Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 78

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 78

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Charles E. Kelsey, the Captain's father, was born March 21, 1800, in Westbrook, and as soon as he was old enough began a life upon the water, running vessels along the Sound between Boston and New York while quite a youthful commander. All along the

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coast he was well known, continuing thus un- til obliged to resign because of poor health, which was caused primarily by a cold settling in his upper jaw, which became so affected that a part of it had to be removed. His death, which finally resulted from this cause, after great suffering, occurred on the farm now oc- cupied by our subject, on October 1, 1866. A prominent member of the Democratic party, he held many of the town offices, and was active in the affairs of the Congregational Church. On February 26, 1824, he married Amelia M. Jones, daughter of Benjamin Jones. Her death occurred two years after that of her hus- band. Two children were born of this mar- riage: Charles Frederick, our subject ; and Eliza Ann, who married Samuel Hull, and died in Clinton, Mr. Hull now making his home with our subject.

Charles F. Kelsey was born February I, 1825, in the northern part of Westbrook, re- moving later with his parents to the present farm. His early education was acquired in the common schools, but a life of adventure and travel has made of Capt. Kelsey one of the most delightful of companions, one whose deficiencies of education would never be no- ticed. As a child he was attracted to the water, his early playthings were boats, and by the time he was four years old his indulgent father permitted him to accompany him on several trips, the child displaying even then a bravery and courage which have been among his chief attributes. With a great admiration for his father, while but a school boy he de- termined to become a commander, like he was, and during vacations he often distressed his good old grandfather by escaping to some ves- sel instead of hoeing the corn. The grandfa- ther had an ambition to make this child of his oid age a model farmer, but the wine of the sea was in his blood, and no life but that of the sailor to him seemed worth living. He made several vacation trips with Capt. William Jones, of New Haven, and at the age of six- teen lie ended his school days and was given a position on his father's ship, making several trips to the West Indies. Later he shipped be- fore the mast, and, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, he worked his way gradually up- ward, serving in every capacity. Sometimes when the father made Westbrook, while on a trip from New York to Connecticut river

points, our subject would take his place, al- though only a boy in years, and permit his parent a little rest at home, safely conducting the vessel to its destination. When he was nineteen Capt. William Jones, of New Haven, gave him charge of a vessel, the "New York," a sloop of nearly ninety tons, and our subject ran her as a packet between New York and New Haven, continuing thus some four months.

About this time his father's health be- came so poor that he decided to leave the water, and his vessel, the "Eliza A. Kelsey," the last one he ever commanded, was turned over to our subject, who used it in the oyster trade for about two years and then sold it, purchasing the "Achilles." For several years he ran that boat, and was then engaged to run the "Lane," a boat owned in Deep River, which, however, he kept but a short time. Later, at Westbrook, was built the "T. C. Ly- man," of 160 tons, one of the largest vessels cver constructed in Westbrook, in which our subject and his father owned the controlling interest. The Captain ran her between Al- bany. Boston, and Chesapeake Bay, as a gen- eral freighter, and upon disposing of her went as captain on the "William Hone," a large schooner, engaged in the coasting trade. Fol- lowing this came engagements on the schooner "Charger" and several other vessels, one of which Capt. Kelsey owned and ran along the Sound for two years, selling her in 1857, and going to the old home farm for a time. In 1858 he went steamboating on the Connecti- cut river, on the steamer "Seneca," Capt. Will- iam Dudley.

In the winter of 1859 the Captain decided that he would make a trip to California, and sailed in the steamer "Ariel." by way of the Isthmus. The fare was $1oo, and they were fifty days en route. Landing in San Fran- cisco, he intended to follow fishing and boat- ing, but became interested in the mining stories of all about him, and concluded to try that life for a time, living in the camps at Washoo. in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and also at Lake Bigler. However, he returned to San Francisco, still with the idea of fishing and boating. Finding at the wharf the "Faraway." a ship of 100 tons, which he had run a few years previously in Long Island Sound, he hired her and made fishing trips along the

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Pacific coast as far north as British Columbia, also in the Sacramento river. He was doing well, having speculated some little in real es- tate, but just at that time he heard of the serious. illness of his dear father, and started immediately for home. The rate at that time was only DI0, on account of the rate war. After a detention of fifteen days, on account of a break in the vessel, he finally reached home, two weeks before the death of his fa- ther.

