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GrENEALOGY and BiOGRAPHY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CONNECTICUT BRANCH 
 
 OK THK 
 
 Churchill Family 
 
 IN 
 
 AMERICA, 
 
 CONTAlNIXa ELEVEN GENERATIONS AND EKJHTY 
 PORTRAITS OF THE FAMILIES. 
 
 SAMUEL JOSEPH CHURCHILL, 
 
 Lawuknck, KA>:fSAS. U. S. A., 
 Fkbrt-akv 15, A. D.. lOOl. 
 
 L,A\\'RK>-CH;, KANSAS: 
 
 JOrRNAL PrPLISHlNG COMPANY, 
 l!>OI. 
 
ll&^iO 
 
 / 
 
 
 ^U 
 
 ">;^«^ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In presenting this little book to my relatives I ask but one 
 condition, and make but one request, which is, preserve it, 
 and hand it down to future generations as you would an 
 "heir-loom" of great value. Some of you may not care for 
 it more than to read what is said of yourself, and this you 
 may criticise and think it is unjust or not what it should be, 
 etc. Of course this is your privilege, but above and beyond 
 all this, if you will preserve it, and hand it down to future 
 generations some one along down the ages will prize it above 
 rubies or diamonds, and commence where I leave off and 
 carry on the record of an honorable and worthy line of 
 patriots. If you enjoy this book one-half as much as I have 
 enjoyed the work of searching out the old records and com- 
 piling them in a condensed form, I shall be doubly repaid and 
 feel that my work is greatly appreciated. 
 
 I have employed several experts in genealogy to search the 
 records, and I am under special obligations to Rev. Geo. M. 
 Bodge, of West wood, Mass., Henry R. Stiles, A. M., M. D., 
 of New York City, Hon. H. C. Clark, of Sheffield, Mass., 
 Miss M. L. Whitman, of West Hartford, Conn., and Geo. B. 
 Knapp, Esq., of Boston, Mass.. for the complete and valuable 
 records I obtained from them, which are authentic in every 
 respect and can be relied upon in reference to the first 
 four generations. 1 found the book my grandfather, Amos 
 Churchill, wrote in 1855 of great value, although it was not 
 written for genealogical purposes, for in it he speaks of his 
 grandfather as Mr. Samuel Churchill and merely mentions 
 himself as the oldest son of Joseph (Churchill. I find it much 
 easier to get complete records of families that existed between 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 1 boo and 1800 than during the last century. In olden times 
 a complete record was kept by the town clerk of all the noted 
 families; but in these latter days too many of us go on the 
 principle of the man that prayed: "Oh. Lord, bless me and 
 my wife, my son John and his wife, us four and no more. 
 Amen." I have found it hard work to interest some of my 
 near relatives enough to get their family record. I cannot 
 say that this is a commendable spirit, and I am very happy 
 to say that it does not exist to any extent in the Churchill 
 blood. I consider the portraits in this book of great value. 
 Some of us may think that we are not good looking enough 
 to have our picture in a book, but that is not the principle. 
 How much we would prize this little book if it contained the 
 portraits of our ancestors back in 1600 and 1700. I would 
 give more than I have to spare if 1 had the picture of my 
 father, born in 1800. Then consider how valuable our por- 
 traits will be to our posterity in the centuries to come. We 
 should look more to the future and get out of that miserable, 
 selfish rut, that is looking for a mere existence of "me and 
 my wife" for a day. Great care has been taken in the com- 
 pilation of this book and every opportunity possible has been 
 given to those represented to insure correctness in what has 
 been written; and I flatter myself that there are very few 
 errors of consecjuence. It tells of some, commencing life in 
 poverty, who by industry and economy have accumulated 
 wealth and honor. It tells how others, with limited advant- 
 ages of securing an education, have worked their way up and 
 have become learned n:en and women. It tells of those in 
 every walk of life who have striven to succeed, and records 
 how success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells, 
 also, of many who, not seeking the applause of the world, 
 have pursued '-the even tenor of their way," content to have 
 it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a 
 
PREFACE. 7 
 
 deed of mercy, "They have done what they could." It tells 
 of some who, in the pride and strength of young manhood, at 
 their country's call, went forth valiantly '-to do or die," to 
 preserve the Union. In the life of every man and every 
 woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who 
 follow after us. In reference to the closing lecture, I will say, 
 we are all on the "voyage of life." Some have nearly finished 
 their course; have been guided by the " light-house of Jesus," 
 and are looking forward to a triumphant entrance to eternal 
 life. Some have just started, and, perhaps, think they have a 
 long voyage before them, but "we know not when the Son of 
 Man cometh," we have not the assurance of a moment of time, 
 and the only safe way is to look to Jesus for light to guide our 
 frail bark continually. In the Niagara river, above the falls, 
 there is an under current not perceptible on the surface of the 
 stream which no human power can withstand, and so it is in 
 the "voyage of life" if we trust in our own strength, before 
 we know it we are in the rapids and human help can not avail. 
 Let us keep in the way, neither turn to the right nor the left, 
 pressing onward and upward, taking the word of God for our 
 chart and compass, sailing in the light of Jesus, and we will 
 have a successful voyage. 
 
 Yours in love, 
 
 Samuel Joseph Churchill. 
 
The Origin of the Churchill Family. 
 
 In the New England Genealogical Register, Volume 2, 
 page 36, is the roll of Battle Abbey, so-called because the 
 lists of names of the Normans who came from France to 
 England, at the time of the Conquest in 1066, were hung up 
 in Battle Abbey. In this roll is the name F. de Courcy, and 
 a note says that he is claimed as the ancestor of the Churchills, 
 who, according to the Leliard, were of the best blood of 
 France, and renowned long before the Norman Conquest. 
 
 John, son of Sir Winston Churchill, was one of the ablest 
 generals England ever had. and attained liis greatest honors 
 as Duke of Marlborough. The extract above is also quoted 
 by Hinman in the account of the descendents of Josiah 
 Churchill We see the same name, •■ Winston S Churchill," 
 as a noted reporter in the late Boer war, who has just made 
 his first speech at Westminister. 
 
 Dealing with Mr. Churchill's maiden speech, Mr. Dillion 
 paid it a generous tribute: "One might have thought," he 
 said, "that it was Lord Randolph talking. Mr. Churchill 
 scored a great success. He is worthy of his American 
 mother." 
 
 There are three branches of the Churchills in America. 
 The first or Plymouth branch descended from John of 
 Plymouth; second, the Connecticut branch, descendents of 
 Josiaii of Wethersfield, Connecticut; and third, the Manhattan 
 branch descended from William of Manhattan. There is a 
 Churchill coat of arms in Burke's Peerage and Baronetage. 
 
 I am a descendent from the Connecticut branch, or from 
 Josiah Churchill of Wethersfield, Connecticut, whom we will 
 
lO THK CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 call the first generation. In comparing dates and incidents of 
 record, I conclude that Josiah was born in 1615, and emigrated 
 from England to Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1635. In 1638 
 he married Elizabeth Foot, daughter of Nathan Foot, who 
 came to Wethersfield in 1635. The following is from Hin- 
 man's Puritan Settlers of Connecticut, page 590: 
 
 ■'Josiah Churchill drew eighteen acres in the land division 
 in Wethersfield in 1680. He was a juror from Wethersfield 
 at the particular court in June, 1643, and in June, 1649, and 
 held other responsible places of trust in the town. He was a 
 gentleman of more than medium estate for the time in which 
 he lived, and of re})utation in the colony."' 
 
 The children of ]osiah and Elizabeth, all born in Wethers- 
 field, were: 1, Mary, b. March 24, 1639; 2. Elizabeth, b. May 
 15. 1642; 3, Hannah, b. November i. 1644; 4. Ann. b. 1647; 
 5. Joseph, b. December 2, 1649, (he is the second generation 
 in line): 6. Benjamin, b. May 16. 1652, (he was a lieutenant); 
 7. Sarah, b. November 11. 1657. All of Josiah's children 
 were living in 1683 when his will was made, excepting Han- 
 nah, whose name is not mentioned in the will. Josiah died 
 January i, 1686, and his wife died September 8, 1700, aged 
 84 years. Josiah's will was dated November 17, 1683. 
 
 An inventory of his estate was taken by James Treat and 
 John Buttolph, selectmen of the town of Wethersfield, Con- 
 necticut. January 5, 1686. It was valued at 618 pounds 12 
 shiflings and six pence. The will was probated March 5. 
 1686-7. Some authors spell his name Josias. but I have a 
 copy of his will, a tracing of his signature as he signed the 
 will, which is Josiah. and I consider this authoritative. I 
 will copy that part of the will that refers to his son Joseph, 
 (the second generation): 
 
 "I give unto my son, Joseph, that house & horn lot he 
 now lives on, w'h all other buildings thereon, & one Lott in 
 
THE CHURCHILL KAMILV IN AMERICA. II 
 
 the little west field, containing ten acres, & another Lott in 
 
 sd west field containing six acres. Item: I give unto my son 
 
 Joseph my fifty acre Lott at ye west end of Wethersfield 
 
 bounds. These parcels of Land I give unto my son Joseph 
 
 and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. I doe 
 
 give unto my son Joseph after the decease of my dear wife 
 
 Elizabeth & to his heirs forever of his own body lawfully 
 
 begotton, five acres in the great swamp & two acres of 
 
 meadow lying towards the lower end of sd meadow, & half my 
 
 five acre lott, be it more or less, at the upper end of the great 
 
 meadow." 
 
 Second Generation in Line. 
 
 Joseph, born December 2, 1649, in Wethersfield, Connec- 
 ticut, married Mary Toucey May 13. 1674, They had nine 
 children, all born in Wethersfield. i, Alary, b. April 6, 1675; 
 2, Nathaniel, b. July g, 1677; 3, Elizabeth, b. in 1679; 4, 
 Dinah, b. in 1680; 5, Samuel (the third generation), b. in 
 1688; 6, Joseph, b. in i6go; 7 and 8, David and Jonathan, b. 
 in 1692; 9, Hannah, b. in i6g6. Joseph's will was dated 
 April I, 1699, which he made on his death-bed. He died the 
 same date. His estate was appraised at 461 pounds. 
 
 Third Generation in Line. 
 
 Samuel (an ensign), born in 1688, and married June 26, 
 1717, Martha Boardman. daughter of Daniel and Hannah 
 (Wright) Boardman. She was born December 19, 1695. 
 They resided at the south end of Newington parish (then a 
 part of Wethersfield ), on land inherited from his grandfather, 
 Josiqh. Ensign Samuel was a leading man in the parish. 
 He was of the first foot company on alarm in 1757 to go to the 
 relief of Fort Edward from Sheffield, Massachusetts. They had 
 six children, all born in Newington parish, i, Giles, b. June 
 II, 1718; 2, Samuel, b. April 27, 1721, (he is the fourth gen- 
 eration); 3, Charles (a captain), b. December 31, 1723; 4, 
 
12 THE CONNF.CTlCUr BRANCH OF 
 
 Jesse (a deacon), b. August 31, 1726; 5, Benjamin, b. April 
 10, 1729; 6, William, b. November 6, 1732. The father died 
 July 21, 1767. His wife died December 14. 1780. Their 
 tombstones still exist in Newington graveyard. 
 
 Fourth Oeneratin ino Line. 
 
 Samuel, born April 27. 1721, in Newington parish, Connec- 
 ticut. He married Thankful Hewitt, and settled in Sheffield, 
 Massachusetts. They had ten children. i. Marthy, b. Jan- 
 uary 14, 1747; 2, Joseph, b. February 28, 1749, (he is the 
 fifth generation); 3, LjTdia, b. May 22, 1751: 4, Louis, b. 
 May 30. 1753: 5. Thankful, b. March 7, 1755; 6. Samuel, b. 
 May 20, 1756; 7, John, b. March 21, 1758; 8, Silas, b. Janu- 
 ary 12, 1760; 9, William, b. February 10, 1763; 10, Ezekiel, 
 b. June 27, 1765. All born in Sheffield, Massachusetts. 
 
 Wishing to settle his children around him he traded his 
 farm in Sheffield, estimated at $3,000, and took a deed to 
 3,000 acres of land in the town of Hubbardton. Rutland 
 county. Vermont. He located his land, which was nearly all 
 timber, cleared a place and built a log house, and in the 
 spring of 1775 moved his family and considered himself set- 
 tled for life. 
 
 On July 6, 1777, General St. Clair evacuated Ticonderoga. 
 On the same day a party of Indians and Tories, painted like 
 Indians, commanded by a Captain Sherwood, came into the 
 town and made a number of prisoners. General St. Clair 
 passed through the town the same day and left Colonels War- 
 ren Francis and Hale with their regiments as a rear guard. 
 They encamped on the farm owned by John Sellick, a little 
 north of where the Baptist church now stands. On the morn- 
 ing of the 7th of July, Colonel Warren sent a detachment of 
 soldiers to warn Samuel Churchill, who was north of his 
 encampment, of his danger and to assist them to escape. 
 They immediately started. The women and children were 
 
IHE CHL'RCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. I3 
 
 mounted on three horses and the men on foot. They had got 
 but a little way when the battle commenced. They all pushed 
 on as fast as possible until they were among the slaughtering 
 balls, and two horses were wounded. Mrs. Churchill, when 
 she saw her horse was wounded, jumped from his back, 
 exclaiming, "I wish I had a gun; I would give them what 
 they deserve." They all retreated back to their house except 
 John and Silas Churchill, who had their guns and entered 
 into the battle and fought bravely. Silas was taken prisoner, 
 but John made his escape and went back to the house, where 
 they were all surprised and taken prisoners by Captain Sher- 
 wood and his party, who, after plundering the house of all 
 the provisions he could find, most of the clothing and every 
 thing else he could use, the barbarous wretch ordered the 
 women and children to leave it or he would burn the whole 
 together; at any rate the house should be burnt. One of the 
 young women, taking her bed in her arms with a heavy heart, 
 proceeded to the door, then let it fall, saying: ''You have 
 taken all our provisions, all our men prisoners, and now how 
 can you be so cruel as to burn our house?" Saying this she 
 fainted and fell to the fioor. This, with the cries and entreat- 
 ies of the others so softened his savage heart that he left them 
 their shelter. 
 
 Samuel Churchill, the head of the family, was taken some 
 distance from the house into the woods by the Indians and 
 tied to a tree, and dry brush piled up around him, they often 
 saying to him: '-Tell us where your flour is, you old rebel," 
 Sherwood suspecting that he had some concealed which they 
 had not yet found. After keeping him bound to the tree 
 three or four hours, questioning him about his flour, threat- 
 ening and taunting him, and he constantly asserting that he 
 had none; they had got it all, etc , and while in the act of set- 
 ting fire to the brush Sherwood came forward and ordered 
 
14 THE CONNECl'lCUr BRANCH OF 
 
 them to desist, being thoroughly convinced that he had none. 
 His cattle and hogs were killed, and such parts as they 
 could use were taken, and each one of them was ordered 
 to take as much as he could carry. They then took the father 
 and his two sons, John and Silas, with others, and marched 
 them off to Ticonderoga. The mother and her remaining 
 seven children being left destitute of provisions could not 
 remain there, so they, with what clothing was left them and 
 some blankets fixed off as well as they could, with two horses, 
 which had been secreted. Those that could not walk were 
 mounted on the two horses with what baggage they had. 
 Thus equipped, this disconsolate family started on the dreary 
 and wearisome journey through the wilderness, for the place 
 of their former residence in Sheffield, Massachusetts; but 
 instead of taking the most direct route, they took a round- 
 about way in order to avoid the enemy, crossing over the 
 Green mountains to Connecticut, and thence re-crossing 
 to Massachusetts, their old home, a distance, as they traveled, 
 of not less than 350 miles. Much of the way there was 
 scarcely any road and but few inhabitants. They were about 
 three weeks on the journey. Their progress was slow and 
 distressing, but the mother, being a resolute and perserving 
 character, led the expedition with much fortitude. The men, 
 who were prisoners at Ticonderoga, were set at work in 
 the day tinie, and at night confined in the cells. Samuel 
 Churchill and his neighbor. Hickok. were set at boating wood 
 across Lake Champlain. At first a number of British soldiers 
 would go with them as guards, but as they worked faithfully 
 and manifested no discontent, they were sent off with but one 
 soldier. Him they persuaded to go with them, and so fasten- 
 ing the boat on the eastern shore of the lake, they left for their 
 homes in Hubbardton, a distance of about fifteen miles. 
 Here they found nothing but desolation, carnage and putre- 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 15 
 
 faction. Not a live human being was found to gain any 
 intelligence from or condole with. In Hickok's house lay the 
 putrid body of a man. This they buried, and then proceeded 
 over the battle ground. Here they could discover nothing 
 but a mass of scattered fragments of putrid carcasses, cloth- 
 ing, firearms, and direful desolation. Proceeding on to 
 Churchill's house where he had left his family and all he held 
 most dear on earth, what a heart-sickening scene presented 
 itself. Nothing could they behold but death, desolation and 
 destruction. 
 
 Here, where a few weeks before was a happy family, all in 
 health and prosperity, now no living creature to be found. 
 There was the tree to which he had been bound, the brush 
 lying around and the fire-brand amongst it. They left these 
 dreary, heart-sickening scenes and proceeded on to Castletort 
 where Hickok found his family in health and safety. But 
 Churchill, not finding his family or gaining any intelligence 
 concerning them, wended his weary way on foot and alone to 
 the place from which he had formerly moved. Here, with a 
 grateful heart, he found his family, which had arrived some 
 days before, safe and in good health. His two boys remained 
 prisoners until October when they were retaken by Colonel 
 Brown. 
 
 In the fall Churchill moved his family to Castleton, ten 
 miles from his home, and with his boys went to his home and 
 saved some of his corn and potatoes, cut and laid up some 
 poor hay for his horses, and in the winter of 1778, moved his 
 family home in Hubbardton where they thereafter lived in 
 peace. He gave each of his children 100 acres of land, 
 nine of whom settled near him, and he, by strict economy, 
 prudence and industry obtained a competence. He died Jan- 
 uary. 1 80 1, at the advanced age of 80 years. His wife died 
 the following September, aged 80 years. 
 
1 6 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 Fifth Generation in Line. 
 
 Joseph Chut'chill, the oldest son of Samuel, was born in 
 Sheffield, Massachusetts, February 2M. 1749, and moved to 
 Hubbardton, \'ermont. in the winter of 1783. He married 
 Ame Stiles December 7. 1773. They had twelve children, as 
 follows: I. Amos. b. October i. 1774; 2, Worthy L. , b. May 
 13. 1776; 3. Levica, b. March 19, 1779; 4, Sylvia, b. August 
 24. 1781: 5. Cyrus, b. February 9. 1783; 6. Huldah, b. 
 November 12. 1785; 7, Charles, b. December 10. 1787; 8, 
 Roxana. b. No\ember 19. 1789: 9. Daniel, b. January 4. 1792; 
 10, Alvah. b. May 15. 1794; 11. Joseph, b. September 9, 
 1796; 12. Ame, b. October. 1798. The mother died Decem- 
 ber 9, 1836: age. 82. The children all li\ed to be men and 
 women. The youngest that died was 24 years old. His 
 fourth son was killed by the Indians December 31. 1813, at 
 Black Rock. 
 
 Joseph Churchill was much employed as agent by the set- 
 tlers in their land troubles. He served as justice of the peace 
 and as selectman many years. He was a very stout man and 
 a great mower in his prime. As an instance of his great 
 strength, he once carried two strong men up three steps 
 through a door, in spite of strenuous etforts at resistance. 
 His descendents were scattered over six different states, his 
 oldest son Amos onlv remaining in \'ermont. He died of a 
 cancer March 21. 1820: aged 72 years. 
 
 Sixth Generation in Line. 
 
