Class _r/0j4! 
 
 Booki_L6_5_j^_^ 
 
K' 
 
 h 
 
THE 
 
 H ISTORY 
 
 UNION, CONN., 
 
 FOUNDED ON MATERIAL GATHERED BY 
 
 REV. CHARLES HAMMOND, LL. D. 
 
 PRINCIPAL OF MONSON ACADEMY. 
 
 — COMPILED BY — 
 
 REV. HARVEY M. LAWSON, Ph. B. 
 
 WITH ASSISTANCE FROM MANY OTHERS. 
 
 PRESS OF PRICE. LEE & ADKINS CO. 
 
 NEW HAVEN, CONN. 
 
 1S93. 
 
9676 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The history which is now offered to the public is composed of the 
 material which ]\Ir. Hammond gathered, with additions from all sources 
 from which anything could be obtained. As is well known, Mr. Ham- 
 mond made efforts for a long series of years, to glean all the facts which 
 he could find relative to the history of his native town. These efforts 
 were mainly directed in the line of investigating the history and gene- 
 alogies of the old families in town. Here his labors were invaluable ; 
 for had he not gathered the facts when he did, many of them would 
 have been forever lost. Most of the matter in the genealogies, then, 
 comes from Mr. Hammond. Many additions have been inserted and 
 the attempt has been made to bring the records down to date. In the 
 preparation of the other portions of the history use has been made of 
 Mr. Hammond's historical addresses, especially the one on the Revolu- 
 tion, delivered at Mashapaug Lake, July 4th, 1853, and the one on the 
 History of Union, also given at Mashapaug in August. 1S76. Mr. Ham- 
 mond also left in a crude form considerable material which he had 
 gathered from the town and church records, the State archives, old 
 papers and conversation. All this has been worked over, and every- 
 thing of value has been inserted in its proper place in the history. 
 
 After Mr. Hammond's death, his widow sent all this historical mate- 
 rial to Wm. Corbin. He in turn put it into the hands of Rev. J. P. Wat- 
 son who was interested in the history of town and who began to make 
 further investigations, especially in regard to the families. Mr. Watson 
 made notes of the facts which he gathered, but they were for his own 
 use and it has been hard to make them out in all cases. When Mr. Wat- 
 son died in 188S, the material was returned by his brother to Mr. Corbin. 
 In the summer of 1S90 the writer borrowed the books from Mr. Corbin 
 and commenced to study up the history. As there seemed to be no one 
 else to do it, he resolved, in the limited time at his disposal, to attempt 
 to put the work in shape for publication. The compiler is painfully con- 
 
IV 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 scious of many imperfections in the book, as he now offers it to the pub- 
 lic. The time which he has had in which to prepare it has been limited 
 to the vacations in his theological course, which have also been occupied 
 with other duties. And the expectation of soon leaving the country to 
 engage in missionary service has made it necessary to complete the 
 work in the shortest possible time. Hence it has been impossible to 
 bring the work to that state of literary perfection which long painstak- 
 ing alone can give. Doubtless many errors will be discovered in the 
 book. It is impossible to avoid them in a work of this kind. But the 
 attempt has been made to have everything as correct as possible. The 
 great motive of the compiler in undertaking the work has been to make 
 the results of Mr. Hammond's labors available to the public. He has 
 sought to do this in the best way possible in the limited time which he 
 has had. Perhaps some future historian will one day rise up in town, 
 who Avill take the material which is now saved from oblivion and put it 
 into a form more worthy of the town and the noble men which it has 
 produced. 
 
 Acknowledgment is made of the assistance which has been cordially 
 rendered in the preparation of this work by many different persons. 
 The compiler has been compelled to seek for information from a large 
 number of people, who have uniformly sought to aid him in all the waj's 
 which lay in their power. Thanks are due to Mr. E. H. Lockwood of 
 New Haven, who has drawn the map of the town, without hope of com- 
 pensation. Rev. Geo. Curtiss of Mayville, North Dakota, has kindly 
 furnished to the writer a sketch of his father's life and pastorate in 
 Union, together with several other things. 
 
 Some people may feel dissatisfied that they or their families do not 
 receive fuller mention in the genealogies. The writer wishes it under- 
 stood that, if in some cases he has traced out some families farther than 
 others, or has given a fuller account of the lives of some persons than of 
 others equally prominent, it has been because he has had the material 
 at hand in one case and not in the other. He has endeavored to make 
 the genealogies as complete as possible. But a little reflection will show 
 that to make them absolutely complete in all their ramifications would 
 be an endless as well as an impossible task. Hence any defects of this 
 kind are due not to partiality but to lack of time and opportunity. 
 
 Of course man}^ mistakes will be found in the genealogies. The 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 writer's brother, Dr. George N. Lawson, whose present address is Mid- 
 dle Haddam, Conn., has offered to receive all corrections which anyone 
 would like to make, and make a corrected copy of the book which can be 
 used if a new edition is ever published. 
 
 With these remarks the writer gladly offers his work to those who 
 
 are interested in his native town. 
 
 HARVEY M. LAWSON. 
 Yale Divinity School, 
 
 New Haven, Conn., March 1st, i8gj. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 A Sketch of the Life and Labors of Rev. Charles 
 Hammond, LL.D. — i. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 The Physical Features of Unh3n. 
 
 Interesting- Character — Size — Boundaries — Elevation — 
 Bald Hill — Other Hills — Mashapaug Lake— Celebra- 
 tions Held Here— Summer Resorts — Water Sheds in 
 Union — The Breakneck Region— Cat Rocks — Roads in 
 Union — Forests — Plants and Birds. — 16. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Settlement and Early History of Union. 
 
 Date of Settlement — Lead Mine — Boundary with Massa- 
 chusetts — Name of Union — Land of Content — Sale of 
 Union Lands — Action of the Proprietors — Reservation 
 for Public Uses — The Home Lots — First Settlers — The 
 Scotch-Irish — Puritan Families. — 36. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Ecclesiastical History. 
 
 I. The Congregational Church at Union. 
 
 Connection with the History of the Town — Worship by the 
 Early Settlers — Petition for Incorporation — Act of 
 Incorporation — Order for the Tax — Conflict with the 
 Proprietors — The Colonel Brown Controversy — Disa- 
 greement Concerning Minister — Memorial to the As- 
 sembly — Rev. Samuel Terry — Call of Rev. Ebenezer 
 Wyman — Organization of the Church — Places of Early 
 Worship — Building of the Meeting House— Death of 
 Mr. Wyman — His Character — Rev. Caleb Hitchcock — 
 Rev. Ezra Horton — Difficulties in the Church — Dis- 
 missal of Mr. Horton — Preachers who Followed Him — 
 Low State of the Church — Rev. David Avery — Forma- 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii 
 
 tion of the Society — Rev. Nehemiah Beardsley — Revival 
 of 1831— Building of the New Meeting- House — Rev. S. 
 I. Curtiss — Temperance Reform — Remodeling of the 
 Church — Dismissal of Mr. Curtiss — Rev. J. P. Watson — 
 Rev. George Curtiss — Rev. William Howard — Rev. I. P. 
 Smith — Anniversary of the Organization— Deacons of 
 the Church — Future Prospects — Funds of the Church — 
 List of Members. — 47. 
 
 II. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Mashapaug. 
 
 Old Methodist Church — Organization of the Present Church 
 — Its Pastors — Causes which have made the Church 
 Weak — Prospects for the Future — List of Members — 
 List of Pastors. — 105. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. "^ " 
 
 Military History of Union. 
 
 I. Union in the Revolution. 
 
 Need of Militia — French and Indian War — Training — Cases 
 of Tory Discipline — Colonel Abijah Willard — Timothy 
 Holton — Battle of Lexington — Rally and March of 
 Union Men — Enlistment of Soldiers — Lieutenant 
 Sprague — Bunker Hill — Hardships of the Soldiers — 
 Captain Lawson's Company — Campaign against Bur- 
 goyne — Hardships at Home — Raising Taxes — List of 
 Revolutionary Soldiers. — iii. 
 
 II. Union in the War of 1812. 
 Men who went from Union. — 138. 
 
 III. The Trainings. — 139. 
 IV. Union in the Rebellion. 
 
 Company I, Sixteenth Regiment— David Corbin's Company 
 G, Twenty-Second Regiment — List of Union Soldiers — 
 Soldiers who have Lived in Union since the War — 
 The D. P. Corbin Post.— 141. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 Jesse Olney, A.M.— Dr. Shubael Hammond— Deacon Samuel 
 Crawford — Judge I. W. Crawford— Eleazer Foster — 
 Eleazer K. Foster— Rev. S. I. Curtiss— Rev. George 
 Curtiss— Prof. S. I. Curtiss— Captain Chauncey Paul— 
 
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Harvey Walker — Hannah Moore — Mrs. Calista Holman 
 Vinton — Rev. Thomas Holman — Moses G. Leonard — 
 Jared D. Sessions — Joseph M. Griggs — Sarah A.. Paul — 
 David P. Corbin, A.M.— William M. Corbin— Justus V. 
 Lawson — Charles F. Morse — Rev. Isaac Booth, D.D. — 
 Philip D. Armour — Andrew W. Armour — Dwight 
 Marcy— Philip Corbin— M. A. Marcy— Joel H. Reed.— 
 
 151- 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Industrial History of Union. 
 
 I. Agriculture : Farming by the Early Settlers — Crops 
 
 Raised — Markets — Wild Animals — Present Condition 
 of Agriculture. — 221. 
 
 II. Lumbering: Importance in Union — The Saw-Mills in 
 Town. — 229. 
 
 III. The Store and Shoe Business: Merrick Marcy — Busi- 
 ness of His Sons — Burning of the Block at Union — The 
 Business at Mashapaug : Moses White — Harvey Walker 
 — Jared Sessions — William Corbin — Cessation of the 
 Shoe Manufacture — Other Industries at Mashapaug. — 
 233. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Schools of Union. 
 
 The Early Schools — The School Societ}^ — Teachers — Pres- 
 ent Condition of Schools — The Select Schools of Union 
 — Names of Teachers — List of College Students from 
 Union. — 240. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Cemeteries of Union. 
 
 The Old Cemetery— The North Cemetery— The New" 
 Cemetery — The East Cemetery. — 248. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Genealogies of the Families. — 252. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 List of Town Officers, Etc. 
 
 Representatives in Legislature from the Town of Union — 
 Selectmen — Town Clerks and Treasurers — Population 
 of the Town.— 501. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND LABORS OF 
 REV. CHARLES HAMMON-D, LL. D. 
 
 (taken mainly from the memorial discourse of elbridge 
 smith, delivered before the massachusetts teachers' 
 association, december 31, 1879). 
 
 CHARLES HAMMOND, to whom the origin of this 
 history is due, was born in Union, June 15, 1813. He 
 was the oldest child of Dr. Shubael Hammond, who for 
 fifty years was the physician of the town. (vSee the sketch 
 of his life). Dr. Hammond lived on the place now occu- 
 pied by Mr. Mason Horton, and it was here that Charles 
 was born. He became very closely attached to his boy- 
 hood home, and was always glad to revisit it. In telling the 
 story of the digging of the well on the place, he speaks of 
 sometimes "longing for the water of that well as David 
 longed for the water by the gate of Bethlehem." With the 
 rest of the family he attended the Congregational church 
 at Union. He publicly professed his faith in Christ, and 
 joined the church Nov. 20, 1831, when he was eighteen 
 years old. It appears that he always retained his member- 
 ship in the church of his youth. He was ever one of its 
 warmest friends. 
 
 In his early years, his kindness of heart and quickness 
 of intellect, his love of study and his indifference to play, 
 seemed to mark him for a different life from that of the 
 farm or the workshop. But the physician of seventy years 
 ago, as he rode in saddle or sulky, in storm or sunshine, in 
 heat or cold, through mud and dust, by night and by day, 
 received no three or five dollar fees for prescription or 
 medicine. The expense of a collegiate education on the 
 basis of so small an income, seemed to Dr. Hammond more 
 
2 SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 than prudence or honesty would justify; he accordingly 
 felt obliged, though with great reluctance, to advise his 
 son to make the most of the district school and of the pri- 
 vate high school, which frequently flourished in New Eng- 
 land towns during the autumn inonths, and not attempt 
 a more extended or expensive course. But the prudence 
 of the father was overborne by the partiality of friends 
 and neighbors, a mother's affection, a sister's pride and a 
 sister's love; sacrifices were made, new means devised, 
 new toils were welcomed and the task undertaken. At the 
 age of seventeen he taught successfully a district school in 
 Willington, Conn., and the next summer began the more 
 direct preparatory studies for college at Monson Academy. 
 It was with great joy to himself that he rode with his 
 father on a June morning in 1 831, fifteen miles over hill 
 and valley to Monson. The father was doubtless question- 
 ing with himself what manner of man his boy should 
 become; what would be the end of that new departure in 
 the voyage of life. While the son, buoyant with hope, was 
 rejoicing as a strong man to run a race in the new prospect 
 now opening for the exercise of his powers. He had come 
 to Monson for no idle day dreaming, but for a purpose to 
 be realized only by studious toil and patient endurance. 
 Here he continued his preparatory studies at intervals for 
 five years. It was during his school life at Monson that 
 his religious life assumed a positive and determined form, 
 and that generous and earnest faith which gave a new 
 direction and greater force to his life work first took com- 
 plete possession of his soul. 
 
 In 1835, at the mature age of twenty-two, he entered 
 Yale College. Here he was known as a modest, respectable 
 scholar, of a very sociable, genial nature among friends, a 
 fine writer, broad thinker, and a prominent singer in the 
 college choir. During his college course he was obliged to 
 devote a part of his time to teaching in order to gain 
 means for his support. This to such an enthusiastic 
 scholar as Mr. Hammond, was a deprivation. But it helped 
 to develop the sturdy qualities of the man. 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 3 
 
 In the spring of 1839 the preceptorship of Monson 
 Academy became vacant, and his alma mater had not for- 
 gotten, during his four years' absence, the promise of his 
 academic life, and without waiting for his graduation from 
 college, which was to take place in the summer, recalled 
 him to her service. In accepting this important position, 
 however, it was not with the intention of making teaching 
 his permanent occupation. The purpose previoiisly enter- 
 tained of studying theology remained undisturbed, and the 
 two and a half years which he spent at Monson was a 
 ripening period of his life. He thoroughly reviewed his 
 college studies in connection with the branches which he 
 taught. Self-interest and pleasure alike combined to ren- 
 der his teaching earnest, thorough and delightful. His 
 associate at this time was one who had been his classmate 
 at the academy, and one who has since become one of the 
 brightest ornaments of the American pulpit, the Rev. 
 Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 In the autumn of 1841 Mr. Hammond began the study 
 of theology at Andover. After spending a year under the 
 instruction of Moses Stuart, Bela B. Edwards, and others, 
 he returned to New Haven and completed his course at the 
 Yale Seminary. Here he received instruction from Dr. 
 Nathaniel W. Taylor, at that time the greatest name in 
 New England theology. On completing his course of pro- 
 fessional study in 1844, he was licensed to preach by the 
 Tolland County Association, and was in readiness to enter 
 upon his work whenever the right field should open to his 
 view. While waiting for this opening, the preceptorship 
 of Monson Academy again fell vacant, and he was again 
 summoned to that familiar post. One reason which led 
 him to devote himself to teaching, instead of preaching, 
 was a natural timidity and shrinking from public speaking 
 which seemed to baffle his first efforts, and which he 
 found great difficulty in mastering. He seemed utterly 
 unconscious of the advantages which he possessed in his 
 rich voice, his superior presence and powerful pen. There 
 is scarcely a pulpit in the land which would not have 
 
4 SKETCH OF BEV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 sought his ministrations after a few years' exercise of his 
 natural and acquired powers. He should have remembered 
 such examples as Daniel Webster, who said that he got 
 along very well at school with everything except declama- 
 tion, and that he never could do. But let us not criticise 
 or complain; the pulpit's loss has been the schoolroom's 
 gain. The bashful young clergyman, unable to face an 
 audience to his satisfaction, has infused the sacred fire 
 into hundreds of young minds now filling the pulpit, plead- 
 ing at the bar, or swaying from the platform delighted 
 thousands who hang upon their lips. It is pleasant to 
 notice that Dr. Hammond was the first to predict the great 
 eminence of his early classmate and associate, — that 
 divine who holds, in the estimation of many, the first 
 place in the American pulpit, — the Rev. Dr. Storrs, of 
 Brooklyn. He little thought how near he might have 
 come to an honorable rivalry with him. He was 
 ordained as an evangelist, October 9th, 1855, but only 
 preached occasionally. 
 
 Hence when Mr. Hammond assumed the principalship 
 of Monson Academy in 1844, it was with the high aim to 
 do the very best in his power in the profession which he had 
 chosen for his life-work. He became a great admirer of 
 Thomas Arnold, the distinguished head -master of the 
 Rugby school in old England. There were just beginning 
 to develop in his own character the same classical spirit, 
 the same noble enthusiasm, and the same historic taste 
 which Arnold possessed. Probably he saw his Rugby at 
 Monson. He found the school in a very depressed condi- 
 tion. For forty years the building had borne, without 
 important repairs, the buffetings of the storms without and 
 the busy and sometimes mischievous life within. The 
 return of Mr. Hammond was signalized by a complete ren- 
 ovation, and a large increase of apparatus in the English 
 department. The attendance upon the school had sunk 
 very low, competing institutions at no great distance, had 
 made large drafts on its former patronage. But the people 
 of the town rallied to the support of their school. Confi- 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 5 
 
 dent in the abilities and character of their preceptor whom 
 they had long known, they nobly resolved to hold their 
 own and not allow an institution which had so well served 
 the town, the country, the state and the nation, to be 
 eclipsed. The efforts of the trustees, teachers, and citizens 
 were attended with the most gratifying success. The tide 
 soon turned ; the attendance in the English department 
 rose to a higher point than it had ever before attained, 
 while the number of graduates in the classical department 
 steadily increased from two in 1845, to eighteen in 1852. 
 Mr. Hammond tells us that during these years his "policy 
 was shaped by the constant and unremitting endeavor to 
 solve successfully the problem whether Monson Academy 
 could be made to live and thrive as a classical institution, 
 and as such to subserve, not merely the educational inter- 
 ests of the town, but of all that part of New England not 
 within the proper limits and influence of other classical 
 schools of established reputation." Among the rival insti- 
 tutions with which Monson Academy had to contend were 
 the Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mt. Holyoke Semi- 
 nary for young ladies, the coeducational institutions at 
 Wilbraham and Suffield, and numerous high schools which 
 were springing up in the vicinity. Hence, it is natural 
 that a broader field with ample resources should present 
 great attractions to such an enthusiastic and aspiring- 
 educator as Mr. Hammond. In 1852 the preceptorship of 
 Lawrence Academy at Groton, Mass., became vacant and 
 the trustees offered the position to the successful teacher 
 at Monson. The actual and prospective promise at Groton, 
 to an enterprising scholar, was not surpassed by that of 
 any institution in the state. The result of the negotia- 
 tions between Mr. Hammond and the trustees at Groton 
 was his appointment to the preceptorship in 1852 and his 
 removal thither in 1853. He brought with him the valu- 
 able experience of his previous career, together with his 
 great energy and enthusiasm in his work. Here for eleven 
 years he remained in the successful prosecution of his 
 task. His preceptorship at Groton was the longest contin- 
 uous term of service that this academy had received. 
 
6 SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 We have now to notice what rarely occurs in the life of 
 any public servant. Twice we have already seen him 
 called to the preceptorship of Monson. We have now to 
 notice the beginning of a third term, longer than the sum 
 of the two preceding, and which was to tenninate only 
 with his life. The funds of Monson Academy had always 
 been limited. It had always lived and flourished more by 
 its good behavior than by the strength of its pecuniary 
 foundation. In 1863 its resources had become so narrow 
 that it was found necessary to close the school for a time 
 and gather strength for a higher flight. The return of Mr. 
 Hammond in 1845 had been characterized by a great 
 revival in interest and increase in the means of the school. 
 His return in 1863 was still more marked in these respects. 
 The building was so transformed that no trace of the 
 original structure remained; ten thousand dollars were 
 added to the permanent fund of the institution, and the 
 apparatus was enlarged by the expenditure of eleven hun- 
 dred dollars; and last and greatest, it would seem, by the 
 presence of the teacher who had gained their confidence, 
 and whose leadership they seemed to regard as essential to 
 success. With this emphatic expression of confidence and 
 regard, Mr. Hammond entered upon his last fifteen years 
 of teaching on the very spot where his academic life 
 began thirty-two years before. 
 
 During this term of service at Monson, Mr. Hammond 
 became the educator of the first Chinese, and also the first 
 Japanese students ever sent to America to be educated. 
 Rev. Samnel Robbins Brown, a native of Monson and a 
 missionary to China, was responsible for the sending over 
 of both delegations, although they came at an interval of 
 a number of years. One of the first of these Chinese 
 pupils, which were under the personal supervision of Mr. 
 Hammond, was Yung Wing. He fitted for an American 
 college, gained its diploma, and returned to his country- 
 men resolved to replace by western science and western 
 thought the obsolete civilization based upon the philoso- 
 phy of Confucius. It was a bold enterprise, but it was sue- 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 7 
 
 cessful, and in the wake of his influence, and by the light 
 of his example, scores of his countrymen have found their 
 way to our schools and colleges. And afterward that 
 lonely boy, ripened into a broad Christian manhood, in 
 company with another of his race, from the same teacher 
 and the same school, became a mediator between the 
 oldest and the youngest of nations, between sunrise and 
 sunset, and for many years moved in the highest circles of 
 diplomacy at Washington. This man, the Hon. Yung 
 Wing, thus speaks of his old teacher : " I found in Mr. 
 Hammond a strong friend from first to last. I recall him 
 with feelings of admiration as a noble man in every sense 
 of the word. His voice was clear and sonorous, and every 
 tone of it was filled with a deep sympathy, flowing 
 naturally from a great heart. He had a highly cultivated 
 mind, and his thoughts were those of a strong man. His 
 taste for everything that is beautiful in art, nature and lit- 
 erature was highly cultivated, and he was peculiarly gifted 
 to inspire his pupils with noble aspirations, and to instill 
 into them a love of the truth." 
 
 The work which Mr. Hammond did for Yung Wing, and 
 for his Chinese and Japanese associates, was in no respect 
 different in kind from what he did for every boy and girl 
 who came under his tuition. Send a few educated and 
 high-souled youths to China and Japan, and those ancient 
 despotisms begin to crumble and teem with new life. 
 They appear great by contrast. Send the same to an 
 enlightened state, and they blend so quietly with its 
 higher life that they almost escape notice. 
 
 Mr. Hammond was built on a large plan in every way, 
 physically, intellectually and morally. His face and figure 
 would attract attention in any circle. Those large physi- 
 cal proportions, massive head, and most expressive face, 
 marked a man of princely intellect and noble heart. His 
 frank and genial manners were the natural language of his 
 nature, without the slightest trace of art. His social 
 qualities were of the very best; open and accessible to 
 all, he was a capital talker, and, what is still more rare, 
 
8 SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 an equally good listener. He was always ready to 
 instruct and no less earnest to be instructed. He 
 appeared to g-reat advantage in social discussion and 
 never more so than when he encountered a vigorous and 
 healthy opposition. He had in large measure, the qualities 
 which we sometimes call magnetic in their influence. 
 His emotional nature was one of great richness and 
 strength. His love was fervent and his friendships choice 
 and permanent. Sometimes the quiet smile would light up 
 his eyes and spread over his countenance like sunshine over 
 the hills, or some stronger wave of feeling would break 
 into the quiet, hearty laugh in which his whole body took 
 a part, and in which the whole company, moved by conta- 
 gion, joined. Then again the shadows would gather, deep 
 shadows, sometimes like the shades seen settling over the 
 forests of pines. Indeed his countenance in repose as seen 
 in some of the pictures of him, had the tender mournful 
 look of one who often felt the force of mental depression. 
 It is impossible to tell why but it is true that many young 
 men and women of large intellect and strong emotions 
 have felt an undertow of unaccountable melancholy. 
 
 Mr. Hammond always cherished a tender regard for his 
 native town. He loved its hills and speaks of looking at 
 them from other places as upon the " Delectable Moun- 
 tains." The clear song of the woodland thrush which he 
 heard there, always thrilled his soul. He became intensely 
 interested in the stories of the early settlers of the place, 
 and began while still a young man, to gather the informa- 
 tion concerning the history of the town which has devel- 
 oped into the present work. The reciprocal attachment 
 between him and his native town continued through life. 
 When the people of Union repaired and dedicated their 
 meeting-house, it was Mr. Hammond who was summoned 
 to preach the sermon; if they were to celebrate the fourth 
 of July, Mr. Hammond was their orator; if Tolland County 
 would celebrate the great centennial of 1776, it must be 
 with a profusion of antiquarian and historical lore which 
 Mr. Hammond alone could furnish. When the trustees of 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 9 
 
 Monson Academy would celebrate their semi-centennial 
 anniversary, they recalled Mr. Hammond from Groton to 
 review its history. When the trustees at Groton would 
 dedicate their new academy building, they sent to Monson 
 for Mr. Hammond to come and teach them the history of 
 academic education in New England. And when the shot 
 of the assassin destroyed the nation's chief magistrate, the 
 people of Monson, forgetting sect and party, rushed to the 
 swelling heart and eloquent lips of their preceptor to find 
 utterance for their grief and righteous indignation. These 
 facts show how strongly his character impressed itself 
 wherever it had been felt, and that the close of official rela- 
 tions was no hindrance to the continued exercise of love 
 and friendship; the man remained after the teacher had 
 departed. But it was in his domestic life that the depth of 
 his character is shown. A blow which almost wrecked his 
 life was the loss of an only son in whom he had discovered 
 "a salient, living spring of generous and manly action." 
 This event, the death of his ten-year-old son Charles, took 
 place July 26, 1866, the day after Mr. Hammond preached 
 the rededicatory sermon at the church at Union. Into that 
 sermon he threw his whole soul, and displayed how deep 
 was his sympathy with the religious welfare of his native 
 town. When he returned home to his son's bedside to see 
 him die, his sorrow was overwhelming. He felt as though 
 the storm had gone over him, and left him like a prostrate 
 oak uprooted in the hurricane. He never fully recovered 
 from the blow, and the last twelve years of his life were 
 tinged by its effect. 
 
 As a teacher Mr. Hammond was a thorough scholar, a 
 patient worker, more distinguished for broad views, sound 
 judgment and enlarged culture, than minuteness of drill. 
 One of his pupils testifies, " Genial, energetic and 
 thorough ; these are the words that must be used to charac- 
 terize his manner in the classroom. If it were possible to 
 awaken interest he developed it ; if any latent ability 
 lurked in the nature of his pupils he stirred it to action. 
 His prayers were earnest and devout, his reading of Scrip- 
 
lo SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 ture impressive and reverential. His power was that of a 
 pure, cultivated and honest man. His prevailing mood was 
 eminently cheerful, with no shading of frivolity. His 
 smile was ever ready when a smile was appropriate ; and 
 when occasion called for it, he was capable of a sternness 
 which a recreant pupil would not readily provoke the sec- 
 ond time. He was an excellent disciplinarian, although he 
 was sometimes accused of too great austerity by those who 
 did not fully understand his character." 
 
 His personal interest in his pupils was intense. The 
 poor boy fighting his way through poverty to get an 
 education, found him a father as well as a teacher ; he 
 poured out his money like water to aid such pupils. The 
 last words that fell from his lips were a message to a 
 deserving pupil, who was struggling for an education 
 without money and without friends. 
 
 Rev. R. H. Howard says of him: "Without a doubt, 
 Mr. Hammond was one of the leading educators of the 
 commonwealth. As a teacher, his specialty was classics. 
 Think of the long line of young men which this royal 
 teacher has fitted for college. Nor did ever a student sit 
 at his feet that he did not put his impress on. He could 
 invest minute linguistic details with such an interest as to 
 inspire even the dullard with a passionate ardor for classi- 
 cal pursuits. He was one of Nature's noblemen, as large 
 hearted as he was large brained. Modest, simple, frank, 
 generous to a fault ; self-sacrificing, devoted to his friends 
 and kind, helpful and sympathetic towards all ; the very 
 soul of candor, of honor and of truth ; no man more cor- 
 dially abominated bigotry, meanness, or pretense than he, 
 or more heartily appreciated real worth. * * * His 
 commanding form only fittingly expressed the largeness 
 of his manhood, the breadth of his liberality, and the 
 power and urgency of his convictions. As to his methods 
 and theories, whether as an educator, or in regard to 
 social, political or religious matters, Mr. Hammond was 
 conservative. The good old ways well worked, were good 
 enough for him, not that he arbitrarily or unreasonably 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. n 
 
 repelled all new things. He was not by any means averse 
 to true progress. He felt inclined, however, to make haste 
 very slowly." The same writer speaks of the fine human- 
 ity in Mr. Hammond, which was illustrated on one 
 occasion when he sat " a whole hour and that when other 
 duties were pressing, and late in the evening, engaged 
 with a youth who had applied for admission to the 
 academy, and who was extremely anxious to succeed, 
 gently leading him to a full realization of what was at a 
 glance only too obvious to the examiner — his utter unfit- 
 ness as yet for such a promotion. And then, when at 
 length the disappointed child burst into tears, the fatherly 
 tenderness with which the great teacher soothed, and 
 encouraged the boy not to despond, but by and by try 
 again, was touching and beautiful indeed." 
 
 Mr. Hammond was closely identified with the educa- 
 tional interests of the state. He was one of the founders of 
 the Massachusetts State Teachers' Association, and was one 
 of its officers in some line of service continuously till his 
 death. He attended punctually the meetings, took an 
 active part in its deliberations and discussions, reading 
 many able papers before that society. 
 
 Mr. Hammond had a library of great value, into which 
 he put a large share of his surplus earnings. It contained 
 many rare books, valuable because of their rarity, and 
 many valuable pamphlets. 
 
 Mr. Hammond received the honorary degree of LL. D., 
 in 1877, from Iowa College. 
 
 In vSeptember, 1878, he entered upon his last academic 
 year, with the expectation and purpose that it should be 
 his last year of teaching. He had taught thirty-six years, 
 and was hoping for a peaceful retirement in a green old 
 age, with leisure in which to complete the history of his 
 native town. This plan he had long cherished, and had 
 been gathering the material for that purpose throughout 
 many years. What a pity that his plan could not have 
 been carried out ! His ripe culture, his skill as a writer, 
 his whole-souled love for his native town, his familiarity 
 
12 SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 with many of its people, and the impressions of its his- 
 tory which he carried in mind, all fitted him far bet- 
 ter than any one else to be its historian. It is safe to say 
 that the work which he would have left behind him would 
 have been of interest, not only to those who were person- 
 ally connected with the town, but to the general literary 
 public as well. But his fond hopes were not to be realized. 
 A few weeks after the beginning of the term he was pros- 
 trated by a capricious and treacherous disease — that of the 
 kidneys. He rallied for a time, so far as to leave his 
 chamber, go down to his library for a few hours, and gaze 
 upon the volumes through which he had so long com- 
 muned with the wise and good of every country and of 
 every age. 
 
 The feelings of that hour can only be imagined by one 
 who has witnessed his love for books, — who has seen him 
 unconsciously clasp to his bosom a choice new volume, 
 with the same warmth with which he would grasp the 
 hand of a friend. 
 
 But he was soon satisfied that all that remained for him 
 to do was to set his house in order, and be in readiness for 
 the summons; and this he did with the firmness of a man 
 and the faith of a Christian. He suffered much for several 
 weeks, and the light of reason was for a time clouded. 
 The ruling passion was strong in death. Gathering the 
 poor remains of his wasted strength with a resolute effort, 
 he gave a message of love for a beloved pupil, and as the 
 words left his lips he passed away, November 7th, 1878, to 
 a higher service, in a nearer presence, and with ransomed 
 powers. 
 
 His funeral rites were solemnized with that simplicity 
 and tenderness which befitted his character. His friend 
 and classmate, Dr. I. N. Tarbox, told the story of his life 
 and drew the lessons which it taught. Rev. John W. 
 Harding, of Longmeadow, one of the trustees of Monson 
 Academy, spoke of his long and faithful services to the 
 academy. There was a large audience of students, grad- 
 uates from the institution, friends from abroad, and towns- 
 
SKETCH PF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 13 
 
 people, gathered to pay the last tribute of respect and 
 affection to the man they had known and loved so well. 
 The trustees of the academy to which he had come as a 
 pupil forty-seven years before, and which he had served as 
 preceptor a quarter of a century, followed by mourning 
 friends and reverent pupils, old and young, bore him to 
 his grave, to rest where his work was done. 
 
 The Rev. John W. Harding, of Longmeadow, has kindly 
 furnished for the history the following reminiscences of 
 Mr. Hammond : 
 
 My memories of Mr. Hammond date back to the period 
 of his graduation from the Yale Theological School. 
 While an under-graduate in the college, I got from his 
 personal friends and class mates the impression that he 
 was a superior man and particularly so in his chaste and 
 elegant use of good English. He was rated highly as a 
 good writer and belle-lettres scholar. Becoming quite 
 well acquainted with him during his later occupancy of 
 the principalship of Monson Academy, my early impres- 
 sions were thoroughly confirmed. He possessed a fine 
 mastery of expression, enhanced in point of beauty and 
 strength by his enthusiastic study of the Latin and Greek 
 classics. As an educator, the forte in which he achieved 
 his largest distinction, he was eminently successful. Not 
 so much however by dint of accurate scholarship, and the 
 advantage of communicating well what he knew, as by his 
 grand personality. His massive frame, broad shoulders, 
 superb head and ponderous stride were matched by a 
 lustrous and penetrating eye, now revealing deep wells of 
 thought, and anon twinkling with a subtle humor. His 
 mobile mouth, whether firmly compressed, or wreathed 
 with smiles never suggested an approach to weakness or 
 vacuity. He was in every point of view a large pattern of 
 a man, but without the least apparent consciousness of it. 
 Totally destitute of any affected dignity, he was charming 
 in a grand simplicity that made him become even as a 
 little child in the guileless transparency through which 
 
14 SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 shone his great heart. How intense were his affections, 
 was touchingly revealed in the crushing sorrow that fol- 
 lowed the loss of his young son in whom were fondly 
 garnered his longing expectations. In teaching his boys 
 and especially the class fitting for college, he gave to 
 them richly out of the fullness of his delicate perception 
 and enthusiastic appreciation of whatsoever was good and 
 beautiful and true. United with his warm affection was a 
 quick and tender conscience and a high sense of honor. 
 Such educators possessing his inspiring and magnetic 
 quality are few. He deserves to be classed with Thomas 
 Arnold of Rugby, and Osgood Johnson, or Samuel Taylor, 
 of Andover. The testimony of his pupils who have 
 achieved success in the higher walks of life is his best 
 eulogy. They might forget his words, they never forgat 
 him. Through all their after years their hearts went 
 back to Monson or to Groton to thank him who so attuned 
 their souls to finer issues and lifted for them the standard 
 of a true manhood. 
 
 In the pulpit he loved to handle such deep themes as 
 the book of Job. His sermons were too ponderous with 
 thought for the camp meeting, but delightsome to the fit 
 audience though few of elect thinkers. 
 
 It was not in his chosen profession merely that he 
 became a power. The community not only of educators, 
 but of churches and pastors and all good citizens who 
 knew him, were touched by his pervasive and uncon- 
 scious influence. Although separated from him by the 
 space of many miles my knowledge of him was a constant 
 help and inspiration. His fellow townsmen were toned 
 up to a nobler public spirit by his presence. The savor of 
 his good name lifted many into a higher atmosphere of 
 social, civic and spiritual life. 
 
 JOHN W. HARDING. 
 LoNGMEADOw, September 3, 1892. 
 
SKETCH OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND. 
 
 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS BY DR. HAMMOND. 
 
 15 
 
 1. American Puritanism, New Englander, July, 1843. 
 
 2. Ebenezer Porter Mason, New Englander, July, 1845. 
 
 3. Common Schools and their relation to Higher Semi- 
 naries, New Englander, July, 1848. 
 
 4. New England Academies and Classical Schools. 
 [Introduction to a History of Incorporated Academies pro- 
 jected by Heniy Barnard in 1852 and printed in the Amer- 
 ican Journal of Education 1866, and in the Circular of 
 Commissioner of Education, in 1867.] 
 
 5. Historical Discourse at the Semi-Centennial Anniver- 
 sar}^ of Monson Acadetny, July, 1854. 
 
 6. Address at Re-Dedication of Monson Academy, July 
 12, 1864. 
 
 7. History of Groton Academy, Barnard's Journal of 
 Education, 1856. 
 
 8. Sermon on the Life and Character of Abraham Lin- 
 coln, Preached at Monson, June i, 1865. 
 
 9. Sermon preached at the Re-Dedication of the Church 
 at Union, Conn., July 25, 1866. 
 
 10. History of Monson Academy, Barnard's Journal of 
 Education, 1867. 
 
 11. Address at the Re-Dedication of Lawrence Acade- 
 my, June 29, 187 1. 
 
 12. History of Phillips Academy at Andover. Report 
 of Secretary of Mass. Board of Education, 1875-6. 
 
 13. Our County History. An Oration delivered at Tol- 
 land, Conn., Tolland County Press, July 4, 1876. 
 
 14. Address at the Centennial Reunion, at Lake Masha- 
 paug, in Union, Conn., Tolland County Press, and South- 
 bridge Journal, August 30, 1876. 
 
 15. The Good Pastor. A Sermon preached at the Fune- 
 ral of Rev. Abram Marsh, at Tolland, Conn., September 4, 
 1877. 
 
 16. Mashapaug Lake and the Surrounding Region. An 
 Address delivered at Union, Conn., Tolland County Press, 
 July 4, 1878. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 INTERESTING CHARACTER — SIZE BOUNDARIES ELEVATION 
 
 BALD HILL OTHER HILLS — MASHAPAUG LAKE CELEBRA- 
 TIONS HELD HERE — SUMMER RESORTS WATER-SHEDS IN 
 
 UNION THE BREAKNECK REGION CAT ROCKS ROADS IN 
 
 UNION — FORESTS PLANTS AND BIRDS. 
 
 THERE is no town in this region which is so interest- 
 ing from a physical point of view as Union. Its 
 high hills and low valleys, its rocks and precipices, its 
 beautiful lakes and streams, and its extensive forests, all 
 combine to make it a delightful locality for the lover of 
 nature. 
 
 The town is a trifle over five miles in width on the 
 north side and about seven on the south. The western 
 boundary is about five and a quarter miles in length and 
 the eastern a little less than five miles. The area of the 
 town is thirty and a fifth square miles. 
 
 Union is bounded on the north by Wales, Holland and 
 Sturbridge, on the east by Woodstock, on the south by 
 Eastford and Ashford, and on the west by Stafford. 
 
 One peculiarity of this region is its comparative eleva- 
 tion. Union is the highest town in the state east of the 
 Connecticut river. Streams flow from its hills into every 
 border town. It is sometimes said in disparagement that 
 this town is out of the world. It is truly out of and above the 
 common level of other places. Surely it is no discredit to 
 the people of this town if they do really live a little nearer 
 heaven than any of their neighbors. 
 
 The highest eminence in town and in this part of the 
 state is Bald hill, which rises to the height of 1,286 feet 
 above sea level. The view from its summit is perfectly 
 panoramic. It extends in every direction to a remote hor- 
 
MAP 
 
 OF THE TOWN OF 
 
 UNION 
 
 DRAWN EXPRESSLY FOR 
 
BALD HILL. 
 
 17 
 
 izon, like that at sea or on a western prairie. On the east 
 the eye ranges far beyond the Quinnebatig, with its source 
 in Mashapaug Lake, through all its windings, far down 
 towards its confluence with the Shetucket at Norwich, to 
 form the Thames. On the west the vale of the Williman- 
 tic is traced to its connection with the Bigelow, while far 
 beyond is the broad valley of the Connecticut, limited by 
 the mountains of Litchfield and Berkshire. The northern 
 prospect is defined by Wachusett, Monadnock, and the 
 mountains of southern Vermont. On the south a large 
 part of the territory of eastern Connecticut is in sight. 
 A hundred steeples are said to be visible on a clear day, 
 but in such a locality the arithmetic is not apt to be 
 accurate. 
 
 The following account of Bald hill is from the pen of 
 Rev. S. L Curtiss : 
 
 "Of the several prominent hills in Union, Bald hill is, in many- 
 respects, the most noted. Stickney hill, about a mile northeast, opens 
 to view a grand prospect of the surrounding country. Perhaps more 
 can be seen from every point of the compass than from Bald hill, but 
 Bald hill has become the most distinguished and celebrated of all the 
 hills in Union or vicinity. It is easy of ascent on the north and south 
 sides. It slopes on the north to the road to Staffordville, spotted here 
 and there all the way to the summit with bare rocks just above the 
 ground from which, perhaps, it derives its name. The south slope is 
 covered with woods to the road leading to Stafford Springs. On this 
 side is a road to the summit which makes it easy of access. Those who 
 have been upon the top of the hill in a cloudless morning, when the 
 atmosphere was without haze, to look upon the rising sun as it sent its 
 rays upon the expansive scenery before them, say that it was of surpass- 
 ing loveliness. The prospect from the summit is on a magnificent scale. 
 In a clear atmosphere there are many villages and churches to be seen 
 with the naked eye The hill sides and tops before you covered with 
 forests, gradually rising one above another in the distance, dotted here 
 and there with clearings, farm houses and villages, form a picturesque 
 landscape captivating to the eye, and expanding to the mind. Bald hill 
 has been honored above all other hills for many miles distant as better 
 located from which, in connection with Mts. Tom and JMonadnock, to 
 take a survey of the seacoast in the direction of New London, and 
 onward to meet other surveys which had been made by men appointed 
 for this purpose by the general government. The surveyors ^ere upon 
 the summit of Bald hill at different times for two or three years, just 
 
1 8 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 before the late war, making surveys. The second time the company of 
 surveyors with their attendants and famiUes to the number of thirty or 
 more, came with their equipments and spent five or six weeks in the 
 prosecution of their important business. At this time of observation 
 there were two other points manned, one in Massachusetts and tlie other 
 in New Hampshire, that an accurate survey of all the angles on the coast 
 might be made. From these several points communication was made 
 •with each other by signals. The company on Bald hill used a theodo- 
 lite (one of the best in the United States) which took from four to six 
 men to operate. With this instrument sight could be taken a hundred 
 miles or more. After this manner an accurate survey of the seacoast 
 was made upon all the Atlantic shore, of the land and water, and mapped 
 out, which was a special benefit in time of war, and will be useful to our 
 ■commerce in all time to come." 
 
 To the north of Bald hill is Stickney, so named from 
 an Amos Stickney who lived near its summit in the early 
 history of the town. It rises to a height of 1220 feet. To 
 the north of this the summit of the range west of Union 
 meeting-house has an altitude of 1200 feet. (These figures 
 are from the recent U. S. topographical survey). In the 
 east part of town the highest points are the Coye hill, and 
 Walker mountain, about a mile south of it. These are 
 both 1040 feet high. From the summit of Coye hill, a 
 magnificent view of the surrounding country can be 
 obtained. To the northeast are Charlton and Dudley. 
 To the east the Baptist meeting-house at West Woodstock 
 looms up prominently, while beyond are the hills of Wood- 
 stock, and of Thompson in the distant horizon. In the 
 southeast the view stretches away to Pomfret, Brooklyn 
 and Eastf ord. From the north brow of the hill (a point a few 
 rods southwest of Milton Underwoods's place), a splendid 
 view can be obtained of the northeast section of town. 
 From that point Breakneck mountain appears with its 
 southern front bold, steep and deep. - On its left side 
 Mashapaug Lake appears spread out in its length and 
 breadth. At the foot of the mountain is a gorge which 
 can be traced towards the northeast where a glimpse of 
 Breakneck pond appears in its deep seclusion as it rests in 
 its cradle of rocky ravines. At the south this gorge runs 
 into the Bigelow valley with the pond lying at the foot of 
 
3IA8EAPA UG LAKE. 
 
 19 
 
 the steep slopes. Bigelow pond lies about thirty feet 
 below Mashapaug, and were it not for the base of the 
 mountain between, the waters of Mashapaug would rush 
 down upon it in an overwhelming flood. 
 
 Beyond these lakes to the north lie the hills and fields 
 of Sturbridge, Holland, Brimfield and Brookfield, while in 
 the blue distance the solid form of Mt. Wachusett looms 
 up against the horizon. From the west side of the Coye 
 hill can be seen the center of the town with Bald hill, 
 Stickney, and the hills north rising up against the sky, 
 while the deep valley of Bigelow 400 feet below, separates 
 the observer from the central section of town. The eleva- 
 tions of various other places in town are as follows : 
 
 David Newell's, loio feet ; Union meeting-house, 980 
 feet ;* Lead-mine hill, 1130 feet ; Foster school-house, 
 1020 feet ; Henry Booth's, 1000 feet ; Jonathan Upham's, 
 940 feet ; ^lashapaug pond, 690 feet ; Breakneck pond, 665 
 feet ; Breakneck mountain, 990 feet ; Bigelow pond, 660 
 feet ; E. N. Lawson's, 920 feet. 
 
 Mashapaug Lake, the largest in this vicinity, is about 
 a mile in length and averages half a mile in width. Its 
 size and capacit}^ have been greatly increased by build- 
 ing the dam and iising it as a reservoir. The Indian 
 word, Mashapaug, means g}-eat zvater. There are two 
 ponds of the same name in Massachusetts, one at 
 Sharon and the other at Groton, also one at Killingly, 
 Conn. This Indian word in both its parts was spelled 
 varioush' by the English. The word pang — also written 
 pog,poag, bog, boag, and bai/g — is the termination of many 
 names of ponds, lakes and streams in New England, and is 
 a generic word meaning water, though applied more com- 
 monly to ponds than to streams. The prefix spelled 
 Alaska, Massa, and Alassi, signifies large or great. It is 
 found in the word Massachusetts, which signifies great 
 mountain, and was the Indian name of the Blue hills in 
 Milton and of the tribe of Indians who lived in the 
 vicinity. The word Quinnebaug means long water. Connec- 
 ticut was by the early colonists often spelled Quifmecticut 
 and means lo?ig river. 
 
20 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 The land along the northern shore of the lake consists 
 of a light, sandy soil, of easy cultivation. Upon this many 
 Indian relics have been discovered, such as stone arrow 
 heads, spear heads, and tomahawks. Mr. Herbert Smith 
 has a fine collection of these. Their discovery proves 
 that the plains around the lake were once inhabited by the 
 Nipnet Indians, a powerful tribe, who before King Phil- 
 ip's war ruled all the region of the upper Quinnebaug 
 valley. There is a tradition of an interesting legend 
 which the Indians had concerning Mashapaug Lake and 
 the small precipitous island near its north end. 
 
 Dr. George N. Lavvson has incorporated this in a poem, 
 which we give : 
 
 MASHAPAUG. 
 
 Up among the hills of Union 
 Lies a lake of sparkling water. 
 Mashapaug, the Indians called it, 
 Quinnebaug they named the outlet. 
 
 Near the lake the Indian warrior, 
 Seated in his dusky wigwam, 
 With his camptire blazing near him. 
 With the young braves seated round him, 
 
 Used to tell a strange tradition 
 Which his fathers told before him, 
 Which his sons should teach their children, 
 As they sat round future campfires. 
 
 Once, in days long since forgotten 
 Save in stories of old warriors. 
 In the place where now the water 
 Pictures the surrounding forest, 
 
 Stood a mountain high and rocky, 
 With its summit clad in pine trees. 
 Near its foot a little stream ran, 
 Swift and sparkling down the hillside. 
 
 By this stream there lived a people, 
 Once a powerful warlike nation; 
 But their strength had now departed, 
 And their warriors were like women. 
 
INDIAN TRADITION 
 
 For they loved their feast and revel 
 More than warfare, more than hunting; 
 They were cowardly in combat, 
 And they feared not the Great Spirit. 
 
 And their queen, the young Nokemo, 
 Fairest of the Indian maidens, 
 Ruled them not as wise queens govern, 
 But she led them in their feasting. 
 
 Near the summit of the mountain 
 Dwelt the prophetess Nakentis, 
 An old woman full of wisdom 
 Gathered through her eighty winters. 
 
 Her the mighty spirit honored 
 With the secrets of the future; 
 Secrets which the night-owl taught her; 
 Secrets which she read in storm clouds. 
 
 Many times had fair Nokemo 
 Visited the strange old woman; 
 Many questions had she asked her 
 Of the future of her people. 
 
 But Nakentis gave her only 
 One reply to all her questions, 
 Saying, " The Great Spirit tells me 
 That his anger has been growing; 
 
 " And his anger is not fruitless; 
 It is ripe and full of poison 
 Which will kill out wicked people, 
 And will show that he is powerful. 
 
 "When a swan shall sing his death song, 
 Sinking from the sky above you, 
 Falling at your feet and dying, 
 Then comes vengeance swift and mighty. 
 
 But the beautiful Nokemo 
 Paid no heed to old Nakentis; 
 Still her people grew more wicked, 
 Still she led them in their feasting. 
 
 Once Nokemo in October, 
 When the ash was tinged with yellow, 
 And the maple dyed with crimson, 
 Made a feast for all her people. 
 
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 Venison she had provided, 
 Fish and nuts with corn just ripened; 
 Many other things they brought her, 
 Filled her lodge with food of all kinds. 
 
 Then their festal hres were kindled 
 Half way up the leaf strewn mountain, 
 And the older women gathered, 
 Eager to prepare the banquet. 
 
 But the youths and maidens gathered 
 In a glen among the pine trees, 
 There to dance and sing and wanton, 
 Led on bj' the fair Nokemo. 
 
 Thus they reveled through the whole day. 
 Wildly cursing the Great Spirit; 
 Till they gather round Nokemo, 
 Listening to this song she sang them: 
 
 " Life is like a river rolling 
 Swift and silent to the ocean. 
 We are like the warriors sailing 
 In their light canoes of birch bark. 
 
 " Some glide smoothly down the river. 
 Joyous in their lives' bright sunshine. 
 Some are toiling up the current, 
 Weary with the work'of rowing. 
 
 " But the end to which we hasten. 
 The great hunting ground of nations, 
 Can be gained by floating downward. 
 Can be reached hy toiling upward. 
 
 " How much better then, my people, 
 That we make the easier vo3'age; 
 Let us feast and dance and revel. 
 Revel as our boat glides down slream." 
 
 As Nokemo ceased her singing, 
 Suddenly the sky grew darker. 
 Thunder rumbled in the distance, 
 And the wind roared through the forest. 
 
 Then between the peals of thunder. 
 Louder than the tempest's raging. 
 Heard they old Nakentis chanting 
 Wildly from the crag above them : 
 
INDIAN TRADITION. 
 
 ' ' See the hour of wrath approaching ! 
 See the dragons in those storm clouds ! 
 Hear the Mighty Spirit speaking 
 Words of anger in his thunder ! 
 
 " See the fated bird approaching 
 From the blackness of the tempest ! 
 O my people ! O Xokemo ! 
 Too far down stream have you floated ! " 
 
 Then a sharper crash of thunder 
 Answered this wild hymn of warning, 
 And between the high pine branches 
 Sank a bird of snowy plumage. 
 
 Then the rocks began to tremble, 
 And the ground to heave and open; 
 How the thunder pealed above them ! 
 How the lightning flashed around them ! 
 
 Then came hurrying and screaming ; 
 Maidens clung to helpless brothers; 
 Some rushed one way, some another, 
 Some fell fainting in their terror. 
 
 But Nokemo made no inotion, 
 Save to turn her eyes to heaven. 
 There she sat in wreaths of gentians, 
 As her youthful friends had crowned her. 
 
 When she saw the swan descending 
 From the sky where all was blackness, 
 Sinking at her feet and dying, 
 Then she thought of old Nakentis. 
 
 Then she thought of all her evil, 
 How she had not helped her people, 
 When she should have been their guardiau; 
 And she clasped her hands in anguish. 
 
 And the mountain with its people 
 Sank. And round its grinding edges 
 Poured up water in great torrents. 
 Rolling everything beneath it. 
 
 Thus the mountain with its warriors. 
 With its sunshine, with its shadows, 
 All were buried in the waters 
 Save the pious old Xakentis. 
 
 23 
 
24 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 She stood on the very summit, 
 With her hands stretch'd toward the tempest, 
 And the sunken mountain left her 
 Standing on an island praying. 
 
 Thus was Mashapaug created. 
 
 And the fisher oft at sunset, 
 
 When the light shines through the water, 
 
 Sees beneath him trees and wigwams. 
 
 And at eve they see Nakentis 
 With a torch glide o'er the meadows, 
 Seeking for her wayward people, 
 Seeking for her lost Nokemo. 
 
 Besides this ancient legend, there is a tragic story con- 
 nected with the lake in more recent times. On Aiigitst 14, 
 1840, four men, Lothrop Moore, Whiting Moore, Justus 
 Bugbee and David Ames, were fishing toward the north 
 end in a light boat. Somehow a hole was made in the bot- 
 tom of the boat, through which the water began to pour 
 ■up. Three of the men became frightened and jumped 
 overboard to swim ashore. But Whiting Moore remained 
 in the boat and thrust his coat in the hole. He alone was 
 saved; the other three were drowned. Others have been 
 drowned in the lake besides these. One of them was a 11- 
 year-old boy, Otis Merriam, who was drowned July 17, 
 1803. 
 
 There are two groves on the shores of Mashapaug Lake, 
 which are used for picnics, camping, and summer resorts. 
 One of these at the south end of the lake has long been 
 owned and conducted by Major Smith. There he has enter- 
 tained picnics and excursion parties innumerable, and 
 given shelter and food to the camper and fisherman. A 
 large hotel building accommodates boarders or transients. 
 At this grove have been held several notable celebrations. 
 The celebration of the Temperance Society, July 4th, 
 1853, on which occasion Rev. Charles Hammond delivered 
 an interesting and patriotic address on the Revolution and 
 the part Union bore in it, was held just north of the dam. 
 This address was published in pamphlet form. On August 
 
CELEBRATION AT MASHAPAUG. 25 
 
 30th, 1876, a great centennial was held at Smith's grove. A 
 large concourse of the present and former inhabitants of 
 the town gathered on this occasion and listened to a long 
 discourse by Mr. Hammond, on the " History of Union." 
 This was published in the Tolland Comity Press and the 
 Southbridge Jouriml. The town of Union was the only one 
 in the vicinity which carried out the idea of the proper 
 observance of the nation's centenary, in accordance with 
 President Grant's recommendation. The gathering was 
 noticeable in that it numbered all the elderly people in the 
 town as well as called home so many of the sons of Union 
 now residing elsewhere. Upon the platform besides the 
 president of the day, Hon. William M. Corbin, and the vice- 
 presidents, vSamuel W. Moore, and George D. Colburn, 
 were many aged and prominent men of the town, includ- 
 ing Ezra Horton, aged 83 years, the oldest man in town, 
 Benjamin Corbin, aged 82, Capt. Chauncey Paul, aged 79, 
 David Lawson, aged 76, who had a most retentive memory 
 and who probably had more of Union's local history at 
 command than any man living except Mr. Hammond, and 
 who was of great service to the latter in making his collec- 
 tion of facts; Ichabod T. Upham, Rev. S. I. Curtiss, Trenclc 
 Crawford, Newman Bugbee, Elijah Severy, and A. A. Wales, 
 all upwards of 70. All these old men have now passed 
 away. Among the guests from out of town were D. P. 
 Corbin of Hartford; Philip Corbin of New Britain, and 
 his son Hezekiah; Francis Hammond of Niles, Michi- 
 gan, brother of the orator of the day; D wight Craw- 
 ford of Wisconsin; Burt Crawford of Woodstock, and 
 Mrs. Eleazar Corbin of Philadelphia, children of Samuel 
 Crawford; Robert B. and Marvin K. Paul of Geneseo, 
 Illinois; Wells Moore and Samuel Needham of Monson; 
 Healy Corbin of Brimfield; Louisa and Rachel Foster 
 of Ellington; Jared Horton, of Albany, N. Y., son of 
 Ezra Horton; J. Henry Herman and wife of Boston; 
 Calvin I. Thompson and wife of Somers; O. T. Crawford 
 of Worcester, and W. M. Crawford of Stafford Springs, 
 sons of Trenck Crawford; Hon. Sabin H. Wales of New 
 
26 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 York, a native of Wales, Mass., but of Union ancestry; Lee 
 Blanchard of Monson; Dr. Silas F. Lindsley of Dudley, 
 Mass.; Rev. John W. Allen of North A¥oodstock, son of 
 President Allen of Bowdoin College; Ossian Crawford of 
 Wales; Lucius Bugbee, Springfield; Wm. Bugbee, Monson; 
 Elisha Kinney, Holland; Horace Kinney, Stafford; Harri- 
 son Horton, Woodstock; Clinton Lawson, Southbridge; 
 Sessions Estabrooks, Webster; Lucius Agard, Brimfield; 
 Stephen Agard, Holland; Miner Corbin, Brimfield; Charles 
 Corbin, Wilbraham; Rev. George Curtiss and Mrs. Lucy 
 Foster of Harwinton, Conn.; Edward Chamberlain, Wood- 
 stock; L. A. Snow, Woonsocket, R. L; Albert Belknap, 
 Southbridge; Elijah Shaw, Wales; Dea. H. Haynes, Stur- 
 bridge; Nathan and Albert Morse, Ezra Ma}^, G. C. Will- 
 iams, West Woodstock; Elijah Fairman, Rufus Weston and 
 many others. Most of these were accompanied by their 
 families. 
 
 The exercises were opened by prayer offered by Rev. S. 
 L Curtiss. Following this was an address of welcome by 
 Geo. D. Colburn, who in a few well chosen words welcomed 
 all to Union's centenary reunion. Following this came the 
 address, dinner and after-dinner speeches, making it an 
 occasion long to be remembered. Two years later July 
 4th, 1878, Mr. Hammond made an address here on "Mash- 
 apaug Lake, and the Surrounding Region," which was 
 printed in the Tolland County Fress, and portions of which 
 are incorporated in this chapter. 
 
 The other summer resort is on " the island " at the 
 north end of the lake near the dam. Hartley Walker 
 owned the grove here for several years. About 1889 Mr. 
 Alvardo Howard of Stafford Springs, bought the property 
 and has since improved it by building a number of neat 
 and pretty cottages, a hotel, named the " Mayflower," a 
 barn, sheds, etc. The name of '' Mayland Park " has been 
 given to the place and it is becoming very popular espe- 
 cially among the people of Stafford, Southbridge and vicini- 
 ties. A drive has been made around the "island," and a 
 road leads off from this over the little dam coming out on 
 
OUTLETS OF MA81IAPAUG. 27 
 
 the road which leads to Smith's grove. The attractions of 
 Mayland Park are strong ones which will ever keep it in 
 high favor as a place to spend a summer outing. The lake 
 affords fine fishing, and to row upon it is always a pleasure, 
 the many islands and ba5's ever opening new vistas of 
 scenery. A place which visitors delight to visit is the 
 " Ravine " below the dam at the south end, along the 
 stream which leads to Bigelow. Here on the east side is a 
 precipitous cliff, with the jutting rocks in the deep shade 
 covered with ferns. It is a very attractive place to one 
 who loves to be alone with Nature. 
 
 Mashapaug Lake is very interesting in this respect, that 
 it has two outlets. The main one at the north end forms 
 the Quinnebaug, which, after flowing through Holland, 
 Sturbridge, and Southbridge in Massachusetts, turns south 
 and becomes the east tributary to the Thames at Norwich. 
 The other outlet is at the south end where, when the pond 
 is full, the water flows down through a rocky gorge into 
 the Bigelow pond. Thence it flows on in the Bigelow to 
 unite with Still river to form the Nauchaug. The latter 
 by a junction with the Willimantic forms the Shetucket 
 which flows into the Quinnebaug at Norwich and then the 
 united waters flow to the Sound in the broad channel of 
 the Thames. Thus we see how streams from the same lake 
 become separated and at times are thirty miles or more 
 apart, but become reunited before reaching the sea. This 
 shows the elevated character of the region. Similar phe- 
 nomena are noticeable all over town. In fact Union is a 
 region of water-sheds. The water flows down the west 
 side of Breakneck mountain into Mashapaug, down the 
 east side into Breakneck, thence northward by Break- 
 neck brook to the Quinnebaug at Westville, and on 
 the south side into Bigelow. At the Newell place 
 the water runs down west of the house into the Center 
 brook which empties into M'ashapaug mill-pond, east 
 into Gulf brook which flows into the Bigelow towards the 
 south part of town, and south into the stream which runs 
 into Bushmeadow brook and past Kinney's mills into the 
 
2 8 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 Bigelow a little farther south. The west side of Bald and 
 Stickney hills are drained by Roaring brook which empties 
 into the Willimantic, and the east side by Bushmeadow 
 brook. 
 
 Coye hill is a water-shed between the Bigelow basin on 
 the west and that of Still river on the east. The latter 
 flows through Kenyonville and Eastford village and unites 
 with the Bigelow below Phenixville, to form the Nauchaug. 
 At the four corners near Fayette Crawford's, the water 
 flows north into Breakneck, west into Bigelow, and south 
 into vStill river. West of the S. W. Moore place there is a 
 water-shed between the Roaring brook on the south and the 
 stream on the north which drains the northwest district, 
 and empties into the Holland reservoir near the Back 
 place. There are such high hills on the line between 
 Union and Stafford that streams cannot flow into Stafford 
 except towards the south where Roaring brook crosses the 
 line. The largest stream which flows into town and the 
 only one of note is the Lead Mine brook which flows from 
 the Lead Mine pond in Sturbridge into the Mashapaug 
 mill-pond. But about a mile and a half east Breakneck 
 brook runs into Sturbridge to the Quinnebaug. Instances 
 similar to these might be multiplied, but sufficient have 
 been given to show the interesting character of the drain- 
 age of Union. 
 
 The territory in the northeast part of town east of 
 Mashapaug lake, including the Breakneck region, is of a 
 wild, uninhabited character. This region can be over- 
 looked from the mountain east of Mashapaug. From 
 that point Breakneck pond can be seen lying low in 
 its deep narrow ravine. It is a long, narrow lake, deep and 
 muddy, by turns. It is. not as large as it used to be before 
 the dam gave way. 
 
 The drive through the Breakneck road with its steep 
 ups and downs is an interesting one. Strangers who are 
 not used to such hills usually prefer to walk down the 
 steep one by the pond rather than trust themselves to the 
 uncertainties of riding down such a steep grade. A glance 
 
THE BREAKNECK REGION. 29 
 
 over the low railing down through the rocks and trees on 
 the precipice to the pond below, convinces one that the 
 region is appropriately named, for it would be so easy to 
 break one's neck there. 
 
 There is the following tradition as to how the region 
 got its name: A man by the name of Laflin, who lived on 
 the Prosper Smith place, owned some land there, to which 
 he used to go across to work. One night as he was return- 
 ing home after dark he fell down a precipice and injured 
 himself considerably. Hence he gave it the name of Neck- 
 break or Breakneck, which has since adhered to it. The 
 road through this region is not built in the best possible 
 location to ^void the hills. By going a little farther to the 
 east many of the pitches might have been avoided. The 
 question arises in the minds of those who observe this fact, 
 why was the road unnecessarily built over such rough 
 places ? The explanation is this : when the road was 
 built about 1826, the selectmen, two of whom resided in 
 the west part of town, were strongly opposed to it. Hence 
 they refused the more level route surveyed by Paul Law- 
 son, and laid it out over the hills expecting that it would 
 not be accepted by the town. It was accepted, however, 
 and hence the road is where it is to-day, and probably 
 always will be. 
 
 This entire region is now destitute of an inhabitant; 
 but in former times there were several houses between 
 Mashapaug and Breakneck. Here lived Lemuel Bolles, 
 Elder Haskell, a Baptist minister, Ebenezer Lyon, Noah 
 Bump and some others. Peter Dickey, a Revolutionary 
 soldier, lived north of Bigelow pond, and there reared his 
 family. Two of his sons were in the War of 181 2. 
 
 About half a mile northwest of Breakneck pond are the 
 Cat Rocks, which are doubtless the most wonderful of their 
 kind in Union. They are so named from the wild cats 
 which lived there until quite recent times. They can best 
 be reached by following the path that turns east from the 
 road about a quarter of a mile south of the Badger cellar- 
 hole. They are about half a mile from the road. They 
 
30 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 are made up of bowlders and precipices forming' the east 
 side of a hill. Immense masses of rock as large as a house 
 are piled over each other promiscuously, as if b}^ some 
 terrible convulsion of nature. There are many caves 
 underneath these rocks. Some of them are of consider- 
 able size and would make a comfortable place to live in. 
 Some are light and others dark. There are passage 
 ways by which the explorer can pass under or between 
 these broken masses out into a new place of wonder 
 beyond. It takes considerable time, and the person must 
 be a good climber to explore this region thoroughly. It 
 would be magnificent place to play at hide and seek, or for 
 a person to hide from pursuers. The south part of the hill 
 was cleared a few years ago and the logs were slid down 
 to the steam mill in the valley below, by means of an arti- 
 ficial slide. Were not these rocks in such a wild, inacces- 
 sible place, they would have more visitors, and their 
 interesting character would be better appreciated. 
 
 There are many interesting places in the great Bigelow 
 valley. Any one in passing over the road from Dea Law- 
 son's to Union Center, reaches the valley by descending a 
 hill nearly a mile long. Half way down this hill is a large 
 bowldei: on the south side of the road, which bears the 
 name of the " Horseblock." It is now alinost too high, 
 however, to mount a horse from. From a point in the 
 valley, near the old shingled house, there is a beautiful 
 view of the steep hillside opposite, covered with trees, and 
 sloping abruptly down to the quiet mill-pond below, with 
 the sawmill and the piles of logs and boards at the left- 
 The pond is full of stuinps which have been there for a 
 hundred years or more and have not rotted. There was 
 only a small natural pond here but the dam was easily con- 
 structed. It is said that a man began it by carrying earth 
 in a wheelbarrow. In former times the road did not go over 
 the dam as it now does, but went through the brook below 
 the mill, going up the hill farther south and coming out on 
 the present road near the top. The present road was built 
 about 1S15. The steep hillside up which it climbs is a very 
 
THE BIG FLOW VALLEY. 
 
 31 
 
 picturesque place. The rocks on the height above look as 
 though they might easily be rolled down into the road. On 
 the other side there is an equally steep descent to the 
 valle}^ below. The story is told that once two men who 
 were strangers in the region, were driving up this hill after 
 dark. One of them got out to cut a stick and unwarily step- 
 ped off the edge of the road and went tumbling and rolling 
 down towards the valley beneath. He tried to pick himself 
 up but kept stumbling and falling down still further. The 
 other man after waiting awhile called out, "Ain't you ever 
 coining back ? " A voice came back from the poor, strug- 
 gling man far below, "I hain't got done going yet." 
 Another story is told of some drunken men driving down 
 this hill at full speed. They were going so fast that they 
 could not turn at the foot of the hill to go over the clam, 
 but horse, wagon, men and all, went right on into the pond. 
 We can imagine that the hilarity of the men was suddenly 
 cooled. 
 
 At the top of the steepest part of the hill a brook 
 of pure, clear water crosses the road and dashes over the 
 rocks below. Just beyond is a beech tree covered with 
 autographs, most of which were cut by the boys of a pre- 
 vious generation. A short distance south from the road 
 at this point, there is a precipice which rises almost perpen- 
 dicularly to a height of some forty feet. It bears the name 
 of the "Rattlesnake Rocks," from the tradition that rattle- 
 snakes used to be killed there by the early settlers. West 
 of this and southeast of Chelsey Young s, there is a cave 
 known as the "Wild-cat Den." Following the road on past 
 Gulf Brook, the spot is passed near a barway on the south 
 side where Arnold Paine hung himself from a pine tree. 
 A climb up another long, steep hill brings one out to the 
 Town street. 
 
 Another interesting drive through the Bigelow valley 
 may be found on the south road, starting in by Thomas 
 Rindge's, or going over the Coye hill. After passing the 
 summit of the range, you begin to go down, down, down 
 into the valley below. At one point a fine view of it can be 
 
32 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 obtained. Its sides seem to be entirely covered with for- 
 ests. Half way down the hill you come suddenly upon a 
 house which is so situated that it seems as though it had 
 
 climbed 
 
 "half way up the hill, 
 And then sat down to rest as if to say, 
 ' I climb no farther upward, come what may.' " 
 
 The steepest part of the hill comes below the house 
 from which point glimpses of the Bigelow river may be 
 had, as it flows through the swamp below. Just beyond 
 the plain of the valley is the old David Lawson sawmill, 
 now in ruins, the lowest of the five sawmills which Bush- 
 meadow brook used to turn. The old mill pond is filled 
 with sawdust and bits of board, which floated down from 
 the Kinney mills above. North of the mill is a cellar hole 
 where the house stood in which Captain Thomas Lawson 
 lived during a part of his life. There used to be mag- 
 nificent pines in this vicinity, but they are now entirely 
 cut off. Northwest of the cellar hole, about ten rods from 
 the road, just west of the swamp, there is a round hole in 
 the ledge, which averages about a foot and a half deep. It 
 is an Indian mortar where the Indians used to grind their 
 corn. It is usually filled with water, but when that is 
 dipped out, a smooth, well rounded bottom is shown, which 
 looks as though it might have been worn smooth by the 
 stone pestle of the Indian squaws. 
 
 Passing on up the road one comes to the Kinney mills 
 where an extensive lumber business was formerly carried 
 on. The sawmill stands over a channel in the rock, which 
 forms a natural flume. There is another channel worn in 
 the rock about a mile northwest which is far more inter- 
 esting. It is along a brook (sometimes called Gulf brook, 
 but not the same as the other), which flows down into the 
 swamp northeast of the David Lawson house. The water 
 has worn out a cailon in the solid rock, which is from three 
 to five feet deep and extends for several rods. 
 
 These are some of the most interesting localities in 
 Union known to the writer. Among the general features 
 
THE LAUREL. 
 
 Z3 
 
 of the landscape which deserve mention, is the great 
 extent of forest land. There is no town in the region and 
 probably none in the state in which so large a proportion of 
 the land is covered with forests. The central and eastern 
 sections of the town especially, are largely covered with 
 pine woods. When one stands on the hilltops and gazes 
 on the surrounding region, he can see but few clearings to 
 break the monotony of the pine-clad hills and valleys. 
 Beneath these pines the laurel grows in great abundance, 
 forming dense, impenetrable thickets. Its beautiful white 
 and pink blossoms, make the landscape lovely in the month 
 of June. The curious structure of the flowers is described 
 in a poem (by H. M. Lawson), which we insert. 
 
 TO THE LAUREL. 
 
 O thou prettiest and best of the flowers of old Union, 
 More delicate, handsome and bright than them all, 
 
 Than the buttercup, daisy or little blue violet. 
 Or e'en than the golden-rod bright in the fall. 
 
 How wondrous thy structure, with pouched corolla 
 In which the ten stamens have hidden their tips, 
 
 Till an insect alight on thy beautiful surface, 
 To seek for the honey which lies m thy depths. 
 
 Then snap ! they recoil from their cramped position. 
 As the feet of the insect disturb their repose ; 
 
 And the pollen is thrown o'er his back and his feelers 
 To be borne to the next flower wherever he goes. 
 
 There he brushes against the tall style and its stigma. 
 And rubs ofl: this dust on the latter's soft face, 
 
 Where it grows and sends rootlets down into the pistil. 
 Thus causing the seeds to develop apace. 
 
 For the seeds grow much better if pollen to start them 
 Is brought from the anthers of flowers outside ; 
 
 Thus we .see how the plan for the exchange of pollen, 
 Is designed for the flower's own profit and good. 
 
 This leads us to see that there was a Designer, 
 Whose wisdom and power are as great as can be, 
 
 If He thus made the flower which is so soon to perish. 
 How great is His love both to you and to me ! 
 
34 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UNION. 
 
 We ought in connection with the laurel to speak of the 
 rhododendron which also grows in Union. It is found in 
 the woods northwest of the Captain Paul place. There is 
 no other place known in this vicinity where it grows wild. 
 Its large, showy flowers are much sought after by those 
 who know where they grow. 
 
 Through these forest solitudes echoes the sound of the 
 woodland thrush whose song Mr. Hammond loved to hear 
 so well, and of which he said : " It is not a rare bird, yet in 
 some places it is never found. I have never heard that 
 one of the sweetest of American songsters except in my 
 native town. From modesty or from fear she shuns the 
 busy haunts of men and hides in deep forest dells. She has 
 been called the American nightingale, but the thrush is a 
 bird of the day and not of the night. She sings in the 
 early morning and when the still evening is coming on. In 
 warm, cloudy weather but not in storms her song is heard 
 at all hours of the day. Like all good musicians she waits 
 for the perfect silence of her auditors. She will not 
 breathe sweet loud music out of her little instrumental 
 throat, unless natui^e listens to her clear airs, her sweet 
 cadences, her prolonged closes and to the echo of those 
 warbling notes which the air, as if loth to lose, holds its 
 breath to hear. 
 
 I left home some years since to attend a Fourth of July 
 celebration at old Woodstock where Gen. Grant was an 
 invited guest. At West Parish I was detained by sickness. 
 But I did not thus lose my chance of enjoyment on that 
 trip. I found that chance in the depths of the Bigelow 
 woods. There I heard once more after long years the 
 song of the woodland thrush. Not one only but many 
 sang, not in concert, but in responsive lays, as is their 
 habit. They sing and listen in rotation, each perched on 
 sprays apart, near and far, each having a different pitch or 
 key, each emulous of all in song. I verily believe these 
 thrushes knew of my coming to my old haunts and meant 
 to enchant me with the melodies and the memories of my 
 better days." 
 
BEAUTIES OF UNION. 35 
 
 And there are many natives of Union who like Mr. 
 Hammond, have in their earlier years, listened to the song 
 of the woodland thrush, to the merry chirr of the chee- 
 wank and to the murmuring of the wund in the tall pine 
 tops ; they have tramped over its hills and through its 
 valleys; they have followed its streams and fished in its 
 ponds ; and they have engaged in the sterner tasks of cul- 
 tivating its fields or felling its forests. To these there are 
 many pictures stored away in the mental gallery which 
 are a source of delight as they recall their youthful days. 
 And they are glad that they had the privilege of being 
 born in Union. There are also coming to be more and 
 more summer visitors attracted by the beauties and quiet 
 of the place. And if this chapter shall lead the residents 
 of the town to become more appreciative of the displays 
 which nature has placed around them, the chief purpose 
 of its writer will be accomplished. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY OF UNION. 
 
 DATE OF SETTLEMENT LEAD MINE BOUNDARY WITH 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS — NAME OF UNION — LAND OF CONTENT 
 
 SALE OF UNION LANDS — ACTION OF THE PROPRIETORS 
 
 RESERVATION FOR PUBLIC USES — ^^THE HOME LOTS — FIRST 
 SETTLERS THE SCOTCH-IRISH PURITAN FAMILIES. 
 
 THE territory now occupied by the town of Union, on 
 account of its rough and mountainous character and 
 its poor soil, was the last town in the state east of the river 
 to be settled. Woodstock, with its excelTeiit farming land, 
 had attracted settlers from Roxbury, Mass., as early as 
 1686. The other towns in the vicinity of Union were set- 
 tled early in the i8th century. 
 
 But it was not till 1727 that the first actual settler came 
 to Union. But while there was nothing especially attract- 
 ive from an agricultural standpoint here, there was some- 
 thing else found in one section of the town which was con- 
 sidered valuable at that time. In 1633 John Oldham, the 
 first European who ever traveled this section, obtained 
 from the Indians in this vicinity some specimens of black 
 lead or graphite. It was found in two places in this vicin- 
 ity; one in Sturbridge, near Mashapaug, the other on the 
 hill called Ocquebituque, south of where Mr. Henry Corbin 
 now lives, and lying partly in Union and partly in Ash- 
 ford. As early as 1644 they were known to William Pyn- 
 chon, the founder of Springfield. He describes the one in 
 Union as being "five or six miles south of the one in Quas- 
 sink (Sturbridge), in Tantousque, and the lead is of better 
 quality." This mine was considered quite valuable. As 
 early as 1657 the General Court of Massachusetts Bay 
 granted the land upon which it was situated, as a reward 
 for public service, to Captain Thomas Clarke, of Boston, 
 
THE LEAD MINE. 37 
 
 one of the richest merchants there. He and his heirs 
 improved and worked the mine for a considerable time. 
 During the- Revolution 400 pounds of lead were taken from 
 the mine at or near Union by Wales and Elderkin, of 
 Windham, at the order of Governor Trumbull, for the use 
 of the cannon foundry at Salisbury. When it was granted 
 to Clarke, it was surveyed by two men, by order of the 
 court, and the following return made : " By the desire of 
 said Clarke, they laid out a hill called Ocquebituque about 
 twenty-eight miles from Windsor on this side w^'h con- 
 taynes five hundred acres or more by estimation, but they 
 conceaving the court will allowe the overplus measure, the 
 whole being so on a mountayne have not taken out any 
 part thereof till we know the further minds of the court 
 leaving the footte of the hill for the bounds thereof." 
 
 The General Court approved this " retourne " and did 
 not take exception to the overplus of land, nor to its 
 indefinite bounds. Hence Captain Clarke was the first 
 white man who ever owned land in Union. His land, and 
 all of the Union land, came within the limits of the " dis- 
 puted jurisdiction " caused by the so-called line contro- 
 versy between the two colonies, which lasted a great 
 many years, and which was at times very bitter. The 
 town of Woodstock, being settled from Massachusetts, 
 remained for a considerable time, until 1747, under the 
 Massachusetts government. In 1713 the line between the 
 two colonies was surveyed, and it was agreed by Connecti- 
 cut, under certain conditions, that the towns settled by 
 Massachusetts should remain under her jurisdiction. 
 These towns were Woodstock, Somers, Enfield and Suffield. 
 Hence the northern line of Connecticut was for a time a 
 very crooked line. This arrangement created general 
 uneasiness in the towns in question, which increased till, 
 in 1747, they presented a memorial to the General Assem- 
 bly of Connecticut, praying for annexation, in order that 
 they might enjoy the same privileges that the other citi- 
 zens of the state possessed. After a vain attempt to make 
 an amicable agreement with Massachusetts, the General 
 
38 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 Assembly adopted a resolution that, as the agreement of 
 1 713 had not received royal confirmation, it was not bind- 
 ing, and the towns might be received into Connecticut. 
 Massachusetts remonstrated to the King, but his Majesty 
 took no action in the matter. Massachusetts never for- 
 mally consented to the arrangement, but the towns contin- 
 ued to be in Connecticut. So the north line of Connecticut 
 is straight, with the exception of the bend at vSouthwick. 
 
 Most of the territory now within the limits of the town 
 of Union, was called by its present name long before its 
 settlement. It is referred to in old records and docu- 
 ments as the " Union land," the " Union lands " and some- 
 times as the " Union Right." On the western border was 
 a gore-shaped tract of common land containing 1800 acres 
 which was called from the earliest times, the " Land of 
 Content." Why these regions should have received the 
 names of Union and Content long before there were any 
 Christian inhabitants of European extraction to exercise 
 those amiable virtues is a mystery which has never been 
 explained. Perhaps Union derived its name by being 
 formed by a unlo/i of different sections which were left 
 over when the boundaries of the surrounding towns 
 became fixed. 
 
 The Land of Content was not embraced in the town as 
 it was originally laid out, but was divided and allotted to 
 the towns of Union and Stafford not far from the year 1750. 
 
 The territory known as Union lands was sold by a com- 
 mitteee " appointed and impowered by the General Assem- 
 bly of his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut," at their May 
 session in 17 19 "to sell certain lands for the raising money 
 for the encouraging of Yale College." They sold the town 
 on July I, 1720 to"twelve proprietors, all of them residents 
 of the town of Windsor. Their names were Capt. Samuel 
 Mather, Mr. Samuel Allyn, Ensign Jonathan Ellsworth, 
 Lieut. John Ellsworth, Mr. Ebenezer Fitch, Mr. James 
 Eno, Mr. Simon Chapman, Mr. James Mcjerrou, Mr. 
 David Bissel, Mr. Alexander Allyn, Mr. Jacob Drake 
 and Mr. John Smith. The consideration of the sale 
 
SALE OF UNION. 
 
 39 
 
 was ^307. On account of the fluctuating value of 
 money in the colonial days, it is difflcult to tell just 
 how much this would amount to now, but it would prob- 
 ably be not far from $1,400. This money was donated to 
 Yale College, which about this time had just moved from 
 Saybrook to New Haven, and was poor and in great need 
 of assistance. The tract sold was five miles and twenty 
 rods in length from east to west and four miles in breadth 
 from north to south and was estimated to contain 12,500 
 acres. It was divided into thirteen shares, of which one 
 belonged to the whole num.ber of proprietors, and one to 
 each of the twelve partner's. Of these partners named in 
 the deed of sale only one, Mr. James Eno or Enos, was 
 an actual settler. Lieut. Jonathan Ellsworth, and his 
 nephew Capt. John Ellsworth were original grantees of 
 Tolland as was also Simon Chapman. They belonged to 
 families distinguisjied in the annals of Connecticut and in 
 the war of the Revolution. 
 
 There is one reservation in the deed to these twelve 
 grantees, which is rather interesting. It was provided 
 that " the fifth part of all the ore of silver and gold that may 
 at any time be found or gotten in said tract of land, is 
 hereby saved for our sovereign the king and his succes- 
 sors, according to the royal charter by his late Majesty 
 King Charles." It is safe to say that no English monarch 
 has ever been enriched by Union gold. The deed of the 
 Union land was confirmed by a proclamation by the Gov- 
 ernor, Gurdon Saltonstall, issued October 28, 1720. (The 
 deed, together with this proclamation are recorded in the 
 Colony Records of Conn., Lib. 3 of Deeds and Patents of 
 lands, folio 365-369.) 
 
 Most of the first proprietors sold their undivided rights 
 to land speculators and settlers. Probably but few of them 
 ever came to see their Union land. There was a great deal 
 of speculation in land at that time, as there is on the West- 
 ern frontier to-day. During the succeeding period we find 
 the names of many persons in different parts of Connecti- 
 cut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, who bought and sold 
 
40 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 land in Union. It was nine years before any attempt was 
 made to divide tip the land into lots and distribute them 
 among- the proprietors. Meanwhile three settlers, William 
 McNall, John Lawson and James Shearer, who had bought 
 rights in one share, had come to town, and taken land to 
 settle on, where they chose. The meeting to organize 
 "the proprietry of the Union rig'ht" was held in the house 
 of William Ward of Ashford, Dec. 26, 1729. There were 
 present at that meeting, in person or by their deputies, 
 several of the noted land agents of that period. Among 
 them was Col. John Chandler, Sr., of Woodstock; Capt. 
 John Ellsworth of Windsor and his brother-in-law Samuel 
 Wells, of East Hartford; William Ward and his son, Wm. 
 Ward, Jr., of Ashford; John Lawson, the pioneer settler; 
 Col. Samuel Willard, of Lancaster, Mass.; Hon. Samuel 
 Brown, of Salem; Nathaniel Sessions, of Pomfret; Thomas 
 Tiffany, of Ashford; Col. John Fitch, of Windham, and 
 others. At this meeting James Enos was chosen modera- 
 tor and Thomas Tiffany, clerk. The meeting having been 
 organized, the first matter of business was to choose a 
 committee " to see and secure the bounds of our land and 
 to perambulate with Mr. Hutchinson of Boston and others." 
 This Col. Edward Hutchinson was a grandson of Captain 
 Thomas Clarke and inherited a right in the lead mine 
 land. The commissioners appointed in 17 13, to determine 
 the line between Massachusetts and Connecticut, had 
 found that this land lay south of the dividing line. Hence 
 although it had been granted by Massachusetts, they con- 
 firmed it to the heirs of Clarke. In the deed to the propri- 
 etors of Union, a reservation was made of any grants of 
 land previously made and allowed by the commissioners. 
 So Col. Hutchinson had a just claim to his land in Union 
 and Ashford. But the boundaries of it were so indefinite 
 that it is natural that a dispute should arise concerning it. 
 The Union proprietors said that he "claimed in upon 
 them," and even disputed his claim. Hence he and Mary 
 Wolcott, the other heir of Capt. Clarke, sent in a petition 
 to the General Assembly in May, 1732, setting forth their 
 
LAND FOR PUBLIC USES. 41 
 
 claim, showing how it had been called in question, and 
 asking that it be confirmed by a patent. The Assembly 
 considered the claim a good one, recommended that an 
 exact survey of the land be made, and notified the propri- 
 etors of Union to be present at the session of the Assembly 
 the next year, to show cause if any, why the memorial 
 should not be granted. In Oct., 1733, another memorial of 
 similar import was presented, which was rejected in both 
 houses of the Assembly. From this time we hear no more 
 of the dispute, but it is likely that Col. Hutchinson had to 
 give up at least a part of his claim. Another thing that 
 was done at the first meeting of the proprietors was to 
 appoint a committee to "lay out necessary and convenient 
 highways throughout said tract." It was also voted that 
 since several proprietors had already built and labored on 
 said tract, they being the proprietors of three shares, they 
 should have their respective patches laid out to them in 
 lots not exceeding four hundred acres, and that ten simi- 
 lar lots be laid out for the other proprietors, it was 
 further voted that two hundred acres be laid out as near 
 the centre of the land as convenient, which two hundred 
 acres should be reserved for public uses. The history of 
 these two hundred acres is interesting and important, as a 
 small portion of it still remains in the hands of the town. 
 The original two hundred acres included, besides what the 
 town and church now own, and the old cemetery, part of 
 the farm of Mr. Edwin Upham, and the parsonage place. 
 Ten acres of the two hundred were reserved at the east 
 end for a place for a meeting-house, a burying ground, a 
 parade ground, and other public uses. Then on the east 
 side of the remaining one hundred and ninety, were taken 
 out one hundred acres and given in 1736, to the first minis- 
 ter who settled in town. Rev. Ebenezer Wyman. In 1738, 
 the rest was given to Mr. Wyman. This formed the place 
 which is now the parsonage. One of the objects for 
 which the ten acres was reserved was for a place on which 
 to set the meeting-house. This was originally set on the 
 hill which is now covered with pines. When, the present 
 
42 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORT. 
 
 Congregational church was built in 1833, the church took 
 the following- portion of the public land upon which to set 
 its edifice; beginning a little south of the oak tree in front 
 of the house of Edwin Upham, the line runs west past the 
 horse sheds, where it turns south west to the barway, then 
 it runs southeast to the old county road, then northeast to 
 the first mentioned bound. (The survey is given in the 
 church records). The portion now owned by the town is 
 included within the following- boundary: beginning at the 
 above mentione.d barway southwest of the horse sheds, it 
 runs southwest along the wall crossing the road which 
 runs west from the school-house, and continuing for some 
 distance south, then running east for a short distance, 
 then running north along the place where the old north 
 and south road used to run to the pound, then follow- 
 ing the road round northeast to the old county road, 
 then round the land owned by the church to the first 
 mentioned bound. If at any time in the future the Con- 
 gregational church should wish to build a new edifice, it 
 could set it on any portion of the public land just men- 
 tioned; but the land it now occupies would revert to the 
 town. The portion of the public land south of the east 
 and west road was that originally used for a parade 
 groiind. 
 
 At a meeting of the proprietors held in 1730, the town 
 street having been laid out running nearly north and south, 
 they proceeded to lay out lots along each side of it. These 
 they called the "Home lots," because they were intended 
 for the settlers, to build on. There were eleven of these 
 laid out on the west side of the town street, and fifteen on 
 the east side. Those on the east side became the most 
 famous afterwards. Lot No. i was that which now consti- 
 tutes a part of the Newell farm. It was 70 rods in width, 
 and ran east 400 rods to Bigelow pond, containing 175 
 acres. It was laid out to Joseph Dewey. Home lot No. 2, 
 was of the same size and was laid out to William Ward. 
 The northeast corner was marked by a famous stone 
 marked W. W. Lots No. 3 and No. 4,^ following on the 
 
THE FIRST SETTLERS. 45 
 
 north, were also 70 rods wide, and 400 long. No. 3, was 
 laid out to Nathaniel Walker, and No. 4 to Nathaniel Ses- 
 sions. No. 5 could not extend 400 rods east, on account of 
 Mashapaug- pond. Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, followed until the Mass- 
 achusetts line was reached. Then starting again at the 
 centre. No. 10 bordered No. i, on the south. At the west 
 end of the line between these was a chestnut tree marked 
 C. W., which was the starting point for the surveys. No. 
 10 was 60 rods in width, and extended south to a road 
 which was laid out east and west called th^ '* Centre road." 
 This was never actually built, but it probably came out 
 somewhere near where Merrick Marcy's house now stands. 
 Nos. II to 15 followed each other on the south, east of the 
 town street. Thus the central portion of the land was 
 divided and each proprietor received a lot which he 
 could call his own. The rest of the land in town Avas 
 gradually divided among those who owned it in common. 
 But it was not till 1784 that this work was entirely accom- 
 plished, and those who made the last division were an 
 entirely different set of men from those who made the 
 first. 
 
 But we have anticipated. It is time we should tell 
 something of the actual settlement of the town. The first 
 white man who ever came to Union to live was James 
 McNall. He took land and built a cabin on the hill north 
 of the Healy Corbin place. His brother, William McNall, 
 came very soon afterwards and settled in the south part 
 of town. This was in 1727. James Shearer was another 
 early settler who came about this time, but only staid a 
 few years, removing to Palmer. In the spring of 1728, 
 John Lawson came to town from Worcester, Mass., where 
 he had been living a few years after coming to this coun- 
 try. All these men belonged to the Scotch-Irish race. It 
 is probable that they came on the same ship. Anyway, 
 William McNall also came from Worcester, and was a 
 friend of John Lawson's. He persuaded him to settle in 
 Union instead of going on to Windsor, as he had intended. 
 John Lawson brought his wife and four childen to Union. 
 
44 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 Three of these children had been born before coming to 
 this country. The youngest, Thomas, afterwards Captain 
 Lawson, was born in Worcester, November 2, 1727, and was 
 hence a baby when he was brought to Union. There is an 
 interesting tradition that when the family were moving to 
 town they had a bed on top of their load of furniture, and 
 had laid the baby on the bed. As they M^ere crossing a 
 stream the wagon jolted and threw the baby off into the 
 water. Thus the future Revolutionary captain had a nar- 
 row escape. 
 
 John Lawson bought land of William McNall, and lived 
 near him in the south part of town. The cellar hole can 
 still be seen south of the Horton saw-mill, just east of the 
 forks in the road where the old road turns to the left to go 
 to the Major Lawson place. 
 
 Robert Moor was one of the earliest settlers. He, too, 
 belonged to the Scotch-Irish race, and was some connection 
 of the McNalls. The Pauls were also Scotch-Iri-sh. Robert 
 Paul, senior, came to Union in 1732, and lived at the 
 Abbott house, south of the centre school-house. Robert 
 Paul, junior, so called to distinguish him from Robert 
 Paul, senior, although no connection, came later and lived 
 in the south part' of town. James Armour was also Scotch- 
 Irish, and settled on the Major Smith place. So were the 
 Crawfords, who came about 1742. These are the principal 
 Scotch-Irish families who were among the earliest inhab- 
 itants. These people were called Scotch-Irish because 
 they had left Scotland on account of their religion, and 
 lived for a time in the north of Ireland before coming to 
 America. Their homes in Scotland were in the south- 
 western counties — that is, Argylshire and Ayrshire, where 
 William Wallace, the Washington of Scotland, was born, 
 and where Burns sang on the "banks and braes of Bonny 
 Doon." Hence they were genuine Scotchmen, and had no 
 trace of Ireland in their temperament, their sympathies, 
 their prejudices, their language, their politics, or their 
 religion. They left Scotland about the same time that the 
 Pilgrims and the Puritans came to New England. They 
 
THE SCOTCH-IRISH. 45 
 
 carried with them to the north of Ireland, and they 
 brought with them here, their native Scotch qualities of 
 industry and thrift, frugality and personal independence. 
 They were in general persons of comfortable estates and 
 friends of good learning and education. Long before their 
 emigration to Ireland or this country, every Scotch hamlet 
 had its liberally educated minister and its liberally edu- 
 cated schoolmaster. There was among their little com- 
 pany of emigrants here a professional schoolmaster by the 
 name of McVine, who kept school summer and winter. 
 
 The Scotch-Irish emigration to this country began 
 about 1 7 18 and continued till about 1730. Most of these 
 emigrants settled in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Car- 
 olina, and in the southern counties of New Hampshire. A 
 few towns in Massachusetts wxre settled by them, but in 
 Connecticut, Union was the only town which they settled. 
 
 They were Presbyterians in their church polity, and 
 where they were sufficiently numerous, they formed Pres- 
 byterian churches. But in Union there were so many 
 Puritans, that all joined together and formed a Congrega- 
 tional church. We know of no religious disputes in this 
 town occasioned by these people. The Scotch-Irish were 
 some of the best settlers of the country and many distin- 
 guished men have been descended from them. There 
 were no more jealous defenders of liberty, or patriotic 
 citizens in the Revolution than the Scotch-Irish. Coming 
 from Ireland, the Scotch brought with them to America 
 two institutions which were pure Irish and not Scotch and 
 which were soon universally adopted. These were the 
 Irish potato as food for inan and the foot-wheel for spin- 
 ning flax. These soon proved to be of very great value to 
 the country. 
 
 While many of the early settlers were Scotch, the Puri- 
 tan element has from the first been represented here by 
 those who came from some of the oldest and best New 
 England towns. William Ward and his son William and 
 also Nathaniel Walker, came from Ashford about 1730. 
 John Burley came from Windham about 1732 and settled 
 
46 SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 in the southeast part of town. The Badgers came from 
 Pomfret about 1735, ^s did also the Sessionses soon after. 
 Samuel Strong came from Windsor in 1737. Daniel 
 Loomis came also from Windsor in 1741 and settled north- 
 east of the Newell place. 
 
 Caleb Loomis came from Lebanon about 1754 and lived 
 where Bruce Horton now does. Ebenezer Wales came 
 from Windham with his large family in 1750. Nathaniel 
 Newell came to Union from Needham, Mass., in 1775. As 
 a full account of all these and other families is given in 
 the chapter of genealogies, it will not be necessary to 
 dwell longer on them here. 
 
 In 1734, as we learn from the petition for incorporation, 
 there were nineteen families already settled in town. In 
 1 756, when the first census of Connecticut was taken, Union 
 had a population of 500 more than it has at the present 
 time. 
 
 As the incorporation of the town is closely connected 
 with the history of the church, we give the account of it 
 under that head. 
 
 Union when first incorporated and for many years after 
 was in Windham county. Tolland county was formed in 
 1786 from towns in Windham and Hartford counties. The 
 towns now in Tolland county but formerl}^ in Windham 
 .are, besides Union, Mansfield, Columbia and Coventry. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 I. The Congregational Church at Union. 
 
 CONNECTION WITH THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN — WORSHIP BY 
 THE EARLY SETTLERS — PETITION FOR INCORPORATION — 
 ACT OF INCORPORATION — ORDER FOR THE TAX — CONFLICT 
 WITH THE PROPRIETORS — THE COLONEL BROWN CONTRO- 
 VERSY DISAGREEMENT CONCERNING MINISTER — MEMORIAL 
 
 TO THE ASSEMBLY — REV. SAMUEL TERRY CALL OF REV. 
 
 EBENEZER WYMAN ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH 
 
 PLACES OF EARLY WORSHIP BUILDING OF THE MEETING- 
 HOUSE — DEATH OF MR. WYMAN— HIS CHARACTER — REV. 
 
 CALEB HITCHCOCK REV. EZRA HORTON DIFFICULTIES IN 
 
 THE CHURCH — DISMISSAL OF MR. HORTON PREACHERS 
 
 WHO FOLLOWED HIM — LOW STATE OF THE CHURCH REV. 
 
 DAVID AVERY — FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY REV. NEHE- 
 
 MIAH BEARDSLEY REVIVAL OF 1831 BUILDING OF THE 
 
 NEW MEETING-HOUSE — REV. S. I. CURTISS — TEMPERANCE 
 
 REFORM REMODELING OF THE CHURCH DISMISSAL OF MR. 
 
 CURTISS REV. J. P. WATSON — REV. GEORGE CURTISS — REV. 
 
 WILLIAM HOWARD— REV. I. P. SMITH — ANNIVERSARY OF 
 THE ORGANIZATION — DEACONS OF THE CHURCH — FUTURE 
 PROSPECTS — FUNDS OF THE CHURCH LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 II. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Mashapaug 
 
 old methodist church — organization of the present 
 church — its pastors — causes which have made the 
 church weak — prospects for the future — list of 
 members list of pastors. 
 
 History of the Church at. Union. 
 
 THE early history of the town and of the church are so 
 intimately connected, that it is almost impossible 
 to separate them. One of the chief objects of the early 
 
48 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 settlers was to establish a church, that they might enjoy 
 the privileges of the gospel. It was for that purpose that 
 the town was incorporated. The church affairs were man- 
 aged by the town until 1816. Daniel Webster said in his 
 Plymouth address : " Let us not forget the religious char- 
 acter of our origin." That counsel applies to the people 
 of Union, for if ever a town had a legal origin strictly 
 religious in its objects, it is this. 
 
 The first notice which we have in regard to preaching 
 of the gospel in Union is a memorial of Rev. Samuel Terry 
 and other residents of Union to the General Assembly, 
 dated October 10, 1734, for an act of incorporation of the 
 town. The petitioners ask for town privileges, " that we 
 may build a decent house of public worship, settle God's 
 word p,nd ordinances, and honorably maintain the same." 
 
 It seems that very soon after the first settlers came, in 
 1727, they formed the habit of observing the Sabbath by 
 gathering in some private house for worship. It is not 
 known when the first preacher, Rev. Samuel Terry, came 
 to town. But from a later reference we learn "that Rev. 
 Samuel Terry, before we were a town, for a small recom- 
 pense and with great hardship, preached with universal 
 acceptance." It does not seem strange that those early 
 settlers, amidst all their hardship in clearing lands and 
 building homes in the wilderness, could not adequately 
 support their minister. Hence they wished for town priv- 
 ileges, that a tax might be levied on the land for the sup- 
 port of the gospel. A large part of the land was owned by 
 wealthy non-resident proprietors. The settlers thought 
 that these proprietors would be benefited by having the 
 gospel regularly preached, because it would attract settlers 
 to buy their lands. Hence they ought to help support it. 
 
 The following is a copy of the petition for incorpora- 
 tion, taken from the Connecticut State archives (Towns 
 and Lands, Vol. 6th, Document No. 207): 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 
 
 49 
 
 " Petition of sundry inhabitants of a tract called Union for an act of 
 
 incorporation. 
 
 To the Honorable General Assembly of His Majesty's Colony of Con- 
 necticut in New England 7iow sitting in New Haven, Oct. loth 
 
 n34 ■■ 
 
 The Petition of the Inhabitants of Union humbly showeth that in the 
 tract of land lying West of Woodstock being five miles square called 
 Union, there are nineteen familes already settled containing an hundred 
 and twenty souls, and several persons more make improvement of land 
 and are speedily coming to settle among us. 
 
 And that we labor under many and great inconveniences and difficul- 
 ties upon many accounts for want of town privileges specially with 
 respect to the Gospel, the enjoyment whereof we greatly desire, but are 
 not able to settle or support it in our present unhappy circumstances. 
 
 Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that this great and honor-\ 
 able court would please take our distressed case and condition into your 
 wise consideration and incorporate the above said tract of land called 
 Union into a township and invest it with legal Town privileges, and lay 
 a reasonable tax of four pence per acre per annum upon the land for ten 
 years, that we may be enabled to build a decent house for public wor- 
 ship, settle God's word and ordinances among us, and honorably main- 
 tain the same. 
 
 And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pra)^ 
 
 Samuel Terry, 
 Nathaniel Badger, 
 Nathaniel Walker, 
 Robert Paul, 
 John Lawson, 
 William Ward, 
 James Fuller, 
 Nathaniel Tiffany." 
 
 This Petition was promptly acted on by the Assembly 
 and granted, with the exception that the tax levied was 
 three pence per acre, instead of four. 
 
 The following is a copy of the Act of Incorporation 
 (Id. Doc. 208): 
 
 ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF UNION, 
 
 OCT., 1734. 
 " Upon the Memorial of Mr. Samuel Terry, William Ward, and sundry 
 others. Inhabitants and proprietors of a Tract of Land lying in the 
 northerly corner of this Government, and on the Northerly side of the 
 town of Ashford, commonly called and known by the name of Union, 
 representing to this Assembly that there are already a considerable 
 
 4 
 
^o ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBY. 
 
 number of families settled on said Tract of Land who labor under great 
 difficulties for want of Town privileges, etc. , and prajdng that said 
 memorialists may have Town privileges granted to them ; 
 This Assembly grants and enacts — 
 
 That the said Tract of Land be made a Township and that the inhabi- 
 tants thereof be allowed and invested with the rights and privileges 
 usually granted to other towns ; and that it be called by the name of 
 Um'on, and that the brand for the horses be the figure ;nj. 
 
 And forasmuch as the inhabitants of the said tract of Land are 
 desirous to have the worship of God set up and maintained among 
 them, and do complain of their present low and indigent circumstances, 
 and their inability to support the same: 
 
 Ordered, that all persons claiming any Lands within the place called 
 Union shall enter the-rights and claims to the lands in said Town, in the 
 Register's office in said town at or before the first day of May next, upon 
 penalty of forfeiting the sum of twenty shillings per month for each 
 neglect of such entries to be made, to be paid to the Treasurer of said 
 town. And the inhabitants of said Town of Union are allowed and 
 empowered for the space of four years next ensuing to levy a tax of 
 three pence an acre on such persons as have or claim said Lands accord- 
 ing to the directions of the laws directing for the gathering the minis- 
 ters' rate : and if any person complain he is overrated, he or they may 
 make their application to the county court in Windham county who are 
 empowered to hear and adjust these affairs. 
 
 And the money thus raised as aforesaid shall by the collector of said 
 town be paid unto the hands of Timothy Pierce, Esq., who, together 
 with Messrs. John Perry and Phillip Eastman are to improve the sums 
 in the manner following viz: two-thirds parts of the aforesaid sum to be 
 annually paid to such orthodox gospel minister as shall be improved 
 among them, and the other third part to be improved for building a 
 meeting-house or other disbursements necessary for maintaining the 
 -worship of God in said Town. 
 
 Passed in the upper house. 
 
 Teste, George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Concurred with in y*^ lower house. 
 
 Teste, John Bulkley, Clerk. 
 
 October, 1734." 
 
 This order for a tax on the land aroused strenuous oppo- 
 sition among the non-resident proprietors. At the next 
 session of the Assembly in May, 1735, foi-^r of them, Thomas 
 Fitch and Thomas Steel, both of Boston, William Ward, 
 of Union, and Isaac Shelton, of Hartford, presented a 
 remonstrance against the tax. In it they said that by the 
 order for the tax, 
 
REMONSTRANCE OF TEE PROPRIETORS. 
 
 51 
 
 " We the memorialists are very much disturbed and aggrieved and we 
 suppose that this honorable Assembly in the passing the said act were 
 imposed upon by a misrepresentation of that case. 
 
 Whereupon we pray your Honors to review or reconsider that affair, 
 and upon a full understanding to pass such an act or order as shall be 
 most just and reasonable, and that the order of Assembly aforesaid, may 
 be repealed, and that for the considerations following : 
 
 ist. The Proprietors of the said Land had long ago granted two hun- 
 dred acres of their proprietors' land partly for the settling and partly for 
 the maintaining of a Gospel Minister in said town. 
 
 2nd. Two-third parts of said Tax is by said order to be for the sup- 
 port of an Orthodox Minister which will amount to about the sum of 
 ;^i2o or ;^i25, without any other pollg or rateable estate, and we are 
 assured that we can procure a Gospel minister able and Orthodox for 
 much less than that sum per annum. 
 
 3rd. In laying out the proprietors' land in said Town, the land was 
 sized in proportion according to the goodness of the same, whereby it 
 comes to pass that some proprietors must pay by the said rate near ^20 
 per annum, and others not ^12 per annum, and yet their favors are about 
 «qual in value or perhaps the least number of acres more valuable than 
 the greatest. 
 
 These considerations we hope will be sufficient to show that the tax 
 so laid or to be levied is not necessary nor equal, and we humbly hope 
 that your honors will redress our grievances by abating part of the Tax 
 as aforesaid on the acre and find a method that our Rights may be Equal. 
 And we also pray that we may have a Liberty and voice in the calling 
 and settling the minister there. 
 
 Moreover we further pray that all the Land that is between Stafford 
 and Union containing about 1500 acres may be annexed to Union and 
 that tfie proprietors thereof may be ordered to pay a tax in proportion as 
 the proprietors of Union Lands shall by your honors' act now to be 
 made, be ordered to pay. 
 
 In granting which requests your Honors will redress our grievances 
 and we as in duty bound shall Pray, &c. 
 Union y® 2nd of May, 
 A.D. 1735. 
 
 James Ends \ Agents for the 
 
 Isaac Sheddon (. Proprietors 
 Nath'l Sessions ) of Union." 
 
 But this remonstrance did not secure the desired result; 
 for it was ordered to be dismissed by vote of both houses 
 of the Legislature. The same petitioners, however, nothing 
 daunted, sent in another memorial to the next session of 
 
5 2 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 the General Assembly held in New Haven, in October, 1735. 
 This was even more vigorous and specific than the former. 
 The petitioners say that the memorial for incorporation 
 and a tax was prepared without their knowledge; that so 
 large a tax was not necessary, first, because they had 
 already given two hundred acres for the settling and sup- 
 port of a minister, and second, because it would raise a 
 much larger salary than many ministers of old parishes 
 have; that all the ratable estate of the inhabitants such 
 as polls, stock, etc., will (pro tempore) be wholly excused 
 from any contribution toward the support of the Gospel. 
 They repeat the statement about the division of the land 
 "according to the goodness of the same," and show how in 
 one case a proprietor must pay about a third greater tax 
 than another. 
 
 When this petition came before the Assembly it cited 
 " Robert Paul and William McNall, and other inhabitants 
 of Union," to appear at New Haven, on the first Tues- 
 day after the first Thursday, and to show cause why the 
 prayer of the above named memorialists should not be 
 granted. 
 
 The Selectmen of Union, Robert Paul and Nathaniel 
 Badger, presented at the same session of the Assembly a 
 reply to the memorial of the proprietors. This is so vigor- 
 ous and full of interest that we give it entire. 
 
 ' ' A reply to the memorial of the proprietors of Union to be prefer- 
 red to the General Assembly, at their session at New Haven, on the 
 second Thursday of Oct., 1735, wherein they pray that the tax on their 
 lands may be removed or abated, setting forth the reasons why the 
 prayer should not be granted 
 
 OlTered by the selectmen of Union in behalf of the town. 
 
 First it is offered as a reason why the honorable Assembly should 
 reconsider the act for taxing the land — because this court was imposed 
 upon and things were misrepresented, the memorial of the inhabitants 
 being preferred without the knowledge of the proprietors and so they 
 had not opportunity to lead the court into a right understanding of the 
 affair; but all this labors under a great mistake, for things were truly 
 represented to the honorable Assembly and almost every proprietor 
 knew of the memorial and most of them petitioned with the inhabitants 
 at the same time for the same thing— and many of them disliked the 
 
ANSWER OF THE CITIZENS. 
 
 53 
 
 recent memorial and some entered their protest against it, and yet it is 
 offered in the name of all of them . 
 
 Secondly, it is observable that all the reason offered why the tax 
 should be abated is because such a tax is not necessary; and first, it is 
 offered that it is not necessary to procure a settlement for a minister 
 because the proprietors have granted 200 acres of land for that very 
 purpose viz. partly for a minister's settlement and partly for his sup- 
 port. Now supposing it is to be — that 200 acres of land is granted 
 for the promotion of the gospel, yet in the first place it may be said with 
 truth it is a mean tract of land; it would not fetch if sold but about 
 ;i^ioo, and if it were good land it could not be esteemed a suitable and 
 sufficient settlement for a minister, much less will it serve both for set- 
 tlement and salary as the memorialists design it shall, and so notwith- 
 standing this reason, the tax, the whole of it and more too may be 
 necessary for the settlement of a minister if any of it could be parted 
 out of this salary for the purpose; but the real truth is they are mista- 
 ken in saying they have laid out 200 acres of land for a minister's settle- 
 ment or salary as their own records will show, for the words of the 
 records are '200 acres laid out for public use and service,' and not a 
 word of any land laid out for the ministry in all their book. 
 
 It is commonly said that it was designed by them for the encourage- 
 ment of the gospel, and the inhabitants of the town, at a proprietors' 
 meeting last November, desired them to give it to the town for the pro- 
 motion of the gospel, which they refused to do unless the town would 
 abate a third of the tax which is far more than the land is worth, and 
 some said we should never have it. It should be sold to pay for laying 
 out their land which is a public use, they said. 
 
 So that in truth two-thirds of the tax is all the town have to depend 
 upon to settle and maintain a minister withall, and yet it is less than 
 parishes give as a salary now-a-days by far. 
 
 2nd, It is offered that it is not necessary for a salarj^ for a minister 
 first because ministers in many old parishes have not so much; secondly, 
 because they say they can procure a minister for less. 
 
 But those arguments are of no force, for it may be some old parishes 
 don't give enough, and our neighbors' short-comings are not for our 
 example, and every one knows it is hard beginning a new place, and a 
 minister needs a bigger salary there if he could tell how to come at it, 
 and perhaps they could find thtmselves mistaken in their great confi- 
 dence if they were to get a minister for Union, for Union is now forced to 
 give more than two-thirds of the tax and so do the destitute towns round 
 it whether new or old. 
 
 It is true many ministers have settled in many new places for a less 
 salary, but then they have been encouraged by a right in the town 
 which often draws many hundred acres of land, but there is no such 
 thing to be had in Union, no, not a foot of land, ixnless the proprietors 
 
54 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 alter their declared mind, which it is to be hoped they will see it is 
 their duty to do, although the tax be not abated. 
 
 As to the assertion that the ratable estate of the inhabitants by the 
 tax is wholly excused from supporting the gospel, calling it unreason- 
 able. 
 
 We answer, first: 
 
 Supposing it were to be, it would be but just and reasonable, consid«- 
 ering the hardship and difficulties of beginning a new place, and the 
 vast advantage the proprietors gain by a few persons settling in the 
 place, their lands rising thereby in a few years to three times their 
 value. 
 
 But the Assembly will see from what is before offered that the inhab- 
 itants must contribute liberally in settling and supporting the gospel, 
 besides what help they will have from the tax, especially in building a 
 meeting-house. 
 
 With respect to the injustice of the tax, on the account of the differ- 
 ent number of acres belonging to the proprietors complained of, it maj' 
 be replied: 
 
 First, that legislators aim at the public good, and yet some few par- 
 ticular subjects may be hurt in their acts; but they ought to be patient 
 and rejoice at the general good. This is no more than many have suf- 
 fered in other places, and yet the court never sought their relief. 
 
 Secondly: 
 
 The charge of coming to strict justice in this case by a committee 
 viewing the lands, would be greater than all the benefit any proprietor 
 would get by it. 
 
 Thirdly: 
 
 It is but justice that many, if not all, that have more acres than 
 others, should pay equally per acre, if not more, for (however it came to 
 pass) some proprietors, particularly Mr. Enos and Mr. Sessions, have as 
 many acres of good land in a farm, nay, better land than another pro- 
 prietor, and yet one of them have near an hundred, and the other near 
 two hundred acres more than some other proprietors, and thereupon 
 they need not think it injustice to pay as much per acre as others, and 
 perhaps it may be so with others, if the truth was known. 
 
 The proprietors' uneasiness at the tax, and trying to get it removed, 
 has been a great discouragement to persons coming into the town, for 
 many were fond of buying in the town when they heard the land was 
 taxed, and so the gospel likely to be settled in it, who are now discour- 
 aged lest it should be difficult to settle and support the gospel, if the 
 court hear their prayer. 
 
 By what has been offered, we doubt not but the honorable Assembly 
 will see that the proprietors are mistaken in saying that they are hurt 
 by so large a tax, it being meant to make their land valuable if estab- 
 lished, and that it is unlikely we should ever settle and support the gos- 
 
CONTEST WITH THE PROPRIETORS. 
 
 55 
 
 pel honorably if the tax be diminished, yea. farther, that if the act be 
 reconsidered, that the tax really needs to be increased and not lessened. 
 Robert Paul, ) Selectmen, in behalf 
 
 Nathaniel Badger, S rf y^ tozvji." 
 
 There was appended to the above a note stating that 
 the proprietors had neglected to have their claims regis- 
 tered in the town clerk's office, according to the act of the 
 Assembly; but the knowledge of their claims had been 
 gotten from their clerk, and begging that the collector be 
 empowered to sell their lands in case the proprietors 
 refused to pay their tax (as they had just reason to think 
 many would do). And now it is interesting to note how 
 the matter came out. At the October session in 1735 the 
 petition of the proprietors was negatived by both houses. 
 But the matter came up again at the next session, in 1736, 
 and the preceding reply of the inhabitants did not avail, 
 but the tax rate was changed from three to two pence per 
 acre for the remaining three years of the four for which 
 the tax was granted. 
 
 One of the large non-resident owners of land in Union 
 was Colonel William Brown, of Salem. He neglected to 
 pay the land tax for several years. In 1740 the town sent 
 Rev. Mr. Wyman to the Assembly to get authority to col- 
 lect this tax. This was done by leasing his land. Land to 
 the amount of 2,240 acres was thus leased for 999 years to 
 sundry persons. These persons began to build and make 
 improvements on the land; but Colonel Brown very natur- 
 ally objected to such proceedings. A compromise was 
 made between the parties. May 20, 1754, by a board of ref- 
 erence, who appraised the value of the improvements made 
 by the occupants. Colonel Brown paid them for these 
 improvements in " Spanish milled dollars " to the amount 
 of $1,340.75, and they quitclaimed to him all titles acquired 
 by their leases. 
 
 But while this contest between the proprietors and 
 inhabitants concerning the tax was going on, the latter 
 were in a contention among themselves with regard to the 
 preacher. The winter of 1734-5 was one of discontent and 
 
^5 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 division. There were two parties in town, one including- 
 the selectmen and most of the communicants, who wished 
 to engage the Rev. Mr. Terry to preach for them. The 
 other party disliked Mr. Terry, and having got the control 
 into their hands, engaged as a preacher Lawyer Calkins, of 
 Lebanon, who was not approved by ministers to preach. 
 To remedy this bad condition of affairs, the selectmen, 
 Nathaniel Badger and William Ward, presented to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly, at its May session in 1735, a memorial 
 which tells its own story. They set forth, among other 
 things, that: 
 
 " Our infant town has fallen into unhappy circumstances, difficulties 
 and divisions respecting the Gospel ministry among us. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Terry, before we were a town, for a small recompense 
 and with great hardship preached with universal acceptance. But a 
 certain man among us when he came to see the act of the Court passed 
 last October for incorporating the place and taxing the land, was 
 greatly offended that his name was not particularly mentioned in it, and 
 because the tax money is ordered to be put into the hands of Judge 
 Pierce, and because two-thirds of the tax is ordered to be paid to the 
 minister, which three things he supposed Mr. Terry influenced the court 
 to do; and would maintain this notion though the Ashford deputies 
 assured him that it was not so; Whereupon he so influenced people, his 
 relatives and others, as to get a major vote of the eighteen voters in 
 town to seek another minister after the town had voted to treat with the 
 Rev. Mr. Terry about settling in the ministry among us, to the great 
 dissatisfaction of most of the people in the town, and all the towns 
 around us. And most of the men that carried the vote, refused to 
 reward him for his ministerial labors before we were a town. 
 
 Upon this vote, the selectmen, all the communicants save one, and 
 others in the town, desired Mr. Terry to continue preaching till the town 
 was better united and peaceably brought another minister into the town. 
 
 Each of the three men employed to get a minister, took their turns 
 to go after a minister but could get none because they had done so 
 unworthily by their former preacher. But about three months after, viz. 
 the last Sabbath in March, they brought a lawyer Calkins, who is not 
 approved by the ministers, to preach, and improve him still to preach 
 and half or more than half the town can't think it their duty to hear him 
 and so have not the word dispensed to them. We have great reason to fear 
 thcit we shall remain in great contention and confusion without the gospel 
 preached, that the interests of religion will suffer, and the town will not 
 flourish, (for many that designed to buy and settle among us are dis- 
 couraged at our divisions), unless this honorable Court will do something 
 
MEMORIAL TO THE ASSEMBLY. 57 
 
 for our help. Therefore, we humbly pray this honorable body to con- 
 sider our difficulties and endeavor to relieve us by appointing and fixing 
 a minister among us during the four years tax, and we hope by that 
 time we shall grow wiser and more peaceable and many good men will 
 come into the town so that we shall be able and fit to act for ourselves, 
 like a Christian Society; or by some other method as your wisdom shall 
 direct. 
 
 And we further, srdly, pray this honorable court to order Judge 
 Pierce, Capt. Perry and Justice Eastman, who are to dispose of our tax 
 money to put in a committee to build a meeting house for us, and to 
 appoint the place for it, and to give liberty to the inhabitants to pay 
 their tax in labor and in providing materials for it, the said committee, 
 setting a value upon what each person does toward the building of the 
 house; for many of us are iu low circumstances, and can't pay their tax 
 in money so easily as they can in labor. 
 
 wJ^W^.p^''^'''!- Selecimenr 
 Wm. Ward, ) 
 
 Union, May 13th, 1735. 
 
 The following names are appended to a paper certify- 
 ing to the facts of the above memorial as set forth by the 
 .selectmen. 
 
 Samuel Terry, 
 
 John Smith, 
 
 Enoch Badger, 
 
 John Ward, 
 
 Nathaniel Badger, Jr. 
 
 Daniel Wickom (Wickham), 
 
 John Lawson, 
 
 Robert Paul, Selectman. 
 
 Nath. Tiffany. 
 
 But the above memorial, which is almost pathetic in its 
 references to the unhappy division in the struggling com- 
 munity and the low circumstances of some, was dismissed 
 in both houses. The noble-hearted citizens who were 
 striving to establish the preaching of the Gospel here 
 must have been disappointed. They were not discouraged 
 however, but at the next session of the Assembly in Octo- 
 ber, 1735, presented another memorial setting forth the 
 same facts, and asking the same remedy, viz., the appoint- 
 ment of the same men as a committee to "regulate us, 
 
58 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 provide for us during the term of the tax, to appoint a 
 place for the meeting-house and a committee to build it, 
 and that the inhabitants may pay for it in their labor, as 
 they were too poor to pay in money." 
 
 The memorialists complain that as there were "but 
 nineteen house-holders and eight of them, by the aid of 
 such as are not house-holders and have no freehold in 
 town, always carry the vote to our confusion, they put in a 
 committee last Christmas to provide preaching and they 
 have procured preaching but eight or ten days except 
 what Lawyer Calkins preached whom but few could think 
 their duty to hear. 
 
 They have established the said committee for four 
 years during the whole term of the tax so that they are 
 likely to continue in great contention and confusion 
 through the mismanagement of our committee who act in 
 their trust to the wonder and grief of the town and the 
 towns around us." 
 
 This is dated October loth, 1735, and signed by Nathan- 
 iel Badger, William Ward, and Robert Paul, Selectmen, 
 and by Samuel Terry, Nathaniel Tiffany, Samuel Downe, 
 Amos Stickney, Nathaniel Badger, Jr., Enoch Badger and 
 John Smith. 
 
 This petition was probably also dismissed like the first. 
 
 Then, May 20, 1736, comes a statement from disinter- 
 ested parties, the committee appointed to receive the tax, 
 consisting of Judge Timothy Perrce (also written Pierce), 
 Justice Philip Eastman, and Captain John Perry. They 
 report to the General Assembly : " The inhabitants of said 
 town being small in No., and are unhappily fallen into 
 divisions which will prove fatal to them unless seasonably 
 directed. Some (they say) have hired Rev. Samuel Terry, 
 others James Calking of Lebanon. The Memorialists have 
 received ^100 tax money. Some forbid paying Mr. Terry, 
 others are not willing Mr. Calking should have the money,, 
 so the committee pray the general assembly to take the 
 whole premises into their wise consideration." The Gen- 
 eral Assembly did so and with great impartiality directed 
 
EARLY MINISTERS. 
 
 59 
 
 the committee to pay both men according to the time of 
 their preaching. And so the gospel ship in the good old 
 days had to be launched through the breakers with great 
 peril. But it was launched. We hear no more of the dis- 
 pute. 
 
 It seems that both Mr. Terry and Lawyer Calkins wisely 
 left town about this time. The Rev. Mr. Terr)^ went to 
 Hebron, Conn. He graduated at Harvard in 1710, came 
 from Mendon to Union where he lived as a citizen and was 
 a large land-holder. 
 
 The next minister employed by the town, (the first 
 really after its incorporation in 1734, was Rev. Jacob Bacon, 
 who graduated at Harvard in 1731. He preached fifty-four 
 Sabbaths in the years 1735 ^^^^1 1736. He was settled as 
 the first minister of Keene, N. H., in 1738 and after nine 
 years' service was driven away by the Indians who broke 
 up the settlement. He was then called by vote of the 
 town in May, 1748, to settle in Union as the successor of the 
 Rev. Mr. Wyman, with a. salary of ^300 and a settlement 
 of ^500. He declined the call and settled the same year 
 at Plymouth, Mass., as the pastor of the Third Church, 
 where he spent most of his days. He died at Rowley, 
 Mass., in 1787, aged eighty-one years. 
 
 Two young men preached as candidates in Union in 
 1736. Mr. Hezekiah Bissel of Windsor, who graduated 
 from Yale, in 1733, and was settled at Wintonbury, Conn, 
 and Mr. Benjamin Throop, who graduated in 1734 and was 
 minister at Bozrah forty-seven years. In 1737 Rev. 
 Timothy Allen, who graduated at Yale in the previous 
 year, began his noted career as a "candidate" in Union. 
 He was soon after settled at West Haven, Conn., became a 
 leader among the New Lights, was persecuted and deposed 
 by the conservative party, but settled in Ashford in 1757 
 and afterwards in Chesterfield, Mass. 
 
 The people seem to have been united in settling a minis- 
 ter in 1738. The Rev. Ebenezer Wyman was the first 
 pastor that was settled over the church. He was ordained 
 and installed December 13, 1738, in a private house in the 
 
6o ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 Rock Meadow district where Mr. Williams lived in recent 
 times. The church was organized at the same time, 
 December 13, 1738. The 150th anniversary of this event 
 was celebrated December 13, 1888. 
 
 The proprietors gave Mr. Wyman two hundred acres of 
 land (out of the tract reserved for public uses) and the town 
 voted to give him one hundred pounds to aid him in build- 
 ing his house on condition "that he accepted their call" 
 besides his salary. This piece of land was the farm where 
 Rev. S. I. Curtiss afterwards lived (the present parsonage 
 place). Mr. Wyman built a house on this place, on the 
 opposite side of the road from where the house now stands. 
 The old house stood until about 1853, and Rev. Mr. Curtiss 
 lived in it awhile before he built the new one. It was no 
 doubt a decent house for the times and of the same style as 
 many houses of that day. It had huge timbers and a large 
 stone chimney, large enough for a monumental pile. There 
 were four rooms in the main building, two below and two 
 upstairs. A lean-to or extension of one roof towards the 
 ground for a little more than a story, furnished space for sev- 
 eral additional rooms. A low wall ran along in front of the 
 parsonage yard. At one end of the house stood what was 
 once a magnificent mulberry tree, that furnished great 
 black luscious berries an inch in length, the delight of boys 
 and birds. The tradition is that Rev. Mr. Wyman received 
 a thimbleful of mulberry seed from some one who gave all 
 the ministers of his association a like quantity. He planted 
 the seed and one enormous tree was the result. It stood 
 long years after he was numbered with the dead. 
 
 In this house the services on the Sabbath were held a 
 part of the time during the earlier part of Mr. Wyman's 
 pastorate; that is until the first meeting-house was built in 
 1 741. The rest of the time the people gathered for divine 
 worship in the house of Robert Paul, which stood until 1883, 
 south of the central school-house. How interesting it would 
 have been to have seen the company of settlers who gath- 
 ered in these houses, coming on horseback and afoot over 
 the rough paths which ran to their houses. They must have 
 
BUILDING THE MEETING-ROUSE. 6i 
 
 prized the good gospel sermons which no doubt Rev. Mr. 
 Wyman dispensed to them. 
 
 But from the very first the people had been looking for- 
 ward to the time when they could build a " meeting-house " 
 for religious worship and all other gatherings of the inhab- 
 itants. . The first action of the town in relation to a meet- 
 ing-house was at a meeting held October 27, 1737, when it 
 was voted to build, and a committee was appointed to pro- 
 cure materials. At the same time it was voted to raise a 
 tax of 150 pounds to be paid in work and lumber at specified 
 prices. The price of a day's work at hewing was six shil- 
 lings a day for " Brod ax men" and five shillings for 
 "narrah ax men." The town also voted that the people 
 shall begin felling timber for the ineeting-house on the 28th 
 of November next. 
 
