USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > General history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn. from its first settlement, 3rd ed. > Part 11
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Gibbs, Job, was from Wareham, Mass., and came to Sharon in 1747. His house was the one next south of the Governor's mansion. Mr. Gibbs was a merchant and did a large business for those times. He had three sons, Sylvanus, Heman and Job. Capt. Sylvanus Gibbs, the eldest, was an officer in the revolu- tionary war, and died on the 19th of June, 1834, at the age of eighty-one.
* It is worthy of remark that William Gager, the ancestor of the Gager family in this state, was of the same profession as his descendant here noticed. Governor Dudley calls him a "right godly man and a skillful chyrurgeon." His son John came to Connecticut with the younger Gov. Winthrop, and settled in New London, and from him Dr. Gager descended.
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Epitaph.
Here lies interred ye body of Job Gibbs. He died of ye small pox, Dec. in ye 18th, 1760, in ye 37th year of his age.
I'm here confined, as you must be,
Oh then prepare to follow me, Because from death no age is free,
Get faith in God's eternal Son,
In him there is salvation, Boast not thyself of coming time, Because to morrow is not thine,
Seek then, to-day, that you may find.
Gillett, Jonathan, was from Colchester, in 1745. He lived in several places during his early years, but finally established himself, in 1753, where George Skinner now lives. Here he resided thirty years, and kept a tavern. He sold his place in 1783, and purchased of Timothy Carrier, Jun., the place where Charles Benton now lives, where he resided till his death. He was representative to the Assembly at the May and October sessions in 1788, and a delegate to the convention called to ratify the constitution of the United States. His wife was a daughter of Thomas Day, and sister of Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Preston. Mr. Gillett died December 31, 1814, at the age of eighty-nine.
Gillett, Charles, was a brother of the preceding, and came to Sharon from Colchester, in 1755. He was a blacksmith by trade, and settled where John C. Loucks now lives. He was town treasurer from 1760 to 1771, when he removed to the mountain, having purchased of Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Preston, the place lately owned by John Jackson. He enlisted into Capt. Downs' company, and marched to the northward in 1776. While the army lay at the Cedars, in Canada, he was killed by a party of Indians, lying in ambush, as he was riding out on business connected with his duty as commissary. He left several children, one of whom was the wife of the late Capt. Edmund Bennett.
Gillson, Eleazer, was from Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., and came to Sharon in 1784. He had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, and settled a little north of Elijah Juckett's. He was one of the first emigrants to Ohio, and the first mail carrier on the post road between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He carried the whole mail in his pocket on foot. He died at the age of nearly ninety years.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Goodrich, William, was the ancestor of the Goodrich family, which has been quite numerous in the town. He was originally from Wethersfield, and first moved to Litchfield, where he remained ten years. He afterwards removed to Sheffield, Mass., and when the township of Sharon was sold, he became the purchaser of two rights. He brought his family to the town in the fall of 1738, and built a hut near the outlet of Mudge Pond. Here he spent the winter, with no neighbors, except Indians, nearer than the Dutch settlements at Leedsville. He went to mill on foot, during the winter, once to New Milford, and once to Red Hook, N. Y., on snow shoes, and carried his wheat on his back. That he was a sincere christian we may well believe from the introductory clause in his last will and testament, the first recorded on the probate records for the district of Litchfield. After speaking of the uncertainty of life as a reason for making his will, he says : " wherefore, committing my body to the dust, from whence it was taken, and my soul to the bosom of my dear Lord Jesus Christ, hoping and believing that he will raise me up with all his saints at the glorious morning of the resurrection, I give, &c," Mr. Goodrich died on the 31st day of March, 1743, at the age of fifty-six. He had sons, Samuel, Jared, William, El- nathan, David, Elisha, and Solomon, and their descendants have been very numerous. His wife survived him about seven years, and one tombstone marks the resting place of both, on which is inscribed the following
Epitaph.
Here lies the husband and the wife, Interred beneath this double tomb, This double witness may suffice To prove that death will be our doom.
Goodwin, John P., was from Hartford, and came to Sharon in 1784. He lived where Myron Dakin now lives, and died on the 5th of May, 1807, aged eighty-two. He had three sons, William, John P., and Hezekiah, the last of whom was a man much re- spected and beloved. He was a corporal in the continental army, and was eight years in the service. His discharge, under the hand of General Washington, spoke highly of his merits. He was a representative to the Assembly in May, 1818. He was killed at the raising of a small building, belonging to Benjamin
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Hollister, Esq., on the 15th of May, 1833, and his untimely end was deeply lamented. He died at the age of seventy-two. John P. Goodwin and George D. Goodwin are his surviving sons.
