USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, Connecticut : with an account of the centennial celebration May 14 and 15, 1895 : also a sketch of Plymouth, Ohio, settled by local families > Part 32
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GEORGE T. COOK.
George T. Cook was born in West Camden, N. Y., October 10, 1840. His parents were Arba and Hipsibah Cook, who spent their last years in Plymouth. George enlisted as a private in Company D., 19th C. V., August 8, 1862, and was mustered out July 7, 1865. He served in the defense of Alexandria until May 17, 1864, when he was ordered to the front, where he car- ried a musket for about two months, when he served in the band for the remainder of his term. He was in the battle at Cold
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
E. L. Perkins' Residence.
Prosper Warner.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Harbor and was slightly wounded, and was also in a skirmish at Petersburg. After returning from the war he was employed as a mechanic by the Eagle Lock Company, but for several years past has been in the bakery business, and is doing a flourishing trade at Bristol, where he has recently erected commodious and convenient quarters.
E. L. PERKINS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Belchertown, Mass., September 6, 1845. He attended school until the breaking out of the civil war. The principal of the school and the boys of his class enlisted, but he being too young, was not allowed to go. But later, the authorities being less particular about age, he en- listed in the Forty-sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, Agust 23, 1862, and took part in nearly all the marches and en- gagements during its term of service, and was one of the two hundred and thirty of his regiment to volunteer to go to the re- lief of Maryland, after their term of service had expired. After the battle of Gettysburg, he was mustered out of service at Springfield, Mass., July 23, 1863, and worked there on small arms for the government, until about the close of the war. From Springfield, he went to Chicopee, Mass., in the employ of the Gaylord Mfg. Co., manufacturers of locks. In July, 1866, he came to Terryville, Conn., and entered the employ of the Eagle Lock Co He married Emily L. Carter, oldest daughter of Charles Carter, of Terryville, May 13, 1871. In 1875, he went, with a former president of the Eagle Lock Company, to Bridgeport, to start a new lock company. In 1878, he interest- ed capital and formed the Western Lock Company, at Geneva, Ohio. Six years later, his health failing, he resigned his posi- tion as superintendent and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. After a partial recovery of his health, he again identified himself with the Eagle Lock Company, and purchased the house represented in this article. Here he resided until October, 1893, when, on account of sickness, he purchased a place in Avon Park, Florida, and has been there winters, spending his summers at Terryville. His present residence has been owned by several prominent men of the town, notably, by William E. McKee, Joseph Adams, Frank W. Mix and Deacon Milo Blakesley.
PROSPER WARNER.
Prosper Warner was born in Plymouth, in May, 1807, and spent his boyhood days upon the farm, but at an early age, he went forth to earn his own living, and for some time was a peddler through the Southern States, with headquarters in New Jersey, which occupation he followed until 1838; at which time he returned to his native town, remaining there until 1840, when he removed to West Haven. Mr. Warner married for his first wife, Miss Acha Perry of New Jersey, and for his second, Charlotte S. Cope of New Haven, who now resides there. Mr. Warner spent the last few years of his life in superintending the
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
.
David D. Warner.
Markham Scott
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
large property that he was so successful in accumulating. He was a man of eminent public spirit, as is evidenced by his large and frequent contributions to the improvement and advancement of his native town, and those that he came in contact with else- where during his life. He was well disposed, genial, and always considered excellent company by his host of acquaint- ances. He was honest and upright, and always believed in teaching others to that effect. He was senior warden of Christ Church at West Haven, for over thirty years, which church, St. Peter's of Plymouth and the Northfield church, were well re- membered in his will. He died in August, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
DAVID DUTTON WARNER.
David Dutton Warner was born in the town of Plymouth, on the tenth day of April, 1794, and died there, February 14, 1865. He married Rachel Clark of New York State. Eunice Warner, sister of Noah Warner, was the wife of Eli Terry, James Warner was their grandfather, and John and David Dut- ton were great grandfathers, the subject of this sketch, being named after the latter. Noah had seven sons and three daughters. David, the eldest, had the farm, which afterwards came into the possession of, and is now owned by his daughters, Mrs. E. Dayton and Miss C. J. Warner, who are the fifth gen- eration born at the old farm-house. Noah Warner was one of the first town officers in 1795, and John, his father, was the society's agent for the building of the Episcopal Church, in the year 1745.
MARKHAM SCOTT.
