History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 62

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 62


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Mr. Harrison, of Roxbury, from his long familiar- ity with Bridgewater, and his frequent official con- nection with this church, is remembered with sin- cere affection by all of the older people.


Seven of the sons of this church have entered the Christian ministry, viz. : Joseph Treat, Wm. A. Hawley, Levi Smith, Isaac C. Beach, Julius O. Beardsley (foreign missionary), Philo R. Hurd, and Albert E. Dunning. The following legacies have been received by the society : in 1847, estate of Abijah Beach, $300; in 1849, estate of Stephen Treat, $500; in 1850, estate of Mrs. David Young, $50; in 1873, estate of Lyman Smith, $1000. Mr. Smith's legacy was in addition to his gift to the society of the organ, before alluded to, at a cost of $1100.


ST. MARK'S CHURCH .*


The first record of any organization of St. Mark's Episcopal Society is of a meeting held at the dwell- ing-house of Jonas Sanford, on Easter Monday, April 23, 1810, at which meeting William Gillett and Ju- lius Camp were chosen wardens, Daniel Booth, Jere- miah Platt, and James Jesup vestrymen, William Gillet reading clerk, Samuel Lockwood, treasurer ; also David Merwin, Joseph Wheeler, Blackman Jesup, Jeremiah Canfield, Treat Caufield, Jehiel Summers, and John Treat were chosen choristers, and Joel Sanford elected to attend the State convention within the year.


It appears that no steps were taken at this time towards the erection of a church edifice, but the peo- ple received such ministrations as the ministers of neighboring parishes were able to offer, meeting for worship at the dwellings of the several church-mem- bers, but more frequently at the house of Jonas San- ford. The society continued its existence in this way until the year 1835, when it had so far increased in numbers and strength as to warrant the undertaking of the building of a church edifice, which was accord- ingly erected in this same year, being located about one-half mile south of the present village, and- afterwards a public road was laid by the town, past the church, which led to Southville. This edifice was used for worship until the year 1859, when the erec- tion of a second church building, located in the cen-


tre of the village, was commenced and completed in the following year, and was consecrated March 14, 1860, by the Right Rev. John Williams, and continues in use as the place of public worship by the members of St. Mark's Society.


No complete list of ministers can be given from the first organization to the erection of a church, but among those officiating are the names of Revs. B. Northrop, Benjamin Benham, and Joseph S. Covell.


Since 1835 the church has been in charge of the following named clergymen : Revs. Joseph S. Covell, Abel Nichols, George H. Nichols, William Atwill, Abel Ogden, William O. Jarvis, H. F. M. Whitesides, Abel Nichols, Merritt H. Wellman, William H. Cook, James Morton, H. D. Noble, X. Alanson Welton, W. B. Colburn, D.D., and G. V. C. Eastman, D.D., under whose charge the church is at the present time.


The present officers of the parish are as follows : Jeremiah G. Randall, Eli Sturdevant, Wardens; Arza C. Morris, Albert B. Mallett, Amos Northrop, Vestry- men ; Henry S. Frost, Collector; Arza C. Morris, Treasurer ; Jeremiah G. Randall, Delegate to Conven- tion ; Eli Sturdevant, Clerk.


TIE METHODIST CHURCHI.


In his historical address delivered in 1876, Rev. Mr. Doolittle said,-


"The Methodists also commenced among 118, and they, too, have had their privileged share in promoting the religions work. A large number of those who originally worshiped with us afterward withdrew, princi- pally, 1 think, on account of doctrinal differences, and united with them. I think they never had a meeting-house here. They met io different places. But more recently they have had a flourishing church in South- ville, where they now have a neat 1.lace of worship."


The Baptists at one time had a church here, but it long ago became extinct. The Roman Catholics also at one time had a flourishing organization here.


GRAND LIST, 1881.


1803% dwelling houses. $71,115


918734 acres of land.


211,328


Mills, stores, and manufactories. 3,170


200 horses ..


8.870


987 neat cattle.


20,512


Sheep, swine, and poultry


482


Carriages and wagons ..


3,849


Timepieces and jewelry.


415


Musical instruments.


1,165


Libraries.


100


Bank, insurance, and maunfacturing stock.


