Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 32

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 32

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tinued coasting in that vessel for three years when he sold it. In 1891 he gave up the fish- ing business, and since that time has devoted his entire time to farming.

For many years the Sound fishermen had great difficulty in preserving their fishing rights. In 1874 there was a law passed pro- hibiting net fishing, under a penalty of $400. fine and the confiscation of fixtures to the State, and if it had prevailed, it would have thrown many men in southern Connecticut out of the possibility of earning their living in their ac- customed industry. Through Mr. Chalker's exertions the fishermen organized for the re- storation of their ancient rights. Money was raised, and the constitutionality of the law was raised in the courts, but before it was brought to trial, pressure was brought to bear on the new Legislature, and it was repealed. Much ·credit for its repeal was given to Mr. Chalker for his efforts to secure release from the op- pressive act. Robert B. Chalker was president of the Connecticut Fishing Association, and Samuel A. Chalker was the secretary. In this connection, it may be said, however, that fish- ing as an industry has passed, as the break- water at the mouth of the Connecticut river has diverted many of the fish from these shores.

Mr. Chalker is a Democrat, but not in- clined to free silver. He has taken some in- terest in political affairs, and has served as selectman five years; was a member of the State Board of Agriculture four years, 1892- 96, a successor of Hon. J. M. Hubbard of Mid- dletown. During his membership on the Board of Agriculture, both the Cattle and Peach Yel- lows commissions were created. Mr. Chalker was on the board of relief many years, and is still serving, and he is at present a justice of the peace. Mr. Chalker is a charter member of Saybrook Grange, where he has served as master five years, and he also belongs to the Westbrook Grange, of which he has been master two years. At present he is master of the Sea View Pomona Grange. He was State Grange Deputy under State Master Stephen O. Bowen two years, and has been instrumental in organizing Granges at Saybrook, Clinton, Westbrook and Lyme. For one year he was president and six years trustee of the West- brook Agricultural Society.

On February 27, 1868, Samuel A. Chalker was married to Delia M. Schutt, of Mt. Wash-

ington, Mass., a daughter of Ira and Emma (Patterson) Schutt, and a third cousin of B. C. Patterson of Torrington, Conn., Master of the Connecticut State Grange. To this union were born three children, two of whom were called away in their early childhood. Samuel Herbert, born July 14, 1871, died March 5, 1873; Alfred DeWitt, born February I, 1873; and Mary Adeline, born March 22, 1876, died January 23, 1877. Mr. Chalker attends the Congregational Church.

ALFRED DEWITT CHALKER has taken up music as a profession, and is a young man of much promise. He teaches both vocal and in- strumental music, and is proficient in the tun- ing and repairing of pianos and organs, having been thoroughly instructed in that work while in Hartford and Middletown. He has been or- ganist in the First Congregational Church for the past six years. Of a quick and inventive mind, he has perfected a pedal attachment to pianos superior to any now in use.

ENOCH TRYON BIRDSEY, one of the substantial and highly respected citizens and farmers of the town of Middlefield, Middle- sex county, was born July 10, 1847, in a house which still stands, opposite his present home. He descends from a family of English origin, which has been prominent in that part of Con- necticut from the earliest Colonial days.

The Birdsey family history has been traced ..

to Reading, England, to a date prior to 1600, as John Birdsey died there in 1649, leaving a family, one of whom, Deacon John Birdsey, the lineal ancestor of Enoch Tryon Birdsey, was born in 1616. This gentleman came to America in 1636, and of him Thomas Atkins, in his history of Long Hill and Middlefield, published in 1883, remarks: "John Birdsey came from England to Stratford, Fairfield county, Conn., and from there removed to Middlefield. He was an early settler, but not among the earliest. He purchased a large quantity of wild land. One tract lay in the southwest part of Middlefield, and the other tract in the north or northeast part. The greater part of the last mentioned tract lay in West-field Society. It is said that there were 500 acres in this piece. The price paid for this was two dollars an acre. It comprised a part of 'Bald's Falls' hill. The land that John and his sons settled upon was the tract

Enoch Birdeay

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rst named. It is related that the Birdseys ere very Godly people. The Birdseys were tall, strong race. They were thrifty and eople of great respectability."

Deacon John Birdsey, the emigrant, mar- ed for his first wife Philipe Smith, daughter [ Rev. Henry Smith, of Wethersfield, Conn. 1 1639 he removed to Milford and in 1641 › Stratford and there some of his descendants ill reside and bear the name of Birdsey. To le first marriage of John Birdsey were born vo children : John, born in 1641, who married hebe Wilcoxson; and Joanna, born in 1642. y his second marriage to Alice, widow of obert Tomlinson, which took place about 588, there were no children born. His death curred in 1690.

