History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 75

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 75

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David Ogden married Peter Perry's "Sall," and built the house on the opposite side of the street. Their daughter Betsey married Samuel Morehouse (see "Colonial," No. 39), whose father owned the prop- erty known as Phipp's, where he built the first sloop or schooner in these parts, which he sold for three thousand dollars,-a large fortune in those days. His

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grandson, Deaeon Samuel Morehouse, now owns this Ogden property, which has been oceupied some years by Francis Louis. Mr. Morehouse is principal of a ward school in New York,-a position lie has held for years.

Ebenezer Burr and his son, a lawyer, clerk of the County Court and ex-member of the Legislature, were descendants of this family of Ogdens, who occupied several houses on Mill Plain.

George Ogden lived by the railroad, crossing where Mr. Dickinson resides, and his father, Maj. Abel Ogden, lived next to the Redfield house; the latter built in 1795. He was a carpenter, and had just married at the time he raised his house. He and his lady were out one evening, when some one came in and announced a fire was on the Plain. The major coolly remarked, " It makes good work for the joiners." The historian fails to state his speech on finding the fire consumed his future home.

In the Fairfield west ground is an Ogden monu- ment, containing on the faee :

" Abel Ogden, died Jan. 14, 1851, Æt. 80. Betsey, his wife, Died May 17, 1854, æt. 74. In the grace and tender pity of Christ, here resteth the body of David Ogden, rector of St. Mark's Church, New Canaan, who departed the fifth day of June, MDCCCXLV.

Ann Elizabeth, his wife, departed the fifth day of July, MDCCCXLI. Edward Nash, his son, departed the ninth day of October, MDCCCXLII. Have mercy on their souls. That bought them with Thy blood. Amen. Sturgis Ogden, departed Sept. xxviii., MDCCCXXVII., æt. 27.

Elizabeth Ogden departed Jan. III., MDCCCXLVIII, aged 31. Jesus mercy !"

On the back is this :

" Lucretia S. Ogden, Died Oct. 31, 1800, æt. 52."

Jonathan Ogden's daughter Mary married Elcazer (son of James and Elizabeth Whitehead Bulkeley) in 1785. He was born in 1763, but in 1776 he enlisted to go aboard the "Defense," an armed vessel in the country's service, which he did duty on for thirteen months, and for which he received a pension. Again he went on board a vessel as a privateersman, which he followed for two years. In 1779 he enlisted in a guard, which was stationed on Kinsey's Point. Stand- ing alone on the place now occupied by Oliver Perry, Esq., he saw two hundred Britishi land, who at onee commenced to burn Fairfield. After this he followed the sea through various vicissitudes. He and Miah Perry owned a vessel for a time, when he bought out Mr. Perry's part and continued in the coasting-trade, inereasing this business according to his means, and as his sons grew up placed them in business with himself under the shipping-firm of E. Bulkeley & Sons, of New York, from 1788 till the present. (See Bulkeley Genealogy.) He took a lively interest in the perpetuity and welfare of his country, and after

the war he was engaged in commercial business till he died.

Eleazer was the sixteen hundred and fifty-sixtlı de- seendant from Peter Bulkeley, and was the father of six sons : (1) Jonathan, born in 1786, married Miranda Thorp (of a numerous and active family line as a whole in Fairfield, and who has intermarried in all the old families), and was active in all public matters. He served in the war in 1812 and received a pension. He was several times a member of the State Legisla- ture, and was one of the committee for superintend- ing government works in Southport Harbor. (2) Andrew, born in 1789, married Sally Dimon ; also was a member of the State Legislature three times, and had a lively interest in his town, State, and country. (3) Lot, born 1794, married Emeline Jennings. (4) Moses, born 1796; married Catharine Bulkeley. He was a sea-captain of very high repute both on sea and land, and had a worthy position in the commerce of our country. (5) George, born 1800; married Eliza- beth Andrews. He lived in New York, and had the principal management of the business of the firm. He now resides in Southport. (6) Charles, born 1804; mar- ried Elizabeth Beers, daughter of Capt. Abel Beers, of Mill Plain. (There are but two left of this large Beers family, David and Abigail, who reside on Mill Plain.) All of these sons were captains and engaged in the firm of E. Bulkeley & Sons, which amassed for each a large property and was a distinguished business association.