Gould, John, was an original proprietor, from Hebron, and drew the thirty-fourth home-lot, the same on which Jacob Benson now lives. His house stood on the hill west of Benson's present dwelling house. He appears to have been at one time a man of handsome estate, but in old age became poor, and was supported by the town. He was grave digger for many years. He died about 1782.
Gould, Job, was from New Milford, in 1763, and purchased of Deacon Jackson, the place on the mountain lately owned by his grandson, Major David Gould-now by John Jackson. Hehad two sons, Job and David, the former of whom settled in Mudge town, near Baldwin Reed's, and the latter remained on the mountain. Mr. Gould, the elder, died February 27, 1795, at the age of ninety-five. His son, David, died April 19, 1824, at the age of seventy seven. Job, Jun., died at the time indicated in the following
Epitaph. Sacred to the memory of JOB GOULD, Jun., Who died April 19, 1794, aged fifty-nine.
O painful thought, yet we must know, The grave's the place where all must go, If dear, good, wise and just they be, Yet death's their lot, as here we see.
Gray, John, was from Scotland, and came to Sharon in 1743. He first settled in the Valley, and his house stood on the bank, a little east of the Valley store. In 1748, he sold this place to Abel Wood, and removed to the mountain, a little east of the Gould place, where he died in 1761. He left sons, John, Silas, Darius and William. Darius was the father of the late Silas A. Gray, Esq. The revolutionary services of William have been described in a former page.
Gregory, Joseph, was from Norwalk in 1759. He lived where Joel C. Whitford now lives. He was a merchant for many years. He removed to Catskill, N. Y., where he died. He had sons, Stephen, Justus, Ebenezer, Uriah, Elias and Daniel.
Griswold, Ephraim, was an early settler, and lived where Richard Woodward now lives. He had three sons, Azariah, David and Jabez. He removed to Spencertown, N. Y., before
* 17
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
the revolution. Azariah Griswold was a subaltern officer in the revolutionary army. He lived where John Boyd, Esq., now lives. He sold this place in 1786 to John Foster.
Griswold, Daniel, Esq., was from Norwich in 1756. He lived where Richard Smith, Esq., now lives. He was a physician and pursued the practice of his profession for many years. He was appointed a justice of the peace at an early day. On the death of Col. Williams, in 1774, he was appointed town clerk, which office he held until his death. He also succeeded the latter gen- tleman as deacon in the church.
Epitaph. Sacred to the memory of Daniel Griswold, Esq., who departed this life Dec. 22, 1792, aged sixty-six.
The wise, the good, the virtuous and the just, Lies here entomb'd to moulder into dust, But death must yield, resign the mouldering clay, To shine and sparkle in eternal day.
Griswold, Francis, was a brother of the preceding, and came to Sharon in 1762. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and he lived on the corner a little north of Solomon Bierce's. His tannery was near his house, where the cider mill stood. He died November 6, 1778, at the age of forty-three.
Griswold, Capt. Adonijah, another brother of Daniel Gris- wold, Esq., came to Sharon in 1762. He settled in Mudgetown where Solomon Bierce now lives. He was a lieutenant in Capt. Down's company in 1776. He died Sept. 19, 1807, at the age of sixty eight. He had three sons, Adonijah, Chester and John, the latter of whom lived in Tompkins county, N. Y.
Hamilton, David, was from Lebanon, and was the first settler on the place owned by Judge Sterling. He afterwards lived opposite Governor Smith's. He appears to have been the great land speculator of the day, his name appearing on the records, as the grantor or grantee in deeds, more frequently than any other. He was also for a time deputy sheriff. He died in 1781, leaving sons, Dudley, John and Joseph. Joseph was a physician, and practiced medicine in the town for several years. Dudley formerly lived where William Marsh now lives. Mr. Hamilton
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
disposed of most of his real estate in town previous to his death. He was largely interested in land in Vermont, and in what was ealled the Susquehannah Purchase.
Hamlin, Cornelius, was an early settler from Wareham, Massachusetts and lived near Mrs. Hunt's. He afterwards lived in the Hollow, near the iron works, in which he was a part owner. He also lived for a while near the head of Mudge Pond. In 1760 he removed to Spencertown, New York, but soon returned, and here spent his days. He had one son, Cornelius, who died in early life.
