History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 178

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 178

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" But it was not this prominent feature in Mr. Stillman's mind which made him the favorite of this community for more than half a century. It was his nniform and universal benevolence, his active and co-operative sympathy with all who applied to him for advice or assistance in their trouble. Genial, humane, and kind, he was always accessible to the poorest and most humble of his neighbors. Ilis generosity showed itself not only in liberal charity to the poor, but the store-houses of his vast experience and skill in business were freely opened to younger men even when competitors in the same branches of manufacturing. There was no limit to his patient kindness and sympathy with those who songht his aid in cases of this kind. Not his neighbors only, but manu- facturers from all parts of New England, who were attracted by his well- known ingenuity and skill, made large drafts on him for his valuable advice and opinions. He was always, at home and in his business, de- voted to the happiness of his family and the welfare of his help. He was prudent, but always liberal in the promotion of every benevolent object and every institution for the advancement of education, morality, and religion."

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

When the Pawcatuck Bank was organized, in 1849, Mr. Stillman became its president, and held that posi- tion for about twenty-eight years. For a year previ- ons to his death, which occurred Jan. 5, 1879, Mr. Stillman was in failing health, and for three months was confined to his house by the cause of his death, which a post-mortem examination showed to be a scirrhous cancer affecting several vital organs.

Mr. Stillman married, Aug. 20, 1829, Martha C., daughter of John and Fanny (Gardner) Hazard, of Narragansett, R. I. She only lived a short time, dying March 10, 1831. Their only child, Edwin, died in infancy. He married, Nov. 5, 1832, Mrs. Frances G. (Hazard) Brown, of Westerly, R. I. They had no children. By her first husband Mrs. Stillman had one daughter, Fannie HI., who married T. R. Hyde, of Mystic, Conn., who was for several years Mr. Still- man's partner in the manufacturing business, and with whom Mrs. Stillman now resides, awaiting in the calmn twilight of declining years the lifting of the veil which separates us from the glorious eternities of the life to come.

Alexander G. Frink, son of William Frink, was born at Stonington, April 5, 1807, and was educated in the district and private schools of that place. Hc held the offices of notary public and deputy sheriff, and was a director and financial agent of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company. He was on the Com- mittee of Claims in the House of 1872 at New Haven. He was a member of the board of selectmen in 1880. He generally pursued the business of railroad con- tractor and negotiator. In politics he was a Republi- can, and was in favor of short sessions, little or no special legislation, and was of the belief that the chief labor of the session should be to perfect exist- ing laws.

He died in 1880 or '81. He was a lineal descend- ant of John Frink, one of the carly settlers of Ston- ington, Conn. :

1. John Frink came to Stonington in 1660, and married Grace Stevens in 1666.

2. Samuel Frink, born Feb. 1, 1668, and married Hannah Minor, Jan. 6, 1692.

3. Samuel Frink, born Feb. 19, 1693, and married Margaret Wheeler, May 26, 1714.

4. Isaac Frink, born Dec. 25, 1717, and married Anna Noyes, Nov. 6, 1738.

5. Isaac Frink, born July 20, 1741, and married Margaret Stanton, Jan. 21, 1761.

6. Deacon William Frink, who was the father of-

7. Alexander G. Frink, born April 5, 1807.

Charles M. Davis was born at Stonington, Conn., Dec. 14, 1803. His father, Clark Davis, was born in Westerly, R. I., and married Mary Miner. Of this union were born nine children, viz. : Eunice, Clark (deceased ), Oliver (deceased), Henry (deceased), William (deceased), Charles M. (deceased), Joseph (dec'd), Dudley, and Lucretia. All married and had children except Eunice.

Clark Davis was an extensive farmer at Togwank, in Stonington, Conn. He believed in the perpetuity of Democratic principles, was a prominent member of the Baptist denomination, and died at an advanced age.

Charles M. was reared on his father's farm at Stonington, where, Sept. 26, 1832, he married Mary Esther, daughter of Samuel H. Whiting and Abigail Helme. Mrs. Mary E. Davis was born in Stonington, Conn., April 11, 1811. To them were born Charles M .; Mary Abby, wife of Charles J. Closson, of Hartford, Conn .; Franklin H. (deceased) ; Sarah H. (deceased) ; Lucretia B. ; George C. ; Ellen H., wife of Curtis Har- ris, of Brooklyn ; Henry H. ; Cortland P .; Horace B., who was accidentally killed by a train, Oct. 21, 1880; and Emma J., who remains at home.

