History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 140

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 140

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From early youth Dr. Hill was subject to deep religious convictions and a belief that he should preach the gospel. For many years he put off that duty, but at last was convinced it was a call from God, and was licensed as local preacher in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and afterwards was ordained deacon and elder. While engaged in erecting a church edifice in Norwalk, he organized the Second Methodist Episcopal Society, serving them as pastor for three years, declining any compensation.

Dr. Hill was married in April, 1842, to Miss Susan, daughter of Hon. Charles Isaacs, of an old and hon- ored Norwalk family. Their only child is Rebecca Isaacs, familiarly known to her circle of friends as Betta. She married Ira Cole, who was born in Wil- ton, Fairfield Co. All in all, Dr. Hill was a true type of the highest order of self-made men, at all times the stauncli friend of those who, in any sphere, were striving for a higher good, and his generous

nature and warm sympathies carried his benevolence into many a household, causing his name to be re- vered as a public benefactor and a lover of his kind. He despised all "shams," and whenever he was en- listed in anything gave it the best gifts of his earnest nature. His wonderful eloquence and skill in im- promptu speaking was frequently called into exercise, and many will remember how his audiences hung spellbound as his beautiful language portrayed still more beautiful thoughts. With pen, as with tongue, he was wonderfully gifted, and, with his intense enjoy- ment and love of music, we see how he could and did produce some of as sweet gems of poetry as any author of his day. Perhaps no one in his broad ac- quaintance enjoyed a higher popularity, was more cherished, more dearly beloved, or of a higher Chris- tian character than Dr. Hill. As a Christian, as a scholar, as a writer and speaker, as an inventor, as a friend, a husband and father, his memory will be fondly and tenderly remembered by all who knew him.

JACOB LOCKWOOD.

Jacob Lockwood, son of David Lockwood, was of an old Fairfield county family which located in Stamford. His grandfather, Timothy Lockwood, was a soldier in the Continental army, and was shot by the Cow-Boys, while acting as volunteer picket, dur- ing a visit home on a furlough. His maternal grand- father, Samuel Tryon, served through the French and Indian wars, was in the Revolution, and afterwards fought with Gen. Anthony Wayne against the Indians on the then Western frontier.

Mr. Lockwood was born Jan. 30, 1794, in Stamford, where he spent his childhood and acquired the educa- tion afforded by the schools of that place. When he had attained a suitable age, he varied his labor on the farm by teaching district school during the winter months. He married, on Feb. 11, 1822, Fanny Ray- mond, daughter of Stephen Raymond, who was born in Norwalk. For over forty years this worthy couple walked harmoniously together through life before they were separated by Mr. Lockwood's death.

Their only child, Wm. Raymond, was born Jan. 18, 1823. He married Mary E. Roberts, of an old family of Darien. Their children-William, Fannie, and George-are living.

Jacob Lockwood was an agriculturist, and, by judi- cious calculation, economy, and thrift, from a very humble beginning rose to have more than a competency and to have title-deeds of many a broad acre. He shrank from publicity, but was a selectman and filled various other town offices. He was appointed quarter- master-sergeant in the war of 1812, his commission dating April 21, 1814, but, through noncomplicity with some dishonorable transactions of a superior officer, was discharged September 20th of the same year. He was an honorable man in all business re-

Tana H Ruchte NA.

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NORWALK.

lations, and while he deemed himself entitled to his own, would not exaet from a debtor a dollar more than was his due, and ever, under all circumstanecs, Jacob Lockwood's word was as good as his bond. In the family relation he was a kind husband and father, and his name among his associates was a synonym for worth, integrity, and justice. In his life he was ealled upon to administer on many estates, and was noted for his skill in unraveling the complicated conditions in which he found inany of them involved. Mr. Lockwood died Dee. 26, 1863. His wife survives him.

CHIARLES ISAACS

was born in Norwalk, Conn., June 7, 1795. His an- cestors for many years were leading citizens of the town, and originally, like other Puritan families, came to America from England. His father's name was Isaac S. Isaacs. His mother's maiden name was Susannalı St. John. He could claim kindred not only with Gov. Thomas Fitch, from whom he was immediately descended, but with John Fitell, who preceded by some time Robert Fulton in the inven- tion of the steamboat.

