History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 196

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 196

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Although Mr. Tait was seventy-three al. I his wife seventy-two, yet so liale and hearty dit the old couple appear as they received the congratulations of their numerous descendants that it was no great stretch of the imagination to expect that they would yet keep their diamond wedding in the sa. ne family mansion where they were then receiving the congrat- ulations of their children and their children's children, "even to the third and fourth generation."

The following is the record of Mr. and Mrs. Tait's immediate family : The oldest child was Nancy, now Mrs. Plumb Hoyt, of New York; the next was Wil- liam Tait, now in the paper-board busines: with his father at "the mills ;" next, Mary E. (M s. J. M. Prindle, of Bridgeport) ; next, Dr. John Tat, of Mer- iden, Conn .; next, Bella (died in 1851); and last, Fannie, now at home.

In spite of the protestations of Mr. Tait that he did not want any presents, a large number of valuable and useful articles found their way into he house and were collected on a table in one of th parlors, making a very handsome display.

His wife died May 22, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. T uit have been members of the Congregational Church for a

Mr. Tait was born in Scotland, six miles south of Edinburgh, Jan. 27, 1799, was a paper-maker by trade, and served his full time as an apprentice at that em- | great many years. Mr. Tait is a Republican in politics.

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William Tail

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Frederick S. Sterling

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801

TRUMBULL.

He has been town elerk for several years, and could have held other important offiees, but he would not, preferring the quiet of home to official honors.

WILLIAM TAIT.

William Tait, son of Andrew Tait, and grandson of Andrew Tait, was born in East Hartford, Conn., on the 29th of May, 1824. His advantages for an edu- eation were confined to the common school winters, and working with his father in the paper-mill during the summers at marbling paper. This continued until he was twenty-one years of age, when he worked one year for seventy-five dollars and board. The summer he was twenty-two he spent in Iowa, returning in the fall sick. After his return he began business with his father marbling paper, which he continued until 1849, when he went to California and there engaged in mining till 1851, when he returned and went into business marbling paper with his father, under the firm-name of A. Tait & Son. This they continued until 1856, when they commeneed the manufacture of straw-board paper which is said to command the very highest price in the market.

He married Grace Camp, daughter of Isaac Camp and Elizabeth Clark, May 31, 1848. Their children are William F., Isabella R., Andrew (2), and Eliza- beth C.

In politics he is a Republican. He was a soldier in Company D, Twenty-third Regiment, Conneetieut Volunteers, under Gen. Banks. He was mustered out of service Sept. 3, 1864.

Mr. and Mrs. Tait are members of the Congrega- tional Chureh.

Their son, William F. Tait, was born Oct. 27, 1852, in Trumbull. He received an academie edueation. He married Mary E. Latten, daughter of Lyman and Lovisa Latten, June 3, 1875, by whom he has one daughter, Mary F.

Mr. Tait has been educated in the business followed by his father and grandfather, and in the year 1875, upon the retiring of his grandfather, Andrew Tait, from the business, he beeame a partner with his father, under the firm-name of Tait & Son. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Congre- gational Church.

GEORGE DYER, M.D.

The subject of this sketch was born in Windham, Conn., August, 1802. He was a son of Benjamin Dyer, a druggist in Windham, and grandson of Eliphalet Dyer (Y. C., 1740), a member of Congress from Connecticut, and afterwards chief justice of the State.

He began the study of medicine with Dr. Chester Hunt, of Windham, and after taking his degree es- tablished himself in practice in Greenfield Hill, Conn., but, not finding a good opening there, re- moved about 1832 to the town of Trumbull, Fairfiekl

Co., Conn, where he continued in active practice for forty years. As a physician he took a high rank among the leading physicians in the county, and is highly spoken of as a man by his neighbors. He was attacked about five years before his death with soften- ing of the brain, and gradually failed in mental and physical strength. He was deeply interested in every- thing that had for its object the improvement of his community.

He took an interest in local politics, and once rep- resented the town of Trumbull in the State Legisla- ture. On the 12th of June, 1866, he married Lucinda L., daughter of. Philo Booth and Anna Beach.

He died May 8, 1878, leaving his wife, who now, (1880) survives him. She was born on the farm where she now resides, Feb. 4, 1814.

FREDERICK S. STERLING.

Among the carly pioneers of this county is to be found the Sterling family. Very little is known of their early history. The first of whom we have any knowledge was Sylvanus Sterling, who died Jan. 6, 1781, aged forty years. His wife Ester died July 16, 1811, aged seventy-four years. They had six children,-viz., Euniee, Elijah, Philip, Nathaniel, Gurdon, and Jesse, all of whom were born in the town of Trumbull.

