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 211

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 211

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(III) John Smith, born April 27, 1760, son of Ebenezer Smith, was married in 1783 to Lydia Ames, who was born about 1763. He lived in Mas- sapeag, and was a thrifty farmer. He died Feb. 2, 1852, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, and his wife died Oct. 25, 1854, aged ninety-one years. About ten years prior to his decease, John Smith fell from a corn crib and was so badly crip- pled that he was confined to his bed until his death. In personal appearance he was of medium height, well proportioned, and he weighed about 185 pounds. In his younger days he was a shipbuilder. and owned several vessels, which he built himself. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. For many years he was an active and conscientious member of the Baptist Church, and was very religiously inclined. Services were frequently held in his house. He was very quiet and reserved in his man- ner, and was a man most highly respected. During the Revolutionary war he served very bravely, and received a pension for his services. Children as fol- lows were born to himself and wife: ( 1) Marvin, born Nov. 18, 1784. married (first ) Anna Newton, and (second) Sybel Morgan. He was always a resident of Massapeag, and in his younger days was a ship carpenter, sometimes being employed at the yards at New London, and again at Norwich and other points along the river. It religions belief Marvin Smith was a strong Methodist, and he was a large contributor to the support of the church at Uncasville, of which he was a devont member. He lived a quiet life, and was greatly respected. IT first wife died in 1843, and he married again mn 1845, his second wife, who survived him, dying m 1895, in her ninety-ninth year. Marvin che | March 31, 1887, aged 102 years, four months and thirteen days. He had four children, Betsey Diutha, Ivil Ursula, Marvin, Almon and Frances Mallette Din ing the war of 1812 Marvin Smith served as a de dier, and he received a pension. (2) John bemn 1 Montville, married Naney Bolles, of Montville, and died in that town. He was a ship carpenter, at 1 served in the war of 1812, receiving bounty land for his services. (3) Alvin ti. became the father of our subject. (4) Layman, born March 2s. 13

married in 1828 Emeline Fanning, daughter of Henry and Lavina (Standish) Fantong. He was a farmer and fisherman, and also cultivated masters. His death occurred May 27. 1800. while his wife died Sept. 5. 1861. Their children were: Henry Austin, born June 27. 1834. marred Herrici Mitchell: Julia E., born March 5. 1840, married John T. O'Brien, a sketch of whom appears che- where. (5) Nancy. born in- Montville, marrie 1 Micajah Davis, of Colchester. a blacksmith. She d'ed at Colchester, but he died at Norwich at the home of his daughter Orilla, who married Amassa Standish, of Colchester. (6) Betsey married Nathan l'almer Coats, of Hebron, a farmer, who died there. as did she, and they had ten children.

(11 ) Alvin Griswold Smith, born June 18. 1800. in Montville, died Dec. 16,1891. in Massapeag. He married Oct. 29, 1826, Naney Ames, born June 22. 1800, in Waterford, who died May o. Ist. agel ninety-one years, in Montville. She was a daughter of Jonathan and Betsey ( Douglas ) Ames, of Water- ford. Conn., the former a farmer of that town. Mr. Smith was a farmer and lived in Massapeng. al- though in his younger days he resided on Staten Island, and operated an oyster vessel before he vert to that place. For twenty years he was engage 1 in the oyster business, and also worked at his trade vi ship carpenter. In politics he was a Republican until 1808, when he became a Democrat. Duir 14 the slavery troubles he was a strong Abolitionist He long held the office of justice of the peace, being continued in that position until he reached the am limit. He was a man of sound indencent. and was considered competent to try cases and give advice on matters in dispute. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Church, and he was very reg ions, as was also his wife, why was like lomself i Methodist. Mr. Smith was one of the stewart of the church, and a nost worthy anlgelaan He was of medium size, we glung isen 108 to and In numer he was genial and pleasant. Von store m all that he did amul ant and when bo to5edilb was apparent that he ment cuffs sant le miel No health was excellent until his deste 11 Wollten

of Montville who rommet er UOcherimen.

