History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 194

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 194

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Franklin P. Ambler had during his boyhood little opportunities for education, but was always an enthu- siastic reader ; remarkable for an exceedingly retentive memory, he soon acquired a knowledge difficult to be competed with. To this he constantly made additions until in middle and later life he was able to converse, with equal intelligence, with those of far greater op- portunities.

I can no better describe the opinion in which he was held by the public than to quote, in part, an ar- ticle that appeared in the columns of the Bridgeport Farmer at the time of his death, which occurred Ang. 1, 1873 :

". . . Mr. Ambler was everywhere known as a man of the strietest integrity, whose ' word was as good as his bond.' In many respects he was a remarkable man. Gifted with a powerful and retentive memory, he seldom forgot anything of importance that he read, and, always from his youth up an industrious reader, his mind was stored with a fund of facts, anecdotes,

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

and historieal information from which he would at pleasure draw to enliven, strengthen, and adorn his naturally easy conversation. He had accumulated a solid and valuable library, and his peculiar qualities of mind made his books almost literally reproduced in him. Iu early life his attention was particularly called to the Bible and the consideration of religious subjeets, and to the study of these he gave the elosest attention until he arrived at a conelusion that satisfied his own mind and couscience, a result which led him to espouse the earnest and conseientious belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that it teaches the doctrine of universal salvation. Consci- entious and firm in his convictions, having thoroughly studied the subject, perfectly familiar with the Bible, he was, without exeeption, the ablest lay conversa- tionalist we ever knew, and no one could meet him in an argument without diseomfiture, unless they were thoroughly masters of their subject.

"Mr. Ambler was always a sound and consistent Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and always took a deep and intelligent interest in public affairs. He had frequently to fill loeal offices in his town, had rep- resented it in the Legislature, and about 1862 was elected to the State Senate, in all which positions he discharged his duties with unswerving fidelity, and with honor to himself. He was made a Mason inore than fifty years ago, and was a consistent member of the order until his decease. A singular eircumstanee may be mentioned in this eonneetion, the like of which has never occurred iu the annals of the insti- tution. Some ten years ago the writer of these lines, then a presiding officer of Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., of this eity (Bridgeport), officiated at the exaltation at one time of the deceased and two of his sons, George B. and Frankliu P., Jr. All three, the father and sons, are now dead, and each one has been buried on Sunday by the Masonie fraternity." ...

It may not be out of place to speak here of his family, which consisted of Charles, George B., Mary E., and Franklin P., Jr. They were all very dear to him, and he was justly proud of them for they held positions in public respect. They were notorious for their strong mind and firm belief in the democratic principles of government. All three of the sons rep- resented their town in the Assembly, and also at dif- ferent times filled offiees of trust both in party and town.

In speaking of them one cannot but associate them together, for it was together, the father and the three sons, that every one meant when they spoke of the " Amblers."

But their characteristics were different. Charles, the only one living, alone displays the persistent ap- plication and thoroughness of the father. In Frank- lin P. Ambler, Jr., we found the hearty "free and easy" good will to all, but at the same time a fierce and decisive opinion. United with a wonderful elo- quence was his inherited and equally wonderful mem- .

ory. Imposing in figure and powerful in thought, he would hold an audience as if it were spell-bound for hours at a time. But his bright and promising career was eut short in the spring of life. He died May 25, 1865, aged forty years. In George B. Ambler there was the same persistency which is the charae- teristic of the father. He was a fine business man, and as au aceountant could not be excelled. He was remarkable in ingenuity ; the results of his skill aud taste are still iu the possession of his family and are exhibited with pride. He eame to an untimely end by being thrown from his carriage while riding on State Street, Bridgeport. He died the same day, June 24, 1871.

