History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 197

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 197

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).

SAMUEL SEELEY.

The first Samuel Seeley that we know of was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was killed at the battle of Ridgefield, Conn., during that memorable struggle. His wife was Sarah Silliman, and to them were born the following children,-viz., Jesse, Abijah, Jeremiah, Cath- erine, Daniel, and Samnel, all born in the town of Easton, Conn.

Daniel Seeley was born Oct. 14, 1773; married Ruth Silliman, of Easton, March 31, 1803. Their children were Julia, Eliza, Emily, Samnel, and Marietta. Daniel was a school- teacher when a young man, and later in life was a farmer. In polities a Whig. He was a magistrate for several years, and during that time settled several estates. He was a member

of the State Legislature one term. He died May 14, 1852, and his wife died Feb. 22, 1845. Eliza married Timothy W. Godfrey, of Wilton. Samuel was born Sept. 2,1814; married Josephine, daughter of Timothy W. Godfrey, May 20, 1856. He was a teacher and farmer. In politics a Republican. He died Nov. 23, 1874. His children are as follows,-viz .. Ida L., Effie M., Charles B., Mary S., Samuel G., and Dasie J.

Emily was born Oet. 22, 1807, in Trumbull, and has always resided on the home farm. To her is dne the credit of inserting this brief sketch and the portrait of her honored brother Samnel. Marietta married Francis Austin, and resides in Suffield, Mass.

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WESTON.

until 1874, when he turned his attention to the dairy business, selling his milk in the city of Bridgeport. In 1879 he erected on his farm a most excellent wind- mill, which not only pumps all the water needed for his stock, but also grinds all the feed he can use. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Mallett are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mallett has been twice married, first to Lucy C., daughter of John Foster, Oct. 6, 1856. Of this union he has one daughter, Carrie C. His wife died April 13, 1861, and he married, for his second wife, Sarah E., daugh- ter of Philo Wooster, March 16, 1864. They have one son, Robert C., who is at home with his parents.

AARON SHERWOOD.

Aaron Sherwood, son of Gershom Sherwood and grandson of Daniel Sherwood, was born in the town of Redding, Fairfield Co., Conn., on the 8th of March, 1817. His father was a native of Easton, Conn., where he engaged in farming. He married Laura Darling and had four children, of whom Aaron was the eldest. In politics he was a Whig and Republi- can. He held various offices of trust, among which we mention those of selectman, magistrate, and mem- · ber of the Assembly. He settled in Yates Co., N. Y., a few years before his death, which occurred in his eighty-third, ycar. His father, Daniel, lived and died in Easton, Fairfield Co., Conn. Aaron Sher- wood remained at home until he was forty years of age, when he went to Chicago, Ill., and was there successfully engaged in the commission business three years; thencc he went to Niles, Mich., and engaged in the distilling business four years, sold his interest, and returned to Fairfield County, and located in the town of Bridgeport, on the place now owned by G. F. Gilman. In the fall of 1877 he pur- ehased his present beautiful home, situated in the town of Trumbull, on the Newtown turnpike, about five and a half miles from Bridgeport. It contains some twenty-six acres of good land, and the buildings with the surroundings are the most attractive of any in the town, a view of which may be seen elsewhere in this work. He is a Republican in politics. He married Jane A., daughter of Nash Couch, of Red- ding, Feb. 28, 1848. She was born in Redding, July 13, 1816. They have two children,-viz., Mary J. and William H.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

WESTON.

Geographical-Topographical-Surfaco -- Soil-The Pioneors-Congrega- tional Church-Church Discipline-Military Academy-Civil History -First Town-Meeting-Representatives from 1788 to 1880-Military Record.

THE town of Weston lies south of the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Redding; on the east by Easton and Fairfield; on

the south by Westport and Fairfield; and on the west by Wilton. It has an irregular surface, and is strictly an agricultural town. The soil is fertile.