Of Eleazer's sons, Moses occupied this "colonial," where his sons Oliver and Frederic were born; the latter dying, Mr. Oliver Bulkeley is the owner of this property, which he repaired and painted about five years since. This is his farm-house now occupied by William Priec. Mr. Oliver Bulkeley married Amelia Gilbert, of New Haven, and has a handsome residence in Southport. He is not engaged in any active busi- ness, but is a patron of art and literature, and is the benefactor of many in a very quiet and inconspicuous way.

This house was occupied some years by Walter Bulkeley, who married Betsey Smith, sister of Charles Sınitlı (1880), of Mill Plain, whose history is sorrow- ful. She was the mother of several children, three of whom-Theodore, John Henry, and Edgar-were lost at sea on a passage from Bordeaux, France, to New Orleans. One other son, Horatio, died in Matura, Cuba. The other of her children all died, also lier husband and her adopted ones and a brother; and yet her days were not shortened by all these bereave- ments, for she dwelt more than fourscore years in the land (she died 1877), and many can rise and bless her good works, especially the sick whom she sootlied and comforted. Her own physical sufferings were not small, but her Christian fortitude sustained lier.

No. 12. This is known as the Silliman place, situ- ated at the entrance to Oak Lawn Cemetery. It was built a few rods from the road, with a large barn in

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front. Tradition locates the first Perrys on this ground. It is authentic that it was in the Ogden family for many years. One of the daughters, Ellen, daughter of Sturges Ogden, was the sole heir to the estate. She married a sea-captain, Ebenezer Silliman. They left no issue, but he willed four thousand dollars to the Stratfield church. His journal, which he kept for years, was indicative of his oeeupation. It mat- tered not what occurred, the direction of the wind was given. They are reported as living entirely by themselves, and as free from work as possible.

Everybody used wood for fuel in those days, so when the winter supply was provided they saved all the large chips, which they used as plates. One side becoming soiled, they were reversed, and, that side becoming likewise, they werc eonsigned to the fire, thus obviating dish-washing. This was related to the writer by various parties. In the winter season eight loaves of bread-the capacity of the great brick oven -was their usual baking, which did not recur often.

Dr. Jeremiah T. Denison ("Colonial," No. 2) related that when he began practice in Fairfield, some forty years since, he was ealled there, a distance of some two miles. After attending the patient he was asked what was the charge. The doctor stated twenty-five cents (half-price, as he thought, from appearances, they were poor people), which they paid him daily till his patient recovered. The doctor found in a day or so he had been deeeived by appearances, as they were quite wealthy for the times, but studied to avoid care and labor.

The widow survived the captain several years. At her decease the property, most of which was sold to different owners, was divided among numerous rela- tives. The present owner is Mr. Henry Banks,* who has made it comfortable by repairing with new win- dow-casings and sash. The old shingle siding yet remains, weatherbeaten and gray.

No. 13. This house was built by Dr. Rogers, a phy- sieian of considerable celebrity. His wife was a Miss Tennant, sister to Rev. William Tennant, who preached on Greenfield Hill from 1772 to 1781, then removed to Philadelphia, leaving his silver door-plate behind. Dr. Rogers had one son, who went to Savan- nah to purchase slaves. While out riding, his horses ran away, upsetting and injuring him fatally.

Dr. Wm. B. Nash, who studied under Dr. David Hull, also occupied this house. He was a son of Capt. Thomas Nash (3d), of Westport, who married Mary, daughter of William Burr, of Fairfield. This Thomas Nash gave the site to the Congregational Society where the church now stands in Green's Farms. He was born in 1743, and died in 1815. He was a man of influence, eourage, and energy. He was chosen deacon in 1768 in the same church in which his father and grandfather had served in that office, and was eaptain probably of the same company.

It is related that when Fairfield was burned, in the time of the Revolution, Col. Whiting, the command- ant, having withdrawn the Americans to the Round Hill, north of the village, ealled for a eaptain and thirty men to volunteer for the purpose of reeon- noitring the enemy; that Capt. Thomas Nash im- mediately stepped forth, followed by more than one hundred men. The colonel would allow only thirty to go. However, more fell in after they left the hill. Capt. Nash advanced to the fenee north of the street, near where the meeting-house now stands, and ordered his men to lie behind the fence in the tall vegetation until the enemy were near the centre of the street, when, as he gave the word, they were to rise and fire, load and fire, and then run. This they did with sueh effect, and so unexpectedly, that none of his party were injured until they began to ascend the rising ground towards the north, where one was killed. Afterwards, when a squad of the enemy approached to burn his house at Green's Farms, he alone, or with but little help, dragged the company field-pieee to a rising ground near the house, loaded it with grape, and fired upon them. They, suspecting he had a company to sustain him in so daring an act, re- treated, and this house was saved, and is yet stand- ing (near Green's Farms church), with its large veranda and railing above it.

