The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. II, Part 38

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1012

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. II > Part 38

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).

4. Mary. b. 3 Mcb., 1694 5. 8. Mary, b. 12 Ort., 16's7. 9. Timothy.

5. Abigail, 1691 (twin to Mury?).

FAM. 3. Thomas' (Sgt.) (Josias) ). He d. 26 Sept., 1750, in 86th yr. (E. W. O.) Prob. Rec , xvi, his will pres. at Ct. held 13 Dee., 1,50; distrib. 12 Feb., 1750/1; ment. dans. by names indicated below by (*). C'h .:

1. Sarah, b. 9 Dec., 1696: m., 9 Feb., 1726, Josiah Allyn; d. 81 May, 1763.

2. Nathaniel, b. 3 Der .. 1699. FAM. N.

3. William, b. 15 Apl . 1702. FAM 9.

4. Hannah, b. 25 Nov., 1701

5. Elizabeth, b. 1. Nov., 1706; m. a Skinner.

6. Thomas, b. lo Mch., 170s. FAM. 10.

7. Mary, 'b. ; Jan., 1:10; m. a Bidwell .*

8. Abigail, b. 14 Sept., 1212; m. 5 pl., 1733. John (brother of her brother Thomas' wife) Loomis. see Lommix.

9. Deborah, h. 24 sept., 1714: m. a Blodgett .* 10. Eunice. b. 27 (or 20) Mch., 1:12: m. a Green .*

11. Naomi, b, 23 Feb., 1719 20; m. 11 Jan., 1743 4, Jonathan Brown.

FAM. 1. Jonathan ? (Lieut. - Capt. ? ) (Josias 1 ), according to Oliver Ellsworth, Jr.'s M.S., res. in W. on the site then (1803) occupied by his grandson, Lient. David's house, where he kept a tavern and a small store of West India goods, rum, ete., and was engaged in many business ventures. Ile was a man of sterling good sense

211

THE ELLSWORTH FAMILY.

and of such wit and humor that he bore the name of " llector Ellsworth." In pre- son he was tall and strong. His death was caused by being thrown from his horse. He m. 26 Oct., 1693, Sarah (dau. Tahan) Grant, b. 19 Sept., 1675, who d. 9 Nov., 1755, æ. 82. Ile d'. 13 Sept., 1749, æ. 81. Ch. (b. IT.) :

1. Jonathan, b. 11 Mch., 1605, 6; prob. the " Jona. s. of Jona. " who d. 22 Sept., 1712. - H1. 0.

2. Sarah, b. 8 Jan .. 1698: m. 9 Fch., 1226. Jusinh, " father of the late Lient. Allen. "- Ol. Ells. MS. 1.50.3.

3. |John. b. W. 1701; d. 1760, auth. of Capt. Wm. Ledyard Ellsworth.

4. Giles, b. 6 Aug., 1703. FAM. 11.

5. Mary, b. 1 Mch., 1706; m. [" father of Isaac "]

Owen. - 01. Ell‹. MIN. 1803.

6. Esther, b. 9 Mch., 1708.

7. David (Capt.). b. 3 Aug. (July 17, according to ('apt. D.'s Fam. Bible Rec.) 1709, FAM. 12.

8. Ilannah, b.10 Sept .. 1713; m. Alex. Allyn, mcht. of W. - Ol. Ellx. MS. 1803.

9. Jonathan, b. 22 Ang., 1:16. FAM. 13. 10. Ann, b. 12 Ang., 1219.

FAM. 5. Johnº (Lieut.) (Josias1), was the first sett. in Ellington; settled on west side of Town Street (nearly opposite the old Ells place on W. side of Conn. River) a few rods north of the present Crossett's Lane; was killed by the fall of a tree (page 811. Vol. I.), 26 Oct., 1720 (E. W. O.). Ile m. 9 Dec., 1696, Esther (dau. Daniel) White of Hartford, b. 1671, and who d. 7 Sept., 1766, æ. 95 (E. W. (.). Ch. :

