USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The history of Waterbury, Connecticut; the original township embracing present Watertown and Plymouth, and parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. With an appendix of biography, genealogy and statistics > Part 42
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1852. He studied medicine with Dr. Cornwall of Cheshire, and settled in Wolcott about 1808. Here he married, March 30, 1817, Wealthy U. Upson, and was engaged in an extensive practice till 1827. IIe then removed to Wallingford to look after his deceased father's estate. After an interval of two years, he resolved to resume his professional business, and settled in Plymouth. There he soon obtained a large practice. In 1834, he became interested in the manufacture of gilt buttons at Waterville and took charge of the business. In 1837, he re- moved to Waterbury, and in 1839 sold out his interest at Waterville. Soon after, he bought into the company of Brown & Elton, and contin- ued in this connection till his decease, but without himself engaging in the management of the business.
As a physician, Dr. Ives was sound, discriminating and skillful. No practitioner in the vicinity in which he lived was more deservedly esteem- ed for strong common sense and matured judgment. As a business man, he was enlightened, sagacious and stable. Few men understood human nature more perfectly, or could see farther into the course of events de- pending on the human will. By able management and financial skill he succeeded in acquiring a large property.
Dr. Ives was not tall, but stout, and in the latter part of his life be- came somewhat corpulent. He preserved the plain and economical habits of his early life. In conversation, he was shrewd, intelligent and facetious. He had a fund of anecdote and illustration, and abounded in witty and humorous remarks. Few were more companionable or in- structive.
REV. JONATHAN JUDD
Was the third son of Capt. William Judd, and the grandson of Dea. Thomas Judd, and was born in the village of Waterbury, Oct. 4, 1719. He entered Yale College, and was graduated in 1741, being the class- mate and bosom friend, as well as first cousin, of Samuel Hopkins, 2d. He became the first minister of the second precinct or parish of North- ampton, now the town of Southampton, where a church was gathered and he ordained June 8, 1743, a few months before the ordination of Mr. Hopkins. The two were correspondents for many years ; but at last an alienation of feeling, followed by non-intercourse, took place, in conse- quence of a difference in theological views. Mr. Judd remained the faithful pastor of the Southampton church for sixty years, and died July 28, 1803. The house which he built in 1743, and which was surround- ed by a palisade in the French and Indian wars for security against sur- prise, is still standing in a good state of preservation. By direction of
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his will his sermons were burned, to the number of nearly three thou- sand. Two or three had been published .*
Mr. Judd married, Nov. 28, 1743, Silence, daughter of Capt. Jonathan Sheldon of Suffield. He had seven children, all of whom survived the father. Of the sons, the second, Sylvester Judd, was the father of Syl- vester Judd now of Northampton, extensively known for his historical and genealogical researches. The last was the father of Rev. Sylvester Judd, (recently deceased,) of Augusta, Maine, celebrated as a preacher, public lecturer and literary man, and the author of several books of much merit.
JOHN KINGSBURY
Was the son of Nathaniel Kingsbury, and was born in that part of Norwich now called Franklin, Dec. 30, 1762. In his boyhood, he labored on the farm with his father; but at the age of seventeen, was sent to his uncle, Dr. Charles Backus, an eminent minister of Somers, to prepare for college. In the following year, he entered Yale College ; but he soon left, and engaged as a marine on board a privateer. He made two cruises, and assisted in taking two prizes. Before his return from the last cruise he was taken dangerously ill, and was in a critical condition for a long time. After recovering, he returned to college and graduated in 1786. He then went to Waterbury, and taught in the new academy about one year. In the spring of 1788, he entered the Law School of Judge Reeve, at Litchfield, and in 1790, was admitted to the bar in Litchfield county. His health was poor, and he did not immediately enter upon the practice of his profession ; but in the fall of 1791, he settled in Waterbury and opened a law office. Three years afterwards, (Nov. 6, 1794,) he married Mercy, the eldest daughter of Dea. Stephen Bronson, by whom he had four children, Charles Denizen, Julius Jesse Bronson, John Southmayd and Sarah Susanna, all of whom except the last survived their father. His wife died of pulmonary consumption, March 21, 1813.
In 1793, Mr. Kingsbury was chosen town clerk, and held the office much of the time till 1818. In 1796, he was appointed a justice of the peace, and was continued in office till 1830. Seventeen times between 1796 and 1813, he represented the town in the Legislature. On the death of Judge Hopkins, in 1801, he was appointed to fill the vacancies in the Probate and County Courts. He was continued as judge of Pro-
* Genealogy of the Judds; by Sylvester Judd, 1857.