The town was carly settled by pioneers from Fair- field, of which town it formed a part. The following were here (including Easton ) as early as 1787: Nathan Wheeler, Samuel Wakeman, Abel Hull, John Sher- wood, David Coley, Jr., Nathan Wheeler, Benjamin Dean, William Prince, Josiah G. Leavitt, Benjamin Dean, Ephraim French, Albert Lockwood, 'Squire Adams, John S. Andrews, Joseph Banks, Nehemiah Cable, Zebulon Fanton, Christopher Godfrey, Seeley Squier, Daniel Adams, Jr., Jonathan Bradley, Seth Price, Abel Hull, Lloyd Wakeman, Robert Harris, Samuel Wakeman, Thomas S. Collyer, Thankfull Platt, Nath. Seeley, Benjamin Dean, Samuel Thorp, David Silliman, David Bradley, Thaddeus Gilbert, Hezekiah Banks, Ebenezer Bixby, Nathaniel Hub- bell.

Among the old families of Weston are the Godfreys, Coleys, Andrews, Wakemans, Rowlands, Bulkleys, and Sturges. The first Godfrey immigrated to Fair- field between 1660 and 1670. Probably before 1700 Daniel Godfrey married a daughter of Robert Silli- man and settled in the Fairfield Northwest parish. They had several children ; one son bore the name of both families, Silliman Godfrey, who is the direct ancestor of all those of that name in that section. He married Mary Goodsell. They were the parents of several children, one of whom, Silliman, Jr., was a pillar and active support in the Norfield Church, in which he was deacon and chorister.

The Coleys are numerous. They also are in West- port, so that not far from the boundary-line between that town and Weston a part of the town is called Coleyville. Among the leading ones are David and Lewis Coley; they own large, commodious farm- houses built after the style of architecture of the period, and own good farmis. On one of them is the field where Weston was accustomed to assemble its men to obey the laws regulating the militia, which met the first Monday in May to drill, from which the old couplet originated,

" First Monday in May,- Training-day."

The original towns had a parade-ground. denomi- nated " the green," which has been reserved to the public ever since ; but the town of Weston, contem- porary with others of later organizations, had not that necessity, therefore they resorted to private grounds.

Weston was originally a large township. In - another town was severed from it and called Easton, therefore there. seems to be some confusion in tra- cing families and property. Many of the dead are re- corded on that account in Weston, but on looking for them to-day, one must go in many cases to Easton ; the same faet applies to property. The graveyard of Weston lies not far from this parade-ground, and contains the bodies of some of the staunchest of the

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Puritan fathers, men of " cast-iron principles," who These two worthy men served as long as their age were fervent in piety and patriotism. Of the descend- | permitted. They served through the ministry of Mr. ants of Job Perry, in Weston, are Miah Perry, who Sherwood and a great part of Rev. Mr. Noyes'. Mr. represented the town in the State Legislature of Sherwood died May 25, 1783, aged fifty-three. He 1876, and Sally, wife of Joseph R. Andrews.

Weston being an inland town, with a very limited transient foreign population, it has not had occasion to notice the inroads of communism, socialism, party intrigues, illegal government appropriations, and the inroads of the Church inconsistent with the Constitu- tion of the land, therefore it holds to the faith, integ- · rity, and politics of its ancestors, and is, in conse- quence, Democratic.

As a natural curiosity, Weston has the Devil's Den, -- a name given to a wooded valley in which is a stone with the imprint of a foot too large for modern inen. Tradition says that when the devil was wont to walk about the earth in human form he stepped on this clay, then in a plastic state, so that the indentation was complete. In time this clay hardened into stone, which gave rise to various theories. This den is of much. resort, especially in the huckleberry season, this being a ground prolific with that fruit. The scenery from here to the Sound is extremely romantic, especially over the old Forge road.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.

The first meeting of the society of Norfield was held June 23, 1757. This must have been soon after the parish was set off as an ecclesiastical society, for it is said that it was legally warned by a writ given out by Robert Walker, Esq., justice of the peace for the county of Fairfield.

