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 16

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

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nt Quincy of Harvard, and fourth mayor of Bos- 1; Oliver Hunter Blood and Cyrus Briggs, eminent ysicians.

After graduating Ralph Farnsworth taught 1001 for a time at Portsmouth, N. H., where he od so well as an educator that Dartmouth College ve him the honorary degree of A. M. in 1825. He idied medicine with Dr. John C. Warren, of Bos- 1, and took his degree of M. D. at Harvard Medi- l School in 1826, and the thesis which he prepared " the occasion was so well appreciated by the ex- liners that it was awarded the Boylston prize. He ated at Norwich, Conn., that same year, and began e practice of medicine, which he pursued with en- usiasm to the end of his life, which came to him ly 16, 1875. He was a splendidly developed man ysically, capable of enduring any amount of con- uous work, and he was also as well equipped men- ly. Dr. Willard Parker spoke of him as "several en in one." He brought to his professional labors .mind fit for the work, thoroughly equipped with that was then known to his profession, and he ver ceased adding to his knowledge by carefully amining all the current medical literature of his ne, and making it subservient to the wants of his actice. He was unfitted by nature to be a mere itine physician, bringing all new discoveries, not ly in his profession, but in general science, to as- t his work, and he won a reputation for skill and oability as a practitioner throughout the State. enjoyed one of the best practices of any physi- n in eastern Connecticut.

The Doctor took a strong interest in all public vements, and was a man of very strong opinions. : was among the first to take the position that very was a great wrong, and was to be attacked terever it could be reached. He did not, however, For the formation of a third political party to se- re the desired end, but thought slavery could be st opposed in the old Whig party until the forma- n, by a sort of natural selection, of the Republican rty, with which he united, and his strong convic- ns made him an ardent supporter of it. Such a istitution, with such convictions, usually aroused position ; they did so in this case. Weaker and s positive minds do not see things with the dis- ctness with which they appear to the stronger in. But he usually expressed his opinions with ch clearness that they could be understood by all, 1 they were acceded to because his logic was in- icible. Yet he was a man of the kindest heart and iderest sympathies. No man was ever looked to people of all grades and associations in times of il trouble with more confidence that he would th understand and appreciate their conditions than . Ralph Farnsworth. Dr. Farnsworth was a large 1 well-proportioned man, six feet in height and ighing nearly two hundred pounds.

Dr. Farnsworth married, Nov. 25, 1828, Miss inice Williams Billings, of New London, the ughter of Coddington Billings, Esq., and Eunice

(Williams) Billings. Mrs. Farnsworth died Sept. 26, 1877, and is buried with her husband in the family lot in Yantic cemetery, Norwich. The chil- dren of Dr. Farnsworth, all born at Norwich, were: Coddington Billings, born Sept. 9, 1829; Walter W., born Oct. 10, 1830; Isabella S., born Dec. 11, 1832; William W., born Nov. 4, 1834; Charles, born Jan. 30, 1836; Noyes B., born April 12, 1839 ; George E., born Aug. 20, 1840; Frederick, born Dec. 5, 1842; and Elizabeth R., born May 5, 1845. Of this family three sons lived to maturity, Coddington Billings, Charles and Frederick. The first named was a prac- ticing physician and succeeded his father. He died at Norwich, Conn., May 5, 1897.

Charles Farnsworth, at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, enlisted Oct. 18, 1861, in the Ist Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry, and at once was commissioned adjutant by Gov. William A. Buckingham. He was mustered in as captain of Company B, and Oct. 1, 1863, was promoted to. major, on Jan. 20, 1864, being made lieutenant-col- onel. This latter commission was revoked at his. own request, and his resignation as major took place May 17, 1864. In April, 1862, while scouting with twelve men, he was attacked by a strong force of Rebels, and was severely wounded. He halted his men and formed them into line of battle, but fainting from loss of blood he was brought into camp. Recov- ering from his injuries, he rejoined his command. He was appointed major as a recognition of his val- iant services. His regiment had headquarters much of the time at Camp Cheeseborough, Md., and Capt. Farnsworth had charge of the camp.

On July 14, 1863, at the engagement of Bolivar Heights, he was ordered with forty-nine men to re- connoitre the enemy's position. He did so, charged upon a cavalry picket of two hundred men and drove them within their lines, capturing many prisoners. The enemy, finding that his force was small, rallied, and a hand-to-hand fight followed. His horse was shot, and he, with twenty-six of his men, was taken prisoner and put in Libby prison, where he re- mained for nine months. He was then appointed lieutenant-colonel, but his health was so broken by wounds and imprisonment that he resigned, and was honorably discharged May 17, 1864, with the rank of colonel, and with the record of a brave and spirited officer, well adapted to his arm of the serv- ice. The report on Rebel prisons says :

"Among those who contributed testimony, based on personal knowledge, was Lieut .- Col. Charles Farnsworth. His letters were of great interest ; his evidence on points of fact emphatic, exposing clear- ly the suffering and horrors incident to life in Libby prison and at Belle Isle."