1. John (Capt.), b. 7 Nov., 1697. FAM. 14. Northfield. Mass.

2. Daniel ((apt.), b. 20 Mch., 1699-1500. FAM. 15.

3. E-ther. b. 9 Mch .. 1703; m. Capt. Samuel Wells of E. Hartford: d. 3 Nov., 1.91.

4. Anna, b. 27 Apl., 1205; m. Sammel Hunt of

5. Martha, b. 27 Feb., 1708/9; m. 11 Sept., 1729. Nathaniel Stoughton of W.

6. Ann, b. 1712 ;* m. 10 Nov., 1737, Capt. Ebenezer Grant.

FAM. 6. Job? (Capt.) (Josias1), m. (1) 19 Dec., 1695, Mary Trumble, who d. 15, bu. 16 Sept., 1710 (E. W. C. R.); m. (2) Wid. Sarah Clark of Farmington, 25 (11?) Oct., 1711. He d. 29 Sept., 1751, in 78th year ( E. W. O.) Children :

1. Benjamin, b. 1 Oct., 1696. FAM. 16.

2. Job, h. 5 June, 1698: (I. Newport, R.I., 30 June. 1724 .- E. W. C.R.

3. Hannab. b. 10 Feb., 1700: m. JJonathan Strong; d. 9 Oct., 1762.

4. Mary, b. 29 Ang., 1703; d. 28 Feb., 1707-8.

5. Elizabeth, b. 5 Apl .. 1206; m. llugh Thomp- Son, 11 Jan., 1727, 8. [See Elizabeth, dan. Thom- as. Fam. 3.]

6. Margaret, b. 3 Apl., 1709; d. 9 Jan., 1709 10.

FAM. 7. Samuel . (Josias," Josias1 ), m. Elizabeth (dau. Joh) Allen of Enfield, Conn., 20 Nov., 1717. Ch. (b. E. W.) :

1. Samuel, h. 1 Oct., 1718; res. Frog Ilall, Ellington. + 4. Josiah, b. 18 Sept., 1726. FAM. 18.

2. Charles. b. 12 Dec. (according to one account, 13 Oct.) 1721. FAM. 17.

3. Elijah, b. 11 Feb .. 1723-4.

5. Eliphalet. h. 23 July, 1740 .- IT. N. . 1. Ch., d. 15 Oet .. 1736. - E. W. C. R. Ch., d. 1737.

FAM. 8. Nathaniel 3 (Sgt. Thos.," Josias1), m. (1) 1 Jan., 1729, Abigail (dau. John and Hannah Trumbull) Strong, who d. 20 Jan., 1745/6 (E. W. C. R); m. (2) Cath- erine -(E.P.E.); res. W. Ch. :

1. Nathaniel, b. 9 Sept., . 16, 1730. - E. P. E.

2. Abigail, b.F Ang .1731 ; d.8 AAng .. 1739 .- E. W. C.R.

3. Aughel, b. 17 JJuly, 1734; post. the Asell E., who d. 2 May, 1,53. E. W. C. R. [E. W. C.R.

4. Nathaniel, b. 30 Apl., 1738; d. 25 May, 1742 .- ( By ad wife)

5. Moses, b. 11 May, 1748.

6. Joel. b. 9 Feb .. 1749-50; poss, the Joel E. who d. at .1. 11. 31 Jan .. 1831.

7. Abigail, b. 3 Aug., 1152: m. Ezra Paine, Issue : 1. Asahel E. (Paine). 4. Azina (l'aine).

2. Celinda (Paine). 3. Abigail (Paine).

3. Deborah (Painc).

8. Ch., d. July, 1740 .- E. V. C. R.

FAM. 9. William 3 (Sgt. Thos.,? Sgt. Josias1 ). m. Mary Oliver of Boston, 16 June, 1737; rem. to Ilarwinton, Conn., where he d. 19 Jan., 1759, æ. 5% (J. 11. 11.). (h. :

1. Mary, h. 27 June, 1738. 1828. a. 85. Sec Hayden.

2. William, b. 24 Mch., 1740; prob. the W. "s. of W.," who d. 9 Nov., 1745. - E. W. C. R.

3. Jemuima. b. 4 Sept .. 1742: m. 1761. David Hay- don of larwinton, Conn .: the fam. rem. to

N. Y. State. She d. Angelica, N. Y., 13 Feb.,

4. Oliver. b. 25 Aug .. 1715: d., æ. 11 weeks, Nov. 10, 1745.

5. Ann, b. twin to Oliver; d.

6. Oliver, b. 24 Mch., 1746, 7.

7. Caroline, b. 24 Meh., 1748 9.

FAM. 10. Thomas3 (Syt. Thos.,2 Sgt. Josias1 ), m. 26 Mch., 1733, Sarah (dau. John and Mary) Loomis, b. E. W. 26 Sept., 1710. Ile d. 26 Sept., 1750 (E. W. C. R.);

