USA > Connecticut > New London County > Ledyard > History of the town of Ledyard, 1650-1900 > Part 14
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He died at Eastern Point, Groton, Aug. 14, 1891, while sum- mering there with his family. His place of burial was Yantic cemetery in Norwich. They had children :
Henry Gustavus, born Nov. 18, 1847, died Nov. 3, 1853.
John Harper, born June 21, 1851, died 1871.
Henry Sumner, born June 19, 1856, died -.
Julia Florence, born April 29, 1858, married Rev. J. Henry Selden, and live in Greenwich, Conn. They have one son, Henry Bill Selden.
Jennie Eliza, born April 8, 1860.
Frederic Abbott, born March 12, 1864, married Ella Sprague, March 15, 1889, and live in Springfield, Mass.
[N. L. Co. History.]
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
CAPT. JAMES A. BILLINGS, son of Col. Stephen and Martha (Denison) Billings, was born in North Groton, Feb. 24, 1821. He received his education in the public schools; early he began to teach in them, and prosecuted the work through sixteen sea- sons. He succeeded his father in the occupancy of the home- stead farm, and his principal employment on to the close of life was the cultivation of this farm. He and his family were all members and active sup- porters of the Congrega- tional Church. In early life Mr. Billings was chosen captain of the mili- tary company to which he belonged and bore the title as long as he lives. In the year 1881 he represented the town in the State Leg- islature. For several years, in the latter part of his life, he held the office of judge of probate. He was mar- ried December 28, 1852; to Miss Margarette J. Allyn. They had one son CAPT. JAMES A. BILLINGS. and three daughters. He died at his home in Ledyard, December 7, 1896.
FRANKLIN BREWSTER was born Jan. 15, 1811, near Poque- tanuck in Preston, on the Shipley Halsey farm. His parents were Nathan and Cynthia Brewster. They died when he was a small boy. He then went to live with his guardian, Theophilus Avery, of Ledyard, with whom he remained till he was a young man, meanwhile learning the carpenter's trade. His leading employment through life was that of a carpenter. He also owned a small farm to the cultivation of which he gave his at- tention when not pressed with other engagements. He was frequently trusted with important interests by his fellow towns-
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men. In 1876 he was the representative of Ledyard in the State Legislature. From 1876 to 1885 he was president of the Bill Library Association. In this work, from first to last, he had the earnest and efficient co-operation of his wife who gave much time and labor every year to the preparation of the elabo- rate dinner provided for the trustees and their invited guests. Mr. Brewster was for many years an esteemed member and earnest worker in the Congregational Church. He was mar- ried Nov. 23, 1832, to Sarah Elmina Stoddard. They had two children, William Franklin and Harriet. Mr. Brewster died March 22, 1885, at the age of 74.
The son married Ellen Allyn, daughter of Abel Allyn, and went West and lived a number of years, and then returned, and now lives on "Meeting-house Hill."
JABEZ BREWSTER, the father of John, Sr., was a native of New London County, and a farmer. His family comprised six sons and two daughters; one married Jeremiah S. Halsey.
JOHN BREWSTER, SR., was born in Preston, Dec. 15, 1782, and died Nov. 12, 1848, a few days after he had cast his vote for President and Vice-President of the United States. His wife was Mary (commonly called Polly) Morgan, daughter of Capt. Israel Morgan, a soldier of the Revolution. Capt. Morgan's father was William Morgan, and a lineal descendant of James Morgan, born in Wales in 1607, who settled in Pequot, now New London. He died June 4, 1816, his death being caused by an accident. In 1820, John Brewster, Sr., purchased the homestead then known as the "Capt. Israel Morgan Farm," but now called "Hillside Farm." His family consisted of three sons and a daughter, who married Elisha A. Crary, and had a large family.
HON. JOHN BREWSTER, son of John, Sr., and Mary (Morgan) Brewster, now living in retirement in Ledyard, Conn., upon the Brewster homestead, was born May 13, 1816, in the
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adjoining town of Preston, and is a direct descendant of the distinguished Pil- grim leader, William Brew- ster, "the excellent Elder of Plymouth," whose eldest son, Jonathan, was the first town clerk of New London. He is the only surviving son of the family and grew to manhood on the farm, was educated in the common schools, and in Colchester Bacon Acad- emy. He enlisted as ser- HON. JOHN BREWSTER. geant in a rifle company from Groton and Stoning- ton, when in his eighteenth year, and afterwards was chosen cap- tain, by which title he is now well known. Previous to his mar- riage he taught school several winters. Mr. Brewster was mar- ried April 2, 1840, to Mary Esther Williams, daughter of Denison Billings . Williams and Hannah Avery, of Stonington. Mrs. Brewster, now in her eighty-third year, was the eldest of nine children, seven of whom have passed away. The remaining sister is the wife of Richard A. Roberts, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brewster :
Mary Hannah, born Jan. 19, 1841, died Sept. 2, 1842.
