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 150

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 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Politically Erastus Carrier was a Republican and, while he never sought public office, he consented to fill a few of the minor town offices, his excellent judgment and knowledge of law making him a very excellent official. He was one of the leading and most active members of the Westchester Congre- gational Church. An obituary which we are per- mitted to copy in part, written by a lifelong friend. said :

"The church mourns to-day because the fa- ther of our church has been called to the church above. The Sunday-school is a mourner for its oldest member, who 'is not,' for God has taken him. The community sorrows, for a worthy citizen, a kind neighbor and friend has passed away. He united with the church in Westchester July 8. 1838, having thus been identified with the church for more than sixty-five years. Faithful in attendance upon its services, he was found in his place in the house of worship and neither storm nor drifted snow often prevented. For many years he was superintendent md a teacher in the Sunday-school. He loved the Word of God, and when failing sight forbade its jerusal he was wont to read from a chart passages of the Word, in large letters, telling the writer at one time that memory perhaps aided him as much is the chart. He is gone, but his memory will he cherished many years and his influence will be felt n this community for the years to come. He rests rom his labors and his works follow him."

On Feb. 9. 18.43. Mr. Carrier was married to Nancy M. Gillette, a native of Colchester, dangh

ter of Samuel and Abby (Lord) Gillette. She died Feb. 2, 1899, aged seventy-six years. Their chil- dren were as follows: a daughter, born Feb. 16, 1845, died the same day. Nancy Fidelia, born April 6, 1846, married Aug. 12, 1874, Charles W. Porter, of East Hartford, Conn., and died there April IS, 1904. Calista Abby, born April 15, 1848. married Sept. 17, 1887, Asa Bigelow, a native of Colchester and they resided at Portland, Ore. ; he died April 17, 1891, after which his widow moved to Middletown, Conn., where she now resides. Frances Elizabeth, born Dec. 8, 1849, married Alphonso A. Hills, Nov. 15, 1870, and they reside at East Hampton. Conn. Louisa Matilda, born July 8, 1851, died March 17, 1852. Mary Ella, born Feb. 21, 1853, married Dr. Albert W. Bell, and resided in Moodus, where he died, and she removed to Harrison, N. Y. Ida Me- linda, born Sept. 23, 1854, married Charles H. Bell March 6, 1884, and they reside at Harrison, N. Y. Ernest Erastus was born July 12, 1861.

Deacon Ernest Erastus Carrier was born in the stone house he still occupies. He received his edu- cation in the district school and subsequently enjoyed one term at the South School at Hartford and one term at Glastonbury Academy. He was reared on the farm and remained assisting his father until 1890, when he took complete possession of it. Since then he has very successfully managed it, and car- ries on general farming and dairying, making some- thing of a feature of the latter industry. keeping some fifteen cows, and finding a ready sale to regular patrons at Middletown, who are glad to engage his products above the regular market prices on account of their superior excellence.

On June 12, 1890, Mr. Carrier was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Storrs Gillette, born in Col- chester, daughter of Deacon Russel and Martha Salinda ( Storrs) Gillette. Deacon Gillette was one of the prominent and influential citizens of Col- chester and his wife was a sister of the lamented Dr. Melanchton Storrs, of Hartford. Both Mr. Carrier and wife are charter members of the Col- chester Grange. In politics he is a Republican, and he has served as a member of the board of relief

Mr. Carrier united with the Westchester Church Nov. 6. 1881, and was chosen a deacon in tot lle is also treasurer of the church and collecter for the Ecclesiastical Society. In January, 1871. Mrs. Car- rier united with the Congregational Church at Col- chester, and on May 4. 1804. transferred to the West- chester Church. Deacon Carrier and his wife are among the leading members and workers in the church. They are hekl in lugh Steem by all who know them.

ELIJAH 11. ABEL, who died at his hope on Bashan Hill, in the town of Borral, was one på that town's esteemed and substantial citizens. He was a descendant of Caleb Abel for Abell), who was an early settler of Norwich, and who has a nudler rolls posterity in New London county.

