USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Groton, Conn. 1705-1905 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
76
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
"And it is enacted by this Assembly that the brand for horses in the town of Groton shall be this following figure, viz. []"
The town was called "Groton" after the country seat of the Winthrops at Groton in Suffolk, from which the family came and is supposed to have first been given to the large estates owned by Governor Winthrop near Pequonnoc. The first time we find the name recorded is in the Winthrop papers, where John Plumbe writes concerning a remarkable meteor which he saw in October 1665, "I being then rowing in my boat to Groton."
In December 1705 a town meeting was held for organiza- tion and Samuel Avery was chosen first townsman, his colleagues being Samuel Fish, Nehemiah Smith, Captain James Morgan and George Geer. John Davie was chosen town clerk and Jonathan Starr constable. The school- master elected at the same time was John Barnard. John Davie, the first town clerk, is worthy of special mention. He was the son of Humphrey Davie and a graduate of Harvard College in 1681. The first town record book opened by him in 1705 is a model of bookmaking and of penman- ship, and indicates that he was a man of intelligence and of education. He came to Groton in 1693, taking over a farm at Pequonnoc formerly owned by William Meades. He filled the office of rate collector in 1695, of townsman in 1696 and was a constable for the east side in 1702. He was a brother-in-law of Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, their wives being sisters, daughters of James Richmond of Hartford.
"July 11, 1694, Voted-That a new meeting house shall be forthwith built and that a rate of 12 pence on the pound be made for it. Capt. Wetherell, Mr. Pygan, Capt. James Morgan, Lt. James Avery, Mr. John Davie, Sergt. Nehe- miah Smith, Ensign John Hough and Richard Christophers, are chosen a committee to agree with workmen for build- ing the house and managing the whole concern of it."* As four of this committee were from the east side, we may gather something of the relative importance of Groton at
* History of New London, Caulkins, ed. 1860, p. 199.
----
€
77
POLITICAL
this time. Mr. Davie recorded the births of his children in the first record book of the town as follows:
"Mary, born June 30, 1693; Sarah, born Oct. 21, 1695; Elizabeth, born March 17, 1697-8; John, born July 27, 1700; Humphrey, born April 12, 1702-3; William, born March 22, 1705-6.
"These were all born in the town now called Groton."*
In 1707 Mr. Davie became heir to a baronetcy and closing out his affairs in Groton he returned to England, where he became "Sir John Davie of Creedy, County of Devon, within the kingdom of England, Baronet." ** Miss Caulkins has given us a very charming account of his reception of the notice of his advancement, which also throws some light on the customs of the day : +
"According to tradition, the unconscious baronet was at work with him and they were at strife to see which would do the most work in the least time. Letters had been sent from England to look up the heir of the Davie estate, and application being made to Mr. Saltonstall, he immediately dispatched a messenger to Groton with the tidings. This messenger, arriving at the house, was directed to the field, and as he approached Davie, who was at work barefoot, with shirtsleeves and trousers rolled up, he inquired his name; and on receiving an answer, struck him upon the shoulder and raising his hat exclaimed, I salute you, Sir John Davie.'
"James Packer had made several voyages, and when Sir John Davie left Groton, he gave him a hearty invitation, if he should ever find himself in England, to come to his estate in Devonshire and make him a visit, assuring him it would always give him pleasure to see an old neighbor and hear from his American home. A few years later Packer, being in England, took the stage-coach from Lon- don and went out to Sir John's estate. He arrived just as the family were sitting down to dinner, with a party of
* History of New London, Caulkins, ed. 1860, p. 199.
* Ibid, p. 416.
1 Ibid, p. 417.
78
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
the neighboring gentry for guests. Sir John recognized his former comrade at once; received him with open cor- diality, introduced him to the company as an American friend; and treated him with marked attention. The next day he carried him all over his grounds and showed him his various accommodations. Before parting, Sir John and his lady had a long and free conversation with their visitor in the course of which the baronet expressed himself thus:
" 'You see how I live, Packer: I have an abundance of this world's goods, and can gratify myself with a continual succession of pleasures, but after all I am not so happy as I was when you and I changed work at threshing and we had but one dish for dinner, and that was corn-beans.' "
Mr. Samuel Avery, the first townsman, was also a man of note. Youngest son of James Avery, one of the early settlers, he served the town from his election in 1705 until his death May 1, 1723. He owned a large farm in Groton, was captain of a train band and was in public service dur- ing most of his life. He has not left a numerous progeny, but some of his descendants deserve mention.