* She and ANSA both living 1723 and 1736. - Prob. Rec. at. Hartford.

t In Simsbury Rec. is found mention of a Samuel Ellsworth, who we believe to have been this Samuel, b. 1718. He m. Amee Matson (maiden name Holliday) 2 Dec., 1746. Children; (1) Caroline, b. 13 Mch., 1745; (2) Tryphena, b. 11 Aug., 1750; d. Sept., 1751: (3) Samme/, b. 21 Sept., 1:52; ( 1) Israel, h. 1 Apl., 1755; (5) Daniel, b. 10 July, 1757. Later, this Samnel res. in Salmon Brook parish; date of his death. not known, and no ment. of est. on Sims. Prob. Rec .; probably moved away; poss, had other children We find also reference to Jonathan and Giles, the latter of whom may have lived for a time in Simsbury. It is evident, from Land Rec. that he rem, to Simsbury from Wiml-or .- R. T. N.

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GENEALOGIES AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

she d. 28 May, 1810, " æ. 101," ace. to R. D., which adds, "it is said that the first time the bell of the Seantic church was ever tolled, it was for her."

Children : In an Oxford Bible, date MDCCXIX, printed by John Basket, in pos- session of the Giles A. Bower family of W. Pt., is a record of this family, which con- tains certain variations (marked below *), and which record appears to be a certified copy, by Timothy Loomis, Town Clerk, from the original entry on Town Rec.

1. Esther, b. 29 Mch., 1734.

2. Thomas, b. 21 [23*] Jan .. 1235 6. FAM. 10.

3. John, b. 31 [27*] Dec., 1737.

4. Sarah, b. 11 Nov., 1740; m. Francis Baxter, 7 May, 1764, Enfieket.

5. Gustavus, b. 21 lune, 1742; m. Widow Kezin Eaton of Springfild. Mass., 14 Apl., 1766; issue: 1. Kezin. b. 1 Oct., 1766.

2. Gustavus, b. 23 Jan., 1768.

3. Deborah, b. 1 May, 1770.

4. Elizabeth, b. 8 Apl., 1772.

5. Dindema, b. 15 Meb., 1574. Loomis Gen.

6. Dinah, b. 5 Dec., 1745; m. William Chalk of E. W .- See Chalk. [R.

7. Levi, b. 22 Mch., 1747, 8; d. 9 Nov., 1750 .- E. W. C. 8. Deborab, h. 2 Nov., 1750.

9. - , ch. d. 30 Sept., 1751 .- E. W. C. R.

FAM. 11. Giles 3 (JJona.," Josias1), m. 6 Feb., 1728, Ilannah (dau. John and Sarah Fitch) Stoughton, who died 29 Dee., 1756, æ. 51; he d. 20 Mch., 1768, æ, 65; res. W. Ch. (bp. W. C. R.):

1. Aum, b. 25 Feb., 1729, 30. and d. 4 July, 1785; she d. 23 Sept., 1798, a. 57 .- W. O.

2. Giles, b. 6 Sept., 1232. FAM. 20. 4. Hannab, b. 18 May, hp. 1 June, 1740.

3. Renben, b. 19 Fcb., 1736; hp. 20 Feb., 1736/ 2; prob. the R. who m. Elizabeth Moore ( E. P.E.),

5. JJerusha, b. 9, bp. 13 Nov., 1743; prob. the J. who 1. 8 Mcb .. 1804. æ. 60 .- W. O.

FAM. 12. David 3 (Capt.) (Jona.," Josias1 ), m. 8 July, 1740, Jemima (daugh. Joshua and Hannah) Leavitt of Suffield,* b. 9 July (Nor., acc. to Capt. David's Family Bible and Ol. Ells. MS., 1808+), 1721; "a lady of excellent mind, good character, and pious principles." Inheriting from his father only about £100, he acquired by his own industry a handsome estate, and was esteemed as one of the best farmers in W. "He had much cunning, or quick wit, and very sound judgment; was a selectman for nearly all his aetive life, and commanded a company of Conn. men af the Siege of Louisburg, hence his title of Captain."- Ol. Ells. MS., 1803. He d. 5 Mch., 1782, æ. 73 (W. O.); his wid. m. (2) 4 June, 1784, Capt. Ebenezer Grant, a wealthy farmer and merchant of E. W .; she d. 1 Feb., 1790. C'h. (bp. H. C. R.):

1. David, b. 27, bp. 28 Mch., 1741/2. FAM. 21.

2. Oliver (Chief Justice), b. 29 Apl., bp. 5 May, 1745. FAM. 22. [3 mo. 25 days.

3. Martin, b. 12 Jan., 1750; d. î Miny, 1751, æ. 1 yr.

4. Jemima. b. 13 Mch., 1751 2; bp. 17 Mch., 1754; 1. 28 Mch., 1778, Oliver Mather ; res. and d. So. W., 9 Sept., 1803, a :. 50.