 The meeting-house was not built until four years after- 
 wards. For it seems that a higher authority than the town 
 had to legislate, was necessary at that day in order that a 
 meeting-house could be legally located or a church consti- 
 tuted or a minister settled. So the General Assembly in 
 compliance with a memorial of the inhabitants, passed a 
 resolution at the October session in 1738, which gave liberty 
 "to the inhabitants of said Union to embody themselves 
 into a church estate with the approval of the neighboring 
 churches," and also allowed a tax of two pence per acre 
 for four years on all the lands in Union for the support 
 of the gospel, and the Assembly also apppointed a com- 
 mittee to "affix a place" for a meeting-house. This com- 
 mittee consisted of Mr. Joseph Strong, Capt. John Perry, 
 and Mr. Experience Porter, appointed at the expense of the 
 memorialists. This committee performed the duty for 
 which they were appointed and made the following report 
 to the Assembly at the May session, 1739: 
 
 " Persuant thereto" (their commission by the Assembly) "we the 
 subscribers did upon the 14th day of November, A. D. 173S, repair to the 
 town aforesaid, viewed the circumstances, hearing the debates find them 
 universally united together in desiring the said house to be built upon 
 the southernmost hill in the ten acres of land appointed by the proprie- 
 tors of said town for a place to build a meeting house, a training field, &c. 
 
62 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 Whereupon we beg leave to report to your honors that we think it 
 most convenient that a meeting house be erected and built on the hill 
 aforesaid, the sills thereof encompassing a certain stake set up one end 
 in the ground, marked U with stones about it. 
 
 All which is submitted to your honors' approbation by your honors' 
 
 most obedient servants. 
 
 Joseph Strong ^ 
 John Perry V Committee." 
 
 May, 1739. Experience Porter) 
 
 The power granted by the Assembly in October 1738, to 
 the town to form a church estate and settle a pastor, was 
 soon taken advantage of, and the church organized and 
 Mr. Wyman settled over it December 13, 1738, as before 
 said. Within a month afterwards, January 8, 1739, a town 
 meeting was held to take measures towards carrying out 
 the project of building a meeting-house. Plans for the 
 building were considered and a committee chosen. But 
 the work was delayed because the proprietors of undivided 
 land were unwilling to pay the land tax, a portion of which 
 was to be appropriated to the building of a meeting-house. 
 There was also a difficulty in obtaining the funds which 
 had already accrued from the commissioners who had 
 been appointed to receive them when the act of incorpora- 
 tion was passed. The young pastor afforded efficient aid 
 in the endeavor to obtain these funds. He was evidently 
 a man of great influence in the town. In 1740 he was sent 
 to the Assembly as agent for the town with Isaac Sheldon 
 and Joseph Gilbert, Jr., both of Hartford, agents for the 
 proprietors, to ask for a law compelling non-resident pro- 
 prietors living in Boston, Salem and other places, owning 
 four thousand acres of land to pay their taxes which they 
 had uniformly refused to pay, the arrearages amounting 
 to the sum of ^^150. The Assembly in May, 1740, directed 
 the lands of those not paying taxes to be sold at vendue 
 after due notification. 
 
 At length about midsummer 1741, the way being clear 
 for the erection of the meeting-house, the town voted that 
 it should be raised on the 12th of August, 1741. In accord- 
 ance with the custom of the times " rum and cyder " were 
 
REV. EBENEZEB WT3[AN. 63 
 
 provided at the town's expense in honor of the occasion. 
 On the day before the great event took place there was a 
 large gathering of the citizens such as would be called in 
 our time a " bee," to make preparations for the raising in 
 leveling the ground, arranging the timbers, etc. The fol- 
 lowing anecdote, handed down by tradition, is undoubtedly 
 true. At the close of the day, in accordance with the 
 sober habits of the times, it was proposed that prayer 
 should be offered before 'the men separated for their 
 homes. This being agreed to it was suggested that Deacon 
 Humphrey Cram should offer prayer, as he was an officer 
 in the church and a helper in the work, although he lived in 
 South Brimfield (now Holland and Wales), his farm being 
 just over the line. Whereupon James McNall, one of the 
 Scotch-Irish residents and land-proprietors, objected and 
 said " Deacon Cram must not pray for he did not own 
 a foot of land in the town." Hence Robert Moore made 
 the prayer. And so on the 14th of August 1741, the 
 first meeting-house, which stood for about a hundred 
 years, was raised. It stood on the summit of the hill, 
 now covered with pines, south of the present meeting- 
 house. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Wyman continued his labors until his 
 sudden and early death of pleurisy. January 9th, 1746, aged 
 thirty-seven. He was a man of good talents and accord- 
 ing to Trumbull in his " History of Connecticut," his death 
 was greatly lamented. A document remains in the State 
 Archives bearing his signature written in a beautiful 
 hand. No people then or now would have reason to be 
 ashamed of his sign manual or of his intellectual ability. 
 His people seem to have been united in him and no doubt 
 the somewhat quaint epitaph on his grave-stone in the old 
 cemetery, is more true than the figures and poetry on the 
 slab are artistic : 
 
 " Lo here the sacred dust of Wyman lies. 
 Who fell to death a glorious sacrifice. 
 Humility and meekness were his robes. 
 His patience seemed to equal holy Job's, 
 
64 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 His Master's service was his chief delight, 
 In which his strength he wasted day and night. 
 At length God calls ' My Wyman come away,' 
 His soul consents and springs to eternal day." 
 
 The conditions of Mr. Wyman's settlement were that 
 he should receive 80 pounds a year for two years from the 
 time of his acceptance of the call; that when two years are 
 expired he shall receive 15 pounds more each year until 
 the sum shall be 140 pounds, which shall then be the reg- 
 ular salary. The town also voted to raise 100 pounds to 
 aid in building his house, on condition that he accepted 
 the call. At a town meeting held June 23d, 1738, it was 
 voted "to send for Mr. Wyman to come and give us his 
 answer to our call, we being orderly met together." Also 
 to accept the following conditions which Mr. Wyman pre- 
 sented: 
 
 1. "If the inhabitants of the town of Union will pro- 
 cure for me a good warrantee deed of the sequestered land 
 lying in said town, excepting the burying place and meet- 
 ing-house green. 
 
 2. If the town will fence in and clear ten acres of the 
 land suitable for ploughing and mowing. 
 
 3. If the town will provide my wood yearly and bring 
 it to my house fit for the fire, and the said inhabitants 
 shall have liberty to bring wood ojff my own land so long 
 as I can spare the same. Ebenezer Wyman. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Wyman seems to have been a man of large 
 property of his own, besides the ministerial lot given by 
 the original proprietors. His wife also had a dower from 
 her father. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Wyman, Nathaniel Trask, a 
 graduate of Harvard in 1742, and Alexander Phelps, a 
 graduate of Yale in 1744, preached as candidates. The 
 town voted to call Mr. Phelps, with a salary of ^200 and a 
 settlement of ^400, old tenor. He declined, and in 1747 
 was chosen tutor in Yale college. Mr. Nathaniel Draper, 
 who graduated at Yale in 1745, received a call August 
 
THE MINISTERS SALARY. 
 
 65 
 
 18th, 1747, which he declined. In May, 1748, the town 
 voted to call Rev. Jacob Bacon, who had supplied in 1735 
 and '^6, but he declined, as previously stated. Then the 
 town voted to extend a call to Rev. Caleb Hitchcock, with 
 a salary of ;^4oo and a settlement of ^700, old tenor. He 
 accepted the call. He belonged to a family of great worth 
 and respectability in New England. He was born at 
 Springfield and graduated at Harvard in 1743. He was 
 ordained at Union, June 21, 1749. His salary of ^^400 and 
 settlement of ;^7oo seems large, until we know that it was 
 in continental money, which had greatly depreciated at 
 this time, so that ^400 was no more than ^100 would have 
 been when Mr. Wyman was settled. Rev. George Curtiss 
 gives the following fact, to give an idea of what it would 
 buy. Rev. Mr. Pomeroy was settled in Hebron in 1737, at 
 a salary of ^100, to be paid in grain or as grain goes in 
 the market. In 1747, two years before the settlement of 
 Mr. Hitchcock, it took ^^420 lawful money to pay his 
 original ;^ioo salary. This ^420 was payable in corn at 
 12 shillings per bushel, pork at 18 pence and beef at 11 
 pence per pound. It seems that since the purchasing 
 power of money was fluctuating, Mr. Hitchcock's salary 
 was stated not in a fixed sum, but in the value of an 
 amount of certain articles, viz., wheat, rye, Indian corn, 
 pork, beef, oats, barley, wool, flax and butter, which at the 
 time of settlement would be worth ;^4oo. A committee 
 was appointed each year to " state the salary." The fol- 
 lowing is a copy of such a statement in 1752: 
 
 "Union, April 2, 1752. 
 These may certify whom it may concern that according to the Prizes 
 of the Respective Articles on which Mr. Hitchcock's Salary was stated, 
 said Salary for the year 1751-2 amounts to four Hundred and sixteen 
 Pounds, Seventeen Shillings and ten Pence old Tenor, as computed. 
 [^416:17:10.] 
 
 William Ward, ] Committee 
 
 By us, Samuel Wood, I for Stating 
 
 JosiAH SiMONDs (?), j Mr. Hitchcock's 
 Abner Sessions, j Salery. 
 
 Consented to by me, 
 
 Caleb Hitchcock." 
 5 
 
66 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 In 1753 the salary amounted to ^469.13.2, and in 1754 
 
 to ^474.13-0. 
 
 Mr. Hitchcock was pastor of the church about nine 
 years, till 1758, when he was dismissed and deposed from 
 the ministry for intemperance. It seems very bad to u's 
 to-day that a minister of the gospel should be guilty of 
 drunkenness. It is indeed a sad record. But we must 
 remember that at that time all classes were in the habit of 
 using intoxicating liquors. As we have observed, they 
 were considered a necessity at the raising of the meeting- 
 house; and at councils of ministers, rum, etc., was always 
 provided. Hence we would throw the mantle of charity 
 over Mr. Hitchcock's memory, for who knows what tempta- 
 tions beset him ? The spiritual results of Mr. Hitchcock's 
 ministry are indicated by the fact that eight joined the 
 church by profession and nineteen by letter, and 126 chil- 
 dren were baptized. These facts show that it was a time 
 of growth in the town, by births and by immigration, as 
 the number of infant baptisms would indicate the birth of 
 at least fifteen children a year. Also, it is said that 
 eighteen joined the church on the "half-way covenant" 
 plan. 
 
 After Mr. Hitchcock's removal from the ministry, he 
 went into business, but failed. He also had domestic 
 infelicity. He removed to Brimfield, where he died in an 
 epileptic fit, December 6, 1767. Gad, the youngest son of 
 the family, was the father of Samuel A. Hitchcock, the 
 founder of the Hitchcock Free High School. 
 
 The pastor who followed Mr. Hitchcock was Rev. Ezra 
 Horton, who was born at Southold, L. I., December 25, 1733, 
 and graduated at Nassau Hall (Princeton), in 1754. He 
 was ordained and installed over the church in Union, June 
 14, 1759. There was quite an interesting council convened 
 for his settlement on the day previous, which held a two 
 days' session because the people were not agreed as to how 
 he should be settled. The final result of the council leaves 
 us in doubt as to how he was settled at last. The General 
 Assembly of the state in 1708, had imposed on the churches 
 
REV. EZRA IIORTON. 67 
 
 a certain confession of faith, and regulations for discipline 
 drawn up by a convention of ministers at Saybrook the 
 September before, a convention not larger in number than 
 many ordinar)^ councils now. Those churches which united 
 in that confession and Heads of Agreement, as it was called, 
 were to be owned and acknowledged as established by law. 
 The first article for the administration of church disci- 
 pline was somewhat ambiguous. It reads thus : That the 
 elder or elders of a particular church with the consent of 
 the brethren of the same, have power and ought to exercise 
 church discipline according to the rule of God's word in 
 relation to all scandals that fall within the same. 
 
 By some this article was interpreted according to the 
 usual Congregational custom, that is, that the pastor acts 
 according to the decision of the majority of the church. 
 Others, however, held that the pastor had a A^eto power on 
 the action of the church, the idea being that the member- 
 ship of the church was a silent democracy and the pastors 
 a ruling aristocracy. 
 
 So we find the Union church stating to the council that 
 they were desirous that Mr. Ezra Horton be settled under 
 the ecclesiastical constitution, that is, the Saybrook plat- 
 form, " with the exception that y® pastor shall not nega- 
 tive y® brethren in y® church procedure." The council 
 considered this request and came to the following conclu- 
 sion : " That the consciences of both the pastor and the 
 brethren are to be subject only to Jesus Christ ; and there- 
 fore we mean not, by denying a negative voice to the 
 pastor to oblige the pastor to do or not do anything in 
 church matters or causes or put any vote of the church 
 into execution which may be against the conscience of 
 the pastor. And we are agreed in case of difference 
 between the pastor and the brethren to refer our differ- 
 ences to a lesser Council than that of the Consocia- 
 tion, if we can mutually agree upon it or otherwise 
 to the Consociation." This plan was pretty generally 
 agreed to, but two of the brethern and some of the inhab- 
 itants dissented and were desirous to have " the said Mr. 
 
68 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 Horton settled tinder the Presbyterian form of govern- 
 ment." Whereupon the council finally concluded that, "in 
 hopes that the said dissenting brethren and inhabitants of 
 Union may be united in the articles aforesaid, or if the 
 church see fit in the Presbyterian form of government, 
 we have thought it our duty, considering the great unan- 
 imity and affection there appears to exist in the Church and 
 Town for the said Mr. Horton, to proceed to the ordination 
 of the said Mr. Horton to the pastoral office in this place." 
 
 It is probable that the church " united on the articles 
 aforesaid " rather than on the Presbyterian government, 
 for Mr. Horton certainly administered his office as a Con- 
 gregational minister. 
 
 During Mr. Horton's pastorate, there were many cases of 
 church discipline brought before the church. Members 
 were repeatedly called to account for long continued 
 absence from the Lord's Supper. A case which excited 
 considerable attention was the trial before the church in 
 1764, of Joshua Webb and Mrs. vSarah Hitchcock for a Aaola- 
 tion of the seventh commandment. Cases of disputes be- 
 tween members were brought before the church. Timothy 
 Wales was censured for taking some rum from his neigh- 
 bor Backus' barrel when he was coming up from Wind- 
 ham and taking it home and drinking it privately. 
 
 These frequent cases of discipline and trial indicate 
 that it was a time of strong feeling in the town. Mr. Hor- 
 ton had a hard place, but nevertheless he dwelt among his 
 people and loved them with a tender affection. He was 
 with them during the trying times of the Revolutionary 
 struggle, when his charge was so much straitened that 
 they became in debt to him for over two years' salary. 
 This was in 1776. The poverty of the people in town at 
 this time is plainly brought out by a memorial to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly in that year, to abate the taxes in town. 
 Extracts from this are given in the account of Union in 
 the Revolution. It mentions the fact that " the people 
 gave their minister only 67 pounds money a year; yet such 
 is their distressed condition that he has thought it his 
 
CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 69 
 
 duty, and has, in fact, abated four or five pounds a year in 
 the last two settlements they have made, besides the 
 abatement of some very poor people's rates." 
 
 •Mr. Horton seems to have been greatly beloved and 
 respected by most of his people. But there were some of 
 his prominent parishioners who became dissatisfied with 
 him and made the last years of his pastorate unpleasant. 
 In 1783 a council was called to consider the difficulties 
 which existed between the pastor of the church and sev- 
 eral of its members, also a dispute between members, and 
 whether it was best that the pastor be dismissed. This 
 council had three sessions, on June 10, August 4 and 6, 
 respectively. After long consideration the council came 
 to the following conclusions with respect to the matters 
 which were brought before them: "In regard to brother 
 Solomon Wales, the council are of the opinion that he has 
 not paid that sacred regard to the Sabbath and the insti- 
 tuted worship of God, in some instances, which he ought 
 to have done. In respect to his treatment of Mr. Horton, 
 the pastor of the church, we are of the opinion that he has 
 been much to blame in relating his mind by letters at 
 unseasonable times, and much more by rash, undutiful and 
 unchristian language. But most of all, for making a min- 
 ister of Christ, especially his own pastor, a subject of ridi- 
 cule and mockery, and that the said Wales was guilty of 
 disorderly conduct in making objections to the church 
 against his brother Child's communing just before the 
 celebration of the Lord's Supper. And we have reason to 
 believe that he has at times used such language as is 
 unbecoming his civil, and much more his Christian char- 
 acter, the bad example of which, in a man of his station, is 
 extensively pernicious. 
 
 All which things this council disapprove, and earnestly 
 desire Esquire Wales to reflect upon the evil nature and 
 fatal tendency of them, when found in a professor of 
 religion, especially in persons acting in a public character, 
 whose business it is to set good and discountenance evil 
 examples. 
 
70 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 With regard to brother Ebenezer Child, the council are 
 of the opinion that he has given too much reason to sus- 
 pect that he has sometimes indulged a degree of intem- 
 perance and profaneness that bear hard upon his Christian 
 character, as well as an appearance of at least fraud in 
 some instances, which he ought to reflect upon as unbe- 
 coming his Christian character, and to guard carefully 
 against, for the future exercising greater watchfulness in 
 his life and conversation. 
 
 With regard to the Rev. Mr. Horton, it appears to this 
 council that he has been unhappy in wording and in 
 timing some of his public performances; that he has used 
 some unbecoming expressions in his conversation with 
 Esquire Wales; that he has used improper and diminutive 
 expressions when speaking of some other persons, and that 
 he has paid less attention in some instances to the exam- 
 ination of those who have sought communion in the 
 church, than he ought to have done — this council being of 
 the opinion that the examination of candidates for the 
 communion ought to be most faithfully attended to. We 
 trust, however, that the said duty of ]\Ir. Horton will lead 
 him to make suitable reflection upon himself, in this 
 respect, and to guard against such improprieties and 
 imperfections for the future, and we earnestly entreat him 
 as a Christian brother so to do. 
 
 With respect to this important question, whether the 
 Rev. Mr. Horton's relations to this church and congrega- 
 tion shall be dissolved or not, we have the following things 
 to observe : 
 
 We have endeavored to pay a particular attention to the 
 present state of this town, and, so far as we are able, to 
 look forward to the probable consequences of Mr. Horton's 
 continuance, as well as those of his dismission. Notwith- 
 standing Mr. Horton's infirmities, we find them too small 
 to become a justifiable ground for that uneasiness and dis- 
 affection which has risen to such a height in this place, 
 much less for his dismission, as arising from any fault on 
 his part." 
 
DISMISSAL OF MR. HORTON. ji 
 
 From this point the manuscript copy is wanting, and 
 the form of the result of the council, in their decision to 
 dismiss the Rev. Mr. Horton, is lost. It is well known, 
 however that he was dismissed for reasons of expediency, 
 August 6, 1783. The council gave him the following 
 recommendation : " The Rev. Mr. Horton is by this council 
 freely and fully recommended as a pious and faithful 
 nninister of the gospel, wherever the providence of God 
 shall call him." The church also voted unanimously that 
 they would recommend him to the communion of the 
 churches and the work of the ministry. But Mr. Horton 
 never preached anywhere but in Union. He died here, 
 January 13, 1789, "much lamented." He was buried in the 
 old burying ground, and many of his former flock lie 
 around him. 
 
 . When we consider the troublous times through which 
 the people of Union passed during the period of Mr. Hor- 
 ton's ministry, we must call it an eminently successful one. 
 Seventy-two were added to the church during his pastorate 
 of twenty-four j^ears. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Horton the church was 
 without a pastor for thirteen years. It was small in num- 
 bers and rent with divisions. Mr. Gary served as supply in 
 1786; Mr. Page in 1788. In 1789 Rev. David Rathbone, a 
 Baptist minister, supplied for a time, long enough to be 
 the means of starting a Baptist society, which was short- 
 lived. In the years 1793 and 1794 Rev. Galvin Ingalls, son- 
 in-law of Rev. Mr. Horton, preached as stated supply. He 
 went to West Stafford. A Mr. Mosely supplied in 1795. 
 
 Some of the reasons for the disturbed and weakened 
 state of the church during this period and that following, 
 were the union of church and state, the "Half-way cov- 
 enant" system, and the influence of the Revolutionary 
 war. 
 
 As we have seen, the citizens of the town were taxed 
 for the support of the church. The town had a joint 
 authority with the church in calling and dismissing the 
 minister, etc. Hence there was a party of non-Ghristian 
 
7 2 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 men in the town who, since they paid taxes for the sup- 
 port of the minister and were voters, could have a voice in 
 the management of the church. These could, and often 
 did, make trouble. The church was not free to manage its 
 own affairs, as it saw fit, for its own spiritual good. 
 
 If there were members of other denominations in town, 
 who did not attend the Congregational church, these, of 
 course, would object to paying taxes for its support, and 
 support their own preachers besides. One of these was 
 Deacon Samuel Crawford, who was a Baptist and attended 
 the Baptist church at West Woodstock. Upon one occasion 
 when he neglected or refused to pay his assessment for the 
 support of the minister at Union, two of his cattle were 
 taken and sold to collect it. Such proceedings, of course, 
 led to hard feeling, and throughout the country were a 
 powerful factor in leading to the separation of church and 
 state. In Connecticut, however, a law had been passed as 
 early as 1729, allowing Baptists, Episcopalians and Quak- 
 ers, in towns where they had churches, to pay taxes for 
 the support of their own denomination. This law was 
 doubtless what led to the attempt to establish a Baptist 
 society in Union, so as to free its members from the tax 
 for the Congregational church. There were too few Bap- 
 tists, however, and the attempt failed. 
 
 The " Half-way covenant " was a plan by which church 
 membership was granted to those who had been baptized 
 in infancy, and who owned in person the covenant made 
 in their behalf by their parents, but who made no profes- 
 sion of experimental religion. The children of such mem- 
 bers could be baptized. This let a great many unregen- 
 erate persons into the church, and the effect was disas- 
 trous. The importance of repentance was lowered, and 
 there was a tendency to lower the standard of church 
 membership, and sweep the whole population into the 
 church. Then there was a general spiritual decline in the 
 religious life of the church throughout the country during 
 and after the Revolutionary period. The "absorbing topic 
 was the struggle for national independence. All spiritual 
 
LOW STATE OF THE CHURCH. 73 
 
 interests languished. Money which would have flowed into 
 spiritual channels was turned into the scanty treasuries of 
 the colonies for Washington's arm)". Then French infidel- 
 ity, which was introduced during and after the war, 
 became a serious threat and harmed the cause of religion. 
 These influences were felt in nearly every parish. It was 
 not till the great revival of 1 797-1803 swept over the coun- 
 try that the condition of the church began to take on a 
 more hopeful aspect. These general influences, combined 
 with local causes, reduced the church in Union to the low 
 state in which we find it at the close of the last century. 
 
 The first settled pastor after Rev. Mr. Horton's dismis- 
 sion was Rev. David Aver)'-, who was called October 4, 
 1796, and who preached here till August, 1799, when 
 he " was in some sense dismissed," as Elder Curtiss 
 said. He graduated at Yale in 1769, was converted 
 under Whitfield, and was a chaplain in the Revolutionary 
 army, where he was a very popular preacher among the 
 soldiers. Dr. Sprague, in his Annals, says of him: "I 
 remember him as a person of most commanding presence 
 and great animation in the pulpit." After leaving Union 
 he preached in Chaplain, Conn. There was only one per- 
 son, the widow Elizabeth Coye, who joined the church dur- 
 ing Mr. Avery's pastorate. 
 
 About 1800 the church applied to the town to repair the 
 meeting-house. The town declined to help, and the church 
 repaired it, lathed and plastered it, and put in pews instead 
 of benches. 
 
 During the ten years from 1S03 to 1813 the church sunk 
 to the lowest point it has ever reached. There were at one 
 time only seven resident members. During the twenty- 
 nine years between 1783 and 181 2 only three had been 
 admitted. From 1803 to 1813 the Lord's Supper was not 
 administered. 
 
 For about ten years the Rev. Nathaniel Chapin, a Meth- 
 odist minister, supplied. Although the church had, in 
 1779, adopted a strict Calvinistic creed, its minister was 
 now a Methodist, and hence presumably an Arminian. 
 
74 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 In 1814 a revival occurred under the preaching of Rev. 
 Mr. Fuller and Elder Bloss, a Baptist. Sixteen were added 
 to the church during that and the next year. 
 
 In 1 816 the Congregational Ecclesiastical Society was 
 organized. This began to take the place of the town in 
 providing for preaching. In 181 8, two years later, a law 
 was passed in Connecticut, separating church and state. 
 Thereafter the church received no aid from the town, but 
 depended on subscription and pew rent for the support of 
 the minister. It seems that the town had raised only a 
 small part of the minister's salary for many years before. 
 As early as 1794, an effort was made to raise ;^i,ooo for a 
 permanent fund, the interest of which should be used to 
 support preaching. In 1795 ^ committee was appointed by 
 the town to devise a method of disposing of the " pews 
 and pew ground," in the meeting-house. This committee 
 recommended that they be sold at auction to the highest 
 bidder, and the proceeds devoted towards forming a "dura- 
 ble and substantial fund towards resettling and establish- 
 ing a gospel minister." The amount realized for the sale 
 was ;!^i,o3o. The pews sold were 29 in number. The pews 
 were first leased by the Congregational Ecclesiastical Soci- 
 ety in 1817. The amount then realized for their sale was 
 $100. 
 
 The young society found it difficult to raise enough 
 money to support preaching and applied to the Tolland 
 County Consociation for aid. This body voted that they 
 "viewed with peculiar interest the feeble state of the 
 church in Union," and appointed a committee to see what 
 assistance could be rendered them. In 1820 the Society 
 chose a committee to confer with the Domestic Missionary 
 Society of Connecticut to see what help could be ob- 
 tained towards supporting preachmg. 
 
 In 181 7 Rev. Ludovicus Robbins preached as supply. 
 He was settled afterwards at West Avon, Conn., and later 
 served as a home missionary in destitute places in the 
 West. Hediedat Algansee, Mich., in 1850. Rev. Dr. Asahel 
 Nettleton labored here successfully as a revivalist, in 1818. 
 
BEV. NEHEMIAH BEARDSLEY. 
 
 75 
 
 In 1820 Rev. Aaron Putnam preached here a few months, 
 immediately after he was licensed. He was graduated at 
 Brown in 181 1, and studied law before he entered the min- 
 istry. He was the son of the Rev. Aaron Putnam of Pom- 
 fret. He was an earnest, faithful preacher and most 
 successful laborer at Spring-field, N. Y., and Oswego, N. Y., 
 where he died in 1831. Rev. Daniel Kendrick, a graduate 
 of Brown in 1810, supplied in 1821. The Society voted "to 
 concur with the church in giving him a call to settle at 
 $400 a year, provided $100 could be obtained from the 
 Domestic Missionary Society; one-half of said $400 to be 
 paid in money and the other half in house rent, wood and 
 such other articles as he may need." But he declined the 
 offer. In 1822, there was considerable talk about building 
 a parsonage and it was actually voted to build one. But 
 probably owing to a lack of funds, the project was never 
 carried out. 
 
 In 1823, Rev. William Woodbridge preached during the 
 summer, and established the first Sabbath School and a 
 Bible class for the adult part of the congregation. He was 
 the son of Rev. Asahel Woodbridge of Glastonbury, gradu- 
 ated from Yale in 1780, and was appointed the first princi- 
 pal of Phillip's Exeter Academy in 1783. He was an 
 ordained minister but never a settled pastor. He was 
 noted as a teacher of female schools. He died at Franklin, 
 Conn., in 1836, at the house of his classmate and intimate 
 friend. Dr. Samuel Nott. 
 
 In Feb., 1824, the society voted to settle the Rev. Nehe- 
 miah B. Beardsley as pastor with a salary of $350, $104 
 being received from the Missionary Society; of this $350, 
 $150 was to be in luoney and $200 "in such articles as are 
 necessary for family use, said articles to be at a fair market 
 price." Rev. Mr. Beardsley was installed in April, 1824, 
 the fifth pastor of the church at Union. He continued here 
 seven years, being dismissed April i8, 1831. He served 
 well and brought 12 into the church during his pastorate. 
 
 The prominent men of the Society, about this time were 
 Philip Corbin, Gideon Wales, William Foster, Capt. Arche- 
 
76 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 laus W. Upham, Robert Lawson, Norman Horton, David 
 Coye, Samuel Moore, Capt. Joseph Snell and others. 
 
 In the fall of 1831 there came to town an attractive and 
 winning- evangelist in the person of Rev. Andrew H. Reed> 
 a graduate of Amherst in 1826. He did excellent work, 
 winning many converts. The little church was doubled 
 in numbers by this revival, twenty-eight joining in 1831 
 and 1832. Among these were some who became strong 
 supporters of the church. There were Paul Lawson and 
 wife, Charles Hammond, Elisha Griggs and wife, Healy 
 Corbin and wife, Asa Coye, Sullivan Booth and wife, 
 Laura Griggs (afterwards Mrs. Dexter Moore, the oldest 
 member now living [1892] ) and others. 
 
 Rev. Elliot Palmer, a pleasant spoken, godly man, min- 
 istered to the church in 1832. He afterwards settled in 
 West Stafford. While in Union he encouraged the people 
 to build a new meeting-house. 
 
 The old meeting-house had been in use for nearly a 
 hundred years. It had been repaired about the year 1800 
 and was said to be still in fairly good condition when the 
 church abandoned it. Besides desiring a better and 
 more commodious place in which to worship, the church 
 members had another reason for building a new edifice. 
 The old meeting-house was in the hands of the town. It 
 was built by the town and had been used not only for 
 church services but for town meetings and public gather- 
 ings of every sort. This must have detracted somewhat 
 from the sacred character of the place. Anyway the 
 church had no control over the building and could not call 
 their house of worship their own. Hence it was better in 
 many ways that they should build their own building and 
 have it undisturbed by other gatherings than those for 
 worship. The old meeting-house was 45 feet long and 35 
 feet wide. It had two doors, one on the east side, and 
 double doors on the south. 
 
 " No steeple graced its humble roof. 
 
 With upward pointing spire ; 
 Our villagers were far too meek 
 A steeple to desire. 
 
THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. -jj 
 
 And never did the welcome tones 
 
 Of Sabbath morning bell, 
 Our humble village worshipers 
 
 The hour of worship tell." 
 
 Inside there were three aisles, and three galleries. The 
 stairs leading to these were called on the south side the 
 "men's stairs" and on the north side the "women's stairs." 
 The high pulpit was on the north end and had a big sound- 
 ingboard overhead. The pews were nearly square and were 
 29 in number. There were several in the galleries. The 
 glass of the windows was said to have been imported 
 from England and to have been very clear. The 
 plastering remained white and clean, for there were 
 no stoves in the church, and no chimney. But the people 
 sat through the service in the cold winter da\'s without 
 having the building warmed. Some of the women how- 
 ever used to take their foot-stoves to church. In these 
 they put some live coals which gave out some heat. It was 
 the custom to stand through the long prayer. And it was 
 long. The subjects of the prayer were of great number. 
 Few indeed were the public events which were not remem- 
 bered in the course of the long prayer. The custom of 
 standing during the prayer was continued long after the 
 new meeting-house was built. One who remembers it tells 
 how tired he used to get before it was over standing '' first 
 on one foot, then on the other." Deacon PaulLawson con- 
 tinued the habit of standing during the prayer as long as 
 he attended church. The singing in the old meeting- 
 house was congregational. The psalm was started by a 
 man with a tuning fork. The people sat always during 
 the singing. There was an officer appointed annually 
 called the " tything man " whose duty it was to keep order 
 during the service. Men now living can remember how 
 as boys they were summoned into church, or if they got 
 uneasy and noisy in the gallery where they sat, were 
 tapped on the head by the rod of the "tything man." 
 
 But with all these peculiarities, as they seem to us now, 
 there was true heart worship in the old church on the hill. 
 
78 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 How the early settlers must have rejoiced when after much 
 exertion, their meeting-house stood complete, and they 
 had a place in which to worship God far more commodious 
 than the rude and small private houses, in which they had 
 hitherto met. Doubtless they often returned to their 
 homes from their worship there, with their faith strength- 
 ened, and wit^i more courage to clear the lands and build 
 homes, and more resolution to lead noble lives and train 
 up their children in the fear of God. And during the 
 ninety-five years in which the people of the town worship- 
 ed there, how many fervent prayers ascended, how many 
 earnest sermons were preached in the spot now covered 
 with pines! It was there that Elder Horton cheered and 
 encouraged his flock during the hard and troublous times 
 of the Revolutionary struggle, when every nerve had to be 
 strained in order to send men to the army, and maintain 
 their families at home. And it was there that many young 
 people became imbued with a just fear of God and love for 
 their fellowmen, and went forth to lead lives of usefulness 
 and blessing here and elsewhere. It would be hard to esti- 
 mate the amount of good done in the old meeting-house on 
 the hill. 
 
 It continued to stand for a number of years after the 
 new meeting-house was built. It was finally sold by the 
 town and removed. 
 
 It was on Jan. lo, 1833, that the Society voted to choose 
 a committee to solicit subscriptions for a new ineeting- 
 house, and ascertain where a suitable place could be had 
 for the same. This committee consisted of William Foster, 
 Philip Corbin, Samuel Moore, Paul Lawson and Shubael 
 Hammond. On May 9, 1833, the committee reported rela- 
 tive to two pieces of ground. One was a tract of about 
 25 rods of land southwardly of the old meeting-house, 
 being the property of Mr. Robert Lawson, and staked out 
 so as to be conveniently seen by the members of the meet- 
 ing. It was further reported that this would be given for 
 the purpose of the Society, that is the use of said land for 
 a meeting-house site, so long as a meeting-house shall be 
 
THE NEW MEETmO-HOUSE. 79 
 
 wanted thereon, and on condition that said meeting-house 
 be so situated, that said Lawson and his son David would 
 give $50 worth of materials for it. 
 
 The Committee further reported that the other piece of 
 ground which they had viewed as best suitable for a meet- 
 ing-house site, was situated northwardly from the old 
 meeting-house near Calvin Marcy's. (The survey of this 
 plat of ground is given in the church records). It com- 
 prised about 48 rods of ground, being comprised in the 10 
 acres of ground which was reserved for a meeting-house 
 and green by the proprietors of Union Lands. 
 
 Upon hearing this report the Society voted first to 
 build a meeting-house. It was then moved to try the minds 
 of the Society relative to the situation of the meeting- 
 house. After some debate the moderator (Philip Corbin), 
 stating that he took the sense of the Society to be in favor 
 of dividing the members of the house to ascertain said 
 vote, requested that those who favored the north situation 
 would be on the west side of the house, and those opposed 
 to that situation on the east side. The members being 
 counted in their respective divisions, it was ascertained 
 that more than two-thirds of the members who were 
 present were on the west side of the house, and the mode- 
 rator declared that they had voted to build the meeting- 
 house at the place designated northwardly of the old meet- 
 ing-house. 
 
 Philip Corbin, Paul Lawson and Asa Coye were chosen 
 to let out the work and superintend the building of the 
 house. 
 
 The plan which was followed for the building was one 
 which was drawn up by the minister, Rev. Eliot Palmer. 
 
 The following description of the house is from the pen 
 of Rev. George Curtiss, who describes it as it looked in his 
 childhood : " The new meeting-house was unpainted on 
 the inside, and the stove pipe went out of the window. A 
 large stove stood near the rear of the audience room, about 
 mid-way across. It was afterwards moved to the south- 
 east corner, then to the northwest corner, and finally gave 
 
8o ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 place to two stoves, one in the southwest corner and one in 
 the southeast corner. There was a high gallery at one end 
 of the building, with a narrow and steep staircase leading 
 to it. Over this stairway was another leading up to the 
 belfry; this stairway was inclosed by a partition, through 
 which was a very low door. The pulpit was also high and 
 reached by a flight of steps, and underneath it was a sort 
 of cupboard where the Sunday school books were kept, 
 which originally consisted largely of bound volumes of 
 tracts. In front of the pulpit was a long, high board 
 which tradition declared was taken from an old Methodist 
 meeting-house. Its chief use, in the former times, was to 
 hold the communion service at communion seasons, and on 
 other Sundays to hold the motley collection of Sunday 
 school books. The classes used to file up in front of this 
 high altar and help themselves to such library books as 
 they could find. 
 
 Foot-stoves used to be seen in goodly numbers in the 
 winter, and hot coals were in active demand. Gradually 
 the stoves were superseded by soapstones. The bell, which 
 is probably the same as at present, was so hung as to be a 
 terror to ring, and had the perverse tendency, when rung 
 by a tyro, to flop over the wrong way, and it required no 
 small skill to turn it back again. 
 
 The meeting-house was painted on the inside a pea- 
 green, and a new kind of a structure devised for a sacra- 
 mental table, about the same time that the town house was 
 built, about 1845." 
 
 The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. 
 George A. Calhoun, of North Coventry. 
 
 Rev. Alvan Underwood, of West Woodstock, supplied in 
 1833 and 1834, Rev. Abiel Williams, of Dudley, in 1835, and 
 Rev. Isaac E. Heaton in 1836 and 1837. 
 
 In the fall of 1839 Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss, of West 
 Woodstock, supplied for a few months. (For an accoimt of 
 his personal history see the biographical sketch). In the 
 following spring he moved to town, and lived first in the 
 house with Anna and Mary Sessions (where Mr. Rindge 
 
SETTLEMENT OF MR. CUBTIS8. 8i 
 
 now does). He afterwards moved to town and lived in 
 Merrick Marcy's house (at the south end of the block). It 
 was here that the sudden calamity of losing his wife and 
 daughter by a stroke of lightning befell him, March 25, 
 1842. 
 
 In the fall of 1842 the church and society gave Mr. Cur- 
 tiss a call to settle as their pastor, on a salary of $300, " as 
 all," he said, ''they believed they were able to make up 
 with home missionary aid." The pastor accepted the call 
 because it was his impression that the church and society 
 were ready to do what they could, and because he was 
 interested in the field and felt that he had a providential 
 call to labor in this vineyard. He was installed April 12, 
 1843, "at which time the roads were blocked with snow- 
 drifts." The services of the occasion were conducted as 
 follows : Rev. Benjamin Ober, of West Woodstock, offered 
 the introductory prayer; Rev. George Calhoun, of North 
 Coventry, preached the sermon; Rev. James vSanford, of 
 Holland, Mass., made the installing prayer; Rev. Eber 
 Carpenter, of vSouthbridge, Mass., gave the charge to the 
 pastor; Rev. George H. Woodward, of Stafford, gave the 
 right hand of fellowship; the Rev. David Bancroft, of 
 Willington, addressed the people, and the Rev. Elliot 
 Palmer, of West Stafford, made the concluding prayer. 
 
 When Mr. Curtiss took charge of the church, according 
 to his statement, it had been organized 103 years, and there 
 had been added 229 members. During his active ministry 
 of thirty-five years, eighty-six were added to the church, 
 fifteen by letter and seventy-one by profession. The 
 greater portion of these were brought in as the results 
 of special seasons of religious interest. The following 
 account of such seasons is taken from historical sermons 
 by Mr. Curtiss : 
 
 "In the fall of 1850 we were visited from on high by a 
 precious revival. Many of the young people who were 
 children at the commencement of my ministry, were sub- 
 jects. The instructions of the pulpit and the Sabbath 
 school had not been in vain. Some of the youth had been 
 6 
 
82 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. 
 
 alive to the concerns of their souls several years before 
 they forsook all for Jesus. During the spring and summer 
 there were several who indulged hope in Christ. In the 
 fall of this year Mr. White, a theological student from 
 Andover, Mass., taught a select school. The young people 
 now came together under favorable influences for intel- 
 lectual, and also moral and spiritual improvement. The 
 special presence of the Holy Spirit and their daily contact 
 with each other deepened the conviction of truth and duty 
 upon their minds so that, at a religious meeting held at 
 my house, nearly all present, after service, expressed to 
 me, on inquiry, their great need of Christ, and soon found 
 hope in him. Meetings were held through the fall for the 
 benefit of those who had found hope in Christ and for 
 those who were still inquiring. The preceptors entered 
 heartily into the work with the pastor. This work of 
 grace included over twenty who professed to have found 
 Christ precious. Most of the subjects of this revival were 
 from religious families, and from others who availed them- 
 selves of the ministry of the word. The revival spirit con- 
 tinued, to some extent, until i860. Thirty-one united with 
 the church from 1850 to i860, mostly by profession. The 
 select schools continued for a number of years in the 
 fall, and were taught by young men of superior talents 
 and fervent piety. The preceptors were Messrs. Luther 
 White, Edwin Hall, Jr., Henry Pratt, Henry M. Parsons, 
 James T. Ford (two seasons), Stephen Harris, Henry J. 
 Bruce, missionary to India, Henry B. Ruggles, John O. 
 Barrows, for a time missionary to Turkey, and others." 
 
 "We had a precious outpouring of the vSpirit in the 
 spring and summer of 1864. Several young men of our 
 town had been to the war, and were there led to reflect 
 seriously upon their condition in respect to the future. 
 Early in the spring of 1864 two of these young men called 
 on me for the purpose of learning what they should do to 
 be saved. Others were thinking on their ways; and, in 
 view of these things, we held a series of meetings during 
 the last of May. The Rev. Ezra D. Kinney, who was 
 
TEMPERANCE REFORM. 83 
 
 preaching- in Westford, assisted in these meetings. Twenty 
 or more indulged hope of having passed from death to life 
 at that time; many of them were heads of families. As 
 the fruit of this revival twenty were added to the church; 
 four of them had been to the war. There was also great 
 religious interest in the fall of 1865. Mr. Potter, the evan- 
 gelist, labored with the people in connection with the pas- 
 tor. There were crowded meetings at the union services 
 held together with the Methodists. There were sixty 
 inquirers and valuable additions to the churches." 
 
 During the pastorate of Mr. Curtiss, a great temperance 
 reform took place in town. The church early adopted 
 temperance principles, and acted in accordance with them 
 in admitting mem^bers. Rev. Mr. Beardsley had been 
 instrumental in the formation of a temperance society in 
 1830. The following extract from its constitution shows 
 the attitude of its members towards the use of intoxica- 
 ting liquors: ''The members of this society believing that 
 the use of intoxicating liquors is, for persons in health not 
 only unnecessary but hurtful, that it is the cause of form- 
 ing intemperate appetites and habits, and that while it is 
 continued, the evils of intemperance can never be pre- 
 vented, do therefore agree that we will abstain from the 
 use of distilled liquors except as a medicine in case of 
 bodily hurt or sickness, that we will not allow the use of 
 them in our families, nor provide them for the entertain- 
 ment of our friends, or for persons in our employment, 
 and that in all suitable ways we will discountenance the 
 use of them in society." 
 
 When we consider the character of the times a cen- 
 tury ago with reference to the use of intoxicating liquors, 
 we see how these principles were a great advance on those 
 previously held. It used to be considered the proper thing 
 for the entertainment of visitors and ministers even, to 
 have rum and whiskey on the table. At the dinners which 
 followed installations, church councils, etc., they were 
 always provided. But as the evils of intemperance 
 increased, good people began to see the harm which such 
 
84 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 customs wrought, and a cliange in their attitude took 
 place. Among the advocates of temperance at this time 
 were Dea. Ezra Horton, Joseph Snell, David Lawson, Paul 
 Lawson, and others. 
 
 It used to be the custom for storekeepers to keep rum 
 and whiskey to sell, among their regular commodities. In 
 1840, Rev. Mr. Curtiss preached a temperance sermon dis- 
 countenancing such practice. Among his hearers was Mr. 
 Harvey Walker, who had a store at Mashapaug and who 
 had hitherto followed the universal custom. But that ser- 
 mon influenced him to give up selling liquor.* The follow- 
 ing account of the temperance awakening which took 
 place in Union, is from the pen of Mr. Curtiss: 
 
 "In the town of Union, November, 1841, there com- 
 mence(i a great temperance revival, in which the com- 
 munity was greatly interested and took an active part. 
 Two of the leading men of the town, who had used liquor 
 freely, were together at the hotel in the place, after town 
 meeting, the first Monday in October, 1841, where there 
 was a man just drunk enough to be noisy. The landlord 
 was annoyed and commanded silence, but the drunken 
 man would not be silent; whereupon the landlord hurled 
 him out of the house to the danger of his life. This sight 
 opened the eyes of these gentlemen to the treatment they 
 might expect to receive in a similar situation. The one 
 said to the other: "You see wha.t we are coming to." 
 " Yes," was the reply. They resolved from that hour to be 
 temperance men and to act upon temperance principles. 
 Upon consultation with each other they determined to 
 agitate the question and labor for the benefit of the fallen. 
 After the plan was matured, Captain Paul engaged a 
 reformed inebriate to lecture on a certain evening in the 
 meeting-house. There was a large audience, and the 
 lecturer gave a stirring discourse of what his experience 
 
 * It is said that after this decision, an old toper came into the store one day insisting that his 
 jug should be filled with whiskey. Mr. Walker took the jug, slipped out at the back door, and 
 going to the pond filled it with water. He returned and gave it to the man, saying there was 
 no charge for it, and thus got rid of him. 
 
UNIVER8ALIST SOCIETY. 85 
 
 had been, how he had been redeemed, and how others 
 might be saved from intemperance and all its horrors. His 
 lecture was well received and aroiised his auditors to 
 immediate action. A committee was chosen to draft a con- 
 stitution. They had it ready at the next meeting. It was 
 discussed and adopted, and many signed the pledge. This 
 temperance revival continued unabated till 1850." Lectures 
 were frequent and would always draw a full house. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1866 the people were aroused to 
 renewed efforts in the temperance cause. Several lectures 
 were delivered by Messrs. Pratt and Burleigh; a young 
 people's temperance society was formed, called the Band of 
 Hope, which continued for several years. The members 
 held quarterly meetings and were very active in securing 
 pledges against the use of intoxicants and tobacco. This 
 society also held yearly celebrations of the Fourth of July 
 on the shores of Mashapaug Lake. 
 
 During the early part of Mr. Curtiss' pastorate there 
 was a Universalist society in existence in town. This had 
 been formed in 1832, under the name of the "First Uni- 
 versalist Society of Union." The names of its members 
 were : Pain Cleveland, Israel Comstock, Thomas Tourte- 
 lotte, Luther Crawford, John Crawford, Trenck Crawford, 
 Joel Town, George W. Town, Oliver W. Town, Herman 
 Town, Nathaniel Newell, David Newell, Elijah Wales, 
 Elbridge Cass, William Eaton, Newman Bugbee, Walter 
 Thomas, Moses C. Sessions, E. G. Lindsley, Smith Tourte- 
 lotte, Willard Blodgett, Nathan Kinney, John W. Moore, 
 Danford Morse, Orlin Nelson, Alvin Wales and Merrick 
 Marcy. This society seems to have kept up a form of 
 existence till about 1849, and to have had meetings with 
 preaching occasionally at Captain Newell's. 
 
 The church was repaired and remodeled in 1864. The 
 following is the pastor's account of that enterprise : 
 
 " The hand of God, I believe, moved in this work. He 
 put it into the heart of one of the sisters to go forward in 
 the work with a liberal hand, and also to interest others, 
 until all with united heart and voice said : ' Let us arise 
 
86 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 and build.' After the carpenters commenced it was found 
 that the subscriptions would not cover the cost. It was 
 therefore decided that each one should double his sub- 
 scription, which would amount to over a thousand dollars. 
 It was found, upon a careful estimate, that it would require 
 more than two thousand dollars to complete the work. The 
 pastor's son, Samuel Ives Curtiss, then a member of 
 Amherst college, solicited subscriptions abroad for the 
 object, and in the course of a few weeks raised a thousand 
 dollars. The newly repaired and remodeled church build- 
 ing was rededicated the 25th of July, 1866, nearly thirty- 
 two years after its first dedication. The Rev. Charles 
 Hammond preached the rededicatory sermon. The day 
 for the latter occasion was favorable, the house was filled 
 to its utmost capacity, the sermon was able and instruct- 
 ive, and the other services appropriate. The entertainment 
 at the Town hall, which followed, was generous and pleas- 
 urable, and every way suited to close so important and joy- 
 ful an occasion." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Curtiss continued his labors for the 
 church at Union till 1874, when his resignation as acting 
 pastor was accepted, and he was vaixdo. pastor emeritus. Late 
 in the year it was voted to invite Rev. John P. Watson to 
 supply the pulpit. He accepted and began his labors Jan- 
 uary I, 1875. He was born in Gilford, N. H., November 22, 
 1826. He was the third son of a large family, whose bur- 
 dens in life were heavier than those usually allotted to man- 
 Under somewhat adverse circumstances he was prepared 
 for college at Gilford Academy, and graduated from Bow- 
 doin College in 1856, with high honors as a scholar and 
 greatly esteemed for his Christian character. For three 
 years succeeding his college course he was principal of the 
 academy at Limerick, Me., where one of his predecessors 
 was Rev. Samuel Harris, D.D., LL. D., formerly president 
 of Bowdoin College, and now a professor in the Yale 
 Divinity School. While here he distinguished himself as 
 a teacher of marked thoroughness and a superior disciplin- 
 arian, bringing the institution into a very prosperous con- 
 
REV. J. P. WATSON. 87 
 
 dition. In 1859 he entered Bangor Theological Seminary, 
 remaining there only a year, however, but completing his 
 theological course at the Union Theological Seminary of 
 New York city, in 186 1. While in this seminary he 
 changed his church relationship from the Free Baptist to 
 the Presbyterian. In 1861 he was ordained as an evangel- 
 ist by the New York Presbytery. The same year he 
 became pastor of the Congregational church at Putnam 
 Heights, Conn. From there he removed to Cross Roads, 
 Pa., where he was engaged in teaching. In 1869, returning 
 to New England, he became pastor of the Congregational 
 church at Leverett, Mass., laboring there three years. He 
 then supplied for a year at Shutesbury, Mass. His next 
 pastorate was in Union. He was a. gifted and eloquent 
 preacher, and his exceedingly interesting discourses will 
 be long remembered by those who had the privilege of 
 hearing him. He continued the custom of preaching two 
 sermons each Sunday. He took an active interest in the 
 Sunday school, which was then large and flourishing, there 
 being many children in the church. He had it thoroughly 
 organized and devoted himself to the work of librarian. 
 Never before or since has the Sunday school librar)'- been 
 in as good condition or so thoroughly regulated, as when 
 Mr. Watson had it in charge. A large number of new 
 books were added during this time. The entire school felt 
 the inspiration of Mr. Watson's energy and enthusiasm. 
 The church was in a very flourishing condition during the 
 three years of Mr. Watson's supply. The meetings were 
 largely attended. The society voted to give Mr. Watson a 
 salary of $700, which was the largest salary the church has 
 ever attempted to raise. Mr. Watson, however, for reasons 
 of his own, declined to receive that portion of this sum 
 which came from the Home Missionary vSociety, accepting 
 only $500. In 1875 the church voted to extend a call to 
 Mr. Watson to become their settled pastor, which, how- 
 ever, he declined. 
 
 For a considerable portion of the time of Mr. Watson's 
 supply in Union, he was also acting school visitor. He 
 
88 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 entered into the work with great zeal and energy, deter- 
 mining to improve the character of the schools in town. 
 He examined the candidates for teachers thoroughly, see- 
 ing that only competent ones were employed. He visited 
 each school very frequently and became perfectly 
 acquainted with every detail. The same order and system 
 were manifested in his management of the schools which 
 were shown in the regulation of the Sunday school library. 
 He introduced new text books and made the teaching more 
 thorough. But people are slow to move. There were 
 many conservatives in town who were not ready for such 
 thorough and radical improvement and would rather have 
 things move on in the same old way. Then many were 
 offended because of his refusal to grant certificates to can- 
 didates whom he believed incompetent to teach. Hence 
 towards the last part of his term he had to meet consider- 
 able opposition. His stern manner at times, and his strict 
 requirements often made the school children dread his 
 visits. But they have grown up to see how his action was 
 designed for their highest welfare and to appreciate and 
 respect him. The writer, who was one of them, looks back 
 to the schools u^der Mr. Watson's management as the best 
 regulated and superintended of any he ever attended in 
 town. It is safe to say that the town has never had an 
 Acting School Visitor who performed his work so 
 thoroughly or labored so much for the good of the schools 
 as Mr. Watson. 
 
 But the opposition which he created in town lessened 
 his power for good in the church, and the last part of his 
 period of supply was somewhat clouded. Moreover his 
 health began to fail. He continued preaching however 
 until the early part of the year 1878. Probably the church 
 at Union never had a preacher of greater ability than Mr. 
 Watson. His preaching was characterized as thoroughly 
 evangelical, scholarly, original and able, winning to him 
 thoughtful and earnest minds, deeply impressing them 
 with the truths of the Gospel. He became greatly inter- 
 ested in the town of Union and in its people during his 
 
REV. GEORGE CURTISS. 89 
 
 residence here which was first with the family of Deacon 
 Lawson and afterwards that of Mr. William Corbin. 
 When Rev. Charles Hammond died in 1878, leaving the 
 work on the history of Union incomplete, Mr. Watson 
 took the material into his hands with a view of completing 
 it. He spent many an hour in talking with the old people 
 in town such as Captain Paul, about the old times. His 
 contribution to the history was mainly in adding to the 
 genealogies. He kept the material till his death. 
 
 After leaving Union, Mr. Watson traveled in Europe, 
 spending six months in visiting England, France and 
 Italy. Soon after his return he entered upon his fourth 
 and last pastorate at Wellfleet, Mass. After remaining 
 there four years he accepted the position as the Boston 
 agent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, having his 
 office in the Congregational House, Boston. His health 
 gradually failed however during this time and he died of 
 Bright's disease, at Laconia, N. H., January 22, 1887. 
 
 About the time that Mr. Watson ceased preaching at 
 Union, Rev. George Curtiss came to town with his two 
 children on a visit to his father. He was then without a 
 charge, and the committee asked him to preach here. The 
 elder Mr. Curtiss and his wife were both sick and George 
 was not in very good health, but he consented to do what 
 he could. He did not assume the place of pastor or agree 
 to do more than he felt able to perform. He preached 
 only one sermon on Sunday. This was a departure from 
 the old custom and was not very well liked by some at first. 
 But people soon began to feel as though they derived as 
 much good by having more time in the Sunday school, as 
 by the old tedious way of holding another service after 
 Sunday school. 
 
 But as a matter of fact Mr. Curtiss did most that a min- 
 ister usually does. He attended the Sunday school and the 
 weekly prayer meetings, visited the people to some extent, 
 attended the gatherings of the Ladies' Aid Society and 
 held a number of meetings in the school-houses. He did 
 what work he felt able to do and the people paid him what 
 
90 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 they felt disposed. The church prospered while he was 
 supplying. Very pleasant relations existed between the 
 people and the minister as one who had grown up among 
 them, the son of their former beloved pastor. Extra meet- 
 ings were held during the winter of 'So and '8i and perma- 
 nent good was done. Several united with the church on 
 the first Sunday in May, 1881, at which time Mr. Curtiss 
 closed his labors here, having received a call to the 
 Wethersfield Avenue Congregational church at Hartford. 
 
 During the rest of the year of '81 the church had no 
 regular supply, although Rev. Mr. Avery of West Wood- 
 stock preached several Sabbaths. In the spring of 1882 
 the society voted to extend a call to Rev. William Howard, 
 which he accepted and began his labors here April 8, 1882. 
 He was born in Folkstone, Kent, England, September i, 
 1831 and came to this countr}^ in June, 1852. He was 
 married March 19, 1854 and ordained as a Methodist minis- 
 ter, April 19, 1859, in New Haven, by Bishop Edmund S. 
 Janes of the N. Y. East Conference. He preached in that 
 conference till 1864, in the following places : Southold, L. 
 I., Southampton, Litchfield, Wilton, Ansonia and Middle- 
 field, Conn. In 1864 he became a Congregationalist and 
 preached in the following Congregational churches : at 
 North Guilford, Northfield (in Litchfield), West Avon, 
 Quonnock (in Windsor) whence he came to Union. He 
 moved into the house of Rev. George Curtiss, which the 
 latter generously offered to sell to the society for a low 
 price. The society voted to accept his offer April 28, 1882, 
 and the following fall built a new barn on the place. 
 
 Mr. Howard remained in Union till November 23, 1884, 
 giving good satisfaction as a preacher. He held week day 
 prayer meetings at the parsonage which were generally 
 well attended. 
 
 When Mr. Howard left Union he went to Lebanon, 
 Conn., where he preached till May 6, 1888. After resting 
 in Hartford for a time he preached during the years '89 
 and '90 in Staffordville, living in Hartford most of the 
 time. During this time his wife's health declined and she 
 died August 24, 1890. They had two sons, John Edward, 
 
BEV. I. P. SMITH. 91 
 
 who died March 2, 1878 and John, who is now (1892) a 
 physician in Hartford. In the spring- of 1891 Rev. Mr. 
 Howard began preaching again in Union. 
 
 After he left town the first time the church was without 
 a minister till July 11, 1885, when Rev. Isaiah P. Smith 
 accepted the call of the church and moved to town with 
 his wife and three children, Perley, Charles and Brainerd. 
 He came from Falmouth, Me., where he had been preach- 
 ing. He was a graduate of Bowdoin college and of 
 Bangor Theological Seminary. He continued preaching 
 here for about three years. During the fall of '86 revival 
 meetings were held and Rev. Mr. Whittier, an evangelist, 
 labored here for a time. Several of the young people 
 were converted and afterwards united with the church. 
 Mr. Smith continued preaching here till October 1888. He 
 went from Union to Southwick, Mass., and afterwards to 
 Wolcott, Conn. 
 
 Rev. Oscar Bissell of Westford preached during the 
 years 1889 and 1890. He preached at Union in the morn- 
 ing and at Westford in the afternoon. In April, 1891, Rev. 
 Mr. Howard returned to Union and has supplied the pul- 
 pit since that time (till 1892). 
 
 On December 13, 1888 the church celebrated the 150th 
 anniversary of its organization. Besides the people of 
 town there were a goodly number of former residents and 
 friends present. Rev. George Curtiss preached the anni- 
 versary sermon, tracing the history of the church during 
 the 150 years of its existence. No other than he was so 
 well fitted to perform this duty, for his father having 
 been pastor of the church thirty-five years, he was reared 
 in it, and in later years himself preached in it awhile, so 
 that he could speak vividly and pleasantly of a consider- 
 able portion of its history from personal reminiscence. 
 
 Interesting incidents were the reading of the following 
 
 letters: 
 
 From Prof. Curtiss of Chicago Theological Seminary. 
 
 Chicago, December 8th, 1S88. 
 I regret exceedingly that I cannot be present at the celebration of 
 the one hundred and fiftieth annivei'sary of the founding of the Congre- 
 gational church at Union. 
 
92 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. 
 
 I am impressed with two things in this connection : i — with the won- 
 derful longevity of Christian churches in general, and of this church in 
 particular ; 2 — with the amount of good that has been accomplished by 
 the church for the town in improving its moral condition, and in train- 
 ing up young men and women for usefulness in other places. Surely 
 there is every reason for maintaining the church. May it be continued 
 as long as the town of Union shall exist. 
 
 I feel personally grateful for my connection with the church, and 
 honor her as my spiritual mother through whom I received my religious 
 life. Give my kindest greetings and warmest congratulations to all my 
 old friends. Your affectionate brother, 
 
 Samuel Ives Curtiss. 
 Frojit Union boys at Yale Ufiiversity. 
 
 New Haven, December loth, 1888. 
 To the Congregational church in Union. 
 
 Dear Friends • — As we hear that you are about to celebrate the anni- 
 versary of the organization of the church, our thoughts turn back in 
 grateful remembrance to old Union, and our hearts are filled with 
 thanksgiving that our childhood was surrounded with such ennobling 
 Christian influences. 
 
 We wish to express our love for the church of our youth, and can say 
 heartily, in the words of the elder President Dwight, 
 " I love Thy kingdom, Lord, 
 The house of Thine abode. 
 The church our blest Redeemer saved 
 With His own precious blood." 
 
 We often think of the church at Union, earnestly desiring its welfare 
 and prosperity, especially in spiritual things ; that God who has planted 
 it and watered it may still continue to watch over it and bless it, and 
 work through it for the salvation of souls in Union. 
 
 As we think of the influence which the church of Christ in Union 
 exerted over our early lives, an influence which we intend shall spread 
 to all those we meet, wherever may be our pathwaj' in life ; as we think 
 of all the noble men and women who spent their earlier years in Union 
 and went out to bless humanity ; as we think of those who in the 
 impressible part of their lives are now receiving their ideas of Christian- 
 ity from its members, and whose lives, directed in the right way, may 
 be powers in the world for good, we cannot help feeling that the church 
 of Christ in Union has done a noble work, and that it still has much to 
 do. 
 
 May God grant that in His book, the pages which shall record the 
 next hundred and fifty years of this church may be written thick with 
 records of loving deeds and unselfish lives ; and that each one of us, 
 
DEACONS OF THE CHURCH. 93 
 
 realizing our responsibility and the influence we may exert for Him, 
 may so live that those who are looking up to us for Christian teaching 
 may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus and learned of 
 him. 
 
 Geo. N. Lawson, \ 
 
 ^T,r TT r^ ' Members of the 
 
 Wm. H. Corbin, 
 
 TT ' TVT T ' \ church in Union. 
 
 Harvey M. Lawson, ; 
 
 The following pleasing sketch of the deacons of the 
 church was given by Rev. Mr. Curtiss on the above occa- 
 sion : 
 
 " The first deacon elected after the church was organ- 
 ized was William Ward. (He fell and died suddenly when 
 out after an armful of wood — probably in 1789). 
 
 In the course of the ministry of Mr. Horton, Messrs. 
 Ward and Cram were deacons. Deacon Cram was dis- 
 missed and joined the church in Holland, Mass., and Abner 
 Sessions was chosen in his place. ' Levi Lyon was elected 
 in 1782 or '83.'. The next deacons that appear, so far as I 
 can find, are Ezra Horton and Joseph Snell. 
 
 And now that I have come into the region of personal 
 reminiscences, the only way that you can get anything 
 fresh out of me, since many of you are familiar with the 
 same things, is to let me meander here and there at my 
 own sweet will, and touch on those things, and only a few 
 of them, that touched me. 
 
 There was Deacon Horton. Many a time have I led the 
 good old man home from prayer meeting. Large crutches 
 he had, and he leaned on them and walked slowly as the 
 little boy led, and he wore great green glasses or goggles 
 on his eyes. He was never cross at all, at least to me. 
 His voice was pleasant and his talk entertaining, and 
 sometimes he used to slip into my hand a great old- 
 fashioned cent. He was a fine talker, and people said that 
 he had a wonderful memory that ran away back to Revo- 
 lutionary times. I wonder if they ever called him little 
 priest Horton in the old days when his father was a 
 minister; and if other boys told him that it was wicked 
 for him to laugh, because he was a minister's son. I guess 
 he did laugh, though, for all that, and he lived to be a good 
 
■94 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOMY. 
 
 old man, and went to his rest, as father said, as a shock of 
 corn fully ripe. 
 
 There was Deacon Booth, a young brown-haired, 
 bright-eyed, active kind of a man, a school teacher, a 
 farmer, and a glorious minister's helper. He died young, of 
 scarlet fever, or canker rash, as they called it. And the 
 older people wept, and the children were sorry. He left a 
 bright family of children, and one that was born after he 
 died, all, together with his aged father, to the care of that 
 noble woman, his wife, who bravely brought up the chil- 
 dren and cared for the infirm father till his death. vSuch 
 women as Minerva Booth may not make much stir in the 
 world, but they are worthy of all honor, and are God's 
 jewels. 
 
 Away back in the fartherest recess of memory stands 
 a good man of serene countenance, clad in a new farmer's 
 frock, that reached down toward his feet like the robe of a 
 high priest, a novelty to a lisping child, and he held a whip 
 in his hand, and wanted the little boy to kiss him, and he 
 came to move our goods to Union. That is perhaps the 
 oldest picture in all my mental gallery— my first sight of 
 Deacon Paul Lawson. But not the last sight, for every 
 Sunday and every prayer meeting when I was present I 
 saw him. And didn't he literally lift up holy hands with- 
 out wrath and doubting, and those full lips would tremble 
 with the fervent prayer that he so reverently offered ? 
 Alas ! childhood is not always reverent, and occasionally 
 thinks prayers too long, especially when bound to stay on 
 its knees, and sometimes the blessed prayer would bring to 
 weary boyhood balmy sleep. How many other blessings 
 those prayers brought to us all we cannot tell. 
 
 His memory is fragrant with the sweet odor of his good 
 deeds in acts of faith and love. He believed that 'pure 
 religion, and undefiled before our God and Father, is this 
 — to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and 
 to keep himself unspotted from the world.' 
 
 He was admitted to the church November 20, 1831, and 
 was chosen deacon upon the resignation of Deacon Ezra 
 
DEACONS OF THE CHUBGH. 95 
 
 Horton, June 9, 1835. His pastor, among many other 
 words of appreciation and praise, says : ' I alwa3^s found 
 him at his work, true and faithful in his callings.' 
 
 For twenty years before his death he was so blind as 
 not to be able to read his Bible, and in the latter part of 
 his life he was quite hard of hearing also. It was a great 
 trial, but it had its compensations. His experience in those 
 days reminds one of the lines of Alice Gary: 
 
 ' My soul is full of whispered song; 
 
 My blindness is my sight ; 
 The shadows that I feared so long 
 
 Are all alive with light.' 
 
 Mr. Healy Corbin officiated at communion seasons for 
 some time as deacon, although declining an election to the 
 office. He was for a long time a valuable member of the 
 church, together with his wife. Both of them retnoved 
 from the place more than twenty years ago, and for ten 
 years have rested from their labors. All their six children 
 have belonged to this church; five of them survive, and 
 'one is not, for the Lord took her.' 
 
 Myron Kinney and E. N. Lawson were elected deacons 
 September 4, 1863. Deacon Kinney afterwards removed 
 from the town, leaving Deacon Lawson to fill the place of 
 his honored father. 
 
 It is an interesting fact in regard to the Lawson family 
 — that some of them have been members of the church 
 ever since it was formed — that the present Deacon E. N. 
 Lawson is the fifth and his children the sixth in direct 
 descent from John Lawson, one of the original settlers of 
 the town, and a communicant; and in the words of our 
 brother : ' In all the 150 years of the history of the church, 
 there has not been a time when there has lacked a male of 
 the name to stand before the Lord.' " 
 
 This sketch of the church at Union can no more fit- 
 tingly be closed than by repeating the words which Rev. 
 George Gurtiss used in closing his anniversary sermon : 
 
 "The influence of the church for good is not all 
 summed up in recording the numbers that have united 
 
96 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 with the church. She has held forth the word of life for 
 150 years. Her influence has streamed afar. Her sons and 
 daughters have come to honor. The whole community has 
 been quickened by her presence. She has fostered the love 
 for learning, so that from her assemblies have gone forth 
 men to sit in the halls of legislation, to preside over the 
 representatives of her State Legislature, to fill the chairs 
 of secular and sacred learning, to preach the everlasting 
 gospel, or to bear nobly their part in the more private but 
 no less worthy walks of life. Her daughters have filled 
 honored places as teachers, and been the worthy wives of 
 ministers and mothers of a goodly race. Angels of mercy, 
 too, and gentle ministers of patience to walk among the 
 sick and suffering. It is a goodly record, and one that she 
 was able to make through the blessing of God and the aid 
 of sister churches in this commonwealth, through the 
 Home Missionary Society, during a period of more than 
 seventy years. 
 
 And now, though outward circumstances may be 
 untoward, they are not worse, nay, much better than in 
 the early days. With her house of worship, with her par- 
 sonage, recently secured, with her many friends and the 
 vigorous life now shown by her younger members, above 
 all, with the blessing of God upon her, she still has a glo- 
 rious mission before her. 
 
 Long may the altar of true devotion smoke with the 
 sweet incense of prayer on this ancient hilltop, and the 
 people continue to go up to the house of the Lord. Long 
 may the good old town abide, and this beloved church send 
 forth her noble offspring to bless the world with her holy 
 charities and godly deeds. 
 
 Still may she continue to preach the gospel to others 
 through the lips of her sons. And, as the waters that fall 
 on this high dividing ridge of land plow apart for a time, 
 as their course lies toward the Quinnebaug or Willimantic, 
 yet come together again in the marriage bond of a com- 
 mon river, and thus onward to the great sea, so shall all 
 the drops and all the rills of holy influences that have sped 
 
FUNDS OF TEE CHURCH. 
 
 97 
 
 eastward, westward, to north and south, meet in that com- 
 mon tide of love that flows toward the eternal throne. 
 
 O church of the living God ! O sweet mother of holy 
 souls! 'They shall prosper that love thee.' 'Peace be 
 within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For 
 my brethren and companions' sakes I will now say. Peace 
 be within thee.' " 
 
 The funds belonging to the Congregational church have 
 been received from the following persons, who should be 
 held in grateful remembrance : 
 
 Miner Grant, of Stafford Street, . $ 200 
 Deacon Ezra Horton, .... 100 
 
 Susan Lawson, 30 
 
 Mary Lawson Blodgett, .... 50 
 
 Asa Coye, ...... 400 
 
 Rev. Charles Hammond, . . . 100 
 
 Philip D. Armour, of Chicago, . . 100 
 
 Mrs. Julia A. Walker, .... 500 
 
 Total, $1,480 
 
 Some of this, however, was lost by the failure of the 
 savings bank at Stafford Springs. 
 
 LIST OF CHURCH MEMBERS. 
 
 Names of the members of the Church of Christ in 
 Union, Connecticut, who were admitted before the Rev. 
 Ezra Horton was ordained pastor, June 14th, 1759. 
 
 [Copied from the Union Church Records. There were other mem- 
 bers at the time of organization not given here]. 
 
 William Ward, deacon ; Humphrey Cram, deacon (dis- 
 missed); Rev. Caleb Hitchcock, predecessor of Rev. Mr. 
 Horton, dismissed for intemperance ; Sarah Hitchcock, 
 his wife, excommunicated for adultery with Joshua Webb; 
 Daniel Badger, Abner Sessions, deacon ; Mary Sessions, 
 his wife, widow of Rev. Ebenezer Wyman, the first minis- 
 
 7 
 
c,8 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 ter ; her maiden name was Wright, born at Woburn, Mass.; 
 Jeremiah Bishop, Martha Bishop, his wife ; Jeremiah 
 Bishop, Jr., Hannah Bishop, his wife ; Margaret Crawford, 
 Elizabeth Ward, Edward Honghton, Abigail Houghton, 
 his wife ; Nehemiah Coy, Samuel Wood, Lydia Wood, 
 his wife ; Ebenezer Wales, Deborah Wales, his wife ; 
 Joshua Burges, Elisha Wales, Joshua Webb, Caleb 
 Loomis, Abigail Loomis, his wife ; Charity Loomis, Tabi- 
 tha Sprague, Hannah Woodworth, Aaron Clark, Sarah 
 Clark, his wife ; James Crawford, Hugh Crawford, 
 Nathaniel Walker, Dinah Walker, his wife. 
 
 Names of members of the church admitted during the 
 pastorate of Rev. Ezra Horton. 
 December 1759 — Caleb Abbott, Elizabeth Abbott, his wife, 
 
 by letter. 
 January 30, 1760 — John Hendrick, Abner Loomis, Robert 
 
 Crawford. 
 May I, 1760 — Mary Horton, Widow Sarah Loomis. 
 July 6, 1760 — Lydia Rabbins, by letter. 
 August 10, 1760 — Abijah Earned. 
 January 29, i76i^Lucy Robbins, by letter. 
 July 12, 1 76 1 — Mehetable Paul. 
 March 9, 1762 — Zerviah Walker. 
 June 15, 1762 — John Crawford. 
 August 17, 1762 — Nehemiah May, Anner May. 
 June 17, 1764 — Solomon Wales, Lucy Wales, Timothy 
 
 Wales, Sarah Wales. 
 July 29, 1764 — Susanah Wales. 
 June 3, 1765 — Elizabeth Bascom. 
 February 3, 1766— Mary Crawford. 
 May 23, 1766— Abigail Williams. 
 April 26, 1767 — Mary Marcy. 
 June 28, 1767 — Mary Abbott. 
 January 10, 1768— Mary Hutchinson. 
 January 24, 1768 — Widow Jerusha Enos. 
 August 14, 1768— Rebecca Walker. 
 
LIST OF CHURCH 3IEMBERS. 99 
 
 August 28, 1768 — Phineas Lovejoy. 
 
 October 9, 1768 — Esther Wales. 
 
 March 25, 1770— Nathan Abbott, Judith Abbott. 
 
 April 15, 1770 — Anna Ward. 
 
 May 20, 1770 — Lucy Cady. 
 
 January 20, 177 1 — Anna Hendricks. 
 
 August 4, 177 1 — Samuel Abbott, Rachel Abbott. 
 
 August I, 1773 — Obadiah Lilly. 
 
 October 18, 1773 — Damaris Holton. 
 
 November 21, 1773 — John Sessions, Ellis Sessions, his wife. 
 
 May 15, 1774— William Abbott, Mary Abbott. 
 
 June 5, 1774 — -Jonas Drake. Sarah Moor, wife of John Moor. 
 
 February 5, 1775 — Richard Child, Abigail Child, his wife. 
 
 March 26, 1775 — Elizabeth Coburn, Daniel Coburn, by let- 
 ters ; Rachel Coburn, his wife, by letter. 
 
 September 22, 1776 — Mary Horton. 
 
 May 25, 1777 — Hannah Moor. 
 
 July 20, 1777 — Martha Lilly, by letter. 
 
 August 3, 1777 — Mehetable Moor. 
 
 August 31, 1777 — Zib a Winter. 
 
 June 7, 1778 — Hannah Hendrick. 
 
 Jul)^ 8, 1779 — Levi Lyon, Ruth Lyon, his wife. 
 
 July 2, 1780 — Nathaniel Sessions, Irene Sessions, his wife. 
 
 October 7, 1781 — Althea, wife of Ebenezer Stoddard. 
 
 November 7, 1782 —Ebenezer Child. 
 
 April 4, 1783 — Hannah Bartlett, Robert Lawson, Anna 
 Lawson, his wife ; John Lilly, David Roberts and wife. 
 
 1778 — John Taylor and wife. 
 
 Rev. Ezra Horton was dismissed August 6, 1783. 
 
 Names of members admitted while the church was with- 
 out a settled pastor, 1783 to 1797. 
 November 28, 1786 — Ezra Horton, .Olive Horton, his wife. 
 
 Names of members admitted during the pastorate of Rev. 
 
 David Avery, April, 1797 to August, 1799. 
 1797 — Widow Elizabeth Coy. 
 
joo ECCLESIASriCAL HISTORY. 
 
 Names of members admitted while the church was with- 
 out a settled pastor, August, 1799 to April, 1824. 
 
 August, 1812— Lydia, wife of Joseph Snell, Sr. 
 
 April 18, 1813 — Joseph Snell, Jr., dismissed March 20, 1831. 
 
 July 5, 1814 — Silence, wife of Nathaniel Newell ; Chloe, wife 
 Joel Kinney, Susannah Lawson. 
 
 August 28, 1814 — Bethiah, wife of William Moor, dismissed 
 March 25, 1832; Betsey Snell. 
 
 April 30, 1815 — Samuel Moor, Anna, wife of Josiah Eaton, 
 Phebe Lawson, dismissed June 3, 1827, to join church 
 in Smithfield, N. Y.; Lucinda Horton. 
 
 July 10, 1815 — Joseph Moor, Allice Moor, his wife, Sarah 
 Lawson, wife of David Lawson ; Asuba Moor, wife of 
 Thomas Moor. 
 
 November 5, 1815 — Capt. Joseph Snell, Lydia Eaton, dis- 
 missed September 14, 1828; Nancy Moor. 
 
 June 15, 1817 — Mary, wife of Dr. Shubael Hammond; Lovisa 
 Eaton, dismissed February 12, 1826; Sarah Moor. 
 
 September 21, 181 7 — Polly Sessions, Anna Griggs, Polly 
 Horton. 
 
 November 28, 1819 — Hannah, wife of Joseph Snell, Jr.; 
 Daniel Atwood and his wife. 
 
 Names of members admitted during the pastorate of Rev. 
 
 Nehemiah B. Beardsley, April 14, 1824 to April 18, 
 
 1831. 
 November 7, 1824 — Anna Eaton, by letter from First 
 
 Church in Ashford. 
 March 6, 1825 — Ataresta, wife of Elias Severy, by letter 
 
 from Church in Chaplin. 
 May 7, 1826 — Elias Severy, dismissed December 25, 1857; 
 
 Amy Moore, Lucinda Moore, Mary Lawson. 
 September 18, 1826 — Mar jury Snell, wife of Capt. Joseph 
 
 Snell, by letter from West Stafford. 
 November 5, 1826 — Archelaus Upham, by letter from 
 
 Thompson ; Betsey Upham, his wife, by letter from 
 
 Thompson. 
 
LIST OF VHURCH MEMBERS. loi 
 
 May 3, 1828— Ruth Hawes. 
 
 September 6, 1829 — Hannah Moore, dismissed January, 
 1842, and o-iven a letter of recommendation to the 
 church in Dwight, Cherokee Nation ; Louisa Aloore. 
 
 Names of members admitted while the church was without 
 a settled pastor, April 18, 1831 to April 12, 1843. 
 
 November 20, 1831 — Polly Boyden, by letter from Presby- 
 terian Church, Vernon Centre, N. Y.; Paul Lawson, 
 Charles Hammond, Lydia Moore, Alexander Strong, 
 dismissed April 20, 1837; Lucinda Strong, his wife; 
 dismissed April 20, 1837; Thomas Moore, Austin Moore, 
 Esther Wales, Louisa Newell. 
 
 April I, 1832 — Marshall Severy, (excommunicated Novem- 
 ber 13, 1855, for stealing); Chloe Severy, Elisha Griggs, 
 Sarah Griggs, his wife; Hannah Griggs, Laura Griggs, 
 Healy Corbin, dismissed August 11, 1864; Nancy Cor- 
 bin, his wife, dismissed August 11, 1864; Widow Lucy 
 Coy, Cyrus Coy, Asa Coy, dismissed June 20, 1840; Lucy 
 Coy, Sullivan Booth, ]\Iinerva Booth, his wife; Joanna 
 Sessions. 
 
 July 13, 1832 — Mrs. Lydia Lawson. 
 
 November 4, 1832 — Mrs. Abigail vStrong, Gideon Wales, Jr. 
 
 May 20, 1838 — Mrs. Elvira Marcy, wife of Calvin Marcy, by 
 letter from Church in Chaplin. 
 
 June 3, 1838 — Joanna Moore, by letter from Dudley, Mass. 
 
 July 22, 1838— Mrs. Ann Bartlett, by letter from Eastford. 
 
 May 2, 1841 — Mrs. Rebecca W.Walker, wife of Joseph Walker. 
 
 July 4, 1841 — Levi Severy, Sophia Severy, his wife; Lovisa 
 Lawson, dismissed; Louisa Bartlett, wife of John Bart- 
 lett, by letter from Church in Westford. 
 
 December, 1841 — Harvey Walker, Julia W. Walker, his wife, 
 both by letter from Church in Westford. 
 
 September 25, 1842 — Nancy Brown, by letter from Church 
 in East Stafford. 
 
 November 6, 1842 — Lucy Kinney, wife of Nathan Kinney; 
 Lovisa R. Corbin. 
 
I02 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 Names of members admitted during the pastorate of Rev. 
 Samuel I. Curtiss, from April 12, 1843 to 1875, and from 
 that date to 1892. 
 
 November 5, 1843 — Eliza Ives Curtiss, wife of Rev. Samuel 
 I. Curtis, by letter from Church in East Stafford. 
 
 May 5, 1844 — Arnold Paine, excommunicated May 3, 1850, 
 for intemperance; Harriet Paine, his wife. 
 
 June 7, 1846 — Harriet Sessions, wife of Alexander Sessions, 
 by letter from Church in Brookfield, Mass. 
 
 September 5, 1847 — Nancy D. Corbin. 
 
 November 19, 1848 — Mrs. Lomena Paine, by letter from 
 Church in Monson, Mass.; Mrs. Martha Town, wife of 
 Joseph Town, by letter from Church in East Stafford. 
 
 January 6, 1850 — Adaline Paul. 
 
 October 3, 1850 — Mrs. Mary P. McNall Crawford, wife of 
 Fayette Crawford, by letter from Church in Scantic. 
 
 January 5, 1851 — Charlotte J. Corbin, dismissed June 22, 
 1862; Loretta Corbin, dismissed May 5, 1861; Harriet 
 Bosworth, Sarah A. Paul, Mary Ann Smith, dismissed 
 1854; Ezra M. Horton, William Groves, withdrew and 
 joined Methodist Church, i860; Loretta A. Wales, dis- 
 missed; Lucy R. Corbin, dismissed August 11, 1868; 
 Mary M. Corbin, dismissed March 28, 1875; Rebecca 
 Corbin, dismissed March 30, 1868; Chloe E. Severy, 
 Elias Henry Severy, George Curtiss, dismissed Decem- 
 ber 17, 1865. 
 
 March 2, 185 1 — Myron Kinney, dismissed Jtme 5, 1881; Sarah 
 E. Upham. 
 
 May 4, 185 1— Edwin W. Upham. 
 
 November 6, 1853 — Elvira Corbin, dismissed December 17, 
 1865. 
 
 March 9, 1856, Mrs. Mary Ann Rindge, wife of Thomas 
 Rindge. 
 
 July 5, 1857— Laura W. Walker, dismissed July 1865; 
 Josephine Walker. 
 
 November 7, 1858— Edwin N. Lawson, Esther C. Lawson, 
 Mrs. Sophia Leland, wife of Benjamin Leland, dis- 
 missed December 25, 1859; Sophia W. Leland, dismissed 
 i860; Sarah L. Leland, dismissed December 25, 1859. 
 
LIST OF CHURCH MEMBERS. 
 
 103 
 
 March 6, 1859 — Juliett Booth, dismissed; Samuel I. Ciirtiss, 
 Jr., dismissed November 3, 1867. 
 
 May 2, 1859 — Mrs. Emeline Eldridge, dismissed June 30, 1861; 
 William M. Corbin. 
 
 January 6, i860 — Roswell Blodgett, dismissed May 4, i860. 
 
 July 6, 1 86 1 — Mrs. Betsy Howard, wife of Marvin Howard, 
 dismissed July 28, 1872. 
 
 July 3, 1864 — Miner H. Corbin, dismissed August 14, 1868; 
 Ichabod Upham, Abigail Upham, Philinde W. Corbin, 
 Milton H. Kinney, Martha M. Kinney, Aaron A. Wales, 
 Betsey M. Wales, Lucy Cleveland, Mary Ann Cleveland, 
 Leverett A. Snow, dismissed December 29, 1878; Rhoby 
 C. Snow, dismissed December 29, 1878; Armena C. Cor- 
 ■ bin, dismissed March 24, 1872; Elisha Severy, excom- 
 municated November i, 1867; William Harrison Hor- 
 ton, dismissed March 29, 1872; Jonathan C. Upham, 
 Robert Bruce Horton, Melvin Booth, dismissed 1885; 
 Abigail Simons, dismissed; Olive Longden, dismissed. 
 
 September 2, 1864 — Maria A. Upham, wife of Jonathan 
 Upham, by letter. 
 
 March 4, 1866 — Emily S. Severy, wife of Elisha Severy, by 
 letter from the First Baptist Church, Woodstock, 
 excommunicated November i, 1867; Herman Corbin, 
 Henry F. Corbin, Ann Maria Corbin, dismissed May 19, 
 1872; Francis O. Letcher, dismissed March 30, 1872. 
 
 September 2, 1866 — Deborah H. G. Curtiss, by letter; Emily 
 H. Curtiss, by letter, dismissed November 22, 1868; 
 Ellen G. Wheeler, by letter, dismissed June 25, 1874. 
 
 January 6, 1867 — Mary E. Horton, wife of R. B. Horton; 
 Lucy J. Wales, William P. Beeching, Stephen Agard, 
 baptized by immersion, dismissed March 30th, 1868. 
 
 January 2, 1869 — Emily Booth, wife of Melvin Booth, by 
 letter, dismissed 1885. 
 
 January 7, 1871 — Charles Root. 
 
 May 5, 1872 — Roscius Back, Harriet C. Back. 
 
 May 4, 1873 — Ada Leland, by letter; dismissed 1876. 
 
 1879 — Lizzie A. Upham. 
 
 May 2, 1881 — Mrs. Mary Horton, wife of Mason Horton, 
 Lucy Horton, William H. Corbin, Harlow R. Back. 
 
J04 ECCLESIASTICAL BISTORT. 
 
 September i, 1882— Sarah E. Upham. 
 
 July, 1883— Ella M. Corbin, Harvey M. Lawson. 
 
 September, 1883 — Sarah C. Lawson, by letter from the 
 First Baptist church, Woodstock. 
 
 1884 — Mrs. Henry Booth, Mrs. M. A. Marcy, Lillian Booth, 
 dismissed 1885. 
 
 July, 1884 — Sarah Moore. 
 
 July 4, 1886 — George N. Lawson, Mary E. Lawson, Mrs. 
 Herman Corbin. 
 
 December 31, 1886 — Rev. I. P. Smith, by letter, dismissed 
 March 3. 1889; Clara R. Smith, by letter, dismissed 
 March 3, 1889; Perley D. Smith, by letter, dismissed 
 March 3, 1889. 
 
 March 6, 1887 — Charles Smith, dismissed March 3, 1889; 
 Brainerd Smith, dismissed March 3, 1889; Charlotte 
 Warren, excommunicated; Francis Kempton, Char- 
 lotte Witherell, dismissed May 11, 1890; Clark W. 
 Watrous, by letter, dismissed July 22, 1888; Mary 
 Watrous, by letter, dismissed July 22, 1S88. 
 
 June, 1887 — Henry B. Booth, Frank Young. 
 
 The members of the Congregational church in L^nion, 
 August ist, 1892, in the order of their joining, are : 
 
 MALES. 
 
 Ezra !M. Horton, Edwin W. Upham, Edwin X. Lawson, 
 William M. Corbin (absent), Milton H. Kinney (absent), 
 Jonathan C. Upham, R. Bruce Horton, Henry F. Corbin, 
 William Beeching (absent), Roscius Back, William H. Cor- 
 bin (absent), Harlow R. Back (absent), Harve)" M. Lawson, 
 (absent), George N. Lawson (absent), Francis Kempton 
 (absent), Henry B. Booth, Frank Young (absent); males, 17. 
 
 FEMALES. 
 
 Mrs. Dexter Moore (absent), Mrs. E. W. Upham, Ada- 
 line Paul, Mrs. Fayette Crawford, Mrs. William Corbin 
 (absent), Mrs. Aaron A.Wales (absent), Mrs. Henry Corbin, 
 Mrs. Milton Kinney (absent), Mrs. Jonathan Upham, 
 
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 105 
 
 Mrs. Roscius Back, Lizzie Upham, Mrs. Mason Hortoti, 
 Mrs. Lucy P. Aldrich, Mrs. Arthur C. Barrows (absent), 
 Mrs. Henry Booth, ]\Irs. M. A. Marcy, Sarah Moore 
 (absent), Mar-y E. Lawson. 
 
 Present. 
 
 Females, 18 12 
 
 Males, . . y . . . .17 8 
 
 Total, 35 20 
 
 The clerk and treasurer of the Congregational church 
 and society of Union has been : 
 
 From 1816 to 1825 — Robert Lawson. 
 " 1825 " 1828 — Norman Horton. 
 " 1829 " 1830 — Robert Lawson. 
 " 1830 " 1833 — Deacon Ezra Horton. 
 " 1833 " 1842 — Dr. Shubael Hammond. 
 " 1842 " 1849 — Paul Lawson. 
 " 1849 " 1858— Elias Severy. 
 " 1858 " 1862— E. M. Horton. 
 " 1862 " 1878— Myron Kinney. 
 " 1878 " 1890— Milton H. Kinney. 
 " 1890 " Roscius Back. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
 CHURCH AT MASHAPAUG. 
 
 WRITTEN MAINLY BY REY. GEORGE W. HUNT. 
 
 From nearly the beginning of the century to about 
 1850, there was a Methodist church in the town of L'nion, 
 located on the road leading to" Kinney's Mills," a few rods 
 southeast of the present school building, on the north side 
 of the road about fifty feet east of a narrow swamp. 
 
 It was a small, rough building, resting on eight blocks, 
 sawn from the butts of large trees. The outside walls were 
 clapboarded on the posts and studding, and the roof rough 
 boarded and shingled. The 'inside walls were the inside of 
 
io6 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 those clapboards, with posts and studding bare. Ceiling- 
 there was none. The rough beams and rafters were bare. 
 The floor was of rough boards, laid loosely down. The 
 pulpit consisted of two pieces of plank standing upright 
 on the floor, with a third piece laid across the top for a 
 desk. The pews or seats were planks laid on blocks sawed 
 off from logs. The windows were small, and without cur- 
 tains or shutters. Under its eaves and among its rafters 
 the swallows built their nests. Such was the first Meth- 
 odist church in Union. 
 
 This was not, however, according to the best informa- 
 tion obtained, a Methodist Episcopal church. It seems that 
 services were held in it only a part of the time. The Rev. 
 Stephen Fairbanks was a local preacher who often held 
 services there. 
 
 The date of the present organization extends back only 
 to 1867. There had been services held by Methodist min- 
 isters for several years prior to the organization of the 
 church. Some of the circuit riders would occasionally 
 stop at the village and preach. Daniel Pratt and John 
 Carpenter, of Holland, a "local preacher," held meetings 
 in the school-house with more or less frequency both before 
 and after the church was regiilarly organized. A Mr. 
 Moulton also supplied the pulpit for a while. 
 
 In 1870 and 187 1, Rev. S. V. B. Cross was the preacher 
 in charge. The first year he also supplied the Methodist 
 Society at West Woodstock. 
 
 In the winter of 187 1, union revival services were held 
 with the Congregational church, in Union, which resulted 
 in several additions to the churches, and the quickening of 
 the religious life of the town. 
 
 In the spring of 1872, Mr. Cross was removed to East- 
 ford, and for a few weeks the church was without a pastor. 
 Rev. George W. Hunt was appointed to the charge about 
 May ist, and remained to the close of the conference year. 
 The services were still held in the school-house. Large 
 congregations attended the services. Many times during 
 the summer more- people would attend than could be 
 
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH 107 
 
 accommodated within the school-house. The windows 
 would be raised and the people stand outside and listen to 
 the Gospel. Mr. Alden A. Fletcher was the very efficient 
 superintendent of the Sunday school at this time, which 
 was largely attended b)'' both old and young. During Mr. 
 Hunt's pastorate an effort was made to secure an edifice. 
 Some $1,600 was raised on subscription, plans were drawn, 
 and accepted. But a disagreement arose in regard to the 
 location, and the whole matter was laid aside. 
 
 Mr. Hunt was followed in April, 1873, b}^ Seth B. Chase, 
 a man whose labors were successful and greatly apprecia- 
 ted. Mr. Chase was well along in years, yet was endowed 
 with youthful vigor of body and mind. He remained two 
 years. During his second year the old Methodist church 
 in ^Stafford vSprings was purchased and torn down, and 
 removed to Mashapaug and re-erected, with slight changes, 
 on the lot of land on the south side of the pond facing the 
 village. The land was given to the vSociety b}^ Mr. Milton 
 Kinney, a member of the Congregational Church at Union. 
 
 Rev. William A. Taylor followed Mr. Chase in the 
 spring of 1875. He remained three years. He did excellent 
 work, and was greatly beloved by the town's people. Dur- 
 ing his pastorate the Society's progress was retarded by the 
 removal of several families. The shoe industry of the vil- 
 lage ceased, and though not run on very extensive lines, 
 yet its stoppage was as serious a blow to the prosperit)'' 
 of the village as some large financial disaster might be to 
 a larger place. This, coupled with the removal of the 
 shoe business from Union town, greatly crippled both 
 churches. Mr. Taylor did much, however, to sustain the 
 waning interests of the church, and remained the full time 
 allowed at that time by the denomination. 
 
 Upon his removal. Rev. S. V. B. Cross, returned to serve 
 the people a second time, and remained two years. A small 
 debt on the property was removed and a bell hung in the 
 bellfry, during his pastorate, largely through his efforts. 
 
 T. W. Douglas followed Mr. Cross and remained one 
 year. He was a man of much intellectual power, and was 
 
io8 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 much respected by the people generally. He left them at 
 the end of the first year much to their regret. 
 
 He was followed in the spring of 1881 by Jacob Betts, 
 who remained three years, the full length of the pastoral 
 term. Special revival services were held during his 
 third year, which resulted in several accessions to the 
 church, but owing to the lack of any manufacturing in the 
 town, which seems to necessitate frequent changes among 
 the families, the permanent benefit to the church has not 
 seemed so great. 
 
 Mr. Betts was followed in April, 1884, by H. S. Smith, a 
 man advanced in life, who, for years, had done good ser- 
 vice in the ministry. He was in poor health most of the 
 year, and spent considerable of the time away in the West. 
 
 He was succeeded in April, 1885, by Rev. John Pearce, 
 a young man, who did good, effectual service for two years, 
 and did much toward reviving the waning interests of the 
 Society. 
 
 In May, 1887, T. C. Denman was appointed to the charge. 
 He remained one year. He did very conscientious work 
 in every department and strove hard to build up the 
 church in righteousness and to make it representative of 
 pure godliness. 
 
 For nearly a year and a half after his departure in the 
 the spring of 1888 the Society was without a resident pas- 
 tor. For apart of this period the pulpit was supplied by a 
 Mr. Nichols of Stafford Springs. 
 
 In the summer of 1890, C. A. Purdy was appointed to the 
 pastorate and in the spring of 1891 was re-appointed, the 
 charge being connected with Eastford, Mr. Purdy supply- 
 ing in both places. He left in the spring of 1892. The 
 future of the church seems very uncertain, as it is with 
 many churches in our towns and villages that are so 
 isolated from manufacturing and railroad centres. But it 
 has done a good work in the past. Among its members 
 have been counted many well known citizens of the town. 
 And while for want of opportunity it may not be able to dc 
 for future generations what it has done for the past, it 
 
MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. 109 
 
 doubtless will stand as a beacon light to some souls in the 
 future. 
 
 Below is a list of the names so far as they could be 
 gathered of all who have been members since its organiza- 
 tion in 1867. 
 
 Prosper Smith, Monica Smith, Jesse L. Hall, I^ois M. 
 Hall, Ira Walker, Maria Walker, Elijah Severy, Polly Severy, 
 George E. Webster, Jane L. Webster, Lucius A. Corbin, 
 Lucia M. Smith, Mary A. Smith, Emily Barbour, Walcott 
 Barbour, Gleason Allen, Emily Allen, Emma A. Allen, Jane 
 Walker, Eliza A. Hall, Newton Wallace, Jasper Miller, 
 Fidelia Miller, Fannie Miller, Elijah S. Severy, Lucy J. 
 Severy, Polly S. Russell, Persis Curtiss, Amanda A. Butter- 
 worth, Marvin Kimball, Pruvia Kiiuball, Charles Jackson, 
 Annis Jackson, Addison Jackson, Pemelia Jackson, Harriet 
 Harbison, Benjamin Stone, Phebe Stone, Augustus Moore, 
 Lavinia H. Cleveland, Josephine Walker, Mary E. Braman, 
 Permelia Reed, Danforth Howard, Julia Howard, Dinah 
 Freeinan, Philander Hall, Seth Clapp, Caroline Clapp, Jarvis 
 Hall, Hannah Clapp, Thomas Whittmore, Mary Whitt- 
 more, Jennie Barbour, Martha Crawford, Sarah A. Whitt- 
 more, Chloe Kimball, Marvin Howard, Betsy A. How- 
 ard, Charles Howard, Oscar Howard, Ernest Howard, 
 Dennis Murphy, Alden A. Fletcher, Olive Fletcher, 
 Martha E. Crawford, Carrie E. Carpenter, Edward Blodget, 
 Fidelia Blodget, Maggie Betts, Esther Belcher, Howard 
 G. Barbour, Gracie W. Barbour, Wm. B. Chamberlain, 
 Sarah Chamberlain, Emma Chamberlain, Ida Chamberlain, 
 Almira Corbin, Amanda Chamberlain, Georgie A. Cross, 
 Addie C. Cross, Horace Courtiss, Mary Courtiss, Asaph 
 Richards, Eva E. Sherman, Mary Severy, William Smith, 
 Sarah Smith, Albert E. Weld, Celinda Weld, Ezra With- 
 erell, Emma Witherell, John Winch, Ellen Winch, Charles 
 R. Webster, Belle Weld, Corey Weld, Nellie Winch, Wesley 
 Winch, Lemuel Willis, Abigail Willis, Moses Wilcox, 
 Helen G. Wilcox, Lowell Wilcox, Eva M. Chamberlain, 
 Ernest E. Corbin, Delia M. Douglass, Hansine Denman, 
 Martha S. Hewett, Lyman Hiscox, Laura Hiscox, Ella His- 
 
no 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 cox, Emily Hewlett, Nettie E. Kinney, Carrie Lawson, 
 Charles Lee, Aurelia Lee, Byron Moore, Emma Moore, 
 Caroline Marcy, David Perry, Clara Perry, Louis A. Perry, 
 William S. Webster, Robert E. Webster, Gilbert E. Willis, 
 Oscar E. Willis, Henry Vinton, Emily A. W. Vinton. 
 The preachers of the church have been as follows : 
 1867-1869, supplied by Daniel Pratt, George Carpenter, 
 Local Preachers. 1870-1871,8. V. B. Cross; 1871-1872, G. 
 W. Hunt; 1873-1874, S. B. Chase; 1875-1877, W. A. Taylor; 
 1878-1779, S. V. B. Cross ; 1879-1880, T. W. Douglass ; 1881- 
 1883, Jacob Betts ; 1883-1884, H. S. Smith; 1885-1886, John 
 Pearce; 1887-1888, T. C. Denman; 1888-1889, Mr. Nicholls ; 
 1890-1891, C. A. Purdy ; 1892, Oscar Bissell (of Holland). 
 
 The membership of the church in 1891 was forty-eight, 
 Of these thirty-nine are in the town and vicinity. The 
 remainder are scattered here and there throughout New 
 Ensfland. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY OF UNION. 
 
 NEED OF MILITIA FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR TRAINING 
 
 CASES OF TORY DISCIPLINE — COLONEL ABIJAH WILLARD — 
 TIMOTHY HOLTON — BATTLE OF LEXINGTON — RALLY AND 
 MARCH OF UNION MEN ENLISTMENT OF SOLDIERS — LIEU- 
 TENANT SPRAGUE — BUNKER HILL —HARDSHIPS OF THE SOL- 
 DIERS — CAPTAIN LAWSON's COMPANY — CAMPAIGN AGAINST 
 
 BURGOYNE — HARDSHIPS AT HOME RAISING TAXES — LIST OF 
 
 REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS — WAR OF l8l2 — MEN WHO WENT 
 
 FROM UNION — MILITARY TRAININGS UNION MEN IN THE 
 
 REBELLION COMPANY I, SIXTEENTH REGIMENT DAVID 
 
 CORBIN'S, COMPANY G, TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT LIST 
 
 OF UNION SOLDIERS SOLDIERS WHO HAVE LIVED IN 
 
 UNION SINCE THE WAR — THE D. P. CORBIN POST. 
 
 IN colonial times considerable attention was necessarily 
 paid to military matters. The settlers of New Eng- 
 land were frequently compelled to take up arms in self- 
 defense against the Indians w'ho surrounded them. King 
 William's war, from 1689 to 1697, in which Hannah Dustin 
 was captured; Queen Anne's war, 1702 to 1713, in which 
 the Deerfield massacre took place, and King George's war, 
 1744 to 1748, in which Louisburg was captured by New 
 Englanders, all served to arouse in the colonists a realiza- 
 tion of the need of a well trained militia. Probably a 
 training company was formed in Union as soon as there 
 were men enough among its citizens. In the French and 
 Indian war, 1755 to 1760, a number of men from Union 
 took part. Among them was James Sprague, who served 
 with and was a friend of General Putnam. There is a 
 family tradition that Solomon Wales ran away from home 
 when a boy to go with two older brothers to the French 
 and Indian war; but as he was of age before that war 
 began, it must have been to King George's war that he 
 
112 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 went without his parents' permission. He would have 
 been in his sixteenth year at the first capture of Louis- 
 burg. It is related that in the expedition he drifted from 
 the ship in an open boat, and in the effort to reach the ship 
 the oar broke or was lost, so he had to save himself by 
 swimming some distance in a wintry sea. 
 
 Other soldiers in the French and Indian war were John 
 Lillie, Elisha Williams, and several more. 
 
 A valuable result of this war was that it gave the colo- 
 nists experience in warfare which proved very serviceable 
 when the Revolutionary struggle began. 
 
 On the 13th of October, 1770, Thomas Lawson was 
 appointed by Governor Jonathan Trumbull, " Lieutenant 
 of the nth Company or Trainband in the 5th Regiment in 
 this Colony." He was ordered to exercise his inferior offi- 
 cers and soldiers in the use of their arms, according to the 
 discipline of war; commanding them to obey him as their 
 lieutenant in His Majesty's service. It appears that he was 
 chosen captain of the company in Union about 1774. So 
 that when the Revolutionary war broke out, and the men 
 of Union took up arms to help in defending the liberties 
 of America, they were not unprepared for the struggle. A 
 fresh stimulus was given to training by the alarm which 
 the colonists felt at the attitude of the British government 
 to establish its authority more firmly in America and take 
 away certain of their privileges. A convention of Wind- 
 ham and New London counties, held at Norwich, Septem- 
 ber 8, 1774, recommended the towns to look after their 
 stock of ammunition and attend to training. The General 
 Assembly, in October, 1774, required the selectmen of each 
 town to provide a double quantity of " powder, balls and 
 flint." At the January session, 1775, the Assembly ordered 
 the militia to drill once a week for three months during 
 the "alarming crisis." 
 
 But before we narrate the story of the response of the 
 people to the Lexington alarm, there are two incidents of 
 tory discipline to relate, which show the temper of the 
 people of Union and vicinity with regard to submitting to 
 
TORY DISCIPLINE. 
 
 113 
 
 the tyrannical demands of England. These cases not only 
 show the tone of extreme exasperation prevalent just at 
 this crisis, but they bring out in full play a direct agency 
 in the Revolution, sanctioned by the people in their pri- 
 mary assemblies — the towns. The popular proceedings 
 against the tories are often called mobs, but they were 
 not. Those who took part in them were law-abiding citi- 
 zens. Their measures of discipline, more or less violent, 
 were considerately planned by the best men as a part of 
 the policy of patriotism against despotism. They served 
 to bring the strife between the colonies and the crown to a 
 quick decision by the only mode possible — by arms. 
 
 These cases of tory discipline were managed by com- 
 mittees of inspection appointed by the towns. This action 
 of the towns does not prove that they were in favor of any 
 public disorder, or of any real personal injury done to life, 
 limb or property. But the system was universally adopted 
 and proved to be a power so great as to prevent the carry- 
 ing out of any arbitrary measure. It issued in the Revolu- 
 tion itself. 
 
 A case of such discipline at Union somewhat afflicted 
 Col. Abijah Willard, of Lancaster, Mass. He was a man of 
 large wealth and blameless repute until in an evil hour he 
 accepted the position of Mandamus Councilor to Governor 
 Gage, being directly commissioned by the King. He was 
 appointed, with thirty-six others, to take the place of coun- 
 cilors elected by the people and who were displaced by 
 Gage because of their disloyalty. Therefore the people 
 determined that every one of these Mandamus Councilors 
 should resign; which they did or left the country in terror. 
 
 Col. Willard was the joint owner of a landed estate of 
 7,000 acres of wild land in Stafford, which he visited in the 
 summer of 1774. He had two attorneys living in Wind- 
 ham, and he made an appointment with them to meet him 
 at Union. Regarding him as a traitor, these attorneys 
 refused to serve him any longer and undoubtedly reported 
 his intended visit to Union to the committee of inspection 
 in the several towms. 
 8 
 
1 1 4 MILITAB Y HI8T0R Y. 
 
 On his arrival at Union a crowd of five hundred men 
 gathered from all the surrounding region, apprehended 
 him and guarded him till morning, when he was taken 
 across the province line into Brimfield, where he was taken 
 in hand by a council of Massachusetts men, who proceeded 
 to try him and condemned him to imprisonment in the 
 Simsbury mines; &n^ they carried him on the road thither 
 six miles when he relented, asked the forgiveness of all 
 honest men for having taken the oath of office, and prom- 
 ised not to sit or act in council. He afterwards resigned. 
 It is known that Gov. Gage afterwards complained to Gov. 
 Trumbull of the treatment Willard received in Connecticut, 
 but received no satisfaction. Willard was a loyalist refugee 
 in Boston during the British occupation of that city. Just 
 before the battle of Bunker Hill he stood with Gage look- 
 ing through a glass at the American forces. " Do you know 
 any of these rag muffins over there and will they fight?" 
 asked Gage. Willard saw among the rest his own brother- 
 in-law, Col. Prcscott, encouraging the men. " I cannot tell 
 what his men will do," said he, "but Prescott will fight you 
 to the very last drop of his blood." 
 
 When the British evacuated Boston, his property was 
 confiscated and he was forced to flee to Nova Scotia where 
 he afterwards lived. After his death his family returned 
 to the United States, and his son Samuel regained posses- 
 sion of the ancestral estate at Lancaster. He lived there 
 till his death at the age of 97. He received from the Brit- 
 ish government a pension as the son of a prescribed loyalist. 
 His sister died about the same time, aged 95. She married 
 Benjamin Goodhue, of Salem, a senator of the U. S. from 
 Massachusetts, and in his youth a soldier of the Revolution. 
 As his widow she received a pension. wShe lived with her 
 brother years before her death, each of them pensioners of 
 conflicting governments in the time of the Revolution. 
 
 The other case of tory discipline in Union, occurred in 
 September, 1774. The subject was Timothy Holton. He 
 came from Killingly to Union, and lived on the Wyman 
 place, where there is now a cellar hole nearly opposite the 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 
 
 115 
 
 Congregational parsonage. He was a tory and accounted 
 a man of no principle or honor. The following letter found 
 among Capt. Lawson's papers is self-explanatory: 
 
 " Sir, these lines by desire of Lieut. Daniel Loomis to let 
 you know that y® people are about to gather this night 
 about son down or a little suner from Brimfield, Westford, 
 vSturbridge and Union, to pay Mr. Timothy Holton a visit 
 concerning his principles as Tory, &c., and I was to give 
 you notis and as many moor as I could to be on y*" ground 
 neer s*^ Holton's by son down this night if you see cause. 
 Sir please to let Mr. Archable Coye and Mr. Bartlett know 
 of it if you can and as many moor as you can. These from 
 y"" humble Serv* Sam' Marcy, Jun. 
 Union Sept'' y*" 22°'', 1774. 
 To Capt'' Tho^ Lawson, 
 Union," 
 
 It would be interesting to know what they did to poor 
 Mr. Holton " about son down or a little suner," but we 
 have n© further record of the occurrences and are left to 
 imagine what took place. It is said, however, that Mr. 
 Holton was disciplined by his patriotic neighbors during 
 the war. He went to Ellington or Windsor and became 
 respectable and a man of property. 
 
 These incidents show that the people of Union were not 
 one whit behind those of the rest of the country in the 
 spirit of resistance to the tyrannical demands of England. 
 So that when the war broke out, we are not surprised to 
 note the ready response which the Union people gave. 
 
 The Battle of Lexington occurred Wednesday, April 
 19th, 1775. The news of it spread like wildfire. Messen- 
 gers were dispatched from Watertown at 10 o'clock that 
 morning to alarm the country. Some of them passed 
 through this town the next day on their way to Hartford 
 and New York. An eyewitness of the occasion, Mr. Eben- 
 ezer Child, then five years old, whose father, Ebenezer, lived 
 on the Newell place, wrote a letter in his old age to Mr. 
 Hammond in which he gave some of the following facts: 
 A messenger rode up in great haste and said, " The war 
 
ii6 MILITARY BISTORT. 
 
 has begun; the British soldiers are on their way to hang 
 the head of every family who will not swear allegiance to 
 the King." The news spread like fire; all the people met, 
 the men at one house and the women at another. Persons 
 went at once in all directions; some to take the lead 
 weights from their clocks and cut them into bullets; 
 some to gather powder; some to procure and repair guns; 
 some were casting bullets; some making cartridges. All 
 were recruiting for volunteers. The women were as busy 
 as the men, some making knapsacks, others outfits; all 
 were at work the whole night long. In the morning, April 
 2ist, the volunteers gathered at the Centre, and paraded in 
 front of the house of Simeon Wright, which stood a few 
 rods northwest of where Mason Horton now lives. They 
 were equipped poorly enough. Some not having shoes 
 were supplied by the spectators from their own feet. 
 Thomas Lawson, the captain of the training band was 
 unanimously chosen on the spot to lead the expedition. 
 And so they marched, twenty-seven in all, friends young 
 and old being present to witness the departure. 
 
 The traditions of the town say that several waited not 
 for the sun to go down on the day in which the message 
 came. One man left his team m the field, seized his gun, 
 bade farewell, and when asked where he was going replied 
 "To see if I am not wanted." That man was Jeremiah 
 Badger, of Mashapaug, who had from childhood a limping 
 foot, but like justice, though lame his step was sure. His 
 promptness equaled that of Gen. Putnam, who as is well 
 known, left his plow in the field, mounted his horse and 
 spent the day in arousing Windham county, and consult- 
 ing Gov. Trumbull at Lebanon, who told him to go to Con- 
 cord at once and he would send the troops. He returned 
 to Pomfret and immediately set out on horseback for Cam- 
 bridge in his checked shirt unchanged. He made the 
 entire journey of one hundred miles that night and the 
 next forenoon. The same spirit of promptness and willing- 
 ness was everywhere manifested, and shows better than 
 any language can the temper of the people at that time. 
 The men were self-levied and were willing to offer not 
 
THE LEXINGTON ALARM. 117 
 
 their services only, but their lives if the country needed 
 the sacrifice. The number of men who went from Con- 
 necticut to the " relief of Boston " as they said, was about 
 4,000. They did not know what the British might not do 
 to revenge their defeat and loss at Concord and Lexington. 
 But when they arrived at Cambridge they found that the 
 British had withdrawn within their intrenchments at Bos- 
 ton, willing to remain c|uiet if they could be let alone. So 
 most of the alarm men returned home when they found 
 that their services were not needed. Some turned back 
 before reaching Cambridge. It was not thought best to 
 attack the British with the force they had. So the Amer- 
 icans simply guarded Boston Neck strongly and kept the 
 British penned up in the city. 
 
 The state of Connecticut afterwards paid the men from 
 the state who marched at the Lexington alarm, according 
 to the time they were out. The following is a copy of a 
 valuable paper found among Captain Lawson's, which 
 gives the names of the men who went from Union, the 
 time they were out, and their expenses. The expenses are 
 not copied. 
 
 "The following is an Accompt of the Soulgers in ye 5th 
 Company in ye 22 Regiment Camebrig in ye alarum ye 21 
 day of April last & their expences : 
 
 DAYS. DAYS. 
 
 Captain Thoms Lawson, 16 James Armour, Jr., . . 7 
 
 Lieut. Daniel Loomis, . 7 Jacob Burley, 6 
 
 Sarg. James Sprague, . .16 Penuel Child, .... 2 
 
 " Archabel Coye, . 7 Joseph Winter, .... 2 
 
 " Nathan Abbott, . 7 Caleb Barton, .... 2 
 
 Clark (clerk) Isaac Booth, 16 vSamuel Burley, .... 6 
 
 Corp. Wm. Abbott, . . 7 Elisha Badger, .... 13 
 
 Jeremiah Badger, ... 16 John Felix, 16 
 
 David Thompson, ...11 David Hiscock, .... 2 
 
 Lemuel Bolles, . . . .13 Amasa Coye, 7 
 
 Jonathan Badger, ... 7 Eleazer Wales, .... 5 
 
 Abijah Sessions, .... 7 John Sessions, .... 2 
 
 Nath'l Sessions, ... 7 Wm. Williams, .... 5 
 Simeon Wright, Jr., . . 7 
 
ii8 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 Two others, John Moor and Elijah Wales, had some- 
 thing allowed them for an expense they had met at that 
 time. There is also an allowance to seventeen of the men 
 for "Travel for horses," mostly for forty miles. It seems 
 probable that they hired horses for a part of the way, 
 either going or returning. The alarm expedition was soon 
 over, but its moral results were of immense value. The 
 volunteers returned home, but not to remain. They came 
 back realizing that war was inevitable, and they prepared 
 at once and in earnest for the conflict. The General 
 Assembly, in May, voted to raise troops to carry on the 
 war, and the work of recruiting began in every town. 
 
 The following men from Union enlisted in the com- 
 pany of Captain Knowlton, of Ashford, in May, 1775 : 
 
 Alexander McNall, James Walker, 
 
 William Allen, Jonathan Badger, 
 
 William Mcore, Jr., Eleazer Wales, 
 
 Asaph Burley, Jacob Burley, 
 
 Lemuel Bolles, William Williams, Jr. 
 
 Abraham Laflin, 
 The Eleazer Wales in the above list was a son of Solo- 
 mon Wales, and had marched to the Lexington alarm. His 
 brother John enlisted in February, 1776, for Cambridge. It 
 was in reference to these young men that their grand- 
 mother, Deborah Wales, said to their father, vSolomon : " I 
 would not send my boys where I dare not go myself." He 
 took the hint. He sent his boys and afterwards went him- 
 self, and served fifteen months as captain. 
 
 Colonel Knowlton, of Ashford, under whom these eleven 
 men from Union served, was a very gallant a'nd patriotic 
 officer. After participating in the battle of Bunker Hill 
 and the campaign around Boston, he served at New York. 
 He fell in the skirmish on Harlem Heights, in September, 
 1776. Washington said of him that "he would have been 
 an honor to any country, and that he fell gloriously, fight- 
 ing at his post." 
 
 Besides these eleven men with Colonel Knowlton, there 
 were fourteen others from Union who were in the battle of 
 
ENLISTING SOLDIERS. 119 
 
 Bunker Hill. The following story is told of the way in 
 which they enlisted : In May, 1775, a town meeting was 
 held to raise recruits for the army at Cambridge. The com- 
 pany was addressed by Solomon Wales, Esq., a very active 
 patriot, who ably set sorth the necessities of the army and 
 the importance of responding at once to the calls of the 
 country. His speech evidently produced conviction, and 
 there was no want of feeling, but the men were not quite 
 ready for action, for when the roll was called for volun- 
 teers, no one answered as ready to enlist. Finding that an 
 influence was needed which he did not possess. Squire 
 Wales requested Lieutenant Sprague to see what he could 
 do. Sprague had been a soldier in the French war, and was 
 well known for his bravery and especially for his eccen- 
 tricities of speech and dress. His uniform on this occasion 
 consisted of a ragged coat, a striped shirt, woolen kilt 
 trousers, shoes very poor, worn without stockings, and an 
 old hat without any rim except a small section which 
 served for a handle. As he stepped forward before the 
 company, he took off his hat and said, as he held it up : 
 "Do you see this hat? And who of you will go with me 
 and this old hat to Cambridge ? " There was no more 
 delay, and the following persons instantly gave their 
 names : Samuel Marcy, Thomas Taylor, Caleb Abbott, 
 William Thompson, David Thompson, Abijah Sessions, 
 Benjamin Sanger, Daniel Needham, Daniel Allen, Caleb 
 Barton, Joseph Lilly, Ebenezer Lilly and Nehemiah Coy — 
 in all fourteen men. Scj^uire Wales is said to have 
 remarked after the enrollment was made, that " Lieuten- 
 ant Sprague, with his old hat and kilt trousers, could enlist 
 more men than he could with his best suit on." Lieuten- 
 ant Sprague marched to Cambridge with his men in the 
 same garb in which he enlisted them. Soon after his 
 arrival he was met by General Putnam, who, without 
 taking the slightest exception to his dress, cried out : 
 " How are you, Sargeant Sprague," and gave him the 
 hearty grip of a fellow soldier and comrade in the French 
 war. 
 
I20 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 We have a few traditions of Union men at Bunker Hill. 
 Among- them was Lemuel Bolles, who used to tell how a 
 cannon ball came and shattered his gun to splinters. Gen- 
 eral Putnam, who was there, directed him to pick up the 
 gun of a dead man who lay by, and go to firing. In the 
 interval between the second and third charges of the 
 British, when it became discovered that the ammunition of 
 the Americans had given out, and Putnam muttered in 
 desperation : " Powder ! ye gods, give us powder ! " it is 
 said that Bolles cried out loud enough to be overheard by 
 the British : "Our powder is gone; we shall all be killed." 
 General Putnam silenced him by the forcible remark : 
 •''You shut up, or I'll make daylight shine through you." 
 
 In the retreat from the third charge some of the Amer- 
 ican soldiers escaped by swimming. Abijah Sessions had 
 just plunged into the water when a soldier who did not 
 know how to swim jumped right on top of him. Both came 
 near drowning, and Sessions got so much of the salt water 
 in his lungs that his health was injured by it. 
 
 In the summer of 1776, there were absent from town, 
 seventy of its citizens, connected with the Continental army. 
 The population of the town at that time was but little over 
 five hundred. Hence more than one-eighth of the popula- 
 tion or about one-half the- legal voters took up arms in 
 defense of their country in one season. 
 
 The town was then, as now, small and poor, and its inhab- 
 itants were all of them farmers, deriving a scanty income 
 from a hard soil by hard labor. They dwelt remote from 
 the scenes of danger, and on these mountain heights their 
 abodes would never have been disturbed whether the con- 
 test had been successful or not. But it is doubtful whether 
 any town did more relatively for the patriotic cause than 
 did the inhabitants of this retired town. During the 
 absence of the soldiers the severe labor of the fields was 
 performed by women and children. The summer of 1776 
 was long remembered as the sickly season in this town, 
 more deaths occurring in that year than in any since, except 
 one. Four soldiers died in 1776, after their return from the 
 
UNION MEN AT VALLEY FORGE. 121 
 
 camp, from fatigue and the fever which they had taken in 
 the army. Their names were James Bartlett, John Paul, 
 Jedediah Bugbee and Amasa Coye. Samuel Crawford was 
 in the public service in 1776, and was taken sick with the 
 fever. His brother John came and took him home. Although 
 Samuel recovered, his brother John and father Hugh both 
 took the fever in attending him, and both died the same 
 day, October 13, 1776. 
 
 Those who are familiar with the history of the war will 
 remember that the New England troops in the summer of 
 1776, were employed in the fruitless attempt to defend 
 Long Island and force the British to evacuate New York. 
 
 How extensive was the sickness which prevailed is made 
 known from a letter of Washington, dated the 8th of 
 August, in which he says, " The army consisted of only 
 17,225 men, of whom 3,668 were sick." "Soon after" Judge 
 Marshall says, "the army was reinforced so as to amount to 
 27,000 men, one fourth of whom were sick." 
 
 Several Union men were with Washington during the 
 severe winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge. Capt. Joseph 
 Snell, at that time of Ashford, but afterwards for a long 
 time a citizen of Union, used to tell Mr. Hammond of the 
 horrors of the Valley Forge Encampment — when it seemed 
 that ruin was ready to annihilate the American Army, 
 threatened not only by the arms of the foe, but by the irre- 
 sistible powers of frost, fatigue and hunger. Cold and sick, 
 far from home, they wasted away by thousands, without 
 hope of relief, and in the most abject destitution. That 
 venerable soldier used to tell of the stern trials of the spirit 
 of patriotism in those gloomy days, far more severe than 
 the sufferings to which their bodies were exposed. He 
 repeated the arguments used by himself and others to 
 inspire hope in his comrades who were reduced to the 
 extreme of despondency at that dreadful crisis when even 
 Washington himself almost despaired of the salvation of 
 his country. 
 
 He told how they made up their minds not to leave 
 their cheerless camp, nor desert their noble commander. 
 
122 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 nor fail in their duty to their country while life remained. 
 And it was this untiring devotion to liberty which frost 
 could not chill nor hunger starve, that saved our country 
 in this its darkest hour of all its history, and brought on 
 the dawn of a brighter da)^ 
 
 Of the soldiers in Union who did service during the Revo- 
 lution there were two classes; first, there was the militia, to 
 which every able-bodied man between the ages of i8 and 
 50 belonged. This was called out either as a whole or in 
 part many times during the war in times of special danger. 
 Then from it men were drafted to serve in the army at dif- 
 ferent places for several months. Second, there were the 
 soldiers, who were regular members of the Continental 
 Army and who enlisted mostly for three years or for the 
 war. An old report from Captain Lawson to Col. Chapman, 
 dated May, 1779, shows that at that time there were 
 twenty-two such soldiers from this town in the Continental 
 service. Their names with those of the other soldiers 
 may be found in the table which follows. 
 
 As we have said, the company of militia was called out 
 in whole or in part during times of special danger, many 
 times during the Revolution. The orders were sent from 
 Col. Samuel Chapman, of Tolland, and the following is a 
 sample, given April 27, 1777, after the invasion and burn- 
 ing of Danbury by the British: 
 
 "To Thomas Lawson, Capt. of the 5th Military Com- 
 pany in the 22nd Regt. of Militia in the State of Con- 
 necticut, greeting: Whereas I have received certain Intel- 
 ligence that the British troops landed at Fairfield on 
 Friday night last and marched directly to Danbury, and 
 have taken all our Stores and burnt the Town, these are 
 therefore to order you to march your Company forthwith, 
 without the least delay to the relief of that or any other 
 invaded place. You are to carry Ammunition, flints, etc., 
 as there is none in the Stores and about 6 Days' Provision 
 to each man, and be at Tolland on their march tomorrow 
 if possible. Given under may hand in Tolland the 27th 
 day of April, 1777. Saml. Chapman, Colonel." 
 
RE VOL UTIONAB T OBDERS. 
 
 123 
 
 From a pay abstract made out afterwards we learn that 
 there were twenty-two men who marched in obedience to 
 these orders. They were gone only two days, probably 
 receiving word that their services were not needed, before 
 they got as far as Hartford. Each private received two 
 shillings and ten pence a day, one shilling and four pence 
 being for wages and one shilling and six pence for sup- 
 port. So we see that their pay was rather meagre. 
 
 Among Capt. Lawson's old papers the following orders 
 have been found which he received during the Revolution: 
 December 6, 1776 — Whole company ordered to march to 
 
 New London. After marching a day and a half, the 
 
 order was countermanded, as they were not needed, 
 
 and they returned home. 
 March, 1777 — 10 men ordered to go to Providence. 
 April 27, 1777 — Whole company ordered to march to the 
 
 relief of Danbury. 
 May 5, 1777 — ^ of the company ordered to make ready and 
 
 march to New London. 
 July 22, 1777 — % of the company ordered to go to Tolland 
 
 ready for the defence of any place. 
 August 23, 1777 — Capt. Lawson ordered to march with 5 
 
 men from Union and 62 from other places, to the 
 
 " Northward," to fight Burgoyne. 
 August, 1778 — Capt. Wales of the Alarm company ordered 
 
 to detatch one man to go to Providence for a month. 
 August 4, 1778 — 4 men ordered to join the army co-operat- 
 ing with the French fleet at Newport. 
 September 5, 1778 — Whole company ordered to march to 
 
 New London. 
 September 15, 1778 — 3 men to march to New London. 
 October 17, 1778 — One man to go to New Haven for a 
 
 month. 
 April 5, 1779 — Company ordered to be in constant readiness 
 
 to march at the shortest notice to the defence of New 
 
 London. 
 July 10, 1779 — }{> the company thus to be ready to march to 
 
 New London. 
 
124 MILITABY BISTORT. 
 
 October 7, 1779 — 6 men to be ready for the defence of any 
 
 part of the State. 
 August I, 1780 — y2 the company to be ready to march for 
 
 the defence of Rhode Island. 
 August 2, 1780 — 5 men to join Col. Welle's Regiment. 
 March 22, 1781 — The recruits of the Reserve to join Col. 
 
 McClelland. 
 January, 1782—2 men to go to New London. 
 April II, 1782 — 2 men to serve in Conn. Line for 9 months. 
 May 31, 1782 — Men ordered to be sent to Hartford for the 
 Continental Army. 
 
 It seems that during at least the last part of the war 
 there was in town besides the company of Captain Lawson, 
 one tinder Capt. Solomon Wales. This is called in one 
 place an "Alarm Company." 
 
 At the time of Burgoyne's invasion, a company was 
 formed from the 2 2d regiment of militia, to which the 
 Union company under Capt. Lawson belonged, to join the 
 army which was resisting the invasion. Capt. Lawson was 
 put in command of the company, and had the responsibility 
 of conducting it to the American lines. Besides him there 
 were four others from Union. Their names were, Parley 
 Child, Lemuel BoUes, Jacob Burley, and Samuel Laflin. 
 On the 9th of September, 1777, they left Union and marched 
 to Tolland, where the men from the different towns were 
 to meet. Capt. Lawson kept a brief diary during the expe- 
 dition from which we glean the following facts. At Tol- 
 land on the loth, he had a tent made and borrowed a pot 
 for the Union people and one for the Willington people. 
 On the nth they marched from Tolland, and kept on till 
 they arrived at camp, September 21st, on vSunday. Capt. 
 Lawson used to tell how there was a good deal of firing 
 going on as they drew near the camp. There were inany 
 skirmishers and sharp-shooters in the vicinity which made 
 him afraid that he might not be able to get his company 
 into the American camp without losing some of them. But 
 he succeeded in doing so and felt greatly relieved to be 
 safely inside the American lines. It was two days after the 
 
CAMPAIGN AGAINST BURGOTNE. 125 
 
 first battle of Stillwater, that the Union company arrived. 
 From Capt. Lawson's diary we quote the following: 
 
 "On Tuesday, the 7th of October, 1777, we had a severe battle 
 with the enemy, and gained their lines on their right wing. 
 
