The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

[According to the manimons statements of old people, Mr. Ellsworth fully deserved the eulogy implied in the first of the above lines. He was the earliest justice of the peace in the parish, having received the first appointment in 1769.]

"Capt BENJAMIN PINNEY Died Nov. 25 1777 aged 62 years."

" llere lies ye Body of Doct EBENEZER PINNEY, who died of a consumption August ye Gth 1786, in ye 25th year of his age.

"In vain yon mourn and drop those funeral tears,

Death and the grave hath neither eyes nor ears."

" In Memory of ELEAZER PINNEY, who died July 15, 1835 Aged 83."

[ELEAZER PINNEY was born in Ellington about sixteen years before the incorporation of the township cast of the river, and was consequently a son of Ancient Windsor. He was a sergeant in the campaign against Burgoyne, in a corps of Connecticut militia that distinguished itself for bravery. He was engaged in the battle fought at Stillwater on the 19th September, 1777, and also in the battle of Saratoga, 7th October. 1777, which decided the fate of Burgoyne's army, and was one of the division that stormed that general's camp.

Lieutenant Pinney (for in Ellington, the commission that he after- wards held, conferred upon its possessor the title for life), Leftent Pin- ney, until his active career was closed by age, ranked among the first citizens of the place. He represented the town in the legislature, was # selectman fourteen years, no other person having held that office so long; and received his full share of other town meeting honors. In the settlement of estates, guardianships, and other responsible trusts, he re- ceived a marked preference, (although Ellington then contained an unusual number of men well qualified for similar proofs of confidence,) and was often jocularly called the administrator-general of Ellington.

For a week preceding his death he suffered much pain, which was endured with true Christian patience and resignation. Few men in life were more respected, or in death more universally regretted. flis funeral was numerously attended, for he was truly a friend of all, especially of the poor. ]

×59

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS - BIOGRAPHIES.

" This monument is erected in memory of Col. LEVI WELLS who died December 18th 1803 in the 69th year of his age.

Oh Death thou sole proprietor of man. Since the sad hour apostasy began,

No patriot's love, no human worth can free

From the great tribute that is due to thee."

[After the close of the Revolutionary war, Col. Wells removed from Colchester to Ellington, not having been previously a resident of the latter town. During the siege of Boston, in 1776, he was a captain in Spencer's Regiment, afterward a major ; he was taken by the enemy in the battle of Long Island, and underwent a painful captivity. Hlis case, with those of other officers, is described by Ethan Allen in his account of the cruelties perpetrated by the British upon American prisoners. After his exchange, while in command of a regiment of State troops distributed as a guard near the southwest part of this State, Col. Wells was surprised in the night by a vastly superior force, and again made a prisoner. On this occasion John Lathrop, a respectable young man of Tolland, was killed, and Lemmel King of Vernon, then a mere boy, but afterwards one of the first citizens of that town, received a stiff knee for life. Dur- ing his residence in Ellington Col. Wells was held in the highest estima- tion. By a fortunate second marriage ( with the widow of Charles Ells- worth, Esq.) and the success in life of his children, unlike too many of his brother officers, he spent the latter years of his life in abundance as well as honor. Ile was chosen a representative. and was for about ten years before his death a justice of the peace, then an honorable and even lucrative office. His gravestone was the first of marble erected in that burial ground.]

. " This monument is erected to remind the living of the life and death of MATTHEW IIYDE, EsQ., who died Sept. 24, 1806, aged 72 years."

" Mrs. Roxalania Ilyde, relict of Matthew Hyde, Esq., died August 314 1818, Aged 84 years."

[Mr. Hyde was a native of Franklin, married a Miss Stoughton of East Windsor (a native of Windham ), and settled in Ellington years before the town of Windsor was divided. Besides his farm he fol- lowed the trades of carpenter, joiner, cabinet maker, and general worker in wood, -all which, and sometimes others, were wrought at by the same person. Having embraced the creed inculcated by Robert Sande- man, and perhaps engrafted upon it some improvements of his own, he was conscientiously opposed to all war, as contrary to the plain and undoubted injunctions of the gospel ; consequently was not an advocate for the American Revolution. He even allowed his cattle to be distrained for war taxes, though he would immediately redeem them. He also opposed the war as impolitie on any ground whatever, declaring his