Markham Scott, son of Levi and Sarah Scott, was born in a log house in the south part of Plymouth, April 23, 1808. He married, May 12, 1834, Lois Wilcox of Harwinton, Conn., who died Dec. 9, 1878. Before his marriage he bought a small farm on the main road, about one-half mile west of Terryville, where he resided until his death. The children numbered three- Homer Augustus, who died in 1856; Elvira Cornelia, now wife of Geo. H. Bates, and Abner Wilcox, killed in the battle of Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864.
Bv trade, Mr. Scott was a carpenter and joiner, and aided, not only in building up the town, but also had a hand in running the works of the lock companies of Terryville in their earlier days, for many of the old-time wooden pulleys were made by him in his little shop. In 1850 he built himself a new house, doing nearly all the work, including doors and sashes, himself. At that time "a raising" was a necessity, and ardent spirits were considered necessary-in fact, he was told he could not raise his house without. He replied, "Then it will never be raised." He was an honest man, quiet and undemonstrative in disposition, but firm in principle. He united with the church in Plymouth under Mr. Hart's ministry.
He died August 9, 1890.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Residence of Mrs. G. H. Bates.
F. H. Kellogg.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FREDERICK H. KELLOGG.
Frederick H. Kellogg, son of Deacon Horace and Orpah P. Kellogg, was born in New Hartford, July 13, ISO8. Since March, 1825, Terryville has been his home. He worked for some years in the clock shop, and later, for several years, for the Lock Company. He united with the church in Plymouth in 1827, and is now (1895) the only one living of the original members of Terryville church formed in 1838. For forty years he was a member of the choir. For twenty-five years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Terryville institute. He believes in Gen. 2 : JS, and five times he has performed well his part in finding the help-meet whom the Lord had made for him-five times has he answered, in a practical way, the question, "A virtuous woman, who can find?"
He was married in August, 1833, to Eliza Ann Smith of Naugatuck, who died August, IS44. In January, 1845, he married Polly Steele of New Hartford, who died, September, 1860. In 1861, he married Mrs. Elvira McKee Goodwin of Terryville, who died in 1870. In 1871, he married the widow of his brother, Mrs. Jerusha Spencer Kellogg of New Hartford, who died, April. 1885. In June, 1886, he married Mrs. Emeline Loomis Peek of New Hartford. By his first wife he had two children-Sarah Augusta, afterwards wife of Albert Bunnell, who died in September, 1876, leaving four sons, and Arthur Goodsell, who died at Alexandria, Va., November, 1862-a member of Co. C., 2nd C. V. H. A.
J. STREET HEMINGWAY.
Jacob Street Hemingway was born in East Plymouth, Janu- ary 4, 1791, and died May 28, 1863. He was the son of Deacon Jacob and Abigal Lindsey Hemingway, who came from Fair Haven, and located in East Plymouth.
The subject of this sketch spent his life in his native town, with the exception of three years of his childhood, which was spent in Fair Haven. He followed the occuption of farming in summer, and was engaged in the oyster business, with the Hem- ingways of Fair Haven, in the winter. He was one of the first subscribers to the building of the Terryville Congregational Church, where he was a constant attendant and contributed to its support during his life. He was a staunch Whig and a great admirer of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. He married Polly Hinman, daughter of Philemon Hinman, of Harwinton, who lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one.
Their family consisted of seven children, six of whom are still living. The old homestead is at present occupied by a granddaughter of Mr. Hemingway's.
ENOS BLAKESLEE.
New England People are justly proud of their ancestry. Well may they be, for the man who will dare all for God, is of
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
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J. S. Hemingway.
Enos Blakeslee.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
the stuff' of which heroes are made. Enos Blakeslee, the subject of this sketch, has such a line of ancestors. According to tradition, one of his ancestry was in the Holy Wars with Richard Couer de Lion, while in the early history of the Massa- chusetts Colony, two brothers of this blood came accross the sea to carve out a future for themselves and their decendants in the new world.
Enos Blakeslee was born on Town Hill, August 15, 1820, near the four corners, and was the son of Jared and Hulda Allen Blakeslee. He grew up amid the wholesome influences of a New England home, and in 1848, married Adaline E. Seymour of Watertown. Three children were born to them- Wallace, Frank and Mary. Mr. Blakeslee has always taken a keen interest in the educational and moral welfare of the com- munity, and has been intrusted by his fellow citizens with various public offices. He represented the town in the legisla- ture in 1882, has been a member of the district school committee, and was for thirteen years clerk of the district. He has also served the town on the Board of Relief. Among Enos Blakeslee's ancestors was Moses Blakeslee, who was elected a deacon of the Congregational church of Plymouth at the time of its organization in 1740, and was an influential and honored man in his time. Mr. Blakesleee has also been interested in the life of the church, serving as treasurer of the society for twenty- two years.
