USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 38
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Mr. Stevens married Isabel Morse, born in Can- ada, and they are the parents of two sons: I. Roswell C., a veteran of the Spanish-American War, mar- ried Minnie Russell, and resides in Moosup. Con-
John G. Steriens
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necticut. 2. Clarence E., a soldier of the United States during the war with Germany, 1917-18; he was called for service April 23, 1918, and was hon- orably discharged July 1, 1919. He was on duty at Camp Upton for fifteen months, his duty the mus- tering in and out of men sent to that camp. He is now associated with his father in the manage- ment of the Stevens House at Baltic.
ROBERT HENRY NOBLE-The grandparents of Robert Henry Noble came to Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, when their son, John Henry Noble, was a boy. He was born in Kings- ton, New York, October 7, 1856, but by far the greater part of his life was spent in Old Lyme. He became a substantial farmer and prominent in the public life of his town, holding most of the offices within the gift of his neighbors, and in 1899 and IgII represented the district in the Connecticut House of Representatives. He was a member of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, Free and Accepted Masons. He died from the effects of an operation, April 12, 1911. He married Josephine Emelie Gib- son, born in Brooklyn, New York, April 17, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Noble were the parents of five chil- dren: Mary Louise, Joseph Gibson, Martie Thomas, James Londes, and Robert Henry, of whom further.
Robert Henry Noble, youngest of the children of John Henry and Josephine Emelie (Gibson) Noble, was born in Old Lyme, New London county, Con- necticnt, December 14, 1880, and was educated in the public schools. Following school days he became his father's farm assistant, remaining at the home farm until reaching legal age, when he entered the employ of J. F. Bugbee in his general store in Old Lyme, and has continued in mercantile life until the present, 1921. In politics Mr. Noble is a Demo- crat, and has long been prominent in the public life of his town. He has held nearly all town offices, and is now serving as town clerk and judge of pro- bate. In 1919 he represented his district in the Con- necticut House of Representatives, as his father had before him, and made an equally good record as an efficient legislator. In religious faith he is a Con- gregationalist. In fraternal life Mr. Noble is equally prominent, having held the highest honors of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges. He is a past master of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, serving in 1915 and in 1919; is a companion of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 29, Royal Arch Masons; was twelve years secretary of Crystal Lodge, No. 88, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a past noble grand of that lodge.
Robert H. Noble married, June 21, 1905, Ruth Bugbee, born in Old Lyme, July 21, 1885, only daughter of James F. and Louise (Swan) Bugbec. Mir. and Mrs. Noble are the parents of two children, both born in Old Lyme: Marjorie, born March 31, 1907; Louise, born March 18, 1909.
CAPTAIN ROBERT I. MACHETT-Widely known in Mystic and vicinity, and highly esteemed as one of the progressive business men of that local- ity, Captain Robert I. Machett is a representative citizen of New London county. Ile is descended from various early antecedents who bore their part in the military service of the Colonies and of the young American Republic.
John Machett, Captain Machett's father, was born at Cornwall Landing, on the Hudson, in the State of New York, was educated there, and became an expert potter. He was engaged in the manufacture of pottery until war broke out between the North and South, when he enlisted in defense of the Union and saw hard service with the 127th Regiment, Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He was taken prisoner and was confined in the Andersonville Stockade, but escaped with his life, and after the war ended went with his regimental comrades to Illinois, set- tling in Pulaski. There he was actively engaged in business as a pottery manufacturer until the time of his death. He married Louisa Parks, who died in Mystic, Connecticut, the home of her family for generations. Through the maternal line Captain Machett is closely connected with the historic period in the War of 1812, when the southern communities of New London county were the center of attention by the young nation and the center of attack by the British Imperial Navy. Captain Machett's mother was a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Billinghurst) Parks, Isaac being the owner of a windmill on Mason's Island. The English landed at the island, and, coming ashore, ordered Isaac Parks to get up in his night clothes and grind corn for them. This accomplished, they further commanded him to ac- company them on board and pilot them up the river. It was a very dark and foggy night, but he was thoroughly familiar with the harbor, and ran them aground on Clam Island. They were anxiously looking ahead, and, pushing the tiller hard over as the boat touched bottom, he stepped over the side and began wading ashore. He moved away from her broadside in the fog and darkness, leaving them shooting at him, as they believed, over the stern. He escaped in safety, and the little company of soldiers on duty at Fort Rachel heard the commo- tion and opened fire on the boat. Isaac Parks was a farmer throughout his lifetime, and lived long to recount to his children and grandchildren the ex- periences of that exciting time. John and Louisa (Parks) Machett were the parents of two children: Robert I., of further mention; and Augusta L., who became the wife of John Albert Williams, of Water- ford, also in this county, and there died.
