USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 9 > Part 7
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Eliza, and their third daughter was Deb- orah Wing, who became the wife of John (2) Chase, as previously stated.
Daniel Chase, son of John (2) and Deb- orah (Wing) Chase, was born March 4. 1765, at Nine Partners, New York, died February 16, 1847, in Hoosick. He lived at Stillwater, New York, and married, July 12, 1786, Esther Mosier, who was born November 2, 1766, and died September 23, 1848.
Henry Chase, eldest son of Daniel and Esther (Mosier) Chase, was born Sep- tember 10, 1790, about two miles west of the village of Hoosick, and was reared upon a farm, attending the rude district school of the time and period. He was possessed of a thirst for knowledge and supplemented the instruction which he received in school by private study. His parents, like their forebears, had been attached to the Society of Friends, but in time joined the Methodist church of the neighborhood. When Henry Chase was eighteen years of age he received a license to preach. While laboring throughout the week to sustain himself, he preached the gospel on Sunday and in the meantime pursued his studies in Latin, Greek, He- brew and mathematics. In time he gained considerable fame as a teacher and in 1818 was invited to become a member of the faculty at Troy Academy, where he con- tinued two years, very successfully. Leav- ing there, he became a teacher in Wes- leyan Seminary, located on Crosby street in New York City. During all this period. he was accustomed to fill the pulpit on Sundays, and became very popular as a public speaker in New York City, where he was respected for his earnestness and zeal. He was offered and accepted the position of assistant pastor of the Mari- ners' Church on Roosevelt street, where he continued several years until the death of the pastor, when he succeeded him, and
thus continued until his death, July 10, 1853. He was a man of very strong and magnetic personality and drew about him multitudes of friends. While in New York, he married over five thousand cou- ples. In 1835 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He married, September 10, 1809, Rachel Pine, who was born July 19, 1787, in Swansea, Mas- sachusetts, of Welsh-Quaker descent. She died June 7, 1842, and, with her hus- band, reposes in Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, Connecticut.
Daniel Henry Chase, eldest son of Rev- erend Henry and Rachel (Pine) Chase. was born March 8, 1814, in Hoosick, New York. In his youth he attended schools taught by his father and was a pupil in Troy Academy, when his father was a member of the faculty there. From 1820 to 1830 he pursued his literary studies, beginning at Wesleyan Seminary, New York, subsequently at Balch's Private School and the grammar school of Colum- bia University, which institution he en- tered as freshman in 1830. In September of the following year he began the regular course at Wesleyan University at Middle- town, Connecticut, which he completed in 1833, graduating as valedictorian of his class. All the members of this class have long since passed away. Following his graduation he was a teacher in Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, after which he took the position of tutor at Wesleyan University, where he con- tinued one year. He then established the Middletown Institute and Preparatory School, which he conducted until 1870 with remarkable success, drawing pupils from a wide extent of territory. In 1842 he opened a female seminary, which he subsequently transferred to his brother. For two years, from 1838 to 1840, Dr. Chase studied in Paris, Berlin and other European cities, giving special attention
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to German, French, music, mathematics and philosophy. Before he returned he made a tour of Switzerland on foot and arrived in Middletown, Connecticut, on time for the fall opening of his school in 1840. During his absence, this school was managed by his brother, Sidera Chase. Fitted by nature and by through training, Dr. Chase was very successful as a teacher, possessing a broad sympathy and a strong desire to develop the highest mental and moral possibilities of those who came under his care. During his forty years as an instructor he was never known to lose his self-control and was never censured for undue severity. Among the celebrated men who gained their early education under his direction, may be mentioned Rev. Dr. Minor Ray- mond, Professor of Greek at Evanston, Illinois; Rev. Dr. Lindsay and Justice Brewer of the United States Supreme Court. Dr. George W. Burke, one of his pupils, said of him :
The influence of such a man on the intellectual, moral and material interests of Middletown for so long a period can scarcely be estimated, the results deepening and broadening in all those who have received right impulses through his teaching. A little digression here to note some of those results may not be uninteresting. One of the first boarding pupils in 1835 was Daniel Ayers, who prepared in Middletown for Wesleyan. His late munificent gift of over three hundred thousand dollars has been one of the direct results of his school and will tend to increase the wealth as well as the city advantages of Middletown. Young Ayres was tired of the New York schools and about to abandon his purpose of obtaining a college education, when the friendship between the two families and the opportunity offered in Middle- town drew him to Dr. Chase's school and deter- mined his life work. Many years later when the son of Dr. Ayers was old enough for this school, he also went to Dr. Chase.
