USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 69
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25. WILLIAM, m. 1st, Louisa Brace, March 20, 1828. She was b. June 21, 1803. Children : 29. Helen Louise, b. June 11, 1829. 30. John Webster, b. July 24. 1831. 31. Timothy, b. July 20, 1833, m. 2d, Annie Louisa Barber, Feb. 1. 1855. Children : 32. William Thompson, b. Dec. 9, 1855.
30. JOIIN WEBSTER m. Mary Annie Wood, May 18, 1858. Children : 37. Ella Adele, b. June 11, 1859. 38. Clarence Wood, b. Sept. 1. 1863.
31. TIMOTHY, m. Mary Elizabeth Wentworth, June 14, 1855. Children : 83. George Wentworth b. Aug. 22, 1856. 34. Louisa Brace, b. Dec. 22, 1858. 35. Mary Emma, b. Nov. 24, 1861. 36. Edward Timothy, b. Oct. 5, 1865. d. April 4, 1867. Mrs. S. d. Oct. 1868.
From the first Gen. Robert Sedgwick, in direct lineage, are descended Gen. ('harles F. Sedgwick, of Sharon, Conn., now and for many years State's At- torney for Litchfield Connty, and Major Geo. John Sedgwick, of the United States' Army, who fell a patriotic sacrifice in the war of the Rebellion in de- fence of the country he loved so well. He was removed by six generations from Major Gen. Robert Sedgwick, who struck such sturdy blows for the rights of the people while marching under the banners of Cromwell. He was b. in Cornwall Hollow, Conn., 13th Sept. 1813. Hle was killed at Spottsylvania by a sharp-shooter, while on a reconnoisance. He was borne to his home at Cornwall Hollow, and a public funeral offered by the Legislature, which was declined by the family, with thanks. No military salute was fired above his grave, but, as the body was lowered to its last resting place, a peal of thun- der, like the roar of distant artillery, reverberated along the heavens, sound. ing his requium. And the tired soldier rested. Miss Catharine Sedgwick, the authoress, is of the same lineage.
Noah Webster, LL D., author of the Dictionary. Charles Webster, brother of the latter, m. 1st, Betsey Woodruff. Children : Charles and Nelson. Mar. 2d, Mrs. Joanna Wilkinson, b. 3d Jan. 1776. Children : Elizabeth A., b. Nov. 10, 1811, and Hon. John W. Webster, of, Waterbury, b. Jan. 19, 1817.
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STEELE FAMILY.
Argent a bend chequy sable and ermine between two lions' heads erased gules ; a chief azure. Crest-Out of a ducal coronet or, a demi ostrich with wings endorsed, gules.
Quite a full account of the Woodbury Steele family, was given in the first volume. Since then a full history of the name in this country has been pub. lished by Mr. Daniel Steele Durrie, of Albany, N. Y., to which those desiring a full account of the name are referred.
Mr. John Steele was the first of the name in this country. His name ap- pears first in connection with Dorchester, one of the earliest settlements of the colony of Massachusetts, in the year 1630, ten years only after the arrival of the Pilgrim company in the Mayflower.
Next he is found to have been one of the proprietors of Cambridge, (first called Newtown,) in 1632. Two others. George and Henry Steele, were also proprietors at the same time. Mr. John Steele, having been made free- man by the Conrt in 1634, was elected a representative from Cambridge, in 1635 : Cambridge being designed to be the capital of the colony, as it was soon after the seat of the University.
