USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 61
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He was justice of the peace much of the time, if not all, from 1698 to 1716, and was representative much of the time from 1685 to 1723, a term of thirty-eight years, the equal of which is seldom known in any state. This is evidence that sometimes men do receive some proportionate honor in their life-time.
For his public services, the town gave him while captain, one hundred and seventy-five acres of land at "Quaker's Farm, including the Eight-mile brook from north to south." He re- ceived also of the state, by vote of the General Assembly, in 1700, three hundred acres of land as a recognition of his public services, particularly during the French war.
" Liberty and full power is by this assembly granted to the Honored Deputy Governor, Col. Robert Treat, and to Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, and to the Reverend Mr. James to take up their respective grants of land . . in the country lands adjoining Stratford north bounds."
Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, the historian, in his manuscript notes says of Major Johnson : "About this time (1706) Major Johnson transacted almost all the public business in the town. He was a man of great resolution, courageous even to temerity, which gave him a great superiority over the common people and especially over the Indians."
It is very seldom that such a character is found who is so considerate of his fellow men as Major Johnson, as manifestęd in his proposition to Ensign Samuel Riggs in town meeting in I700.
Colonel Johnson's first wife died early, leaving one daughter,
,
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Elizabeth, who married Jeremiah Johnson, and to her he gave his interest in certain lands "which did of right belong to my first wife and her heirs, she being long since deceased and with- out any other heir or issue, male or female, surviving but only the said Elizabeth, descended to her from her father Edward Wooster." Deed given in 1710.
He gave to his son Peter in 1707, "one piece of land adjoin- ing to Pootatuck river, containing by estimation one hundred acres, and another piece adjoining to Two-mile brook, containing fifty acres."
HARVEY JOHNSON
Of Ansonia was born in Monroe, Conn., February 14, 1798, and married Nancy Riggs of Oxford, by whom he had twelve children, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are numerous. By trade he was a stone mason, and few men if any in the state have erected more monuments to their memory in the shape of public buildings (stone and brick), factories, stores and dwell- ing houses than he. His first contract for public buildings was the Insane Retreat at Hartford. He next built the state prison at Wethersfield, then Washington College, now Trinity, at Hartford, a church at Hartford, St. John's Church at Bridgeport, St. James's Church at Birmingham, St. John's in Waterbury, and a stone church in Washington, Conn. In addition to these he has erected sixteen large stone factories and a great variety of stores and dwelling houses. In the construction of some of these buildings other masons have been associated with him.
He has been an industrious, hard working man, always lead- ing his men in the work before them. He is still in good health and is much respected in the community. His neighbors cele- brated his golden wedding February 14, 1869. Having seen so much polished stone, he has erected a monument in Evergreen Cemetery, a native, rough, bayonet-shaped stone, fourteen feet high, a curious and unpolished monument.
SHELDON C. JOHNSON, M. D.,
Settled in Humphreysville in 1825. He attended lectures at the Yale Medical School, where he received his degree of M. D. He married a daughter of Doct. Abiram Stoddard and is still a
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practicing physician and surgeon in Seymour, and is upwards of eighty years of age.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, M. D.,
Was born in Montgomery county, Penn., in 1849. His early education was obtained at the Normal School, Westchester, Penn., and the Polytechnic College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated ; and afterwards was graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, receiving the degree of M. D., in 1869. He practiced his profession three years in Philadelphia and one year in Meriden, Conn., before coming to Ansonia, where he has been located over eight years, during which time he has proved himself a careful and attentive follower of Esculapius.
DONALD JUDSON
May be reckoned among the pioneers of Birmingham. He was born in Huntington, Conn., and in 1834 was senator from the Ioth senatorial district. In November, 1835, he removed to Birmingham and built the stone store on Main street, one of the first buildings in the village. Previous to June 29, 1830, he and Philo Bassett, bought the old Leavenworth bridge and removed it, or rather built a new one near Hawkins Point, before Birmingham as a village was started. This investment proved profitable and Mr. Judson then became variously inter- ested in the advancement of the place. He was a man of ster- ling integrity and greatly respected. The Judson bridge, which was a sort of monument to his name, was carried away by a terrible ice flood in February, 1857, and immediately rebuilt by his widow, Mrs. Polly M. Judson, and Dr. Martin B. Bassett. Mr. Judson died September 2, 1847.