While studying in Paris, Dr. Chase passed much time pleasantly in a literary and scientific club, and on his return sug- gested to the Wesleyan professors the
formation of a similar club. This was founded in 1862 and Dr. Chase was al- ways one of its most valued members. After his retirement from teaching, he continued to be a student and wrote con- siderably in opposition to the Darwinian theories of evolution, in 1892. In 1858, Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, which was most richly merited. Chase avenue in Middletown, now known as Grand street, was laid out by Dr. Chase, who built the first fifteen houses on that now crowded thoroughfare. His physical and intellec- tual preservation to a great age was re- markable. In public affairs, he joined the efforts of the Republican party in promot- ing the general welfare and, in 1852 he was elected, without his knowledge, to the State Legislature. Among college fraternities he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. On March 8, 1834, he united with the Methodist church and continued that relation until the end of his life.
Mr. Chase was married, June 2, 1842, to Caroline E. Smith, who was born Au- gust 2, 1824, in Middletown, a daughter of John Lyon and Susan (Ward) Smith of that place. She was one of the pupils in the female seminary which he estab- lished in 1842. John Lyon Smith came from Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the first treasurer of Wesleyan University. Mrs. Chase died December 1, 1891, as a result of a serious fall. Mr. and Mrs. Chase were the parents of four sons and three daughters, most of whom now reside in Middletown, Connecticut.
MERRIAM, Joseph,
Manufacturer.
Among those who are devoted to the material and moral progress of the city of Middletown, Connecticut, Mr. Merriam stands foremost. Though not a native of
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Connecticut, he represents one of the earliest New England families, some of whose branches have been prominent in the State.
(I) The family was founded in New England by Joseph Merriam, son of Wil- liam Merriam. The latter was of Hadlow in Kent, and by occupation was a clothier. His wife's name was Sara, and their three sons, Robert, George and Joseph, came to New England in 1638, settling at Concord, Massachusetts. Of these,
(II) Joseph Merriam was born about 1600. He married, about 1623, Sara Gold- stone, daughter of John Goldstone. Like his father he was a clothier. He joined the church and was made freeman, March 14, 1638-39, but only lived a short time to enjoy the new found freedom. His death occurred January II, 1640-41. Their son,
(III) John Merriam, born July 9, 1641, at Concord, was made a free- man, May 12, 1675. He married, in Con- cord, October 21, 1663, Mary Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, born in Cam- bridge, November 7, 1645, died March 5, 1730. Their son,
(IV) Joseph (2) Merriam was born August 20, 1677, in Concord. He mar- ried, March 24, 1705, Dorothy Brooks, born October 18, 1685, daughter of Noah Brooks, of Concord. Joseph Merriam was a locksmith, and lived in Concord. In as- sociation with others he purchased land of the Indians, March 19, 1727, at Grafton. Their son,
(V) Josiah Merriam was born Febru- ary 13, 1726, and died April 23, 1809, at Concord. He married, June 17, 1746, Lydia Wheeler, who died August 30, 1802, aged seventy-eight years. Their son,
(VI) Joseph (3) Merriam was born July 22, 1767, at Concord, and died March 23, 1856. He married, at Lincoln, De- cember 12, 1799, Lucy Wheeler, born July
23, 1777, daughter of Abner and Elizabeth (Hunt) Wheeler, died February 11, 1841. Their son,
(VII) Adolphus Merriam was born August 23, 1820, and died November 27, 1888. His early environment was that of farm life, and he attended the district schools of his neighborhood. He attended the Framingham Academy for one term, and at the age of seventeen years went to Southbridge, where he entered the office of the Hamilton Woolen Manufacturing Company. For twelve years he continued in their employ, and by his diligence and thrift was enabled to purchase a mill of his own at Springfield, Vermont. It was a small mill, but Mr. Merriam gave the best of his attention to its management, and after four years received an oppor- tunity to enter into partnership with some business men of Southbridge, to operate a woolen mill. He continued his interest in the business, and in 1864 went to South- Framingham, and there was associated with the industrial life of the town. He was also connected with others in the ownership of mills in Millbury, Corda- ville, Watertown, and Southbridge. He was a director and president of the Ameri- can Powder Company.
