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 59

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 59

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A local paper editorially said : "The late r. D. Whittlesey was a gentleman." Mr. Whit sey's death occurred very suddenly, April 15,1895. While walking slowly up State street, he statered and fell forward on his face on the sidvalk. Friends hurried to his prostrate form, and t lerly raised him in their arms, but he never spoke gain. When the news spread expressions of regi and

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ly for his family were heard on every side, sudden taking away was greatly lamented out this part of the State.

C| May 23, 1861, Mr. Whittlesey was married o M Betsey Ingham Loomis, who was born 20, 1839, daughter of Hon. Francis B. Loo-

Iarc nis, : 1 she survives him. They had no children.

F. INK W. HEWES, M. D., is a leading phy- ¿ Groton, where he has built up a large and ul practice. Dr. Hewes is a native of South d, Vt., and a son of Freeman Stark and

ician ucce: Straff Roxall Lydia (Carr) Hewes. Moody Hewes, is g: idfather, was a resident of Lyme, N. H., vhere e was engaged in farming, as well as con- ractil and building. He married Lydia Chapin, of tha own.

Fr nan Stark Hewes was born Sept. 14, 1832, nd spet his school days at Lyme, N. H., the town wherete was born. He learned the carpenter's rade & Lyme, and engaged with his father in con- ractin and building. In 1861 he removed to rafford, Vt., and there engaged in farm- balance of his life. He died there July South ng th 3, 19 He was a genial man, one who made hany ends, who were ever stanch, and he had o enenes. A stanch Democrat in politics, he was ppose to the Civil war. In religious connection e was lewes ydia r of F the ·side member of the Universalist Society. Mr. as married, at Orford, N. H., to Roxanna rr, a native of Enfield, that State, daugh- zen Carr. Mrs. Hewes died July 22, 1903, ne of her son, at Groton, and was buried r husband at South Strafford, Vt. To

r. an Mrs. Hewes came two children: William allaceborn in 1860, who died March 4, 1899, at

outh afford, where he followed the occupation farm ; and Frank William, born April 14, 1866. Frar

W. Hewes spent his early school days Sout Strafford and for two years was a student The rd (Vt.) Academy. He also attended ddar Seminary, at Barre, Vt., graduating there- m in ne class of 1889. He went to work for creta1 of War Proctor, at Proctor, Vt., in the rks of he Vermont Marble Company, for a year, l in : iversı duato the F rk Ci

I entered the Medical Department of the of Vermont, from which institution he with the class of 1894. He then attend- t-Graduate School and Hospital of New and in May, 1895, he came to Groton, re h has since engaged in practice. During Spar h war he was the contract surgeon for tery

wold

Ist Connecticut Heavy Artillery, at Fort and he is at present coroner's medical nine1 or the town of Groton, and health offi- of tl borough of Groton. The Doctor is a the County and City Medical societies, ber whil it the University of Vermont he was a iber the Delta Mu medical fraternity. Fra- ally is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 54, A. M of South Strafford, Vt. ; of Union Chap-

ter, No. 7, R. A. M .; and of Palestine Command- ery, No. 6, Knights Templar, at New London. He is also a member of Fairview Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F., at Groton.

On April 30, 1896, Dr. Hewes was married to Miss Nettie Mae Ludwig, of New York City, and they have had three children: Florence Louise, born Aug. 21, 1897, died July 26, 1898; Frank W., Jr., born Aug. 24, 1899; and Carlisle Tyson, born April 22, 1904. While at the University of Ver- mont Dr. Hewes was very much interested in ath- letics and took a leading part in such affairs. He was a member of the 'varsity base ball team, and is an enthusiast over the great national game.