Sarah

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Montville, on the old homestead farm, in that part of the town known as Massapeag, and there he received his education in the district school. When he was sixteen years of age he left school, and on Aug. 23, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 26th Conn. V. I., and was mustered in Nov. 10, 1862, serving until Aug. 17, 1863, when he was mustered out. Mr. Smith served with his regiment in the battle at Port Hudson, La., May 27, 1863, and again at the same place June 13 and 14, 1863.

After returning home from the service Mr. Smith spent some time on the home farm, but the following fall he entered the coasting trade with Capt. Frederick Champlin, being on the "Chief" for sev- eral months. He then took up steamboating with the Norwich & New York line of steamers, first on the "City of New London" as fireman for three years. Then he was on the "City of Lawrence" as oiler for two and one-half years, after which he became second engineer on the "City of New Lon- don," remaining on the same for about seven - months. He next became second engineer on the "City of New York," in which capacity he was employed about eight years, when he was made chief engineer of that vessel, continuing thus for fifteen years. He then, in 1894, went to work for Robert Palmer, of Noank, Conn., overhauling and putting in shape the "Isabelle," which was run as an excursion boat in and about Long Island sound for about eight months, during which time he served as chief engineer. Mr. Smith then became chief engineer on the steamer "Ella," running be- tween Norwich and Block Island and Watch Hill, remaining on same until the boat went out of com- mission May 23, 1903. The next change Mr. Smith made was to become chief engineer of the "Chelsea," of the Norwich & New York Propeller Co., running as a passenger and freight vessel between Norwich and New York, which responsible position he held till January, 1904, when he became a part owner and engineer of the "Margaret."

Mr. Smith is a member of the Brotherhood of Marine Engineers. Although not a member of any church, he is a firm believer in the teachings of the Methodist denomination, and is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church of Uncasville. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, but is not in any sense an office seeker.

,On Oct. 19, 1869, Mr. Smith was married to Laura Ann Chapel, daughter of Robert F. and Mary Jane (Chappell) Chapel, of Montville. They have no children.

Mr. Chapel was a brickmason by trade, but for several years was connected with Johnson's dye works of Montville, and for a few years before his death was employed in the Uncasville Manufactur- ing Company's Dye Works. His death occurred in February, 1864, shortly after he returned from serv- ing in the Civil war. He had enlisted for three years, in Company F, 2Ist C. V. I., but was hurt by falling through a bridge in Virginia, and was

honorably discharged for disability. His wife is still living, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Mr. Smith is of an inventive turn of mind, and has invented and patented several labor-saving devices, among them being an expansion flange for boilers, a washing machine, a patent duplex buckle which does away with sewing, and a patent tire setter, besides other equally valuable inventions which he has placed upon the market.

CHESEBROUGH FAMILY. William Chese- brough, the first white man who settled in what is now the town of Stonington, Conn., was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in 1594, and Dec. 6, 1620, married Anna Stevenson, born in 1598, in England. He was a gunsmith, and worked at his trade in England and in this country until he came to Stonington, in 1649, when he changed his occu- pation to that of farming and improving large tracts of land given him by the town of Pequot, now New London. In the early part of the year 1630 he joined a large party of immigrants who came with John Winthrop to this country. He located at Boston, Mass., became a member of the First Church, and in May, 1631, was admitted a freeman of the Massachusetts Colony. In 1634 he was elected constable of Boston. Before 1640 he re- moved to Braintree, Mass., and in 1640 was elected deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts. Soon after this he removed to Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, and took an active and prominent part in organizing that town. Notwithstanding the prom -- inent part he took in establishing this town, and the recognition of his services by the new town, he was not treated with much favor by the General Court of the Colony, which ordered him to be arrested for an affray with an Indian by the name of Vas- samequine, and harshly treated him in other re- spects. This led him to look further for a place of permanent abode, and in 1645 he visited Nameaug, afterward called Pequot, now New London, for the purpose of making it his future home, but subse- quently examined the Pawcatuck region, and finally concluded to settle at the head of Wequetequock Cove. He was a warm personal friend of Roger Williams, and was encouraged and assisted by him in removing his habitation to Pawcatuck. In the summer of 1649 he moved his family to the new home he had built in the wilderness, and here the marsh land bordering on Wequetequock Cove fur- nished hay for his stock in abundance. His family consisted, at the time of the moving, of his wife, and sons Samuel, Nathaniel, John and Elisha. Like a number of the early settlers, he traded more or less with the Indians, and also with the people of Long Island. Therefore, in March, 1651, he was required to appear before the General Court and give a bond of £300 not to sell firearms or to engage in any other unlawful trade with the Indians. The bounds of the Pequot Colony were extended to the

