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 212

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 212

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942

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

born Nov. 19, 1860, at Mystic, town of Groton, where he spent his early years, attending the public schools, the academy and the Mystic Valley Insti- tute. At the age of sixteen years he began to work at the livery business with his father, and in 1883, the firm of Roswell Brown & Son was formed. Upon the death of his father in 1896, the firm name was changed to that of James E. F. Brown. Mr. Brown now conducts the business, which is the oldest established one of its kind in the county. He has fine accommodations of every kind, main- tains an extensive hack, livery and boarding stable, and deals in carriages and vehicles of every kind, suitable to the seasons. The high reputation of his firm is fully sustained, and the traveling public has not been slow to appreciate his care for their com- fort and convenience.

Mr. Brown was married at Killingly, Conn., Oct. 20, 1888, to Mary S. Logee, and two children have been born to them: Frank Harris, born Aug. 20, 1890; and Albertus Bruce, born Dec. 18, 1893. Mr. Brown belongs to Stonington Lodge, I. O. O. F., and to the A. O. U. W., and the Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Brown is a member of Fanny Ledyard Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS (deceased), a highly esteemed resident and successful citizen of Lebanon, traced his ancestral line on the paternal side according to Miss Caulkins in her "History of New London," as follows :

"Thomas Williams appears in the plantation about 1670. He lived west of the river at or near Mohegan, and died Sept. 24, 1705. about sixty-one years of age. He left a widow, Joanna, and eleven children, between the ages of twelve and thirty- three years, and a grandchild who was heir of a deceased daughter. The sons were : John, Thomas ; Jonathan, William, Samuel and Ebenezer."

From this source came a numerous posterity in the town of Montville, many lines of which are rep- resented by honorable men and women throughout the country, especially in New England.

Allen (or Allyn) Williams, grandfather of William A., was a carpenter, and resided at Gales Ferry in the town of Ledyard. He was considered a most excellent workman, but died early in life, and was buried at Allyn's Point. He married Sus- annah Ormsley, who survived him, and died at Gales Ferry at the home of her son Daniel. The children born this worthy couple were: Daniel, who married Diana -, was a carpenter and resided at Gales Ferry, and dropped dead on the streets of New London : Dudley B. ; Allen was a tailor and located in the State of New York.

Dudley B. Williams, father of our subject, was born April 18, 1799, at Gales Ferry, Conn. He left home after the death of his father, which occurred when Dudley B. was but eleven years old. He was placed in a family at Waterford, Conn., and re-

mained there for a few years, and then went to Montville, and served an apprenticeship with Oliver Baker, a carpenter. Completing his time with Mr. Baker, he engaged as a journeyman in that trade, and resided for the remainder of his life at Mont- ville. For many years he was in the employ of the Uncas Manufacturing Co., and did all their repair and carpenter work. He also served in a like ca- pacity in the William G. Johnson dye mill. Being a natural mechanic, he could turn his hand to almost any kind of mechanical work. He remained at his occupation until a few years before his death, when he was compelled to give it up because of the in- firmities of old age, and he died July II, 1866, and was buried in the Comstock cemetery in Mont- ville. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Republican.

In Montville Dudley B. Williams married Fanny B. Lester, born in Montville, daughter of Daniels and Lucretia ( Brown) Lester, and she died in June, 185I, aged thirty-nine years. The children born to them were: Wiliam A. died in infancy ; Eliza L. died at the age of twenty-one years; William A. (2) : Daniel was a sailor on the Atlantic, and was last heard from in Texas many years ago ; John L. was a sailor in early life, and was a master of an ocean schooner at the age of nineteen years ; John L. had a very unusual experience, as he and thirty- six of his men were shipwrecked and cast ashore on Hurd Island in the Desolation group. For fifteen months they existed there and were finally rescued by a government expedition, only two of the crew having died during all those frightful privations. After this experience, he left the water and went to the mines of Colorado, and there died at the age of forty-nine years. He married Phebe Stoddard, and they had one child, Fanny V., who married Alfred Rogers, of Gales Ferry. Dudley B. Williams for his second wife married Mrs. Lucy ( Brown) Brown, widow of Seth Brown, and daughter of John Brown, and she died in 1899, aged one hundred and three years. No children were born of. this mar- riage.

Through his mother William A. Williams was a descendant of Andrew Lester.

