USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 63
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Ebenezer his son, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Ellington, September 26, 1796. He married September 10, 1827, Mary Ann Lee, daughter of Dr. Tully Lee of Hart- ford, who was the son of the Rev. Thomas Andrew Lee, rector of the church in Lisbon, Conn., who was the descendant of Martin Lee, a legal gentleman of note in Somersetshire, Eng-
22 History Ancient Windsor, 745.
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land. His predilections were in favor of the legal profession, but through the influence of friends he turned his attention to manufactures and subsequently to mercantile pursuits, retiring from business at the age of forty years.
He was a man of studious habits. a great reader, and of remarkably retentive memory, seldom forgetting anything he once read. He could repeat whole volumes from his favorite authors, and many books of the Bible. A Universalist in creed at a time when Universalism was a reaction from the severities of Calvinism ; he was a man of inflexible integrity, and, like his father, was called by his townsmen to fill numerous positions of trust, and received the highest official position in their gift ; a man of remarkable energy, originality of thought and expres- sion, with an unbending sense of justice which the innate kindli- ness of his nature redeemed from anything like harshness ; he was eminently a leading citizen, a helpful friend, and an affec- tionate kinsman, and by his death a community was bereaved. He died May 12, 1877, at South Windsor. His widow at this date survives him.
Charles Hitchcock Pinney, son of the foregoing, was born at South Windsor, then a part of East Windsor, April 25, 1831. His early school days were passed at Mr. Lincoln's Academy. Later he received at Rogers's Private Academy at East Hart- ford, his preparatory training, and having decided to adopt medicine and surgery as his profession he entered Harvard Col- lege in 1849, where he remained but one year, the east winds of the locality inducing severe hemorrhage of the lungs. But unwilling to abandon the choice he had made, he went to New York where he matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in that city, being at the same time under the private instruction of Doctors Willard Parker and Robert Watts. In 1853 he graduated with honor and immediately opened an office in Derby.
In 1854 he married Maria Watson, daughter of Royal I. Wat- son of New Hartford, Conn., a lady of intelligence and Chris- tian character. Her earliest ancestor in America was Sir Richard Seymour (from whom are descended the Connecticut Seymours) who emigrated to this country in 1739. He was the youngest son of Edward, Earl of Hertford, Duke of Som-
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erset, whose lineage is definitely traced to William the Con- queror.
Although taking great interest in the spirit of progress and the enterprises of the day, Dr. Pinney has always refused the tender of official position and devoted himself exclusively to his profession. He is an earnest student, unremitting in his atten- tions to patients, alert to investigate and adapt all scientific progress to practice, and has won an extensive and successful practice in his profession.
During the civil war he supported the Union cause by his votes and influence; sent a substitute into the field ; contrib- uted generally to the cause, and gave to the families of Union soldiers gratuitous medical attendance during the whole period of the war.
Possessed of fine social qualities, good judgment, genial nature, and a keen sense of humor, the public appreciation of him as a citizen is equal to the esteem in which he is held as a physician.
Dr Pinney is a member of the following medical associations : New Haven County, Connecticut State, American National Medical Society, and an honorary member of the Maine Asso- ciation.
During the summer of 1879 the Doctor with his wife and son, Royal Watson Pinney, their only surviving child, born Decem- ber 25, 1863, made an extended tour in Europe; and returning after four months' absence is again actively engaged in his pro- fession, which, during a period of nearly thirty years, has been alike honorable to himself and gratifying to his friends.
DAVID W. PLUMB
Was born in Trumbull, Conn., October 13, 1808. His father, Noah Plumb, was a dealer in cattle, and possessed a large farm on which his son worked while a boy. His early education was obtained at the common school and afterwards a short time at an academy. Upon the father removing to Bridgeport, the son David went into a store as clerk, and his employer failing in business, Mr. Plumb bought the goods and removed them to Birmingham in the spring of 1836, and built the stone factory on Main street. Here he carried on the manufacture of woolen
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goods, such as flannels, beavers and cassimeres, with Benjamin B. Beach, for about ten years. Dissolving this partnership he removed to Ansonia in 1848, and after building a large factory continued the same business until he sold to Wm. R. Slade in 1865. His business in Ansonia was very successful during the war.