When but two years old he lost a most estimable mother, and at the age of ten years his father, who was wealthy, sent him to a boarding-school in Fair- field, in this county, where he remained several years. He was then sent to a school of higher grade in Cheshire, Conn., where he graduated. Mr. Isaacs then commenced for himself the work of life. The first position held by him was teacher, holding that place in the "Down Town" school of Norwalk as early as 1818. By his conduct he made the position both influential and honorable. From the files of the Norwalk Gazette we find that on Aug. 17, 1819, he entered into a copartnership with his oldest brother, Benjamin, in the grocery, drug, and medicine trade. This partnership lasted for a number of years. In the same files mention is made of his being collector of taxes in 1824, deputy sheriff in 1831 (which posi- tion he held several years), of his dealing alone in hardware and groceries in 1838, postmaster in 1841- 1843, and member of Court of Burgesses in 1844.

In April, 1845, Mr. Isaacs was elected high sheriff on the Whig ticket, and in a strong Democratic county, by his personal popularity, received a majority of seven hundred. He was re-elected in 1848 by equally as decisive a vote, running far alicad of his ticket. When collector of taxes, if he found any who said "they could not pay up," he would quietly pay for them, and in all of his official relations he was very popular and made many staunch friends. Not less widely and favorably was he known as an of- ficer of Fairfield County Bank, of which he was di- rector for many years, under the presidency of Henry Belden, Esq., and president for full twenty years. In his business transactions, if perchance he offended any one by his blunt, off-hand ways, lic always en-

deavored to make amends and bring about cordiality again.

Nowhere did Mr. Isaacs feel more at home, or dis- tinguish himself more, than in his connection with the courts of justice when Fairfield County bar found no superior in any county in Connecticut. He was honored by the friendship and intrusted with the most important business of its best men. He was a strong and ardent politician, throwing all the ener- gies of liis intensely positive nature into the cam- paign, whether in town, county, State, or national contests. He knew no such thing as fear or defeat, and this applied to all the relations of life. One of the most distinguished men of the county, who knew him well, says, "Charles Isaacs was a Roman, and the noblest Roman of them all."

In social life he was lively, cheerful, and full of fun. He delighted in practical jokes, but his kind- ness of heart prevented his being severe in them. He was very fond of children, and, indeed, of all young people. Many a young man owes liis financial pros- perity to the generous aid furnished him, when start- ing business, by Mr. Isaacs; nor was his generosity confined to them, but reached, in some way, every circle of society.

In official relations firm and prompt to duty's eall, in friendship true and loyal, a tender husband and loving father, in all circumstances and everywhere a high, chivalric gentleman, Charles Isaacs lived re- spected and loved, and died July 18, 1872, leaving an honest and unblemished name and life.

He married Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Re- beeca (Fiteh) Betts, Nov. 20, 1815. They had one child, Susan, born May 28, 1819. She married Dr. Asa Hill, whose portrait and biography are to be found elsewhere in the history of Norwalk.

THOMAS BENEDICT.

From a period dating back to at least 1500, it is said that the first son of the Benedict family has been christened Thomas, and the first American progenitor, Thomas, was the only son for three successive gen- crations, and transplanted the name from old to New England. He was born in 1617, of reported Huguenot ancestry, and emigrated from England in 1638, marrying, shortly after his arrival, Mary Brid- gum, his sister-in-law, who came over in the same vessel with him. Stopping not long in Massachusetts Bay colony, he went to the wild, and in winter inac- eessible, shores of Long Island, where he was com- missioned magistrate, or, to use the quaint old rec- ords, "empowered to act in point of government." and "invested with magisterial power on the island." "He was a pillar in the church, the arbiter of ditfer- ences, civilized or savage." " All sorts of offices elus- tered around him, forced on him by the popular choice, and everywhere he wrought righteousness." After divers elianges, this worthy pioneer settled perma-

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

nently in Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Conn., about 1665, where all his children married. From them sprang a most numcrous family. Mr. Benedict was at once chosen town clerk, and occupied thereafter almost continuously till his death some office of public trust. In the patent granted by the General Court in 1686, confirming the title of Norwalk to its territory, his name is inserted as a patentce. He died at Norwalk " aged aboute 73 ycars."

Thomas (2), born in Southold, L. I .; married Mary, daughter of Andrew Messenger, Esq .; moved to Nor- walk in 1665-66; was made a freeman in 1669. Hedied at Norwalk in November, 1688-89.

Thomas (3) was born in Norwalk, Dcc. 5, 1670; married Rachel, daughter of Samnel and Rachel (Marvin) Smith. He held many local offices, and was ensign; died May 10, 1743.

Thomas (4), born in Norwalk, Oct. 29, 1701; married Deborah Waters, of Jamaica, L. I. He held many local offices, was highly respected, and died Feb. 11, 1757.

