History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 205

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 205

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In 1865, Dr. Bouton, tiring of the incessant labor of his city duties, removed to Westport, Conn., where he now resides. He did not cease his labors, having been in constant and very active practice since living at Westport. By his great vitality he has been en- abled to perform double the work of one man, and yet keep his health. In his profession Dr. Bouton takes a high stand. As evidence of his skill, we will adduce the fact that, on one occasion, in New York City, he successfully invalidated a will, involving over two hundred thousand dollars, by his examination of a body, and introducing for the first time in legal

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Erhalt Taylory

BURR JENNINGS.

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WESTPORT.

annals, portions of the body which had been buried nine months, to illustrate testimony in a civil suit. For this Dr. Bouton received a fee of three thousand dollars. He is now medical examiner of several life insurance companies, and is a member of Fairfield County Medical Society and Connecticut Medical Society.

In 1861, April 28, Dr. Bouton married Mary Fran- ees, daughter of Andrew C. Nash, of Westport, of an old and prominent family. She was born Feb. 26, 1837.

Dr. Bouton is both a Freemason and Odd-Fellow. Is a member of Wooster Lodge, No. 79, F. and A. M., New Haven, Conn., also of Franklin Chapter, No. 2, Harmony Council, No. 8, and New Haven Comman- dery, No. 2. Has been Senior Deacon and secretary of lodge and secretary of chapter. He was delegate to the Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F. in 1853 from Har- mony Lodge, No. 5, of New Haven, and was the youngest member of that body. He still belongs to Harmony Lodge, and is a member of Sassacus En- campment, No. 1, New Haven. Both Dr. Bouton and wife are Episcopalians, and the doctor has been vestryman in Christ Church, Westport, for fifteen . years.

· Personally, Dr. Bouton is social and pleasant, is a strong friend, and held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintance. Politically, he is unswervingly a Democrat.

Industry, public spirit, truthfulness, and faithful- ness to every duty mark the course of Dr. Bouton, and he is acknowledged to be to-day one of West- port's most valued citizens, always enlisted in every- thing tending to elevate, educate, or improve mankind.

JOHN WARREN TAYLOR.

John Warren Taylor was born in Norwalk, April 8, 1810. He was son of Seth and Abigail ( Warren) Taylor. The old town records of Norwalk preserve the following concerning his ancestry : "March 1, 1713 .- The Town by a major vote grants liberty to John Taylor to erect a small house for his family's convenience on ye Sabbath, ou such part of ye town's land near ye meeting-house as ye seleetmen shall allow or find convenient." "Jolin Taylar, Junr., took to wife Sarah Lockwood, daughter of Mr. Dan- iel Lockwood, late of Norwalk, dec'd, and was mar- ried to her Nov. 6, 1723." She died Jan. 24, 1724-25. " The s'd John Taylor, Jun'r., took to wife Hannah, daughter of Lt. James Stewart, of Norwalk, and was married to her Jan. 19, 1726-27." To them were born John, James, Hannah, Eli, Seth, Bette, Asher. This Seth, the grandfather of John Warren, was born Mareh 30, 1735, and married Martha Gaylord, daugh- ter of Rev. William Gaylord, of Wilton, March 7, 1765. Seth, Jr., was their third child and oldest son. His birth occurred Feb. 4, 1771. His brothers and sisters were Rufus Gaylord, Wm. Roswell, Louisa,

Eliza M., Sylvester G. By a subsequent marriage were born Rufus G. and Mary M. Their mother's name was Rebecca Hurlburt. Jolin Warren attended public schools until he was fifteen, and Norwalk Academy for three years subsequently. Then he commenced teaching district school in East Norwalk, and continued that profession in different places till 1832. He engaged at that time in the dry-goods trade in Saugatuck, now Westport, and this be carried on two years. Selling that interest, in 1834 he purchased a small stock of drugs of Dr. Nash, and, adding largely to the purchase, he also joined a department of books and one of very extensive variety good -. In this business he continued until his death.