In politics and religion Charles M. Davis followed in the footsteps of his father. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, and for a considerable length of time was a deacon of the Anguilla Baptist Church. He died Ang. 24, 1878, and his remains were entombed in the beautiful cemetery at Stonington.

Mrs. Davis remains on the farm which has been her home for nearly half a century, and where she has reared her entire family.

Mr. Davis aspired to no rank in politics, but was contented to confine his energies to the farm, the home, and the church.

He was industrious, economical, and liberal, and considered by those who best knew him as a model farmer, a patriot in every respect, and a man of great influence.

For history of his ancestry, see history of Stoning- ton, by Judge R. A. Wheeler.

Charles S. Hewett, son of Isaac Hewett and Cyn- thia Swan, was born in Preston, Conn., May 9, 1804. He has always been a successful farmer. He began life very poor. The first year after his majority he gave his wages to his widowed mother and sisters. He has been twice married,-first to Cynthia W., daughter of Peres and Nancy ( Williams) Hewett, May, 1825. Of their children, one only, Mrs. Eliza A. Gallup, survives.

Mrs. Hewett died April 28, 1836, and he married for his second wife Mary Gray, daughter of Philip and Sarah (Morgan) Gray, May 8, 1837. She was born in 1807, and died April 16, 1881.

Mr. Hewett has been very fortunate in his marriage relations, as both of his wives were very fine ladies and devoted wives.

John Randall, son of Dudley Randall and Lucy Grant, was born in Stonington, Conn., Feb. 15, 1805. His father, Dudley Randall, was a son of Capt. John Randall, a farmer in Stonington, Conn. For a more extended notice of the ancestors of this family, see history of Stonington, by Judge Wheeler.

John Randall received a common-school education, and by his reading and reflection became well posted on all matters of practical interest. He was a suc-

ALEXANDER G. FRINK.

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CHARLES S. HEWITT.

M-S

JOHN RANDALL.

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STONINGTON.

cessful farmer on the old homestead, which has been in the family for four generations. He married Eliza A., daughter of Charles S. and Cynthia Hewett, Sept. 27, 1860. She was born April 15, 1826. They had three children, viz. : Lucy M., Charles H., and Nancy E. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Anguilla Baptist Church. He died Jan. 17, 1873. His only brother, Elisha D., died April 10, 1873. Mrs. John Randall married for her second husband Rufus M. Gallup, who died Sept. 14, 1880.

Mr. Randall was a man universally respected ; of a quiet, social disposition, and a man possessing great energy.

Henry D. Langworthy. - The name "Lang- worthy" carries with it in its signification and in its pronunciation two evidences of a good English an- cestry in the early days of " merrie England," when feats on martial fields and exploits in the chase went almost hand in hand and received high reward. " Langworthy" - the "long worthy" - is a noble name, and in the time of our plain-spoken Saxon forefathers would not have been applied without good reason. In the days of chivalry the " Langworthys" were knights of no mean repute, and resided in Som- ersetshire. Their coat of arms, as shown from rec- ords in the Herald's College, London, England, was granted by King Henry VIII. in 1600 for some dis- tinguished feat in the hunting-field. The description is: crest, a demi-stag, argent; three greyhounds superimposed on shield (curran in pace), with motto, " pro Ariset focis." No "bar sinister" crosses its fair face, and the absence of any " quartering" of the arms of any other house shows its comparatively modern origin.

Henry D. Langworthy, son of Samnel, Jr., and Ethelinda (Davis) Langworthy, was born in Ston- ington, Conn., Aug. 11, 1809.

Samuel, Jr., son of Samuel, was born Sept. 11, 1771, in Hopkinton, R. I .; was a farmer, Democratic in politics, a thoroughly good man, for years a dea- con of the Baptist Church ; married, July '13, 1796, Ethelinda Davis (born June 7, 1767, at Westerly, R. I., and died -). He remained with his father, Samuel, till he was of age, received his educa- tion at the migrating schools of those days, re- moved to Stonington shortly after marriage, pur- chased two hundred acres of land at the head of Mystic River, and afterwards purchased the place where Henry D. now resides. Here he lived until 1836, when, marrying, January 12th, Lydia Fellows, he removed to Stonington Borough, and resided till his death, Sept. 6, 1853. He was a prudent man, of good judgment, and was financially successful, very few in the town being better off. He was truly a rep- resentative farmer. His children were by his first wife,-Samuel, Ethelinda, Asa, George F., and Henry Davis.

