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 3

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 3

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Senator Buckingham was especially remarkable for the symmetry of his constitution and character. In person, in bearing, in manners, in disposition, in intellect, in industry, in patience, in reserved energy, in the knowledge of affairs, in an affectionate and sympathizing nature, in scrupulous conscientious- ness, in fervent and enlightened religious feeling, he was harmoniously endowed and moulded into a rare example of human perfection. In his own home this example shone most brightly. To his friends he was frank and open-hearted. To the poor and friendless he was ever sympathizing and helpful. To his fellow-citizens he was the soul of probity and honor. To the community he was eminently public- spirited and generous. To the State and the coun- try he gave all that he was and all that he could perform. To God he gave a filial and trusting heart and an obedient and conscientious life, in which he followed his Great Master in meek and humble dis- cipleship.

A bronze statue of Governor Buckingham was unveiled in the State House at Hartford, Conn., on June 18, 1884.

His residence in Norwich-now known as "The Buckingham Memorial"-is owned and occupied by Sedgwick Post, No. I, Department of Connecticut, G. A. R., and also used by its affiliated organizations, the Womans Relief Corps and the Sons of Veterans, who cherish it and its historic associations (as also connected with visits from Lincoln, Grant and many other noted men), with the most scrupulous tender- ness. Upon his granite monument in Yantic ceme- tery, Norwich, is the following inscription :

WILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM, GOVERNOR OF CONN. 1858-1866.

U. S. SENATOR, 1869-1875.

HIS WILL WAS INFLEXIBLE ; HIS COURAGE DAUN' LESS ; HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY SUPREME ; HIS FAITH IN GOD ABSOLUTE.

The paternal lineage of Senator Buckingham as follows, the Roman characters indicating gener: tions :

(I) Thomas, the Puritan settler, and his wit Hannah. He came from England to Boston, 1637 New Haven, 1638; and Milford, 1639.

(II) Rev. Thomas and Hester (Hosmer). (III) Daniel and Sarah (Lee).

(IV) Daniel and Lydia (Lord).

(V) Samuel and Lydia (Watrous).

(VI) Deacon Samuel and Joanna (Matson).

BLACKSTONE. In the death of Hon. Lc renzo Blackstone, Norwich lost one of its leading an honored citizens and grand old men, one who, fo nearly one-third of a century, was identified wit the manufacturing interests of Connecticut.

Born in the town of Branford, New Haven Co Conn., June 21, 1819, he was a descendant in th seventh generation from Rev. William Blackstone The latter was a graduate in 1617 of Emanuel Col lege, Cambridge, England. He received ordination in that country after graduation, but soon becam of the Puritan persuasion, left his native country of account of his non-conformity, and became the firs white settler on the neck of land opposite Charles town, which is now the city of Boston. Upon hi invitation the principal part of the Massachusett Colony removed from Charlestown and founded th city of Boston on land Mr. Blackstone desired then to occupy. Rev. Mr. Blackstone was the first in habitant of Boston, and the first man admitted a free man of that town. Soon after 1635 he removed to Rhode Island, residing near Providence until his death, which occurred May 26, 1675. He was a religious man with literary tastes, of correct, indus trious, thrifty habits, and of kind and philanthropid feelings. He married, in July, 1659, widow Saral Stephenson. From this immigrant settler, Rev William Blackstone, the late Lorenzo Blackstone's lineage is through John, John (2), John (3), Tim- othy and James Blackstone.

(II) John Blackstone, only son of Rev. Will- iam, married in 1692, and about 1713 removed to Branford, Connecticut.

(III) John Blackstone (2), son of John, born ir. 1699, married and died in Branford, passing away Jan. 3, 1785, aged nearly eighty-six years.

(IV) John Blackstone (3), son of Jolın (2) born in 1731, in Branford, died Aug. 10, 1816, aged eighty-five years.

(V) Timothy Blackstone, son of John (3), born

Blackstone

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1 1766, in Branford, died there in 1849, when ity-three years of age.