 On Thursday, the gth of October, the enemy left their whole 
 encampment at the south end of Saratoga, and removed and settled at 
 the north end of the same. 
 
 On Friday, October loth, the main body of our army removed from 
 Stillwater and encamped nigh Saratoga meeting-house. 
 
 On Tuesday, October 14th, the enemy and our Gen. G. agreed on a 
 cessation of arms, and the enemy sent sundry flags for truce to agree on 
 a capitulation ; on Thursdaj', the i6th, they completed the agreement ; 
 on Friday, the 17th, the enemy laid down their arms and marched out 
 to our people ; on Saturday, the iSth, our people marched for Albany, 
 and arrived there on Sunday night." 
 
 The severe battle he mentions on the 7th of October, 
 was the second battle of Stillwater. It was in this battle 
 that Arnold, deprived of his command through the jealousy 
 of Gates, remained a looker-on as long as he was able; but 
 at last he could restrain himself no longer, and dashed 
 upon the foe, heading charge after charge, stimulating his 
 men to desperate deeds, carrying dismay into the hostile 
 ranks, challenging death, and falling at last severely 
 wounded, but not till the battle was won, in great part 
 by his valor. Capt. Lawson used to tell of seeing him 
 riding round there furiously, hatless, and apparently with- 
 out aim. 
 
 Capt. Lawson's company was in Col. Cook's regiment. 
 
 'There are 78 names given in the pay-roll, but some of these 
 
 did not serve the full time. In other places the number is 
 
 given as 67. One man was killed and one taken prisoner 
 
 in the second battle of Stillwater. 
 
 The time of service was two months and fifteen days. 
 This would make it November 24th when the men came 
 home. How the)^ must have rejoiced, and what big stories 
 they would have to tell of how they helped to capture 
 Burgoyne ! 
 
 The wages of the privates were two pounds a month. 
 Besides this they received an allowance of rum and sugar, 
 
126 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 both on the march and in the camp. Each man received 
 half a pint per day. This shows the custoin of the tiines. 
 
 There is one more case in which the company of militia 
 in Union was called out, which deserves mention. This 
 was in September, 1781, when the British under the traitor 
 Arnold attacked New London, and massacred the garri- 
 son of Fort Griswold. The whole company was ordered 
 to march without the least delay to repel the British inva- 
 sion. Captain Lawson told how, when they were within a 
 few miles of New London, a messenger came riding upin 
 great haste saying, "Captain Lawson, your company is 
 needed immediately." The captain, hungry and exhausted 
 with the hasty march, inquired whether there was any 
 house in the vicinity where he could get refreshments. 
 He was told that there was one ahead. So he galloped on 
 and after a hasty lunch, was ready to go on with his jaded 
 men when they came up. They expected to have an 
 encounter with the British, but when they reached the 
 scene, they found that the British had finished their deadly 
 work, seized the stores and withdrawn to their ships. 
 
 There was an interesting incident which happened in 
 1777, in which John Ruby, of Union, took a part. He was 
 one of the forty men, who under the command of Col. Bar- 
 ton, of the Rhode Island militia, performed the bold feat 
 of taking Gen. Prescott of the British army, captive by sur- 
 prising him while, as Judge Marshall says, " he was indulg- 
 ing himself in convenient quarters, rather distant from the 
 camp, and was remiss with respect to guards about his per- 
 son." On the night of the loth of Jtily, 1777, Col. Barton 
 with his party, passed from Warwick Neck, and after pro- 
 ceeding ten miles by water, while several British ships of 
 war were in that quarter, they landed on Rhode Island 
 about midway between Newport and Bristol Ferry, and 
 marching a mile to the quarters of Prescott, took him from 
 his bed and conveyed him to the main land in safety. 
 According to Mr. Ruby's account of the capture, Gen. Pres- 
 cott was awakened by his obtrusive visitors, with the 
 announcement that the commander of the American forces 
 
HARDSHIP AT HOME. 127 
 
 had sent him an invitation to breakfast with him the fol- 
 lowing morning ! When the General asked if he might 
 dress himself for the occasion, he was told yes, if he would 
 do so in haste, otherwise he must go to breakfast without 
 being dressed. 
 
 But while the men in town were nearly all in service 
 at some tiine for a longer or shorter period, the women also 
 had work to do in providing clothing for the army. In May, 
 1779, the General Assembly resolved that each town should 
 provide a certain amount of clothing for the soldiers of the 
 Continental Army. This clothing was paid for by the 
 state, but it was manufactured in the homes and appor- 
 tioned among the towns according to their quota in the 
 arm}^ The clothing consisted of shirts, overalls, shoes, 
 stockings, and frocks or hunting shirts. The women had 
 their task to do in spinning, weaving and making up these 
 garments. This with the fact that the out-door work was 
 largely performed by the women and children when the 
 soldiers were away, gives us some idea of the strenuous 
 exertion of all classes in securing the liberties of the 
 country. 
 
 There is an interesting story told of how one man in 
 town was fitted out to go to the army. It was in the win- 
 ter and he needed a warm frock to wear. But his famil}^ 
 had no cloth or wool from which to make it. So they went 
 to the barn and sheared a sheep, and to prevent the poor 
 animal from freezing, sewed some old cloth over it. Then 
 they carded and spun the wool, wove it into cloth, and made 
 the frock from it. Such was the process of fitting up a sol- 
 dier for the Revolution! 
 
 Some of the families of soldiers who were in the Con- 
 tinental Army came to be in dire distress during the war. 
 Measures were taken for their relief. Good Dea. Abner 
 Sessions used to visit such families and supply what they 
 needed. He was afterwards allowed pay for it by the 
 town. 
 
 In addition to the exertion required to fit out and send 
 the soldiers the taxes were very high. The dark side of 
 
128 MILITABT HISTOBT. 
 
 the picture is on record in the state archives at Hartford, 
 drawn out at length by the selectmen, who memorialized 
 the General Assembly to abate their taxes. It seems that 
 they never had paid taxes to the colonial government before 
 the war and had never enjoyed representation in that body, 
 a fact which they remind the legislature of, and also that 
 they cannot conscientiously take the oath as it now stands. 
 
 In 1776, they, with other towns, were required to make 
 out a list of taxable property and send to the General 
 Assembly for taxation. Some extracts from the memorials 
 and affidavits of 1776 and 1778 will tell their own story. 
 
 "The town was originally granted to thirteen propri- 
 etors. One-fourth part of the proprietors refuse to have 
 their land improved, and it becomes a harbor for vermin 
 by which improved land is much less valuable." There is 
 mention made of this last fact by several memorialists and 
 indifferent persons called to substantiate the statements of 
 the selectmen. One states that the lands of the propri- 
 etors and settlers are so intermixed that it is difficult to 
 get rid of the vermin which are so numerous as to consume 
 a quarter part of the fruits of the earth. 
 
 " Rough, rocky, mountainous, with numerous swamps 
 in all parts of the town, that breed vermin." 
 
 "A shallow soil, the hardpan lying within twelve inches 
 of the surface." "A soil exhausted with two or three crops 
 so that then without great manure it will not pay the labor 
 of tillage, and of this unpromising soil, only a small part 
 is improved." 
 
 " The snow comes soon in the fall and lies late in the 
 spring. The inhabitants have never raised grain enough 
 for their own use and the cost of transportation was great, 
 over such hilly, boggy roads from the river towns. 
 
 The people relied upon the pine timber in the past to 
 help them out in their support, but now the supply is fail- 
 ing and the market also. 
 
 Twenty-seven went into the Continental army the last 
 year (1777), and twenty are gone in the same this year. 
 Four of these twenty soldiers had large, shiftless families, 
 
POVERTY OF THE INHABITANTS. 129 
 
 whom they had to support, and the clothing for the sol- 
 diers and care of their families cost them at the rate of two 
 shillings on the pound, which many of the inhabitants 
 were unable to pay and the wealthier paid it and more by 
 voluntary subscription. 
 
 One-third of the people were tenants to non-resident 
 proprietors, and very few of the people were able to fat 
 more cattle and swine than necessary for their own fam- 
 ilies. Our families are very numerous, for the support of 
 which we are obliged to have more cows in proportion to 
 our other stock. Many of these cows are hired on the hard 
 condition of returning double their number in the term of 
 four years. True the quantity of land used seems larger, but 
 it is really overstocked. The truth is it is a miserable poor 
 township of land. To sum up, there are ninety families, 
 only thirty of whom are able to pay this tax for themselves, 
 Only twenty-four have more than three cows; sixteen have 
 exactly three, and twenty, one. The remaining thirty fam- 
 ilies have none. Not more than forty families are able to 
 keep oxen." 
 
 In closing, the memorialists say: " It is unhappy and dis- 
 agreeable to be in such a state of poverty, yet it is a fact 
 they are obliged to own. This situation is not for want of 
 . industry or frugality on the part of the inhabitants, but is 
 the result of their circumstances." 
 
 The General Assembly was moved by this doleful peti- 
 tion to abate the amount of the tax one-half, the abatement 
 being apportioned among the inhabitants by the selectmen, 
 as they most needed. 
 
 But nevertheless, the inhabitants of the town were 
 patriotic in their poverty, and willing to pay what they 
 could towards the expense of carrying on the war as the 
 following instance shows. 
 
 A town meeting was held in the fall of 1781, to act upon 
 a proposition or article in the warrant, to raise a tax of 
 two shillings and six pence on the pound, or twelve and a 
 half cents on the dollar, to be paid in produce or clothing 
 for the use of the army. The facts of the following inci- 
 9 
 
I30 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 dent in the debate which took place on that occasion were 
 related to Mr. Hammond by Dea. Ezra Horton, whose 
 strong memory retained them perfectly. 
 
 The article in the warrant of the meeting was opposed 
 by Mr. David Bates,. and advocated by Solomon Wales, Esq., 
 and Ensign Bugbee. Mr. Bates said in substance, "that it 
 was impossible to pay so high a tax as two shillings and 
 six pence on the pound. We have already paid enormous 
 taxes. And there seemed to be no prospect of relief. The 
 war had continued for nearly seven years, and rather than 
 be obliged to pay so much and so often it would be better 
 to give it up. The British would not oppress us with 
 greater burdens." 
 
 Before we allow ourselves to find fault with this mur- 
 mur of dissatisfaction that had been expressed, let us con- 
 sider how we should now feel in these days of prosperity 
 to be called upon to pay a tax ever)?- year of twelve and a 
 half cents on the dollar for the support of the National 
 Government. After a period of seven years of the hardest 
 of hard times of commercial depression, how many times 
 would the people of New England pay such a tax to show 
 their devotion to the Union ? 
 
 The reply of Squire Wales was short but full of the 
 spirit of the times. He began his reply to Mr. Bates by 
 asking him how much stock he kept. The answer was, 
 fourteen or fifteen head of cattle and fifteen or twenty head 
 of sheep. "Aye," said Squire Wales, "about the same that 
 I keep." He then said, "When we began this contest, the 
 general opinion was that if we could gain our liberties by 
 spending half of our property, it would be better than to 
 remain as we were. For my part, I am willing to pay this 
 tax and another as large, and another still, rather than to 
 have the regulars come and take all and hang me besides." 
 
 In reply to a remark that, as the town was small and 
 the inhabitants poor, they would not be expected to pay so 
 high a tax as other towns, Ensign Bugbee said that "that 
 was the very reason why we ought to pay, for being a small 
 town, we should thus set a better example for those larger 
 
BAISIIfG THE TAXES. 131 
 
 and more able." The vote was then taken and the tax 
 assessed and paid. 
 
 The persons who took part in these proceedings were 
 unambitious of distinction. They aimed only to do their 
 duty, and were unconscious what would be thought or said 
 of their doings in the latter days. But it was in the town 
 meetings such as these, that public sentiment was formed, 
 and the determination arose to win our liberties even at 
 the greatest sacrifice. The blessings we enjoy to-day are 
 largely the result of the self-denying efforts of our fathers. 
 
 Such are the incidents which have been handed down 
 to us of the part Union bore in the Revolutionary struggle. 
 We can see that Union has rendered good service to the 
 countr}^ and at the time of the Revolution, when the popu- 
 lation of the whole country was small, the relative impor- 
 tance of this town was far greater than now. 
 
 The following is a complete list as far as can be ascer- 
 tained, of all the men from Union, who served in the Rev- 
 olution either in the Continental Army or in the State 
 Militia, with the total length of their service in months, 
 the date of their enlistment or service, the place, the dura- 
 tion of each period of service in months, and any remarks 
 concerning them. E stands for etilisted, and D for drafted. 
 Further information about most of these men can be 
 obtained from the genealogies. Most of the information 
 concerning these men was obtained from Capt. Thomas 
 Lawson's records, pay-rolls, etc. A civil list dated June 30, 
 1780, gave the time each man had served in the army up to 
 that date and the sum due each for his services. 
 
132 
 
 MILITARY IIISTOBT. 
 
 Name. 
 
 CO 2 
 
 o a 
 
 S3 ° 
 
 a a 
 
 a o 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1 Caleb Abbott 
 
 2 Nathan Abbott . 
 
 3 William Abbott. 
 
 4 Caleb Allen... 
 
 5 Daniel Allen . 
 
 6 Elisha Allen . 
 
 7 Eeubeu Allen ... 
 
 8 William Allen . 
 
 9 Joseph Angell... 
 10 David Armour . 
 
 11 James Armour, Sr. 
 
 12 James Armour, Jr. 
 
 13 Elias Armstrong. 
 
 14 Daniel Badger 
 
 15 Elisha Badger. 
 
 16 Jeremiah Badger. 
 
 17 Jonathan Badger.. 
 
 18 Josiah Badger.. 
 
 19 Caleb Barton... 
 
 20 John Barton 
 
 21 James Bartlett.. 
 
 22 David Bates, Jr. 
 
 23 Aaron Becus 
 
 24 Lemuel Bolles.... 
 
 25 Isaac Booth. 
 
 7+ 
 
 E May 1775 
 
 EJan. 1776 
 
 1779 
 1781 
 1775 
 
 EMay 1775 
 
 U 
 
 14' 
 
 3 
 
 3^ 
 
 16 
 lOi 
 
 D 
 EMay. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 EMay 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 E 
 
 E 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 EMay 
 
 D 
 
 EFeb. 
 
 D 
 
 EMay 
 
 D 
 
 1778 
 
 1781 
 1775 
 
 1779 
 
 1782 
 1779 
 1775 
 1777 
 1781 
 1776 
 1776 
 1777 
 1779 
 1776 
 1777 
 1779 
 
 1775 
 
 1777 
 1776 
 
 1779 
 1775 
 
 1777 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York 
 
 New London.... 
 New London.... 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge . 
 
 Served as a 
 
 minute man. 
 New London .. 
 Cambridge. 
 
 EFeb. 1776 
 
 E 
 
 EMay 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 1779 
 1775 
 
 1777 
 1777 
 
 1777 
 
 New London . 
 New London . 
 Cambridge .... 
 New London . 
 New London 
 
 New London . 
 New London . 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 New London . 
 
 Cambridge .... 
 North River... 
 Cambridge .... 
 New London . 
 Cambridge .... 
 New London . 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 New London. 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Providence 
 
 Taking of Bur- 
 
 goyne. 
 Providence 
 
 li 
 
 II 
 
 Killed Jan. 3, 1778, 
 while mounting 
 a breastwork. 
 
 Ensign. 
 
 Killed at 
 
 Hill. 
 Killed at 
 
 Hill. 
 
 Bunker 
 Bunker 
 
 Sergeant. 
 
 Died of camp fever. 
 
SOLDIERS OF TEE REVOLUTION. 
 
 Name. 
 
 tiS 
 
 o > 
 E-i 
 
 ^ o 
 
 P 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 26 Benjamin Bullin.. 
 
 27 Isaiah Bugbee 
 
 28 Jedediah Bugbee. 
 
 29 Wareham Bugbee.. 
 
 30 Asaph Burley 
 
 31 Jacob Burley. 
 
 32 John Burley ... 
 
 33 Josiah Burley. 
 
 34 Samuel Burley 
 
 35 Frederick Carpenter 
 
 36 Daniel Cheeney 
 
 37 Lemuel Cheeney . 
 
 38 William Cbeeney. 
 
 39 Ebeuezer Child 
 
 40 Parley Child 
 
 36 
 20 
 
 15 
 16 
 
 12 
 6i 
 
 1776 
 
 Coat. Service. 
 Around N. Y. 
 
 E 
 E 
 
 EMav 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 1775 
 
 1776 
 
 1775 Cambridge 
 
 1777j Taking of Bur- 
 
 1 goyne. 
 1779 New London ... 
 
 41 Peuuel Child. 
 
 42 Daniel Colburn. 
 
 43 Amasa Goye 
 
 44 Archibald Coye.. 
 
 45 Levi Coye 
 
 46 Nehemiah Coye . 
 
 47 Parley Coye. 
 
 48 Hugh Cravrford (son 
 of James) 
 
 49 John Crawford. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 E 
 4 D 
 
 3 lEAug. 
 17 EFeb. 
 
 D 
 2 D 
 
 E Feb. 
 
 14 I 
 
 IE Feb. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 EFeb. 
 E 
 
 1777 
 1777 
 1780 
 1779 
 1781 
 1776! 
 1776 
 1778' 
 1780; 
 1776 
 
 Providence 
 
 New London . 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 West Point. 
 Cambridge. 
 Crown Point. 
 
 Fairfield 
 
 Horseneck. 
 Cambridge. 
 
 1776 Cambridge. 
 
 1777 Taking of Bur- 
 I goyne. 
 
 1779 Horseneck 
 
 17791 New London... 
 17761 Cambridge. 
 1776' 
 
 12 
 
 2 D 
 55 lEMay 
 lE Jan. 
 
 14 
 
 22 
 
 EFeb. 
 
 E 
 
 17:7 
 
 17S0 
 1775 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 1778 
 1779 
 
 New York..., 
 
 Crown Point .... 
 Horseneck. 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York 
 
 Cont. Service.... 
 
 Providence 
 
 New London.... 
 
 1 Feb. 1776 Cambridge. 
 
 D 1777 Providence 
 
 E Feb. 1776 Cambridge and 
 New York. 
 
 H 
 
 Died of fever in 
 
 1776. 
 Killed at New York 
 
 Corporal. 
 
 Died I if 'amp fever 
 
 N(.v. 6, 1776. 
 Sergeiint. 
 
 12 
 
 36 
 
 6 
 
 8 Killed ill Virginia. 
 
134 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 Name. 
 
 05 
 
 J3 O 
 
 33 o 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 50 Samuel Crawford 
 
 51 William Crawford. 
 
 52 Esquire Darby 
 
 53 Peter Dickey 
 
 54 George Dili be 
 
 55 Jonah Drake 
 
 56 Nathaniel Dodge. 
 
 57 Joseph Enos 
 
 58 Joshua Ephraim . 
 
 59 Edward Foster 
 
 60 Beriah Grandy 
 
 61 David Grover 
 
 62 Timothy Green 
 
 63 David Hiscock 
 
 64 Stephen Hiscock. 
 
 65 Thomas Holman .. 
 
 66 Ezra Horton 
 
 67 James Houghton. 
 
 68 John Hunt 
 
 69 Abraham Laflin. 
 
 70 Charles Laflin . 
 
 71 James Laflin 
 
 72 John Laflin, Sr. 
 
 73 John Laflin, Jr.. 
 
 74 Samuel Laflin.... 
 
 75 David Lawson 
 
 76 Ebenezer Lawson 
 
 77 John Lawson, 2d.. 
 
 11 
 
 24 
 
 66 
 
 1 
 86 
 17 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 42 
 
 2 
 11 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 21 
 
 D 
 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 
 E 1776 
 
 EFeb. 1777 
 
 EFeb. 1781 
 
 D 1781 
 
 E 1780 
 
 E May 1777 
 
 Around N. Y. 
 
 Providence. 
 Served through 
 
 for the War. 
 
 Horseneck 
 
 Cont. Service... 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 D 1777 New London. 
 
 E 1779 Cont. Service., 
 
 D 1777 New London. 
 
 D 1777 
 
 D 1777 
 
 EMay 1775 
 EMay 1777 
 D 1777 
 
 D 1779 
 
 D 1781 
 
 EMay 1775 
 EJan. 1776 
 
 D 
 
 1781 
 
 New London... 
 North River. 
 Cambridge. 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 North River 
 
 New London ... 
 
 Horseneck 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York 
 
 Horseneck 
 
 48 EJan. 1776 
 17 
 
 *EFeb. 1777 
 EJan. 1776 
 
 E Jan. 1776 Cambridge and 
 
 New York. 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York. 
 Cont. Service.... 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York 
 
 Taking of Bur- 
 
 goyne. 
 
 New Haven 
 
 New London .... 
 West Point. 
 
 North River 
 
 Horseneck 
 
 1777 
 
 1777 
 1779 
 1781 
 
 1777 
 1780 
 
 the 
 
 6 
 
 36 
 
 36 
 
 Taken with 
 fever and 
 home. 
 
 entire war. 
 
 camp 
 came 
 
 12 
 
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 Name. 
 
 J2 S 
 
 03 « 
 O ^ 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 78 John Lawson, 3d. 
 
 79 Robert Lawson ... 
 
 80 Capt. Thos. Lawson 
 
 81 Ebenezer Lillie... 
 
 82 John Lillie 
 
 83 Jonathan Lillie . 
 
 84 Joseph Lillie, Jr 
 
 85 Joseph Lillie, Sr. 
 
 86 Obadiah Lillie 
 
 87 Nathan Lillie 
 
 Daniel Loomis , 
 
 89 Luther Loomis. 
 
 90 Elijah Loomis... 
 
 91 Levi Lyon 
 
 92 Alvan Marcy 
 
 93 Ichabod Marcy 
 
 94 Samuel Marcy, Jr. 
 
 95 Joseph Marsh 
 
 96 Alexander McNall. 
 
 97 Henry McNall. 
 
 98 James McNall.. 
 
 99 Daniel Moore .. 
 100 James Moore... 
 
 101 John Moore 
 
 102 Thomas Moore 
 
 103 William Moore, Jr. 
 
 21 
 
 D 1777 
 1781 
 
 1777 
 
 1778 
 
 1781 
 
 E June 1777 
 
 D 1780 
 E May 1775 
 E 1776 
 D 1778 
 
 |E April 1777 
 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 1778 
 1776 
 1778 
 1779 
 
 2 
 
 3* 
 
 24 
 29 
 55 
 
 EFeb 
 
 D 
 
 ID 
 
 EMay 1777 
 
 EFeb. 1776 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 !e 
 
 ,D 
 
 iEMay 
 lE Feb. 
 
 E 
 
 EMay 
 E Jan. 
 
 D 
 
 E 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 1777 
 1779 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 1775 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 1780 
 1775 
 1776 
 
 1779 
 1780 
 
 1782 
 1779 
 1781 
 1779 
 
 EMay 1775 
 EJan. 1776 
 
 E June 1777 
 
 Providence. 
 
 Taking of Bur- 
 
 goyne. 
 New London. 
 New London. 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 Horseneck. 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 New Loudon . 
 
 Fairfield 
 
 Cambridge .... 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Providence 
 
 New London.... 
 
 Providence 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge. 
 Crown Point. 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge and 
 New York 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 New London. 
 New London . 
 New London . 
 
 Cambridge. 
 Cambridge and 
 
 New York. 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 H 
 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 Corporal. 
 
 Sergeant. 
 
 Killed in Virginis 
 Dec. 1781. 
 
136 
 
 IflLITABY HISTORY. 
 
 Name. 
 
 ja o 
 
 C g 
 
 -> v 
 OS « 
 
 o ^ 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 104 David Morse 
 
 105 Epbraim Muuger.... 
 
 106 Daniel Needham .... 
 
 107 Jacob Newell 
 
 108 Nathaniel Newell.. 
 
 109 Jeremiah Parks j 2 
 
 110 John Paul ' 
 
 111 Matthew Paul . 
 
 112 Samuel Paul 
 
 1 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 15 
 
 24 
 3 
 
 113 Robert Paul, Jr 18 
 
 114 Robert Paul, 3d 36 
 
 115 Eleazar Peagon 36 
 
 116 Thomas Pettee 21 
 
 117 Francis Pierce 9 
 
 118 Isaac Roberts I 2 
 
 119 John Ruby 15+ 
 
 120 Benjamin Sanger 
 
 121 Abijah Sessions. 
 
 122 Abner Sessions 
 
 123 Ebenezer Sessions.. 
 
 124 John Sessions 
 
 125 Nathaniel Sessions 
 
 126 Abel Simonds 
 
 127 JohnSmallege 
 
 128 James Sprague 
 
 129 Joseph Stone... 
 
 130 Samuel Stone. 
 
 131 Alexander Strong . 
 
 132 Samuel Strong 
 
 133 John Taylor 
 
 134 Samuel Taylor . 
 
 13— 
 
 17 
 
 9 
 13 
 
 9 
 43 
 
 EMay 1775 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 1776 Around N. Y. 
 
 1779 
 
 1781 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 EMay 
 E 
 
 New London . 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 1778 Cont. Service. 
 
 1777 North River. 
 
 1776 
 
 1777, Crown Point. 
 1779 New London . 
 
 1781 Horseueck 
 
 1775 Cambridge. 
 1776 
 
 EMay 1775 
 E 1776 
 
 Cambridge . 
 
 1781' West Point.... 
 17791 New London . 
 
 EMay 1775 Cambridge. 
 E Jan. 1776 Cambridge and 
 New York 
 
 E 
 D 
 
 lE 
 D 
 
 14 I 
 
 16 D 
 
 ;e. 
 
 E 
 E 
 D 
 
 E 
 
 May 1777 Cont. Service. 
 
 1778 .-. 
 
 1780 Cont. Service. 
 Fairfield 
 
 1777 Providence. 
 
 18 
 
 8i 
 
 1778 
 1779 
 1780 
 
 Providence. 
 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 1 Ensign. 
 
 12 
 
 Died of fever Oct. 
 15, 1776. 
 
 Killed at the battle 
 of White Plains. 
 Ensign. 
 
 A Lieutenant and 
 a very brave man. 
 
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 137 
 
 Name. 
 
 5 ° 
 
 S-l 
 
 Q 
 
 Eemarks. 
 
 135 Thomas Taylor... 
 
 136 Abel Thompson. 
 
 137 David Thompson .. 
 
 138 James Thompson... 
 
 139 Rufus Thompson... 
 
 140 David Twist 
 
 141 Eieazar Wales 
 
 142 Elijah Wales 
 
 143 John Wales 
 
 144 Nathaniel Wales 
 
 145 Oliver Wales 
 
 146 Capt.Solom'n Wales 
 
 147 Benjamin Walker. 
 
 148 Ezra Walker 
 
 149 James Walker , 
 
 150 Simonds Walker 
 
 151 Abij ah Williams... 
 
 152 Asabel Williams ... 
 
 153 Eliphat Williams... 
 
 154 Wm. Williams, Jr. 
 
 155 Daniel Wheeler 
 
 156 Joseph Winter 
 
 157 John Wright. 
 
 158 Simeon WVight 
 
 159 Simeon Wright, Jr. 
 
 43 
 
 EMay 1775 
 EFeb. 1776 
 E April 1777 
 1777 
 D 1778 
 
 D 1779 
 
 E 1780 
 
 EMay 1775 
 D 1779 
 
 7 
 
 21 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 22 
 15 
 
 13 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Cambridge. 
 Cont. Service. 
 Crown Point. 
 
 E 1780 
 
 D 1781 
 
 EMay 1775 
 
 EFeb. 
 D 
 
 1 
 1779' 
 
 1780j 
 
 1775! 
 1781 
 1781 
 1777 
 1777 
 45 I EMay 1775 
 
 New London . 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 New London . 
 Cont. Service. 
 Cont. Service. 
 New London . 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Cambridge. 
 New London . 
 Horseneck 
 
 5i 
 
 15 
 16 
 10 
 
 D 
 
 EFeb 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 EFeb. 1776 
 
 EMay 1775 
 
 1777 
 1781 
 1778 
 1779 
 
 1781 
 1780 
 
 1778 
 
 D 
 D 
 8+ E Feb. 
 D 
 E 
 
 18 
 
 1777 
 1779 
 1776 
 1777 
 
 1777 
 
 New London . 
 New London . 
 New London . 
 
 Providence 
 
 New Loudon . 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 New London . 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 New London . 
 
 New London . 
 
 Horseneck. 
 
 Fairfield. 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Providence 
 
 New London . 
 Cambridge. 
 New London . 
 Served as a 
 
 minute man, 
 Cont. Service. 
 
 E 
 
 E Feb. 1776 Cambridge 
 
 U 
 
 Corporal. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Captain. 
 
 Sergeant. 
 
138 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 UNION MEN IN THE WAR OF l8l2. 
 
 During- the War of 181 2, in the summer of 1814, the 
 British threatened to land at New London, and a call was 
 made on the militia for its defense. Fifteen men were 
 drafted from Union. Some of these did not go but pro- 
 cured substitutes. The names of those who went were as 
 follows: Preston Armour, Paul Lawson, John Burley, (son 
 of Jacob), William Dickey, Walter Dickey, George Thomp- 
 son, Joseph Wales, Alpheus Saunders, Thomas Ruby, fifer, 
 Jason Hawes, Williard Badger, Charles Foster, fifer, 
 Cheeney Griggs, drummer, Alexander Strong, Edmund 
 Fuller, Cephas Howard. 
 
 The names of those who were drafted and procured 
 substitutes, were Thomas Holman, Abijah Sessions, Jede- 
 diah Morse, Manassah Howard, Rufus Holman and Benja- 
 min Corbin. These were so situated that it was difficult 
 for them to leave, and then the terrible massacre of Fort 
 Griswold w-as remembered and there was some fear lest it 
 might be repeated. These men afterwards petitioned the 
 town that recompense be allowed them for the expense 
 they had incurred in providing men to go, since "the war 
 being waged for the common benefit of all, it should be 
 prosecuted at the common expense of all." But it seems 
 that the petition was not granted by the town. 
 
 The men who went to New London were there through 
 September, and were discharged Oct. 24th, 1814. They had 
 no actual fighting, since, although the British ships often 
 appeared outside the harbor, tliey made no attempt to land. 
 A story is told of the British firing a cannon ball from the 
 distance at a party of soldiers at Stonington, who were 
 standing by a rail fence watching the ship. The ball came 
 with its force nearly spent and struck a rail upon which a 
 tall, lank fellow was sitting. He came tumbling down on 
 his head and hurt himself considerably. If the British 
 were watching through their glasses, they must have con- 
 sidered it a great joke. 
 
 There are references to other drafts during the war 
 besides this particular one of men to go to New London, 
 
TRAININGS IN UNION. 
 
 139 
 
 but the compiler has been unable to find out about 
 them. 
 
 THE MILITARY TRAININGS. 
 
 During the entire period from before the Revolution to 
 about 1846, all the able bodied men in town, between the 
 ages of eighteen and thirty-five, were required to meet at 
 least once a year for the purpose of military drill. Those 
 between 35 and 45 must appear but need not train. There 
 were company, regimental and brigade trainings. The 
 captains of the company in Union, as far as ascertained, 
 were, Thomas Lawson, Penuel Child, David Lawson, 
 Nathaniel Newell, Samuel Crawford, Jr., Samuel Corbin, 
 Charles Crawford, Moses C. Sessions, Trenclc Crawford, 
 Burke Foster, Danford Morse, Harvey Walker, Judson 
 Smith, Andrew Wales, and Clinton Howard. During the 
 Revolution and subsequently, the company in Union was 
 the 5th of the 22d regiment, but from about the time of the 
 war of 181 2 on, it was the 8th in the nth regiment. If the 
 men did not appear, to answer to the roll call on training 
 day, a fine was charged. The poor man who wrote the fol- 
 lowing note seems to have had ample reason for being 
 excused for not appearing. His trouble did not come sin- 
 gle, and besides, the perplexity he seems to have had about 
 how to spell the words ought to have excited commisera- 
 tion. We copy the note word for word as it was written: 
 "Union, October the first, 1774. 
 
 Capt. Lawson 
 
 Sur, I was warned to apar at the place of prade with arms 
 and amoliashon. I take this oppertunity to write to you 
 that I am under Bad Sircomstancsas. I Have Lost a Goint 
 of my wright thum and cut of the cord of my Heal. So that 
 I have Not trained Sence. But Not with standing T should 
 be very Free to Sarve you in the Componey, But I Have No 
 Gun. But I mean to have one as soon as I can. I Beg your 
 Favor on the acount. vSo No more at present. 
 
 But I Remain your Humble Sarvint 
 
 Francis Goodhue." 
 
I40 MILITARY BISTORT. 
 
 The original place of parade was southwest of the old 
 meeting-house, on the south part of the ten acres reserved 
 for public uses. But afterwards it used to be near 
 Nathaniel Newell's. In 1822 he gave the town a lease of a 
 part of the lot west of his house for a parade ground, and 
 it was there that the trainings afterwards took place. 
 
 Some of the men had uniforms and others were in their 
 everyday clothes, making a rather motley looking com- 
 pany. One of the bad features of the trainings was that a 
 great deal of drinking took place in connection with them. 
 
 It became the custom for the captain to treat the com- 
 pany and give them a dinner. When Samuel Corbin was 
 chosen captain he did not conform to this custom. Instead 
 of taking his company to Newell's tavern, as usual, he 
 started them down towards Deacon Ezra Horton's temper- 
 ance hotel. But a part of the company mutinied and 
 refused to obey him. A court-martial was held. Captain 
 Corbin was tried, and considerable excitement was roused. 
 For some reason Deacon Horton did not keep a hotel after 
 this occurrence. 
 
 An interesting story is told in connection with the 
 trainings, which shows how numerous the Moores were in 
 town. There were a dozen men, more or less, by that 
 name in the company. When the roll was called it took a 
 long time to get through with the list of men who bore 
 that name. At last, when it was completed, the rest of the 
 company would sing out: "Are there any more of them?" 
 
 There were two regimental trainings held in Union 
 about 1839-40, while Moses C. Sessions, of Union, was 
 colonel. The other companies which composed the regi- 
 ment were from Woodstock, Thompson, Pomfret, etc. They 
 were dissatisfied because the training was held so far west, 
 away on one side of the region in which the men 
 belonging to the regiment lived, and hence they came to 
 Union very unwillingly. The second 3^ear a cold storm set 
 in during the training, and the men suffered considerably. 
 They returned to their homes in a very disgusted frame of 
 mind. 
 
WAR OF THE REBELLION. 
 
 141 
 
 The trainings degenerated in character and became 
 more of a farce than anything else. Incompetent officers 
 were chosen and the discipline was poor. Hence it was a 
 relief to all good citizens when training was abolished 
 about 1846. 
 
 UNION MEN IN THE REBELLION. 
 
 Little more was thought of military matters till 
 186 1, when the fall of Sumter and the President's call 
 for troops vividly impressed the minds of the young 
 men with the thought that it might be their lot to be- 
 come soldiers. 
 
 The feeling of the time was expressed in a poem by one 
 of Union's sons, Elbridge G. Paul, entitled " Our Country." 
 The author of it enlisted for the defense of his country and 
 was with Sherman on his victorious "March to the Sea." 
 We give the following extracts from it: 
 
 " Full oft have poets sung thy praise. 
 
 And eulogized thy name, 
 Recounted thy historic past 
 
 Without a tinge of shame. 
 There's not a nation on the earth 
 
 But calls thee great and free. 
 Thy fame has spread from pole to pole; 
 
 Extends from sea to sea, 
 Where-e'er a nation craves that boon. 
 
 Well guarded liberty. 
 
 Upon thy once so happy shore. 
 
 Has come a doleful change. 
 And many not expecting it. 
 
 Have deemed it wondrous strange; 
 Thy banner, which so proudly waved, 
 
 Is trailing in the dust; 
 A fratricidal war has come, 
 
 As causeless as unjust. 
 That thou'lt go down as Rome went down 
 
 There are many fear thou must. 
 
142 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 And must thy future be submerged 
 
 In this secession flood ? 
 Thy very name be blotted out 
 
 In anarchy and blood ? 
 Forbid it every battle field, 
 
 Which cost so much to gain; 
 Forbid it all thy past career, 
 
 Our heritage of fame; 
 Forbid it ! Freedom's hosts respond, 
 
 With loud prolonged acclaim. 
 
 Oh loose the shackles of the slave. 
 
 Proclaim the bondman free, 
 Let patriots know that every blow 
 
 Will tell for liberty; 
 For many'll strike to shield the right 
 
 Who will not fight for fun; 
 A million freemen spring to arms, 
 
 When-e'er the deed is done. 
 And lest there's fear I'm not sincere, 
 
 Enroll my name as one." 
 
 There were none who enlisted directly from town in 
 1861, although there were several who had lived in Union 
 who enlisted from other places during that year. These 
 were, Albert Hiscox, who enlisted from Griswold, April 
 25th, upon President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men for three 
 months; he was in Rifle Co. D, of the 3rd regiment, and 
 was in the battle of Bull Run, where he received a slight 
 wound; Frank Letcher, who had shortly before gone from 
 Union to Suffield to school, and who enlisted May 23rd, 
 and was in Co. C, ist Regiment Conn. Vol. Heavy Artil- 
 lery; he was out three years; also Allen W. Towne, who 
 was mustered December 19th, into Co. D, ist Rhode Island 
 Cavalry, and who served three years. Daniel Braman also 
 enlisted in Woodstock, in Co. K, 7th Reg., and Marcus L. 
 Braman enlisted June 21, 1861, and was in Co. F, 5th Reg. 
 
 In the summer of 1862, Union men began to enlist in 
 good earnest. In the latter part of July and first part of 
 
UNION MEN AT ANTIETAM. 
 
 143 
 
 August, eleven men from Union enlisted for three years 
 and on August 24th were mustered into Co. I, i6th Regi- 
 ment. (Their names and other facts will be found in the 
 following table). The men in this regiment went to Wash- 
 ington, August 29th, and were in camp at Arlington 
 Heights for a few daj^s. About this time Lee made his 
 first invasion into Mar3'-land, and the regiment was hurried 
 forward by forced marches to join the Army of the 
 Potomac in resisting him. On September 17th, the bloody 
 battle of Antietam was fought, and this green regiment 
 was thrown to the front. As it entered the fatal cornfield 
 it was met by a most terrific volley of musketry, and the 
 slaughter was appalling. Men fell by the score. The 
 colonel saw that the regiment would be annihilated if it 
 remained there, and gave the order, '' Every man for him- 
 self." Those who were uninjured broke away into a full 
 retreat. In this battle the Union boys suffered severely. 
 All except two were wounded. Stephen Himes was killed 
 outright, and James Himes was wounded so that he died a 
 few days later. Six of them were discharged for disability 
 early the next year. Only one, Nelson Yotmg, was with 
 the remnant of the regiment when it was captured, April 
 20th, 1864, at Plymouth, N. C. He died in Andersonville 
 prison, July 21, 1864. 
 
 In the latter part of August, 1862, a movement was 
 started in Union to enlist men in response to the Presi- 
 dent's call for 300,000 militia to serve nine months, dated 
 Aug. 4, 1862. At this time David P. Corbin was in Suffield, 
 where he had been teaching. He enlisted Aug. 25th, and 
 came to Union to raise recruits. The town acted gener- 
 ously towards those who should enlist. On August 23, it 
 voted to pay $100 bounty to any one who should enlist in 
 the military service of the United States, who was a resi- 
 dent of town, and $2 a month to his wife and each of his 
 children under the age of fourteen, while he continued 
 in the service. George D. Colburn, Daniel S. Crawford, 
 and David P. Corbin had been chosen August 2d, as a com- 
 mittee to procure enlistments. Before September loth 
 
144 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 seventeen men had volunteered for nine months. On Sep- 
 tember loth a draft was made to fill out the quota of the 
 town. The names of seven men were drawn. They were, 
 John Booth, Melven Booth, George Thayer, Washington 
 Sibley, Wm. Esterbrooks, George Marcy, Albert Weld 
 and Danford Morse, Jr. Wm. Esterbrooks, George Marcy, 
 and Albert Weld secured the following substitutes, respect- 
 ively: Joseph White, George Holdworth and Charles 
 Knight. On October 6th, the town voted to pay $ioo to 
 each of the men recently drafted. These men or their sub- 
 stitutes and those who had previously enlisted, twenty- 
 three in all, were mustered into the 2 2d Regiment, Co. G, 
 on September 20, 1862. The other men in the company were 
 nearly all from Suffield. On October 2d, the regiment left 
 Hartford for New York by steamer and thence proceeded 
 by rail to Washington. After camping in various places 
 in its vicinity, the regiment went into winter quarters at 
 Miner's Hill, Va., about eight miles from Washington. 
 Here the men lived in the log cabins which they had con- 
 structed, from November 27, 1862, till February 12, 1863. 
 During this time constant attention was given to drill. In 
 February and March the regiment was engaged in build- 
 ing fortifications near Arlington. April 15, 1863, it 
 embarked by steamer for Norfolk. In the vicinity of Suf- 
 folk it remained for three weeks, expecting an attack at 
 any time. On May 3d, it was transported to West Point, 
 on the York River, where it remained three weeks. On 
 June 9th, the regiment was in the advance toward Rich- 
 mond, known as the " Blackberry Raid." Returning from 
 Yorktown, it embarked by steamer for Hartford, where it 
 arrived June 29th, and was mustered out July 7, 1863. This 
 regiment saw no fighting and consequently none of its 
 members were injured in action. Of the Union soldiers, 
 however, two, E. B. Foster and Frank Walker, died of 
 fever. 
 
 There were no enlistments of Union men after 1862, 
 although two drafts were made. The men drafted either 
 procured substitutes or paid their commutation fee. The 
 
HIRING SOLDIERS. 145 
 
 town paid $300 to each man who went or procured a sub- 
 stitute and |;2oo to each who paid the commutation. Feb. 
 10, 1864, David Newell, Aaron A. Wales, William M. Cor- 
 bin, and Calvin Marcy were chosen agents for the town to 
 fill its quota; and June 27, 1864, David Newell was appoint- 
 ed to fill the quota of the town in all future requisitions. 
 Men from out of town were hired for this purpose. It 
 made a great expense to the town and a debt had to be 
 contracted which was not paid up until about 1881. 
 
146 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
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SOLDIERS OF THE REBELLION. 
 
 147 
 
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148 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 An Ebenezer L. Belknap of Union (son of Simons), died 
 in the army. 
 
 George C. Leonard, who was born and lived in Union, 
 enlisted in a Rhode Island Regiment. John F. James went 
 from Suffield in Co. G, 2 2d Regiment. Besides the above, 
 there lie buried at Union, the following who lived in 
 Union during or after the war : Edward Baker, of Co. I, 
 i6th Reg. C. V. Inf., enlisted Aug. 11, '62, discharged for 
 disability, April 23, '64; W. H. Belknap, Co. L, ist Mass. 
 cavalry; A. W. Perry, Co. D, nth U. S. Inf. There is also 
 a monument to the Bosworth brothers, although they were 
 buried in the South. They enlisted in Enfield, and were 
 in Co. D, 1 6th Reg. Both were taken prisoners. Francis 
 H. Bosworth died at Annapolis, Md., Feb. 21, 1863, ae 21; 
 Alonzo N. Bosworth died at Andersonville, Ga., June 20, 
 1864, as 20. 
 
 In 1864, several colored men were hired by the town to 
 fill out its quota. Their names were Henry Antone, George 
 Johnson, John Wilson, and Thomas Wormsley. These 
 were all in the 29th colored C. V. Inf. There was also a 
 Thomas Wilson in Co. D, 15th C. V. Inf. 
 
SOLDIERS FROM OTHER PLACES. 
 
 149 
 
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ISO 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 The D. P. Corbin Post, No. 74, G. A. R., of Union, was 
 chartered in the fall of 1884, with the following members: 
 J. W. Winch, W. G. Howard, M. P. J. Walker, C. Young, R. 
 B. Horton, N. Wallace, E. G. Hewett, T. A. Hudson, E. W. 
 Upham, E. S. Severy. 
 
 Its present members from Union are: J. W. Winch, W. 
 G. Howard, M. P. J. Walker, G. W. Thayer, R. B. Horton, 
 F. Martin, T. A. Hudson, J. B. Winch, E. W. Upham, P. W. 
 Newcomb, W. F. Ctimmings, E. W. Brown. 
 
 Besides these, there are a number of others from East- 
 ford, Ashford, and Woodstock. 
 
 The commanders of the Post have been, J. W. Winch, 
 W. G. Howard, N. W. Wallace, R. B. Horton, F. W. Gordon. 
 The meetings are held on the evenings of the second 
 Tuesday of each month, at the Town Hall, at Union. 
 
 Since the Post has been in existence in Union, memo- 
 rial day has been observed each year by appropriate exer- 
 cises. The soldiers .have usually met at North Ashford, 
 and decorated the graves there, then proceeded to the East 
 Cemetery and decorated the graves of former soldiers, 
 especially of Captain Corbin, going thence to Union and 
 completing the work there. At noon a collation is held in 
 the Town Hall, and in the afternoon there are exercises in 
 the church, consisting of addresses, singing, etc. The Post 
 usually holds a picnic at Mashapaug each summer. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 JESSE OLNEY, A. M. DR. SHUBAEL HAMMOND DEACON SAMUEL 
 
 CRAWFORD JUDGE I. W. CRAWFORD— ELEAZER FOSTER 
 
 ELEAZER K. FOSTER REV. S. I. CURTISS REV. GEORGE 
 
 CURTISS — PROF. S. I. CURTISS, D. D. — CAPTAIN CHAUNCEY 
 
 PAUL HARVEY WALKER HANNAH MOORE MRS. CALISTA 
 
 HOLMAN VINTON REV. THOMAS HOLMAN MOSES G. LEON- 
 ARD JARED D. SESSIONS JOSEPH M. GRIGGS — SARAH A. PAUL 
 
 DAVID P. CORBIN, A. M. WILLIAM M. CORBIN JUSTUS V. 
 
 LAWSON CHARLES F. MORSE REV. ISAAC BOOTH, D. D. 
 
 PHILIP D. ARMOUR ANDREW W. ARMOUR DWIGHT MARCY 
 
 — PHILIP CORBIN M. A, MARCY JOEL H. REED. 
 
 JESSE OLNEY, A. M. 
 
 THIwS celebrated teacher and author was born in Union, 
 October 12th, 1798. His birthplace was in the south- 
 east part of town, where there is a cellar-hole on what is 
 known as the George Leonard place. His father, Ezekiel 
 Olney, was a poor man and could barely afford a primary 
 education for his children. When Jesse was nineteen years 
 old, impatient to be no longer a burden to the family, and 
 ambitious to mix in the world's great affairs, he asked from 
 his father a release from family duties ; this was cheerfully 
 accorded him, and, armed with this document, he started 
 forth single-handed and unaided, but stout of heart, to 
 "hew his way through the world." Though he was obliged 
 to struggle with poverty, he managed to get an education at 
 Whitesborough, N. Y. He taught there and at Bingham- 
 ton, N. Y. He also studied at Hamilton College, which 
 afterwards conferred on him the degree of A. M. In 1821, 
 he became principal of the Stone School at Hartford, where 
 he continued till 1831. In 1828, he brought out a "Geography 
 
152 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and Atlas," which was at once accepted as a standard work 
 and which for thirty years was used in nearly every public 
 and private school in the United States. It was many times 
 enlarged and revised and ran through ninety-eight editions, 
 some of them numbering 80,000 copies. Millions of copies 
 have been sold and the popularity of "Olney 's Geography "has 
 been surpassed only by that of " Webster's Spelling Book." 
 This work has the distinction of having caused a complete 
 revolution in the methods of teaching geography. Mr. 
 Olney was a practical instructor and was dissatisfied with 
 the existing class books and treatises, which began with an 
 exposition of the science of astronomy and making the cen- 
 ter of the solar system the initial point, developed the 
 scheme until it finally included the earth. Mr. Olney 
 reversed this method. He began with the scholar's own 
 continent, in fact, in the very city, town or village where 
 he lived, and made clear by lucid definitions the natural 
 divisions of land and water; illustrating each instance by 
 the use of maps. His plan was to familiarize the child 
 with the surface of the earth by going from the near to the 
 distant, and from the concrete to the abstract. This sys- 
 tem at once overthrew theoretic geography and introduced 
 the modern and practical science. The immediate success 
 of the work led Mr. Olnc}^ to give up teaching and devote 
 himself to authorship. In 1834, he removed to Southing- 
 ton, Conn., where he resided till 1854. Although he did 
 not teach here, he devoted himself to the cause of popular 
 education. The text-books which he published are besides 
 his geographies, a series of readers, "The National Pre- 
 ceptor," "The Easy Reader," "The School Reader," "The 
 Little Reader;" also "The Arithmetic and Child's Manual," 
 a valuable "History of the United States," for the use of 
 schools, and "A Family Book of History." In the late years 
 he also compiled a little book of stirring poetry, breathing 
 the spirit of the age, entitled "Psalms of Life." 
 
 During the time which Mr. Olney lived at Southington, 
 he achieved a name and fame which was world wide, as a 
 man of broad and liberal views; as a man of letters; as a 
 
f^\ 
 
 ^/P-L^f^-r^ (V^ 
 
 'U 
 
 7 
 
DR. SHUBAEL HAMMOND. 153 
 
 zealoUvS friend of education, as a leader in the councils of 
 his party. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, a follower 
 of Jackson, whom he greatly resembled in appearance and 
 character. He fourteen times represented his town in the 
 lower branch of the legislature. He was once a candidate 
 for Senator and once received the nomination for Secretary 
 of State. In 1867, after years of retirement, he was called 
 to serve the state for two successive terms in the respon- 
 sible office of Comptroller of Public Accounts. In this posi- 
 tion his honesty and unswerving integrity gained for him 
 the title of "The Old Roman," and his advice was sought 
 and heeded by all the state officials and political leaders. 
 In all his official capacities he used his influence to build 
 up the system of public schools in Connecticut. 
 
 In religion he was a Baptist when he went to Southing- 
 ton; but being borne along upon the crest of the wave of 
 liberal thought which subsequently swept through New 
 England, he took strong ground for and became an earnest 
 advocate of the tenets of the Unitarian church. This 
 change of belief created a great deal of disturbance among 
 the inhabitants, for by his efforts a new society was formed 
 in this hot-bed of Calvinism, so to speak, followed by the 
 erection of a church edifice which he built and maintained 
 principally from his private purse. 
 
 In 1854, he removed from Southington to Stratford, 
 Conn., where he passed the rest of his life. He died July 
 3TSt, 1872, and lies buried at Stratford. 
 
 He married Elizabeth Barnes, of Southington, May 4th, 
 1829. They reared a family of six children. 
 
 DR. SHUBAEL HAMMOND. 
 
 Shubael Hammond was born in Sturbridge, Mass., Feb. 
 20th, 1776. It was the intention of his father to give 
 him a liberal education, and with this end in view he sent 
 him to Leicester Academy. Disappointed in respect to a 
 course at Harvard, he studied medicine with Dr. Eaton of 
 Dudley, Mass., and commenced practice in Union in the 
 year 1800, where he remained until his death. In early life 
 
154 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 he taught school, and retained his interest in education all 
 his days. He was very fond of flowers, and knew the 
 names and medicinal virtues of every plant, shrub, and tree. 
 He loved music and poetry, and wrote respectable compo- 
 sitions in sacred inusic and verse. He was a close observer 
 of all natiiral phenomena, marking every unusual astro- 
 nomical appearance. He studied the philosophy of his pro- 
 fession, and was familiar with the various medical theories 
 of the ancient and modern practitioners. He lived in a 
 small town and had a practice limited by his circumstances; 
 and with a delicate physical constitution, he shrank often 
 from the toils and exposures of his profession, especially 
 in his old ag'e. He feared no mortal man, but had an 
 instinctive dread of fierce winds and thunderstorms. He 
 had a smile the most genuine ever seen on human face, but 
 never was known to shed a tear. His forte was fortitude. 
 " He was scrupulously honest, honorable and conscientious, 
 and yet was not connected with any church. He had an 
 instinctive dread of vain, vapid talk on religious themes. 
 They were too serious with him to be trifled with, as they 
 really are in a great many religious meetings. His views 
 were those of the orthodox denominations. He was a 
 model farmer and horticulturist. He was a man of few 
 words, especially in the rooms of the sick. His wife was 
 apt and judicious, and he was a most agreeable companion. 
 He was a distinguished physician and a highly respectable 
 citizen." He died July 25th, 1857. 
 
 DEACON SAMUEL CRAWFORD. 
 
 (This sketch and that of Judge Crawford, were kindly furnished by 
 Ossian T. Crawford, of Worcester, Mass. , who has also given much 
 information to the compiler in regard to the Crawford family). 
 
 Deacon Samuel Crawford was very tall (over 6 feet)^ 
 and a man of great power of endurance. He was a man of 
 great mental ability. He represented his native town in 
 the State Legislature for a large portion of the time dur- 
 ing 21 years, from 1788 to 1809. During this time there 
 were two sessions yearly, in May and Oct. Deacon Craw- 
 
Shubael Hammond, M. D. 
 
Hon. Ingolsby W. Crawford. 
 
JUDGE I. W. CRAWFORD. 155 
 
 ford was in twenty-two of these. He was selectman of 
 Union 17 years (from 1782 to 1804). He was a man of 
 wealth for his times, and at one time owned more than 
 1000 acres of land, a large portion of it covered with 
 the best pine timber. He lived where Willis Howard now 
 does. On the marriage of his children he would give them 
 a farm, and thus the land he formerly owned was scattered 
 through a numerous family. He was positive in his relig- 
 ious belief, and was a conscientious member and a deacon 
 of the Baptist church in West Woodstock for many years. 
 Baptist meetings were at one time held in Union, in what 
 was latterly the Eleazer Kinney house, west of the Newell 
 tavern. But there were not people enough of that belief to 
 continue them, so Mr. Crawford went to West Woodstock. 
 At that time all property was taxed to support the domi- 
 nant church of the state. Deacon Crawford once had three 
 cows taken by the constables towards paying Rev. Mr. 
 Horton's salary. He was a firm man and had a strong will, 
 but a kind disposition, and no father would do more for his 
 children. He was an extraordinary man for the time and 
 opportunities, and surroundings of the remote country 
 town where he labored for the good of man. He was a 
 soldier in the Continental Army during the dark and troub- 
 lesome days of the summer of 1776, when nearly one- 
 third of the army were sick with camp-fever. He was 
 taken down with it and when the report reached Union, his 
 brother John went and brought him home. Both John and 
 his father took the fever from Samuel, and died of it, while 
 he recovered. 
 
 JUDGE INGOLDSBY WORK CRAWFORD. 
 
 Ingoldsby W. Crawford, the son of Deacon Samuel 
 Crawford, was born in Union, August 7th, 1786. He lived 
 most of his life on a farm given him by his father, in the 
 east part of the town, and partly in Woodstock. He 
 injured his back when young, and was unable to perform 
 any very laborious work. He had a fair education, which 
 he derived mostly from his own reading and study. He 
 
156 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 held many offices of public trust; was Collector of the Port 
 of New London under the administration of Andrew 
 Jackson, of whom he was a warm supporter. He was asso- 
 ciate justice of Tolland Co. Court; member of the vState 
 Convention held in Hartford, in August, 1818, which 
 formed the State Constitution — one of the greatest bless- 
 ings for the State. He was a prominent free mason, hold- 
 ing high offices in both the grand lodge and grand chap- 
 ter, and often attended the meetings of the bodies in 
 different parts of the country. He prepared an arithmetic 
 for publication, but owing to the cost declined to have it 
 printed; was much interested in the schools of his native 
 town, being a visitor, and a member of the Examining Com- 
 mittee to license teachers. He was member of the State 
 Legislature in 1816, '17, '18, '19, '20, '22, '24, and '25. Toward 
 the end of his life he sold his place, and lived on the Dr. 
 Hammond place, where Mason Horton now lives (1891). 
 In religion he was a Universalist. He died Nov. 24, 1867, 
 and was buried in the East cemetery in Union. 
 
 ELEAZER FOSTER. 
 
 Eleazer Foster, the son of Edward Foster, was born in 
 Union, June 6, 1778. He was obliged to rely on his own 
 exertions to gain the means necessary for pursuing his 
 education, and he was never blessed with vigorous health. 
 Nevertheless, he graduated from Yale College in 1802, with 
 a high rank and character in a class noted for members 
 who in college and afterwards were distinguished; among 
 which were the names of Isaac C. Bates, Samuel Hubbard, 
 William Maxwell, Gideon Tomlinson, and Jeremiah Evarts. 
 Having served as an instructor for some time in Leicester 
 Academy, Mass., where he had fitted for college, he settled 
 as a lawyer in New Haven, Conn. Early after his admis- 
 sion to the bar he gave such decided proofs of industry, 
 capacity, integrity, and discretion, that the public voice 
 called him to sustain many offices of importance to the wel- 
 fare of the community. For the same reason the concerns 
 of individuals were committed to his management with a 
 
JUDGE E. K. FOSTER. 
 
 157 
 
 confidence to an extent rarely witnessed. As executor of 
 wills, administrator on the estates of deceased persons, 
 assignee of debtors, agent for creditors, and in the execu- 
 tion of many other trusts he was constantly employed, and 
 such was his undeviating rectitude that he uniformly 
 merited the approbation of all interested in the trusts. 
 
 For the higher stations of a magistrate and a represent- 
 ative in the legislature, he was guided by that uprightness 
 and impartiality which fully evinced his love of justice and 
 his sacred regard for the triie interests of the people. 
 
 To the poor, the humble and the helpless, the widow 
 and the fatherless, with whom in the discharge of duty he 
 often associated, he was ever kind, attentive and generous. 
 As a friend, a neighbor and a citizen, he was sincere, prud- 
 ent and benevolent. 
 
 In all the dear and interesting relations of domestic 
 life, he was always affectionate and faithful. It is unneces- 
 sary to add that he was universally beloved and respected. 
 He was a very exemplary and useful member of the church 
 of Christ, and lived under the steady influence of religious 
 principle. He died May 4th, 1819, in the forty-first year of 
 his age. Thus his career was short, and closed before the 
 fruits of early promise could be gathered. But his example 
 was not without its influence. In the sketch of the schools 
 of Union, we mention the fact that William L. Marcy, Sec- 
 retary of State under President Pierce, received his first 
 impulse from Eleazer Foster. Union may well be proud 
 of this son of hers. 
 
 JUDGE ELEAZER K. FOSTER. 
 
 This distinguished son of his distinguished father 
 Eleazer Foster, was born in New Haven, May 20, 1813. His 
 mother, Mary Pierpont, was a lineal descendant of Rev. 
 James Pierpont, who settled in the ministry in New Haven, 
 in 1684, and was one of the founders of Yale college; and 
 of Mary Hooker, daughter of Rev. Samuel Hooker, of 
 Farmington. His family have always resided in New 
 Haven, and partly upon the original homestead of Rev. 
 
158 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Mr. Pierpont. Graduating at Yale college in 1834, he 
 studied law, and was admitted to the bar in New Haven, in 
 March, 1837, and where he always resided. Thus closely 
 was he identified with that city. 
 
 Mr. Foster married Miss Mary Codrington, then of New 
 Haven, a lady of English birth, and formerly of Kingston, 
 Jamaica, January 2, 1838. Three sons survive him, all 
 graduates of Yale college; William E., now an editor of the 
 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Eleazer K., a practicing lawyer 
 in Florida, and John P. C, a practicing physician in New 
 Haven. A beloved daughter, Mary, died December 12, 
 1864, at the age of twenty-one. His wife died September 
 25, 1872. 
 
 Soon after his admission to the bar he was elected the 
 prosecuting grand juror of the town. He was appointed 
 Judge of Probate for the New Haven district in the years 
 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849. In 1854 he was appointed State 
 Attorney for New Haven county, and was nominated to 
 be Register in Bankruptcy by Chief Justice Chase when 
 that office was created, and continued in both these posi- 
 tions to the time of his death. He was a member of the 
 Common Council of New Haven during six years. He 
 represented the town in the General Assembly in the years 
 1844 and 1845, and in 1865, when he was chosen Speaker of 
 the House. In 1858, he was a candidate for the Republican 
 nomination for the office of Governor of this state, but was 
 defeated by Governor Buckingham, who received a few 
 more votes. Later his friends again proposed to him to 
 be a candidate, when he would probably have been nom- 
 inated and elected, but he withdrew from the canvass for 
 private reasons. 
 
 This brief record of offices and honors convey no idea of 
 the man. At the bar, in public life, and in society. Judge 
 Foster was a man of mark. The eminence that he attained 
 at the bar was not due to laborious application or systematic 
 study. A noble presence, a grand voice, the graces of 
 oratory, wit and humor, the power of eloquence, a thorough 
 knowledge of human nature and full sympathy with all 
 
MEV. S. I. CURTISS, SB. 159 
 
 ranks of men, these were the gifts that always secured to 
 him a place in the front rank of the profession. 
 
 In many respects Judge Foster was peculiarly fitted 
 to adorn the highest positions in public life. And 
 this fitness was also recognized by the people. In pol- 
 itics he was a Whig until the dissolution of that party; 
 after that always an earnest Republican. As a public and 
 political speaker he was necessarily a great favorite. The 
 political and public meetings and the ceremonious occasions 
 which he has graced with his presence and enlivened with 
 his wit and eloquence, were almost countless. While the 
 people loved him and honored him whenever they had 
 opportunity, those arts by which nominations are secured 
 he was not the master of, and less able and more contriving 
 men often grasped the prizes that might have been worthily 
 bestowed upon him. 
 
 He died June 13th, 1877, greatly lamented by the people 
 of the beautiful city where he lived. 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND LABORS OF THE REV. SAMUEL 
 
 IVES CURTISS. 
 
 (prepared by rev. GEO. CURTISS). 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss was born at Meriden, 
 Conn., March 5, 1803. His father owned a farm about two 
 miles west of the centre of the town, known as the Mur- 
 dock place at present. There the future minister spent his 
 early days, till he became of age. He was the oldest son in a 
 family of seven children. His father was frequently away 
 from home on business and the care of the farm at those 
 times devolved on Samuel, and thtis he acquired an ability 
 to manage aif airs, which was of great use to him in later 
 years. From earl}^ childhood he was noted for his sedate 
 deportment, and as always being a good boy. Of naturally 
 a serious turn of mind, he was often deeply interested in the 
 subject of religion, and was finally led to consecrate him- 
 self publicly to Christ. After this, he felt sure that he had a 
 divine call to enter the ministry of the gospel, and so he pre- 
 pared himself as best he could at Bangor and New Haven 
 
i6o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 seminaries. He was ordained, and installed pastor of the 
 Congregational church in East Hampton, Conn., November, 
 1832, and continued there about five years. After supplying 
 at West Woodstock, he came to Union, first, to preach for 
 a fev/ months in the fall of 1839, and in the ensuing spring 
 he took up his abode with the people as their spiritual 
 teacher. There was no dwelling to be had near the centre, 
 and he was obliged to live beyond the great Bigelow gulf, 
 almost half way to Woodstock. The following is his lan- 
 guage in reference to that circumstance: "For the privilege 
 and duty of battling for the Lord Jesus, in Union, the min- 
 ister took up his abode on the outskirts of the town three 
 miles and a half southeast from the meeting-house. The 
 Lord, however, gave him health, courage, and faith to labor 
 so that neither storms of rain or snow hindered him from 
 appearing in the courts of the Lord every Sabbath to break 
 to the people the bread of life. During these two years he 
 went from house to house (there were more than fifty fam- 
 ilies to visit), and held weekly, evening meetings in the 
 several districts, that all the people might receive a por- 
 tion of divine truth in due season; though in going back 
 and forth, he traveled ten or twelve miles when it was 
 exceedingly dangerous, on account of the thick darkness in 
 the woods and the glare ice which covered the hills." Once 
 in going down one of those steep hills his horse slipped 
 from under him, and beast and rider slid promiscuously and 
 alarmingly a long distance down the hill. Sometimes the 
 pastor and good Deacon Lawson, who lived in the neigh- 
 borhood, would put a shovel in the sleigh, and start to- 
 gether for the house of God. They were occasionally 
 obliged to dig their way, but they always succeeded in 
 reaching their destination, although they at times found 
 few, if any, but themselves present in the sanctuary. The 
 home of the pastor in those years, however, was pleasant. 
 It was in the house of the Misses Sessions, Anna and Mary. 
 The outlook was delightful, over the green billowy hills, 
 and good families lived in the neighborhood. An extract 
 from an article describing the aspect of the town as it 
 

 ^-w ^y 
 
 Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss. 
 
BEV. 8. I. GURTISS, SB. i6i 
 
 appeared to the young minister may be of interest to the 
 reader. It was written by Mr. Curtiss thirty years or more 
 afterwards. His words are given with only slight changes. 
 
 " I came tip to Union from West Woodstock in August, 
 1839. It was indeed a coming up, a gradual ascent all the 
 way, until I reached the centre of the town. After I came 
 within two miles of the centre, I entered the pine forests, 
 and there was nothing else to be seen beyond until I 
 reached the old tavern-stand on the hill. The sun was 
 scarcely permitted to shine on one all the way. It was 
 cool and refreshing in the warmth of summer, to be 
 under the cooling shade of these massive pines, chestnuts 
 and oaks. When I came into these noble forests I was 
 upon the top of a high hill. The descent was gradual, but 
 rather steep, until I came to a saw-mill in the ravine, owned 
 and operated by the Crawfords. In this ravine, for miles 
 on either side of the way, was a forest of as fine timber as 
 grows anywhere. From the saw-mill I began to ascend 
 what would be called a mountain in Scripture. After the 
 first steep ascent there was a fine range of table land, with 
 a few acres cleared up, and a farm-house nestling among 
 the trees, which gave pleasure to the eyes from its rarity 
 and the neatness of its surroundings. Then, here I began to 
 ascend another mountain, hemmed in on either side by 
 lofty trees, till I came to the old tavern-stand, and here I 
 stood upon the peak of the first range of hills, for there 
 were more and higher to come. On this peak years ago, 
 one might have looked to the north, and south, and east, 
 and west, before, and behind, up and down, and forests 
 would have been the principal objects to meet the eye. 
 But within thirty years the woodman's axe has thinned 
 out these forests and made many and large openings in the 
 valleys and on the hill-tops." 
 
 As to the moral and spiritual outlook in those times, the 
 minister in his later years wrote: "The church was small 
 and the members comparatively poor. There were eight 
 male members, four of whom were quite advanced in life. 
 Deacon Horton was nearly eighty and blind. Intoxicat- 
 II 
 
1 62 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ing- liquors were sold to all who would drink, and some of 
 the more wealthy drank freely. The church had become 
 discouraged. They could raise but a small sum themselves, 
 and could get but little from outside to sustain the g-ospel 
 from year to year." The young pastor, however, "put a 
 cheerful courage on." The next year after coming, he 
 preached an historical sermon from the text Ps. xvi. 6 — 
 ^'The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I 
 have a goodly heritage;" in which he proved that the text 
 would apply to the people in Union. Things began to take 
 on a more favorable aspect; the congregations were increas- 
 ing and the Sunday school, which numbered only sixteen 
 when the pastor came, was thriving under his efficient 
 management. A good dwelling for the minister had also 
 been rented near by the meeting- house; and the beginning 
 of March, 1842, found pastor and people full of courage, 
 and with bright prospects for the future. Then came a 
 most sudden calamity and distress. The story is thus told 
 by the pastor himself. " The 25th (of March, 1842), was a 
 day long to be remembered as one of sore bereavements. 
 It was the annual fast day. It was misty and dark; but in 
 our home it was bright and cheerful till about three or 
 four o'clock. There were several inches of snow on the 
 ground. My wife was never more cheerful and hopeful, in 
 respect to the work to be done in the future service of the 
 Master. I had never seen the children so happy in each 
 other, so united and full of life and joy in their play 
 together. Toward the close of the day I led my horse to 
 the watering place, and while there, chains of lightning 
 ran in several directions near the ground. Seeing this 
 play of lightning I hastened in as soon as possible, and 
 took a seat in the L part of the house, near the door which 
 opened into the dining room (a room in the main building). 
 In a moment after, there came a vivid flash while the chil- 
 dren were standing by the window, when Ann, (his daugh- 
 ter of eight years), turned and came to me and said, "Pa, 
 I am afraid." I replied you need not be afraid, and she sat 
 down close to my right side, and George (his son of five 
 
REV. S. I. CURTISS, SR. 163 
 
 years), seated himself by my left side. My wife, at this 
 instant, came in from another room with amazement 
 depicted on her countenance, and sat down at a little dis- 
 tance from us (to the right of Ann) in a rocking chair, say- 
 ing not a word, but that look is as vivid to-day as the 
 moment it met my eyes. It was but a look and I was 
 blind, and deaf, and dumb, and senseless, until there 
 seemed to come over me a great pressure, and I felt a 
 crushing weight as though the house was falling on me, 
 when I began to hear my little son bemoaning in a loud 
 voice the death of his mother. Yet all was dark before me, 
 till after repeated efforts, sight came to me, and oh! what a 
 sight! I forbear to describe. Because the Lord did it, 
 ' I opened not my mouth,' but bowed to his will, and his 
 ^race was sufficient for me. She was the wife of my youth, 
 the choice of my heart, one in whom I reposed entire con- 
 fidence, and who was a faithful co-worker in the vineyard." 
 Her maiden name was Rebecca Tuttle Hough. She was 
 one of two daughters in a family of eight children, and was 
 born at Wallingford, Conn., January 3, 1808. She was 
 betrothed to her husband at the time that he decided to 
 study for the ministry, and waited for him seven years, 
 loyal and true. They were married October 3, 1832, a;nd 
 had two children, Ann and George. Mrs. Curtiss, like 
 Rebecca of old, was very fair to look upon, and is remem- 
 bered with admiration and love by those who recall her to 
 mind as once their teacher in the Sunday school. One of 
 her brothers, the Rev. Lent S. Hough, was for many years 
 a minister of the gospel, and served as pastor of several 
 churches in the state of Connecticut. Her son George has 
 also been a minister for nearly thirty years, and is now 
 pastor of the Congregational church in Mayville, North 
 Dakota. iShe was very familar with the Scriptures so that 
 her husband said of her, "She could repeat, from memory, 
 almost the entire Bible. She was about as good to me as 
 a concordance. If I wanted to find a passage anywhere in 
 the Bible and could give her a clause, or a word or two, she 
 would give me the book, chapter and verse where it was 
 
164 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 to be found." January 30, 1843, Mr. Curtiss married Miss 
 Eliza Ives, the granddaughter of Rev. Jesse Ives, once pas- 
 tor of the church in Monson, Mass. She was born in that 
 town, December 29, 1806. She was a woman of superior 
 mind and fervent piety, a wise counselor, and an excellent 
 manager in household affairs, a true and faithful woman in 
 her family and in the church. She lived with her husband 
 a little over twenty-two years, and was very closely iden- 
 tified with him in his work at Union during that period. 
 They had one son, Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss, D. D., now 
 professor of Old Testament Literature in Chicago Theo- 
 logical Seminary. Mrs. Curtiss died quite suddenly of 
 apoplexy May 31, 1865. 
 
 In the fall of 1842, Mr. Curtiss accepted the call of the 
 people to become their pastor, and was installed April 12th, 
 1843. The pastor lived for about six years in the house 
 rented from Mr. Merrick Marcy and then purchased a 
 place for his own. "In 1848 I bought the Rev. Wyman 
 house and a part of the farm which was given him by the 
 town as his settlement. The house was a hundred years 
 old. There was a large mulberry tree near the house 
 which bore the largest, juciest, and best mulberries that I 
 ever ate." There is a tradition that Rev. Mr. Wyman 
 planted the seed from which that tree came. Some one 
 gave each member of the ministerial association to which 
 Mr. Wyman belonged, a thimbleful of black mulberry 
 seeds from the shores of the Mediterranean sea, and that 
 particular tree was the only one that lived from the thim- 
 bleful of seed that Mr. Wyman planted. The ancient 
 house was patched up and made to answer for a home till 
 November, 1854, when the minister moved into a new 
 house, which he had built across the way from the old one, 
 and which is now owned by the Society as a parsonage. 
 This investment proved a profitable one, it furnished a 
 home for the minister, and the increase in value of the 
 timber on the place materially added to the income of its 
 owner. A little more than a year after the death of his 
 second wife, Mr. Curtiss married, June 15, 1866, Mrs. D. H. 
 
REV. 8. I. CURTIS8, SB. 165 
 
 G. Curtiss, formerly of Greenwich, Mass. Her maiden 
 name was Newton. She was born at Paxton, Mass., Dec. 
 5, 1805. Her husband said of her, "Her father died when 
 she was a babe, her mother when she was quite young. 
 Her mother was a minister's daughter, her grandfather 
 was a minister, and," at an advanced age, " took their infant 
 granddaughter to train for Christ. Her grandmother was 
 a minister's daughter. Her first husband was a minister, 
 and she had two uncles that were rfiinisters. She has been 
 a successful teacher in the Sabbath School, and, in her 
 younger days, had a large class of young girls, who 
 through her faithfulness, under God, were all brought into 
 the fold of Christ, and some of them became minister's 
 wives." She was indeed a choice woman, full of faith and 
 good works. Her two daughters, by her first husband, 
 were in the pastor's family in Union, and aided materially 
 in the work of the church. She survived her husband 
 about a year and a half, and died at Nunda, N. Y., where 
 her daughter and husband, the Rev. N. H. Bell, resided. 
 
 Mr. Curtiss continued his active ministry till January, 
 1875, a period of thirty-five years. He still lived among 
 the people as pastor emeritus for several years longer, till 
 after a long illness, he died, of Bright's disease, March 26, 
 1880. 
 
 He was a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus, clear 
 and strong in his convictions, fixed in purpose, and unflinch- 
 ing in the discharge of what he thought to be his duty. 
 He was a man of vigorous constitution, of great energy 
 and activity. He had a very great reverence for God and 
 sacred things and was of a very deep emotional nature. 
 His heart was always very tender and responsive to divine 
 truth, both when he preached the word himself or heard it 
 from the lips of others. He was of a very practical turn 
 of mind, and entered heartily into all reformatory move- 
 ments that he thought would benefit his fellow men. The 
 history of the church in Union is very closely interwoven 
 with the story of his life and the success of his ministry as 
 evinced by the prosperity of that church during the years 
 
1 66 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 of his pastorate is the best tribute to his worth. When he 
 left the work to his successor such had been the financial 
 gain that he said at that time the church could raise $500 
 for the support of the gospel more easily than it could raise 
 $175 when he came to town. 
 
 He was blessed with remarkably good health. He 
 hardly ever took a vacation and was absent from home, 
 except on exchange, very few times during all his minis- 
 try. Beside preaching twice on the Sabbath he frequently 
 held a third service at one of the five school-houses outside 
 the centre at five o'clock in the summer and at "early can- 
 dle lighting" in the winter, beside meetings at private 
 houses. The weekly prayer-meeting was sustained during 
 all those years, and often held at the pastor's house. For 
 many years he was acting school visitor and was greatly 
 interested in all educational efforts for the good of the 
 young people in town. He was very efficient in theearly 
 days of his pastorate, in encouraging singing schools for the 
 benefit of the service of song in the sanctuary. He was wide 
 awake to the cause of missions at home and abroad. In order 
 to have a home he purchased a hou.se with one hundred and 
 thirty acres Of land mostly overgrown with bushes and 
 timber, but with sufficient arable land to support a horse 
 and cow, and to produce a good supply of vegetables for 
 the table. In the management of this place he showed 
 enterprise, energy and stimulated others to do likewise. 
 His memory is blessed, and his "works do follow him." 
 
 REV. GEORGE CURTISS. 
 
 Rev. George Curtiss, the son of Rev. Samuel Ives and 
 Rebecca Tuttle Curtiss, was born at East H ampton, in the 
 town of Chatham, Conn., January 5, 1837. His parents 
 removed to Union when he was three years old. There he 
 spent his childhood and 3^outh, and fitted for college. He 
 was graduated from Amherst college in i860. He was 
 obliged to struggle on during his college course to obtain 
 means to complete his education. He was for two years 
 in the Theological Institute of Connecticut, now the Hart- 
 
f^ 
 
 m 
 
 <"f, 
 
 Rev. George Curtiss. 
 
REV. GEORGE CURTISS. 167 
 
 ford Theological Seminary. In 1863 he graduated from 
 Andover Theological S.eminary. He commenced preaching 
 for a few weeks at Oxford, Mass., and afterwards supplied 
 at Pepperell, Mass., for six months. After preaching in 
 Bristol, R. I., four months, he began to minister to the Con- 
 gregational church in East Avon in Nov. 1864. He was 
 ordained Dec. 28, 1865, and installed pastor of the church 
 at East Avon, June 26, 1866. He was dismissed Sept. 15, 
 1868. He was installed pastor of the Congregational 
 church at Harwinton, Conn., June 30, 1869, and continued 
 there eight years. In 1872 he was elected to the Connecti- 
 cut HouSe of Representatives from Harwinton. 
 
 He was dismissed from the church in Harwinton, May 
 21, 1877, and resided for a year in Amherst, Mass. In the 
 spring of 1878, he removed to Union and ministered to the 
 church here for about three years. In his sermon at the 
 150th anniversary of the formation of the church, he uses 
 the following language with reference to his ministry here: 
 "In the spring of 1878 the Providence of God led me 
 hither, and at your request I endeavored to break to you 
 the bread of life for about the space of three years. I 
 was glad to serve you, ^d 3^ou seemed glad to have me, 
 and the Lord blessed us both. It was a bright spot in 
 life on many accounts, though sickness and death cast at 
 times heavy shadows. It was a pleasure to address you, 
 to minister at the table of our Lord at times together with 
 the venerable and loved spiritual guide who had led us so 
 long. It was a privilege to go with him as far as possible 
 down into the dark valley and see him safely through this 
 mortal strife. I parted from you with regret. It is pleas- 
 ant to be with you to-day, and celebrate that church life 
 which for a long period we shared in common. Jan. 5, 
 1 85 1, on my birth -day, with a number of others, I entered 
 into covenant with this church to serve the living God. 
 ' High Heaven that heard the solemn vow. 
 
 That vow renewed shall daily hear 
 Till in life's latest hour I bow. 
 
 And bless in death a bond so dear.' " 
 
i68 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 The pleasure he felt in being- with the church was 
 reciprocated. His genial and affable nature made him 
 loved and esteemed by all those who knew him. The 
 church at Union was sorry when he received a call which 
 he accepted, to the Wethersfield Avenue Congregational 
 church at Hartford. He began ministering to it in May, 
 1881, and continued there till 1889. On Jan. i, 1890, he 
 commenced work as pastor of the Congregational church 
 at Mayville, North Dakota, and was installed pastor in 
 September, of that year. 
 
 There have been few persons into whose lot has fallen 
 so much family bereavement as in that of Mr. Curtiss. 
 When he was five years old his good mother and elder sis- 
 ter were stricken down by a stroke of lightning. Elvira 
 Corbin, the wife of his youth, and mother of four of his 
 children, died at Harwinton, April 17, 1875. She was a 
 very estimable woman, greatly beloved in all the places 
 where she lived. The next year their son George C. followed 
 his mother. (For dates see the genealogy). Tn 1877, Mr. 
 Curtiss married again, but his wife survived only a little 
 over three months, dying at Amherst, June 27th, three days 
 after the death of his youngest son John. The next year 
 the bereaved father and his two remaining children came 
 to Union. While there his father died. He married a 
 third time in 1880, Miss Martha A. Blakely of Bristol, Conn. 
 They had one child who died within a year. While Mr. 
 Curtiss was preaching the anniversary sermon at Union, 
 Dec. 13th, 1888, his wife lay on her death-bed, and died on 
 Dec. 24th. And hence his life has been filled with far more 
 than the usual amount of sorrow and affliction. But it has 
 doubtless developed in him such a character that he is able 
 far better to sympathize with his fellow-men and make his 
 life one of great usefulness in the Gospel ministry. 
 
 REV. SAMUEL IVES CURTISS, PH. D., D. D., PROFESSOR OF OLD 
 TESTAMENT LITERATURE IN THE CHICAGO 
 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 
 
 Among the natives of Union, of whom the town may 
 well be proud, is Prof. S. I. Curtiss, of Chicago. He has 
 
PROF. SAMUEL I. CURTISS, PH. D., D.D. 
 
PROF. S. I. CURTISS. 169 
 
 gone forth from these Union hills to become a great 
 Hebrew scholar, and one of the prominent theological 
 instructors of the country. 
 
 He was born in Union, February 5th, 1844, being the 
 son of Rev. Samuel I. Curtiss and Eliza Ives Curtiss. His 
 mother was a granddaughter of Rev. Jesse Ives, a Congre- 
 gational minister, who served the church at Monson, Mass., 
 for thirty-two years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was hindered in his early 
 studies by poor health, but neither this circumstance nor 
 the fact that he was largely dependent on himself for his 
 support prevented his preparing for college. He did this 
 at Monson Academy, Mass., where he graduated with the 
 highest honor. His college course at Amherst, begun in 
 1862, was interrupted by illness, and he was obliged to drop 
 his studies for a year. This time of enforced absence from 
 college was spent in part in securing money to repair his 
 father's church in Union. He visited Hartford, New 
 Haven, New London and other places, interested people 
 in the church at Union and secured their subscriptions for 
 its repair. In this work he was eminently successful, mani- 
 festing a talent which in later years has rendered good ser- 
 vice to the cause of City Missions in Chicago, and to the 
 Chicago Theological Seminary. 
 
 Young Curtiss completed his college course in 1867, with 
 honor. While ranking high as a student in college, he was 
 also among the most active in Christian work. And he 
 seems to have been successful in this, for he had a tempt- 
 ing offer to leave college and go into city missionary work. 
 The year of graduation from Amherst was also the year of 
 entering the Union Theological Seminary at New York. 
 A tutorship in the family of Dr. John Hall led to his taking 
 charge of the Alexander chapel in the vacation between 
 Middle and Senior years. He continued this missionary 
 work during the last year of his Seminary course and the 
 two succeeding years. He entered with his whole heart 
 into this work and felt at the time that he had found his 
 calling. On May loth, 1870, he married Mrs. Laura W. 
 
lyo 
 
 BIOGBAPEICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Sessions, widow of Jared D. Sessions. After two years, in 
 1872, he went abroad for further theological study. He 
 went to Leipzig, where he remained till 1878. His location 
 in Leipzig after he had visited various German universities 
 was due to the attraction of Prof. Delitzsch, one of the 
 greatest of the German Old Testament scholars. From 
 the first Prof. Delitzsch showed him much kindness. He 
 not only directed his studies, but also gave him private 
 instruction amounting to three or four hours a week. It 
 was rare good fortune to be permitted to work with him 
 year after year. 
 
 The work of Mr. Curtiss in Leipzig was characteristic 
 of the man. While stud3'ing the Semitic languages with 
 enthusiasm, under the great German professors, he was 
 also actively engaged in behalf of the spiritual welfare of 
 the English-speaking community at Leipzig. He inaug- 
 urated weekly prayer-meetings, which were held in his 
 rooms, and also founded the American chapel. 
 
 He took the degree of Ph. D., in 1876. He remained yet 
 two 3'ears in Leipzig, engaged in literary work. He pub- 
 lished several works on Old Testament subjects. 
 
 In 1878, Dr. Curtiss was called to the chair of Biblical 
 Literature in Chicago Theological Seminary, to succeed 
 Prof. S. C. Bartlett, who had accepted a call to the presi- 
 dency of Dartmouth College. Before leaving Germany he 
 was granted the honorary degree of Licentiate of Theology 
 by the Berlin University. 
 
 Dr. Curtiss came to Chicago with the purpose to advance 
 the study of Semitic languages, more especially the study 
 of Hebrew. From the beginning of his professorship, he 
 has stimulated young men to prepare for advanced work 
 in the Seminary by mastering the elements of Hebrew 
 before entering the Seminary. He has always given freely 
 of his time to enable candidates to accomplish this desir- 
 able end. He also established prizes for those who passed 
 the best entrance examinations in Hebrew. 
 
 In addition to his work as an instructor in the Seminary, 
 Prof. Curtiss has written on various topics. In 1880, he pub- 
 
PROF. S. I. CUBTISS. 171 
 
 lished a popular refutation of Ingersoll's " The Mistakes of 
 Moses," also a translation of Delitzsch's Messianic Proph- 
 ecies. In 1881, he published a monograph on "The Date 
 of our Gospels in the Light of the Latest Criticism," and 
 a translation of Delitzsch's Old Testament History of 
 Redemption. In 1883, with two of his colleagues he helped 
 to found the annual entitled Current Discussions in Theology. 
 To this he has contributed the article on Old Testament 
 Theology for seven years. In 1888-1889, he prepared man- 
 uals for his students on Old Testament Introduction, Old 
 Testament Theology, the Major Prophets and the Old Tes- 
 tament History of Redemption. In 1891, he published a 
 memorial volume on Franz Delitzsch, and a new edition 
 of Delitzch's Messianic Prophecies. 
 
 Professor Curtiss has had an important part in Chicago 
 city missionary work. By preaching in missionary chapels 
 and visiting from house to house, often accompanied by a 
 student, he has built up several self-supporting churches. 
 He has been a director, vice-president and president of the 
 Chicago City Missionary Society. The office of president 
 he has held since 1888. 
 
 Professor Curtiss has twice been called to a professorship 
 in the Andover Theological Seminary, but has declined the 
 call, preferring his work in Chicago. 
 
 With regard to theological views, Professor Curtiss is 
 at once progressive and conservative. He accepts the 
 results of the higher criticism as soon as they are sup- 
 ported by sufficient evidence to warrant their acceptance. 
 The inspiration of the Old Testament writings does not 
 depend for him upon the vindication of their traditional 
 authorship. He does not regard the Pentateuch as the 
 work of Moses, but as made up of different documents by 
 unknown authors, excepting those passages which are 
 explicitly ascribed to Moses. He agrees with the majority 
 of critics that the second part of Isaiah is not the work of 
 that prophet, but originated much later. He has a firm 
 belief in the inspiration of the Bible, and believes that, 
 though there inay be errors in details, it is the infallible 
 
172 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 rule of faith and practice. His influence for good in train- 
 ing young men for efficient service in promoting the cause 
 of Christ, and in impressing upon them his own earnest 
 and devout spirit, is inestimable. 
 
 CAPTAIN CHAUNCEY PAUL. 
 
 There is no name perhaps more closely connected with 
 the history of Union, than that of Captain Chauncey Paul, 
 who spent his long life of 90 years entirely in town. He 
 was born in Union, Feb. loth, 1798. He received his edu- 
 cation from the district schools of town, supplemented by 
 his wide reading. He had a taste for law and in his fre- 
 quent connection with the courts acquired an extensive 
 and thorough knowledge of legal matters. He served as 
 deputy sheriff for a number of years, and his business 
 required him to spend a large part of his time away from 
 home. In his younger years he was captain of a company 
 of cavalry from Union, and the neighboring towns. He 
 ever afterwards went by the name of " Captain," or "Cap'n " 
 Paul. In early life, like his military associates (and in fact 
 like nearly every one in those days), he was of convivial 
 habits. But about the time of the temperance reform, upon 
 seeing on one occasion, a friend, overcome by drink, forci- 
 bly ejected from the place where he had been made drunk, 
 he indignantly vowed to drink no more. He signed the 
 pledge and turned squarely round and was ever afterwards 
 a staunch advocate of temperance. He was foremost in 
 the temperance reform in town, and with Rev. Mr. Curtiss 
 and others, held meetings in every school-house, for the 
 purpose of getting people to take the pledge. He delivered 
 lectures on temperance in the vicinity for several years. 
 Up to the time that he signed the pledge, he had been a 
 democrat. He was told by a party leader that if he per- 
 sisted in keeping his pledge he should never hold office in 
 Union again. This terrible threat was too much for a boon 
 companion who recanted, but the captain when telling the 
 incident afterwards would say, " I told them that they had 
 played their best trump, but I would take the trick." His 
 
Capt. Chauncey Paul. 
 
Mrs. Chauncey Paul. 
 
CAPTAIN CHAUNGEY PAUL. 
 
 17: 
 
 later life commanded the more respect and he lived to 
 hold every important office which his townsmen could give 
 him. He was strong in his convictions, and always out- 
 spoken. He hated rum and slavery, and was never back- 
 ward about expressing this. He joined the republican 
 party at its organization, and was a staunch republican the 
 rest of his life. He was often a judge of the probate court 
 for the district of Stafford and Union. He was town clerk 
 from 1842 to 1845, selectman in 1848, and representative in 
 the Legislature in the years 1862, 1868 and 1869. He was 
 a careful and judicious legislator and impressed his per- 
 sonality strongly on those who were members of the legis- 
 lature during those years. When Governor Buckingham 
 was chosen U. S. Senator, there had been some discussion 
 whether to elect General Hawley or Governor Buckingham 
 to that office. Captain Paul arose and said in substance, 
 " General Hawley is still young. He can afford to wait. 
 Governor Buckingham deserves this honor for the service 
 he has rendered. We will elect /«>«." This won over a 
 number of votes and Governor Buckingham was elected. 
 The Captain was always in favor of the business of the 
 legislature moving along promptly. He opposed dallying 
 and delay. He used to move the previous question so 
 frequently that he came to be called by some "Old Previ- 
 ous Question." Had he had the advantage of a liberal edu- 
 cation he would have been a still greater power throughout 
 the state. He was a safe counselor. He administered 
 upon many estates, and the poor in need of advice went to 
 him and always got it. Widows with encumbered estates 
 to settle, soldiers entitled to pensions, neighbors in fear of 
 or engaged in litigation, all found in him a sympathetic 
 and wise adviser, always willing to give time to hearing 
 and counseling, without price. When disqualified by age 
 from serving as justice of the peace, he was made a com- 
 missioner of the superior court, and annually re-appointed, 
 holding at the time of his death, a commission signed by 
 Governor Lounsbury. For over half a century he was a 
 director of the Tolland County Mutual Fire Insurance 
 Company. 
 
174 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 He was a firm believer in an overruling Providence, but 
 was not a member of any church. His influence was 
 always in favor of the right, and he was much interested 
 in building up the society in which he lived. He was 
 looked up to as a man of firm convictions and integrity of 
 purpose, and he was a helper in every good work. He died 
 June i8th, 1888, at the age of 90. 
 
 HARVEY WALKER. 
 
 Harvey Walker was the son of Timothy Walker, of Ash- 
 ford. He came to Union about 1827, and commenced work 
 in the store which Moses White had started at Mashapaug. 
 He thus became established in business. This he enlarged 
 after a few years by beginning to manufacture boots and 
 shoes. About 1836, he formed a partnership with Mr. Jud- 
 son vSmith, which was continued till 1841. During his sub- 
 sec|uent career he was associated in business with a number 
 of different persons. (See the Industrial History). And 
 it may be said as indicating the ability and honesty of the 
 man, that he never had a partner who failed to be benefited 
 by his connection with him. He started poor, but by dili- 
 gent work, persistent energy and strict integrity, won well 
 deserved success in his business, and rose to a position of 
 comparative wealth. He was thorough in whatever he 
 undertook to do. He not only looked after every detail of 
 his store and manufacturing business, but he was a good 
 farmer as well. Rev. S. I. Curtiss, his pastor, said of him: 
 " Mr. Harvey Walker was always in his seat on the Sab- 
 bath, when he was at home. As a business man he knew 
 just where he stood, and met promptly and honorably all 
 his liabilities, and thereby had the confidence of the com- 
 munity and of business men. Upon this method of doing 
 business, he accumulated from comparative poverty a large 
 estate." 
 
 At the time of his death he was a partner in four 
 different concerns, viz.: Walker, Corbin & Tourtelotte, at 
 Mashapaug; Sessions, Carpenter & Co., of Toronto, Canada; 
 Bates, King & Co., of Fiskdale, Mass., and Sessions, Tob}^ 
 & Co., tanners of sole leather, in Canada. 
 
Harvey Walker. 
 
HANNAE MOORE. > 175 
 
 He was married to Miss Julia Ann White, daughter of 
 Moses White, May i6th, 1833. They had six children, four 
 of whom lived to grow up to maturity. In his family, he 
 was kind and alfectionate. He was a true Christian man, 
 and a generous supporter of the church at Union. He died 
 suddenly of malignant pustule, March 4th, i860, aged 52. 
 Mrs. Julia Walker, his wife, was a most estimable lady. 
 She was thoroughly devoted to the interests of the church, 
 and after her husband's death, took a leading part in secur- 
 ing the repair of the meeting-house, giving liberally her- 
 self and encouraging others to the work. After leaving 
 town to reside with her children, she still continued to 
 give freely of her means to help support the preaching of 
 the gospel in Union. She died Dec. 13, 1891, while with 
 her daughter Laura, the wife of Prof. S. I. Curtiss, D. D., 
 at Chicago. 
 
 Mrs. Walker manifested her interest in the church at 
 Union, by leaving a legacy of five hundred dollars, the 
 income of which was to go to support preaching at the 
 Congregational church. 
 
 HANNAH MOORE, 
 
 the daughter of Samuel and Amy Whiton Moore, was born 
 in Union, Nov. 22, 1808. She joined the Congregational 
 church at Union, Sept. 6, 1829, where she continued her 
 membership till Jan. 1842, when she was dismissed to join 
 the church in Dwight, Cherokee nation. She went thither 
 from New York city, April 28, 1841, and continued there as 
 teacher till Jan., 1846, when she was transferred to Mt. 
 Pleasant, Choctaw nation, but left a few months later. vShe 
 was a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners 
 for Foreign Missions among these tribes. She afterwards 
 went to West Africa as a missionary, where she labored for 
 ten years. She frequently sent letters describing her inis- 
 sionary work, to the church at Union, in which she took a 
 warm interest. She died at Leland, Mich., March 2, 1868, 
 aged 59. She was a woman of ^reat ability, and of a noble 
 and devoted Christian character. 
 
176 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ■ 
 
 MRS. CALISTA HOLMAN VINTON. 
 
 It is with great pleasure that we record the life of one 
 who went from Union to the distant land of Burmah, there 
 on the opposite side of the globe, to toil for the salvation 
 and elevation of the down-trodden Karen people. Union 
 may well be proud to be the birthplace of one whose strong 
 influence for good was felt so far away. 
 
 Calista Holman, daughter of Thomas and Lavinia Hol- 
 man, was born April 19, 1807, at the house south of the east 
 school-house. When she was in her sixteenth year she had 
 a severe illness which lasted two years. During this pain- 
 ful experience she was converted and became wholly sub- 
 missive to the will of God. She desired baptism and was 
 baptized in March, 1822, in the brook by the roadside, east 
 of the Putnam place. It was then supposed that she would 
 never recover but was near her end. She was taken to the 
 house where Squire Luther Crawford then lived, and 
 received into the Baptist church at West Woodstock. Elder 
 Grow, the pastor, in administering the Lord's Supper to 
 her, said: "This is our sister's first communion, and it will 
 probably be her last. We now receive her into the church 
 militant. She will soon be in the church triumphant." 
 But so far from being about to enter the church triumph- 
 ant, she had thirty years of Christian warfare before her. 
 The frail girl of eighteen, whose baptism was looked on as 
 the last important act of her life, was destined to cross the 
 ocean and for thirty years endure hardships, and perform 
 an amount of labor which would have broken down an 
 ordinary constitution. 
 
 Her recovery dated from her baptism. She became 
 restored to health and began to think that her life was 
 given to her for some noble purpose. After much prayer 
 and self-examination she resolved to devote herself to the 
 work of foreign missions. She was thrown upon her own 
 resources for the completion of her education, and that 
 special training necessary to fit her for the work of her 
 life. By teaching and studying alternately she obtained, 
 however, an education far in advance of that attained by 
 
MMS. GALISTA H. VINTON. 177 
 
 most women of that day. She studied with the pastor at 
 West Woodstock, where she became acquainted with Justus 
 H. Vinton of Willington. He studied at the Hamilton 
 Literary and Theological Institute (now Colgate Univer- 
 sity). Mr. Vinton and Miss Holman were married April 9, 
 1834. They had already chosen Burmah as the field of 
 their future labor, and had spent a 3'ear together at Hamil- 
 ton, studying Karen with a native, Ko-chet-thaing, who 
 had come with Rev. Mr. Wade. They sailed in July, 1834, 
 for Burmah, in company with other missionaries. Their 
 devoted character is shown by the fact that on the passage, 
 they engaged in earnest and successful labor for the salva- 
 tion of the crew. They landed in Maulmain in December, 
 1834, after a long passage of five inonths. They very soon 
 began work, traveling through the jungles and preaching 
 in the Karen villages. They went separately in order to 
 reach more people. Their lives were those of great activ- 
 ity and intense devotion to the work of preaching the 
 Gospel. They visited America in 1848, after fourteen years' 
 absence, and made addresses in many places, arousing 
 great missionary enthusiasm. They returned to Burmah, 
 in 1850. In 1852 the war between the English and the 
 Burmese broke out. The down-trodden Karens who looked 
 for deliverance to the English, were very cruelly treated 
 by the Burmese during the war. The Vintons had previ- 
 ously worked in Maulmain and its vicinity. But now their 
 services were so greatly needed in looking after the perse- 
 cuted Christian Karens of Rangoon, that they changed 
 their field of labor to that city. After the war closed by 
 the triumph of the English, their mission station was 
 established at Kemmendine, a short distance out of Ran- 
 goon. Here Mrs. Vinton taught a large High School, with 
 great ability and success. Mr. Vinton died March 31, 
 1858. After his death the responsibility of looking after 
 and guiding the infant churches devolved largely on Mrs. 
 Vinton. In 1859 she was joined by her daughter Calista, 
 who had been getting her education at Suftield, Conn. In 
 1861, her son Brainerd finished his course at Madison Uni- 
 
1^8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 versity, married Julia A. Haswell, and returned to Burmah. 
 The taxing labors which had devolved on Mrs. Vinton, had 
 so broken down her health that in 1862 it became necessary 
 for her to return to America. She came by way of Eng- 
 land, where she found many friends who had known of her 
 work in Burmah. While in America she was called tipon 
 to make many missionary addresses, and allowed herself 
 little rest. She not only spoke in many places in New 
 England and the Middle States, but made a trip through 
 Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and portions of Canada. The 
 effect of her earnest words on the communities and 
 churches was thrilling. Enthusiasm was everywhere 
 aroused, and the missionary spirit quickened in many 
 places where it had almost ceased to exist. Hearts were 
 touched by the simple appeals of that gray-haired, widowed 
 missionary, who, having spent 3^ears of toil and privation 
 among the heathen, was about to return to them in all the 
 freshness of her sanctified zeal for God, there to finish her 
 toil and thence to ascend to her reward. Her friends would 
 gladly have had her remain longer in this country. But 
 her heart was in Burmah, and in December, 1863, she sailed 
 for England and thence by the "Overland Route," {via 
 Egypt and the Red Sea), to Calcutta and Rangoon, arriving 
 in March, 1864. She engaged in the work of the mission 
 with great hopefulness. But it soon became evident that 
 the old disease had not been eradicated from her system 
 by her brief visit to America. On Dec. 6, of the same year, 
 her daughter with her husband. Rev. R. M. Luther, arrived. 
 Her health steadily declined, and she died Dec. 18, 1864. 
 
 It has been said of her and her husband, "Seldom, if 
 ever, has there been an instance where a missionary and 
 his wife were both so eminently qualified for the work and 
 so eminently successful, as Justus Hatch Vinton and 
 Calista Holman Vinton. To an uncommon strength of 
 mind there was added in each a deep piety and a strong 
 and ardent faith. They entered upon the work purposing 
 to make great sacrifices and expecting through the Divine 
 assistance to have many souls for their hire, and in these 
 
BEV. THOMAS HOLMAN. 
 
 179 
 
 expectations they were not disappointed." Their son, Dr. 
 J. B. Vinton, continued their work till his death, June 23, 
 1887. He was a man of remarkable abilit}^ and did a 
 great work. Mr. and Mrs. Luther remained there till 1872 
 when he took the jungle fever, and they were obliged to 
 return to America. He was afterwards unable to return 
 but became district secretary of the Baptist Missionary 
 Union, and now has a pastorate at Newark, N. J. Mrs. 
 Luther is a practicing physician. 
 
 REV. THOMAS HOLMAN, 
 
 the youngest son of Thomas and Lavinia Howard Holman, 
 was born in Union, July 15, 18 12. His mother was a noble 
 Christian woman who trained her children to habits of 
 industry and in the fear of God. He was converted and 
 joined the church at N. Ashford, when seventeen years of 
 age. In early life he evinced a strong desire to obtain an 
 education. By teaching and self-denial he was enabled to 
 enter Madison University, now Colgate, at Hamilton, N. Y., 
 in 1833, from which he graduated in 1838. He also studied 
 theology there, finishing the course in 1840, although his 
 health was frail during his student life. He was ordained 
 September 10, 1840, at Southbridge, Mass., and designated 
 to preach the gospel in destitute portions of the West. 
 The same year, in company with his brother-in-law and 
 sister, Rev. Rodolphus and Minerva H. Weston, he went to 
 Illinois, and located ?it Carthage, Hancock county. Here 
 he engaged in preaching and teaching. In 1845, he returned 
 to Connecticut, and was married. August 6, 1846, to Maria 
 Louisa Crawford, daughter of Charles Crawford. They 
 went West that same year and settled in Bloomington, 111., 
 where he preached two years, until failing health compelled 
 him to return East. He preached at Tolland, Conn., for a 
 time, then at Stafford for five years, where he was very 
 successful and greatly beloved. He next preached at West 
 Woodstock for two years. In 1854, he went to Rockford, 
 111., and soon after to Beloit, Wis., where he labored five 
 years both in the church and for the cause of education as 
 
i8o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 superintendent of schools. Later he preached at Darling- 
 ton, Madison, and Oshkosh, Wis., at which last place he 
 labored from 1866 to 1870. From this time to his death 
 poor health prevented him from taking a regular pastorate, 
 although he preached more or less in the vicinity of Rock- 
 ford, where he resided. He made a visit East in 1882, and 
 died October 4, 1883. 
 
 His was a life of toil and sacrifice, the compensation 
 paid by the pioneer churches being meagre, but one of use- 
 fulness and consecrated devotion to the work of the Chris- 
 tian ministry. His wife and daughter reside in Rockford. 
 The latter is a teacher of music and painting. 
 
 MOSES G. LEONARD, 
 
 son of Daniel, Sr., worked on his father's farm and attended 
 the district school till he was seventeen years of age, when 
 he began the profession of teaching. He taught first in 
 Vermont, then in Woodstock, and afterwards in Rockland 
 Co., N. Y., for four years. There he married Catherine 
 Barmore. He then moved to New York city, and after 
 teaching two years engaged in mercantile pursuits. From 
 1840 to 1850, he took an active part in the political affairs 
 of his city and state, being alderman, and for three years 
 sole commissioner of charities and prisons. In 1842, he 
 was elected Representative in the Twenty-seventh Con- 
 gress of the United States. In 1849, he was commissioned 
 to take charge of mercantile and mining operations in Cali- 
 fornia. For nineteen years he conducted a farm in Rock- 
 land Co., N. Y. During his mercantile life he was prom- 
 inent in organizing and building up the Knickerbocker 
 and Washington Ice Companies. Of the former, he was 
 vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and of the latter, 
 president, until his retirement from btisiness in 1873. He 
 is still living in Brooklyn, N. Y. He has had seven children. 
 
 JARED D. SESSIONS. 
 
 Among those men who have gone forth from Union to 
 achieve that eminent success which the qualities of steady 
 
Jared D. Sessions. 
 
JARED D. SESSIONS. i8i 
 
 industry, untiring energy and practical sagacity are sure 
 to bring, stands the name of Jared Dana Sessions. 
 
 Starting in life amidst narrow and unpromising circum- 
 stances, with all the early influences of education, experi- 
 ence, opportunity and fortune positively against him, strug- 
 gling at first against difficulties insurmountable to less 
 determined men, never attempting anything but a strictly 
 legitimate business, and dying while 3^et in the prime of 
 manhood, he has left behind him, as a monument of his 
 perfect success, a munificent fortune, and a. reputation 
 enviable not only for those peculiar qualities that insure 
 success in business, but for those other qualities of ster- 
 ling integrity, general good sense, gentle deportment and 
 genial feeling, that mark the conscientious man and the 
 true gentleman. 
 
 Mr. Sessions was born December 27, 1820. He was the 
 son of Abijah Sessions, who lived on the place south of 
 where Thomas Rindge now lives. Here his son Jared 
 passed his earlier life, working on his father's farm at 
 times, yet, even here, taking the initial steps, and, in some 
 sort, qualifying himself for the business undertakings 
 that were to follow, for even at that early period New Eng- 
 land was literally the shoe-shop of the country, and " bot- 
 toming brogans " had become a favorite occupation on 
 many of the secluded farms of Union. In this way he 
 took his first lessons in the shoe business, working on the 
 bench, and, acting on the maxim that he afterwards carried 
 so successfully through his whole life, that "whatever was 
 worth doing at all was worth doing well," he soon came to 
 know not only all the points of a good shoe, but also to 
 make one with his own hands. 
 
 This accomplished, at the advanced age of twenty-four, 
 he first started out to make the actual commencement of 
 his business, and entered in a subordinate capacity, into 
 the employ of Louis H. Bouton & Co., a shoe house in New 
 York. Here he remained for about six months, working 
 hard and picking up such scraps of experience as his 
 limited opportunities permitted. At the expiration of 
 
i82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 this period he returned to his native town, where, in the 
 little village of Mashapaug, he entered into a partnership 
 with the late Harvey Walker, then one of the lesser pio- • 
 neer manufacturers of brogans and russets. This, the ' 
 firm of Walker & Sessions, was the real starting- point and 
 nucleus of all those extensive interests, with which he was 
 subsequently connected. 
 
 The business of Walker & Sessions, at first extremely 
 limited, rapidly expanded and prospered under the new and 
 united management, but not in proportion to the expand- 
 ing experience and broadening views of Mr. Sessions, who 
 soon helped to establish the firm of Sessions, Bates & Co., 
 at Fiskdale, Mass., and this united field, before long, becom- 
 ing in turn too limited for the plans of Mr. Sessions, the 
 branch firm of Carpenter (S: Co., was, in 1855, established 
 in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Vernon E. Carpenter taking the 
 active management, and Sessions, Bates & Co., stocking 
 the establishment. 
 
 This experiment proving a success, though in a moder- 
 ate way, and promising still better things, a reorganization 
 was effected, and in 1856, Mr. Sessions removed to Toronto 
 in person. Here his firm soon grew from its humble posi- 
 tion into one of the largest, most influential and prosper- 
 ous manufacturing and jobbing houses in Canada West. 
 No one who went into partnership with Mr. Sessions failed 
 to be materially prospered, in proportion to the extent of 
 his connection with the business. 
 
 While residing in Canada, Mr. Sessions engaged quite 
 extensively in tanning; his first undertaking in that busi- 
 ness being with Mr. D. B. Simpson, of Binghamton, N. Y., 
 and his subsequent and more extended operations with Mr. 
 Warren Toby, in the provinces. The same careful and 
 energetic management in these new fields secured him the 
 same marked success as in another department of the busi- 
 ness. 
 
 In the spring of 1862, Mr. vSessions established his resi- 
 dence in the flourishing little city of Binghamton, N. Y. 
 He had closed out his tanning business, but still retained 
 
JARED D. SESSIONS. 183 
 
 his connection with the old firm in Toronto, and had pro- 
 vided himself with an elegant home in Binghamton, with 
 the intention of throwing off the harness of business and 
 enjoying life more at leisure; but the working habits of 
 the old business proved too strong for him, and he soon 
 connected himself with Lester Brothers & Co., one of the 
 earliest and most successful boot and shoe houses of that 
 section. With this new infusion of capital and experience, 
 ■ the business of the firm— largely manufacturing — gradually 
 grew from the moderate figures of seventy-five or a hundred 
 thousand dollars a year, into more than four-fold propor- 
 tions. He also connected himself with several other firms. 
 Mr. Sessions afterwards went to Boston, and at the time of 
 his death. May, 1868, was living in Maiden, Mass. 
 
 The sudden decease of Mr. Sessions, while yet in the 
 meridian of his days, with his experience still ripening, 
 his powers all unimpaired, and his ambition contemplating 
 still more extensive purposes in the future, cast a gloom on 
 many a private circle, and took away a strong prop, that 
 could ill be spared, from many a scattered business inter- 
 est. His individual friends lost one whose many quiet 
 virtues could be known only to themselves, and the great 
 shoe and leather fraternity one who, in all his acts and 
 aims, cherished and promoted its best interests. 
 
 He never allowed his credit to become jeopardized by 
 getting "cramped" or "hard up," but deliberately looking 
 through each transaction to its legitimate result, always 
 had some provision for every pressure and contingency. 
 Notwithstanding his great amount of business he never 
 allowed himself to be driven or hurried. With the most 
 persistent and straightforward application, the most admir- 
 able system and method, and an industry that never wearied 
 — attempting but one thing at a time, and everything at its 
 own proper time — he accomplished without apparent fric- 
 tion or fatigue, an amount of labor that would appall most 
 ordinary men. He made a fortune which at his death 
 amounted to over $300,000, the largest ever made by a 
 native of Union. 
 
1 84 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 A very pleasant trait of character was exhibited in his 
 treatment of employes and subordinates. Always exact- 
 ing what right required, yet never unreasonable; always 
 decided, yet never abrupt; quick to discover delinquencies 
 and needless short-comings, yet considerate and forbear- 
 ing; always with a pleasant smile or kind greeting for the 
 most humble, ready at all times to listen to grievances and 
 rectify injustice; prompt to recognize the faithful and meri- 
 torious, to comfort the distressed, and out of his own pri- 
 vate pocket relieve the needy; seeming to take a personal 
 interest in the welfare of each — and all this in such a 
 simple and unostentatious way that he never failed to win 
 the good-will and respect of all the hands in the establish- 
 ment — he never left them but with their most general and 
 sincere regret. 
 
 But most prominent of all, perhaps, among those peculiar 
 traits that distinguished Mr. Sessions from too raan)^ of our 
 business men, was the considerate policy and uniform prac- 
 tice of never attempting to build up his own interests at the 
 ruin or expense of others. Acting upon the manly "live 
 and let live " principle that there was room enough for all, 
 and realizing that the true way to help one's self is often 
 by helping others, but few men have done so much in the 
 way of establishing new interests, building up new houses, 
 and in various ways, by capital, by influence, b}^ experience 
 or advice, assisting such among his acquaintances as he 
 deemed worthy, to a favorable start in business. 
 
 With all his partners and business colleagues, scattered 
 in different sections of the country, and greatly differing 
 in tastes, temperaments and business ideas, he always pre- 
 served the most pleasant relations, and at the end of all, 
 upon the final dissolution of all partnerships, to the sad 
 funeral gathering at the Congregational church in West 
 Woodstock, being suddenly summoned from their respec- 
 tive avocations, they came by ones and twos from different 
 points throughout the United States and Canada, to unite 
 in paying the last sad tribute to their lamented partner, 
 friend and benefactor. 
 
J. Maitland Griggs. 
 
JOSEPH M. GRIGGS. 185 
 
 What sincerer compliment, what more fitting testi- 
 monial or nobler monument to private virtue or business 
 worth, than this spontaneous gathering of so many suc- 
 cessful and honored businessmen! 
 
 JOSEPH MAITLAND GRIGGS, 
 
 the son of Joseph Cheney Griggs, was born in Union, Octo- 
 ber 8, 1 8 16. The only school education which he received 
 was derived in the common schools of his native town. 
 In 1835, he went to Somers, Conn., and was employed there 
 as clerk in a general store for six years. In September, 
 1842, he entered the employ of the Boston and Albany Rail- 
 road at vSpringfield, Mass., as clerk in the superintendent's 
 office. After about a year in the office he was appointed 
 ticket agent, and sold tickets in the depot at Springfield 
 for about eight years. With the increase of traffic on the 
 road Mr. Griggs found the duties of ticket seller too ex- 
 acting for one man and resigned in the fall of 185 1. He 
 was employed as book-keeper in the Phoenix bank of Hart- 
 ford until the following spring. But he had shown himself 
 to be such an honest, able and valuable man that he was 
 soon recalled to the employ of the Boston and Albany road, 
 being appointed in the spring of 1852, receiving clerk 
 and ticket agent, and having charge of all the passenger 
 earnings of the line. He continued in these duties till 1868, 
 when he was relieved of the duties of receiver and made 
 general ticket agent, the two offices being divided. In that 
 year a complete reorganization of the ticket department was 
 made by Mr. Griggs, and the system was then established 
 which has been in vogue ever since. The tickets were 
 printed in series varying from 200 to 10,000, according to 
 the probable demand, and were numbered consecutively. 
 By this method an agent can tell at a glance how many he 
 has sold during the day, and the clerks who count the can- 
 celled ones are aided in their work. Mr. Griggs also de- 
 vised other points by which tickets were improved. His 
 autograph was printed on all the tickets (instead of their 
 being signed by the superintendent as at first), and thus 
 
1 86 BIOORAPHWAL SKETCHES. 
 
 his name has become familiar to the public who travel over 
 the road. He has become better known by name than by 
 face, as few men have confined themselves more closely 
 and methodically to office work than he. His position was 
 a very important one, but in this as well as in all the others 
 which he had previously held, he discharged his duties 
 with entire satisfaction to all those interested in the man- 
 agement of the road. In 1889, the main office of the road 
 was transferred to Boston, and Mr. Griggs resigned his 
 position and retired to private life. He now {1893), lives 
 in his elegant home in Springfield, very much respected by 
 all who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is 
 an example of a self-made man, who without the advan- 
 tages of a wealthy parentage or a liberal education, rose 
 to a high position of trust and responsibility, which he 
 filled with entire satisfaction to the corporation and great 
 credit to himself. 
 
 Miss. SARAH A. PAUL. 
 
 This energetic and talented woman was born September 
 7th, 1834, and was the eighth child of Captain Chauncey 
 Paul. She began her chosen occupation of teaching when 
 she was fifteen years of age, in the Hall district, in vStaf- 
 ford. She afterwards taught in three different districts in 
 Sturbridge, three terms in succession in Woodstock V^al- 
 ley, at North Ashford, and at the East district in Union. 
 She taught several terms both at Mashapaug and at the 
 Center, and also kept several select schools at the latter 
 place. She was also an assistant teacher in a High School 
 in Brooklyn, Conn. 
 
 During the intervals of her teaching she improved her 
 own education by attending the select schools in town, and 
 the State Normal School at New Britain, for one term. 
 She fitted at Monson Academy for Mount Holyoke Semi- 
 nary. She was at the latter place three years, and would 
 have graduated had not sickness and death prevented. 
 While she was there one of the buildings of the vSeminary 
 took fire. She exerted severely, herself with the other stu- 
 
r 
 
 Miss. Sarah Paul. 
 
SARAS A. PAUL. 187 
 
 dents, in extinguishing the flames. She took cold and never 
 recovered, but after a long sickness died Feb. 14th, 1870. 
 
 Her ability as a teacher is well shown by a report of the 
 School Committee of Woodstock, concerning her school 
 there. It said: 
 
 ''In many respects she was a superior teacher. No one 
 visiting her school for half a day could doubt her ability 
 as a teacher. Teaching is her employment, and we might 
 almost say her meat and drink. Her standard is high, 
 what would satisfy others does not satisfy her. She devo- 
 ted to her school a wonderful amount of labor and strength 
 hearing classes in the morning before school hours, during 
 intermission and then again after school, sometimes till 
 dark — then returning again to teach in the evening. She 
 has the faculty of eliciting thought and keeping the mind 
 constantly on the stretch. Her system and order were 
 excellent. There was no resort to corporal punishment, the 
 teacher's displeasure and sharp rebukes were punishment 
 enough for most scholars. The acting visitors were enthu- 
 siastic in praise of this teacher and one of them declared 
 that for ability to arouse all the energies of a school and 
 to secure intense application of mind she had no rival 
 among all the other teachers he had ever known." 
 
 Her energy and enthusiasm were shown in connection 
 with the building of the new school-house at Mashapaug. 
 She was "the ruling spirit behind the throne," and secured 
 a unanimity and a heartiness among the people of the dis- 
 trict, in regard to building the new house, which was 
 highly creditable. She formed the plan of the house and 
 had it so constructed as to be convenient, neat and pleasant 
 to the eye. When the house was finished she gave the 
 people no rest until the ground around was leveled and put 
 into good shape. Through her especial efforts she estab- 
 lished a valuable library. Among the substantial works 
 for reference was the American Encyclopaedia. It was also 
 through her influence that the district purchased a twenty- 
 five dollar eight-day clock. After the house was completed 
 she invited a gentleman connected with the Normal School 
 
1 88 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 at New Britain, to give a lecture on education in the new 
 house. He came on the evening set apart for the occasion; 
 Rev. Mr. Curtiss was also present, and there was a large 
 audience. The new house was dedicated by prayer and 
 other appropriate exercises, to the cause of education in 
 the true import of the word, intellectual, moral and physi- 
 cal. 
 
 The following extracts are made from her funeral ser- 
 mon which was preached by Rev. S. I. Curtiss: 
 
 " In all her secular pursuits she aimed to glorify God. 
 She so arranged and pursued them that she might increase 
 her usefulness in the church and the world, and to her best 
 ability fulfill the mission which Christ had given her to 
 perform. She believed that her special mission was teach- 
 ing, and to be a good and successful teacher, she must be 
 as highly qualified in her mental and moral powers as pos- 
 sible, and for the accomplishment of this object purposed 
 in her heart t<3 obtain a liberal education in the Female 
 Seminary at South Hadley. ***** g^t; her pur- 
 pose was made in faith and love to God and His cause and 
 she went forward step by step, as fast as the way opened, 
 and the way did open, until she finished her education. 
 But she toiled in the school-room year after year, securing 
 her power and popularity as a teacher, that she might do 
 good to those committed to her charge. Though she 
 valued money as the means to the accomplishment of the 
 noble purpose of her soul, yet she loved to teach and had 
 rather do it than not. She had an enthusiasm in it. * * 
 
 * * * She stood firm for the right everywhere. In 
 carrying out her plans to promote the well-being of the 
 community, she was energetic, persistent, and persevering, 
 until the work she had in hand was accomplished. * * * 
 
 * * To the unthinking, the remote circumstances con- 
 nected with her death inay seem imprudent, if not rash. 
 But here is an instance in which she forgot herself in doing 
 good to others. The interests of the Seminary and all that 
 was connected with it, filled her mind, and nerved her with 
 almost supernatural strength until the great burden of her 
 
'SS^^^^^:^^iv\^.^iM:k^i^^^^M' -^ ', 
 
 David P. Corbin, A. M. 
 
DAVID P. CORBIN. 189 
 
 heart was rolled off in extinguishing the fire through her 
 heroic efforts and those of her associates in learning. 
 Doubtless it will be seen in the wisdom of God, and the 
 wonderful plan of redemption, that this was no waste of 
 life any more than the alabaster box of ointment which the 
 woman in the Gospel took and poured upon the head of 
 Jesus, was a waste of money." 
 
 Though she died at the age of thirty six, yet she accom- 
 plished a noble work, the influence of which will be felt 
 for many years to come. 
 
 DAVID p. CORBIN. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Union, July nth, 
 1833, and was the oldest son of Benjamin and Maria P. Cor- 
 bin. After attending the district school near his father's 
 house, he went to Ashford and Eastford to the select 
 schools which were held there in the falls of 1848 and 1849. 
 In 1850, he was instrumental in starting the select schools 
 in Union. He attended these three falls, and taught win- 
 ters. In Union he taught in the Rock-meadow and South- 
 west districts, and began to manifest those qualities which 
 afterwards made him so successful as a teacher. He inter- 
 ested the scholars in study, and encouraged several to seek 
 for a liberal education. He pursued his own studies at 
 Groton Academy, where Rev. Charles Hammond was prin- 
 cipal, and also for a short time at Madison University, at 
 Hamilton, N. Y., in company with Justus V. Lawson. He 
 finished his preparation for college at the Connecticut Lit- 
 erary Institution at Suffield, Conn. In the fall of 1856, he 
 entered Brown University, at Providence, R. I., and grad- 
 uated there in i860. After his graduation he taught a year 
 at Suffield and had just entered upon a second year when 
 the call came for 300,000 men to serve in the army for nine 
 months. Mr. Corbin was an intense patriot, and he enlisted 
 in the service of his country August 25th, 1862, to serve 
 nine months. He at once began to raise recruits in Suf- 
 field, and soon after came to Union and secured a consider- 
 able number of volunteers here. These men from Union, 
 
ipo BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 with those from Suffield, were mustered into Company G, 
 of the 22nd Reo-iment. Mr. Corbin was appointed ist lieu- 
 tenant. On March 2nd, 1863, he was promoted to the rank 
 of captain. (For an account of the regiment, see the mili- 
 tary history). He was mustered out July 7th, 1863. In the 
 fall of that year he started a private high school in Willi- 
 mantic. In this work Mr. Corbin proved his thorough 
 capabilities as a teacher, and as a gentleman of capability 
 and tact thoroughly commended himself to the community. 
 
 In 1865, he taught in East Hartford for a year. In the 
 fall of 1865, he was called to take charge of the new 
 Natchaug school at Willimantic, the higher department of 
 which was the outgrowth of his former school there. He 
 set about at once to develop and perfect a graded system 
 in the new school. He gave it a thorough organization 
 and a lasting impetus. He had the faculty of imparting 
 to his pupils something of his own energy and enthusiasm. 
 He had many entertainments given by the scholars, and 
 interested parents and the jDublic generally in the school. 
 Tuition pupils began to be attracted from the surrounding 
 towns. But Mr. Corbin's excessive disposition to energy 
 was too great for his constitution and he overtaxed himself. 
 Hence he resigned in the fall of 1869, greatly to the regret 
 of the friends of the school. In the words of the resolu- 
 tion passed at the school-meeting which unwillingly dis- 
 missed him, he had "proved himself thoroughly compe- 
 tent for the position," had "satisfied both parents and 
 scholars," had given the school a "good name," and had 
 "laid the foundation of a long prosperity." 
 
 After a short period of rest and diversion, Mr. Corbin 
 accepted the position of principal of the West Middle Pub- 
 lic School at Hartford, which position he held till his death. 
 Here he worked with the same energy and enthusiasm 
 which he had displayed at Willimantic, and won much the 
 same name and fame which he had there. His radical 
 measures were at first strongly opposed by some of the 
 people of the district (which includes many of the wealth- 
 iest and most influential people in Hartford), but he lived 
 
DAVID P. CORBIN. 
 
 191 
 
 to overcome all opposition and the success of his school 
 proved that his ways were best. At the time of his death 
 the Hartford Couraiit said of him, " His excellent qualifica- 
 tions have as a man and a teacher won for him many 
 friends in this city." Mr. Corbin was never very vigorous 
 and robust physically. Toward the close of his career in 
 Hartford he began to be considerably troubled with pul- 
 monary difficulties. In October, 1879, in company with his 
 brother, William M. Corbin, he went to Colorado to seek to 
 regain his health. The disease had progressed too far, 
 however, and his health continued to decline. His wife 
 was with him for a few weeks before his death, which 
 occurred March 15th, 1880, at Larned, Kansas. Funeral 
 services were held at Hartford, which were very impres- 
 sive, the teachers and pupils of the West Middle Public 
 School attending in a body. The services were conducted 
 by Dr. George M. Stone, pastor of the Asylum Avenue Bap- 
 tist church, where Mr. Corbin was a member. Rev. Dr. 
 Twichell of the Congregational church, and Rev. Dr. S. 
 Dryden Phelps, editor of the Christian Secretary. The re- 
 mains were then brought to Union where another service 
 was held Sunday, March 21st, at the Congregational church. 
 Rev. George Curtiss, a life-long friend of the deceased, 
 preached the sermon. Rev. Mr. Matthewson, of North Ash- 
 ford, and Rev. William Randall, of Thompson, a very warm 
 friend of Mr. Corbin, were present. Mr. Curtiss said, among 
 other things, " David P. Corbin was a man of mental and 
 moral strength. That influence was always exerted for 
 the right and for the welfare of his fellows. He had a ten- 
 der conscience and strong convictions of duty. There was 
 a moral earnestness about him that impressed one. He 
 was a lover of his native town and gave himself to his 
 country, served her faithfully and won promotion in her 
 service. He was ever pure in heart and corripanionable. 
 He early gave his heart to Christ, made a profession of 
 religion, and joined the Baptist church at North Ashford. 
 He was a sincere, earnest and manly Christian. His last 
 message to the teachers in his school was, ' Make more of 
 character than of scholarship.' " 
 
192 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 He was buried in the east cemetery, near his birthplace. 
 He left a wife and one son, Frank, who was a most esti- 
 mable young man, biit who was cut off by death, June 21, 
 1886. 
 
 WILLIAM M. CORBIN. 
 
