USA > Connecticut > New London County > Montville > History of Montville, Connecticut, formerly the North parish of New London from 1640 to 1896 > Part 13
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Children.
123. James, b. 3 Oct., 1771; m.
124. Lois, b. 15 Jan., 1775; m. David Turner.
125. Mary, b. 13 July, 1781; m. James Turner.
126. Charlotte, b. 10 Nov., 1783; m. Isaac Whipple.
127. Abigail, b. 26 July, 1789; m. James Reed.
128. Betsey, b. 6 Oct., 1793; died young.
129. Josiah L., b. 20 Oct., 1794; m. Delia Edmonds.
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OLIVER BAKER HOUSE.
165
BAKER FAMILIES.
VI. JOSHUA (84), b. 13 Feb., 1767, son of Joshua Baker and Abigail Bliss; m. 17 Feb., 1792, Elizabeth Chapel, b. 1772, dan. of Atwell Chapel and Johanna Hill. He was a farmer, and occupied the farm formerly belonging to his father-in-law. He died 19 July, 1856. She died 18 Oct., 1849.
Children.
130. Joshua, b. 17 Feb., 1793; m. Almira Fitch.
131. Erastus, b. 17 June, 1794; m. Anna O. Baker.
132. Abby, b. 22 April, 1797; died unmarried 21 March, 1874.
133. Eliza, b. 31 Jan., 1803; died unmarried 5 Oct., 1873.
134. Mercy Ann, b. 7 June, 1805; m. Samuel Selden Har-
ris. She died 20 May, 1880. He died 5 Aug., 1882. No issue.
VI. OLIVER (SS), b. 29 Dee., 1776, son of Joshua Baker and Abigail Bliss; m. 23 Oet., 1802, Amy Otis, dau. of Nathaniel Otis and Amy Gardner. He was a carpenter and farmer. He built the house in which he lived in 1803, on land he purchased of Elizabeth Hillhouse, widow of John G. Hillhouse, it being a portion of the Samuel Gilbert farm, which was conveyed to Gilbert's wife by her father, Samuel Rogers. He worked on the Uncasville factory at the time of its erection, and purchased a considerable of the timber. He died 13 Dec., 1844. She died 23 May, 1873.
Children.
135. Anna Otis, b. 18 March, 1803; m. Erastus Baker.
136. Abishai Alden, b. 29 Feb., 1804; m. Mary G. Keeney.
137. Marinette, b. 18 April, 1805; died 11 May, 1810.
138. Oliver Gardner, b. 17 Sept., 1807; m. Emeline Lewis.
139. Edwin Bliss, b. 10 Aug., 1811; m. Eliza Thomas.
140. Henry Augustus, b. 29 Oct., 1823; m. Hannah Fox Scholfield.
VI. DANIEL (89), b. 7 Nov., 1770, son of Jared Baker and Phebe Harris; m. 27 June, 1797, Sarah Raymond, dau.
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
of John Raymond and Elizabeth Griswold. He was a farmer, and lived on the farm formerly occupied by his father and afterwards by his daughter, Mary Ann, who married Joseph Chappell. He died 23 Ang., 1851. She died 20 April, 1855.
Children.
141.
George Griswold, b. 19 Dee., 1798; m. Mary Ann Crane.
142. Mary Ann, b. 24 April, 1800; m. Joseph Chappell.
143. Sarah Raymond, b. 12 March, 1802; m. Ira Vincent.
144. Giles Turner, b. 4 Jan., 1804; m. Settled in Ohio.
145. Martha Scholfield, b. 18 Oct., 1806; m. Samuel Vin- cent.
146. Hannah L., b. 2 Jan., 1808; died unmarried, 31 Aug., 1845.
147. Daniel Albert, b. 6 Sept., 1810; m. . Settled in Ohio.
148. William Henry, b. 23 Sept., 1816; m. Maria L. Brom- lev.
VI. JARED (90), b. Jan. 3, 1774, son of Jared Baker and Phebe Harris; m. Abigail Wither, dau. of Amasa Wither. He was a farmer, and settled at Pomfret, Conn., where he died 28 Oct., 1852. She died May, 1853, aged 83 years.