In another place the report says: "Lieut .- Col. Farnsworth of the Ist Connecticut Cavalry was also an inmate of Libby, and while there did what he could to see that those of his command captured with him, as well as others whom he knew, shared with him the good things sent to him from his home.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His thoughtfulness and zeal in this particular were remembered with devout gratitude by those who re- turned to speak of it, and who felt their own pre- servation from death by starvation was due to him. When he was exchanged and returned home he not only had words of testimony concerning the in- human treatment which prevailed at Richmond, but he forwarded as early as possible to those he left behind him in confinement a box containing such things as he knew from experience would comfort and cheer them."

By the time Col. Farnsworth had recovered from the effects of his wounds and imprisonment, the bitter struggle had come to an end. He married, Nov. 1, 1865, at Norwich, Conn., Harriet Peck Lester, and removed to Savannah, Ga., and was en- gaged in rice culture. His death, by drowning, caused by the sinking of his boat during a storm on the Ogeechee river while en route from his residence to his rice plantation, occurred April 15, 1867. He left a posthumous son, Charles, born June 1I, 1867, who graduated from Brown University with the de- gree of A. B. in 1889, and then took a law course at Harvard University. He married Miss Edith Win- slow, of Brookline, Mass., and now resides at Colo- rado Springs. He has extensive mining interests in the West.

DR. FREDERICK FARNSWORTH, youngest son of Dr. Ralph, born Dec. 5, 1842, in Norwich, married Nov. 12, 1878, in Philadelphia, Lydia W. Sanderson, who died in 1888 in New London. Dr. Farnsworth was liberally educated, taking the degree of Ph. B. at Yale University in 1864, and studied medicine in Bellevue Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1867. During 1867 and 1868 he was pro- fessionally employed in the Nursery Hospital, New York. He soon thereafter went into the manufac- turing business in Philadelphia, where he resided until his retirement from active business, in 1887. In the latter year he removed to the city of New London and has since made his home at No. 25 Federal street, in one of the old Colonial houses of that ancient and historic city. It was the mansion home of a member of the old Ledyard family, and afterward for some fifty years the home of the late William W. Billings, the Doctor's uncle. This mansion is one of the generous architecture of a century ago.

BILLINGS. The family bearing this name in Eastern Connecticut, itself one of the leading famil- ies of that region, has allied itself by marriage with the best families there and given to the communities of that section of the State and county men of learn- ing and achievement. Among these were Codding- ton Billings, and his sons-the Hon. Noyes Billings (Yale, 1819), lieutenant governor of Connecticut in 1846; and Hon. William Williams Billings ( Yale, 1821), one of New London's most prominent and successful business men. This article deals espec- ially with the lineage of these men.

(I) William Billings, says Somersby, the n genealogist of Massachusetts, came from Taur England, to New England, appearing first in Fe ary, 1658, at Dorchester, Mass. His name app at Stonington, Conn., among the planters. He came by grants and purchases a large land ow . He died in 1713, and the following knowledge his children comes through his will: William, 1 in 1660; Margaret ; Mary; Abigail; Dorothy ; . tience and Ebenezer.

(II) Ebenezer Billings, son of William, mar March 1, 1680, Anna Comstock. Mr. Billings 1 formed service in the early Colonial wars. children were: Anna, born Oct. 7, 1681 ; Ebene Jan. 1, 1684; William, April 4, 1686; James, Oc 1688; Margaret, in 1690; Zipporah, April 4, 16] Jemima, April 15, 1695; Increase, May 13, IĆ Thankful, Feb. 8, 1699; and Benjamin, Sept. 1708.

(III) Lieut. Ebenezer Billings, son of Ebene born in 1684, married April 2, 1706, Phebe D. son, daughter of John B. and Phebe (Lay) D. son, of Saybrook. Mr. Billings lived in Stoning Conn., and served as ensign in 1721, and lieuter in 1731. His children were : Abigail, born Marci 1707; John, Dec. 8, 1708; Ebenezer, March 17II ; Phebe, April 4, 1714; Grace, May 27, 17 Ann, Jan. 21, 1718; John, Sept. 29, 1720; Chri: pher, Feb. 10, 1725 ; Nathan, April 9, 1727 ; and Al. Borodell, April 18, 1732.