664

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Simeon Abel, his grandfather, was born July 3, 1736, and resided on the farm near Fitchville now occupied by E. Judson Miner. This place was in the possession of the Abel family for many years, until it was disposed of to Asa Fitch. Simeon Abel died Feb. 12, 1813. He married Martha Crocker, who died Feb. 17, 1813, aged seventy-two, and their children were: (I) Simeon, born April 25, 1767, was a resident of Bozrah, and for many years deacon of the Bozrah Congregational Church. (2) Martha, born July 24, 1769, married Ishmael Spicer. (3) Elijah was born March 18, 1771. (4) Hannah, born April 15, 1773, married Phillip Bill. (5) Rhoda, born June 24, 1780, married Gardner Avery. (6) Sybil, born Oct. 25, 1784, never married.

Elijah Abel, father of Elijah H., was a farmer, and followed that occupation all his life on the farm mentioned above, being quite successful and be- coming well-to-do. There he died, and he was buried in the cemetery at Bozrah. He was a Demo- crat, and a prominent man in town affairs. Mr. Abel first married Mindwell Hosford, of Marlbor- ough, Conn., born Oct. 8, 1782, and died April 9, 1827. His second wife was Mary Tibbets, of New London, who survived him. His children, all by the first marriage, were as follows: (I) Elijah Hos- ford was born July 19, 1815. (2) Charlotte, born Nov. 8, 1816, married Andrew J. Hough, and re- sided in Bozrah. (3) George, born April 4, 1821, died in infancy. (4) Simeon, born Oct. 29, 1822, married Fanny E. Stark. He was one of the lead- ing and most prominent citizens of Bozrah.

Elijah H. Abel was born July 19, 1815, in Boz- rah, and received a district school education, im- proving his opportunities while they lasted. He and his brother Simeon conducted the home farm to- gether until the latter married, when Elijah dis- posed of his interest in the place, continuing, how- ever, to reside with the brother. Elijah H. Abel could adapt himself to almost any kind of work. He was fond of nursery work, was an expert at tree grafting, etc., and sold a great deal of nursery stock. He resided with his brother until 1865, when he was married, and in 1868, he removed to the Joseph Bailey farm on Bashan Hill, which he had purchased, and there he resided until his death, which occurred Jan. 22, 1882. He died very suddenly of heart failure, and was buried in the Bozrah cemetery.

Mr. Abel was first a Whig, later a Republican, and during the days of the Know Nothing party united with same. He never sought political office, but was called upon to hold some of the town offices, including that of selectman. He was a good mathematician and made a good auditor. He was a constant reader, a man of splendid judgment and was so well versed in the minor points of the law, that his advice was often sought in business mat- ters.

On Nov. 15, 1865, Mr. Abel was married to Mary Stark, born June 23, 1840, in Bozrah, daughter of Lathrop and Fanny A. (Saxton) Stark, and to this

union were born the following named children: (I) Elijah Stark, born Feb. 2, 1868, was married Oct. 10, 1889, to Amorette Avery, of Lebanon, daughter of Isaac G. Avery, a well known citizen of that town, and six children have come to this union: Ethel Louise, born Jan. 21, 1891 ; Mildred Amorette, May 4, 1893 ; Lawrence Isaac, and Lloyd Elijah (twins), Feb. 18, 1895 ; Alfred Lewis, Oct. 30, 1898; Theo- dore Stark, Aug. 8, 1902. Elijah S. Abel is a farmer on the homestead. (2) Edward Everett, born May 20, 1870, married Carrie A. Gager Jan. 7, 1891, and they have one child, Lulu Frances, born Nov. 2, 1892. Edward E. Abel is a farmer of East Great Plain. (3) Louis Hosford, born Nov. 21, 1874, was married Oct. 15, 1902, to Lydia Popham. He graduated from the New York Dental College, and is practicing in New York City, though his home is in White Plains, N. Y. He is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of New York.

