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 90

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 90

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married as his second wife Emily, wid- of Pe

Brown, and their children were Moses Lydi:

II) Jhua Knapp, born Jan. 5, 1635, married, 9, 16 Hannah Close, and their children were : 'n March 26, 1660; Joshua, Jr., born in

nah, ; Jos h, born in 1664; Ruth, born in 1666; amin in 1

orn in 1673; Caleb, born in1677 ; John, -. The father moved to Greenwich Sta ord in 1663. 1I) ;hua Knapp, Jr., born in Stamford, 52, married Miss Close about 1682, and hild, John, born March 17, 1708.

., in had IV)

hn Knapp, born March 17, 1708, mar-

ried and became the father of two sons: John, Jr., born in 1731 ; Justus, born Jan. 19, 1735.

(V) Justus Knapp married, in 1755, Sarah Rey- nolds, and their children were: Justus, Jr., born Oct. II, 1756; William, born Jan. 5, 1759; John El- nathan, born Aug. 5, 1760; Henry, born in 1763; Benjamin, born Sept. 16, 1765 ; Obadiah, born Sept. 20, 1766, died April 1, 1850; Sarah, born Jan. 6, 1768, died Aug. 1, 1828; James, born Dec. 17, 1770; Hannah, born March 22, 1773 ; Gilbert, born March 22, 1775, died in 1812; Mary, born Jan. 2, 1778; Samuel, born Dec. 5, 1781, died Nov. 28, 1852. Justus Knapp at the close of the Revolution bought up soldiers' rights and went to Georgia, took pos- session of his land, built stores and mills, and owned the property on which afterward a city was situated. He became unusually wealthy, and died in 1816, one of the most prominent men in his com- munity.

(VI) John Elnathan Knapp was born at Horse Neck, Greenwich, Aug. 5, 1760, and died Sept. 5, 1832. On Dec. 28, 1799, he married Hetty Covel, born at Harwich, Mass., Dec. 24, 1763, and died Feb. 5, 1830. Their children were: Henry Rey- nolds, born Nov. 3, 1800; Hetty, born March 25, 1803. For many years he supplied New York City with Knapp's celebrated spring water.

(VII) Rev. Henry Reynolds Knapp, born Nov. 3, 1800, in New York City, died May 13, 1862. On June 16, 1821, he married Mary Center, who was born March 5,1803, in New York City, and who died in 1885. Their children were: John Henry, born July 30, 1822 ; Halsey Wing, born Oct. 31, 1824, died in July, 1896; Hetty Center, born May 8, 1827, married Warren Beebe; Mary Adeline, born Aug. 20, 1829, died March 20, 1830 ; Samuel J., born Jan. 31, 1832; William Ireland, born March 10, 1835; twin daughters born dead, May 13, 1837.

Rev. Henry R. Knapp was converted at the age of twenty-four years, and ordained pastor at Green- port, L. I., in 1834. He was pastor of the Baptist Church at Essex, Conn., of the First Baptist Church at New London, Conn., of the Baptist Churches at Preston City, Mystic and Rockville, Conn., at Ron- dout-on-the-Hudson, at Greenport, L. I., at Noank, Conn., at Hastings-on-the-Hudson, and in New York City. He was a clear, forcible preacher, sound in doctrines and devoted to his work.

(VIII) Rev. Samuel Jacox Knapp was born Jan. 31, 1832, and died in Mystic, Conn., Aug. 8, 1894. On April 19, 1851, he married Sabrina Packer, born Dec. 6, 1835, in New York City, a daughter of El- dredge and Christina (Meade) Packer. Their chil- dren were: Henry Reynolds, born Nov. 26, 1852, married Hattie R. Palmer, of Noank, Conn. ; Samuel J., Jr .; Marie Louise, born July 12, 1858, married Sept. 8, 1881, A. D. Clinch ; Sabrina Packer, born Oct. 7, 1862, married A. J. Mills ; Edward Everett, born July 4, 1864, married Jessie Allen ; Halsey W. ; Hannah Knapp, born Nov. 5, 1866, married Prof.

y 28 e 4, : (VII

o, did 2, di 1804 3. 14

392

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William Allen Wilbur; John H., born March 12, 1868; Abby Ruth, born March 28, 1869, married Frank Allan Moore ; Edith Merrill was born April 7, 1872.