A vote was passed May 10, 1758, to build a meeting- house thirty by forty feet. It appears that before the building was raised application was made to the County Court for a committee to fix the stakes, which was accordingly done. The house was raised aud covered by Dec. 7, 1758. A pulpit and pews aud body-seats were erected, but nothing was done to the galleries and the house was never plastered.

Dec. 6, 1784, it was voted to build a new meeting- house when a committee appointed by the County Court should make the location, and the materials of the old house, so far as might answer the purpose, were to be wrought into the new one. Accordingly, the old house was taken down and the frame set up in the centre of the society and newly covered. The old doors, pews, and seats were replaced, the gal- leries were then finished, and the house plastered and painted.

July 4, 1757, it was voted to give Mr. Samuel Sher- wood, of Fairfield, a call to settle with them, which call he accepted, and was ordained Aug. 17, 1757.

The church was organized with twelve male mem- bers, and soon nineteen more males and females were added to the church from neighboring churches. "Lieut. David Andrews and Ensign David Coley were chosen to the office of deacon and accepted."

was succeeded by Rev. John Noyes, who served until May, 1837.

The following is the list of pastors from their time to the present : 1837-40, Rev. George Hull; 1842-43, Rev. Mark Weed; 1844-48, Rev. Lewis Pennel ; 1851-72, Rev. Zalmon B. Burr; 1873-74, Rev. Jo- seph Nelson ; 1875-79, Rev. E. H. Lubkert.

The church has no pastor at present. The church edifice was erected in 1830, and dedicated April 13, 1831.

The deacons since those mentioned above have been J. Platt, John Crossman, Ward Nichols, David L. Coley, and Hiram Scofield.

The church has a fund of $900. Donators: Daniel S. Godfrey, $400; John S. Andrews, $500. Present membership : Males, 27; females, 48.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE. "COMPLAINT AGAINST DAVID B. GODFREY.

"'To the moderator of the Church of Christ in Norfield, and to the said church, comes Jeremiah Rowland, a member of said church, and informs said moderator aud church that David B. Godfrey, who is also a member of this church, has been guilty of the sin of intemperance, by which he has broken the laws of Christ and brought dishonor on the Christian profession, which has evidently been seen by several members of said church and others. Your complaint further says that private steps have been taken for convincing and reclaiming said David B. Godfrey, but he refuses to hearken; therefore, as in duty bound, he now tells it to the church, that his offend- ing brother may be proceeded with according to the rules of the gospel. Dated in Norfield, this 5th day of August, 1823.

"'JEREMIAH ROWLAND.'

"The above was exhibited to the church on the Sabbath following, and a meeting of the church was appointed to be held on the 14th day of August instant to attend to the case. A copy of the com- plaint was sent to the delinquent and a citatiou to liim to appear before the church to answer to it.

" The church met at the meeting-house, according to appointment, on the 14th day of August, 1823, for the purpose of attending to the above complaint. The meeting was opened with prayer by the moder- ator. The complaint was then read. After the read- ing of the complaint witnesses were called to prove the fact alleged in it. The accused did not appear. Hannah Lockwood, a member of the church, being called to testify in the case, declared that on Satur- day, the 14th day of June last, she saw said Godfrey pass her house evidently in a state of intoxication, as appeared by his reeling on his horse. Sarah Bunnel was then called to testify in the case, and declared

GERSHOM W. BRADLEY.

GERSHOM W. BRADLEY was born March 3, 1804, in Fairfield, Conn. His father was Wakeman Brad- ley ; his mother was Catharine Andrews.

His father was a manufacturer of edge-tools. He gave his son the common-school advantages of a rural district. Being the oldest son of a large family of children, he had to contribute his help for the family's support, dividing his time between the farm and the shop.

In 1812, the year of the war, his father established his axe and edge-tool factory at Weston. It was during this war that this neighborhood was visited by the British troops, and much pub- lie and private prop- erty destroyed, among others that of Mr. Bradley's relatives.

