History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 35

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

USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 35

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Miner R. Deming, son of Stephen Deming, Esq., was born in Sharon, Feb. 24, 1810; came to Litch- field with his parents in 1820, and continued to reside here for the next sixteen years. In 1836 he removed to Cincinnati; and in 1839 he became a resident of St. Mary's, Ill. As brigadier-general he was chief in command of the Illinois State troops during the fa- mous Mormon war. Gen. Deming died suddenly, of brain fever, Sept. 10, 1845, while holding the office of high sheriff of llancock County.

Col. Fisher Gay, son of John Gay, Esq .. was born in Litchfield, Oct. 9, 1733 ; graduated at Yale College, and settled in Farmington, where he was long a jus- tice of the peace and representative. In the early part of the Revolution he commanded a regiment of Connecticut troops sent for the defense of New York, in which city he died in 1776.

Uriel Holmes, Jr., a native of Ilartland, graduated at Yale College in 1784, and settled in Litchfield as a lawyer a few Scars subsequently. He was elected a representative nine times, was a judge of the Litch- field County Court from 1814 to 1817, and during the latter year ho was chosen a member of Congress. While residing in Litchfield he was thrown from his carriage in Canton, from the effects of which he died,

May 18, 1827, aged sixty-two. Judge Holmes mar- ried a daughter of the Hon. Aaron Austin, and had three children,-viz., Henry, M.D., a distinguished physician in Hartford; Uriel, who died July 4, 1818, while a member of the theological seminary at An- dover ; Caroline, who died young.

Charles P. Huntington, son of the Rev. Dan Hunt- ington, was born in Litchfield, March 24, 1802 ; grad- uated at Harvard College in 1822; settled as a lawyer in Northampton, Mass. ; he filled various official positions.

Col. Charles Kilbourn, son of Mr. David Kil- bourn, was born in Litchfield, March 3, 1758 ; fled to Canada in the Revolution, and finally settled near Lake Memphremagog, in Stanstead, L. C., where he erected mills of various kinds. The locality still bears the name of Killbourn's Mills on many English and American maps. In the war of 1812 he com- manded a corps of provincial troops known as the Frontier Light Infantry. He was also for many years a magistrate, and justice of the Commissioners' Court. Col. Kilbourn died in Stanstead, June 19, 1834, aged seventy-six.

Ephraim Kirby, son of Mr. Abraham Kirby, was born in Litchfield, Feb. 22, 1757; studied law and settled in his native town. He was often chosen a representative; appointed supervisor of the national revenue for the State of Connecticut in 1801, and United States judge for the Territory of Louisiana in 1804. While on his way to New Orleans, whither the duties of his office ealled him, he died at Fort Stoddard, Mississippi Territory, Oct. 2, 1804, aged forty-seven. Col. Kirby married Ruth, daughter of Reynoldl Marvin, Esq., and left eight children. He published a volume of law reports in 1789, the first in the United States.

Maj. Reynoldl M. Kirby, United States army, a son of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, March 13, 1790. For many years before his death he was assist- ant adjutant-general of the army.

Col. Edmund Kirby, United States army, a brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, April 8, 1794; entered the army as a lieutenant in 1812; appointed aid-de-camp to his father-in-law, Maj-Gen. Brown; served in the Blackhawk, Creek, and Seminole wars ; was chief of the pay department, and aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief during the Inte war with Mexico. Hle died at Avon Springs, N. Y., Aug. 20, 1849, aged fifty-five. On the election of President Taylor, Col. Kirby was frequently referred to in the public prints as a probable member of the new cabinet.

Rev. Ethan Osborn, son of Capt. John Osborn, was born in Litchfield, Aug. 21, 1758 ; graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1781, and was settled as pastor of the Congregational Church in Fairfield, N. J., in 1789.

