USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v.2 > Part 36
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"Mansion house" of Lieutenant Webster stood. Governor Jonathan Webster, father of Lieutenant Webster, was the immigrant ancestor of the family, also the progenitor of the oldest and probably the most numerous Webster family in America. He came from Warwickshire, England, probably about 1630-33. He re- moved from Cambridge to Hartford in 1636, probably with the Rev. Thomas Hooker. He located on what is now Gov- ernor street, on the east side of the street, about halfway between Charter Oak ave- nue and Wyllys street. His name ap- pears on the monument to the "Founders of Hartford" in Center Church burying ground. From January 14, 1639, when "the first written constitution known to history, that created a government" was adopted, to 1659, Jonathan Webster was chosen to office: From 1639 to 1655 as magistrate ; as deputy governor, 1655; as governor, 1656; as chief magistrate, 1657- 58-59. He was prominent in the dealings of the colony with the Indians. He was also a member of the committee that formed the criminal code for the colony. In 1654 he was appointed a member of the Congress of the United Colonies. He was one of the eleven members of the original settlers who were honored with the prefix "Mr.," a title of distinction in those days. He was a member of the company that withdrew from the Hart- ford church and settled Hadley, Massa- chusetts, where he died in 1661. His widow, Agnes Webster, died in 1667, probably in Hartford.
(VI) Pitts Goodwin, son of Ebenezer Goodwin, was born January 28, 1779, in New Hartford, and died August 2, 1864. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native town during his entire active career. For more than sixty years he sang in the church choir. He married, in 1801, Miriam, daughter of Joseph and
-- (Hopkins) Gilbert, of Litchfield. She died December 1I, 1821, aged forty- two years.
(VII) Harvey Goodwin, son of Pitts Goodwin, was born August 17, 1802, and died June II, 1895. In 1823 he removed to Torringford, where he engaged in farming and brick-making until 1827. He then located in West Hartford, where he worked in a brick yard for a time, and in 1832 erected a pottery in Elmwood Vil- lage and engaged in the manufacture of glazed earthenware flower pots until 1872, when he transferred the business to his three sons. He won success through hon- est methods and persistent intelligently directed industry. He was a consistent member of the Congregational church, and his second wife was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. He married (first) March 18, 1832, Mary Sedgwick, born January 31, 1806, died April 18, 1843, daughter of Timothy and Lucy (Braman) Sedgwick. He married (second) February 2, 1845, Frances Adelia Elmore, born March 31, 1814, died November 8, 1897, daughter of Moses and Eunice (Burnham) Elmore, of South Windsor, Connecticut. Children by first wife : Ann Amelia and Lucy Sedgwick. Children by second wife: Harvey Bur- dette, of whom further; Wilbur Elmore, Elton Newell and Clarence Beaumont.
(VIII) Harvey Burdette Goodwin, son of Harvey Goodwin, was born November 30, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of West Hartford and Hartford. He began working in his father's pottery during his boyhood, and has continued in the same line of business to the present time (1917). In 1872 his brothers, Wil- bur E. and Elton N., together with Har- vey B., took over the father's business, and they enlarged the line of products to include besides flower pots of all kinds and shapes, handsomely decorated jardi-
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nieres, lamps, cuspidors, umbrella stands, lawn vases, hanging baskets, jugs, man- tel vases and a wide range of novelties. The business was developed until it be- came the largest and most important of the kind in the country. A spur was built from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to the plant, and at one time the company employed from seventy-five to one hundred hands, the product being distributed all over the United States. The business was incor- porated as Goodwin Brothers, Harvey B. Goodwin, president ; Wilbur E. Goodwin, secretary ; Elton N. Goodwin, treasurer. The plant was destroyed by fire in the year 1907, and since that time their prod- uct has been manufactured under con- tract. Mr. Goodwin is a member of Wyllys Lodge, No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He married, June 10, 1885, Annie Bramley, born in Alfreton, Derbyshire, England, October 4, 1862, daughter of Jonathan B. and Martha (Jepson) Bramley. Their children are as follows: Frances Catherine, born June 12, 1886, became the wife of Robert P. Matatall, of West Hartford; Wallace Burdette, of whom further ; Harvey, born September 5, 1890; Margaret Argyle, born August 8, 1894; Shirley Bramley, born November 6, 1899.