Robert I. Machett, only son of John and Louisa (Parks) Machett, was born in Mystic, town of Ston- ington, New London county, Connecticut, May 13, 1856. West Mystic, in the town of Groton, was his mother's home, and there he spent his youth and
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obtained a broadly practical education in the public schools. In his earlier years he followed the sea, and at the age of thirty-one became captain of a sailing vessel, the "Osprey." Captain Machett sailed the schooner "Osprey" until she was sold to the Pensacola Ice and Fish Company, of Pensacola, Florida, in 1891. At that time he settled in West Mystic, where he has since been engaged in the ice business, developing a largely successful interest, and becoming one of the substantial business men of the community, esteemed by all and taking the part of a progressive citizen in the daily life of the town. Captain Machett also gave to his native State his services in her military organization, en- listing on April 2, 1875, in Company A, 3rd Regi- ment, Connecticut National Guard, for a period of five years, and received his honorable discharge from the military service of the State on June 25, 1880, by order of the commander-in-chief, on ac- count of the expiration of his enlistment. Captain Machett is prominent fraternally, being a member of Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mystic; Benevolence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, also of Mystic; Mystic Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar, of New London. He is a member of the Union Baptist Church of Mystic.
Captain Machett married, January 10, 1883, Ann- ette V. Burdick, only daughter of Benjamin L. and Jane (Gilroy) Burdick, and granddaughter of Sam- uel and Vianna (Porter) Burdick, of Norwich, Con- necticut, all these names belonging to old New London county families of note and distinction. Mrs. Machett's parents are both now deceased, and her only brother, Robert B. Burdick, is a resident of New London.
JOSEPH ROBINSON-For many years active in the industrial world, and in later life prominent in public matters, Joseph Robinson, of East Lyme, Connecticut, is thoroughly representative of the citi- zenship which is not only progressive but, in a broad sense, constructive.
Mr. Robinson is a son of George and Mary (Shirt) Robinson. George Robinson was born in England and came to the United States as a young man. He was a painter by trade, and, settling in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he followed this trade as long as he lived, but was cut down in the prime of his life, and died when Joseph was a child. His wife, who was also born in England, died in 1906, at the age of eighty-eight years, at Woonsocket. They were the parents of three children: Grace Elizabeth, who died in childhood; Ruth, who became the wife of James Farrar; and Joseph, all born in Woonsocket.
Joseph Robinson was born February 28, 1845, and was reared in Woonsocket, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools of that city. He began life as a mill worker there, continuing this activity until 1873. On December 23 of that year he came to Taftville, Connecticut, to accept the position of
chief engineer of the Ponemah Mills. This plant is said to be the largest textile factory under one roof in the world, and Mir. Robinson ably filled this responsible position until 1909, when he retired from active work. At that time he removed to Flanders, a small community in the town of East Lyme, and has since made his home in this village. He has become very prominent in the political and social life of East Lyme. By political affiliation a Republican, he has taken a keen interest in the progress of the party in this town since his residence here, and with his long experience and ripened judg- inent, is considered a wise counsellor in all party deliberations. He is a member of the school com- mittce, is justice of the peace, and held the office of town treasurer for a period of eight years. Frater- nally Mr. Robinson is well known. He is a member of Woonsocket Lodge, No. 13, Free and Accepted Masons; was a member of Woonsocket Comman- dery, No. 23, of which he was elected prelate in 1873. On September 17, 1887, he took a demit from that commandery andjoined Columbian Comman- dery, No. 4, of Norwich. He has been a member of the Norwich Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, since 1906. He is also a member of Niantic Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Robinson married (first) Catherine Virginia Owen, who was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and they were the parents of three children: George Henry, who was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Is- land, and died in infancy; Joseph, who was born in Taftville, is a graduate of the medical department of Columbia University, now a successful physician and surgeon of Anaheim, California, married Julia Corcoran, of Cornwall, Connecticut, and has one child, Marjorie Hill Robinson; and Samuel Eli, who was born in Taftville, and died in infancy. Mr. Rob- inson married (second) Mary Hill Chapman, who was born in Centre Brook, Connecticut, daughter of Frederick William and Adalie Douglas (Beach) Chapman, now residents of East Lyme. Mrs. Rob- inson died August 30, 1921, and is survived by her husband.