43,511


Railroad, city, and other corporation bonds ..


500


Amount employed in merchandising ..


3,225


Investments in mechanical and manufacturing operations


1,120


Money at interest ...


19,847


Money on hand.


100


All other taxable property.


27,360


Ten per cent. additional. 8,337


Added by board relief .. 10,263


$435,269


Deductions


17,335


Graod list.


$417,934


Grand list, 1879.


422,175


Loss.


$4.241


Polls, 65; military, 90.


MILITARY RECORD.+


A. Lecor, 8th Regt .; enl. Nov. 18, 1864.


P. Harvey, 10th Regt .; enl. Nov. 16, 1864; disch. Aug. 25, 1865.


George Peters, enl. Dec. 12, 1864.


+ For list of 19th Regiment, see Chapter V.


* Contributed by E. Sturdevant.


Giren Jamones


Seyman Smith


259


BRIDGEWATER.


D. W. Peck, sergeant, 10th Regt .; enl. Aug. 1, 1861; disch. July 22, 1862. E. C. Beardsley, 10th Regt .; enl. Ang. 1, 1861 ; died April 25, IS62. L. Foulon, 10th Regt .; enl. Nov. 1864; disch. June 13, 1865. G. Schneeweiss, 10th Regt .; enl. Nov. 23, 1864 ; disch. Dec. 21, 1865. J. O. Beers, 12th Regt .; enl. Nov. 23, 1861 : disch. Dec. 2, 1864. R. A. Canfield, 12th Regt .; enl. Nov. 22, 1861.


H. M. Payne, 12th Regt .; enl. Nov. 22, 1861 ; disch. June 27, 1862. J. Collins, 15tli Regt .; enl. March 3, IS64 ; ordered to navy. William Doyle, 20th Regt .; eul. March 3, 1864; disch. July 19, 1865. Henry Hinton, 20th Regt. ; enl. March 3, IS64 ; disch. July 19, 1865. A. E. Hamlin, 23d Regt .; enl. Ang. 8, 1862; died June 2, 1863. William Wilson, Ist Art .; enl. Nov. 24, IS64.


Eugene HI. Duffy, 5th Regt. ; enl. Ang. 14, 1863; killed July 20, 1864. William Kamstler, 5th Regt .; enl. July 22, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 1, 1861. W. H. Armitage, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 14, 1863.


Charles Alexander, 5th Regt. ; enl. March 3, 1864 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Jehn Carr, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 14, 1863; killed July 20, 1864. J. H. Guy, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 15, 1863 ; must. out July 19, 1865. John Youngs, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 15, 1863; must. out May 27, 1865. George Harvey. 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 12, 1864; must. out Aug. 21, 1865. John Dupires, 11th Regt .; enl. March 4, 1864 ; pro. first lieutenant. B. Divine, 11th Regt .; enl. Dec. 1, 1864; disch. Dec. 21, 1865.


S. R. Themson, 27th Regt .; enl. Sept. 4, 1862; died of wounds Dec. 30, 1862


George Clawson, 27th Regt .; enl. Sept. 15, 1862; disch. July 27, 1863. Henry Mabic, 27th Regt .; enl. Sept. 15, 1862; disch. July 27, 1863. James H. Mabie, 27th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 15, 1862; disch. July 27, 1863. George Paulscraft, 27th Regt .; enl. Sept. 15, 1862; disch. July 27, 1863. George D. Cummings, 28th Regt .; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, 1863.


David Dovoo, 28th Regt .; enl. Oct. 2, 1862. James McLaughlin, 28th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862.


John Wixon, 28th Regt .; enl. Aug. 23, 1862.


W. 11. Gregory, 20th Regt .; enl. Dec. 23, 1862; killed Oct. 27, 1804. Benjamin Thompson, 28th Regt .; enl. Dec. 23, 1862.


A. G. Dixun, 20th Regt .; enl. Dec. 23, 1862 ; diech. Oct. 24, 1865. H. Storms, 20th Regt .; enl. Dec. 21, 1863 ; disch. June 19, 1865. S. Wright, 29th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1863; disch. Oct. 24, 1865.


