History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 75

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

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As a kind father, as a loving and faithful husband, as a true and sympathizing friend and counselor, as a Christian citizen, his memory will long be cherished and revered by the community in which he lived.

Geo. C. Harrison, eldest son of John R. and Eleanor (Bradford) Harrison, was born in the town of Corn- wall, Conn., May 19, 1840. His advantages for an education were such as the common schools of his town afforded, supplemented by several years at the " Young Ladies' Institute," at Cornwall, Conn., and one term at Amenia, N. Y. At nineteen years of age he began teaching, and followed it during the three following winters. He was reared on a farm, which honorable business he has continued to follow till the present time (1881). He now owns some three hun- dred acres, which is in a good state of cultivation, situated within one mile of the centre of the town of Cornwall. His buildings are very substantial ; a view of his residence and surroundings may be seen in another part of this work.

In politics he is a Democrat, and as such is justly regarded one of the leading men of the town. In 1867 he was elected town clerk, and held that office for twelve consecutive years, and at the same time was elected town treasurer, and continued to hold the same till the present time. In 1870 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served one term. In 1876 he was appointed judge of probate of the probate dis- trict of Cornwall, and held the same position for four years, and for six years previous was clerk for his father, who was judge of probate for that time.

On the 21st of February, 1862, he married Mrs. Rebecca White, widow of Edward H. White, and daughter of Carrington Todd, of Cornwall, Conn. Of this union eleven children have been born, viz .:

Cynthia R., Eleanor HI., Geo. E., Charlotte H., Katie J., John R. (deceased), Ruth, Gertrude, Anna, Mary M. (deceased), and Mabel.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are members of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church at Cornwall, Conn., and he is one of the principal supporters of the same. Mr. Harrison has always taken a deep interest in Sabbath- school work, and he has been either teacher or super- intendent ever since he was old enough. Mr. Har- rison, with his interesting family, promises to rival his ancestors as a citizen worthy of the trust and con- fidence of his fellows.

MYRON HARRISON.

Myron Harrison belongs to a family that has been associated with Cornwall from the earliest period of its history. He was of the third generation in town. Noah Harrison, grandfather of Myron, came to Corn- wall from Branford among the earliest settlers in 1762. Edmund Harrison, father of Myron, was born in Corn- wall, May 1, 1768. Myron Harrison was born Sept. 25, 1800, and received such educational advantages as the town afforded at the time. Was apprenticed at an early age as merchant's clerk, and at the expira- tion of his term of service formed a partnership with Peter Bierce, at Cornwall Bridge, and engaged in the mercantile business and the manufacture of iron. For half a century he was well known in most of the towns of the county for his quick perception and de- cision, strict integrity, and careful business habits ; was appointed a justice of the peace soon after reach- ing years of majority, which office he held continu- ously until debarred by age. Having a natural taste for questions of law, he soon became a celebrated justice, and was often appointed by the courts to hear causes. For years he was called upon to transact most of the legal business of his section, and was ever found a careful adviser and safe counselor, and his reputation for drafting legal papers was such that lawyers hardly thought it safe to attack them.

His strict integrity and business qualifications called him in many places of trust and responsibility, all of which he discharged satisfactorily. During his life he assisted in the settlement of eighty-six estates. Was selectman of the town seven years, postmaster at Cornwall Bridge sixteen years ; elected a member of the General Assembly in 1837, and was re-elected in 1848, serving upon important committees each ses- sion,-that of corporations in 1837, and railroads in 1848; county commissioner six years, and United States assistant assessor for eight years. For nearly half a century he was an active and influential mem- ber of the church at Cornwall Bridge, and was an example of temperance and sobriety, and was ever found ready to aid with his whole influence every good work. Mr. Harrison was a remarkably active, as well as genial and social, man, of dignified but unas-

Mynão Harrison

Freden Kellogg

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suming manners, quick at repartee, and always ready with an anecdote to illustrate his position and points. Myron Harrison married Charlotte E. Calhoun, daughter of Dr. John Calhoun, June 2, 1830. Ralph C., son of Myron, was born Oct. 22, 1831, married Juliet Waite, and has three sons; George L. was born May 5, 1835, and Sarah C. was born Oct. 31, 1840, and has two sons.

He died Sept. 19, 1872. Ralph C. graduated at the Wesleyan University and Albany Law-School, and is now a partner in the firm of Tarbox & Harrison, one of the leading law-firms of San Francisco. George L. is general passenger and traveling agent of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad; and Sarah C. married the Hon. Victory C. Beers, and is still living at Cornwall.

FREDERICK KELLOGG.

