History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 164

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

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Mr. Warren always took an active and lively in- terest in the affairs of the town, and was willing to do his full share for its general improvements. He rep- resented the town in the General Assembly of 1841. In politics was a Whig. He was a member and com- municant of Christ Church parish (Episcopal), and for many years its senior warden, and contributed liberally to its support, also to the building of its new church edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid May 29, 1854, and the church consecrated Nov. 15, 1855, by the Rt. Rev. Assistant Bishop Williams. The church was built on grounds across the park or church green, east of and facing the residence of Mr. Warren. The old church, now removed, then stood north of his residence, between it and the highway. He was one of the building committee for the new church, and was greatly interested in the building of it.

He was one of the incorporators of the Evergreen Cemetery in 1854, and took a deep interest in the laying out and beautifying of these grounds, in which his remains were so soon to be deposited.

He died Oct. 20, 1858, aged sixty-two years.

His widow, who survived him about eight years, died April 20, 1866, aged sixty-seven years.

Their family consisted of ten children,-five sons and five daughters,-of which but four sons are living at this date (January, 1881), two of whom reside in Watertown.

FREDERICK HOF.COMB, D.D.ª

Rev. Frederick Holcomb, D.D., was the third son of Jesse and Louisa Holcomb. He was born in Granby, Conn., Oct. 13, 1786. His parents, by relig- ious profession; belonged to the Episcopal Church, and had their children baptized in infancy. At the early age of thirteen himself, with two brothers and a sister, received the apostolic rite of confirmation by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Jarvis. At about the age of six- teen his parents, albeit in moderate circumstances, made him the offer of n collegiate education, though there was no decided indication on his part at that time of a desire to enter the ministry. He eagerly accepted the offer. His preparatory studies began under the Rev. David Waldo, of West Suffield, and were completed under the Rev. Mr. Clinton, of South- wick, Mass. In 1805 he entered Williams College,

* Compiled from a sormon preached by Rev. William 11. Lewis, D.D., June 2, 1872.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Massachusetts, graduating in 1809. Soon after that he was led, under the providence of God, to realize the ne- cessity of due preparation for the life to come, and he resolved on a course of theological reading, and entered upon it at once. His first examination was passed under the Rev. Dr. Tillotson Bronson, of Cheshire, and his second under the Rev. Dr. Kewley, of Middletown. He was ordained as deacon, with license to preach and baptize, in Trinity church, New Haven, June 23, 1811, by the Rt. Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D.D. A call was soon received from St. Mark's Church, Harwinton, and Trinity Church, Northfield society, to take charge of them both, and to divide the time equally between them. He removed to Harwinton, with his wife and one child, on the 17th of December, 1811. At his ordination to the priesthood, it being necessary to have three presbyters to lay on hands, with the bishop, the venerable Dr. Mansfield, of Derby, then about ninety years of age, was brought to act, with the Rev. Dr. Bronson, and the Rev. Mr. Whitlock, of Trinity Church, New Haven, and the ordination was in that church, by Bishop Jarvis, Sunday, Dec. 20, 1812.

It was the last ordination performned by that prelate, and for some years Dr. Holcomb was not only the last presbyter ordained by him, but the only survivor of those admitted by him to holy orders. He soon after received a call to Christ Church, Watertown, and removed his family there Dec. 14, 1814. He remained as rector of that parish until 1838, when he resigned its care, but was recalled in 1845, and continued as rector until 1850, when the infirmities of old age prompted him to surrender the cares of a parish for- ever. Nevertheless, he preached for feeble and desti- tute parishes, whenever his health would allow it, during the remainder of life. He died May 26, 1872.

His first wife, Mary Pinney, died Nov. 15, 1825, leaving two daughters, Mary E., wife of Leman W. Cutler, and Martha M., wife of Orrin Starr. These last both died before his demise. His second wife, Nancy Merriman, widow of Ed. E. Porter, survives him.

Dr. Holcomb was a man of fine personal appear- ance, of great physical strength, and until the decay of nature, in old age, always favored with robust health. He was a man of great prudence, never stir- ring up strife by word or deed of his own,-truly a peacemaker. He was firm in his churchmanship, and yet courteous and kind to those of other religious names, so as always to have been on terms of kindly Christian intercourse with them.

CAPT. E. CARRINGTON BOWERS, U.S.N.

