History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 109

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 109

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September 23d 1841, this house, known as the Metho- dist Episcopal Church in Killingworth, was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Holdrich.

At this time there were about 24 members, whose names were as follows: David P. Kelsey, Elizabeth Kel- sey, Charles D. Kelsey, Olive Kelsey, Huldah F. Kelsey, Elizabeth A. Kelsey, Polly Kelsey (widow of Jonathan), Wyllys D. Kelsey, Charlotte Kelsey, Polly Kelsey 2d. (married N. Burr), Martin L. Burr, Lucretia Burr, Rebecca Smith, Jeremiah Griswold, Mary Griswold, Moses N. Griswold, Eliza Griswold, Phineas Burr, Freeborn G. Burr, Harriet A. Burr, Edmund Lane, Nancy N. Lane, and Nathan K. Hull.

A revival was enjoyed under the leadership of N. Tib- bals, the second pastor, and a few of the above names were then added, with others not here recorded.

The name of the minister in charge at the founding of this church was Ebenezer O. Beers. The names of the ministers that have succeeded him are: Nathan Tibbals William Bowen, Eliphalet P. Ackerman, Alonzo B. Pull- ing, Charles R. Adams, George L. Fuller, David Nash, James McBride, Lemuel Leffingwell, Richard D. Kirby, Henry Scofield, Henry Gidman, Isaac Sanford, E. Har- vey Parmelee, William W. Hurd, Charles Dixon, William Frederick Whicher, William A. Munson, William W. Elder, Charles Ely, Isaac Sanford, Charles Hemstreet Wilbert C. Blakeman, Charles Green, James A. Deane, Charles O. Bramhall, Otis Saxton.

When this church was established, but few names were upon the church roll; but these names represented men and women of sterling worth and fervent piety. The preachers too were earnest and faithful in their work. Almost every year brought additions to the church in its early life. Nine years passed away and not one of their number had died; but in June 1850, Edmund Lane was removed by death, and January 28th 1851, Oliver Bris- tol died, and a few weeks later, Laura Ann Parmelee.

So great have been the inroads made by death, and so painful the task of holding the fortress with so small a guard, that the light force remaining have been disband- ed, though still with armor on they are found among the ranks of God's chosen ones, striving for the victory and looking for the crown.

PROMINENT MEN.

ABRAHAM PIERSON.

Abraham Pierson, Esq., son of Dodo and grandson of Rev. Abraham Pierson, was born August 11th 1756, and was called into public life at an early age. In 1780, he was chosen lister (assessor) for the town, was selectman in 1781, town clerk 1786-1814, captain of militia in 1786, representative to the General Assembly 24 sessions, from 1788 to 1819, and justice of the peace from 1786 to 1814. Upon the petition of Killingworth for a straight line of boundary with Guilford, in 1790, Mr. Pier- son prosecuted the petition of Killingworth before a committee of the Legislature. Guilford employed Hon. Pierpont Edwards, of New Haven, the most celebrated lawyer in the State, to oppose the petition. Deacon Pierson won his case, and the line was straightened. He died May 11th 1823. His son, Dr. William S. Pierson, was a practicing physician in Windsor, Con- necticut, and was for many years president of the State Medical Society. He died July 16th 1860, aged 72, leaving one son, Gen. William S. Pierson, of Windsor, and afterward of Hartford, Connecticut. General Pierson was in command of the rebel prisoners at John- son's Island, Sandusky, Ohio, in the Rebellion. He died April 18th 1879, aged 64. Before his death, he caused to be erected on Meeting House Hill, in Clinton, a gran- ite shaft, to the memory of his ancestor, Rev. Abraham Pierson, the founder of Yale College.

HEZEKIAH LANE.

Hezekiah Lane, son of John Lane and Experience Edgerton, was born January 22d 1739; and died Novem- ber 6th 1809. He represented Killingworth in the Legis- lature as early as 1776, and served in that capacity for 19 sessions. He was justice of the peace from 1776 to 1808. He was made judge of Probate for the district of Saybrook in April 1804. His son, Daniel Lane, Esq., was also a prominent man. He was clerk of the Probate Court for many years, a merchant, a surveyor, and a justice of the peace. He died December 9th 1826, aged 70 years and 9 months.

PHILANDER STEVENS.

Philander Stevens, Esq., was born September 3d 1799, and married Hetta Hull, January 18th 1823. He was representative to the General Assembly in 1837 and 1838, and State Senator in 1848. He was a justice of the peace, judge of Probate in 1848, and town treasurer for many years. He was a man of the highest integrity, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow cit- izens. His son, Randolph P., succeeded him as town treasurer, and was member of Assembly in 1868 and 1869. He married Emily J. Norton, October 25th 1847, and has five children living.

