USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 45
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It seems particularly fitting that the birthplace of Andrew Murphy was in Wexford, as that has been the seat of the Murphy family for many, many years. The family is one of the oldest in Irish history, and the surname is the most numerous in the country. The name it- self is the anglicized form of McMorough, and as above stated, the original seat of the family was in the barony of Ballagh- keen (meaning in Irish, pleasant roadway ) in the easterly part of the County of Wex- ford, at Castle Ellis and Ouleartleagh (in Irish, Grey Orchard). The county of the O'Murphy family is still called Murroes. The family belonged to the tribe of Hy- Felimy and Murphy, Murrough, and Morin, are anglicized forms of the name of the original ancestor. MacMurcatha, written also, O'Murchada, also O'Murchu, are original forms of the name. In Irish, Murcatha means a sea battle, and Murchu a sea warrior. Dermot McMorough, born in 1090, was King of Leinster for many years, and another famous man bearing the name was Art McMurrough, who was
born in 1357. The latter was particularly noted for his chivalry and general good qualities. The records show many cele- brated men of this family, and in public affairs and professional matters men bear- ing this distinguished old name are found. It is very much to the honor and credit of our subject that he can trace descent direct to the first settlers of County Wex- ford.
Andrew Murphy learned the trade of shoemaker, and removed to Prince Ed- ward Island soon after, where he engaged in farming. He lived there the remainder of his life, and died in 1885, at the age of eighty-nine years. He married Jane God- kin, born in Brudenell, Prince Edward Island, and she died at the age of one hun- dred and four years, in 1911.
Alex Murphy, son of Andrew and Jane (Godkin) Murphy, was born in Summer- ville, Prince Edward Island, in 1838, and died in 1914. He was engaged in farming throughout his active life. Mr. Murphy married Mary Hennessey, daughter of Michael Hennessey, and she was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living: James V., of Summerville ; Andrew, who also resides there ; Daniel, also a resident of Summer- ville ; and Joseph S., of further mention.
Joseph S. Murphy attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, as was the general custom in his native town. He then began to learn the car- penter's trade, and three years later came to New England, locating for a time in Boston, Massachusetts. Again returning home, he followed his trade for two years, and about 1906 removed to Greenwich, Connecticut. He was an excellent work- man and soon rose to foreman. During all of this time, from the first days of his apprenticeship, Mr. Murphy had the am- bitious desire of the true business man to
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enter business on his own account. This he was able to do within a matter of six or seven years after coming to Greenwich. Starting in a small way, his business has steadily and consistently grown to the proportions where it is now necessary to maintain a force of five men. Mr. Murphy also has a mill where he makes his own interior finish. Through his upright methods he has gained the confidence of the people, and is well known as a capable and trustworthy builder.
Mr. Murphy has entered into the civic life of Greenwich, and takes pride in fur- thering all measures which tend to the general welfare. He is a member of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce and of the Greenwich Builders' Association. Fraternally, he is a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and was a member of the National Guard, 12th Regi- ment, Company C, for three years, being quartermaster sergeant.
Mr. Murphy married Nora Shea, daugh- ter of John Shea, and a native of County Kerry, Ireland. They are the parents of a son, George J. Murphy, born in Febru- ary, 1912.
TIMMONS, Lawrence, Business Man.
One of the qualities which has been a large factor in the success of Lawrence Timmons, dealer in real estate and insur- ance, of Greenwich, Connecticut, was evinced in his early school days, and that was promptness. As a school boy he had the unique record of never missing a day, and there are very few who can claim such a record. After Mr. Timmons en- tered upon his business life, he manifested this same quality, combined with a tire- less energy and good judgment. He has attained success in his chosen field of
work, and is among the leading and es- teemed citizens of Greenwich. Mr. Tim- mons descends from an ancient Irish fam- ily. We learn from O'Hart, an authority on Irish family history, that the name was originally O'Tiom and signified soft or tender. This was anglicised into Tims, Timbs and Timmons.
James Timmons, father of Lawrence Timmons, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, in 1828. Upon attaining his ma- jority, he came to America and located in New York City. There he obtained em- ployment, later removing to Greenwich, Connecticut, where he engaged in farm work. There he married Jane Smith, who was a native of Ireland, born in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Timmons were the parents of the following children: Theresa, Law- rence, William, Robert, Mary and James Timmons. The father of this family was a member of the Republican party and an active worker in its interests. With his family he was a regular attendant of the Catholic church of Greenwich.
