Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8, Part 33

Author:
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 802

USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8 > Part 33

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In politics, Mr. Stanton was a Repub- lican and was active in local affairs. He was not an office seeker, but often served as a delegate to conventions. He also took an active part in the early Good Templars movement.

Mr. Stanton married, March 26, 1863, Orient Adaline Stanton, born February 15, 1837, in Great Valley, New York, daughter of Gershom Rust and Julia An- toinette (McClure) Stanton. Mrs. Orient A. Stanton descended from Captain Thomas Stanton through Elisha Stan- ton, father of John Warren Stanton, pre- viously mentioned. Her father, Gershom Rust Stanton, was a brother of the latter, and was born June 1, 1802. in Norwich, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1817 he came from the latter State to Nunda, New York. He married, September 30, 1827, in Franklinville, New York, Julia Antoin- ette McClure. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton: Archie Byron, of whom fur- ther; Annie, married Clarence H. Mar- tin, and resides in Dade City, Florida ; Julia, married William Carey, and resides in St. John. Kansas.

(VIII) Archie B. Stanton, son of Charles Brewster and Orient Adaline (Stanton) Stanton, was born in Kanawha county, West Virginia, and was educated in the public schools at Centropolis and at the Ottawa (Kansas) College. In the latter place Mr. Stanton was engaged in

the mortgage and loan business for about three years, after which he went to El Paso, Texas, where he engaged in busi- ness as a fruit commission merchant. This occupied his time for almost the same period. An opportunity came to enter the employ of Underwood & Under- wood, the well known dealers in photo- graphs, and in their interests he went to Spain where he was in Madrid for about two years and in Bilbao the next two years. Leaving Spain just before the Spanish-American War, Mr. Stanton en- tered the London office of the company, and upon his return to New York was associated with the firm there until 191I. In March, 1914, on the organization of The Putnam Trust Company, Mr. Stan- ton entered the company's employ, be- coming secretary and a director of the company in January, 1919. Mr. Stanton takes an active interest in the affairs of his home city, and with his family is a member of the Congregational church in Sound Beach. He is chairman of the so- ciety's committee of that church.

Mr. Stanton married Ada Leach, daugh- ter of John and Hester (Theis) Leach, of Brooklyn, New York. Their children are : Theodore Brewster, Roland Hughes, Hubert Charles, and Donald Everett.

(The Brewster Line).

(I) Elder William Brewster, the an- cestor of Mrs. Sally (Brewster) Stanton, was born about 1560. For about twenty years he lived in Scrooby where he held the office of post. There he occupied the manor house where gathered the little band that constituted the Plymouth Pil- grims. Elder Brewster was the organizer and head of the Pilgrims, and until his death, April 16, 1644, he was their ac- knowledged leader. His wife was Mary Brewster.

(II) Jonathan Brewster, son of Elder

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William and Mary Brewster, was born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, August 12, 1593. He came to America in the ship "Fortune" in 1621. On April 10, 1624, Jonathan Brewster married Lucre- tia Oldham, of Darby, and she died March 4, 1678-79. In 1630 he lived in Duxbury, where he served as deputy sev- eral terms. In 1649 he removed to New London and settled in that part which was later Norwich; there he served as deputy also. He died August 7, 1659.

(III) Benjamin Brewster, son of Jon- athan and Lucretia (Oldham) Brewster, was born October 17, 1633, and died july 14, 1710. He settled on the homestead of his father at Brewster's Neck, and was one of the most prominent men of the community. Benjamin Brewster was lieu- tenant of the New London Troop and captain of the Norwich Military Com- pany. He married, February 28, 1660, Ann Dart.

(IV) Captain Daniel Brewster, son of Benjamin and Ann (Dart) Brewster, was born March 1, 1666, and died May 7, 1735. He lived in Preston, Connecticut, and was justice of the peace of New Lon- don county and also served as represen- tative. In 1716 he was commissioned lieutenant of the Preston Military Com- pany and subsequently was captain of this company. Captain Brewster was a deacon of the first church in Preston. He married (first) December 23, 1686, Han- nah Gager, daughter of John and Eliza Gager, of Norwich, born February, 1666, and died September 25, 1727.

