USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > General history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn. from its first settlement, 3rd ed. > Part 10
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Buel, Eliphalet, was from Salisbury, and was brother of the late Col. Nathaniel Buel, of that town. He came to Sharon in 1767, and settled where Homer Pardee lived. He died of the small-pox, on the 5th of February, 1777, aged forty-nine. His only son, Nathaniel, died a prisoner in New York, a short time before, and his wife soon after, of the same disease. Their common fate is commemorated in the following
Epitaph. The only son is gone but twenty days, The indulgent father follows him to ye grave Where we must all repair ; alas, how soon Our morning sun goes down at noon.
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The son and husband both are gone, The mother and the wife, how soon Must yield to death, and here to lie To tell the living they must die.
Burr, Walter, was from Fairfield. He lived at what is called the Burr place, in the Valley, now owned by the Mallea- ble Iron Company, and owned a very valuable farm, a great portion of which is in the State of New York. He died in 1802.
Calkin, Lieut. Stephen, was from Lebanon, and was an original proprietor of the town. He drew the thirty-first home- lot and lived where Abraham Weed lately lived. He had seven sons, Stephen, Joseph, Elijah, Timothy, Amos, Justus and David, all of whom settled in the town, and most of them in the same neighborhood with their father. The neighborhood which is called Calkinstown, perpetuates their name. Mr. Calkin died in 1781. He was the grand-father of the late James Calkin and Justus Calkin.
Camp, Abel, from New Milford, came to Sharon in 1769. He lived on the mountain where the late Capt. Bennett resided, and remained in town about twenty years.
Canfield, Hon. John, was a son of Samuel Canfield, of New Milford, who was one of the judges of the county court, for Litchfield county, and a deacon of the church in New Milford. Mr. Canfield was born at New Milford in 1740, and graduated at Yale College in 1762. He studied law and established himself in the practice of his profession in this town, in 1765, being the first lawyer that lived here. He purchased of Parson Smith, the lot next south of Judge Sterling's, and built the old brick house owned by that gentleman. Mr. Canfield enjoyed an enviable reputation and was holden in high estimation by his fellow citizens. He represented the town in the legislature at ten different sessions. He was a professor of religion and en- joyed the reputation of a sincere and humble Christian. In 1786 he was elected a member of the Continental Congress, and had he lived to take his seat in that body, would probably have been a distinguished member. He died, however, on the 26th day of October, 1786, at the age of forty-six. The grief of the community at his death was general and deep, and the old men in after years spoke of him with unbounded confidence and attachment. He left but one son, John M. Canfield, Esq., who resided at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and a number of daughters. The Hon. John C. Spencer, Secretary of War, was his grandson.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
His Epitaph.
Sacred to the memory of the Hon. John Canfield, A member of Congress from this State, who died the 26th day of October, A. D. 1786, in the forty-sixth year of his age.
'Tis not for lifeless stone to tell thy worth,
A partner's heart the deep impression wears, Thy orphans oft, around this hallowed earth, Shall tell a father's love with speaking tears, And numerous friends who swelled the tide of grief, Thy great and generous deeds shall oft relate,
Thus through revolving years thy name shall live, 'Till to immortal life, this slumbering dust shall wake.
Canfield, Hon. Judson, was a son of Col. Samuel Canfield, of New Milford, and a nephew of Hon. John Canfield. He graduated at Yale College in 1782. He came to Sharon in 1787, and commenced the practice of law. He built the house now occupied by J. P. and G. D. Goodwin and lived there. He was a member of the house of representatives at seventeen sessions, and for several years a member of the council. He was also a judge of the court of common pleas. He left Sharon in 1815, and removed to the State of Ohio, where he died in 1839, at the age of more than eighty years.
Canfield, Col. Samuel, was a brother of the preceding, and came to Sharon in early life. He was an assistant commissary of issues in the war of the revolution, and towards the close of his life drew a handsome pension. He was for many years a merchant of extensive business, and was town clerk from 1792 to 1815, having succeeded Daniel Griswold, Esq., in that office. He was a member of the assembly at several sessions. He died while on a visit at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on the first day of Octo- ber, 1837, at the age of eighty .three.
