History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572


USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 100


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).


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Hanford Lockwood


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GREENWICH.


bury, widow of Samuel D. F. Lounsbury, and daugh- ter of William Roscoe, of Greenwich, Jan. 31, 1872. They have one son, William Fletcher Hanford Lock- wood, born May 22, 1875. Mr. Lockwood is a thorough temperance man, never having used tobacco or liquors of any kind as a beverage.


Samuel D. F. Lounsbury united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the early age of twelve years, and sustained through life a noble Christian charac- ter. He was a shoemaker by trade, and died in early manhood, leaving a good name.


Mrs. Hannah Lockwood united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at twelve years of age. During her widowhood she was a teacher at Portchester, for fourteen years in succession in one place.


ODLE C. KNAPP,


son of Nathaniel Knapp and Elizabeth C. Close, was born at Round Hill, town of Greenwich, Conn., May 26, 1815. His father was a son of Joshua and Charity (Mead) Knapp, and was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1790; settled in the town of Greenwich, at Round Hill, when a young man, about 1812, where he was engaged in trade as a mereliant. On the 17th of May, 1812, he married Elizabeth C. Close, who was born April 20, 1793. Their children were as fol- lows : Elizabeth, Odle Close, Joshua, Nathaniel A., Hannah C., Eunice, and Sarah A.,-all of whom were born at or near Round Hill, Conn., and all of them are dead except Odle C. and Hannah C. Nathaniel Knapp was a Whig in politics, and was a postmaster at Round Hill for many years. He died Jan. 4, 1836, and his wife died Nov. 25, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp were esteemed citizens, and left the record of honest and, industrious lives. The grandfather of Odle C. Knapp was Joshua Knapp, one of a large family of brothers and sisters. We mention some of them,- viz. : Isaac, Samuel, Reuben, Joshua, Benjamin, Jared, Enoch, Shubel, and probably sisters. Nothing is known of the family farther back.


Joshua Knapp married Charity Mead, and had the following children,-viz. : Nathaniel, Joshua, Samuel, Jasper, Rachel (who married and had two children), Eunice, Charity B., and Sarah. Joshua Knapp was a Revolutionary soldier, was a farmer by occupation, and died at an advanced age. Odle C. Knapp re- ceived a common-school education, and was reared as a merchant in his father's store, which has been his business through a long business life, except about one and a half years. On the 27th of January, 1836, he commenced business for himself at Round Hill, Coun., and has continued until the present (October, 1880). He is a good business man, and has always been able to meet all his obligations in time. He is strictly honest in all his dealings, and has made his business pay. He is now well off, has a family of good children, and is surrounded with the comforts of a happy, genial home. He has been twice married ;


first, Caroline B., daughter of Guy B. Hobby, Jan. 19, 1841. Their children were Cornelia and Joshua (deceased). Mrs. Knapp died Feb. 27, 1848, and Mr. Knapp married, March 8, 1849, Eunice A., daugh- ter of Abram Brown. She was born in 1822 and died March 5, 1879. Their children were as follows,-viz. : Sarahı (deceased), Carolina HI. (deceased) Anna MI., Charles O., Kate A., John F., and Nathaniel A. In polities Mr. Knapp was a Whig until 1856, when he joined the grand old Republican party, and is very proud to-day (1880) of its glorious achievements. He has been a postmaster the greater part of his life, is a director in the Stamford National Bank, was for many years the first vice-president of the Greenwich Savings Bank, and has been a trustee since its organ- ization, and a treasurer and director of the Green- wich Fire Insurance Company since its organization. Both of his wives were members of the Congregational Church at Round Hill, and he has been a regular attendant and supporter of the same.


Mr. Knapp is one of the representative men of the town of Greenwich, and is interested in everything that tends to build up the community in which he resides.


JOSIAH WILCOX.


