USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 101
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Such is a bare synopsis of a long and useful life of Christian usefulness. Mr. Shipman has ever been prominent in all movements tending to educate, ele- vate, or benefit humanity. He has the same genial fund of humor possessed by his father, the same love of history, and the same winning cordiality and friendliness of manner. As a pastor he was earnest and laborious, and maintained the warmest social re- lations with his church. As a preacher he is logical
and convincing, throwing a relief of wit and humor around the dryest subjects, and always eloquent in presenting truth, and successful in awaking and keep- ing the interest of his hearers. He is, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years, hale and hearty, a broad, charitable, Christian gentleman, in full har- mony with this advanced age, and possessed of quali- ties of head and heart endearing him to an unusually large circle of acquaintances, who "know him but to love him." His first wife was Mary T., daughter of Gen. David Deming and Abby, daughter of Hon. Henry Champion. Their only child, Nathaniel, is the present judge of the United States District Court for Connecticut. He married Mary, daughter of David F. Robinson, of Hartford, and has had five children,-Frank Robinson, Arthur Leffingwell, Mary Deming, Thomas Leffingwell (died at two years), and Henry Robinson. His second wife was Mrs. Pamela L. Coit, of Plainfield. They had two children,- Lydia Leffingwell (married Dr. George W. Avery, and has one child, Helen Shipman), and Thomas Leffingwell, born Feb. 27, 1851, died Feb. 27, 1853. [This Mrs. Shipman had one child by her first hus- band, Mary D. She married Lemuel Tyler, had four children, of whom two, Charles Coit and Robert Shipman, are now living.]. The maiden name of the present Mrs. Shipman was Pamela D. Fuller, daugh- ter of Dr. Josiah Fuller, of Plainfield.
Andrew Lester.1-The Lesters (Leicesters) for ages figured prominently in English history. The subject of this sketch is one of the descendants of Andrew Lester, Esq., who bade farewell to his home and friends, crossed the ocean to the New World and settled in the town of Preston (now Griswold), New London Co., Conn., marrying Lydia Starkweather Dec. "ye" 28th, 1714, and dying May "ye" 22d, 1751. Andrew Lester was one of the largest landholders of the county, employing many hands to assist in tilling his fertile acres. Some records give him the title of lieutenant, but there is some obscurity in regard to his age, and especially the precise place of birth. He had three sons-Timothy, John, and Andrew- and two daughters,-Lydia and Hannah. Timothy, born "ye" 27th of August, 1718, married, Oct. 1, 1741, Mehitabel Belcher, who died March 9, 1776. He again married, July 3, 1776, Mrs. Rebecca Ayratt. He was the father of a large family, who were all prominent members of society as regards position, wealth, and influence. His foursons-Timothy, Moses, Elijah, and Elisha-were all farmers. Through the munificence of their father they each possessed mag- nificent farms and stock, the best the county boasted. His four daughters as well received large portions of his possessions as dowries and bequests. "Squire" Lester, as he was universally called; was notably es- teemed by all who knew him, admired for his gen- erosity, and respected for his stanch support in the
1 Compiled by Charles Henry Brown, M.D.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
cause of right. He was a prominent member of the First Congregational Church and society, as well as a large contributor to its support and ministerial en- dowment fund. A strict observer of Christian duties, a praise to all who did well, but a terror to the doers of evil. A true patriot, and at all times actively en- gaged as well as interested in all that concerned the welfare of his town, county, State, and country. In his old age, looking to the close of life like the patri- archs of ancient times, he built for himself a tomb, in which, in the Griswold cemetery, his remains have peacefully rested for nearly a century. He died at the ripe age of seventy-seven, Feb. 17, 1795.
His son Elijah, born May 26, 1753, succeeded to the homestead farm. He married Miss Damaras Lord, of Norwich, Feb. 7, 1782.1 Elijah had a family of eight children, seven of whom he brought up, three sons and four daughters, all exemplary and valuable members of society, and nearly all of whom lived and died in their native town or its vicinity. He died Aug. 22, 1823, aged seventy. James Lord Lester, his eldest son, was born Jan. 31, 1785. He was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Wheeler, daughter of Amos Wheeler, Esq., and Miss Lucy Holmes, his wife, of North Stonington, Conn., Nov. 22, 1810. After his marriage he settled on the farm now known as "Wood- side," in the eastern part of Griswold, about three miles from the parish church. Here he principally passed his quiet yet busy life, greatly respected and esteemed for his purity, uprightness, and strict integ- rity, and at the venerable age of eighty-five passed away, and now rests amidst his relatives in the family burying-ground.