The distance from England rendered the importa- tion of household utensils, cloths, and other neees- saries of life very expensive; henee, necessity being the mother of invention, the colonists began to manu- facture for themselves. The spinning-wheel and loom were articles of absolute necessity in every house, and one of the chief accomplishments of the farmer's wife and daughter was the manufacture of "homespun," it being the custom of the housewife to spin and weave all the cloth used in the family. But the busy wheel has long been laid away, as well as has been the faith- ful hands which plied it, and with the wheel the large, cheerful "fireplace," with its beuches at each eud and its " baek-log," which was drawn into the house by oxen, have all passed away ; they are all pushed into disuse by the rapid strides of invention. Then the shoemaker, like " Diek Whitting," earried his kit from house to house, making the family boots aud shoes out of the leather furnished by the family. The vil- lage shoemaker and tanner, for several years succeed- ing the Revolution, was "'Squire David Seeley." Seeley bought an old house standing on the present site of the home of David Plumb. He bought the property at auetion, it being confiscated from David Peet, who was a Tory in the war. The vats where the "'Squire" tanned the hides were by the roadside at Mishea Hill Brook. 'Squire Seeley was the first man in the village who took a newspaper, aud at his house the neighbors were accustomed to assemble to hear the news

The first saw-mill in the locality stood near the dam of what has sinee been known as Old Saw-Mill Pond. It was built and owned by Daniel Fairehild, who was an early settler in the village.

The village chairmaker was John Beardsley. His shop. stood near his house, in the field opposite the house of Mrs. Shelton Niehols. His son James, in later years, for some time carried on quite an exteu- sive business at the trade in his shop, whichi stood below his house, opposite the residenee of David Nichols, Esq. Here he employed several workmen, besides apprentices ; among the latter were Hull and Eliel, sons of Andrew Curtis. James Beardsley after- wards went to Newark, N. J., with Eli Edwards, and established the first saddle-tree factory in that city.

793

TRUMBULL.

Sixty years ago the manufacturing of combs was quite an industry in the village.

The saddle-tree business, like the mammoth oak, had a small origin. Eben Fairchild, a son of Lewis, was born Nov. 10, 1784. He learned the cabinet- inaker's trade, and was a very ingenious man. While living at Mishea Hill he took an old saddle to pieces and set himself at work making another like it; suc- ceeding in this, he made a dozen and carried them " across lots on his back" to his brother Eli, who was a blacksmith living in Isinglass, and they together "ironed" them. Then, in spite of the jeers of his neighbors, who called them "devil-trees," lie went with them by stage to New York, where he found a ready market. He returned home with his money, and, making more, disposed of them in the same manner.

Later, he took Isaiah Peet-Mr. Peet, as every one called him-into partnership with him. They built a shop opposite the house of Sidney Nichols, Esq. Still later they changed the firm-name to that of Fair- child, Peet & Co. F. P. Ambler, of Danbury, then a young man and a practical tree-maker, came into the firm at that time. In the year 1844, F. P. Ambler bought out the business, and with his three sons car- ried on the business under the name of F. P. Ambler & Sons. From this time until the end of the war the business constantly increased. The firm built the present extensive factories, introduced stcam-power, and have sent their goods all over the world. During the Franco-Prussian war they filled large orders for the French government. Have made large orders for Peru and other South American states, including Brazil. In all its dealings the firm was known as one of the strictest in integrity, honor, and candor. Pre- vious to the war the chief business of the firm was with parties in the Southern States, which trade was entirely destroyed by the war, during which, however, they took large government contracts, employing about six hundred men.

With the exception of Charles, the members of the firm have since died, but the business is still carried on by Charles Ambler, under the name of F. P. An- bler's Son. After leaving the firm of Fairchild, Peet & Co., Mr. Peet built a shop which stood opposite the residence of Mrs. Margaret M. Smith, and carried on the business of manufacturing "stub-joints," but soon discontinued it. The shop has since been removed to the corner below, and was converted into a store by Mr. Carlos Blackman.

Carriage-building has been another of the village manufacturing interests. The firm of Nichols, Peck & Co. for several years carried on a large business in their extensive factories, and at one time largely sup- plied the Australian market. The business is at present conducted by David and Carlos Nichols.

Andrew Clark for several years had quite an exten- sive carriage-manufactory. The buildings were situ- ated on a small lot just north of the house of Wmn.

Beers. Mr. Clark built the residence now owned by Mrs. G. B. Ambler, and lived there for several years.

The mercantile interests of the village have never advanced farther than the "country-store." The first one was kept by Robert Nichols, the father of the late Prosper Nichols, Esq., and grandfather of Lucius C. Nichols. The building stood near his house, on what is known as the cross-road, on the estate of Prosper Nichols.