Lawrence Timmons, eldest son of James and Jane (Smith) Timmons, was born March 4, 1864, in Greenwich, Con- necticut, where he is now located in busi- ness. The public schools of that town afforded him his early education, and he also attended the Greenwich Academy under the teachings of Professor Shep- herd. At the age of sixteen years, he en- tered the business world as a clerk in the employ of H. M. Fitzgerald, whose part- ner he was destined later to be. His re- muneration in this position was fifteen dollars a month. Mr. Timmons remained there for two years, and was similarly employed in New York City for the same length of time. Again returning to Green- wich, Connecticut, he entered the employ of Webb & Avery, where he remained for seven years. His willingness and ability
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commended him to his superiors and he HOYT, Dudley Ely, quickly forged ahead. Mr. Timmons had the ambition natural to all energetie bus- iness men, that is to enter business on his own account, and in 1892 he achieved this desire. The few years previous, how- ever, he had spent as a clerk in the post office and later as manager of a hotel in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, both of which positions afforded him experience in meeting and dealing with the public, qualifications necessary in the successful merchant who would retain and build up his trade. As above stated, in 1892, he be- came a partner of Mr. Fitzgerald, under the firm name of Fitzgerald & Timmons, which subsequently became Timmons & Finch, and finally in 1896, Lawrence Tim- mons & Company, Mr. Timmons being the sole proprietor.
Mr. Timmons has always been a man of wide interests, and he found he had room for still another line of work, so in 1897 he entered the business of real es- tate and insurance, in which he has been remarkably successful. Among the more important developments under his super- vision are Brook Ridge Park, a tract of about seventy acres; Indian Chase Park, one of the finest residence sections of Greenwich. Mr. Timmons is associated with others in some of the developments, and has aided in marketing the sub-divi- sions of Rock Ridge, Bell Haven and Cal- houn Park. Mr. Timmons is a Democrat in politics, and holds a sane, wholesome attitude on all public questions. Frater- nally he is a member of the Royal Ar- canum and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Timmons married, in October, 1894, Katherine Howley, daughter of James Howley, of Glenville, and they are the parents of one child, Mary E. Mr. Timmons and his family attend the Cath- olic church, of Greenwich.
Real Estate Operator.
In many forms Hoyt, Hoyte, Hoit, Hait, Haight, and similar variations, the name Hoyt appears often in Colonial American records.
(I) The American record of the branch herein traced begins with Simon Hoyt, son of John and Ruth Hoyt, who was born in Dorchester, England, January 20, 1590, and who died September 1, 1657, in Stamford, Connecticut. Simon Hoyt mar- ried (first) at Parish Church, Upway, in 1612, Deborah Stowers, daughter of Wal- ter Stowers. He married (second) after coming to America, Susanna Smith, who survived him. In 1628 Simon Hoyt, ac- companied by his brother-in-law, Nich- olas Stowers, and the Spragues, who also were from Upway in Dorset, came to America in the ship "Abigail" with Gover- nor John Endicott, arriving in Salem, Mas- sachusetts, September 6. In 1629 Simon Hoyt went to Charlestown, in 1630 was in Dorchester, in 1635 in Scituate, went to Windsor in 1639, and was later a pioneer of Stamford.
(II) Walter Hoyt, son of Simon and Deborah (Stowers) Hoyt, was born June 9, 1616, died about 1695-96, and his will is recorded at Fairfield. The earliest record of him is in Windsor, Connecticut, where he was granted land in 1640. He was a selectman of Norwalk in 1672, and per- haps in other years. He was deputy from Norwalk to the General Court in 1658-59- 1661-67-68-70-71-73-74-76-78-81. His name appears on the records of these sessions seven times as Hoyte, four times as Hoyt, and three times as Hoit. He was con- firmed by the General Court as sergeant of a company at Norwalk in May, 1659. His children were: John, Elizabeth, Han- nah, and Zerubbabel, of whom further.
(III) Deacon Zerubbabel Hovt (who
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spelled his name Hoyt and Hayt), son of Walter Hoyt, was born, probably in 1650- 1654, died 1727-28. His name is found frequently in Norwalk records. In 1706 he was one of a committee of seven to "order and determine" "the seating of the meeting-house," having "respect to age, quality, and the estates of persons in the publique list." Deacon Zerubbabel Hoyt probably married (second), prior to 1727, Widow Mehitable Keeler. Children: Ab- igail, Joseph, Daniel, of whom further; Hannah, Caleb, and Rhoda.
