THE ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS OF EZEKIEL WILLIAMS OF WETHERSFIELD 1608-1907 RtSERVE STOKAGt 'i f^c<--'-9 Storage r 1 flCtlott THE ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS OF EZEKIEL WILLIAMS OF WETHERSFIELD 1608-1907 COMPILED BY _-^/^, MARY DYER (WILLIAMS) McLEAN e^* O^ ^^ PRIVATELY PRINTED 1907 CS7/ / 7 d J 2^ ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS OF EZEKIEL WILLIAMS At her death m 1905, Mrs. Mary D. McLean left a small manuscript volume containing a genealogical record of the ancestors and descendants of her grandfather, Ezekiel Williams, of Wethersfield, Connecticut. For nearly twenty years she had been engaged in making the record complete and the latest entry was of a marriage that took place a few months before her death. She did not wish the work to be printed during her lifetime, but was willing, if we desired, that it should be put into some permanent form after her death, for private circulation among those who would value the information that it contained. Feeling certain that so important a contribution to the genealogy of the Williams family in America should not remain in manuscript, and wishing to perform a last service for her whom I greatly loved and revered, I have edited this record as a tribute to her memory. A few alterations have been made and a few facts have been added, but the record is here printed substantially as she left it. Charles M. Andrews. Bryn Mawr, 1907. INTRODUCTION. There have always been in Wethersfield, since the first settlement of the town or soon after, families of the Wil- liams' name. Frequent inquiries have been made by descend- ants of the present day who suppose their ancestors to have been allied to Robert of Roxbury, but although it cannot be shown that they are not of the same English origin, no rela- tionship between them has ever been discovered, and prob- ably the early settlers themselves knew of none. It is not known whether the two who first came to Wethersfield were related to each other. They did not come together, and Mathew, "the brick maker," seems to have been here some years before Thomas. Mathew had a son, Amos, born March, 1 645-1 646, and Thomas a son born March, 1656- 1657. Most of the sons, for there were several other chil- dren of both, took up lands in Rocky Hill and became pioneer settlers there, where many of their descendants, of their own and other names, are now living. The family of Capt. Wil- liams of Griswoldville say that they are not descended from these early settlers, but that their emigrant ancestor came from Wales to this country at a quite recent date. The first descendant of Robert Williams of Roxbury to settle in Wethersfield was his great-grandson, Elisha, Rev., Rector, Col., etc., of whom so much has been preserved elsewhere that nothing further need be added here. His line of descent will easily be found in the following pages. Ezekiel was his nephew and came here when quite a young man. He probably engaged in business with his uncle, who was then of the firm of Williams, Trumbull & Pitkin, a business house interested in extensive mercantile operations at home and abroad and had branch establishments in several different places. The facts concerning the early American ancestors of Ezekiel Williams, which are recorded in the earlier pages of this work, are derived from several sources. The earliest compilation known is an ancient manuscript in the hand- writing of Ezekiel's father. Rev. Solomon Williams, D.D., 8 Introduction. of Lebanon, the opening words of which are: "The Fol- lowing is the Copy of a Record kept by my honoured Father [wort! here undecipherable] Some of his ancestors and of his Children, \i\ these Words: 'An account of the deaths of several of My honored Parents and dear Relations.' " This manuscript, the contents of which have been incorpo- rated in the following genealogy, covers the period from July, 1674, to Januar)' 12, 1750, containing, in addition to the account kept by Rev. William Williams, Solomon's father and Fzekiel's grandfather, certain other facts con- tributctl in " A copy of my B"" Israel's writing " and " an Account of My own Family and Descendants, written by me, Solo: Williams." The next attempt to compile a genealogy of the American ancestors of Ezekel Williams was made by Mrs. Samuel Pitkin of East Hartford, a great-granddaughter of Rev. John W^illiams of Deerfield, whose captivity by the Indians and sojourn among them in Canada, with his final deliver- ance and return to his people, forms an interesting chapter in the history of New England. In 1847, I^i"- Stephen W^est \Villiams published a much more extended genealogy of the \Villiams family.' He ac- knowledged his obligations to Mrs. Pitkin's manuscript for much valuable information, but he collected a vast deal more which in his work he added to hers. Although badly ar- ranged and marred by many mistakes and omissions, his record as far as it goes is a very valuable one. A few addi- tional facts concerning the first American ancestor and his children have been published by the late Prof. George H. Williams of Johns Hopkins University and also by A. D. Weld-French, Esq., of Boston, Mass., and will be introduced in the following record. [Prof, Edward Higginson Williams, Jr., late of Lehigh University, and now residing in Andover, Mass., has been engaged for many years upon a history of the W^illiams family in America, which, when published, will be one of the most elaborate works of its kind that has been issued. A few years ago Mrs. McLean placed in his hands all the ma- terial that she had collected, so that probably a very con- ^The Grnraloj^y and History of the Family of Williams in America, more particularly of the descendants of Robert Williams of Roxbury. 1847. Introduction. 9 siderable part of this record has been incorporated in Prof. Williams' manuscript. A large part of Prof. Williams' work is already in the hands of the printer and it is hoped that the volumes will be issued at an early date.] The investigations of recent years have excited much doubt as to the genuineness of the claim of descendants of Robert Williams to the coat of arms to which they have long considered themselves entitled. It is hoped that further researches will determine the question. A seal is shown by descendants of Dr. Thomas Williams of Deerfield, known to have been his and supposed to have come down to him from his great-grandfather, Robert of Roxbury. Engraved in the stone is a coat of arms, said to be like that of the family of Williams of Denton in Lincolnshire, England, a county the southeastern corner of which joined Norfolk. Rev. Dr. Wood of Norwich, England, in the voluminous diary which he wrote for the wife of Rector Williams and which was bound by her or by Ezekiel Williams, in one place refers to something Mrs. Williams (then Mrs. Smith) had said of her first husband's coat of arms, so that he must have had one to which he supposed himself entitled, unless his first wife was mistaken as to the origin of the one in his possession. ROBERT WILLIAMS^ Born Dec. ii, 1608. Died Sept. i, 1693. The first American ancestor of Ezekiel, tradition and family record say, emigrated to this country in, or shortly before, the year 1638, and settled in Roxbury, Mass. The tradition prevailing among his descendants has been that his family was of Welsh origin, a tradition apparently for a long period unquestioned, but of late objected to by some upon no very satisfactory grounds. Great pains have been taken by antiquarians and others interested in the family history to learn something of Rob- ert's immediate ancestors, with but slight results. In 1893, two hundred years after the death of Robert, there was found in Norwich, England, an indenture of apprenticeship of Nicholas, son of the late Stephen Williams of Yarmouth, cordwainer, to Robert Williams, and another record stating that Robert was in 1635 warden of the gild of cordwainers and sealer of leather for the city of Norwich. Later was found in the register of the church of St. Nicholas at Great Yarmouth a record of the marriage of Stephen Williams and Margaret Cooke, Sept. 22, 1605. Also baptisms of the fol- lowing children: Robert, Dec. 11, 1608; Nicholas, Aug. II, 1 61 6; John, Feb. 2, 1618; Frances, June 10, 1621. [Prof. Williams has obtained a few additional facts: There was an elder sister, Ann; Robert was born in July, 1607; baptized when eighteen months old in Dec, 1608; was married to Elizabeth Stalham probably before 1630, and had four children, two sons and two daughters, born to him in England, all of whom accompanied him to America. In 1905, Prof. Williams discovered that Elizabeth Stalham was baptized In 1595, which shows that she was nearly thir- teen years older than her husband.] Something of Robert's parentage may be assumed from his own well-known character after he came to this country and the position which he occupied among the early settlers. I 2 Ancestors of Ezckicl jyilliams. Mr. French says: " His name appears among the early mem- bers of the church in Roxbury. He was made a freeman in that phice, May 2, 163 8. He was much interested in education and made liberal arrangements to assist the Free Schools, was a subscriber to and for many years a trustee of the funds raised for their benefit. " Ellis, in his " History of Roxbury," says that " Robert Williams was one of the most influential men in town affairs." In his will, still ex- tant, he expresses his faith in his mercitul Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his hope of a glorious resurrection at His appearing. Of his wife it is said that " she was of good family and had been delicately reared and when her husband desired to come to America, though a truly religious woman, she dreaded the undertaking and shrunk from the hardships to be encountered. While the subject was still under considera- tion, she had a dream foreshadowing that if she went to America she would become the mother of a long line of worthy ministers of the Gospel. The dream so impressed her that she rose up cheerfully and began to prepare to leave her home and kindred for the new and distant land." A descendant of hers of the sixth generation, Mrs. Emily Wil- liams of Wethersfield, is remembered to have related this tradition in the early part of the nineteenth century, with full confidence of its truth. The dream was certainly ful- filled, but not in the pious mother's day, for she died October 24, 1674, leaving no son in the ranks of the Christian min- istry. Nine years afterward, her grandsons John and Wil- liam Williams, cousins, graduated from Har\'ard College, two of a class of three, and the day of fulfillment began. As far as records indicate, she was the mother of all the children of Robert Williams of Roxbury, who, it is said by Fanner in his genealogy, " is the common ancestor of the divines, civilians, and warriors of the name who have honored the country of their birth." The children of Robert and Elizabeth, as far as known, were : S.\ML'i;i,', born in England, 1632; died in Roxhury, Sept. 25, 1698, ape ()6. Mary', born in England; married Nicholas Wood, 1644. A daughter', born in England; married, 1648. Robert JVilUams. 13 John", probably born in England; died in Roxbury, Oct. 6, 1658. Isaac', born Sept. i, 1638; died Feb. 11, 1707, aged 69. Stephen", born Nov. 8, 1640; lived in Roxbury. Thomas', died young. Of John little Is known, and even the existence of such a son was only lately discovered from the Roxbury records, which show that Robert administered the estate of his son John, who died Oct. 6, 1658. The other brothers, who lived to maturity were all men of character and influence, active in promoting the welfare of the towns in which they lived and of the rising colony. The stone which marks the grave of their mother Is still standing in the old Roxbury burying ground, as Is that of two of her sons and many other descend- ants. Although the spot Is supposed to be known where Robert, the husband and father, was burled, there are no traces of a monument to designate It. He survived his first wife nearly twenty years, and married, Nov. 3, 1675, Mar- garet Fearing, widow of John Fearing of Hingham, Mass. She died. It Is supposed, Dec. 22, 1690. His own death occurred on Sept. i, 1693. 14 Ancestors of Ezekiel JViUiams. ISAAC WILLIAMS^ Born Sept. i, 1638. Died Feb. 11, 1709. Supposed to have been the third son of Robert, was born in Roxbury, Sept. i, 1638. As I know nothing of him ex- cepting what is recorded in the History of the IFiUiams Family, I quote what is there found. " He settled in New- town, Massachusetts, which then comprehended Cambridge. Me represented the town in the General Court of xMassa- chusctts five or six years, and it is said that he commanded a troop of horse." He is referred to by his own son. Rev. Wil- liam Williams, as well as by Mrs. Pitkin and others, as Captain Williams. He married first Miss Martha Parke, daughter of Dea- con William Parke of Roxbury and sister of the wife of his brother Samuel. " Deacon Parke was a man of property , and note in the town and represented it in the legislature for many years." He died May 10 or 11, 1685, at the age of \ seventy-nine. ! The children of Isaac and Martha Williams were: ' Isaac', born Dec. 11, 1661 ; died 1739. He had a large i family of whom little is recorded in the History. \ Martha', born Dec. 27, 1663; died Sept., 1702. aged 39, leaving two sons and two daughters. She married Mr. Hunt. William', born Feb. 2, 1665. See page 16. j John', born Aug. 31, 1667; settled at Stonington, and was : the ancestor of most, if not all, of the distinguished men of 1 the name who have lived in Stonington, Norwich, and New London. Eleazer', born Oct. 22, 1669; settled at Stonington; his descendants are fewer and less known than those of his brother John. Thomas', born Oct. 23, 1673. Hannah', died April 27, 1739. aged 66. Thomas and Hannah were probably twins. After the death of Mrs. Martha Williams, Oct., 1674, Capt. Williams married Miss (or Mrs.) Judith Cooper. Their children were: Isaac Williams. 15 PETER^ born Aug. 31, 1680. Sarah', born Oct. 2, 1688. Ephraim", born Oct. 21, 1691; settled in Stockbridge; was the father of Col. Ephraim Williams, the founder of Williams College, and the great-grandfather of Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D., late bishop of the diocese of Connecticut. l6 Ancestors of Ezekiel irHliatus. WILLIAM WILLIAM SI Born Feb. 2, 1665. Died Aug. 29, 1741. Second son of Isaac of the second generation, was born at Newtown, Feb. 2, 1665. He graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1683 and was settled over the church in Hatfield, Mass., in 1685, before he had reached the age of twenty-one years. " There he continued laboring with great zeal and exerting a wide influence till death put a period to both his ministry and his life." (Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.) The same work, and also the History of the fFil- liams Family, gives an extract from his funeral sermon, preached by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, which describes him as a Christian scholar and minister more fully than any writing furnished by his contemporaries is known to have done. Dr. Charles Chauncey, in a letter to President Stiles, comparing him with Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northamp- ton, writes: "Mr. Williams of Hatfield, his son-in-law, I believe to have been the greater man, and I am ready to think greater than any of his own sons, though they were all men of more than common understanding." The following inscription is on the tablet erected to his memory in Hatfield bur)'ing ground: " The tomb of the Rev. William Williams, the evangel- ical pastor of Hatfield, who died 29 August, 1741, in the 76th year of his age and the 56th of his ministry. " My flesh shall rest in hope, for Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life." Mr. Williams married (i) Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Seaborn Cotton of Hampton, New Hampshire (born Aug. 13, 1665, a son of the celebrated Rev. John Cotton of Bos- ton, and received his name from the place of his birth, that event having taken place while his parents were on their voyage to this country). The children of IVIr. Williams and his first wife were: IFilliafii JViUiams. 