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KILLINGWORTH-BIOGRAPHIES.

ABNER LANE.

Abner Lane was a man of remarkable gifts. It is said that " Poets are born, and not made." This adage applies with equal force to men like Abner Lane, who, though they may be deprived of the means which would tend to the rapid growth and development. of their genius, gradually force their way up through difficult surroundings until they make their influence felt, and the world calls them " great."

Abner, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a hard working farmer, living in the town of Killingworth. He was the father of ten children. Abner, the seventh child, was born on the 26th of April 1808. He attended school during the winters until he was sixteen years of age when he commenced the trade of shoemaking. Such was his quickness of perception that he became a proficient workman after two months' experience. His thirst for knowledge led him to improve every leisure minute, and with the money earned at his trade he pur- chased books. Like Robert Sherman and Elihu Bur- ritt, the learned blacksmith, he worked at his trade with an open book before him. He was a deep thinker, and revolved a proposition in his mind until he became mas- ter of it. He, in turn, took up natural philosophy, chemistry, and higher mathematics. He subsequently engaged in the manufacture of clothes pins, and finally turned his attention to what was known as "irregular turn- ing," and was one of the pioneers and leading manufac- turers of axe helves and pick axe handles. He in- vented a machine for this purpose, but, owing to an ar- rangement with the proprietors of the Blanchard lathe. by which he was to have the use of the latter, he with- held his own invention from the market. He continued in business until he acquired a sufficient competence to enable him to pursue his studies and gratify his mechani- cal and scientific tastes. He built an office near his house where he made philosophical and chemical experi- ments with which he entertained and instructed his friends and neighbors and was frequently invited to de- liver lectures in Killingworth and adjoining towns. He possessed the rare gift of expounding the deepest scien- tific truths in simple language so as to make himself un- derstood by the popular audience. As an expert in patent causes his knowledge was highly valued, and he was frequently summoned before the United States courts to testify in important cases.

He gave much attention to a system of signaling which he invented, by means of which he carried on communi- cations between Killingworth Hill and Falkner's Island, a distance of 20 miles. He made other experiments, such as sending up a baloon, and flying a kite with a fine wire attached instead of a string. On connecting the wire with a guage fitted for the purpose the pieces of metal would strike against each other when the kite had reached an altitude of 300 feet and the rapidity of vibrations would increase with the ascent.

Another of his inventions was the gyroscope, a kind of paradox, in which there was an apparent suspension of the laws of gravity. This remarkable piece of mech-

anism called forth much comment, and was exhibited before the faculty of Yale College. It is said that the principle illustrated in this curious piece of mechanism is referred to in the writings of the ancients.

The genius and application of the man was alike won- derful, and his life affords a worthy example for young men who are struggling for success in life.

He was of the fifth generation of the Lane family in America and descended from Robert Lane, who settled here in 1670.

On the 17th of April 1836, he married Betsey, daughter of Michael Kelsey, of Killingworth, by whom he had two children; Angeline, born January 31st 1837, and Ludolph, born February 17th 1838.

Angeline was twice married; to her first husband, Er- win Nettleton, October 27th 1861, who died in defense of his country, July 26th 1863. She was married to her second husband, Osbert D., Redfield, on the 24th of April 1866; he was also a soldier of the last war. His death occurred August 15th 1872. One child was the offspring of this marriage.

Abner Lane died at Killingworth on the 25th of March 874.

The manufacturing business established by him was continued by Hosmer Kelsey, a prominent citizen of Killingworth, who, on his retirement, transferred the business to his nephew, Horatio Kelsey, who still con- tinues it.

HOSMER KELSEY.

Hosmer Kelsey was born August 28th 1826, and mar- ried Lodiska Parmelee. He was a successful manufac- turer of axe handles, the successor of Abner Lane, and retired with a competence. He had three children: Ida B, born August 5th 1855, unmarried; Gertrude E., born April 6th 1857, unmarried; and Duane J, now in Yale College.

DANIEL KELSEY.

Daniel Kelsey, son of Wyllis D. Kelsey and Charlotte Lane, was born in Killingworth, September Ist 1834. He was a topographical engineer. When but a lad he mani- fested a great taste for measuring heights, distances, etc. He was educated at Durham Academy, and at the Scien- tific Department of Yale College. Predisposed to con- sumption, he had to combat with ill health at this most interesting period of his life. The latter part of his life was spent in Illinois. He was married to Mary F. Wil- liams, of Belvidere, Ill., November 11th 1860. He died in Belvidere, December 10th 1860.