John Denison, born Jan. 29, 1843 ; was married to M. Adaliza Geer, Oct. 18, 1871 ; died April 30, 1894, leaving his wife and two children, Clara Louise and Arthur Morgan.
Fanny Halsey, born Sept. 14, 1845, was married June 30, 1868, to Thomas A. Geer, of Cleveland, O., formerly of Ledyard. They have one daughter, Mary Brewster, now married to Edwin L. Thurston, a prominent lawyer of Cleveland, O., and have one
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son, Thomas Brewster, the only great-grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster.
Phebe Esther, born July 21, 1848, was married Oct. 22, 1873, to Benjamin F. Lewis, Jr., of Mystic.
Frank Williams, born April 24, 1854, was married Oct .. 24, 1878, to Mary L. Brown, of Preston. They have two children, Hannah Elizabeth and Phebe Halsey. The son Frank and his family remain on the homestead.
Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brewster brought his wife to the home, where he has lived more than eighty years, and with his wife over sixty years. The farm, situated in the town of Ledyard, and just south of the village of Poquetanuck, four miles from Norwich, contains about 140 acres. The house is over 200 years old, but has always been kept in good repair. In it were born the twelve children of Capt. Morgan. It is re- lated that one of the little girls, on her way to school, meeting a stranger, was asked by him what family she belonged to, and she promptly replied, that she "belonged to the tribe of Israel."
In addition to tilling his farm, Capt. Brewster bought wool in company with the late L. W. Carroll, of Norwich, and also for the Yantic Woolen Co. In the capacity of appraiser, trustee and administrator, he has often assisted in settling estates, some or them requiring the handling of large amounts of property, and involving knotty and troublesome problems. He was al- ways conspicuous for broad intelligence, and sound judgment, honest, kind-hearted and generous to a fault. He, with his family, have always attended St. James' Episcopal Church of Poquetanuck, of which he has been a liberal supporter.
He represented the town of Ledyard, in the House of Repre- sentatives, 1847, 1851 and 1878, and the Tenth district in the Senate, 1860, 1885 and 1886. A contemporary paper thus speaks of him: "The Tenth district, in the person of senator, who has been one of the most prominent senators at the capitol, has had much excellent effect upon legislation. The senator hias cared for fisheries and temperance, being at the head of the committees on those topics, but his usefulness has been in no sense confined to this pent-up field. As a member of the committee on execu-
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tive nominations he has served the Senate well. On all the lead- ing matters before the Senate, he has had the courage of his con- victions, and has asked questions, and made some statements very hard for antagonists to answer."
For several years lie held the office of selectman (first and second), probate judge of the town of Ledyard, and president of the Bill Library Association. He was president of the Mer- chants Bank, of Norwich, twelve years, and is now the first vice- president of the Norwich Savings Society. He was also director, president and treasurer (until his health failed) of the New Lon- don County Agricultural Society, and for several years a mem- ber of the State Board of Agriculture. In politics Mr. Brew- ster was a Republican.
Let a life-long neighbor add her tribute to her worthy friends :
"Captain Brewster and his estimable wife, have ever been noted, in their own neighborhood, for their charity to the needy, and sympathy in sorrow. No poor neighbor ever went to them in trouble who did not come away with a more hopeful heart and a heavier purse. Their generous deeds were not the impulse of the moment, but the fruit of their religious principles. In the evening of their lives, these words of Scott can be truly applied to them :
'When the hour of death comes, it is not what we have done for ourselves, but what we have done for others, that we think of most pleasantly.'"
JOHN D. BREWSTER, the eldest son of Captain and Mrs. Brewster, was a worth scion of the parent stock. His genial address attracted, and his uprightness secured for him a host of friends in his business life, under the firm name of "O'Brien & Brewster." He held the positions of councilman and water commissioner, and served the city of Norwich faithfully and con- scientiously. [P. E. L.]
