History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 132

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 132


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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1760 .- Capt. Samuel Ely, George Dorr, Capt. Richard, Capt. Nathan Jewit.


1761 .- Maj. Daniel Ely, John Lay (2), Richard Mather, William Noyes.


1762-63 .- John Lay (2), Samuel Selden, Samuel Holden Parsons. 1764 .- John Lay, Samuel Holden Parsons.


1765 .- William Noyes, Sanmel Selden.


1766 .- John Lay (2), Samuel Selden, Capt. Joseph Mather, Capt. Elisha Marvin.


1767 .- Samuel Holden Parsons, William Noyes, John Lay (2).


1768 .- Samuel Ilolden Parsons, Ezra Selden, Semnel Selden.


1769 .- Samuel Holden Parsons, John Lay (2).


1770 .- Jolin Lay (2), Capt. Joseph Mather, Maj. Samuel Holden Parsons, Eleazer Mather.


1771 .- Maj. Samuel H. Parsons, William Noyes, Samuel Selden.


1772 .- Maj. Samuel Il. Parsons, Samuel Selden, John Lay (2).


1773 .- Maj. Samuel II. Parsons, Samuel Selden, William Noyes. 1774 .- William Noyes, John Lay (2), Ezra Selden.


1775 .- Marshfiekl Parsons, Ezra Selden.


1776 .- S. Selden, M. Parsons, John Lay (2).


1777 .- William Noyes, S. Ely, John Lay (2).


1778 .- E. Selden, M. Parsons. 1779 .- E. Selden, R. Wait, Jr. 1780 .- William Noyes, M. Parsons, Moses Warren.


1781 .- Seth Ely, R. Wait, S. Mather.


1782 .- Ezra Selden, N. Matson.


1783 .- Ezra Seklen, N. Matson, Richard Wait, Seth Ely. 1784 .- Ezra Selden.


1785 .- Ezra Selden, MI. Parsons, John Griffin.


1786 .- Andrew Griswold, D. F. Sill, Seth Ely.


1787 .- R. Wait, Jr., M. Parsons, John Griffin, Ezra Selden. 1788 .- Seth Ely, D. F. SiBl, John Griflin, William Noyes.


1789 .- Ezra Selden, Matthew Griswold, M. Parsons, Ezra Selden. 1790 .- Ezra Selden, Matthew Griswold, Samuel Mather. 1791 .- William Noyes, M. Leach, Lemuel Lee.


1792 .- S Mather, M. Leach, Lemuel Lee, Samuel Perkins.


1793 .- S. Mather, James Huntley, Lemuel Lee, I. Recve.


1794 .- M. Griswold, D. F. Sill, Samuel Mather, Elisha Way. 1795 .- Israel Reeve, Ezra Wait, M. Griswold, Jr., D. F. Sill. 1796 .- Israel Reeve, E. Selden, M. Griswold, Jr., D. F. Sill. 1797 .- L. Lee, Israel Reese, M. Griswold, Jr., John Noyes. 1798 .- D. F. Sill, M. Griswohl, Jr.


1799 .- D. F. Sill, Moses Warren, M. Griswold, Jr., D. M. Jewett.


1800 .- R. Seklen, John Noyes, M. Griswold, Jr.


1801 .- M. Warren, D. F. Sill, M. Griswold, Jr., D. M. Jewett.


1802 .- M. Warren, D. F. Sill, M. Griswold, Jr., R. Lord.


1803 .- N. Matson, D. F. Sill, M. Griswold, Jr.


1804 .- D. M. Jewett. E. Brockway, Jr., M. Griswold, Jr., M. Warren, Jr. 1805 .- N. Matson, Calvin Selden, Roger Griswold, George Beckwith. 1806-12 .- Richard MeCurdy.


1806 .- David M. Jewett. 1806-17 .- N. Watson.


1806-14 .- P. Warner. 1807 .- Seth Smith.


1807-9 .- William Noyes.


1807-15 .- C. Selden.


1808 .- D. M. Jewett.


1809 .- Seth Ely, Jr.