Samuel, grandfather of Henry D., was a farmer in Hopkinton, of Democratic principles; was a Baptist,

and much esteemed in his community. He married a Saunders and reared six sons and six daughters, half of whom settled in this vicinity and half in Western New York. He died at a hale old age. His father, Samuel, the emigrant, was brought, a child, from England by his uncle Joseph to Newport, R. I., and put out as an apprentice. Joseph wished to se- cure certain properties for himself, and expected that Samuel would never more be heard from. Samuel survived his apprenticeship, married, had two sons, -Samuel and Joseph. He resided all his life near Newport.

HENRY D. had common-school education, was for two years a merchant at Mystic Bridge, and after- wards went back to the old home to remain with his father, and has ever since been a farmer, and an in- telligent, successful one. He has steadily held to the Democratic principles of his ancestors, and always has opposed the wild attempts of certain parties to abrogate the Constitution and its teachings, believing that each departure from the original system of the republic only tends to weaken its cohesive power. He has always refused political office, but in 1831-32, when it was considered an honor, held the commis- sion of captain in the " Old Road" military company.

For fifty-eight years he has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and has enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of friends. He married, Sept. 23, 1839, Maria Pearce, daughter of Russell and Eliza- betli (Langworthy) Clarke. . Their children were > Henry Cortland, born July 2, 1840; Ethelinda, born Sept. 8, 1841, died Nov. 11, 1867. She was a fine musician, playing the harp, piano, guitar, and other musical instruments well. She was graduated from Music Vale Seminary, Salem, Conn., in 1860, when not nineteen years of age. Ann Maria, died young ; James Hamilton C., born June 16, 1845 ; Irven New- ton, born Aug. 16, 1856, killed April 19, 1864.

Russell Clarke was born in Newport, R. I., April, 13, 1787; was thrice married, the third wife being Saralı Elizabeth Langworthy, born May 9, 1789, mar- ried May 21, 1815. They had fourteen children, of whom Maria P. (Mrs. H. D. Langworthy) and Mrs. Mary Taylor Clarke are twins, born April 18, 1821, in Lebanon, Conn. Mr. Clarke was a farmer and a man of mark. He was a Democrat of Jeffersonian and Jacksonian schools, and as such became judge and State senator. He died Jan. 11, 1839, aged fifty- nine years eight months and twenty-nine days; his third wife March 13, 1871, aged eighty-one years eleven months and twenty-seven days:

Mr. and Mrs. Langworthy have known peculiar joys and peculiar sorrows. Perhaps the saddest sorrow which could be experienced was that accompanying the murder of their son Irven and its attendant hor- rors. Mr. Langworthy had a hired man, William Libby. He had worked for him five months, and was apparently as one of the family. He was left in charge of the children by his own consent one Sunday even-

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

ing, and as subsequent events showed, and according to Libby's confession, while Irven was sitting by the table in a round-backed chair, reading a Sunday- school book, he was struck a blow by Libby with a long iron drill, which split his skull, killing him in- stantly. Another child was also injured for life. The object of this murder was not robbery, not a valuable being taken. What it was will probably never be known. Though many wild surmises and specula- tions were rife, it will be probably a mystery never to be explained. Mr. and Mrs. Langworthy through all their trials have borne themselves with Christian patience, and now, in the fast thickening twilight of life, are awaiting the summons to join those "gone before" in the land where all mysteries are explained and the ills of life remembered no more.

Dr. Mason Manning .- Hezekiah Manning was a farmer of Scotland, Conn., in the colonial days prior to the American Revolution. He was born, passed his life, and died there in 1800, aged eighty years. He was twice married, to sisters named Webb, natives of the same locality. He had several children, one of whom, Luther, was born in 1748. Hezekiah was a man of shrewd common sense, had a clear, incisive way of arriving at truth, and a quaint, original way of expressing himself, and they did him good service in his official duties as justice of the peace, in which capacity he served many years, highly esteemed by his constituents.

Luther Manning became a physician, and was an assistant surgeon in the Continental army of the Rev- olution. He was stationed at New London, and was on service there when the town was burned by the British. He married Sarah Smith, and after the Rev- olution settled at Norwichtown (now Lisbon) in the practice of his profession, and had for those days a large ride. He was often called to consult with the leading physicians of Eastern Connecticut, and was prominently connected with the formation of the State and County Medical Societies. He was select- man, etc., and represented Lisbon in the State Legis- lature several terms. He was in active practice in his profession until his death, May 7, 1813, at sixty-five, and for many years was a member of the Congrega- tional Church. His children were Olive (Mrs. Abijah Perkins), Luther, Lucius (died young), and Mason.