 Amos Churchill, the oldest son of Joseph Churchill, was 
 born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, October i, 1774, and moved 
 to Hubbardton, Vermont, with his father in 1783. On Janu- 
 ary 20, 1799, he was married to Nabba Haven, who was born 
 May 23, 1776, and died September 2, 1842. They had five 
 children: 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILV IN AMERICA. 1 7 
 
 1. Louisa, born October 21, 1799, married Ebenezer 
 Cook, who died in the prime of life. She lived to see her 
 greac-grandchildren. They had two children: i, Aurilla, 
 who married Chancy Fay. They lived to an advanced age. 
 Now dead. 2, Elisha, who married Minerva Flag. They 
 had six children. She is living. He died October 17, 1887, 
 
 2. Samuel Sumner. (See seventh generation.) 
 
 3. Orrilla, born September 23, 1802. Died August 4, 1803. 
 
 4. Isaac Newton, born July 14, 1805, married Margaret 
 Ann Perry in 1832. They had two children. i, Milton P., 
 born March 15, 1833. He married Emma E. Cutts October 
 4, i860, who died soon after marriage. On October 17, 1864, 
 he married Abbie Perry. They now live in Fairhaven, Ver- 
 mont, having obtained a competence; they are resting from 
 labor in peace and quietude; they are members of the Baptist 
 church and take an active part in religious service. 2, Eliza, 
 born December 5, 1841, died April 20, 1858. She was a 
 beautiful Christian character — like a rose-bud just blooming, 
 was rudely plucked on earth to bloom in heaven. Isaac 
 Newton was a farmer and lived in Hubbardton until after the 
 death of his father and the settling of his father's large estate, 
 then sold his farm and bought a farm near Fairhaven, Ver- 
 mont, in New York state. He was a deacon in the Baptist 
 church, a faithful, earnest Christian, and gave liberally to the 
 benevolences of the church. He died January 14, 1892, at 
 the advanced age of 87. His wife died February 2, 1892. 
 
 5. A daughter, born July i, 1812. Lived only seven hours. 
 
 My grandfather, Amos Churchill, was a remarkable man in 
 many ways. In a book that he wrote and published in 1855, 
 (The History of Hubbardton) at the age of 81 years, in refer- 
 ence to himself, he says: "I had no chance at school until 
 the winter after I was 15, when I went to school ten weeks in 
 the back room of a log-house to a very ordinary teacher. I 
 
l8 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 never studied any book at school but the New England 
 Primer and Dillworth's spelling book; these I learned by 
 heart." 
 
 The articles he wrote were first published in the Rutland 
 Herald, and afterwards compiled in a book. I find the fol- 
 lowing from the editor: " Tlie writer of the articles in the 
 Herald, in reference to Hubbardton, is over 80 years of age, 
 yet his manuscript is handed to the printer without correction 
 or transcribing. It is a plain fair liand, and his articles are 
 read with interest. — Editor." 
 
 The thrilling experiences of Samuel Churcliill in 1777 I 
 have extracted from his writings. With no advantages, except 
 what he made for himself, he got his education by hard and 
 diligent study by the light of pine knots in the corner of tlie 
 fireplace in a log house. Very few of the educated men of 
 to-day could outshine him in prose or poetry. He was a very 
 strong man and a great worker. I have heard him tell how 
 he worked when clearing up the forests. He would not stop 
 chopping to eat his dinner, but would take a mouthful at a 
 time of his frozen dinner in between the blows of his axe. 
 He was the main pillar of the Baptist church, and gave liber- 
 ally to its support. He was instrumental in raising a large 
 monument on the Hubbardton battle ground, and on July 7, 
 1859, the anniversary of the battle, there was a very large 
 celebration held on the battle ground, the monument was 
 unveiled and I heard him make a speech. He told of the 340 
 worthy patriots who shed their blood and yielded up their 
 lives in defense of the liberties of this country upon this 
 battlefield. He was a great abolitionist in later years, and in 
 1855 wrote the following verses, which show what the "para- 
 mount issue" was before the civil war: 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. I9 
 
 THE OLD MAN ONCE MORE. 
 
 The old man once more being somewhat at leisure, 
 His friends would address in new style and new measure, 
 Being, as he supposes, the last he may offer, 
 In taking his leave some reflections may proffer. 
 
 I do not intend to be vers'd in instruction, 
 In laying down rules, or in giving directions 
 In Science, or Morals, or Faith, or Religion 
 At home or abroad, or in this or that region. 
 
 Nor am I at all in affairs of the Nation, 
 In Banks, or in Tariff, or in Annexation; 
 But this I believe, that the Slavery question 
 Is paramount far to all other suggestion. 
 
 All other things talked of whate'er we can mention. 
 This thing in our nation will be the contention. 
 Will always prevent any just legislation. 
 That can be a benefit to the whole nation. 
 
 We may blame each other and cast hard reflections, 
 And say 'tis by you and your party's directions. 
 That this or that evil has come on the nation. 
 Still Slavery and Freedom can have no relation. 
 
 It is not the Whigs, the Know-Nothings nor Locos, 
 That this thing will settle and bring to a focus; 
 But it is a stanch standing up firm for Freedom, 
 By all who are not slaves, and all who don't need 'em. 
 
 But here I will stop, and will not be aspiring 
 To dictate our Rulers, nor e'en be inquiring 
 In this or that matter, far out of my reaching, 
 And much less will I now attempt to be teaching. 
 
 I have my own duty at home to be doing. 
 
 And may I that duty be ever pursuing; 
 
 To God and His people I am a great debtor, 
 
 O, that I may serve Him more constant and better. 
 
 I quote from his book what he said of the girls and boys of 
 over 100 years ago: '•Then young women understood how to 
 spin and weave wool, flax, and tow. All their garments for 
 
20 THE CONNECTICUT BRANXH OF 
 
 common wear were manufactured by themselves from cloth 
 of their own spinning and weaving. Every young lady who 
 could procure it by her own labor had one calico dress. A 
 young lady in this town worked at spinning and weaving for 
 fifty cents a week to enable her to purchase a calico dress at 
 a dollar a yard. 
 
 "The boys of that period could chop down trees, clear 
 land, split rails, make fence, reap, mow, thrash, get out flax, 
 etc., and if a book fell into their hands it was carefully stud- 
 ied. Their progress in arithmetic was not measured by the 
 number of pages run over, but by the amount of practical 
 knowledge acquired." 
 
 About the year 1846 he married Chloe Smith, of Brandon, 
 Vermont, who was a faithful companion the remaining years 
 of his life, and outlived him but a short time. In his old age 
 he was very active, doing some outdoor work every day to the 
 day of his death, when he went to bed at night and closed 
 his eyes in sleep never more to awake. He died March 2, 
 1865, at the advanced age of 91 years. When I consider the 
 life and death of this righteous man I can but exclaim: " May 
 I die the death of the righteous, and may my last days be like 
 his," ripe in age. and faith, and full of good works. 
 
 Seventh Generation in Line. 
 
 Samuel Sumner Churchill was the oldest son of Amos 
 Churchill, born November 26, 1800, in Hubbardton, Vermont. 
 He had much better advantages than his father, and acquired 
 a fair education and was one of the foremost young men of 
 the town and a great favorite with the young people. On 
 March 22, 1820, he married Polly Richardson. Her father 
 and mother had six children. Her sister Clara married 
 Solomon Millington and raised a large family in Hubbardton, 
 Vermont. The children all went west. One son, Lanson, 
 was a soldier in the Mexican war and was killed. Azro D. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 2 1 
 
 was a merchant in Leavenworth, Kansas, St. Louis, Missouri, 
 and Fort Scott, Kansas. He finally settled in Winfield, 
 Kansas, and was editor for many years of the Winfield Cour- 
 ier, where he died at an advanced age. His widow and four 
 daughters are still living, Samuel was a Methodist Episcopal 
 preacher and presiding elder. He, too, has passed away, 
 leaving three boys, now in Kansas City, Missouri. Alvira 
 married a Manley. He died young, leaving a widow and one 
 child, Annette, who married Lundy, an old soldier, now living 
 in Winfield, Kansas. Mrs. Annette Lundy is department 
 treasurer of the Ladies of the Grand Army of Kansas. 
 
 My mother's brother, Jerry Richardson, settled near Buf- 
 falo, New York. He was married twice and raised sixteen 
 ohildren which were scattered over the western states. There 
 were some doctors and ministers among them. One, " D. A.," 
 gained national fame as the proprietor of the Detroit match 
 works, and the " D. A. Richardson matches " were known far 
 and near. He became very wealthy and lived to a good old age. 
 I regret that I am not better posted concerning my mother's 
 side of the family. I have written many letters of inquiry but 
 to no avail. I will now return to my father. 
 
 He bought a farm and settled in the town of Pittsford, 
 just east of the old homestead in Hubbardton. He added 
 many improvements in buildings to his home; was a pros- 
 perous and frugal farmer. He bought more land, until he 
 had about 400 acres. In the winter of 1838, one cold, stormy 
 night, his house burned down, and they were unable to save 
 but little of their household goods. Having then seven chil- 
 dren, from one year up to twelve years old, they had to wade 
 through the deep snow, about a half mile to the nearest neigh- 
 bor, his sister, Louisa Cook, with whom they staid until spring. 
 On the west part of his farm stood a large two-story house and 
 two frame barns, the first frame buildings that were built in 
 
22 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 Hubbardton, built by his grandfather, Samuel, the fourth 
 generation. To this place he moved in the spring and com- 
 menced again. He had a 
 large flock of sheep which 
 was very profitable in those 
 da}s, wool being fifty cents 
 a pound. He and mother, 
 all my sisters and brother 
 were members of the Bap- 
 tist church, were constant 
 attendants and all sang in 
 the choir. Father, for 
 many years was the leader 
 of the choir and Sunday 
 school superintendent. 
 Our house was the home of 
 all the traveling ministers 
 Mv .Mother. ^^^^^ came that way, and 
 
 the prayers at the family altar went up as a sweet incense 
 before the Lord and brought down blessings upon this happy 
 Christian family. "Whom He loveth He chasteneth." My 
 father was stricken with typhoid fever, and on January 23, 
 1845, he passed away to the better land, at the age of 44. 
 My mother was heart-broken, left as she was with eight 
 daughters and the baby boy. It was years before she could 
 become reconciled to the loss of her oldest son and husband, 
 so near together; and she never recovered her former vivacity, 
 but was a prematurely old woman. She was well provided 
 for with a good home and loving children, who were all the 
 joy she seemed to have in her lonely widowhood. She spent 
 much of her time with her children, making two trips to Illi- 
 nois. She was much broken down for her years and failed 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 23 
 
 rapidly in health, and on January 8, 1862, at the age of 59 
 she joined those that had gone before in that land where tears 
 and sorrow never come, at her home then in Sudbury, Ver- 
 mont. 
 
24 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT I'.RAXCH OF 
 
 The Descendents of Samuel S. and Polly 
 
 Churchill. 
 
 Eighth Generation in Line. 
 
 The Broii[;-liton Family. 
 
 1. Mary Churcliill was born 
 in Pittsford, Vermont, Decem- 
 ber 27, 1820. She received her 
 education at the home school 
 and at the seminary at Brandon, 
 Vermont, where she became 
 acquainted with and married 
 Chancy Washington Broughton, 
 t)f Brandon, Vermont, on May 
 2, 1843, at her home in Hub- 
 ardton, Vermont. He was 
 orn July 22, 1813. His father, 
 William, was born July 12, 1787, 
 at Ashby, Massachusetts, and 
 Mhs. MARv (■ j{Kor.;HT(jx. married Ruth Winters on Feb- 
 ruary II, 1810, at Ashburnham, Massachusetts. She was 
 born April 11, 1785-. They had three children: Phoebe, 
 Chancy W. , and John. John died when young. Phoebe 
 lived to be over 70 years old. 
 
 The father, William, died March 4, 1831. His widow 
 married Jeremiah Robbins October 2, 1831, and died in 1870. 
 Chancy W., at the age of 13 years, was bound out to his uncle 
 John Conont, of Brandon, Vermont, and lived with him until 
 he was of age, when he received $100 and two suits of clothes. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 25, 
 
 He learned the miller's trade and worked at that until after 
 he was married. Their first and only child, Charles Preston, 
 was born February 23,1 844, 
 at Brandon, Vermont. The 
 same year they moved to 
 Kaneville, Kane county, 
 Illinois, where he took up 
 a large tract of government 
 land. They were among 
 the first settlers of that 
 county. By hard work and 
 many deprivations they 
 succeeded well and accu- 
 mulated much property. 
 In April, 1854, he sold out 
 in Illinois and located in 
 Fayette, Fayette county, 
 Iowa, where he commenced 
 breaking the prairie and 
 making another home, but 
 preferring to live in Illinois , <-■ ^v. BuouiiHTON. 
 
 he sold out, and in 1855 located in DeKalb county, Illinois 
 where he lived the remaining years of his life. Here he 
 bought large tracts of land, built a large fine house and made 
 extensive improvements. 
 
 His son Preston, as he was always called, grew up to man- 
 hood. He had liberal advantages for education, and was an 
 important factor in the management of his father's large 
 estate. In February, 1866, he came to Lawrence, Kansas, 
 and worked for H. L. Enos by the month, until December, 
 when he bought 400 acres of wild land in Allen county, which 
 he improved. In June, 1871, at the urgent request of his 
 father, he rented his farm, and returned to the old home 
 in Illinois and superintended his father's farm for five years. 
 
26 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 On December 22, 1875, he married Etta Beers, the youngest 
 of seven cliildren of Charles and Mary A. Beers, of Sycamore, 
 
 Illinois. In the spring of 
 1S77, they located at Lee's 
 Summit, Missouri, and 
 engaged in farming and 
 succeeded so well that in 
 a few years he had bought 
 all the farms that joined the 
 home place, until he owned 
 820 acres in one body of 
 splendid land. He also 
 has two houses and lots in 
 Kansas City, Missouri. 
 He is a stockholder and 
 director in the bank of Lee's 
 Summit; his wife is also a 
 stockholder. In Masonry 
 he has attained the degrees 
 of Knight Templar and 
 Shriner. He is noted for 
 his integrity and strict business methods, also as a great 
 friend to the poor man, and his liberality in helping the poor. 
 His wife is a lady of high attainments, a leader in society 
 and a faithful, loving companion. Their only child, Chancy 
 Preston, born February 24, i8go, died June 6, 1890. 
 
 Now, in order to complete the Broughton family, I must 
 go back to Vermont after my sister, the eighth child of the 
 family, Caroline Cook, born March 23, 1838. At the age of 
 eight she came to Illinois to live with her sister Mary, where 
 she lived about eight years, then returned to Vermont and 
 taught school several terms, making her home with her sister 
 Sylvia. She was very bright and succeeded well as a teacher. 
 
 ('. r. RROrOHTON. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 27 
 
 In 1859 she was called to the bedside of her sister Mary, who 
 was stricken with consumption and died May 4, i860, in the 
 prime of life, after passing 
 through the struggles inci- 
 dent to a new country and 
 by hard and faithful work 
 had assisted in building a 
 beautiful home with abund- 
 ance all around her. The 
 summons came and she 
 was prepared to meet it. 
 She united with the Baptist 
 church when a girl and had 
 always lived a consistent 
 Christian life. Carrie, as 
 we called her, then took 
 charge of the Broughton 
 home until January, 1861, ^ 
 when she went to her sis- 
 ter's in Joliet, Illinois, 
 where, on January 30, 1861, 
 she married Chancy Washington Broughton, who had been 
 a father to her in her girlhood days, but now a loving and 
 devoted husband. There were born to them five children: 
 
 1, William A., b. February 18, 1863, died January 6, 1866; 
 
 2, Ella, b. January 26, 1865; 3, May, b. May 7, 1867; 4, 
 Judson K., b. April 18, 1869, died October 26, 1869; 5, Ben, 
 b. May 25, 1871; and now the saddest of all came the 
 death of Carrie, May 29, 1871, when her child was only two 
 day's old — a loving and devoted wife and mother in the prime 
 of life when her children needed her most and when life to 
 her seemed almost indispensible. But she was prepared to 
 cross the river, and now from the other shore she is lovingly 
 watching her dear ones and beckoning them to meet her. 
 
 Mus. Etta B. Huouuhton. 
 
28 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 At this trying time the father called his son Preston from 
 Kansas, who with his mature experience was able to take 
 
 charge of the large farm, 
 and with his tender heart 
 help care for the little 
 ones. Ella B. grew up and 
 developed into a splendid 
 woman. She had liberal 
 advantages for education. 
 She was the main stay at 
 home. She seemed to take 
 the place of her mother in 
 looking after the children 
 and household affairs. On 
 January 30, 1895, she mar- 
 ried John Woods, born 
 September 26, 1866, and 
 the oldest son of six chil- 
 dren of Isaac S. and Pluma 
 E. (Orvit) Woods, of De- 
 Kalb county. They located on a large farm near Waterman, 
 which they have improved by building a fine house with all 
 the modern appliances and other buildings to correspond. 
 To this union were born four children: i, Carrie May, b. 
 January 14, 1896; 2, Addie Mary, b. Feburary i, 1897; 3, 
 Ruth Ella, b. September 15, 1898, died January 10, 1899: 
 Aha Rose, b. October 8, 1899. Mr. Woods was a school 
 teacher of note; is a good farmer and a fine Christian gentle- 
 man. 
 
 May B. had liberal advantages for an education and made 
 the best of them. She was not as strong and healthy as her 
 sister in her younger days, but is very bright and vivacious. 
 On March 12, 1896, at the home of her aunt Lucinda, in 
 
 Mrs. (ARiiiH ('. Hrouchton. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 29 
 
 Joliet, Illinois, she married Jeddie J. Kingsley, born Novem- 
 ber I, i86g, the son of Henry and Mary (McDole") Kingsley 
 of DeKalb county. He has two sisters and one brother. 
 
 Mk. and Mrs. Woods .\nd Family. 
 
 Thev located near the city of DeKalb on a large farm, on 
 which they have made extensive improvements. They have 
 a beautiful home and are living very happily. Mr. Kings- 
 
30 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 ley is a business man, a good farmer and able to take the 
 heavy end of things. He is a genial gentleman of high 
 
 standing. 
 
 .Ml{. AND .Mlt>. IvINCSLEY. 
 
 Ben seemed to inherit the sturdy business qualities of 
 his father. He launched out in business for himself, at an 
 early age. He made the very best of all his advantages. 
 He was raised on the home farm and was a great help to his 
 father in his declining years. He first engaged in the hard- 
 ware business at Lake View, Iowa. On December 19, 1894, 
 at her home in Carlton, DeKalb county, Illinois, he married 
 Alice Belle Cleveland, born October 25, 1872, and the second 
 daughter of Frederick Morrell and Phoebe Ann ( Rawley) 
 Cleveland, parents of seven children, as follows: 1, Luman 
 Adelbert, b. November 27, 1868: 2, Mary Maybelle, b. August 
 27, 1870; 3, (see above); 4, Anna Coral, b. August 16, 1874; 
 5, Fred Elliott, b. September 20, 1878, 6, William Rawley, 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 31 
 
 b. April 4, 1883: Jessie Louise, b, October 9, 1892. They 
 all live now in Sac county, Iowa, and are prosperous farmers. 
 
 Mk. Ben Broughtox. 
 
 MUS. Al.ICK II. liiiOL'wHlVjX. 
 
 Ben is now located at Lake View, Iowa, on a 125-acre farm, 
 known as the Sunny Slope Stock Farm, and valued at ^100 
 an acre. He also has a 360-acre farm three miles out, 
 valued at $50 per acre. He is engaged in raising thorough- 
 bred cattle and hogs. He is a man of popularity and high 
 standing in the community, holding the positions of council- 
 man, township trustee, and master in the Masonic lodge. 
 His wife is an accomplished lady, popular in society and 
 queen of the home. They have one child, Lois Marie, born 
 February 22, 1897. 
 
 In March, 1875, Chancy W. Broughton married Isabellah 
 Beers, his third wife. They had two boys: i, Charles, b. 
 
32 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 June 1 8, 1877; 2, Chancy W. , b. September 18, 1879. In 
 closing the career of this good man, much might be said 
 
 of his life. He started a 
 poor boy and worked his 
 way up through many diffi- 
 culties. He never sought 
 notoriet}' or position. He 
 was noted, however, for 
 his sterling integrity and 
 kind heart. He owned 
 many mortgages on the 
 homes of his neighbors, 
 but he was never known to 
 
 oppress any one. 
 
