USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 11 > Part 30
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Robert Coe, son of Henry and Mary, was the immigrant ancestor of the American family. He
was born at Thorpe-Morieux, County Suffolk, baptized October 25, 1596. In 1625 he was living at Boxford, County Suffolk, whence he came to this country in 1634. He was elected overseer of cloth at Boxford, April 18, 1625, and was quest- man of the Boxford Church in 1629. He sailed from Ipswich, County Suffolk, England, in the ship "Francis," with his family, settled at Water- town, Massachusetts, where he was admitted free- man September 3, 1634. In June of the next year he went, with others, to settle Wethersfield, Con- necticut, being dismissed from the Watertown Church May 29, 1635, and remained there about five years. In November, 1640, he was one of the founders of Stamford, Connecticut, where he was a magistrate and deputy to the General Court. For eight years he lived at Hempstead, Long Island, where he was an elder of the church and magis- trate under the Dutch government. In 1652 he located at Newtown, Long Island, and was there an elder of the church. In 1653 he was sent to Boston, Massachusetts, to get protection from the Indians, and in the same year went on the same mission to New Amsterdam. In 1656 he was among the founders of Jamaica, Long Island, from 1658 to 1664 was magistrate. In 1663 the town owned allegiance to Connecticut and next year he served as deputy to the General Court at Hart- ford. When the English captured New Amster- dam, Robert Coe was made judge of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer and high sheriff of Yorkshire. He died about 1689. His wife, Mary, who accom- panied him from England, was the mother of his children; she died and was buried October 27, 1628, in Boxford. Their second son, Robert Coe, born at Boxford, baptized there September 19, 1626, did not go to Long Island, lived in Stratford, where he died about September, 1659. He married about 1650 Hannah Mitchell, who was baptized June 26, 1631, at Halifax, Yorkshire, England, daughter of Matthew and Susan (Butterfield) Mitchell. She came with her parents to Wethers- field, where she met her first husband. She mar- ried (second) Nicholas Elsey, of New Haven, where she died April 2, 1702. John Coe, son of Robert and Hannah, born May 10, 1658, at Strat- ford, lived with his foster-father at New Haven until he attained his majority and received by deed from his mother his father's estate at Stratford. In 1685 he exchanged this for another lot, on which he built a house and lived there until his death. He was a prosperous farmer, land specula- tor, merchant, miller, innkeeper, held various town offices, including representative, was lieutenant and
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captain of militia and served in the French and Indian War, 1708. His will, dated January 29, 1740, was proved May 5, 1741. He married, December 20, 1682, Mary Hawley, born July 10, 1663, in Stratford, died September 9, 1731, daugh- ter of Lieutenant Joseph and Catharine (Birdsey) Hawley. He died April 19, 1741. Captain Joseph Coe, son of Captain; John and Mary, was born February 2, 1687, in Stratford, and settled at Dur- ham, Connecticut, in 1706. There he filled many stations of honor and responsibility, including rep- resentative, lieutenant and captain in 1729, and died July 15, 1754. He married, in Durham, November 21, 1708, Abigail Robinson, born April 3, 1690, in Guilford, daughter of David and Abigail (Kirby) Robinson, died July 6, 1775. David Coe, second son of Joseph and Abigail, was born February 18, 1716, in Durham, and settled in Middlefield, where he was a prosperous and influential farmer. In 1759 he was lieutenant of the Sixteenth Company, Sixth Regiment of Militia, and captain in 1764. Though too old for military service in the Revolu- tion, he was among the most patriotic supporters of the colonial cause, whose triumph he enjoyed many years, dying January 14, 1807. He married, in 1740, Hannah Camp, born November 15, 1720, died October 16, 1808, daughter of Nathan and Rhoda (Parsons) Camp, descended from Nicholas Camp, born before 1630, in England, son of John and Mary Camp. In 1638 he came from Nasing, County Essex, was at Watertown, Massachusetts ; at Wethersfield, Connecticut; in 1639 was at Guil- ford and, as early