MI DD LETOWN UPPER HOUSES
This edition, puhlished under the auspices of the Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated, is limited to Si.r Hundred Copies, of which this is Number o o
b cS
D D L TOWN oVPi:.. SES
^1
MI DDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
A HISTORY OF THE NORTH SOCIETY OF MIDDLE- TOWN, CONNECTICUT, FROM 16.50 TO 1800, WITH GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL CHAPTERS ON EARLY FAMILIES AND A FULL GENEALOGY OF THE RANNEY FAMILY
By
CHARLES COLLARD ADAMS, M. A.
Secretary-Treasurer of the Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated
THE GRAFTON PRESS
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHERS NEW YORK MCMVIII
Copyright, 1908, by THE GRAFTON PRESS
(0^ To8
This Volume is respectfully dedicated to
MRS. HARRIET SAGE WHITE HARRISON.
who hears the names of two and is de- scended from others of the Founders of Middletoion Upper Houses, in grateful recognition of her early and constant in- terest in the work for which the Society of Middletown Upper Houses e.xists.
PREFACE
In jSTovember, 1855, a young man left his college halls for the neighboring village of Cromwell where he taught a winter school. In 1860 by marriage he renewed his interest in that community. Returning in 1888 to pass the remaining years of his life in com- parative quiet he gathered up here and there threads connecting those of the day with those of the formative period of this settle- ment. Little by little the interest deepened and broadened until the desire was born to bring together those of other places to where their honored ancestors had lived and died. And with this came the thought to put into permanent form the story of the records kept here and elsewhere. With the reunion in 1903 the plan was broached to publish a volume and the later reunions strengthened and gave effect to this purpose. The sympathy and encourage- ment from many directions have made of the toil a pleasant task. At the age of seventy-two the compiler of these pages has the satis- faction of expressing appreciation of all the assistance which has been rendered by many in many ways.
The Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated, has not only erected its memorials to Founders, Fathers, Pastors and Patriots, but has given its financial and moral support to the efforts of the compiler and without this aid the preliminary work could not have been brought to the point where the material was ready to go into the hands of the printer and publisher.
It could hardly be possible to make a list of the individuals who have given special assistance in the gathering of material and in the spreading of the spirit of enthusiasm and not overlook some one fully worthy of mention. He has cast his net on all sides and the result is given herewith.
To have had the honor of suggesting the name, unanimously adopted by the town on January the sixth. 1902, for our one fine school edifice, the day it was .first used for school purposes. The Nathaniel White Public School, is more highly prized than would have been the gift of a lucrative office. On the bronze tablet and on the printed page the school children of to-day and of to-morrow will read the names and recall the deeds of those who first settled here and who long ago rested from their labors.
In 1884 a centennial celebration commemorating the first Eng- lish settlement lievond the Germans in the Mohawk vallev was
viii PREFACE
held at Whitestown, Xew York, when clue honor was paid to Captain Hugh White who, with his sons, went from here in May, 1784, and constituted the first English family to settle in Central ISTew York. The Hon. William Mansfield White, a descendant of Capt. Hugh White who was a descendant of Capt. Nathaniel White, presided, and he uttered this sentiment:
" Eoyal blood is an inheritance. Noble blood, if it begets noble deeds, is a blessing. But above all and beyond all, is the inheri- tance of a pious. God-fearing, God-serving ancestry."
To have been privileged to set forth the records of such an ancestry is its own reward.
Cromwell, Connecticut. New Tear's Day, 1908.
CONTENTS
Articles of IncorpoRxVTIon, Society of Middletown Up- per Houses .....ā¢ā¢ā¢ Life Members of the Society ..... Charter Members of the Society History of Middletown Upper Houses The Society of Middletown Upper Houses
Eeunion of the Society, 1905, including Addresses
Eeunion of the Society, 1907, including Addresses Descendants of Thomas Ranney
First Generation
Second Generation
Third Generation
Fourth Generation
Fifth Generation
Sixth Generation
Seventh Generation
Eighth Generation
Ninth Generation
William Ranney Line
Timothy Berry Ranney Line Family Genealogies .
The Bulkeley Family .
The Butler Family .
The Clark Family
The Doolittle Family
The Edwards Family
The Eells Family
The Gaylord Family .
The Gridley Family .