ELIAS S. BROWN, son of Avery W. Brown, enlisted from Ledyard as a private in Company C, First Connecticut Cavalry, Oct. 31, 1861. He was promoted to corporal Oct. 23, 1863, and to sergeant of Company G Nov. 1 ; while in this position he
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was detailed to take charge of the pioneer corps. He re-en- listed as a veteran Dec. 17, 1863 ; was promoted to first sergeant Feb. 12, 1864, to second lieutenant Nov. 17, and to first lieuten - ant Dec. 5. On the fourth of February, 1865, he accompanied Col. Whitaker, with three hundred picked men, on a difficult march all day and all night, over the Alleghanies, of seventy miles, thirty of them within the enemy's lines, to surprise and capture Major Harry Gilmore, the famous rebel raider. The war having closed, he was honorably discharged Aug. 2, 1865, and returned to Ledyard, where he pursued the vocation of a farmer and in which town he died March 18, 1877.
HON. STILES ASHBEL CRANDALL was born in Ledyard, Oct. 12, 1851, son of Stiles and Caroline L. (Greene) Crandall. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent, and on the maternal side English. After receiving a common school education he attended the law school connected with the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in the class of 1878. Before taking up the study of law he taught school, besides working on a farm. In 1879 he was admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut, and at once began practice in Norwich, and has continued in said practice to the present time. In 1881 he was one of the representatives of the town in the State Legislature, and from 1888 to 1892 he was mayor of the City of Norwich. He was a member of the State Senate in 1893; and in 1895 was a candidate for the Lieutenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket. He has served six years on the Norwich board of educa- tion. He is a member of the Putnam Phalanx, Masons, Odd Fellows and other organizations. He was married April 25, 1883, to Jane F. Stoddard, of Ledyard, by whom he has two children-Mary S. and Billings F. T. Crandall. Mrs. Crandall died in 1886.
LT. WILLIAM TUTTLE COOK, son of Rev. N. B. and Mrs. Anna M. Tuttle Cook, was born at Mystic Bridge (now Mystic), Conn., April 26, 1840. He received his education in the common and select schools, attending in later years the Academy taught by Rev. S. N. Howell, after which he pursued a course of study
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
under the tutorage of his grandfather, Rev. Timothy Tuttle. While engaged as a clerk in the general store of Mr. A. H. Sim- mons, at Old Mystic, the Civil War commenced, and Oct. 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, First Connecticut Cavalry, under Capt. Wm. S. Fish. He was at once made company quarter- master-sergeant, and his company of cavalry served under Rose- crans in West Virginia, in the Potomac, and Shennan - doah Valleys under Sigei, during Pope's campaign, up to and including the second battle of Bull Run. Remained for a time in front of Washington, and was finally transferred with his regiment to the com- mand under Gen. Schenck and located at Baltimore. While serving here he was promoted to first sergeant, then to second lieutenant, and again to first lieuten- ant, afterwards acted as LT. WILLIAM T. COOK. adjutant of the regiment, and later in command of his company. March 8, 1864, he, with the regiment, started for the front, marching through Washington and across Long Bridge, into Virginia, reaching Stevensburg, March 24th, and was there placed under the command of Gen. Wilson, who com- manded the third division of the cavalry corps under Gen. Sheri- dan. May 4th, 1864, crossed Germania Ford with the advance of Grant's army, took part in the battles at Craig's Church, Spottsylvania, in Sheridan's "Richmond Raid," and other battles which followed, serving until Oct. 25, at which time his three years having expired, he returned to Connecticut. After re- maining at home for awhile he went to Saginaw, Mich., and entered the employ of the First National Bank: He afterwards
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became a member of the firm of Derby & Co., wholesale grocers, but his health failing he returned to Connecticut. In 1875 he was elected collector of town taxes in Ledyard and continued to act in that capacity till 1880. He was a member of the board of education for twelve years, and for five years was secretary of the board and acting school visitor. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1879 and 1880. During the first session was clerk of the committee on roads and bridges, and during the second session was clerk of the committee on educa- tion. Was assistant adjutant-general of the Department of Con- necticut, G. A. R., for the year 1880, and was secretary of the New London County Agricultural Society from 1886 to 1890, inclusive. He was elected a trustee of the Bill Library in 1880, to succeed his father, and was chosen secretary of the organiza- tion in 1887, remaining as such until chosen president in 1894. The latter position he resigned in 1897 by reason of failing health. He was secretary of the Ledyard Cemetery Association for four years and has been secretary of the Connecticut Cavalry Asso- ciation from 1884 to date. [W. T. C.]
