The Giddings family, of which Mrs. Dunbar is a representative, is of remote Scottish ancestry, and of New England descent since 1635. The name of Giddings, according to some authors, was derived from Gideon, the Hebrew for "brave soldier." From Gideon also is derived Giddy, Giddies, Gibbon, Geddes. That this name is an ancient one in England can be proven from various sources, but at what period it first appeared the researches thus far do not enable us to state. The name was spelled in different ways by different branches of the family, Giddings and Geddings are English, Geddes is Scottish, and Gittings is Welsh, and by many they are supposed to belong to the same family. There are several places in Scotland called Geddes, as Geddes Hill, Geddeston, Geddeswell. According to the statistical account of Scotland, the family of Geddes of Rachan, in Peebleshire, have possessed that estate for thirteen hundred years. "The Manor of Geddings," which lies partly within the two parishes of Boxbourne and Great Amwell, probably derived its name from the family of Geddings, for in 1334 it was in the possession of Edmund Geddings, to whom the king granted the right of free warren. There is a town called Little Giddings, situated on the western border of Huntingdon county, England, and also a parish of that name in Suffolk county. Amongst the various families of this name there are various coats-of-arms; a coat-of-arms of the Giddings family is now in possession of Mrs. Robert B. Denney, of Boston, Massachusetts, a descendant of Daniel Giddings, who procured it of a painter of heraldry in the early part of this century. On the will of Lieutenant John Giddings there was a crest with a griffin rampant, supposed to be the crest of Collins, as the Collins and Giddings families intermarried. Lieutenant John used a seal with that crest upon it to stamp legal documents.
(I) From what particular branch of the Giddings family in England, or who were the immediate ancestors of George Giddings, the first of the name here, we are unable to say. There is a tradition in the family that there were three brothers who emigrated to this country in the early years, one settling at Ipswich, one at Cape Cod, and one at Halifax, Nova Scotia. The fact is well authenticated that George Giddings, aged twenty-five, and his wife, Jane (Tuttle) Giddings, aged twenty, came from England in 1635, and settled in the town of Ipswich, about twenty-five miles from Boston, Massachusetts, with their three servants. They are said to have had as companion on their voyage Sir Henry Vane, fourth governor of Massachusetts, who in 1662 suffered martyrdom for his zeal in the cause of liberty and religion. George Giddings brought with him a letter of recommendation from the rector, or minister, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire. George Giddings was born in 1608, died June 1, 1676. He was one of Major Denison's subscribers in 1640, a commoner in 1641, one of the twenty sworn freeholders who paid the highest rates out of two hundred and thirty in 1664, deputy to the general court in 1641-54-55-59-61-63-64-68-72-75, selectman from 1661 to 1675, and for a long time a ruling elder of the first church. The inventory of his estate, June 19, 1676, exhibited a total value of £1,021, 12s., of which one hundred and fifty-two acres of land with six acres of marsh, at Plumb Island, was appraised at £772. His widow died March, 1680. Children of George and Jane Giddings: Thomas, born 1638, married (first) Mary Goodhue, (second) Elizabeth -; John, see forward; James, born 1641, married Elizabeth Andrews; Samuel, born 1645, married (first) Hannah Martin, (second) Elizabeth -; Joseph Collins, married Susannah Rindge; Sarah; Mary, married Samuel Pearce; George.
(II) John, son of George and Jane (Tuttle) Giddings, was born 1639, died March 3, 1691. He had a commonage granted him in 1667; was a commoner in 1678; a lieutenant of militia; and was also a deputy to the general court in 1683-84-85. The inventory of his estate, rendered February 20, 1690, amounting to £269 15s. 10d., was distributed March 29, 1692. He married Sarah -, who married (second) Henry Herrick, of Beverly, and she died in Gloucester. Children: George, born 1664, married (first) Mary Skamp, (second) Mrs. Elizabeth Perkins; Elizabeth, married (first) December 16, 1685, Mark Haskell, (second) John Dennison, of Ipswich; Jane, married, November 26, 1691, Joseph Haradine; Sarah, born 1672, married John Haraden, died November 11, 1724, they had several children; John, born 1675; Job, born 1677, died February 27, 1708, married Sarah Andrews, children: Job, Sarah and John; Solomon, born 1679, married Margery Goodhue; Joshua, born 1681, probably was lost at sea in 1716, married Abigail -, children: Abigail, Jacob, and three others who died young; Thomas, see forward; Mary, born 1686, married Benjamin York.