Beginning in a moderate way in mak- ing tools by hand, Mr. Bradley at this early day, by pro- ducing goods of su- perior merit, estab- lished a prosperous industry. In 1834, Mr. Gershom Bradley started a factory in the same line his father had begun at his present location in Weston.

As Mr. Bradley advanced in years his sons have entered into active assistance, and Miles, his eldest son, when the factory was destroyed by freshet in 1854, rebuilt and remodeled the works and put fresh life into the business, his father gradually resigning the care of affairs to him.

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His other two sons, De Witt C. and Gershom W., are both engaged in the Bradley shops learning the details of the manufacture, and fitting them- selves to perpetuate the good reputation which has always characterized the tools of this establishment.

In 1827, Mr. Bradley married Lydia Merwin, of Weston, by whom he had three sons,-Miles, George, and De Witt. Mrs. Bradley died in 1851. In 1853, Mr. Bradley married his second wife. Her maiden name was Mary J. Goodsell, of Westport, daughter of Silas B. Goodsell, of that town. She died in 1872. By this marriage five children were born, three of whom are now living,-viz., Ger- shom W., Eliza Jane, and Catharine A.

Mr. Bradley has been too modest a man to accept offices ; he has had full occu- pation with his busi- ness.

He is an attend- ant of the Methodist church at Westport. Brought up a Democrat, but, after voting for Jackson on the occasion of his first candidacy, he left the Democratic party, and has since been a Whig and Republican.

He is well known as a kind neighbor, an indus- trious, frugal, and honest man. The war interrupted his business and involved heavy loss, but by energy and good management, aided by the superior busi- ness abilities of his son Miles, he has won success.

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WESTON.

that some time sinee said Godfrey, in passing by her house, fell from his horse, and that she and her daughter helped him on his horse again, and that his fall was evidently the effect of intoxication, and that he intimated as much by saying, 'You know my failing. I am not fit to do any business to-night.' That this was .on a Saturday evening. Mrs. Lock- wood was again ealled, and testified that her son Samuel told her that he and others were passing by and saw Mrs. Bunnel and her daughter help said Godfrey on his horse, and that this was the same afternoon, towards evening, that she saw him pass her house in the situation before mentioned. On hearing the evidence the church voted that the charge was supported.

"Voted, that the following written admonition be sent to said Godfrey by Brother Silliman Godfrey, Jr. :

"'To David B. Godfrey, a member of the Church of Christ in Norfield: This ehureh has this day taken into serious consideration a complaint exhibited against you for the sin of intemperanee. We have heard testimony in support of the charge which we consider as ample proof that you are verily guilty, as alleged in the complaint. It gives us pain that you have walked so disorderly, and that you have so wounded Christ and your own soul. Earnestly de- siring that you may be recovered out of the snare of Satan, and that you may yet do honor to the Christian profession by newness of life, we affectionately exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to con- sider how you have violated your eovenant engage- ments, by which you are bound to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world, how you have wounded your own precious soul, provoked God, and dishonored the Christian name. And we do now earnestly beseeeh you, and in the name of Christ exhort and charge you, as you will have to answer for yourself at the bar of God, that you delay not un- feignedly to repent of your sin, that you humble yourself before God and man, and that you lenee- forth walk in newness of life. This admonition is not given you out of any ill-will to your person (as the Lord knoweth), but in love to your soul and in obe- dienee to Christ Jesus, who has made it our duty to watch over one another, and to maintain the diseip- line of the church according to the rules of the gos- pel. We do it that you may be recovered from the error of your way, and be reconciled to God and to His Church, that you may not be cut off from the commu- nion of the Church here, nor be excluded from the Church triumphant above. Signed, in behalf of the church,

"' JOHN NOYES, Moderator.

"' NORFIELD, Aug. 14, 1823.'

