Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568

USA > Connecticut > New London County > Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families > Part 100

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Mrs. Sheffield survived until July 26, 1903, pass- ing away at her home, No. 36 Broad street, New London.

WILLIAM ELLERY MAXSON, whose name was familiar all along the coast as a master builder of first-class boats, and whose strong personality and unflinching integrity made an impress upon the life of the different communities in which he dwelt, came of sturdy and fearless New England ancestry.

Richard Maxson was one of the early settlers of New England, and was in Boston prior to 1634, in which year he was admitted to the Baptist Church. He was one of those driven out of Massachusetts for conscience's sake into regions where they might worship according to their own beliefs. In 1636 Richard Maxson was in Portsmouth, R. I., and was one of those who signed a compact acknowledging themselves legal subjects of His Majesty, King Charles, thereby binding themselves into a civil body "politicke." He was also one of the founders of Newport. According to family tradition, the story of which is preserved in old church memorials, he was among the first who attempted a landing on the Connecticut shores. The party with which he was connected made a settlement at Throg's Neck, for some time afterward called Maxson's Point, where they carried on trade with the Indians until about the time of the Pequot war, in 1637, when the Indians surrounded them, instigated probably by the hostile Pequots, refusing to come to trade as usual unless the settlers confined their dogs. This was

done, and while those faithful sentinels we

fined the Indians attacked the settlement

con- The whites sought safety on the Sound, but a number of them were attacked and killed the next da attempt to land to procure provisions.

n an der a tedious passage in their shallop the survivors Inded on the Island of Aquidneck, the nearest place the coast then free from danger. Soon after tl ing, in the spring of 1638, a son, John, w to Richard Maxson.

dis- the was ined Barra- John Maxson, son of Richard, thus had tinction of being the first white child born island of Rhode Island, or Aquidneck, as then called. In 1661 he joined a company at Newport, who purchased a portion of the gansett country called Misquamicott. His soJolin was also an extensive landowner. Maxson ,Pur- chase, as the land bought by the company wa: alled, contained 2,684 acres. John Maxson was to in- terested in other grants, as may be seen & the Rhode Island records. In the religious freecti en- joyed by the settlers of Rhode Island many r-igious sects flourished. Among them-an import one sect

in that day-was the Seventh-Day Baptists which had been in existence since the early lys of dissent in England. To this John Maxson benged. The Colony at Misquamicott, since called Waterly, generally embraced the views of the Seven -Day Baptists. A church was organized, and M. Max- son was called to the office of elder, in with he was later joined and followed by his son, Jo . The sect, which still flourishes in Westerly, 1 1s in honor and reverence the memory of its first astor, and preserves the gravestones of the warrable man who died Dec. 17, 1720, and of his wif. Mary Mosher.

George Stillman, a maternal ancestor ([Will- iam E. Maxson, was born in Steeple Aspen, punty of Wilts, England, in 1654. He lived in adley, Mass., in 1685, and remained there until 170 when he went to Wethersfield, Conn. He was sentman at Hadley, Mass., in 1696; deputy to the eneral Court of Massachusetts in 1698; a juror o: Veth- ersfield in 1705; and selectman in 1708. H vas a merchant with an estate large for those dal. His son George, born in England, was an Epischalian. On a journey from Wethersfield, Conn., to oston, in 1705, the latter passed through the town c West- erly, and seeing the Seventh-Day Baptists work back on Sunday thought he would stop on his w and endeavor to convert them from what hlcalled him- soon their "delusion." He did stop, but he becaı 'self convinced of the truth of their tenets, a took up his abode among them.

A grandson of Elder John Maxson, S, was pastor of the Mother Church at Newport, onunized in 1671, and the first church of this parislipas at one time shared with other Baptists. Dung the Revolution, in which his sons were in tl Con- tinental army, his church was closed d he preached from house to house. It is relai that

and- born

Wm Ellery Maxson

437

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

W ta m 1 the British opened the door of the church to possession, the officer saw the table of com- Iments which the members had so earnestly avored to follow, above the high old pulpit, and hethereupon reverently closed the door and locked it- 11C is hus saving it from desecration. The church is owned by the Newport Historical Society and eserved as a monument of antiquity, and there ar preserved the records and memorials from whh this account is taken. Elder John Maxson married Thankful Randall.