JOHN MAXON RICHMOND, in his life time one of Preston's well-to-do citizens, is now worthily represented by his sons, who are substantial farmers there. The family of Richmond is an old one in America, being founded here by

(I) John Richmond, born in 1594, who came to America from Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, England, probably leaving the latter country about 1635. He was one of the first purchasers of Taunton in 1637. Without doubt he was married before coming to the New World, but of his wife, his marriage, etc., there seems to be nothing known. Mr. Richmond was away from Taunton much of the time, as through the records he is known to have been at Newport and other places, but he eventually returned to Taunton, and there he died March 20, 1664, at the age of seventy years. He was a large landholder, and for the times, quite wealthy. At his death he was one of the oldest men in Taunton. His children were: John, born about 1627; Edward, born about 1632; Sarah, born about 1638; and Mary, born about 1639.

(II) Edward Richmond, born about 1632, and probably before his father came to America, married (first) Abigail, daughter of James Davis, and (sec- ond) Amy Bull, daughter of Gov. Henry and Eliza- beth Bull. Mr. Richmond was a refined and edu- cated gentleman, and he was interested in the pur- chases of extensive tracts of land from the In- dians, both in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He is frequently mentioned in Colonial records. He was one of the incorporators of Little Compton, R. I. His death occurred in November, 1696. His children were: Abigail, born in 1656; Edward, born in 1658; John, born about 1660; Elizabeth, born Dec. 6, 1666; Mary, born in 1668; Esther born in 1669; Sylvester, born in 1672; and Sarah (all born of the first marriage) ; Henry and Ann, both born in Little Compton, Rhode Island.

(III) John Richmond, born about 1660, in New- port, R. I., married Elizabeth, whose surname is 1111- known. Mr. Richmond solemnized marriages in Westerly in 1732. He was admitted a freeman May I, 1716, and was a deputy for Westerly in 1729. His death occurred in 1740. His children born in King's- town (Westerly) were: Cyrus, Abigail, Sarah,

ymp nd hrou

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Stephen, Ann, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Esther, Content and Priscilla.

(IV) Stephen Richmond, born Oct. 3, 1704, in Kingstown, R. I., married Mary Lawton, born Sept. 23, 1703, of Newport and Seaconnet, R. I. Mr Richmond was a Quaker preacher, and settled in Newport, R. I., later removing to Richmond, R. I., the latter town being named for him. He was ad- mitted a freeman of Westerly, R. I., in February, 1729-30, and he served as a deputy in 1756. At the first town meeting in Richmond he and James Adams were appointed to receive the votes. He was rate maker and moderator in 1749; president of the town council in 1749 and 1750, and held other offices. He owned 215 acres of land in the west part of Exeter, about one-half of Fisher's Island, and the Watch Hill farm in Westerly, R. I. He died June 26, 1787, and his widow passed away Feb. 16, 1793. Their children were: John, born Aug. 1, 1728; Mary, born April 4, 1731; John (2), born Feb. 24, 1733; Elizabeth, born April 21, 1735; Adam, born March 24, 1737; Rebecca, born March 17, 1739; Content, born June 22, 1741 ; Stephen ; Edward, born Dec. 15, 1746; and Anne, born June 8, 1750. Of these, Edward and Anne were born in Richmond, and the others in Westerly.

(V) Stephen Richmond, born in Westerly, R. I., married Lucy Mowry, of Exeter, daughter of Sarah Mowry; she died Feb. 17, 1825. Mr. Rich- mond was a Quaker in religion, and a leather mer- chant by occupation. He died Dec. 12, 1797, in the town of Exeter. His children were: Elizabeth, born in 1771-2; Stephen, born Jan. 20, 1775 ; John, born Dec. 25, 1777; Edward, born in 1780 ; Robert, born in 1782-3; Benjamin, born May, 1785; Sarah, born Oct., 1789; a son unnamed who died in in- fancy ; and Lucy, born Dec. 14, 1793.