1810-12 .- William Sterling.


1810-15 .- E. Selden.


1811 -Joseph Noyes.


1812-14 .- Henry Perkins.


1813-15 .- Charles Griswold.


1815-26 .- Henry M. Wait.


1816-31 .- E. Brock way.


1816. - 11. Tinker. 1816-17 .- Charles Smith.


1817-23 .- R. E. Selden.


1817-31 .- Moses Warner.


1818-32 .- P. Comstock.


1818-30 .- S. B. Mather.


1821 .- D. Anderson.


1821-32 .- JJ. S. Rogers.


1822-30 .- Joel Loomis.


1834-43 .- J. R. Warner.


1825-29 .- 0. Couts.


1827-43 .- Charles J. McCurdy.


1828 .- Z. Brockway, Jr.


1834-38-48 .- S. C. Selden.


1834 .- C. Stark.


1836 .- Lodowick Bill, S. Champion.


1837 .- J. L. Smith, N. Tiffany.


1839 .- Joseph Strickland.


1839-45 .- C. C. Griswold.


1840 .- S. I. Lord.


1841 .- William Marvin.


1842 .- D. M. Jewett.


1843 .- J. W. Bill.


1844 .- S. S. Warner.


1845 .- William Spencer.


1846 .- R. E. Selden, Jr., J. M. Beebe.


1847 .- R. Lord, O. I. Lay.


1848 .- R. L. Lord.


1849-58-59 .- Z. Brockway.


1849 .- James A. Bill.


1850 .- N. Stark, T. W. Swan. .


1851 .- M. S. Parker, Joseph Warner.


1852 .- C. P. Stark, J. R. Warren.


1853 .- J. C. Comstock, Charles E. Tiffany.


1854 .- F. A. Tiffany, I. Watson.


1855 .- Daniel Morley, Joseph Selden.


1856 .- S. C. Ely, R. L. Selden.


1857 .- C. H. Wood, F. Fosdick.


1858-66 .- E. D. Brockway.


1859,-William Hall. 1860 .- Horace Ely, S. P. Anderson.


1861 .- E. Geer, A. Stark.


1862 .- Charles A. Tiffany, Joseph Beebe.


1863 .- J. S. Raymond, J. Comstock.


1864 .- J. L. Lord, Robert Dawley.


1865 .- Nathan Stark, William Marvin.


1866-71 .- D. C. Warner. 1867 .- A. C. G. Rathbun, James A. Bill.


1868 .- B. A. Rathbun, II. B. Royce.


1869 .- 11. S. Lord, J. F. Laplace.


1870 .- M. S. Parker, Elihu Geer.


1871 .- R. M. Jewett.


1872 .- B. P. Bill, Charles Stark.


1873-76-78 .- 11. B. Sisson. 1873 .- H. L. Parker.


Ling by A H HI hi


Solowith Bile


543


OLD LYME.


1874 .- E. E. Brockway, J. M. Lord. 1875 .- J. G. Ely, P. L. Gillett. 1876 .- O. B. Sterling. 1877 .- J. L. Raymond, J. H. Lord. 1878 .- Reuben Lord. 1879 .- No election. 1880 .- A. Beckworth, J. Sisson. 1881 .- J. W. Bill, J. F. Laplace.


CHAPTER LIX.


LYME-(Continued).


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.


Lodowick Bill .- The honored subject of this sketch was born in that part of the town of Groton, Conn., now known as Ledyard, Oct. 9, 1784. He remained in his native town until about the year 1805, when he removed to the town of Lyme, where the remainder of his life was passed.


He located on a pleasant elevation near the central part of the town, and as his family grew up they left the parental roof only to find homes within easy call, and at this day, and mayhap through all time, the place that he selected for his home is and will be known as " Bill Hill."


Judge Bill was in personal appearance a man that we at this day would turn and gaze upon after he had passed ; tall, straight, with square-cut features, and chin which denoted firmness of purpose, pleasing ad- dress, yet commanding in its very tone, notable hos- pitality,-these are some of the more prominent traits of his character ; in fact, our recollections of him are those of admiration, amounting almost to awe, so beautifully were kindness and firmness blended.


