USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 9
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(ffort, and thus making us the more willing to accept discoveries and innovations. Although there are doubtless members of the medieal profession that still incline to the old standpoint, jet their voice is drowned in that of the great majority of their fellows, for there are but few in these ranks who do not accept the doctrine of evolution and all that this revolutionary belief involves. A good example of the type of physician now dominant in the profession may be found in Dr. Thomas Marcus Bull, of Waterbury, Connecticut, a man at the head of his profession and a recognized authority throughout the State on all dermatological questions.
(I) Thomas BuHl, the American progenitor of the Bull family of Connecticut, was born in Great Britain, in the year 1610. Hle sailed from London, England, for America on September 11, 1635, in the ship, "Hopewell," Thomas Babb, master. It is asserted by some that he came from the parish of Southwark, in the city of London; by others from Wales. (The compiler of these papers regards the question as an open one.) He landed in Boston, Massachusetts, and remained either in that city or in Cambridge until the following spring,
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when he was enrolled in a company of volunteers sent by the Massachusetts colony to aid the infant settlements in Connecticut in their defense against the war-like tribes of Pequots, and as second in command, under Captain John Mason, was conspicuous for his bravery in the memorable taking of their fort at Mystic, Connecticut, in 1637. He was known at this period of his life as lieutenant and later as Captain Thomas Bull. His name is recorded as juror, December 6, 1649, and frequently afterwards. In July, 1675, he was selected by the colonial government to command the forces sent to resist the demand of the Duke of York for the surrender of Saybrook, as one among others of "the most important posts" in New England. Major, Sir Edmund Andros, was intrusted with the command of the expedition to enforce this demand against the colonies. His fleet arrived off the mouth of the Connecticut river (Saybrook) in the early part of July, 1675. Here he was met by Captain Bull and Gershom Buckeley, whose adroit management and inflexible firmness not only frustrated the designs of the Duke, but drew from his representative, Sir Edmund Andros, the compliment which has passed into history.
The family name of the wife of Captain Thomas Bull is not known, nor whether they were married before or after his arrival in Connecticut. Her Christian name was Susannah. A brown stone slab in the ancient burying ground adjoining the Central Congregational church in Hartford marks the place of her sepulchre. On it is the following inscription: "Here lyeth the Body of Susannah Bull, wife of Captain Thomas Bull, deceased the 12th of August, 1680, aged 70 years." Adjoining this is another stone bearing this inscription : "Here lyeth the Body of Captain Thomas Bull, who died October, 1684. He was one of the first settlers of Hartford, a Lieutenant in the great and decisive battle with the Pequots, at Mystic, May 26, 1637. and commander of the Fort at Saybrook in July, 1675, when its surrender was demanded by Major Andross." There is also in the same ground an imposing brown stone monument "erected by the Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford, in memory of the first settlers of Hartford." One hundred and one names are inscribed on this monument, one of which is that of Thomas Bull. His name is also mentioned among the "Proprietors of thic undivided lands of the Town of Hartford" in 1639. On the second day of March, 1651-52, he received a grant of two hundred acres of land at Niantick, from the colony, as a reward for, or recognition of, his military services in the Pequot war. At a later period, he received an additional grant of two hundred acres "on the east side of the Great River, near the Cedar Swamp." The land is mentioned in his will as "the land I received from the country." As above stated, he died in October, 1684 (more correctly, however, between August 20 and October 24, 1684), leaving his. estate by will to his children. The will is dated August 20, 1684, and recorded in the Probate Records of Hartford County in Vol. 4, page 196. An inventory of his estate. entered on the records, page 197, was taken October 24, 1684, which values the same at fourteen hundred and twenty-two pounds. The children of Captain Thomas and Susannah Bull were as follows: Thomas, known as Deacon Thomas, of whom further; David, Ruth, Susannah, Abigail, Jonathan, Joseph.