During this period, however, the numerous arrivals at Cambridge, and the want of pasture lands in the vicinity, induced a portion of the people, inclu- ding a number of their chief men, with the Rev. Mr. Hooker, their pastor, to seek another location. Another inducement for their removal was, a dislike of some regulations, which were thought to circumscribe their rights as free- men. The proposed enterprise met with strong opposition, but at length its advocates obtained the consent of the majority, and Mr. John Steele, in the autumn of 1635, led the pioneer band through the rugged. pathless wilder-
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ness, to a new location on the Connecticut river. As leader and magistrate, he appears to have conducted the expedition safely and wisely. Arriving late in the season, they had to endure all the trials and hardships of a severe winter. with the labors of clearing the forests, constructing their rude dwel- lings, securing food, and of protecting themselves from cold and wet, the rav- ages of wild beasts, and the warlike savage. Bravely persevering, while other expeditions during the same season failed, and many perished, they succeeded. And in the ensuing summer came the main portion of their com- pany-men, women and children, with their minister-to their new home.
Here, on the margin of the river, near the head of its navigable waters, and through much toil, patient endurance, aud trust in an Almighty arm for success, they laid the foundations for a new town, afterwards named Hartford : and of a new Colony (Connecticut) the third of the colonies of New England. And here the subject of this narrative, as a faithful head of a family, as an active member of the church, as a magistrate, as one of the principal mem- bers of their legislative, judicial, colony Court, aided in establishing a . community, the duration, wisdom, and happy influence of whose institutions have been, with few exceptions, the glory of the State. During twenty-three years elected to the principal Colony Court, he was present at eighty-eight, at least, of its sessions, and engaged in its legislative and judicial decisions, and for four years its Secretary, or Recorder. For nearly twenty years he was also recorder of the town of Hartford, and for a time Recorder of Farmington.
His closing years were passed in Farmington, where he was a member of their church. His residence in Hartford was on the Main street, just North of the present Atheneum. His will bears date Jan. 30, 1663-4. He died Nov. 25, 1665.
A very complete pedigree, from the first John Steele down to the Wood- bury branch, was inserted, in the former edition. But as Mr. Durrie, in his exhaustive examination, was able to discover some additional dates, a few of the generations will be repeated to include these, and the latest information.
1. JOHN STEELE,1 b. in Essex Co., Eng., came to New England about 1631-2. Settled 1st at Newtown-now Cambridge, Mass .- removed to Hart- ford, Conn., and thence to Farmington, Conn. He m. 1st, Rachel -- , prob- ably in England. She d. in 1653 ; m. 2d, Mercy, wid. of Richard Seamer, or Seymour, at Farmington, Conn., d. Nov. 25, 1665.1 Had 8 Children : among whom was-2. JOHN, JR.2, m. Mercy Warner in 1645, d. before his father, in 1653-4. After his decease, his widow m. Thomas Hill. She was dau. of . Andrew Warner, who came from Cambridge to Hartford in 1635-6. They had six children, the last of whom was,
3. Samuels, b. March 15, 1652, m. Sept., 1680, Mercy, dau. of Major Wm Bradford; he d. 1710. She d. 1720. He resided in Hartford, Conn .; had five sons and two dau., of whom was-4. THOMAS4, b. Sept. 9, 1681 ; m. May 10, 1709, Susanna Webster; he d. 1757. She d., Nov. 27, 1757. Resided in West Hartford, Conn. Had eight children, of whom the second was 5. Samuels, b. March 11, 1712 ; m. Dec. 20, 1739, Elizabeth Merry ; 2d, Martha S --; he d. Sept. 12, 1779. Had fifteen children, the fifth of whom was Allyn-pp. 691-
1 Durrie has it 1655, p. 7., a mistake of ten years.
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692. The remainder of the pedigree is full from this point, except such items as have originated since 1852.
Page 693. Roderick S. Woodruff m. Clara Shear, of New York City, Nov. 28, 1871. 80. Henry, d. July 29, 1869. Mary Louisa Steele, m. Henry D. Atwater, of New York City, Oct. 10, 1866. He was b. May 23, 1836.
Thomas Sedgwick Steele, m. Annie E. Smith, Nov. 10, 1868. She was b. March 8, 1844.
82. Charles A. Steele, m. Jane E. Parmelee, Sept. 11, 1839.
Hannah Sedgwick Steele, p. 693, d. Jan. 19, 1868. Julia A., dau. of George T. Steele, (No. 83, p. 693,) b. Nov. 1, 1848, m. Samuel D. Bull, May 24, 1870.