The Rev. Samuel J. Knapp was pastor of the fol- lowing churches : Bethesda Baptist Church in New York City; First Baptist Church, Paterson, N. J. ; Park Avenue Baptist Church, Paterson, N. J .; Old Stanton Street Baptist Church, New York City, which later became the 23rd Street Church; Bap- tist Church at Essex, Conn .; North Baptist Church, Newark, N. J .; Noble Street Church, Brooklyn; and of the MacDougal street church in New York City, he being in charge of that church at the time of his death.

WILLIAM H. JENNINGS. For more than fifty years the name of Jennings has been prom- inently identified with the professional and social life of Norwich. The first of the family to locate in that town was William H. Jennnigs, who in young manhood taught school in Greeneville, and later became the pioneer photographer of the city, being among the first, if not the first, to produce daguerreotype work in Norwich. His only son, William H., Jr., became one of the well known mem- bers of the New London county Bar, and his grand- son, William H. (3), who is one of the well known young men of the city, is now the only male repre- sentative of the family left there.

William H. Jennings was born in Eagleville, near Willimantic, Conn., Aug. 10, 1819, and came of good old Revolutionary stock. His mother, Bet- sey Parsons, was a daughter of Jesse Parsons, who first enlisted Feb. 6, 1777, for three years, as a private in Capt. Samuel Hait's Company, Connecti- cut Militia. He took part in the battle of German- town Oct. 4, 1777 ; was at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78; was in the battle of Monmouth June 28, 1778; engaged in storming Stony Point, July 15, 1779 ; and was discharged Feb. 6, 1780. On April 29, 1781, Mr. Farsons enlisted for a second time, joining Capt. James Dana's Company, which was a part of a battalion for the defense of the sea coast from Horse Neck to New Haven; and on July 2, 1781, this company joined Washington, then encamped at Phillipsburg. From March 1, 1782, to March 1, 1783, Jesse Parsons' name is found on the records as a member of Capt. Jabez Fitch's Company, of the Independent Volunteers in service of Connecticut, and he is also on record as a Revo- lutionary pensioner by the pension laws of March 18, 1818.

William H. Jennings was one of eight children. He was only four years old when his father died, and when but a lad he began to do for himself. It was chiefly through his own efforts that he obtained an education, and he not only accomplished that, but prepared himself for teaching, following that pro- fession when a young man. He taught school in Rhinebeck-on-the-Hudson, and later taught in

Greeneville, in Norwich. He was successful as instructor, not only as a result of his scholarly tainments, but from his infusion of discipline the school without sacrificing his popularity the pupils. In 1849 he joined in the rush to ( fornia, and spent a couple of years there with m success. Upon his return to New England he cated in Norwich, and there engaged in photogra ing, a business he followed for about thirty. years, during which time he was, without doubt. : best known photographer in eastern Connectif and enjoyed a high reputation for producing art work. For many years his studio was located in Boswell building, but later he moved to rooms of the Boston Store. Disposing of his business fin; he retired to private life, and busied himself in lot- ing after the care of his property on Laurel Hi.

Mr. Jennings married Miss Nancy Rogers Stafford Springs, Conn., who died in Norwich, 15, 1885, aged sixty-one years. Two children v born to them : William H., who is mentioned bel [; and Ella, who became the wife of Rev. E. G. den, a Congregational clergyman, and died 2 . 17, 1897.

