History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 143

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

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Abraham Pierson and Sarah, his wife, resided in Derby, and had six children,-Sarah, Abraham, Mary, Hannah, Stephen, and Bathsheba. His list in 1717 was forty-eight pounds ten shillings. His will was dated April 26, 1750, and he died about 1773. His son Stephen was born March 4, 1720, and mar- ried Hannah Munson, June 15, 1738. She was born in Derby, March 7, 1721, and was daughter of John and Elizabeth Munson, of Derby, and granddaughter of John and Hannah Munson, of Brook Haven, L. I. Their children were Enoch, Elijah, Rachel, Daniel, and Eli. Mr. Pierson's will was dated Feb. 2, 1753, and he died in Derby about 1754. His widow mar- ried Elijah Davis, of Derby, survived him, and died in Alford, Berkshire Co., Mass., Nov. 19, 1815. (The spelling of the name was by this time almost uni- versally Parsons.)

Enoch Parsons was born June 18, 1739, in Derby, and after the death of his father, being then about fifteen years old, went as servant of a British officer to Canada, in the French and Indian war of 1755. After he returned he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked in Newtown, Conn., where, Feb. 11, 1761, he married Abigail, daughter of John Clogston and Elizabeth, his wife, widow of Samuel Peck, Jr., of Greenwich, Conn. She was born in Redding, March 22, 1738. They had two children born in Newtown, Betsy and Mary Wakeman, and removed to Ells- worth society, Sharon, April 9, 1764. There Abi- gail, Amarillis, Stephen, Enoch, Freeman W., and Amideus were born. Mrs. Parsons died in Sharon, June 6, 1807. Capt. Enoch, as he was called, bought the homestead where he settled of John Jackson, son of Deacon Ebenezer Jackson, and it is in the posses- sion of his great-grandson, F. L. Pierson, and his present home. Capt. Enoch was a man of more edu- cation than most of his day, and was appointed to " line the psalm," agreeable to the ancient manner of singing in public worship. He became a large land- owner, and was a man of great energy, prominent in public affairs, represented Sharon in the Legislature of October, 1795, and was selectman, assessor, etc., several terms. For his second wife Capt. Enoch married Abigail, widow of Deacon Silas St. John, of Ellsworth, Oct. 8, 1809. She died Nov. 12, 1823. He died Oct. 1, 1827, at the hale old age of eighty-eight years.

LEMUEL PECK.

Charles M Persons

Gibbs W. Shift

SAMUEL SKIFF

595

SHARON.

Amideus was born April 29, 1780. He married Aurelia Miles, and had several children. Charles M., his son, was born March 12, 1812, in Ellsworth parish, Sharon. He had a common-school education, and never left his parents, but became a farmer, and lived with his father until his death in 1866. He had the management of the farm after he was thirty years, and specially devoted himself to stock-raising, and was very successful. Charles was a prominent man in town affairs and local politics. He was selectman for years, judge of probate, and represented Sharon in the Legislature of 1858. He was an old-fashioned Whig, but acted with the Republican party from its formation. He was a generous and public-spirited man, responding promptly to every call for aid, whether in church matters, town improvements, or individual charity. His health failed so that he dis- continued farming for the latter part of his life. He never married, and died at Norfolk, Aug. 2, 1872. His mother died Jan. 13, 1871. Mr. Parsons was a man who had an unusual number of friends, and at the time of his death had probably not a single enemy. "The memory of his deeds lives in pleasant remembrances."

Freeman W. Parsons was born March 16, 1776, and was not named when the news came that the " Declar- ation of Independence" was signed, and the patriotic parents, to testify their joy and commemorate the oc- casion, named him Free-man Washington. He was born, lived, and died on the place in Sharon where his father settled. He married Mary Skiff, in October, 1797, who was born in Ellsworth, Sept. 23, 1774. She was daughter of Samuel and Mary Skiff, from Mar- tha's Vineyard. (See biography of Samuel Skiff.) They had five children,-John, Betsy, Daniel, Pau- lina, and Mary L. (Mrs. A. L. Peck.). Mrs. Parsons died Nov. 18, 1846, and he married Anna Maria Boardman for his second wife. Mr. Parsons was selectman and constable several times. IIc was a good scholar, and was fond of an argument. His oc- cupation was farming. He died July 21, 1861.