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pawcatuck river, and he was granted about 300 acres. In 1658 the territory east of the Mystic river became a part of Massachusetts Colony, under the name of Southertown, and in 1662 became a part of the Connecticut Colony, the town being named Mystic in 1665, and Stonington the follow- ing year. Mr. Chesebrough was a man of more than ordinary ability, and held positions of trust, in 1653-54-55-56-57 and 1664 being deputy to the Gencral Court at Hartford. He was a townsman of Southertown, and first selectman of Mystic and Stonington until his death, June 9. 1667.

(II) Elisha Chesebro was baptized at Boston, Mass., June 4, 1637, married April 20, 1665. Re- becca Palmer, and died Sept. 1. 1670. His widow married John Baldwin.

(III) Elihu Chesebro, born Dec. 3. 1668, mar- ried July 4, 1698, Hannah, daughter of Manassah Miner.

(IV) Elihu Chesebro, born Nov. 30, 1704, mar- ried Feb. 18, 1740, Esther, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah Dennis, of Stonington. His death oc- curred Oct. 27, 1769, while she died Dec. 5. 1768.

(V) Lieut. Elihu Chesebro was born June 7. 1743, and married May 19. 1768. Phebe Dennison. He died Oct. 26, 1781. His widow married Jan. 30. 1793. Gilbert Smith, and after his death she mar- ried Rev. Silas Burrows. She died April 8, 1833. and is buried by her first husband at Wequetequock.

(VI) Rev. Elihu Chesebro, born Dec. 20, 1700. married March 20, 1791, Lydia, daughter of Zebh- lon Chesebro. She died May 31, 1841, and he mar- ried Mrs. Mary (Chesebro) Fish, daughter of Sam- uel Chesebro, and widow of Elisha Fish. He died April 29, 1868, and she died July 22. 1866. Their children were: Elihu, born Jan. 3. 1792, married Nancy B. Pendleton ; Dennison, born Jan. 16, 1794. married Martha Denison ; Lydia, born March 20. 1796, died young : Gilbert S., born Sept. 21, 1798. married Paulena Miner and (second) Lucy Som ton : Ethan Allen, born Dec. 25, 1803. married 1.h . Ann Pendleton ; Frederick D., born Oct 20. 1505. married Mary Chesebro; Lvdia, bern Ang. 1. 1907. married Joseph Sewell Knight ; Amelia, bern July 17, 1809, married Thomas J. Wheeler : Mar born Sept. 29, 1811, married William Chesebin Stanton.

(VII) Elihu Chesebro, born Jan. 3. 1792 00 Stonington, married Jan. 10, 1810. Anão Bel Pem dleton, born Jan. 8. 1700, daughter of 10 1 gul Abigail ( Stanton ) Pendleton. Their childna Elibu, born in November, 18to. marie | 1 \ Wilbur, deceased : Charles 11., For Any er War married Prudence Potter, deregyed. Euch the Nov. 20. 1823, married Mangifet for ceased : Nancy Maria, born Sept. 25. 1. - Billings Burtch : Am Elizabeth, hon Age 1827, married (first ) Warren Point. . on William E. D. Miller ; Princes Mar in Lim \ 17, 1820. is of Stonington: Frath & fem 13. 1832, is mentioned below ; Prudente Mus nes

born Oct. 22, 1834: Harriet, born Dec. 11. 1530. married Oscar Miller : Denison Allen, born 1 dl. 21. 1839. married Jemima Giles ci Stonington Elihu Chesebro, the father of this family, was a farmer In occupation. He served in defense of Stonington m 1812, and was a pensioner. The family wer Baptists in religious belief, and politically he was a strong Democrat.