860

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

apprehensions that if independence were secured the large States would eventually oppress the smaller ones. But it was evident that his actual sympathies did not harmonize with those of the American adherents to the British cause. He was not therefore deemed an enemy to his coun- try, and never lost the confidence and favor of his fellow citizens, who, in that war contributed even their personal services. As a practically wise man, Mr. Hyde enjoyed a standing in Ellington similar to that of Roger Sherman in a more extensive field. Hle was a representative from East Windsor for four sessions while Ellington formed a part of that town ; was active in securing the organization of the town of Ellington, and represented it in the legislature at fourteen of the twenty succes- sive sessions held in the first ten years after its incorporation. On the organization of the town he was appointed a justice of the peace and chosen the town clerk, both which offices he held until his death, a period of twenty years. Fransaeting the principal business of the former office in a town then somewhat famous for its petty lawsuits. and in numer- ons other offices and trusts, his good judgment and unquestioned integ- rity rendered him a remarkably useful and influential man, while his excellence as a private citizen gained him equal respeet.

Upon his decease, his oldest son, ROBERT, succeeded him as justice and town clerk, to which office he was annually re-elected from 1806-1835, and town treasurer 1816-1835, the records of the town remaining in one house from 1786 to 1835. During mich of the time from 1806 until constitutionally disqualified in 1838, Robert Hyde, Esq., transacted the greater share of such business as is referred to a justice of the peace. He also represented the town at the sessions of the Gen- eral Assembly in 1801, 1802, and 1811, and received numerous other proofs of the confidence of his fellow citizens.

DANIEL HIYDE, second son of Matthew, and occasionally a representa- tive, selectman, ote., was, like his father and elder brother. a man of ex- tensive reading (besides their own library the Social Library was kept in their house), and enlarged capacity for publie usefulness. But undesir- ous of publie employment, he either wrought at his father's trades or enjoyed a quiet home with his brother at the family residence, neither of them having ever been married. He represented Ellington in the legis- lature in 1807.

ALLYN, youngest son of Matthew Hyde (we have made no account of three who died in infancy ), inherited the family sense and intelligence in full. Ile studied medicine, settled in Ellington, and stepped at once into a very extensive practice, which he retained until superannuated. Dr. Hyde married a Miss Mather of Windsor, daughter of Col. Mather and niece of Chief Justice Ellsworth, by whom the Hyde family was always held in particular respect. As property has no small share in

861

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS -BIOGRAPHIES.

fixing a position in society, it may not be amiss to mention that during the most exalted years of the Hyde family, in a town abounding in wealthy men, their condition in life was that of the common farmer. Shortly previous to Dr. Hyde's death all three of the brothers, each of them being above eighty years old, went to the polls and voted the Whig ticket. Two at least, if not all the three, daughters of Matthew Hyde, had the family cast of character. The same was the case with two grandchildren, brought up at the family residence. one, JOSEPH WADSWORTH BISSELL, having been a representative and justice when those ofhees yet conferred some honor on their holders. The wife of Matthew lyde, Esq., was a woman of a remarkably strong character and highly cultivated mind. Her reading, even in old age, consisted in works of the soundest character. She has many times been seen, when above eighty years old, engaged in the perusal of Plutarch, Rollin, and other similar authors. ]

" To the memory of Cot. JOSEPH ABBOTT, who died Jan'y 5th, 1814, aged 78 years."

[Col. JOSEPH ABBOTT moved to Ellington from Brooklyn at about the close of the Revolutionary war, having purchased a tract of more than a square mile of excellent land. situated in the southwest part of the town. He was celebrated for his skill in farming : his equal in that business, on so extensive a seale, probably never has been found in Tol- land county. In conjunction with other favorable circumstances at the time, it was by observing his success and imitating his example that the farmers on the plain discontinued their ridiculously slovenish and un- profitable mode of tillage ; ambition and emulation were soon followed by prosperity : in a few years the agricultural features of their part of the town were changed, and Ellington became the pleasant place that never fails to excite the admiration of a stranger. It is related of Col. Abbott, probably with truth, that on one occasion he said he did not know of a single bush on his farm, and that if he did he would instantly send a man to cut it down. He brought his military title from Brooklyn, having held a commission in the time of the Revolution, and having seen service in that contest. See the account of his services in this vohune among Revolutionary Soldiers. Col. A. was twice a representative. He had a son bearing his name who represented Ellington several times. Col. LEVI WELLS also had a son LEVI, whose name among the repre- sentatives might lead to a mistake by one who was not acquainted with the circumstances. ]

" In memory of Capl. ICHABOD WADSWORTH, who died March 31, 1815. aged 23 years.

Stop reader spend a mournful tear Over the dust that slumbers here And whitst you read the fate of me Think on the glass that runs for thec."

