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 200

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 200

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Mr. Lucas's political affiliations are with the Democratic party. His religious connections are with the Second Congregational Church at Nor which, he having been for many years first commit tee-man of that society. He Is intimately connected with many of the leading corporations of Norwich. He is well versed in matters pertaining to the wel fare of the city, and having from the proceeds of a) successful practice acemulated much property, is largely interested in real estate and he is a large owner of real estate at East Great Plain. One large block of buildings in Norwich bears his name.

In 1864 Mr. Lucas was married to Miss Elz. beth A. Crosby, daughter of Hiram Crosby, a prome inent woolen manufacturer and dealer of Lyine.

Conn., who removed to Norwich and there passed the last years of his life. Mrs. Lucas died in 1874, leaving two daughters. Nancy and Mary.

HEWITT. The Hewitt family of New In- don, represented in North Stonington by Charles Edwin Hewitt. is descended from ( 1) Thomas Hew- itt, the first of the family to settle in Stonington. Conn., who was a seafaring man, and in the diary of Thomas Miner, Sr .. is spoken of as in command of a vessel in the Mystic river in 1656, where he was receiving the surplus products of the early planters in exchange for Boston goods. In his business transactions he made the acquaintance of Walter Palmer, whose daughter Hannah he married April 26, 1659. In order to make Stonington his abode for life, he purchased a tract of land on the cast side of the Mystic river, which embraced the pres- ent site of the Elm Grove cemetery, and there erected a dwelling house. but he continued his coasting trade, extending his business to the West Indies. During the year 1662 he purchased a cargo of cattle, sheep and poultry, and set sail for the West Indies, expecting a pleasant voyage and ex- change of his cargo for merchandise suitable for the inhabitants of this region. Months and then years passed. and no tidings came of his arrival in the West Indies, nor was any trace of him found, and it is supposed that in some fearful storm. his vessel and all on board went down.

( II) Benjamin Hewitt, born in 1002, married. Sept. 24. 1683. Marie, daughter of Edmund and Ellen Fanning.

(III) Major Israel Hewitt, born July 21. 11.12. married. March S. 1714. Anna Breed.

(IV) Charles Hewitt, born Aug. 10, 1739, 1101- ried. Det. 28, 1750. Hannah Stanton.

(V) Stanton Hewitt, born Out, 18. 1200, did May 13. 1844. He married May 15. 1784. 1 1em la. daughter of Oliver and And Borodel 1 Billings Grant, who died Jan. 7. 1817. They had children Charles, born July 13. 1780, married Fumer Wetter . Stanton, bom July 1.3. 1758, married Mars Very ; William, bern July 23. 1702. married Elisa Will iams: Oliver, barn Oct 15. 105. med (first) Julia Punderson, and Aseconda Sarah A Bywa- ing. Lucinda, Im April 17. 1707. martel For Station. Eplan, bon Apul . top mariel 1.liza Prentice, Ibm. bem Apnl 1 ;. 13 niarnol Henry Prentice , Mars, boom Max 10, INS 10arrol Asher Prentice! and Daumen In Jan 19 11.

South Practices Bywhite who died April 1. ned Amanda Brower He was a tamici Arfi well tin ber and was ale phonenest in public life as

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

daughter of William and Margaret ( Avery) Avery. Mrs. Hewitt died Nov. 8, 1859. The chil- dren born to this union were: Mary Ann, born Sept. 10, 1821, died Nov. 6, 1821 ; William Stanton, born March 23. 1823, died unmarried Sept. 27, 1881 ; Mary Augusta, born April 1, 1825, died March 29, 1835 ; Oliver Avery, born April 3, 1827, died Oct. 26, 1848; Margaret Lucinda, born April 27, 1829, died June 10, 1830; Margaret (2), born April 28, 1831, died July 12, 1832; Charles Edwin, born Feb. 1, 1834, married Feb. 22, 1860, Eliza A. Hillard ; Jane Eliza, born July 13, 1836, married May 19, 1864, Andrew Avery, and died April 3, 1876; and Maria Louise, born March 30, 1841, died March 31, 1842.

Col. Stanton Hewitt spent his boyhood in Led- yard and North Stonington, and spent some years on Hewitt Hill with his uncle Eli Hewitt. After marriage he lived in a house he built in North Ston- ington, and later moved to the house now occupied by his son, Charles Edwin Hewitt, which was built by William Avery, his father-in-law, about 1790. He owned a grist mill and shingle mill in North Ston- ington and was a well known citizen. His wife was a worthy member of the Congregational Church. Col. Hewitt was also prominent in political life, was twice elected to the Legislature, and once ran for the Senate. He received his title as an officer in the local militia.