Waightstill Avery, his grandson, born May 10, 1741, died March 13, 1821, lived in North Carolina and was a member of the Mecklenburg Convention which on May 31, 1775, is reputed to have passed the first declaration of independence of Great Britain, antedating that at Philadelphia by more than a year. Tradition has it that Mr. Avery was the writer of this much disputed declaration .*
In 1788 Colonel Avery in the trial of a case in North Carolina was opposed by a young lawyer just twenty-one years of age, Andrew Jackson. In the course of the pro- ceedings Mr. Avery rather scornfully referred to the legal knowledge of his opponent and on a repetition of the offence was served with a challenge by Jackson in which he accused the Colonel of injuring his "charactor" and trusted that he would give him the satisfaction that one gentleman should give another whom he has injured, and declared
* For a discussion of this subject see "The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence," by William Hoyt. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1907.
1
W
SAMUEL FISH HOUSE- BUILT BEFORE 1700
79
POLITICAL
that he would not take his dinner until the matter was attended to. They met on the evening of August 12, 1788, and after exchanging shots without injury to either of the parties became firm friends and so continued until Colonel Avery's death. The challenge, bearing date August 12, 1788, was in the possession of the family until within a few years.
In this line also comes John D. Rockefeller, whose father, William Avery Rockefeller, was fourth in descent from Samuel Avery.
Captain Samuel Fish, the second townsman, was born in 1656 and died Feb. 27, 1733, in his 77th year. He was a captain in the French and Indian wars and was for many years prominent in the affairs of the town. He owned a large farm situated on both sides of the present New Lon- don road and in 1695 built the house now standing on the Chesebrough farm northwest from the Lower Mystic Cem- etery. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Stonington and the names of his children are found recorded there.
Nehemiah Smith, the third townsman, was born in New Haven in 1646 and was the second of the name. He was prominent in the affairs of New London, having repre- sented the town in the General Assembly at Hartford when but twenty-three years of age, and for several years there- after. "In October, 1696, with Captain Mason and Samuel Chester, he is to 'go on the lands belonging to the family of the Rogers in New London, and endeavor a right under- standing of differences.' May 13, 1697, at Hartford Court of Elections may be found the following: 'John Avery ap- pointed Captain of the trainband at New London on the east side of the river, and Nehemiah Smith to be their Ensign and to be Commissionated accordingly. These are commissionated.'
"May 12, 1698, Ensign Nehemiah Smith is appointed a Justice for New London County, and also appointed with 'the Worshipful Captain Samuel Mason and Captain Daniel Witherell' to look after the selectmen of Stonington or
80
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
any of the towns in the county in relation to the highways. In 1706 he is a lieutenant. He was also a representative from New London, justice of the peace, justice of the quorum, etc. Oct. 14, 1704, his name is number 5 on a list of seventy-seven names to whom the patent of New London was granted by the General Assembly, by virtue of letters- patent granted by his Royal Majesty, Charles the Second of England, April 23, 1663.
"October 11, 1705, he is a representative from New Lon- don at the General Assembly held at New Haven, Major- General Fitz John Winthrop, Esq., Governor. In December of this year, the first town meeting in Groton was held. He appears as one of the selectmen. March 25, 1703, the town of New London granted liberty to James Morgan, James Avery and Nehemiah Smith to lay out and sell 300 acres of land in Groton for the building of the first meeting- house. In a list of freemen dated Dec. 22, 1708, his is the first name. April 26, 1709, he appears on the committee to settle boundaries between Norwich and Groton, and Pres- ton and Groton, and, afterward, Groton and Stonington.