Javid Maxson, son of Elder John (3) and Tlakful, married Abigail Greenman. His death oci red suddenly, and, it is said, was the cause of gr lamentation. David Maxson was twice elected defty to the General Assembly, and he served as a sofer in the Revolution. He was the father of ten ch ren.

aul Maxson, son of David, married Susannah went to New York State, and there took up 'Staan. He was a boat-builder at Westerly, and lat lar under Patroon Stephen Van Rensselaer, who vard obliged to sell instead of renting. Letters comolled a large extent of territory, but who was aft frc Paul during the war of 1812, preserved in the y with other old papers and ante-Revolution fai dec , show him to have been a man of high-minded dig y and marked intelligence. He was the father of 1 children. His sons served in the war, while his ops remained unharvested in the field.

erl of Sti

las Maxson, son of Paul, remained in West- He there married Elizabeth Stillman, daughter in and great-granddaughter of Colonel George an. To this union came two sons and one

dat

iter. Many of the settlers engaged in coast-

ing nd thus combined an agricultural and a sea- far ; life, or engaged in boat and ship building. Sila Maxson belonged to the latter class.

illiam Ellery Maxson, son of Silas, was born and later learned the shipbuilding trade under in |18. When a boy he worked on his father's far the reenmans at Old Mystic, continuing with

thei at Greenmanville. He then went into the ilding business at Old Field, West Mystic, ship

wit Capt. William Clift, B. F. Hoxie and Capt. W. G.

fırn and kno

h. Later this company was superseded by the f Maxson, Fish & Co. They built many ships eamers, among which were some of the well- fast clipper class, and the "Galena," the first ad war vessel built by the government ; also Vicksburg." Mr. Maxson's life and character

iror the sho 1 he was an exponent of the principles and a word: successor in the practical life of his ances- tors teg

He was of Christian character, of sterling in- , and had strong convictions. Through him aftell o long a time a branch of the family was es- tabl ed on the Connecticut coast, from which the ancdoors were driven by the Indians, yet his love for

e old home was always strong. After the of Capt. Fish Mr. Maxson formed a partner- ship ith Alexander Irving and continued the bus-

iness. He thoroughly understood all the details of construction, and invariably made his own models. When he retired from shipbuilding he turned his at- tention to tree culture and gardening. He had always been interested in tree planting, and even when seemingly engrossed in business cares would take delight in setting out trees.

Mr. Maxson continued in the faith of his fathers, and was a Seventh-Day Baptist throughout his life. He was broad and generous in his views and charitably disposed toward all men. He was the first of his line to bear other than a Biblical name, he being named by a friend of the family out of personal regard for William Ellery, of Newport, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was highly respected in the community, and in sick- ness or trouble was a ready and valued friend. It was sometimes said of him that his visits were as beneficial as a physician's. He was of tender heart, easily moved, and he always had compassion for the poor and erring, yet like men of strong convic- tions he had strong prejudices. Politically he was one of the first in the town to vote the Abolition ticket, which he did for forty years. He was a strong temperance man, and sometimes said that he had seen the Abolition party in as small a minority as the Prohibition, and it had won in the end. He took great interest in all public questions, both for- eign and domestic, was a good citizen, and held many offices of trust. He served as selectman in 1866, as a member of the school committee, and as a represetnative in the State Legislature in a time of peril to the country. For fifty years he was church clerk. With time his goodness of heart mellowed his naturally impatient disposition, and softened the angles of his character; while keen interest in the welfare of his children and grand- children preserved the youthfulness of his spirit. He was described by a contemporary as "a kindly gentleman of the old school."

William Ellery Maxson was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth Smith, of Westerly, lived but a few years. She had two children : Herbert Ellery (who was a lieutenant in Company K, 26th Conn. V. I., and who died of disease contracted in the army) and Arthur L. His second wife was Sarah Maria Fenner, a descendant of Capt. Arthur Fen- ner, who settled in Providence in 1649, and was the son of Thomas Fenner, an Indian trader who died in Branford, Conn., in 1647. To this second mar- riage came six children, three of whom are living : Emily Fenner, who married Louis P. Allyn; Silas, a member of a large piano manufacturing firm ; and Charles Potter, a Captain in the Morgan line of steamships. Mr. Maxson died in 1895. His sons all show the family love of the sea and of their own home tree, and a portion of each year is spent at the old home place at Old Field, where their mother still resides.

The Fenners (or, Norman, Venteur, meaning hunter) came into England with the Normans.

