USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > General history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn. from its first settlement, 2nd ed. > Part 12
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Lott, Baltus. This individual appears to have been a squatter upon the public lands before the township was sold. He was probably a Dutchman, and had taken possession of a considerable tract of land in Connecticut and New York, and had erected a house and barrack, and made considerable clear- ings. His territory embraced what is now called the Burr farm. The proprietors made many efforts to remove him, but he resisted them all until March 1742, when Joseph Skinner purchased his possessions for 300 pounds old tenor, and he went away. He afterwards lived in the north part of Amenia, New York.
Lovell, John, came to this part of the country from Roch- ester, Mass., in 1745. He first settled in Oblong, New York, where George H. Swift, Esq., now lives. In 1770 he removed to Sharon, and purchased of David Boland the 2d home lot, where his great-grandson, Chaffee Lovell, now lives. He died Nov. 3, 1789, at the age of fifty-eight. His only son, Captain Joshua Lovell, who was a respectable citizen of the town, lived upon the same place until his death, in February 1838, at the age of seventy-one.
Lovell, Joseph, was from Rochester, Massachusetts. He first settled in Kent, but in 1767 he purchased the 35th lot in the first hundred acre division, of Samuel Hollister, Jr. He lived at what was formerly known as the Cluxton place, on the road leading east from Caleb Chapman's. He had two sons, Levi and Joseph.
Manrow, Joseph, was from Norwalk, in 1744. He settled on the corner opposite John S. Jewett's, and the old orchard which he planted is still standing. In 1750 he exchanged farms with Matthew Fuller, and removed to the mountain, near
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David Curtis'. In 1752 he sold this place to John Jackson, and became the owner of a grist-mill near the Bates place. This property he sold in 1757 to David Hamilton, and removed from the town.
Manrow, Noah, was for more than forty years an inhabitant of Mudgetown. He came from Salisbury in 1751. He lived on the borders of the Pond, in a house lately destroyed by fire, then owned by Capt. Benjamin Lines. He died May 5, 1793, at the age of sixty-four. He left sons, Noah, Younglove, Daniel and Philo.
Marchant, Amos, from Newtown, came to Sharon in 1773. He bought of Ebenezer Sprague the home lot on which Cal- vin Gay, Esq, lived, and built the brick house owned by that gentleman. He was one of the victims of the small-pox, which swept over the town with such terrible severity in 1784. He had sons, Joseph, Ashbel, Wheeler and Elijah.
Epitaph. In memory of Amos Marchant, who died of the small-pox, Dec. 19, 1784, aged 62. Though death be potent as a king, And wounds with his envenom'd sting, Yet faith fresh vigor will impart, To rob the tyrant of his dart.
Marriner, Capt. Ephraim, was from Colchester, in 1765. He settled in Abel street, where Stephen Tickner lived, and lived there until 1786. He then removed to the north part of the town, and resided there till his death in 1810. He was a member of the Assembly in May 1787, and in May and Octo- ber 1788. He had two sons, Ephraim and Buel who removed to Yates Co., New York, several years since.
Marsh, Pelatiah, was from Lebanon in 1764. He settled in the east part of the town, where his grandson, Elijah Marsh, lived. He died April 8, 1790, at the age of eighty-three. His son, Jesse Marsh, father of Elijah Marsh, lived at the same place, and died October 25, 1822, at the age of eighty.
Martin, Eliphalet, was from Windham in 1786. He first
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settled where Adonijah Maxam lived in the Hollow, which place had previously been owned by David Barrows. He after- wards purchased of Dr. Samuel Rockwell, the Elmer place, near the stone bridge, where he resided till his death. He was much employed in the business of the town. He died April II, 1801, at the age of forty-seven.