The Kellogg family date their ancestry in this country to 1654, when Joseph Kellogg was made freeman at Farmington. In 1659 he removed to Boston. He was a weaver by trade. In 1661 he re- moved to Hadley, Mass. He was a lieutenant in Philip's war, and at the Falls fight he commanded the Hadley soldiers. He died in 1707, then having four- teen adult children. Of his sons, John lived at Hadley, Martin at Hatfield and Deerfield, Edward at Brook- field, Mass., Samuel at Hartford, Conn., Stephen at Westfield, Mass., Nathaniel at Hadley and Amherst, Ebenezer and Jonathan at Colchester, Conn., and Joseph at Hatfield.

Joseph, the first-named above, seems to be the first of the Kellogg family in this country. There was at the same time (1654) a Daniel Kellogg at Norwalk, Conn. He had a large family.

Judah Kellogg, from Colchester, graduated at Yale, 1763, taught school in Stratford, where he married Mary Tomlinson, an aunt of the late Governor Tomlin- son ; came to Cornwall in 1774, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, with a small house, of Ste- phen Royce. Here he lived till his death, in 1820, aged eighty. He represented the town in the General Assembly the first four years of his residence here, and was justice of the peace for a long period. Was deacon of the church. He was chosen clerk in 1776, and held till 1810. William, his oldest son, succeeded him as clerk, and at his death Frederick, the fourth son of William, was chosen to the office, which he held till 1845, the clerkship having been in the family sixty-nine years.

William Kellogg had four sons, two of whom died young. Philo, the eldest son, was a farmer, and owned and occupied the site of his grandfather Judah. He was a partner in the firm of P. & F. Kellogg for twenty years. lle represented the Seventeenth Dis- triet in the senate of Connecticut two terms, and wns a representative from Cornwall two years. He was

appointed judge of probate at the organization of the district, and held the office two years. He died in 1862, aged sixty-eight.

Frederick Kellogg, the youngest son of William, was a merchant ; in 1829 he succeeded his father as town clerk, which office he held uninterruptedly for sixteen years, and was four times elected to the same office at various times afterwards. In 1852 he was appointed judge of probate for the district of Corn- wall, which office he held, with the exception of two years, till constitutionally disqualified. In 1841 he was appointed county commissioner, which office he held for three years. From 1830 to 1841 he repre- sented the town of Cornwall in the Legislature four years. Is still living, enjoying his faculties of both mind and body, and the fruits of his industry and frugality.

Frederick Kellogg was married, Sept. 14, 1829, to Ruth R., daughter of Dr. John Calhoun, of Cornwall. Four children were the result of the union, viz. : Wm. F., Chas. C. (deceased), Sarah F., and Mary. Wm. F. is a wholesale grocer in Chicago,-firm of Kellogg & Barrett,-and has resided in that city for over twenty years.

John Kellogg, the second son of Judah, resided in Cornwall, and died at the age of seventy-seven. He raised a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The entire family emigrated to the West- ern States, viz., Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kansas, and have become prosperous citizens.

Lucius, the third son of Judah, settled at Oyster Bay, L. I., where he became an eminent physician.

EDWIN WHITE.

Edwin White was born in North Cornwall, Sept. 21, 1806, and is seventh in line from Elder John White, one of the first settlers of Cambridge and Hadley, Mass., and Hartford, Conn., and who came from England in 1632. His father, Elias White, Jr., born Dec. 7, 1775, came from Upper Middleton, Conn. (now Cromwell), to Cornwall. He was a shoe- maker, and died Aug. 12, 1811, aged thirty-five years. He married Cynthia, daughter of Capt. Edward Rogers and Hannah Jackson, his wife. Capt. Rogers was one of the first proprietors of Cornwall, a lieu- tenant in the okl French wars, and a Continental oflieer in the Revolution, and as Continental serip was worthless, advanced two thousand dollars in gold to pay his men, which amount was never restored. He was an impetuous, active man, a sterling Chris- tian, and made more of an impress on his town dur- ing his life than probably any other citizen. They had four sons,-Comfort (deceased), Edward Rogers, Edwin, and Elias (deceased). Mrs. White was born Dec. 8, 1782, and died Sept. 12, 1813.