(V) Jonathan (2) Brewster, son of Captain Daniel and Hannah (Gager) Brewster, was born June 6, 1705. He married, November 9, 1725-26, Mary Par- ish.

(VI) Jonathan (3) Brewster, son of Jonathan (2) and Mary (Parish) Brew- ster, was born June 8, 1734, and died in

Worthington, Massachusetts, April 13, 1800. He removed from Preston to Worthington in 1777, and was selectman, representative and deacon. On August 28, 1755, Deacon Brewster married, in Preston, Zipporah Smith, daughter of Ephraim and Hannah (Witter) Smith, of Stonington, born in Preston, July 10, 1735, died in Worthington, January 19, 1794.

(VII) Squire Jonathan (4) Brewster, son of Deacon Jonathan (3) and Zipporah (Smith) Brewster, was born November 14, 1759, and died February 16, 1841. He was representative seven times, and was a member of the Board of Selectman. A writer said of him: "He was loved by the poor for his kindness and respected by the rich for his integrity." Squire Brew- ster married Lois Marsh, daughter of Jo- seph Marsh, of Worthington, where she died September 24, 1810.

(VIII) Sally Brewster, daughter of Squire Jonathan (4) and Lois (Marsh) Brewster, was born December 1, 1788, and died in August, 1840, in Ellicottville, New York. . She became the wife of John Warren Stanton (see Stanton VI).

STEARNS, Thomas Calhoun, Cereal Manufacturer.

Five hundred years or more ago when the population of England had become sufficiently dense to make surnames nec- essary, some Englishmen assumed the name of Sterne. The name is derived from the sign of the Sterne, or Starling (the symbol of the industry ), displayed in front of an ancestor's place of business. In England the name was spelled Sterne for many years. There were three immi- grants of this name, Isaac, Charles and Nathaniel, and they left numerous de- scendants throughout the country. These descendants have been men of promi-

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nence in all walks of life and have suc- ceeded in adding further honor to the name.

(I) The immigrant ancestor of the family, Isaac (Sterne) Stearns, was born in England, and died June 19, 1671. He sailed from Yarmouth, England, April 12, 1630, in the "Arabella," Governor Winthrop's company, and arrived on the Massachusetts coast in company with Sir Richard Saltonstall and Edward Garfield, ancestor of the martyred president. They settled first in Salem, and thence moved to Charlestown, and later were among the first settlers of Watertown. Isaac Stearns was admitted a freeman, May 18, 1631, and was selectman for several years. He was accompanied to New England by his wife, Mary (Barker) (Sterne) Stearns, whom he married in 1622; she was a daughter of John and Margaret Barker, of Stoke, Nayland, Suffolk county, Eng- land. Mrs. Mary (Barker) (Sterne) Stearns died April 2, 1677.

(II) Isaac (2) Stearns, son of Isaac (1) and Mary (Barker) (Sterne) Stearns, was born January 6, 1633. and died Au- gust 29, 1676. He was admitted freeman in 1665. He settled in Cambridge Farms in what is now the town of Lexington, Massachusetts. He married, June 24, 1660, Sarah Beers, daughter of Captain Richard and Elizabeth Beers, of Water- town. Captain Beers was an original pro- prietor, and a captain in King Philip's War. He was slain in battle by the In- dians, September 4, 1675, in Northfield, Massachusetts.

(III) Samuel Stearns, son of Isaac (2) and Sarah (Beers) Stearns, was born January 11, 1667-68, in Lexington, Massa- chusetts, and died November 19, 1721, from an accident said to have been caused by a fall from a tree. He was for many years tithingman in Lexington and also served as assessor.