Josiah Wilcox is a son of Joseph R. and Lina (Bacon) Wilcox, and was born in Middletown, Mid- dlesex Co., Conn., May 9, 1804. His great paternal ancestor (John Wilcox) came from England about 1648, and settled at Hartford, Conn. He had a family of children, one of whom was named John (2), who was born at Hartford, Conn., married, and had a son, Israel, who was born at Hartford also. Israel married and had a son, Samuel, who settled at Cromwell, Middlesex Co., Conn., and followed the occupation of a farmer.


He married and had children, one of whom was named Daniel, who was a farmer, married, and had thirteen children, four of whom were sons,-viz., S-, Josiah, Samuel, and Jacob.


Josiah Wilcox, Jr., was born at Berlin, Conn., was a farmer, also owned and ran a carding-machine, married a Miss Savage, and had eight children,-viz., Olive, Joseph R., Belinda, Huldah, Hepsabath, Ly- man, Horace, and Lemuel, all of whom were born at Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn. Mr. Wilcox died in 1847, aged seventy-eight years.


Joseph R. Wilcox was born Jan. 16, 1774, and died Jan. 25, 1852. His wife, Lina Bacon, was born June 4, 1774, and died Sept. 11, 1847. They had six chil- dren,-viz., Chauncey, Alsa, Caroline, Pamela, Josiah, and Russell, all of whom are dead except Josiah and Pamela.


Mr. Wilcox built the first carding-machine at Ber- lin, and ran it several years. He was also a good farmer and a man in good circumstances for those days. He was a Whig in polities, and a member and liberal supporter of the Congregational Churel.


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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


Josiah Wilcox, the subject of this sketch, remained at home, receiving the advantages of a common school education, until lie was sixteen years of age, when he left to learn the manufacture of tiuncrs' tools. After serving an apprenticeship of some five years, he began to work as a journeyman at one dollar a day, and the first year he put in three thousand one hundred and fifty hours of hard labor, or equal to three hundred and fifteen days of ten hours each. In the montli of September, 1828, he settled where he now (Nov. 2, 1880) resides, five miles northeast of Portchester, N. Y., in the town of Greenwich, Conn. Here he built the first factory for the manufacture of tinman's tools in 1828. His factory was thirty by thirty-five feet, and this he enlarged from time to time until now his buildings are many. Mr. Wilcox manufactures shaft-couplings with no weld either in the cye or clip, thus making them lighter and stronger, but his spe- cialty is at present the manufacture of carriage hard- ware, which is equal to supply the demands of more than one hundred thousand carriages auuually. He is also interested in two other large factories at Soutlı- ington, Conn., namely, Pecks, Stow & Wilcox.Com- pany, with a joint-stock capital of one million dollars, and the Etna Iron-Rolling Mills.


He married Celestia Wilcox, Aug. 24, 1828. She was born in Berlin, Conn., Sept. 11, 1806. Their children were George E. (deceased), George E. (2), Willis H. (deceased), Caroline O., Willis H. (2), Cornelia M., and Josiah N., all of whom were born on the old home where Mr. Wilcox now resides.


Mr. Wilcox was a Whig until 1856, since which time he has been a stauncli Republican, and Nov. 2, 1880, he voted for Gen. James A. Garfield, of Ohio, for President. As a Whig and Republican he has five times represented his town in the State Legis- lature,-first in 1849, '51, '52, '53, and '54. He las often been a delegate to county and State conventions.


At seventeen years of age he united with the Con- gregational Church at Berlin, Conn., and since his residence in Greenwich he has been one of the strong pillars and main supporters of the Congregational Church at North Greenwich. His wife was a mem- ber of the same church, and he is a deacon of the same. Through a long and useful life he has taken a deep interest in the cause of temperance, and thor- oughly believes that total abstinence is the only safe way. For the last twenty years he has been a direc- tor in the Portchester Bank. He commenced life a poor boy, but by his own energy, supplemented by that of his faithful wife, he lias reared a family of chil- dren, who are universally respected, and they, as well as many of their children, are among Greenwich's best citizens.


