History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 144

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 144

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George D. Jerome was reared a farmer, had a com- mon-school education, when fourteen went to work for a brother-in-law in Waterford, remained six months, returned home, and when eighteen went to Plum Island and remained two years. He then took a farm in Salem, Conn., and married, Nov. 14, 1836, Hannah, daughter of John and Hannah (Chappell) Darrow, of Montville. She was born in New London. For forty-five years this worthy couple have walked hand in hand, leading a life of usefulness, and ex- tending a kindly hand to the unfortunate and sorrow- ing, and in an unostentatious manner endeavoring to do their duty and serve their day and generation well, taking for their motto the teachings of the Golden Rule. For many years they have been earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Jerome was one of the constituent members of the Second Baptist Church of Waterford, and her family furnished six of the original sixteen members. Mr. and Mrs. Jerome both held membership there for over forty-three years, or since 1838. Mr. Jerome has held the office of deacon, discharging its duties with great acceptability to the other members, since Sept. 20, 1843. In 1837, Mr. Jerome purchased the place where he now resides, and which is prized by his children and grandchildren as the " old homestead." Here he has ever since resided in the quiet enjoy- ments of a farmer's life, taking pride in the improve- ment and cultivation of his farm and the education and development of his children. He has always been found in accord with progress. In politics has been a Whig and Republican. He has had four chil- dren,-Henry G. (married Eliza Starr, and has four children,-Idella, Albert, Frank, and Louis) ; Amelia J. (married Dr. W. S. C. Perkins, and resides in Nor- wich, and has two children,-Florence A. and Charles H.); Julia W. (married David A. Starr, and has one child, Ada) ; Albert E. (who died at ten years).

Nathaniel Burr Bradford was born Dec. 9, 1795, in Montville, Conn., the eldest son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Raymond) Bradford. He was a direct descend- ant (sixth generation) of Governor William Brad- ford, who came over in the "Mayflower." In early life he attended the district school, and afterwards Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn. His business was farming, which he carried on extensively and success- fully. He held several offices of trust and responsi- bility, and represented the town in the Legislature.

He was a true patriot, deeply interested in the late war, and an active worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party. He was not a member of any particular religious denomination, but a firm believer in the truths of the gospel, and a liberal supporter of all its interests, especially of foreign missions.

He was married, April 30, 1835, to Rachel Fitch, of Montville, daughter of James and Abigail (Fox) Fitch. He died Oct. 11, 1870, leaving no children.

Capt. William Fitch was born Aug. 14, 1815, youngest son of James and Abigail (Fox) Fitch. In

George D ference>

MYJ' Bradford-

of Pliam Fitch.

David R. Dolleare

595

PRESTON.

early life attended the district school, and when old enough worked on the farm in summer and went to the school in winter. . Part of the year 1833-34 at- tended Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn.

In 1834 commenced going to sea, and so continued until 1853, during which time he made three voyages as captain of a whaling-ship.

On leaving the sea he resumed his former occupa- tion of farming, which has been his business to the present time.

At the age of sixteen he united with the Congre- gational Church in Montville, and in 1859 changed his church relations to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Uncasville, that being nearer his resi- dence. Most of the time since he has held the offices of trustee and steward therein.

He is a Republican in politics, held several town offices,-been justice of the peace, judge of probate,- and represented the town in the Legislature. He was married April 7, 1845, to Lucy A. Fitch, daughter of Adonijah and Anne (Fox) Fitch. Had three chil- dren,-James William, the oldest, is now living, and at the present time editor of the Jefferson Gazette, Ashtabula County, Ohio; Frank, died at the age of three years and four months ; Lucy Anna, died at the age of seventeen months.

David Raymond Dolbeare, son of Elisha and Mary (Fox) Dolbeare, was born in Montville, Conn., not one mile from his present residence, Jan. 10, 1808.

