Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 31

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 31

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EDWARD W. PRATT, who was born July 31, 1828, in Essex. By trade a blacksmith, with his brother Edwin he conducted the shop in Essex which has been under the management of his family continuously since 1678, and he followed that trade all his life, dying May 9, 1889. In politics Mr. Pratt was a Republican,

and he became prominent in public affairs in Essex, holding many minor offices, and serving. in the Legislature in 1873-74. He was a di- rector in the Essex Savings Bank. In religious faith he was a member of the Congregational Church, and he was well and favorably known. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had seven children: Cor- nelius R., who married Letta Swayne, lives in Des Moines, Iowa. Sydney K., who married Ella Noble, died in Harlan, Iowa. Julia E., a graduate of high school, who also studied at Drexel Institute, at Philadelphia, is a teacher in Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va. Edward W., a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental Col- lege, was State Dental Commissioner, appoint- ed by Gov. McLean, in 1902, and represented, East Hartford in the State Legislature in 1898; he married Charlotte Holmes, and has one child, Everett D. Abbie, John and Mary complete the family.

EDWIN M. BRADLEY, whose memory is still green in the hearts of his fellow citi- zens in Clinton, Middlesex county, was the representative of an old and honorable name, and held a high place in the esteem and con- fidence of all who knew him.

According to tradition, the first Bradleys of the United States descended from a family in the market town of Bingley, on the river Aire, twelve miles northeast of Leeds, Eng-, land, formerly a part of Shirrae, Wapantuck and Bradley, and it is probable that the early ancestors were from the latter place, and took their name from it. Brad, in the Anglo-Saxon, meant broad or wide, and ley or lea, a field or pasture. The coat of arms of the branch which came to America is described as follows: "En- tire field argent, chevron sable;" Crest: An open helmet. Motto: "Pascum latum et nul- lum gratiae," "a broad field and no favors." In 1644 Widow Elizabeth Bradley came to America with the following children, all born in England: William (son of her husband's former marriage), Joshua, Daniel, Ellen (who married John Allen), Nathan and Stephen. They lived in New Haven until the two last named reached maturity, when they settled in East Guilford, in 1657 or 1658. The mother was married again, November 8, 1653, to John Parmesley, and on May 27, 1663, she married John Everts. Of the children we have the following record: William lived in New Haven, where he took the oath of fidelity in

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1644. Daniel died in New Haven in 1658. Nathan, born in 1638, died November IO, 1713. Stephen, born in 1642, died June 26, 1702 ; he was the direct ancestor of Edwin M. Bradley. He was twice married, first time November 9, 1663, to Hannah Smith, and in 1683 to Mary Leete, daughter of William Leete. His son Stephen, born in 1696, had a son, Timothy, born in 1735, who was the grandfather of Edwin M.

Timothy Bradley was a lifelong resident of Madison, where he engaged in fishing. He married Ellen Shipman, of Saybrook, who died in January, 1826, and had children: Sarah. born May 12, 1766 (married Noah Scranton ) ; Anson, June 27, 1768; Benoni, October 22, 1770; Clotilda, October 12, 1772 (married Eli Parmelee, of Madison, and moved to Otis, Mass.) ; Fanny, 1775 (married Josiah Sey- mour, of Utica, N. Y.) ; Timothy, 1777; John 1779 (died young) ; John, December 6, 1781 (the father of our subject) ; Jemima, 1783 (married Samuel Smith, of Killingworth, and moved to Marietta, Ohio) ; Samuel (died in the English service) ; Esther (died aged thir- ty years) ; and Stephen Clayton. The father of this family died September 8, 1806.