Since that time Capt. Kelsey has remained on the farm, which for the past few years has been in charge of his son Charles. A series of accidents necessitated the amputation of a part of his right leg, and since then Capt. Kelsey has not been as active as of old, but no trouble or suffering can quench his jovial spirit, or make him forget the entertaining of guests under his hospitable roof. Well known in both the East and the West, he relates many interesting stories of his life and friends, one of whom was Commodore Cornelius Vander- bilt.

Capt. Kelsey was married November 19, 1868, to Ann Aretta Smith, who was born in 1839, in Chester, coming to Westbrook with her parents when a child. Two children came to Capt. and Mrs. Kelsey: Charles Russell, born in 1873, who is the efficient and capable manager of the farm; and Freddie Walton, born in 1876, who died in 1878.

Charles Smith, the father of Mrs. Kelsey, was born in Suffield, Conn., his parents mov- ing to Chester when he was but a boy. Learn- ing the trade of blacksmith when a boy, he fol- lowed that occupation. He died in Westbrook, and is buried in Chester. He married Melinda Spencer, a native of Chester, daughter of Deacon Michael and Mary ( Platts) Spencer, and the children born of this marriage num- bered eight, of whom Mrs. Smith is the sev- enth. All rank among the most esteemed resi- dents of the locality.

CHARLES E. BACON, owner and pro- prietor of the Poplar Corner Dairy Farm, lo- cated about three miles from the city, in the Westfield District in the town of Middletown, Middlesex county, is one of the solid and gen- uinely worthy men of that community, highly respected for both his honest dealing and his industrious habits.

The history of this branch of the Bacon family in America 'begins with the coming of Michael Bacon to Dedham, Mass., where his descendants lived for a time, thence coming into Connecticut, where they have become quite numerous, and ever classed among the most honorable citizens. Nathaniel Bacon, a grandson of Michael, came to Middletown and acquired a large tract of land, a portion of which is now owned by Charles E., our sub- ject, who is in the ninth generation of farm- ers in the family. Benjamin Bacon, son of Nathaniel, married a daughter of Gov. Miller, and their son, Phineas, was the father of Ben- jamin Bacon, who in turn was the father of Ebenezer Bacon and grandfather of Charles Bacon. The family history is fully outlined in the sketch of Albert Bacon, which appears elsewhere.

CHARLES BACON, the father of Charles E., was born October 27, 1819, in the house now occupied by his son, Charles E. He resided and worked on his father's farm until his mar- riage, when he moved to an adjoining farm, where he erected the present stucco house in 1855. He bought the place of the heirs of Seth Wilcox, who was his uncle. There he died July 13, 1896. Charles Bacon as a farmer belonged distinctively to the progressive class, and the results which attended his ef- forts were always of the best. He was the first man in the town to own thoroughbred Jersey cattle. As a citizen he was awake to the best interests of the town, and heartily advocated all movements that had for their object the advancement of its interests. He was not a public man, as his desire for all such honors was certainly lacking; however, he was very much interested in the selection of honest and competent men for public officials. As an individual he represented a high type of the straightforward man. His word was as good as his bond, and when Charles Bacon made a statement it represented exactly what he thought to be true, and among those who knew him his integrity was unquestioned. He prob- ably bore a greater resemblance to his father than the other son, and was like that parent in many respects, possessing a characteristic and keen sense of humor, and a power of re- tort remarkably quick and strong. Among his acquaintances were many prominent busi- ness men and citizens of Middletown and Mer-

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iden, and wherever he was known he had the profound respect of all. He was a Republican,i and in religious connection belonged to the Westfield Congregational Church.

Mr. Bacon was married April 29, 1847, to Harriet N. Bacon, who was born November 29, 1823, daughter of Joel and Lucina (Tay- lor) Bacon, of Canton, Conn., and grand- daughter of David Taylor, a soldier in the war of the Revolution. They became the parents of the following children: (1) Lavinia C., born March 29, 1849, married Orrin Coe, of Westfield (a son of Osborne Coe), who re- moved after his marriage to Providence, R. I., where he was connected with the cement pipe business, and where he died December 28, 1880. He left a widow and two children -Harriet E. (who married Russell Frisbie) and Ruth P., both of whom are living in Crom- well. Mrs. Coe was married the second time, to Josiah M. Hubbard, of Middletown, at Pas- adena, Cal., where she died May 14, 1899; she was buried in Westfield. (2) Charles E. is mentioned below. (3) Pliny D., born May 15, 1854, married Ida Bolles, and resides in Middlefield, Conn. (4) J. Edward, born March 25, 1859, is unmarried, and is living on the old homestead. The mother of these died April 6, 1901.