At another time, being on a scout in the night, with only three men, he discovered a whaleboat secreted on the shore, which he thought indicated an enemy near. He therefore stove in the boat and searched for the foe. Pereeiving a faint light from the window of a cabin in a cornfield, he ordered his army of three to pass rapidly round the cabin, making all the noise they could with their muskets against the building, by which the inmates deemed themselves surrounded by a real force. Capt. Nash then approaelied the window and told them to hand out their arms and he would spare their lives. They complied, and handed out sixteen muskets, which he secured, and told them to lie down until morning, when it ap- peared that he and his three men had surrounded and taken fifteen Tories and one British soldier.

Thomas Nash (3d) inherited a fine estate, but, owing to many losses sustained by the Revolution and investments in Continental eurreney, he spent his last days in straitened pecuniary cireumstanees. His father, Thomas Nash (2d), born in 1708, married Rebecca Hull, of Fairfield, in 1731. He inherited an ample estate.

An inventory is given on the Fairfield records of 1748 of his property, amounting to £9372 15s. He kept well what he inherited, and was a highly respectable and influential man. His father, the first Thomas Nash in Fairfield, was admitted to the Prime Ancient Church under Rev. Joseph Webb, Jan. 4, 1712, and had three children-Joseph, Thomas, and Sarah-baptized there the same day. Shortly after this (1715), when another child was baptized-and no

* Son of Mr. Hezekiah Banks, of Greenfield.

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more recorded after it-it is inferred that the new so- ciety was organized .* Thomas Naslı was the first deacon of that church, and probably continued through life in the office, also held by son and grandson. The ancestor of these Nashes died in New Haven in 1658.

In the records it is stated :

"It is ordered that Thomas Nash shall kcepo the Towno Muskitts in his hands, and look to them well, that they be always in good order fitt for service, and tho Towno to allow him what is Just for his caro and pains."

Thomas Nash's name appears as a land-owner in Fairfield in 1701. His body lies in the burying- ground on Green's Farms, near Taleott Wakeman's, and his resting-place is marked thus :

" Here lyes buried ye body of Capt. Thomas Nash, Deacon of Fairfield West Parish, who departed this life June ye 8th, Anno Dom1 1748, in yo 69th year of his age."

Thomas Nash, Jr., has this tribute :

"In memory of Capt. Thomas Nash, Jun", Deacon of ye Church of Christ in this place, who died Aug. 2ond, A. D. 1767, aged 61 years wanting 12 days.

Here appears the Place of Bones, Of gashful soulls and monumental Stoncs, Inscribed with grinning Deaths on rural Throns. But stop the Hearse ; this is the destined Place Where lies his Ancient Body in the Dust.

Thou yawning Grave profound, receive thy prey, And feed thy Worms with this delicious clay. Throw on the Earth, how piercing is the Sound ! Weep on dear friends and ease the Wound. This kind relief the Social Passions crave: Jesus himself wept at a good man's Grave."

Dr. William Burr Nash studied with Dr. David Hull till he attained his majority (1807), when lie was licensed to practice, and settled in Greenfield (in this colonial) .; After a residence of ten years in Green- field, he removed to Fairfield, and entered into a partnership with Dr. Hull, where for nine years he continued to reside, with a large and inereasing prac- tice. He lived in the house occupied by Arthur Ben- nitt, and in 1825, real estate being so low through the country, he (Dr. Nash) could hardly give it away. At this date he removed to Bridgeport, and for a time resided in a house situated on the corner of Main and Bank Streets, where the city bakery now stands. At that time there were but one or two other physicians in the city, and his practice soon became very large, not only here, but in the surrounding towns, and his travels were very extensive and laborious.

Dr. Nash's son, David Hull Nash, born in 1811, graduated as an M.D. at Yale College in 1834. His medical studies were under the supervision of his father. He married Susan E. Sterling, and com- menced practice with his father. He is now the old-

est practitioner in Bridgeport. Few men have been engaged so many years as the late doctor, who during his long life was very successful .;

At the period in which Dr. W. B. Nash entered pro- fessional life applicants to practice medicine were ex- amined and licensed by a committee of physicians, and the degree of M.D. was not worn by them. Yet in later years it was conferred on him by Yale College. He accidentally fell, in his eighty-seventh year, and fractured the thigh-bone, which resulted in his death, 1872.