(III) Thomas, son of John and Sarah Giddings, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1683. He removed to Gloucester, and purchased of Benjamin Lufkin, in 1710, a house which he sold May 22, 1721, and went to Lyme, Connecticut, with his family about 1722-23, where he purchased land nearly every year for several years; he settled near Beaver brook. In 1708 he married Sarah Butler. Children: Job, married Sarah Rathbone; Joseph, born 1714, married (first) Eunice Andrus; (second) Elizabeth Hungerford; John, married Susannah Tozor; Joshua, see forward; Thomas, born 1723, married Mary Coult.
(IV) Joshua, son of Thomas and Sarah (Butler) Giddings, was born 1719, died February 4, 1807. He probably removed from Lyme, Connecticut, and settled in Hartland, about 1723. The last deed found on the Lyme records concerning him is to Ensign Jasper in 1755, consideration £1,500. The following is also recorded June 5, 1746: "Joshua Gidding's ear-mark, for all sorts of creatures, is a swallow-tail in the left, or a cross on right ear, with a half-penny on each side of same." It is said that he went to Hartland when quite a young man, and put up a log house in the southwestern part of the town, sleeping meanwhile on a bed of leaves. The foundation of the house and a chimney still remain, and a large tree is growing in the cellar. The records show that he was for many years one of the leading men of the town, holding office nearly every year. He was admitted to the Congregational church, February 5, 1769. He married Jane Reed, who died April 11, 1803, aged seventy-nine years. Children: 1. Elisha, married, April 22, 1776, Susannah Perkins, who died February 7, 1777, aged twenty-four; he died the same year, aged thirty-one. 2. Benjamin, see forward. 3. John, born November 9, 1754; married Ascha Palmer. 4. Joshua, born 1756; married (first) Submit Jones; (second) Elizabeth Pease. 5. Sarah, married, February 18, 1784, Angus McLoud, and had a son Anson, who married, August 31, 1809, Clarissa Beeman, of Hartland, and had children: Anson, Abigail, Sarah, Jane, William and Antoinette. 6. Deborah, married, October 27, 1768, Jedediah Bushnell, of Hartland. 7. Jane, died March 11, 1777, aged fifteen. 8. Niles, born 1760; married Naomi Hale. 9. Chloe, married, September 26, 1789, Moses Brockway, of Hartland. 10. Ruth, married, November 18, 1770, Jonathan Couch, of Simsbury; in October, 1775, was a widow with three children: Jonathan, Ruth and Delilah.
(V) Benjamin, son of Joshua and Jane (Reed) Giddings, was born at Lyme, Connecticut, 1753, died in Hartland, Connecticut, 1830, whither he was brought in infancy by his parents. He was a prominent man in town affairs; was a soldier in the revolution during the extreme cold winter of 1780-81. In June, 1781, at a town meeting, he was appointed "a committee to hire all the soldiers for the army, and bring on the men that counted for the town of Hartland, and had not joined." Neither Mr. Giddings nor his wife were members of any church, but were respected for their industry, intelligence and strict morality. They were careful to train their children to fear God, honor their parents, and found pleasure in promoting the welfare of others. He married Afiah Holcomb, who died 1830, aged seventy-seven. Children: 1. Almon, married Lota Miller; settled in Michigan. 2. Salmon, born March 2, 1782; married Almira Collins. 3. Zeriuah, born 1784; married, August 31, 1807, Jonathan Tuttle, of Barkhamsted, Connecticut; in 1810 they removed to Ohio and purchased one hundred acres of land in Williamsfield, settling there; he was a justice of the peace twenty-one years, county commissioner twelve years, representative in legislature one year; he died June, 1864, and she died May 3, 1871. 4. Julia, born 1791; married Ezra Mack. 5. Lorrain, born February 12, 1789, died April 30, 1858; married Desdemona Cowdry. 6. Harriet, born 1795; married William H. Tisdale; died December 10, 1831, leaving a son. 7. Benjamin, see forward. 8. Affie, married, May 30, 1820, Dr. Josiah Banning; she died September 28, 1832, aged thirty-four; he married (second) Edith Cowdry, and died 1848. 9. Lowly. 10. Harriet, married a Mr. Tisdale.
