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 121

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 121

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(III) Timothy Dimmock, son of Ensign Shu- bael, born in March, 1668, removed to Mansfield, Conn., and from there to Ashford, in the same State, where he died about 1733. His wife's name was Abigail. They have many descendants in Connect- icut. Their children, all born in Mansfield, were: Timothy, John, Shubael, Daniel, Israel and Eben- ezer.

(III) Joseph Dimmock, son of Ensign Shubael, resided in Barnstable and in Connecticut, and sev- eral of his family also removed to Connecticut.

(III) Benjamin Dimmock, son of Ensign Shu- bael, born in March, 1680, removed with his father

to Mansfield. The following children all prn in Mansfield, were born to him and his wif Mary Perez, Mehetabel, Peter, Mary, Joanna, Shi fel and Mehetabel (2).

(III) Capt. Thomas Dimmock, son o Ensig Shubael, was killed at the battle of Canso, ept. 9 1697. He, it is said, was a gallant officer. One of his sons, Thomas, removed to Mansfield, Con. He married, in 1720, Anna, daughter of Hezel 1 Ma- son, a grandson of Major John Mason, of Frwich Connecticut.

(III) John Dimmock, son of Ensign located in Falmouth. One of his sons, removed to Mansfield, Conn., and married Ann, daughter of Joseph Bradford. He ha ily in Mansfield.

(III) Shubael Dimmock (2) was born Feb. 3, 1673, married Tabitha Lothrop, and re ed in Barnstable.

(IV) Samuel Dimmock, son of Shubael .), and grandson of Ensign Shubael Dimmock, bor May 7, 1702, married in 1724, Hannah Davis, and 'Ir a pe- riod was a resident of Saybrook, Conn. s fam- ily probably remained in Connecticut. O: of his sons, Shubael, went to Mansfield, Conn., 1, it is said, removed before the Revolution to No. [Scotia Another son, Joseph, lived at Wethersfiel Conn ..

many years, and died there in 1825. Seve of hi- descendants were sea captains and lost at se Fron this Joseph Dimmock descended Hon. tepli J Dimmock, later Assistant Secretary of late, a Hartford, Conn. Daniel, another son of Squel, re sided in the eastern part of Connecticut. Famue the father, and his widow both died in Bhistable

Rufus Leverett Dimmock, the grand Leverett N., whose name introduces thi was born in New London, and there died. an industrious farmer. By his first marria her sketch He wa he ha two children, Annie and Thomas. He mar d ( se! ond) a widow, Ruhanna (Cady) Meech, a had four children, Daniel, Rufus L., Jif Sophi by h Jane and Maryetta M. For his third wif he mat ried Fannie (Jerome) Morgan, but there vere 1 children by this union. Mr. Dimmock sved h country in the war of 1812, and until his path r ceived a pension for his service.

Rufus Leverett Dimmock, father of Le rett was born Aug. 15, 1820, in Westminster :own Canterbury, Windham Co., Conn. He di Mar II, 1871, aged fifty years, six months and ar day He was a farmer all his life. Coming to "aterfo when young, he soon afterward purchaseche far in the "Great Neck" district where his so _ever N. now lives, having about seventy-fivdicres land. He was in feeble health all his lifeout no hsider withstanding, was industrious, and was a successful man. In early life he becamelentif with the old-line Whig party. Later he with the Know-Nothing party, but finally ok iss ecam Republican. He married Dec. 6, 1849, elissa Nye, who was born Feb. 15, 1823, daugh of J

lubae notliy 1723 fam-

53I

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Nyeff Eaton, N. Y. She passed away March 1901 ged seventy-eight years. Their children e as il ows: (I) Leverett Nye is mentioned be- . (2 Melissa C. P., born Oct. 29, 1855, married adden, of Mahopac Falls, N. Y., and died )scar Stamfl 1, Conn., in 1899.