Thomas (5) was born in Norwalk, Feb. 25, 1725; married Hannah, daughter of Capt. John Raymond, of Norwalk. Up to this time the Bencdicts of this line scem to have devoted themselves to agriculture. But this Thomas was a merchant in Norwalk. His house, store, cider-mill, and distillery were destroyed July 11, 1779, when the British, under Gen. Tryon, burned the town. Died Feb. 21, 1802.

Thomas (6) was a lad of fourtecn when this event occurred, and his reminiscences of it are recorded elsewhere in this history. Hc married, Oct. 8, 1795, Mary, daughter of Phincas Waterbury, and died Jan. 5, 1852, at the honorable age of eighty-seven years. His love of instrumental music amounted to a pas- sion, and in many respects his memory is peculiarly remembered by his associates. He left the savor of a good name to his descendants, and a comfortable share of this world's goods.

Thomas (7) was born Oct. 7, 1797, on the old home- stead, in the same house where his father and grand- father were born, now standing in the borough of Norwalk, Conn., and resided there until he was twenty-six years of age. He married, March 26, 1820, Susan, daugliter of Henry and Rebecca (Fitch) Betts, of Norwalk. In 1823 he removed to the place now occupied by him at East Norwalk, where all his children were born, save Mary, whose birth occurred at the old home in 1821. His other children are Thomas (8), born June 27, 1824, married Cornelia A., sister of Hon. Smith M. Weed, and, although residing in Norwalk, is most of his timc engaged in mining in Missouri ; Elizabeth, born Jan. 5, 1827 (died in in- fancy) ; Sarah C. (Mrs. Richard Parmclec), born Feb. 10, 1832; Julia W. (Mrs. George O. Kecler), born Sept. 3, 1834; Edwin, who was born Oct. 24, 1839, married Sarah W. Raymond, of Southport, Conn. He cnlisted during the late civil war in the Fifth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and served four years. He now resides in Dakota Territory.

Mrs. Benedict died June 16, 1876. Dec. 10, 1876, Mr. Benedict marricd Betsey Ann Betts, of Wilton. She died Nov. 11, 1879.

Mr. Benedict is a man of originality of character, vivacious and pleasant in his social relations, and pos- scssed of much kindness of heart. Hc was never " made a frecdman," which is done by taking the oath of allegiance to Connecticut and the United States, and consequently has never exercised or possesscd the right of suffrage. During his life Mr. Benedict has been engaged in milling, carpentering, farming, and other active pursuits. Always industrious, economi- cal, and saving, he has added much to his handsome patrimony. The declining ycars of his life are cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Parmelee, and with as vig- orous, clear, and active intellect as he has ever pos- sessed, Mr. Benedict is at the present time (August, 1880) a remarkably good type of the sturdy New England race, which has placed its impress on the whole broad continent. Fertile in resources, prompt in action, with physical powers to carry into execu- tion the plans of the mind, the children of this New England race are connected with and stand in the van of every progressive movement for the benefit of mankind. May he be long spared to fill his place in the town of his birth.

CAPT. JOSEPHI W. HUBBELL.

Joseph W. Hubbell, son of Aaron and Sarah (Silli- man) Hubbell, was born Oct. 22, 1800, in Fairfield, Conn. His grandfather, a farmer, was born in Fair- field County, was a member of the Legislature, and died in middle life, much respected.

Aaron Hubbell was also a farmer, and was born, spent his life, and died, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years, in Fairfield Couuty.

Joseph W. was reared on the farm of his ancestors till his fifteenth birthday was passed, when, desirous of a more active life than the quiet seclusion of rural occupations, he entered the store of Benjamin Wheeler, of Bridgeport, as clerk. His new avocation continued four years, two of which were spent in the employ of Mr. Wheeler and two in that of Isaac Burroughs. Another and a more responsible position was awaiting our young merchant: he became cap- tain of a vessel running from Bridgeport to New York. In this new sphere, navigation, he was engaged nine years. While occupied in this pursuit he married Mary Ann, daughter of Wm. Parrott, of Bridgeport, Dec. 23, 1823. In 1829, Capt. Hubbell ccased his mariner life, and on July 29th removed to Norwalk and formed a partnership in the milling and mercan- tile business with Thos. C. Wardin, of Bridgeport. This partnership proved a profitable . one, and con- tinued till the death of Mr. Wardin, in 1851, when Capt. Hubbell purchased the interest of his late part- ner, and continued both milling and merchandising till he lost both mill and the bulk of his property by

Thomas Benedict

CAPT. JOSEPH W. HUBBELL.