Marvin, John Jun., was from Norwalk in 1748. He bought of Elihu Ketcham, the farm called the Bates place, about one mile easterly from the meeting-house, and lived there. He was also a part owner in the iron works at the mouth of Mudge pond. In 1752, he sold the Bates place to his father, who then removed to the town, and who died February 9, 1774, at the age of ninety-six. Mr. Marvin was a member of Assembly in · May, 1756 and 1768. In 1770 he removed to Brook Haven, Long Island, where he resided till his death in 1783.
Maxam, Adonijah was from the old Colony in 1748. The name, in the early records, is spelt Muxam, and is so pro- nounced by elderly people at the present day. Mr. Maxam settled where Orrin Abel lived on the Ellsworth turnpike, where he died in 1760. He left four sons, Samuel, Benjamin, Adonijah, and Jacob. The third son, Adonijah, after having gone through the active and perilous services of the revolu- tionary war, which have been detailed in a preceding chapter, died at the age of ninety-seven years.
(Front.) ADONIJAH MAXAM, Born at Sharon, Dec. 28, 1754. Died Nov. 22, 1850. Æ 97 years. (Reverse.)
As a true Patriot he served his country faithfully in the war of the Revolution. As a friend he was warm and constant in his attachments, while he was strongly opposed to those he deemed the enemies of his country and of the Christian faith. As an honest man, a useful citizen and a devoted Christian he lived respected and died lamented.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Millard, Joshua, was from Cornwall, in 1768. He was the first settler upon the place now owned by Robert Buckly, in Ells. worth. He remained in town about thirty years, and then removed to Egremont, Mass.
Miller, Henry, was from Branford, in 1750. He was the first settler on the farm now owned by Deacon Jabez Swift, on the Onsatonic river, and his house, the remains of which are still visible, was on the old road that formerly led north from Swift's bridge. He afterwards lived in Kent. He was the grandfather of Hubbel Miller, Esq., of Kent.
Miller, Deacon Gain, was born in Ireland, in 1716. He came to Sharon in 1763, and purchased of Daniel Hunt, the place formerly occupied as a poor house, near Frederick Parson's, where he resided during his life. He was elected deacon July 6, 1781, which office he resigned in August, 1799, and the late Deacon Chamberlain was chosen in his place. He left one son, the late Thomas Miller, who was the father of the late Daniel Miller.
Epitaph. · In memory of Deacon Gain Miller, who died Nov. 16, 1809, aged ninety-three. I've long'd to join the heavenly song, Of anthems ever new, To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, And bid the world adieu.
Mudge, Ebenezer, was one of the original proprietors of the town, and was from Colchester. He drew the twenty-fifth home-lot, lying on both sides of town street, and embracing the place now owned by Charles L. Prindle, and Baldwin Reed on the west, and by Deacon A. C. Woodward, Estate of Reuben Hunt, Mr. Terrett and Mr. Skinner, on the east. In 1743 he settled on the western border of Skinner's pond, as it was then called. Here he lived until his death April 21, 1758, at the age of seventy-five. He had six sons, viz. Samuel, Mica, Abraham, Ebenezer, Jarvis and Joseph. Samuel lived on the place now owned by Baldwin Reed 2d., which he sold
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in 1772, to Job Gould, Jun. Mica lived a while in Ellsworth, and was a part owner of the first , mill near Wm. Emons's. He removed to Albany county, New York, in 1758. Abraham lived at the Griswold place, now owned by Solomon Bierce. Ebenezer removed to Canaan in 1763, where he lived till 1775 when he removed to New Ashford, Mass. Jarvis settled on the homestead, but he soon sold it to Noah Monroe, and left the town. Thus, this numerous and respectable family had all left the town previous to the revolutionary war, but the beauti- ful lake on whose borders they settled will commemorate their name through all succeeding time.
North, Capt. Thomas, was from Wethersfield in 1743. He was one of the first proprietors of the iron works in the Hollow. He lived on the twenty-sixth home-lot, known as the Captain Patchen place, now owned by Mr. Chase. He served as selectman for several years. He removed into the state of New York in 1753.
