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 147

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 147

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Seabury Thomas was born Aug. 22, 1802, in that part of Groton now known as Ledyard. He fol- lowed in his father's footsteps and made farming his life work. Always interested in town affairs he be- came prominent in public work, being especially act- ive in the work of the Democratic party. For many years he served as selectman, and in 1846 he served as representative in the State Legislature. He died in the same house in which he was born-his life long home. On Sept. 18, 1825, he married Han- nah Avery Haley, who was born Feb. 5, 1803, and died Nov. 24, 1847, the mother of six children: Elisha Seabury, born Aug. 9, 1826; Hannah E., born Oct. 25, 1827, married Isaac Allen Burrows, and resides at Deposit, N. Y. ; William Stewart, born Feb. 5, 1830, died July 20, 1833; Daniel N., born Nov. 5, 1832, lives at Greenport, L. I. ; Caleb Haley, born Aug. 24, 1835, resides in Mystic, Conn. ; Sarah A., born Nov. 10, 1837, also lives in Mystic. For his second wife, Seabury Thomas married, on April 23, 1849, Mrs. Mary Denison, who died Aug. 10, 1895.

ELISHA SEABURY THOMAS was born at the old home in Ledyard Aug. 9, 1826, and there in the neighboring schools received such education as was general to farmer boys of that day. For about a year and a half after leaving school he was em- ployed by Henry Bill, publisher of Norwich, travel- ing through the middle western States. Determin- ing to make farming his chief occupation he went to Canisteo, N. Y., where he remained for seven years. Returning to Groton, he rented the Park Avery farm, and made that place his home. In 1865 he bought a part of the farm, which he has improved with the present fine buildings, and he has named the place the "High Rock Place." There are few places in the county more attractive, and Mr. Thomas is a thorough farmer, who has made a careful study of his work, and is a great believer in modern methods and machinery.

In spite of the close attention he has given his personal affairs, Mr. Thomas has been very active in public affairs. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party, and is always looked upon as a wise counselor in party matters. For two years he was town tax collector, and for seven years he served as selectman, and in 1889 he was a member of the

State Legislature, where he gave good service on the committee on Agriculture.

On April 16, 1856, Mr. Thomas was married to Adelia E. Avery, who was born May II, 1832, daughter of Park William and Clarissa (Avery) Avery. Three children came to brighten their home: Ida Eliza, born Feb. 6, 1857, died March 25, 1861 ; William Seabury, born Aug. 26, 1862, married Har- riet Fanning, and conducts the farm; and Addie Avery, born Nov. 29, 1866.

WILLIAM ASTHEIMER, one of New Lon- don's substantial and respected citizens, is now liv- ing in well earned retirement after a successful busi- ness career in the land of his adoption. He was born Oct. 8, 1842, in Russelsheim, Germany, where his ancestors had lived for many years.

Philip Astheimer, his father, was a native of the Fatherland, where he learned and worked at the trade of stone mason. In 1854, with his wife and family, he embarked at Havre, France, on the sail- ing vessel "Masonic," for America, in order that he might take advantage of the wonderful opportun- ities offered for homes in the New World. His in- tentions, however, were destined never to be ful- filled, and during the voyage he became ill and died, leaving his faithful wife, with their little army of nine children, to land alone in a strange country. · The widowed mother, whose maiden name was So- phia Brietert, died at Union Hill, N. J. She was the mother of ten children, nine of whom lived to mature years.