Carrier, Deacon Timothy, was from Colchester, in 1747. He bought of Jacob Bacon a part of the twelfth home lot, where Charles Benton now lives. He was appointed a deacon of the church in 1766, which office he held until his death. He had one son who survived him, and he removed from the town soon after the decease of his father. He died on the 22d of February, 1781, at the age of eighty-two. His wife died about the same time, and the stone which marks their resting place has upon it the following :
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Epitaph.
Here man and wife, secure from strife.
Lie slumbering side by side,
Though death's cold hands dissolved the bands It could not them divide.
This tomb shall burst and yield its trust,
This pair will live again,
With purer love to soar above, Where joys immortal reign.
Cartwright, Nicholas, was the common ancestor of the Cart- wright family, which have been numerous in the town. He was originally from Barnstable, Massachusetts, and lived a short time on Philip's Patent, now South-East, New York. He came to Sharon in 1756, and settled near the place where Austin Cart- wright now lives. He was baptized in September, 1781, when he was nearly eighty years of age. He died in May, 1782. He had three sons Reuben, Christopher and Samuel. Reuben lived where George W. Peck lived. He died, leaving a numerous family, in May, 1790, aged forty. Christopher lived near David Curtis's late residence, and before the revolutionary war he removed to Shaftsbury, Vermont. In 1775 he joined the army under General Montgomery, and was in the battle of Quebec, in which Mont- gomery fell. He died of small pox, in the American camp, on the Island of Orleans, before the retreat from Canada. Samuel lived where Austin Cartwright now lives. He was also in the army with his brother Christopher, but escaped his untimely end. He lived to a good old age, and died January 17th, 1819, aged seventy-eight. He left two sons, Nicholas and Anson, who are both now deceased.
Chaffee, Joshua, was from Mansfield, and came to Sharon in 1755. He married the only child of Matthew St. John, Jr., and first settled where John B. Smith now lives. In 1760 he removed to Ellsworth, where his son Joel S. Chaffee lived. He died in 1789, aged fifty-six. He left three sons, Joel, Matthew and Joshua B. Matthew died soon after the death of his father. Joshua B. died in 1832. He was at the time of his death one of the magistrates of the town.
Chamberlain, Deacon Isaac, was born in New Marlborough, Mass., and came to Sharon with his step-father, Mr. John Hollis- ter, in 1756. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He married a daughter of Jonathan Sprague, and had several children. IIe
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entered the army early in the revolutionary war, and was sergeant of artificers. He was appointed deacon of the Congregational Church in 1799, which office he held till his death. He was a man of strong mind, of great decision of character, and for many years was one of the pillars of the town.
His Epitaph.
Deacon Isaac Chamberlain, a patriot of '76, A soldier of the revolution, and for many years of his subsequent life an officer of the first church in Sharon. Born in New Marlborough, Mass., Oct. 24, 1756, died at Sharon, July 14, 1833. Grounded and settled in the faith .- St. Paul.
Chapman, Obadiah, was from Colchester, and came to Sharon in 1741. He settled in the south part of the town, opposite Fred- erick Carter's present residence, He was the owner of a large real estate. He died in 1761. He left four sons, Obadiah, Pelatiah, Matthias and Robert. Obadiah died in 1763. Pelatiah was the father of the late William Chapman, and he died in 1759. His widow afterwards married Dr. Ashbel Goodrich. Robert, the youngest son, and the survivor of them all, was a soldier in the old French war, and after his return from the service settled in the southwest part of the town, where his son, the late Elijah Chapman, lived. He died in 1814, at the age of eighty. He was the father of the late Obadiah Chapman.