(Il) Deacon Thomas (2) Bull, of Farmington, eldest son and child of Captain Thomas and Susannah Bull, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the date not known. He married (first) probably in April, 1668, Esther Cowles. He married (second) Widow Mary Lewis, daughter of the famous school master, Ezekiel Cheever. They were married January 3, 1692. She died January 10, 1728, aged eighty-seven or eighty-eight years. It is believed that eight children were born of the first marriage, namely: John, Thomas, Esther, Samuel, Susannah, Jonathan, Sarah, David, of whom further. The will of Deacon Thomas Bull is dated May 7, 1703, and recorded in Vol. 7, pages 193 to 196. The inventory of his estate amounted to seven hundred and forty-five pounds, twelve shillings and one pence.
(HI) David Bull, of Farmington, youngest son of Deacon Thomas (2) and Esther (Cowles) Bull, was born in Farmington, Connecticut, in 1687. He married Sarah Ashley, who bore him nine children, namely: Jonathan, Sarah, David, Jr., Noah, Thomas, of whom further; Thankful, Abigail, Esther, Mary. His will is dated May 5, 1760, and recorded in the Probate Records of Hartford in Vol. 19, page 39.
(IV) Major Thomas (3) Bull, fourth son and fifth child of David and Sarah (Ashley) Bull, was born in 1728, and died in 1804. He was a major in the Revolutionary War. He was adopted by his uncle, Deacon Samuel Bull, of Woodbury. He married (first) October 10, 1754, Elizabeth Curtiss, born in Southbury, then Woodbury, and died of consumption, April 30, 1770, aged thirty-two years. He married (second) Amaryllis Prindle, who died December 10, 1800. Children: Esther: Samuel David, of whom further; Nathan.
(V) Samuel David Bull, eldest son and second child of Major Thomas (3) and Elizabeth (Curtiss) Bull, was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 30, 1763, and died therc, October 17, 1810, aged forty-seven years. He married, in Southbury, Connecticut, January 18, 1801, Elizabeth Mitchell, born in Southbury, May 28, 1778, died in Woodbury,
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May 2, 1843, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Borland) Mitchell, of Southbury. Children: Thomas, of whom further; and David Samuel.
(VI) Thomas (4) Bull, eldest son and child of Samuel David and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Bull, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, December 9, 1801. He married, in Woodbury, January 19, 1824, Susan Sherman, born in Woodbury, May 15, 1798, daughter of Aaron and Anna (Curtiss) Sherman, of Woodbury. Children: Ann Elizabeth, David Samnel, of whom further; Julia Emily, Susan Jane.
(VII) David Samuel Bull, only son and second child of Thomas (4) and Susan (Sherman) Bull, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, March 12, 1826. He was a prominent and successful merchant during his early years, and throughout his business life was associated with the Woodbury Bank in an official capacity. He was a man of talent and capability and was highly regarded by his neighbors. He married, in Woodbury, March 12, 1860 (his thirty- fourth birthday) Lucy Ann DeForest, born in Woodbury, January 13, 1832, daughter of Marcus and Laura Colton (Perkins) DeForest. Children: Laura Elizabeth, born November 9, 1861; Thomas Marcus, of whom further; and Lucy Emily, born August 10, 1865, died November 28, 1871.
(VIII) Dr. Thomas Marcus Bull, only son and second child of David Samuel and Lucy Ann (DeForest) Bull, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, August 27, 1863. He spent the first twenty-one years of his life in his native town, and in the local schools thereof gained the preparatory portion of his education. In early life he selected the profession of medicine for his active carcer and all his energy was directed in that channel. After his graduation from the Woodbury high school in 1881, he entered the Medical school at Columbia Univer- sity, New York city, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1887, of which he was secretary, and then spent a year as interne at the Skin and Cancer Hospital in New York city. For three years thereafter he engaged in practice in that city, and then returned to his native state and settled at Naugatuck, where he has since conducted a most successful and growing practice, extending over a period of more than a quarter of a century. From the outset Dr. Bull has specialized in dermatology and is regarded as having been extremely successful in his treatment of troubles of the skin, and at the present time (1916) holds the post of dermatologist in the Waterbury Hospital.