(IV) Samuel (2) Stearns, son of Sam- uel (1) Stearns, was born March 7, 1702, in Lexington, Massachusetts, and died in Hollis, New Hampshire, in 1787. He married, January I, 1731 (by Joseph Wil- der) Keziah Robbins, of Littleton, Mas- sachusetts.

(V) Ebenezer Stearns, son of Samuel (2) and Keziah (Robbins) Stearns, was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, Decem- ber 25, 1744, and died in Monkton, Ver- mont, in 1816. He married, June 29, 1773, Rachel Ames, of Hollis, and the fol- lowing year they settled in Monkton, Vermont. At the outbreak of the Revo- lutionary War, John Bishop and several sons, and Ebenezer Stearns, were cap- tured by the Tories and Indians and taken to Canada and the settlement of Monk- ton was thus broken up until after the war. Ebenezer Stearns owned and op- erated the first grist mill in the records of the place. Mrs. Rachel Stearns died in 1841.

(VI) Nathan Stearns, son of Ebenezer and Rachel (Ames) Stearns, was born in Monkton, Vermont, March 19, 1788. In 1817 he removed from there with his wife and settled in Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio. He followed the trade of shoe- maker during his lifetime. On July 16, 1809, Nathan Stearns married Mary Morehouse, of Grand Isle, Vermont. She was born January 28, 1791, and died in 1871.

(VII) Milo Eloftus Stearns, son of Na- than and Mary (Morehouse) Stearns, was born in Perrysville, Ohio, October 4, 1830, and died April 15, 1896. He was educated in the academy in Hayesville, Ohio, and in Vermillion Institute. Sub- sequently he taught school, and in the meantime studied law, although he never took up the practice of that profession. In 1857 he was called to Bellville, Ohio, to become principal of the High School

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and he remained in this position until 1866. In 1864 Mr. Stearns enlisted in Company D, 163rd Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteers; he went in as a lieutenant and held the commission of captain when he was mustered out the same year. In the spring of 1866 he went to Tipton, Mis- souri, where he purchased a farm and was engaged in grain farming there until 1874. Another farm was then purchased nearer the heart of Tipton, as the first one had been some distance out into the country. A competent instructor in the schools was rare in the small towns in those days, and Mr. Stearns was often called upon to teach in the district schools, which he did nearly every win- ter. He was a natural student and an able educator.

Mr. Stearns was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church, of Tipton, and a leader in it from the beginning. He served as clerk of the session and in other offices. In 1876 he was prevailed upon to return to Bellville, where he taught a year, and the following two years taught in Nevada, Ohio. In 1879 he returned to the old farm in Tipton, the ownership of which he had retained, and after a few years became cashier of the Tipton Bank, a position which he filled until about 1894. In the latter year Mr. Stearns resigned from active business duties to enjoy a well-earned leisure. Mr. Stearns served as administrator of numerous estates and held other appointive positions. He was a staunch Republican, but not an aspirant for political honors. Fraternally he was a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public in Tipton, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Bellville.

Mr. Stearns married Mary Ann Cal- houn, daughter of Thomas Wilson Cal- houn, a cousin once removed of the fa- mous statesman, John C. Calhoun. Mrs.

Stearns' father was born in the North of Ireland and came to America at the age of sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns were the parents of five children, three of whom grew to maturity. They are: I. Thomas Calhoun, of whom further. 2. Mina Ellen, wife of Henry H. Bauer, of St. Louis, and the mother of Frederick, Laurence and Marie Bauer. 3. Laura Olena, wife of Arthur T. Adams, of Tip- ton, and mother of Olena, William, Laura, Edward, Thomas and Eleanor.