Chapman, Samuel, was from Colchester. He came with the first settlers. He settled on the forty-sixth home-lot, near John Jackson's. He afterwards removed to the lower end of Abel street where his grandson, Caleb Chapman, lived. He had three sons, Samuel, Ezekiel and Nehemiah. Caleb Chapman is a son of the last named. Ezekiel died a soldier in the French war.
Chappel, Amos, was a son of Caleb Chappel, of Lebanon, one of the original proprietors. He came to Sharon in 1760, and settled in Ellsworth, where Charles B. Everitt lives.
Church, Jehiel, was from Great Barrington, Mass., and lived a little north of the late Adolphus Everett's. He died May 1, 1819, at the age of seventy-seven. He had nine children.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Cluxton, Samuel, was originally from the old Plymouth colony. He came to Sharon in early life. He lived where Ansel Cartwright lived. He was a faithful soldier in the revo- lutionary war and died in 1820.
Cole, Caleb, was from Norwalk, and came to Sharon in 1748. He settled on the place now owned by his great grandson, Albert Cole. He had sons, Zebulon, Matthew and David, which last named was the father of Caleb Cole and Richard B. Cole. He died in 1780.
Coleman, Josiah, came from Hebron in 1771. He lived near where Austin Cartwright lives. He was a son of Noah Coleman, of Colchester, one of the original proprietors of the township. He was a practical surveyor, and was considerably employed in that business. He was a member of the General Assembly in October, 1783, and in May, 1784, and again in May, 1788. He was also a delegate to the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States, to the adoption of which he was very strongly opposed. One of his sons, Josiah, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, in 1776, and on his return from captivity died at Milford, January 8th, 1777, of disease contracted in the British prison-ships. He had four other sons, Aaron, Elihu, Jesse and Amasa. The eldest, Dr. Aaron Coleman, lived at Warren, to a very advanced age. Mr. Coleman died February 23, 1813, aged eighty.
Epitaph. When rocks dissolve and skies in smoke decay, Rise, sleeping dust, to an unclouded day.
Comstock, Samuel, was from Lyme, and canie into Sharon with the first settlers. He built a log house directly opposite John B. Smith's dwelling house, and a cluster of apple-trees which he planted the first year, is still standing. He was the first collector of taxes in the town, and was a highly respecta- ble man. He sold his place in 1748 to Deacon Matthew St. John, of Norwalk, and himself removed to New Fairfield. His home-lot was the thirty-second.
Conkling, Capt. Benjamin, was from Norwalk, and lived for many years where Charles VanDeusen lived, in the Valley. He was often appointed selectman of the town, as well as to other offices. He afterwards lived in Vermont for several years,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
but towards the close of life returned to Hitchcock's Corner, where he died on the 1st of October, 1823, at the age of eighty- six. He was the father of Dr. Ebenezer H. Conkling, who formerly lived at Hitchcock's Corner.
Corbet, John, was the first settler at the place where the late Samuel Petit lived, in the north part of the town, now owned by George Lamb. He was from Lebanon, in 1743. He built a saw-mill, at an early day, near Abel Benedict's. He afterwards lived on the mountain at the Elderkin place, so called, near Elijah Marsh's former residence.
Crippen, Jabez, was from Colchester, and was an original proprietor of the township. He drew the twenty-first home lot, and his house stood on the ground now occupied by the Grosvenor house, so called, nearly opposite Governor Smith's. He was the first selectman ever chosen in the town. He had sons, Jabez, John, Samuel, Thomas and Joseph. His son Thomas lived where Milo R. Calkin now lives. About the year 1752, the father removed with several of his sons, into Amenia, N. Y., near where the late Jonathan Pennoyer lived ; and that neighbor- hood was formerly called Crippentown. Mr. Crippen died at Manchester, Vermont, about 1785.
Crocker, Oliver, was from Lebanon, before the revolution- ary war. He settled where Philander Abel now lives, and died April 12, 1812, at the age of eighty-one. His widow died recently, at the age of more than ninety years. He left no son.