Charles E. Bacon was born February 4, 1851, in a house that stood where the stucco house now' stands, and which gave way to the construction of the latter. He was a gradu- ate in the first Middletown high school class, in 1867, and was the only boy in the class. For three and a half years after this he taught school all the year round and later farmed when not teaching in summer. His first term was in the Millers Farm District, in the winter of 1866-67, when he was less than sixteen years old. He was next stationed in his native dis- trict, and subsequently in Westfield and South- ington. He then paid a visit to the West, go- ing as far as Texas, and was absent seven months. In 1876 he graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School, at Yale, and one year from the following fall he was married, at Durham, at that time locating on his pres- ent farm and establishing the dairy business in Middletown which has become very profitable, and of which he has made a specialty ever since, in its various branches. He follows general farming, and for twenty years devoted

considerable attention to the raising and sell- ing of choice thoroughbred Jersey stock. Among others who have bought from his herd is C. I. Hood, of Lowell, Mass., to whom Mr. Bacon has sold some of the finest stock he has at his fine country home. Mr. Bacon has a fine farm, which he keeps up in good shape. He is a Republican in political faith, for three years has served as assessor of the town, and has been acting school visitor since 1889. He is a member of Mattabessett Grange, of Mid- dletown, in which he has held the three chief offices, and is secretary of Central Pomona Grange, No. I, a position he has held almost twelve years. Mr. Bacon has been secretary of the Patrons' Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, since 1892. He was a charter member of Middletown Lodge, No. 771, B. P. O. E., and was its first acting Esteemed Lecturing Knight; and is a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, K. of P., at Middletown.

Mr. Bacon and Miss Georgiana T. Leach were married November 14, 1877. Mrs. Ba- con was born July 14, 1853, in Durham, daughter of Leverett Marsden and Lydia M. (Thayer) Leach, who are mentioned else- where. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are the parents. of two children : Grace E., born April II, 1879, graduated from Northfield Seminary, at Northfield, Mass., and is a member of the class. of 1903, Mt. Holyoke College; C. Marsden, born February 22, 1881, graduated from the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon attend the Meth- odist Church at Middletown. She is a men :- ber of the Womans Relief Corps, auxiliary to Mansfield Post, G. A. R., and also of the Mat- tabessett Grange.

HENRY HOBART WILLIAMS. a well- known citizen of Essex, Middlesex county, re- siding at Centerbrook, is a descendant of one of the oldest families of this locality.

Benjamin Williams, his great-grandfa- ther, was a miller and large landowner, living at Centerbrook. He was quite influential in the affairs of the town and State, and had become quite well-to-do. He married Libbie Dickinson of Old Saybrook and their chil- dren were: Samuel, a farmer and miller in Meadow Woods, married Irene Pratt; Rich- ard, a sea captain who resided in Centerbrook. married Sarah Cook; Benjamin is mentioned

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below; Temperance married Cornelius Reed and lived in Deep River; and Ann died un- married.

Benjamin Williams, son of Benjamin and grandfather of Henry Hobart, was born in Centerbrook February 15, 1752. He, too, be- came a miller and ran the saw and gristmill, which were located on the pine ledge now oc- cupied by the Connecticut Valley Manufac- turing Company. For a time he also ran a carding mill, and he was engaged in black- sinithing to some extent. He was known far and wide as a tavern keeper. His tavern was a popular place for parties to stop for refresh- ment, and the stage coach horses were always fed there. The house was supplied with a ball room, and was often the scene of much gayety. Like his father, Benjamin Williams was a slave owner, and a large land holder, and he became very influential. He was a noted penman, and his services in that line were often called in requisition. He married Patience Pratt, who was born September 19, 1753, and she died October 30, 1820. His death occurred February 28, 1822. In relig- ious connection he was an Episcopalian.