Lucy J., (p. 693) m. Austin Curtiss, Sept. 18, 1861. Have one child : Chas Henry, b. Oct. 14, 1864. Frances L., (p. 693) m. Frederick T. Stone, Oct. 18, 1871.
THOMAS FAMILY.
Page 722. John Thomas was the father of Jeremiah Thomas who first set- Stled on the summit of the hill known as Good Hill, on the main road from Woodbury to Roxbury. Jeremiah Thomas first settled on that part of Rox- bury known as the lower road, a little west of where the Baldwin family now reside. His sons all died unmarried save Deacon Charles, who inherited all the real estate, but was to pay so large legacies to the daughters in eash, he was obliged to dispose of a considerable portion of the real estate, to do it ; retaining a homestead, which has been handed down through three succes- sive generations of sons, and is now owned by George W. Thomas, yonn- gest son of Capt. Charles Thomas. Deacon Charles, son of Jeremiah, mar- ried Mary Burgess, (instead of Barges, as you have it in the history,) of Bran. ford. The Burgesses now residing in Washington are a branch of this family. Deacon Charles' children were : 1st, Deacon John, who married Parnel Wel- ยท ler, and died without issue. 2d, Jeremiah, who. married 1st, Sarah Judson, by whom he had twelve children ; he moved to Spencertown, N. Y., but soon after returned to Salisbury, Conn., where he died. Two of his sons entered the profession of Law, one settling in the State of N. Y., the other in Ohio. 3d, Mary, married Ist, Noah Dudley, by whom she had one son ; 2d, Seth Mitchell, by whom she had one daughter and two sons, one of which now re- sides at Montrose, Penn., at the advanced age of 87 years. 3d, Deacon Icha- bod Ward. 4th, David, who died in infancy. 5th, David, who married Abi- gail Case ; his children were Benajah C., Polly, Abigail, Calvin, who held the office of Quartermaster in the war of 1812 ; John, who received the appoint- ment of Postmaster in the town where he resided ; Sally and Anna. David moved from Connecticut to Vermont, and from there to Jefferson Co. N. Y., and from there to Northern Ohio, where many of the descendants now re- side, while many others are scattered over the different States. 6th, Charles married Jerusha Weller, and had three children ; Charles and Jerusha (twins) and Mary. Joshua, the twin, died unmarried at the age of 21, first victim in Roxbury of the scourge known as the New Milford fever. Charles married 1st, Susanna Warner, by whom he had three children : Charles W. who receiv.
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ed the degree of A. B. from Yale College, and is now a Methodist clergyman in Texas ; has held the office of Presiding Elder in his conference ; Daniel W., who went south and died at the age of 25; Elvira C., who now resides at West Haven. Ct., m. 2d, Jane Miller, by whom he had two children : Jerusha J., who is married and now lives in West Haven, Conn .: and George W., who is also married, and now lives at the old homestead in Roxbury, and has a family of five children-two sons and three daughters. 7th, Annis, who married Abel Bronson. 8th, Sarah, who married Thomas Warner. 9th, Su. sanna, who married Stephen Terrill. 10th, James, who died in childhood, Capt. Charles is still living, at the advanced age of 80 years, and is now at West Haven, Ct., with his daughter, a pleasant, genial old gentleman. Capt. Charles' mother, Jerusha Waller, did not die, as recorded in the former edi- tion, but lived after her husband's death for more than twenty years, and died at the old homestead, at the advanced age of 94 years.
THOMPSON FAMILY.
[Additions.]
THOMPSON, Ambrose, (page 737) was son of John and Micable Thompson, who were among the first settlers at Stratford, and had numerous descend- ants. Their own history had a decided romance about it. His wife was Sa- rah, dau. of John Welles, Ist, of Stratford. (I cannot explain his having children baptized, in two instances, in Woodbury, for he lived in Stratford, and all his children are recorded there.) He would seem to have been visit- ing Woodbury on these occasions.