John M. Peck., D.D., son of Mr. Asa Peck, was born in Litchfield, Oct. 81, 1789, and became a cele- brated Baptist preacher in Illinois.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

William V. Peck was born of Litchfield parents in Cayuga Co., N. Y., where his father, Mr. Virgil Peck, died during his infancy. When the subject of this paragraph was three years old his mother re- turned with him to this town, and subsequently mar- ried Dr. Abel Catlin, in whose family he was brought up. After spending about twenty years in this village he settled as a lawyer in Ohio, and was a judge of the Supreme Court of that State.

Professor William G. Peck, son of Mr. Alfred Peck, was horn in Litchfield, Oct. 16, 1820; gradu- ated at West Point, where he was for a few years as- sistant professor of mathematics. As lieutenant of topographical engineers in the United States army, he was associated with Col. Fremont in his celebrated exploring expeditions. IIe has since been a professor in the University of Michigan, and is now professor of mathematics in Columbia College, New York. He married Elizabeth M., daughter of Professor Charles Davies, LL.D.

Samuel Shether Phelps, son of Capt. John Phelps, was born May 13, 1793; graduated at Yale College and the Litchfield Law-School, and settled in Mid- dlebury, Vt. Having been successively a paymaster in the war of 1812, aid-de-camp to Governor Galusha, colonel, member of the Conneil of Censors, member of the Legislative Council, and judge of the Supreme Court, he was elected a senator in Congress in 1838, an office which he held for twelve years. As a law- yer and statesman he ranked with Clay, Webster, Crittenden, and Clayton. Judge Phelps died in 1857.

Col. John Pierce, son of Mr. John Pierce, of Litch- field, early entered the public service, and rose to the rank of paymaster-general in the army, and was a commissioner for settling the accounts of the army. Though his parents never resided out of Litchfield after their marriage, Col. Pierce is said to have been born at the house of his maternal grandfather, Maj. John Patterson, in Farmington. Col. Pierce died in New York, Aug. 6, 1788. He was a brother of the late Miss Sarah Pierce, founder and principal of the Litch- field Female Academy.

John Pierpont, son of Mr. James Pierpont, was born in Litchfield, April 6, 1785; graduated at Yale College and at the Litchfield Law-School, and settled in Newburyport, Mass., as a lawyer. Abandoning the legal profession, he entered the ministry of the Unitarian denomination, and was for many years pastor of the Hollis Street Church, Boston.

Robert Pierpont, son of Mr. David Pierpont, was born in Litchfield, May 4, 1791; studied law and set- tled in Rutland, Vt. He was Lieutenant-Governor of that State and judge of the Supreme Court.

John Pierpont, brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, Sept. 10, 1805; graduated at the law- school in this town, and settled in Vergennes, Vt. He was a judge of the Supreme Court of that State.

Albert Sedgwick was born in Cornwall Hollow in the year 1802; removed to Litchfield in 1830, and

continued to reside here for the succeeding twenty-five years. In 1834 he was appointed high sheriff of this county, an office which he continued to hold (with the exception of one term of three years) until 1854, when he was appointed by the Legislature commissioner of the school fund of Connecticut.

Horatio Seymour, LL.D., son of Maj. Moses Sey- mour, was born in Litchfield, May 31, 1778 ; graduated at Yale College and at the Litchfield Law-School, and settled in Middlebury, Vt., where he died a year or two since. He was a member of the State Council from 1809 to 1816; and of the United States Senate from 1821 to 1833. In 1834 he was the Whig candi- date for Governor of Vermont, but the anti-Masonic candidate was elected. He was also for a few years judge of probate. Judge Seymour received the de- gree of Doctor of Laws from his alma mater in 1847.

Ilenry Seymour, brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, May 30, 1780; settled as a merchant at Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he became wealthy. Removing to Utica, he died there, Aug. 26, 1837. He was a representative, senator, canal com- missioner, mayor of Utica, and president of the Far- mers' Loan and Trust Company. Ex-Governor Ho- ratio Seymour, LL.D., of New York, is his son.