17 William', born April 30, 1687; died May 5, 1687. William*, born May 11, 1688; for 41 years pastor of the church in Weston, Mass. Martha*, born Oct. 10, 1690; married Edward Partridge of Hatfield; died Nov. 26, 1766. Elisha*, born Aug. 26, 1694; known among his relatives to the present time as " The Rector," from his thirteen years' presi- dency of Yale College, and one of the most distinguished of the descendants of Robert Williams. John*, born Mar. 7, 1697; died July 29, 1697, Mrs. Williams died May 7, 1698, and Mr. Williams married (2) Aug. 9, 1699, Christian Stoddard, third daugh- ter of Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton. She died April 23, 1764, aged 87. Their children were: Solomon*. See page 18. Elizabeth*, born June 7, 1707; married Samuel Barnard of Salem, Mass.; died Oct., 1753. Israel*, born Nov. 30, 1709; settled in Hatfield; was one of the most distinguished men of his time in Western Massa- chusetts and unlike most of the name was a Tory in Revolu- tionary days, but not the less a patriot. Dorothy*, born June 20, 1713; married Rev. Jonathan Ashley of Deerfield. Her daughter, Charissa (not Carissa), married Rev. Dr. Moses C. Welch of Mansfield, Conn., an eminent Connecticut divine. They were the parents of Dr. Archibald Welch, for many years a highly esteemed and be- loved physician of Wethersfield. 1 8 Ancestors of Ezekiel JnUiams. SOLOMON WILLIAMSS Born Jan. 4, 1701. Died Feb. 28, 177O. Fifth son of the Rev. William Williams of Hatfield^ was born Jan. 4, 1701, graduated at Harvard College in I 7 19, was ordained pastor of the church in Lebanon, Conn., Dec. 5, 1722. Spraguc says: "Dr. Williams undoubtedly held a place among the most prominent of the New England clergy. His intiuence was felt among the churches not only in Connecti- cut but throughout New lingland, and his services were very often called for on important public occasions. He had an extensive correspondence in Europe and America, and among his correspondents abroad he numbered one or more of the Erskines and the celebrated Maclaurin, author of the well- known sermon, ' Glorying in the Cross.' " Some interesting facts concerning his life and character are appended by his grandson, Rev. Timothy Stone, to the sketch given by Dr. Sprague in his Anuals. I'hey cannot be recorded here. Dr. Williams was a P^ellow of Yale College from 1749 to 1769 and received the degree of D.D. from that insti- tution in 1773. He was the pastor of a patriotic, spirited, self-sacrificing people. How much this may have been owing to his own influence cannot now be known with certainty, Trumbull, the only colonial governor who supported the American cause — the wise and efficient friend and counsel- lor of Washington, on whom he depended in the most trying emergencies — had studied theolog)- with Dr. Williams after leaving college, and was his neighbor and parishioner as long as the good pastor lived. Certain it Is that thev were in full accord in their spirit of resistance to British oppres- sion, and that the \oice and pen of Solomon Williams and his son William did much to inspire the people, abroad as well as at home, with ardor and courage for the strife. Dr. Williams died Feb. 28, 1776, just before midnight, a few months before the Declaration of Independence by the American Congress. Although he did not live to see the Solomon WilUams. 19 sight he doubtless died in firm faith that independence would eventually be established, and it is recorded that he left to the town a sum of money to be used in aiding the cause of the colonies. Some papers in my possession, relating to his last days, which are worn from age and much handling, may be inter- esting to some of his descendants, as they are to me, and are therefore copied here. The first is entitled : " Last Sayings of Rev. Solomon Williams of Lebanon," and reads as fol- lows : " Monday morning, 26th Feb., 1776. ' God has given me many blessings and favors and been very gracious on many accounts, amongst others He has given me very kind and dutiful and affectionate children. I thank Him and thank you all for all your kindness, etc. I told him that God had given us one of the best and tenderest fathers that ever children were blessed with, and we had received twenty thousand kindnesses, etc., which we did not deserve. He replied we were most welcome, what he had done God had enabled him and if in his power would gladly have done more. He thanked God He had given him hope concerning his children, that they were and he hoped would be useful in the world in various departments, but they were all duty and duties of them to be done; that we must look to God, love God, love our fellow-men, and love and live in love to one another. God required our whole heart and was in- finitely deserving of it, of ten million times more than we could do for or be to Him ; we must make religion our busi- ness, our choice, our delight at all times; anything short of that would be nothing.' " P. M. 'I don't see the beauties and inexpressible glories of the other world in so strong a manner as I wish, but God can reveal them, and if He withhold them from my view He can take me to Heaven without and I wait for Him. I am weary of my groaning; wearisome days and nights are appointed to me; I chose strangling and death rather than life, but perhaps I am too impatient, etc. ; I know God's everlasting covenant and promises are firm and strong, and the glorious mercies of it stable and everlasting; 'tis impossi- ble He should lie or deceive His creatures; to the terms of that covenant I think and am sure; I had heartilv consented a 20 Juccstars of Ezekiel Jfillhims. i hundred and a thousand times and do now most fully if I know my own heart. My children, this world is nothing; care nothing for or about it, but to do what God requires of you in it, etc. Never rest till you make your calling and election sure.' " Sometime in the night he said ' we love our friends and our children greatly, and are v^ery desirous to afford them all help in distress, and immediately, but cannot. God loves His children much better, and can afford them all relief if they need at any time, but will not, not because He does not love them, but because He is infinitely wise and knows what is best for us, and always does it.' He said many other things. " Tuesday, 27th. He was extremely faint all day. Rev. Mr. Salter, making some pious remarks, among other things he said: ' I am under infinite obligations to God for thou- sands of favors and among them that He has given me so many and so much of opportunity to speak for God, to speak for Christ, and have therefore more reason to be patient that He won't let me now; it would be pleasant but I cannot \ speak and God does not want me. T have great reason to lament that I have lived no better and so much neglected that constant intercourse and communion with God that I ought to have kept up, so many intermissions, so many inter- ruptions, etc. T should have reason to fear He would leave me to want that sweet consolation which I now stand in so much need of, but blessed be His name. He gives enough to support me, etc. I have more and more firm assurances of the truth of the gospel ; 'tis not any special illumination, but the overbearing weight of the witness of God. I hope the time will soon come but I must wait, etc., etc' " ' j Another paper is a letter from his son Ezekiel to his wife, whom he had left at their home in WethersHeld. It is interesting as exhibiting some characteristics of both father ami son : "Lebanon, ist March, 1776. " Mv dearest Love: " T got down here iust time enough to see and feel one of the most tender, affecting and distressing scenes of my 'These words were taken from hi< lips In- his son Col. William Williams. Solomon Williams. 21 whole life, our most tender, dear, inexpressibly dear Father just leaving this troublesome, wiclced and worthless world. A little before 12 o'c. that night, with the utmost calmness and composure, he took his departure (I have no manner of doubt) but on the wings of angels to meet his dear Father, his dear (once Wethersfield) brother, and other dear de- parted saints and above all his dear Saviour Jesus, in the realms of eternal happiness and glory. Unspeakable conso- lation ! O how much wisdom, knowledge and goodness left the world that fatal night ! No more shall I hear his sweet \'oice, his wise counsels, his pious, his excellent instructions. Tell our dear excellent Aunt^ that none of us can have any more of his Pathetick Prayers, but that I hope and trust they are laid up as a precious increase. We must now pray more earnestly for ourselves; beg she would pray for me and for us all, for our dear little ones. Oh that they may be early formed for God, to know the God of their own excellent Grandfather! I wish our dear John might be properly af- fected with what he has lost. The subject is too tender to dwell on ; I can say no more ; am this moment called upon to go view the ground where to lay the precious remains, which are to be deposited next Monday, there to remain to the glorious resurrection day. . . . Oh may we all follow our dear departed father wherein he has followed Christ and be prepared (as I trust and doubt not he was) for a glorious immortality. Hope you will be careful of your own tender frame this changeable and uncomfortable weather and of the dear children, and I know you will do everything you can that our dear Aunt Smith's life and health may be as comfortable as possible. I wish I could do a thousand times so much as I have. . . . She, as well as we, has lost a dear and very valuable friend. I shall always love her the more because he loved and respected her so much i and she him. . . . Hope to return next Tuesday if God permit, tho' I know it will be hard leaving the distressed family — a kind and tender mother almost overcome, and dear brothers and sisters greatly distressed and yet greatly comforted with the assurance of his now being infinitely hap- i pier than it was possible for him to be here, in the enjoyment of his God and blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, ... I 1 Mrs. Smith formerly wife of Rector Williams. ■> -> Jficeslurs of Ezekiel inUiams. scarce know what I ha\c wrote, my heart is too full, and I fear you will not be able to read it, and I believe it is so con- fused as not to be worth reading. Am most tenderly and affectionatclv vours, "EZ' WILLIAMS. " P. S. Remember me to all the dear little ones (may (Joil preserve them), to Mrs. Hancock also, w^ho I heartily wish may be very happy and comfortable; beg her prayers so. Dr. Williams' funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Cogswell of Windham from the text, " Be thou faithful unto death and 1 will give thee a crown of life.''^ Extracts from the sermon are as follows: "Ailulation is to be avoided, to be abhorred, as well that which is spoken of the dead, as addressed to the living. Few characters will justly bear panegyric. Concerning the greater part of mankind, therefore, it is best to be silent, but with regard to this our deceased father and friend, there is more reason ot coming short than of exceeding due bounds. I am ver}' sensible of my own insufficiency to give the character of so great and good a man, and I shall only touch upon a few branches, leaving to some abler hand the agreeable task of a large and minute character. His genius was truly both great and excellent. He had a quick discernment, deep penetration, solitl judgment, lively imagination, a capacious and tenacious memory. These endowments laid the founda- tion for excelling in the knowledge of books and men; and in both of these kinds of knowledge he actually excelled in no common degree. By the care of his pious, venerable and learned ancestors he had the benefit of a very liberal educa- tion, which he improved to the best purposes by an inde- fatigable application to study, whereby he became in younger life a good scholar in the liberal arts and sciences. But his favorite stuily was Divinity; to this he early devoted him- self, not from necessity but from inclination. Being in early life savingly acquainted with the love of God and Christ and consequently the preciousness of immortal souls, he devoted 'Two editions of this sermon were published, and very likely a copy michf he found hidden in many an attic. I have seen but one in a bound volume of sermons in mv father's librarv. Solomon JVilliams, 23 himself to the study of Divinity and the work of ministry from a principle of supreme love to Christ and an ardent desire to build up His kingdom in the salvation of souls; what proficiency he made in his study, his useful, learned and pious labors in the pulpit and from the press are and long will be witnesses. " In the sacred desk he shone with peculiar lustre. His whole deportment was such as greatly recommended the min- isterial character — grave, devout, solemn, affectionate and animating. In prayer he was copious, fervent, unaffected, devout, scriptural; endowed with an amiable talent of adapt- ing himself to every varying occasion and omitting nothing which w^as pertinent, yet always concise, never tedious. But the art, the talent of preaching, was all his own. He had not, indeed, the strong commanding voice, nor did he make use of the labored flourishes of artificial oratory, but his method of preaching, in the opinion of the best judges, was far better. His sermons were composed with great judg- ment and accuracy, in that natural, easy method and unaf- fected style which would induce one to imagine while hearing his discourses that nothing was easier than to imitate him, but upon trial nothing was found harder. His voice was very agreeable and his delivery with such a mixture of gravity and pleasantness of dignity and modesty of authority and meekness, that few, very few could command the atten- tion better than he. But above all, the devotion, piety and philanthropy which were pictured in his countenance and in his flowing accents of ardent affection with most evident tokens of sincerity in every sentence coming warm from his heart, had a marvellous influence not only to gain, to com- mand the attention, but to elevate the affections of the devout heart and raise them up to Heaven, and to leave such deep and permanent impressions of divine truth fixed and rooted in the soul as were not easily effaced. " He was truly a primitive apostolic Christian divine and preacher. Christ was the centre of his affections, the sum of his preaching; with strict truth he could adopt the words of St. Paul and say to his people, ' I determine to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified,' and he was careful that none should spoil them through phil- osophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men and not 24 .Incest or s of Ezckicl Jf'iU'iams. after Christ. The system