His pre-eminent qualifications as a man of execu- tive ability and superior judgment, united with marked energy and uprightness of character, early won for him an enviable place in the hearts of his fellow-citi- zens, and he was called to occupy many positions of honor, trust, and responsibility. He was judge of probate for many years and until constitutionally dis- qualified by age, and it is a noteworthy fact that dur- ing the long period he held this position none of his decisions were ever reversed by the higher courts.


In the extensive and ordinary transactions of busi- ness life, such was the high sense of honor and integ- rity which characterized his uniform dealings that he succeeded in binding to himself, as with hooks of steel, all who had intercourse with him.


By nature and culture there were developed in the character of Judge Bill that happy and observable combination of qualities which tend to lift one into prominence, and to give the world assurance of a man.


In politics he was a true and steadfast Democrat, and it was his proud boast he voted for every Demo- cratic President from the great Jefferson down.


In religion he maintained that a divine government, like that of a republic, was instituted and ordered for


the sole good of the governed, and the end of such could not fail to secure the righteous obedience of all created intelligence. In confidence that the end would be in harmony with the design and commen- surate with the means put into operation, he hope- fully cast in his lot with that of a common humanity, and departed this life firm in the faith that he should be gathered to the rapt embrace of his kindred and friends in the spirit's native skies.


For sixty years he lived in calm fellowship with the venerable order of Freemasons. His amiable and greatly beloved consort, who toiled with him up the hill of life, and with whom he passed by far the largest portion of his prosperous and happy years, went down the opposite declivity only a little in advance, rich in all the gathered treasures of the home and heart.


By frugality and industry he accumulated a com- petence, which enabled him to idle through the " In- dian summer" days of his life, taking no thought for the morrow, knowing his harvest had been abundant, his granary full,-aye, and to spare. The home of Judge Bill is not noticeably different from many other dwellings of the nineteenth century : it is a square two and a half story frame house, standing very near the road, the house having been built first, simple in its construction, yet invitingly home-like in its sim- plicity.


No wonder that he, being a lover of domestic hap- piness, should select this delightful place for a home. Hearing the wind as it goes whispering through the grand old stately elms that stand by this familiar home- stead, placed there when mere saplings by his hands, I am reminded of two lines by a gifted author,-


" Among the leaves the wind-harp weaves A requiem for thee."


Judge Bill died Aug. 17, 1871, leaving three sons and two daughters. The sons, John W., Benajah P., and James A., are all residents of Lyme, and are classed among the enterprising and influential citi- zens and agriculturists of the county, all having rep- resented their native town in the Legislature.


CHAPTER LX.


OLD LYME.


THIS town lies in the southwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Lyme, on the east by East Lyme, on the south by the waters of Long Island Sound, and on the west by the Connecticut River, which separates it from the town of Saybrook, in Middlesex County.


This town was first settled in 1664, and was known as East Saybrook, being at that time a part of the town of Saybrook.


The following interesting and thorough sketch of


544


HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


Lyme is from the pen of the gifted Martha J. Lamb, of New York, author of the " History of New York City," and is reproduced in this work by permission of the publishers, Messrs. Harper & Brothers. It was first published in Harper's Magazine for February, 1876.


"Lyme is a word of four letters, and it brings the cars on the Shore-line Railroad from New York to Boston to a full stop for the space of perhaps a minute at the eastern end of the Connecticut River bridge. That is as far, probably, as your next neighbor, who is deseanting learnedly upon the charms of foreign travel, will be able to enlighten you. The car-window diseloses little save a broad stretch of picturesque scenery, including the natural variations between a fine old sea-beach and rough and ragged undulations piled one upon another half a league in- land. Should you suddenly be attacked by the spirit of inquiry, as well as by the notion that, as a native of average intelligence, you are deplorably unfamiliar with the individual features of your own country, you may find yourself, as did the writer on a certain occa- sion, standing conspicuously alone in apparent pos- session of the main outpost of this ancient and inter- esting town.