862

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

[Capt. Wadsworth was raised in Ellington, " put out " until he was sixteen years ofl ; sold his hair for a shilling, the first he ever had, and when his period of service was up, enlisted in the army (war of 1755) ; was in the expedition to Cuba, 1762, and at the close of that war was a sort of veteran of the age of twenty, like many of the soldiers in the heroic days of our country, with his moral and religions principles entirely uninjured. He married a Miss Drake, who owned about forty acres of poor land in the northern part of Ellington. Within a few years after marriage she died, leaving one child, a son. Mr. Wadsworth was by this time in sufficient standing to be welcomed for a second wife into the family of Deacon Porter. The new wife was always one of the kindest of step-mothers. having. however, no child of her own. She sur- vived her husband many years. In 1776 Mr. W. had arrived at the dignity of orderly sergeant of the militia company, and went with it to New York, where his former experience in camp and hell duties and in taking care of the sick elevated him so highly in the estimation of his comrades that on the resignation of the captain, directly after, he was promoted over the subalterns to the command of the company. As a cap- tain he was several times in actual service, and was one of the three or four chief veterans of the town. Captain Wadsworth was extremely well qualified to cut a path for himself through the world. He acquired a large property, and for many years was one of the principal farmers of the town. Punctual in attending church on Sundays, he used to ride in a superior style that indicated the wealthy farmer, viz. : in a large, heavy, two-horse farm wagon, set strong and stiff upon the axles, the sides built like a cart and painted red, with movable end boards, and unpainted side boards. The men were seated on a ship of board, while the females were accommodated with chairs. In those days of comparative simplicity Capt. W. occasionally attended meeting with his three-cornered, large. old-fashioned military hat on, nobody dreaming of its being in any way improper. ]

" In memory of Doctor JOSEPH B. WADSWORTH, who Departed this life March ye 12th A.D. 1784 in y+ 370 year of his Age.

When weeping friends draw near And drop a sacred tear My last Best counsel hear; For Death, for Death prepare."

For biography of Dr. Wadsworth, see p. 833.

" In memory of Mr. John McKnight, who died March 16h 1785, in ye 734 year of his Age."

" In memory of Mr. John Porter, who died June the 7º 1772 in the 89th year of his Age."

863

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS- BIOGRAPHES.

. In memory of Dead" JONATHAN PORTER, who died July ye 5th 1783 in the 721 year of his Age.

Beneath this stone Death's prisoner lies. The Stone shall move the Saint shall rise. What's now concealed Beneath the dust Shall then appear among the Just."

[Dea. Porter came to Ellington when a young man, from Ipswich, Mass., bought a large tract of land, and, in 1747, built a house near the junetion of the West Stafford and old Somers roads, which was inhabited by himself and his descendants for near a century. Its fashion, site, and remarkably antiquated air inside and outside, during its latter years, would strongly remind one of the garrison houses in early times. Dea. Porter was one of a class of men in his time who had a taste for solid reading otherwise than religious. Among his books were large quarto volumes of history, besides other valuable and curious works of a smaller size. Dr. DANIEL PORTER, who was in the action between the Trumbull and the Watts, during the Revolution, and afterwards became a very respect- able physician in the vicinity of Warehouse Point, was his son. ]

" In memory of Mr. Daniel Stoughton, who Died August the 16 A. D. 1788, Aged 89 years."

[He was father-in-law of Matthew Hyde. ]

" In memory of Doct EPAPHRAS BUCKLAND who died Oct 30th 1787 In ye 25th year of his Age.

My sudden Call Envites you all Cold Death for to Remember, When Death doth Come to call you home To Death you must surrender."

"Sacred to the Memory of Doet' Joel Carpenter, who departed this life Jan. ye 25th 1789 in the 69th year of his Age."

"In Memory of Mr. James McKinney, who died July 10, 1796, in ye 95th year of his Age."

" In Memory of Mrs. Margaret, wife of Mr. James McKinney, who died Oct. 26. 1798 in ye 101" year of her Age."

"In memory of Mr. Jonathan Grant, who died Deer 24 1797, in ye 834 year of his Age."

"In Memory of Deacon Medin'h Fitch. Died Novr: the 14th 1792 in the 10th year of his Age."

" In Memory of Mrs. Lydia, the wife of Deacon Medin'h Fitch, who Died Octbr 16th A.D 1762 in the 36th year of her Age.

You that do Read these lines must Die. As well as I that here Doth lie."