(VIII) Thomas Calhoun Stearns, son of Milo Eloftus and Mary Ann (Cal- houn) Stearns, was born in Bellville, Ohio, January 28, 1860. He was educated under his father's instruction. He at- tended the Vermillion Institute, and while pursuing his course of study held the position of instructor. After completing his preparatory studies, he attended Wooster University, Wooster, Ohio, and thence he went to Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1886 with the degree of B. A. Mr. Stearns accepted the position of principal of the Staples High School at Westport, Connecticut, the same year, going from there to New York City as an instructor in the Wilson & Kellogg School. At the same time he did post-graduate work in the New York Uni- versity in philosophy and education, and in 1896 received his M. A. degree from that institution. The following two years were spent in Germany, continuing his studies in philosophy and education, and the same year of his return he received his degree of Ph. D. from Yale College. Mr. Stearns then became an instructor in an- cient philosophy at his alma mater, where he remained until 1904, in which year he resigned to devote his time to his present business.

The produce of the New England Cer- eal Company is prepared cereals, and one

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of their notable products which has had a large sale is India Biscuit, composed largely of bran and recommended as a natural bowel-regulator. The other main products are breakfast foods ; these prod- ucts are marketed through jobbers all over the country. In 1910 the business was incorporated, having been established six years previously, and Dr. Stearns was made president. The product is manu- factured in a light, sanitary factory, and machinery enters largely into its manu- facture ; there are about twenty-five per- sons employed. Dr. Stearns is also presi- dent of the Heating & Plumbing Com- pany of Norwalk. He makes his home in Westport, where he has resided since 1898. He is a Republican in politics, and was chairman of the Westport School Board for sixteen years. He is a mem- ber of Phi Beta Gamma, of Yale College.

Dr. Stearns married, December 16, 1891, Fannie Nash, daughter of Edward Hawks and Margaret Newkirk (Wil- liams) Nash, of Westport, born Novem- ber 15, 1870, died February 13, 1919. The Nash genealogy will be found in connec- tion with the sketch of Edward Colt Nash, on another page of this work. To Dr. and Mrs. Stearns were born six chil- dren, five of whom are now living. They are: I. Harold Calhoun, born March 27, 1895; graduated from Pratt Institute in 1916, and is now a chemist with the George H. Morrill Ink Company of Nor- wood, Massachusetts. 2. Frank Nash, born July 11, 1899; is a chemist with the L. H. Armitage Varnish Company, of Newark, New Jersey. 3. Margaret, born March 20, 1901. 4. Mary, born August 10, 1907. 5. Milo Edward, born June 29, 1911. Dr. Stearns with his family attend Christ Episcopal Church, Westport, and aid in its support. Mrs. Stearns also at- tended the same church.

STRANG, James Suydam,

Merchant.

In the history of man's struggle for freedom no chapter is more thrilling than that which narrates the flight of the French Protestants from their native land, when in 1685 Louis XIV. revoked the Edict of Nantes. Since 1598 they had been in the enjoyment of religious freedom, but now, not only were they de- prived of the privilege to worship God according to the dictates of their con- science, but they were not permitted to emigrate to countries where such priv- · ileges were accorded. Most rigid meas- ures were adopted to prevent their leav- ing the country, every avenue of escape being most closely guarded. However, thousands of these sturdy folk to whom adherence to principle was dearer than life itself, made their way to England, some coming thence to America. Among the latter was Daniel L'Estrange, the progenitor of the Strang family in this country. No element among our Colon- ial pioneers has contributed more than the French Huguenots to the sturdy char- acter of American manhood, or to the high ideals of American institutions and government. The meager facts now available relating to the descendants of Daniel L'Estrange in the line here under consideration show that in every crisis of the nation's history they have evinced the sturdiest patriotism, while in the less strenuous but not less exacting times of peace, judged by ethical standards, they have by precept and example, in indus- try, frugality, and upright citizenship, in private and in public life, contributed to the material and moral advancement of our country.

Like all historic patronymics, the name Strang has been spelled in various ways.

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The original French form was L'Es- trange; in America it became Streing, then Strange, Strang, and in a few cases was changed to Strong.

The coat-of-arms of the family is :

Arms-Gules, two lions passant, guardant, argent.

Crest-A lion passant, guardant, or.