(IV) Deacon Daniel Hoyt, son of Dea- con Zerubbabel Hoyt, was born January I, 1681, died 1756-64. His father deeded him a dwelling house and home lot. in 1704, and other land in 1710, 1721-22-26, etc. He was called deacon as early as 1735, and he was one of a committee to sell common and undivided land in Nor- walk in 1741-50. He was married twice, his second wife Widow Sarah Starr, of Danbury. Children, all of his first mar- riage : Abel, Ezra, Abigail, Daniel, Abner, John, of whom further; Nathan, Mary, and Abram.
(V) John Hoyt, son of Deacon Daniel Hoyt, was born December 3, 1716, died May 7, 1790. His father gave him land in 1748 and 1756, and other deeds in his name are recorded at Norwalk in 1747- 1765-73. Henry Chichester was appointed administrator of his estate, May 13, 1790. John Hoyt married Sarah Pickett. Chil- dren: Esther, John, Walter, John, of whom further; Jonathan, Deborah, Deb- orah, Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Sarah.
ther; Esther, Betsey, Sally, Sukey, Na- thaniel, Ruth, Adelia, and Ann.
(VII) Aaron Gregory Hoyt, son of John (2) and Ruth (Gregory) Hoyt, was born September 2, 1784, died November 22, 1836. He followed the trade of shoe- maker, and lived in South Norwalk. He married, January 14, 1809, Hannah Smith Bouton (see Bouton line), born Decem- ber 4, 1792, died May 6, 1873. Their children were : Mary Esther, Eunice, Bou- ton, Harriet Amelia, Ira Ford, of whom further ; and Walter Griffin.
(VIII) Ira Ford Hoyt, son of Aaron Gregory and Hannah Smith (Bouton) Hoyt, was born in the homestead on Ro- ton Hill, South Norwalk, Connecticut, February 7, 1824, and died in his home near there, December 16, 1887. When a young man, before he had attained his ma- jority, he went to Montgomery, New York, and there engaged in business, op- erating a hat store independently. He later became a lumber inspector in New York City, and after a short time became an operator in the lumber business. He was a large importer of hard woods, and his patrons were among manufacturers of fine cabinet work; the Steinway Piano Company was one of his long-time custo- mers. Mr. Hoyt was one of the first com- muters on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, a portion of that road having been built on right-of-way through the Hoyt estate. Mr. Hoyt was a life- long resident of Roton Hill, South Nor- walk, and as a Democrat represented his district in the Connecticut Legislature. He was one of the petitioners for the es- tablishment of Trinity Episcopal Church, of South Norwalk, and served it many years as a member of the vestry. He was a member of the Masonic order, holding the Knights Templar degree. Ira Ford
(VI) John (2) Hoyt, son of John (1) and Sarah (Pickett) Hoyt, was born May 8, 1755, died February 9, 1839. He was a farmer and weaver of Norwalk. He married, June 5, 1783, Ruth Gregory, born February 3, 1764, died November 23, 1851. Children : Aaron Gregory, of whom fur- Hoyt was one of the prominent, substan-
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tial citizens of his locality, and through- out his life bore the respect and good will of all who knew him. He married, No- vember 27, 1845, Mary Pell Wixon, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Wixon, of New York City, a direct descendant in paternal line of the Cronk or Cronkhite family of Holland. She was born Febru- ary 25, 1827, and died July 5, 1917. Eight of the eleven children of Ira Ford and Mary Pell (Wixon) Hoyt grew to mature years. They were: Frances Elizabeth, who married Samuel Scofield; Samuel Wixon; Ira Mortimer; William Griffin ; Edward Everett, deceased ; Henry (Har- ry) Hubbell; Dudley Ely, of whom fur- ther ; and Ada Irene (Daisy).
(IX) Dudley Ely Hoyt, son of Ira Ford and Mary Pell (Wixon) Hoyt, was born in the homestead on "Roton Hill," that is now his home, July 9, 1866, and died July 6, 1921. After attending school he studied architecture. At the completion of his studies, Mr. Hoyt entered real es- tate and building operations, and from that time until his death was successfully engaged in that line of work. He mar- ried, June 29, 1904, Emma Deane, daugh- ter of Henry and Margaret Deane, of Brooklyn, New York. They were the parents of: Margaret Rachel, born No- vember 4, 1905, and Dudley Deane, born August 15, 1912. Mr. Hoyt was a mem- ber of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. Hoyt is a staunch Baptist, and an earnest Christian worker.
(The Bouton Line).
The Bouton-Boughton race, of French origin, has an ancient and honorable rec- ord in its French home and in America. The "Dictionnaire des Generaux Fran- cais" yields the following account of the family :
From A. D. 1350 the military and court records abound with the Bouton name for two centuries.