Elijah Sterling was born in 1766, and died June 16, 1844. His wife Anna was born in 1767, and died Sept. 19, 1851. Their children were as follows,-viz., Nancy, Sylvanus, Elam, Starr, Lucetta, Sherwood, and Betsey Ann.

Elam Sterling was born in the town of Trumbull, Conn., in 1791, and died July 22, 1861. He married Susan, daughter of Frederick and Hannah ( Edwards) Hurd, Sept. 6, 1829. They have had three children, -viz., Frederick S., Lucetta (deceased), and Wash- ington I. (deeeased). Capt. Elam Sterling was for many years engaged in the coasting business, which he carried on between Boston and New York and the intermediate points. Later in life he was a farmer. He was town clerk of Trumbull for several years and a member of the Congregational Church.

Mrs. Sterling was born Dec. 6, 1801, and still retains very much of the vigor of youth. She too is a member of the Congregational Church.

Frederiek S., son of Elam Sterling, was born in Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., Oct. 12, 1830. His advantages for an education were such as the common schools of his day afforded. He remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, when he began to learn the coach-making business, which he fol- lowed four years, when he commenced working on the Housatonic Railroad as fireman ; and atter nine months he ran an engine one year on the same road, then was engaged for a short time on the Naugatuek Railroad, and two years on the New York Central, running from Albany to Utica. In 1856 he returned

802

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

home, since which time he has been engaged in farming. On the 27th of March, 1855, he married Anna M. Duckels, by whom he has one daughter, Anna Lucetta. Mrs. Sterling was born in England, March 5, 1834, and came to America with her parents in 1836 and settled in New York City. Mr. Ster- ling is a Democrat in politics, and one of the repre- sentative men of his town. He has been assessor, magistrate, and selectman, besides holding other minor offices.

THE BRINSMADE FAMILY.

Persons of the Brinsmade name appeared early in the Massachusetts colony, one at Charlestown be- tween 1630 and 1640.

John Brinsmade was one of the early settlers of Stratford, Conn., and was elected May 13, 1669, a representative to the General Court for that town. He was also elected to the same office October, 1671, was enrolled among the freemen of Stratford in 1669 as John Brinsmade, elder. Lieut. Daniel Brinsmade (probable son of John) died March 27, 1757, aged seventy. Mary, his wife, died 1731, at the age of thirty-five. They had two sons, Daniel and Abra- ham. Daniel was born in 1718, graduated at Yale College in 1745, settled as minister over the Congre- gational Church in Judea Society. He died April 23, 1793. Abraham lived in Stratford, Conn., now known as Trumbull, and died Nov. 27, 1801.

Daniel married Rhoda Sherman, of New Haven, and had two sons, Danicl Nathaniel and Daniel Sherman. Daniel N. graduated at Yale College in 1772; studied law, lived, and died in his native place, Oct. 29, 1826, aged seventy-five. He married Abigail Farrand, Nov. 23, 1779, and had one son, Daniel B., born Oct. 15, 1782. Daniel S. married Lydia Elliott, and died Jan. 31, 1813, aged fifty-eight ; has one son, Daniel E., and two daughters. One married John Mosely, of Southbury, and the other married C. McMahon. Daniel B. married Irene Merwin for his first wife, and had one son. She died May 2, 1812, aged twenty-two ; married for his second wife Mary W. Gold, of Corn- wall, and had two sons and two daughters,-viz., Thomas F., William B., Abigail Irene, and Mary M.

Abraham Brinsmade, mentioned above, son of Lieut. Danicl Brinsmade and grandson of John Brins- made, was born in 1726, and died Nov. 27, 1801, aged seventy-five ; his wife, Mary -, died Jan. 13, 1811, aged eighty-seven. They had two children, Hannah and Daniel. Hannah married Daniel Fairchild. Daniel Brinsmade was born in Trumbull, was a farmer by occupation, married Mary Beebe, daughter of Rev. James Beebe, and had seven children,-viz., Abraham, James B., Daniel, Federal, Abigail, Mary, and Ali, all of whom are now (1880) dead except Ali.

Daniel Brinsmade was a magistrate for many years, and a.member of the Congregational Church. He died at the age of fifty-two, and his wife was nearly ninety-two when she died.

Ali Brinsmade, son of Daniel and Mary (Beebe) Brinsmade, was born in the town of Trumbull, Conn., Oct. 8, 1793. He has always been a farmer. He married Miranda, daughter of Philo Nichols, Sept. 3, 1815. Of this union there have been born six chil- dren,-viz., James D., Catharine S., Cyrus N., Lewis, Cornelia N., and Eliza J. James D., Cyrus N., and Lewis reside in Trumbull and are farmers or me- chanics.