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bate for the District of Waterbury till 1834, and as a judge of the County Court (the last year presiding judge) till May, 1820.
Judge Kingsbury acquired, in an eminent degree, the confidence and respect of the community in which he lived. He held many public offices, and always discharged his duties ably, faithfully and acceptably. From the death of Judge Hopkins to the time of his decease, no man in the town was more honored, respected and beloved.
Judge Kingsbury was a popular man, but he became so in conse- quence of the benevolence of his character, his kindly sympathies, his agreeable manners and many excellent qualities. He never sacrificed principle or consistency. He was a good neighbor and trusty friend. Lively in his manner, easy in conversation, often facetious in his remarks, his company was sought by persons of all ages and classes. His long aquiline nose, the benevolent smile which usually played upon his countenance, and his winning way, can never be forgotten by those who knew him.
Judge Kingsbury was always delicate in health, and for the last twenty years, or more, of his life, had strong consumptive tendencies. He died at the house of his son-in-law, William Brown, (with whom he had re- sided several years,) of an obstruction of the bowels, August 26, 1844.
MAJ. JULIUS J. B. KINGSBURY
Was the second son of John Kingsbury, and was born Oct. 18, 1797. As in his youth there was no school in Waterbury of a higher grade than a district school, he was sent from home and pursued his studies at different times with the Rev. Dr. Tyler, then of South Britain, the Rev. Mr. Hart of Plymouth and Daniel Parker of Ellsworth, a society of Sharon. In 1819, he obtained through the influence of David Daggett, then a member of Congress, the appointment of cadet at the Military Academy at West Point. He left this in- stitution, in regular course, in 1823; was attached as lieutenant to the second regiment of infantry, and ordered with a detachment of troops to Sault Ste. Marie, at the outlet of Lake Superior, to as- sist in building the fort called Fort Brady. Here he remained three or four years, under Maj. afterwards Col. Cutler, during which time (while on leave of absence visiting his friends at the East) he married Miss Jane Stebbins, of New York, sister-in-law of Capt. W. Becker, also of the 2d regiment. Next, he was ordered with a detach- ment by sea to New Orleans and Nacogdoches, then on our southwestern frontier. Afterwards, he was stationed for a time at Mackinaw and Fort Gratiot. During the Black Hawk war in 1832, he was at Chicago,
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attached to the commissary department, and saw much hard and dan- gerous service. While there, he purchased for $700 about 36 acres of land on the North Branch of the Chicago River, near its junction with the South Branch, and about two acres on the south side of the Main River, the latter tract in the heart of the present city, and the former but a little way distant. The land is still in the possession of the family, and is now thought to be worth several hundred thousand dol- lars. When the purchase was made, Chicago was in its infancy, con- taining, in 1832, according to M'Cullock, but five small stores and 250 inhabitants.
Kingsbury was afterwards at Fort Niagara. Still later, during the dis- turbances on our northeastern frontier, he was stationed at Hancock Barracks, Houlton, Maine. Thence, after the breaking out of the Semi- nole war, he was ordered, with his command, to Tampa Bay, Florida. There he remained three years, (with the exception of a short interval ;) and his constitution was so broken by the combined influence of climate, exposure and fatigue, that he never recovered. On his return to the North, he was stationed at Sacketts Harbor, and afterwards a second time to Fort Brady. He left this last post early in 1847, to join Gen. Scott before Vera Cruz. He assisted in the capture of that place, and was more or less engaged in all the battles which occurred on the march to the city of Mexico. For his good conduct in one of the engagements near the city, he was breveted. Throughout the campaign, he acted as lieut. colonel of his regiment, though he was at that time only a captain.
While in Mexico, Capt. Kingsbury was attacked by a severe brain fever, which seriously threatened his life. When he had recovered sufficient strength, Gen. Scott sent him home " on sick leave." In Dec. 1848, having partially regained his health, he was ordered with a part of his regiment to California, where he remained nearly two years. While there, he was promoted and transferred to the sixth regiment. He returned home in the summer of 1850, but too much out of health to be fit for duty. He spent the next two years at Washington and with his friends at the East, on sick leave. He then started to join his regiment at St. Louis; but was detained at Detroit by the illness of himself and family, where he was compelled to spend the winter, (1852-3.) While at Detroit, owing to some misunderstanding with the War Department, not implicating his integrity or honor, his name was stricken from the army roll. Conceiving himself to have been unfairly treated, he declined to make any explanation, or to hold any communi- cation with the department. Before his death, however, he settled all his accounts with the government and received a balance which was
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found due him. He died in Washington, when on the point of leaving for the East, of malignant dysentery, July 26, 1856. His remains were brought to Waterbury, where he was buried, according to his expressed wishes, in the old burying ground by the side of his father.