of relifrion which he inculcated was evidently taken out of the Bible, to which he recurred by numerous quotations. These were taken and applied in such a manner as made it exceeding evident that he had not pre\i()usiv found or aiioptcd a system which he was impress- ing a few tletached passages of the sacred writings to con- firm, but that these were indeed the source from which his whole scheme was derived. He not only taught but lived the religion of the gospel; he was evidently an example of his flock in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in purity; by his singular prudence and exemplary moderation, condescension, affability, modesty and charity, and his faith- ful discharge of every part of his ministerial work, with an apparent evident regard to God and love to Christ and his people, he so recommended himself to his whole Hock that he was greatly belo\ed bv them and as universally esteemed as any of his order. And he was not only beloved and esteemed by his own flock and most esteemed and most be- loved by those who were most respectable and discerning among them, but greatly and universally beloved and es- teemed by his numerous acquaintances of all ranks. Tn this respect he might have been said to be ' first-born among many brethren,' and it is not strange that he was so, for in him the scholar, the gentleman and the Christian were happily united. He made it his endeavor to please all men in ail things so far as he could do it without displeasing Ciod. I le was a peacemaker in the true gospel sense and was under God an instrument of healing as many breaches and reconciling as many differences as perhaps any man in his day. This excellent pacific temper, in conjunction with singular wisdom and prudence, fitted him to be an able counsellor; to him, therefore, a great number, both of churches and ministers, applied under their various difficul- ties and perplexities for atlvice; nor did they apply in vain, for he was ready as well as able to give the best counsel. He was a warm and consistent patriot, zealous for the rights of humanity, an able advocate for liberty and a bold and avowed opposer of despotism and usurpation; at the same time he was a fast friend to government and good order, and not afraid to testify against that licentiousness which some have endeavored to introduce under the name of liberty'. In him, Solomon JVilliams. 25 therefore, his country has lost one of her ablest, best friends; in this gloomy, doubtful and alarming crisis of public affairs, his counsels, his steadfastness, his prayers will be greatly wanted. But we have reason to hope that tho' he is gone, those fervent, effectual prayers which he has put up for his flock, his friends, his country have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth and will be heard and answered to the ruin of tyranny and salvation of our land. " In his family he was an example of conjugal tenderness and parental affection ; remarkable for the care and pains which he took to give the best education to his children in evei-y regard; to cultivate their minds with early erudition and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; the happy effects of which, under the Divine benedic- tion, he had the satisfaction to see and rejoice abundantly in, and as he had reason to bless God for success in his pious, judicious and laborious endeavors in his own family, so he had likewise in numerous instances among his flock; indeed, we have reason to conclude that the blessing of many souls, ready to perish, do and will rest upon him, for his labors were crowned with remarkable success in various periods of his ministry. With what faithfulness to Christ and His cause, with what prudent zeal, with what love to souls, he conducted in that remarkable season, when we have reason to believe many were brought home to Christ under the special influences of the divine Spirit, and when through the subtlety of the grand adversary many were led away into pernicious errors, not only many of his hearers but his brethren and children in the ministry and other acquaintances will remember. It was owing, under God, to his steadiness and wisdom that the same errors and wildnesses which spread so far and rent so many churches did not prevail to any con- siderable degree in this place, " Thus beloved by and a blessing to mankind, to his flock and family, God upheld his feeble frame and lengthened out his life to a good old age, though he was frequently exer- cised with bodily weakness and pain. The amiable patience and singular fortitude of mind with which he bore them all, plainly and fully evidenced that even those could not abate either his virtue or his happiness, but were only a means of refining, improving and perfecting them, and I have the best 26 Ancestors of Ezck'icl If'iU'uiins. int'oniiation that his faith and patience not only held out but were increasing to the last. " In his last moments he expressed his perfect satisfaction in the way of redemption by Christ, his firm. reliance on the promise and faithfulness of God, and his full assurance of his interest in that glorious salvation which Christ has pur- chaseil, which carried him abo\e not only the world and all its aftairs but even above all disquieting sense of his pains and afflictions in sure and certain hope of a glorious resur- rection ami a blesseil immortality. A happy conclusion this of a long ami godly life; showing the pertinence and import- ance of the Psalmist's remark. ' Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' " And now we have reason to rest satisfied that he rests from all his labors anil has experienced the fulfillment of the promise that these light afflictions which are but for a moment ha\e wrought for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ibis hope we have abundant reason for, from the whole tenor of the promises in God's word and from that made in our text in particular, for he was eminently faithful in all the various and important betrustments com- mitted to him; he was a faithful father and friend to the seminary of learning in this government, of which he was many vcars a member. He was many years a faithlul min- ister of Jesus Christ, a faithful friend, and, in a word, uni- versallv faithful, wherefore he now inherits the crown of righteousness and life which the Lord hath promised to those who arc faithful to the tleath." Dr. Williams marrieil, Jan. 22, 1723, about the time of his settlement in Lebanon, Marv, daughter of Hon. Samuel and Joanna (Cook) Porter of Hadley, Mass., who was bom \ov. 4, 17<13, and died Sept. 3O1 1787. The house in which he lived ami in which his children were born, a good sample of an old New P'ngland colonial house, remained in the hamls of his descendants for a hundred years or more, and is still stamling in good preservation in old Lebanon, not far from the house in which his distinguished son Wil- liam li\eil. Ihcir chililren were: SoLOMON'°, horn Nov. 5. 1723; died Nov. 12, 1723, in in- fancy. Solomon', horn July (^, 1725; died in the year of his gradua- tion from "^'ajp Cnlletje, Oct. 24, 1743. Solomon IFilUams. 27 Eliphalet', born Feb. 25, 1727; minister of the church in East Hartford from March, 1748, until his death in 1803. He was a member of the corporation of Yale College for more than thirty years, and received the degree of D.D. from that institu- tion in 1782. Ezekiel'. See page 29. William^ born at Lebanon, March 18. 1731 [so says his father; his monument says April 8]; graduated at Harvard College in 1751; died Aug. 2, 181 1. A very interesting sketch of the life and character of this distinguished and valuable man may be found in Goodrich's Lives of the Signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, which is copied in the History of the Williams' Family, pp. 180-186. In a centennial address de- livered July 4, 1876, in Lebanon, the Rev. Mr. Hine says: " With tongue and pen and estate William Williams gave himself to the cause of the colonies." How he identified him- self with this cause may be seen from a remark which he made when at great labor and cost to himself he sent supplies of beef, cattle, and gold to Valley Forge in the gloomy winter of 1777: " If independence is established," he said, " I shall get my pay, if not the loss will be of no account to me." William Williams married, Feb. 14, 1771, Mary Trumbull, second daughter of the " war governor." She was born at Lebanon, July 16, 1745, and died there February, 1831. They had three children: Solomon, Faith, and William Trumbull, who was born in 1775; graduated at Yale College, 1795; mar- ried his cousin Sarah (born Sept. 7, 1779, died Oct. 3, 1839), daughter of David and Sarah (Backus) Trumbull; was a lawyer and antiquarian, interested in collecting Trumbull papers; died at Lebanon, Dec. 15, 1839. Mary', born Feb. 11, 1733; married Rev. Richard Salter, D.D., of Mansfield, brother of her sister Christian's husband. They had three children, not one of whom lived two months. Thomas', born Nov. 12, 1735; graduated at Yale College, 1756; died at Lebanon, Feb. 10, 1819. He married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Esther (Ellsworth) Welles, of Har- ford, who was born Dec. 16, 1743, and died at Lebanon, March, 1792. Their children were: a daughter, died stillborn, April 26, 1782; Solomon and Mary, twins, born Aug. 29, 1873; Thomas, physician in Lebanon, whose son Solomon lived for many years in East Hartford and Manchester and had a large family of enterprising and intelligent children, many of whom are still living. Christian', born April 11, 1738; married John Salter, of Mansfield, Conn., had one son who married his cousin. A record of his family will appear hereafter. 2 8 Ancestors of Ezek'iel JFUl'iams. M()SES°, born May 8, 1740; died in his tenth year. Samuel*, born Dec. 5, 1741 ; died Jan. 31, 1742. Efxici;', born May 22, 1745; married, Dec. 6, 1769, Rev. Timothy Stone of Goshen, a parish of Lebanon, in which place he was settled for about thirty years. He is said to have been amonj^ the ablest ministers of Connecticut of that day. He dicii at Goshen, May 12, 1797. For an account of Mr. Stone, the father, as well as of Dr. Salter, see Sprague's Annals. Mrs. Stone died in Cornwall, Conn., June 14, 1836, aged 91. Nearly all her children died in infancy, but one, Rev. Timothy, was for many years minister of the Congregational Church in Cornwall. A daughter, Mary, married Rev. Mr, Pinneo, and had several children. Ezekiel WilUmns. 29 EZEKIEL WILLIAMS^ Born May 4, 1729. Died Feb. 12, 181 8. Fourth son of Rev. Solomon Williams, D.D., was born in Lebanon, May 4, 1729. Of the five sons of his father who lived to maturity, he was the only one who did not receive a college education. He was of a very ardent, active temperament, and probably preferred business to study. I know nothing of his early life. Upon the Wethersfield Land Records is a copy of a deed, dated Dec. 12, 1752, by which all rights in certain lands are conveyed to Elisha Williams, Jr., and Ezekiel Williams, both of Wethersfield. Nothing being known of any other Ezekiel Williams, we must con- clude that the son of Solomon settled in Wethersfield at an early age and was probably soon engaged in active business. He may have been connected with the firm of Williams, Trumbull & Pitkin, which had a branch establishment In Wethersfield, although he could not have been the senior member, the firm having existed under the same name as early as 1746, when he was but seventeen years of age. In 1759, as we learn from the Town Records, he bought the land upon which soon after he built the large house now standing at the head of Broad street, in which his children were born and reared. On Nov. 6, 1760, he married his second cousin, Prudence Stoddard, born March 28, 1734, daughter of Col. John Stoddard of Northampton, Mass. Of him Gov. Hutchinson of Massachusetts wrote : " Few men have been more gener- ally esteemed. . . . No man in Massachusetts Bay possessed the same weight of character during the last twenty years of his life, and it may be said, almost literally, that ' after him men spake not again.' " Dr. Dwight, a iformer president of Yale College, in his Travels in New England, quotes still further from Hutchinson and gives a fuller tribute to the character and services of Col. Stoddard, with some interesting facts illustrative of both.^ His daughter * See Stoddard Genealogy, pp. 98, 203-222. 3' clay ! " Some negroes at work in an adjoining field heard him and came to his rescue. Thev cheerfully per- formed the not very easy or agreeable task and landed him upon firm ground, expressing their pleasure at being able to serve one who had always been so kind and polite to them. His cKiest daughter, upon whom much family care de- volved, told me that he would often accost strangers who were riding or driving by, and if it were near a meal time would insist upon their coming into his house and taking a seat with himself and his family at the table, or if that were already cleared, would have it spread anew for them. The temperament of his wife was just the reverse of his own, and such interference with her domestic arrangements, it is belicvcil. never disturbed her equanimitv or disposed her to check his kindlv impulse. 1 Ezekiel Williams. 2)S This good man, who perhaps scarcely knew what repose was while in this earthly life, entered upon " the rest that remaineth for the people of God" on Feb. 12, 1818, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. It was a long life, but he used to say, as he drew near the close of it, " There's no such thing as old people; I thought there was once, but I'm as old as anybody and I'm sure I am not old." His wife survived him about four and a half years, her death occurring on July i, 1822. They were laid side by side in a tomb which he had prepared in the old burying ground of Wethersfield. The effects of time and decay made it necessary between thirty and forty years after to fill up the vault and take down the structure over it. A suitable monument was erected upon the centre of the lot, which bears the name of Ezekiel Williams and his wife, as also the names of their descendants by blood and marriage who lie around them. Above the names of the founders of the family and their children who died unmarried, upon the side facing the en- trance to the lot, are the comforting and inspiring words of St. Paul, " Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." 36 Descendants of Ezekiel JVilliams. DESCENDANTS OF EZEKIEL WILLIAMS AND PRUDENCE HIS WIFE. My list of the descendants of Ezekiel and Prudence Stoddard Williams is complete [for four generations. For the last generation, eleventh from Robert, I have been able to obtain but a very few names]. r shall take each of the children separately and trace his or her descendants down to the present time. I am aware that a better arrangement might be adopted, but this one will be the easiest for me and 1 think that the few who ^yill care to consult this record will find no difficulty in obtaining any facts they may desire which are contained in it. The children of Ezekiel Williams numbered eleven, all of whom li\ed to maturity, and most of them to an advanced age, as the following list will show: 1. Emily," born June 29, 1761 ; baptized July 12; died Sept. 19, 1850, aged 89. 2. John', born Sept. 11, 1762; baptized Sept. 12; died Dec. 19, 1840, aged 78. 3. Harrikt", born Tune 26, 1764; died June 5, 1 850, aged 86. 4. Ezekiel", born Dec. 29, 1765; baptized Jan. 5, 1766; died Oct. 18, 1843, aged 78. 5. Prudence", born Oct. 2, 1767; baptized Oct. 4; died March 24, 1853, aged 86. 