T. Francis, 29th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1863; disch. Oct. 24, 1865.


J. L. Weller, 28th Regt .; enl. Aug. 25, 1862; died July 29, 1863. Charles M. Booth, first lieutenant, 28th Regt. ; enl. Ang. 25, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, 1863.


H. F. Erwin, 28th Regt .; enl. Sept. 6, 1862; disch, Ang. 28, 1863. Herman Beers, 28th Regt .; enl. Aug. 25, 1862.


N. S. Chapin, 28th Regt .; en]. Sept. 6, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 1I. Cole, 2stlı Regt .; enl. Sept. 15, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 28, 186]. J. Gurlich, 28th Regt. ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Ang. 28, 1863. M. Langdon, 28th Regt .; enl. Ang. 30, 1862.


Frederick Mead, 2Stlı Regt .; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Ang. 28, 1863. Henry Smith, 28th Regt .; enl. Aug. 23, 1802 ; disch. Ang. 28, 1863. C. E. Woodin, 2Sth Regt .; enl. Aug. 25, 1862; died July 17, 1863.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


GLOVER SANFORD.


years in the Revolutionary war, and was present at the execution of Maj. Andre. He died Dec. 3, 1815. After the death of his father he apprenticed himself to his brother, John B. Sanford, in the adjoining town of Brookfield, to learn the trade of a hatter, being then eighteen years of age. In 1820 he com- menced business in the town of Salisbury, Conn. In February, 1821, he married Betsy Lake, daughter of Benjamin and Mabel Lake, of Brookfield. In 1823 he returned to his native town, where for a period of forty-seven years he was engaged in the manufactur- ing of hats, having associated with him in the busi- ness his four sons, Charles H., Homer B., Frederick S., and Edwin G., npon their arriving at legal age, which composed the well-known firm of Glover San- ford & Sons. In 1870 the firm, for want of facilities, removed their business to Bridgeport, Conn., and in which he continued until his death, and the business is still continued under the same firm-name. He ex- perienced in his business career difficulties that would have disheartened a man of less resolution and power of will ; but with him to encounter a difficulty was to overcome. He was self-reliant, persevering, of keen business foresight, a public-spirited, honorable, and upright man, ever ready to lend a helping hand to others. In the affairs of his native town he always had a lively interest ; was twice a representative to the State Legislature. In politics he was a staunch Demoerat. He was the first postmaster upon the es- tablishment of a post-office in the town, and held the same for many years, his first commission being issued during the administration of Andrew Jackson. He was oneof theoriginal corporators of the Bank of Litch- field County, of New Milford, now the First National Bank of New Milford, and a director in the same up to within a few weeks of his death. Ile was also one of the corporators of the town of Bridgewater, upon its being incorporated a town, in 1856, and one of its first board of selectmen. His habits of activity kept him from the infirmities of age, and his mental facul- ties were in full vigor at the close of his life. He died May 30, 1878, at the age of eighty-one.


LYMAN SMITH.


Lyman Smith, son of Eli and Hullah Merwin Smith, was born in New Milford, Bridgewater Society, now the town of Bridgewater, Oct. 14, 1795, and died Feb. 8, 1873, aged seventy-eight. He was the eighth of a family of nine children. llis father died when he was fourteen years of age. He received his edu- cation from the common schools and the seminary at Cheshire, Conn. Upon completion of his education he went to New Haven, and entered the wholesale grocery store of Elias Hotchkiss, remaining there for four years. Returning to his native town, he married Susanna Wooster, daughter of Peter und Betsey Can- field Wooster, and purchased the house built by the


The Sanford family date their ancestry back to Thomas Sanford, a descendant of Thomas de Sanford, a follower of William, Duke of Normandy, who is mentioned on the roll of Battle Abbey, Oct. 14, 1066. Another descendant, Thomas Sanford, emme to Boston in the year 1631, and settled in Milford, Conn., in the year 1639; died there in 1681. From him the Con- necticut Sanfords date their ancestry. The subject of this sketch, Glover Sanford, was the third son of Litl'e and Huldah Blackman Sanford; was born in that part of the town of New Milford now the town of Bridgewater, March 3, 1797. His father served seven | Rev, Reuben Taylor, the first Congregational minister


260


HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


settled in the society, and entered into the business of farming. In 1825 he went into the mercantile busi- ness, in which he continued for about thirty years. He was a director of the First National Bank of New Milford for many years, and was at the time of his death. He represented the town of New Milford in the State Legislature. In politics he was a Repub- liean, having previously been a Whig. He was an active member and promoter of the Congregational Church and society, having donated to the same a fine organ, and in his will bequeathed to the society a liberal sum. He had two daughters,-Betsey Ann Smith, who married Smith R. Weeks, and Susan Adeline Smith, who married Charles H. Sanford.


