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 120

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 120

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526

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married. (6) Edward Clark is mentioned below. (7) Sarah Ann, born Sept. 6, 1838, married Nathan Buddington, of Groton, and died in New London.

Edward Clark Kenyon was born in South Kingston, R. I., and received his schooling at Rich- mondtown, and Shannock Mills. After his father's death, he attended the Carolina Mills district school, and later went to Charlestown, where he lived with his stepfather. Coming to Groton, his school life ended there when he was seventeen years old. Leaving school he went to farming in Groton, con- tinuing there for about fifteen or sixteen years, dur- ing which time he also worked at carpentering and at making oil from fish. In 1870 he came to his present place, which he obtained in a trade, and which consists of ten acres in Waterford, near the New London city line. He commenced market gar- dening, and also worked on the railroad, building bridges. ' For some time past he has given his at- tention wholly to regular market gardening, in which line he has been very successful.

Mr. Kenyon is a member of the Huntington Street Baptist Church of New London, to which his wife also belongs. In political faith he has been the greater part of his life a Republican ; he has never been an office seeker. Mr. Kenyon was married, June 4, 1854, to Sarah Amanda Benham, daughter of Amos and Phebe (Hulett) Benham, of Groton, Conn., and children as follows have been born to them: (1) Lucy Abby, born March 22, 1855, was married Nov. 1, 1875, to Dwight Hull, and died in New Britain, Conn. (2) William Edward, born May 31, 1857, is a market gardener in Cohanzie dis- trict, Waterford. He married Phebe P. Kenyon, of Charlestown, R. I., and they have had six children : Edith, Claude P., Norman L. (who died young), Clinton H., Wolcott O. and Margaret B. (3) Jere- miah Judson, born March 23, 1859, died May 23, 1859. (4) Annie Frances, born Nov. 6, 1864, died Dec. 19, 1873. (5) George Benham, born June '19, 1867, married Louisa Angel, of Providence, R. I .; they have had no children. He is with William E. Kenyon, his brother, engaged in market gardening. (6) Lewis Clark, born Feb. 3, 1870, is a carpenter by trade, and lives in Waterford. He' married Jennie Harris, of Waterford, and they have three children, Earl, Herbert and Ida. (7) Frank Hull, born Nov. 3, 1875, is with his father. He married Jennie Saxton, of New London and they have two children, Eleanor S. and Donald. (8) Hugh Eli- jah, born June 5, 1877, married Dette Beebe, of Waterford, daughter of Erastus Beebe. He is a carpenter by trade.

BENJAMIN LUCAS, a successful manufac- turer of Poquetanuck, New London county, where he has been located for many years, is the architect of his own fortune. He was born in Trowbridge, England, Jan. 16, 1831, son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Miles) Lucas.

Samuel Lucas was a native of England, where

he thoroughly learned the trade of finisher

wooler and cotton goods. In the latter part of 1831, accompanied by his wife and children to the New World, to find a home and fort

1. voyage was made in a sailing vessel, a. about three months. Upon their arrival ir Mr. Lucas brought his family at once to t of Yantic, town of Norwich, New Loin Co. Conn., where he became boss finisher in t Yanti Mill, in which capacity he continued the 1 of his life. His death occurred when he was afl fifty five years. His wife, Elizabeth Miles, to Hiom h Crabbe tv-sever ed Eliz of thes had been married in England by the poe died in Tariffville, Conn., at the age of 1 years. Of the twelve children of Samuel abeth Lucas ten lived to reach maturity, si having been born in England: Carolin married George Brooks, and died in Nebraska; Đhraim who was connected with the Lucas Mill in Preston where he died, married Julia Herrington Martha married Albert Stafford, and died in Pres 5; Sam uel married Betsey Lord ; Noah, who was so con- nected with the Lucas Mill in Preston, but tho diet in Norwich, married Abby Jane Lewis; njamir was next in the order of birth; John, whivas thi first of the family to be born in the townof Nor wich, and who was agent for the Central building in Norwich, married Harriet Colby; So ion, o Norwich, is State's Attorney for New London Conn .; Aaron is connected with the Luc [Mill a Preston ; Ruth married Jonathan B. Gay, fid the live at Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Benjamin Lucas was born in the oldcome i Trowbridge, England, and was but nine n liths ol when he accompanied his parents to the No World He received a rather limited education in he Yar tic district schools, and the death of hi when he was a mere lad, early threw h