The first American ancestor of the name was John Dolbeare, who first settled in Boston and was a tinker. He afterwards became a purchaser of a large tract of land in that part of New London County now Montville, where he settled. It is said that he purchased as much land from the Indians as a cow- skin would cover, and that, cutting the skin into one long strip, he "surrounded" a large tract. Rumor aside, however, he was a large land-owner, and from him David is a direct descendant in the fifth genera- tion. He had several children, and died "full of years."

John Dolbeare, grandfather of David, born in Montville, married a Raymond, and had several chil- dren. He was quite a man of note in his generation, being called by the people to important trusts, and filling acceptably the responsible position of justice of the peace for years. In religion he was a strict Congregationalist. He died aged sixty-two years. Elisha, his son, was born in Montville, married Mary Fox. He was a very ingenious man, was a farmer and tanner, and could " turn his hand to any- thing." Six of his children arrived at maturity,- Griswold H. (deceased), Mary Ann (deceased), David R., Martha F., Nancy F. (deceased), Fanny (de- ceased). He was a good member of society, unosten- tatious, and a lover of home, and was for years a member of the Congregational Church. He died at the age of sixty-four, and his wife at that of eighty.

Both were highly esteemed in church and social circles.

David was brought up a farmer, received the educa- tional advantages of the common schools, and has never departed from the labor of his youth. He has always been an agriculturist, and a hard-working, economical, and prudent man, and by industry and frugality and a judicious judgment has acquired a competency, although by the dishonesty of others he has suffered losses. His first wife was Elizabeth G. Raymond, who lived but a few years. He married, Sept. 11, 1838, Ellen Fitch, daughter of George Dol- beare and his wife, Mary Bradford. They were resi- dents of Montville, where she was born, June 29, 1813.

Mr. Dolbeare in early life was in accord with the political principles of the Whig party, and from 1856 has been identified with the Republicans. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dolbeare have been for years consistent and valued members of the Congregational Church, and have been supporters of all good works in the church and community. Their children are James S. (de- ceased) ; Thomas W .; Henry C .; Horatio B .; twins, Mary Elizabeth (who died June 25, 1880, aged thirty- two) and Sarah Ellen (died at two years) ; and John. Thomas married Eliza J. Champlin, and has three. children,-Minnie, Willie, and Walter. Henry mar- ried Alice E. Whaley, and resides with his father. Horatio married Jane Ashcraft, and lives in New London.

CHAPTER LXXII.

1 PRESTON.

Geographical-Topographical-The Indians-Early Grantees-Sketches of the Early Settlers-The War of the Revolution-Civil and Military Incorporation of the Town-Interesting Documents-Ecclesiastical History, etc.

THE town of Preston lies northeast of the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Lisbon and Griswold, on the east by Griswold and North Stonington, on the south by North Stonington and Ledyard, and on the west by Montville and Norwich.

The surface of the town is uneven, consisting of hills and valleys. The soil is a gravelly loam, gen- erally productive, better adapted to grazing than the raising of grain.

The Indians .- The lands embodied within the present bounds of Preston were owned by the Mohe- gans, and a deed of the town was given by Owaneco, March 17, 1687, and comprised a tract five miles in length, from Stonington to Norwich. This deed was from

596

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

"Oaneco to Capt. James Fitch, Capt. Josiah Standish, Thomas Parke, Sr., Jonathan Trasy, Thomas Trasy, Joseph Morgan, and all the rest of the inhabitants Hving in New Preson.

"Signed

The mark

" Witnesses :

of OANECO.

"JOHN MORGAN,

" JOHN STANTON,

" The mark

of JOHN UNOAS."

The following is from the records of the General Court, dated May 10, 1679 :

" Whereas, Uncas his son hath damnified Thomas Tracy, Jun., in his swine, and Uncas is willing to make him satisfaction for the same in land, this Court grants him liberty to receive of Uncas to the value of 100 acres of land for the said damage, if he see cause to grant it to him, provided it be not prejudicial to any plantation or former grant made by the Court. Lt. Thomas Tracy and Lt. Thomas Leffingwell are appointed to lay out this grant to the said Thomas Tracy, Jun., according to this grant."