(VI) Benjamin (2), son of Benjamin (1) and Afiah (Holcomb) Giddings, was born in Hartland, Connecticut, January 12, 1801, died February 20, 1874. He resided in Hartland all his life; he was a very prominent man, a merchant and postmaster many years, was representative to the legislature, selectman, justice of the peace, and commissioner of superior court for Hartford county until age disqualified him. He married Amoret, born February 8, 1804, died October 26, 1881, daughter of Rev. Asa Bushnell, of Hartland. Children: 1. Philo B., born January 25, 1823, died in Montrose, Virginia, December 6, 1857. 2. Fidelia H., born May 19, 1824; married, November, 1842, Henry J. Gates, of Hartland. 3. Milo J., born April 2, 1827, died at McPherson, Kansas, May 8, 1900; married, July 4, 1849, Eugenia P. Miller. 4. Watson M., born April 4, 1830, see forward. 5. Almira, born November 30, 1831; married, September 27, 1858, Hoyt M. Hayes, of Barkhamsted. 6. Mary E., born October 5, 1833; married, February 8, 1855, Nelson D. Sanford, of Hartland; died at New Haven, April 10, 1871. 7. Eliza A., born April 14, 1836; married, July 3, 1860, Cyrus Cook, of Lexington, Ohio; she died September 8, 1877, at Albia, Iowa; Almena A., born April 14, 1838, died November 13, 1891; married, July 23, 1878, Ralph H. Park. 9. Salmon B., born July 14, 1847; married, May 17, 1870, Aurelia M. Emmons, born 1850, died September, 1891.
(VII) Watson, son of Benjamin (2) and Amoret (Bushnell) Giddings, was born in Hartland, Connecticut, April 4, 1830, died March 22, 1905. He attended the common schools of East Hartland until seventeen years of age, after which he worked for five years with his brother-in-law, Henry J. Gates, in East Hartland. He was a carriage maker and blacksmith by trade, and conducted a blacksmith shop in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, for ten years. He then went to New Hartford, and worked one year for R. H. Wheeler, later forming a partnership under the firm style of Wheeler & Giddings. A year subsequently he purchased Mr. Wheeler's interest, and carried on the business alone about two years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of the plant to Henry M. Gates, and purchased the Walter Stickney shop in Winsted, which he conducted about eighteen months, and then sold to the Winsted Carriage Company, with which he invested all his capital. About six months later this company failed, financially ruining Mr. Giddings, who then went to Lewis, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for a year and a half, at the end of that time returning to Connecticut and purchasing a shop in Terryville, which he conducted three years and then sold. In 1874 he removed to Bristol; he opened a small carriage repair shop on the corner of North Main and Center streets, which he soon converted into the most commodious and bestequipped carriage factory in the town, employing from five to fifteen men, according to his volume of business. In June, 1886, he admitted as a partner his son, Frederick Watson, the firm style being Watson Giddings & Son. Watson Giddings retired from business several years prior to his death, the business being conducted by his son. In politics Mr. Giddings was always a Republican until the formation of the Prohibition party, when he united therewith and was an active worker in its ranks. In 1861 he was elected by the Republicans a member of the state legislature from Barkhamsted, served one term, and also served one term on the board of selectmen of the same town. He was a member of the board of burgesses, serving two terms, and was chairman of the sewer committee of the town. He was president of the West Cemetery Association, was a trustee of the Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he had long been a prominent member, was made a member in 1878 of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he served as treasurer from the time he joined until his death, and he and his wife were members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Giddings was a man of sterling character and strict integrity, faithful and conscientious in the performance of every duty devolving upon him, and won and retained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact.
Mr. Giddings married (second) September 12, 1892, Emma S., born October 4, 1843, daughter of Amos Loomis, of Norwich, Connecticut, who survived him. Children of first marriage: 1. Alice Eliza, born July 8, 1854; married, December 23, 1875, Edward B. Dunbar. 2. Mary Addie, born April 6, 1856; married, May 31, 1877, Samuel D. Newel, born 1847; four children, of whom only one, Alice Mae, survives; Alice Mae, born February 18, 1880, married, October 22, 1902, Charles Dudley White; one son, Newell Dudley, born January 6, 1904. 3. Frederick Watson, born March 29, 1860; married, June 5, 1890, Cora M., born December 25, 1869, daughter of Harvilla J. Hart, of Bristol; children: Watson Hart, born June 24, 1893, and Susie, July 19, 1897. 4. Charles Samuel, born August 4, 1862, died December 19, 1882. 5 and 6. Twins, who both died in infancy.