6. Mary", born Aug. 14, 1769; baptized Aug. 20; died Nov. 25, 1850, aged 81. 7. Esther", born April 14, 1771; died June 24, 1820, unmarried, aged 49. 8. Solomon Stoddard', born Oct. 10, 1773; died Feb. 10, 1840, unmarried; aged 67. 9. Christian", born Sept. 22, 1775; died Jan. 30, 1803, unmarried ; aged 28. 10. Thomas Scott', horn June 26, 1777; died Dec. 22, 1 86 1, aged 84. 11. Samlel Porter", born Feb. 22, 1779; died Dec. 23, 1826, aged 47. Emily JVilUams. 37 EMILYS Born June 29, 1761. Died Sept. 19, 1850. Eldest child of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) Wil- liams, married her second cousin, Samuel William Williams, Nov. 23, 1785. He was a grandson of Rector Williams, a graduate of Yale College, 1772, an officer in the Revolution- ary army and aftenvard held offices of trust in Wethersfield, his native town, in which he spent most of his life. He died Sept. 14, 18 12, aged 62. Mrs. Williams, his wife, was an uncommonly active, efficient and benevolent woman. By word and deed she expressed her warm interest in all around her; as her brother-in-law said of her, "To do good and communicate, she forgot not." They had Issue: Harriet', born Nov. 28, 1786; died Aug. 6, 1881. Emily^ born July 25, 1788; died, unmarried, May 11, 1848. Elizabeth', born July 2, 1790; died May 11, 1848. Mary', born April 15, 1792; died Sept. 15, 1793. Mary', born Nov. 25, 1793; died July 12, 1886. Frances', born Nov. 10, 1795; died Dec. 21, 18 15. William', born Oct. 2, 1797; died June 17, i860. Ezekiel', born July 5, 1799; died Feb. 10, 1873. Abigail', born May 10, 1801 ; died, unmarried, Feb. 28, 1832. Samuel', born Feb. 26, 1804; died Feb. 8, 1882. John Stoddard', born June 3, 1806; died Sept. 11, 1848. Harriet Williams'', the eldest child of Emily and Sam- uel W. Williams, married Caleb Goodwin, a merchant of Hartford, Sept. 3, 18 11. He died in that city. May 24, 1830, aged 51. Their children were: Elizabeth Williams^ born Sept. 3, 18 13; died Sept. 23, 1898, at the Hartford Hospital after eleven days' illness, the effect of a fall in her room, by which a limb was broken. William WILLIAMS^ born in Hartford, May 13, 18 17; settled in Galena, 111., in mercantile business in 1845; '" 1857 moved to Chicago; resided for many years with his daughter, Mrs. Watson; married Nov. 14, 1850, Kate F. 38 Descciiiliuils of Ezckiel fVilUams. Amoss, daughter of William Amoss of Baltimore, Md., who died June 2S, 1866, aged 35. Their children were: Francis Parsons', born Dec. 26, 185 1; died, unmarried, at San Antonio, Texas, March 12, 1894. K.MMA Trhco'. horn Aufi. 27. 1852; died July 10, 1887. Ai.icii', horn May 27, 185O; married June 27, 1882, Rev. William J. Watson, now pastor of the Baptist Church, Villisca, Iowa. They have children: r.MMA Marih'", horn Dec. 10, 1884. Josti'ii", born May 12, 1887, Alice", born Dec. 31, 1890. Elizarhth Aline'", born April 25, 1895. William Ui;nrv°. fourth child of William W. and Kate (Amoss) Goodwin, born March 4, 1859; married July 26, 1898, Grace F. Watson of Pittsburg, Pa.; bookseller. James- town, N. \.; now resident at Auburn, N. Y. Mrs. W. H. Goodwin died June 17, 1903. They had one child: Harrilt Francenia", born April i, 18O3; died, un- married, at Monmouth, 111., March 13, 1889. IIF'NRY Martyx*, third child of Harriet Williams and Cnlch Goodwin, horn at Hartford, June 8, 1820; studied theology at New York and New Haven, 1 843-1 846; was onlained, 1851; married, Nov. 6, 1854, Martha French of Bath. N. H., who died March 17, 1876, aged 51. Rev. Mr. Gooilwin, D.I)., was pastor of the P^rst Congregational Church in Rockland, 111., from 1850 to 1872; resided in I'.unnic with his family, 1872 to 1874; on his return was appointed professor in Olivet College, Olivet, Mich., which office he resigned in 1887. He wrote a theological work en- titlcii Christ (itul Iliimamty, and many valuable articles pub- lished in the Ncn: En\rla)i(icr and other religious magazines. He died of jincumonia, March i, 1893, ^t the home of his ilaughtcr, Mrs. Wild, in Williamstown, Mass. I he chiKlren of Henry M. Goodwin and Martha French arc Horace Bush n ell*, born Aug. 21. 1856; married (Mrs.) Lida Ix"nno\. tlauRhter of Richard Collins, now of Kansas City, Mo.. Jidy, 1883: no children. Martha Chapin', born July 12, 1859; married July 9, 1903. Gcorpc DcWitt Castor of Kansas City. Mo., a graduate of Drury College and instructor on missions, etc., Yale College, Goodzviu. 39 1904-1907; now Professor of New Testament Exegesis, Berke- ley' Divinity School, Berkeley, Calif.; no children. Henry French', born Ajiril 25, 1863; graduated Olivet College, 1884; Yale Divinity School, 1890; for some years pastor of church in or near Chicago ; studied medicine and is now a practicing ph3^sician in Chicago; unmarried. Ada Lilley. born Jan. 15, 1865; married July 14, 1892, Henry Daniel Wild, Professor of Latin Language and Litera- ture, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. Their children are: Henry Douglas", born Nov., 1893, in Leipzig. Arthur Goodwin'", born May 4, 1897, in Williams- town. Caleb\ fourth child of Harriet Williams and Caleb Goodwin, was born in Hartford, Sept. 13, 1822; settled in Chicago: married there, Sept. 13, 1847, Elizabeth Brooks, daughter of Samuel Brooks of London, born in Islington, England, Jan. 31, 1823. They had children: Henry Bushnell'', paper manufacturer's agent, Chicago, born in Galena, III, July 19, 1848; married Oct. 24, 1883, in Boston, Mass., Mary Minerva Welles, daughter of George M. and Mary (Wilcox) Welles of Chicago. No children. Harriet Williams', born in Chicago, Oct. 7, 1850; died Sept. 7, 1853. Frederick Brooks', merchant in Chicago, born in Chicago, Aug. 23, 1852; married there, Sept. 16, 1880. Orra Louvis Pierce, daughter of Henry and Susan (Leach) Pierce. Their children are: Mary Pierce'", born Feb. 9, 1882; married, Chicago, Dec. 31, 1904, Ernest Frank Gould; one child: Orra Harriet", born April 28, 1906. Susan Leach", born Jan. i, 1886; married, Dec. 31, 1904, on same day as her sister, Frederick Chester Pullen. Samuel Brooks', born, Chicago, April 24, 1855; died Sept. 10, 1855. Mary Shepperd', born, Chicago, April 24, 1855 (Samuel's twin sister) ; married, Chicago, May 23, 1878, Henry Theodore Pierce, son of Henrj' and Susan (Leach) Pierce, who died of enlargement of the heart, Sept. 17, 1901, after many years as a merchant in Kansas Cit}^ Their children are: Elizabeth Brooks", born, Chicago, April 19, 1879. Henry Leach", born, Chicago, April 27, 1881. Ruth Marian", born, Kansas City, Dec. 5, 1882. 40 DrsiCfiJiints of Ezck'tcl Jl'iUiams. M.\R^' Louisa'", born, Kansas City, Jan. 23, 1885. An infant'", born Aug., 1888; died September of the same year. Otis Soutjiwortii", born, Kansas City. Nov. i, 1890. Elizabkth Marsden", born, Chicago, IVIay 21, 1857; married Mar. 25, 1890, Sereno E. Norton, manufacturer, son of clergyman of Evanston, III. They have children: ShRiiNo Goouwin", born July 5, 1891. KmviN Norton'", born Feb. 6, 1901. Howard Williams', born, Chicago, Sept. i, 1859; married, Independence, Kan., Jan. 3, 1888, Mar>' Emmaline Collins. No children. Sarah Lenore." antl Leonard Remmer", twins, born, Chicago, Oct. 13, 1 861. Isabella Loi isa\ born, Chicago, Sept. 22, 1863; married June 28, 1888, William C. Payne, son of Alfred Payne, Super- intendent of Schools, Chicago. Their children are: Leonard Goodwin"', born June 11, 1889. Arthir P^^•^•E'^ born Sept. 20, 1890. Hl.xr^", born May 14, 1892. Lkwis', fifth son of Harriet Williams and Caleb Good- win, born, Hartford, .\pril 4, 1826; went to California when quite youn^, arriving at San Francisco on the last day of Fchruan', 1849; spent his whole life, Avith the exception of a few short visits in the East, upon the Pacific coast; died, San IVancisco, Sept. 19, 1889; unmarried. Wii.Li.AM Williams", the first son and seventh child of Emily and Samuel W. Williams, p;raduated at Yale College, 18 16; oniaincd at Salem, Mass., in 1821. He was twentv- onc years pastor of two Congregational churches in that city; was afterward settled in Exeter, N. H., and still later, on account of the failure of his health, left the ministry' and became a phvsician. He married his first cousin, Mary Parsons, daughter of Rev. Dr. David Parsons of Amherst, Mass., Sept. 18, I 82 I. They had issue: Henry Porter', born June 20, 1823; died Aug. 22. 1824. Mary Parsons", born July 30. 1826; died Nov. 18. 1829. Frances Chappel', born Feb. 12, 1828; died Nov. 14. 1829. Hxrriet Pierson", born Dec. 17, 1830: died Mar. 3. 1841. Mary Elizabeth", born Jan. 8. 18 n; died in Hartford, Feb. 15, 1898. William Oakes', born Aug. 5, 1835; soon after leaving William and Samuel IFilliams. 41 school In Salem, he went as a sailor on a long voyage in a clipper ship with a friend of the family in command ; for two years or more he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Cleve- land and Providence; after which he settled in Boston as a real-estate dealer, where he still lives unmarried. Charles Henry", born May 27, 1837; identified with the Congregationalists, and residing in Massachusetts or Connecti- cut has rendered occasional or continuous service to churches of six denominations in fourteen states from Maine to California; His settled pastorates have been over the following churches: Congregational Church, Wellesley Hills , Mass. ; Howard Avenue Congregational Church, New Haven, Conn. ; First Congregational Church, Meriden, Conn. ; First Church of Christ, Hartford, Conn. ; now residing in New London, Conn. Samuel*, born May 20, 1839; died July 23, 1841. EzEKiEL WILLIAMS^ the second son and eighth child of Emily and Samuel W. Williams, married Adeline M. Ar- thur Butler, daughter of Levi Butler of Wethersfield, Dec. 22, 1825; baptized May 5, 1799; died at the birth of her second child, Feb. 19, 1840, aged 41. Their children were: Sarah Butler^ born Oct. 13, 1826; married, Jan. 29, 1848, Charles Seymour of Hartford, who died Sept. 24, 1884; died in Hartford, Oct. 25, 1897. They had issue: Martha Adeline", born Aug. 6, 1850; died Aug. 9, 1850. Charles Henry", born July 5, 1851; died Mar. 24, 1866. Eugene Everett", born Nov. 6, 1852; married (0 Elizabeth Lyons of New York City, Oct. 9, 1877, who died June 3, 1885, leaving an infant son who survived her only eighteen days; (2) Ella Jane Kipp, of New York City, April 28, 1886, who died Feb. 8, 1899. Their child is: Helen'", born. New York, Dec. 5, 1893. A SON,* born Feb. 19, 1840; died Feb. 21, 1840. Samuel Williams^ the third son and tenth child of Emily and Samuel W. Williams, married (i) Mary Eliza- beth Adams, youngest daughter of Nathaniel Adams of Portsmouth, N. H., Oct. 17, 1831, who died Dec. 27, 1843, aged 35. Mr. Williams was for many years engaged in active business, and afterward studied and practiced law in 42 Dcsct'tidduts cf Kzckicl irUliams. New York citv. lie Jicci 1 ch. 8, 1882, and was buried in Wcthcrsticld. They hail issue: LoLiSA Ai)SHhAu\ born Feb. 12, 1834; married, June 19, 1862, 0<)rj:c l^ompson of Portsmouth, Their children are: Alice Williams", born April 13, 1863. Louisa Adams", born Dec. 24, 1864; died yovmtz. liiiNRV Richards", born July 28, 1867; died young. Stanley Parker", born Mar. 12, 1869, Anna Adams", born Mar. 10, 1870. Fmii.y de Normandie", born Jan. 20, 1873; died youn^. .Marion", born Oct. 27, 1877. William Adams', second child and first son of Samuel and •Mary K. Williams, born Mar. 12, 1836; fell severely woimded in the battle of C-iaines Mills in the seven days' fight before Richmond, and died eleven davs after, July 8, 1862. Alice', born .May 28, 1838. (1race\ born July 28, 1 840; married, June 28, 1868, Wil- liam H. Treaduell of Portsmouth; died 1892. Two children, one not living. Daniel A.", born April 17, 1842; married, Nov. 30, 1867, Katharine L. Piatt of London, England. Their children are: Albert E,", born Nov. 30, 1870. Frederick A.', born July 2, 1875. Charles H.', born Sept. 0, 1877. Mary Elizabeth", born Dec, 21, 1843; died Aug. 4, 1849, Samuel Williams married (2) Harriette Amelia Bron- son. daughter of Rev. Hector Bronson and Lucy Gallop. Ihcy had issue : Emily Ida", born Sept. 19, 1846. Frldi.rick Elisha". born Nov. 19. 1848. Ha/el Stoddard", born Mar. s. 1850; married Mr. De Apucro, Franck", born Nov. 2, 1852, John SronivxKiv, the fourth son and eleventh child of F.mily ami Samuel W. Williams, graduated at Yale College in 1S27; stuilied law with Rufus Choate at Salem, Mass.; practiced his profession in that city, holding many important town and state ofliccs, until his death, Sept. 11, 1848. A Salcm journal said of him : " As an advocate Mr. Williams was eloquent and successful. He was a generous patron of John Stoddard WilUams. 43 all benevolent undertakings and a most devoted and active Christian, Those who worshipped with him will bear testi- mony to his earnestness and zeal in the performance of his Christian duties and his ready eloquence in his effective ad- dresses and prayers in the religious meetings of his society. He was truly a whole-souled man, constantly moved by a most unlimited and impulsive benevolence,'' He married Mehitable Oakes of Danvers, Mass,, who died at Salem, Aug. 2, 1895, aged 87. Their children were: Emily Oakes", born Ma^^ 25, 1838; died Aug. 7, 1892, RuFus Choate", born Dec. 1840; died in Wethersfield, Sept., 1842. John Stoddard^ born Juh^ 20, 1844; married, Sept. 9, 1869, Maria T. Brown, daughter of Ephraim Brown of Salem. Their children are: John Sjoddard", born Aug. 25, 1870; married, Salem, June 19, 1895, Gertrude Evelyn Prime. Their children are: Elizabeth", born Dec. 29, 1896. John Stoddard", born July 13, 1904. Helen Williams", born Nov. 4, 1905. Alice Trumbull", born Oct. 19, 1892; married, Sept. 15, 1900, Leonard Harrington Goodhue, business man of Boston; resides in Maiden ; one child : Alice Goodhue", born Jan. 6, 1905. Helen Oakes", born Dec. 6, 1875; died Jan. 31, 1877. Edith Brown", born Dec. 23, 1878; died Mar. 30, 1880. Ralph Brown", born Aug. 24, 1881. Chester Parsons", born Aug. 9, 1886. 44 Dcsceudauts of Ezckicl ff'UUams. JOHX«. Born Sept. II, 17(12. Died Dec. 19, 1840. Second child and eldest son of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) Williams, graduated at Yale College in 1781. He studied law with Judge Chauncey of New Haven and afterward settled in his native town, Wethersfield. " Having an easy fortune, he early relinquished the law and devoted himself to the leading interests of society and to general literature. In 1800 he made a public profession of Chris- tianity and in after life the study of theology became his favorite pursuit — in its doctrines as received by the Puri- tans — e^•cr claiming the right of private judgment in its tenets. He was esteemed as a gentleman of literary taste, liberal attainments and philanthropic views of the claims of society, and an ardent patriot in the honor of the country; was a patron of religious institutions and a friend and up- hoKier of the gospel ministry. In the great benevolent ob- jects of the day he was munilicent, in private charity unceas- ing, pro\i(.ling for the destitute after his decease. To his uncommon personal beauty were added the courtliness of dress anil manners of the revolutionary age." (Tribute by Or. Archibald Welch, quoted in History of l/ic Ifilliams I'\iinil\.) He married (i). Sept. 25, 1799, Sophia, daughter of Col. John anil Hannah (Hopkins) Worthington of Spring- ficlil, born Dec. 5. 