Children.
149. Lyman, b. 11 May, 1794; died 23 April, 1814, at Mid- dletown, Conn.
150. Phobe, b. 4 March, 1797; m. Samuel White of Pom- fret.
151. Abigail, b. 22 Feb., 1799; m. Ebenezer Barret.
152. Marion, b. 19 Aug., 1801; m. 1st, Sarah Adgate; 2d, Rebecca Brownell.
153. Cyrus, b. 29 May, 1804; m. Ruth K. French, b. 9 Jan., 1816; had one dau., Harriet, b. 4 Oct., 1841; m. George M. Hayden.
154. Jared, b. 7 Sept., 1813; died unmarried.
VI. PETER C. (101), b. 13 May, 1811, son of Lebbeus Baker and Mary Chapel, m. 2 Nov., 1834, Maria Ames, b. 2
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BAKER FAMILIES.
Nov., 1805, dau. of Jonathan Ames. He was a blacksmith and farmer. He settled first in Montville, and then removed to Waterford, where he died.
Children.
155. Abby E., b. 23 Ang., 1835; m. Courtland C. Daniels.
156. Jonathan A., b. 9 May, 1838; m. 1st, Maria Lee; 2d, Esther Chapel.
157. Amelia, b. 11 Feb., 1840.
158. Sarah D., b. 24 Nov., 1846; m. 1st, Alfred --; 2d, Robert E. Dart.
VI. ZEBEDIAH (116), b. 6 May, 1802, son of Lemuel Baker and Berthia Comstock; m. 14 May, 1823, Mary Kim- ball.
Children.
159. Mary, b. about 1824; died young.
160. Charlotte, b. about 1827; m. John Dickerson; had Emma, b. 1848; George, b. 1863.
VI. HIRAM PATTEN (108), b. 15 Feb., 1807, son of Lemuel Baker and Betsey Patten; m. 10 Oct., 1831, Lucy Palmer, dau. of Samnel Palmer and Thankful Clark. He was a farmer, and taught district schools in the winter terms in his native town and adjoining towns. He held many town offices, was energetic in all matters of business. He was greatly respected by his fellow citizens for his integrity and business qualifications. At the time gold was first discovered in California in 1848, he was among the many who went from the East to seek their fortunes. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Montville Center, and a faith- ful attendant on divine worship. He lived on the farm later occupied by James Harvey Baker. She died 26 Feb., 1843. He then m. 24 March, 1844, his cousin, Nancy B. Baker. He died 25 Nov., 1871. She died 12 July, 1883.
Children.
161. Anoson Gleason, b. 27 Aug., 1832; m. 1st, 28 Aug., 1853, Clarrissa S. Rogers, and had Hiram A., b. 1
168
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
June, 1857, and Incy E., b. 4 June, 1859; 2d, Emily C. Whipple, 30 Sept., 1865.
162. Albert Nelson, b. 26 July, 1834; died young.
163. Ellen Maria, b. 2 April, 1837; m. Stephen C. Parker and had James A., b. 15 Sept., 1869, and Julian B., b. 9 March, 1876.
VI. JOHN GARDNER (110), b. 8 Oct., 1813, son of Lemuel Baker and Betsey Patten; m. 27 Jan., 1839, Emily C. Turner, dau. of Isaac Turner and Esther Comstock. He was a farmer and house carpenter. He settled in Montville, and occupied the farm on which his father lived. He built a new dwelling on the farm. Remaining there a few years, he sold and removed to Norwich. He afterwards returned to Mont- ville, and built a house near Comstock's Wharf, where he resided until his death, 7 June, 1888. She died there 10 Nov., 1894.
Children.
