USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 2 > Part 18
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Jacob Hyde, born on Jan. 20, 1703, in Norwich, Conn., died Jan. 22, 1782, was married Oct. II, 1727, to Hannah, daughter of Joseph Kingsbury, and their children were: Jacob, born Aug. 1, 1730, married Hannah Hasen; Mary, born March 24, 1732, married Peabody Moseley; Ephraim, born on. April 23, 1734; Joseph, born June 1, 1736, married first Abigail Abel, and second married Justicia Abal; Hannah, born May 8, 1738, married Samuel Ladd; Ruth, born Jan. 26, 1740, married Ezekiel Ladd; Jonathan, born Jan. 4. 1742, died Oct. 22, 1743; Silence, born April 13, 1744, married Joseph Ladd; Rebecca, born Dec. II, 1745, married Leb- beus Armstrong; and Phebe, born Oet. 7, 1751,. died Jan. 28, 1771.
Ephraim Hyde, son of Jacob, was born in Nor- wich, later removed to Stafford, and married Mar- tha Giddings, of Norwich, the children born to them being: Nathaniel, March 7, 1757, married first Sarah String, and second Cynthia Palmer; Han- nah, Nov. 15. 1758; Lydia, Jan. 6, 1760, married Joseph Alden : Ephraim, Jan. 23, 1763, married Margaret Walbridge; Nathan. Feb. 15, 1765, mar- ried Olive Wales: Jacob, Nov. 13, 1767, married Lydia Hall; Jasper, December, 1769, married De-
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light Strong: Emma, Aug. 2, 1772, married Eli Converse; Eli, May 4, 1777, married Mehitable Lyon.
Jacob Hyde, son of Ephraim, was born in Stafford, on Nov. 13. 1767, and died June 8. 1847, and married Lydia Hall, of Stafford. The children of this marriage were: Ephraim Hall, March 17, 1794, died Feb. 22, 1873, married first Nancy Shaw, second, Esther Foster; Jacob, born in 1802, died Nov. 30, 1828; Lydia. born in 1797, died Dec. 20, 1832, married Daniel Pinney ; Hannah, born March 6, 1808, died in Meriden, Oct. 13, 1893. On Sept. 24, 1834, she married Samuel Rockwell, the father of Mrs. N. F. Griswold.
ROLAND AUSTIN SMITH. One of the well- known farmer citizens of that part of North Haven known as Montowese, is Roland Austin Smith, who is a descendant of an old and honored family of Crawfordshire, England. Asa Smith, the grand- father, came to America when a young man, landing at Boston and opening up a blacksmith shop, which he operated for some time there, later moving to Sherburne, Mass., where he also worked at his trade. He subsequently located in the home of his daugh- ter in Walpole, Mass., where both he and his wife died. The children born to this couple were: Em- ery; Louisa, who married Metcalf Smith: Roxie, who married Reuben Clapp; Caroline, who married William Carroll; and Roland Sumner.
.Roland Sumner Smith was born in Sherburne, Mass., and learned the trade of blacksmith under Mr. Plimpton, in Walpole, Mass:, and also engaged in making hoes, scythes, in those days all the work being performed by hand. Later he removed to Burrville, Mass., and still later entered into work at his trade in both Walpole and Foxboro, his last work being done in Walpole Center, removing some time previous to his death to Norfolk, Mass. His marriage was to Eliza Gilbert, who was a sister of Lydia Curtis, who became the mother of Gen. Nelson Miles. The father of Mrs. Smith was Solomon Gilbert, a basket manufacturer, who was born in Sharon, Mass. The children of this union were Roland A .; Maria, who married Ellis Boyden, of Walpole, Mass .; Levi E., a resident of Lynn, Mass. ; and Charles H., a resident of Boston.
