last named gentleman died, very suddenly, on the 8th day of May, 1825, at the age of seventy-six.
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Park, Joseph was from Middletown and was the first settler on the place owned by the heirs of the late Samuel Beecher. He sold his farm in 1746 to Na- thaniel Richards, and removed to Salisbury. He had two sons, Smith and Daniel. Smith lived where Bela Lamb now lives, near George White's, until 1780, when he sold the place to Benjamin Conklin, and removed to New Canaan, N. Y. where he died. Daniel lived where Horace Reed now lives, until 1762, when he sold the place to John Pennoyer, and left the town.
Parsons, Capt. Enoch was from Newtown in 1763. He was a carpenter by trade, and settled where his. son, Freeman W. Parsons, now lives. Being a man of more than a common education for those days, he was appointed, for many years, to "line the psalm," agreeable to the ancient manner of singing in public worship. He served as selectman and constable for several years, and was member of the Assembly in October, 1795. He died October 1, 1829, aged eighty-nine. He left four sons, Stephen, Freeman, Enoch and Amideus.
Patchen, Abel was from Wilton in 1783. He pur- chased of Zebulon Badcock the south half of the twenty-sixth home-lot, originally Deacon Skinner's, and kept a public house during his life. He was a representative to the Assembly in October, 1798 and May, 1799. He died April 9, 1805, at the age of fifty-three. He had one son, Stephen, who emigrated to Vermont, in early life. His three daughters, Mrs. Skiff, Mrs. Lowry and Mrs. Chase, all widows, still survive.
Peck, Dr. Abner was a physician, and came to Sharon in 1751, from Salisbury. He purchased a place of Luke St. John, a little south of Philo . Ham-
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lin's. He was cut off by the small-pox, October 11, 1756, leaving a widow and two daughters.
Pennoyer, John came from Stamford in 1742. He purchased a part of the twenty-second home-lot, originally owned by Samuel Calkin, being the place where the late Gen. Augustin Taylor lived. He sold this place in 1749, to his son, John, and removed to the state of New York, where the late Charles Wright lived, in the town of North East. He returned to Sharon in 1769, and purchased the place at the head of the street, now owned by Chesterfield King. He died December 11, 1785, at the age of seventy-eight. He had sons, Jonathan, John, Joseph and Jacob. Jona- than died in 1761. John built the brick house, known as the Taylor house, and also the one now owned by Dr. John W. Smith, in which latter place he kept a tavern. In 1785 he removed to Hudson, N. Y. where he died. Joseph settled in the town of North East, N. Y. and he was the father of the late Jonathan Pen- noyer. Jacob, the youngest son, owned the place now owned by George Skinner. He was killed on the 18th of May 1814, on the top of the King hill, so called, by the oversetting of his waggon, at the age of seventy-six.
Petit, Jonathan was from Stamford, at the earliest settlement of the town. He owned the thirty-second home-lot, and he lived on the road which is now dis- continued, leading north from Philo Hamlin's. He was much employed in public affairs. He was con- stable nine years. He died in 1772, at an advanced age.
Petit, Samuel was a son of John Petit, of Stamford, and a nephew of the preceding. He lived in the north part of the town, near Benedict's mill. He died on the Sth day of July, 18:26, aged eighty-eight. He left
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one son, Gideon, who died without issue, January 1, 1829, aged fifty-seven.
Petit, Joel was a brother of the preceding, and was for many years an inhabitant of Sharon. He lived to a very advanced age. His son, Joel T. Petit, Esq. was a young gentleman of great promise, who was educated for the law, and settled in the town. After a short professional career he died of consumption, September 13, 1807, aged thirty-two.
Pratt, Jonathan was originally from the old Ply- mouth colony, and came to Sharon in 1753. He first lived in the Hollow, and was a partner in the iron works. In 1754, he removed to the south part of the town, and settled where Stephen Knibloe now lives. He died February 17, 1781, aged 61.
Pratt, Capt. Abraham was from Saybrook, in 1783. He purchased of Moses Reed the place on which he lived in the north part of the town, and commenced business as a shoemaker. He acquired a handsome estate, and enjoyed a large share of the public confi- dence. He served as selectman for many years, and was otherwise much employed in the business of the town. He died much lamented, on the 2d of March, 1840, aged eighty-one. His only surviving child is the wife of Henry Reed, Esq. of Ohio. All his other children were cut off by consumption in early life.