Curtice, Caleb, was from Hebron and was an original pro- prietor. He drew the thirtieth home-lot, and lived where Ezra H. Bartram, Esq., now lives. He had sons, Caleb, Jeremiah, Daniel and Nathaniel. Caleb lived at the Lockwood place, near John S. Jewett's. Jeremiah lived at the Hanchet place, now occupied by A. Bryan, and Daniel at the place owned by the late Capt. Gibbs. Nathaniel lived on the home-lot. He was killed by the kick of a horse, October 19, 1802. Mr. Curtice, the elder, died November 20, 1777. at the age of seventy-four.
Curtis, Seth, was from Danbury, and came to Sharon in 1782. He lived where George W. Peck formerly lived. He was the father of the late Noah Curtis, and of the late David Curtis. He died March 27, 1804, at the age of sixty-seven.
Day, Thomas, was from Colchester and came to Sharon in 1755. He lived where Thomas N. Lucas, Esq., now lives on the mountain. He had two sons, Jonathan and Jeremiah, the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
former of whom died in early life. His younger son, Jeremiah, was educated at Yale College and graduated in 1756. Soon after he left college he was married, and settled in the town as a farmer. He was a constable in 1765 and 1766, and selectman the latter year. He was representative to the Assembly in October, 1766, and in May, 1767. His wife died in August, 1767, and soon after that event he turned his attention to the ministry. He was, for many years, the minister of the parish of New Preston, in Washington. He was the father of the Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D., President of Yale College, and the Hon Thomas Day, for many years Secretary of the State of Connecticut.
Epitaph. In memory of Mr. Jonathan Day, who departed this life January 8, 1763. Spectator ! here you see Exemplified in me, What you must shortly be.
In memory of Mrs. Sarah Day, the late amiable corsort of the Rev. Jeremiah Day, who departed this life Ang. 25, 1767.
She gives life, but O, pitiable consideration ! gives it at the expense of her own, and at once becomes a mother and a corpse. Flere et meminisse relictum est.
In memory of Mr. Thomas Day, Died February 28, 1772, aged eighty-two.
Life how short, Eternity how long !
Davis, Jonathan, was from Rutland, Mass., and came to Sharon in 1746. He purchased of Jacob Bacon, the sixth home- lot, opposite the stone house formerly owned by Anson Boland, He sold this property in 1750, and purchased a large tract of land below Hitchcock's Corner. He had one son, Ezra, who died in early life, leaving a widow and three children. Mr. Davis afterward lived over the line, in Oblong, but where he died is not known.
* 16
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Delano, Deacon Thomas, was from Wareham, Mass. He lived a short time in Tolland, and came to Sharon in 1759. He settled in the southwest part of the town. The name was originally spelt De La Noy. Mr. Delano was chosen deacon of Mr. Knibloe's church in 1767. He died September 8th, 1803, aged seventy seven. He had two sons, Jethro and Stephen, the latter of whom died in 1840, at the age of more than ninety years.
Epitaph. In memory of Jethro Delano, who died July 17, 1787, aged twenty-nine.
Virtue alone to him did give, The gift of knowing how to live ; A pattern to the growing youth, A never failing friend of truth.
Deming, Daniel, was from Saybrook, and came to Sharon in 1782. He purchased of Amos Tyler, the place where his widow afterwards lived. He was the father of Stephen Deming, Esq., late of Litchfield, and Dr. Ralph Deming of Sharon. He died May 15, 1816, at the age of sixty-six.
Dibble, Capt. Ebenezer, was from Salisbury in 1776. He lived in the Great Hollow, near,the watering place. He sold his farm to Adonijah Maxam in 1795, and removed to Saratoga county, N. Y.
Dibble, Ebenezer, was a son of Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, of Stamford, formerly Episcopal missionary in Sharon. He was a merchant and owned the brick house now known as the Taylor house. In 1781 he sold out to Robert G. Livingston, Esq., of New York, and removed to Pine Plains, N. Y., where he died. He was the father of the late Fyler Dibble, Esq.