John Birdsey, of Stratford, son of Dea- on John and Philipe (Smith) Birdsey, was orn in Milford, New Haven county, in 1641. is wife, Phebe ( Wilcoxson), whom he mar- ed in 1669, was born in 1651, and died in 743. She was a daughter of William Wil- ›xson, whose will was probated in Fairfield, onn. John Birdsey died in 1697, leaving s widow with seven children, viz. : Hannah, ›rn in 1671, who was the wife of Isaac Beach ; ary, born in 1675; Sarah, born in 1678; bel, born in 1679; Joseph, born in 1681-82, ho first married Sarah Thompson, and later abitha Walker; Elizabeth, born in 1685; and inah, born in 1688, who became the wife of imuel Norton.

Abel Birdsey, the fourth of the above fami- ,was born November 30, 1679, and was first arried June 8, 1704, to Comfort Wells, anddaughter of Gov. Thomas Wells. To is union were born eight children: Mary, 05; Elizabeth, 1706 (married Benjamin artis) ; Joanna, 1708; Phebe, 1710; John and unfort, twins, 1712 (the latter married John ells) ; Eunice, 1715 ; and Samuel, 1716. The cond marriage of Abel Birdsey took place 1717-18, to M'rs. Mercy Denton, of H'emp- ad, L. I., and to them came four children : illiam, born in 1720-21 ; Sarah, 1722; Abel, '24; and Thomas, 1727.

John Birdsey, son of Abel, born Septein- r 26, 1712, was the first of his name to lo- te in Middletown, where he appears on the cords in 1734. He first married Widow annah Smith, of Long Island, N! Y., who re him nine children, namely : Benjamin, ptized in 1734; Gershom, born November

21, 1734 ; John, baptized in 1737 ; David ; Abel ;. Seth; Sarah; Eunice; and Mary. John Bird- sey's second wife was named Sarah. He died in 1747.

Gershom' Birdsey, second in the family of John, married Hannah Bartlett November 12,. 1771-72, and had four children, viz. : Eunice, born in 1773; Samuel, 1775; Gershom, 1776; and Charity, 1779. The father died Novem- ber 17, 1789, and his estate was administered according to the English law; consequently Samuel, the eldest, drew a double share ( which at the best was but a small inheritance). It is said that this was the last property so settled or administered under that law in Connecticut.

: Samuel Birdsey, son of Gershom, and grandfather of Enoch T. Birdsey, was born. in Middlefield where he passed his earlier years. He moved thence to Meriden, then to. Durham, and then to Middlefield, where he- went into debt for a part of the farm now oc- cupied 'by his grandson, Enoch T. He was a practical farmer. For a time he lived in the house opposite Enoch's present home, then in a house directly east thereof-both of which. are now owned by Enoch T. He paid off all obligations, and died a well-to-do man, August 7, 1850. He had married Betsey Crowell, of Long Hill, who was born in 1774, and died March 4, 1862. The remains of both were interred in Middlefield. To the marriage of Samuel and Betsey Birdsey were born nine children, namely : Ann, who was married to- William A. Rockwell and died in Middlefield ; Hiram, who married Mary Robinson, moved to North Carolina, and died at Clinton, Samp- son county, August 16, 1861, when fifty-nine years old; Samuel, Jr., who died in Lisbon, N. C., December 6. 1829, aged twenty-five years ; Daniel Hubbard, of whom further men- tion will be made; Delia S., who was married to Charles Hubbard, a wealthy farmer in Mid- dlefield, where both died ; Phebe, deceased, who was married to George W. Bacon, whose sketch will be found elsewhere: Betsey, who was the wife of Benjamin W. Coe, and died in Middlefield : Henry, who died a young man ; and Alvin, who first married Lucretia Crowell. and second Lucretia Bidwell, was a farmer in the town of Middlefield and died March 21. 1874. at the age of fifty-five years, three months.