"Thomas Tracy's farm east of the Shetneket was not far from Owaneco's claim, and it is not unlikely that the swine were lawfully slain in defense of his corn-fields. But this was an easy way of settling dis- putes ; the Indians set but little value upon their lands, and the settlers were willing to be slightly 'damnified' for the sake of the indemnity."

Among the earliest grantees in this town were Samuel Andrews, John Reynolds, Josiah Rockwell, and Robert Roath. Although there were a few per- sons here in 1676, it is not likely that any permanent settlement was made until the close of King Philip's war. Reynolds and Rockwell, the last two of the above grantees, were attacked by Indians in 1676 while working on their land. The Reynolds farm for a long period remained in the possession of the family, and a portion of it was sold to the Water- Power Company in 1826.

Miss Caulkins says, "In all probability Greenfield Larabee was the first settler in this region, and the first actual inhabitant of the town of Preston. Next to him were Thomas Tracy, Jr., Jonathan Tracy, Samuel Fitch, and Nathaniel Leflingwell, who were cultivating farms here in 1680."

Early Settlers.1-" Hugh Amos probably came from Boston, where a person of his name was living in 1666. He was propounded for freemanship at Norwich in May, 1671, but an earlier notice of him is the following :

"Sept. 26, 1670. A committee of three persons, John Bradford, Hugh Calkins, and Thomas Leffingwell, are to agree with Hugh Amos to keep the ferry over Showtuckett River.

" This was after the privilege of keeping the ferry had been granted to Samnel Starr and forfeited by him. 'Hugh Amos and his neighbor Rockwell' are mentioned in 1678 as living near the ferry.

1 From Miss Caulking' History of Norwich.

" Amos died in 1707, leaving an estate valued at £410, consisting principally of housing and 570 acres of land. His children then living were John, Mary, wife of Benjamin Howard, Samuel (of Stonington), and Ann.

" Samuel Amos, in 1685, obtained a deed of land lying ' between Shunkhungannuck Hill and Conay- tuck Brook' of the sachem Owaneco. A handsome sheet of water called Lake Amos, in the southeast part of Preston, near the line of North Stonington, probably obtained its name from him.

" John and Joseph Ayer, or Ayers, emigrants prob- ably from Ipswich, Mass., settled at Preston and North Stonington as farmers.

"Joseph Ayer's farm was within the bounds of Norwich East Society, and he was admitted an in- habitant in 1704. His will, dated at Norwich, Sept. 6, 1736, but not proved till 1747, mentions four chil- dren : Joseph, Timothy, Sarah Hazen, and Abigail, wife of Dennis Manough.

"Joseph Benjamin settled in about 1690. The in- ventory of his estate was taken April 27, 1704. He left a widow, Sarah, and children, according to the inventory,-Joseph, aged thirty ; John, twenty-two; Abigail, Jemima, Sarah, Mary, and Marcy, all about twenty. The appraisers of his estate were Thomas Stanton, Jonathan Tracy, and Samuel Lennerson, who were doubtless his neigbors.

" John Benjamin died Ang. 2, 1716.

" William Belcher, of Preston, died Feb. 7, 1732. His will, dated Sept. 6, 1731, provides for wife Me- hitabel, son William, and brother Elijah, also his mother and sister. His estate was valued at £2298. Among his bequests was a wood-lot to his pastor, Mr. Hezekiah Lord.

" Moses Belcher was also an early settler in this town. He was the ancestor in this country of Hon. Nathan Belcher, of New London. (See biography of Nathan Belcher.)

" William Billings is supposed to have been the oldest son of William Billings, of Stonington, and born in that plantation about 1665. In 1709 he is styled ' Capt. William Billings, of Preston.' He had rights in the volunteer lands, probably derived from his father, who had fought against the Indians in Philip's war. He died in June, 1738.2 He was the father of Rev. William Billings, who graduated at Yale in 1720, settled in the ministry at Windham, and died May 20, 1733, leaving an only son, William, afterwards known by the same style and title as his grandfather, viz., Capt. William Billings, of Preston. This last-named Capt. William died Nov. 28, 1813, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, and was buried at Poquetannock.

