History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 113

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 113

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brother-in-law. They were prospered, and after one year's time in partnership Mr. Morgan purchased Mr. Loomis' interest, and continued the business in his own name for two years, drawing and causing to be drawn about five hundred cords of wood each year, besides sawing quite an amount of ship-timber. This introduced Mr. Morgan to the ship-timber trade, which he soon adopted as his sole business. Being in want of a vessel to carry timber to New York, he purchased one-half interest in the sloop "Morning Star," the other half being owned by the commander, Capt. Henry Sisson. On the return voyage of the first cargo of lumber to New York, and en route to Hartford with a cargo of coal and provisions, the sloop was lost on Saybrook bar in a gale of wind. Capt. Sisson was a young man, unused to business, and had signed a bill of lading in which damages by sea was not excepted. As a consequence Mr. Mor- gan not only lost the results of his three years' labor, but was involved in a lawsuit of several years' dura- tion. By the kindness of friends, however, and par- ticularly Governor Oliver Ellsworth, his strong per- sonal friend and legal adviser, the case was with- drawn, at an expense to him of not ten dollars, Gov- ernor Ellsworth charging him nothing for his ser- vices. The opposing parties had costs of about seven hundred dollars.

When Mr. Morgan was about twenty-five years of age he enlisted in the first company, Second Regi- ment of Horse Artillery of the militia of Connecti- cut. He became much interested in the service, and, with his usual directness and ambition to excel, at- tracted the attention of his superior officers, and he made many friends by his proficiency. He was rap- idly promoted, held the various commissions of cap- tain, major, and colonel, and was considered one of the ablest officers in that arm of the service. After the loss of the " Morning Star," Col. Morgan resigned his commission, but it was not accepted. The whole of his time was imperatively demanded by his busi- ness, and his reduced finances would not allow of any diversion from business, so at last, much to the regret of all his associates, his often-renewed resignation was accepted. It reads thus :

" ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

" EAST HARTFORD, Sept. 10, 1839. "SIR .- Your resignation of the office of colonel of the Second Regi- ment of llorse Artillery, Connecticut militia, has been received by His Excellency, the commander-in-chief, and is accepted. When your suc- cessor shall have been chosen and commissioned, you are hereby honora- bly discharged from the duties of said oflice.

" By Ilis Excellency's command.

" SAMUEL L. PITKIN, " Adjutant- General.

"To HUBBARD D. MORGAN,

" Col. commanding 2d Regt. Horse Artillery."

Col. Morgan continued shipping chestnut timber to New York for about four years, until the demand for that wood ceased. He then went to Long Island and got white oak and cedar for the same trade. While thus engaged his attention was called to the vast

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First

SANFORD MORGAN.

Elishao Mariano

465

GROTON.

amount of oil in the menhaden fish and the efforts made to extract it. On returning to Groton, through his exertions, a company of seven others with himself was formed, the crude works of the first experimenter purchased, and an attempt made to extract the oil. This was about 1845. From the difficulties surround- ing the initial steps, the other stockholders became dissatisfied and disgusted, and Col. Morgan, with far- seeing sagacity, purchased their interests, and took as a partner Mr. Franklin Gallup, under the firm-name of Morgan & Gallup. This was the origin and theirs the first successful manufacture of an article which has had large sales, and which has as a busi- ness attained large proportions in this section. This partnership continued for fifteen years, and the part- ners acquired from forty to fifty thousand dollars. Sanford A. Morgan then purchased an interest of one-third, and the business continued for a year or two under the same name as before. Mr. Gallup and S. A. Morgan sold their interest to the Quinnipiac Company of New Haven. Col. Morgan, after get- ting them well under way, sold his property to them and retired from the business. To his sagacity, perse- verance, and business capacity is alone owing the suc- cess of this great enterprise, now employing so many men and so much capital.

Col. Morgan represented his town one term in the Legislature, being elected by the Republicans. He has been for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and is prompt in supporting all things tend- ing to advance the interests of Groton. He married, Aug. 7, 1844, Lucy A., daughter of Park W. Avery, of Groton. She died Nov. 25, 1851. He married Maria J., daughter of George Slater, of Webster, Mass., Oct. 25, 1858. She is of the family so noted in connection with manufactures.

Sanford Morgan .- The annals of an honest, use- ful, and industrious life are of more value as a lesson for coming generations than those of kings or empe- rors, and perhaps none can better reward the time of the historian than the subject of this sketch.