Edwin White was quite young at the death of his parents, and was placed with Andrew Cotter, with

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

whom he stayed until he was seventeen. He then learned the hatter's trade of Benjamin Catlin, of North Cornwall, remaining with him until of age. He then worked for him about another year, when, in com-

Edwin White

pany with his brothers, Comfort and Edward Rogers, he purchased the place now occupied by him in Corn- wall, and became a farmer. Sept. 13, 1837, he mar- ried Laura, daughter of Stephen and Abigail (Drake) Whedon, of Winchester. Their children are Fran- ces Abigail, Laura Isabella, Edwin Augustine, and Cynthia Josephine. About 1854, Mr. White bought the other interest in the farm, and has since resided there, adding by purchase until he now owns two hundred and fifty acres of land. He makes a spe- cialty of manufacturing " pine-apple" cheese, and his work in this is highly spoken of and brings a high price. Mr. White has held the various town offices, and represented Cornwall in the Legislature of 1842- 43. He is Democratic in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for the electors on the Andrew Jack- son ticket. He is a worthy representative of the thrifty New England farmer,-hard-working, pru- dent, hospitable, and held in high esteem by his neighbors. He belongs to that old-fashioned class whose word is as good as their bond, and does not believe in having a dollar unjustly acquired. Both Mr. and Mrs. White have belonged to the Congrega- tional Church for years, and are now members at Goshen. Edwin A. is a college graduate, and is now ·a law student.

EZRA DWIGHT PRATT.

The Pratts of Cornwall are descended from Lieut. William Pratt, who came to America, about 1632, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. His line

6. 2. Past

runs back to Thomas Pratt, who died in Hertfordshire in 1539. With one or two breaks, bridged by tradi- tion, the records lead, with almost certainty, to Sir Wil- liam Pratt, who in 1191 was a favorite officer under Richard Cœur de Lion in the Holy Land. Lieut. Pratt accompanied Hooker's company from Cam- bridge, Mass., in 1636, to find a home in the Con- necticut Valley. They settled where Hartford now stands, and Lieut. Pratt drew lots on what is now North Main Street in that city. In 1637 he was one of the expedition which annihilated the Pequod tribe of Indians, and was for his services voted one hundred acres of land by the General Court. In 1645 he removed to Saybrook, became a large land- holder, and for thirteen years represented that town in the Legislature. Following his line to the fifth generation, we find David Pratt, born about 1725. He married Jerusha Chalker, had nine children, and removed to Cornwall about 1780. Miner Pratt, born in 1768 (his son), although quiet and unostentatious, was a man of untiring energy, sterling integrity, and active in church, schools, and all public and bener- olent objects. He married (1795) Mary Ann, daugh- ter of Deacon Eliakim Mallory, and had four children, -Harriet (Mrs. D. L. Rogers), Eliakim M., Ezra Dwight, and Almon Bradley. Miner was a lad of twelve years when his father moved to Cornwall, and

ISAAC MARSH.

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labored hard with him and an older brother on the new farm. On arriving at age, Miner desired to " go West,"-i.e., to New York,-as his brother did, and offered to sell his interest in the home for a very small sum; but his father felt so badly, desiring him to remain and take care of his parents and the home- stead, that he stayed, became a hard-working farmer, and was prospered. He died in 1846, full of years and Christian graces.

Ezra Dwight Pratt was born Nov. 26, 1810; was educated at common schools; began teaching when · but nineteen years old, and taught winters, with but few intermissions, until he was fifty years old. He · has always been a farmer, and a successful one. He married, July 1, 1846, Anna Aurelia, daughter of Dea- con Ebenezer Rood, of Torringford. Their children were Mary Aurelia, Dwight Mallory, Harriette J., and Hubert Miner. From 1854 to the present time, with but little intermission, Mr. Pratt has been deacon of the North Cornwall Church, and by his Christian character, and the co-operation of his amiable and benevolent wife, has done much work in its service, and is justly considered one of its pillars. Their children show the result of true Christian training. Dwight M. graduated at Amherst (1876), and is now an efficient pastor of the Congregational Church at Higganun, Conn. Blest with a comfortable share of this world's goods, this worthy couple have never considered themselves aught but the trustees of part of God's property, and, with a lavish hand, they have always contributed to the canse of the Master, whether in the form of missions, education, or church require- ments. An old acquaintance says of Deacon Pratt, "The history of North Cornwall Church would be incomplete without a portrait and sketch of Deacon Pratt." Honored by his church, beloved by his family, and esteemed and respected by his fellow-townsmen, Deacon Pratt has the satisfaction of knowing that he has thrown no discredit on the name he bears, and that his descendants bid fair to keep its character high.