John Bradley was twice married. In 1804 he wedded Betsey Smith, daughter of Timo- thy Smith, of Clinton, who was born in 1782, and died April 5, 1824. His second marriage was to Melinda Buell, of Clinton, who was born in 1786, and died April 22, 1855. Chil- dren as follows were born of these unions : Frederick, born January 19, 1806, died Octo- ber 12, 1875 ; he married Lucy Holmes, and had nine children, Susan E., Eveline C., Henry, William D., Mary J., Maria J., Adelaide L., Harriet and Artemissa D. Eliza Ann, born July 18, 1808, died May 5, 1890; she married James H. Hall, of Guilford, and had five chil- dren, James H., Charles E., Augustus S., Aaron D. and Frederick W. John S., born August 15, 1811, became a resident of Buf- falo, N. Y .; he married Julia M. Overall, and had a son, John. Esther, born June 6, 1813, died November 7, 1873: on December 9, 1832. she married Chauncey Dowd, of Madison, and they had four children, Charles E., Susan A., Edwin B., and Elizabeth S. Jane P., born February 12, 1816, was married January 16, 1842, to William A. Vail, of Clinton, who died December 4, 1874 : they had three children, Susan R., Amelia J. (deceased) and William

A. (deceased). Edwin M. is mentioned be- low. Susan A., born September 6,1820, died January 12, 1826. Rebecca, born October I, 1822, was married December 21, 1842, to P. Carlton Parmelee, of Guilford, and had a daughter, Mary P. James S., born July 25, 1825, married Ellen Miller, of Newark, N. J., and died December 31, 1889. Mary M., born April II, 1827, married Edwin A. Dibbell, of Clinton, and had two children, Eldred A. and William E. Samuel C., born January 17, 1829, married Jennie Prout, of Meriden, Conn., and had four children, Frank C., Charles S., Jennie E. and Hattie A.

John Bradley, the father of this family, was born in Madison, and when a young man came to Clinton, where he married and learned the blockmaking trade, following that indus- try principally in Clinton. For a period of three years, prior to 1820, he resided in Kill- ingworth, where he built and operated a small blockmaking factory. Returning to Clinton, he passed the remainder of his life there. He owned a tract of land lying on both sides of Commerce street where he followed farming and was considered a prosperous man. Prior to the Civil war he had been a Democrat, but the isstie then brought up caused him to change his views, and until the end of his days he was a stanch Republican. His death occurred in 1864. Several of the local offices were efficient- ly filled by him, and he was school committee- man for a time. He attended the Congrega- tional Church.

Edwin M. Bradley was born March 22, 1818, in that part of old Killingworth now called Clinton. His educational advantage: were good. He attended the common schools all the year round up to the age of eight, after which his attendance was limited to the winter season, the usual condition of affairs where there was land to cultivate, the boys of the family beginning early to work on the farms during the summers. His last literary training was received in the Academy on the "Green.' which he left at the age of thirteen. When he had reached his eighteenth year Mr. Bradley left home and went to New York, where he secured a berth on a packet boat to Mobile, Ala .. and while the boat was reloading he engaged in painting at Mobile, making such good use of his time that he was $70 richer upon his return. Entering the spring shop in Clinton, Mr. Bradley worked there two or three years,

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and was also employed on the home farm, his natural energy never allowing him to be idle an hour. In 1862 he returned to the water and became a wheelman on the "Granite State," then plying between Hartford and New York, continuing thus until 1875. During the next twelve summers he was in New York City, fill- ing orders for Hartford and Connecticut river people, a successful venture, his industry and honesty bringing him prosperity. What he ac- complished was due largely to his own efforts, and his strict attention to business and his foresight caused him to be regarded as one of the most thoroughly reliable business men of his time. For fifteen years he was one of the directors of the Clinton National Bank.