Mr. Taylor married, March 20, 1832, Mary J., daughter of Uriah Hoyt, Esq., of Norwalk. She was born in Norwalk, Oct. 29, 1812. Their surviving children are Henry F. (who married Mary E. Clark, of Stamford, Conn., where he now resides, connectedl with The Churchman publishing office) and Hiram HI., who married Lizzie J. Provost, of Stamford, and is now resident partner, at Baltimore, Md., of the New York house of Dudley & Co.

Mr. Taylor was brought up in the Congregational Church, and, although never a member, for more than half a century mingled with the people without a blemish. on his moral character, and possessed of the respect, esteem, confidence of all. Quiet and un- demonstrative, he filled well and fully every station in life, cherished as a friend, trusted as an official, beloved as a husband and father, and never could be found a tongue to breathe malice against him. For more than thirty-seven consecutive years he held the position of town clerk, a fact which shows his per- sonal popularity and worth. During the administra- tion of President Taylor, Jolin Warren was appointed postmaster at Westport, which position he filled until a change of politics demanded his removal. He was an Old-Line Whig. After the formation of the Re- publiean party he acted and voted with it. He died Dec. 29, 1876, regretted by all.

BURR JENNINGS.

Burr Jennings, son of Burr and Mercy (Morehouse) Jennings, was born Nov. 2, 1794, at Green's Farms, in the town of Fairfield, Conn., on the homestead in possession of his ancestors from the foundation of the Fairfield settlement. His great-grandfather was Joshua Jennings, and his grandfather's name was also Joshua. He married Hester, half-sister to the dis- tinguished Aaron Burr. Both Joshua, Sr., and Joshna, Jr., were prominent citizens of Fairfield, large land- owners, and highly esteemed by their contemporaries.

Burr Jennings, Sr., was a quiet, undemonstrative person, saying but little, but that to the point. He never aspired to political oflice, was conservative in thought, but positive in his nature, rarely changing an opinion once formed. He was a member of the

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Congregational Church, and died in June, 1844, aged seventy-seven. Of his family of six daughters and two sons, Burr, Jr., was second child and first son.

Burr Jennings, Jr., received such advantages of education as existed in the country schools of that early day, when no such royal road led to learning as does to-day, and a few winter months, interspersed with much labor, was all that could be given to ed- ucation. Remaining with his parents until his ma- jority, he continued residing with them, engaged in farming, until he was twenty-six years old, when, Nov. 19, 1820, he married his cousin, Caroline, daugh- ter of Caroline and Joshua Jennings. She was born at Green's Farms, July 2, 1801. And now follows something which the youth of 1880 would do well to consider. For two years Mr. Jennings continued living with his parents, and Mrs. Jennings with hers, until Mr. Jennings had built a comfortable home on the lot of land received from his father, and in their own house, which was to be for so many years their home, and where Mrs. Jennings still resides in the fullness of years, they commenced their housekeeping.

For over fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Jennings cn- joyed each other's society, wrought together in the varying labors of life, and endured the same sufferings, for all was not pleasure in their life. Their golden wedding was celebrated Nov. 19, 1870, when both were hale and hearty, the central figures of a happy gathering of kinsmen and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were attendants, and for years members, of the Congregational Church. Their children were Caroline Burr (deceased, who married Edmund A. Peffers), Mary Morehouse (deceased), Abby Taylor (deceased), Julia Maria (Mrs. Isaac T. Banks, of New Haven), Augusta (Mrs. Edward S. Spring, now residing with her mother), Albert Burr (deceased), and George Franklin (deceased).

Mr. Jennings died Sept. 24, 1872. By his economy, thrift, and industry he added much to his patrimony, and left to his descendants a fine inheritance and the better legacy of an unspotted name.

FRANCIS BULKLEY.

