History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 171

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 171

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The Rev. William (fourth generation), born May 11, 1688; graduated at Harvard, 1705; died March 6, 1760; ordained minister at Weston, 1709; was es- teemed a fine scholar and excellent sermonizer ; was widely known from his artillery election sermon in 1737, and the general election sermon of 1741, both of which were published ; also sermons on the ordi- nation of Dr. Hall Sutton, on the execution of P. Kennison for burglary, 1738, on saving faith, 1741, and on the death of Caleb Lyman, 1742. He had son, Col. William, of Pittsfield, born 1713, died June, 1788, one of the first settlers there, who was an officer in the French and Indian war, and took part in the at- tack on Ticonderoga, July 5, 1758, and a judge of the court in Berkshire County.

Rev. Solomon (fourth generation), son of Rev. Wil- liam, of Hatfield, born June 4, 1700; graduated at Harvard, 1719; died 1776; ordained minister at Lebanon, Conn., Dec. 5, 1722; was one of the learned divines of the day. Many of his works were published, among which were " Christ the Living Witness of the Truth," 1744; " A Vindication of the Scripture Doc- trine of Justifying Faith," in answer to Andrew Cros- well, 1746; and "The True State of the Question Con- cerning the Qualifications for Communion," in an- swer to Jonathan Edwards. He had sons,-the Rev. Eliphalet, Ezekiel, and the Hon. Williams.

The Rev. Eliphalet (fifth generation), born Feb. 24, 1727, died 1803 ; settled at East Hartford; mar- ried a daughter of Rev. Elisha, president of Yale Col- lege, and had sons,-Rev. Elisha, born Oct. 7, 1757 ; graduated at Yale, 1775; died 1845; settled in New Hampshire; and the Rev. Solomon, born 1752; grad- uated at Yale, 1776; died Nov. 9, 1834. Minister at Northampton, Mass., for fifty-five years ; was a strong preacher, and at the time of his death had one of the largest congregations in Massachusetts.

Ezekiel (fifth generation), son of Rev. Solomon, was born May 4, 1729, died Feb. 12, 1818; was a distinguished civil and military officer during the American Revolution ; was commissary of provisions for the State of Connecticut, sheriff of Hartford County for twenty-two years, and deacon for many years of the church in Wethersfield, and is noticed in Hinman's "History of the Actors of the American Revolution." He had sons,-Samuel P., John, Thos. Scott.

Samuel P. (sixth generation), son of Ezekiel, born 1779, graduated at Yale, 1796 ; was an able minister at Mansfield, Conn., and afterwards at Newburyport, Mass. John (sixth generation) was, born at Wethers- field, Sept. 11, 1762, died 1840 ; graduated at Yale, 1781 ; studied law in the office of Judge Chauncey, in New Haven. He had a comfortable fortune, and gave up the practice of law and devoted himself to the study of theology and general literature. He was an ardent patriot, and to an uncommon fine personal

appearance he added the courtliness of manner and dress of the Revolutionary age. Thomas Scott (sixth generation), the last maternal son of Ezekiel, was born at Wethersfield, June 26, 1777; graduated at Yale, 1794; represented the town of Hartford in the Legis- lature ; member of Congress from 1817 to 1819, and was chief justice of Connecticut.

Hon. William (fifth generation), son of Rev. Solo- mon, of Lebanon, signer of the Declaration of In- dependence, was born at Lebanon, April 8, 1731; entered Harvard at the age of sixteen, honorably graduated, and for a time devoted himself to theo- logical subjects under direction of his father ; was on the staff of Col. Ephraim Williams at the battle of Lake George, September, 1755. In 1756 was chosen town clerk of Lebanon, and held the office for forty- five years, and during that time often represented the town in the Legislature; frequently chosen its clerk, and also Speaker; was annually elected an " assistant" from 1776 to 1780, and from 1784 to 1803. The session was then semi-annual, and for more than ninety sessions he was scarcely absent from his seat, except when a member of the Continental Congress in 1776-77. At the age of forty-one he married Mary, daughter of Jonathan Trumbull, at that time Gov- ernor of the State. He died, and was buried at Leb- anon, Aug. 2, 1811. It will be remembered that Rev. William, of Hatfield, had two other sons,-Elisha and Israel.