Roland Austin Smith was born in Walpole. Mass., May 24, 1824, and removed with his par- ents to Foxboro when a lad, and went to the dis- trict schools in that village and in Walpole. After the age of twelve he had little educational opportun- ity and came to New Haven, where he was em- ployed by his uncle, Levi Gilbert, as a clerk in a con- fectionery store at the corner of Center and Church streets. Remaining with his uncle for two years, . he then returned home and was occupied on the farni until he was eighteen, when he started in to learn the trade of a baker, in Medfield, Mass., and be- came skilled in the business. For fifteen years he worked at this trade in New Haven, in a building
located where the Hyperion Theater now stands, and then embarked in the oyster business. Hiring a depot on Orange street, he dealt in the bivalves, both wholesale and retail, shipping many to distant States, remaining in this line about nine years. Later he started a restaurant where the Second National Bank is now located, remaining there but a short time, as this did not prove a favorable lo- cation.
Mr. Smith then took a position as brakeman OI the Hartford & New Haven R. R., and filled many positions on the road, acting as a general mechanic at times, and becoming conductor, severing his con- nection with the road when business became poor with it, on account of the Civil war. Entering the shop of Peck, Smith & Co. of Southington, Conn., now the Peck, Stowe & Wilcox Co., he remained in their employ for ten years, doing general mechani- cal work, and being employed on bayonets, which: were sold to the government. He remained all through the war, but after its close the demand for these weapons ceased, and another line of goods- was produced. A man of many resources, when one line of work failed Mr. Smith found another, and coming to North Haven, he was employed to care for an aged lady, Mrs. Bedotha Button, for nine years faithfully performing the duties re- quired of him. After her death he bought his pres- ent farm from Eli Hayes, and has made many im- provements, and carries on a general line of farm- ing.
On May 25, 1848, Mr. Smith was married to. Lois Eaton, a native of North Haven, and a daugh- ter of Theophilus and Elmira ( Bronson) Eaton, and two children have been born of this union: Charles and Harriet. A very pleasant and companionable- gentleman, his recollections of former days are very interesting, and he possesses a wonderful memory,. stored with incidents of interest. His political affil- iation is with the Republican party, and he is ever ready to uphold its principles, although he is unwill- ing to hold any position in the gift of the party.
THOMAS ANDREW SMITH, who in early life was prominently identified with the industrial interests of New Haven county, and is now en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in North Branford .. was born in that town Jan. 9, 1827, and belongs to old Colonial families. His paternal grandfather. Thomas Smith, was born about 1762, and died Feb. 20, 1815. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and succeeded in blowing up an English craft, but was injured in the explosion and died from the effects of his wounds. His first wife, Sarah Frost, was the mother of Thomas ( father of the subject of this sketch). John and Sarah. On April 22, 1801, he married Rosanna Hull, who died Feb. 3. 1846. In their family were five chil- dren, namely: Ebenezer, born March 17, 1802, who wedded Mary Ann Rogers; Rosanna, bap- tized June 21, 1812; Martha, who married George.
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L. Thorpe; Hiram, baptized May 6, 1810; and James.
Deacon Thomas Smith was born in North Haven Sept. 20, 1798, and died Dec. 10, 1874. He was married Jan. 24, 1819, to Hannah Tuttle, daughter of Jude Tuttle. She was born Jan 4, 1802, and died Dec. 6, 1876. To them were born the following children : Julius, born Dec. 6, 1819, wedded Mary Frost; he was engaged in the butcher business in Fair Haven and Hartford. George R., born Jan. 18, 1821, married Emeline Munson, and followed farming near the old home- stead. Sarah L., born April 20, 1824, died young. Thomas Andrew is next in order of birth. James F., born Dec. 31, 1830, also followed farming near the old homestead. Jane F., twin sister of James F., is the widow of William S. Munson, of Wall- ingford. John W., born Jan. 14, 1835, first married Anna Fowler and second Ida Bradley, and is en- gaged in farming in Seymour, Conn. Julia A., born Aug. 20, 1844, married Henry Harrison, of North Branford. All are now deceased with the exception of Thomas A., Jane and John W.
