Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 158

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 158

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his wife are rearing an adopted daughter, Milly Eliza Pitkin, who was born in June, 1889, a daughter of William Seymour Pitkin, a brother of Mrs. Crittenden.

HIRAM V. CHILDS (deceased). Among the early records of Connecticut, the name borne by our honored subject soon attracts the reader's attention, as its bearers were promi- nent in almost every walk of life. James Childs, one of the early ancestors, removed from Warren, R. I., to Haddam, Conn., about the year 1762, and married a Miss Kelly. They reared a family which by marriage be- came connected with many others of old Colo- nial stock, namely: James Kelly, born in 1763; Thomas, in 1765; John, in 1770; Sam- 11el, in 1779; Gardener, in 1781 ; and Herman, in 1784.

Gardener Childs was born June 12, 1781, and on September 1, 1802, married Fannie Doane, who was born March 31, 1782, and died in May, 1824. His second marriage, on November 27, 1824, was to Esther Tyler, of East Haddam, Conn. His death occurred No- vember 3, 1831. All his life was spent in East Haddam, where he was a farmer and ship- builder. To him were born: Jonathan, born in 1803; Fannie M., born in 1805, who mar- ried Erastus Bidwell, of South Glastonbury; George, deceased; George Gardener, born in 1809: Phoebe, born in 1811, who married Oliver Smith, of Haddam, Conn .; Samuel B., born June 18, 1814; Eveline, born in 1817: and Ralph, born in ISI9. By the second mar- riage there was one daughter, Sarah Eleanor, who married a Mr. Warner, of Chicago.

Samuel B. Childs, born in Middle Haddam, was twice married, his first wife being AAde- line B. Bevin, whom he wedded October 7, 1839; her death occurred April 2, 1876. Ilis second marriage in January, 1877, was to Alice S. Bevin, born August 8, 1817, in East Hampton. During life he had engaged ex- tensively in farming, was a stanch Republican in his political opinions and a devoted and con- sistent member of the Congregational Church. His second wife survived him. His children, all of the first union, and all now deceased, were: Edward G., who died May 15. 1901, at Goshen, N. Y. : Belinda Veazey ; Isanie Bevin ; and Hiram Veazey.

Hiram Veazey Childs was born December 18, 1857, in the town of Chatham, where he 55

received his early education. He attended the high school at Middletown, later entering Yale Business College, from which he graduated in 1878. His first business position was that of bookkeeper in East Hampton, and later he em- barked in the mercantile business, which he was obliged to give up for a time on account of ill health. After 1897 he was not actively en- gaged. Mr. Childs was an ardent Republican.

taking a great interest in the advancement of his party, and he was also prominently identi- fied with much of the progress that East Hampton has made in the past few years, al- though continued invalidism prevented his tak- ing the active part that he would have enjoyed. He died February 28, 1901.

Mr. Childs was married November 14, 1881, to Sophia B. Cone, daughter of David Porter and Mary Ann ( Fox) Cone, the former. born in 1818, for many years a well-known farmer of Chatham; he died in 1894, and his widow died January 10, 1902, at her residence on the old homestead : she was born August 6, 1833. The parents of Mrs. Cone were Erastus and Matty ( Button) Fox. The Cone family comes of old Colonial stock, and many of them served in the Revolutionary war. distinguish- ing themselves as patriots in the cause of free- dom. To Mr. and Mrs. Childs have been born : Edward C., October 17, 1882 ( who is prepar- ing for college ) ; and Mary A .. March 28, 1885. Mr. Childs was highly esteemed in Chatham. where his family have had residence so long. and he possessed the kind regard of many friends.

EARLE COOPER BUTLER, assistant cashier and teller of the First National Bank of Middletown, is prominent among the young men in the commercial circles of that city.