REV. ASAHEL NETTLETON.

Rev. Asahel Nettleton was born in Killingworth, April 2Ist 1783. He was licensed to preach by the New Haven West Association, May 28th 1811. It is not known that he was ever a settled pastor. His mission was to " preach everywhere." Revivals of religion under his preaching prevailed all over the Eastern, Middle, and Western States. He published the " Village Hymns," once so popular. Dr. Leonard Bacon said of him:

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

" The power of his preaching consisted very much in the clearness with which he exhibited and urged the duty of impenitent sinners to repent immediately-" Dr. John Todd said of him: " His throne was in the school-house meeting, crowded, dimly lighted, breathless, and solemn." He died at East Windsor, Conn., May 16th 1834.

REV. TITUS COAN.

Rev. Titus Coan, son of Gaylord Coan, was born in Killingworth, February Ist 1801. In early manhood he taught school in Killingworth. He left the town when he was about 26 years old. He made a profession of religion at Riga, N. Y., in March 1828. He studied theology at Auburn, N. Y., and was ordained in Park Street Church, Boston, Mass., April 4th 1833. He went on an exploring mission to Patagonia, landing near the strait of Magellan, November 14th 1833, and returned to New London, Conn., May 14th 1834. He was mar- ried to Fidelia Church, November 3d 1834, and em- barked, December 5th, for Honolula, where he arrived June 6th 1835, and was stationed at Hilo.

He did not return to his native country until 1870. About 1837, he organized a church of 84 members. In 1838, there were 539 members admitted; in 1839, 5,244; and in 1863 there had been admitted to the church he planted, 11,491 members. He was a man who believed what he taught, and had an unflinching tenacity of pur- pose. Men who visited the islands spoke of him as hold- ing the natives in perfect confidence and simplicity. by his truthfulness and firmness. He died at Hilo, Decem- ber 2d 1882. When a child he was rescued from drown- ing by a friend and neighbor, Julius Stone, now deceased.

REV. PHILANDER PARMELEE.

Rev. Philander Parmelee was born in Killingworth, August 30th 1783, and married Abigail Wright, of Clin- ton, May 28th 1812. He was settled at Victor, N. Y., pointment as town clerk of Killingworth.

May 5th 1812, and dismissed December 28th 1814. No- vember 8th 1815, he was settled at Bolton, Connecticut, where he died December 27th 1822. It is said of him: " He was a patient, laborious laborer, loved his Master's cause, was a faithful under shepherd. His influence for good has remained to this day."

HENRY HULL.

Henry Hull, one of the most prominent citizens of Killingworth, is a son of Jeremiah and Jane Hull, and a grandson of Capt. James Hull. He was born July 3d 1804. He married Lydia A. Dudley. By her he had two chil- dren: Amelia A., married Hiram Tucker in 1846, and died at Essex, Conn., December 26th 1865; Lydia L., born December 24th 1830, married Thomas Chrystal, Novem- ber 3d 1850, died February 3d 1883, at Essex, Conn. Mr. Hull's first wife died August 28th 1834, and Septem- ber 13th 1835 he was married to Rebecca Lynde. The children of this marriage have been: Artemisia D., born August 29th 1836, married Sidney Watrous, October 24th 1858; Mary J., born February 19th 1838, married first, February 19th 1861, to Capt. Edward Williams (who died at Shanghai, August 7th 1861), second Anthony Anderson, October 5th 1876; Annie M., born April 27th 1840, married George S. Heffton, April 6th 1864; Henry L., born February 27th 1842, was second lieutenant Company H., 10th Regiment C. V., died in Killingworth, November 10th 1874; Sarah R., born August 7th 1844, married, first Elmer F. Wright, Octo- ber Ist 1867 (he died September 9th 1872), married second, Rev. William H. Knouse, of Deep River, April 14th 1875; Willoughby A., born November 12th 1846, married Elizabeth R. Anderson; J. Novello, born June IIth 1849, died July 5th 1877.

October 6th 1884, Henry Hull received his 47th ap-

TOWN OF MIDDLEFIELD.

BY P. M AUGUR.

SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY.

T HE FIRST SETTLEMENT of Middlefield was not until some fifty years later than that of Middletown, or about 1700. The people of Middle- town were undoubtedly familiar with her beautiful hills and valleys, her dense forests, her dashing waterfalls, and the abundent game and fish in her forests and streams. Yet the fertile fields of Middletown, her church, and schools, and society were such as to naturally prevent her sons from leaving their established homes at an early period.

