Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 106

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 106

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).

Ensign Benjamin Miller was born Octo- ber 2, 1700, and was made ensign of the train band in 1740. On October 18, 1727, he mai- ried Hannah Robinson, who was born in 1706, daughter of David Robinson. He died July 9, 1769, and his widow survived until Septem- ber 3, 1796. They were the parents of one child, Isaac, who was born February 1, 1738.

Isaac Miller, grandfather of Augustus Henry, born as noted above, married Hannah Coe, who was born May 9, 1743, daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Curtis) Coe. He died July 7, 1817, and she on December 13, 1833. Their children were: Phineas, who married Catherine, widow of Gen. Nathaniel Green; Isaac, who married Irene, daughter of Ichabod Miller, and became the father of ten children : Hannah, who married Phineas, son of Samuel Johnson, and moved to Ohio; Annie, who be- came the wife of Obed Stowe; Olive, who mar- ried Asher Wetmore, son of Amos Wetmore, of New York City: Ruth, who became the wife of Elihu Hall Birdsey; Curtis; Samuel; Lucretia, who married Capt. Charles Hubbard,

----

Augustus Il Miller

Ellen m miller

n: 1el

AT- e he el : rd.

alı of ed

n- ne

58 1

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who died in the West Indies, and after his death became the wife of Marvin Thomas ; and Cornelia.

Samuel Miller, the father of Augustus Henry, was born January 22, 1782, in Middle- field, where he spent his boyhood days. In 1810 he came to the Newfield District, and purchased of John Watkinson a farming prop- erty on which he spent his life, dying there August 3, 1856. On September 14, 1807, Mr. Miller married Mary Gilbert, who was born October II, 1785, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Hamlin) Gilbert, and died April 30, 1860. A sketch of this family appears else- where. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller came the fol- lowing children: Mary H., born September 7, 1808, died unmarried in Meriden. Phineas, born May 3, 1810, married Malvina Whitmore, August 1, 1836; he became a physician, and died on the ocean while abroad, and was buried at sea February 1, 1850. Harriet G., born March 3, 1812, married Daniel Hart May 14, 1840, and died January 14, 1891. Samuel C., born January 3, 1814, married Caroline Blynn January 2, 1835, and died May 17, 1847; he was residing in West Haven at the time of his demise. Augustus H. is mentioned below. Edward B., born April 6, 1819, married for his first wife Anna E. Cook January 10, 1845, and wedded Elizabeth Hart on October 24, 1852; he was a dentist for many years and was living retired in Meriden at the time of his death, June, 1900. Joseph, born July 26, 1822, was a truckman and fruit dealer in New Haven, and died December 12, 1893; on December 26, 1841, he married Mary of Lyme, Conn. Isaac, born April 1, 1825, died April 22, 1826. William E., born Janu- ary 22, 1827 died September 24th, of the same year.

Augstus Henry Miller was born October 18, 1816, in Newfield, in the house in which he died. His early education was received in the district school which stood immediately north of the place of his birth, and when some- what older he attended the Connecticut Liter- ary Institute, at Suffield. In the summer. when he was a young man, he worked for his father on the farm, and he taught school during the winter in Rocky Hill, continuing this for many years. He always lived at home. and when his father died he bought out the other heirs, and succeeded to the farm, carry- ing on general farming there until his death.

In youth and middle age he was a hard- working man, but the latter portion of his life was shadowed by ill health which greatly interfered with his activity. His death was preceded by a long decline.

Mr. Miller was a Republican politically, and in religion a devout member of the Mid- dletown Baptist Church, where he played the flute, or sang in the choir for many years. He had a good tenor voice. and with his knowledge of the vocal art, loved to give instruction to willing and ambitious students. At times he taught a free singing school in his district school. His scholars gave him a handsome Bible, as an evidence of their esteem, which is treasured very highly by his family. Mr. Miller died October 2, 1895, leaving a good property, and was buried in the Indian Hill cemetery.

