USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > History of Newport County, Rhode Island. From the year 1638 to the year 1887, including the settlement of its towns, and their subsequent progress > Part 76
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DAVID COGGESHIALL .-- Joseph Coggeshall, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Rhode Island, resided in Middletown township on a farm lying north of that owned by his grandson, David Coggeshall. By his marriage to Elizabeth Horswell were born children : Noel, Joseph, Anne, Ruth, Joshua, Abram, Sarah and John. Joshua Coggeshall passed his life upon the farm which was the scene of his birth. He was a leading citizen and influential in the affairs of his town- ship, of which he was for thirty-nine years the efficient clerk. He married Deborah, daughter of John and Hannah Allen, of the same township. Their children are: George C., David, Hannah M. (Mrs. George Chase), Anne E. (deceased) and Sarah D. (Mrs. James Chase). David Coggeshall was born October 28th, 1818, on the homestead farm which has been his lifetime residence. His youth was devoted to labor, varied by attend-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
ance at the district school. Finding agricultural employments congenial to his taste, he continued on the farm, giving his attention to its varied interests, and in 1877 inheriting the property on which he now resides. He was. on the 20th of March, 1851. married to Sarah C., daughter of George I. Bai- ley, of Middletown township. Their children are: George B., who is associated with his father in the management of the farm; Elizabeth, wife of John L. Simmons, of Newport, and Harriet B. Mr. Coggeshall is, in his political affiliations, a democrat, and although manifesting a laudable interest in local issues, has declined all tenders of office other than that of United States assistant assessor. He is a supporter of the Protestant Episcopal church, and a regular attendant upon its services.
WILLIAM F. PECKHAM .- The progenitor of the Peckham family in Rhode Island was John Peckham, who married a daughter of James Clark. Their son, William Peckham, born in 1675, married Mary Clark, born in 1680. They had two sons, William and Samnel. William was born in 1706, and married Mary Barker. His son, William, the great-grandfather of William F., was born February 14th, 1737, and married Lidia Rogers. Their son, John R., born March 8th, 1767, died in 1837. He was twice married. By his first union were two sons, William and Restcomb, and a daugh- ter. William was born on the homestead January 31st, 1794, and inherited the farm, having married Ann, daughter of Ed- ward Smith, born March 13th, 1794, whose children are: Wil- liam F., Edward Truman, and one danghter, Elizabeth A. (de- ceased), wife of John G. Smith. The death of William Peck- ham occurred July 6th, 1851, and that of his wife March 27th, 1858. Their son, William F., was born December 24th, 1818, in Middletown, and at a late period resided on the farm origin- ally owned by the first Peckham who settled in the township, where his remains are interred. The Oliphant district school, then the best disciplined and equipped school in the township, afforded the opportunity for acquiring a knowledge of the Eng- lish branches, after which he, until his twenty-ninth year, ren- dered his father valuable service on the farm. He then assumed charge of the estate, and enjoyed the results of his labor. Soon , after, by inheritance and purchase, he became owner of the property. Some years since he divided the land, assigning a
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ARTOTYPE, E BIERSTADT
Jetro Pechham
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
portion, with a residence added. to his sons. Mr. Peckham, in 1847, married Martha, daughter of Abner Ward, of the same township. Their children are: Arthur L., Elton W. (deceased), William Clarence, Edward Julian, Ann Maria (Mrs. Marion Peckham), Elizabeth Amanda (Mrs. MeDougal Haman), and Ruth Ella. Mrs. Peckham died November 16th, 1877, and he married again in December, 1882, Sarah A., daughter of James Barrows, of Providence. Mr. Peckham, as a republican, has filled various offices in the township. He has been councilman for many years (though not consecutively), and in 1863 was elected a member of the state senate. He is, in religious faith, a Baptist, and a member of the Second Baptist church of New- port.