David Pratt's third son, Jasper, had, before coming to Cornwall, served seven years and three months in the Revolution, was captured by the British, and endured all the severe privations of a Continental soldier. He married Abigail Butler, and had three children,-Hannah, Chalker, and Abigail. Chalker married Lydia, daughter of Deacon Noah Rogers, and had two children,-Russell R. and Helen A. (Mrs. Stephen Foster, deceased). Chalker was a man of influence, and an active Christian. He was agent for the Cornwall Iron Company for some years, and about 1840 moved to West Cornwall, and became prominent there. He was a careful, methodical man, and was much esteemed. He died in 1851, aged fifty-nine years. His son, Russell R., born 1816, was educated for a merchant, and, after some trade in a small way, with good promise, established in 1841, with Stephen Foster, the firm of Pratt & Foster, 21

which had for years a large and successful trade. This firm became the centre aronnd which all the business of West Cornwall swung. Pratt & Foster headed all enterprises of business, all subscriptions (whether for church purposes or benevolent objects), bought all things the farmers sold, and sold every- thing that they wanted. Mr. Foster died in 1863, and the firm-title was continued until (through the pressure of the hard times) it was compelled to make an assignment. Mr. Foster was of pleasing manners, great industry, and indefatigable energy, and made many friends. Gold's "History of Cornwall" says of R. R. Pratt, " As an energetic business man, as selectman for seven years from 1856, as representative in 1858, as deacon of the church from 1854 to 1871, as superintendent of the Sabbath-school at West Corn- wall from 1860, he has filled, and still holds, a promi- inent place in the secular and religious interests of the town.

ISAAC MARSH.

Dr. Isaac Marsh was born in Litchfield in 1777. His ancestors had long resided in that town. His grandfather and father were also named Isaac. He studied medicine with Dr. Woodward, of Torringford, but, being of rather a nervous temperament, shrank from the practice of his profession. He was for a time a druggist, but temporarily took up the busi- ness of farming, and finally followed it for life. Ile married in 1803, and, in 1820, bought a farm in Corn- wall of Rev. Asa Talmage, located near the Housa- tonie River. This was two miles north of Hart's Bridge, now West Cornwall. There was then but one house at the " Bridge,"-the "Hart House," standing on the site of the present residence of Mrs. Isaac Marsh. Dr. Marsh died in 1829, aged fifty-two years.

Isaac Marsh (4th) was oklest son and last surviving one of a family of seven children. He was born Dec. 15, 1803, in Litchfield, and came to Cornwall with his parents. He was educated at public and private schools in Litchfield and Sharon, and made his home with his father until he was twenty-six years of age. After he was of age he was engaged in teaching dur- ing the winter for several years, teaching seven suc- cessive winters in what was then called the " West District" of Cornwall. Shortly after the formation of "The West Cornwall Iron Company," in 1834, Mr. Marsh entered its employ as clerk, and remained many years. IIc was afterwards book-keeper for Pratt & Foster, merchants at West Cornwall. He was appointed station-agent for the Housatonic Rail- road at West Cornwall in 1843-44, and held that position, first for four years, and afterwards, at ditler- ent periods, as his failing health would admit.

Mr. Marsh was town clerk, and performed labors of that oflive, as he did everything, with faithfulness. lle was chosen to represent Cornwall in the State Legislatures of 1839-40, 1851-52, and discharged that duty to the great satisfaction of his constituents.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

He was an earnest and good Christian, although not connected with any church organization, was an efficient and valued laborer in the Sabbath-school, and not found wanting in assisting any good or charitable object. He was a man of firm convictions, not swayed about by every popular wave of excite- ment. Positive in his nature, he carefully considered everything from the standard of justice, and never from that of expediency. He was noted for his loyalty to his friends, and never did malice or suspicion whisper aught against his integrity. In both public and private life he was modest and unassuming in his manner, courteous and gentlemanly in his demeanor, firm and unflinching in the discharge of his duty, and energetic and indignant against any appearance of chicanery or fraud.

Mr. Marsh married, Nov. 29, 1843, Nancy, daugh- ter of Ransom and Lydia (Burtch) Smith, of Sharon. Mr. Smith was son of David Smith, who was born in Litchfield in 1752; married, in 1774, Sarah North, of Goshen ; moved to Massachusetts, where his oldest son, John, was born about 1775. His next son, David, was born in Goshen about 1777, and so were Horatio (who became a prominent man and State senator), Ransom, Molly (Mrs. Aaron Cartwright, of Sharon), and Gad. Gad became a popular Methodist clergy- man, and died young. Ransom, born Feb. 22, 1782, had a common-school education, and became a farmer, removing to Sharon, with his father, about 1800. He married, Nov. 15, 1810, Lydia Burtch, of Goshen, and afterwards purchased the place where D. F. Smith now resides, and resided there until his death. He held various town offices, was a quiet, unostentatious man, firm to principle, and successful in business. He represented Sharon two years in the General As- sembly of Connecticut. He reared a family of eight children, all born on the same place,-Jolin N. (de- ceased), Nancy (Mrs. Isaac Marsh), Appleton R., Elbert R. (deceased), Mary (Mrs. David S. Potter, of Thomaston), Charles C., Martha (deceased), and J. Ransom. He died June 10, 1857, much regretted.

