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 15

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

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(V) Edmund Tompkins (2), son of Edmi married July 10, 1754, Bertha Wetmore, daug r of Benjamin Wetmore. The record of his child is as follows: Edmund, born May 21, 1757; born Oct. 18, 1758; infant, born and died in I, Mercy, Feb. 24, 1760 ; Elizabeth, born Oct. 18, 17| Joseph, born Oct. 10, 1763; Philip, born March 1765 ; Benjamin, born Jan. 30, 1767; and Fran born Feb. 14, 1769.

(VI) Edmund Tompkins (3), son of Edm,1 (2), born May 21, 1757, married Aug. 29, 1783, cinda Wildman.

(VII) Elihu Tompkins, son of Edmund father of Benjamin W., was the next in line.

(VIII) Deacon Benjamin Wildman Tomplys was born in Southbury, Conn., Sept. 3, 1808. grew to manhood in his native town, and in I 7 he came to Norwich, where he became conne 1 with the Bozrahville Manufacturing Compal, where he continued up to 1878 serving as presiot of the company for many years, after which hel- tired from active business life. He was a sta 1 Republican, and represented the town in the Se Legislature one term. On Jan. 6, 1852, he ts elected Deacon of the Broadway Congregatie.l Church, and held that office for over forty-one yes until his death. He was deeply interested in re - ious work of all kinds, and was widely known aa true and devout supporter of the Gospel. In 186de was elected president of the National Congre tional Council that was held at Chicago. He S much interested in the cause of temperance, was president of the Connecticut State Tempera e Society for a number of years. His generosityo the Church and all good work was best know1 0 those who were intimately connected with him, d many deeds of charity were hidden-one of s most lovable characteristics as any parade of nevolence or publicity of his goodness was excel- ingly distasteful to him. In all his transactions e

Benjamin Hildman Jomphim

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as as upright and straightforward as it is possible or men to be, and he left a name unsullied by any nworthy word or deed. He died Feb. 3, 1892, at is home on Washington street, and was buried in antic cemetery.

On April 4, 1830, Deacon Tompkins was united marriage with Miss Eliza A. Album, who was orn Sept. 23, 1807, in New York City, a member of prominent and wealthy family there. One child ame to this marriage, Theodosia, who married Will- am P. Greene, of Norwich (a sketch of whose life ppears below ), and became the mother of two chil- ren : Augusta Borland and Benjamin Tompkins. Irs. Greene died Oct. 14, 1896, survived by her hus- and, who died June 7, 1898. Benjamin Tompkins freene passed away just nine days before his father.

MISS AUGUSTA B. GREENE, the only surviving descendant of the subject of this sketch, resides a ortion of the year in Norwich, the rest of her time being spent in travel.

Mrs. Benjamin W. Thompkins lived to the ripe old age of ninety-two years, her death occurring April 12, 1900, after an illness of only a few days luration. In reference to her death the Norwich Evening Record said in part: "Mrs. Tompkins was n many respects the most remarkable old lady of Norwich. She retained all her faculties up to the last lay of her illness. Her mind was unusually reten- ive, and her memory was as strong and green as a person's a score of years younger. She was rigidly methodical in her habits, and was a regular attend- nt at the Broadway Congregational Church up to . few days prior to her death. Neither rain or snow cept her away from divine service, and her's was a amiliar figure in the church, sitting as she always lid in the family pew, two rows from the front. She had been a member of the Broadway Church ince 1849, and for several years before that was a member of the Sachem Street Church, while it was Congregational church. Mrs. Tompkins was an honest believer in open air exercise, and within a Few weeks of her death she could daily be seen in her garden in the rear of her house, carefully tending the plants and giving directions regarding the care of he grounds. Her open air work she believed was the cause of her wonderful activity and excellent body health. Regularly she enjoyed her morning 'ide.

"The deceased's energy found a willing chan- nel in many charitable works, She endowed a bed in the Backus Hospital, the endowment fund amounting to $5,000, and in many ways needy and worthy persons had cause to be deeply thankful for ier thoughtful generosity and unostentatious char- ty. Her interest in religious matters was great, and her pride in the growth and prosperity of her Church intense. Her Christianity was sincere and earnest. Her deeply religious nature, her beautiful character and her strong and earnest personality, won for Mrs. Tompkins many warm friends, who will sincerely mourn her death."