Mr. Merriam found time from his many business duties to perform his share of the public service. He served as town assessor and as selectman, and during the War of the Rebellion he was active in completing the town quota of troops. A gentleman of the old school, he was held in the highest respect and had the friend- ship of all his fellow-citizens. He was very often looked to for counsel and ad- vice by many of the citizens, and he was a great favorite with the young people.
Mr. Merriam married, January 19, 1846, Caroline Mckinstry, born at South- bridge, August 22, 1825, died March 16, 1898, daughter of John and Kezia (Batch-
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eller) Mckinstry. Their children were: Lucy, wife of L. B. Adams, of Boston; Joseph, of further mention; Bernard F .; Elizabeth ; and John M.
(VIII) Joseph (4) Merriam, eldest son of Adolphus and Caroline (Mckinstry ) Merriam, was born January 17, 1855, in Southbridge, Massachusetts. He attended the public schools of Framingham, and the Dean Academy. After completing his education he went West to Colorado, and was engaged there in prospecting and mining. His father was desirous that he should follow him in manufacturing, and for this purpose Mr. Merriam returned to the East to take a position in a mill at Cor- daville, Massachusetts. There he remained for seven years, giving care to all details of the business. He was tireless in his efforts to make a success, and in 1882 de- cided to engage in business on his own account. With the aid of some Boston capitalists and members of his own fam- ily he organized the Rockfall Woolen Company, of Middletown, Connecticut, and took up his residence in that city to manage its affairs. He has continued as its treasurer and manager to the present time. In the approximate four decades since coming to Middletown, Mr. Merriam has seen many changes in the industrial world. He has ever been keen and alert in introducing the very latest ma- chinery, and has endeavored in many other ways to make the business a flour- ishing and prosperous one. That he has succeeded is very evident. The industry has aided in the growth and development of the town. He has become identified with several manufacturing interests, was for sometime interested in the Kirby Manu- facturing Company, is now secretary of the Noiseless Typewriter Company, presi- dent of the Rogers Manufacturing Com- pany of Rockfall, which operates a bone mill, treasurer of the Middletown Silver
Company, and a director of the W. & B. Douglas Company, pump manufacturers. He is vice-president of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank, of Middletown, and a director of the Middletown National Bank. He was one of the organizers of the Middletown Building and Loan Asso- ciation, with which he has been identified for thirty years and is now its president, and is a member of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Merriam is a regular attendant and supporter of the North Congregational Church, of Middle- town. While a Republican in political principle, he is independent of party dic- tation, has always been a strong advocate of the prohibition of intoxicating liquors, but has steadfastly declined to be candi- date for any public office. Soon after com- ing to Middletown, Mr. Merriam built on Pearl street, south of Washington, a resi- dence, and subsequently purchased and remodeled a residence on the corner of Pearl and Washington streets, adjoining. where he now makes his home.
Mr. Merriam married, April 30, 1878, at Southborough, Abbie Frances Willson, eldest daughter of Hubbard and Lydia (Sargent) Willson, born in Lowell. Their children are: 1. Robert Willson, born De- cember 14, 1879; secretary of the Rockfall Woolen Company, and resides on Wash- ington street, Middletown. 2. Helen Lydia, born October 11, 1885; is the wife of Minn S. Cornell, Jr., of Middletown. 3. Alice Caroline, born March 22, 1888; is the wife of Charles W. Atwater, and re- sides at Port Washington, Long Island.
SOUTHMAYD, A. Lincoln, Undertaker.
From worthy forebears Mr. Southmayd has inherited his business ability and is contributing his share in the maintenance of what has long been a highly honored
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name in the annals of Middletown, Con- necticut.
(I) The American founder of the South- mayd family was William Southmeade, who was born in England in 1615. Prior to 1620 six generations of the name are recorded in Kent, England, and all of the name in this country so far as known are descendants of William, who settled at Cape Ann, Gloucester, Massachusetts. The family stood high in Colonial days and was allied with many of the best families of New England by marriage. William Southmeade married, November 24, 1642, at Gloucester, Millicent Addez, eldest daughter of William Addez of that town. Mr. Southmeade was commander of vessels plying along the coast from Portland, Maine, to New London, Con- necticut, and removed from Gloucester to Salem, where his sons were born. His latest years were spent in Boston, where he owned a home and died in 1646. His elder son, John Southmayd, a mariner, died at sea, unmarried.