(VII) William Stanton Hewitt, born March 23, 1823, died Sept. 27, 1881. In 1849 he went to Cal- ifornia and returned June 20, 1851, but again went west May 18, 1852, and did not return until 1856. He was a skilled cabinetmaker, had studied den- tistry in New London, and practiced under Dr. Sheffield. Many of the first sewing machines sold in North Stonington and vicinity were disposed of by him. For two years prior to his death he was blind and helpless from locomotor ataxia.

(VII) Jane Eliza Hewitt, born July 13, 1836, died April 3, 1876. She married Andrew Avery May 19, 1864. The children of this marriage were : Dr. Amos, of Hampton, Conn. ; Oliver Perry, pas- tor of the Congregational Church at Deadwood, South Dak. ; and an infant son deceased.

(VII) CHARLES EDWIN HEWITT, born Feb. I, 1834. married, Feb. 22, 1860, Eliza Ann Hillard, and they had children: Mary Eliza, born Jan. 18, 1862, died March 6, 1889; Jenny Morilla, born Nov. 14, 1863, married Frank Elwin Bentley, of Pelham, N. Y., and has three children, Elwin H., Harold S. and Fernando W .; Kate Amelia, born Dec. 1I, 1865, died May 27, 1888; Margaret Hill- ard, born Nov. 22, 1867, is a teacher in the Wheeler High School at North Stonington ; and Edna, born Nov. 7, 1877, married George Wyman Tryon of Willoughby, Ohio.

Charles Edwin Hewitt was reared until the age of fourteen years in North Stonington, and with the exception of eight years passed in Mt. Vernon, N, Y., where he conducted a family hotel, he has

always resided in North Stonington. While at Mt. Vernon he became one of the first members of the First Congregational Church, of which he was a deacon. He has been a prominent citizen of North Stonington, has held the offices of assessor and of auditor, and has always been one of the first to en- dorse and promote public improvements. He has a mind well stored with historical and genealogical lore, and his fund of pleasant anecdote is well nigh inexhaustible. A friend to every one, he has his reward in finding every one a friend to him.

BENJAMIN F. YORK. The agricultural in- terests of any community form an important part in its general prosperity, and those having them in charge are necessarily men of intelligence and un- tiring industry. Unless a farmer possess these at- tributes he can not bring forth from his land all which lies fallow in it, and when there is shortage in crops, the entire world suffers. Among the rep- resentative and very successful farmers of New London county, Benjamin F. York, of Lebanon, occupies a leading position, and he is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he is brought into contract. He has won a position of importance among the well-to-do citizens of his town, entirely through his own efforts.

His grandfather resided in New London, Conn., and became a very well known and thrifty citizen of the county, and stood high in the esteem of his fel- low townsmen.

Otis A. York, the father of Benjamin F. York, was a stone mason by trade and resided in Nor- wich. He was recognized to be a good workman in his line, and frequently he was placed in charge of a gang of men engaged in that branch of work, he thus assisting in the erection of many of the bridge abutments in Norwich and vicinity. His death occurred in that town when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife, Mary A. Rogers, daughter of John E. Rogers, survived him, and died in Lebanon at the age of fifty-four years, and both were buried in Yantic cemetery at Norwich. Their children were: John, who died in infancy; Benja- min Franklin ; Clinton E., a carpenter who died in Lebanon, unmarried ; Otis A., who married Jose- phine, adopted daughter of S. C. Hooker, now of Willimantic, and who is an expert worker in rub- ber, residing in Malden, Mass .; Mary E., who mar- ried (first) Cyrus S. Geer, had three children, (second) John McPherson, of Middletown, and has one child by this marriage.

Benjamin F. York was born Nov. 24, 1850, in Norwich, Conn. At the age of nine years he was "bound out" in Norwich, but having a very undesir- able master, the lad ran away after a few months. Soon thereafter he was placed in the family of Deacon Solomon Williams, a blacksmith in Leb- anon, with the understanding that he was to remain until he was sixteen, receiving his food and neces- sary clothing. His spending money was earned by

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selling fish he had caught, picking berries and do- ing other work in his few spare moments. Deacon Williams was a very industrious man, and young York was kept very busy assisting his master in the blacksmith shop, doing all the chores and attending to various duties around the house. His advantages for acquiring an education were very few, and con- fined to the four winter months at the district school. After leaving Deacon Williams he was employed by Abel Stark, on Goshen Hill, and remained with him for three years, during which time he attended the district school two terms. His wages were Stoo for the first eight months, and this was given him be- cause of his ability to turn out so much work dur- ing each day.