" In memory of Mrs. Jerusha Skinner, wife of Dea. Daniel Skinner, and Daughter to Daniel Bissell Esq., of Windsor, who died Nov 26 1797 in y" 80th year of her age "

" In memory of Mrs. Betty, wife of " In memory of Mr. Stephen Cross, Mr. Stephen Cross, who died Jany 16th who died Now' 5th 1796, in ye 934 year of 1789 in y. 924 year of her Age."

his Age."

(Both on one stone.)

864

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

" In Memory of Mr. Simon Kingsbery, who died April 18th A. D. 1799 in ye 84th year of his Age."

"In Memory of Doct. JOSEPH KINGSBURY, who died Aug. 29, 1822. . E. 66."-See biography, p. 833.

" In Memory of Mrs. ROXANA KINGSBURY, wife of Dr. Joseph Kingsbury. Born April 20, 1753. Died March 5, 1820."

[Mrs. ROXANA KINGSBURY was danghter of Mr. Josiah Allyn, of Windsor, a descendant of Col. Matthew Allyn, and, as before mentioned, was the widow of Dr. Joseph B. Wadsworth. As a humane, amiable, considerate, worthy woman, and a lady in all the relations of life, she was rarely equaled.]

" In memory of Levi Wells Esq., who died April 28 1828, Æ 63."

" To the Memory of Capt. Joseph Abbott, who died Feb. 5 1834, Aged 68 years." "Proverbs, chap. VIIl. Amos, chap. IV.

" Unto you, O man, I call. Prepare to meet thy God.

" To the Memory of TIMOTHY HOLTON, who died Aug. 18, 1822, ZE. 78."

" In Memory of Dr. JAMES STEELE, who died June 15, 1819, 2. 62."

" Death gives us more than man in Edlen lost; The king of terrors is the prince of peace."

" In Memory of Francis Belknap, a revolutionary pensioner, who died Nov. 22, 1838, Aged 84."

" Allyn Hyde, M. D. Died Aug. 28 1855, ZE. 83." See biography, p. 860.

The three following names are on the same monument. The first two were brothers of the preceding ; the third was their niece.

" Robert Hyde Esq. Died June 13 1859, JE. 91. See biography, p. 860.

" Daniel Hyde, Died Sept. 16 1867, Æ. 97. See biography. p. 860.

" Roxa Bissell, Died Aug. 15 1878, Aged 91 years, 8 mos."

"Asa Willey, Born Feb. 22 1774, Died Dec. 9 1851."

" Rev. JUNIUS M. WILLEY, Rector of St. Johns church, Bridgeport, Died April ? 1866, Aged 45."

"Rev. DIODATE BROCKWAY, For Fifty Years Pastor of the Church in this Town, Died Jan, 27 1849, Aged 72."

" John Hall Brockway, Died July 29 1870 Aged 69."

"JOHN HALL, Born Feb. 26 1783. Died Oct. 2 1847."

JOHN HALL, Esq., (son of John, see p. 855) whose name must ever be prominently connected with the interests and history of Ellington. He was born Feb. 26, 1783. His boyhood was spent at home, amid such scenes as the traffic carried on by his father, and sneh as the culti- vation of a large farm produced. This period of his life was marked by activity and ingenuity in his father's affairs, although he was not a robust lad. The father died when the son was thirteen years of age. He was then sent abroad to school, and spent some time in preparation

865

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS - BIOGRAPHIES.

for college with Rev. Mr. Prudden, at Enfield. He entered college at the age of fifteen, and graduated in 1802. He was a superior scholar. At junior exhibition he received, for his appointment, the Latin oration. The year he graduated appointments were not given out as they had previously been given, nor as they have since been made. Parts were assigned, according as it was thought that each appointer would excel, and not according to his merit roll as a scholar. Tto received, at gradu- ating, a dispute. Two years after this he was appointed a tutor in Yale College, and remained in this position between two and three years.

As Mr. Hall's health was delicate, he did not take a profession. lle purchased a farm in his native town. and superintended from 1808 to 1829. During this period he spent much of his time in literary pur- snits, and to the close of his life he cherished a great relish for books. He was not only an extensive reader, but he was eminently an original thinker. In college, and through life, he was fond of discussion; and he analyzed truth more boldly than men of his times were accustomed to do. He often employed himself in analyzing the sounds of the letters in the English language. He left manuscripts on the structure of our language, and arranged a grammar, in which he followed no author. He devoted years to mental philosophy, and endeavored to make such definitions as would be undisputed, and as would not need defining. This subject he had completed in his own mind, but he died at the time he was ready to commit his views in full to paper.