" Voted, That the church meet a fortnight from this day, at time and place as before, further to attend to the important subject under consideration. The church met according to adjournment. The delin- quent not appearing, nor having made any eommuni-

cation to the church, the church, in the exercise of Christian forbearance and with the hope of still gain- ing their brother, adjourned further proceedings against him until Thursday of next week, when they voted to meet again at the meeting-house at three o'clock P.M., and expressed their desire that Mr. Noyes should have further conversation with the de- linquent with a view to reclaim him. Met according to adjournment.

"The delinquent appeared and submitted a form of confession which he was willing to make the next Lord's Day before the church and congregation, and to which he had affixed his name; and the church voted to accept of it on condition of its being made and to restore him to their charity. Accordingly, on the next Lord's Day, the following confession was publicly read and assented to by the undersigned :

"'I, David B. Godfrey, do humbly acknowledge, be- fore God and this assembly, that I have been guilty of the sin of intemperance, whereby I have offended God and this church, dishonored the Christian name, and wounded my own soul ; and I do now declare my hearty sorrow for this my sin and humbly ask the pardoning merey of God and the forgiveness of my Christian friends, together with their prayers for me that I may be enabled to walk circumspectly and in- offensively for the future, which I will endeavor to do by Divine graec assisting me.

" 'Signed, DAVID B. GODFREY.' "' The above and foregoing are a true record of tlie doings of the church in the case of David B. Godfrey.

" ' Test, JOHN NOYES, Moderator.'

" Wherefore the moderator declared, in virtue of a foregoing vote relative to their acceptance of the above confession, in words following : 'This church then forgives you so far as your offense relates to them, and cheerfully restore you to their charity and fellowship in the gospel, and may you have forgive- ness of God and be kept by His power through faith unto salvation.' "

EMANUEL CHURCH.

" At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of Weston, legally warned and held at the Episcopal church in said Weston on the 22d day of March. A.D. 1845, Wolsey Nichols, chairman, and Edmond O. Sturges, clerk, voted that Eli T. Winton and others be admit- ted members of this society,-viz., Walter S. Meeker, Levi O. Banks, Aaron D. Banks, Thomas B. Trow- bridge, Edmond O. Sturges, Whitmore Nichols, Zal- mon Sturges, Curtis Wood, William Wheeler. Alson Robertson, Samuel M. Banks, Sylvester Quintard, Henry Bulkley, Jesse Crossman, James Brown (2d), Henry Brown, Moses Banks, Thomas Banks, Porter Wheeler, Wm. P. Welch, Benjamin Banks, Wolsey Nichols, Jeremiah R. Nichols, Wmu. H. Lyon, Eben- ezer S. Cole, Alban Brown, Hezekiah F. Gould, and others by certificate (names not given)."

Walter Treadwell, Hanford Nichols, and Orlando

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Perry were voted as vestrymen ; Hanford Nichols and Walter Treadwell wardens.

Walter Treadwell and Orlando Perry were ap- pointed a committee to take charge of all funds of the society. The first meetings of the parish were held at the house of Hanford Nichols.

The people of Lyon's Plains for some time wor- shiped at Easton, the academy being used for that purpose. When they at last decided to build a church edifice, dispntes arose abont its location. Mr. Hanford Nichols and Walter Treadwell gave the land, and Mr. Nichols and others commenced building the church. A dispute arose about subscriptions for building and locating the church, suits at law had been commenced, and the matter was finally settled amicably by being left to arbitration. Joshua B. Ferris, Cyrus H. Beardsley, and Henry Dutton were chosen arbitrators. The records further state :

" At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of Weston, legally warned and held at the dwelling-house of Hanford Nichols, in said Weston, on the 25th day of April, A.D. 1845, voted Wolsey Nichols moderator. Voted that we recognize and receive as the property of the Episcopal Society of Weston the subscriptions to build a new church edifice between the houses of Charles Scofield and Thomas Banks. Voted that we consider it expedient and proper to build a new church in this society. Voted that we recognize the land already subscribed and given by Hanford Nich- ols and Walter Treadwell, and fix the location of our said church thereon. Voted that we recognize and assume the building of the church edifice already begun by Hanford Nichols, Walter Treadwell, and others, together with all the debts and credits, liabil- ities and responsibilities pertaining thereto."