"At New Haven, October 10, 1706, he and Captain James Morgan were appointed 'to go to the eastern part of Ston- ington and to see how their difficulties is' in relation to boundary troubles, and he is also on another committee 'to treat with Owaneco concerning the differences arising from his claim to land with full power to finally agree and report to the Governor.'
"April 2, 1707, at Hartford, he is a representative from Groton and he continues annually in that office to 1716.
"In 1711 Governor Saltonstall and Council at New Haven 'Ordered that the Treasurer do pay out of the Colony Treas- ury to Nehemiah Smith of Groton Esq., the sum of four pounds and one shilling money for satisfying what is due to him from the Colony for goods to our Indian soldiers which appears by his account this day laid before this Board and now on file.' May, 1713, he is allowed one pound, two shilling and sixpence for attendance at the Assembly.
1 1
81
POLITICAL
March, 1714-15, he is on a committee 'to make seats in gallery some time this year.'
"In 1715, Mr. Justice Smith of Groton and Mr. Justice Prentiss of New London were appointed overseers of the Indians at Niantic. The Indians complained that some of their number had been induced by drink and other ways to allow the Englishmen to inclose large pastures out of the land set off by the government for the improvement of the Indians. March 20, 1715-6, he was on a committee in relation to the debts of the town. In 1716, he is spoken of as seventy years of age. He was the second town clerk of Groton, 1707 to 1718. In 1719, he was on several com- mittees relating to schools, Indians, and laying out of land."*
James Morgan, the fourth townsman, was the second of the name, being the son of James Morgan, one of the first settlers. He lived on the farm inherited from his father, just west of Pequonnoc Bridge. He was one of the first two deacons of the first church in Groton, was a magis- trate, and acted as moderator of the first town meeting after the incorporation of the town. He served as captain of a train band and as deputy to the General Court from New London before the separation, and was one of the first deputies from the new town of Groton in 1706. For several years he was a commissioner to advise and direct the Pequot Indians in the management of their affairs.
George Geer, the fifth townsman, was the only one born in the old country. He was born in Hevitree, England, in 1621 and must have been eighty-four years of age at the time of his election. He lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and five years. Left an orphan at an early age, he and a brother, Thomas, were put in charge of an uncle. They came to Boston in 1635 and George is found at New London in 1651. Having married a daughter of Robert Allyn, he took up a tract of fifty acres of land granted him by the town of New London, and adjoining the farm of his father-in-law, at Allyn's Point. Although he had
* Descendants of Nehemiah Smith, pp. 68-9.
82
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
a larger family than any of his associates, less is known of his history than of any of his fellow townsmen.
Of Jonathan Starr, the constable, we gather from Miss Caulkins that he was the son of Samuel Starr and his wife Hannah, the daughter of Jonathan Brewster. He was bap- tized in the New London church in 1674 and married Eliza- beth, the daughter of Captain James Morgan. "The de- scendants of Jonathan Starr* have been remarkable for longevity-eight of his children lived to be eighty, and most of them over eighty-five years of age. One of his daughters, Mrs. Turner, ** was one hundred years and seven months old. In the family of his son Jonathan, the father, mother and four children averaged ninety years of age. The third Jonathan lived to be ninety-five and his brother, Captain Jared Starr, to his ninetieth year. A similar length of years characterized their partners in marriage. Mrs. Mary (Seabury) Starr lived to the age of ninety-nine years: and Elizabeth, relict of Captain Joseph Starr of Groton, (brother of Jonathan 2nd), died at the age of one- hundred years, five months and eight days."
Of the schoolmaster, David A. Dabollt writes as fol- lows: "At a similar gathering (town meeting) the crude foundations of an educational system were laid by the ap- pointment of Mr. John Barnard to be 'town schoolmaster.'" Ten acres of land north of the meeting house were appro- priated and a convenient dwelling house sixteen feet square was ordered to be built thereon for school purposes. On September 11th of the same year this vote was rescinded and the same amount of land "south of the meeting house" was substituted, although apparently the school house was built on the original location. The area of the town being something like seventy square miles, it is not to be supposed that his labors were confined to this building. He held school in the houses of well-to-do citizens in other sections
History of New London, ed. 1860, pp. 318 and 320.