Capt. E. Carrington Bowers, U.S.N., was born in Middletown, Conn., June 7, 1809. On his paternal side he is a descendant from Governor Bradford, of Massachusetts, and on his maternal side he is a de- scendant of the Hamlins, of Middletown, Conn., one of whom, Jabez, was the first mayor of Middletown. His father, Caleb Bowers, was born in Rhode Island,

married Sarah A., daughter of Gen. Ebenezer Sage, of Middletown, Conn., and had four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third.

Caleb Bowers was for many years a merchant in the Indies; returned to the United States, where he died in 1815. Young Bowers remained at home until he was thirteen years of age, receiving the advantages of a common-school education, when he went to sea in the ship " Fame" as a common sailor before the mast, making a voyage around Cape Horn. After remain- ing a year, he entered the Peruvian service as mid- shipman, when he saw the Spanish flag hauled down at the Castle of Callao, the last of all of Spain's vast possessions in South America. He soon returned to the United States, and entered Capt. Partridge's military school at Middletown, Conn., where he re- mained some time, until he received an appointment to enter the Greek service in her war for independence against Turkey. He set sail from New York in the Greek frigate "Hope," but soon returned to New York, when he was attached to the old steamship "Fulton," that being the first steam man-of-war ever built. He left her only a short time before she was blown up, and entered the merchant service, making a long voyage to the East Indies.

In 1835 he passed a very satisfactory examination in a class of over one hundred, standing next to Ad- miral Porter in scholarship. Among other members of his class were the late Commodore Decatur and the present Rear-Admirals Strong and Almy.

He received an appointment as master-mate on board of the United States sloop-of-war "St. Louis," and sailed for the Pacific. Soon after his arrival in those waters he received an appointment as midship- inan, bearing date Feb. 2, 1829, since which time he has been identified with the United States navy, having faithfully filled every position from that of a common sailor before the mast to that of captain in the United States navy.

He served through the Seminole and Mexican wars, rendering efficient service, and, with his four sons,- who went forth with muskets but came back with swords,-served through the great civil war with credit to himself and an honor to his country. He was for thirty-three years in active duty on board ship, a period longer than any other man in the same kind of service.

After the close of the Rebellion he was for a short time engaged in the Boston navy-yard, and at the conclusion of his services there he was retired, and now (December, 1880) resides in the village of Water- town, Conn., in one of the most attractive little Italian cottages, called "Bowers' Villa," anywhere to be seen. It consists of ten acres, well improved, being orna- mented by trees and shrubbery generally, which re- ceives the captain's personal supervision.

Captain Bowers married Miss Coffin, of Boston, Mass., a cousin of Sir Isaac Coffin, an admiral in the British navy.

Elearningtin Mower ,

Dayton Accettoon

William & French-

683

WATERTOWN.

DAYTON MATTOON.

Dayton Mattoon, son of William Mattoon and Sa- rah Hungerford, daughter of Deacon Jonas Hunger- ford, was born in Vienna, Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1811. His boyhood till he was six years of age was passed there, and by his father's dying request, in 1817, he came to his grandfather's, Amasa Mat- toon, of Watertown, and remained one year; then lived with his grandmother on his mother's side, and his uncle, Thomas Hungerford, till he was sixteen years of age, when he began to work on the farm by the month until he was twenty years of age. During all this time he received only limited advantages for an education. He married, Feb. 23, 1831, Ruhamah Wakeman, daughter of Eli Wakeman, a farmer in Wa- tertown. She was born in Watertown, Dec. 19, 1812. By this union they have bad six children, viz .: (1) Sarah E., who married George R. Baldwin, of Wa- terbury, Conn. ; (2) William B., who died at twenty- three; (3) Amelia J., and (4) Alson, twins, the last of whom died while an infant, and Amelia J. married Deacon Henry T. Dayton, of Watertown ; (5) Helen G., who died at five years of age; (G) Charles B., mar- ried Alvin M. Kellogg, of Baraboo, Wis., and resides at home.

Immediately after Mr. Mattoon's marriage he set- tled where he now resides, taking care of his grand- mother and uncle as long as they lived. He has made all the fine improvements on his farm, which now consists of about one hundred and ninety acres of well-improved land, which is in a good state of cul- tivation.