In business life he has been engaged for more than fifty years in carriage building, continuing at the old stand, after all his competitors had either given up the business or moved elsewhere. Although the business of carriage building has principally gone west, Mr. Blakeslee can still turn out vehicles which will stand the hardest of wear and tear. He represents that line of sturdy, thoughtful, brainy New England stock that has made this little portion of the republic such a factor for good in our national life.
HON. JOHN BIRGE.
Hon. John Birge, the son of Nathan L. and Adaline M. Birge, is the senator from the Fourth District. He belongs in the thriving town of Bristol, where he is one of the leading man- ufacturers. He was born in that town August 25, 1853, being now forty-two years of age. His education was begun in the com- mon schools, and finish by an academic course at the Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Ill. Active business early engaged his attention. For this he has predilections and uncommon ability. He is at present a member of the firm of N. L. Birge & Sons. Always active in politics, he has been a member of the Republi- can State Central Committee for the Fourth District. In this important place he discharged his duties with great efficiency, being an excellent judge of men and means. Much of the suc- cess of the last campaign depended upon his wisdom and fore- sight. He is a believer in pure politics and also in the Young Men's movement. He was president of the Young Men's Re-
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Hon John Birge.
John Henry Wood.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
publican Club, which is associated with the State League, and has been Chairman of the Republican Town Committee for several terms. He was descended in the tenth generation from the author of our New England system of town and municipal government, the Rev. Thomas Hooker, settler and first minister at Hartford in 1636. Senator Birge is also descended in the eighth generation of Wm. Smith, a settler at Huntington, L. I .; and again, through a maternal line, in the ninth generation, of George Smith of the New Haven Colony of 163S. He is also a descendent of Eli Terry and Theophilus Smith, who was a soldier in the Revolution.
The Birge's are descended from the Puritans, who came over on or about the time of the Mayflower. Senator Birge, in 1874, married Miss M. Antoinette Root, daughter of S. E. Root of Bristol, by whom he had four children : Adaline, Nathan, Marguerite and J. Kingsley, all of whom are now living.
JOHN HENRY WOOD.
John Henry Wood was born in Plymouth, June 30, 1828. He is the oldest son of Henry and Julia (Ford) Wood, and grandson of James and Susan (Elmer) Wood, of East Windsor. His mother was a direct descendant of Barnabas Ford, one of the earliest settlers of Northbury (now Thomaston), then a part of the town of Waterbury, and began early in life to earn his own living, working at farming summers and attending school during the winter months.
At the age of fifteen, he received from his father, his time as a heritage, and immediately contracted with Morse & Blakes- lee (both cousins of his), to serve a three years' apprenticeship in learning the trade of making clock movements, remaining one year in the employ of the firm after the expiration of the term. From 1848, with the exception of about nine months, until June 1, 1892, he was connected with the Seth Thomas Clock Co., as contractor and foreman, and the last thirty years as superintend- ent of the clock movement factory of the company. He was married at the age of twenty-one to Mary Ostrom of Torrington, by whom he had two children, a daughter and son. The daughter, Eliza, married Lieutenant Orsamus B. Sawyer, of Company A, Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and died February 17. 1872, leaving two sons, Frederick H. and Wilbur J., and one daughter. who died in infancy. Lieutenant Sawyer died November 16, 1874, leaving his two orphan boys in the care of their grandparents, John H. and Mary Wood. These grandsons were graduated from the Thomaston High School in 1887, their class being the first to receive diplomas from the school. In the fall of 1890 they entered the class of '94 Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., and would have graduated together, but Wilbur was obliged to leave early in his senior year, on account of illness, and on March 3, 1894, he departed this life. Frederick, the elder grandson, graduated with his class at Wesleyan. in IS94. At present he is pursuing
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
A B Curtis.
Chloe Cook Barnes.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
a course of study at the Boston University, School of Theology, Boston, Mass.
The son, Henry O. Wood, assisted his father a number of years by keeping the books of the department under his charge with the Seth Thomas Clock Co; he is now employed as ship- ping clerk by the Waterbury Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Mr. Wood is a public spirited, kind hearted, affable gentle- man, and a man of thorough temperance principles and habits. In politics he is a Republican, having been connected with that party since its formation. He has been grand juror, school com- mittee, and trustee for twenty-nine years of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and was chairman of the building committee which erected the present church in 1866. He was one of the original incorporators of the Thomaston Savings Bank, and its president at the present time. He was also one of the organizers of the Thomaston Knife Co., of which he was chosen president, and has served as such up to the present time.