(IX) Wallace Burdette Goodwin, son of Harvey Burdette Goodwin, was born in Elmwood, June 17, 1889. He acquired a practical education in the public schools of West Hartford, Connecticut, including the High School. He gained his first practical experience in business life in the office of the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, re- maining in their employ four years. He then became a traveling salesman for the Fidelity and Casualty Insurance Com- pany, serving in that capacity for a year, and since that time has been engaged in
the real estate and insurance business on his own account, specializing on property between Hartford and New Britain. He has developed several properties, one of the principal ones being Bungalow Farms, on the Newington road, and a tract of fif- teen or twenty acres known as Burgoyne Gardens, which he is developing in con- nection with some other people. He has been a member of the Governor's Foot Guard since November, 1915; is a direc- tor of the Goodwin Brothers Company, and a member of the City Club. Mr. Goodwin married, December 18, 1915, Lulu Edna Cadwell, daughter of John P. and Emma Cadwell, of Elmwood. They attend Christ Episcopal Church.
FAY, George Austin,
Lawyer.
For fifty-seven years George Austin Fay was a resident of Meriden, Connec- ticut, and for fifty-three years was a member of the New Haven county bar, rising to eminence in his profession and well known far beyond local limits. There was little in his early life to distinguish him from the thousands of New England boys of his period, and he was a young man of twenty-five before he found his true sphere, the law. From that time, however, his advance was rapid and he became one of the brightest ornaments of the Connecticut bar. He at one time took an active part in politics, and at the session when James E. English was un- seated and Marshall Jewell seated as the duly elected Governor of Connecticut, he was a member of the State Senate and chairman of the committee on elections in charge of the contest. But with that exception he gave himself unreservedly to his profession, conducting a large prac- tice with unusual success. He was con- temporary with his brother. Frank S. Fay,
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judge of Meriden city courts since 1902, and was that brother's preceptor in the law.
In June, 1656, his ancestor, John Fay, arrived in Boston on the ship "Speed- well," from Gravesend, England, he then being but eight years of age. He had either relations or friends in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and there spent several years, first appearing on the records of Marlboro, Massachusetts, in 1669. There the births of his children occurred, but he left, seemingly as a means of safety, and resided in Watertown, returning to Marl- boro after the close of King Philip's War and there died in 1690. He married (first) Mary Brigham, who died during the family residence in Watertown. He married (second) in 1678, Susanna, daughter of William Shattuck, of Water- town, and widow of Joseph Morse.
John (2) Fay, son of John (1) Fay and his first wife, Mary (Brigham) Fay, was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts, No- vember 3, 1669. He settled in that part of Marlboro which later was incorporated as Westboro, and there died in 1749, a highly respected, influential citizen and town official. He married (first) Decem- ber 1, 1690, Elizabeth Wellington, born December 29, 1673, died in March, 1729, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Sweetman) Wellington. He married (second) December 16, 1729, Levinah Brigham, who survived him. The births of four of his ten children are recorded in Marlboro.
John (3) Fay, son of John (2) Fay and his first wife, Elizabeth (Wellington) Fay, was born December 6, 1700, died November 10, 1732. He was a large land- owner and resident of Marlboro and Northboro. He married, April 17, 1721, Hannah Child, who survived him and married a second husband, Samuel Lys- comb, of Southboro.
Major Josiah Fay, son of John (3) and Hannah (Child) Fay, was born February 4, 1731, died August 8, 1776, while in the military service of his country. He set- tled in Southboro, Massachusetts, about 1750; was sergeant in the Crown Point Expedition in 1756, and marched with the minute-men from Southboro early on the morn of the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775. The battle which made immortal history was fought before the arrival of the Southboro men, but he kept on to Cambridge and spent three months with the Colonial troops while the British occupied Boston. He continued in the Continental service, rose to the rank of major, was engaged and wounded in the battle of White Plains, and died from the effects of his injuries in New York City. He was a selectman of Southboro in 1770, 1771 and 1775, warden in 1769. Major Fay married, March 22, 1757, Mary Bent, born April 18, 1737, died in 1831, at the great age of ninety-two, daughter of Peter Bent, of Marlboro.
Captain Josiah (2) Fay, a twin, son of Major Josiah (1) and Mary (Bent) Fay, was born June 10, 1758, at Southboro, died at Marlboro, February 18, 1845. He removed to Marlboro about 1799, was a skilled mechanic, a manufacturer of hand- made nails, and a farmer. He was a sol- dier of the Revolution, field drummer in 1785, later held the rank of captain, served as selectman in 1775 and constable in 1791. He married, in 1778, Hepzibah Col- lins, of Southboro, of ancient Colonial family, tracing descent from Captain Miles Standish. She was born in 1751, died August 19, 1843, the mother of six sons and four daughters: Josiah; Abi- gail, married William Howe; Mark; Mary; Peter B .; Sally; Hepzebeth ; George William, of further mention; Jerub Amber ; Julius Augustus.