JAMES II. KEELER.#


James Harvey Keeler, third son of Stephen B. Keeler, was born Dec. 23, 1807, in the town of Ridge-


James 86 Helen


field, Fairfield Co., Conn. His father removed in 1813 to that part of New Milford then known as Bridge- water parish, and which was incorporated as a separate town in 1856. At the age of eleven years Mr. Keeler left home to enter upon a life of active and arduous labor. He received a common-school education, and


at the age of seventeen years was apprenticed to a carpenter, at which trade he worked for some ten years. He was married to Miss Harriet Skidmore April 20, 1836. He then purchased and cultivated a farm for some years, after which he erected a store, and engaged in the mercantile business for about seven years, dividing his time between that and agri- cultural pursuits. He then engaged in the cattle trade, which he successfully united with farming for a period of more than thirty years. He now culti- vates his estate, and, in connection with this, devotes much attention to the business of buying and pack- ing tobacco.


Mr. and Mrs. Keeler have been the parents of six children, of whom three sons died in early life. The survivors are as follows : Robert, born March 8, 1841, who married Martha Randall, Dec. 31, 1862 (their only child is Hattie E., born Oct. 15, 1866); James H., Jr., born Feb. 4, 1843, who married Rebecca M. Sanford, Dec. 31, 1863; she died in April, 1872. Mr. Keeler was married a second time to Kate Erwin, of New Milford, Jan. 7, 1874. His children are, by his first wife, Rebecca M., born Nov. 6, 1871, and by his second, Alice E., born Aug. 6, 1875. The third survi- vor is Harriet S., born Sept. 3, 1849, and married to Mr. Frederick A. Peck, Oct. 14, 1867. Their children are Lois S., born Dec. 15, 1868; De Witt K., born Oct. 25, 1870; Frederick A., born Sept. 16, 1873 ; and Sher- man, born Oct. 19, 1877.


Mr. Keeler represented the town of New Milford in the Legislature of 1856, when Bridgewater was in- corporated as a separate town. He was elected for the express purpose of securing the act of incorpora- tion, and after much laborious effort the desired ob- ject was accomplished, as we have before stated. He also represented Bridgewater in the Legislature of 1879. He held a magistrate's commission for many years ; was for several years in succession a selectman ; has also been assessor and member of the board of relief, and has, in fact, filled nearly all the town offices. He has ever been generous, and personally active in urging and sustaining every measure promotive of the public welfare. Every scheme for the moral, re- ligious, educational, and general welfare of the com- munity has found in him an ardent and persevering friend. He has long been a communicant and prom- inent parishioner of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church, and his name, wherever known, is a synonym for integrity and worth.


It may be interesting to state, in connection with the above, that Mr. Keeler's father was born in Ridge- field, Fairfield Co., May 3, 1773, married Sally Pad- dock in 1802, and died in Bridgewater, May 9, 1850. He was the eldest son of Daniel Keeler, who married Elizabeth Burr, a cousin of the celebrated Aaron Burr, and who died in 1806.


* By Rev. W. B. Colburn, D.D., who was for many years rector of St. Mark's Church, Bridgewater.


MARCUS B. MALLETT.


261


BRIDGEWATER.


HENRY SANFORD.


The subject of this sketch is descended in this country from Thomas Sanford, who settled in Mil- ford in 1639. The descent is as follows: Thomas, Ezekiel, Sr., Ezekiel, Jr., Joseph, Nehemiah, Sr., and Nehemiah, Jr.