Mr. Jennings made a success of life, not onl the accumulation of property, but in the influ je he wielded and in the example he set. He hala great love of books, and was a wide reader, wi retentive memory, thus acquiring a vast fund f information. He was a well known citizen, ande served with ability in the common council and +1 other town offices. He was a faithful membe |f the Broadway Congregational Church. His dch occurred at the home of his grandson on Lafel Hill, Norwich, Oct. 27, 1898, and he was buried Yantic cemetery. Three months previous he d 's been prostrated by a shock, and for eleven w he had been helpless, receiving every possible tention from his devoted daughter-in-law, 2 5. William H. Jeninngs, Jr., with whom he had res id for thirteen years. Mr. Jennings had a kindly position, and was in every sense a home man. re had the confidence of his fellowmen, and althc h well posted on public matters never sought ofje, the honors in that line coming to him wholly [1- solicited. He led a model life, and his death card universal regret.

William H. Jennings, Jr., only son of Willian I. Jennings, was born Jan. 9, 1855, in Norwich. i.e received his preliminary training in the pific schools of that city, and later he was graduated fim the Norwich Free Academy with the class of 1 3. After leaving the Academy he studied law |.h Solomon Lucas, and was admitted to the Ba of New London county. He acquired a good prac.e. and was most successful in all that he attemp 1, paying great attention to detail, and thorou, ly mastering all the points in the cases committed to is care. For a number of years he filled the offic of clerk of the city court, and for two years was s- sistant judge of the city court.

393

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

I10.880 William H. Jennings, Jr., was united in marre with Miss Lucy Coit Elliott, of Norwich, daug! Josep inio r of the late Capt. William Elliott and Mary ne (Rawson). One child came of this Villiam H., born Sept. 10, 1881, who is the third illiam H. in direct line, and now resides in the ol nome on Laurel Hill. William H. Jennings, Jr., d eterv. sectio was a Jan. 2, 1898, and was buried in Yantic cem- He was one of the best known men in this of the State, and his personal acquaintance arge as his personal popularity. He was an enthu stic admirer of a good horse, and was one of the rominent members of the Gentlemen's Driv- ing ( b. From early boyhood he was fond of athlet , and while a student in the Academy took an ache interest in base-ball, a sport that always appea hatior matur the sional mover putabl strongly to him; his interest in the great game seemed to increase with his more years. Some few years ago he assisted in agement of one of the strongest profes- ams that ever represented Norwich. Any its for the advancement or support of re- sports found in him a substantial helper. His finds were many, and honest expressions of regret

his untimely death were heard on all sides. His g al, happy disposition was a strong charac- teristic and everybody who knew him liked him. He w: upright and honorable in all his dealings, und hifprivate life was above reproach.

Si the death of Mr. Jennings his widow rried, being now the wife of William F. well-known real-estate dealer of Norwich.

las re Hill, t

CF ul bu

RLES YOUNG (deceased) was a success- ess man of Norwich, who became wealthy industry and economy, in all of his efforts

hroug eing led by his noble and capable wife. Mr. Young fc wa as born in Bavaria, Germany, and his early spent there. His father was a farmer, and he bolonly attended school until the age of four- een, 1 arm. the meanwhile assisting his father on the earning the trade of cutler from an elder rothe 1 he

le was enabled to carry on that trade un- ered the German army, when twenty-two cars (, and served about six years, until the war roke me a punt

pung thirt ter t arn t ung

t between Bavaria and Prussia. He be- officer in the Bavarian army, and on ac- the failure of the latter he was forced to ce frci his native land. In 1848 he came to Amer- a, br ing with him his bride of four weeks, the iple sailing from Havre, and after a voyage one days landing in New York. Two days ' came on to Norwich and he began to trade of a moulder, while his enterprising fe worked early and late to help him with ir ne usiness. They were very economical, and fırcha e, building up a very successful dress- aking ived isiderable money. During the war they the building on the corner of Main and rankl streets (now known as "Young's hotel") ghteen years conducted an excellent hotel.