( VII) ERASTUS S. CHISTERO was bril las 13. 1832. In 1866 he became a member of the hardware firm of Haley & Chesebro, the parties. being Joshua Haley and Erastus S. Chesthry. Mir. Chesobre had spent Ins bad all days on a farm. later learning the trade of unsmith and towork in sheet iron, being an apprentice of Jeshua Haley. He worked as such for three years and the year more as journeyman before he started. March 17. 1855. for California, via the Isthums. 11 restante at Pine Grove, Cal, for a year after reading the Golden State, and then went to Night City al engaged in business with Col. Charles 11. Men. in a merchandise and tinware business. months. Col. Allen saft his interest to Wil gen Smith, and a new partnership was termel maler dos style of Smith & Cheschro, which corrige mit they sold out, m 180 Keinming to Content. Mr. Cheschro entered into business with Mr Hally. as before stated, this comme ction existing nell' il. litter's death, in rono. when he became the spine prietor, and has wo since cpuintel

While at Napa Che Vi. Clo sobro Bar 20091 of the Napa Guards. of the el Brigade. Cangemi Militia, and was also provist funchal of Ves county, and chief of the Fre Cepmsimps . Vier five years.

1 m

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

WAREHAM W. BENTLEY, one of the well known and popular citizens of Bozrah, New London Co., Conn., is a successful business man, conduct- ing a meat establishment, the leading one of its kind in the town, and he also holds the office of town clerk. The family history of the Bentley family is an old and honorable one, and reads as follows :

(I) William Bentley eame to New England in the ship "Arabella," Riehard Sprague, master, which sailed from Gravesend May 27, 1671, and he was a resident of Narragansett, R. I., Jan. 29, 1679. His will, approved in 1720 at Kingston, mentions wife Sarah and children, William, James, Thomas, Benjamin and Jane.

(II) William Bentley, of the above family, was married April 21, 1703, to Mary Eliot, and he died in 1760. The children born of this marriage were : John, George, Caleb, Ezekiel, Elizabeth, Tabitha, Ruhama and Mary.

(III) Ezekiel Bentley had one son, Ezekiel.

(IV) Ezekiel Bentley, Jr., the great-grandfa- ther of our subject, resided at North Stonington, in which town and Stonington the family is an old and numerous one.

(V) John Bentley, son of Ezekiel Bent- ley, Jr., and grandfather of Wareham W., was a mason and farmer and resided at North Stonington, where he died aged forty-seven years. He mar- ried Phebe Stanton Williams, daughter of Ware- ham Williams, a Revolutionary soldier, and a well- known and successful school teacher, an aeeount of whose military eareer is to be found elsewhere. She survived her husband, living to a ripe old age, and died in North Stonington. They had three children, two daughters and one son, and both daughters died in early womanhood, unmarried, while the son was John Stanton Bentley.

(VI) John Stanton Bentley, born Mareh 27, 1828, lost his father when he was a lad, and at a very early age was obliged to assume management of the farm in order to take care of his widowed mother and sisters. The father had been a poor man, and eould leave his family nothing aside from a small farm. Naturally the boy had but few edu- cational advantages, but being possessed of great natural ability, and making the most of every oppor- tunity, he beeame a well informed man. Always hard-working, and a good manager, he was enabled in time to purehase more land, until he became one of the largest landholders in the town, owning about 700 acres at one time, all of which was acquired without a mortgage being recorded against him. He raised, bought and sold largely in live stock, and was particularly interested in sheep raising, having for many years a large flock. All these extensive operations, combined with his excellent management and thrifty habits, resulted in his be- coming a well-to-do man. About 1886 he disposed of the greater portion of his property in North Stonington and removed to Bozrah, where he pur- ·chased a large farm in the south part of the town,

and there he made his home until 1900, during which time he was engaged in getting out fire wood and timber. In 1900 he disposed of that farm and bought a small place at Leffingwell, where he lived until after the death of his wife, when he sold his property. He resided at Canterbury, Conn., where he died June 9, 1903. His remains were tenderly interred beside those of his wife in the Elm Grove cemetery, at Mystie.