Therry Sanford


Nehemiah Sanford, Jr., father of Henry Sanford, was born in 1762, at Redding, Conn. (local name Umpa- wang Hill), and with his parents (Nehemiah, Sr., and Elizabeth) removed to New Milford in 1773, and located in what was known as New Milford Neck, since incorporated as the town of Bridgewater. He was the youngest son of Nehemiah, Sr. Enlisted into the Revolutionary war at the age of nineteen ; served three months, at which time the war closed. He was an earnest supporter of the institutions of the gospel, regular in attendance, etc. April 6, 1786, he married Hannah Beach, daughter of David Beach, of Bridgewater. To them were born Robert W., May 10, 1787; Anna, May 31, 1792; Electa, Sept. 11, 1795; Garry, Aug. 28, 1797 ; Beach, Ang. 16, 1804; Henry, Oct. 14, 1806.


Robert W. married Mabel Squires, June 3, 1806; moved to Rootstown, Ohio, 1819; had nine chil- dren ; lived to be ninety-two; wife still living.


Anna died, unmarried, at the age of forty-nine; resided in Bridgewater.


Electa married l'hilo Carter, in Ohio, April 27, 1823; had five children ; died at forty-one.


Garry moved to Ohio, 1819; married Emily Rich- ardson, 1822; had nine children; died at the age of forty-seven.


Beach married Lucy Smith, Nov. 15, 1825; moved to Rootstown, Ohio, 1842; had a family of five sons; moved to Warren, Wis., 1860; died at sixty-one.


Henry Sanford, the youngest son and child of Nehe- miah Sanford, Jr., was born Oct. 14, 1806. Educa- tional advantages were the district school. He was reared a farmer, and occupies, owns, and tills the farm once owned by his father and grandfather, Nehe- miah, Sr.


At the age of twenty-one he identified himself with the Congregational society, to which he has ever been a strong supporter, and held many offices. Ever ready to do his part in anything that would promote its welfare and sustain the institutions of the gospel.


At the age of twenty-two he married Anna J. Can- field, danghter of Daniel and Rebecca Canfield, of Bridgewater, Dec. 4, 1828. Mrs. Sanford died March 10, 1844. Nov. 12, 1845, he married a second wife, Polly B. Platt, daughter of Simeon Platt, of South Britain.


By his former wife, Anna J., he had two sons,- Canfield H., born July 22, 1839, who died in infancy ; Horace N., born Jan. 4, 1841, who follows the busi- ness of farming. His educational advantages were district school, select school, and two years at the Normal School, New Britain, Conn. During the late Rebellion he joined the Nineteenth Regiment Con- necticut Volunteers, Company H, Sept. 11, 1862, and continued with it three years, until date of muster ont, July, 1865. Received three slight wounds, one at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, under Gen. Grant, two at Strasburg, Oct. 19, 1864, under Gen. Sheridan. He was a sergeant. Nov. 28, 1867, he married Dora M. Kasson, daughter of George M. Kasson, of Betli- Ichem, Conn., to whom were born three children,- Genevieve T., March 18, 1872; Henry C., April 16, 1875; Mabelle F., April 29, 1879. United with the Congregational Church, Nov. 4, 1860, and has since been identified in its interest; has been for a number of years one of its deacons.


MARCUS B. MALLETT.


Marcus B. Mallett, son of Daniel and Eunice B. Mallett, was born in Trumbull, Conn., March 5, 1809. He was the eldest of twelve children. He enjoyed the limited advantages for an education afforded the children of the New England farmer of those days. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to his maternal uncle, Benjamin B. Beach, of Bridgewater, Conn. At the end of the first year, his uncle's health having failed, he hired Marcus to Hiram Keeler, his brother-in-law, who was a carpenter. He remained with Mr. Keeler until the October before he was twenty-one years of age, working the next year for i Amos Williams, of Brookfield, Conn., at the close of