164. Emma Theresa, b. 11 Nov., 1839; died 11 Feb., 1857.
165. Eliza Bradford, b. 11 April, 1851; died 25 Jan., 1856.
166. John Turner, b. 25 April, 1857; m. Effie Coggshall.
VI. ELISHA BLISS (112), b. 11 Dec., 1803, son of Elisha Baker and Bathsheba Adams; m. 1 May, 1832, Char- lotte Fox Hill, dau. of Dea. Charles Hill and Sybel Fox. IIe was captain of a New York pilot boat, and lived in Brook- lyn, N. Y., where he died of small pox, contracted on board of a ship which he was piloting into the harbor, 8 March, 1856. She was living on the old homestead of her father at Montville in 1896.
Children.
167. Abby, b. 28 Nov., 1833; died 3 Jan., 1859, unm.
168. Annie, b. 1 Sept., 1835; died 28 Oct., 1873; unm.
Fannie A., b. 26 Sept., 1836; m. Joseph H. Richards
169. of Brooklyn, N. Y., 22 April, 1857, and had four sons and one daughter, Joseph Addison, Paul, Her- bert Taft, Theodore Tilton, Grace.
169
BAKER FAMILIES.
170. Charles, b. 9 Oct., 1838; m. 11 Nov., 1863, Louisa Kingsley, daughter of Charles Kingsley. He died at New York, 20 Dec., 1880, leaving two children, Mary Louisa, and Florence.
VI. ELISHA (121), b. 12 Nov., 1805, son of Bliss Ba- ker and Abigail Bolles; m. 4 March, 1832, Emeline Baker, dan. of Lebbeus Baker and Mary Chapel. He was a farmer, and occupied the old homestead until the death of his son Charles, then removed to Palmertown. He died 5 Jan., 1880. She died 26 Feb., 1878.
Children.
171. Louisa Annette, b. 14 Jan., 1833; died 5 Oct., 1860.
172. Sabra Emeline, b. 26 May, 1834; m. Osear Comstock.
173. Sarah Elizabeth, b. 3 Oct., 1835.
174. Daniel Webster, b. 28 March, 1837; died 28 April, 1854.
175. Charles Edwin, b. 17 June, 1838; m. Susan A. Henry.
176. Henry Harrison, b. 17 Dec., 1840.
177. Harriet Lucretia, b. 15 June, 1843; m. Joseph Pierce.
178. David Holmes, b. 5 Sept., 1844.
179. Angustus Emerson, b. 3 Nov., 1847.
180. Mary Abbie, b. 26 Aug., 1849.
181. Frank Eugene, b. 3 June, 1851.
VII. ERASTUS (131), b. June, 1794, son of Joshua Baker and Elizabeth Chapel; m. 26 Nov., 1827, Anna Otis Baker, dan. of Oliver Baker and Amy Otis. He was a farmer and first occupied a farm adjoining his father's. He afterwards bought the farm owned by his uncle, Caleb Baker, near the Congregational church, where he died, 19 June, 1855. She lived with her son, Joshua Dwight, until the sale of the farm in 1883. She then built a new house on the opposite side of the highway and lived with her daughter Marinett. She died there 23 Aug., 1886.
170
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Children.
182. Joshua Dwight, b. 23 Jan., 1830; m. Florence Otis.
183. Marinett, b. 25 Sept., 1831; m. Otis Kelsey, and had one son, Dwight, b. 2 Aug., 1869. She died Sept., 1888.
VII. ABISHAI ALDEN (136), b. 29 Feb., 1804, son of Oliver Baker and Amy Otis; m. 24 May, 1829, Mary G. Keeney, dau. of William Keeney and Mary Gorton of Col- chester. He was a farmer and school teacher. Settled first at Montville. He removed to Colchester and engaged in the book business. He went to Lexington, Ky., where he died 31 Dee., 1838. She died at Colchester, 30 Jan., 1881.