1765, died May 5, 18 13. To his record of her death her husband added the following: "She was faithful in all things; in the character of a wife was every- thing a kind husband could ask. As a mother she was wise, prudent and aftectionate. The tears of her family and the whole neighborhood witnessed that they had lost a dear frienil. She was a Christian without affectation and with- out superstition." Thcv had issue: John- Worth in* gton', bom Sept. 28, 1802; died Oct. 4. John Worthington', born Nov. 29, 1803; died Aug. 29, 1837. JoJm TForthington JVilliams. 45 Hannah Hopkins^ born Feb. 3, 1805; died, unmarried, Feb. 26, 1846. EzEKiEL Salter', born Nov. 11, 1806; died Jan. 12, 18 16. John Worthington^ the second son of John and Sophia (Worthington) Williams, early exhibited an unusual love of books and in college was called the best belles-lettres scholar of his class. He graduated from Yale College in 1822; studied law in Philadelphia, and began there the prac- tice of his profession. But it was not in accordance with his taste and after a few years he relinquished it, to devote him- self entirely to literature. He had before this attained a high reputation as a writer, contributing to the columns of the Americaji Quarterly Reviezv, and about twelve months before his death had entered upon the chief editorship of the National Gazette of Philadelphia, fully prepared for such duties as demanded great labor and a high order of intel- lect. The following article, written by the associate editor of the American Quarterly Review, will show how his char- acter and attainments were estimated by those who knew him. This Is but one of many testimonies to his character and genius which Issued from the Philadelphia press. All pronounced his early death to have been a severe loss to the city and to the whole country. " The editor of this Review would do injustice to his own feelings and to the cause of literature If he passed over the decease of his late colleague without expressing upon Its pages and In a permanent form his sense of the loss which the community and the Interests of letters have sustained by that event. " Mr. Williams was a prominent example of the eminent reputation which a devotion to learning and the finer accom- plishment of mind will confer. Though in the maturity of his Intellect when disease laid her fatal hand upon him and marked him for speedy dissolution, he had yielded but a short portion of his life to active exertion. Naturally of a frame by no means capable of fatigue, the seductions of lit- erary repose had withheld him, though so capable of instruct- ing and adorning his age, from the vigorous exhibition of his great powers. He lived In comparative retirement; stor- ing his mind with the rich treasures of antiquity, by a resort to the original and pure fountains of classic lore; refining 46 DescenddHts of Ezck'ui WUliums. his taste by the examination and comparison of the gems of literature, both ancient and modern; and poHshing his native energies for their future development, when circumstances should attract him from his retreat. He never sought oppor- tunities for distinction. Perhaps this was a deficiency in his character, when we rellect upon what he might have done for the literary reputation of his country; certainly it was this repugnance to an active and bustling career, to public dis- play and popular excitement, that disqualified him for certain departments of his profession, that of a lawyer, though it fitteil him the better for the post of a critic and a journalist, in which responsible situation, in his closing days, he shone so brightly. " This unobtriisiveness and fondness for study had, how- ever, in Mr. Williams' instance, the good effect of clothing him in ample and perfect armor when he came forth to the conduct of one of the leading journals of our city. His varied learning, his refined taste, his discriminating judgment, the depth and sagacity of his political views, his admirable com- mand of language — all conjoined with a generous amiability of disposition anil a contempt for mere personal virulence and abuse, in which he was never known to indulge, estab- lished lor him, in the short period of se\en months, a repute second to none of its kind in our country. Few will forget his short but brilliant career as editor of the National Ga- zcllr. His townsmen knew the disadvantages under which a young and untried man labored in assuming an editorial chair just \acant by the retirement of a gentleman who had raised the Gazette in question to so high a point of distinc- tion, but they readily perceived that his station was occupied by one umler whose direction no diminution of that distinc- tion was to be feared. There was a boldness and a strength in the political speculations and views of the new editor which excited their admiration equally with the flowers of wit and fancy which he scattered with a profuse hand upon the pages of that journal. "This is not the place in which to speak of Afr. Wil- liams' labors as one of the editor of this Review, in the cause of sound literature and the true principles of political science. His elaborate articles will speak for themselves to all who have the interests of either at heart. We may be permitted John Worthington JViUiams. 47 to say, however, that our departed friend and coadjutor was no sciolist in aught which constituted the perfectly educated gentleman. No merely utilitarian notions directed his ener- gies in the attainment of learning. He was of that true school whose students drink deeply of waters of knowledge, who find in exploring the vast domain of ancient literature pleas- ures which none but those who resort thither can taste, who feel within them the humanizing and refining and ennobling effects of her culture, and the emanations of whose genius, when they handle the pen, exhibit the beautiful proportions of that grace which is at the upmost reach of art. " We may speak, too, of his private virtues, which so endeared him to a wide circle of friends, and which must have so strengthened the ties of a closer relation as to make it almost death to break them. We may speak of the gentle- ness and polish of his manners, of the amiability of his tem- per, of the total absence from his disposition of all envy, hatred or malice. His social qualities were of a high order. His friends will long remember the admirable playfulness and sprightliness of his fancy and the fund of agreeable anec- dote which his extensive reading and keen observation of men and manners supplied. His wit was of the most polished sort, regulated and chastened by a delicate taste, his humor the gentle persuasion to merriment, with naught of the coarseness of buffoonery. He was, in a word, a ripe scholar and an accomplished man. " The lengthened illness of Mr. Williams, while it pro- tracted his pains, afforded him a larger opportunity, which he gladly embraced, of preparation for his final change. He was mercifully spared the sudden stroke of death which so often comes in the warmth of the young blood, when the passions tempt the heart from the contemplation of man's higher destinies. He had time and leisure under a perfect consciousness of his approaching dissolution to compose his thoughts and to bend the powers of his intellect to frequent reflection upon the sacred truths of Christianity. His entire resignation, under the most trying circumstances, to the dis- pensation of Providence, was a consolatory evidence that this reflection brought with it the assurance of hope. To such as leave the shores of time with a calm trust in the guid- ance of a merciful Redeemer, the passage to eternity is but a translation from suffering to glory." 48 Drscenddiits of Kzckifl JrUluims. Mr. Williams married, April 26, 1836, Anne, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Caldwell) Keppele of Philadel- phia, who died Oct. 16, 1853, aged 45. They had one son: John Worth ington", born Feb. 23. 1837; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, 1856; studied law; and during the Civil War ser\'ed for two years. He married Sarah E. Kcyser, liaughter of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (W}man) Keyser of Baltimore. Their children are: Elizabeth Wyman", died early. Samuel S.', died early. Anne Keppele", born July 7, 1866; married, Feb. 12, 1890, John Kearsley Mitchell, M.D., son of Dr. S. Weir and Mary Middlcton (Elwyn) Mitchell, daughter of Dr. Eiwyn of Philadelphia. Their children are: Mary Miduleton'", born Feb. 14, 1894. Sarah Worthixgton'", born July 6, 1896. Sarah Keyser", born Dec. 30, 1872; married James A. Hayard Kane, M.D.. son of Dr. John K. and Mabel (Hayard) Kane of Wilmington, Del.; his father was a nephew of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, U. S. N., the Arctic explorer, and his mother was a daughter of Senator James A. liayard of Delaware and sister of Ambassador Thomas F. IJayard. Their child is: Mabel Bayard'", born April 5, 1905. Jnn\ WII.I.IAMS^ son of Rzckiel, married (2) Jan. i, 1S17, (Mrs.) Mary Silliman, widow of Rev. Ebenezer Silli- man of Amsterdam, N. Y. She was born in Windham, Conn., Nov. 16, 1784, daughter of Col. Thomas and Eliza- beth (Ripley) Dyer, and granddaughter of Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, all of Windham. She died Aug. 12, 1859. They had issue : Tho>l\s Scott', born Nov. 20, 1818; died, unmarried, Sept. 17, 1842. Esther Sophla', born May 19, 1820; died, unmarried. Mar. 18, 1847. Mary Dyer', born Feb. 10, 1822; died Nov. 21, 1905. Henry Sh.liman,' born June 2, 1824; died Aug. 29, 1825. Elizabeth H^rne', born Mar. 10, 1828; died Dec. 4, 1906. Thomas Scott', eldest child of John and Mary (Dyer) Williams, graduated at Yale College, 1838, studied law with his uncle, Hon. Thomas Scott Williams of Hartford, and Sophia JrUliams. 49 at Harvard University. He had just commenced the prac- tice of his profession in Hartford when his sudden death brought the deepest sorrow upon his family and friends and excited a painful shock and a wide sympathy throughout the state as well as in the city and his native town. Rowing for pleasure with a friend upon Little (now Park) River, they incautiously came too near the dam of the saw-mill, were drawn into the rapid current and both drowned. The bodies were reco\'ered and that of Thomas laid with his fathers. A friend wrote of him as follows: " To those who knew Williams we need say nothing to remind them of the vigor, of the abilitv and independence of character which he ex- hibited on ail occasions. He had a mental strength which promised to make an impress on the sphere of his action had he attained to the average years of man. There are those among us who knew him well and favorably in his college life. They knew his well-earned reputation as a scholar, his powers of mental concentration, and the firm and inde- pendent tone of feeling which characterized all his Inter- course. His relations are not alone in their sorrow at his untimely death. He moved in a large circle of acquaint- ances in this city, who loved him when living, and who will delight to cherish his memory now that he is dead. What would we not have given could we have stood between him and death!" — From The Hartford Coiirant, September 18, 1842. He was nearly 24 years old and unmarried. Esther Sophia^ second child and eldest daughter of John and Mary (Dyer) Williams, was an unusually bright and spirited girl, of ardent, energetic temperament and devotedly attached to those she loved. In childhood she evinced great taste and skill in all kinds of feminine handi- work and later the same taste was exhibited in her keen sense of the beautiful and love of it as it appeared in nature, literature and art. More highly still did she appre- ciate moral beauty and aspire after its attainment. Fre- quent and long illnesses, while they scarcely checked her vivacity, chastened and refined her character and led to the constant contemplation of spiritual realities in which her faith was undoubting, and she found rich compensa- tion for all the enjoyments of which the loss of health de- prived her. Her beauty and grace charmed the stranger 50 Dcsccndanls of Ezekicl jriU'uims. and a fuller acquaintance was sure to call forth admiration and love, 'ihe sudden death of her brother produced a shock from which she ne\er recovered and the death of her eldest sister, still later, severely affected her. Full of life and energy, those about her did not realize the extreme delicacy of her frame and restrain her activity or shield her from the se\erity of our winters at a time when these precautions mi^ht have saved her life. Consumption tinally settled upon her and no rernedial skill was of any avail to arrest the progress of the disease. She suffered much from it and from the remedies employed scarcely less; yet she often said that the last year of her life was the happiest, and it was a common remark of those who visitcil her sick-room that it was the pleasantest place in town. She never lost her fine taste or thought it any sin to enjoy flowers, books and pictures and to arrange them in the most attractive manner. But her sweet, ani- iTiated countenance, her conversation, now sparkling with a reatlv wit, now serious and earnest, but always glowing with intelligence and love, were what gave to the room its chiefest charm and made it so desolate when she was taken from it. One evening we left her, not thinking that her last night on earth had come. When we were called to her side, before the morning dawned, she could not speak to us, but the good friend who had kindly watched with her told us afterward that a little while before she had said to her, "Miss N.. I love you and I love everybody and I love God"; and so, with a spirit attuned to its harmonies, she passcil frorii earth to hca\en. .M.\KV Dvi.K', second daughter and third child of John^ ami Mary (Dyer) Williams, married July 9, 1845, ^^^'• Charles Backus, son of Rev. Allen and Sally (Pratt) Mc- Lean of Collinsville, Conn., born in Simsbury, Aug. 23, 1 81 5. He gratluated at Yale, 1.S36; was for more than twcntv-two years pastor of the Congregational Church in Collins\"ilIe, where he was ordained I-eb. 7, 1844; resigned in the spring of 1866 on account of failing health, and after a long and painful illness died in Wcthersfield, Oct. 29, 1873. His long pastorate and the high esteem and strong affection which his people always manifested toward him McLean. 