Daniel Sheldon, Jr., son of Dr. Daniel Sheldon, was born in the adjoining town of Washington in 1780, and during the following year his parents removed to Litchfield ; and here the subject of this sketch con- tinued to reside until he entered public life. Gradu- ating at the Litchfield Law-School in 1799, he accepted a clerkship in the treasury department, and retained it until the appointment of Mr. Gallatin as ambassador to France, when he was nominated and confirmed as secretary of legation to that country. When the am- bassador was recalled, Mr. Sheldon remained in France as charge d'affaires until the arrival of Mr. Gallatin's successor. He died in Marseilles, April 14, 1828, aged forty-eight. His funeral was attended by all the foreign ministers and consuls present in the city, and the flags of all the American ships in port were placed at half-mast.

Roger Skinner, son of Gen. Timothy Skinner, was born in Litchfield, June 10, 1773; became a lawyer, and removed from this town to Sandy Hill, N. Y., in 1806, where he was elected a representative in 1810, 1811, and 1812, and a senator from 1818 to 1821. In 1820 he was a member of the Council of Appointment ; from 1815 to 1819, United States attorney for the Northern District of New York; and from 1819 until his death judge of the United States District Court. On being appointed judge he became a resident of Albany, at which place he died Aug. 19, 1825. He was an intimate friend of the Hon. Martin Van Bu- ren.

Richard Skinner, LL.D., brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, May 30, 1778; graduated at the law-school in his native town, and settled in Man- chester, Vt., in 1800. He became State's attorney,

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speaker of the House, judge of probate, member of Congress, chief justice of the State, and Governor. He received the degree of LL.D. from Middlebury College. Governor Skinner died in Middlebury, May 23, 1833, aged fifty-five.

Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, daughter of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D.D., was born in Litchfield, and married the Rev. Dr. Stowe. She is the author of "The Mayflower," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Dred, a Tale of the Dismal Swamp," "Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands," etc.

Frederick A. Tallmadge, son of Col. Benjamin Tall- madge, was born in Litchfield, Aug. 29, 1792; gradu- ated at Yale College in 1811, and settled as a lawyer in New York City, his present residence. From 1834 to 1836 he was an alderman ; from 1836 to 1840, a member of the State senate, of which body he was elected president; from 1840 to 1845 and from 1848 to 1853 he was recorder of the city, and chief justice of the police court; and from 1846 to 1848 hie was a member of Congress, etc.

Gen. Uriah Tracy, a native of Norwich, and a graduate of Yale College, settled as a lawyer in Litch- field in 1780, and here spent his entire professional life. He was a representative at nine sessions, mem- ber of Congress three years, and United States senator eleven years, and rose to the rank of major-general of militia. He was one of the most brilliant men of his day. Gen. Tracy died in Washington City in 1807, and was the first person buried in the Congressional Cemetery.

Gen. Elijah Wadsworth was born in Hartford, Nov. 14, 1747 ; settled in Litchfield previous to the Revo- lution ; was captain in Sheldon's Regiment of Light Dragoons during nearly the entire war.

John Welch, son of Maj. David Welch, was born in Litchfield, Sept. 23, 1759; graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1778 ; settled as a merchant in his native town, and continued to reside here until his death, which took place Dec. 26, 1845. He was successively a jus- tice of the peace, representative, senator, member of the Constitutional Convention, associate judge of the County Court, and a candidate for Congress. He was successful in business, and left a large estate.

Henry W. Wessells, son of Dr. Ashbel Wessells, was born in Litchfield, Feb. 20, 1809; graduated at West Point in 1833, and entered the army as brevet second lieutenant. He was actively engaged in the Creek war, the Florida war, the war with Mexico, and the late Rebellion. He is lieutenant-colonel in the regular army, and brigadier-general by brevet.

Oliver Wolcott, Jr., LL. D., was born in Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1760, and died in New York, June 2, 1833. Hle graduated at Yale College, and was successively comptroller of this State, nuditor and secretary of the United States treasury, judge of the United States Circuit Court, president of the Bank of America, president of the Constitutional Convention of Con- necticut, and Governor of his native State from 1817

to 1827. He was one of the most illustrious statesmen of the early days of the republic,-the intimate friend and adviser of Washington, Adams, and Hamilton,- and, for some time previous to his decease, he was the last surviving member of Washington's cabinet.