Mr. Wood was a member of the general assembly of Con- necticut from Thomaston in 1887, having in the election a clear majority over three other candidates for the same office ; he was assigned by Speaker Hoyt to the committee on banks.
John Henry Wood's father, Henry Wood, was a cousin of John W. Barbour, author of Connecticut Historical Collection, published in 1836, the first history of Connecticut. John Henry's mother was Julia Ford, a daughter of Hial Ford and Lucina Preston Ford, and Lucina Preston was a sister of Stiles Preston and Wursuld Preston Humphreyville of Northfield, who died May 26, 1892, aged 102 years, three months and fourteen days. They were born in Harwinton ; their father was John Preston, their mother was a daughter of Deacon Reuben Bristol, and her mother was Eleanor Stiles, a daughter of President Ezra Stiles, of Yale College. Julia Ford Wood's father was Hial Ford, a son of Amos Ford, and grandson of Ebenezer Ford, and a great grandson of Barnabas Ford, one of the early settlers of North- bury, in that part now Thomaston.
ZENAS COOK.
Zenas Cook was born in Northbury Society in Waterbury, July 7, 1773; was the son of Joel, the grandson of Ebenezer, and the great grandson of Henry Cook, the first permanent set- tler, who is known to have built a house within the bounds of the Plymouth of 1780. He was reared by his uncle, the Rev Ros- well Cook, of Montville, Conn., and became a surveyor. He was one of the surveyors in laying out through the, then wilder- ness, a highway from Rochester to Buffalo. Later in life he bceame engaged in the manufacture of wooden clocks, at Water- bury, the company of Clark, Cook & Harrison having been formed to carry on that business, but still later in life, became a farmer.
Mr. Cook married in February. 1800, Polly, the daughter of Captain Samuel Lewis, Jr., of Plymouth; she died August
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Elias Smith.
Elias Smith Homestead
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
24, 1809. May 20, ISIO, he married Betsy, the daughter of Col. Phineas Porter, who died April 25, 1851. His children were : William, Sarah Curtis, George L., Lucien Porter, Harriet M., Catharine L. and Mary Elizabeth.
Joel Cook, father of Zenas, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war ; in order that he might visit his family during the en- campment of his company at Danbury, Joel's father, Ebenezer Cook, agreed to take his son's place and answer to his name on the roll call, but while there he died with the distemper and was returned on the death roll as Joel Cook, thus releasing Joel from service ; but his patriotism led him back to the army and served through the war, receiving with his friend, Capt. Camp, an hon- orable discharge.
Ebenezer Cook had three sons at Yale College, two of whom, Roswell and Justus, were ministers of the gospel. Uri, the third son, entered college, but soldiers were needed more than scholars, so he left and entered the army, only to die with that fatal camp fever in three weeks' time. He is said to have been a brilliant young man.
ELIAS SMITH.
Elias Smith, son of Samuel and Hannah Stacy Smith, was born in Wallingford, May 17, 1806. He came to Terryville in 1829, and worked at joiner work for Eli Terry ; after that he worked at cases in the clock shop. His father came to Terry- ville the year following, and lived on a small farm about a mile north of the village, on the Harwinton road, where August Matts now lives. He bought the farm of John Atkins. He was a cooper by trade, as was also Elias. He died in 1849, and his wife in 1872, aged ninety-four. Mr. Smith traced his ancestry back to one Thomas Smith, who was among the first that landed in New Haven, in 1637. Thomas Smith was the cooper of the colony, and each generation since, has had one of the same trade. He married Nancy Goodale, a native of East Windsor, in 1831. Of seven children, four survive; two died in infancy. A son, Ed- ward P. Smith, a member of Co. I, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, died at Fort Richards, December 10, 1861, he was the first soldier that died, from Plymouth; the eldest, Oliver E., now living in Chicopee, Mass., married Antoinette Alcott, of Wolcott; Elizabeth married Oscar F. Wilcox ; Eugenie E., married Frederick Ryal, now in New Haven, who at one time manufactured shears and scissors, under the firm name of Ryal Bros., in what is called the Burnam-Terry shop; Samuel G. married Jennie Johnson, of Harwinton.