Daniel Thompson was son of Daniel, son of Ebenezer, son of Ambrose.
Henry Thompson was son of Daniel, son of Eben?, son of Ambrose.
Doctor Ebenezer, I suppose to be also a descendant of the same line, but cannot positively connect him now.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS was born in Greenwich, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, the 11th of December, 1787. When six months old, was taken by his grandparents on his father's side, to Woodbury, in Litchfield County, and brought up, and educated by them, principally under the tuition of Matthew Minor, a ripe scholar and a graduate of Yale. When 18 years of age, he commenced the study of law with his uncle, Charles Thompson, and continued with him until February, 1809, when he went to the City of New York, and finished his legal studies, under the supervision of John Anthon, Esq., a distinguished Lawyer of that city.
On the 10th of May, 1809, in the May Term of the "Supreme Court of the State, he was admitted to the Bar to practice as an attorney.
After having taken the oath 'of office as an Attorney, a pleasant incident occurred. On his way back to his seat, he was accosted by an elderly gentle- man, who happened to be sitting near his seat, who asked him if he was the son of Wm. A. Thompson, of Woodbury, in Connecticut ? To which he re- plied that he was. " Well," replied the elderly gentleman, " your father and I were school boys together. I am most happy to see you, and I wish you
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to go with me to my office, No. 14 Broad Street, in the city of N Y.," only a few doors from the old City Hall, where General Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States. This elderly gentleman proved to be Col. John A. Graham.'a distinguished and eminent criminal Lawyer, and an urbane and polished gentleman. His partner having died only three weeks before, leaving several suits pending, he was in need of a young At- torney to attend to these suits, and to prepare them for trial-and Wm. A. was pleased with an opportunity to commence business, and improved the opportunity of a copartnership for two years with Col. Graham.
Shortly after the copartnership with Col. Graham had expired. Col. Aaron Burr, the late Vice President of the U. S, returned from Europe, and settled down in the practice of Law at No. 9 Nassau st., N. Y., and needed a young man to aid him in his business, which, on account of his previous high repu- tation as a Lawyer, had become, in a few days, overwhelming. Timothy Green. an old friend of Col. Burr, having learned the Colonel's necessity, and being acquainted with W. A., recommended him as a suitable person for a partnership in his business-which the Colonel approved of, and continued it for several years.
In 1822 he was elected a member of the Legislature of the State. While there, he introduced a new and safe principle into Banking Institutions, giv- ing great confidence and credit to the circulating medium, never before at - tained, and which has since been adopted by all the respectable Banking Insti- Tutions in the United States.
It consisted in requiring all Banking Institutions, before they commenced operations, to appoint the Governor, Comptroller, and the Attorney General of the State, Trustees, and to deposit in their hands $120 of good securities for every dollar they intended to issue, and that all the bills of the bank should be counter-signed by a Deputy Comptroller, before they were put into circulation. He also procured the bill Incorporating the Merchant's Ex- change to be passed.
His speech on a bill relating to the Education of the Indians, is novel and interesting. It will be found in the " National Advocate" of the 24th of Jan- mary, 1823.
In the Assembly, on the bill Incorporating the Merchants Exchange Co., of the city of N. Y., Mr Thompson said "that in compliance with the request of the gentleman from Allegany, (Judge McCall,) he rose to explain to the members of the House the objects contemplated by the bill, and also to state, that it is now presented for consideration, with such provisions and amendments as corresponded with the views and wishes of the whole Committee to whom it had been committed, composed of the delegation from the city of New York.