Maj. Kingsbury was a brave and skillful officer, who was always equal to the duties imposed upon him. He was nearly thirty years connected with the army, and though sometimes charged with indolence and pro- crastination, was ever distinguished for honorable conduct. He lost his health and ruined his constitution in the public service. Long before his death, the seeds of certain dissolution had been planted in his sys- tem. His loss was a sore bereavement to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was estimable and respectable in all his relations, and his memory will not soon be lost. IIe left behind him a widow, a daughter who married Capt. Buckner, recently of the U. S. Army, and a son named Henry, who is now a cadet at West Point. His eld- est son, Julius, died in California several years ago.
MARK LEAVENWORTH
Was born in New Haven, August 31st, 1774, and died in Waterbury, Sept. 5th, 1849, aged 75 years. His father, Jesse Leavenworth, a grad- uate of Yale College and a captain in the Revolution, was a man of much enterprise, and previous to the war was largely engaged (for the times) in the shipping interest. His mother, Katharine Leavenworth, was a woman of great spirit and firmness, as was instanced by her in- sisting on remaining at her residence, during the invasion of New Haven by the British, while her husband was absent conveying their children to a place of safety, and when nearly all the inhabitants had fled.
At the age of ten years, the subject of this notice removed with his father to the county of Caledonia, in Vermont, at which time there was not a white man living within thirty miles in the direction of Canada, and but one family within many miles of their residence. The father owned what are now the towns of Danville and Peacham. At the age of four- teen, becoming dissatisfied, he determined to return to Connecticut. He performed the journey on foot and alone. The distance was near three hundred miles. After his return to New Haven, he resided in the family of his uncle, Mark Leavenworth, Esq., who sent him to a school, (Mansfield's,) where he studied geometry, navigation and sur- veying, intending to go to sea, an idea which he afterwards relin- quished. Further than this, his school education was limited, being confined to reading, writing, geography and a good knowledge of arithmetic.
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After leaving school, he was engaged in mechanical pursuits. He was employed for a number of years with Jesse Hopkins of Waterbury, in that branch of the silversmith business which was applied to making knee and shoe buckles. Near the period of his majority, the fashions having changed, this branch of the business became worthless. At the age of twenty-one years, he married Anna, the daughter of Moses Cooke of Waterbury, (a woman of placid temper, excellent sense and great moral worth,) and commenced life with no other capital than great energy, a determined will and uncommonly industrious habits. They had seven children, six of whom arrived at the age of maturity, of whom the eldest two alone survive. After his marriage, he engaged in the manufacture of axes and steelyards, and also the mountings of small arms, (guns,) such as ramrods, bands and bayonets. At this business he employed a number of hands until the year 1800. In the fall of that year, he left for South Carolina and Georgia with steelyards and axes. This was an adventure which at the time called forth more re- mark and excited more wonder than the circumnavigation of the globe would in our day. In the year 1801, in company with his brother, Dr. Frederick Leavenworth, he collected a drove of mules in Vermont and New Hampshire, which were driven to South Carolina and Georgia. He continued in this business about five years. He returned in the summers, and employed himself in constructing one or more of Whit- ney's cotton-gins. The gin was then a recent invention. After ceasing to go South, he commenced the manufacture of clocks, in which busi- ness he was for many years extensively engaged. In 1829, in addition to the clock business, he became interested with his son, B. F. Leaven- worth, and his son-in-law, Green Kendrick, in the manufacture of gilt buttons. In 1835, he ceased to manufacture clocks, and engaged per- sonally in the manufacture of gilt and cloth buttons, with his son-in-law, C. S. Sperry, which he continued till his death. He was a pioneer in manufacturing in the town of Waterbury. By reading and observa- tion, he became a man of much intelligence. He was benevolent and public spirited. He was a member of the Congregational church, with which he and his wife united in 1817 .- She died April 9th, 1842.
