History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 105

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 105

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Mr. Clark is modest and retiring in his habits, but possesses those sterling qualities which go to make up the solid men of our country. He has never sought political honors, but attended quietly to his business affairs, and has aided materially in the development of one of the most prominent branches of industry in this country. In this he is now, and has been from the com- mencement of the business, an important factor. He is vice-president and has the general management of the mechanical department of the Higganum Manufacturing Company.

On the 7th of December 1854 he married Elizabeth Quick, of Masthope, Pa., by whom he has had four children: Arthur, born August 2d 1858; Effie Elizabeth, born December 21st 1860; Alvan Thomas, born October 14th 1862; and Ada Selden, born February 24th 1871.

The death of his first wife occurred on the 13th of July 1873, and on the 4th of November 1874 he married Sophia M. Warner, of Montrose, Pa. One child, Nina Gertrude, is the issue of this marriage.

Until quite recently Mr. Clark has taken no active part in public affairs, but during the fall of 1884 the people of his native town insisted on his accepting the position of selectman, which his long experience and thorough knowledge of the duties incident thereto fully qualify him to fill.

GEORGE MARSHALL CLARK.

George Marshall Clark is a thorough specimen of what Yankee pluck, perseverance, energy, and determination can accomplish. Inheriting nothing from his ancestors but his undaunted courage and indomitable will, he has left his impress not only upon the history of his own town and county, but his individuality is stamped on everything he has been connected with since his entrance upon the stage of life. He has cut and carved his way inch by inch through his own unaided efforts. It is said by his friends that the secret of his success in everything he undertakes is his bull-dog tenacity-" he never lets go except to get a better hold." For boldness of concep- tion, originality of thought and ability to execute, he has few equals.

His ancestor, William Clark, was one of the twenty-

eight young men who settled in Haddam in the summer of 1662. His father was George W. Clark, who was a farmer, contractor, and stone cutter. His mother was Cynthia, daughter of Thomas Selden, of Haddam Neck, a descendant of Colonel Selden, of the Revolution. Four children were born to them: Thomas J., George M., Henry L., and Mary.

George M., the second child, was born at Haddam, on the IIth of June 1833. While, like most boys of his age, his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited to the winter months, his whole course of study did not exceed fifteen months. He at- tended a private school during a portion of this time, and surprised his teacher by his progress in mathematics, for which he had an especial fondness. His father died when he was but twelve years of age, and the support of the family devolved on him and his elder brother. He commenced by getting jobs at farm work away from home, sending all his earnings to his mother. This he continued for three years, working a portion of the time at cloth dressing and wool carding. He subsequently worked about eighteen months at blacksmithing and making edge tools. He next took up ship and house carpentering, which he followed for about ten years, tak- ing jobs from Bangor, Me., to New Orleans, La. When he was but 17 years of age he started for Savannah, Ga., with $14 in his pocket; took steerage passage, and when he arrived he had just " four-pence-half-penny " left. He soon obtained a job, however, and that winter he sent home $200 in gold to his mother, and when he returned in the spring, brought back $250 more. He was already a "jack-at-all-trades," and proficient in all, and he took contracts to build houses and engaged largely in ship building, put up saw mills, etc .; he could also repair a boiler or weld a shaft equally as well. Whatever he undertook to do he accomplished. His motto was "what I will to do I can do." During 10 years he worked at the North during the summer months, and his winters were spent mostly in South Carolina and Georgia. In 1855, he was foreman for Stanton & Pendleton, of Stonington, who were engaged in fitting out whale ships. In 1856, he was foreman for Tom Brown, of Sag Harbor, who was engaged in the same business.