The Hall Family
The Hubbard Family
xvii xviii
XX
1 63
70 97 141 141 152 162 173 193 232 302 404 482 502 504 507 509 510 524 529 534 540 559 569 572 581
|
X CONTENTS |
|
|
PAGE |
|
|
The Hurlbut Family |
. 582 |
|
The Keith Family |
. 583 |
|
The Kelsey Family |
. 589 |
|
The Kirby Family ..... |
. 594 |
|
The L'Hommedieu Family |
. 607 |
|
The Prout Family |
ā . 609 |
|
The Eiley Family |
. 614 |
|
The Sage Family ..... |
. 621 |
|
The Savage Family ..... |
. 638 |
|
The Sheparcl Family |
. 668 |
|
The Eev._ Joseph Smith Family . . . . |
. 670 |
|
The Abner Smith Family .... |
. 675 |
|
The Stocking Family .... |
. 677 |
|
The Stow Family |
. 695 |
|
The Treat Family |
. 703 |
|
The Warner Family .... |
. 711 |
|
The White Family |
. 713 |
|
The Wilcox Family |
. 740 |
|
The Williams Family .... |
. 766 |
|
Appendix |
|
|
William Francis Joseph Boardman |
. 775 |
|
Eanney Addenda ..... |
. 777 |
|
Pardee Addenda ..... |
. 782 |
|
Index ....... |
. 785 |
ILLUSTRATIONS
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PORTRAITS
FACING PAGE
Adams, Arthur Ranney 300
Charles Collard 300
Charles Samuel Grldley 300
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley 300
Miss Elizabeth Vix-ginia 300
James Mortimer 300
Baisden. Mrs. Martha (Ranney ) 393
Boardman, Arthur '''60
AVm. Francis Joseph 9<3
Bingham, Norton W 186
Brooks, Mrs. Jeannette (Ranney) 260
Lester Ranney 260
Brown, Henry Bascom 79
Butler, Capt. Daniel 517
Cameron, Mrs. Mabel Ward i09
Ward Griswold 108
Chamberlain, Mrs. Mary (Ranney) 261
Chase. Miss Ellen 665
Henry Savage 665
William Leverett 665
Clark, Samuel Wilson and Wife 472
Cummings, Mx-s. Sarah (Chase) 665
Donahoe, Daniel J 96
Doolittle, Charles Ranney ; 532
Rev. Edgar Jared 533
Edgar Jared 533
Eckels, Ransom , 186
Eells. Daniel 727
Dau Parmelee 554
Group at 1738 well 5.55
Rev. Edwards 516
Major Edwax'd 550
Rev. Edwards and Sons 548
Rev. Edwards and Daughters 549
Ralph Smith 551
SamueJ ." 550
Samuel Robert ' 551
Walter Gibbs 5.54
Faxon, Walter Collyer 96
Fisk-Forester, Mrs. Stella 355
Galpin. Henx'y Norris 754
Gaylord, Group 565
Gridley. Dr. Timothy Jones 516
Hall, David Augustus 576
xi
xii ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
Hart, Ives William 229
John Jay 186
Samuel Ives and Wife 473
Hawes, Mrs. Polly ( Ranuey ) 355
Hough, Mrs. Mary ( Ranney ) 388
Johnson, Rev. James Riley, D. D 617
Jones, Mrs. Zenana Amelia (Ranuey) 228
Kingman, Mrs. Eliza Ann (Rauuey) 354
Mrs. Sarah Amelia (Rauney) 354
Knox, Mrs. Hannah (Ranney) 218
Latimer, Mrs. Anna ( Stocking) 690
Miss Mary Anu 690
L'Hommedieu, Mrs. Elizabeth (Gridley) 301
Lowe, Mrs. Abbie De Ette (Ranuey) 214
Macdonald, James H 761
Meigs, Col. Return Jonathan 56
Merrill, Mrs. Cornelia (Ranney) 300
Morgan, J. Pierpont 547
Parker, Mrs. Clarissa (Rauuey) 355
Porkess, Rev. William 96
Putnam, Gen. Israel 57
Ranney, 11 children of Elijah" 247
13 children of Dr. Waitstill Randolph 251
Abuer* 187
Abuers 215
Alfred Gardner 297
Ambrose Arnold 250
Amos Moore 490
Andrew Jackson and Family 306
Austin Sherman 229
Cassius Wells 215
Cecil J 358
Charles Thomas 450
Clifford Ira 296
Daniel Holland 358
Rev. Darwin Harlow 214
David Gardner 297
David Stocking ā¢ 389
Earl Eugene and children 187
Ebeuezer Goodhue 246
Rev. Edwin Hiram 389
Eli 218
Eliiah Crawford 246
Mrs. Elizabeth Gilchrist 388
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley (L'Hommedieu) ,... 300
Franklin Eli 450
Dr. George Emery 358
George Henry 297
Miss Harriet Augusta 219
Harris Guernsev 186
Henrv Clav 271
Golden Wedding Group 3fiS
Henry Eugene 246
ILLUSTRATIONS xiii
FACING PAGE
Ranney, Henry Joseph 388
Mrs. Ida Louise ( luiiiau ) 219
James <^00
James K. P. aud grandson 494
James Mortimer 300
James Sumner 350
Jesse 350
John 2G1
John Goodhue 187
John Hathorne 194
Rev. Joseph Addison 296
Joseph Addison 296
Miss Julia Isabel 219
Lafayette 358
Lulve 351
Luke Frank 229
Luther Boardman 270
Lvman 'ā ā 218
Dr. Lyman Wells 215
Madison 359
IMoses 388
Nathan Cornelius 292
Oliver 187
Oliver 194
Oliver Franklin 187
Robert Burton 215
Robert Gibonev and Family 307
Royal Gilbert 292
Rufus Percival 271
Salvator Otis 491
Samuel Allen 354
Stei)hen 194
Sullivan 270
Thomas Stow 195
Dr. Waitstill Randolph 250
Walter Roy 296
Willett Phineas and Wife 451
William, artist 293
William Caton 194
William Keith 389
William Ostrander 494
William W 293
William and Wife 347
Willis 297
Willis Madison 359
Zenas Edwards 393
Rattle, Mrs. Elizabeth and Granddaughtoi- .")r.4
Reunion. Group in 1903 64
Group in 1904 65
G. A. R. in 1904 67
Children in 1904 66
Group in 1907 97
Richardson. Dr. John Henry and Wife 214
xiv ILLUSTRATIONS
Eichardson, Mrs. Sabra Ranney 354
Riley, Capt. James and Wife 616
James Watson 617
William Willshire 617