 In his 
 
 Lois M. Brovchton. 
 
 sight, he died May 8, 1893. 
 over $100,000. 
 
 opulence he was plain and 
 unassuming. After a pro- 
 tracted illiness, in which 
 he nearly lost his eye- 
 His estate was valued at 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 33 
 
 The Franklin Ward Family. 
 
 2. Elizabeth Churchill was born in Pittsford, Vermont, 
 April 28, 1822. She received her education at the home 
 school and later at Brandon 
 Seminary, She had an ex- 
 cellent mind and was a natural 
 poet. She taught school 
 several terms, and in Decem- 
 ber, 1841, at her home, in 
 Hubbardton, married Frank- 
 lin Ward, of West Rutland, 
 Vermont, the son of Aaron 
 and Olive (S o u t h w o r t h ) 
 Ward, an old and honored 
 family of West Rutland. In 
 1845, soon after the death of 
 my father, Franklin Ward was 
 appointed administrator of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Wakd. 
 
 my father's estate and moved his family to the old home in 
 Hubbardton, and for five years managed the estate, making 
 a home for my younger sisters and mother. He then moved 
 to West Rutland and was for some time superintendent of 
 some marble quarries. In 1852 he moved to Fairhaven, Ver- 
 mont, where he owned a share in some slate quarries. In 
 1856 he sold out and bought a dairy farm in Orwell, Vermont, 
 where he spent the remaining years of his life. To this union 
 were born five children: i, Adalaide J., b. October 10, 1842. 
 She had fair advantages for an education, and was a good 
 scholar and made the very best of all the chance she had. 
 She taught school for several terms and was a dearly beloved 
 teacher, and a great comfort in the home, where, on Septem- 
 ber 4, 1866, she married Hiram Benjamin Scutt, from a 
 prominent family in Delhi, New York, where he received a 
 
34 
 
 THE CONNF.CTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 very liberal education. He also learned the carpenter's trade. 
 He was born in 1841. Before the war he came to DeKalb 
 
 county, Illinois, and taught 
 school and worked at his 
 trade. On August 6, 1861, he 
 enlisted in Battery G, Second 
 Illinois Light Artillery, and 
 served forty-nine months., 
 being honorably discharged 
 September 5, 1865. To write 
 his war record would be writ- 
 ing my own, for he was my 
 bunk mate. I met him the 
 day he came to camp. We 
 fell in love at sight and got 
 married, as army life goes, 
 Mb. Fhanklin Ward. ^nd we staid that way until 
 
 we were discharged. In sickness we watched over each other, 
 and on the long and weary marches we helped each other. 
 He was a splendid penman and was detailed as company 
 clerk, which relieved him of many of the hardships of army 
 life; but whenever a battle was on hand he was always at his 
 post of duty. On January i, 1864, we re-enlisted, or veter- 
 anized, which entitled us to a veteran furlough, this we took 
 in April, and on May 4 he was best man at my wedding, 
 where he met for the first time Adda J. Ward, who was 
 bridesmaid, and this was another case of love at first sight, 
 which terminated as above stated. He was in every battle 
 that I was in. His hearing was badly injured by being too 
 near the cannon in battle. He was a brave and gallant 
 soldier. In reference to the battles we fought together I will 
 refer the reader to my army record, found in family No. 10. 
 In 1866 he located at Joliet, Illinois. He built a nice home 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 35 
 
 and engaged in the manufacture of barb wire. He was a 
 great genius and inventor. He got out several patents on 
 barb wire and machines to 
 make it. He was very suc- 
 cessful as a business man 
 and accumulated a fortune 
 very rapidly. He made 
 two trips to Europe in the 
 furtherance of his business. 
 In about 1875 he built a 
 $40,000 residence and lived 
 in af^uence, then reverses 
 came, law suits on patents 
 and disreputable partners 
 in business caused him 
 great trouble and the loss 
 of much property. He 
 had spirited horses, and in 
 a runaway he was thrown Mrs. adda j. scutt. 
 
 very violently on some rocks and received severe injuries in 
 the head, from which he never recovered. He died July 30, 
 i88g. I attended the funeral and looked for the last time in 
 the face of him, who, for twenty-eight years, had been my 
 comrade and friend. His life had been so interwoven with 
 mine in army life and business that I felt that a part of myself 
 had gone. 
 
 They had two children: First, Frank W. Scutt, born May 
 29, 1866. He had great advantages for education and was 
 a very promising youth. While attending school in New 
 York he became acquainted with, and married at her home in 
 Long Island City, New York, Mary J. Payne, daughter of 
 A. G. Payne, a prominent lawyer and an old resident of Long 
 Island City. He came from a family of ministers and 
 
36 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 lawyers. Her mother, Martha (Brown) Payne, came from a 
 prominent family of Providence, Rhode Island. Frank W. 
 
 Scutt took his wife to 
 Joliet, Illinois, where he, 
 during his father's last 
 sickness, managed his fath- 
 er's business, which was 
 then the manufacture of 
 bicycles, 'which he contin- 
 ued some time after his 
 father's death. He finally 
 sold out, closed up the 
 business and then located 
 at Hollis, Long Island, 
 where he engaged in the 
 insurance and real estate 
 business. They now live in 
 -Mk. 11. 15. S( LTT. a beautiful, modern home. 
 
 His wife is a beautiful and accomplished lady, having always 
 had the best advantages in school and society. She is a 
 devoted wife and mother. Thev have two children: i, Har- 
 rold B., b. May ii, 1890; 2, Winifred, b. May 15, 1892. 
 These children are the eleventh generation mentioned in this 
 book and the fourth generation living; and I hope to live to 
 see their children, making five living generations. 
 
 The second child of H. B. and /\ddie Scutt was Grace 
 Adelia, born July 12, 1876, and died November 4, 1876. 
 After the death of Mr. Scutt his widow gave up the mansion 
 and built a two-story modern house for a home in Joliet, Illi- 
 nois, which she still owns and rents, making her home with 
 her son at Hollis, Long Island. Through all the changing 
 conditions of life she maintained a Christian fortitude which 
 is unexcelled. She is well provided for, and may her last 
 days be her happiest. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 37 
 
 The second child of the Ward family was Helen, born in 
 1843, and died in infancy; 3, Annett, born January 24, 
 1845. She had a remark- 
 able mind, and had she had 
 the opportunities she would 
 have made a mark in the 
 world. She made the best 
 of all her advantages and 
 commenced teaching vet}' 
 young. In 1868 she came 
 west to Lee's Summit, Mis- 
 souri, and taught school. 
 She was a very successful 
 teacher. May 28, 1870, at 
 the home of her aunt, Mrs. 
 Pearson, of Lee's Summit, 
 Missouri, she married Wm. 
 E. Thorp, born in 1833 in 
 Illinois, son of Joel and 
 Harriet (Stillson) Thorp, natives of Connecticut, and 
 moved to Illinois in an early day. They settled at Lee's 
 Summit, Missouri, where Mr. Thorp was engaged in the 
 grocery and dry goods business. She was a good musician 
 and gave lessons on the organ to a large class. She was 
 elected superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday 
 school and succeeded well. She was also organist of the 
 same church for several years. Mr. Thorp sold his store and 
 engaged in farming near Belton, Missouri, in the spring of 
 1873, and she taught school near Greenwood. The elements 
 were against him, and in 1875 they moved to Joliet, Illinois, 
 where he worked for his brother-in-law, H. B. Scutt, in the 
 barb wire mill. Here their first child, Benjamin Ward, was 
 born January 23, 1878. That spring they moved back to 
 Lee's Summit, Missouri, and rented a farm, where they lived 
 
 Mus. Annett W. Thorp. 
 
38 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OK 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ;W 
 
 '^^ 
 
 •**> 
 
 '_ 
 
 li^^^^^^KlBHSIfe.! 
 
 v^IJmSJ^pIIIIbh^^ 
 
 for four }ears and succeeded very well. Then they bought a 
 120 acre farm near Ocheltree, Kansas, where their second 
 
 boy, Joel Rex, was born 
 Jul\- 12, 1882. Mr. Tliorp 
 was very industrious and a 
 good farmer. They suc- 
 ceeded very well. He was 
 a class leader in the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal church and 
 stood high in the commu- 
 nity. 
 
 On October 12, 1894, 
 Annett died very suddenly 
 with paralysis of the brain 
 and nerves. It was a severe 
 shock to the family and 
 friends. Ben attended the 
 district school and grew up 
 on the farm, and on Janu- 
 ary 25, i8g8, he enlisted 
 in Company F, Twentieth United States Regulars at Fort 
 Leavenworth. When war was declared with Spain, he went 
 with his regiment to Cuba. Returning to Fort Leavenworth 
 in the fall of 1898 the regiment was ordered to Manila, where 
 he now is. I think he is a very good solder. 
 
 Joel Rex was a great comfort and solace to his father after 
 the death of his mother. He was a very promising youth 
 and has great mental capacity; and considering the advant- 
 ages he has had he is far above the average. He came to 
 Lawrence in 1896 and served an apprenticeship in the Fowler 
 shops of the Kansas State University under his cousin, Prof. 
 Ward, making splendid advancement. He is now getting 
 $^0 a month as an assistant to Prof. Ward. He is very trust- 
 worthy and competent. 
 
 Mk. W. E. Thokp. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 39 
 
 The fourth and fifth of the Ward family were Evaline and 
 Emaline, born July i6, 1853. They were beautiful children. 
 Einaline died in February, 1854. Evaline was a lovely girl 
 with her golden ringlets and sweet disposition. She was a 
 sunbeam in the home only a short time. She died December 
 17, 1866, following her mother, who died with consumption 
 June 15, 1859. A noble Christian woman had performed her 
 life work well and faithfully, and was prepared for that upper 
 and better life with the redeemed. 
 
 In the winter of i860 Franklin Ward married Betsy Miller, 
 the widow of John Miller, of Fairhaven, Vermont. She had 
 two children, Julia and Bert Miller. On August 2, 1862, was 
 born their first and only child, Estella A. Ward. She grew 
 up a beautiful and accomplished lady. She married Mervin 
 R. Hack, a banker of Ticonderoga, New York. She died 
 January 24, 1901. Franklin Ward died October 10, 1886, at 
 the age of 69. He had been a very strong, vigorous man in 
 his day, and had accumulated by hard and industrious work 
 a competence. He was especially noted for his honesty and 
 sterling character. He was buried in the Orwell cemetery 
 beside Elizabeth. 
 
 John Bower Preston Churchill. 
 
 3. My only brother, John Bower Preston, was born Febru- 
 ary 4, 1824, in Pittsford, Vermont. He grew up to manhood, 
 making the best of all the advantages he had. He was his 
 father's mainstay. He was a member of the Baptist church 
 and the leader of the church choir. He had a bright future 
 before him but he was stricken with the typhoid fever and 
 died December 25, 1844. This was a very heavy blow to his 
 father who had watched him night and day, from the effects 
 of which he took the same disease and died twenty-nine days 
 later. 
 
40 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 The Holmes Family. 
 
 4. Sylvia Churchill, born in Pittsford, Vermont, May 29, 
 1826. She was small, sprightly and very bright. She, with 
 
 the others, had liberal 
 advantages and made the 
 very best of them. At the 
 time of the death of father 
 and Preston, she being the 
 oldest at home, was the 
 mainstay. Father called 
 her to his bedside and re- 
 quested her to take charge 
 of the baby, and she has 
 always seemed more like a 
 mother to me than a sister. 
 She taught school, and on 
 October 25, 1874, at the 
 home in Hubbardton, mar- 
 ried Fayette Holmes, the 
 oldest son of Pliny and Vesty (Caldwell) Holmes, of Hub- 
 bardton, and grandson of Walter and Abigail (Bradford) 
 Holmes. She was a direct descendent of Governor Brad- 
 ford of the Plymouth colony. She lived at the father's home 
 until about 1850, when he bought a part of my father's estate, 
 moved in the old home and took charge of settling up the 
 estate. He moved a house from the east farm in Pittsford 
 (that had been built after the fire for a tenant house), down 
 near the old home, and fixed it up for a home for mother and 
 Roxy, my youngest sister. In 1858 he sold his farm in 
 Hubbardton to his brother, B. F. Holmes, and bought a 
 large farm in Sudbury, Vermont, where he built a large 
 house and also made a comfortable home for my mother 
 as long as she lived. Fayette had some aspirations in 
 
 ISIrs. Sylvia ('. Hoi.mks. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 41 
 
 Mr. Fayette Holmes. 
 
 politics, and represented the town of Hubbartdon, and later 
 the town of Sudbury in the state legislature. 
 
 They had four children that grew . «'-'-- 
 
 up to maturity and one that died in }\ 
 
 infancy. i, Julia Sylvia, born July ^ % '^ 
 
 10, 1849. She had good advantages C' 
 for education and improved them well. '- ; «, 
 
 She had a very sweet disposition and F | 
 
 was a great favorite in society. About t 
 
 the year 1870 she came west and 
 taught school several terms, making 
 her home with me at Lee's Summit, 
 Missouri. She was very successful as 
 a teacher. She returned to her home 
 in Sudbury, Vermont, where, on August 11, 1874, she married 
 Hiram Smith, who was a soldier in the civil war — private 
 Company E, Eleventh Vermont Volunteers — and lost a leg 
 and an arm at the battle of Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They 
 settled at Cameron, Missouri, where they built a nice home. 
 He was a lawyer and had a good practice. He was elected 
 district judge, I think, two terms. He was also elected in 
 1888 department commander of Missouri, Grand Army of the 
 Republic. He was appointed first assistant commissioner 
 of pensions under Commissioner Tanner, Washington, D. C, 
 serving eighteen months. He was a man of high standing in 
 church and in the community, and accumulated a large 
 property. 
 
 To this union were born two children: Sherman Edwin, b. 
 December 18, 1876, and Fayetta Lois, b. August 29, 1879. 
 They had excellent advantages for education. Sherman 
 graduated at the Cornell University in June, 1900, and now 
 has a good position at Cleveland, Ohio. Faye has a splendid 
 voice and has a great talent for music, which she is now 
 
42 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 developing. She is a very sweet, gentle girl and has a bright 
 future. She lives at Joliet, Illinois, and is the protege of her 
 
 Aunt Cora Holmes. Julia 
 had poor health, and in 
 spite of everything that 
 could be done for her pul- 
 monary consumption set in. 
 She was taken to her moth- 
 er's home in Denver, Colo- 
 rado, with the hope that 
 the change might help her, 
 but to no avail. She died 
 at Denver, Colorado, Oc- 
 tober 15, 1887, and was 
 buried at her home in Cam- 
 eron, Missouri. She had 
 those rare qualities of mind 
 and heart that distinguished 
 her far above the average. 
 She was a devoted Chris- 
 tian, wife and mother, and a great help to her husband in his 
 profession. 
 
 On October 7, 1888, Judge Smith married Miss Fanny F. 
 Rice at her home in Vermont. To this union were born 
 Shirley, March 5, 1890; Earnest R., July 3, 1891, and Phillip, 
 June 9, 1893. Judge Smith was born in Vermont April 11, 
 1845, and died of heart disease June 28, 1899, and was buried 
 at Cameron, Missouri, beside his first wife, Julia Holmes 
 Smith. 
 
 Second, Willard Clay, born November 8, 185 1, in Hub- 
 bardton, Vermont. He grew up and was his father's standby 
 on the farm. He had good advantages for schooling. In 
 1874 he married Hattie M. Amidon of Whiting, Vermont, 
 
 Mks. .JruA S. 
 
 MITH. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 43 
 
 daughter of a prominent family. In 1883 he moved to Rus- 
 sell, Kansas, and was engaged with his father in raising 
 sheep. He has always been 
 a great sheep man and is 
 still in that business, living 
 at Gibbon, Nebraska. His 
 wife is a lady of superior 
 mind and refinement, and 
 has raised their family 
 judiciously. They have 
 five children: One, Louie 
 Ruth, born September ig, 
 1875, in Sudbury, Vermont. 
 She was very bright, pretty 
 and a good scholar, and 
 graduatedat the highschool 
 at Gibbon, Nebraska; 
 taught school, and on Sep- Mrs. Carrie M. Smith. 
 
 tember 30, i8g6, married Ernest Peck. They have one 
 child, Grace Manrene, born August 23, 1897. Two, Robert 
 Willard, born June 10, 1877, in Sudbury, Vermont. He was 
 smart and active, and a great help to his father. When he 
 was about eight years old he would go on the prairie alone 
 with his dog and herd a large flock of sheep. On June 15, 
 1898, at Idaho Falls, Idaho, he married Wirtley Paine. 
 They have one child, Willard Lewis, born June 15, 1900. 
 Grace and Willard are of the eleventh generation mentioned in 
 this book. Three, Florence Sylvia, b. April 12, 1883, in Sud- 
 bury, Vermont; 4, Howard Royce, b. December 24, 1885, at 
 Russell, Kansas; 5, Cora L., b. January 9, 1891, at Gibbon, 
 Nebraska. They are smart children and are now receiving 
 their education. 
 
 The third child in the Holmes family was Carrie Mary, born 
 
44 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 October i6, 1853, at Hubbardton, Vermont. This dear girl 
 was born to trouble, which she bore with great patience and 
 
 Christian fortitude. She 
 was very lovable, of sweet 
 disposition and attractive. 
 When I think how much 
 she suffered with her lungs 
 and knee, (which was 
 broken), I wonder that she 
 lived as long as she did. 
 She came west with the 
 family and the high alti- 
 tude of western Kansas 
 seemed to h e 1 p her lung 
 trouble for a time. She 
 was married at Russell, 
 Kansas, on July 16, 1884, 
 to Albert Smith, son ot a 
 
 -Miss Cora E. Holmes. 
 
 prominent Smith family in Russell. In 1885 they moved to 
 Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in business and they 
 were prosperous and happy for several years, but the lung 
 trouble came back, and after a severe sickness that lasted 
 six months, she died August 12. 1894, at Denver, Colorado, 
 where she was buried. 
 
 Fourth, Cora Elizabeth, born November 14, i860, at Sud- 
 bury, Vermont. She was a bright scholar and had good 
 advantages. She came west with the family and lived some 
 time with her sister Julia at Cameron, Missouri, where she 
 taught a private school. It seems to me that her greatest 
 mission in life was to take care of her sisters, mother and 
 father through their frequent sickness for many years and 
 their last sickness and death. What could be more ennob- 
 ling and self-sacrificing than this? How well and lovingly 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 45 
 
 she administered to those dear ones in those trying times. 
 Her reward can not be too great, and I believe it will surely 
 come. Her natural adaptation and varied experiences in a 
 sick room has fitted her for a trained nurse, which avocation 
 she has followed for the past five years in Joliet, Illinois. 
 She is a lady of culture and high attainments in literature. 
 
 We now return to the father and mother in Sudbury, Ver- 
 mont. He was prosperous in his farming and raising fine 
 sheep for many years, but finally the crash came in sheep, 
 and reverses followed, and he lost his farm; but he did not 
 lose his courage. He sold his stock and in 1878 moved to 
 Joliet, Illinois, and started again in the sheep business. In 
 the spring of 1879 he moved to Russell, Kansas, and located 
 on a large sheep ranch. There he prospered again and accu- 
 mulated a large flock of fine sheep. In i8go he sold out and 
 moved his family to Denver, Colorado, where he spent the 
 remaining days of his life. He was much broken down in 
 health. His wife passed through very much sickness in 
 Vermont and Colorado with wonderful Christian fortitude. 
 Consumption preyed upon her from a young woman to her 
 death. Her last severe sickness lasted three years. She 
 died at Denver, Colorado, August 19, 1894, a faithful Chris- 
 tian and a loving, devoted wife and mother. Her husband 
 died September 19, 1896, and was buried beside his wife 
 and daughter Carrie, in the beautiful cemetery at Denver, 
 Colorado. 
 
46 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 The Charles E. Ward Family. 
 
 5. Louisa Churchill was born January 14, 1828, in Pitts- 
 ford, Vermont. She was a strong, resolute girl, with high 
 
 Mrs. Louisa O. Ward. 
 