5 1 and still retain, in spite of separation and death, testify to the excellence of his character, his winning qualities and his faithful service. [Mrs. Mary D. McLean, the compiler of this record, was a woman of unusual mental powers, wide sympathies and affections, and of great activity in the communities in which she lived. As a pastor's wife In Collinsville she performed her duties with energy and scrupulous conscientiousness and won from old and young a love and devotion that she retained long after she had removed from among them. In 1866 she returned to Wethersfield, the place of her birth, living with her younger sister in the house built by her father in 1831, and, except for a trip to California in 1871 and another to England In 1877, she remained there till her death in 1905. Afflicted by deafness, which in later years became serious, and toward the end of her life by rheumatism, which made walking difficult, she was in a measure cut off from the outside world and had more frequent recourse to her pen. Her correspondence was wide-reaching and probably few repre- sentatives of the family whose record she kept were better known to its members than she. Her advice and knowl- edge were widely sought, particularly in genealogical mat- ters, for she was a recognized authority on what pertained not only to the family of Williams, but to the kindred families of Dyer, Stoddard, Chester, etc. She was an ad- mirable conversationalist and a delightful story-teller, and her anecdotes of old Wethersfield people, their histories and oddities, will long linger in the minds of those who' heard them. Her generosity was limited only by her means, and her unfailing interest in the lives of her nephews, nieces, and cousins, her husband's as well as her own, was provocative of deep loyalty to her from all of them. She was devoted to the interests of the Congrega- tional Church, of which she was a member, and as long as health permitted was cooperative in Its affairs. Even to the last, when able, she attended service, though she could not hear a word that was spoken. She was a wide and intel- ligent reader, familiar with the current topics of the day and alwavs shrewd and keen In the discussion of them. Few people of her time and generation have left stronger Impres- 52 Descendauls of Ezekicl ll'illuuns. sions of a remarkable personality upon the minds of those who came into contact with her than has she. The following obituary notice was printed after her death: " An 'elect latly ' — the partial judgment of a kinsman may be pardoned for thinking the elect lady — of Weth- crsfield will be henceforth only a name and a memory; a fragrant memory to many, an honored name to more. Mary Dyer .McLean ' fell on sleep ' Nov^ 21st, in the home where her youth was nurtured and to which she returned after a score of years spent in the pretty manse at CoUinsville as wife of Rew Charles B. INIcLean and his faithful and efficient helper. " Daughter of John and Mary (Dyer) Williams, and having in her veins the blood of these families, as of the Chesters, Stoddards, Porters, and others honored in New England, she proved a loyal and worthy descendant. To graces of person and intellect was added a moral character, deepened and enriched by the discipline of disappointment antl berea\ement. Largely shut off, for most of her life, by increasing deafness from society, which she enjoyed and was so well fitted to adorn, she found compensation in books and writing. Her firm, even chirography, literar\' finish, keen sense of humor, warm affection antl devout spirit, made her a valued correspondent. Childless herself, she acted the mother's part to not a few orphans, and has had satisfaction in noting their success, as in the respect and love which they and their children have cherished toward her. Better versed in the traditions of the town and in the annals of her own ami other tamilies than perhaps any other, she has for years put her stores of intoniiation at the disposal of any seeker, — a labor of love on her part, but a labor none the less, espe- cially of late. While strength permitted she felt it a privi- lege to worship in the old church which had been the spiritual home of her ancestors and the scene of her own espousals. Of late, the eyes that had served her so long and well gave token of failure. " lUit He. who is better than our fears, spared her that trial, and in the glory of the autumn called her to come up higher where the eyes of the blind are opened to see the King in his beauty, and the ears of the deaf unstopped to hear the melody of the redeemed. As the shadows began to lengthen I ^1 AndreiLS. 53 Thursday afternoon, the hands of kinsmen bore the body to Its burial in the rural cemetery behind the church, attended by a company of kindred, neighbors, and friends, on foot, while the bells tolled the years — fourscore and more — of another of the Father's children welcomed to the 'many mansions.' "] Elizabeth Byrne", third daughter and youngest child of John and Mary Dyer Williams, married, as his second wife, July 21, 1858, Rev. William Watson Andrews, son of Rev. William and Sarah (Parkhill) Andrews, born, Wind- ham, Feb. 26, 1 8 10; graduated Yale College, 1831; was : pastor of the Congregational Church in Kent, Conn., from ' May, 1834, to May, 1849; since which time, until his death, Oct. 17, 1897, pastor and evangelist in the Catholic Apos- tolic Church, residing in Wethersfield. They had issue : Mary Williams', born, Wethersfield, May 29, i860. Charles McLean", born, Wethersfield, Feb. 22, 1863; graduated Trinity College, 1884; Ph.D. Johns Hopkins Uni- versity, 1889; Professor of History, Bryn Mawr College, 1889- 1907; ibid J Johns Hopkins University, 1907; married, June 19, 1895, Evangeline Holcombe, daughter of Dr. John Crawford and Laura Marlon (Se}'mour) Walker of Indianapolis. Their children are: Ethel', born, Bryn Mawr, May 30, 1897. John Williams', born, Br>'n Mawr, Nov. 10, 1898. Elizabeth Parkhill*, born, Wethersfield, Sept. 9, 1868. 54 Descendants of Ezekiel Williams. HARRIETS Born June 26, 1764. Died June 5, 1850. Second daughter and third child of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) Williams, married, Nov. 24, 1785, Rev. David Parsons, D.D., for about thirty years pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Amherst, Mass. He died in Wethers- field, at the age of 74 years, May 18, 1823, while on a visit. For some account of his life and a brief delineation of his most striking character, see Sprague's Annals, II, p. 120. The children were: Ezekiel', born Feb. 16, 1787; died in New York City, Nov. 9, 1868. David', born June 10, 1788; died June 17, 1872. Prudence', born Dec. 24, 1789; died in Dunkirk, Mar. 16, 1881. Thomas', born Oct. 10, 1791; died Aug. 21, 1832. Harriet', born Aug. 6, 1793; died May 21, 1874. Fraxces', born Feb. 16, 1795; died Man 9, 1861. Mary', born Dec. 8, 1796; died Sept. 29, 1876. Caroline', born Sept. 15, 1798, died, unmarried, Jan. 5, 1820. Soi'hia', born Aug. 8. 1800; died Feb. 26, 1880. William', born Oct. 30, 1802; died, unmarried, April 18. 1830. James', born Nov. 15, 1804; died Sept. 3, 1833. Ezekiel", the first child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, became a physician and settled in Colchester, Conn. He married, June 17, 1822, Sarah Clark, daughter of Ezra and Eunice (Foote) Clark of Colchester, who died Dec. 7, 1864. They had issue: Harriet Williams*, born Mar. 3, 1829; married, June 21, 1853, Joseph Jauncey Outerbridge Brown, a lawyer in New York City, who died May 6, 1894. They had issue: Sarah Louise", born Sept. 29, 1854; married, June 7, 1882. E!d\\in Langdon, born In Southington, Conn., Jan. 29, 1848. Mr. Langdon is a lawyer in New York city. Parsons. Brozvn. ^^ Elizabeth Agnes", born April 17, 1856; married, June 17, 1884, Hubert Alan Kingsbury, born April i, 1856, died Sept. 24, 1 89 1. They had issue. Frances Davenport'", born April 26, 1885; died the same day. Lois Evelyn'", born Mar. 5, 1887; died of heart disease and pneumonia, April 4, 1898. Helen Jauncey'", born Sept. 9, 1890. Ralph David Parsons^ homeopathic physician, born May 30, 1862; married (i), in 1887, Tasheline Little of Hartford; divorced, Mrs. Brown, marrying Col. Early, and after a second divorce, 1900, Mr. Jarvis. One child: Carol Jauncey Outerbridge'". Mr. Brown married (2), 1903 (4?), Anne Geer of Denver, Colorado. One daughter: Gwendoline'", born June, 1906. Edgar Ronald Ketchum", born Dec. i, 1863; law- yer. New York ; unmarried. Caroline Sophia', born Oct. 8, 1820; married, June 22, 1858, William Russel, a merchant in New York City. One child : Sarah Rebecca", born Nov. 8, 1863; unmarried. Mary Salter^ born Nov. 16, 1836; died June 22, 1842. David^, the second child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, settled in Amherst, Mass. He was a jeweler and machinist. Married (i), Jan. 31, 18 16, his second cousin, Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Edward Williams of East Hartford, and granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Wil- liams of that place; born at East Hartford, March 5, 1789; died Oct. 5, 1844. David Parsons married (2) Dec. 16, 1845, (Mrs.) Lucy (Chapman) Howell of Hartford, who died, Clinton, Conn., April 24, 1878. The children by the first wife were : Edward Williams', born Dec. 28, 1816; married, Nov. 28, 1839, Caroline Matilda Stebbins, daughter of Jonathan and Catherine (Coates) Stebbins, born, Newport, R. L, Mar. 13, 1816, of Longmeadow, Mass. He was prominent in Hartford as a man of business and held many responsible positions ; for many years he was president of the Connecticut Life Insurance Company; died Sept. 25, 1898. Their children are: Elizabeth Williams", born, Amherst, Dec. 7, 1840; married Nov. 20, 1866. Frederick Elizur Goodrich, son of Elizur Tryon and Mary (Beach) Goodrich, of Hart- Dcsccudauts of Ezckicl JFUUams. ford. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich reside in Boston, where he is editor of the Boston Post. Their children are: Uavid Parsons'", born June 14, 1863; married at Hartford, Oct. 14. 1902, Clementine Keagy. Harold Beach'", born April 14, 1870; married, Sept. 30, 1902. Jessie Weir of Nova Scotia. Theodora Carolixe'", born Mar. 10, 1874. Charles Henry", born April 17, 1843; married (i) Oct. 17, 1807, Marj' Adelaide Mortimer, daujjhter of Benjamin and Eliza (Diiryea) Mortimer of Brooklvn, N. \., born at New Brunswick, N. J.; died Mar. 7. 1888. (2) Nov. 12, 1890, Mrs. Charlotte Mortimer Reminfzton, a sister of his first wife. Children by the first wife are: Charley Adelaide'", horn Oct. 4, 1869; married Francis Marion Pinkney. One son: Louis Mortimer", born Feb. 11, 1903. Louis Mortimer'", born Nov. 25, 1870. ^^\REL'', born Sept. 3, 1877. ALadeline'", born July 2. 1880. Caroline Stebbins", born Oct, 13, 1849; died in Hart- ford. Mar. 2, 1 88 1, unmarried. Caroline Miranda', born Feb. 6, 1819; married, April 19. 1842. William F. Church, son of Uriah and Ph(rbe Church of Middlefield. ^L-lss. Mr. Church left his home while \et a bo\', living some jears in Amherst, Mass., aftenvard in New \ ork City, and finally in Cincinnati, where he was in active business as an insurance apent for forty years, and built up for himself a reputation " as a clear-minded conscientious business man and upright citizen." In 1872 was appointed state com- missioner of insurance for Ohio where he organized the depart- ment of insurance. He died in Huntington. ^Lass.. near his native town, Oct. 15, 1892. Mrs. Church died at North Egre- mont, ALiss., Oct. i, 1903. Charles Henry', horn Dec. i. 1821 ; died June. 1898, at Washington; married Jan. 5, i8s2. Sarah, daughter of Ezekiel and Bethiah (Merriam) (Hall) Rice of West Meriden, Conn. They had issue: Ellen Rice", born, Cleveland, O., Jan. 7, 1853; died Oct. 19, same year. Francis Henry", born. Cleveland, Jan. 2},. 1855; married at Washington. D. C. June 3, 1880, Sophia Fisher. Their children are: AuRELiA Blair'", born April 20; died Dec. 27, 1885. Alice Francis'", born Jan. 12, 1887. Parsons. Fiske. 57 Charles Edward", born Sept. 6, i88g. EzEKiEL William', born May 28, 1825; married, Sept. 7, 1 85 1, at Lx)well, Mass., to Aurelia Rebecca Chamberlain, died Jan. 7, 1864; jeweler in Quincy, 111., died Nov. 25, 1863. One daughter: Carrie May", born May i, 1854; died Dec. 26, 1861. Elizabeth Barnard^ born Dec. 14, 1827; married, Nov. 22, 1848, Charles Moore, merchant in Ware, Mass., who died May 3. 1876; she died. New Braintree, Mass., Aug. 17, igo2. Harriet Sophia*, born Oct. 31, 1830; principal of Brad- burn School, Cleveland, O. ; died, Washington, D. C, Dec. 8, 1893. Naxcy Porter", born Mar. g, 1833; married July 26, 1855,. William Fiske, son of Rev, John Fiske, D,D,, and Betsey (Mel- len) Fiske, of New Braintree, Mass., who died at Newark,. N, J,, Mar. 10, 1894; she died at Jamaica Plains, Mass., Nov. ig, igo6. Their children are: Grace Parsons'', born April 13, i85g; adopted in place of an infant who died at birth and was about the same age; married Mr. Marsh. John Percy", born Jan. 12, 1862; died September of same year. Parnelle Coan^ born June 26, 1864; unmarried. James Mellen^ born June 16, 1868; died Aug. 27th of same year. William Perry', born, Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. g, i86g; married, June 16, ig02, Ruth Robey Tucker of Jamaica Plains. They have two children : Elizabeth Fiske'", born, Sharon, Mass., Oct. 7, igo3. Nancy Fiske", born Dec. 17, igo4. Edward PARSONS^ born. Brooklyn, N. Y., July 11,. 1872; died Sept. i8th of the same year. PRUDENCE^ eldest daughter and third child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, married, Oct. 7, 1823, Rev. Marcus Smith, a native of Dorchester, Mass. He was a graduate of Middlebury College, 18 18, and Andover Theo- logical Seminar}', 1821, and settled in Rensselaersville, N. Y.; died July i, 1871. They had issue: David Parsons', born June 21, 1824; died Jan. 31, 1834. Samuel Moseley', born Feb. g, 1826; graduated at the Albany ^ledical College, i84g, married, Mar, 4, 1869, Sarah 58 Descendiints of Ezckiel ff'ilUams. Cummins Carlisle of Lancaster, N. H.; resided, Dunkirk, N. Y.; died April, 1889. Marcis W'ithivc.tox, born Jan. 23, 1838; married, Oct. 9, 1850, Fannie Caroline Hitchcock. Their children arc: Francis Parsons", born Aug;. 3, 1854; married Oct. 19, 1878, Sarah Hawkins; died Jan. 7, 1881. Child: Fran'chs Caroline'", tx^rn Oct. 10, 1879. Helen Antoinette", born Aug. 19. 1857; married. Dec. 25, 1875, Robert Golden. Edward Newell", born May 7, i860. Robert Wvnkoop", born Sept. 3, 1867. Francis Brown', born Nov. 12, 1829; died Dec. 24, 1830. Tllo.\i.\s\ third son and fourth child of Harriet Wil- liams and David Parsons, married, March 18, 1822, Frances Catherine Chappell of New London, Conn., w'ho died Aug., 1865. He was a merchant in New London, and died In Colchester, Aug. 21, 1832. They had issue: A daughter", born and died in 1823. A son\ born and died in 1824. Harriet Williams', born Jan. 8, 1825; died, unmarried, June 4, 1856. Richard Chappel\ born Oct. 10, 1827; married, Nov. 11. 1 85 1. Sarah Starkweather, daughter of Hon. Samuel and Julia Starkweather of Pawtucket ; prominent in political life, holding many important offices, such as marshal of the United States Supreme Court, member of Congress, 1872, for Twentieth Dis- trict of Ohio, etc.; resided in Cleveland; died . Their children were: Julia STARKWEATHER^ born ^L\v 4. 1854. Richard Chappel", born Oct. 29, 1858. Fanny", born Dec. 3, i8b6; died Mar. 3, 1868. Marian Leeds", born Sept. 10. 1829; married (i) Oct. 20, 1849, George Hinsdale Hurritt of New Britain, Conn., who died June 20, 1873. l^he\ had one daughter and two sons. who died at the ages of two. three and sixteen respectively. She married (2), April 30, 1877, Abel Denison Breed, merchant and manufacturer of New "V'ork City, who died Dec. 24. 1888. She died Nov. 16. 1896. William Williams', born Mar. 3, 1831; died unmarried, ^Lny 14. 1853. Harrii-t", seconil daughter and fifth child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, married, Aug. 8, 1827, Rev. Washburn. Parsons. 59 Royal Washburn, graduate of Vermont University, 1820, and of Andover Theological Seminary, 1824, pastor of the First Congregational Church In Amherst from 1826 until his death In January, 1833. Their children were: John Henry", born, Amherst, Oct. 27, 1828; educated Amherst Academy, Wllliston Seminary, Amherst College, 1849; read law, Rutland, Vt., and Granville, N. Y. ; married, Oct. 17. 1853, Jane Ives, who died Oct. 21, 1898; entered service of Home Insurance Co., New York City, of which he became president in 1901, resigned 1904; an efficient and trusted leader in some of the most important religous enterprises of the day. One son : William Ives', born Aug. 30, 1854; married. May 15, 1882, Carrie W. Fisher. Their children are: Grace Ives/" born Sept. 13, 1884; unmarried. William Ives, Jr.", born May 24. 