Frederick Wolcott, brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, Nov. 2, 1767 ; graduated at Yale College in 1787, and died in his native town May 28, 1837. For more than forty years he was constantly in public life-as clerk of the courts, judge of pro- bate, representative, member of the State Council, senator, etc. No man ever lived in the town who en- joyed more implicitly the confidence of the public. There was a dignity and nobleness in his person and manner which left their impress on all who came within the sphere of his influence.

Gen. Morris Woodruff, son of Mr. James Woodruff, was born in Litchfield, Sept. 3, 1777; educated at Mor- ris Academy, and was bred a merchant. He com- menced his mercantile life with Messrs. David Leavitt and Simeon Harrison ; and after his connection with them was dissolved he proscented the business chiefly on his own account for many years. He was through life much employed as executor, administrator, and commissioner, in settling estates, and as an arbitrator, auditor, and committee appointed by the courts. He was an active and influential member of the church and ecclesiastical society, and of the community gen- erally to which he belonged ; repeatedly discharged the duties of various public offices; represented the town of Litehfield in the Legislature fourteen sessions, and was a magistrate of the county twenty-six years. In 1818 he was appointed brigadier-general of the Sixth Brigade; and in 1824 the Legislature appointed him major-general of the Third Division. From 1829 until his death-a period of eleven years-he held the otlice of a judge of the County Court, and that of commissioner, which succeeded it ; and in November, 1832, he was chosen by the voters of the State at large an elector of President and Vice-President of the United States. In all the affairs of life, Gen. Wood- ruff was distinguished by great activity, energy, per- severance, accuracy, and fidelity to whatever trust he assumed. Of high integrity himself, he was stern in requiring from others observance of its dietntes. Ready to do justice to others; keenly alive to every sense of wrong; penetrating in his scrutiny into the conduct and motives of others; convineing rather than persuasive in his intercourse with men, he im- pelled their concurrence in his views by producing confidence in the soundness of his judgment and the correctness of his purposes. He was steadfast in his friendships, and few men retained with equal warmth the intimacies begun in early years. The associates of his boyhood were through life his most confiding and devoted friends. The dependence of his neigh- bors and friends on him for advice and assistance was very grent ; their confidence was never abused, their reliance never failed ; and so his means of usefulness

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

among them were large, and his influence extensive. In his domestic relations he was affectionate and kind, inflexible in retaining a high standard of both filial and parental duty, and never failed to show that the highest good of those who were dependent upon him was his invariable motive in all his intercourse with them. Gen. Woodruff was nearly six feet in height, stout, erect, active, and of more than ordinary physi- cal strength. Of robust and vigorous frame and sound constitution, his health was rarely interrupted, and promise of a green old age seemed singularly cer- tain. But in the spring of 1839 his system received a shock, followed by an affection of the liver, under which he declined, and on the 17th of May, 1840, he died, illustrating in his dying hour the peace and consolation of the Christian's hope and confidence in the Saviour in whose church on earth he had been numbered for many years. His remains are interred in our East burying-ground, where a handsome monn- ment has been erected to his memory. Gen. Wood- ruff married Candace, eldest daughter of Lewis Cat- lin, Esq., of Harwinton. Their children were George C., who still resides in Litchfield, and is well known to our readers as a prominent member of the bar of Litchfield County ; Lucy M., who married Hon. O. S. Seymour, of Litchfield, ex-chief justice of Connecticut ; Hon. Lewis B., of New York, late circuit judge of the Second Judicial District of the United States, embra- cing the States of New York, Connecticut, and Ver- mont ; Reuben M., M.D., a physician of high attain- ments, who died young in 1849 ; James, who died in infancy.