Noyes, Calvin, was from Lyme, and was a direct descen- dant of the Rev. Mr. Noyes, the first minister of that town. He came to Sharon in 1792, and purchased a large and valu- able real estate in the neighborhood of Benedict's mill, where he resided. He was distinguished for his public spirit, and for his many acts of private charity. He lived a bachelor, and for the last few years of his life was entirely blind. By his last will he gave the greater part of his estate to the Congregational society in Sharon, the American Education Society, the Connecticut Missionary Society and the Connecticut Bible Society. Each of those societies has received nearly seventeen hundred dollars from his estate. He died at the residence of his brother, Deacon Moses Noyes, in Poultney, Vt., January 22, 1831, at the age of eighty.
Noyes, Selden, was a younger brother of the preceding, and came with him from Lyme, in 1792. He lived where Clark M. Juckett now lives. He was cut off in early life by consump- tion. He left sons, Milton, Selden and John.
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Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of Selden Noyes, who died July 5, 1804, aged thirty-four years. Though death's cold stroke the bond has broke, That joined the hand and heart,
Yet should they stand at Christ's right hand, They never more can part.
Orton, John, was from Litchfield, in 1764. He married a daughter of Deacon Joseph Landers, and settled on the place now owned by George R. Woodward, which originally be- longed to John Davis. He left two sons, Joseph and Luther.
Epitaph. In memory of John Orton, who died April 9, 1785, in the forty-second year of his age.
In prime of life he yields his breath, While weeping friends lament his death, But death must yield, his dust restore, Where friends shall meet but weep no more.
Pardee, Lieut. John, the patriarch of the numerous family of Pardee, in Sharon, was from Norwalk, and was an original proprietor. He was a shoemaker and tanner by occupation, and settled near the stone bridge, north of the meeting-house. He was a leading and prominent man in all the affairs of the town, and was a very large landholder. He was one of the first representatives of the town in the legislature, being elected such in October, 1755, when the town was first represented in that body ; and he was chosen to that office at six sessions. He died July 13, 1766, aged sixty-nine. He had six sons who settled in the town, and whose descendants are very numerous, viz. : Thomas, Jehiel, John, James, George and Moses. Thomas settled on the mountain, where Josiah Brown now lives, and he was the father of the late Capt. Sam- uel Pardee. He died August 1, 1806, at the age of eighty- four. Jehiel settled where Clark Pardee lived, and was grand- father to the last named gentleman. John settled in the Great Hollow, and he was the father of the late Isaac Pardee, Esq.
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James lived on the home lot, and built the brick house now known as the Pardee house. George and Moses lived just north of the stone bridge. Thomas and James were members of the Assembly several times, as was their nephew, the late Isaac Pardee, Esq. This last named gentleman died, very suddenly, on the 8th day of May, 1825, at the age of seventy- six
Park, Joseph, was from Middletown and was the first settler on the place owned by the heirs of the late Samuel Beecher. He sold his farm in 1746 to Nathaniel Richards, and removed to Salisbury. He had two sons, Smith and Daniel. Smith lived near George White's, until 1780, when he sold the place to Benjamin Conklin, and removed to New Canaan, N. Y., where he died. Daniel lived where Mr. E. Mallary now lives, until 1762, when he sold the place to John Pen- noyer, and left the town.
Parsons, Capt. Enoch, was from Newtown in 1763. He was a carpenter by trade, and settled where his great grandson, Frederick L. Parsons now lives. Being a man of more than a common education for those days, he was appointed, for many years, to "line the psalm," agreeable to the ancient manner of singing in public worship. He served as selectman and constable for several years, and was member of the Assembly in October, 1795. He died October 1, 1829, aged eighty-nine. He left four sons, Stephen, Freeman, Enoch and Amideus.