** Buried in Seth Williams Burying Ground, just above Old Mystic. Tombstone inscription: "Mrs. Lucy Turner, relict of Capt. Hawkins Turner, died Mar. 16, 1809, æ. 100 yrs. 7 ms. 16 ds."
¡ Historic Groton, pp. 47-8.
£
83
POLITICAL
of the town. What his compensation was or how long he continued in the position is a matter of conjecture only, his salary not being mentioned in the records. His wife, "for sweeping out the meeting house, and keeping the key," received twenty shillings per annum. We will follow the history of the schools in another chapter.
After the departure of John Davie the clerkship was filled by the following persons, viz.,
1707-18, Nehemiah Smith; 1718-30, Samuel Avery; 1730-68, Chris- topher Avery and Christopher Avery, Jr .; 1768-87, William Avery; 1787-97, Charles Eldredge; 1797-1803, Amos Gere; 1803, Amos Niles; 1804, Amos Gere; 1805-21, Amos A. Niles; 1821-37, Nathan Daboll; 1837-46, Elisha Morgan; 1846-50, Sanford Morgan; 1850, James D. Avery; 1851-53, Sanford Morgan; 1853, James D. Avery; 1854-59, Sanford A. Morgan; 1859, Daniel Morgan; 1860-62, Colby M. Morgan; 1862-70, Elisha Morgan; 1870, David A. Daboll; 1871-74, Elisha Morgan; 1874-95, James D. Avery; 1895-1905, Nelson Morgan.
Representatives to the Colonial Assembly* were chosen twice in each year, and the custom continued until the adoption of the State Constitution in 1818. Those who served the town in this capacity were
1706, May-James Morgan, Andrew Lester. Sept .- Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Fish.
1707, May-Capt. James Avery, Capt. James Morgan. Sept .-- Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Fish.
1708, May -- Capt. James Avery, Lieut. John Morgan, Sr. Sept .--- Lt. Samuel Fish, Capt. James Avery.
1709, May-James Morgan, William Latham. Sept .- Samuel Avery, Joshua Bill.
1710, May-Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr. Sept .- Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr.
1711, May-Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr. Sept .- John Morgan, Jr.
1712, May-Capt. James Avery, Moses Fish. Sept .- Capt. Samuel Fish, Jonathan Starr.
1713, May-James Morgan, Jonathan Starr. Sept .- James Morgan, Jonathan Starr.
* This list, together with the accompanying brief biographical sketches, to the year 1866, was compiled by Judge William H. Potter.
84
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
1714, May-James Morgan, Jonathan Starr. Sept .- James Morgan, Samuel Lester.
1715, May-James Morgan, James Avery. Sept .- William Morgan, Nicholas Street.
1716, May-Samuel Avery, William Morgan. Sept .- James Mor- gan, James Avery.
1717, May-James Avery, James Packer. Sept .- Nicholas Street, Joshua Bill.
1718, May-Nehemiah Smith, James Avery. Sept .- Capt. Samuel Avery, John Seabury.
1719, May-Capt. Samuel Avery, Moses Fish. Sept .- Capt. Samuel Avery.
1720, May-Joshua Bill, Ebenezer Avery. Sept .- John Burrows, Ebenezer Avery.
1721, May-Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill. Sept .- John Morgan, Jr., Nehemiah Smith.
1722, May-Joshua Bill, Nehemiah Smith. Sept .- Joshua Bill, Nehemiah Smith.
1723, May-Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill. Sept .- Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill.
1724, May-James Avery, Joshua Bill. Sept .- Nehemiah Smith, Christopher Avery.
1725, May-James Avery, James Morgan. Sept .- Christopher Avery, James Morgan.
1726, May-James Avery, Jonathan Starr. Sept .- James Morgan, Ebenezer Avery.
1727, May-James Avery, Daniel Eldredge. Sept .- James Avery.
1728, May-James Avery, Joshua Bill. Sept .- Jonathan Starr, James Avery.
1729, May-Daniel Eldredge, Joshua Bill. Sept .- Capt. James Avery, Nicholas Street.