Dr. Bull has identified himself with the affairs of both Waterbury and Naugatuck, making his home in the former named place, but conducting his principal practice at the latter place. He is also keenly interested in many other aspects of the life of these cities and takes as active a part therein as his exacting professional duties will permit. He is a republican in politics but has held no public office except in connection with eity educational matters in which he is deeply interested. He is a member and has been for several years president of the Naugatuck board of education. He is a trustee of the Naugatuck Savings Bank and was president of the New Haven County Medical Society in 1912. Dr. Bull is a prominent Mason and belongs to Shepherds Lodge No. 78, Free and Accepted Masons; Allerton Chapter, No. 39, Royal Arch Masons; and Clark Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Centennial Lodge, No. 100, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Gavel Lodge, No. 18, Knights of Pythias; Naugatuck Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; Naugatuck Golf Club, and is director and chairman of the athletic committee of the Young Men's Christian Association of Naugatuck. Dr. Bull attends the Congrega- tional church at Naugatuck, but it is probable that if he were asked what his religion was that he would respond that he was an evolutionist. He is a man of broal mind in this matter and does not subscribe to a dogmatic thcology.
Dr. Bull married, February 19, 1891, at Pittsfield. Massachusetts, Clara Belle Chapman, of that city. She was born in Pittsfield. April 1, 1870, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Hart) Chapman, the first named a farmer of that town. Children: 1. David Chapman, born April 26, 1892, was graduated from Yale University in 1912 with the degree of B. S., and in 1916 from Columbia Medical School, taking his degree of M. D., besides that of A. M. He was connected with the Medical Corps of Squadron A, New York National Guard, and during the mobilization of the New York militia in the recent Mexican troubles was stationed on the border. In 1917 he was appointed an interne in Bellevne Hospital, New York city, and is now surgeon in the Twelfth New York Infantry with the rank of lieutenant. 2. Margaret Emily, born April 22, 1894, is a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1916. 3. Elizabeth DeForest, born May 26, 1898, was the valedictorian of the Naugatuck high school in 1916 and that same year entered Wellesley College.
Dr. Bull is a fine example of that sterling type of character that has become associated in the popular mind with New England and which has so potently influenced the tone of American ideals and institutions. Honesty and sincerity are the foundation of his character. a certain austerity of conscience. perhaps, which is never exercised fully. however, save in
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judging himself, and tempered in its action towards all others with a wide tolerance of human frailties and shortcomings. A strong and practical ethical sense, a happy union of idealism with a practical knowledge of the affairs of the world and strong domestic instincts, these are the marks of the best type of New Englander, and these are an accurate description of the character of Dr. Bull as his friends know him and in his dealings with all men.
THE PLATT FAMILY.
Many centuries ago the Psalmist said: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Such has been the inheritance of the Platt family that in its various genera- tions has presented a record of business capability, of progressiveness in citizenship and of loyalty to all of those interests which are most worth while in the development of character or in the upbuilding of a commonwealth.
William Platt, the well known inventor and manufacturer of Waterbury, was a de- seendant of one of the oldest, best known and most distinguished families of Connecticut, tracing his lineage from Richard Platt, who is believed to have been the Richard Platt who was baptized, according to old records, September 28, 1603, in the parisli of Boving- ton, Hertfordshire, England, a son of Joseph Platt. As early as 1638 he became a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, and belonged to a party of sixty-six who formed a church settlement at Milford, in the same colony, being the original settlers of that place. He was chosen a deacon at Milford in 1669 and he bequeathed a Bible to each of his nineteen grandsons in his will, which was dated Jannary 24, 1683. In 1889 a memorial stone, suitably inscribed, was placed in the new bridge over the Wapawang in his honor.
His family numbered eight children, including Josiah Platt, who was born in Mil- ford in 1645 and on the 2d of December, 1669, wedded Sarah Camfield. They were admitted to the church October 22, 1672. Their family numbered nine children.
Josiah Platt. Jr., was born in Milford, January 12, 1679, and was married January 8, 1707, to Sarah Burwell.
Josiah Platt III, one of a family of six children, was born October 13, 1707, and his will dated October 26, 1758, at New Haven, made bequests to his wife Sarah and his sons, Josiah, Nathan, Isaac and Jonas, his daughter, Francis Peck, and his granddaughters, Sarah, Abigail and Mary. To his sons Josiah and Jonas, and to his grandson, Josiah, he gave land in Newtown, Connecticut, and to his sons, Nathan and Isaac he gave land in Waterbury.