Patchen, Abel, was from Welton, in 1783. He purchased of Zebulon Badcock the south half of the twenty-sixth home lot, originally Deacon Skinner's, and kept a public house during his life. He was a representative to the Assembly in October, 1798, and May, 1799. He died April 9, 1805, at the age of fifty-three. He had one son, Stephen, who emigrated to Ver- mont, in early life. His three daughters, Mrs. Skiff, Mrs. Lowry and Mrs. Chase, all widows, are now deceased.
Peck, Dr. Abner, was a physician, and came to Sharon in 1751, from Salisbury. He purchased a place of Luke St. John, a little south of Joel L. Whitford's. He was cut off by
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the small-pox, October 11, 1756, leaving a widow and two daughters.
Pennoyer, John, came from Stamford in 1742. He pur- chased a part of the twenty-second home lot, originally owned by Samuel Calkin, being the place where the late Gen. Augus- tine Taylor lived. He sold this place in 1749, to his son John, and removed to the State of New York, where the late Charles Wright lived, in the town of North East. He returned to Sharon in 1769, and purchased the place at the head of the street, now owned by Chesterfield King. He died December II, 1785, at the age of seventy-eight. He had sons, Jona- than, John, Joseph and Jacob. Jonathan died in 1761. John built the brick house, known as the Taylor house, and also the one formerly owned by Dr. John W. Smith, in which latter place he kept a tavern. In 1785 he removed to Hudson, N. Y., where he died. Joseph settled in the town of North East, N .. Y., and he was the father of the late Jonathan Pennoyer. Jacob, the youngest son, owned the place now owned by Geo. Skinner. He was killed on the 18th of May, 1814, on the top of King Hill, so called, by the oversetting of his wagon, at the age of seventy-six.
Petit, Jonathan, was from Stamford, at the earliest settle- ment of the town. He owned the thirty-second home-lot, and he lived on the road which is now discontinued, leading north from Joel C. Whitford's. He was much employed in public affairs. He was constable nine years. He died in 1772, at an advanced age.
Petit, Samuel, was a son of John Petit, of Stamford, and a nephew of the preceding. He lived in the north part of the town, near Benedict's mill. He died on the 8th day of July, 1 826, aged eighty-eight. He left one son, Gideon, who died with- out issue, January 1, 1829, aged fifty-seven.
Petit, Joel, was a brother of the preceding, and was for many years an inhabitant of Sharon. He lived to a very ad- vanced age. His son, Joel T. Petit, Esq., was a young gentle- man of great promise, who was educated for the law, and set-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
tled in the town. After a short professional career he died of consumption, September 13, 1807, aged thirty-two.
Pratt, Jonathan, was originally from the old Plymouth colony, and came to Sharon in 1753. He first lived in the Hollow, near the outlet of Mudge Pond, and was a partner in the iron works. In 1754 he removed to the south part of the town, and settled where Stephen Knibloe now lives. He died February 17, 1781, aged sixty-one.
Pratt, Capt. Abraham, was from Saybrook, in 1783. He purchased of Moses Reed the place on which he lived, in the north part of the town, now owned by James Landon, and commenced business as a shoemaker. He acquired a hand- some estate, and enjoyed a large share of the public confi- dence. He served as selectman for many years, and was otherwise much employed in the business of the town. He died much lamented, on the 2d of March, 1840, aged eighty- one. His only surviving child was the wife of Henry Reed, Esq., of Ohio. All his other children were cut off by con- sumption in early life.
Quitterfield, Abner, is supposed to have come from Nor- walk, in 1752. He lived in the south part of the town, on the road leading from the school-house to George R. Woodward's. He removed to Stillwater, N. Y., in 1768.
Randall, John, was from Wareham, Mass., in 1753. His wife, who was the daughter of John Bates, was the first female and the second child born in the town. He lived on the farm now owned by William S. Marsh, a little south of Mr. Jewett's. He died of a cancer May 19, 1807, at the age of eighty-two.