(IV) Ebenezer Billings (3), son of Lieut. Et ezer, born March 20, 1711, married (first) Nov. 1733, Mary, baptized Jan. 26, 1711, daughter Capt. Thomas and Elizabeth (Sanford) Noyes, Newport, R. I., and granddaughter of Rev. Jai and Dorothy (Stanton) Noyes, Rev. Noyes be ordained pastor of the Congregational Church Stonington in 1674. Mr. Billings married (secor Mrs. Sarah (Cheesebrough) Geer, born Aug. 1715, daughter of Samuel Cheesebrough and wife Priscilla Alden, great-granddaughter of J( Alden and Priscilla Mullins of the "Mayflowe and of Duxbury, Mass. The children of Ebene Billings were: Elizabeth or Abigail, born Aug. 1734; Sanford, April 20, 1736; Phebe, March 1738; Ebenezer, Feb. 26, 1740; Rebecca, April 1742 ; Gilbert, Sept. 15, 1744; Mary, April 5, 17. and Elisha, Aug. 6, 1750.

(V) Sanford Billings, son of Ebenezer ( born April 20, 1736, married, Jan. 24, 1760, Lı Geer, of Groton, Conn., and they died, he April 1806, and she April 9, 1810. Their children we Ebenezer, born Jan. 21, 1761; Sanford, April 1763 ; Robert, Dec. 15, 1764 ; a son born and died April, 1767; Gilbert, Nov. 25, 1768; Coddingt Oct. 25, 1770; Noyes, March 20, 1773; Lucy, Ji 20, 1775 ; James Geer, Oct. 4, 1777; Sarah, July 1781 ; and Washington, Dec. 21, 1783.

(VI) Coddington Billings, son of Sanford, bo Oct. 25, 1770, married (first) Sept. 13, 1797, M Eunice (Williams) Wheeler, born Jan. 30, 17

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

daghter of William and Eunice ( Prentice) Will- ial:, of Stonington. He married ( second) July 18, I8), Mrs. Ann (Wilcox) Babcock. Mr. Billings d:Feb. 6, 1845. His children were by his first w : : Coddington, born Sept. 3, 1798; Noyes, MỊch 31, 1800; William, Feb. 16, 1802; Eunice W., Jue 15, 1804 (married Dr. Ralph Farnsworth, an enent and successful physician of Norwich, C n.) By his second wife: Ann, born May 14, I& :; Harriet, Jan. 13, 1832; Coddington, Feb. 8, I&: (married Nov. 15, 1855, Mary B., born Sept. 20 1835, daughter of Charles P. and Betsey Smith W iams).

REV. SAMUEL NOTT, D. D. (deceased), of F iklin, was born in Saybrook, Conn., son of St hen and Deborah (Selden) Nott, and was of the fif fic generation from John Nott, Sr., of Wethers- .It is said that he was favored with an ex- cent mother, "and it is doubtless due to the fos- telag care of this tireless woman," says the bio- gipher of Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D. D., a brother of St hen, "that the foundations for his future em- in ce were early and securely laid." This same ex- th Co I7 prision no doubt, is also applicable to the subject of sketch. Samuel Nott was graduated at Yale ege in 1780. "He was licensed at Durham in , and commenced preaching in Franklin, Conn., in October of the same year. His ordination oc- cu ed in March, 1782. From the beginning he gave hi: elf with characteristic energy to the labors of th ninistry. For several years after his settlement

hi health was so feeble that no one would have ired to predict for him a long career. But his ical strength gradually improved and during his

ve ph 101

ministry he was very rarely prevented by sick- from the performance of official duty. That stry was, from the beginning, one of marked suless. He has left interesting memoirs of it in tw published sermons, whose statements need not

be -capitulated here. At the time of his settlement th church numbered seventy-two. The number

red ved into it by him was 427. For forty years the was no very marked revival of religion, but were almost constant accessions to the church.

th W 1 Dr. Nott it seems to have been always seed- tir and always harvest. By the blessing of the t he was ever reaping what he had sown in ea er years, and ever sowing what he was to reap

in I8

e years to come. The years 1821, 1831, and were marked by special outpourings of the SE t, and large additions to the church.