In person, Mr. Leavenworth was of middle stature, his frame com- pactly and firmly knit together, and his constitution good. Though not always fortunate in business, he was a man of untiring industry, and indomitable energy and perseverance. It was when laboring under embarrassment that these traits were most conspicuous. When others would have despaired, he saw reason for redoubled effort and more untiring application. Under a load which would have broken the back
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or crushed the spirit of an ordinary man, he moved with freedom and cheerfulness. If bad "luck overtook him, he was always ready to try again, and never failed to find something to comfort him. When the storm came upon him in 1837, and he was obliged to yield, he con- soled himself with the reflection that he " stood it longer than the United States Bank." And it may be added that he recovered sooner.
Mr. Leavenworth had one of the kindest of hearts. He was well in- formed, sociable, sensible and shrewd. There was sometimes an archness and a dry humor in his remarks, particularly on character, which ren- dered his familiar conversation quite attractive.
GEN. DANIEL POTTER
Was one of the thirteen children (the twefth, chronologically) of Dea. Daniel Potter, and was born in Northbury, Feb. 15, 1758. He grad- uated at Yale College in 1780, married, Jan. 25, 1781, Martha, daugh- ter of Caleb Humaston, Esq., and settled, as a farmer, in Northbury, then a parish of Watertown. He was a representative to the General Assembly several times, both before and after Northbury was made (in 1795) a distinct town. He was a man of a vigorous intellect and a sound judgment, and exerted a wide influence. His tall, erect and manly figure was a fitting tabernacle for a mind like his.
Gen. Potter had four children, Horace, Ansel, Minerva and Daniel Tertius. He died April 21, 1842, and his wife April 28, 1842 .*
MARK RICHARDS
Was the youngest child and fifth son of Abijah Richards, and was born July 15, 1760, in a house which stood on the west side of Cook street, near where Noah Bronson now lives. He was the great grand- son of Obadiah Richards, one of the first planters of Waterbury. His mother was Huldah Hopkins, the eldest daughter of Timothy Hopkins, and sister of Samuel, Daniel and Mark Hopkins. She possessed the strength of mind which belonged to her family, and attended per- sonally to the proper training of her son, who was not quite thirteen years of age when his father died.
When the Revolution broke out, in 1775, Richards was too young to enter the army ; but he caught the spirit of the times. When he be- came sixteen, an age which entitled him to shoulder a musket, he de-
* ISAIAH POTTER, the son of Dea. Daniel and Martha (Ray) Potter, was horn in Northbury, July 23, 1746; graduated at Yale College in 1767, in the same class as John Trumbull; was or- dained at Lebanon, N. H., in Aug. 1772; retired from his charge in Sept. 1816, and died by his own hand in August, 1817. He published a Masonic sermon delivered at Hanover, N. H., 1802.
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termined to join the army. That his design might not be defeated by the interference of friends, he left his bed in the night, passed out of the window, and repaired to the camp of Gen. Wooster and enlisted. In the morning, the family was, of course, much alarmed. At last, infor- mation was received where the truant boy could be found, and his eldest brother, Street, was sent to bring him back, without fail. On applica- tion to Gen. Wooster, and after a statement had been made of the cir- cumstances of the case, permission was obtained for the young recruit to return. He declined doing so, however, most peremptorily ; and de- clared that, as he had made an engagement with his country, he would fulfill it, and see the game played out. As he was of a determined and persevering disposition, importunity was seen to be useless, and the dis- appointed brother returned reluctantly to his sorrowing friends. The soldier-boy remained with the army through the war; was with the suffering troops at Valley Forge, in the winter of 1777-8; was present in many battles, and died a pensioner.
After the war, Mr. Richards went to Boston and became the partner of his brother Giles,* a man of enterprise and mechanical skill, who carried on the business of making wool and cotton cards by hand. The Messrs. Cutters and William and Amos Whittemore, the last the invent- or of the famous card making machine, were also partners. The busi- ness was prosperous.
In 1796, on account of his wife's health, Mr. Richards removed from Boston and settled in Westminster, Windham County, Vt., where he became a tradesman. He was soon chosen to represent the town in the Legislature of the State, and was eight years a member of that body, between 1801 and 1834 inclusive. In 1806, 1807, 1808 and 1809, he was high sheriff of the County; in 1812 and 1824, one of the electors of president and vice-president of the U. S .; in 1813 and 1815, a member of the State Council. He served four years as a representa- tive in Congress, being elected in 1816 and reëlected in 1818. In 1830, he was chosen lieutenant governor of the State.