Raymond, Daniel, came from Woodbury, in 1748. He lived on the place formerly occupied by Zenas Beebe, below George R. Woodward's. He sold out to Deacon Landers, in 1760, and left the town,
Reed, Moses, was the first settler on the place lately owned by Capt. Abraham Pratt. He came to Sharon in 1743, and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
died November 17, 1786, at the age of ninety. He left one son, Moses Reed, Jr.
Rexford, Arthur, was from Wallingford, in 1757. He lived. in Ellsworth, a little south of Enoch P. Everitt's. He had four sons, Arthur, Joseph, Daniel and Benjamin.
Rice, Asa, was from Wallingford, now Meriden, in 1774. He lived in Ellsworth, where Enoch P. Everitt now lives. He died in 1785, leaving sons, Asa, Seth, Isaac and Barnabas.
Richards, Nathaniel, was from Norwich, in 1744, and set- tled on the lot lately owned by Samuel Beecher, now a part of Charles Benton's farm. He died in 1763, and the property passed into the hands of George White. There are none of his descendants now remaining in the town.
Richmond, Benjamin, was one of the first proprietors and settlers, and came to Sharon in 1742. He lived a short dis- tance below Dwight St. John's, and died in 1766. He had one son, Edward, who removed to Spencertown N. Y., in I757.
Roberts, Nathaniel, was from Salisbury in 1759. He lived in Abel street, a little north of Stephen Tickner's He died July 15, 1766, at the age of fifty-five. He left sons, John, William, Lebbeus, and Amos.
Roberts, Samuel, Esq., was from Windsor, and came to Sharon, in 1784 as a hired man to George King. He had a successful career in the acquisition of property. He was the owner at his death of a large and valuable real estate. He was at one time a magistrate of the town, and twice its repre- sentative in the General Assembly. He left sons, Samuel, Hector, and Virgil B., the two last of whom are yet living.
Rockwell, Dr. Samuel, was born in East Windsor, Februa- ry 18, 1759. While he was young his father removed to Cole- brook, and was one of the first settlers of that township. In 1776 he was in the army, for which he drew a pension, after 1831. He entered Yale College in 1779, but soon left that institution and commenced the study of medicine, under the celebrated Dr. Lemuel Hopkins. He settled in Sharon in
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1784, and, except about five years, when he lived in Salisbury, remained here till his death, which occurred on the 24th of June, 1836, at the age of seventy-seven. He represented the town in the legislature at the session in 1815.
Rowlee, Jonathan, was from East Haddam, in 1741, and lived near Richard Woodward's. He staid in town but a short time. He removed to Kent, and lived a little north of the meeting-house. He died in 1772, leaving sons, Simeon, Jona- than, Levi, Judah and Issacher, several of whom settled in and near Sharon. Levi lived where Roswell H. Hazzard now lives. He died of cancer, November 23, 1805, at the age of seventy- three. Simeon was the father of Mrs. Hamlin, widow of Deacon Benjamin Hamlin.
St. John, Deacon Matthew, was from Norwalk, in 1745. He bought of Samuel Comstock, the thirty-second home lot, now owned by D. L. and J. B. Smith. He was one of the deacons of the church, and was several years one of the select- men of the town. He died August 3, 1755, at the age of 69. He had four sons, who bore the names of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Matthew removed to Suf- field. His only child was the mother of Joel Chaffee. Mark lived where George Bissell formerly lived. Luke was a tailor by trade, and lived where Josiah Hull lived. These last two removed to Stockbridge, Mass. John lived a little south of Joel C. Whitford's. He died December 30, 1784, at the age of sixty-two.
St. John, Timothy, came from Norwalk in 1756. He lived where C. M. Dean now lives. He died November 28, 1806, at the age of seventy-four. His only son, Daniel St. John, Esq., removed to Hartford where he lived much respected to a very advanced age.