Children.
184. William Edwin, b. at Montville 21 Oet., 1830; m. Mary A. Smith, 17 Dec., 1857, dau. of Thomas HI. Smith of Colchester. He settled in Hartford, where he is engaged in the fire insurance business, and has two children, Gertrude Ellen, b. 28 Jan., 1860, and George William, b. 13 April, 1868.
185. Abishai Alden, b. at Montville 26 July, 1835; m. Mar- garet Worthington of Colchester. He was carly engaged with his brother William in the sale of county maps. He settled at Colchester, and was for several years teacher in Bacon Academy. He is a deacon in the Congregational church, much re- spected and esteemed by his fellow townsmen. He has two children, Arthur and Lillias. Arthur married 1. Luilla Kimball of Nashua, N. IL., 7 Feb., 1884; had Charles Alfred, b. 16 April, 1893, and Kimball Alden, b. 19 April, 1895. Lillius m. Edward T. Bunyan of Delaware, Ohio, 1 March, 1893; had Margaret Frances, b. 16 March, 1894, and William Worthington, b. 19 April, 1896.
VIT. EDWIN BLISS (139), b. 10 Ang., 1811, son of Oliver Baker and Amy Otis; m. 18 Sept., 1839, Eliza J. Thomas, dau. of Charles Thomas and Frances Nevins of Nor- wich. He entered the mercantile business as clerk for Henry A. Richards at Uncasville when twelve years of age, remain-
171
BAKER FAMILIES.
ing about two years. He then entered school at Bacon Acad- emy, Colchester, was there about two years, and then en- gaged as a clerk for Backus & Norton, in the wholesale grocery business at Norwich, Conn., where he remained until the fall of 1834, when he went to Natchez, Miss. At first he was general clerk, but afterwards went into the wholesale business of plantation supplies. He continued in the business until a few years before his death. His wife died at Natchez, 18 April, 1891. He died there 14 Dec., 1893.
Children.
186. Edwin Backus, b. at Natchez 22 June, 1840; m. Mary Cardino and had three children. He was a soldier in the Confederate army, and died a few years after the close of the war.
187. Thomas Otis, b. at Natchez 14 March, 1844; living in 1896.
188. Stephen Duncan, b. at Natchez 25 Aug., 1855; living in 1896.
189. Charles Oliver, b. at Natchez 23 Dec., 1856; died young.
VII. HENRY AUGUSTUS (140), b. 29 Oct., 1823, son of Oliver Baker and Amy Otis; m. 18 May, 1846, Han- nah Fox Scholfield, dau. of Joseph Scholfield and Mercy New- berry. Settled in Montville, first on the homestead, was a farmer, remained there until the death of his mother in 1873, when he removed to a place near Scholfield's Mills. He held the office of probate judge from 1860 to 1862, was re-elected in 1867, and held the office until January 1, 1889. He also held the office of town clerk of Montville twenty-five years. Ilis wife died 18 May, 1892.
Children.
190. Oliver Augustus, b. 5 July, 1847; died 2 Dec., 1853.
191. Charles Lester, b. 5 March, 1850; died 23 Sept., 1854.
192. John Franklin, b. 31 March, 1855; died 5 June, 1855.
193. William Henry, b. 19 Oct., 1856.
194. Anna Alma, b. 1 Oct., 1866; m. George H. Bradford; has one dau., Jessie Arlean, b.
172
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Dr. GEORGE GRISWOLD (141), b. 19 Dee., 1798, son of Daniel Baker and Sarah Raymond; m. Mary Ann Crane. He was a physician. A graduate of Bowdoin Col- lege, Maine, in the class of 1822. Settled first in Norwalk, Ohio, where he practiced medicine, a physician of consider- able note. He received an appointment as minister to Italy under the administration of President Lincoln, and accepta- bly filled the office during that administration.