Mr. Marsh, at the time of his marriage, was em- ployed in the railroad office at Bridgeport, but re- moved to West Cornwall as station-agent soon after, as above stated. In 1847 he built the house where for over thirty years he and his wife have made their home, and where she now resides. He died Jan. 29, 1879, and the vacuum caused by his death cannot be filled by another.

THE NOAH ROGERS FAMILY.

Noah and Edward Rogers appear on Cornwall town records as purchasers of land in December, 1761. The principal pieces were bought of William Gould, and were some of the best in the town. For the past one hundred and twenty years the Rogerses have been among the prominent and useful people of Cornwall.

The pedigree is traced back by records in the British Museum to Thomas Rogers, of Bradford, county of Wilts, sergeant-at-law, who died in 1485. He was great-grandfather of John Rogers the martyr.

Jolın Rogers the martyr was born about 1500, married Adigan Pratt, of Brabant, and had eleven children,-Daniel, John, Ambrose, Samuel, Philip, Bernard, Augustine, Barnaby, Susan, Elizabeth, and Hester. John, the son, married Mary, daughter of William Leete, of Everden, county of Cambridge. Thomas, grandson of the martyr, came over in the "Mayflower," and was the probable ancestor of the Ro- gerses of Cornwall, although by the buruing of the old town records of Huntingdon, L. I. (where the first of the name settled about 1640, after moving from Plym- outh Colony), a link or two of written testimony is lacking. Tradition, and the circumstances surround- ing the possessors of the name, however, conclusively bridge the chasm, and Thomas was doubtless father of William, whose son Noah was the first to bear the name borne continuously for six generations in the family.

Noah1 and his brother John bought large tracts of land in Branford, Conn., and removed thither in 1667, and were among the original proprietors of that town. Noah1 married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Tain- tor, a native of Wales. (Mr. Taintor belonged to the first church organization in Branford, and the church covenant then signed is in his handwriting.) Their children were Mary, John, Josiah, Hezekiah, Noah,2 Elizabeth, and Ann. Noah1 and Noah2 filled various important positions in the political and religious or- ganizations of Branford, and served their day and generation well and faithfully. Their residence in Branford came to be known as "Noah's Ark," their land, "the Ark land," and the road by their door, the " Ark road." Noah2 married Elizabeth Wheeler. Their children were Abigail, Temperance, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Noah,3 Edward, and Harriet.

Noah Rogers,3 born in Branford, Conn., May 8, 1732, married, Oct. 23, 1765, Rhoda, daughter of Dea- con Daniel Leete, of Guilford (fourth generation from Governor William Leete), and, with his brother Ed- ward, moved to Cornwall in 1760, selling their lands in Branford, and in 1761 purchased six hundred acres here. Noah Rogers3 was one of the leading men of the town from his arrival ; entered into every enter- prise for the development and advancement of Corn- wall with a wonderful enthusiasm and energy. He built about the first saw-mill, probably started the first or second grist-mill, and at the same time that they were in operation had several iron forges also working. He assisted in road-making, bridge-build- ing,-in everything where a resolute and indomitable nature could find expression. He was emphatically a man for the times, and the impress made by him upon the town is felt unto this day. Exempted by loss of one eye from military service, he volunteered to serve in the colonial army; was present at Bur-

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goyne's surrender, and breught home a British musket as a trophy. Mr. Burnham, in his address at the Rogers' gathering, says he also went to Danbury to assist in repelling the British, and he was probably at the battle at that place. He was one of the thirteen original members of the Congregational Church or- ganized in 1780. Gen. Charles F. Sedgwick, in an address at North Cornwall, July 19, 1876, thus speaks of him: "I remember him as a very old man, who was constant in his attendance at meeting, pertly in his physical dimensions, and regarded as a patriarch · of the parish. He was probably the most wealthy man in the seciety, and his benefactions, and those of his descendants here, have done much to give strength and stability to the concerns of the parish." His children were Sarah (Mrs. Oliver Burnham, married Oct. 17, 1787), Clarissa Irene (Mrs. Prentice Williams, of Stockbridge, Mass., married June 8, 1808), Rhoda (Mrs. Andrew Cotter, married Nov. 11, 1792), Noah,4 Abigail (Mrs. Asahel J. Bradley, of Stockbridge, Mass., married June 15, 1796), and Amanda (Mrs. Theodore Ives, married Nov. 22, 1821). He died Oct. 17, 1810.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 75

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