" From Noyes Hill, a few rods north of the station, you obtain your first glimpse of the village, or rather of its roofs and chimneys and spires among the tree- tops ; also of Meeting-house Hill beyond, of the salt meadows and Long Island Sound to the right, and of a beautiful river, formerly the harbor for merchant vessels when Lyme was a shipping port, winding lazily to the sea in the foreground. The ferry road crosses a snug New England bridge and guides you to the Pierrepont House, a new summer hotel, which occupies a commanding position just outside the wealth of shade which shields the town. The name of this hotel hinges upon the romantic. It was given in honor of one of the early ministers of Lyme, Rev. Samuel Pierrepont, a brother of the wife of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, who in 1722 was drowned in crossing the Connecticut on his return from a visit to his lady-love in New Haven.


"Lyme itself is the namesake of Lyme-Regis, on the south coast of England, which, with its geograph- ieal peculiarities, its history, traditions, and romances, has been so graphically deseribed by Mr. Conway in his 'South Coast Saunterings.' It covers seven or eight square miles of territory, bounded on the west by the Connecticut River, and on the south by the Sound. It was settled over two centuries ago (in 1666) by an active, sensible, resolute, and blue- blooded people, who gave it a moral and intellectual character which it has never outgrown. Its climate is one of perfect health, and its people live to a great age. The salty, bracing atmosphere tends towards the increase of mental vigor as well as length of years, hence the results which we are about to chronicle. It is a town which has kept pace with


the times. It has been near enough the metropolis to partake of its literary culture and many-sided op- portunities, and sufficiently remote to escape its dis- sipating wastes, and it has always maintained a self- respecting inner life. It is exceptionally rich in family reminiscenees, occupies in a certain sense his- torie ground, and possesses elements of national in- terest. Lyme-Regis is said to have been famous for its physicians. Lyme is, or ought to be, famous for its lawyers, as it has produced more than any other town of its size on this continent, or any other conti- nent, and not only lawyers, 'whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour,' but eminent judges, senators, and Governors, its latest and grandest achievement being a chief justice of the United States.


"As you proceed from the hotel, 'The Street' springs upon you like a new character in a novel. There is no warning of its nearness until you are among its soft shadows. It has a fascinating air of easy old-fashioned elegance, is a mile and a half long, is wide enough to swallow a whole family of New York City streets, is lined with handsome grand- fatherly-looking trees, and mansions, some modest, some pretentious, some antique, are planted on either side of it at neighborly distances. Your eye will fall also upon two churches, an academy, a post-office, two or three stores, where groceries, hardware, and dry-goods dwell in harmony together, a milliner's shop with peaches and melons to sell, and a wagon- shed where they mend breaks and shoe horses. Signs of business there are none. The scene is one of tran- quillity on a broad scale.


"One of the first houses which attract attention, through its associations, is a cottage-built, vine-clad, flower-surrounded dwelling, with a body-guard of aged apple-trees. It was the home of the Hon. Henry Matson Waite, chief justice of the State of Connec- ticut, the father of the present chief justice of the United States, and where the latter was reared into manhood.


" It is only a few months since we witnessed a rare phenomenon, which is fresh in the publie memory. An American citizen was elevated to one of the most dignified and important judicial offices in the world without a dissenting voice. When the nomination was announced a flood of surprise seemed to drown captions politicians and impatient office-seekers. The choice had, singularly enough, fallen outside of their ranks. Ere they came to the surface Congress had bowed its lofty head to merit, the newspaper press had despairingly confessed its inability to find any fault with the nominee, and the question had rung through the length and breadth of the land, and been satisfactorily answered, ' What manner of man is he who is to be henceforth the custodian of the liberties of forty millions of people ?'