" The object of the bill," said he. " is to enable the applicants to purchase ground, and erect thereon an edifice, in some proper and convenient place in that city for the accommodation and convenience of mercantile and commer- cial men, to be a place of general resort for all persons, either native born or foreigners, who are anywise engaged in commercial pursuits. Buildings of a similar kind have been erected in all the principal commercial cities of Eu-
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rope, and are considered amongst the greatest ornaments and conveniences of those countries. In Liverpool, a city with which we hold a great commercial intercourse it is, he believed, called the ' Merchants Exchange ;' the one in London is called the ' Royal Exchange ;' and are considered amongst the principal conveniences and advantages of those places. My Honorable friend on the right," said Mr. Thompson, " desires to be informed of the necessity of such an immense appropriation as One Million of Dollars. My answer is, that the ground on which the building is to be erected, being in a business section of the city, must be purchased at a very high price, and it is contem. plated that the building itself will be of a stupendous and magnificent struc. ture, calculated to adorn and beautify the great and growing metropolis of this free and prosperous country-and like the Acropolis of Athens, and the Pantheon of Rome, to be a lasting monument of the taste, genius and glory of the age in which we live. An Exchange, or a suitable building for the transaction of business, has long been needed by the citizens. And for my. self," said he, " I am happy to see men of sufficient public ambition, like those named in this bill, associated for so laudable and praise-worthy a pur- pose, as the one expressed in the memorial to this Honorable Body. I there- fore hope,' said he, ' as every member of this House must feel a considerable share of pride and ambition in relation to every thing that regards the style and structure of the public edifices of his country, and particularly those of a durable and lasting character, in which the genius and taste of his countrymen are displayed, that he will not hesitate to freely give his assent to the passage of this bill.""
As a memento of his early acquaintance and friendship with Cooper, our distinguished countryman and Novelist, at the request of his mother, Mr. P. caused a law to be passed, adding the name Fennemore to his name, as she desired that the name of Fennemore should go down to posterity, with the unfading reputation of her distinguished son-James Fennemore Cooper.
ADALINE AUGUSTA, m. Joseph M. Palmer, one of the most eminent and distingushed Lawyers in the State of Maryland, as the Law Reports of that State for many years will readily show. He died 4th April, 1870, at the ad- vanced age of 87 years.
JULIA MARGARET, b. June 11, 1795, m. Doctor Rice, a distinguished Phy- sician, and d. 1st March, 1829, at Thompsonville.
CAROLINE REBECCA, b. 28th Jan., 1802, m. James Hillhouse Raymond, of New Haven, 11th June, 1813. He was a graduate of Yale College, studied Law, and commenced the practice of his profession in the State of Maryland.
He was a ripe and indefatigable scholar, and wrote and published several books of merit on the different branches of legal science. At the request of the Legislature of that State, he wrote an essay on the subject of free and. slave labor, for which he was highly applauded, and pecuniarily rewarded by the State.
CORNELIA ANN, b. 4th Jan., 1801, m. Jonathan Stratton, of Sullivan Co.
* This building fronts on Wall Street, with twelve stone columns of forty- feet in height, three and a half in diameter, and cost $4,000 each.
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He was a prominent citizen of the County, and was twice a member of the Legislature.
Children of Win. Augustus : John H. Thompson was born the 7th day of Feb., 1813, in the ('ity of New York, and died July 25th, 1847, while being educated for the Medical profession.
Wallace Thompson was born on the 5th day of Jan., 1815, and died at Sa- marang, in the Island of Java, the 11th day of Aug. 1839.
Alfred Thompson was born the 18th day of October, 1816. He was edu- cated for the legal profession, but was obliged to abandon it, to take charge of the family estate.
Eunice Dwight Thompson was born the 12th day of Aug., 1822, in the ('ity of New York, and m. Garet S. Vanwagoner, a Lawyer, of Patterson, N. J. , Jan. 25th, 1844.
Had two children : C. S. and Louisa Vanwagoner.
Frances Amy Thompson was born the 2d day of May, 1824, in the City of New York, and m., March 8th, 1854, Doctor J. S. Chapman, a graduate of the Medical College of Maryland, and son of the Rev. W. H. Chapman, of Vir - ginia.