1887. Natalie Fisher"*, born May 27, 1895; died Dec. 17, 1895. William Parsons', born April 15, 1830; married, Macon, Georgia, 1864 (i) (Mrs.) Ruth Marion (Brown) Leonard, who died Oct. 14. 1877; (2) (Mrs.) Eliza J. Maynard, Nov. 5, 1880; highly esteemed and prosperous, a confederate colonel, lawyer, judge, Sunday School superintendent, elder in the Pres- byterian Church, having one of the finest estates (at Knoxville) in eastern Tennessee; died Feb. 9, 1904. Children by second wife who is still living: Mary Parsons', born June 29, 1882; died Jan. 24, 1885. William Parsons', born July 30, 1885. Francis^ the fourth son and sixth child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, graduated at Yale College. 1 8 16, and established himself as a lawyer In Hartford. " He was judge of the County Court and held many positions of trust and responsibilty, but for the most part avoided po- litical life. He married Dec. 23, 1829, Clarissa Brown, daughter of William Brown, formerly of Hartford, who died March 16, 1866; he died March 9, 1861. She was a ver}^ superior woman, highly esteemed by all the relatives of her husband, and many now living hold her In grateful and affectionate remembrance. Their children were: John Caldwell", born June 3, 1832; graduated Yale Col- lege, 1855; lawyer in Hartford, and like his father held many I 6o Descendants of Ezekiel JFUUams. positions of trust and responsibility; chairman Board of Street Commissioners of Hartford, 1 872-1880; in command of First Company, Governor's Foot Guards, 1875-1877; married, April 7, 1870, Mar>- McClcllan, daujihter of Dr. Samuel and Mar- garet (Fly) McClcllan of Philadelphia, who died Jan. 22. 1871; he died March 11, 1898; esteemed, beloved, and deeply lamented. One son: Franxis", born Jan. 13, 1871 ; graduated Yale College.. 1893; Yale Law School, 1897; on Gov. Lounsburj^'s Staff as assistant quartermaster-general with rank of colonel, 1 899- 1 900; married, June 22, 1897, Flizabeth Alden Hutchins, daughter of Robert Ambrose and Georgiana Alden Hutchins of Brandon, \'t., born Feb. 6, 1872. Their children are: * Marv". born May 13, 1898. John Caldwell"', born April 26, 1900. Franxis'", born Sept. 14, 1906; died Sept. 16, 1906- ^ Marv Hooki:r\ born Feb. 2, 1835; married, June 6, 1866, Captain W'atscjn Webb of the United States Army, who died Dec. 3. 1876. They had issue: Franxis Parsons", born Sept. 26, 1868. Hrn.i-N Lispenard", born Sept. 23, 1870; married Law- son Averell Carter; died Cooperstown. N. Y., May I2, 1896. One child: Lawson Averell Lispenard", born ALay 12, 1896; died the same day. Jane CiiESTER\ born Oct. 4, 1839; died Jan. 9, 1843. Elizabeth Scott", born June 14, 1842; married, Feb. 26, 1864, Capt. John Worthington Newton, born Aug., 1834, graduate of the University of \'ermont, 1857, who died Jan.. 1905; she died in Hartford, Feb. 26,. 1905. They adopted a daughter in infancy: Harriet Worthington", born Nov. 9, 1866; married, Jime 5. 1889, Dr. Arthur Bosanko of Colorado, who was born Nov. 25, 1855, and died Nov. 23, iSgs. One child: Paul Bosanko'", born Aug. 19, 1891. ^ Marv', third daughter and seventh child of Harriet WiIIiaiTis and David Parsons, married her cousin, Rev. William Williams of Salem, Mass. Cakoi.ink", fourth daughter and eighth child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, died unmarried, Jan. 5, 1820. Sophia P.\i.mi:k\ fifth daughter and ninth child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, married as second Parsons. 6 1 wife, Rev. Silas Aiken, D.D. of Boston, Mass., May 24, 1837. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, 1825; tutor for three years; ordained at Amherst, N. H., March 4, 1829; pastor of Park Street Church, Boston; removed in 1847 to Rutland, Vt., where he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church and remained until his death, April 7, 1869. Their children were : Henry Homes*, born Jan. 26, 1843; died Sept. i, 1846. Harriet Sophia^ born Jan. 12, 1848. William', fifth son and tenth child of Harriet Williams and David Parsons, entered Amherst College with the class of 1825 but left before graduation, and studied medicine Avith the celebrated physician. Dr. Samuel B. Woodward of Wethersfield. He died unmarried, April 18, 1830, in Canaan, Conn., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession. James', sixth son and youngest child of Harriet Wil- liams and David Parsons, graduated at Amherst College in 1830; became a lawyer; married April 5, 1832, Mary Eliza Lewis of Forsyth, Georgia, who died at Monteagle, Tenn., June 26, 1905. Their children were: Francis WASHBURN^ born Jan. 5, 1833; married, June 11, 1862, Sarah Paine Hervey, who died Mar. i, 1884. They had issue : Hervey", born Mar. 8, 1863; died May 16, 1866. Harriet Hale', born Feb. i, 1866; married at Ded- ham, Mass, Dec. 13, 1893, George W. Oakes of Savannah, Georgia. Eliza Lewis", born May 6, 1869. James', born May 5, 1834, several months after the death of his father; married, Feb. 26, 1874, Mary Fisher Norris, daughter of Dr. George W. Norris of Philadelphia, who died in 1894; he was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1857 and elected Professor of Law in the University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 3, 1874; died of pneumonia, Philadelphia, Mar. 22. 1900. Their children are: Lewis Hines", born April 30, 1876; unmarried. Mary Norris'', born 1881 ; unmarried. 62 Descendants of Ezek'icl JFUUams. EZEKIEL«. Born Dec. 29, 1765. Died Oct. 18, 1843. Second son and fourth child of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) WilHams, graduated at Yale College, 1785. He married Abigail Ellsworth, eldest daughter of Hon. Oliver and Abigail (AVolcott) Ellsworth, born at Windsor, Aug. 1774, and died Feb. 26, i860. Mr. Williams was for many years engaged in business in Hartford. They had one son : Oi.iVKR Ellsworth", born April 19, 1796; graduated Yale College, 18 16; lawyer by profession and resident of Hartford; married April 25, 18 19, Elizabeth Barker Croade, daughter of Nathaniel Croade of North Prov- idence, R. I., who died March, 1874, aged 74; he died June, i87(j. I heir children were: Ellkn\ born June 25, 1820; married Cornelius Vanderbilt, son of Commodore \'anderbilt. Mar. 25. 1872. Elizabeth Chanxixg', born Oct. 18, 1821; died, un- married, Au^. 31, 1865. Mar^- Howard', born April 17, 1830; died in Wethersfield, Nov. 20. 1890. Augusta Hart", born Mar. 31, 1841; resides in Hartford. Howard. 63 PRUDENCES Born Oct. 2, 1767. Died Mar. 24, 1853. Third daughter and fifth child of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) WiUiams, married May 12, 1790, Rev. Bezaleel Howard, D.D., who was born at Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 22, 1753; graduated at Harvard College, 1 781; studied theology under Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Gay of Hingham, Mass. In 1703 he was appointed tutor at Cambridge and held the office until he was invited, in the autumn of 1784, to become the pastor of the First Church in Springfield, Mass. (Was ordained to this office, April, 1785). In 1803 his health failed and his voice was so seriously affected that he was never able to preach afterward, but he con- tinued to be the pastor of the church until the year 1809, when a successor was appointed and " the grateful and af- fectionate regards of his people followed him to retired life." He died Jan. 20, 1837. For very interesting sketches of his life and character see Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit. Of Mrs. Howard (Prudence Williams) one of these sketches says, " She was a most gentle being, of very calm exterior and almost unfit to cope with the harsher world without. When the writer first saw her she and her husband sat side by side, at the dinner table with their children around them, her face bearing the remains of great beauty. One charm she retained to the last, her soft hazel dovelike eye. After his death she lived quietly on in the room so long consecrated by prayers and pious conversation, with- drawing more and more from a world she never cared to mingle with. She found her chief solace in the Bible, in holy hymns, prayers and alms; for like her husband, she was a ready and cheerful giver. Death came to her in the gentlest form. She had a severe cold, but they scarcely considered her in a dangerous condition. Her son was in the room with her and his daughters too, who watched her ^4 Descendants of Ezekiel JJ'ilUams. with the tenderest care. Thou^^h her life had so long been a preparation for death, she had never lost her dread of the last conBict, but in its near approach she had no terror; for she passed away in a gentle slumber and so God ' gave His beloved sleep.'" Re\-. Dr. Sprague a near neighbor and friend says, " Mrs. Howard who was a highly intel- ligent and benevolent lady died on the 24th of March, 1853." The children of Prudence Williams and Dr. Bezalcel Howard were: John', born 1791; died Oct. 24, 1849, aged 58 years, 6 months. Charles', born Mar. 21, 1794: died Sept. 18, 1875. Margaret', born 1792; died Dec. 9, 1810. EzEKiEi.', born Dec. 27, 1796: died at Salem. Feb. 5, 1818. when a senior in Harvard College. John', eldest son of Prudence Williams and Rev. Dr. Howard, graduated at Yale College, 18 10; was a lawyer by profession, but chiefly occupied in the care of large financial concerns in which he held important offices. He married, Dec. 18, 1 8 18, Mary Stoddard, daughter of Col. Thomas and Hannah ( Worthington) Dwight of Springfield, a very superior woman greatly admired and beloved. She was born Jan. 26, 1792, and died in Springfield July 20, 1836. Mr. Howarcl was a very prominent citizen of Springfield and his death was greatly lamented by the community at large. Their children were: Hannah Worthington', horn Aug. 12, 1821; married as his second wife, April 18. 1844, William Henrj- Swift, son of Dr. Foster and Deborah (Delano) Swift of Boston, a captain in the United States Army, corps of topographical engineers. They had no children. ^Iargaret', born May n, 1823; married, May, 1853 (?). Charles William Swift, a step-son of her sister Hannah. She died in [.(indon. April 22, 1 893. They had issue: Mary Howard", born 1857; married (i), Feb., 1887, Alfred St. Johnston of Birmingham, England, who died in 1890 or 1 89 1. One son: Adrian"', born 1889. She married (2) Robert Falconer Macdonald, son of the novelist, George Macdonald. Josephine Louisa', born i860. Stoeckl. Howard. 65 Frances Ames", born April 5 (or 20), 1825; resides with her younger sister in Paris. Eliza Wetmore', born May 3 or 6, 1826; married, Jan, 2, 1856, Edward de Stoeckl, secretary of the Russian Legation at Washington, 1844- 1854, charge d'affaires, 1 849-1 851, min- ister, 1 854- 1 869. M. de Stoeckl was also a privy councillor of the Russian Empire. In 1867 he negotiated and signed the treaty by which Russia ceded Alaska to the United States. In 1869 he left the diplomatic service and resided in Paris until his death, Jan. 26, 1892, at the age of 87. Mme. de Stoeckl lives at 3 Rue de Logelbach, Paris. One son: Alexander de Stoeckl", born Jan. i, 1862; entered the diplomatic service in 1879, and after some years in Russia was appointed attache to the Russian Embassy in London. In 1897 he was attached as equery to the Grand Duke Michael Mihaelovitch. He is a chamberlain of H. M. the Emperor Nicholas II with the rank of coun- cillor of state. In 1892 he married Miss Barron and they have one daughter: Loia"', born in 1893. Charles'^, second son of Prudence Williams and Rev. Dr. Howard, was a merchant and manufacturer, and from 1829 to 1 841 paymaster at the U. S. Armory in Springfield. Later, 1 846-1 849, he was an officer in the Custom House, Boston. He married (i), 18 18, Anna McCarthy, daughter of Eben H. Williams of Deerfield, Mass., who died in 1822, leaving no children; (2), Elizabeth Buckminster, daughter of Col. Thomas Dwight and sister of the wife of his brother John; born Feb. 18, 1801, died Oct. 7, 1855. The mother of these sisters was a daughter of Col. Worth- ington and sister of the first wife of John Williams'' of Wethersfield (see ante). Of Elizabeth Buckminister (Dwight) Howard it was said, " she was one of the wisest and wittiest women in Springfield's social annals." Many now living have such delightful memories of her cheerful presence and entertaining stimulating conversation as to think that her dear friend Mrs. Joseph Lyman of North- ampton scarcely exaggerated, when on her return from a visit in Springfield, she said, " It's worth a guinea a minute to be with Betsey." Of Hon. Charles Howard a local paper said, " He has been a man of good health and happy life; he lived long and simply. He died because he had 66 Desccudiuiis of Ezekiel WilUams. got through, without serious or prolonged sickness, with his chiklrcn around him and with an intelligent wish to go. Vov himself there is no occasion to regret; for us we must all feel the loss of one of the great and most interesting historic monuments of the town." The children of Charles and Elizabeth B. Howard were: LuciNDA Orxe", born Mar, 8, 1825; associated with her sisters Sophia and Katharine in the charge of a boarding and day school for young ladies, which the editor of the Spritifrfield Ri publican said was " one of our great local prides." It is now the McDuffie School. She died, after an illness of but a few days, Jan. 24, 1899. Thomas Dwight", born Dec. 25, 1826, a graduate of Har- vard College; connected with several philanthropic enterprises and for many years pastor of a Unitarian church in Charles- town, N. H. Now retired and living in Springfield. He mar- ried, June 8, 1854, Sarah A. Platon of Perry, Maine, daughter of David and Margaret (Buhner) Eaton, who was born at Eastport, Maine, 1831, and died in Charlestown, Nov. 13, 1898, aged 68. Elizabeth Bridge", born Dec. 17, 1828; married, Oct. 16, 1856, William Shaw Tiffany, artist, son of Osmond and Anna (Siiaw) Tiffany, of Baltimore; now residing in New York; she died July 12, 1900. They had issue: Osmond Checklev". born in Baltimore, Nov. 26, 1858; died Nov. 27 or 28, i8(j2. Elizabeth Dwight", born in Bristol, R. I., June i, 1861; married, June 26, 1884, Charles Richardson Dil- worth of Pittsburg; died at Savin Rock, New Haven, Dec, 1 89 1. Charles Howard", born in Northampton, Sept. 26, 1863; traffic manager of the West Virginia Paper 5: Pulp Co. ; now residing in New York. Robert Shaw", born in Binghamton, Feb. 11, 1872; died in August of the same year. Sophia Worth ington", born Jan. 26, 183 1; one of the three sisters in charge of the school before mentioned. Now liv- ing in Springfield. Katharine Lathrop", born Feb. 24, 1833; in charge, as principal, of the school for young ladies; died Dec. i, 1897. A volume of her letters written from Europe, 1 869-1 871 has been published. Mary Dwight", born Oct. 12, 1835; married, Oct 31, i860, Alexander Edward Andrews, son of Rev. Dr. Edward and Andrews. Hayward. 