Augustus Henry Miller and Ellen Maria Bacon were married March 14, 1867. Mrs. Miller was born October 17, 1833, in West- field, daughter of Daniel M. and Harriet B. ( Hall) Bacon, and became the mother of two children : ( 1) Henry John, born January 5, 1870, died January 24. 1870. (2) Bernie Maria born March 27, 1872, married January 1. 1896, Henry F. Dunklee, who was born July 29. 1861, in Leverett, Mass., son of Hezekiah and Cynthia ( Dunklee ) Dunklee. cousins. After Mrs. Dunklee's death the father and family moved to Meriden, where they engaged in farming. He died in Florida, in 1895. and Henry F. Dunklee came to Newfield the same year : he is manager of the Miller farm. To Henry F. and Bernie M. Dunklee have come three children-Lester M .. born October 24, 1896: Earl M., October 17, 1898; and Cora M., June 3. 1900.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS PARSONS. This well-known manufacturer of Durham is a descendant of one of the oldest Connecticut families. He has been a life-long resident of the town, and has devoted himself assiduons- ly to the business, which. after an extended apprenticeship, he established, and which he has since, by his own efforts, made one of the prosperous industries of Durham. His ster- ling traits of character have withstood the test of many years, and he ranks to-day in popular esteem as one of the influential and prominent business men of the town.

Cornet Joseph Parsons, the founder of the

582

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family in America, came to Massachusetts from Torrington, about thirty miles from Exe- ter, in the northwestern part of Devonshire, England, and was a brother of the first Benja- min Parsons at Springfield. He was a witness to the deed from the Indians to William Pyn- chon, July 15, 1636. He removed to North- ampton, Mass., and was there elected towns- man, as soon as the town was incorporated. He subsequently paid the town twenty shillings not to elect him to any office during the second year of its incorporation. Later he was towns- man for several years, a principal founder of Northampton, where he acquired a large estate.

A writer in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register says : "The name of Parsons is found among the earliest emi- grants to New England, and is designated a family of high respectability in the native country." The earliest known record of the name is in 1290, when Walter Parsons was a resident of Mulso, Ireland, and the name is still extant there. Cornet Joseph Parsons was the first of the name in America. He, it is believed, was the son of Sir Thomas Parsons, of Great Milton, to whom was granted the coat of arms on which, according to our au- thority. "The three eagles with wings out- spread might well be regarded as indicating the flight of his sons to the distant New World." Sir Thomas' wife was Catherine, daughter of Alderman Radcliffe, of London. Sir Thomas was a son of Thomas Parsons by his first wife, Judith Garbrand, and a grandson of Thomas Parsons of Great Mil- ton, by his wife Catherine, daughter of Hes- ter Sydenham.

Cornet Joseph Parsons was associated with William Pynchon in the founding of Springfield, Mass. In 1665 he removed from Springfield to what later became Northamp- ton, of which he was one of the principal founders. In 1659 he was appointed one of the committee from Northampton "to meet and agree with the Hartford men that are in- tending to sit down by us, about the meadow." In 1671 and 1673, he was the agent of the settlers of Hatfield, Hadley and Northampton to purchase, from the Indians, a large tract at Squokeug, afterward Northfield, where he was given possession of the first portion so told. From 1672 to 1678 he was cornet of the Hampshire Troop, commanded by Capt. John