Quitterfield, Abner is supposed to have come from Norwalk in 1752. He lived in the south part of the town, on the road leading from the school-house to Joseph Orton's. He removed to Stillwater, N. Y. in 1768.
Randall, John was from Wareham, Mass. in 1753. His wife, who was the daughter of John Bates, was the first female and the second child born in the town. He lived on a farm now owned by Dr. Sears, a little
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south of Mr. Jewett's. IIe died of a cancer May 19, 1807, at the age of eighty-two.
Raymond, Daniel came from Woodbury, in 1748. He lived on the place formerly occupied by Zenas Beebe, below Mr. Orton's. He sold out to Deacon Landers, in 1760, and left the town.
Reed, Moses was the first settler on the place lately owned by Capt. Abraham Pratt. He came to Sharon in 1743, and died November 17, 1786, at the age of ninety. He left one son, Moses Reed, Jun.
Rexford, Arthur was from Wallingford, in 1757. He lived in Ellsworth, a little south of Dr. Russell Everett's. He had four sons, Arthur, Joseph, Daniel and Benjamin.
Rice, Asa was from Wallingford, now Meriden, in 1774. He lived in Ellsworth, where Dr. Russell Everett now lives. He died in 1785, leaving sons, Asa, Seth, Isaac and Barnabas.
Richards, Nathaniel was from Norwich, in 1744, and settled on the lot lately owned by Samuel Beecher. He died in 1763, and the property passed into the hands of George White. There are none of his de- scendants now remaining in the town.
Richmond, Benjamin was one of the first proprie- tors and settlers, and came to Sharon in 1742. He lived a short distance below Lovell W. Chapman's, and died in 1766. He had one son, Edward, who removed to Spencertown, N. Y. in 1757.
Roberts, Nathaniel was from Salisbury, in 1759. He lived in Abel street, a little north of Stephen Tickner's. He died July 15, 1766, at the age of fifty-five. He left sons, John, William, Lebbeus and Amos.
Rockwell, Dr. Samuel was born in East Windsor, February 18, 1759. While he was young his father
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removed to Colebrook, and was one of the first set- tlers of that township. In 1276, he was in the army, for which he drew a pension, after 1831. He entered Yale College in 1779, but soon left that institution and commenced the study of medicine, under the celebrated Dr. Lemuel Hopkins. He settled in Sharon in 1784, and, except about five years, when he lived in Salisbury, remained here till his death, which oc- curred on the 24th of June, 1836, at the age of seventy-seven. He represented the town in the legis- lature at the sessions in 1815.
Rowlee, Jonathan was from East Haddam, in 1741, and lived near David Woodard's. He staid in town but a short time. He removed to Kent, and lived a little north of the meeting-house. He died in 1772. leaving sons, Simcon, Jonathan, 'Levi, Judah and Issachar, several of whom settled in and near Sharon. Levi lived where Daniel Clark now lives. He died of a cancer, November 23, 1805, at the age of seven- ty-three. Simeon, was the father of Mrs. Hamlin, widow of Deacon Benjamin Hamlin.
St. John, Deacon Matthew was from Norwalk, in 1745. He bought of Samuel Comstock, the thirty- second home-lot, now owned by Caleb and Richard B. Cole. He was one of the deacons of the church, and was several years one of the selectmen of the town. He died August 3, 1755, at the age of sixty- nine. He had four sons, who bore the names of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Matthew removed to Suffield. His only child was the mother of Joel Chaffee. Mark lived where George Bissell formerly lived. Luke was a tailor by trade, and lived where Josiah Hull now lives. These last two removed to Stockbridge, Mass. John lived a little south of Philo Hamlin's. He died December 30, 1784, at the age of sixty-two. The only descend-
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änt of this numerous family bearing the name, is Daniel St. John.
St. John, Timothy came from Norwalk in 1756. He lived where Daniel Parsons, Esq. now lives. He died November 28, 1806, at the age of seventy-four. His only son, Daniel St. John, Esq. is yet living in Hartford, at the age of eighty-two.
St. John, Daniel was a brother of the preceding, and came to Sharon in 1761. He lived where the late Ezekiel St. John lived. He was a blacksmith by occupation. He died in 1781, leaving sons, Thomas, Lewis, Uriah and Caleb.