"Peter Branch, probably son of John of Scituate,

2 Joshua Hempstead, of New London, in his private diary says that Capt. Billings, of Preston, and Capt. William Ilyde, of Norwich, were buried the same day, June 9, 1738. These were men of note in their respective towns .- Cuulkins.

597

PRESTON.

had his cattle-mark registered at Norwich about 1680. He died in 1713, leaving nine children of ages from twenty-eight years down to seven. In settling the estate it was decided that a division could not be made without prejudice to the children, and testimony to that effect was presented to the court signed by the following persons, who were doubtless freeholders in the district at that time: John Ames, Daniel Brews- ter, Caleb Forbes, John Freeman, Joseph Freeman, James Morgan, Isaac Morgan, Ezekiel Parke, David Roode, Nathaniel Tracy, Thomas Tracy.

"Tristram, adm. June 21, 1716 ; the birth of Samuel. son of Tristram and Mary, recorded the same year.

" Trustram Brown and Abigail Parke were married 28 Aug. 1722. This was probably a second marriage of the above.

"Nicholas Cady owned a mill in Preston, and there died in 1725; supposed to have come from Kil- lingly.

" Isaac Cady died in 1730.

"Josephi Cary had land granted to him in 1687, ' near Capt. Standish's farm.'

"John Clark, carpenter, adm. 1702; died 1709, leaving a wife, Mary, and children, -- John, Thomas, Mary, Phebe, Isaac, and James,-all, or most of them, of mature age.

"Isaac, adm. 1714; selectman 1723.

" James Clark, of Norwich, died in 1719.

"Richard Cook. A deed of gift, dated July 21, 1680, is recorded, from Greenfield Larrabee to Rich- ard Cooke, of Stonington, of thirty acres of land 'over Showtuckett, where my now dwelling is, provided he removes and dwells upon it.' Richard Cooke ac- cepted the conditions, was afterwards admitted as an inhabitant, and had other lands granted by the town. He died in 1695. His son Obed, born Feb. 1, 1681, was the father of Capt. James Cook, of Preston, who died June 9, 1778, in the sixty-second year of his age.

"Eliphal, one of the daughters of Capt. Cook, mar- ried Oliver Woodworth, and died Jan. 25, 1842, aged ninety-two, making but four generations from the settlement.

" The name of Corning is found early in the East Society. Josiah and Nehemiah Corning were born, the former in 1703, and the latter in 1716. Both are interred in the Long Society burial-ground.

"Thomas Danforth, a land-owner in 1730, perhaps earlier.

"Peter and Thomas Davison were early inhabitants of the East Society, or Preston. They probably came from Stonington. Peter died in 1706, Thomas in 1724, and a second Thomas in 1741.

" Jonathan Dower, adm. 1716.

" Samuel, adm. 1721.

" Andrew, a resident in 1723. Dr. Joshua Dower, of Preston, born Aug. 6, 1735, was a son of Andrew.

" John Downs and Hannah Rockwell were married March 1, 1693-94. They had five children baptized by Mr. Woodward in 1707.

" Joshua Downs, of Norwich, and Mercy Raymond, of New London, were married Feb. 12, 1729-30.

"Mr. Samuel Fitch, son of the Rev. James, was one of the earliest inhabitants east of this town. He died in 1725. His sons were Hezekiah, Jabez, and Ben- jamin. The following inscription is from one of the oldest gravestones in Long Society : 'Here lais the body of Deacon Benjamin Fitch, died Oct. 19, 1727, in ye 37th year of his age.'

"Caleb Forbes had a land-grant in 1672, and was constable in 1685. His marriage with Sarah, daughter of John Gager, took place June 30, 1681. A deed from Owaneco in his favor of one hundred and ten acres of upland and meadow 'south of Connoughtug brook' bears the date of Dec. 10, 1683.