Humphrey Williams, son of Benjamin and Patience and father of our subject, was born April 18, 1793, in Centerbrook, and when three years old was taken to the house which his father had erected, and which stood on the site of the present home of his son, Henry H. un- til 1880, when it was removed. He also kept the old "Williams Tavern" until 1830. As a farmer and miller he was very successful, and was the last miller that personally conducted the old gristmill and sawmill, disposing of the property to a stock company who made it over and added much to it. The old grist mill was burned March 2, 1894, together with the other buildings, and now new structures occupy the old site. Humphrey Williams spent the later years of his life in farming, and he died Feb- ruary 10, 1870, in the house above mentioned. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Roxanna Bushnell, born in Guilford in 1793, was a daughter of Jonathan Bushnell. She died February 16, 1870, and rests with the other members of her family in the old cemetery at Centerbrook. To Humphrey Williams and wife were born the following children : George H., a sailor, married Sarah Getchell, of New London, Conn., and died in Essex at the age

of thirty-nine years ; Harriet E. died at the age of seventy-three; Julia died in infancy ; Fred- erick W., a member of the firm of Williams & Marvin, of Deep River, at one time a mem- ber of the Legislature, and a prominent resi- dent of the town, married Mary A. Hammett, and died in 1900; Julia M. is deceased ; Lewis died in infancy; Richard Lewis died unmar- ried November 1, 1869, aged thirty-six; Sel- den E. married and lives in Bay City, Mich .; and Henry H. is mentioned below.

Henry H. Williams was born December 31, 1839, in the old family home. His early education was restricted to the advantages to be obtained in the district schools, and while still quite young he shipped before the mast. He made several voyages in different vessels, from New York to

Galveston, Texas, New Orleans, La., Mobile, Ala., and other southern ports. Covering a per- iod of ' four years he

made short voyages on various vessels, but at last the old farm attracted him and he returned to it. Shortly after he entered the Comstock & Dick- inson ivory factory, remaining there a number of years, later entering the factory of the Con- necticut Valley Manufacturing Company, where several succeeding years were spent. For the past fifteen years Mr. Williams has been engaged in teaming, grading highways, etc., becoming a very substantial citizen. Dur- ing President Cleveland's first administration he held the office of postmaster, fulfilling the duties of the position in a creditable manner. He was offered, but declined, the same office during the second administration of that Ex- ecutive. Always a stanch Democrat, he has been prominently identified with local affairs, having faithfully served as assessor for two terms, member of the school board, and of the board of relief, and in 1900 his party chose him as a candidate for the office of first selectman. Socially he is connected with the O. U. A. M.

On February 27, 1868, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Lydia O. Wright. born in Westbrook April 14, 1848, a daugh- ter of Josiah and Phebe (Stevens) Wright. One son, Cyrus C. has been born of this union.

CYRUS C. WILLIAMS was born March 14, 1871, and is one of the brightest and most progressive of the younger generation of Es-

sex

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sex. After graduation from Hannum's Busi- ness College, at Hartford, Conn., in 1892, he became connected with various lines of busi- ness, being an expert bookkeeper and stenog- rapher. For two years he was in the employ of E. A. Dickinson & Co., of Essex, and he is now bookkeeper for the Hartford Fire In- surance Company. as well as agent for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany and the Northwestern Life of Milwau- kee. Socially he is connected with Putnam Phalanx being one of the fifers; Fenwick Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Essex : Hartford Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M., of Hartford; and Webb Council, Royal Arcanum. In sporting circles he is well and favorably known as an expert base ball player of great promise. He married Susan I. McClay, and they have one son, Clif- ford H., born October 18, 1895.

ROBERT CHAPMAN. The Chapman family traces its line in America from Robert Chapman, who was born in 1616, and came from England to Boston in 1635. In No- vember of that year he came to Saybrook, where in 1642 he married Ann Bliss, who died in 1685. He died two years later. The first house was built by him in 1666. From this ancestor Robert Chapman, of Saybrook, who was born December 8, 1831, is descended in the sixth generation, his line being through Nathaniel, Caleb, Elisha and George H.

Nathaniel Chapman, son of Robert, born in 1653, was married first to Mary Collins, of Guilford, in 1681, and to Hannah Bates, his second wife, in 1698. For many years he was a deacon in the Congregational Church, and represented the town in the General Court at twenty-four sessions, beginning with 1697 and ending with 1723. He was a large landowner. His death occurred in 1726, his widow's in 1750.

Caleb Chapman, son of Nathaniel, was born in 1706, and in 1729 married Thankful Lord, who died in 1747. For many years Mr. Chapman was a deacon in the Saybrook Church. He built the second homestead in 1740.