ITHIEL KEENEY
Was born at Derby Narrows, March 17, 1755, being the first white child born at that place. He kept the tavern in the corner house, still standing opposite the store now occupied by Frank D. Jackson, and also kept the tavern, for a while, which is now occupied by Emery Hotchkiss; was a sea captain, sailing to foreign ports as well as on home waters. He was town
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treasurer about thirty years, which implies that great confidence was placed in him, and that he was much respected by the people of the town.
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COL. ELISHA STRONG KELLOGG
Was born in the town of Glastenbury, Conn., in 1824, and a love for adventure led him to choose the life of a sailor. For many years he was buffeted by the waves and disciplined by hardship, until, like a true son of Neptune, he grew in stature, robust and vigorous in body ;- in mind honest, sincere, and kind, with a certain brusque roughness, which pertains to the hardy sailor. His sailor life terminated with a visit to Califor- nia in the days of the gold excitement, whither he went but found little success, and from which he returned to the vicinity of his native village when he settled in one of the mechanical pursuits of busy New England industry, where aptitude in mechanic art soon made him a skillful worker. He married the lady he loved, and whose affection he prized more than any earthly treasure. Upon a hill in Winsted, Conn., resides the widow with their only child, Eddie. Those who are familiar with the history of the state militia will remember Lieut., Capt., Major, and Lieut. Col. Kellogg, for this is the order in which he rose from rank to rank, until he was acknowledged the best drilled soldier in the state.
Col. Kellogg had been a resident of Derby about five years when the news of the fall of Fort Sumter surprised the nation. A company was soon organized and he was called to command it, but before they were ordered to rendezvous the call for three years' troops was issued, and Capt. Kellogg's company offered their service for the three years, and was mustered in as com- pany B, fourth Connecticut volunteers, it being the first three years' regiment from the state. In March, 1862, he was pro- moted to be major in this regiment, then changed to heavy artillery. One month later, it went with the army of the Potomac on the "Peninsular Campaign." At the siege of Yorktown he commanded battery No. I, consisting of five one- hundred and two two-hundred pound Parrott guns, the only bat- tery which opened on the rebel works. It was the first time guns of this calibre had been used, and the practice attracted
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much attention. The skill displayed by Major Kellogg in the management of these guns was admired by all the generals, and he was honorably mentioned in the report of the "Chief of Artillery." He distinguished himself in the battles of Gaines Mills and Malvern Hill, and a few weeks after was promoted to be lieutenant colonel of the 19th regiment, a new organization in Litchfield county. After a short time he was transferred as colonel of his old 19th heavy artillery, and on the Ist of June was ordered to charge the enemy's works at Cold Harbor, where after distinguishing himself as a cool fighting soldier, and after having taken two lines of the enemy's works he was seen standing on one of these works cheering the "boys on after the fleeing rebels, his face covered with blood from a wound in the cheek, and where soon after he was found dead with four wounds, two in the head, and near him a score of our brave boys had fallen." The officers of Col. Kellogg's regiment said : " He fell a hero at the head of his command, fighting his coun- try's battles. We cherish his memory and hold his honor dear."
He was a man of sterling character. What is ordinarily termed "manhood," was his distinguishing trait of character. Truth, honor, bravery, sincerity, were in his esteem cardinal virtues ; these were his idols. Thus fell a hero ; once for all.
JOSHUA KENDALL, M. D.,
Came to Humphreysville in 1833, and is now next to the oldest ; physician of the place. He attended medical lectures at Castle- ton University, Vt., where he graduated. As a physician and as a citizen he has been a leading and influential man ; has been a most efficient member of the school board over thirty years, and has done good work for the advancement of education, temperance and sound morality in the town. He has been ardent and unyielding in his politics and represented Derby in the Legislature in 1849, before Seymour was organized as a new town. He is still in active practice as a physician.