Mrs. Elijah H. Abel was married on March 25, 1891, to Rev. Quincy M. Bosworth, a Congregational clergyman, who was located at Bozrah, later for several years at Lisbon. Retiring he resided in Boz- rah, and died Jan. 7, 1900. Mrs. Bosworth is a mem- ber of the Bozrah Congregational Church, as is also her eldest son. She is very active in church work, being president of the Ladies Foreign Missionary Society. During the entire time of her residence in Lisbon she served as president of the same or- ganization. Mrs. Bosworth is a kind hearted, charit- able and thoroughly Christian woman, and is be- loved by all for her many noble traits.

HON. JEPHTHAH G. BILL, of the town of Griswold, possesses those dominant traits of charac- ter, which might have won renown for him in several different vocations. Had he chosen law, his inher- ent legal acumen would undoubtedly have brought him to the front in that profession ; or had he sought to fight out a place for himself in the business world, his shrewd wisdom in dealing with financial problems might have earned him distinction there. However, in his chosen occupation, a less preten- tious field of labor, his talents have not been wasted, and as an agriculturist he is one of the most success- tul in his vicinity, and is one of the largest land- owners. Besides in the performance of public duties he has had ample scope to exercise those higher functions of the mind, which could not con- fine themselves to the simple tilling of the soil. Vigor he possesses to a marked degree, and though now in his eighty-second year, he still engages in active farm labor.

Mr. Bill comes of one of the oldest and most respectable families of this country. (I) Philip Bill, born in England, in 1620, came to America with his mother, Dorothy, about 1634, and for a time was of Boston. The author of the Bill Genealogy assumes that one John Bill, first of record in 1638 at Boston, was the husband of Dorothy Bill, and father of Philip, and gives Dorothy's maiden name

MRS. PRUDENCE P. BILL

+ ; HILL

665

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as Tuttle. Philip Bill was later of Ipswich, Mass., and about 1668 accompanied John Winthrop to that part of New London which afterward became the town of Groton, Conn. His wife, Hannah, died in 1709.

(II) Joshua Bill, born in New London, Oct. 16, 1675, married (first) Nov. 1, 1699, Joanna, born in May, 1679, daughter of William Potts. She died Nov. 3, 1718, and he married (second) Oct. 4, 1719, Hannah Swodel, born in 1697, daughter of William Swodel. Mr. Bill was a prominent public man, held the highest town offices, was a neighbor of Robert Allyn, and a friend of the younger Win- throp. He died in 1735, in that part of the town which, in 1705, became Groton.

(III) Phineas Bill, born in Groton, Sept. 3, 1720, married Mehetabel Woodworth. As he was but fifteen years old when his father died he was put under guardianship of B. Davis. Mr. Bill re- sided in the southern part of the town. He died in February, 1780, and his widow July 13, 1813, aged ninety years. Their children were : Phineas, Mehet- abel, Mary, Benajah, Joshua, Gurdon, and a daugh- ter, all born between 1757 and about 1768.

(IV) Benajah Bill, born June 29, 1760, married Jan. 17, 1782, Content Park, born Feb. 4. 1761. In the earlier part of his life Mr. Bill resided on "Meet- ing House Hill," in the present town of Ledyard- that part of the town which until 1836 was Groton. He followed the trade of a cooper, as did his father before him, but later in life he removed to Lyme, Conn., and there engaged in farming. He died in Lyme, May 22, 1842, in the eighty-second year of his age. His widow survived until May 27. 18.45. dying at the age of eighty-four years. Eight chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bill: Lodowick. who remained in Lyme: Nelson, who located in Windham, Conn. ; Lyman, who went West, and died in Kentucky; Alexander, who settled in Flor- ida: Park, who moved to DeKalb, Ill., where he lied ; Polly, who married Samuel Newton, and went West : Eunice, who married Samuel Newton ; Sarah, who married ( first) AAmos Williams, ( sec- ond) Capt. Jacob Gallup, and died in Ledyard ; and Elisha Satterlee.