George E. Wilcox married Sarah Lyon, and has two children,-viz., Gilbert L. and Berthia; Caroline O. married Henry S. Banks, of Portchester, and has two children, Clara and George; Willis H. married Susan C., daughter of Edward Mead, of Cos Cob, and


has one son, Robert Mead ; Cornelia M. married Silas E. Mead, of North Greenwich, and has three chil- dren,-Mable, Louisa, and Josialı W. ; Josiah N. mar- ried Henrietta Lyon, of Portchester, and has two children, Lillian and Arthur R. He is a cashier in the Portchester National Bank, at Portchester, N. Y., and the other boys are identified in the mar- ufacture of carriage hardware with their father, one of whom, Willis H., was a soldier in the great civil war, having enlisted in Company I, Tenth Connecticut Volunteer Regiment, in September, 1861, and went forth to battle and was in more than fifty engagements under Gen. Burnside. He was slightly wounded at Strawberry Plain. He was mustered out October, 1864.


WILLIAM BRUSH.


William Brush is a lineal descendant of Capt. Ben- jamin Brush, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and who was taken prisoner during the Revolutionary war and put in the famous Sugar-House, in New York City, where he remained some time. He was a hatter by trade, but towards the latter part of his life de- voted himself to agriculture. He married Rebecca Finch, and had nine children,-viz., Rachel, Abigail, Ard, Ann, Rebecca, Benjamin, Jonathan, Mary Ann, and Lucy Ann, the last two of whom are living.


Benjamin Brush died about 1822, and his wife about 1824.


Benjamin Brush (2) was born April 28, 1774; mar- ried Rachel Brush June 22, 1799. She was born Sept. 26, 1779. Their children were Shubel, Wil- liam, Charles, and John (deceased).


Shubel married and had three children,-viz., Mary A., Rachel A. (deceased), and Harriet (deceased). His daughter, Mary A., married George A. Lock- wood, and had five children,-viz., Fredcrick, Wil- liam, Charles, Caroline, and twins, names not known.


Benjamin Brush was a tanner and farmer by occu- pation, a Whig in politics, and a member of the Congregational Church at Stanwich. He died in September, 1852, and his wife in March, 1853.


William Brush, son of Benjamin and Rachel Brush, was born at Stanwich, Conn., Sept. 26, 1802. He worked at the boot and shoe trade and tanner and currier till 1832, when he settled on a farm, working it summers and at his trade winters until 1838, when he settled where he now resides. In politics he is a Republican.


Mr. Brush is a liberal man, seeking to bestow his money where it will do good. He is a good citizen, and is universally respected.


JOIIN G. REYNOLDS.


John G. Reynolds is a lineal descendant of the fifth generation from one of four brothers who came from England and settled in Greenwich, Conn., per-


-audoy Samme


William Brush


Samuel Surton Phus


John Reynolds


In J. Reynolds


405


GREENWICH.


haps more than two hundred years ago, or the latter part of the seventeenth century.


We are not able to give the names of the four brothers, but they married, and one of them had the following children, viz., Nathaniel, Nezer, Enos, Tim- othy, Rebecca, Deborah, and Abigail, the eldest of whom, Nathaniel, was the great-grandfather of John G. Reynolds. This Nathaniel married Sarah Lock- wood, and had the following children, viz. : Nathaniel, born Sept. 7, 1745, died June 6, 1822; Ezekiel, born Oct. 13, 1747, died Nov. 24, 1833; Abigail, born Dec. 11, 1749, died March 27, 1839; Benjamin, killed in battle in Revolutionary war; Phoebe, born April 16, 1757, died June 19, 1829; James, born April 16, 1764, died March 2, 1833; Saralı, born Feb. 8, 1762, died Aug. 31, 1849; Philemon, born Feb. 21, 1764, died July 28, 1835; Nezer died young; Deborah, born May 13, 1776, and lived to be nearly one hundred years of age; and Lockwood, born April 20, 1768, died June 7, 1827.