Capt. Bradley was first married, November 22, 1849, to Jenette Mckean, of Otis, Mass., who was born February 24, 1825, and died April 6, 1890. She had children as follows: Henrietta D., born March 13, 1853, died May 4, 1871. Carrie Mckean, born June 9, 1858, was married October 14, 1880, to Prof. Will- iam S. Miller, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin; she died December 8, 1901. William Edwin, born April 29, 1862, is employed by the Pratt & Whitney Company, Hartford, Conn. Henry Lincoln, born March 25, 1865, died August 31st, same year. Mr. Bradley's second marriage, on June 28, 1892; was to Sarah Taft, a native of Annsville, near Rome, N. Y., daughter of Vincent and Mary. Ann (Randolph) Taft, and granddaughter of Dan Taft.

After the death of his eldest daughter, a beautiful and gifted woman, who was the pride of his heart, Mr. Bradley gave up active life, spending much time in travel, and for a num- ber of years prior to his decease, which oc- curred February 4, 1901, he lived quite re- tired. Originally Capt. Bradley was a Whig, and since the birth of the Republican party has been one of its stanchest adherents. He was a regular attendant and supporter of the Con- gregational Church, of which he was long a valued member.

SAMUEL TALCOTT CAMP, of Mid- dietown, Middlesex county, was born at Mid- dletown July 1, 1831, and in the seventy-one years and over which have already been given him he has risen to a prominent place in the financial and business circles of that place. He is president of the Farmers and Mechanics Sav- ings Bank, and vice-president of the Middle-

sex County National Bank, and is probably as well known throughout the county as any busi- ness or commercial character in Middletown. From a boy in his 'teens he has been identified with the business interests of the city, except during a brief period of his young manhood.

Mr. Camp is a descendant of an old and honorable New England family, and his pro- genitors have been people of more than ordi- nary character and standing in Middletown from the first. His remote ancestor, Nicholas Camp, came from England with his wife in 1632. Rejoice Camp, grandfather of Samuel Talcott, lived in Durham, and served in the Revolutionary war; his father bore the name of John Camp.

Ichabod Camp, father of Samuel Talcott, was born at Durham, Middlesex Co., Conn., and was the eldest son of his parents. His father owned a large farm, and young Ichabod remained at home and helped in its cultivation, with an understanding regarding the inheri- tance of the property, from which, however, he never realized, as a result of a sacrifice he made in behalf of the family. Later in life he became a merchant. He died at the age of eighty-five and is buried in Indian Hill ceme- tery, as was also his wife. She was Sarah Johnson, of Durham, the daughter of a well- known cattle buyer and stock dealer who was accustomed to buy cattle and bring them to Connecticut for sale en route and after reach- ing home. On one occasion he left his home on such a journey with a large amount of money on his person, and no trace was ever found of him after he passed from sight. Mr. Johnson married a Miss Camp, of Durham, who belonged to the Ozias Camp family, of that city, and was a daughter of Capt. Samuel and Phoebe Camp. Capt. Camp became a colonel in the Revolutionary army, and served under Gen. Washington on Long Island. Chil- dren were born to Ichabod and Sarah (Tohn- son) Camp as follows: Harriet L. never mar- ried and is now' deceased. Sarah married D. F. Southwick. Mary married Noah Rich Up- son, and on his death became the wife of Harry Clark ; she is now a widow, and lives in Meriden. Elizabeth married John Smith. Samuel Talcott is the youngest child. Icha- bod Camp was a Whig in his earlier life, and became a Republican on the organization of the party.

Samuel Talcott Camp has practically spent his entire life in Middletown. Here he at-