(\') Elisha Satterlee Bill, born in Ledyard. March 1, 1796, married (first). Nov. 1, 1817. Oli- vet Geer, of Preston, born Jan. 141, 1800, daughter of Jephthal Geer. She died March 19, 1837, in Gris- wold, Conn. Mr. Bill married (second ), July 23. 1837. Celestina Lucy Ann Wolcott Shaw, widow of Charles Barber: she died Feb. o. 1800. Mr. Bill lied when aged sixty-five years, and is buried in the Leonard cemetery. He was the father of seventeen children : Sarah M., born in Preston, married Capt. Silas Fitch, and died in New Bedford, Mass, James conard, born Aug. 16, 1821, now a resident of Clarks Falls, in the town of North Stonington. 'on., married (first ) Lucy Maine, after her death. uliette Chapman, and later, Aderne How land, of ouifret. Com. Jephthal Geer is mentioned below.

Ann Elizabeth died at the age of two years. Amos Williams, a tinsmith by trade, married (first) Mary Howland, (second) Ora Latham, and died in Willimantic, Conn., at the age of sixty-eight, and is buried at Norwich Falls. Sidney W. married Eme- line Hyde, and resided in Lisbon, later at Taftville where he died. Elisha (now deceased). a farmer in Scotland and North Stonington, married (first) Fannie Richmond. Ezra Gardner, who is blind, was a superintendent of the Blind School at Hartford. and he married ( first) Letty Hyde, (second) Sarah Champlain (who bore him one child, Celestina Ann Elizabeth), and (third) Josephine Underwood. Benjamin Shaw, who married a Miss Lyon, of Andover, Conn., was a soldier in the Civil war. and died in Andersonville prison, at the age of eighteen. George W. married Josie Underwood. and, after her death, he married again: he resided in Minnesota, and died there. his death being the result of an accidental shot. Hibbard was a jeweler of Lynn, Mass. Henry (deceased), who married Mary J. Rouse, resided in Norwich. Nelson, a resi- dent of West Medway, Mass., was twice married. William Francis died in infancy, Lucy Angeline died young. Edna died at the age of nine years. Anginett is the wife of William Richmond, of Greeneville. Connecticut.

Soon after his first marriage Mr. Bill came to the town of Griswold, Conn., where he purchased a farm and engaged in agriculture for many years. He also greatly enlarged his income by working at shoemaking. A man of thrift and industry he made a success of his chosen occupations, and was looked upon as one of the prosperous men of his community. As a highly respected member of the Bethel Metho- dist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also be- longed, he served as steward and trustee. In poli- ties he was first a Jackson Democrat, later, a Whig. and after 1856, a Republican. He was bitterly opposed to slavery, and was the first in the town to advocate the abolition movement.

Hon, Jephthah G. Bill was born Sept. ;. 1823. and spent his early years on the home farm in the town of Griswold, Conn. By regular attendance of the common schools of his neighborhood, and Is strict attention to his duties he procured a thorough rudimentary education and formed intellectual tastes which have continued with him through life AAfter leaving school he assisted his father with the man- agement of the home place, continuing there until he was twenty -five years old. Vom this time, Feb. 15. 1848, he married Prudence Powers Benjamin, who was born on the site of Mr. Bill's present home. June 8, 1821, daughter of Limes and Prudence (Chapman) Benjamim. Mrs. Bill died June 30. Son, at the age of seventy five years By the mar- riage there have been three children You Benjamim J. horn Ang. 21. 18,50, is now a physician and sur goon at Genoa Junction, Walworth counts. W. standing ligh in Its profession, and he is active mit the social and religions lite of the place He mar-

666

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ried Rebecca Cogswell, daughter of Dr. Cogswell, and after her death, Sarah Strickland. They have seven children: Benjamin Jephthah, Hattie Pru- dence, Ann Isabella, Luther Lyle, Keneth Geer, Ransom Strickland and Francis Olivet. (2) Hattie P., born Oct. 2, 1855, married, Jan. 16, 1884, Ran- som H. Young, who now carries on the Bill farm; they have had four children: Howard Stanley (deceased), Laura Prudence, Henry Eames, and Benjamin Williams. (3) Ann Isabell, born Sept. 8, 1859, died Aug. 11, 1873.