SANFORD MORGAN, son of Nicholas and Phebe (Avery) Morgan, and seventh generation from the first American James, was born in the home of his father, near Pequonnock, Nov. 11, 1798. His early years were passed among the pleasant associations of a father's home, and when eighteen he was appren- ticed to Timothy Daboll & Bros., house carpenters. With them he remained until he was of age, but fol- lowed his trade but a short time thereafter. This work was all done on Long Island, the workmen leav- ing Connecticut in the spring, and remaining until fall, taking with them all materials, supplies, etc., demanded. In September, 1821, Mr. Morgan mar- ried Lovina, daughter of Joshua and Hannah Avery, and commenced married life by working on his father's farm, where he remained seven years. In 1831 he engaged in trade as a merchant at Pequon- nock, and for twenty-nine years was steadily pros-

pered. There was but little trade at some times, and not wishing to pass the time in idleness, Mr. Morgan worked also at his trade in an adjacent shop, making wheels, etc., and in this proverbially thrifty and in- dustrious neighborhood was held high in the estima- tion of the people. His son, Sanford A., succeeded him in merchandising when years suggested less ap- plication to business, and Mr. Morgan only looked after his farming interests, to which, at the hale old age of eighty-two years, he still attends. Brought up in a Democratic household, Mr. Morgan has been unswervingly a Democrat. The people of his town have frequently called on him to discharge important local trusts, such as selectman, town clerk, etc. These have been uniformly done to the satisfaction of his constituents. For many years he has been a member of the Congregational Church and a consist- ent Christian. For over eighty years he has walked among the people of Groton, mingled with them in their labors, their recreations, and their devotions, and never could malice or suspicion whisper aught against his integrity. He leaves his children the legacy of an unblemished name. He has been three times married. By the first wife, above mentioned, he had two sons, Sanford A. and Orlando, who died aged three years. His second wife was Harriet, daughter of Samuel Edgecomb. They had two chil- dren, Daniel and Harriet, who died, aged twenty- eight. He married, July 10, 1837, Cornelia, daughter of Cyrus and Micah (Bailey) Avery. Of the seven children of her father's family but two now survive, Mrs. Morgan, aged eighty-one, and Mrs. Hammond, who resides with her, aged eighty-six. Both are in possession of fair health and clear intellects.

Elisha Morgan, son of Dr. Elisha Morgan, was born in Groton, Conn., Feb. 28, 1794. He is a lin- eal descendant from James Morgan, the emigrant, through Deacon William, son of James2, who was born March 4, 1669, and married Margaret, daugh- ter of Capt. James Avery, of Groton, July 17, 1696. They were members of the church at New London before the church at that part of New London now Groton was founded. At the establishment of the first church in Groton, Nov. 8, 1704, he was chosen deacon. He died Dec. 25, 1750, aged eighty-two. His wife survived him five years. They had nine children, of whom Solomon was born Oct. 5, 1708. To him, shortly before he died, in 1749, William gave a deed of the family homestead in Groton, containing two hundred and fifty acres of land, and he probably lived and died here. He married Mary Walworth, July 1, 1742, and had eight children. He was a dea- con of the church, and died Nov. 22, 1791, aged eighty-three. His tombstone in the family graveyard, on the James Morgan homestead, bears this tribute to his memory : " Esteemed for his integrity, peace- ableness, and fidelity, and his Christian life and char- acter." Dr. Elisha Morgan, youngest son of Deacon Solomon, was born March 7, 1762. He was surgeon

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

at Fort Griswold at the time of the massacre, but by feigning death he escaped, and after the British left he extinguished the fuse set by them to explode the magazine. He never practiced very steadily as a physician, but made several voyages to sea. He married, October, 1790, Abigail, daughter of John Morgan (son of James') and Dorothy Avery, his wife. Both he and his wife died in the same month, April, 1796, he on the 1st, on his passage home from Demerara, aged thirty-four; she on the 22d, aged twenty-five. They left three children,-Frederick, Elisha, and Abigail.