Catharine S. married Samuel L. Booth and resides in Stratford, Conn. Mr. Booth is dead. Cornelia N. married Gould Judson and lives in Huntington, Conn., and Eliza J. married George N. Beach and resides in Trumbull.

Ali Brinsmade was a Whig in politics until the or- ganization of the Republican party, since which time he has been a Republican. He was a magistrate of his town for many years, and in 1841 a member of the State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmade have been members of the Congregational Church for a great many years, and he has been deacon of the same. Mrs. Brinsmade died Oct. 9, 1871, having lived with her husband more than fifty-six years.

Deacon Brinsmade is a fine old gentleman, hale and hearty, and still retains in a wonderful degree all his faculties. He has living six children, seven grand- children, and seven great-grandchildren.

CHARLES BEACH.

The Beach family is among the oldest in the county, and is of English origin. Charles Beach is the son of Rice E. Beach, and grandson of Ephraim Beach, and was born in Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., Jan. 7,1805.

His grandfather, Ephraim Beach, was a native of. Fairfield Co., Conn., married, and had a family of eight children,-viz., Elijah, Rice E., Abiah, Sybil, Anna, Ephraim W., Sherman, and Frances, all of whom settled in Trumbull except Abiah. He was a farmer, tanner, and currier, and during the struggle for independence took an active part. He died at the age of eighty years.

Rice E. Beach was born in 1779 and died in 1860. He married Betsey, daughter of Philo Booth, and had six children,-viz., Charles, Johanna, Adelia, Starr, Miles, and Edward, all of whom are now (1880) dead except Charles and Edward, who are living in Trum- bull. He was a farmer and a man universally re- spected, a representative man in his town.

In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and was often elected as a selectman of the town, and was also a member of the State Legislature.

Charles Beach remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he married Elizabeth E., daughter of Samuel Beardsley, of Monroe, Oct. 21, 1829, and located on his own farm.

Mrs. Charles Beach was born Nov. 30, 1810. Their children arc Betsey A. (deceased), Prosper E., Charles

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Charles Beach

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TRUMBULL.

L. (deceased), Ezra M., William F., Banford S. (de- ceased), John W., Stephen C., and Emma E., all of whom are industrious and good eitizens. Their son, Charles L., was a prominent man in Stratford, where he held various town offices, was a member of the Legislature, and a lieutenant of a Bridgeport battery.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaeli are members of the Episcopal Church at Long Hill. They celebrated their goldeu wedding Oet. 21, 1879, and there were present among others their six children and seventeen grandchil- dren. Mr. Beael has only one living brother, Ed- ward, who has no children.

PLUMB B. GREGORY.

The subject of this sketeh is the son of Samuel Gregory and grandson of Samuel Gregory, and was born in Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., Aug. 28, 1796. 4 His father was a farmer and lived to be seventy-four years, one month, and eighteen days old, dying July 6, 1836. His grandfather, Samuel Gregory, died Nov. 9, 1808, aged eighty-two years, and his grand- mother, Naomi Gregory, died April 10, 1810. Plumb B. remained at home on his father's farm until he was married, Nov. 23, 1820, to Mary Ann, daughter of Ezra Seeley. She was born in the town of Easton, June 2, 1800. He built the house on the old home- ifarm, where his son Samuel J. now resides, before he « was married, and immediately after his marriage settled there and continued to live until about 1870, when he removed to his present place. He was a good and prudent farmer, always enjoying in a · marked degree the love and confidence of his neigh- . bors. He is one of the good substantial Republicans * of his town, and as such has been seleetman of the town.

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory are worthy members of the Baptist Church, and have been for a great many years. Their children are Mary E., who married a James Hurd (deceased), and has one son, Ezra W. Hurd, who resides near Frankfort, Ky .; Lorintha (married Lewis Edwards, a farmer in Easton), Glover P. (is a farmer in Iowa), Ermina (deceased), Virginia (married Bennett Seeley, a farmer in Easton), Charles (who resides in California), Samuel J. (who lives on the old home-farm in Trumbull), and Sylvester (who is in business in the eity of Chicago).

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been married nearly sixty-four years. Mrs. Gregory retains in a remark- able degree the vigor and elasticity of youth, but Mr. Gregory shows signs of old age and failing health.

JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS.

The great-grandfather of Joseph H. was named Elnathan, who was born in 1729 and died Oct. 23, 1815, aged eighty-six. He was a tanner and enrrier by

trade. He had a brother who was imprisoned by the British in New York City during the Revolutionary war of whom nothing was afterwards known.