(I) Andrew Lester appears first at Gloucester, Nass., where he was licensed Feb. 26, 1648, to keep a house of entertainment. His wife Barbara died Feb. 2, 1653-4. and her death is the first of a woman on record in New London, Conn., to which point the family had removed in 1651. His second wife, Joanna, was probably the daughter of Isaac Willey, and widow of Robert Hemstead, and she died prev- ious to 1660 without issue. His third wife Anna died in 1692. Mr. Lester was constable and col- lector in 1668, and he died June 7, 1669. Of his seven children, Daniel, Andrew, Mary and Anna were born to his first marriage, and lived in Glou- cester, where their births are recorded. The three born to his third marriage were: Timothy, Joseph and Benjamin.

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(II) Benjamin Lester was born about 1666, and he married Anna, daughter of Thomas Stedman and Hannah Isbell, and resided in New London. Mrs. Lester died Jan. 27, 1711, leaving nine sons and two daughters, only six of whom are found re- corded in New London, namely: Timothy, John, Ann, Benjamin, Isaac and Jonathan, all born be- tween 1695 and 1706.

(III) Timothy Lester, born June 22, 1695, mar- ried Aug. 31, 1719, Abigail Willoughby, and died previous to 1750. Three sons are found on record as the children of Timothy Lester, namely : Tim- othy, William and Nehemiah.

(IV) Timothy Lester (2) married, June 13, 1751, Mary Jones, who died June 15. 1755, and he married second, Zerviah Lester, daughter of Ben- jamin. His children by Mary were: William and Mary, and those by Zerviah were: Levi, Aug. 10. 1757 : Timothy and Zerviah (twins), Aug. 7. 1759: Mary, Sept. 3, 1763 ; and Hannah, Dec. 28, 1767.

(V) Levi Lester, born Aug. 10, 1757. married twice. On May 8, 1825, he wedded for his second wife Eunice Comstock. The first wife of Mr. Lester died in 1824, and from the fact that she was buried in the Fargo burying ground, it is reasonable to pre- sume she was a Fargo. Mr. Lester was engaged in the milling business. His death occurred Feb. 2, 1835. His children were : Daniels, born about 1784: Benjamin, born about 1786; Ezekiel; Lydia and Fanny.

(VI) Daniels Lester, the grandfather of Will- iam A. Williams, was born in Montville in 1784. and was brought up there. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in that town, his shop being located about one-half mile south of Uncasville, where he worked at his trade as long as his health would per- mit, although for many years he lived retired, on - ing to many infirmities of age. He was a birge man of powerful build, and capable of excenting a large amount of work. Owing to his thrift and good management he died in comfortable circune stances. His death occurred Ang. 10. 1856, and le was buried at Uncasville. On Nov. 30. 180%, he was married to Lucretia Brown, widow of Robert Brown, and daughter of John Brown. She survived her husband and died in Montville of old age. 11. children of this marriage were: Literetia, Dantel. who married a Miss Tracy and resided at Montville. where he farmed ; Mary, who married in middle lite Charles Comstock, and resided at Mentville, where in early life he was a fisherman and later , funnel Lydia, who was the first wife of Chaile stock ; John, who married Cisnla Hanulton Stad was a mechanic, residing in New London torn time, but who died in Brooklyn, N. Y .: The, vill married Wheeler Hamilton, a brother of U taille and a resident of Uncasville, and there did I ny, mother of our subject.

William A. Williams, the subject propet af review, was born April 9. 1831. in Montville whel attended the district schools imtil the age of skillet

years. He remainel at le me uti t _ as of bin - teen, when he began to learn the tra le if a car- penter under Richard Rogers, of New London. I- ing apprenticel for twoyears. receiving his hand and seventy-five dollars for the terms of service. As Mr. Williams inherited fromp both sides of the house mechanical genius in a parkI adegree, he had no difficulty in learning his trak. and as he devoted his time to his work, while the other ap - prentice were idling in the evening. Le mettre! the more skilled branches of the odling. auch as pattern making and stir building. completed his apprenticeship. he was while the t her il most excellent position m Contrat \Juge. wie town of Plainfield, where he reamed thean in- lars a month for his work, a very gre | story for one who had just completed LES supply. Later he was employed in Norwich. at this several years after his marriage. chiell tom bes about this time, he result I in Lolland com. in several years. From there he removid to WEn Rock in the town of Westerly. K . a. for there for two and one-half versand y ce coresbe so Ness London for a year, returning to Letyare ahre F. remained for six years, when he purposel & ia of thirty six deres at Nightic. in the Lyme, where he restled for i thirteen Asins. working at his trade in different places, while the Drie wie carried on by his family. Later Je disposeof the farm to parties who bought it tar a comp grimm for the Spiritualists, for which purpose - used ever since. From Nimic Lo que te Dec. 12. 1881, having purchased og Is a farm d eighty-four acres ( pon il . pregert created all the buildings except the Winter auf per barn. These buildings are todi's at slette! farm billings, andom their constructed Las an example, many of his neighbors are dewoning to follow, Honig so there she Mmede Is our