HON. SILAS DEANE was born in North Groton (Ledyard) on the place, formerly known as the Chas. Allyn farm, now owned and occupied by Mr. Amandar W. Gray. His residence in later years, was in Wethersfield, Conn. He was graduated at Yale College in 1758, and early entered the political arena. He held important offices in the towns in which he resided-in the com- monwealth of Connecticut, and in the Continental Government. The Legislature of Connecticut appointed him and Col. Dyer as its representatives in the first Colonial Congress which met in 1774. In 1776 he was sent by the Government to France as a political and commercial agent to secure, if possible, co-operation and assistance in the struggle with Great Britain into which the Colonies had just entered. Mr. Deane arrived in Paris in June of that year ; and later in the same year, Dr. Franklin and Arthur Lee were sent out to join him ; and the three were empowered to act as ministers in negotiating treaties with foreign powers. Though Mr. Deane assisted in making the desired arrangement
13
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with the French sovereign, and inducing the Marquis De La- fayette, Baron De Kalb and others to come to America, and ren- der important assistance in our struggle for liberty, yet his pro- ceedings were characterized by such lavish expenditures and such a profusion of promises, both of office and of money to the young men whom he wished to induce to enlist in our cause, that the Colonial Government felt constrained to recall him. When called to account for his conduct he failed to give an ac- count that was satisfactory. A long controversy ensued, and from that day to this there has been a difference of opinion in regard to the character and conduct of Mr. Deane; some claim- ing that "he had but very little to recommend him to the high position in which he was placed" (Blake's Biographical Dic- tionary) ; others, that he "was fully vindicated from all the as- persions of his enemies," and that "his services to the cause of his country can scarcely be over estimated" (New London County History, page 766). He died at Deal, in England, in 1789. A fair conclusion is that his love of liberty for his country and his zeal in her cause, was such as to hold out inducements and en- large on the opportunities.in this new land. Lafayette came, the navy of France came, soldiers came, and but for them and others from Europe, our cause had been lost. The people of America now know that he could not well have overdrawn the interests of this new world.
NATHAN DABOLL, son of Nathan Daboll, was born at Centre Groton, April 24, 1750. He early developed a fondness for mathematical and scientific studies. At that day it was very diffi- cult for a young man, with tastes like his, to procure such books as he needed. But doing the best he could in this matter, and prosecuting his studies without the aid of a teacher, he prepared himself for a most successful career as teacher and publisher in after life. Through a long series of years he taught in his native place, giving prominence in his instruction to navigation, and thus fitting young men to be practical navigators. From 1783 to 1788 he was the mathematical instructor in Plainfield Acade- my, a famous institution of learning at that time. "In 1811, upon
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the invitation of Commodore Rogers, he taught a large class in the cabin of the frigate President," then lying in New London harbor. He began his career as a publisher soon after attaining to his majority. A series of Almanacks, prepared by Mr. Clark Elliott, of New London, and published by Timothy Green, was commenced in 1766. A serious error in the issue for 1770 ren- dered it unpopular, and by and by opened the way for "the Con- necticut Almanack" for 1773, by Nathan Daboll. This work has made its annual appearance from that time to the present, being prepared successively by Nathan Daboll, Sen., Nathan Daboll, Jr., and David A. Daboll, who is now upon the stage.
In 1799, with the warm approval of Noah Webster, Prof. Meigs of Yale, Prof. Messer of Brown University, and other noted scholars, the first edition of "Daboll's Complete School- master's Assistant" was given to the world. During the period of its preparation, and for some years thereafter, Mr. Daboll re- sided in North Groton (Ledyard) in a house whose foundations are still visible near the entrance to the pent-way that leads to the house of H. R. Norman. In this house his son, Nathan, who succeeded him as almanac-maker and teacher of mathematics and navigation, was born in 1780.
Nathan Daboll, Sen., died in 1818. On the 11th of March in that year he was buried in a rural cemetery about one mile to the north-west of the village of Centre Groton.
CAPT. JACOB GALLUP was born in North Groton, April 24, 1787. He was a carpenter and farmer and prosecuted his callings with great energy and success. He was a Democrat in politics, and as such represented the town of Ledyard in the State Legis- lature in the years 1844 and 1848. He was married May 24, 1812, to Parthenia Morgan, who was born Sept. 4, 1794. Their chil- dren were
A daughter born Feb. 3, 1814, died Feb. 19, 1814.
Prudence, born Sept. 27, 1815, married Aug. 4, 1836, John W. Bill, of Lyme.
Jacob Lorenzo, born Nov. 27, 1818.
Francina, born April 20, 1821, married Oct. 19, 1841, Dudley Davis, of Stonington.
