USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 89
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Company M.
Beers, Lathrope, must. Feb. 12, 1862; disch. for disability, Aug. 14, 1862.
Unassigned.
Smith, William, must. Dec. 15, 1864; disch. June 9, 1865.
SECOND ARTILLERY. Company C.
Manley, Philip, must. Dec. 16, 1863.
FIFTHI INFANTRY.
Company A.
Shaw, William K., must. July 22, 1862; wounded May 3, 1863; disch. for disability, Nov. 17, 1863.
Company K.
Irving, George W., must. Nov. 24, 186] ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864, Co. D; must. out Aug. 5, 1865,
McFarland, Peter, must. Dec. 10, 1861 ; died Dec. 8, 1862.
TENTII REGIMENT. Company II.
Green, William, must. Dee. 9, 1864.
Ilogan, Patrick, must. Dec. 4, 1861; missing at Hatcher's Rum, Va., April 1, 1865.
ELEVENTHI REGIMENT. Company K.
Lewis, James, must. Dee. 13, 1864.
MISCELLANEOUS.
John C. Schuyler, Co. C, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 14, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
Georgo W. Peterson, Co. C, 29thi Regt .; must. Dec. 10, 1863 ; dled Nov. 14, 1864.
B. Maticer, Co. C, 20th Regt .: must. Dec. 14, 1863 ; died April II, ISC4.
Rich, Copeland, Co. C, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 14, 1863; died June 10, 1864.
Edward Luke, Co. D, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 15, 1863; died Jan. 4, 1864.
Jolın T. Thomson, Co. D, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 16, 1863; trans. to U. S. C. T.
James Rolin, Co. D, 29th Regt. ; must. Dec. 16, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
J. II. l'ell, Co. D, 29th Regt .; mmst. Dec. 16, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
William Wessol, Co. F, Ist Art .; must. Dec. 3, 1864; must. ont Sept. 25, 1865.
Sylvanus N. Beckwith, Co. A, 2d Art .; must. Feb. 24, 1864; must, out Aug. 18, 1865. M. Phillips, Co. M, 24 Art .; must. Aug. 16, 1864; must. out Aug. 18, 1865.
S. S. Reynolds, must. Aug. 7, 1862; must. ont Ang. 31, 1865.
Georgo Smith, Co. I, 15th Regt .; must. Ang. 18, 1862; died Nov. 23, 1862.
Joseplı Alexander, Co. A, 27th Regt .; must. Feb. 23, 1864; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
Charles Ilarrison, Co. A, 20th Regt .; must. Dec. 5, 1864 ; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
James Trusty, Co. D, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 16, 1863; must. out June 12, 1865.
John Clark, Co. D, 29th Regt .; must. Aug. 25, 1864; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
Charles II. Cole, must. Dee. 16, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
Iliram T. Beam, must. Dec. 15, 1863; disch. March 5, 1865.
T. M. Thomson, must. Dee. 16, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 1865.
G. II. Washington, 29th Regt. ; must. Dec. 15, 1864.
James Minel, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 16, 1863.
B. Roberts, Co. C, 30th Regt. ; must. Feb. 12, 1864; must. out Nov. 7, 1865.
Samuel Moore, Co. D, 29th Regt .; must. Dec. 16, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
Ilenry Johnston, must. Dec. 15, 1863 ; trans. to U. S. C. T.
llenry Jackson, must. Dec. 16, 1863; disch. June 16, 1864.
Thomas Jackson, must. Dee. 18, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.
C. II. Scudder, must. Dec. 12, 1863; disch. July 29, 1864.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
OLIVER HENRY PERRY.
Oliver Henry Perry, son of Walter Perry, was born at Mill River (afterwards the borough of Southport ), in the town of Fairfield, Feb. 21, 1815.