Rector Elisha (fourth generation), born Aug. 26, 1694 ; graduated at Harvard, 1711 ; died July 25, 1755 ; ordained minister at Newington, Conn., Oct. 22, 1722. He studied law, and for several years was member of the Legislature from Wethersfield. In 1726 was chosen president of Yale College; resigned in 1739 from ill health ; was again returned to the Legislature, and appointed a judge of the Superior Court. After- wards was chaplain of the regiment sent by the State to Cape Breton, and soon after commanded a regi- ment raised for the reduction of Canada. He was sent to England to raise money for the troops in December, 1749; left on his return in 1751 ; narrowly escaped shipwreck, and after spending some months in Antigua, arrived home in April, 1752. This is a copy of the memorial on his tomb :

"The Honb'le. Col'l. Elisha Williams shin'd in excelling Gifts of Na- ture, Learning and Grace, in Benevolence universal. Firm in Friend- ship, in Conversation pleasant and Instructive. In Religion Sincere, unaffected cheerful; Truly Humble., of Conjugal & Parental Affection and Humanity, A Wise, Great & Good Man. 5 Years he was an Hon'r to the Sacred Ministry, in Newington. 13 years Yale College flourished under his Pious, Learned & Faithful Instruction and happy Govern't; the Glory of ye college & Ornament of his Conntry. He often filled & adorned several Civil & Military characters. Heaven claimed what was Immortal that Glad obeyed & dross'd here the Dust to Rest till Jesus comes.

"Obiit 25th July 1755, ZEtates 61 yrs."

Dr. Doddridge, who knew him in England, said, "I look upon Col. Williams to be one of the most valuable men upon earth. He has joined to an ar- dent sense of religion, solid learning, consummate

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

prudence, great candor and sweetness of temper, and a certain nobleness of soul capable of containing and acting the greatest things without seeming to be con- scious of having done them."

Col. Israel (fourth generation), of Hatfield, son of Rev. William, born Nov. 30, 1709 ; graduated at Har- vard, 1729; died in 1789; was an officer in the French and Indian wars of 1744 and 1755. Had command of the forces on the western frontiers of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and as Hoyt says in his " Antiquarian Researches," " to whom the early settlers in that section were much indebted for long and able service."

These were descendants of the Rev. William, of Hatfield. We will glance at a few of the descendants of his brother Ephraim, of Stockbridge.

Ephraim (third generation), a son of Isaac, born Ang. 21, 1691; died 1754; settled in Stockbridge, Mass., June, 1739. There were no roads except horse- paths between the Connecticut River and Stockbridge at that time. The country was a wilderness, and only three families with him then settled what is now that town. He is spoken of by the Rev. Dr. Colman as a worthy man ; was appointed by the government to survey and apportion plots of land to the Indians, and was made a colonel. He had sons,-Col. Eph- raim and Dr. Thomas.

Col. Ephraim (fourth generation), born Feb. 24, 1715; killed at Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755. He made several voyages to Europe, visiting England, Spain, and Holland; was a representative to the General Court from Stockbridge, and afterwards deputy sheriff under Col. Oliver Partridge. He possessed brilliant military talent, served in the Canada expedition, and was in constant service during the French and Indian wars. He was killed near the post-road from Glen Falls to Caldwell, at the head of Lake George. A large rock, upon which was cut E. W., and upon which was afterwards placed a marble monument, is marked as near the spot. He never married, and left provisions by his " Will" which founded Williams College. The will was made at Albany, July 22, 1755. The executors were Israel Williams, of Hatfield, John Worthington, of Springfield ; witnesses, William Wil- liams, Noah Belding, Richard Cartwright.

Dr. Thomas, his brother, born April 10, 1718, died Sept. 18, 1775, was a surgeon in the army, and in 1756 lieutenant-colonel of a regiment at Lake George. Was with Ephraim when he was killed. He had sons,- Dr. William, Col. Thomas, and Ephraim. Dr. Wil- liam Stoddard Williams (fifth generation), born Oct. 11, 1762, died Jan. 8, 1828, was an eminent physi- cian, and had a son, Dr. Stephen West Williams, a very learned man and author of many works and essays. Col. Thomas (fifth generation), son of Dr. Thomas, born May 5, 1746, died July 10, 1776, was a lawyer in Stockbridge in 1770-71. In 1775 went to Cambridge in command of a party of minute-men, and volunteered to follow Col. Arnold up the Ken-

nebec River to Quebec. The next year was made lieu- tenant-colonel, and ordered to Canada. On his way fell sick, and died at Skenesboro', now Whitehall, N. Y.