FAM. 13. Jonathan $ (Jona, 2 Josias1 ), m. Sarah Allyn, acc. to Eli P. Ellsworth, who says she d. 25 Jan., 1807, who d. 9 Nov., 1755, æ. 82. Hle d. 12 Apl., 1775, æ. 60. Ch. (bp. W. C. R.):

2. Jonathan, d. 28 May, 1742: bp. 29 May, 1743.

1. Sarah, b. 16, bp. 23 Sept., 1739. FAM. 23. 3. Alexander, b. 9, bp. 14 June, 1717.

FAM. 14. John3 (Capt.) (Lieut. John,? Josias1), of E. W .; m. May (Nov.) 8, 1734, Ann (dan. of Rev, Timothy) Edwards of E. W .; tradition says he served in the Indian Wars. He d. 4 Jan., 1784 (Se.); she b. 28 Apl., 1699; d. 11 Apl., 1790, æ. 91 years, wanting 16 days (Se.). th. :

1. dobu (Capt.), b. 21 Aug., 1735. FAM. 21. of Nathanich Stoughton of E. W. Ile d. 90 2. Solomon, b. 30 Apl., 1737. FAM. 25. Feb .. 1799, w. 60; she d. 5 May, 1820, we. 79; no issue. 4. Ann, b. 23 Jan., 1741; m. C'ol. Lemuel Stough- ton of f. W. She d. 8 Nov .. 1819.

3. Frederick, h. 26 Oct., 1738: m. Anna (wid. of Capt. Hugh Thompson of E. W., and dau.

FAM. 15. Daniel3 (Capt.) (Lieut. JJohn,2 Sgt. Josias1), b. 20 Mel., 1699/1700; married Mindwell -, 1. 1700, who d. 22 Nov., 1787: settled at Ell. on his father's home- stead; was the first captain of Ell. militia, and the ancestor of the Bloomington (Ifl.) Ellsworths. lle d. 27 .Jan., 1782. Ch .:

* Respecting the Lenvitt Family, Ol. Ells., Jr., JIS .. 1803. says, " I found the following in an old fam. ily Bible which belonged to my grandfather, viz .: ' My father, Joshua Leacitt, died Oct, 22, 1732, in the 45th year of his age. Mother Hannah Learitt died Nov 24, 1226, in the 35th year of her age. Brother Joshua Leavitt d. Oct. 23, 1732, in the 16th year of his age. Sister Haimah Lenriff d. Det. 23, 1732, In the 18th year of her age.' "

+ Also, 10 Vor., 1222, acc, to the list of ch. as given in the account of this Leavitt Family in Sheldon'- INK. Mist. Nuffield, Part 11, 82, which also says that Joshna was an innholder at Sutl., and son of Josiah of Hingham. Mass., son of John the Immigrant of Dorchester, and later of Hingham.

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THE ELLSWORTH FAMILY.

1. Daniel, b. 1727 ( Final says 1723). FAM. 26. 3. Jerusha, b. : m. a Waters.

2. Charles, b. 1730; d. 1 Jan., 1776.

4. Gurdon, b. 1737. Fax. 27.

FAM. 16. Benjamin 3 (Sgt.) (Lt. Job," Josias1), m. 28 Oct., 1721, Deborah Hos- ford, who d. 22 and was buried 23 Dec., 1747, æ. 51 .- E. W. O. Ch .:

1. Aznbah, b. 18 Apl., 1722; m. Ens. Nath'l Bis- 4. Mary, h. 20 Feb., 1727 28.

sell (as his &dl wife) 15 Apl., 17-16.