" Deacon Caleb Forbes, of Preston, died Aug. 25, 1710. His estate was estimated at six hundred and twenty-five pounds. He left a relict, Mary, and five children,-Sarah, Caleb, Mary, John, and Elizabeth.

"David Francis, adm. 1697. He was on the roll of inhabitants in 1702, and again in 1718, with the title of sergeant.

"Joseph Freeman, of Preston, 1698.

"Sert. Joseph Freeman's inventory was presented at the County Court in 1706, and distribution of his estate ordered to his three sons, John, Ebenezer, and James.

"Stephen Gates, an inhabitant in 1720.

"Thomas Gates died Oct. 24, 1726.

"The farm of George Geer was near the dividing line between New London and Norwich, east of the river, and was afterwards included in Groton. He married, in 1659, Sarah, daughter of John Allyn. His sons, Joseph and Jonathan, were reckoned as in- habitants of Preston in 1687.

"Nathaniel Giddings, son of Nathaniel, born 1705; daughter Elizabeth baptized Sept. 19, 1715.

"John Glover, a grantee of 1680, is on the roll of inhabitants in 1702 and 1718. He married May 29, 1682, Hannah - -, the family name not given.

" March, 1684. Granted to Mr. Brewster and John Glover two bits of land near their own land, on the east side of Showtucket River.

" Dyer Haskell, adm. Dec. 1, 1713.

"Roger, adm. 1716; Daniel, 1723.

" Roger and Daniel Haskell were brothers. The former died in 1727. The decease of Daniel and two sisters, Judith and Sarah, took place during the year 1730. Daniel left an estate of eight hundred and fifty pounds. In the last will and testament of Judith several of the bequests are suggestive of the fashions of the day,-' I give to brother Roger's daughter Zip- porah my Bible, my silk apron and pinners, and two ribbons. I give to brother Fitch's daughter Abigail my chince frock and stays with green covering,' etc.

" A second Roger Haskell, who died in 1759, aged sixty-seven, and a third of the same name in 1791, have stones to their memory in the Long Society burial-ground.

598

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

" John Hewit, member of Norwich Church in 1726, had a son Solomon baptized March 30, 1729.

"Joseph Hillard, 1738.

"Greenfield Larrabee, from Saybrook, son of an original emigrant of the same name, married Alice, daughter of Thomas Parke, in March, 1673, and set- tled upon a farm east of the river, near his father-in- law. In this new location he prospered, acquired large lands, brought up a family of eight sons and daugh- ters, and lived to be upwards of ninety years of age. He was born April 20, 1648, and died Feb. 3, 1739.

" Zachariah Mainer, 1722.

"Mix, or Meeks. Thomas Meeks, son of Thomas, of New Haven, and there born in 1635, married, June 30, 1677, Hannah, daughter of Rev. James Fitch. He settled upon a farm belonging to Mr. Fitch, east of the Shetucket. A tract of twenty acres, 'where his house stands,' was confirmed to him July 16, 1680, as a free gift from Mr. Fitch to his daughter. They had nine children.

" Mr. Mix died July 30, 1706. His son Daniel was a selectman in 1725 and 1726.

"Joseph Morgan, of Preston, son of James, of New London and Groton, married Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Parke, 'some time in April, 1670,' says the record. He died April 5, 1704. He had one son, Joseph, and six daughters who lived to maturity. Estate, five hundred and twenty-two pounds.

"Samuel Parish, adm. 1716; Benjamin, a little later ; probably sons of John, of Stonington, who died in 1715.

" Parke, or Parks. The farm of Thomas Parke was so ambiguously situated that it took a course of years to get it settled into an abiding position. In 1681 he was a collector of taxes for New London, and his son, Thomas Parke, Jr., a constable of the same town. In 1686 the latter, without any removal of residence, was chosen constable for Norwich. A year later they were both included in the new town of Preston. Deacon Thomas Parke died July 30, 1709; his son, Thomas, Jr., had previously deceased.