For many years Ira Nichols, Esq., son of Robert, stood behind his counter and sold goods in a store which was attached to the east end of the brick car- riage-factory of Nichols, Peck & Co.

A store has been kept for some forty years on the same stand by Oliver E. Plumb, Esq. This and the one kept by Henry B. Curtis, Esq., are the only ones in the village at the present time.

In the fall of 1865 the old shop which Mr. Peet erected for a stub-joint factory was purchased and moved to the corner above Trinity church by Carlos Blackman, Esq. In October of that year a store was opened in this building by Messrs. Samnel A. Patter- son and Carlos Blackman, under the name of Black- man & Patterson. The firm did a large business for two years, when they sold out to Messrs. A. B. Fair- child aud H. B. Curtis, who transacted business under the firm-name of Fairchild & Curtis. About a year after, Mr. Fairchild sold out to Mr. Curtis, who con- tinued business at the old stand until the fall of 1870, at which time Mr. Blackman sold the premises to William H. Payne, who remodeled the building to its present condition and continued the business for about five years, when he moved to Bridgeport, having exchanged the property with the late Monson Evitts. At this time Mr. Henry B. Curtis returned from the store of Mrs. Shelton Nichols, whither he moved at the transfer to Mr. Payne, and has since continued to transact business at the old stand.

PARLOR ROCK.

Up the Housatonic Railroad about eight miles from Bridgeport, between the old towns of Long Hill and Stepney, this spot of beauty lies embowcred between verdant woodland hills. Through it runs a lovely streamlet, winding, now falling over the steep stone walls of the dam, and soon after recovering from the foam and eddy and whirl spreading ont into its former glossy smoothness, and then passing under a suspension-bridge and down a wild, rocky, precipi- tous gorge, rumbling and roaring and passing off ont of sight, a toamy, heaving current, into a wild copse far below. Down at the foot of this second cataract rises the steep, bold, overhanging mass of solid rock at the base of which, close by the boiling. rocky- bedded current of the streamlet, lies a large, oblong, flat surface of rock, which is Parlor Rock, and a more romantic, picturesque, cool, and lovely sylvan retreat it would be difficult to name in Connectient. This is but a fraction of the attractions. The grove flanks

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

the stream and its cascades, and is a shady bower thickly studded with tall hemlocks, shady and pic- turesque. In the grove are croquet-grounds, swings, etc. On the mossy brink of the stream lie fancy boats awaiting the pleasure of whoever would row about, a means of access to many a rural retreat and pretty bower.

Wander where you will, nature has many charm- ing secrets and romantic situations to disclose. Huge bowlders, venerable, lichien-covered, and gray, stand like aged guardians, grim and massive, at many a point along the paths. It was three years ago that the Housatonic Railroad Company purchased this pretty spot and converted it to its present use, since which time it has been constantly improved, and many thousands of people of Fairfield and Litchfield Counties have spent some day there fraught with pleasure and enjoyment. The Berkshire region in the old Bay State, which it penetrates, well deserves the name it has been given of "The Switzerland of America." The landscapes are exceedingly beautiful, and the eye is constantly surprised and delighted with ever-varying romantic and picturesque views, scenes which have enlisted the muse of a Bryant and in- spired the pen of many a writer.

MILITARY RECORD, 1861-65. THIRD REGIMENT. Company D.

Downs, William, enl. May 11, 1861, disch. Aug. 12, 1861.

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. Company D.

Brinsmade, Frank D., musician ; enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 17, 1863 ; pro. to first lieutenant, Jan. 29, 1865 ; disclı. Bigelow, Benjamin, eul. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 16, 1862. Hawkius, Charles H., eul. Nov. 14, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 10, 1862. Tilford, Homer F., enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 7, 1862.

Wheeler, James, enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 17, 1863; pro. to captain ; must. out Aug. 2, 1863.

Whittlesey, Horace T., enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. Jan. 13, 1863. Tyrrall, Zaral J., enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must. out June 3, 1865. Whittlesey, James T., enl. Aug. 12, 1862 ; disch. Nov. 3, 1862.

Company G.

Raymond, Frank, eul. Aug. 11, 1864; must. out Ang. 2, 1865.

Unossigned.