(VI) John Richmond, born Dec. 25, 1777, in Exeter, R. I., married, March 22, 1801, Polly, daughter of George Maxson (modern spelling is Maxon) of Hopkinton, R. I .; she was born Feb. 21, 1783, and died Jan. 5, 1857. Mr. Richmond lived in Exeter, owning there 157 acres of land. For some fourteen years he was a justice of the peace, and for several years constable. His children were: Susan- nah, born March 22, 1802; Sarah, born Feb. IO, 1804; Stephen Hazard, born Dec. 7, 1805; John Maxson, born Dec. 25, 1808; Mary, born Jan. 30, 18II; George W., born April 8, 1813; Robert Haz- ard, born March 9, 1815; Nancy, born June 15, 1817; Lucy, born Nov. 20, 1819; and Almira, born Aug. 20, 182I.

John Maxson Richmond was born Dec. 25, 1808, and died in Preston, Conn., Dec. 13, 1876, aged sixty-eight years. For several years in his young manhood he was engaged in farming in Exeter, R. I., and in 1835 he removed to Preston, Conn., where he leased a farm in the northern part of the town, remaining there one year. He then leased a farm on Broad Brook in Preston, where he lived for sev-

eral years, and then purchased it, having alut 117 acres, to which he later added land purchase from the late Andrew Frink, also purchasing otl t land until at one time he owned four fine farmyall in the town of Preston. He was straightforw.1 and conscientious in his dealings, and being natu fly in- dustrious and frugal, he accumulated a constrable property, and became one of the wealthy me of the town. He voted the Democratic ticket, but hld in no sense be called a politician. Besides his he also engaged to some extent in cattle tising, ming Until keeping at times from thirty to forty head within a few years of his death he enjoys good health and was capable of accomplishing an amount of hard work. usual

In 1832 Mr. Richmond was united in r riage with Emily Frink, who was born in Preston hugh- ter of Rufus and Polly (Smith) Frink. St died Aug. 16, 1899, at the home of her son, Gge J. The children born of this marriage were: porge John, born Jan. 14, 1833; Mary Ann, who (21 un- married at the age of sixty-one; Henry Alfr born April 2, 1839; Albert Ephraim, born July 2.1841; and Harriet Jane, who married George Oliv Mal- loy, of Preston.

GEORGE JOHN RICHMOND, born Jan. I. 1833, in Exeter, R. I., came to Preston, Conn., "în his parents when about two years of age. He anded the district schools of Preston, and later one I'm at a select school in Preston City. Leaving the chool room at the age of seventeen, he began fari g on the home farm under the guidance of his fath dur- ing which time he developed a remarkable bility for the training of young steers, in which hi father was at one time an extensive dealer. At thege of twenty-one he began work on his own accot, by working at farm work by the month in Pres- ton and Franklin. He was a good zork- man, never afraid of anything that 1 to his lot, and he was able to commandgood wages, which he carefully saved toward t | time when he could have his own farm. At the id of two years he took one of his father's farms here he now lives, on shares, continuing to cultiva it on those terms for several years, later renting out- right. After living there for about ten years |pur- chased the place, and has continued to mak't his home, meeting with great success in his chose vork. He now owns the home farm. In his politi he is a stanch Republican, and while he has ser 1 his town most efficiently as road surveyor, he n by no means be called an office seeker. His "e, in her maidenhood, was Miss Mary Janette Wit, of Westerly, R. I. They have no children.

HENRY ALFRED RICHMOND was born Fil 2, 1839, in Preston, and he received his educa pn in the Brown District school, and at a select scol in Preston City. At the age of eighteen he : the school room, and began active work on th 1ome farm, where he remained until his marriage when

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

puil ased one of his father's farms, containing ads, and there he has since resided with the of the time intervening between the death cept his

st wife and his second marriage, when he rkedin the homestead farm for his father. After sec 1 th 1e. d marriage he returned to his own farm, has continued to be his home to the present sides general farming, in which he is more n NS, s his d he s hel ng j ard narily successful, he keeps about fifteen ing the milk to the Jewett City Creamery. itical views Mr. Richmond is a Democrat, s taken an active part in public affairs, and vith credit a number of offices, among them ice of the peace, assessor, member of the relief, and grand juror, while in 1883 rep ented his town in the General Assembly,

ere 1 served with distinction on the committee Agri nney, . (Ph Iture. Mr. Richmond's first wife, Juliette Voluntown, daughter of Samuel and Ly- ps) Kinney, died Feb. 14, 1868, in Pres- g a daughter, Emma, who died when one