ANSON RICHARDS.

David No Fillow

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NORWALK.

a great freshet. After this he only continued the mercantile part of his business, building a store for that purpose. In 1856 he went out of merchandising and became the treasurer of the "Norwalk Savings Society." For fourteen years and over he transacted the duties of that position with care, frugality, and honesty, and to the entire satisfaction of his associates.

Capt. Hubbell has been a magistrate for a period covering many years, a selectman for eight years, an assessor for two terms, member of Connecticut Legislature, and was in early life a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party an earnest supporter of its principles.

For forty years and upwards Capt. Hubbell has been a director of the Fairfield County Bank and its successor, the Fairfield County National Bank. At the present time (July, 1880) he is vice-president of the same. Both Capt. and Mrs. Hubbell became members of the Episcopal Church in 1823. He was vestryman for over thirty years, since then a warden, and is now a senior warden. Mrs. Hubbell died May 8, 1876, and was buried in Norwalk Cemetery. In disposition Capt. Hubbell is kind and genial, a hos- pitable friend and generous giver to a deserving cause. In business he was accommodating, but careful, economical, and conservative rather than prone to rush hastily into new schemes of brilliant promise. He is enabled, by the prudence of his earlier life, to have a competency of worldly possessions to cheer his latter days, and may well be happy in the esteem and confidence of his many friends of years.

ANSON RICHARDS.

One of the old-time families of Norwalk, Conn., is the Richards family. Most of its members have pur- sued the even tenor of their way as quiet agricul- turalists, living to a hale old age.

Anson Richards, second son of Samuel and Mercy Richards, was born in Norwalk, June 2, 1794.

Samuel Richards, Sr., his paternal ancestor, was born April 27, 1770, and died Oct. 2, 1840, much respected.

Samuel Richards, Jr., older brother of Anson, was born Nov. 14, 1791, and died Dec. 6, 1871. He was a stirring, representative man, holding many and prom- inent positions.

Anson Richards remained with his father on the farm where he now (August, 1880) resides at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. In the common schools of his early youth he was an apt scholar, and when about seventeen years of age went to New Canaan as clerk in the employ of Richards & St. John, in a general country store. Here he remained two years. Returning to his birthplace, he assisted his father in agriculture, and after his father's death carried on the farm.

Mr. Richards never sought or cared for office. The only one he ever held was secretary and treasurer of

Union Cemetery Association, left vacant by the death of his brother Samuel.

Mr. Richards married Mrs. Azetta Perkins, daugh- ter of Isaiah Smith, of Stamford, Conn. They had no offspring. Mrs. Richards was born in 1807, and died July 16, 1861.

With the same quictude and tranquillity as that in which his life has passed, Mr. Richards is awaiting the summons for his "going home," secure in the rectitude of a well-ordered life, which has dealt justly with all and held malice for none, and in possession of a competency more than sufficient to supply all the wants of his remaining years.

DAVID M. FILLOW.

David M. Fillow was born in Wilton, Conn., Jan. 5, 1810. His great-grandfather, James, was of French ancestry, and was probably the first of the name ever in America. He died in 1717, at the advanced age of eighty years, in Westport, where he was buried. He had excellent health until a short time previous to his death. He was social in his manners and believed a laugh much better medicine than physic. He married Mary, daughter of Garner Olmstead. His two sons, Benjamin and Elijah, survived him. His old homestead has but recently passed out of the possession of his descendants.

Benjamin Fillow was born in Norwalk, and was a small boy at the commencement of the Revolution, of which he held vivid recollections. He was proba- bly a soldier of 1812. He was a farmer, highly re- spected, was a consistent member of the Methodist Church. He never aspired to political distinction; was quiet in his tastes, preferring the home-life of the farm to any other station, but was held in high estcem in the community where he lived for his upright life. His latter years were passed in that portion of Nor- walk now included in Westport. He married Clemons, daughter of Denton Gregory. This union was blessed with four children, three of whom-Lewis P., Phœbe, and James-grew to maturity. His death occurred Jan. 6, 1852, aged eighty-six years.

Lewis P. was born Feb. 15, 1787. Like his father, he was a farmer, and a representative one. He was independent in politics. He married Lydia Moore- house, daughter of Stephen Moorehouse. Their ten children-six sons and four daughters-all lived to maturity and married. In the relations of life he did well his part, and his memory is cherished by a large circle of descendants. Though poor in world's goods, he left an honest name, and passed away March 1, 1866, aged eighty years.

