USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Bethany > Bethany and its hills > Part 4
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
It appears that the house was built by one Darius Beecher. The writer is unable to give much information relative to said Beecher other than that he was at the time of building quite wealthy : had two daughters and, if rightly informed, one son : that he went west with his family, lost his fortune and was not much heard from. The place was afterward occupied by one Abram Beecher, who was, however, not related to the builder.
WILLIAM LOUNSBURY.
Later it was owned by Lewis Thomas, who occupied it with his family. Later it became the property of Orrin Wheeler. who occupied it with his family till his death in 1874. Ilis widow. son and unmarried daughters continued to occupy it until the death of Mrs. Wheeler in 1898, and the death of the son in 1800. The Misses Mary and Christina Wheeler still cling to the associations which make the "Old Homestead" dear to them, and remain under the roof which has withstood the storms of the nineteenth century and enters upon the
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THE OLD LEWIS THOMAS HOUSE.
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
twentieth still protecting a framework of massive oak, but little the worse for time and wear, but which must inevitably succumb in time if not given that protection which has so long been afforded it till death and adversity have robbed the hands which would have kept the outside as neat and beautiful as the inside.
The Beecher family in Bethany seem difficult to trace.
They seemed to settle near the center, Lysias near the churches, north. His father, Captain David, lived on the cross- road, east, where he had built a grist mill. Darius built on the corner. One Darius sold to Ebenezer Platt, about 1800, a house west, near Harry French's, and Calvin Beecher built on the main road north, near Lebanon Hill. His widow married Esquire Kimberly, from West Haven. She had seven children and he five. One daughter married Major Lounsbury (son of Elias and Mary Perkins). His son Henry eventually owned the property, and his widow resides in the old home. The Kimberly children were: George, married Sarietta Tuttle; Dewitt, mar- ried Eliza Lines, daughter of Abel : Charles, married Harriet Sperry, daughter of Enos of Westville; Phoebe, married Dr. Andrew Castle, and Lucretia, unmarried.
On the east, near the turnpike, called the Beecher district, were Andrew. Jessie, David and Beri. Some of the family claim to be descendants of Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher.
The Lounsbury family were among the early settlers of the town. The first house built on Lebanon Hill was owned by John Lounsbury, son of Timothy, and sold to Jonathan Smith in 17-, and was then very old. Jairus, son of John, had a son. Crownage, who married Samantha Hotchkiss, their son William says. Timothy, on the Beacon Falls road, was a cousin. Newel, William and Abram had homes on that road, which was quite a thoroughfare once.
Eliakim Smith, son of Jonathan of West Haven, built a new house a few rods from the old one, where his daughter Laura taught a school in 1840 called "Lebanon Hill Boarding and Day School for young ladies." She taught French, music, drawing, painting, and other branches, both classical and ornamental. She married William Dickerman of Hamden. His daughter Louise married Mr. Andrews of Chicago, Ill. His daughter Mary married Henry Lounsbury.
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
The west side of the highway was owned by John Thomas. Esq. His sons were John, Lewis and Allen. One daughter married Rev. Mr. Coleman : the other married Dr. Spencer of Naugatuck, who removed to Bethany and occupied the Thomas homestead in 1847. One cold night in February, on returning from visiting patients, he discovered the house was on fire. He aroused his wife and young child, taking them out of the win- dow, and then rushing about frantically, he aroused the help, two young girls and two young men, who escaped from the windows of the second story. Then, shouting "Where are my boys?" he rushed through the flames up the staircase, and with one son-ages twelve and fourteen-under each arm, as he turned to escape the floor fell in beneath them. while the wife and mother, with a few neighbors, witnessed the appalling scene. The survivors were taken to the home of Mrs. Thomas's son Allen near by. and the whole town was overshadowed with gloom.
Allen Thomas married Miss Gilbert. Children : Mary Ann, Caroline, Nancy, Fanny, Gilbert. Sarah, John, and Frank. They were remarkably bright scholars, but left the town before marriage, and it is said are all in Chicago. Ill., with the most favorable surroundings.
Lewis Thomas owned the Darius Beecher house, which was a wedding gift from his father. He married Miss Peck and the only descendant is Mrs. Andrews of New Haven.
LEBANON HILL.
Lebanon Hill derived its name from a pond or lake surrounded by cedars. The lake covers several acres and is said to be unfath- omable with lead and line. It is covered ( with the exception of a few rods in circumference which never freezes) with mosses and creeping roots which Mr. Lincoln's Botany describes as "a root that extends horizontally and sends out fibres, which is very tenacious of life, as any part of it containing a joint will grow, its fibres spreading and interlacing themselves, thus ren- (lering a soil more permanent. Holland would be liable to be washed away by the action of water were it not that its coasts are bound together with these creeping plants."