Mr. Butler was born November 21, 1862. in Philadelphia, second son of Seth H. Butler, one of the best known citizens of Middletown. who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Earle C. Butler came to Middletown in 1804. and there received his early education, later spending a year at Wilbraham ( Mass.) Acad emv. He had intended taking a course at Worcester School of Technology, but instead accepted a position with Stiles & Parker, as assistant bookkeeper. Soon afterward Mr But ler was selected for a clerkship in the First Na- tional Bank, with which he has ever since been connected He became bookkeeper and in

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time received promotion to his present position, that of teller and assistant cashier. Mr. But- ler is also one of the directors of the bank. He has advanced steadily from the very open- ing of his business career, by merit alone.

Mr. Butler and Miss Bertha J. Scranton were married October 21, 1885. She is a daughter of the late S. S. Scranton, a publisher of Hartford, and a man of excellent character and standing, and is a descendant of the fa- mous Field family, of Stockbridge, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have one child, Earle Dudley, born October 9, 1889.

While not a politician Mr. Butler takes a lively interest in political matters. He cast his first vote for Blaine, and has ever since re- mained a Republican. He has served on the city council. Mr. Butler and his wife are members of the South Congregational Church, where he serves as treasurer. He is a direc- tor and trustee of the Middletown Y. M. C. A. Mr. Butler takes much interest in outdoor sports and athletics. In 1896 he won the tour- nament of the National Association of Roquet Players, held at Norwich, Conn., and was pro- nounced champion of the United States. Since then his interest has turned to golfing, and he is an enthusiastic member of the Arawana Golf Club, being one of the board of governors.

EZRA N. CHAPMAN, a successful and highly respected farmer residing in the east- ern part of Westbrook, Middlesex county, is a scion of one of the oldest families of Con- necticut. The Chapman family of Old Say- brook are among the oldest' settlers of the locality. The name Chapman occurs among the earliest of English surnames, and the fam- ily, in many of its branches, was somewhat distinguished at an early period.

Robert Chapman, the settler in America, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to Boston in 1635, from Hull, in company with Lion Gardiner, being one of the company of twenty men who were sent over the seas by Sir Richard Saltonstall, to take possession of a large tract of land and make settlements near the mouth of the Connecticut river, under the patent of Lord Say and Seal. That he was a man of influence in the town of Saybrook is evident from the fact that for many years he held the office of town clerk, and was clerk of the Oyster River Quarter, and he filled many important stations. For many years he was

commissioner for Saybrook, and he was elected deputy to the General Court at Hartford for- ty-three times, and was assistant nine times, his terms of service covering many years. Rob- ert Chapman settled on a tract of land in Oys- ter River, about two miles west of the Con- necticut river, in Saybrook, and owned a large estate in Saybrook and East Haddam. This ancestor married Ann Bliss or Blith, and died in 1687. His children numbered seven, Rob- ert, his second son, being the direct progenitor of Ezra N.

Robert Chapman (2) was born in Say- brook, and was extensively engaged in agri- culture, owning at the time of his death not less than two thousand acres of land in Say- brook, East Haddam and Hebron. For many years he was clerk of the Oyster River Quar- ter, and he was commissioner and surveyor for the town of Saybrook. For eighteen succes- sive sessions, from 1692 to 1711, he was a member of the Legislature, and became as prominent in the Congregational Church as in civil affairs. His last resting place is among other ancestors of prominent families, in the rear of Centre Church, in Hartford. His first marriage was to Sarah Griswold, of Norwich, his second to Mary Sheater, of Killingworth, and the children of these unions were: Sam- uel, Robert, Sarah, Francis, Dorcas, Stephen, Sarah, two that died in infancy, Benjamin, Mehetable, Stephen and Abigail.

Capt. Samuel Chapman, the next in direct line, married Margaret Griswold, of Norwich, and their children were: Sarah, Margaret, Samuel, Martha, Temperance, Jedediah, Me- hetable, Caleb, Lucy and Aaron. Capt. Chap- man became a prominent man in both the mil- itary and civil life of Saybrook, residing in the part now known as Westbrook, and with his wife was among the fourteen who founded the Congregational Church there.