" The office had been entirely unsought. Morrison R. Waite was a lawyer with an immense and valuable


545


OLD LYME.


practice. He was the acknowledged leader of the Ohio bar, and had been for a long series of years. He was one whose clearness and dexterity of intellect had never failed to bring order out of confusion in the most complicated law cases which had been placed in his hands. ' He was, moreover, a thorough gentle- man, with an acute sense of justice, strong opinions, sound judgment, and a spotless private record. He had meddled little in public affairs, although repeat- edly urged to accept a nomination to Congress. He had declined a seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court of Ohio.


"The few instances in which he had served the government were where the mutual attraction of need and fitness were strikingly apparent. In 1849 he was in the Ohio Legislature; in 1871 he was one of the counsel of the United States at the tri- bunal of arbitration at Geneva, winning special praise for his labor in the commission ; in 1873 he was elec- ted to the Constitutional Convention of Ohio by the unanimous vote of both political parties, and was presiding over that body when he was notified of the action of the administration. He stands out in Amer- ican history bright and clear as sunlight, a living refu- tation of the popular idea that a man must have narrowed and belittled himself with district politics --- in short, have gone through the worst possible train- ing for it-before he can receive any national ap- pointment.


"Chief Justice Waite is so rounded in character and culture that there are few salient points to seize for purposes of description. He is of medium height, broad physique, square shoulders, large and well-poised head, hair and whiskers slightly flecked with gray, complexion heavy, eyes dark and piercing, and mouth indicative of decision. His general bearing is firm and self-possessed. He was born in Lyme, Nov. 29, 1816. He studied law with his father, after gradua- ting from Yale, but completed his forensic education in the office of the Hon. Samuel M. Young, of Mau- mee City, Ohio, with whom he subsequently formed a partnership that continued with marked success for nearly a quarter of a century.


"He removed his family to Toledo in 1850. The name of Waite is both ancient and honorable. It dates back many centuries. The coat of arms used by the family in both Europe and America was granted in 1512. In the time of Cromwell, Thomas Wayte1 was a member of Parliament, and one of the judges who signed the death-warrant of Charles I. Shortly after the Restoration the family removed to this coun- try. Thomas Waite, born in Sudbury, Mass., in 1677, settled in Lyme when a young man, and married Mary Bronson, whose mother was the daughter of


Matthew and Annah Wolcott Griswold.2 He thus became connected with one of the most influential families in the province, and in an age when the dis- tinctions of rank and caste were held in severe re- spect, even in democratic New England, 'where mental and moral cultivation was the first essential for access to good society, and honest labor esteemed no shame.' He was the father of eleyen children. His fourth son, Richard, was twice married ; his first wife was Elizabeth Marvin.


" I beg pardon for the digression, but I am reminded of a little story. One of the early settlers of Lyme was Reynold Marvin. He was a rich landholder, a militia captain, and a deacon of the church. He professed to be governed by Divine communications. On one occasion he announced that the Lord had di- rected him to distribute his cows among the poor. A shiftless fellow who was omitted in the distribution finally went to the deacon and said he too had re- ceived a communication from the Lord, who had sent him there for a cow.


"' Of course, then, you must have a cow,' was the reply. 'But what sort of a cow did the Lord say I must give you, a new milch or a farrow ?'


"' A new milch cow, sir.'


"'Indeed ! Your communication could not have been from the Lord, for I have no new milch cow.'


" The baffled beggar departed.


" Another time the deacon opposed some church measure, which was carried in spite of him. He promptly refused to pay his church taxes, and was sued, and his saddle taken for the debt. He esteemned himself deeply wronged, and rode upon a sheepskin (wheeled vehicles had as yet hardly appeared in the colonies) forever afterward. And riding upon his sheepskin one day, he reined his horse up to the cot- tage-door of pretty Betty Lee. It was an old Dutch door, cut in two in the middle. She came and leaned upon the lower half, her blue eyes opened wide, and her dainty hands holding fast to a plate which she was wiping.


"' Betty,' said he, solemnly, ' the Lord sent me here to marry you.'


" Betty's eyes fell upon the doorstep, and so did


1 From the Waite records it appears that the name anciently was written Wayte, in modern times Waite, and in some instances Wait. It also appears that the names of Thomas, Richard, John, and .Joseph, especially the former two, were favorite names in the family .- History of the Waite Family, p. Il.