JETHRO PECKHAM is of Scotch ancestry, though the family have long resided in Middletown. His great-grandfather was Joseph Peckham. Alanson Peckham. a son of the latter and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Catherine Coggeshall, whose children were seventeen in number, among whom was Jethro Jackson Peckham, who was born in 1788, and married Tryphena, daughter of Felix Peckham, of the same township. Their children were nine in number, as fol- lows: Asa, Dorcas, Janet, Celinda, Jethro, Felix A., Julia M., Francis E. and Alanson. Mr. Peckham died February 19th, 1859, and his wife November 20th, 1877. Their son, Jethro, was born November 10th, 1821, in Middletown, and at an early age became familiar with the routine of farm labor, much more time having been spent at work than at school. He then learned the trade of a house carpenter and found his services much in demand throughout the county. This ocenpation was contin- ned until 1882, when advancing years induced his retirement from active labor, though Middletown continned to be his home. He was on the 6th of July, 1856. married to Harriet B., dangh- ter of J. Bailey Hall, of the same township, who was born in 1823, and died in 1862. The only child of this union, Frances, born in 1860, is deceased. He was a second time married in 1869 to Adelaide, daughter of Captain George Barney. of Mid- dletown, whose birth occurred in 1849, and her death in 1872. Their only son, Sidney L., born in 1871, is deceased. Mr. Peck- ham. first as a free soiler. and later as a republican, was an in- fluential factor in the politics of his county. He held the prin- cipal townshipoffices, as also those of notary public and justice
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
of the peace. He was in 1861 elected to the state senate and served in that capacity until 1866. During these sessions that body had no more intelligent and fearless defender of the right than was Mr. Peckham. He was also frequently called upon to act as executor and administrator. In his religious convic- tions he was a Baptist and an attendant upon the services of the First Baptist church of Newport, where his family for gen- erations have worshiped. Mr. Peckham died December 9th, 1887.
NATHANIEL PECKHAM. - The Peckham family resident in Rhode Island are of Scotch antecedents. William Peckham, the grandfather of Nathaniel, an independent and resolute man, was a citizen of Middletown township, the home of the family for more than two centuries. His children were: Joshua, AAugustus, Felix, Gideon and two daughters: Lydia, Mrs. Pardon Sherman, and Ruth, Mrs. Christopher Barker. Gideon, the youngest son, was born in 1782 and spent his life in the town- ship as a farmer. He married Cynthia, daughter of Gideon Barker, of the same township and had children fourteen in num- ber, eleven of whom grew to mature years. They are: Benedict, John C., Elizabeth, Cynthia A., Melinda, Gideon B., Hosea, Nathaniel, Sarah, Ardelia and Philip M. Mr. Peckham's death occurred in 1854 and that of his wife two years later. Their son, Nathaniel, was born August 27th, 1823, in the township which has been his lifetime residence. He received but or- dinary advantages of education, and may therefore be properly termed a self educated man. He early learned the methods aud daily duties pertaining to the routine of a farmer's life, and aided his father to cultivate the farm largely now in pos- session of his son, a portion of which he inherited, and acquired the remainder by purchase. Here he has since continued farm- ing of a general character, and varied his pursuits by an occa- sional contract for constructing roads and bridges. Mr. Peck- ham was married on the 15th of January, 1849, to Jane Potter, danghter of John Tucker, of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Their children are: Jane Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph F. Albro; Na- thaniel Horace, of Middletown; Herman Franklin, also of Middle- town; Alvin Herbert, of Jamestown, and Justin Hamilton of Le- banon, Connecticut. All these sons are active, enterprising and successful business men. Mr. Peckham has, in the various polit- ical agitations of the day, advocated the principles of the repub-
Nathaniel Beckham
ARTOTYPE, É BIERSTADT N Y
Joly J. Sherman
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
lican party. He has from time to time for thirty years been a member of the town council, of which he was, in 1856, presi- dent. He is frequently moderator of the town meetings and has often represented his district at state conventions. In 1875 he was elected a member of the house of representatives of Rhode Island, and served five years in that capacity. He has also made his presence in Middletown indispensable as the township auctioneer. Mr. Peckham is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and connected with Oakland Lodge, No. 32, of that order, of South Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
THE SHERMAN FAMILY .- The Shermans of Middletown are descended from English ancestry. Walter Sherman, the grand- father of Isaac A. and Peleg T. Sherman, resided on a farm in Middletown township. He married Rebecca Anthony and had children: Abraham, born July 4th, 1790, died September 27th, 1877; and Jacob, whose birth occurred December 9th, 1791, and his death October 14th, 1848. Mr. Sherman was married a sec- ond time to Holdah Wilbur, whose children were: Rebecca. Francis, Moses and Cornelius. Jacob Sherman, whose birth- place was Middletown, spent his whole life in the congenial pursuits pertaining to agriculture. He married Susan, daugh- ter of Peleg Tabor, of Middletown, and had children: Peleg T., Martha (Mrs. Thomas Weaver), Julia Maria (Mrs. Job M. Barker), Isaac A., Rebecca (Mrs. Edwin Barker). Walter and Ann Sarah (Mrs. John B. Ward).