Later they purchased the Stedman place, at Norwich Town, formerly the Gov. Huntington place, and there Mr. Young laid out a small fortune in build- ing greenhouses and other improvements, culti- vating the property as a fruit and flower farm, and becoming very proud of his results. Here the widow yet resides. Mr. Young made it his home until about a year before his death, when he was taken ill and went to a hospital at Hartford, where he died May 27, 1897, aged seventy-five years. His remains lie in the beautiful Yantic cemetery at Norwich, in a vault which his sorrowing widow erected a year after his death, it being the finest in that burial place. It is her intention to have her own remains laid to rest in the same vault.

The marriage of these two most worthy people took place in Germany. Mrs. Young's maiden name was Phillipina Young, and she was a daughter of Charles Young, but no relation to her husband, al- though bearing the same name. One child, Eliza- beth, was born to this union, but she died when but two days old. Mrs. Young was born May 1, 1839. She is considered one of the best business women of the locality. Much of the success attained by Mr. Young was due to her untiring efforts and good management, a fact her husband always gladly men- tioned whenever the subject came up. At present she transacts all of her extensive business interests personally, and is in full possession of every detail of the work. All her life she has been an honest, hard-working woman, and she has not only earned a large fortune, but the friendship of all who have known her or carried on business with her.

WASHINGTON R. GARDNER, a representa- tive of one of the old New England families, and an honored citizen of Waterford, Conn., was born in that place March 1, 1842, son of Henry Gardner (2), who for many years was one of the leading res- idents of Waterford.

Regarding the early representatives of the fam- ily in this country we find the following :

Thomas Gardner, of Salem, Mass., a native of Dorsetshire, England, in 1624 was employed by the projectors of the Cape Ann settlement to oversee the fisheries. He was one of the first settlers of Salem, Mass., in 1626, and an original member of the first church there. He was a freeman in 1637, and a deputy to the General Court. He subse- quently had various grants of land and held sev- eral offices. He was twice married, had a number of children by his first wife, and died Oct. 29, 1674, at Salem. Two of his sons, Richard and John, settled at Nantucket, and from this source came the numerous and influential Gardner family of Nan- tucket and vicinity. Richard Gardner married Sarah Shattuck, and John married Priscilla Graf- ton. Both figured at Nantucket as early as 1673, Richard, it is said, locating there in 1666, and John in 1674. These Gardners were Quakers or Friends.

George Gardner, of Newport, was admitted an

394

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

inhabitant of the island of Aquidneck in 1638. He had land recorded in 1640, and in 1641 was a free- man. He served as constable, sergeant, ensign, commissioner, etc. He married (first) Herodias Hicks, and (second) Lydia Ballou. From this set- tler came the Gardners of the Narragansett county, several of his sons marrying and settling in Kings- town, R. I. From this George Gardner, through his son Benoni and William Gardiner, came the distinguished physician of Newport, Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, just after the Revolution.

Capt. James Gardiner, an early settler of New London, Conn., was of the Newport (Rhode Isl- and) Gardiners. During the French and Indian war he was out cruising against the French in the "Lark." He was accidentally killed by the prema- ture discharge of a cannon at New London, Aug. 18, 1758, when the people there were celebrating the surrender of Cape Breton to the English.

Another of the Rhode Island Gardners-Stephen -purchased a large tract of land near the "Great Pond," afterward known as Gardner's Lake, lying partly in Montville, partly in Bozrah and partly in Salem, Conn. On this land he settled and reared a large family. He married, about 1700, Amy Sher- man, daughter of Benjamin Sherman, of Kingston, Rhode Island.

Rufus Gardner, grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Newport, R. I., and died in 1809, in New London, Conn. He was captain of a sloop which plied be- tween New York and New London for years, car- rying freight and passengers, from the close of the Revolutionary war until his death. He was an old sailor during the Revolution. He was a Mason, the emblem of that fraternity appearing on his grave- stone in Cedar Grove cemetery. He married Lydia Harris, who was born in New London, and came of an old family, and they had nine children, viz. : Christopher, who died young; Rufus, who died young ; Mercy, who married a Mr. Williams, of New York; Lydia, who married Robert Buttles, of New York; Henry, father of Washington R. Gard- ner ; Lucy, who married James McKibbin, a New York broker ; Douglass W., who is mentioned else- where; Harriet, who married a Mr. Burke, of New York ; and Champlin, who married a Miss Packer.