Caleb Chapman, of the above family, mar- ried Deborah Jones, and they reared eight children: Caleb C., Deborah, Abigail, Sarah, Louisa, Samuel, Juliana and Mehetable.

Caleb C. Chapman, the great-grandfather of Ezra N., married (first) Phebe Post, and later Elizabeth Bushnell, and his children were: Chloe, Elizabeth, Richard, Charles, Henry, Timothy and Edward, the last named being the grandfather of our subject. Caleb C. Chapman became a prominent man in West- brook; was chosen deacon in the Congrega-

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tional Church in 1780, and served until his death, a period of seventeen years.

Edward Chapman, born at Westbrook, January 21, 1782, in 1812 married Lydia, daughter of James Kelsey, of Westbrook, and by her had six children: Edward; Harriet, born in 1814, who married Orville Chapman, and removed to Oneida, Sullivan Co., N. Y .; Ezra, born in 1817, who married Sarah Jones ; James A., born in 1819, who married Harriet Kelsey; Nathan ; and Lydia. The father was a farmer by occupation, and lived in the east- ern part of Westbrook. In 1829 he was made a deacon in the Congregational Church, in which capacity he served until his death, which occurred in 1837, when he was aged fifty-five.

Edward Chapman, the father of Ezra N., was born June 15, 1813, in the eastern part of Westbrook. From infancy he suffered from a weakness of the optic nerve, which at times rendered it almost impossible for him to fol- low his farming industries. This affliction terminated in blindness before his decease, on June II, 1882; he is buried in the new ceme- tery in Westbrook. The mother of our sub- ject was Sally G. Jones, a daughter of Warren and Olive ( Tucker) Jones, of Westbrook. Her death took place in 1894. The children of this union were: One that died in infancy ; Emily Louisa ; Warren, a farmer on the homestead ; and Ezra N.

Ezra N. Chapman was born October 9, 1855, on the homestead in Westbrook. When a young man he engaged in what was then a very lucrative occupation, shad fishing, which he followed for several years, but later he turned his entire attention to farming activities on the home place, remaining there until 1892. when he purchased his present farm. Since hat time he has been engaged in general farm- ing, prospering greatly, his cultivated land consisting of some thirty acres.

Mr. Chapman was married May 4, 1892. to Cora N. Stevens, who was born November 2, 1868, in Westbrook, daughter of Edwin C. and Jernsha ( Smith ) Stevens, and the fol- owing named children have blessed this union : Vena N .. deceased : twin boys; Olive J., born October 26, 1897: and Minnie Contentment, orn September 13, 1901.

Mrs. Chapman's ancestry is also interest- ng. She is a great-granddaughter of Samuel Stevens, at whose house in Westbrook the first M. E. Church was organized, by the celebrated

Lorenzo Dow. Her grandfather, Aaron Ste- vens, was born in Killingworth. now Clinton : was a ship carpenter and joiner. em- ployed in Lyme, Conn., and was also a work- man on the first M. E. Church edifice erected in Westbrook. His wife was Contentment Norton, and a family of eleven children was born to them, the father of Mrs. Chapman be- ing the youngest. Edwin C. Stevens was born June 26, 1829, in Westbrook, and early in life was engaged in the coasting trade, which he followed for many years, serving from the post of boy before the mast to captain. in the lat- ter capacity for many years. In 1865 he quit the water, and for the remainder of his life followed carpentering and farming. dying April 1I, 1894. in the house in which he was born. Mr. Stevens was a Democrat in politics. and served one term as a member of the board of selectmen. He was one of the most zealous workers in the Methodist Church, in which he had served as clerk and trustec. Mr. Stevens was married February 18. 1855. to Jerusha Smith, born April 22, 1830, a daughter of Charles and Malinda ( Spencer) Smith. She passed away in 1878. leaving children: Fan- ny Elizabeth married Hosmer Tryon, of Clin- ton, a boatbuilder, and they have children- Estella, Alice E., Elsada, William, Edwin and Eugenia: Clarence E., a builder in Clinton, married Minnie Lee: Henry A. is deceased; Mary Ann Contentment, born in 1865. mar- ried Wilbur Chamberlain, of New Haven ; Cora N. is the wife of Ezra N. Chapman.