splendid one, then of09ared

944

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

continued to work at his trade, his sons carrying on the farm for a number of years, and among other things he was employed as a pattern maker for Smith, Winchester & Co., at South Windham. After 1897, however, Mr. Williams devoted his time and energies to the management of his farm, until his death, which occurred on Nov. 7, 1902, and his re- mains are interred in the cemetery at Montville.

On Sept. 23, 1855, he was married in Allyns Point, Conn., to Jane Stoddard, born July 1, 1837, a native of Allyns Point, daughter of Edmund and Lucy ( Allyn) Stoddard. Edmund Stoddard was a sea-faring man in early life, but later was foreman on the dock at Allyns Point, where his death oc- curred. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Will- iams are as follows : Eliza J., born Nov. 11, 1856, died June 22, 1858; William H., born Feb. 22, 1860, a blacksmith at Moosup, married Emilie Finne- more, and has had four children, three dying in infancy, and Ida Arline, living ; Lucie A., born Aug. 28, 1861, married George H. Hoxie, of Lebanon, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, and their chil. dren are,-George H., Allan W. and Wilton H .; John E., born April 16, 1864, married Margaret Crandall, and is a blacksmith at Moosup, Conn .; Dudley B., born March 18, 1866, and associated with his brothers in the blacksmithing business at Moosup, married Jennie A. Gallup, and they have had children, Harold G., Jennie A. and Lester G. (who died Feb. 12, 1903) ; Frank E., born March 6, 1870, is a contractor and stone cutter at Jewett City ; Charles P., born Nov. 18, 1873, a merchant at South Britian, Conn., married Abbie Evelyn Mitchell, and has children, Evelyn M., Roger P. and Winnifred ; Frederick D., born Dec. 20, 1874, married Mollie Hagar, and is a stone cutter of East Longmeadow, Mass. ; Arthur W., born June 19, 1877, a stone cutter at Westerly, R. I., married, Nov. 12, 1902, Julia Dart ; Jane S., born April 30, 1879.

In politics Mr. Williams was a Republican, but did not take any interest in local affairs, having all he could do to attend to his private interests, al- though he always voted for the candidates of his party. The family all attend the Congregational Church, in which they are prominent factors and liberal contributors. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Williams would be a credit to any parentage. The sons inherit their father's mechanical ability and they are all skilled and successful in their several chosen vocations. From the mother the children have all inherited a cheerful disposition, sweet- ness of temper and kindness of heart. She stands very high in the affections of her children, who look up to and revere the gentle lady who has been the centre of the home and pivot about which the hap- piness of the household revolves. A most excellent housekeeper and home maker, she has set an excep- tionally high standard of excellence in her own family and throughout the neighborhood, while her advocacy of the principles of morality and true Christianity, has had great weight in molding

the character of her children and their associates.

Mr. Williams was a self-made man in every sense of the word, and he set his aims high, and succeeded exceptionally well. His children have been reared to healthy, honorable manhood and womanhood, provided with the necessities of life, well equipped for the duties of life, and in addition he acquired his fine farm and made it into one of the most beautiful and comfortable of homes, and pro- vided for himself and wife a peaceful and happy old age by storing up a good competence. No little share of the praise due Mr. Williams must be at- tributed to the efforts of his noble wife, whose in- dustry has been that of a model house-wife, and has been fully equaled by her thrift and providence.

ISAAC MAIN. New London county, Conn., numbers among its residents many intelligent, pro- gressive and successful farmers, men who belong to old and honored families, and who are making this portion of the State noted for its position ag- riculturally. Among these may be mentioned Isaac Main, of North Stonington, a son of Prentice Main, the latter of whom was born in District No. 6 of North Stonington, where he lived all his life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Miner, was a daughter of Isaac Miner. Prentice Main was a successful man and excellent farmer, accumulating a large property. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church of North Stonington, in the work of which he took an active part. His family was as follows: One son that died in infancy ; Eunice Ann, deceased, who married John D. Babcock ; and Isaac, born June 8, 1833.

Isaac Main was born in District No. 6, of North Stonington, and was there educated in the district school. From infancy he resided upon the home farm in North Stonington, upon which he built his new home about ten years ago. His entire life has been spent here, where he is so honored and respected.