Elisha Chapman, son of Caleb, born in 1740, was married in 1762 to Huldah Lord. and they were the parents of a family of thir- een children. Mr. Chapman was a man of wide information, and occupied a prominent

position in civil and religious affairs. He was a private in the French war, being at the tak- ing of Montreal, and was a captain in the Revolutionary forces during that struggle participating in the campaigns around New York. The old homestead of Robert Chap- ntan, on Oyster river, was his home also. He died in June, 1825, and his wife in 1817.

George H. Chapman, son of Elisha, born in 1789, died November 13. 1877. On No- vember 3, 1814, he was married to Miss Lucia Tully, who was descended in the sixth genera- tion from John Tully, who died in England in 1644. John Tully, his son, was the first of the family in Saybrook.

Mr. Chapman began his career as a teach- er, and from the small savings of his first term in Killingworth was able to embark in trade. As his means increased he fitted himself out for traveling, and presently became a success- ful merchant on the road. He traveled from Portland on the north, to Washington, D. C., on the south, and through the great Southern and Western States, and being a skillful trad- er, presently became rich enough to start a wholesale store in fancy goods in Boston, and was sole agent there for ivory combs, hooks and eyes, and augers. After some twenty years of successful business in that city he estab- lished two of his older sons in the business there, and retired to the old family homestead in Saybrook, which he had greatly enlarged by increased lands, and improved by a hand- some edifice. He enriched the land by scien- tific cultivation until the farm became widely known as one of the best in the town.

Mr. Chapman was called upon to fill ser- eral important offices, and was sent to the Gen- eral Assembly to represent his town. He was a wide reader, and had a valuable fund of gen- eral information.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born the following children: ( 1) George Henry, born May 15, 1817, died April 20. 1887. He was a merchant of Boston, and had his home in Winchester, Mass. Roxana Maria Brooks, his wife, bore him three children. Frances H .. Ellen I .. and George 11. (2) Harriet, born April 15, 1819, died June 14, 1807. She had a considerable reputation as a student of local genealogy. She married Rev. Amos Sheffield Chesebrough. a Congregational clergyman. and was the mother of Sarah, Harriet and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sheffield, of St. Louis. (3) Edward, born December 2, 1820, died August 21, 1889. He married Mary Ann Field, and they had chil- dren-Mary Florence, George Edward, Edith Maria, Fanny Field, Nellie Wallace and Ger- trude Louise. (4) Clarissa, born January 12, 1824, died December 16, 1871, at Deep River. She married Richard P. Spencer. (5) Rob- ert is the subject proper of this article.

Robert Chapman and Maria Green Shep- ard were married October 8, 1861. Mrs. Chap- man was born April 14, 1842, and her family history may be found under the name of Dea- con R. C. Shepard, of Old Saybrook, which appears elsewhere. To this union came: (I) Rev. Edward Mortimer, born September 27, 1862, married Isabel Northrop, a daughter of John E. Northrop, of Ivoryton, Conn., and they have two children, Edward Northrop and Lucia Tully. He is pastor of the North Con- gregational Church at St. Johnsbury, Vt. (2) Marion Greene, born July 11, 1864, was prin- cipal of the Charter Oak School at Hartford for five years, and on August 13, 1902, mar- ried Charles Porter Botsford, M. D., of Hart- ford. (3) Annie Bliss, born August 31, 1866, is a teacher in the State Nor- mal school at Worcester, Mass. (4) Kate Shepard, born June 28, 1868, married Albert D. Auryansen, of Newtonville, Mass. (5) Harriet Chesebrough, born De- cember 23, 1869, died May 11, 1898. (6) Frederick Shepard, born August 11, 1871, is a civil engineer in the Government employ at New Haven. (7) Robert, born August 3, 1873, is a clerk in the wholesale leather house of Perear & Co., at Boston, Mass. (8) George Henry, born September 18, 1876, died Feb- ruary 20, 1886. (9) Florence Maria, born February 3, 1879, is at home. (10) Howard Tully, born January 18, 1881, is at home.

Robert Chapman was born at the Chap- man homestead, in the third house built by the family on the same site, where the original settler had his first location. Mr. Chapman grew up at the home and attended the local schools and the academy, where he was under the instruction of William R. Clark, Harvey Sanford, and John W. Marvin. Remaining at home, he became a master in the art and science of farming. He was the owner of a gristmill in Westbrook, which he has since sold. In the past few years he has turned

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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 78

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