On the maternal side Thomas A. Smith traces his ancestry back to William Tuttle, a passenger on the "Planter," who came to New England at the age of twenty-six years, and died in June, 1673. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1612, and died in 1684. In their family were the following children: John, born in 1631; Hannah, born in 1632 or 1633; Thomas, born in 1633 or 1634; Jonathan, who was baptized in Charlestown, Mass., July 8, 1637; David, who was baptized April 7, 1639; Joseph, who was baptized in New Haven, Conn., Nov. 22, 1640; Sarah, who was also born in New Haven and married John Slauson ; Eliza- beth, who married Richard Edwards: Simon, who was baptized March 28, 1647; Benjamin ; Mercy, who married Samuel Brown : and Nathaniel.
Jonathan Tuttle, son of William, was born in Charlestown, Mass., in 1637, and died in 1705. He married Rebecca Bell, of Stamford, Conn., a daughter of Lieut. Francis Bell. She died in 1676. They had six children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Rebecca, Sept. 10, 1664; Mary, Sept. 7, 1666; Jonathan, April 6, 1669; Simon, March II, 1671; William, May 25, 1673; and Nathaniel, Feb. 25, 1676.
William Tuttle, son of Jonathan, wedded Mary Abernethy, of Wallingford, Conn., and they had eleven children : Aaron, born Nov. 25, 1698; Moses; Mary, August, 1702; Ezekiel, April 21, 17 -; Abel; Susanna, Nov. 10, 1708; Lydia, Feb. 22, 17II ; Jemina, Feb. 13, 1713; Hannah, Nov. IO, 1715; William, Aug. 1, 1718; and Daniel, April 30, 1722.
Aaron Tuttle, a son of William, was one of the founders of the Episcopal Church in Walling- ford, Conn. He was married, Feb. 6, 1724, to Mary Munson, and to them were born the fol- lowing children : Jude, the eldest, was born Aug.
16, 1724; Deborah, born Dec. 30, 1725, married Amos Clark; Abel, born Feb. 14, 1728, married Dorcas Thomas; Aaron, born Oct. 23, 1729, died in 1737; Mary, born May 22, 1732; Eleazer, born Oct. 12, 1734, died in 1739; Ithamar, born Oct. 26, 1736, was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject ; Aaron, born Nov. 30, 1738; Eleazer, born Sept. 2, 1740; Rachel, born July 14, 1742, mar- ried James Hill; and Isaac, born Feb. 4, 1745.
Ensign Ithamar Tuttle, also captain in the militia, was born Oct. 26, 1736, and died Nov. 8, 1817. He was married, July 28, 1762, to Rhoda Barnes, who died May 6, 1806. Their children were Joshua, who was born in 1764; Jude, the grandfather of our subject; Levi, who married Molly Bassett ; Polly, who married David J. Tut- tle ; Betsey, who married Reuben Doolittle; Patty; Jerry, who married Mary Bronson; Whiting, who married Lucinda Tuttle; Lyman, who with the toregoing was baptized Oct. 7, 1780; Manning, who was baptized Feb. 23, 1781 ; Rhoda, who was baptized April 13, 1783, and married Amos Brad- ley; and Ithamar.
Jude Tuttle, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born June 24, 1765, and died probably Sept. 26, 1808. He married Louisa Smith, Jan. I, 1791, and they had six children, namely : Aurelia, who married Jesse Bassett; Whiting, who married a member of the Fairbanks family; Patty, who was born in Rome, Mass .; Lorinda, who died in North Adams, Mass .; Hannah, mother of our subject ; and Jude S., who was born July 4, 1804.
Thomas A. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, passed his boyhood and youth in North Branford, and began his education in the district schools of the town. Later, however, he attended the graded schools of North Haven. When a young man he secured employment in a factory at Meriden, where he remained two years, and then embarked in the foundry business at Clinton- ville, Conn., as a member of a company, manufac- turing locks and similar articles. Prior to the war of the Rebellion they did a large business in the South, depending on the mail order system to ad- vertise and sell their wares. About 1855 Mr. Smith sold out, and took stock in the agricultural implement manufacturing company, then being or- ganized in Northford, which enterprise was car- ried on very successfully for a number of years, and then discontinued. He next engaged in mer- chandising at that place until 1896, when he dis- posed of his business, and has since superintended the operation of his farm of sixty acres in North- ford.