One very pleasant incident in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was the celebration of their golden wedding, in 1881, when neighbors and friends filled the house, both afternoon and evening, to congratulate them on this great event. Mrs. Smith died in 1893, after a short illness. Mr. Smith died August 8, 1895, at the age of eighty-nine, at the home of his daughter, in Chicopee, Mass. With the exception of a year and a half, his life
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTHI.
Joel Griggs.
Martin Griggs.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
has been spent, since 1829, on a farm north of the village, which he purchased of Henry Atwater, the father of the author of this book.
LUDINGTON-POTTER FAMILY.
Moses Ludington settled near Caleb Humiston's present residence. He was a surgeon in the French and Indian war and was killed at Lake George in 1755. Of his children, David Ludington, born August 26, 1733, alone settled in Northbury. July 26, 1753 his father deeded, "For the consideration of the love and paternal affection which I have and do bear toward my loving son, David Ludington, a certain piece of land bought of Dr. Jonas Weed ;" the land has never been sold and is now a part of the farm of G. S. and S. F. Potter, his decendants. Dr. Weed was the first physician in Northbury.
David Ludington was a powerful man, a skillful and per- sistent hunter ; he shot the last deer killed in the town, and was one of the fifteen who " bore lists" during the entire pastorate of Rev. Chauncey Prindle, in which the present edifice of St. Peter's church was built. He married Lois Basit, one of four sisters who came to Northbury. Their children were Susannah, Lois, Jotham and Patience. He died October 31, 1821.
The daughters never married and always lived in the old place. Jotham Ludington, born July 11, 1763, married Abigal Anna Latin, April 27, 1794. They had one child, Polly, born March 9, 1795. His second marriage was with Beulah Fair- child, February 19, 1798 ; he died July 8, 1848. Polly Luding- ton married Sherman Potter, March 13, 1816. He was son of Zenas and Betsy Blakeslee Potter, born August 2, 1790, and a lineal decendant of Jacob Potter who settled in Northbury about 1738, and of Captain Thomas Blakeslee. He was a school teacher and surveyor, and private secretary for Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison in the war of 1812. He died, September 5, 1831. Their children were Mary Ann, Sarah, Betsey, George Sherman, Jane Phinette and Shelden Fairchild. Each and all of the grandfathers and great grandfathers of these children were incorporators of the town of Plymouth.
Mary Ann was born, June 30, 1819, married Samuel Forbes of New Haven, and died, April 23, 1892, leaving two children ; Alfred W. Forbes, now serving his seventh term as selectman of New Haven ; and Mary Anne wife of Dr. Gustavus Eliott of New Haven. Sarah was born, July 31, 1821 and lives on the old place (now in Thomaston) with the brothers G. S. and S. F. Potter. Betsey, was born, May 31, 1823, married George Gordon, a native of Scotland, and has two sons, George Luding- ton and Arthur Munroe Arthur M. married Mary S. Alling. George Sherman was born, October 16, 1825. Jane Phinette was born October 16. 1827, married Lysander M. Burnell, and died July 11, 1877, at Jefferson, Ill. Sheldon Fairchild was born March 17, 1830, married Leora Andrus. They have two children, Mary Leora and George Andrus Potter.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Franklin P. Wilcox.
Wilbert N. Austin.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FRANKLIN P. WILCOX.
Franklin Phelps Wilcox was born in the town of Harwin- ton, Conn., February 6, 1806, and died in Plymouth, where he resided the most of his life, May S, 1882. His early days were spent upon the farm, but the latter part of his life he was en- gaged in the japanning department of the Eagle Lock works, where he had the contract for that class of work. He married Emeline Holcomb of New York State, who died in Plymouth, October 13, 188S.
Uncle Wilcox (the name he was familiarly known by), was somewhat of a joker, and always enjoyed a good joke. About 1876, as he had finished painting a wagon, there appeared on the scene a half dozen small boys who wanted a ride, he hesitated a while, for fear some harm might befall them, but finally took them. A week latter several more wanted a ride, claiming they did not go the first time, so he decided to go once more, if they would then leave him alone, and told them to find out how many wanted to go. After an apparently hard weeks' work they asked him if he could go on Saturday, when he replied that he could, but wanted to know how many had promised to go. Their answer was: "eighty have promised to go, and lots more can't tell whether their mothers will let them go or not." On Saturday there were ninety-five of them, and through the help of Uncle Wilcox's friends, they were all taken to a grove to spend the day. Thus, Uncle Wilcox became, through his thought and ever ready willingness to amuse and care for others, the favorite of all, both young and old.
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