2. Margaret, b. 6 Mch., 1723, 4.

3. Ilametal (9), b. 11 Jan., 1725-26; m. Edward Smith.

5. Annie, b. 17 Apl .. 1730.

6. Mahel, b. 15 June, 1739. LE. P. E.

7. Sybil. b. 7 Mch., 1234; m. Jacob Munsell. -

8. Job, b. 15 Apl., 1737. FAM. 28.

FAM. 17. Charles+ (Sam.,3 Josias," Josias1), m. Betsy Bell of E. W., where they res. Children (b. E. H.) :

1. Betsy: 01. Sylvester Woodman of Madison. 1. Charles, b. 25 Feb., 1763. FAM. 29. 5. Eleanor, m. a McDurvey of Springfield, Mass.

6. Eliphalet.

7. Calvin, b. 9 Feb., 1770. FAM. 30.

8. Roxana, m. Lorin Pierce of Easton, N. Y.

9. Ezekiel, b. 5 Nov., 1780. FAM. 31.

FAM. 18. Josiah 4 (Sam.,3 Josiux,2 Josius1), m. Anna Grover of Ell., 1792. He d. 24 Dec., 1815, æ. 90 .- S. B. Child : Josiah, b. 1 Oct., 1793. Fam. 32.

FAM. 19. Thomas + (T'hox., 3 T'hus.,2 .losius1), m. (1) Hannah Eaton of E. W .; (2) Lydia Marshall, b. 1731, and d. 1821, æ. 90; he d. 7 Nov., 1815, æ. 84; res. E. W. Children (b. Torringford, Conn.):

1. John. b. 6 Mch., 1762. FAM. 33.

| 3. Hannah (or Harriet: prob. Hannah), m. a Hum-

2. Gustavus. 4. Chloe, m. Webster. leston.

FAM. 20. Giles + (Giles," Jonu.,2 Josias1), m. Keziah Moore (E. P. E.), who d. 26 June, 1762; and he is prob. the G., Jr., who m. Hannah Burr, 1 Feb., 1767 (V. S. R.); she d. 18 Mch., 1777, æ. 42 (N.S. R.); he d. 29 ( W". (. R.) July, 1796, . 65 .- I'.0. Children (bp. W. C. R.) :

1. Kezia, h. 13, bp. 15 Aug., 1756. May, 1801; Lucy, "wife of Roger," d. 5 Nov., 2. Giles, b. 2. bp. 10 Sept., 1758; killed by lightning 17 July. 1725 .- I. O. See monn. on Somely Hill. 1728, a .. 73. IT. O. 1. (filbert. b. 17 June, 1762; d. 28 Oct .. 1791.

3. Roger, b. 28 July, 1760; bp. 26 July, 1761; d. 13

FAM. 21. David + (Capt.) (Capt. Darid,3 Jona.,2 Josias1), called on records from date of bp. of his son Lyman, "Captain," m. Phehe Lyman of Goshen, Conn., 22 Feb., 1779. lle d. 4 Jan., 1821, æ. 78 ( W. (.). Ch. (bp. N. S. R .; births from E. P. E.) :

1. Jemima, b. 28 Dec., 1779; bp. 13 Feb., 1780. [d. 1 June. 1792. - E. P. E.]. 6. Erastus. b. 20 Jan., bp. 6 June, 1790. FAM. 35.

[David, b. and d. 30 June, 1781. - E. P. E.]

2. David, b. 14 July, bp. 1782. FAM. 34. {Mary, b. 29 Dec., 1793; d. 7 Apl., 1876] - E. P. E.

3. Phebe. b. 11 May, bp. 5 June, 1784.

4. Lyman, b. 29 Jan., bp. 4 May, 1786.

5. Merey (Mary), h. 25 Nov., 1287; bp. 27 Jan., 1788

7. Leavitt, h. 3July. 1796; hp. 17 Nov., 1799 - W. C. R. [d. 2 Mch., 1873, - E. P. E.]

FAM. 22. Oliver + (Cupt. David,3 Jona.,2 Josias1 ), LL. D., Yale, Dart., et Coll. N. I .; Chief-Justice of the U.S. ; b. at Windsor, 29 Apl., 1745 *; " was placed, at an early age, under the instruction of the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, clergyman of a neighboring parish, and, in 1762, he entered Yale College, remaining there two years. At Nassau Hall, now Princeton College, New Jersey, he attained high rank as a scholar, and there received the degree of A.B., in 1766. After his graduation, his father having de- termined to educate him for the gospel ministry, he was placed under the instruc- tion of the venerable Dr. John Smalley. Influenced, however, by an carly inclination to the profession of law, he abandoned theology after one year's trial, and soon en- tered upon his favorite study with the first Governor Griswold of Connecticut.