Roome. Mrs. Virginia ( Stocking) 691
Rossman, Mrs. Nettie ( Ranney ) 219
Sage. Col. Comfort and Wife 628
Capt. Nathan and Wife 630
Orrin 631
Savage, Henry Russell 51G
Capt. Timothy and Wife 664
Timothy, Jr.. and Wife 6(54
Stanton, Charles Henry 546
Stocking, Rev. C. H. W.. D. D 229
George Byrd 691
George Washburn and Wife 691
Capt. Horace 690
Justus 690
Philo Waslil)urn and Wife 691
Swenson, Mrs. Eliza Susan (Ranney) 346
Treat. Mrs. Julia (Ranney) 218
Miss Mila Hakes 711
Milo Clinton 710
Ward. Austin Merrels 108
Mrs. Delia Bidwell 108
Walden, Mrs. Josephine Idella (Ranney) 3-55
Walkley, Weebster Rogers 78
Wheeler. Frederick Benjamin and Family 495
Mrs. Mabel (Ranney) 495
White. Canvass 725
Charles Merrow 726
Chauncev Howard 732
Edward ' Luther 7.32
Henrv 733
Hugh 725
Mrs. Rebecca (Rannev) 389
William Mansfield 724
William Roland 7.33
Wightman. Mrs. Clarissa (Butler) 517
Rev. Frederick 517
Stillman King 517
Wilcox, Frank Langdon 763
Frederick William 516
Col. .Tonathan Samuel 755
Samuel Curtis 763
William Walter. Sr 762
William Walter. Jr. 762
Williams. Rev. .Joshua Lewis 769
Woodard, James Madison 3.59
Twins 3.59
ILLUSTBATIONS xv ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES
FACING PAGE
Atherton. Susan Clark, House of :Mrs 396
Bloomfieldā Hall. Deed of 1642 577
Boardman, Jonathan, House of 29
Bronze Tablet 71
Crocker. Zebulon. Monument of Rev 768
Cromwell, 1900, Map of 99
Edwards, David, House of 537
Nathan, Hoiise of 537
Eells, Daniel, House of 588
Edward. Account with Capt. John Warner 548
Edward, Headstone of Major 543
Edward, House of Major 542
Edward, Tablestone of Rev 543
Evangeline, Unveiling of Bronze Tablet, July 19, 1905 70
Nathaniel, Headstone of 542
Gay lord. Samuel. Autograph of 28
Gridley, Samuel, Family Reeoord of 569
Timothy Jones, House of 568
Kelsey, Israel, House of 588
Kirby, Amos, Tavern of 61
Charles, House of 601
Elisha, Hotel of 600
Samuel, House of 601
Prospect Hill, 1835, View from 582
Prout. William, 1720, Drawing by 610
Ranney, Daniel s. Account with Capt. John Warner 149
Ebenezer -. Account with Capt. John Warner 149
Ephraim, Old Tavern of 397
Fletcher. House of 611
George, House of 350
George*, Tombstone of 536
Hannah -, Autographs of heirs of 155
John -. Autograpli of 154
Joseph -. Autograph of 154
Joseph -, Tombstone of 168
Joseph 3, Tombstone of 168
Joseph 3, Trees of 1725 169
Nathaniel, W^ooden Bottle of 589
Dr. Stephen. Commission of 369
Thomas i. Account with Capt. John Warner 148
Thomas -, Account with Capt. John Warner 674
Thomas -, Autograph of ". 154
Thomas i. House of 144
Thomas i. Tombstone of 145
Willett, House of .589
William, Family Monument 392
Sage, Comfort, Family Vault 629
David 1, Tombstone of 749
Ebenezer, Account with Capt. John Warner 148
Elisha, House of 628
William, House of 631
Savage, Abijah, House of 658
xvi ILLUSTRATION'S
FACING PAGE
Savage, Amos, Powder Horn of 658
Josiah, House of 659
Timothy, House of 659
Shepard, Jared, Great Oak 583
Smith, Abner, House of 675
Isabella, House of Mrs 396
Joseph. Autograph of Rev 28
Society Middletown Upper Houses, Life Certificate 98
Spencer, Samuel, House of 675
Family, Tombstones of 536
Stoughton Coat of Arms 582
House of 1635 582
St. Machar's Cathedral and Cemetery 583
Upper Houses, Group of old 670
Group of old 671
Old views 718
Warner. John, Family record of Capt 169
White, Aaron, House, Hotel Sign and Tombstone of 719
Nathaniel. Facsimile of Will 26
Nathaniel. Tombstone of 749
Nathaniel. Public School 27
Wilcox. Thomas. House of 748
Thomas, Tombstone of 749
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
SOCIETY OF MTDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES, IN- COEPOEATED.
BE IT KNOWN, That we, the subscribers, do hereby associate ourselves as a body politic and corporate, pursuant to the statute laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation and organization of corporations without capital stock, and the follow- ing are our articles of association:
Article 1. The name of said corporation shall be The Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated.
Article 2. The purposes for which said corporation is formed are the following, to wit:
To obtain title to and to hold the plot of land on which our memorials do and are to stand; to foster the spirit of reverence' for our ancestors; to hold reunions of our members and of other descendants of families of Middletown Upper Houses; and to gather and to disseminate information historical, genealogical, and biographical concerning Middletown Upper Houses and its families.
Article 3. The said corporation is located in the Town of Crom- well, County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut.
Dated at Cromwell this 19th day of July, 1905.
