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 122

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 122

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ere : Thomas, Charles Higgabotham and Joseph.

(VI) Charles Higgabotham Hull, great and- father of G. Curtis Hull, was a resident (it sup- posed) of South Kingston, R. I. He was a afar- ing man, and was lost at sea when his children were quite small. He married Sarah Hawkins, diIghter of Thomas Hawkins, of South Kingston, . I., whose wife was Anna Torrey, daughter ( Rev. Joseph Torrey. Thomas Hawkins was a In of Christopher Hawkins and his wife, Mgery Greene, the former of whom died in South ings- ton, R. I., in 1760, the Hawkins family 1|ng a South Kingston family. Mr. and Mrs. H had two children, Christopher Hawkins and Gi liner. The former located in Lebanon, and there died .arch I, 1857. He was a farmer by occupation. I mar- ried Hannah Perry, of South Kingston, R. who died July I, 1832, and they had fifteen cadren, namely: Sally, Christopher, Thomas H., \_liam, Charles, Susan, Joseph, Elisha, Hial, Mar Ann, Hannah (who died young), two who did very young, and Elizabeth and Abigal.

(VII) Gardiner Hull, grandfather of G. urtis, was born in South Kingston, R. I., June &1797,

535

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ind lo his parents when quite young. He came to Conne cut and engaged at farm work, settling t Sto igton, in which vicinity he resided for a umbe of years. He removed from Stonington o Co. ame ester, residing there until 1846, when he Norwich and located on the farm now oc- upiedly his daughter, Mrs. W. D. Rogers, and here sided until his death, which occurred July , 18: Churc tion. une Wea- Mr. Hull attended the Congregational and he was a Democrat in political affili- He married Martha Bates, who was born 1800, daughter of Nichols and Susan rs) Bates, both of Exeter, R. I., and she e 14, 1849. They were the parents of ten lied J hildre viz .: (I) Nichols Bates, born Aug. 5, s a machinist and farmer, and died unmar- t. 5, 1887, in Norwich. (2) Benjamin 1., born April 15, 1823, was the father of G. 821, ied Gardin Curtisfull. (3) Sarah Ann, born Oct. 15, 1824, esideen Norwich, and died Feb. 10, 1887. She ecam he wife of Capt. Elisha Hull, who was first sea c tain, and later became a farmer. (4) Mary, orn arpen 7, 18 830, 1 Leb Mary Aug. 2 ct. I le 20, 1827, married Henry Williams, a and farmer, and died in Norwich March (5) Joseph Torrey, born March 22, s a sea captain, later a farmer, and resided on. He died Oct. 25, 1887. He married mma Hawkins. (6) John Lathrop, born 1832, was a farmer in Norwich, and died 1899. He married Frances M. Williams. 7) Silen Frances, born June 7, 1835, is the widow fW. Denison Rogers, and resides in Norwich. 8) Ally Jane Elizabeth, born June 4, 1838, died eb. I|898. She married Frederick Baldwin and esidedin Groton for many years, after her hus- and'sfeath removing to Willimantic, where her cath curred. (9) Charles Atwood, born Jan. 2, 18, married Harriet M. Sherman, and is a siderof Norwich. (10) One child died young. (V [) Benjamin Gardiner Hull, in his day he best-known citizens of northern New ondo county, was born in Exeter, R. I., and was lite ying when his parents located at Stonington, ew Ifindon Co., Conn. He received a district- hool ca ut in ntil a orwi 'r of pragı 011. ic Pc lascd ars, e wa Lis imba lucation and served an apprenticeship at enter's trade. Thus equipped he started fe for himself, remaining in Stonington r his first marriage, and thence moving to where he worked at his trade for a num- ears. Later he moved to the town of for a year, and then settled on the Kins- an fal, in the western part of the town of Lis- ter a year's residence there he moved to r farm, in the same town, which he pur- nd there he made his home for thirty-five til his death, which occurred April 4, 1901. buried in Yantic cemetery. After locating 1 Mr. Hull was associated with Messrs. and Bennett in the getting out of heavy mber and he became an expert in the construc- on off ooden bridges, doing a great deal of work

in that line. In the latter years of his active life he devoted all his attention to farming, but he retired about ten years before his death, enjoying his com- fortable circumstances. Mr. Hull was a self-made man, having prospered as the result of his own in- dustry, and he was most highly esteemed in every community in which he resided. After settling in Lisbon he was chosen to several of the town offices, and twice represented the town in the State Legisla- ture. In political sentiment he was a stanch Jack- son Democrat, very strong in his views and earnest in his support of party principles.