A committee of five were appointed to take charge of the money and building,-viz., Walter Treadwell, Edmond O. Sturges, Hanford Nichols, Charles Cro- fut, and Levi Banks.

" At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of Weston, held at the dwelling-house of Hanford Nichols, April 13, A.D. 1846, the following officers were chosen :

known as Emanuel Church, Weston, and that our minister or delegate present this request to the Con- vention at its coming session in New Haven." In 1864, Rev. Mr. Tomlinson resigned on account of ill health. Mr. Ebenezer Lane had volunteered his services as "lay reader," assisting Mr. Tomlinson for some years. The society voted him thanks each year.

May, 1865, Rev. John Marvin was called to be rector of the parish. May 9, 1867, the parish received a donation or bequest from Hanford Nichols, Esq., of three thousand five hundred dollars.

"May 7, 1871, voted that we accept the resignation of Rev. Mr. Marvin as rector of this parish.

"J. R. NICHOLS, Clerk."

Jan. 1, 1872, Rev. J. N. Walton was called to be rector, and resigned in 1878.

Rev. A. N. Lewis, of Westport, lias officiated for the parish during the past year.

The following are the present officers: J. R. Nichols, Clerk; Moses D. Treadwell, J. R. Nichols, Wardens ; Alban B. Sherwood, H. A. Ogden, Charles Adams, W. Lobdell, L. M. Sherwood, Vestrymen ; A. B. Sherwood, Treasurer; C. A. Adams, Delegate ; M. D. Treadwell, Sexton.

THE MILITARY ACADEMY, WESTON.

This school has been conducted many years under various plans and persons. Mr. Matthew Bulkley had the management of it for a considerable period, when he resigned, and his son-in-law, A. A. Jarvis, assumed control, becoming principal and proprietor. He kept a corps of teachers, who under his manage- ment attained an enviable celebrity. Being a mili- tary school and not closing during the summer at- tracted the attention of numerous families from the large cities, especially New York and Brooklyn. Mr. Jarvis spared nothing to advance his students in knowledge or social qualities, often having receptions for their benefit, even inviting the Governor of the State (Connecticut) to witness the military parade of his eadets, and to add lustre to the occasion.

CIVIL HISTORY.

" Walter Treadwell, Moderator; Moses Treadwell, Clerk; Hanford Nichols and Walter Treadwell, The town of Weston was incorporated in October, 1777. It was "Resolved by this assembly that all the inhabitants who live within the limits of the parish of North Fairfield, in the county of Fairfield, and all the inhabitants who live in that part of the parish of Norfield which lie in the township of Nor- field, in said county, be and they hereby are incorpo- rate into a distinct, separate town by the name of Weston." Wardens; Charles Crofut, Whitmore Nichols, Jere- miah R. Nichols, Vestrymen; Wolsey Nichols, Treasurer. Moses Nichols was chosen a delegate to attend the general convention of the State. Voted that we instruct our wardens and vestrymen to give Rev. David G. Tomlinson a call to the ministerial charge of our parish. June 3, 1848, this society pur- ehased a burying-ground. This burying-ground was afterwards donated to the society by Hanford Niehols. THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING. . At this date (by meeting warned) the society voted The first meeting of the inhabitants was held Nov. 14, 1787, with Samuel Wakeman moderator, and Nathan Wheeler town clerk. At this meeting the following officers were chosen: Moderator, Samuel Wakeman ; Town Clerk, Nathan Wheeler; Select- that this parish having been without a proper church name, being called generally in parish notices the Episcopal Society of Weston, and in the journals of Con- vention 'Church Weston,' we therefore request of the Convention that this parish may be named and | men, Abel Hnll, John Sherwood, David Coley, Jr.,.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 197

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