In that town, Mr. Smith was married, May 9, 1855, to Miss Ann Delia Harrison, a daughter of Albert and Ann ( Foote) Harrison. She died Dec. I, 1859, leaving one child, Albert Harrison, who was born Feb. 11, 1856, and died May 25, 1898. He was engaged in fruit raising at Paw Paw, Mich., and was married, March 18, 1885, to Emma
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R. Snyder, by whom he had two children: Thomas Albert, born Jan. 25, 1886; and Paul llarrison, born Sept. 20, 1889. Mr. Smith was married, second, Oct. 21, 1869, by Rev. Mr. Davis, to Miss Martha E. Page, of North Branford, whose ancestral history is given in connection with the sketch of her brother on another page of this volume.
Politically Mr. Smith is an ardent Republican, and in religious connection a member of the Con- gregational Church of Northford. He has been honored with several official positions of trust and responsibility, having served as postmaster of Northford for about fourteen years; selectman several terms; tax collector six consecutive years ; member of the State Legislature two terms; and member of the school board. In business affairs he was always energetic, prompt and notably re- liable, and he is a man whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public confi- dence.
EDWIN W. COOPER, who was born in West- ville, Conn., Feb. 3, 1826, passed out of life Dec. 10, 1898, and in his death Westville lost not only one of its most successful manufacturers, but also a citizen who was prominently identified with and interested in the progress and industrial develop- ment of his section to an unusual degree.
The birth of Edwin W. Cooper occurred in the town where his business success was obtained. His early educational opportunities were very limited as, by the death of his father, when only a child, he was obliged to labor for his mother's support, she being left with a family to care for. Entering a cooper shop as early as he would be received as an apprentice, he worked there for a time and then took passage on a vessel owned by Abram Heaton, gradually being promoted until his wages permitted the saving of money. This vessel plied between New Haven and Southern ports, and Mr. Cooper continued on it for three years.
Upon his return to Westville, Mr. Cooper en- tered into business in partnership with Joseph D. Payne, the association continuing for fifteen years. It was at this time that the business was inaugurated in the town of Madison, by Mr. Cooper, that proved such a financial success and resulted in the founding of an industrial enterprise which has been of the greatest value to this section of the county. For about fifteen years Mr. Cooper was a manufacturer of manilla and straw board paper, utilizing the force of two mills, and giving employment to a large number of competent workmen. For some years prior to his death he had retired from the active management of the business.
Mr. Cooper was married, first, to Ruth Ann Wooster, who was a daughter of Garry Wooster, of Westville. She died, leaving one son, Zenas W .. who is a resident of Windsor, Conn. On Sept. 8, 1868, Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Martha S.
Hotchkiss, who was born in Naugatuck, Conn., a daughter of Gideon O. and Nancy ( Smith) Hotch- kiss, the latter of whom was a daughter of Anson Smith, also of Naugatuck. One child was born of this union: Eleanor M., born in 1872, married Harry B. Kennedy, of New Haven, Conn., and died Feb. S, 1896.
Mrs. Cooper was a daughter of Gideon Oscar Hotchkiss, a son of Major Orrin, a son of Amos, who was a son of Gideon. Gideon Oscar Hotch- kiss was a farmer of prominence, and was also a leader in the Democratic party, for nine years being one of the most efficient sheriffs of the county, hold- ing the office at the time of his death, in 1872. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hotchkiss were: (I) Martha and (2) Marian, twins, the former of whom became Mrs. Cooper, and the latter Mrs. George W. Davis. (3) Orrin Waite, deceased, was born in Naugutuck where he was educated, learned the trade of machinist and became superin- tendent of the E. S. Wheeler factory in Saugatuck, spending his last years in Bridgeport; he married Emma Perry, who was born in Westport, and they had one son-Edwin Benton, who was educated in Westville, became also a machinist, and in 1895 went to Rotterdam, Holland, where he is the super- intendent of a factory. ( He married Katherine Mc- Carty, of Brooklyn, N. Y., near which city her father is a farmer, and they have two sons, Harold Orrin and Vernon Le Grand.) (4) George Lean- der is deceased. (5) Ida married Willis B. Isbell, well known as "Parson" Isbell, and they have two children, Lena May, who married Rev. Charles O. Scoville in New Haven, and has a daughter Helen May ; and Grace Lillian, who married Dennis Crum- my, and has two children, Teresa and Julia. (6) Hobart is a prominent lawyer and a judge in the city of New Haven. (7) Howard L. married May Towne of Cleveland, Ohio, and is superintendent of the malleable iron department of the Deering Manu- facturing Co., of Chicago.