She had two children : Nina and Josephine, both b. in the City of New York.
Josephine Thompson, was born the 21st day of August, 1826, in the City of New York, and married Doctor Justo del Risco, of the City of Puerto Princepe, in the Island of Cuba. He came to the City of New York and gradu- ated at the Medical College of the city, after which he went to Paris, and perfected himself in the study of Surgery, in which branch of his profession he has since gained distinguished honors.
Cornelius S. Vanwagoner, Jr., was born in the City of New York, on the 8th day of Nov., 1844.
Maria Louise Vanwagoner was born in the City of Patterson, N. J., on the 6th day of Sept., 1846.
Florence del Risco was b. in the City of Puerto Princepe, Island of ('uba, on the 30th day of Oct., 1824.
Justico, Arthur and Josephine del Risco, were born ;in the City of Puerto Princepe.
TROWBRIDGE FAMILY.
[Additions.]
Page 740. William (3) of New Haven, did not marry Ist a Sullivant, and 2d a Lamberton-but Capt. George Lamberton, of New Haven, who was lost in the fatal ship. Jan. 1646, had a dau. Elizabeth, who m., Oct. 17. 1654, David Sillivant, (Silliman,) and on New Haven Records. William Trow- bridge m. March 9, 1657, Elizabeth, widow of Daniel Sillivant.
It was William Jr., that experienced the storm and famine, instead of Will- iam Sen. 5. William m. Thankful, dau. of Rev. Wm. Stow, of Middletown. Page 741. Doct. Israel L. should read Isaac. L.
Henry Aikin, (p. 743,) moved from Middletown to Norfolk. Conn., lived
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with his son Lemuel, d. in 1816, aged 86, and was interred in the old. cemetery in that town.
23. John, (p. 742,) d. Nov. 11, 1855. His wife Mahala d. April 6, 1855.
TUTTLE FAMILY.
[Additions.]
WILLIAM TUTTLE, from whom the Tuttles in Woodbury and Southbury are descended, emigrated from England in 1635 and settled at New Haven in 1639. In the year 1651, in company with several others he hired a vessel, put his effects on board, and sailed for Delaware Bay. Upon reaching Man- hattan, they were intercepted by the Dutch, treated with great indignity, and compelled to return. At the next session of the Commissioners, William Tuttle and Jasper Crane, for themselves and associates, presented a highly wrought statement of their grievances, and demanded severe measures of redress. After the Delaware expedition, William Tuttle remained in New Haven until his decease, which took place in 1673. He possessed considera- ble wealth, and was also a man of influence, as appears from the fact that the prefix " master" was attached to his name, a term of distinction very spar. ingly used in those days. He had eight sons and four daughters, and six of the former and three of the latter married, and had families. Their descend- ants may now be found in almost every State in the Union, and among them are many who have acquired an extended reputation for distinguished ability. The descendants of William, through his daughters, are almost if not quite as numerous as those of his sons. His daughter Elizabeth married Richard Edwards, and was the grandmother of Jonathan Edwards.
William's youngest son, Nathaniel, settled in Woodbury about 1680, and died Ang. 26, 1721.
NEWTON TUTTLE, the great-grandson of Nathaniel, the first settler in Woodbury, was born in the then parish, now the town of Southbury, in the year 1768. On the 10th of Sept., 1786, he married Ruth Pierce, great-grand. daughter of Deacon John Pierce, and settled in Southbury as a farmer. But his thoughts and energies were not confined within the limits of his farm, and during the intervals of business, he ardently availed himself of such means of information as were within his reach. About the year 1794, he be- came a convert to Methodism, and was one of the founders of the first society of that denomination in the town. A short time after he was licensed to preach, and continued to officiate until his decease. The first Methodist so. ciety in the town was organized upon George's Hill, so-called, and continued to worship there until about 1832. Mr. Tuttle had the pastoral charge of this society for many years, and frequently officiated in other places.
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