Elnathan married Hannah -, who was born in 1738 and died June 28, 1818. They had a family of children, one of whom was named Elnathan, who was born in 1766 and died July 4, 1856. He was a hotel- keeper by occupation. He married Abigail Bradley,

Joseph He Williams

daughter of Enos Bradley. His children were David. Enos B., Peter, and Hanford.

David Williams married Olive Treadwell, daughter of Joseph Treadwell, and had a family of children, -viz., Clara (deceased), Huldalı Bradley, Abby. Na- than (deceased), and Joseph H. He was a farmer by occupation and a Democrat in politics. He died Dee. 10, 1856, aged seventy-three years, and his wife, Olive, died Oct. 28, 1854, aged seventy-two years.

Joseph H. was born in Eastou, Conn., June 13. 1829. He remained at home on his father's farm until he married Electa A., daughter of Hezekiah Gould, of Weston, Conn., Oct. 20, 1852. They have two sons, Hezekiah G. and David H.

Mr. Williams owns a good farm of one hundred acres, which is in a fine state of cultivation. A view of his residence may be seen elsewhere in this work. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a steward. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Baptist Church.

804

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

ELBERT E. EDWARDS.

Elbert E. Edwards is a son of Ephraim T. Edwards and Lucretia Sterling, and grandson of Nehemiah R. and Abigail Edwards, and was born in the town of Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., on the farm where he now resides, which has been in the family for four generations, Oct. 22, 1819.

His grandfather, Nehemiah R. Edwards, was a lineal descendant of John Edwards, who was a native of Scotland and came to America and settled, proba- bly in Stratford, Conn., at a very early day. He was born in Trumbull, Conn., on the 24th of February, 1771, and died Sept. 27, 1851. He was a shoemaker by trade, and later in life became a farmer. He mar- ried Abigail Edwards, and to them was born one son, Ephraim T. Mrs. Abigail Edwards was born in Trum- bull, July, 1774, and died March 13, 1821. Their son, Ephraim T., was born in Trumbull, on the old farm, April 1, 1797, and died March 19, 1859. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man who took a deep in- terest in the political and religious affairs of his town. Hewas a Whig in politics, and as such represented his town in the State Legislature in 1845. On the 26th of November, 1818, he was married to Lucretia, daughter of Nathaniel Sterling. She was born Feb. 10, 1797, and died May 6, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Edwards were members of the Congregational Church of Trum- bull Centre. They had one son, Elbert, who now owns the old home of one hundred and fifty acres of good land. Elbert E. Edwards is one of the rep- resentative farmers of Trumbull. His farm contains good buildings, well watered, and the trees that shade the entire front of his farm are among the finest in the county. On the 26th of April, 1843, he married Anna A., daughter of Isaiah and Abiahı Nichols. She was born in the town of Trumbull, Feb. 21, 1820. Their children were as follows : Wilbur S., born June 9, 1849, died May 19, 1868 ; Ermina N., born Sept. 8, 1851 (deceased); and Orville B., born June 3, 1855, died Sept. 10, 1868.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Congre- gational Church of Trumbull Centre. He is one of the most liberal supporters of the same. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He has been selectman of his town three years, and often has been elected a delegate to town, county, and State conventions.

JOHN C. MALLETT.

The subject of this sketch was of French descent. His ancestors, John Mallett and Johannah Lyon, came from Paris, France, and were married soon after their arrival in the city of Boston, in 1679, and im- mediately settled in the town of Stratfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he engaged in farming. He had the following children, who lived to be inen and women grown, married, and had children, the de- scendants of whom are scattered throughout the

United States : David, John, Lewis, Johanna, and Peter.

He died Sept. 28, 1745, and his wife died September, 1762, aged one hundred and one years.

David Mallett, eldest child of John Mallett and Johannalı Lyon, was born in Stratfield, Conn., in 1701. Married and had the following children, -- viz., John, Hannah, David, Joseph, and Esther.

Joseph Mallett, son of David Mallett, was born March 25, 1740. His children were in part as follows : Robert, Elijah, Lizza, and several others whose names are not known.

Robert Mallett, eldest son of Joseph and Jerusha Mallett, was born June 15, 1778, married Sally Clark, Dec. 15, 1804, and had the following children,-viz., Jolin C., Caroline, Emeline, Catharine, Sally A., and Cordelia. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. He died Dec. 18, 1852. His eldest son, John C. Mallett, was born in the town of Trumbull, Fair- field Co., Conn., Oct. 5, 1805. John C. received such an education as the common schools of his day af- forded. He remained home, working on his father's farm, until he was married to Sally P., daughter of Philo Nichols, of Trumbull, June 7, 1832, when he settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his family, and continued to reside there until his death, Nov. 13, 1869.