William Astheimer inherited the industrious traits of the German nation. At the age of six years he began his education in the schools of his native land, but on coming to America, and landing in New York after an eventful passage of six weeks, he found himself face to face with the problem of existence. He at once apprenticed himself to learn the cigar maker's trade, and continued to make that his business. After he had mastered his trade lie remained at work in New York until in April, 1861, when upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, he promptly responded to President Lincoln's call, and on April 23, 1861, he became a private in Company B, 8th N. Y. V. I., remaining in service for two years, during which time he served with his com- pany along the Potomac and in Western Virginia. Receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to New York and took up his trade, remaining in that metropolis until 1865, when he located in New Lon- don. For four years he worked as a journeyman cigar maker for the late Jacob Linicus, Sr., and then started in the cigar business on his own account at No. 18 Bank street. For more than thirty years he continued in business, and then sold out to the son of his former employer, Jacob Linicus, Jr. As a business man Mr. Astheimer was to a certain extent conservative, but the spirit of a true business man animated him, and he was always in the lead. He succeeded in accumulating a good competence, which

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he is now enjoying to its fullest extent. He dealt also in real estate, and still owns some valuable holdings.

Socially Mr. Astheimer is a member of Brainerd Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M., and of Pequot Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., of New London. In the latter organization he has taken a very active part, and besides being a past noble grand of the local lodge, he has held several offices and been prominently identified with the Grand Lodge of the State.

In 1866 Mr. Astheimer was married in New York to Miss Catherine Ruppert, who has been his interested and helpful companion in all his work. They attend the Episcopal Church, and are liberal supporters of its work. Politically Mr. Astheimer is a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, and for three years he has served most efficiently as a member of the common coun- cil. He is highly esteemed by all who have met him either in business, social or private life. His home is always open to his friends, who receive a warm welcome from its gracious mistress. No better cx- ample of a genuine selfmade man is to be found in New London, and no man of equal success can con- sistently claim a cleaner or more honorable record as a business man and citizen.

LINNELL. For almost forty years the name of Linnell has been prominently identified with the professional and social life of Norwich, first through the late Dr. Jonathan Edwards Linnell, and later through his son, Dr. E. H. Linnell. The Linnell family is one of the old families of New England. Robert Linnell, of Scituate and Barnstable, Mass., was the immigrant ancestor of the family, From the Eastham and Orleans branch of the Linnell family came the subject of this notice.

(I) Robert Linnell and his wife, of Scituate, Mass., under letter of dismissal from a Congrega- tional Church in London, joined the Scituate Church Sept. 16, 1638. They moved to Barnstable in 1639. Their children were: Sarah, David, Hannah, Abi- gail, Shubael, and Bethia.'

(II) David Linuell, born in 1627, in England, inherited the homestead of his father. He married March 9, 1652-53. Hannah Shelley, daughter of Robert Shelley, she being then in her sixteenth year. Their children were: Samuel, born Dec. 15. 1655 : Elisha, June 1, 1658; Hannah, Dec. 15, 1660; Abi- gail; Experience; Jonathan, born in 1668; John, born in 1671 ; and Susannali, in 1673.

(III) Jonathan Limmell, born in 1668, married (first) Elizabeth, who was born in 1667, and died July 26, 1723. His second wife's name was Re- ›ecca. Mr. Linnell removed from Barnstable to Eastham about 1695, and is the ancestor of the Lin hells of that town and of Orleans. He was a much respected man and accumulated a good estate. This ranch of the family has occupied a most respectable position in society. Jonathan Linnell was noted for tis business capacity and his ready wit, which

sparkled on all occasions. His children were : Davis, born Jan. 28, 1692-93; Elizabeth, April 17, 1696; Hannah, April 17, 1696; Abigail, July 1, 1699; Jonathan, Aug. 4, 1701; Thomas, Oct. 12, 1703 ; and Elisha, Feb. 15, 1706-07.

(IV) Jonathan Linnell, born Aug. 4, 1701, was the next in line of descent, which is followed down to the next generation through his son,

(V) Jonathan Linnell, and on down to

(VI) Uriah Linnell, of Barnstable, Mass .. who was the great-grandfather of Dr. Edward H. Lin- nell.