parent on h own devices for a livelihood. At the a of te years he left school and entered the Yan: Mill where he was employed for about eight yrs, dur ing a part of this time in charge of the ffing de partment. He then became an apprent: to tl trade of machinist and blacksmith, with oner Purse, of Norwich, with whom he contired unt 1852, when he went to California, makin the tr by way of Nicaragua. He remained in Je We for a year and nine months, engaged no mining but at work at his trade. He ma only the r turn trip home by way of the Isthmus o; Panam Locating then at Westerly, R. I., he sper about year and a half at work at his trade for lazzar & Green, after which he spent two yea as m chinist for E. & H. Babcock, at Potter ]|1, R. In 1856, in company with others, he puro sed tl old Brewster Mill at Poquetanuck, town o Presto in which had been manufactured shoddy a They conducted the establishment for a ar wit satin much success, but at the end of that tim the m burned. Undaunted by this misfortune, owevo they at once set about rebuilding, and in p e of tì

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

structure there arose a substantial brick , in which they now manufacture various kinds ladies dress goods, employing on an average the whole year round. Additions have from time to time as the business in- d much improvement has been made in mach ery, the mill being now well equipped duct manufactured complete, ready for Mr. Lucas looks after the general op- the mill, his wide experience in a me- e having fitted him for every detail in with the manufacture, from the raw ma- finished product.

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Mr. Lucas is a member of Wauregan 6, K. P., of Norwich, of which he is a llor commander, and he also belongs to 430, B. P. O. E., of Norwich. He is a sistentmember of St. James Episcopal Church,

Poque} luck, in which he has served as a ves- han fo over twenty years. In his political be- he is Democrat, and he has been active in the k of t : party, having served in 1888 as a Presi- tial e esent re at toł tor on Cleveland's ticket. In 1869 he -the town of Preston in the State Legis- artford, the first to convene in the new ling. During the session he served as ember f the committee on Insurance.

In 18 Mr. Lucas was united in marriage with Sar S been ssistar Jane Tubbs, of Yantic, and their union ssed with two children: Frank B., who in the actuary department of the New k Lit Insurance Company; and Charles L., marad Lillian Lucas, daughter of John and riet Iren, is bu hon ›lby) Lucas, of Norwich, and has four orence D., Edith, Laura and Charles. life Mr. Lucas has made many friends, him for his sterling integrity and the t moil ty of his private life. He has won his perity one c rough his individual effort, and is, to- he substantial men of his town.

OHN SANDS SPICER, a successful mer- orwich, and a very representative man lity, comes from an old New London ty fa ly. He was born in Ledyard, Conn.,

42, son of Captain Edmund and Bethia Avery) Spicer. [A full record of the

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y is found elsewhere. ]

ids Spicer was reared to work upon the many sons of farmers he attended the ols, but unlike a number, he had the fur- ge of a course at the Connecticut Lit- ite at Suffield, Conn. After complet- es there, he returned home and taught native district one winter, after which his father on the farm, and in the store onducted, thus continuing until 1890, her died, and he and his brother George business and continued to operate it to- time. Later on John S. Spicer pur- orother's interest, and continued alone

until 1893, when he disposed of the business, and purchased a beautiful estate on Laurel Hill, Norwich, where he spent several years, farming. In 1899 he once more entered mercantile life, establishing his present grocery house at No. 118 Water street. He has since founded a grain store in the vicinity on the same street, and enjoys an excellent trade in both stores. In former years Mr. Spicer was a Democrat, but since 1896 he has been a Republican. He has served as first selectman of the town of Led- yard for two terms, and has also been on the school board. He succeeded his father as treasurer of the Bill Library Association at Ledyard, and yet holds that office of responsibility. In the same manner he succeeded his father as postmaster, and retained that office until he resigned upon his re- moval to Norwich. Mr. Spicer is a trustee of the Chelsea Savings Bank at Norwich, which office his father also held before him.

Mr. Spicer united with the Ledyard Congrega- tional Church, and during his residence in Led- yard he was quite active in its affairs, having served as a member of the Society committee. The family all became members of the Congregational Church, and since their residence in Norwich they have be- come members of the Broadway Church. The beau- tiful home on Laurel Hill has been improved and altered at considerable expense, until it is one of the finest places of residence in that locality. Mr. Spi- cer owns considerable property in Ledyard.