Pynchon, the first troop formed in Western Massachusetts, and in 1689 was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, of Boston, the first regularly organized mili- tary troop in America. In 1674, he purchased of John Bliss the Parsons' homestead at South Farms, where several generations of his family lived and died. Cornet Parsons was an exten- sive fur trader and merchant, and at the time of his death was one of the richest men in that part of the Colony. In 1679 he removed to Springfield, and died October 9, 1683. He married Mary Bliss, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Lawrence) Bliss, November 26, 1646. Mary Bliss was one of the first to be accused of witchcraft in New England. She was a woman of great beauty and talent, which qualities may have produced jealousy among her sister dames, and led to the imputation mentioned. She was tried and acquitted. The children of Joseph and Mary ( Bliss) Parsons were as follows: (I) Joseph, born November I, 1647, married Elizabeth Strong, daughter of Elder John Strong. (2) Benjamin, buried at Springfield, Mass., June 22, 1649. (3) John, born 1649, died young. (4) John, born in 1650, married Sarah Clark, daughter of William Clark. (5) Samuel, born in 1653. (6) Ebenezer, born at Northampton, May I, 1655, is said to have been the first white child born there, and was killed by the Indians, at Northfield, September 2, 1675. (7) Jona- than, born June 6, 1657. (8) David or Daniel, died young. (9) Mary, born June 27, 1661, married (first) Joseph Ashley, (second) Jo- seph Williston. (10) Hannah, born in 1663, married Rev. Pelatiah Glover, Jr. (II ) Abigail, born September 3, 1666, married John Colton.

(12) Esther, born December 24, 1672, married Rev. Joseph Smith.

Capt. Samuel Parsons, one of the above children, born at Springfield, January 23, 1653, married (first) Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Aaron Cook, who died September 2, 1690. He married ( second) Rhoda Taylor, born September 26, 1669, daughter of Capt. John Taylor. She died in the fall of 171I. Capt. Samuel Parsons removed with his father to Northampton, took the oath, in 1678, and removed to Durham, Conn., in 1706. On Jan- uary 8, 1710, he was dismissed from the church at Northampton to the church at Dur- ham. In a primitive church pledge in Dur- ham, the signers were Nathaniel and Sarah

pect

bon

H 170 m

die

to H

die (4

chỉ

CI T ve

14. Jan H

sub ear

ret

Pa 181. die

üle sch

cung

583

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Chauncey, Samuel and Rhoda Parsons, Thomas and Ruth Lyman, and others. No- vember 17, 1709, he was one of the committee to build the first meeting house in Durham. He was Deputy to General Court for Durham, 1720-22-23-24. The children of Capt. Sam- uel Parsons were: (I) Samuel, born in 1678, died young. (2) Samuel (2), born in 1680, died in 1683. (3) Elizabeth, born in 1684. (4) Jemima, born in 1691. (5) Rhoda, born in 1694. (6) Timothy, born in 1696. (7) Hannah, born in 1697. (8) Simeon, born in 1701. (9) Phineas, born in 1704. (10) Itha- mar, born in 1709, in Durham.

Ithamar Parsons, youngest of the above children, was born in 1709. His wife's name was Sarah. Their son, Aaron, was born No- vember 10, 1758.

Aaron Parsons, son of Ithamar, died May I, 1810. He married Lucy Hawley, October 3, 1772, and had a large family, among whom were Clement, Marcus, Seth and Leothric.

Marcus Parsons, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1790, in Durham, and in early life learned the trade of shoemaker. His home was located on the main road between Middlefield and Durham. He followed shoe- making all his life, and died in Durham, April 19, 1847. He married Orpha Robinson, born July 23; 1796, in Durham, daughter of Rich- ard Robinson, a farmer, whose farm is now owned by Alfred Jackson. She died October 22, 1843. The children of Marcus and Orpha Parsons were: (1) Mary M., born June 23, 1814, married Henry Bailey, a traveler, who died in Cuba. (2) Harriett M., born October 10, 1816, married Russell Shelley, a shoe- maker, and died in Durham. (3) Aaron A .. born October 31, 1819, was a mechanic, and with his wife, Mary, lived in Plainville, Conn. (4) Leander, father of our subject, was born January 23, 1822. (5) Ann married Andrew Hull, a joiner in Durham.