In the fall of 1859, he engaged with the Meriden Cutlery Company as a journeyman carpenter for two weeks at $1.75 per day per day. The company was at this time engaged in reconstructing and enlarging their whole works. At odd hours during this period, and without the knowledge of the company, Mr. Clark went over the ground, made his examinations and drew plans of all the works that were to be constructed. These were submitted to the company and at the next meet- ing of the directors were adopted. Mr. Clark was at once placed in charge of all their outside mechanical operations at a salary of $10 per day. His brother, Thomas J, was an equal partner with him, and they were engaged for some years as contractors and jobbers, and until quite recently they divided equally their profits. They not only constructed dams, bridges,

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415

HADDAM-BIOGRAPHIES.

buildings, &c., for the Meriden Cutlery Company, but took other contracts for the same class of work, the magnitude of which is shown in the fact that they em- ployed at times upwards of 300 men. They constructed all the works of the Russell Manufacturing Company, located at Haddam. Mr. George M. Clark was the chief engineer in the construction of the Leesville bridge across the Salmon River, said to be one of the best country bridges in New England. He also makes plans and gives estimates for parties in and out of the State for the construction of dwellings, factories, bridges, dams, &c., devoting to these operations only such time as is not required for his other duties.

In the fall of 1867, he and his brother commenced the erection of a factory at Higganum. On its completion, they went into the manufacture of mowing machines, George M. having, in the mean time, invented a new mechanical movement for these machines, but after continuing their manufacture for a short time, they discovered that they were infringing on other machines, and rather than pay the extravagant royalty required they abandoned the business and commenced the manu- facture of agricultural implements. At the beginning of their operations a stock company was organized, of which George M. Clark was president and his brother vice-president. Mr. George M. Clark invented and pat- ented a number of improvements on agricultural im- plements, all of which were turned in to the company. He frequently took contracts for work outside of his manufacturing business. In 1871, while engaged in the construction of a reservoir dam, the derrick fell, killing one man and seriously injuring Mr. Clark. He was picked up senseless and conveyed to his home, and though almost a helpless cripple for several weeks, he at- tended to all the details of his business, giving minute directions for everything connected with it. This al- most fatal accident suggested the invention of a wire rope clamp, which he soon after patented, being the first and only device ever used for this purpose. It ef- fectually prevents the slipping of the rope, and has doubtless been the means of saving many lives thereby. The magnanimity of Mr. Clark was displayed soon after this when another firm commenced the manufacture of a similar device, thereby infringing on his patent. In- stead of commencing an action against them, as most men would do under the circumstances, he went quietly to the members of the firm and explained the circum- stances which led to the invention, and offered to let them dispose of all the goods they had manufactured, making no charge for the damage he had sustained. This is only one of the many incidents that illustrate the great generous-heartedness and tender sympathy of the man. Often his workmen have become involved in trouble through sickness or other causes. They had only to make their wants known to receive immediate assist- ance. It would be"a matter of interest to the people of Higganum to read the record of many of these little acts of kindness; but while a man is living these must remain untold.

Mr. Clark has taken an active part in politics; is the leader of the republican party in this section, and for the last 18 years has been one of the town committee of the party. He is the Warwick of his party, and has invari- ably refused to accept any office himself. He has, how- ever, recently been elected a representative to the Legis- lature by a majority of 73, while 20 years ago the town gave a democratic majority of 175.

As an evidence of his far-sightedness and good judg- ment, it is said of him that though he has often taken contracts for work of which he had no personal knowl- edge, yet he never made a mistake in his calculations, or lost a dollar on a job.

He is an earnest and faithful patron of all objects of benevolence. He was a member of Columbia Lodge, F. & A. M., of East Haddam, and a charter member of Granite Lodge, of Haddam; is a member of Burning Bush Chapter, R. A. M., of Essex, Connecticut, and of Cyrene Commandery of Middletown.

On the 26th of August 1860, he married Clementina, daughter of Edwin B. Bonfoey, of Haddam, by whom he has had four children: Estelle Eugenia, born September 17th 1864; Harriet Cynthia, born January 3d 1869, died February 25th 1873; Clementina and Isabel, twins, born August 26th 1871, Isabel died June 25th 1872.

Mr. Clark has expended some $30,000 in the improve- ment of the old homestead, where his brother, Henry L., resides, on Haddam Neck. This brother met with an accident when quite a young man which rendered him a partial cripple for life.

SAMUEL BENJAMIN BAILEY, M. D.