PELEG T. SHERMAN was born in Middletown November 3d, 1816, and received such instruction in his youth as the best schools in the vicinity afforded. While inheriting the taste of his ancestors for country and farm life, he also developed ex- ceptional business talent. In addition to the management of his farm, he engaged extensively in trading, as also in the call- ing of a drover. In both of these he was largely successful, as a result of rare capacity and unerring judgment. Mr. Sherman was one of the most influential representatives of his party in the county and an active worker in its ranks. As a republican he was for two terms the representative of his party in the gen- eral assembly, and much interested in the local issues of the day. Ile married Sallie, daughter of Peleg Almy, of Portsmouth, in the same county. His death occurred July 10th, 1879, in his sixty-fourth year. His widow still survives and resides in Mid- dletown.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
ISAAC A. SHERMAN was born on the 12th of March, 1823, in Middletown, and was educated in the public schools of the township. He engaged at once in farming, which has been the business of his life. He was married on the 7th of October. 1850, to Cornelia J., daughter of Francis Sherman, of Steuben county, New York. Their children are: Gertrude E. (deceased) and Isaac Lincoln (born in 1859), who is a resident of the town- ship, and was married in 1883 to Annie E. Cory. Mr. Sherman, the year of his marriage, removed to Tiverton, where for twenty years he followed agricultural pursuits. In 1877 he returned to Middletown, and became part owner of the homestead on which he now resides. A republican in his political views and a sincere believer in the principles advocated by his party, he has never sought office and declined all nominations, with a single exception, that of membership in the town council. Mr. Sherman adheres to the faith of the Society of Friends, the be- lief of his ancestors.
WALTER SHERMAN was born December 3d, 1827, in Middle- town township ; was educated. as were his brothers, at the pub- lic schools, and began his active life as a farmer. After some years spent at home he purchased a farm in Little Compton township, and resided upon it until his death, which occurred February 7th, 1871, in his forty-fourth year. He married Phobe Lawton, of Amherst, Massachusetts. Their only child, a son, Frederick L., resides with his mother on the farm. Mr. Sherman found agreeable employment in the duties pertaining to his estate, and did not participate in the excitement attend- ing public life, for which he had little inclination.
Jony G. SMITH .- The grandfather of the subject of this bio- graphical sketch was James Smith, who resided in Washington county, Rhode Island, where he was a prosperous miller. By his marriage to Joanna Sheldon he became the father of nine sons and three daughters, as follows : Jonathan, Gardner, Ver- nom, Isaac, Norris, William, John, James, Palmer. Elizabeth, Susan and Abbie. The eldest of this number, Jonathan Smith, was born April 24th, 1780, in Washington county, and removed to Middletown, where during the greater part of his life he was engaged in the labor pertaining to a farmer's occupation. Here his death occurred in 1834. He married Elizabeth Wyatt, whose children were : Sarah Ann, Mehitabel and James M. He mar- ried a second time Sarah Leach, and had children : Elizabeth,
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John B Word
&# E. BIERSTADT &
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
who died in youth : Joanna (Mrs. Alden H. Barker), John G., and Lucy, deceased. John G. Smith was born August 7th, 1821, in Middletown township, whence his father removed dur- ing the early years of his life. His youth was devoted to work on the farm, varied by a period at school in the neighborhood and at Newport, after which for nine years he followed a sea- faring life. On returning again to his native township he re- sumed farming and rented the farm which is his present home. This property subsequently came to him by inheritance. Mr. Smith married, in November, 1843, Elizabeth A., daughter of William Peckham, of Middletown. Their children are : Fran- cis Wayland, William N., Clinton G., Orlando N. and Lida W. Mrs. Smith died May 8th, 1882, and he married again October 6th, 1886, Mrs. Hannah Eldridge, of Somerville, Massachusetts. Mr. Smith was formerly a whig in politics, and on its formation esponsed the principles of the republican party. He is indiffer- ent to the honors of office, but has aided to a limited extent in administering the affairs of his township. He is in his religious belief a Baptist, and a member of the Central Baptist church of Newport.
JOHN B. WARD. - The grandfather of the subject of this biog- raphy was John Ward, who was descended from English stock, and resided in Middletown, where he was for many years an enterprising farmer. By his marriage to a Miss Barker were born the following children: Abner, Henry, John, William, Martha and Elizabeth. Abner Ward, the eldest of these sons, was born in 1800 in Middletown, and inherited the agricultural tastes of his father. He married Margaret, daughter of Felix Peckham, of the same township, and had children: John B., Gilbert L., Adoniram JJ., Jacob S., Martha (deceased), wife of William F. Peckham, and Maria (deceased), married to Aaron S. Coggeshall. The death of Mr. Ward occurred in 1877.