 Hon. William M. Corbin was born in Union, May 13th, 
 1835, being the second son of Dea. Benjamin and Maria P. 
 Corbin, who resided in the eastern part of the town. The 
 subject of this sketch received a common school education 
 in the schools of his native town, and outside of his own 
 school district, attended a select school at the Center four 
 fall terms, from 1850 to 1853, inclusive, thus preparing him 
 for the honorable and successful business career that has 
 followed. In 1853, at the age of eighteen, he left home and 
 took a clerkship in the store and shoe manufacturing estab- 
 lishment of Walker, Sessions & Co., of Mashapaug, and 
 there remained three years. In 1856, at the age of twenty- 
 one, he became a member of the firm of Sessions, Bates & 
 Co., of Fiskdale, Mass., who were also connected with 
 Walker, Sessions & Co., of Mashapaug, and Sessions, Car- 
 penter (Iv: Co., of Toronto, Canada. In 1858, he returned to 
 Mashapaug, and the firm of Walker, Corbin & Tourtellotte 
 was formed to succeed the business of Walker, Sessions & 
 Co. The death of Harvey Walker, the senior member, 
 occurring early in i860, left the management of the busi- 
 ness in the hands of Mr. Corbin, who was made or appointed 
 the sole administrator of Mr. Walker's estate with its large 
 interests. This came to him at the age of twenty-five, and 
 was a responsibility that falls to few at so early an age, 
 and which he carried through in an able and thorough 
 business manner. The firm of Corbin & Tourtellotte suc- 
 ceeded the firm of Walker, Corbin & Tourtellotte in 1861, 
 and continued until 1868, when Milton H. Kinney was 
 admitted, and the firm name became Corbin, Tourtellotte 
 & Co. The business was continued until 1871, when Mr. 
 Tourtellotte retired, and the business at Mashapaug was 
 continued by the remaining partners under the name of 
 Corbin & Kinney, until 1881, when the firm dissolved, mak- 
 
»HPKsS> 
 
 Hon. Wm. M. Corbin, 
 
WILLIAM M. CORE IX. 
 
 193 
 
 ing twenty-eig-ht years of active business life at Mashapaug, 
 including the time spent at Fiskdale and a partnership for 
 twenty-five years continuously. During his residence at 
 Mashapaug, he had a very honorable and successful record 
 in public life, acting as administrator, executor, and trustee 
 of estates, guardianships for minors, including the sons of 
 the late Harvey Walker, until they became twenty-one 
 years of age, and a director of Stafford Springs Bank from 
 its inauguration in 1872. In addition to these he held 
 various political offices in Union, such as selectman and 
 register of voters for several years, also representative in 
 the legislature of 1868, declining a re-election. During his 
 legislative term, he served on the important Committee of 
 Railroads. For nearly eighteen years, from 1862 to 1880, 
 he was a deputy sheriff, and in the latter year elected 
 sheriff of Tolland county for three years, from June i, 1881. 
 In 1875 he was elected senator from the old Twentieth Dis- 
 trict. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican conven- 
 tion at Chicago, which nominated James A. Garfield for 
 President. He was for several years a member of the 
 Republican town committee of Union, and of the Repub- 
 lican State Central Committee of Connecticut, represent- 
 ing the old Twentieth District, and was a very strong 
 Republican in politics, holding a leading and influential 
 position in the councils of his party in Connecticut. He 
 joined the Congregational church of Union in 1859, and 
 has continued his membership there ever since, being a 
 liberal contributor to its support. He was active in the 
 extensive repairs of the church in 1865, taking a leading 
 part and assisting liberally towards the cost of the same. 
 After his election as sheriff of Tolland county, Mr. Corbin 
 was urged to make his headquarters at Rockville, the 
 largest centre in the county, and in i88t he bought out a 
 hardware business there and successfully continued the 
 business until failing health compelled his retirement in 
 1884. In 1881 he had taken his family to Hartford for edu- 
 cational purposes, retaining his legal residence at Union 
 until 1884, since which time be has been a resident of Hart- 
 
 13 
 
194 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ford. His failing health would not admit of his being a 
 candidate for re-election for sheriff, hence he declined a 
 renomination. For the next three years he was in very 
 poor health, and gave up all business interests and cares, 
 not expecting to live, having Bright's disease. In the fall 
 of 1887, came the failure of the Stafford National Bank, 
 which seriously affected the Stafford Savings Bank, on 
 account of its large holdings and interests in the stock of 
 the National Bank, and other doubtful assets. Although 
 .still in impaired health and hardly able to leave his home, 
 Mr. Corbin was called to the presidency of the vSavings 
 Bank, and at a time when a receivership of the bank 
 seemed necessary and inevitable. He at once directed 
 himself to the straightening out of the affairs of the bank, 
 where he rendered a very valuable service in helping to 
 restore confidence and placing on a sound basis what is 
 to-day a very strong bank. He was also chosen chairman 
 of the stockholders' committee of the Stafford National 
 Bank to assist in rearranging the same. He gave to that 
 work and to the Savings Bank all of his time until the fol- 
 lowing July, when he resigned the presidency of the Sav- 
 ings Bank to take the cashiership of the First National 
 Bank, which was organized in July, 1888, and commenced 
 business August 2nd, following, with a successful record 
 since. All of the work that he has done for the banking 
 interests of Stafford Springs has had a very hearty support 
 and approval of the people and business interests of that 
 section. His high character and honorable business record 
 has done much to place the financial institutions he has 
 heen connected with on a sound and strong footing with 
 the full confidence of the people. In October, 1888, with 
 Cyril Johnson and Richard G. Beebe, of Stafford, Merrick 
 A. Marcy, of Union, and Samuel G. Adams, of Boston, he 
 organized the Central Woolen Co., of Stafford Springs, pur- 
 chasing the Granite Mill Co. property and changing it to a 
 woolen mill. Mr. Corbin was chosen president of the com- 
 pany, which has done very much to add to the business 
 interests of Stafford Springs, and has itself had a very sue- 
 
JUSTUS V. LAWSON. 
 
 195 
 
 cessful and profitable career. This covers the leading- 
 points of his business record and public life, which have 
 been an honor both to himself and his native town of Union. 
 
 JUSTUS V. LAWSON. 
 
 This promising young man, who was cut off at the 
 beginning of a career which gave indications of being one 
 ■of great usefulness, was the fifth child of Deacon Paul and 
 Lydia H. Lawson. He was born April 4, 1834. When he 
 was sixteen years old he experienced religion, and became 
 very thoughtful and earnest. On May24th, 185 1, he joined 
 the Baptist church in vStafford of which his uncle Thomas 
 Holman was then pastor. He began to think earnestly of 
 devoting his life to the work of the Christian ministry, and 
 with the approval of the church entered upon a course of 
 preparation for it. He had already attended select school 
 in Union. In the fall of 1851 he entered Madison Univer- 
 sity at Hamilton, N. Y., spending two years in the prepara- 
 tory department and one in the college. At the close of 
 his Freshman year, he was taken sick with typhoid fever, 
 came home and died August 13th, 1854. He was an excel- 
 lent scholar, and stood nearly at the head of his class. He 
 spent two of his vacations in work as a colporteur for the 
 Ainerican Tract Society. He traveled in Tompkins, Tioga 
 and Delaware counties, visiting the families, inquiring 
 about their religious condition and selling them Bibles and 
 other religious books. In] this work he was very happy 
 and earnest to do good to the people he visited. In his 
 short Christian career he gave evidence that his heart was 
 richly imbued with the love of Christ. His high Christian 
 character and the estimation in which he was held by his 
 friends, are shown in the resolutions which were adopted 
 by his classmates on hearing of his death. He is there 
 spoken of as "one whose virtues and nobleness of soul 
 endeared him to all, and whose industry, meekness, and 
 fidelity rendered him an^example worthy of imitation. His 
 superior proficiency in scholarship,"scholastic learning and 
 .social deportment ever commanded our admiration, and 
 
196 BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 his -unsiillied reputation as an humble and devoted Chris- 
 tian, will leave in the hearts of his classmates a lasting 
 remembrance of his name." 
 
 CHARLES F. MORSE. 
 
 Charles F. Morse, the son of Amasa Morse, was born in 
 Union, September 5, 1844. After attending school in his 
 native town, he went to Monson Academy where he was 
 under the charge of Rev. Charles Hammond, who took a 
 great interest in him. He was a peculiarly industrious 
 and serious scholar, and a young man of pure and noble 
 character. He had to depend largely on his own efforts to 
 obtain his education. Yet he graduated with honors at 
 Monson, and at Amherst in 1872. He then entered the 
 Yale Divinity School, where he graduated in 1875. He was 
 licensed to preach by the -New Haven West Congregational 
 Association on May 5, 1874. After graduating from the 
 Seminary, he was called to supply the Congregational 
 church at Brookfield, Mass., and also to settle there perma- 
 nently, but instead of being ordained and installed he pre- 
 ferred to supply for one year before accepting the call. In 
 the iniddle of that year's supply he was cut down by fever 
 and died there on August 24th, 1876. He left a wife whose 
 hand had hardly been removed from the bridal altar ere 
 the sacred bond was sundered. His funeral took place at 
 the Congregational church at Union, where the following 
 ministers were present: Rev. H. Davis, of Abington, who 
 preached the sermon; Rev. Mr. Blanchard, of Brookfield; 
 Rev. Mr. Butler, of Woodstock, and Rev. J. P. Watson, of 
 Union, besides Rev. Amasa Morse, the father of the 
 deceased. 
 
 A few days after the funeral, the centennial reunion 
 was held at Mashapaug. Here Mr. Hammond in the course 
 of his remarks, alluded to Mr. Morse as follows: "It is, 
 indeed, an irreparable loss, and the saddest of all calami- 
 ties, when a young man, fitted by native gifts and ample 
 training of those gifts, for the Christian ministry, suddenly 
 falls in the full vigor of life, at the very outset of his 
 
Rev. Charles Morse. 
 
THE ARMOUR BROTHERS. 197 
 
 career. ****** jt is some consolation to know 
 that a noble life thoug-li prematurely closed, long endures 
 in its transmitted influences. Stich a life cannot wholly 
 perish. Death cannot destroy the character of the faith- 
 ful, blameless Christian scholar, who attained the foremost 
 rank at Monson, at Amherst and at the Divinity School at 
 Yale. Cherished and consecrated in the affections of sur- 
 vivors, the name of Charles F. Morse will live forever in 
 the annals of his native town." 
 
 At the close of the speaking, the following resolutions, 
 offered by D. P. Corbin, of Hartford, were unanimously 
 adopted : 
 
 In view of the recent death of Rev. Charles Fitch IMorse, a native 
 of Union, a graduate of Monson Academy, Amherst College, and Yale 
 Theological Seminary, a man of sterling worth, and unusual abilities, 
 who had in a short time won the deep respect and love of the people 
 with whom he labored— and who was expected to take part in these 
 exercises to-day, — 
 
 Resolved, By his friends and acquaintances, in Centennial Reunion 
 here assembled, 
 
 That we deeply deplore his death, as a great loss to our town, and to 
 the community at large; cut down, as he seems to us to have been, in 
 the verjr outset of a career of great usefulness. 
 
 That we assure his relatives of our deep sympathy with them in the 
 loss of a loving husband, a filial son, and a devoted brother. 
 
 That copies of these resolutions be tendered his wife and parents. 
 
 THE ARMOUR BROTHERS. 
 
 Little did the people of Union think, when Danforth 
 Armour left town in 1825, that his sons were destined to 
 achieve such great success in business, or carry on so vast 
 an amount of it as they have done. Their history, espe- 
 cially that of Philip D. iVrmour, the prince of American 
 business men, will be read with interest by the people of 
 Union, where the Armours lived for nearly a century. 
 
 The names of these sons of Danforth Armour are, Sim- 
 eon Brooks, Andrew Watson, Philip Danforth, Herman 
 Ossian and Joseph Francis. Only three of these are now 
 living, Joseph F. Armour, having died in January, 1881, 
 and Andrew Watson Armour in May, 1892. There was 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 198 
 
 another brother, Charles Eugene, who died in the army, 
 August 12th, 1863. 
 
 As will appear in the following sketch, Simeon B. 
 Armour has been at the head of the business at Kansas 
 City, since that branch was established. He has now asso- 
 ciated with him the two sons of Andrew Watson Armour, 
 viz.: Kirkland B. and Charles W. Armour, who are credited 
 with being among the best and foremost business men of 
 the West, and maintaining the reputation of the Armour 
 name. Philip Danforth is at Chicago, while Herman O. 
 has charge of the business in New York city. Joseph F. 
 Armour was in Chicago till his death. 
 
 The following sketch, (which we take from the Chicago 
 Inter-Occan,) relates principally to Philip D. Armour: 
 
 All agree that Philip D. Armour is an extraordinary man. At the 
 age of 60 he continues active in business with undimmed mental vigor, 
 a recognized leader in the world of commerce, the guiding genius of an 
 enormous business that gives employment to 15,000 men, and a philan- 
 thropist whose deeds are as unassuming as they are noble and generous. 
 If one succeed in catching the faintest outlines of so heroic a figure 
 there are plenty of others ready to fill in the shadows. Amid the crowd 
 of contemporary business leaders he towers, like a son of Anak, above 
 all his compeers. 
 
 First of all, Mr. Armour may be described as distinctively and 
 intensely American. So were his ancestors for generations back, both 
 lineal and collateral. In the early history of the paternal branch of the 
 family special mention is made of his ancestors as being ' ' possessed of 
 bright ideas, and noted for their clever acts." John Plankinton was 
 quick to discover this same capacity in the beginning of Philip's busi- 
 ness career. The maternal wing was of good old Puritan stock, and 
 credited with the possession of an unusual amount of sound common 
 sense. Some were gallant commanders in the most important battles of 
 the revolution. One who received his death wound while leading a bril- 
 liant charge in 1776, was referred to by General Washington as "the 
 gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, who would have been an honor to 
 any country " Such, then, was the quality of blood whence sprang 
 Danforth Armour and Julia Ann Brooks, father and mother of Philip. 
 
 They left Union, Conn., in September, 1825, and settled at Stock- 
 bridge, Madison County, N. Y., where Philip D. Armour was born May 
 16, 1832. There were six brothers and two sisters. Farming was their 
 occupation. Habitual frugality and industry were the fundamental 
 principles and characteristic features of the parents. These family 
 
Mr. Philip D. Armour. 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR. 199 
 
 tenets were laid down in their simplest forms and instilled with human 
 sunshine into the life of each child. Their school experience was the 
 best the local red school-house could afford. Some of the children were 
 fortunate enough to attend the neighboring village seminary. This was 
 the case with Philip, and many are the anecdotes that are related of him 
 by his schoolmates. . He was genial to a degree, healthy, resolute and 
 strong; he held his own wherever events found him; not a follower but 
 a leader of his schoolmates, as later events were bound to make him 
 among his fellowmen. 
 
 During the winter of 1851 and '52, the excitement attending the dis- 
 covery of gold in California having spread over the country, a party was 
 organized to make the overland trip. Mr. Armour was invited to join it, 
 and was influenced by a growing desire to get out into the world. A 
 country life on Stockbridge hills was too obscure and irksome for one so 
 tempered. He was just entering upon his manhood, and to go was only 
 to satisfy his ambition. The party left Oneida, N. Y., in the spring of 
 1852 and reached California six months later. In making this trip they 
 were not exempt from the trials and dangers attending similar journeys. 
 
 A miner's life, as everyone knows, has its privations and uncomforta- 
 ble surroundings. These were not to be endured in vain. The pitfalls 
 and vices that were so common in a country that was turned over to so 
 many adventurers, could not find lodgment with one of so resolute a 
 character and fixed a purpose. The vicissitudes of this early experience 
 rather tended to broaden his views and knit together his dominant char- 
 acteristics. 
 
 In 1856 he returned to the East and visited his parents, whom he 
 always held in reverential affection. He minutely laid before them all 
 he had accomplished during his absence. To a few of the most intimate 
 friends of the family, the father whispered the fact of the young man 
 having brought back some money with him. 
 
 After remaining with them for a few weeks he once more turned 
 westward and finally located in Milwaukee, where he formed a copart- 
 nership and entered the commission business with Frederick B. Miles. 
 After a successful run they dissolved in 1863. The dogmatic and per- 
 sistent way in which he pursued his business, and his characteristic 
 manner of reaching out for new ideas, brought him prominently before 
 his fellow townspeople. Though yet young, he was looked upon by 
 many with almost envy for the prestige he had attained. 
 
 In the spring of 1S63, there occurred what later years proved to be 
 the forerunner of a very successful business engagement in the joint 
 copartnership arrangement between John Plankinton and Philip 
 Armour. Mr. Plankinton had been for some j^ears previously engaged 
 in the pork packing industry with Frederick Layton. This firm had dis- 
 solved, as had also that of Miles & Armour, before mentioned. Mr. 
 Plankinton was Mr. Armour's senior, and had been a resident of Mil- 
 
200 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 waukee for a much longer period. He had established a most thriving 
 business, which had been conducted with unerring judgment. He stood 
 high as a merchant, and commanded the respect of all as a public spirit- 
 ed citizen. This was Mr. Armour's opportunity. How well he handled 
 himself and the business that fell to him, the history of the commercial 
 world is alone witness. To the pork packing business of Mr. Plankinton 
 he brought that unremitting labor and concentration of thought that were 
 so peculiarly his own. The fluctuations in the price of provisions at the 
 closing scenes of the war left the firm with a fortune. This, with the 
 development of the country, gave them an opportunity of extending 
 their growing business. 
 
 At Chicago, in 1S62, Mr. Armour's brother, Herman O. Armour, had 
 established himself in the grain commission business, but was induced 
 to surrender this to a younger brother, Joseph F. Armour, in 1865. and 
 take charge of a new firm in New York then organized under the name 
 of Armour, Plankinton & Co. The reason for the organization of the 
 New York house was most obvious. The financial condition of the West 
 at that period did not permit of the large lines of credit necessary for 
 the conducting of a business assuming such magnitude, and it was, there- 
 fore, as events proved, most fortunate that the duties devolving upon 
 the head of this house should fall to one so well qualified to handle them. 
 He was not only equal to the emergency, but soon became favorably 
 known as a man possessing great financial ability, and was in fact the 
 eastern financial agent of all the western houses. 
 
 The firm name of H. O. Armour & Co., was continued at Chicago 
 until 1S70. They continued to handle grain and commenced packing 
 hogs in 1 868. This part of the business, however, was conducted under 
 the firm name of Armour & Co., and in 1870 they assumed all the busi- 
 ness transacted at Chicago. The business of all these houses under their 
 efficient management, grew to dimensions that were the marvel of the 
 trade. Their brands became as well known in all the markets of the 
 world as at home. 
 
 It became evident in 1871 that the stock-producing power of the 
 country was migrating westward, and in order to keep abreast of the 
 times they established at Kansas City the firm known as Plankinton & 
 Armour. This enterprise was under the immediate supervision of Mr. 
 Simeon B. Armour, an elder brother. The failing health of Joseph at 
 Chicago, necessitated assistance, and Milwaukee, as we have already 
 seen, had brains to spare; consequently Philip moved to Chicago in 1875, 
 where he has since resided. 
 
 The fraternal feelings manifested on every occasion for the welfare 
 and prosperity of his own family were noticeable in the organization of 
 the Armour Bros. Banking Company, at Kansas City, Mo., in 1879. At 
 that time there remained at the old homestead at Stockbridge, but one 
 of the Armours, Andrew Watson. This new institution was created for 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR. 201 
 
 this brother, and he assumed its presidency and its management, con- 
 ducting its affairs with signal ability. 
 
 As an illustration of the acuteness and quick perception which is a 
 family trait, there is related an interesting incident of this brother. 
 Soon after first having been installed in office, a member of a Montreal 
 firm who had enjoyed extensive transactions with the Chicago house, 
 and stood high in commercial circles, while at Kansas City on his way 
 to a depot from his hotel, discovered that he had not sufficient money to 
 procure the necessary transportation to a point in Texas whither he was 
 en route. 
 
 Looking around he noticed the banking sign and thought of his rela- 
 tions with the Chicago house. It occurred to him that the bank might 
 be induced to cash a draft on his Montreal house for .$25, notwithstand- 
 ing he was a total stranger. He applied to the teller and related his 
 story, who promptly refused, but told him he had better see the cashier. 
 The cashier declined, but told him to lay the matter before Mr. Armour. 
 So, for the third time, he repeated his story to Mr. Armour, who asked 
 him if $25 was not a pretty small amount and if he would not be better 
 pleased with $50. He replied in the negative, and said $25 was suffi- 
 cient. As quick as a flash the farmer bank president told him he could 
 have the money. If he had been a rascal, Mr. Armour said, he would 
 have taken the $50. It is needless to say the draft was paid. 
 
 It is not to be wondered at that the management of the many millions 
 that were invested at the other points mentioned should take their cue 
 and follow in the footsteps of the wise and intrepid California pioneer at 
 Chicago. This was done invariably with alacritj^ and so harmoniously 
 that it has made them all renowned. It is impossible to convey to one 
 not familiar with the scope of the business any idea of its magnitude. 
 The distributive sales of the Chicago house alone are in excess of the 
 gross receipts of any railroad corporation in the world. Even in a busi- 
 ness of this magnitude there is nothing too great for Mr. Armour to 
 handle, nothing so small that he can overlook it. 
 
 Mr. Armour's capacity for work is something marvelous. He is at his 
 desk at 7 a. m. and frequentlj'' before. Fatigue is an unknown term. 
 He has traveled extensively, but wherever time has found him, it has 
 been among those who consumed his products and where necessarily his 
 agencies had been established; his mind would turn intuitively to his 
 industries, and thus his recreation became a source by which he qualified 
 himself as to the merits of his representatives, as well as the require- 
 ments of the people and their condition. He is a close observer and can 
 give as clear and accurate a forecast of the coming financial condition of 
 the country as it is possible to do. 
 
 At the earnest solicitation of the late Alexander Mitchell he became 
 one of the directory of the St. Paul Railway. This is the only office he 
 has ever held. Political preferment is neither the bent of his mind nor 
 
202 BIOORAPHWAL SKETCHES. 
 
 in the line of his ambition. He was never known to occupy a public 
 office. 
 
 Mr. Armour was married to Miss Malvina Belle Ogden, at Cincinnati, 
 in October, 1S62. She was the only daughter of Jonathan Ogden. In 
 making mention of this circumstance, it must occur to any one who has 
 been fortunate enough to have been at all intimate with the family his- 
 tory, that their home life has been singularly happy. Domestic economy 
 was no more truly one of the hearthstones of Mr. Armour's inheritance 
 than it was of Mrs. Armour's. These family precepts were laid down 
 and fostered in every way. They have two sons, Jonathan Ogden and 
 Philip D., both under 30 years of age, and active partners with their 
 father. 
 
 It can safely be said they will carry their honors gracefully and with 
 becoming modesty. They are quiet in manner; nothing can agitate 
 them, and it is pretty sure guessing that the name of Armour will never 
 be tarnished by their acts. 
 
 The father of these two brothers is one of the most affable of men. 
 He is approachable notwithstanding his great cares and responsibilities. 
 He leaves all of these at his otBce and enters his family circle to find 
 that joy and contentment which alone spring from an administration of 
 home life that is simple, gracious and of an unostentatious character. 
 
 Mr. Armour is one of the most unwearying of workers. The coil of 
 his tremendous energy never seems to run down. " Few persons real- 
 ize," said one who knows him intimately, " that Mr. Armour works 
 harder than any man who carries a tin pail, but it is absolutely true." 
 Most men who possess the keenness of intellect and the activity of mind 
 which distinguish him would have so many irons in the fire that they 
 would be in perpetual confusion. 
 
 But no person is more neat and methodical than this great merchant. 
 He drives from his Prairie Avenue residence to his office in the Home 
 Insurance Building every morning except Sunday before 7 o'clock. 
 Both he and Mrs. Armour are at breakfast by 5.30 or 5.45, though 
 of course guests who chance to be in the house are at perfect liberty 
 to sleep as late as they like and breakfast at any hour they may choose. 
 Occasionally, however, Mr. Armour has the pleasure of entertaining a 
 rural visitor from the Stockbridge hills, who is up and ready to eat 
 breakfast " by candle light." Though unaccustomed to city ways, these 
 old friends of his boyhood days back in Madison county, New York, are 
 always welcome. They say "Hello, Phil," when addressing Mr. 
 Armour, aud he takes them cordially by the hand, invites them to go 
 for a sight-seeing drive about town and to a pleasant corner in his home 
 during their stay. He could do no more for the President of the St. 
 Paul Railroad. In regard to these common courtesies of life and the 
 grace of hospitality, Mr. Armour has not changed with his change in con- 
 dition. The hand of fellowship is still his; the spirit of comradeship still 
 starts a warm glow in his heart. Money has not dimmed the flame. 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR. 205 
 
 There used to be a time in years gone by when Mr. Armour did not 
 retire to rest at 9 i>. m., as he does now, but he changed this order by dis- 
 cussing the question with Mrs. Armour and deciding that they would 
 be getting up instead of going to bed as many society folk do, when the 
 chickens begin to crow for daylight. He is seldom away from home at 
 night unless attending a banquet of the Commercial Club or some 
 kindred entertainment in which he is specially interested. An im- 
 portant meeting at the Armour Mission would perhaps keep him out 
 as late as anything, for his heart is in this work, and he gives it his care- 
 ful personal supervision. 
 
 Thus as the burden of years increases he is by his very habits of life 
 enabled to continue the enormous tasks for which his vigorous consti- 
 tution so admirably qualified him in the beginning. Mr. Armour is a 
 kind of steam engine on two legs, with heart of fire and lungs of steel, 
 pursuing his unhasting and unresting way at a pace which leaves most 
 other men far behind. His distinguishing characteristics as a man of 
 business are an instinct of order that is very marked; an immense fac- 
 ulty for eliciting the best services of executive men employed under him; 
 a phenomenally retentive memory; the power of concentration and of 
 diverting his thoughts from any subject at will, and a great faculty for 
 sleep. He is usually retiring to rest when other men are starting forth 
 to fashionable entertainments. Considering these things and the con- 
 stitution of steel which he inherited from his rugged farmer ancestors, 
 who lived much in the open air, and a digestion that nothing seems to 
 impair, and you have some explanation of the amount of work which he 
 is able to do. As one of his most trusted young men said to the writer, 
 Mr. Armour's wonderful knowledge of details in his vast and varied 
 business operations is something perfectly astonishing to the heads of 
 department whom he calls up to question almost every day. Another 
 mighty advantage which he possesses for the dispatch of business is that 
 he is capable of entirely changing the current of his thoughts at a 
 moment's notice. 
 
 Nothing preoccupies him longer than he chooses to let it preoccupy 
 him. With one caller he may be discussing some question of policy 
 touching the management of the St. Paul Railroad, and with the next 
 some matter pertaining to the purchase of $500,000 worth of live 
 stock. But whether the caller have a mission of real importance or a 
 grievance about a consignment of sausages he will find Mr. Armour 
 remarkably well informed on the matter to be discussed. Of course 
 the consignee of sausage would hardly be granted an interview if 
 any of Mr. Armour's secretaries found out what was wanted. But 
 whatever the subject may be on which he is engaged, he devotes him- 
 self to it thoroughly; whatever he does, he does with his might, and 
 does with such concentration as to leave no room for thinking about 
 anything else. 
 
204 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Although Mr. Armour is now beginning to shift some of the respon- 
 sibiUties of his enormous business more and more to the shoulders of 
 his two sons, who are his active partners and whom he expects to suc- 
 ceed him, he still manages to get down to work before any of his clerks. 
 But when the weather permits he now goes out every afternoon at 3 
 o'clock for a drive on the boulevards, and after dinner in the evening 
 he walks briskly awhile for physical exercise. These simple diver- 
 sions are the sums of his recreations, except when he goes abroad for 
 his annual tour of Europe. Every morning when he reaches his desk in 
 his La Salle street office he is greeted by a handsome bouquet of roses 
 with a steer's polished horn for a holder. 
 
 There is no doubt that Mr. Armour is deeply interested in young 
 people, and is only too happy when he has the opportunity to encourage 
 the young and ambitious. He is ever ready to put forth special effort to 
 shape the character of those whose lives are in the most plastic period. 
 
 On a certain occasion when traveling to the East, it is said, he became 
 deeply interested in a colored hoy — a sleeping-car porter — whom he saw 
 trying to read a book. In his genial way he called the boy " General 
 Forest." 
 
 "General," said he, " I'll give you $5 if you will read one line of that 
 book without stopping to spell out the words." 
 
 The astonished boy grinned, but accepted the liberal offer and read a 
 line without hesitation. He not only received the $5, but on further 
 questioning disclosed a hungering and thirsting after knowledge that 
 caused Mr. Armour to propose a way for his education. The " General " 
 was taken from the sleeping-car service and sent to Oberlin College, 
 where he was educated at Mr. Armour's expense. It is said that he 
 became a very good scholar, and left college to enter the ministry. 
 
 Another very suggestive incident, which serves to illustrate Mr. 
 Armour's sympathy for the weak and unfortunate, occurred during one 
 of the many voyages he has made in recent years to the old world. He 
 was traveling through France. One day in a manufacturing town he 
 entertained and instructed himself by going to visit a factory where sev- 
 eral hundred girls were employed making lace curtains. Passing through 
 the workshop he saw that the emplo3^es appeared to be unhealthy and 
 overworked. He was particularly struck by the pinched and worn 
 appearance of the young girls. They seemed old and withered before 
 their time. He thought, indeed, that he had never seen a little army of 
 work-people so forlorn and hungry-looking, even in their hours of indus- 
 try. It was a sight that weighed heavily upon his heart. 
 
 Before leaving the factory Mr. Armour called at the office of the 
 superintendent and requested the privilege of leaving a sum of money 
 to be distributed among these employes whose wretched appearance had 
 so touched his sympathies. His request was readily granted. He 
 handed over a handsome sum and before departing enjoyed the pleasant 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR. 205 
 
 sight of its distribution, as the girls were called forward to receive the 
 gift. The employes were grateful, and Air. Armour went away a hap- 
 pier and a better man. 
 
 He believes in relieving human misery so far as it is in his power, and 
 he turns a deaf ear to no deserving case of charity. Of course, his 
 organized effort in this direction is represented by the Armour Mission 
 and the Armour Institute, the latter not being quite completed. In this 
 respect it may truthfully be said that Philip D. Armour's life is an object 
 lesson of lofty ambition, integrity of purpose, and unfaltering faith in 
 God and trust in man. Not in vain has this life been lived. Wealth 
 alone does not give a man the greatest power. He must be high-souled 
 in his endeavors; he must be broad and liberal in mind; great in heart 
 and soul, and ready to advance the cause of all that is noble and 
 uplifting. 
 
 One of Mr. Armour's friends called the writer's attention particularly 
 to the fact that he was blind as to creed distinctions and without preju- 
 dice as to race distinctions. And this truth is shown very plainly in all 
 his charitable deeds. When he knows, or has it brought vividly to his 
 mind that there is a case of human suffering to relieve, he does not stop 
 to ask whether the sufferer is Jew or Gentile, white or black, bond or 
 free. 
 
 It has already been mentioned that Armour & Company employ 
 15,000 men in their packing and other industries. The results of each 
 day's business are laid on Mr. Armour's desk by the heads of departments 
 and those he compares with the results of preceding days, and gives 
 such orders as he may deem essential. The firm's main plants are at 
 Chicago (Union Stock Yards) and at Kansas City, yet the Chicago house 
 alone has about sixty branches scattered throughout Eastern and Middle 
 States, and not coming in contact with branches of the Western 
 house. In the general offices, at the Stock Yards there are about 500 
 clerks, while in the La Salle street executive office nearly 200 men are 
 employed. 
 
 Mr. Armour has also enormous interests in the grain trade. The 
 Armour Elevator Company owns six of the largest Chicago elevators, 
 having what is unquestionably the largest storage capacity in the world, 
 namely, 10,000,000 bushels. 
 
 He is also largely interested financially in a fleet of lake vessels, of 
 which R. P. Fitzgerald & Co., of Milwaukee, are managing owners. 
 The vessels of this fleet are all propellers, and are known as the P. D. 
 Armour, the John Plankinton, the R. P. Fitzgerald, and the W. M. 
 Egan. 
 
 The wealth of this extraordinary business genius, mounting high into 
 the millions — how high each is at liberty to guess for himself — represents 
 the tremendous possibilities of a single generation in this proud and 
 expanding Republic. The brain of a born financier, of unlimited capa- 
 
2o6 BIOaBAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 city for application and broad and fertile enough to invent new ideas, 
 will accomplish that which may be regarded as nothing short of the 
 marvelous. With telegraph operators upon his right hand and upon his 
 left, Mr. Armour may sit and direct the forces of his army of subordi- 
 nates, extending to many parts of the civilized world, with that calm, 
 intuitive foresight and resolute judgment which will overcome every dif- 
 ficulty and organize victory out of defeat. He is certainly not only a 
 man of extraordinary mental endowments, but one whose place will be 
 hard to fill when he retires from the active management of his enormous 
 interests. He is evidently training his sons for this vast responsibility. 
 
 Armour Mission was established in November, 1886. It owes its ori- 
 gin to a provision in the will of the late Joseph F. Armour, who died in 
 January, 1881, bequeathing $100,000 for the founding of such a charita- 
 ble institution. He wisely directed that the carrying out of this benev- 
 olent design should be chiefly intrusted to his brother, Mr. Philip D. 
 Armour, who, accepting the trust so imposed, has given to it the same 
 energetic and critical attention that he has given to his private affairs. He 
 has become so greatly interested in the work devolving upon him, with 
 the constantly recurring evidence of the good that the mission has 
 accomplished, and with its possibilities for good in the future, that he 
 has greatly enlarged upon the original design and, in consequence, has 
 added enough from his own resources, to his brother's bequest of $100,- 
 000, to make the present investment about $1,000,000. 
 
 Armour Mission is incorporated under the laws of Illinois, and is 
 managed by a board of five directors, which at present consists of Messrs. 
 Philip D. Armour, John C. Black, William J. Campbell, Jonathan O. 
 Armour, and Philip D. Armour, Jr. In addition to the mission building 
 proper the Armour Mission corporation owns and manages the well- 
 known Armour Mission Flats, consisting of 194 separate flats. The entire 
 revenue derived from these flats is used for the maintenance of the mis- 
 sion and its departments. 
 
 Recently this endowment fund was increased by the addition of seven- 
 teen new flats, which represent an additional expenditure of $700,000. 
 They were provided by building an additional story to one of the rows 
 on Dearborn street, making the total number of apartments at present 
 211. These flats are models of architectural skill. They contain all 
 modern improvements and conveniences. They are rented at an aver- 
 age of $27 a month, and from their rental comes the revenue of the 
 mission. In the 211 flats are comfortably housed nearly 1,000 souls. 
 
 The corporation also owns ground adjoining that occupied by the 
 mission and the flats upon which a new agency for good has been 
 erected. This is the Armour Institute, or Manual Training School, now 
 almost completed at the corner of Armour avenue and Thirty=third 
 street, and representing an investment of about $400,000. The ground 
 was bought from the city for the purposes of the Institute. The Insti- 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR^ 207 
 
 tute will soon be organized and equipped for work after the most 
 approved plans. The best instructors will be provided, and besides 
 manual training work, there will be departments of cooking, millinery, 
 dressmaking, etc., for girls. It is also the intention to organize and 
 conduct a night school in addition to the regular work. The tuition fee 
 will be nominal, and this fee will be charged only with the idea of put- 
 ting the school on a plane that will give pupils a feeling of independence 
 instead of pauperism. 
 
 Armour Mission is a notable example of the consecration of large 
 individual wealth to high ends. Its object is to promote the physical, 
 intellectual and moral improvement of children and youth. The work 
 of the mission, as originally outlined, has been modified and enlarged, 
 but in its leading features remains substantially unchanged. In the 
 main it is an educational work, suffused with a humanitarian spirit, and 
 directed toward religious ends. On the broad, unsectarian platform of 
 practical Christianity this institution stands. It is free and open to all 
 to the full extent of its capacity, without any condition as to race, creed 
 or otherwise. Mr. Armour believes that the children develop into man- 
 hood and womanhood according to their early training and surround- 
 ings, and that much can be done for the advancement of mankind by 
 lending a helping hand to children and youth. His deep interest in the 
 welfare of the young has found expression in the mission, and no money 
 lie has ever expended has yielded him more genuine satisfaction and 
 pleasure than the large sum he has here invested. 
 
 It is well worth a visit, and is certainly one of the most interesting 
 objects of study to be found in Chicago. It is situated at Armour ave- 
 nue and Thirty-third street, fronting on the latter, the material used in 
 the building- being pressed brick and brown stone. The interior wood- 
 work is polished oak, and the complete furnishings are in entire harmony 
 with the solid character of the structure. The main audience hall on 
 the second floor, including gallery and side rooms, will accommodate an 
 audience of 1,300, or even more by throwing open the glass partitions 
 between the gallery and lecture rooms. When taxed to its utmost capa- 
 city the building will accommodate a Sunday school of 2,500 members. 
 The audience room is supplied with a large pipe organ. 
 
 Chief among the agencies employed to secure the betterment of the 
 community life is the Sunday school, with an enrollment of over 2,200, a 
 staff of 170 teachers and officers, and an average attendance of 1,800. 
 Supplementary to the work of the Sunday school, the pastor of the mis- 
 sion, the Rev. Howard H. Rttssell, conducts a meeting on Tuesday 
 evening for systematic Bible study and practical Christian work; another 
 on Thursday evening for boys and young men; and still another on Fri- 
 day afternoon for children in connection with the public schools. The 
 music of the mission, which is made an attractive feature, is under the 
 leadership of Charles T. Wyckoff. 
 
2o8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 While not a regularly constituted church, Armour Mission holds the 
 regular Sunday services, and provides the community with the usual 
 church privileges. The morning service is especially arranged for 
 "children and families." Object lesson sermons are frequently given. 
 That all things may be done decently and in order, a roll of communi- 
 cants is kept, and the work usually performed by elders and deacons is 
 done by special committees. Nothing could be simpler than the organ- 
 ization of this Christian Fellowship. To stimulate religious life and 
 secure union in Christian work the communicants sign a simple agree- 
 ment pledging themselves to walk and work together according to the 
 will of the Lord. 
 
 One of the late developments along the line of progressive mission 
 work is the Boys' Battalion. This is the creation of Pastor Russell, at 
 the Tabernacle Church, Kansas City, some two years ago. The battalion 
 numbers iSo boys, ranging in age from 12 to 19 years. The four com- 
 panies into which it is divided receive the regulation military drill of the 
 United States infantry, under Colonel N. C. Johnston, who devotes all 
 his time to the boys and their interests. The boys are provided with 
 handsome uniforms and they won prizes for their fine appearance in the 
 contests of the recent South Side field day. 
 
 Every recruit is required to sign this pledge: " I promise and pledge 
 that I will not use tobacco nor intoxicating liquors in any form; that I 
 will not use profane nor vulgar and indecent language; that I will obey 
 faithfully all the battalion rules; and that I will at all times set an 
 example of good conduct to my comrades and to other boys." 
 
 As an agency for attracting and holding the boys this military organ- 
 ization has been an undoubted success. A marked improvement has 
 been noted in manners and morals; and through this movement sixty 
 boys have been added to the Sunday school during the last few 
 months. In fact, the Boys' Battalion seems to have become to the 
 Armour Mission Avhat the fifth form was to Rugby in the days of 
 Thomas Arnold. Companies of the Boys' Army are being organized 
 throughout the country; six companies have already been formed in 
 this city. 
 
 In the general department work of the mission there is a reading 
 room, a creche or day nursery, a kindergarten, and an industrial school, 
 all of which are maintained in the highest efficiency. The kindergarten 
 will accommodate 170 little pupils, and is open to children under the age 
 of seven. 
 
 The Free Medical Dispensary, which is in charge of Dr. Swartz and a 
 corps of able assistants, deserves special mention. Treatment and advice 
 are given and prescriptions filled without charge, when patients are not 
 able to pay. An average of forty patients a day are healed at the Dis- 
 pensary, and e.very month an average of 1,000 prescriptions are written 
 and filled. 
 
PHILIP D. ARMOUR. 209 
 
 Mr Armour is an attendant at many of the mission meetings, thus 
 giving the teachers and children the inspiration of his presence. His 
 heart is in this noble work. 
 
 The Armour family are attendants of the Plymouth Congregational 
 church. Here Joseph F. Armour attended. Both brothers were closely 
 identified with the financial history of the church. 
 
 This sketch gives the main characteristics of the man at the head of 
 a business the distributive sales of which are in excess of the gross 
 receipts of any railway corporation in the world. The traits, the prin- 
 ciples and the features here related unite in contributing to the fame of 
 the man who has not only reached the zenith of his power and distinc 
 tion as one of the first of the world's merchants, but from whose munifi- 
 cent influence and bequests posterity will accord the character of a 
 benefactor of mankind. 
 
 Since the above was written, the Armour Institute or 
 Manual Training School has been completed, and its pur- 
 pose and methods have been publicly announced. The 
 undertaking- is no chimerical scheme, born in the brain of a 
 dying man during a penitential spasm of benevolence, but 
 is a work wisely planned by a shrewd, sagacious business 
 man, who has given to it not only money but also the bene- 
 fit of his strongest thought and ripest experience. The 
 object of the Institute is to afford an opportunity to the 
 self-respecting young people of Chicago to secure the prac- 
 tical training necessary to fit them for useful and inde- 
 pendent lives. We cannot enter into a description of it 
 here. Suffice it to say that the building (which cost 
 $400,000), is perfectly adapted for the purposes of giving 
 instruction in the various trades, cooking, dressmaking, etc. 
 It is supported by a fund of a million dollars, given by 
 Mr. Armour. 
 
 ]Mr. Armour is evidently one of those men of wealth, in 
 whom there is a deepening sense of stewardship. He has 
 tasted the blessedness of ministering to others, and has 
 seen how a man's wealth may make his life flow through 
 the desert places of the world as a fertilizing stream. Men 
 like Philip D. Armour are our social saviors. While living 
 their name is honored and when dead their memory is 
 blessed. 
 14 
 
2IO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ANDREW WATSON ARMOUR. 
 
 Andrew W. Armour, the second son of Danforth and 
 Julia A. Armour, was born at vStockbridge, N. Y., Jan. 27, 
 1829. His opportunities for education were few and he 
 may truly be said to have been a self-made man. He was 
 engaged in the business of farming in Madison Co., N. Y., 
 a large part of his life, and he always retained his love for 
 the country. 
 
 In 1878, at the earnest solicitation of his brothers, Philip 
 D. and Simeon B. Armour, he left his farm in N. Y., and 
 went to Kansas City, Mo., where he established the Armour 
 Bros. Bank, of which he became president. The times 
 were especially unpropitious, and yet he plunged boldly in 
 and met with marked success. Under Mr. Armour's able 
 management the Bank at once assumed a prominent posi- 
 tion among the leading institutions of the city. The cloud 
 of threatened disaster which might have deterred a less 
 clear headed man from making a venture, passed away. 
 The city grew rapidly, gaining wealth and population, and 
 Armour's Bank grew^ stronger with it. 
 
 That a man without training in finance should so con- 
 spicuously pluck great success from unfavorable condi- 
 tions, that he should cope on equal terms with men who 
 had devoted their lives to the systematic accjuisition of 
 every detail of a most difficult business, requiring delicate 
 adjustment to constantly varying conditions, has ever been 
 a thing to marvel at among men who have looked appreci- 
 atively on. 
 
 Nor did he bring to the discharge of new and unaccus- 
 tomed labors that liking for them which is often half the 
 struggle. The open air, the sight of green verdure and 
 far stretching fields, the black, upturned earth, were all 
 more dear to him than the confined streets and ways 
 of city life. He labored with all the assiduity of one to 
 whom the occupation in which he wrought was congenial, 
 but his heart was ever in the country, and books and 
 money bags had no conquering charms for him to chain 
 him down. 
 
ANDREW W. ARMOUR. 211 
 
 Mr. Armour's prosperity kept pace with that of the city 
 which he did so much to make prosperous. The fortune 
 which he left was estimated to exceed $r, 000, 000. Yet he 
 remained ever a man of simple, quiet tastes, tasting little 
 of luxury, and continuing to be the same approachable, 
 unassuming, kindly man he had ever been. 
 
 His knowledge of human nature was extensive and 
 he seems to have had the key wherewith to open the minds 
 of others and see the real purposes which lay concealed 
 therein. He trusted much and never unwisely. Whether 
 his judgment or his intuition controlled the placing of that 
 trust, it was never abused. Hundreds of business men of 
 his city doubtless to-day, give silent testimony to his 
 kindl}^ aid, rendered at times and under circumstances 
 when their own affairs did not justify their application for 
 assistance, but Mr. Armour lent more often on the security 
 of men's honesty than on the value of their worldly goods. 
 Wor did he content himself with the mere lending of 
 material things. He gave abundantly out of the stores of 
 his knowledge and experience, and no young man ever 
 went in vain to him for that shrewd advice which was 
 priceless. He was accessible to all who sought him and he 
 followed with delight the execution of plans by others 
 whom he had unselfishly aided and assisted with mind and 
 purse. 
 
 The welfare and prosperity of Kansas City was singu- 
 larly dear to him. His modesty urged him to shun promi- 
 nence in projects intended to promote the public good, 
 but he labored effectively and heartily, and his thoughts 
 dwelt always happily on plans for the advancement of the 
 city's welfare. 
 
 He continued at the head of Armour Bros.' Bank until 
 1889, when its deposits were $2,500,000. At that time it was 
 merged into the Midland National Bank, in which Mr. 
 Armour was a director, and the vice-president till his death. 
 Besides his banking business, he was a director in the 
 Armour Packing Co. of Kansas City. This business also 
 was very successfully carried on. 
 
212 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Close application to the exacting duties as head of the 
 bank had caused his health to decline. Hence when he 
 was relieved from those duties in 1889, he took several trips 
 for recreation and rest. He visited, for the first time in 
 many years, his early home, and the burial place of his 
 parents. He took an extended trip in Europe, and also 
 visited the Yellowstone National park. He did not regain 
 his former health, however, and died very suddenly at 
 Excelsior Springs, near Kansas City, May 28, 1892. At the 
 time of his death he was preparing to enlarge the great 
 business with which he was identified. The news of his 
 death produced a great shock among the people of the city 
 whose interests he had so greatly promoted. He had been 
 known there for twelve years as a hard working, temperate, 
 honest, generous man. But this was not all. It was not 
 the millionaire, nor the banker, nor the public spirited busi- 
 ness man who was missed so much as Mr. Armour, the 
 neighbor, the friend, the good man, who had a kind word 
 and look of encouragement for all who came in contact 
 with him. He took a special interest in young people, and 
 had a way of endearing himself to them. Many young men 
 received from him words of encouragement and advice 
 which led them into successful business careers. Prosperity 
 did not change him or cause him to despise and shrink 
 from the masses. His home was unpretentious, and its 
 hospitality the same that he had dispensed on his farm in 
 New York. He was a regular attendant at the Second Pres- 
 byterian church of Kansas City, and a generous giver to 
 its charities. vSuch men as he are the glory of our country. 
 
 DWIGHT MARCY. 
 
 [From Coles' " History of Tolland County."] 
 
 Dwight Marcy was born in Union, June 8, 1840, prepared 
 for college at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., was grad- 
 uated from Yale University in 1863, and was admitted to 
 the bar in Tolland county, in 1865. He began the practice 
 of law at Central Village, Windham county, but after a 
 
PUILIP COBBIN. 213 
 
 short stay there removed to Rockville, where he continued 
 to practice his profession with success until his death, May 
 7, 1887. In 1867, he was appointed state attorney for 
 Tolland county, and held the office two years. He was 
 elected assistant clerk of the House of Representatives in 
 1867, and the following- year clerk of the State Senate. He 
 represented the town of Vernon in the General Assembly 
 in 1878, 1879 and 1880, and in the latter year was chosen 
 speaker of the House. He was a delegate from Tolland 
 county to the Republican National Convention, in 1876. 
 He acquitted himself very creditably in all his public 
 trusts, and his private life was irreproachable. Had he 
 lived he would probably have become a judge of the Supe- 
 rior Court. 
 
 PHILIP CORBIN. 
 
 Philip Corbin, of New Britain, together with his brothers, 
 is one of the very successful business men who have sprung 
 from Union families. He was the third son of Philip Cor- 
 bin 2d, of Union, and was born October 26, 1824, after his 
 father had removed to Willington. His father was a 
 farmer of small means; and his six boys became early 
 inured to hard work, thus developing vigorous physical 
 frames, industrious habits, self-reliance and enterprise, 
 which largely counterbalanced the disadvantages of their 
 limited education. 
 
 Besides attendance at the district school, Philip had 
 three terms at the West Hartford Academy, where his 
 father lived after he was seven years of age. In 1844 he 
 went to New Britain, and was apprenticed to North & 
 Stanley, hardware manufacturers in a small way. So 
 thoroughly did he apply himself to business, that when 
 he became of age, he applied for and secured a contract 
 for some of the best work given out. For five years he 
 went on from success to success, and then in 1849, with 
 his brother Frank, who had joined him, he founded what 
 has grown into the extensive hardware manufactory of 
 P. & F. Corbin. It is one of the leading firms in the 
 country, and at the present time when in full operation 
 
214 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 employs fourteen hundred men. Always at the head of 
 it has been Mr. Philip Corbin, carrying it through the 
 most discouraging circumstances with a sagacity which 
 places him in the front rank of our captains of industry. 
 They manufacture a great variety of articles, among which 
 are the highest grade of ornamental metallic furnishings, 
 such as gas fixtures, door-knobs, escutcheons and other 
 trimmings. They have supplied not only private pur- 
 chasers, but many public and government buildings includ- 
 ing all the bronze hardware for the new State, War, and 
 Navy building in Washington, the Post-office and Sub- 
 treasury building at Boston, and the new Capitol at Hart- 
 ford. A large number of designers are employed to invent 
 new and artistic patterns. 
 
 The head of the firm, Philip Corbin, has not only been 
 a diligent and successful business man, but has also held 
 several civil offices, and has been a very useful citizen 
 of New Britain. In 1844, he represented the city in the 
 Legislature, and worked thoroughly for the good of the 
 State. In 1889 he was chosen State Senator, and in 1892, 
 was one of the Republican electors for Connecticut. 
 
 ISAAC PHILLIPS BOOTH, D. D., 
 
 the subject of this sketch, was born in Union, Conn., Sep- 
 tember 10, 1843. He was the fourth son of Lydia Olney 
 (Phillips) and Isaac Billings Booth, and the fifth of then- 
 six children. His minority was spent with his parents, 
 and divided between work on the farm in summer and a 
 term at school in winter, or in teaching, which he began 
 in the winter of his sixteenth year, and which he continued 
 each winter until his majority. He early evinced a great 
 love for books, and the height of his ambition was to 
 obtain an education. But the financial circumstances of 
 his parents were such as to give him but little encour- 
 agement. Hence, one term of school a year, three of which 
 were at a select school in his native town, and one at Mon- 
 son Academy, Monson, Mass., was all the schooling of 
 which he was able to boast during his minority. But of 
 
Rev. I. P. Booth, D. D. 
 
ISAAC P. BOOTH, D. D. 215 
 
 this he made the most; and together with reading- and 
 study snatched from the hours that often followed a day's 
 hard toil, he succeeded in obtaining a fairly good fit for 
 college. Receiving, however, but little encouragement to 
 pursue a college course, and being too poor as he thought 
 to undertake the task alone, he concluded to abandon the 
 idea, and settle down to a business life. So, soon after 
 he became of age, without business experience, and with 
 no means but the savings from a winter's term of teaching, 
 he embarked in a business venture; but with indifferent 
 success. 
 
 Finding he had no taste for mercantile pursuits, in a 
 few months he sold out his business, and determined to 
 take up his much loved work of teaching. 
 
 In the meantime (May i, 1866), he married Miss Julia 
 Eliza, youngest daughter of Mr. Laurens Crawford, oi 
 Staff ordville. In the spring of 1867, while on a visit to an 
 uncle in western New York, he conceived the idea of open- 
 ing a select school in the then thriving town of White's 
 Corners, Erie county. Already ground had been broken 
 for a new graded and high school building there. Assisted 
 by his wife, he opened the school, and such was the success 
 of the venture, that he was elected principal of the new 
 school the following fall, which position he held for two 
 years. 
 
 In the fall of 1869, he was called to take charge of the 
 Kent Grammar school, Portage Co., Ohio. Here he made 
 a name as an educator, and early took a prominent place 
 among the educators of the state. Besides attending to his 
 school duties, he spent his vacations and other spare time 
 in reading law, and in 1870 was admitted to the Portage 
 county bar. For the law he had no great love other than 
 the knowledge it gave him; but after two years in the Kent 
 Grammar school, he resigned and entered the law office 
 of M. S. Castle, Esq., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 For some time previous to his admittance to the bar, 
 he became interested in religious matters and seriously 
 contemplated entering the ministry. But his age and pre- 
 
2i6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 vious training seemed to him rather against such a move, 
 and he therefore turned to the law. But this, notwith- 
 standing its attractions, he found uncongenial to him. He 
 therefore took counsel with several eminent divines of his 
 own faith — a course that resulted in his abandoning the 
 law after a few month's practice, and entering St. Law- 
 rence University in the fall of 187 1. Here he pursued his 
 studies with vigor, and in 1874 graduated with honor. 
 While here he practically took two courses; a theological 
 and a university. To aid him in defraying his expenses, 
 as at this time his family had been increased by the addi- 
 tion of three children, he assumed the duties of college 
 librarian. 
 
 Nearly three months before his graduation, he received 
 calls from the First Universalist church at Lewiston, Me., 
 and at Huntington, L. I. He accepted the call from Hunt- 
 ington, and upon his graduation in June, 1874, entered 
 upon the duties of the parish. Here he spent two years, 
 when he accepted a call from the Universalist church at 
 Morrisville, Vt. His interest in the schools soon brought 
 him forward as a school man, and he had been in town 
 but a few months when he was chosen Town Superin- 
 tendent of Schools, a position which he held during the 
 five years he remained in that town. In 1880, he repre- 
 sented the town of Morristown in the State Legislature, 
 serving as chairman of the general committee and on the 
 committee on education. 
 
 In 1881, he received a call from the First Universalist 
 church in Northfield, Vt., and removed thither in May of 
 that year. His reputation as an educator had preceded 
 him. He was there soon elected to the professorship of 
 Latin and Greek in Norwich University, which position 
 he held four years — three years of this time serving also 
 as dean of the faculty. About the time of his entering 
 upon his duties as a professor, he was chosen Town Super- 
 intendent of Schools for Northfield, serving as such until 
 the passage of the Vermont School Supervision Law in 
 1888. In 1884, he received the degree of A. M. from Nor- 
 
MERRICK A. 3IARCT. 
 
 217 
 
 wich University. In 1885, he resigned his professorship and 
 became principal of the graded and high school, where he 
 remained until June 1889, when he resigned to take the 
 office of County Supervisor of Schools. About this time 
 he received from Norwich University the degree of D. D. 
 
 So arduous had become his duties in school work, that 
 the year previous to his election as supervisor he gave up 
 his preaching, except to attend occasional calls. 
 
 In 1886, he served as chaplain in the House of Represent- 
 atives at Montpelier, and in 1892 represented his town in 
 the same body. Here he served on the committee on edu- 
 cation, and was one of the chief authors of the present 
 Vermont School Law. 
 
 Upon the office of vSupervisor being changed to that of 
 Examiner of Teachers in 1890, he was chosen to the latter 
 office, and the next year again made principal of the 
 graded and high school, which positions he now holds. 
 In addition to this school work, he has the superintend- 
 ency of the other schools in town, some twenty in num- 
 ber. In addition to these offices, he is pastor of a large 
 church in Stowe, Vt., school director, village trustee, and 
 master of the local Masonic lodge. 
 
 Though nearly fifty years of age, he is strong and 
 healthy, and is often mistaken for a man of forty years. 
 His ability to accomplish the work of his many offices lies 
 in the fact of his frugal and strictl)" temperate habits. 
 
 HON. MERRICK A. MARCV. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Union, August 
 29, 1843, and was the oldest child of the late Merrick Marcy, 
 who was a leading citizen and business man of the town, 
 (of which reference is made in this book), and who died 
 September 30, 1869. 
 
 He received his education in the schools of his native 
 town, and at. a very early age commenced assisting his 
 father in his large business interests, taking an active and 
 prominent part in the management of the store and shoe 
 manufacturing interest, and early developing those busi- 
 
2i8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ness traits that have done so much to make his business 
 and piiblic life so remarkably successful, and which have 
 placed him in the front rank of the strong business and 
 public men of the State of Connecticut. 
 
 Early going into partnership with his father, at his 
 decease an unusual responsibility fell upon him, and when 
 only 26 years of age, he was engaged in carrying on the 
 business and assisting in the settlement of his father's 
 large estate, all of which was done in a very able and 
 highly creditable manner. He continued the shoe manu- 
 facturing business in Union until 1874, when the firm of 
 Marcy Bros. & Co. removed to Hartford and Wethersfield, 
 employing labor at the Conn. State Prison. 
 
 The business has since been very successfully continued 
 in different co-partnerships, under the same firm name, and 
 has become a very large, prosperous and successful busi- 
 ness, increasing in its volume every year, until to-day it 
 easily ranks among the leading manufacturing interests 
 of the state. A very large southern trade has been built 
 up, which was started under the able efforts of his two 
 brothers Morris H. and George C. Marcy, now deceased, 
 who developed great ability in this part of the business, 
 doing much to find a market for the large and increasing 
 production of the manufactured goods at Wethersfield. 
 
 Much prosperity has come to this firm from the strong 
 and successful features of Mr. Marcy's business career, 
 from his close and thorough attention to details, his grasp 
 of the situation, and his keen forethought, all of which 
 have contributed much to his own success, and that of 
 those associated with him in business matters. In addi- 
 tion to his business affairs, he has taken an active part 
 in political matters, early taking a prominent place in the 
 Democratic party in his own town, county, and state, and 
 continuing in the well known principles of his honored and 
 respected ancestry. His grandfather, the late Augustus 
 Moore, was a leader in his party, and many times a member 
 of the Legislature. Mr. Marcy was a representative to the 
 Legislature for four terms, in 1865, 1866, 1879 and 1880, and 
 
MERRICK A. MARCY. 219 
 
 at his first election was only 21 years of age. In his first 
 two years he was one of the two youngest members, and 
 one of the few of the Democratic party who had repre- 
 sented Union for several years prior. In the years 1873 and 
 1874, he represented the old 20th District in the Senate, 
 being one of the two youngest members of that body in the 
 first year, and the youngest in the latter year. From 1859, 
 to his election, the District had been represented only two 
 years by a senator of his party, and after his own two 
 years of honorable service he was succeeded by a Republi- 
 can. He was the first senator elected from Union since 
 1848, a period of 25 years, when the late Judge Ingoldsby 
 W. Crawford represented the 20th District in his last term. 
 In the year 1880, he was the nominee of his party for the 
 important office of State Treasurer. Very few have had 
 more influence in the councils of his party. He has always 
 been a firm believer in its principles, and possessed the 
 confidence of its adherents in a full degree. He was for 
 many years a Director in the old Stafford National Bank, 
 has been until recently a Director of the First National 
 Bank of Stafford Springs, from its organization in 1S88, 
 and is at present its largest stockholder. He was one of 
 the original incorporators and a Director of the Central 
 Woolen Co., of Stafford Springs. He married Miss Jennie 
 Bicknell, Feb. 22, 1882. Mr. Marcy built a fine residence in 
 Union, several years ago, where he resides the greater part 
 of the year, retaining his legal residence there, and the 
 balance of the time he occupies his residence in Hartford. 
 He has done much for his native town in various ways, 
 holding important public positions, and taking an interest 
 in whatever has pertained to the benefit of its people. He 
 has been a supporter of the Congregational church, and 
 ever ready to help those in need of assistance. He is a 
 citizen of whom his town can well be proud. 
 
 JOEL H. REED, 
 
 the son of Levi Reed, was born in Eastford, January loth, 
 1850. In that same year his father removed to Union, 
 
220 BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and there his boyhood was spent. He attended the public 
 and select schools of his native town. In the winter of 
 1867-8, he first commenced to teach in the East district in 
 Union, and continued to teach winters for a number of 
 years, relying on this as a principal means of support in 
 prosecuting his studies. In the fall of 1868, he attended a 
 select school at Ashford, taught by John D. Gaylord. The 
 next year, 1869, at the earnest solicitation of Rev. Charles 
 Hammond, he entered Monson Academy. After finishing 
 his studies there, upon the advice and suggestion of Mr. 
 Hammond, he entered in September, 187 1, upon the study 
 of law with Hon. Dwight Marcy, of Rockville, Conn., for- 
 merly of Union. To the instruction and influence which 
 he received from this teacher, Mr. Reed ascribes in large 
 measure, the success which he has had in his professional 
 career. He was admitted to the bar at Tolland at the 
 September term of the court in 1874. He commenced the 
 practice of law in Stafford Springs, where he continued 
 till October, 1878, when he removed to Colchester, Conn., 
 where he opened a law office. He remained there till 
 October, 1885, when he returned to Stafford Springs, where 
 he has since resided and practiced law. As a lawyer Mr. 
 Reed is warmly attached to his profession, and is thorough 
 and painstaking in the preparation of a case. He is 
 regarded as a safe counselor, and his advice is exten- 
 sively sought, and his judgment relied on. In his personal 
 manner he is modest and unassuming, pleasant and agree- 
 able. He is warmly attached to his old home in Union, 
 and has a kind interest in the people of the town. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 INDUvSTRIAL HISTORY OF UNION. 
 
 I. AGRICULTURE : FARMING BY THE EARLY SETTLERS — CROPS 
 
 RAISED MARKETS WILD ANIMALS PRESENT CONDITION OF 
 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 II. LUMBERING : IMPORTANCE IN UNION THE SAW-MILLS IN 
 
 TOWN. 
 
 III. THE STORE AND SHOE BUSINESS : MERRICK MARCY BUSI- 
 NESS OF HIS SONS — BURNING OF THE BLOCK AT UNION — 
 
 THE BUSINESS AT MASHAPAUG : MOSES WHITE HARVEY 
 
 WALKER JARED SESSIONS WM. CORBIN CESSATION OF 
 
 THE SHOE MANUFACTURE OTHER INDUSTRIES AT MASHA- 
 PAUG. 
 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 THE principal occupation of the inhabitants of the town 
 always has been, as it doubtless always will be, the 
 cultivation of the soil. 
 
 When the early settlers came here, they doubtless 
 selected such lands for their farms as were most open and 
 could most easily be brought under cultivation. It is said 
 that they found the entire town covered with forest, except 
 the Lead Mine hill (south of Henry Corbin's). Upon this, 
 sufficient grass grew so that the settlers used to mow it in 
 common. It is said that they were accustomed to go and 
 mow the first three days of the week, Monday, Tuesday 
 and Wednesday, and rake and get in their hay on Thurs- 
 day, Friday and vSaturday. The settlers aimed, as soon as 
 possible, to clear the swamp lands so as to raise grass on 
 them. When cleared, the grass would come up rich and 
 luxuriant, and of a pretty good quality, and it did not fail 
 as soon as on the uplands. Hence it may be seen now how 
 
222 INDUSTRIAL IIISTOIiY. 
 
 nearly all the swamp land in town has been cleared and 
 mowed at some time or other. Many of these meadows are 
 now growing tip, and with the improved cultivation of the 
 uplands, are not valued as highly as formerly. 
 
 The question arises, how did the settlers gain a living? 
 What did they turn off from their farms to get the means 
 to buy what was necessary for their families? In the first 
 place they had little to buy compared with what a family 
 needs now-a-days. Nearly everything the family needed 
 was raised or made at home. What was needed for food 
 was almost entirely raised on the farm. Potatoes were just 
 coming into common use when the town was settled. 
 There is a tradition handed down in the Lawson family, 
 that when the family of John Lawson the pioneer settler 
 first tried potatoes, they did not know how to season them, 
 or what to eat with them. So they tried some hotiey, which 
 presumably did not go very well. The quantity of pota- 
 toes raised was rather small, turnips largely taking their 
 place. Bread was made from r3^e and Indian meal, and rye 
 flour. Very little wheat flour was used. Even within the 
 remembrance of persons now living, the prudent house- 
 wives would make the lower crust of a pie of rye and the 
 upper of wheat. Rye was m.uch more generally raised 
 than now. Each settler intended to clear a piece of land 
 each year, burn it over, and raise rye on it. A barrel of 
 wheat flour was made to last a family a year. Then the 
 g'arments that were worn were almost invariably of home 
 manufacture. The wool or flax was first spun into yarn 
 and then woven into coarse cloth. Of course, these pro- 
 ducts were more generally raised than now. Every far- 
 mer had a few sheep to supply wool for his family use. 
 Nearly every year too, he raised a patch of flax. This was 
 pulled and left on the ground to rot. After several weeks 
 it was gathered up some dry day and bound into bundles. 
 Then, usually during the winter, it was broken with an 
 oak instrument called the "break." Next came the pro- 
 cess of "swingling" it to separate the fibre from the coarse 
 woody part called the "shives." Then it was combed with 
 
EARLY MARKETS. 223 
 
 the "hatchel " by the women, and the long, clean fibre sep- 
 arated from the short '• tow." It was then ready to be spun 
 on the little flax wheels. Few young people now-a-days 
 could go through the process of transforming the plant 
 into linen cloth. Boots and shoes, too, were usually made 
 at home. Sometimes the farmer would have a skin tanned 
 to furnish the leather. There was at one time a tannery 
 in Union, opposite the new cemetery. Many other articles 
 were made at home, by those who were skillful, such as 
 the wooden plows which were used and other farm tools, 
 household furniture, etc. The principle of division of labor 
 was little practiced a hundred years ago, compared with 
 what it is now. Hence the things to be bought were much 
 fewer than at the jiresent time. The places to which the 
 people of Union had to go to trade were at quite a distance. 
 There were then no thriving villages like Southbridge and 
 Stafford Springs in the vicinity. Windham was one of the 
 nearest places of trade. Some used to go to Providence, 
 Norwich, Boston, and especially Hartford. They usually 
 went with ox-teams. The story is told of one of the early 
 residents of Union going to Boston to buy the various arti- 
 cles which he needed. His wife had importuned him to 
 get her a large iron kettle, as she needed one very much. 
 When he had got nearly home, and was driving his steers 
 over the new, rough road in the dark, suddenly his cart 
 overturned, and the new kettle was thrown out on some 
 rocks and broken. "There goes Sal's kettle," exclaimed 
 the poor man with a sigh, as he thought of all the trouble 
 he had taken to get it. Trade was mostly by barter, as 
 money was scarce. The articles which the farmers sold 
 were boards and other lumber, beans, oats, flax-seed, bay- 
 berry tallow, butter, etc. And the things bought were salt, 
 sugar, flour, molasses, codfish, glass, crockery, nails, etc. 
 There was another article which unfortunately was bought 
 with about as much regularity as any of these, and that 
 was rum. It was deemed necessary to have a supply of it 
 on hand. 
 
 It was a common custom for the Union farmers to drive 
 
224 
 
 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 to Hartford once or twice a year, buy the things they 
 needed, and drive home the following day. Fat cattle were 
 often driven to Providence, and sold in the markets there. 
 Some used to take loads of hoop-poles to sell there. The 
 Holmans who lived on the Lawson place were coopers, and 
 made and sold many barrels. Potash used to be manufac- 
 tured from ashes to some extent. Philip Corbin made 
 considerable quantities of this and sold it in Norwich. A 
 refined form of this was called pearlash, and was used in 
 cooking as saleratus is now. 
 
 The settlers of Union were considerably troubled with 
 wild animals for sometime after the settlement of the 
 town. A large part of the land remained unimproved in 
 the hands of non-resident owners and, as the people said, 
 "afforded a breeding place for vermin, so that it was diffi- 
 cult to raise crops." Probably the raccoons, muskrats^ 
 minks, woodchucks, skunks and foxes were more numerous 
 and aggressive than now. Then at first there were other 
 wild animals. Deer were sometimes seen and killed. There 
 were probably some bears. Wildcats were very common 
 in some localities, and have been shot within the mem- 
 ory of persons now living. A stray wolf would now and 
 then come into the region in winter time, and work devasta- 
 tion in the sheep-folds and among the young cattle. 
 Exciting were the chases which the men and boys had 
 after such a marauder. The following poem, by Uriah 
 Lyon, of Union, describes such a hunt, which took place in 
 the early part of the century. The hunt occurred in the 
 ''Cedar Swamp," west of where Moses Gage now lives, 
 north of West Woodstock. It is said that Stephen Bugbee 
 had been away from home, and returned just as they had 
 got the wolf surrounded. He took his gun, loaded it with 
 a bullet cut in quarters and went to the place. But the 
 party there told him that as he had not helped surround 
 the wolf they did not want him in the line to help kill it. 
 So he retired a distance to a knoll from which a good view 
 could be obtained. Soon the wolf, escaping between some 
 of the men, came past him, and he shot it. Uriah Lyon, or 
 
STOBY OF THE WOLF-HUNT. 225 
 
 'Riali Lyon, as he was called, was an odd genius, as the 
 poem indicates: 
 
 " AN EULOGY ON THE DEATH OF A WOLF. 
 
 A wolf of late came through this state, 
 
 Destroying sheep and cattle; 
 The men, alarmed, equipped and armed, 
 
 And soon prepared for battle. 
 
 From town to town he traveled 'round, 
 
 Through swamps and fields did go. 
 Followed he was, by men and boys. 
 
 Who tracked him in the snow. 
 
 Some snapped their guns while others run, 
 
 When he came in their sight, 
 Thus while 'twas day around he'd stray, 
 
 And feed on sheep at night. 
 
 Until at last they got him fast, 
 
 'Twas in a neighboring wood, 
 A hundred men were gathered then, 
 
 So around him they all stood. 
 
 Thus 'round the wood well armed they stood,. 
 
 While some on horns did blow. 
 Some make a shout to drive him out 
 
 And after him they go. 
 
 They soon did drive him from his hive, 
 
 And swiftly he did run. 
 But soon did fall, killed by a ball 
 
 From Stephen Bugbee's gun. 
 
 Soon as 'twas done the news did run 
 
 From one unto another, 
 Until they all had heard the call. 
 
 Then 'round him they did gather. 
 
 Then by command this numerous band 
 
 Prepared themselves to march, 
 And off they go, as pleased as though 
 
 They'd taken Bonaparte. 
 
 ' So down they came to drink some rum. 
 And celebrate the day. 
 In which was wrought that great exploit. 
 Of which you heard me say." 
 
 15 
 
2 26 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 The last wolf which was seen in this vicinity came 
 through town in 1837. He came into town from Stafford, 
 and went through to Woodstock, killing sheep and sucking 
 their blood, at nearly every house. A large party of hun- 
 ters followed his trail and finally surrounded him in a 
 swamp near where Luther Marcy lives. When the dogs 
 drove him out he passed between two men, one of whom 
 was scared and did not try to kill him. The other who 
 was Captain Danford Morse, made repeated efforts to fire 
 off his old flint-lock gun, but it failed him at just the 
 critical time, and the wolf escaped. He was afterward 
 heard of away up in New Hampshire. 
 
 If a wolf should come to town now, he might starve 
 before he found any sheep to feed on. 
 
 The character of agriculture in Union, and in all New 
 England as well, has greatly changed during the last fifty 
 years. The opening up of the West, and the growth of 
 the cities, have had a great effect on these old New Eng- 
 land towns. Increased facilities of communication, and the 
 growth of sanitary science have rendered it possible for an 
 immense population to live within the limits of a city. 
 New inventions have caused the transfer of certain indus- 
 tries formerly carried on in the home to large establish- 
 ments, and the centralization of these industries in the 
 cities and larger towns, has caused a drift of population to 
 them from the back towns. The West has attracted many 
 of the young men from Union. Between the years 1825 
 and 1S30, or thereabouts, there was quite an extensive exo- 
 dus of people from Union to Stockbridge, N. Y., and the 
 immediate vicinity. Among the young people from Union 
 who went thither, were the following: Preston, Lyman, 
 Volney, Danforth and Caroline Armour; Erastus, Philena, 
 Gurdon, Norman, Chauncey, Lawrence, Fidelia and Lucin- 
 da- Horton; James, Alfred, Lyman, Eli, Austin, Thomas, 
 Caroline and Dr. James Moore; Edward Foster and family, 
 Charles Foster and family; John Potter, who married Dor- 
 othy Foster; Elisha and Cheney Griggs; Elijah Kinney 
 and family, Cyrus Coye, Solomon Strong, who married 
 
AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION. 227 
 
 Philena Horton, Alexander Strong, Phebe Lawson who 
 married Lyman Moore, and others. 
 
 Among those who went to other places from Union, 
 were Roscius and Louisa Newell and Festus Moore and 
 family, to Ashtabula, Ohio; Stephen Fairbanks and family, 
 to Michigan; Dwight and Alvin Foster, to Wisconsin, 
 where Norman Horton afterwards went from Stockbridge. 
 Two sons of William Foster, William, Jr., and John N., 
 Dwight Crawford and Francis Hammond, also went to 
 Wisconsin. T^hese all made valuable citizens in the places 
 where they settled. 
 
 The result of this constant emigration from town has 
 been that in many cases the old farms have been deserted, 
 and left to grow up. One reason for this has been the 
 depression in agriculture during the last twenty years. 
 The Civil war created a disturbance in prices and stimu- 
 lated agriculture by calling, for the time being, many men 
 from the farms, and meanwhile the army had to be fed. 
 After the war and until about 1872 or 1873, farming had a 
 period of great prosperity. Then a cloud began to gather 
 over the business and the agricultural depression began. 
 
 One reason for this depression was the abnormally rapid 
 settling up of the West, with the consequent over-produc- 
 tion of farm products. The facilities for transportation, 
 brought the Eastern and Western farmers into direct com- 
 petition, wnth consequent disadvantage to the former 
 owing to the greater difficulties of production here. 
 Then again, an immense amount of government land has 
 been given away in the West. This land has rapidly 
 risen in value, so that the Western farmer has had this in- 
 direct advantage over the Eastern one, whose lands have 
 rather decreased than increased in value. The result of 
 all this has been that farming in the East has not been so 
 profitable during the last twenty-five years, as other forms 
 of industry. But probably the limit of this depression has 
 been reached. Very little valuable farming land remains 
 to be given away by the government. As time goes on the 
 relations between the East and the West will become bet- 
 
2 28 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 ter adjusted. Eastern farmers will find what they can 
 produce to best advantage; cattle breeding and cattle 
 feeding will undoubtedly revive, and better animals be 
 produced than formerly. Truck farming, the growing of 
 fruits, and emphatically the dairy interest, will all increase, 
 because the nearness to market gives an immense advantage 
 over the West. The market facilities of Union have greatly 
 increased during the last forty years, owing to the growth 
 of neighboring villages, especially Stafford Springs and 
 Southbridge. One of the disadvantages of Union is the 
 distance from railroad. A hundred years ago the town 
 was no more "out of the world " than any other. But the 
 flocking of the population to railroad towns has left Union 
 high and dry as it were. Nevertheless the railroad facili- 
 ties of Stafford and Southbridge have been of great value 
 to Union. 
 
 The changes in the methods of agriculture are familiar 
 and need only to be referred to here. No good farmer 
 now considers himself equipped unless he has a mowing 
 machine and a horse rake. Great improvement has also 
 taken place in other farm tools and machines. It has 
 become more and more necessary to have the fields clear of 
 the boulders which are so great a hindrance to their easy 
 cultivation. Where farmers have done this, they have 
 found that it has paid them even within a few years. 
 There is vast room for a greater improvement than has yet 
 taken place. More intelligence and enterprise should be 
 used and the results of the work of the State Agricultural 
 Experiment Stations be put to practice. The Grange 
 which has recently been started in Union, has a great field 
 for usefulness, in promoting a knowledge of the best 
 methods of farming, drawing the farmers into closer sym- 
 pathy, and affording pleasant social advantages. Cer- 
 tainly any one need not complain that his lot has been cast 
 in Union. Although there is little hope of acquiring much 
 of this world's goods, still one may live a happy, useful, 
 and honorable life here. The number of able and useful 
 men which Union has sent out indicates that it is a good 
 
LUMBERING. 
 
 229 
 
 place to be reared in. Here may be developed a sturdy 
 independence and self-reliance, and a strong, upright char- 
 acter. Mr. Hammond, in his sermon at the rededication of 
 the church at Union, remarked: "If, as has been said, the 
 only product of this town for exportation is men, then 
 there is need here of all the moral and religious forces 
 which tend to make men of the right stamp, men having 
 the sterling virtues of honesty, truth and temperance, men 
 who love their country, and live in the fear of God." May 
 the chief function of Union continue to be as it has been 
 in the past, to prodiice men of this kind. 
 
 LUMBERING. 
 
 The lumber business in Union has always been an 
 important one. Much of the land, on account of its rough 
 and hilly character, is unfitted for cultivation, and conse- 
 quently is better left to grow up to timber. Quite early 
 in the history of the town, the industry was started, of 
 the manufacture and sale of lumber. Of course the quan- 
 tity sold was small compared with what it is now. Most 
 of it was drawn to Windham and sold there. Water saw- 
 mills were built soon after the settlement of the town. The 
 one at Mashapaug was probably the first and was built 
 before 1740. Probably no town in the region, according 
 to its size, has had so many saw-mills as Union. There 
 have been mills at seventeen different places, and as many 
 as thirteen have been running at one time. 
 
 A brief and imperfect account of these mills is as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 I. The Mashapaug mill. The first mill on this site 
 was built by Capt. Daniel Badger, who had first settled on 
 what is now the Mason Horton place, but who afterwards 
 went to Mashapaug. The Badgers owned it for a consid- 
 erable time. About 1825, it was owned by three men, Philip 
 Corbin, Robert Lawson, and Paul Lawson. This mill was 
 burned. It stood nearer the road than ,the present one. 
 There have been at least three different mills on this site. 
 The present one is owned by Lyman Moore and William 
 
230 
 
 INDTISTBIAL HISTORY. 
 
 Corbin. Previous owners have been Josiah Leland, vSamuel 
 McAllister, and Albert Back. 
 
 2. The Bigelow mill. The dam here was built by Amos 
 Woodworth about 1760. He began work on it by hauling" 
 earth in a wheelbarrow. It afterwards came into the hands 
 of the Crawfords, being owned first by Samuel Crawford, 
 Sr., then in part and finally entirely by Trenck Crawford. 
 In 1838 a new mill was built and a box-shop added. This 
 was burned a number of years afterwards. The present 
 mill was built by James Herindeen. It was afterwards 
 owned by Frank Letcher and T. J. Youngs, and now by 
 Luther Marcy. 
 
 3. The Lawson mill. This mill, now in ruins, is at 
 least the second one on the site. The first mill here was 
 built by Edward Houghton, who came to town in 1744. 
 He also had a grist-mill here. It afterwards came into 
 the hands of the Lawsons. The present mill was built 
 by David Lawson about 1840. 
 
 4. The Kinney mills. The present saw-mill is the third 
 one on the site. The second and perhaps the first, was built 
 by Archabald Coye. The present one was built by Nathan 
 Kinney, about 1837. The box-shop, which was burned in 
 1885, was biiilt about 1857, and the shingle-mill in 1865. 
 Quite an extensive lumber business was carried on here 
 by the Kinney brothers, Myron and Milton, especial!}^ dur- 
 ing the years from i860 to 1870. The amount of lumber 
 sawed in the saw-mill during these years would average 
 about 200,000 feet a year. 
 
 5. The Horton mill, situated on Bush meadow brook 
 near the Watkins place. 
 
 6. The Foster saw-mill, built by William Foster, after- 
 wards run by Burke and Byron Foster. It is now owned 
 by the Marcys. 
 
 7. The Capt. Danford Morse mill, in the southwest cor- 
 ner of town now owned by the Kieses. 
 
 8. The Goodell mill, built by the Bracketts, afterwards 
 run by Leonard Goodell, and now by David Matthews. 
 
 9. The Dexter Moore mill. 
 
THE SAW-MILLS IW UNION. 231 
 
 10. The Harris or Colburn mill. This was built by 
 Harden G. Back about 1850. It has been owned since by 
 Isaiah Hiscock, George L. Marcy, Jarvis Hatch, Orrin 
 Walker, Newton Wallace and William H. Harris, and Geo. 
 D. Colburn. 
 
 11. The Col. Moses C. Sessions mill, situated north of 
 the Newman Bugbee place. 
 
 12. The Cass or Wallace mill (near the Capt. Paul place). 
 There was a mill here before the present one built by 
 Robert Paul. The present one was built by Elbridge Cass, 
 and is now owned by Edwin Wallace. 
 
 13. The Cleveland mill, built by Solomon Cleveland, 
 and burned about 1890. 
 
 14. The Luther Crawford or Putnam mill which stood 
 on the road east of where Samuel Goodyear now lives. 
 It was built by Squire Luther Crawford early in the cen- 
 tury. 
 
 15. The Sessions mill. In the early part of the cen- 
 tury there was a saw-mill near Lost Pond, just east of 
 the road, owned by Abijah, William P., and Lyman Sessions. 
 
 16. The Leonard or Sherman mill. This was situated 
 in the southeast part of town east of the Leonard place. 
 The former mill here was owned by George Leonard, and 
 the present one was built by Henry Sherman. 
 
 17. Fayette Crawford built a mill south of his house in 
 1864. The amount of water was small and he had a large 
 over-shot wheel. The mill is not now standing. 
 
 All the old saw-mills had the old-fashioned up-and- 
 down saw with its cumbrous machinery. It was impos- 
 sible to saw very fast with this. There was about as much 
 difference between such an old saw-mill and the modern 
 steam saw-mill as there is between the old-fashioned stage- 
 coach and the modern locomotive. The introduction of 
 the circular saw was a great improvement. But even then 
 the old water-mills could not compete with the movable 
 steam-mills which are placed right on the lot to be cleared 
 so that an immense saving is made in the hauling. 
 These steam-mills first began to be used in town about 
 
232 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 1870. Since then their use has steadily increased so that 
 at times there have been three or four different ones 
 running in town at the same time. If anyone contem- 
 plates doing much in the lumber business, a steam-mill is 
 a matter of course. Perhaps the most extensive business 
 in this line has been done by Daniels & Aldrich, on the 
 David Lawson place. The steam-mills have so displaced 
 the old water-mills that onl}^ about five of the latter out of 
 the seventeen which there have been in town, arc now 
 running at all, and the amount of lumber sawed by these 
 is much smaller than formerly. 
 
 When we think of the vast tracts in town which are 
 growing up to forest, such as the Breakneck region, the 
 BigeloAV valley, and especially its entire eastern slope, we 
 are led to the conclusion that it will take a long time yet 
 for the steam-mills with all their rapidit}- to strip the town. 
 The lumber business will be an important one for many 
 years to come. To be sure, all the old primitive growth 
 has now been cut off. But there are acres and acres of 
 land, much of which was once used for pasture or culti- 
 vation, which are now covered with a dense growth of 
 trees. It was formerly the custom when a lot was cleared 
 to burn it over, raise rye and make a pasture of it. But 
 now, when the lumbermen leave a lot, a new growth imme- 
 diately springs up. If it is pine that has been cut off, it is 
 followed by the deciduous-leaved trees. The old pastures 
 and fields grow up mostly to pine. 
 
 Much of the land of Union is better fitted to grow trees 
 than to raise anything else on. It will probably be many 
 years hence before much more is brought into cultivation 
 than there is at present. But it would pay those farmers 
 whose pastures are old and growing up to bayberry bushes, 
 pine trees, white birches, etc., to burn over some of the lots 
 which the steam-mills have left, and make pastures of them. 
 The ashes enrich the soil, so that it grows excellent feed 
 for thirty years or more. 
 
 Cutting and selling wood has been quite an important 
 business in town, especially before coal came into general 
 
MERRICK MARGY. 
 
 233 
 
 use in the neighboring villages. The west part of town 
 was nearly all cut over and the wood drawn to Stafford 
 for the use of the furnaces there before they began to use 
 coal. 
 
 THE STORE AND SHOE BUSINESS. 
 
 We group these two industries, because in the two prin- 
 cipal places where they were carried on, at Union Center, 
 and at Mashapaug, they were closely connected and can 
 hardly be separated. The business at the former place 
 centres about the career of Merrick Marcy. He was the 
 son of Calvin Marcy, and was born in Holland, Mass., Octo- 
 ber nth, 181 2. He commenced keeping store on a small 
 scale in what was later known as the Lindsey house (where 
 Edwin Upham now lives), not far from 1830. Warner 
 Howard had kept a store at Union for several years, start- 
 ing at Newell's. He began building the house at the 
 south end of the block which Mr. Marcy afterwards owned, 
 about 1835, intending to have a store in the north wing. 
 But his wife died before he completed it, and he sold out 
 to Mr. Marcy, who went on and finished it. The latter 
 kept his store in the north part of the building for a num- 
 ber of years. 
 
 About 1847 he built the brick store in which he after- 
 wards carried on his mercantile business. About the year 
 1845, he commenced m a small way the manufacture of 
 boots and shoes in connection with his general store busi- 
 ness. This he increased as time went on, giving employ- 
 ment to a number of men. But those who worked directly 
 in his shop were only a few compared to the number out- 
 side to whom he gave employment. For he was accus- 
 tomed to put out the work of fitting and bottoming. 
 Many families in the vicinity took work of this kind to do. 
 They were paid out of the store, and here is where the 
 larger part of the profit was made. 
 
 Mr. Marcy's business was largest between the years 
 i860 and 1866, amounting to over $100,000 per annum. Dur- 
 ing these years he gave employment regularly or irregu- 
 larly to about one hundred and fifty persons annually. He 
 
234 INDUSTRIAL HI8T0RT. 
 
 built a shop north of the brick store and later a large stone 
 structure behind it. He erected houses still farther north 
 till finally he had a block about two hundred and fifty feet 
 in leng-th, besides two houses farther up on the hill. He built 
 his own house on the hill in 1857. That same year a finan- 
 cial panic occurred which considerably injured his busi- 
 ness. Between the years i860 and 1869, the amount of shoe 
 business which he did was small. He died September 30th, 
 1869, aged fifty-seven. He was a man of energy and push, 
 rising from very humble circumstances to comparative 
 wealth. He sometimes appeared rough in manner, but the 
 worst part of his nature was on the outside, and he really 
 had a kind heart within. His business helped many poor 
 people who thus found employment. Had he received a 
 proper training and a good education in his youth, with his 
 native ability and force, he would have been sure to have 
 made his mark in the world. 
 
 After his death, his business was carried on by his sons, 
 Merrick, Morris and George. In 1874 they made a con- 
 tract for a part of the convict labor at the state's prison, 
 at Wethersfield. They began with fifty men, for whose 
 labor they paid fifty cents apiece a day. They thus began 
 the shoe manufacture at Wethersfield, at the same time 
 continuing it at Union. But the latter was soon found to 
 be unprofitable, owing to the changes that had come about 
 in the business, the distance from railroad, etc., and hence 
 they gave it up entirely about 1876. Their business has 
 gone on increasing till now they employ from one hundred 
 and seventy-five to two hundred convicts, and some fifty 
 other employes. They have their office at 14 Ford street, 
 Hartford. 
 
 The amount of their business is frotn $350,000 to $400,000 
 annually. The firm name with which they started " Marcy 
 Bros. & Co.," has been continued although there have been 
 changes in its membership. It was first composed of Mer- 
 rick, Morris and George Marcy, and George Baker. The 
 youngest brother, William, who was then not of age, was 
 later taken in, and the two brothers, Morris and George 
 
Merrick Marcev, 
 
THE BUSINESS AT MASHAPAUQ. 
 
 235 
 
 have died. Mr. Rankins and Mr. Burnham are now mem- 
 bers of the firm. Mr. Merrick Marcy is not at present a 
 member, but works on a salary. They sell their goods 
 mostly in the South, and employ seven salesmen. 
 
 We may refer here to the subsequent history of the 
 buildings at Union where the business was carried on by 
 Merrick Marcy. A store was kept there by several differ- 
 ent persons, among them a Mr. Barrett and Mr. John 
 Winch. It was while the latter was here that the build- 
 ings were burned. This event, which changed the appear- 
 ance of the center so much, took place on the night of Jan- 
 uary 29th, 1881. The fire originated in the extreme north 
 end, where a family by the name of Stone lived. The father 
 was away at the time. It is supposed that the woman had 
 been drinking with others who were there and that a lamp 
 was upset. The fire was first discovered by Benjamin Case 
 who lived in the next part. But it was too late to get the 
 woman and the two children out from the burning rooms, 
 and they all perished. The Case family barely escaped. 
 The fire spread steadily southward towards the brick store. 
 It was a bitterly cold night and the fire burned slowly. 
 Hence it was possible to clear the store and the houses 
 south of it of everything of value before the fire reached 
 them. 
 
 Mr. Winch continued his store for a short time in the 
 Lindsey house, but soon removed to Mashapaug. Since 
 then there has been no attempt to keep a store at Union. 
 The growth of the neighboring villages of Southbridge 
 and Stafford Springs, with their increasing market facili- 
 ties, have rendered store-keeping in Union unprofitable. 
 
 THE BUSINESS AT MASHAPAUG. 
 
 Moses White had a store in Mashapaug village, some- 
 where between the years 1820 and 1830. He was a native 
 of Uxbridge, Mass., and had come to Union about 1812. 
 He lived at first on the Dr. Hammond place where he was 
 employed as a merchant in company with Pearl & Taintor, 
 first as a clerk and afterwards as a partner. He removed to 
 
236 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 Westford not far from 1817. About the year 1827, Harvey 
 Walker, of Westford, came to Mashapaug, and was employed 
 as a clerk in Moses White's store there. He thus became 
 established in the business which he afterwards carried on. 
 In 1837 he entered into partnership with Judson Smith, 
 forming the firm of Smith & Walker, which continued till 
 1841. During this time they were engaged only in the 
 store business; but soon after Mr. Walker began the man- 
 ufacture of boots and shoes, in connection with his store. 
 In 1846 he formed a partnership with Jared Sessions, who 
 was then twenty-five years of age, and who had been 
 engaged in the practical work of making shoes at his 
 father's home in Union. The firm of Walker & Sessions 
 started with a capital stock of $2,500. Their business was 
 at first extremely limited, but it rapidly expanded and 
 prospered under the new and united management. In 1851 
 the firm became Walker, Sessions & Co., and the partners 
 were Harvey Walker, J. D. vSessions and Lorenzo Morgan. 
 In 1 85 3, Mr. Morgan went out and Alexander Sessions was 
 taken in. The business went on increasing and the plans 
 were enlarged. Mr. Jared Sessions, especially, became 
 instrumental in forming firms at Fiskdale, Mass., and at 
 Toronto, Canada. From 1856 to 1858 there were three dif- 
 ferent firms with one capital. They were Walker, Sessions 
 & Co., of Mashapaug; Sessions, Bates & Co., of Fiskdale, and 
 Sessions, Carpenter & Co., of Toronto. The partners in 
 these three firms were Harvey Walker, Jared Sessions, 
 Alexander Sessions, E. L. Bates, Vernon E. Carpenter and 
 William M. Corbin. From 1858 to Mr. Walker's death, 
 March 4th, i860, the firm at Mashapaug was Walker, Cor- 
 bin & Tourtellotte, Mr. Reed Tourtellotte having become 
 a member. The business at Mashapaug under the leader- 
 ship of Mr. Walker and Mr. Sessions was conducted in a 
 thorough, energetic and business-like way, and met with 
 deserved success. It may be remarked here that Walker &: 
 Sessions made the first unlined brogans ever shipped to 
 New York City. When the business was at its height in 
 Union, it amounted to $75,000 or $100,000 annually, and 
 
DECLINE OF THE SHOE BUSINESS. 237 
 
 Mashapaug- village became qiiite a thriving centre. In 
 1857, a financial panic occurred throughout the country, 
 which greatly embarrassed the firm, but through which by 
 careful management it was able to pass. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Sessions removed to Toronto, Canada, and 
 thereafter his business was mainly done there and in Bing- 
 hamton, N. Y. 
 
 In 1859, Mr. Walker began building the new store and 
 shoe factory at Mashapaug. This was completed the fol- 
 lowing year and was said to be the finest in Tolland county. 
 About the time of Mr. Walker's death there was consider- 
 able financial uncertainty owing to the disturbed condition 
 of the South on the eve of the war. The goods were 
 sold largely in New York and the South. Hence it hap- 
 pened that there were many losses both at the beginning 
 and throughout the war. Just after Mr. Walker's death 
 there were large losses by the failure of firms in New 
 York which did business in the South. But still the busi- 
 ness went on at Mashapaug and was conducted from t86i 
 to 1867 under the firm name of Corbin & Tourtellotte. In 
 1867, by the addition of Mr. M. H. Kinney, it became Cor- 
 bin, Tourtellotte & Co. But during these last years the 
 business began to decline, owing to various causes. The 
 character of the shoe manufacture was undergoing a great 
 change. Hitherto one man had done all, or nearly all the 
 work on a shoe. A large part of the work could be put 
 out and done in the home. But many machines began to 
 be invented to do the various parts of the work more easily 
 and cheaply than it could be done by hand. This necessi- 
 tated the concentration of the work in factories, and the 
 division of labor. Each person was given a certain part of 
 the work to do. He could thus acquire special skill in 
 doing that particular thing, so that the shoe could be made 
 much more quickly and economically than for one man to 
 do the whole. In order to have this method work success- 
 fully large factories were necessary. The large establish- 
 ments could afford to introduce the best machinery, and 
 consequently produce goods at a lower cost than the small 
 
238 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 
 
 shops. They made competition so great and the profits so 
 small, that they drove the smaller factories out of exist- 
 ence. In order for the firm at Mashapaug to have gone on 
 successfully Avith their business, it would have been neces- 
 sary for them to have introduced new capital, made a larger 
 plant, and secured the best machinery. But a decisive rea- 
 son why this should not be done was the distance from rail- 
 road. The cost of transportation and the uncertainty of 
 securing laborers, would have seriously diminished the 
 profits of the business, so that in all probability it would 
 not have succeeded. Hence the firm at Mashapaug ceased 
 the manufacture of shoes in 1871. Corbin & Kinney con- 
 tinued the store business, however, for a number of years. 
 But the diminishing population of the village and town, 
 the loss of trade with those who worked for the firm before, 
 and similar reasons caused the business to decline, and it 
 was given up entirely in 1881. Mr. Corbin in that year 
 removed to Hartford, where his family has since resided. 
 
 Since that time Mr. John Winch has carried on a store 
 on a small scale at Mashapaug, in connection with his other 
 business. 
 
 We may speak here of some of the other industries 
 that have been carried on at Mashapaug. Perhaps the 
 most important of these was the manufacture of axe-handles 
 which was carried on quite extensively for a number of 
 years. This was started by Mr. Josiah Leland, who with 
 Jarvis Boies and a Mr. Carter, bought the Blanchard patent 
 of a lathe for turning irregular surfaces, each owning a 
 third. They licensed others besides themselves to use this 
 patent and received a royalty for its use. Mr. Leland came 
 to Union about 1845, and bought of the Quinnebaug Reser- 
 voir Co. (now the Hamilton Woolen Co.), the water privi- 
 lege at Mashapaug, and the house where he afterwards 
 lived (now occupied by John Winch). Here he had his 
 axe-handle factory and did quite a thriving business, giv- 
 ing employment to a large number of men. 
 
 Josiah Leland died in 1855, and the business fell into 
 the hands of his sons George A., Henry J., and John Sher- 
 
OTHER INDUSTRIES AT MASHAPAUO. 239 
 
 man. In 1856 the business was sold to Mr. A. E. Weld, 
 who carried it on for a number of years till the buildings 
 were burned. One of the shops was never rebuilt. The 
 one which was rebuilt is now a grist-mill and bone factory 
 and is owned and run by J. W. Winch. 
 
 There was also at Mashapaug a mattress factory, started 
 by Charles Collar and run for several years by Roscius 
 Back and A. E. Weld, until the building was burned about 
 1864. It was never rebuilt. 
 
 Another industry which was carried on to a consider- 
 able extent at Mashapaug was the manufacture of match- 
 cards. This was started by Mr. Trask soon after Josiah 
 Leland's death in 1854. The firm for awhile was Leland 
 & Trask (George Leland), and afterwards Leland & Gilmore 
 (J. S. Leland). 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 THE vSCHOOLS OF UNION. 
 
 THE EARLY SCHOOLS THE SCHOOL SOCIETY— TEACHERS — PRES- 
 ENT CONDITION OF SCHOOLS — THE SELECT SCHOOLS OF 
 UNION — NAMES OF TEACHERS — LIST OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 
 FROM UNION. 
 
 ATTENTION seems to have been g'lv^en to educational 
 matters quite early in the history of the town. The 
 children of the early settlers learned to read, write 
 and cipher, and some acquired a pretty fair education for 
 those days. The schools were held in private houses. 
 Phebe Lawson, a dauj^hter of the pioneer settler, is said to 
 have taught school summer and winter till she was fifty 
 years of age. Text-books were scarce, and the teacher 
 was compelled to give oral lessons in such subjects as 
 arithmetic, or have the rules written out for the scholars' 
 use. The compiler has several such home-made text-books 
 which have been handed down from early times. One of 
 these is a treatise on geometry and surveying, written by 
 Robert Paul, Sr., which is very good, and shows its author 
 to have been a man of education and ability. 
 
 The first school-house in town was built in the "meet- 
 ing-house district," in 1772. The money to build it with 
 was raised by subscription in the district and put into 
 the hands of Thomas Lawson and John Sessions, who had 
 charge of building it. It stood on the summit of the hill 
 just northwest of the old meeting-house. It stood here 
 till after 1800. Then a second school-house was built on 
 the south road to the southwest of where the present 
 school-house stands. This had a four-sided roof. The 
 present school-house in the center district was built about 
 1846. In the east district (No. 2), which used to be called 
 the "over Bigelow district," the first school-house stood a 
 
SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOLS. 241 
 
 few feet sovithwest of the barn on the Benjamin Corbin 
 place. A second was built in 18 19, on the site of the pres- 
 ent one. It was used till i860, when it was taken down and 
 set up as a dwelling house northeast of Fayette Crawford's, 
 where it now stands. The present school-house was built 
 that same year. The oldest school-house now standing in 
 town is the so-called Foster school-house in the southwest 
 district (No. 3). It is now no longer used. It was built in 
 1799. In it may be seen a remnant of the old plan of hav- 
 ing the desks run right round against the wall. At these 
 the older scholars sat with their faces away from the rest 
 of the school. Inside and one step below were benches for 
 the younger scholars. The first school-house in Masha- 
 paug (District No. 4), was built shortly after the Revolu- 
 tion. It was set on fire by a tramp about 1800, and burned 
 to the ground. A new school-house was built which stood 
 till 1 86 1, when it was taken down (after a vain attempt to 
 move it whole), and set up as a tenement house on the 
 Benj. Stone place. The present school-house was built in 
 1861, by John Stetson. It is a very pretty one and William 
 M. Corbin spared no pains to make it one of the best that 
 could be found in any country place. 
 
 The schools were at first supported by taxes levied on 
 the inhabitants. As it was difficult to get money in those 
 days, teachers were mostly paid in boards, etc., which they 
 sold at Windham and elsewhere. But in 1796, the town 
 received in common with the other towns of Connecticut, 
 interest from a fund for education, derived from the sale 
 of the western lands belonging to the state. For the pur- 
 pose of receiving and disposing of the money that was 
 received, a school society was formed in town in 1796. This 
 society continued in existence for over sixty years. It was 
 separate from the town and had its own officers, although 
 every citizen who could vote in town meeting could also 
 vote in the meetings of the school society. In 1820, the 
 money received from the above source by the different dis- 
 tricts, and the number of children between the ages of 
 four and sixteen in each, is shown in the following table: 
 16 
 
242 
 
 THE SCHOOLS OF UNION. 
 
 
 
 
 NUMBER OP 
 
 AMOUNT RECEIVED 
 
 
 
 
 PERSONS. 
 
 PROM STATE. 
 
 District 
 
 No. 
 
 I 
 
 61 
 
 $49.10 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 66 
 
 53-13 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 42 
 
 33-81 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 35 
 
 28.17 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 18 
 
 15-59 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 43 
 
 34.61 
 
 This table shows that the number of schohirs in that 
 period was much larger than now. The town was more 
 thickly inhabited and the families were larger. The old 
 school-houses were crowded at times, and the teacher had 
 his hands full. The boys and girls used to attend district 
 school longer in those days when their education was com- 
 pleted in them, than now. The young men worked on the 
 farm in summer and went to school in winter. A male 
 teacher was usually employed in winter and a female in 
 summer. The wages were about forty dollars in winter, 
 and twenty in summer. The teacher " boarded round," 
 dividing his time among the families of the district in pro- 
 portion to the number of scholars which each sent. 
 
 Among the teachers of the early part of the century, one 
 of the best was Ingoldsby W. Crawford. He was after- 
 wards for many years a school visitor and ably fulfilled the 
 duties of the office. 
 
 Among the teachers between 1830 and i860, were the 
 following: 
 
 Sullivan Booth, 
 
 Isaac B. *' 
 
 Elam C. " 
 
 John O. 
 
 Mason Coburn, 
 
 Benjamin Corbin, 
 
 David P. 
 
 Charlotte J. 
 
 Mary 
 
 Elvira 
 
 Rebecca 
 
 Trenck Crawford 
 
 Calista 
 
 u 
 
 Daniel T. 
 
 n 
 
 Logan 
 
 il 
 
 Ossian 
 
 i( 
 
 Alonzo 
 
 IC 
 
 Bert 
 
 a 
 
 Ossian T. 
 
 (t 
 
 Wm. M. 
 
 i( 
 
 Marcia 
 
 a 
 
 Harriet 
 
 u 
 
 I 
 
NAMES OF TEACHERS. 243 
 
 Susan E. Crawford, Adaline Paul, 
 
 Mary Foster, Marvin K. " 
 
 Charles Hammond, Moses W. " 
 
 Francis " Sarah A. " 
 
 Samuel " R. Bruce " 
 
 Thomas Holman, Liberty " 
 
 Miranda Houghton, Marcia Ruby, 
 
 Ann E. Kinney, Nathaniel Sessions, 
 
 Lovisa Lawson, Chloe '' 
 
 Paul C. " Maria 
 
 Edwin N. " Edwin W. Upham, 
 
 Minerva " Jonathan C. " 
 
 Sam. Whiton Moore, Sarah E. " 
 
 E. Morris " Mary E. Wales, 
 
 Caroline S. Newell, Celinda 
 
 There is one young man who taught in town early in 
 the ^century, who deserves mention here. This was Will- 
 iam Earned Marcy, of Southbridge, who came to Union to 
 teach in what has been known as the Foster School Dis- 
 trict. Near the school-house was the residence of Mr. 
 Edward Foster, the father of Eleazar Foster, who gradua- 
 ted from Yale college in 1802, with high rank, and who 
 afterwards became a successful and highly esteemed law- 
 yer in New Haven. Young Marcy, while pursuing his 
 career as a teacher in Union and residing in the family of 
 Mr. Edward Foster, and hearing the father speak with 
 honest pride of the success of his son, although before 
 unambitious, then first received that impulse and formed 
 those purposes, which made him what he afterwards 
 became. After finishing his school, he commenced a course 
 of study, and in 1808 was graduated as one of the alumni 
 of Brown University. Such was the first chapter in the 
 history of that jurist and statesman, who afterwards 
 became Governor of New York, and the Secretary of State 
 in the Cabinet of President Pierce, in 1853. 
 
 Probably there has been no other teacher in town who 
 has done so much for the cause of education here as Miss 
 Sarah A. Paul. A superb teacher herself, she also had the 
 
244 ^^^ SCHOOLS OF UNION. 
 
 power of interesting others in the improvement of the 
 schools. It was due to her efforts and the interest which 
 she awakened that the school libraries were purchased, 
 which m.ost of the districts now have. We have already- 
 given a sketch of her life and her qualities as a teacher 
 among the biographies. To this sketch the reader is here 
 referred. 
 
 Rev. vSamuel I. Curtis was for many years a school vis- 
 itor, and took an active interest in the schools. From 1876 
 to 1878, Rev. J. P. Watson had charge of the schools in 
 Union. (See sketch of his life in the church history). 
 Probably the town never had a school visitor who labored 
 so thoroughly to improve the condition of the schools in 
 town as he. The report of his first year's work which he 
 presented at town-meeting and which was afterwards pub- 
 lished, is very thorough and lengthy, and indicates the 
 character of his work. 
 
 At the present time the number of pupils in the schools 
 is small. But nevertheless they deserve the careful atten- 
 tion and interest of all good citizens. For in order that 
 the town may continue to raise up valuable citizens, the 
 proper education of the youth must be attended to. Care 
 should be taken that the money raised for this purpose is 
 applied so as to secure the best possible results. The 
 improved methods of education which are in vogue in other 
 places should be introduced and every effort made to raise 
 the standard of our schools. 
 
 THE SELECT SCHOOLS OF UNION. 
 
 The select schools which began in 1850, were very val- 
 uable to the young people in town. In that year David 
 Corbin and Ossian T. Crawford visited every family in 
 town, and ascertained the number of scholars which could 
 be gathered for a school of higher grade than the ordinary 
 district schools. The efforts of these young men and of 
 others were successful. The first teacher was Mr. Luther 
 White of the Theological Seminary at East Windsor. The 
 school was held in the center school-house, which was new 
 
THE SELECT SCHOOLS. 245 
 
 and furnished a pleasant room for study and recitation. 
 Mr. White was deeply interested in his scholars and spared 
 no pains to qualify himself to do his best for them. Other 
 able teachers followed Mr. White, some being more suc- 
 cessful than others. Henrj^ Pratt, also of the seminary at 
 East Windsor, taught in the fall of 1852. He was a man of 
 talents but had much more of a worldly mind than Mr. 
 AVhite. He did not take so lively an interest in the welfare 
 bf his school as either of them, but was popular with his 
 scholars. He was ordained at Dudley, Mass., in 1859, and 
 became an able, popular and successful pastor. He at 
 length turned his attention to secular in addition to his 
 pastoral duties. He went into speculation on a large scale, 
 became involved, involved others, resigned his pastorate, 
 signed over, and was able to pay but a small amount on the 
 dollar. 
 
 James T. Ford, also from East Windsor Seminary, 
 taught here two seasons, in 1852 and 1853. He had taught 
 the classical department there for two or three years, and 
 was an accomplished teacher. He consecrated all his pow- 
 ers to the good of the school, and exerted a healthful 
 moral and religious influence upon the people of the place. 
 His winning ways made him many friends, and rendered 
 him so popular that in his second term he had sixty or 
 more pupils. He was ordained the pastor of a feeble 
 church in Stowe, Vt., in 1857, and continued there till 
 1869. 
 
 Henry M. Parsons, from East Windsor, taught here one 
 term. He was popular with all classes of society, was 
 easy and fluent in personal conversation, a ready and elo- 
 quent speaker, graceful in manner and a man of power 
 over the minds of others. He was ordained and installed 
 pastor of the First Congregational church in Springfield 
 in 1854. 
 
 Edwin Hall, also from the East Windsor (now Hart- 
 ford) Seminary, taught here one fall. He was refined in 
 his manners and a gentleman in deportment. He took a 
 lively interest in the moral questions of the day, was devo- 
 
246 THE SCHOOLS OF UNION. 
 
 ted and faithful to his school, but not decidedly popular 
 with his pupils. After he graduated from East Windsor, 
 he settled at New Hartford, where he was pastor for four- 
 teen years. 
 
 Henry J. Bruce, of Amherst, taught here in the fall of 
 1858. He was a man of great abilities, precise in all his 
 ways and movements, a thorough and successful teacher. 
 He afterwards became a missionary of the American Board 
 and is now doing missionary service in the Marathi Mission" 
 in Western India. 
 
 Other teachers were Henry B. Ruggles, John O. Barrows, 
 for a short time missionary to Turkey, George Goodell, from 
 Amherst, a Mr. Spaulding, John O. Booth, Mrs. Wheeler, 
 (daughter of Mrs. Rev. S. I. Curtiss), Sarah C. Paul, and 
 others. 
 
 In 1881, a new set of young people having grown up, the 
 select school was revived for one term. Deacon E. N. Law- 
 son went ahead in the matter, found about fifteen scholars 
 who would attend, and secured the services of Mr. Arthur 
 C. Barrows, who had just completed the Freshman year at 
 Brown University, as a teacher. Although Mr. Barrows 
 was quite young, he took hold of the work with energy and 
 aroused the enthusiasm of his pupils. Several of them 
 continued their education, and have since graduated from 
 higher institutions. . 
 
 Mr. Barrows was so well liked that he was induced to 
 remain and teach the district school during the winter and 
 spring terms, at- the same time having pupils in the higher 
 studies of Latin, Algebra, Geometry, etc. 
 
 After graduating from Brown University, Mr. Barrows 
 becaine a teacher in the Providence High School. He is 
 now the principal of one of the public schools of Provi- 
 dence. He married Miss Ella Corbin, one of his old pupils 
 at Union, and hence can look back on his career here as 
 marking an important epoch in his life. 
 
 In recent times many of the young people of Union have 
 attended the Hitchcock Free High School at Brimfield, 
 Mass. At one time there were nine pupils from Union in 
 
STUDENTS FROM UNION. 
 
 H7 
 
 attendance there. Those who have graduated there from 
 this town are: 
 
 Harlow Back m i8 
 
 Lucy Horton " 
 
 George N. Lawson " ' 
 Hartley R. Walker " ' 
 Harvey M. Lawson " i8i 
 Harry E. Back " 1888 
 
 A list of the persons from Union, who have received a 
 liberal education is as follows: 
 
 Herbert D. Smith in 1888 
 Lilian Booth " " 
 
 Lucy " " 1889 
 
 Olin " " 1890 
 
 Susie M. Lawson " 1892 
 
 NAME. 
 
 INSTITUTION ATTENDED. 
 
 YEAR OF 
 GRADUATION. 
 
 Jonathan Badger, 
 Eleazer Foster, 
 
 Nassau Hall (Princeton), 
 Yale College, 
 
 I75I 
 1802 
 
 Rinaldo Burleigh, 
 Thomas Holman, 
 
 Madison University, 
 
 1803 
 
 1838 
 
 Charles Hammond, 
 
 Yale College, 
 
 Andover Theological Seminary, 
 
 Yale " " 
 
 1839 
 
 1844 
 
 Justus V. Lawson, 
 
 Madison University, died Aug. 12, 
 1S54., during his Sophomore year. 
 
 
 George Curtiss, 
 
 Amherst, 
 
 Andover Theological Seminary, 
 
 i860 
 1863 
 
 David Corbin, 
 Silas Foster Lindsey, 
 Henry Severy, 
 Samuel I. Curtiss, 
 
 Brown University, 
 Yale Medical School, 
 
 Amherst, 
 
 i860 
 1867 
 
 Charles Morse, 
 
 Nathan Morse, 
 Merritt Walker, 
 William Herbert Corbin, 
 R. Harlow Back, 
 George N. Lawson, 
 
 Harvey M. Lawson, 
 
 Ernest E. Severy, 
 Harry E. Back, 
 
 Union Theological Seminary, 1870 
 
 Amherst, 1872 
 
 Yale Theological Seminary, 1875 
 Amherst, 
 
 Yale University, 1889 
 
 Boston " Law Department, 1889 
 
 Yale University, 1890 
 
 " Medical School. 1892 
 Yale University, Sheffield Scientific 
 
 School, 1890 
 
 Yale Divinity School, 1893 
 Yale University, Sheffield Scientific 
 
 School, 1890 
 
 Boston University, 1892 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE CEMETERIES OF UNION. 
 
 THE OLD CEMETERY — THE NORTH CEMETERY — THE NEW CEME- 
 TERY THE EAST CEMETERY. 
 
 TO the antiquarian the " old burying ground " at Union 
 is a more interesting spot than any other in town. 
 For there, 
 
 " Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, 
 Each in his narrow cell forever laid, 
 The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 
 
 This is the spot which the first settlers selected as a 
 place in which to bury their dead. It was originally a part 
 of the ten acres reserved for public uses. The first person 
 ever buried in it was William Ward, Sr., who died June 8th, 
 1731. His remains rest near the centre of the yard, but 
 the grave is marked by no stones. This is the case with 
 a great many, perhaps the majority of graves in this yard. 
 Almost every spot in the yard is occupied by a grave 
 and one can hardly step without treading on one. Yet 
 there are very many of these which are marked by no 
 stone, and hence it is impossible to tell who sleeps beneath. 
 It would be impossible to tell how many people lie buried 
 in the yard; but as it was the only burial place in town for 
 over a hundred years, during which time the population of 
 town averaged about six hundred, there are probably not less 
 than fifteen hundred graves in the yard. When we think of 
 it we see that those who are living in town now are but few 
 compared with the number of those who have been before 
 them, and whose bodies now rest in this and the other ceme- 
 teries in town. The first grave-stones, where there were 
 any, were often common, rude stone, with the letters cut 
 into the smooth side. A few are of slate or schist, and 
 some of sandstone. It is not until the beginning of the 
 present century that marble seems to have been used. 
 
THE CEMETERIES OF UNION. 249 
 
 Some of the noteworthy graves in the old cemeter}^ are 
 the following: that of John Lawson, one of the very earli- 
 est settlers. This is situated on the east side, a little north 
 of the middle. Near by lies Capt. Thomas Lawson of Rev- 
 olutionary fame. A little to the southeast is the head- 
 stone which marks the grave of Rev. Ebenezer Wyman, 
 the first settled pastor of the church at Union. On it is 
 the quaint inscription, beginning, 
 
 " Lo, here the sacred dust of Wyman lies." 
 
 Near by are the graves of the Wales family. Here lie Dea. 
 Ebenezer Wales, the father of eighteen children; Deborah 
 Wales, to whose patriotism in the Revolution we have 
 referred, and Capt. Solomon Wales, a man whose abilities 
 and public services are mentioned in the inscription on his • 
 grave-stone. South from the centre of the yard is the 
 grave of Rev. Ezra Horton. This is covered by the large 
 tablet on which is inscribed an account of his life. North- 
 west of this is a granite monument which marks the grave 
 of another pastor of the church in Union, Rev. S. I. Cur- 
 tiss. His wife and daughter who were killed by lightning 
 and also his second wife lie beside him. Just north is the 
 lot of the Armour's, where lie the ancestors of P. D. Armour 
 of Chicago. Many other interesting graves might be men- 
 tioned, but these are among the most noteworthy. 
 
 The old cemetery becoming very much crowded, the 
 town decided in 1844, to lay out a new one. Hence the 
 land on which the north one is situated was bought of 
 Paul Kinney at that time. It is a curious circumstance 
 that his son Joseph Kinney, who died June 17, 1844, was 
 the first to be buried in the new yard. 
 
 Among the prominent, persons buried here are Chauncey 
 Paul, Merrick Marcy, Augustus Moore, William Foster, 
 Harvey Walker, Dr. Shubael Hammond, David Lawson, etc. 
 
 The north cemetery having become pretty well filled 
 up during the forty years in which it has been used as a 
 burial place, a movement was started about the year 1885, 
 to establish a new one. Lyman Moore, who was specially 
 interested in the matter, presented to the town for this 
 
25° 
 
 THE CEMETERIES OF UNION. 
 
 purpose, a piece of land north of and adjoining- the old 
 burying-ground. This has been prepared at a considerable 
 outlay of labor and expense to be the future burial place 
 of the residents of the town. It hardly seems as though so 
 large a tract was needed at present. With the town as 
 sparsely inhabited as it is, it will be sufficient for its needs 
 for over a hundred years. 
 
 THE EAST CEMETERY OF UNION. 
 
 After the old burying-ground had been in use a hundred 
 years, it became so fully occupied that it was impossible 
 to find any space large enough for a family lot, that was not 
 taken up. This difficulty, together with a desire to have 
 .their friends buried nearer home, led a number of the 
 inhabitants of the east part of the town in 1835, to estab- 
 lish a private cemetery there. The land for this purpose 
 was given by Joanna and Mary Sessions, and the Sessions 
 family was the one principally interested in the undertak- 
 ing. Those interested formed themselves into the " East- 
 ern Cemetery Association," and the names of the original 
 proprietors were, William P. Sessions, Thomas Holman, 
 Samuel Crawford, Paul Lawson, Abijah vSessions, Benjamin 
 Corbin, Nehemiah Houghton, Isaiah Hiscox, George Leon- 
 ard, Walter Lyon, Silas P. Allen. The lirst person buried 
 in the yard was Salem Holman, who died at Hartford, 
 August 13th, 1835. The bodies of Abijah Sessions, vSr., and 
 one or two of his family were removed from the old ceme- 
 tery at Union and re-interred here. 
 
 A constitution was adopted April 30, 1853, and the 
 Association has regular officers elected by the members. 
 Besides the original proprietors the owners of shares or 
 half shares have been John S. Estabrooks, I. W. Crawford, 
 Orrin Lyon ^, Edwin N. Lawson, Lucius A. Corbin, Will- 
 iam P. Chamberlain, Alexander H. Sessions, Cyprian S. 
 Lyon, Gurdon A. Chaffee, Oliver M. Angell >^, and Asa 
 Putnam. 
 
 It is interesting to note the advanced age of many of 
 the persons buried in this yard, and it is an indication of 
 
THE EAST CEMETERY. 251 
 
 the healthful nature of the locality, and the regular habits 
 of the people. Some of the ages are as follows: George 
 Leonard, 84; Daniel Leonard, 69; wife, 83; Silas Allen, 72; 
 Experience Allen, 86; Abijah Sessions, Sr., 91; wife, 91; 
 Mary Sessions, 74; Joanna, 91; William P., 81; ist wife, 59, 
 2nd, 74; Sarah Griggs, 87; Lyman Sessions, 87; Abijah 
 Sessions, Jr., 86; David Corbin, 75; wife, 84; Benjamin Cor- 
 bin, 85; Samuel Crawford, 79; wife, 70; Paul Lawson, 82; 
 wife, 88; Nehemiah Houghton, 84; wife, 83; John Crawford, 
 85; wife, 75; Trenck Crawford, 83; I. W. Crawford, 81; wife, 
 71; Asa Putnam, 87; Th. Holman, 82; wife, 88; Lavinia H, 
 Carpenter, 78. 
 
 The number of graves in the yard September 18th, 1892, 
 was 131. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 GENEALOGIEvS OF THE FAMILIES. 
 
 THE plan followed in the following lists is to trace out 
 all those of one generation before going on to the 
 next. For instance, in a family where there are several 
 brothers and sisters, the children of the first are given, then 
 of the second, and so on through to the youngest. Then 
 the children of the children of the first, the children of the 
 children of the second, and so on down. 
 
 The abbreviations used are as follows: b., born; m., married; d., died; 
 ch., children. 
 
 THE ABBE FAMILY. 
 
 Gideon Abbe, of Windham, bought land of Nathaniel 
 Badger, Jr., March 19, 1742. This land was on the west 
 side of town, bounded on the town line, and north on land 
 of William Ward, and contained one hundred acres. He 
 
 married Keziah , and had one child born in Union, 
 
 viz.: Mary, born September 4, 1743. 
 
 John Abbe, son of John Abbe, of Windham, was born 
 April 20, 1691, and died January 16, 1770. In 1752, he 
 bought land in Union of Nathaniel Gould, which was the 
 homestead of said Gould; it was bounded west on Col. 
 Fitche's land, south on James McNall's, east on William 
 Gould's, and north on Vendue land, so-called. He also 
 bought land of Nath. Walker and Joshua Webb. 
 
 John Abbe married, ist, Mary Bingham, November 7, 
 1717. She died July 23, 1722; 2nd, Mary Palmer, March 12, 
 1723, who died November 30, 1750; 3d, Widow Abigail 
 Ripley, April 23, 1751, who died October 16, 1766; 4th, 
 Sarah Dodge, April 8, 1767; she died April 11, 1776. 
 Ch. T. John, b. July 4, 1722. 
 
 2. Hannah, b. September 17, 1724; m. Joshua Webb. 
 
 3. Mary, b. September 10, 1726. 
 
TEE ABBOTT FAMILIES. 253 
 
 4. Elizabeth, b. September 16, 1728; m. Jesse Ward, 
 
 May 22, 1754. 
 
 5. Richard, b. July i, 1730. 
 
 6. Eunice, b. August 20, 1732. 
 
 7. Tabitha, b, September 16, 1736. 
 
 THE ABBOTT FAMILIES. 
 
 The Abbott families came from Pomfret and Ashford, 
 and were the descendants of George Abbott, of Andover, 
 the first comer from Yorkshire, in England, about 1640. 
 Caleb Abbott, of Pomfret, bought land of Elisha Loomis, 
 of Windsor, in Union, June 22, 1749, and moved to Union 
 not long afterwards. He lived in the old red house which 
 stood until it was burned a few years ago, south of the 
 center school-house. He was born in Andover, Mass., in 
 1704; went to Pomfret in 1726; to Union in 1749, and died 
 at Union, January 31, 1778, aged 74. He was the eleventh 
 child of William Abbott of Andover, who was born Novem- 
 ber II, 1657, and died October 21, 1713. The grandfather of 
 Caleb, of Union, was George Abbott, of Andover, who emi- 
 grated from Yorkshire, England, about the year 1640, and 
 was one of the first settlers of Andover. He married 
 Hannah Chandler. 
 
 Caleb Abbott, of Andover and Union, married Eliza- 
 beth Paine, December 3, 1730. 
 
 Ch. I. Caleb, b. September 9, 1731. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. March 12, 1733; d. October 31, 
 
 1742. 
 Hannah, b. October 27, 1734; d. April 19, 1813; 
 
 m. John Hendricks, 1761. 
 Sarah, b. July 6, 1736; m. Jonathan Burke, 
 November 11, 1754; d. November 12, 1761. 
 
 5. Mary, b. March 21, 1739; m. John Capen, of 
 
 Hartland, Vt.; d. in Scipio, N. Y. 
 
 6. Samuel, b. March 4, 1743; d. September 25, 1826. 
 
 7. William, b. October — , 1745; d. July 25, 1832. 
 
 Caleb Abbott, son of Caleb of Union, served as waiter 
 to General Putnam, in the war of the Revolution; lost a 
 
254 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 leg by hazardously mounting a breastwork, and died in 
 consequence, January 3, 1778. He married Margaret Paul, 
 daughter of Robert Paul, Sr., and had no children. She 
 died January 11, 1806. 
 
 Samuel Abbott, son of Caleb of Union, married Rachel 
 Ward, January 11, 1770, and moved to Windsor, Vt. She 
 died October 15, 1774. 
 
 Ch. I. vSarah, b. April 12, 1771; died July 3, 1772. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. April 15, 1773; m. December 3, 1795, 
 
 Caleb Hendrick, son of John Hendrick, and 
 
 Hannah, his wife. 
 
 Samuel Abbott moved from Windsor, Vt., to Hartland, 
 
 Vt., in 1778. He was much esteemed for his moral and 
 
 religious character; both he and all his descendants were 
 
 Baptists. 
 
 William Abbott, son of Caleb of Union, moved in 1792, 
 to Cambridge, Wash. Co., N. Y., and in 1799, to Clinton, 
 Oneida Co., N. Y. He lived in Union on the place where 
 Jesse Hall afterwards did. He was a Revolutionary soldier. 
 He married the first time, Mary Coye, probably a daughter 
 of Nehemiah Coye, November 15, 1770. She died Decem- 
 ber 10, 1776, aged 25 He married the second time, Esther 
 Green, of Willington, Conn. She died in Clinton, N. Y., 
 December 23, 1839, aged 86. 
 
 Ch. I. Caleb, b. February 4, 1774, settled in Colden, 
 N. Y. 
 
 2. Neheiniah, b. May 20, 1776; d. September 25, 
 
 1776. 
 
 3. Mary, b. August — , 1779; never married. 
 
 4. Nehemiah, b. June 4, 1781; m. Esther Baker; 
 
 lived at Clinton, N. Y. 
 
 5. Paul, born March 7, 1783; d. much respected 
 
 March 19, 1831, at Lowville. 
 
 6. Esther, b. October 4, 1784; in. Elisha Wakelee. 
 
 7. Orinda, b. May i, 1786; m. Joel Hubbard. 
 
 8. Samuel, b. July 18, 1789. 
 
 9. William, b. December 2, 1792; d. in Clinton, 
 
 N. Y., October 2, 1819. 
 
ABBOTT-ALLEN. 255 
 
 Nathan Abbott, of Union, was the son of Nathan, of 
 Ashford, and the grandson of Paul Abbott, of Pomfret, who 
 was a brother of Caleb, Sr., of Union. He married Judith 
 Stoddard, of Woodstock. 
 
 Ch. I. Elbe, baptized April i, 1770. 
 
 2. Hannah, baptized July 12, 1772. 
 
 3. Willard, b. April 20, 1774. 
 
 4. Harvey, b. September 8, 1778. 
 
 5. Sally, b. January 12, 1772. 
 
 Samuel Abbott was not a near relative of Caleb, though 
 thought to be a descendant of George, of Andover. He 
 afterwards moved to Ashford. He lived near Howard's 
 mills, was colonel of the militia, was very patriotic and per- 
 formed important services in the Revolution. He married 
 Elizabeth Moore, of Union, October 29, 1766. 
 
 Ch. I. Chloe. 
 
 2. Sarah. 
 
 3. Laura. 
 
 4. Sarah. 
 
 5. Joseph. 
 
 6. William. 
 
 William Allen bought land in Union of Elisha Sprague, 
 October 22, 1755. This was situated northwest of the Rus- 
 sel James place. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He 
 
 married Sybil . 
 
 Ch. I. Elisha, b. May 13, 1761. 
 