His eldest son, Andrew Lester, was born Oct. 10, 1813. In the fall of 1830 he left home to embark in business with his esteemed uncle, Gurdon Wheeler, Esq., in the city of New York, where he is still en- gaged in the mercantile business, assisted by his two sons, James Francis and William Christie Lester, under the firm-name of Andrew Lester & Co. In the first year of his city life he devoted much of his time during the winter to the instruction of a class of poor boys who had no other means of securing an education. In the following spring (1832) he took a class in a mission Sunday-school held in the same building, known as "No. 34" of the American Sunday-School Union. The teachers were a choice band, gathered from several denominations of Christians, although the school was connected with and under the patron- age of St. George's Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. James Milnor, pastor, and Jeremiah H. Taylor, Esq., super- intendent. Here he was earnestly engaged in doing good till September, 1849. He became acquainted while there with many excellent Christian workers, the recollections of whom are to him most dear and
blessed. About 1845, Mr. Lester became acquainted with the lovely as well as beautiful Miss Mary Harris Durkin, at an early age the adopted daughter of the late Thomas Harris, Esq., of New York City, whose country-seat was in New Jersey, at Bellville, near the placid Passaic River. It was here he first became ac- quainted with Miss Harris. The mutual regard at not a far distant date deepened into a warmer feeling, which resulted in their marriage on Dec. 20, 1847. They were united by the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard, assisted by the Rev. Charles H. Reed, in the Thir- teenth Street Presbyterian Church, of which she had recently become a member (Nov. 14, 1847). He, how- ever, soon became interested in this church ; became actively engaged in its Sunday-school, Oct. 14, 1849, and united with the church itself Jan. 13, 1850. He soon became a member of the board of trustees (June, 1850), and for years was the chosen chairman of that body. He was elected president of the missionary society of the Sunday-school April 7, 1850. He was also elected to the board of elders, which position, as well as his Sunday-school relations as teacher, are still pleasantly continued.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Lester are seven in number, four sons and three daughters, all living, viz. : James Francis, Mary Elizabeth, Annie Melvina, Adele Cozzens, Charles Sumner, William Christie, and Andrew Edward. Two are married,- Annie Melvina, to Charles Henry Brown, M.D., son of the late Henry Weeks Brown, A.M., M.D., of New York ; Adele Cozzens, to William Rossiter Waters, son of the late Prof. Lemuel H. Waters, of New York.
One grandchild, Rossiter Lester Waters, was born Oct. 15, 1880. In process of time Mr. and Mrs. Lester celebrated their silver wedding, when they and their children received the warm congratulations of many relatives, friends, and church associates, and the pro- nounced blessing of their beloved pastor, who a quar- ter of a century before had married them, and subse- quently had baptized each of their children.
Mr. Lester was early engaged in the cause for the abolition of slavery ; he was chairman of a city or- ganization which met at private houses weekly to promote the cause of freedom, and as far as possible to counsel, advise, and assist the poor fugitives as they were fleeing from the South to a land where they could be free, and unmolested enjoy the inestimable boon of liberty. The moving spirit of this organiza- tion was the Hon. Alvan Stewart, a prominent lawyer of Utica, who, having retired from his profession, had taken up his residence in New York City. The mem- bers of this society were earnest workers, writing and printing tracts, pamphlets, etc., on this great national sin, and gratuitously distributing them among the people. He was also a member of the noted secret " Vigilance Committee" who ran the famous " Under- ground Railroad," by which slaves were transported from the South to Canada, fed, clothed, and sheltered on their way.
1 Granddaughter of the Rev. Hezekiah Lord, first minister of the Gos- pel of the North Society in Preston. He was born at Saybrook, March 10, 1698, ordained to the ministerial office April 20, 1730, and departed this life June 20, 1761.
WOODSIDE. HOMESTEAD OF ANDREW LESTER, GRISWOLD, NEW LONDON, CO, CONN.
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GRISWOLD.
Having spoken of Mr. Lester's active participation in the cause of the abolition of slavery, we would like to add briefly that in October, 1850, the majority of the merchants of New York were signing a peti- tion for a "call" or meeting in the Castle Garden to approve the recent act of Congress (August) in pass- ing the Fugitive Slave Law. A committee of influ- ential merchants endeavored to persuade Mr. Lester to add his name to the already very extensive list. Drawing himself up to his full height and extending his right arm, he exclaimed, with fervent pathos and dignity, "Gentlemen, no; I would rather see this arm drop off first than do so !"