Levet Nye Dimmock was born Jan. 29, 1851, Vateilrd, Conn., and began his education in the rict s ools of his native town, later attending ool fd several terms in New London. Leaving ool ff good when about twenty-one years of , he i irned to the home farm, where he faith- y diseurged the duties that devolved upon him, il 18 He then became a clerk in the ship ndler tore of H. A. Brown & Co., of New Lon- , why he remained for one year, during this e beiil New

also identified with the canning factory ndon, conducted by the same firm. He n wentto New York, and in partnership with Al- i S. J kinson, engaged in business as a dealer paints vindow shades, etc., for one year, at the of th time purchasing the interests of his part- , afterwhich he conducted the same on his own three years. He then gave up the busi- eturned home, taking the home farm, is successfully conducted ever since. He 00 acres of land, much of which is in a of cultivation, and he is engaged in gen- g. His specialty, however, is dairying, s from thirty-five to forty cows, running

ount fli s and ch he about d stat farm he ké ilk ro e in New London. Mr. Dimmock has built veral houses on his land, which he rents. Mr. 'ine a H. · had Jun - ık L. ed in 3, and e. n thr 29, I charit ( nmock was married Oct. 26, 1873, to ry Parker, daughter of Francis B. and Braman) Parker, of Waterford, and they Family of six children : (I) Clarence P., :, 1876, in Waterford, is at home. (2) orn July I, 1878, is a stenographer, em- ew York. (3) Oscar R., born May 7, 4) Fred N., born Jan. 9, 1886, are at Florine M., born March 25, 1889, died weeks old. (6) Ralph H., was born I. Mr. Dimmock and his estimable wife le people, enjoying the esteem of a large of fra ds. They are both members of the First ist Orch of Waterford, to which they give liber support. Mr. Dimmock is a strong tem- :, and his motto is honesty and integrity nce n 11.

r car

F tically he is a Republican, but he has for public office and the attendant re- sibilite ;.

RAS JS RIPLEY RANDALL, a substan- hly respected citizen of Lebanon, is a of Ca. John C. and Nancy (Crocker) Ran- verysominent people of Lebanon, where the ly has gured in various walks of life.

In Af1 5, 1824, occurred the birth of Eras- 2. Rail ill, in Goshen Society, and he was reared ork uon the farm and given such advantages ere afforded by the district schools of his native

place until he was sixteen years old. At that time he went to Norwich and learned the trade of tail- oring, apprenticing himself for five years for wages of $20 per year, and the cloth for his own clothing at cost. He followed that calling for nine years, the greater portion of which time he was in busi- ness for himself. His failing health compelled him to abandon the trade, and he returned to Goshen in 1853, purchasing a farm near the homestead where he made his home for fifteen years, or until 1868, at which time he sold his property and removed to his present farm, which was then the Deacon Elea- zer Huntington farm. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in farming and made a num- ber of improvements upon his land.

On Aug. 9, 1847, Mr. Randall married Abbie Ann Gilbert, who was born at Hebron in 1826, and died June 19, 1849, the mother of twin daughters : Abbie Sophia, born May 28, 1849, died June 22, 1849; Sarah Maria, born May 28, 1849, died July 14, 1849. The second wife of Mr. Randall was Aurelia McCall, who was born at Lebanon Nov. 9, 1828. They had three children: Abbie Aure- lia, born Sept. 18, 1854 (died Feb. 4, 1891) ; Mary Almira, July 21, 1858; and Elizabeth Ripley, Sept. IO, 1860.

In former years Mr. Randall was a Republican, but he is now a Prohibitionist. He has served as as- sessor for many years. He and his family are con- sistent members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Randall is well-to-do, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire neighborhood.

The MCCALL FAMILY, of which Mrs. Randall is a member, is one of the oldest of the town, and one that in years past has been prominently iden- tified with the best interests of New London county. Mrs. Randall can trace her ancestral record back to (I) James McCall, of Marshfield, Mass. He and his wife, Anna, had children as follows: James, born Oct. 30, 1690; Anthony, who died May 29, 1688. James McCall was a constable at Marsh- field in 1690, and died May 9, 1695.