as 1646, had a house lot of six acres, one right and two parcels at Milford, Con- necticut. His name is on the list of free planters there dated November 20, 1639, and he joined the church at Milford, November 2, 1643. His wife, Sarah, died September 6, 1645, and was the first white adult buried at Milford. In 1670-71-72 his son, Nicholas Camp, born 1630, was representa- tive; was taxed on £199 of property at Milford; conducted a store at "the West End." He was accepted an inhabitant of Derby in May, 1673, and died at Milford, June 10, 1706. He married, July 14, 1652, Katherine Thompson, widow of Anthony Thompson. Joseph Camp, third son of Nicholas and Katherine, was born December 15, 1657, in Milford, graduated from Harvard College in 1677, and died May 20, 1750, at Milford. He married Hannah Rogers, born 1664, died January 9, 1740, daughter of Eleazer Rogers, who was a freeman at Milford in 1669. The eldest son of Joseph and Hannah (Rogers) Camp was Nathan Camp, born 1690, died February 27, 1767. He was an
early settler in Durham, which town he repre- sented in the General Assembly fifteen years. He married, January 1, 1717, Rhoda Parsons, born 1694, in Northampton, Massachusetts, died July I, 1767, in Durham, daughter of Samuel and Rhoda (Taylor) Parsons of Northampton and, late in life, of Durham. Hannah Camp, daughter of Nathan and Rhoda, became the wife of Captain David Coe, as above shown. Cornet Joseph Par- sons was an associate of William Pynchon in the settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts, and his name appears on a deed from the Indians to the colony, July 15, 1636. He was one of the founders of Northampton, one of the first purchasers from the Indians there in 1645. He accumulated a large estate and died October 9, 1683. He was a son of Sir Thomas Parsons, and came from Gravesend, England, sailing July 4, 1635, in the ship "Trans- port." He married, November 26, 1646, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Ford) Bliss, of Hartford. Their son, Samuel Parsons, was born January 23, 1652, in Springfield, and went with his parents to Northampton, whence he removed, in 1709, to Durham, Connecticut. He married (second) about 1691, Rhoda, daughter of Robert and Thankful (Woodward) Taylor. Their daughter, Rhoda, became the wife of Nathan Camp, as previously related.
Jesse Coe, second son of Captain David and Hannah (Camp) Coe, born November 14, 1743, in Durham (now Middlefield), was a farmer in the "South Farms" section of Middletown, where he died October 25, 1824. He married (third), in 1795, Lucy, widow of Samuel Johnson, born April 28, 1752, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Mil- ler) Atkins. Ezra Coe, seventh child of Jesse and Lucy (Atkins) Coe, was born June 26, 1796, in Middletown, remained on the paternal homestead, which he inherited, and died March 31, 1855. He married about 1816, Phebe Hubbard, born about April 14, 1795, died May 5, 1870, second daughter of Samuel and Huldah (Crowell) Hubbard, of West Long Hill, Middletown. She was a sister of Hon. Alfred Hubbard, of Long Hill.'
Lucy Ann Coe, daughter of Ezra and Phebe, became the wife of Henry Loveland Plum, as hereinbefore noted.
Loren Hubbard Plum, son of Henry L. and Lucy A. (Coe) Plum, was born April 22, 1854, in Westfield, and continued on the paternal farm until his death, which occurred March 22, 1901. He attended
Conn. 11-14
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the local school and Daniel Chase's pre- town. Mr. and Mrs. Plum are the par- paratory school in Middletown. He was ents of: I. Marion Frances, born No- vember 16, 1901. 2. Loren Alfred, July 16, 1903. 3. Howard Everett, October 17, 1914. successful as a general farmer, giving lit- tle attention to affairs beyond his own domain, though he felt an interest in the general welfare, and attempted to fulfill the duties of a good citizen. He embraced SMITH, Robert Kemble, the Universalist faith in religion, and espoused the cause of the Democratic Business Man. party in politics. He married, November 21, 1876, Charlotte Roberts, born 1857, died July 2, 1886, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Brock) Roberts of Johnson Lane district, Middletown. Elijah Roberts was a son of Wickham and Sarah (Johnson) Roberts of Johnson Lane. After the death of Charlotte (Roberts) Plum, Loren H. Plum married Amelia Starr, now wife of Chauncey W. Roberts.