ALBERT JAMES SINAY, D.D.S .- Advancement in any of the learned professions is not so much the result of fortuitous circumstances or of influ- ence as it is the result of individual merit, application and skill. When these are combined with ambition and a fixed determination to achieve success, the desired result is inevitable. Dr. Albert James Sinay, of Norwich, Connecticut, although young to have achieved a reputation in the profession of den- tistry, is fairly on his way to acquiring more than local fame. He was born in Linden, New Jersey, July 8, 1888, son of Alexander and Adelia (Kal- mary) Sinay. Alexander Sinay was born in Lor- raine, Germany, at one time French territory, and came to this country when very young. For many years he has been overseer of the starching depart-
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ment of the United States Finishing Company of Norwich. To Mr. and Mrs. Sinay have been born four children, Albert James, being the second child.
The childhood of Dr. Sinay was passed in his native place, Linden, and it was there that the pre- paratory portion of his education was obtained. In 1895 he came to Norwich, and it was here that he was prepared for college, subsequently entering the dental department of the University of Maryland, having decided to make that profession his career. He took the usual course and graduated with the class of 1912, taking the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He then returned to Norwich, Connecti- cut, and opened his office at No. 321 Main street. Since that time he has made his headquarters at this place.
On January 1, 1915, Dr. Sinay married Bessie T. Crary, daughter of Charles K. and Ida (Terry) Crary, and they are the parents of one child, Ralph, born December 1, 1917. The family attend the Broadway Congregational Church of Norwich.
With a vigorous and luminous intellect, Mr. Sinay combines strength of character and a genial dispo- sition. This union of traits explains in a large measure his success and gives promise of even more signal achievements in the future. He is a close student, keeping fully abreast of modern thought in all matters pertaining to his profession and possesses the high esteem and confidence of the general public.
HAROLD MONTAGUE DUNBAR-The founder of the family of which Harold Montague Dunbar is a member was Joseph Dunbar, a native of Scotland, who in 1790 was living in Watertown, Connecticut. His death date is fixed by the pension records as February 2, 1813. The Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Book, Volume XIV, page 338, gives the following:
"Joseph Dunbar served in Sheldon's Dragoons and was wounded at the battles of Germantown and Whitemarsh in 1777. His name is found on the invalid pension list of New London county, Connec- ticut. He was born in Scotland." He married Martha Sutliffe, born June 26, 1755, daughter of Captain John and Martha (Bassett) Sutliffe. Chil- dren, from family records, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Book: Giles, Bassett; Ralph, of whom further; Lola, and Martha.
Ralph Dunbar, son of Joseph and Martha (Sut- liffe) Dunbar, was born October 20, 1789, died in Torrington, Connecticut, January 14, 1846. He mar- ried Anna Starkweather, who was born August 18, 1791, died November 4, 1856, daughter of Thomas and Sybil (Anderson) Starkweather. Children, the first born in Winchester, the others at Torrington, Connecticut: Hiram, born April 26, 1813; Nelson, born May 20, 1815; Mary Ann, born June 3, 1817; Lyman, born May 2, 1819; Martin, born February 15, 1821; Harriet, born May 29, 1824; Albert, born January 29, 1827; Frederick, born May 15, 1829;
Emma (Emeline), born May 1, 1830; Walter, of whom further; and Minerva, born May 7, 1839.
Walter Dunbar, son of Ralph and Anna (Stark- weather) Dunbar, was born at Torrington, Connecti- cut, October 20, 1833. He married, in 1871, Rachel Irene Dunbar (see 2nd Dunbar line) at Bridgeport, Connecticut. Children: Walter L., of whom further; and Howard.
Walter L. Dunbar, son of Walter and Rachel Irene (Dunbar) Dunbar, was born in Bridgeport, Connec- ticut, died there November 2, 1917. He was reared and educated in this city, completing his education with a special course at Harvard University, and throughout his active years was associated with the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, filling the posi- tion of assistant comptroller in that organization. He was a man of strong capabilities and was hield in high esteem by his associates. He married, Sep- tember 23, 1896, Omega Harden Foster, and they were the parents of: Harold Montague, of whom further; Helen Irene, born August 9, 1900; and Walter Beverly, born February 25, 1908. The mother resides at Stratford, Connecticut.