The genealogy of the Perry family in America, so far as it has been ascertained, begins with Richard Perry, the immigrant, who is frequently mentioned in the records of the New Haven colony from 1639 to 1647 as "Mr. Richard Pery," often as a freeholder, and at one time "Seeretarie for the Court of New Haven." In 1647 he "had liberty to go a voiadge." These memoranda indicate that he was a man of sub- stance and of note in that colony, and it is supposed that he came to Fairfield and was the ancestor of the Perry family there,-viz., Richard, who died 1658; Nathaniel, who died 1682; Joseph, who died 1753; Joseph, Jr., who died 1753; Peter, who died 1804; and Walter, who was the third son of Peter, born at Fairfield, Jan. 8, 1770, and died March 1, 1831.
Walter Perry was a merchant and ship-owner at Mill River, and was a thorough and successful man of business. He married Elizabeth Burr Sturges.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
daughter of Joseph Sturges, who gave his life for his country, as elsewhere stated in this volume. They had ten children, the youngest of whom was Oliver H., the subject of this notice.
Mr. Perry was fitted for college at the Fairfield Academy, under Rev. Chauncey S. Lee, and en- tered Yale in 1830, at the age of fifteen, but was obliged to leave college during his Freshman year on account of ill-health, and, in consequence of the death of his father, did not return. He studied law at the Yale Law School from 1838 to 1841, and was admitted to the bar at New Haven, Dec. 8, 1841, but never engaged in the active duties of his profession. He was always, however, a publie-spir- ited and patriotie citizen, and took a lively inter- est in everything that concerned the welfare of his native village, State, and country. The confidence of his fellow-citizens in his ability, fidelity, and incor- ruptible integrity is shown by the many instances in which the most important trusts, both publie and pri- vate, have been committed to his keeping. In his native village he served as the active member of the several committees which designed and erected the school-house for the graded publie sehool in 1851-52, the building for the Southport Savings Bank in 1864- 65, and the new Congregational church in 1875. He was one of the projeetors and original trustees of the Oak Lawn Cemetery Association in 1865; was for many years a director in the Southport Bank under its original charter, and also after its organization as a National Bank, and was warden of the borough of Southport from 1846 to 1854.
He also filled other posts of duty in the town and State, such as quartermaster of the Fourth Brigade of Connecticut Infantry in 1836; representative from the town of Fairfield in the General Assembly of 1847, 1848, 1849, 1853, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1864; and Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1859 and 1860. He was an unsuccessful candidate of the Whig party for State Senator in 1852, and of the Republi- can party for Lieutenant-Governor in 1867. He was elected Secretary of State in 1854, and was also one of the Connecticut commissioners for the survey and settlement of the State boundary-line between New York and Connecticut in 1859-60. In 1854 lie pro- cured the charter for the Southport Savings Bank, was one of its original trustees, and since 1865 has been its treasurer.
In 1875, Yale College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He was one of the number that organized the Congregational Church of Southport in 1843 (which was an off-shoot from "ye aneient church" in Fairfield), and in 1878 he was chosen one of its office-bearers.
Mr. Perry was married Sept. 9, 1846, to Harriette E. Hoyt, only daughter of Hon. Eli T. Hoyt, of Dan- bury. Their children are (1) John H., born July 26, 1848 ; graduated at Yale College 1870, at Columbia Law School, New York, 1872; is now of the law-firm
of Woodward & Perry, at Norwalk, Conn., and has three times represented the town of Fairfield in the General Assembly. In 1874 he was married to F. Virginia Bulkley, daughter of George Bulkley, Esq., of Southport, whose ancestry is given in another place.
(2) Henry H., born Dee. 8, 1849, graduated at Yale Sheffield Scientific School 1869; was a eivil engineer for two years, and afterwards engaged in trade. He was married in 1874 to Florence P. Sanborn, daughter of William Sanborn, of Ashtabula, Ohio.
(3) Winthrop H., born Sept. 20, 1854; graduated at Yale College, 1876; was married in 1880 to Louisa Huidekoper, daughter of Prof. Frederiek Huidekoper, of Meadville, Pa.
(4) Hattie H., born July 27, 1858.