Mr. Richards was distinguished for good sense, great industry, method in business, and punctuality in all his engagements. Till the close of his life in 1844, he retained the high respect and entire confidence of his friends and fellow citizens. Soon after he went to Boston, he mar-
* Giles Richards, second son of Abijah, married Sarah, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Thomas Adams of Roxbury, Mass., and had children-1. Giles, Jr .; 2. Adams, who removed to Ohio; 3. George, of Paris, (France;) 4. Sarah, the first wife of Amos Lawrence, Esq., Boston ; 5. Mary, who married John K. Adan, Boston.
Giles Richards was ultimately unfortunate in business, and died at Dedham, Mass., much respected.
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ried Ann Dorr, widow of Joseph Dorr of Boston, and daughter of Jo- seph Ruggles of Roxbury, Mass., a woman of good family, by whom he had several children. Two only, daughters, survived him, one of whom married the Hon. William C. Bradley, formerly member of Congress from Vermont, and the other Hon. Samuel W. Porter of Springfield, Vermont.
JAMES MITCHELL LAMSON SCOVILL.
He was the eldest born of James and Alathea (Lamson ) Scovill, and the grandson of Rev. James Scovill. He was born Sept. 4, 1789, and died May 16, 1857. His early education was obtained at the dis- trict schools. According to his own account of himself, he was a " wide awake " youth, and kept the pedagogues busy. At the age of seventeen, he became a clerk in his father's store. In 1811, Sept. 19, he and Frede- rick Leavenworth bought out the factory, machinery, tools and stock of Abel Porter & Co., and in connection with David Hayden commenced the manufacture of gilt and brass buttons, under the name of Leaven- worth, Hayden & Scovill .* Some of the work was done in the old grist mill. Mr. Hayden was the only practical button maker in the compa- ny. Mr. Scovill sold the goods and attended to the out-of-door busi-
ness. When traveling, he improved every chance to pick up old
copper. About once a month, he made a journey to the iron mill at Bradleyville, Litchfield, and waited to have his brass rolled. On one of his return trips he had an old copper still in his sleigh. As there was no other place to ride, he got inside. Afterwards he was overturned, but drawing his head within, he rolled down the hill uninjured.
About 1811, the Waterbury Woolen Co., under the superintendence of Austin Steele, commenced operations. James Scovill and Leaven- worth, Hayden & Scovill were stockholders. When peace was de- clared, woolen goods went down, and this investment was a total loss.
Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill continued business, with very mod- erate success, till the fall of 1827, when Dr. Leavenworth and Mr. Hayden sold out, and William II. Scovill bought in. Dr. L. got for his one third
* The names of all the partners were introduced into the partnership name at the particular request of Mr. Hayden. He had had some painful experiences which made him strenuous on this point. His name was not known in the firm of Abel Porter & Co. While a member of this company, without much knowledge of the forms of business, he went to New Haven to draw money out of the bank. He drew a check, signed the company's name, and presented it to the old New Haven Bank. The officers did not know him. He must bring evidence of his individual identity and partnership relation. The day was spent in fruitless endeavors to find the needed proof. Of course he was in a towering rage, and showered epithets upon the stupid bank offi- cials. He returned home without money enough to pay gate fees, unburdening himself to the rocks and trees on the way.
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interest about $6,000. The new firm took the nameof J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill. They went on prosperously till 1829, when they met with a severe loss by the burning of their factory. It was immediately rebuilt, and the business soon became more extensive and flourishing than ever. In 1840, S. M. Buckingham and Abram Ives became interested in the button business, which was now carried on under the name of Scovill & Co. J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill continued the manufacture of rolled brass and plated metal, which had now become an important interest. They also associated themselves with John Buckingham, under the name of Scovills & Buckingham, in the making of patent brass butts, the busi- ness being carried on at the place now owned by the Oakville Pin Co., on Steel's Brook. About 1842, they began the manufacture of Daguerre- otype plates, and soon did an extensive business in that line. In Jan. 1850, a joint stock company was formed under the name of Scovill Man- ufacturing Co., into which all the interests named above, those of J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill, Scovills & Buckingham and Scovills & Co., were merged, some of their employees being admitted as stockholders. The Scovills owned a majority of the stock. The capital was at first $250,000. It is now $300,000. The operations of the company have been upon a large scale and successful.
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