Elihu Henry Plum grew up on the old Plum homestead, attending the local school and Central School of Middletown city. Because of the failing health of his father, he was early obliged to take charge of the operation of the farm, and has since continued in that occupation. A reader and intelligent observer of events, he keeps abreast of the times and is recog- nized as a leader in agricultural affairs. He is a member of Westfield Grange, of which he has been several times Master, of the Pomona and National granges. For twenty-seven years, Mr. Plum has en- gaged in the milk business, delivering to customers in the city. He acknowledges no allegiance to blind partizanship, though a supporter of Democratic principles, and seeks no political favors. While a Uni- versalist in religious faith, he supports the Congregational Church, and seeks to further every moral influence.
He married, November 7, 1900, Edna Scranton, born May 10, 1874, in North Madison, Connecticut, daughter of Alfred and Emma (Francis) Scranton of that
A scion of an old and distinguished family both in the paternal and maternal lines and a worthy representative of the progressive American business man, Rob- ert Kemble Smith's career proves that this is the day of the young man, and that it is no longer necessary to reach middle age before attaining success. Mr. Smith was born in Hartford, Connecticut, May 29, 1890, son of Charles Howell and Kate (Kemble) Smith. The immigrant ances- tor of the family was Richard Smith, an original proprietor of Lyme, Connecticut, and in this section of the State many de- scendants of this worthy man are still found. Another prominent ancestor was Elder William Brewster, of the "Mayflow- er," and through the maternal lines, de- scent can be traced from Samuel Gorton, one of the founders of the town of War- wick, Rhode Island. The great-grandfather of Robert Kemble Smith was Elisha Smith, of East Lyme, and he served in the War of 1812, holding the rank of sergeant. He married Mary Gorton, and they were the parents of Charles H. Smith, who was born in East Lyme, October 27, 1828, and died at Hartford, Connecticut, May 24, 1907. He lived in East Lyme until he was fourteen years old, where he attended school and was then sent to Westfield, Massachusetts, where he lived with his brother, Rev. William Angus Smith. For two years Charles H. Smith attended the Westfield Academy, and then came to Hartford, and became associated with
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another brother, John Gorton Smith, who had been engaged in the dry-goods busi- ness for many years. The store owned by the latter was called the "Long Brick Store" and there many merchants who became successful in later years served their apprenticeship. It was in 1844 that Charles H. Smith entered his brother's employ, and from this year until the time of his death he was identified with the mercantile interests of the city and sub- sequently was among the representative merchants. In 1851, by economy and thrift, Mr. Smith was in a position to buy his brother's interests in business when the latter removed to New York City. Twenty years later ill health obliged Mr. Smith to sell his store to the firm of Brown-Thomson & Company. He con- tinued to be active in financial and in- dustrial matters, however, and was a trustee of the Connecticut Trust & Safe Deposit Company; a director of the Phoenix Insurance Company ; a founder and director of the Smyth Manufacturing Company. In 1877, Mr. Smith formed a partnership with Edwin D. Tiffany, and his son, Charles Howell Smith, to engage in a general brokerage business, and this relation was maintained until 1894 in which year the son's death occurred, and the same year the father resigned his active business connections. In politics, Mr. Smith was a Republican ; a member of the Connecticut Historical Society; the Hartford Club, and was a member of the South Congregational Church. He trav- elled extensively for over sixty years.