WILLIAM PARKINSON GREENE (deceased), who during his life was one of the best known citizens of Norwich, was born in that city March 26, 1831, a son of the late Hon. William Parkinson Greene and brother of the late Gardiner Greene, sketch of whom appears elsewhere. Mr. Greene received his early education in the schools of his native city, and in the Norwich Free Academy. He also attended the Episcopal Academy of Cheshire, Conn., under Pro- fessor Paddock. After returning from school, he became associated with his father in the manufactur- ing business, and was for many years director in the Shetucket Mills, and also in the Mills at the Falls, and when the Bozrah Mills came under new man- agement, in 1879, Mr. Greene became one of the principal stockholders and a director, and during his life he was quite active in business affairs.

On Oct. 18, 1854, Mr. Greene married, in Nor- wich, Theodosia Tompkins, daughter of Benjamin Wildman Tompkins, to which union two children were born, Augusta Borland and Benjamin Tomp- kins. Mr. and Mrs. Greene were members of the Centre Congregational Church. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but never sought office. His death occurred at his home on Washing- ton street, June 7, 1898, and he was buried in Yan- tic cemetery. He was a man noted for his charity, and for his devotion to his family. His only son, who was his inseparable friend and companion dur- ing life, died just nine days before the father, May 29, 1898, and he too, sleeps in Yantic cemetery. He was a young man of pleasant disposition and was much devoted to his parents. Mrs. Greene died Oct. 14, 1896, and was buried in Yantic cemetery. She was a lady of culture and refinement, and found her chief enjoyment in her home.

HON. LAFAYETTE SABIN FOSTER, LL. D., scholar, lawyer, statesman and jurist, was one of New London county's sons whose ripe schol- arship, legal acquirements and statesmanship car- ried him out and beyond town, county and State lines into the nation.

Born Nov. 22, 1806, in the town of Franklin, Conn., Mr. Foster was a son of Capt. Daniel and Wealthea (Ladd) Foster, both of whom were also natives of Franklin. The mother was a woman of more than ordinary intellectual gifts and remarkable energy, and was connected by blood with many of the leading colonists in this section of Connecti- cut. Capt. Foster distinguished himself for gal- lantry, and efficiency as a military commander, in several of the battles of the Revolution, serving under Gen. Gates in the battles of White Plains, Saratoga and Stillwater. His stirring patriotism and the stories of the war, which formed the earliest recollections of his son, probably had much to do in establishing indelibly that love and pride in his na- tive land which was so manifest in the after life of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Foster was a di- rect descendant from Capt. Miles Standish, the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eminent Puritan leader, and also a lineal descendant of Dr. John Sabin, a citizen of Connecticut who was prominent in the list of its early settlers.

Young Foster's only inheritance from his parents was an honored name and an unstained character. He had to depend upon his own resources to gain an education, which in his childhood was begun in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he studied for nine months under Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., of Hartford, and during the two following winters taught school in his native town. In 1824 he com- pleted his preparatory studies with Rev. Cornelius B. Everest, of Windham, and in February, 1825, entered Brown University, where he was graduated in September, 1828, with the highest honors of his class.

The following narrative of Mr. Foster's career is taken, owing to its reliability, from the memoir of him published in Vol. I, Records and Papers of the New London County Historical Society ( 1890) :

"Ardent and aspiring, he had decided at an early age to pursue the profession of law. Animated by an honorable ambition, determined to succeed in this controlling purpose, confident in his own ability to overcome all ordinary obstacles, from means prin- cipally obtained by teaching, supplemented by such pecuniary aid as a devoted mother could render, Mr. Foster qualified himself to enter and sustain himself through college and acquired his profession. At the November term of the New London County court, 1831, he was admitted to the Bar of the county, and at once commenced to practice in the courts. The early friends of Mr. Foster will recollect that he at- tracted attention at that time as a young man of un- usual promise, and his future prominence as a jurist and advocate was then anticipated. At the time that he commenced practice, the Bar of New London county presented an array of gifted men, who had already won distinction. Goddard, Strong, Child and Rockwell, at Norwich; Law, Isham, Brainard, Perkins and the younger Cleveland, at New Lon- don ; and McCurdy, at Lyme, were the recognized leaders, and were formidable competitors of the young aspirant for professional honors. But though the task was arduous and the struggle severe, it was not many years before Mr. Foster succeeded in win- ning a high reputation as a lawyer. He had been a close student, not only when preparing for admission to the Bar, but also in the early years after he was admitted, when he had leisure to familiarize himself with the principles of the common law, the statutes of the State and the practice of the courts; so that when he was subsequently called to the trial of im- portant causes he realized the fruits of the course of study, and was prepared to successfully contend with men who enjoyed the advantages of a larger experience and longer established reputation. Mr. Foster's exertions to take a high rank in his profes- sion and obtain a lucrative practice were soon crowned with success. His retainers rapidly in- creased, his engagements multiplied, litigants that