Dr. Mason Manning was born in Norwichtown, Conn., Aug. 27, 1796. He had a common-school edu- cation, supplemented by attendance at Yale College, where he was graduated in the medical department in 1818. He at once entered into copartnership with his brother Luther, a practicing physician of Scotland. This partnership continued two years, when the young doctor went to Milltown, and soon after to Stoning- ton, where he settled at the head of Mystic River, and entered into practice. He shortly after married, Nov. 20, 1821, Fanny, daughter of Dudley and Mary Hovey, of Scotland. They have one son, Francis Mason, now a resident of Mystic.

Dr. Manning soon was in a large and lucrative practice, and devoted himself to his profession ; was not satisfied to rest with the knowledge already acquired, but was always a student, and took rank with the first physicians of the county. His quiet, un-

MASON MANNING.

obtrusive ways and sympathy with the suffering made him extremely popular, and his acknowledged skill did not cause him to relax any of his labors to keep abreast of the times. He was an active member of the New London County Medical Society and Con- necticut Medical Society, and was several times elected delegate to the annual meetings of the Na- tional Medical Association. He continued in active labor in his life-work of relieving suffering until dis- qualified by age, and is now one of the oldest physi- cians in the county, having attained eighty-five years of age.

He has been too much occupied by his professional duties to accept public office. His political creed has been Whig and Republican. His church affiliation in early life was Congregational ; in later years a Methodist Episcopal.

Dr. Manning has been one of the pillars of society in Stonington for many years. The best people have given him their confidence and warmest friendship, and among the worthy citizens of the town none are more esteemed or occupy a higher position in their regards. He has ever been modest and unpreten- tious, yet social and genial, and a man of sterling qualities,-upright, honorable, and possessed of great sympathy and kindness of heart for the welfare of all with whom he comes in contact, and especially for those in need. Morally, he has ever been an example 'of imitation by the rising generation.

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NORTH STONINGTON.

He married, Jan. 26, 1829, Harriet, daughter of John and Harriet (Chesebrough) Leeds, of Stoning- ton.

Rev. Alphonso Loring Whitman .- Alphonso L. Whitman was born in Turner, Oxford Co., Me., July 28, 1805. He was one of the nine children of Oakes and Susanna (Barrele) Whitman, and after abandon- ing other plans for life, at the age of twenty-one he began a preparation for the gospel ministry, gradu- ating at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1834, at the age of twenty-nine. He was ordained and installed pastor of the church in East Brewer (now Holden), Me., Sept. 17, 1834, where he remained until Nov. 6, 1838, when he asked a dismission, and Dec. 14, 1838, was installed pastor of the Fourth Congregational Church in Norwich, Conn., Dec. 14, 1838, and was dismissed March 25, 1846. He began his labors as stated supply in a newly organized church in Westerly, R. I., April 25, 1847, and was installed pastor March 23, 1853. This, his longest settlement, covered a period of nearly twenty years, when, with health somewhat impaired, he began his labors, July, 1866, with the church in Tiverton, R. I., and continued until April, 1872, at which time his strength utterly failed, and his public labors were ended. He came to Groton, Conn., and after two years' residence among his friends entered the mansion "where there is no more night," Oct. 29, 1874. He married, Oct. 10, 1834, Miss Almira Waters, of West Millbury, Mass., who died in Norwich, Conn., and April 26, 1843, a second time, Mary Elizabeth Barber, daughter of Hon. Noyes Barber, of Groton, Conn. The necrology of the General Conference of Maine, with a notice of his death, says, "He was faithful, earnest, and reli- able as a pastor, ready to every good work, and more than ordinarily gifted as a preacher."

CHAPTER LXXXVIII.

NORTH STONINGTON.

As early as 1717 the town of Stonington voted at a regular meeting that it was necessary to divide the town into two societies for public worship of God, and directed that the inhabitants north and remote from the meeting-house might hold a meeting to fix upon a boundary line, and then adjourned the meet- ing to Jan. 9, 1718, to hear the result. When the freemen reassembled, the north meu submitted a re- port, which was adopted by the town. But subse- quently a controversy arose respecting this line, which, in May, 1720, was submitted to the General Assembly with a request that a committee might be appointed to settle and establish a boundary line. The commit- tee was appointed, repaired to Stonington, examined the premises, and agreed upon a boundary line, and reported their findings to the Assembly in October of the same year. But the committee findings were not

satisfactory to certain interested parties, who remon- strated, assigning reasons. Whereupon the whole matter was heard by the Assembly, who set aside the committee's report and adopted the following described line, viz. :

" This Assembly taking into consideration the controversy of the north society and the south society in Stonington, with respect to the dividing bounds of said society :

"It is thereupon ordered by this Assembly that the dividing bounds of said societies shall be a line drawn from the house of Mr. William Wheeler west, northwest to Mystic River brook, and from said house eastward on a direct line to Mr. John Randall's now (then) dwelling- house, and from said Randall's house east to Shunnuck River, and by Shunnuck River to Pawcatuck River; and the said Messrs. Wheeler and Randall and their farms to belong to the south society, and to pay their taxes there."