On May 27, 1873, Mr. Spicer was married in Ledyard to Anna M. Williams, a native of that town, daughter of Peter and Susan ( Barnes) Will- iams. The children born of this marriage are: (I) John Williams, born April II, 1874, was educated in the Norwich Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1896. He had previously attended Norwich Business College, and graduated there- from, and is now assisting his father. (2) Joseph Edmund, born Feb. 17, 1878, a graduate of the Nor- wich Business College, is employed by his father. (3) Susan, born March 12, 1880, is a graduate of the Free Academy, class of 1900. (4) Frank, born Aug. 23, 1883, was a member of the class of 1904, of the Free Academy. The family rank among the town's most highly esteemed residents, and they all have many warm, personal friends. Their home is often the scene of pleasant gatherings; Mr. and Mrs. Spicer being ideal entertainers, dispense a cor - dial and gracious hospitality to all who come within their doors.

WILLIAMS. The Williams family, of which Mrs. Spicer is a member, is an old one in the vicin- ity of Ledyard, Conn. The early record of the fam- ily is given elsewhere. John Williams, the great- great-grandfather of Mrs. Spicer, died in Ledyard (then North Groton) Aug. 12, 1796, when he was eighty-two years of age. His wife Susanna died July 23, 1799, aged eighty-two years.

Peter Williams, son of John and Susanna Will-

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528

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

iams, died Sept. 28, 1843, aged eighty-three years, his wife Mary having died June 28, 1843, aged eighty-three.

John Williams, son of Peter and Mary Williams, was born April 8, 1787. He was a farmer by occu- pation, and resided in Ledyard, where he died Nov. 28, 1864. His wife, Phebe Williams, died Nov. 16, 1860, aged seventy-six years. Their children were: Peter, born Dec. 12, 1810; John, born Dec. 4, 1812, was a farmer and resided at Mystic; Mary, born July 14, 1814, died Aug. 17, 1887, unmarried ; Patty, born Aug. 12, 1816, died April 15, 1900, un- married; Isaac Avery, born Dec. 1, 1818, died June 3, 1838; Albert Morgan, born Aug. 24, 1821, was a farmer in Groton, and there died Oct. 3, 1894; Thomas, born Dec. 12, 1824, resided in Mystic, la- ter in Ledyard, and there died Feb. 15, 1893 ; Eliza- beth, born April 2, 1827, died April 27, 1831.

Peter Williams, born Dec. 12, 1810, in what is now Ledyard, Conn., passed his boyhood in hard work on the farm, and attending the district school. When a young man he worked out as a farm laborer, but after his marriage he settled on a farm near the homestead, where he resided until after the death of his father. He then returned to the home of his birth, and there spent the rest of his active life, but when his wife died, he retired, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Spicer, at Ledyard Centre, until their removal to Norwich, when he enjoyed the new home, and there died Oct. 2, 1899, sur- rounded by love and every comfort and care that ample means could provide. His remains were ten- derly interred in the family graveyard at Ledyard. Mr. Williams was well preserved, and retained the use of his faculties until the last, and his death was caused by a fall a few days before. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought or desired pub- lic office. In religious matters he attended the Congregational Church. Mr. Williams was always a hard working man, and by industry, economy and excellent business judgment, he became one of the wealthiest men in the town. His honorable busi- ness methods, keen comprehension of values, and ability to place a true value on men and events, made him one of the most highly esteemed men of his time and locality.

Mr. Williams was married in Preston, Conn., to Susan Barnes, born Dec. 18, 1815, in Ledyard, daughter of Amos and Mary (Williams) Barnes, the latter a daughter of Uriah and Johannah ( Sted- man) Williams. Mrs. Peter Williams died March IO, 1888, and she was in every way a most estimable and lovable lady, whose memory is tenderly cher- ished by her children and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had one daughter, Anna M., who became the wife of Mr. John Sands Spicer. They also adopted a daughter, Mary Ann, who was born April 1, 1847. As she came into their care when an infant, she was never allowed to feel any difference, but was as tenderly cherished as their own daughter. When she reached young womanhood, she became

the wife of Israel Allyn, and later died in L yard, leaving three children : Henry, of Ledyard; Wiam I., of Taftville, Conn., and Susan, now Mr. fill- iam E. Baldwin.

WILLIAM A. ASHBEY, a promine ( and well known resident of Noank, and a mer fr of one of the old and honorable families of Eton, was born Oct. 8, 1833, at Noank, son of Mos Ash- bey and grandson of Benjamin Ashbey.