Clark Woodruff, brother of the preceding, was born in Litchfield, Aug. 23, 1791, and was educated at Mor- ris Academy. In 1810 he left his native town, and, passing down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, he soon established himself as a lawyer in St. Francisville, in the present State of Louisiana. For many years he was reputed one of the ablest, most eloquent, and successful advocates at the bar; and in the spring of 1828 he was appointed judge of the Eighth Judicial District of the State of Louisiana. He also held the office of State auditor and commissioner, charged with the sub- ject of public improvements in that State, in which he took an active interest. He was also a trustee of Louisiana College. On resigning his judgeship he re- moved to New Orleans, where he resided until a short time previous to his death. He departed this life at his country-seat at Carrollton, on the Mississippi, about six miles above that eity, on the 25th of No- vember, 1851. Judge Woodruff was a polished, courtly gentleman, of fine address, pleasing manners, and cultivated mind. He married Matilda Bradford, of St. Francisville, a highly accomplished lady, by whom he had three children. The only survivor, Mrs. Octavia Besancon, now lives at Carrollton, at the late residence of her father.

The following named citizens of Litchfield have occupied the public stations aunexed to their names :

Adams, Andrew, chief justice Superior Court.

Allen, Ethan, general Revolutionary army.

Allen, John, representative in Congress.

Allen, John W., representative in Congress, Ohio.

Andrews, Charles B., Governor of Connecticut. Beers, Seth P., commissioner of school fund.

Beecher, Lyman, D.D., president Lane Seminary.

Beecher, Edward, D.D., president Illinois College.

Beecher, lleury W., Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. Bird, John, representative in Congress.

Bradley, Abraham, assistant postmaster-general.

Bradley, Phineas, assistant postmaster-general.

Bushnell, Horace, D.D., pastor and author, Hartford.

Catlin, Julins, Lioutenant-Governor.

Church, Samuel, chief justice Supreme Court.

Collier, John A., comptroller, representative in Congress, New York.

Dutton, Ilenry, Governor, judge Supreme Court.

Deming, Julius, commissary Revolutionary war.

Gould, James, judge Supreme Court.

Gould, William T, judge, Georgia.

Gould, George, judge Supreme Court, New York.

Hollister, G. 11., minister to Hayti.

Holmes, Uriel, judge, representative in Congress.

Hubbard, Jolın I1., representative in Congress.

Huntington, Jabez W., representative and senator in Congress, judge Supreme Court.

Huntington, Charles P., judge Superior Court, Massachusetts.

Kirby, Ephraim, United States judge, Mississippi.

Lyon, Matthew, representative in Congress, Vermont und Kentucky.

Marvin, Reynold, king's attorney.

Miner, Phineas, representative in Congress.

Peck, William V., judge Supreme Court, Ohio.

Phelps, Samuel S., judge, United States senator, Vermont.

Pierpont, John, poet, pastor.

Pierpont, Robert, Lieutenant-Governor, judgo Supreme Court, Vermont.

Pierpont, John, chief judge Supreme Court, Vermont.

Reeve, Tapping, chief justice Supreme Court.

Sanford, David C., judge Supreme Court.

Sedgwick, Albert, commissioner of the school fund.

Seymour, Ilvratio, United States senator, Vermont.

Seymour, Origon S., representative in Congress, chief justice Supreme Court.

Sheldon, Daniel, secretary of legation, France.

Skinner, Roger, United States district judge, New York.

Skinner, Richard, representative in Congress, chief justice Supreme Court, Governor Vermont.

South, Joseph L., United States judge, East Florida.

Smith, Truman, representative and senator in United States Congress.

Strong, Jedediah, representative in Congress.

Tallmadge, Benjamin, major Revolutionary army, representative in Con- gress.

Tallmadge. Frederick A., recorder New York City.

Tracy, Uriah, representative and senator in Congress.

Wolcott, Oliver, representative in Congress, siguer Declaration of In- dependence, Governor.

Wolcott, Oliver, secretary of treasury, United States judge, Governor. Woodruff, Clark, judge, Louisiann.

Woodruff, George C., representative in Congress.