(VI) James Blackstone, son of Timothy, and ffier of Lorenzo, was reared on the homestead ich had been occupied by five generations of the lily, all of whom possessed the traits of char- der of the immigrant ancestor-industry, modesty i marked executive ability. Like his forefathers, nes Blackstone was a farmer. At the age of wenty he was chosen captain of a company of Con- ticut militia, and was in command of same for eral months while serving as coast guard during war of 1812. He was chosen to a number of vn offices, serving as assessor and selectman ; was veral times a representative from his town in the neral Assembly of the State; and in 1842 was a mber of the State Senate from his district. His litical affiliations were with the old Federal and hig parties, and later with the Republican party. man of fine intellect and good judgment, his unsel and advice were sought by persons of Bran- rd and other towns. He was a man of character d remarkable ability, and "if his tastes had led n to a larger place for the exercise of his ability field would have been so large that he would not ve been a leader among men." Mr. Blackstone as a cousin in the fifth degree to Sir William ackstone, the great authority upon the common law England, and the portraits of the two men bear marked family resemblance. Mr. Blackstone's eful life of prominent citizenship covered only a tle less than a century, for he lived to the re- arkable age of ninety-three years, dying Feb. 4, 386, in Branford; he was buried in the beautiful metery of that town.

Mr. Blackstone married Lucy Beach, of Bran- rd, Conn., and six children were born to this ion: (I) George died unmarried in 1861. (2) Lary died May 10, 1900. She married Samuel O. lant, and resided in Branford with her daughter, llen Plant. Her grandchildren through her daugh- r, Sarah, are William L., Paul W., and Gertrude [arrison. (3) Lorenzo is mentioned below. (4) llen married Henry B. Plant, late of New York ity, who died in 1900. She died in 1861, leaving ne son, Morton L. Plant, who married and has one on, Henry B. Plant. (5) John died some years go, leaving three children, George, Adelaide and Irs. Emma Pond. (6) Timothy B. is mentioned elow.

TIMOTHY B. BLACKSTONE, the youngest son of he above family, was born in Branford in 1829. n 1868 he married Miss Isabella F. Norton, of Nor- vich, Conn., who was a descendant of early Con- lecticut settlers. After his marriage his home up o the time of his death, which occurred May 26, '900, was at No. 252 Michigan avenue, Chicago, Ill. He left the East nearly fifty years ago. For more han thirty years he managed with consummate skill the affairs of the most successful of all the great

railways of the West, and was best known as presi- dent of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company.

Timothy B. Blackstone was the donor of the handsome and costly library at Branford, Conn., which is styled "The James Blackstone Memorial Library." This building he had erected, and pro- vided an endowment for the maintenance of the library, in memory of his father. The library build- ing is one of imposing beauty, standing on high ground in the main street of the town. It is designed in the purest Grecian Ionic style, the architectural details being taken from the beautiful Erechtheum of the Athenian Acropolis ; it is constructed of Tennes- see marble of a very light tone. The public exercises of dedication were held in the building June 17, 1896, and the building was thereafter open for use. In June, 1901, the library contained 11,800 books. Over a hundred periodicals are taken for the main reading room, and twelve for a branch library which was opened in Stony Creek in February, 1900. Surely the people of Branford have reason to rejoice that James Blackstone lived there and gave to them a son whose affection for his native town, and filial devotion to his father's memory, led him to place there this enduring monument of architectural beauty.

HON. LORENZO BLACKSTONE was born in Bran- ford, Conn., June 21, 1819. His boyhood was spent in his native town, where he attended the district school and the academy. Early in life young Black- stone had inclination for business activity, and spent some time in clerical and practical business work. In 1842, when but twenty-three years of age, he concluded to go into business for himself. Going to Liverpool, England, he there established an agency and commission house for the sale of American mer- chandise. In this line of business he was a pioneer. Taking into consideration his years and the business ability requisite in such an undertaking, its success from the first only reflects great credit upon him. He entered into the business with energy and persever- ance, and it rapidly increased until he had branches in London and Manchester, and his transactions reached every part of Great Britain, even extending to the continent and Australia. Some few years later he added to the business the sale of rubber over- shoes, and was the first to introduce the Goodyear rubber goods into Great Britain. He had built up a large trade in this particular line of business when he was notified by Charles Mackintosh & Co., the great rubber manufacturers of Manchester, that he was infringing on their rights as owners of the patents of Thomas Hancock, who was in litigation with Charles Goodyear. It was at this time that the characteristic foresight and business tact of Lorenzo Blackstone came prominently to the front. He at once entered into an arrangement with Messrs. Mackintosh & Co., which gave him the exclusive right to sell rubber boots and shoes in every part of Great Britain, thus at the same time securing

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

himself against the competition of American manu- facturers and their English agents. For a time he purchased goods indiscriminately of various Ameri- can companies, but in 1846 he began to sell the goods of the Hayward Rubber Company, of Colchester, Conn., in which concern he was later extensively interested. The sales of rubber boots and shoes through Mr. Blackstone's agencies amounted to sev- eral hundred thousand dollars per year. Mr. Black- stone continued in this business until 1855, when he returned to Branford, Conn. His house, however, continued the business with its branches in England until about 1859.