(VII) Jonathan Linnell, son of Uriah, was born in 1789. He became a government contractor, cut- ting timber for naval construction, and while en route from Savannah to Boston with a cargo of timber was lost at sea. He married Tempa Seabury, who was born in 1793, and lived to the age of eighty- five years, dying in Amherst, Mass., where she was buried. They had six children: Caroline, who died in 1816; Sarah, who married Robert Rob- inson, and died in 1892 at Brooklyn, N. Y. : Nathan, who died in 1843, at the age of twenty-five years : Mary, born in 1826, who died in 1842 : Tempa, born in 1828, who died Nov. 6, 1881, unmarried: and Jonathan Edwards.

(VIII) JONATHAN EDWARDS LIXNELL was born June 9, 1822, at Orleans, Mass., and received his primary education in the public schools of his native town. After the death of his father, which occurred in 1840, the family removed to Amherst, and there. from 1840 to 1842, the son attended Amherst Col- lege. He was one of the charter members of Allt- herst Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi. At twenty- two years of age in 1844, he was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical School with the degree of MI. D., and the next year practiced medicine in Prescott. Mass. For nine years he was located in East Doug- lass. Following this he took a special course of study at a homeopathic college in Philadelphia, after which he located in practice at Worcester, Mass., remain- ing some thirteen years. Owing to failing health, he gave up his professional duties and removed to Nor- wich, Conn. This was soon after the close of the Civil war in 1866. In Norwich he engaged in the insur- ance business, and in the early eighties resumed the practice of medicine, in which he continued until the time of his last and fatal illness, and he passed away at his home in Norwich, Sept. 20, 1800. Dr. Lin- nell was one of the city's substantial men, and rep- resented the highest type of citizenship. As a prac- titioner he was successful, and occupied a promment position in his profession. He served as president of the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Sockets. and as orator before that body. his addresses are found in Transactions, Vol. 1801-06. He was a member of the American Institute of Homeopatli. Ilis religions membership was with the Broadway Congregational Church at Norwich.

In November, 1847. Dr. Linnell was married to Miss Fannie Graves, who was born in iset, dough-

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ter of Horatio Graves, of Sunderland, Mass. Mrs. Linnell died June 18, 1890. Five children have been born to this union, three of whom survived the fa- ther, namely: Dr. Edward H. and Miss Lillie, of Norwich ; and Herbert Montague, of Catskill, N. Y .; Arthur died in August, 1865; and Mary Frances died in February, 1866.

(IX) EDWARD H. LINNELL, M. D., son of the late Dr. Jonathan E. Linnell, was born Sept. 15, 1853, in East Douglass, Mass. He attended the public schools at Worcester, and the Norwich Free Academy, and after leaving school he went to Ber- lin, Germany, where he took a special course under private tutors. Having a strong inclination for the medical profession, he read medicine under his fa- ther, and later entered the New York Homeopathic College, where he graduated in the spring class of 1876, at the head of his class, and he took every prize that was offered for scholarship. After his gradu- ation he returned to Norwich, and began the prac- tice of his chosen profession with his father. He continued with his father up to the latter's death, a period of over a quarter of a century, since when he has practiced alone.

In 1879 Dr. Linnell took a special course in New York, in the Ophthalmic Hospital, of which branch he has since made a specialty. In 1900 he went to Europe, visiting all the principal cities, and taking a special course in London and Vienna. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he has been president; is an honorary member of the New York State Homeopathic So- ciety ; is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, also of the American Homeopathic Ophthalmological, Otological and Laryngological Society. Dr. Linnell is a close student, keeping fully abreast of every advance in medical science, and a thorough, patient investigator, never willing to accept any important physical assertion as truth, until he has weighed and tested it for himself. He was the first physician in the State of Connecticut, and one of the first in New England, to use radium in his practice. A strict observer of the unwritten code of professional ethics, he has built up one of the largest, and one of the most exclusive, practices in his city.