His next employer was Deacon William Gillette, with whom he remained six months, and then in company with Jeremiah Stark, of Lebanon, he went to Essex, and was employed at teaming in the con- struction department of the Valley railroad. Later he was employed by Captain Lynde L. Huntington, of Lebanon, and from that town went to Ledyard, Conn., for a year. Still later he was employed by Reuben Maples, at Fitchville, and then went "book- ing" for Henry Bill, of Norwich. While in the em- ploy of the latter he was sent to the vicinity of Fond du Lac, Wis., and soon after was taken seri- ously ill with pneumonia, and was cared for by a man, who was a stranger to him, but a friend of a mutual friend. After being restored to health, he remained with his benefactor, working for him to repay the great kindness shown in a time of need. Returning to Connecticut, he was employed in a pistol shop at Norwich for a time, and then en- tered the employ of John W. Gale, who operated the horse railway at Norwich, as conductor and driver. After a year, however, he came to Lebanon, an:l rented a farm of Asahel Rockwell, and there resided for a year. He then removed to the William Loomis farm where he lived for five years, and while there was married. From there be removed to the Flavel Gillette place in Hebron, and made it his home for three years more, then returning to 1.ele- anon he rented the 11. Throop farm in the eastern part of the town, and staid there for three years, or until 1886, when he rented his present farm of Sal mon McCall, it being known as the William Metall place, a fine tract of 180 acres. In tot he par- chased this same property, going into debt by the entire amount, and owing Stoo for the stork. Ile has greatly improved the farm, and is carrying on a very successful business in general farming and dairying, he milking about twenty four cous, In addition, he is a heavy dealer in cattle, and has be come very prosperous in all his undertakings

Norwich Free AAcademy, andl is now attending Yale; Harriet May, at home: Grace, who died in infancy; Marguerite Belle, at home, and Benjamin Raymond, at home.

Mr. York is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to office. his time being fully occupied with his personal affairs, although he can always be depended upon to support all measures calculated to prove beneficial to the general welfare of the com- munity. Fraternally he is a member of Lebanon Lodge No. 23. Ancient Order of United Work- men, in which he is an active and popular member. Mrs. York and the family are members of the Con- gregational Church, and Mr. York attends it serv- ices, and gives liberally towards its support. thor- oughly believing in the good influence exerted in a community by religious bodies.

The record of a life like Mr. York's is one to call forth admiration and high commendation. .At a time when most boys are still little fellows at their mother's knee. he was thrust forth to earn his own living, and was subjected to cruelty scarcely com- prehended in these more enlightened days. Still, in spite of hardships, lack of even ordinary educa- tional advantages, sickness and many discourage- ments, he struggled on, and has become one of the best farmers and highly respected citizens in the town of Lebanon. Truly such a man sets a high example to his own children and those in the viem- ity, of what can be accomplished through energy. thrift and untiring industry.

DOUGLAS WOODRUFF GARDNER. WOW deceased, was for many years one of the Jointed and active residents of New London, and prior to that was a successful merchant of New York City He was born i September. top, in New Landen. son of Rufus Gardner.

Ruins Gardner was born at Newport. R. L. and died in New London 111

captain and commanded varios shops 10 ing Long Island Sound ilem York, carrying both might and passengers the close of the Revolutionary war until his death. and during the war he was a safe was a member of the Massue Oder, and the en blem of the belge was carvell open lis ztavistafor which maiks his thst resting placein the lemmind

med Lucha Han, who was kom in Ves Inin.

In Lebanon, Mr. York was umted it nonny with Miss Lucy A. Peckham, of South Kmgrown. R. I., daughter of Henry Beckham; the clip to Lebanon when nine years of age The chul hutchin to Mr. and Mrs. York are: Harry Chit0, When- tended Bacon academy, and in foot gradinited traff . Stim mel Water eneste je x projetouse os

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

latter did not prove as remunerative as he wished, and closing it out in 1849, he went to New York City, where he became a trusted employe in a grain business. So trusted was he, that when a few years after entering it, his employer became incapacitated, he turned the business over to Mr. Gardner. The latter, through close application and honest dealing, soon brought his house into an excellent standing, and made a decided success of his dealings. His place of business was on Peck Slip, North River, where he was largely engaged, both as a wholesale and retail dealer. For a number of years, he was engaged in furnishing the Adams Express Com- pany, with all its grain used in New York City and surrounding territory, he holding the contract for this. During the Civil war, by shrewd buying, he accumulated considerable money from his various operations. Finally he closed his business in New York City, and returned to his native town, where he resided for several years in retirement previous to his death, which occurred Jan. 26, 1885, when he had attained the venerable age of seventy-eight years.