The first Nathaniel Reynolds was a farmer, and owned a large tract of land near Stanwich, Green- wich, Conn. This was subdivided among his chil- dren, many of whom were farmers also.


Nathaniel Reynolds (the third) married Deborah Husted, daughter of Benjamin Husted and Sarah Newman (see biography of James Husted), for his second wife, and had several children, viz., Ard, Har- riet, Benjamin, and Husted. He died in 1824, and she many years later. Ard Reynolds was born about a mile south of Stanwich, Conn., March 20, 1781. On the 13th of December, 1810, he married Anna Eliza Doell, a native of Germany, who came to America and settled in Albany, N. Y., at nine years of age. Their children were : Elizabeth P., who married Rev. Warner Hoyt, of Danbury, Conn. ; Sally D., who mar- ried Tompkins Close, of Greenwich, Conn .; Benjamin H., who was killed at eight years of age; Ann Eliza (deceased) ; John G .; Harriet E., married Charles S. Guion, of Bedford, N. Y .; Julia H., who married Rev. Senica Howland, of New York; and Maria S. (deceased).


In politics Mr. Reynolds was a Whig, and as such was one of the leading men of his town. He held the various town offices, such as magistrate and se- leetman, and was known as 'Squire Reynolds. He represented his town in the State Legislature, and took an active part while there. Mr. and Mrs. Rey- nolds were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Stanwich, and he was one of the leading men of the same. His home was always open to min- isters, and many there were who found it a welcome place. He died April 26, 1857, and his wife Feb. 25, 1858, and both lie buried in the private cemetery on the " home farm."


John Godfried Reynolds was born on the place where he now resides, a mile south of Stanwich, in the town of Greenwich, Conn., March 25, 1821. He received a common-school education, with a few terms


at the Stamford Academy, at Stamford, Conn. On the 26th of August, 1851, he married Mrs. Julia R., widow of Augustus L. Reynolds, and daughter of Jared Smith. He was a Whig in politics until 1856, since which time he has been a Democrat. He has held nearly all of the town offices to the general sat- isfaction of his constituents, among which we may mention those of magistrate for a number of years, treasurer for eleven years, and register of voters since the adoption of the present system. He represented his town in the Assembly during those trying years of 1863 and '64, and again in '74, '75, and '77, and while there occupied important places on different committees, and was chairman on education one term. He is a trustee and director of the Greenwich Savings Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the Episcopal Church at Greenwich, Conn., and he has been a vestryman for many years, and at the present time is junior warden.


WILLIAM T. REYNOLDS.


William T. Reynolds is a son of Ezekiel and Phebe Reynolds, and was born in the town of Greenwich, Conn., July 18, 1814. His paternal grandfather, James Reynolds, was born in Greenwich, Conn., and married Abigail Knapp, Oct. 18, 1786. She was born in Greenwich, Oct. 4, 1755. Their children were as follows: Stephen, Ezekiel, James, Josiah, Silas, Nezer or Ebenezer, Enoch, Abigail, Reuben, Rachel, Hanford, Lockwood, Joseph, Sarah, and Amanda. This large family was born in Greenwich, and many of them have passed away. James Reynolds, Sr, was a farmer by occupation, reared his large family to industry and economy, and they became some of Fairfield County's best citizens. Mr. Reynolds died at an advanced age. (See history of John G. Rey- nolds.)


Ezekiel (second son of James) was born Aug. 7, 1788; married Phebe Reynolds, Dee. 24, 1809. They have had five children, all of whom were born in Greenwich, Conn. Names of their children are as follows, viz. : Adaline, who married Erastus Rundle, and has two sons and a daughter ; James, died young ; William T., Stephen, and Elkanan M.


Mr. Reynolds was a farmer, is a stauneh Repub- lican, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and so was his wife. He has always been very liberal to the poor and to the church. He is now (1880) ninety-two years and some months old, and he has lived to see nearly three generations pass away. He is living with a bright hope of a happy future, when soon the Master will say, "It's enough, come up higher."