" Robert Parke, second son of Deacon Thomas, mar- ried Rachel Leflingwell, Nov. 24, 1681. He also died before his father (1707), leaving a second wife, Mary, and ten children between the ages of nine months and twenty-three years. Robert Parke's homestead farm was within the bounds of Groton ; he had also a farm at Pachaug.

"Capt. John Parke, of Preston, another son of Deacon Thomas, and probably the oldest, died in 1716. The widow, Mary, received that part of the farm 'on which old Deacon Thomas dwelt by the Great Pond.' She afterwards married Salmon Treat. " Nathaniel Parks in 1683 was a neighbor of Josiah Rockwell.

" In 1713, Deacon John Richards, of Preston, asked for a confirmation of his land. William Richards, probably a brother of John, was also an carly in- habitant of Preston. No connection between them

and the Richards family of New London has been traced. William died in 1724; John in 1756. Both left descendants.

" Robert Roath married in October, 1668, Sarah Saxton, and in 1672 was living at Norwich, near the Shetucket ferry. In 1680 the road to Poquetannock was laid out, beginning at the house of Robert Roath, and running south through land of Owen Williams. Robert Roath had three sons, John, Daniel, and Peter, who all became heads of families.

" Peter Robinson came from Martha's Vineyard about 1708 ; adm. 1712; had three children baptized by Mr. Woodward (1711, 1713, 1714), all daughters ; removed to Windham, probably about 1720, and was one who assisted in forming the church in Scotland Parish, 1735.

" Israel Robinson was a resident of Norwich in 1720.

" Josiah Rockwell settled at Norwich about 1670, and was slain by the Indians in January, 1676. His farm was on the eastern side of the Shetucket, near the road to Poquetannock.

" The parentage of Josiah Rockwell has not been determined by actual records, but presumptive evi- dence connects him with the family of William Rock- well, who died at Windsor in 1640. Though only three sons of William are found on record at Wind- sor, viz., John, Samuel, and Joseph, it is not improb- able that Josiah was an older son by a previous mar- riage. He was at New London in 1658, and remained there ten or twelve years. He then removed to Nor- wich, where one of William Rockwell's family-Ruth, wife of Christopher Huntington-had settled. Among his children we find the names of the three brothers of Windsor, Joseph, John, and Samuel, perpetuated ; and in the family of Samuel, at Windsor, we find a Josiah. These are hints suggestive of a relationship.

" Josiah Rockwell had seven children, the births ranging from 1658 to 1676, inclusive. The oldest died in infancy. His marriage is not recorded, and the name of his wife has not been traced.

"John, son of Thomas and Sarah Rood, of Nor- wich, had a home-lot granted him in 1679, 'on the other side of Showtucket River, near to his Uncle Leffingwell's.' He died in September, 1706, leaving a wife, Mary, and six children, the oldest, John, aged sixteen, and the second, Zachariah, aged four- teen. The last mentioned was probably the vener- able centenarian whose gravestone in the Preston burial-ground has the following interesting record :

"' In Memory of Mr. Zachariah Rnde who died Feb. 10th 1795. in the 103d year of his age.

"' Here in the history of my age, Men who review my days, May read God's love in every page, In every line his praise.'

599

PRESTON.

" Thomas Rose was an early settler in the southern part of Preston. His name acquired notoriety from the situation of his dwelling-house. A large oak-tree near the house was a noted boundary-mark between Norwich and New London, standing as a stately warder precisely at the southeast corner of Norwich. It was directly upon the line running east from the head of Poquetannock Cove to the bounds of Stoning- ton, and is referred to in several surveys, acts, and patents.

"Thomas Rose married Hannah, daughter of Rob- ert Allyn. Under the shadow of the great boundary- tree they both lived to a good old age. He died in 1743, leaving an estate valued at £2498. His wife survived him, and he left also a son, Joseph, and six daughters. Another son, Thomas, died before his father, in 1733, leaving a family.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 144

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