EDMUND LEAVENWORTH
Was born in Huntington, December 14, 1766. His father was Edmund, his grandfather Thomas, and his great-grandfather Doct. Thomas Leavenworth, who came to this country and set-
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tled on the west bank of the Ousatonic, near the Indian Well. Edmund had small advantages in his early training, but grew to be a man of more than ordinary intelligence, activity and capac- ity for business. When a boy he was identified with his father in ship-building, who lost heavily of his property in vessels upon the high seas. In early life he engaged extensively in butcher- ing, and in the war of 1812 barreled beef in large quantities for the government. He was elected first selectman of the town of Huntington for thirteen successive years, and was very vigi- lant in protecting the treasury of the town. A physician ren- dered his bill for services to the town poor, and Mr. Leaven-
worth demanded the items, since the bill seemed larger than he supposed it should be. The Doctor proceeded to read the statements, and after making some progress in the Latin names of the medicine, Mr. Leavenworth broke in suddenly by saying, "Squills and the devil and all," and proceeded to pay the bill.
Mr. Leavenworth came to Derby about 1826, and was well known by the familiar name of " Uncle Ed," being a genial and warm-hearted man. For many years he was deputy sheriff in Derby, discharging his duties as an efficient and faithful officer, and was a favorite among the people for his fund of anecdote.
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
JOHN LEWIS
Was a native of Derby and attended school with Stephen Whit- ney. The following account is taken from the "Old Merchants of New York." Vol. II. 197 :
" I remember among the clerks of Hoffman and Son, at that period, one named John Lewis as late as 1827. Hoffman sold largely for Archibald Gracie, and I used to see Mr. Lewis frequently. He had been a merchant at Derby, Conn. He was born there. He came to this city and went with the Hoffmans for the sole purpose of acquiring a knowledge of business paper. At that time Elijah Humphreys was doing a very heavy business as a grocer at 171 Front street. He was anxious to see Mr. Lewis go into the brokerage business, then a differ- ent business from now. John Lewis did go into that business from Hoffman's and took an office at 53 Wall street, in a basement which then rented for $50 a year. Probably now it would be $3,000.
" John Lewis made a success. He kept an account in the Bank of America, and then aided his old townsman, Stephen Whitney.
" The firm of Mr. Lewis was John Lewis and Co. ... Mr. Lewis afterwards left business in 1840 with an ample fortune of $100,000 At that time he was at No. 12 Wall street. He retired against the protestations of every friend. They advised him to stay in the street and get rich.
" John Lewis had a favorite object for many years, and he used to travel at his own expense between this and Albany to get it carried out. I allude to the New York Free Academy. He was a warm advocate for the advancement of the highest educational facilities. He, before and since that time, had advanced substantial means as high at one time as $20,000. As he never aspired to riches, he gratified himself in spending his money in that way and it was very laudable. I do not know among the list of names I have rescued from oblivion any one who has done more good in a quiet way, and added to the prosperity of our city more than John Lewis.
" I see that he many years ago paid taxes on more than $200,000 real estate in the city."
JOHN LINDLEY
Was born at Oxford, April 17, 1816, and worked on his father's farm until he was seventeen, when he engaged in school teach- ing, which he followed for seven winters, working at his trade summers with W. and L. Hotchkiss, builders, then of Birming-
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ham. He afterwards engaged in the lumber business and con- tinued therein until 1858, since which time he has been a merchant in a furniture, carpet and variety store in Ansonia, in which place he was one of the pioneers in 1845. He has
John Similly
always taken a deep interest in the cause of common school education, which he has mnost effectually served a number of years. He was first selectman and town agent for three years, and since the organization of Christ Church, Ansonia, has been a devoted worker in that church. 78
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LYMAN L. LOMER
Was born in South Hadley, Mass., July 20, 1814; came to Seymour in 1834, and to Birmingham in 1836, where he worked for David Bassett at the auger business for three or four years, and then became the market dealer in meats. After this he engaged in the livery business, having this peculiar rule, he would not let a horse on Sunday. He established a stage route from Birmingham to Bridgeport, then from Seymour to Wood- bury. After following the business of staging a number of years he returned to that of the meat market for a time, and then engaged in the manufacture of corsets, to which he is still devoting his attention. In his business enterprises he has been successful. He has been warden of Birmingham, and selectman of the town.