 2. Hannah, baptized September 23, 1766. 
 
 3. Reuben, baptized August 2, 177 1. 
 
 4. John, baptized August 2, 177 1. 
 
 Silas Allen came from Mansfield to Union. He bought 
 of Stephen Paine the Dorsett place (afterwards called the 
 McQuade place, southeast of Thomas Rindge's). He mar- 
 ried Mary Leonard, daughter of Daniel. He died January 
 8, 1883, aged 71. 
 
 Ch. I. Edward. 
 2. Melvm. 
 
256 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Catherine; m. James Tatem. 
 
 Elizabeth; m. Calvin Arnold. 
 
 Henry. 
 
 Halsey. 
 
 Charles M.: lives at Putnam. 
 
 Oliver M. Angell came from Pomfret to Union, about 
 1840, and worked at George Leonard's. He married 
 Cemantha Houghton, daughter of Nehemiah, November 
 21, 1852. They had no children. They lived near North 
 Ashford a while, afterwards at Walter Lyon's and Benja- 
 min Corbin's and lastly at the place east of Willis Howard's. 
 He was a faithful member of the Baptist church at North 
 Ashford, and was chosen deacon about 1872. He died 
 March 31, 1887, aged 66. 
 
 Lester Anderson came to L^nion from Willington and 
 lived on the Abner Howard place (the second house south 
 of Kinney's mills). He married Polly Howard, daughter 
 of Abner Howard, August 3, 181 7. The Anderson family 
 were Adventists. 
 
 Ch. I. Abner Howard, b. September 16, 1818. 
 
 2. Abigail Apama, b. , 1822; d. May 21, 1841. 
 
 3. Ira Willard, b. March 16, 1824. 
 
 4. Roxie Alice, b. July 4, 1826. 
 
 5. Thomas Albury Philander, b. August 14, 1830; 
 
 drowned at Woodstock Valley. 
 
 THE ARMOUR FAMILY. 
 
 James Armour, the first comer, was a native of Ireland 
 and one of the Scotch-Irish emigrants. He came first to 
 Philadelphia. He was among the early settlers of Union. 
 He lived where Major Smith now does. He was called 
 the "bog-trotter," possibly in allusion to the north of Ire- 
 land whence he came. His father was a sailor and was 
 probably lost at sea, because the family tradition is that 
 
THE ARMOUR FAMILY. 
 
 257 
 
 James never saw him. James Armour was an eccentric 
 man in some respects. He was very healthy and attrib- 
 uted it to his baptism. He was accustomed to say, " I was 
 born on Sunday morning, baptized before eight o'clock, 
 and the devil a bit of any disease would never light upon 
 me." He married Margaret Anderson, the daughter of Will- 
 iam Anderson, who came from England previous to 1720, 
 and married at Greenwich, Mass., a daughter of Samuel 
 Nevins, who was afterwards a land proprietor and settler 
 in Union, but soon moved to Palmer. William Anderson's 
 health having failed, he returned to England and died 
 soon after arriving. His daughter Margaret was born 
 after he sailed, so never saw him. His widow married a 
 Thompson, who treated her cruelly. William Anderson 
 had bought three several tracts of land in Union, but never 
 occupied them. They fell to his daughter Margaret, who 
 occupied them when she married James Armour. Their 
 children were : 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. June i, 1754; m. Ephraim Rice of 
 Montague, Mass. 
 
 2. James, b. April 4, 1756. (See below). 
 
 3. Jean or Jane, b. March 2, 1758; m. Barker, went 
 
 to Genesee, N. Y., and died October 12, 1828. 
 
 4. Martha, b. July 16, 1760; m. Job Ransom at 
 
 North Colerain, Mass. 
 
 5. David, b. November 12, 1761; m. Salome New- 
 
 comb April 6, 1794; went to Genesee, N. Y. 
 
 6. John, b. February 25, 1765. (See next page.) 
 
 7. Margaret, b. May 28, 1767; m. Lyman Isbell; 
 
 went to Genesee, then to Illinois. 
 
 8. Robert, b. August 7,1771; m. but died a Shaker. 
 Margaret, wife of James Armour, died November 20, 
 
 1775, aged 55. He married, second, Mrs. Hannah McNeil, 
 December 17, 1777. 
 
 James Armour, son of James, married Eunice Arnold, 
 October 18, 1776. 
 
 Ch. I. Sally, b. March 19, 1777; m. Charles Martin 
 June 24, 1804; died at West Stafford. 
 17 
 
^58 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. James, b. December 26, 17 78. 
 
 3. Lvman, b. January 24, 1781; died j^oung. 
 
 4. John, b. May 12, 1783; d. Aiigtist 3, 1783. 
 
 5. William, b. June 24, 1784; died young. 
 
 6. Charles, b. July 12, 1787; went to sea. 
 
 7. Ira, b. March 24, 1789; had bone disease in a 
 
 leg; it was amputated several times, but he 
 never recovered. 
 
 8. Arnold, b. July 17, 1791; went to Wisconsin; 
 
 died at Milwaukee. 
 
 9. Samuel, b. October 8, 1794; d. 1802. 
 
 10. Maria, b. July 2, iSoi; went to Genesee county, 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 James Armour died October 12, 1S28, and was buried at 
 
 his own request by the roadside in a corner between the 
 
 Cleveland and the Major Smith place (formerly the old 
 
 Armour homestead). 
 
 John Armour, son of James, Sr., married Sarah Preston 
 of Ashford (b. March 22, 1767), September 10, 1792. 
 
 Ch. I. Preston, b. August 15, 1793; d. April 25, 1879, 
 at Morrisville, N. Y. 
 
 2. Patty, b. November 22, 1794; d. April 9, 1878, at 
 
 Madison, N. Y. 
 
 3. Polly, b. October 24, 1796; m. Chauncey Paul; 
 
 d. August 25, 1883. (See Paul family). 
 
 4. Danforth, b. January 5, 1799; d. September i, 
 
 1873, at Woodstock, 111. 
 
 5. Almira, b. ]May 14, 1801. 
 
 6. Lyman, b. April 27,, 1803; d. May 12, 18S2, at 
 
 Smithfield, N. Y. 
 
 7. Volney, b. June 11, 1805. 
 
 8. John, b. June 5, 1807; d. October 9, 1872, in 
 
 Oswego county, N. Y. 
 
 9. Laura, b. June 20, 181 1; d. July 8, 1883, at 
 
 Wampsville, N. Y. 
 John Armour moved to Smithfield, N. Y., in 1820, where 
 he died April, 1849. Sarah P. Armour, his wife, died Sep- 
 tember 30, 1847. 
 
THE ARMOUR FAMILY. 
 
 259 
 
 Preston Armour, son of John, lived at Smithficld, N. Y. 
 He married Betsey Brown, and died April 25, 1879, at Mor- 
 ris ville, N. Y. 
 
 Ch. I. Virgil Maro, b. November 13, 1818. 
 
 2. Esther, b. December 13, 1820. 
 
 3. Lucien Bonaparte, b. December i, 1822; m. 
 
 Lydia P. Townsend October 20, 1859. 
 
 4. William Wallace, b. June 9, 1826; d. February 
 
 14, 1844. 
 
 5. Volney, b. August 4, 1829. 
 
 Patty Armour, daughter of John, married Stoddard 
 Washburn, December 19, 1813. He died November 17, 
 1865. 
 
 Ch. I. Ramson A., b. April 28, 1814, at Colerain, Mass, 
 
 2. George Winslow, b. July 11, 1816, at Colerain, 
 
 Mass. 
 
 3. Daniel Willis, b. July 25, 1822, at Colerain, 
 
 Mass. 
 
 4. Lydia Sophia, b. December 19, 1825, at Colerain, 
 
 Mass. 
 
 5. Edwin Ruthven, b. May 11, 1828, at Greenfield, 
 
 Mass. 
 
 6. Sarah Ann, b. July 15, 1830, at Greenfield, Mass. 
 
 7. Andrew Jackson, b. vSeptember 15, 1832, at 
 
 Smithfield, N. Y. 
 
 8. Marthnett, b. July 15, 1836, at Madison, N. Y.; 
 
 d. August 13, 1863, at Madison, N. Y. 
 
 9. Mary Rosette, b. July 29, 1839, at Oriskany 
 
 Falls, N. Y.; d. July 19, 1845. 
 
 Danforth Armour, son of John, married Julia Brooks 
 ■of Ashford, November 27, 1825. He went to Smithfield, 
 N. Y., and afterwards to Wisconsin. He died at Wood- 
 stock, 111., September i, 1873. 
 
 Ch. I. Simeon Brooks, b. February i, 1828. 
 
 2. Andrew Watson, b. January 27, 1829. 
 
 3. Lucy Maria, b. vSeptember 19, 1830; m. Wm. S. 
 
 Burleson; d. April 8, 1861. 
 
2 6o GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Philip Danforth, b. May i6, 1832. 
 Marietta, b. November 27, 1833. 
 Charles Eugene, b. September 10, 1835. 
 Herman Ossian, b. March 8, 1837. 
 Joseph Francis, b. August 29, 1842. 
 
 Almira Armour, daughter of John, married Absalom 
 Gregg, February 11, 1821. She died in Stockbridge, N. Y., 
 in 1892, aged 91. 
 
 Ch. I. David, b. December 6, 1821. 
 
 2. John, b. April 11, 1824. 
 
 3. Caroline, b. September 19, 1830; d. December 5, 
 
 1830. 
 
 4. Emeline, b. Aug. 13, 1834. 
 
 LvMAN Armour, son of John, lived in Smithfield, N. Y, 
 He married Julia Bishop of Smithfield, April 27, 1828. 
 Ch. I. Alonzo Zelotes, b. April 26, 1829. 
 
 2. Emily Sophia, b. February i, 1834; died Sep- 
 
 tember 12, 1834. 
 
 3. Sarah Charlotte, b. May 2, 1838. 
 
 4. Austin Bishop, b. November 21, 1843; d. Octo- 
 
 ber 13, 1844. 
 
 VoLNEY Armour, son of John, married Sophia Bishop of 
 Smithfield, May 12, 1835. They had no children. 
 
 John Armour, son of John, married Caroline Matthew- 
 son of Smithfield, July 29, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Sally Ann, b. August 20, 1831; d. April 4, 1832. 
 
 Luzett, b. May 12, 1834. 
 Omer Eugene, b. September 14, 1837. 
 Oscar Danforth, b. November 2, 1839. 
 Orville Preston, b. November 2, 1839. 
 
 Laura Armour, daughter of John, married Orange 
 Bridge, July 29, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Almira, b. November 26, 1831. 
 
 2. Sarah Jane, b. June 14, 1835. 
 
 3. Infant son, b. November 28, 1838; d. December 
 
 7, 1838. 
 
Mr. Danforth Armour. 
 
Mrs. Danforth Armour. 
 
THE ARMOUR FAMILY. 261 
 
 4. Ralph Ellenwood, b. November 4, 1839. 
 
 5. Laura Maria, b. March 8, 1842; d. June 17, i860. 
 
 6. William Lewes, b. September 17, 1844. 
 
 7. Emma Sophia, b. April u, 1850; d. March 2, 
 
 1874. 
 
 Virgil Maro Armour, son of Preston, married, first, 
 Mary Baylis, January 7, 1846, at Smithfield, N. Y.; second, 
 Wealthy Jane Reeve, March 27, 1870. 
 
 Ch. I. William Wallace, b. Sept. 25, 1847; d. February 
 5, i860. 
 
 2. Esther Eliza, b. Sept. 12, 1848. 
 
 3. Isabel Baylis, b. December 5, 1850; d. June 7 
 
 1885. 
 
 4. Mary Elizabeth, b. March 9, 1855. 
 
 5. Adelphia Jane, b. September 20, 1857; d. March 
 
 10, 1863. 
 
 6. Minnie Blanche, b. September 30, 1859; d. June 
 
 I, i; 
 
 7. Virg-il Maro, b. April 2, 187 1. 
 
 8. John, b. May 8, 1874. 
 
 VoLNEY Armour, son of Preston, married Lucinda 
 Wheeler Clock, January 20, 1856. 
 
 Ch. I. Preston G., 1?. November 8, 1856, at Mt. Carroll, 
 111. 
 
 2. Capitola N. E., b. February 9, 1859, at Mt. Car- 
 
 roll, 111. 
 
 3. Darwin Lucian, b. October i, 1861, at Mt. Car- 
 
 roll, 111.; d. January 21, 1862, at Mt. Carroll, 
 111. 
 
 4. Richard V. M., b. November 27, 1862, at Mt. 
 
 Carroll, 111. 
 
 5. Duane Browne, b. June 28, 1868, at Mt. Carroll 
 
 111. 
 
 6. Josepen Blanche, b. May 29, 1874, at Mt. Car- 
 
 roll, 111. 
 
 Simeon B. Armour, son of Danforth, now resides in 
 Kansas City. He married Margaret Klock, June 19, 1886. 
 
262 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Andrew Watson Armour, son of Danforth, (see bio- 
 graphical sketch), married Adalaine H. Simonds, May lo, 
 1853. He lived in Kansas City, Mo., and died May 28, 1892. 
 Ch. I. Kirkland Brook, b. April 10, 1854. 
 
 2. Maria Lucy, b. September 23, 1855; d. June 10, 
 
 1871. 
 
 3. Charles Waterman, b. June 10, 1857. 
 
 Philip Danforth Armour, son of Danforth, (see bio- 
 graphical sketch), married Malvina Belle Ogden, October 
 16, 1862, at Cincinnati, O. 
 
 Ch. I. Jonathan Ogden, b. November 11, 1863. 
 
 2. Joseph Francis, b. December 25, 1865; d. Sep- 
 
 tember 15, 1866. 
 
 3. Philip Danforth, b. January 11, 1869. 
 
 Marietta Armour, daughter of Danforth, married 
 Emory D. Chapin, May 14, 1856. 
 
 Ch. I. Alice, b. December 28, 1858. 
 
 2. Florence, b. March 3, 1861; d. September 25, 
 
 1861. 
 
 3. Henry Franklin, b. April 6, 1863; d. March 25, 
 
 1872. 
 
 4. Simeon Brooks, b. May 31, 1865. 
 
 5. Julia Belle, b. August 14, 187 1. 
 
 Charles Eugene Armour, son of Danforth, was a soldier 
 in the Civil war in the Second Kansas Regiment, and died 
 in the hospital at Rolla, Miss., August 12, 1863. 
 
 Herman Ossian Armour, son of Danforth, married Mary 
 Jacks, November 20, 1862. 
 
 Ch. I. Julia Anna, b. July 12, 1864. 
 
 2. May, b. February 10, 1866. 
 
 3. Grace, b. December 5, 1870; d. May 26, 1875. 
 Mrs. H. O. Armour died December 29, 1870. 
 
 Joseph Francis Armour, son of Danforth, married 
 Amelia Gurnee, September 2, 1869. She died October 3^ 
 1873- 
 
THE AEMOUR FAMILY. 
 
 263 
 
 Joseph F. Armour married, second, Carrie Louise Gur- 
 nee, May 3, 1875, at Geneva, Switzerland. He died January 
 5, 1881. 
 
 Ch. I. Gurnee, b. May 10, 1876; d. November 16, 1879. 
 
 Alonzo Zelotes Armour, son of Lyman, married Har- 
 riet Lucinda Cotting, March 16, 1856. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Julia, b. December 17, 1858. 
 
 2. William Lyman, b. July i, 1865. 
 
 3. Frederick Alonzo, b. July 17, 1867. 
 
 4. Frank, b. August 12, 1872; d. May 18, 1873. 
 They live at College Springs, Col. 
 
 Sarah Charlotte Armour, daughter of Lyman, mar- 
 ried Chester Duane Austin, February 28, i860. 
 Ch. I. Sarah Nellie, b. March 7, 186 1. 
 
 Chester Wilburn, b. July 23, 1862. 
 Merton, b. June 15, 1864. 
 Jessie Winona, b. April i, 1866. 
 Lucy Julia, b. March 29, 187 1. 
 
 Omer Eugene Armour, son of John, married Maryette 
 Cole, October 20, 1861. 
 
 Ch. I. Carrie L., b. September 28, 1862, at Volney, 
 N. Y.; d. October 2, 1863. 
 2. Fred E., b. August 20, 1866. 
 
 Oscar Danforth Armour, son of John, married, first, 
 Abbie Dubois, April 24, 1862; second, Emma Sumner, 
 April 18, 1876. They lived at Scriba, N. Y. 
 Ch. I. Artie H., b. March 19, 1869. 
 
 2. Jennie Liizett, b. September 14, 1870. 
 
 3. Susan Maria, b. June 30, 1873; d. July 29, 1873. 
 
 Orville Preston Armour, son of John, married Lizetta 
 S. Armour, adopted daughter of Volney Armour and 
 Sophia Bishop, March 22, 1865. 
 
 Ch. I. Hattie Sophia, b. December 20, 1865, at Volney,, 
 N. Y.; d. September 17, 1868. 
 
 2. Pardee D., b. March 20, 1867; d. July 10, 1888. 
 
 3. Winnie Luzett, b. July 5, 1869. 
 
 4. Josephine L., b. April 21, 187 1. 
 
264 GESEALOGIES. 
 
 Sarah Jaxe Bridge, daughter of Orange Bridge and 
 Laura Armour, married Milton Dayton Bligh, December 
 
 II, 1855- 
 
 Ch. I. Fremont Dayton, b. October i, 1856. 
 
 2. Neva C. b. December 24, 1862. 
 
 3. Willie Orange, b. September 3, 1864; d. May 15, 
 
 1865. 
 
 4. Bertie Davis, b. September 13, 1868; d. March 
 
 2, 1875- 
 
 Emma Sophia Bridge, daughter of Orange Bridge and 
 Laura Armour, married Arnold Bishop, February 18, 1874. 
 Ch. I. Lena Bishop, b. February 8, 1875; d. Septem- 
 ber, 12, 1875. 
 
 Preston G. Armour, son of Volney (son of Preston), 
 married Eliza E. Riddle, June 5, 1880. 
 
 Ch. I. Franklin Chapman, b. June 22, 1882, at Logan, 
 Iowa. 
 
 2. Darwin Blaine, b. May 4, 1884, at Logan, Iowa. 
 
 3. Lucinda, b. September 30, 1887, at Logan, Iowa. 
 
 4. Josephine B., b. November 15, 1889, at Logan, 
 
 Iowa. 
 
 Kirklaxd B. Armour, son of Andrew "Watson, married 
 Annie P. Heame, April 27, 1881. 
 
 Ch. I. Andrew Watson, b. April 3, 1882. 
 
 2. Lawrence Heame, b. March 8, 1888. 
 
 3. Kirkland Brook, b. August 27, 1890; d. May 21, 
 
 1891. 
 
 Charles Waterman Armour, son of Andrew Watson, 
 married Annie Magie, June 3, 1885. vShe died in Milwau- 
 kee, January 4, 1889. 
 
 Jonathan Ogden Armour, son of Philip D., married 
 Lolita Hughes Sheldon of Suffield, Conn., May 12, 1891. 
 
 Philip Danforth Armour, Jr., married }ilay Elizabeth 
 Lester, November 6, 1889. 
 
AVEBT, ATWOOD, BACK. 265 
 
 Rev. David Averv was the fourth minister of Union. 
 He lived in the so-called Abbott house. He remained in 
 town two years from 1797 to 1799. He was born in Frank- 
 lin, Conn., April 5, 1746; graduated at Yale in 1769; studied 
 theology under Rev. Dr. Wheelock, and was first settled at 
 Windsor, Vt., in 1773. In 1777 he became chaplain in the 
 Revolutionary army and was very popular among the sol- 
 diers. He was the minister at Wrentham from 1786 to 
 1797. After leaving Union he went to Chaplin, Conn. He 
 married Hannah Chaplin of Mansfield, October 10, 1782. 
 He died at Middletown, Va., October 28, 181 7. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, m. Wm. H. Smith of Providence. 
 
 2. David, graduated at Brown University. 
 
 3. Hannah, m. Chester D. Clarke. 
 
 4. Lydia, m. Lieut. Th. Hewitt of the U. S. Army. 
 
 Daniel Atwood lived in Union from 1817 to 1840, near 
 where H. F. Corbin now does (1891). 
 He married a Trumbull. 
 Ch. I. Elliot, d. at Worcester, ]\Iay 28, 1830. 
 
 2. Maria, m. Bemis. 
 
 3. Nancy, m. first, Green; second, 
 
 4. Erasmus. 
 
 5. Cindarilla, m. Sydney Work of Stafford. 
 
 6. Daniel. 
 
 7. Timothy. 
 
 8. Cynrietta. 
 
 9. Amanda, m. Geo. Rogers of Wales. 
 
 THE BACK FAMILY. 
 
 Roscius Back, son of Lucius and Sophia M. Back, was 
 born February 4, 1837, at Holland, Mass. After working 
 at Colt's Armory, Hartford, in Holland and Sturbridge, he 
 came to Mashapaug and bought an interest in the mattress 
 and grist mill factory at the "long bridge" with A. E. 
 Weld, March 27, 1862. Messrs. Weld and Back continued 
 
266 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 in business there until October, 1864, when the factory was 
 burned. Since 1864 Mr. Back has been in the farming and 
 lumber business. On August 31, 1863, he married Miss 
 Harriet Cutler Robbins of Holland, Mass. (born June 2, 
 1840), at Three Rivers, Palmer, Mass. They lived at first 
 in the house at the top of the hill on the Holland road, 
 now known as the Methodist parsonage. Mr. Back began 
 building his present house in the fall of 1865, completing 
 it in the spring of the following year. Mr. Back repre- 
 sented his town in the State Legislature during the term 
 of 1891-1892. 
 
 Ch. I. Roscius Harlow, b. May 28, 1865. 
 2. Harry Eugene, b. July 8, 1869. 
 
 R. H. Back graduated from the Hitchcock Free High 
 School, Brimfield, Mass., in 1885, and took a post-graduate 
 course there the year following. In the fall of 1886, he 
 entered the Boston University Law School, graduating in 
 June, 1889. On December i, 1888, he married Katherine 
 Elizabeth Hart (born May 3, 1865, in Manchester, Eng- 
 land). Since 1889 they have resided in Boston and he has 
 practiced law at 24 Congress street. 
 
 Harry E. Back graduated from the Hitchcock Free 
 High School in 1888, and from the Boston University, Col- 
 lege of Liberal Arts, in 1892, taking the degree of B. A. 
 At the close of his college course he accepted a temporary 
 position as city editor of the New Hampshire Republican, 
 published at Nashua, N. H. He is now an editor of the 
 Worcester Evening Post. 
 
 JosiAH Backus came from Ashford to Union about 1790, 
 where he settled on the county road southeast of Bald hill. 
 He married Elizabeth Hilliard. 
 
 Ch. I. Zibeah, b. September 28, 1789. 
 
 Josiah, b. November 6, 1891. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. January 20, 1794. 
 
 Diana, b. February 11, 1796. 
 
 Aaron, b. January 11, 1798. 
 
 Abigail, b. April 28, 1800. 
 
 Joanna, b. June 16, 1803. '^ 
 
THE BADOER FAMILY. 267 
 
 THE BADGER FAMILY. 
 
 Nathaniel Badger, and four sons, Nathaniel, Daniel, 
 Enoch and Henry, came to Union, from Norwich Farms, 
 now the town of Franklin. Nathaniel Badger was born at 
 Newbury, Mass., January 16, 1675 (Savage says 1676). His 
 father was John Badger, called Sergeant John Badger, and 
 lived at Newbury. His first wife was named Elizabeth, 
 and by her he had four children. His second wife was 
 Hannah, daughter of Stephen Swett, by whom he had 
 nine children, of whom Nathaniel was the third. The 
 grandfather of Nathaniel was Giles Badger, who lived in 
 Newbury, as early as 1635. He had two brothers, Nathaniel 
 and Richard, all inhabitants of Newbury in 1647 (see 
 Farmer), and all came from England, about the year 1635. 
 
 Nathaniel Badger, son of John, married MaryLunt, ' 
 March 27, 1693, and lived in Newbury until most of his 
 children were born, when he moved to Norwich Farms, 
 Conn., where his youngest son Henry, was born. His chil- 
 dren were : 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. January 3, 1694. 
 
 2. Nathaniel, b. November 29, 1695 (called Joseph 
 
 by a writer in the American Quarterly Reg- 
 ister). 
 
 3. Daniel, b. March 27, 1698. 
 
 4. Mehitabel, b. 1700, baptized August 18, 1700, m. 
 
 Daniel Haskins. 
 
 5. Edmund, b. April 2, 1703. 
 
 6. Mary, b. September 8, 1708. 
 
 7. Samuel, b. August 14, 17 10. 
 
 8. Anne, b. January 25, 17 12. 
 
 9. Enoch, b. probably in 1714. 
 
 10. Henry, b. March 23, 1717, at Norwich. 
 Nathaniel Badger was the ancestor through his son 
 Henry, of the Rev. Joseph Badger, born at Wilbraham, 
 Mass., February 20, 1757, who settled in Wood county, 
 Ohio, and whose biography is published in the American 
 Quarterly Register for 1840-41. 
 
2 68 GENEALOGIES 
 
 He was a very remarkable man. His biography is a 
 marvelous story of experience as a soldier in the Revolu- 
 tion, as a student in Yale College, as an ingenious, versatile 
 mechanic, as a teacher, as a minister of Blandford, Mass., 
 and then as a most useful pioneer missionary in the West. 
 Two of Nathaniel Badger's sons, Samuel and Edmund, set- 
 tled at Windham. Thomas, son of Edmund of Windham, 
 (according to Weaver), was perhaps, the most talented man 
 ever born in Windham. He settled as a lawyer in North 
 Carolina, and was the father of Hon. George Edmund 
 Badger, LL. D., of Raleigh, N. C, Senator in Congress 
 from North Carolina, and Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 Hon. Samuel Badger of Philadelphia, was the fifth son 
 of Samuel, of Windham. Nathaniel Badger of Union, was 
 also the ancestor through his son Enoch of Union, and 
 afterwards of Coventry, Conn., of Rev. Milton Badger, D. 
 D., of New York, long Secretary of the Home Missionary 
 Society; also of Rev. Norman Badger. Enoch Badger was 
 for many years town clerk, and his records are made in a 
 beautiful hand. 
 
 Nathaniel Badger bought land in Union, in 1734, of 
 Samuel Wells of Hartford. He must have lived at Union, 
 for he conveyed land to his son Henry, in a deed dated 
 April 6, 1741, in which he is said to be of Union and he 
 speaks of his love and fatherly affection for his son Henry. 
 This land was a lot of sixty acres on the north side of Bush- 
 meadow. Half of the saw-mill on Bushmeadow brook was 
 conveyed by the same deed to his son Henry. 
 
 Captain Daniel Badger, son of Nathaniel Badger, of 
 Norwich, Conn., was one of the first settlers of Union. He 
 first lived on the land afterwards owned by Dr. Shubael 
 Hammond, and now by Mason Horton. He built the first 
 house and dug the first well and cleared the land which he 
 bought of William Ward, being lot No. 2, of what were 
 called the home lots. This was situated entirely on the 
 east side of the town street. It extended east four hun- 
 dred rods, and was about seventy rods wide. The north- 
 
THE BADGER FAMILY. 269 
 
 east corner was marked by a stone on which were the let- 
 ters W. W. "lying on the west side of a little brook." The 
 deed of sale was dated May 21, 1736. He sold this land 
 April 16, 1741, to Samuel Bartholomew. While digging the 
 well, his children came to the brink and cried for bread, 
 and he had none to give them. So he came up out of the 
 well and went through what was then a wilderness to 
 Brimfield, to buy bread for his little ones. This legend 
 about the well is a true story, for his daughter Patience, 
 who married Elias Armstrong, told it to Charles Ham- 
 mond's mother — and she was one of the hungry little ones. 
 Mr. Hammond could just remember this old Mrs. Arm- 
 strong. 
 
 Captain Badger moved from his first settlement in 
 Union, to the mill site at the outlet of Mashapaug, which 
 he was the first to improve. He died February 22, 1769, 
 aged 72. He married first Sarah Roath, October 22, 1719, 
 by whom he had three children. For his second wife he 
 married Patience Durkee, June 28, 1727. She died Septem- 
 ber 28, 1793. 
 
 Ch. I. Daniel, b. July 14, 1720. 
 
 2. Gideon, b. March 22, 1723. 
 
 3. David, b. January 8, 1725. 
 
 4. Jonathan, b. December 4, 1729, graduated at 
 
 Princeton, in 1751, was tutor there three 
 years, and died in Union, January 25, 1757. 
 
 5. Sarah, b. April 9, 1730, m. Robert Jennings, of 
 
 Ashford, December 20, 1749. 
 
 6. Patience, b. January 17, 1732, m. Elias Arm- 
 
 strong. 
 
 7. Hannah, b. September 3, 1734, m. first, Henry 
 
 NcNeil; second, James Armour, December 
 17, 1777. 
 
 8. Elizabeth, b. at Union, November 28, 1737, d. 
 
 December 22, 1740. 
 
 9. Ann, b. September 20, 1740, m. Eleazar How- 
 
 ard, of Sturbridge. 
 10. Jeremiah, b. December 13, 1742, m. Zeruiah 
 Peake. 
 
270 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Nathaniel Badger, Jr., son of Nathaniel of Norwich, 
 bought land in Union in 1734. He served several years as 
 selectman. His wife's name was Rebecca. 
 
 Ch. I. Rebecca, b. November 22, 1728. 
 2. Rhoda, b. November 2, 1741. 
 
 Enoch Badger, son of Nathaniel, Sr., was town clerk 
 in Union from 1740 to 1747. In the latter year he sold his 
 farm in Union to Jeremiah Bishop, of Coventry, and moved 
 to Coventry, where he died in 1793. He married Mary 
 Rood, October 5, 1741. 
 
 Ch. I. Esther, b. September 24, 1742. 
 
 2. Eunice, b. March 22, 1744. 
 
 3. Lydia, b. July 17, 1746. 
 
 4. Abner, b. June 9, 1748. 
 
 5. Enoch, b. July 9, 1750. 
 
 6. Mary, b. March 9, 1752. 
 
 Henry Badger, the youngest son of Nathaniel Badger, 
 of Norwich and Union, was married at Union, September 
 21, 1737, to Mary Langdon. Two children were born in 
 Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph, b. August, 1738. 
 2. Mary, b. March 17, 1740. 
 
 In 1 741, he sold his land in Union, and afterwards 
 resided in Wilbraham. Here he had a large family. The 
 names of the children w^ere Jerusha, Nathaniel, Lamewell, 
 Joseph, Joseph, Jerusha, Louise. The last Joseph is the 
 one who graduated at Yale in 1785, and became a useful 
 home missionary. In 1766 Henry Badger removed to 
 Patridgefield, now Peru, Mass., where he died. 
 
 Daniel Badger, Jr., son of Captain Daniel, was one of 
 the early settlers of Union, coming with his father from 
 Norwich. He married first, Elizabeth Fuller, in the Rhode 
 Island government, November 23, 1739. By her five of his 
 children were born. She died March 12, 1747. He then 
 married Philippe Hall, November 11, 1747. 
 
THE BADGER FAMILY. 
 
 271 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. December 29, 1740, 111. Archibald 
 Coy, d. May 29, 1806. 
 
 2. Ephraim, b. August 2, 1742. 
 
 3. Rhoda, b. June 9, 1744, d. June 17, 1744. 
 
 4. Daniel, b. May 19, 1745, d. August 11, 1747. 
 
 5. Abigail, b. March 10, 1747. 
 
 6. Daniel, b. August 9, 1748. 
 
 7. Elisha, b. February 3, 1750. 
 
 8. Josiah, b. August 25, 175 1. 
 
 9. Ruth, b. February 22, 1760, m. Webber. 
 
 10. Mary, b. March 20, 1762. 
 
 11. Gideon, b. February 24, 1764. 
 
 12. Philippe, b. March 2, 1768. 
 
 David Badger, was one of the early settlers of Union. 
 It is probable that he was the son of Captain Daniel Bad- 
 ger. He married Ann Modena, July 11, 174- (date partly 
 obliterated). 
 
 Ch. I. Sarah, b. October 10, 1746. 
 
 2. Miriam, b. September, 1748. 
 
 3. Joshua, b. June i, 1781. 
 
 Gideon Badger, son of Captain Daniel, married Mrs. 
 Mary Dodge, December 17, 1784. 
 
 Ch. Lydia, b. September 15, 1755. 
 
 Lieut. Jeremiah Badger, son of Capt. Daniel, married 
 Zeruiah Peake, January 15, 1767. He lived at Mashapaug and 
 owned the saw-mill there. He was a Revolutionary soldier. 
 Ch. I. Giles, m. Olive Sprague. 
 
 2. Irena, b. September 9, 1767, m. Thursting Wells; 
 lived in Fenner, N. Y. 
 Willard. 
 Asher. 
 Abner, b. November 11, 1776, d. September 21, 
 
 1778. 
 Abner, b. September 24, 1778. 
 Lucinda, b. March i, 1787, m. Woodworth. 
 Melinda, b. June 11, 1788, m. Dunton. 
 
2 72 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ephraim Badger, son of Daniel, Jr., married Keziah 
 Wakefield, September 6, 1774. 
 
 Ch. I. Anna, b. August 28, 1765. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, b. August 16, 1767. 
 
 3. Keziah, b. May 8, 1769. 
 
 Daniel Badger, son of Daniel, Jr., married E'^vard 
 Walker of Union, October 5, 1769. 
 
 Ch. I. David, b. August 27, 1770. 
 
 2. Ephraim, b. February 29, 1772. 
 
 3. Eunice, b. December 26, 1775. 
 
 Elisha Badger, son of Daniel, Jr., married Susannah 
 Chaffee of Norwich, July 20, 1769. 
 
 Ch. I. Keziah, b. February 28, 1773. 
 
 2. Ezra, b. November 26, 1775. 
 
 3. Susannah, b. September 25, 1779. 
 
 JosiAH Badger, son of Daniel, Jr., married Silvana 
 Hatch. 
 
 Ch. I. Christiana, b. September 11, 1774. 
 
 2. Susannah, b. March 14, 1777. 
 
 3. Ruth Garrett, b. May 3, 1779. 
 
 4. Andrew Hatch, b. November 28, 1780. 
 
 Jonathan Badger, whose relation to the others is 
 unknown, lived east of the mill pond near Badger's mills, so 
 called. He married Abigail Rice of Stafford, December 2, 
 1776. 
 
 Ch. I. Caleb, b. February 21, 1778. 
 
 2. Enoch, b. June 2, 1780. 
 
 3. Amasa, b. December 9, 1782. 
 
 4. Anna, b. May 17, 1785. 
 
 Giles Badger, son of Jeremiah, married Olive Sprague, 
 daughter of Th. Sprague, of Union. He died at Presque 
 Isle, Pa. 
 
 Ch. I. Wyman, b. March 21, 1790. 
 2. Orpha. 
 
THE BADOER FAMILY. 
 
 273 
 
 WiLLARD Badger, son of Jeremiah, married Tabitha 
 Sprague, daughter of Thomas Sprague of Union. He 
 moved to Lenox, N. Y., and died at Presque Isle, Pa. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Marvin, b. February 10, 1795. 
 
 Eveline. 
 
 Freeman. 
 
 Orill. 
 
 Palmer. 
 
 Maverick. 
 
 Emmorette. 
 
 Lorette. 
 
 AsHER Badger, son of Jeremiah, married Polly Goodale 
 of Holland. He lived where Felix Boovia now lives. 
 Ch. I. Roxa, b. December 13, 1796. 
 
 2. Augusta, b. January i, 1798. 
 
 3. Winthrop, b. September 28, 1801. 
 
 4. Dwight, b. April 5, 1803. 
 
 5. Cemantha, b. March i, 1805. 
 
 6. Diantha, b. February 28, 1807. 
 
 7. Lorrin, b. March 12, 1809. 
 
 8. Hamilton, b. April 15, 181 1. 
 
 9. Ransom, b. April 5, 1814. 
 10. Ichabod, b. 1816. 
 
 Most of the family moved away from Union, when they 
 were young. Some of the girls lived in Buffalo, N, Y. 
 Hamilton went to Indiana and became wealthy. Ichabod 
 went into the shoe business. He spent' most of his life in 
 Southbridge, Mass., where he died March 26, 1892. Only 
 Ransom is now living (1892). 
 
 Abner Badger, son of Jeremiah, married Phebe How- 
 ard, of Union. 
 Ch. I. Electa. 
 
 2. Almira. 
 
 George L. Baker, from Wales, lived in town several 
 years. He was the postmaster at Union for a few years, 
 and represented the town in the Legislature in 1884. He 
 
274 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 married Mrs. Laura Marcy Taylor, daughter of Merrick 
 Marcy, January 13, 1875. The family now reside in Hart- 
 ford, but frequently spend the summer in Union. Mr. 
 Baker is a member of the firm of Marcy Bros. & Co. 
 Ch. I. Lottie May, b. December 27, 1875. 
 
 2. George Merrick, b. July 10, 1878. 
 
 3. Louis Marcy, b. February 18, 1882. 
 
 BARBER FAMILY. 
 
 Frederick Wolcott Barber, son of George W. Barber, 
 was born July 8, 1828, at Perry (now Wyoming), Genesee 
 county, N. Y. He came to Union in 1871, lived two years 
 at Prosper Smith's, then bought of Samuel A. Whipple the 
 Philip Corbin place, where he has since resided. He mar- 
 ried, first, Jane Elizabeth Bissell, daughter of James Bis- 
 sell, of South Windsor, May 4, 1856. She died November 18, 
 1866. He married, second time, Emily Howard Smith, 
 daughter of Prosper vSmith, of Union, September 5, 1868. 
 
 His children were : 
 
 Ch. I. Jennie Elizabeth, b. February 21, 1857; m. 
 John Hamilton; now lives in Monson, Mass. 
 
 2. Josephine Bonaparte, b. October 9, 1870; m. 
 
 George Towne. 
 
 3. Howard Grant, b. October 16, 1872. 
 
 4. Grace Winifred, b. August 20, 1878. 
 
 bartlett family. 
 Daniel Bartlett, son of William Bartlett, of Eastford, 
 was born February 19, 1812. He married Lucy P. Howard, 
 daughter of David Howard, of Woodstock, June, 1836. She 
 was born April 10, 181 5. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett came to Union from Eastford in Decem- 
 ber, 1877, and lived with his son-in-law, E. M. Horton. He 
 represented the town in the Legislature of 1880. 
 Their children were : 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Jane, b. February 14, 1838; m. E. Mason 
 Horton. 
 2. Priscilla Chandler, b. March 12, 1842; m. David 
 Hollingsworth. 
 
BARTLETT, BARTON, BASCOM. 275 
 
 Richard Bartlett, an early resident, died April 20, 
 1791. His wife, Elizabeth, died January 19, 1781. 
 
 James Bartlett lived southwest of the Fairbanks place. 
 He married Experience Houghton, June 13, 1771. 
 Ch. I. Sybil, baptized June 2, 1773. 
 2. Persis, d. November 9, 1776. 
 
 John Barton came from Oxford to Union about 1775, 
 and bought land of Thomas Taylor. He married Persis. 
 He served twelve months in the Revolutionary army. 
 Ch. I. Ruth, b. March 25, 1777. 
 2. John, b. February 13, 1779. 
 
 Caleb Barton lived in Union during the earlier part of 
 the Revolutionary war, and served nine months in the 
 army. In 1779 he moved to Leicester, Mass. 
 
 Daniel Bascom, of Lebanon, bought 420 acres of land in 
 Union with Ephraim Wilcox, April 12, 1759. It belonged 
 originally to Thomas Fitch, of Boston, and was in the west 
 part of town. Two sons moved to Union, Daniel and John. 
 
 Daniel Bascom, Jr., married Elizabeth Ward, daughter 
 of Uriah, October 9, 1760. 
 
 Ch. I. Olive, b. July 15, 1761. 
 
 2. Uriah, b. April 9, 1764. 
 
 3. Abel, b. September 27, 1766. 
 
 4. Nathan, b. January 10, 1770. 
 
 5. Daniel, b. September 17, 1772. 
 
 6. Samuel, b. May 29, 1775. 
 
 John Bascom, son of Daniel, of Lebanon, married Sarah 
 Burley, June 9, 1763. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Elias, b. May 4, 1764. 
 Miriam, b. May 12, 1766. 
 Alice, b. September 18, 1768. 
 Asaph, b. July 16, 1776. 
 Ezekiel, baptized June 28, 1774. 
 
276 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Nehemiah Batchelor came from Grafton to Union in 
 1749, and bought land of John Ward. He married Expe- 
 rience . 
 
 Ch. I. Elijah. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. November 7, 1751. 
 
 3. Rhoda, b. July 12, 1753. 
 
 4. John, b. July 29, 1757. 
 
 Elijah Batchelor, son of Nehemiah, married Eliza- 
 beth, and had a daughter, Elizabeth, born June 3, 1769. 
 
 Samuel Bartholemew, of Woodstock, bought of Captain 
 Daniel Badger the lot No. 2, on which he first settled in 
 1736. The deed was dated April 16, 1741. He was living 
 in Ashford in 1745. 
 
 Joseph Bartholemew came from Woodstock, and bought 
 land in Union of Paul Langdon, March 30, 1742. He mar- 
 ried Susanna Turner, April 10, 1769. 
 
 Benjamin Bartholemew, of Woodstock, bought land of 
 his brother, Samuel, in 1745. These three were apparently 
 brothers, sons of Joseph Bartholemew, of Woodstock. 
 
 David Bates came to Union from Sutton, Mass., and 
 bought the farm of Hugh Crawford, where E. N. Lawson 
 now lives. The deed was dated December 18, 1776. 
 
 Ch. I. David; was a Revolutionary soldier; was a 
 Baptist minister, and lived at Hardwick and 
 at Charlton. 
 
 2. John; was a Revolutionary soldier; afterwards 
 
 went to Vermont and became wealthy. 
 
 3. Lydia, m. Thomas Holman, Senior; after his 
 
 death she married Clemens. 
 
 4. Judith, m. Thaddeus Gage, of Woodstock. 
 
 5. Abigail, m. John Harris, of Ashford, February 
 
 17, 1780. 
 
BATES, BELKNAP. 277 
 
 David Bates died March 8, 1793, aged 76. His widow 
 died in 1834, aged 102 or 103 years. 
 
 Laban Bates, Sr., came from Bellingham, Mass., to 
 Union. He probably lived near the place where Timothy 
 Newell now lives. 
 
 Ch. I. Laban, 
 
 2. Eli. 
 
 3. Liberty; became a lawyer; lived at Charlton, 
 
 Mass., and Oswego, N. Y. 
 
 4. Nahum. 
 
 5. Peter. 
 
 6. Olive, m. Nathan Kelly. 
 
 7. Abigail. 
 
 8. Polly, m. William Allan; went West. 
 
 9. Smith. 
 
 Laban Bates, Jr., lived first at Pelham, Mass. He 
 married Chloe Sampson. 
 
 Their children, who all went to Cincinnati, O., were : 
 Ch. I. Smith, b. at Pelham, Mass, January 30, 1805. 
 
 2. Anna, b. at Union, April 30, 1807. 
 
 3. Sally, b. at Union, April 11, 1809. 
 
 4. Nathan Sampson, b. January 19, 181 1. 
 
 5. Osro, b. April 30, 1813. 
 
 Daniel W. Belknap married Margaret Walker, daugh- 
 ter of wSimons Walker, February 18, 1807. They lived on 
 the Jesse Hall place. 
 
 Ch. I. Sophia, b. January 18, 1810. 
 
 2. Lorin, b. September 19, 181 1. 
 
 3. vSimons Walker, b. July 29, 1813; m. Marcia 
 
 Herrendeen, d. 1868. 
 
 4. Chloe, b. March 5, 1816. 
 
 5. Daniel Ossian, b. November 8, 1821. 
 
 6. Asa, b. July 2, 1823. 
 
 7. Franklin Sherman, b. February 3, 1826. 
 
 8. Moses Chester, b. June 13, 1828. 
 
2 78 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Rev. Nehemiah Beach Beardsley was the fifth settled 
 minister of Union. He was settled April 14, 1824, and dis- 
 missed April 18, 1831. He was born in Huntington, Conn. 
 His father was John Beardsley, of Hartford, Conn., the 
 third son of Abram Beardsley, of Stratford. The mother 
 of Rev. Mr. Beardsley was Jernsha Beach, the daughter of 
 Nehemiah Beach, of vStratford. Mr. Beardsley fitted for 
 college with Rev. David Ely, D.D., of Ripton parish, Hunt- 
 ington: entered at Yale in 1801, and graduated in Septem- 
 ber, 1805. He studied divinity with Rev. Joseph Lathrop, 
 D.D. of West Springfield, and was licensed in 1806. He 
 was first settled in Chester, a parish of Saybrook, in June, 
 1816. After his dismission from Union he preached in 
 Tolland, Mass., Windsor, Mass., and other places, as a 
 missionary. He spent his last years in Somers, Conn., 
 where he died February 28, 1868, aged 87. 
 
 Rev. Nehemiah B. Beardsley married Mrs. Achsah 
 Chapin, widow of Samuel D. Chapin, of Somers, September 
 18, 1805. She died at Somers, February 15, 1868, aged 93. 
 Ch. I. Laurinda, b. September 19, 1806. 
 
 2. Lucius, b. January 24, 1809. 
 
 3. Horace Morgan, b. March 2, 1813. 
 
 4. Achsah, b. September 16, 1815. 
 
 Lucius Beardsley married in Burlington, Iowa, in 1849, 
 and died March 21, 1857. 
 
 Horace Morgan Beardsley married in New York in 
 1839, and died of consumption at vSt. Croix, W. I., in 1840. 
 
 Jeremiah Bishop came to Union from Coventry, Conn., 
 and bought, in 1747, the farm of Enoch Badger. His wife's 
 name was Martha. 
 Ch. I. Jeremiah. 
 
 2. Martha; m. Isaac Holliday, of Sufifield, October 
 
 18, 1759. 
 
 3. Joel, b. June 4, 1743. 
 
 4. Eleazer, b. September 8, 1745. 
 
BISHOP, BLANCHABD. 
 
 279 
 
 5. Rhoda, b. January 31, 1748. 
 
 6. Benjamin, b. March 4, 1750. 
 
 7. James, b. November 9, 1751. 
 
 8. Seth, b. July 30, 1754. 
 
 Jeremiah Bishop deeded most of his lands to his son 
 Jeremiah, November 9, 1861. 
 
 Jeremiah Bishop, Jr., married Hannah . 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Sarah, b. October 3, 1756. 
 Levi, baptized November 11, 1759. 
 Jeremiah, baptized Maj^ 30, 1762. 
 Martha, baptized August 26, 1764. 
 Zubah, baptized April 19, 1767. 
 
 Jonathan Blanchard came from Ashford or Abington 
 to Union, but was born at Andover, Mass. He was the son 
 of Jonathan Blanchard, of Andover, who was born May 25, 
 1664, the fifth son of vSamuel Blanchard, who, according to 
 tradition, came from Wales with his father, Thomas, and 
 landed in New England, June 23, 1639, aged ten years. 
 Jonathan Blanchard, of Union, the grandson of the first 
 comer, married Sarah Osgood, of Andover, Mass. He lived 
 on the Eaton place, where Alden Williams now resides. 
 Jonathan Blanchard moved to Holland in 1774, and after- 
 wards to Monson, where he died. 
 
 Ch. I. Sarah, b. at Abington; baptized May i, 1763, by 
 Rev. Mr. Horton. 
 Lydia, b. at Union, July 9, 1763; m. Mr. Moul- 
 
 ton, of Monson. 
 Chester, b. at Union, December 6, 1765; lived 
 
 at Monson. 
 Jonathan, b. at Union, April 29, 1768; lived 
 first at Monson, then went West. 
 
 5. Amasa, b. at Union, October 10, 1770. 
 
 6. Deborah, b. at Union, February 20, 1774; d. at 
 Monson, May 29, 1868. 
 
 Nathan, b. at Holland in 1784 or 1785. 
 Polly, b. at Holland. 
 
28o 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 John Blanchard came to Union from Woodstock in 
 1801; lived where Deacon Burley now does; left town 
 about 1830. He married for his second wife, Persis Bur- 
 ley, widow of John Burley, Junior. He had by his second 
 wife, Phila, married Clark; Marcia, Marcena, Lucia, and a 
 son named Alastine. By a previous marriage he had a son 
 named John. 
 
 Lemuel Bolles was a soldier of the Revolution; he was 
 at the battle of Bunker Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, 
 and elsewhere. He lived south of Lake Mashapaug and 
 east of Gulf hill, on what was originally lot No. 4. He 
 married Lucy Perkins, of Brookfield, Mass., February 16, 
 1785. .She died February 2, 1805. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Alanson. 
 
 Erastus; went West. 
 John. 
 
 Lemuel, b. September 28, 1792. 
 Nathaniel, b. August 19, 1794. 
 Leonard, b. August 12, 1796. 
 Jedediah ]\Iorse, b. January 23, 1799. 
 David H., b. August 14, 1800. 
 Abigail, b. September 25, 1802; m. 
 Lavater Lawson. 
 
 Casper 
 
 WiLLARD Blodgett camc from Stafford to Union. He 
 was the son of Deacon Alden Blodgett, of Stafford. He 
 married Elmira Bliss, daughter of Reuben Bliss, of Mon- 
 son, June 23, 18 14. They lived on the hill west of Union- 
 town, where the Reagan family now does. He died ]\Iarch 
 19, 1877; she died April 7, 1855. 
 
 Ch. I. Austin, b. October 13, 1815; d. October 22, 1822. 
 2. Alden Willard, b. May 18, 1817; m., first, 
 Lucinda Hawkins; second, Phebe Harris; d. 
 at ]\Ionson. 
 
BLODGETT, BOOTH. 281 
 
 3. Minerva Flint, b. November 18, 18 18; m. Perry 
 
 L. Goodale, of Sturbridge, July 4, 1845. 
 
 4. Sarah, b. November 24, 1821; m. Lathrop 
 
 Clark, of Monson, March 23, 1854; d. Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1885. 
 
 5. Reuben B., b. November 16, 1823; m. Susan 
 
 Lair, at Blackstone, May 19, 1851. 
 
 6. Ruth, b. June 17, 1725; m. Aurelius Corbin, 
 
 March 20, 1848. 
 
 7. Almira, b. June 5, 1827; m. Elam Ellithorpe, of 
 
 Stafford Springs, October 24, 1852; d. 
 November 20, 1888. 
 
 8. Hannah, b. January 18, 1829; m. Samuel F. 
 
 Bemis, of Fiskdale, April 17, 1859. 
 
 9. Lavina, b. May 16, 1831; m. Henry G. Kimball, 
 
 of Union, April 29, 1855. He died at Stafford 
 Springs, September 11, i860. She now (1893) 
 resides in Springfield, Mass. 
 
 THE BOOTH FAMILY. 
 
 Isaac Booth of Union was born at Enfield, March 9, 
 1739. He was the third child of Joseph Booth of Enfield 
 who married Mary Chandler, Janiiary 29, 1736. Joseph 
 was the sixth child of Zecheriah Booth, and with his twin 
 brother Benjamin was born April 10, 17 10. Zecheriah 
 Booth and Mary his wife were married Ma}- 26, 1696. He 
 was the second son of Simon Booth of Enfield who settled 
 there as early as 1680; coming there from Hartford. 
 Farther back traditions are uncertain and conflicting. The 
 most probable, however, is that Simon Booth of England 
 married Rebecca Frost of Scotland and they came to this 
 country in 1642, settling first in Saco, Me., and afterwards 
 in Enfield. 
 
 Isaac Booth, of Union married Deborah Hurlburt in 
 1764 and came to Union that same year. He died January 
 13, 1798, and was buried in the old cemetery near the north- 
 west corner, but has no headstone. His widow died at 
 Union, January 3, 1830. 
 
282 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ch. I. Isaac, b. December 14, 1765. 
 
 2. Benjamin, b. May 17, 1768. 
 
 3. Sarah, b. April 15, 1770; m. Elisha Grig-gs and 
 
 died in 1861. 
 
 4. Job, b. September i, 17 74; d. September 18, 1774. 
 
 5. Esther, b. February 22, 1776, m. Abner Sessions 
 
 and died in i860. 
 
 Isaac Booth, Jr., married Elizabeth Fosket of Stafford, 
 November 4, 1790. He died January 21, 1864, in his 99th 
 year. Elizabeth his wife died December 15, 1825, aged 65. 
 Ch. I. Lydia, b. February 11, 1791. 
 
 2. Betsey, b. July 7, 1792. 
 
 3. Samuel Chandler, b. June 4, 1795. 
 
 4. Henry, b. October 22, 1798. 
 
 5. Elam, b. May 25, 1801. 
 
 6. Isaac Billings, b. February 3, 1805. 
 
 7. Sullivan, b. June 5, 1808. 
 
 Samuel Chandler Booth, son of Isaac, went to East 
 Windsor. He married Eunice Day, daughter of Eli Day 
 of Northampton, Mass. 
 
 Ch. I. Albert, b. August 22, 1825, graduated at Yale 
 in 1850 and became a Methodist minister. 
 
 2. Harriet, b. November 29, 1826. 
 
 3. Clarissa, b. December 30, 1830; m. Henry W. 
 
 Treat, May, 1853. 
 
 4. Franklin, b. October 13, 1836. 
 
 Isaac Billings Booth, son of Isaac, luarried first Mary 
 
 G. Foskett, who died March 27, 1830, aged 20, leaving one 
 
 child. He then married Lydia O. Phillips of R. I. April 4, 
 
 1833. She died August 6, 1880. He died October 21, 1875. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Elizabeth, b. August 18, 1830, m. Aaron 
 
 Buckland of Staff ordville, April 6, 1848. 
 
 2. Henry Billings, b. August 25, 1834. 
 
 3. Elam Chandler, b. April 26, 1836. 
 
 4. John Othniel, b. September 27, 1838. 
 
THE BOOTH FAMILY. 283 
 
 5. Lydia Sybil, b. November 14, 1841; d. June 7, 
 
 1851. 
 
 6. Isaac Phillips, b. September 10, 1843. 
 
 7. Adelbert Olney, b. August 8, 1847; d. May 20, 
 
 1851. 
 
 Dea. Sullivan Booth, son of Isaac, married Minerva 
 Coye, November 24, 1831. They joined the Congregational 
 church at Union in 1832 and he was ejected a deacon soon 
 after. He was an earnest Christian worker in the church 
 and neighborhood, always ready for a good word or work. 
 He died August 7, 1845, aged 37, leaving a family of five 
 children to be brought up by his noble wife. 
 Ch. I. Sanford, b. April 14, 1838. 
 
 2. Melven, b. November 17, 1839. 
 
 3. Juliette, b. November 7, 1841; m. Stephen B. 
 
 Tift of Ashford, April 2, 1862. 
 
 4. Rosette, b. October 12, 1843; m. Miner Miller, 
 
 February 9, 1863. 
 
 5. Milo S., b. December 3, 1845. 
 Minerva C. Booth, died April 13, 1883, aged 70. 
 
 Henry B. Booth, son of Isaac B., married first Maria S. 
 Williams, August 25, 1858. She died January 28, 1863. He 
 married second, Adelia Williams, April 14, 1864. She died 
 March 11, 1877. He married third, Mrs. Mary Bugbee, 
 October 10, 1878. He represented the town in the Legis- 
 latures of '73, '74, and '87 and has been selectman several 
 terms and held other town offices. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry Adelbert, b. October 30, 1866. 
 
 2. George William, b. January 18, 1869; m. Louisa 
 
 Hill in 1888. 
 
 3. Clarence Elam, b. August 29, 1871. 
 
 4. Leon Billings, b. June 8, 1876. 
 
 John O. Booth, son of Isaac B., was educated in the 
 public and select schools of his native town, where he 
 resided until he was twenty-three years of age. In Sep- 
 tember, [862, he married Sarah J. Squier of Union. A few 
 
284 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 days after his marriage he entered the United States ser- 
 vice as a member of Co. G, 22nd Regt. Conn. Volunteers. 
 On his return from the army at the expiration of his term 
 of service, he located in Staffordville, Conn., where for 
 nearly eighteen years he was principal of the Staffordville 
 graded school, his wife having charge of the primary depart- 
 ment of the same school. In 1867 he engaged in the mercan- 
 tile business in Staffordville. After conducting the business 
 two years he sold out, and resumed his former occupation of 
 teaching. In 1880 he was elected Judge of Probate for the 
 district of Stafford and Union, and held the office four 
 years. His wife died February 9th, 1885, leaving one child, 
 Florence L., who was born in Stafford, August 6th, 1874. 
 June ist, 1886, he married M. Lina Enright of Stafford, 
 who was born May 9th, 1861. As early as 1870 he began 
 giving public lectures upon the subject of temperance and 
 later upon various other subjects. During the past ten 
 years he has made tours in several states as a lecturer 
 and public reader, but has always retained his residence in 
 Stafford since he first became a citizen of the town. 
 
 Rev. Isaac Phillips Booth, son of Isaac B. (see bio- 
 graphical sketch), married Julia E. Crawford, daughter of 
 Laurens E. Crawford, (b. February 9, 1845) May i, 1866. 
 
 Ch. I. Lydia I., b. May 2, 1868; d. August 17, 1868. 
 
 2. Ernest V., b. April 13, 1869; m. Alice J. Dow 
 
 of Northfield, Vt., September 14, 1890; d. 
 August 7, 1 89 1. 
 
 3. Lamens C, b. June 17, 1870; died August 5, 
 
 1870. 
 
 4. Alfred F., b. September 7, 1872. 
 
 5. Clarence H., b. November 30, 1873; i^- Minnie 
 
 D. Huniley of Burlington, Vt., November 
 23, 1892. 
 
 6. Louis P., b. June 14, 1875. 
 
 7. Edwin, b. May 18, 1877. 
 
 8. Frank L., b. October 14, 1878. 
 
 9. Maud G., b. June 4, 1880. 
 
THE BOOTH FAMILY. 285 
 
 10. Anna M., b. November 8, 1881; d. August 29, 
 
 1882. 
 
 11. Ralph A., b. November 10, 1883. 
 
 12. Mabel E., b. January 3, 1885. 
 
 13. Julia B., b. December 29, 1886; d. March 26, 
 
 1888. 
 
 14. Paul C, b. April 4, 1891. 
 
 Sanford Booth, son of Sullivan, married Ellen A. 
 Moore, daiighter of Dexter Moore, April 2, 1862. He 
 moved from Union to Longmeadow, Mass., in April, 1866, 
 from there back to Union in 1868, and thence to Brimfield 
 in May, 1873. 
 
 Ch. I. Elmer E., b. June 17, 1863. 
 
 2. Malora A., b. November 2, 1864. Graduated 
 
 from the High School at Brimfield, Mass. in 
 1884. 
 
 3. Milo D., b. November 9, 1866. 
 
 4. Milton L., b. January 23, 1876. 
 
 Melven Booth, son of Sullivan, married Emily Cope- 
 land (b. April 26, 1842, at Hampton, Conn.), October 21, 
 1868. They lived in Union until March, 1885, when they 
 removed to Brimfield, and thence to Holliston, Mass., in 
 April, 1 89 1. 
 
 Ch. I. Lilian M., b. January 6, 1870, graduated from 
 the Hitchcock Free High School at Brim- 
 field, Mass., in 1888. 
 
 2. Lucy M., b. October 4, 1871; graduated at 
 
 Hitchcock Free High School in 1889. 
 
 3. Olin R., b. February ix, 1873; graduated at 
 
 Hitchcock Free High School in 1890. A 
 member of Amherst College, class of '95. 
 
 4. Miner B., b. April 27, 1874. 
 
 5. Mary E., b. May 31, 1876; d. July 17, 1877. 
 
 6. Ida M., b. May 11, 1881. 
 
 MiLO S. Booth, son of Sullivan, married Elizabeth F. 
 Brown (b. May 12, 1847) September 24, 1869. They moved 
 
286 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 from Union to Windsorville, Ct., in April 1872, and thence 
 to Brimfield in April, 1874. 
 
 Ch. I. Homer S., b. February 26, 1873. 
 
 2. Hattie A., b. April 3, 1875. 
 
 3. Harry W., b. June 2, 1877. 
 
 4. Hubert F., b. July 18, 1879. 
 
 5. Howard E., b. August 24, 1881. 
 
 David Brown, son of Othniel of Stafford, married 
 Lucy Converse of Stafford. 
 
 Ch. I. Freeman Munroe, b. February 26, 1817; lived at 
 Windsor Locks. 
 
 2. John, b. May 16, 1819. 
 
 3. David Richard, b. Nov. 18, 182 1. 
 
 4. Isaac. 
 
 5. Lucy. 
 
 6. George, lived at Providence and Windsor, died 
 
 vSeptember 17, 1892; 2 children: daughter 
 married Mr. Joslin of Hartford. 
 
 Olney Brown, son of Othniel of Stafford, married Sally 
 Converse. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Washington. 
 
 Sybil. 
 
 Othniel. 
 
 Othniel Brown, Jr., was the son of Othniel of Staf- 
 ford. It is said that his mother, the wife of Othniel, Sr., 
 was killed by a hurricane. On her tombstone in the old 
 cemetery east of Putnam, is the following quaint inscrip- 
 tion : 
 
 " That awful day the hurricane, 
 
 When I was in my prime. 
 Blew down the house and I was slain, 
 And taken out of time." 
 
 Othniel Brown, Jr., married Annis Andrews of Wales. 
 
BROWN, BUOBEE. 287 
 
 Ch. I. Eunice, b. April 26, 181 7; m. Loomis Ag-ard. 
 
 2. Holstein, b. February 26, 182 1; m. first Loretta 
 
 Bass; second, Mary Preston. 
 
 3. Mary, b. February 13, 1823; m. Gould of Stafford; 
 
 d. in 1878. 
 
 4. Annis Maria, b. September 24, 1826; m. Leonard 
 
 Goodell. 
 
 5. Robert Othniel, b. January 22, 1837. 
 
 6. Persis; m. Friend Smith. 
 Othniel Brown, Jr., died December 27, 1843. 
 
 THE BUGBEE FAMILIES. 
 
 Most of the Bugbee families who have owned land or 
 lived in Union, seem to have come from Woodstock. Jona- 
 than Bugbee, of Woodstock, owned land in Union as early 
 as 1736, but did not live there. Jesse Bugbee, of Woodstock, 
 was a proprietor of land which he sold to Isaiah Bugbee, of 
 Woodstock. Abel Bugbee, of Sturbridge, was a large land 
 proprietor in Union, and sometimes lived there as in 1779 
 and in 1782. There were several other Bugbees who owned 
 land in Union. 
 
 Isaiah Bugbee, of Woodstock, bought land in Union as 
 early as 1750, and was a resident in Union many years in 
 
 the southeast part of town. He married Huldah . 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, m. Solomon Keyes. 
 
 2. Wareham, baptized October 7, 1759; died in the 
 
 Revohitionary army. 
 
 3. Anstes, b. 1754; m. David Hiscock. 
 
 Jedediah Bugbee, son of Jesse and Experience, was born 
 May 6, 1741. He married Molly Hiscox, October 29, 1767. 
 He lived in the southeast part of town near North Ashford. 
 He was a Revolutionary soldier and died of camp fever in 
 New York, October 24, 1776, aged 35. 
 
 Ch. I. Jesse, b. November 2, 1768; m. Chloe Hayward. 
 
 2. Marcus, b. October 16, 1772. 
 
 3. Eleazar. 
 
 4. Mary, m. David Corbin. 
 
 5. Lois, b. January, 1777; m. Rosewell Chapman. 
 
GENEALOGIES, 
 
 Abiel Bugbee was a brother of Jedediah. He married 
 Hannah Harwood, of Sutton, Mass., November 15, 1770. 
 Ch. I. Elisha, b. November 2, 1771. 
 2. Hannah, b. September 9, 1783. 
 
 Jesse Bugbee, son of Jedediah, lived near his brother 
 
 Eleazar, j 
 
 Hayward 
 
 Ch. I 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 9 
 10 
 1 1 
 12 
 
 ust over the line in Eastford. He married Chloe 
 
 Jedediah; died young. 
 
 Hannah, m. John Kinney; went West. 
 
 Chloe, m. ist, Marcus Lyon, of Eastford; 2nd, 
 
 Smith, father of Miss Smith, the invalid. 
 Rhoda. 
 
 Lois, m. Joseph Marcy. 
 Elmira, m. Benjamin Chamberlain. 
 Jesse; went to Longmeadow, Mass. 
 Hiram. 
 
 Zenas, m. ist, Matilda Wood; lives at Mansfield. 
 Delotia, m. John Marcy. 
 Marcia. 
 Alvin, m. ist, Sarah Chamberlain; 2nd, Mary 
 
 Loomis. 
 
 Marcus Bugbee, son of Jedediah, married, ist, Sylvia 
 Corbin, born February 28, 1775. She died April 20, 1828. 
 He married, 2nd, Betsey Snell, March 4, 1830, and had one 
 son by his second marriage. 
 
 Ch. I. Newman, b. December 18, 1798. 
 
 2. Polly, b. January 3, 1801; m. Porter Vinton, July 
 
 27, 1828. 
 
 3. Jason, b. February 7, 1803. 
 
 4. Arminia, b. March 11, 1805. 
 
 5. Loring, b. April 20, 1807. 
 
 6. Elijah, b. April 3, 1809. 
 
 7. Willard, b. June 18, 1811. 
 
 8. Permilia, b. February 21, 1814; m. Luther His- 
 
 cox, December 28, 1837; d. 1889. 
 
 9. Annis, b. September 13, 1816; m. Charles Jack- 
 
 son, 
 
THE BUOBEE FAMILY. 289 
 
 10. Jasper, b. June 2, 182 1. 
 
 11. Justice, b. June 2, 1821. 
 
 12. Joseph Snell, b. March zt^, 1832. 
 
 Widow Betsey Bugbee married John Dixon, October 4, 
 1842. 
 
 Eleazar Bugbee, son of Jedediah, lived in the southeast 
 part of town, northwest of North Ashford. He married 
 Sarah Chapman, of Ashford. 
 
 Ch. I. Amos, b. July 20, 1802. 
 
 2. Lydia, b. September 7, 1804; m. John Hayward, 
 
 October 2, 1825. 
 
 3. Annis, b. June 12, 181 1; m. Aaron Gage, of Ash- 
 
 ford, October 12, 1835. 
 
 Newman Bugbee, son of Marcus, married Eliza Smith. 
 Ch. I. Lucius Smith, b. June 9, 1826; m. Belinda A. 
 Benjamin, of Springfield. 
 
 2. William Harrison, b. April 16, 1828; m. Eveline 
 
 Marcy, of Holland. 
 
 3. Sylvia Corbin, b. April i, 1831; m. Arthur 
 
 Brewer, 
 
 4. Horatio Nelson; m. Mary Bicknell, April, 1873; 
 
 d. December, 1877. 
 
 5. Anson Allurein, b. February 27, 1837; d. Novem- 
 
 ber 7, 1842. 
 
 6. Mary Ann Smith, b. June 9, 1840; d. November 
 
 27, 1842. 
 
 Amos Bugbee, son of Eleazar, married, ist, Betsey Abbot; 
 
 2nd, Nancy Howard. 
 Ch. I. Eleazar Gilbert, b. March 18, 1823. 
 
 2. Olive, b. April 25, 1825; m. Erastus C. Burley, 
 
 October 27, 1844. 
 
 3. Edward Oilman, b. October 25, 1830. 
 
 4. Martha Ann vSaviah, b. September 25, 1834; m. 
 
 Richmond Young. 
 
 Jonathan Bugbee came from Woodstock, and lived on 
 the Lieut. Abner Loomis place, where Eleazar Kinney lived 
 
 19 
 
290 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 many years. He was a man of ready wit, and had a poetic 
 vein. Here is a rhyme with which he closed a letter to Dr. 
 Hammond, 
 
 " Dear Doctor do remember 
 To come and see me in September." 
 
 He moved to Brookfield, Madison Co. 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 about 1805. 
 
 He married Mo-rj Dean. 
 
 
 
 Ch. I 
 
 Eunice, m. Fiske. 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Jonathan. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Ira, d. January 25, 1801. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Nathan. 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 Charity, m. Brown. 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Wyman. 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 vSimeon. 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Lucinda, m. Philip Allen. 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Lydia. 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 Hannah, m. John Sessions. 
 
 
 
 Noah Bump lived in the country between Mashapaug 
 and Breakneck. He had three children, Shimei, Demetrius 
 and Jonathan. 
 
 Joshua Burgess came from Mansfield to Union, in 1747. 
 
 He married Doroth}^ . 
 
 Ch. I. Jonathan, b. January 29, 1748. 
 Seth, b. March 31, 1750. 
 Mary, b. February 29, 1752. 
 
 4. Benjamin, b. April 6, 1754. 
 
 5. Abiel, b. September 19, 1756. 
 
 Jonathan Burke, was the son of Jonathan Burke, who 
 in the year 177 1, lived at Windsor, N. Y. Jonathan Burke, 
 of Union, bought land of Henry McNeil, December 26, 1770. 
 He married Sarah Abbot, daughter of Caleb Abbott, 
 November 11, 1754. She died November 12, 1761. He 
 married again and moved to Har^land, Vt. 
 
THE BURLEY FAMILY. 291 
 
 Ch. I. vSarah. 
 
 2. Betsey, baptized August 10, 1760. 
 
 3. Abigail, b. November 12, 1761; d. October 16, 
 
 1800. 
 
 4. Jonathan, died in the army. 
 
 5. Joseph. 
 
 THE BURLEY FAMILY. 
 
 John Burley was one of the earliest settlers of Union, 
 and the ancestor of a numerous posterity. He came from 
 England with Gov. Belcher, when about fourteen years of 
 age, probably about 1708. The name is of English origin 
 and is spelled in a great variety of ways, the principal of 
 which are Burley, Burly, and Burleigh. 
 
 John Burley first leased land in Union of John Shaw, of 
 Pomfret, November 17, 1842, but he lived in Union at least 
 ten years previously. He married Miriam, daughter of 
 Nathaniel and Anna Fuller, of Windham. She was born 
 there March 10, 1708, and died December 4, 1787, at Union. 
 They lived in the southeast part of town near Lost Pond, 
 where Alexander Sessions afterwards built. 
 Ch. I. John, b. October 8, 1731. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. March 22, 1740; m. John Bascom,June 
 
 9, 1763- 
 
 3. Josiah, b. November 8, 1742. 
 
 4. Samuel, b. September 22, 1745. 
 
 5. Asaph, b. April 20, 1748. ' 
 
 6. Alathea, b. April 18, 1751; m. Elijah Loomis, 
 
 January 27, 1774. 
 
 7. Jacob, b. June 5, 1756. 
 
 John Burley Jr., lived in what is now Eastford, about 
 a mile south of North Ashford. He married Persis 
 Harwood, of Sutton, Mass., October 8, 1769. She was born 
 in 1747. After his death in 1784, she married John Blanch- 
 ard and had children. 
 
 Ch. I. Cyrus, b. August 11, 1770; m. Sally Sprague; 
 settled at Pittsford, N. Y., and had 12 chil- 
 dren. 
 
292 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Belinda, b. February ii, 1772; m. Joab (or Jacob) 
 
 Guild, of Woodstock, December 1796: had 11 
 children, and died April 3, 1862. 
 
 3. Rinaldo, b. February 20, 1774. 
 
 4. Philena, b. February 11, 1776; d. January 6, 1781. 
 
 5. Persis, b. April 2, 1778; m. Asahel Marcy, of 
 
 West Woodstock, and had 6 children. 
 
 6. Joseph, b. June 9, 1780. 
 
 JosiAH BuRLEY, son of John vSr., married Hannah Hiscox, 
 December 12, 1765. 
 
 Ch. I. Cyril, b. April 9, 1767; m. Abigail Gleason, of 
 Warren, Mass. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. July 20, 1768; m. Rufus Thompson. 
 
 3. Huldah, b. November 24, 1769; d. May 31, 1786. 
 
 4. Matilda, b. February 12, 1772. 
 
 5. Irene, b. March 10, 1774. 
 
 6. Hannah, b. May 20, 1776. 
 
 7. Luke, b. May 7, 1778; m. Ruhanna Perry, of 
 
 Stafford, and had 15 children, one of whom, 
 Hiram, became a Methodist minister. 
 
 8. Rhoda, b. August 12, 1780; m. Walter Child, and 
 
 settled in Cazenovia, N. Y. 
 
 9. Josiah, b. June 20, 1783; d. January 23, 1790. 
 
 10. Silas, b. April 20, 1786; m. Dorothy Perry, of 
 Sta^ord. 
 II. Willard, b. September 19, 1789; went to Ohio; 
 afterwards to Iowa. 
 
 Samuel Burley, son of John, Senior, was a farmer at 
 Union, and moved to Monson in 1797. He married Rachel 
 Roberts, of Union, May 16, 1775. 
 Ch. I. Abner, b. April 2, 1776. 
 
 2. Chloe, b. May 4, 1777; m. Joseph Enos, of 
 
 Marcellus, N. Y.; had 5 children, and died 
 January 19, 1843. 
 
 3. Mercy, b. November 7, 1780; m. David Bob- 
 
 bins, of Homer, N. Y., and had 9 children. 
 
THE BURLET FAMILY. 
 
 293 
 
 4. John, b. November 7, 1780; m. Martha Steb- 
 
 bins; lived in Bennington, N. Y., and had 8 
 children. 
 
 5. Nancy, b. March 3, 1783; d. December 2, 1787. 
 
 6. Mary, b. June 24, 1785; m. Amos Howard, of 
 
 Eastford, November 27, 181 7, and had 4 chil- 
 dren, Ephraim, Amos, Marvin and Reuben. 
 
 7. Phebe, b. March 14, 1789; m. Asa Beebe, of 
 
 Monson, Mass., and had 2 sons, Asa and 
 Almon. 
 
 8. Rachel, b. October 11, 1790; never married; d. 
 
 January 2, 1880. 
 
 9. Samuel, b. November 25, 1791; m. Aurelia M. 
 
 Walker, of Wilbraham, Mass, and d. at Mon- 
 son, or Sturbridge, September 5, 1841. 
 
 10. Nancy, b. February r6, 1794; m. Orrin vSteb- 
 
 bins, March 30, 181 9, and moved to Marcel- 
 lus, N. Y.; 8 children. 
 
 11. Esther, b. October 26, 1796; not married; lived 
 
 in Monson. 
 
 12. Lois, b. at Monson, February 5, 1799; m. 
 
 Joseph C. Hicks, of Stafford; had 2 children, 
 and d. January 28, 1857. 
 
 13. Ira, b. April 7, 1801; m. Caroline Wood, of 
 
 Wilbraham, Mass.; went to Michigan, and 
 had 7 children. 
 
 Jacob Burley, son of John, Senior, lived in the red 
 house near the Mashapaug school-house. He joined the 
 Continental army in 1775, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, 
 and served through the entire war. He married Lucy 
 Laflin (or McLaughlin), July 2, 1786. 
 
 Ch. I. Huldah, b. at Tolland, September 24, 1786. 
 
 2. Tryphena, b. March 25, 1788; m. Erastus Hor- 
 
 ton, son of Deacon Ezra; they went to Cali- 
 fornia in 1870; she died at her son's, A. E. 
 Horton, of vSan Diego, March 5, 1873. 
 
 3. Philena, b. February 16, 1790. 
 
294 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. Ithiel, b. January 22, 1792; m. Jane Lawson, 
 
 daughter of Ebenezer, and lived in Rich- 
 ford, N. Y., where he was a surveyor, dis- 
 tiller and farmer; had 13 children. 
 
 5. Austin, b. January 28, 1794. 
 
 6. John, b. May 25, 1796; m. Paulina Lawrence; 
 
 he was a soldier in the war of 1812; had 6 
 children. 
 
 7. Orrin Fairbanks, b. July 10, 1799; m. Joanna 
 
 Marybeth, January i, 1825; lived in Scott, 
 Wayne county, Pa.; had 16 children. 
 
 8. Asa, b. May 22, 1802; m. Laura Dorchester, of 
 
 Tolland. 
 
 9. Polly, b. May 22, 1802; m. Nathaniel Ormsby. 
 10. Hiratn, b. May 22, 1804; d. 1839; was a lawyer 
 
 in Ohio. 
 
 RiN.ALDO Burleigh, son of John, Junior, lost an arm in 
 a cider mill when he was a boy. He determined to obtain 
 a liberal education. By dint of difficult and persevering- 
 exertion he succeeded, almost unaided, in fitting himself 
 for college. He graduated from Yale in 1803, and became 
 one of the most successful of classical teachers. He acted 
 successively as principal of the academies of Plainfield, 
 Woodstock and Colchester. For over forty-five years he 
 was deacon of the Congregational church at Plainfield, and 
 was among the first to advocate the abolition of slavery 
 and advocate other social reforms. During the last sixteen 
 years of his life he was afflicted with total blindness, aris- 
 ing from excessive study, and passed his last days on his 
 farm at Plainfield. He married Lydia Bradford, of Can- 
 terbury, Conn., September 5, 1805. 
 
 1. Frances Mary Bradford, b. April i, 1807; m. 
 
 Jesse Ames. 
 
 2. Ashbel Green, b. April 4, 1808; d. August 8, 
 
 1808. 
 
 3. John Oscar, b. June 8, 1809; m. Eveline Moore, 
 
 of Oxford, Mass. He was a teacher at 
 
TEE BTJRLEY FAMILY. ^gs 
 
 Oxford, Brookline, and Grafton, and died 
 July 20, 1848. 
 4. Rev. Charles Calistus, b. November 3, 18 10; 
 m. October 24, 1842, Gertrude Kimber, of 
 Pennsylvania. He was fitted for colleg-e 
 when II years old; commenced teaching- 
 when 13, and was admitted to the bar of 
 Windham county when 21. He was a strong 
 anti-slavery advocate and as an extempora''- 
 neous speaker and reasoner he had few 
 equals. He lived successively at Plainfield, 
 Philadelphia, and Bristol, Penn., Canterbury,' 
 Conn., Vermont, and Florence, Mass. " He 
 died June, 1878. 
 5. William Henry, b. at Woodstock, February 2, 
 1812; m. ist, Harriet A. Frink, of Stonington' 
 2nd, Celia M. Burr, of Troy, N. Y., a famous 
 lady preacher. He was a strong, faithful 
 and conscientious worker for abolition, 
 temperance and human progress. He died 
 at Brooklyn, N. Y., March 18, 187 1. He left 
 7 children, one of whom, Francis J. L. Bur- 
 ley, has been on the staff of the New York 
 lV(?r/i/, Times, Tribime and Witness. 
 6. Rev. Lucian, b. December 3, 1817; m. April 4 
 1843, Elizabeth M. Child, of East Woodstock,' 
 and had 6 children. He was a well known 
 temperance lecturer in Connecticut, West- 
 chester Co., N. Y., and Wisconsin. He was 
 principal of Plainfield Academy from 1854 to 
 1859. After preaching in several places he 
 became agent of the Connecticut Temperance 
 Union, in 1865, which position he occupied 
 till 1879. 
 
 7. Cyrus Moses, b. February 8, 1820, was also a 
 
 temperance lecturer, and died in 1855. 
 
 8. George Shepard, b. March 26, 182 1; m. Mary 
 
 Burgess, and lived at Little Compton. He 
 was a writer. 
 
296 GENE A L GIES. 
 
 Dea. Joseph Burley, son of John, Jr., lived where his 
 son John now does. He was chosen deacon of the Baptist 
 church at North Ashford, May 2, 1829. He married Alethea 
 Farnham, of Ashford, April 28, 181 1 (she was born October 
 14, 1788). Joseph Burley died January 16, 1873. Alethea 
 (or Althea), his wife, died October 2, 1883, ag-ed 95, having 
 been for some time the oldest person in the town. 
 
 Ch. I. Eliza, b. March 20, 1812; d. February 22, 1814. 
 
 2. William Palmer, b. August 28, 181 3. 
 
 3. John, b. October 4, 18 15. 
 
 4. Erastus Collins, b. June 22, 1820. 
 
 Silas Burley, son of Josiah, lived at Stafford; married 
 Dorothy Perry, of Stafford, July 2, 1808; 2nd, Azubah 
 Dean, of Stafford, January 22, 1851. He died January 15, 
 
 1855- 
 
 Ch. I. Ferdinand Lethbridge, b. August 26, 1809; m. 
 Louisa Colburn, of Wales, August 31, 1834. 
 He was first a school-teacher and farmer, 
 then a wool-sorter at Wales, Mass., where he 
 held many town offices. He had 3 children. 
 
 2. Cordelia, b. July 18, 1812; d. October 23, 1836. 
 
 3. Langdon E., b. December 18, 1813; d. April 4, 
 
 1838. 
 
 4. El well Perry, b. October 12, 1815; m. ist, Char- 
 
 lotte Partridge, of Holland, April 9, 1840; 
 2nd, Rebecca Sweetzer, March 26, 1850; lived 
 at Holland and had 4 children. 
 
 5. Ruhama V., b. August 31, 1817; d. January 16, 
 
 1836. 
 
 6. Josiah Hart well, b. March 17, 181 9; m. Elvira 
 
 Dorman, of Monson. 
 
 7. Lenora B., b. April 17, 1821; m. ist, William 
 
 Ruby; 2nd, Charles Russell, of Stafford; had 
 4 children. 
 
 Abner Burley, son of Samuel, m. ist, Lovisa Cleveland, 
 May 5, 1805; 2nd, Deborah Hawse, February i, 1826. He 
 
THE BURLEY FAMILY. 
 
 297 
 
 was a farmer at Monson, Mass., and died at Wilbraham, 
 Mass., February 14, i860. 
 
 Ch. I. Abner Cleveland, b. June 11. 1807; lived at 
 Hampden, Mass 
 
 2. Benjamin Arnold, b. January 13, 181 1; m. Han- 
 
 nah Smith, of West Springfield; lived at Pal- 
 mer, where he was an architect and a re- 
 spected citizen. His son. Dr. William Elizur 
 (b. September 13, 1843), studied medicine at 
 Philadelphia, and graduated at Maryland 
 University, in 1865. He was a surgeon in 
 the army hospital, and afterwards practiced 
 medicine in New York city, Selma, Ala., St. 
 Louis, Mo., and San Francisco. 
 
 3. Lovisa Amelia, b. February 18, 18 15; m. Abner 
 
 Read. 
 
 Children by Deborah Hawse. 
 
 4. Joseph, b. January 11, 1827; m. Nancy Whitney; 
 
 lives at Taunton, Mass. 
 
 5. Elizabeth, b. June 23, 1829; d. September 14, 
 
 1845. 
 
 6. Jacob, b. April 26, 1834; lives at Holland, Mass. 
 
 William Palmer Burley, son of Dea. Joseph, married 
 Mary Dorsett, of Woodstock, in 1835. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph, b. vSeptember, 1836; m. Mary E. Bugbee, 
 September 18, 1862, and had 4 children, Will- 
 iam A., Orlo A., John W., and Ernest. 
 
 2. John W., b. February, 1838; d. in the army, April 
 
 8, 1864. 
 
 3. Alvin L., b. February 24, 1840; m. Minnie Stod- 
 
 dard. 
 
 Dea. John Burlev is the only representative now in 
 town of the numerous descendants of John Burley, the first 
 settler. He has always lived where his father, Dea. Joseph 
 did. He was chosen deacon of the Baptist church at North 
 Ashford, February 2, 1867. He has also been clerk and 
 
298 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 treasurer for nearly forty years, and is one of the strong 
 pillars of the church. He married Elmina Gage, daughter 
 of Rev. Leonard Gage, February 8, 1842. They have no 
 children. 
 
 Erastus C. Burley, son of Dea. Joseph, married Olive 
 Bugbee, daughter of Amos, October 27, 1844. 
 
 Ch. I. Emerson C, b. August ri, 1845; m. Delia John- 
 son. 
 
 2. Charles Bugbee, b. May 16, 1853; d. October 27, 
 
 1863. 
 
 3. Frank P., b. February 11, 1863; d. August i, 1864. 
 
 4. Alethea Farnham, b. August 21, 1865. 
 
 William Campbell came from Oxford, Mass. With 
 John Laflin of Stowe, Mass., he bought land in Union of 
 John Campbell, September 29, 1740. 
 
 Ch. I. William, lived at Southwick, Mass. 
 Joseph. 
 
 Annis, m. Daniel Lee of Southwick, Mass. 
 Lucy, m. George Granger of Southwick, Mass. 
 Mary, m. John Nelson of Southwick, Mass. 
 Elizabeth, m. Joel Pease. 
 
 Alexander Campbell lived in the west part of town. 
 He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Char- 
 lotte Sands of vStafford. 
 
 Ch. I. Minerva, b. Jan. 27, 1816; m. Sands. 
 
 Almeda, b. March 26, 1818; m. Josiah R. James. 
 Alexander, b. February 29, 1820. 
 Charlotte, b. October 9, 1822. 
 Mason, b. October 12, 1830. 
 
 Uriah Carpenter, Jr., of vStafford, lived in Union. He 
 married Lucy Wyman, daughter of Rev. Eb. Wyman, De- 
 cember 5, 1759. 
 
 Ch. I. Martha, b. November 30, 1761; m. Samuel 
 Laflin, January 10, 1782. 
 
CARPENTER-CHAFFEE. 299 
 
 2. Frederick, b. January 6, 1766; lived at Warren 
 and Brimfield. 
 
 Palmer Carpenter, married Lydia . 
 
 Ch. I. Charles Palmer, b. May 17, 1841. 
 2. Adeline Parmelia, b. June 5, 1843. 
 
 Horatio Carpenter of Woodstock, married for his 
 second wife Lavinia Holman Goodale, March 2, 1856. He 
 lived south of the East school-house till 1877', when he 
 moved to Woodstock. He 'died in 1884. 
 
 Waldo Carpenter, son of Horatio, married Justitia ■ 
 Goodale. 
 
 Ch. I. Grace, b. April 5, 1874. 
 
 2. Ethel. 
 
 3. Edith. 
 
 4. Inez. 
 
 Elbridge Cass came from Meriden to Union about the 
 year 1822, and lived first on the Eaton place, so called. 
 Then he removed to the Wm. Abbott (Jesse Hall) place. 
 He built the saw-mill and house near Capt. Paul's. 
 Ch. I. Libeus, died September 27, 1844. 
 2. Elisha. 
 3- Sally. 
 
 Samuel Chamberlain came to Union from Woburn, 
 Mass. He bought 150 acres of land with one-half the saw- 
 mill of Edward Houghton, January 23, 1746. His wife's 
 name was Lydia. 
 
 Ch. I. Lydia, b. March 5, 1745. 
 
 2. Samuel, b. September 14, 1746. 
 
 3. Susanna, b. July 28, 1748. 
 
 GuRDON Chaffee, son of Amos of Ashford, born May 
 10, 1837, married, first, Sarah Salome, daughter of Walter 
 
300 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Lyon, September 24, 1863. She died August 24, 1868. He 
 married, second, Caroline Capwell, July 4th, 1869. He had 
 been a soldier in the 22nd Regt. Conn. Volunteers. He 
 lived on the Coye hill until the house was burnt, July 4, 
 1886. 
 
 Ch. I. Amos Francis, b. October i, 1864; m. Phebe 
 Capwell, widow of ; has two children. 
 
 2. Elmer Ellsworth, b. December 21, 1866. 
 
 3. Walter Urigene, b. August 14, 1868; d. Sept. 12, 
 
 1868. 
 Gurdon Chaffee died May 5, 1889. 
 
 CHAPIN FAMILY. 
 
 Rev. Nathaniel Chapin was born at Enfield, Conn., 1763, 
 and died at Warehouse Point, January, 1849. 
 
 He came to Union in April, 1803, and preached as stated 
 supply for several years. He belonged to the Methodist 
 denomination, although he preached for the Congrega- 
 tional church for several years. 
 
 He moved to Somers in 1815, then to Enfield, and finally 
 to Warehouse Point. He married, first, Cynthia Perkins of 
 Enfield; he married second time, Lovisa Saxton of Enfield. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Cynthia, m. vStephen Root of Enfield. 
 
 Henry, died. 
 
 Lovisa. 
 
 Henry, b. March 15, 1790. 
 
 Charlotte, b. October 29, 1792; m. Capt. »Samuel 
 
 Corbin of Union. 
 Nathaniel, lived in Illinois. 
 Sibyl. 
 
 Charles, died. 
 Miranda. 
 
 Eliza, b. October 6, 1803, at Union. 
 Charles, b. February 16, 1806, at Union; lived 
 
 in Illinois. 
 
THE CHILD FAMILY. 
 
 CHILD FAMILY 
 
 Ebenezkr Child, Sr., came from Woodstock to Union, 
 and bought of his son, Ebenezer, the farm called the Hitch- 
 cock place, now owned by the Newells, where he lived 
 several years. He was quite a prominent man during his 
 stay here, being a leading supporter of Rev. Mr. Horton 
 during those troubles which led to his dismission in 1783. 
 Ebenezer Child was the sixth child of Benjamin Child of 
 Roxbury, Mass., and was born September 7, 1693. He died 
 at Union in 1774. He married Elizabeth Bacon and had 
 9 children. 
 
 Ebenezer Child, Jr., was born April 17, 1729. He mar- 
 ried, first, Charity Bugbee, May 9, 1754. 
 
 It is supposed that he married, second, Alice Cobb of 
 Union, November i, 1775. He bought land of Samuel 
 Peake May 6, 1769. This land was part of the house lot, 
 and the building owned by Rev. Caleb Hitchcock, where 
 the Newells now live. He sold this land to his father and 
 emigrated to Brandon, Vt. 
 
 Ch. I. Sophia, b. March 7, 1755; m. Simeon Wright 
 October 6, 1774; d. July 19, 1781. 
 
 2. Penuel, b. May 7, 1757; d. at Brandon, Vt., 
 
 August 22, 1842. 
 
 3. Pearly, b. December 5, 1760; d. May 30, 181 2. 
 
 4. Ebenezer; died young. 
 
 5. Bethia; died young. 
 
 6. Elizabeth, b. December 29, 1766; d. May 31, 
 
 1844, at Marietta, O. 
 
 7. Ebenezer, b. August 17, 1770. 
 
 Capt. Penuel Child, son of Ebenezer, bought the 
 Marcy place just north of the old cemetery, in 1784, of 
 Daniel Loomis. Afterwards he bought of Elijah Torrey, 
 December 26, 1789, the farm where E. Mason Horton now 
 lives, and lived there some years, selling it April 19, 1796, 
 to Solomon and Jonathan Nelson of Northbridge, Mass. 
 Capt. Child moved not long after to Brandon, Vt. He 
 
302 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 married Charlotte Looniis, eldest daughter of Lieut. Daniel 
 Loomis, October ii, 1781. 
 
 Ch. I. RelphaAdolphus,b. February 12, 1782, at Union. 
 
 2. John Burnap, b'. June 25, 1786, at Union. 
 
 3. Fred. Augustus, b. December 11, 1788, at Union. 
 
 4. Putnam, b. at Brandon, Vt. 
 
 There have been several non-resident land-holders by 
 the name of Child, from Woodstock. 
 
 John Child of Woodstock bought land of Daniel wStowell, 
 March 21, 1768. 
 
 Shubael Child bought land of Jabez Hendrick, January 
 18, 1762. This was the lot east of the Gulf hill and south 
 of the pond, known as the " Benjamin Walker lot." 
 
 Parley Child, son of Ebenezer, Jr., bought land of Eben- 
 ezer, Sr., August 18, 1784. 
 
 Aaron Clark of Lebanon, bought land of Nath. Walker, 
 December 4, 1734. This was the lot known as No. 3 of the 
 home lots, and originally contained 175 acres. The south 
 line of this lot was long a noted line having the famous 
 chestnut tree for its limit on the Town street and the more 
 famous rock W. W. for its eastern bound, "lying on the 
 east side of a litl brook." Aaron Clark of Lebanon deeded 
 this lot to his son Aaron in 1735. The chestnut tree above 
 referred to was in 1820 about 3^4 feet in diameter and 
 nearly dead. It was cut down about 1840, and a black oak 
 grew up in its place. This young oak Dr. Shubael Ham- 
 mond regarded with great interest as being the successor 
 of the old chestnut. Aaron Clark, Jr., owned land west of 
 the road and is said to have lived in the valley between 
 the house of Dr. Hammond and the Kinney or Bugbee 
 place, west. He sold lot No. 3 to Peres Sprague in 1754. 
 He owned the Chauncey Paul place, which he sold to Robt. 
 Paul, Jr., in 1770, and removed to ^Salisbury, Conn. He 
 married in Lebanon, Sarah . 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. September 19, 1743. 
 2. Sarah, b. June 15, 1745. 
 
CLARK, CLEVELAND. 
 
 3°: 
 
 Aaron, b. August 22, 1747. 
 
 David, b. July 3, 1749; d. January 27, 1754. 
 
 Esther, b. August 19, 1752. 
 
 David, b. August 20, 1756. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1759. 
 
 John Clark came from Woodstock to Union and lived 
 for many years on the place where Benjamin Corbin after- 
 wards did. His wife was Sarah Chamberlain. He re- 
 turned to Woodstock and died, aged about 93. 
 Ch. I. Lavinia, m. Ezra Lillie, Jr. 
 Thaddeus, m. Lucy Webber. 
 John, m. Polly Ledoyt. 
 
 4. Damaris, d. about 1801. 
 
 5. Damaris, 2d, m. Chester Marcy. 
 
 Pain Cleveland came from Tolland to Union, where 
 with Isaac Fellows he bought the place where E. M. Hor- 
 ton now lives, October 26, 1796. This place he sold Jan- 
 uary 2, 1802, to Levi Adams of Medbury, and moved to 
 the farm where he and his son Solomon afteawards lived. 
 He married Alice Cleveland, who was born December 16, 
 1767, and died October 18, 1820. Pain Cleveland was born 
 May 3, 1769, and died February 6, 185 1. 
 Ch. I. Lorinda, b. September 7, 1792. 
 
 2. Church, b. July 17, 1794. 
 
 3. Orange, b. July 7, 1796; lived in Tolland. 
 
 4. Marlin, b. June 12, 1798. 
 
 5. Susanna, b. April 23, 1800; d. April 7, 1824. 
 
 6. Patty, b. March 28, 1802; d. April 22, 1833. 
 
 7. Freeman, b. March 16, 1804; d. October 13, 1830. 
 
 (Killed in lead mine). 
 
 8. John, b. May 1806; d. December 14, 1825. 
 
 9. Anna, b. April 20, 1808; m. Augustus Tourtel- 
 
 lotte of Sturbridge, May 31, 1832; d. April 
 12, 1840. 
 10. Solomon, b. January 27, 181 2. 
 
3°4 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Solomon Cleveland, son of Pain, married Lucy Reed 
 of Vernon, Conn., January 27, 1832. He died October 17, 
 1878. She died January 21, 1892. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Ann, b; June 12, 1833; d. November 20, 
 1891. 
 Sarah Jane, b. January 24, 1835; m. Ephraim 
 
 W. Squire of Eastford, March 26, 1853. 
 Clarissa, b. February 23, 1838; m. Nelson Skin- 
 ner of Monson, September 5, 1868. 
 4. Francis, b. March 23, 1843; m. Lavinia H. 
 Chaffee, November 13, 1864. 
 Reed, b. August 27, 1847. 
 
 John Cobb bought land of Amos Woodworth in 1764. 
 
 This land was in the western part of No. i, and was on the 
 
 east side of the road between the Newell and the Mason 
 
 Horton places. He sold it in 1785 to Th. Sprague. 
 
 Ch. I. Hannah, m. Th. Sprague, January 28, 1768. 
 
 2. Alice, m. Eb. Child, November i, 1775. 
 
 George D. Colburn, son of Daniel, was born in .Staf- 
 ford, February 11, 18 19. He was engaged in the brass 
 foundry business for a time at New Haven. He came to 
 Union in 1848 and purchased the Samuel vStrong place, 
 where he has since lived. He represented the town in the 
 Legislatures of 1857, '58, '62, '69 and '70, and has held other 
 town offices. He married Elizabeth Wallace, October 15, 
 1845. She died January 8, 1892. 
 
 Ch. I. Georgiana E., b. August 7, 1846; m. Morgan 
 Reed, October 23, 1876. 
 
 2. Ella A., b. May 8, 1848; m. Francis Upham, 
 
 April 12, 1872. 
 
 3. Marion E., b. March 2, 1850; m. Edwin G. 
 
 Goodell, April 12, 1877. 
 
 4. Alice F. E., b. June 27, 1866; d. May 21, 1872. 
 
George D. Colburn. 
 
COMSTOCK, CONVERSE, CORBIN. 305 
 
 Israel Comstock came from Thompson to Union not 
 far from 181 9. He first owned tlie Laflin (Prosper Smith) 
 place, and afterwards the Mashapaug- mills. 
 
 His children, born before he came to Union, were : 
 Ch. I. George. 
 
 2. Israel, m. Deborah A. Walbridge. 
 
 3. Urilla, m. Grosvenor May of Holland, Septem- 
 
 ber 29, 1827. 
 
 4. Ardilla, m. Ed. Aldrich of Thompson, February 
 
 22, 1830. 
 
 5. Hiram. 
 
 6. Janet, m. Goodale of Charlton, April 8, 1834. 
 
 7. Sally, m. Henry Stetson of Woodstock. 
 
 8. Martha, m. Roswell Goodale of Charlton, 
 
 March, 1838. 
 
 9. Almira. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Benjamin Converse came from Rhode Island to Union 
 about 1790. 
 
 John. 
 
 Polly or Mary, m. Abram Holman. 
 
 Rebecca, m. Geo. Leonard. 
 
 Henry, m. Mascraft. 
 
 Cyprian, m. Laura Moore. 
 
 Freelove, m. Eleazar Fiske. 
 
 Benjamin, m. Hannah Ellis. 
 
 Dorcas, m. Barlow. 
 
 Palmer, m. Tyler. 
 
 Enoch. 
 
 THE CORBIN FAMILY. 
 
 David Corbin came from Woodstock, and settled in 
 Union, about the year 1793; he was the son of Asahel Cor- 
 bin of Woodstock — born March 5, 1739 or '40 — who married 
 Jerusha Morse. The father of Asahel was Benjamin Cor- 
 bin, born March 23, 1703 or 4, and married Jemima Cutler, 
 April 19, 1731, and had four children, of which Asahel was 
 
3o6 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 the third. Benjamin Corbin was the seventh child of 
 Jabez Corbin, and his wife Mary Morse. 
 
 Jabez Corbin was a first settler of Woodstock, from 
 Roxbury. Miss Larned says that Jabez Corbin's lot was 
 No. 48, "and joined the lot of James Corbin," his father. 
 James Corbin was one of the most extensive and enter- 
 prising land agents of Windham county. Probably James 
 Corbin was the ancestor of ]\Ir. Philip Corbin. 
 
 AsAHEL Corbin, of Woodstock, the son of Benjamin, 
 married Jernsha Morse. 
 
 Ch. I. David, b. February 16, 1766. 
 Molly, b. February 16, 1766. 
 Rhoda, b. March 10, 1768, m. Simeon Lillie. 
 
 4. Kcziah, b. May 20, 1770. 
 
 5. vSilvia, b. February 20, 1775, m. Marcus Bugbee. 
 
 6. Jerusha, b. December 7, 1778, m. Leonard 
 
 Goodell. 
 
 7. Amasa, m. Rebecca Hayward. 
 
 David Corp.in, lived in Woodstock, on the place where 
 James Herindeen now lives. He came to Union about 
 1795, and bought of John Clark the place where he and his 
 son Benjamin afterwards lived. He married Mary Bugbee, 
 daughter of Jedediah. He died March 12, 1841. She died 
 March 24, 1855. 
 
 Ch. 1. Asa, b. at Woodstock, March 24, 1793. 
 
 2. Benjamin, b. at Woodstock, October 20, 1794. 
 
 3. Elias, b. at Union, May 25, 1797; m. Bethiah 
 
 Beebe. 
 
 4. Eleazar, b. at Union, May 5, 1799, m. Dicea 
 
 Crawford. 
 
 5. Nathan, b. at Union, August 11, 1801, m. Ann 
 
 Sumner, d. March 17, 1842. 
 
 6. Polly, b. at Union, December 25, 1804, m. David 
 
 Lawson, 1844. 
 
 7. Anna, b. at Union, Aug. 28, 1809, m. Charles W. 
 
 Moore, of Ellington, May 30, 1830. 
 
Mrs. Benjamin Corbin. 
 

 Benjamin Corbin. 
 
TEE CORBIN FAMILY. 
 
 307 
 
 Benjamin Corbin, son of David, was for many years a 
 prominent and well known citizen of Union. He was 
 entrusted with many town offices, and performed his duties 
 faithfully, being a man of strict integrity. He represented 
 the town in the legislature six times, between 1828 and 
 1840. He was a member of the Baptist church at North 
 Ashford, and was a deacon of it for a number of years. 
 He was a man of strong convictions of right and wrong 
 and always wanted to see the right triumph. Men of his 
 firm character and solid worth are of value to every com - 
 munity. He married Maria Potter (b. April 3, 1804), daugh- 
 ter of Silas Potter, of Ashford, June 2, 1830. He died May 
 5, 1880. 
 
 Ch. 1. Emeline Maria, b. June 11, 1831, d. August 14, 
 
 1833. 
 
 2. David Potter, b. July 11, 1833. 
 
 3. William Melvin, b. May 13, 1835. 
 
 4. Milton, b. December 23, 1838, d. December 27, 
 
 1838. 
 
 5. Charles Mason, b. April i, 1840. 
 
 6. John Warren, b. July 7, 1844. 
 
 David P. Corbin, son of Benjamin (see biographical 
 sketch), married Mary Sheldon of Suffield, Conn. He died 
 at Larned, Kansas, March 15, 1880. 
 
 Ch. Frank Warren, b. January 28, 1865. He graduated 
 from the Hartford High School in 1884, and 
 in the fall of that year commenced to study 
 medicine at the University of New York. 
 He died of quick consumption, June 21, 1886. 
 He was a promising youth of most excellent 
 character and his early death was greatl}' 
 lamented by those who knew him. When he 
 knew he could not live, he said his only 
 regret was " that his mother had not some 
 other child to love." 
 
3o8 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 William M. Corbin, son of Benjamin (see biographical 
 sketch), married Josephine Walker, daughter of Harvey 
 Walker, June 27, i860. 
 
 Ch. I. William Herbert, b. July 20, 1864. 
 
 2. Annie Laura, b. May 31, 1867; graduated from 
 
 Hartford High School in 1886; married 
 James Allen Wiley, of Hartford, July 16, 
 1890, at Manchester, Conn. 
 
 3. Junius Benjamin, b. October 9, 1869; is in busi- 
 
 ness in New York with his uncle, John W. 
 Corbin. 
 
 4. Harvey Walker, b. May 10, 1872; graduated 
 
 from Hartford High School, in 1890; is in 
 the bank of the Connecticut Trust Co., at 
 Hartford. 
 
 Charles Mason Corbin, son of Benjamin, resides in 
 Philadelphia, Pa. He was in the army in the late war, 
 for three months, in 1862, in Co. B, loth R. I. Infantry. 
 He enlisted from Providence, where he was attending 
 Brown University. He went to Philadelphia, and was 
 many years engaged in the millinery business. He is 
 now the Philadelphia agent of the Tompkins' Cure for 
 Bright's Disease. He married Margaret Spendlove, of 
 New York, (b. October 22, 1843). 
 
 Ch. I. Harry Squire, b. March 22, 1869. 
 
 2. Edith Allison, b. September 15, 1885. 
 
 John Warren Corbin, the youngest son of Benjamin 
 and Maria Potter Corbin, was born in Union, July 7th, 1844. 
 
 He received the benefits of the common and select 
 schools of his native town, one term at Providence, R. I., 
 and two years at the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suf- 
 field. Conn., from which point he enlisted in the twenty- 
 second Regiment Conn. Volunteers. 
 
 He went into camp at Hartford, but on account of the 
 serious illness of his father, Frank Walker of Union, was 
 secured as a substitute, answering to the name of J. W. 
 Corbin, until the time of his death. Mr. Corbin afterwards 
 
THE VORBIN FAMILY. 309 
 
 taught school, was engaged in business for himself in Wil- 
 limantic and Providence, from which point in 1874, he 
 went to Europe, where he traveled extensively in the 
 interest of the Atlantic Tubing Company of Providence, 
 R. I., going even to St. Petersburg in Russia, making a 
 very successful business and pleasure trip. Later he 
 ■arranged to travel for the Howe Scale Company of Phila- 
 delphia, where he remained three years, when he was 
 offered the charge of the vSouthern Business of the Howe 
 Scale Company of New York, which position he accepted 
 and successfully held for eight years, spending eight 
 months of each year in the Southern States and Texas. 
 
 He resigned this position September ist, 1890, to form 
 the Tompkins Bright's Disease Cure Company in New 
 York, as the development of the wonderful medicine that 
 saved the life of William M. Corbin, had been his greatest 
 ambition for the previous four years. In company with D. 
 W. Simpson of Aurora, Illinois, and William M. Corbin, 
 he formed an equal partnership with Mr. E. S. Tompkins, 
 and was at once appointed General Manager of the com- 
 pany, which position he at present continues to hold. The 
 record of the most remarkable cures of Bright's Disease 
 and also of Diabetes, by a separate and distinct remedy, 
 has no equal. No one can estimate the far reaching results 
 and the benefits already rendered by this company, and 
 there is no question but what these herbal preparations are 
 among the most important discoveries of the nineteenth 
 century. 
 
 William H. Corbin, son of William M., graduated from 
 the Hartford High vSchool, in 1884. He entered Yale col- 
 lege in 1885, and graduated in 1889. While there he 
 became noted in athletics, being captain of the victorious 
 Varsity foot-ball team of '88, and rowing on the winning 
 boat crews of '88 and '89. He was active in the religious 
 work of the University, and had a strong influence for 
 good on the students of Yale. He married Mary Williams 
 of Manchester, July 16, 1890, a classmate of his in the 
 
3 1 o GENE A LOGIES. 
 
 Hartford High School. He taught three 3-ears after grad- 
 uating, at Dobb's Ferry, N. Y., and is now the head master 
 of the Pingry school, in Elizabeth, N. J. 
 
 Philip Corbin, son of Lemuel, and probably descended 
 from James Corbin, one. of the first settlers of Woodstock 
 (also the ancestor of David Corbin), came to Union from 
 Dudley, Mass., in 1793. He bought land of James Thomp- 
 son as early as 1795. He lived in a house which stood 
 west of the present one where Mr. Barber lives. He was a 
 man of more than ordinary powers of body and mind, 
 which, guided by stern integrity, gave him an influence 
 largely felt wherever he went. He was a farmer, owning 
 a large tract of land. He used to manufacture potash in 
 considerable quantities, which he sold at Norwich. He at 
 one time owned part of the Mashapaug saw-mill. He was 
 selectman a number of years, and represented his town in 
 the Legislature in 18 14 and 1815. He was a prominent and 
 influential member of the church at Union, and one of the 
 building committee of the present meeting-house. He mar- 
 ried Rhoby Healy, of Dudley. 
 
 Ch. I. Samuel, b. at Dudley, February 11, 1792. 
 
 2. Polly, b. at Union, jVIay 28, 1795; m. Joseph C. 
 
 Griggs. 
 
 3. Philip, b. at Union, April 4, 1797. 
 
 4. Healy, b. at L'^nion, June 8, 1799. 
 
 5. Augustus, b. at Union, September 18, 1801. 
 
 6. Hermon, b. at Union, May 20, 1806. 
 Philip Corbin died May 2, 1845, aged 80. 
 Rhoby Corbin died June 15, 1840, aged 72. 
 
 Captain Samuel Corbin, son of Philip, married Char- 
 lotte Chapin, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Chapin, of 
 Union, March 30, 18 15. 
 
 Captain Corbin, after he was of age, settled on a farm 
 adjoining his father's (where his son Henry now lives). 
 He was the captain of the company of militia in town. He 
 was selectman a number of years, represented his town 
 
THE COY FAMILY. 315 
 
 1868. wShe died July 2, 1880. He married, second, Sarah 
 Billings Brown, June 2, 1881. 
 
 Ch. T. Minnie Jane, b. November 26, 187 1. 
 
 2. Herbert Miner, b. June 2, 1873. 
 
 3. Arthur, b. December 2, 1875; d. December 3, 
 
 1875- 
 
 4. Walter Everett, b. October 28, 1885. 
 
 5. Erford Healy, b. February 26, 1889. 
 
 Lucius Anson Corbin, son of Deacon Penuel, Junior, 
 of Woodstock, came to Union in 1857, and bought of Bert 
 Crawford the place where he now lives. He has been select- 
 man several times and held many other town offices. He 
 has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
 Mashapaug from its organization in 1867. He married 
 December 17, 1856, Elmira Sophia, daughter of Benjamin 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Ch. I. Bertha Lilian, b. August 18, 1864; m. Robert 
 Webster, 1886. 
 2. Ernest Albert, b. April 2, 1872. 
 
 THE COY FAMILY. 
 
 Nehemiah Mark Coy (or Coye) came from Pomfret to 
 Union. His father, Nehemiah, came from Scotland. The 
 son, Nehemiah, bought land in Union of Samuel Chamber- 
 lain, April 6, 1749. He married, first, Sarah Church; 
 second, Mary Birch. 
 Ch. I. Nehemiah. 
 
 2. Amasa, d. November 6, 1776. 
 
 3. Archibald, b. May 6, 1741. 
 
 4. Abigail. 
 
 5. Margaret. 
 
 6. Mary (?), b. 1752. 
 
 Nehemiah Coy, son of Nehemiah, married vSarah Birch, 
 September 28, 1749. 
 
 Ch. I. Nehemiah, b. January 7, 1755. 
 2. Abel, b. August 3, 1757. 
 
.^i6 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Archibald Coye, son of Nehemiah, lived on the Allen 
 Wales place, south of the Kinney mills. He was a promi- 
 nent citizen, holding man}" town offices. He married 
 Elizabeth Badger, daughter of Daniel Badger, Jr., Decem- 
 ber 25, 1760. He died April i, 1794, aged 52. His wife, 
 Elizabeth, died May 28, 1806, aged 66. 
 
 Ch. I. Perley, b. June 28, 1761; d. in the Revolution- 
 ary army, December, 1781. 
 Levi, b. March 31, 1763. 
 Luke, b. January 27, 1765. 
 Chloe, b. December 15, 1766; m. Joel Kinney. 
 Rufus, b. November 26, 1768; d. March 14. 1813. 
 Molly, b. February 7, 1770. 
 David, b. March 2, 1772. 
 
 Irene Kinney, b. June 3, 1775; d. January 27, 1777. 
 9. Abigail, b. January 25, 1778; m. Abner Howard. 
 
 10. Nehemiah, b. March 5, 1780. 
 
 11. Elizabeth, b. May 31, 1782. 
 
 AiMASA CoYE, son of Nehemiah, lived south of the road 
 between the places where Thomas Rindge and George 
 Chandler now reside. He married Sarah Hill, of Ashford, 
 September 2, 1773. He died November 6, 1776. 
 
 Ch. I. Ariel, b. August 14, 1774. 
 
 2. Amasa, b. November 20, 1776. 
 
 Levi Coye, son of Archibald, lived on the hill where 
 Walter Lyon and Gurdon Chaffee afterwards did. He 
 married Hannah Lillie, February 15, 1785. 
 Ch. I. Irene, m. William Walker. 
 
 2. Parley, m. Olive Underwood. 
 
 3. Eli, m. Nancy Walker, February 13, 1827. 
 
 4. Charlotte, b. June 27, 1791. 
 
 5. Amasa, b. April 30, 1798; m. Orinda Sessions. 
 
 6. Antony, b. January 8, 1804. 
 
 7. Hannah, b. June 3, 1806. 
 
 David Coye, son of Archibald, lived east of Bigelow 
 river near the Allen Wales place. He married Lucy, 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 
 
 317 
 
 daughter of Nathan Kinney, December 26, 1793. He died 
 September 18, 1831. Lucy Coye died January 31, 1881. 
 Ch. I. Luranna, b. March i, 17 98; m. Jason Hawes. 
 
 Asa, b. September 17, 1799; m. Anna Griggs, 
 
 December 14, 1826; d. November 9, 1843. 
 Cyrus, b. January 27, 1802. 
 Nancy, b. December 16, 1803; m. Deacon Healy 
 
 Corbin. 
 Eliza, b. December 28, 1805. 
 Lucy, b. April 13, 1808; d. February 7, 1835. 
 Minerva, b. August 24, 181 2; m. Deacon vSulli- 
 van Booth. 
 
 Deacon Humphrey Cram was one of the original mem- 
 bers of the church at Union, and the first deacon. He lived 
 just over the line in South Brimfield, and it is about him 
 that the story is told of James McNall's objecting to his 
 praying at the raising of the meeting-house, because "he 
 did not own a foot of land in town." He married Hannah. 
 Ch. I. Sarah, m. John Rosebrooks, April 10, 1760. 
 
 2. Mehitable, b. April 15, 1745; m. Jonah Loomis, 
 
 October 18, 1764. 
 
 3. Jonah, b. March 9, 1747. 
 
 4. Chloe, b November 25, 1750. 
 
 THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 
 
 The name Crawford is Scotch in whatever country found. 
 The Crawfords who came to this country were of the Scotch- 
 Irish descent. The Crawford families of Rutland and Oak- 
 ham, Mass., who came to this country in 17 13, were descended 
 from Aaron Crav/ford, who was born in the Parish of Cappy, 
 county of Tyrone, Ireland. Two brothers, James and John, 
 came to this country from Ireland. James Crawford first 
 settled in Newton, Mass., and afterwards in Union, where 
 he was voted an inhabitant in 1740, and land surveyor in 
 1743. He became a large land-holder, purchasing his land 
 of Samuel Wells of Hartford, January 26, 1742-43. He and 
 
3i8 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 his sons owned and occupied the farms where Dea. Lawson 
 now lives, where Fayette Crawford lives, also the Walter 
 Lyon place, the Asa Putnam farm, and the Benjamin Cor- 
 bin place (where George W. Thayer now lives). 
 
 In 1 769 they sold all their possessions in Union and moved 
 to Westminster, Vt. James Crawford, Jr., married Grace 
 Carpenter, of Ashford, a woman of great intelligence and 
 force of character. Their only son, Theophilus, who was 
 five years old when his father left Union, became promi- 
 nent in the early history of Vermont. When James Craw- 
 ford and his sons left Union in 1769, the journey above 
 Hadley Falls was performed in a canoe or log boat. Reach- 
 ing the old Fort Drummer in a rain storm, the boy Theophi- 
 lus, five years old, was carried from the boat to the fort by 
 William French, of early Revolutionary fame, whose father 
 then occupied it as a dwelling house. Theophilus Craw- 
 ford, son of James 2nd, is mentioned in Hall's histor}' of 
 East Vermont, with respect. He was educated by his 
 mother, a woman of great character. He was highly 
 esteemed in public life. He died January 10, 1856, aged 91. 
 
 John Crawford, son of James, Sr., lived where George 
 Thayer now does (the Benjamin Corbin place). He married 
 Mary Rosebrooks, and emigrated with his father to Ver- 
 mont, where he settled, first at Brookline, and afterwards 
 at Guildhall. He had a large family, of which his son Abel 
 was born at Union, December 31, 1766. 
 
 Abel Crawford moved to the White Mountains, where 
 he settled, first, at Nash and Sawyer's location, and then 
 moved to Hart's location in the White Mountains, N. H. 
 This place in modern times is called the "Notch." Abel 
 Crawford was called the " Patriarch of the White Moun- 
 tains." He was a member of the New Hampshire Legisla- 
 ture several times, twice after he was 80 years of age. He 
 always kept a public house. Mt. Crawford, Crawford Notch, 
 and the Crawford House, are all named from him. He rode 
 at 75 years, the first horse that ever ascended to the top of 
 Mt. Washington. At 80 years of age, he would walk five 
 miles. He died July 15, 185 1, aged 84. He married his 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 
 
 ii9 
 
 cousin, Hannah Rosebrooks, daughter of Eleazar Rose- 
 brooks, of Union, and who afterwards settled in the White 
 Mountains, and was very enterprising. All of Abel Craw- 
 ford's sons were over six feet high. 
 
 Ethan Allen Crawford, son of Abel, was nearly seven feet 
 tall and was called the "Giant of the Mountains." He could 
 carry a person up the steep mountain sides where scarcely 
 a man dared to follow. Man}^ were the battles with bears 
 and other wild beasts which he had in those lone woods, 
 and in which he nearly always came off victorious. He was 
 a long time guide on the then perilous trips to the top of 
 Mt. Washington, and made nearly all the bridle-paths of 
 the mountains. 
 
 The following is the genealogy of the descendants of 
 James Crawford: 
 
 James Crawford married Elizabeth Campbell. She was 
 the sister of Margaret Campbell, who married Hugh Craw- 
 ford, nephew of James. They were also of Scotch descent, 
 though born in Ireland. They were Protestants, and Mar- 
 garet C. Crawford told her grandson, Ingoldsby W., that 
 her grandmother suffered in the siege of Derry. The 
 Catholics came in the night, burned the house, and killed 
 her father and mother. She escaped from the chamber 
 window in her night clothes and was the only one of her 
 family saved. She Avandered in the fields four weeks, living 
 on roots. While wandering she saw a company of mur- 
 derers and took refuge under a bridge which they passed 
 over. 
 
 The children of James Crawford and Elizabeth Camp- 
 bell were: 
 
 Ch. r. Robert, probably born in Ireland. 
 
 2. James, b. at Boston, 1733; d. at Putney, Vt., Jan- 
 
 uary 10, 1807. 
 
 3. John, b. 1734; d. at Guildhall, Vt., August 15, 
 
 1817. 
 
 4. William, b. at Union, July 28, 1743. 
 
 5. Hugh. 
 
320 QENEALOOIES. 
 
 6. Margaret, m. William Moore, son of Robert. 
 
 7. Jane, b. November 16, 1740; m. Gersham Rose- 
 
 brooks, b. May 29, 1746, and father of Ezra, 
 Walter and William. 
 
 8. Andrew (?) 
 
 Robert Crawford, son of James, Sr., married Lydia 
 Pierce, June 16, 1757. He lived on what is now called the 
 Asa Putnam place. 
 
 Ch. I. Jason, b. July 10, 1758. 
 
 2. Stephen, b. July 25, 1761. 
 
 3. Deborah, b. August 26, 1764. 
 
 4. Huldah, b. September 2, 1766. 
 
 James Crawford, Jr., son of James, married Grace Car- 
 penter, September 8, 1755. 
 
 Ch. I. Chester, b. January 26, 1758; d. February i, 1759. 
 2. Frances or Fanny, b. April 30, 1760; m. Ephraim 
 Cook, of Salisbury, Vt. 
 ^ 3. Ann, b. July 20, 1762; m. Jonathan Baldwin. 
 
 4. Theophilus, b. April 25, 1764. 
 
 5. Sarah, b. April 2, 1768; m. John Wise; no chil- 
 
 dren. 
 
 6. Elizabeth. 
 
 7. Lydia, b. at Westminster, Vt., November 21, 
 
 1772; m. Dea. Elijah Ranney, of Westminster. 
 
 John Crawford, son of James, Sr., married Mary Rose- 
 brooks, December 14, 1758. He died August 15, 1817. She 
 died July 16, 1815. 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth. 
 
 2. Sybil, b. August 8, 1762. 
 
 3. Polly, b. December 20, 1764. 
 
 4. Abel, b. December 31, 1766. 
 
 5. Jonathan, b. October 31, 1770; d. at Northumber- 
 
 land, N. H., June 6, 1850. 
 
 6. Sarah, b. February 20, 1775. 
 
 7. John, b. August 27, 1776; d. at Guildhall, Vt., 
 
 May 28, 1837. 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 
 
 321 
 
 Five others, Rosebrooks, Eleazar, Zerali, Calvin, and 
 Fanny were born in Brookline, Vt. 
 
 Andrew Crawford, probably a son of James, Sr., mar- 
 ried Mary . 
 
 Ch. I. John Laiiman, b. March 5, 1766. 
 
 2. Olive, b. vSeptember 18, 1767. 
 
 3. Andrew, d. December 17, 1769. 
 
 4. Mary. 
 
 Hon. Theophilus Crawford, of Putney, Vt., son of 
 James 2nd, married Annie Johnson, of Irving's Grant, 
 Mass., October 26, 1788, at Westminster, Vt. 
 
 Ch. I. David, b. at Westminster, August 6, 1789; d. 
 1871. 
 
 2. Sally, b. at Westminster, June 6, 1791. 
 
 3. Henry, b. at Westminster, September 22, 1793. 
 
 4. Grace, b. at Westminster, December 9, 1795. 
 
 5. James, b. at Westminster, March 6, 1798. 
 
 6. Mark, b. at Putney, Vt., October 20, 1800. 
 
 7. Fanny, b. at Putney, February 6, 1803. 
 
 8. Lydia, b. at Putney, February 15, 1805. 
 
 9. Theophilus, b. at Putney, April 28, 1807. 
 10. Annie, b. at Putney, February 11, 1810. 
 
 Abel Crawford, son of John, married Hannah Rose- 
 brooks in 1790. 
 
 Ch. I. Erastus, b. 1790. 
 
 Ethan Allen, b. 1793. 
 Stephen, b. 1796. 
 Everett, b. 1798. 
 Dearborn. 
 Thomas Jefferson. 
 Flannah Haynes. 
 Abel J. 
 William H. Harrison. 
 
 John Crawford, the ancestor of all the Crawfords who 
 'have recently lived in Union, was the brother of James, Sr. 
 
322 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 He emigrated from Scotland to the North of Ireland, where 
 he lived till 1732, when he sailed from Belfast to Boston 
 with his family of a wife and four sons. They were ship- 
 wrecked on Sable Island and his wife was drowned. He 
 settled in Boston as a m.erchant. His oldest son, John 
 Crawford, lived in Boston with his father; married but 
 had no children. One son settled in Townsend, Mass., and 
 another went to Pennsylvania. Another son of John Sr., 
 Hugh, was 19 years old when he came to this country. He 
 lived a few years in Newton, Mass., married Margaret 
 Campbell, sister of Elizabeth, wife of James ist. She 
 came from Ireland in 1731. She died August 8, 1808. 
 
 Hugh Crawford bought land in Union of James Eno, in 
 1740. (T. R. Vol. I, p. 93). He was voted an inhabitant 
 December 13, 1743. 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. at Newton, December 21, 1739; ^• 
 William Martin, of Woodstock. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. at Union, October 18, 1745; m. Daniel 
 
 Loomis. 
 
 3. Samuel, b. at Union, July 22, 1748. 
 
 4. John, b. at Union, March 12, 1754. 
 Other children died young. 
 
 Hugh Crawford was a large land-holder. He lived 
 where Fayette now does. He was a weaver by trade. He 
 and his son John both died the same day, October 13, 1776, 
 of Camp fever. The son and brother Samuel who was in 
 the Revolutionary army in the vicinity of New York, in 
 1776, was taken sick, and his brother John went after and 
 brought him home. John and his father nursed Samuel 
 back to health, but they both took the fever and died the 
 same day. They were buried at the same time in the 
 Union cemetery. Both Hugh Crawford and his wife and 
 children were of large stature. 
 
 Dea. Samuel Crawford, son of Hugh (see biographical 
 sketch), married, ist time, Sarah Work, daughter of 
 Ingoldsby Work, of Ashford, Conn., April 18, 1771. She 
 died May 25, 1793, aged 42, having had ten children. He- 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 
 
 323 
 
 then married Olive Eddy, of Woodstock, December 26, 
 
 1793- 
 
 Ch. I. Luther, b. February 25, 1772. 
 
 2. Calvin, b. December 21, 1773; d. August 13, 1776, 
 
 from scalding-. 
 
 3. Lavinia, b. August 26, 1775; m. Joseph P. Cor- 
 
 bin; d. February 4, 1796. 
 
 4. John, b. April 17, 1777. 
 
 5. Samuel, b. July 4, 1779. 
 
 6. Benjamin, b. October 18, 1781; d. May 25, 1789. 
 
 7. Walter, b. January 30, 1784; d. March 10, 1786. 
 
 8. Ingoldsby Work, b. August 7, 1786. 
 
 9. Sarah, b. September 15, 1788; m. Benjamin 
 
 Chamberlain, of Woodstock. 
 
 10. Anna, b. March 29, 1791; m. Wheeler Phillips. 
 
 Children of Olive Eddy: 
 
 11. Polly, b. November 7, 1794; m. Nathan Preston, 
 
 of Ashford. 
 
 12. Charles, b. April i, 1796; m. Polly Preston. 
 
 13. Chester, b. 1799; died young. 
 
 Dea. Samuel Crawford died May 11, 1824, at Sturbridge, 
 Mass., where he had gone to look at a farm for his daughter 
 Polly. 
 
 John Crawford, son of Hugh, married Dorcas Ward 
 December 14, 1775, ^-^^cl had one daughter, Joanna, born 
 April 22, 1776; she went to Georgia, Vt., and married Jesse 
 Post. 
 
 John Crawford died of camp fever taken by nursing 
 his brother Samuel, October 13, 1776. His widow married 
 Noah Loomis, of Windham, Yt., February 24, 1778. 
 
 Luther Crawford, Esq., son of wSamuel, married Eliza- 
 beth Wilbur, of Woodstock, June 14, 1792. 
 
 Ch. I. Sally, b. June 24, 1792; d. unmarried at Cleve- 
 land, O., October 16, 1841. 
 2. Benjamin, b. April 24, 1794; m. first, Hannah 
 Randall; second, L5^dia Clough. He died at 
 
324 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Cleveland, O., July 29, 1863, leaving- 4 chil- 
 dren, Jane, Francis, Lucien, and Clay. 
 