About the year named (1700) Benjamin Miller, with his wife and several small children, came from South Farms, Middletown, to settle in the wilds of Middle- field. He located on what might have been a partially open field, in the extreme south part of the town, not more than 100 rods from where is now its south line, and perhaps 50 rods south of the residence of the late Hiram Miller on South street.

The same year Samuel Allen came from Middletown to a beautiful site in the extreme north of the town, and built a house known later as the Deacon Giles Miller place. As Benjamin Miller's place reached the south line of the town, so Allen's reached its north line. Though four miles from his former neighbors, he could undoubtedly see their houses, and they could see his. During this same year, Samuel Wetmore located in Mid- dlefield, near the center, opposite where the Methodist church now stands, on Main street. Though these three men were within what is now the town of Middle- field, they were in no sense neighbors, for Allen was two miles north of Wetmore, and Miller one and a half miles south, with an unbridged river between, and no roads to connect with either.

Soon, however, the families of Hubbard, Ward, Bacon, Stow, and Turner came from Middletown; Lyman, Coe, and Camp from Durham; Birdsey from Stratford; and Bartlett from Guilford. So the people in this section gradually increased in numbers, until, in 1744, in Octo- ber, the parish of Middlefield was incorporated as a sep- arate ecclesiastical society:

town bounds and running eastward on the south line of said town to the southeast corner of Talcot's farm, and from thence north on the east line of said farm to the northeast of said farm, from thence northwesterly to a cart bridge standing on the west river, from thence to the stoney hill to a place called the Stone-Horse-Block, from thence westward to the northeast corner of the lot orig- inally laid out to Richard Hall, and continued still west- ward on the north line of said lot to the west line of said town and from thence to the first-mentioned corner."

It appears that the people of Middlefield, from the outset, were independent thinkers, each man having a will and strong convictions of his own, which is a strik- ing characteristic of their descendants. At the time the ecclesiastical society was incorporated the following were the chief citizens: Samuel Allen sen., Samuel Allen jr., Ephraim and Obadiah Allyn, Thomas Alvord, Nathaniel and Joseph Bacon, John Bartlett, John Birdsey, John Brown, Abraham and Edward Camp, John Chilson, John Chilson jr., Joseph, David and Robert Coe, Gideon and Thomas Cook, John and Isaac Doud, Daniel Briggs, Jeremiah Guild, Ebenezer and Joseph Hale, Eliakim Hale, Samuel Stow, Hawley and Ebenezer Hubbard, Jeremiah Leaming, Benjamin Miller sen., Ichabod, Amos and David Miller, Moses Parsons, John, Rockwell and Daniel Stow, David Strickland, David Strickland jr., Stephen Turner sen., Samuel Warner, Samuel Wetmore sen., Benjamin Wetmore, Benjamin Wetmore jr., Beriah, Joseph, Thomas, Daniel, Caleb and Prosper Wetmore, Josiah Wetmore jr., and Titus John Wetmore. The sum total of the taxable list of these persons was more than £3,000 at that time.

These people were farmers, and as a rule, thrifty farmers, and it is a matter of note that in laying out their roads and farm lines the roads, as nearly as possible, ran straight and parallel, so that there are three principal streets running north and south, and five original roads east and west. The fields, as a rule, are rectangular and of course the lines parallel. This is strikingly the case even to this day.

Little is known of the religious and moral character

" Beginning at the southwest corner of said Middle- | of the people previous to 1744. Of course, their connec-

436

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

tion was with Middletown, and although a few miles from public worship there is no doubt many of them were attentive to it. It is told of Governor Benjamin Miller (as he was called) that at one time in this period, he lost a number of pigs strangely, so he watched one Sunday, gun in hand, to learn the source of the mischief, and after a while a bear came along in search of a pig. Mr. Miller shot the bear, and saved the pigs; but he was arrested, taken before a magistrate in Durham, and fined for this profanation of the Sabbath.

The women in those times were generally strong and vigorous, and ready, effective workers. An old lady, years ago, told the story of her wedding day. She rose early in the morning, washed, made a cheese, then dress. ed and rode on a pillion behind her intended husband, six miles to Middletown, where the marriage ceremony was performed. They remounted, went to their new home, and at once entered upon the arrangement of their residence. This couple lived to see the third generation of their descendants (great-grandchildren) sit at their table on festive occasions.

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN, ETC.