Moses Ashbey was born Oct. 16, 1802, a Frook Street, in the town of Groton, son of Boumin Ashbey who died when the former was tweh Fears old. On Sept. 25, 1824, he married MaryAnn Chester, born March 13, 1805, at Groton Ba , and died Sept. 6, 1862. On April 9, 1864, Mr. thbey married (second) Mary Ann Chesebro. Efchil- dren, all by the first marriage, were as ihow's: Harriet, born May 24, 1827, married, Su 14. 1845, Horace W. Davis, and died April 1; 1:882. survived by her husband until March 28 (80)1; Moses, born June II, 1829, married Eliza Alan- ning, and resides at Noank ; Betsey Ann, bo: Sept. 10, 1831, married Stephen Murphy, Aug. : 1849, and died April 3, 1896; William A., born ft. 8, 1833; and Mary E., born April 7, 1845, 1 pried, June 15, 1861, James W. Latham, and the [have one son, James, of Noank.

Moses Ashbey followed the water, as a fis mau off Nantucket. He became a man of imp fance, the owner of a number of fishing vessels saili from Noank, and was well and favorably known this great industry. He cared nothing for politi, but did his duty, upheld the laws, and lived al died respected by all who knew him. Mr. Ashb built his first home near the Cove, in Noank, whe the family resided until 1846, when he built tl com- fortable home on Pearl street, Noank, which occupied by our subject.

William A. Ashbey was reared and eduved at Noank, and after finishing his schooling, leand the carpenter trade with his brother-in-law, Hole W. Davis. In the course of time he became on of the most trusted builders of this and other s tions. In different sections of Rhode Island, he vs em- ployed for many years by Max & Co., of Pav .tuck, and for thirty years was identified with the almer Company, at Noank, until 1900 having ch ge of the joiner work at the ship yards. Manyof the well-built and durable residences of Grot and vicinity were erected by him. Mr. Ashbey h: taken a prominent part in public movements. and 1 | most satisfactorily filled many positions of trust |d re- sponsibility. He has served on the board ofelect- men, and for twenty years has been treasu : and collector of the school district. He is also nem- ber of the board of relief. Fraternally

is a Mason, associated with the Charity and Relief Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Mystic, and the Chap- ter and Council.

On Dec. 23, 1855, Mr. Ashbey was u ed in

Ir A Ashbery

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

arriag rs011 with Mary E., daughter of Thomas Jef- rkins, of Poquonock. Mrs. Ashbey died ne 9. 902. Mr. Ashbey is much esteemed in is sedon where the family has been known for nerato 1S.

AA )N LUCAS, one of the substantial citizens Pres 1, and a member of the firm of B. Lucas & D., of quetanuck, manufacturers of ladies' dress s born in Yantic, New London Co., Conn., ods, arch 1838. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth

Miles Lucas, were natives of England.

Samuel Lucas was born in Trowbridge, England, here 1 learned the trade of cloth finisher, at which worl 1 in his native land until the latter part of 3I, W en, with his wife and six children, he set

il for e western world, to take advantage of the

tter c ortunities offered the laboring man in the w co try. After a long voyage they landed in and at once went to Yantic, town of Nor- merica

ich, C n., where he secured employment as boss isher ry gr : livec ghly ous, orked. the Yantic Mill, a position he filled to the satisfaction of his employers as long as He was a good mechanic and had thor- rned.his trade, and, being naturally indus- came invaluable to those for whom he He died at the age of fifty-five years. Mr. married in England, by the poet, Crabbe, Eliza th Miles, and to this union were born ildren, of whom ten lived to maturity. elve x wei born before the emigration to America. ose wo reached manhood and womanhood were : roline vho married George Brooks and died in ·brask Ephraim, who died in Preston (his wife

s Jul Herrington) ; Martha, who married Al- : Sta rd, of Preston, where she died ; Samuel, o ma ed Betsey Lord ; Noah, who married Abby le Les, and was a member of the firm of B. Co. until his death; Benjamin, who mar-

cas 1 Sar. ticut

Jane Tubbs ; John (the first born in Con- igent for the Central building at Norwich, o maijed Harriet Colby ; Solomon, of Norwich, ere hd; State's Attorney for New London coun- and Ruth, who married Jonathan B. Gay, Aaro l is liv g in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Aaro Lucas was born in Yantic, Conn., March id attended the district schools of his na- ntil he was eight years of age. Being left in boyhood, his responsibility came early

1838 towi orpha ıin1. the age of ten years he went to live with con enezer Packer, of Salem, Conn., with m he id a good home for three and a half years, ing v id during the winter months was privi-

ch time he helped with the chores about farm d to

ttend the neighboring district schools. en allt fourteen years of age he went to Pot- Hill I., where his brothers were employed in hill, a .