438

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Their first English estate was called Atta Fenn. Capt. Arthur Fenner, before coming to America, was a lieutenant in Oliver Cromwell's army, and in his adopted home showed marked ability as a sol- dier and statesman. He was an expert engineer and surveyor, and for the greater part of fifty years was in public life, being one of the principal magis- trates of the Colonial Government of Rhode Island. He was commissioner for eight years; governor's assistant for nineteen years ; deputy for nine years ; also town treasurer. He was empowered to treat with the Indians : lay boundary lines ; appointed an agent to go to England on Colonial affairs ; to put the laws and acts of the Colony in order for print- ing ; was made chief commander of the King's gar- rison at Providence, and of all other private garri- sons "not eclipsinge Capt. Williams' power." He owned 600 acres of land in and around Providence, including "What-Cheer," the first location of Roger Williams. His residence was one of Rhode Island's ancient blockhouses, was mounted with cannon, and has been since called "Rhode Island's ancient castle."

Major Thomas Fenner, son of Capt. Arthur, and next in line to Mrs. Maxson, was "Major of the Main," and also occupied many public offices. His house was built near his father's, and there, being a justice, he frequently held court. Inscribed high up on the old chimney is the date, 1677. One end has been rebuilt, and the house is now in good preser- vation, and is owned by descendants of the family.

Thomas Fenner, son of Major Thomas, mar- ried Mary Abbott, sister of Gov. Daniel Abbott. Among the heirs of Hon. Daniel Abbott, Deputy Governor, was Stephen Fenner, grandson of Thomas Fenner, and grandfather of Mrs. Maxson. There were several other governors in the family. Stephen Fenner served in the war of the Revolution.

Philip Fenner, son of Stephen, learned his trade under his relative, Amasa Sprague, a large cotton manufacturer, living in the family with him. He afterward became a manufacturer in New York State. He married Sally Potter, and after his death she returned with her children to the home of her ancestors at Potter's Hill, a few miles from Westerly.

HENRY G. JEROME, one of the highly re- spected citizens of Montville, comes from an old New England family. The Jeromes were an old fam- ily on the Isle of Wight-where their wills are re- corded as far back as 1503-but are now practically extinct there. They had a coat of arms. The emi- grant ancestor of this Montville family was Benja- min Jerome, who came from England, and was early in New London. He had three sons: Rich- ard, Benjamin (2) and William.

Benjamin Jerome (2) married a Miss Brown, and settled on a farm in New London. In advanced life he purchased Plum Island, N. Y., in its wild state, improved it, and farmed its lands, residing,

however, in New London. He was of a scial, genial nature, a Universalist in religious beliefand he lived to an advanced age. His children fere: William, Benjamin, Richard, Jesse, John, Hhah, Fanny and Abby. Nearly of the sons becan asea- faring men, and two of them, William and Loja- min, died on the Island of Corsica.

f: of of

Jesse Jerome, son of Benjamin (2), born il 71, in what is now Groton, Conn., was twice m lied, (first) Dec. 16, 1804, to Desire Rogers, whowas born Jan. 5, 1781, in Montville, daughter of I con Jehiel and Amy (Vibber) Rogers, he a farı that town and a descendant of James Rogu New London, through Samuel, Daniel antAl- pheus Rogers. On Nov. 24, 1831, Mr. Jerom par- ried (second) Harriet Loomis, who was bor flan. 29, 1797, daughter of Jacob Loomis of Fem, Conn., and a descendant of Joseph Loon Braintree, England, who came to Boston in 538, of and on to Windsor, Conn., through Deacon phn, Deacon Samuel, Daniel and John Loomis. jesse Jerme was reared a farmer and continued th Ligh life in that vocation. In early life, with his b ther, Richard, he settled on Plum Island, but late pur- chased some 300 acres of land on the mainland ing on the north of Montville and Waterfordand lived upon it, his residence being in Waterford He, too, was of the Universalist faith. Politica, he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. Elwas a man of good judgment and ability, a leader the public affairs of the town. He was read and quick of decision, and a man of strong foeful character. He was honored by his fellow chiens with election to many public trusts, was a m: uber of the school visiting committee, many years fect- man, etc. He died universally lamented, I . 5, 1867, when eighty-seven years of age. Hislife, Harriet, died Feb. 13, 1865. His children born to the first marriage, were: (1) Emily J., bori ept. 28, 1805; (2) Benjamin, May 30, 1807; (3) esse H., Dec. 29, 1808; (4) William N., Feb. 27, 810; (5) John R., Dec. 26, 1811; (6) Susanna B., pril 8, 1814; (7) George Drisdell, Feb. 8, 1816 hext in the direct line we trace) ; (8) Richard, kerch 1, 1818; (9) Julia A., Oct. II, 1820. His cl firen born to the second marriage were: (10) Friet E., born March 30, 1833, married Nov. 14, 353, Charles Prentice 'Alexander, of New Londo and their children were Charles J., born May 23, 360; and Frank J., born Dec. 14, 1870. (II) Au stus was born July 22, 1834. (12) Elias L., bor: Feb. 20, 1836, was killed while a soldier in the hion army at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va. Dec. 13, 1862. (13) Francis D., born Feb. 24, 183 |was killed while a soldier in the Union army, at S folk, Va., April 19, 1863. (14) Lucretia was bori Nov. 3, 1839. (15) Hannah was born May 17, 18 .