On July 31, 1877, Mr. Main married Betsey Ann, daughter of Amasa Main ; she was born April II, 1858, in Ledyard. Children were born to them as follows : Isaac, born July 6, 1878, resides in North Stonington ; he married Nellie J. Chapman, and they have a child, Dorothy Evelyn. Lucy M., born Oct. 18, 1879, died Aug. 22, 1883. Amasa M., born April 13, 1882, resides at Preston ; he married Nettie B. Benjamin, and has one child, Nettie Belle. James W., born June 19, 1883, died Aug. 23, 1883. Arthur P. born June II, 1885, died Oct. 15, 1885. Thurman P., born July 30, 1888, is now attending New London Business College. Jenny Lind was born April 19, 1891. Adlai E., born Aug. 18, 1892, died Nov. 23, 1893. Daisy G., born Oct. 8, 1894, died Dec. 3, 1894.

Mr. Main is a member of the Second Baptist Church of North Stonington. Both he and his ex- cellent wife are very active in the church, and popu- lar throughout the community in which they are so well and favorably known.

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

CHARLES R. HEATH, one of the well known and substantial citizens of Mystic in the town of Groton, and who for the past fifteen years has taken a most active part in educational matters, is a grandson of Gilbert Heath, who was a cooper by trade, and resided at Burnett's Corners, in the town of Groton. He was twice married; his first wife being Margaret Searles, and the second Mrs. Mar- tha ( Morse) Watrous.

Among the children of Gilbert Heath, by his first wife, was a son, Reuben Heath, who became the father of Charles R. Heath.

Reuben Heath was born Sept. 9, 1804, and died Nov. II, 1893, in the town of Groton. Like his father, he was a cooper by trade, and followed that calling in Groton and New London during his active life. In 1852, he came to Mystic, and was first selectman for several terms, member of the school committee of the fifth district of Groton, and was a Republican in politics. While residing in New London, he was a selectman, tax collector, and in Mystic he was the leading trial justice, and was very active during the Civil war. In religion he was a consistent member of the Methodist Church.

On June 12, 1825, Reuben Heath married Bet- sey Lamb, born Sept. 12, 1803, died March 27, 1850, the mother of children, as follows: Edwin E., born June 28, 1826, died in New London in 1895 ; Henry Gilbert, born Oct. 24, 1827, was a car- penter, later a farmer, residing at Hope Valley, R. I., and he died Oct. 30, 1895; Abby Ann, born Feb. 24, 1829, died unmarried in 1880; Johns, born Nov. 16, 1830, resided in Mystic where he died. On Oct. 15, 1850, Reuben Heath married (second ) Sarah D. Benjamin, of Preston, born April 17, 1821. who resides at Mystic. By his second marriage, he had two children: Charles R., born June 1, 1852: and Bessie B., born May 17, 1856, was married. April 30, 1883, to Charles Herbert Wolfe, and their one child, Bessie W., was born March 6, 1888.

Charles Reuben Heath, the subject proper of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in Mystic, at tending the public schools and academy, and was graduated from Brown University in the class of 1876, with the degree of A. B., in 1879 receiving the degree of A. M. For seven years, he taught school in Groton, two years of which he was an instructor in the high school of Mystic. The next two years he was at Noank, and for three years was at West Mystic, and during this time he also operated his farm. He has been secretary of the school board since 1891, and acting school visitor. For many years Mr. Heath has been a successful real estate agent, handling successfulh many pieces of valuable property. His farm is devoted to rats- ing cattle, for dairy purposes, and his product meets with ready sale.

On June 30, 1881, in Mystic, Mr. Heath was married to Miss Emeline Fish, daughter of Allen and Sally Ann ( Beebe ) Fish. Then children are

as follows: Harokl Beebe, Bessie Wolfe, Harriet Elizabeth and Raymond Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Heath are consistent members of the Union Baptist Church of Mystic.

WILLIAM H. BROWN, postmaster at Jewett City and the owner and operator of a first-class photographic studio, is one of that borough's prem- inent business men. Mr. Brown was born May to. 1853, at l'ackerville, Windham Co., Conn., a son vi Thomas and Mary Brown.

Thomas Brown, father of William H., was born in Rhode Island, where he was reared. In that he removed to Packerville and entered the mills there. where he became well and favorably known. His death occurred in 1890. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church. In politics he was a Repub- lican, but he never desired office. He married Mary Collins, a woman of Christian character, who still survives, at the age of seventy-four years. She, too, is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. The three children of this marriage were: Thomas. postmaster and merchant at Packerville ; Williamt H., and Mary E.