(I) When the list of the residents of New Rochelle was made in 1698, Daniel D'Estrange's age was given as thirty- seven years. This would make the year of his birth 1661. He was a native of Orleans, France. According to the au- thor of "Colonial Days and Ways," Dan- iel L'Estrange was sent to an academy in Switzerland to study philosophy, and when he entered, July 29, 1672, his name was purposely misspelled as Streing, so that his father's persecutors might not learn where the young man had been sent. However, upon his return to France, he became a member of the Royal Guards and resumed the proper spelling of his name. When he was twenty-two, he entered upon a mercan- tile career, and about that time married Charlotte Hubert, daughter of Francis and Levina Hubert, of Paris. He formed a partnership with his wife's brother, Gabriel Hubert. According to the "Strang manuscript," written nearly a hundred years ago and published in a small book- let, L'Estrange and his partner were com- pelled to flee to London from the fury of their persecutors who confiscated their property. Mr. L'Estrange became a lieu- tenant in the Guards of King James II. The loss of their property placed Mrs. L'Estrange in very trying circumstances, and within a year she determined also to flee the country. The tradition regarding the method of her escape is thrilling ; but the family genealogist questions the ac- curacy of the story, owing to the fact that

in her will, recorded in New York, Mrs. L'Estrange disposes of her wedding gar- ments, which it is hardly probable she was able to take with her when she fled to London. Daniel L'Estrange continued in the King's Guards until about 1688, when he sold his commission, the pro- ceeds enabling him and his wife to join a company of refugees bound for the New World. They landed in New York and soon proceeded to the present town of New Rochelle. There he engaged in farming and grazing, and for many years taught French and the classical languages to boys preparing for Yale or King's Col- lege (now Columbia University). After a few years he removed to Rye, New York, where he kept a store and tavern, and also engaged in farming. Later he became one of the patentees of the town of White Plains. He died in Rye, 1706-07. He was a devout member of the Episcopal church. His wife was born in France, 1668, and died in Rye. The baptisms of their children are recorded in the church Du Saint Esprit, New York City, and there Mrs. L'Estrange is re- corded as Charlotte Le Mestre, which has given rise to the conjecture that at the time of her marriage to Daniel L'Estrange she was a widow.

(II) Daniel (2) Strang, son of the im- migrants, was born in 1692, and died in 1741. He became a resident of White Plains, settling on a farm acquired by his father as one of the patentees. He was industrious and thrifty, if we may judge by the amount of land of which he became possessed. He married Phebe Purdy, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Purdy, of Rye Neck, New York. She died in 1761. Joseph Purdy, according to the records, was under age in 1661. He became a resident of Rye in 1670, and died October 29, 1709. He married Elizabeth

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Ogden, daughter of John and Judith (Budd) Ogden. She died in 1742. He was the son of Francis Purdy (sometimes spelled "Pardee"), who was born in Eng- land in 1610, and came to America in 1635. He died in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1658. He married Mary Brundage, daughter of John Brundage, of Wethers- field, Connecticut. Joseph Purdy was a leading man in his community ; he served as justice of the peace, 1702; as super- visor of the town, 1707-08; for several terms was representative in the General Assembly. He purchased land at North Castle, where many of his descendants settled. His will is dated October 5, 1709.

(III) Major Joseph Strang, son of Dan- iel (2) and Phebe (Purdy) Strang, was born February 27, 1725, and died August 2, 1794. He served as lieutenant under Captain John Verplanck in the French War of 1757. On October 19, 1775, he was commissioned major of the Third or North Manor of Cortlandt Regiment un- der Colonel Pierre Van Cortlandt. His house, which was being used as a court house at the time, was burned by the British, June 3, 1779. He married for his second wife, Anne Haight, born De- cember 12, 1734, and died June 30, 1796, daughter of Jonathan Haight, of Cort- landt Manor, New York.