S. 0. Eanney, * Charles H. Stanton,
Frank L. Wilcox, Charles Collard Adams, Wm. Eoland White, M. C. Treat.
Names of Subscribers.
xviii LIFE MEMBEES
State of Connecticut, \ ,^ County of Middlesex, i'^'
Then and there personally appeared S. 0. Eanney, Charles H. Stanton, Frank L. AVilcox, Charles Collard Adams, William Eoland White, and M. C. Treat, signers of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be their free act and deed, before me,
Arthur Boardman, Approved, July 27, 1905. Notary Public.
Theodore Bodenwein,, Secretary, per A. E. Parsons. State of Connecticut, \ Office of the Secretary. ^
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of record in this office, and of the endorsement of approval thereon.
IN TESTIMONY WHEEEOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 27th dav of July, A. D., 1905.
Theodore Bodenwein, Secretary. [seal] ā
LIFE MEMBERS*
SOCIETY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES, INCOE^
POEATED.
Mrs. Elizabeth Eells Abbott, Clinton, New York.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley Adams, Cromwell, Conn.
Mrs. Eli Melville Ashley, Denver, Col.
William Francis Joseph Boardman. Hartford. Conn.
Miss Abby Anna Bradley, Hingham. Mass.
Anson Strong Brooks, Minneapolis, Minn.
Philip Ranney Brooks. Minneapolis, Minn.
Mrs. Mabel Ward Cameron, Allston, Mass.
Miss Ellen Chase, Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. Julia Jones Crary. Hooperston, 111.
Ferris Edward Davis. Delhi. N. Y.
Mrs. Mary Eliza Horton Davis, Albany, N. Y.
Edgar Jared Doolittle, Meriden, Conn.
t Melatiah Everett Dwight, D. D.
Ransom Eckels, Arlington, Wash.
Howard Parmelee Eells. Cleveland. O.
Walter Gibbs Eells. Philadelphia. Pa.
Mrs. Walter Collyer Faxon, Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. Stella Fisk-Forester. Taplin, Ida.
* Being those who have contributed ten dollars or more for the work of the Society. t Dead.
LIFE MEMBERS xix
Mrs. Lawrence Bertram Flint. Needham, Mass.
Miss Clara Cornelia Fuller, Ossining, N. Y.
Miss Ruth Galpin, Berlin, Conn.
Francis Goodwin, D. D., Hartford, Conn.
James Junius Goodwin, Hartford. Conn.
Mrs. Albert Stevens Hall, Winchester, Mass.
David Augustus Hall, Portland, Conn.
Mrs. Harriet Sage Harrison, Leete's Island, Conn.
Newman Hungerford. Hartford, Conn.
William Latimer. Wilmington, N. C.
Russell W. Lowe. M. D., Ridgefield, Conn.
*Mrs. William McPherson, Jr.
John Pierpont Morgan, New York City.
Jesse Homan Pardee, Meadville, Pa.
Andrew Jackson Ranney, Osawotamie. Kan.
Cornelius John Ranney. Cleveland, O.
Charles Percival Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Charles Thomas Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
Ebenezer Goodhue Ranney, Homer, N. Y.
Fletcher Ranney, Boston. Mass.
Frederick Eli Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
George Emery Ranney, M. D., Lansing, Mich.
George Henry Ranney, St. Paul, Minn.
Henry Clay Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Henry Eugene Ranney. Cortland. N. Y.
James Knox Polk Ranney, Osawotamie. Kan.
John Goodhue Ranney, Syracuse, N. Y.
Joseph Pope Ranney, New York City.
Lemuel Sears Ranney, Hillsdale, Mich.
Luther Kelsey Ranney, Peninsula, O.
Maria Serena Ranney, Austin, Minn.
ā¦Nathan Cornelius Ranney.
Robert Burton Ranney, New Castle, Pa.
Robert Giboney Ranney, Cape Girardeau. Mo.
Royal Gilbert Ranney. Little York, 111.
Salvador Otis Ranney, Windsor Locks, Conn.
Miss Sarah Maria Ranney, Peninsula. O.
Walter Roy Ranney, Arkansas City, Kan.
Willett George Ranney. Cleveland O.
William Ostrander Ranney, Osawotamie, Kan.
Zenas Edwards Ranney, Middletown, Conn.
William James Rattle, Cleveland, O.
John INIack Richardson. Medfield, Mass.
Frederick H. Sage, M. D., Middletown, Conn.
William H. Sage, Albany, N. Y.
Albert Russell Savage, Portland, Me.
Charles Henry Stanton, Clinton. N. Y.
Edgar Blood Stocking, Washington. D. C.
George Washburn, Stocking, Sisterville. W. Va.
Mrs. Ole S. Swenson. Soux Falls. So. Dak.
Milo Clinton Treat, Washington, Pa.
Mrs. Flora Alice Wilcox Turney, Chicago, 111.
Mrs. Hattie Baldwin Wellman. Friendship. N. Y.
Mrs. Mabel Ranney Wheeler. Pittsburg, Kan.
*Dead.
XX CHAETER MEMBERS
George Luther White, Waterbury, Conn. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth White, Springfield, Mass. Frank Langdon Wilcox, Berlin, Conn. Frederick Peck Wilcox, New York City. George Horace Wilcox, Meriden, Conn. John Keyes Williams, Hartford, Cann. James Madison Woodard. Greenfield. Mass.
CHARTER MEMBERS*
SOCIETY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES, INCOR- PORATED.