Harold Montague Dunbar, son of Walter L. and Omega Harden (Foster) Dunbar, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, January II, 1898. He at- tended the public schools of Stratford and upon graduation from high school became a clerk in the Stratford Trust Company, later entering the First National Bank of Bridgeport in the same department and becoming manager of the collection. Subse- quently, he received an appointment as assistant National Bank Examiner in the Second Federal Reserve District of New York City, and in August, 1921, he became secretary and treasurer of the Jewett City Trust Company. This office he fills to the present time, bringing to its responsible duties a varied and valuable experience in financial affairs.
Mr. Dunbar is a Republican in political faith and his church is the Methodist. In the Masonic order, he holds membership in St. Johns Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Stratford, Connecticut; Jerusalem Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Bridgeport, Connecti- cut; and De Witt Clinton Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar, of Brooklyn, New York. He is also a member of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford, Connecticut.
(Second Dunbar Line.)
Robert Dunbar, immigran't ancestor of this line, was born in Scotland in 1630. He and his wife, Rose, settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1655. It was the general opinion that he brought with him a considerable sum of money to begin life in the new country, inasmuch as for years there were but two men in the town who paid a higher tax than he. He died October 5, 1693, and his wife, Novem- ber 10, 1700.
John Dunbar, son of Robert and Rose Dunbar, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, December I,
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1657. He married (first), July 4, 1679, Mattithiah, daughter of George and Catherine Aldridge, of Dor- chester, Massachusetts. He married (second), July 24, 1700, Elizabeth Beecher, of New Haven, Connec- ticut. In 1697 or 1698 he removed to New Haven.
Jolın (2) Dunbar, son of John and Mattithiah (Aldridge) Dunbar, married, June 14, 1716, Eliza- beth Fenn, born April 29, 1692, daughter of Edward and Mary (Thorpe) Fenn, who were married Noventi- ber 15, 1688. She died in 1751. John Dunbar died May 13, 1746.
John (3) Dunbar, son of John (2) and Elizabeth (Fenn) Dunbar, was born September 28, 1724, in Wallingford, Connecticut. He married Temperance Hall, born in Wallingford, April 16, 1727, died May 26, 1770. Her husband died before that date, and both were buried in Plymouth, Connecticut. Dur- ing the Revolution he was one of three commis- saries in Waterbury, chosen to furnish supplies to the Continental army.
Miles Dunbar, son of John (3) and Temperance (Hall) Dunbar, born in Wallingford or Plymouth, removed to Oblong, New York, prior to 1818. He was a fife major during the Revolution; enlisted March 31, 1777, at Waterbury, Connecticut; served until discharged, March 30, 1780, in New York. He became overtaxed a't the battle of Monmouth, and on his way honie was taken sick at Newtown, New York. His expenses at this time were paid by the
State of New York, and the same State afterwards, in 1818, pensioned him. After the war he studied law with Esquire Butler, and followed that vocation during the remainder of his life. In 1776 he joined the Congregational church at Plymouth. He mar- ried, May 1, 1779, Tryphose, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Butler .*
Isaiah Dunbar, son of Miles and Tryphose (But- ler) Dunbar, married (first) Rachel Beach; (second) Cloie Fenn. He was the father of six children, four by his first wife, two by his second: Charles, Henry, of whom further, Bertha, Thaddeus, Lucius, Clar- issa.
Henry Dunbar, son of Isaiah and Rachel (Beach) Dunbar, married, and had among his children Wil- liam H. and Rachel Irene, who married Walter Dunbar (see first Dunbar line).
*The above, the second line of Dunbar, is from "Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut," Volume II, pages 788-9.
WILLIAM EDWARDS MANNING-In the busi- ness, social and public life of Yantic, Connecticut, William Edwards Manning is a prominent figure. Coming of an old New London county family, active, public-spirited, and always abreast of the times, Mr. Manning is one of the leading men of the town.
Edward Manning, Mr. Manning's father, was born in the town of Lebanon, Connecticut, on the old Manning homestead, which had been in the family for many years. He received his early education in
district schools of the town, then attended high school at Ellington, Tolland county, Connecticut. After leaving school he became associated with his brother, Dr. J. H. Manning, of Pittsfield, Massachu- setts, in the drug business, for which the exacting demands of the doctor's profession left no time. This continued until 1861, thus covering a period of five years. In that year Edward Manning returned to Lebanon, his birthplace, and built a residence on a portion of the old homestead, and conducted farming until his death in 1892. He married Lucy E. Robinson, of Franklin, and she is still living, and in excellent health, at eighty-eight years of age, being now a resident of Yantic. Their four children are all now living: E. Melville, residing in Lebanon on the home place; George, who married Rose Ful- ler, now resides in Yantic; William Edwards, of whom extended mention follows; and Arad R., now living in Yantic, who married Jennie Ayer, and is now retired.