Mr. Hull first married a Miss Baldwin, who died in Norwich, leaving three children: (I) Erastus G. married Alla Fitch, and is a farmer and carpenter in Lisbon. (2) Charles Edward also resides in Lis- bon. (3) Joseph O., who married Mary Potter, was a carpenter, and died in Moodus, Conn. The second wife of Benjamin G. Hull was Adelaide Fitch, daughter of George Fitch, of Lisbon, and she died just about a year before her husband, on April 13, 1900, aged sixty-seven years. They are buried side by side. Six children blessed this union, namely : John is a carpenter, and resides at Jew- ett City ; he married Susan Hyde. Walter died in infancy. Lewis S. married Jennie Pattison, and resides in Norwich. George Curtis is mentioned below. Frank Seymour died young. B. Frank, who married Alice Phillips, is a government mail clerk, and resides in Providence, Rhode Island.

George Curtis Hull was born May 15, 1866, in Lisbon, and received his education in the district schools of his native town, and a graded school at Versailles. At the age of thirteen he began work- ing out as a farm laborer, and continued thus for several years. When nineteen years old he became a clerk in the store of Henry Harrington, at Ver- sailles, and a short time later went to Block Island, where he taught school for a few months. The following July (1889) he accepted a position as clerk in the Ponemah Store, at Taftville, and with the exception of a few weeks has been in that estab- lishment ever since. In August, 1903, he became manager of the store, and he is filling this very re- sponsible position with ability and efficiency, hav- ing a force of thirteen people under him. This store commands a very large patronage, and is one of the important commercial concerns in that sec- tion of New London county.

On Oct. 21, 1890, in Lisbon, Conn., Mr. Hull was married to Caroline A. Adams, who was born Oct. 27, 1862, in Lisbon, daughter of Jeremiah K. and Eliza ( Angell) Adams, and three children have come to this union, namely : Elizabeth Adams, Helen Angell and Ruth Kinsman. The family at- tend the Taftville Congregational Church. Mr. Hull is liberal in his political views, voting for the best men and supporting the best issues, regardless of party. Socially he belongs to Norwich Lodge, No. 248, New England Order of Protection, of which he is a charter member.

536

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HON. NATHAN H. AYER, a descendant of. one of the early settled New England families, has been for many years one of the leading agricultur- ists and prominent citizens of the town of Preston, New London county. Connecticut.

(I) John Ayer, the first of the name to come to America, crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1637, on the ship "Mary and Ann," commanded by Capt. Goos. He was described on the shipping list as "John Eyre, grocer, Norwich." He was of Scottish descent, and at the time he came to America he was forty-five years of age. He was soon joined by his family of eight children, and after living in New- bury for a time removed to Haverhill, Mass., in 1645, where he died in 1657, aged sixty-five years. His wife, Hannah, passed away in 1675. Of their eight children,

(II) John Ayer (2) was twice married, (first) to Sarah Williams, and (second) to Sarah Woodin. To both of these unions were born several children.

(III) John Ayer (3), son of John (2), was born at Hannibal, Mass., in 1688, and came with his fa- ther to Stonington, Conn., in 1694. He married Sarah Courdaughton, of Lyme, Conn., and settled in Saybrook, Conn., at a place which has since been known as Ayer's Point. He died Feb. 21, 1760, about fifty years after the first settlement at Say- brook. His wife died Dec. 5, 1760, aged sixty- eight years. Their children, all born between 1716 and 1740, were as follows: Daniel, John, Joseph, Travis, Elisha, Sarah, Zipporah, Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah.