In the death of Watson Giddings the community experienced the loss of one of its most valuable citizens. The funeral was held from his late home and was largely attended. Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Reliance Council, Royal Arcanum, were present in a body. A delegation from Bristol Grange was also present, and the employees of Giddings carriage shop attended in a body. The Rev. Arthur H. Goodenough, D.D., pastor of Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church, officiated and spoke of the consistent Christian character of the deceased. A quartette rendered the following selections: "Some Time We'll Understand" and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought". Interment was in West cemetery, Franklin Lodge conducting the burial service.
Source: Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.
21 August 2012
05 July 2012
Case Family
(I) John Case, founder of the American branch of the Case family, was a native of England, and emigrated to America in the early settlement of the colonies, coming to Windsor from the old family home at Aylesham, England, where many of them now reside. They were a noted family as far back as the time of Oliver Cromwell, and accumulated fortunes by furnishing leather for his army, being tanners and farmers. John Case remained in Windsor until the spring of 1669, when he removed to Simsbury, and settled at Weatogue. He was elected the first constable of Simsbury, October 14, 1669, and about 1672 represented the town at the general court or assembly. He was a landowner and farmer, and a prominent citizen. He married (first) Sarah, daughter of William Spencer, of Hartford. She died November 3, 1691. He married (second) Elizabeth (Moore) Loomis, born at Windsor, 1638, died July 23, 1728, daughter of John Moore, of Windsor, and widow of Nathaniel Loomis, of Windsor. He died in Simsbury, February 21, 1703-04, and was buried there. Children of first marriage: 1. Elizabeth, born 1652, died 1718; married (first) Joseph Lewis; (second) John Tuller. 2. Mary, born June 22, 1660, died 1725; married (first) William Alderman; (second) James Hillyer. 3. John, born November 5, 1662, died 1733; married (first) Mary Olcott; (second) Sarah Holcomb. 4. William, born June 5, 1665; married Elizabeth Holcomb. 5. Samuel, born June 1, 1667, died 1725; married (first) Mary Westover; (second) Elizabeth (Owen) Thrall. 6. Richard, see forward. 7. Bartholomew, born in October, 1670, died 1725; married Mary Humphrey. 8. Joseph, born April 6, 1674, died August 11, 1748; married Anna Eno. 9. Sarah, born August 14, 1678, died 1704; married Joseph Phelps Jr., of Windsor.
(II) Captain Richard, son of John and Sarah (Spencer) Case, was born August 27, 1669, died in 1746. He married, in August, 1701, Amy, daughter of Philip Reed, of Concord, Massachusetts. His sons were: Richard, Timothy and Edward. He located at Terry's Plains at an early date.
(III) Sergeant Richard (2), son of Captain Richard (1) and Amy (Reed) Case, was born at Terry's Plains in 1710, died at West Simsbury in 1769. About 1737 he went to West Simsbury, a part of Canton, and settled on what is known as East Hill, where he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in agriculture. He married Mercy Holcomb, of Simsbury, born in 1712, died in West Simsbury, 1780. Children: 1. Richard, born in 1734; married Ruth Case. 2. Joab, born 1735, died 1758. 3. Sylvanus, born 1737, died 1817; married (first) Caroline Humphrey; (second) Hepzibah Humphrey. 4. Simeon, see forward. 5. Eli, born 1741; married Athildred Curtis. 6. Uriah, born 1743, died 1826; married (first) Susannah Lawrence; (second) Eunice Hill. 7. Edward, born 1748, died 1798; married Teruah Lawrence. 8. Mercy, born 1752, died 1818; married Abram Moses. 9. Naomi, born 1755, died 1850; married Esther Brown. The son Sylvanus was reputed to have been the first English child born within the limits of West Simsbury.
(IV) Simeon, son of Sergeant Richard (2) and Mercy (Holcomb) Case, was born in Simsbury, 1739, died 1823. His youth was mainly spent in West Simsbury, and in young manhood he went to what is now West Granby, which became his permanent residence, and there he engaged in farming. He married Mary, born 1739, died 1834, daughter of Amos and Mary (Holcomb) Case. Children: 1. Simeon, born 1759, died 1819; married Phoebe Burr. 2. Titus, see forward. 3. Mary, born 1771, died 1821. 4. Obed, born 1765, died 1849; married Rachel Emmons. 5. Eliphalet, born 1770, died 1847; married Rachel Case. 6. Ashbel, born 1762, died 1816; married Polly Frazier. 7. Alexander, born 1774, died 1824; married Mindwell Case. 8. Francis, born 1777, died 1845; married Jemima Case. 9. Robert, born 1780; married Clarissa Case, 10. Peter. 11. Elizabeth, married Reuben Russel.