Elisha was but two years-old when his parents died, and he spent his childhood with his grandmother and a bachelor uncle, John, who had a stiff kuce from a wound received at Fort Griswold. He remained with them until the war of 1812, when, to prevent his being drafted, his uncle apprenticed him to a woolen manufacturer in Westerly, R. I. His educa- tion was acquired first from the close and analytic teachings of the celebrated mathematician, John Da- boll, and afterwards from Amos Niles, a teacher of note. These advantages were appreciated, and when but sixteen Elisha began teaching district school, and continued teaching winters with great success for several years. After learning his trade he engaged in manufacturing at Centre Groton, with Harry and Gil- bert Williams. When about twenty-five, Jan. 3, 1819, he married Caroline, daughter of Theophilus and Mary (Hinckley) Morgan. She was born Dec. 22, 1801. They had ten children,-Mary A. (Mrs. Na- than D. Smith, of New London) ; Caroline M. (Mrs. James D. Avery, deceased) ; John A., of Mendocino, Cal. ; Henry E., of Port Townsend, W. T .; Osmer H., of Whitby Island, Oregon ; Jennette E. (Mrs. N. S. Fish) ; Ellen A. (Mrs. Palmer B. Woodward, of Madison, Ga.); Colby M. (deceased); Stephen A .; and Sarah H. After marriage Mr. Morgan commenced life as a farmer on the place so many years his home, and where Mrs. Morgan and daughter Sarah yet re- side. He was a man of more than ordinary execu- tive ability, had foresight, and yet was cautious enough not to run rashly into losing speculations, and became an opulent farmer. He built a grist-mill, saw-mill, and blind-factory at Pequonnock, and did more, per- haps, than any other in this part of the town to give employment to others. He was always ready to en- courage any enterprise that promised benefit to his town or people, and the first works for the manufacture of fish-oil were constructed on his place. He was for many years a magistrate of wide usefulness, and famed for his skill in drafting wills, deeds, etc. ; was for years town clerk, and often represented Groton in the Connecticut Legislature. He was of social dispo- sition, warm and strong in his personal attachments, and tender and loving as a father and husband. He died much regretted, March 15, 1877.

Deacon Roswell Augustus Morgan was born in Noank, Conn., Oct. 14, 1816. His great-grandfather

was Joshua Morgan, son of James4, born 1733. He married Esther Stoddard, of Groton, Nov. 13, 1760, had five children,-one son, Joshua, and four daugh- ters,-and died Oct. 10, 1774. Joshua, Jr., born 1767, married, when about twenty years of age, Jemima Fish, settled in Groton, and died July 9, 1796, at the early age of thirty-one. He left four children,- Joshua, Roswell Avery, Gilbert F., and Prentice. Roswell Avery Morgan was born in Groton, Nov. 22, 1789, married Jemima Fish, of Salem, Sept. 24, 1814, settled in Groton, followed coasting in early life and boat-building in later years, and died June 4, 1830, leaving five children, of whom Roswell Augustus was oldest. He was possessed of some property, but his will was not admitted to probate until more than nine years had passed after his death. ( Vide Morgan genealogy.)

Roswell Augustus when a lad enjoyed the advan- tages of the common schools of Groton, supplemented by a number of terms at the "Connecticut Baptist Literary Institute," a very creditable school, located at Suffield, Conn. Acquiring a knowledge of boat- building with his father, after the latter's death Mr. Morgan continued in that business, and has been con- tinuously engaged therein until the present time. Mr. Morgan married Margaret, daughter of William and Sally (Ingham) Wilbur, Oct. 29, 1839. Their children are Francis W., who married Ella Graham, of Branford, and has one child, Leroy ; Harriet (Mrs. Charles I. Chester), who has three children, Wayland, Harry, and Webster; Emeline (Mrs. Charles H. Weaver, of Rock Island, III.), who has three children, Maggie, Charlie, and Hattie; and Augustus V., re- siding with his parents.

Mr. Morgan's sons are associated with him in his business. They are good, reliable men, promising to do well their part in the community and in their busi- ness. About 1876, Mr. Morgan began the building of steam-yachts as a specialty, and this branch of his business is steadily increasing. He has had four of them in process of construction at one time. These are only built to fill an order, and these orders come from various States, one coming from Colorado, attesting the value and workmanship of Mr. Morgan's work.

Mr. Morgan has been for years, as well as Mrs. Morgan, a member of the American Union Baptist Church at Noank, and is a deacon of the same. He is always in the foreground of all progressive and loyal movements, but never cared to hold office, and has steadily refused nomination for any civil position. In politics he has been a pronounced Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. Industrious, frugal, hone t, and honored and respected by a large range of ac- quaintances, Mr. Morgan is truly a representative man of Noank, and one of whom none of his descend- ants can ever wish to change one quality or trait, and who will never bring discredit on the "Morgan" name.

Levi Spicer .- Silas Spicer, the first American an-

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Engeby A H.Etchic

Elibra Spicer

JOHN G. SPICER.