1730, May-Daniel Eldredge, Benadam Gallup. Sept .- James Mor- gan, Capt. James Avery.
1731, May-Capt. James Avery, Capt. John Morgan, Sr. Sept .- Capt. James Avery, Moses Fish.
1732, May-James Packer, Christopher Avery. Sept .- James
1733, May-James Packer, Humphrey Avery. Sept .- James Packer, Humphrey Avery.
Packer, Humphrey Avery.
1734, May-Daniel Eldredge, Humphrey Avery. Sept .- James Packer, Christopher Avery.
1735, May-James Avery, Humphrey Avery. Sept .- Luke Perkins, Dudley Woodbridge.
1736, May-Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept .- James Avery, John Chester.
£
85
POLITICAL
1737, May-Luke Perkins, Dudley Woodbridge .- Sept .- William Morgan, James Avery.
1738, May-Christopher Avery, Ebenezer Avery. Sept .- Hum- phrey Avery, Ebenezer Avery.
1739, May-Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept .- Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge.
1740, May-Dudley Woodbridge, Humphrey Avery. Sept .- Chris- topher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge.
1741, May-Christopher Avery, Humphrey Avery. Sept .-- Eben- ezer Avery, William Williams.
1742, May-Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Christopher Avery, John Ledyard.
1743, May-Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Humphrey Avery, John Ledyard.
1744, May-Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Christopher Avery, John Ledyard.
1745, May -- Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Christopher Avery, John Ledyard.
1746, May-Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Ebenezer Avery, 2nd, Col. Christopher Avery.
1747, May-Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Capt. Moses Fish, Luke Perkins.
1748, May-John Ledyard, Capt. Robert Allyn. Sept .- Col. Chris- topher Avery, Ebenezer Avery, Jr.
1749, May-Col. Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept .- Capt. William Williams, Capt. Nathan Smith.
1750, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept .-- Eben- ezer Avery, Capt. William Williams.
1751, May -- Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins.
1752, May -- Capt. Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept .- Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Silas Deane.
1753, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Nathan Smith. Sept .- James Morgan, Benadam Gallup.
1754, May-Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept. -Capt. Moses Fish, Capt. Robert Gere (2).
1755, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Moses Fish. Sept .- Nathan Smith, Col. Christopher Avery.
1756, May-Capt. Moses Fish, William Williams. Sept .- Luke Per- kins.
1757, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept. Capt. Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery.
1758, May-Capt. Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept .- Luke Perkins, Col. Christopher Avery.
1759, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Jabez Smith. Sept .- Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Jabez Smith.
86
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
1760, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept .- Capt. Robert Gere (2), Luke Perkins.
1761, May-Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept .- Dudley Woodbridge, Capt. William Woodbridge.
1762, May-Moses Fish, Christopher Avery. Sept .- Dudley Wood- bridge, Capt. William Williams.
1763, May-Christopher Avery, Jabez Smith. Sept .- Ebenezer Avery, William Williams.
1764, May-Christopher Avery, Benadam Gallup. Sept .- Ebenezer Avery, William Williams.
1765, May-Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. Sept .- William Wil- liams, Moses Fish.
1766, May-Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. Sept .- Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish.
1767, May-Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. Sept .- Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish.
1768, May-Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Capt. William Williams. Sept. -Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Moses Fish.
1769, May-Capt. William Williams, Capt. Moses Fish. Capt. Benadam Gallup, Simon Avery, (?Simeon).
Sept .--
1770, May-Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Moses Fish. Capt. Robert Gere (2), Capt. Benadam Gallup.
Sept .--
1771, May-Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Joseph Gallup. Sept .-- Capt. Nathan Gallup, Capt. Nathan Fish.
1772, May -- Capt. Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Sept .- Nathan Fish.
1773, May-Col. William Ledyard, William Avery. Sept .- Capt. William Morgan, Thomas Mumford.
1774, May-Capt. William Morgan, Thomas Mumford. Sept .- Ste- phen Billings, Thomas Mumford.
1775, May-Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept .- Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford.