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THE OLD KIMBERLY HOUSE.
THE ELIAKIM SMITHI HOUSE.
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
inhabitants, with railroad facilities unsurpassed ; with an extensive university, whose professors are some of them mani- festing their appreciation of the Woodbridge hills by locating there in summer ; so accessible to the sea shore that sea food can be obtained readily, etc.
On the west side of the highway are fine broad meadows, but the east side could be so improved by a landscape architect that two or three generations hence it might be called an earthly paradise. This may seem rather premature, the writer not knowing that a foot of the land could be bought for love or money.
The following article appeared in a recent morning paper :
"It is beginning to be understood that one who has consump- tion may get well without having such distant and expensive air as has been the fashion. For instance, it is now known that Connecticut air is good for Connecticut people who have weak lungs."
The Allen Thomas house, near the slope of the hill, is between the lake and the highway, and the Asahel Judd house at the foot of the slope is still nearer, and a foot path leads to the treacherous mossy enclosure. The next house was built by Reuben Judd where the old road joins the turnpike, and less than a fourth of a mile north was the old Perkins tavern, which was burned in 1903. It is not known who built the old tavern. Perhaps it was Edward Perkins, as he was the proprietor in 1781. He was son of Peter and Mary (Peck) Perkins, son of Peter and Hannah (Lord) Perkins, son of John (wife not known), son of Edward and Elizabeth ( Butcher) Perkins, who were married in New Haven, March 20, 1649. Edward P. was born October 25, 1743. He married Mary Thomas, prob- ably daughter of Israel and Martha ( Hine) Thomas. Children : Israel, Edward, Mary and Hulda ( twins), Electa. He married second, Rosanna Judd. Children : Rosanna and Anna.
He was said to have been a tall, dignified person, in velvet small clothes and snowy stockings, with his jet black hair hang- ing in a shining quene from under his cocked hat-the very picture of a gentleman of the olden time. There were others in the town at that date who dressed in the same style, Alling Carrington or his father among them.
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THE ALLEN THOMAS HOMESTEAD.
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BETHANY AND ITS HEILLS.
Archibald Perkins, who kept the tavern after Edward, was a son of Azariah and Anne (Johnson ) Perkins, son of John and Elizabeth ( Hayward) Perkins, son of John ( whose wife is not known), son of Edward and Elizabeth ( Butcher ) Perkins, who were married in New Haven, March 20, 1649 .- Connecticut Magasinc.
As Edward Perkins died in 1789. probably he was followed by Archibald, born December. 1758, and married (1) Huldah Woodin, and ( 2) April 19. 1797, married Sarah Nettleton. He continued as proprietor until his death, March 4. 1842. His son Guy followed, who married a daughter of Jesse Doolittle (a peer among women ), and they remained and conducted the hotel until their son Wales, who married Eliza Tolles, succeeded his father for several years. His wife died, leaving one son Homer, and Wales married ( 2) Miss Clark of Woodbridge, and later removed to Naugatuck.
Betsey, daughter of Guy, married Beecher Hotchkiss, son of Harvey. Children : Clarence, married Miss Doolittle, daughter of Bennett ; both deceased, leaving children : Mason, married Mary E. Doolittle, daughter of Lucius ; their daughter. Emma D., married Mr. J. H. Taylor of The Tuttle, Morehouse &' Taylor Co., New Haven.
Jane, daughter of Guy, died young, unmarried. DeEtte mar- ried Horatio Clark of Prospect. Caroline married Lauren Cook of Cheshire.
The children of Archibald Perkins were Archibald, Abner. Jesse, Burr. Charles.
The "Perkins doughnuts" were so associated with the name of the old tavern, they should be noticed. Mrs. Perkins was a superior cook, but her doughnuts were a specialty. She said she fried two bushels a week, making over one hundred bushels a year. They were round as an orange, and never too short, or too long, or too sweet or too sour, Probably it being such a convenient article of food for a lunch on the road added to the widespread reputation.
Passing the old toll-gate, gone long ago, was the home op Major Lounsbury, son of Elias and Mary ( Perkins) Lounsbor? Who built the old red house near we cannot learn. wither Perkins or Lounsbury, probably.