Dotey, Capt. Samuel, was the ancestor of the Dotey family. He was from the old Plymouth colony, and came to Sharon in 1747. He lived a little south of Dwight St. John's. He practised surveying. He and his wife were both cut off by the small-pox in 1784. He had a son, David, who was a physician, and lived near Hitchcock's Corner, and was for a while a captain in the revolutionary service. He died February 9, 1817, at the age of seventy-six.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Downs, David, Esq., was from New Haven, and came to Sharon about the year 1768. Hle married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Day, and settled on the mountain near John Jackson, Jr. He was a tailor by trade. He was captain of a company in the revolutionary service, and was, with his company, taken prisoner at the Cedars in Canada, in 1776. He was for many years one of the magistrates of the town, and one of its representatives in the Assembly at eleven sessions. He had several sons who main. tained a highly respectable character, but there are none of his descendants remaining in the town. He died December 13, 1813, at the age of seventy-seven.
Dunham, Capt. Jonathan, was from Colchester, and was a leading man in the first settlement of the town. He lived opposite Richard Smith's, and there kept the first tavern in the town. He was the agent to the Assembly to procure the incorporation of the the township, and was appointed to call the first town meeting. He was standing moderator of all the town meetings holden during his life time, and selectman of the town during the same period. His race, however, was a short one, as he died on the 28th day of February, 1745, at the age of fifty-nine. He had sev- eral sons, one of whom, Samuel, built the stone house formerly owned by Anson Boland. Capt. Dunham's grave stone is the oldest one in our church yard.
Elliott, Samuel S., was from Killingworth and came to Sharon in 1780. He purchased of his brother-in-law, Reuben Hopkins, the place where Henry Reed now lives. His wife was the daugh- ter of Col. John Williams. He was the father of John A. Elliott, formerly a very worthy citizen of the town. He died on the 22d day of April, 1812, at the age of sixty.
Elmer, Deacon Jonathan, was from Norwalk, and came to Sharon in 1746. He first purchased of Caleb Jewett, the lot on which Gov. Smith lived, and there resided till 1751, when he sold it to Jonathan Gillett, and removed to what is now called the Martin place, near the stone bridge. There he lived till his death January 5, 1758, at the age of seventy-three. He was highly respected as an officer in the church, and as a member of society. He had several sons, who lived in town, but there are none of his descendants, bearing his name, remaining among us.
Elmer, Martin, was a son of the preceding, and was a cooper by trade, and a Baptist by religions profession. He lived a bach- elor, and died on the 8th day of August, 1778, at the age of seventy-three. The following epitaph is said to be highly expres- sive of his character :
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
In silent shade, Here lies the dust Of him who made The Lord his trust.
Elmer, Colonel Samuel, was a son of Deacon J. Elmer and was a brave officer in the revolutionary war. He was appointed a major in Col. Hinman's regiment, in 1775, and was engaged in active duty in the campaign of that year. The next year he was appointed a colonel in the New York line, and continued in com- mand of a regiment while he remained in the army. He lived in the town until about 1801, when he removed to the town of Elmore, in Vermont, where he remained until his death. He was the father of John Elmore, Esq., of Canaan .*
Everett, Ebenezer, was from Hebron in 1745, and settled where Adolphus Everett lived. He had three sons, Isaiah, Ebe and Eliphalet, the two latter of whom were revolutionary soldiers. Eliphalet was for several years the steward of General Washing- ton's military family. He lived many years where Everett Dunbar now lives, in Ellsworth, but spent the latter part of his life in Watertown, N. Y. Isaiah Everett died August 4, 1834, at the age of eighty-two, leaving sons Adolphus, Asa, Gamaliel, Russell and William. Ebe Everett died January 5, 1840, at the age of eighty- six, leaving sons, Samuel E., Augustus, Elmore and John.
Everett, John, was a brother of Ebenezer Everett, and came to Sharon from Windham in 1757. He was a blacksmith by trade, and lived on the road which formerly led north from Joel Whit- ford's, now discontinued. He had but one child, a daughter, who married Ebenezer Sprague. Mr. Everett went to Ohio, in the early settlement of that state, and died there.