Nicholas Bouton, who bore the title of Count Chamilly, Baron Montague de Naton, born as is supposed, about 1580 and was the father of Harard and John (who were twins), and Noel Bouton, who were Huguenots and refugees during the vio- lent persecutions of the Protestants by the Roman Catholics during the predominance of the Guises in France, at which time many were slaughtered and many escaped to the fastnesses of the surrounding mountains, where subsistence was almost impos- sible. At length the intolerance of the Roman Catholic bigots was overcome, and many refugees returned, among whom were the aforesaid Bou- tons. Noel Bouton distinguished himself and was made Marquis Chamilly, and was subsequently made Marshal of all France, and a life size por- trait of him was placed in the gallery of French nobles at Versailles, France, where it is still to be seen.
(I) John Bouton, son, as is supposed, of the Count Nicholas Bouton, was a Hu- guenot, and during the existence of the great persecution fled to England, where the government was offering to send emi- grants to America, on condition that they would swear allegiance to the Crown of England. A registry of such emigrants was kept at London, and as only one per- son by the Bouton name is found on that registry, embracing a period of one hun- dred years, from 1600 to 1700, it is sup- posed that said person was the John Bou- ton of this family, and that all the fam- ilies of Boutons or Boughtons in this country prior to 1700 were descended from said John Bouton, who embarked from Gravesend, England, in the barque "Assurance," in July, 1635, and landed at Boston, Massachusetts, in December, 1635, aged twenty years; whether mar- ried or not at the time is not known.
He married (first) Joan Turney, lived in Boston and Watertown, Massachusetts, and early in the settlement of Hartford, Connecticut, moved to that place, and again in 1651, soon after the commence- ment of the settlement of Norwalk, he moved to that place, when his wife, Joan,
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soon died, and where he became an influ- ential citizen. In 1671 and for several years subsequently he was a representa- tive in the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut, and served his townsmen in many official capacities in Norwalk. He married (second) at Norwalk, Connecti- cut, January 1, 1656, Abigail Marvin, daughter of Matthew Marvin, who came from London, England. She was born in Hartford about 1640, and died at Nor- walk about 1672. He married (third) in Norwalk, about 1673, Mrs. Mary Steven- son, widow of Jonathan Stevenson, who was killed in a swamp fight with the In- dians near Norwalk. He gave land to his sons, John and Matthew, as appears on the Norwalk town records, and at his death, which occurred in Danbury, Con- necticut, 1704-05, he left an estate at Nor- walk. There were two children of his first marriage, five of his second, and four of the third, among the last Joseph, of whom further.
(II) Joseph Bouton, son of John and Mary (Stevenson) Bouton, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, about 1674. He and his wife, Mary (Gregory) Bouton, settled probably near Norwalk. In his will, recorded at Fairfield, and bearing date December 20, 1746, he bequeaths por- tions to his daughters, whom he desig- nates as Sarah Hanford and Dinah Ben- edict, and closes by ordering the remain- der of his estate to be equally divided among his four children, naming Jachin and John as his two sons.
(III) Jachin Bouton, son of Joseph and Mary (Gregory) Bouton, is said to have been twice married, one of his wives an Atwater. He was the father of nine chil- dren : Ebenezer, Sarah, Joseph, Esaias, of whom further; Mary, Debble, Patty (Martha), Esther, and Moses.
(IV) Esaias Bouton, son of Jachin Bou- ton, was born probably in Norwalk, No-
vember 28, 1730, and died there May 27, 1821. He married, May 30, 1753, Phebe Byxbee, who died March 15, 1810. They are buried in the family plot on "Witch Lane," near their home, which was situ- ated on a cove of Long Island Sound (now called Wilson's Cove). The chim- ney of the house remained standing as an old landmark and range for fishing grounds until the last few years. He was one of the founders of St. Paul's Church, of Norwalk, the first Episcopal church consecrated in America, which he regu- larly attended. Their children were: Phebe, Nathan, Lydia, Stephen, Samuel, of whom further; Hannah, Josiah.
(V) Samuel Bouton, son of Esaias and Phebe (Byxbee) Bouton, was born July II, 1763, in the homestead at the head of "Witch Lane," or Wilson's Cove, oppo- site the small Bouton burial enclosure. He afterward moved to the old Middle- sex road, beyond Flax Hill (West street, South Norwalk), and died there April 1, 1833. He married, March 1, 1787, Eunice Smith, who was born November 18, 1767, and died August 3, 1818, a daughter of Noah (1) and Eunice (Hoyt) Smith. Noah Smith was the fourth generation from Samuel Smith, who came to Amer- ica in 1634, through Killiab, Ebenezer, Eliakim Smith. The children of Samuel and Eunice (Smith) Bouton were : Phebe, Mary Ann, Abbe, Hannah Smith, who married Aaron Gregory Hoyt (see Hoyt line) ; Esaias, and Samuel.