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Calvin, died July 20, 1821, aged one month.
Horace, died May 27, 1828, aged eight months.
Mrs. Parthenia (Morgan) Gallup died in 1828. Capt. Gallup married as a second wife, Mrs. Sarah (Bill) Williams. She bore him one child, viz .: Sarah Ann, born Sept., 1835, died May, 1864.
Capt. Gallup died Nov. 11, 1852. His widow, Mrs. Sarah Bill Gallup, died Feb. 24, 1878. Capt Gallup was one of the foremost men in his time. He was a staunch Democrat in his day, and few men were more active in all the offices of life than he.
MAJ. JACOB LORENZO GALLUP was born in North Groton, Nov. 27, 1818. He was the third child and oldest son of Jacob and Parthenia (Morgan) Gallup. When a young man he made one voyage to the Pacific on a whaling vessel. He succeeded his father in the occupancy of the home- stead as a carpenter and farmer. He became special- ly interested in religious things in the great revival which occurred in Ledyard early in the ministry of Rev. Charles Cutting From this time on he was an active member of the Congregational Church, al- ways "ready to every good work."
As a deacon in the MAJ. JACOB L. GALLUP. church and a teacher in the Sunday-school he did much to promote the interests of religion in the community. As a citizen, a neighbor, a friend, he was much esteemed and beloved. In the year 1856 and again in 1866, he represented the town in the State Legislature. He was married April 14, 1841, to Eliza-
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beth Spicer who was born Feb. 21, 1815. Their children were Fannie Elizabeth, born Sept. 21, 1842, died May 2, 1864.
An infant, died Aug. 17, 1848.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Spicer) Gallup died June 28, 1854.
Maj. Gallup married Sept. 9, 1857, Anna Gallup, who was born July 13, 1835. Their children were
Jacob, born Jan. 1, 1859.
Agnes, born Sept. 29, 1866, married James I. Hewitt, Oct. 10, 1888.
Maj. Gallup died Dec. 11, 1877.
ISAAC GALLUP was born in Ledyard (then North Groton) Jan. 21, 1789, and was the second child and eldest son of Capt. Isaac Gallup and his wife Anna, daughter of Lieut. Nehemiah Smith, a direct descendant of Rev. Nehemiah Smith.
From the earliest settle- ment of New England the Gallup family have been distinguished for patriot- ism, enterprise and promi- nence in civil and military affairs. The founder of the family in America was Capt. John Gallup, who came to New England in 1630. Isaac Gallup, the subject of this sketch, had the advantage of be- ginning life in a good home and springing from a strong, brave and capa- ble ancestry. He pos- ISAAC GALLUP, ESQ. sessed a robust consti- tution, a keen and active mind and a resolute spirit. The Connecticut farm at that period afforded excellent opportunities for the training of boys and girls in industry, economy and other hardy virtues. The
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eldest son, Isaac, seems to have been a natural leader, and an example to his seven younger brothers in the energy, earnest- ness and faithfulness with which he accomplished his tasks. Though his advantages were limited, he early acquired the rudi- ments of a sound, practical education, was accurate and thorough in scholarship and, at an early age, showed tastes for solid, sub stantial reading. He always had an aptitude for acquiring prac- tical knowledge and learned so well how to use his mental powers that he was able to meet the requirement of the varied pursuits of a long and busy life. Being of an energetic temperament, his mind readily turned to active pursuits, and in his youth he served an apprenticeship in the trade of a carpenter, with Col. Joseph Smith, one of the leading contractors and business men of Ston- ington. He seems, also, to have cultivated a taste for good architecture and that absolute thoroughness of construction, so characteristic of his own work all through life. While still a young man, Mr. Gallup went into the business of building, on his own account, employing apprentices and taking such con- tracts as he could secure. At the age of 23, he was married to Prudence, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Stanton) Geer, a young woman fully as energetic, ambitious and capable as himself, who proved herself a faithful wife and true helpmeet during all the years of their married life. The young couple began house- keeping in a small but comfortable home near the Bill home- stead. About that old house (not now standing) some interest- ing traditions cluster.
Nearly a hundred years before it became the home of the Gallup family, it was occupied by Samuel Seabury, a Congrega- tional licentiate of North Groton, and there, in 1729, was born his son, Samuel Seabury, who became the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America. Some years later it was the home of the clergyman who ministered to the Episcopal body who wor- shipped on the neighboring Church Hill, and has been styled the first rectory in America. Later on the Seabury parsonage and land was purchased by Gurdon Bill, and formed a part of his
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