Hamlin, Deacon Ebenezer was also from Wareham, and first lived where George Skinner now lives. He afterwards removed to the south part of the town, below Hitchcock's Corner. By his last will, he left 24 pounds old tenor bills, for the support of the gospel in the Congregational society at the Corner. He had sons, Ebenezer, Thomas, Isaac and Lewis. Thomas was the grandfather of Philo Hamlin, who is the only descendant of Deacon Hamlin now remaining in the town. Deacon Hamlin died in 1755.
Hamlin, Deacon Benjamin, was son of Deacon Eleazer Hamlin, of Fredericksburgh, now Carmel in Putnam county, New York. He came to Sharon in 1780, and lived at different places in the northwest part of the town. He was elected Deacon of the Congregational Church in 1793, and held the office till his death. He maintained a very pure and spotless character, and died universally lamented.
Epitaph. The remains of Benjamin Hamlin, Seniour Deacon of the first Church of Christ in Sharon, whose piety, meekness, and sweetness of temper, rendered him alike a blessing to the church, an ornament to society, and the delight of his acquaintance. This eminent servant of God, expired in full assurance of a blessed immortality, on the 6th Oct., 1820, in the 61st year of his age.
Hanchet, Sylvanus, was from Salisbury, in 1769. He lived where Alden Bryan now lives. He is celebrated as being the first person who formally invited the Methodist preachers into Sharon, in 1788. It was at his house that the first Methodist society was
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
formed, by Rev. Freeborn Garretson, and where public worship was celebrated for several years. He removed to the state of New York many years since, where he died.
Harvey, Joel, was from New Milford, in 1742, and settled in the Valley. He built a grist mill, which stood more than sixty years. He also built the stone house, in the Valley, in 1747. He was a large landholder, and had a very numerous family, many of whom died of the consumption. Mr. Harvey died Dec. 26, 1796, at the age of 84. His Epitaph :
All nations must, Return to dust.
Hatch, Capt. Ebenezer, was from Kent, in 1768. He lived on the place now owned by Zalmon S. Hunt, Esq., below Hitchcock's Corner. He was a respectable man, and served many years as selectman, and in other important offices. He left the town many years since.
Heath, Bartholomew, was from Lebanon, and was among the first settlers. He lived in the north part of the town, where Bird Reed now lives.
Epitaph. In memory of Mr. Bartholomew Heath, who died Feb. 11, 1789, in ye 79th year of his age.
My glass is run, my days are spent, The fleeting moments heaven hath sent ; And now to God I yield my breath, And calmly fall asleep in death.
Hide, David, was from Lebanon, in 1748. He purchased of Samuel Gillet the 41st home lot, the same on which Homer Pardee lived. He was appointed constable in 1750, and served in that capacity, and as collector, ten years. He was also a deputy sheriff for several years.
Hide, William, was from Lebanon, in 1759. He lived where Charles Reed now lives. He had two sons, Eleazer and William W. He died Dec. 26, 1770, at the age of fifty.
Hitchcock, Samuel, was from Norwalk, in 1752. He pur- chased of Jonathan Gillett the place where Gov. Smith lived, and resided there five years. He then removed to the south part of the town, where his son, the late Asa Hitchcock lived, and there spent the remainder of his days. It was at his house that the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
first Methodist sermon preached in the town was delivered. He died January 1, 1794, at the age of sixty-eight. He had seven sons, Samuel, Thomas, Solomon, Amariah, Penuel, Stephen and Asa. The latter died Dec. 26, 1829, at the age of fifty-nine.
Holley, Israel, was an early settler, from Stamford. He first owned and lived in the 39th home lot, which he sold to John Gay, Esq., in 1743, and removed to the Great Hollow. He there lived on the place lately owned by Capt. Dibble. He had two sons, Israel and Nathaniel.
Holley, Joseph, was from Stamford, and was the original owner of one-half of the 36th home lot, the same on which the late George Bissell afterwards lived. This he sold, in 1743, to John Sprague, and he afterwards lived in Turkey Hollow, a little north of Elijah Juckett's. He had three sons, Jonathan, John and Sylvanus. Jonathan removed to Richmond, Massa- chusetts. Sylvanus lived near the outlet of Indian Pond. John, who was the second son, was the father of Luther Holley, Esq., who was for many years an eminent citizen of the town of Salisbury. This last named gentleman was born in Turkey Hollow in 1752.