 Mu. Charles E Ward. 
 
 aspirations. She devoted herself to acquiring an education. 
 At the age of sixteen she commenced teaching school and 
 supported herself. On April 25, 1848, at her home in Hub- 
 bardton slie married Charles E. Ward, of West Rutland, 
 Vermont, born March 3, 1824, the son of Deacon Luke and 
 Fanny Ward, an old and highly respected family. They first 
 settled in West Rutland, Vermont, and engaged in farming. 
 In April, 1852, they moved to DeKalb county, Illinois, and 
 located on new land. In November, 1854, he sold his farm 
 and bought a large planing mill and sash and door factory in 
 Joliet, Illinois, where he did a large business for twenty- 
 three years. In 1871 the mill was burned and rebuilt the 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 47 
 
 same year. He was a thorough, conscientious business man 
 and suGceeded well until the fire, which was a great loss to 
 him. In 1863 he built 
 a large, fine house on 
 the hill in the west part 
 of the city, where he 
 owned five acres of land, 
 much of it in small fruit. 
 He was elected a mem- 
 ber of the city council 
 two terms. He united 
 with the church at the 
 age of fifteen, and was 
 always a constant and 
 active member of the 
 church and Sunday 
 school. Prof. F. E. Ward. 
 
 To this union were born four children: One, Abbie 
 Churchill, born February 14, 1855. She had good advantages 
 for school and music. She was organist of the Sunday school 
 for some time and gave music lessons on the organ. She also 
 taught school several terms. On July 31, 1883, at her home 
 in Joliet, she married Ferdinand William Schroeder, born 
 February 14, 1855, and son of Frederick and Theresa 
 Elizabeth Schroeder, natives of Germany. They died at 
 Toledo, Ohio, the mother in 1873, the father in 1883. The 
 son was educated as a druggist, but left that business on 
 account of his health, and in 1875 engaged in the grocery 
 business, which he still continues, doing a large business. 
 He has also been largely interested in real estate, owning many 
 houses in Joliet. They have had si.K children: One, Charles 
 Ward, b. May 8, 1884; 2, Helen Theresa, b. June 6, 1886; 
 3, Pearl Ferdinand, b. May 10, 1888; 4, Raymond Churchill, 
 
48 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 ^^r^5{''^':''T!SS!8»<ir^ ^ 
 
 b. July 6, 1889; 5, Glen Wilson, b. October 11, 1891; 6, 
 Lloyd, b. February 7, i8g8, died May 6, 1900. They are 
 
 very bright children and are 
 being well raised and edu- 
 cated. This interesting 
 family has a beautiful, 
 modern home among the 
 hills in the west part of 
 the city of Joliet. They 
 are members of the Pres- 
 byterian church and active 
 in church and Sunday 
 school work. 
 
 Second, Cora Louisa, 
 born Januar\' ig, i860. 
 Her advantages for an ed- 
 ucation were good and she 
 improved them well. She 
 taught school several terms 
 and succeeded well as a teacher. She is a lady of culture 
 and refinement. On September 6, 18S2, at her home in 
 Joliet, Illinois, she married Joseph Handwerk, of Joliet, born 
 December 8, 1854. He is a hardware merchant and is doing 
 an extensive business, both wholesale and retail. They have 
 a lovely home on the west side of the city. Her health has 
 been very poor for several years. She is a member of the 
 Presbyterian church and has always been an active worker 
 when her health would admit. 
 
 Third, Frank Emerson, born April 8, 1866. He attended 
 the city schools until about the age of fifteen, when he com- 
 menced work in the machine shops at Joliet, Illinois, thor- 
 oughly mastering the trade and becoming foreman at the age 
 of nineteen. He attended the Normal school at Valparaiso, 
 
 Mrs Ai.h k >. \\ akd. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FANULV IN' AMERICA. 
 
 49 
 
 Indiana, for two years, and on April 17. 1899, at her home in 
 Joliet, he married Alice Sandiford, born June 2, 1864, i 
 
 
 The Children of Thofessor and ]Mrs. Ward. 
 Manchester, England, the daughter of Mark and Dorothy 
 (Isherwood) Sandiford, who came to Joliet, Illinois, about 
 1867, where they now live. On October 8, 1899, they moved 
 to Lawrence, Kansas, where Mr. Ward accepted the position 
 of superintendent of the machine shops at the Kansas State 
 University. He bought a nice home at 1334 Kentucky street, 
 which he has improved. To this union were born three chil- 
 dren: I, Charles Emerson, b. November 11, 1891; 2, Dorothy 
 Sandiford, b. February 6, 1893; 3, Winifred Emily, b. Apri} 
 7, i8g8. They are exceptionally bright and are receiving the 
 best of training. Mrs. Ward is a true, devoted wife and 
 mother. She was educated in Joliet, Illinois, and is a lady 
 of refinement and culture. Professor Ward has worked his 
 way up until he now holds a very enviable place in the hearts 
 and minds of all the faculty of the University. He is not 
 only a master of his profession but his business qualities are 
 
50 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 of great value to the state. He has been promoted from time 
 to time until he is now superintendent of the Fowler shops 
 
 and professor of mechan- 
 ical methods and practice. 
 Professor and Mrs. Ward 
 are members of the Con- 
 gregational church and 
 Sunda}' school. They are 
 active and devoted Chris- 
 tians. The professor also 
 has the title of deacon. 
 
 Fourth, Ralph Rollo, 
 born June 12, 1870. He 
 commenced his education 
 in the city schools, going 
 through all the grades. In 
 |anuar\-, 1887, he entered 
 Park College at Parkville, 
 Missouri, and graduated 
 June 8, ibg3, working his 
 wa}' through with some help from his mother. In Septem- 
 ber, 1893, he entered the McCormick Theological Seminary 
 of Chicago, Illinois. During his vacations he preached in 
 western Kansas, where he became acquainted with, and on 
 December 24, 1895, at Syracuse, Kansas, married Alma 
 Kodgers, born January i, 1875, in Cass county, Missouri, 
 daughter of S. H. and A'largaretta (Sanderson) Rodgers, 
 natives of Athens, Ohio. He graduated May 7, i8g6. He 
 was ordained by the Presbytery of Fort Wayne at Albion, 
 Indiana, June 2, i8g6. He was pastor of the Presbyterian 
 church at Albion, Indiana, until June, 1898, when he received 
 a call to McPherson, Kansas, and, wishing to come west, he 
 accepted the call. Here the Lord greatly blessed his labors; 
 
 Hex. 1;. U. WAiii 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 51 
 
 the cliurch was greatly revived and built up spiritually. It 
 soon became apparent that he was destined for larger fields. 
 He received a call to Ar- 
 kansas City, Kansas, and, 
 although against the unan- 
 imous wish of his church, 
 he felt that he could not 
 afford to miss the oppor- 
 tunity of laboring in a 
 larger field, and in Febru 
 ary, 1900, he accepted ihc 
 call and moved to Arkansas 
 Cit\-, Kansas, where he 
 now is; and is meeting 
 with great seccess in the 
 deepening of spiritual life 
 in the church and bringing 
 souls to Christ. The two 
 moves that he has made 
 since May, 1896, when he 
 started as a regular pastor at Albion, Indiana, have been 
 deserved promotions. His record is one that all his friends 
 are proud of, and we bespeak for him in his future work great 
 success, which consecrated work, superior ability and educa- 
 tion is bound to achieve. His wife is a very estimable lady 
 of refinement and education. She is a great help to him in 
 his good work. 
 
 The father, on account of failing health and hard tin:es, 
 was not able to withstand the terrible loss occasioned by fire. 
 He had many warm friends that stood b\ him to the last. 
 He died September 4. i<S77. The mother, heart-broken l)ut 
 not discouraged, continued the business for four months. 
 In settling up the estate there was little left to her. She 
 
 Mrs. Ai.-Ma \i. W aud. 
 
52 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT HRANCH OF 
 
 gave up the beautiful home and bought a smaller, but very 
 pleasaut home, and turned her attention to the education 
 of her boys, the oldest being only nine years. Her superior 
 management, great faith and sacrifice has resulted in what 
 has been related in reference to her boys; and now at her 
 advanced age she rests in peace and plenty, looking back 
 over a well-spent life in the service of her blessed Master and 
 the betterment of mankind. For many years she was super- 
 intendent of the infant department in the Sunda\' school of 
 the First Presbyterian church of foliet. Illinois. She now 
 makes her home witli her daughter Abbde, spending much of 
 her time with the other children and making herself ust-fid 
 wherever she is. 
 
THK CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 The Knapp Family. 
 
 53 
 
 7. Alzina Maria Churchill. l)orn Janiiar}' 20, 1830, in 
 Pittsford, \'ermont. At an early a<i;e she developed a very 
 
 Tin; ix'.NAiM' Kamii.y. 
 
 superior niind and intellect, and it soon became apparent 
 that she was a chosen vessel of the Lord and consecrated to 
 his service. She was a teacher of very rare ability and suc- 
 cess. While attending- school at Castleton Seminary she met 
 with a very severe accident from falling on the ice and frac- 
 turing her skull, and she had to rest from study for several 
 months. This was a school of patience and endurance to 
 her and helped to bring out those liner qualities so necessary 
 to success in her after life. She was employed as governess 
 
54 I'HE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 of tlie seminary at Castleton, Vermont, where she became 
 acquainted with and married George Gushing Knapp, born 
 October 30, 1S23, at Lyndon, Vermont. He was the eighth 
 generation from William Knapp, the emigrant, who came to 
 this country in 1630, and settled in Watertown, Massachu- 
 setts. He is supposed to have come from the county of 
 Suffolk in England, where now resides a Rev. Mr. Knapp, 
 vicar of Evesham. He lives in a charming old house (the 
 vicarage) several hundred years old. 
 
 His grandfather James was born May 26. 1767, in Peter- 
 sham, Massachusetts, and married Louis Stearns November 
 
 26, 1787. She was born x\ugust 4, 1766, died February 11, 
 1841. They had six sons and four daughters. They removed 
 to Danville, Vermont, in 1807, and to Lyndon, Vermont, in 
 1817, where he died November 6, 1839. 
 
 His father, John, was born December 5, 1797, at Lyndon, 
 Vermont, and married Sally Gushing January i, 1823, who 
 died December 28, the same year, leaving a baby, George 
 Gushing, our subject. The second marriage was to Gynthia 
 W. Hubbard on January 10, 1825. She was a most estimable 
 woman and was a real mother to the little motherless babe. 
 From this union were born Gharles Mason, July 14, 1827, died 
 December 15, 1862; Horace Garter, May 11, 1829, died May 
 
 27, 1899; Sally Paulina, January 24, 1833, married John G. 
 Hunt; Elizabeth P., May 4, 1878, married Jesse B. Losey, 
 died December 28, 1898; John, the father, died March 30, 
 1865; and now I introduce the reader to Mrs. Knapp, who 
 has written a sketch of her life in Turkey, which appears in 
 her own words: 
 
 MRS. KNAPP'S SKETCH. 
 
 We were married September 6, 1855, in the Congregational church in 
 Castleton, Vermont, by Dr. Child. My husband, George C. Knapp, from 
 Ben.son, Vermont, graduated from the Theological Seminary at Andover, Ver- 
 mont. He prepared for college at Burr Seminary, Vermont, and took his 
 
THE CHURCHILL KAMILV IN AMERICA. 55 
 
 college course at Middlebury, Vermont. He was under appointment for the 
 American Board of Foreign Missions at the time of our marriage, and was 
 ordained the next day after at Rutland, Vermont. 
 
 We visited his friends and relatives in Lindon, Vermont, which was his 
 native place, and they, also my friends in Castleton, generously helped 
 us in our outfit We started on our mission the early part of October 
 Rev. O. P. Allen and wife, Rev. Mr. Aiken and wife and Dr. Haskell accom- 
 panied us as far as Smyrna. We went in the Georgiana, a small sail- 
 ing vessel. We encountered a great storm the second day out when the 
 second-mate was washed overboard and drowned. We had another severe 
 storm among the islands, and our captain become so drunk that the mission- 
 aries had to take the chart and compass and steer the vessel though the 
 archipelago in the bay of Smyrna, where we arrived the last of November. 
 We were welcomed and cared for by missionaries residing there. Oh how 
 hungry we were! How good everything tasted, and it seemed as though 
 we could not get enough of the black native bread to eat. How strange 
 everything seemed The dress of the people, their language, their man- 
 ners—everything was so different that I was surprised to hear a dog bark 
 or a rooster crow as I had been accustomed to at home. We spent three 
 months in Smyrna, studying the language of the people for whom we were 
 to labor. Our destination was Diarbekir, in eastern Turkey. As soon as 
 spring opened, so that we could travel in the interior, we started for our 
 future home We went in a steamboat to Alexandretta, and from thence on 
 horseback, arriving in Diarbekir the first of April. This is a large walled 
 city of 70,000 inhabitants, situated on the Tigris river on a broad plain and 
 very hot in summer. I began very soon to hold meetings with the women, 
 but with my imperfect language my talks were very simple. I also em- 
 ployed a boy who could read well to go around to the houses with me and 
 teach the women to read. In this way I learned the language so I could 
 understand the people very soon. But, accustomed as we both were to 
 Vermont climate, we could not endure the climate of Diarbekir; and by 
 the time we had been there two years the fever and ague had reduced us 
 much. In the spring of 1858, we, with our associates. Rev. and Mrs. 
 Walker and Dr. and Mrs. Nutting, sailed down the Tigris on a raft made of 
 skins filled with air to attend the annual meeting of the mission. While 
 there we were advi.sed to seek a higher elevation for the summer with a view 
 of improving our health. We had heard of the city of Bitles, up among the 
 mountains, but no missionary had ever visited the place. 
 
 It was decided to spend the summer there. Accordingly, the 2Sth of May, 
 
56 THE CONNEClICUr BRANCH OF 
 
 1858, found us wending our way through the irregular, narrow streets on 
 horseback in the city of Bitles What curosities we were! They had ne^er 
 seen an European, and they wondered what we were A crowd followed us, 
 and we only escaped from violence by the word " Englase " (English) being 
 whispered, as at that time the English were helping the Turks against the 
 Russians. We had sent a man ahead to secure a house for us, and we were 
 very glad to get into it and lock the doors to keep the crowd from pressing 
 upon us. They sta\ed around on the flat roofs of the adjoining houses for 
 two or three days trying to get a sight of us. Finally they left us free as we 
 thought to get out in the open air a little. We started out on horseback 
 toward the mountains but they followed us and wondered where we were 
 going — perhaps to the mountains to tind their gold — perhaps to sacrifice 
 their children to our gods. And because Mr Knapp performed the usual 
 courtesies to me they said he must be a woman worshiper. They came out 
 of curosity to see us a great deal the first few months, especially the women, 
 and they soon learned that we would not harm them, but often in their sick- 
 ness we could do them good. [ remember once a woman came to me, pale 
 and emaciated, and wanted our medicine I gave her a little peppermint 
 Such washer faith that she forgot her fear and recovered. Then she told 
 all around what wonderful doctors we were, etc. So little by little we 
 gained their confidence and an influence o\er them 
 
 Bitles is a rough, straggling city, up hill and down; and although having 
 30,000 inhabitants they are scattered, and distances are great. For this 
 reason I could not \isit many at their houses regularly, so I employed a boy 
 to go around and teach the women and girls to read. 1 do not think there 
 was a female in the city when we went that knew anything about reading, 
 and very few of the male se.\. I could gather the girls and children living 
 near into ni\- room and teach them, and in that way many learned to read; 
 and the missionary established schools for boys, but the ecclesiastics of the 
 old Ciregorian church did not like it, and they were persecuted. We were 
 working for the Armenians and not the Turks who are Mohammedans. 
 They broke up our schools and threatened our native teachers. They 
 ostracized all who came to us. and the people were so ignorant and super- 
 stitious that it frightened them very much and they came to us secretly. 
 Some of our best friends would come thus to us and advise us to go away 
 before we suffered any more, for they said no one will ever embrace your 
 religion. Mr. Knapp would answer, "Well, we will wait on the Lord." 
 
 I omitted to say in the right place that the climate of Bitles agreed with 
 us so well and there was so much need of missionarv work there that we 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILS" IN AMERICA. 57 
 
 proposed to our mission to remo\e us there permanently, which they did. 
 After two years the board sent out Rev. L T. Burbank and wife as our 
 associates in the missionary work. We laad been in Bitles four and a half 
 years when our first born, a boy three years old, died. Only one of our 
 native friends dared to come near us to offer sympathy. This was a young 
 man who came by night. He knelt and kissed the lifeless form and offered 
 consolation that was very grateful to us. The next year, when our second 
 child left us — a little girl — there was a goodly number of young men to 
 stand around the grave and sing with us in the Armenian language, "There 
 is a happy land not far away." Soon after this the missionaries were able 
 to get a class of young men to teach, with a view of their becoming preachers 
 and teachers. After they had studied a while they began to think that 
 some time they must have wives, and where should they get them. How 
 could they marry the ignorant girls of the city that did not even know how 
 to read. They needed companions and helpmates. The mothers were very 
 anxious that their girls marry. Indeed it was considered a sin and a shame 
 if they did not, and the younger they married the better; but they wereverv 
 much opposed to their learning to read. These young men who were study- 
 ing, knowing all these things, talked among themselves and agreed to marry 
 each other's sisters if they could persuade the mothers to allow them to 
 come to school and be educated. We had beaten every bush in our efforts 
 to get a boarding school started for the large girls without success, but the 
 students' plan worked, as no other line of approach would have availed 
 with the mothers, and the boarding school for girls was started. 
 
 Not long after this we had a precious revival — many were taught of the 
 Spirit and learned what true Christianity was. It seemed to influence the 
 whole city, and how we did rejoice and yet how it humbled us. We reall>- 
 felt now that the Lord was taking the work into His own hand and by Ilis 
 Spirit was teaching the people more in a short time than we had been able 
 to teach them in all those years. From this time on the work progressed 
 rapidly; but the extra labor connected with the revival almost broke down 
 the missionaries and they were obliged to go home to recruit, which was in 
 1866. When we returned in 1868 the Misses Ely, sisters, accompanied us 
 and took charge of the girls' boarding school, which left me free to care for 
 the boys. The young men who had been educated had been in the villages 
 round about and preached the Gospel, and a desire had been created for the 
 village boys to be educated. Therefore, we started a boarding school for 
 boys, and gathered the brightest boys to prepare to be preachers and 
 teachers. I had the care of this until I came home m 1896. 
 
58 
 
 IHK CONNFXTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 In 1S77 we sent home our oldest li\ing son, George, for his education. 
 He was nearly fourteen. His father accompanied him to the sea coast, 300 
 
 miles, and expected to take 
 him to Constantinople and 
 give him in charge of Rev. 
 Mr. Farnsworth, who was 
 coming with his famil)- to 
 America; but receiving a tel- 
 egram saying war was declared 
 between Turkey and Russia, 
 therefore he must turn back 
 immediately. He gave him 
 in care of the captain of an 
 Austrian steamer who could 
 not speak a word of English, 
 and turned his back upon 
 him! It was a hard experi- 
 ence for the boy, but through 
 the kindness of friends in 
 Constantinople he finally ar- 
 rived safely in Boston and 
 was cared for at the Walker 
 Home in Auburndale while 
 he attended school. T h e 
 second son, Herbert, came a 
 year later with the Misses 
 Ely, who were having their 
 vacation. Mr. Burbank did not stay in the missionary work but ten years, 
 and Mr Knapp was the only missionary much of the time, and when the 
 Misses Ely came for their vacation we were all alone with our two little 
 girls. By this time we had many friends among the natives. There was a 
 large protestant community — a church of 200 members which supported its 
 own native pastor, many schools in the city as well as in the villages about 
 in our field; for in uur whole field there were 300,000 people. I locked 
 after the .t;irls' school and also the boys' while the)- were away, and we had 
 so much work upon our hands that the time did not drag. 
 