KELLEY, Henry,
Farmer, Public Official.
For four generations the Kelley family has been ably represented in New Can- aan, Connecticut. The members of this family have grown to manhood and wo- menhood there, respected citizens, con- tributing in many ways to the progress
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and development of the town. They are of that grand contribution which Ireland has often made to our citizenship. The father of Henry Kelley possessed those sterling qualities of heart and character that no amount of education can impart, and he gave his children the best educa- tion the opportunities afforded, as well as training in the fundamentals of morality and the fear of God.
(I) James Kelley, grandfather of Henry Kelley, was a native of Castle Willin, County Down, Ireland, where the family owned a homestead for generations. He married Mary Doyle, and they were the parents of John, of whom further.
(II) John Kelley, son of James and Mary (Doyle) Kelley, was born in Castle Willin, County Down, Ireland, where he grew to manhood. In 1858 he came to New Canaan, Connecticut, and entered the employ of Captain Ogden as a gar- dener. He was with him about two years, and then entered the employ of Captain Stephen Hoyt, the well known nursery- man, with whom he remained during his lifetime. John Kelley married Mary Gan- non, and they were the parents of five sons: Edward, of New Canaan ; Henry, of further mention ; James J, whose sketch follows ; John D., of New Canaan; Frank P.
(III) Henry Kelley, son of John and Mary (Gannon) Kelley, was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, July 14, 1862. He was educated in the public schools. He then went to work in the Hoyt nurseries ; he was only eleven years old when he be- gan to work summers. Mr. Kelley con- tinued in the employ of the Hoyt nurser- ies until his appointment as postmaster by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. In the meanwhile Mr. Kelley secured a farm of his own, which he has cultivated as a fruit farm, specializing on small fruits. Very recntly he branched out in- pressive sight.
to raising ornamental nursery stock in a small way; his farm comprises about forty acres. Mr. Kelley also has a small herd of thoroughbred Jerseys for whose milk there is a large demand, and the cattle contribute greatly to improving the fertility of the soil.
Mr. Kelley has always been keenly in- terested in all public matters ; in politics he is a Democrat, and was elected to the Board of Relief in 1888, serving several terms. For twenty-six years he served on the School Committee and most of the time was secretary of this committee. He has also been a delegate to many party conventions, and as previously stated was appointed postmaster in 1915. Mr. Kel- ley is one of the corporators of the New Canaan Savings Bank.
Mr. Kelley married Margaret Burke, daughter of Richard Burke, of Green- wich, and they are the parents of four- teen children, all of whom are living : Ed- ward, married Louise Millard, and has two children, Louise and Henry; Rich- ard, married Lillian Bourgeron, and has three children, Homer, Edith and Rich- ard; Mary J., Nellie, Margaret, John, Henry, James, Francis B., Hannah, Rose, Catherine, Lawrence, and Elizabeth.
Mrs. Kelley died May 13, 1921, and in her death New Canaan lost one of its good Christian women and her family a good wife and mother. Her funeral serv- ices took place at St. Aloysius' Church, which edifice was filled with sorrowing friends from the village and surrounding
country. The services were conducted by Father John F. Moore, assisted by the Rev. Peter C. M'Clean, of Milford, Con- necticut, as deacon, Rev. Joseph A. Deg- nan, of Norwalk, as sub-deacon, and Rev. John H. Walsh, of Norwalk, as master of ceremonies. Mrs. Kelley's six sons acted as pallbearers at the funeral, a most im-
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During the World War, 1917-18, Mr. Canaan show the splendid work done by Mr. Kelley, and are without doubt some of the show places of the country.
Kelley served on the five Liberty Loan drives, also on the charity drives. On one occasion, when the auctioneer failed to come, Mr. Kelley stood upon a "tank" and sold thirty-three thousand dollars worth of bonds. Three of Mr. Kelley's sons were in the war. James went over with the 76th Division from Camp Devens and was in the service twenty-one months. John went over with the foresters from Camp Merritt and was in France one and one-half years. Francis B. was a student at Rutgers College, and served with the organization from that college. He was ordered to an officers' training camp in California the day the armistice was signed.
KELLEY, James J., Landscape Gardener.
Among the men who have the interests of New Canaan, Connecticut, at heart may be mentioned James J. Kelley, a landscape gardener of some note, who has done much in beautifying not only the grounds around New Canaan homes, but also those of the surrounding country.
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