Daniel Hubbard Birdsey, fourth in the family of Samuel, was born February 17,

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1807, in Middlefield, in a house, long since de- molished, that stood near the present residence of Deacon Henry Camp, which stands about half way between the post office and the Mid- dlefield Center depot. When young he went to Meriden and to Durham with his parents, and at the latter place attended the South Dis- trict school, and this was his only opportunity for education. He assisted his father on the home farm until twenty-one years old, and as a recompense for his services was presented with a pair of boots. He then hired him- self as a peddler to his brother Hiram and Isaac Roberts, in 1826 went South, and for two years worked at a salary of $12 per month, from which he had to pay his board bill. He traveled with a wagon, peddling Yankee no- tions, clocks, cloths, woolens, etc. At the close of the two years he started in business for himself, in 1828 opening a store in Kenans- ville, N. C., which he conducted quite suc- cessfully for ten years. He then sold out, came to Middlefield, Conn., and in 1838 purchased a part of the farm now owned by his son, Enoch T., from his brother Hiram, the tract then comprising 200 acres, some of which he afterward disposed of. He carried on general farming and raised some first-class stock, planted many orchards and experimented largely in grafting and grew fruit extensively. He was very energetic, and although he went into debt to some extent for his farm liqui- dated his obligation. At his death his pos- sessions were extensive. He was a man of more than ordinarily sound judgment, and of undoubted integrity, and his advice was fre- quently sought by his neighbors in business transactions. He likewise aided his neighbors in the settlement of numerous estates, and was very accurate and prompt in all his transac- tions.

In politics Mr. Birdsey was a Republican, and in 1880 represented Middlefield in the State Legislature. He also served as select- man a number of times, was assessor for many years, and was clerk of the district school committee from 1845 until 1869.

Daniel H. Birdsey married, May 29, 1844, Miss Sophia Tryon, who was born October 4, 1813, in South Farms, daughter of Capt. Enoch and Sarah (Crowell) Tryon. This union was graced with five children, viz .: So- phia, born April 25. 1845, died February 2, 1884, unmarried. Enoch T. is the gentleman

whose name opens this sketch. Albert C., bor November 24, 1849, died June 14, 1850. Alic A., born October 3, 1851, is living in Middle field, unmarried. Bessie C., born March 1 1857, is the wife of Vine B. Starr, of Eas Hampton. After several years of declining health Daniel H. Birdsey died May 19, 1892 honored by all who knew him, and was fol lowed to the grave by his wife on Octobe 6, 1896.

: Enoch Tryon Birdsey, of the eighth gener ation of the Birdsey family in America, at tended the East District school of the town o Middlefield, for two years was a pupil at the Durham Academy, under Henry Jewett, and later studied at the Eastman Business College Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for one year, graduating in 1866. On his return to the home farm he assisted his father until 1868, when he entered the employ of a book concern in Minnesota. whither he went for a short time to see the country. He then returned home and again; assisted his father, and when the latter be- came too old for active work assumed the management of the place which consists of 200 acres near the Middlefield and Middletown line, in the East school district of Middlefield town; he owns the largest and best apple or- chard in Middlefield, and in 1899 grew about 2,000 bushels of the fruit. His present resi- dence there he built in 1875. It is pleasantly situated overlooking the Middletown reservoir. Mr. Birdsey and his family take great pleas- ure in entertaining their friends, and strangers, also, who pass their way, do not lack for hos- pitality.

Enoch T. Birdsey was married, in Middle- field, October 6, 1875, to Miss Jennie M. Gray, who was born July 18, 1856, in Hamilton, On- tario, daughter of Peter and Martha (Magee) Gray, the former of whom is a native of Edin- burgh, Scotland, came to America in 1831, and is now residing in Middlefield, Conn., where his wife died in 1877. The marriage of Enoch T. and Jennie M. (Gray) Birdsey has been blessed with four children: Annie G., born August 4, 1876, who was graduated from the Wesleyan University in the class of 1900, and married William R. Steele, of Hart- ford, October 9, 1901; Edith M., born May 2, 1880 ; 'Bertha T., August 1, 1883 ; and Dan- iel Howard July 8, 1892.

Mr. Birdsey and his family are members of the Congregational Church, to the support

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which he is a most liberal contributor. In olitics he is a stalwart Republican, was for any years assessor of his town, and also filled veral other minor offices. He takes great in- rest in agricultural affairs, and is a member Mattabessett Grange, in which his influ- ce has always been strongly felt.

ALBERT E. PURPLE, an influential citi- n of Moodus, Middlesex county, was born me 22, 1843, in that place, where he has long rved as probate judge, and is engaged in the anufacture of twine on an extensive scale. . Edward Purple, great-grandfather of the bject of this notice, was a Revolutionary Idier, born in 1736, and died in 1794. His ildren were: Samuel, Ruth, Deborah, Stat- 1 and Ann.

