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 210

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 210

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(II) John Church, son of Richard, and the pro- genitor of the Hartford and Litchfield County Churches, born about 1636, was made a freeman in Hartford in 1658. The previous year, 1657, he married Sarah Beckley, daughter of Richard Beck- ley, of New Haven, and they had ten children : Richard, John, Samuel, Joseph, Deliverance, Sarah, Mary, Ruth, Ann, and Elizabeth. Mr. Church died in 1691.

(III) Samuel Church, son of John, made his home in Hartford throughout life. In 1710 he mar- ried Elizabeth Clark, a widow, and among their children were Samuel, Jr., and Ebenezer. Mr. Church died in 1718.

(IV) Samuel Church (2), son of Samuel, was born in Hartford, and there made his home until 1740. In that year he moved to Bethlehem Society (incorporated as a town in 1787), Woodbury, Conn., where he afterward resided. He followed the trade of a saddler, working at it for many years in Hart- ford. He died in Bethlehem Society in 1760, during the great sickness that nearly desolated that par- ish. In 1740 he married Mary Porter, of Farming- ton, Conn., and they had nine children, among them four sons: (1) Joshua is mentioned below. (2) Samuel, who with his wife is interred in the cemetery at Canton, Conn., resided for some time

in Haddam, Conn., and later in Barkhamsted, where he owned and operated a I00-acre farm. His son Joseph married, in 1820, Hannah Baker, of New Hartford. He died in 1849, and his wife in 1888, and both are buried in the Barkhamsted cemetery: They had six children, two of whom are now living. -- Elijah, in retirement at Berlin, Conn. ; and Rollin, in Winsted, Conn. (3) Of Ebenezer we have no. family record. (4) Nathaniel became a soldier in the Revolution and was severely wounded at White Plains. He married Lois Ensign, and of their sons several attained considerable eminence : Hon. Samuel Church, LL. D., was an eminent law- yer and judge of Litchfield; Leman is a leading lawyer in Connecticut ; and John R. is a judge in the State of Ohio.

(V) Joshua Church, son of Samuel (2) and Mary Church, resided in Bethlehem, Conn., where for many years he was a prominent merchant. He married and had a number of children, all of whom were born in Bethlehem, and among whoni were : Samuel, who served as town clerk of Bethle- hem for many years ; and Rollin.

(VI) Rollin Church, son of Joshua, and grand- father of Rollin R., resided in Bethlehem. During his young manhood he married, and he had three children : Leonard, Rodman E. and Rollin.

(VII) Rodman E. Church, father of Rollin R., a forceful man of marked business capacity, was for many years a prominent merchant of Macon, Ga. Born in Bethlehem, Conn., he there in a re- fined home received careful and tender rearing. Up- on reaching manhood he married, in Durham, Conn., Maria Narissa Strong, and they had four sons: Lewis; one who died in infancy; Sheldon, born in 1837, who resides in Middletown, Conn. ; and Rollin Rodman, who is mentioned below. During his young manhood Mr. Church learned the shoemak- er's trade, and, becoming very proficient at same, followed it with success for some years. Soon after his marriage he moved to Macon, Ga., where he opened a store and engaged in a large mercan- tile business for many years. Wise management, courteous reception of customers, and close atten- tion to his duties, enabled him to secure a large and paying patronage, and to make an unqualified suc- cess of his industry, and he was looked upon as one of the prominent business men of his place. As a man keenly interested in public affairs, and as a patriotic Southerner, at the time of the Seminole war he enlisted and went into the thickest of the fight. There, in the deadly swamps, he took a cold from which he never recovered. He died in 1840, his wife passing away six months earlier in the same year.