The records of the Nash family were collected by Rev. Sylvester Nash, A.M., rector of St. John's Church, Essex, Conn., in 1853, when there were three thousand three hundred of the Naslics named. The compiler wished very much to have a portrait of Dr. W. B. Nash for a frontispiece, but, with his character- istic modesty, he could not be induced to comply.

As the descendants of Thomas Nash (1st) remained undispersed in and about Fairfield for more than a hundred years, they are known as the Fairfield branch. At present the only descendants left in Fairfield are Jennings, Perrys, Bibbins, and Bennitt.

Capt. Burr Nash, son of Thomas Nash (4th), lived in Greenfield, then on Mill Plain, afterwards in Bridgeport, and from thence he removed to New York. He built, with others, the steamboat "Marion," which he commanded. Afterwards he returned to New York, then removed to New Haven, where he carried on, until his death (1848), the same business (blacksmith) that his aneestors wrought at in the same place two hundred years before.

After Dr. Nash left Greenfield, Buckingham Sher- wood was the owner. In time Moses Betts (see "Colo- nial," No. 5) purchased it, and kept a country store there. He disposed of it to Col. Murray (of the New York militia), whose daughter, Agnes Murray, is the occupant.

No. 14. The house on the premises, with the store and post-office, was originally built and owned by Samuel Bradley, grandson of Francis Bradley, who settled in Southport, west of the tide-mill, in 1664. The first Francis Bradley had a son Francis, who moved to Greenfield. He had a son Samuel, who was called "Marchant Bradley." He lived where Wil- liam Lobdell now does. Tradition says he com- menced life with a "jug of rum and a fiddle," that he bought beef and pork as far baek in the country as Litchfield County. This he shipped to Boston, where he would be gone six weeks to attend to his cargo. He died in 1771, aged seventy. This Samuel Bradley seems to have taken up nearly all the hill, and the land known as the "mile of commons."

Samuel's grandson, Walter, moved into this house, whichi was the custom-house for the port of Fairfield. (The commission given him by the powers in office is in possession of Dr. M. V. B. Dunham, a popular

* Known as Fairfield, West Parish, now Green Farms.

t He married, in 1807, Ruth M. Eliot, daughter of Rev. Andrew Ellot, of Fairfield.

# See biography in history of Bridgeport.

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allopathic physician, who occupied this house when he first began practice, in 1870, in Greenfield, and his son was born there.) Walter Bradley also kept store. His daughter, Priscilla, married William Burr.

William Bradley, brother of Priscilla, bought out the heirs, and in time liis widow sold the house to Barzilla B. Banks, present owner. No one would ever mistrust its age, it is in such excellent repair. ₱

No. 15. The house nearly opposite, of the Tomlin- sons' estate, was built by the Rev. Seth Pomeroy. His tombstone in the Greenfield ground contains the following history :

" Here lies buried the Body of the Revd Mr. Seth Pomeroy, Ordained to the work of ye ministry In this Parish Decer ye 8th, 1757, Who departed this life July the 1st, 1770, in the 37th year of his age,"

It is thought this house was built prior to 1765. At Mr. Pomeroy's decease Capt. David Hubbell bought it and built a store there. The Rev. William Belden purchased it in 1812 or thereabouts, and occu- pied it till 1821. He was the last teacher of any note in the academy, which was built for Dr. Dwight in 1785 or 1786.

Mr. Beldeu sold the house to Walter Perry (see "Colonial," 9), of Southport. The next owner was Joseph Nichols, who transferred it to George Wilson. It came to his wife, Ellen Bradley Wilson, who sold it to Mr. Sinclair, of the New York Tribune. He sold it to Mrs. Sophia Bulkeley, widow of Hezekiah R. Bulkeley, who has occupied it since 1863.

No. 16. Samuel Bradley (1st) had a son Hezekiah, who built the large gambrel-roofed house standing at the southwest corner of the green or parade-ground in 1755. Hc had a large farm, bred horses, and had more than twenty slaves. The second owner was Hezekiah Bradley, Jr., the third was Rufus Hoyt, who married a daughter of Capt. David Hubbell, neither of whom lived over a few months.

The next owner was Mr. Charles Nichols, who pur- chased the house in 1822. He married Polly, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Molly Wakeman Banks. (See "Colonial," 32.) The Nichols are an old family' in Fairfield. The first settler of that name was William. He married Abigail Ward, and died young. She was the owner of onc of the "long lots." Their bodies (are supposed to) lie in Fairfield old grouud. His (William's) only child was Ignatious, born 1665; mar- ried Abigail Staples. They were the parents of Na- than, Ignatious, Jr., Ephraim, Abigail, and Hester.