Francis Bulkley was born in Fairfield, Conn., Jan. 30, 1786. His ancestors were of the primitive set- tlers in this town, and of English origin, coming to this county from Hartford and Colchester. His parents were Abram and Jane (Burr) Bulkley. The father of Abram was Peter, a tanner and manufac- turer of shoes. His father was Gershom.

Abram was a soldier in the Revolution, after that engaged in privatcering, and, when the war ended, went to farming on the family homestead, building for himself, previous to or about 1800, the house now occupied by Joel B. Bulkley. He died in 1837, about eighty-seven years of age. He was an active person of much sociality, an ardent Episcopalian, and one of the founders of Trinity Church.

Francis had a common-school education, carried on farming until his majority, and married Sarah B., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bradley) Morehouse, in 1814. He built the house so long his home in 1818, and resided there until his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1868. Mrs. Bulkley died Dec. 22, 1833. Their children were John Francis, Esther, Peter, Maria (deceased), Gershom, Mary Jane, Sarah Burr (Mrs. John H. Wood), and Abram. Of these, Ger- shom, Esther, aud Mary Jane live in the old home.

Mr. Bulkley was a member of the Society of Trin- ity Church (Episcopal), and at one time was vestry- man. He was in politics a Democrat, was a quiet man, never seeking office or meddling with office- seekers, but preferred the society of the home circle to any other. The early death of Mrs. Bulkley left a more than usual responsibility upon him, and his tender care endeavored to supply to some extent a mother's place unto his children. He was a great reader, keeping himself well posted on all matters transpiring in the world. He was careful and con- servative, not prone to wander into speculations in religion, politics, or business.

Mr. Bulkley was a contributor to all objects calcu- lated to benefit mankind, filled well the station he oc- cupied, enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, and during his life none who knew him could say he was ever actuated by malice, but always desirous of doing good, and, as a result, had many strong and estimable friends. He was temperate, industrious, and econom- ical, and left his children the inheritance of an un- blemished reputation and a fair share of this world's goods.

ELI COUCHI.

Eli Couch, son of Gideon and Eleanor ( Wakeman) Couch, was born at Green's Farms, Fairfield Co., Conn., Sept. 21, 1797. He spent his early days with his parents on the farm, and receiving his education in the public and private schools of Westport. After his father's death he carried on farming on the quar- ter share of the old homestead which was his by in- heritance. On this he built a house, and took to wife, Jan. 7, 1826, Matilda, daughter of Burr and Mercy (Morehouse) Jennings. He was a typical farmer, never seeking or holding political office, and voting the Democratic ticket with regularity as the best means of preserving the simplicity of the early days of our country. Both Mr. and Mrs. Couch were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and for more than fifty years this worthy couple walked the Christian pathway, doing good quietly and without parade to all, and never could be found onc who did not ac- knowledge that their Christian profession was supple- mented by Christian practice, and both were honored and respected. Mr. Couch was honest, industrious, economical, and, in his family relations, a loving hus- band and tender parent. He left at his death a com- fortable fortune in land and otherwise to his widow

FRANCIS BULKLEY.

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WILTON.

and surviving children. They are Elizabeth (Mrs. Horace Smith), William Henry, and John W. His death occurred April 1, 1876. His widow survives him at the advanced age of eighty years.

Of such citizens as Mr. Couch is composed the ele- ment upon which depends the preservation of the American republic, and the plain, common-sense New England farmer, going forth in all things actuated by principle and duty, is the bearer of the highest good to his State and nation.

CHAPTER LXXXV. WILTON.

The First Settlement-Organization of the Parish-List of Early Set- tlers-The Revolutionary War-The British March through the Town -Firing of a Building-Secreting Valuables-List of Soldiers-Slavery -The Lease of a Slave-Ear-Marks-Price of Produce in 1777-The Silver-Mine-Statue of George III.

WILTON lies on the west border of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Ridgefield, Reading, and Weston; on the east by Reading and Weston; on the south by Westport and Norwalk ; and on the west by New Canaan and Westchester County, in New York.