Dr. Baker returned to his native State about 1870, and settled in Norwich, where he purchased a house on Laurel Hill, where he lived until his death, April 20, 1877. His wife survived him, and died at Salisbury, Conn., April 30, 1880, aged 72 years and 6 months, at which time she was visiting with friends. During her life, her acts of benevolence, which were always generous, were so quietly accomplished that often only the recipient of her kindly gifts knew of them, or the spirit that prompted them.
They had but one child, a daughter, Sarah, b. about 1829. She was a beautiful girl, and no pains were spared in the be- stowing of a liberal education upon her. She was the idol of her parents, and her early death was a severe affliction to both her parents. She died 16 Ang., 1849, at the age of about 20 years.
The following lines were written by her mother, while crossing the ocean from New York to Europe on the fourth anniversary of her death, Ang. 16, 1853:
" Sad are the mem'ries of that day When thou, so young, so bright and gay, So full of hope, was torn away. My daughter.
" So dire and sudden was the stroke My heart almost in anguish broke, Thus quickly severed from my only hope. My daughter.
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BAKER FAMILIES.
" Long hours I gazed upon thy face, So calm and still in death's embrace. Nor could a ray of comfort trace, My daughter.
" That form and face and forehead fair, Those folded hands and glossy hair, Were all the same - but thou not there, My daughter.
" My head was bowed in speechless gloom To see thee thus in beauty's bloom Laid low, and mantled for the tomb, My daughter.
" Thy dying words, so full of love, Did not one hope of solace prove, Nor could I lift my heart above, Dear daughter.
" The one dread thought that thou wast dead. Did more than banish all thou said To soothe me on thy dying bed, Dear daughter.
"I tried, but all in vain, to pray. For faith and hope both fled away And left me, on thy dying day, Dear daughter.
"A stricken, torn, and withered leaf. I sat alone in tearless grief, Nor scarcely sought or wished relief. Dear daughter.
" Then sleep o'ercame my raeking brain And aching heart, and in my dream I held thee in my arms again, Dear daughter.
" And listened to thy loving voiee That always made my heart rejoice ; Now it spoke of the better choice, My daughter.
"' Good bye, for I am dying now. Another kiss upon thy brow. Good bye, thou lov'st me. I know. Dear mother.
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
". It comforts me, as here I lie Upon this bed, so near to die, To think of all our love and joy, Dear mother.
"' Thou'lt think of me when I'm gone, And grieve that I no more return To share the joys of our loved home, My mother.
"'But there's a better home than this - A home of joy, where all is bliss - A home of love, where Jesus is, Dear mother.
". I know I'm vile, am all depraved ; But then I have his pardon eraved. I do believe I shall be saved, Dear mother.
"' I cannot say I long to die, Nor leave you all without a sigh, "Tis hard to say the last good bye, Dear mother.
"'But God has spoken, his will be done. I shall not see another sun, My days have now their circle run, My mother.
"'Let not your heart in sorrow break, That God doth now your darling take, For you must live for father's sake, Dear mother.
"' And now one kiss for father dear, Oh, how I wish that he were here ! Tell him from me to meet me there, My mother.
"'Just turn my face toward the door ; He yet may come before 'tis o'er, And we three meet on earth once more, My mother.
"' I seem to think that he is nigh, I long to see him 'fore I die, And kiss him once, and say good bye, Dear father.
175
BAKER FAMILIES.
". I'm dying now - 'tis well - good bye. I soon shall be beyond the sky, And you will meet me there on high, My mother.
" · Still live in hope and humble prayer, Be father's welfare now thy care ; And tell him, sure, to meet me there, Dear mother.'
" Those precious words were not a dream, No passing thought, or fancy's glean, But from thy filial lips they came, My daughter.
" Within the inner heart of mine I'll treasure long those words of thine, That spoke such love and peace divine, Dear daughter.
" In faith and hope and humble prayer, Thy last request shall be my care, And still I'll trust we'll meet thee there, Our daughter."