Shortly after his marriage, nearly fifty years ago, Mr. Bill settled on the old Benjamin place, a seventy acre farm, which was a part of a large tract purchased in the early days by John Benjamin, a great-uncle to Ezra Benjamin, and which the latter, who was a grandfather of Mrs. Bill, fell heir to and occupied over a hundred years ago. To this property Mr. Bill has from time to time added large land purchases, so that at one time he owned 250 acres in the town of Griswold. While progressive in his farming he has always been extremely practi- cal, and has made his place yield a large income. In fact he has found agriculture so paying that he has invested a large part of his earnings in land, and he has recently purchased, in the adjacent town of Preston, the Hibbard Brown farm, a splendid 200- acre tract largely under cultivation. He certainly merits the reputation he has won, that of being the most successful agriculturist in his section.

Mr. Bill's public record has been marked by the highest integrity, much foresightedness, and re- markable executive ability. For many years he served his community as justice of the peace, and when called upon to settle estates and attend to legal matters, performed the duties with the expert- ness and fidelity of an able and most conscientious lawyer. At the close of the Civil war he began serving on the board of selectmen, and for eight years continued in office, first as third member, but most of the time as chairman. That at the be- ginning of his service the town was burdened with a debt of $38,000, which was entirely cleared during his term of office, is a lasting proof of his ability as a financier. As a Republican he has always exerted a wide influence in local politics, and in 1870 represented the town of Griswold in the State Legislature, running far ahead of his ticket at the election. Mr. Bill has long been a power in religious circles. Uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of twelve years, he has continued as an active member of that denomination ever since. He has acted as class leader, as steward, has worked hard in the Sunday-school, and assisted in all benev- olent and charitable enterprises. His wife was long a member and active worker in the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Benjamin family, of which Mrs. Bill was a member, furnishes a striking instance of longevity. A great uncle, Abiel Benjamin, lived to be one

hundred and four years old, and was so vigorous on his hundredth birthday that he walked the dis- tance of a half mile. It is one of the oldest and most respectable families in this section. It has always been interested in Christian works, and many of the early Benjamins were Methodists.

CATHCART LUCE was born Dec. I, 1792, in Martha's Vineyard, and in earlier life was engaged in a seafaring life on whaling and freighting ves- sels. On Oct. 21, 1819, he married Mary Ann But- ler, of Tisbury, Mass., born March 15, 1801. In the spring of 1838, he removed to Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., where he resided for a year, and in the spring of 1839 he went to Boston, town of East Lyme, where he bought two-thirds of a farm, while his brother Arvin Luce owned the other third. Jointly the two engaged in farming, which occti- pation Cathcart Luce followed as long as he lived. He died upon his property March 18, 1854, and his wife in the same place, in 1858. In politics he was a Whig, and he was a most worthy and prominent man. His children were: (I) Caroline M., born Aug. II, 1821, married Charles D. Allen, of Martha's Vineyard. (2) Charles C., born Feb. 17, 1824, died in California, July 27, 1850, at the south fork of the Yuba river. (3) Eliza W., born Sept. 27, 1828, mar- ried (first) Edmund Luce, Oct. 1, 1848, died Nov. 17, 1850, in California, and (second) Ansel Reed. (4) Edward, (5) Francis C., (6) John W. and (7) James V. are all mentioned in full farther on. (8) Mary A., born April 17, 1841, married Nelson Munroe Havens, and had children, James Luce and Jennie, both deceased. (9) Tamson A., born June 3, 1845, was married in March, 1865, to Ansel Reed, who had first married her sister, Eliza W. Luce. He had one son, Erwin Reed.