Mr. Chapman is a Prohibitionist in politi- cal sentiment, although he is not in sympathis with the radical views of some reformers, be- ing a quiet, self-respecting man, an honest citi- zen, and one who has all his life done his inll private and public duty. He was reared in the faith of the Congregational Church, and Mrs. Chapman comes from a long line of con- scientions followers of John Wesley : both are regular attendants at divine service, and both possess the esteem and respect of the whole community.

HENRY CARTER HULL, a prominent citizen of Clinton, Middlesex county, has the honor of as distinguished an ancestry as any within the borders of the town.

George Hull, Ins first American ancestor. came from England to the new world and set- tled in Dorchester, Mass., ip 1620; was made

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a freeman in 1632; was a member of the first board of selectmen of Dorchester; and was a representative to the first General Court held in the Colony, May 14, 1634; moved to Wind- sor, Conn .; was representative to the General Court of Connecticut, 1637-1646; assistant governor, 1639 ; moved to Fairfield, Conn., and was a representative from that town. He died in 1659. His first wife, the mother of all his children, was Elizabeth Russell.

Josiah Hull, son of George, was also a dis- tinguished man ; was deputy to the General Court from Windsor in 1659, 1660 and 1662; removed to Killingworth in 1663, and died in 1675. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Loomis, of Windsor.

Oliver Hull, the great-grandfather of Hen- ry C., was born in 1747, in Killingworth, now Clinton, and resided on the southwest corner of what is now Main and Commerce streets. While quite young he began a career on the water, engaging in the coasting trade, and in time became captain of a vessel that ran to Southern ports. While on a privateering ex- pedition, he was taken prisoner by the French, and was confined many months on a prison ship; his vessel was scuttled and sunk, and he was subjected to many cruelties and indignities before his release. He returned to his home broken in health, his death occurring January 31, 1831. His wife, Martha ( Buell), survived him two years. Their children were: Oli- ver: Hiel, who married Une Lay, of West- brook; Lucy, who married John Waterhouse; Levi : and Polly, who married Samuel Dibbell. All became connected by marriage with the prominent and well-known families of Clinton and Essex.

Oliver Hull, the grandfather of Henry C., was born in Clinton May 9, 1775, became a ship carpenter, and later went on the water in the coasting trade along Long Island Sound. He died in Clinton April 30, 1842, leaving his wife, Clarissa ( Brown ) Hull, and a family of six children : Oliver B., the father of our sub- ject, was born January 7, 1807; Austin, born in 1809, married Lucy A. Leete, and died in 1899 in Fair Haven; Henry, born in 1812, married Mary T. Howard, and was a merchant in Madison, N. Y., where he died ; Clarissa A., born in 1814, married Huntington Wilcox, and resides in Clinton ; Mary E., born in 1817, married Nathan Kelsey, and died in Clinton ; Martha A., born in 1826, married Edward

Goodrich, of Glastonbury, who is now de- ceased, and resides in Clinton.

Oliver B. Hull was born in Clinton, where he learned the trade of joiner, and for many years he was engaged at work on the fine fin- ishing of the interior of vessels. During the Civil war he was employed in the navy yard at Brooklyn, in this work, and later followed the joiner's trade in Clinton, subsequently, in 1865, purchasing the business of A. L. Hull & Co., at Clinton. Until his death, on March 12, 1888, he continued in the business, and took an active part, also, in public affairs. A Republican in politics, he served as judge of probate and as assessor for many years, effi- ciently filling these positions with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the commu- nity.