Foster, David, was from Lebanon in 1750. He lived on the place which was occupied by the late John Jackson, who was his son-in-law. He was a leading man in the affairs of the town for many years. He was a member of the Assembly at the October sessions in 1763 and 1764, and selectman eight years, He died in 1793.
* Col. Elmer's name was by mistake spelt Elmore, in the commission he received from Congress, and from that circumstance, he adopted the latter method of spelling it, and it has been continued by the family till the pres- ent time.
RESIDENCE OF REV. C. C. TIFFANY.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Foster, Elijah, was a son of the preceding, and was a highly respectable man. He lived where John Jackson now lives, and was an early favorite of the town. He was for many years a constable. He entered the Continental army as a lieutenant in the campaign of 1776, and was in active service till the close of the year.
His Epitaph.
Here lies the body of Lieut. Elijah Foster, who died of the small pox, January 14, 1777, in the forty second year of his age, on his return from the army. Inspired with freedom and her virtuous cause, To save his country from a tyrant's laws, Resolved an end to the unnatural strife, And in the glorious conflict, lost his life.
Frisbie, Deacon Ebenezer, was from Branford, and was the first settler at the place occupied by the late Benjamin Bailey, on the Ellsworth turnpike. He came to Sharon with the first settlers, and being a surveyor, he was much employed in laying out lands in the early location of the township. He was town clerk from December, 1743, to January, 1746, and one of the deacons of the church nearly the whole time of his residence in the town. He had one son, Capt. Hezekiah Frisbie, who settled where Aaron Dunbar now lives, in Ellsworth. He died October 20, 1793, aged eighty-nine.
Epitaph. How short is life we mortals see, How long is vast eternity, In time prepare for death and be Happy to all eternity.
Deacon Frisbie was buried in the Ellsworth grave yard.
Fuller, Benjamin, was from Colchester, and came with the first settlers. He lived on the next lot below Governor Smith's. He was among the first who died in the town, having departed this life in December, 1740. His widow afterwards married Nathaniel Skinner, Esq. He had three sons, Matthew, Josiah and Benjamin, the latter of whom was the father of the late Capt. John Fuller.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Gager, Dr. Samuel R., was born at Norwich, May 23, 1763, and was an assistant surgeon in the navy in the revolutionary war. Soon after the close of the war he visited England. He established himself in Sharon in the practice of surgery in 1788. He was long celebrated in his profession, and was much respected as a citizen. He represented the town in the Assembly in the years 1821, 1822 and 1829. He was also for many years a justice of the peace. He died August 4th, 1835 .*
Gallow, Joseph, was from Hudson, N. Y., in 1785. He owned and occupied the place where R. W. Noyes now lives, and kept a tavern there for many years. He finally returned to Hudson, where he died.
Gay, John, Esq., was born in Dedham, Mass., and in early life settled in Litchfield, and was among the first white inhabi- tants of that town. In 1743 he came to Sharon, and purchased of Israel Holley, the thirty-ninth home-lot, which was in the north part of the town. His house stood nearly opposite the present res- idence of his great-great-grandson, George Gay, Esq., and was standing till within a few years. Mr. Gay was a highly respecta- ble man, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four. He died on the 6th of August, 1792. He had sons, John, Ebenezer, Fisher and Perez. John was the father of the late Capt. Daniel Gay. He died January 1, 1776, at the age of forty-eight. Ebenezer was a merchant, and built the brick house lately owned by Reuben K. Hunt. He was a colonel in the militia, and frequently command- ed detachments in the revolutionary war. He was the father of the late Mr. David Gay. He died July 16, 1787, at the age of six- ty-one. Fisher Gay settled in Farmington, where his descendants now reside. He died in the city of New York, early in the revolutionary war. Perez Gay died of small-pox in 1784. He was the father of Calvin Gay, Esq.
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