George Drisdell Jerome, born Feb. 8, 18 on Plum Island, N. Y., son of Jesse, was reared a i mer boy. He had such educational advantages asevere afforded by the common schools, until he re hed

439

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of fourteen, when he went to work for a in-law, Charles Richards, in Waterford. At of six months he returned home, and when went to Plum Island, remaining there two

he : rotl he ight ears. Conn. ille His next venture was on a farm in Salem, nd in 1837 he purchased the farm in Mont- v occupied by his son Henry G., and there assed he remainder of his useful and well spent Christ i life. He took much pride in his well tilled ields, id everything about the place was kept in erfedorder, betokening the wise care and energy f the wner. On Nov. 14, 1836, he married Han- ah Darow, who was born in New London, daugh- er offohn and Hannah (Chappell) Darrow, of Iontye. Their children were: Henry G. ; Amelia ., wit of Dr. W. S. C. Perkins, of Norwich ; Julia W., who is the widow of David A. Starr, he having lied Ja e 25, 1890; and Albert E., who died at the ge offen years. Mr. Jerome was an earnest and consist member of the Baptist Church. On Sept.

0, 18 he was chosen a deacon, and continued in 'e until his death, Aug. 21, 1893. Mrs. Je- is one of the constituent members of the Baptist Church of Waterford, Conn., her irnishing six of the original sixteen mem- ne and her husband joined the church in n his political faith he was first a Whig

hat o. ome Secon Family bers 1834. nd la a Republican, and he.was highly respected hroug ut the community.

Hely G. Jerome, son of George D., and father f Fra lin Starr, was born July 25, 1839, in Mont- ille, a

received only a common school education. Ie wa reared to farm work, and remained on the ome e was m until 1875, except for one season when ngaged in fishing along the coast of Maine. or a jinber of years previous to 1875 he managed le far of his father, in that year coming to Nor- ich 1

h the idea of giving his children better lucat: al advantages than were afforded by the hool his native town. He resided in Norwich til al

it 1880, during which time he was engaged busi

ss, having bought out McChesney & Bar- WS, erymen, and later sold to Charles W. rady. r so ther, ars, me f n 1880 he purchased Jerome Island, which iny years was the property of his grand- id removed to it, residing there for ten en he disposed of it and returned to the n, managing same for his father during e restof the latter's life. After his father's death succ

led to the possession of the farm, and there con

ues to reside. He now has a farm of out I al ag rmer, bck, the Iture n to ht lin

incipl

out t

acres, and is successfully engaged in gen- ulture. Being a thoroughly progressive is farm is stocked with the best blooded 1 the operation of the whole conducted ost up-to-date methods of practical agri- Mr. Jerome has given considerable atten- cy poultry breeding, and is well known in Like his father, he is a believer in the of the Republican party, but he cares little holding of official position. He attends

the Baptist Church. Henry G. Jerome enlisted in November, 1861, becoming a private in Company D, 13th Conn. V. I., under Capt. Cyrus E. Prindle, of Bridgeport. Mr. Jerome was taken sick and sent home on a furlough, during which time his company was ordered South. When he had recovered he re- turned to the service, and was stationed at Fort Trumbull, New London.

Mr. Jerome married, Oct. 16, 1862, Eliza Holt Starr, a native of Groton, Conn., born Oct. 23, 1839, daughter of Deacon Charles H. and Louisa (Rogers) Starr, the former of whom was born Aug. I, 1810, and is yet residing at Groton. This union was blessed with the following children: (1) Idell, born March 14, 1865, married George A. Perkins, a wholesale and retail dry goods merchant of Jack- sonville, Fla. (2) Charles Albert, born May 14, 1867, is agent for the Adams Express Company at Pelham Manor, N. Y .; he married Annie Wald- ron.

(3) Franklin Starr is the subject of a sketch elsewhere. (4) Louis H., born April 19, 1878, in Norwich, is an electrical engineer ; he is unmarried.