Woodruff, Lewis B., judge Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, New York, and United States Circuit Court.

Woodruff, George M., railroad common laws.

Wright, John C., representative in Congress, judge, Ohio.

NATIVE AND RESIDENT GRADUATES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED HONORARY DE- GREES.

The figures indicate the year of graduation. The ¡ after the name indicates an honorary degree.

1848 .- Edward P. and Frederick R. Abbe,* Yale, clergymen in Mussa- chusetts.

1825 .- Elisha S. Abernethy, Yale, lawyer; now resides in Bridgeport. 1760 .- Andrew Adans, LL.D., Yale, chief justice of Connecticut.

* Born in this town.

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1791 .- John Allen,t Yale, lawyer and member of Congress.

1840 .- John W. Allen,*+ Yale, lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio ; member of Congress.

1793 .- Asa Bacon, Yale, an eminent lawyer; died in New Haven in 1857. J833 .- E. Champion Bacon,* Yale, lawyer, legislator; died at Seville, Spain, 1845.

1838 .- Francis Bacon,* Yale, lawyer, senator, major-general.

1850 .-- Leonard W. Bacon, Yale, present pastor of the Congregational Church, Norwich.

1776 .- Ashbel Baldwin, Yale, formerly rector of St. Michael's, Litchfield. 1810 .- Charles A. Baldwin,* Williams, lawyer in State of New York; died 1818.

1735 .- Isaac Baldwin, Yale, lawyer, legislator, clerk of the courts ; died in 1805.

1774 .- Isaac Baldwin, Jr.,* Yale, lawyer and legislator ; died in Pompey, N. Y., 1830.

1801 .-- Isaac Baldwin (3d),* Yale, lawyer; died in 1844. Samuel S. Bald- win,* Yale, lawyer; died in 1854.

1766 .- George Beckwith, Yale, pastor of the church in South Faras. 1827 .- Josiah G. Beckwith, M.D., Union, a practicing physician in this towa.

1797 .- Lyman Beecher, D.D., Yale, former pastor of the First Church in this town.

1833 .- Charles Beccher,* Bowdoin, pastor.

1822 .- Edward Beccher, D.D., Yale, late president Illinois College, Qu- thor, etc.

1828 .- George Beecher, Yale, died while pastor of a church in Chilli- cothe, Ohio.

1834 .- Henry Ward Beecher," Amherst, pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn.

1843 .- Thomas K. Beecher, Illinois, now pastor in Elmira, N. Y.

1833 .- William H. Beecher, Yale, formerly pastor in Middletowa, etc.

1842 .- Frederick D. Beeman, Yale, lawyer, and clerk of the courts.

1800 .- Amos Benedict, Yale, lawyer; died in this town ia 1816. 1846 .- Andrew D. Benedict," Kenyon, Episcopal clergyman.

1847 .- Samuel Benedict,* Trinity, late assistant rector Trinity Church, New Haven.

1846 .- Alfred II. Beers, M.D., Trinity, physician in Buffalo, N. Y. 1839 .- George W. Beers," Trinity, former meaiber of the har, Litchfield. 1786 .- John Bird, Yale, lawyer ia Litchifield and Troy, N. Y .; member of Congress.

1851 .- Edward Bissell," Yale, lawyer in Fon du Lac, Wis.

1849 .- Oscar Bissell," Yale, pastor of a church in Westminster, N. H.

1853 .- William Bissell, M.D., Yale, physician in Salisbury.

1833,-Noah Bishop,a Yale, pastor of a church In or near Springfield, Ohio.

1812 .- Juha P. Brace,ª Williatos, teacher, nathor, editor.

1846 .- Charles Loting Brace," Yale, author, secretary Children's Aid Society, N. Y.

1850 .- Jonathan Brace, D.D.,t Yale, now pastor of a church in Milford. 1843 .- Julin J. Braudagee, Yale, former rector of St. Michael's, Litchfield. 1812 .- Solymaa Brown,a Yale, dentist, author, clergyman, New York City.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 35

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