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GROTON.

cestor of this family, was said to have been of Quaker extraction. He came from England when a young man, with one or two brothers, and settled in that part of Groton now called Ledyard in the early part of the eighteenth century. He learned the wheel- wright trade in England, and in connection with working at that trade became a farmer. He married Hannah Draper, had a large family, and about 1790 moved with most of his family to the western part of New York State, where they bought quite largely of land and became permanent residents. (The father of Silas was Thomas, who married a Button.) Silas, in the latter part of his life, was prospered financially, and when he died was far advanced in years, and an honored man in his community.

Three of his children remained in Connecticut,- his third son, Levi, the youngest son, Alanson, and his daughter Mary. She married Ralph Carpenter, of North Coventry, Conn., moved thither, and there resided until her death, leaving several children. Levi Spicer was born in Groton, now Ledyard, Feb. 20, 1767. He had the advantages for education afforded by the common schools of those early days, was reared a farmer, and also learned the wheelwright trade of his father. His first wife, Lavinia Chese- boro, died April 13, 1794, leaving one child, Levi C. Spicer, who settled in Ohio, and there remained with his family until he died.

When about twenty-eight years old Levi Spicer moved to Stonington to work as a wheelwright or ship carpenter, became acquainted with and married Prudence, daughter of Elihu and Ruth Palmer, and a direct descendant of Walter Palmer, of Wequete- quock. Elihu Palmer was a farmer, and in his last years lived near the present site of Noank; had sev- eral children, one of whom, Elihu Palmer, was the father of Deacon John Palmer, who established the ship-yard at Noank, now conducted by his son Rob- ert (see biography elsewhere).

Prudence was born June 5, 1771. Soon after this marriage Mr. Spicer, who had removed to Noank, built him a house, which is now standing (see plate), and became a small farmer, in consequence of a cut in his left knee, which rendered the leg stiff, and so disabled him from successfully pursuing his trade. He, however, in connection with farming, worked at wheelwright and ship-building. Some of his work- manship is still in existence, and shows him to have been a skillful workman. This mode of life he con- tinued until the death of his wife, Aug. 13, 1846. Shortly after he gave up active business and went to live with his son Elihu, with whom he remained until his death, April 26, 1850.

His children by Prudence Palmer attaining matu- rity were Elihu P., born Oct. 1, 1796; Eldredge, born June 23, 1798; Lucy C. (Mrs. Henry Latham), born June 8, 1803; Sally (Mrs. Peter D. Irish), born Nov. 10, 1806; John P., born Sept. 14, 1808; and Silas, born April 29, 1811.

All are now dead but Elihu and Silas. For many years both Mr. and Mrs. Spicer were honored and es- teemed members of the Baptist Church. He was of a genial, social nature, fond of home, family, and friends.

He loved a good story, and was fond of a joke. In politics he was a Democrat of the old school, be- lieving that the government should be carried on as he did his own affairs, in a frugal and economical manner.

His lameness was the direct cause of his death, for in climbing over a ledge of rocks he caught his leg, and was precipitated in such a way as to injure him so severely that death resulted therefrom in a very few weeks.

Capt. Elihu Spicer .- Elihu Palmer Spicer was born at Noank, in a house then standing where the store of Levi Spicer now stands. He received a com- mon-school education. He commenced his sea- faring life when very young as cook of the " Thetis," one of the first fishing-smacks engaged in the busi- ness. From that time he followed the sea until he was about forty-five years old, passing consecutively through the various grades from cook and common hand to that of captain.

While fishing in open boats during the war of 1812 he was often compelled to run the British blockade, was several times chased by their cruisers, and had many narrow escapes.

The first vessel he commanded was the fishing smack "Luzerne," which was engaged in Southern fishing and wrecking.

Afterwards he commanded the schooner "Em- press," engaged in Southern coasting and West India trade for several years. He was also master of the schooner "Magellan" for several years, engaged in the same business. He then took charge of the brig " Apalachicola," and was engaged in transporting troops during the Seminole war, under Gen. Scott, after which she was engaged in Southern coasting trade for a number of years.

As a captain he was careful, prudent, and success- ful, never meeting with a serious accident or loss.

When Stonington was attacked by the British in the war of 1812 he was placed on duty to extinguish the fires caused by the bursting of the enemy's shells, and also helped to repulse the English troops on their attempts to land.