William Pratt Abbott Lake Charles, La.
Arthur Ranney Adams, Hartford, Conn.
Artina Marguerite Adams. Hartford, Conn.
Charles Collard Adams, Cromwell, Conn.
Elizabeth Virginia Adams, Cromwell. Conn.
Gridley Adams, New Rochelle, N. Y.
Harriet Boyington Adams, Hartford, Conn.
James Mortimer Adams, Hartford, Conn.
Josephine Janice Adams. New Rochelle, N. Y.
Mrs. Leola Sarah Adams, Howard, R. I.
Mrs. Henry Clay Aldrich, Minneapolis, Minn.
George Allen, Adams, N. Y.
Theodore Anderson, Cromwell, Conn.
Reese Gates Applegate, Sikeston, Mo.
Eli Melville Ashley, Denvei', Col.
Frank Riley Ashley, Denver, Col.
Ralph E. Ashley, Denver, Col.
Andrew Jackson Atherton. Livermore. Ky.
Romeo Atherton, Livermore, Ky.
Mrs. Harriet E. Bailey, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Mrs. Martha Gaylord Bailey, Cleveland, O. ā¢ Theodore Orson Bailey, Cleveland, O.
*Rev. William Ranney Baldwin.
Mrs. Louise Bestor Barbour, Hartford, Conn.
Charles M. Beardslee. Blodgett. Mo.
John M. Beardslee, Blodgett. Mo.
*Mi's. Marie Louise Bestor.
Mrs. Jennie S. Bewick, Madison, Wis.
George Herbert Blanden, Springfield, Mass.
Arthur Boardman, Cromwell, Conn.
Charles E. Booth. New York City.
Emily Stocking Brandegee. Berlin, Conn.
Florence Stocking Brandegee, Berlin, Conn.
Katherine Brandegee, Berlin, Conn.
t John E. Brandegee.
Mrs. William H. Bridge, Spokane, Wash.
Mrs. Heni-y Bascom Brown, East Hampton, Conn.
Mrs. Margaret Drake Buckingham, Minneiska, Minn.
Mrs. Frederick Burckhardt, Cincinnati, O.
* Being those who have contributed one dollar or more, but less than ten dollars, for the work of the Society.
t Dead.
CHARTER MEMBERS xxi
Lucy P. Bush, New Haven, Conn.
Charles A. Butler, Utica, N. Y.
Mrs. E. L. Campbell, Comstock, N. Y.
James Willett Chamberlain, Akron, Ohio.
Marian Gertrude Chamberlain, Akron, Ohio.
Robert Savage Chase, Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. G. G. Chauncey, Fulton, N. Y.
Henry Chauncey, New York City.
Mrs. Alexander B. Clark, Ox Bow, N. Y.
Mrs. George Clark, Ames, Kan.
Samuel Wilson Clark, New Britain, Conn.
Mrs. J. A. Cochran, Cincinnati, O.
Mrs. A. L. Conger, Akron. O.
Mrs Martha Ranney Cooper, Great Kills, S. I.
Mrs. Horace Bassett Corner. Cleveland, O.
E. E. Cornwall, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. A. S. Cotton, Clifton Springs. N. Y.
William Ranney Crary, Willoughby, O.
Henry Savage Chase Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Lincoln Clifford Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Rosamond Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
William Leverett Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Mary Ranney Cutting, Westminster West, Vt.
Mrs. Grace Ranney Diamond, Gaithersburg, Md.
Mrs. Julia B. Dillaby, Somersville, Mass.
Mrs. P. H. Dudley, New York City,
Mrs. Georgia L. Durley, New Haven, Conn.
*Benjamin M. Dyer.
Erastus Ranney Ellis, M. D., Detroit, Mich.
Rev. Edward Eells, Fall River, Mass.
Mrs. H. B. Eells, Unadilla, N. Y.
Herbert Eells, Philadelphia, Pa.
John H. Eells, Pittsfield, Mass.
Mrs. Carrie M. Evans, Akron. O.
William H. Evans, Sr., Akron, O.
William H. Evans, Jr., Akron, O.
Anna L. Francis, Glenbrook, Conn.
Mrs. Amasa A. Fuller, Warren, Vt.
*Fred E. Garrett.
Ethel G. Gaylord. Cleveland, O.
John A. Gaylord, Cuyahoga Falls, O.
Mrs. James A. Grantier. Forestville, N. Y.
Mrs. H. L. Gregory, Vincennes, Ind.
Mrs. Mary Ranney Hadcock, Watertown, N. Y.
Mrs. Maria Carr Hale, Winterset, la.
Harriet Wells Hale, Winterset," la.
*0. W. Hale.
Lizzie M. Harrison. West Winfield, N. Y.
C. R. Hart, M. D., New Hartford, N. Y
*Edmund Benjamin Hart.
Ellen Delia Hart, Meriden, Conn.
James Riley Hodder. Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. Mahala Riley Hodder, Brookline, Mass.
Sylvester AV. Hoffman, Zanesville, O.
*Dead.
xxii CHARTER MEMBERS
Jonathan J. Holland, New Hartford, la.
Mrs. A. L. Holman, Chicago, 111.
Winslow Holmes, Shellrock, la.
John Hough, Spartansburg, Ind.
Herbert Housel, Noblesville, Ind.
E. Kent Hubbard, Jr., Middletown, Conn.
Mrs. Amanda A. Hull, Warren, Vt.
Mrs. Zldana Humphrey, Nuchols, Ky.