Henry Gardner (2), father of Washington R., was born Feb. 26, 1798, on Ocean avenue, New Lon- don, on Town Hill, and died Aug. 20, 1863, in Waterford. He kept store and tavern in Waterford at the corner of old Lyme road and the road to Jordan village. He was postmaster for over thirty years, from Jackson's administration to the time of Lincoln, being first appointed by President Jack- son as a stanch Jacksonian Democrat. He was a radical politician, and a leader in the local ranks of the people. He was an intelligent man, well- read, and had a great memory. He compromised on the slave question, being what was known as a

"copperhead," because he was opposed to ta Re- bellion. He was a man of determined disp tion and could be stern at times, though he was of fren- ial temperament. He was a very honorabl aan, scrupulous to a degree in financial matters, :) a fine example to his family and associate was a good Christian, a devout member of tl tist Church, and always had evening prayers home.

Henry Gardner was married (first), in 1 4. to Mary Miner, daughter of Stephen Miner, o Vat- erford, who was a Revolutionary pensionen [ She died in the fall of 1839, the mother of the fo Jving children : (I) Mary Miner married John Ifers, of Black Point, East Lyme, and died there (2) Henry; Jr., lived in East Lyme, and was a ther- man by occupation. He married Matilda Cfc, of East Lyme, and died in that place. (3 Lucy Wheeler married Lyman Clark, a fisherman. antic, and is living in Middletown with her lugh-

ter. (4) Christopher, an old sailor, died a fnug Harbor. (5) Andrew Jackson, who was car- penter and who died in 1864, married Mary E lan- waring, of East Lyme. (6) Thomas W., nowving in New London, married Mary E. Manwarif, his brother's widow. He was formerly in the ship chandlery business.

On March 1, 1840, Henry Gardner na ried, for his second wife, Wealthy Ann Powers, w |died Feb. 22, 1893, aged sixty-nine years. She as a daughter of Joshua and Wealthy Ann (Megan) Powers, of Waterford, and granddaughter ( sam- uel Powers, who came from Waterford, fland. and married Seviah Rogers, daughter of ames Rogers, who was among the first settlers . that place. Samuel Powers settled at Black Pct, be- ing one of the first settlers of New London en ). To Henry and Wealthy Ann (Powers) ( dner came the following named children: (I) Whing- ton R. is mentioned below. (2) James Mrgan, born Oct. 5, 1845, is a physician and public saker, and is engaged in teaching English in the Euopean countries. He is an accomplished linguist. peak- ing English, Italian, Spanish, French and ( man, and accompanies large parties as doctor 1 in- terpreter. He married Flora Rogers, daug er of George F. Rogers, of Fulton Market, Nev York, and they have had one child, Violet, who rried Robert Kissick, of Westerly, R. I., and has de son, Robert Gardner Kissick. (3) Wealthy An born in January, 1848, married William Davis, caulker, of Noank, and is living at West Conn. They have had no children. (4)

Elizabeth, born in 1850, married George W. of Waterford, who is mentioned elsewher Harriet Burke, born in 1852, married Fitch I Com- stock, and died eleven months after marriag (6) Ella, born in 1855, became the second wife ( Fitch L. Comstock, and they have had two childre Car- rie Comstock, who married Dr. George Culer, of

set He Bap- his

boss ystic, Lydia Jewitt,

(5)

395

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sey y, where they live; and Ira Comstock, ing with his parents. (7) Carrie died

t one year old.

igton R. Gardner was born in Waterford, which stood at the fork of the Lyme turn- he Jordan road. He received his early n Waterford, and later attended Bartlett bolin mma nings rs, n L. abo

chool in New London, taught by Prof. Leaving same at the age of seventeen took up the carpenter's trade under eckwith, of East Lyme, remaining with one year. He practically "picked up" knowedge of the trade, which he has followed rly al fe. Living in New London, he was with s., manufacturers of sash, blinds, etc., hop three had ch & locate nestea y acr "ears, was subsequently in New Haven, arge of the window frame department of orton for six years. In the fall of 1869 on the farm, known as the Chappell the birthplace of his wife, comprising and has there carried on general farm- since ogether with plying his trade, in which las ma with substantial success.