(V) Titus, son of Simeon and Mary (Case) Case, was born 1764, died April 3, 1816. He married, March 12, 1792, Amy Reed. Children: Loviah, born October 5, 1792; Titus, August 1, 1796; Jeremiah, July 18, 1798; Owen, see forward; Neri, December 1, 1803; Mahalath, February 20, 1806, Chloe, February 6, 1809; Amy Fannie, October 14, 1811; Nancy, August 20, 1816.
(VI) Owen, son of Titus and Amy (Reed) Case, was born April 5, 1801, died May 16, 1877. He married, December 23, 1830, Laura Munson, born July 14, 1808, died March 12, 1871. Children: Adeliza Munson, born October 4, 1833, married, January 6, 1853, Watson Giddings; Samuel Munson, born November 24, 1834, died June 6, 1841; Adelaide Laura, born April 10, 1842, died December 1, 1877, married, October 16, 1867, Joel Tiffany Case; Owen Elliot, born January 18, 1849, married, April 5, 1871, Belle Lee.
Source: Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.
(II) Captain Richard, son of John and Sarah (Spencer) Case, was born August 27, 1669, died in 1746. He married, in August, 1701, Amy, daughter of Philip Reed, of Concord, Massachusetts. His sons were: Richard, Timothy and Edward. He located at Terry's Plains at an early date.
(III) Sergeant Richard (2), son of Captain Richard (1) and Amy (Reed) Case, was born at Terry's Plains in 1710, died at West Simsbury in 1769. About 1737 he went to West Simsbury, a part of Canton, and settled on what is known as East Hill, where he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in agriculture. He married Mercy Holcomb, of Simsbury, born in 1712, died in West Simsbury, 1780. Children: 1. Richard, born in 1734; married Ruth Case. 2. Joab, born 1735, died 1758. 3. Sylvanus, born 1737, died 1817; married (first) Caroline Humphrey; (second) Hepzibah Humphrey. 4. Simeon, see forward. 5. Eli, born 1741; married Athildred Curtis. 6. Uriah, born 1743, died 1826; married (first) Susannah Lawrence; (second) Eunice Hill. 7. Edward, born 1748, died 1798; married Teruah Lawrence. 8. Mercy, born 1752, died 1818; married Abram Moses. 9. Naomi, born 1755, died 1850; married Esther Brown. The son Sylvanus was reputed to have been the first English child born within the limits of West Simsbury.
(IV) Simeon, son of Sergeant Richard (2) and Mercy (Holcomb) Case, was born in Simsbury, 1739, died 1823. His youth was mainly spent in West Simsbury, and in young manhood he went to what is now West Granby, which became his permanent residence, and there he engaged in farming. He married Mary, born 1739, died 1834, daughter of Amos and Mary (Holcomb) Case. Children: 1. Simeon, born 1759, died 1819; married Phoebe Burr. 2. Titus, see forward. 3. Mary, born 1771, died 1821. 4. Obed, born 1765, died 1849; married Rachel Emmons. 5. Eliphalet, born 1770, died 1847; married Rachel Case. 6. Ashbel, born 1762, died 1816; married Polly Frazier. 7. Alexander, born 1774, died 1824; married Mindwell Case. 8. Francis, born 1777, died 1845; married Jemima Case. 9. Robert, born 1780; married Clarissa Case, 10. Peter. 11. Elizabeth, married Reuben Russel.
(V) Titus, son of Simeon and Mary (Case) Case, was born 1764, died April 3, 1816. He married, March 12, 1792, Amy Reed. Children: Loviah, born October 5, 1792; Titus, August 1, 1796; Jeremiah, July 18, 1798; Owen, see forward; Neri, December 1, 1803; Mahalath, February 20, 1806, Chloe, February 6, 1809; Amy Fannie, October 14, 1811; Nancy, August 20, 1816.
(VI) Owen, son of Titus and Amy (Reed) Case, was born April 5, 1801, died May 16, 1877. He married, December 23, 1830, Laura Munson, born July 14, 1808, died March 12, 1871. Children: Adeliza Munson, born October 4, 1833, married, January 6, 1853, Watson Giddings; Samuel Munson, born November 24, 1834, died June 6, 1841; Adelaide Laura, born April 10, 1842, died December 1, 1877, married, October 16, 1867, Joel Tiffany Case; Owen Elliot, born January 18, 1849, married, April 5, 1871, Belle Lee.