As a writer Dr. Linnell has been a contributor of scientific articles to medical publications, some of which have been translated into the German and French. He wrote "The Eye as an Aid in General Diagnosis," which work has been adopted as a text book in some colleges. He has been for some years a member of the State Licensing Board of Homeo- pathic Physicians. From 1896 to spring of 1904 he served as Town Health officer, when he resigned. He has contributed largely to the various societies to which he belongs.

Politically Dr. Linnell's affiliation and sympathy is with the Republican party, his professional duties preventing his taking any active part in politics. Socially he is a member of the Sons of the American

Revolution, and is also a member of the Norwich Club.

In 1880 the Doctor was married to Gertrude Hyde, daughter of Edward and Hannah ( Thomas) Hyde. She died Jan. 23, 1898, and was buried in Yantic cemetery ; she was a member of the Broad- way Congregational Church, of which Dr. Linnell is also a member. Dr. Linnell married for his sec- ond wife, Dec. 4, 1901, Adelia Bunnell, daughter of Addison Smith of New York City and widow of Henry H. Bunnell, of New Haven, Connecticut.

WILLIAM SHEFFIELD BREED, in his lifetime one of the leading and most successful agri- culturists of the town of Sprague, comes of a family early settled in New England.

(I) Allen Breed, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, was of record in Lynn, Mass., as early as 1630. He was born in England in 1601, and his death occurred March 17, 1692. The name of his wife is unknown, but he became the father of five children.

(II) Allen Breed (2), son of Allen, was born in 1626. By his wife, Mary, he became the father of six children.

(III) John Breed, son of Allen (2), was born Jan. 18, 1663. On April 28, 1686, he married Mary Kirtland, who bore him one child, Sarah, born July 15, 1687, who died Jan. 28, 1688. On June 8, 1690, he married (second) Mercy Palmer, who died Jan. 28, 1752, the mother of ten children : Anna, born Nov. 8, 1693 ; Mary, born Jan. 8, 1697; John, born Jan. 26, 1700; Elizabeth, born Jan. 28, 1702; Sarah, born Feb. 1, 1704; Zerviah, born Aug. 27, 1706; Joseph, born Oct. 4, 1708; Bethia, born Dec. 30, 1710; Allen, born Aug. 29, 1714; and Gershom, born Nov. 15, 1715. After the death of his first wife and daughter John Breed moved from Lynn, Mass., to Stonington, Conn., where he and his second wife were members of the First Congrega- tional Church. He died in 1761.

(IV) John Breed (2), son of John, was born Jan. 26, 1700. On Oct. 14, 1725, he was married to Mary Prentice, who was born April 12, 1708. Their children were: Mercy, born Aug. 3, 1727; John, born Sept. 5, 1729; Nathan, born Dec. 13, 1731 ; Mary, born Dec. 25, 1733; Sarah, born Dec. 28, 1736; Eunice, born Feb. 23, 1738; Grace, born June 2, 1740 ; Ann, born June 2, 1742; Amos, born Dec. 23, 1744; and Lucy, born Dec. 18, 1746.

(V) John Breed (3), son of John (2), was born Sept. 5, 1729, and May 19, 1750, married Silence Grant, who was born Jan. 31, 1731. Their children were: Mary, born Feb. 9, 1751 ; John, born Nov. 15, 1752; Sarah, born Dec. 16, 1754; Oliver, born Feb. 6, 1757; Reuben, born Sept. 23, 1758; Prentice, born Jan. 1, 1761 ; Eunice, born Feb. 25, 1763 ; Samuel, born March 23, 1765; and Marcy, born Feb. 6, 1769.

(VI) Samuel Breed, son of John (3), was born March 23, 1765, and became a well-to-do farmer in

Hy Bred

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Stonington. He married (first) Eunice Allyn and (second) Polly Sheffield, daughter of Isaac Shef- field. To his second marriage were born seven chil- dren as follows : Eunice, Nov. 26, 1799; Mary Ann, Feb. 21, 1802 (married Benjamin F. Breed) ; Freelove, May 7, 1803 (married Jesse B. Breed) ; Isaac Sheffield ; Harriet, Dec. 24, 1806; and twins that died at birth.