ROGERS FAMILIES.
JAMES ROGERS the first came to America in the ship " Increase," from London, in England, in 1635, at the age of twenty years. Ile is first known at Stratford, New Ha- ven county, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Rowland. They afterwards removed to Milford, where his wife united with the Rev. Mr. Prudden's church, in 1645, and he in 1652. Their children were baptized at Milford. Mr. Rogers had dealings in New London in 1656, and, liking it as a place of business, fixed himself permanently as an inhabit- ant of the plantation there, previous to 1660. Here he soon achieved property and influence, and was much engaged, both in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the place. He was six times elected representative to the general court.
Governor Winthrop had encouraged his settling in New London, and accommodated him with a portion of his own house lot next the mill, which was afterwards leased to him. On this lot Mr. Rogers built a dwelling-house of stone. He was a baker, and carried on the business on a large scale. often furnishing biscuit for seamen and the colonial troops. and between the years 1661 and 1670 had a greater interest in the trade of that post than any other person in the place.
His landed possessions became very extensive, consisting of several hundred acres on the Great Neck, a tract of land at Mohegan at the place called Pamechog, now called Massa- peag, several house lots in town, and twenty-four hundred acres on the east side of the river, which was held in partner- ship with Colonel Puncheon of Springfield.
James Rogers, the ancestor of a great throng of descend- ants, was an upright and circumspect man. At his first set- tlement in New London, both himself and his wife united
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ROGERS FAMILIES.
with Mr. Bradstreet's church. They, however, after a few years, became dissenters in some sort from the established Con- gregational church and joined the Sabbatarians, and were afterwards called Quakers.
There is no account of any dealings with him and his wife on account of their secession from the church. Of his latter years, little is known. Mr. Rogers was born about 1615, and is supposed to be the son of Rev. John Rogers of Dedham, in England, who died in 1636, and his descendants hold to a tradition that he was the grandson of the Rev. John Rogers of London, who was burned at the stake in Smithfield in 1555, during the reign of " bloody " Queen Mary. Recent genealogical researches have, however, thrown much doubt as to this lineal connection of this stock of Rogers with that of the martyr.
James Rogers died at New London in February, 1687-8, when the government of Sir Edmund Andros was paramount in New England. His will was therefore proved in Boston. The first settlement of the estate was entirely harmonious. The children, in accordance with his earnest request, made an amicable division of the estate, which was sanctioned by the general court, May 12, 1692.
Children.
2. Samuel, b. at Stratford 12 Dec., 1640; m. 17 Nov., 1664, Mary Stanton, dan. of Thomas Stanton.
3. Joseph, b. at Stratford 14 May, 1646; m. about 1671, Sarah
4. John, b. at Stratford 1 Dec., 1648; m. 17 Oct., 1670, Elizabeth Griswold, dau. of Mathew Griswold.
5. Bathsheba, b. at Stratford 30 Dec., 1650; m. 4 March 1669-70, 1st, Richard Smith; 2d, Samuel Fox.
6. James, b. at Milford 15 Feb., 1652; m. 5 Nov., 1674, Mary Jordan, dau. of Jeffrey Jordan.
7. Jonathan, b. probably at Milford 31 Dec., 1655; m. Naomi Burdick, dau. of Elder Burdick of New- port, R. I.
12
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
8. Elizabeth, b. probably at New London 15 April, 1658; mn. Samuel Becby.
II. SAMUEL (2), b. 12 Dec., 1640, eldest son of James Rogers and Elizabeth Rowland; married 17 Oct., 1664, Mary, daughter of Thomas Stanton and Ann Lord, daughter of Thomas Lord of Hartford. The parents of these two parties entered into a formal contract, each pledging £200 as a mar- riage portion to the couple. James Rogers, the father of Samuel, in fulfillment of his part of the contract, conveyed to his son his stone house and bakery at the head of Winthrop's Cove, where the couple commenced housekeeping. They lived here only a few years, and removed to the outlands of the town in the vicinity of the Mohegan tribe of Indians, and became the first English settlers within the present limits of the town of Montville. He was twice married, as appears by his last will, executed Dec. 8, 1712, in which he gives " his beloved wife Johanna all she needs." He died 1 Dec., 1713, and was buried in the Old Rogers Burying Ground on the farm where he then lived, and which was afterwards owned by Oliver Baker.