(VIII) Rollin R. Church started life under rather unpropitious circumstances, becoming an or- phan when scarcely a year old. During his early years, however, he received careful training in the home of his grandmother, Hannah (Parsons) Strong, in Durham, Conn., where he was taken after

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his parents' deaths. Later he entered the home of a relative in Sheffield, Mass., and there grew to manhood. During these carly years, under the di- rection of kindly disposed kinsmen, he learned the trade of a carpenter, preparatory to embarking upon life for himself. Close attention to details enabled him in a short time to thoroughly master his craft, and later, in Middletown, Conn., he went into busi- ness by himself. Being successful he continued there for a number of years. Then, going to New Haven, he there worked at his trade for two years, assisting in the erection of several important build- ings, and many others. In 1884 he located in Jewett City.

Mr. Church married Elbertine Abel, of Mid- dletown, Conn., and after her death wedded Ara- bella Allen, of Middletown, Com. For his third wife he married Lydia J. Brown, of Griswold, Con., daughter of Shepherd Brown, and a descendant of an early New England family. By the first union there was one child, Lillian, born Oct. 11, 1865. who married Dr. Ernest E. Smith, of New York City, and has one son, Howard Elsworth. There were no children by the second marriage. By the third there has been one, Martha, born June 12. 1885.

Mr. Church has throughout his life made a point of centering his forces upon his main line of busi- ness, and has thus won the confidence of his fellow citizens and attained a leading position among them. Though disinclined to seek public office, as a Dem- ocrat he has always evinced a keen interest in politics.

Thomas Brown, born in 1628, one of the carly ancestors of Mrs. Church, also of several New 1.01 don county families, resided at Lynn, Mass. Ile married Mary Newell, of that place, who was born in 1627, and they had three sons: Thomas, John and Ebenezer. Of these,

Thomas Brown was married, in 1ogz, to llan- nah Collins. He died in 1723, and she passed away May 24, 1731.

Daniel Brown, son of Thomas and Hannah Brown, was born Oct. 9, 1696. He married June 21, 1721, Mary Palmer Breed, and they had credit children : Samuel, born Oct. 11. 1722. Durl, March 20. 1725; Walter, who is mentionol leon ; Amos, Oct. 28. 1730, who marriel Inna lurer and became an ancestor of Ashel P. Brown. Desi July 5, 1733 : Christopher, March 17. 1735. N.thein June 20, 1738 ; and Nehemiah, July 11, 1740

Walter Brown, son of Damel and Macy Pahh (Breed) Brown, was born Ich 1. 1'S Betel eleven children : William, bem Net 50. 000 Prudence, Oct. 2, 1756; Elizabeth, Sopl 12. 1, Martha, Sept. 25, 1700; Walte, \/ (married Avis Kinne ) ; Isaac, Match

4. 150 Pardon, March 6, 1708; Mary, LA the moonel David Boardman in 1815) ; Whether, May 1 1 Shepherd, who is mentioned beledi, ale Kywell K., May 19, 1798.

Shepherd Brown, son of Walter, was born March 23. 1778. and died Feb. 15. 1860, at the age of eighty-one. On Jan. 6, 1855. he marrie l Lucy Culver, who died Oct. 20, 1847. They had five children: Shepherd, who is mentioned below : Maria, born Jan. 26, 1807. who married Ephraim Browning : Frederick, born May 2, 18og, who net death by drowning: Emily. born Aug. 31. 1813. who died young; and Sybel. born Jan. 11, ist ;. who also died young.

Shepherd Brown (2), son ci Shepherd and Ency ( Culver) Brown, and father of Mrs. Church, Was born Dec. 6, 1865, and died Feb. 11. 1873.

WOODBURNE R. AVIS. M. D. one of the prominent young physicians of Groton, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., Jan. 21. 1850, son of Sam- uel R. Avis, the latter of whom was a well known contractor of the Winchester Fire Arms Commeun. of New Haven, and a Union sof hier, and like his father a non-secessionist. Sammel R. Avis s . widely known member of the Masone ogler, leaving reached the 32d degree : a member also of Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and is connect | with a host of other societies. He was burn at Martins- burg, Van and married Finna E Led. of the same place, a member of the famous family that man bered Robert E. Lee among ts distinguished rep resentatives.