* For this biographical sketch we are indebted to W. IRVING VINAL, Esq., of Ellington, Conn. Ser, also, Lives and Times of the Chief-Justices of the Supreme Court of the U. S., by Heury Flanders, Philadelphia, 1881, i. pp. 55-276. Most of the material for Flanders' biog, of Ellsworth was furnished by Hon. Joseph Wood of New Haven, Conn., who married Frances, dau, of Oliver Ellsworth. A biographical sketch of the Chief Justice was written by his grandson, Oliver E. Wood, and published in the N. Y. Ereniny Post, in 1825 and 76. Another gd.son, Rev. Geo, J. Wood of Ell., prepared a concise sketch and deposited it in the National Museum, Independence Hall, Phila., 2 July, 1876. Other sketches, anecdotes, etc., of Chief Justice Ellsworth have been collected and written by these two grandsons. Ser, also, Sunfred's Lives of the Chief Justices. as well as the carefully-prepared biographies in Allen's and other American Biographical Dictionaries.

mi lem

2. Mary. m. (1) Moses Allen of Ell .: m. (2) Thos. Munsell of Sunderland, Mass .; had a son of each husband.

3. William, went to Hancock, Vt .. where a son Albert res. 1859.

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GENEALOGIES AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

Subsequently, with Judge Root of Coventry, he completed the course of reading prescribed, and was admitted to the bar of Hartford county in 1721. While pursu- ing his professional studies, Mr. Ellsworth incurred debts; these he discharged by entting and selling wood from a tract of land which he owned, after vainly trying to sell the land itself. Freed from his pecuniary embarrassment, he was ready to begin practice as a counsellor at law. His father gave him a house and farm in Bloomfield (then Wintonbury), and, in 1772, he married. For a little more than three years he divided his time between his farm and his profession, the income from the latter being very small. Ilis skill in preparing and ability in advocating an important case, entrusted to him by a neighbor, sreured a verdict for his client and obtained at once for himself a high professional reputation. His practice rap- idly increased, and in the autumn of 1475 Ellsworth began his public career as State's attorney. Ile sold his farm, removed to Hartford, and there devoted him- self to a larger and more remunerative practice than that of any of his contempora- ries of the Connectient bar. Ilis resolute will and power of concentrating his mind upon the analysis of the subject in hand, together with his concise statements of the points involved, lucid and forcible arguments, gained for him a commanding position at the very head of the profession. Politically, Mr. Ellsworth was a Whig. and at the beginning of the Revolutionary war he was chosen to represent Windsor in the General Assembly of Connecticut. While a member of the legislature, he served actively with the militia of the State, and was one of a committee of four, called the "Pay Table." The duties of this committee were " to examine, liqui- date, adjust, settle, and give all needful orders " for the payment of military ex- penditures. In October, Ifti, he was elected one of six delegates to the Continental Congress, taking his seat twelve months afterwards. He served as a member of the Marine Committee, acting as a Board of Admiralty; and, also, on the Committee of Appeals, taking a prominent share in all political discussions and measures. By yearly election, from 1780 to 1784, he was a member of the Governor's Council, in which body he served with unrivalled influence. At the end of June, 1783, he left his seat in Congress, and, although re-elected, declined to serve.

In 1384 he declined the appointment of Commissioner of the Treasury, tendered to him by Congress, preferring the legislative assignment as Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut. He conducted the duties of this office with rare ability and great reputation until he was made a member of the Federal Convention assembled at Philadelphia in May, 1787. In this body he bore a distinguished part, and soon became conspicuous as one of the ablest advocates of the rights of the individual States, To him we are largely indebted for the federal element of our constitution, " by which so many sovereign States are kept in distinct activity, while included under a higher sovereignty." He moved in the convention to expunge the word " National" from the Constitution, and to substitute the words, "Government of the United States," and this was finally agreed to without a dissenting voice. To his clear discernment and strenuous exertions, coupled with those of his distin- guished colleagues, Roger Sherman and the Hon. Judge Patterson, more than to any others, we owe "the best government, instead of the worst and most intolera- ble on earth." Ellsworth did not put his name to the instrument, when completed, " solely because important domestic considerations compelled him to leave the Con vention as soon as all the provisions of the Constitution had been perfected."*

* Ifis son. Oliver Ellsworth, Jr., in his US. Reminiscences, written ISOR, says: " He (i. e. his father, the Chief Justice told me, one day. upon my reading a paper to him (in his illness), containing an euloginm upon the late Gen. Washington, which, among other things ascribed to him the founding of the American Govern ment, to which he (Judge E.yobjerted, saying that President Washington's influence while in the convention. wns Hof very great; at least not much as to the forming of the present Constitution of the United State- in IT'S. Jutge E. said that he himself was one of the five who drew ap that Constitution - or that he, with tive others, viz. : Gen. A. Hamilton Graham of Massachusetts, deceased, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, Rutledge of south Carolina, and Madison of Virginia, drew it up.