REV. RICHARD MANSFIELD, D. D.
The annals of Derby furnish no character more conspicuous and deservedly honored than the subject of this sketch. His ancestor, Richard Mansfield, came from England to Boston about 1636, and thence to New Haven in 1643. The son of the first Richard, Moses, born in England, became distinguished in New Haven, holding the highest military office in the county, who in 1673 routed a party of hostile Indians, where the town of Mans- field is now situated. For this heroic act he received a large tract of land, which was afterwards incorporated as a town and called Mansfield.
Richard Mansfield was born in New Haven in October, 1724 and his early religious training was in the Congregational faith ; his father, Jonathan Mansfield, being a worthy deacon in that church. At the early age of eleven years he was prepared for college, but owing to its rules could not enter it until fourteen. He graduated with the first honors of his class in 1741, being greatly respected by his instructors as a remarkably steady and studious young man. He was a " scholar of the House " as it was termed and received the premium founded by Bishop Berke- ley for the best examination in Greek, provided the student remained in New Haven as a graduate one or more years. He read attentively many of the works donated to Yale College by
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Bishop Berkeley, and during this period began to think favorably of the Episcopal church, and finally, with great warmth of feel- ing united with that church. In 1744 he took charge of a gram- mar school in New Haven, remaining as its principal more than two years. He was a ripe scholar for those times, and fitted many young men for Yale college, and the college in after life conferred on him the degree of D. D. Being determined to enter the ministry of the church of England, although bitterly opposed by his father's family, he sailed in the summer of 1748 for England, where he was admitted to Holy Orders by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Herring.
Dr. Mansfield returned to this country and under the eye of Dr. Johnson of Stratford, who had undoubtedly aided him in his theological preparation, he began his work in the face of the jealousy, prejudice and opposition engendered by the early Puritans. His field of labor was appointed in Derby, having been preceded by the missionaries, Arnold, Morris and Lyons, and he established his residence in Derby village, the centre of his extensive field of labor, and was supported here by that ven- erable " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts" until the acknowledgment of the American independ- ence.
The papers containing his declaration of allegiance to the Episcopal church, the certificate of the same, and his parchment of ordination are still preserved, and'are as follows :
" I do declare that I will conform to the liturgy of the Church of England as it is now by law established.
RICHARD MANSFIELD."
" This declaration was made and subscribed before "us, by the said Richard Mansfield to be licensed to perform the ministerial office in the province of New England in America, this 11th day of August in the year of our Lord 1748, and in the twenty-sixth year of our trans- lation.
EDMd. LONDON."
The following record of Dr. Mansfield's ordination is a fac- simile copy of his parchment; the name " Thomas of Canter- bury" was the title as Bishop. A green ribbon was attached to the parchment, which is also preserved.
Know all Men by these presents That We Thomas
by Dwino Providence Auchbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan by the aid and Assistance of Almighty God holding aspecial Ordination on Sunday the Swell Day of August in the year of our Jord one Thousand Seven hundred and Forty Eight in the Parish Church of as Kensington in the Country of Middlesen Dildlecording to the Manner anda Rites of the Church of England in this behalfused and Provided Admit and promote into the Holy Order of Priests our belovedin Christ Such ard Mans field being very well recommended to us for his Exemplary life good morals and Vertuous Qualities and well Instructed in the Study and Knowledge of Sound Learning and Sufficiently Intituled Examined and approved he having first before us subscribed the articles andtaken the Ouths which in this Case are by Law required to be Subscribers and taken and that we did hen and there Regularlyband Canonically Ordain him a Priest In Witness whereof we have Cawed our Hichi- Episcopal Seal to be hereunto affixed Daled the Day and year above (Uitten auch in the first year of car Translation.
The: Canhear"
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On the Ioth of November, 175 1, in his church he was married to Sarah Anna, eldest daughter of Joseph Hull, 2d, of Derby by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford, who has been justly styled, " the father of Episcopacy in Connecticut." For a quar- ter of a century Dr. Mansfield received annually from the society in England forty pounds sterling, besides Bibles, prayer-books and other church works for distribution among the people. This parish included the present towns of Derby, Orange, Wood- bridge, Seymour, Oxford, Southbury, Naugatuck and Waterbury. After 1755, his labors being abundantly blessed, his duties were mostly confined to Derby and Oxford.