 In 1883, in company with Rev H. S. Barnum and family, who were 
 missionaries at \'an, I came with my two little girls, twelve and eight years 
 of age, to America. The Misses Ely were back then and they kindly offered 
 
 Mks. Alzina t'. K.vAri'. 
 (In Arnn>niiin Costume.) 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY 1\ AMERICA. 59 
 
 to look after Mr. Knapp, who stayed in the work. I put my little girls in 
 school and stayed with them four years. When we arrived in Boston my 
 sons, whom I had not seen for six years, came to meet us They had grown 
 from little boys to be men, and I did not know them To convince me 
 they began to talk to me in the Armenian language, which they had not 
 forgotten. Mr. Knapp came after sixteen years' stay for his vacation, and 
 we went back to Turkey for the third time in the spring, sailing April 7, 
 1887, from Boston. Rev. R. M. Cole and family came to Bitles, which 
 relieved Mr. Knapp so he could come. We left all our children in the 
 home land in school. Three years after our son George graduated from 
 the Theological Seminary at Hartford, Connecticut, married and came out 
 to Bitles as our associate in the missionary work. Six years after, in 1893, 
 Grace, our older daughter, gradiiated from Mount Holyoke College and 
 came out to help in the missionary work. Both George and Grace were 
 able to work immediately with the Armenians, for the language they had 
 learned in infancy came back to them so that they could speak with and 
 understand the people. It was a great relief to Mr. Knapp to have his son 
 to lean upon, for he was beginning to show feebleness. His work had been 
 preaching and teaching. In 1893 he had to give up teaching, and he gradu- 
 ally failed until March 12, 1895, he passed away. The whole city seemed 
 to mourn, and the demonstration of Icve and respect from all classes was 
 something wonderful and ever to be remembered. 
 
 The summer after the Misses Ely came to America for their vacation 
 and my daughter Grace had the sole charge of the school. When the school 
 vacation occurred she was so tired that we thought a trip to Van — three days 
 distant by horseback travel and our nearest missionary neighbor — would do 
 her good since she could visit with other American teachers. The vacation 
 was nearly over, and we were preparing to send for her to come home when 
 the dreadful massacre occured, when about 800 Armenians were killed, but 
 not one Turk, It was the 25th of October, 1895. The horrors of those 
 days cannot be described. Grace couldn't get back and I was glad to have 
 her escape the dreadful scenes; but O how I longed for company that long 
 winter following! My son George was the only male missionary at Bitles 
 at the time of the massacre and they were threatening him. They, the 
 Turks, jealous of him on account of his popularity with the Armenians, 
 brought false accusations against him and finally forced him to leave Bitles, 
 taking him as a prisoner to the seacoast with the intent to exile him from the 
 country; but the war ship Marblehead being in the Mediterranean Sea at the 
 time cam{. to the rescue and he went from /dexandretta to Constantinople 
 
6o 
 
 IHK CDNNKC. ICL' r llRANlH OF 
 
 and demanded a trial. The Turk answered, "You must wait. " and although 
 he waited several months they never were ready to pro\ e their charges 
 against him, and he came to America, where were his wife and children who 
 had come with me in July, starting from Bitles the first of May, 1896. 
 Grace came in from \'an and met us at Krzroom expecting to come to 
 America with us, but we found that they needed a teacher there, and Rev. 
 W. N. Chambers and wife who were the missionaries there at that time 
 invited her to make her home with them and take charf,'e of the boarding 
 school for girls, and she decided to do so, and we came away and left her. 
 
 Now after four years George is back in Harpoot, Turkey, with his family, 
 working under the American Board, and Grace is in Bitles with the Misses 
 Ely, and I am in Colorado Springs with Herbert and Edith and have just 
 passed rny 71st birthday. Mrs. Alzina C. Kn.^pp. 
 
 J.\Nt ARY 22, igoi. 
 
 loio N. Wahsatch Ave . Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
 
 To Re\'. and ]\Irs. Knapp 
 were born six children, all 
 in Bitles, Turkey: i , 
 Arthur Churchill, I). No- 
 vember 8. I (S 5 g, died 
 October, 1862; 2, Mary 
 Elizabeth, b. February 28, 
 1861, died October, 1863. 
 Third, George Perkins, 
 born June 13, 1863, mar- 
 ried Anna J. Hunt July 2. 
 1890, daughter of Addison 
 A. Hunt. To this union 
 were born Winifred Hunt, 
 March 8, 1892: Addison 
 Ely, November 2, 1894; 
 Margaret Washburn, Sep- 
 tember 7, i8g6. A com- 
 plete history of this interesting famih' is given in the sketch 
 of Mrs. Knapp. 
 
 MKS. A.N.N.V .1 K.NAl'P. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 6l 
 
 Fourth, John Herbert, born October 24, 1865. At the age 
 of thirteen lie came to America to receive his education and 
 
 George and Anna's Children. 
 
 attended school at Auburndale, Massachusetts, and Worcester 
 Polytechnic Institute. He located at Colorado Springs, Col- 
 orado, May I, 1889. He is a civil engineer and draftsman. 
 In January, 1892, at her home in Colorado Springs he married 
 Helen Hastings, born February 7, 1871, at Detroit, Mich- 
 igan, daughter of A. E. and Sarah Rice (Hubbard) Hastings, 
 natives, he of Utica, New York, she of Concord, Massachu- 
 setts. To this union were born Agnes Churchill, October 24, 
 1892; Charlotte Hastings, April 2, 1894, ^^^ Helen Louisa, 
 December 22, 1895. The mother, Mrs. Helen H. Knapp, 
 died August 6, 1896. She was a most estimable lady of cul- 
 ture and education, a true and devoted wife and mother. 
 This was a trying time for Herbert, left with three small 
 children. He had built a nice home and his future seemed 
 to be very bright; but how little we know what is in store for 
 us. "Man proposes, but God disposes." His sister, Edith, 
 
62 
 
 IHK CONKEClICUl' BRANCH OF 
 
 was with liiiii and assisted in the care of the little ones, 
 and soon after his mother came to make her home with 
 
 him. In August, 189S, 
 at her home in Colorado 
 Springs, he married Mary 
 Specht, born February 7, 
 1871, daughter of Thomas 
 and Maddilena (Schupp) 
 Specht, natives of Wurtem- 
 biirg, Germany. She is a 
 lad}' of culture and refine- 
 ment and a gracious mother 
 to the little motherless 
 children. To this union 
 were born .Arthur Specht, 
 l'Vbruary4, kjoi. (Justin 
 time to get in this book. ) 
 Mn>. iiKi.KN II. K'.NAiM'. Mr. Knapp is at present 
 
 one of the directors of The Echo Canon Tunnel and (iold 
 Mining Compan\'. He is a man of rare abilit\ and ;i nuist^r 
 of his profession. He is also deputy count\ sur\'ryor. 
 
 llKKBKUT A.M) Hhl.K.NS ( H II. UK K.N. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 63 
 
 Fifth, Grace Higley Knapp, born November 21, 1870. A 
 
 history of her life and work is given in Mrs. Knapp's sketch. 
 Sixth, Edith Alzina 
 
 Knapp, born November 4, 
 
 1874. She is the little girl 
 
 in the family group. She 
 
 came to this country when 
 
 quite young and lived for 
 
 a time with Mrs. Scutt in 
 
 Joliet, Illinois, and attended 
 
 school. Later she attended 
 
 school with her sister Grace 
 
 near Boston, Massachu- 
 setts. After finishing there 
 
 she came west to Colorado 
 
 Springs, Colorado, making 
 
 her home with her brother 
 
 Herbert. She took a pre- 
 paratory course for teach- ^^«"- "^''^ '' '"■" ^'•'•• 
 
 ing in the most approved 
 way in the kindergarten, 
 which she has made a 
 specialty. and has had great 
 success as a teacher. She is 
 a lady of rare ability, edu- 
 cation and many personal 
 attractions. She and her 
 mother are now living to- 
 gether, happy and prosper- 
 ous. Much might be said 
 of Rev. and Mrs. Knapp 
 who spent over forty years 
 as missionaries at Bitles, 
 Turkey, and have raised up 
 a son and daughter to take 
 their place in mission field. 
 
 -Miss Kuiih A. Knapi>. 
 
64 
 
 THE CONNECIICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 The Pearson Family. 
 
 7. Sarah Lucinda ClHirchill, horn January 14, 1832, in 
 Pittstord, Vermont. She attended the district school and 
 
 hiter the Brandon, Semi- 
 nary. She had to make 
 her way in the world like 
 the rest of us, and she was 
 equal to the occasion. She 
 had a good voice and at- 
 tended singing schools. I 
 can remember about her 
 singing and how we used to 
 < njoy it. September i, 
 1854, she came to Joliet, 
 Illinois, where she became 
 acquainted with J a m e s 
 Ivodney Koyce Pearson, 
 ^^ horn she married Novem- 
 1 er 21, 1855, at her sister's 
 home in Joliet, Illinois. 
 He was born April 27, 1830, 
 in Rutlant, Vermont, where he was raised and attended school. 
 He was the son of James K. and Bathsheba H. Pearson of 
 Rutland, Vermont. His father was born April 8, 1799, and 
 died March 6, 1853. His mother was born March 14, 1801, 
 and died May 6, 1877. They were married November 8, 1826. 
 They had five children: i, Mary E., b. February 15, 1828; 
 2, J. R. R. ; 3, Helen R., b. November 18, 1832; 4, Josephine 
 A., b. February 15, 1836; 5, Edward F. H., b. April 26, 1842. 
 Edward was a soldier in the Union army from 1861 to 1865 
 and received a severe wound in the leg which crippled him 
 for life. 
 
 Royce, as he was always called, came west September 11, 
 
 INI lis. SAUAH Ll'CINDA (". ]>EAKSOX. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 65 
 
 1854; bought a home in Joliet, Illinois. He was foreman in 
 C. E. Ward's planing mill, where he worked for twenty-three 
 years, except the time he 
 spent in Missouri. To this 
 union were born five chil- 
 dren: I, Charley Royce, b. 
 September ii, 1858, at 
 Joliet, Illinois; 2, Fred 
 William, b. May 20, 1866, 
 at Joliet, Illinois; 3 and 4, 
 Addie Elizabeth and Bert 
 Churchill, b. November 
 2, 1867, at Lee's Summit, 
 Missouri. Addie E. died 
 May 6, 1868, and Bert C. 
 died September 3, 1870. 
 They were buried in the 
 Greenwood cemetery at 
 Greenwood, Missouri. 
 
 Fifth, Belle Minette, 
 born April 13, 1870. She Mr. .1. ii. K. Peaksox. 
 
 was a very bright, pretty child. She drank concentrated lie, 
 which, after about eighteen months, caused her death August 
 18, 1873. She was buried at Joliet, Illinois. 
 
 In tlie spring of 1867 Mr. Pearson moved to Lee's Summit, 
 Missouri, and located on an 80-acre farm, joining my farm on 
 the east. He built a nice house and improved his farm. In 
 1870 his house was burned. He rebuilt the same year. On 
 account of sickness in his family and hard times he sold his 
 farm, and in 1872 moved back to Joliet, Illinois, where he 
 bought a home. Later he built a nice, modern home on the 
 hill in the west part of the city, where he now lives. His son 
 Charley received his education at Lee's Summit, Missouri, and 
 Joliet, Illinois. He is an engineer. On July 15, 1878, at the 
 
66 
 
 THE CONNECrrCUT BRANCH OK 
 
 home of tlie bride, he married Nellie Emily Porter, born in 
 Joliet, Illinois, January 6, 1859, the adopted daughter of a 
 
 Mk. ( h Aiu.K.s Tkarson and Family. 
 wealthy family in Joliet. Illinois. To this union were born 
 Clara Louisa, April 15, I'Syg; George Edward, March 3, 1880; 
 William Nutt, September 22, 1882; Royce Eugene, March 7, 
 1884. These children have had good advantages for school- 
 ing, and the boys have an eye for business. Their father 
 enlisted in Company B, Fourth Infantry, Illinois National 
 Guard. June 5, 1878; promoted to corporal February 12, 1880; 
 promoted to sergeant January 12, 1881; commissioned second 
 lieutenant August 10, 1883; commissioned first lieutenant 
 July II, 1884; resigned July 1 1, 1887. This is a very interest- 
 ing famil)'. They have a very pleasant home and seem to be 
 prosperous. 
 
 The second son, Fred, was educated in Joliet, Illinois, at 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 67 
 
 an early age. He started in to learn the printers' trade, and 
 he thoroughly mastered the business, becomingttre-4er#«ia«.- 
 
 '•"N" 
 
 >v 
 
 Captain F. W. 1'earsox. 
 in a large establishment in Joliet, Illinois. He enlisted in 
 Company B, Fourth Infantry, Illinois National Guard, July 
 2, 1887. He passed through the grades of promotion and was 
 commissioned captain. He brought his company up to a 
 high standard in drill and discipline, and when war was 
 declared with Spain he was among the first to offer his com- 
 pany for volunteer service. On April 26. i8g8, he took his 
 company to Springfield, Illinois. On May 7, i8g8, they 
 enlisted as Company B, Third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer 
 Infantry, and he was elected and commissioned captain. 
 They started for the front, and on July 27, 1898, they landed 
 on the Island of Porto Rico, and Captain Pearson was the 
 
68 
 
 THE CONNF.CTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 first man to step foot on thf Porto Rican soil. He looked 
 well after the health of his men, insisting on cleanliness in 
 
 Mrs. .Iknnik .1. Tkakson and IIkk 'I'wo Hovs. 
 
 camp; and as a result his company all returned in health 
 whicli was very extraordinarw The regiment returned to 
 Illinois November ii. 189S, and was mustered out January 
 24, 1899, and he returned to his old place in the printing 
 office. He received many very flattering notices through the 
 press of his gallantry as an officer. On January 25, 1884, 
 at the home of the bride, in Joliet, Illinois, he married 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 6g 
 
 Jennie Johnson, a verj' estimable lady. She was born August 
 i8, 1866, and received her education in Joliet, Illinois. To 
 this union were born: Charley Harold, August 21, 1887, and 
 Fred Richard, March 26, i88g. They are boys in all the 
 word implies, smart and active. They are receiving their 
 education in the city schools and good training at home. 
 This is a prosperous, happy, interesting family. They now 
 live with Father and Mother Pearson, but expect soon to 
 build a home of their own. 
 
 Grandpa and Grandma Pearson are getting well along in 
 years. They are members of the Presbyterian church and 
 have always lived a consistent Christian life. He has always 
 been like an own brother to me, and I shall never forget the 
 very kind and tender care I received at his home when I was 
 a sick soldier on furlough. They can no\v look back over a 
 well-spent life, full of good deeds and many sacrifices for the 
 amelioration of mankind. 
 
70 
 
 THK CONXKCTlCUr HRANCH OF 
 
 9. Roxyan Cluircliill, born in Hubbardton, Vermont, 
 March 27, 1841. She seemed to be the odd one of the 
 
 famil}-. having light, flaxen hair, 
 all the rest had dark-brown or 
 black hair. She was not quite 
 four years old when father died. 
 She attended the district school 
 and lived with mother. Later 
 she attended the Brandon Sem- 
 inary and taught school. On 
 November 16, 1859, at the home 
 of her sister, Sylvia, she married 
 Morton J. Kinne}-, of Hydeville, 
 \'ermont, where they went to 
 keeping house. Soon after she 
 was married she was taken sick. 
 Mus. KoxvAN K-.NNEY. j^er sickucss lasted for several 
 
 years, and on June 16, 1866, she died. She was a great suf- 
 ferer; yet, through all her suffering, she was cheerful and 
 hopeful. She had a beautiful voice; and I remember of 
 visiting her when she was compelled to lie on her back all 
 the time, yet she seemed to delight in singing and I never 
 heard a voice more sweet. She is singing with the angels 
 now and I hope to recognize that voice "some sweet day, by 
 and by." Her husband was an estimable man. 
 
THE CHUkCHILI, FAMILY IN AMERICA. 7I 
 
 The S. J. Churchill Family. 
 
 10. Samuel Joseph was born in Hubbardton, Vermont, 
 November i, 1842. At the age of two liis father and only 
 brother died. At the age of four he com- 
 menced going to school, not especially to 
 learn but to be gotten out of the way. At 
 the age of seven Fayette Holmes was ap- 
 pointed his guardian and he was bound out. 
 After he was eight lie was not permitted to go 
 to school in the summer time, but kept at 
 home to work, thus having only three months" 
 schooling a year. At the age of fourteen he 
 left the old home and started out for himself: 
 
 . S. .1. ('HCRCHIT.r.. 
 
 and he never got any more floggings. He ai +.1. 
 
 saved his money and soon was able to attend school six 
 months in a year. He lived with Deacon Luke Ward, of 
 West Rutland, Vermont, one year and got $6.00 a month 
 when out of school, and worked for his board while going to 
 school. At the end of the year he had $28.00 saved. During 
 this year he united with the Congregational church. He 
 attended singing school once a Vv'eek all the year, and having 
 a good voice he was taken into the church choir. He then 
 attended school at the academy in Sudbur\'. Vermont. In 
 the spring of 1861 he went to DeKalb county, Illinois, and 
 worked for C. W. Broughton. He had engaged to teach a 
 school in tlie fail, but instead, at the first call for 300,000 
 men, he enlisted August 6, 1861, as a private in Battery G, 
 Second Illinois Light Artiller}' and was mustered into the 
 United States service at Camp Butler. Not being able to get 
 equipments the battery was detained in this camp for about 
 five months, drilling every day and became very proficient. 
 In December he was taken down with the measles, which was 
 very prevalent in camp. He tried to get out of the hospital 
 
72 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 too soon and took a relapse and barely escaped with his life. 
 About February i, 1862, we received our battery of six guns 
 and were sent to Kentucky, opposite Cairo, Illinois. We had 
 no horses, so could not move our guns. Most of the bat- 
 tery was placed on gun-boats, went up the river and partici- 
 pated in the battle of Fort Donaldson, February 16, 1862. 
 Soon after this we received our full equipment of horses and 
 were ordered to Columbus, Kentucky. We were the first 
 troops to enter this rebel stronghold. From thence we were 
 ordered to Hickman, Kentucky. On Marcli 31, 1862, we 
 were ordered out by night to Union City, Tennessee, and 
 surprised a rebel camp early in the morning, completely rout- 
 ing them, capturing the garrison and many prisoners and 
 eating the breakfast the rebels had cooked. The rebel officer 
 in command escaped on a mule bareback in his night clothes. 
 We returned to Hickman, Kentucky, and soon received 
 order to march to Trenton, Tennessee, where we camped for 
 some time. In the fall we joined General Grant's expedition 
 at Lagrange, Tennessee, and marched south with the inten- 
 tion of capturing Vicksburg, Mississippi. Our battery was 
 attached to General Logan's Second Division and General 
 McPherson's Seventeenth Army Corps. We proceeded south 
 on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad to Oxford, Mississippi. From 
 iiere our battery was ordered on an expedition with the cav- 
 alry to Coffeeville, Mississippi, where, on December 5, 1862, 
 we encountered a large rebel force which was many times 
 greater than ours. The battle was fierce and lasted for several 
 hours. Our loss was ten killed and fifty-four wounded. We 
 managed to retreat, saving our supply train, back to O.xford, 
 Mississippi. 
 