Mr. Gardner had accumulated considerable real estate in Brooklyn, New York City and New Lon- don, during his business career, and he held this property at the time of his death. In political faith Mr. Gardner was an old line Whig, and later be- came a stanch Republican. He was very religiously inclined, and during his earlier days, was identified with the Baptist denomination, but in later years became independent in his belief. Mr. Gardner was a man liberal in all things, and his charities were large, and his manner benevolent. While re- siding in New York, he took great delight in furnishing shoes to all needy children of his neigh- borhood, and a call upon his sympathies never failed to bring forth a response. In disposition he was always genial and pleasant. He was tall, well pro- portioned, and walked and acted energetically.

Mr. Gardner married Mary Don, daughter of Graham Don, of Albany, N. Y. She passed away during their residence in New York City, aged six- ty-four years, a woman of great piety, beloved by her family and all who knew her. The children of this marriage were: Jeannette, who married John Steward Brown (now deceased), of Brooklyn, N. Y., where she still makes her home. Lydia married J. Beekman James of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., a de- scendant of Robert Livingston, one of the sign- ers of the Declaration of Independence, but is now deceased. Rufus was married to Miss Grif- fin of Groton, Conn. Theacla married La- verne Barris, of San Francisco, Cal. Harriet married William E. Faitoute, of Huguenot descent, born in New York, who died in New Lon- don. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fai- toute were : Ida (who married H. Hebbard, of Baltimore, Md., a mechanical engineer, and has two children, Albert Faitoute and Jessie), Anna Matilda (who married, Oct. 27, 1904, George

Bingam Bentley, of Hartford, traveling auditor of the Ætna Life Insurance Company), William E. and Mabel (both at home).

The house known as the Gardner homestead on the west side of Ocean avenue is a relic of a past generation. It was rebuilt after the original model by the late owner, Douglas W. Gardner, in 1870. Its vicinity is made memorable by the capture of Mrs. Faitoute's grandfather, who was taken pris- oner by the British and conveyed to Halifax, where for months he languished in prison. Mrs. Faitoute has in her possession the portraits of three gener- ations, the oldest dating back more than one. hun- dred and fifty years. These portraits show the founders of the Gardner family to have been men of dignity and power. She also has several relics of historic interest connected with this old homestead, among which are a belt buckle bearing the initials of King George, and the British Coat of Arms ; and Indian arrowheads and banner stones used by vari- ous tribes as signals when the Red Man ruled su- preme. The pleasant home of Mrs. Faitoute adjoins that in which her forebears lived and made history. She is herself a most charming lady, well versed in family history, and delighting in the gathering and preservation of heirlooms to hand down to her posterity.

LYMAN ALLYN CHAPMAN, a representa- tive citizen and prominent business man of the Poquonock section of the town of Groton, was born in Ledyard, Conn., Jan. 3, 1862, son of Ephraim A. and Dolly (Lester ) Chapman.

Ephraim A. Chapman was born in Ledyard, and on reaching manhood, engaged in whaling, follow- ing that occupation for more than twenty years, in which time he became mate of a vessel. During the years he followed the sea, he made his home in Led- yard, but for the past thirty years he has been en- gaged in farming in Groton. He married Dolly Lester, a native of Ledyard, by whom he had four children : Lyman Allyn ; Jesse Herbert, of Groton ; Christopher P., a florist at Eastern Point; and Charles I. H., of Poquonock. The father was long prominent in public affairs, and he held a number of minor offices in Ledyard.

Lyman Allyn Chapman passed the first thirteen years of his life in Ledyard, and then accompanied his parents to Groton. At the age of nineteen he began in the menhaden fishing business, later being employed by the Lennen & Brown Co., and for four- teen years continued in that line, living first in Po- quonock and then in Mystic, remaining in the latter place some eight years. Since leaving the fishery business, Mr. Chapman has been engaged in the wholesale butchering business for the New London market, buying his stock in Groton and Ledyard. He has built up a good business, and has about all he is able to care for. His success is due to his careful business methods and his genial personality. Since 1902 he has resided in his present home, and

L.A. Chapman

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has greatly improved it. He is a Republican in politics.

On Dec. 15, 1888, Mr. Chapman was married. in Mystic, Conn., to Miss Delia Stanton. daughter of A. Giles Stanton, of that town. Two children have been born of this union: Glenn Lyman and Giles Stanton.