John, his son, was born Nov. 6, 1799, on the old homestead, and married, in Greenwich, Conn., Nov. 30, 1821, Sarah, daughter of Frederick and Deboralı (Reynolds) Lockwood, of that town. She was born Sept. 19, 1799, in Greenwich. Her grandparents were Jonathan and Merey (Finch) Lockwood, and Nathaniel and Sarah (Lockwood) Reynolds. They had children,-Frederick Lockwood, Mary Eliza- beth, Harriet Louisa, John Albert, Caroline (Mrs. F. A. Hotchkiss, deceased), Sarah Augusta, Frances Aphelia, Cordelia, and Augustus. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are living at this writing.

Frederick Lockwood Pierson was born on the old homestead, in Sharon, Sept. 23, 1822, in the same house where he now resides, and which was built by his grandfather, Freeman W., about 1800. Frederick had a common-school education, and began to teach district schools when eighteen years old. He taught

ten winters and two summers, and between his terms of school was employed in farming. He married Susan, daughter of Herman and Caroline (Whit- comb) Skiff, in Ellsworth, Feb. 2, 1851. Their chil-

Frederick & Puron

dren are Mary, Edward, Eliza, and George. Mr. Pierson is an active man of good judgment, and oc- cupies a high position in the estimation of his fellow- citizens. He is an ardent advocate of education, and a supporter of all things tending to the advancement and betterment of society. He has steadily refused office, and devotes himself fully to his " profession," farming, and were all farmers to take the pride he takes, and strive as he strives, to advance the dignity of agriculture, it would not be long before it would be really a "profession" to all, instead of a drudging employment.

SAMUEL SKIFF, JR., AND GIBBS W. SKIFF.

The Skiff family was originally from England, James Skiff and two brothers residing in London at the time of the " Great Plague" (1665). The brothers fell victims to the epidemic, and James emigrated to Martha's Vinyard, settling there, or on the mainland near hy. The branch of the family of whom we · write are his descendants.

Samuel Skiff, Sr., was born in Martha's Vinyard, Mass., Jan. 23, 1744. In early life he was a farmer, afterwards, becoming a sailor, went on four whaling voyages. He married Mary, daughter of Benjamin Skiff, and moved to Sharon, Conn., in 1774, when it was almost a wilderness, and purchased the place

596

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

so long in the family when but one-half acre had been cleared of the original forest. He was an active, energetic man, well fitted to endure the hard- ships of pioneer life. He had six children,-Arvin, Gibbs, Mary (Mrs. Freeman W. Parsons), Asa, Eliza- beth (Mrs. James Woodward), and Samuel, Jr. The last four were born in Sharon. He and his wife died within two days of each other, and both were eighty- one years of age. He died Dec. 27, and she Dec. 29, 1824.

Samuel Skiff, Jr., was born in Sharon, Sept. 21, 1781, on the place now owned and occupied by his son, Gibbs W., in the house built by his father. He had a common-school education, became a farmer, married, April 28, 1808, Jerusha, daughter of Abel Woodward, of Watertown, and always resided where he was born. They had three sons,-Gibbs W., Clark S., and George L. ; the last two are dead. Mr. Skiff was a quiet man, a good citizen, a consistent Chris- tian,-a man who said but little, but who was esteemed a worthy man in his day and generation, his actions speaking louder far than words of a well-ordered life. His word, when given, was as good as his bond, and neither were ever repudiated. In the home circle he was kind and affectionate, and enjoyed its society more than that of any other place. He never cared for office, but was a quiet voter of the Whig ticket. He was much respected in his neighborhood and church. He died March 2, 1862; Mrs. Skiff died March 13, 1844.