 The base of supplies for the Union army was at Holly 
 Springs, Mississippi, and on December 20, 1862, the rebels 
 raided the town, capturing 1,000 of our troops and burning all 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 73 
 
 our supplys. We were camped then on the Tallahatchie 
 river, where we were obliged to subsist three weeks on corn 
 that was foraged in the country. I will never forget the joy 
 we felt when we heard the whistle of the first train that brought 
 us rations. We then marched to Memphis, Tennessee, and 
 in the spring of 1863 we were ordered down the Mississippi 
 river on transports to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, where Gen- 
 eral Grant massed a large army for the attact on Vicksburg, 
 Mississippi. From thence we marched to Hardtimes Land- 
 ing, Louisiana, below Grand Gulf, Louisiana, where we took 
 a transport to cross the Mississippi river and get in the rear of 
 Vicksburg, Mississippi. In crossing the river another boat 
 collided with us which caused our boat to sink. We had 
 a very narrow escape from being drowned. We lost all our 
 guns, nearly all of our horses, (except what broke away and 
 swam out); but all our battery was saved except two men, 
 who were in the stern of the boat with the horses and could 
 not get out. This was before daylight of May i, 1863. We 
 had to retrace our march back to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, 
 where we embarked for Memphis, Tennessee, to get a new 
 equipment of guns and horses; also clothing, for we had lost 
 everything we had, except what was on our backs. We soon 
 got our equipment and started again for Vicksburg, Miss- 
 issippi, this time by way of the Yazoo river. Our battery was 
 stationed in front of Fort Hill, which was undermined and 
 blown up. We were in the siege and under fire about six 
 weeks before the surrender. I saw Rebel General Pemberton 
 when he came out with a fiag of truce to negotiate terms 
 of surrender with General Grant. They stood just in front of 
 our battery for some time, and the rebel soldiers — whom we 
 had not seen for weeks— came upon the breast-works to look 
 over. We did the same thing. It was a beautiful sight — 
 down the line of fortifications as far as we could see were the 
 
74 'i'HE (.ONNKCI K I r IlKANCH OK 
 
 soldiers in blue on one side and the rebels in gray on the 
 opposite side all standing in bold relief, where but a few 
 uioinents before not one on either side dared to show his hearl. 
 Our batter\- was among the first to niarcli into X'icksburjr, 
 Mississippi, the morning of Jul\ 4, 1863 It was a glorious 
 Fourth to us. Our battery was stationed here for some time, 
 and man\- of the boys got sick. 1 among the rest was taken 
 down with the malarial fever, and had 1 not got a furlough 
 just when 1 did I would have been buried with the innu- 
 merable in southern soil. 1 was placed on the United States 
 iiospital boat, and that was the last I knew until I reached 
 Cairo. Illinois, five days later. I was taken from the boat 
 and placed on the cars, and by the time I reached Joliet, Illi- 
 nois. I was barely able to walk. 
 
 I shall never forget the hearty welcome and the good nurs- 
 ing I received from my sisters and brother-in-law in Joliet, 
 Illinois. As soon as I was able I returned to my battery, but 
 the chills and fever did not leave me: and I have suffered at 
 times all my life from the effects of that sickness. Soon after 
 my return to the army we were ordered to Memphis, Tennes- 
 see, to join General A. J. Smith's command, the Sixteenth 
 Army Corps. On October 14, 1863, we took part in the battle 
 of Brownsville, Mississippi. Some of my battery were killed; 
 I don't remember how many, but I do remember John Weir. 
 The top of his head was shot off by a cannon ball and his 
 brains spattered in my face. Soon after this we were ordered 
 to Union City, Tennessee, where we camped during the winter, 
 which was very cold. Some of the soldiers froze to death in 
 their tents. 
 
 On January i, 1864, nearly all of my battery re-enlisted as 
 veteran volunteers, and I among the rest. This entitled us to 
 a veteran furlough. I received my furlough in April, 1864, 
 and I went home to Sudbury, \'ermont, where, on May 4, 
 
THE CHUKCHII.I, KA.MII.V IN ANKRICA. 75 
 
 1864, I was married to Adelia Augusty Holmes, to whom I 
 was engaged in i860, returning to my battery which was then 
 at Memphis, Tennessee. I was promoted to corporal and 
 had command of a gun detachment of eight men and the right 
 gun of our battery. On July 1 4, 1864, was the battle of Tupelo, 
 Mississippi, our battery taking a very conspicuous part. My 
 comrades cliarged the killing of Rebel General Falkner and 
 his fine gray stallion, (as he was leading the rebel charge on 
 our line), to the explosion of a shell shot from my gun. I 
 do not care to know that I killed any one, even a fine horse; 
 but 1 did my best at sighting the gun upon that occasion. 
 This was a \ ery bloody battle in which about 700 rebels were 
 killed and wounded. The Union loss was eighty-five killed 
 and 453 wounded. Our victory was complete. We also par- 
 ticipated in the battles of Harrisburg, Mississippi. July 13. and 
 Old Town Creek Jnl\ 15. and Hurricane Creek August 14 16 
 and 22. 1864. 
 
 Soon after we were ordered to Jefferson Barracks at St. 
 Louis, Missouri, and. during Rebel General Price's invasion 
 of Missouri, from September 24. to October 28, 1864, we 
 were on the march ail the time — across the state of Missouri 
 — camping one night in Kansas, thence back to St. Louis, 
 marching about 700 miles without stopping to rest. Here, 
 after two days" rest, the Sixteenth Army Corps, under General 
 A. J. Smith, embarked for Nashville. Tennessee, to join Gen- 
 eral Tliomas; and a part of the corps arrived in time for the 
 Franklin battle. November 30, 1864. During the siege of 
 Nashville. Tennessee, by Rebel General Hood, we were in 
 line of battle two weeks, firing more or less ever\- day. We 
 could hear the rebel band play. '-Whose been here since I'se 
 been gone."" To answer them our band w'ould play, "Yankee 
 Doodle."" On December 15. 1864. the Union line advanced 
 and attacked the rebel armv in their fortifications. We had 
 
76 THt CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 to march for some distance under a galling fire from the 
 enemy before we could get our battery in position. Number 
 one, of my gun detachment, seemed very anxious to get into 
 the fight. He would hug the cannon with both arms and say, 
 "We'll give it to 'em. won't we, old Bett?" Old Bett was 
 his pet name for the gun. Our battery was ordered in posi- 
 tion on high ground in plain view of two rebel batteries, one 
 to our right and the other directly in front, about 240 yards 
 distant, which were doing their best to dislodge the Union 
 forces, and several men and horses were killed before we 
 could get our battery in position. My gun, a 12-pound 
 Napoleon, was located about eight feet to the right of a large 
 brick house. At the command "load!" number one of the 
 cannoneers (referred to above) took the sponge staff, sponged 
 the gun, and while waiting for number five to come up with 
 the ammunition, a volley from the rebel batteries caused him 
 to become terror stricken. He dropped his sponge staff and 
 ran behind the brick house. His terror spread to the other 
 cannoneers, who also tied, and neither command or entreaty 
 could move them to return to their gun. It was there that I 
 won my medal of honor. In the face of a terrible rain of 
 shot and shell from the enemy I loaded and fired my gun 
 eleven times alone, before assistance came. The rebel bat- 
 teries were silenced and driven back and the Union forces 
 took an advanced position. The result of the battle is well 
 known in history. Over thirty-two years after I received the 
 following letter: 
 
 War Department, Washington City, January 20, 1897. 
 
 My. Samuel /. Churchill, Late Corporal Battery G, Second Illinois 
 Light Artillery: 
 
 Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President 
 and in accordance with the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1863, pro- 
 viding for the presentation of medals of honor to such officers, non-com- 
 missioned officers and privates as have most distinguished themselves in 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 77 
 
 action, the Assistant Secretary of War has awarded you a naedal of honor 
 for most distinguished gallantry in action at the battle of Nashville, Tennes- 
 see, December 15, 1864. 
 
 In making the award the Assistant Secretary used the fol- 
 lowing language: 
 
 "This non-commissioned officer, commanding one gun detachment, and 
 when the enemy's batteries opened upon his gun compelling the men of his 
 detachment for a short time to seek shelter, stood manfully at his post and 
 for some minutes worked his gun alone." 
 
 The medal has been forwarded to you to-day by registered mail. Upon 
 the receipt of it please advise this office thereof. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 t. T. AlNSWORTH, 
 
 Colonel U. S. Army. 
 Chief Record and Pension Office. 
 
 The part within the quotation marks is taken from the 
 Official War Records, Volume XLV, Series i, Part i, page 
 492. 
 
 I did not know until then that a "special mention" had 
 been made of me in the official war records. My reply to the 
 letter was as follows: 
 
 Lawrence, Kans.\s, January 25, 1897. 
 
 Chief of the Record of Pension Office, IVar Defart7ne7it, Washington , 
 D. C: 
 Dear Colonel: Yours of January 20 was received the 22d, and the 
 medal was recei\'ed the 23d. I am very happy to be accounted worthy to 
 receive such an honor, and I assure you that I appreciated it very highly 
 and thank you most sincerely. I just want to say to you that there was a 
 private soldier in my battery that deserves a medal of honor as much or 
 more than I did. It was at the battle of Nashville, December 15, 1864; he 
 was the wheel driver of the caisson and his position at the time was com- 
 paratively out of danger. He saw my situation as I was manning the gun 
 alone, and asked permission of the lieutenant to come and help me, which 
 was given and he came boldly up where the missiles of death were flying 
 thick and fast and said to me, "Let me help you; the lieutenant says I 
 can." I never was so glad to see a man as I was to see him. He took the 
 
78 I'HE CONNF.CTlcri' IIRANCH OF 
 
 sponge staft and went to work like an f)ld warrior, and he was ever after 
 that my number one of the gun detachment, and the number one that left 
 me had to take his place as driver. That was true gallantry. His name 
 was J. A. Thorp, private. Battery G, Second Illinois Light Artillery. I 
 have not heard from him since the war, and know not if he is dead or alive 
 I shall alwavs hold him in grateful remembrance as a true and bra\ e patriot. 
 Thanking you again for your kind remembrance, I am very truly, 
 
 Samuel J. Churchill 
 
 This letter was published and copied by many papers all 
 over the country, and finally 1 received the following letter 
 from the man himself: 
 
 Montrose, K.^nsas, February 6, 
 Sam///'/ /. CliiD'cliill . 
 
 Fkieni) and Cumkadh: In reply to your letter of inquiry, which has been 
 published, will say that J. A Thorp is still in the land of the living and 
 well. I came to Kansas in the spring of 1S83, and settled here in Jewell 
 county. My occupation is farming. For a good many years I ha\e Ijeen 
 trying to locate some of the Battery G boys, but never have succeeded in 
 hearing from any of them until I .saw your letter, and it came to me in such 
 a way that it does me lots of good — it re\ ives old memories I congratulate 
 you for the medal of honor that has been awarded you for your heroism at 
 the battle ol Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1S64. It was the men 
 that stood by their guns in the heat of battle that won the victory, not the 
 skulkers And when number one dropped the sprnge staff and skulked to 
 the rear and you were left alone, I could hardly wait for my relief to come, 
 and when I took that sponge staft there wasn't a man on earth thit felt any 
 Itetter than I did. If you remember I jniUed my jacket oft and rolled up 
 my sleeves as if I was going to chop wood. I really thought for a while 
 that we were going to get the worst of it, but the victory was ours, and the 
 old battle stained flag — Stars and Stripes -looked brighter than ever before. 
 
 I must say that words are inadequate to express my gratitude for the part 
 that you have taken in my behalf, and if I should succeed in obtaining a 
 medal it will be through your kindness Ciive me the address of as many 
 of the battery boys as you know, as I woukl like to hear from ever\ one of 
 them. Hoping to liear from vou soon, I remain as ever. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 James A. Thorp. 
 
 Formerl)' of Batterv G, Second Illinois Light Artillery. 
 
THK CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AiSIERlCA. 79 
 
 I liave seen this comrade several times since and have done 
 my best to get him a medal, but have failed for the reason 
 that no "special mention" was made in the ot^cial war rec- 
 ords of what he did. I am very proud of my medal, and shall 
 hand it down to my posterity whom I trust will prize it enough 
 to take good care of it. The time will come in the future 
 generations when this medal will be looked upon as a great 
 relic of a soldier of the war of the rebellion. The medal 
 is engraved as follows: 
 
 : The Congress 
 
 
 : to 
 
 
 : Corp. Samuol .1. Clnui 
 
 ■liill, 
 
 : l?iUteiy"(;-':.M III. l>. 
 
 A.. 
 
 '. for 
 
 
 : GALLANTItV 
 
 
 :U 
 
 
 : Niislivillt', Teiii).. 
 
 
 i . Dec. 1."), 1S64. 
 
 
 To return to my war record: On December i6, 1864, we 
 fought from early morn until 4 p. m. . when we succeeded in put- 
 ting the rebel army to flight, capturing many cannon and 
 small arms. The Union loss was 400 killed and 1,740 wounded; 
 the rebel loss was 4,462 killed and missing. We followed up 
 Rebel General Hood's retreat as far as Eastport. Tennessee, 
 where we were obliged to stop on account of our rations giv- 
 ing out; and for two weeks we subsisted on dry corn. Soon 
 after this the Sixteenth x\rmy Corps was ordered down the 
 river to New Orleans, Louisiana, and took ship for Mobile 
 Bay, Alabama, where was one of the last strongholds of 
 
8o THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 the rebellion. From March 25th to April 12, 1865, we were 
 fighting continuously in the siege of the Spanish forts, Forts 
 Blakeley and Mobile, Alabama. Our victory was complete. 
 I had become quite an expert as a marksman and in these 
 battles I succeeded in dismounting several rebel cannon. I 
 was promoted to quartermaster sergeant of my battery, but 
 wlien there was a fight on hand a man was detailed to take 
 my place in issuing the rations, and the captain requested me 
 to take my old place as gunner, which I was glad to do. We 
 marched from Mobile to Montgomery, Alabama. While on 
 this march the news came, through rebel sources, of the 
 surrender of Rebel General Lee at Appomattox Court House, 
 Virginia. April g, 1865, of 26,000 prisoners. This gave us 
 great joy, and we realized that the war was over. The next 
 day came the news from the same source that President 
 Lincoln had been assassinated. We could hardly believe this 
 at first, but it cast a deep gloom over the whole army. Stal- 
 wart men cried like children. 
 
 From Montgomery, Alabama, we received orders to pro- 
 ceed to Springfield, Illinois, and be mustered out of service, 
 and on September 5, 1865, I was honorably discharged, hav- 
 ing served forty-nine months and participated in nineteen 
 battles. I was never wounded but had very many narrow 
 escapes. I proceeded to Sudbury, Vermont, to join my wife, 
 who had been watching, waiting and praying for me through 
 these long weary years of war. How many, many times I 
 had been cheered and encouraged b}' her loving and prayer- 
 ful letters that came so constantl}'. Her spirit seemed like a 
 guardian angel round about me continually, for I knew that 
 she was praying for me without ceasing; but it was all over 
 now and our cup of joy was overflowing. 
 
 My wife was born February 5, 1844, in Hubbardton, Ver- 
 mont. She was the youngest daughter of Pliney and Vesty 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMKRICA. 
 
 8l 
 
 (Caldwell) Holmes, and the granddaugliter of Walter and 
 Abigail (Bradford) Holmes, a direct descendent of Governor 
 Bradford of the Plymouth 
 
 Colony. 
 
 There were five children 
 in the Holmes family: i, 
 Fayette, who married my 
 sister, Sylvia; 2, Benjamin 
 Franklin, born in 1826, 
 married Katherine Rice, 
 and had four daughters: i, 
 Eva A.; 2, Lillie; 3, Belle; 
 4, Gertrude. They are all 
 living. The mother died 
 in Lawrence, Kansas, in 
 1880: the father died in 
 Wichita, Kansas, in 1889. 
 He was buried in Law- 
 rence Oak Hill cemetery, 
 by the side of his wife. 
 Third, Charles, born 1829, died in New York City about 1876. 
 Fourth, Aurilla, born 1837, married Henry Graves; had one 
 son, Charles. She now lives with her son in Poultney, Ver- 
 mont. Fifth was my wife. 
 
 Father and Mother Holmes died near together in Sudbury, 
 Vermont, about 1875. They were buried in the old grave- 
 yard in Hubbardton, Vermont, where there are six generations 
 of Churchills buried, including my father, mother and brother. 
 
 Soon after I returned from the army I bought some fine 
 Merino sheep, and together with my brother-in-law, B. F. 
 Holmes, shipped a car load to Wisconsin, where I sold them, 
 and in February, 1866, I moved to Lee's Summit, Missouri. 
 I marched over this country during the war and thought it 
 
 Adelia a. Churchill. 
 
82 IHK (OXNKC'IlCUr r.KANCH OT 
 
 was the best land for farminti I had ever seen, and I have 
 never changed lu}' mind, except the Kaw bottom land in 
 Kansas. 1>. F. Holmes, Koyce Pearson and myself bought 
 eighty acres each, joining. I built a small house on my 
 eighty and improved it for a home. My wife came in April. 
 Holmes cann' later and built a house. His famil\ came in 
 the fall of iS66. The countr}' filled up very rapidly b}- eastern 
 people, and we soon had a good neighborhood. We lived on 
 this farm three years, then sold and bought ibo acres four 
 miles south of Lee's Summit, Missouri, all prairie. I built a 
 much larger house here and improved my farm, and fortune 
 seemed to smile on our home for a season: but hard times set 
 in, failure in crops, drouth and grasshoppers — all combined 
 to make life burdensome. But notwithstanding all this we 
 were ver\' happy and did the best we could. Our home was 
 blessed with five children: i, Adelia May, b. June i, 1867; 2, 
 Frank Holmes, b. September 2<S, 1868: 3, Estella Maud, b. 
 February 26. 1870, died August 9, 1870; 4, Winifred Grace, 
 1). July 23, 1873: 5, Lena Blanch, b. October 12, 1874. 
 
 In the summer of 1872 my wife made a visit to the old 
 home in \'ermont, taking with her Ma}' and P^ank. She was 
 a perfect picture of health at that time. In the summer of 
 1876 she was taken sick with consumption of the blood and 
 gradually wasted awa)'. The doctors gave her up. I called 
 I^r. O'Conner, of Pleasant Hill, who had been recommended 
 very highly. He thought he could cure her if he could have 
 her where he could see her every day, but he lived twelve 
 miles away. I moved her to Pleasant Hill and we had some 
 hope for a while, but alas! nothing could help her. She 
 crossed over the river March 31, 1877, at Pleasant Hill, Mis- 
 souri. Her last words were: "My Father is looking me 
 straight in my face and saying, 'Well done, thou good and 
 faithful servant, enter ye into the joys of heaven.'" Her 
 
IHK CHURCHILL I'AMU.V 1\ AMERICA. 83 
 
 mind was clear to the end. She closed her eyes in sleep. 
 Thus ended a perfect life on earth, to begin the life eternal, 
 where death never comes. The funeral was held at the 
 Congregational church in Greenwood, Missouri, Rev. S. G. 
 Griffith preached the sermon and we buried her beside little 
 Stella in the Greenwood cemetery. Her life has been a bene- 
 diction to me all these }ears. I feel that I have more loved 
 ones in heaven than I have on earth. The responsibilities of 
 life never seemed so great to me as at that time, with four 
 little, motherless children to care for: but I did not shrink or 
 loose my courage. My farm was heavily mortgaged and I 
 concluded to let it go for the debt. I had met with heavy 
 losses by signing notes to help my friends. I had a good deal 
 of stock and grain which I sold, and after paying every dollar 
 tliat I was held for and all my own debts, I had about $3,000 
 left as the result of thirteen years of hard work in Missouri. 
 
 I found that it was impossible to keep my children together, 
 and, as Adelia had requested that her sister Rilla should take 
 Lena, and my niece, Mrs. Addie Scutt, wanted to take Win- 
 nie, I concluded to break up housekeeping. 1 sent May to 
 Joliet, Illinois, to live with my sister, Louisa Ward. Frank 
 went to Cameron, Missouri, to live with my niece. Mrs. Julia 
 Smith, and I took Winnie and Lena with me, leaving Winnie 
 in Joliet, Illinois, and taking Lena to Salisbury, Vermont, to 
 live with her Aunt Rilla Graves. 
 
 It was very hard to be separated from my children, but 
 I was looking to their interest — not mine. I took the general 
 agency for Kansas and Missouri to sell the Scutt barb wire, 
 manufactured by H. B. Scutt & Co., of Joliet, Illinois, and 
 started out to travel. I succeeded so well at this, that after 
 traveling two years I was able to commence a business of my 
 own as wholesale and retail dealer in barb wire. I located 
 in Lawrence, Kansas, and my trade ran up to $200,000 a year. 
 