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tended school, and is proud to recall Mr. Lath- rop and D. H. Chase as among the instructors of his youth. He attended the first session of the high school in Middletown held in the basement of the Russell Library building. The south room was for boys, and Alfred Saxe was principal. The girls had a separate room, but later they were taken into one school, and Orange Judd was teacher. When his school days were over Mr. Camp entered the store of Hayden & Loveland, at a salary of wo dollars a week. This was a grocery store, out no liquors were kept. He was a courteous und attentive clerk, made rapid progress, and remained in that store until 1852, when he tarted for California, in a company that went ut from Middletown and vicinity. They ailed from New York January 10, 1852, on he steamer "Ohio," bound for the mouth of he river Chagres. From that point much of he journey to the Pacific had to be made on oot, and the party became lost, traveling forty niles out of their way. They took passage p the Pacific on the brig "Margaret." There vere several vessels about to sail for San rancisco, but this was taken on the advice f the American consul, and his counsel proved ood, for the "Margaret" was the only one to each her destination. She was one hundred nd ten days on the way. The food supply ran w, and for forty-two days those on board 'ere fed with three tablespoonfuls of boiled ce three times a day. The water ran low, id great discomfort was experienced from first. Mr. Camp remained in California till le spring of 1856, part of this time in the holesale grocery house of W. G. Grissam & o., in Sacramento. He was present at the cond big fire in that city, and it was he ho gave the alarm at this fire. Outside of s connection with the grocery house, Mr. imp was engaged in mining. In the spring 1856 he returned to the East, leaving San ancisco on the steamer "Pacific," crossed the thmus from Virgin Bay to Nicaragua, and om there journeyed down the river San Juan the Atlantic coast, thence to New York. tring the next two years he traveled ex- isively over the United States, and in 1858 ibarked in the grocery business at home. had a partner, B. F. Chaffee, and they dened business at the same stand where r. Camp may still be found. Mr. Camp suc- ded John M. Douglass as president of the

Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, of Mid- dletown, and he has been a director of the Mid- dlesex County National Bank for a number of years. In 1862 he was a member of the city council, and was on the committee in charge of the burial of Gen. Mansfield, who fell at An- tietam. He is treasurer of the city school board, and his services in this connection have been most unselfish. When the high school build- ing was erected Mr. Camp sold the bonds voted for that purpose, and his services were absolutely gratuitous. He is a prominent worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has acted as steward and trustee, and has always been very influential in its business affairs. He has also been a trustee of Wesleyan University for many years, and is a member of the local and general executive committees. Mr. Camp is a man of strong re- ligious and temperance convictions, and has never sold liquor in his store, although there was a time when its sale was regarded as in- dispensable in every mercantile establishment. Once there came to his store a local clergy- man with a jug, which he called to be filled with rum. "We do not sell rum," replied Mr. Camp. "All right, then," said the preacher, "you may fill this order for groceries." Mr. Camp is a strong Republican on all National questions, but in local matters is strictly non- partisan. He has ever been an honorable and upright business man and his career in Mid- dletown will hear the closest scrutiny. No merchant in that town stands higher in the general esteem, or holds the confidence of the people to a greater extent.

Mr. Camp and Miss Martha E. Smith were married November 12, 1862. She is a daugh- ter of William and Lucy ( Rawlins) Smith, of Portland, Maine, and a lady of many charm- ing traits.

JOSEPH BADGER SEARS, late a mer- chant and prominent business man in other lines of trade in Middletown. Middlesex coun- ty, was born August 16, 1823. in the South Farms District of the town of Middletown, and was a son of Elisha and Esther ( Hendley) Sears, a full review of whose life will be found in the biographical record of Capt. Daniel W. Sears.

Joseph B. Sears received his preliminary education in the district schools of South Farms, and later attended a higher school at

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Middletown. While still a young man he went to sea, and passed several years before the mast, making several trips to the East Indies in the regular trade, and being also for a time employed in the American coasting trade by his uncles, the Messrs. Hendley, vessel owners and traders at Galveston, Texas. After leav- ing the water, while still in his minority, he assisted in his father's grocery at South Farms. He and his father later formed a partnership and carried on the same line of business, un- der the firm name of Elisha Sears & Son, for a number of years. Our subject next engaged in contract work in painting and paperhanging, and in this line employed many men for a long time. Later he formed a partnership with his son-in-law, George G. Thayer, and conducted a grocery, under the style G. G. Thayer & Co., at No. 140 Main street, Middletown-the pres- ent site of D. I. Chapman's store. Several years later Mr. Sears disposed of his interest in the grocery and retired for the rest of his days to his pleasant home on Farm Hill, at- tending only to his private interests. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and although no office seeker he was ardently interested in his party's affairs .. He was an attendant of and a liberal contributor to the South Congregational Church of Middletown, and passed away in that faith August 7, 1892, after a decline of health of several years duration; his mortal re- mains were interred in Pine Grove cemetery.