(VII) Isaac Sheffield Breed, son of Samuel, was born Dec. 19, 1804. By occupation he was a farmer, and he followed that calling all his life in Stonington, his latter years being spent on a farm in the north part of the town. His death occurred Feb. 17, 1882. He married Phebe P. Hewitt, who was born Aug. 24, 1806, and died July 6, 1893, daughter of Benjamin and Desire ( Babcock) Hew- itt. Their union was blessed with ten children : Isaac B., who died July 7, 1829, at the age of eight months; William Sheffield, born April 17, 1830; Jane P., born Nov. 15, 1831, who married Erastus D. Miner, of Stonington ; Henry E., who married (first) Sarah Slocum and (second) Harriet Pendle- ton ; Mary E. ; Sarah, who married Dr. Henry M. Rising, of South Glastonbury ; Emily D., who mar- ried James H. Cleveland, of Stonington ; Annie M., born April 24, 1842, who married Allison B. Ladd, and died June 18, 1901 ; Frances Louise, who died Aug. 22, 1846, aged nineteen months and eight days ; and Charlotte Ellen, who died Sept. 6, 1850, aged thirteen months and ten days.

(VIII) William Sheffield Breed was born April 17, 1830, in North Stonington, and was early trained to agricultural pursuits. . His literary training was all received in the common schools, and by reading and observation he became a well posted man, with a surprising amount of general information. After reaching his majority he went to Stonington Point, where he was first employed in the store of his uncle, John Breed, as clerk. He then resided on rented farms in Stonington and North Stonington until 1861, when he removed to Brooklyn, Conn., where for one year he rented a farm of Allen Hill. In 1862 he purchased the farm on which he was destined to pass the remainder of his life, now known as the "Ashlawn Farm." It was purchased from George Olin, who in turn had purchased it from the Perkins family, in whose possession it had been since its original transfer from the Indians. The greater part of the land lies in the town of Sprague. and the rest in the town of Lisbon. The fine old house was erected by a member of the Perkins fam- ily in 1701. When Mr. Breed became the owner the farm contained some three hundred acres, but he sold a part of it, and now has 275 acres. He devoted it to general farming and to the breeding of Holstein-Friesian thoroughbred cattle, meeting with great success in all that he undertook. He was greatly interested in reading, especially along the line of his work, and believing that agriculture re- quired as much study and careint thought as any other line of business, he gave it his attention, and

his success justified fully the time he spent in study. An acquaintance of his remarked after his death, "I always learned something when I talked to Mr. Breed." He was a firm believer in progress and was an earnest advocate of new methods and new machinery.

During his residence at Stonington Point Mr. Breed was united in marriage with Lucy Ann Saf- ford, who died in Stonington in 1859. To this union came one son, Charles William, born Nev. 19. 1859.

On June 12, 1860. Mr. Breed married Sarah A. Williams, who was born April 21. 1832. in North Franklin, Conn., a daughter of Lathrop and Abby (Prentice) Williams. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Breed was a successful school teacher. She is a very capable woman, and much of her husband's success was due to her wise counsel and good man- agement. Mr. and Mrs. Breed had one daughter. Katharine Abby, born Nov. 21. 1863.

In his early life Mr. Breed was a Democrat. but later he became a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. While he never could be classed with the office-seekers, for a number of years he filled most acceptably the office of assessor. His death occurred June 27. 1899, and he was laid to rest at Hanover. He left not only a goodly estate. but a name unsullied. He was a man of fine phy- sique and of temperate habits, never having used tobacco or liquor in any form. His judgment was good and he was often sought for advice by those in trouble. In his domestic life he was kind and in- dulgent, and he found his chief happiness in his home. In religious belief he was a Baptist. attend- ing the Hanover Congregational Church, of which his widow is a member, and she has taught in the Sunday-school.