(II) William (2) Southmayd, as the name is now spelled, youngest son of William (1) and Millicent (Addez) South- meade, was born September 17, 1645, in Salem, and commanded vessels in the West India trade. He was the first of the family to locate in Middletown, where his name first appears on the records in 1667, though it is pretty certain that he was there some years before that time. In 1675 he purchased a house, and four acres of land covering the square extending from Court to Center streets and from Main street to the river. Afterward he made a large purchase at the corner of Main and Church streets. He married (second) about 1684, Margaret Allyn, born July 29, 1660, in Hartford, third daughter of Colonel John and Ann (Smith) Allyn. The last-named was a daughter of Henry Smith, of Springfield,
Massachusetts, whose wife, Ann, was a daughter of William Pynchon, founder of that town, and granddaughter of John Pynchon, of Springfield, Essex, England. Colonel John Allyn was born in England, a son of Matthew Allyn, and was among the most prominent citizens of Hartford.
(III) Joseph Southmayd, fourth child of William (2) and Margaret (Allyn) Southmayd, was born May 15, 1695, in Middletown, was a farmer, shipmaster and shipbuilder. He resided on the home lot purchased by his father in 1675; in 1728 was captain of the town company of mil- itia ; represented the town in the Colonial Assembly from 1750 to 1756, and from the latter date until his death was justice of the quorum. Through his mother, Mar- garet (Allyn) Southmayd, he inherited 150 acres of land in Durham, formerly the property of Colonel John Allyn. Joseph Southmayd married, July 4, 1730, Abiah Douglass, born in 1710, daughter of Cap- tain Richard and Margaret (Abell) Doug- lass, granddaughter of William and Abiah (Hough) Douglass, great-granddaughter of William and Ann (Mattle) Douglass, who came from Scotland and located in New London. Captain Richard Douglass commanded the first train-band of New London and was also a sea captain.
(IV) Daniel Southmayd, third son of Joseph and Abiah (Douglass ) Southmayd, was born November II, 1738, in Middle- town, died there, February 5, 1828, in his ninetieth year. He had a large farm west of High street, in Middletown, and en- joyed a high reputation in his time. Dur- ing the Revolutionary War he was a ser- geant's mate in the Connecticut troops, and in 1800 removed to Durham, occupy- ing lands which had formerly belonged to his father. On December 4, 1760, he mar- ried Hannah Goodrich, who was probably born in Middletown, a daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah Goodrich, wealthy people
Conn-10-4
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of the day. Their eldest son, Daniel (2) Southmayd, was a sea captain and served in the Revolutionary army at the age of sixteen.
(V) Joseph Southmayd, second son of Daniel and Hannah (Goodrich) South- mayd, was born March 2, 1768, in Middle- town, and died September 2, 1824. His active life was passed in Durham, where he was an extensive farmer and a pros- perous and generous man, a member of the Congregational church. He married Cynthia Freeman, born September 29, 1769, in East Hampton, Connecticut, died July 14, 1850.
(VI) John Bulkeley Southmayd, eldest child of Joseph and Cynthia (Freeman) Southmayd, was born June II, 1794, in what is now known as the "Haddam Quarter," in the town of Durham. There he grew up and attended the district schools, removing to Middletown as a young man and there learning the trade of cabinet maker. For many years he was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in a building on the site of the present Southmayd block, for the half century from 1815 to 1865, when he was succeeded by his son. He was a very enthusiastic military man and became colonel of the Light Artillery, a local or- ganization, and was many years known by his military title. He married, Novem- ber 28, 1815, Elizabeth Perkins, born July 5, 1795, in Leigh-on-Mendip, Somerset- shire, England, died November 12, 1871, in Middletown, daughter of George and Grace (Moon) Perkins, of Bristol, Eng- land. Colonel and Mrs. Southmayd were the parents of eight children. The eldest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, became the wife of John P. Bacon of Middletown (see Bacon, John P.).