AMOS GILES STANTON, father of Mrs. Chapman, was born April 3, 1837. His early years were passed in Preston, where he attended school. later entering a private school in Norwich. As a boy he was trained to farm work, and after his marriage he engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Stonington for a year. He then removed to a large farm in Ledyard, and carried on stock raising in connection with his general farming, for three years keeping forty head of cattle. For five years he rented the Williams farm in Groton, after which he returned to Ledyard for a year. The attractions of the Williams farm in Groton made him think regret- fully of his leaving it, and he entered negotiations for its purchase, and moved thither as soon as it was transferred to him. For many years he bought and sold cattle, wool and hides, and he has become quite well-to-do. On Nov. 25, 1858, he married Betsey Williams, daughter of Sanford and Lucy (Stanton) Williams. She died Sept. 9. 1894. Their children were: (1) William Edgar, born Oct. 1, 1859, married Blanche Louisa Williams, who died Feb. 15, 1886 ; he died in 1891. (2) Frank Sanford, born Sept. 4, 1861, married, June 30, 1886, Kate B. Chesebrough, who died in 1898, the mother of four children : Bessie, Sanford, William and James. (3) John Giles, born July 6, 1867, was educated in Mystic, and prepared for the ministry in Boston. For seven years he was pastor at North Oxford, and for a short time in Woodville. At present he is pastor of the Baptist Church at Moosup. Ile mar- ried Abbie Main, daughter of Charles Main. of North Stonington, and has two children, Gladys Esther and Ruth. (4) Delia, born Nov. 8. 1868. married, Dec. 15, 1886, Lyman Allyn Chapman. (5) Lucy was born March 27, 1874. In his political belief Mr. Stanton has always been a stanch Dem- ocrat.

BAILEY. In tracing many of the old and hon orable families of New England, it is necessary to admit the genealogy of other families, which have connected themselves by marriage, and this is trie of the prominent family whose name heads this rec ord. (1) Thomas Bailey, the founder of the family in America, was married to Lydia, daughter of James Redfield.

(11) Joseph Bailey was born in 1744, and died Sept. 24, 1800. He married Hannah Street, bonn in 1740, and died in 1803.

( 111) Russell Bailey was born in 1,71, m Dis triet No. 2, of Groton, and died March 20, 1800, at the age of eighty-nine years. The greater part of his life was passed on the farm where leffer on

Bailey, his grandson, now lives. He married Eliz- abeth Lester, of Groton, born in 1774. and died Feb. 16, 1852. Their children were: Melinda, wiic of Deacon Avery Gallup, of Ledyard: Paulina, un- married ; Orlando, who married Deborah Avery Latham : and Hannah, who married Jasper Latham. Russell Bailey was a man of upright character, and one of the stable citizens of his town. He lived to an unusual age, due probably to his exemplary. temperate life.

(IV) Orlando Bailey was born July 13. 1805. in District No. 2. of Groton, on the farm now oc- cupied by his son. Jefferson O. Bailey. He died Jan. 2, 1882. llis boyhood and carly schooldays were spent in Groton, and there he settled down to farming on the place of his birth. Hle was a man of great intelligence, one who by reading kept thor- oughly posted as to current events. In politics he was a Republican, and so much of a Prohibitionist that he consented to serve as president of a local temperance society. He was a man who always commanded the respect of the community. His wife, Deborah Avery Latham, was a daughter of George Latham. of District No. 2, Groton. Her mother was Rebecca Babcock, whose mother was born in England. Mrs. Bailey was a kind, careful. wise mother and a consistent member of the Baptist Church. The children of this marriage were as follows: Julia Melinda, now deceased, married a seafaring man. Capt. Elihu Avery, of Groton : Ellen Amanda married Capt. Moses Jones Buddington : Mary Frances remained unmarried : Georgiana mar- ried Capt. William 11. Allen : and Ralph Hurlburt and Jefferson Orlando.

(V) R.v.rit 11. BAitty was born July is, 1843. at the old Bailey homestead in Groton, and spent his early schooldays in District No. 2. but an agricul tural lite did not appeal to him as did the water, hence at the age of seventeen years, he shipped on the "Mary 1 .. Suttton," under Capt Gates, with whom he went to California, and there engagel with various coasting vessels until the opening of the Civil war, when he returned to Connecticut and enlisted in 1802 at Pequenock, in Company K. ath Con. V. L., serving nine months, and remaining at home during the succeeding year For the past thirty years he has been connected with the Nas Yard at Groton, and he did the best work at this Government station For a number of seats he was fireman of the grading force at the vard, and to the past fourteen years has been a wallchinian there lle also is engaged in taremne hi polities he is a Republican, and has been survey of the town of Groton In 180g Mr Bailes but his present her- able home, which is not only one of great wall it. but also og getcions hospitality Paternally Ma Bales is a member of Perkins Post An 3 te 11 | Wand of the file ( lab

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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 200

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