(IV) John Ayer (4), second son of John (3), was born Nov. 1, 1718, in Saybrook, Conn. His wife, Abigail, was born in August, 1726. Their children, all born between 1745 and 1765, were as follows: Nathan, Ruth, Abigail, Sarah, John (who settled in Hebron, Conn.), Keturah, Jonas, Anna, Eunice and Mary.

(V) Nathan Ayer, eldest child of John (4), was born Jan. 29, 1745, and died in Preston, Conn., June 22, 1820. He married Desire Tracy, of the Tracy family in Norwich and Lisbon, Conn., who was born Aug. 4, 1745, and died April 4, 1797, aged fifty-one years. Nathan Ayer was an able farmer and well known in the town for his public spirit. He served the town of Preston as tax col- lector for many years, and bought considerable land that was sold for taxes. He owned four farms in the town, giving one to each of his four sons. His children, all born in Preston, were: (1) Elisha, born in 1767, died Dec. 17, 1858, aged ninety-one years. In early life he was a teacher in Virginia and Kentucky, and among his pupils was Gen. Zachary Taylor, who later became President of the United States. He married Deborah Hughes, of Virginia, who died in Preston Aug. 26, 1859, aged eighty-two years. They had a son, Harrison G. Ayer, who died unmarried in 1853, aged forty-seven years. (2) Desire, born June 2, 1769, married Oliver Crary, of Preston, who died in 1818, aged

forty-seven years. They had children-Emily ane (who died young), Eunice, Oliver A., NathatA. and Horatio. (3) Nathan is mentioned below. [4) William, born Dec. I, 1773, died April 14, N 2, aged seventy-eight years. He married, in 6, Margaret Brown, of Stonington, Conn., who May 23, 1837, aged fifty-six years, and in he married (second) Dorothy Niles, who die in May, 1846. His children, by his first wife, fre William A. (who died young), Charles B., D fiel T., William and Nathan W. (5) Olive, bo. kin 1774, died unmarried July 16, 1796, aged tw y- two years. (6) Jonas, born March 26, 1778, fed May 30, 1846, aged sixty-eight years, in Pron, which town he represented in several sessions one State Legislature. He also held various othe In- portant offices. He married Abigail Morgan of Preston, where she died at the age of fifty- ht years. Their children were Louisa (who died ed twenty-one years), Albert G., John (who died ed fifteen years), Abby Ann, James M. and Jona &1. (7) Dolly, born June 23, 1781, died May 2, 1.6, aged sixty-five years, in Preston. She ma ced John T. Mott, of Preston, who died Oct. 9, 17. Their children were Olive, John T., Samuel |I., William, Lydia, Harriet, Lucy and Mary.

(VI) Nathan Ayer, third child of Nathan, fas born in Preston, Conn., Jan. 22, 1772. He v a thrifty, progressive and well-to-do farmer. y- sically he was of large proportions, weighing er 200 pounds. His disposition was pleasant and fn- ial, and he was a great favorite among those no knew him. In political faith he was a stanch ip- porter of the principles of the Old-line Whig pty. With his wife he belonged to the Preston City p- tist Church, of which they were among the fir to become members when that church was orgar d. Mr. Ayer was an industrious, hard-working In, who never tired of performing the duties tha e- volved upon him. He died in Preston, Dec 15, 1853, aged eighty-one years.

About 1811 Nathan Ayer married Nancy Gin, daughter of Peter Green, of Greenwich, R. I., 20 settled in Preston with his family in 1800. Shejas born in Greenwich, R. I., and died in Preston Ict. 18, 1857, aged sixty-seven years, and is buriedhe- side her husband in the Preston City ceme y. Their children, all born in Preston, were: I) Nancy married Henry Gallup, of Norwich, and jed March 12, 1843, aged thirty years. Mr. G. 1p married again and removed to Iowa, where he jd. (2) Desire married Russell Davis, of Preston, w re she died April 30, 1854, aged thirty-nine y's, leaving three children. He died in Stoning n, Conn. (3) Sarah married George W. Cooktof North Stonington, and they removed to Ka is, where he died, and where she is still living at an d- vanced age. They had six children. (4) by married William S. Cundall, of Killingly, C. 1., who died in Leicester, Mass. She makes her I ne in Marlboro, Mass. They had two daughters. 5)

Argt: Ayer

537

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

narried Albert Albro, of South Coventry, here she died, leaving three children. He ing there. (6) John A. removed to Kan- 'e he engaged in the drug business, and married. He died there in 1892, without ) Nathan H. is our subject.