In politics he is a Republican. He has been con- stable and collector two years, selectman, assessor, magistrate, and member of the Legislature during the years 1854 and 1872, serving on the committee of ag- rieulture both times.

At the age of thirty-eight, in 1849, he joined the First Congregational Church at Watertown, of which he was a deacon from 1855 till 1871. He has always been one of the main supporters of the church, and the poor liave in him a true friend. He has been Sunday-school superintendent for several years. Mrs. Mattoon is also a member, joining the church with her husband in 1849. He was connected for twelve years with the State militia "Rifle Company," ocen- pying every position in it to captain. Gen. Hemin- way was the first captain of said company, after which he was promoted to general of the Sixth Brigade Connecticut State Militia.

CALEB T. HICKOX.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Watertown, Conn., Feb. 5, 1817. His father, Daniel Hickox, was also a native of Watertown, Conn .; was twice married, rearing three children by his first wife, and one (Caleb T. Hickox) by his second. His second wife was the daughter of Mathew Dutton, of Water-

town, Conn., dying at the age of eighty-two years, July 28, 1865. Mr. Hickox was a successful farmer by occupation, and was one of the most esteemed eit- izens of Watertown. He held nearly all the impor- tant town offices, such as selectman, justice of the peace, and member of the State Legislature. He died Oct. 21, 1823, at Royalton, N. Y., and was interred in . the cemetery in Watertown, Conn.

Caleb T. Hickox was "brought up" on the home- farm by his widowed mother, as his father died when he (Caleb T.) was only six and a half years old. He remained at home, working on the farm summers and attending the district school winters, until he was six- teen years of age, when he went to Seymour, Conn., and entered as elerk in the dry-goods store of E. Gil- bert & Co., where he remained three years, when he went to Burton, Ohio, and remained some six months, spending his time in traveling and visiting. He re- turned to New Haven, Conn., and entered the em- ploy, as book-keeper, of McCrackan & Merriam, and remained one year, then came to Watertown, Conn., at twenty years of age, and commenced farm- ing, which he successfully followed until he retired, October, 1867, at which time he settled in the village of Watertown, where he continued to reside till the present time (December, 1880).

In politics he was a Whig until the Republican party was organized, when he became a staunch Re- publican, and as such has held nearly all the offices of his town with eredit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has been selectman for twenty- one years, town treasurer since 1871, justice of the peace for more than thirty years, secretary of the Watertown Agricultural Association twelve years, and treasurer for many years. He has been elected twice a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and during the years 1852 and 1859 represented his town in the State Legislature. On the 8th of May, 1839, he married Emily H., daughter of Abram Haw- ley, a farmer of Watertown, Conn. Mr. Hickox is a regular attendant and liberal supporter of the Con- gregational Church of Watertown, Conn., of which his wife is a member. He has always been successful in whatever he has undertaken, and he justly holds a warin place in the esteem and confidence of his fellow- townsmen.

WILLIAM G. FRENCH.

William G. French is a descendant of the ancient line of the Frenches of Essex, England, being of the eightlı generation in lineal descent from William French (first generation), his earliest ancestor in America, who came in the " Defense" from London in 1635, with his wife Elizabeth, his eldest child, Francis, aged ten years, and three other children, all from Essex, England, as shown by the record in the eustom-house.

William French was one of the original settlers of the beautiful town of Billerica, eighteen miles north

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

of Boston, where he died, aged seventy-eight, having had ten children born in America. He was the author of the celebrated tract entitled "Strength out of Weakness," published in London, and reprinted by the Boston Historical Society.

Francis (second generation), son of William French, came to Milford, in this State, in 1650, and in 1654 set- tled in Pangasuck, now the town of Derby, then almost a wilderness. April 10, 1661, he married Lydia Bunnel, of Milford, and brought her to his home, which con- stituted the third or fourth family in the plantation. He died Feb. 14, 1691, aged sixty-six years.

Francis, Jr. (third generation), son of Francis French, was born Feb. 11, 1677. He was high sheriff of the town, and stood high as a Royal Arch Mason. He died on his father's homestead, April 11, 1751.

Israel (fourth generation), son of Francis French, Jr., was born Oct. 8, 1709, and was among the early settlers of Seymour.

David (fifth generation), son of Israel French, was a patriot of the Revolution, going to Boston after the battle of Bunker Hill, to assist in resisting the en- croachments of despotism. He was trial justice of the north part of the town of Woodbridge many years. He represented the town in the General As- sembly twenty successive years. He was for many years a deacon of the First Congregational Church of Bethany. He died Aug. 4, 1821, aged eighty years.