He was one of the best farmers in Trumbull, and a man universally respected by all who knew him. In politics lie was a life-long Democrat of the Jefferson school. He held various town offices to the satisfac- tion of his constituents. He represented his town in the State Legislature one term. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of Tashua, and at the time of his death was a warden of the same. His children are as follows,-viz., Caroline A., Theodore A., Lorenzo M., Sarah A. (who married Horace Wheeler, and now resides in the town of Huntington), and Emeline A. (who married Austin Hall, a merchant of Newtown).

His daughter Caroline A. lives at home with her mother and brother, Lorenzo M. Lorenzo M. was born Nov. 13, 1839, in Trumbull. He owns the old homestead, a view of which, together with the por- trait of his honored father above, may be seen in another part of this work. In politics a Democrat, and as such has been selectman of Trumbull for the last three terms.

THEODORE A. MALLETT.

Theodore A. Mallett, son of John C. and Sally P. Mallett, was born in Trumbull, May 13, 1835. His advantages for an education were limited to the com- mon schools of his town, except two years which he spent in the seminary at Charlotteville. At the age of eighteen he returned home to help his father on the farm and in the manufacture of hubs; this he contin- ued two years, when he began to butcher beef and sell the same in Bridgeport. In November, 1859, he pur- chased his present beautiful place, a view of which can be seen elsewhere in this work. He followed butchering

Elbert & Edwards.

RESIDENCE OF ELBERT E. EDWAR

TRUMBULL FAIRFIELD Co. CONN.

John & Mallitt

RES. OF THE LATE JOHN C. MALLETT, TRUMBULL FAIRFIELD CO. CONN.

Let Mallett

RESIDENCE OF T. A. MALLETT, TRUMBULL FAIRFIELD CO. CONN.

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Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

Albert & Coan

THE subject of this notice is of German extrac- tion, and was born in Bridgewater, Litchfield Co., Conn., Aug. 11, 1803. It is related that a great many years ago a wealthy German by the name of Coan left Germany in company with two of his sons, who were small boys. On their way to this country Mr. Coan was murdered, his body thrown overboard, and all his money stolen. One of the boys went South, and nothing has been heard of him or of any of his descendants; the other boy lived with a man on Long Island by the name of Mulford. In due time he married and had a family of children, one of whom he named Mulford Coan, which has since continued to be a family name. Albert S. Coan is a lineal descendant of the fifth or sixth generation from the above son named Mulford.

His father, Sylvanus Coan, youngest son of Mul- ford Coan, was born in Killingsworth, Conn. He was a cooper and farmer. He married for his second wife Lucy A. Munger. Of this union four children were born, two of whom are now (1880) living.

About 1813 he settled in Oswego Co., State of New York, where he continued to reside until his death. He was magistrate of his town for several years, and a prominent member of the Baptist Church. He died at the age of eighty years, May 27, 1859.

Mulford Coan was born in Killingsworth, Conn., in 1739. Settled in Woodbury when his son Sylvanus was eightcen years of age. He died April 28, 1821.

Albert S. Coan remained at home until he was ten years of age, when he was put out to a man by the name of Mathew Logan, where he continued to reside,

working on the farm, until he was eighteen years of age. His advantages for an education were very limited indeed, but by that indomitable energy that has always characterized him through life he has ob- tained a good practical education. He continued to work on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he commenced to learn the boot and shoe trade, which he followed twelve years during the winters, and working on the farm summers. He then worked a farm on shares for some six years, after which he pur- chased one in Woodbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., and remained there until he came to Trumbull, Fairfield Co., in 1845, when he settled on the farm where he now resides. He married Sarah Ann Thomas, Dec. 6, 1824. She was born March 19, 1803, and died May 29, 1839.

Of this union there were the following children, -viz., William W. (deceased) ; Henry F .; Sarah A .; and Albert M. (deceased).

He married for his second wife Abby B. Burgess, Jan. 1, 1840. She was born May 10, 1809, in Morris, Litchfield Co., Conn. They have one son, Wesley B., born March 21, 1842, in Litchfield, Conn.

Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Coan are members of the Congregational Church of Trumbull Centre. Mr. Coan has always been a life-long Democrat of the Jeffersonian school. He has been assessor of his town, delegate to town and county conventions, and member of the State Legislature in 1868. His sons Henry F. and Albert M. were soldiers in Company D, Twenty-third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, under Gen. Banks.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 196

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