In polities Mr. Bentley was a Democrat, and al- ways took a very active part in local affairs, and had the honor of representing the very strong Republi- ean town of North Stonington in the Legislature in 1879, 1880 and 1883, as the sueeessful eandi- date of the Democratic party. In 1879 he was the candidate on both the Demoeratie and Republiean tiekets. During his manhood years he was a mem- ber of the North Stonington Congregational Church.

John Stanton Bentley was married Aug. 13, 1854, in North Stonington, to Mary Ellen Davis, of North Stonington, who was born Jan. 1, 1837, and died Sept. 10, 1900. She was a daughter of Nathan and Lavina ( Perkins) Davis. Members of this branch of the Perkins family participated in the battle of Groton Heights. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Stanton Bentley were as fol- lows: John Stanton married Sarah D. Maine and resides at Natiek, R. I., where he is a boss farmer for B. B. & R. Knight; Mary E. married John L. York, and died in North Stonington in 1874; Latham N. married Martha A. Frink and resides at White Rock, R. I., where he is a boss farmer for B. B. & R. Knight ; Wareham Williams is our subject ; Charles N. died at the age of thirteen years ; Annie married William J. Maine, of Pontiac, R. I .; Emma Louisa died at the age of eight years ; Angeline married Henry Lewis, of Fitchville, a sketeh of whom appears elsewhere; Ida E. died at the age of six years; Lot K. married Sarah Gard- ner and resides in Natick, R. I .; Lucy married Silas W. Leffingwell, of Bozrah; Carlos A. married Celia B. Brand, and is in the employ of our sub- jeet.

(VII) Wareham Williams Bentley, the subject proper of this biography, was born March 24, 1861, in North Stonington, and received a common school edueation, during which time he assisted his father, remaining at home until April, 1886, when he came to Bozrah. In 1888 he entered the employ of Wil- liam F. Bogue, who owned the business of which Mr. Bentley is now the proprietor. Mr. Bentley remained in the employ of Mr. Bogue until 1899, when he purchased the business, and has since sue- cessfully conducted it. He has a good patronage and two wagons are required in its conduct. Be- sides having a good trade in Bozrah, his business extends into the surrounding towns of Norwich, Lebanon and Franklin. Mr. Bentley is a man of strictly honest business principles, and his eus- tomers place the utmost confidence in his integrity and judgment. In polities he is a staneh Demoerat,

(

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and he is one of the leaders in the affairs of his party in the town, and since 1888 has held the offices of school visitor for three years and select- man for two years and has served nine years as the efficient town clerk, each year receiving increased majorities. In 1903 he represented Bozrah in the State Legislature, and while there served on the committee on the school fund. At that election, and in spite of the fact that the tide was strongly with the Republicans, he was given the largest ma- jority ever polled in Bozrah. On Christmas Day, 1887, Mr. Bentley became a member of the Leffing- well Baptist Church in which he has held the office of church clerk.

On April 18, 1889, Mr. Bentley was married to Mary Rosabel Miller, a native of North Stonington, daughter of Oliver S. and Almira ( Eccleston ) Mil- ler. They have had children as follows: Charles Nathan, born Feb. 24, 1890; Edna Allifair, born May 7, 1891; Harold Williams, born March 20, 1893; Ellis Leonard, born May 19, 1894; Roscoe Lamont, born Dec. 4, 1895: Alvin, born Jan. 15. 1900, who died Jan. 29, 1900; and Charlotte Ruth, born Dec. 29, 1903.