 3. Willard, b. February 5, 1796; m. Sarah A. Hos- 
 
 mer; d. at Cleveland, O., August 28, 1854. 
 
 4. Randall, b. February 24, 1798; m. first, Sarah 
 
 Ellis; second, Hannah Lyons; d. at New 
 Albany, Ind., March 6, 1865. 
 
 5. Margaret, b. May 30, 1800; d. at Union, August 
 
 6, 1820. 
 
 6. Almira, b. July 18, 1802; m. first, Lothrop Cor- 
 
 bin, and had one child, Elmira; second, James 
 Phillips, and had five children; d. at Cleve- 
 land, O., February 17, 1889. 
 
 7. Eliza, b. August 4, 1804; d. May 12, 1817. 
 
 8. Lucien, b. January 26, 1807; d. November 18, 
 
 1827. 
 
 9. Newton, b. October 29, 1809; m. Lorana Pratt. 
 10. Thomas, b. July 28, 1812; d. March 26, 1813. 
 
 Luther Crawford died at Cleveland, O., February 20, 
 1853. Elizabeth, his wife, died there March 30, 1855. 
 Luther Crawford was in his person very tall (6 feet 2 
 inches) and straight. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat. 
 He held many town offices, and represented the town in 
 the Legislature several times. He was quite wealthy and 
 built the large house on the Asa Putnam place, where he 
 lived. This when built was the best in town. He had a 
 strong will, as is shown by his action when at one time he 
 broke his leg while alone in Breakneck woods. He man- 
 aged to get his horse, crawl upon a stump and throw 
 the broken leg over the horse's back. He then rode his 
 faithful horse towards home, calling at the door of his 
 brother Samuel to have him go for the doctor. He was 
 ever afterwards somewhat lame. His children went West, 
 and about 1835, he sold his Union possessions and went to 
 Cleveland, O. He had a wonderful memory, and could tell 
 the exact ages of almost all his acc[uaintances. 
 
^g^ ^^ 
 
 John Crawford. 
 
THE CRAWFOIW FAMILY. 325 
 
 John Crawford, Esq., son of Deacon Samuel, married 
 Susannah Hayward (or Howard), of Ashford, Conn., daug-h- 
 ter of Jonathan Hayward, April 24, 1800. 
 
 Ch. I. Trenck, b. February 23, 1801. 
 
 2. Sidney, b. February 13, 1804. 
 
 3. Amanda, b. April 12, 1806; m. Benjamin Cham- 
 
 berlain. 
 
 4. Laurens, b. Januar}^ 24, 1809. 
 
 John Crawford died March 17, 1863. Susannah, his wife 
 died February 20, 1854, aged 75. 
 
 John Crawford, soon after his marriage, went to live on 
 a farm in the north part of Union, which had been given 
 him by his father. In 181 7, he built an excellent house on 
 the place. This same house has since been removed to 
 Southbridge and stands on Sayles street. 
 
 He was very ingenious and used to make wooden plows 
 with steel points and straps of iron on the sides, long 
 before iron plows came into use. He was the coffin maker 
 and undertaker of the town. He used to make coffins for 
 $1.50 to $4.00 each, which price usually included pay for 
 attendance at the funeral. In 1802, he was appointed ser- 
 geant in the 5th Co. Conn. Militia; m 1805, ensign; in 1806, 
 lieutenant, and in 1809, captain. These appointments were 
 signed by Jonathan Trumbull. He was selectman eight 
 times between the years 1805 and 1818, and was five times a 
 member of the Legislature. He was generous and in good 
 circumstances till, by becoming involved by signing notes, 
 he gave up his farm, and in 1836 removed to the Thomas 
 Lawson place in Bigelow hollow (where William Thayer 
 recently lived). Here he lived till 1841, when he came to 
 live with his son Trenck, west of Bigelow. In religion he 
 was a decided Universalist, and in politics a Jeffersonian 
 Democrat. He was very polite and pleasant to all. He 
 helped many an old soldier of the Revolution about getting 
 a pension. 
 
 Col. Samuel Crawford, afterwards deacon, son of Dea. 
 Samuel, lived where his son Fayette now does. He mar- 
 
326 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 ried Lydia Howard, of Ashford, daughter of Jonathan, 
 August 20, 1 80 1. 
 
 Ch. I. Dicea, b. January 8, 1802; m. Eleazar Corbin, 
 June I, 1826. 
 
 2. Delotia, b. February 17, 1804; m. Seth Child, of 
 
 Woodstock, June 2, 1832; d. Januar}^ 6, 1837. 
 
 3. Merrick, b. August 6, 1805; d. June 24, 1867. 
 
 4. Lavinia, b. October 28, 1807; d. January 15, 1830. 
 
 5. Anna, b. March 6, 181 1; d. January 18, 1833. 
 
 6. Samuel Dvvight, b. August 19, 1831. 
 
 7. Burt, b. December 5, 1815. 
 
 8. Olive, b. July 29, 1818; m. George Clark, of 
 
 Woodstock, vSeptember 9, 1838. 
 
 9. Stephen Hay ward, b. August i, 1820; d. October 
 
 27, 1820. 
 
 10. Albert, b. April 15, 1822. 
 
 11. Fayette, b. May 30, 1824. 
 Samuel Crawford died June 21, 1858. 
 
 Lydia Crawford died August 22, 185 1, aged 70. 
 
 Col. Samuel Crawford was respected by his fellow towns- 
 men, and like his brothers, Luther and John, was select- 
 man and Representative several terms. He was quite a 
 military man in his younger years, and rose to be Lieut. 
 Colonel. He was a member of the Baptist church in West 
 Woodstock, and for many years a deacon. He was a 
 wealthy man. For many years he owned the Bigelow saw- 
 mill in company with his nephew Trenck. 
 
 Hon. Ingoldsby W. Crawford (see biographical sketch), 
 son of Dea. Samuel, married Rhoda Taft, May 29, 18 10. 
 
 Ch. I. Calista, b. August i, 181 1; m. first, Sanford 
 Lyon, November 21, 1832; second, Abijah 
 Sessions. 
 
 2. Daniel Taft, b. August 27, 1813. 
 
 3. Caroline, b. January 17, 181 6; m. David L- 
 
 Newell, November 29, 1835. 
 
 4. Sarah Ann, b. March 9, 1819; d. April 25, 1838. 
 
 5. Logan, b. January 13, 1822. 
 
THE GEAWFOBD FAMILY. 
 
 327 
 
 6. Marcia, b. November 15, 1824; m. John Tyler 
 
 Converse, of Ashford, March 29, 1846. 
 
 7. Ossian, b. November 3, 1827. 
 
 8. Harriet, b. March 19, 1831; m. Isaac Harbison. 
 
 9. Alonzo, b. March 3, 1834. 
 
 Hon. I. W. Crawford died November 24, 1867. Rhoda, 
 his wife, died April 6, 1864, aged 71. 
 
 Capt. Charles Crawford, son of Dea. Samuel, married 
 Polly Preston, of Ashford. 
 
 Ch. I. Samuel Preston, b. May 16, 1820. 
 
 2. Maria Louisa, b. March 21, 1823; m. Rev. Thomas 
 
 Holman. 
 
 3. Mary Eddy, b. March 30, 1826; m. first, Charles 
 
 Stoddard, February, 1847. He died Decem- 
 ber 22, 1854; second, Isaac Niles. 
 
 4. Chester, died young. 
 
 Charles Crawford died at Rockford, 111., September 18, 
 1864. Polly Preston Crawford died at Rockford, 111., 
 April 6, 1864. 
 
 Charles Crawford lived when first married with his 
 father; afterwards removed to West Woodstock, where he 
 built a fine house (now burned), where John Chamberlain 
 afterwards lived. He afterwards sold his place and 
 removed to Rockford, 111. While he lived in Woodstock 
 he was a prominent member of the Baptist church, where 
 his father and brother were for so many years deacons. 
 
 WiLLARD Crawford, son of Luther, married Clara Ann 
 Hosmer, daughter of Judge Hosmer, of Newburg, O. 
 Ch. I. Randall. 
 
 2. Mary. 
 
 3. George; lived in Cleveland. 
 
 4. Helen; lived in Cleveland. 
 
 Willard Crawford died in Cleveland, August 28, 1854. 
 He was a millwright and built mills and wheels all over 
 the state of Ohio. 
 
328 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Randall Crawford, son of Luther, married first, Sally 
 Ellis, and lived at New Albany, Ind. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. 1833; m. Dr. Morrill. 
 
 2. Henry, a prominent railroad lawyer in Chicago. 
 
 3. Martha, m. Mr. vSunderland, and lives in Day- 
 
 ton, O. 
 
 Randall Crawford married second time, Mrs. Hannah 
 Lj^ons, who had one child. 
 
 Randall Crawford died March 6, 1865. He was one of 
 the most prominent lawyers in the state of Indiana, and 
 was United States District Judge. He became quite 
 wealthy. 
 
 Newton Crawford, son of Luther, married Lorana 
 Pratt; lived at Rockford, 111., many years, where he went 
 among the first settlers. He now lives at Washington 
 D. C. 
 
 Ch. I. William Henry, d. 1866, aged about 21. 
 
 2. vSarah Jane, m. Frank Gramlich, who is in 
 Treasury Department, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Trenck Crawford, son of John, married first, Zida 
 Webber, daughter of Bradley and Sibbel Webber, of Hol- 
 land, Mass., January i, 1829. She died April 26, 1866. He 
 married second, Julia Chaffee, of Dudley. 
 
 Ch. T. Ossian Trenck, b. December 25, 1829. 
 
 2. William Merrill, b. July 31, 1831. 
 
 3. Libert)^ Webber, b. June 24, 1834. 
 
 4. Susan Zida, b. May 3, 1836; m. Lurancie Con- 
 
 verse, of Westford, May 12, 1858. She died 
 April 24, 1865. 
 
 5. Susan Emily, b. November 3, 1841; m. Chelsea 
 
 Young, May 28, 1868. 
 Trenck Crawford taught school in his younger years, 
 beginning in Ashford, in 181 9. He afterwards taught in 
 Monson, Holland, Sturbridge, Stafford, and the East dis- 
 trict, in Union. He lived with his father after he was mar- 
 ried, moving with him to the Thomas Lawson place, in 
 
Trenck Crawford. 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 329 
 
 1836. In 1839, he bought the place where he afterwards 
 lived, that south of the road, of Mrs. Silence Leonard, 
 and that north, of Nathaniel Newell. He built the barn 
 and house in 1840. His father and mother came to live 
 in the new house in 1841. He held various offices in the 
 militia, from corporal to captain, being appointed to the 
 latter office in 1833, by Gov. Foot. His company, the 8th 
 of the nth Regiment, contained over 100 men. He led it 
 to Woodstock, to the regimental training in September, 
 1835. He received his discharge in 1836, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Danford Morse. He owned one-half of the Bige- 
 low saw-mill, his uncle Samuel owning the other half. In 
 1838, a new mill was built, which was burned some years 
 afterwards, at which time he owned it entirely. He sold 
 the privilege, reserving the land where the pond is, with 
 the right of fishing. He was a Democrat in politics, hold- 
 ing many town offices. In religion he was a believer in 
 universal salvation. He died of dysentery, April 6, 1884. 
 His last wife died the 19th of the same month. 
 
 Sidney Crawford, son of John, married first, Maria 
 Fuller, at Stafford, February 12, 1828. She died January, 
 1838, at Simsbury, Conn. He married second, Pauline I. 
 Barnard, of Simsbury, October 20, 1840, who died December 
 26, 1855. 
 
 Ch. I. Maria Pauline, b. October 3, 1841; d. September 
 I, 185 1, at Bloomfield. 
 
 2. Sidney Barnard, b. January 20, 1844; d. August 
 
 20, 185 1, at Bloomfield. 
 
 3. Elizabeth Rebecca, b. March 17, 1847; m. George 
 
 F. Chapman, April 26, 1870; 2 children, Nor- 
 man S. and Albert G. She died April 6, 1880, 
 at Springfield. 
 Sidney Crawford inarried third time, Julia S. Cooley, at 
 Chicopee, Mass., August 26, 1856. She died at Springfield, 
 August 26, 1874. 
 
 Sidney Crawford died at Springfield, Mass., November 
 28, 1888. He learned the fuller's trade of Reuben Stevens. 
 
33° 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 of Holland, Mass.; afterwards had a shop at Mashapaug, 
 then at Eastford, and at Brimfield, Mass. In April, 1830, 
 he went to Glastonbury (Eagleville), where he had charge 
 of the fulling, &c., in a factory for five years. He after- 
 wards live at Simsbury, StafEordville, Euclid, and East Cleve- 
 land, O., Chicopee, Holyoke, and wSpringfield, Mass. 
 
 Laurens Crawford, son of John, married Amelia Smith, 
 daughter of Stephen, of Stafford, March 4, 1834. She died 
 January 18, 1855. He married second, Mary E. Hamilton, 
 daughter of Mr. Linus Wales, of Union, April 24, 1856. He 
 died February 3, 1893. 
 
 Ch. I. Ellen, b. March 22, 1835; d. June 16, 1858. 
 
 2. Jane, b. May 10, 1837; m. Luther Crawford, son 
 
 of Daniel T., October 20, 1861. 
 
 3. Jeanette, b. vSeptember 18, 1839; d. September 
 
 15, i860. 
 
 4. James Munroe, b. December 28, 1842; amachinist. 
 
 5. Julia, b. February 16, 1845; m. Isaac B. Booth, 
 
 May I, 1866. 
 
 6. Mary L., b. May 10, 1848; d. April 17, 1851. 
 
 7. Ann, b. March 14, 185 1; died young. 
 
 8. Mary Isabel, b. June 22, 1861. 
 
 Laurens Crawford learned the cabinet maker's trade at 
 Charlton. He afterwards lived at Stafford Hollow, then 
 at Stafford Street, and for the past forty years at Stafford- 
 ville. He has worked at pattern making a large part of his 
 life, and is one of the best of machinists. 
 
 Samuel Dwight Crawford, son of Samuel, married 
 Rebecca Foster, March 15, 1840. She died October 11, 1842, 
 at the Thomas Lawson, Jr., place. He then married Lavinia 
 Goodell, daughter of Asa Goodell, of Woodstock. He 
 removed to Mayville, Wis., where he owned a farm and 
 reared a family of children, but died in another part of the 
 state. 
 
 Children by Rebecca: 
 
 Ch. I. Samuel Edward, b. March 30, 1841. 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 331 
 
 2. William Foster, b. October 4, 1842; brought up 
 
 by E. B. Foster; went to the late war. 
 By Lavina: 
 
 3. Albert. 
 
 4. Mary. 
 
 5. Olive. 
 
 6. Louise. 
 
 Burt Crawford, son of Col. Samuel, married Sarah 
 Gage. They had one daughter, Julia, born March 26, 1848. 
 
 Burt Crawford, when first married, lived several years 
 at South Wilbraham. He then built the house and barns 
 on the place where Anson Corbin now lives. After living 
 there several years he sold the place and went to live in 
 Woodstock, where he built a house and barn. He died 
 August 21, 1885. vSarah, his wife, died vSeptember 4, 1885. 
 
 Albert Crawford, son of Col. Samuel, married Mercy 
 Putnam, daughter of Asa Putnam, May 10, 1846. 
 Ch. I. Martha, b. September 23, 1840. 
 
 2. Charles Albert, b. January 13, 1843. 
 
 3. Mary, b. December, 185 1. 
 
 Albert Crawford lived in the Crawford neighborhood 
 several years, and worked at shoemaking. He then learned 
 dentistry, and worked awhile in Union; removed to Put- 
 nam, where he was successful. He died at Putnam, May 
 3, 1861. 
 
 Fayette Crawford, son of Col. Samuel, married Mary 
 McNall, daughter of Joseph McNall, a descendant of the 
 first settler, April i, 1846. 
 
 Ch. I. Myron Fayette, b. October 28, 1852; m. Lenora 
 
 Thayer; 2 children, William Myron, b. July 
 
 31, 1884; Olive Louise, b. April, 1891. 
 
 2. Mary Lavinia, b. December 25, 1858; m. R. B. 
 
 Horton, April 23, 1890. 
 
 Fayette Crawford has always lived on the place where 
 
 his father and his great-grandfather lived before him. The 
 
332 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 old house where Hugh Crawford lived was burned soon 
 after the present one was built. 
 
 Daniel Taft Crawford, son of Ingoldsby, lived in Penn- 
 sylvania, then with his father, at Union, afterwards on the 
 Coye place (where Sanford Severy afterwards lived), at 
 Wales, at the Abbott place in Union, at Mashapaug, at vStaf- 
 ford, whence he returned to Mashapaug, and lived from 
 1857, till his death, where his son George now does. He 
 died on a visit to Kansas, March 19, 1867, aged 53. He mar- 
 ried the first time, Minerva Howard, of Woodstock; she 
 died January 30, 1837. She had one child, Minerva. He 
 married second time, Martha Underwood, of Wales. 
 
 Ch. I. Minerva, b. December 25, 1836; m. R. B. Stroud, 
 of Stafford, August 22, 1861; she died Janu- 
 ary 20, 1875, at North Grosvenor Dale. 
 
 2. Luther, b. August 29, 1839; m. Jane Crawford, 
 
 daughter of Laurens; live at Staff ordville. 
 
 3. Oscar, b. December 14, 1840; m. Sarah J. Marcy, 
 
 daughter of Plimpton Marcy. 
 
 4. Sarah Ann, b. March 4, 1843; m. May i, 1863, 
 
 Dwight Whittemore; he d. June 21, 1864; one 
 son, Dwight, b. May 14, 1864; graduated at 
 East Greenwich Seminary, and at the Medi- 
 cal School of Boston University; now a 
 physician in Providence. Sarah A. Whitte- 
 more married second time, Rev. George 
 Hunt, January, 1S76. They have the follow- 
 ing children: Mattie E., b. Dec. 22, 1876; 
 George L., b. July 23, 1878; Ruth W\, b. Oct. 
 6, 1883. 
 
 5. George Washington, b. May 28, 1849. 
 
 6. Martha Eliza, b. July 26, 1851; m. Rev. George 
 
 Hunt, February 10, 1874; she died January 
 2, 1875- 
 
 Logan Crawford, son of Ingoldsby W., married Helen 
 Marr Rising, September 22, 1851. 
 
THE GRAWFOBD FAMILY. t^2>3, 
 
 Cli. I. Virginia, b. July 19, 185 1; m. Charles Purcell; d. 
 April 7, 1889. 
 Penina, b. February 14, 1854; m. Marion Pur- 
 cell. 
 Ira, b. November 19, 1856; m. Adaline Dam- 
 
 eecker. 
 Clinton, b. November 19, 1858; d. September 
 
 27, 1881. 
 Esther, b. January 8, 1865. 
 Logan Crawford was a fine scholar, taught school sev- 
 eral years, then removed to Mayville, Wis., where he was 
 public surveyor for several years. He was married there; 
 removed to Calhoun, Harrison Co., la., but now lives at 
 Missouri Valley, la. 
 
 OssiAN Crawford, son of Ingoldsby W., married Lavinia 
 Shepard, daughter of Samuel Shepard, of Sturbridge, 
 March 17, 1753. 
 
 Ch. I. William Ingoldsby, b. in Virginia, November 
 15, 1853; died young. 
 
 2. Emma, b. April 27, 1855; m. Robert C. Lawson, 
 
 son of Robert, of New Bedford. 
 
 3. Charles William, b. March 12, 1862. 
 
 4. James Arthur, b. July, 1864; m. and lives in New 
 
 Haven, where he is in the laundry business. 
 
 5. George Eugene, b. 1867. 
 
 Ossian Crawford (called in boyhood "Ossian Judge" to 
 distinguish him from "Ossian Trenck"), taught school 
 many winters in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is a 
 carpenter and wheelwright. He lived in Southbridge, and 
 now lives in Wales. He has been in San Antonio, Texas, 
 at work, several years. 
 
 Alonzo Crawford, son of Ingoldsby W., married Caro- 
 line Mann, March, 1859, was divorced, and then married 
 Nellie A. Burdick, in California. She died and he married 
 Addie A. Sanford, April 8, 1882. His business is teach- 
 ing. 
 
534 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Samuel Preston Crawford, son of Charles, married Phi- 
 lena Chamberlain, daughter of John, December 22, 1845. 
 No children. He moved to Springfield, Mass., in 1848, 
 where he was a merchant for two years, returning to Con- 
 necticut in 1850. In May, 1852, he moved to Rockford, 111., 
 where he has since resided. He became prominent in the 
 business enterprises of the city, and showed his public spirit 
 and desire to aid in advancing its welfare. He was for ten 
 consecutive years an alderman, and so well did he fulfill his 
 duties, that at the end of that period, in 1881, the citizens 
 elected him mayor. In this office he used his energetic 
 and practical business qualities for the promotion of the 
 city's prosperity. Mr. Crawford has been a deacon of the 
 First Baptist church, of Rockford, for many years, and an 
 efficient Sunday school superintendent. He is a leader 
 in every good work and is highly respected by his fellow 
 citizens. 
 
 OssiAN T. Crawford, son of Trenck, married Vesta 
 Elvira Morey, daughter of Warren and Lucy Morey, of 
 Ashford, Conn., at StaiTordville, Conn., May 31, 1858. She 
 was born at Union, October 29, 1836. 
 
 Ch. I. Grace Lucy, b. September 22, 1868. 
 
 2. Bertie, b. November 30, 1872; d. in infancy. 
 
 Ossian T. Crawford received his education in the com- 
 mon schools in Union, in Districts No. 4, 2, and i, with his 
 uncle Ingoldsb}^, at the select schools in Ashford, Eastford, 
 and Union, and the Normal School at New Britain. In the 
 summer of 1850, in company with David P. Corbin, he per- 
 sonally visited every family in town, whom they thought 
 would have scholars to send to a select school, got the 
 names pledged, and succeeded in starting the first select 
 school, of which Mr. White, of East Windsor Hill was 
 teacher. 
 
 Mr. Crawford began his career as a teacher in 1847, at 
 District No. 4, Union. He afterwards taught in Holland, 
 Woodstock, and Sturbridge. In the winter of 1852-53, he 
 taught at the Center district. Union, and had 67 scholars. 
 

 OssiAN T. Crawford. 
 
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 335 
 
 and the next winter at West Woodstock, with 70 names on 
 the roll. This shows how the schools have dwir.dled since 
 that time. He afterwards taught in Pemberton, Burling-- 
 ton Co., N. J., and in Southbridge. In 1855, he gave up 
 teaching and entered the store of James Richmond, at 
 Westford, as clerk. In 1859, he removed to Worcester, 
 Mass., where he has since lived. He has been book-keeper 
 or clerk in hardware, flour, grain and grocery stores. Since 
 August I, 1866, he has been first clerk in the Union Store, 
 Front street, Worcester. He was Librarian of the First 
 Universalist Sunday school 20 years; has been clerk of the 
 parish since 1866, and is now one of the deacons of the 
 church. He still has a lively interest in the old town of 
 Union, where he was born. 
 
 William Merrill Crawford, son of Trenck, married 
 Janette A. Potter, daughter of David Potter, at Union, 
 October 9, 1854. 
 
 Ch. I. Lilian Potter, b. June 27, 1857. 
 
 2. Herbert Merrill, b. August 13, 1868. 
 
 3. William Liberty, b. September 29, 1870. 
 
 W. Merrill Crawford learned the carpenter's trade; lived 
 in Southbridge a short time, then moved to Stafford Springs, 
 where he now resides. He had a sash and blind factory; 
 was afterwards in the hardware business, and is now a 
 traveling agent selling hardware in New England. 
 
 Liberty W. Crawford, son of Trenck, married Lurancie 
 Converse, May 12, 1858. They had one child, a son, who 
 died young. He learned the carpenter's trade; was in the 
 sash and blind business at Stafford Springs; afterwards 
 worked at his trade at Southbridge until hurt, when he 
 went into the store of William C. Barnes, at Southbridge. 
 He died there April 24, 1S68. 
 
 George W. Crawford, son of Daniel, married Ida Marcy, 
 daughter of Plimpton Marcy. 
 
 Ch. I. Mattie Ida, b. October i, 1876; d. May 4, 1880. 
 
 2. Dwight Luther, b. July 27, 1879. 
 
 3. Minerva Calista, b. July 9, 1881. 
 
336 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss, the son of Ivah and Hannah 
 (Ives) Curtiss, was born in Meriden, March 5th, 1803. He 
 was the sixth settled pastor of the church at Union. (See 
 biographical sketch). 
 
 He married, first, Rebecca Tuttle Hough of Walling- 
 ford, October 3, 1832, and had two children, Ann and 
 George. Mrs. Curtiss and her daughter Ann were instantly 
 killed by lightning March 25, 1842. Mr. Curtiss married, 
 second, Eliza Ives, daughter of Jesse Ives of Stafford, and 
 granddaughter of Rev. Jesse Ives of Monson, Mass., Jan- 
 uary 30, 1843. vShe died May 31, 1865, leaving one son, 
 Samuel. Mr. Curtiss married, third, Mrs. Deborah H. G. 
 Curtiss, widow of his brother. Rev. Erastus Curtiss, June 15, 
 1866. She died in 1S81. Rev. Mr. Curtiss died of Bright's 
 disease, March 26, 1880. 
 
 Ch. I. Ann, b. at East Hampton, March 21, 1834; d. 
 March 25, 1842. 
 
 2. George, b. at East Hampton, January 5, 1837. 
 
 3. Samuel, b. at Union, February 5, 1844. 
 
 Rev. George Curtiss, son of Rev. S. I. Curtiss (see 
 biographical sketch), married, first, Elvira Corbin, daugh- 
 ter of Healy Corbin, January 13, 1864. She died at Har- 
 winton, April 17, 1875. He married, second, Mrs. Phebe 
 M. Bishop of New Haven, March 8, 1877. She died at 
 Amherst, Mass., June 27, 1877. He married, third, Martha 
 A. Blakely of Bristol, Conn., September 15, 1880. She died 
 at Hartford, December 24, 1888. 
 
 Ch. 1. Elsie Anne, b. September 29, 1865; graduated 
 from the Hartford High School in 1885, and 
 from Oberlin college in 1889; m. Rev. Her- 
 bert K. Job, September 10, 1891. Their son, 
 George Curtiss, was born June 3, 1892, at 
 North Middleboro, Mass. 
 
 2. George Corbin, b. June 19, 1868; d. November 
 
 28, 1876, at Harwinton, Conn. 
 
 3. Mary Rebecca, b. June 9, 1873. 
 
CURTIS8, DICKEY, DRAKE. 337 
 
 4. John Hough, b. March 30, 1874; d. June 24, 
 
 1877, at Amherst, Mass. 
 
 5. Martha Eliza, b. July 25, 1881; d. January 26, 
 
 1882, at Hartford, Conn. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Ives Curtiss, son of Rev. Samuel Ives 
 Curtiss, was born at Union, February 5, 1844. (See bio- 
 graphical sketch). 
 
 He married Mrs. Laura W. Sessions, v^idow of Jared D. 
 Sessions, May 10, 1870. 
 
 Ch. I. Paul Curtiss, b. in New York city, October 11, 
 1 871; buried in Woodlawn cemetery. New 
 York. 
 
 2. Pauline, b. in Prussia, December 5, 1872; d. 
 
 March 7, 1890. 
 
 3. John Christlieb, b. September 29, 1874. 
 
 4. Victor Delitzsch, b. January 14, 1876; d. August 
 
 20, 1876; buried in Leipsic, Germany. 
 
 Peter Dickey lived north of Bigelow pond. He served 
 through the entire Revolutionary war. He had two sons 
 who served in the war of 181 2. He married Isabel Cumbo, 
 May 20, 1791. The family moved to Pennsylvania about 
 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. William, b. November 25, 1791. 
 
 Walter, b. July 16, 1793. 
 
 Sibbel, b. July 16, 1796. 
 
 Clarissa, b. May 14, 1799. 
 
 Lucinda, b. October 7, 1802. 
 
 Lucy, b. November 25, 1804. 
 
 Jonah Drake lived in town during the Revolution and 
 served in the army. He married Sarah Ward, daughter of 
 John and granddaughter of William Ward. They had 
 several children and removed to Belchertown, Mass. 
 
338 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 John Eaton came to Union from Sturbridge and 
 bought land of Joel Kinney in 1796. This farm was west 
 of the Wm. Abbott or Jesse Hall place. His children were 
 Polly, Lucy, Azubah and Erastus. 
 
 JosiAH Eaton came from Ashford to Union in 1793, 
 where he bought of James Thompson, land south of Stick- 
 ney Hill. He married Anna Knowlton of Ashford. 
 Ch. I. Polly. 
 
 2. Josiah. 
 
 3. Ethlarinda. 
 
 4. Joshua; went to East Windsor and Oneida, 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 5. Anna, m. James Olney. 
 
 6. Lovisa, m. Asa F. Snell in 1821. 
 
 7. Lydia, m. Saunders Ferry of Vernon, N. Y., in 
 
 1827. 
 
 JosiAH Eaton, Jr., married Lydia Webber, September 
 II, 1806. 
 
 Ch. I. Eliza, b. November 3, 1807. 
 
 2. Catherine, b. January 26, 1811. 
 
 3. Sabina, b. April 17, 1813. 
 
 4. William, b. June 18, 18 16. 
 
 William Eaton came from Holland and lived north of 
 Geo. Colburn's. He married Fanny Sessions, daughter of 
 Nathaniel, November 28, 1822. 
 
 Ch. I. Diana Perrin, b. December 21, 1824. 
 
 Fidelia, b. April 7, 1827. 
 
 Edwin Ruthven, b. December i, 1828. 
 
 Urilla, b. October 20, 1831. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 John vSessions Estabrooks, son of Jonathan of Wood- 
 stock, lived where Willis Howard now does and built the 
 
ENOS. 
 
 339 
 
 house and barn there. He afterwards removed to Webster, 
 Mass. He married Louisa Taft of Uxbridge. 
 Ch. I. William, d. January 12, 1864. 
 
 2. Sarah Louisa, b. December 20, 1842. 
 
 J.A.MES Ends was one of the original proprietors of the 
 town of Union and the only one who actually settled in 
 the town. His name is sixth in the list of twelve persons, 
 all from Windsor, to whom the legislature of Connecticut 
 deeded the town of Union. The first ancestor of James 
 Enos in Windsor was James, who came there as early as 
 1646. The name was sometimes spelt Eno or Enoe. 
 
 His son James had a large family. It was his oldest 
 son James (third) who came to Union. He was born Sep- 
 tember 23, 1679, and died May 22, 1762. He lived in the 
 south part of town on the hillside between the Matthew 
 Paul place and the one now occupied by Fred Barber. His 
 first wife was Mary Grant, whom he married April 5, 1703. 
 She died March 6, 1704. They had one child, James. He 
 married, second, Hannah Phelps, July 15, 1708. She died 
 July 13, 1760, aged 78. 
 
 Ch. I. James, b. December 3, 1703; died young. 
 
 Hannah, b. September 10, 17 10; m. Job Enos of 
 
 Windsor. 
 James, b. December 30, 17 13. 
 Benjamin, b. March, 17 15; died in infancy. 
 Sarah, b. November 7, 171 7; m. Daniel Loomis 
 of Union. 
 
 6. Benjamin, b. October 5, 17 19. 
 
 7. Joseph, b. January 20, 1721. 
 
 James Ends, son of James of Union, married Silence 
 Sessions, daughter of Abner, October 18, 1769. They moved 
 to Leicester, Addison county, N. Y., before 1795. 
 Ch. I. Erasmus, b. April 8, 1765. 
 
 2. Abner, b. November 14, 1766. 
 
 3. James, baptized April 23, 1769. 
 
34° 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Benjamin Enos, son of James, married Jerusha Pinney. 
 
 Ch. I. Benjamin, b. December 2, 1741. 
 
 2. James, b. June 17, 1743. 
 
 3. Joab, b. March 6, 1745. 
 
 4. Abijah, b. November 4, 1747. 
 
 5. Mary, b. January 16, 1751. 
 
 6. Alexander, b. February i, 1753. 
 
 7. Elisha, b. May 18, 1755. 
 
 8. David, b. July, 1759. 
 
 Joseph Enos, son of James, married Rachel, daughter of 
 deacon Wm. Ward, July 15, 1746. They had one child, 
 Rachel. The mother died February 24, 1747. Joseph Enos 
 married, second, Elizabeth White, March 7, 1750. She died 
 May 4, 1777. He married, third, Abigail Keyes of Ash- 
 ford, December 21, 1778. 
 
 Ch. I. Rachel, b. February 15, 1747; m. first. Dr. Seth 
 Hovey, second, James Thompson. 
 
 2. Joseph, b. September 26, 1779; m. Chloe Burley. 
 
 3. Hannah, b. May 31, 1781. 
 
 4. James, b. September 26, 1783. 
 
 5. Jonathan, b. June 24, 1784. 
 
 JoAB Enos, son of Benjamin, lived in Union awhile, 
 then moved to East Windsor. In 1780 he bought of his 
 brothers, Alexander, Elisha and David, their right derived 
 from their grandfather to "the gore" or "Content land" 
 between Stafford and Union. He married Susanna. 
 Ch. I. Ebenezer, b. May 4, 1765. 
 
 Aaron, b. March 2, 1767; d. March 15, 1767. 
 
 Mary, b. August 23, 1768. 
 
 Benjamin, b. April 16, 1771. 
 
 Henry Brown, b. June 3, 1773. 
 
 Abigail, b. February 21, 1779; d. March 4, 1779. 
 
 Philomeda, b. June 24, 1783. 
 
 Joseph Fairbanks lived in Union as early as June 8, 
 1764. He came from Framingham, Mass. He died Jan- 
 
FAIRBANKS, FERRY, THE FOSTER FAMILY 
 
 341 
 
 uary 4, 1S17. He lived on the place south of the David 
 Lawson place. He married Tabitha Marcy, November 4, 
 1762. 
 
 Ch. I. Stephen, b. March 4, 1763; d. July 17, 1783. 
 
 2. Joshua, b. December 23, 1764. 
 
 3. Molley, b. November 2, 1767. 
 
 4. Tabitha, b. October 14, 1770. 
 
 5. Joseph, b. July 13, 1773. 
 
 6. Sibbel, b. July 9, 1779. 
 
 7. Daniel, b. August 29, 1781. 
 
 8. Stephen, b. July 11, 1787. 
 q. Orrin. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Fairbanks, son of Joseph, was a local 
 preacher of the Methodist denomination. He married 
 Martha Sabin of Thompson, April 16, 1816. 
 
 Ch. I. Sarah Ann, b. December 31, 1816; m. Isaac 
 Agard of Stafford, July 25, 1838. 
 Sabitha, b. May 8, 1818. 
 Stephen Sabin, b. October 15, 1822. 
 
 4. Peter Fletcher, b. March 8, 1824. 
 
 5. Joseph Newton, b. November 2, 1826. 
 Orrin Milton, b. September 4, 1829; d. Decem- 
 ber 9, 1831. 
 
 Jason Ferry came to Union from Stafford and bought 
 land of James Moor, January 22, 1801. He lived where 
 Samuel Whipple afterwards did. He married, first, Polly 
 Ruby, who died February 17, 1826, aged 46. He married, 
 second, Betsey River of Ashford, April i, 1829. He had 
 one son by each wife. He died December 27, 1831. 
 
 Ch. I. Justin, b. August 18, 1801. 
 
 2. Andrew, b. July 30, 1829; d. July 19, 1833. 
 
 the foster family. 
 
 Edward Foster came from Sturbridge and settled in 
 Union in 1777. He first bought land of Elijah Loomis 
 
342 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 (200 a.), July 10, 1777. The father of Edward Foster was 
 Deacon Edward Foster, of Sturbridge. He lived within the 
 limits of the present town of Southbridge, near the mills 
 of Westville, which were built by his son Fletcher. His 
 farm was on the south side of the river there. His father's 
 name was Edward, who came from Chelmsford, Mass. 
 He was the Edward mentioned by Savage as the son of 
 Samuel, who was deacon and representative in Chelmsford 
 in 1679. 
 
 Samuel Foster first lived at Wenham, Mass., where he 
 was made a freeman in 1650. He removed to Chelmsford 
 in 1655. His children were : 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Hannah, b. about 1649. 
 Samuel, b. about 1650. 
 Eli, b. about 1653. 
 Edward, b. April 29, 1657. 
 Esther, b. November i, 1659. 
 
 Edward Foster, son of Samuel, was the father of Dea- 
 con Edward Foster, of Sturbridge, who was born February 
 9, 1714, and died February 9, 1775. 
 
 Edward Foster, of Union, son of Deacon Edward and 
 Rachel Foster, was born at Sturbridge, May 14, 1749. He 
 married at Sturbridge, November 4, 1773, Rachel Newell 
 (born May 24, 1747), daughter of Timothy Newell, of Need- 
 ham, Mass., and sister of General Timothy Newell, of 
 Sturbridge. Edward Foster died at Union, March i, 18 18. 
 His widow, Rachel, died June 7, 1835, aged 88. 
 Ch. I. William, b. August 17, 1774. 
 
 2. Edward, b. March 20, 1777. 
 
 3. Eleazar, b. June 6, 1778. 
 
 4. Charles, b. June 30, 1780. 
 
 5. Rachel, b. December 17, 1782; d. March 8, 1790. 
 
 6. Esther, b. February 26, 1785; d. March 21, 1790. 
 
 7. Rebecca, b. April 7, 1788; d. March 20, 1790. 
 
 8. Anna, b. September 11, 1793; m. Philip Gage, 
 
 of Monson, Mass., October 7, 1822. 
 
THE FOSTER FAMILY. 
 
 343 
 
 William Foster, of Union, son of Edward, married 
 Keziah Mason, of Woodstock, November lo, 1799. He was 
 a man of noble character and a very valuable citizen. He 
 died August 25, 1848. Keziah Foster died August 17, 1857, 
 aged 78. 
 
 Ch. I. Dorothy, b. January 27, 1800; m. John Porter, 
 of Stockbridge, N. Y., October 25, 1821. 
 
 2. Burke, b. March 26, 1802; m. Hannah Griggs, 
 
 October 28, 1820; d. December 8, 1865. 
 
 3. Esther, b. March 4, 1804; m. Ephraim H. Hyde, 
 
 of Stafford. 
 
 4. Elbert, b. October 21, 1805; m. Olive Horton. 
 
 5. Mary, b. October 7, 1807; m. Samuel S. Need- 
 
 ham, of Monson. 
 
 6. William Mason, b. October 21, 1809; d. at May- 
 
 ville. Wis., December 29, i860. 
 
 7. Rachel Ann, b. October 27, 1811; d. February 
 
 2, 1893. 
 
 8. Rebecca, b. October 18, 1813; m. Samuel D. 
 
 Crawford, October 11, 1842. 
 
 9. John Newell, b. July 16, 1816. 
 
 10. Louisa, b. February 7, 1819; d. 1883. 
 
 11. Edward Henry, b. July i, 1821; d. May 15, 1848, 
 
 at Union. 
 
 12. Eleazar Byron, b. May 24, 1824; d. at the Hos- 
 
 pital at Washington, D. C, November 14, 
 1862; he married Lucy Corbin Gage. 
 
 Edward Foster, son of Edward, went to New York, 
 then to Wisconsin. He married Rebecca Strong, Novem- 
 ber 27, 1800. 
 
 Ch. I. Dwight, b. April 16, 1801; m. Almira, daughter 
 of Deacon Ezra Horton. 
 
 2. Alvan, b. March 23, 1805; d. July 15, 1867. 
 
 3. Edward Newell, b. at Springfield, Mass., July 
 
 10, 1810. 
 
 4. William, b. at Augusta, N. Y., December 22,, 
 
 1816; d, December 24, 1816. 
 
344 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 5. Rebecca Strong, b. at Augusta, N. Y., June 3, 
 1813. 
 
 Eleazar Foster, son of Edward (see biographical 
 sketch), married Mrs. Mary Pierpont O'Brien, of New 
 Haven, January 12, 1806. He died May i, 1819. She died 
 January 29, 1852. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Ann, b. October 24, [806; d. July 20, 1888. 
 
 2. Pierpont Beers, b. September 8, 1809. 
 
 3. Jane Newell, b. August 16, 181 1; d. April 11, 
 
 1884. 
 
 4. Eleazar Kingsbury, b. May 20, 1813. 
 
 5. Harriet Smith, b. March 4, 1815. 
 
 6. Caroline Hooker, b. April 2, 181 7. 
 
 7. Edward William, b. March 28, 1819. 
 
 Charles Foster, son of Edward, went to Stockbridge, 
 N. Y. He married Louisa, daughter of Colonel Abijah 
 Sessions, June 6, 1809. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles May, b. September 2, 181 1. 
 
 2. Hannah, b. June 7, 1813. 
 
 3. Louisa, b. March 21, 1816. 
 
 Elbert Foster, son of William, married Olive Horton 
 April 30, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Olive Lorinda, b. May 7, 1831; d. May 30, 1835. 
 
 2. Elbert Judson, b. October 3, 1834; d. March 30, 
 
 1836. 
 
 3. Edward Burke, b. December 31, 1837. 
 
 4. Olive Adelpha, b. May 10, 1842. 
 
 Pierpont Foster, son of Eleazar, lived in New Haven, 
 Conn. He married, first, Stella L. Bishop, July 16, 1838.; 
 she died April 11, 1845 ; second, Cornelia A. Miller, 
 December 20, 1849; she died Sept. 29, i860; third, Eliza- 
 beth A. Higgins, October 22, 1863; she died April, 1886. 
 Pierpont Foster died August 4, 1886. 
 
 Ch. I. William Law,. b. April 26, 1841; d. June 23, 1881. 
 He left one son, Pierpont. His widow mar- 
 

 E. Byron Foster. 
 
THE FOSTER FAMILY, FULLER. 345 
 
 ried Albert McClelland Matthewson, of 
 Woodstock, Conn. 
 
 Eleazar K. Foster, son of Eleazar (see biographical 
 sketch), married Mary Codrington, January 2, 1838. He 
 died June 13, 1877. She died September 25, 1872. 
 
 Ch. 1. William Edward, b. June 4, 1839. 
 
 2. Eleazar Kingsbury, b. October 31, 1842. 
 
 3. Mary Thomsina, b. March 9, 1844; d. December 
 
 12, 1864. 
 
 4. John Pierpont Codrington, b. March 2, 1847. 
 Others died in infancy. 
 
 Edward William Foster, son of Eleazar, married Har- 
 riet M. Partridge, November 16, 1843. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry Pierpont, b. February 18, 1846. 
 2. Mary P. 
 
 James Fuller was one of the early settlers of Union. 
 He bought land of William Ward, March 9, 1732. He came 
 from Ashford. He married Abigail Youmans, December 
 12, 1717. He was town clerk in 1737. 
 
 Ch. I. Dinah, b. December 29, 17 18; m. Nathaniel 
 . Walker. 
 
 2. Abigail, m. Benjamin Walker. 
 
 3. Elizabeth, b. June 15, 1721; m. Daniel Badger, 
 
 Jr. 
 
 4. William, b. March 13, 1722-3. 
 
 5. Hezekiah, b. March 2, 1724-5. 
 
 William Fuller, son of James, married Mehitabel 
 Tyler, December 10, 1746. 
 
 Ch. I. Hezekiah, b. November 25, 1747; lived at Lan- 
 caster, N. H. 
 
 2. Dorothy, b. October 21, 1751. 
 
 3. Isaac, b. February, 1756. 
 
 4. Calvin, b. May 6, 1758. 
 
346 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 5. Abigail, b. August 30, 1763. 
 
 6. Luther, b. May 10, 1766. 
 
 7. Abner, b. February 29, 1768. 
 
 8. John, b. November 22, 1771. 
 
 Hezekiah Fuller, son of James, married Margaret 
 Tyler, February 14, 1748. 
 
 Ch. I. Amos, b. July 10, 1752. 
 
 2. Asa, b. March 28, 1758. 
 
 3. Elizabeth, b. September 6, 1760. 
 
 4. James, b. March 21, 1763. 
 
 5. Phineas, b. August 28, 1765. 
 
 6. Adna, b. March 8, 1768. 
 
 Joseph Fuller, of Union, came from Newton, Mass.,, 
 where his ancestors had lived from the earliest settle- 
 ment of the colony. He was a merchant and lived 
 where afterwards Dr. Shubael Hammond did. He died 
 very suddenly, April 5, 1811, aged ^,2,. The following epi- 
 taph on his gravestone was composed by Dr. Shubael 
 Hammond, his intimate friend : 
 
 "Aspiring reader, cease thy cares, 
 Vex not thy soul with earth's affairs; 
 Nor life nor health secures thy breath, 
 One day may close thine eyes in death." 
 Mr. Fuller married Lucena Loring, of Barre, Mass., Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1805. 
 
 Ch. I. Joanna, b. February 11, 1807; m. Captain Will- 
 iam Sherman, of Brim field. 
 2. Adelpha, m. Jam€s, of New Haven, Conn. 
 The widow of Joseph Fuller married Colonel Ezra 
 Allen, of Holland. 
 
 Nathaniel Gould was one of the early settlers of 
 Union. He bought land of William Ward in 1734. He 
 lived not far from the old cemetery. His wife's name was 
 Mary. His children's names were William, Nathaniel, 
 Mary, John, Seth, Phebe. 
 
THE GRIGGS FAMILY. 
 
 THE GRIGGS FAMILY. 
 
 347 
 
 Joseph Griggs first bought land in Union of John vSes- 
 sions, May 26, 1779. He had lived in town several years 
 previous. He was a valuable citizen. On the 30th of 
 December, 1800, he sold his farm in Rockmeadow and 
 removed to Brimfield, where he spent the remainder of his 
 days. He was born in Ashford, March 12, 175 1, and died 
 in Brimfield, August 26, 1840. He had three brothers, 
 Nathan, Ichabod and Lemuel, and one sister, Molley. He 
 married Penelope Goodell, born November 14, 175 1, and 
 first settled in Ashford, where three of his children were 
 born. 
 
 Ch. I. Elisha, b. October 12, 1770. 
 
 2. Albig'ence, b. December i, 1772; d. at Brimfield, 
 
 September 6, 1844. 
 
 3. Samuel, b. February 26, 1775. 
 
 4. Lucinda, b. March 12, 1777; d. February i, 1778. 
 
 5. Hannah, b. February 14, 1779; ^^- Eb. Wales, 
 
 son of Deacon Elijah Wales. 
 
 6. Polly, b. January 4, 1781. 
 
 7. Sarah, b. June 16, 1783. 
 S. James, b. April 7, 1785. 
 
 9. Bradford, b. April 27, 1786; d. at Morrisville, N. 
 Y., March, 1863. 
 
 10. Orlando, b. March 30, 1789; lived in Wales. 
 
 11. Lydia, b. March 14, 1791; m. Lyman Bruce. 
 
 12. Dorcas, b. January 18, 1793. 
 
 13. Lucina, b. September 30, 1794. 
 
 14. Annis, b. January 27, 1797; m. John C. Steb- 
 
 bins, of Springfield. 
 
 Elisha Griggs, son of Joseph, married Sarah Booth, 
 daughter of Isaac. He moved to Stockbridge, N. Y., where 
 he died March 31, 1S64, aged 93. 
 
 Ch. I. Lucinda, b. February 8, 1793; m. Alexander 
 Strong. 
 
 2. Joseph Cheeney, b. February 16, 1795. 
 
 3. Anna, b. January 29, 1797; m. Asa Coye. 
 
348 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. John, b. December 6, 1799; d. December 8, 1799. 
 
 5. Esther, b. January 13, 1800; m. Norman Hor- 
 
 ton. 
 
 6. Hannah, b. February 2, 1802; m. Burke Foster. 
 
 7. Laura, b. April 10, 1804; m. Dexter Moore. 
 
 Albigence Griggs, son of Joseph, lived in Union with 
 his father, and moved with him to Brimfield. He married 
 Lydia Fletcher, of Wales. 
 
 Ch. I. Chester, b. February 21, 1794. 
 
 2. Lyman, b. March 30, 1797. 
 
 3. Mahalath, b. December 6, 1799; i^- Deacon 
 
 Robert Peekham, of Westminster. 
 
 4. A. Waldo, b. May 16, 1805. 
 
 5. Adeline, b. October 17, 1807; d. December 5, 
 
 1854. 
 
 6. Lydia A. 
 
 7. Orill, b. April 10, 1810. 
 
 8. Harvey Dwight, b. July 26, 1812. 
 
 Joseph Cheeney Griggs, son of Elisha, married Polly 
 Corbin, daughter of Philip. He moved to Stockbridge, N. 
 Y., not far from 1840. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph Maitland, b. October 8, 1816. 
 
 Elisha Ela, b. June 6, 1818; lived in Spring- 
 field, Mass. 
 
 3. Philip, b. May 7, 1820. 
 
 4. Elam, b. September 7, 1824; m. a Warner; 
 lives at Oriskany, N. Y. 
 
 Orlando, b. September 26, 1830; lives at Brook- 
 lyn, N. Y. 
 Mary Rhoby, b. November 6, 1841. 
 
 Joseph Maitland Griggs, son of Joseph C. (see bio- 
 graphical shetch) married, first, Elvira Fuller, of Somers, 
 in 1842; she died July, 1845. He married, second, Betsey 
 Bliss, of West vSpringfield, in September, 1847. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph Fuller, b. in Springfield in 1845; d. July 
 24, 1878. He married Helen M. Bagg, of 
 
THE HAMMOND FAMILY. 349 
 
 West Springfield, in May, 1868, and had two 
 children, (i) John Bagg, born February 8, 
 1870; (2) Maitland F., born February 12, 
 1872. 
 
 2. George Bliss, m. Nora Ball, of New Hamp- 
 
 shire, in 1880. He graduated from Yale 
 College in 1872, and holds the position of 
 auditor of accounts of the Boston and 
 Albany railroad, living at Boston, Mass. 
 
 3. Elizabeth, m. James E. Nichols, a member of 
 
 the firm of Austin, Nichols &: Co., New 
 York city. 
 
 HAMMOND FAMILY. 
 
 Dr. Shubael Hammond was born in Sturbridge, Mass., 
 February 29, 1776. He came to Union in December, 1799. 
 His father was Job Hamant, born at Medfield, June 29, 
 1742, the youngest of the eleven children of Samuel 
 Hamant, of Medfield. vSamuel Hamant was the son of 
 Timothy, and was born September 11, 1701, and died Jan- 
 uary 6, 1755. Timothy Hamant was born November i, 
 1667, and was the son of Francis Hamant, who came from 
 England and settled in that part of Dedham which after- 
 wards became Medfield, sometime prior to 1650. There 
 is a tradition that he came from Sheffield, Yorkshire, West 
 Riding. He died July 27, 1692, and his widow, Sarah 
 Hamant, died September 29, 1708. Savage, in his Gene- 
 alogical Dictionary, gives an account of " Francis Ham- 
 mant." 
 
 The family name is variously spelled, as Hamond, 
 Hammond, Haymond, Hammon, Hammans, Haman, Ham- 
 mant, Haimant, Hammett, Hamet, Hammitt, Hamit, etc., 
 etc. The Medfield and Sturbridge families generally have 
 spelled it Hamant. The Medway branch spelled it Ham- 
 mond, as did also Dr. Hammond, of Union. The pronun- 
 ciation of all the above names nearly coincides in sound, 
 and doubtless they were of common origin. 
 
 Dr. Hammond, of Union, studied medicine with Dr. 
 
35° 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Eaton, of Dudley, Mass., and commenced practice in 
 Union in 1800, where he lived till his death, July 25, 1857. 
 He married Polly Paul, daughter of Robert Paul, of Union, 
 October 4, 1812, who died August 18, 1863. 
 Ch. I. Charles, b. June 15, 1813. 
 
 2. Cynthia, b. August 4, 1814; m. Judson Smith. 
 
 3. Francis, b. January 21, 1816. 
 
 4. Samuel, b. April 18, 181 8. 
 
 5. Macia, b. February 26, 1820. 
 
 6. Persis, b. August 9, 1827; m. Marcus N. Potter, 
 
 of Stockbridge, N. Y., February 12, 1851. 
 
 Rev. Charles Hammond (see biographical sketch), son 
 of Dr. Shubael Hammond, married Adriana S. Allen, 
 daughter of Rev. William Allen, D.D., of Northampton, 
 Mass., March 27, 1855. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles, b. May 23, 1856; d. July 26, 1866. 
 2. William, b. May 23, 1856; d. July 14, 1856. 
 
 Francis Hammond, son of Dr. Shubael Hammond, 
 resided in Appleton, Wis. He married Mary Ann Foster, 
 daughter of Alvan Foster, of Appleton. She died April 
 22, 1858. They had one son, Charles Foster, born August 
 19, 1854. 
 
 Samuel Hammond, son of Dr. vShubael Haminond, 
 resided at Dexter, Jefferson county, N. Y. He married, 
 first, Martha P. Bidwell, April 21, 1858. She died May 24, 
 1861. He married, second, Betsey Lillibridge, of Willing- 
 ton, Conn., August 31, 1862. 
 
 Ch. I. Francis Bidwell, b. June 24, 1859; d. January 
 17, i860. 
 
 2. Martha, b. May 17, 1861; d. May 18, 1861. 
 
 3. Albert Lillibridge, b. August 8, 1863. 
 
 4. Francis Lincoln, b. April i, 1865. 
 
 5. Charles Shubael, b. April 27, 1867. 
 
 John Bliss Hatch was born in Union, June 2, 181 1. He 
 lived in the north part of town. He married Priscilla 
 
HATCH, HA WES. 351 
 
 Chapman, vSeptember 6, 1835. She was born January 12, 
 1810, in Ashford, and died Aug-ust 18, 1867, in Union. He 
 died August 18, 1867, aged 57. 
 
 Ch. I. Sarah H., b. July 30, 1836; m. Constantine 
 Marble, August 30, 1857: 5 children. 
 
 2. Jarvis B., b. September 30, 1838. 
 
 3. Jairus R., b. October 28, 1841. 
 
 4. Emily A., b. May 26, 1845; m. Albert D. Mer- 
 
 ritt, December 6, 1865; one child, Rosa L., b. 
 November 20, 1867. 
 
 5. Lois A., b. Januarys, 1848; m. William Lom- 
 
 bard, May 26, 1866, and d. May 13, 1868; one 
 child, who died. 
 
 6. Susan E., b. December 24, 1850; m. William 
 
 Ferry, November 15, 187 1. 
 
 Jarvis B. Hatch, son of John B., married Jane Colburn, 
 November 27, 1862. vShe was born April 10, 1845, in vStaf- 
 ford. 
 
 Ch. I. Maro Z., b. December 23, 1863; m. Annie 
 Whiton. 
 
 Jairus R. Hatch, son of John B., married Sarah A. Pem- 
 bleton, November 5, 1863. She was born January 28, 1841. 
 Ch. I. Sophia P., b. December 18, 1864; d. May 14, 
 1868. 
 2. Emma S., b. March, 1867. 
 
 David Hawes, of Worcester, Mass., bought, in 1787, of 
 Lot Hutchinson, land in Union near Bushmeadow brook, 
 which he afterwards sold to his son Elijah. 
 
 Elijah Hawes, son of David, married Rebecca. 
 Ch. I. Betty, b. December 12, 1784; m. Luther Bass, 
 September 19, 1822. 
 
 2. Sally, b. October 23, 1786. 
 
 3. Jason, b. October 11, 1791; m. Lurania Coye. 
 
35 2 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. Ruth, b. September 12, 1793; m. Hiram Wat- 
 
 kins, October 9, 1834. 
 
 5. Amos, b. January 25, 1796. 
 
 6. Polly, b. August 23, 1798. 
 
 THE HAYWARD, OR HOWARD FAMILY. 
 
 John Hayward, of North Ashford, married Rebecca 
 Peak and had thirteen children. 
 
 Ch. I. Ephraim, b. 1759; m. Abigail Farnham; was 
 deacon of the Baptist church at North Ash- 
 ford; d. 1831. 
 
 2. Ezra, m. Lydia Harwood. 
 
 3. John, m. Betsey Mumford; no children. 
 
 4. Manasseh. 
 
 5. Henry, m. Joanna Hayward; lived in Wood- 
 
 stock. 
 
 6. Chloe, m. Jesse Bugbee; had 12 children. 
 
 7. Rebecca, m. Amasa Corbin; had 5 children. 
 
 8. Hannah, m. Deacon Penuel Corbin, of Wood- 
 
 stock. 
 
 9. Esther, d., aged 22. 
 
 10. Lavinia, m. Thomas Holman; d. April 30, 1866. 
 
 11. Anna, m. Roger F. Upham, of Belchertown. 
 
 12. Mercy, m. William Corbin, Jr. 
 
 13. Amos, m. Polly Burley; had 4 children. 
 
 Manasseh Hayward, son of John, lived in the southeast 
 part of Union. He married, first, Lucy Work; second, 
 Dorothy Corbin, daughter of William Corbin. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Ezra; went to Rochester, N. Y. 
 Esther, m. Elijah Wood, of Mansfield. 
 
 Eleazar, m. Wood; lived in Illinois. 
 
 Lucy, m. Reuben Preston, of Eastford. 
 
 Polly, m. Joseph Marcy. 
 
 Sally, m. Parley Walker, June 5, 1825. 
 
 Anna, m. Ezra Sheldon. 
 
 John. 
 
 Augustus; went to New York. 
 
HOWARD, HENDRICK. 353 
 
 10. Lotiisa, d. January 12, 1844. 
 
 11. William, m. Miranda Houghton; lived in Hard- 
 
 wick. 
 
 12. Clinton, m. Lucretia Jackson and lived in 
 
 Hardwick. 
 
 John Howard, son of Manasseh, married Lydia Bugbee, 
 daughter of Eleazar, and lived where his father did. He 
 died October, 1873. His wife died April, 1864. He inarried, 
 
 second, Chandler. 
 
 Ch. I. 
 
 2. Danforth, m. Julia Day and has one son, Fred. 
 
 Israel Hendrick came from Norwich to Union in 1742, 
 when he bought lot No. 2 of Samuel Bartholemew. It then 
 included the Ben Walker lot, extending east 400 rods. 
 Israel Hendrick's wife's name was Anne. 
 
 Ch. I. Jabez, went to Springfield, Mass. 
 
 John, b. October 3, 1722. 
 
 Daniel, m. Mary Houghton, May 27, 1752. 
 
 4. Samuel, d. September 17, 1760. 
 
 5. Anna. 
 
 6. Benjamin, d. September 27, 1754. 
 
 Israel Hendrick removed to Springfield about 1760, and 
 lived with his son Jabez till his death. His wife, Anne, 
 died at Union, November 8, 1743. 
 
 John Hendrick, son of Israel, was a cabinet-maker. He 
 lived where his father did, and divided lot No. 2 among his 
 five children. He married Hannah Abbott, March 24, 1761. 
 He went to Hartland, Vt., and died November 8, 1810. 
 Ch. I. Ezra, b. February 21, 1762; d. January, 1770. 
 
 2. John, b. April 4, 1764; went to New York. 
 
 3. Mary, b. December 5, 1765. 
 
 4. Caleb, b. September 17, 1767; d, August 26, 
 
 1837. 
 
 5. Hannah, b. March 22, 1770; d. April, 1843. 
 
 23 
 
354 GEIi-EALOGTES. 
 
 6. Ezra, b. March 13, 1772; d. December 28, 1799. 
 
 7. Elizabeth, b. June 11, 1775. 
 
 HISCOCK FAMILY. 
 
 The first mention of this name on the town records is 
 Nathan Hiscock, of Sutton, Mass., who bought land in 
 Union of Joab Enos, August 16, 1769. In May, 1770, 
 Nathan Hiscock, of Ashford, deeded this land to Xathan 
 Hiscock, Jr., of Ashford, who seems afterward to have 
 lived in Union. He married a widow, Hannah Gooddle, 
 September 5, 1743. Nathan Hiscock was appointed sur- 
 veyor in Union in 1746. He died aged 100 or 102 5'ears. 
 They lived near North Ashford, on the so-called Vinton 
 place. 
 
 Ch. I. Hannah, b. August 19, 1744. 
 
 2. Lydia, b. February 23, 1745. 
 
 3. Molly, b. September 3, 1747; m., first Jedediah 
 
 Bugbee, second, Nathan Morse. 
 
 4. Nathan, Jr., b. April 3, 1749; m. Rebecca 
 
 Keeney, January 9, 1772; lived in Stafford, 
 and was killed by his insane son, Robert, 
 January 11, 181 1. 
 
 5. David, b. 175 1. 
 
 6. Stephen. 
 
 7. Sarah, m. Benj. Agard. 
 
 David Hiscock, son of Nathan Hiscock, was born 175 1, 
 died March 3, 1839. He was a soldier of the Revolution. 
 He married Anstice Bugbee, daughter of Isaac Bugbee, 
 January 13, 1774. She died June 19, 1817. 
 
 Ch. I. Huldah, b. September 28, 1774; lived in Ver- 
 mont; d. March 7, 1873. 
 Warham, b. May 17, 1776; d. young. 
 David, Jr., b. February 5, 1778. 
 Isaiah, b. April 10, 1780. 
 
 5. Joanna, b. March 9, 1782; d. August 13, 1868. 
 
 6. Luke, b. 1784. 
 Mary, b. May 6, 1787; m. Joseph Dorsett. 
 
THE HISCOCK FAMILY. 
 
 355 
 
 8. Anstice, b. October 12, 1793. 
 
 9. Stephen, b. January 9, 1795; m. Roxy Lawson; 
 
 d. April 29, 1881; was a preacher of the 
 Christian denomination. 
 
 David Hiscock, Jr., married Mrs. Ann Thompson, of 
 Union, May 10, 1805. He died February 16, 1864. 
 
 Ch. I. Lyman, b. December 29, 1805; m. Zerviah, 
 daughter of Uriah Lyon, March 22, 1832. 
 
 2. William, b. January 21, 1807. 
 
 3. Alba, b. May 5, 1808. 
 
 4. David Thompson, b. September 8, 1809. 
 
 5. Sophronia, b. April 30, 181 1; d. August 26, 1837. 
 
 6. Otis, b. July 15, 181 2; m. Mervil Green, August 
 
 13, 1838; d. in California, May 26, 1865. 
 
 7. Freeman, b. November 4, 1813; merchant in 
 
 New York city. 
 
 Isaiah Hiscock, son of David, Sr., lived on the farm 
 north of E. N. Lawson's, and now owned by the latter. He 
 married Dolly Grigg's, of Ashford, who was born May 29, 
 1782, and died September 7, 1847. Isaiah Hiscock died 
 January 28, 187 1. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. ; m. William Richardson, of 
 
 Westford, January 11, 1838. 
 
 2. Rebecca, b. ; m. Schuyler Spencer, Janu- 
 
 ary I, 1829; now lives at East Woodstock. 
 
 3. Luther Rich, b. February 22, 1812; m. Permelia 
 
 Bugbee, of Union; lived in Charlton. 
 
 4. Almira, b. ; m. Otis Lyon, of Woodstock, 
 
 March 19, 1832. 
 
 5. Isaiah, b. September 26, 1813; d. August 14, 
 
 1846. 
 
 6. Osborn Renselear, b. April 16, 1815; in. Ange- 
 
 line Lee, of Vernon, Vt.; lives in Leyden, 
 Mass. 
 
 7. Zelotes Plummer, b. June 23, 1816. 
 
 8. Dolly Ann, b. October 22, 1818; m. John P. 
 
 Griggs, of Ashford, February 22, 1838. 
 
356 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 9. Lucian Griggs, b. June 17, 182 1; m. Permelia 
 Perrin, 1839; lives in Oregon. 
 
 10. Emeline, b. July i, 1823; m. John P. Griggs, of 
 
 Ashford, January 20, 1845. 
 
 11. Fidelia, b. June 5, 1826; m. Fay. 
 
 Luther R. Hiscock married Permelia Bugbee, daughter 
 of Marcus, December 28, 1837. He lived at Charlton and 
 died there. She died 1889. They had several children. 
 
 Alba Hiscox, born in Union, married Lucy Under- 
 wood, of Woodstock, November 26, 1835. She was born 
 August 2, 1815. Alba Hiscox lived at Woodstock Valley, 
 and was highly respected by his townsmen. He died Sep- 
 tember 28, 1889. 
 
 Ch. I. Ellen, b. May 24, 1836; m. David Newhall. 
 
 2. Annette, b. December 2, 1839; m. Lucius 
 
 Childs. 
 
 3. Mary A., b. November 6, 1840; m. William H. 
 
 Lendum. 
 
 4. Abbie J., b. August 27, 1842; m. Rev. Hezekiah 
 
 Davis. 
 
 5. Marion, b. January 11, 1845. 
 
 6. Sarah, b. July 4, 1846; m. C. F. Davis. 
 
 7. Oliver, b. August 23, 1854; m. Lillian E. Briggs. 
 
 8. Willie, b. June 17, 1857; d. October 8, 1865. 
 
 Luke Hiscock, son of David, married . He mar- 
 ried, second time, Eliza Wakefield, of Stafford, June 15, 
 
 1845- 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, m. James Walker, of Woodstock, Novem- 
 ber 5, 1838. 
 
 2. Luke, Jr., m. Ruth Leonard (?); lived at Dover, 
 
 Vt. 
 
 3. Stephen. 
 
 4. Mark McFarland. 
 
 5. David. 
 
 6. Isaiah, Jr. 
 
 7. Lyman. 
 
THE HITCHCOCK FAMILY. 357 
 
 Zelotes Plummer Hiscock married Harmony C. Chaffee, 
 of Ashford, July 15, 1844. He lived and died where his 
 father did. He died Jiily 9, 1848. 
 Ch. I. Albert, b. August 7, 1846. 
 
 2. Delotia, b. January 14, 1849; m. George Knight; 
 d. March 30, 1881. 
 The widow of Plummer Hiscock married Joseph Farn- 
 ham, August 13, 185 1. He died January 21, 1877, and Mrs. 
 Harmony C. Farnham died June 21, 1885. 
 
 Lyman Hiscock, son of Luke, married Cynthia J. Bur- 
 ley, of Stafford, August 19, 1856. He lived in the west part 
 of Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Amelia J., b. vSeptember 13, 1857; m. George W. 
 Bradway, of Stafford, February 26, 1882. 
 
 2. Julia A., b. November 12, 1864. 
 
 3. Ella A., b. October 8, 1867. 
 
 4. Laura S., b. February 26, 1870. 
 
 5. Grace E., b. April 15, 1873. 
 
 Stephen Hiscock, brother of Nathan, Jr., bought land 
 of George Hodges, of Woodstock, in Union, January 30, 
 1777. Also bought land of Elijah Wales in 1789. He lived 
 on Stickney Hill. He married Thankful More, of Stur- 
 bridge. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph, d. February 4, 1792. 
 
 2. Thankful, m. Asa Adams, of Winchester, N. H- 
 
 3. Sylvester, b. June 11, 1780; moved to Vermont 
 
 in 1805; m. Clarissa , 1803. 
 
 4. Rhoda, m. Duty Marsh. 
 
 THE HITCHCOCK FAMILY. 
 
 Rev. Caleb Hitchcock, the second minister who was 
 settled at Union, was born in Springfield, January 5, 172 1, 
 and died at Brimfield, December 6, 1797. He was descended 
 from Luke Hitchcock, of New Haven and Wethersfield. 
 This Luke Hitchcock L had a son Luke, who was made 
 freeman at Springfield in 1678. Luke IL had three sons. 
 
358 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Luke III., Ebenezer and Peletiah. Each of these three 
 sons had a son who graduated at Harvard and became a 
 minister of the gospel. Luke's son, Caleb, settled at 
 Union. The son of Ebenezer, Rev. Gad Hitchcock, D.D., 
 settled at Pembroke, Mass. The son of Peletiah was Rev. 
 Enos Hitchcock, D.D., of Providence. Rev. Caleb Hitch- 
 cock, of Union, had a brother, Luke, who would be Luke 
 IV., who was the great-grandfather of Rev. Edward Hitch- 
 cock, D.D., president of Amherst College. 
 
 Rev. Caleb Hitchcock married Sarah Winchester, 
 November 30, 1750. He lived where the Newells do. 
 Ch. ]. Luke, b, April 19, 1752. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, b. February 29, 1754. 
 
 3. Martha, b. December 9, 1755. 
 
 4. Molly, b. August 27, 1761. 
 
 5. Winchester, b. September 5, 1763. 
 
 6. Gad, b. July 10, 1766. 
 
 Luke was the ancestor of several families in Monson 
 and Palmer. Gad settled at Brimfield, and was the father 
 of Samuel A. Hitchcock, the founder of the Hitchcock 
 Free High School. 
 
 THE HOLMAN FAMILY. 
 
 Thomas Holman, was the son of Thomas Holman, of 
 Sutton and Newburyport, Mass. Thomas Holman, Jr., 
 came to Union April 13, 1778. He married Lydia Bates, 
 daughter of David Bates, October 17, 177 1, and lived for a 
 short time where Frederick Barber now resides. They 
 removed to Sutton, lived there a few years, then returned 
 to Union and lived where his father-in-law David Bates 
 did, or where E. N. Lawson now resides. 
 
 Ch. I. Zilpha, b. October 16, 1772; m. Wyman Morris of 
 Woodstock and died soon after. 
 
 2. Thomas, b. May 19, 1774. 
 
 3. Abram, b. July 30, 1776. 
 
 4. John, b. 1778. 
 
 5. Rufus, b. October 20, 1780. 
 
 6. Jeremiah, b. February 25, 1789. 
 
THE HOLM AN FAMILY. 359 
 
 Thomas Holman, 3D, son of Thomas Holman, Jr., mar- 
 ried Lavinia Howard, daughter of John Howard, June 5^ 
 1800, then bought the farm and built the house just south 
 of the east school-house. He died August 6, 1856. His 
 wife died April 30, 1866. 
 
 Ch. I. Lydia, b. June 2, 1801; m. Deacon Paul Law- 
 son, December 9, 1824; d. June 29, 1889. 
 
 2. Salem, b. July i, 1802. 
 
 3. Elijah, b. May 31, 1803. 
 
 4. Almira, b. May 19, 1804; m. Samuel Shepard, of 
 
 Sturbridge, Mass., October 16, 1827. She 
 died April 8, 1869. Her children were, 
 Lavinia, m. Ossian Crawford; Eliza, m. Clin- 
 ton Lawson; Martha, m. Leonard Thomp- 
 son; Marillo and Melven (twins); Marillo 
 died at 13 years of age; Melven m. Jennie 
 Butterworth, of Holland. 
 
 5. Calista, b. April 19, 1807; m. Rev. Justus Vin- 
 
 ton, missionary to Burmah, April 9, 1834. 
 Two children, Brainerd, m. Julia Haswell, 
 and Calista m. Rev. Morris Luther. (See 
 biographical sketch). 
 
 6. Lavinia, b. April 10, 1810; m. first, Harvey 
 
 Goodale. Two children, Harvey, b. March 
 3, 1840; Lavinia Justitia, b. December 19, 
 1841; m. Waldo Carpenter. Harvey Goodale 
 died September, 1843. His widow married 
 Horatio Carpenter, March 2, 1856. She died 
 August 9, 1887. 
 
 7. Thomas, b. July 15, 1812. 
 
 8. Minerva, b. March 4, 1816; m. Rev. Rudolphus 
 
 Weston, August 25, 1840. She died March 
 15, 185 1, leaving one son, Howard. Rev. R. 
 Weston preached at Steilacoom, Washing- 
 ton, at the time of his death, April 3, 1892. 
 
360 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Abram Holman, son of Thomas, 2nd, went from Union 
 to Ashford. He married Polly Converse, daughter of Ben- 
 jamin. 
 
 Ch. I. David, became a physician at Oxford, Mass. 
 
 2. Lucy. 
 
 3. Abram, lived in Mansfield. 
 
 4. Justin. 
 
 5. William, b. 181 1, lived in Willington; was the 
 
 father of W. D. Holman, of Willington. 
 
 John Holman, son of Thomas, 2nd, built the house and 
 barn on the so-called Farnham place, north of Deacon Law- 
 son's. After living there a time he went to Eastford about 
 1817. He married Mary Bosworth, April 6, 1809. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Newman, died young. 
 
 Roxanna, married and lived in Tolland. 
 
 Dicea, never married; died rather young. 
 
 John, lives near Crj^stal Lake, Eastford. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 Emily, m. Nelson Clark, of Eastford. 
 
 Newton, lives in the south part of Eastford. 
 
 RuFUS Holman, son of Thomas, 2nd, lived where Dea- 
 con Lawson now does. He was a cooper by trade and had 
 a shop there. About 1826 he removed to Willington, thence 
 to Vernon. He married Lucy Eddy of Monson, September 
 I, 1803. 
 Ch. 
 
 Chester, b. November i, 1804; d. April 19, 1808. 
 Lucina, b. April i, 1807; m. and went to Wis. 
 Annis, b. August 20, 1810; m. Solyman Sparks 
 
 of Tolland. 
 Palmer, b. February 20, 1813; went to Iowa, 
 
 where he kept hotel. 
 Amy, b. August 16, 181 5. 
 
 Clarissa, b. June 11, 1816; d. February 11, 1819. 
 Lucy, b. November 11, 1820. 
 Riifus Milton, b. October 8, 1826; died young. 
 
THE HOLMAN FAMILY. 361 
 
 Jeremiah Holman, son of Thomas, lived in Charlton. 
 He perished in a snowstorm, March 30, 1823, just north of 
 where L. A. Corbin now lives, as he was on his way to the 
 home of his brother Rufus. He married Sally Mclntire, 
 December 14, 1809. 
 
 Ch. I. Morris, b. February 11, 181 1. 
 
 2. Aiigustus, b. 1 81 9, lived at Carthage, 111. 
 
 3. Esther, b. 1822; m. Charles Morse of Charlton, 
 
 Mass. Had one daughter, Belle, who was an 
 art student, and died in Germany. 
 
 Salem Holman, son of Thomas, 3d, was a mechanic in 
 Hartford. He married Henrietta Holland, of Hartford, in 
 1831. He died at Hartford, August 13, 1835. He was the 
 first one to be buried in the east cemetery at Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Henrietta Calista, b. March, 1832; m. Thomas 
 Lee, M. D., of New York. 
 2. Lavinia Maria, b. February, 1836; now a teacher 
 in the Normal College of New York. 
 
 Elijah Holman, son of Thomas, 3d, married Hannah 
 Wilbur, January 5, 1834, who died July, 1859. He died 
 February 28, 1837. 
 
 Ch. I. vSarah Crawford, b. December 18, 1834; d. March, 
 
 1845. 
 2. Henrietta Almira, b. February 4, 1836; m. 
 Horatio Carpenter, and now lives at Stur- 
 bridge, Mass. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Holman, son of Thomas, 3d, married 
 Maria Louisa Crawford, daughter of Charles Crawford of 
 Woodstock, August 6, 1846. He died October 4, 1883. (See 
 biographical sketch.) They had one child. 
 
 Ch. I. Marie Louise, b. August 5, 1850; is a teacher of 
 music and painting. She lives with her 
 mother, at Rockford, 111. 
 
 Rev. Morris Holman, son of Jeremiah, graduated at 
 Amherst, in 1837, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 
 
362 GENE A LOGIES. 
 
 in 1840. He was settled as a Congregational minister, 
 first at York, Me., subsequently at Kennebunkport, and at 
 Deering, N. H. He retired from the active ministry in 
 1875, and died at Antrim, N. H., August 25, 1889. He mar- 
 ried Mary Weare Lunt, of York, Me., February 18, 1845. 
 Ch. I. Alfred Morris, b. November 18, 1845. 
 
 2. William Augustus, b. November 27, 1849. 
 
 3. Samuel Weare, b. June 5, 1855. 
 
 4. Sarah Mclntire, b. October 27, 1857; d. October 
 
 9, 1883. 
 
 Timothy Holton, came from Killingly to Union, and 
 bought the Wyman place, or ministerial lot (now the Con- 
 gregational parsonage), April 7, 1769. He was a tory in 
 the Revolution, and accounted as a man of no principle or 
 honor. He was maltreated in the war of the .Revolution, 
 by his patriotic neighbors. He went to Ellington or Wind- 
 sor, and became respectable and a man of property. His 
 wife .was Damaris, daughter of Rev. Perley Howe, of Kill- 
 ingly. 
 
 Ch. I. Damaris, b. at Killingly, September 3, 1768. 
 
 2. John, b. at Killingly, March 23, 1770. 
 
 3. Tamar, b. at Union, February 29, 1772. 
 
 THE HORTON FAMILY, 
 
 Rev. Ezra Horton, was the third minister of Union. 
 He was ordained June 14, 1759, and dismissed August 6, 
 1783. He was born at Southold, L. I., Dec. 25, 1733, and died 
 at Union, Jan. 13, 1789, at the age of 56. He lived on the 
 place where his great-grandson, Bruce Horton, now lives. 
 Rev. Mr. Horton was the son of James Horton, the son 
 of Jonathan Horton, the son of Barnabas Horton who was 
 born at Mousley, in Leicestershire, in England, and died 
 in Southold, L. I., July 13, 1600, aged 80. 
 
 The descendants of Barnabas Horton, are still so numer- 
 ous at Southold, L. 1., that the minister of that place, Rev. 
 Mr. Whittaker, said in 1862, that one-seventh of his congre- 
 
THE nOETON FAMIL Y. 363 
 
 gation was made tip of persons of the name of Horton, 
 while his blood was doubtless in the veins of half his con- 
 gregation. Barnabas Horton came to Sonthold in 1640. 
 
 Rev. Ezra Horton graduated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, 
 in 1754, and received from Yale the honorary degree of A. 
 M., in 1772. He was a good writer, and a fine scholar in 
 the learning of his time. His last days were embittered 
 by the difficulties among his people, which resulted in his 
 dismission after twenty-four years of service. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Horton married Mary Hempstead of South- 
 old, L. I., daughter of Robert Hempstead, of Southold. She 
 was born September 18, 1736,. and died at West Stafford, 
 January 23, 1815, aged 79. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. October i, 1759, m. Calvin Ingals of 
 West Stafford, May 28, 1795, and died May 
 12, 1S33, aged 74. 
 
 2. Ezra, b. April 12, 1761. 
 
 3. Anna, b. April 15, 1763, m. Robert Lawson, 
 
 Esq., January 30, 1783, d. December 14, 1841, 
 aged 78. 
 
 Deacon Ezra Horton, son of Rev. Ezra Horton, was a 
 soldier in the Revolution and retained through his long 
 life a most vivid recollection of the events of the Revolu- 
 tion and of the persons in this town in any way connected 
 with the war. He was a man of decisive character, moral 
 worth, and tenacious memory. He coiild tell all the mis- 
 sionaries by name, who had been sent abroad by the Ameri- 
 can Board, the several places where they had been sta- 
 tioned, and much they had written for the Missionary Her- 
 ald. For many years he served as deacon of the Congre- 
 gational church, but in consequence of blindness and the 
 infirmity of old age, he resigned his charge about 1830, a 
 long time before his death. He married Olive May, of 
 Holland, December 12, 1785. He died May 31, 1848, 
 aged 87. 
 
 His wife Olive, died March 15, 1833. 
 
 Ch. I. Thomas, b. October 8, 1786; never married; d. 
 
364 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 by drowning in Lake Erie, December 25, 
 1838. 
 
 2. Erastus, b. October 7, 1787 (just one year and 
 
 six minutes younger than Thomas). 
 
 3. Philena, b. June 12, 1789, m. Salmon Strong, 
 
 January 5, 1812; d. October 21, 1861. 
 
 4. Gurdon, b. February 24, 1791. 
 
 5. Lucinda, b. August 28, 1792; m. Alfred Moore, 
 
 January 28, 1819. 
 
 6. Ezra, b. June 12, 1794. 
 
 7. Norman, b. December 5, 1795. 
 
 8. Chauncey, b. May 13, 1797. 
 
 9. Mary, b. October 17, 1798; m. Elijah Kinney, 
 
 May 31, 1821. 
 
 10. Joseph, b. February 16, 1799; d. March 27, 1800. 
 
 11. Almira, b. April 27, 1801. 
 
 12. Eli, b. May 6, 1803; m. Katherine E. Ellsworth. 
 
 13. Olive, b. April i, 1805; m. Elbert Foster, April 
 
 30, 1830. 
 
 14. Lawrens, b. March 24, 1807; m. first, Almfra 
 
 Coe, June 11, 1834; second, Laura Bennett. 
 
 15. Fidelia, b January 5, 1809; m. Thomas Moore, 
 
 September 15, 1835. 
 
 Erastus Hortox, son of Deacon Ezra, settled first (in 
 1815), in Oneida, N. Y., then in 1832, at Scriba, N. Y. In 
 1841, he moved to Jefferson Co., Wis., and in 1857 to San 
 Diego, where he died Feb. 18, 1875. He married Try- 
 phena Burley, April 28, 1808. 
 
 Ch. I. Almira Minerva, b. June i, 1809, in Union. 
 Mary Emily, b. July 19, 181 1, in Union. 
 Alonzo Erastus, b. October 24, 1813, in Union. 
 
 4. Ezra, b. February 12, 1816, at Augusta, N. Y. 
 
 5. Nelson B., b. March 27, 1818, at Smithfield, N. Y. 
 
 6. Thomas de Lafayette, b. December 16, 1824, at 
 New Haven, N. Y. 
 
 7. Lucy Jane, b. April 7, 1835, at Scriba, N. Y. 
 
THE HORTON FAMILY. 
 
 565 
 
 GuRDON HoRTON, soii of Deacoii Ezra, married Lucy 
 Davidson, of South Brimfield (now Wales), May i, 1816. 
 Ch. I. Royal, b. July 31, 1819; d. September 25, 1820. 
 
 2. Theodore Dwight, b. August 3, 1821; died 
 
 March 13, 1863, in the hospital, at Washing- 
 ton, D. C. 
 
 3. Charles, b. May 31, 1823; d. September 10, 1830. 
 
 4. Herman M., b. February 23, 1825; d. October 8, 
 
 1825. 
 
 5. Olive, b. April 23, 1827; d. August 22, 1830. 
 
 6. William Morgan, b. July 6, 1829. 
 
 7. Francis G., b. July 6, 1829; d. October 26, 1833. 
 
 8. Eli, b. November 27, 1834. 
 
 9. Philena, b. August 22, 1838. 
 
 Ezra Horton, son of Deacon Ezra, married Lucy Shep- 
 ard, daughter of Whitmore, of East Windsor. She died 
 October 3, 1871. 
 
 He was an invalid during the last part of his life, una- 
 ble to leave bed. He died July 30, 1886, aged 92. 
 
 Ch. I. Jared, b. January 18, 1822, at Windsor Locks. 
 
 Helen, b. August 3, 1823; m. Orrin Morse, 
 
 December i, 1843. 
 Thomas, b. May 4, 1825; m. Delight H.Wales, 
 April 29, 1850. 
 
 4. Edwin, b. 1826; d. 1827. 
 
 5. Elvira, b. July 30, 1828; m. Thomas P. Leonard. 
 
 6. Edward Haskell, b. July 27, 1830; d. Decem- 
 ber 24, 1834. 
 
 7. Ezra Mason, b. June 3, 1832. 
 Charles, b. July 3, 1834. 
 Olive, b. June 27, 1836; m. Joseph H. Longden, 
 
 April 10, i860. 
 William Henry Harrison, b. October 10, 1839; 
 
 m. Armena Corbin, February 13, 1866. 
 Robert Bruce, b. October 13, 1843. 
 
366 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Norman Horton, son of Deacon Ezra, lived at Cold- 
 spring, Wis. He married Esther Griggs, Nov. 21, 1823. He 
 died in the fall of 1876. 
 
 Ch. I. Harriet, b. August 22, 1824; m. William Bar- 
 row; d. September 3, 1855. 
 
 2. Carlo, b. February 13, 1826; d. at Koskonong, 
 
 November 3, 1846. 
 
 3. Norman Sanford, b. April 17, 1828; m. Lucy 
 
 Lewis, December 25, 1855, resided at Owat- 
 * tonna, Minn. 
 
 4. Elisha Griggs, b. at vStockbridge, N. Y., August 
 
 20, 1830, was a physician at Whitewater, 
 Wis.; m. Harriet Rawson. 
 
 5. Ezra, b. August 13, 1832, d. at Coldspring, Wis., 
 
 April 21, 1862. 
 
 6. Esther Ann, b. July 26, 1836; m. Frank Delong, 
 
 November 15, 1S60. 
 
 7. Sarah L., b. February 6, 1839. 
 
 8. Malvin M., b. at Koskonong, May 12, 1843; m. 
 
 Sophronia Cheesebro, December 24, 1863. 
 
 9. Charlotte, b. May 9, 1846; m. Charles Wilby, 
 
 April 6, 1866. 
 Norman Horton lived at Coldspring, Wis., 1874. He 
 died at Whitewater, Wis., June i, 1878. 
 
 Chauncey Horton, son of Deacon Ezra, married, Sep- 
 tember 30, 1824, Amanda Chaffee, of Ashford. He settled 
 first at Westford, and then at Stockbridge, N. Y., where he 
 died September 15, 1848, aged 51. 
 
 Ch. I. Sophronia, b. January 5, 1826; m. John J. Car- 
 ver, of Stockbridge, N. Y. 
 
 2. Almira Amanda, b. January 20, 1828; m. H. A. 
 
 Coolidge, and had three children. She died 
 in February, 1875. 
 
 3. Emeline, b. September 29, 1829; graduated at 
 
 Oberlin in 1853, and from the Woman's Med- 
 ical College of Pennsylvania, in 1855; held 
 the Chair of Anatomy in that college from 
 
TSE HO It TON FA MIL Y. 367 
 
 1857 till 1862, when she was tranferred to the 
 Chair ' of Obstetrics. She has been promi- 
 nent in the management of the Hospital for 
 Women and Children at Philadelphia. She 
 has performed many important surgical ope- 
 rations. She married March 8, 1854, Rev. 
 Giles B. Cleveland, and they have one son, 
 Arthur H., b. at Philadelphia, February 10, 
 1865. 
 
 4. Mary Ann, b. Feb. i, 1831; m. Rev. R. H. Clark, 
 
 May 16, 1854. 
 
 5. Cynthia, b. February 22, 1833; m. Justus Will- 
 
 iams, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., August 27, 
 
 1857- 
 
 6. Chauncey Chaffee, b. March 24, 1835; m. Eliza- 
 
 beth Hurlburt, January 18, ^1854, and died 
 June 24, 1870. 
 
 7. Harvey L., b. April 26, 1837; m. Clarissa Chap- 
 
 man, October 18, 1866. 
 
 8. Eimice Angeline, b. September 30, 1839; d. 
 
 February 4, 1841. 
 
 9. Gerritt Smith, b. September 9, 1841; d. Septem- 
 
 ber 3, 1878. 
 
 Eli Horton, son of Deacon Ezra, settled first at Staf- 
 ford Springs; then moved to Windsor Locks, where he 
 resides. His life has been characterized by industry, 
 economy and strict integrity. He has been an active busi- 
 ness man, become wealthy, and has always shared largely 
 in the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He was the 
 inventor of an improved chuck for a turning lathe, which 
 he patented, and manufactured at a great profit. He also 
 invented a machine for setting pins, for which he secured 
 a patent, and for the right he has been offered $10,000. 
 
 He married Katherine E. Ellsworth, of East Windsor, 
 January 25, 1832. 
 
 Ch. I. Stoddard Ellsworth, b. March 31, 1833; m. 
 Fanny C. Chase, November i, 1864. 
 
368 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Anna Ellsworth, b. September 17, 1835. 
 
 3. Kate Elsie, b. January 6, 1837; m. Ezra B. Bai- 
 
 ley, of Franklin, Conn., December 14, 1870. 
 
 4. Eli, b. August 24, 1839; d. at Stafford, March 3, 
 
 1841. 
 Eli Horton died at Windsor Locks, December 13, 1878. 
 
 Lawrens Horton, son of Deacon Ezra, settled at 
 Oswego, N. Y . He married, the first time, Almira Coe, 
 daughter of Albert Coe, of vScriba, N. Y., June 11, 1834, who 
 died June 21, 1842. He married, second, Laura Bennett of 
 Kingston, Canada, who died July 5, 1867. 
 
 His children were by his first wife: 
 
 Ch. I. Emily, b. March 21, 1835. 
 
 2. William Henry, b. February 12, 1840; now in 
 
 the bee business at San Francisco, Cal. 
 By second marriage: 
 
 3. Almira, b. March 3, 1850. 
 
 4. Alvin, b. April i, 1853; d. May 8, 1855. 
 
 5. Nora, b. August 29, 1857. 
 
 6. Celia, b. September 8, 1861; d. September 20, 
 
 1863. 
 
 Alonzo E. Horton, the "Father of San Diego, Califor- 
 nia," son of Erastus, was born and lived two years in 
 Union. Then (in 1815), he went forth with his parents 
 and started on what has been perhaps the most remarkable 
 and varied career of any native of the town. He lived 
 with his parents at vStockbridge, New Haven, and Scriba, 
 N. Y. The little education he received was obtained from 
 the common schools, his youth being one of toil. His first 
 enterprise was in purchasing a small vessel and engaging 
 in the wheat trade between Oswego and Canada. In this 
 he was quite successful. He went to Milwaukee in 1836. 
 While there, by quick perception and prompt action he 
 made a large profit on certain bank notes, and barely 
 escaped being robbed afterwards. He engaged in various 
 employments, one of which was cattle dealing. He invested 
 
THE nORTON FAMILY. 369 
 
 in land and started a town in Wisconsin, which was named 
 Hortonville after him. He made $7,iS8 on this enterprise. 
 In 1 85 1 he went to California and engaged in mining. He 
 made immense sums in trading in gold dust. His strong 
 point was trading, his quick foresight and ready perception 
 making him nearly always successful. He engaged in 
 trading in Panama, and was there in 1856, when the memo- 
 rable rising of the natives took place. He conducted the 
 Americans, who were attacked, safely to the ship. Pro- 
 ceeding to New York and Washington, he gave the Gov- 
 ernment important testimony in deciding what reparation 
 New Grenada should pay the U. S. But the property he 
 lost there (some $10,000) was never restored. In 186 1 he 
 started for the Pacific coast, visiting British Columbia. 
 Here he invested in a mine but it failed. He went to San 
 Francisco and upon arriving there had no capital what- 
 ever. But he had the strength and elasticity of steel in 
 his spirit and nerves. He engaged in various mercantile 
 dealings, until hearing of San Diego and its advantages, 
 he was so impressed that he gathered all his capital, about 
 $500, and went thither, where he arrived April 6, 1867. He 
 secured the desired land, 750 acres, for thirty-six cents an 
 acre ! He immediately commenced advertising it, and laid 
 out the streets for his workmen to clear of cactus and sage 
 brush. His sales increased from $3,000 in 1867, to nearly 
 $85,000 in 1870. As fast as the money was received it was 
 used in building up the place. He had used $300,000 for 
 that purpose previous to 1875. He lives to-day in the city 
 which he has built up, and has earned the respect and 
 esteem of his fellow citizens. 
 
 He married, first Sally M, V/right, December 22, 1841, 
 at Jefferson, Wis. She died December 29, 1846. He mar- 
 ried second, Sarah W. Babe, July 29, 1846, at Keyport, N. J. 
 He has no children. 
 
 Jared Horton, son of Ezra, moved to Albany, N. Y., in 
 1840, where he was a butcher by occupation. He died June 
 
370 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 15, 1886. He married Harriet Tredeaii, December 30, 1847, 
 at Albany. 
 
 Ch. I. Ezra Tredeau, b. October 29, 1850. 
 
 2. Clara Ann, b. May 18, 1853. 
 
 3. Frederick, b. May 16, 1855. 
 
 4. Alaxie, b. September 27, 1857. 
 
 5. Edward Grant, b. November 4, 1866. 
 
 6. Harriet Louisa, b. July 29, 1871. 
 
 Thomas Horton, son of Ezra, married Delight H. Wales 
 daughter of Aaron Allen, April 29, 1850. She died May 9, 
 1875. He then married Jane Needham of Monson. 
 
 Ch. I. Emma J., b. Aiigust 2, 185 1; d. October i, 1868. 
 2. Ellsworth, b. Januar}^ 2, 1862; died February 
 12, 1885. 
 
 Ezra Mason Horton, son of Ezra, married Mary Jane 
 Bartlett, daughter of Daniel, August 2, 1859. He settled 
 on the Dr. Hammond place, which he bought of Ossian 
 Crawford. He has been engaged in farming and lumber- 
 ing. He is a valuable and respected citizen of the town, 
 and has held many town offices. He was town clerk from 
 1870 to 1874, and was in the Legislature of 1887. He is one 
 of the pillars of the church at Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Ralzamon Mason, b. March 15, 1862; lives in 
 California. 
 
 2. Emmons Bruce, b. September 17, 1863. 
 
 3. Lucy Paine, b. May 11, 1865; m. Frederick 
 
 Aldrich, November 21, 1887. They have had 
 two children. Herbert Daniel, b. October i, 
 1888 and Ida May, b. December 31, 1890; d. 
 October 26, 1891. 
 
 4. Ma^-y Percy, b. June 24, 1868; d. August 12, 
 
 1870. 
 
 5. Martha Pricilla, b. June 24, 1868; d. July 16, 
 
 1868. 
 
 6. Knowlton Howard, b. August 16, 187 1; d. June 
 
 28, 1872. 
 
 7. Adeline Sarah, b. May 27, 1874. 
 
THE HOUGHTON FAMILY. 
 
 371 
 
 Charles Horton, son of 'Ezra., now resides in New York 
 city. He married in Albany, N. Y., March 23, 1859, Jane 
 Frances Percy, daughter of John. 
 
 Ch. I. Florence Effie^ b. in Albany, April 4, i860. 
 
 2. Frances Charlena, b. in Albany, November 13, 
 
 1863. 
 
 3. John Charles, b. in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 16, 
 
 1867. 
 
 4. Nelly, b. December 8, 1875. 
 
 Robert Bruce Horton, son of Ezra, was in the army, 
 the youngest man in the company of which David Corbin 
 became captain. 
 
 He married Mary E. Coon, daughter of Isaac, of Pom- 
 fret, November 8, 1865. vShe died December i, 1885. He 
 married second, Mary Crawford, daughter of Fayette, 
 April 23, 1890. 
 
 Emmons Bruce Horton, son of E. Mason, married Min- 
 nie G. Thayer, daughter of George, December 25, 1886. 
 Ch. I. George Mason, b. February 14, 1888. 
 2. Ralzamon Emmons, b. October, 1891. 
 
 the HOUGHTON FAMILY. 
 
 Edward Houghton came from England with a brother, 
 and a cousin Thomas, to Pomfret, and thence to Union. He 
 bought land of Samuel Bartholomew, August 14, 1774. He 
 lived at the place called Lawson's mill, where he had a 
 grist-mill and saw-mill. 
 
 The same year, 1774, Thomas Houghton of Harvard, 
 Mass., bought land in Union of Edward Houghton. It is 
 supposed they were relatives, probably cousins. 
 
 Edward Houghton died March 15, 1777, aged between 
 70 and 80. Abigail Houghton, wife of Edward, died March 
 
 30, 1777- 
 
 Ch. I. Cornelius. 
 
 2. Jonas. 
 
 3. James. 
 
372 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. Asa. 
 
 5. Experience, ni. James Bartlett. 
 
 6. Edward. 
 
 Jonas Houghton, son of Edward, settled in Union and 
 Woodstock. He married, November 29, 1768, Sarah Ab- 
 bott of Woodstock, daughter of Joseph Abbott, the son of 
 Daniel Abbott of Ashford, the son of George Abbott, Jr., 
 of Andover, the son of George Abbott of Andover, the 
 first comer. The register of the Abbott family is wrong 
 in making Sarah Abbott the wife of James Houghton, in- 
 stead of Jonas. 
 
 Ch. I. Amasa, b. at Union, February 17, 1769. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. at Union, February 17, 1770. 
 
 3. Hannah, b. at Union, June 20, 1773. 
 
 4. Daniel, b. at Woodstock. 
 
 5. Polly, b. at Woodstock. 
 
 6. Wealthy, b. at Woodstock. 
 
 James Houghton, son of Edward, settled in Union. He 
 inarried Phebe Holt of Andover, September 11, 1755. 
 Ch. I. James, b. June 16, 1756. 
 
 2. Ephraim, b. May 18, 1759. 
 
 3. Phebe, b. August 11, 1762. 
 
 4. Silvanus, b. June 21, 1765. 
 
 5. Rinda, b. February 14, 1768. 
 
 6. Bethiah, b. March 8, 1771. 
 
 7. Asenath, b. November 29, 1775. 
 
 8. Experience, b. February 8, 1777. 
 
 Asa Houghton, son of Edward, settled in Union and 
 then at Wales in 1779. He married Sybil Davis, daughter 
 of Tristram Davis of South Brimfield, June 23, 1768. He 
 died at Wales, April 17, 1829, aged 87. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Cynthia, b. vSeptember 25, 1768. 
 Walter, b. February 2, 1770. 
 Wareham, b. December 15, 1771. 
 Abigail, b. July 2, 1775. 
 Asa, b. 1794; died April 2, 1855. 
 
THE HOUGHTON FAMILY. 
 
 373 
 
 Edward Houghton, Jr., son of Edward, vSr., married 
 Olive Russel, born May 25, 1748; died November 13, 1829. 
 He lived in Thompson. 
 
 Ch. I. Molly, b. January 6, 1773; d. October 15, 1797. 
 Elias, b. October 9, 1774; d. August, 1805. 
 
 3. Olive, b. August 27, 1776; d. January 29, 1803. 
 
 4. Abial, b. October 25, 1778; d. October 25, 1807. 
 
 5. Polly, b. October 6, 1780; d. October i, 1855. 
 
 6. David, b. March 31, 1783; d. October 14, 1855. 
 Edward, b. April 9, 1785. 
 
 Hannah, b. May i, 1787; d. September 15, 1788. 
 Hannah, b. July 12, 1789. 
 
 Nehemiah, b. June 10, 1791; d. October 9, 1875. 
 Betsey, b. July 22, 1793. 
 Ino, b. January 3, 1797. 
 
 Nehemiah Houghton, son of Edward, Jr., and Olive 
 Russel, was born at Pomfret, June 10, 1791, and died at 
 Union, October 9, 1875. He built on the place west of 
 Benjamin Corbin's, where he spent most of his life. He 
 married Esther Lawson, daiighter of Thomas Lawson, Jr., 
 March 27, 1817. She died November 24, 1882. 
 
 Ch. I. Diana, b. June 17, 1817; m. Jedediah P.Webster 
 of Wilbraham, October 8, 1837; 2 children, 
 Mary J., b. October 8, 1839, cl- 1887; Henry 
 G., b. July 4, 1845. 
 
 2. Lucy, b. December 31, 1818; m. Nathan Black- 
 
 mer of Woodstock; lives in Dudley. 
 
 Ch. Thomas, b. December 20, 1844; Anna, 
 b. February, 1847; Mary, b. May, 1849; 
 Charles, b. October 15, 185 1; Andrew, b. 
 September 26, 1853; Melven C, b. November 
 II, 1856; Elmer, b. December 9, i860. 
 
 3. Miranda A., b. March 8, 1821; m. William How- 
 
 ard of Union. She died February 11, 1846. 
 One child, died young. 
 
 4. Mary Anne, b. August 10, 1823; m. Hiram Steb- 
 
 bins of Wilbraham, April 9, 1844. vShe died 
 
374 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 April 17, 1856. One child, Julia, b. 1846; d. 
 October 22, 1869. 
 
 5. Cemantha, b. April 5, 1826; m. Oliver Angell. 
 
 6. Diantha, b. August 15, 1828; m. Eben Allen of 
 
 Maine, November, 1852, and had one son, 
 Amos, b. March 12, 1855. She died Septem- 
 ber 6, 1856. Eben Allen died November 8, 
 1864. 
 
 7. Celinda, b. November 17, 1830; d. September 
 
 3, 1833- 
 
 8. Marcus Taft, b. July 28, 1833. 
 
 9. Celinda Ruth, b. December 27, 1835. 
 
 10. Dilana, b. July 6, 1840; m. Frank Letcher. 
 
 11. Lecta Levada, b. August 29, 1842; m. Albert 
 
 Heuser; lived in Steptoe valley, Nevada; 4 
 children, William, Mary, Charles and Crane. 
 
 Marcus T. Houghton, son of Nehemiah, went to Iowa 
 about 1856; lived first at Powell, then at Vinton, whence 
 he went to Beatrice, South Dakota, about 1885. 
 Ch. (living) i. Albert, b. November 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Paul, b. November 17, 1865. 
 
 3. Minnie, b. June 3, 1873. 
 
 4. Ernest. 
 
 Abner Howard, son of Eleazar of Sturbridge, came to 
 Union not far from 1799. He was born in Sturbridge, 
 December 16, 1771. His father Eleazar was an extensive 
 land-holder in Sturbridge. His father, Thomas, lived in 
 Mansfield and married Sarah Standish, a descendant of 
 Miles Standish. 
 
 Abner Howard of Union married Abigail Coye, daugh- 
 ter of Archibald. 
 
 Ch. I. Polly, m. Lester Anderson, August 3, 1817. 
 
 Abner Howard lived south of the Kinney mills. He 
 died April 7, 1825. Abigail, his wife, died August 30, 1842, 
 aged 64. 
 
Phillip Corbin. 
 
THE CORBIN FAMILY. 311 
 
 in the Legislature of 1852, and held other town offices. He 
 
 was a man of good business ability and was respected by 
 
 his fellow townsmen. He died March 8, 1872, of paralysis. 
 
 Ch. I. Samuel Aurelius, b. January 28, 1S16; d. June 
 
 10, 181 7. 
 
 2. Charlotte Juliette, b. February 10, 1817; d. May 
 
 12, 1828. 
 
 3. Samuel Merillo, b. December 15, 181 8. 
 
 4. Aurelius Orville, b. April 17, 182 1. 
 
 5. Lovicy Rhoby, b. March 16, 1823; m. Jonathan 
 
 T. Cummings, of Mansfield, November 6, 
 i860. 
 
 6. Charles Augustus, b. December 16, 1824. 
 
 7. Philo Roderick, b. January 25, 1827. 
 
 8. Henrj' Fielder, b. April 27, 1829. 
 
 9. Charlotte Juliette, b. February 23, 1834; m. 
 
 Isaac Johnson, of Sturbridge (now of Wood- 
 stock), October 28, 1887. 
 
 Philip Corbin, Jr., went from Union to Willington, 
 and afterwards (in 1833) to West Hartford, Conn. He 
 married Lois Chaffee, of Ashford, November 29, 1820. 
 He died July 24, 1881. She died September 9, 1872. 
 
 Ch. I. Hezekiah H., b. in Union, November 29, 182 1; 
 m. Maria Rider, of Willington. 
 
 2. Waldo, b. in Union, January 26, 1823; m. Emily 
 
 Curtiss, of New Britain; d. 1873. 
 
 3. Philip, b. in Willington, October 26, 1824; m. 
 
 Francina T. Whiting, of New Britain (see 
 biographical sketch). 
 
 4. Lois, b. in Willington, October 5, 1826. 
 
 5. Frank, b. in Willington, January 26, 1828; m. 
 
 Mary Beckley, of New Britain. 
 
 6. Angerona, b. in Willington, January 22, 1830. 
 
 7. William, b. in Willington, September 29, 1831; 
 
 d. October 28, i860. 
 
 8. Andrew, b. in West Hartford, June 10, 1833; m. 
 
 Mary Moon, of New Britain. 
 
312 ■ GENEALOGIES. 
 
 9. George, b. in West Hartford, June 22, 1836 ; m. 
 Clara Greenleaf, of Boston, Mass. 
 10. Elbert E., b. in West Hartford, October 17, 
 1843; m. Charlotte Eckleford, of Philadel- 
 phia. 
 Others died very young. 
 
 Healy Corbin, son of Philip, married Nancy Coye, 
 daughter of David Coye, October 13, 1825. Their children 
 were : 
 
 Ch. I. Rhoby, b. September 19, 1826; d. August 19, 
 1827. 
 
 2. Lucy Rhoby, b. April 2, 1828; m. Philip F. 
 
 Gage, of Woodstock, August 31, 1853. She 
 married, second time, Ebenezer Byron Fos- 
 ter, of Union, who died November 14, 1862, 
 at Trinitv Soldiers' Hospital, Washington, 
 D. C. 
 
 3. Nancy Deliza, b. December 19, 1829; m. Edwin 
 
 W. Upham, November 12, 1848. 
 
 4. Mary Minerva, b. October 29, 1831; m. Lucius 
 
 Agard, February 13, 1854. 
 
 5. Rebecca, b. September 23, 1834; m. Stephen 
 
 Agard, October 23, 1856. 
 
 6. Maria, b. August 26, 1836; d. November 25^ 
 
 1836. 
 
 7. Elvira, b. June 14, 1838; m. Rev. George Curtiss, 
 
 January 13, 1864; d. May, 1875. 
 
 8. Miner Healy, b. December 27, 1840. 
 
 Healy Corbin removed to Brimfield in 1868. He died 
 October 21, 1878. 
 
 Nancy Corbin, his wife, died May 2, 1878. 
 
 Augustus Corbin, son of Philip, married Pamelia Pres- 
 ton and lived at Willington. 
 
 Ch. I. Cleora; lives in Vermont. 
 
 2. Sarah, m. Lysander Taft; d. in Norwich, Conn., 
 
 1890. 
 
 3. Silas; lives in Chicago, 111. 
 
HeaLY CORBIN. 
 
TEE CORBIN FAMILY. 
 
 Z^2> 
 
 4. Mary. 
 
 5. Persis; drowned. 
 
 Hermon Corbin, son of Philip, married, first time, 
 Calista Knowlton, who died September 19, 1846, aged 39. 
 By her he had three children. He then married Maria M. 
 Sherman, September 15, 1847, and had one child. She died 
 January 9, 1863, aged 41. He married, third time, Mrs. 
 Sarah E. Kenyon, April 28, 1869, and had one child. His 
 third wife died May 2, 1889. 
 
 Hermon Corbin died July 12, 1890, at Monson, Mass. 
 Ch. I. Lorette, b. April 6, 1834; m. Roswell Needham, 
 May 3, 1857. 
 Rhoby Amelia, b. June 29, 1838; m. Leverett 
 
 A. Snow, October 8, 1861. 
 Armena, b. March 4, 1842; m. William H. Hor- 
 
 ton, February 13, 1866. 
 Ann M., b. July 25, 185 1; m. Milton Young in 
 
 1871. 
 Alena Bell, b. October 29, 1870; m. Carlton 
 Hollingworth, of Staffordville, September 
 ro, 1890. 
 
 Samuel Merillo Coriun, son of Samuel, married May 
 20, 1841, Ann M. Stowell, of Clarksburg, Md. 
 
 Ch. I. Emma L., b. February 16, 1848; d. December 
 2, 1849. 
 2. Samuel P., b. August 3, 1849; d. December 17, 
 1849. 
 
 AuRELius O. Corbin, son of Samuel, married Ruth 
 Blodgett, March 29, 1848; lived at Springfield; was an 
 architect; died 1879. 
 
 Ch. I. Martha Jane, b. February i, 1849. 
 
 2. Harriet Maria, b. June 17, 1854. 
 
 3. Arthur Orville, b. March 15, i860. 
 
 Charles A. Corbin, son of Samuel, married Lovisa Law- 
 son, January 17, 1849. They lived first at East Hartford, 
 then at Vernon, and since at Wilbraham, Mass. 
 
314 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ch. I. Frederick Charles, b. March 22, 1850; d. Novem- 
 ber I, 1854/ 
 
 2. Alice Marilla, b. July 13, 1852; m. James 
 
 Dyson; have had 3 children. 
 
 3. Emma Minerva, b. October 29, 1855; m. James 
 
 Phelps; 3 children. 
 
 4. Harriet Louise, b. May 16, i860; d. January 20, 
 
 1861. 
 
 5. Elizabeth Charlotte, b. July 9, 1862; m. Ed. 
 
 Chapman; 2 children. 
 
 6. Edith Louise, b. October 29, 1864. 
 
 7. Annie Lavinia, b. June 15, 1868; m. Dana Pom- 
 
 eroy, of Springfield. 
 
 Philo Roderick Corbin, son of Samuel, married Emma 
 P. Converse, of Stafford, May 14, 1855. He lived at^Gales- 
 burg, 111. 
 
 Ch. I. Jennie S., b. March 31, 1855. 
 
 2. Arthur M., b. February 19, i860. 
 
 Henry Fielder Corbin, son of Samuel, married 
 Philanda W. Buck, of Pomfret, Conn., November 8, 1853. 
 Ch. I. Edward Merillo, b. August 5, 1854. 
 
 2. Ella Maria, b. October 27, 1861; m. August 18, 
 1886, Arthur Channing Barrows, of Provi- 
 dence, R. L; children, Florence Louise, b. 
 March 19, 1888; Raymond Corbin, b. March 
 8, 1889. 
 
 Edward M. Corbin, son of Henry, married Sarah 
 Hoyle, May i, 1880; lives at Putnam, Conn. 
 Ch. I. Frederick Merillo, b. July 29, 1882. 
 
 2. Harold Standish, b. March 4, 1888. 
 
 3. Harlie Inez, b. November 26, 1890. 
 
 Miner Healy Corbin, son of Healy, settled in Brimfield, 
 Mass., April 8, 1868. He married, first, Jane Betsey Dim- 
 mick (born at West Stafford, January i, 1849), March 24, 
 
HOWARD, HUNT. 375 
 
 Marvin Howard, son of Amos Howard of Eastford and 
 Mary Burley, daughter of Samuel, was born vSeptember 23, 
 1825. He came to Union and lived on the Fairbanks place. 
 He was a carpenter by trade. He was a steward and 
 trustee of the M. E. church at Mashapaug. He married 
 Betsey Maria Wales, daughter of Aaron Allen Wales, Octo- 
 ber 26, 1 85 1. He removed to Eastford, and died there 
 March 29, 1883. 
 
 Ch. I. Oscar Allen, b. September 11, 1852; m. Almena, 
 daughter of Sylvanus Battey of Stafford, 
 February 26, 1873. He worked making boxes 
 for Myron Kinney at Putnam, Conn., and 
 was killed by being caught in a belt and 
 drawn over a shafting, February 7, 1878. 
 He was a very worthy young man. He left 
 two children, (i) Cora Louise, b. July 29, 
 1875, and (2) Arthur Oscar, b. September 20, 
 1878; d. September 17, 1883. His widow 
 married Lowell Wilcox. 
 
 2. .Charles Amos, b. February 11, 1854; m. Novem- 
 
 ber 14, 1877, Emma Chamberlain, daughter of 
 William, of West Woodstock. They live in 
 Barre, Mass. Their daughter, Lena Maude, 
 was born October 25, 1878. 
 
 3. Philo Thomas, b. December 11, 1855; d. Sep- 
 
 tember 29, 1857. 
 
 4. Ernest Albert, b. April 17, i860; m. Etta Bes- 
 
 sey of Eastford, October 25, 1883. She died 
 September 12; 1887. He married, second, 
 Edith E. Swindell, January 14, 1891. 
 
 John Hunt, son of John of Rehoboth, came to Union in 
 1 77 1. His farm was that now owned by Henry Corbin. 
 He married, first, L5^dia Bullock of Worcester, April 2, 
 1775. She died May 3, 1790, and he married second, Anna 
 Weston of Willington, September 8, 1791. He was a Revo- 
 lutionary soldier, serving 20 months. 
 
376 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. April 21, 1776. 
 
 2. Lydia, b. March 9, 1780. 
 
 3. Salmon, b. March 5, 1782. 
 
 4. Susanna, b. March 24, 1785. 
 
 5. William, b. December 10, 1787. 
 
 6. Daniel, b. October 12, 1792. 
 
 7. Jerethmel, b. January 3, 1794. 
 
 8. Mary, b. June 14, 1795. 
 
 9. Ira, b. February 15, 1797; d. Aiigust 19, 1800. 
 10. Timothy Weston, b. July 18, 1799. 
 
 John Hunt moved to New York from Union. 
 
 Rev. Calvin Ingalls of West Stafford preached some 
 time as stated supply in Union. He was the son of Joseph 
 Ingalls and Sarah Abbott of Pomfret, Conn., and was born 
 November 22, 1760. He graduated at Dartmouth college 
 in 1792, was settled in West Stafford in December, 1796, 
 and dismissed in March, 1803. He died in W^est Stafford, 
 September 25, 1830. He married Mary Horton, eldest 
 child of Rev. Ezra Horton, May 28, 1795. She died at 
 Granby, Mass., May 12, 1833. 
 
 Ch. I. Catherine, b. June 12, 1796; m. Wm. Thompson, 
 December i, 1815; d. September 25, 1830. 
 2. Polly, b. June 11, 1800; m. Milo Knight, May 
 17, 1824. 
 
 Benjamin James came from Ashford to Union. He 
 bought land of Wm. Williams, March 3, 1795. He married 
 Cynthia Russell of Ashford, February 8, 1794. 
 
 Ch. I. Diana, b. October 15, 1794; d. March 6, 1796. 
 
 2. Benj. Reynolds, b. November 22, 1796; d. De- 
 
 cember 14, 1 7 19. 
 
 3. Jonathan, b. April 13, 1799; m. Permelia Moore, 
 
 November 24, 1824. 
 
 4. Hannah Diana, b. June 10, 1801; m. Ephraiin S. 
 
 Carpenter, February 15, 1827. 
 
JAMES. 
 
 377 
 
 5. Rhoda, b. March 27, 1803; m. David Fuller, 
 
 December 25, 1823. 
 
 6. Rebecca, b. March 17, 1805; m. Joseph Walker. 
 
 7. Betsey, b. March 30, 1807. 
 
 8. Josiah Russell, b. September 12, 1809. 
 
 9. Aaron Rathbone, b. Septeiiiber 26, 181 1; m. 
 
 Jerusha Brown. 
 10. Elisha Benjamin, b. January 28, 18 14. 
 
 JosiAH Russell James, son of Benjamin, married, first, 
 Almeda Campbell, daughter of Alexander; second, Lucre- 
 tia Watson, October 12, 1845. 
 Ch. I. Susan. 
 
 2. Charlotte. 
 
 3. Francis. 
 
 4. Lindsley, who died May 20, 187 1, aged 28. 
 
 Elisha B. Reynolds James, son of Benjamin (name 
 Reynolds added after the death of his brother of that 
 name), married Mary Ann Thomas of Willington, March 
 28, 1841. He died at Rockville, Conn., March 24, 1876, and 
 she died January 29, 1878. 
 
 Ch. I. Herbert Llewellyn, b. January 13, 1842; m. 
 Ann Frances Leavitt, October 10, 1865; had 
 4 children. 
 
 2. Sarah Maria, b. October 18, 1843; m. Lebbeus 
 
 E. Leavitt, December 17, 1878. 
 
 3. Albert Elisha, b. December 4, 185 1; d. August 
 
 4, 1854. 
 
 Herbert L. James, son of Elisha B. R. James, was born 
 in Willington, January it,, 1842. His father moved to Col- 
 chester in 1844, and to Rockville in 1854. He attended 
 school at Bacon Academy in Colchester, and the High 
 schools of Middletown and Rockville. In 1856 he entered 
 the employ of the Florence mills at Rockville, and steadily 
 rose from one position to another, being book-keeper, 
 assistant superintendent, treasurer, and agent. The last 
 
378 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 position he held from 187 1 till 1881, when the business was 
 sold to another company, White, Corbin & Co., envelope 
 manufacturers. He entered the employ of the Rock 
 Manufacturing Co., April i, 1881, as secretary and treas- 
 urer, which position he still holds. He is the general 
 manager of the business of the corporation. Mr. James is 
 one of the foremost business men of Rockville and is en- 
 thusiastic in promoting the welfare of the city. He is a 
 corporator and director of the Savings Bank of Rockville, 
 director of the First National Bank, president of the Rock- 
 ville Railroad Co., president of the Rockville Aqueduct 
 Co., member of the executive committee of the National 
 Association of Wool Manufacturers, etc , etc. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Union Congregational church of Rockville, and 
 its treasurer; also the treasurer of the Tolland County Con- 
 ference of Congregational Churches, and vice-president of 
 the Connecticut Temperance Union, and is interested in 
 every good work. 
 
 He married Ann Frances Leavitt, October 10, 1865. She 
 died February 12, 1890. 
 
 Ch. I. Howard Kellogg, b. July 20, 1867. Others died 
 young. 
 
 David Johnson lived south of the Willard Blodgett 
 place. He used to make barrels, tunnels, etc. He married 
 Huldah Walker, daughter of Simon. 
 
 Ch. I. Dinah, m. Lyman Thompson, October 3, 1833, 
 and had 2 children, David, and Flora, who m. 
 Rev. Alpheus Winter. Dinah Thompson 
 married, second, Daniel Freeman, October 
 24, 1842. 
 2. Huldah, b. September 28, 1820; m. David G. 
 Whittemore of Sturbridge, November 25, 
 
JOHNSON-KEYES. 379 
 
 Stephen Johnson came from Craftsbury, Vt., to South 
 Brimfield and then to Union in 1803, when he bought the 
 farm where Rev. Mr. Curtiss afterwards lived. He mar- 
 ried Hannah Davidson of Wales, August 13, 1798. 
 
 Ch. I. Aaron, m. Hunger; d. February 14, 1833; had 
 2 children, Lura, m. Dwight Dimmock, and 
 Freeman, d. February 15, 1828. 
 
 2. Truman. 
 
 3. Lyman, killed by the falling of a tree. 
 
 4. Dexter, lived at Southbridge; was intemperate. 
 
 John L. Kazan, son of John, was born November 10, 
 1810. He lived on the old Laflin place where Prosper 
 Smith afterwards did. He was twice married. He used 
 to lead the singing at Union for several years. He after- 
 wards went to New York. 
 
 Nathan Kelly came from Bellingham to Union, where 
 he was a merchant. He lived first opposite where Tim- 
 othy Newell now does, then between the graveyards. He 
 afterwards went to Providence, R. I. He married Olive 
 Bates. 
 
 Ch. I. Wing, b. May 13, 1807. 
 
 2. Francis, b. February 5, 181 o. 
 
 Solomon Keyes came to Union about 1784, and also his 
 brother Edward. He settled in the south part of town. 
 He married Elizabeth Bugbee. 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. July 18, 1781. 
 
 Cyril, b. November 14, 1782. 
 
 Edward Sumner, b. July 2, 1784. 
 
 Solomon. 
 
 Jeremiah. 
 
 Isaiah. 
 
 Persis. 
 
380 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 8. Htildah. 
 
 9. David. 
 
 Cyril Keyes, son of Solomon, lived a few years in 
 Union in the so-called Abbott house, where he was a mer- 
 chant. He married Margaret, daughter of Major David 
 Lawson, and had one child, Sarah Ann, born vSeptember 
 26, 1816. He afterwards lived at North Ashford. 
 
 THE KINNEY FAMILY. 
 
 Nathan Kinney came to Union from Sutton, Mass. In 
 the deed of John Rosebrooks of South Brimfield, dated 
 October i, 1773, conve3'ing land to Nathan Kinney, he was 
 said to be of Westboro, Mass. (T. R., Vol. 3, p. 139). This 
 land was situated north of the Bliss Hatch place. He lived 
 there first, then where his son Eleazar did. He married, 
 first, Abigail Williams, who died March 28, 1778; second, 
 Eunice; third, Anna Chaffee. 
 
 Ch. I. Joel, b. August i, 1769. 
 
 2. Eleazer, b. March 28, 177 1. 
 
 3. Ruth, b. August 14, 1772; m. Thomas Law- 
 
 son, Jr. 
 
 4. Lucy, b. December 4, 1774; m. David Coye. 
 
 5. John, b. May 30, 1776. 
 
 6. Alpheus, b. July 29, 1781. 
 
 7. Nathan, b. November 6, 1785; m. Roxa Thomp- 
 
 son. 
 
 8. David, b. March 28, 1789. 
 
 Joel Kinney, son of Nathan, married Chloe Coye, May 
 10, 1792. He died March 2, or 3, 1852. vShe died March 21, 
 1834. He lived on the place where George Chandler now 
 does, which he bought in 1796 of Nehemiah and Mary 
 Child of Woodstock. 
 
 Ch. I. Abigail, b. September 23, 1793; d. September 
 
 27, 1793- 
 
 2. Archibald, b. October 24, 1794. 
 
 3. Daniel, b. March 11, 1798; d. March 12, 1798. 
 
THE KINNEY FAMILY. 381 
 
 4. Elizabeth, b. March 16, 1800; d. in infancy. 
 
 5. Elizabeth, b. September 26, 1801; m. Moses C. 
 
 Sessions. 
 
 6. Nathan, b. November 28, 1803. 
 
 7. * Elisha, b. October 11, 1808. 
 
 8. Danforth, b. November 30, 1809. 
 
 9. Horace, b. March 22, 1814. 
 
 Eleazar Kinney, son of Nathan, lived first on the Major 
 David Lawson place, then on the place northwest of the 
 Jesse Hall place, then opposite the house where Timothy 
 Newell now lives. He married Mary Paul, daughter of 
 Matthew. 
 
 Ch. I. Abigail, b. March 18, 1792; d. April 5, 1792. 
 
 2. Elijah. 
 
 3. Elisha. 
 
 4. Paul. 
 
 Mary, wife of Eleazar Kinney, died February 9, 1848, 
 aged 2>T^. He married again in his old age, May 21, 1849, 
 Mrs. Phebe Moore, relict of Ichabod Moore. He died 
 March 31, 1850, aged 79. 
 
 John Kinney, son of Nathan, married Rhoda Cham- 
 berlain, June 16, 181 1. 
 
 Ch. I. Lovice, b. November 21, 181 2. 
 
 Permelia, b. July 10, 1814; d. January 16, 1815. 
 Truman, b. July i, 1815. 
 Miram, b. February 23, 1818. 
 John, b. August 30, 1819. 
 
 Alpheus Kinney, son of Nathan, married Lucy Eaton, 
 daughter of John. 
 
 Ch. I. Warren, b. August 14, 1804. 
 
 Orren Jefferson, b. February 12, 1806. 
 Friend Scott, b. November 10, 1808. 
 Mary Malacy, b. January 29, 181 1. 
 David, b. January 5, 1813. 
 Sanford, b. March 13, 1815. 
 
382 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Archibald Kinney, son of Joel, went to Portland, Conn., 
 where he taught school very successfully for twenty-five 
 years. His pupils became scattered from the Atlantic to 
 the Pacific, but they all testify to the good they received 
 from him. Many prominent men among them have said 
 that all that they are they owe to Mr. Kinney. Among his 
 pupils were David Davis, who became a U. S. Senator from 
 Illinois, and Edward Nichols, who became a Rear Admiral 
 in the U. S. Navy. He is remembered with great respect 
 and affection by the people of Portland. He was a man of 
 great dignity, reserved in manner, never giving an opinion 
 on an important subject until he had given it careful con- 
 sideration, and then he was as firm as a rock in his belief. 
 He represented the town of Portland in the Legislature one 
 term, and was for a long time a member of the school 
 board. In 1844 he moved to Suffield, Conn., where he con- 
 tinued his educational work. He died March 10, 1867. 
 
 He married Sarah Ranney, October 28, 182 1. She died 
 January 27, 1890. 
 
 Ch. I. Timothy W., b. July 22, 1822; died December 
 28, 1885. 
 
 2. Sarah Olive, b. August 13, 1826. 
 
 3. Elizabeth Coy, b. June 16, 1828; d. May 20, 1838. 
 
 Nathan Kinney, son of Joel, lived at first where his 
 father did (where Geo. Chandler now does), then built the 
 house by the mills where he afterwards resided. He mar- 
 ried Lucy Wales, daughter of Gideon. He died by drown- 
 ing January 5, 1852, aged 48. His widow died December 
 22, 1863. 
 
 Ch. I. Ann Eliza, b. April i, 1851; m. Robert Bruce 
 Paul, March 16, 1852. 
 
 2. M3^ron, b. Februar)^ 24, 1833. 
 
 3. Maria Jane, b. February 12, 1835; m. Edward 
 
 C. Chamberlain, May 24, 1859. 
 
 4. Milton Horace, b. July 9, 1837. 
 
 5. Albert H., b. August 15, 1839; m. Abby Olney, 
 
 January 14, 1864. 
 
THE KINNEY FAMILY. 383 
 
 6. Esther H., b. May 6, 1842; m. Ripley Chamber- 
 lain, March 14, 1861. 
 
 Ei.isHA Kinney, son o£ Joel, lived at Holland and kept 
 the hotel there. He married Mary Ann Marcy, August 25, 
 1833 (or 1832). He died August 23, 1888, aged 83. She 
 died February 5, 1881, aged 68. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary A. E., b. November 10, 1834; m. Francis 
 Wight and had two children, George H., b. 
 September 9, 1855; d. September 13, 1855, 
 and Everett E. K., b. July, 1858; d. March 7, 
 i860. 
 2. Francis E., b. February 14, 1841. 
 
 Danforth Kinney, son of Joel, lived in Thompson. He 
 was a carpenter. He married Jane W. Holmes of Wood- 
 stock, March 21, 1833. She died January 27, 1891. He died 
 August 27, 1880. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles H., b. May 5, 1834; m. Maria Burton; 
 went to Illinois. 
 
 2. Elmira L., b. October 28, 1835; m. Artemus 
 
 Corbin; live in Putnam. 
 