EDWARD LUCE, son of Cathcart Luce, was born at North Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Jan. 8, 1831. On Nov. 21, 1853, he married Julia E. Beckwith, who died in October, 1865, leaving children as fol- lows: Edward C., born Nov. 7, 1855; and Lizzie Ellen, who married George A. Keeney, of Brooklyn, and has three children, Mildred, Edward and Frank. For his second wife, on July 17, 1867, Mr. Luce married at Norwich, Susan K. Durfey, and they had one son, Benjamin Durfey, of New York, who married Ethel Montmollin, of New York, and has a son, Kingsley.

The boyhood days of Edward Luce were spent in the town of Hebron and in East Lyme, receiving his schooling in the district schools of the latter town. Prior to 1857 he engaged in halibut fishing, having started in that line when only sixteen years of age, but later he became mate, and still later cap- tain of vessels engaged in menhaden fishing. Like his brothers he was prominent in politics, and rep- resented his town in the Legislature in 1865, and again in 1876, as a Republican with Prohibition tendencies. For many years he has been very active

667

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the work of the Methodist Church of which he is a faithful member, and of which he has served as treasurer, trustee and steward.

EDWARD C. LUCE, son of Edward, was married Dec. 24, 1876, to Miss Nellie A. Thompson, and they have had children, Dwight E., Clarence J., Lincoln G. and a son that died in infancy unnamed.

The education of Edward C. Luce was received in East Lyme, and at a private school at Flanders, in that town. From the time he was fourteen, he worked with his father going on fishing expeditions. At the age of nineteen he was made engineer in the factory, and in 1889 bought an interest in the busi- ness of his father and uncles. Since 1897, when the business was sold, he has been manager, and is a very prominent and efficient business man. Fratern- ally he is a member of Bay View Lodge, No. 120, A. F. & A. M.

FRANCIS C. LUCE, son of Cathcart, was born May 20, 1833, at Tisbury. On Dec. 1, 1854, he mar- ried Mary Ann Manwaring. Of their children, John Francis is mentioned below, and Marian I. married William H. Kreider, of Philadelphia.

During his younger days Francis C. Luce was engaged in halibut fishing, but later he was inter- ested in the fish mill business for many years with his brothers, and he died in Niantic, a prominent and wealthy man.

JOHN FRANCIS LUCE, son of Francis C., was born Sept. 3, 1871, and he attended school in his birth- place of Niantic, and later went to East Greenwich academy, R. I. He then spent four years at Nor- wich Academy, graduating in the class of 1893. From 1895 to 1897 he was engaged in smack fishing, the interests of the Luce family being nearly all con- nected with some portion of the fishing industry. Since then he has been building gasoline boats of all kinds, and has done a great deal of experimental work. On June 26, 1895, in Waterford, Conn., Mr. Luce was married to Miss Laura R. Smith, daughter of Fred Reed, and adopted daughter of Henry S. Smith, of Waterford. One child has come of this union, Francis Cathcart, born Aug. 21, 1897. Mr. Luce represented his town in the Legislature in 1899. serving on the committee on Military Affairs, and also on that of Legislature Expenses. He has been a member of the school board for a number of years. For three years he has been elected town treasurer. and is one of the most prominent men of his party in this locality. Fraternally he is a member of Bay View Lodge No. 120. A. F. & A. M.

JOHN W. LUCE, son of Cathcart, was born at Tisbury, Mass .. Nov. 14, 1835, and spent his early school days in Boston, District No. 3. of East Lynne. on the home place. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade at Flanders. serving a two years' apprenticeship, and for a year und a half thereafter followed his trade. In 1857 le engaged in fishing, and still later erected fish mill it Rocky Neck, for extracting fish oil. In this the orothers Edward. Francis C., John W., and James

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 150

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