appreciated his great ability eagerly sought his se ices, and not only his rise at the Bar of his cour but that of the State was marked and rapid. was soon enrolled in the highest rank of counsel and advocates. Even when in the full enjoyment public honors, he clung to his profession. On retirement from the Senate he returned to that pi suit to which he had devoted his early life, and late years has often been engaged in the trial of i portant causes. In the argument of cases Mr. F. ter's manner was easy and impressive, his voice i clear and well modulated, he had a wonderful co mand of language, an adroitness in grouping t telling facts developed by the testimony, and a for ible mode of presenting the same, that had a pote effect on the court or jury. All through his lo and brilliant professional career he so conduct himself as to win the respect of his associates at t Bar, and to lead the public to place unlimited co fidence in his professional honor and integrity.

"It was not as a lawyer of rare ability only th Mr. Foster at an early age became favorably knov to the public and won merited distinction. Wh: engaged in the study of the law he took a deep if terest in public affairs, and immediately after ente ing his profession connected himself with the N tional Republican, and subsequently with the Wh and present Republican parties. He loved his pr fession, but at the same time he had a laudable ar bition to take a prominent part in the exciting ar arduous duties of public life. His political friend in Norwich felt, if he would consent to enter tl General Assembly of the State, that they would hay in him a faithful and efficient representative, and h party an able and reliable champion. He was man times elected a member of that body-from 1839 1 1854-and was three times chosen Speaker of th: House. He entered that service in the freshnessof h youth, and he was called from it to a higher an broader field of public duty in the maturity of h: manhood. He had remarkable gifts for a successft performance of the duties of the speakership. H was quick, self-possessed, firm of purpose, had a iron control over his temper, and thoroughly under stood those parliamentary rules that clothed hir with authority and commanded the obedience of th House. Each time that he retired from the Speak er's chair, the members of the House, without dis tinction of party, bore ample testimony to the abil ity, courtesy and impartiality that he displayed as it presiding officer.

"In 1855 Mr. Foster entered the Senate of th United States and remained a member of that bod: twelve years. He was elected its president pre tempore in 1865, and held the position until his retire ment from the Senate in 1867. After the assassina tion of Mr. Lincoln and the advancement of Mr Johnson to the Presidency he became the acting Vice-President of the United States, and held tha office while he remained a member of the Senate. A: the presiding officer of the Senate he maintained the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

se reputation for great ability that he had earned 2 1 Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representa- es; and by blandness of language, firmness of 1 pose, and personal dignity, commanded the pect and won the esteem of the members of that 1| ly.

"While Mr. Foster was connected with the Sen- it numbered among its members some of the st illustrious statesmen that this republic has ever duced. Fessenden of Maine, Foot and Collamer Vermont, Anthony of Rhode Island, Seward of w York, Trumbull and Douglass of Illinois, Sum- · and Wilson of Massachusetts, Sherman and ade of Ohio, Grimes of Iowa, Breckenridge and vis of Kentucky, Salisbury of Delaware, Mc- ugall of California, and Frelinghuysen of New sey, were among his intimate Senatorial as- iates.

v "As a scholar, a lawyer and a statesman, Mr. ster ranked among the most distinguished mem- 1.s of the Senate, and the record that he made, dur- 1 · the twelve years that he was a member of that 1 ly, is one of which the State that honored him by cing him there may well be proud. When he first tok his seat in the Senate the slavery question, ich had long and violently agitated the country 1 1 nearly reached its culmination. Mr. Foster 1 ted with his associate senators from the northern ites in resisting the arrogant demands of the ve power, and by voice and vote sustained the doc- S t le of human freedom, and the equality of all men ore the law. In the great struggle to save the of the nation and to preserve our free institutions 1 1 C posterity, from the day when the first Southern te attempted to secede from the Union till the final render of the Rebel leaders at Appomattox, he tik no hesitating nor uncertain part. All his declar-

2 ons and acts, in the National council or at home, re such as loyalty inspired and love of country (

nanded.