William T. Reynolds remained at home until he was married, receiving such advantages for an educa- tion as the district schools afforded. On the 23d of February, 1836, he married Mary A., daughter of Stephen and Rachel (Brown) Halsey. She was born


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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


in the city of New York, May 29, 1818. Her father was a ship-carpenter and merchant, and was born on Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have the fol- lowing children, viz. : Louisa H., Mary B., Julia R., Sarah W., William E. (deceased), Ezekiel, Jr., Isa- bella E., Frederiek W. (deceased), Halsey W., and Louis E.


In the spring of 1836, Mr. Reynolds settled on the place where he now resides, and which was formerly owned by Mrs. Josiah Brown, grandmother of Mrs. Reynolds. He has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which is in a good state of eultiva- tion. In 1856 he built his present house, in which the family still reside.


Mr. Reynolds is a strong believer in the principles of the Republican party. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational Church of Stanwich, and he is one of its main supporters. He has never sought politieal honors, preferring the quiet of home.


JOHN R. GRIGG


is a son of Henry Grigg and Elizabeth Buslı, and grandson of Henry Grigg, and was born in the town of Greenwich, Conn., Nov. 25, 1805. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Fairfield County. His father was born about 1760, was one of a large family of children, and married Elizabeth Bush, by whom he had the following ehildren,-viz. : David (deceased), William (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Mary (deceased), Henry D., born Jan. 8, 1800, and was for more than fifty years on the water as eaptain ; Ann Eliza, John R., James, and Rebeeca, who married Nelson Seymour, and is now dead.


He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was a farmer by oeeupation. He died in 1844, aged eighty-four years, and his wife in 1846. John R. Grigg worked on his father's farm summers, receiving sueh advantages for an education as the district sehools of his day afforded. During many years of the earlier part of his life he was engaged in quarry- ing stone for New York and Fort Schuyler at Frog's Point. Sinee the death of his mother he has devoted himself to farming, which is his present employment.


He married Ophelia A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Banks, April 26, 1836. She was born in Greenwich, Sept. 2, 1809. Their children are Mary A. (deceased), Matilda (who married Alexander Mead), George W., Ann E. (deeeased), Graee O., and Fannie B.


In politics, Mr. Grigg is a Demoerat. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Chureli at Greenwich, of which he is a vestryman and one of its liberal sup- porters.


Mr. Grigg is a plain, unassuming man, one who at- tends strietly to his business and never was an aspirant for any politieal office, though he has hield some minor ones. He is generous, kind, and industrious, and a man universally respected.


CAPT. GEORGE A. PALMER


is a grandson of Denham Palmer, who came from England in company with his wife and settled in the town of Greenwieli, Conn., and reared a large family.


Denham Palmer, the first, was a farmer by oecupa- tion, living to be well advanced in years. His ehil- dren were as follows, viz .: Denham (2d), Henry, and James, and perhaps others.


Denham (2d) was born Aug. 12, 1766, married Mary Loekwood, who was born Sept. 12, 1767.


Their children were as follows :


(1) Maria, born Jan. 1, 1797, married Robert Clark and had eleven ehildren ; she died Nov. 2, 1879.


(2) Loekwood, born April 7, 1798; deeeased.


(3) Solomon, born Nov. 7, 1799; deceased.


(4) Deborah A., born Dee. 9, 1801; deeeased.


(5) Franees, born Sept. 10, 1803, married Chandler Comings, of Boston ; died and left four children.


(6) Lewis, born April 7, 1805 ; deceased.


(7) George Augustus, born Sept. 5, 1807.


All of whom were born in Greenwich, Conn., and all of them are now (1880) dead except George Au- gustus.


Denham (2d) was a meehanie and farmer. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died Feb. 18, 1847. He died at an ad- vanced age.