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
Archibald Abner Perkins married a daughter of Ephraim Hotchkiss of Cheshire. Their children were: Elizabeth, Hul- dlah. Sarah, Polly, Ephraim and Benjamin. Elizabeth married Burton Sperry. Huldah and Sarah were teachers in the Lan- casterian School in New Haven. Huldah married Rev. Mr. Myers, Congregational ; Sarah married George Durrie, portrait painter in New Haven. Polly married Benjamin Bronson of
ARCHIBALD ABNER PERKINS. From an old Ambrotype.
New Haven, whose daughter Amelia married Henry Johnson, son of Dr. Johnson of Seymour. He kept a popular grocery store on State street.
Esquire Abner Perkins, as he was called, had a tannery near his house seventy years ago and occupied the old red house opposite as a leather store and shoe shop. He was a very enterprising citizen.
The next house north was the home of Israel Perkins, son of Edward, born December 30, 1767. who married Milly Judd,
THE OLD PERKINS TAVERN.
Burnt in 1903.
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BETHANY AND ITS IHILLS.
sister of Rosanna ( his stepmother), who were daughters of Isaac, son of Joseph, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, "who was one of the little band that made their long journey in 1635 through the woods from Massachusetts to the banks of the Connecticut, carrying the wife of their pastor, Rev. Mr. llooker. in a litter upon their shoulders."
The Tuttle book says: "He began studying for a profession,
MRS. MILLY ( JUDD) PERKINS. Aged 98. From an old Ambrotype.
but his father dying the same year, changed his destiny. He was a selectman, guardian of children, and was familiarly called the old lawyer." His daughter Leonora married Isaac Warren (of Mayflower descent ) : children were Israel P., William. Harriet. Harris, Isaac. Cornelia, and George. Israel Perkins Warren remained with his grandfather. who gave him an education. He graduated at Yale and was ordained a Congre- gational minister. Later he received the title of D.D. and
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
was settled in Boston the latter years of his life. He was the author of religious works and published the "Story of Chauncey Judd, or the Stolen Boy." the particulars of which he received from his grandmother, who, he states, resided with him until her death at the age of ninety-nine.
Harriet married William Canada of New Haven. She is eighty-five years of age and is well preserved, her memory and hearing being good-a very interesting person. Their son is a fur dealer in Chapel street.
The other children of Isaac Warren were highly intellectual and filled high positions in other states, and have many descendants.
The old house which was built by Edward Perkins, and where Israel was born and lived to old age, must have been fine in its day, it was so roomy, with a front lawn several rods deep lined with shade trees. The place was sold about seventy years ago to Dr. Foote of Hamden, who built a house nearly in front of the old one. Within a stone's throw was the old red school house, an old landmark, which is now no more, a new one having been built a little farther south.
Diagonally across from the old schoolhouse was a quaint. roomy old house, where Oliver Hotchkin lived several years. He bought it of Job Terrel, whose widow died at the age of ninety, about 1837. Harpin Hotchkiss bought it later, removed it, and built one more modern. He and his wife are both deceased ; their son continues the blacksmith business which his father established, and their two daughters married two brothers, Herbert E. and George R. Doolittle, who have an extensive fish market on Broadway, New Haven.
There was another very okl red house a few rods north. which Charles French bought seventy years ago and removed. replacing it with one much smaller. He was a carpenter and wagonmaker, and had one son, Herbert; all deceased without leaving an heir. Turning to the right on the Prospect road. near the top of the road is an old house where Milo Beecher once lived. It would be interesting to know who built it. The next house north was Titus Peck's, son of Samuel, Timothy, Samuel, Joseph2, Henry1. He married Sibyl Nettleton. Children : Mary, Ephraim, Isaac L., Laura A., Titus D. (born 1832). Isaac Nettleton, brother to Sibyl, married Patty Mer- win, only one of their children remaining in the town.
REV. ISRAEL. PERKINS WARREN. DD
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
Isaac Judd, "the old schoolmaster." brother of Milly ( Judd) Perkins, lived on the crossroad to Cheshire, about a half mile east of the schoolhouse. He married Patience Hammond ; and indeed she was the personification of patience, for while he was teaching the young idea how to shoot. she was teaching the young girls how to shoot the shuttle, with the warp and the woof of which the lads and lasses would eventually be clad in garments not to be despised, if it was homespun; for, after being dyed and dressed and pressed at the mill, it was nice enough to be worn on any ordinary occasion. Her blankets and table linen, which required four treadles to weave, were valued highly in those days.