1, leav ek ol d Lu

On Jan. 31, 1871, Mr. Richmond mar- Ellen Richardson, daughter of William Ann (Dawley) Richardson, of North . Twelve children have been born of this icy Emily, who married Byron Young, n Griswold; Juliette, who was educated and Norwich, and is now teaching in town of Griswold; Ida F., who married ert unders, a merchant in Windsorville, in .; J

now engaged as a merchant in Jewett : Wi

who

um R., who was educated in Preston and Norv

h Business College, and has been en- d in

ching ; Mary D., who attended school in ton a at the Willimantic State Normal, and is teac ng in Glasgo, Conn .; Minnie Belle, was student in the Preston school, and is a

ler ii he Bethel district, town of Griswold ; H., ucated in Preston and Jewett City, who w a tycher in Preston ; Harold A., a student in Norw Free Academy ; and Ernest A., who is atten ig the Preston schools. With the ex- n of e two last named, all of the others have enga 1 in teaching at some time. Mr. Rich- and lis family are all connected with the 1 M

odist Church, of which he has been stew- nd t ie lat

tee for several years, at present hold- · office. His public and private life are abov eproach, and he is regarded as one of liable nd trustworthy citizens of his town. .BERT in EPHRAIM RICHMOND received his edu- district schools of his native town of n, so et schools of Preston City, and in one half

erms in the Suffield (Conn.) Literary ite, 1. ing the latter when about twenty-three of ag He had applied himself diligently to

his studies, and when he left the school room as a student it was to re-enter it as a teacher. He taught first in the Broad Brook district for three winter terms, but not in succession; at Block Island for four months, after which he spent four months in Pennsylvania canvassing for the "History of the Bible"-his experience there, he says, being the best school he ever attended. Returning to Con- necticut he taught four months at Long Society ; at Village Hill (Lebanon) four months. Going West, he taught near Minneapolis, Minn., one term. This was a change in his plans, as when he went West, it was with the intention of becoming a bookkeeper for D. Morrison, a manufacturer of cotton goods whose mill was the first cotton mill beyond the Miss- issippi river. Ill health compelled his return to Connecticut in a little over a year, and he thereupon engaged in farming during the summer months, continuing his teaching, however, in the winters. He taught in the Preston City, Kimball, and Brown (No. 9) districts, all near his home, where he re- mained. At the end of two years he purchased one of his father's farms, containing about seventy-five acres, and the cultivation of that has since been his occupation. For some time he was a member of Preston Grange, No. 110, which has since been dis- banded. He is a believer in the Christian religion, and when attending service, goes with his family to the Preston City Baptist Church. Like the major- ity of his family Mr. Richmond is a Democrat, but in local affairs votes for the man rather than for the party. On Jan. 1, 1870, Mr. Richmond was married to Clarissa Jane Bliven, daughter of Daniel W. and Frances Jane (Campbell) Bliven, of Preston, the former for over forty years connected with the cot- ton mill industry, and now conducting a fine fruit farm in the town of Norwich. Mr. and Mrs. Rich- mond have had four children: Alice Edna died at the age of five weeks. Mary Ellen, born Oct. 15, 1874, prepared herself for teaching, passed a thor- ough examination, but after one term found the work too confining and gave it up; she then passed some time with her grandparents, and is now at home. Linda Alberta, born June 24, 1880, a grad- uate of the Norwich Free Academy, is now engaged in teaching in the town of Ledyard, this being her third school year in the town ; she has also taught in Griswold and Preston. Eva Frances, born Oct. 2, 1884, is at home.

ALEXANDER M. PURDY, M. D., one of the leading members of the medical profession in his vicinity, and a man of pleasing presence, and sym- pathetic character, was born in Stamford, Conn., Sept. 20, 1862, son of Rev. Alva Briggs Purdy, who was born in the town of Greenwich, son of John Purdy.