Ilis farm showed that taste and adaptation of means to farming were not wanting. In his day the products from a farm in Connectient did not compensate the man who carried it on through hired laborers. lle had too much love of the beautiful, in all his efforts, to render his labors profitable in a pecuniary point of view. The large and beautiful elms now adorning the village of Ellington he either planted or induced others to plant.

Mr. Hall originated the Ellington School, and was its principal for ten years from the autumn of 1829. The instruction was of the most thorough kind, and a direct and positive influence was exerted by him on his pupils. Mr. Hall's health began to fail about the time he relin- quished the school. This fact, added to the consideration that the school gave no pecuniary advantage, led him to resign his position. The school had enjoyed a high reputation for fitting young men for col- lege or for active business in life.

Mr. Hall was acknowledged as a man of strict integrity and of irre- proachable purpose. His varied talent and reading rendered him agree- able to gentlemen in any one of the professions, and his acquaintance was much valned by those who were particularly intimate with him. As he lived rejoicing to commit his ways to God, so he died rejoicing to VOL. I .- 109

86€

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

commit himself to Him in whom he confided. IFis life closed and death opened to him the reality of his trust Oet. 2, 1847, at the age of 64.]

ITis oldest son, EDWARD HALL, spent most of his life in his native town. After teaching for a few years elsewhere, in 1814 he established a school in Ellington, and devoted the remainder of his life to teaching. Mention is made of his school on a previous page.

Like his father he was a man of earnest Christian character, and his constant endeavor was to do good to those about him. Thus his ex- ample and influence tended to promote the highest welfare not only of his pupils but of the whole community. In his later years ill health seriously impaired his vigor, but his active interest in the well-being of others never faltered. flis gifts for benevolent and religious purposes were large in proportion to his income, but were never proclaimed to the world. He died Angust 19, 1875, at the age of 66.

FRANCIS HALL of Elmira, N. Y., another son of John Hall, has been a successful man of business. He was prepared For college at a very early age, but entered upon a business career as clerk in a book store, first in Springfield, Mass:, afterward in Syracuse, N. Y. Before attain- ing his majority be established a book store in Elmira, and in a few years built up a prosperous trade.

In the spring of 1859 he sailed for Japan and arrived there the 1st of November in that year, when ports were open to foreigners under Commodore Perry's treaty. Engaging in the tea trade at Yokohama, he conducted for several years a very profitable business. His letters from Japan published in the New York Tribune excited a wide-spread interest. He also made an extensive collection of artistic articles of Japanese manufacture of special interest and value.

lle returned to America in 1866, and has since resided in Elmira, thongh often absent on long journeys to different parts of the world. He is esteemed one of the most valuable citizens of Elmira, and takes a leading part in all benevolent and educational movements, especially in connection with the Ehnira Female College.

" Edward Hall, Born Aug. 10 1809, Died Aug. 19, 1825."

" Benjamin Pinney, Born July 4 1780, Died June 9 1860."

"Dr. Horatio Dow, Died Sept. 28 1859, Aged 67 yrs."

" Rev. LAVIUS HYDE, Born Jan. 29 1789. After he had served his own generation by the will of God. fell asleep April 3 1865.

" I shall be satisfied when Iawake with thy likeness."

" Wyllys Russell, Died March 12 1851, Aged $1."

" Oliver W. Steele, Died Nov. 9 1873, Aged 89."

" Samnel Thompson, Died .June 22 1875, Aged 93."

" Daniel Kimball, Died April 25 1736, Aged 84."

817

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS-BIOGRAPHIES.

The MeKinstry Burial Ground, on the main street of the village, is occupied by the graves of Rev. JOHN MCKINSTRY, the first minister of the town, and some of his descendants, bearing the names of MeKin- stry, Ellsworth, and Morgan. It originated in the determination of the minister not to be buried among his people, because he thought they had treated him unjustly. In 1858 one of his descendants erected a new granite monument to his memory, and enclosed the ground with an iron railing. A part of the original monument now lies at the front door of his descendant, Alexander Mckinstry. The inscription on the new monument is as follows :

" ROGER MCKINSTRY, a native of Scotland, the father of JouN MCKINSTRY, who was born in Antrim Co., Ireland, in 1677, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Scot- land, arrived in Boston 1718, was the first pastor of the church in Sutton, Mass., pas- tor of the church in Ellington 1728 to 1644. Died Jan. 20th 1754, aged 77.

" A learned man, a popular preacher, a sound divine. 'The ear that heard him blessed him; The eye that saw him gave witness to him.'"

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038