Capt. George A. Palmer, familiarly known as Cold- water George, was reared on his father's farm, re- ceiving only sueh advantages for an education as the distriet sehools of his early day afforded. When he was about twenty-one years of age lie purchased a market-boat and ran it between his native town and New York City. This, however, was soon laid aside for a new one, which he built himself, named " Loeo- motive." He was the captain of this for more than twenty years, earrying provisions to and fro. The eaptain was so thoroughly temperate, even in those early days when drinking was considered more re- spectable than it is now, that he would not carry liquors of any kind, beer, or even eider, and on ae- count of his striet temperance principles, received the would-be stigma, "Cold-water George"; but to-day it proves to be a title of honor, rather than reproach. The captain has been successful in whatever lie has undertaken, and sueeeeded better and made more money in his trading than any man who carried rum. Sinee 1850 lie lias been engaged in farming. In poli- ties a Whig and a Republiean, and as sueli has held somne minor town offices. He has been a worthy member of the Congregational Chureh for a great many years,-more than fifty,-and one of its strong supporters. He has been twiee married,-first, to Harriet Knapp, daughter of Abraham Knapp, Sept. 9, 1834. She was born Sept. 23, 1809, and died June 1, 1852, having been a member of the ehureh many years. Their children were (1) Darius M., born Dee. 25, 1836, and is now engaged in business at Port Chester, N. Y .; (2) Elizabeth E., born Sept. 21, 1838,


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and died Jan. 4, 1850. For his second wife he mar- ried Phœbe E., a sister of his first wife, March 19, 1853. She was born April 6, 1805, and is a member of the church.


JOIIN DAYTON.


Jolin Dayton is the eldest son of David Dayton, and grandson of David Dayton, and was born in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., Feb. 5, 1828. Nothing is known of his ancestors farther back than his grandfather, David, who was born at East Hamp- ton, L. I., in 1761; married Jan. 21, 1789, to Eliza- betli Osborne, who was born at East Hampton, L. I., in 1776.


David Dayton, Sr., was a tanner and currier, and boot and shoemaker by trade. He settled in the town of Greenwich, Conn., towards the close of the eighteenthi eentury, where his children were born. His wife died April 10, 1837, and he died Jan. 23, 1838. Their children were as follows, viz. : Betsey, born Nov. 9, 1790; Jacob, born March 10, 1793; Sarah, born July 26, 1795 ; David, Jr., born March 6, 1798; Amy, born Feb. 3, 1800; and Mehitable, born June 21, 1802.


David Dayton, the second, was born in Green- wich, Conn., where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian and Jackson school, but never took any active part in politics, always preferring the quiet of home to any official honors. He married Elizabeth Brush, March 6, 1827.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Dayton were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Dayton died Sept. 20, 1863, in Greenwich, the town of her nativity. Mr. Dayton died Jan. 26, 1872. He was a good citizen and neighbor, a kind husband and an affectionate father. He left the record of an honest, industrious life, and a good name as the precious legacy to his descendants. Their children are as follows, viz .: John, born Feb. 5, 1828 ; Sarah, born Feb. 15, 1830; Charles, born Dec. 4, 1832; Henry, born Sept. 10, 1834; Mary E., born Dec. 28, 1836; David O., born Feb. 23, 1840; and George, born Aug. 22, 1842; all of whom were born in the town of Greenwich, Conn.


John Dayton remained at home working on his father's farm summers and attending the district school winters until he was eighteen years of age, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed, more or less, till he was twenty-six years of age. On the 29th of September, 1851, he married Matilda, daughter of Shadrach Selleck, a native of Stamford, Conn. They have one daughter, Mary Frances. In the spring of 1852 Mr. Dayton settled in the village of Greenwich, and opened a boot-and- shoe store, where he is now (October, 1880) engaged in business. In polities he follows the footsteps of his fathers, and is a Democrat, and as such is one of the leading men of his town. He has been a consta- ble for twenty-six years; deputy sheriff six years ;




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