She had such a charming way of telling a story that an evening spent in her company was enjoyable ; after the twilight had driven her from the loom in the huge garret, where were the wheels and reel and swifts, and the warping bars, as high as one could reach to lay the warp. This required the skill of an expert, especially in plaids or checks, which, after being rolled on the great beam and drawn through reed and gear, and a thread found wrong ( which would ruin the whole piece. if not remedied immediately ), was enough to try the patience of an angel, but "Aunt Patience" was equal to the task. When she was seated in her high-back easy chair, with her arms akimbo across her checked linsey-woolsey apron, her dear old face beaming with smiles, she would tell tales of the "Revolution." of "Chauncey's capture" (her husband's brother), which she never tired of repeating: and one could fancy that she came from a fairy land as she described the old-time festivities in the grand old ballrooms, the gentlemen in their knee-breeches and ruffled shirt bosoms, with their long hair powdered and curled and queued, etc. And in answer to the question. "How. pray, were the ladies dressed to match with such gay cavaliers ?" she would reply. "Oh, they looked just as fine. Some of the wealthiest had silks and laces that were 'brought over' as old heirlooms, and others were dressed in white,-and what is prettier for belle or bride? And the red camlet cloaks they wore, weren't they gay?"
Sometimes she would amuse us with some of "Purdy's pranks," who she said appeared in the neighborhood soon after the War of the Revolution as suddenly as a meteor dropped
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BETHANY AND IT'S HUIS.
from the skies, and any allusion in regard to his former abode was always met with such evasive shrewdness as to settle the question directly.
The house of William Purdy. known as Bill Purdy, the way. was like a bird's nest. There was a small kitchen, with a smaller bedroom, and the small attic, where the little family of Purdys slept, was reached by a ladder. There were sixteen. including one pair of twins, who were so bright and handsome that they always attracted the attention of strangers, who would ask their name, and the reply, always simultaneoush.
"Harley Come and Harvey Bone. Clever two men ever known."
brought them many pennies.
Purdy could make a rhyme at short notice, not always poetic. which would cause great mirth and hilarity at the tavern. He had a little garden patch with a few fruit trees, and he always kept a cow on the highway. When he died about 1840 the little Purdys had all found homes in other towns, and when they came to the funeral of their father their mother returned to their home with them. It is said that one of the daughters married a gentleman who was quite distinguished. and the sons held honorable positions.
The land adjoining was known as the Tuttle farm. It extended to the mountain on the east and as far south as the crossroad by the David Perkins place, where there is an elevation commanding a fine view. The tract consisted of several hundred acres. The extreme northeastern part. over 200 acres, was probably Nathaniel's, and sold to AAbraham Marks and his brother-in-law. Samuel Merwin of Milford, when Nathaniel removed to the State of New York, and his brother U'ri had settled on the other portion.
U'ri Tuttle was born in Hamden, Conn .. September 8. 1738. son of Nathaniel. Nathaniel. Jonathan -. William, who was born in England. and settled in New Haven in 1639. He was married in Bethany. December 5. 1764. by Rev. Stephen Hawley to Thankful Ives of Hamden, daughter of Jonathan, Samuel". Joseph2. William1, who was born in England. and one of the first settlers of New Haven. Children :
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
1. Jeremiah, married Sarah Crittenden. Children - Sally and Charles, twins, born October 11. 1780. Charles removed to New York State and married Ruth Jones. Children : Emily. Delos. LeRoy. Melinda, Calista, Jared. Alma. Jennette, and Julia, who married Dr. John Curtis. Melinda married her cousin, Edwin A. Tuttle of Bethany. LeRoy married Adelaide Merry and removed west. He was a banker and broker. Later he was employed in Washington, D. C., as Assistant Treasurer in the
THE OLD URI TUTTLE HOUSE. SOUTH VON
United States Treasury. After fourteen years in the service he resigned at the same time with General Spinner. He sled in 1858, leaving one son. LeRoy. Alma married Abram Zoller. Their daughter Jessie graduated at Vassar College in 1880.
2. masa, married Esther Tolles, daughter of loo rus aud Sibyl Bellamy. Children : Sarah Bellany . whowant | Flair Smith : son Henry1. married Elizabeth Bradley and ranovel to Illinois : three children : daughter La e. manden Wittiam Dickerman of Hamden. Their daughter Com mood Ro
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
Clarence Colten. After his decease she married Rev. Samuel D). Paine of Florida. Esther Tolles2, married Levi Merwin Marks. Children : Mary E., Minerva C., David B., Amasa A., Eliza Jennette. Amasa A. married Lucy A. Platt and removed to New York, where he has been engaged in the manufacture of artificial limbs in Broadway, New York, over fifty years. lle has the sword and gun which was his grandfather's, Amasa Tuttle's, when he was captain of the militia company in Bethany.
THE OLD URI TUTTLE HOUSE, NORTH VIEW.