Gibbs Woodward Skiff was born July 13, 1810, in Sharon, in the house built by his grandfather on the place where he first settled. He passed his early life in the customary employments of a farmer's boy, was educated at the public and private schools of Sharon, and commenced teaching winter terms of district school when but seventeen years of age. He con- tinued teaching for twelve winters, working on the farm in summer. Jan. 1, 1834, he married Abigail E., daughter of Silas and Olive (Barstow) St. John, of Sharon .* She was born Nov. 8, 1811. For four years the young couple lived at the old homestead, for six years more on the place adjacent, where Gibbs Skiff now resides. After his mother's death, Mr. Skiff moved again to the old homestead, and assumed charge of the farm. For nearly fifty years this worthy couple have walked hand-in-hand the pathway of life, for forty years have belonged to the Congrega- tional Church of Ellsworth, and in all ways have given their best efforts to the advancement of every good and Christian enterprise. For over twenty years Mr. Skiff has held the honorable position of deacon in his church. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican. He has been select- man, assessor for many years, and represented Sharon in the State Legislature of 1851. His only child, Lucy M., was married, April 4, 1835, to Giles Skiff,

and lives close to the old home. They have two sons, Clark E. and Francis S.

Mr. Skiff is justly entitled to take rank as one of Sharon's leading and successful agriculturists, he and his son-in-law having about three hundred and seventy-five acres of land in their possession.

SETH B. ST. JOHN AND HENRY ST. JOHN.

It is with pleasure that the historian records on the pages of history a few words to tell to coming generations something of the men engaged in the work of the first century of civilization in Sharon. In this welcome task perhaps no one family deserves more notice, from their numbers, than that of St. John. The branch of this family settling in this town has borne the family characteristics, and its members have been intelligent, industrious, reputable citizens. Timothy, Daniel, and Silas St. John, broth- ers, came from Norwalk, Conn., to Sharon,-Timothy in 1756, Daniel in 1761, and Silas during the Revo- Intion. Silas purchased land in Ellsworth parish, near where his grandson, Henry St. John, now re- sides. He was the first deacon of the church in Ells- worth, and was for several years town treasurer, and died Sept. 21, 1805, aged sixty-four years. Silas St. John, Jr., was born in Ellsworth, Sept. 11, 1772. He learned the mason's trade, but became a farmer, and married Olive, daughter of Seth Barstow, of whom Gen. Sedgwick's "History of Sharon" says, "Seth Barstow was from Rochester, Mass., in 1771. He lived at the lower end of Abel Street, where his grandson, Seth B. St. John, now lives. He had five sons,-Allen, Samuel, Seth, Gamaliel, and Charles. Samuel was a physician, who formerly lived in Great Barrington, Mass., and who died there in 1813. Ga- maliel was also a physician, residing in Broome Co., N. Y. He was a member of Congress and a member of the Senate, and treasurer of the State of New York. Mr. Barstow, the father, died in 1822."

Mr. St. John was selectman for many years. In politics he was a Federalist in early life, and after- wards a Whig. He was highly esteemed by his fel- low-townsmen, and noted for his conscientiousness and strict honesty. He died Oct. 22, 1848. He left three sons,-Seth B., Gamaliel H., and Henry.

Seth Barstow St. John, his oldest son, was born July 19, 1798. He passed his early life on his father's farm, and became a diligent farmer. From the time he was of age until he was twenty-nine he worked farms on shares. He was economical, as well as in- dustrious, and was prospered. Nov. 27, 1827, he married Henrietta, daughter of Aaron and Polly Dunbar. They had four children,-Beriah B., Melissa (Mrs. Leavitt Mills, of Bristol), Alvah R., and El- more C. She died Sept. 16, 1837. He married for his second wife Emily Cartwright, March 12, 1839. Her death occurred Oct. 10, 1852. They had one

* For fuller sketch of her family, see history of the St. John family, on another page.