George William Fay, eighth child of
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Captain Josiah (2) and Hepzibah (Col- lins) Fay, was born in Marlboro, Massa- chusetts, May 12, 1805, died February 5, 1867, a cabinetmaker, contractor and builder. He married, at Willimantic, Connecticut, October 5, 1835, Amanda Almina Ward, born April 20, 1814, died May 6, 1903, in Marlboro, daughter of Jeremiah and Eunice (Storrs) Ward. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters: I. Lucien Dana, born September 4, 1836, died at St. Louis, Mis- souri, January 10, 1871 ; married, April 12, 1865, Martha King Batchelor. 2. George Austin, of further mention. 3. Mary Ann, born October 28, 1840, died June 10, 1880 ; married, October 12, 1863 ; Henry Otis Russell, and left two children : Theresa Marilla and Henry Carlton Rus- sell. 4. Marilla Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 9, 1842, died July 3, 1865. 5. Frank Sullivan, of further mention. 6. Heman Storrs, born February 6, 1852; married, September 23, 1891, Ella C. Fontaine.
George Austin Fay, second son of George William and Amanda Almina (Ward) Fay, was born in Marlboro, Mas- sachusetts, August 29, 1838, died in Meri- den, Connecticut, September 22, 1916. He spent the years until 1859 at the home farm and in acquiring an education, com- pleting his studies in Marlboro High School. He came to Meriden in 1859, and during his first two years residence was an Adams Express Company clerk and Western Union Telegraph operator. In May, 1861, he entered Yale Law School, whence he was graduated Bach- elor of Laws, class of 1862. He then re- turned to Meriden, entered the law office of O. H. Platt, later a United States Sen- ator from Connecticut, there remaining a year. In May, 1863, he was admitted to the bar, began practice in Meriden, and so continued until his death at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a lawyer of
high repute, was learned in the law, skill- ful in its application and very successful. During his half century of practice, he was connected with much of the most im- portant litigation appearing in the courts of his section, his practice extending to all State and Federal courts of the dis- trict. He prepared his cases with care, was strong and logical in their presenta- tion to court and jury, very tenacious of the rights of his clients and strictly scrupulous in observing the rights of others. He was a member of the various bar associations, was highly regarded by his professional brethren, and well known in the higher courts of the State. He was counsel for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad for many years, counsel and director of the Wilcox-White Company, counsel for the First National Bank of Meriden, the International Silver Company and many other corporations. He lived to be one of the oldest members of his profession in Meriden and one of the most eminent.
He was a Republican in politics, and in his earlier years took an active part in public affairs. He was elected State Sen- ator in 1871 from the Sixth District and in that body served on the committees on incorporations and elections, being chair- man of the latter. During his term the memorable contest over the Governor's election occurred. James E. English, of New Haven, had been returned Governor by a majority of thirty-nine votes, but irregularities in the Fourth Ward of New Haven caused his opponent, Marshall Jewell, to contest the election, which re- sulted in an investigation with the result that Mr. Jewell was declared elected and inaugurated. As chairman of the elec- tions committee, Mr. Fay played an im- portant part in the contest, but after the expiration of his senatorial term he took no part in public affairs beyond exercis-
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ing his rights and duties as a citizen. He was a man of intellectual strength and literary culture, very fond of books and possessing one of the largest private libraries in the State. There he spent most of his hours of leisure, but his friendly, genial nature rejoiced in the social features of the Home and Highland Country clubs, of both of which he was a member. He was most benevolent, gen- erously aided all good causes and never refused to extend a helping hand.
Mr. Fay married, in 1865, Jennie M. Curtis, who died October 18, 1908, only daughter of Alfred P. Curtis, of Meriden.
FAY, Frank Sullivan,
Judge of Meriden Courts.
For the past fifteen years, 1902-1917, Judge Fay has presided over the city and police courts of Meriden, but his con- nection with the New Haven county bar dates from 1871, when he passed the line which separates the student from the practitioner. From the serene heights of mature years and success, he reviews those forty-six years of professional serv- ice in the city of Meriden with a degree of satisfaction that compensates for the stress and strenuousness of the peaceful warfare of the courts which raged about him; warfare in which he has won his full share of victory but not without tasting also the sting of defeat. He was a good lawyer, and since called to the city bench has fully demonstrated his possession of the quality which constitutes the able; just and upright judge. He springs from a race of hardy Massachusetts pioneers, six generations of his ancestors residing in that State, the Fay settlement in Meri- den beginning with George Austin Fay in 1859. He was joined by his brother, Frank S. Fay, ten years later, and both became eminent members of the bar, con-
temporary in Meriden until the death of the elder brother in 1916.