3. Uri, burned to death, aged four.
4. Chauncey, married Mrs. Elizabeth Peck.
5. Mary, married Jonah Todd. There are many descendants. Three grandsons were jewelers in Broadway, New York, many years.
6. Uri, married Electa Perkins, daughter of Edward5.
7. Elam, married Mary Scofield ; went west.
8. Benajah, went to State of New York.
9. James Seymour, married Sarah Gilbert of Hamden, who was a descendant of Matthew Gilbert, one of the seven pillars
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
of the first church, and Deputy Governor of the New Haven Colony for seven years.
Io. Calvin, married Sylvia Smith ; six children, bright and much respected, all deceased, leaving no heirs.
James Seymour learned the trade of axe-making, was an expert, and his axes commanded a widespread reputation. He
SEYMOUR TUTTLE.
located on the turnpike and his blacksmith shop stood at the fork of the roads which led to Waterbury.
"A. great Pythagoras of yore, Standing beside the blacksmith's door And hewing the hammers, as they smote The anvils with a different note, Stole from the varying tones; that hung Vibrant on every iron tongue. The secret of the sounding wire. And formed the seven chorded lyre."-Longfellow.
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Although Mr. Tuttle was not a linguist like his kinsman. Elihu Burritt, "the Learned Blacksmith," he was passionately fond of music. He built a room in his house with an arched ceiling, which was appreciated by musicians in that vicinity. As it was opposite his shop, sometimes a young man "who had an axe to grind" would make it convenient to attend a musicale or rehearsal in the evening.
MISS JENNETTE TUTTLE.
Mr. Tuttle had six daughters, all singers.
"Well might he gaze upon them for they were fair and tall, Ye never have seen fairer in bower nor yet in hall.
Small marvel if the gallant's heart beat quicker in his breast, "Iwas hard to choose and hard to lose, how might he win the best."
Eliza, the eldest. married Samuel Davidson of Wallingford. Their son, S. Gilbert, removed to Bethany after his father's decease. He married Sarah Jane Green, who was a Mayflower descendant, and their son Tyler married Miss Scranton, who
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THE CHAUNCEY TUTTLE HOUSE. Over roo years okl.
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BETHANY AND ITS HILLS.
was also a descendant of the Mayflower, and their three children are beautiful to look upon.
Sylvia married George Peck (son of George, Esq.), who removed to New Haven. His fine tenor voice, while he sang in the choir of the First Methodist Church, is still referred to with pleasure by some of the old members. He was a man greatly respected. One son was killed during the Civil War. Another died later. The only surviving son is General Henry S. Peck of Chapel street, New Haven.
Sariette married George Kimberly of Bethany, who removed to Westville and kept a grocery store several years.
Juliana married Elizur Bradley, son of Joseph. He removed to Orange, was a wood dealer, and left a good estate.
Charry married Noves Wheeler, a descendant of Moses Wheeler of Stratford, who was born in England in 1598 and died at the age of one hundred. Mr. Wheeler was an influential farmer of Bethany. One daughter, Jenny, survives.
Jennett, the youngest, remains at the homestead and has sung in the choir of the Episcopal Church seventy years, with the exception of a few years when she was organist. She still sings in the "choir," at the age of eighty-two. She is still active in society and in the household ( 1905).
One son, Charles, was also a singer. He married Miss Bishop of Wallingford. Their only son Seymour married Sarah Atwater, daughter of Rev. Mr. Atwater, pastor of the Episcopal Church in Bethany at that date. He went west and died young. Sarah, the only daughter, married Mr. Maginn. an enterprising and thrifty farmer. Their son resides at the old Chauncey Tuttle homestead, near the Methodist Church.
Seymour Tuttle sang in the Episcopal Church choir until a week before his death, at the age of 77. On Saturday, while he was very ill, a member of the choir called upon him and said, "We shall miss you in the choir to-morrow." when he replied, "While you are singing in church I shall be singing with the angels in heaven." And, truly, during the morning services at church his spirit fled to realms unknown.
The music of the Christmas bells made him supremely happy as he and Esquire Abner Perkins stood up in the front seat of the gallery. Who remembers the merry Christmas of those days, when the church was illuminated with candles, one to
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BETILANY AND ITS HILLS.
each pane of glass : the ramble in the woods to gather the hemlock, the laurel and feathery pine, which nimble fingers in fragrant garlands twined. "to beautify the place of the sanctuary ?" The music. the Christmas anthems, the solos, the chorus, the Hallee. Hallelujah. so uplifting that one only had to close their eyes to feel that they were lifted to the skies.
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