BROWN. The earliest records of the Brown family, in the possession of the biographer, reach to the year of 1628, the date of the birth of one Thomas Brown. He married Mary Newhall, born in 1637, and while it has not been discovered where either birth took place, it has been proved that they were residents of Lynn, Mass., and were undoubt- edly of English origin. To Thomas and Mary Brown were born children, as follows: Thomas, born in Lynn, Mass., later removed to Stonington, Conn .; Mary, born Feb. 10, 1055. died May IS, 1662; Sarah, born Aug. 20, 1657, died April 2, 1062; Joseph, born Feb. 16, 1658; Sarah, born Sept. 13. 1660, died April 2, 1662; Jonathan, born April 12. 1662, died the same day : John was a resident of Stonington; Mary, born July 26, 1666; Jonathan, born Feb. 11, 1668; Eleazer, born Aug. 4. 1070. Ebenezer, born March 16, 1672, died in 1700 ; D.m- iel, born April 24, 1673: Ann and Grace (wills), born Feb. 4, 1674, died Feb. 7. 1074; and Daniel, born Feb. 1, 1676.

John Brown, seventh child of Thomas and Mary Brown, in 1602, married Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim and Hannah (Avery ) Mmer, and thes had children, as follows: John, born July, 1003. Jonathan, born March 15. 1005; Elizabeth, bem 1699; Hepzibah ; a son, born in 1701, died the same year; Ichabod, born March 12, 1701. Prudence. born April 28, 1707 : Jedediah, born April 25, 1,0, Mehitable, born in August, 1712, and Mary, bemn in August, 1716.

Jedediah Brown, son of John, married, Nov, 27, 1728, Abigail Holmes, who died June 0, 1737 He died Jan. 15, 1732. Their children won dialı (2), born March 11. 1729, And Lucien, En Oct. 20, 1730.

Jedediah Brown (2), som oi Jede hah, married. Dec. 19, 1751, Mrs. Annah Holmes, and O set Oct. 31, 1791. Their children were. Jegiah, born Dec. 17. 1752: Lagy, born Det. 28. 1754. Shubad, born Oct. 5. 1758. Kostel. bern 12 27. 1760; Taloo, born Det. 13. 1702: Alig, bri July 31, 1764 : Martha, bern Aug. 3. 1700, Thateller. born 1768: Ephraim, born Aug. 28, 1;70: apodDe- sire, born July 26. 1772.

Roswell Brown, son of Jedediah (2), warred Sept. 6. 1786, Esther, daughter of John aff Act) rah ( Randall) Williams. They had chiffres, Ci- rus Williams, born Nov. 30, 1788. Roswell (21. born March 13. 1790; Withan, born June 5. 1702; Elias W. born Aug. 18, 1704. and better, wr June 15. 1790.

Roswell Brown (2). son of Roswell, married April 7, 1814, his first cousin. Nancy Brown, born Ang. 14. 1790, daughter of Shuback and Lydla Pal mer) Brown, and they had children: Lucy Mary married (first ) William Burrow .. and (como) a Mr. Hull: Lydia Esther married Safron Haley. Jr. : Roswell 031 : and Spuback.

Roswell Brown 13), Son of Roswell (2). was born in 1821, at North Stomengter, Conn He mu ried. March 1. 1814, Katherine Chedamit daughter of Dann Chesbrough, a Ungol lumberman of breton She chief Maarde _8_ 1807. and he died Det. 20, 1800, Their chuthey will Roswell Ca, why the ad thirteen year. pel C., a farmer of Groth. com, why noting Soml Halstead, and has three sans. Resweb MP Drie 1. and James H .. Thanks, whey del af Infancy James Eldredge Frank . uol Roste F. at trm&m. Conn. Roswell Brown (31 Sport bis cott . Ideea farm, and received his education in the jubile schools in young manhand be spent 'wo ofers engaged in fishing nf sunthenry waters bitt of isti he started in the hver business at Miste

all the livery business, and operated a amis 'are ; Stonington to meet with the New boats, and carnel the mails for Maste He was so relible a chanter that that male at Millares would be placed in les temps Is the Strengthw

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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 211

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