Dr. Avis spent his cath boyhood days in Tren- ton, N. J. and later Sho attendlel the palille sais at lhon. N. Y., and at Providence R. l. glass reach- ing his twelfth year He studied in Jas for ladies' private school for boys auf New Haven was seler the private instruction of Dr. Joseph Twice land Malcolm Both, anl enterol Yale Conversa 1 IST. In 1502 he entered the College of Physicians und Surgeons af Hammare, In which he was

was spent by hig in the post graduate low poo work at Baltimore Dr. Avis then Took & kommef omarse at Falnis Hopkins Hesantal, a worker and at ter

having completel & tive veu simies fe fint teao. he located at Vo are. Wladly avenue \

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ton Commandery No. 681, United Order of the Golden Cross, of which he is Past Commander ; Groton Conclave No. 382, Improved Order of Hep- tasophs. Dr. Avis has been medical examiner of all of these societies except the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Avis is a member of Orient Rebekah Lodge, No. 27, New London, in which she has passed some of the chairs : and of the U. O. G. C., in which she has reached the Vice Commander's chair. She is past District Deputy Organizer of the American Benefit Society, being a member of Lodge No. 154, New London.

On Jan. 1, 1902, Dr. Avis was married to Miss Julia Packer, daughter of Amos Packer, of Mystic. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Dr. Avis is a consistent member of the Calvary Baptist Church of New Haven ; and Mrs. Avis belongs to Groton Heights Baptist Church. They are very prominent factors in the social life of the community, and enjoy the friendship of a wide circle of acquaint- ances.

JOSEPH FRANCIS KILLEEN is a success- ful merchant of Montville, where he was born and where he has passed all his life. In addition to attaining success in business he has become promi- nent in town politics, and is held in great esteem by the community at large.

Grandfather John Killeen was a native of Ire- land, and passed all his life in that country. He held for many years the responsible position of watchman of a large estate, to which at his death his son Patrick succeeded.

Patrick Killeen, father of Joseph Francis, was born in 1810, in Dublin, Ireland. As a young man he was engaged as watchman of the estate in Ire- land mentioned, succeeding his father in this posi- tion of trust. In 1840 he came to America, and for two years remained in New York City, where he was employed at his trade, that of stonemason. He then went to Colchester, Conn., and after two, years in that place came to Montville, where he spent the remainder of his life, following his trade, and work- ing up a successful business as a contractor. Much of the masonry in the buildings of Montville was laid by his hands and under his direction.

Patrick Killeen married Jane Vernon, of Dub- lin, Ireland, who is still living in Montville, enjoy- ing good health at the age of seventy-four years. She became the mother of twelve children, of whom six died in early youth. Those living at present are : Eliza, who was born in Montville, where she still lives with her mother, unmarried ; Mary Jane, who was born in Montville, and married James Smiddy, of New London, in which place they reside ; Rose, who was born in Montville, and married Patrick F. Walsh, a merchant of Montville; and Joseph Fran- cis, who was born in Montville Sept. 9, 1861, and is mentioned below.

Patrick Killeen died in Montville March 29, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two. In early

life he was an old-line Democrat, but some years before his death became identified with the Repub- lican party. He was a man of medium stature, about five feet, nine inches in height, and weighing about 170 pounds. He had the enviable possessions of robust health, a good-natured, genial disposition, and habits of active industry.

Joseph Francis Killeen received his education in the common schools of his native town, where he was pupil until he was thirteen years of age. He then went into the mill of Palmer Brothers, at Montville, and for two or three years was employed as operator of a rope machine. He then entered the Montville woolen mill, at that time under the management of Richard G. Hooper, where he learned the trade of weaver. After several years at this occupation he left the mill, and in April, 1886, opened a general store in the village of Palmertown, Montville, which he continues to carry on with gratifying success.