Joseph B. Sears was married September 15, 1851; to Miss Adeline C. Blatchley, who was born in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Conn., October 13, 1830, daughter of Leander and Huldah (Wilcox) Blatchley, the former of whom was a contractor and joiner. Three children graced this union, viz .: (1) Edwin S., born November 13, 1853, is a mechanic and builder, now living on the old homestead at Farm Hill, Middletown ; he married Kate Hull, who has borne him two children, Alice (who died young) and Florence M. (2) Alice M., born April 23, 1856, is the wife of George G. Thayer, formerly her father's partner, and now in the grocery business on Main street, Mid- dletown; they have a family of six children, Joseph S., Ethel M., Harry S., George G., Robert E. and Alice A. (3) Carrie T., the youngest child, was married to Robert Moore, and died in 1888, leaving one son, Harry S., who lives in Hartford with his father.

Mrs. Sears passed the summer months at

her neat and handsome home on Farm H and during the winter months she resided the city. She was one of the most amia women of Middletown, loved by all who kn her, and her death, which occurred July 190I, was regarded as a distinct loss by ł many friends.

SAMUEL A. CHALKER, a progress: agriculturist in the town of Old Saybrook, a worthy descendant of Alexander Chalker, 1 first settler of the name in this part of 1 State. About 1648-50 he received a grant land in what is now the western part of t town of Old Saybrook, and settled upon This home stood but a short distance from t. present home of Samuel A. Chalker, who ow the eastern part of the original grant. ( September 29, 1649, Alexander Chalker ma ried Patience Post, and they became the pa ents of eight children : Stephen, born Septer ber 8, 1650, died young; Samuel, born Ap 27, 1651; Mary, born April 27, 1653; Abı ham, born October 19, 1655, married (firs January 16, 1679, Hannah Sanford who di in 1683, and (second) September 13, 168 Sarah Ingham, who died September II, 168 Patience, born September 8, 1657; Sarah, bo October 17, 1659; Jane, born March 27, 166 married Daniel Kelsey, of Killingworth; a: Alexander, born February 24, 1666. Ale ander Chalker, the father of these childre was killed in a fight with the Narragansett I dians in 1675.

(II) Samuel Chalker, second child of Ale ander and Patience, was born April 27, 165 He married Phebe Bull, a daughter of Robe Bull. The children of this union wer Stephen, born September II, 1677; Samu born October 6, 1679; Phebe, born March 2 1682, died July 14, 1683 ; and Phebe (2), bo: May 19, 1685.

(III) Samuel Chalker, son of Samuel, w born October 6, 1679. On June 24, 17II, 1 married Rebecca Ingham, who bore him thr children : Gideon; Samuel; and Alexande who was the father of John Chalker, the fath of Capt. Charles H. Chalker.

(IV) Gideon Chalker, son of Samuel, w. born about 1725. About 1748 he married Ter. perance Bushnell, and died September 6, 176 His children were: Gideon, born July 3, 174 moved to Vermont, and later to Pennsylvania

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Temperance, born November 15, 1750, mar- ied a Mr. Buckingham; Tabithia, born De- :ember 19, 1753, went to Vermont; Samuel, orn July 13. 1757, went to Vermont ; Moses, porn September 1, 1758, married Sabia Chap- nan, a sister of his brother Oliver's wife; Oliver is mentioned below; and Mary, born November 12, 1763, went to Vermont.