OLD HOME OF ICHABOD S.EVERITT, ELLSWORTH CONN.

RES. OF HENRY ST JOHN, ELLSWORTH CONN.

Seth To A John

Henry It Palma.

597

SHARON.

child, Henrietta. He subsequently married Marilla S. Lyman, of New Hartford. Mr. St. John has had an uncommonly vigorous constitution, and has labored hard. He has been a successful agricul- turist, and has amassed a good property as the result of his skill. He has held many positions of trust, has served various terms as selectman, has been asses- sor many years, and represented Sharon in the Legis- lature of 1859. At the first election by the people for justice of the peace, Mr. St. John was elected, but never qualified. He has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Ellsworth since 1865, and has been treasurer and trustee of that society for years. He is a man of positive convictions, and a strong Democrat, ever clinging to the Constitution as the bulwark of American liberty, and steadily oppo- sing any departure from its teachings.

Henry St. John was born on the old homestead, in Sharon, Oct. 10, 1806. He passed his early years at home, received a common-school education, and when about twenty-one years old commenced teach- ing winter terms of district school. This he continued for several years, working on the farm in summer. From the time he was of age he had a share in the products of the farm, and worked with his father until 1848, when, on the death of his father, he pur- chased the interests of the other heirs, and now occu- pies the old home, one of the pleasantest places in Sharon, a view of which may be seen on another page of this history. He also is one of Sharon's leading farmers, owning about two hundred and thirty acres in Ellsworth. He has been prominent in local matters, is always progressive, and ready to aid all things tending to improve or elevate the community or town. His fellow-citizens have often called him to offices in their gift. He has been, at different times, selectman, assessor, member of board of relief, and represented Sharon in the Legislature of 1856. IIe was first a Whig, afterwards a " Know-Nothing," but from the formation of the Republican party has been an active member of that organization. He has been twice married, first, June 10, 1835, to Catharine A. Wheeler, of North East, N. Y. Their only child, Catharine, married Richard F. Everett, and now re- sides at Galva, Ill. Mrs. St. John died Jan. 3, 1837. IIis second wife was Almira C., daughter of Amideus and Aurelia (Miles) Parsons, of an old Sharon family. They were married Nov. 1, 1838. She was born March 6, 1815. Their children are Charles P., Aurelia M. (Mrs. William Marsh), Cordelia M. (deceased), Pluma B. (Mrs. H. A. Stanard, of Norfolk), and Belle.

SAMUEL DEAN.

Daniel Dean was a resident of Cornwall, Conn., a weaver by trade, and moved to Ellsworth, afterwards to Amenia, where he died in April, 1850. Ile had five children,-Joseph, Samuel, Ira, Clorinda, and Daniel. Samuel was born in Cornwall (Great Hill), Nov. 21,

1812. His early life was passed with his father, with common-school advantages. He became a farmer, living with and supporting his parents until his marriage, Nov. 19, 1840, to Jennette, daughter of

SAMUEL DEAN.

Elijah Knibloc, of an early Sharon family. She died Feb. 22, 1848. IIe then purchased the place, of about one hundred acres, where his son, E. K. Dean, now resides. The children of this marriage were Ira, Edward K., and Clarinda J. Samuel Dean was a quiet and retiring man, but accepted such town offices as grand jurors, ete. He was an industrious, law-abiding citizen, and early a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he was a trustee and steward. Feb. 20, 1850, he married Lucy E., daughter of Austin and Lucy (Morgan) Allen, of Goshen, who survives him. His death occurred Nov. 7, 1864. Edward K. Dean was born July 30, 1843. He had common-school education, supple- mented by one term's instruction at "Fort Edward Collegiate Institute." He has always lived on the place of his birth, has been, and is, a progressive farmer, using science as well as practice in his voca- tion. Ile married Frances E., daughter of Henry and Mary Calkins. She was born in Milton, Conn. Mr. Dean has been selectman, and been elected to other town offices, but refused to qualify, preferring to attend to his own affairs rather than to public matters. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have had six children, -Lizzie, Samuel (deceased), Daisy, Wilbert, Harvey, and Burton.