John Baylie, the ancestor of Samuel B., was among the 28 proprietors who obtained permission from the General Court to establish a plantation at Thirty Mile Island, subsequently known as the town of Haddam, and who commenced the settlement in 1662. He came from Hartford, where, in 1656, he was a constable. He located above Mill Creek, between the lands of Thomas Smith and Daniel Brainerd. He had three sons, viz .: John, Benjamin, and Nathaniel.

Christopher, the grandfather of Dr. Bailey, was a soldier of the Revolution, who enlisted in the Seventh Connecticut regiment, made up of troops from Saybrook, Killingworth, Guilford, and Haddam. He served his country faithfully for six years, and many years after the close of the Revolution, being asked by some one whether he was drafted, he became very indignant, and replied: "Drafted ? No ! When my country called for me I went. I didn't wait to be drafted."

Benjamin, the father of Dr. Bailey, was born at Had- dam on the 20th of May 1791, and died on the 13th of December 1872. On the 23d of January 1817, he mar- ried Lauranna, daughter of Capt. Charles Tryon, of Middletown, by whom he had nine children.

Samuel B., the fifth child, the subject of this sketch, was born at Haddam on the 26th of January 1826. As a youth he evinced a great fondness for study, and availed himself of every opportunity for the acquisition

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

of knowledge. Long before he arrived at the age of ma- turity he commenced the study of medicine, which he pursued with great assiduousness and zeal. He subse- quently attended lectures in Philadelphia, and after re- ceiving his diploma in 1859, he commenced practice in his native town. He still continued his studies, and in 1864, he went to New York and took a course of lectures in Bellevue Medical College. He was a private pupil of Dr. Austin Flint, in ausculation and percussion. He also took a course with Dr. Frank Hamilton in operative sur- gery. In 1865, he returned to Haddam and resumed his practice, where he has since continued.

His professional duties take him from one end of the town to the other, and he is often compelled to ride long distances, exposed to the blinding storms of winter, and the intense heat of summer, frequently with no other hope of reward than the simple "God bless you," from some poor afflicted, helpless patient.

The experience, education, and natural ability of Dr. Bailey would have won him distinction and fame in a larger field, but his strong attachment to the town that gave him birth, and to the home of his childhood, proved more potent than the desire for wealth or fame.

Dr. Bailey is greatly beloved by his friends and neigh- bors, and he commands the same respect and affection of the children, that distinguished the old doctors of long ago.

His success as a physician can only be measured by the implicit confidence which his patients have in him, and, in his extensive practice, he has to deal with many

serious and complicated cases, which, owing to the long distance between his residence and those of his profes- sional brethren, compel him to rely on his own judg- ment.

During his long professional career he has found time to engage in genealogical and historical research, and he has become thoroughly familiar with the history of the early settlers and the old landmarks of his native town. The people of Haddam, as well as the compilers of the history of Middlesex county, are largely indebted to him for valuable aid in compiling a history of the town.

On the 19th of March 1862, he married Sarah S. Price, daughter of Patrick Price, a native of Georgia, by whom he had one son and three daughters.

SAMUEL ARNOLD.

Samuel Arnold was born in Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, June 1st 1806. He received his education at Plainfield Academy, in Connecticut, and Westfield Academy, Massachusetts. He has devoted the most of his life to agricultural pursuits, and to various interests of commerce; having also for many years carried on one of the most extensive stone quarries in the Union. He was, also, for a number of years, president of the bank of East Haddam. He served his native county in the Legis- lature during the years 1839, 1842, 1844, and 1851, and was elected to the Thirty-fifth Congress as a representa- tive from Connecticut, serving as a member of the committee on claims.

SAMUEL B. BAILEY, M. D.

TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH.

BY HON. WILLIAM H. BUELL.

OLD KILLINGWORTH.

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES.

K ILLINGWORTH was originally bounded on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by Guilford, on the east by Saybrook, and on the north by the wilderness. Subsequently more definite bounds were established, fixing the east bounds to terminate on the sea shore at the " riding way." Two or three times after this the lines were run. The south line was made to terminate in the woods, nearly a mile west of the "riding way," and the bridge over the Menunketesuc River was included in Saybrook, and has remained so ever since. The following is from the General Court records, 1676: " This Court recommends it to the inhabitants of Kenil- worth to accommodate Say Brooke in the bounds be- tween them, soe that Say Brooke may run from the river towards the west three miles at their north bounds. And from thence to run a straight line, till they meet with the line where the 'wading place ' is at Manunketissick."