 3. Harriet F., b. December 16, 1837 ; m. J. N. Kings- 
 
 bury of Webster. Three children. 
 
 4. Sarah E., b. October 6, 1839; m. Augustine Bar- 
 
 rett of Woodstock, September 19, 1861. 
 Seven children. 
 
 5. Ellen M., b. October 31, 1841; m. John Williams, 
 
 April I, 1862. They live in Providence. 
 
 Horace Kinney, son of Joel, lived in Stafford. He mar- 
 ried Melicent B. Marcy, March 24, 1839. 
 
 Ch. I. Miner C, b. June 11, 1841; m. Ann Hamilton, 
 January 17, 1871; d. February i, 1881. 
 
 2. Horace M., b. May 16, 1845; d. December 11, 
 
 1848. 
 
 3. Omer B., b. April 24, 1850; d. January 11, 1855. 
 
 4. Melicent E., b. May 11, 1859; d. July 15, 1861. 
 
384 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Elijah Kinney, son of Eleazar, married Mary (Polly) 
 Horton, daughter of Dea. Ezra, ]\Iay 31, 1821. They went 
 to Wisconsin. She died at Ft. Atkinson, Wis., March 7, 
 1840. 
 
 Ch. I. Elisha Edwin, b. September 25, 1822; d. March 
 27, 1828. 
 
 2. Mary Olive, b. December 12, 1823; d. June 6, 
 
 1859. 
 
 3. Harrison, b. July 7, 1825. 
 
 4. Eli Edwin, b. July 20, 1827. 
 
 5. Decatur, b. October 30, 1830; d. September 18, 
 
 1832. 
 
 6. Fidelia, b. January 25,1834; m. Joseph A. Shep- 
 
 ard, a lawyer, at San Diego, Cal., and clerk 
 of A. E. Horton. 
 
 Paul Kinney, son of Eleazar, married Mary Barrett of 
 Woodstock. 
 
 Ch. I. William P. 
 
 2. Mary, m. Marcus Town of Thompson. 
 
 3. Henry. 
 
 4. Emily, b. February 13, 1833; m. Otis Barret of 
 
 Woodstock, August 16, 1848; d. December 20, 
 1874; had 10 children. 
 
 5. Libeus A. 
 
 6. Joseph, d. June 17, 1844; was the first person 
 
 buried in the north cemetery in Union. 
 
 Myron Kinney, son of Nathan, lived in Union till 1878, 
 and was engaged in an extensive lumber and box-manu- 
 facturing business. In that year he moved to Putnam, 
 Conn., where he now has a lumber yard. He was one of 
 the best citizens of Union and a staunch upholder of every- 
 thing good. He was elected deacon of the Congregational 
 church at Union in 1863, and is now a deacon in the Con- 
 gregational church at Putnam, where he is held in high 
 respect by all who know him. 
 
THE KINNEY FAMILY. 385 
 
 He married Mary Jane Corbin, daughter of Dea. Penuel 
 Corbin of West Woodstock, January 5, 1864. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary L., b. March 3, 1865; d. March 6, 1865. 
 
 2. Emma Jane, b. March 21, 1866. graduated at the 
 
 Putnam High School in 1886, and at the Con- 
 necticut State Normal School at New Britain 
 in 1890. She is now engaged in teaching. 
 
 3. Ellen Lucy, b. March 29, i868, graduated at the 
 
 Putnam High School in 1886, and at the 
 State Normal School in 1890. She is also 
 engaged in teaching. 
 
 4. Etta Louise, b. April 7, 1870, graduated at Put- 
 
 nam High School in 1889. 
 
 5. Elbert Corbin, b. July 24, 1873. 
 
 Maria J. Kinney, daughter of Nathan, married Edward 
 C. Chamberlain of Woodstock, May 24, 1859. 
 
 Ch. I. Edward L., b. April 20, i860; m. May E. Stone 
 of Woodstock, June- 5, 1890. 
 
 2. George B., b. January 23, 1862; d. November 13, 
 
 1865. 
 
 3. Moses G., b. April 14, 1864; d. November 18, 
 
 1865. 
 
 4. Myron Kinney, b. May 19, 1866. 
 
 5. George E., b. February 17, 1872. 
 
 6. Carl B., b. January 19, 1875. 
 
 Milton H. Kinney, son of Nathan, with his brother 
 Myron, was engaged in the lumber business at the mills 
 for a number of years. In 1867 he moved to Mashapaug 
 and became a member of the firm of Corbin, Tourtellotte& 
 Co., and later Corbin & Kinney, in the business of manu- 
 facturing boots and shoes and dealing in general mer- 
 chandise. Mr. Kinney has held many town offices, and 
 was deputy sheriff a number of years and represented the 
 town in Legislature in 187 1. In 1890 he removed to Stafford 
 Springs. He is a man of strict integrity, good business 
 ability, and is very highly esteemed by all who know him. 
 25 
 
386 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 The town loses much when such men as he and his brother 
 move away. 
 
 He married Martha Moore, daughter of Charles Wesley 
 Moore of Ellington. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles Milton, b. October 3, 187 1; d. August 
 16, 1873. 
 
 2. Carlos Moore, b. July 3, 1874; d. August 25, 1874. 
 
 3. Mattie Josephine, b. December 26, 1876. 
 
 They adopted Nettie Elizabeth Hall, daughter of Phi- 
 lander Hall of Vernon. vShe was born November 13, 1867, 
 and married Corey Weld, son of Albert Weld, October, 
 1887. 
 
 Albert Kinney, son of Nathan, married Abbie Olney, 
 January 14, 1859. 
 
 Ch. I. Arthur D., b. December 12, 1865; d. June 4, 
 1889. 
 
 2. Mary E., b. November 28, 1869. 
 
 3. Winnifred M., b. April 12, 1876. 
 
 Esther Kinney, daughter of Nathan, married Ripley 
 Chamberlain of Woodstock, March 14, 1861. 
 
 Ch. I. Esther Anna, b. April i, 1863; m. Frank A. 
 Shepard of Southbridge, October 27, 1880. 
 
 2. John Chandler, b. May 12, 1865; d. October 5, 
 
 1865. 
 
 3. Willie Ripley, b. April 29, 1867; d. May i, 1867. 
 
 4. Everett Milton, b. December 8, 1868; d. Novem- 
 
 ber 15, 1874. 
 
 5. Albert Wales, b. September 5, 1872. 
 
 6. Charles Bertie, b. October 26, 1876; d. Novem- 
 
 ber 25, 1880. 
 
 7. Lizzie Jane, b. November 6, 1880. 
 
 8. Milton Kinney, b. December 7, 1887. 
 
 Francis E. Kinney, son of Elisha of Holland, married 
 Olivia Parker, daughter of Sumner Parker of Brimfield, 
 December 29, 1869. He died by drowning, March 10, 1890. 
 
THE KINNEY FAMILY-LANQDON. 387 
 
 Ch. I. Mabel Parker, b. January 22, 1871; d. January 
 29, 1871. 
 Oscar Francis, b. October 7, 1872. 
 Walter Earl, b. September 10, 1874. 
 
 4. Grace Melicent, b. December 9, 1876. 
 
 5. Sumner'Parker, b. July 13, 1880. 
 
 6. Frank Milton, b. October 28, 1882. 
 
 Charles H. Kinney, son of Danforth, married Marie B. 
 Burton, April 17, 1856. She was born April 6, 1834. 
 
 Ch. I. Clarence Henry, b. April 17, 1856; m. Nancy M. 
 Emerson, August 17, 1885. They have three 
 children. 
 
 Wm. p. Kinney, son of Paul, married Eunice A. Bowen. 
 Ch. I. Charles E., b. April 9, 1870. 
 2. George, b. vSeptember 2, 1885. 
 
 Henry Kinney, son of Paul, married Lucy M. Chase of 
 Whitefield, Me., July 18, 1878. 
 
 LiBEUs A. Kinney, son of Paul, married Harriet Med- 
 bury of Putnam. 
 Ch. I. Ella. 
 
 2. Lewellyn. 
 
 3. Ora. 
 
 Lieut. Paul Langdon, the seventh child and fifth son 
 of Philip Langdon, of Boston, a mariner, was one of the 
 early settlers in Union. He bought land of Joseph Rey- 
 nolds, of Bristol, R. L, in 1736. The lot was No. 9, of the 
 home lots. 
 
 He was a man of great energy of character, a carpenter, 
 millwright, and farmer. He was town clerk during the 
 years 1736, 1739, and 1740. He was secretary of the pro- 
 prietors of Union lands, and was appointed chorister by 
 vote of the town. He moved from Union to Wilbraham, 
 to which place he brought the first four-wheeled wagon, 
 
388 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 the same in which he had moved his family and worldly 
 goods from Salem to Hopkinton, and to Union. 
 
 His wife's name was Mary Stacy, whom he married 
 August i8, 1 718. He had seven children, the oldest of 
 whom, Mary (b. 17 19), married Henry Badger, of Union. 
 Only the two youngest were born in Union, Elizabeth and 
 Anna. They both died in 1840. A son, Paul, was a cap- 
 tain in the Revolutionary army. A nephew of Lieut. Paul 
 Langdon, Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D., was president of 
 Harvard College. 
 
 John Laflin came from St owe, Mass., to Union, where 
 he bought land in 1740, the place where Prosper Smith 
 lived. He married Susannah Colbraith. 
 
 Ch. I. James, b. April 8, 1747; m. Rebecca Ward, Jan- 
 uary 31, 1782. 
 
 2. Mary, b. February 13, 1749; rn. first, Edmund 
 
 Merriam, November 27, 1788; second, Samuel 
 Webber. 
 
 3. John, b. May 5, 1752; m. Elizabeth Kent, of 
 
 West vSuffield, October 31, 1774; d. a vaga- 
 bond. 
 
 4. Abraham, b. January 26, 1754; m. Elizabeth 
 
 Paul, December 16, 1780. 
 
 5. Susanna, b. July 24, 1755; m. Samuel Barthole- 
 
 mew. 
 
 6. Samuel, b. April 7, 1757; m. Martha Carpenter, 
 
 January 10, 1782. 
 
 7. Hannah, b. November 10, 1758; m. Benjamin 
 
 Walker, April 10, 1777. 
 
 8. Nancy, b. xA^pril 5, 1760; d. March 27, 1783. 
 
 9. Lucy, b. February 2, 1762; m. Jacob Burley. 
 John Laflin and his four sons all served in the Revolu- 
 tionary army. 
 
 LARNED FAMILY. 
 
 Capt. Abijah Earned, came from Thompson, Conn., 
 and bought land of Ebenezer Wales, afterwards his father- 
 
THE LAWSON FAMILY. 
 
 389 
 
 in-law, March 24, 1753. He lived on what is sometimes 
 called the Hatch place. 
 
 He was a prominent citizen, being selectman for a num- 
 ber of years. He moved to Northumberland, now Colum- 
 bia, N. H., where he died. He married Anne Wales, daugh- 
 ter of Dea. Ebenezer Wales, December 31, 1753. 
 
 Ch. I. David, b. July 28, 1754. 
 
 2. Abel, b. March 23, 1756. 
 
 3. Eunice, b. vSeptember 20, 1757; d. August 21, 
 
 1758. 
 
 4. Abijah, b. February 2, 1760. 
 
 5. James, b. November 18, 1761. 
 
 6. Silvanus, b. May 26, 1763. 
 
 7. Irene, b. February 25, 1765. 
 
 8. Royal, b. February 28, 1767. 
 
 9. Anna, b. April 2, 1769; d. September 4, 1770. 
 
 10. Anna, baptized October 27, 177 1. 
 
 11. Ebenezer, baptized October 6, 1776. 
 
 THE LAWSON FAMILY. 
 
 John Lawson, the third settler of Union, was born in 
 Lithlingow, Scotland, in the year 1678. His wife, Janet 
 Young, was born in the same place in 1694. 
 
 They came to this country about 1724, with three young 
 children. They were intending to settle in Pennsylvania, 
 but were shipwrecked off the coast of Nova Scotia, and lost 
 all their effects. They found their way to Worcester, Mass., 
 where they lived a short time. Here their son Thomas, who 
 afterwards became prominent in town, was born in the 
 year 1727. They came to Union in 1728, when the infant 
 Thomas was six months old. John Lawson bought of 
 William McNall one hundred acres of land, for which he 
 gave a two-year old colt. This tract, on which he lived the 
 remainder of his life, is situated in the south part of town, 
 where his grandson, Major David Lawson, afterwards 
 resided. John Lawson died November 14, 1774, aged 96 
 years. Janet Young, his wife, died October 29, 1781. Their 
 daughter Phebe, was the first white child born in Union. 
 
390 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 The children of John and Janet Young Lawson were: 
 Ch. I. Rebecca, b. August 14, 1719; m. Robert Maklem; 
 went to Pelham, Mass. 
 
 2. Issabel, b. April 4, 1721; m. William Nelson of 
 
 Brimfield. 
 
 3. John, b. June 30, 1724. 
 
 4. Thomas, b. November 2, 1727. 
 
 5. Phebe, b. June 30, 1731; she is said to have 
 
 taught school until she was 50 years of age, 
 and then married Joseph Mann, of Hebron. 
 
 6. Mary, b. November 4, 1733; m. Matthew Paul, 
 
 November 13, 1755. 
 
 7. Martha, b. December 12, 1735; m. David Brat- 
 
 ten, of Palmer. 
 
 8. Samuel, b. August 16, 1740; d. September 9, 
 
 1747- 
 
 John Lawson, Jr., married Mary Brown, September 12, 
 1 75 1. He lived in the south part of town near the Major 
 David Lawson place. 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. November 12, 1752; m. Keziah AVhit- 
 ney, June 5, 1781. 
 
 2. Samuel, b. July 2, 1756. 
 
 3. Thomas, b. January 7, 1758. 
 
 4. Ebenezer, b. January 26, 1760. 
 
 5. Joseph, b. May 9, 1764. 
 
 6. Rhoda, b. November 10, 1766. 
 
 7. Sarah, b. February 24, 1769. 
 
 8. Matthew, b. February 24, 1771; m. Rebecca 
 
 Ross, February 19, 1795. 
 
 9. James, b. May 28, 1775. 
 
 • Thomas Lawson, son of John Lawson, Sr., afterwards 
 became captain of the militia in Union, and led a company 
 to Cambridge after the Lexington Alarm; to the capture 
 of Burgoyne; to the defense of New London, and other 
 places. He became a large land-holder, owning the best 
 timber land in the town. He was selectman for a number 
 
THE LAWSON FAMILY. 
 
 391 
 
 of years, and held other town offices. He married Esther 
 Paul, daughter of Robert Paul, December 31, 1754. 
 
 Thomas Lawson died January 5, 1825; Esther Paul, his 
 wife died January 22, 1804. 
 
 Ch. I. Hannah, b. June 22, 1756; d. June 22, 1756. 
 
 2. Margaret, b. May 19, 1757; d. April 18, 1758. 
 
 3. Robert, b. January 11, 1759. 
 
 4. Mehitable,b. March 17, 176 1 ; m. Stephen Bugbee. 
 
 5. David, b. February 17, 1763. 
 
 6. Martha, b. March 19, 1765; m. John Moore, March 
 
 29, 1787. 
 
 7. Esther, b. February 7, 1767; m. Alpheus Twist, 
 
 February 3, 1795. 
 
 8. Thomas, b. March 22, 1769. 
 
 Ebenezer Lawson, son of John, Jr., married Elizabeth. 
 He was a blacksmith and lived in humble circumstances. 
 Ch. I. Jane Brown, b. September 28, 1795. 
 
 2. Sessions; went to Bolton, Conn., where he 
 
 became prominent. 
 
 3. Roxana, m. Rev. Stephen Hiscock. 
 
 4. Nicholas. 
 
 6. Casper Lavater, m. Abigail Bolles, daughter of 
 Lemuel, September 25, 1831. They had two 
 children, Nancy Elizabeth, born November 
 19, 1832, and Casper Munroe, born December 
 8, 1835- 
 
 Robert Lawson, son of Capt. Thomas Lawson, was a 
 very prominent citizen. He was for a long time town clerk 
 and principal land surveyor. In this way he became fam- 
 iliar with the history of all the families and homesteads in 
 Union and to some extent in the surrounding towns. He 
 was a soldier of the Revolution. He married, January 30, 
 1783, AnnaHorton, daughter of Rev. Ezra Horton. Robert 
 Lawson died April 19, 1835. Anna Horton Lawson died 
 December 14, 1841. 
 
 Ch. I. Margaret, b. December 3, 1783; m. Nathan How- 
 
392 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 ard; removed to Pennsylvania; d. May 22, 
 1847. 
 
 2. Susannah, b. June 3, 1786; d. February 8, 1857. 
 
 3. Paul, b. March 31, 1789. 
 
 4. Phebe, b. February 12, 1792; m. Lyman Moore; 
 
 removed to New York; d. April 3, 1868. 
 
 5. Ira, b. July 4, 1796. 
 
 6. David, b. July 8, 1800. 
 
 7. Esther, b. March 14, 1803; m. John Moore. 
 
 8. Mary, b. March 14, 1803; m. Roswell Blodgett. 
 
 Major David Lawson, son of Thomas, was also a soldier 
 in the Revolution. Captain Lawson was so zealous in his 
 patriotism that he caused his son David to enlist as soon 
 as he was of proper age, thinking that the war might con- 
 tinue many years, although it was really near its close. 
 Major Lawson was one of the guards of Major Andre while 
 a prisoner. 
 
 Sidney Stanley, Esq., of Hartford, long a clerk in the 
 office of the Secretary of State and as familiar as any one 
 with the Revolutionary archives, says that when Major 
 Lawson was Representative in 1833 and 1834, no soldier 
 of the Revolution had served in this office for several years, 
 and he was the last Revolutionary soldier in the Legisla- 
 ture, and probably the last who served the state in any 
 office whatsoever. He lived in the south part of town on 
 the farm which still goes by his name. When he owned it, 
 it was said to be one of the best farms in town. 
 
 He married Sarah Moore, daughter of John, August i, 
 1786. He died January 19, 1836. His wife, Sarah, died July 
 31, 1858, aged 92. 
 
 Ch. I. Amv, b. January 27, 1787; m. Nathaniel New- 
 ell, Jr. 
 
 2. Margaret, b. October 19, 1790; m. C3^ril Keyes. 
 
 3. Caleb, b. March 11, 1792; d. June 29, 1792. 
 
 4. Sarah Ann, b. December 6, 1806; d. March 13^ 
 
 1810. 
 
THE LAW>^ON FAMILY. 
 
 393 
 
 Thomas Lawson, son of Capt. Thomas, lived east of Bige- 
 low pond, where William Thayer recently did. He married 
 Ruth Kinney, daughter of Nathan, January i, 1795. 
 
 He died December 20, 1819, aged 50. His widow, Ruth, 
 married Jonathan Blanchard, of Monson, Mass., October 6, 
 1828. 
 
 Ch. I. Esther, b. May 6, 1799; m. Nehemiah Houghton. 
 
 Dea. Paul Lawson, son of Robert, like his father, was 
 a land surveyor. He served at New London in the war of 
 1812. He became deacon of the Congregational church in 
 1835. He married Lydia Holman, daughter of Thomas, 
 December 9, 1824. Several years after their marriage he 
 bought of Rufus Holman the place where he afterwards 
 lived. He was a man of high Christian character, a pillar 
 in the church at Union, and always ready to visit and 
 assist the sick or afflicted. During the last part of his life 
 he was almost totally blind. He died September 27, 187 1. 
 Lydia, his wife died June 29, 1889. 
 
 Ch. I. Lovisa, b. December 9, 1826; m. Charles A. 
 
 Corbin, January 17, 1849; lives at Wilbra- 
 
 ham. 
 
 2. Paul Clinton, b. September 2, 1828. 
 
 3. Esther Calista, b. January 16, 1830; d. at 
 
 Union, July 14, 1878. 
 
 4. Edwin Newton, b. January 26, 1832. 
 
 5. Justus Vinton, b. April 4, 1834; he was a youth 
 
 of promise and was preparing for the min- 
 istry at Madison University, Hamilton, N.Y., 
 when he was taken sick with typhoid fever, 
 came home and died, August 13, 1854. 
 
 6. Minerva, b. March 18, 1837; m. Robert Smilie, 
 
 October 24, 1866. They now live in Spring- 
 field, 111. They had two children who died. 
 
 7. Lydia Ann, b. November 15, 1839; d. March 26, 
 
 1840. 
 
 8. Susan, b. July 10, 1843; d. October i, 185S. 
 
 9. George Milton, b. August 22, 1847. 
 
394 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ira Lawson, son of Robert, married, first, Amy H. 
 Remington, daughter of Peleg of Cronston, R. I. She died 
 June 29, 1836. He married, second, Ann Bartlett of East- 
 ford, January 15, 1837. He died November 25, 1865. His 
 wife, Ann, died February 23, i860. 
 
 Ch. I. Thomas, b. August 6, 1822; d. at Cincinnati, O., 
 January 11, 1843. 
 
 2. Julia Ann, b. June 3, 1824; m. Origin Prescott; 
 
 lived at Litchfield, Minn.; d. about 1883. 
 
 3. Robert, b. May 8, 1827; went to sea for several 
 
 years; m. Eleanor Ann Harris, February 3, 
 1849. They live in New Bedford, Mass., and 
 have one son, Robert Clinton, who married 
 Emma Crawford, daughter of Ossian. 
 
 4. Caroline, b. May 29, 1828; d. August 6, 1831. 
 
 5. Adeline, b. March 31, 1830; m. Walter Alexan- 
 
 der, January 10, 1849; d. at Nashville, Tenn., 
 June, 1854. 
 
 6. Emeline, b. March 28, 1832; m. Horace Randall 
 
 of Woodstock. The}^ went west and lived 
 at Monticello, Minn., and at Millbank, South 
 Dakota. In 1892 they returned to South 
 Woodstock. They had two sons, Adfor and 
 Olin, who died in 1881. 
 
 7. Ira Remington, b. April 25, 1834; lives with 
 
 the Shakers at West Pittsfield, Mass. He is 
 their trustee, having the management of 
 their financial interests, and is highly re- 
 spected and esteemed by them. 
 
 8. Daniel Webster, b. January 12, 1838; m. first, 
 
 Eliza Clark; lives at Auburn, N. Y.; has 
 been married a second time and has several 
 children. He is a most excellent man and 
 is highly respected. 
 
 9. Amy Heflin, b. September 25, 1839; m., first, 
 
 Amasa Trowbridge of Eastford. He per- 
 ished in a burning building at Seymour, 
 Conn. vShe married, second, Erastus Horton, 
 
THE LAWSON FAMILY. 395 
 
 who died at New Haven in May, 1890. 
 She has one son, Alfred T. Horton, with 
 whom she now resides at Millbank, vSouth 
 Dakota. 
 
 10. John Fields, b. May 24, 1841; lives at Anburn, 
 
 N. Y., and has a family. 
 
 11. Thomas Ansel, b. July 3, 1844; he was a prom- 
 
 ising youth, but died in the army at New- 
 bern, N. C, April 13, 1862. 
 
 12. Caroline, b. May 27, 1847; m. Henry Haskell 
 
 Hall in 1880; went to Iowa; died in 1888, 
 leaving two sons. 
 
 David Lawson of Union, son of Robert, was a well- 
 known citizen of the town for many years. He always 
 lived on the old place where his ancestors had lived before 
 him. He was a man of strict religious and moral princi- 
 ples, although on account of a strong dissatisfaction with 
 the location of the new church, he was not accustomed to 
 attend worship. He held many offices in town during his 
 long life here. During the latter part of his life he was 
 almost universally called "Uncle David." He married 
 Polly Corbin, daughter of David Corbin, November 17, 
 1844. He died February 7, 1881. 
 
 Paul Clinton Lawson, son of Paul, married Almira E. 
 vShepard, daughter of Samuel of Sturbridge, February 12, 
 1 85 1. They lived first at Brimfield, then at Woodstock till 
 about 1875, when they moved to Southbridge, where they 
 have since resided. 
 
 Ch. I. Maria Eva, b. January 14, 1852; m. John Craw- 
 ley. 
 
 2. Frank Edward, b. March 26, 1853. 
 
 3. Adelaide Grace, b. April 29, 1855; m. Augustus 
 
 Bagley, who died in 1889. 
 
 4. Frederick Samuel, b. April 19, 1857; m. Lulu 
 
 Smith; lives in Southbridge. 
 
 5. Roger Clinton, b. June 30, 1863. 
 
 6. Jennie Martha, b. July 4, 1866. 
 
396 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 7. Almira Fannie, b. April 7, 1869; m. Harry Old- 
 ham of Southbridge, August, 1892. They 
 reside in Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Dea. Edwin Newton Lawson, son of Paul, has always 
 lived on the home place, the fourth generation (in the 
 Holman line) of those who have lived there. He was 
 elected deacon of the church at Union, vSeptember 4, 1863. 
 He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for more 
 than twenty years, and is one of the principal sustainers 
 of the church. He married Sarah E. Corbin, daughter of 
 Dea. Penuel of Woodstock, February 25, 1861. She died 
 December 31, 1885. He owns one of the best farms in 
 town and has demonstrated that farming even in Union 
 will pay if rightly managed. 
 
 Ch. I. George Newton, b. July 2, 1865, graduated from 
 the Hitchcock Free High School, Brimfield, 
 Mass., in 1885; from Yale College in 1890, 
 and from the Yale Medical School in 1892. 
 He is now practicing medicine in Middle 
 Haddam, Conn. 
 
 2. Harvey Merrill, b. January 31, 1868; graduated 
 
 from the Hitchcock Free High School at 
 Brimfield in 1886, from the Sheffield Scien- 
 tific School of Yale University in 1890, and 
 from the Yale Divinity School in 1893; ap- 
 pointed a missionary of the A. B. C. F. ]\I. 
 to India, February 21, 1893; ordained at New 
 Haven, May 18, 1893; married Dedie S. Bald- 
 win, of New Haven, May 23, 1893. 
 
 3. Mary Eva, b. December 19, 187 1. 
 
 4. Susie Minerva, b. April 4, 1874; graduated 
 
 from the Hitchcock Free High School in 
 1892. 
 
 George M. Lawson, son of Paul, lives in Springfield, 111. 
 He married Mattie Anderson, November, 187 1. 
 Ch. I. Edith Minnie, b. September 8, 1872. 
 2. Laura Grace, b. January 30, 1876. 
 
 ^ 
 
KEV. HARVEY M. LAWSON. 
 
LELAND, THE LEONARD FAMILY. 397 
 
 3. Charles Edwin, b. March 14, 1878. 
 
 4. Clara Marion, b. April 13, 1883. 
 
 5. Paul Thomas, b. October 30, 1887. 
 
 JosiAH Leland came from Palmer to Union about 1845, 
 and lived at Mashapaug where Mr. Winch now does. He 
 was engaged in the manufacture of axe-handles, having a 
 patent machine for the process, which he obtained from a 
 Mr. Blanchard of Palmer. The business was profitable, 
 and starting with nothing, Mr. Leland acquired a consid- 
 erable fortune. His factory was located near where Mr. 
 Winch's shop now stands. It was twice burned. When 
 running in full blast it gave employment to as many as 
 thirty men. 
 
 Josiah Leland married, first, Sophia, who died Decem- 
 ber 28, 1824; second, Almira, who died January 21, 1841, 
 aged 39; third, Miranda Neff. He died July 27, 1855. 
 Ch. I, Emilus, lived in Hartford. 
 By second wife — 
 
 2. George A., liyed in New York city. 
 
 3. Henry J. 
 
 4. Dexter G., d. November 21, 1835, aged 2 years. 
 
 5. Dexter C, was a lieutenant in the 6ist Regi- 
 
 ment of New York Volunteers. He was 
 taken sick, came home and died, November 
 29, 1862, aged 25. 
 By third wife — 
 
 6. John Sherman, died about 1879. 
 
 THE LEONARD FAMILY. 
 
 Daniel Leonard, Sr., the son of Jacob, was born at 
 Taunton, Mass., March 28, 1773. He married Mehitable 
 Hicks, born in Rehobeth, Mass., February 11, 1771. They 
 lived first at Woodstock, afterwards at Stafford, near the 
 Street. From the latter place he moved to Union, about 
 1814, where he settled in the southeast part of town, on the 
 Olney place. Here he built a blacksmith's shop and worked 
 
398 GENE A LOGIES. 
 
 at that trade in connection with agricultural employments. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Leonard struggled nobly to bring up their 
 large family of children and give them as many advantages 
 as possible. Daniel Leonard died March 28, 1842, aged 69. 
 His wife died Februar}^ 9, 1853, aged 83. They are buried 
 in the East cemetery. 
 Their children were: 
 Ch. I. Halsey, b. at Woodstock, in 1795. 
 
 2. George, b. at Woodstock, April 9, 1798. 
 
 3. Daniel, b. at Woodstock, October 6, 1800. 
 
 4. Rhoda, b. at Woodstock, September 9, 1803; m. 
 
 Stephen Paine, and had 3 children, Milton, 
 Olive and John. vShe died in 187 1. 
 
 5. Lucinda, b. at Stafford, June 12, 1806; m. Adams 
 
 Stewart, of AVales, Mass., and had 6 children. 
 
 6. Moses Gage, b. at Stafford, July 10, 1809. (See 
 
 biographical sketch). 
 
 7. Darius, b. at Stafford, December 24, 181 1; m. 
 
 Isabel Spencer, by whom he had 3 children. 
 He married twice afterwards. He was a 
 respected farmer at Lebanon, Conn. He d. 
 in 1889. 
 
 8. Mary, b. at Union, May 14, 1816; m. Silas P. 
 
 Allen. 
 
 Halsey Leonard, son of Daniel, lived in the western 
 part of Woodstock. He was many years deacon of the Bap- 
 tist church at West Woodstock. He died in Michigan, aged 
 92. He married Lavinia Corbin, daughter of Joseph, of 
 Woodstock, August 17, 1823. 
 
 Ch. I. Lavinia, m. William Preston, of Eastford. She 
 now (1892) lives in Michigan, and has had 6 
 children. 
 2. One child died in infancy. 
 
 George Leonard lived where his father did, east of Dea. 
 Burley's, where he built a new house and three barns, two 
 having been struck by lightning and burned on the same 
 spot. He was a very unfortunate man, losing seven bright 
 
THE LEONARD FAMILY. 399 
 
 children. He moved to Woodstock Valley, in 1873, and 
 died December 15, 1882. He was a very well read man, 
 having a large library. He married first, Deborah Stewart 
 (b. December 20, 1796), who died February 6, 1836; second, 
 Nancy Dewing. 
 
 Ch. I. Halsey, b. 1823; d. September 22, 1847; studied 
 medicine in New York. 
 
 2. Olive, m. Charles Dean. 
 
 3. Isaac Newton, b. 1824; d. September 23, 1848. 
 
 4. Jane, m. ist. Rev. Percival Mathewson; 2nd 
 
 Julius Lyon. 
 
 5. Joseph, b. June 19, 1832; d. August 29, 1837. 
 By second wife: 
 
 6. George Chapin. 
 
 7. Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 8. Zenas, b. April, 1846; d. October 4, 1848. 
 
 9. Susana, b. January, 1850; d. November 28, 1863. 
 
 10. Newton G., b. December, 1852; d. November 6, 
 
 1863. 
 
 11. Jessie E., b. 1858; d. December 17, 1863. 
 
 Daniel Leonard, Jr., married Isabel M. Place. She was 
 born March 25, 1803, and died September 7, 1859. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary Alcena, b. March 25, 1827; d. July 22, 
 1829. 
 
 2. Thomas Place, b. August 22, 1828. 
 
 3. Moses G., b. September 15, 1830. 
 
 4. William, b. November 11, 1832; m. Calista Has- 
 
 kell. 
 
 5. Rhoda J., b. October 7, 1835; d. October 31, 1867. 
 
 Thomas Place Leonard, son of Daniel, was engaged in 
 the mercantile and shoe manufacturing business with his 
 brothers at Woodstock, Conn., for sixteen years. He then 
 moved to Putnam, Conn., where he was in the mercantile 
 business with his brother William till 1889, when he 
 retired from business on account of poor health. Mr. 
 Leonard occupies a high position of honesty and integrity 
 
400 0ENEAL0GIE8. 
 
 in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He married Elvira 
 Horton, daughter of Ezra, of Union, January 29, 1851. 
 Ch. T. Ida Elvira, b. April 29, 1853. 
 
 2. Eugene Thomas, b. March 26, 1857. 
 
 3. Lucy Maria, b. February 2, 1861. 
 
 Moses G. Leonard, son of Daniel, Jr., lived in Union till 
 he was eleven years old, when he moved to Ashford (now 
 Eastford) with his parents. In 1853 he moved to Wood- 
 stock Valley, where he went into the general store busi- 
 ness with his brother, Thomas P. Leonard. In 1854 their 
 younger brother, William, joined the partnership, and the 
 firm style became T. P. Leonard & Co. They enlarged 
 their business by starting the manufacture of shoes, which 
 they carried on successfully for sixteen years. They sold 
 out their business, and Moses G. removed to Putnam, 
 Conn., in 1869, where he went into the dry goods business 
 with Mr. J. W. Manning, under the firm name of Manning 
 & Leonard. They have continued successfully in this 
 business under the same firm name for twenty-four years. 
 Mr. Leonard is a man thoroughly respected and highly 
 esteemed in the community where he lives. He married^ 
 ist, Harriet C. Allen, of Eastford, June 6, 1852. She died 
 in September, 1855. He married, 2nd, Mary E. Childs, of 
 Woodstock, in October, 1858. She died in August, 1880. He 
 married, 3rd, Jennie A. Tillinghast, of Providence, R. I., 
 September 23, 1885. 
 
 Ch. I. Fannie C, b. February 3, 1861. 
 2. Frank C, b. July 22, 1874. 
 
 William Leonard, son of Daniel, Jr., was in business at 
 Woodstock Valley (as stated above) until 1870, when he 
 went to Putnam, and with his brother Thomas, conducted 
 a store which dealt in boots and shoes, gents' furnishing 
 goods, etc. In this they were quite successful, but on 
 account of poor health they were obliged to sell out in 
 1887. They have now bought thirty acres of pasture land 
 in Putnam, which they are cultivating, and find it very 
 
THE LILLIE FAMILIES. 
 
 401 
 
 beneficial to their health. All three of these brothers are 
 highly esteemed citizens of Putnam. 
 
 William Leonard married Calista Haskell (born March 
 12, 1840), December 14, 1858. 
 
 Ch. I. Emma L., b. October 12, 1852. 
 
 2. Mary A., b. April 17, 1865. 
 
 3. William D., b. February 29, 1872. 
 
 4. Florence M., b. July 27, 1875. • 
 
 THE LILLIE FAMILIES. 
 
 John Lillie came to Union from Dudley, Mass., and 
 bought in 1771, of Francis Pierce, the lots' No. 18 and No. 
 19 in the third division, east of Bigelow river. He was a 
 very respectable man. He had three sons, John, Joseph, 
 and Ebenezer, who became a physician in Woodstock. , 
 
 John Lillie, Jr., had the following children : 
 Ch. T. Benjamin. 
 
 2. Jonathan. 
 
 3. Simeon, m. Rhoda Corbin. 
 
 4. John. 
 
 5. Elizabeth, m. Parley Herring of Killingly, 
 
 Conn. 
 
 6. Abiathar. 
 
 7. Ebenezer. 
 
 Joseph Lillie, son of John, Sr., married, first, Deborah; 
 second, Prudy Kinney. 
 
 Ch. I. Ezra, b. August 13, 1780. 
 2. Hannah, m. Levi Coye. 
 
 Jonathan Lillie, son of John, Jr., had 3 children, Den- 
 nis, Jonathan and Benoni. Jonathan, Jr., married Betty 
 Mclntire, and had 3 children. 
 
 Ch. I. Phebe, m. Benj. Stone, April 17, 1842. 
 
 2. Relief, m. Nathan Walker, October 6, 1841. 
 
 3. Rhoda, m. Orrin Burne.tt, March 26, 1834. 
 26 
 
402 QENEALOOIES. 
 
 John Lillie, 3D, married Rachel. 
 Ch. I. Eleazar, b. in New Jersey, September 23, 1774. 
 
 2. Wm. Casterline, b. in New Jersey, November 
 
 28, 1778. 
 
 3. Rhoda, b. in Woodstock, March 22, 1780. 
 
 4. Adonijah, b. in Woodstock, June 12, 1782. 
 
 William Casterline Lillie, son of John, 3d, married 
 Penelope Mclntire. 
 
 Ch. I. Nancy, m. Benj. M. Wentworth of Dorchester, 
 Mass. 
 
 2. Polly, m. Elijah Severy, September 14, 1828. 
 
 3. John. 
 
 4. Olive, m. Mr. George. 
 
 John Lillie, son of William Casterline, married Han- 
 nah Corey, November 29, 1727. 
 Ch. I. Isaac. 
 John. 
 Mary. 
 Sarah. 
 Lucinda. 
 Alma. 
 Elijah. 
 
 Dr. Ebenezer Lindsey settled in L^^nion in 1830. He 
 came from Prescott, Mass., where he had practiced for 
 some years. 
 
 He married Susan Foster, daughter of Silas, of Peter- 
 sham. 
 
 Ch. I. Maryanne, d. January 5, 1833. 
 2. Silas Foster. 
 
 Dr. Silas Foster Lindsev, son of Ebenezer, studied 
 medicine at Yale and established himself as a physician in 
 Dudley, Mass. He died in 1891. He married Salome 
 Chapman. 
 
LETCHEB, THE LOOMIS FAMILY. 403 
 
 Frank Letcher married Dilana Houghton, daughter of 
 Nehemiah, September 3, 1863. He was in the army. He 
 lived with his father-in-law until about 1871, when he went 
 to Southbridge, where he now resides. 
 
 Ch. I. Rosa Virginia, b. July 21, 1864. 
 
 2. Elmer Francis, b. September 28, 1866; grad- 
 
 uated at Yale in 1889. 
 
 3. Anna Elsworth, b. May 18, 1874. 
 
 4. Ethel Esther, b. December 17, 1875. 
 
 THE LOOMIS FAMILIES IN UNION. 
 
 There were two Loomis families in Union, that of 
 Daniel who came from Windsor, and of Dea. Caleb Loomis 
 who came from Lebanon, Crank parish, now Columbia. 
 Daniel Loomis bought land in Union in 1741, and Caleb 
 Loomis in 1754. The common ancestor of both families 
 was doubtless Joseph of Windsor, who came from Bristol, 
 Eng., before 1639. The line of Daniel is: Joseph, John, 
 Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. 
 
 Daniel Loomis of Union was born in Windsor, Novena- 
 ber 2, 17 10, and died in Union, January i, 1758. His 
 brother Elisha owned land in Union, though probably 
 never lived here. Daniel Loomis lived where Edward 
 Foster afterwards did, and with his brother Elisha owned 
 the Bush meadow saw-mill. He married Sarah Enos, 
 daughter of James Enos, one of the original proprietors. 
 Ch. I. Sarah, b. November 15, 1737; m. Timothy 
 Wales, November 11, 1762. 
 
 2. Daniel, b. July 25, 1739. 
 
 3. Jonah, b. May 5, 1743; m. Mehitable Cram, 
 
 November 29, 1764, and had one child, Sarah. 
 
 4. Noah, b. January 13, 1745; m. Sibbel Williams, 
 
 February 4, 1773. 
 
 5. Elijah, b. August 7, 1747; m. Alathea Burley, 
 
 January 27, 1774; moved to Georgia in 1786. 
 
 6. Reuben, b. May 22, 1750; d. May 29, 1750. 
 
404 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Lieut. Daniel Loomis, son of Daniel, lived first north 
 of Capt. Newell's, on the west side of the road, and after- 
 wards at the so-called Kinney or Bugbee place where he 
 built a new house. He married Sarah Crawford, daughter 
 of Hugh, February 9, 1764. She died November 18, 1784, 
 and he married a second time Sibella Knox, October 26, 
 
 Ch. I. Charlotte, b. January 3, 1765; m. Capt. Penuel 
 Child. 
 
 2. Anna, b. January 19, 1767; m. Walter .Sessions, 
 
 July 20, 1786. 
 
 3. Daniel, b. June 13, 1769; d. October 4, 1775. 
 
 4. Clara, b. January 19, 1772; m. Dr. Stephen 
 
 Preston. 
 
 5. Walter, b. December 17, 1774; m. Hannah .Ses- 
 
 sions of Brim field. 
 
 6. Sarah, b. May 8, 1777; m. Wm. Mahan. 
 
 7. George Washington, b, August 17, 1779. 
 
 8. Willard, b. March 30, 1782. 
 
 9. Sillina, b. October 8, 1784; d. October 27, 1784. 
 
 Dea. Caleb Loomis, bought the so-called Horton farm 
 east of the meeting-house in 1754. He married Abigail 
 Wright. 
 
 Ch. I. Abner, b. April 21, 1729. 
 
 2. Phebe, b. March 7, 1733; d. October 13, 1756. 
 
 3. Caleb, b. June 19, 1735; i^- Mary Wyman, Jan- 
 
 uary 7, 1758, and moved to Brookfield. 
 
 Abner Loomis, son of Dea. Caleb, married Charity 
 Sprague, July 12, 1754. 
 
 Ch. I. Israel, b. October 29, 1756. 
 
 2. Luther, b. July 25, 1758. 
 
 3. Abner, b. June 3, 1759. 
 
 4. Phebe, b. March 3, 1761; m. first, Ichabod 
 
 Moore; second, Eleazar Kinney. 
 
 5. Abigail, b. February 7, 1763. 
 
 Abner Loomis lived north of the burying ground. He 
 afterwards lived in Palmer. 
 
TEE LTON FAMILY. 
 
 405 
 
 THE LYON FAMILIES. 
 
 Deacon Levi Lyon came to Union from Woodstock and 
 bought land August 22, 1774. He was chosen deacon of the 
 church at Union, March 15, 1782. He moved to Stafford 
 
 from Union. He married Ruth . 
 
 Ch. I. Abner Fitch, d. November 3, 1775. 
 
 Charles, b. 1773; d. September 8, 1778. 
 
 Joseph, b. August, 1778; d. September 8, 1778. 
 
 4. Lucinda, baptized July 25, 1779. 
 
 5. John, baptized May 7, 1780. 
 Daniel, baptized December 20, 1781. 
 
 Perley Lyon, son of Captain Daniel, came from Wood- 
 stock and lived in Union one year, in 1803. He kept store 
 at the Dr. Lindsey place. 
 
 Perley Lyon came from Holland to Union not far from 
 1830, and lived at the William Moore place. He peddled 
 fish for a while. He married Phebe Preston, who died 
 January, 1834. 
 
 Ch. I. William; went to New York and engaged in 
 the importing dry goods business; became 
 wealthy. 
 
 2. Susan. 
 
 3. Maria. 
 
 4. Warren; m. Marietta Chaffee. 
 
 Stephen Lyon, son of Ebenezer, came from Holland, 
 Mass., to LTnion with his sons, and lived with them on the 
 Deacon Samuel Crawford place. He inarried Olive Stevens. 
 
 Ch. I. Salome, b. 1804; m. Rev. Urijah Underwood, 
 a Baptist minister; she d. 1852. 
 
 2. Orrin, b. 1808. 
 
 3. Walter. 
 
 4. Fanny; b. March 3, 1812; m. Sullivan Under- 
 
 wood. 
 
 5. Cyprian Stephen, b. July 3, 1814. 
 
 Stephen Lyon died June 11, i860, aged 80. Sally, his 
 
4o6 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 wife, died vSeptember 24, 1845, aged 65. The family are 
 buried in the East cemetery. 
 
 Orrin Lyon, son of vStephen, married Matilda Snow, 
 September 3, 1837. 
 
 Ch. I. Emily Deliza, b. September 10, 1838; d. Sep- 
 tember 29, 1842. 
 
 2. Maryanne Margaret, b. January 20, 1842; d. 
 
 March 10, 1885. 
 
 3. Harriet Lucinda, b. October 24, 1842; m., ist, 
 
 Myron Balcom; 2nd, Mason Balcom. 
 
 4. Nancy Hannah", b. March 8, 1846; m. Horace 
 
 Tucker. 
 
 5. George Melvin, b. August 22, 1848. 
 
 Orrin Lyon died March 10, 1885, aged 77. Matilda, his 
 wife, died August 25, 1868. 
 
 Walter Lyon, son of Stephen, lived most of his life on 
 the so-called Coye hill, in the east part of town. He left 
 Union about 1877 and went to" Ellington. He married 
 Hannah wSnow, of Woodstock, who died October i, 1874. 
 He married again. 
 
 Ch. I. Martha Ann, b. January 15, 1840; d. Septem- 
 ber, 1848. 
 2. Sarah Salome, b. May 21, 1843; m. Gurdon 
 Chaffee. 
 
 Cyprian Stephen Lyon, son of Stephen, lived for some 
 time on the Nathan Kinne}- place. He married Malinda 
 Ingalls, (born March 7th, 1817, at Hampton, Conn., in 1842). 
 He died at Union, July 6th, i868. His widow afterwards 
 married Seaver Gifford, and died December 5th, 1880. 
 
 Ch. I. Emily M., b. October 25, 1844; m. Rev. L. L. 
 Goodell in i'886. 
 
 2. Olive M., b. March 27, 1846; d. September 9, 
 
 1864. 
 
 3. L. Emmogene, b. August 18, 1847; i^- Henry 
 
 Upham in 1872. 
 
THE LYON FAMILY. 407 
 
 4. Albert F., b. April 25, 1849. 
 
 5. Henry T., b. October 6, 185 1; m. Alice Arnold, 
 
 in 1882. 
 
 6. Oliver G. Lyon, b. July 22, 1853; m. in 1886. 
 
 Ebenezer Lyon, son of Ebenezer, lived on the Haskel 
 place, east of Mashapaug. 
 Ch. I. Leonard. 
 
 Calvin, lived afterwards in Methuen, Mass. 
 
 Willard. 
 
 Diantha.' 
 
 Semantha. There were other pfirls. 
 
 Uriah Lyon, came from Woodstock to Union, with his 
 children, and settled on the Armour (now the Major Smith) 
 place. 
 
 His wife's name was Jerusha. 
 
 He died July 24, 1849, aged 79. His wife Jerusha, died 
 November 9, 1862, aged 82. 
 Ch. I. Thomas. 
 
 2. Lucy, m. Thomas Moore. 
 
 3. Sarah, m. Lyman Hiscock. 
 
 4. Elisha, (see below). 
 
 5. Elias; twin brother of Elisha ; never married; 
 
 drowned, 1878. 
 
 6. Lyman, (see below). 
 
 7. Waldo. 
 
 8. Charles. 
 
 Elisha Lyon, married Bosworth. 
 
 Ch. I. Sarah. 
 
 2. George. 
 
 3. Frank. 
 
 4. Mary, m. John Jones. 
 There were other children. 
 
 Lyman Lyon, son of Uriah, lived where Sam. Whipple 
 afterwards did. He married Olive H. W. Buck (sister of 
 Mrs. Henry Corbin). They moved to Geneseo, 111. 
 
4o8 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Ch. I. Alvin Moore, b. July 3, 1843. 
 2. Mary Jerusha, b. April 24, 1845. 
 
 THE MARCY FAMILIES OF UNION. 
 
 There have been two families of this name in Union, 
 one the descendants of Samuel Marcy of Woodstock, the 
 other of Benjamin of Mansfield. They may be remotely 
 connected. 
 
 Samuel Marcy of Woodstock bought land in Union, 
 September 28, 1753, and settled there \vith a large family. 
 The following are the names of some of his children : 
 Ch. I. William, m. Lucy Bugbee, May 2, 1756. 
 Samuel. 
 
 Tabitha, m. Joseph Fairbanks. 
 Sibbel, m. Moses Peake. 
 Zeruiah, m. James Paul, December 28, 1768. 
 vSamuel Marcy died July 31, 1783, aged 79. 
 
 Samuel Marcy, son of Samuel, married Lois Peake, 
 daughter of Christopher, April 10, 1763. 
 Ch. I. Esther, b. August 28, 1763. 
 
 2. Alvan, b. June 22, 1765. 
 
 3. Prosper, b. July 26, 1767; d. January 26, 1770. 
 
 4. Avis, b. September 5, 1769. 
 
 5. Prosper, b. March i, 1772. 
 
 6. Orrin, b. August 25, 1774. 
 
 7. John Sullivan, b. December 2, 1776. 
 
 8. Dorcas, b. Januar}^ 18, 1779. 
 
 9. Louis, b. January 9, 1781. 
 10. Samuel, b. April 22, 1783. 
 
 Calvin Marcy, son of Benjamin of Mansfield, came to 
 Union about 1800, and settled north of the old burying 
 ground. He married Abigail Vinton of Sturbridge. 
 Ch. I. David. 
 
 2. Calvin. 
 
 3. Merrick, b. October 11, 1812, in Holland. 
 
THE MAECY FAMILIES. 
 
 409 
 
 4. Plympton, b. June 26, 1819. 
 
 5. Freeman, m. L3^dia Green^ 
 
 6. Mary Ann. 
 
 David Marcy, son of Calvin, married Rhoda James, 
 daughter of Reming-ton of Ash ford. 
 Ch. I. Elvira, m. John Rich. 
 
 2. David Merrick, lived at Worcester. 
 
 Calvin Marcy, son of Calvin, lived in the house near 
 the Congregational church, v^here Edwin Upham now re- 
 sides. He had a blacksmith shop in the forks of the roads 
 east of the house. He married Elvira Clarke of Chaplin, 
 Conn. She died September 11, i860, aged 52. He died 
 April 26, 1868, aged 60. 
 
 Ch. I. Laura, b. February 8, 1837. 
 
 2. Dwight, b. June 8, 1840; graduated at Yale in 
 
 1863, and was a lawyer at Rockville, Conn. 
 
 3. Emily Jane, d. September 4, 1890. 
 
 4. Cornelia, m. F. W. Eastman of Westford; d. 
 
 July 21, 1878, aged 30. 
 
 Merrick Marcy, son of Calvin, [for a sketch of his 
 business see the chapter on the industrial history], mar- 
 ried Rinda Moore, daughter of Augustus, November 17, 
 1842. He died September 3, 1869. 
 
 Ch. I. Merrick Augustus, b. August 29, 1843. 
 
 2. Laura Ann, b. November 28, 1845; ™- first, Ed- 
 
 ward Taylor, August 26, 1869; second, George 
 Baker, January 13, 1875. 
 
 3. Morris Henry, b. October 18, 1848. 
 
 4. George Calvin, b. April 3, 1852. 
 
 5. William Pitt, b. August 21, 1856. 
 
 6. Rinda Maria, b. December 21, 1858; m. Ellery 
 
 Burnham of Eastford, November, 1883. 
 
 7. Flarriet Louisa, b. January 5, i860; m. Edgar 
 
 M. Phillips of Southbridge, November 28, 
 
4 1 o GENE A L OIES. 
 
 Plympton Marcy, son of Calvin, married Caroline 
 Young in New London, February 25, 1844. He lived in 
 Sturbridge. 
 
 >^ Ch. I. Sarah Jane, b January 9, 1845; m. Oscar Craw- 
 ford, son of Daniel T. 
 
 2. Charles Pljmipton, b. May 21, 1848; m. Martha 
 
 Goodale. 
 
 3. James Otis, b. May i, 185 1. 
 
 4. Frederick Tudor, b. February 2, 1844; d. De- 
 
 cember 14, 1856. 
 X 5- Ida Louisa, b. February 5, 1859; m. Geo. Craw- 
 ford of L^nion, August, 1875. 
 6. Ada Frances, b. December 13, i860. 
 
 Merrick A. Marcy, son of Merrick (see biographical 
 sketch), married Jennie Bicknell, February 22, 1882. 
 Ch. I. Lulu Jennie, b. July 14, 1883. 
 
 2. Ethel May, b. March 30, 1885; d. August 23, 
 
 1886. 
 
 3. Irene Rinda, b. October 24, 1885. 
 
 Morris H. Marcy, son of Merrick, married Martha Jane 
 Miller of Woodstock, June 6, 1873. He died January i, 
 1884. 
 
 Ch. I. Ida Winnifred, b. December 19, 1874; d. May 14, 
 1876. 
 
 2. Merrick Tilden, b. March 3, 1877. 
 
 3. Morris Hendricks, b. November 22, 1879. 
 
 George C. Marcy, married first, Ida Hamilton, second, 
 Abbie J. Collins of Ellington. He died July 8, 1885. 
 Ch. I. Alice, d. December, 1886. 
 
 William P. Marcy, son of Merrick, married Jeannie M. 
 Brown, of Hartford, December 2, 1879. 
 
 Ch. I. Annie Rinda, b. January 12, 1881; d. April, 
 1882. 
 2. Florence Jeannie, b. June 8, 1883. 
 
MATTHEWS, McALLISTER, McCLURE. 411 
 
 David S. Matthews, the 7tli child of Nathan Matthews 
 of Killingly and Canterbury, was born December 19, 1837. 
 He came to Union in 1864, and bought of Leonard Goodell 
 the place in the west part of town where he now lives. He 
 married Mary Willis, daughter of Lemuel Willis, October 
 23, 1859. 
 
 Ch. I. Frank A., b. October 15, i860; d. March 12, 1885. 
 2. Everett E., b. November 25, 1868. 
 
 Samuel Atkinson McAllister, was the son of Abieb 
 and born in Montville, January 18, 1828. He came to 
 Union August 6, 1857, and bought the place of Henry and 
 Sherman Leland. He married Caroline Hewlett, daughter 
 of Sylvester of Holland, May 3, 185S. 
 Ch. I. Eva Estelle, b. May 3, i860. 
 
 Annie, b. November 14, 1862; d. April 11, 1863. 
 Frank Atkins, b. June 15, 1864. 
 Sarah Lucinda, b. August 4, 187 1. * 
 Richard, born September 3, 1874. 
 George vShepard, b. July 14, 1876. 
 S. A. McAllister was in the lumber business, and owned 
 a steam saw-mill. About 1882 he removed to East Brim- 
 field. 
 
 Dr. David McClure came from Brookfield, Mass., to 
 Union, where he first bought land of Wm. and Sibbel 
 Allen of Union, November 29, 1756. This was north of 
 Bush meadow, including the dam and mill. He lived in 
 Union several years; then he moved to Stafford about 1767. 
 He again lived in Union several years near the close of 
 the century, when he moved to Stafford again. During the 
 interval between his residences in Union, his place was 
 supplied by Drs. Preston and Rice. Dr. Hammond suc- 
 ceeded him. During his last residence in Union he lived 
 on the so-called "ministerial place." He married Jane 
 Moor, June 4, 1761. 
 
412 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 James McNall was the first settler of the town of 
 Union, and lived on the hill north of the house where Dea- 
 con Healy Corbin lived (where Mr. Barber now does). He 
 was a native of Ireland, but moved to Union from Bedford, 
 Mass. He bought land of Nath. Walker, near Bush 
 meadow, which was the Jason Ferry or Whipple place, and 
 long continued to be occupied by the McNall family. He 
 was a man of eccentric character. It is not known 
 whether he had children. He was probably the brother of 
 Wm. McNall. He died July 23, 1781, aged about 75. His 
 wife Jean McNall, died December 30, 1773, in the 65th year 
 of her age. 
 
 William McNall was one of the earliest settlers of the 
 town of Union. He bought of Eb. Fitch, one of the pro- 
 prietors, "one full twenty-sixth part of the town," May 24, 
 1722. (T. R. Vol. I, p. 47). In this deed McNall is said to 
 be from "Worcester, Mass., and late of Ireland." He was 
 probably in the same company of emigrants with John 
 Lawson, who remained awhile at Worcester before they 
 came to Union. He sold land to John Lawson, July 7, 1732, 
 the consideration for 100 acres being a two-year old colt. 
 
 William McNall lived in the south part of town. He 
 married probably before he came to this country, and 
 brought most of his children with him. His wife's name 
 was Elizabeth. He died September 22, 1797. She died 
 September 13, 1799. 
 
 Ch. I. James. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, m. Robert Moore. 
 
 3. Arthur. 
 
 4. Margaret, m. Joseph Davis of Brimfield. 
 
 5. Catherine, m. Isaac Magoon, of Kingstown, 
 
 now Palmer. 
 
 6. Alexander. 
 
 7. John, was no7i compos mentis, d. 1784. 
 
 Alexander McNall, son of William, married, first, Eliz- 
 abeth, who died March 12, 1740, and left a son James, born 
 the day of her death, who probably died young. He seems 
 
McNALL, McNEIL. 413 
 
 to have married, second, Mary, who had a daughter Mar}^, 
 April II, 1742. He married, third, Annie* Moor, probably a 
 daughter of James, April 10, 1758. They had a daughter 
 Rachel, born February 12, 1762. vShe married John Hark- 
 ness of Pelham, Mass., November 22, 1781. 
 
 Alexander McNall died at Union, July 27, 1782, accord- 
 ing to Rev. Ezra Horton, or July 23, 1783, according to the 
 gravestone. 
 
 James McNall, son of Alexander, lived at the Ferry 
 place. He was the son of Ann, third wife of Alexander 
 McNall, and was baptized April 14, 1765. He married Han- 
 nah Foskitt of Stafford. He was a politician and intem- 
 perate. He enlisted in the war of 181 2, and lost his life. 
 Ch. I. Alexander, b. July 21, 1789. 
 
 2. Lyman, b. December 14, 1791,.^- 
 
 3. James, b. October 8, 1794. 
 
 4. Hannah, b. November 24, 1799. 
 
 5. Eliza, b. April 6, 1804. 
 
 Arthur McNall, son of Alexander, married Jane and 
 had two sons, Joseph, b. September 24, 1742, and Arthur. 
 Their grandfather gave them land in 1744. They went to 
 Palmer and sold their Union land to John Crawford, in 
 
 1765- 
 
 Henry McNeil, was probably not connected with the 
 McNall family. He lived in the north part of town. He 
 married Hannah Badger, daughter of Captain Daniel. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry, born January 11, 1763, lived at Clinton, 
 N. Y., and was a very worthy man. 
 
 2. Charles, b. March 5, 1769 
 
 3. Mary. 
 
 4. Hannah. 
 
 Tradition says that Henry McNeil went to England and 
 was for many years unheard of. His wife, supposing him 
 to be dead, married James Armour, Sr., December 17, 1777, 
 whose first wife, Margaret, died November 20, 1775. But 
 
414 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 after several years Henry McNeil returned and sued for his 
 wife. He did not- succeed in getting her. He was after- 
 wards found dead in a mud puddle, at Brookfield, Mass. 
 
 Edmund Merriam, from Mendon, married Alary Laflin, 
 daughter of John, November 27, 1788. He was in Shay's 
 Rebellion. He died July 24, 1801, aged 55. 
 
 Ch. I. Hannah, b. December 18, 1789; d. January 30, 1803. 
 
 2. Otis, b. March 31, 1792; died by drowning in 
 
 Mashapaug, July 17, 1803. 
 
 3. Charles, b. January 31, 1794; d. April 8, 1814. 
 
 THE MOORE FAMILIES. 
 
 As near as can be ascertained, there are two branches 
 of the Moore* family of Union. 
 
 Robert Moore and James Moore, were among the early 
 Scotch-Irish emigrants. They were probably relatives, but 
 whether brothers or cousins has not been determined. In 
 the arrangement made for the maintenance of John McNall 
 /ion compos, James Moore became surety for Robert Moore 
 the brother-in-law of John McNall. The Moore families 
 and the McNalls were connected. Thus Alexander McNall 
 married Ann Moore, the daughter of James Moore, and 
 Robert Moore married Elizabeth McNall, the daughter of 
 William McNall. 
 
 Robert Moore, with his wife Elizabeth, probably came 
 very early to Union with the McNall family. He had a 
 son, William, born April 6, 1749. It is supposed that the 
 following" were his daughters, though the evidence is not 
 now direct, viz.: 
 
 Elizabeth, who was probably the Elizabeth Moore that 
 married Samuel Abbott of Ashford, October 29, 1766, also' 
 
 Jane Moore, who married James King, of Palmer, Mass., 
 January 24, 1771, and 
 
 Hannah, the second wife of William, Senior, who joined 
 the church May 25, 1777. 
 
 Elizabeth, wife of Robert Moore, died February 29, 
 1784, aged 61. 
 
 * '1 he name is often spelled Moor. 
 
THE MOORE FAMILY. 
 
 415 
 
 William Moore, son of Robert, was married to Marga- 
 ret Crawford, daughter of James Crawford, Senior, Feb- 
 ruary 13, 1772. 
 
 Ch. I. Alexander, b. February 15, 1773. 
 
 2. William, b. May 4, 1775. 
 
 3. Elizabeth, b. February 13, 1778. 
 
 William Moore, son of Robert, was called Junior on the 
 town records, %o distinguish him from William, the son of 
 James, who was older than William, the son of Robert. 
 William Moore, son of Robert, died in November, 1781, 
 aged 32. 
 
 All the later Moore families are descended from James 
 Moore. They are so numerous that we give the following 
 diagram to assist in tracing relationships: 
 
 f Festus. 
 
 Auo-ustus. 
 
 'Ichabod -<J 
 
 rjohn 
 
 Charles Weslev. 
 
 James . . . ^ 
 
 James. 
 
 f John W. 
 ^ John ...{ . 
 
 [Thomas - Lyman. 
 
 Noah ... -j John. 
 
 Samuel. \ vSamuel W., etc. 
 
 William 
 
 i Marlin. 
 rjoseph . -. 
 I ( Dexter, etc. 
 
 [William | Wm. Weld. 
 
 r James. 
 
 I Thomas ■{ David. 
 
 Thomas 
 
 Austin. 
 
 Lyman, etc. 
 
4 1 6 OENEA L OIES. 
 
 James Moore was born in Ireland, and lived at Grafton 
 awhile after his emigration to America. He first bought 
 land in Union, December 19, 1739. This was in the west 
 part of town, in "the Content" so called. It was where his 
 descendants have since lived (the Dexter Moore place). 
 
 James Moore died October 20, 17 7-, in the 83rd year of 
 his age. His widow died January 22, 1785, aged 98. 
 Ch. I. John, b. 1717. 
 
 2. William. 
 
 3. Thomas. 
 
 4. Anna, m. James McNall. 
 
 5. Jane, m. Dr. McClure. 
 
 John Moore, son of James, was born on the passage to 
 America. When he bought land in Union, of his father, 
 December 15, 1744, he was living in Dorchester, Mass. He 
 died May 22, 1787. He married Sarah Bliss, of Brimfield. 
 She died August 2, 1818, aged 84. 
 
 Ch. I. Ichabod, b. October 9, 1759. 
 
 2. James, b. November 17, 1760. 
 
 3. John, b. July 21, 1762. 
 
 4. Janett, b. December 20, 1763. 
 
 5. Sarah, b. October 18, 1765; m. Major David 
 
 Lawson. 
 
 6. Noah, baptized March 30, 1769. 
 
 7. Eunice, baptized December 13, 1769. 
 
 8. Samuel, baptized July 14, 177 1. 
 
 9. Timothy, baptized May 8, 1773. 
 
 10. Stephen, baptized October 9, 1774; m. Polly 
 
 Laflin; went to New York. , 
 
 11. Margeret, baptized May 24 1778. 
 
 12. Mehitable. 
 
 William Moore, son of James, married, ist, Sarah Rose- 
 brooks, of Brimfield, September 30, 1762. She died Sep- 
 tember 27, 17 71. The church records show that the day 
 before her death all her children were baptized. He mar- 
 ried, 2nd, Hannah Morse, of Woodstock, March 16, 1773. 
 
THE 3I00RE FAMILY. 417 
 
 She was an aunt of Rev. Jedediah Morse, the author of the 
 geography. 
 
 Ch. I. Joseph, b. March 5, 1763. 
 
 2. William, b. September 12, 1766. 
 
 3. Eleazar, b. August 15, 1768. 
 
 4. Mary, b. August 10, 1769. 
 
 5. Betsey, b. July 25, 1770. 
 By his second wife. 
 
 6. Walter, b. March 13, 1777; d. June 20, 1798. 
 
 7. Royal, b. June 11, 1778; d. November 9, 1798. 
 
 8. Pliny, b. January 28, 1781; d. April 28, 1802. 
 Walter Moore was a youth of promise, and was a mem- 
 ber of Phillips Academy, And over, at the time of his death. 
 He returned home to die. The funeral sermon was preached 
 by the Rev. David Avery, and was printed, also, a tribute 
 to the memory of his friend in verse, supposed to be by a 
 classmate at Andover. 
 
 Thomas Moore, son of James, married, ist, Mehitable 
 Bliss, of Brimfield. He married a second wife. 
 
 Ch. I. David, baptized September 18, 1768. 
 
 2. James, baptized September 18, 1768. 
 
 3. Daniel, baptized April 14, 1 765 ;d. March 27, i783_ 
 
 4. Thomas, baptized March 30, 1769. 
 
 5. Thaddeus, baptized March 30, 1769; was a 
 
 physician. 
 
 6. Shubael, baptized July 21, 1771. 
 
 7. Bliss, baptized August i, 1773; was a physician. 
 
 8. Abijah, baptized September 21, 1777. 
 
 9. Abner, baptized June 28, 1778. 
 
 10. Eli. 
 
 11. Elisha. 
 
 IcHABOD Moore, son of John, married Phebe Loomis, 
 daughter of Abner Loomis. He lived where Loomis Agard 
 has since resided. 
 
 Ch. I. Philena, b. 1787; d. June 3, 1789. 
 2. Festus, b. April 10, 1789. 
 
 27 
 
41 8 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Augustus, b. May 23, 1791. 
 
 Erastus, b. March 5, 1793; insane. 
 
 Fanny, b. October 3, 1795; m. Benjamin Agard. 
 
 Phebe, b. April 11, 1796; m. Webber, of Holland. 
 
 Sarah, b. July 29, 1797; insane. 
 
 Chauncey, b. July 21, 1799. 
 
 Charles Wesley, b. August 14, 1802. 
 
 James, b. December 25, 1804. 
 
 Luther, b. May 26, 1806. 
 
 John Moore, son of John, married Martha Lawson, 
 daughter of Capt. Thomas Lawson, March 29, 1787. 
 John Moore died November 10, 1827. 
 Ch. I. Margaret, b. May 16, 1788; m. Eli Fisk, May 13, 
 1813. 
 
 2. Esther, b. April 4, 1790; m. Stephen Bugbee, of 
 
 Woodstock, February 11, 1819. 
 
 3. Mehitable, b. February 27, 1794; m. Theophilus 
 
 Brooks, September 4, 181 7. 
 
 4. John Wesley, b. December 21, 1802. 
 
 5. Thomas, b. February 5, 1806. 
 
 Noah Moore, son of John, married Polly Curtiss, of Ash- 
 ford, June 15, 1794. He lived in Ashford. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, m. Samuel Curtiss, of Ashford. 
 
 2. John, m. Esther Lawson, November 29, 1827. 
 
 3. Sally, m. Austin Moore. 
 
 4. Miltiah Permelia, m. Jarius Chapman. 
 
 Samuel Moore, son of John, married Amy Whiton, of 
 Ashford, January 30, 1798. 
 
 Ch. I. Amy Whiton, b. November 8, 1798; m. Rufus 
 Loomis, of Woodstock, March 28, 1844. 
 
 2. Rowena, b. March 17, 1800; d. February 27, 1803. 
 
 3. Lydia, b. June 30, 1801. 
 
 4. Lucinda, m. Chaunce}^ Whiton, of Ashford, 
 
 March 26, 1833. 
 
 5. Sophia, b. December 12, 1802; m. Lucius Back, 
 
 of Holland, January 27, 1835. 
 
THE MOORE FAMILY. 
 
 419 
 
 6. Hannah, b. November 22, 1808; became a mis- 
 
 sionary to Africa. (See biographical sketch). 
 
 7. Louisa, b. June 28, 1810; m. John S. Bartlett, of 
 
 Ashford, November 27, 1834. 
 
 8. Joanna, b. August 8, 1812; d. April 9, 1842. 
 
 9. Lydia, b. March 28, 1814; m. Otis Lumbard, of 
 
 Ashford, October 8, 1844. 
 10. Samuel Whiton, b. August 28, 181 7. 
 
 Joseph Moore, son of William, married Alice Bixby, of 
 Stafford. 
 
 Ch. I. Laura, b. June 16, 1789. 
 
 2. Orrin, b. March 22, 1791. 
 
 3. Sydney, b. March 22, 1793. 
 
 4. Marlin, b. August 18, 1795. 
 
 5. Marcia, b. 1797. 
 
 6. Walter, b. 1799. 
 
 7. Lothrop, b. August 31, 1805; drowned in Masha- 
 
 paug, August 14, 1840. 
 
 8. Dexter, b. September 11, 1809. 
 
 William Moore, son of William, married Bethiah Weld, 
 of Sturbridge, May 30, 1796. 
 
 Ch. I. Permelia, b. April 6, 1797. 
 
 2. Sally R., b. October 22, 1798; m. Jonathan Ami- 
 
 down, of Southbridge, June 17, 1824. 
 
 3. Nancy, b. June 15, 1800. 
 
 4. Eleazar, b. December 19, 1802. 
 
 5. Calista, b. March 26, 1805; m. Morey Adams, of 
 
 Bolton, Mass., January i, 1828. 
 
 6. Persis, b. October 22, 1806; d. July 22, 1826. 
 
 7. AVilliam Weld, b. December 6, 1808. 
 
 8. Elmina, b. July 26, 1810. 
 
 9. Washington, b. May i, 1813. 
 10. Pliny, b. April 25, 1814. 
 
 James Moore, son of Thomas, married Esther Bixby, of 
 Stafford, August 18, 1785. He lived on Stickney Hill, 
 
420 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 and afterwards moved to Vernon, N. Y., near Indian 
 Orchard, in Stockbridge, N. Y. 
 Ch. I. Orinda, d. May i, 1790. 
 
 2. Horace. 
 
 3. Lucinda. 
 
 4. Esther. 
 
 5. Jarvis. 
 
 6. Patty. 
 
 7. James. 
 
 David Moore, son of Thomas, married Louis Cody, Sep- 
 tember II, 1783. 
 
 Ch. I. Daniel, b. January 11, 1784. 
 
 2. Isaac, b. April 12, 1785. 
 
 3. Lois, b. September 2, 1787. 
 
 4. Leonard, b. August 28, 1789. 
 
 5. Mehitabcl, b. October 26, 1792. 
 
 6. Susanna, b. January 3, 1797. 
 
 Thomas Moore, son of Thomas, married Azubah Shaw, 
 daughter of Joshua, of Monson, Mass. 
 
 Ch. I. Alfred, b. January 16, 1796; m. Lucinda Horton, 
 January 28, 181 9. 
 
 2. Lyman, b. January 3, 1798. 
 
 3. Eli, b. October 8, 1799. 
 
 4. Austin, b. June 7, 1802. 
 
 5. Azubah, b. January 25, 1804; d. January 5, 1805. 
 
 6. Thomas, b. October 6, 1806. 
 
 7. Caroline, b. February 6, 1809; m. Dr. James 
 
 Moore, April 24, 1831. 
 
 Festus Moore, son of Ichabod, married Cynthia Under- 
 wood, of Holland, July 8, 1829. He lived south of Loomis 
 Agard's. Then moved to Ashtabula, O. 
 Ch. I. Cynthia Jane, b. April 26, 1830. 
 
 2. Festus Reuben, b. April 15, 1833. 
 
 3. Alvan Underwood. 
 
 Augustus Moore, son of Ichabod, lived first in Rock- 
 meadow, then in 1830, moved to the Webster place on Stick- 
 
Augustus Moore. 
 
THE MOORE FAMILY. 421 
 
 ney Hill. He was a judge of the Probate Court, and held 
 many town offices. He married first, Anna Morris, of Hol- 
 land, daughter of Ebenezer, and second, Elizabeth Jakness, 
 of Oneida, N. Y., in 1865. His first wife, Anna, died April 
 6, 1864, aged 68. His second wife, Elizabeth, died May 10, 
 1871. 
 
 Augustus Moore died May 17, 1872. 
 
 Ch. I. Ebenezer Morris, b. March 29, 1818; studied 
 medicine at Yale; married Magdalen Trueax, 
 and died at Union, September 20, 1848. 
 2. Rinda, b. August 22, 1820; m. Merrick Marcy, 
 November 17, 1842. 
 
 Charles Wesley Moore, son of Ichabod, lived in Elling- 
 ton, Conn. He married Anna Corbin, daughter of David, 
 May 30, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Mariette, b. December 24, 183 1; m. Amos Pease, 
 May 24, 1849. 
 
 2. Marinette,!). January 30, 1833; m. Guy P. Col- 
 
 lins, March 21, 1855. 
 
 3. Milton, b. August 8, 1834; d. August 31, 1834. 
 
 4. Martha, b. July 23, 1835; ^- Milton Kinney, 
 
 March 14, i860. 
 
 5. Marcia, b. July 23 1835; d. March 19, 1837. 
 
 6. Charles C, b. June 9, 1837; m. Anna C. Clark, 
 
 October 18, 1865. 
 
 7. Amelia A., b. December 4, 1838; m. Everett P. 
 
 Russell, December 11, 1867. 
 
 8. Carlos C, b. May 27, 1840; d. September 14, 1842. 
 Q. Romelia J., b. Jime 5, 1842; d. July 12, 1843. 
 
 10. Augusta J., b. May 20, 1844; m. William H. Bur- 
 
 dick, November 27, 1866. 
 
 11. Adeline H., b. January 4, 1847; d. September 28, 
 
 1852. 
 
 12. Julia M., b. September 20, 1849; m. Malone G. 
 
 Moore, March, 1875. 
 
 13. Josephine Abbie, b. November 30, 1851. 
 
422 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 14. Edwin C, b. March 20, 1854; d. September 5, 
 
 1855- 
 
 15. Frederick W., b. June 21, 1857. 
 
 Dr. James Moore, son of Ichabod, married Caroline 
 Moore, daughter of Thomas, April 24, 1831, and settled in 
 New York. 
 
 Ch. I. Maria, b. July 30, 1833; d. October 9, 1833. 
 
 2. Caroline Azubah, b. November 3, 1834; d. June 
 
 16, 1835. 
 
 3. Gorden, b. March 16, 1837; a Methodist min- 
 
 ister. 
 
 4. S. Palmer, b. September 4, 1839; a physician. 
 
 5. James Emerson, b. October 29, 1851. 
 
 John Wesley Moore, son of John, married first, Try- 
 phena Back, of Holland, June 12, 1826. She died November 
 10, 1832. He married second, Lucy Ann Chase, of South- 
 bridge, August 6, 1837. 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. January 17, 1828; d. September 13, 1830. 
 
 2. Elizabeth Tryphena, b. May 4, 1829. 
 
 3. Charles. 
 
 4. Mary. 
 
 Thomas Moore, son of John, married Lucy Lj-on, daugh- 
 ter of Uriah, March 21, 1832. He died June 8, 1885. Lucy, 
 his wife, was born December 2, 1805; died September 4, 1882. 
 Ch. I. Lyman, b. November 24, 1834. 
 
 2. Lucy, m. Oliver Marcy. 
 
 3. Alvan. 
 
 4. Martha, b. January 21, 1837; d. March 26, 1843. 
 
 5. Thomas, b. June 14, 1840; d. June 23, 1842. 
 
 6. George, b. February 11, 1842; d. June 16, 1842. 
 
 7. Esther, b. March 20, 1848; d. January 16, 1857. 
 
 Samuel Whiton Moore, son of Samuel, married Ange- 
 line Ruby, November 7, 1842. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry Samuel, b. December 30, 1844. 
 2. Julia Angeline, b. January 9, 1846. 
 
Thomas Moore. 
 
THE MOOEE FAMILY. 423 
 
 3. Ella Amy, b. June 4, 1854. 
 
 4. Nellie Rosetta, b. August 8, 1858. 
 
 Lyman Moore, son of Thomas, married Phebe Lawson, 
 daughter of Robert, May 31, 1827, and moved to Stockbridge, 
 N. Y. Mrs. Phebe Moore died April 3, 1868. 
 Ch. I. Lucius, b. April 28, 1828; d. 1891. 
 
 2. Mary Ann, b. September 6, 1831; m. Horton, in 
 1892. 
 
 Eli Moore, son of Thomas, married first, Betsey Gale, 
 December 19, 1822, and had one son, Eli G., born Septem- 
 ber 27, 1823. Betsey Moore died October 13, 1823. He 
 married second, Lucy Wheeler, of Ashford, and they had 
 one son, Ambrose W. She died and he married third, Anna 
 Stoddard of Smithfield, N. Y., and had a son, James B. 
 
 Austin Moore, son of Thomas, married Sally Moore, 
 daughter of Noah, of Ashford, and went to Stockbridge, 
 N. Y. 
 
 Ch. I. Sally Louisa, b. March 7, 1827. 
 
 Austin Noah, b. March 24, 1832. 
 
 Horace Walter, b. April 19, 1836. 
 
 Betsy Ann. 
 
 James. 
 
 John. 
 
 Thomas Moore, son of Thomas, married Fidelia Horton, 
 daughter of Dea. Ezra, September 15, 1835, and lived in 
 Smithfield, N. Y. 
 
 Ch. I. Florilla Moore, b. July 10, 1835; m. Rev. Gorden 
 Moore, a Methodist minister. 
 2. Franklin, b. November 3, 1842; m. Mary M. 
 Clark, June 28, 1870. 
 
 Marlin Moore, son of Joseph, married Catherine Tyler, 
 of Westford. 
 
 Ch. I. Emeline. 
 
 2. Harriet, m. Ossian Newell. 
 
424 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Clarissa. 
 Dexter. 
 Asher. 
 Lorin. 
 Myra A. 
 
 Sydney Moore, son of Joseph, married Sophia Cone, of 
 Haddam, Conn. 
 
 Ch. Dorcas, Marcia, Minerva, Frances, Elorda, Jane, 
 Sydney, Henry, Eliza. 
 
 Dexter Moore, son of Joseph, married Latira Grig-gs, 
 daughter of Elisha, July 4, 1839. He was killed in his saw- 
 mill November 5, 1884. 
 
 Ch. I. Ellen A., b. July 27, 1840; m. Sanford Booth. 
 
 2. Leslie M., b. July 17, 1848; d. January 29, 1864. 
 
 3. Malone G., b. January 10, 1851. 
 
 4. Emerson O., b. May 30, 1854. 
 
 Lyman Moore, son of Thomas, married Emma Fidelia 
 Blodgett, daughter of Edward, July i, 1872. She was born 
 May 6, 1852. 
 
 Ch. I. Fred Alvin, b. Jani:ary 21, 1874. 
 
 2. Eliza Martha, b. June 27, 1875. 
 
 3. Bell Frances, b. July 22, 1877. 
 
 4. Bessie Gei-trude, b. July 15, 1883. 
 
 Malone G. Moore, son of Dexter, married Julia M. 
 Moore, daughter of Charles Moore, of Ellington, March 12, 
 1875. She died November 7, 1875. He married second, 
 Lizzie F. Chapin, daughter of Warren Chapin, of Stafford- 
 ville. Conn., April 20, 1882. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles H., b. June 24, 1883. 
 2. Ethel M., b. April 15, 1889. 
 
 Nathaniel Morey came from Charlton to Union, where 
 he bought land of Eb. Wales, of Brimfield, December 17, 
 
MOBEY, THE MORSE FAMILY. 
 
 425 
 
 1801. He married Prudence Putney, daughter of Isaiah, 
 of Charlton and Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Resolved, m. Sally Stewart of Stafford; d. 
 November 30, 1836, aged 41. 
 
 2. Harvey. 
 
 3. Austin, d. February 6, 1829, aged 28. 
 
 4. Lucena, m. Erastus S. Eastman, of Ashford, 
 
 August 26, 1830. 
 
 5. Warren. 
 
 6. Sally, d. December 22, 1836, aged 32. 
 Nathaniel Morey died September 21, 1829, aged 80. 
 
 Harvey Morey, son of Nathaniel, married Asenath 
 Gurley, April 10, 1825. 
 
 Ch. I. Francis Newton, b. December 29, 1825. 
 
 2. Lucy Philena, b. March 19, 1827, d. June i, 1828. 
 
 3. Eliza Ann. 
 
 4. Harvey. 
 
 Warren Morey, son of Nathaniel, married Lucy James, 
 daughter of Remington, of Ashford, and had three children, 
 Elvira, Vesta Elvira and Harvey. 
 
 THE MORSE FAMILIES. 
 
 The ancestor of the Morses of Union, Ashford, Wood- 
 stock, and Sturbridge was Samuel Morse of Medfield, 
 Mass., who was born in England in 1585. His posterity is 
 very numerous and the race in all its generations has had 
 the general character of self-reliance and enterprise, of 
 substantial worth and independence. In some branches, 
 as in that of Woodstock, the name is distinguished, as in 
 the instance of Dr. Jedediah Morse, the "Father of Ameri- 
 can Geography," and a leading divine, and his sons famed 
 as artists, editors and inventors (among them Prof. Samuel 
 Morse, the inventor of the telegraph). 
 
 Savage, in his Genealogical Dictionary, says that Sam- 
 uel Morse came in the ship Increase from London, in 1635, 
 aged 50 years, with his wife Elizabeth, aged 48 years, and 
 
426 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 with his son Joseph, but how the other children came is 
 uncertain. He died, according to one account, June 20, 
 1654. His wife died June 20, 1655. His will mentions as 
 his children, John, Daniel, and Mary, wife of Samuel Bul- 
 len, besides Ann, the widow of his son Joseph. 
 
 Joseph, son of Samuel, came from England with his 
 father in the ship Increase in 1635, at the age of 20. He 
 married Hannah or Ann Phillips of Watertown, and had 
 seven children, of whom the sixth was Jeremiah, who mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Hammont, daughter of Francis Hammont, 
 the ancestor of all the Hammonts and Hammonds of Med- 
 field, Medway, Sturbridge and Union. 
 
 John Morse, son of Samuel, was born in England in 
 161 1. He had by his wife Annis, eleven children. 
 
 Ezra Morse was the sixth child of John and was born 
 February 5, 1644. He was a great mill holder. He mar- 
 ried Joanna Hoar. 
 
 His son David was born in 1709, and moved to Stur- 
 bridge, then called New Medfield, of which town he was 
 one of the first settlers. 
 
 Nathan, son of David, was born in 1734. He moved to 
 Ashford, Conn., and married Widow Mary Bugbee of 
 Union, May 8, 1777. 
 Ch. I. Rebecca. 
 
 2. Nathan, b. September 14, 1780. 
 
 3. Jedediah, b. February 19, 1783. 
 
 4. David, b. February 12, 1785. 
 
 5. Jonathan, b. February 12, 1785. 
 
 Nathan Morse of Ashford died on a visit to his native 
 place, Sturbridge, in 1784, before the birth of his twin chil- 
 dren, David and Jonathan. 
 
 Nathan Morse of Union was the son of Nathan of 
 Ashford. He married Persis Robbins, daughter of Clark 
 Robbins of Ashford, March 25, 1802. 
 
 Ch. I. Danford, b. December 27, 1802; died 1862. 
 
 2. Lyman, b. September 11, 1804; killed by the 
 falling of a tree, February 23, 1828. 
 
THE MORSE FAMILY. 427 
 
 Mary. 
 
 Jedediah, b. September 9, 1809. 
 
 Amasa, b. May 8, 1814. 
 
 Nathan, b. January i, 1816. 
 
 Rebecca, b. July 10, 1819; m. David Potter. 
 
 Albert K., b. September 14, 1826. 
 
 Jedediah Morse, son of Nathan of Ashford, lived at 
 Union. He married Persis Chapman, daughter of Thomas 
 Chapman of Ashford, November 24, 1803. 
 Ch. I. Otis, b. February 25, 1805. 
 
 2. Maria, b. January 9, 1807; m. Ira Walker, March 
 
 II, 1830. 
 
 3. Lucius, b. January 14, 18 12. 
 
 4. Luke, b. January 24, 1820. 
 
 5. Orrin, b. January 27, 1822. 
 
 6. Ira, b. September 9, 1826. 
 
 Capt. Danford Morse of Union, son of Nathan, lived 
 near the Stafford line on the road to Stafford Springs. He 
 married Rebecca Walker, daughter of Perley Walker of 
 Ashford, April i, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Lyman, b. February 19, 1831; d. March 26, 1857. 
 
 2. Huldah, b. January 23, 1833; m. Freeman Put- 
 
 nam, November 20, 1853. 
 
 3. Adeline, b. March 15, 1835; m. Nathaniel O. 
 
 Newell. 
 
 4. Emeline, b. January 20, 1838; m. Baker. 
 
 5. Danford, b. December 3, 1841. 
 
 6. Elias, b. April 28, 1844. 
 
 Amasa Morse of Union, son of Nathan of Union, mar- 
 ried Sarah A. Thomas, daughter of Roland G. Thomas of 
 Willington, Conn., November 22, 1835. 
 
 Ch. I. Herbert A., b. December 9, 1840; d. June, 1841. 
 
 2. Charles F., b. September 5, 1844; graduated at 
 
 Amherst in 1872; d. at Brookfield, August 
 24, 1876. 
 
 3. Sarah J., b. July 12, 1842; m. Milo P. J. Walker. 
 
428 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. Henry, b. October, 1846; d. April, 1847. 
 
 5. Nathan, b. November 2, 1848. 
 
 6. John, b. August 21, 1850. 
 
 7. Mary, b. January 27, 1852; m. E. W. Brooks of 
 
 Stafford. 
 
 Nathan Morse of Union, son of Nathan, married Mary 
 J. Marcy, January i, 1839. She was a daughter of Zebediah 
 Marcy of Willington. He had one child by this marriage. 
 His second wife was Mary Lewis, whom he married March 
 15, 1840. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. September 27, 1839. 
 
 2. Martha, b. November 18, 1841. 
 
 3. Maria, b. November 9, 1844. 
 
 Lucius Morse of Union, son of Jedediah of Union, mar- 
 ried Lodisa Scarborough, daughter of James Scarborough, 
 November 25, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Stephen H., b. August 28, 1832. 
 
 2. Lovena O., b. November 4, 1834. 
 
 3. Merrick L., b. February 15, 1836. 
 
 4. James L., b. July 2, 1838. 
 
 5. Orrin H., b. April 3, 1841; d. in the army, April 
 
 15, 1862. 
 
 6. Susan E., b. April 17, 1843. 
 
 7. George A., b. May 21, 1845. 
 
 8. Charles M., b. March 6, 1851. 
 
 Luke Morse, son of Jedediah of Union, married Huldah 
 Scarborough of Ashford, February i, 1841. 
 Ch. I. Everet L., b. in 1850. 
 2. Permilla, b. 1858. 
 
 Orrin Morse, son of Jedediah of Union, married Helen 
 Horton, daughter of Ezra Horton, December i, 1843. 
 Ch. I. Sanford, b. April 29, 1845. 
 
 2. Helen J., b. June 9, 1848; m. Arthur Stetson, 
 June II, 1871. 
 
HUNGER, NEEDHAM. 429 
 
 3. Seth Herbert, b. May 14, 1852. 
 
 4, Delpha Adell, b. July 23, 1864. 
 
 Ephraim Hunger first bought land in Union of Nath. 
 Munger of vSouth Brimfield, April 30, 1778. He lived in 
 the northwest part of town. He married Johanna. She 
 died August 5, 1793. He served 14 months in the Revolu- 
 tionary army. 
 
 Ch. T. Amasa, b. October 6, 1774. 
 
 2. David, b. February 20, 1776; m. Lucy Bliss, 
 
 June 25, 1800. 
 
 3. Susanna, b. October 17, 1777; d. September 9, 
 
 1794. 
 
 4. Ephraim, b. June 7, 1779. 
 
 5. Rufus, b. June 3, 1781. 
 
 6. Eliab, b. August 17, 1785. 
 
 7. Salmon, b. August 5, 1791. 
 
 Ephraim Hunger married, second, Sally Robbins of 
 Sturbridge, February 6, 1794. 
 
 Jonathan Hunger first bought land in Union in 1790. 
 He lived where Felix Boovia now does. He married, first, 
 Rachel, who died in 1790; second, Elizabeth Paul, daugh- 
 ter of Robert, December i, 1791. 
 Ch. I. James. 
 
 Elial. 
 
 Horace, b. October 24, 1792. 
 
 Zerah, d. January 5, 1794. 
 
 Palace, b. December 23, 1794. 
 
 Chauncey. 
 
 Elisha Needham of Union, son of Jeremiah of Wales, 
 married Chloe Strong, October 12, 1797. He died April 16, 
 1822, aged 52. His widow married George W. Cummings, 
 October 24, 1827. 
 
 Ch. I. Harsena, b. July 12, 1800. 
 
43° 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Polly, b. November 26, 1802; m. Sylvester Rob- 
 bins of Holland. 
 
 3. Samuel Strong, b. vSeptember 10, 1805. 
 
 4. Salman, b. July 20, 1808; m. Mary Ann Town 
 of Thompson. 
 
 Tryphena, b. November 22, 1813; m. Darius 
 Hill of Thompson, Conn. 
 
 Enoch Gardner, b. February i, 1817; m. Caro- 
 line Cook of New Berlin, Wis. 
 
 Lurancy, b. April 3, 181 1; m. Caledonia West 
 of Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Jane Elizabeth, b. May 22, 1820; d. October 18, 
 1836. 
 
 Marsena Needham, son of Elisha, married Abigail 
 Wales, daughter of Gideon, January 29, 1823. He died at 
 
 ;i, 1 83 1. His widow died at Monson, 
 
 Stafford, August 
 August, 1859. 
 
 Ch. I. Esther Burnet, b. Jul}^ 23, 1826; m. Abram B. 
 Rogers of Hartford, November 23, 1853. 
 
 2. Abigail G., b. March 28, 1829; died young. 
 
 3. Marsena Wales, b. January 4, 1832; settled at 
 
 Monson. 
 
 Samuel vS. Needham, son of Elisha, married first, Esther 
 Wales, daughter of Gideon, December 13, 1836. She died 
 at Union, November 24, 1839. He married, second, Mary 
 Foster, daughter of William, April 6, 1841, and removed to 
 Monson, Mass. 
 
 Ch. I. Jane Elizabeth, b. August 19, 1837. 
 
 2. Esther Wales, b. November 11, 1839; m. Horace 
 Bumstead, and died May 21, 1874, at Monson. 
 
 THE NEWELL FAMILY. 
 
 Nathaniel Newell, of Needham, Mass., bought land in 
 Union of his brother. General Timothy Newell, of vStur- 
 bridge, June 22, 1775. (T. R., Vol. 3, p. 238). 
 
 The ancestry of the Newell families of Sturbridge and 
 
THE NEWELL FAMLLY. 431 
 
 Union has been traced by Joseph K. Newell, of Spring- 
 field, Mass., back to Abraham Newell, who was born in 
 1585, and came from Ipswich, England, to this country in 
 1634. Savage, the great New England genealogist, says 
 that he was the first settler of Roxbury; that he came 
 from England in the ship Francis, bringing with him six 
 children. Faith, Grace, Abraham, John, Isaac, Jacob. The 
 fifth child, Isaac, had eight children, the eighth of whom, 
 Josiah, was born March 6, 1690. He settled at Dedham, 
 afterwards Needham, Mass. He married Hannah Fisher, 
 of Dedham, January 21, 1 701-2. 
 
 He had three sons, Josiah, Ebenezer and Timothy; also 
 four daughters, Hannah, married Zerah Fuller, of Sharon; 
 Experience, married Joseph Daniels, of Needham; 
 Rebecca, married Joseph Chickering, of Dover, or Ded- 
 ham; Mary, married Joseph Dewing, of Needham. 
 
 Josiah and Timothy, sons of Josiah, of Dedham, settled 
 in Needham, and Ebenezer, their brother, in Dover. Rev. 
 W. W. Newell, D.D., of New York, was a descendant of 
 Ebenezer. 
 
 Josiah, of Needham, married Sarah Mclntire and had 
 two sons, Josiah, whose descendants still live in Needham, 
 and Jonathan, who graduated at Harvard, and was for fifty 
 years minister of Stowe, Mass. His son. Dr. Jonathan, 
 graduated at Harvard, 1805, and settled as a physician in 
 his native town. 
 
 Timothy Newell, of Needham, and son of Josiah, of 
 Dedham, was born February 2, 17 15, and died October 2, 
 1788. Lydia Kingsbury, his wife, was born March 11, 17 17, 
 and died May 24, 1789. Their children were : 
 
 Ch. I. Lydia, b. September 16, 1740; d. March 22, 
 181 7. She married Timothy Kingsbury, of 
 Needham. 
 2. Timothy, of Sturbridge. He was born Septem- 
 ber II, 1742, and died February 5, 1819. He 
 married Miriam Marcy, daughter of Colonel 
 Moses Marcy, of Sturbridge, and had one 
 
432 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 son, Timothy (Harvard Colleg-e, 1802), and 
 eight daughters, one of whom, Lticinda, was 
 married to Rev. Alfred Ely, D.D., of Mon- 
 son, Mass. 
 
 3. Rebecca, b. September 23, 1744; the wife of 
 
 Ichabod Ellis, of Dedham, Mass. 
 
 4. Rachel, wife of Edward Foster, of Union, b. 
 
 May 24, 1847; d. June 7, 1835. vShe had eight 
 children. 
 
 5. Nathaniel, settled in Union; b. September 15, 
 
 1749; d. February 11, 1817; m. Silence Keep, 
 of Longmeadow, December 13, 1775, who was 
 born October 13, 1757, and died March 24, 
 1842. He had seven children. 
 
 6. Esther, wife of Thomas H. Townsend, had one 
 
 child, Mary Anne, who married Alpheus 
 Bigelow, of Weston, Mass. 
 
 7. Nathan, settled in Belchertown. He was born 
 
 January 25, 1754, and died at Dedham, July 
 7, 181 7. He had eight children, one of whom 
 was Rev. Chester Newell, who graduated at 
 Yale in 1832, and was a long time chaplain 
 in the United States navy. He afterwards 
 resided at Worcester, Mass. 
 
 8. Eleazar, b. February 12, 1758; d. February 20, 
 
 1759- 
 
 Nathaniel Newell, Sr., son of Timothy, came to Union 
 about 1770. He married Silence Keep, of Longmeadow, 
 Mass., December 13, 1775. He died in 1817, and she died 
 March 24, 1842. 
 
 Ch. I. Silence, b. February 22, 1777; m. Rufus 
 Leonard, June 22, 1808 (b. April 5, 1777; d. 
 1836). 
 
 2. Nathaniel, b. August 19, 1778; d. August 21, 
 
 1778. 
 
 3. Eleazar, b. August 19, 1778; d. August 19, 1778. 
 
 4. Timothy, b. August 19, 1779. 
 
# 
 
 KX 
 
 Capt. Nathaniel Newell. 
 
Mrs. Nathaniel Newell. 
 
THE NEWELL FAMLLY. 433 
 
 5. Abigail, b. May 22, 1782; d. October 30, 1782. 
 
 6. Nathaniel, b. July 18, 1785. 
 
 7. Abigail, b. May 25, 1787; d. April 4, 1803. 
 
 Captain Timothy Newell, son of Nathaniel, married 
 Caroline Plympton (b. October 9, 1783), of Sturbridge, Sep- 
 tember II, 1805. 
 
 Ch. I. Abigail Walcott, b. June 8, 1806; m. Joshua 
 Bascom, of Smithport, Penn. 
 
 2. Caroline, b. February 11, 1808; m. Horatio Bas- 
 
 com, of Smithport, Penn. 
 
 3. Andrew Frederick, b. March 11, 1815; m. 
 
 Martha J. Van Gorder, of Warren, O. 
 
 Captain Nathaniel Newell, son of Nathaniel, married 
 Amy Lawson, daughter of Major David Lawson, December 
 7, 1808. He kept tavern and store at Union. He was cap- 
 tain of the company of militia in town for several years. 
 He was town clerk from 1823 to 1841, and held other town 
 offices. 
 
 Ch. I. Amy Louisa, b. October 7, 1809; m. Daniel 
 Hubbard, of Middletown, Conn., afterwards 
 Orwell, O. They had three children. 
 
 2. David Lawson, b. June 6, 1811. 
 
 3. Timothy Walcott, b. December 24, 1812; d. 
 
 March 16, 1828. 
 
 4. Roscius Clinton, b. December 11, 1814. 
 
 5. Lucius Blakely, b. Sei^tember 16, 1816; d. July 
 
 23, 1818. 
 Nathaniel Ossian, b. September 11, 1824; d. 
 
 October 22, 1824. 
 Nathaniel Ossian, b. December 14, 1825. 
 
 David L. Newell, son of Nathaniel, married Caroline 
 Crawford, daughter of Hon. Ingoldsby Crawford, Novem- 
 ber 29, 1835. He has kept store and post-office in Union 
 and held several town offices. He was town clerk and 
 treasurer from 1865 to 1870, and has held the office since 
 28 
 
434 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 1874. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1877. 
 He died November 15, 1892. 
 
 Ch. I. Timothy Wolcott, b. July 17, 1836. 
 
 2. David Mellen, b. May 14, 1838. 
 
 3. Caroline Sophia, b. Jnly 21, 1842; m. Henry 
 
 Herman, July 25, 1864. 
 
 4. Silas Wright, b. November 21, 1844. 
 
 5. Abby Calista, b. February 25, 1847; d. March 2, 
 
 1847. 
 
 Roscius Clinton Newell, son of Captain Nathaniel, 
 married Julia A. Pratt, daughter of Ezra Pratt, of 
 Orwell, O. 
 
 Ch. I. Louisa Silence, b. April i, 1846; m. Edwin 
 Goddard, of Orwell. 
 
 2. Fannie M., b. December 3, 1847; m. Trueman 
 
 Walters, of Orwell. 
 
 3. Mary C, b. November 20, 1853; m. Dr. Powers. 
 
 Nathaniel Ossian Newell, son of Captain Nathaniel, 
 lived in Union. He was town clerk from 1852 to 1857. He 
 married, ist, Harriet Moore, daughter of Marlin Moore, 
 September, 1843. She had two children. She died October 
 21, 1855. He married, 2nd, Adeline Morse, daughter of 
 Captain Danford Morse, May 27, 1856, and they had one 
 child. 
 
 Ch. I. Roscius Clinton, b. October 7, 1849. 
 
 2. Henry Laurens, b. April 22, 1853. 
 
 3. Ida Louisa, b. August 28, 1858. 
 
 Timothy W. Newell, son of David L., married Emma 
 Clapp. She died February 7, 1889. 
 
 Ch. I. Nathaniel Ossian, b. March 8, 1863. 
 Clifton Terry, b. February 22, 1865. 
 Herbert Clinton, b. Januar}^ 6, 1867. 
 Henry Lawson, b. May 17, 1869. 
 
 5. Timothy Olin, b. June 6, 1872. 
 
 6. Edith Leona, b. October 25, 1875; d. February 
 8, 1889. 
 
David L. Newell. 
 
THE NEWELL FAMILY. 
 
 435 
 
 7. Edgar Crawford, b. June 7, 1883; d. February 
 
 4, 1889. 
 
 8. Amy Caroline, b. December i, 1885; d. Febru- 
 
 ary 6, 1889. 
 
 David Mellen Newell, son of David L., married Sarah 
 Marcy. 
 
 Ch. I. Silas Henry, b. May 15, 1862. 
 
 2. Leon Murillo, b. October 11, 1864; d. June 13, 
 
 1868. 
 
 3. Caroline Sophia, b. December 27, 1865. 
 
 Silas W. Newell, son of David, married, ist, Ida Cor- 
 bin, daughter of Isaac Corbin, of Woodstock, November 21, 
 1866. She died April 15, 1885. He married, 2nd, Mrs. 
 Sadie Butler. 
 
 Ch. I. Silas Wright, b. November 11, 1867. 
 
 2. David Lawson, b. November 9, 1869. 
 
 3. Fred Emmons, b. February i, 1872. 
 
 4. Myra Ida, b. October 15, 1881; d. February 7, 
 
 li 
 
 ^o- 
 
 5. Isaac Corbin, b. March 14, 1884. 
 
 Roscius Clinton Newell, the son of Nathaniel Ossian 
 Newell, was born in Union, October 9, 1849. He left Union 
 at the age of sixteen and was employed by the Agawam 
 Canal Company of West Springfield, Mass., May i, 1866. He 
 became paymaster and clerk in the office of the South- 
 worth Paper Company of West Springfield, April i, 1868. 
 On January i, 1875, he organized the Massachusetts Paper 
 Company, assuming the financial management in connec- 
 tion with a partial interest in the company until June i, 
 1877. 
 
 He became paymaster of the Otis Company, November, 
 1877, and superintendent of their mills at Three Rivers, 
 Mass., in October, 1881. He is a man of splendid business 
 ability and is highly respected by all who know him. He 
 
436 GENEALOGIES. .^ 
 
 married Sarah Alberton Cusliman, daughter of Alden 
 Cushman, of Agawam, Mass., September 20, 1S70. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry Clinton Newell, b. October 12, 1875. 
 
 Henry Laurens Newell, son of Nathaniel Ossian 
 Newell, was born in Union, Conn., April 22, 1853. He left 
 Union and entered the employment of the Southworth 
 Paper Company of West Springfield, Mass., March 3, 1870. 
 He was superintendent of the Worthy Paper Companies' 
 mills from January i, 1880, until May i, 1886, when he 
 engaged in the paper business in Springfield, Mass., on his 
 own account. He sold out his business in 1889 to com- 
 mence the manufacture of envelopes. He organized the 
 Ohio Envelope Company of Dalton, Ohio, of which he 
 became president and manager, April i, 1891. His present 
 residence is at Dalton, Ohio. He married Isabel Macauley, 
 May 8, 1877. 
 
 Ch. I. Roscius Clinton, b. June 3, 1878. 
 
 2. AiTiy Isabel, b. February 18, 1884. 
 
 3. Daughter (not yet named), b. October 12, 1892. 
 
 Jacob Newell came to Union from Sturbridge and 
 bought land of Obadiah Lillie, March 24, 1778. He lived 
 where Edwin Upham now does. He was a distant relative 
 
 of Nathaniel Newell. He married Chloe . 
 
 Ch. I. Lucy, b. in vSturbridge; baptized October i, 
 1780. 
 
 2. Moses, b. in Sturbridge; baptized October i, 
 
 1780. 
 
 3. Abraham, b. May 24, 1780; d. May 14, 1786. 
 
 4. Harmony, b. December 10, 1782; d. March 28, 
 
 1783. 
 
 5. Harmony, b. March 26, 1784. 
 
 6. Molley, b. January i, 1786. 
 
 7. Abraham, b. September 30, 1789. 
 
 Ezekiel Olney came from Johnston, R. I., to Union in 
 1786. He had been a captain in the Revolutionary army. 
 
 J 
 
OLNEY. 
 
 437 
 
 He lived in the southeast part of town (on what was after- 
 wards the George Leonard place). He lived in Union from 
 1786 to about 1820, when he removed to Willington, where 
 he died October 21, 1826. He married, ist, Mary Warner; 
 2nd, Lydia Brown, born at Smithfield about 1754 and died 
 in 1833. 
 
 Ch. I. Jeremiah, b. March 15, 1775; d. February 11, 1826. 
 
 2. Susannah, b. May 28, 1778; m. Nathan Howard, 
 
 of Ashford; d. 1856. 
 
 3. Polly, b. March 28, 1782; m. Daniel Wilbur, and 
 
 d. 1849. 
 
 4. William, b. April 24, 1784; d. 1857. 
 
 5. Lydia, b. May 26, 1786; m. Cady Bartlett. 
 
 6. James, b. June 29, 1788; m. Nancy Eaton. 
 
 7. Abilene, b. April 14, 1790; m. Elias Chapman, 
 
 of Westford. 
 
 8. Oliver, b. August 11, 1796. 
 
 9. Jesse, b. October 12, 1798. 
 
 10. Ezekiel, Jr., b. February i, 1801; d. 1823. 
 
 11. Sally Ann, b. January 29, 1806; m. Crane. 
 
 Jesse Olney, son of Ezekiel, became a celebrated 
 teacher in Hartford, Conn. He was the author of several 
 school books, which were extensively used, particularly 
 his Geography and the National Preceptor, a reading book. 
 He afterwards lived in Southington, Conn., then in Strat- 
 ford. He was a leading politician and for many years 
 State Comptroller. He married Elizabeth Barnes, May 4, 
 1829. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles F., b. August 27, 1831; teacher in New 
 York. 
 
 2. James B., b. July 20, 1833; lawyer in Catskill, 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 3. George A., b. May 29, 1835; merchant in New 
 
 York. 
 
 4. Julia Ann, b. July 21, 1837. 
 
 5. Ellen W., b. November 6, 1842; an authoress. 
 
 6. Mary H., b. September 8, 1849. 
 
438 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Arnold Paine married Harriet M. Hatch, April 20, 1841. 
 
 She died November 28, 1847. He married, 2nd, 
 
 Keep, of Monson. He died by suicide, January 7, 185 1. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Mary Jane, b. March 9, 1842. 
 Lucy, b. January 30, 1843. 
 Maria, b. February 9, 1844. 
 Harriet, b. March 23, 1845. 
 Arnold Aaron, b. March 11, i< 
 
 Jeremiah Parks came to Union from Preston, New Lon- 
 don county, in 1761. He lived in the northwest part of 
 
 town. He married Hannah . 
 
 Ch. I. Shubael. 
 
 Elias, b. October 20, 1762. 
 Mary, b. September 23, 1767. 
 Eleanor, b. January 13, 1771. 
 James, b. February 25, 1778. 
 
 THE PAUL FAMILIES. 
 
 Robert Paul, Senior, was one of the first settlers of 
 Union. He lived in the so-called Abbott House south of 
 the old meeting-house. He was called Robert Paul Senior 
 to distinguish him from another Robert Paul his Junior 
 in age, but not related. 
 
 He bought the land (lot No. 13), on which he lived and 
 died, of James Enos, the original proprietor, January 4, 
 1732. In the deed of conveyance he is said to be from 
 "Needham, county of Suffolk, Mass. Bay." He was a native 
 of Ireland, but of Scotch-Irish extraction, and belonged to 
 the Scotch-Irish emigration. He was a man of ability 
 and influence in his day. A manuscript copy of a treatise 
 on Surveying and Navigation, with diagrams, written by 
 Robert Paul, is in the hands of Harvey Lawson, one of his 
 descendants. His wife's name was Mehitabel Osland. 
 Ch. I. Jennet, b. May 26, 1728. 
 
 2. Esther, b. October 18, 1729; m. Capt. Thomas 
 Lawson. 
 
THE PAUL FAMILY. 439 
 
 3. Mehitabel, b. October 16, 1734; d. June 13, 1739. 
 
 4. Margaret, b. 1726; m. Caleb Abbott. 
 
 Robert Paul, Senior, died June 10, 1781, in the Sstli year 
 of his age. Mehitabel Paul, his wife, died December 18, 
 1796, in the 96th year of her age. 
 
 Matthew Paul, Senior, was one of the early settlers, 
 and was a brother of Robert Paul, Senior. He lived on 
 what in later times, was called the Fairbanks place, which 
 he bought of Edward Stallin of Norwich, July 2, 1734. 
 His wife was Sarah. Their children were : 
 Ch. I. Sarah, b. March 25, 1726. 
 Mary, b. March 26, 1728. 
 Sarah, b. 1730; d. April 25, 1755. 
 
 4. John, b. July 3, 1731, d. December i, 1755. 
 
 5. Jeane, b. August 20, 1734; d. May, 1754. 
 
 6. Elizabeth, removed to Walpole, N. H. 
 
 7. Matthew, b. May 28, 1739; removed to Walpole, 
 
 N. H.; d. February 18, 1793. 
 
 8. James, b. May 9, 1742; removed to Walpole, N. 
 
 H.; m. Zerriah Marcy, December 28, 1768. 
 
 Robert Paul, was an early settler in Union, but not 
 related to Robert Paul, Senior. He lived in the south part 
 of the town and must have been an extensive land-holder. 
 He was of the Scotch-Irish emigration, but it is not known 
 from whence he came directly to Union. He had two sons 
 who were both called "Junior," to distinguish them from 
 persons of the same name in town, but not related. It is 
 supposed he had daughters who settled at Palmer, Mass. 
 Dr. Hammond says: "I think it quite certain that this 
 family of the Union Pauls were related to the Pauls who 
 were among the first settlers of Palmer." The wife of 
 
 Robert Paul was Marion or Mary Ann . He died 
 
 April 6, 1738, and was probably young at the time of his 
 death. His widow died June 10, 1772. 
 
 Ch. I. Matthew, b. November 20, 17 18. 
 2. Robert, b. November 16, 1728. 
 
440 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Matthew Paul, Junior, was the son of Robert Paul, 
 who lived in the .south part of the town, on the place 
 owned in later time by his grandson Samuel Paul. He 
 was called Junior, to distinguish him from Matthew Paul, 
 Senior, who lived on the Fairbanks place, the brother of 
 Robert, Senior. 
 
 Matthew Paul, Junior, married Mary Lawson, daughter, 
 of John Lawson, the first of the Lawsons in Union, 
 November 13, 1755. 
 
 Ch. I. Eunice, b. September 24, 1756; d. September 25, 
 
 1756- 
 
 2. Elizabeth, b. vSeptember 4, 1757; m. Abram Laf- 
 
 lin, December 19, 1780. 
 
 3. John, b. March 13, 1759; d. October 15, 1776. 
 
 4. Robert, b. November 14, 1760. 
 
 5. Samuel, b. June 3, 1762. 
 
 6. Phebe, b. October 4, 1764. 
 
 7. Mary, b. May 28, 1766; m. Eleazar Kinney. 
 
 8. Ann, b. April 6, 1768; m. Alpheus Twist. 
 
 9. Sarah, b. February 15, 1770; m. Theophilus 
 
 Cutler of Stafford; d. August 9, 1865. 
 
 10. William, b. December 22, 1771. 
 
 11. Hannah, b. March 29, 1774; d. May 4, 1845. 
 
 12. Jennette, b. February 10, 1777; d. 1802. 
 Matthew Paul, Junior, died February 18, 1793. His 
 
 widow, Mary Lawson Paul, died April 2, 1797. 
 
 Robert Paul, Junior, son of Robert and brother of 
 Matthew, Junior, was called "Junior" not to distinguish 
 him from his father who died young, but from Robert 
 Paul, Sr., who long survived the father of Robert, Jr. 
 Robert Paul, Jr., was distinguished from the other Robert 
 Paul, by the phrase "tall Paul, the rake-maker." It is 
 related of Samuel Bass of Ashford, who lived just over 
 the line, and a near neighbor of the Paul's, that he was a 
 flaming new light disciple, and that in the meeting of that 
 sect he prayed for persons by name, and among others for 
 his neighbor Paul as follows: "Oh, Lord convert Robert 
 
THE PAUL FAMILY. 
 
 441 
 
 Paul ! Thou knowest whom I mean — tall Paul, the rake- 
 maker ! " Robert Paul, Jr., married, November 23, 1752, 
 Elizabeth Watson (supposed to be from Leicester, Mass). 
 Robert Paul died June 10, 1804. His widow, Elizabeth, 
 died October 24, 1804. 
 
 Ch. I. Eunice, d. September 25, 1756. 
 
 William, b. April 27, 1758; d. April 29, 1758. 
 
 Mary Anne, b. May 21, 1759; m. Samuel Stone. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. November 18, 1760; m. Jonathan 
 Munger. 
 
 5. Martha, b. October 20, 1762. 
 
 6. Ruth, b. March 20, 1764. 
 
 7. Joseph, b. March 16, 1766; d. April 4, 1766. 
 
 8. Matthew, b. April 25, 1767. 
 
 Robert Paul, son of Matthew, Jr., settled on the place 
 where his son Chauncey recently lived. He married Anna 
 Sessipns, daughter of Ebenezer, November 14, 1793. He 
 died of cancer, December 21, 182 1. vShe died February 22, 
 1 86 1, aged 87. 
 
 Ch. I. Polly, b. April 9, 1794; m. Dr. Shubael Ham- 
 mond. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, b. October 9, 1795; m. Moses White. 
 
 3. Anna, d. March 26, 1802. 
 
 4. Chauncey, b. February 10, 1798. 
 
 5. Marcia, b. October 22, 1799; '^^- Lyiuan Ses- 
 
 sions, January 16, 1823. 
 
 6. Newman, b. March i, 1803, never married; d. 
 
 October, 1859. 
 
 Samuel Paul, son of Matthew, Jr., lived in the south 
 part of town. He married Margaret Moore, daughter of 
 John, April 24, 1798. 
 
 He died April 2, 1844, aged 82. 
 
 Ch. I. Eltham, b. January 23, 1799. 
 
 2. Anson, b. April 11, 1800, 
 
 3. Amanda, b. December 25, 1801; m. Amasa Has- 
 
 kell, Sept. 10, 1823. 
 
442 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 4. Alantha, b. January 22, 1805; m. Abiel S. Pratt, 
 
 May 5, 183 1. 
 
 5. Lumansa, b. September 18, 1807; d. June 30, 
 
 1835- 
 
 6. Samuel, b. August 2, 1809. 
 
 Chauncey Paul, son of Robert, (see biographical 
 sketch), married Polly Armour, September 17, 1820. He 
 died June 18, 1888. 
 
 Ch. I. Orlando, b. September 23, 1821; d. November 
 18, 1839. 
 
 2. Robert Bruce, b. June 5, 1823. 
 
 3. Liberty, b. November 16, 1824. 
 
 4. Moses White, b. May 30, 1826; died at time and 
 
 place unknown. 
 
 5. Adaline, b. October 23, 1827, 
 
 6. Marvin Knowlton, b. August 22, 1829. 
 
 7. Elbridge Gerry, b. December 22, 1830; never 
 
 married, settled in Iowa; lives now (1892), 
 with his brother Bruce's family. 
 
 8. Sarah Ann, b. September 7, 1834; d. February 
 
 14, 1870. (See biographical sketch). 
 
 9. Chauncey, b. April 15, 1837; d. August 22, 1862. 
 
 Eltham Paul, son of Samuel, married Mary Anne 
 Richmond of Ashford, and lived first in Union and after- 
 wards in Canada. He had four children. 
 
 Anson Paul, son of Samuel, settled in London, Canada 
 West. He married first, Margaret Drake, second, Caroline 
 Childs of Woodstock, and had two children. 
 
 Samuel Paul, son of Samuel, married first, Rebecca 
 Knowlton, who died February 3, 1840; second, Silence 
 Knowlton, April 17, 1842, both daughters of Marvin Knowl- 
 ton. He lived at Union, and at London, Canada, and had 
 children. 
 
 3 
 
THE PAUL FAMILY. 
 
 443 
 
 Robert Bruce Paul, son of Chauncey, was educated in 
 the schools at Dudley and Warren, Mass., and at Monson 
 Academy. He then engaged in teaching some years. He 
 married March i6, 1S52, Ann Eliza Kinney, daughter of 
 Nathan. In 1886, he went West and settled in Edford, 111., 
 on a farm. He afterwards moved to Geneseo, Henry Co., 111., 
 and met with merited success in his business of farming. 
 He was a man of great moral worth, and his best efforts 
 were put forth in behalf of the moral, social, and material 
 advancement of his town and county. He died December 
 22, 1888. 
 
 Ch. I. Addie Jane, b. August 23, 1866. 
 
 2. Chauncy Bruce, b. September 28, 1868; d. 
 
 March 14, 1870. 
 
 3. Emma Josephine, b. July 9, 1872; d. August 27, 
 
 1873- 
 
 Liberty Paul, son of Chauncey, married Hannah Keyes, 
 daughter of Edward Sumner Keyes, of Eastford, Novem- 
 ber 28, 1850. In 1856, they went to Illinois and settled in 
 Edford, Henry county. Here he lived till his death, July 
 31, 1892. 
 
 Ch. I. Ernest Jerome, b. October 13, 185 1, at Union. 
 2. vSumner, b. March 12, 1854, at Townsend, Mass. 
 
 Marvin Knowlton Paul, son of Chauncey, married 
 Janette Fuller, daughter of Willard Fuller of AVillington, 
 March 24, 1856. They live at Geneseo, 111. 
 
 Ch. I. Jennie Luella, b. February 11, 1858; m. William 
 F. Jaques, September 14, 1881. They have one 
 child, Ewart Paul, b. November 22, 1888. 
 
 2. Marilla Villette, b. March 24, 1861. 
 
 3. Bernice Belle, b. March 9, 1868; d. August 22, 
 
 1870. 
 
 4. Eugene Everett, b. November 13, 1871; d. Jan- 
 
 uary, 1875. 
 
 5. Nellie, b. June 24, 1876. 
 
444 
 
 OENEALOOIES. 
 
 Ernest J. Paul, son of Liberty, married Elizabeth 
 Hughes, April 20, 1881. 
 
 Ch. I. Vera Z. E., b. November 2, 1883. 
 
 Christopher Peake came from Thompson to Union; 
 was one of the first settlers, and extensive land-holder. He 
 botight land jointly with Ephraim Williams of Stock- 
 bridge, Mass., and William Williams of Mansfield, May 12, 
 1740. They owned 1727 acres, of which Peake owned 550 
 acres. 
 
 Christopher Peake of Union, was probably the grandson 
 of Jonathan Peake of Roxbury, Mass., who was the son of 
 Christopher of Roxbury, who was made a freeman March 
 4, 1635. 
 
 Christopher Peake lived for a time where Captain 
 Nathaniel Newell now lives, and afterwards where there is 
 now a cellar hole just south of the East cemetery. Most of 
 his real estate was in the southeast part of the town. He 
 owned the lands which the Sessions' afterwards did. He 
 died not far from 1760, as appears from a deed of his sons, 
 Moses and Samuel, to John Sanger of Woodstock, dated 
 May 26, 1761. 
 
 Christopher Peake married Rebecca. His children as 
 far as ascertained were: 
 
 Ch. I. Rebecca, m. John Hayward. 
 
 Elijah, m. ; d. April 7, 1757. 
 
 Anna, m. Ebenezer Ward, June 23, 1748. 
 Moses. 
 vSamuel. 
 
 Zerniah, m. Jeremiah Badger, January 15, 
 1767. 
 7. Lois, m. Samuel Marcy, April 7, 1763. 
 
 Moses Peake, son of Christopher, married Sibbil Marcy, 
 February 24, 1763, and had one child, Dorcas, b. March 19, 
 1763. 
 
PEAKE-PLUMLEY. 445 
 
 Samuel Peake, son of Christopher, married Abigail 
 Fuller, December 6, 1764. 
 
 Ch. I. Martha, b. August 31, 1765. 
 
 2. Zerniah, b. March 30, 1767; d. April 13, 1767. 
 
 Captain Thomas Pettee, came from Northbridge to 
 Union, in 1779. He served 20 months in the Revolutionary 
 army. He had two children, Nancy and Susanna. 
 
 Benjamin Pitts bought land of Daniel Loomis, Novem- 
 ber 27, 1783, containing "about one acre with a tanner's 
 yard, Bark house, currying shop." This tannery was at the 
 corner of the roads east of the old burying ground. 
 
 Francis Pierce came to Union in 1767. He was a prom- 
 inent man in town, being selectman several years. He 
 served nine months in the Revolutionary army. He mar- 
 ried Elizabeth. 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. February 9, 1767; d. February 21, 
 1767. 
 
 2. Francis, b. May 10, 1768. 
 
 3. Elizabeth, b. August 17, 1770. 
 
 He married, second, Phebe Ainsworth of Union, April 
 27, 1780. 
 
 Daniel Plumley, was an early resident in town. He 
 lived on the Ruby place. He married Abigail. 
 Ch. I. Lydia, b. May 17, 1743. 
 
 John, b. February 24, 1745. 
 Daniel, b. December 7, 1747. 
 Alexander, b. September 27, 1749. 
 Joseph, b. January 2, 175 1. 
 Abigail, b. October 26, 1753. 
 Ebenezer, b. May 22, 1758. 
 
446 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 8. Benjamin, b. April i, 1757. 
 
 9. Samuel, b. September 6, 1758. 
 
 10. Elizabeth, b. 1760. 
 
 11. Jonathan, b. 1763. 
 
 12. Mary, b. October 6, 1765. 
 
 Elisha Plympton came from Sturbridge to Union, 
 where he lived several years on the so-called John Sessions 
 place. 
 
 He then moved to Stafford, where he died. He married 
 Bathsheba Hitchcock, daughter of Jacob, of Brimfield, b. 
 October 4, 1775, and d. July 31, 1815. He married second, 
 Hannah Fiske of Stafford. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. November 10, 1796; m. Foskit. 
 
 2. Billings, b. March 7, 1797. 
 
 3. Elijah, b. June 16, 1801. 
 
 4. Aimed, b. July 16, 1803. 
 
 5. Dwight, b. August 24, 1805. 
 
 6. Perley, b. December 6, 1807; m. Minerva Hyde, 
 
 of Stafford. 
 
 7. Matilda, b. November 24, 1810. 
 
 8. Louisa, b. October 30, 1812. 
 
 Joseph Preston came from Ashford to Union and 
 bought land near the Jesse Hall farm, of William Ward, in 
 1743. He married Mary. 
 
 Ch. I. Aaron, b. April 22, 1741. 
 
 2. Mehitabel, b. September 29, 1743. 
 
 3. Joseph, b. March 15, 1746; d. June 28, 1747. 
 
 4. Mary, b. April, 1748. 
 
 He removed to South Hadley, Mass. 
 
 Dr. Stephen Preston came from Ashford to Union. He 
 was the son of Medina Preston of Ashford. He lived at 
 the so-called Robinson place, opposite from where E. M. 
 Horton now lives. He married Clarissa Loomis, daughter 
 of Lieut. Daniel Loomis. 
 
PRESTON, PUTNAM. 447 
 
 He moved from Union to Sangerfield Center, N. Y., 
 where he had a lucrative practice and a high reputation as 
 a man and a physician. He died about 1840. He had a 
 son, Medina, who was born at Union, September 23, 1793, 
 and succeeded his father as a physician. 
 
 Asa Putnam, son of Asa, of Sutton, Mass., was born at 
 Sutton, June 13, 1795, ^^^ died at Union, September 14, 
 1882. He came to Union in 1836, and bought of Jacob 
 Morse the place east of Deacon Lawson's, where he after- 
 wards' lived. He married Patty Dudley, daughter of Ben- 
 jamin Dudley of Douglass. She died March 10, 1845. He 
 married March 13, 1846, for his second wife, Lucy Works 
 Dean, born February 17, 1813, the daughter of Ezra Dean 
 of West Woodstock. She died February, 1884. His chil- 
 dren, all by his first wife, were: 
 
 Ch. I. Collister, b. November i, 1817; d. November, 
 1836. 
 
 2. Benjamin Dudley, b. June 17, 1820. 
 
 3. Marcy, b. at Charlton, July 28, 1824; m. iVlbert 
 
 Crawford, April, 1847; three children, Mattie 
 J., Charles Albert, and Mary Olive; m. 
 second time, Burlingame of Pomfret. 
 
 4. Freeman, b. at Charlton, August 25, 1831. 
 
 Benjamin Putnam, lived at his father's till 1844; m. first 
 Eunice R. Brown of New London, who died July 28, 1849; 
 second, Lydia Chamberlain, daughter of Elisha Cham- 
 berlain; she died February 12, 1887; third, Mrs. Cutting of 
 Southbridge, who died August, 1890. 
 
 His children, all by his first wife, were: 
 
 Ch. I, Emma Eunice, b. March 3, 1845; ™- Samuel 
 B. Goodyear, October 3, 1883. 
 
 2. Lucy Dudley, b. June 5, 1847; m. Ed. Darling; 
 
 second, Everet Darby of Putnam; third, 
 Theodore Brown. 
 
 3. Lydia Sophia, b. June 23, 1849; d. February 19, 
 
448 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 1887; m. first, J. W. Gantz; second, Larkin 
 Vinton, of Southbridge; third, Bruce Morse 
 of Eastford. 
 
 Freeman Putnam, son of Asa, m. Huldah A. Morse, 
 daughter of Captain Danford Morse; live at North Ash- 
 ford. 
 
 Ch. I. Adeline, b. March 13, 1855; m. John Whipple 
 of Union; three children, Harry, Edward 
 Leroy and Arthur. 
 
 2. Julia, b. October 14, 1859; m. Frank Jackson of 
 
 Woodstock Valley. One child, Eva. 
 
 3, Charles, b. January 23, 187 1. 
 
 Ezra Putney was the son of Isaiah of Charlton, Mass., 
 who removed to Union, and bought land of Joseph Griggs, 
 December 30, 1800. Prudence Putney, sister of Ezra, mar- 
 ried Nath. Morey of Union. Ezra Putney married the 
 second time, Elizabeth Coye, daughter of Archibald, Octo- 
 ber 6, 1807. 
 
 Ch. I. Nelson, b. August 22, 1808. 
 
 Mary Taylor, b. February 13, 181 1; d. March 19, 
 1811. 
 
 Ezra Alanson, b. April 9, 181 2. 
 
 Rensalaer, b. May 9, 1814, became a Baptist 
 minister. 
 
 Eliza, b. April 17, 181 7; m. Hiram Wallis of Hol- 
 land, January 29, 1835. 
 
 Rufus Coye, b. August 17, 1820. 
 Ezra Putney died March 21, 1846. His wife, Elizabeth, 
 
 died October 29, 1845. 
 
 i- 
 
 EzRA Alanson Putney, son of Ezra, lived at Union and 
 Stafford. He died June 14, 1853, at Rockford, 111. He mar- 
 ried Phila Wales, daughter of Lucius, April 18, 1833. 
 Ch. I. Lewis, b. January 26, 1834. 
 