Samuel Purple, born in 1784, died in 1860, Moodus. He was a miller by trade. He arried Lydia Staples, of Colchester, Conn., d they were the parents of Edward H., Eli- h B., William L., David S., Lucinda and annah.

Elijah B. Purple was born in February, 14, in the town of Chatham, and came to ist Haddam in childhood with his parents, 10 were poor but worthy people. There he few to manhood, becoming early accustomed labor for his own maintenance. He was a irdy and industrious lad, and early found «Iployment with Stanton S. Card, in the twine ctory. He strove to master the details of 1: business, and rose from a humble position, which he earned five shillings per day, to tit of proprietor. In 1844 he purchased an erest in the Union Manufacturing Company, imnufacturers of duck, in which he had been ( ployed; and continued in that line of nufacture until 1855, after which he

- s in the Atlantic Duck Mill until his ith, December 8, 1858. The Union Man- i icturing Company was originally estab- 1hed in 1829. Mr. Purple married Alice A. alker, who was born in 1816, daughter of J 111 and Harriet (Foster) Chalker, and died I ruary 16, 1866. Mr. Purple was always an ent supporter of the principles of the Demo- a c T tic party, but neither sought nor accepted itical preferment.

Albert E. Purple attended the public schools ohis day, but he was ambitious and energetic, all could not brook the confinement of the

old-fashioned school room, being anxious to begin a commercial career. His father desired him to continue in school, but he determined to enter upon active life. His native intelli- gence, aided by contact with the world, has made him a well-read and capable citizen, and his influence upon the affairs of his native com- munity has made for progress in all worthy lines. Soon after attaining his majority he was prepared to become a proprietor, and in 1863 he formed a partnership with his uncle, D. S. Purple, in a mercantile business which has been continued successfully to the present time. The senior partner died February 13, 1892. and A. J. Silliman became his successor, the firm being now known as Purple & Silli- man.

In 1865 Mr. Purple associated himself with Stanton S. Card, in the manufacture of twine, and one year later purchased an interest in the plant, in 1868 purchasing the entire business, which he has ever since continued to operate. His energetic and reliable business methods in- sured success from the start, and has been at- tested also by his ability in the purchase and op- eration of other factories. In 1878 he purchased the "East Mill" of the New York Net & Twine Company, and twenty years later became the owner of the Atlantic Duck Mill, which was built in 1855, and of which his father was one of the original proprietors. These mills are located along the Moodus river, and give em- ployment to seventy-five people.

In December, 1864, Mr. Purple was mar- ried to Miss Electa S. Williams, daughter of William H. and Pleides (Hay) Williams, of Essex. Conn. The two children born of this union passed away in infancy.

Since he cast his first vote Mr. Purple has been a stanch adherent to Republican princi- ples. He has always taken an active part in political matters, has represented the town of East Haddam in the State Legislature, and in 1901 was unanimously elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1902. He was elected judge of probate in 1894. and has since administered the responsible dnties of that position. He is a director in the Moodus Savings Bank and the National Bank of New England, at Goodspeeds ; and is vice-president of the East Haddam Public Library Associa- tion. He attends the Methodist Church, of which he is a trustee. Among the most active

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in the development and progress of Moodus, Mr. Purple's widespread popularity and the high esteem in which he has been held for so many years are the just reward of his years of active industry and many excellent qualities of head and heart.

JAMES KNOX QUY, president of the Middlesex County National Bank, of Middle- town and member of the firm of Bacon & Guy, fire insurance brokers, in that city, is a native of Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., born March 3, 1849.

Nicholas Guy, the first of the family in this country, and who settled in Watertown, Mass., came to America in 1638, at the age of fifty years, in the "Confidence," of London, accompanied by his wife, Jane, then aged thir- ty years, their daughter, Mary, and two serv- ants, from Upton, Hampshire, embarking at Southampton. He was made a freeman May 22, 1639. His children were Joseph, Benja- min, Jonathan, Simon, Hannah, Rebecca, Sa- rah, Mary and Dorothy. [From Savage's Ge- nealogical Dictionary. ] The Guy family were among the early settlers of Meriden, Conn. Dr. Orchard Guy, of Branford, Conn., the great-grandfather of our subject, died in Bran- ford, leaving a widow and four children, three sons and one daughter. The widow removed to Wallingford (now Meriden). Orchard Guy, son of Dr. Orchard, and the grandfather of James K., married Lois Hall, and they had a family of three children: Joel H., George W. and Esther G. They lived about two miles east of Meriden Center.