Hollister, Josiah, from Glastenbury, was the common ances- tor of the Hollister family which resided in the south part of the town. He purchased of Matthew Judd, in 1742, the 2d home lot, the same on which John B. Lovell lived. He had two sons, Josiah and Samuel. Josiah settled on the home lot, and Samuel settled where Elijah Juckett now lives. Josiah had two sons, John and Benjamin. Benjamin settled in Oblong, New York, near the present village of Leedsville, where his descendants yet remain. He died Oct. 3, 1801, at the age of 74. Lieut John Hollister died May 19, 1769, at the age of fifty, leaving sons, Jeremiah, David, John, Nathan and Josiah. John was killed at the battle of Stillwater, in 1777. David became the owner of a large and valuable real estate. He lived where Enoch Lambert lived. He was the father of the late John J. Hollister, and of Joseph L. Hollister, who was the last survivor of this once large large family.
Epitaph. In memory of David Hollister, who departed this life Feb. 20, 1807, in the 53d year of his age. Alas ! how soon all earthly joys are fled, Our dearest friend is buried with the dead. In vain we mourn, in vain the loss deplore, In vain look back to what he was before,
From us he's gone, on earth he's seen no more.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Hollister, Samuel, from whom the family of that name in the south-east part of the town are descended, was from the parish of Kensington, in Farmington, now Berlin. In 1744 he pur- chased of Dr. George Holloway, of Cornwall, one hundred acres of land on the Ousatonic River, which had formerly been laid out to Joseph Skinner. There he settled and died. He had two sons, Gershom and Elisha. Gershom was unfortunately killed at the raising of a barn, in Cornwall, in 1792. Elisha lived to an advanced age, and died in 1815. He left sons, Samuel, Elisha, Amos and Asahel. There are many of his descendants yet remaining in that neighborhood.
Hunt, Rev. Aaron, who for the last thirty years of his life was a citizen of Sharon, was a Methodist clergyman, of high standing in that denomination of Christians, and whose repu- tation is eminent among the early lights of the church. He commenced preaching in 1791, and for more than fifty years was an able, active and efficient itinerant minister. On retiring from active duty, he purchased the farm now owned by his son. Zalmon S. Hunt, Esq., south of Hitchcock's Corner, which was his home for the remainder of his life. There he died April 25th, 1858, aged ninety years and one month. His biographer says of him, that he had a clear, strong intellect, was an earnest Christian and an able and highly successful minister.
Hunt, Daniel, was from Lebanon, at the earliest settlement of the town. He lived on the mountain, at what was called the Randall house, now the residence of Wm. S. Marsh. He after- wards lived at the Tanner place, near Augustus L. Peck's. He removed to Vermont before he died. One of his daughters, who was the mother of Dr. Sears, lived to the age of ninety-four years. Another daughter was the mother of Dr. Ralph Deming.
Hunt, Phineas, a brother of the preceding, was from Lebanon in 1747. He bought of Caleb Chappell, the farm on which his descendants resided, in Ellsworth. He had but one son, the late Phineas Hunt, to whom, by his will, he gave all his estate. He died August 22, 1787, at the age of 72. The son died Oct. 28, 1827, at the age of 69.
Hunter, Jonathan, was from Wareham, Massachusetts, where he had been deacon of the church. He came to Sharon in 1747, and purchased of Benjamin Richmond the farm on which Benja- min Sears lived. His wife was a daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Hamlin. He died in 1762. He had two sons, David and Jona- than, who removed, soon after his decease, to Stillwater, New York. His widow afterwards married Lient. John Pardee.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Hunter, Ebenezer, was from Norwich, about the year 1760. He lived on the mountain, in the southwest part of the town. His son, Nathaniel Hunter, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Hurlburt, Capt. Samuel, was from Lebanon in 1743. He pur- chased of Caleb Strong, the west half of the 25th home lot, on which Charles L. Prindle now lives. He was the first merchant in the town. He was at one time possessed of a large and valua- ble estate, but before the close of his life he was reduced to poverty. He died June 4, 1789, aged seventy-seven.
Hutchinson, Samuel, Esq., was one of the first settlers, and the second magistrate in the town. He was from Lebanon, and drew the 10th home lot, the same on which the stone house owned by Anson Boland stood. In 1751 he sold that place, and purchased the first minister's lot of the Rev. Peter Pratt. His house stood where Perry Loucks' tavern now stands. In 1762 he removed to Spencertown, New York, where it is supposed he died. He had three sons, Samuel, Ezra and Solomon, the two latter of whom settled in this town, and gave the name to Hutch- inson Hollow, where they lived.
Jackson, Deacon Ebenezer, was from Norwalk, and settled on the 42d home lot, now owned by John Jackson, on the moun- tain. He was early chosen Deacon of the church, and was a highly reputable and useful man. He had six sons, Ebenezer, Joshua, John, Abraham. Stephen and Joseph, most of whom settled in the eastern part of the town. In 1763 he sold his home lot to Job Gould, and from that time lived with one of his sons at the River, till his death, in 1766. An uncommon incident attaches to the farm on which he settled, in the fact, that it has been held by owners of the family of Jackson and Gould from the first ownership by Deacon Jackson to the present time.