Charles William Breed, son of William S. Breed by his first marriage, was graduated from the State Normal School in New Britain in 1880, and a few years later from the Eastman Business Col- lege, Poughkeepsie. N. Y. Soon after his gradna- tion he secured a fine position with Congdon, Car- penter & Co., at Providence. R. 1 .. remaining with them until failing health compelled him to resign. He died in Windham, Conn., March 28, 1802. 11 his thirty-third year, and was buried there. Al- though never strong physically he had a strong will. which brought him success many times where others would have failed. On April 10, 1850, he married Lillian M. Porter, and they had one child. Lucretia Porter.

Katharine Abby Breed, daughter of William S. and Sarah A. Breed, was graduated from the Nor- wich Free Academy in 1885, taking the Newton Perkins prize as the "student most proficient in mathematics." Since 1800 She has been a member of the Chantangna Literary and Scientific Circle. She is a member of the Hanover Congregational Church, and for fifteen years has been a teacher m the Sunday-school, at the present time being super- intendent of the Home Department of the Sunday

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school. Mr. Breed was deeply interested in the suc- cess of the latter organization, and gave his daugh- tre much encouragement and help in her work. In 1899 Katharine Abby Breed was married to Alli- son B. Ladd, Jr., son of Allison B. and Annie M. (Breed) Ladd, who now manages the farm of the late William S. Breed. They have two children : Gertrude Huntsman, born Nov. 10, 1899; and Louise Breed, born Jan. 28, 1902.

WILLIAMS. The Williams family, to which Mrs. Breed belongs, is an old one in New England annals, her lineage being as follows :

(I) Robert Williams, born in 1598, in Yarmouth, England, married Elizabeth Stalham, of that town, and in 1635 they sailed for America in the ship "Rose." The wife died July 28, 1674, aged eighty years, and he married, again, it is supposed, Martha Strong, who died Dec. 22, 1704. Robert Williams was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artil- lery Company of Boston, 1644, and he died at Rox- bury, Mass., Sept. 1, 1693.

(II) Capt. Isaac Williams, born at Roxbury, Mass., Sept. 1, 1638, married, in 1660, Martha Park, who died Oct. 24, 1674. He married (sec- ond) Mrs. Judith Cooper, who died in 1724. He died Feb. II, 1707.

(III) John Williams, son of Isaac and Martha (Park) Williams, was born Oct. 31, 1667, in Rox- bury, Mass. About 1685 he moved to Stonington, and on Jan. 24, 1687, he married Martha Wheeler. He died there Nov. 15, 1702.

(IV) Col. John Williams, son of John, was born in Stonington Oct. 31, 1692. He was three times wedded. On Feb. 19, 171I, he married De- sire Denison, who died Aug. 13, 1737. He married (second) Mary Helms, of Kingston, R. I., who died Dec. 20, 1740. On Nov. 21, 1761, he married Prudence Potter, of Portsmouth, R. I., who died Sept. 17, 1792. He died Dec. 30, 1761.

(V) William Williams, son of Col. John and his wife Desire (Denison), was born May 1, 1716. On Feb. 15, 1737, he married Martha Wheeler. On March 17, 1785, he married (second) Mrs. Mary Jewett, of New London. He died July 27, 1801.

(VI) Benadam Williams, son of William, was born March 21, 1747. He became a wealthy man for those times, and at his death he was the owner of several farms. For many years he held the office of constable, as did also his son Lathrop. On Oct. 17, 1771, he was married to Hannah Lathrop, and they became the parents of the following children : Elizabeth (or Betsey), born Aug. 11, 1772, married Eli Hewitt; Hannah, born in 1775, married (first) Charles S. Smith and (second) Elisha Way ; Bena- dam, Jr., born April 4, 1776, married Nancy Ran- dall; Lathrop, born April 21, 1781, is mentioned below ; Rufus, born Jan. 6, 1784, married Catherine Browning. All of these children lived to be more than eighty years of age.

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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 147

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