Bennett, James, enl. Junc 29, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls. Carrs, John, enl. Aug. 10, 1864; not takeu up on rolls. Duffy, Pat., enl. Aug. 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls. Francis, James, enl. Aug. 10, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls. Henry, Patrick, eul. Ang. 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls. Lourmer, Samuel, enl. Jan. 1, 1864; not taken up on rolls.

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY.

Terrill, George W., enl. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out Aug. 8, 1865. Walker, David S., enl. Aug. 6, 1862; must. out Aug. 8, 1865. Whittlesey, Charles E., enl. Dec. 11, 1863; must. out Aug. 9, 1865. Whittlesey, Horace T., enl. Dec. 11, 1863; must. out Aug. 9, 1865.

FIRST REGIMENT ARTILLERY. Company G.

Neumann, Moritz, enl. Dec. 27, 1864; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.

Company H.

Beach, David B., enl. Nov. 28, 1863; must. out Sept. 25, 1865. Gerald, Edward, enl. Jan. 14, 1864; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.

Company M.

Bevaur, John C. B., enl. Feb. 4, 1862; disch. for disability May 4, 1864. Peck, James L., enl. Fcb. 25, 1862; disclı. Feb. 25, 1865, at expiration of term.

Pock, William W., cnl. Feb. 4, 1862; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1864; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.

Tarney, James E., enl. March 4, 1862; died March 24, 1862.

Unassigned. Lanegau, Thomas, enl. Ang. 12, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls.

SECOND REGIMENT ARTILLERY. Company A.

Bennett, Horatio N., enl. Jan. 2, 1864 ; killed in action Sept. 19, 1864. Dayton, Edson S., enl. Jan. 2, 1864; dischi. for disability Feb. 27, 1865. Eveatt, George, enl. Jan. 2, 1864; killed in action June 1, 1864. Meeker, Benjamin, enl. Jan. 2, 1864; killed in action June 1, 1864. Prindle, James M., enl. Jan 2, 1864; wounded June 1, 1864 ; disch. Aug. 18, 1865.

Company H.

Tilford, Homer F., enl. Jan. 2, 1864; killed in action June 1, 1864.

Company M.

Fliun, James, enl. Feb. 9, 1864. Hyland, Patrick, enl. Feb. 9, 1864.

Holland, Georgc, enl. Feb. 12, 1864. Rouke, William, enl. Feb. 9, 1864.

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. Company A.

Curtiss, Henry B., enl. July 22, 1861; disch. July 22, 1864, at expiration of term.

Wells, George W., enl. July 22, 1861 ; disch. for disability Oct. 30, 1862.

SIXTII REGIMENT INFANTRY. Company D.

Dies, George, enl. Nov. 15, 1864; must. out Aug. 21, 1865.

Company F.

Maxey, Thomas, enl. Feb. 13, 1864; must. out June 26, 1865.

Company G. Keenan, Daniel, enl. Dec. 5, 1864 ; must. out Aug. 21, 1865.

Company I.

Abbott, Alphonso, enl. Sept. 5, 1861; dischi. Sept. 11, 1864, at expiration of term.

Abbott, Gustavus A., enl. Sept. 5, 1861; disch. Sept. 11, 1864, at expiration of term.

Abbott, Woolsey, enl. Sept. 5, 1861; died Nov. 29, 1863.

Downs, William H., enl. Sept. 5, 1861; re-enl. Dec. 24, 1863; must, out Aug. 21, 1865.

Hubbell, George M., eul. Sept. 5, 1861; rc-enl. Dec. 24, 1863; must. out Aug. 21, 1865.

Hubbell, Thomas, eul. Sept. 5, 1861.

Merritt, George L., enl. Sept. 5, 1862; disch. Sept. 11, 1864, at expiration of term.

Pect, George B., enl. Sept. 5, 1861 ; died Aug. 16, 1863.

Peet, Joseph A., eul. Sept. 5, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 11, 1864, at expiration of term.

Job, Luther, enl. Sept. 5, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 6, 1864, at expiration of term.

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. Company D.

Graws, Edwin, enl. Nov. 10, 1864; must. out July 20, 1865.

EIGHTH REGIMENT. Company E. Carroll, John, enl. Ang. 19, 1864.

Company G.

Graham, Philip D., enl. Nov. 18, 1864. Company K.

Doyle, John, enl. Nov. 18, 1864.

NINTH REGIMENT. Company F.