The exact date of the first settlement in this town cannot be definitely ascertained, but it was doubtless as early as 1701, as immigrations inland from the sea- towns were made at that time. Although there may have been an occasional rude hut within the bounds of the present town at this early date, the settlement was of but little consequence until about the time of the organization of the parish of Wilton, in 1725.

ORGANIZATION OF TIIE PARISII.

The first reference to the organization of the parish of Wilton appears on the records of the town of Nor- walk, under date Dee. 7, 1725.

It was voted that "The town, by a major vote, signifies their willingness that the inhabitants of Kent, Belden's Hill, and Chestnut Hill, and so up- wards, become a parish by themselves, if the General Court shall see meet so to establish them."

A petition was presented to the General Court in May, 1726, for the organization of the parish, signed by the following persons: Joseph Elmer, Joseph Jump, Daniel Abbott, Joseph Carle, Nathan Olm- sted, Stephen Buckingham, John Stuart, Benjamin Hickok, John Keeler, Mathew St. John, Daniel Keeler, John St. Jolm, David Betts, Samnel Betts, Jr., Stephen Betts, Nathaniel Slawson, John Wood, Jr., Jonathan Wood, Jr., Nathan Betts, Daniel Trow- bridge, Richard Bouton, Obadiah Wood, Thomas Bouton, James Trowbridge, Jonathan Sturdevant, Ralph Keeler, Jachin Gregory, John Dunning, Na- thaniel Ketchum, John Taylor, and William Parker.

The above list of signers of the petition for the organization of the parish doubtless composed the whole, or at least a greater portion, of the adult male

inhabitants residing within the present boundaries of the town at that time.

LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS.

The following is a list of the early settlers who were here Feb. 14, 1732:

Benj. Ilickok and wife Sarah, and children, Sila-, Ezra, Bethel (Bethia ?), Abigail, and Sarah. Joseph Burchard and wife Elizabeth, and children, Joseph, John, Jesse, James, Daniel, Uriah, Zebulon, Grace, Elizabeth, Abigail, Deborah. Jame; Betts, Sr., and wife Hannah, and children, Elias, Abigail. David Lambert and wife Lurany, and children, Elizabeth, Rachel. John Marvin and wife Abigail, and children, Mary, Abigail, John, Stephen. John Taylor and wife, and children, John, Hannah, Appenten, Theophels. Mathew and Ann St. John, and children, Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, Hannalı, Anna. John Dunning and wife Sarah, and children, John, Richard, Samuel, Mathew, David, Michael, Sarah, and Hannah. Benj. and Rebecca Betts, and children, David, Benjamin. William Belden and wife Margaret, and children, Azor, Thankful, Sarah. Ralph and Margaret Keeler, and servant, Jared Crane. Capt. N. Ketchum and wife Sarah, and children, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Eben- ezer, Joseph, Nathan, Hannah, Sarah. John St. John and wife Eunice, and children, Rachael, Eunice, Ruth, Mary. David and Mary Keeler, and children, David, John, Ezra, Mary, Phoebe. Jachin and Wait Gregory, and children, Jachin, Reuben, Isaac, Wait, Titns, Abigail, Timothy. John and Abigail Wood. Cole and wife Mary, and children, Samnel, Ichabod, Timothy, Jonathan, John, Sarah, and Han- nah, Jonathan, Elizabeth, David, John, Daniel, Sol- omon, Stephen, Martha, Elizabeth. - Westcoat and wife, and children, Samnel, Nathaniel, David, Abi- gail, Jeremiah, Hannah, Thaddens. Stephen and Hannah Mead. James, Hannah, James, and Silas Olmstead. - Jackson and wife, and children. Eben- ezer, Joshna, John, Ahahier, Stephen, and Mary. - Stuart and wife Abiah, and children, John, Silas. Reuben, Benjamin, Ezra, Abigail, Jemima, and Sarah. - Stnart and wife Elizabeth, and chillren. Thad- deus, Ennice, Daniel, Sarah. Daniel, Sarah, and Hannah Betts. James Betts, Jr., and wife Martha, and children, James, Hezekiah, Martha, Phoebe. Anne, William, Mary. William, John, and Mary Par- ker. Ebenezer Keeler and wife, and children. Eben- ezer, Ralph, Nathan, Jonathan, Hannah, Abigail. and Rebecca. Jonathan, Mary, Eliakim. Martha, Sammel, Jonathan, David, Daniel, Mary, Elizabeth, and Abigail Elmer. Matthew Marvin and wife Elizabeth. Joseph Marvin, brother of Matthew. Joseph Peek and wife Mary. Nathan Green and wife Abigail.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Aside from other afflictions of the war, Wilton suf- fered from actual invasion when the British passed through on the occasion of the burning of Danbury,