Ephraim (fifth generation), son of Dr. Thomas, born Nov. 19, 1760, at Deerfield, died Dec. 27, 1835, was con- sidered one of the first and best counselors in Massa- chusetts, frequently elected to the Legislature, a mem- ber of the Senate, and counselor to the Governor. He was gifted with intellectual powers of a high order, and his mantle has worthily fallen upon his son John, the present Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut.

I have thus sketched some of the family not of this town who were conspicuous in the history of the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies at and for a few generations after the coming of Ebenezer, son of Samuel (second generation), and John and Eleazer, son of Isaac (second generation), to Stonington.

Their descendants did not furnish as many profes- sional men as did those of the other sons of Samuel and Isaac we have noted. They were located where there were less opportunities for study and education and the public display of acquired powers, but in business occupations they exhibited eminent qualities and those inherited natural abilities which were more necessary here during that time to develop the re- sources of the land, originate industries and improve- ments, and earn, by toil and financial operations, property for themselves and others than the wisdom of colleges or the pursuits and accomplishments of the learned professions. And it would be to the general advantage now if we had more old-fashioned impres- sive integrity and hard-headed business method in public affairs, and less new-fangled notions, “vain babblings and pettifogging oppositions of science, falsely so called."

John (third generation) was born Oct. 31, 1667 ; died Nov. 5, 1702; married, Jan. 24, 1687, Martha Wheeler, granddaughter of Thomas, the first in Sto- nington of the name, who came in 1664, and sister of May, who married his cousin, Ebenezer Williams. John's mother and Martha's were also cousins. He and his brother Elcazer (born in 1670, died March 19, 1725) took up land adjoining about 1685. Their residences were in sight of each other, Eleazer's being on the hill called Williams' Hill, commanding a most beautiful view of Long Island Sound, pictur- esque islands, the Mystic River valley, and the bold country surrounding, and was near the burying- ground where many of the family are buried. The burying-ground is near the fort which was taken by Capt. Mason from the Pequots in 1637, and a portion of the land has been in the almost uninterrupted pos- session of an Eleazer Williams in a direct line until a few years ago, when the last died, and it now re- mains in the occupancy of some of the descendants; and among them and also those of Ebenezer there have been many substantial, prominent men, useful where they lived, filling many important offices, suc-

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cessful in various business vocations, and influential contributors in the forming and progress of social, civil, and religious society. John " promised subjec- tion to ye Government of Christ in this (the First Congregational) Church, Rev. James Noyes, pastor, April 18, 1689. His wife, Martha, ye June 16th fol- lowing." He died at the early age of thirty-five. On his gravestone, erected by Gen. William Williams, of Norwich, is written :

" To the Memory of John Williams, who came from Roxbury, Mass., settled at Stonington, and married Martha, daughter of Isaac Wheeler, one of the ancient proprietors of this town ; died Nov. 15, 1702, aged 35 years. His father, Capt. Isaac Williams, died in Massachusetts, Feb. 11, 1707, aged 69. His grandfather, Robert Williams, came from Nor- wich, England, and died in Roxbury in 1693."

John and Martha had eight children, viz. : Isaac, John, Martha, Deborah, William, Nathan, Eunice, and Benaiah, of whom Col. John (fourth generation, born Oct. 31, 1692, died Dec. 30, 1761) married, Feb. 19, 1711, Desire Denison. From this time down to the present the blood of these families has frequently intermingled, and mention of her ancestry will be ap- propriate. She was the daughter of George and Mercy Gorham Denison. Mercy's mother was Desire How- land, the daughter of John, the last male survivor of the Pilgrim Fathers who came over in the " May- flower" in 1620. Her father, Capt. John Gorham, died in command of a company in Philip's war, at Swanzey, Mass. George was the son of Col. George and Ann Borradell Denison, the first of the name who settled in Stonington in 1654. His father, William, came to Roxbury, Mass., in 1631. Col. George, after the death of his first wife, Bridget Thomson, by whom he had two daughters, returned to England, served under Cromwell as colonel of cavalry, and was wounded at the battle of Naseby. He remained in England six or seven years, and visited Ireland to renew his acquaint- ance with Ann Borradell, between whom a romantic attachment had formerly existed, but at the time she was unwilling to join her fortunes with his and come to this country. His visit at this time, however, was more successful, and he returned here with her as his wife.

Col. George was a brave and experienced soldier, and took an active part in warfare against the Indians. Miss Caulkins, in her history, says, " Our early history presents no character of bolder and more active spirit than Capt. George Denison : he reminds us of the bordermen of Scotland." He was the first rep- resentative of the town in General Assembly at Hart- ford, and died while attending its session, and lies buried there in the ground of the First Congregational Church, on Main Street. His wife was always called "Lady Ann," by virtue of her father, who was Lord John of Ireland.