598

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

ASA EVERITT.

On the Everitt monumental stone in Ellsworth churchyard is this historic inscription :

"Ebenezer Everitt, died July 24, 1810, aged 88. Lucy Moulton, his wife, died Sept. 28, 1813, aged 85. ' Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' They came from lebron in 1745, and were the ancestors of the numerous Everitt family of Sharon. Of nine chil- dren, eight settled within one and a half miles of the paternal residence. Their youngest and last surviving child died in 1854, one hundred and nine years after they came to Sharon. This monument is erected as a tribute of respect by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

The names of the children of these worthy pio- neers were Isaiah, Ebe, Eliphalet, Olive (Mrs. John Lord), Lois (Mrs. Thomas St. John), Irene (Mrs. Caleb Chapman), Lucy (Mrs. - Avery), Sylvia (Mrs. David Marvin), and Mehitabel. Isaiah was twice married, first to Deborah Lord; their three children were Martin, Cynthia (who married a Rex- ford), and Adolphus. His second wife was Elizabeth Chaffee; they had nine children, - Asa, Deborah (Mrs. Gillet), Betsy (Mrs. Beardsley), Roswell, Rus- sell, Gamaliel, Lovina (Mrs. Joseph Lord), Ruth (Mrs. Alpha Carrier), and William. Isaiah was a farmer; in politics a Whig; was reputable and re- spected, and died Aug. 4, 1834, aged eighty-two.

Asa Everitt was born on the farm now owned by Eben Chaffee, nearly opposite the present residence of his son Joshına, in September, 1780. He always was a farmer, and a plain, unassuming man. He was three times married. His first wife was Mary Ann, daughter of Joshua Studley ; their only child was Joshua. His second wife was Anner Hatch; lis third, Mary, daughter of William Kellogg, of Corn-

wall, Conn. Mr. Everitt began life in humble cir- cumstances, and by prudence became a well-to-do farmer. He, like his father, was a Whig, but had little taste for office, yet held some of the minor ones of Sharon as his part of public service. He died, respected and mourned, March 2, 1857. His wife is still living (1881), hale and hearty, at the age of seventy-seven, and retains much of the vigor of ma- turity.

Joshua Everitt, son of Asa, was born March 19, 1811, on the old farm, now in his possession. He, too, has always been a farmer. He married, Feb. 12, 1834, Elmina, daughter of Walter Skiff, of Sharon. She was born April 15, 1811. They have two chil- dren,-Charles W., born May 3, 1841 (married Jane, daughter of Horace Dunbar, and has one child, Hattie L.), and Elizabeth A., born April 17, 1850 (married Edward Per Lee, a farmer in Sharon). Joshua owns about three hundred acres of land in a good state of cultivation, and erected his present residence (on the place formerly owned by Charles Parsons) in 1870-71. He is a useful and honorable citizen of Sharon, doing faithfully and well the duties of his station ; is a regular attendant and liberal sup- porter of the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Everitt is a consistent member. In politics Mr. Everitt has been a Republican.

ICHABOD S. EVERITT.