Leander Parsons, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Durham in the house west of the old Swathel tavern, on the road to Mid- (llefield. He attended the North district school, and carly in life learned the shoe- maker's trade with his father. He was also employed by Russell Shelley, the husband of his sister Harriett. He worked for a number of years in Mr. Shelley's shoe shop, which stood on Main street, opposite the street rim- ning west from Main street, south of Durham

Congregational Church. He married Frances Camp, November 26, 1846, born May 10, 1828, a native of Durham, and a daughter of Elias and Mary W. (Bennett) Camp. Elias Camp was a shoemaker and resided in Dur- ham. The children of Leander and Frances Parsons were as follows: (I) Harry L., born July 3, 1847, enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and died at Newbern, N. C. (2) Marion F., born May 27, 1849, married Timothy Page, a farmer of Stony Creek. (3) Ella A., born February 24, 1851. (4) William A., our subject, born August 14, 1853. (5) Elizabeth A., born March 20, 1855, married Lewis Bacon, a ma- son of South Farms near Middletown. (6) Frederick N., born October 29, 1857, died sin- gle. (7) George P., born January 8, 1860. Leander, the father, left home August 10, 1860, in search of more remunerative employ- ment, and has never since been heard from.

William A. Parsons, our subject, was born August 14, 1853, in the north part of Dur- ham. He attended, in his boyhood, the dis- trict school, and the Durham Academy under Mr. Wiggin, but at the age of eleven years he began to work in the tin shop of the Merriam Manufacturing Company, in Durham, attend- ing school in the winter, until the age of four- teen years, when he left school, and worked continuously in the above factory until 1883, a period of nineteen years. In 1883 he estab- lished his present business, and has since suc- cessfully carried on the manufacture of tin boxes for the stationery and hardware trade.

On October 30. 1874. Mr. Parsons mar- ried Miss Rose Camp, who was born in Dur- ham December 28, 1852, daughter of Samuel and Betsy Ann ( Cone) Camp. Samuel C. Camp was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He was born December 25. 1803, and died March 24, 1882. His wife, born January 18. 1807, died July 7, 1868. To our subject and wife have been born two children : Harold C. was of the class of 1902, Yale, Sheffield Scien- tific School: Gertrude A. is at home. Mr. Parsons and family are members of the Con- gregational Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He was State representative in 1880-90. serving on the committee on Woman's Rights and Contingent Expenses. He has been town clerk for several terms, and was first selectman of Durham for one term. He is most highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, and his life-

23, of 10 or, pt. II. her and an- the ur- ur- rahı

3) of 53 1 ild at na- iel, 61, Jo- 63, ied ber

Lili- sed uth nily ten- ime in ved He and 26, be She ich ong ion The ons ber ter ied

584

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

long career in the town of his birth has been one of earnest endeavor, and the application of those basic principles of integrity and pro- gressiveness, which have won for him an abundant and most gratifying success.

WILLIAM G. FAIRBANK, the efficient and popular superintendent of the Connecti- cut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown, has given the greater part of his life to such work, and his long term of years with this institution is a recognition of his fitness for the place, and an appreciation of his efforts on the part of the State.

Mr. Fairbank is a native of Massachusetts, born February 24, 1840, at Sterling, and is an adopted son of Ephraim and Susan (Stearns) Fairbank. Ephraim Fairbank was born in Sterling, Mass., June 1, 1811, and died November 10, 1892. He was a son of Capt. Paul and Catherine ( Phelps) Fairbank, of Sterling, Mass., the former of whom was in the sixth generation from Jonathan Fairebanke (Fairbank, Fairbanks), of Dedham, Mass., his first American ancestor, who was born in Eng- land before 1600, and came to Boston with his family in 1633, locating at Dedham three years later. The line of Capt. Paul Fairbank's descent is through Jonas, Jabez, Thomas and Oliver V. Ephraim Fairbank married Susan Stearns, born in October, 1812, who died Oc- tober 4, 1892. They had no children.