In 1868 Mr. Plumb removed to Shelton and became much interested in the building and success of the Ousatonic dam, investing largely of his fortune in the enterprise. He was for some time president of the Ansonia Bank, also treasurer and secretary of the Ansonia Savings Bank. He represented Derby in the lower House in 1838, 1852, 1862 and 1864, and was sena- tor from the fifth district in 1841. Being a good debater he was a useful and an influential member of the Legislature and has always been a firm opponent of the democracy. He is the only man who has represented Derby five times in the Connecticut Legislature, which shows the estimation in which he has been held by the community.
For his first wife he married, in 1841, Clarissa Allen of Derby, and for his second he married, in December, 1875, Louisa Wakelee of Huntington.
REV. AMASA PORTER
Was born in 1774, was graduated at Yale college. in 1793, and settled in Derby in 1797. The records show an unusual anxiety on the part of the church to obtain him, and he was not induced to accept the invitation until this desire was well manifested. His first call was presented with a peculiarly graduated scale of salary : £130 the first year, £125 the second, £120 the third, and so down to f100, where it was to remain. The committee were directed to present this proposal to him, and if · he was not suited, to see what would be agreeable. Mr. Porter asked for time to consider and consult the neighboring clergy. After this the salary was fixed at £115 per annum, and the call renewed, he being asked to supply in the meantime. The call was finally declined.
The next step was to raise a fund of £500, the interest of which was to be applied to the support of the gospel, if Mr. Porter would come and preach. On this basis the call was
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renewed and accepted. The agreement was kept and the fund raised, which was probably the basis of the present fund of the church. He was ordained the 20th of June. 1797. and proved to be an excellent man for the place, and there is no evidence that the people were disappointed in him.
In the year 1804. Mr. Porter being in too feeble health to supply the pulpit, the society passed a resolution asking that, as they were unable to pay his salary in full and supply the pul- pit, he should relinquish one-half of his salary, and they would furnish the supply. To this Mr. Porter seems to have agreed cordially, but, for some reason not given, after a lapse of six months, a committee was appointed to carry out a repeatedly expressed wish of his that he should be dismissed. This was effected March 20, 1805. After his dismissal he removed to New Haven, where he died in the year 1856, at the age of eighty-two.23
The late Rev. Charles Nichols writes of this devoted good man as follows :
"I knew him well in my early boyhood, and though after his dis- missal he removed to New Haven, I knew him and visited in his family while pursuing my studies in the theological seminary. He was I should say a little taller than the average man ; well formed, possessed of a countenance gentle and mild, and distinguished excellence of character. I have no recollection of having heard him preach. My full impression is that he relinquished the ministry because of bodily weakness or chronic disease.
" His wife was a Miss Bliss of Columbia in Tolland county, Conn. They had two sons and two daughters, and both the sons were gradu- ates of Yale college.
"Mr. Porter was beloved by the people of Derby, and long after he removed was spoken of by good people in terms of respect. Probably no person now living in the town remembers him more pleasantly, or with a more affectionate interest, than the writer of this article."
LIEUT. JABEZ PRITCHARD
Who enlisted in July, 1777, under Captain Carris, in the regi- ment of Colonel Enos, was in command of the guard at Horse- neck and afterwards under the command of Major Humphreys near Fort Independence. In the conflict at that place he, with
23Centennial discourse of Rev. J. H. Vorse.
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others, was taken prisoner and confined first at King's Bridge, then in New York, and afterward on a prison ship on the North River. His commission was taken from him by his inhuman captors and he was so illy treated that, like most of the other prisoners on that infamous ship, he survived but a short time.
His generous and honorable character may be inferred from the fact that he might have escaped being taken prisoner but that he would not abandon a wounded comrade ; and that he afterward divided his funds with a fellow prisoner, to which act of liberality Bradford Steele ascribed his own recovery, by means of the provisions and comforts he was thus enabled to procure.24
CAPTAIN LEWIS REMER,
Father of Joseph H. Remer, was born in Derby, 1785, and was a resident of the town to the time of his death in December, 1841. He learned the trade of a shoemaker and carried on the manu- facture of shoes for years at Up Town on a large and lively scale, employing at times forty or fifty hands. He was a lead- ing man in the community, and wielded a strong moral and religious influence in the Congregational church, in which he was trained from boyhood. No man was more devoted to the sick or suffering than he, and when "undertaking " was less a business occupation than now he was called upon from far and near to prepare the dead for funeral obsequies. He said a few days before his death that he had performed this act to his fel- low townsmen ninety-six times, and he thought, as a Christian he had done his part in that direction. Mr. Remer was truly a man of God and abounded in good works.