Josiah Platt IV, son of Josiah Platt III, was born in 1730 and was married November 13, 1758, to Sarah Sanford. His second wife, Mrs. Lydia Platt, conveyed her dower inter- ests in his estate to their children February 10, 1804. All of their six children were born in Newtown, Connecticut.
Nathan Platt, born in Newtown, March 3, 1761, married Ruby Smith, who died in Water- bury on the 12th of February, 1829, at the age of sixty-six years. For his second wife he married Charlotte Diekerman and his family numbered eight children. At the time of the Revolutionary war he espoused the cause of the colonists and he lived for many years to enjoy the fruits of liberty, passing away in Wallingford in 1845, his remains being interred in Waterbury.
Alfred Platt, son of Nathan Platt, was born in Newtown, April 2, 1789, and when a lad of ten years accompanied his parents to Waterbury, the family home being established on the Naugatuck river three miles below the center of Waterbury, at what is now known as Platts Mills. He was a student in the Litchfield schools and at the age of nineteen established business by operating a sawmill which adjoined his father's flour mill. He after- ward became a salesman for the celebrated Waterbury wooden clocks, covering various sections in his travels. He was one of the earliest representatives of the business that was originally conducted under the name of A. Benedict and afterward under the name of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company. He was the pioneer in the manu- facture of brass and copper wire in Waterbury. For several years he made all of the wire used by the Scovill and Benedict & Burnham Companies in making button eyes and he was thus actively connected with one of the first of the important industries of the city. After a time he disposed of his interest in the firm of Benedict & Burnham and from his father and Gideon Platt purchased the mill and water power at Platts Mills. After operating the old mill for several years he supplanted it with a new one near the former site and continued actively in the business to the end of his days, thus remaining a promi- ment factor in the industrial life of the city. In erecting the new mill he devised an im-
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proved method of making buckwheat flour and for this built special machinery and patented both the process and the machines. He was the first to produce buckwheat flour white in color and free from grit. In addition to his milling business he began the manu- facture of buttons, his sons, William S. and Clark M., who were not yet of age, being employed in the factory. On April 7, 1847, a partnership was entered into between the father and sons under the firm name of A. Platt & Company, which afterward became A. Platt & Sons. In 1876, three years after the death of Alfred Platt, this concern be- eame incorporated as the Platt Brothers & Company.
Aside from his business activities Mr. Platt was for many years a prominent member of the Baptist church and long served as a deacon. He was one of three men who stood sponsor for the cost of building the First Baptist church in the center of the town, these men pledging their individual property to its full extent in order to erect the church. His life was ever actuated by the highest and most honorable principles and was indeed an exemplification of Christian virtues. Passing away December 29, 1872, his remains were interred in Riverside cemetery.
On the 8th of June, 1814, Alfred Platt was married to Irene Blackman, a daughter of Nirom Blackman, of Brookfield, Connecticut. Their oldest child, Nirom Blackman Platt, was born September 1, 1818, devoted his life to merchandising in Waterbury and died October 14, 1863. He was married September 17, 1840, to Elizabeth Kirtland, a daughter of Wheeler Kirtland, of Woodbury, and their children were: Frances Eugenia, who was born March 28, 1842, and became the wife of Charles H. Russell; Margaret Phoebe, who was born September 5, 1843, and became the wife of . Wilson N. Osborne, of New Bruns- wiek, New Jersey; three children, one son and two daughters, who died in early life; Ida Kirtland, who became the wife of Lewis Perkins, Brooklyn, New York; and William Wheeler, now a resident of California.
Charles Sanford Platt, the second son of Alfred Platt, was born July 30, 1820, and became a resident of western Massachusetts, dying at Great Barrington, February 5, 1896. He was married in that state September 4, 1861, to Mary M. Tobey. The next members of the family were William Smith, Clark Murray and Alfred LeGrand Platt. Seabury Black- man Platt, the sixth ehild of Alfred Platt, was born October 5, 1828, and entered Yale College as a member of the class of 1852. He studied law in the office of J. W. Webster and was admitted to the bar May 18, 1864. IIe became judge of the borough court of Birmingham and died in Derby, Connecticut, August 12, 1895.