Source: Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.
28 June 2012
Richard Knight (d. 1680) Descendants
Richard Knight, immigrant ancestor, was a carpenter by trade and lived at Newport, Rhode Island. He was keeper of the prison in 1648-49 and general sergeant in 1648-49-50-53-54-57-58. He was admitted a freeman in 1655. In 1663 he bought lands in Narragansett, and in 1677 he and forty-seven others were granted one hundred acres each in a plantation to be called East Greenwich, but never lived there. He died in 1680. He married Sarah, daughter of James and Mary Rogers. Children: John, Jonathan, David, mentioned below.
(II) David, son of Richard Knight, lived at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Norwich, Connecticut. He was associated with his brother John in surveying and laying out lands in Narragansett. He lived most of his life at Norwich, where his children were recorded. He married, March 17, 1691, Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Sarah Backus. He died November 24, 1744. Children: Rachel, born November 14, 1691; Jonathan, July 2, 1698, mentioned below; Mary, April 2, 1700; Hannah, January 30, 1702; Lurana, February 1, 1704; Joseph, November 7, 1705; Benjamin, August 14, 1707.
(III) Jonathan, son of David Knight, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, July 2, 1698, and resided there. He died March 7, 1770. He married, May 3, 1726, Abigail, born October 21, 1705, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lamb) Longbottom.
(IV) Jonathan (2), son of Jonathan (1) Knight, lived at Norwich. He had a son Joshua, mentioned below.
(V) Joshua, son of Jonathan (2) Knight, was born September 23, 1746. He married, July 10, 1770, soon afterward removed to Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and built the first house. on the old Knight homestead. He died there December 26, 1815, aged sixty-nine years. His wife was born in Northampton, December 28, 1748, died in Chesterfield, November 26, 1825. Children: 1. Jonathan, born October 17, 1772, in Chesterfield. 2. Esther, October 16, 1773, died September 6, 1836. 3. Joshua, January 14, 1775, died in western New York. 4. Erastus, November 18, 1776, mentioned below. 5. Shubael, July 29, 1778, in Chesterfield, died May 19, 1824; married Hannah Rhodes. 6. Elizabeth, February 6, 1780, died at Shepherd's Hollow, Northampton, December 8, 1864. 7. Miriam, July 12, 1783, died September 28, 1835. 8. Seth, July 11, 1785, died August 18, 1793. 9. Zebina, January 27, 1788, died at Keene, August 28, 1871; married Philena Graves.
(VI) Erastus, son of Joshua Knight, was born at Chesterfield, November 18, 1776, died February 14, 1846. He married (first) April 6, 1802, Polly Little, of Williamsburg, Massachusetts. She died May 10, 1808, aged twenty-eight years, six months. He married (second) November 30, 1809, Lucy Smith, who died January 17, 1829, aged fifty-one years. He married (third) May 28, 1829, Theodosia Cushman, who died March 4, 1833, aged forty-six. He married (fourth) Electa Bullard, of Williamsburg. She lost her life in the Williamsburg flood, May 16, 1874, aged eighty years. He lived in Northampton and Chesterfield, whither he moved in 1818. Children: 1. Fanny, born January 9, 1803, died June 14, 1857; married Luke Wilder, of Chesterfield; removed to western New York; had seven children. 2. Harriet, born November 17, 1804, died the same day as her mother, May 10, 1808. 3. William, born at Northampton, January 17, 1807; lived at Chesterfield from the age of eleven to twenty, then at Williamsburg three years, in New Jersey a year, in Greenfield three years, moved thence to Michigan in the spring of 1834 with the Smede family; married, December 23, 1834, Anna Smede, and celebrated his golden wedding; his wife was born at Bolton, Warren county, New York, September 14, 1810, died at Adrian, Michigan, July 4, 1885. 4. Samuel Swett, born September 6, 1810, died at Williamsburg, January 20, 1889. 5. Mary, born at Northampton, August 10, 1812, died September 25, 1813. 6. Jonathan Henry, born December 5, 1814; settled in Worcester; married Persis Goodwin, of Springfield, who died in 1847-48, leaving one son, James Henry, now president of the First National Bank of Hartford; Jonathan Henry married (second) Harriet S. Alvord, of Hartford, who died November, 1862; children: Persis Browning, married Otis Redden, of Worcester, and Harriet Sophia, married Mr. W. F. Hatch, of Hartford; Jonathan Henry died March 27, 1862, at Worcester. 7. Merrick, born January 15, 1817; mentioned below. 8. Martha, born June 10, 1819, died at Worcester, February 21, 1889. 9. Elizabeth Sophia, born October 12, 1821; married T. L. Whitney in 1846; children: Henry S., of Berkeley, California; Mrs. Sarah M. Meyers, of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Mrs. Horace Sawin, of California.