William G. Fairbank was graduated from the Bridgewater Normal School in 1860, and for the following six months was engaged in teaching at the Farm school, Thompson Isl- land, Boston harbor. For six years he was a teacher and officer at the Lyman School for Boys, at Westboro, Mass., of which, at the time of his leaving, he was the principal teach- er, having general charge of the schools, then eight in number. On June 14, 1869, he left the institution to take charge of the Vermont Reform' School, as its superintendent, and in that incumbency remained for seventeen years. In August, 1886, he left the Vermont school to assume, on September 7th, the duties of superintendent of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown, making a term of service in industrial training and re- formatory work of nearly forty years, and since June, 1869, in the capacity of superin- tendent-in all probability the longest term of continuons active service, as an officer in such

work, of any one in the country ; in fact, since first beginning in his work Mr. Fairbank has followed it continuously, with the exception of two years' ( 1865-66) respite occasioned by sickness.

The Connecticut Industrial School for Girls is one of the most important institutions in the State, yet not a State institution, but a private corporation receiving State aid and State supervision. The public act incorporat- ing the school was passed July 27, 1868. The first inmate was received in January, 1870, and the formal opening took place on the 30th of June, following. The original site was given to the schools by the town of Middle- town, and additions by purchase have since been made. The school has received in round numbers, by private benefactions, $175,000. There are now ( 1902) in the neighborhood of 275 female inmates, and 280 girls can well be accommodated. In addition to the instruc- tion that is given in each home in all depart- ments of housework, the school has a sewing school, a cooking school, and a school in laun- dry work, in which departments competent in- structors are provided. The day schools are well graded, and are taught by efficient Nor- mal school graduates. The program's are care- fully prepared, and the work of each term outlined by the acting school visitor, after con- sultation with the school committee of the in- stitution. The buildings of the school are situ- ated in a sightly and healthful location, and the grounds are well and neatly kept. Mr. Fair- bank's long experience in such lines has been of great assistance in the arrangement, dispo- sition, etc. of both the old and new buildings. Indeed, it is worthy of remark that the tout ensemble of everything connected with the in- stitution renders it second to none of similar kind in the United States.

On December 2, 1862, Mr. Fairbank was married to Miss Margaret Lefler, a native of Hingham, Mass., and to this union has been born one child, William E., a graduate of Wes- leyan University, class of 1893; he married Miss Clara Bell Simons, of Erving, Mass., and they have two children, Jessie M. and Dorothy M. Mr. and Mrs. Williem G. Fair- bank have an adopted daughter, Mabel, now the wife of Charles Miller, vice-principal of the Providence Normal School, at Providence, R. Mrs. Fairbank is a member of the Meth- I. odist Church, Mr. Fairbank of the Baptist.

W& Hairbank

nd at- he 0, th as le- ce

nd 5

rt-

of en

Ice

T-

st.

n- ar

tiv

fir

585

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Politically he is a Republican, though not ac- tive in the affairs of his party, and since his first connection with industrial school work the positions he has filled have been invariably tendered him, while others offered him have been declined. Socially he is a Freemason, and, together with his estimable wife, who has proved a most efficient assistant to him, he enjoys the respect and esteem of the con :- munity at large.

CAPT. WILLIAM A. PEASE, one of the best known vessel masters running from the Connecticut coast, is a descendant of three old and honored New England families, the Peases, Smiths and Stowes. His mother, Betsy Stowe Smith, was a daughter of Winthrop and Ro- sette (Stowe) Smith, and a granddaughter of Zebulon and Rosetta ( Riley) Stowe. Zebulon Stowe was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son of John, who in 1634 came to Boston from Hawkhurst, in the south of England, and settled near Rox- bury. His wife was Elizabeth Biggs, and they were the parents of six children.