Nathan H. Ayer was born April 10, 1833, Preso1, Conn., in the Third School District, and ere hich hool a elve rmer ceived his early educational training, s supplemented by two terms in a select Preston City, taught by Witter Meech. At ars of age young Ayer worked out as a boy for Deacon Joseph Wilbur, of Gris- old, were he remained one year. He then worked a far

hand for his brother-in-law, Russell Davis, Presti, for three seasons, receiving as pay his ard a onth

$5 per month for the first season, $6 per the second season, and $7 per month for e thir season. At the age of sixteen he went to erider Conn., and there for three years was em- oyed : ing fo the Britannia factory, during the last year man of the finishing room. When he was heteen he went to South Coventry, Conn., where the hatter's trade, remaining there about s. In 1854 he returned to Preston, and ere pu hased one of his grandfather's four farms, which he has added from time to time until he w has bout 265 acres, in a good state of cultiva- on, wd tilled and well kept up. He also keeps out tl ty cows in connection with his dairy. He ntinue successfully to carry on general farming

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l dai ng until April 1, 1903, when, owing to healt he turned his farm over to his son, who icts it, after the manner of his father, his nored ricult istructor. During his active life as an st Mr. Ayer was of the industrious and e kind, conducting farming on business- ogres e prir

oles. The condition of his farm is the best denceof his industry and energy.

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Ever nce Mr. Ayer reached his majority he has en a:active part in the political affairs of his ive t n and county. He is a stanch adherent the E iciples of the Republican party, and has 1 his town in various capacities. In July, 33, hezas appointed a member of the board of missioners for New London county, and inty c ved il lat capacity with credit to himself, and to satis ction of his constituents as well, until V, 18 He served as representative in the te Leslature in 1886, during which session he iber of the committee on Incorporations. the s atori i seas feite and grand ion of 1889-90 he represented the Tenth District in the State Senate, and during served as chairman of the committee on Rights and the committee on New Coun- unty Seats. He has also served his town uror, and as a member of the board of ef. F

Plican churc

several years he was a member of the Re- wn committee. Although not a member Mr. Ayer is an attendant on the Preston

City Congregational Church, to which he gives his support.

On Aug. 20, 1854, Mr. Ayer was married to Adeline Jerusha Tinker, daughter of Lewis and Jerusha (Moulton) Tinker, of Mansfield, Conn. She died in Preston Nov. 23, 1861, aged twenty- seven years. To this union came two children : (I) Alice Maria, born in July, 1855, in Preston, married Dr. George C. Clark, a leading physician of East Douglass, Mass., where he has been practicing his profession for the past ten years. He was born in Groton, Conn., and after receiving his degree of M. D. practiced for a time in Preston. (2) Louis Nathan, born Nov. 22, 1859, is successfully engaged in the wholesale and retail ice business in Willi- mantic, Conn. He is unmarried. In June, 1862, Mr. Ayer married (second) Amelia S. Baldwin, daughter of Raymond and Amanda (Lull) Baldwin, of Mansfield, Conn. She died Aug. 12, 1871, in Preston, aged thirty-one years, the mother of one child, Frank Raymond, who for several years was employed in the various departments of the Hop- kins & Allen Fire Arms Co. and the W. H. Daven- port Arms Co., both of Norwich, but who since April 1, 1903, has conducted the homestead farm ; he married Emily Andrews, daughter of Gustavus Andrews, of Norwich, and has two children, Lucy Amelia and Alice May.