Of Dr. Nott's characteristics as a man and a :her, it is difficult for one who had no personal pr. acmaintance with him to speak to those who were fai ris ha thị me in

iar with his character and life. His image will vividly before the minds of many of you who gathered here today as associated with much is most precious and most hallowed in the pries of by-gone years. Here are those to whom Fancy the seal of God's covenant was applied by

his hand; those who even in childhood learned to venerate, and at the same time to love him; those who by him were united in the sacred bonds of mar- riage; those who at the funeral of many a loved one listened to his words of instruction and sympathy ; those who felt honored in receiving him as a guest in their houses; those who Sabbath after Sabbath were led by him to the throne of grace, and heard the divine word clearly and faithfully explained ; some who went to him in periods of trial and per- plexity for counsel, and received sage advice, for which they have never ceased to bless God and re- vere his servant; and many whose opinions and character to-day bear the clear impress of his sound and faithful teachings.

"As a man, Dr. Nott was distinguished for his energy and decision of character. The circumstances in which he obtained his education illustrate this. Until he was twenty years old his life was passed in mechanical labor. Then, with little to depend upon but his own exertions, he resolved to secure an education ; and through many embarrassments he persevered until the end. So in his ministry, what- ever he did was done heartily and with a will, and the momentum of his own determination carried others along with him. For punctuality he might be ranked with Gen. Washington himself. He came and went, began and ended by the clock, and ex- pected others to do the same. He was a man of great industry. 'One duty follows another,' was his motto, and he was ready for each duty as it came round. He accomplished a larger amount of labor than many others, because he kept doing while other men were resting or deciding what to do. His working power was increased by his remarkable cheerfulness of spirit, the result both of his native temperament and of his Christian faith. With usual serenity of soul he passed through the many domestic and public trials appointed to him, maintaining habitually that rare qualification for usefulness, 'a heart at leisure from itself.' In addition to his ministerial labors and the cares of a large family, he gave instruction for many years to young men placed in his household. He fitted many for college, and not a few ministers received their theological training with him. Thus he became 'a maker of public men.'

"He was a man of sound judgment, discreet in dealing with men, and in managing the affairs of his parish; possessing much of that common sense which is often worth more than learning or elo- quence, and without which the wisest will often play the fool; skilled in estimating men and things at their true value. He was also of a highly affection- ate and social disposition, entering readily into the joys and sorrows of others, even to the last of life, and having a peculiar aptness in introducing relig- ious themes in conversation. 'He was a man,' says Dr. McEwen, 'whose social affections never wore out. Rarely has a very aged minister lived who, having buried his generation, could be so social, so happy, and so useful among survivors.'

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

"As a preacher, Dr. Nott has been thus described by one who was a native of his town, and who knew him well: 'His sermons were marked by great sim- plicity of thought and style, and were devoted to the inculcation of the great doctrines and duties of re- ligion. He was not learned, but had a quick and strong sense, an imagination of sufficient power to illustrate his thoughts often by bold figures, and a tenderness and fervor of feeling that gave them a deep impression on his hearers. He never indulged in abstruse speculation, nor wasted his efforts on trifles. In the pulpit he was grave, dignified, earnest and impressive, and had eminently the air of an em- bassador of God. When animated, his attitude and air often became commanding, and occasionally thoughts and emotions flashed from his lips that were strikingly beautiful and impressive. In prayer he was simple, pertinent, and fervid, and he read the Scriptures with unusual propriety and force.'-[See Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, Vol II, p. 190, etc. ]

"This church has great reason to bless God that such a man was given to it for so many years of usefulness, as its teacher and guide. As it was a privilege to enjoy his ministrations, so the recollec- tion of his faithful teachings and his faithful life should make us all stronger and more true to the work which God has assigned us ..

"At the age of ninety-three Dr. Nott was no longer able to perform the stated duties of the min- istry, and Mr. George J. Harrison was ordained as associate pastor in March, 1849. In May, 1852, Dr. Nott, at the age of ninety-eight, passed away to his reward."-[Sermon of the Rev. Franklin C. Jones, Franklin, Conn., 1868.]

PALMER. For several generations, and all through the nineteenth century, members of the Palmer family have been engaged in manufacturing of one kind and another on the site of the present extensive bed-quilt manufacturing plant of the Palmer Brothers Company, sons of the late Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, long a prominent citizen of that community. These brothers are in the eighth generation from Walter Palmer, the emigrant an- cestor of their branch of their family, their lineage being through Deacon Gershom, George, Gershom (2), Elder Reuben, Gideon and Hon. Elisha H. Palmer.

(I) Walter Palmer, who was born in England as early as 1598, came with a brother, formerly a merchant in London, England, and others to the American Colonies as early as 1629. He settled at Salem, and was one of the founders of Charlestown, where, it is said, he built the first dwelling house in the town. In 1643, he removed to Plymouth Colony, and with others joined in the organization of the town of Rehoboth, Mass. After figuring conspicu- ously there and in other points in Massachusetts, he finally located in Stonington, Conn., in 1653, where he died Nov. 10, 1661. He was twice married, his

second marriage occurring June 1, 1633, to Reber Short. His children by the first marriage we Grace, William, John, Jonah and Elizabeth, wl those by the second marriage were: Hannah, Elil Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin, Gershom and I becca.