. 2 The Griswolds and Wolcotts were of the old English gentry. Matthew Griswold, the first magistrate of the Saybrook colony, married Annah, the daughter of lIenry Wolcott. Matthew Griswold was a descendant of Sir Humphrey Griswold, whose seat was at Malvern Hall. Henry Wol- cott was the son and heir of John Wolcott, of Golden Manor. The manor-house is still standing, an immense castle of great antiquity, de- signed for the purposes of defense against the excesses of a lawless age, as well as for a permanent family residence. It is richly ornamented with carved work, and upon the walls may be seen the motto of the family arms, " Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri,"-inclined to swear in the words of no master. It was in keeping with the independ- ent spirit of an English gentleman of the Middle Ages, and with that of a Puritan of a later date who spurned the dictation of ecclesiastical wisdom. Wolcott sold a portion of his estate before he left England. He was a magistrate in the Connecticut colony, and his descendants in the direct line were magistrates, judges, and Governors for a period of over one hundred and eighty successive years.


546


HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


the plate. The demure maiden, however, rallied instantly.


"' The Lord's will be done,' she replied.


"The deacon nudged his horse and trotted slowly away, and the maiden finished washing her dishes. Betty's father was not friendly to the deacon, and tried to break the engagement. He did not succeed, as ap- pears from the publishment which, according to the custom of the times, was posted upon the church- door. It was the production of the prospective bride- groom, and ran thus :


"' Reynold Marvin and Betty Lee Do intend to marry, And though her dad op-po-sed be, They can no longer tarry.'


"They were married, and lived in peace, and in a small stone house on the west side of 'The Street' brought up a large family of children, and in due course of events were gathered to their fathers. On a time-worn headstone in the Lyme Cemetery may be seen the following inscription :


"' This Deacon, aged sixty-eight, Is freed on Earth from sarving, May for a crown no longer wait Lyme's Captain Reynold Marvin.'


"The Marvins were a numerous race, and jurists were thick among them in every generation. They seem to have been native bards also. One Reynold Marvin (not the deacon) closes a letter in 1737 to Judge John Griswold in the following manner :


"'Sir, this is yours, at any rate, To read if you have leisure, To burn, conceal, communicate, According to your pleasure.'


"To return to Richard Waite. He lived on a farm in that part of Lyme known as 'Four-mile River.' He was a leading man and a justice of the peace, which was more of an honor in those days than we of this generation can comprehend. He had ten chil- dren by his Marvin wife, one of whom became the celebrated Judge Marvin Wait, of New London, whose son is the Hon. John Turner Wait, of Nor- wich. He married secondly Rebecca Higgins, the daughter of Capt. Higgins, a large, handsome, im- perious woman, who, as the years rolled on, devoted herself with great zeal to the education of her two sons, Remick and Ezra. When the latter graduated from Yale, and then declined to carry out her wishes by studying divinity, she was grievously disappointed ; and when he crowned his irreverence by declaring in favor of law, she would have nothing more to do with him. She was severely religious, never allowed cook- ing or sweeping in her house on the Sabbath, and always entered church at the precise and proper mo- ment. At one time (just prior to the Revolution) both she and her husband withdrew from the com- munion because of certain charges against their pas- tor, but finding them untrue, offered to return. Capt. Higgins violently opposed such a proceeding. 'What!'


said he to his daughter, 'has our Lyme church be- come a tavern, where people may go out and come in when they please, without even knocking?' Her son, Remick Waite, turned his attention to agriculture ; but the law in his blood found vent. He was made justice of the peace when quite young, and sustained the office with dignity to the end of a long and useful life. He married Susanna Matson, who was a lady of superior talents and great worth and strength of char- acter. It was her sister who was the mother of Hon. William A. Buckingham, late United States senator, and the great war Governor of Connecticut, and of Rev. Dr. Samuel G. Buckingham, long a beloved and honored pastor in Springfield, Mass. ; and she herself was the mother of Chief Justice Henry Matson Waite.




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