Mr.

ion

"dner has been a factor in the adminis- ublic affairs for a number of years. He for several years on the board of relief is tow, and has been chairman of the board of ssors r the past three years. In 1883 he was esent ve in the General Assembly of the State Warford, and served as a member of the mittedin Humane Institutions, and again rep- ; town in 1884, when he served as a

nted iber the Finance committee. His political lectio: s with the Democratic party. Frater-

; he i: member of Union Lodge, No. 31, F. & [., of ew London ; Pequot Lodge, I. O. O. F., vew Ilidon ; Sprague Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Lon 1; and the Jibboom Club, No. I, of New lon. 1 religious connection he is a member he F t Baptist Church, of Waterford, with h his fe also unites.

Ir. dner was married, Nov. 26, 1863, to Ad ide Chappell, daughter of Rev. Gurdon happ

(mentioned elsewhere), and three chil- hav come to this union, as follows: (I) y Chị pell, born Nov. 5, 1869, in New Lon- died ed eighteen, in 1888, of typhoid fever. Jame sham, born Aug. 22, 1875, in Water- attend the Nathan Hale Grammar School. ew L don, the Hopkins Grammar School, of Hav , and the Hillhouse High School, in Hav , from which latter he graduated in He now bookkeeper at the C. D. Boss & Crach. factory, New London. (3) Strong vold, rn June 28, 1879, in Waterford, at- d the Tathan Hale Grammar School, of New on, e Hillhouse high in New Ha- and

Bulkeley high school, of New Lon- gradı

ing from the latter in 1899. He is a mercial gent and traveling salesman in Greater

New York for Austin Nichols & Co., wholesale grocers.

Mr. Gardner is one of the representative and substantial citizens of Waterford, where he and his wife are held in the highest esteem.

THOMAS ELLIOT LECOUNT (deceased), who for a number of years was identified with the stationery manufacturing industry of New York and San Francisco, and later became identified with the business interests of Niantic, Conn., where he held an honorable place in the commercial and social world, was a man of wide ideas, progressive meth- ods, and one whose watchword was "onward." He was born April 28, 1848, in New York City.

Richard LeCount, his grandfather, was a prom- inent resident of Philadelphia, Pa., and was descend- ed from a celebrated Huguenot family of that name.

J. J. LeCount, son of Richard and father of Thomas E., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died, while on a visit there. He was extensively en- gaged in the wholesale stationery and blank book manufacturing business. His manufacturing estab- lishment was located in San Francisco, in a large granite building he had erected, it being the first of that material built in that city, to which he went in 1849, and later he became the first. stationer on the Pacific coast. The business office, was located in New York City. Re- tiring a number of years prior to his death, and being very fond of fishing and other outdoor sports, he came to Waterford, and there purchased the hotel property and toll bridge, sit- uated at the mouth of the Niantic river on Long Island Sound, so that he might live in retirement, in the enjoyment of a pleasantly located home, which afforded ample territory. This toll bridge has since been replaced by a steel draw bridge, which is owned and controlled by Mr. LeCount's widow. Over this bridge over the Niantic river a great deal of the traveling is done between New London and New Haven. During his fishing days it was an ac- knowledged fact that he owned the finest fishing tackle and outfit in New York State. He spent. $40,000 in making improvements, on the house, grounds, and in building breakwater walls. No more ideal spot could have been found. The death of this companionable and genial gentleman oc- curred July 12, 1878, when he was in his fifty-third year. On July 15, 1847, Mr. LeCount married Mary Ann Higgin, of New York City, who survives. him. The children born to them were: Thomas E .; Frank A., who resides in Springfield, Mass., a vet- erinary surgeon and large horse owner.

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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 90

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