(VII) Rev. Merrick Knight, son of Erastus Knight, was born at Northampton, January 15, 1817, died at West Hartford, Connecticut, August 10, 1896. He attended the public schools, fitted for college at Munson Academy and graduated from Amherst in the class of 1846 and from the Hartford Theological Seminary in 1849. His first pastorate was at the Congregational church in Chaplin, Connecticut, where he remained two years. During the next six years he was pastor of the Congregational church at Hebron, Connecticut. He was then acting pastor of the church at Broad Brook for five years, and was afterward settled for five years as pastor of the church at Rocky Hill. Thence he went to the South Church at New Hartford, and after a pastorate of five years accepted a call to the church at East Hartland, where he served for ten years. He preached also for short periods at Torrington, Stafford and North Coventry. During his last pastorate he represented the town of Hartland in the general assembly of the state. At the close of this pastorate he removed to West Hartford, and from 1890 until shortly before the time of his death was occupied in supplying various pulpits in that section. He was a faithful, zealous and tactful minister, an able speaker and preacher, a useful citizen. Of high purposes and exemplary character, he had a distinguished and fruitful career in his chosen profession and was universally loved by his people. He married, June, 1851, Abigail, daughter of Ichabod Ward (see Ward family) and granddaughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Woodward) Ward (see Ward VI). She was born October 29, 1822, died July 4, 1900. Children: Dr. W. W., born September 15, 1852; mentioned below; Rev. Edward H., of Springfield; Frank H., of New York.
(VIII) Dr. W. W. Knight, son of Rev. Merrick Knight, was born at Chaplin, Connecticut, September 15, 1852. He attended the public schools, and Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in the class of 1872. He studied medicine at the medical school of the New York University, from which he received the degree of M.D. in 1876. He was an interne at Charity Hospital, now the City Hospital on Blackwell's Island in 1876-77. Since then he has been engaged in general practice in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the Hartford Medical Society; of the Connecticut Historical Society and of the Sons of the Revolution. He is unmarried.
Source: Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.
(II) David, son of Richard Knight, lived at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Norwich, Connecticut. He was associated with his brother John in surveying and laying out lands in Narragansett. He lived most of his life at Norwich, where his children were recorded. He married, March 17, 1691, Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Sarah Backus. He died November 24, 1744. Children: Rachel, born November 14, 1691; Jonathan, July 2, 1698, mentioned below; Mary, April 2, 1700; Hannah, January 30, 1702; Lurana, February 1, 1704; Joseph, November 7, 1705; Benjamin, August 14, 1707.
(III) Jonathan, son of David Knight, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, July 2, 1698, and resided there. He died March 7, 1770. He married, May 3, 1726, Abigail, born October 21, 1705, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lamb) Longbottom.
(IV) Jonathan (2), son of Jonathan (1) Knight, lived at Norwich. He had a son Joshua, mentioned below.
(V) Joshua, son of Jonathan (2) Knight, was born September 23, 1746. He married, July 10, 1770, soon afterward removed to Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and built the first house. on the old Knight homestead. He died there December 26, 1815, aged sixty-nine years. His wife was born in Northampton, December 28, 1748, died in Chesterfield, November 26, 1825. Children: 1. Jonathan, born October 17, 1772, in Chesterfield. 2. Esther, October 16, 1773, died September 6, 1836. 3. Joshua, January 14, 1775, died in western New York. 4. Erastus, November 18, 1776, mentioned below. 5. Shubael, July 29, 1778, in Chesterfield, died May 19, 1824; married Hannah Rhodes. 6. Elizabeth, February 6, 1780, died at Shepherd's Hollow, Northampton, December 8, 1864. 7. Miriam, July 12, 1783, died September 28, 1835. 8. Seth, July 11, 1785, died August 18, 1793. 9. Zebina, January 27, 1788, died at Keene, August 28, 1871; married Philena Graves.