The Smith family is an old one in Middle- sex, tracing back to three brothers who came to America about 1662. One of them settled in New London, another in Windsor, the third, Simon, locating in Haddam, Middlesex coun- ty, and from him is descended the line of which Captain Pease is a representative. Simon Smith was the father of four sons, Benjamin, Simon, Joseph and John. John had a son named Joseph, and Joseph was the father of Joseph, Jr., who was the father of nine children : Sylvanus, born October 10, 1748; John, July 13, 1752: Abisha, July 14, 1755; Thankful, January 20, 1757; Jethro; Elizabeth; Joseph ; Sarah; and Hannalı. Of these,

John Smith, the great-grandfather of Capt. Pease was born at Haddam, was a sea cap- tain, engaged in the West Indies trade, and (lied at sea. He married Martha Shailer, of Haddamı, and was the father of the following named children : Jolin, Jr., born August 12, 1776, was twice married, first to a Miss Brain- ard, and subsequently to Mrs. Cynthia Brain- ard. Alice, born September 30, 1778, married Simon Arnold, of Haddam. Winthrop, born October 16, 1781, is mentioned below. Riley, born June 22, 1786, married Hannah Wilcox. and removed to Elyria, Ohio, where he died.

Winthrop Smith, grandfather of Captain

Pease, was born in Haddam, and came to Cromwell when a young man, buying a large farm in the northeast part of the town in com- pany with his mother and brothers. He was an active, public-spirited man, was a farmer all his life, and died June 30, 1849. He married Rosetta Stowe, and their children were as fol- lows: Martha died unmarried: Caroline died young ; Lucy S., married Leverett Wright, who died November 28. 1898 ( he was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company H, Connecticut Heavy Artillery) ; Betsy Stowe, born December 16, 1820, married Will- iam Agift Pease, and was the mother of Cap- tain Pease.

William A. Pease was born in the "Nooks," in the town of Cromwell. Middlesex county. November 26, 1849, son of William Agift and Betsy Stowe (Smith) Pease. His father was born in Portland, Conn., January 1, 1819, the son of William Agift and Betsy ( Ranney) Pease, and while still a young boy went to live in the family of Sylvester Gildersleeve, re- maining in that home until he was twenty-one. During the latter part of his stay there he worked in Mr. Gildersleeve's shipyard as a ship carpenter. On April 18 1842, he was married to Betsy Stowe Smith, and after a short stay in Gildersleeve moved to the "Nooks," at Crom- well, and went to farming. He also worked in the Gildersleeve shipyard, and later engaged in shipbuilding for himself. constructing the schooner "Myra Pratt," and the steamer "George Chiafee." He was a member of the shipbuilding firm of Pease & Rayner, and owned the first and only dry dock at Midle- town. After some years he went South, and spent the latter part of his business life in shipbuilding at Mobile. He died May 25, 1891. while on a visit at Willimantic, Con., and there his wife also died. September 12, 1804; both are buried at Cromwell. In early life Mr. Pease was a Democrat, but in later years he became a Republican. His wife was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and a wo- man of many fine traits of character. He was a hard-working man, and proved himself a good mechanic, and though he began life as a poor boy, became very successful and was greatly respected by all who knew him. Hc reared an excellent family, a record of his children being as follows: Caroline R., born January 20. 18443. died November 9. 1848. Elizabeth R., born September 10, 1847. is

586

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the widow of Robert E. Edwards, and lives at Middletown. William A., born November 26, 1849, is the subject proper of this article. Charles W., born June 4, 1852, is a traveling salesinan and lives at Middletown. Caleb S., born September 14, 1854, resides in Brook- lyn, N. Y. Edgar S., born October 1, 1856, lives at Cromwell. John Nelson, born Septem- ber 7, 1859, lives in Brooklyn. Nellie C., born July 27, 1862, died September 24, 1864. Ida L., born January 5, 1865, lives in Brooklyn, and is unmarried.

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.

Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 106

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Beers Number of Pages: 1502

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502