 2. Andrew Nelson, b. April 24, 1836; d. September 
 8, 1838. 
 
THE REED FAMILY. 449 
 
 3. Joseph, b. August 24, 1838; d. August 26, 1838. 
 
 4. Mary Taylor, b. August 21, 1839. 
 
 5. Elvira, b. February 14, 1842. 
 
 6. David Wales, b. June 2, 1844. 
 
 7. Agnes E., b. May 11, 1848. 
 
 8. Rufus Andrew, b. December 20, 1852. 
 
 THE REED FAMILY. 
 
 The first one of this family in Union was Levi Reed, who 
 came to town in 1850. He was descended from Thomas Reed 
 of Colchester, Essex county, England, whose son Thomas 
 came to America about 1654, and settled in Sudbury, Mass. 
 His great-grandson, Nathaniel, born in 1702, settled in 
 Warren, Mass., and is the first ancestor of the Reed family 
 in that place. Reuben Reed, the grandfather of Levi Reed 
 of Union, lived in Warren, was known as " Major " Reed, 
 and is said to have been quite wealthy, being a large land- 
 owner on Reed street in that place. 
 
 Levi Reed of Warren, son of Reuben, was born July 17, 
 1773, and died October 19, 1819. He married Lucinda 
 Morgan. 
 
 Ch. I. Lucinda, b. December 18, 1804; m. Charles 
 Bemis; d. September 22, 1859. 
 
 2. Anson, b. Feb. n, 1808; went west. 
 
 3. Levi, b. July 23, 1811, 
 
 Levi Reed, son of Levi, came from Eastford to Union in 
 April, 1850, and settled in the south part of town on the so- 
 called Samuel Paul place, where his son Morgan now lives. 
 His brother-in-law, Adolphus M. Cheney, purchased the 
 farm on the east side of the roa#. Levi Reed was a cur- 
 rier by trade. He married Pamelia C. Allen, daughter of 
 Henry Allen of Fiskdale, Mass., July i, 1833. They lived 
 in Fiskdale many years and most of their children were 
 born there. 
 
 Ch. I. Josephine, born April 9, 1834; m. Hartley 
 Walker; d. August i, 1873. 
 29 
 
45 o GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Moses Smith, b. October 7, 1836. 
 
 3. Anson Allen, b. December 17, 1838. 
 
 4. Mary Augusta, b. December 5, 1840; died in 
 
 infancy. 
 
 5. Mercy Ann, b. July 5, 1842; died in infancy. 
 
 6. Altha Jane, b. November 11, 1844; m. Sherman 
 
 E. Paine of Ashford, in August, 1869; d. 
 March 13, 1879, leaving four children, of 
 whom William H. is now a cadet at West 
 Point. 
 
 7. Levi Morgan, b. June 28, 1847. 
 
 8. Joel Henry, b. January 10, 1850. 
 
 MosES S. Reed, son of Levi, lived at home until the 
 time of the war, when he enlisted, August 9, 1862, and was 
 in Co. I, i6th Conn. Vols. He was wounded at the battle 
 of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and was afterwards dis- 
 charged. He married Clarissa W. Watkins of Eastford, 
 and they had one child, Josephine, who died in infancy. 
 He died March 25, 1866. 
 
 Anson A. Reed, son of Levi, is a machinist and lives at 
 Worcester, Mass. He married Mary Lawrence of Auburn, 
 Mass. They have two sons. 
 
 Levi Morgan Reed, son of Levi, lives on the old place 
 in Union. He is a leading citizen in town and has held 
 many town offices, being selectman for a number of j^ears 
 and a representative in the Legislature of 1885. He is a 
 member and has been chosen Master of the Mashapaug 
 Lake Grange. He married Georgiana, daughter of George 
 D. Colburn in 1876. They have no children. 
 
 Joel H. Reed, son of Levi (see biographical sketch), 
 married Lydia E. Willis, daughter of Lemuel Willis of 
 Ashford, October 25th, 1872. 
 
 Ch. I. Willis H., b. May 22, 1S75. 
 
 2. Alice M., b. March 10, 1880. 
 
 3. Edna L., b. December 27, 1883. 
 
RICE-EINDGE. 45 1 
 
 Dr. Noah Rice came to Union in 1796, and succeeded 
 Dr. Preston, living also at the Robinson place (west of 
 Mason Morton's). He was the physician of Union for sev- 
 eral years. Dr. Rice sold his place to Peter Robinson, who 
 sold it to Dr. Jacob Corey, Sr., of Sturbridge, who retained 
 it for many years. About 1830 if was sold to Elbridge 
 Cass. 
 
 Asa Richardson was a shoemaker in Union several 
 years about the first of the century on the county road 
 southwest of the Foster place. 
 
 Ch. I. William Augustus, m. Dorothy Wyman. 
 
 2. Lysander. 
 
 3. Edwin. 
 
 4. Lucian. 
 
 q. Charlotte. 
 
 Eleazar Rosebrooks, was born in Grafton, Mass., in 
 1747, and came to Union in 1769. He married Hannah 
 Haynes of Brimfield, in March, 1772. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. November 7, 1772. 
 2. Hannah, m. Abel Crawford. 
 
 He sold his land in Union to John Rosebrooks in 1773, 
 and went to the White Mountain Notch, N. H., with the 
 Crawfords. 
 
 David Roberts came from Killingly to Union in 1764. 
 He lived in the southeast part of town. He had ten chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Peter Robinson came from Lebanon to Union and 
 bought, in 1796, of Dr. Noah Rice the place opposite where 
 Mason Horton now lives. 
 
 Thomas Rindge, son of Jonathan K. of Eastford, lived 
 during the early part of his life with Joanna and Mary 
 
452 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Sessions. He married Mary Ann Sessions, daughter of 
 Abijah, September 26, 1852. 
 
 Ch. I. Harriet Ellen, b. May 26, 1854; d. August 26, 
 
 1855- 
 
 2. Thomas Herbert, b. August 2, 1856; d. Septem- 
 
 ber 24, 1856. 
 
 3. Alice Louisa, b. August 2, 1857. 
 
 4. Charles Thomas, b. May 15, i860. 
 
 5. Mary Elizabeth, b. September 9, 1864; m. War- 
 
 ren P. Keith of Eastford, January 27, 1886. 
 Children, (i) Edward Sessions, b. May 25, 
 1887. (2) Everett Dana, b. May 31, 1888. 
 Mrs. Mary Ann Rindge died March 18, 1888. 
 
 John Ruby was a soldier of the Revolution. He died 
 August 9, 1830. He married Esther Howe, June 19, 1777. 
 She died November 17, 1834. 
 
 Ch. I. James, b. September 28, 1777; m. Mary Lamb 
 of Ashford. 
 
 2. Thomas, b. September 28, 1777. 
 
 3. Polly, b. November 28, 1779; m. Jason Ferry. 
 
 4. John, b. April 9, 1784. 
 
 5. Esther, b. March 23, 1788; m. Chauncey Ferry, 
 
 May 6, 1805. 
 
 6. Lucinda, b. December 7, 1793; m. Daniel Steers, 
 
 March 29, 1829. 
 
 Thomas Ruby, son of John, lived in the southwest part 
 of town. He married Elizabeth Fuller of Stafford, Feb- 
 ruary II, 1801. He died September 8, 1855. His wife 
 Elizabeth died July i, i860. 
 
 Ch. I. Orrel, b. August 23, 1801; m. Paris H. Bowers 
 of Thompson, March 14, 1824. 
 
 2. Amanda, b. October 24, 1802; m. Howard of 
 
 Palmer, April 18, 1827. 
 
 3. Betsey, b. January 7, 1804; m. Sibley. 
 
RUBT, SANGER. 453 
 
 4. Annis, b. December 12, 1805; m. Daniel Steers, 
 
 November 3, 1825. 
 
 5. James, b. May 13, 1807; m. Nancy Daggett of 
 
 Willington, November, 1830. 
 
 6. Esther, b. December 9, 1808. 
 
 7. Thomas Howe, b. August 18, 181 1; m. Almeda 
 
 Porter of Willington. 
 
 8. Ariel Fuller, b. May 4, 1813; d. October 10, 1831. 
 
 9. Achsa, b. June 6, 1815; m. William Harvey of 
 
 Palmer, May 22, 1834. 
 
 10. Edmund, b. November 18, 1817. 
 
 11. Julianne, b. November 9, 1819; m. Wakeman 
 
 Sibley. 
 
 12. Angeline, b. January 9, 1822; m. Samuel W. 
 
 Moore, November 7, 1842. 
 
 13. William, b. October 22, 1823; m. Leonora Bur- 
 
 ley. 
 
 14. Harriet, b. August 14, 1825; m. Nath. Sessions, 
 
 October 10, 1842. 
 
 Jonathan Sanger came from Woodstock to Union and 
 bought of Hanry Badger, April 14, 1741, the Bush meadow 
 farm and saw-mill. 
 
 Nathaniel and John Sanger came to Union at the same 
 time. 
 
 John Sanger married Dorothy 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. September 13, 1743. 
 
 2. John, b. August 2, 1744. 
 
 3. Huldah, b. 1747. 
 
 4. Dorothy, b. April 25, 1749. 
 
 5. David, b. April 26, 1751. 
 
 6. Benjamin, probably also a son of John. He 
 
 joined the company of Abijah Sessions in 
 the army of the Revolution and was killed 
 in battle in 1776. 
 
454 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 THE SESSIONS FAMILY. 
 
 The vSessions family is an ancient and honorable one. 
 The common ancestor of the Sessions of Union, Warren, 
 Mass., Wilbraham, Mass., Tolland and Westford, Conn., 
 was Nathaniel Sessions of Pomfret. He was born in 
 Andover, Mass., in 1680, settled in Pomfret on Mashomquet 
 Brook as early as 1704 and died in that town in 1771 aged 
 91 years. He was a farmer and an extensive land-holder. 
 
 In the obituary notice of Darius Sessions in the Provi- 
 dence Gazette of April 29, i8og, it was said of Nathaniel, the 
 father of Darius, that he was the son of Samu^T' Sessions 
 who came from England with Paul Dudley, the first royal 
 governor of Massachusetts, and for awhile lived with him 
 at Roxbury, but afterwards went to Andover where his 
 large family of sons were born. The native place of 
 Samuel Sessions was at Wangate, England. 
 
 This account is not consistent with the brief notice of 
 the Sessions family as given by Savage. He makes Alex- 
 ander Sessions of Andover the common ancestor, who mar- 
 ried April 24, 1672, Elizabeth Spofford of Rowley. His 
 children were John, born in 1674, Alexander, Timoth)^, 
 Samuel, Nehemiah (should be Nathaniel), Josiah and 
 Joseph. He died February 26, 1689. 
 
 Samuel, son of Alexander, according to Savage, is not 
 the Samuel, father of Nathaniel, according to the Provi- 
 dence Gazette. For according to later account, Nathaniel 
 of Pomfret was the son of Samuel of Andover, who was 
 born at Wangate, England, but according to the former 
 account, Samuel was a native of this country and son of 
 Alexander the first comer. 
 
 The fact that Alexander is so common a family name 
 favors Savage's account as probable. But if Savage's 
 account is to be received as far as it goes, we are in the 
 dark as to the ancestry of Nathaniel of Pomfret. 
 
 Nathaniel Sessions of Pomfret was a large proprietor of 
 the town of Union. He bought, June 12, 1 721, of Wm. Mc- 
 Coy of Pomfret, one-thirteenth part of the town of Union. 
 
THE SESSIONS FAMILY. 455 
 
 It does not appear that he ever lived in Union, yet no 
 man was more interested in its settlement. He was a most 
 active member of the company of proprietors in laying the 
 divisions of lots and farms. He sold his lands in Union 
 to his son Darius, December 31, 1741, and two weeks after, 
 that is, January 13, 1742, the son deeded the lands back 
 again to his father. 
 
 Darius Sessions, son of Nathaniel of Pomfret, graduated 
 at Yale in 1737, settled in Providence and was many years 
 deputy governor of Rhode Island, at the time of the Revo- 
 lution and afterwards. Bancroft says of him that at the 
 burning of the Gaspee (an affair like " the Boston tea- 
 party) " Darius Sessions and Stephen Hopkins were the 
 two pillars on which the liberty of Rhode Island depended. 
 The wife of Nathaniel Sessions of Pomfret was Joanna. 
 Their children were all born in Pomfret, viz.: 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. December 15, 1707; d. May 26, 
 1767. 
 
 2. Nathaniel, b. October 22, 1709. 
 
 3. John, born August 14, 1711; f^- ^^^y 24, 1737. 
 
 4. Alexander, b. October 4, 1713 ; settled in War- 
 
 ren, Mass. 
 
 5. Amasa, b. August 13, 17 15; ^^- April, 1799- 
 
 6. Darius, b August 11, 17 17; d. April, 1809. 
 
 7. Simeon, b. February 11, 1720. 
 
 8. Abner, b. May 4, 1722; settled in Union 1744; 
 
 d. February 18, 17 81. 
 
 9. Mary, b. August 4, 1724. 
 
 10. Abijah, b. February i, 1726; settled in Union; 
 
 d. April 12, 1753. 
 
 11. Joanna, b. January 19, 1729. 
 
 Am.^sa Sessions, son of Nathaniel, settled in Pomfret. 
 He married Hannah Miller, born at Rehoboth, Mass. 
 Their children were: 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. June 17, 1745 ; lived at Union and Provi- 
 dence; d. November, 1820. 
 
456 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Samuel, b. November 26, 1746; lived at Union 
 
 and Westford; d. November, 181 8. 
 
 3. Amasa, b. August 12, 1748; settled at Tolland; 
 
 d. May 16, 1816. 
 
 4. Nathaniel, b. June 10, 1750; settled at Union; 
 
 d. October 5, 1824. 
 
 5. Robert, b. March 4, 1752; settled at Wilbraham; 
 
 d. September 26, 1836. 
 
 6. Hannah, b. February 2, 1754; d. May 18, 1773. 
 
 7. Susannah, b. November 16, 1755; d. 1783. 
 
 8. Squire, b. December 23, 1757; settled at Pom- 
 
 fret; d. September 26, 1823. 
 
 9. Mary, b. February 8, 1761; d. 1845. 
 
 10. Abner, b. 1763; d. 1763. 
 
 11. Abner, b. September 28, 1765; settled at 
 
 Granby; d. February, 1825. 
 
 Deacon Abner Sessions, son of Nathaniel of Pomfret, 
 bought land in Union of Isaac Sheldon of Hartford, Febru- 
 ary 22, 1744. His father gave him land March 17, 1748. 
 He is reputed to have been one of the best citizens who 
 ever lived in town. He was town clerk, succeeding Enoch 
 Badger in 1747, until his death in 1781, a period of 34 years. 
 He was Justice of the Peace, Captain of the Militia and 
 Deacon of the church and approved himself well in every 
 trust. He died February 18, 1781. He married Mrs. Mary 
 Wyman, widow of Rev. Ebenezer Wyman and daughter of 
 Josiah Wright of Woburn, Mass., March 13, 1747. He built 
 the house long occupied by Newman Paul, which stood 
 near the house of Captain Chauncey Paul. 
 
 Ch. I. Ebenezer, b. March 6, 1748; m. Huldah How- 
 ard. 
 
 2. Silence, b. February i, 1749; married James 
 y Enos, Jr. 
 
 3. Mary, b. February i, 1753; m. Henry Martin of 
 
 Woodstock, November 14, 1771. 
 
 Abijah Sessions, son of Nathaniel of Pomfret, settled in 
 Union, receiving a gift deed of land there of 290 acres 
 
THE SESSIONS FAMILY. 457 
 
 March 4, 1750, from his father. He married Joanna Dana, 
 daughter of Isaac Dana of Pomfret, as appears from her 
 father's gift deed dated April 8, 1757 (T. R., Vol. 2nd, p 134). 
 He died very suddenly April 12, 1753, in the twenty-seventh 
 year of his age. His widow never married and became 
 partially insane from the death of her husband. They 
 had one son, Abijah, born June 2, 1753, called afterwards 
 Col. Abijah Sessions. Widow Joanna Sessions died March 
 20, 1797, aged 66. 
 
 John Sessions, Esq., son of Amasa of Pomfret, married 
 Goodale of Pomfret, November 5, 1766. 
 
 Ch. I. Walter, b. May 29, 1767; d. April 23, 1768. 
 
 2. Walter, b. July 22, 1769; m. Anne Loomis, July 
 
 20, 1786. 
 
 3. Hannah, b. January 11, 177 1. 
 
 4. Mary, b. July 21, 1772; d. July 30, 1777. 
 
 5. Alice, b. March 17, 1775; d. August 16, 1777. 
 
 6. John, b. April 29, 1779; m. Hannah Bugbee. 
 
 7. Alanson, b. September 20, 1781. 
 
 8. Harvey, b. September 29, 1785; lived in New- 
 
 port. 
 
 Nathaniel Sessions, son of Amasa of Pomfret, settled 
 in Union, He lived north of the Bliss Hatch place. He 
 married, first, Irene Wales, daughter of Dea. Ebenezer 
 Wales, November 16, 1775. Their children were five in 
 number. Mrs. Irene Sessions died December 3, 1793, in 
 the forty-third year of her age. He then married Fanny 
 Chandler of Woodstock, October 30, 1749. He died October 
 5, 1824, aged 74. His widow Fanny, died March 3, 1843. 
 
 His children by his first wife were: 
 
 Ch. I. Amasa, b. June 30, 1779. 
 
 2. Ebenezer, b. May 11, 1781. 
 
 3. Susannah, b. March 29, 1785; m. William 
 
 Wright. 
 
 4. Irene, b. April 12, 1787. 
 
 5. Lydia, b. March 5, 1789. 
 
458 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 William Eaton, 
 
 6. Nathaniel, b. August 20, 1790. 
 By his second wife : 
 
 7. Fanny, b. August 4, 1795; m. 
 
 November 28, 1822. 
 
 8. Hannah, b. February 22, 1797. 
 
 9. Moses Chandler, b. March 5, 1799. 
 
 10. Polly, b. January 19, 1801; d. October i, 1824. 
 
 11. Darius, b. May 8, 1801. 
 
 12. Elizabeth, b. April 2, 1807. 
 
 Ebenezer Sessions, son of Abner, married Huldah Hay- 
 ward, daughter of John Hayward of Ashford, May 18, 1769. 
 Ch. I. Abner, b. February 22, 1770. 
 
 2. Anna, b. April i, 1773; m. Robert Paul; d. Feb- 
 
 ruary 22, 1861. 
 
 3. Polly, b. April 9, 1775. 
 
 4. Orinda, b. March 14, 1778; d. April 11, 17 78. 
 
 5. Orinda, b. October 18, 1779; m. Amasa Coye; 
 
 d. April 27, 1845. 
 
 6. Ebenezer, b. May 7, 1782. 
 
 Ebenezer Sessions died August 28, 1824. His widow 
 Huldah died May 12, 1828. 
 
 Abner Sessions, son of Ebenezer, married Esther Booth, 
 daughter of Isaac Booth of Union. 
 
 Ch. I. John H., b. June 4, 1798. 
 
 2. Isaac Booth, b. May 26, 1799. 
 
 3. Polly, b. April 14, 1801. 
 
 4. Abner, b. August 12, 1803. 
 
 5. Elvira, b. December 20, 1805, 
 
 6. Sarah, b. May 28, 1808. 
 
 7. Otis, b. August 25, 1810. 
 
 8. Diantha, b. August 25, 1810. 
 
 9. Isaac Booth, b. January 7, 1813. 
 
 10. Martin, b. October 16, 1815. 
 
 11. Truman, b. February 20, 1818. 
 
 12. April, b. April 16, 1820. 
 
THE SESSIONS FAMILY. 459 
 
 Ebenezer Sessions, son of Ebenezer, married Sally 
 Hawes, daughter of Elijah Hawes, November 21, 1805. 
 
 Ch.' I. Orrell, b. July 6, 1806; m. Leonard M. Stock- 
 well of Sutton, March 19, 1828. 
 
 2. Gilbert, b. May 25, 1809. 
 
 3. Elijah, b. May 13, 18 n. 
 
 4. Caroline, b. February 20, 1815. 
 
 5. Mary Ann, b. July 9, 181 7. 
 
 6. Amos, b. July 17, 1819. 
 
 Walter Sessions, son of John, married Anne Loomis,. 
 daughter of Lieut. Daniel Loomis of Union, July 20, 1786. 
 Ch. I. Alice, b. October 19, 1786. 
 
 2. Sarah, b. October 21, 1788. 
 
 3. Anne, b. January 9, 1793- 
 
 4. Charlotte, b. February 21, 1795. 
 
 5. John Schuyler, b. March 20, 1797. 
 
 6. Daniel Loomis, b. February i, 1800. 
 
 Walter Sessions lived where Newman Bugbee now lives.. 
 
 CoL. Abijah Sessions, son of Abijah, married Hannah 
 May, daughter of Nehemiah May of Holland, February 8, 
 1778.' Col. Sessions died May 22, 1834. His wife died April 
 14, 1845, aged 91. 
 
 Ch. I. William Pitt, b. February 6, 1779. 
 
 2. vSarah Winchester, b. September 5, 1780; m. 
 
 Hendrick Griggs. 
 
 3. Louisa, b. March 10, 1782; m. Charles Foster 
 
 June 6, 1809, and lived in N. Y. 
 
 4. Joanna, b. February II, 1784; d. February 17, 
 
 1875- 
 
 5. Polly or Mary, b. February 18, 1786; d. April 7, 
 
 i860. 
 
 6. Hannah, b. December 11, 1789; m. Sumner 
 
 Keyes; d. July 14, 1830. 
 
 7. Abijah, b. April 12, 1791. 
 
 8. Lyman, b. April 7, 1793. 
 
 9. Olive, b. November 24, 1794; m. Asa Morse of 
 
 Woodstock, May 20, 1824. 
 
400 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 William Pitt wSessions, son of Col. Abijati, married 
 Elizabeth Keyes, who died July n, 1840. He then mar- 
 ried Laura Morris of Holland, Mass., January 19, 1841. He 
 died without children, March 9, 1861. Laura M. Sessions 
 died April 22, 1872. 
 
 Abijah Sessions, son of Col. Abijah, married Elizabeth 
 Childs of Woodstock, May 25, 1814. He married, second, 
 Mrs. Charles Crawford Lyon, February 4, 1866. She died 
 April 22, 1890. He died April 11,1874. 
 
 Ch. I. Alexander Hamilton, b. January 7, 1816. 
 
 2. Roxa Childs, b. September 17, 1818; d. Decem- 
 
 ber 27, 1819. 
 
 3. Jared Dana, b. December 27, 1820. 
 
 4. Meletiah, b. April 16, 1823; m. Elijah Jackson. 
 
 5. Bethiah, b. February 22, 1827; d. August 25, 1863. 
 
 6. Mary Ann, b. October 11, 1829; m. Thomas 
 
 Rindge, September 26, 1852. 
 
 7. Louisa Foster, b. November 11, 1835; m. Daniel 
 
 Stockwell. 
 
 LvMAN Sessions, son of Col. Abijah, married Marcia Paul, 
 daughter of Robert Paul of Union, January 16, 1823. 
 
 Ch. I. Joanna, b. December i, 1826; d. June 10, 1875. 
 
 2. Oilman Lyman, b. February 14, 1830. 
 
 3. Marcia, b. May 13, 1831; m. Stone; d. 1890. 
 Lyman Sessions died October 9, 1880. 
 
 Mrs. Marcia Paul Sessions died December 5, 1868. 
 
 Alexander Hamilton Sessions, son of Abijah, married 
 Harriet Hamilton of Brookfield, Mass. He died March 6, 
 1876. 
 
 Ch. I. Harriet, b. November, 1856 ; m. October 11, 1878, 
 Edward Hammond of Woodstock. 
 
 Jared Dana Sessions, son of Abijah, settled at Union, 
 Sturbridge and Toronto. He first married Miranda Hamil- 
 ton of Brookfield, Mass. She died August 26, 1861. He then 
 
TEE SESSIONS FAMILY. 461 
 
 married Laura Walker, daughter of Harvey Walker of 
 Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Vera, b. March, 1856; m. W. L. Hallet. 
 
 2. Ada, b. February, 1859. 
 
 3. Frederick H., b December 19, 1857; d. August 
 
 22, 1858. 
 
 4. Robert Harvey, b. January, 1866; m. Fannie 
 
 Rice of Youngstown, O. 
 
 Col. Moses Chandler Sessions, son of Nathaniel, mar- 
 ried, first, Elizabeth Kinney, daughter of Joel Kinney, Janu- 
 ary 2, 182 1. She died October 12, 1849. He married, sec- 
 ond, widow of Nathan Corbin. He removed from Union to 
 Kansas in September, 1857, and died there September 14, 
 1868. 
 
 Ch. I. Nathaniel, b. February 21, 1822. 
 
 2. Elizabeth Chloe, b. August 12, 1824; m. R. Fos- 
 
 ter Towne of Union, August 22, 1843. 
 
 3. Maria Louisa, b. August 14, 1826; m. first Orlan 
 
 Nelson of Wales, October 9, 1844, and lived 
 in Douglas, Mass. 
 
 4. Horace Warner, b. July 24, 1882; m. Mary A. 
 
 Browne of Southbridge, Mass., in 1852; d. 
 January 29, 1890. 
 
 5. Amanda Melissa, b. June 29, 1836; m. Jared 
 
 Converse of Westford, Conn., March 27, 185 1, 
 second, Thomas Anderson. 
 
 6. Sarah Lucinda, b. December 21, 1832. 
 
 7. Susan Mary, b. May 21, 1835. 
 
 8. Ellen Jane, b. January 22, 1841. 
 
 9. Moses Chandler, b. July t,o, 1844. 
 
 Nathaniel Sessions, son of Moses C, began teaching 
 school when seventeen years old and taught seventeen 
 terms. He married Harriet Ruby of Union, October, 1842, 
 and had two children, Elizabeth, who married Capt. 
 Thomas K. Bates, and Louisa, who died January, 1866. 
 
462 OENEALOQIES. 
 
 Moses Chandler Sessions, Jr., was born in Union and 
 went to Kansas with his father in 1857. He went to Cali- 
 fornia by the overland route April 20, 1863. He is now a 
 very prominent inan and farmer at Butte, Col. He owns 
 1 100 acres of land and raises a large amount of wheat and 
 barley. He keeps a large number of horses and other 
 stock, using forty-eight work horses in carrying on his 
 business. He is very much respected where he resides and 
 his counsels are sought by many of those around him, 
 especially by those in sickness and trouble, to whom he is 
 very generous and kind as a friend and townsman. 
 
 He married Nancy Elmira Fox of Kansas, February 
 12, 1863. vShe was born March 7, 1843. 
 
 Ch. I. Presby Chandler, b. March 17, 1866; d. April 16, 
 1880. 
 
 2. Ellen Jane, b. June 28, 1868. 
 
 3. John Warner, b. July 9, 1870. 
 
 4. Charles Frances, b. July 29, 1872. 
 
 5. lola Idel, b. July 24, 1874. 
 
 6. Mary Elizabeth, b. August 21, 1876. 
 
 7. Nancy Isabell, b. August 13, 1880; burned to 
 
 death August 6, 1887. 
 
 8. Marion Clarence, b. May 22, 1883; burned to 
 
 death August 6, 1887. 
 
 9. Homer Lee, b. January 24, 1886. 
 
 Marshall Severy (or Savery, as the name is sometimes 
 called), came from Uxbridge, Mass., to Union. He married 
 Chloe Walker of Union, August 30, 1801. 
 Ch. I. Elias, b. August 4, 1803. 
 
 Haman Severy, brother of Marshall, came from Ux- 
 bridge, Mass., to Union. He married Jemima Walker, sis- 
 ter of Chloe, May 11, 1803. 
 
 Ch. I. Levi, b. March 15, 1804; m. Sophia Moulton. 
 
 2. Elijah, b. March 17, 1806. 
 
 3. Lucy, b, July 12, 1808, 
 
REVERT. 463 
 
 4. Harriet, b. January 17, 1810; d. January 20, 1828 
 
 5. Reuben, b. March 5, 181 2. 
 
 6. Fanny, b. October 13, 1816. 
 
 Elias Severy, son of Marshall, lived at the place west 
 of the parsonage, where the house is now burned. He was 
 for sometime leader of the choir at Union. He afterwards 
 moved to Willington. He married Ataresty Moulton, of 
 Chaplin. 
 
 Ch. I. Eunice Emeline, b. May 24, 1825; m. Ashley D. 
 Studley, March 29, 1846. 
 
 2. William Clarke, b. March 23, 1829; d. March 11, 
 
 1830. 
 
 3. Henry E., b. 1835. 
 
 4. Martha Ataresty, b. July 10, 1846; m. Southwick. 
 
 Henry E. Severy, son of Elias, was converted in the 
 revival of 1850, when he was about fifteen or sixteen years 
 old. He was a tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed youth, who 
 trained himself for a teacher and pursued that calling for 
 a time with good success, but after a while he felt that he 
 ought to study for the ministry, and so attended Monson 
 Academy and spent a year of special training at Williams 
 College. He was intending to enter the Theological Sem- 
 inary at East Windsor in the fall of i860, but died of a fever 
 during his summer vacation. He was thoroughly conse- 
 crated to Christ and gave promise of great usefulness. 
 
 Elijah Severy, son of Haman, married Polly Lillie. 
 He died August 26, 1879. She died in 1882. 
 
 Ch. I. Fidelia, b. December 4, 1829; m. Jasper Miller 
 of Wales, May 8, 1847. 
 
 2. Fanny Polly, b. December 25, 1831; m. Harvey 
 
 L. Holmes, November 7, 1852. 
 
 3. Lucy, b. December 29, 1835; m. Charles vShep- 
 
 ard, of Sturbridge. 
 
 4. Polly, b. July 5, 1839; m. Richards. 
 ■5. ElivSha, b. vSeptember 15, 1842. 
 
464 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 6. Elijah Sanford, b. August 9, 1844. 
 j 7. DeWitt, b. 1846; m. Fanny Plank. 
 
 Elisha Severy, son of Elijah, married Emily Snow, in 
 1863. They now live in Waterbury, Conn. 
 
 Ch. I. Ernest Elisha, b. March 4, 1870; graduated from 
 the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Uni- 
 versity, in 1890. Is now (1892), a teacher 
 at Pennington, N. J. 
 2. Clarence, b. June 28, 1882. 
 
 Elijah Sanford Severy, son of Elijah, married Lucy 
 Jane Stone, August 13, 1865. 
 
 Ch. Mary, b. August 3, 1869; m. Fred Johnson, July, 
 1890. 
 
 James Shearer was one of the first settlers of Union. 
 The family soon moved to Palmer, Mass. Dr. Shearer was 
 a descendant. 
 
 Joseph Smalledge was an early resident. He married 
 
 Jane . 
 
 Ch. I. John, b. May 28, 175 1. 
 2. Zecheriah. 
 
 John Smalledge was a Revolutionary soldier. He mar- 
 ried Mary Goodhue. 
 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. March 4, 1778; m. Shaw. 
 
 2. Jane, b. February 29, 1780; m. Rogers. 
 
 3. Olive, b. February 24, 1782; m. Horace Walker. 
 
 4. James, b. April 17, 1785; m. Roxa Perry. 
 
 5. John. 
 
 John Smith was an early settler in Union, possibly the 
 original proprietor by that name. His wife's name was 
 Hannah, and his children, as far as known were: 
 Ch. I. Hannah, b. June 15, 1733. 
 2. John. 
 
SMITH. 465 
 
 3. A daughter, b. August, 1738. 
 
 4. Thankful, b. April 22, 1740. 
 
 Recompense Smith was a contemporary of John. He 
 married Joanna Rood, May 31, 1737. She was probably a 
 sister of Mary Rood, who married Enoch Badger. He was 
 received as an inhabitant of the town at a town meeting 
 October 27, 1737. He went from Union to Tolland, where 
 he died. William Smith, of vStafford Springs, was a grand- 
 son. 
 
 JuDsoN Smith lived at Mashapaug. He went from Union 
 to vSturbridge, thence to Binghamton, N. Y. He married 
 Cynthia Hammond, daughter of Dr. Shubael, January 17, 
 1838. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles Hammond, b. February 16, 1839. 
 
 2. Emily Cynthia, b. September 6, 1840. 
 
 3. Orlando Paul, b. September 5, 1841. 
 
 4. Herbert Edwards, b. August 24, 1844. 
 
 5. Albert Ellsworth, b. August 24, 1844. 
 
 6. Anna Sessions, b. January 27, 1S46. 
 
 Judson Smith died at Binghamton, N. Y., March 27, 
 1883, aged 73 years. While living in Union he was captain 
 of the company of militia here. He was engaged in the 
 shoe business with Harvey Walker, from 1837 to 1841. 
 After living in Warren, Mass., for a year, he settled at 
 Fiskdale, Mass., where he was in the shoe business till 1852. 
 In that year he removed to Binghamton, N. Y., where he 
 also engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Of 
 his children: Charles H. Smith now lives in Saginaw, Mich.; 
 Emily C. Smith, lives with her mother at Binghamton; 
 Orlando P. Smith died April 20, 1843; Herbert E. Smith is 
 in Binghamton; Albert E. Smith is at Saginaw, Mich.; 
 Anna S. Smith married a Mr. Mather, and is living at 
 Glenwood Springs, Col. 
 
 Prosper Smith came from Woodstock to Union, about 
 1840, and settled on the Laflin place, which he bought of 
 30 
 
466 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Elisha Lyon. He married Monica Goodell, of Woodstock. 
 He died March ii, 1882. She died March, 1878. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles, b. December 21, 1822; m. Nancy M. 
 
 Mumford, of Eastford; is a Methodist 
 
 preacher. 
 
 2. Maria N., b. February 14, 1824; d. September, 
 
 1828. 
 
 3. Lucy Maria, b. January 12, 1827; d. November 
 
 15, 1846. 
 
 4. George A., b. January 21, 1829; d. September 
 
 28, 1831. 
 
 5. Major Goodell, b. March 10, 1831. 
 
 6. Mary A., b. October i, 1833; m. Rev. S. V. B. 
 
 Cross, 1880. 
 
 7. Emily Howard, b. July 22, 1838; m. Frederick 
 
 W. Barber, September 5, 1868. 
 
 Major G. Smith, son of Prosper, married Lucia Maria 
 Bullard, of Ashford, April 9, 1857. 
 
 Ch. I. Alice L., b. 1858; d. February 17, 1863. 
 
 2. Willie DeForest, b. June 19, i860; d. May 17, 
 
 1869. 
 
 3. Minnette Eleanor, b. August 21, 1865; d. Janu- 
 
 ary 23, 1883. 
 
 4. Herbert DeForest, b. May 29, 1870; graduated 
 
 from the Hitchcock Free High vSchool, Brim- 
 field, Mass., in 1888. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Snell came from Ashford to L^nion, in 
 the year 1781, and lived here the rest of his days. He was 
 a soldier in the Revolution and spent the winter of 1776-7 
 at Valley Forge. He married first, Abigail Barton, Feb- 
 ruary 17, 1783, who died January 19, 1784. He married 
 second, Lydia Farnham, of Westford, November 23, 1785, 
 who died January 15, 1819. He married third, in his old 
 age, Margery, relict of Jonathan Harwood, of West Staf- 
 ford. She died July 25, 1848, aged 93. 
 
SNELL. 467 
 
 Ch. I. Abigail, b. January 4, 1784; m. Roswell Eastman. 
 
 2. Thomas, b. November 26, 1786, 
 
 3. Lydia, b. wSeptember 26, 1788; m. Parley Russell, 
 
 of Willington, June 17, 1822. 
 
 4. Joseph, b. February 24, 1791. 
 
 5. Betsey, b. July 19, 1792; m. ist, Marcus Bugbee, 
 
 March 4, 1830; 2nd, John Dixon, October 
 4, 1842; 3rd, Jonathan Larned, September 2, 
 1852. 
 
 6. Asa Farnham, b. May 2, 1794; m. Lovisa Eaton, 
 
 December 6, 182 1. 
 
 7. Erastus, b. May 27, 1795. 
 
 Thomas Snell, son of Joseph, married Hannah Strong, 
 February 20, 181 2. He died May 30, 1826, aged 39. 
 Ch. I. Abigail Rice, b. May 28, 1813. 
 
 2. Edmund, b. January 2, 1815. 
 
 3. Persis vStrong, b. February 25, 1818. 
 
 4. Hannah. 
 
 Dea. Joseph Snell, son of Joseph, married Hannah Chaf- 
 fee, of Ashford, November 25, 1813. He moved to Eastford 
 in 1830, and was instantly killed in a factory. 
 
 Ch. I. Erastus Gilbert, b. December 11, 1814, 
 
 2. Mary Ann, b. vSeptember 24, 1816. 
 
 3. Harriet Sophronia, b. April 19, 1819. 
 
 4. Lois, b. July 12, 1822; m. William S. Weaver, of 
 
 Willimantic; critic and genealogist. 
 
 5. Joseph William, b. March 12, 1824. 
 
 6. Eliza Minerva, b. 1827. 
 
 Asa Farnham Snell, son of Joseph, married Lovisa 
 Eaton, daughter of Josiah, December 6, 182 1. 
 
 Ch. Milton, b. April 25, 1823; Ann, Lovisa, Newton, 
 Lovina, Siisan, William, Wirt. 
 
468 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 THE SPRAGUE FAMILIES. 
 
 Two families by this name early settled in Union. 
 
 Elijah Sprague came from Lebanon, Crank Parish, now 
 Columbia, and bought of Daniel Loomis, September lo, 1751, 
 the Bush meadow farm and saw-mill. 
 
 Peres Sprague, probably a brother of Elijah, came from 
 the same place and bought of Aaron Clark, April 12, 1754, 
 the west part of lot No. 3, called in later times "Sprague 
 Orchard." 
 
 The wife of Peres Sprague was Tabitha. He died April 
 3, 1758. His children, born before he came to Union, were: 
 
 Ch. I, Thomas. 
 
 2. Peres. 
 
 3. James. 
 
 4. Calvin. 
 
 5. Tabitha, m. Samuel Hendrick, June 19, 1755. 
 
 6. Charity, m. Abner Loomis, July 12, 1754. 
 
 Thomas Sprague, son of Peres, married Hannah Cobb, 
 daughter of John, January 28, 1768. He lived east of the 
 road between David Newell's and Mason Horton's. 
 Ch. I. Sally, m. Cyrus Burley. 
 
 Olive, b. August 9, 1768; m. Giles Badger. 
 
 Lucy. ■ 
 
 Tabitha, m. Willard Badger. 
 
 Peres. 
 
 Lieut James Sprague, son of Peres, was one of the brav- 
 est soldiers of the Revolution. It was he of whom vSolomon 
 Wales said, "He can recruit more men with his old hat 
 and kilt trousers than I can with my best suit on." He 
 was a favorite of Gen. Putnam, serving with him in the 
 French and Indian War, and in the Revolution. He served 
 43 months during the Revolution. According to Mr. Ham- 
 mond he lived on the Rockmeadow road north of the Fos- 
 ter place. But another tradition says he lived north of the 
 
SPBA G UE-SrODDA ED. 469 
 
 Trenck Crawford place. He married Mary Thompson, 
 daughter of David. 
 
 Ch. I. Sally, b. February 11, 1778. 
 2. Adolphus, b. June 26, 1781. 
 
 Calvin Sprague, son of Peres, lived at the " Sprague 
 Orchard." He married Elizabeth Wright, daughter of 
 Jonathan, September 11, 1766. 
 
 Ch. I. Peres, b. April 13, 1767. 
 
 2. Molley, baptized September 17, 1769. 
 
 Tradition relates the following story of Peres Sprague, 
 son of Calvin. When he was a boy he was fond of going 
 fishing in Mashapaug. His anxious mother used to go to 
 the top of the hill north of the house, which overlooked the 
 pond and call out to him, " Peres! Peres! are you drownded ? 
 If you be drownded., don't tell on t for you 11 scare tne to death if you 
 do tell!" 
 
 Daniel Steers came from Rhode Island to Union, about 
 1828. He married first, Annie Ruby, daughter of Thomas, 
 November 3, 1825; second, Lucinda Ruby, daughter of John, 
 March 26, 1829. She-died February 5, 1845, and ^^ married 
 third, Hannah Youmans. 
 
 Amos Stickney was one of the earliest settlers of Union. 
 He came from Norwich and settled on the hill to this day 
 known as vStickney Hill. The name of his wife was Hepzi- 
 bah. They had one child born in Union, Sarah, born 
 November 10, 1735. He probably removed from town after 
 living here a few years. Rev. Mr. Wyman was ordained 
 at his house. 
 
 Ebenezer Stoddard, of Woodstock, obtained possession 
 of land in Union, by an execution on David Grover, whereby 
 Oliver Wales, constable, gave him possession of it by " turf 
 and twig," March 29, 1784. He married Alathea. He lived 
 
470 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 in the southeast part of town, one year at the Col. Abijah 
 Sessions place, where his son Ebenezer was born. His 
 children were Perley, Alithea, Polly, and Ebenezer. 
 
 Ebenezer became a distinguished lawyer, Lieut. Gov-' 
 ernor of the State and a niember of Congress. He was the 
 only member of Congress ever born in Union, although 
 Moses G. Leonard was brought up here, but was born in 
 vStafford. 
 
 Joseph Stone came from Dudley to L^nion, where he 
 bought of Mary Laflin, November i6, 1774, land lying in 
 the northeast part of town. This was the place where Geo,. 
 Crawford lives now. He married Lydia, who died July i, 
 1790. He died April 22, 1818, aged 88. 
 Ch. Samuel. 
 
 Samuel vStone, son of Joseph, lived where Geo. Craw- 
 ford now does. He married Mary Ann Paul, daughter of 
 Robert, Jr. She died September 13, 1842, aged 83. 
 Ch. I. Susanna, b. 1785; d. December 29, 1804, 
 
 Betsey, b. August 21, 1787. 
 
 Lydia, b. February 26, 1789. 
 
 Polly, b. June 11, 1790. 
 
 Joseph, b. November 27, 1792. 
 
 Benjamin, b. April 26, 1 795 ; d. December 1 8, 1798. 
 
 Samuel, b. February 11, 179S. 
 
 Samuel Strong came to Union from Windsor, where he 
 was born July 16, 1705. He was the son of Samuel, the son 
 of Return, the son of Elder John, who came from England 
 in 1635. Samuel Strong of Union came to town in 1747, 
 and settled in Rockmeadow. His farm bordered on the 
 west line of the town. He married Martha Stoughton, of 
 East Windsor. He died January 13, 1789, and his widow 
 March 5, 1798. 
 
 Ch. I. John, d. March 25, 1756. 
 
 2. David, b. 1737; d. at Stafford in 1807. 
 
SrROJSfQ. 
 
 471 
 
 3. Samuel, b. 1743. 
 
 4. Alexander, b. 1749. 
 
 5. Hannah, b. 1750; m. Jonathan Rising;, May 9, 
 
 1780; went to Vermont. 
 
 6. Return, b. 1755; went to Vermont. 
 
 7. Lucy, m. Solomon Wales, October 5, 1754. 
 
 8. Ruth, m. Paul Rising-, of Suffield. 
 
 9. Marthy, m. Burke; went to Vermont. 
 
 Alexander Strong, son of Samuel, lived where Francis 
 Upham now does. He married Abigail Rice, of Brimfield, 
 July I, 1779. He served in the Revolution. He died Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1826. His widow died March 2, 1834, aged 76. 
 Ch. I. Rebecca, b. June 22, 1780; m. Ed. Foster. 
 
 2. Persis, b. March 5, 1782. 
 
 3. wSalmon, b. March i, 1784. 
 
 4. Hannah, b. January 3, 1787; m. The. Snell. 
 
 5. Erastus, b. September 13, 1789. 
 
 6. Alexander, b. April 21, 1792. 
 
 7. Alvin, b. January 9, 1795; ^- January 14, 1803. 
 
 Samuel Strong, son of Samuel, married Anna Needham, 
 of South Brimfield, vSeptember 19, 1770. She died June 30, 
 1843, aged loi. He died January 28, 1828, aged 85. He was 
 a Revolutionary soldier. 
 
 Ch. I. Martha, b. July 22, 1771; m. Nehemiah May. 
 
 2. Mary, b. May 28, 1774; m. Walter Rosebrooks. 
 
 3. Chloe, b. January 13, 1779; m. Elisha Needham. 
 
 4. Anna. 
 
 5. Phebe. b. June 11, 1781. 
 
 6. Tryphena, b. January 4, 1784; m. Aaron Allen, 
 
 of Sturbridge. 
 
 Salmon Strong, son of Alexander, married Philena 
 Horton, daughter of Dea. Ezra, January 9, 1812. He went 
 to New York from Union. 
 
 Ch. I. Salmon Horton, b. October 12, 1812; d. January 
 18, 1834. 
 2. Philena, b. Septeinber 14, 181 2; m. O. F. Ranney. 
 
472 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 3. Alvin, b. February 14, 1817; m. Persis Powers. 
 
 4. Olive Adelpha, b. March 7, 1821; d. April 14, 
 
 1842. 
 
 5. Abigail, b. June 4, 1824; m. O. B. Kinne. 
 
 6. Julias A., b. November 20, 1826; m. Caroline 
 
 Powers. 
 
 7. Warren Groves, b. October, 1832; m. Fann}^ 
 
 Smith. 
 
 Alexander Strong, son of Alexander, married Lucinda 
 Griggs, daughter of Elisha, November 28, 1816. 
 Ch. I. Alvin, b. January 17, 1818. 
 
 2. Diantha, b. May 16, 1820. 
 
 3. Arvine, b. August 31, 1822. 
 
 4. Warren, b. November 19, 1824. 
 
 5. Alexander Stoughton, b. March 30, 1827. 
 
 6. Lucinda, b. May 23, 1830. 
 
 7. Horatio, b. February 16, 1833. 
 
 THAYER FAMILY. 
 
 William Thayer, son of Paley Thayer, of AVoodstock, 
 was born December 14, 1816; came to Union in i860, and 
 bought of James M. Herindeen, the farm east of Bigelow, 
 where he afterwards lived. He married first, Laura Bar- 
 ton, April 4, 1843. She died September 4, 1854. 
 Ch. I. George William, b. April 14, 1844. 
 
 2. Charles Henry, b. October 9, 1847; m. Addie 
 Simmons, of North Ashford, October 9, 1877. 
 
 William Thayer married second time, Philena A. Davis 
 Young, November 26, 1854. They had one child, Martha, 
 who married Edward Hewett, and had three children, viz.: 
 Albert F., Agnes P., and George H. They lived with Wil- 
 liam Thayer, until 1890, when they removed to Whitinsville, 
 Mass. 
 
 William Thayer died May 23, 1892. Mrs. Philena Thayer 
 died May 14, 1873. 
 
THA YER, THOMPSON. 
 
 47: 
 
 George W. Thayer lived in a house which he built near 
 his father's, until about 1876, when he removed to Kenyon- 
 ville. After living in several other places he returned to 
 Union, saying that he had made more money in Union 
 than anywhere else. In 1884, he bought the Benjamin Cor- 
 bin place, where he has since resided. He married Louisa 
 V.Young. Their children were: 
 
 Leonora, m. Myron Crawford. 
 
 Minnie G., b. July 7, 1866; m. E. Bruce Horton, 
 December, 1886. 
 
 Eva A., b. October 27, 1877. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 David Thompson came from Ashford, in 1768. He mar- 
 ried Prudence Harrington. 
 
 Ch. David, William, James, Asa, Prudence, Elizabeth, 
 Molley, m. James Sprague. 
 
 William Thompson, son of David, came from Ashford in 
 1774. He lived on the north side of Stickney Hill. 
 
 Ch. 
 
 Asahel. 
 
 Calvin, b. 1757; d. October 2, 1777. 
 
 Rufus, m. Sarah Burley, November 20, 1785. 
 
 Luther. 
 
 Benjamin. 
 
 Calvin. 
 
 David Thompson, son of David, married Patience. He 
 with his sons James and Abel, and their cousin Rufus, were 
 in the Revolutionary army. 
 Ch. I. James. 
 
 Abel, b. 1761; d. February 6, 1782. 
 
 Patience, b. 1762; d. September 26, 1777. 
 
 Eleazar. 
 
 David, b. 1773. 
 
 Deborah, b. November, 1776; d. September 20, 
 
 1777. 
 David, b. October 7, 1778. 
 
474 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 8. Joseph, b. March 21, 1781. 
 
 9. Abel, m. Ruth Thompson. 
 
 James Thompson, son of David, first lived near the Fos- 
 ter place on the Corbin road. He moved to Belchertown 
 about 1795. He married Mrs. Rachel Hovey, daughter of 
 Joseph Enos 
 
 Ch. I. Enos. 
 
 William, b. July 5, 1772; m. Experience Darling, 
 
 of Palmer. 
 Roswell, m. Anna Cleveland; lived in Belcher- 
 town. 
 Rachel, b. December 30, 1776; m. Capt. Onias 
 Hoar, April 28, 1864. 
 
 5. Betsey, m. George Bennett, of Belchertown. 
 
 6. Asa, b. April 25, 1781; m. Louisa Cooke, of 
 Belchertown. 
 
 7. Doll}^ m. Reuben Cleveland, of Belchertown. 
 
 8. Susanna, m. Loring Dutton, of Ludlow. 
 
 RuFus Thompson, son of William, married Sarah Burley, 
 daughter of Josiah, November 24, 1785. 
 Ch. I. Huldah, b. March 10, 1787. 
 
 2. Hannah, b. February 26, 1789. 
 
 3. Grosvenor, b. February 21, 179 1. 
 
 Elijah Touey came from Sutton, Mass., and bought in 
 1782, of Elijah Loomis, of East Windsor, lot No. 2 (where 
 Mason Horton now lives). He sold it to Capt. Penuel Child, 
 in 1789. Children born in Union: 
 
 Ch. I. Nancy, b. wSeptember 17, 17S2. 
 2. Elijah, b. October 3, 1784. 
 
 Thomas Tourtelott came from Thompson to Union in 
 1820, and bought the place previously owned by John 
 Armour. His uncle Stephen, a millwright, came to town 
 
THE TOWN FAMILY. 475; 
 
 later, but never owned a place here. Thomas Tourtelott 
 married Rebecca. 
 Ch. I. Thomas. 
 
 Smith, m. Sarah Leland, April 9, 1848. 
 Wright. 
 Squire. 
 Reed. 
 
 Adaline, m. Dwight W. Whittemore, of Stur- 
 bridge, April 9, 1848. 
 
 THE TOWN FAMILIES. 
 
 Joseph Town came from Thompson to Union about 
 1819. He lived in the northwest corner of town, where 
 Abiel now does. He was selectman in the years 1826, 1829 
 and 1835. 
 
 He married, first, Rhoda Chaffee, who died February 17,. 
 1840. He married, second, Martha Bradley, who died 
 August 18, 1858, aged 58. 
 
 Joseph Town died July 13, 1865, aged 78. 
 
 His children (the first six born at Thompson, the rest 
 at Union), were: 
 
 Ch. I. Hiram, b. May 5, 1806. 
 
 2. Nancy, b. February 7, 1808; m. William G. 
 
 Young of Southbridge, October 14, 1833. 
 
 3. Hermon, b. August 30, 1810; d. in Wales. 
 
 4. Luther, b. December 20, 181 2; lives in Spring- 
 
 field. 
 
 5. Walter, b. April 3, 1815; d. December 29, 1816. 
 
 6. Lucinda. b. March 13, 181 8; lives in Brimfield. 
 
 7. Laura, b. April 2, 1820; d. November 27, 1829. 
 
 8. Mary Ann, b. August i, 1822; d. in Wales. 
 
 9. Lucy, b. January 26, 1825; m. Edwin vS. Webber 
 
 of Holland, January 22, 1843. 
 
 10. Abiel, b. February 4, 1828. 
 
 11. Walter, b. August 15, 1830; d. September 19,, 
 
 1830. 
 
 12. Esther Wales, b. January 9, 1832; m. Timothy 
 
 D. Butterworth of Holland, January 9, 1851 
 
476 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Hiram Town, son of Joseph, married Betsey Wales, 
 daughter of Gideon, December 20, 1829. She died August 
 31, 1844. He married, second, Bennet. 
 
 Ch. I. Laura, b. October 30, 1830; m. F. B. Blodgett of 
 Holland. 
 
 2. Hiram Judson, b. April 7, 1834; d. in the army, 
 
 December 28, 1862. 
 
 3. Allen Wales, b. April 23, 1836; lived in South- 
 
 bridge. 
 
 4. Merritt A., b. February 2, 1839; i^^- Abbie A. 
 
 Pratt, March, 1867. 
 
 5. Mary Ann, b. April 5, 1842; m. Andrew G. 
 
 Chaplin, August, 1862. He died December 
 8, 1862. 
 
 Abiel Town, son of Joseph, married Frances Wheelock. 
 Ch. I. Emma, b. April 4, 1859. 
 
 2. Ella, b. November 19, i860. 
 
 3. Frank, b. January 7, 1865. 
 
 4. Annie, b. May 3, 1867. 
 
 Joel Town was born in Oxford, Mass., March 12, 1776. 
 He was the son of Simon, the son of John, the son of Jacob, 
 the son of William Town and Joanna Blessing, who came 
 from Yarmouth, England, as early as 1640. William Town 
 is the ancestor of nearly all the Towns in this country, and 
 a memorial of his descendants has been published. Joel 
 Town came from Dudley to Union not far from 1830. He 
 lived west of Timothy Newell's, where his son George W. 
 afterwards did. He married Elizabeth (Betsey) Willard. 
 He died at Union or at Ashford, September 24, 1863, 
 aged 87. 
 
 Ch. I. Celestina, b. October 8, 1801; m. John Pope of 
 Thompson, January 20, 1822. 
 2, George W., b. April 15, 1804; m. first, Sally 
 Cass, daughter of Elbridge, April 12, 1847. 
 She died April 11, 185 1. He married, second, 
 widow Hannah Squires, March 20, 1853. He 
 died December 13, 1863, without children. 
 
THE TOWN FAMILY. 
 
 Air 
 
 3. Nelson Parker, b. November i, 1806. 
 
 4. Sennia P., b. August 24, 1809; m. Danforth 
 
 Childs, March 9, 1828. 
 
 5. Oliver W., b. March 29, 1812; m. Julia Stoler. 
 
 6. Betsey, b. April 21, 1816; m, first, Gilbert Rose- 
 
 brooks; second, Uriah P. Marcy. 
 
 7. Rejoice Foster, b. June 15, 1819. 
 
 Nelson P. Town was an excellent mechanic at Charl- 
 ton, Mass. He married Julia A. Dresser, daughter of 
 Moses, September 10, 1828. He died November 24, 1846, 
 aged 40. 
 
 His sons were : 
 
 1. Alban Nelson, b. May 26, 1829. He is one of the 
 
 greatest railroad men in the country. He 
 began as a brakeman on the Chicago, Burling- 
 ton and Quincy Railroad, and by his applica- 
 tion, integrity and perseverance rose to the 
 position of assistant general superintendent. 
 In 1869 he became general superintendent 
 of the Central Pacific Railroad, which posi- 
 tion he still holds (1892). It is a position of 
 great responsibility, but Mr. Town has shown 
 rare ability in the discharge of its multifari- 
 ous duties and has acquired a large fortune. 
 He is highly respected by all who know him. 
 He lives in San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 2. Moses D., b. August 15, 1831. He was engaged 
 
 in railroad business, under the C. B. & Q. 
 R. R. 
 
 3. Lewis Willard, b. September 4, 1833. He has 
 
 been superintendent of several railroads in 
 the West, and by his energetic labor has 
 won a position of profit and honor. By a 
 life of integrity he has endeared himself to 
 the best men of the country. He lives at 
 Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 4. Horace A., b.July 12, 1835, is another eminently 
 
478 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 successful railroad man. He is the superin- 
 tendent of the Northern Pacific Railroad. 
 He lives at Brainerd, Minn. 
 5. Marcus M., b. May 28, 1844, has also been a suc- 
 cessful railroad superintendent and hotel 
 proprietor in the West. 
 
 Rejoice Foster Town, son of Joel, lives on the old Fos- 
 ter place in Union. He married Elizabeth C. Sessions, 
 daughter of Col. Moses C. She died November 2, 1888. 
 
 Ch. I. Andrew, b. June 28, 1844; d. April 4, 1871. 
 
 2. Nelson, b. December 25, 1845; lives in Willing- 
 
 ton. 
 
 3. Albert, b. November 28, 1847; d. October 24, 
 
 1852. 
 
 4. Horace, b. February 19, 1850; m. Florence Bid- 
 
 well, November 25, 1873; one child, Arthur 
 Horace, b. October 15, 1874. 
 
 5. Frank, b. September 4, 1852; killed by a falling 
 
 timber at South Windsor, March, 1890. He 
 married vStella House and left two children, 
 Emma and Frank. 
 
 6. George, b. April 5, 1855; d. October 22, 1856. 
 
 7. George, b. June 8, 1862. 
 
 George Town, son of R. Foster, married Josephine Bar- 
 bour, daughter of Frederick, November 28, 1888. They 
 liave one child. 
 
 Ch. I. George Raymond, b. September 20, 1889. 
 
 Sullivan Underwood, a native of Monson, Mass., mar- 
 ried Fanny Lyon, daughter of Stephen. They have lived 
 in many different places in the towns of Union, Holland, 
 W^oodstock, Pomfret, Eastford, Ashford and Stafford. 
 Ch. I. Palmer Stanton, b. February 18, 1836. 
 
 2. Milton Bradford, b. January i, 1843; d. June 21, 
 1843- 
 
THE UPHAM FAMILY. 479 
 
 3. Caroline Elizabeth, b. 1844; d. 1846. 
 
 4. Milton Allen, b. September, 1845; m. Nellie 
 
 Capwell; have three children. 
 
 THE UPHAM FAMILY. 
 
 IcHABOD Town Upham, son of Nehemiah, was born in 
 Thompson, April 29, 1798, and died at Union. He married 
 Abigail Copeland, March 3, 1822. He came from Thomp- 
 son to Union in 1822, and settled on the place where he 
 ever afterwards lived and where his son Jonathan now re- 
 sides. 
 
 Ch. I. Edwin Windson, b. jMay 3, 1823. 
 
 2. Jonathan Copeland, b. August 16, 1828. 
 
 3. vSarah Elizabeth, b. October 22, 1830; d. March 
 
 2, 1856. 
 Ichabod T. Upham died October 3, 1889. Abigail C. 
 Upham died January 2, 1882. 
 
 Edwin W. Upham married Nancy Deliza Corbin, 
 November 12, 1848. He lived a year in Monson and 
 a year in Brimfield; then he returned to Union and 
 in 1854 bought the Alexander Strong place in Rock- 
 meadow, where his son Francis now lives. He lived there 
 until he moved to the Lindsey place in the fall of 1881, 
 where he now resides. He was a soldier in the late war, 
 being a corporal in Capt. Corbin's company. He has held 
 several town offices and represented his town in the Legis- 
 lature of 1889. 
 
 Ch. I. Francis Leroy, b. April 30, 1853; m. Ella Ade- 
 laide Colburn, daughter of George D. Col- 
 burn, April 12, 1875. 
 2. Lizzie Abbie, b. April 21, 1861. 
 
 Jonathan Copeland Upham, son of Ichabod, married 
 Maria T. Arnold of Killingly, October 27, 1857. 
 Ch. I. George Washington, b. August 2, 1859. 
 
 2. Sarah Elizabeth, b. April 15, 1861; d. July 25, 
 
 188-,. 
 
48o GENEALOGIES. 
 
 George W. Upham, son of Jonathan, married Cornelia 
 Youngs, daughter of Thomas, July 17, 1884. She died 
 April II, 1888. He married a second time Eliza Smith, 
 November 6, 1889. 
 
 Ch. (by first wife), Arthur Herbert, b. February 5, 1886. 
 
 Archelaus Upham, son of Nehemiah of Thompson, came 
 to Union with his brother Ichabod, with whom he lived 
 until 1829, when he returned to Thompson. He was an 
 active member of the church while in town. He married 
 Betsey Richmond of Pomfret. 
 
 Ch. I. Nehemiah, b. 1820; lived in Norwich, Conn. 
 
 2. Phebe, b. in 1821. 
 
 3. Maria Cummings, b. in 1822. 
 
 4. Lyman, b. in 1824. 
 
 5. Esther Arnold, b. in 1826. 
 
 6. Benjamin Morris, b. in 1828. 
 
 7. George, b. in 1830; lives in Athol. 
 
 Deacon Ebenezer Wales came from Windham to Union 
 not far from 1750. He was born in Milton, Mass., once a 
 part of Dorchester, in 1697, and died in Union, April 12, 
 1776, in the 78th year of his age. He left a widow and six- 
 teen children, and had buried four. He left Milton with 
 his father when sixteen years old, who settled in Wind- 
 ham. Ebenezer Wales was deacon of the church at Wind- 
 ham for several years before he came to Union. He was 
 noted for his piety, for his intellectual ability and deep 
 sensibility, as is proved by his printed advice to his chil- 
 dren. His "Counsels and Directions" were published at 
 Boston in 1813, in a tract of 24 pages, nearly 40 years after 
 his death. They had remained in manuscript 76 years 
 before they were printed, and are now 127 years old (1864), 
 The tract was printed, probably, for the use of his descend- 
 ants, and ought to be republished for the general good of 
 mankind. The father of Ebenezer Wales was Deacon 
 Nathaniel Wales, of Windham, a native of Milton, Mass. He 
 
WALES. 481 
 
 was born in 1658 and died June 22, 1744, in the 83rd year of 
 his age. 
 
 Deacon Nathaniel Wales was the son of Timothy Wales, 
 of Milton, an eminently pious but eccentric man. He was 
 probably born in England, and came with his father, Dea- 
 con Nathaniel Wales, who was one of the first settlers of 
 Dorchester, Mass. Deacon Nathaniel Wales, of Dorches- 
 ter, was a fellow passenger with the Rev. Richard Mather, 
 in the ship "James of Bristol," which came over in 1635. 
 The details of that voyage were written by Mather, and 
 his "Journal" is printed in Young's CJu-onicles of Massachu- 
 setts. His wife's name was Issobell, and she outlived him 
 only two weeks. His children, according to Savage, were 
 Timothy, John and Nathaniel, who came to America with 
 him. Whether any were born here is unknown. The 
 family traditions say he had a brother John; also a brother 
 Elkanah, who had two sons. 
 
 Deacon Ebenezer Wales, of Union, had two brothers, 
 Deacon Nathaniel Wales, of Windham, and Rev. Eleazar 
 Wales. His first wife was Esther Smith, the mother of 
 ten of his children. She died October 10, 1737. He 
 then married Deborah Ward, October 13, 1741, who is said 
 to have had ten children, though only eight are enumer- 
 ated in the following list. 
 
 Deborah Wales was a woman of great patriotism and 
 resolution. She was the one who said to her son, Solomon 
 Wales, when two of his sons were about starting to Cam- 
 bridge at the time of the Lexington alarm : " I would not 
 send my boys where I dare not go myself." He took the 
 hint. He sent his boys and went himself, and served as 
 captain, at the age of 45, fifteen months. Deborah Wales 
 lies buried in the old cemetery at Union, just east of the 
 center. On the gravestone everything else is obliterated 
 except the name, "Mrs. Deborah Wales." Her grave is 
 now annually decorated by the local G. A. R. Post. 
 
 Deacon Ebenezer Wales died just as the American Rev- 
 olution was ready to break out, viz., April 12, 1774. His 
 widow, Deborah, died March 13, 1779, aged 65. 
 31 
 
482 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 The children of Deacon Ebenezer Wales and his two 
 wives, Esther and Deborah, were : 
 
 Ch. I. Anna, b. September 7, 1720; d. May 13, 1721. 
 
 2. Nathaniel, b. March 20, 1722; d. October 20, 
 
 1783. 
 
 3. Ebenezer, b. December 10, 1724; d. April 13, 
 
 1751- 
 
 4. Elisha, b. March 10, 1728; d. April 6, 1788. 
 
 5. Solomon, b. November 19, 1729; d. March 20, 
 
 1805. 
 
 6. Elizabeth, b. September 28, 1730; d. April, 1763. 
 
 7. Eleazar, b. April 30, 1732. 
 
 8. vSeth, b. April 12, 1734; d. May 20, 1785. 
 
 9. Anna, b. July 27, 1735. 
 
 10. Timothy, b. October 7, 1737; m. vSarah Loomis, 
 
 November 11, 1762. 
 
 11. vSiisannah, b. July 9, 1742. 
 
 12. Oliver, b. February 23, 1744. 
 
 13. Esther, b. March 8, 1746; m. John Bliss, of 
 
 Brimfield, 1774; d. November 24, 1781. 
 
 14. Elijah, b. January 28, 1748. 
 
 15. Irene, b. August 3, 1750; d. December 3, 1793. 
 
 16. Lydia, b. March 9, 1752; d. September 20, 1781. 
 
 17. vShubael, b. October 6, 1754. 
 
 18. Sarah, b. October 6, 1754. 
 
 There are two others who died young, whose names are 
 not given. This is the largest family which we have to 
 record in this book. 
 
 Solomon Wales, son of Ebenezer, was a man of remark- 
 able ability. Probably no man has ever lived in town who 
 has been endowed with greater acuteness and strength of 
 mind. 
 
 There is a tradition that he ran away from home when 
 a boy to go with his two brothers to the French war. If 
 this be true, it must have been the "old French war," as it 
 is often called, or King George's war. In this war the for- 
 tress of Louisburg, on Cape Breton Island, was captured by 
 
WALES. 483 
 
 a colonial army, June 17, 1745. At this time young Solo- 
 mon would have been sixteen years old. This theory is 
 confirmed by the fact that he was on the coast when he went, 
 as the following incident shows : During the expedition he 
 drifted from the ship in an open boat. In his effort to 
 reach the ship his oar broke or was lost, and he was 
 obliged to save himself by swimming some distance in a 
 wintry sea. He was captain of a company for a part of the 
 time of the Revolution. 
 
 He probably lived in the north part of town, where his 
 son Gideon did. He married, ist, Lucy Strong, October 3, 
 1754. She died December 29, 1772, and he married, 2nd, 
 Dorothy Perrin, of Woodstock, September 2, 1773. He died 
 March 20, 1805. 
 
 Ch. I. Eleazer, b. July 30, 1755. 
 
 2. John, b. March 15, 1757; m. Jerusha Derby, 
 
 December 2, 1779. 
 
 3. Eunice, b. January 27, 1759; m. Ruftis ]\Iay, of 
 
 Holland, December 13, 1781. 
 
 4. Lucy, b. June iS, 1761, m. Chester May, of Hol- 
 
 land, February 22, 178 1. 
 
 5. Gideon, b. March 20, 1764. 
 
 6. Esther, b. February 13, 1768; m. Jacob Burnett; 
 
 d. August 25, 1835. 
 
 Eleazar Wales, son of Solomon, lived near the Foster 
 saw-mill. He married, ist, Deidameia Chaffee, of Union, 
 June 24, 1783. She died March 6, 1787. He married Mary 
 Whiting, of Ashford, January 22, 1793. 
 
 Ch. I. Ervine, b. June 10, 1785; lived in Brookfield, 
 Wis. 
 
 2. Eleazar, b. May 16, 1794. 
 
 3. Solomon, b. March i, 1796. 
 
 4. John, b. January 12, 1798. 
 
 5. Samuel, b. December 17, 1800; lived in Brook- 
 
 field, Wis. 
 
 6. Deidameia, b. June 9, 1803. 
 
 7. Eunice, b. May 17, 1805. 
 
 8. Derexa, b. February 16, 1809. 
 
484 GEJVEALOGIES. 
 
 Timothy Wales, son of Deacon Ebenezer, married 
 Sarah Loomis, November 11, 1762. 
 
 Ch. I. Elizabeth, b. March 20, 1764; m. Chester Mor- 
 ris, of Holland, March 24, 1785. 
 
 2. Timothy, baptized March 30, 1766. 
 
 3. Roger, b. June 19, 1769. 
 
 Oliver Wales, son of Deacon Ebenezer, settled first in 
 Union, and afterwards in South Brimfield, in 1766. He 
 married, ist, Elizabeth Lawrence, daughter of Dr. James, 
 
 of South Brimfield, and 2nd, Ruth . He died March 
 
 23, 1816. 
 
 Ch. I. James Lawrence, became a prominent citizen 
 of South Brimfield, so that in honor of him 
 the narne of the town was changed from 
 Sout/i Brimfield to Wales, February 20, 1828. 
 In recognition of the honor he bequeathed 
 ^2,000 to the town. He died July 3, 1840, 
 aged 70. 
 
 2. Royal, d. August 30, 1857, aged 84. 
 
 3. Oliver, d. September 26, 1855, aged 76. 
 
 4. Irene. 
 
 5. Esther, m. Augustus Phelps, of Ashford. 
 
 6. Orrin, d. October 8, 1785. 
 
 7. Vine, d. February 20, 1784. 
 
 Deacon Elijah Wales, son of Deacon Ebenezer, was a 
 deacon of the Baptist church of South Brimfield. He mar- 
 ried Rachel Nelson, of South Brimfield, April 14, 1772. He 
 died March 2, 1826. His wife died October 18, 1828. 
 
 Ch. I. Nancy, b. March 16, 1773; m. David Rathbone, 
 a Baptist minister; d. May 16, 1826. 
 
 2. Tryphena, b. October 11, 1774; d. May 20, 1777. 
 
 3. Ebenezer, b. April 4, 1776; lived and died at 
 
 Fenner, N. Y. 
 
 4. Alvin, b. November 6, 1778; was a Baptist min- 
 
 ister at Fenner; d. June 2, 1810. 
 
 5. Elijah, b. December 2, 1780; was a physician 
 
 and died at Union, August 15, 1850. 
 
WALES. 485 
 
 6. Linus, b. October 28, 1782. 
 
 7. Philena, b. April 24, 1785; m. Deacon Seward. 
 
 8. Palace, b. September 21, 1787; d. March 27, 1790. 
 
 9. Tryphena, b. January 5, 1790. 
 
 10. Joseph, b. August 14, 1792; went to college and 
 became a Baptist minister; d. young. 
 
 Gideon Wales, son of Solomon, lived on the Arnold 
 Paine place (the first house southeast of the Northwest 
 school-house). He married, ist, Abigail Gallup, of Mont- 
 ville, Conn., January 2, 1798. She bore twin children and 
 died November 21, 1798. He married, 2nd, Betsey Allen, 
 of Sturbridge, October 30, 1800. He died October 12, 1837. 
 She died February 27, 1858. 
 
 Ch. I. Abigail, b. October 31, 1798; in. Massena Need- 
 ham. 
 
 2. Gideon, b. October 31, 1798. 
 
 3. Lucy, b. February 6, 1803; m. Nathan Kinney. 
 
 4. Esther, b. January 22, 1805; m. vSam. S. Need- 
 
 ham, of Monson. 
 
 5. Aaron Allen, b. November 6, 1808. 
 
 6. Betsey, b. March 28, 181 1; m. Hiram Town; d. 
 
 August 31, 1844. 
 
 Linus Wales, son of Deacon Elijah, married Mary Lor- 
 ing, August II, 1811. He died October 13, 1875. His wife 
 died February 10, 1865. 
 
 Ch. I. Phila, b. May 25, 1812; m. Ezra A. Putney. 
 
 2. Andrew Jackson, b. August 15, 1815. 
 
 3. Alvin, b. May 8, 1817. 
 
 4. Mary Eliza, b. July 14, 1820; m. James T. Ham- 
 
 ilton, of Stafford, March 6, 1844. 
 
 5. Nancy, b. September 20, 1825; d. September 15, 
 
 1830, by falling into a coal-pit. 
 
 6. Nancy, b. March 15, 1830; m. George Winter, 
 
 of Southbrido-e. 
 
486 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Gideon Wales, son of Gideon, married Polly Boyden, 
 January 19, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I, Abigail Semina, b. November 6, 1831. 
 
 2. Arvine Rensalaer, b. May 29, 1833. 
 
 3. Solomon Alexander, b. January 21, 1836. 
 
 Aaron Allen Wales, son of Gideon, married Betsey 
 Maria Harvey (b. March 6, 1809), April 3, 1830. He lived 
 south of the Kinney mills and afterwards on the county 
 road near Albert Weld's. 
 
 Ch. I. Betsey M., b. November 7, 1831; m. Marvin 
 Howard, October 26, 1881. 
 
 2. Delight H., b. January 3, 1833; m. Thomas Hor- 
 
 ton, April 29, 1850. 
 
 3. Lorette Adelia, b. March 2, 1834; m. Linus 
 
 Smith, of Southbridge, May i, 1853. 
 
 4. Celinda, b. April 13, 1837; m. Albert E. Weld. 
 
 5. Elvira Belinda, b. October 18, 1839; m. George 
 
 Spaulding, of Woodstock. 
 
 6. Lucy Jane, b. November 11, 1S44; d. April 10, 
 
 1869. 
 
 7. Emeline, b. May 22, 1849; d. November 27, 1849. 
 
 Alvin Wales, son of Linus, married Eliza Warren, 
 August 7, 1842. 
 
 Ch. I. Viola, b. Noveniber 20, 1S43. 
 
 2. William, b. May 9, 1847. 
 
 3. George, b. December 15, 1850. 
 
 4. Lelia, b. March 8, 1854. 
 Alvin Wales died May 19, 1856. 
 
 Andrew J. Wales, son of Linus, married Roxanna 
 Moore, February 12, 1858. She was born March 8, 1828. 
 Ch. I. Lorinda, b. August 12, 1859. 
 
 2. Nancy, b. July 12, 1862. 
 
 3. Viola, b. October 31, 1864. 
 
 4. Anna, b. January 31, 1870. 
 
^J. 
 
 
 Aaron A. Wales. 
 
WALES, WALKER. 487 
 
 LoRETTE A. Wales, daughter of Allen A. Wales, mar- 
 ried Linus vSmith, of Southbridge, May i, 1853. He died 
 March 24, 1864. 
 
 Ch. I. Ella M., b. March 6, 1854; m. Samuel O. Sim- 
 mons, of Southbridge, January i, 1879, and 
 had five children. She died December 29, 
 1889. 
 
 2. Mabel, d. in infancy. 
 
 3. Lucy, d. in infancy. 
 
 4. Sedalia E., b. September, 1862; d. September 
 29, 1873. 
 
 Lorette A. Smith married, 2nd, Albert M. Belknap, of 
 Southbridge, June 9, 1773. 
 
 Ch. I. Henry W., b. April 27, 1876. 
 
 2. Albert Belknap, d. May 10, 1892. 
 
 Elvira B. Wales, daughter of Aaron A. Wales, married 
 .George A. Spaulding, March 18, 1869. 
 
 Ch. I. Jennie M., b. February 11, 1872; m. Archie 
 Campbell, January 30, 1891. 
 2. Anna H., b. June 9, 1878. 
 
 Nathaniel Walker, was one of the earliest settlers and 
 large proprietors of Union. He came from Ashford. He 
 bought land of Samuel Allen, one of the original proprie- 
 tors, in 1729. This was 200 acres, three-quarters of a mile 
 northwest of Lead-mine hill. This would include the 
 region on the county road north of Henry Corbin's. Tra- 
 dition says that he was the richest man that came to 
 Union in the first company of settlers. He paid for all- his 
 land, stocked his farm well, and brought a barrel of rum. 
 But he had intemperate sons who squandered their patri- 
 mony. He had two wives, Rebecca, by whom the first two 
 children were born, and Jemima, the mother of the rest. 
 
 He died July i, 1759, aged 84. 
 
 He brought seven children with him from Ashford. 
 Ch. I. Nathaniel, b. August 4, 1707. 
 
 h 
 
GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Benjamin, b. August 4, 1709. 
 
 3. Obadiali, b. February 3, 17 15. 
 
 4. Rebecca, b. March 7, 17 17. 
 
 5. Israel, b. March 18, 1719. 
 
 6. Abigail, b. May 11, 1721; m. John Ward, Octo- 
 
 ber 10, 1739. 
 
 7. Hezekiah, b. July 8, 1723. 
 
 8. Edward, b. September 23, 1725. 
 
 Nathaniel Walker, son of Nathaniel, married Sarah 
 Fuller, May 30, 1736. 
 
 Ch. I. Phebe, b. December 13, 1736. 
 
 2. Judith, b. May 6, 1741. 
 
 3. Zerniah, b. December 20, 1742. v* *£ 4-~-^>-i_-.A-tv. 
 
 4. Rebecca, b. September 10, 1744. 
 
 5. Hezekiah, b. April 18, 1746; m. Jerusha Ames. 
 
 6. Stephen, b. January i, 1748. 
 
 7. James, b. February 9, 1755. 
 
 8. Ketmah, b. October 6, 1756. 
 
 9. Simonds ; lived in Hampton. 
 
 Benjamin Walker, son of Nathaniel, married Lydia. 
 She died January 19, 1747. '■■Lri.l(ff^(f,i,(! "ftU.C : •,■ J ^ -" 
 Ch. I. Benjamin, b. March 17, 1735. 
 Rebecca, b. November 3, 1738. 
 
 3. Elijah, b. July 23, 1743. 
 
 4. Elisha, b. July 23, 1743. 
 
 5. Israel, b. March 16, 1745. 
 
 6. Asa, b. January 11, 1747. 
 Eward, b. August 19, 1750; m. Daniel Badger, 
 
 3rd. 
 Benjamin, b. June 16, 1755. 
 Elizabeth, m. Simonds Walker. 
 
 Obadiah Walker, son of Nathaniel, ist, married Mary 
 Chaffee, March 20, 1739. 
 
 Ch. I. Ezra, b. March 29, 1741. 
 
WALKER. 489 
 
 Edward Walker, son of Nathaniel, ist, married Mary. 
 Ch. I. Robert, b. March 11, 1752. 
 
 2. Jacob, b. February 19, 1755. 
 
 3. Eunice, b. January 30, 1757. 
 
 4. Obadiah, b. May 18, 1760. 
 
 SiMONDS Walker, son of Nathaniel, Jr., lived on the 
 Elisha Severy place. He married Elizabeth Walker, 
 daughter of Benjamin, September 12, 177 1. 
 Ch. I. Benoi, b. February 11, 1772. 
 
 2. Chloe, b. December 5, 1773. 
 
 3. Levi, b. April 27, 1775; m. Sarah Shumway. 
 
 4. Stephen, b. September 25, 1782. 
 
 5. Jemima, b. June i, 1785; m. Heman Severy. 
 
 6. Margaret, b. September 9, 1787. 
 
 7. Elias, b. September 2, 1790; d. September 25, 
 
 1790. 
 
 8. Rachel, b. March 20, 1793; d. April 23, 1828. 
 
 9. Mehitabel, b. September 23, 1795. 
 
 Benjamin Walker, son of Benjamin, lived north of the 
 Trenck Crawford place. He married Hannah Laflin, April 
 10, 1777. He died June 11, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Ebenezer, b. November 17, 1777; d. at Fenner, 
 N. Y. 
 
 2. Susannah, b. December 16, 1779. 
 
 3. James, m. Polly Howard; d. 1817. 
 
 4. Polly. 
 
 5. Hannah. 
 
 Ezra Walker, son of Obadiah, married ist, Abigail, by 
 whom he had two children; second Anna Pitge. 
 Ch. I. Perley, b. Jul}^ 22, 1767. 
 
 2. Olive. 
 
 3. Henry, b. July i, 1778. 
 
 4. Wyllys, b. February 21, 1784. 
 
 5. Olive, b. September 28, 1787. 
 
 6. Betsey, b. May i, 1792. 
 
 7. Leighton. 
 
49° 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 Benoni Walker, son of Simonds, married Abigail Kin- 
 ney of Woodstock, November 14, 1799. He lived where A. 
 A. Wales did the latter part of his life. 
 
 Ch, ]. Sally, b. November 4, 1798; died young. 
 
 2. Ira, b. February 17, 1801. 
 
 3. William, b. February 24, 1804; m. Irene Coye 
 
 February 2, 1823; d. April 29, 1828. 
 
 4. Mary, m. Hiram Dodge of Medbury, Mass., 
 
 November 8, 1837. 
 
 5. Mercy Oritta, b. February 16, 1814. 
 
 6. Sally, b. February 21, 1817. 
 
 7. Minerva, b. April 26, 1820. 
 
 Stephen Walker, son of Simonds, lived where Mr. 
 Richards does. He married Abigail Johnson. 
 
 Ch. I. Nathaniel, b. December 20, 1809; d. June, 1834. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, b. April 12, 1813; d. May 9, 1813. 
 
 3. Ebenezer. 
 
 Perley Walker, son of Ezra, married Rebecca Brough- 
 ton. 
 
 Ch. I. Wareham Bugbee, b. September 9, 1792. 
 
 Ezra, b. July 31, 1794. 
 
 Perley, b. August 28, 1796; m. Sally Howard. 
 
 Huldah Ainsworth, b. August 2, 1798. 
 
 Palmer, b. November 4, 1800. 
 
 John Newman, b. March 3, 1S03. 
 
 Joseph. 
 
 Rebecca, m. Danford Morse. 
 
 Ira Walker, son of Benoni, married Maria Morse March 
 II, 1830. 
 
 Ch. I. Ira, b. June 18, 1833; d. June 15, 1835. 
 
 2. Persis, b. April 21, 1836; m. Marcus Curtis; 
 
 second, Wm. P. Park; d. February 9, 1892. 
 
 3. Orrin, b. June 5, 1839. 
 
 Joseph Walker, son of Perley, married Rebecca James, 
 daughter of Benjamin, June 25, 1829. 
 
WALKEE. 491 
 
 Ch. I. Frank, b. December 27, 1830; d. in the army. 
 
 2. Emeline Jane, b. May 6, 1833. 
 
 3. Milo P. J., b. June 6, 1843. 
 
 John Newman Walker, son of Perley, married Nancy 
 Perry of Woodstock. 
 
 Ch. I. Danford Perry, b. September 26, 1827. 
 Parma, b. Febriiary 23, 1830. 
 John Quincy, b. July 25, 1832. 
 
 4. Rebecca, b. January 25, 1836. / 
 Daniel, b. October 25, 1837. 
 
 MiLO P. J. Walker, son of Joseph, was in the army in 
 the late war, being a member of Co. G. 22nd C. V. He 
 married Jennie S. Morse, daughter of Amasa, February 13, 
 1866. They lived in the house with her father till Decem- 
 ber, 1890, when they moved to Stafford Springs. While in 
 Union he held many town offices, being in the Legislature 
 of 187 1, and selectman for many years. He has been 
 County Commissioner for several years. He has always 
 been a Republican. 
 
 Ch. T. Frank H., b. October 19, 1868; d. June 22, 1871. 
 
 2. Herbert M., b. August 15, 187 1; d. March 29, 
 
 1880. 
 
 3. Alice J., b. November 30, 1874. 
 
 4. Albert M., b. October 21, 1877. 
 
 5. Ruth N., b. November 10, 1880. 
 
 Harvey Walker, came to Union from Westford about 
 the year 1827. He was the son of Timothy of Westford, a 
 descendant of Philip of Rehoboth. He married Julia Ann 
 White, daughter of Moses White of Westford, May 16, 1833. 
 He died suddenly of malignant pustule, March 4, i860, 
 aged 52. Julia A., his wife, died at Chicago, 111., December 
 13, 1891. 
 
 Ch. I. Andrew White, b. April 17, 1836; d. October 
 23, 1838. 
 2. Laura White, b. July 14, 1839; m. first, Jared 
 
492 GENEAL0OIE8. 
 
 Dana Sessions; second, Rev. vSamnel I. Cur- 
 tiss, May lo, 1870. 
 
 3. Josephine, b. March 30, 1841; ni. William M. 
 
 Corbin, June 27, i860. 
 
 4. Andrew D wight, b. January 29, 1843; d. 
 
 November 9, 1849. 
 
 5. Merrillo Harvey, b. March 28, 1850. 
 
 6. Frederick Hartwell, b. April i, i860; m. Capi- 
 
 tola HoUingsworth. 
 
 Hartley Walker, son of Timothy of Ashford, lived at 
 Mashapaug. He married Josephine Reed. She died 
 August I, 1873. 
 
 Ch. I. Harriet Josephine, b. April 28, 1859; m. Fred 
 W. Moore. 
 2. Hartley Reed, b. April 5, 1865; ni. Belle Harris 
 of Fiskdale. 
 
 Frederick H. Walker, son of Harvey, married Capitola 
 HoUingsworth (born May 23, 1864) June 6, 1886. 
 Ch. I. Eugene, b. January 2, 1888. 
 2. Florence, b. May 3, 1890. 
 
 Newton Wallis, son of Hiram and Mary E. Putney 
 Wallis, was born in Holland, Mass., July 5, 1841. During 
 the war he served from October 15, 186 1, to November 27, 
 1864, in Co. I, 27th Mass. Vol. Inf., as private and corporal, 
 and was in the battles of Kingston, Whitehall; Goldsboro> 
 and the siege of Washington, N. C, also the battle of Port 
 Walthall, and the siege of Petersburgh, Va., in 1864, being 
 wounded at Port Walthall. 
 
 He lived in Union from 1865 to 1889, with the exception 
 of the years 1879 and 1880, when he lived in Wales. He 
 has always been engaged in some form of the lumber busi- 
 ness. He held several town offices, and was one of the 
 charter members and a commander of the D. P. Corbin 
 G. A. R. Post of Union. 
 
WALLIS, WAHB. 493 
 
 He now (1893) lives in Ludlow, Mass. He married Dell 
 E. Harris, daughter of Dea. William H. Harris, of Holland, 
 November 18, 1869. 
 
 Ch. I. Edith A., b. October 12, 1876. 
 
 2. Lizzie D., b. March 11, 1879. 
 
 3. Willie N., b. June 27, 1885. 
 
 Dea. William Ward was an early settler of L^nion, and 
 a large land proprietor. He was the son of William Ward, 
 who came to Union with his son from Ashford, where he 
 was an influential man in town and church affairs. He died 
 June 8, 1731, the first white person who died in town. He 
 was buried in the old burying ground near the center, but 
 has no headstone. He was 61 j^ears of age. His widow, 
 Judith Ward, died in Union, January 21, 1746. William 
 Ward, Sr., was the son of Obadiah, the son of William Ward, 
 the common ancestor of a posterity in this country, which 
 in 1 85 1, numbered many thousand persons. 
 
 Dea. William Ward, of Union, was the oldest of a family 
 of seven children, born June 9, 1691, and died at Union, 
 September 11, 1780. His wife, Rachel, died February 6, 
 1779; aged 84. He was the first ajDpointed deacon of the 
 church, and universally respected as a wise and good man. 
 Dea. Horton remembered him as an old man of venerable 
 appearance, who on the Sabbath sat in the pulpit with the 
 minister, as he was hard of hearing. The descendants of 
 Dea. Ward were numerous and would now outnumber the 
 population of the town, but not one of them has lived in 
 Union for nearly a century. His children were: 
 
 Ch. I. Uriah, b. Februury 24, 17 15; m. Elizabeth 
 Ingraham. 
 
 2. John, b. November 9, 1716; m. ist, Abigail 
 
 Walker; 2nd, Abigail Heath. 
 
 3. Ebenezer, b. April 9, 17 19; m. Anna Peake. 
 
 4. Moses, b. September 16, 1722; m. Eunice Rood. 
 
 5. Obadiah, b. February 9, 1725; m. Esther Ruggles. 
 
 6. Rachel, b. April 23, 1727; m. Joseph Enos. 
 
49'4 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 7. Jesse, b. August 6, 1729; m. Elizabeth Abbe. 
 
 8. Sarah, d. January 13, 1740. 
 
 9. William, d. April 23, 1735. 
 
 10. Benjamin, d. October 19, 1741. 
 Dea. William Ward lived on the place afterwards owned 
 by Linus Wales. 
 
 Uriah Ward, son of Dea. William, settled first, at Union 
 He had eight children. He died at Monson, in 1790. 
 
 John Ward, son of Dea. William, lived in Union till 1848, 
 then moved to Belchertown. He -had 16 children. 
 
 Epenezer Ward, son of Dea. William, had 8 children, 
 and died in 1767, aged 48. 
 
 MosES Ward, son of Dea. William, had 8 children, and 
 died before 1770. 
 
 Obadiah Ward, son of Dea. William, lived at Union, 
 Belchertown, South Hadley, and Cambridge, N. Y. He 
 had 6 children. 
 
 Joshua Webb, came from Windham, and bought land of 
 Josiah Sumner, June 6, 1753. He married Hannah, daugh- 
 ter of John Abbie. 
 
 Ch. I. Eunice, b. November 20, 1755. 
 
 2. Calvin, b. July 30, 1757; d. at Rockingham, Vt. 
 
 in 1854. 
 
 3. Mary, b. January 27, 1760. 
 
 4. Ann, b. August 21, 1761. 
 
 5. Luther, b. October 23, 1763. 
 
 George A. Webster came from Lancashire, Eng. He 
 lived in Springfield, Mass., whence he came to Union, in 
 February, 1861. He married Maria Rockwell; second, Mrs. 
 Jane L. Presby, of Springfield. 
 
 Ch. I. Charles Richard, b. January 3, 1855; m. Caro- 
 
WEBSTER, WELD, WHITE. 495 
 
 line Blodgett, of Holland, February, 1884, 
 and has one child, Marion Gertrude, b. Au- 
 gwst 10, 1890. 
 
 2. Martha Maria, b. March 2, 1856; d. April 4, 1880. 
 
 3. William Sanford, b. February 21, 1858. 
 
 4. Robert Ellsworth, b. September 19, 1861; m. 
 
 Bertha Corbin, daughter of Anson, April 15, 
 1886. 
 Mr. Webster died 1891. Mrs. Webster died January, 
 1892. 
 
 Albert E. Weld married Celinda Wales, daughter of 
 Aaron A., March 29, 1859. They lived at Union till about 
 1887, when they went to Southbridge. 
 
 Ch. I. Isabel M., b. January 22, 1862; m. Rev. John 
 Pearce. 
 
 2. Benjamin Corey, b. July 5, 1863; m. Nettie E. 
 
 Kinney, October 23, 1887. 
 
 3. Flora M., b. July 27, 1868; d. May 10, 1870. 
 
 4. Everett A., b. January 17, 1870; d. May 13, 1870 
 
 5. Clarence E., b. June 30, 1875; d. July 3, 1879. 
 
 Isabel M. Weld, daughter of Albert E. Weld, married 
 Rev. John Pearce, March 31, 1886. 
 
 Ch. I. Winnifred W., b. February 15, 1887; d. February 
 20, 1887. 
 2. Annie Belle, b. June 27, 1888. 
 
 Moses White, son of Amariah, was born at Uxbridge, 
 Mass., April 26, 1790. He came to Union about 1812, and 
 lived at the place owned later by Dr. Hammond. There 
 in company with Pearl & Taintor, he was employed as a 
 merchant, first as clerk, then as partner. He removed to 
 Westford about 181 7. He married Elizabeth Paul, daughter 
 of Robert, December i, 18 14. 
 
 Ch. I. Julia Ann, b. April 16, 1816; m. Harvey Walker, 
 May 16, 1833. 
 
496 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 2. Laura, b. July 23, 1818; m. Stephen Whiting, 
 
 October 29, 1839. 
 
 3. Marcia, b. December 3, 1821; m. Albert Knight, 
 
 March 3, 1847. 
 
 4. Moses Wood, b. June 15, 1828; m. Ellen Smith, 
 
 November 27, 185 1. 
 
 5. Merritt Paul, b. March 4, 1831; m. Susan P. 
 
 Adams, February 16, i860. 
 
 6. Cornelia, b. December 14, 1833; m. Francis 
 
 Adam.s, Oct. 4, 1866. 
 Moses White died August 31, 1867. His wife Elizabeth, 
 died July 7, i860. 
 
 THE WILLIAMS FAMILY. 
 
 Colonel Ephraim Williams of Newton, together with 
 William Williams, of Watertown, and Thomas Greenwood 
 of Newton, bought of Thomas Steel of Boston, a large 
 tract (1722 acres), of land in Union, in 1736. This Colonel 
 Williams afterwards moved to Stockbridge, Mass., and 
 became distinguished in the French war in which he lost 
 his life in 1735. He bequeathed his property to a school 
 in the town named after him, Williamstown, and thus 
 became the founder of Williams College. It is supposed 
 that William Williams of Watertown, and afterwards of 
 Mansfield, Conn., was a relative. Also, that said William 
 Williams had a son William, who was the following : 
 
 William Williams, of Mansfield, moved to Union< 
 where he lived some years, then returned to Mansfield. 
 He lived in the southwest part of town on the hill south- 
 east of Mr. Joseph Walker's. He was a prominent citizen 
 while in town. He married Azubah Metcalf, February 17, 
 1747, and had 13 children. 
 
 Elisha Williams, probably a brother of the preceding, 
 came to Union from Mansfield. He was a soldier in the 
 old French war, and was called Lieut. Williams. He mar- 
 ried Abigail, and had 8 children. 
 
WILLIAMS, WINCE. 497 
 
 Allen Aaron Williams, was born July 8, 1805. He mar- 
 ried Sarah Whitehouse, Nov. 25, 1827. He came from Wil- 
 lington in 1850, and settled in Rockmeadow. 
 Ch. I. Anson Allen, b. February 2, 1831. 
 
 2. Alden Emery, b. August 3, 1833; m. Abigail 
 
 A. Cortis. 
 
 3. Martha Ann, b. April 20, 1836; d. August 13, 
 
 1838. 
 
 4. Sarah Maria, b. August 5, 1838; m. Henry B. 
 
 Booth, August 25, 1858. 
 
 5. John S., b. December 14, 1841. 
 
 6. Alice Ann, b. February 10, 1843; d. February 
 
 6, 1864. 
 
 7. Adelia, b. August 3, 1844; m. Henry B. Booth 
 
 April 14, 1864. 
 
 8. George C, b. June 27, 1847. 
 
 9. Myron Eugene, b. August 6, 1851; m. Kate 
 
 Needham; lives in Wales. 
 
 John Wesley Winch, son of Lovell P. and Clara H., was 
 born March 31, 1838, at Fall River, Mass. He married first, 
 Henrietta J. Ball, of Holden, Mass., July 17, 1861. She 
 died July 6, 1863. He married second, Helen M. Moore, 
 (widow of Otis P. Moore), February 15, 1865, at Auburn, 
 Mass. He came to Union, October 9, 1875, and settled first 
 at the Watkins place. He kept store at Union awhile, 
 until he was burned out there. He soon after removed to 
 Mashapaug, where he has since resided and kept the post 
 office, and engaged in trading, lumbering, etc. 
 
 Ch. I. Wesley Winfield, b. September 26, 1866. 
 
 2. Nellie Adelaide, b. July 4, 1868; m. Gilbert 
 
 Willis. 
 
 3. John Mortimer, b. July i, 1870; d. November 
 
 16, 1871. 
 
 32 
 
498 0ENEAL0GIE8. 
 
 Samuel Wood, came from Oxford, Mass., to Union, 
 where he bought land of Nath. Sessions, in 1745. He sold it 
 in 1761. He married Lydia Ripley, January 11, 1750, and 
 had 7 children. 
 
 Amos Woodworth, came from Lebanon, Crank Parish, 
 now Columbia, to Union, in 1754, and lived on Lot No. i, 
 (the Newell Farm, and extending east to Bigelow). He 
 was the one who first built Bigelow dam and mill. 
 
 Jonathan Wright, was an early resident of Union. 
 Simeon Wright with his two sons John and Simeon, served 
 in the Revolution. Simeon, Jr., had 10 children. 
 
 Rev. Ebenezer Wyman, the first settled minister of 
 Union, was a native of Woburn, Mass. He was born May 
 5th, 1707, graduated at Harvard College, in 1731, and 
 ordained at Union, December 13th, 1738, the same day the 
 church was organized. The grandfather of Rev. Eben- 
 ezer Wyman was John Wyman, who with his brother Fran- 
 cis Wyman, came from England and were among the first 
 settlers of Woburn. Both were by trade tanners, an occu- 
 pation in which a great many of the inhabitants of Woburn 
 have always been engaged. John Wyman married Mary 
 Nutt, November 5, 1644, and had ten children of which 
 Jacob Wyman, the tenth child, lived at Woburn, a tanner 
 by trade, and died there March 31, 1742. He married Eliza- 
 beth Richardson of Woburn, and had thirteen children, 
 of which the Rev. Ebenezer Wyman of Union, was the 
 tenth. He had a brother John, who graduated at Harvard. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Wyman died suddenly at Union, January 29, 
 (or, according to the town records, January 30), 1746, at the 
 age of thirty-seven, after he had been established in the 
 ministry six years, one month and sixteen days. His 
 death was caused by an attack of pleurisy, brought on by 
 
WYMAJ^, YOUNG. 49^ 
 
 exposure, after fatigue in hunting, an amusement of which 
 he was fond. 
 
 He married Mary Wright of Woburn, daughter of 
 Josiah Wright, May 22, 1739. They had three daughters: 
 Ch. I. Mary, b. 1740; m. Caleb Loomis, January 7, 
 
 1758- 
 
 2. Lucy, b. January 2, 1742; m. Uriah Carpenter, 
 
 December 5, 1759. 
 
 3. Ruth, b. September 15, 1745; m. Thomas Hill, 
 
 April 10, 1766. 
 The widow of Rev. Mr. Wyman married Deacon Abner 
 Sessions of Union, May 13, 1747. By him she had three 
 children, Ebenezer, named for her first husband, and two 
 daughters, Silence and Mary. She died April 26, 1782. 
 
 Levi Wyman, came from Charlton to Union, about 1800. 
 He was descended from the Wymans of Woburn,-and hence 
 distantly related to Rev. Ebenezer. He lived in humble 
 circumstances. He married Mehitabel Twiss or Twist. 
 
 Ch. I. Ebenezer, b. January 22, 1787. 
 
 2. Asa, b. April 6, 1793. 
 
 3. Dorothy, b. November 9, 1796; m. Eb. vSumner, 
 
 February 7, 18 13. 
 
 Ebenezer Wyman, son of Levi, married Rosanna Sev- 
 ery, November 29, 1807. 
 
 Ch. 1. John, b. April 30, 1808; m. Charlotte Rich- 
 ardson. 
 
 2. Matilda, b. vSeptember 22, 18 10. 
 
 3. Deroy, b. July 9, 1813. 
 
 4. Malinda, b. December 8, 1815; m. Leonard Will- 
 
 iams, August II, 1833. 
 
 5. Ezekiel. 
 
 Thomas J. Young, came from Springfield to Union, 
 about 187 1, and settled on the Nehemiah Houghton place. 
 He was selectman, representative, etc. while in town. He 
 33 
 
500 
 
 GENEALOGIES. 
 
 married Sarah Alderman. The family left town in 1882 and 
 went to North Grosvenordale, and afterwards to Lincoln, 
 Nebraska. 
 
 Ch. I. Duncan. 
 
 2. Cornelia, m. George Upham, Jnly 17, 1884; d. 
 
 April II, 1888. 
 
 3. Verona, m. George Unangst of Nebraska; one 
 
 child. 
 
 4. Altena. 
 
 5. Corbin. 
 
 6. Ayer. 
 
 7. lona. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 LISTS OF TOWN OFFICERS, ETC. 
 
 REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE FROM THE TOWN OF UNION. 
 
 October, 17S0, Captain Thomas Lawson, William Williams. May, 
 1781, John Sessions, Captain Solomon Wales. October, 1781, John Ses- 
 sions, Captain Thomas Lawson. May, 1782, Captain Solomon Wales, 
 Captain Thomas Lawson. October, 17S2, May, 1783, January, 1784, 
 Maj', 1784, October, 1784, May, 1785, Captain Solomon Wales. 
 October, 1785, Samuel Crawford. May, 17S6, October, 17S6, May, 
 17S7, October, 17S7, John^ Sessions. May, 1788, Samuel Crawford. 
 October, 17SS, May, 1789, October, 1789, May, 1790, October, 1790, John 
 Sessions. May, 1791, Edward Foster. October, 1791, May, 1792, Samuel 
 Crawford. October, 1792, May, 1793, Abijah Sessions. October, 1793, 
 May, 1794, May, 1795, October, 1795, Samuel Crawford. May, 1796, 
 October, 1796, Abijah Sessions, Edward Foster. May, 1797, October, 
 1797, May, 1798, Abijah Sessions, Samuel Crawford. October. 1798, 
 May, 1799, Robert Paul, Jr., Samuel Crawford. October, 1799, Abijah 
 Sessions, Samuel Crawford. May, 1800, October, iSoo, May, 1801, Rob- 
 ert Paul, Jr., Abijah Sessions. October, 1801, May, 1802, Robert Paul, 
 Jr., Nathaniel Newell. October, 1802, David Lawson, Joseph Snell. 
 May, 1803, Samuel Crawford, Robert Paul. October, 1803, Samuel 
 Crawford, Samuel Paul. May, 1804, Elijah Wales, Samuel Paul. 
 October, 1S04, Elijah Wales, Samuel Paul. 1805, May, Robert Paul, 
 Luther Crawford; October, Samuel Paul, Elijah Wales. 1806, May, Robert 
 Paul, Luther Crawford; October, Robert Paul, Samuel Crawford. 1807, 
 May, Elijah Wales, Samuel Crawford; October, Robert Paul, Samuel 
 Crawford. 1S08, May, Robert Paul, Samuel Crawford; October, Robert 
 Paul. Samuel Crawford. i8og. May, Samuel Paul, Nathaniel Newell ; 
 October, Samuel Paul, Samuel Crawford. 1810, May, Nathaniel Newell, 
 John Crawford ; October, Samuel Paul, John Crawford. 1811, May, 
 Thomas Lawson, Jr., John Crawford; October, Thomas Lawson, Jr., 
 John Crawford. 1S12, May, Thomas Lawson, Jr., Samuel Paul; August, 
 Thomas Lawson, Jr., Samuel Paul ; October, Elijah Wales, Nathaniel 
 Chapin. 1813, May, Robert Paul, Nathaniel Chapin; October, Samuel 
 Crawford, Jr., Samuel Paul. 18 14, May, Samtiel Crawford, Jr., Josiah 
 Eaton; October, David Coye, Philip Corbin. 181 5, January, David 
 Coye, Philip Corbin; May, Elijah Wales, Asher Badger; October, Elijah 
 Wales, Asher Badger. 1816, May, Ingoldsby W. Crawford, Robert Paul; 
 
502 TOWN OFFICERS. 
 
 October, Ingoldsby W. Crawford, Nathaniel Newell, Jr. 1817, May, 
 Luther Crawford, Nathaniel Newell, Jr.; October, Ingoldsby W. Craw- 
 ford, Nathaniel Newell, Jr. 1818, May, Ingoldsby W. Crawford; Nath- 
 aniel Newell, Jr.; October, John Crawford, Eleazar Bugbee. 1S19, 
 May, Ingoldsby W. Crawford, Nathaniel Newell. 1820, May, Ingoldsby 
 W. Crawford, Eleazar Bugbee. 1821, May, David Lawson, Manasseh 
 Howard. 1822, May, David Lawson, Ingoldsby W. Crawford. 1823, May, 
 Robert Lawson, Eleazar Bugbee. 1S24, May, Ingoldsby W. Crawford, 
 William Foster. 1825. May, Ingoldsby W. Crawford, William Foster. 
 1826, May, Augustus Moore, William Pitt Sessions. 1827, May, Philip 
 Corbin, William Pitt Sessions.. 1828, May, Augustus Moore, Benjamin 
 Corbin. 1829, May, Augustus Moore, Benjamin Corbin. 1830, May, 
 William Pitt Sessions, Joseph C. Griggs. 1831, May, Benjamin Corbin, 
 Joseph C. Griggs. 1832, May, Benjamin Corbin, Shubael Hammond, 
 M. D. 1833, May, Luther Crawford, Oavid Lawson. 1S34, May, David 
 Lawson. 1S35, May, Benjamin Corbin, Augustus Moore. 1S36, May, 
 William Pitt Sessions, Nathaniel Newell; December, William Pitt Ses- 
 sions, Nathaniel Newell. 1837, May, Augustus Moore, Abijah Sessions. 
 1838, May, Augustus Moore, Abijah Sessions. 1839, May, William Fos- 
 ter, William Pitt Sessions. 1840, May, Joseph C. Griggs, Benjamin 
 Corbin. 1841, May, Willard Blodgett, Moses C. Sessions. 1842, May, 
 Danforth Morse, Moses C. Sessions ; October, Danforth Morse, Moses C. 
 Sessions. 1S43, May, Danforth Morse, Nathan Kinney. 1844, May, 
 Samuel Crawford, Nathan Kinney. 1845, May, Samuel Crawford, Ezra 
 A. Putney. 1846, May, Burke Foster, Abijah Sessions. 1847, May, Burke 
 Foster, Abijah Sessions. 1848, Ma}^ Samuel Hammond, Silas P. Allen. 
 1S49, May, Samuel Hammond, John N. Foster. 1850, May, Augustus 
 Moore, John N. Foster. 1851, May, Healy Corbin, Burt Crawford. 1852. 
 May, Healy Corbin, Samuel Corbin. 1853, May, Nathaniel O. Newell, Dan- 
 ford Morse. 1854, IV^ay, Nathaniel O. Newell, Danford Morse. 1855, May, 
 Philo G. Corbin, Leonard S. Goodell. 1856. May, Thomas Moore, E. Byron 
 Foster. 1857, May, George D. Colburn, E. Byron Foster. 1858, May, 
 George D. Colburn, John Burley. 1859, May, Aaron A. Wales, John 
 Burley. i860. May, Amasa Morse, Nathaniel O. Newell. 1861, May, 
 Amasa Morse, Charles Collar. 1862, May, George D. Colburn, Chaun- 
 cey Paul. 1863, May, Augustus Moore, Samuel Moore. 1S64, May, 
 Loomis Agard, Albert E. Weld. 1865, May, Merrick A. Marcy, John S. 
 Leland. 1866, May, Merrick A. Marcy, John S. Leland. 1867, May, 
 Thomas Moore, Andrew Towne. 1868, May, William M. Corbin, Chaun- 
 cey Paul. 1869, May, George D. Colburn, Chauncey Paul. 1870, May, 
 George D. Colburn, A. Harendeen. 1871, May, M. H. Kinnej'-, M. P. J. 
 Walker. 1872, May, John B. Hatch, Morris H. Marcy. 1873, May, 
 Henry B. Booth, Horatio Carpenter. 1874, May, Henry B. Booth, J. N. 
 Whipple. 1S75, May, Samuel W. Moore, George C. Marcy. 1876, May, 
 
SELECTMEN. 503 
 
 Samuel W. Moore, George C. Marcy. 1877, January, David L. Newell, 
 Josiah R. James. 1878, January, Horatio N. Bugbee, William P. Marcy. 
 1879, January, Abiel Towne, Merrick A. Marcy. 1880, January, Daniel 
 Bartlett, Merrick A. Marcy. 1881, January, Silas W. Newell, Abiel 
 Towne. 1882, Januarj% Hartley Walker, Thomas J. Youngs. 1S83, 
 January, Andrew J. Wales, Thomas Rindge. 1SS4, January, George 
 Baker, Albert Weld. 1885, January, Silas W. Newell, L. Morgan Reed. 
 18S6, Lyman Moore, John Winch. 1887, Mason Horton, Henry Booth. 
 (Since 1887 the sessions have been biennial). 1SS9, Edwin Upham, 
 Myron Heck. 1891, Roscius Back, Elam C. Booth. 1893, Major Smith, 
 Fred Walker. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF UNION. 
 
 1754, Samuel Wood, Daniel Badger, Abner Sessions. 1755-6, Sam- 
 uel Wood, Joshua Webb. 1757, James Moore, Eb. Wales, Samuel Wood. 
 1758, James Moore, Caleb Loomis. 1759, Eb. Wales, Samuel Strong, 
 William Williams, Samuel Wood, Abner Sessions. 1 760-1-2, Joshua 
 Webb, Samuel Strong, William Williams. 1763, Eb. Wales, Joseph Enos, 
 Hugh Crawford. 1764, Abijah Lained, Robert Paul. Joseph Enos. 1765, 
 Abijah Lained, Robert Paul, Abner Sessions. 1766, Abijah Lained, 
 Abner Sessions, Elisha Williams. 1767, Abijah Lained, Abner Sessions, 
 Robert Paul. 1768, Abijah Lained, Hugh Crawford, William Williams. 
 1769, Francis Pierce, Phineas Lovejoy, William Williams. 1770, Francis 
 Pierce, Robert Paul, Thomas Lawson. 1771, Abijah Larned, John 
 Moore, Thomas Lawson. 1772, Abijah Larned, Abner Sessions, 
 Thomas Lawson. 1773-4, Solomon Wales, Abner Sessions, Thomas 
 Lawson. 1775, Solomon Wales, Abner Sessions, John Sessions. 1776, 
 Thomas Lawson, Abner Sessions, John Sessions. 1777, Solomon Wales, 
 Abner Sessions, John Sessions. 1778, William Williams, Thomas Moore, 
 Thomas Lawson. 1779, Abner Sessions, Thomas Lawson, Ebenezer 
 Child. 1780, Abner Sessions, Thomas Lawson, John Sessions. 1781, 
 William Williams, Thomas Lawson, John Sessions. 17S2, Samuel Craw- 
 ford, Thomas Moore, Thomas Lawson. 1783, Samuel Crawford, Thomas 
 Moore, John Hunt. 1784. Samuel Crawford, Abijah Sessions. John 
 Hunt. 1785, Samuel Crawford, Abijah Sessions, Nathaniel Newell. 
 1786, Thomas Lawson, Archabel Coye, Samuel Crawford. 1787, Samuel 
 Crawford, Elijah Wales. Ed. Foster. 17SS, Samuel Crawford, William 
 Williams, Thomas Lawson, John Hunt. 17S9, Thomas Lawson, Archa- 
 bel Coye, Abijah Sessions. 1790, Samuel Crawford, Archabel Coye, 
 Thomas Lawson, Abijah Sessions, Elijah Wales. 1791, Samuel Craw- 
 ford, Thomas Lawson, Archabel Coye, Abijah Sessions, Elijah Wales. 
 1792, Samuel Crawford, John Hunt, Samuel Strong, Abijah Sessions, 
 Elijah Wales. 1793-4, Samuel Crawford, John Hunt, Abijah 
 Sessions. 1795, Samuel Crawford, Abijah Sessions, John Hunt. 
 
504 
 
 SELECTMEN. 
 
 1796-7, Samuel Crawford, Abijah Sessions, Elijah Wales. 179S, Samuel 
 Crawford, Abijah Sessions, Thomas Lawson. 1799-1800, Robert Paul, 
 Jr., Abijah Sessions, David Lawson. 1801, Robert Paul, Jr., Abijah 
 Sessions, Samuel Crawford. 1S02, David Lawson, Nathaniel Newell, 
 Samuel Crawford. 1803, David Lawson. Captain Joseph Snell. Samuel 
 Crawford. 1804, Samuel Paul, Elijah AVales, Samuel Crawford. 1805, 
 Samuel Paul, John Crawford, Elijah Wales. 1806-7-8, Samuel Paul, 
 John Crawford, Nathaniel Newell. 1809, Robert Paul, Luther Craw- 
 ford, Manasseh Howard. 1810, Robert Paul, Samuel Crawford, Jr., 
 Manasseh Howard. 1811, Elijah Hawes, Samuel Crawford, Jr., 
 Thomas Lawson, Jr. 1S12, Philip Corbin, Ichabod Moore, William P. 
 Sessions. 1813, Samuel Paul, Ichabod Moore, John Crawford. 1814, 
 David Corbin, Nathaniel Newell, John Crawford. 1815, John Craw- 
 ford, William Foster, Robert Paul, Josiah Eaton. 1816, David Coye, 
 Philip Corbin, William P. Sessions. 1S17, David Coye Philip Corbin, 
 Eleazer Bugbee. 1818, John Crawford. Philip Corbin, Eleazer Bugbee. 
 1819, Nathaniel Newell, Pain Cleveland, Judson Metcalf. 1820, Nathan- 
 iel Newell, Abijah Sessions, Judson Metcalf. 1821, David Lawson, 
 Abijah Sessions, Jason Ferry. 1S22, David Lawson, David Coye, Ezra 
 Putney. 1823. Elijah Hawes. David Coye, Nathan Morse. 1824, Elijah 
 Hawes. David Lawson, Joseph Dorsett. 1S25, Samuel Crawford, 
 Charles Foster, Paul Lawson. 1826, Samuel Crawford, Joseph Town, 
 William Foster. 1827, William P. Sessions, Willard Blodgett, Pain 
 Cleveland. 1828, David Coye, Archelaus W. Upham, William P. Ses- 
 sions. 1829, Joseph Town, I. W. Crawford, Willard Blodgett. 1830, 
 Robert Lawson, Benjamin Corbin, Joseph C. Griggs. 1831, Paul Law- 
 son, Benjamin Corbin, Joseph C. Griggs. 1S32, Benjamin Corbin, Ste 
 phen Fairbank, Joseph Burley. 1833, Paul Lawson, Alexander Strong, 
 Joseph Burley. 1S34, Samuel Crawford, Stephen Fairbank, Newman 
 Bugbee. 1835, Sarruiel Crawford, Joseph Town, Willard Blodgett. 
 1836-7, Augustus Moore, Abijah Sessions, Nathan Morse. 183S, Ben- 
 jamin Corbin, Samuel Corbin, Willard Blodgett. 1839, Augustus Moore, 
 Samuel Corbin, Willard Blodgett. 1S40, Augustus Moore, Pain Cleve- 
 land, Ezra Horton. 1S41, William P. Sessions, Samuel S. Needham, 
 Sullivan Booth. 1842, Nathan Morse, Samuel S. Needham, Sullivan 
 Booth. 1843, Nathan Kinney, Newman Bugbee, Asa Putnam. 1844, 
 Joseph Walker, Newman Bugbee, John Crawford. 1S45, Burk Foster, 
 Daniel T. Crawford, Ezra A. Putney. 1846-7, Abijah Sessions, Th. 
 Moore, Samuel W. Moore. 1848, Chauncey Paul, Burk Foster, Ben- 
 jamin Corbin. 1849, Healy Corbin, Burk Foster, Benjamin Corbin. 
 1S50, Samuel Crawford, Silas P. Allen, Aaron A. Wales. 1851, Samuel 
 Crawford, Burk Foster, Lyman Hiscox. 1852, Benjamin Corbin, 
 Lyman Hiscox, John Burley. 1853-4, Th. Moore, Nathaniel Newell, 
 George Leonard. 1855-6, Samuel Corbin, A. J. Wales, Augustus 
 
TOWIf' CLERKS AND TREASURERS. 505 
 
 Moore. 1S57, Benjamin Corbin, George Leonard, Dexter Moore. 185S, ' 
 Dexter Moore, David Lawson, John S. Easterbrooks. 1859. Daniel T. 
 Crawford, David Lawson, John S. Easterbrooks. i860, Benjamin Cor- 
 bin, Eleazar B. Foster, Andrew J. Wales. 1861, Benjamin Corbin, 
 Eleazar B. Foster, Alexander H. Sessions. 1862, Abijah Sessions, David 
 Lawson, Chauncey Paul. 1863, George D. Colburn, John Burley, Th. 
 Moore. 1864, Aaron A. Wales, Calvin Marcy, Daniel T. Crawford. 
 1865, Daniel T. Crawford, Jesse T. Hall. 1866. Samuel Moore, Reed 
 Tourtelott, Asa Putnam. 1S67, Thomas Moore, S. W. Moore, Newman 
 Bugbee. 1S68, Thomas Moore, Trenck Crawford, Henry B. Booth. 
 1S69, Reed Tourtellott, Henry B. Booth, Hartley AValker. 1870, William 
 M. Corbin, Hartley Walker, Merrick A. Marcy. 1871, William M. Cor- 
 bin. A. E. Weld, E. W. Upham. 1S72, Wilham M. Corbin, S. W. 
 Moore, M. H. Marcy. 1873-4. M. P. J. Walker, Horatio Carpenter, M. 
 H. Kinney. 1S75, Trenck Crawford, Samuel W. Moore, Andrew J. 
 Wales. 1S76, Trenck Crawford, S. W. Moore, A. J. Wales. 1877, Sam- 
 uel W. Moore, Henry B. Booth, Abiel Town. 1878-9, M. H. Kinney, 
 S. W. Moore, L. A. Corbin. 1880, S. W. Moore, H. C. Booth, J. W. 
 Winch. 1881, J. W. Winch, H. B. Booth. Reuben M. Barton. 1882, M. 
 P. J. Walker, Henry F. Corbin, Henry B. Booth. 1883, M. P. J. Walker, 
 H. B. Booth, J. W. Winch. 1884, M. P. J. Walker, Lyman Moore, J. 
 W. Winch. 1S85, M. P. J. Walker, J. W. Winch. Lyman Moore. 1S86, 
 E. M. Horton, H. F. Corbin, Lyman Moore. 1887, M. H. Kinney, L. M. 
 Reed, H. B. Booth. 188S, M. H. Kinney, L. M. Reed, H. B. Booth, 
 Lyman Moore. 1889, M. H. Kinney, H. B. Booth, L. M. Reed. 1S90-1, 
 L. A. Corbm. L. M. Reed, Henry Booth. 1892, L. A. Corbin, L. M. 
 Reed, Abiel Town. 
 
 TOWN CLERKS AND TREASURERS. 
 
 1735-1741. Paul Langdon. 1741-1747, Enoch Badger. 1747-1781, 
 Abner Sessions. 1781-1784, Abijah Sessions. 1784-1787, Solomon 
 Wales. 1787-17S8, John Hunt. 1789-1823, Robert Lawson. 1823-1841, 
 Nathaniel Newell. 1841-1842, David Lawson. 1842-1845, Chauncey 
 Paul. 1845-1851, Samuel Hammond. 1851-1852, Shubael Hammond. 
 1852-1857, Nathaniel Ossian Newell. 1S57-1865. Ingoldsby W. Craw, 
 ford. 1865-1S70, David L. Newell. 1870-1S74, Mason Horton. 1S74- 
 1892. David L. Newell. 
 
5o6 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 POPULATION OF UNION. 
 
 The population of town in the years when a census has 
 been taken is as follows : 
 
 Year. Pop. Year. Pop. 
 
 1756, 500 i83o> 711 
 
 1774 
 1782 
 1790 
 1800 
 181O 
 1820 
 
 514 1840, 669 
 
 552 1850, 728 
 
 631 i860, 732 
 
 767 1870, 627 
 
 752 1880, 539 
 
 757 1890, 431 
 
 Thus we see that the town reached its maximum popu- 
 lation in 1800, when it was 767, and its minimum at the 
 last census, when it was smallerthanatany other time since 
 the first census was taken. From 1756 to 1800 there was a 
 steady growth. From 1800 to i860 there was some varia- 
 tion, but on the whole it continued about the same. Since 
 i860 there has been a steady decline. This has been 
 owing to various causes, the principal of which are the 
 decline and removal of the shoe industry and the desertion 
 of the farms for the West or for cities and villages. The 
 question arises : Will the population still continue to 
 decrease ? It is the opinion of the compiler that the 
 decrease has about reached its limit, and that we may 
 expect an increase, not in the immediate future, but after 
 a number of years. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 AVERY, Rev. David, . 73 
 
 Armour, Andrew W., . 210 
 
 Armour, Philip D., . . . 197 
 
 Agriculture, 221 
 
 BALD Hill, .... 17 
 Battle of Lexington, . 115 
 
 Beardsley, Rev. Nehemiah, . 75 
 Bigelow Valley, ... 30 
 
 Booth, Rev. Isaac, . . -214 
 Boundary with Massachusetts, 37 
 Breakneck, . . . .28 
 Burgoyne, campaign against, 124 
 
 CALKINS, Lawyer, 
 Cat Rocks, .... 
 Celebrations at Mashapaug, 
 Cemeteries, . . . . 
 Church, Congregational, 
 
 150th anniversary of, 
 
 deacons of, 
 
 funds of , . 
 
 members of, . 
 
 clerk and treasurer, . 
 Corbin, David P., . 
 Corbin, Philip, 
 Corbin, William M., 
 Coye Hill, . . . . 
 Crawford, Dea. Samuel, . 
 Crawford, Judge I. W., 
 Curtiss, Rev. George, 
 Curtiss, Rev. S. I., Sr., 
 Curtiss, Rev. S. I., Jr., . 
 
 80, 
 
 56 
 
 29 
 
 24 
 
 248 
 
 47 
 
 91 
 
 93 
 
 97 
 
 97 
 
 105 
 
 189 
 
 213 
 
 192 
 
 18 
 
 154 
 
 155 
 
 166 
 
 159 
 
 DRIVES, .... 30 
 
 ECCLESIAvSTICAL Society, 74 
 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 GENEALOGIES, . 
 
 . 25'! 
 
 Grand Army Post, 
 
 150 
 
 Griggs, Joseph M., . 
 
 . 185 
 
 HAMMOND. Rev. Charles, 
 
 
 sketch of his life. 
 
 I 
 
 Hammond, Dr. Shubael, 
 
 153 
 
 Hitchcock, Rev. Caleb, . 
 
 ■ 65 
 
 Holman, Rev. Thomas, 
 
 179 
 
 Home Lots, 
 
 • 43 
 
 Horton, Rev. Ezra, 
 
 66 
 
 Howard, Rev. Wm., 
 
 • 90 
 
 FOSTER, Eleazer, . 
 Foster, Judge E. K., 
 
 34 
 
 156 : 
 
 157 i 
 
 INCORPORATION, petition 
 
 for 49 
 
 act of, . . 49 
 
 Industries at Mashapaug, . 238 
 
 LAND for public uses, 41 
 
 Land of Content, . 38 
 
 Land-tax, opposition to, 50 
 
 reply of selectmen, 52 
 
 Laurel, the, .... 34 
 
 Lawson, Justus V., . . . 195 
 
 Lead mine, .... 36 
 
 Leonard, Moses G., . .180 
 
 Lumbering, . . 229 
 
 MARCY, Dwight, . .212 
 
 Marcy, Merrick, . . 233 
 
 Marcy, Merrick A 217 
 
 Mashapaug Lake, 19 
 
 name, . . .19 
 
 tradition of, . . 20 
 
 celebration at, . . 24 
 outlets of, . . . 27 
 
 Meeting-house, first, building of, 61 
 description of, . 76 
 
 building of the new, . 78 
 remodeling of, . 85 
 
5o8 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Members of Congregational 
 
 Church, . . -97 
 of the Methodist Church, 109 
 
 Methodist Episcopal Church at 
 
 Mashapaug, history of, 105 
 
 Moore, Hannah, . . -175 
 
 Morse, Charles F., . . 196 
 
 OLNEY, James, . . .151 
 
 PAUL, Capt. Chauncey, 172 
 
 Paul, Sarah A., . . .186 
 
 Physical Features, 16 
 
 Proprietors, action of, 40 
 
 REED, Joel H., . . . 219 
 
 Revolution, hardships during, 127 
 
 Revolutionary orders, . . 123 
 
 Revolutionary soldiers, 132 
 
 SALE of Union lands, . . 38 
 Saw-mills, .... 229 
 
 Schools, 240 
 
 select, . . 244 
 
 Scotch-Irish, -44 
 
 Sessions, Jared D., . 180, 236 
 
 Settlers, first, . 
 Shoe business, 
 Smith, Rev. LP.,. 
 Sprague, Lieut., . 
 Stores in LTnion, 
 Summer resorts, . 
 
 TEMPERANCE reform, 
 Terry, Rev. Samuel, . 
 Tory discipline, 
 Trainings, the military, 
 
 UNIVERSALIST Society 
 
 VINTON, Calista H., 
 
 WALKER, Harvey, 
 
 War of 1812, Union men in. 
 
 War of the Rebellion, Union 
 
 men in, . 
 Watersheds, 
 Watson, Rev. J. P., . 
 Willard, Col. Abijah, 
 Woodland thrush, 
 Wyman, Rev. Ebenezer, 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 243, 
 
 245 
 
 
 233 
 
 
 91 
 
 
 119 
 
 233, 
 
 235 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 83 
 
 ■ 4? 
 
 , 5f> 
 
 
 112 
 
 
 139 
 
 . • 
 
 85 
 
 
 176 
 
 174, 
 
 236 
 
 n 
 
 138 
 
 141, 
 
 146 
 
 
 27 
 
 
 86 
 
 
 "3 
 
 
 34 
 
 59 
 
 , 63 
 
KRRATA. 
 
 Page 233, near bottom, where it reads: " Mr. Marcy's 
 business was largest between the years i860 and 1866," it 
 should be "between the years 18^0 and 18^6." 
 
 Page 255, Sally, fifth child of Nathan Abbott, was born 
 in 1782, instead of 1772. 
 
 Page 326, Samuel Dwight, son of Samuel Crawford, was 
 born in i8ij instead of i8ji. 
 
 Page 328, it was Liberty W. Crawford, son of Trenck, 
 instead of Susan Zida, who married Lurancie Converse. 
 Susan Z. died unmarried. 
 
 Page 333, Ossian Crawford married Lavinia Shepard 
 March 17, i8^j instead of /75J. 
 
 Page 369, Alonzo E. Horton married Sarah W. Babe in 
 1861 instead of 1846. 
 
 Page 410, Irene Rinda, third child of Merrick A. ircy, 
 was born in 1887 instead of i88_^. 
 
 Page 447, Emma Putnam married Samuel B. Goodier, 
 (not Goodyear).