Col. John Williams was left at the age of ten with- out a father, "to make or mar a man" out of his own resources and capabilities, in a rugged time, when wealth and even the necessaries of life were dependent

solely on the fruit of the ground, and he met the stern necessities and emergencies of those primitive days, and proved the stuff that was in him by working out a life of usefulness and honor. At a period when such positions were won by the sword that was brave and true, and not by luck, he cut his way up to the rank of colonel, represented the town in the Legisla- ture, and was frequently intrusted by his townsmen to discharge the duties of some of the highest civil offices they had to bestow. Out of him grew sons and daughters who, under more favorable circumstances, enjoying the benefits of his labors, well maintained the dignity of his reputation. They were Desire, John, William, Thankful, Mercy, Thomas, who was killed at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781, Robert, and George ; and by his second wife, Mary Helme, Mercy, and Edward, who died on board the prison-ship at Newport, R. I. William (fifth generation), son of Col. John and Desire, born May 1, 1716, died July 27, 1801, married, Feb. 15, 1738, Martha, daughter of William Wheeler, brother to the Martha who married John Williams (third generation). William was a highly respectable citizen, held many offices, select- man and others, and represented the town in the Leg- islature ; he acquired considerable property, and was a liberal supporter of the church to which he belonged. He and Martha had William, Benadam, Martha, John, Esther, Ephraim, Desire, Hannah, and Isaac.

William (sixth generation), born Aug. 14, 1740, died at sea, Oct. 25, 1770 ; married Eunice Prentice ; they had William (see portrait and sketch) and Eu- nice, born Jan. 3, 1767, died Aug. 5, 1811, who mar- ried Coddington Billings, and were parents of Hon. Noyes Billings, Lieutenant-Governor of Connecticut, and William W. Billings, now living in New Lon- don.

John (sixth generation), born Dec. 23, 1744, mar- ried Keturah Randall; they had nine children, and were grandparents of Joseph S. Williams, a worthy farmer, who has been selectman a number of times, and his sons, Elias and Joseph, representatives of the town in General Assembly. Joseph has also been and now is one of the selectmen of the town.

Ephraim (sixth generation), born May 31, 1756, died July 6, 1804, married first Sarah Potter, of South Kingston, R. I .; they had no children ; married after- wards, Dec. 23, 1787, Hephzibah Phelps, daughter of Dr. Charles and Hannah Denison Phelps, a descend- ant of Col. George and Ann Borradell Denison by their son John. Capt. Ephraim was a large land- owner and of well-known business reputation, and devoted himself principally to the enjoyment and in- crease of his estate. He held offices, civil and mili- tary, and was captain of a company. He and Heph- zibah had Ephraim (see portrait, etc.), Charles Phelps (see portrait, etc.), and Sarah, born July 15, 1802, died July 24, 1824, unmarried. His sister Han- nah, born June 17, 1753, died July 19, 1829, married, July 3, 1777, Amos Denison, a descendant of Col.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

George and Ann through their son George; and their daughter, Hannah Eliza, born Jan. 11, 1799, died June 20, 1877, married, April 13, 1815, Ephraim, his son.

Col. Isaac Williams (sixth generation), born March 23, 1758, died Oct. 10, 1844, married, Dec. 13, 1780, Phebe, daughter of Warham Williams, whose father, Isaac, the son of John the first settler, married Sarah, daughter of John Denison, a son of Col. George and Ann. Col. Isaac was a highly respectable man, repre- sented the town in the Legislature, held many civil and military offices, was a colonel of commanding presence, and an intelligent farmer of sound judgment and unusual business capacity. Some of his grand- children live on the homestead.

Maj .- Gen. William Williams .- Maj .- Gen. Wil- liam Williams (seventh generation), son of William and Eunice Prentice, was born June 30, 1765, died May 15, 1838, married Mercy Wheeler; they had Gen. William, of Norwich, and Maj. Thomas W., of New London. Maj .- Gen. William, of Stonington, was prominent in business and also in public affairs, was of powerful frame, and had great individuality of character. He was a large land-owner, and for a time, at New London, was engaged in the West India trade. He returned to Stonington, and after residing a time on one of his farms, adjoining that of Mr. Billings, who married his sister, he built a fine residence on a tract of land near the village, where he died. Few men have been more active, enterprising, or useful. For more than thirty years he was extensively engaged as a shipping merchant. As a landholder, he was always a promoter of the interests of agriculture, as well as of manufactures.