(VII) George Moon Southmayd, sec- ond son and fourth child of Colonel John B. and Elizabeth (Perkins) Southmayd,
was born in 1825, in Middletown, and died April 8, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years, in New York City. He was reared in his native town, attended the public schools in youth, and learned the trade of joiner. For a time he was employed as a journeyman in Hartford. From 1847 to 1853 he was employed by Decker & Brown, shipbuilders, located at the foot of Tenth street, on the East river, in New York. During this time he was engaged in finishing the yacht "America," one of the most famous crafts of its time.
In 1853 Mr. Southmayd settled at Dan- bury, Connecticut, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and thus continued until 1865. During this time his home and place of business was destroyed by fire, but the business men of the city came promptly to his aid and a new establishment was built upon the ruins. As an indication of his stand- ing it may be stated that a New York establishment sent him a carload of furni- ture with which to renew business at the old stand. Very shortly after the begin- ning of the Civil War he enlisted, Novem- ber 27, 1861, in one of five companies fur- nished by Danbury, Connecticut, becom- ing Company A, of the 11th Regiment, formerly known as the Wooster Guards of Danbury. Every man of this company, with the exception of the captain, volun- teered for war service, and Mr. South- mayd was immediately elected captain of the company. After participating in the battle of Newbern, North Carolina, he was crippled, through exposure in camps and swamps, and was obliged to resign at the end of a year's service. He con- tinued, however, his interest in the cause of freedom and justice and was very active in the recruiting service. Returning to Danbury, he continued in business there until 1865, when he was called to Middle- town to succeed in the business of his
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father. This he continued until his re- the valuable services he had rendered the tirement in 1898, when he sold out to city. Henry S. Beers, formerly of Brookfield, Mr. Southmayd married, June 18, 1848, Caroline O'Neil, born February 14, 1827, in Middletown, New Jersey, died April 19, 1902, in Durham, Connecticut, daugh- ter of John and Mary O'Neil, Presbyter- ians, natives of North Ireland. Six children of Mr. and Mrs. Southmayd grew to maturity : George A., the eldest, was engaged in business with his father, and died in January, 1899; Elizabeth Wild- man, became the wife of Dr. George A. McDonald, of Madison avenue, New York City ; Grace Dean, who is the wife of Wil- liam C. Hubbard, president of the Mer- riam Manufacturing Company of Durham, Connecticut ; Caroline Amelia, who is the wife of Ernest N. Robinson, now residing in New Haven, Connecticut; A. Lincoln, of whom further; and John Franklin, a physician of Brooklyn, New York, who died March 12, 1918. Connecticut, who is still living in Middle- town. Mr. Southmayd was very active in Middletown affairs and participated especially in the social life of the com- munity. An earnest Republican in politi- cal principle, he labored for the success of his principles and in 1886 represented Middletown in the State Assembly, serv- ing as a member of the committee on Humane Institutions. He also served several years in the City Council and Board of Aldermen, and was instrumental in promoting the progress of the city in many directions. Among the results of his activities may be mentioned the estab- lishment of an electric lighting system in the city, the institution of street-cars, and the electrification of the city after the horse-cars had completed their era of use- fulness. At the celebration of the Cen- tennial of the city of Middletown, Captain Southmayd was chief marshal of the parade.
Captain Southmayd was an active mem- ber of Holy Trinity Church of Middle- town ; was a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons, and a stockholder in the Masonic Temple of Middletown. He was identified with many other fraternal organizations, being made past sachem of Arrawanna Tribe, No. 17, Improved Order of Red Men, at its institution. He was a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias; of Mattabessett Council, No. 704, Royal Arcanum; and of the local body of the Knights of Honor. For some time he was also affiliated with Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While serving as alderman, the citizens of Middletown presented to Captain Southmayd a beautiful gold watch and chain as a testimonial of appreciation of
(VIII) A. Lincoln Southmayd, second son of George M. and Caroline (O'Neil) Southmayd, was born April 20, 1865, in Middletown, and was educated in the city schools and St. John's Academy, a mili- tary school at Haddonfield, New Jersey, being a student at the latter institution from fifteen to seventeen years of age. In a game of baseball he received an injury which compelled him to leave school tem- porarily, and he then decided to engage in business and did not return to his books. Having inherited from worthy ancestors an active intellect, he has been an extensive reader and could not be classed among the uninformed of the day. He began his business career as a clerk in the ninety-nine cent store, which had been established by his father in Middletown and which ran a very successful career for several years. Subsequently, he became an assistant to his father in the under- taking business and later was a partner
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