Lorenzo Blackstone's intimate relations with his brothers-in-law, the Messrs. Norton, who were prominent merchants in Norwich, Gov. Bucking- ham, and other officers of the Hayward Rubber Company, resident in Norwich, were instrumental in causing him to select Norwich as a place of resi- dence. In 1857 he removed there, intending to re- tire from business, and he built the mansion on Washington street where he resided until his death. However, his intention of retiring from business was never carried out, as inactivity was impossible to a man of such busy instincts, so full of varied inter- ests. As a successful business man, active, far- seeing, energetic and public-spirited, he became and remained a progressive capitalist, as such contribut- ing much toward the development and wealth of his adopted city.

In 1859 Mr. Blackstone built the Attawaugan Mills, at Dayville, and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1865 he purchased the Leon- ard Ballou Mill property, at Dayville, and erected a new mill. Both of these mills were subsequently enlarged, and have since been successfully and profitably operated by the Attawaugan Manufactur- ing Company. He purchased, in 1870, the Totoket Mills, at Occum, which were formerly utilized in the manufacture of woolen goods, and converted them into cotton mills. In 1877 the company added to their already extensive mill property, erecting the Pequot Mills, at Montville. As a promoter of cot- ton mill industries and a manufacturer of cotton goods Mr. Blackstone's efforts were crowned with the same signal success that attended his earlier career in other business lines.

Mr. Blackstone was greatly interested in the wel- fare of his adopted city, and was a most busy man. He was ever a most useful one, and in various ca- pacities performed the duties of good citizenship with that grace and dignity characteristic of the man. Possessed of wealth, he was largely interested in many corporations and enterprises. He was a director and one of the executive committee of the Ponemah Manufacturing Company of Norwich, one of the largest cotton manufacturing companies of New England; was a director in the Thames National Bank ; and for thirty years was the presi- dent of the Chelsea Savings Bank. He was for some years a member of the board of trustees of

the Norwich Free Academy. He served for a nu ber of years as a member of the common council Norwich ; served four years ( 1866-1870) as the hc orable mayor of the city; represented Norwich the General Assembly of Connecticut in 1871 ; a in 1878-79 represented his district in the State Se ate. Mr. Blackstone was largely interested in We ern railways, and was a director in the Chicago Alton Railway Company, of which his brother w the president. Himself a man of great ability a achievement, he was a member of a great fami. as one readily sees by reading between the lines the foregoing family sketch. In every particular life he proved capable and efficient, and was highly esteemed for his private virtues as for l- superior business qualifications and public service.

Mr. Blackstone was married in October, 184 in Branford, to Emily Norton, a native of Bra ford, daughter of the late Capt. Norton, and sist of the late Henry B. Norton, of Norwich. Six ch. dren blessed this union, three of whom were born England : (1) James De Trafford married Lillia Osburn, and left one son, Lorenzo, who married Miss Caruthers, and lives in Norwich. (2) Harri B. married F. S. Camp, and has three children, Wa ter Trumbull, Talcott Hale and Elizabeth Norto (3) Ella F. married F. J. Huntington, and resid. abroad. (4) William Norton is mentioned below (5) Mary Elizabeth died in 1861. (6) Louis L. mentioned below. The mother of this family passe, away Oct. 1, 1896, and was laid to rest in the Yal tic cemetery.

WILLIAM NORTON BLACKSTONE, son of Ho Lorenzo, is one of the leading manufacturers ( Norwich, and a worthy successor to his father. H was born in the city of Norwich, Sept. 1, 1857, wa educated in the public schools of his native cit and finished at the Free Academy of Norwich After leaving school he entered the employ of h: father, where he learned the business in detail, an at the death of the latter he became the head of th business, which he has continued ever since wit uniform success. He has also been prominentì identified with banking interests, being a director ( the Chelsea Savings Bank and of the Thames Na tional Bank, and was president of the Uncas National Bank for a number of years until he resigned, i January, 1903. In 1903 he was elected vice-pres dent of the Thames National Bank. Mr. Black stone is also interested in other enterprises, and i noted for his honorable standing among his busines associates. He takes no part in politics, only doin his duty as a citizen by voting for the candidates c his choice. He is a stanch supporter of the polic of the Republican party. In his religious connectio he is a member of the Park Congregational Church His home on Washington street, one of the finest i Norwich, was remodeled a few years ago under hi supervision.

Mr. Blackstone was married in New York, i: June, 1883, to Julia Squire, a daughter of Louis L

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

uire, of New York, and a descendant of an old anford family.