(II) James McCall married Rachel Turner Nov. 15, 17II, and had the following children: Benajah, born Aug. 19, 1712; Ebenezer, baptized Feb. 6, 1715; James, born March 6, 1715; Rachel, born Nov. 26, 1716. Mrs. James McCall died Dec. 8, 1716, and Mr. McCall married Hannah Green on Jan. 28, 1718. She was the daughter of a clergy- man. There is record of Elisha McCall, probably a son of this marriage, being baptized in 1720. James McCall (2) and his wife Hannah took letters of dismission to the Goshen Church, in Lebanon, Conn., in 1724. Another child of this marriage was Archippus, born in 1723.

(III) Archippus McCall married Deborah Marsh, and they had children as follows: Jacob, Hobart, Ozias, Roger, Walter, Green, Anna, Mary and Deborah. Anna married a Murdock ; Mary married Joseph Badcock and Deborah married Levi Coe, of Litchfield, Conn. Archippus McCall was

and

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a farmer and died Dec. 2, 1798, aged seventy-five years ; Deborah, his wife, died Feb. 15, 1820, aged ninety-three years.

(IV) Green McCall, son of the above, born in Lebanon, Conn., May 12, 1765, married June 5, 1788, Asenath Gager, who was born Jan. 1, 1767. Their children were born as follows: William, July 24, 1790; John, Dec. 13, 1793; Mary, Oct. 5, 1795; Jerusha July 28, 1797 (died Aug. 16, 1814) ; Jo- seph, June 20, 1800; Jabez, Jan. 23, 1803 ; Harriet, Oct. 20, 1806 (died Feb. 18, 1853). Green Mc- Call purchased his farm in Lebanon of Joseph Brown soon after his marriage, and continued to reside on this same place, where his children were born, until his death, Aug. 18, 1854, at the age of eighty-nine years. In politics he was a Whig, and he held various town offices. His wife died May 12, 1858, aged ninety-one years.

(V) Jabez McCall, father of Mrs. Randall, was reared on the farm, receiving the advantages of the common schools until he was eighteen years of age, and he continued upon the old place until 1835 or 1836, when he purchased a farm within a mile of the old homestead. There he lived until his death, May 26, 1885. He was married twice, first on Sept. 27, 1827, to Almira, daughter of Joseph Loomis, who was born May 12, 1807, and died April 19, 1864. She was the mother of two chil- dren : Aurelia, Mrs. Randall, born Nov. 9, 1828; and Mary A., born Aug. 19, 1834, widow of Oliver E. Pettis, who was a farmer of Lebanon, and had three children: Jabez (who resides in Dorchester, Mass.), Mary (who died young), and Caroline W. (unmarried, in Willimantic).

On Dec. 14, 1865, Mr. McCall married Cordelia, daughter of Eliaphalet Huntington. She was born Aug. 24, 1813, and died Dec. 6, 1891.

Mr. McCall was always a stanch Republican, and one of the leading men of the town. He served as justice of the peace and selectman for many years, and in 1857 he was a member of the State Legis- lature, in which he served on the committee on Sale of Lands. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church, and he served as deacon for over twenty years before his death. He was a man of strong will and positive character, always active, and while he practiced economy he was liberal to- ward all benevolent institutions and charitable move- ments, and was justly regarded as one of the most influential men of the town.

JOHN PORTER MILLER, to whom, perhaps, more than to any other one man, this section of New England owes much of the grace and courteous manners that characterize the general amusements, and the gradual replacement of boisterous and riot- ous good spirits with the true culture of good breed- ing, was a widely known musician and dancing master. His own innate refinement and good breed- ing made him a past master in the art he made his own, and his gentle admonitions were heeded well

because of the love and good nature that pronted them.