In 1852 he married (first) Harriet E. Hills, a daughter of Howell R. Hills, a merchant dealing in boots and shoes, and they were the parents of one son, Charles Howell Smith. The mother died in 1855, and Mr. Smith married (second) in 1861, Jane T. Hills, daughter of Ellery Hills, also a prominent merchant.
Charles Howell Smith, son of Charles and Harriet (Hills) Smith, was born in 1853 and died in 1894 at the early age of forty-one years. He received the bene- fits of a broad education and soon after completing school was associated with his father and later was a partner in the brokerage business. He was also secre- tary and treasurer of the Valley Railroad and gave promise of a career in business that would equal his father's if it had not been cut short by his untimely death. Mr. Smith married Kate Kemble of Paw Paw, Michigan, and they were the par- ents of Robert Kemble Smith.
The latter was educated in the public schools of Hartford and the Hotchkiss Grammar School at Lakeville, Connecti- cut. Later he was a student at Williams College, and soon after this time became identified with the insurance interests of Hartford, a line of work he has continued to the present time. He was associated with the Connecticut Mutual Life Insur- ance Company and later was a special agent of the Travelers' Insurance Com- pany. In 1914 he engaged in business on his own account as a general insurance broker, and is now the representative of the Western Insurance Company of To- ronto; the Fidelity and Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of New York and several Hartford companies.
A few years ago Mr. Smith added real estate to his other business and at this time incorporated as the Robert K. Smith Company, Incorporated. He is a member of the Hartford Real Estate Board. While at college he became a member of the fra- ternity, Chi Psi; is a member of Wyllys Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons of West Hartford. His clubs are : the Hartford Golf and the Town Fish and Game Club.
Mr. Smith married Marion Calhoun, daughter of Louis F. Middlebrook of
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Hartford. Mrs. Smith is prominent in the social life of the city and is well known in golf circles. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are: Lucius Middlebrook, Katherine Kemble, Sally Brinsmade. The family attends Trinity Episcopal Church and aids in its support.
ROBERTS, David Beaumont, Automobile Dealer.
One of the earliest families in Connecti- cut history, the descendants of the Roberts family are now found in several States and are among the useful and upright citizens. This family was founded by William Roberts, son of Catherine Leete and a Mr. "Robards"; the former came from Mid- dletown, Connecticut, and lived near the foot of Smith's lane on the Meadow Hill, south of the present "Bridge Road," the main street at the time following this meadow bank. William Roberts married Dorothy Forbes, daughter of Captain James Forbes, the progenitor of the Forbes family in East Hartford, and from her father she received six acres of land. On this plot William Roberts built his dwelling. In 1703 he served as the committee of the minister's house; in 1709 he deeded land and a saw mill and in 1729 he deeded all his land to his son Ben- jamin. William Roberts died in 1734 or 1735. The fifth of the seven children born to William and Dorothy (Forbes) Roberts,
(II) Joseph Roberts, was baptized Angust II, 1700, and died February 14, 1774. He married Mabel Keeney, who died October 16, 1776, at the age of seventy-one years.
(III) Joseph Roberts, his son, married Thankful, daughter of David and Mary (Hills) Forbes; she died May 28, 1820, aged eighty years. Their son,
(IV) Elisha Roberts was born April 15, 1762, and baptized on the eighteenth of the same month, and died April 19, 1829. He married Sarah, daughter of Joshua Risley, and her death occurred November 16, 1829. Their son,
(V) Joseph Roberts was baptized An- gust 12, 1787, and died July 7, 1838. He married Harriet, daughter of James Smith and was the father of
(VI) Edwin Morrison Roberts, born in East Hartford, where he was baptized April 4, 1819, and died in 1903. He was one of the first manufacturers of solid silver knives, forks and spoons in this country, and was engaged in this business until about twelve years before his death when he retired. In the latter years the business was conducted under the firm name of Edwin M. Roberts & Son. Mr. Roberts always resided in East Hartford where he was active in politics, and a leader in town affairs. He was a member of the Putnam Phalanx and of the East Hartford Masonic Lodge. Mr. Roberts married Mary Ann, daughter of Russell Cowles of Newark, New Jersey, born in 1826, died in 1891.