(VI) Erastus, son of Joshua Knight, was born at Chesterfield, November 18, 1776, died February 14, 1846. He married (first) April 6, 1802, Polly Little, of Williamsburg, Massachusetts. She died May 10, 1808, aged twenty-eight years, six months. He married (second) November 30, 1809, Lucy Smith, who died January 17, 1829, aged fifty-one years. He married (third) May 28, 1829, Theodosia Cushman, who died March 4, 1833, aged forty-six. He married (fourth) Electa Bullard, of Williamsburg. She lost her life in the Williamsburg flood, May 16, 1874, aged eighty years. He lived in Northampton and Chesterfield, whither he moved in 1818. Children: 1. Fanny, born January 9, 1803, died June 14, 1857; married Luke Wilder, of Chesterfield; removed to western New York; had seven children. 2. Harriet, born November 17, 1804, died the same day as her mother, May 10, 1808. 3. William, born at Northampton, January 17, 1807; lived at Chesterfield from the age of eleven to twenty, then at Williamsburg three years, in New Jersey a year, in Greenfield three years, moved thence to Michigan in the spring of 1834 with the Smede family; married, December 23, 1834, Anna Smede, and celebrated his golden wedding; his wife was born at Bolton, Warren county, New York, September 14, 1810, died at Adrian, Michigan, July 4, 1885. 4. Samuel Swett, born September 6, 1810, died at Williamsburg, January 20, 1889. 5. Mary, born at Northampton, August 10, 1812, died September 25, 1813. 6. Jonathan Henry, born December 5, 1814; settled in Worcester; married Persis Goodwin, of Springfield, who died in 1847-48, leaving one son, James Henry, now president of the First National Bank of Hartford; Jonathan Henry married (second) Harriet S. Alvord, of Hartford, who died November, 1862; children: Persis Browning, married Otis Redden, of Worcester, and Harriet Sophia, married Mr. W. F. Hatch, of Hartford; Jonathan Henry died March 27, 1862, at Worcester. 7. Merrick, born January 15, 1817; mentioned below. 8. Martha, born June 10, 1819, died at Worcester, February 21, 1889. 9. Elizabeth Sophia, born October 12, 1821; married T. L. Whitney in 1846; children: Henry S., of Berkeley, California; Mrs. Sarah M. Meyers, of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Mrs. Horace Sawin, of California.
(VII) Rev. Merrick Knight, son of Erastus Knight, was born at Northampton, January 15, 1817, died at West Hartford, Connecticut, August 10, 1896. He attended the public schools, fitted for college at Munson Academy and graduated from Amherst in the class of 1846 and from the Hartford Theological Seminary in 1849. His first pastorate was at the Congregational church in Chaplin, Connecticut, where he remained two years. During the next six years he was pastor of the Congregational church at Hebron, Connecticut. He was then acting pastor of the church at Broad Brook for five years, and was afterward settled for five years as pastor of the church at Rocky Hill. Thence he went to the South Church at New Hartford, and after a pastorate of five years accepted a call to the church at East Hartland, where he served for ten years. He preached also for short periods at Torrington, Stafford and North Coventry. During his last pastorate he represented the town of Hartland in the general assembly of the state. At the close of this pastorate he removed to West Hartford, and from 1890 until shortly before the time of his death was occupied in supplying various pulpits in that section. He was a faithful, zealous and tactful minister, an able speaker and preacher, a useful citizen. Of high purposes and exemplary character, he had a distinguished and fruitful career in his chosen profession and was universally loved by his people. He married, June, 1851, Abigail, daughter of Ichabod Ward (see Ward family) and granddaughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Woodward) Ward (see Ward VI). She was born October 29, 1822, died July 4, 1900. Children: Dr. W. W., born September 15, 1852; mentioned below; Rev. Edward H., of Springfield; Frank H., of New York.
(VIII) Dr. W. W. Knight, son of Rev. Merrick Knight, was born at Chaplin, Connecticut, September 15, 1852. He attended the public schools, and Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in the class of 1872. He studied medicine at the medical school of the New York University, from which he received the degree of M.D. in 1876. He was an interne at Charity Hospital, now the City Hospital on Blackwell's Island in 1876-77. Since then he has been engaged in general practice in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the Hartford Medical Society; of the Connecticut Historical Society and of the Sons of the Revolution. He is unmarried.
Source: Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