On April 18, 1882, Mr. Killeen married Mary Ann Dervin, daughter of John and Bridget (Cas- sidy) Dervin, of Montville, and to this union the following children have been born: Henry, who died when two and a half years old ; Eva M. : Alice E., and Edmund J. Mr. Killeen and his family are. members of St. John's Catholic Church, of Mont- ville. In politics Mr. Killeen is stanchly Republi- can, and he has taken an active part in town politics, serving his fellow citizens in many public positions. He has been a member of the board of assessors and of the board of relief, has served as registrar of voters, and as a member of the board of selectmen. In 1901 he represented his town in the State Legis- lature, and was one of the committee on Capitol Furniture and Grounds. In 1902 he was the dele- gate from Montville to the Constitutional conven- tion. Fraternally he belongs to Uncas Lodge, No. 17, A. O. U. W., of Montville, of which he is past master workman, and to Thames Lodge, No. 22, I. O. O. F., of Montville.

ANDREW JACKSON LADD. The Ladd family is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed in New London county, and Andrew Jackson Ladd, of Baltic, in the town of Sprague, has, by his well- directed efforts, won not only a substantial com- petence but the merited approval of all good men. He was born in Franklin, Conn., June 16, 1833, the third child in order of birth of the six children- five boys and one girl-of Israel S. and Lurinda (Ladd) Ladd.

As the parents were poor the children were obliged to assist in the support of the family from an early age, and until he was fifteen Mr. Ladd was trained to farm work. Until he was fourteen his winters were passed in attendance upon the dis- trict schools, but his summers were passed in work much harder than to-day falls to the lot of most men. He attended his last term of school the winter he was seventeen.

His childhood was spent

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

at hard labor, with little or no time at all for play, and the only return his work brought him was his board and scant clothing. Being bright and ener- getic, he soon was able to assume considerable re- sponsibility, and he was but fourteen when he had entire charge of the 150-acre farm and sawmill owned by Henry Lord, near the village of Baltic. The following year found him at work in the old Beaver Brook mill, at what is now Baltic, and which was then operated by Peter Lanman, of Norwich Town. At first he attended the carding machines. and later he became a spinner. The work was con- fining, and fourteen hours constituted a day's laber. For all this the boy received $II a month. Remain- ing in this mill until he was eighteen, he then en- tered the Miller & Titus mill, nearby, and in spite of his youth he was found competent to take charge of the carding, spinning, picking and weaving. re- ceiving orders from no one but the proprietors. For five years he gave most efficient service there. His reputation for thorough knowledge of his work. his industrious and temperate habits, had all combined to make him a most invaluable workman, and at this time he was induced to return to the Beaver Brook mill, where he was given entire charge of the help. The mill was at this time confined to the manufacture of satinets, which were sold to the southern trade. At the end of seven years the mill was purchased by a Mr. Petrie, who at the end of five years sold it to Samuel Allen, who later took in his brothers, Elisha and Ethan Allen, as part- ners, Mr. Ladd being retained by the successive owners, who fully appreciated his importance as a factor in the success of the mill. For seventeen years he was at the head for the Messrs. Allen. leaving them in 1888, when he resigned although offered every inducement to remain in their empl v. Conscientious, hard-working and capable, Mr. Ladd's retirement was a distinct loss to the 11 facturing world. Since then he has not been en gaged in any business, but is passing his time quietly, taking in his later years the vacation and rest his youth and young manhood missed, a day's relaxation then being very unusual, ofttimes several years elapsing without his experiencing an idle day The former Mlrs. Ladd was Susan Barber. wle died Dec. 31, 1863. less than a year after ther miss riage. On May 6, 1871. Mr. Ladl married Me Nancy Aurelia Buckingham, who was born 11 Franklin, Conn .. daughter of Renben and Carbon (Johnson ) Buckingham, and a descendant pn b Il sides of old and prominent New London mnomty families. She is a most capable women of judgment and broad sympathis, and die he bern of much help to her busy hubind. Onechild h come to them, James Sin th, born Man. 17. who died Ang. 2. 1877. Both Wi are active in the work of the Method which they are regular attend, it belief Mr. Ladd is a such Der t. H . in no sense be re carde las an ctf .