Mr. Lester was an early member of the voting "Liberty party," and was one of that well-remen- bered and much-maligned body who in 1844 cast their 62,000 votes for the Hon. James G. Birney, of Ohio, for President, and Thomas Morris for Vice- President, thereby defeating, as charged by the Whigs, the Hon. Henry Clay, who was their candi- date, and causing the election of the Hon. James K. Polk, the Democratic candidate, to the Presidential chair. He was also subsequently, in 1848, an active member of the " Free" Democracy, laboring and vot- ing for the Hon. Martin Van Buren for President, and Charles Francis Adams for Vice-President, who were the well-known candidates of the "Free-Soil" party, though only polling 219,000 votes, yet which made itself felt; and out of this small beginning that great Republican party commenced its existence and began that wonderful career which was to startle the civilized world and fill one of the grandest pages yet made in American history.
It is unnecessary to say that Mr. Lester has contin- ued from the beginning to be a stanch Republican. His heart bled, with many thousand others, at their country's insult, the firing on Fort Sumter, fol- lowed by its terrible train of war and bitter misery. He was not young enough to join the ranks of the brave defenders, but quietly and actively helped with all his might the cause of right at home. Glad was his cry of "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow !" on the receipt of the news of the capture of Richmond. Still happier and more content was he when he knew and thoroughly realized that the stain and blot of slavery was wiped out, and peace and good will had come to all.
He has been an earnest advocate of the emancipa- tion of women, believing that Christianity and Re- publicanism are to be more surely blended when their disfranchisement is abolished. He is a hearty approver of the act now before the Legislature of New York, entitled, "An Act to promote virtue and prohibit disfranchisement," part of which reads,-
For many years Mr. Lester was one of the execu- tive committee of the American Missionary Associa- tion, which, small in importance at its commencement, has by strict adherence to its professed anti-slavery principles become one of the foremost and prominent missionary associations of the land, being the recipi- ent of the contributions of the Congregational churches in every part of our country, as well as large amounts from Christian philanthropists of Great Britain and Europe.
He was early engaged in the cause of temperance, and on the formation of temperance alliances in the State and city of New York became president of the Sixteenth Ward Temperance Alliance, whose mem- bers devoted their time, energies, and influence to the promotion of this noble cause.
He has been for a number of years a trustee of the North River Savings-Bank of New York City.
Mr. Lester was present at the great flour riots of Feb. 13, 1837, in which Mr. Eli Hart's large ware- house was broken open and partially depleted of its stock of flour by a lawless mob, and saw the mayor of the city, the Hon. Cornelius W. Lawrence, have his staff of office and authority taken from him, and he himself escorted by the mob from the field of their operations. He was one of the first to arrive at the building in which the great and disastrous fire of Dec. 16, 1835, broke out. The night was very clear and intensely cold, the fire raged fiercely, the very atmos- phere seeming to give it increased vigor. The fire- engines were not equal to the emergency, the strength of the men gave out, and the water froze in the hose. The fire was left almost without control until more than twenty millions of dollars of property was de- stroyed. He with many others did their best to remove the goods from the stores to a place of safety. After prolonged efforts and several repeated removals the merchandise was piled stories high in Hanover Square. Soon, however, they beheld with sorrow and dismay the flames leap the street and quickly consume the evidence of their prolonged and arduous labors. Mr. Lester was also a spectator and participant as well in the great city's jubilee celebration (1842), commemo- rative of the introduction of that inestimable blessing, the Croton water, into the city of New York. We will pass over many other grand as well as sad scenes he has witnessed, and merely mention the imposing civil and military procession of the obsequies of the last general officer of the Revolution, the illustrious Mar- quis de Lafayette, on June 26, 1834, who died in France, on May 20th of the same year, in the ninety- seventh year of his age. We mention also the solemn and deeply impressive obsequies of our much-beloved and martyred president, the Hon. Abraham Lincoln. The last saddest and, if possible, most lamented be- reavement of our country was the recent occasion of his warehouse, with millions of others through the land, being draped in emblems of deepest mourning, marking the heartfelt sorrow of a deeply-stricken
"SECTION 1. Every woman shall be free to vote, under qualifications required of men, or to refrain from voting, as she may choose, and 110 person shall be debarred by reason of sex from voting at any election, or at any town-meeting, school-meeting, or other choice of government functionaries whatsoever."
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
people at the irreparable loss to our country of their much-beloved and honored President, James A. Gar- field, who died Sept. 19, 1881, from a wound received by the ruthless hand of a fanatical yet wicked villain.