SIMON REMER
Who died a few years ago was also a shoemaker and the oppo- site of his brother Lewis. He was perhaps the most ready and witty of all the men in town, and no one could get ahead of him for spice. He was a great bore to the doctors, always inquiring " Who's sick and what's the matter ?" so much so that he was often avoided by them. On one occasion Dr. B- was approach- ing his house on horseback about sunrise, and seeing Remer in the distance the Doctor thought he would be prepared for him.
24 History of Seymour.
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The usual salutations over, Remer says, " Hold on, Doctor ; they tell me you have a very sick patient up the hill."
" Yes, very sick. Staid all night with her," was the reply.
" Well, what the devil is the matter ?"
" Oh, doctors don't like to tell what ails their patients, but I don't suppose you will say anything about it if I tell you."
" Oh, no ; but I should like to know, for the neighbors say so much," said Remer.
" Well, she's got the Febris Intermittens Autumnatis !"
" Good Lord, she hain't got that complaint "-
" Yes she has, sure."
" What did you say, Doctor ?"
" She's got the Febris Intermittens Autumnatis."
" Yes, I understand. She will die. I never knew one get well with that complaint. If your medicines don't kill, the name of the disease is a dead shot."
Esculapius enjoyed the repartee and hurried along, but never tried his Latin on Remer after that.
COL. CHARLES L. RUSSELL
Was born in the town of Litchfield, Conn., July 25, 1828. At a very early age he removed, with his father, Samuel S. Russell, to the village of Westville, in the town of New Haven, where he resided until twelve years of age, when he removed to Derby, and remained until the Rebellion broke out, when he entered the army. Unblessed with either a distinguished or wealthy parentage, young Russell, like most of the sons of New England, had to work his way in life by his own exertions.
Fully convinced of the importance of self-reliance, he began early to seek physical, moral and mental improvement. Scarcely had he emerged from the narrow limits of the district school when he is found figuring in the village lyceum ; a zealous, working, influential member, although but a mere boy learning the humble trade of a tack-maker. Honest, industrious, con- fiding, affable in manner, modest in pretensions, ardent in friend- ship, identifying himself with every good work, he soon became a pattern for imitation, and a leader among his companions.
He early displayed unusual fondness for military pursuits, and enlisted a private in a company called the Derby Blues,
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under the state organization, while yet under twenty years of age, and soon rose to the rank of captain, and under his com- mand the company became one of the best disciplined in the state. For his faithfulness and efficiency in military affairs he received the appointment of a regimental staff officer, which he held until the commencement of the Rebellion
During the heated political campaign of 1860, Captain Russell was fully impressed that the South would make war upon the government in case of the election of Mr. Lincoln. In reply to the question, "What will be the condition of things in 1864," he remarked, "Before that day, this country will run red with blood; I see it, believe it, and I tremble that the notes of prepa- ration are not already sounding in our ears."
When the first gun was fired on the starving garrison of Fort Sumter, causing that mighty uprising of the people of the North, he hesitated not a moment what course to pursue. Like Putnam of old, he quit his humble avocation and hastened to the work of raising troops to defend his imperiled country. The com- pany which he had previously commanded, enlisted through his exertions and joined the second regiment under Colonel Terry. Captain Russell, from his well known ability and long acquaint- ance with the militia of the state, was commissioned adjutant of this regiment. How well and heroically he performed his duties in that brief, but trying and inglorious, campaign of ninety days the military records bear ample testimony. He was in the engagement at Bull Run and acquitted himself with honor, re- ceiving from General Keyes, the commander of his division, a special commendation for his coolness and bravery on that oc- casion.