Mrs. H. M. Hurd, Baltimore, Md.
Mrs. H. B. Hurlbut, Cleveland, O.
Mrs. John Ives, jNIeriden, Conn.
L. Howard Ives, Meriden, Conn.
Charles Eben Jackson, Middletown, Conn.
Robert Nesmith Jackson. Middletown, Conn.
Alice Cary Johnson, Nyack, N. Y.
James Riley Johnson. D. D., Nyack, N. Y.
Mrs. Ora Storm King. Livermore. Ky.
Augusta F. Kingmau, Northampton, Mass.
Edward Paysou Kirby, Jacksonville, 111.
Samuel Hubbard Kirby, New Haven, Conn.
John Klingelhofer, Turlock, Cal.
Mrs. Harriet Jane Knight, Kingston, Wis.
Abbie Knox, Cuyahoga Falls, O.
Mrs. Theodore R. Lake, Central City, Col.
INIrs. Maria Olivia Le Brun, Montelair, N. J.
Mrs. Aucetta Lewis. Middletown, Conn.
H. Wales Lines, Meriden. Conn.
Mrs. William H. Lockie. Rossie, N. Y.
Mrs. Almira Ranney Lunnie, North Troy, Vt.
Mrs. Frances Raiuiey Lybrand, Washington. D. C.
Caroline Hamilton Macniel, Buffalo, N. Y.
Mrs. Harriet Cornelia Macniel. Buffalo, N. Y.
E. A. Markham, M. D., Durham, Conn.
Mrs. Viva Martin, Greenville, Ky.
Mrs. H. McBurney, Phelps. N. Y.
Sarah Stowe Merwiu. Hartford, Conn.
A. E. Merritt, "Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Helen M. Munroe, Cortland, N. Y.
Mrs. A. J. Muzzy. Bristol, Conn.
p:]lizabeth Todd Nash. Madison, Conn.
Mrs. Lydia B. Newcomb. New Haven, Conn.
Catherine ^I. North. Berlin. Conn.
New York Historical Society, 170 2d Ave., New York City.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamlin Olmstead, Pasadena. Cal.
Mrs. Vesta C. Owen. Utica. Kentucky.
Seth Paddock. Cromwell. Conn.
Mrs. D. E. Penfield, Warren, Mass.
Mrs. A. N. Pierson, Cromwell, Conn.
Frederick Solomon Pinney. West Haven. Conn.
Mrs. James P. Piatt. Meriden, Conn.
Margery Piatt. Meriden. Conn.
Mrs. Cornelia Pomeroy, Graham. N. C.
Mrs. Mary Butler Price. Utica. N. Y.
D. B. Prout. Ashland, N. Y.
*Mrs. Emma Snow Puffer.
CHAETER MEMBERS
Alvor M. Ranney, Hudsouville, Mich.
Alice M. Ranney, Groton, N. Y.
Alfred Patterson Ranney, Westminster West, Vt.
Anne Ranney, Pittsburg, Kan.
Arthur Edwin Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
Barzillai Frank Ranney, Taberg, N. Y.
Charles A. Ranney, Hartfoi'd, Conn.
Charles F. Ranney, Newport, Vt.
Charles Garfield Ranney, Mohawk, N. Y.
Charles Henry Ranney, Boston, Mass.
Comfort Ranney, De Witt, Mich.
Crawford Ranney, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
David S. Ranney, Moodus, Conn.
Earl Eugene Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Rev. Edwin H. Ranney, Philadelphia, Pa.
Elizabeth Ranney. Jackson, Mo.
Eli W. Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
*Eli.iah Crawford Ranney.
Fayette Silas Ranney, Storm Lake, la.
Franc M. Ranney. New Yoi'k City.
Francis Leroy Ranney, Algona. la.
Frank George Ranney, Rochester, N. Y.
Frederick Dean Ranney, No. Bennington. Vt.
George A. Ranney, Cannonsburg, Mich.
George F. Ranney, Anaconda, Mont.
George G. Ranney, Chicago, 111.
Harriet A. Ranney, Chicago. 111.
Harris Guernsey Ranney, Pittsfield, Vt.
Herbert Hawthorne Ranney, Cape Girardeau. Mo.
Hiram H. Ranney, Mohawk, N. Y.
*Harrison Jackson Ranney.
Henry Charles Ranney. Willliamsburg. Mass.
Henry Porteus Ranney. Putney, Vt.
Mrs. Hiram Mason Ranney, Northfield, Minn.
Howard A. Ranney. South Hadley, Mass.
James Parham Ranney. McMullen. Mo.
Jennie P. Ranney, Concord, Vt.
Joel Cyrus Ranney, Ames, Kan.
Joseph Addison Ranney, Arkansas City. Kan.
Julia I. Ranney, Chicago, 111.
Keith I. Ranney. Cleveland, O.
Laura Ranney, Jackson, Mo.
*Luke Frank Ranney.
Lynn A. Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Mabel Ranney, Los Angeles. Cal.
Mary Eliza Ranney, Penfield. N. Y.
Mary Gayle Ranney, Jackson. Mo.
Matthias Guy Ranney, San Antonio, Texas.
Nathan Huse Ranney, Marlboro, Mass.
Nellie M. Ranney, Concord, Vt.
Orlando B. Ranney. M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich.
Perry C. Ranney, Elkhorn, Wis.
*Philip M. Ranney.