The mother of our subject was Phebe M. (Carter) Hull, born November 21, 1810, in Clinton, daughter of George and Jerusha Car- ter. Her death occurred May 26, 1894. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hull: Charles E .; Jennette Elizabeth ; George O., born in 1847, who for twenty-five years was a valued employe of the Aetna Life Insur- ance Company, of Hartford, and died Septem- ber 27, 1901 ; Henry Carter, our subject ; and Nelson G., born in 1852, who was manager of a shoe store in Montgomery, Ala., for the Joyce Shoe Company, dying there January 29, 1880.

Henry Carter Hull was born in Clinton December 12, 1849, and was educated in the district schools and Clinton Academy. On leav- ing school he was employed by his father as an assistant, and at his father's death became the sole prorietor of the business, which he has since successfully conducted. Lumber is the principal commodity in which Mr. Hull deals, but he also has large sales in builders' hard- ware, glass, paints, oils, sash, doors, etc., his aim being to keep trade and customers well supplied at reasonable rates. Mr. Hull has taken an active part in politics, and in 1895 was elected by the Republicans to the General Assembly, where he efficiently served on the committee on Insurance. Previously he had served the town as clerk, treasurer and judge of probate and in 1897 was called upon to serve again in the Assembly on the committee on Insurance. Since the organization of Kenil- worth Council No. 57, O. U. A. M., he has been its treasurer; and he is a member of In- dian River Lodge, No. 211, N. E. O. P., of

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which he has been secretary since its organiza- tion. He is one of the directors of the Clin- ton National Bank, and represents as agent the Hanover Insurance Company, of New York; the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company, of Philadelphia ; and the Royal Insurance Com- pany, of London.

On March 7, 1876, Mr. Hull was married to Arabelle A. Meigs, daughter of James R. Meigs, of the town of Madison, and one child blessed this union, James Henry, born Janu- ary 31, 1877, who died the following March. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hull are consistent mem- bers of the Congregational Church, of which he is treasurer. Their fine, modern home was erected in 1900.

EDWIN AYER, who for several years prior to his death lived retired in Saybrook, led an active career in his time as a fisherman, lumberman and farmer, and was at one time president of the Saybrook Bank of Essex.

In 1637 the Ayer family was introduced into this country by the arrival of John Ayer, who came from England in the ship "Mary Ann." He was of Scottish descent. He had a family of eight children, of whom John Ayer (2) was twice married, first to Sarah Will- iams and second to Sarah Woodin.

John Ayer (3), son of John (2), was born at Hannibal in 1688, and came with his father to Stonington in 1694. He married Sarah Courdaughton, of Lyme, and settled in Say- brook, at a place which has since been called Ayer's Point. He died February 21, 1760, his wife on December 5. 1760.

Travis Ayer, son of John (3), was born March 16, 1723, and was married in 1748 to Nahamah Marston, a native of Lyme. They had eight children. When twenty-two years of age Travis Ayer took part in an expedition led by Sir William Rupert against Louisburg.

John Ayer, son of Travis, and the grandfa- ther of Edwin Ayer, was born September 24. 1763. at Saybrook, and was married April 5. 1786, to Jennie Young, daughter of Judge Thomas Young, of Sonthokl, 1. 1. He set tled on the old homestead, where he built a handsome house, and reared a large family. He was a shad fisher and farmer, shad fishing being a profitable enterprise in those days. Mr. Ayer followed this business as a proprietor, do ing little or none of the manual labor, and at tending only to the selling of the fish. His son

and grandson also engaged in that line. John Ayer was looked upon as a man of sound judg- ment, and he was prominently associated with the town affairs, holding many of the leading offices. He died May 28, 1840, and his widow died August 9, 1843. To their union came eight children: Hannah, born in 1787: Lou- isa, 1789; William Travis, December 11. 1791 (the father of Edwin) ; Thomas Young. 1795 : John, 1797; Deborah M., 1799; Mary Ann. 1801; Amelia, 1807. In politics Mr. Aver was a Federalist, and represented his town in the Legislature in 1819 and 1820. In religion he belonged to the Congregational Church.