Luther (sixth generation, grandfather to William G. French), son of David French, married Sarah Miles, and settled on land he inherited from his father, in what is now the town of Bcacon Falls. He and his wife both died young, leaving four children, among whom was Smith Miles (seventh generation), a lad of six years, the father of William G. French (eighth generation).

Smith Miles French was taken by an uncle living in Bethany until he was sixteen, then apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade.

The maternal great-grandfather of Wm. G. French was Capt. James Wheeler, who came to Derby, Conn. (probably from Stratford, Conn.), May 19, 1736. He owned considerable land where the village of Derby Narrows was afterwards built, and was a prominent man of the town.

James, (2d), Jr. son of Capt. James Wheeler, mar- ried Mary Clark, of Milford, June 13, 1767. They had twelve children, one of whom was David Wheeler, who was a farmer and carriage manufacturer, mar- ried Phebe De Forest, and had several children, among whom we mention Nathaniel Wheeler, of Bridgeport, and Mary A.

William G. French, son of Smith M. French and Mary A., daughter of David Wheeler, was born in Watertown, Conn., Jan. 8, 1844.

His father, Smith M. French, was a native of Beth- any, New Haven Co., Conn., and married Mary A. Wheeler, April 23, 1830. She was born Aug. 26,

1814. They have two children, viz. : Sarah J. and William G. Mr. French was a blacksmith by trade, making dies and tools and manufacturing wagons. In politics a Democrat. He died on the 17th of Au- gust, 1870, in his sixty-first year.

William G. French received a common-school and academic education at Watertown, Conn., spending his summer vacations on his father's farm. He is one of Watertown's enterprising farmers, and takes a deep interest in the agricultural society of his town, having served on the executive committee several years, and at the present time is second vice-president.

In politics he is a Democrat. He has been one of the selectmen of the town since October, 1872, and for the past five years first selectman, which posi- tion he now holds. In the spring of 1875 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served on the committee of engrossing bills, having been the first Democrat elected from Watertown since the elec- tion of Samuel H. Nettleton, in 1846.

It is perhaps not too much to say that to Mr. French more than to any other man is due the credit of the Watertown centennial celebration, which occurred on the 17th of June, 1880.

He is a member of Christ's Episcopal Church, at Watertown, Conn., and at the present time is one of the vestrymen. Mr. French is of a social disposition, and popular in his town, -- a man in whom the people have confidence.

FREDERICK J. PARTREE.

Frederick J. Partree, son of John and Manorey (Welton) Partree, was born in Watertown, Conn., March 29, 1827.

His grandfather, John Partree, was a native of Nova Scotia, and came to New England when a boy, where he continued to reside through life. He mar- ried a Miss Platt, and had six children-two sons and four daughters. He was a practical farmer, and died at a ripe old age. One of his sons was named John, who was born in Old Milford, Conn. ; was twice mar- ried, and had one daughter, Alma (Mrs. Joseph Tomilson), by his first marriage, and seven children by his second marriage, of whom Frederick J. is the fourth. John Partree was a successful farmer ; in pol- itics a Whig, and both he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. He died Feb. 25, 1855, aged sixty-six years, and his wife died April 29, 1874, aged seventy-eight years.

Frederick J. worked on his father's farm summers, attending the district school winters. At the age of twenty-one lie began teaching school winters, work- ing on the farm summers. On the 12th of November, 1857, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Seabury Scoville, and to them have been born three daugh- ters,-viz., Cora, E., Ella M., and Bertha S.,-all of whom are now (December, 1880) at home.

Mr. Partree settled on his present farm in April,

F. J. PARTREE.

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WOODBURY.

1855, and has made nearly all the fine improvements on it.

In politics he is a Republican. During the great civil war he was a selectman, and for the years 1872- 74 was first selectman. He has been an assessor for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Partree are members of the Congregational Church of Watertown, Conn.

CHAPTER LXIX. WOODBURY .*

Introductory-Six Purchases from the Pootatucks-First or Pomperaug Purchase-Kettletown Purchase-Fourth, or Noonewang Purchase- Fifth Purchase-Sixth, or Confirmatory Purchase-Reservation, or "Purchase"-Indian " Marks"-A Buried Race.