After his discharge from the ninety days' service, Adjutant Russell returned to his work-shop in Derby much dejected and reduced in his physical powers from undue exposure in the open field during the hot weather. His desire to aid in sustaining the government was so strong that before his health had suffi- ciently improved he commenced raising another volunteer com- pany which was soon joined to the Eighth Regiment then form- ing in New Haven. While occupying the post of captain at this place the governor tendered him the position of lieutenant col- onel of the Tenth Regiment, then mustering at Hartford.
SI
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There was one serious obstacle in the way of this transfer. The members of his company being warmly attached to him manifested great reluctance at the thought of his leaving them, and offered to make up from their own funds the difference of pay between the two positions, provided he would remain in their company. He hesitated, and partially declined the offer of the lieutenant colonelcy, but finally a compromise was made by transferring his company to the Tenth. He then accepted the position, but was shortly afterwards promoted to be colonel of that regiment.
At that time the famous expedition or fleet of seventy-two vessels under General Burnside was being fitted out, and to it the Tenth was attached. On the 9th of January, a day never to be forgotten in American annals, a dark and foggy morning, the expedition sailed for the coast of North Carolina. After a long and perilous voyage, amid storms and gales, and ship- wrecks and losses, our troops landed, and captured, on the 8th of February, Roanoke Island. The difficulties encount- ered, the obstacles overcome, and the sufferings endured by the brave men under General Burnside in forcing their way into Pamlico Sound, and along a dangerous coast during the most inclement season of the year, are matters of wonder and honor, as well as history. In storming the entrenchments of the enemy the Connecticut Tenth bore a most conspicuous part. Here it was that the noble Russell met his death. At the head of his regiment, knowing no fear, he bravely led on his men, and in the very hour of victory his body was pierced by a rifle ball from a concealed sharpshooter, and without uttering a word, a groan, or losing a single drop of blood, the gallant sol- dier expired, and his comrades in arms bore him from the field.
Thus fell in the pride of his manhood the first Connecticut colonel who volunteered his services in this terrible conflict be- tween loyalty and treason.
As a son, a husband, a father, a citizen, a patriot, a soldier, New England rarely chronicles a better name.
In the quiet cemetery at Birmingham, along the banks of the Ousatonic, he fills a hero's grave.
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THE REV. JOSEPH SCOTT,
A graduate of Washington, now Trinity College, Hartford, was rector of St. James's parish eight years, between the rectorships of Revs. Stephen Jewett and William Bliss Ashley. A terrible sickness, while in Derby, broke down his constitution and he was obliged to accept a smaller parish at Naugatuck, where he died much lamented, in the fifty-first year of his age. While rector of St. James he was noted for his urbanity of manners and his meek and consistent walk as a Christian minister.
HON. HENRY S. SANFORD
Was born in Woodbury in 1823, and came with his father, C. Sanford, to Birmingham in 1836. Henry studied the classics for a while with the Rev. Joseph Scott, then rector of St. James's church, and being an apt scholar was soon fitted at Cheshire Academy, and at an early age entered Washington, now Trinity College, Hartford ; but being afflicted with that terrible disease, the asthma, he was obliged to leave college before going through with his regular course and receiving the honors of graduation.
After the death of his father in 1841, he made several sea voyages, which secured great relief from his malady. His phy- sician then sent him to the far West, among the Indians.
In 1846, visiting Paris, he met Hon. Ralph I. Ingersoll and went to Russia with him where he remained one year as his attache to that court. He was attache to Andrew J. Donelson at Berlin under Polk's administration. He then went to Heidel- berg, where he graduated at the university of that place. Returning home, he was appointed secretary to General Reeves, under General Taylor's administration. He served four years, and on the advent of the Pierce administration, was charge d'af- faires for a time at Paris, and during that time the Secretary of State at Washington issued his orders requesting all United States ministers to appear at all foreign courts, so far as possi- ble in black, citizen's dress. Mr. Sanford, we believe, was the only one who complied with the order.
Mr. Sanford was appointed minister to Belgium in 1861, under Mr. Lincoln, and served eight years. During the Rebel- lion he disbursed for the United States government over $2,000,-
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000 worth of munitions of war. Mr. Sanford is a man of versatile and popular talents and discharged his duties as a diplomatist with credit to himself and satisfaction to his country.