"In 1870 the town of Norwich again sent Mr. ster to the Legislature of the State; he was once re chosen Speaker; and, before the close of the s sion, he was elected a judge of the Supreme court, osition which he filled until 1876, when, having ched seventy years of age, he was disqualified by rovision of the Constitution. As a member of the ( V f t 1 1 t 1 f rt Mr. Foster so conducted himself as to win orable opinions from lawyers and litigants. His irteous manner to counsel, the patient attention ich he exhibited in the trial of cases, his digni- I demeanor on the Bench, and the strict impar- ity and unbending integrity that governed him in decisions, led the people of the State to hold him high estimation. His opinions, which he gave as idge of the court of last resort, and are contained 1 I the recent published volumes of our State re- ts, disclose extensive research, great legal ac- rements and a clear, active and well-balanced in- ect.

"Other honors were at different times bestowed

upon Mr. Foster. He was twice elected mayor of Norwich ; twice he was the candidate of his party for the office of Governor of the State; and in 1851 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the honorary de- gree of Doctor of Laws, a distinction eminently due to his well-known attainments as a scholar as well as a jurist.

"He was also interested in all that pertained to the history of his country, State and locality, and from its incorporation, in 1870, to his death, was president of the New London County Historical So- ciety, evincing an interest in its object, and an en- thusiasm in its work, that was inspiring to those associated with him. His addresses before the Society were, like his arguments at the Bar and in the Senate, careful and logical productions, always interesting and useful, often rising, as in the case of his oration at Fort Griswold, to impassioned elo- quence. This was but the natural result to be ex- pected from a man of Mr. Foster's ability and ac- quirements.

"The friends of Mr. Foster who knew him in- timately can bear testimony to the versatility of his genius, his untiring industry in the pursuit of knowl- edge of every kind, and his familiarity with ancient and modern history, and English and American lit- erature. His mind was a storehouse of interesting and valuable information ; and his fertile imagina- tion, great command of language and easy utter- ance made him a most interesting and instructive companion."

On Oct. 2, 1837, Mr. Foster was married to Jo- anna Boylston Lamman, daughter of Hon. James Lamman, a judge of the Supreme court of the State and a United States senator. Mrs. Foster was born March 29, 1808, and died April 11, 1859. To this marriage were born two daughters and one son, all of whom died in early childhood. Mr. Foster mar- ried (second) Oct. 4, 1860, Martha Prince Lyman, a daughter of Hon. Jonathan Huntington Lyman, of Northampton, Mass., a prominent lawyer of his day in that State, who died in comparatively early life. The second Mrs. Foster shared with her hus- band the excitements and interests of the greater part of his public career, and has given to the world in a most interesting volume, a memorial of him. Of this the late Phillips Brooks said : "It ought to be in every Young Men's Library in the land." With her Mr. Foster enjoyed such leisure as he was able to snatch from a life filled with political and profes- sional obligations. Their chief pleasures were in the summers spent at their beautiful home in Nor- wich, and in later years in trips to the South in the winter. Mr. Foster passed away Sept. 19, 1880, and she survived him many years, dying Jan. 20, 1903.

"Those of us who through his married life have seen him in his home can truly say that he was be- loved beyond expression in the family circle, and that his house was the abode of generous hospitality and of unalloyed domestic happiness."

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

FARNSWORTH. Through much of the last century there have resided at Norwich several gen- erations of the family whose name introduces this article. Reference is made to the late Dr. Ralph Farnsworth, his children and grandchildren. The Doctor, himself a prominent man and forceful char- acter, practiced medicine in Norwich for almost fifty years, came of a prominent ancestry, and married into a prominent family-that of Billings. This New London county Farnsworth family is of the old Groton (Massachusetts) family. Of the Norwich branch-that of Dr. Ralph and lineage-this article is to deal. From the immigrant New England set- tler-Matthias Farnworth-to the present the gen- erations in detail follow :

(I) The Farnsworths in the United States are of English origin, and without doubt derive their names from one of two places in Lancashire, Eng- land, and most likely from Farnsworth, in the parish of Dean, not far from Manchester, in Salford Hun- dred. Matthias Farnworth, as first written, and pronounced "Farnoth," appears first in America in 1657, at Lynn, Mass., but he is believed to have been here at Lynn some years before that. He was prob- ably married twice, second to Mary Farr, daughter of George Farr, of Lynn. Mr. Farnsworth later removed to Groton. He died Jan. 21, 1689, at which time he was about seventy-seven years of age. His widow died in 1717. Mr. Farnsworth was a member of the church, as were all his children. He filled many town offices, among them those of constable and selectman. He was a weaver by occupation. His children were: Elizabeth, Matthias, John, Ben- jamin, Joseph, Mary, Sarah, Samuel, Abigail and Jonathan.