Frank Sullivan Fay, third son of George William and Amanda Almina (Ward) Fay, was born in Marlboro, Massachu- setts, September 26, 1848. He there passed the grade and high schools, a graduate, class of 1868. In the fall fol- lowing his graduation, he joined his brother, George Austin Fay, who had been practicing law in Meriden, Connec- ticut, since 1863, and under his precep- torship prepared for the same profession. He continued his studies until September, 1871, then after passing the required tests to the satisfaction of the court, was duly admitted a member of the New Haven county bar. He at once began practice in Meriden, and during the years until 1882 confined himself to private legal business, gaining an influential clientele and strong position among the rising young men of the county bar. In 1882, he was elected prosecuting agent for New Haven county, a post he filled until 1893. At various times he has filled the office of corporation counsel for the city of Meri- den, and for one year, 1891, he was one of the town site commissioners appointed by the United States government for the then territory of Oklahoma. He was located in the town of Oklahoma, and was secretary-treasurer of the board of three to adjust land titles for that town. He continued in successful practice in Meri- den until 1902, when a vacancy occurred in the city courts caused by the elevation of James P. Platt, the incumbent, to the bench of the United States Circuit Court. In March, 1902, Mr. Fay was appointed by Governor McLean to fill the vacancy, and for fifteen years with a brief interval he has ably administered the duties of judge of the city and police courts. In 1912 there was a political deadlock in the Legislature and Governor Baldwin ap-
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التشويه THE NEW YORK PUBLICI DAIRY
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
pointed Harry King as city judge in Meri- den. At the next session of the Legisla- ture, which had a Republican majority, Judge Fay was reappointed. He has given himself unreservedly to the law, and has few interests outside of his pro- fession beyond the exercise of those duties and privileges pertaining to public- spirited citizenship and civic obligation. When the old town hall was burned in 1903, Judge Fay was one of the com- mittee in charge of the erection of the present edifice, and he has borne a share in all civic advancement. He is learned in the law, striving in all his decisions to render exact justice, but ever tempering justice with mercy where circumstances justify the withholding of the extreme penalty. He is a member of the New Haven County, State and American Bar associations, and is held in deepest re- spect and esteem. by his professional brethren of both bench and bar. He is a member of the Home and Colonial clubs of Meriden, and takes a deep interest in the various societies and organizations of the city, educational, charitable and re- ligious. He was for years a member of the Metabetchum Fishing Club of Can- ada, his tastes strongly inclining to the recreations of the out-of-doors and coun- try life. Love of justice, sympathy, un- failing courtesy and tact are character- istics of his nature, and he adheres closely to the law of "Common Sense," believing that success comes surest to those who to this add "honesty, industry and persever- ance." To young men he advises : "Keep young, ready for the next duty, do the best you know how and keep sober, for the man who does all that is successful whether he knows it or not." In politi- cal faith he is a Republican, and in re- ligious preference an Episcopalian.
Judge Fay married, September 28, 1881,
Elizabeth B. Ham, who died September I, 1912, daughter of Allan J. and Martha (Cutter) Ham, of Stuyvesant, New York.
SLOCUM, Wellington Robinson, Representative Citizen.
The sloe is the fruit of the English wild spiny plum tree. It is so named because of its peculiar astringent action on the mouth, known in English as "setting the teeth on edge." In Southwestern Eng- land were many cup-shaped depressions or valleys in the hills. These were called combes. The sloe trees were very com- mon in these combes, hence they were called sloecombes, and the residents of that vicinity were designated as John of Sloe Combe or as Sloe Combe, and in the most natural manner the surname of Sloecombe was derived. The coat-of- arms of the family is as follows: Arms : Argent on a fess gules between three griffins' heads couped sable, as many sin- ister wings or. Crest : A griffin's head gules between two wings expanded or. Argent-silver ; gules-red; couped-cut off smooth ; sable-black; or-gold. The fess is a broad band crossing the middle of the shield laterally and represents the waist belt or girdle of honor which was one of the insignia of knighthood. A griffin is a chimerical creature retained from ancient times and is most frequently represented with the body and legs of a lion, and the head, neck and wings of an eagle, with ears. The conception of this character was watchfulness, strength and swiftness.