This record of the public life of Mr. Perry would be incomplete without a tribute to his moral worth. A firm believer in the Christian religion, a diligent student of the Holy Scriptures, a liumble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, a man of prayer, and exemplary in all the relations of private life, he has always sought to promote "whatsoever things are true and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report."
His influence in favor of the cause of education and publie improvement and "pure and undefiled reli- gion" will never cease to be felt in the community in which he resides, and throughout a wide circle of friends and fellow-eitizens.
REV. THOMAS BENEDICT STURGES,
only son of Joseph Porter Sturges and Laura Bene- dict, of Danbury, Conn., was born in Bridgeport, Conn. His grandfather, Lewis Sturges, was of Eng- lishi descent; married and had two sons,-viz., Isaac and Joseph P. He removed to Greenville, Ohio, where he followed farming until his death.
His father was a carpenter and joiner in the earlier part of his life, and later was engaged in the lumber trade. He was a member of the Congregational Church. He died at the residence of his son, Rev. Thomas B. Sturges, of Greenfield Hill, Conn., in 1861, aged seventy-six years.
The mother of Rev. T. B. Sturges descended from Thomas Benedict, an Englishman of noble qualities, who settled in Connecticut at a very early day. She died in 1850.
Rev. T. B. Sturges prepared for college under the tutorship of Mr. Hamlin, now Bishop Hamlin, of Ohio, and Dr. Judson,-two noble men long to be re- membered by their pupils, many of whom are alive till this day, 1880. In the year 1831 he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1835, and immediately went to Andover Theological Sem- inary, where he remained one year; thenee to New Haven Theological Seminary, where he remained two years. After spending some little time in regaining his health, he went to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., wher>
J. B Stiger
Samuel ANichols
361
FAIRFIELD.
he was engaged as a pastor of the Congregational Church at that place. Here he inade many warm friends, and would have remained, but the lake winds proved too mueli for him, and he was compelled to resign his pastorate, inuch against the wishes of his people and his own inclinations. It was here he formed the acquaintance of Hannah W., dangliter of Chauncey Baker, whom he married, Aug. 16, 1841.
Of this union five children have been born,-viz., Edward B., a lawyer in Scranton, Pa .; Laura E., at home; William H., a merchant in St. Louis; Frank C., a lawyer in Wilkesbarre, Pa .; and Annie M., at home.
Soon after his marriage, in the fall of 1841, he re- turned to his native place, Bridgeport, where he re- mained the following winter. During this time he preached for the Congregational Church at Greenfield Hill, Conn. June 10, 1842, he was installed pastor of that church, and continued in active duty, except a few months spent abroad, until the summer of 1867, when failing health compelled him to resign, since which time he has not engaged in any business. In 1869 he visited the Holy Land, Egypt, Turkey, and other places of interest, and remained six months. In 1872 he took his wife and two daughters and visited England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and many other countries, and returned in the fall of 1876. He now resides in Greenfield Hill, Conn. He was a good preacher, and a better pastor. He enjoys the confidence of his brethren in the ministry, and the love and friendship of those who know him.
SAMUEL ALLEN NICHOLS.#
Samuel Allen Nichols, son of Hezekiah and Anna Penfield Nichols, was born in the town of Fairfield, Conn., May, 1789. His father was a farmer by occu- pation. He had five sons and four daughters, of whom Samuel A. was the youngest. Samuel A. had such advantages for an education as the common schools of his time afforded. Thus he laid the foundation of an education which, aided by a life-long perusal of the best books and papers at his command, made him one of the best-informed men of his day.
On the 20th of March, 1816, he married Wilsana, daughter of Capt. Wilson Wheeler, who died at sea. Mrs. Nichols was born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1789, and died in Fairfield, Conn., in 1857, aged sixty-eight years and three months. Their children are as fol- lows : Abby B., Julia B. (deceased), Anna P., Jane A., John (deceased), Jolın (2), Henry (deceased). He was a farmer and dealer in general merchandise. He was by choice and the general bent of his mind a Whig and Republican, and as such one of the lead- ing men of his town. He was town clerk of Fairfield from 1837 to 1863, a period of twenty-six consecutive years, and the books kept by him attest his ability;
selectman several years, and magistrate for many years. His efficiency and popularity were such that he was elected by a unanimous vote of both the opposing parties.