Mr. Cooper was a life-long Democrat and for eight years served his city as selectman. Frater- nally he was connected with the Masonic order, and both he and family were consistent and devoted members of the Episcopal Church.
SELDEN CHARLES WILLIAMS, who is one of the well-known and popular men of Meri- den, is now living as a retired farmer, and is en- joying in his old age the fruitage of honest and industrious years. He was born on the Middle- town Road, East Meriden, May 22, 1832, a grand- son of David Williams, a native of New York, who followed the occupation of ship carpenter.
' Robert Williams, son of David, and the father of Selden, was born in Catskill, N. Y., and as his father died four years after, Robert was taken to South Glastonbury, Conn., and received into the home of David Tryon, where he remained until sixteen years of age. At that time he came to
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Meriden, and entered the employ of Noah Pom- croy, a tinner, and devoted himself to learning the tinner's trade. For several years he was an ap- prentice with Mr. Pomeroy, and for fifteen years after leaving him followed the trade as a journey- man. He then bought his native farm, embracing twelve acres in East Meriden, which became the home of the family. He traveled through the United States for several years, selling patent rights, with great success. His last years, how- ever, were spent on the farm, where he died. In polities he was a Democrat, and in religious mat- ters a believer in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which his wife was a life-long member. Mr. Williams was married in Meriden to Rachel Bald- win, daughter of Samuel Baldwin, of East Meri- den. She was a school teacher in her early years. . and died on the farm where she had lived many years, and her remains are buried in the East Cemetery. They had nine children: Alonzo J., who died in 1900: Hannah, the wife of Henry Winslow, of Middletown: Selden Charles; Jo- seph H., who died in 1902: Russell, of Meriden ; Francis, of East Meriden : Linus, of Akron, Ohio ; Isaac B., of Meriden; Harvey Miller, who died when nine months old.
Selden Charles Williams received his education in the district school and at Meriden Academy. He grew up on the farm, and at the age of eight- een years began traveling through the Middle States and the South, engaged in peddling. At New Orleans his health failed, and he took passage on a Swedish barque for Italy, acting as third mate on board the ship while on the voyage. While returning home he learned at West Sicily, of the breaking out of the Civil war in the United States. He hastened home and enlisted in Company F, 15th Conn. V. I., with Capt. Al. Harvey and Col. Dexter Wright as his superior officers. Although he had a crippled hand, he was accepted, and par- ticipated in several battles, proving himself a brave and loyal soldier. He was transferred to the quartermaster's department, having charge of the captured horses and mules brought in by Sher- man's men. Mr. Williams was mustered out of the service in North Carolina, and returned home, feeling that he had done a man's part in the hour of his country's need.
At home Mr. Williams was engaged in the cultivation of the home farm for a time, and then found work in the factory of Bradley & Hubbard. For eight years he was with that noted house, and then resumed his work on the farm. where he is still engaged. Mr. Williams is well read, and is thoroughly posted on all the subjects of the day. An earnest and intelligent believer in the cardinal principles of Democracy, he is a worker for the success of the party. He is not committed to any church, and holds the Golden Rule as a sufficient law of life.
On Sept. 4, 1865, Mr. Williams was married
to Sarah L. Remington, who was born in Meriden, a daughter of Oliver T. and Vincey ( Morse) Rem- ington. To this union were born eight children, of whom four are living, namely: Carson E. married Anna E. Loy: Flora E. is at home; Har- vey, born Oct. 24, 1875, and now a butcher and meat dealer, was married to Josephine Kiemli; and Sarah Lois married Edwin S. Culver, of Meriden, and is the mother of three children, Howard Marcus, Raymond George and Robert Almon. All the others died in infancy. Mrs. Williams is a lady of intelligence, and has proved a worthy help- meet to her excellent husband.