The war of the Revolution brought troublesome times to the church. Dr. Mansfield was a loyalist, and having sworn allegi- ance to the British crown in his vows of ordination, his mind and conscience were not easily forced to abandon his chosen ground. It is said he was ordered not to pray for the king. In 1775 he preached a sermon from the words "Fear God ; honor the king," which created a bitter feeling against him. The ser- mon was loyal to the British ministry, but it was strangely per- verted ; the Puritan element declaring that Dr. Mansfield's doctrine was, that "in fearing God you must join the Episcopal church, and to honor the king you must fight his battles." A short time after this, on a Sunday morning while preaching, a guard of American troops marched into his church, when the good parson came down from his pulpit in " double quick " and escaping from the sanctuary without his hat, hastened to his home and soon fled to Long Island, then in possession of the British, leaving his wife and infant, and seven other children to the care of others ; one daughter being married to Elijah Humphreys. It is said that his son-in-law being an officer on a war vessel arrested him in his flight, but it is more probable that he became a guarantee for his conduct and obtained the privilege for him to return not long after to his home and his pulpit. There is good authority for the statement that this son- in-law obtained the privilege for his brother John to take the place of the guard in the church to see that the devoted loyalist did not preach against the American cause. After the war his opposition to the cause of liberty in the colonies seems to have been soon forgotten in the piety and zeal he manifested towards
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his church, and the meek but dignified deportment he exhibited toward all who entertained different religious views from him- self.
Dr. Mansfield was rector of St. James's church seventy-two years without a break,-a solitary instance it is believed in the Episcopal church in this country.
The labors of Dr. Mansfield were arduous and extensive. The ministerial rates in support of the church services were paid directly to him, and he gave his receipt as follows :
" Derby. January 6, A. D., 1755. Then received of Mr. Nicholas Moss his ministerial rate in full for the year 1753. I say received per
RICHARD MANSFIELD, Missionary." me,
Dr. Mansfield's register of baptisms numbers 2, 191, and there is reason to believe his marriages and burials were equally pro- portionate. He taught from house to house, and was diligent in his attentions to his people. He was particularly tender and affectionate towards the lambs of his flock, and thus they grew in years to love and venerate his person and cherish his fatherly instructions. He generally rode on horseback, being a good horseman, and no inclemency of weather or almost impassable roads prevented his visiting the sick, or in any way discharging his duty. On one Sunday he appointed to preach and hold a baptismal service in Oxford, and the week previous rains fell in torrents, the streams were greatly swollen and bridges swept away ; but mounting his horse in the morning, around gullied roads, through lots, and traveling eight miles out of his way to cross the Naugatuck, he reached Oxford and found his little flock waiting his arrival. This he considered no hardship in the line of duty. Again on one stormy afternoon he was sent for to marry a couple in Waterbury, and he hurried to be in season to return before night. The ceremony over, he was asked his fee for such services. The Doctor replied : "It's a stormy time, and as you are entering on a new and uncertain life, I shall be governed by your liberality," whereupon the happy groomsman handed him a pistareen and two coppers, wishing him a safe return home. Again he was called to tie the "indissoluble knot" at Wooster's tavern in Gunntown, in the limits of old Derby. The happy pair were colored, and
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they wanted to be " married like white folks." " Will you pay the same as white folks, if I marry you in that way ?" said Dr. Mansfield. "Oh yes, massa," was the reply. The ceremony over and the parson ready to leave, waiting for his fee, the sable groomsman turned him off by saying, " You no sing the psalm nor kiss the bride, as you do with white folks."
Dr. Mansfield was very familiar with his laymen, who loved him as a father, and always provided "something good " when he came among them. Visiting a parishioner one day in Oxford, the wife had prepared him a meal with the luxury of coffee sweetened, as was common in those days, with molasses " fretted in." Passing his cup for more sweetening, the good lady said, " La me, parson, this coffee would be none too good for you if it was all 'lasses !"
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