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were members of the Con- gregational Church of Fairfield for more than forty years, and he was elected deacon of the same in 1840, which position he filled at the time of his death, Fcb. 4, 1864. Deacon Nichols is spoken of by those who knew him as an upright Christian gentleman, a man respected by all. He was courteous in his bearing towards others, and thus won a host of friends. He was a man of trust, and occupied an honorable place in society. He took a great interest in town matters, and in a measure the citizens are grateful to him for the elms which beautify the green in Fairfield, as he assisted in setting them out, and in watering them through a drought till they were self-sustaining. He left a family of daughters, who are engaged in every good work, and are ladies of education, refinement, and culture, and one son. He was a firm friend, kind and hospitable to the poor, and the church found in him a strong pillar. As a husband he was affectionate and true ; as a father, kind and indulgent; as a citizen, patriotie and benevolent, and as a man, honest. Mr. Nichols built a fine residence, opposite H. J. Beers', in Fairfield, which is occupied by his daughters, Mrs. Kippen, Anna, and Abby B. This family is descended from William Nichols, an early settler in Fairfield. (See "Colonials," 16, 18.)
WILLIAM WEBB WAKEMAN.
William Webb Wakeman was the eldest son of Jesup Wakeman, who was a lineal descendant of Rev. Samuel Wakeman, the second pastor, from 1665 to 1692, of the old church of "The Prime Eeelesiastical Society" of Fairfield, coexistent with the town itself. Samuel was the son of John Wakeman, who was the first treasurer of the New Haven colony, and one of the founders of New Haven. The genealogieal order is: John, Samuel, Joseph; Stephen, Jesup, Jesup, Jr., and William Webb. Samuel was educated in part at Harvard College, and became an able and strong man. He was not only one of the ecclesiastical lights of his day, but exerted a large influence in State mat- ters as well, and left his impress upon the legislation of those early colonial tinies. His "election sermon" before the General Court in 1685 called forthi the thanks of that body, with a vote to print it at its ex- pense.
Jesup Wakeman, fifth in descent from the above, was born at Green's Farms, in the then "West Farms Parish of Fairfield," Feb. 12, 1771, and settled in Mill River, a village situated at the mouth of the river of that name, in the western part of the town of Fair- field, now called Southport, and who, with the Perry and Bulkley families, by their industry and enterprise, may rightfully be called the founders of its prosperity.
* By Mrs. Kate E. Perry.
24
362
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Jesup engaged in trade and navigation, in which he was successful, and died May 4, 1844, leaving for his children a comfortable inheritance. He married Esther Dimon, daughter of William Dimon and Estlier Sturges, of Fairfield. They had eight chil- dren,-Susan, William Webb, Maurice, Zalmon, Jesup, Julia, Hetty, and Cornelia.
William Webb, the subject of this sketch, was born at Mill River, now Southport, on June 19, 1799. Af- ter his education at the "Fairfield Academy," he first went into business with his father at Mill River, and soon after engaged in navigation on his own account, and while yet a young man became master of his own vessel. He then embarked in the coast trade between New York and Salem and Boston, and while so em- ployed had the misfortune to wreck one of his vessels near Holmes' Hole, in which was brought out his characteristic coolness and determination, for every inan on board was sent in safety to the shore before he would leave his stranded vessel. He then extended his coasting trade to Georgetown, D. C., and to other Southern ports, and soon, with others, established a line of vessels to run between New York and Savan- nah, Ga. He was also engaged in the China trade, and was one of the first that sent his vessels to Cali- fornia after its annexation to the United States. With the increase of capital and of vessels, he found it expedient to organize a shipping-house in New York, under the firm-name of Wakeman, Dimon & Co., afterwards Wakeman, Gookin & Dickinson, and subsequently W. W. Wakeman & Co.