R. L. Ranney. Chicago. 111.
Raymond Ralph Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
CHAKTEE MEMBERS
*Keuben W. Raiiney.
Robert B. Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Sarah Kinney Ranney, Cleveland. O.
Willis Edward Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
William Stillwell Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Susan E. Ranney, Cleveland, O.
William Henry Ranney, Derry, N. H.
W. L. Ranney, Orange, Mass.
*W. S. Ranney.
William W. Ranney, Austin, Minn.
Willis Leland Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
Mrs. Frances Elizabeth Risley, Hartford, Conn.
William M. Risley, Hartford, Conn.
Cyrus Root, Laurel, Md.
Mrs. Nettie Ranney Rossman, Paola, Kan.
A. B. Sage, Shefiield, Mass.
George H. Sage, Hartford, Conn.
Ira Yale Sage, Sr., Atlanta. Ga.
John Hall Sage, Portland, Conn.
Mrs. F. E. Sanford, La Grange, 111.
E. A. Savage, Southampton, Pa. Charles C. Savage, Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Emma D. Schenk, ^Nlaywood. 111. Chloe Savage Seymour, Kenwood, N. Y.
F. A. Short, Grove City, Pa.
Mrs. Frederick Simmons, Sanquoit, N. Y.
Mrs. Isabelle Sage Sloan. Hartford, Conn.
H. N. Snow, Durham, N. C.
A. C. Smith, Livermore, Ky.
George Richmond Smith, Cromwell. Conn.
Mrs. Howard Smith, Watertown, Conn.
Jackson Wolcot Sparrow, Cincinnati, O.
Mrs. Maud Ranney Starkweather, Ash Fork. Arizona.
Mrs. Spencer Solomon Steele, Beloit, Wis.
W. H. Stephens, Lowville, N. Y.
C. A. Stephens, Cincinnati, O.
Mrs. Charles H. Stevens, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Rev. Charles Elliott St. John, Brookline, Mass.
Rev. Amer M. Stocking, Onarga, 111.
Charles H. Stocking, New York City.
Mrs. R. S. Taft, Burlington, Vt.
Mary Kingsbury Talcott, Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. Laura Butler Taylor, Louisville. Ky.
Mrs. I. N. Terry, Utica, N. Y.
*Mrs. Priscilla E. Throne.
*John D. Tibbits.
Mrs. John Henry Trent, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. Joseph R. Walden, Spruce Corner, Mass.
Mrs. William A. Waterbury,, New Haven, Conn.
Mrs. Caroline A. Wheeler, Northport, L. I.
Aaron Johnson White. Hammond. La.
A. L. White. Peirce City, Mo.
Anna M. White, Utica. N. Y.
Anna S. White, Waterbury, Conn.
Charles Carroll White, Utica, N. Y.
CHARTEE MEMBEES xxv
Cornelia B. White, Utica, N. Y.
Delancey P. White, Utica, N. Y.
Florilla M. White, Utica, N. Y.
Henry Hobart White. St. Paul, Minn.
Hugh White, Utica. N. Y.
H. Lawrence White, Utica, N. Y.
Isabel White, Utica, N. Y.
John Dolbear White, Utica. N. Y.
Mary P. White, Utica. N. Y.
Richard Allyn White. Greenwich, Conn.
William Pierrepout White. Utica. N. Y.
William Roland White, Westfield, Mass.
Mrs. H. K. Wight. Indian Orchard. Mass.
F. B. Wightman. New Rochelle, N. Y.
Henry White Wilcox. Winsted. Conn.
jNIarius W. Wilcox. Middletown, Conn.
F. H. Williams, M. D., Bristol. Conn.
Frances Hart Williams, Bristol. Conn.
Mrs. Idella M. Williams, Winsted, Conn.
J. G. Williams. Holland Patent. N. Y.
Anna F. Willis. Canon City, Col.
Mrs. Frances M. Willis, Colorado Springs, Col.
Stanley J. Willis, Cripple Creek. Col.
James P. Wilson. Youngstown. O.
Mrs. James S. Wilson. Concord. Mass.
Mrs. Martha E. Wood. Shelburne Falls, Mass.
Mrs. L. Jerome Woolsey, Rochester. N. Y.
Rodney P. Wright, Cambridge, Mass.
HISTORY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
HISTORY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
The Settlement
Hardly had the Puritans been settled in and around Boston than there was a disposition to swarm, after the manner of bees. The Connecticut River had been discovered both by the Dutch and the English. The former established themselves at Saybrook on the west bank of the river at its mouth, and at Hartford on the west bank at a place still called "Dutch Point." In 1633 William Holmes, with a party of colonists, sailed up the river, bringing with them the frame and other materials which they had prepared for erecting a house. When they reached Dutch Point he found that the Dutch had built a light fort and planted two pieces of artillery. Notwithstanding their threats to fire upon him, he passed this fort, proceeded up the river six miles, landed on the west side near the mouth of what is the Farmington River, and erected and fortified his house there. This, it is said, was the first house erected in Connecticut.
During the summer of 1635 others came and planted settlements at Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield. In 1636 the population was increased by the arrival at Hartford of the Rev. Thomas Hooker and his congregation from Cambridge, 100 in all. A con- gregation came from Dorchester to Windsor and another from Watertown to Wethersfield. Courts were early established, the first being held at Hartford, April 26, 1636 ; the second at Wind- sor, June 7, and the third, September 1. These courts consisted of two principal men from each town, and were invested with all the legislative and judicial powers and functions of the colony. The population of the three towns on the river and the garrison at Saybrook had reached about 800 persons.