William H1. Brown was educated in the district schools of l'ackerville, and was seventeen years old when he entered a store at that place, as a clerk for J. Leaven's Sons, buying the establishment three years later. For a period of four years lie conducted the store successfully and then sold it to other parties and entered the employ of W. I. Kelley, at Versailles, and later at Dayville. It was in the latter village that he became interested in photography, experimenting first with a small camera. He found himself quite surprisuigh suc- cessful, and, thus encouraged, he made a study of photography and is now well known in that line of art all through this section. For a tune he owned photographie cars at Pawville and Wauregan, and later operated on appointed dass at Jewett ( ity and at Taitville, heating permanently at the former place 11 1890.

Mr. Brown has been an active politician for many years. For four years he served as post master under President Grant In luft, He, he was again appointed postmaster, this time at lewelt Lits, by the late lamented President Mendes, and was resappointed by the present Chief lavaltive. Mr. Brown was a stanch trient and a streife al- mirer of the late Congressman thatles Russell In CIVIC matters he has always takeu an active part. and has served two trung as member of the heart of burgesses of Jewels ties

At Packersile im Mar, 18-8 Me Home was united in marriage with lillian 51 Bennett Da was burn at Canterbury, Como, daughter of Res \ Il Bennett Ho tellen of l'or mumse are_ lillian Way, towers a teacher in the city 10w ile wteof R R Haderent Wcetmuster \'t

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Jewett City, and the Un- daunted, K. of P., also of Jewett City. The family is a leading one in the Baptist Church.

Mr. Brown's long connection with official life shows the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. His friends are numerous all over this section.

HENRY GARDNER, a representative of one of Montville's early settled families, and a success- ful farmer of his community, was born Feb. IO, 1832, in Norwich. He is a lineal descendant in the fifth generation, through John F., Lemuel and Jona- than, of Stephen Gardner, who was one of the early settlers of New London county, and who probably belonged to the Rhode Island Gardners.

There was a Stephen Gardner, born about 1677, a son of Benoni and Mary Gardiner, of Kingston, R. I., and grandson of George Gardiner, who had two wives, Herodias (Hicks) and Lydia (Ballou), and was a resident of Newport, R. I. George Gard- iner was admitted an inhabitant of the Island of Aquidneck in 1638, served as constable and senior sergeant in 1642, and as an ensign in 1644. Up- dike in his "History of the Narragansett Church" calls Benoni Gardiner (above mentioned) a son of Joseph Gardiner, the emigrant. The latter is said to be the founder of a family of distinction, and is called one of the first settlers of Narragansett.

(I) Stephen Gardner is first known in Mont- ville as a purchaser of a large tract of land near the "Great Pond," afterward and since known as Gard- ner's Lake, lying partly in Montville, partly in Boz- rah, and partly in Salem, Conn. On this land he settled and reared a large family of children. He married, about 1700, Amy Sherman, born Oct. 15, 1681, daughter of Benjamin Sherman and his wife Hannah Mowry, of Kingston, R. I. Very little is recorded relating to his characteristics, and there is little known of his personal history other than that he must have been a man of means. Neither his death nor that of his wife is on record. His chil- dren, all probably born in Montville, between 170I and 1724, were as follows: Amy, Lydia, Stephen, Benjamin, Peregrine, Daniel, Sarah, Hannah, Me- hitabel, Abigail, David and Jonathan.

Benjamin Sherman was a farmer in Portsmouth, R. I., and a land owner in Kingstown. He was a son of Hon. Philip Sherman, a native of Dedham, England, who in 1624 came to New England, set- tling first in Roxbury, and later in Portsmouth, R. I. On the establishment of government in 1639, Mr. Sherman became secretary under Gov. Cod- dington.

(II) Jonathan Gardner, born April 24, 1724, youngest child of Stephen and Amy (Sherman) Gardner, was a farmer. He lived near Bozrah, and died there Aug. 22, 1792. About 1752 he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Samson Haughton, and she died Feb. 29, 1760. He afterward married, about 1762, Abia, one of the twin daughters of Daniel and

Sarah (Sherwood) Fitch. By his first wife he had the following children: Amy, who married Jede- diah Lathrop ; Jonathan, who married Jerusha Hyde Stark; Mary, who married Elihu Avery ; and Lucy, who married George Bentley. By his second mar- riage his children were: Lemuel, who married Jemima Lathrop; and Sarah, who married Russell Leffingwell.

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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 212

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