(VII) Joseph William Roberts, their son, was born February 20, 1859, and was brought up in the environment of farm life. He became a partner of his father in the silver business later in life, and their plant was located near where the present East Hartford depot is situated. After about four years in the silver business, the son withdrew, and went to Bristol, Connecticut, where he was in charge of a silver-plating plant which he installed for the Bristol Brass & Clock Company. Mr. Roberts was there two years and then returned to East Hartford where he be- came associated with the J. B. Williams Company of Glastonbury in their cutlery department. For years he travelled for
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this firm, his period of service totaling thirty-two years until his death, April 28, 1914. Mr. Roberts was essentially do- mestic in his tastes, his interests outside his business centering on his home and in the church. He was a member of the East Hartford Congregational Church for many years. Mr. Roberts married, October 27, 1881, Jeanette Louise, daughter of David and Rebecca (Allen) Beaumont.
(VIII) David Beaumont Roberts was born January 6, 1882, in East Hartford, and from a very early age showed the dominant business instinct which has placed him among the prominent business men of Hartford and East Hartford to- day. Mr. Roberts attended Morse Busi- ness College after completing his public school course, and when only fourteen years of age engaged in the bicycle busi- ness on his own account, handling the Barnes Cycle and the Columbia bicycle, and sold most of the bicycles that were sold in East Hartford. After five years he became the agent of the Pope-Hartford automobile in Rockville, Connecticut, and was among the earliest auto dealers in Hartford County. Mr. Roberts was lo- cated in Rockville for eight years and then took the agency for Ford cars ; he came to Hartford in 1907 and took over the Buick agency which he still retains. His terri- tory covers Hartford and Tolland counties and he has an interest in three other Buick agencies. In 1921 Mr. Roberts built a fine, large brick garage in East Hartford, which is the headquarters for the Buick cars, and which has also materially added to the upbuilding of the town of East Hartford. There is a large display room taking up practically the whole front of the garage. On the side is a wide drive- way leading to the rear where all repairs are made and there is also a used car de- partment dealing entirely in Buick cars.
Mr. Roberts organized the Springfield Buick Company and the Greenfield Buick Company, both of which companies he still directs. The Hartford Buick Com- pany was organized in 1909.
Mr. Roberts has ably demonstrated that it is not necessary to seek fields far away from one's birthplace to win success in the business world; opportunities are right at hand for those who have eyes to see. Other business interests of Mr. Roberts include the New England Amuse- ment Company of which he is the organ- izer and which operates a theater in Hart- ford and in New London. He has also developed several real estate properties and has made an enviable reputation for good judgment in seeing business oppor- tunities and for making a success of his undertakings.
In spite of the many demands upon his time from his business interests, he showed his true descent from the early immigrants when he enlisted in service during the World War. He was in the air-plant section of motor production and was transferred from Washington to the production department of the Hispano- Suiza Company at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Elizabeth, where he remained about six months when the Armistice was signed.
Fraternally Mr. Roberts is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Hartford. He finds recreation and profitable pleasure at his farm in Haddam where he makes his home and specializes in the raising of pure-bred Shropshire sheep. Each year he exhibits at the State Fair at Danbury and at Springfield and received ribbons from both places. He is a member of the American Shropshire Association and is also a member of the
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Farm Bureau and of the Farmers' Co- öperative Buyers Company.
Mr. Roberts married Maude I., daugh- ter of Thomas Dunn of South Manchester, Connecticut, and they are the parents of two children : Mabelle and Harry Roberts.
(The Beaumont Line).