84 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OK 
 
 On August 4, i<'^7g, at the liome cf Mrs. F. P. Nichols, 
 (sister of tlie bride), in Council Grove, Kansas, I married 
 
 Louana Grant, born Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1844, at Coopers- 
 town, New York. She re- 
 ceived her education in 
 S t a r k e y Seminary, New 
 York, and Albion College, 
 Michigan. She was the 
 youngest daughter of three 
 children. Her brother, 
 Solon E. Grant, was a 
 captain in a Michigan reg- 
 iment during the civil war. 
 He died at Independence, 
 Kansas, August 27, 1879. 
 Among her relatives were 
 several who attained na- 
 tional fame during the civil 
 war. Her father. Rev. 
 Jacob Grant, was born in Columbia, New York, graduated 
 from Hamilton College and entered the Baptist ministry, in 
 which he continued until he died, in January, 1854, at the age 
 of 54. He was the son of a Revolutionary hero who received 
 a medal for bravery in that conflict. Her mother, Louana, 
 was a daughter of Major Clough and was born in Madison, 
 New York. She died when her daughter and namesake was 
 only three weeks old, 
 
 I rented a home in Lawrence and sent for my children — 
 May and Frank came at that time. Winifred came the next 
 ■Christmas and Lena in 1882. My object in settling in Law- 
 rence was to give my children the best advantages for an 
 education. They all graduated at the Lawrence High School. 
 
 Mus. l>()iiA.\A (i. CHrncmi.r.. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 85 
 
 Winifred and Frank made a record of not being tardy or 
 
 absent for five years. Frank had an eye to business and took 
 
 a course at the Lawrence 
 
 Business College. All the 
 
 girls attended the State 
 
 University. 
 
 May graduated in the 
 class of 1888, and received 
 the degrees of A. B. and 
 B. D. Her grades were 
 excellent. She taught 
 school in Ottawa, Kansas, 
 two years and had good 
 success as a teacher. On 
 November 7, i8go, shemar- 
 ried Alva Leslie Sloan at 
 the home of his sister, Mrs. 
 Patterson, in Portland, 
 Oregon. Mrs. Sloan, Alva's 
 mother, accompanied May ^^^^- ^^-^^ o. Sloan. 
 
 from Kansas to Portland, and was present at the wedding. 
 Alva L. Sloan was born April 11, 1865, at Ashland, Ohio. 
 He attended school at Fairfield, Iowa, and the High School 
 at Newton, Kansas, and six years at the Kansas State Univer- 
 sity, graduating in the class of i88g, receiving the degree of 
 B. C. E. He accepted a position under A. S. Riffle in build- 
 ing a railroad in Oregon, and later with the Bear Valley 
 Irrigating Company in southern California, and lived at Red- 
 lands, California. This compan}' failed and he lost several 
 hundred dollars in salar}'. He was then employed in the. 
 engineering department of the Santa Fe System, and now 
 lives at Los Angeles, California. He has been promoted 
 from time to time and now holds the position of masonry 
 
86 
 
 IHK CONNK.CI ICU'I ISRANCH OF 
 
 inspector and assistant engineer on the Southern California 
 Railway — a part of the Santa Fe Sj'steni. He is the son of 
 
 Samuel and Elizabeth 
 (Sheridan) Sloan, natives, 
 he of Westmorland count)', 
 Pennsylvania, she of Ash- 
 land. Ohio. They removed 
 to Fairfield, Iowa, in iSb5, 
 and to Kansas, near Hutch- 
 inson, in 1878. The}'- now- 
 live in Hutchinson, Kan- 
 sas. Alva has a sister. 
 .Vdella, and a brother, [ax. 
 He is the <;randson o f 
 |ames anil Sarah (Smith) 
 Sloan. They had two sou;/ 
 and one daughter. Fhe 
 Sloan family are an honor- 
 able, highl)- respected class 
 of farmers, owning tluir 
 own farms. They are a long-lived, hardy stock — four gener- 
 ations now living- all I^epublicans and Methodists. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Sloan enjo)- the confidence and respect of a large circle 
 of friends. She united with the Methodist Episcopal church 
 in Lawrence, Kansas, when a young girl; was organist of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Sunday school for man}- years, and sang 
 in the church choir. She has always been active and very 
 efficient in church and Sunda\ school work. He is also a 
 great worker; has been Sunday school superintendent, mem- 
 ber of the official board and chorister, and is regarded as one 
 of the substantial men of the church. 
 
 To this union were born: Winifred Newlin. Decend)er 
 25. i8gi, and Delia Marion. December 7. 1893. Thev are 
 
 Mli. .\. I-. Sl.llAN. 
 
THE CHURCHILL KAMIL\ IK AMKklCA. 
 
 «7 
 
 very bright, smart, little girls, and well advanced in school. 
 They have beautiful voices and are natural singers. 
 
 My son, Frank, on whom 
 1 had built so many fond 
 hopes, at the age of 21, 
 was stricken with con- 
 sumption. We did every- 
 thing that could be done for 
 him — sent him to Denver, 
 Colorado, in hopes that the 
 change might be of bene- 
 fit to him, but all that could 
 be done was of no avail, 
 lie died at his home in 
 Lawrence, Kansas, J a n - 
 uary 18, iHgi, and was 
 buried in Oak Hill ceme- 
 tery. The funeral was very 
 large, and the many beau- 
 tiful floral offerings gave evidence of the very high esteem 
 and respect of his friends. He was a member of the mando- 
 lin club and showed rare abilit\- in music, which he loved. 
 He was a member of the drum corps of the Lawrence Repub- 
 lican Club, and with the club attended the inauguration of 
 President Harrison. It was on this occasion in Washing- 
 ton that he contracted a severe cold from which he never 
 recovered. My last hope of perpetuating the Churchill name 
 was gone. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 church and gave marked evidence of his faith in Christ, his 
 Savior. He has gone to join his sainted mother in the home 
 of the redeemed. 
 
 Winifred graduated in the class of 1884 and received the 
 degree of A. B. Her school work was accomplished ver} 
 easily and her grade marks were always very high. She was 
 
 \\ IMFKKl) AM) DKI.r.A Sl>OAN. 
 
88 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT [BRANCH OF 
 
 a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity and was a 
 great favorite in society. She taught school in the city of 
 
 Lawrence, Kansas, for 
 one 3ear, and was elected 
 for the next year. 
 
 At her home, on Nov- 
 ember 5, 1896, she mar- 
 ried James Owen, born 
 in Marshalltown, Iowa. 
 June 7, 1872, the only 
 son of Doctor W. R. 
 and Martha (Andrews) 
 Owen, natives, he of In- 
 diana, she of Ohio. 
 The}- havL- one daughter, 
 Airs. Anna Ricker, of 
 New York Cit}-. James 
 was the grandson of Rev. 
 Fhank n. cmKCHH.i.. James and Martha ( Bay- 
 
 les) Owen of Indiana. He was a very noted Quaker preacher. 
 James received his early education at Pueblo, Colorado, where 
 his parents then lived. The doctor had a very extensive 
 practice and was largely interested in real estate, owning 
 much property. On account of his health he moved to San 
 Antonio. Texas, where he has a very large practice. James 
 entered the Kansas State University and graduated in the 
 Art Class of 1893, and Law Class of 1895, receiving the 
 degrees of A. B. and LL. B. He is a member of Phi 
 Gamma Delta fraternity, and was very popular in societ}' and 
 a leader in his class at the University. He immediately started 
 in law practice at Pueblo. Colorado, and later at Cripple 
 Creek, Colorado, where he has built up an extended practice, 
 and is meeting with great success. He owns a very pleasant 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 89 
 
 home in Cripple Creek, and has the best law office with the 
 largest library in the city. 
 Winifred united with 
 the Methodist Episcopal 
 church when a small girl. 
 She was assistant superin- 
 tendent and organist in the 
 infant department of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Sun- 
 day school and was a great 
 favorite with the children. 
 She took lessons on the 
 piano and acquired a fair 
 musical education. She 
 has a fine piano i n her 
 beautiful home which has 
 been blessed by the advent 
 of little Margaret, born 
 July 25, i8gg. "What is 
 home without a baby?" Mhs. Winifked c. Owen. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Owen have a bright future before them. 
 
 Lena entered the School of Arts of the State University 
 and succeeded well for over three and a half years, standing 
 high in her class and only lacking three months' work of 
 graduating in the class of 1895, when her health failed. Her 
 great ambition was to prepare herself for foreign missionary 
 work. She was a very proficient worker in the Epworth 
 League, and for some time was the leader of the Junior 
 League. She had a beautiful alto voice and sang in the 
 Methodist Episcopal choir for some time. It was very hard 
 for her to give up her church work and plans for future work. 
 I shall never forget how sweet and patient she was through 
 all her sickness, and how determined she was to get well, not 
 
90 
 
 THE COiNNhCl ICUl MKAMCH OF 
 
 giving up until the very last, when she became resigned and 
 was read\ to go and niett lier Savior. She spent nine months 
 
 in California with her sister 
 
 Ma}', where she had the 
 best of care and medical 
 attendance, w i t h o u t im- 
 provement. After return- 
 ing from California she 
 thought that a trip east 
 might lulp htr, and she 
 spent about eight months 
 with her Aunt R i 1 1 a in 
 Foultney. \'ermont, where, 
 notwithstanding the tender 
 care she received, she grew 
 worse. Her case seemed to 
 baffle the skill of all the best 
 \ii:. .1 v.MKs owKN. physicians, ami not until six 
 
 weeks before her death wrre the\al)le to give a correct diagnosis 
 of her disease, which was tuberculosis of the bowels. She 
 wasted away and ilietl Jul\' S, 1898. During htr thrre years' . 
 sickness she seemed to be ripening for heaven, anil when tlie 
 summons came there seemed to be a halo of light and glory 
 that hlled the room: and methinks 1 heard the angels sing 
 as they bore her awa\. Who could call her back to this 
 work! of suffering? She had suffered a thousand deatiis. but 
 now she is at rest in j^eace. We laid her body besitle her 
 brother in beautiful Oak Hill. Man\" were the sweet and 
 beautiful tokens of lo\e and respect brought b\- loving hands 
 and sympathizing hearts to the last sad rites performed at the 
 home. The choir sang: -'We shall meet beyond the river.' 
 How sweet and realistic is that hope. Right here 1 wish to 
 pay a tribute to the untiring, never-ceasing devotion, love and 
 
THE CHURCHILL KA.MILN IX AMKKICA. 
 
 91 
 
 care to my children by their stepmother. An own mother 
 
 could not have done or sacrificed more for them, and I am 
 
 sure that they will agree 
 
 with me in this, and from 
 
 the other side would come 
 
 the sweet response, -'she 
 
 hath done what she could." 
 
 In icSSi 1 bought a home 
 at 717 Ohio street, where 1 
 lived five xears. In i<S83 1 
 bought a lot joining the 
 two lots 1 then owned, on 
 the north, for which 1 paid 
 $1,000; ami in i<S<S') I built 
 a nice, new home. It was 
 a twos tor}', ten -roomed 
 house w'ith furnace and all 
 m Oder n improvements, -^^"^^ JSL\i{(;aret dwen. 
 
 with barn, which cost me over 54.000. We moved in August 
 9. 189b, and I considered m3'self settled for life. I then sold 
 the old home for $3,000, reserving a half lot which gave me 
 75-foot front. This, addt-d to the cost of the building, gave 
 me a property costing over $5,500. The same year I was 
 offered $6,000 for my home, but it was not for sale. 
 
 I continuetl in tht- barb wire business until 1886, when I 
 closed out and went to Las Cruses, New Mexico, as general 
 superintendent of the Oregon Mountain Mining and Smelt- 
 ing Company, of which 1 was vice-president. After spending 
 about $100,000 the enterprise waj; abandoned and the com- 
 pany lost everything it hail invested. My loss in this was 
 about $12,000. I was also stockholder in the Lawrence Sugar 
 Refining Company which was a failure. I invested $1,000 
 in this enterprise and it cost me $600 more to get out honor- 
 ably, thus losing $1,600. 
 
92 
 
 THE CONNECIICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 In iSiS/ I invested about $7,000 in the grocery business — 
 wholesale and retail — under tiie firm name of S. J. Churchill 
 
 & Company, (the company 
 was my wife). I continued 
 this business for some time 
 and was very successful, 
 doing a large business; but 
 the hard work and worry 
 was telling upon me, and 
 having, ( as I thought at 
 the time), a splendid offer, 
 I traded my grocery for real 
 estate valued at $8,500. 
 These were "boom times" 
 which collapsed and real 
 estate went down. I still 
 own some of this property 
 which is pajang a fair in- 
 come. 
 
 Since retiring from busi- 
 ness I have been employed most of the time in clerical work. 
 In 1893-4 I was Deputy Clerk of the District Court. In i8g8 
 I was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of the Depart- 
 ment of Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic, with offices in 
 the state house at Topeka, under Department Commander D. 
 W. Eastman, at a salary of $1,000 a year. My work that 
 year was ver}' pleasant. I traveled nearly all over the state, 
 attending G. A. R. reunions. I made many speeches and 
 aroused the old boys with patriotic songs. At the Hutchinson 
 encampment, held April 26 and 27, i8g8. Department Com- 
 mander in his report to the encampment, said: "I would 
 especially call attention to the report of Assistant Adjutant 
 General Churchill and his work during the year. The books 
 under his charge are models of neatness and correctness. 
 
 Miss Lena Churchill. 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 93 
 
 He has been faithful and painstaking in all his work. Not 
 an unpleasant word has passed between us, and we part 
 with the ties of comradeship firmly welded." The committee' 
 appointed to examine my report to the encampment made the 
 following report: 
 
 To /he Departyyicnl of A'ansas, G. A. A'.: 
 
 We, the undersigned committee on report of Assistant Adjutant General, 
 do most respectfully report, that, after giving said report a careful consider- 
 ation, and because of the faultless and thorough manner of its preparation 
 and the methodical arrangement of the valuable information it contains, do 
 unhesitatingly approve the same. It contains all that a painstaking mind 
 can suggest, and because of its completeness furnishes a model for all 
 future officers occupying this important station. We recommend this 
 department pass a vote of thanks to our gallant Assistant Adjutant General 
 for the efficiency he has shown. 
 
 Respectfully submitted in F., C. and L., 
 
 W. H Fletcher, 
 F. P. Cochran, 
 W. F. Hendry, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 I am now Assistant Inspector General of the Department 
 of Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic, on the staff of 
 the National Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic. I am also assessor of the city of Lawrence, Kan- 
 sas, which position I have filled for several years. My wife 
 and I are members of the official board of the First Methodist 
 Episcopal church. She is a great worker in the church and 
 Sunday school, and for several years sang in the choir. I have 
 filled tfie offices of class leader, chorister and Sunday school 
 superintendent. I am a Past Grand of Halcyon Lodge, No. 
 i8, I. O. O. F., Past Post Commander of Washington Post, 
 No. 12, G. A. R,, and now its adjutant; also a member Law- 
 rence Camp, No. 798, M. W. of A., in which I carry $2,000 
 
94 
 
 THK COXNFAMlCi; I" I'.KANCH OK 
 
 insurance. I served as councilinaii from the first ward in the 
 citv of Lawrence. Kansas, for two \ears. 
 
 \-. 4: 
 
 / 
 
 -2, 
 
 ',• ^*: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 'In h: (111 K< II I 1,1. Ill I.MK. 
 
 My wife is a lad\ of rare, social qualities, a great worker 
 at home and verv efficient in the sick room. She is purely 
 unselfish and will not spare herself in the least when she can 
 help the sick at home or in the neighborhood. She is highl\' 
 respected in church and society. 
 
 In closing 1 will sa\- that the reason I have made more 
 extended remarks in reference to my family than others, is 
 because I know more about it. 1 have tried to be just and 
 generous with all. In all my searchings I have not found one 
 family skeleton to cover up, and this is remarkable, for it 
 is said that every family has a skeleton to conceal. 
 
 1 have traversed through 26S years of m)- line of the 
 
THE CHURCHII.I. FAMILY IN AMERICA. 95 
 
 Churchill family in America, and I have not found a law- 
 breaker in any form, an inebriate, or even a moderate drinker, 
 or even a person of unsound mind: but all have been loyal 
 to their country and loyal to their God — a band of patriots 
 and Republicans. No one need be ashamed of the record, for 
 it is glorious, and one to be proud of. 
 
 Wishing all the readers of this little book a long, happy 
 and prosperous life of usefulnesss, and consigning them to 
 the tender love and constant care of Him "who doeth all 
 things well," I bid you adieu, and subscribe my name this 
 15th day of February, A. D., 1901. 
 
 SaMUEI, J. CHUKIHILL. 
 
g6 THE CONNEC'lICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 Appendix. 
 
 BY ROBERT HAZZARD CHURCHILL, OF ^rARlNETTE, WISCONSIN. 
 
 Continuation of the genealogical record of the Churchill 
 family, beginning with '-Cyrus Churchill," taking up the 
 history of his descendents where it was left by Samuel Joseph 
 Churchill, down to the present time, compiled from family 
 and public records gathered together after several months 
 corresponding and careful research. I refer the reader to 
 pages 9 to 1 6 for the first five generations. 
 
 Sixth Generation. 
 
 Cyrus Churchill, my grandfather, the third son of Joseph, 
 the fifth generation, and brother of Amos Churchill, spent 
 the latter part of his life in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he 
 died. He was born February g. 1783, in Hubbardton, Ver- 
 mont, died August 18, i860. He was married to Rachel 
 Hustler February 23. 1813, who was born February i, 1789, 
 died October 21, 1844. She was the daughter of Thomas 
 Hustler, an Englishman who came to America as a soldier in 
 the British army during the Revolutionary war. During an 
 engagement between the British and American armies he 
 deserted and joined the Americans and served during the 
 remainder of the war. After the close of the war he remained 
 in the army until after the defeat of St. Clair in 1791, obtain- 
 ing the rank of major. During the war of 181 2 the British 
 government offered a reward of $25,000 for his capture, but 
 were not successful. He died about 1824. During the war 
 with the Indians in the year 1790 his wife and infant daughter 
 were captured by the red men. The mother was released in 
 a short time, but the baby was held a prisoner for about six 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 97 
 
 years, finally being given up through an exchange of pris- 
 oners. 
 
 Cyrus and Rachel had six children, four sons and two 
 daughters: Amy K. R.. b. December ii, 1813, died February 
 6, 1886; Joseph T. H.. b. December 28, 181 5, now living; 
 Sylvia A. J., b. August 5, 1824, died March 18, 1892; Lewis-, 
 M.. b. October 3, 1827, now living; Elias C. , b. May 8. 1829, 
 now living; Alfred W., b. May 10, 1832, died November 9, 
 1864. 
 
 Amy K. R. Churchill was never married, but always lived 
 with her father, caring for him until his death and occupying 
 the old home vintil her own death. 
 
 Seventh Generation. 
 
 Joseph T. H. Churchill left home when a young man. com- 
 ing to Wisconsin in an early day and being engaged in the 
 lumber business for a number of years. He was married at 
 Pensaukee, Wisconsin, December 20, 1845, to Harriet /\rnold, 
 widow of John Arnold, her maiden name being Harriet Hub- 
 bard. He helped to build the first saw mill that was erected 
 on the Oconto river at Oconto Falls, where he was living in 
 I ^'5. He came thither by boat to Kewannee, Wisconsin, 
 from Chicago: Then across the country through the woods 
 to Green Bay. Soon after his marriage, he, with his wife, 
 moved to the banks of the Wisconsin river, in the central 
 part of the state, in the vicinity of Stevens Point. Here he 
 was also engaged in lumbering. In the autumn of 1848 he 
 moved to St. Louis, Missouri, floating down the Wisconsin 
 and Mississippi rivers on a lumber raft. At this time there 
 was one child. Robert H.. born April 10, 1847. From St. 
 Louis, after a short stay, he moved to Beardstown, Illinois, 
 where another child was born and died. From there he went 
 back to Ypsilanti, Michigan, his old home. After a short 
 stay there he moved to Brockway, St. Clair county, Michigan, 
 
gS THE CONNECTICUT BRANCH OF 
 
 settling on a piece of land in the woods, which, together 
 with his brother Lewis M.. he cleared up making a good farm 
 in four years, when it was sold and the family moved to Grand 
 Traverse, Michigan, and, after a year's stay there, moved 
 again to Kaneville, Illinois, living there a few months, and 
 then to Green Bay on January i, 1858. Since that time ta 
 the present Joseph has lived at some point on Green Bay; 
 his present residence being Abrams, Oconto county, Wiscon- 
 sin. He is now over 83 years of age. He has never been 
 very prominent in political or church relations; but for many 
 years was a consistent member of the Baptist church at Fort 
 Howard, as was also his wife and daughters. He was always 
 a Republican in politics, and has held the office of justice of 
 the peace many years in several different places where he has 
 resided. Three years after the death of his wife he married 
 Mrs. Mahala Sutton, widow of Hiram Sutton. September 14, 
 1884, with whom he is living at present. 
 