Ignatious, Jr., is buried in Greenfield, under this inscription :

" Here lyes buried the body of Mr. Ignatious Nickolls; who Departed this Life Dec. ye 17, 1738, in 73 year of his age."

Ephraim Nichols was born in Greenfield, ConIl., and married Rebecca, daughter of Onesimus Gould .* They were the parents of Ebenczer, Hezekiah, David, Peter, John, Jesse, and Ephraim, besides five daugh- ters. Ephraim died in 1782. His son, Ephraim, Jr., has a history on his tombstone in Greenfield burying- ground :

" To the memory of Ephraim Nichols, who died January 23, A.D. 1852, aged 94 years 9 months and 8 days. In his youth he took part in the toils and struggles of the American Revolution. Many noble qualities of mind aud heart adorned his life and endeared him to his family and friends. He died in the Christian Faith, and in the hope of a blessed Immortality. I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner, As all my fathers were. Psalm xxxix. 12." One Ebenezer lies in Greenfield, with this tribute :

"In Memory of Ebenezer Nichols, who left this world Aug. 10, 1810, In the 69th year of his age."

One of his grandsons, Rev. George W. Nichols, A.M., in his "Fragments from the Study of a Pas- tor," states that his grandfather "enlisted as a com- mon soldier at the early age of nineteen years, and, joining the Continental army, proceeded to the city of New York, and was there at the memorable time of the declaration of independence. He was present when the soldiers demolishicd the statue of King George that stood in the Bowling Green, near the Battery, ou Broadway. He was present also when the battle was fought at Flatbush, L. I., and saw the British take possession of the fortifications on Brook- lyn Heights after they had been quietly abandoned by the Americans during the night of Aug. 30, 1776. He assisted, likewise, in erecting the fortifications at Red Hook, which was doue during the night, that our army might, if possible, take advantage of the enemy, and while engaged in his trying duty at this period, suffering from exposure and hardship, was visited with sickness, and spent some time in the city hos- pital. But, though suffering much from sickness and exposure, being sometimes obliged to sleep out upon the ground, in consequence of the scarcity of beds and tents, yet did the old soldier still keep to his post of duty and sacrifice. He still continued with the army as they marched on through the county of West- chester, after the city had been evacuated by the Americans. When, shortly after, the famous battle was fought at White Plains, he was there, and stood amid the smoke of the cannon, while balls from Brit-

* See " Special Houses."

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ish muskets flew on either side of him. After the occurrence of that signal defeat, lie still followed ou with the army, encamping with them at Tarrytown and North Castle; and then, leaving the army, he retired to his native town, arriving there on Christmas day, 1776. Afterwards he enlisted again in the ser- vice, and set out from his home once more to join the army, which had already proceeded on its way for the purpose of taking Gen. Burgoyne. On arriving at Ridgefield news was received of the capture of Bur- goyne. Thereupon he retraced his way towards home. This was the last of his participation in the Revolutionary contest. He then came home, and soou after took up his abode upon a small farm of a few acres, which he purchased with the avails of his industry." Here he erected the "old homestead," where he spent his long life; here he brought his youthful bride, Miriam Bradley ; here he brought up his family,-William, Samuel, Charles, and Bradley.

These Nichols were all blessed with large families. One of John's (brother to Ephraim, Jr.) daughters, Mrs. Ruamah Nichols, wife of Samuel Merwin, now eighty-nine, eooks her dinner if necessary. She re- members sixty first cousins. Mrs. Charlotte Banks, wife of Bradley Nichols, eiglity-six years old, per- forms all her domestic duties and "runs the farm" herself. She has two daughters, -- Mrs. William Bradley (see "Colonial," 17) and Mrs. Zalmon Wake- man, both of Greenfield.

Charles Nichols married in 1815 and built the house owned by Elizabeth Bulkeley, in which he lived till he purchased this "colonial." Mrs. Mary Nichols, wife of Isaac Milbank, inherited this property from her father. Mr. Milbank's father came from Essex County, England. His home there was a stone dwelling, "Panfield Hall," which has stood eight hundred years. It still retains its old coaches and its old styles.

This house (" colonial") lias never beeu repaired ; its lower roof has never been reshingled, even. The covering is shingle sides, with the large wrought nails,' but is protected by an excellent coat of paint. A bay- window and a veranda have been added, and a few changes made inside; otherwise it remains as built one hundred and twenty-five years ago.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 75

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