Previous to and for several years, and while these proceedings were pending, religious meetings had been held in various parts of the new society, some- times on Cosatuck Hill, then at the village of Mill- town, and as often as at either place in the easterly part of the society. So while the controversy about the boundary line was pending, the people found themselves divided about locating their meeting-house, arising mainly from the desire of the inhabitants re- siding near the several localities where their religious services had been held to have the new house located as near as possible to them. Such feelings of course led the people into a controversy respecting the location of their proposed new house of worship. So, in order to have the matter speedily determined, the inhabit- ants of the North Society united in preparing a peti- tion to the General Assembly for a disinterested com- mittee to visit them and locate their house, also for the same powers and privileges belonging to other parishes or societies in the colony. Whereupon at the same session the Assembly passed the following :

" Upon consideration of the petition of the inhabitants of the north society in Stonington : This Assembly do appoint and impower Capt. Christopher Christophers, Mr. John Plumb, and Capt. Daniel Brewster, or any two of them, to hear the allegations of the several persons in said society respecting the place where the same shall stand. And it is further granted that the inhabitants in said society shall have the same powers and privileges belonging to other parishes or societies in the Colony : and particularly they are enabled by their major vote to levy a tax on the polls and rateable estate in said society, to defray the charges of the Rev. Mr. Richard Treat, his preaching to them the last fourteen weeks he was with them."

In order to enable the North Society to organize as such, in conformity to law, the matter was passed upon by the Governor and Council as follows :

" At a meeting of the Governor and Council in New London, Jan. 2nd, 1720-21.

" Present, the Honorable Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., Governor; Richard Christophers, Esq., Assistant ; Jonathan Prentts, John I'lumbe, Esqrs., Christopher Christophers, John Picket, Joshua Hempstead.

" Upon application made by several inhabitants of the northermost of the societies or parishes in Stonington lately established by the General Court, desiring that a time may be appointed for the meeting of the in- habitants of said parish qualified to vote in the affairs thereof, and an order given for notifying them of the time for their convening for that end,

" Ordered, That Wednesday, the 18th of this instant, January, at twelve of the clock at noon, and at the house of Mr. Joseph Babcock in said parish, be the time and place for the meeting of the said inhabitants parishioners.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

" Ordered, That Mr. Jonathan Palmer, Mr. William Avery, Mr. John Swan, and Mr. William Wilcox, all of the said parish, or either of them, do give at least five days' notice to the inhabitants within the precincts of said parish, who are qualified voters in the said society, that on the said Wednesday, the ISth instant, at twelve of the clock at noon, at the house of Mr. Joseph Babcock, in said parish, a meeting of the said society is appointed and ordered by this board for choosing a clerk and committee, and for managing other affairs of the said society or parish. And the said Mr. Palmer, Mr. Avery, Mr. Swan, and Mr. Wilcox, or either of them, are appointed to lead the said parishioners at the said meeting to the said choice.

" Ordered, That the clerk of the Council inclose in a letter to the said Messrs. l'almer, Avery, Swan, and Wilcox, or either of them, a copy of this order, attested by him, which shall be a sufficient warrant for their attending to the service which they are herein directed to."

The inhabitants of said society met on the 18th of January, 1721, at Mr. Babcock's house, and elceted society officers, and voted a tax for ministerial pur- poses. The society committee, almost immediately after their election, decided to warn a meeting to build a meeting-house and to procure a minister. The society assembled agreeably to this notice on the Sth day of February, 1721, and voted to build a meet- ing-house, and appointed a building committee of three, and extended a call to the Rev. William Worthington to preach to them until the last of May following, which call he accepted, and was with them for more than a year and a half. The boundary line adopted and established by the General Assembly at its October session in 1720 was so unsatisfactory to the inhabitants that they again petitioned the General Assembly to change it, which, after a full hearing thereon had, enacted as follows :

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 178

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