LOUIS LORENZO BLACKSTONE, youngest son of · late Hon. Lorenzo Blackstone, was born in Nor- ch, March 17, 1861. He received his early edu- ion in his native city, attending the public schools 1 the Free Academy, and later was a pupil at the unnery," Washington, Conn. His school days er, he entered the manufacturing business under father, and for several years held a responsible sition with the Attawaugan Company, proving nself a capable and reliable business man. He ffered much for several years before his death, sich was quite sudden-in December, 1891. His nains rest in the family lot in the Yantic cemetery Norwich.

On Nov. 19, 1887, Mr. Blackstone was married, Christ Episcopal Church, Norwich, to Grace 'entice Webb, who was born in Norwich, daugh- of Julius and Martha (Thompson) Webb, the rmer of whom is deceased. Two children, Justine d Phyllis, came to this union. Mrs. Blackstone id her children are members of Christ Episcopal hurch, Norwich, which Mr. Blackstone also at- nded. He was a Republican in political senti- ent.

HON. AMOS W. PRENTICE, late of Nor- ich. In every community, large or small, there are few men who by their force of character are intui- vely recognized as leaders, men who are success- il in their business undertakings, generous and ir in their relations with others, and who perceive id warmly advocate those measures which insure le public well-being. In the city of Norwich there no name better known than that of the gentleman hose name appears at the opening of this sketch. fe was intimately associated with those enterprises rough which the city has attained a higher and roader life. He aided or led in every movement or the public good, and as a merchant and banker, s well as popular and eminent citizen, he was prom- ient in its material growth.

Mr. Prentice was a native of what is now the own of Griswold, Conn., born Dec. 20, 1816, a son f Amos and Lucy (Wylie) Prentice, and a de- cendant in the eighth generation from Capt. Thomas Prentice, of Cambridge, Mass., his lineage being through Thomas (2), Samuel, Joseph, Eleazer, John and Amos Prentice.

(I) Capt. Thomas Prentice, born in England in 621, appears early at Cambridge, Mass., the birth of two of his children being of record there in 1650. The family lived in the eastern part of Cambridge village and later in Newtown, Mass., where Mr. Prentice died July 6, 1710. He was appointed cap- ain of the troop of horse in the Indian war, June 24, 1675. The Christian name of his wife was Grace. She and their eldest child accompanied Mr. Pren- tice to this country. Their children were: Grace, baptized in England in 1648; Thomas, born in

1649 ; Elizabeth, baptized Jan. 22, 1650; Mary, born in 1652; John, baptized in 1653; and Hannah, born in 1661. The mother, Grace, died Oct. 9, 1692.

(II) Thomas Prentice (2), born in 1649, mar- ried March 20, 1675, Sarah, daughter of Capt. Thomas and Ann (Lord) Stanton. Mr. Prentice (lied April 19, 16-5, and his widow married (sec- ond) Capt. William Denison, and died in 1713. Children : Thomas, born Jan. 13, 1676; Grace, 1678; Samuel, about 1680; and John, 1682.

(III) Samuel Prentice, born about 1680, mar- ried Esther, daughter of Nathaniel Hammond, of Newtown, Mass. Before 1700 Mr. Prentice owned a large tract of land in Stonington, Conn., and went there to live not far from 1709. His children were : Samuel, born Nov. 25, 1702; Joseph, Jan. 26, 1704; Grace, Jan. 16, 1705 ; Mary, April 12, 1708; Jonas, Sept. 28, 1710; Esther, Dec. 12, 1713 ; Eunice, Dec. 8, 1717; Thomas, Oct. 25, 1719; Oliver, Oct. 25, 1720; Dorothy, Dec. 13, 1723, and Lucy, May 20, 1727.

(IV) Joseph Prentice, born Jan. 26, 1704, in Newtown, Mass., married Nov. 10, 1725, Mary Wheeler. Their children were: Joseph, born Aug. 24, 1727 ; Priscilla, Jan. 20, 1729 ; Eleazer, Sept. 28, 1735 ; Elisha, Jan. 1, 1737 ; Jonathan, May 28, 1740; Mary, June 19, 174 -; Hannah, March 7, 1747 ; and Manassah and Ephraim (twins), July 22, 1749.

(V) Eleazer Prentice, born Sept. 28, 1735, in Preston, Conn., married there, Oct. 19, 1757, Sarah, daughter of John Stanton (3), of Preston. She died in December, 1805, aged seventy years. Their children were: Sarah, born March 8, 1759; Lucy, March 27, 1761 ; Olive, Oct. 9, 1763 ; John, Sept. I, 1766; Desire, June 16, 1771 ; Nathan, Aug. 4, 1773 ; and Rufus, Dec. 24, 1776.