, The settlers were constantly beset with trouble as to boundaries. Guilford was originally bounded on the east by the west bank of Hammonassett River, but when the General Court ordered a bridge to be built across the river, Guilford was ordered to build one-half of the bridge and the middle of the river was made the line of division. Another source of affliction was, Saybrook claimed to. own the territory, and finally several, if not all, owners of real estate in Killingworth paid to Say- brook a sort of hush money to keep matters quiet.

SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN.

The present. Clinton was the original Killingworth. Main street was the identical ground where the first set- tlers took their home lots. These were surveyed in 1663, and were alloted to them by some method analogous to " drawing cuts." It may have been by drawing num- bers from a hat or box. Lot No. I was on the south side of Main street, east of Indian River, and is now owned and occupied by George E. Elliot, Esq. It was owned and occupied by Rev. Jared Eliot in his day, and has

ever since remained in the possession of the Eliot family. Killingworth was originally a piece of ground "left out" as not worth settling. Guilford had been settled as a part of New Haven colony as early as 1640., Saybrook had been settled as early as 1635, an independent colony. Guilford was settled east of its center, on the beautiful lands of Hammonassett, on the west bank of that river. Saybrook settlers had reached west from their center to the equally rich lands east of Westbrook meeting house, and south of Main street. But the passage from Say- brook to Guilford was, at that time, almost an impossi- bility, even for a daring hunter. To travel with wheels was an impossibility. A river on the east was unfordable for two miles, except at low tide at the mouth, called the "riding way" as early as

1663. There was another "riding way " on the Menunketesuc, about two miles north, at Chapman's Mills. The dividing line between Clinton and West- brook runs through the mill building. On the west was no ford on the Hammonassett River, except about two miles north of Main street, Clinton, just below Ham- monassett Mills. Tradition says that footmen between Saybrook and Guilford kept along the seabeach of Long Island Sound. But there was a delightful spot at the head of a beautiful harbor, where the first settlers lo- cated Main street. This street runs a little north of west and south of east about a half mile north of the head of the harbor. An abundance of oysters, fish, and clams were to be found in the harbor and in the rivers as far up as salt water flowed.

In March 1663, the General Court appointed:

" Wm. Wadsworth, Ens. Auery, and Lnt. Smith a com- mittee to veiw the lands at Homonoscitt and if they judg be not fitt for a plantation, and will not be uery prejudiciall to Say Brook, then they are to lay it out to Mr. Math: Allyn, Capt. Tallcott, John Allyn & Mr. Willis and according to the grant of the court, but if it be prejudicial to Saybrook they are to lay out what they judge right to the town of Say Brook and the rest to Mr. Matthew Allyn, Capt. Talcott, Mr. Willys, Mr. Joseph Haynes or Mr. Daniell Clerk according as the court shall determine, as far as it will go according their graunts, ye

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Ist graunt to be laid out ist, and so successiuly, and what any two of this committee agree to shall be a final issue of the case. The time of meeting and attending this service is to be appoynted by Say Brook and the gent concerned sometime in June next."

"The committee appoynted to view Hammonascit returned a writing under their hands dated June 3d 1663 wherein they expressed that according to their best judg- ment it will make a comfortable plantation for the enter- tainment of Thirty families to subsist comfortably."

The committee were Wm. Wadsworth, Samuel Smith, and James Avery.

"This Court doth judge that Sea Brook hath no right to Hammonascit.

" This Court doth declare that the former act about Hammonascit not being a plantation is hereby revoked, and the former order that it should be a plantation is to stand.

" To prevent future inconveniences that may arise be- tween Say Brook and Hammonascit plantation, and for a full issue of this case, the court orders that the bounds between ye sd plantations shall be where the common passage over Menunketesuc River is, and so run north into the country, and south into the sea. The former vote concerning the bounds of these plantations is re- tracted. Mr. [Bryan] Rossiter, Matthew Griswold, and John West are to lay out the bounds according to order of Court."