Mr. Miller came from a family which, fice 1720, has been prominently identified with thatis- tory of eastern Connecticut, and which by manlige is allied with a number of the old New En find families. The paternal great-grandfather of phn P. Miller, James Miller, married Lois Park Ist, and in their family was a son, Samuel, grand ner of John P. Miller. Samuel Miller was born in {S4. and died in 1849. He married Freelove I .er, who was born in 1783, and died in 1869, a de fad- ant of Roger Williams, through his son, Japh, his son, Joseph, his daughter, Jemima, ho married Major Benjamin Potter), and ther son, Mesheck (who married Temp Ince Burlingame ), who was the father of free- love Potter. Samuel Miller resided in Fin- field, Conn. One of his sons, Simon W. E.ms Miller, born in 1811 and died in 1875, was the ther of Hon. Augustus S. Miller, mayor of Provi fice, une!, R. I., elected 1902-03. Another son was S:" the father of our subject.

Samuel Miller, father of John P., was bor uly 18, 1815, in Plainfield, Conn., where he was iled. In early life he left there, going to Franklin, and learned the line of manufacturing which ffol- lowed for years later in life. He engaged ir usi- ness with the husband of his sister, Cyrus Titu ,and they built a small woolen mill on Beaver . bok, at what is now Baltic, Conn. Mr. Miller con ued in the manufacture of cotton and woolen gos at intervals throughout his life, his last venture l'ing at Greeneville, Conn., where he was a mem [ of the firm of Johnson & Miller. From this fi he retired in 1870, his health failing gradually .ntil his death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1872, at Nc ich. He was at one time the owner and manage of a large country store, and did a successful biless as a merchant for more than a score of years Mr. Miller was the first postmaster of what i now Baltic, Conn., then called Lord's Bridge, and lled several offices within the gift of his town. I poli- tics he was a Republican. Mr. Miller was a i fural musician, playing several different instrumen and this talent for music was inherited by each his three children. He was a well known ma and highly respected.

On Nov. 20, 1836, Samuel Miller marr , in Franklin, Conn., Lucy Adaline Porter, wh was born Dec. 30, 1814, in Lisbon, Conn., and die Oct. 10, 1895, at Fiskeville, R. I. She was a da hter of Capt. Gideon and Sally (Davenport) Port the latter a daughter of Joseph and Alice (Be, ett) Davenport, of Canterbury, Conn. Joseph Ijven- port was a Revolutionary soldier, as was a| his son-in-law, Capt. Gideon Porter. The child 1 of Samuel and Lucy Adaline (Porter) iller were two sons and one daughter, John Por- ter, Herbert Titus and Sarah Porter the latter the wife of George H. Core of

JohnJ. Miller

Herbert J. Willen

533

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

iskevt:, R. I. Mrs. Corey is one of the rominat women of that State, where many posi- ons o pon 1 : onor and responsibility have been conferred She has been State secretary of the hode land Branch of the International Order of e Ki ine, s Daughters and Sons since 1899, and in )3, represented this branch as delegate to e Naponal Convention in Detroit. She has been years first and second vice-president of the land State Federation of Women's Clubs, 02 went to Los Angeles as delegate to the meeting of the National Federation of this ion, and in May, 1904, went to St. Louis ar capacity. Mrs. Corey is vice-president al branch in Rhode Island of the National of Women; is a director of the Rhode anch of the Consumers' League ; president tughters of Connecticut in Rhode Island ;

r thr hode nd in ennia ganiz a sin ¡ the ounci land the d has lled a number of other positions to which he hasbeen chosen in recognition of her ability d gr force of character. She is a member of e Da hters of the American Revolution. Joh Porter Miller was born in Sprague (then wn of ranklin), Conn., on Sept. 12, 1843, and the mmor schools afforded him his facilities for his erary came ay th any

ducation. His passion for music early ident, and when a mere boy he learned to violin, later receiving instruction from erent masters, among them Julius Eich- rg, o: Boston. In the latter sixties he began the of dancing, and at the same time formed tra. At the time Mr. Miller's first class dan g was organized, ordinary dances were nduct ; in