PHILIAS DION, a self-made and successful business man of Taftville, is one of the leading gro- cers of that locality, and comes of old and substan- tial stock, being a son of Anthony and Louise (Du- clos) Dion, and grandson of Anthony Dion, Sr. The latter was born in Canada, and spent about twenty-five years in Detroit later on in life, but he returned to Canada, and died at Acton Vale, aged ninety-two years.

Anthony Dion, Jr., father of Philias, was a farmer in Canada, where he died at the age of sev- enty-five years. His wife, Louise (Duclos) Dion, died at the age of sixty-three, and both were buried at St. Pie, Canada. He was three times married, his first wife becoming the mother of eight children, and his second wife had six children, but there were none by the third marriage. Philias Dion was born of the second union, and he and two brothers are the only ones of the family to settle in Connecticut. Anthony and Hormisdas live at Willimantic, the latter being a wealthy and prominent merchant of that place.

Philias Dion was born Oct. 28, 1855, at St. Pie, Canada, and was thirteen years old when his parents moved to Taftville. He received his education in the schools of St. Pie, and the academy at St. Hya- cinthe, Canada. At once after leaving school he en- tered the employ of the Daigneau Co., at St. Hya- cinthe, and was nearly three years in their employ. He then came to Connecticut, where he was employed for several years in the mill at Taftville, and after he completed his course he accepted a position as clerk in the Ponemah store at Taftville. There he remained until 1884, when, with his savings, he purchased a small stock of groceries and established a store on the Occum road, near Taft- ville, where he continued successfully for two years. He then removed to Merchant ave-

440

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nue and was at another location for a year or so, until 1887, when he purchased his pres- ent building, since which time he has been numbered among the leading grocers of Taftville. In Septem- ber, 1899, he established a large store in New Bed- ford, Mass., which is in a very flourishing condition. When Mr. Dion first embarked in business his fail- ure was freely predicted, but he has been successful from the start and has accumulated a competence. He owns other valuable property in Taftville, aside from his residence and business block, which are together. His success, in spite of discouragements, has been due to hard work, directed by excellent judgment, and the practice of rigid economy.

On April 17, 1888, Mr. Dion was married, at St. Bonaventure, Canada, to Eliza Rousseou, a na- tive of that place, and the following children have been born to them: Clifford Rafael, now attending St. Charles University, at Sherbrooke, Canada ; Samuel Joseph, who died at the age of four years ; Rose, now in Congregation Notre Dame Convent at Sherbrooke, Canada ; Deo J .; Lin. J .; and Asa. Mr. Dion in his political views is non-partisan, and votes for the best men and issues, rather than for any particular party. He is a member of the Knights of St. Louis, Court No. I, at Taftville, and also of Ponemah Council, Knights of Columbus. He and his family are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

GEER. George and Thomas Geer, brothers, born in Hevitree, England, in 1621 and 1623, re- spectively, sons, says tradition, of Jonathan Geer, of the County of Devon, England, were bereaved of their parents in youth, and were placed in charge of an uncle. They came to America and settled at Boston in 1635, and were without friends or money. George Geer became a settler in New London, Conn., about 1651, and Thomas about 1682. On Feb. 17, 1658, George Geer married Sarah, daugh- ter of Robert Allyn, one of the earliest settlers of New London, and they founded one of the oldest and best known families of New London county. After their marriage they settled on a grant of fifty acres of land made to him by the town of New Lon- don, now the town of Ledyard. Mr. Geer became one of the first officers of the town, and held the office of selectman. He lived to one hundred and five years of age, dying in 1726. Eleven children were born to him.

(II) Robert Geer, son of George, born Jan. ( ?) 2, 1675, died in 1742. He married Martha Tyler, and five children were born to them.

(III) Ebenezer Geer, son of Robert, born April I, 1709, married Jan. 2, 1735, Prudence Wheeler, born Sept. 25, 1712, and ten children were born to them. Mr. Geer died Aug. 28, 1763, and Mrs. Geer passed away June 2, 1797.

(IV) John Wheeler Geer, son of Ebenezer, born March 8, 1752, married .Sally Denison, and subse- quently (when his family included wife and five

children) moved to a tract of 200 acres of l; purchased of a Mr. Rose, on what is still known Geer Hill, in the town of Griswold, Con11. was a Revolutionary soldier, and died April 1828.

(V) Elijah D. Geer, son of John Wheeler, b. April 17, 1783, married April 15, 1812, Doro Geer, daughter of David Geer, and settled in G wold, where he followed the occupation of fari all his life, and where he died Aug. 10, 1848.

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Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1568

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568