Burus, Thomas, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consolida- tion, Oct. 31, 1864.

Carney, Thomas, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consoli- dation, Oct. 31, 1864.

OLD HOME OF LEWIS FAIRCHILD. PRESENT RESIDENCE OF MISSES SALLY A. AND CELINA A. FAIRCHILD, TRUMBULL, CONN.

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795

TRUMBULL.

Davis, Themas, enl. July 6, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consolida- tion, Oct. 31, 1864.

Denney, John, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up en rolls after consolida- tion, Oct. 31, 1864. Davis, Franklin T., enl. July 13, 1864; not taken np en rolls after con- solidation, Oct. 31, 1864.

Kane, Daniel, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consolida- tion, Oct. 31, 1864.

McGuire, Frank, enl. July 9, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consolida- tion, Oct. 31, 1864.

Murray, James, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up ou rells after conseli- dation, Oct. 31, 1864.

McCauley, John, enl. July 11, 1864; not taken up on rolls after consoli- dation, Oct. 31, 1864.

Merrit, James, enl. July 13, 1864 ; trans. to Compauy C; must. eut Aug. 3, 1865.

Williams, George F., enl. July 13, 1864; not taken up ou rolls after cen- solidation, Oct. 31, 1864.

TENTHI REGIMENT. Company A.

Brady, James, enl. Nev. 23, 1864.

Company B.

Jenes, Samuel, enl. Dcc. 13, 1864.

Company F.

Green, William, enl. Dec. 10, 1864.

Mitchell, John, cul. Dec. 9, 1864.

Company G.

Parker, John, enl. Nov. 14, 1864.

Company I. Lewis, Frederick, en1. Nov. 18, 1864.

ELEVENTII REGIMENT.

Company C. Bowman, Charles, enl. Nov. 26, 1864.

Company D.

Firny, John, enl. Dec. 9, 1864; must. ont Dec. 21, 1865.

Company II.

Burns, Patrick, enl. Dec. 24, 1864.

Company K.

Alaberte, Gaspere, enl. Nev. 15, 1864.

Puri, Antonio, enl. Nov. 15, 1864; must. out Ang. 25, 1865.

Riley, Peter, enl. Dec. 19, 1864; must. out Aug. 25, 1865.

Smith, Robert, enl. Nov. 21, 1864.

Sheham, James, cul. Nov. 23, 1864; must. eut Dcc. 21, 1865.

TWELFTHI REGIMENT. Company I.

Beech, David R., enl. Dec. 28, 1861 ; disch. for disability April 5, 1862. Sackett, Ambros S., enl. Dec. 27, 1861 ; died June 20, 1862.

Sackett, Marviu H., en1. Jan. 15, 1862; re-en1. Jan. 22, 1864; must. eut Aug. 12, 1865.

FOURTEENTII REGIMENT. Company A.

Burr, 1Ienry B., cnl. Aug. 16, 1863; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, May 2, 1864. Nerton, William H., enl. Aug. 4, 1862 ; killed Sept. 17, 1862.

Sherman, Silas G., enl. July 24, 1862 ; must. out May 31, 1865.

Walklee, Samuel B., enl. July 24, 1862 ; trans. te Vet. Res. Cerps, March 31, 1864; must. out July 24, 1865.

Company D.

Recter, Augustus, enl. Sept. 9, 1863; trans. to Second Heavy Artillery, May 31, 1865.

Company E.

Cooper, Thomas, enl. Sept. 11, 1863.

Company G.

Davis, William, cul. Sept. 10, 1863; died Nev. 11, 1863.

Lawrence, Charles, enl. Sept. 9, 1863 ; must. out May 29, 1865.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. Company D.

Burton, Franklin P., enl. Aug. 5, 1862 ; must. ent July 19, 1865. Marshall, Barncy, enl. Aug. 11, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. Whittlesey, Samuel F., enl. Aug. 8, 1862; must. out July 10, 1865.

Company E.

Stratton, Charles S., musician ; enl. Aug. 4, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Turney, Charles R., musician; enl. Ang. 5, 1862; disch. for disability June 7, 1864.

Turney, Rice, enl. Aug. 6, 1862; disch. Dec. 10, 1×63.

. Company G.

Fulford, John, enl. Ang. 20, 1862; disch. for disability Dec. 13, 1862.