Bryan Rossiter, of Guilford, was a surveyor, and measured and laid out Main street, Clinton. He took a chance in the drawing for a "home lot," and his brother John also. Bryan Rossister remained in Guilford, but John came and remained with the settlers at Clinton.

Matthew Griswold was then of Saybrook, an emigrant from Windsor, in the employ of Col. Fenwick. He fur- nished Lady Fenwick's tomb. It is not known that he was a stone cutter, but the bill of its cost was furnished by him. He was afterward one of the first settlers of Lyme, and was ancestor of Governors Matthew and Roger Griswold. He was a younger brother of Edward Griswold, one of the first settlers of Killingworth.

The above copy of record seems to be the first copy of record concerning what the next year was named Kenil- worth, from the place in England from which Edward and Matthew Griswold came. From this name or man- ner of naming a fair inference is that Edward Griswold was the most prominent man of the little colony; espe- cially as he was the first delegate to the General Court, a justice of the peace in Windsor, and first deacon of the church.

How was it that the people of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield knew of this little spot of ground unsettled? It may have been that Matthew Griswold, who had pre- viously removed to Saybrook, had traveled the road from Saybrook to Guilford, and perhaps hunted over the grounds, and had communicated his knowledge to his brother, Edward, who, although 64 years old, was ready to try the hard task of obtaining a livelihood in a wild uncultivated tract of ground, where a committee

had solemnly reported that 30 families might obtain a "comfortable subsistence." The most attractive grounds of the plantation were almost surrounded by salt water at high tide.

The following is from the Records, Vol. I, page 238: "The determination and conclusion of the committee chosen by the General Assembly for the ordering of the settling of Hammonasset, Oct. 1663. The binding arti- cles concluded on by the said committee:

I. That none put in above a Hundred Pound Estate for the Division of Land.

2. That every man's Proportion be laid out by lot.

3. That every one that puts in his name for a Planter Remove himself & family & Settle within two years from this time or else to forfeit his land to the Company or Plantation.

4. That every family so Removed & Settled abide for four years after the first two years have expired or else to lose their Land Receiving only the equitable expense.

5. If any Magistrate Remove thither he is to attend the same manner as the rest provided that he is to have some addition of Land beyond his proportion in consid- eration of his place as the Company shall think meet.

6. That there be a convenient allotment Reserved for the minister forever.

7. That they Shall Settle an Able Orthodox & Godly Minister free from Scandal with the advice of the major part of the Magistrates of Connecticut.

8. That none shall have an alotment for a greater Estate than he carried to the place.

9. That there shall be thirty families on the east side of Hammonasset at the least.

Subscribed by ( SAMUEL WYLLYS, the HENRY WOOLCOTT, Committee. WILL'M WADSWORTH.

"Entered as Planters by the Committee:

"Bryan Rossiter, Josias Hull sen., John Clow senr.,* Jonas Westover, William Huydon, Simon Mills,* John Clow jur.,* Josiah Gibberd,* Edward Griswold, William Kelsey, Josiah Ellsworth,* William Barber, John Meigs senr., John Stedman,* Samuel Buell, Matthew Beiquett,* John Skinner,* William Wellman, Robert Howard,* Richard Warkley .*

"And that there be a liberty for two or three of Strat- ford & also Mr. Matthew Allyn is to have a liberty ac- cording to the articles & so it is left to the major part of those admitted to entertain the rest of number agreed upon which is to be at least thirty families in all.

"All subscribed unto by the

SAMUEL WYLLYS, "Committee - HENRY WOLCOTT, WILL'M WADSWORTH."

The following " allotment of the several inhabitants of Hammonascit " is from page 1 of the town records of Killingworth:

" Thomas Smith, William Barber, John Meggs, William Kelcey, Mr. John Woodbridge, Josias Rositer, Henry Farnam, William Wellman, George Chatfield, Thomas Stevens, Edward Griswold, William Huyton, Samuel

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 105

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818