(I) Anthony Slocombe was the immi- grant ancestor of the branch of the Slo- cum family herein followed. He was one of the forty-six "first ancient" purchasers of Cohannet, incorporated March 3, 1639, his name being spelled Slocum on this
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record. In 1654 he served as one of the two surveyors of highways for Taunton, and again in 1662. He was admitted a freeman, June 3, 1657. Baylies, the his- torian of Taunton, says that Anthony Slocombe disposed of his rights in that town and removed about 1662 to that part of New Plymouth which two years later was incorporated as Dartmouth township. He settled near the Pascaman- set river, which has since been more gen- erally known as "Slocum's river." He was probably married in England. The following quotation from part of a letter to his "brother-in-law, William Harvey, in Taunton" justifies the inference that he married Harvey's sister. William Harvey was one of the first purchasers of Taunton, his interest being equal to that of Anthony Slocombe. William Harvey was deputy to the General Court for sev- eral successive years.
(II) Giles Slocombe, son of Anthony Slocombe, was probably born in Somer- setshire, England. He settled in what is now the township of Portsmouth, New- port county, Rhode Island, probably in 1638. His name appears of record in a number of real estate transactions. He was recorded as a freeman of Portsmouth in 1655. He was energetic and prosper- ous, an active factor in the affairs of the community. Both he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. There is no record of the maiden name of his wife, but they show Joan Slocom died June 31, 1679, Giles Slocomb in 1682.
(III) Eliezer Slocombe, son of Giles Slocombe, was born in Portsmouth town- ship, Newport county, Rhode Island, De- cember 25, 1664. He resided in Dart- mouth township, dealt extensively in lands and acquired large property inter- ests for those days. His estate was ap- praised at seven hundred and ninety pounds eighteen shillings and eleven
pence, not including gifts made to his children before his death. He married Elephel Fitzgerald. Her will was proved October 4, 1748.
(IV) Ebenezer Slocum, son of Eliezer and Elephel (Fitzgerald) Slocombe, was born in Dartmouth township, Massachu- setts, about 1705. He married, April 4, 1728, Bathsheba Hull, daughter of Tris- tram and Elizabeth (Dyer) Hull. Tris- tram Hull was born in Barnstable, Massa- chusetts, October 8, 1677; married, in Newport, Rhode Island, December 19, 1698, Elizabeth Dyer, and resided in South Kingston, Rhode Island. Eliza- beth Dyer was daughter of Charles and Mary Dyer, of Newport, and granddaugh- ter of William and Mary Dyer, of Bos- ton, 1635. William Dyer was hanged on Boston Common, June 1, 1660, for preach- ing as a Friend. Tristram Hull was son of Joseph Hull, born in June, 1652 ; settled in Kingston, Rhode Island, and became a prominent minister of the Society of Friends ; married Experience, daughter of Robert and Deborah (Perry) Harper, of Sandwich, Massachusetts, who were among the first of the Friends. Joseph Hull was son of Captain Tristram and Blanche Hull. He was born in Norleigh, Devonshire, England, in 1624 ; was a ship- owner and merchant at Barnstable; died in 1666. Captain Tristram Hull was son of the Rev. Joseph and Agnes Hull; he was born in 1594; received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Oxford ; was rector of Norleigh, Devonshire, England; first minister of Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1635; died in 1665. The Hull family originated in Somersetshire. For some time Ebenezer Slocum and his wife con- tinued to reside in Dartmouth, but prior to 1756 they removed to Tiverton town- ship, Rhode Island. They were living there in 1774.
(V) David Slocum, son of Ebenezer
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and Bathsheba (Hull) Slocum, was born in Dartmouth township, Massachusetts, September 23, 1740. He removed with his parents to Tiverton township, Rhode Island, but six years previous to the Rev- olutionary War he and his wife removed to Tolland township, Massachusetts, where they spent the remainder of their days. He married Phebe Manchester, born July 21, 1743, daughter of Godfrey Manchester. She was a native of Tiver- ton township, Rhode Island. David Slo- cum died December 7, 1818, survived by his wife, who passed away, March 1, 1819. (VI) Hull Slocum, son of David and Phebe (Manchester) Slocum, was born in Tiverton township, Rhode Island, Jan- uary 7, 1767, and died March 3, 1843. He was three years old when his family re- moved to Tolland township, Massachu- setts, and he there spent the remainder of his days, residing on a farm in later life, which he cultivated and improved. He married Fanny Babcock, born in North Stonington, Connecticut, March 5, 1771, died December 18, 1846, daughter of Benedict Babcock.
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