TWENTIETH REGIMENT. Unassigned.

Murry, John, enl. Ang. 5, 1864.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Company D. Plumb, Charles E., sccond lientenant ; enl. Aug. 25, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863.

Tait, William, cerporal ; enl. Ang. 25, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Booth, Sammel L., corporal ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Coan, Henry F., corporal ; enl. Ang. 18, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Porter, George B., musician ; enl. Ang. 30, 1862; killed June 23, 1863. Burr, Erastus, enl. Ang. 18, 1862 ; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Burton, Rollin S., enl. Aug. 30, 1862 ; died June 30, 1863. Booth, William G., enl. Ang. 30, 1862; disch, Ang. 31, 1863. Botsford, Henry II., enl. Aug. 29, 1862 ; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Coan, Martin A., enl. Aug. 31, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Colwell, Warren, enl. Aug. 25, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Hall, George A., enl. Ang. 30, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. HIall, Rufus W , enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Ilawley, George L., enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1×63. Kennedy, Charles, enl. Aug. 23, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Nichols, Plumb B., enl. Ang. 30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Nichols, Austin S., enl. Ang. 30, 1x62; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Nichols, Daniel M., en1. Aug. 25, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. Whittlesey, Charles B., cul. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT (COLORED). Company I.

Nichols, Aaron, cnl. Jan. 4, 1864; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Nichols, Michael, enl. Jan. 4, 1864; must. ont Oct. 24, 1865. Parker, lleury, cnl. Dcc. 31, 1863 ; killed Sept. 1, 1864. Steveusen, Johu, enl. Aug. 31, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.

Unassigned.

Taylor, Andrew, enl. Jan. 1, 1864.

THIRTIETHI REGIMENT (COLORED). Company B.

Bell, Edward, enl. Feb. 17, 1864.

Company C.

Thompson, James, enl. Fcb. 11, 1864. Company F.

Freelan, James, enl. Feb. 17, 1864 ; wust. out Nov. 7, 1863.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THE FAIRCHILD FAMILY.

In England the name of Fairchild is of ancient ori- gin. On the family crest there are three crescents, which signify three prisoners taken in the Holy Land, and three birds, martlets, indicating three pilgrimages to the Holy Land by some one by the name of Fair- child, or Fairbairn, as it is in Scotland, whence the family is said originally to have passed into Eng- land. The pilgrimages and captives, of course, refer back to the Crusaders.

Thomas Fairchild, the first of the name in this

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

country, came from England and settled in Strat- ford, Fairfield Co., the year 1639. Was a representa- tive man of his day ; is said by Barber and by Hollis- ter to have been the first magistrate iu the town.

Joseph Fairchild, the eldest son of Thomas Fair- child by his second wife, was born 1664 and died 1713. He was a farmer, owned lands in Stratford and in the town of Durham ; he married Johanna, daughter of Deacon Timothy Wilcoxson. His son, Timothy Fairchild, was born in Stratford, 1687. He married Sarah Humphrey, Nov. 15, 1715.

Daniel Fairchild was the son of Timothy Fairchild, born in Stratford, 1720. He married Hepzibah Lewis. They had a family of nine children. He was a man of more than ordinary education, being for many years a teacher. Hc was assistant commissary dur- ing the Revolutionary war, also held various other offices of trust and responsibility. Dauiel Fair- child's secoud son was Lewis Fairchild, first, born March 14, 1746, in what was then called North Strat- ford, now Trumbull (Nichols' Farms) ; married Mary Ufford; was a farmer, and took an active part during the Revolutionary war. He died in 1817. Col. Lewis Fairchild, son of Lewis Fairchild, was the eldest of a family of six. He was born July, 1774; married Martha Nichols, daughter of Andrew Nichols. After this union were born the following: Bryant (de- ceased), Betsey (deceased), Daniel, Plumb N., Le Grand (deceased), Sarah A., Celina A., Julia A. (de- ceased). He was a farmer by occupation. During the year 1826 he entered into the business of manu- facturing paper with his brothers, Reuben and Eben. They built the mill and were in partnership some ten years, when he retired from the business of paper- making, and was succeeded by his sons, Daniel and Plumb N. Mr. Fairchild died in 1850, aged seventy- six years.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 194

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