aching orch

in a manner that had long made danc- repute. Rude conduct, at times reach- the point of general fighting, not infrequently evaile and this Mr. Miler set himself to revolu- nize. His own bearing was that of the polished ntlem , and he at once set about to raise the tone danc 3, and make dancing parties what they puld -a happy outlet for happy hearts. No tter 1 v his methods might impair his income, he ermi 1 to labor unceasingly for the desired goal. henev he noticed any conduct in the least rude woul

stop the music and deliver a little lecture good hort nece

nanners. His efforts bore good fruit in ne, and he had the satisfaction of finding ty for his little lectures growing less and inding, too, that many who had opposed cause of the conduct of the dancers were more and more interested in it as a recre- a dancing master his greatest success hildren, whom he instinctively loved, and him. His annual receptions became lead- events in Norwich, while his orchestra high degree of excellence and was known throughout southern New England. The e car ons

, an

icing omin on1. s with o lov soci

tined 1 soug

mer

when he had more requests for dancing 1 music than he could possibly attend Forfer twenty years he furnished music each the "Watch Hill House," kept by Major

Hale. The professor was always popular with the guests because of his genial personality and many lovable characteristics, and his spare moments were passed in teaching the little ones to dance.

Mr. Miller possessed good buisness qualifica- tions, having learned methodical habits in that line in his early life, when he assisted his father in the capac- ity of bookkeeper, and his books, filled with his fine penmanship, were considered marvels of neatness and accuracy. He was prompt in meeting his en- gagements, and in all his dealings he was thoroughly honest. Among his brothers in the musical world he was highly esteemed, and being entirely free from professional jealousy won many warm friends. He was naturally kind and possessed that trusting nature that sees only the good, while his social disposition made him perfectly sincere in the cordial greetings he gave his many acquaintances. The ability to see the bright side of life kept him cheerful to the very end, even through the two years of de- cline that preceded his death. The end came Aug. 14, 1891, and he was buried in Yantic cemetery, Norwich. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, in which he had reached the thirty-second degree, and he was also a member of Mecca Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., New York. Professionally he was enrolled in the Society of Professors of Dancing, in New York City.

On April 1, 1875, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage with Miss Donna M. Whipple, of Norwich, daughter of Samuel Whipple, who was prominent in the business world of New London county a half century ago.

HERBERT TITUS MILLER, who founded Miller's Academy of Dancing at Norwich, and who has ever since conducted the same, is one of the well known musicians and instructors of dancing in New England. His many years of association with his brother, the late John Porter Miller, together with his natural and developed musical talents, familiar- ized him thoroughly with the work that he took charge of when he became the successor of his brother.

Herbert T. Miller was born July 19, 1853, in the town of Sprague, then town of Franklin, where his literary training was received. When but a youth he plainly showed the inheritance of his father's natural musical ability, and this talent was developed by practice and instruction, so that he early showed marked prof.ciency for and was quite capable of skilled orchestral work. From the very start of his career as a musician, he was associated with his brother, with whom he always remained until the latter's death. Then, taking up the work, prac- tically as it was left by his brother, Mr. Miller, a few years later, conceived the idea of building for himself a suitable structure for his dancing school. In the spring of 1894 the first hall was completed. This was but a small one, with a floor surface of 16 x 31 fect. The numerous advantages of owning such a building were soon evident, as was its popu-

534

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

larity with its patrons. It was a marked characteris- tic of his brother to have everything in order, up-to- date and of the best, and this characteristic is equally apparent in Herbert T. Miller. When it became evident that a larger hall was necessary he con- structed, in 1897, the present building, with its mag- nificent floor surface of 66 x 40 feet and 20 feet high. In the construction of the floor surface a feature that was entirely original with Mr. Miller was adopted, that of having the dancing surface rest on large springs, and it has proven a wonderful success, this being the only floor of its kind in the country. Every feature of the academy is up-to-date and of the best. The high standard to which dancing was brought in Norwich by John P. Miller has been maintained in the work of Herbert T. Miller. As a disciplinarian he is noted. It is doubtful if, in New England, will be found a similar institution, whose patrons are as generally of the best class and most aristocratic families. Mr. Miller is a member of the American Society of Professors of Dancing.