he has served as assessor and as a member of the board of relief. He rank- among the most sulten- tial citizens of the town, and he has won his place through his own persistent efforts. While a man of most decided views, and tenacious of his way! opinion, he is quick to acknowledge it it o minced he is in the wrong, and he is always ready toheten to the "other side." His home, which was built and for a time occupied by the grandfather vi ex- President Cleveland, is a most hospitable ene, and there Mr. Ladd and his good wife dispense a cher- ful hospitality and find their own true happiness.

THADDEUS PECOR, the trusts keper of the Morren Point Light House st Nost. Com. and an honored survivor of the Civil war, was born Jan. 12, 1844. in Mystic village, town of Gift n. son of Isaac B. Pecor, who was born May 24. 18 m). at Albany. New York.

Leon Peror, father of Isaac R., was born at Paris, France, whence he came to Canada, and then to the State of New York, where he was ungen m lumbering, rafting timber down the Haun River. He marriedl a Miss Patchen, & mit ve ot Bridgeport, Conn., of English extraction Her father unlisted from Fairly Che. Coman. in the Continental army, became a sergeant and se vol .Il Long Island. He drew a pension for many years Len Peer was best of his steather with on his was to New Haven, leaving two children. Isse and Eliza, of whom the latter mi tri-l loin Far. and died in New Banken.

Isme 1. l'eer from the agenieu ws Insel with his grandparents af Biggest aillent Ness Lenden to Learn brot he Meg fant Sally learned the showmaker's made His se till mans the hemmer with whathe his Father wortel lives

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Jacksonville, Fla., to become assistant keeper to her husband, of the St. John's Bar Light. Mr. Mc- Donald continued there for ten years when he died. His widow remained in charge of the light for three years, when she resigned and returned to Mystic, Conn., later removing to New London where she now resides. The remains of Mr. McDonald were interred at Mayport, Fla. Of his four children, Theodore received his education in . Tufts College, Barre, Vt., and spent three years at the District of Columbia Law School, from which he graduated. Soon after he located at Medicine Lodge, Kans., where he resided until failing health caused him to seek other climate, when he removed to Cripple Creek, Colo., and became a law partner with Ex- Gov. McIntire, of that State. Henry, the second son of Alexander McDonald is a resident of New London. Agnes married Capt. Augustus Brown, and is now deceased. Mary died young. (2) Henry Pecor, born in 1840, was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company C. 21st Conn. V. I., and was wounded at the charge of Fort Har- rison. He died in April, 1878, at Mystic. His wife who was Jane Murphy, died a short time previous, in the same year. (3) Theodore and (4) Thaddeus, twins, born Jan. 12, 1844, the former of whom died at the age of four years. Isaac B. Pecor was a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Mystic.

Thaddeus Pecor spent the first fourteen years of his life at Mystic, and then shipped on the fishing smack "Chipman," under Capt. Hezekiah Wilcox, for one season from Noank, making a second voy- age from the same place with Capt. Silas Wilcox, and later, with Capt. Charles Ira Chester. During 1860 and 1861 he went fishing in Southern waters with Capt. Cunningham. On Aug. 5, 1862, he en- listed from Groton in Company C, 21st Conn. V. I., for three years service, and during this time was promoted from private to corporal and later to ser- geant, being mustered out at Richmond, Va., May 16, 1865, and by. the State, in July of the same year. During a part of his term of service he was on detached duty, and in the fall of 1863 was placed in the contraband department on ex-Gox. Wise's plantation in Virginia, remaining six months. In the spring of 1864 he was placed in charge of the London Bridge District, twelve miles from Norfolk, Va., and reported to his regiment Jan. 22, 1865, in front of Richmond. His selection by his superior officers for these positions of responsibility, testi- fied to the reliability of his character, in their es- timation. After the close of the war, Mr. Pecor worked in Mallory's shipyard at Mystic, during the summers of 1865-66-67 and '68, and he worked one summer on Spanish gunboats in Hills' yard. The winters were employed in fishing in the South. In 1869 he became a workman in the Palmer yard at Noank, as one of the bosses of a department, con- tinuing here until the fall of 1871. On Nov. 22,