(V) Oliver Chalker, son of Gideon, was orn August 12, 1760, a few rods west of the ome of Samuel A., and he died July 19, 1846, ged eighty-six years. On April 14, 1790, he harried Lydia Chapman, daughter of William Chapman, and a sister of his brother Moses' life. To them were born four children who eached maturity : Samuel, born June II, 1793 ; .ydia, born 1794, married John R. Bemont, f East Hartford, and died at the age of sev- ity-eight years ; Joseph, born 1796, died at the ge of twenty-seven years; and Harvey, born february 7, 1806, married Lydia Stannard, of Vestbrook, and attained the advanced age of ghty-seven years. Besides the four children amed Oliver Chalker and his wife had three hers-Benjamin, George and Betsey-who, 1, however, died quite young. Lydia (Chap- lan) Chalker, the mother of these children, ed January 17, 1846, aged seventy-nine years. liver Chalker was a large landowner and ex- nsive farmer for those days. In politics he as a Democrat, and in religion both he and his ife belonged to the Congregational Church at aybrook.

(VI) Samuel Chalker, son of Oliver, was orn in a house built by his father near the orig- al homestead, June II, 1803, and he died at e age of sixty years. When a young man · went to Mechanicsville, N. Y., near Albany, id was employed in a cloth factory. When enty years old he returned home and engaged farming and fishing. The year he was mar- ed he built the present home of our subject. politics he was a strong Democrat. In 1828 married Rachel Kirtland, daughter of Na- in Kirtland, of Westbrook, who bore him ght children : Caroline, who died in infancy ; muel 'A .; Emily A., who married Merritt Post, of Westbrook, and had two children : arles Irving (who died at the age of seven onths) and George Merritt (who died ed eighteen years and ten months) : iria C., who married George Norton (de- ised) of Guilford, and has three chil-

dren : Emma Louise, Annie Maria and Hattie Rachel ; George W., of Madison, Conn., who married Jane Post, daughter of Lyman Post, of Westbrook, and had seven children : Edwin Samuel, Lyman Post (who died aged nineteen years), Lena Augusta, George Henry, Jennie Amelia, Burton Raymond and Leslie Kirtland; Araminta, who died at the age of fourteen; Louise R., who wedded George C. Ingham, and has four children, Nellie Gertrude, Arthur George, Emily Kirtland and Frank Clinton ; and Sydney J., who is unmarried and resides in Saybrook. Rachel (Kirtland) Chalker, the mother, died October 19, 1875, aged seventy- three years and nine months.

Samuel A. Chalker was born February 28, 1829, in the house built by his father, and in which he now resides. He was reared in his native town and acquired his education in the public schools, supplemented by a course in the Saybrook Academy, where he was under the instruction of Harvey Sanford, Perry Haskell and George Bushnell. When he was seventeen he began fishing with his father, and he learned the business of farming in a thorough man- ner. At the age of twenty-one he went to Deep River, and was given work in the ship- yard of W. W. Brainerd, where he worked about a year and a half. After that he en- gaged as a before-the-mast hand, with Capt. William Palmer, on the schooner "Eudora Emogene." On the trip up the North River he was taken sick and left at Albany, and later on the vessel was lost on the Sound. He re- turned home when his health permitted, and be- came a farmer and fisherman. In 1857 he se- cured a berth as mate on the Buck's Line pro- peller "Seneca" plying between New York and Hartford, which he held for eight months, until he was laid off in the panic of 1857. The following spring Mr. Chalker shipped again under Capt. Charles H. Chalker, but as the lat- ter was accidentally shot in New York and died of his wounds, he returned home in July of that year, and devoted himself to fishing and farming. In 1861 he went to South Norwalk as ship carpenter for Edwin Bartlett, whom he met at the Branford Fair thirty-six years later, and instantly recognized him. Mr. Chalker was engaged in the coasting business during the Civil war and bought the sloop "Floyd S. Warner," which he sold six months later. In 1864 he bought the sloop "Victorene" and con-

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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 31

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