Like his ancestors, we may say that the history of Andrew Lester is full of simple greatness. It is a narrative colored by a neutral tint of stately dignity, clear in its purity, bright and shining in its Christian loveliness, sharp and decisive in its firmness of right purpose. To him time and work were synonymous, and work meant a blessing to his fellow-man. No one ever exerted a better, gentler, or happier influ- ence. No one has been more reverenced and loved by those who know him. His deeds are written on the papyrus of many hearts, and on the tablets of the memory of his family and friends will ever be cn- graved " Amicus humani generis."
His personal appearance is striking,-six feet in height, weighing about one hundred and eighty pounds, stately, crect, and commanding; a genial face, in spite of the firm and compressed mouth, which gives to strangers an idea of overt sternness.
Mr. Lester is still a resident of New York City, but spends part of the year at Woodside, together with his family and friends, improving and beautifying the old homestead. Woodside is about five miles due south of Plainfield, and five miles east of Jewett City. It is most delightfully clevated, commanding beau- tiful landscape views of farms and farm-houses, churches, and villages in the valleys and on the dis- tant hills, long stretches of undulating color of vary- ing green with its different seasons' changes making altogether a magnificent and extensive panorama from the south to the northwest. In fact, it is one of the pleasantest places in New London County.
Henry Larned Johnson was born on the old Johnson homestead, in Griswold (a view of which is presented in this work, and where he now resides), Jan. 27, 1808. He is fifth in lineal descent from Ben- jamin Johnson, the first settler on this place. The name indicates Scandinavian extraction, but whether Benjamin was an emigrant, what place he came from, even the dates of his birth and death, all are alike unknown. He was a weaver, and in humble circum- stances in life. He loved not a wandering life, and purchased the small place which formed the nucleus of the present broad acres of Deacon Johnson. Ben- jamin had one son, Stephen, whether more is un- known. This Stephen, born about 1717, became a farmer, and also worked at carpentering and bridge- building. He married Mary Kinne; had six chil- dren,-Marcy, Mary, Ruamy, Esther, Stephen2, and Marcy ; lived to a good old age ; was known as " Cap- tain," and died Nov. 13, 1803, aged nearly eighty-six. His wife survived him, dying June 10, 1814, in her ninety-fourth ycar. Just previous to her death she rode on horseback to Bozrah from her home, sixteen miles. This shows the wonderful vitality of the women of that day. Her mind to the last retained
its youthful vigor and brightness. She was a very superior woman, one of the "salt of the earth," a leader in religious matters, a great Christian aid to her husband (a godly man) and her family, and was held in high esteem by the clergy. None of their children settled in Griswold save Stephen, who oc- cupied the homestead. He was born June 29, 1748, was a farmer, married Elizabeth Morgan, had but one child, Stephen 3, who attained maturity. Stephen 2 was a God-fearing man, and died at the early age of thirty. His widow .married one Averill, and by him had several children. Stephen3, born Dec. 5, 1771, had a good common-school and academic education, became a farmer on the homestead, and enlarged its acreage. He was diligent in business, of a quiet and reserved nature, prudent and industrious, successful finan- cially ; in early life was captain of militia, and for many years a deacon of the Congregational Church at Pachaug. When the Second Congregational Church (at Jewett City) was organized he was one of the constituent members, was chosen deacon in April, 1825, held that office until his death, May 16, 1854. His religion was a principle, and, unactuated by ex- citement, he was one of the strong pillars of the church, and active in all good works. One of his former pastors says this of him, " A type of the old Puritan stock, plain in dress and address, not given to much talking, but expressing much in few words. At one time he said to a hired man, 'We must get up the hay or it will be caught in the rain.' He answered, 'Trust Providence, Deacon.' 'Providence won't rake up our hay for us.' Having been 'proved' as deacon in the old church of North Preston (now Griswold), at the organization of the church at Jewett City (an offshoot from the old one) he was chosen deacon, and re- mained such till his death. At his funeral his pastor chose, as a peculiarly appropriate text, Psalm xii. 1 : ' Help, Lord, for the godly man ccaseth, the faithful fail from among the children of men.'" He married Lydia Larned (born in Thompson, Conn.), Jan. 2, 1800. Their children not dying in youth were Laura (deccased), Stephen+, Henry L., Mary K., Daniel (deccased), Sanford, Lydia L. (deceased). Mrs. Johnson died July 22, 1843. "She was a faithful and affectionate wife and devoted mother, a kind neighbor, a friend of the poor (to whose wants she was ever ready to minister), and above all, and crown- ing all, she was an humble and exemplary follower of Christ. Her sickness, though painful, was brief. She early anticipated its fatal issue, but death had no terrors for her. She calmly waited the summons which should call her home. The evening before her death, feeling that her time was short, she left mes- sages to her absent children, and particularly to her son, a missionary of the American Board at Bankok, Siam : 'Tell Stephen that if I reach the New Jeru- salem before him, I trust he will be ripening for that happy home. I think I have been strengthened by his prayers.' Comforted by the Saviour's presence,
C
Henry L. Johnson
13 H Billings
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GRISWOLD.
she entered the dark valley, and closing her eyes upon this world, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus."