As a musician Herbert T. Miller is equally well known. For thirty-one seasons he has been a mem- ber of the orchestra at "Watch Hill House," and for several years of that time has directed the same. For more than twenty years he has been organist in the Central Baptist Church, Norwich. Fratern- ally he is a Mason, holding membership in Somerset Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Franklin Chapter, Franklin Council, Columbian Commandery and Sphinx Tem- ple, and has attained the thirty-second degree.

On Oct. 1, 1894, Mr. Miller married Mrs. John Porter Miller, the widow of his brother.

G. CURTIS HULL, manager of the large Pone- mah Store at Taftville, New London county, is a man who has risen to a position of responsibility and trust as a result of his own merit and worth. He comes of an old New England family, the Hulls having long been established in Rhode Island.

(I) Rev. Joseph Hull, with twenty-one families, including his own, came as their minister from Eng- land in 1635, and settled at what is now Weymouth, Mass. His wife's Christian name was Agnes, and on their coming they brought several children with them. Mr. Hull was made a freeman of the Col- ony soon after his arrival, and in 1638 he was dep- uty to the General Court, and was appointed a mag- istrate to try small cases. He was minister of the church at Weymouth for four years. He removed to Barnstable in 1639, and to Yarmouth in 1641. Soon after 1642-43 he removed to Dover, and finally to the Isles of Shoals, where he died Nov. 19, 1665.

(II) Tristram Hull was of Yarmouth and Barn- stable, Mass., probably going to Yarmouth in 164I with his father. He returned to Barnstable in 1644, and all of his children are of record as born there. He possessed a house lot of ten acres, and was a prominent man in Barnstable, serving in a number of official capacities, among them that of selectman. His wife, whose Christian name was Blanch, out- lived him and remarried.

(III) Joseph Hull, born in June, 1652, inbetel the paternal estate. In October, 1676, he ngied Experience Harper, who was born in Nov per, 1657, daughter of Robert and Deborah ( (II ) Harper, of Kings Town, R. I. Mr. Hull Ms a cooper by trade, and he was also a minister. [von after his marriage he sold his Barnstable and from Barnstable he removed to Falmouth first meeting for the worship of the Quak Falmouth was held at his house in May, 1681 after this he "beat the sheriff for persecut him as a Quaker" and was fined seven [ This fine, however, the court abated in July He is of record in 1695 as of Kings Town

ads, The of Loon of nds. 185. 6. I. He was assistant in 1699-1701-1702-1703. I Awvas a minister in the Quaker denomination in 170 and contributed toward the building of their m ng- house. His children were: Tristram, bor Det. 8, 1677; Joseph, born in 1679; Mary; John fand Alice. The father of these children died in 1 5.

(IV) Joseph Hull (3), born in 1679, n.fried (first) Ann Gardiner, daughter of William an Cliz- abeth Gardiner. She died Sept. 12, 1710, ; he married (second) Jan. I, 1713, Susanna ( fene, born May 24, 1688, daughter of James and liza- beth (Anthony) Greene. Mr. Hull was of lings Town and Westerly, R. I. He was constabl] une 7, 1703. He bought lands in Westerly, R. , in 1714, and was in the town council there ir 1724. 1725 and 1726. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hull 1 in 1748. His children were: Ann, born O| 26, 1702; William, June 9, 1705; Alice, May 2841708 (all by the first wife) ; Joseph, Oct. 4, 1714: san- nah, April 20, 1716; Mary, Feb. 19, 17I‘ and Experience, Aug. 25, 1722 (all by the pond wife).

(V) Joseph Hull (4), born Oct. 4, 171. mar- ried Experience Dyer, and their children

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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 121

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