William Smith Platt, son of Alfred Platt, was born at Platts Mills, in the town of Waterbury, January 27, 1822, and after attending the public schools continued his educa- tion in the Waterbury Academy, also pursuing a course in a high grade private school at New Haven conducted by Amos Smith. There he made a specialty of physics and chemistry and finally devoted himself exclusively to mechanical engineering. Before he was of age he acquired a knowledge of rolling sheet zinc and was the first to produce this successfully in Waterbury. He afterward invented and built machines for the manufac- ture of bottons from zine and for the manufacture of seamless zinc tubing. In 1847 he entered into partnership with his father, Alfred Platt, and his brother, Clark Murray Platt, for the manufacture of metallic buttons and in 1876 The Patent Button Company was formed to make buttons that could be attached to clothing without the use of a needle and thread. His inventive genius and his life's activities constituted an important contribution to the world's work.
William Smith Platt was remarkable for his strength of character, combined with his progressive ideas. His breadth of mind, his inventive genius, his progressive spirit, all made him a valued citizen of Waterbury. He was noted for his powers of abstraction and for his great pertinacity and he was an earnest investigator of problems of physical seience, psychology and theology. He used his wealth wisely, gave generously in charity and was a devoted member of and a liberal contributor to the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon. (One of his most marked characteristics was his devotion to his home and family, his greatest happiness being found at his own fireside.) His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, after which he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He passed away at his home March 27, 1886, while still in the prime of life, and was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery of Waterbury, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
It was on the 1st of October, 1844, that William S. Platt was married to Miss Caro- line Orton, a daughter of William and Alma (Porter) Orton. She died in May, 1901, in the faith of the Baptist church and was also laid to rest in Riverside cemetery. In the family were five children, of whom the eldest, Orton William, died in childhood. Helen I. W. is now the wife of Wallace Henry Camp and resides in Waterbury. Caroline Vol. II-4
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Amelia is the next of the family. William Hubert, born October 7, 1856, died in 1862. Irving Gibbs, who was born June 18, 1860, at Platts Mills, was educated in the public schools of Waterbury and in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. After the death of his father he was actively connected with the firms of Platt Brothers & Company and The Patent Button Company, becoming a director in both coneerns. He was also a prominent real estate man, controlling a large amount of property in the city. He died December 6, 1896, and his grave was also made in Riverside cemetery.
Miss Caroline Amelia Platt, who was born at the family home at Platts Mills, pur- sued her education in the public and high schools of Waterbury. She also studied art in New Haven and has traveled extensively both on the American continent and in Europe, thus gaining that broad culture and wide experience which only travel can bring. In 1908 she erected a fine residence on a beautiful elevated site on Woodlawn Terrace, command- ing a splendid view of the surrounding country. Miss Platt is possessed of artistic taste and temperament which find expression in her home. She is a member of the Waterbury Woman's Club and has long been an active factor in the best circles of the city. The history of the Platt family is indeed closely interwoven with the annals of Waterbury and the Naugatuck valley and the record is one of which the present generation has every reason to be proud.
JOHN J. MOLANS.
John J. Molans was appointed on the 6th of May, 1913, to the position of postmaster of Seymour, where his birth occurred June 28, 1887. He is a young man of excellent business ability and is making an excellent record by the prompt and faithful manner in which he has discharged his duties. He is a son of Thomas and Annie (Regan) Molans, both of whom were born in Ireland but came to America in early life and were married on this side of the Atlantie, the wedding being celebrated in Seymour. The father was engaged in the retail liquor business.
John J. Molans attended the Seymour high school and started out in the business world as an employe of the Beaeon Falls Rubber Shoe Company, with which he was connected for a year. He next attended Pope Business College of Derby, for he had come to a recognition of the value of educational training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. Following his graduation he was connected with the New Haven Railroad Company for a year and afterward spent two years with the Beaeon Falls Rubber Shoe Company. He was next in the employ of S. D. Woodruff & Sons of Orange, Connecticut, and of New York city for four years. Throughout this entire period, however, he lived in Seymour and on the 6th of May, 1913, he was appointed to the position of postmaster, in which capacity he has since continued. He was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the new postoffice, which was built at a cost of over fifty-three thousand dollars upon a site for which twelve thousand dollars was paid. He was the first postmaster to oceupy the new building. In the discharge of his duties he is prompt, systematic, thorough and reliable.
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