He held various town offices, was a selectman for six years, often a representative in the Legislature, president of the Stonington Bank from 1827 to 1835, when he resigned. He took an active part in the pre- liminary steps which opened through Stonington the steamboat and railroad communication between New York and Boston. He rose from the command of a troop of cavalry, through the various grades of office, to the rank of major-general of the Third Division of Connecticut militia. He held that office in war and in peace, and always had the confidence and respect of those under his command.

A notice of his death by the editor of the New Lon- don Gazette, to whom he was politically opposed in several severely contested elections, justly outlines his sterling character :

"Gen, Williams was a man of uncommon character. Starting in life with no other reliance than his own resources, he was the architect of his own fortune. He was a man of great and enterprising sagacity and * indelaligable perseverance, which qualities commended him to the es- teem of a numerous circle of friends, He was more extensively and variously concerned in business than any man in New London County. In commerce, agriculture, and manufactures he gave employment to many, lo their own satisfaction and his own snecess. He had frequently received high offices from his fellow-citizens, and died greatly lamented, with the cheering assurance of a well-grounded hope to himself and his family of receiving that inheritance which is beyond valne or vicissi- tude."

His second wife was Rhoda Babcock; no children. His third, Ann Babcock, by whom children now liv- ing are Franklin, postmaster in Stonington, which office he has held through both party administrations, and for a longer time than the like office has been held by any one in the United States, and Ellen, who married Dr. William Hyde (see portrait, etc.).

I have thus endeavored as briefly as I could in this imperfect delineation of their character to trace down to within the memory of a few now living the lineage of those whose lives and influence largely contributed to the growth and prosperity of this county. They were worthy descendants of a respectable ancestry, and their record all along forms no inconsiderable part of the history of the towns in which they settled and made their homes. Of some of these, who have rested from their labors, immediately preceding those now acting their part in life, the recollection is too near and dear ; affection, respect, and the ties of blood pul- sate too closely and warmly, at least towards one whose bodily presence, though twenty years have passed over his grave, seemed of yesterday, for this pen to attempt a portraiture of either his public or private character. That is gratefully done by the venerable hand 1 of one who knew him well and kindly requested the privi- lege of paying that tribute to his memory, whose years, though numbering fourscore and more, have in nowise dimmed the mental eye nor abated the force of a vigorous, scholarly pen, and whose attain- ments in the classics and skill in special branches of mathematical science, known and respected by mas- ters in this country and in Europe, give sure warrant that his exactness, habit, and pureness of thought would not permit him to set down aught in praise of a friend that was not justly due.

Hon. Ephraim Williams2 was born in Stonington, July 3, 1791. When a young man he was engaged in buying and selling produce for the New York market, which business he followed several years. In 1817, Capt. Edmund Fanning, of New York, but for- merly of Stonington, an old and experienced ship- master and sealer (having already made several voy- ages to the southern coasts of South America and the islands adjacent), began to fit out vessels at Stoning- ton for the prosecution of the seal-fishery in those regions, and soon after at New South Shetlands, which had been discovered a short time previous by Capt. - Smith, an Englishman.

Among the first to embark capital in the sealing business was Mr. Williams. In 1820 (July 31st) he sailed from Stonington as captain of the schooner " Express," and after an absence of nine months re- turned with a full cargo of sealskins, having made one of the most successful voyages in that line on

1 By Dr. D. S. Hart.

2 By Dr. David Sherman Hart, son of Rev. Ira Hart, a noted classical and mathematical scholar, and sometime a private teacher, who has fitted many of our boys for college, and imparted instruction to many ! others, by all of whom he is affectionately remembered.

WinWilliam

ing DA !!

Eng? by A.H. Ritch ..

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record. He did not go to sea again, but engaged in the sealing business, which at that time was so profit- able that in 1823 twenty sealing vessels were owned here, more than at any other port in the United States.

Mr. Williams was president of the Stonington Bank from 1835 to 1859, when he resigned ; and when the Stonington Cemetery Association was incorporated, in 1849, chiefly through his exertions and those of Dr. William Hyde, Jr., he was elected its first presi- dent, which office he retained during his life. He held the office of selectman, and was on the board of relief in this town. He was also for a time judge of probate, having for his clerk Mr. Wmn. H. Wood- bridge, to whom he generously gave the avails of the office. In 1830 he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature of Connecticut from this town, and in 1847 and 1848 he was elected to the Upper House from the Seventh senatorial district.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 171

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