The history of the Beaumont family is closely associated with the history of East Hartford, Connecticut. Makens Bemont, the founder, was born in France in 1743, and came to the United States from Eng- land where he had resided for a time. His occupation was a saddler and he made saddles for the soldiers of the Revolu- tionary War. After the country was re- stored to peace, Makens Bemont contin- ued to follow his trade and by industry and thrift, combined with good judgment, he acquired considerable wealth and was among the prominent and substantial citizens of his day. His wife, Parmelia, was born in 1752 and died in 1832, and they were the parents of seven children of whom the youngest was:
Elijah Bemont, born in East Hartford, July 1, 1791. He attended the schools of the neighborhood and during all his spare time was accustomed to work about his father's place. In those days boys were not permitted to play very much, as their parents believed it fostered idleness. Eli- jah Bemont served in the War of 1812 as a member of a company of riflemen from East Hartford, and later in life re- ceived a pension for his services. He married, November 1, 1841, Electa, born May 31, 1794, daughter of James and Eunice (Rowley) White. After his mar- riage he located on Burnside Avenue and entered into the business of furnishing lumber for ships and fire wood. After his sons grew to manhood, they became his assistants and their business grew and
prospered. It was necessary for Mr. Bemont to make a trip to New Bedford, Massachusetts, a ship-building center, and some of his customers bought from him for forty years in succession, which in itself is proof of his integrity and upright business dealings.
David B. Beaumont, son of Elijah and Electa Beaumont, was born in East Hart- ford, August 20, 1831, and died about 1881. He was reared on a farm and re- mained at home until his marriage. For some years he was in business for himself as a car man and resided in Manchester, Connecticut. He later engaged in the railroad contracting business and built part of the Air Line Road which ran through Shelburne Falls and Greenfield, Massachusetts. In his later life he pur- chased a small place near the homestead and dealt extensively in horses ; he had a natural love for animals, especially horses and for over twenty years he carried on a successful business. Mr. Beaumont mar- ried Emeline Rebecca Allen of Meriden, and their daughter, Jeanette Louise, be- came the wife of Joseph William Roberts, as above mentioned.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were: David Beaumont, of extended men- tion previously ; Elizabeth May, wife of Eugene Oscar Peabody of Philadelphia ; Erwin Edward, of San Diego.
STOW, James Pomeroy,
Town and City Official
The Stow family was among the early residents of Middletown, and embraced a large progeny, which has been identified with the history of Middletown and Mid- dlefield, and Cromwell, down to the pres- ent time (See Bacon, C. S.). The first from whom the descent of James Pom- eroy Stow can be traced was Alanson
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Stow, born about 1790, who engaged in agriculture through his life in the town of Cromwell. His first location was in "The Nooks" then a popular settlement near the present factory at North Cromwell. Subsequently he removed to what is known as the "Plains" where he died October 15, 1864. He married, February 7, 1812, Sally Pardee, who was a native of Cromwell and died there March 9, 1867. Their second son, Asa Bray Stow, born May 15, 1818, in what is now Cromwell, early turned his attention to business. Before attaining his majority, he went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he resided for a time and later made a second trip to the South, where he engaged in business. He became a painter and on the second return to his native State was employed in that capacity for a time at Meriden. Later he conducted a paint shop in Middletown and in time formed a partnership with William Bogelt, and car- ried on an extensive business as a decor- ator, many fresco paintings of Middlesex County being his handiwork. He also conducted a wood engraving business, and died in Middletown, February 23, 1898, and was buried in Indian Hill Cemetery. He was one of the three original corpo- rators of that home of the dead in associ- ation with Daniel Chase and E. F. Shel- don. In his later years, Mr. Stow was engaged in developing considerable real estate holdings in Middletown and was interested in the summer resort at Cres- cent Beach, which he aided largely in building up. He was interested in mili- tary affairs, was a member of the Cadets and subsequently an original member of the Mansfield Guard of Middletown, a noted militia organization. He was affili- ated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons ; was a man of very
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