(II) Deacon Gershom Palmer, born in Rehobo Mass., located permanently in Stonington, and the died in 1719. He served in the Colonial wars of time. On Nov. 28, 1667, he married (first) A1 daughter of Capt. George and Ann (Borodell) De ison, who died in 1694; he married (second Nov. II, 1707, Mrs. Elizabeth (Peck) Mason. I children, all born to the first marriage, were: Mer Gershom, Ichabod, William, George, Ann, Walt Elihu, Mary and Rebecca.

(III) George Palmer, born May 29, 1681, mi ried, March 24, 1711, Hannah Palmer. Their cl dren were: Christopher, Zebulon, Joseph, Geor and Gershom.

(IV) Gershom Palmer (2), born Oct. 13, 17: lived in Preston. On Nov. 5, 1747, he wedded Do othy Brown, of Preston, Conn., and their childi were: Prudence, Dorothy, Zervia, Reuben, Naor Lois, Esther, Lucretia, Keturah and Amy.

(V) Elder Reuben Palmer, born June 12, 17. was ordained a Baptist elder in North Sto ington, and while pastor of a church there ceived a call to the old Baptist Church at Montvil He was its active pastor from May 3, 1788, to D 25, 1793, at which date, a council having been calle he was publicly installed pastor of the church, which office he continued until his death, April 2 1822, when he was aged sixty-three years. On Ne 16, 1780, he married Lucretia Tyler, daughter Caleb and Hannah (Barnes) Tyler, of Preston. S survived him, and passed away Aug. 15, 1855, ag. ninety-one years. His children were: Hanna Sally, Reuben, Lucretia, Mary, Caleb, Tyler, Gider Joshua, Samuel, Gershom, Rhoda, Peter P., Ach Louisa, Emma and Thankful.

(VI) Gideon Palmer, born Oct. 23, 1793, mn2 ried July II, 1813, Mercy Maria Turner, daugh of Isaac and Anna (Comstock) Turner, and settl in Montville, where they owned large tracts of la on both sides of the Oxoboxo stream, controlli several water powers. In his earlier years, he w. associated with his father in various occupation among which was the extraction of oil from fl seed. While thus engaged he developed and obtain a patent for extracting oil from cotton seed, n( one of the large industries of our country. Tl interesting patent document, which is now in t possession of his son, I. E. Palmer, of Middletow Conn., reads as follows :

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, To all wlic these Letters Patent shall come:

WHEREAS, Gideon Palmer, a citizen of the U. ted States, hath alleged that he has invented a n and useful improvement in the mode of extracti oil from Cotton Seed, which improvement he sta

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

has ot been known or used before his application ; hat the affirmed that he doth verily believe that he is rue inventor or discoverer of said improve- ; hath paid into the treasury of the United St s the sum of thirty dollars, delivered a receipt for tar clu le same, and presented a petition to the Secre- of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an ex- e property in the said improvement, and praying than patent may be granted for that purpose. These are herefore to grant, according to law, to the said Gidon Palmer, his heirs, administrators or assigns, forthe term of fourteen years, from the fourteenth dayof December, one thousand, eight hundred and thi , the full and exclusive right and liberty of mang, constructing, using and vending to others to : used, the said improvement ; a description whleof is given in the words of the said Gideon er himself, in the schedule hereto affixed, and de a part of these presents.

is 1

TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have caused these Leurs to be made Patent, and the Seal of the Uni- ted tates hereto affixed.

IVEN under my hand, at the City of Washing- ton his fourteenth day of December, in the year of Ou anc

Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, of the independence of the United States of An ica the fifty-fifth.

ANDREW JACKSON, The President. NI. VAN BUREN.

EAL)

CIT OF WASHINGTON, To-wit :

I do hereby certify, That the foregoing Letters Paul t were delivered to me on the fourteenth day of cember, in the year of our Lord one thousand, hundred and thirty, to be examined; that I

eig®

hav examined the same, and find them conformable , and I do hereby return the same to the Sec- · of State, within fifteen days from the date

to ] reta afol said, to wit: on this fifteenth day of December in year aforesaid.

(Signed) M. MACPHERSON BERRIN. Attorney General of the United States.

le schedule referred to in these Letters Patent, and taking part of the same, containing a descrip- tio 1 the words of the said Gideon Palmer himself of ; Improvement in the mode of extracting oil fro: Cotton Seed :

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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 16

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