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

in April, 1777. On their return, hungry and weary with marching and fighting, they entered many houses for food. As they came down the Ridgefield road, they fired a ball into the house of Deacon Daniel Gregory, in which were his wife and children. The eldest, Abigail,-afterwards the wife of Moses Gregory,-when above eighty years of age, was accus- tomed to tell how an officer came in, with his sword drawn, attended by soldiers. He assured them of safety if they would furnish food. The British set fire to the house near the Episcopal church now occu- pied by Mr. Sherman Fitch; but, before they were out of sight, a woman went with a pail of water from the next house north (which has lately fallen down, but was for many years occupied by Maj. Samuel Belden) and extinguished the flames. As people heard of the approach of the British they hastily rc- moved their silver spoons and such valuable property as they could. From houses on the Belden's Hill road furniture was carried to Huckleberry Hill, as it was supposed the British might take that street ; but learning, as it would seem, that soldiers were gather- ing at Norwalk, the enemy took the Westport road, and finding Westport already occupied by several hundred Americans, they turned east, crossed the Saugatuck River about three miles above the bridge, marched to Compo, and got on shipboard that night. It was their last attempt to go far from the shore in Connecticut. But the Wilton people suffered after- wards in the burning of Norwalk, though their houses and their lives were spared.

The following persons were in the army a part or the whole of the period 1780-1783: Capt. Samuel Comstock (afterwards major), Lieut. Samuel Defor- est, Ensign (in 1782 lieutenant), Matthew Gregory, Scth Hubbell, Samuel Nichols, Jesse Olmstead, Am- brose Barns, John Johnson, John Williams, Jonathan Jackson, Elijah Betts, and, in 1782, Licut. Salmon Hubbell and Uriah Mead. Elijah Taylor is else- where mentioned as ensign. A warning is also found written and signed by Samuel Comstock, cap- tain Ninth Regiment, calling his company together for inspection the 17th of October, 1776. Washing- ton was at that time at White Plains, after the retreat from Long Island. He had called most of the Connecticut troops to his aid. As Licut. Gregory was in the action at White Plains, the 28th of Oc- tober, it is probable that Capt. Comstock marched thither with his company directly after the 17th. Maj. Comstock represented Norwalk in the Legis- lature, October, 1800, and Wilton in eight sessions, between October, 1803, and May, 1809. In his will he gave to the church, for its communion service, a silver tankard which had for generations been an heirloom in the family. He was born 1739, the son of Deacon Nathan Comstock, and, as is supposed, in the house so long occupied by Edward Comstock. He died Dec. 1, 1824, in his eighty-sixth ycar. He enlisted July 10, 1775, and was commissioned

captain, July 10, 1776. He and his company shared in the sufferings of Valley Forge, in the battle of Monmouth, and the capture of Cornwallis. His wife was Mercy Mead, daughter of Theophilus Mead. Lieut. Matthew Gregory, the son of Ezra and grand- son of Deacon Matthew Gregory, was with Maj. Comstock in the places just mentioned, and was also in the fight at Ridgefield, April 27, 1777. His death occurred in his ninety-first year, June 4, 1848, at Albany, N. Y., where he had resided forty years or more. His first wife, Mary, daughter of Hezekiah Deforest, died in 1796.