Sre, also, a valuable article on Oliver Ellsworth by Judge HENRY M SHEPARD, in the Chicago Law l'imes, April, 1888.

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THE ELLSWORTH FAMILY.

In the following year, in the State convention for the adoption of this Constitn- tion, Mr. Ellsworth was mainly instrumental, by the force and energy of his invin- cible arguments, in securing its ratification. Upon the organization of the new government at New York, April 6, 1789," Mr. Ellsworth was seated as one of the Senators from Connecticut. Ile was appointed chairman of the committee to organize the Judiciary of the United States. The original bill, in his handwriting, passed with but slight alteration, and its provisions are still in force.

He was called " The Cerberus of the Treasury," being particularly watchful over the publie expenditures. He took an active part in building up the credit of the country, providing for the "support of the government, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, and for the encouragement and protection of manufactures." He was spoken of, by John Adams, as "the firmest pillar of Washington's whole administration."+ By common consent he was yielded precedence in the Federal ranks in the Senate, then composed of the elite of the Republic. The mission of John Jay to England. in 1794, was due to his suggestion, and when the treaty then negotiated met with alarming opposition in the House of Representatives, he suc- cessfully defended it, and it was approved by the Senate.

March 4, 1796, Mr. Ellsworth was appointed the successor of Mr. Jay, as Chief- Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. As he had been long estranged from the practice of the legal profession, he carefully prepared himself for the du- ties of his new station. by an extensive course of study upon those points in which he felt himself deficient. All his habits and faculties were specially adapted to the discharge of judicial functions; his dignified bearing, courteous impartiality, and acknowledged ability won for him, everywhere, the confidence and esteem of the bar. His clear perception aided greatly the dispatch of business, while his de- cisions, as they are preserved in the reports, are notably concise and sound. At the beginning of Adams's administration, the relations existing between the United States and France had become so unfriendly that a war seemed inevitable, obliging the Government to make military preparations. The French Directory, seeing that Americans were really aroused, finally made overtures for an arrangement of the diffienlties between the two countries. In 1799, President Adams, on the recom- mendation of a Senate committee, appointed Oliver Ellsworth. Patrick Henry, and William Van Murray, Ambassador of the U. S., and Extraordinary Commission to negotiate with France. Mr. Henry declined to act, on account of age, and Gov- ernor William R. Davie of North Carolina was named in his stead. Mr. Ellsworth entered on this duty with reluctance, but, waiving all personal feeling, accepted the high responsibility. After receiving final instructions, he sailed with Davie on the frigate United States, Nov. 3d, but, meeting with many delays, did not reach Paris until March 2, 1800. As Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotenti- ary, they were accorded a cordial and enthusiastic reception. They found Napo- leon Bonaparte at the head of the Republic, erected on the ruins of the Directory. More wise and politic than his associates in the government, he soon concluded an adjustment of all disputes, preventing the impending war and an alliance between

* Adjourned 29 Sept., 1789 .- Mass. Magazine of April, 1789.

t The personal esteem in which he was held by Washington is evidenced in the following letter: Philadelphia, 8% Mar., 1297.

Dear Sir: Before I leave the city, which will be within less than twenty-four hours, permit me. in acknowledging the receipt of your kind and affectionate note of the Gh, to offer you the thanks of a grate- ful heart for the sentiments you have expressed in my favour, and for those attentions with which you have always honored me. In return. I pray you to accept all my good wishes for the perfect restoration of your health, and for all the happiness this life can afford. As your official duty will necessarily call you to the southward, I wish to take the liberty of adding, that it will always give me pleasure to see you at Mount Ver- non as you pass and re-pass. With unfeigned esteem and regards, in which Madam Washington join- me, 1 am always and affectionately yours,

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. II, Part 38

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company Number of Pages: 1012

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1012