John Purdy, the grandfather, resided at Round Hill, in the town of Greenwich.

Rev. Alva B. Purdy has long been a clergyman of the Methodist Church, and is pastor at Silver

1 Lud ningt on :

arme: Prest pevill

cated ool, :

n H., who is employed in the Hopkins & factory, Norwich; Grace L., who was t Preston and South Manchester High 1 is now teaching in Ellington, Conn .;

who married Albertus Burdick, of Pres- sie M

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mines in the town of New Canaan. He married Eliza Marshall, daughter of Newcomb Marshall, of Stamford, and their children were: Alexander Mar- shall ; Calvin Tompkins, born in Tompkins Cove, N. Y., now a piano dealer at No. 36 Main street, South Norwalk, married Clara Selleck, of Cos Cob, Conn., and has one child, Esther.

Dr. Alexander M. Purdy spent his early school days at Tompkins Cove, N. Y., but later graduated from the Bridgehampton Literary and Commercial Institute, L. I., and also studied in the public schools of Brooklyn, N. Y. He then began to study medi- cine with Dr. Davis, of Plainfield, Conn., and in 1884, entered the Medical Department of D. M. Medical Society. After practicing in Voluntown for two or three months, in 1884, he located for prac- tice in Old Mystic, in the town of Stonington, and remained three years. In 1887, he removed to that part of Mystic, comprised in Groton. Dr. Purdy is a member of the New London city and county medi- cal societies, and of the State Medical Society. He is also a member of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, I. O. O. F., and a member of Sassacus Lodge of Red Men. He has been health officer of the town of Groton since 190I.

Dr. Purdy was married at Canterbury, Conn., to Carrie Kingsley, daughter of John P. Kingsley, of Plainfield. They have three children: Clifford, Marshall and Dorothy.

HON. GEORGE GREENMAN, of Norwich, a representative in the Lower House of the Con- necticut Assembly in 1901 and 1903, and a veteran of the Civil war, is one of the substantial men and useful citizens of the city of his adoption, where much of his life has been passed.

Born Jan. 27, 1843, in Griswold, Conn., a son of James and Sarah L. (Morse) Greenman, he de- scends on both sides from families of the Colonial period, the Morses being an ancient family in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, and the Greenmans in Rhode Island, a branch of which early in the nineteenth century located in eastern Connecticut.

James Greenman, father of George, was mar- ried in Griswold, March 21, 1836, by Rev. S. D. Jewett, to Sarah L. Morse, of Griswold, who was born Jan. 5, 1814. Her father owned a large farm, and was a man of integrity and many other fine qualities, which were prominent in the character of his daughter, Mrs. Greenman. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Greenman moved to Nor- wich, where they made a permanent home, being among the oldest residents of Laurel Hill. For over twenty years Mr. Greenman took his place among the most substantial business men. He car- ried on a grain business, and was one of the firm which erected the "Elevator" building, which is still standing. Mr. Greenman died in Norwich in 1870, and Mrs. Greenman passed away in that place May 26, 1893, after an illness of over ten years; both were buried in Yantic cemetery. Mr. and Mrs.

Greenman were devout members of the Broway Congregational Church in Norwich, and st at- l'ing tended regularly until about fifteen years befogher death, when failing health necessitated her very quietly, and she rarely went out afterwa the time of her decease one of the Norwich made the following comment upon her exe; Christian life: "The life of Mrs. Greenman

bers ary , as peaceful as it was happy. During the sevent hine years allotted to her she has sung the praises her neighbors and friends, rarely remembering took to herself to ask how largely the many were in fted to her for her aid and comfort. Her husbar and family were her chief thought. She endow [the latter with her fund of knowledge, intelligent and graciousness, and was always, while living, a per- ing inspiration to them. Her tranquil, thoug in a way busy life, will long be remembered by fery one with whom she had connection, and her lath will be deeply regretted by her relatives ar ther many friends."