 Sylvia Ann Jennette Churchill, born August 5. 1824, died 
 March 18. 1892; was married three times, her first husband 
 being Daniel Lockwood. No children were liorn to her. 
 
 Lewis Marquis Churchill was born October 3. 1827. and 
 was married in about the year i860 to Rebecca Cordelia 
 Mapes. They have no children. He came to Wisconsin in 
 1858 with his brother, and is now living at Duck Creek, Wis- 
 consin, four miles from Green Bay. Wisconsin. 
 
 Elias Cass Churchill, born May 6. 1829, was married to 
 Jennie Terwilliger. They have two children — both boys: 
 Bayard, born September 5. 1863. and John, born February 
 4, 1867. The family reside at Carson City, Michigan, at this 
 time. Both sons are married and have children of their own, 
 names not known. 
 
 Alfred Wilson Churchill, born May 10. 1832. died Novem- 
 ber 9, 1864. The cause of his death was a wound received 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. gg 
 
 while serving as a volunteer in the war of the Rebellion, 
 at the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, October ig, 1864. 
 He was therefore with General Sheridan at the memorable 
 battle after his ride from Winchester I have been unable to 
 learn the number of the Michigan regiment or company. 
 His wife's name is not known. They had no children. 
 
 Joseph T. H. Churchill and Harriet Hubbard, his wife, 
 had six children, three sons and three daugthers: Robert 
 Hazzard, b. April 10. 1847, on the Wisconsin river; Hazstine 
 J., b. July 25, i84g, at Beardstown, Illinois, died November 
 25, i84g: Haswell Bennett, b. October 24, 1850, at Ypsilanti, 
 Michigan: Ludrovick Marquis, b. June 15, 1852, at Brock- 
 way, Michigan; Eveline Elizabeth, b. July 31, 1856, at Brock- 
 way, Michigan, and married to George Wilson, October ig, 
 1882. They had no children. Angeline Aristine, b. June 15, 
 1858, at Ft. Howard, Wisconsin, married to Samuel A. Wood 
 July 23, 1887, died March 5, i88g. They had no children. 
 
 Eighth Generation. 
 
 Robert H.. the first of the family was born April 10, 1847, 
 on the Wisconson river at a place then known as Du Bays 
 Landing, about half way between what is now Mosinee and 
 Stevens Point. He was always an active worker in the cause 
 of temperance, and for quite a number of years has been a 
 member of the First Baptist church of Marinette. Wisconsin, 
 where his home has been since 1876. He was married April 
 14, 1874, to Amanda Amelia Moore also of Marinette. Wis- 
 consin. She was born September 18. 1850. at Manitowoc 
 Rapids, Wisconsin, and is also an active member of the First 
 Baptist church, being one of the first to join after its organ- 
 ization in 1878. The children of R. H. and A. A. Churchill 
 are: Arthur Moore, b. September 5, 1876; Sarah Harriet, b. 
 August 2g, 1881, died December 7, 1881; Myron Robert b. 
 September g. i87g: Florence Ethel, (adopted) b. April 27, 
 
lOO THE CONNECTICUT IJRANCH OF 
 
 1807. All the children are members of the First Baptist 
 church of Marinette, Wisconsin. 
 
 Haswell B. Churchill, the second son of J. T. H. and Har- 
 riet Churchill was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, October 24, 
 1850. He has never married and his home has been in 
 Marinette, Wisconsin, for the last fifteen years. 
 
 Ludrovick M. Churchill, the third son, was born at Brock- 
 way, Michigan. June 15, 1852. He was married to Sarah J. 
 \'aughn January 13, 1878. Their home has been in Marinette, 
 Wisconsin, for the last ten years. Their children: i, Allen 
 H., b. June 26, 1879; 2, Eva L. . b. April 18. 1881; 3, Amy 
 L.. b. May 28. 1883: 4. Harrold B., b. February 21. 1886; 
 5, Robert R., b. March 21. 1888; 6, Myrtle C, b. April 27, 
 1890; 7. Loyal N., b. September 12. 1892; 8. Laura S. , b. 
 November 27, 1894; 9. Harriet. S., b. March 27. 1899. 
 
 Eveline Elizabeth Churchill, the oldest daughter, was born 
 July 31. 1856, at Brockway, Michigan. She was married to 
 George A. Wilson October 19. 1882. No childen were born 
 to them, and their present home is at Abrams, Wisconsin. 
 
 Angeline A. Churchill, the second daughter, was born June 
 15, 1858. at Fort Howard, Wisconsin. She was married to 
 Samuel A. Wood July 23. 1887, and died March 5. 1889. 
 They had no children. 
 
 Synopsis of Miscellaneous Families. 
 
 John Churchill, the seventh of the family of Samuel 
 Churchill, of the fourth generation, and Thankful Hewitt, 
 his wife, was born March 12. 1758. Married to Martha Bald- 
 win. Died in 1805 or soon after. Their children were: 
 I. John. b. April 13, 1787. died September 27, 1817; 2, 
 Sylvester, b. October 7. 1788. died November 3. 1829; 3, 
 Anice, b. October 14, 1790; 4, Electa, b. December 19. 1792; 
 5, x\lvin, b. November 7, 1794; 6, Sylvina, b. August 25. 
 1796, died October 14, 1797; 7, Jacob, b. November 10, 1798, 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. lOI 
 
 died November 24, 18 16; 8, Sarah, b. January 14, 1801; 9, 
 Irene, b. October 8, 1802; 10, Jotham, b. December 29, 
 1804; II, Chauncy, b. October 3. 1808, died February 18, 1896. 
 
 Chauncy Churchill, eleventh of the family of John, was born 
 October 3, 1808, died February 18, 1896. Their children 
 were: i, Sylvester C, b. December 20, 1834; 2, John W , b. 
 August 13, 1836; 3, Olive C, b. February 16, 1838, died May 
 II, 1838; 4, Sylvenas Amos, b. November 26, 1839; 5, Oliver 
 C, b. March 22, 1841; 6, Martha A., b. 1842; 7. Olive C, b. 
 1844; 8, Lafayette M., b. March 19, 18^6; 9, Chloe J., b. 
 October 4, 1847; 10, Catherine H., b. 1849; 11. Caleb W., 
 b. November 27, 1850; 12, Benjamin F., b. July 30, 1852; 
 
 13, Jason M., b. April 2, 1855. 
 
 Sylvenus Amos Churchill, fourth of the family of Chauncy, 
 was born November 26, 1839, married Caslia Eadie and had 
 three children when she died. He afterwards married Erminie 
 Woodworth, by whom he had two children. Their children 
 were: i, Herman, b. October 9, 1869; 2 and 3, Eadie and 
 Edith, twins, b. August 20, 1875; 4, Sylvenus W. . b. July 
 
 14, 1894; 5- Lois. b. 1896. 
 
 Herman Churchill, of Menominee, Wisconsin, first of the 
 family of Sylvenus Amos, born October 9, 1869, married Cora 
 French June 15. 1898. 
 
 William Churchill, the ninth of the family of Samuel 
 Churchill, of the fourth generation and Thankful Hewitt, his 
 wife, was born February 10, 1763, married to Eunice Culver, 
 who was born December 31, 1762. Their children were: i, 
 Russell, b. December 21, 1787; 2, Clarissa, b. September 28, 
 1789; 3, Pamelia, b. October 2. 1791; 4, Darius, b. April 25, 
 1793; 5> William, Jr., b. March 23, 1795: 6, Samuel, b. 
 August 2, 1797; 7, Ezekiel, b. July 15, 1799; 8, Julius, b. 
 March 20, 1802; 9, James, b. November 9, 1804; 10, Eunice 
 C, b. May 20, 1807. 
 
I02 THE CONNECIICUT BRANCH OK 
 
 Darius Churchill, fourth of the family of William and 
 Eunice, born April 25, 1793. His children were: George, 
 William, Samuel, Lowell and Caroline. The home of some 
 of the sons is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
 
 William Churchill. Jr.. fifth of the family of William and 
 Eunice, born March 23, 1795, married Isabella Johnson. 
 Their children were: i, Washington; 2, Eleanor; 3, Clarissa; 
 4, Benjamin J.; 5, William Henry: 6. James. 
 
 Julius Churchill, eighth of the family of William and 
 Eunice, lived to be 79 years of age. He was a doctor and on 
 the day of his death rode fifteen miles to \'isit a patient. His 
 children were: Russell. Cornelia, [ohn and Matilda. 
 
 James Churchill, ninth of the family of William and Eunice, 
 born November 9, 1804. His children were: i, Pamelia, b. 
 June 20, 1828; 2. Joseph, b. October 22, 1829: 3. Helen E., 
 b. February 23, 1835; 4, James, b. |une 19. 1837. 
 
 Alfred and Joseph Churchill, brothers and sons of Worthy 
 L. Churchill and Riihama Whelpley, married sisters by the 
 name of Wilson. There is nothing known of Alfred's family. 
 Joseph had two sons and one daughter and probably more. 
 Two of his sons, W ortliy L. and H. D. Churchill, are now 
 living at Alpena, Michigan; are wealthy lumberman. James, 
 the third son of Worthy L. and Ruhama. was married; li\etl 
 for a time in Watertown. Wisconsin, and died there. He 
 had two daut{hters. 
 
THE (HURCHILT, FAMILY IN AMERICA. 
 
 103 
 
 The Voyage of Life. 
 
 This blackboard drawing was made by S. J. Churchill and 
 illustrated by the following lecture, which he delivered at the 
 Methodist Episcopal church, and also at the Young Mens 
 Christian Association Sunday afternoon meeting: 
 
 Text — Matt. vii. 13. 14: •• Enter ye in at the strait gate: 
 for wide is the gate, and broad is the way. that leadeth to 
 destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because 
 strait is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that 
 find it." 
 
 That is -'few" compai'ed with the countless millions who 
 are on the voyage of life with all its allurements. Here is 
 
I04 THE CONNFXTICUT P.RANCH OF 
 
 where the "Devil goes forth as a roaring Hon." He does not 
 interfere with those that are going down with the current, but 
 to those that are struggling upward; he is ever striving to 
 turn their course or switch them ofi into some of these various 
 streams of vice; and we hear men crying: (sung') 
 
 " 'Which way shall I take i" ' shouts a voice on the night; 
 I'm a pilgrim, a-\vearied and spent is my light, 
 And I seek for the palace that rests on the hill; 
 But between us a stream lieth, sullen and chill. 
 
 Choris — Near, near thee, my son, is the old way-side cross, 
 Like a gray friar cowled in lichens and moss. 
 And its cross-beam will point to the bright golden span, 
 That bridges the waters so safely for man. 
 
 Which way shall I take for the bright golden span. 
 That bridges the waters so safely for man? 
 To the right' to the left' Ah! me! If I knew; 
 The night is so dark and the passers so few. 
 
 Chorus — 
 
 See the lights from the palace in silvery lines! 
 How they pencil the hedges and fruit-laden vines. 
 My fortune! my all! for one tangled dream 
 That shifts thro' the lilies and wastes on the stream." 
 
 Chorus — 
 
 The writer of these lines evidently got in the ••Slough of 
 Despond," but looking across ( pointing out ) saw the " Light- 
 House of Jesus." There is great hope for him. This is what 
 might be called the ups and downs of life. There is no stand- 
 ing still. The current will take us down unless we make 
 some efiort and look to Jesus, who is ever ready to help us. 
 No voyager was ever lost that looked to Jesus and trusted 
 His light to guide him. The starting point in the " \'oyage 
 of Life " is near the ••Crystal Fountain." Every child that 
 is born into the world is pure, and they remain so until they 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMERICA. I05 
 
 arrive at the age of accountability. Jesus said: " Sutler little 
 children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is 
 the kingdom of heaven." How we love and enjoy the chil- 
 dren. We are sometimes annoyed by their crying, and we 
 walk the floor at midnight with our child in our arms trying 
 to soothe the pain, but in heaven there is no pain or crying. 
 The children will always be joyous and happy. There will 
 be nothing to mar our joy with them there. I have three 
 dear children there, but how could I speak of them sadly. 
 
 " I who watched while the grace 
 
 Of eternity's wonderful beauty grew over their face. " 
 
 The advance of Christianity in this new century depends 
 largely upon the young fathers and mothers of to-day in train- 
 ing their children. We drive them • away from God by 
 thoughtlessly deceiving them, thus teaching them to deceive. 
 Jesus said: " Except ye become as a little child, ye can in no 
 wise enter the kingdom of heaven." We must have that 
 simple, child-like faith and trust and take God at His word, 
 never doubting. To illustrate the child's faith, I will relate 
 an incident. When my sister was a missionary in Bitles, 
 Turkey, she was very sick. Her friends had lost all hope, 
 and had gathered around the bedside, when her little boy 
 came running into the room with a shining face and said, 
 " Mamma is going to get well. I have been praying for her 
 and the Lord has answered my prayer." From that moment 
 she was better and recovered from her sickness in a short 
 time, and is living yet. How important it is that the children 
 are brought to Christ before they pass out of the clear waters 
 that flow from the crystal fountain into the turbid stream, 
 full of temptation and vice, down the voyage of life until they 
 land in skeptic swamp, there to flounder in the quagmire of 
 infidelity and never "look up to the hills whence cometh our 
 strength." 
 
I06 IHK CONNECTICUT BRANCH 0¥ 
 
 Heb. iii, 12: "Take heed brethren lest there be in any of 
 you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." 
 
 Rom. iii. 3: --For what, if some, did not believe shall their un- 
 belief make the faith of God without effect." No. A truth will 
 always stand whether we believe it or not. The infidel would 
 take from us our hope, peace and joy. and give us nothing but 
 dark forebodings. Our children are often taught infidelism 
 at school. 1 speak from experience, and know what I am 
 talking about. One of the qualifications of a teacher, which 
 should be required, is that tht-y believe in the fundamental 
 teachings of the Bible and accept the faith of Christ. It 
 wouki liL-ip thtm to keep sweet. 1 shall never forget a 
 teacher 1 had when a small boy. and \ery bad. Instead ot 
 flogging me she would keep me after school and talk to me. 
 Then she would take me by the hand and kneel down and 
 pray fur me. Those prayers ha\e been ever before me. 
 
 Prov. xxiii. 29. -50, 32: '• Who liatli woe? who hath sorrow? 
 who hatli contentions?^ who hath babbling? who hath wounds 
 without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They tiiat tarry 
 long at till- wiut-: tliev that go to st-ek mixt-d wine. At the 
 last il bitctli liki' a sepent and stingc-th like an adder." 
 
 This tells thf awful story, it wt- could get rid of this gigan- 
 tic monster what a happy world this would be. How many 
 children would ha\c shots to wear and plenty to eat, that 
 are now half clad and halt starved. When we compare the 
 saloon and cluirrh wr tuui that there is Si 00 to the saloon to 
 Si. 00 spent for church. '1 he saloon is open 168 hours to six 
 in church. Intoxicating liquor is the cause of ninety-four per 
 cent of the cirminals and ninety per cent of the paupers. So 
 manv nuii sa\ thev can drink or thev can l<r^t it alone. I 
 believe tliat if this class of tipplers would stop drinking it 
 w-ould put an end to the saloon business. I am sure it would, 
 for the drunkartis all come from this class. After a young 
 
THE CHURCHII.I, FAMILY IN AMKRICA. 107 
 
 man has navigated this filthy stream of intemperance and 
 drank of its dregs he is a fit subject to plunge into the 
 "River of Vice." He will take his '•jug" with him. 
 
 Gal. V, 19, 20. 21: -'Now the works of the flesh are mani- 
 fest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, 
 lasciviousness. idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variances, emula- 
 tions, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings. murders, 
 drunkenness, revellings and such like: of the which I tell you 
 before as I have also told you in time past, that they which 
 do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." 
 
 This needs no comment — ''Sunday Resort Lake." — Exod. 
 XX, 8, 9, 10: '• Kemember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 
 Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work; but the 
 seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou 
 shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 
 thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy 
 stranger that is within thy gates." 
 
 There seems to be a growing tendency to make Sunday a 
 gala day for excursions, picnics, games, etc. The church 
 should stand squarely against Sabbath desecration in every 
 form, and see to it that the church is not represented at these 
 Sunday festivals. Did you ever think that when yovi ordered 
 your meat to be brought Sunday morning you were asking 
 some one to break the Sabbath? 
 
 "Lake Unfaithful." — This is a resort for Christians. How 
 many of us have been there? Prov. xxv, 19: "Confidence in 
 an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, 
 and a foot out of joint " 
 
 How important that we should maintain the confidence of 
 the world by being faithful to what we profess. " Wherefore 
 by their fruits ye shall know them." A religion that will not 
 keep us sweet all the time is not worth much. It is the 
 unfaithful Christian that brings reproach upon the church. 
 
Io8 THE CONNFXTICUT IIRANCH OK 
 
 We have heard much about backsliders. Some one has 
 suggested that this creek should have been a large river or 
 lake. But many are classed with the backsliders that never 
 took a slide forward. " Backsliders' Creek. '" — Prov. xiv, 14: 
 "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; 
 and a good man shall be satisfied from himself." We get out 
 of the Christian life just what we put into it. If we are cold 
 and indifferent we have no sweet peace, joy. and rest. 
 
 "Slough of Despond." — Psalm x.xv, 17: "The troubles of 
 my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my dis- 
 tresses." David got into this slough; but he erred unto the 
 Lord, and the Lord brought his feet out of the miry pit and 
 placed theni on the solid rock. There is hope for the des- 
 pondent Christian, but not much joy. 
 
 How about this Pilgrim? Gal. v, 22. 23: "But the fruit of 
 the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuftering, gentleness, good- 
 ness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no 
 law." This Pilgrim has all of these qualifications. You will 
 notice that he has a firm grip on the wheel that guides his 
 boat, and his eyes are fixed upon Jesus, "the light of the 
 world," and methinks I hear him singing: 
 
 " Every day, every hour, let me feel thy cleansing power; 
 May thy tender love to me draw me closer, closer, Lord to thee." 
 
 He is sailing under the banner of freedom, that heaven- 
 born banner. It is an inspiration from the Father of light, 
 truth, and wisdom. Its blue field was cut from the blue 
 dome of heaven, studded with stars and brought down to 
 earth: its stars are a beacon light to the oppressed of every 
 tribe and nation: its stripes are taken from the east when the 
 first rays of the morning sun paint in crimson hue the reced- 
 ing clouds, and tell us of a new day of light, joy, and hope. 
 Ohl glorious inspiration. Oh I beautiful emblem. It stands 
 
THE CHURCHILL FAMILY IN AMKRICA. lOQ 
 
 for the highest type of Christian civiHzation in the world. 
 This Pilgrim is a loyal Christian; loyal to God, and loyal to 
 his country. The Christian warfare is worth much more than 
 it costs. We have Jesus for our captain; and my constant 
 prayer is expressed in these words, which I will sing: 
 
 " Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom; lead thou me on. 
 The night is dark and I am far from home; lead thou me on. 
 Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see 
 The distant scene; one step enough for me. 
 
 So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on, 
 O're moor and fen, o're crag and torrent till the night is gone. 
 And with the morn those angel faces smile. 
 Which I have loved long since and lost awhile." 
 
 What could be more fitting as the Pilgrim on the "Voyage 
 of Life" sails into eternal life, than the last words of Mr. 
 Moody: •' Earth recedes and heaven opens before me. If this 
 is death there is nothing awful here? It is sweet. This is 
 bliss. Do not call me back. God is calling me, I must go. 
 There is no valley here. It is all beautiful." 
 
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