St. John, Silas was also a brother of Timothy and Daniel St. John. He lived in Ellsworth, near the place where his son, Capt. Silas St. John now lives. He was the first deacon of the church in Ellsworth, and was for several years town treasurer. He died September 21, 1805, at the age of sixty-four.
Sanford, Amos was from Newtown in 1768. He lived opposite Freeman W. Parsons' present residence. He died December 19, 1777, aged forty-four, leaving sons, David, Ezra, John, Samuel, Caleb, Salmon and Amos.
Scars, Capt. Stephen was originally from Barnsta- ble, Mass. His parents settled at a place called Jo's hill, in the town of South East, Putnam county, N. Y. He came to Sharon about 1760. He lived where his grandson Benjamin Sears, now lives. He was a car- penter and joiner by trade, and in that capacity su perintended the erection of the meeting-house built in 1768. He died of the yellow fever in New York, where he was at work at his trade, in 1791. He was the father of Dr. John Sears. His widow died Feb- ruary 8, 1834, at the age of ninety-four.
Shepherd, Dr. Asher came from Hartford, in 1772;
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HISTORY OF THE
and was a partner with Dr. Simeon Smith, in the druggist business. He built the house known as the Grosvener house, opposite Jay S. Canfield's, in 1774. In 1778 he removed to Bennington, Vt. and kept a druggist store successively at Bennington and Rut- land, where he died in 1788.
Skiff, Benjamin was from the town of Chilmark, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, and came to Sharon in 1774. He lived in Ellsworth, where Gibbs Skiff now lives. He died February 20, 1811, at the age of seventy-four. He had sons, Walter, John, Seth and Benjamin.
Skiff, Samuel was a cousin of the preceding and came from the same place. He lived where Samuel Skiff now lives. He died in 1825, leaving sons, Sam- uel, Arvin, Gibbs and Asa.
Skinner, Nathaniel Esq. was from Colchester, and was one of the first and principal proprietors of the township. He drew the twenty-sixth home-lot, known as the Patchen place, where Mrs. Lowrey now lives. He was the first magistrate, first town clerk and first deacon of the church. He remained in town until 1760, when he removed to Salisbury, and was an owner of the mill now known as Benedict's mill. He had sons, Nathaniel, Thomas, Joseph and Josiah. There are none of the family now residing in the town.
Smith, James was from Bolton and was one of the original proprietors. He drew the eighteenth home- lot, which lay on both sides of the town street, and bounding south on the highway leading by Lovel W. Chapman's Mr. Smith was the first person ever chosen constable in the town, and was elected to that office for three successive years. In 1747 he removed to the north part of North East, N. Y. where he lived to a great age.
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TOWN OF SHARON.
Smith, Theophilus was a brother of the preceding, and first lived near where Mrs. Deming now lives. In 1749, he bought of Mica Mudge the grist mill known as Gay's mill, now owned by Major Gould. He sold this in 1757, to Colonel Ebenezer Gay, and removed to the south-east part of the town, near where Lorin Emons now lives. He was one of the owners of the grist-mill and saw-mill near his house. He died in 1799. He had two sons, Theophilus and Levi, who are both now deceased .*
Smith, Samuel was from the Great Nine Partners. N. Y. and came to Sharon in 1754. He was a black- smith by trade, and lived on the Burr place, in the valley. He was a selectman for several years. He sold his property in Sharon in 1766, to Joel Harvey, and returned to the state of New York. He lived in the large house which is yet standing on De La Vergne's hill, and kept a tavern there for many years.
Smith, Dr. Simeon was a younger brother of the Rev. Cotton Mather Smith. He came to Sharon about 1756, and was a physician of extensive practice. He kept a large store of drugs and medicines, import- ing his articles direct from London. In 1776, he commanded a company of six months men, and was on service in the vicinity of New York. He was a large land-holder and built the large stone house now owned by Gov. Smith. He represented the town in the legislature at several sessions. He went to West Haven, Vt. in 1787, and there resided till his death in February, 1804. He left no children. He was a man of great activity and enterprize.
Smith, Paul was the youngest brother of Rev. Cot-
* Another brother of this family, of the name of Azariah, settled in the town of North East, N. Y. near the present residence of Douglas Clark, Esq. He was the grand-father of Dr. John W. Smith, now living in Sharon.
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