David Moorehouse Fillow was, as a lad, on the farm with his father, and had no such opportunity of acquiring education as the children of this genera- tion, for David was the eldest son of a large family, and the work of carning a livelihood kept both father and son busy, and the only time of school he could

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

get was in the three months' winter term, and never a day after he was fifteen years old. The winter he was fifteen, instead of going to school, he learned shoe- making, and worked at that trade winters thereafter, his father receiving his wages, until he was twenty- one.

Mr. Fillow marricd Jane, daughter of Thaddeus Waterbury, of Wilton, Dec. 5, 1830, but did not com- mence housekeeping until the next year, when the young couple commenced the new home life in what is now Westport. Here they lived eight years. At that time he removed to his present place, which was purchased from his father. For almost forty-one years he has kept his residence here, acting well his part, enjoying much happiness and enduring many sorrows, and in his way doing much to make the his- tory of that part of the town. His first wife died Nov. 9, 1866. She was mother of six, four of whom- Lydia Ann (Mrs. Thaddeus Waterbury), Lewis Burr, William F., and David A .- are living.

Nov. 25, 1868, Mr. Fillow married Mrs. Nancy J. Whitney, daughter of Reuben Blake, of Greenwich.

Mr. Fillow has for years been a member of the First Baptist Church of Norwalk, and from his con- sistent walk, honesty of purpose, and steady follow- ing of Christian principles was called to the position of deacon, which office he has held for the last four years.

In politics Mr. Fillow is a Democrat, and is always loyal to his principles, and, from his conscientious- ness, would votc that ticket as well alone as if every one else in town voted it.

CHAPTER LVI.

REDDING.

Organization-Topographical-The Indians - Chicken Warrups-The First Grant of Lands-Subsequent Grants-Capt. Samuel Couch's Purchase.

THE town of Redding is an interior town, lying near the geographical centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Danbury and Bethel ; on the east by Newtown and Easton; on the south by Easton, Weston, and Wilton; and on the west by Wilton and Ridgefield. It is watercd by the Sauga- tuck, Aspctuck, and Norwalk Rivers, and their tribu- taries, all of which flow in a southerly direction, mingling their waters with Long Island Sound. The surface is hilly and the soil is generally good, par- ticularly on the ridges, which are very fertile.

INDIANS.

The tract of land embraced within the bounds of the present town of Redding was claimed by a small and unimportant tribe of Indians, composed of a few stragglers or disaffected members of the Potatucks of Newtown, the Paugussetts of Milford, and the Mo-

hawks of New York. This motley tribe had their village near the present residence of Mr. John Read, and was presided over by a chief bearing the eupho- nious name of Chicken Warrups, or Sam Mohawk, as he was sometimes called. It is supposed that he was a sagamore or under-chief of the powerful Mohawks, one of the tribes of the celebrated league of the Iro- quois, which inhabited New York, and who for some reason fled from his tribe, and settled on Greenfield Hill. Here he killed an Indian, and fled to Redding. He was a shrewd, cunning, and important character in the early history of the town, and the original deeds werc executed by him and one Naseco, a subor- dinate chicf.

Their signatures were as follows :

his CHICKENS, alias X. SAM MOHAWK mark. his NASECO X

mark.

THE FIRST GRANT OF LANDS.

The first grant of lands was made to Mr. Cyp- rian Nichols in 1687, in that part of the town now known as Lonetown. The following is a copy of the grant and survey :

"At a General Court held at Hartford, Oct. 13, 1687.

" This Court grants Mr. Cyprian Nichols two hundred acres of land where he can find it, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant to any particular person or plantation ; and the sur- veyors of the next plantation are hereby appointed to lay out the same, he paying for it.

" CALEB STANLEY."

Capt. Nichols "took up" his grant in that part. of the " obling" which is now Lonetown, as is shown by the following document :

" MARCH 1, A.D. 1711.

"Then laid out ye Grant of two hundred acres of land granted by ye General Court to Capt. Cyprian Nichols, Oct. 13, 1687, as follows,-viz., be- ginning at a great Chestnut tree marked on ye south and west side, and J. R. set upon it, standing at ye soutli end of Woolf Ridge, a little below Danbury bounds, thence running west one hundred rods to a Walnut tree marked on two sides, then running south one mile to a red oak tree marked, then running east one hundred rods to a black oak tree marked, then running north one mile to the Chestnut tree first mentioned. An heap of stones lying at ye root of each ye trees. We say then thus laid out by us,

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 140

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

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