(IV) Dr. Samuel Strang, son of Major Joseph and Anne (Haight) Strang, was born November 18, 1768, and died Janu- ary I, 1832. He was a physician. On December 31, 1795, he married Catharine White, born May 30, 1773, or 1778, and died December 30, 1832, daughter of Dr. Ebenezer White, who was a surgeon in the New York Militia during the Revolu- tion. He was born in Southampton, Long Island, September 3, 1746, son of Rev. Sylvanus White, who was pastor of the Presbyterian church there for about fifty

years. Dr. White married, March 19, 1772, Helena Barstow, daughter of The- ophilus and Bathsheba (Pell) Barstow. Dr. White died in Yorktown, March 8, 1827.

(V) Joseph White Strang, son of Dr. Samuel and Catharine (White) Strang, was born December 7, 1797, and died in Yonkers, New York, June 4, 1864. He was a lawyer and resided most of his life in Peekskill, New York, where he took an active part in public affairs. He was the first man chosen president of the village. On September 3, 1821, he married Eliz- abeth Morgan Belcher, born October 4, 1801, and died in Yonkers, New York, December 22, 1877, daughter of Dr. Elisha Belcher, a physician. Joseph White and Elizabeth Morgan (Belcher) Strang were the parents of the following children : Samuel A., Matilda, Josephine A., Lydia, Edgar A., mentioned below; William Belcher.

Dr. Elisha Belcher, father of Elizabeth Morgan (Belcher) Strang, was born March 7, 1757, and married Lydia Rey- nolds. His father, Captain William Bel- cher, was born August 29, 1731. He re- sided in Preston, Connecticut, where he died in his seventieth year. He com- manded a company during the Revolu- tion. He married, April 23, 1752, Desire, born February 27, 1736, died May 15, 1801, daughter of Captain Daniel and Elizabeth (Gates) Morgan. Captain Daniel Morgan was born April 16, 1712, and died October 16, 1773. He married, September 24, 1730, Elizabeth Gates, born March 1, 1713, died February II, 1793, daughter of Joseph Gates, of Pres- ton. James Morgan, father of Captain Daniel Morgan, was born about 1680, and died in Preston. His estate was inven- toried November 7, 1721. His father was Captain John Morgan, who was born March 30, 1645; about 1692 he became a

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resident of Preston, where he died. He chased nine acres in Milton. He married was a prominent citizen, and served as Catherine. He died November 25, 1674. Indian commissioner and advisor, and was elected as deputy to the General Court from New London in 1690, and from Preston in 1693-94. He married (first), November 16, 1665, Rachel Dy- mond, daughter of John Dymond. James Morgan, father of Captain John Morgan, and the founder of this branch of the Morgan family, was born in Wales in 1607, and came to America in 1636. He married August 6, 1640, Margery Hill, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who died in 1685, at the age of seventy-eight years.

William Belcher, father of Captain William Belcher, was born in Milton, Massachusetts, December 20, 1701, and died in Preston, Connecticut, February 7, 1731-32. His father, Deacon Moses Bel- cher, was born August 14, 1672, and died May 4, 1728. He bought a farm in Mil- ton, Massachusetts, and resided there un- til 1720, when he removed to Preston, Connecticut. He was one of the first deacons of the second church in Preston. In 1721 he represented the town in the General Assembly. On December 19, 1694, he married Hannah Lyon, born No- vember 14, 1673, died August 20, 1745, daughter of George and Hannah (Tol- man) Lyon, of Milton. His father, Sam- uel Belcher, was born August 24, 1637, was a resident of Braintree, Massachu- setts, where he died. June 17, 1679. On December 15, 1663, he married Mary Bil- lings, daughter of Roger Billings, of Dor- chester, Massachusetts. His father, Greg- ory Belcher, was born about 1606. He was in New England as early as 1637, and received a grant of fifty-two acres in Mount Wallaston, now part of Quincy, Massachusetts. On May 13, 1640, he was admitted freeman, and was elected select- man in 1646. On July 14, 1664, he pur-

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Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8, Part 33

Author: Publication date: 1923 Publisher: American Historical Society Number of Pages: 802

Author:
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 802