To the prosperous line to Savannah, a few years afterwards, Wakeman, Gookin & Dickinson added a ship-line to Galveston, Texas, known as the "Star Line," and which before the war of the Rebellion gave place to a line of steamers, by which for some years they carried on a large and profitable traffic.
Besides their heavy shipping interests, this house became largely interested in gold and silver mining in California and Nevada, and at one time acted as the New York agent for some of those mines.
On Oct. 29, 1833, Mr. Wakeman married Mary Catharine Hull, daughter of Lyman Hull and Amelia Bulkley, of Hull's Farmns, town of Fairfield.
Their children were : Eliza H., married Charles M. Taintor, of New York City; Delia M., married Dwight Baker, of New York City (both now deceased) ; Cornelia C., married Charles B. Tompkins, of New York City ; William W., married C. Augusta Wood, daughter of Ross Wood, of New York City; Mary C., who died young ; Jesup, married Elizabeth Dut- ton, daughter of James Dutton, of Utica, N. Y .; and Susan A.
Mr. Wakeman was by nature a man of great energy and force of character, and so he made his influence felt, and often paramount, in whatever he undertook. This not only gave him success in business, but made him a valuable acquisition to any cause that he was led to espouse. In all public movements that prom-
ised moral or material improvement to the place or people among whom he lived, he was ever ready by labor or contribution to give his efficient aid.
He warmly advocated, and was one of the com- mittee to build, a suitable house for a good graded public school in Southport in 1851-52; one of the original trustees of the Southport Savings Bank in 1854, and of the Oak Lawn Cemetery Association in 1865.
He became a member of the Congregational Church of Southport March 7, 1847, and was elected to the office of deacon Jan. 5, 1849. His church life, like his daily life, was earnest and faithful to whatsoever duty called, allowing no ordinary obstacle to hinder or defeat its conscientious performance. True to his convictions, prompt in his engagements, and open- handed to the poor and needy, he was always found a staunch friend on the side of right, and an out- spoken foe to whatever he esteemed to be wrong. His works live after him, not only in his wholesome ex- ample and consistent religious life, but in his testa- mentary benefactions to his church, and to the leading benevolent institutions of the day, bearing testimony to those objects which in his later years lay very near to his heart.
Late in 1868 he went to California to look after his Pacific interests, and while there was developed the disease which, after his return to New York, put an end to his life on the 19th of April, 1869, in the seventieth year of his age,-a true, earnest, well- rounded life.
HENRY J. BEERS.
Henry J. Beers represents an old and honorable New England family, and was born in Fairfield in 1810. When a lad of fifteen he went to New York City ; and, after serving diligently as a clerk for several years witlı a firm in the wholesale grocery business, a thor- ough knowledge of which his natural force and per- sistent application enabled him soon to acquire, he in connection withı Peter L. Bogart formed a partnership in the same line. Under the title of Beers & Bogart the new firm started at 177 South Street, from whence they removed to 34 Broadway, where they, for upwards of twenty years, were widely known as a reliable and successful grocery-house.
Mr. Beers retired from active mercantile life in 1856 with a fair competency, and, returning to his native town, built the residence which the accompanying en- graving fairly represents.
With the publication of this History, Mr. Beers en- ters upon his seventy-first year, and is as hale and hearty as if a quarter of a century younger.
Hospitable and open-handed, taking a lively inter- est in all that concerns his native town and its people, he lias a large acquaintance, and commands that ster- ling regard that comes from manly straightforward- ness and good citizenship.
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RESIDENCE OF H. J. BEERS, FAIRFIELD, CONN.
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VA
Um Illa Roman
Edwin Theroad
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FAIRFIELD.
Jesup B. Wakeman was a son of Jesup Wakeman, and was born in Southport, Conn., June 17, 1806. He received an academie education. He married Amelia A., daughter of James Jarvis, of New York City, Dee. 30, 1830, and to them were born three children, -viz., James J., Julia F., and Henry J.,-all of whom are dead.