1776, May-Capt. Benadam Gallup, Col. William Ledyard. Sept .- Park Avery, John Hurlbut.
1777, May-Col. Benadam Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept .- Col. Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford.
1778, May-Thomas Mumford, Capt. William Williams. Sept .- Capt. Stephen Billings, Thomas Mumford.
1779, May-Col. Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept .- Eben- ezer Ledyard, William Avery,
1780, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Amos Gere. Sept .- Thomas Ap. Niles, Amos Gere.
1781, May-Thomas Mumford, Stephen Billings. Sept .- Thomas Mumford, John Morgan.
87
POLITICAL
1782, May-Nathan Gallup, Ebenezer Ledyard. Sept .- Elisha Wil- liams, Dr. Amos Prentice.
1783, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Elisha Williams. Sept .- Ebenezer Ledyard, Elisha Williams.
1784, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Oct .- Thomas Niles, Nathan Gallup.
1785, May-Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup. Oct .- Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup.
1786, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Isaac Gallup. Oct .- Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup.
1787, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Isaac Gallup. Oct .- Thomas N. Niles, Stephen Billings.
1788, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Stephen Billings. Oct .- Thomas N. Niles, Stephen Billings.
1789, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Oct .- Thomas N. Niles, Robert Allyn.
1790, May-Robert Allyn, Ezra Bishop. Oct .- Nathan Niles, Amos Geer.
1791, May-Thomas Avery, Nathan Gallup. Oct .- Thomas Avery, Stephen Billings.
1792, May-Simeon Avery, Christopher Morgan. Oct .- Simeon Avery, Christopher Morgan.
1793, May-Simeon Smith, Nathan Gallup. Oct .- Simeon Smith, James Gallup.
1794, May-Jonathan Brewster, John Wilson. Oct .- Simeon Avery, Robert Geer, 2nd.
1795, May-Thomas Avery, Benadam Gallup. Oct .- Thomas Avery, Benadam Gallup.
1796, May-Ebenezer Ledyard, Ebenezer Morgan. Oet .- Thomas Avery, Ebenezer Morgan.
1797, May-Starr Chester, Robert Geer, 2nd. Oct .- Starr Chester, Robert Geer, 2nd.
1798, May-Ebenezer Avery, Jr., Ebenezer Morgan. Oct .- Eben- ezer Avery, Jr., Ebenezer Morgan.
1799, May-Simeon Smith, Isaac Avery. Oct .- Simeon Smith, Isaac Avery.
1800, May-Jabez Smith, Vine Stoddard. Oct .- Starr Chester, Vine Stoddard.
Part I-From 1784 to 1801
The first on the list is Esquire Ebenezer Ledyard, 1784, who was six times a delegate. He was, we think, a brother of the late lamented Colonel William Ledyard, and negoti-
88
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
ated cartels for the exchange of prisoners during the Rev- olutionary War. He was a merchant at Groton Bank and died in 1811 aged 75 years. Esquire Ledyard filled a large place in our Revolutionary annals. Colonel Nathan Gallup, his colleague, of Revolutionary fame, resided at Pumpkin Hill; Thomas Niles resided at the Niles place just above Mystic River; Deacon Northrup Niles built a house and resided north of Candlewood Hill and was long a leading man in the town; Captain Isaac Gallup, 1785, the son of Colonel Benadam Gallup, was a Revolutionary soldier and an able and useful public man. He was very corpulent, and lived at Pumpkin Hill. Esquire Stephen Billings, 1787, resided near Center Groton, and was, we think, uncle of Colonel Stephen Billings, who subsequently figured in the military line. Captain Robert Allyn, 1799, was another noble Revolutionary patriot of whom we could wish to say more. He resided and died at Allyn's Point. Ezra Bishop, 1790, we cannot locate. There must be a mistake in the name, though it was transcribed from the records of the State Department at Hartford. We give him up. Nathaniel Niles was another of the same family as the preceding bearers of the name. Esquire Amos Geer, 1790, lived on Geer Hill, east of Poquetanoc. He was a noted man in the town, surveyor, standing justice and town clerk, for which latter post he was admirably adapted as a ready penman.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.