According to the "Hall Genealogy" and "History of Meriden," Lois Hall was born in February, 1789, daughter of Giles and Thank- ful (Merriman) Hall, and was of the sixth generation from John Hall, the emigrant and first ancestor of the family in America. (I) John Hall, the emigrant, appeared first at Bos- ton, was afterward at New Haven, Conn., and still later at Wallingford, being at the latter place after its first settlement, in 1669-70. (II) Samuel Hall, son of John, the emigrant. (III) John Hall (2), son of Samuel. (IV) John Hall (3), son of John (2). (V) Giles Hall, son of John (3), born February 18, 1833, mar- ried (first) in 1753 Martha Robinson, and (second ) Thankful Merriman, of Walling ford, who died July 14, 1796. He passed away March 17, 1789. His children were: Lucy,

David, Martha R., Mary S., John, Hannah, Elizabeth, Giles, and Lois (grandmother of James K. Guy ).

Joel H! Guy, elder son of Orchard and Lois (Hall) Guy, was born in Meriden in 1804. He taught school from 1824 to 1834, then until 1839 was salesman for Meriden manufacturers. In 1840 he and his brother bought a store in Middletown, and the same. year built a store in Meriden, and they carried on a grocery business under the firm name of J. H. Guy & Co. until 1846, after which Joel H. Guy conducted the store alone until 1850. After the year 1844 he was postmaster at Meri- den for some twelve years, and he was also prominent in banking business; he was the founder of the First National Bank, in 1863, was its first president, and continued to hold that position until his death. In 1874 he was one of the founders of the City Savings Bank of Meriden, and was its president until his- death. He served as administrator and trustee of many estates. For many years (twenty or more) he was engaged in the insurance busi- ness. He served as town treasurer of Meriden for a number of years, and represented that district in the State Senate. Mr. Guy was a very successful man, and his standing in busi- ness and financial circles was of the highest .. His only child was a daughter, Sarah.

Esther G. Guy, daughter of Orchard and Lois (Hall) Guy, married Melvin C. Lee, and. resided for years in Meriden; she left three daughters.

George W. Guy, youngest son of Orchard and Lois (Hall) Guy, was born in M'eriden, Conn., in 1813, and received such education as the country schools of his day afforded. When a young man he engaged in peddling,. in that line making a start in life, and then em- barked in the grocery business in Meriden in a small way. During the latter thirties, along. with his brother, Joel H., he established the firm of J. H. & G. W. Guy, proprietors of a. general store in South Farms, Middlesex county. After a few years J. H. Guy removed. to Meriden, George W. becoming sole pro- prietor of the original business, and continu- ing alone (with the exception of a short time he was with Mr. Burnham) up to about the close of the Civil war, when he sold out and lived practically retired. In 1857 he built a home where he afterward lived, and which is: now the residence of his son, James K.

JamesK Guy

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; George W. Guy was twice married, first time, at South Farms, Conn., to Elizabeth T. Burr, of Haddam, Conn .; one child that died in infancy was born to this union. On Novem- ber 20, 1844, Mr. Guy married Miss Nancy S. Brainard, who was born at Haddam, Conn., February 26, 1817, daughter of Capt. Daniel and Fannie (Smith) Brainard, and two chil- Iren were born to them: (1) James Knox is the subject proper of these lines. (2) Fran- ces E. is the wife of Rev. George H. Hardy, of Ashburnham, Mass., a minister of the Meth- dist Church; they have four children. George W. Guy died January 13, 1882, after one week's illness, his wife, Nancy 'S., passing away in May, 1890, and both are buried in Farm Hill cemetery. 1

Mr. Guy regularly attended the services of he North Congregational Church, and though lot a member contributed liberally to its sup- ort. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, nd a great admirer of James K. Polk. A ighly prominent man in his day, and im- ensely popular, he held every office in the ift of the people of his town except that f assessor. In 1856 and 1870 he served in le State Legislature; he was a director of ne Middlesex County National Bank, and at is death his son, James K., succeeded him in hat incumbency. For years he served on the pard of school visitors, ever taking a keen interest in educational affairs, and all his pub- c duties he discharged with credit to himself id to the satisfaction of the people.

James K. Guy, whose name introduces this view, received a liberal education, in part the public schools of what was known as fillers Farms District, Miss Ellen Rockwell ing among his first teachers. He then at- nded the noted school of D. H. Chase, in Mid- ctown; then attended West Haven Institute r one year ; then Williston Seminary, at East ampton, Mass., for two years, and Wilbra- m College, also two years ; finally attending e United States College of Business and Fi- nce, in New Haven.

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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 32

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