INTRODUCTION.

A LITTLE more than two hundred years ago the pleasant hills and sunny valleys of Woodbury, now teeming with life, intelligence, and happiness, were one vast solitude, unvisited by the cheering rays of civilization, everything betokening that the silence of nature had been unbroken by human voices since those early days " when the morning stars sang to- gether," save by those of nature's own uncultivated children, the red hunters of the forest. Nature in all its great magnificence met the enchanted view of the pale-face in these sweetly fertile plains and mountain fastnesses. The grim chiefs of the woody wilds alone roamed over these retired solitudes, save the wild beasts that growled upon a thousand hills. Every year had the Indians set fire to the fallen leaves, thus denuding the trees of the lower branches, and de- stroying the underbrush, so that the dense woods pre- sented a most magnificent and enchanting appearance. Thus the "eye was allowed to rove with delight from ridge to ridge, and from hill to hill, which, like the divisions of an immense temple, were crowded with innumerable pillars, the branches of whose shafts, interlocking, formed the archwork of support to that leafy roof which covered and crowned the whole." On the meadows by our noble river were scanty patches of maize, beans, and tobacco, the results of the rude husbandry of the untutored savage of the forest. The whole face of nature was one vast solitude, uncheered by the benign rays of civilization. From Wyantenuck to Mattatuck, and from Pootatuck to Bantam, were licard the dismal howl of the wolf and the war-cry of the red man. Amid these seeluded wilds, and by the silvery waters of the Quassapaug, sported the timid deer, and coy doves built their lovely nests. Here dwelt a race groping in the shadow of dim imaginings, faintly led by the light of nature. Here desperate fights and deadly ambuscades were planned. Here did the prisoner of war suffer the extreme tor- tures of his enemies. Here the romantic lover

" wooed his dusky mate" with presents and silent at- tentions, in primitive simplicity. Here, too, the pow- wow held his dread incantations, and, if tradition is to be believed, offered human sacrifices to appease the wrath of Hobbamccko, the spirit of evil, the author of all human plagues and calamities. Here, too, in the golden days of the Indian summer, the poor sav- age mused of the Great Spirit, the benevolent Kich- tau, giver of his corn, beans, and tobacco, who lived far away to the southwest, in whose blest dominions he hoped at death to find his happy hunting-grounds.

Everything now is changed. The desert waste that met the first gaze of our pioneer forefathers has been made to bud and blossom as the rose. Where once were but the scattered huts of the former race are now enterprising and busy villages. The ceaseless hum of machinery, giving employment, competence, and happiness to hundreds of families, is now heard in our valleys, which in those early days but echoed the growl of the bear or the cry of the panther. In- stead of the wretched orgies of the pow-wow, and the inhuman sacrifices of the midnight of barbarism, are churches dedicated to the service of the living God, where prayer and praise are wont to be made. Where once were cherished the savage instincts of men and a taste for war now are cultivated the arts of peace and schemes for the happiness and advancement of mankind. Intelligence and enterprise now take the place of ignorance and sloth. The hills and vales that groaned with scenes of violence and blood have been made vocal with the praises of the great Creator. Instead of a race groping in the shadows of pagan- ism we find one filled with the hopes of a rational and glorious immortality. Our fathers found a howl- ing wilderness; we behold to-day, as the result of their labors, from which they long have rested, some of the most happy and beautiful of New England's many lovely villages. An upright and honored race, they wrought well, and their works do follow them.

The simple, unfortunate race of the early days has departed, faded from the view, and almost from the memory of men. In their lowly, unnoticed, and un- known graves they sleep well. "The chiefs of other times are departed; they have gone without their fame. Another race has arisen ; its people are like the waves of the ocean. Like the leaves of woody Morven, they pass away in the rustling blast, and other green leaves lift their heads on high."

How did our fathers come by their title to this now blooming territory ? How did they acquire the fee to the soil, and the right to dominion? How did they obtain rights which civilized nations ever fight for and wade through rivers of blood to secure? The answer to these questions is ready, and is honorable to our fathers' sense of right and justice. Those who represent the founders of Woodbury can look upon their landed possessions as having come down to them by fair, honest, and legitimate titles. They not only purchased their lands of the Indians, but in some

* Hy Willlam Cothron.

686

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 164

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