Ichabod S. Everitt, grandson of Isaiah, and oldest son of Adolphus Everitt, died in 1867, aged 88 ; and Lydia Studley, his wife, was born Jan. 22, 1808, on the farm where Ebenezer settled. His father was born on the same farm. Adolphus bad nine children ; the seven attaining maturity were Thomas A. (de- ceased), Ichabod S., Ruby R. (deceased), Russell A. (now of Ohio), Abby C. (Mrs. John Tichnor, deceased), Betsy A. (deceased), and Caroline (Mrs. D. P. Gris- wold, deceased). The advantages of young Ichabod for learning were only those of the common schools of Ellsworth. His political education was acquired from his father, a Democrat, and he has never swerved from those teachings. At the age of twenty-one he commenced life for himself, and became noted as a layer of stone walls. These he constructed with skill and rapidity, and his services were in demand in all parts of the town. To a greater or less degree he has been engaged in this all his life, and enjoys the repu- tation of making the best wall in Sharon. His char- acter is, like one of his stone walls, of solidity and worth, and whatever has fallen to his lot to do in life has been done thoroughly and well. He has held the office of selectman several times, has been assessor, and in 1874 was member of the Legislature. He oc- cupies no unenviable place among the farmers of Sharon, and is one of the pillars of society in that part of his town. He settled on his present place in 1854. He has been twice married, first, to Emily, daughter of Thomas St. John, of Sharon, Nov. 28, 1836. Their only child, Mary L., was born May 27, 1843, and married David L. Smith, of West Cornwall, Conn., Feb. 26, 1879. Mrs. Everitt died July 20, 1870. Mr. Everitt, for his second wife, married, Sept. 6, 1876, Louisa L., daughter of Erastus Lord, of Sharon. She is a very intelligent person, and many of the younger generation can testify to her skill and adaptation as a teacher. Thus, in tracing the Everitt family from its settlement in Sharon to the present time, we find them to bear the same characteristics of defense to law and order, devotion to principle, honest industry, and prudent thrift, supporters of what tends most to im- prove the town, its institutions, and its people, always reputable citizens and law-abiding, a quiet, unosten- tatious family of sterling worth, much appreciated by their contemporaries, and of value to the community.

AUGUSTUS EVERITT.

Ebenezer Everitt was from Hebron, settling in Sharon in 1745. He had three sons,-Isaiah, Ebe, and Eliphalet, the last two of whom were Revolu- tionary soldiers. Eliphalet was for several years steward of Gen. Washington's military family. Isaiah died Ang. 4, 1834, aged eighty-two, leaving five sons, -Adolphus, Asa, Gamaliel, Russell, and William.

Ebe Everitt was born in Ellsworth parish, in Jan- uary, 1754, was a farmer, and purchased the place

141844

Ichabod & Einte

Asa Quente.

AUGUSTUS EVERITT .

BEN. S. REED. .

599

THOMASTON.

now the residence of his grandson, Samuel E. Everitt. He was an ardent patriot, serving in the Revolution. As his first son was born on this place in 1781, Ebe must have settled here shortly after his return from his service as soldier. He married Mabel Elmore, who was born Jan. 14, 1756, and died Feb. 15, 1831. They had seven children,-Samuel E., Augustus, Ann (Mrs. Clark Pardee), Elmore, John, Polly, and Hovey,-all born on the same place. Mr. Everitt died Jan. 5, 1840. He was a plain, unostentatious farmer, but a man of fixed principles, a good type of the man who endured patiently the toils, marching, suffering, and bloodshed of the conflict from which emerged the American republic.

Augustus Everitt was born May 17, 1783. When nine years of age a white swelling came on his foot, drawing it into such a shape as to make him lame for life. When fourteen years old he was apprenticed to a tailor in Warren, who, selling out and removing to Troy, N. Y., was accompanied by Augustus. After he became of age, Augustus went to New York City, and for a short time worked at his trade as journey- man. He then returned to Sharon, where he mar- ried, June 12, 1815, Abigail, daughter of Joel and Dolly (Hyde) Chaffee, of Sharon. She was born July 17, 1790, and died Dec. 5, 1845. Their children were Dolly Hyde (Mrs. Cyrus W. Gray), Mary Elmore, Samuel E., Mabel (Mrs. Benjamin F. Barlow), Mary L: (Mrs. R. K. Woodward), and Julia A. After his marriage Mr. Everitt purchased a small place near the old homestead, and, moving thither, pursued his trade. He cut and made the first suit of clothes, it is said, that Amasa Parker, afterwards judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York, ever wore. During the latter years of his life he suffered much from his lame leg, which he endured with Christian patience. He was a member of the Con- gregational Church of Ellsworth from 1839, and died Aug. 23, 1867, much respected by all who knew him.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 143

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532