To Mr. and Mrs. Greenman were born si: fil- dren, of whom George, the subject proper of lese lines, is the only survivor. Dwight was bori Det. 16, 1837. Sarah Morse, born May 23, 1840, w the first wife of Judge Carter, of Norwich, and Nie- ceased. William died in 1874. Lydia died in- fancy, and Mary died at the age of twenty-on

George Greenman received a common-scho fed- ucation, which was supplemented by a course the Norwich Free Academy. On Aug. II, 1862, hen only nineteen years of age, he enlisted, becon fg a private soldier in Company C, 18th Conn. I., and with his company and regiment, which 1 p a conspicuous part in the battles at Winchester l'a .. June 13, 14 and 15, 1863, shared the high t fate paid them by the General in command. In the ind day's engagement young Greenman and othersfere captured by the enemy, and sent to Libby Ion and Belle Island, and paroled July 14th follong. Mr. Greenman was mustered in the 30th Con. V. I., as first lieutenant of Company B, of that [gi- ment, April 6, 1864. In June, 1864, the 30th bon- necticut was consolidated with, and afterward klyn as, the 3Ist U. S. Colored Troops. He served fits adjutant from May, 1864, until his promoti to Captain of Company K, of the same regiment an. 31, 1865. He was mustered out of the service bov. 7, 1865.

After the war Capt. Greenman returned to pr- wich, and he has since been occupied much che time as an accountant and bookkeeper and in jm- ing. He is widely known in Grand Army ciles, being a member of Sedgwick Post, No. I, at br- wich, of which post he has served as commater. His straightforward course and activity in his vn business affairs, as well as the interest and er gy he has evinced in the welfare of Norwich, ve brought him into public notice and favor, and hlas twice been chosen by his fellow citizens a re- sentative in the General Assembly. He was el eri

George Greenman

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lower House in November, 1900, and in the that followed rendered valuable service as a r of the committee on Military Affairs. He -elected to the same body in November, 1902, ved on the committee on Appropriations. In 1 faith he is a stanch Republican. His re- connection is with the Congregational

O1 March 24, 1874, Capt. Greenman was mar- ried ter o ing, Lucy L. Loring, of Preston, Conn., daugh- Villiam and Harriett Kinney ( Morgan) Lor- d they reside on Laurel Hill avenue, Nor- wich. the marriage has been blessed with six chil- dren, amely : Mary, Lucy M. (an artist), George L., J. es W., Lester and Charles D., all of whom reside t home, and have had the benefit of excellent educaonal advantages.

JOIN J. COMSTOCK, of East Lyme, Conn., is a i mber of one of the leading families of this locali whose record reaches back many genera- tions, id whose members have become prominent in ma States of the Union. The founder in Amer-

ica w William Comstock, who came from Eng-

land th his wife Elizabeth, and first settled in Hartf 1, Conn. In 1649 he removed to New Lon- don ar purchased a farm on Saw Mill Brook.

Dael Comstock, son of William, was born about 50, at New London, and died in 1746. On May 2 1700, he married Attalia Elderkin, daugh- er of in Elderkin, of Gales Ferry, and they reared our so;, John, James, Peter and Samuel.

Ca Peter Comstock was born March 4, 1702, nd d at sea. In 1725 he married Elizabeth Avery, aughter of Samuel Avery, and they had our ses and two daughters: Peter (2), Rains- ord, omas, Daniel, Elizabeth and Jemima.

Cap Peter Comstock (2) was born in 1731, at , and died April 3, 1803. He served in the evolu nary war. On May 12, 1774, he married etsey tch. He married, second, Sarah Miric. Pet Comstock, son of Capt. Peter (2), was

J ontvi

orn D 5, 1779, at Montville, and died Oct. 29, 62. 1 Dec. 29, 1805, he married Sarah Warren, ughte of Moses Warren, of East Lyme, and andda ghter of Moses Warren, who was engaged th M cat-gı ptain cticut rried fe), a the fi 4; F rch 2 t. 28 n, De ril 17 ond 1 thir

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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 59

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