Capt. Azar Belden, who was an early scttler in this town, was also in the Revolution. He held a cap- tain's commission in the train of artillery and served with distinction. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and with Gen. Washington when he evacuated New York, and with Gen. Wooster when he fell at Ridgefield, and continued in active service during the war.

SLAVERY.

Upon the old town-book, under date of Jan. 5, 1811, appears the following: "These may certify that, at the request of Samuel Middlebrook, the Civil Authority and Select Men hereunto subscribing have examined into the case of Phebe, a slave of said Middlebrook, and find that she is within the age limited by Law to be emancipated, and that she is of a sound Constitu- tion and of good health, and that it is likely that she will be able to maintain herself, and also said Phebe, having manifested to us her desire to be made free, We do hereby witness that we see no cause why the said Samuel Middlebrook may not Lawfully emanci- pate and set free his said slave, Phebe, and Liberty is accordingly hereby granted to the said Samuel Mid- dlebrook to emancipate and set free his slave, Phebe, according to a statute Law of this State in such case made and provided.

" Dated, Wilton, this 20th day of April, 1816. " THADDEUS MEAD, " Justice of the Peace. " DAVID LAMBERT, " JEHIEL KEELER, "SAMUEL OLMSTEAD, " Selectmen. " Rec'd to record, January 5, 1811.

"Test, SAMUEL BELDEN, Register."

Under date Feb. 24, 1812, " Betty, a Black woman," was emancipated by Mathew Marvin.

· THE LEASE OF A SLAVE.

Under date Jan. 24, 1824, appears the following record :

" Know all inen by these presents, that I, William Belden, of Wilton, Fairfield County, for and in con- sideration of the sum of twenty-five dollars, to me in hand paid, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowl- edge, have bargained, sold, and conveycd, and by these presents do bargain, sell, and convey, of my own free

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WILTON.

will and consent, a certain Negro or Mulatto Girl, ·named Grace, born Sept. 20, 1806, now being 17 years and 4 months old, unto Hiram Betts, of Wilton, afore- said, his heirs and assigns, for and during the term of three years and eight months, until she shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, which will be on the 20th' of Sept., 1827, and I, the said Belden, do warrant the said negro girl, Grace, to be a healthy and well girl, and sound limbs and not with child, and I, the said Belden, do bind myself and heirs and administrators to warrant unto the said Betts, his heirs and assigns, all demands whatsoever, by any person inade towards the said Negro Girl, Grace, and I do hereby, and for the aforesaid term of 3 years and 8 months, defend him, the said Betts, against all claimants in any wise whatever. In witness whereof I have hercunto set my hand and scal this 20th day of January, 1824. It is also agreed that the said Betts shall provide com- fortable and decent wearing apparel, and take care of the said Grace in sickness and in health, and at the expiration of lier servitude, said Betts shall clothe her well, one every-day suit and one for holidays.

"WM. BELDEN. "Signed, Sealed, and delivered in presence of " MATHEW MARVIN, " CHAS. MARVIN.

" WILTON, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SS. :

"On the date above personally appeared W. Bel- den, signer and sealer of the above instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me.

" MATTHEW MARVIN, " Justice of Peace.

"Received to record Jan. 24, 1824, and recorded per Samuel Belden."

In the records of births in the town-book appears the following of slaves belonging to William Belden : Catherine, born Feb. 4, 1802; Grace, Marchi 6, 1807 ; Richard, Aug. 27, 1809 ; John, March 6, 1812.

EAR-MARKS.

The following are specimens of ear-marks used in the early days to distinguish cattle, etc. :

Silas St. John's mark was "halfpenny and nick under side the near ear."

Samuel Belden's mark was "nick under side cach ear."

A. Gregory's mark was "slit under near car."

Nathan Hanford's was "halfpenny under near car, and nick nnder off car."

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 205

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