Upon turning the homestead farm over to the care of his son Mr. Ayer removed to East Norwich, where he is now living in well-earned retirement. He has led a useful life, and has never shirked re- sponsibility, always endeavoring to do the duty next in order. He has won the respect and confi- dence of all, and is looked upon as one of the sub- stantial men of the town. His judgment is clear, and his good common sense and practical views in public questions make him much sought as an adviser.

CHARLES B. DAVIS, first selectman of the town of Franklin, and one of the well known and esteemed citizens of that locality, is extensively en- gaged in dairying and farming. The family is one of age, prominence and great respectability in this section.

Shora Davis, great-grandfather of Charles B. Davis, was a resident of Preston, Conn., a tailor by trade, and a well-to-do citizen. He served in the Revolutionary war, and then settled for the bal- ance of his life at Preston, where he died Feb. 25, 1841, at the age of eighty-six years. He married Sarah Carpenter, born Oct. 30, 1757, in South Kingston, R. I., daughter of Jeremiah and Aba- gail (Sheldon) Carpenter, and a descendant of William Carpenter, who came from England in the ship "Bevis" in 1638, and was of Weymouth and Rehoboth, Mass. She died April 14, 1832.

Joseph Davis, grandfather of Charles B., was a farmer all his life at Preston, Conn. He married

learr ree y

arrie nn., still s, w here sue. (V.

538

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Waitie Crandall, who survived him and later be- came the wife of Robert Brown, and removed to Greece, N. Y. After the death of Mr. Brown she came to Colchester, Conn., to make her home with a daughter there, and died in advanced age. She was mother of a large family, among whom were: Mary A., who died young ; Charles Crandall, father of our subject; Sarah, who was the second wife of Robert Sherman and died in Colchester; Margaret Jane, widow of Elias' H. Beckwith, residing in Norwich; William, who was a civil engineer and engaged in railroad construction work in the South both before and after the Civil war (he died in Missouri) ; Gardner, who went South in young man- hood, was pressed into the Confederate service and died in that section; and George W., a physician and surgeon, who died at Atlanta, Ga., having been in Gen. Sherman's army during its memorable march to the sea.

Charles Crandall Davis was born March 1, 1826, at Preston, Conn., and in young manhood became a mariner in order to benefit his health. Later he engaged in farming on a large scale in the town of Preston, being very successful as a market gardener and dairyman. In 1880 he went to Texas, where he purchased a large ranch in the eastern part of the State, near the Louisiana line, his land being really located in both States. For a time he lived in the Indian Territory, engaged in ranching and the buying and selling of stock. In 1895 he re- moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he now lives re- tired. In politics he is a Republican, and during his residence in Preston was called upon to serve in almost every local office. In that town he united with the Baptist Church, later transferring his papers to the Central Baptist Church, at Norwich. For several years he served as superintendent of the Preston Baptist Sunday-school.

Mr. Davis married Harriet Barnes, who is a resident of Preston, and ten children came to this marriage, as follows: Charles B .; Joseph A., who owns a general store at Boulder, . Colo .; Edward, general superintendent of the St. Louis branch of the Vermont Marble Co .; Nancy, a resident of New York City ; Asa B., a physician of New York City ; Gilbert S., a clerk at Springfield, Mass .; George, a farmer at Preston ; Chauncey C., a farmer at Mans- field, Conn .; Harriet; and John, who resides at Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Charles B. Davis was born Dec. 20, 1853, in Preston, Conn., near the North Stonington line. He was educated in the district schools and at the Literary Institute at Suffield, Conn. For several years after returning from school he managed the home farm, but later went with his father to Texas, upon his return to Preston again taking charge of the home farm, on which he remained until Decem- ber, 1889, when he removed to Franklin and located on his present farm. He had purchased this place of John O. Smith a short time previously. It con- tains 136 acres, and is generally considered the

best in the town. Mr. Davis keeps thirty-fi cows for his dairy business, and raises consideral

,fruit in addition to ordinary farm products.