Children.
9. Daniel, b. probably at New London about 1665; m. in 1702, Grace, dau. of Thomas Williams.
10. Mary, b. at New London April, 1667; m. 2 Oct., 1684, Samuel Gilbert.
11. Samuel, b. at New London Dec., 1669; m. 16 Jan., 1694, Abigail, dau. of John Plumb.
12. Elizabeth, b. at New London 8 May, 1673; m. Asa Har- ris.
13. Sarah, b. at New London 9 Aug., 1676; m. 10 May, 1710, James Harris.
14. Jonathan, b. at New London 1680; m. 1708, Elizabeth, dan. of Joseph Pemberton.
II. JOSEPHI (3), b. 14 May, 1646, second son of James Rogers and Elizabeth Rowland; married about 1671 Sarah
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He first lived on a town plot in New London and
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ROGERS FAMILIES.
afterwards removed to the farm given him by his father at Great Neck. He is supposed to have died about 1697.
Children.
15. James, b. at New London about 1672; m. 27 March, 1699, Sarah Stevens of Killingworth, Conn.
16. Samuel, b. at New London about 1673. Settled at Branford.
17. John, b. at New London 20 March, 1675; m. Deborah Brighton.
18. Jonathan, b. at New London ; m. Alice -.
19. Rowland, b. at New London about 1680; m. Mary
20. Eliza, b. at New London; m. Chapman.
21. Sarah, b. at New London; m. Williams.
22. Bathsheba, b. at New London; m. 29 April, 1725, Ga- brel Harris.
II. JOHN (4), b. 1 Dec., 1648, third son of James Rogers and Elizabeth Rowland; in. 17 Oct., 1670, Eliza- beth, daughter of Mathew Griswold. The rite of marriage was performed by the father of the bride, and accompanied with the formality of a written contract and dowry, the hus- band settling his farm at upper Mamacock upon the wife in case of his death or separation from her during life. This farm was situated about two miles north of New London, on the Thames river. In May, 1675, after having two children born to them, she applied to the General Court for a divorce. grounding her petition not only upon the heterodoxy of her husband (that of being a Quaker), but upon certain alleged immoralities. The court, after the delay of nearly a year and a half, granted her petition, but in less than two years she was married again. This marriage was to Peter Pratt, 5 Aug., 1679. She had by him one son, Peter. Her second husband, Peter Pratt, died 24 March, 1688, and shortly after- wards she married a third husband, Mathew Beckwith, 2d, by whom she had one daughter, Grisell. Elizabeth Gris- wold, the wife of three husbands, died in 1727.
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Mr. Rogers was greatly incensed at the decision of the court in granting a divorce to his wife. He lived a single life about twenty-five years, and then married himself to Mary Ransford. She is reported to have been a servant, whom he had bought, and probably of the class of persons then called Redemptionists. Mr. Rogers would not be united in the marriage rite by any minister or magistrate, and pro- posed to his intended that both go in to the county court room while the court was in session, and there publicly declare their marriage intentions, which proposal was agreed to by the intended. Ile, leading the bride by the hand, entered into the presence of the assembled court, and there requested the whole assembly to take notice that he took the woman he held by the hand to be his lawful wife, the bride also as- senting. This connection was, however, an unhappy one, violent quarrels afterwards arising between the reputed wife and the youngest son of Mr. Rogers. To preserve peace and quiet, the law in several instances was invoked. The elder Rogers himself was compelled to apply to the court for assistance in quelling their domestic broils.
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