In 1635 John Winthrop, " Governor of the River Connecticut," had reached Saybrook and built a fort. The Pequot Indians in 1636 laid siege to the fort and killed some of the inhabitants. Thereupon a court was held at Hartford and steps were taken for self-defense which meant the extermination of the Pequot tribe. An expedition of ninety men from the three towns, joined by friendly Mohegans under Uncas, descended the river to Saybrook in 1637, attacked the Pequots at Groton and captured their fort. Those who escaped fled to the westward but were pursued to what is the southwest corner of 'the State and were captured.
4 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
In 1638 a settlement was made at New Haven. On the 14th of January, 1639, the free planters of Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield convened at Hartford and adopted a written con- stitution, the preamble of which stated it was to preserve " the libberty and purity of the Gospell and the regulation of civil af- fairs." On the 4th of June, 1639, the free planters of Quinnipiack, or New Haven, met and formed a civil and religious organization. The former was a democracy under the guiding mind of the Eev. Thomas Hooker; the latter was a theocracy under the Eev. John Davenport. In 1639 Milford and Guilford were founded in the colony of New Haven, the one on the east and the other on the west of, and both adjacent to, New Haven. In the same year Fairfield and Stratford were founded under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. In 1639 the commonwealth of Saybrook was founded by Colonel George Fenwick. In 1644 the colony of Connecticut purchased from Colonel Fenwick for Ā£1600 the jurisdictional right in the colony of Saybrook. In 1643 the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven formed a confederacy for mutual safety under the name of the " United Colonies of New England." IBetween 1640 and 1650 other settlements were made on Long Island Sound.
As a consequence of travel by land and by water between Hart- ford, Windsor and Wethersfield on the north and the settlements on the Sound to the southward a knowledge was obtained of the conditions of the land along the west bank of the Connecticut Eiver. Mattabesett stood on high ground, at the parting of the ways, fourteen miles south of the center of Hartford. To the southeast the Connecticut Eiver made a sharp bend, reaching thirty miles to Saybrook, and along its bank was the primitive road to Saybrook. To the southwest, and through a valley, stretched the primitive roadway to New Haven. In 1639 the General Court of Connecticut made record as follows:
" The menifold insolencyes that have beene offered of late by the Indians, putt the Court in mind of that w'ch hath beene too long neglected, viz. : the execution of justice upon the former murtherers of the English and it was uppon serious consideracon and debate thought necessary and accordingly determine^, that some speedy course be taken herein, and for effecting hereof it was concluded that 100 men be levyed and sent down to Mat- tabesecke, where severall guilty persons reside and have beene harbored by Soheage, notwithstanding all means by way of persuation have beene formerly used to him for surrendering them upp into or hands; and it is thought fit that these coun-
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 5
sells be imparted to or friends at Quiunipi [ocke] that prvition may be made for the safety of the new plantaeons, and upon their joynt consent to precede or desist."
Sowheag had resided at Wethersfield, and after selling that tract to the settlers there had removed to " Mattabesecke." Pequots had gone up to Wethersfield, killed six men and three women, had carried away two girls, and had taken refuge with Sowheag at Mattabesett. This tended to increase the trouble, but the New Haven colony did not accept the invitation. In consequence of these disturbances no effort had been made to effect a settlement at Mattabeseck.
October 30, 1646, " Mr. Phelps is appoynted w"^ the ComĀ°^ittee for the planting Matabezeke," a name written in various ways.
''Mar. 20, 1649-50 And Sammuell Smith senior, of Wethers- field, to the Comittee about the lands at Mattabeseck, in the roome of Jeames Boosy." This committee reported that these lands might support fifteen families. From the lower part of Wethers- field, first known as Stepney and now as Rocky Hill, to Middletown proper there was but one place where the land on the bank of the river was suitable for a settlement. This one favorable location had high land from north to south of about one hundred rods, ending in a swamp at the north end, while on the south the land was too low for habitation for a distance of a stretch of two miles to the Sebethe, or Little River, Westward there was .a swamp, making a ridge of one hundred rods in length and eighty rods in width. South of the Sebethe the land is elevated and was most favorably situated for a settlement. Half a mile back from the river rose " Indian Hill " where Sowheag had his wigwams.
In 1650 settlements were begun " north of the riverett," some- times written " riverlet," and also " south of the riverett." The former in the records is termed "the north side." In 1707 SamueP Wilcox bought of George^ Stocking the homestead of the deceased SamueP Stocking, situated in " uper houses."
The general court of 1651 stated:
" It is ordered sentenced and decreed that Mattabeseck shall bee a Towne, and that they shall make choyce of one of theire inhabitants according to order in that case, that so hee may take the oath of a Constable, the next convenient season,
" It is ordered that Mattabeseck and Norwaulk shall be rated this present year in their proporcon, according to the rule of rating in the Country, for theire cattle, and other visible estate, and that ISTorwaakk shall present to Mr. Ludlow, and Mattabe-
6 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
seek to Mr. Wells, in each Towne one inhabitant, to bee sworne by them Constables in theire severall Townes."
In 1652 the General Court authorized Thomas Lord of Hart- ford to act in all the towns " both for setting of bones and other- wise, as at all times, occasions and necessityes may or shal require." His fees were fixed. " To any house in Mattabeseck, eight shil- lings."
oP.-^^
PLAH OF
MIDDLETOWN
"/^ORTH Of THE RIVERET^