Soon after his marriage he settled on a farm, where he continued to lead a quiet, unassuming life until his death, March 6, 1878. He was a member of the Epis- eopal Church at Southport. In politics he was a Re- publican. He never held any official positions, always preferring the quiet of home to official honors. He was a firm friend, a good citizen, and a kind husband. For a more extended history of the Wakeman family, see biography of William W. Wakeman.
CAPTAINS EDWIN AND CYRUS SHERWOOD.
Away baek in the early history of England Sher- wood Forest has often mention, and from the pro- prietors of that historie ground are descended the Sherwoods of Fairfield, Conn. It is an old, old family of good repute always, and leal and loyal ever. Thomas Sherwood, progenitor of the American Sher- woods, came to Fairfield from England before the or- ganization of the town. He died about 1675. His son Thomas died about 1698. His son was Samuel. He had a son Daniel. This Daniel had a son who bore his own name, Daniel, and whose son, William, was the father of Capt. Edwin and Cyrus. The
original place of settlement of Thomas was Hull's Farins, and here for two or three generations his posterity was born. DANIEL (2d) graduated from Yale College in 1756. His diploma, yet in existence, gives as the faculty at that time : Thomas Clapp, Pres- ident, Jared Eliot, Ben Lord, Solomon Williams, and Noah Hobart. He married Abigail, daughter of Deacon John Andrews, of Green's Farmns. He was a farmer and a magistrate, an office of dignity in those days. Their children were Abigail, born April 21, 1760, married 1779, died Dec. 24, 1844, mother of four children; Eleanor, born April 16, 1775,-10 children ; Elizabeth, born July 24, 1771, died Sept. 11, 1826,-10 children; Daniel (3d), born June 8, 1761; Ralph, born Nov. 19, 1764; Justice, born Aug. 13, 1768; Abraham, born May 15, 1763, died Oct. 18, 1799; Walter, born Sept. 12, 1773, died Oct. 20, 1799, leaving no children; Aaron, born Nov. 28, 1766; Stephen, born March 2, 1779, had no children; Wil- liam, born March 23, 1777.
WILLIAM SHERWOOD was a farmer and merchant. In politics, a Whig. He remained on the old home- stead with his father until his marriage with Abigail Couch. She was born at Green's Farms, Aug. 14, 1782, was a member of the Congregational Clrurch, and both her husband and herself died at Hull's Farms. His death occurred in April, 1844. From an old manuseript now in possession of Capt. Edwin Sherwood we give a synopsis of the American line of her descent. Thomas and Simon Couch were ap- prentices to a tailor in England. One finishing his apprenticeship, the other ran away, secreted himself on board of a vessel, and came to America with his brother. They landed at or near New Haven, and, holding up a stick, let it fall to direct them. Thomas went eastward, Simon, westward, as far as Green's Farms. The people at this place wanting a tailor, gave him a lot of land to settle with them. This lot lay on the hill near the bridge built over one of the branches of the New Creek, and commonly ealled Bridge Hill. He soon kept an inn, and, having mar- ried, had three sons, Thomas, Simon, and Samuel. Thomas received the best education the times and circumstances of the family could afford. Their father dying when they were young, unmarried men, Simon and Samuel agreed to send their elder brother to England (he having the best education) to receive an inheritance of five million dollars, which had there fallen. But at this time France and England were at war, and Thomas was taken at sea, carried into Franee, and never again heard of. Samuel settled at Benja- min Hill, about a mile northwest of the old burying- ground in Green's Farms. Simon had two sons- Thomas and Simon-and four daughters. Fourth generation : Simon Couch occupied his father's place at Turkey Hill; had four sous-Thomas, Simon, Gideon, Stephen-and three daughters, Saralı, Eliza- beth, and Mary. So far the old manuscript. From another record we compile as follows: Simon Couch,
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