William Travis Aver was married Decem- ber 25, 1823. to Louisa, daughter of Ezra and Elizabeth ( Whittlesey) Clark. and grand- daughter of Samuel Clark. She was born April 26. 1796, and died December 23. 1872. Mr. Ayer died August 28, 1878. He was a shad fisher in the spring, and a farmer the rest of the year, and was considered an extensive agriculturist in his day. To William T. Aver and his wife came eleven children : (D) Ed- win was born October 15, 1824. (2) Maria Louisa married C. M. Whittlesey, of West Newton, Mass. (3) William Travis, born July 5. 1827, died at the age of eight years. (4) Ezra Clark, born in 1829. was a resident of Farmington, Conn. He has been twice mar- ried. (5) Mary Jane, born in 1830, married John F. Bushnell, of Saybrook. (6) Charles. born in 1832, died in Iowa in 1858. (-) Lydia, born in 1833. married Samuel Inghamn. a farmer of Saybrook. (S) Amelia An, born in 1835, was twice married, first to Frank Har- ver, and then to Charles Kelsey, of Center- brook. Com. (9) Isabel, born in 1836, died when seventeen years old. ( 10) Andrew, born in 1837, was a soldier in the Civil war. in which he was wounded, and is now in the Sol- diers' Home. (11) Harriet Angeline, born in 18.11. died in 1861. William T. Aver, the fa- ther of this family, was a life-time resident of the town, living on Hyde's Point, where he erected his beautiful home, on the river bank, a short distance from the old homestead The land around Hade's Point has been in the pos session of the Avers for many generations In politics Mr. Aver was a Whig an la Republi- can. He refused public station, though he was persuaded to serve one term as collecter of taxes.

Edwin Aver was born in the Tinh man-

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sion on Hyde's Point. He attended the dis- trict school to the age of fourteen, and was then a pupil at the Saybrook Academy for two terms under William R. Clark, and attended Essex Academy under Harvey Sanford and Rev. Mr. Vale, who afterward became the Episcopal bishop of Wisconsin. When eighteen years old he engaged in fishing in the South, on the James and York rivers, in Virginia, for one season. He taught school one terni at Saybrook Point, and one term in the Oyster River District. In 1846 he traveled for Capt. Bill, a publisher of Hartford, as a book agent, through Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsyl- vania. When the California gold fever became epidemic a company of sixty men was formed at Hartford, under the name of the New Ha- ven & California Joint-Stock Company. The bark "Anna Reynolds" was purchased, and after an eventful voyage of 255 days dropped anchor in San Francisco bay. The Captain, though a competent man, was given to drink, and some fifty or sixty days were wasted in port on this account. During this enforced stay the company learned much of South America. The ship was abandoned and all made their way to the gold fields. This ves- sel still lies sunk at the mouth of the American river, near Sacramento.

Edwin Ayer remained in the new El Do- rado about two years, and as a placer miner was quite successful ; among the adventurers he was known as a "responsible man." On the first Sunday in June, 1850, he panned out a few flakes of gold, and sent them in a letter to the young lady who afterward became his wife. He has nuggets which he picked up while there. He returned on the first trip of the Vanderbilt line, by way of Central America, came to his old home, and on October 20, 1852, was mar- ried to Abbie, daughter of Thomas Young, of Farmington. She died August 28, 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. Ayer then mar- ried her sister, Carrie Young, who was born January 29, 1828, and died January 24, 1897. To the first union were born: (1) John E., born December 26, 1855, is a resident of Seat- tle, Wash., where he is engaged in civil en- gineering, and is a wide-awake, enterprising writer for the Post-Intelligencer. (2) Cora Belle, born November 14, 1857, was married October 1, 1900, to Samuel L. Spencer, of Clinton, Conn. (3) Louisa Clark died at the age of two years. (4) Charles Henry, born

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Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 158

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