John B. was born on the 21st of June, 1826, in Middle- town, and has during his lifetime resided within its limits. After acquiring a thorough knowledge of farming he, at the age of twenty three, rented the property formerly the home of his father, and continued to cultivate the land until 1873. IIe then changed his location, but remained in the township. and in 1884 purchased the property which is his present residence. Ile was married December 18th. 1848, to Ann Sarah, daughter of Jacob Sherman. of the same township, whose death occurred
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Angust 21st, 1884. Their children are: Margaret (Mrs. Lyman HI. Barker .. Charles H., George E., Abner H., Joseph Hooker, Sarah S., and a son, Frank M., deceased. Mr. Ward is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has been identified with the interests of Middletown, and from time to time held various local offices, his vote and influence always being given to the republican party. His brothers, Gilbert L. and Jacob S. Ward, are also residents of the township.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHIS.
David Albro, born in 1825, is a son of Peleg, born in 1799, and a grandson of David, whose father was also named David Al- bro. Peleg's wife was Eliza, daughter of Hon Samuel Man- chester. David has been tax assessor for many years and is still filling the office. His first marriage was with Sarah Ann Anthony, of Portsmouth, in 1851. They raised three children: Charles, George Herbert and William G. Mr. Albro's present wife is Mary E., daughter of Samuel B. Dodge, of Block Island. Their children are Isaac and Sarah A. One daughter, Lucinda B., is deceased.
Peleg Almy, born in 1855, is a son of Charles and a grandson of Peleg Almy, late of Portsmouth, born in 1792, and died in 1887. Mr. Almy is gardener for Mr. Wetherbee, by whom he has been employed for eleven years. Before that he was in the same business for Dr. Heywood, of New York, who built the Wetherbee place in 1872.
Abraham Anthony is a son of Joshua, born in 1798, died in 1877, and a grandson of Gideon, born in 1766, died in 1832. Gideon's father was Philip Anthony. Gideon's wife was Eliza- beth Coggeshall. Abraham was born in 1826, and married in 1850 Sarah D., danghter of Samuel Gould. She died in 1886, leaving three children: Albert A. (whose wife is Sarah E. Man- chester), AAbbie C. (Mrs. Ashton C. Barker), and Sarah Maria (Mrs. Charles Albro, of Portsmouth).
Susan AA. Anthony is a daughter of Philip Anthony. He was born in 1789 and died in 1873. He was a brother of Joshna Anthony. He was married to Mary Manchester, a daughter of John Manchester.
George Anthony, the oldest man in this town, is a son of Elijah and a grandson of Jonathan Anthony. Jonathan An- thony married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Gould, November 11th, 1750. Their children were: Mary, Elizabeth, Gould, Jonathan and Eliza. Jonathan Anthony, Sr., kept a tan yard and lived where James Anthony now resides. His house was bnrned by the British in revolutionary times. His son, Elijah, died in 1842, 75 years old. George Anthony was born in 1796, and married Margaret Hathaway. They had seven children, four of whom, Joseph S., Elijah, Rachel and James, are living. Joseph S. was born in 1833, and married Josephine Gould. Their daughter, Josephine L. G., is the wife of Thomas J. Sweet, of Portsmouth. George Anthony was a member of the town 'council from 1848 to 1855, inclusive.
James Anthony, son of the George last mentioned, was born here in 1840. He was married in 1869 to Charlotte S., daughter of Noel Coggeshall. Their children are Arthur R. and Alfred C. Ilis farm is the old homestead where Elijah Anthony lived two generations ago. James Anthony has been eight years in the general assembly and on the school committee three years. He has been the moderator of town meeting three years. He also was town collector of taxes several years.
Albert G. Barker, who was born in 1808 and died in 1869, was a son of John Barker, grandson of David and great-grandson of Isaac Barker, of the revolution. His first wife left one son, John P. Barker, now of Boston. His second wife, who survives, is Mary, a daughter of Mumford Peckham. Their children are: Mary A. W. (deceased), Dorcas E., Clark T. and Mumford P. Barker. Mrs Clark T. Barker is Fannie R., daughter of John C. Lawton.
Job M. Barker, born here in 1812, has lived at his present residence seventy-three years. He was married in 1837. His wife is a sister of Isaac A, Sherman. Their children living are: W. Scott, of Newport; Julia, now Mrs. John Dowley, of Bos- ton; Susan. now Mrs. Frederick Coggeshall, and James T .. at home. Two daughters, Josephine and Annie, are deceased.
Robinson Potter Barker. born in 1816, is a son of John Bar- ker and a grandson of David, who was born in 1749 and died in 1819. David was a son of John, born in 1711, died in 1777. John's wife was Dorcas, daughter of Isaac Barker, of the revo- lution. Robinson P. Barker's wife, who died in 1861, was Ju- lia, daughter of Samuel S. Peckham. Their children are: Dr. C. F. Barker, of Newport; Maria N .. now dead; Mary E., now Mrs. A. K. Sherman, of Newport, and Elma M., now Mrs. John
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Peckham. Mr. Barker has been tax assessor many years. His present wife is Harriet N., a sister of John Peckham.