On Jan. 21, 1885, Mr. Davis married, in ston, Sarah E. Palmer, who was born Jan. 9, 180 ga na- tive of South Kingston, R. I., and daugyr of Four Harry E. and Sarah S. (Peckham) Palmer children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. javis: Caroline Emma, born June 21, 1886, a stint in the Norwich Free Academy; Benjamin Elmer, born Nov. 14, 1888; Charles Buttolph, bo Nov. 26, 1892; and Clarence Howard, born : 13. 1895.

In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican, aff dur- ing his residence in Preston served as a justiof the peace, member of the board of relief, consta : anl first selectman, resigning the latter office- lis removal to Franklin. His sterling charan · has been equally recognized in his present homeand he has been called upon to serve as grand jurc fnem- ber of the board of relief and justice of the per, and is now most ably filling his seventh consecut [ term on the board of selectmen, of which, since 1903, he has been chairman. Fraternally longs to Lebanon Lodge, No. 23, A. O. U.

Lober, e be- 1 .. and is a member of its auxiliary, the Workmen's fenefit Society. Both he and his wife belong to t Cent- ral Baptist Church at Norwich. He is a. pular and highly respected citizen.

REUBEN P. ROSE, one of the most h fly re- spected citizens of Norwich, residing on neatly kept farm on Wawecus Hill, has acquired 1 prop- erty by hard work and economy.

His grandfather was a resident of Bozra he followed the occupation of a tanner and [where rness- maker, and also served as drum major of lie old troop of local militia. He was three times .rried By his first wife he had several children, ar by his second marriage, which took place Jan. 1. 1812, to Mary Ann Dodge, he became the fatherof the following: Mary Ann, born Sept. 18, 1813, arried Ebenezer Bump; Hiram H., born Feb. 2, 1 -, was a carpenter, and resided in Lebanon, from which place he enlisted in the 26th Regiment dung the Civil war, and he died while in the serv , near Port Hudson, leaving two sons, William andHenry. who were also members of the same regir it, the latter also dying in the service; William|". was born Sept. 18, 1819.

William P. Rose, the father of our sub It, was born probably at Bozrah, and for some t e pre- vious to his marriage resided with a half other. After his marriage he located on a farm ne occu- pied by his son Amos P., in Bozrah, and the · spent the rest of his life, dying July 9, 1876. F was Republican in politics, and a Baptist in ligion During the greater portion of his life he wa n poor health, but this did not interfere with his orking very hard.

William P. Rose married Caroline Mati a Ver

539

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son isan mber ght. el1. ige : mily, lative of Bozrah, daughter of Jedediah and rgason. She survived her husband for a f years, and died July 22, 1882, aged sixty- ley are interred in the cemetery at Leffing- ildren as follows were born to their mar- uben P. was born May 25, 1838; Mary rn in August, 1840, is unmarried and re- les ir Bozrah; Joel H., born July 18, 1841, died ly 20 :855; Caroline Matilda, born in February, 46, od two weeks later; Amos, born June 19, 48, r ried Grace F. Clark, and resides in Boz- h.

Ret n P. Rose was born May 25, 1838, in Boz- h, an ge a ontvi van. othes. atter cted it the age of twelve years left home to en- farm laborer, first with Isaac Swan, of , and later with his brother, Coddington is wages at first were his board and a few After he was twelve he had no opportunity ng school. Being a strong boy, he was ex- do a man's work, and did it. His hours ere log, and he had but little time for the amuse- ents couth. Until he was twenty-one he worked a fai hand, receiving for the last two years be- re he earn orting able rm it n on ar as iving tained his majority $150 a year. All that until he became of age went toward sup- le family, as his father was by this time do any work. Marrying, he located on a Bozrah owned by Isaac Swan, which he ares for three years. He then spent one farm hand in Bozrah and Montville, re- ity cents a day for his work, at a period ien lopor was very cheap. Then he removed to farm 1 Norwich owned by Elder Christopher ffing 11, and remained there three years. He en w : to the John Post farm in Bozrah, and ntint

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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 122

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