1871, he was placed in charge of the Morgan Point Light House at Noank, a responsible position which he still fills with the greatest efficiency. He has always been noted for the fidelity with which he has performed the duties entrusted to him, and he enjoys the confidence of all who know him.

On Oct. 19, 1870, Mr. Pecor was married to Sarah Ann Swaney, a daughter of Charles P. and Hannah (Cromwell) Swaney, the former of whom was born Aug. 17, 1822, and died in November, 1860, at Poquonuck, Conn., and the latter of whom was born Jan. 26, 1828, and resides at Noank. A great-grandfather of Mrs. Thaddeus Pecor, William Lewis, was slain at Fort Griswold, on Sept. 6, 1781. Mr. and Mrs. Pecor have one son, Frank Leon, born May 17, 1874, who resides at Mystic, Conn., where he is engaged in the fruit business. In May, 1894, he married Effie Palmer, and four children have been born to them, namely: Harold, Hazel, Mearle (who died at the age of four years), and Frank (who died at the age of eight months ).

Mr. Pecor is a valued member of Williams Post, G. A. R., at Mystic ; Charity and Relief Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Stonington Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; Mystic Lodge, K. of P .; and the Order of United Work- men. In politics Mr. Pecor has always been identi- fied with the Republican party. Since February, 1878, he has been a member of the Baptist Church at Noank. Mrs. Pecor united with the same church in January, of the same year, and she has taught a class in the Sunday school for the past twenty-five years, and has served two years as a member of the Finance committee of the church.

JOHN CALVIN SMITH, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Montville, New London Co .. Conn., was born May 23, 1845, in Massapeag, town of Montville.

The Smith families in this country are very numerous, and have had their origin from many different ancestors. This name is more extensively found in New England than perhaps elsewhere in the United States. During the year 1825 there were 214 graduates from the colleges of New England bearing the name of Smith, one-fourth of whom became clergymen.

(I) James Smith of Groton is the first of the Smith family of whom we write, that appears upon the records of New London county. Among his sons were Ebenezer and Samuel.

(II) Ebenezer Smith, son of James Smith, ap- pears to have located in Montville in the middle of the eighteenth century, at a place called Pome- chauge, now Massapeag, and his brother Samuel lived east of the river Thames, now Ledyard, and engaged in tanning, furnishing the leather used by Ebenezer in making and repairing shoes, the latter being a shoemaker by trade. Ebenezer Smith was twice married, the name of his first wife being un- known, although he was married to her prior to his removal to Massapeag. The name of his second

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wife was Lucy Hatch. There is no record of his death, nor that of his wives, although it is evident that he died before 1800. By his first wife Ebenezer Smith had children as follows, all born between 1746 and 1764: Benjamin, who married (first) Susan Lewis, and (second) Nancy Morris ; Eben- ezer, who married Margaret Wheeler: Anna, who married Ephraim Wheeler : Sarah ; Elizabeth, who died unmarried ; Perygreen ; John, who married Lydia Ames; James, who married a Miss Weeks : and Eunice, who married Oliver Williams. The children of the second marriage of Ebenezer Smith were as follows: Daniel, who married ( first) a Miss Wait, and (second ) Abby Hempstead : Ste- phen, who married Lucy Allyn; Naomi; Susanna ; and Lucy-all born between 1769 and 1780.

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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 210

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