On July 21, 1817, Capt. Spicer married Jemima, daughter of Ebenezer and Lydia Fish.1 Jemima was born April 28, 1797, died May 22, 1849. The children of Elihu and Jemima were William (deceased), born Aug. 1, 1819 ; Prudence A. (Mrs. Capt. P. T. Brown, dec'd), born May 19, 1821 ; Emeline (deceased), born June 16, 1823; Elihu, born April 13, 1825 ; Levi,

1 Ebenezer was a grandson of Samnel and Sarah Fish, and a son of Capt. John and Lucretia Fish. Lydia Fish (his wife) was a granddaugh- ter of Moses and Martha Fish, and a daughter of Capt. Jonathan and Abigail Fish, all born in Groton, Conn.

4CS

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

born June 1, 1830; Sarah (Mrs. Andrew G. Dieken- son, of Brooklyn, N. Y.), born May 20, 1833; Hiram (deceased), born Nov. 27, 1839. He married for his second wife Eliza H. Roath, April 30, 1850. She died Nov. 1, 1874.

Capt. Spicer still resides in his home at Noank, with his son Levi and family. Capt. Spicer is a reserved and quiet man, of strong opinions and positive char- acter, of warm friendships, careful and considerate in all his dealings, and successful financially.

He was appointed by the United States government for several years as tide-waiter of the Mystic River; represented Groton two terms in the Legislature of Connecticut, and in each position stood high in the esteem and confidence of his townsmen. Democratic in politics, he has never swerved from the principles of Thomas Jefferson. For many years he has been a valued member of the Baptist Church.

At his advanced age he now can look back over a long and useful life with pleasurable emotions and a just pride in secing his descendants occupying honor- able and representative positions in society.

Capt. John G. Spicer, son of James and Lydia (Pride) Spicer, was born in that part of Groton now Ledyard, Nov. 26, 1804. The first American Spicer of this line was John, who emigrated from England to Virginia, and removed from there to Groton, Conn. He was great-grandfather of the subject of our sketeh. John1 had three sons-John?, Cyrus, and Abel-and several daughters. He married Abby Allen, was a tanner and currier, and died aged forty-seven. John2 was a farmer and carpenter; married Nancy Parks, and had one son, James, and four daughters, Mary, Hannah, Clara, and Eunice. All married save Mary, who lived to the age of ninety-two years. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and his widow drew a pension for his services. He died aged about sixty-seven. James Spicer was born Nov. 30, 1779. He married Lydia Pride ; she was born Jan. 2, 1778. His second wife was Eunice Pride, born Dec. 18, 1775. Their children of Lydia were William, John G., Herbert P., Lydia M., and Mary; those of Eunice were Abigail, Sarah, James, and Charles. James, Sr., was a car- penter and farmer. He was an industrious, frugal man, and died in Preston, Conn., whither he moved about 1812, and where he continued to reside until his death, April 2, 1867. Lydia, his first wife, died Jan. 3, 1812; Eunice died May 25, 1867.

John G. married Clarisso, daughter of William Kimball, 18 -. She was born Sept. 14, 1805. Their children are John O., Harriet A. (Mrs. Lucius Bald- win), Susan (Mrs. Noyes B. Meech), Damaris (Mrs. William A. Bedant, of Preston), William, and Everett.

At nineteen years of age Capt. Spicer went before the mast on the sea; in two years' time became cap- tain of brig "Ann Maria," in the West Indian trade. After two years spent in her he bought a half-interest in sloop "Eliza Allen," in coasting and Panama trade. In about a year he took command of schooner

" Planter," remaining in her three years. He then commanded, with one-half ownership, the schooner " Chesapeake." She was lost on the first trip on the Henry Banks, Abico. The same year he took com- mand of schooner " Andrew Jackson," with one-half interest, sailing to New Orleans, West India, and Spanish Main. He remained in her about eighteen months, and since then has been a farmer. He is a Republican, but has never obtruded himself in poli- ties, never sought official position ; is a good citizen and strong friend, and is prized by his circle of friends for his many good qualities and sterling worth.

Capt. William Clift .- William Clift, the first of the family who came to America, was put ashore in the harbor of Scituate, Mass., when but seven years of age. Tradition reports through Pero, an old negro ser- vant, who died in 1807, aged eighty-one, and who knew the first generation, that William "was sent from England by interested parties, because he was heir to a large estate which they would inherit in case of his death." He married Lydia Wills, and nothing fur- ther is known of him than that he had several chil- dren and was a resident of Marshfield.

Capt. William Clift is his descendant in the fifth generation, and is son of Nathaniel Clift and Eunice Denison, who were married Aug. 5, 1801. Nathaniel spent the early portion of his life in trading-voyages along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and rose to the rank of commander. He finally settled in Mystic Bridge (Stonington), engaged somewhat in trade, and became the popular proprietor of a public-house near the present " Hoxie House."

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 113

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317