St. John, Daniel, was a brother to the preceding, and came to Sharon in 1761. He lived where the late Ezekiel St. John lived. He was a blacksmith by occupation. He died in 1781, leaving sons, Thomas, Lewis, Uriah and Caleb.
St. John, Silas, was also a brother of Timothy and Daniel St.
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John. He lived in Ellsworth near the place where his grandson Henry St. John now lives. He was the first deacon of the church in Ellsworth, and was for several years town treasurer. He died September 21, 1855, at the age of sixty-four
Sanford, Amos, was from Newtown, in 1768. He lived opposite Frederick L. Parsons' present residence. He died December 19, 1777, aged forty-four, leaving sons, David, Ezra, John, Samuel, Caleb, Salmon and. Amos.
Sears, Capt. Stephen, was originally from Barnstable, Mass. His parents settled at a place called Jo's Hill, in the town of South East, Putnam county, N. Y. He came to Sharon in 1760. He lived where his grandson, Benjamin Sears, lived. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and in that capacity superintended the erection of the meeting house built in 1768. He died of the yellow fever in New York, where he was at work at his trade, in 1791. He was the father of Dr. John Sears. His widow died February 8, 1834, at the age of ninety-four.
Shepherd, Dr. Asher, came from Hartford, in 1772, and was a partner with Dr. Simeon Smith, in the druggist business. He built the house known as the Grosvenor house, opposite Richard Smith's, in 1774. In 1778 he removed to Benning- ton, Vt., and kept a druggist store successively at Bennington and Rutland, where he died in 1788.
Skiff, Benjamin, was from the town of Chilmark, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, and came to Sharon in 1774. He lived in Ellsworth, where Giles Skiff now lives. He died February 20, 1811, at the age of seventy-four. He had sons, Walter, John, Seth and Benjamin.
Skiff, Samuel, was a cousin of the preceding and came from the same place. He lived where Gibbs Skiff now lives. He died in 1825, leaving sons, Samuel, Arvin, Gibbs and Asa.
Skinner, Nathaniel, Esq., was from Colchester, and was one of the first and principal proprietors of the township. He drew the twenty-sixth home lot, known as the Patchen place, where Mr. Chase now lives. He was the first magistrate, first
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
town clerk and first deacon of the church. He remained in town until 1760, when he removed to Salisbury, and was an owner of the mill now known as Benedict's mill He had sons, Nathaniel, Thomas, Joseph and Josiah. There are none of the family now residing in the town.
Smith, Rev. Cotton Mather. Many allusions have been made, in the foregoing pages, to the labors and influence of Parson Smith, in laying the foundations of sociey and shaping the early institutions of the town, as well as in giving impor- tance to some portions of its history. It is thought that the following extract from an address, delivered by the Rev. Abel McEwing, of New London, at the centennial of the consocia- tion of Litchfield County, in 1852, will be acceptable to the reader, as pointing out facts of history and elements of char- acter not before alluded to. It is unfortunate that the tradi- tional error, that Parson Smith's mother was a daughter of Cot- ton Mather had not been detected before the publication of Dr. McEwing's address. She was a daughter of Atherton Mather, a cousin of Cotton Mather.
" The Rev. Cotton Mather Smith was, by the original Con- sociation of the County, ordained pastor of the church in Sharon, Aug. 23d, 1755. This office he held until his death, Nov. 27th, 1806. The name of Mr. Smith excites a curiosity, especially in a New Englander, to inquire after this minister's ancestry. Had he been only Mr. Smith he might have been born anywhere, or he might have descended from some man in almost any place, but when we read or hear the title or name, Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, our mind is carried back to the very early history of New England, and to some of the chief actors in its early scenes. The paternal ancestry of this pas- tor of Sharon we trace back to his great-great-grandfather, the Rev. Henry Smith, who was a minister of the gospel in Wethersfield. He was a conspicuous actor in the memorable scene of 1639, when the inhabitants of Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield constituted themselves the commonwealth called Connecticut. England, a paternal estate and an eligible posi-
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