(VI) John Prentice, born Sept. 1, 1766, married Dec. 25, 1791, Betsey Cleft, and resided in Preston, Conn. Their children were: Amos, born Aug. 5, 1792; Sally, May 21, 1794; Frederick, May 14, 1796; John, Nov. 28, 1800; Charlotte, Oct. 26, 1802; Betsey C., April 15, 1805: William C., March 6, 1807; Frances H., March 5, 1809; and Caroline A., March 12, 1812.

(VII) Amos Prentice, born Aug. 5, 1792, was a farmer, and resided in Griswold, Conn. He mar- ried Jan. 16, 1816, Lucy Wylie, and their children were: Amos W., born Dec. 20, 1816, and Samuel T., born Jan. 9, 1820. The latter served in the Civil war, and died in New York.

Amos W. Prentice, the subject proper of this article, was but a small boy when his father died, and when about seven years old, in 1823, came to Norwich and made his home with his uncle, Freder- ick Prentice, who resided there. He received some- what meagre educational advantages, but improved every opportunity. When a boy he was a clerk in the store of William A. Buckingham, and in 1831 he entered the hardware store on Water street kept by Joseph and John Breed. This business was founded in 1764 by Gershom Breed, who was suc-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ceeded by Jesse and Simon Breed, and they in turn by Joseph and John Breed. Mr. Prentice proved to be industrious and competent, and in 1840 was ad- mitted to membership in the firm, the name being changed to John Breed & Co. After the death of Mr. Breed Mr. Prentice became the senior partner, and in 1864 the firm name became A. W. Prentice & Co. Mr. Prentice continued in active business until 1889, when he retired, and the firm was changed to Eaton, Chase & Co. Mr. Prentice's career as an active business man covered a period of fifty-seven years. Such a record is seldom equalled, and is one of which any man might well feel proud.

Being public-spirited and progressive, and de- siring to see Norwich advance, Mr. Prentice took a deep interest in public affairs early in life. In poli- tics he was an old-time Whig, and, after the exit of that party, a stanch Republican. In 1854 he repre- sented the Eighth District in the State Senate, among his colleagues in that body being James Dixon, of Hartford (afterward a United States senator), Henry B. Harrison (afterward governor), of New Haven, and ex-Gov. William T. Minor, of Stamford. From 1858 to 1860 he was mayor of the city, and in 1877 he represented the town in the State Legislature in company with the late Horace Whita- ker. Besides being mayor he was a member of the court of common council for a period of ten years. He possessed rare ability as a presiding officer and often guided the deliberations at town and city meet- ings. He sometimes served on commissions to settle disputes and questions, and never failed to give satisfaction. Mr. Prentice did not seek prominence at the hands of his fellow citizens, for in his case it can be truthfully said the office sought the man. He was always fair in politics, and never tried to force his political opinions on any one. Mr. Prentice always took a deep interest in religious matters and in 1842 aided in organizing the Broadway Congre- gational Church, of which he served as clerk and member of the Society's committee. In 1875 he suc- ceeded the late Governor Buckingham as deacon of the church. He was a liberal contributor to all kinds of religious work. Mr. Prentice was a trustee of the Free Academy for many years and always at- tended the graduating exercises. In him education always had a firm friend.

Mr. Prentice occupied a prominent and enviable position in business circles. For many years he was a director of Norwich Savings Society, one of the largest and oldest institutions of its kind in the State, succeeding the late Franklin Nichols as presi- dent on Nov. 15, 1890. He was a director of the First National Bank and also of the Richmond Stove Company, and also held other positions of trust. He was one of the very first in New England to suggest the name of Abraham Lincoln for the office of Presi- dent of the United States, doing this in a public meeting when Mr. Lincoln was just beginning to gain fame. Before and during the Civil war, when meetings were held in Norwich to discuss the ways

and means of helping the soldiers and Union, Mr Prentice almost invariably presided at such meetings and no man in Norwich did more than he for the cause. During the dark days of the war he wa: Gov. Buckingham's true friend and adviser, and dic all in his power to aid the cause of the Union and assist the soldiers.

Amos W. Prentice was easily the ideal citizen of Norwich. He was the soul of honor, and enjoyed the full confidence of the people of this vicinity He possessed a broad mind and a kindly disposition and was charitable to all in need. One of the best testimonials to his high character is that during all his years in business those in his employ held him in high esteem, and the best of feeling prevailed between employer and employe. His family rela- tions were happy. His death occurred after a short illness, on Dec. 14, 1894, and he is buried in Yantic cemetery, at Norwich.

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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 3

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