rned

there he, too, secured a position in the Lah. he became a weaver, remaining in this until e was seventeen years of age, when he Yantic, and there became a clerk in the 34

general store of Henry Bingham, where he remained one year, for which time he received $50 and his board ; at the end of the year he had saved $12. His next work was in Fitchville, in the town of Bozrah, where for two years he was employed as a clerk for Asa Fitch, after which he spent one year in Norwich in the grocery store of Comstock-& Backus. Desir- ous of a better business education, he spent a portion of his hard-earned savings in taking a course in Schofield's Business College, at Providence, R. I., from which institution he received a diploma. He then came to Poquetanuck, and for about a year was employed in the Lucas Mill, when he purchased the general store of Erastus O'Brien there, conducting same for about six years. He built up a good trade and largely increased the patronage by keeping first- class goods and being content with reasonable profits, his honest methods and courteous treatment of his customers bringing him prosperity. When he sold out his store he bought stock in the B. Lucas & Co. Mill, and since that time he has been actively engaged in the management of that concern, his work being to look after the financial affairs of the firm, while his brother Benjamin manages the oper- ating department.

Fraternally Mr. Lucas is a Mason, and is affil- iated with Somerset Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., of Norwich, and also with Franklin Council, R. A. M., of Norwich. He attends St. James Episcopal Church of Poquetanuck, of which his wife is a member, and he is liberal in his assistance of the work. In politics he is a Democrat, very much in- clined, however, to the gold standard. In the session of 1882-83 he represented the town of Preston in the State Legislature, during which time he was a mem- ber of the committee on Railroads. He has also served his town as first selectman, justice of the peace, tax collector, and has for a number of years been a notary public.

Mr. Lucas has been twice married. On Feb. 8, 1863, he married Flora C. Hill, daughter of James E. and Cornelia (Stoddard) Hill, of Norwich. She died in 1871, in Preston, the mother of the follow- ing family: (1) Flora C. married A. K. Gardner, of Short Hills, N. J., an importer of glue and glue stock and colors for confectioners, and manufacturer of confectionery ; they have five children, Aaron Lucas, Flora Cornelia, Robert G., William and Fan- nie. (2) Ella B., is highly educated and an en- thusiastic traveler, having visited many points of in- terest in America and Europe. (3) Grace Cran- dall died at the age of one year. In November, 1872, Mr. Lucas was married ( second) to Kate H. E. Gainer, of Rockville.

Mr. Lucas indulges in poetry for the amuse- ment of himself and friends. Whence comes his gift he declares he does not know, unless it is due to the fact that his parents were married by the famous poet, George Crabbe. On many occasions he has composed short poems, and for a number of years it has been his custom to commemorate

530

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his birthday, March 10, in that way. He possesses a natural wit, and his bright sparkling conversa- tion and genial manners make him exceedingly pop- ular socially. Like all his brothers, Mr. Lucas is self-made, and owes to no one the success that has come to him, a fitting crown for the honest efforts he has put forth. He has lived an upright life, and is respected by all who know him.

·LEVERETT NYE DIMMOCK, one of Water- ford's representative farmers and dairymen, and a descendant of an old New England family, was born Jan. 29, 1851, in Waterford, where he now resides, a highly respected citizen. The early New England home of the Dimmock (Dimock, Dimmick, etc.) family was at Barnstable, whence came to Mansfield, the Connecticut branch.

(I) Elder Thomas Dimmock and Rev. Joseph Hull are the parties named in the grant of land made in 1639 of the lands in the town of Barnstable. "The history of Mr. Dimmock is identified with the early history of the town and cannot be separated. He was the leading man and was in some way connected with all the acts of the first settlers." Dimmock is an old name in England, and there are many families who bear it. It has various spellings, and probably was originally the same as that of Dymocke, the hereditary champion of England, an office now abolished, who at coronations owed the service of Challenge to all competitors for the crown. The name is probably a Welsh or West of England one, and some facts stated by Burke, in his genealogy of the family, favor the family tradition that Elder Thomas Dimmock's father was Edward, and that he came to this country from Barnstable, England, or that vicinity. He married Ann ( Hammond) before his removal to Barnstable.

(II) Ensign Shubael Dimmock, only son of Elder Thomas, who lived to mature years, like his father was a prominent man of his community. He was a resident of Yarmouth for a short time in 1669. He was a selectman in Barnstable, deputy to the Gen- eral Court, etc. About 1693 he removed to Mans- field, Conn., where he became known as Deacon Dimmock. He died there Oct. 29, 1732, in the ninety-first year of his age, and his wife, Johannah, passed away May 8, 1727, aged eighty-three years. Their marriage occurred in April, 1663.

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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 120

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