CHARLES GRANNISS MERRIMAN, now living retired in Westville, is a native of New Haven, born May 29, 1823, in Elm street, and through a long and exemplary life has upheld the prestige of a family whose members have ever com- manded the highest respect. The connection of the Merriman family with the history of Connecticut dates back to the earliest Colonial days. The name has been variously spelled Merriman, Merriam, etc. From the History of Wallingford we extract the following :
"Joseph Merriam took the freeman's oath in Lex- ington, Mass., March 14, 1638, and died Jan. I .. 1641, and some of his descendants assumed the name of or were recorded as Merriman. Capt. Nathaniel Merriman was one of the original settlers of Wal- lingford, Conn., in 1670. He died Feb. 13, 1693,. aged eighty years.
"John, born Feb. 28, 1659, had three wives, first Hannah Lines, of New Haven, second Mary Doo- little, and third Elizabeth Peck.
"John, son of John and Elizabeth Peck, born Oct. 16, 1691. This John ( I) was probably a Bap- tist preacher, preaching at Wallingford and after- ward at Southington, where he died Feb. 17, 1784 .. and he was my grandfather's grandfather, as fol- lows: Silas (2), Marcus (3), Marcus Jr. (4) .. my father, Charles Granniss (5) Merriman, myself, aged sixty-five now ( 1888), born May 29, 1823.
"Silas Merriman, my great-grandfather, was born 1734, died May 8, 1805, age seventy-one ; his wife, Hannah Upson, died 1820."
Marcus Merriman, grandfather of our subject, was born Oct. 31, 1762, in Cheshire, Conn., and died in New Haven. Just before his death he wrote a sketch of his life which is now in the possession of his grandson, our subject. He was very active during the Revolutionary period, and took part in that struggle as an artillerist, being in many of the engagements in and around New Haven. His parents had moved back to Southington. and remained there throughout the war. In 1780 Marcus Merriman went to sea on a privateer. and he served several months on the Atlan- tic, visiting, in company with other privateers, France and other countries. In March, 1781, he enlisted on board a 20-gun ship which was to sail
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Charles Gallerima
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out of New London, under letter of marque. He went to the West Indies, where at Port au Prince, Hayti, he had yellow fever. In the Bay of Biscay, whither the vessel had sailed after visiting the West Indies, they were engaged by two British war ves- sels, were hard pressed, and obliged to run ashore near Bayonne, where the ship was abandoned. After recovering the cargo they sold it, and Mr. Merri- man walked to Bordeaux, a distance of 100 miles. This consumed four or five days, and after waiting a month, he and his companions left on foot for Nantes, 200 miles away. At the latter port they shipped for $8.00 per month, on a Rhode Island brig. Here they heard the good news of the sur- render of Lord Cornwallis to Gen. Washington. After leaving the coast of France, they did not see another vessel until they arrived in Providence, after a voyage of fifty-three days. They carried silks and brandy from France. Finally returning to New Haven, Marcus Merriman completed his trade, that of a jeweler and silversmith, which he continued to follow, becoming a member of the firm of Merri- man & Bradley. Marcus Merriman was a good citi- zen and a devout believer in the principles of Chris- tianity, which he earnestly tried to follow. He was four times married. In November, 1783. he wed- ded Sarah Parmelee (grandmother of our subject ). who died May 16, 1793, leaving three small children. By his second wife, Susan Bonticou, who died in January, 1807, he had five children, all of whom ‹lied in infancy but Sarah, who became the wife of Eben N. Thomson, of Goshen, Conn. On Dec. 22. 1807, Mr. Merriman married Lydia Wilcox, of Kill- ingworth, who died Feb. 5. 1822. In November, 1822, he married Betsey, widow of Othniel De For- est, of Huntington, Connecticut.
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