Middlefield continued to be a portion of the town of Middletown until 1866, when, by an act of the Legisla- ture, it was set off from the latter town and became a town by itself.

The plan of settlement between the two towns was as follows: The war and municipal indebtedness of Mid- dletown was to be divided in proportion to the grand lists of the two towns the year of division. Middlefield was to take one-tenth of all the indebtedness and was entitled to one-tenth of the public property of Middletown. Of the paupers those only who were traceable to the terri- tory of Middlefield were to be provided for by the new town. In this way Middlefield escaped to a great extent the great pauper expense of Middletown, for as pauper- ism is largely the result of the liquor traffic and as no alcohol is sold in Middlefield the pauper expenses are light. Since the organization of the town the municipal and war debts have been paid, and a sinking fund for paying the railroad indebtedness is being raised by setting aside each year two mills on each dollar of the assessed value of taxable property, so that in 1887, when a con- siderable portion of the guaranteed bonds mature, they will be taken up in part and the balance funded at a low rate of interest. This will place the town in good finan- cial condition and enable the tax rates to be made com- paratively low.

CIVIL LIST.

The town has always been ably represented in the State Legislature. The representatives have been:

Moses W. Terrill, 1867, 1883; Benjamin W. Coe, 1868; Phineas M. Augur, 1869; Henry Smith, 1870; P. W. Bennett, 1871; Alvin B. Coe, 1872; A. M. Bailey, 1873; James T. Inglis, 1874; Harvey Miller, 1875; John L. Wilbur, 1876; Willis E. Terrill, 1877, 1878; Edwin P. Augur, 1879; Daniel H. Birdsey, 1880; John O. Couch, 1881; A. B. Coe, 1882; Peter W. Bennett, 1884.

ROADS.

Since the incorporation of the town three new roads have been made, while the layout of several of the old roads has been so changed as to entirely change the lines of travel in their respective localities. The moun- tain road, the only outlet of the town on the west, by a change in the layout and by a considerable expenditure of money and labor, has been so improved on both the west and east sides that the ascent and descent have be- come very easy, and there is more travel over this road than over any other common road leading into New Haven county.

POST OFFICES.

There are two post offices in Middlefield, one at the center and one at Rockfall. When the former was established a new post route was also established, and the stage which connected Durham with Middletown passed through Middlefield. This continued to be the post route until the Air Line Railroad was completed, and since that time the mail has been brought by rail.

The Rockfall office is in the northeastern part of the town, and since its establishment the business of the town has greatly increased.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .*

According to information from various sources it ap- pears that while the Congregational church, as an or- ganized body, was not in active operation for a term of years, still meetings for public worship were held as stated from time to time, and probably at no time did the fire of Christian love wholly go out. Probably the support of the church by a tax upon property, collectable by law, did more to disorganize the congregation than almost any other one thing, especially in those times of disagreement upon matters of doctrine, when the conflict at the time ran high.

The date of organization of the first church in Middle- field is uncertain, as the first leaves of its records are missing, and the remainder somewhat mutilated, appar- ently by mice or insects.

The society was incorporated by the Legislature in October 1744, and the church was probably organized about that time.

The earliest existing entry on the society records reads thus:

" Att a meeting of the Inhabitanc of the Society of Middlefeaild Held By adjornment from the 20 Day of December 1744 to the fourth Day of February 1745; att: the same meeting the Society Did By their Major vote Impower the Committee, viz .: John Bartlit Benjamin Miller,and Joseph Coe to go to the old Society's Commit- tee and Receve the monney that is Due to our Society . and give Recepts of what thy Receve.

" att the Same meeting the Society Did By a major vote signify their Desire that mr. Jonathan Lyman Preach with us Six Sabbaths more from this time.

*BY REV. A. C. DENISON.

437

MIDDLEFIELD-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

"Voted that Mr. Chancy or any one of the Ministers *

* * may preach in s'd Society in Exchange with Mr. Lyman *

* * myte preach & Lectur Amongst us att Sum (The stars indicate places that are missing.)

At the next meeting held February 25th 1745,

" The Society Did by their major vote, wherein two- thirds or more of the Inhabitants Qualified as the Law Directs and present Declar it Nesary to Buld a Meeting House for Divine Worship.

"Att the same meeting the Society Did by their Major Vote make choise and impower Jabez Hamlin Esq'r to make application as soon as may Be to the Hon'ble the Gen'le asembly to apoint order and affix the place where the meeting house should be Erected."

John Bartlit and Benjamin Miller were appointed to represent the society before the committee that the Gen- eral Assembly should appoint.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 109

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