Jewett, Capt. Caleb, was from Norwich, now Lisbon, in 1743. He first purchased and occupied the lot on which Gov. Smith lived, but in 1744 he sold it to Deacon Elmer, and bought of Sam- uel Chapman, the farm on the mountain now owned by his grandson, John S. Jewett. He was selectman of the town twelve years, and Representative to the Assembly at eleven sessions. He had sons, Caleb, Nathan, Thaddeus and Alpheus, the last of whom after a life of much public employment, and of great usefulness, ilied at the age of eighty-six.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SHARON.
Epitaph. In memory of Capt. Caleb Jewett, who died Jan. 18, 1778, in the 68th year of his age.
Let not the dead forgotten lie, Lest we forget that we must die.
Jennings, Joseph, was from Fairfield in 1771. He lived at the place lately owned by George Bissell. He died August 5, 1780, at the age of sixty four. He left sons, Justin, Reuben, Charles and Joseph. They all left town soon after the death of their father.
Johns, Benjamin, was an early settler in the Valley, and lived on the Burr place. He sold out in 1752 to Samuel Smith, and removed into the State of New York, near the late residence of Moses Clark, in North East. He died of the small-pox.
Jones, Evan, was the first settler upon the place owned by Deacon William M. Smith, which was the old parsonage of Par- son Smith. He came with the first settlers, from Hebron, and remained in the town till 1750, when he sold out to the Rev. John Searl.
Juckett, Elijah, was originally from old Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. He served faithfully and honorably through the Revolutionary war, and was a sergeant in the light infantry under General LaFayette. He was in the severe conflict at Stony Point, when that post was taken by General Wayne, as well as in several other battles. He was a pensioner under the act of 1818. He died in 1839, at the age of seventy-eight.
Kellogg, Oliver, Esq., was from Sheffield, Massachusetts, and settled in Sharon in 1788. He was a clothier by trade, and lived at Hitchcock's Corner. He was a highly respectable and influen- tial citizen, and was a representative to the Assembly at sixteen sessions. He was also for many years one of the magistrates of the town. He died Sept. 17, 1830, at the age of seventy.
Ketcham, Elihu, was the first settler on the Bates place, so called, now owned by Mr. Liner. This he sold in 1748 to John Marvin, Jr. From that time to 1753 he lived near the school house in the Boland district, when he left the town.
King, George, was from Windsor, in 1784. He had pre- viously been connected with the commissary department of the army, and at the close of the war established himself as a merchant, in company with Eli Mills. He prosecuted business
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with great success for many years, and accumulated a large and valuable estate. He died Nov. 31, 1831, at the age of seventy- seven.
Knibloe, Rev. Ebenezer, some account of this gentleman is given in a foregoing part of this work. It may here be added that he had three sons, William, Elijah and John P., all of whom were cut off within a few weeks of each other, by the epidemic which swept over the town in 1812.
Knickerbacker, Cornelius, was one of the early Dutch in- habitants of Salisbury, and lived at the Furnace Village. In 1748 he exchanged farms with Capt. John Sprague, and took possession of the 37th home lot, where the Messrs. Prindle now live, in Gay street. The pond now called Beardslee Pond, was for many years called Knickerbacker's Pond, from its vicinity to his residence. He died March 3, 1776, at the age of eighty- four.
Lake, Joseph, was a soldier in the old French war, and in the war of the Revolution. He came to Sharon from Stratford, in 1772, and purchased of Jabez Hamlin the place where his son, Andrew Lake, lived, near the Indian Pond. He lived for many of the last years of his life, in the eastern part of the town, where William Stone, Esq., now lives. He died April 24, 1813, at the age of seventy-four.
Landers, Joseph, was from Wareham, Massachusetts, in 1748. He bought of Caleb Chappell the 8th home lot, on which Dr. Ralph Deming now lives. He died on the 5th day of August, 1781, at the advanced age of ninety-four. His wife, who died the preceding January, reached the age of ninety-seven.
Their Epitaph. Behold and see this wonder here, This couple lived full seventy year In wedlock bands ; now yield to death, Ninety odd years 'tis from their birth.
Landers, Joseph, Jr., was a son of the preceding, and lived with his father on the 8th home lot. He was appointed a deacon of the church in 1781, in the place of Deacon Frisbie, resigned, which office he retained till his death. He was a representative to the Assembly at the May session in 1782.
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