Henry L. Johnson was educated at common schools, and a short time attended Plainfield Academy. When about eighteen began teaching winter terms of dis- trict school, and taught nine terms, three in East Haddam, the others in close proximity to his home. Rev. T. L. Shipman says of him, "He was bred a farmer, and has never seen the day when he was tempted to change his calling. In this he has shown his good sense, for he never could have changed it for a more honorable or useful one. By patient industry he has acquired a handsome property, given all his children a liberal education, carrying his eldest son through Yale College. He has always been a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel at home and abroad, and fills, and perhaps more than fills, his father's place in both church and com- munity. In his attendance at the sanctuary, occa- sional meetings, and during the week his example is above praise. Living two miles from the village, his has been the least vacant seat at the weekly confer- ence and prayer-meeting. In the cause of temper- ance-yes, total abstinence-he has battled from the beginning. True as steel to his principles, he will war unsparingly against the rum traffic, both by moral suasion and legal prohibition, and, never re- linquishing the fray, he will die fighting, if he does not live to swell the shout of victory. He has been more than once our honored representative in the State Legislature, and though he has left most of the talking to the lawyers, he has always been in his place when voting was to be done. It is hoped that his life may be long spared, for we feel we can illy spare him from our community."
Mr. Johnson married, May 14, 1834, Almira D., daughter of Welcome A. and Martha (Hull) Browning. Their children were Martha H., born April 20, 1835 (Mrs. R. K. Mathewson, deceased). Her daughter Myra married George Ross, lives in Lisbon, and has one child, Katie. Henry L., born July 11, 1837, is a graduate of Yale College, and a successful banker in New York City. He has two sons, Leeds and Larned. Almira (died young) ; Isabella, born Jan. 23, 1842, married George Tyler, has six children,-Frank, Frederick, Katie, Lucius, Charles, Florence; Lydia (died young); Stephen (died young) ; Welcome B., a manufacturer of Milwaukee, Wis., has two sons, Ralph B. and Frank B. Mrs. Johnson died July 24, 1865, aged fifty-two. Mr. Johnson married, Sept. 8, 1869, Amelia H. Perry. She died Sept. 16, 1877. His present wife, Nancy Wason, was a native of New Boston, N. H., and married Mr. Johnson, Oct. 28, 1878.
Mr. Johnson has been selectman, etc .; has repre- sented Griswold two terms in the State Legislature, but his chief labor and love have been in connection with his church, of which he has been a member since 1829, and deacon since September, 1854. He is a
representative farmer, and enjoys universal esteem in his community.
Hon. B. F. Billings .- William Billings came from Dorchester, Mass., to Stonington, Conn., where he purchased land and remained until the time of his death. He married Mary , Feb. 5, 1658, and his will shows that he had eight children, of whom Ebenezer1 was onè. This Ebenezer1, March 1, 1680, married Anna Comstock. To them were born ten children ; one, also named Ebenezer2, married, April 2, 1706, Phobia Denison, daughter of John and Phobia Denison, and granddaughter of Col. George and Ann Borodel Denison. They had eleven children, the third one of whom was born March 20, 1711, and received the name of Ebenezer. On Nov. 20, 1733, this Ebenezer Billings3, who was a captain in the French and Indian war, married Mary Noyes, and had eight children. Sanford, the second child, was born April 1, 1736, was a commissioned officer in the Revolution, and on 24th of January, 1760, married Lucy Geer. By this marriage there were eleven chil- dren. Gilbert, the fifth child, was born Nov. 25, 1768, was reared a farmer. When fourteen or fifteen years old went to sea, became captain, and led a marine life till after he was forty years of age, and acquired con- siderable property. On retiring he settled in North Stonington and became a farmer. He was quiet and reserved in manner, yet a very agreeable social com- panion. He represented North Stonington twice in the General Assembly, also represented Griswold one term in same body, and was a man of inark among his townsmen, holding various other positions of trust.
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