From mannscript in the possession of Mrs. Robinson P. Bar- ker the following is quoted: "The Barkers in Rhode Island de- scended from James Barker of Essex county, England. His son James and his daughter Christiana started to come to New England about 1636. James died on ship, and his son James, a lad of 17, became the father of eight children, born in Mid- dletown. He was a magistrate named in the 1663 charter, and was one of the deputy governors in 1679 .. He died in 1702."
Stephen P. Barker, born here in 1851, is a son of Stephen Barker, who died in 1842, and a grandson of Isaac Barker, who, in the revolution, acted as a messenger for the Americans on the island in their intercourse with their friends in Little Compton to the eastward. Mr. Barker's house is the old place where this grandfather Isaac lived. It was a barrack for the Hessian sokliers during the revolution. This Isaac Barker had five sons and one daughter: Stephen, Cyrus, James, Ira, Hiram and Dor- cas. Stephen P .. who is now living, was married in 1837 to Betsey G., daughter of Peter Barker. They have six sons now living and heads of families. He has been in the town council as a republican and has been assessor of taxes and tax collector. His business is farming, and his residence Paradise avenue, Middletown.
Abram A. Brown, born in 1846, is a son of William C., grand- son of Abram and great-grandson of Gideon Brown. He was married in 1870 to Josephine, daughter of Job M. Barker. She died in 1874, leaving two children, Lillie Maria and J. Willie. In 1876 Mr. Brown was married to Maria E. Cory, by whom he has Four sons and one daughter. His business is farming.
Pardon Brown, born in 1801. married in 1831, and died in 1881 (father of George A. Brown of Middletown and Joshua C. Brown of Newport), was one of eighteen children of l'eleg Brown; twelve of these eighteen became heads of families. Pardon Brown's widow, who survives him, is Sarah Sanford, granddaughter of John Sanford, an early grocery merchant in Portsmouth. Her children were: Peleg, died in Nevada; Par- don, now living in California; Lucy M., deceased, was Mrs. James A. Brown: and Lydia, deceased, was Mrs. John Sanford. Each of these three deceased children left four children. Par- don Brown was prominent in public affairs and was representa-
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tive in the state legislature some years. He died while the plans were being made to celebrate their golden wedding.
William C. Brown, deceased, was a son of Abraham and a grandson of Gideon. He died in 1885, leaving a wife, Eunice, a daughter of Arnold Barker. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two sons and two daughters living: Abram A., Nathan B., Annie M. (Mrs. A. Herbert Ward) and C. Etta, a teacher.
Mellville Bull, the present senator from Middletown, was born at Newport in 1854, and at the age of 23 graduated from Har- vard college. He served two years as adjutant of the Newport ' Artillery, and was aid' on the personal staff of Governor Wet- more. He has given considerable attention to party interests as a republican, representing Middletown in the legislature in 1883-85. In business his interests are largely agricultural.
John Tew Carr was born in 1845 at Jamestown, R. I. His father and his grandfather were named Robert. He served in Company D, 12th Rhode Island Regiment one year in the civil war. He was married in 1867 to Mary Dawley, of Newport, and she has borne him two sons and one daughter. He has managed the " Ogden farm " in Middletown eight years.
George A. Carter and Daniel A. Carter of Middletown and Samuel A. Carter of Portsmouth are sons of William Carter. Their grandmother, who died in 1887, at 96 years of age, was Henrietta Allen. George A. Carter was born in 1854, and mar- ried Anna A., daughter of Elisha Allen, of Portsmonth. Their children are Winfred and Ethel May. Mr. Carter's business is farming.
Perry G. Case was born in Westport, Mass., in 1819, and came to Newport city in 1836. He married Caroline A., daughter of George C. Shaw. She died, leaving one son, Philip II., now in California. His present wife was a Newport lady. Mr. Case is a builder and contractor. He built George Fearing's. and Thomas Dunn's residences and numerous others in the city. The firm is P. G. Case & Co.
Joseph L. Chace, born in 1848, is a son of Henry C. Chace of Newport, a grandson of Captain James Chace and great-grand- son of Solomon Chace. He was married in 1873 to Lydia Baker Smith, daughter of Daniel B. Smith and granddaughter of Isaac J. Smith, who was a son of James Smith. mentioned in the ancestral line of John G. Smith. Mr. Chace is a farmer.
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