262


HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


which he purchased a farm of Hiram Keeler, paying eleven hundred dollars in cash and agreeing to pay a balance of nine hundred dollars at the expiration of four years. On the 8th of March, 1831, he married Sarah, daughter of Stephen B. and Sally Keeler. This union was blessed with three children,-Sarah E., Burr, and Alvira. By industry and economy the farm was paid for in four years, and he had four hun- dred dollars besides. He subsequently sold this place, and bought a farm containing seventy acres of Joseph Bennett, which he sold to Oren Young in 1842. He is now living on the farm he purchased of his grand- son, B. Warner. Mr. Mallett's daughter, Sarah E., married Arza Morris; to them were born three chil- dren,-Gertrude E., Mary A., and S. Eugenia. His son Burr married Mary E., daughter of Grandison R. Warner, Sept. 28, 1856, and she died, four days after marriage, of typhoid fever, at Earle's Hotel, New York. On Jan. 1, 1861, he married, for his second wife, Emelia C., daughter of Frederick Boland ; their children are Mary E., Marcus B., Montiville, and Sarah J. He represented his town in the General Assembly in 1876, and has held a number of other offices of trust. Alvira married Levi, son of G. R. Warner, on Nov. 4, 1861; their children are Reuben M. and S. Eugenia.


ROSWELL MORRIS.


Roswell Morris was born in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Conn., May 27, 1795. His father, Amos Morris, was one of six children, and was born in Bridgeport, Sept. 28, 1762, and married Eunice Clark.


Roswell Morris was the second of four children, having two brothers, Levi and Curtis, and a sister, Martha, all born in Newtown. His parents moved from Newtown to Bridgewater (then New Milford) in the spring of 1800, he being then five years of age. There they lived until 1833, when they moved to Great Barrington, Mass., where they spent the last eight years of their lives, only four days intervening be- tween their deaths. Roswell's elder brother, Levi, married Polly H. Smith. His brother Curtis married Abigail Curtis for his first wife, and Cynthia J. Frink for his second wife. His sister Martha married Or- ange Smith. Roswell Morris married Laura Can- field, daughter of John and Phebe.Canfield, Nov. 26, 1818 ; their children were Cornelia, Caroline, Mary, and Arza C. Cornelia married Henry B. Young ; their children were Stanley M., Mary C., Calvert H., Frederick A., and Martha C. Stanley M. married Mary L. Morrell; they had seven children. Fred- erick A. married Urania E. Buck. Caroline married Peter Wooster; their children were Laura J., J. Morris, Charles M., and Edward R. Laura J. married Richard G. Randall ; they had one child, Jennie. Mary, unmarried. Arza C. married Sarah E. Mallett ; their children were Gertrude E., Mary A., and S. Eugenia.


The Morrises are of Scotch descent.


Roswell Morris, like many of New England's sons, started in life with a capital consisting only of strong arms, a stout heart, and a good common-school edu- cation. He set out from his home in Bridgewater (then New Milford) to seek employment, and jour- neyed as far as New Jersey, walking much of the way. He taught school in that State one or two years, then returned to Bridgewater, and engaged in farming, working for a time with his older brother, Levi. Af- terwards he succeeded by degrees in obtaining a farm a little west of Bridgewater Centre, on which he re- mained until his death. After locating as described he did not relinquish teaching, but worked his farm and taught the Centre school for many winters, doing most of his farm-work at the same time.


Often after school-hours he would go into the woods with his team, and draw wood by the light of the moon.


As a teacher he had the rare faculty of being a boy with the boys when at play, and master as soon as inside the school-house. When hardly able to re- press his mirth he could put on a stern look, and, al- though inwardly amused at the pranks of a boy, would give him a look that would seem to pierce through his jacket.


He was for many years constable in the town (then New Milford), and often did sheriff's work, for which he was well qualified, being strong of frame, prompt, fearless, of quick perception, and sound judg- ment.


An anecdote of his youth will serve to illustrate his character. During the war of 1812 he was plowing in the field, when his father came to him and repre- sented that he had been drafted, and was wanted im- mediately. He replied that he was ready, and quickly unhitched his team from the plow. His father, see- ing he was likely to get the worst of the joke, told him he was not drafted, and asked him to hitch up his team and go on with his work. He said to his father, "If you have been trying that game you will get no more work from me to-day.".


He was always ready to do a neighborly kindness, either to watch at the bedside of the sick or to per- form any other personal service. Politically, he acted with the Whig party as long as it existed, and after- wards with the Democratic. He held at different times most of the offices in the gift of the town (then New Milford), and was often employed in the settle- ment of estates.




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