(II) Benjamin Farnsworth, born about 1667, married in 1695 Mary, born Feb. 3, 1674, daughter of Jonas and Mary (Loker) Prescott. Mr. Farns- worth owned considerable land in Groton. He

held several town offices, among them that of select- man. Both himself and wife were members of the church, and their children were all baptized; they were: Mary, Martha, Benjamin, Isaac, Ezra, Amos, Lydia, Aaron, Martha, Jonas and Deborah. The father died Aug. 15, 1733, and the mother passed away Oct. 28, 1735.

(III) Amos Farnsworth, born Nov. 27, 1704, married Nov 20, 1735, Lydia Longley, born June 26, 1716, daughter of John and Sarah (Prescott) Longley, the latter of whom witnessed the murder of his parents and several of their children by the In- dians, and he himself was captured, taken into Can- ada and retained five years. Amos Farnsworth was a man six feet, four inches, in height, and of striking appearance. He was possessed of much energy, and was well-educated for a farmer of his time. After the conquest of Canada, when the lands opened for settlement, he went thither, engaged in survey- ing and received grants of land. He erected build- ings thereon and prepared to remove his family there. He placed agents on the property and re-

turned for his wife and children, and took them but during his absence the agents had through tain misrepresentations to the officials of the N Scotia government had the title to the lands tra ferred to them. He was crowded out and retur to Groton in 1774 with a part of his family. 1 Revolutionary war soon followed, in which he t great interest, but on Dec. 5, 1775, he and his you est son, Benjamin, were both drowned by the up: ting of a boat in the Nashua river. His widow of in 1810. Their children were: Sarah, Rachel, 3. dia, Susanna, Lucy, Amos, Jonas, Mary, Amos ( and Benjamin.

(IV) Major Amos Farnsworth, born April 1754, in Groton, married May 7, 1782, Elizab Rockwood, born April 17, 1757, in Groton, daugh of Elisha and Elizabeth (Adams) Rockwood. the age of eleven years Mr. Farnsworth went w. his father to Nova Scotia, and returned with him 1774. Directly on his return he united himself w. a company of "minute men" that was organized Groton under the command of Capt. Henry Fary for the defense of popular rights. On the Lexi ton Alarm young Farnsworth marched with company for the scene of action, but arrived too 1 to participate in the fight. Mr. Farnsworth at battle of Bunker Hill fought behind the breastwo until they were captured by the British forces; the retreat his right arm was shattered by a b In 1776 he was ensign in Capt. Shattuck's compa at Ticonderoga. The next winter he was in N Jersey. In 1780 he helped to organize the artillo company of Groton, with which he remained as li tenant, captain and major until 1798. Major Far: worth had the reputation of being an efficient at very popular officer. In addition to his milita services he was for several years a deacon of 1 church in Groton, and he served the church in ma business ways until old age diminished his powe He died Oct. 29, 1847, in his ninety-fourth ye and his widow passed away Dec. II, of that sa year, aged ninety years. Their children, all born Groton, were: Luke, Amos, Elizabeth, Ralph a Walter.

RALPH FARNSWORTH, M. D., was born Sept. : 1795, in Groton, Mass., the fourth child and th son of Major Amos Farnsworth.

After working on his father's farm until he h arrived at the age of twenty-one he determined acquire a thorough education. His was naturally strong intellect, and he was able to fit himself i college at the Groton Academy in eleven months, a entered Harvard in 1817. There, by sheer force intellect and hard work, he graduated among t first seven of the noted class of 1821. This was noted class, inasmuch as many of its members 1 came eminent men in their professions, among the being Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher ; Edwa Kent, LL. D., eminent lawyer, ninth and elever governor of Maine; Robert Woodward Barnwell noted Southern lawyer ; Josiah Quincy, son of Pre

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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 15

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