William Edwards Manning was born in Lebanon, October I, 1866. He received a practical education in the excellent public schools of that town, then began life on the farm of his uncle. Attracted, how- ever, by a mercantile career, he entered the employ, in 1884, of Peckham & Waterman, who conducted the general store at Bozrahville, Connecticut. Con- tinning with this firm for a period of seven years, Mr. Manning then bought out this firm in 1890, and continued under his own name. The was suc- cessful from the first, and continued the business for eight years and for ten years served as post- master of Bozrahville. In 1898 he disposed of his interests there and removed to Yantic, where he bought out the general store. Mr. Manning still actively manages this business, and is the lead- ing merchant of the town.
In 1901, Mr. Manning was appointed assistant post- master of Yantic, then in 1903 became postmaster, which office he has now held for eighteen years to the eminent satisfaction of the people of the town. The postoffice is in the store building, and is the point of departure of several rural free delivery routes which serve a very extensive territory.
Mr. Manning is identified with many branches of public activity. By political choice he is a member of the Republican party, and in response to the in- sistent demands of the people, he has repeatedly served on the school committee of Bozrah and Yantic. He is secretary of the Volunteer Fire De- partment of Yantic, and is always a leader in every public movement. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Norwich, and is a member of St. James Lodge, No. 23, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, of Norwich.
On June 3, 1891, Mr Manning married Grace Fuller, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, daughter of George H. and Elmira (Millard) Fuller, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have a son and a daughter: Frederick Fuller; and Lois A., who re-
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sides at liome. The family are members of Grace Episcopal Church of Yantic, of which Mr. Manning has been vestryman for twenty years.
SIMON (3) BREWSTER-The Brewster farm in Griswold, Connecticut, was first owned in the family by a Simon Brewster, a great-great-grandson of Elder Brewster of "Mayflower" and Plymouth Cof- ony fame. Simon Brewster, of the fourth American generation, bought the farm in the town of Gris- wold, then Preston, about 1741. Elias Brewster inherited the farm and there resided until his death. He became wealthy through trade and commerce and was the owner of several farms, aggregating 1,100 acres. His son, Simon (2) Brewster, was born on the homestead, May 29, 1801. After the death of his father on March 12, 1834, he purchased the inter- ests of the other heirs in the homestead farm of about four hundred and fifty acres and retained pos- session of it until his death, August 17, 1867.
There were children by each of the three wives of Simon (2) Brewster, and on account of their varied interests, it was necessary to sell the property. In 1868 the farm was sold and remained out of the family until his son, Simon (3) Brewster, the present owner of the farm, on reaching his majority, bought the old homestead with one hundred and twenty-five acres-aff that remained of his father's farm. He lived the first eighteen years of his life at the home- stead, was absent three years, returned as owner at the age of twenty-one, and fives there now at the age of seventy. There has been none of those years when he could not have been classed as a worker, for at the age of seven he was helping to drive his father's cattle to Norwich, and the habits of industry, which were so noticeable in his boyhood, are the strong characteristics of the ma- ture man.
Simon (3) Brewster is of the eighth American gen- eration, beginning with Elder William Brewster, the fine being traced from the elder's son, Love Brewster, born in England, and also of the "May- flower," and his wife, Sarah (Collier) Brewster. They were married at Plymouth, March 15, 1634. Their son, William Brewster, married, in 1672, Lydia Partridge, and their son, Benjamin Brewster, born in 1688, and his first wife, Elizabeth (Witter) Brew- ster, had a son, Simon (1) Brewster, born in 1720, who settled on the farm in now Griswold, Connecti- cut. Simon (1) Brewster, by his wife, Anne (An- dros) Brewster, had a son, Elias Brewster, born in 1759, who inherited and added to the homestead, and had by his first wife, Margery (Morgan) Brew- ster, a son, Simon (2) Brewster, born May 29, 1801, who bought out the interests of the other heirs and became sole owner of the homestead and its four hundred and fifty acres. He had by his second wife, Abby A. Prentice, a son, Simon (3) Brewster, born May 25, 1850, the present owner of the prop- erty, and the principal character of this sketch.
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