Thus Derby has the honor of being thrice represented in for- eign courts from our government; once by General David Humphreys as minister to Spain, recently by Hon. H. S. San- ford, as above stated, and once by E. D. Bassett, minister to Hayti under General Grant's administration.
LUGRAND SHARP,
Son of Thomas and Mary Sharp, was born in Ridgefield, June I, 1797, being a great-grandson of Thomas Sharp of Newtown, who came from England to Stratford in 1700, and was a sur- veyor, and one of the original thirty-six proprietors of Newtown. Lugrand was left an orphan at an early age, yet, by industry and economy he saved money with which to pay his expenses while acquiring an education.
In 1821 he purchased the place in Southford on which the Abbott mansion now stands, and in 1823 married Olive M., daughter of Ebenezer Booth. He constructed the water-works and factory south-west of Southford, which was afterward occu- pied for the manufacture of cutlery, and was an earnest and effi- cient laborer in the Methodist society at Southford, it being chiefly due to his efforts that a church was there built. His house was always open to the hard-working itinerant preachers of those days, and he continued to be one of the most active members of the church in that place until 1843, when he sold his possessions there and removed to Humphreysville. In 1849 he built the house on Maple street, which he occupied until his death. He was for several years superintendent of the M. E. Sunday-school, and a trustee of the church until the close of his life. He contributed liberally to such religious and benevolent causes as received his approval, giving over $1,500 to the mis- sionary cause during the last nine years of his life. He was always a self-denying laborer in the church of his choice ; his last years being literally devoted to the service of the Lord, and when his last illness came he felt that his work was done, and he waited in patience for the Master's call. He died May I, 1876, aged seventy-eight years.
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CHARLES W. SHEFFREY, M D.,
Was born at Birkenhead, England, in 1834, and came to this country when quite young with his parents who settled at New Haven, Conn., where he obtained his early education, and after- wards attended the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., finally graduating at Yale Medical School in 1861. During the war Doctor Sheffrey was assistant surgeon in Connecticut volun- teers, and in 1866 settled in Ansonia where he resided five years, during which time he enjoyed a large practice. In 1871 he removed to Bridgeport, Conn., where he is at present practicing his profession.
EDWARD N. SHELTON
Was born in Huntington in 1812, and received his early educa- tion in the common school, except one year at Captain Partridge's Scientific and Military Academy at Middletown, Conn. His general business has been that of manufacturing. He located in Birmingham in April, 1836, and engaged in the manufacture of tacks with his brother-in-law, N. C. Sanford, formerly of Woodbury.
Mr. Shelton has been one of the most active, industrious, and influential citizens of Birmingham for forty-four years, having been largely interested in almost every important public enter- prise of the place ; as president of the National Bank since its organization, director in the Derby Savings Bank, capitalist in many of the trading corporations of the place, being always ready to forward any good work or public undertaking. That magnificent enterprise, the building of the Ousatonic Dam, is mostly indebted to his persevering, indefatigable efforts for its success ; and most properly the new village of Shelton, growing out of the water-power thus secured, has received its name after him.
During the war of the Rebellion he contributed liberally to the comfort and support of the soldiers of the Union army, although he deprecated that war as a national calamity.
A characteristic of his life has been that where there was re- sponsibility, he trusted not to others, but gave personal atten- tion to the matter that there might be no failure, and probably no man in the community has been more variously interested in
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business enterprises than he. He has had no political aspira- tions, but represented the 'fifth senatorial district in the Legisla- „ture, when public enterprise seemed to demand a representative of influential character. In church matters he has been con- stant, always the firm undeviating friend of good morals, law and order. Charitably disposed, and liberal to the needy, he is held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens.
G. A. SHELTON, M. D.,
Although not a resident of Derby, has been so intimately asso- ciated with its citizens, a notice of his professional life properly belongs in this history. He was born at Huntington, Conn., August 19, 1841, and prepared for college at Easton Academy, Conn., and entered Yale in 1862, but left in the junior year to pursue the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Doct. G. W. Hall of Queen's county, N. Y., and returning to the medical department of Yale in 1866, he received the degree of M. D. in June, 1869, since which time he has been located at Shelton, Conn. He has a large and lucrative practice both in his own town and also in Derby ; and has been a member of the school board of his town, and registrar of vital statistics three years.
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