67 Elizabeth (Harper) Andrews of Blnghamton, N. Y., who graduated at Hobart College, 1853; was recorder of the City of Binghamton, 1 867-1 874; member of New York legislature, 1878, 1880; a lawyer and real estate agent in Binghamton; she died Sept. 26, 1904. Their children are: Charles Howard", born Nov, 22, 1861 ; married in i8go, Clara Redd; he is a druggist in Brooklyn, N. Y. Their children are: Alexander Howard'", born Aug. 23, 1890. Earl Robin", born Nov. 13, 1892. Edward Augustine", born Sept. 21, 1863; married his first cousin, Margaret G. Hayward^ daughter of Sarah B. (Howard) and James Warren Haj^ward, June 8, 1901. Their children are: Elizabeth Howard'", born June 15, 1902. Emily Hayward'", born Mar. 13, 1904; died Mar, 27, 1906. Robert Harper^ born April 7, 1868; died a week after. James Hayward", born Dec, 28, 1871 ; married, June, 1897, Louise Ely Hagerman, born May, 1875. Helen Wright", born Sept. 29, 1875; married, July 14, 1906, Dr. George Hopkinson, born Oct. 20, 1873. Sarah Bancroft\ born Sept. 13, 1838; married, Dec. 25, 1866, James Warren Haj^ward, son of James Thatcher and Sarah (Dawes) Hayward, Roxbur>^ Resided in Roxbury, later in Cambridge. Their children are: Emily Howard", born Aug. 30, 1867. Margaret Greenleaf", born Oct, 7, 1869; married her first cousin, Edward A. Andrews". Nathan", born Aug. 27, 1872; graduated Harvard University, 1895, and Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, 1897; general contract agent. Bell Telephone Co., Philadelphia; married, April 30, 1907, Anna Howell Lloyd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Malcolm Lloyd of Philadelphia, DwiGHT Hayward', died in early childhood. Emily Williams*', born Dec. 21, 1840; resides in Cam- bridge. Amelia Peabody*, born June 4, 1843; died Jan. 21, 1844. John', born June 28, 1845; died August 27, 1845. 68 Descendants of Ezekiel IVilliams. MARY«. Born Aug. 14, 1769. Died Nov. 25, 1850. Fourth daughter and sixth child of Ezekiel and Prudence (Stoddard) Williams, married May 7, 1789, her first cousin, John Salter of Mansfield.* He was born June 17, 1769, graduated from Yale Col- lege, as A.M., 1788, afterward studied law, but did not practice much, if at all, at the Bar. He was an able magis- trate, sustaining for many years the office of Justice of the Peace, an office of considerable importance in that day. For a few years he was Registrar of Deeds. Year after year he was invariably elected as presiding officer of the town meetings and was almost uniformly elected one of the representatives of the General Assembly. He was colonel of a regiment, stationed off New London during the war of 18 12. Subsequently he was made general in the state militia. He also held other responsible local and general positions. Whatever he did, he did well. He cultivated a large farm, and enjoyed his rides on horseback, overlooking and directing his workmen. But his inclination was for sedentary life; his leisure hours were largely employed in general reading, of which he was ver}^ fond. Occasionally he wrote poetry, and now and then commented, in the news- papers of the day, on some theological point. This work, however, was ephemeral in character. His was a large, generous, hospitable nature; he enjoyed throwing his doors • For the full and very interesting Record of the family Avhich comes next in order of the descendants of Ezekiel Williams, I am wholly indebted to Miss Edith Apnes Salter", youngest daughter of the late R. H. Salter', M.D., of Boston, Mass. She apologizes in a very happy manner for presenting only favorable aspects of character, admitting that like all others her honored relations had their faults, hut "They struggled against them and death has long since hidden them from view, leaving in our memories only the fragrance of their virtues, the taste of their high principles, the delight of their good minds." Of the living, much that might have been written in the same strain, she thought it best for the present to omit. Lack of information alone, made it necessary to pass over some no longer with us with very brief notice. Salter. 69 open for the visits of his relations and friends, toward whom he showed every consideration, and was prompt, even punctilious, in returning civilities. In perfect accordance with his wife, he was noted for his humane, thoughtful, and charitable disposition towards the poor, the sick poor especially, delighting to make them recipients of his bounty from year to year; while his wife looked after the more personal needs of the sick. Mary Salter was a perfect wife and mother and a noble woman. Of calm and even temper- ament, firm will and firm intellect, she was well disciplined, well balanced, and was devoutly religious, living up to the grace that was In her, and making her whole life in sweet accord. Her children have risen up and called her blessed. Higher praise she does not need. She died Nov. 25, 1850. Gen. Salter had died before her, June 6, 1831. They had Issue: Christian', born Feb. 26, 1790; died in Mansfield, unmar- ried, Nov. 2, 1856. Harriet Maria', born Mar. 20, 1792; died in Elyria, Aug. 6, 1846. Mary Juliana', born April 12, 1794; died May, 1810. Elizabeth Scott', born April ig, 1796; died in Waltham, Mass., Sept. 30, 1887. John Williams', born Jan, 28, 1798; died In Mansfield, July 6, 1869. Emily', born Mar. 29, 1800; died in Mansfield, unmarried, Sept. 10, 1 86 1. Susanna', born April, 1802; died six hours afterwards. Delia', born June 4, 1804; died in Mansfield, unmarried, Dec. II, 1869. Richard Henry', born Aug. 2, 1808; died in Boston, Aug. 4, 1893- Thomas Gardner', born April i, 18 10; died in Charles- town, Mass., Feb. 25, 1872. Mary Juliana, 2d', born Feb. 15, 1813; died the same month. Mary Jane', born Dec. 23, 18 14; died in Waltham, Nov. 30, 1884. Christian'', eldest child of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, was a daughter after her mother's heart, devoted to the younger children, looking after the interests of the 70 Descendants of Ezekiel JFilliams. household and sharing its duties with her mother. She was always occupied and happiest in her varied occupations. Like all her sisters she had a most amiable disposition and her life showed the fruit of a refined education and the discipline of a rcliirious character. Harriet Maria^ second daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, was married as second wife to Heman, son of Justin and Ruth (White) Ely of Elyria, Ohio, Aug. 20, 1828. "She was prepared by her naturally amiable disposition anci winning manners, by an early and refined education, and by the grace of God, to exemplify in the prominent station she filled, the graces of a Christian character. A sweet and charming modesty adorned her whole deportment and shed a beautiful lustre over all her actions. She was attentive and hospitable to strangers, benevolent to the poor, respectful and courteous to all; and beloved by all who knew her. Her piety was a matter of principle drawn from the Bible, and carried out into all the various relations of life; hence its consistency, beauty, and utility. A calm enlightened, dignified submission to the Divine Will was her uniform state of mind in health and in sickness." (Extract from a communication to a local paper after her death.) At home, in her young days, Harriet was noted for her high spirits, her active energ\', her bright mind and her unselfishness. In Heman Ely she had an excellent husband and kind friend. He was born (in West Spring- fickl, Mass., I think), April 24, 1775. He was associated in business in New York with his brother Theodore. He spent some years in France. On his return he went to Ohio, and was the founder of Elyria, Lorain Co. in 18 17. He was Judge of the County Court. He died Feb. 2, 1852. The only child of Harriet (Salter) and Heman Ely was: Charles Arthur", bom ]\Liy 2, 1829; married, June 14. 1854. Louise Caroline, dauizhter of Hon. John A, Foote of Cleveland, son of Gov. Samuel A. Foote of Connecticut (1834, died 1846) and Frances Amelia Foote. She was a rarely gifted and accomplished woman, bright, generous, and self-denying. " He was a man of broad, benevolent mind and remarkable pulj- lic spirit," of " talent, culture, wealth, and better than all of spotless character" (Anson Smyth, D.D.). He founded the Salter. Alhro. 7 1 public library of Elyria. and when, after his death, it was burned, his widow renewed and enlarged it, delighting to carry on her husband's wishes. He died Sept. 30, 1864. She survived him until Aug. 15, 1 88 1. They had issue: William Arthur^ born Aug. 31, i860; married, Oct. 4, 1882, Kate J. Fisher, daughter of John R. and Mary E. (HenrjO Fisher of Columbus, Ohio, born at Columbus, Nov. 12, 1858; died Jan. 18, 1885. One child: Arthur'", born June 20, 1883. Mary Juliana^ third daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, as a young girl must have been possessed of remarkable traits and great personal beauty. Her funeral sermon, preached. May 19, 18 10, by the Rev. Moses G. Welch of North Mansfield, speaks of her as possessed of a sweet and amiable temper, accompanied by a dutiful and engaging deportment. She was the delight of her parents and greatly beloved by her friends. Ill for three years before her death, she passed her long painful confinement with striking patience, and her submission to the will of God was very earnest and sweet. Elizabeth Scott^ fourth daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Salter married Aug. 20, 1825, the Rev. John Adams Albro. Of delicate health from her twenty-second year, Elizabeth or Eliza, as she was more generally called, survived all her sisters, and two of her three brothers, liv- ing to the advanced age of ninety-one years. As in the case of her sisters, she also was marked by her amiability, her refined and lovely character, and the same traits of her benevolence. But what especially distinguished her was, that in her long life her patience never faltered, her faith never grew dim. With the increase of years, her infirmities and weaknesses increased and her trust and courage in- creased also. Her submission to God's will grew in cheerful readiness as her trials grew. One almost loses sight of the good intellect, the bright interest in life and its duties, the earnest character in the remembrance of her heroic patience, which seemed to cast all other traits into the shadow. That patience was the crowning glory of a saintly life. Her husband, John Adams Albro, was born in Newport, R. I., Aug. 13, 1799. With great musical gifts, playing 72 Descendants of Ezekicl JFiU'uims. both flute ami 'cello, he prepared himself at first to teach music. " When about eighteen he commenced the study of law, in the school then ilourishing at Litchfield, Conn. A year later he found a kind and appreciative friend in Gen. Salter of Mansfield with whose family he became subse- quently allied by marriage. Finishing his law studies in Dec., 1 82 I, he commenced practice in iXIansfield with bright prospects of success." (P'rom Discourse of the Rev. J. H. Means.) After two years at the Bar, feeling called to the ministry, he studied at Andover. In 1827, he was ordained over his first pastoral charge. In the same year he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Yale. On the 15th of April, 1835, he was installed over the Shepard Society in Cambridge, Mass. He received the degree of D.D. from Bowdoin in 1848 and from Harvard in 1851. He resigned his pastorate in Cambridge April 15, 1856. " As a critic, few surpassed him. He was a diligent student in several tongues. He had great knowledge. He was inflexible in his decisions when he had dulv considered the matter. Yet how playful and childlike. His attachments were uncommonly tenacious, he loved intensely" (Rev. Nehemiah Adams, D.D.). His was a logical mind, united with a calm and solid judgment, while his Christian graces and modest, unassuming ways endeared him to all hearts. He died Dec. 16, 1866. Dr. and Mrs. Albro had issue: JoHX SALTER^ bom JuHC 13, 1829; in business in Carson City, Nevada; unmarried. Anne Elizabeth', born April 23, 1839; unmarried; resi- dence, Cambridge, Mass. John Williams", fifth child and eldest son of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, was prepared for college by tuition of the Rev. Moses Hallock of Plainfield, Mass. Mr. Hal- lock was his father's classmate at college and his life-long and intimate friend. John entered Yale in 18 14 and gradu- ated in 181 8. He studied law with his uncle, Judge Wil- liams of Hartford, and was admitted to the Bar in 1821. He practiced for two years in Mansfield, but having studied law simply to gratify his father, he abandoned the profes- sion and commenced the study of theology in New Haven in 1827. He was licensed to preach in 1829; was settled for Salter. 73 short periods in Kingston, Mass., at Milford, N. H., and at Douglas, Mass., but the greater part of his ministry was passed at Bozrah and Montville, Conn. At the latter place he was pastor of the church for eleven years. In 1862 he returned to his native town, where he resided till his death. He had a very genial disposition which won for him many friends. His conversational powers, enlivened by wit and bits of humor were remarkable, but as a Christian gentle- man, he commanded respect and honor. He married ( i ) Sept. 28, 1825, Harriet Byron Lucretia, daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Wattles) Stedman, born at Williams- town, Mass., Aug. I, 1805. He died Sept. 2, 1838. They had issue : Mary Catherine', born in Mansfield, Sept. 28, 1826; married (i) James D. Lockvvood ; (2) Gilbert M. Belknap. No issue. John Thomas*, born in Bozrah, January 25, 1833, of whom very little is known. He married (2) at Colchester, Conn., March i, 1842, Elizabeth Turner, daughter of David and Lois (Baker) Turner, born Feb. 5, 1799. She died Feb. 24, 1880, with- out children. He died in Mansfield, July 6, 1869. Susanna^ sixth daughter and seventh child of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, " like the dew-drop, sparkled, was exhaled and rose to Heaven." She lived on earth only six hours. Delia^ seventh daughter and eighth child of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, was also of a lovely amiable disposition and was perhaps the most religious of the. sisters. Her influence for good was very widely extended, and her charities large, but quiet and unobtrusive, like her life. Richard Henry'', ninth child and second son of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, graduated at the Yale Medical School in 1 83 1 ; married at Andover, Mass., April 29, 1 835, Abbie Wheeler, sixth child and second daughter of Rev. Dr. Leonard and Abby (Wheeler) Woods, born, Andover, July 25, 181 1 ; died, Aug. 23, 1883. She was a very gifted and accomplished woman. Dr. Salter settled as a physician 74 Descendants of Ezekiel Williams. first in Norwich, but in the fall of 1835 removed to Boston. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Kenvon College in 1854. He went out in our late war as surgeon with the First Massachusetts regiment in May, I 861, and remained with the regiment till Feb., 1863, when his health forced him to resign. He was a member of Phillips Academy Alumni (class of 1825) of the Mass. IVIedical Society, Yale Medical Association, etc. As an c\-idence of his marked literary tastes, I mention a transla- tion of De Maistre's Generative Principles of Political Cunstitntioiis, which he made and to which he added valuable notes. This w'as published in 1847. But his preference was to lead a quiet, unobtrusive life, [the last years of which were spent in Boston with his daughter Edith. He died, Aug. 4, 1893.] ^ he children of Dr. Salter and Abbie (Wheeler) Woods Salter were : Helex Josephixe", born in Andover, Feb. 12, 1836; en- tered Convent of Sisters of Mercy, Brooklyn, L. F, Oct., 1870; was professed by name Sister Mary Stephen, May, 1873. IVFary Williams", born in Boston. June 23, 1839; rnarried as second wife, June 28, 1867, Finton, son of Andrew Baskins and Matilda (Findsay) Stephens, born near Crawfordsville, Georgia, July i, 1823, a younger brother of the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens and himself a famous lawyer and judge; died Jul\ 14, 1872. They had issue: Feoxora Amy", born AFiy 8, 1868. j Alexaxder", born Aug. 28, 1869. \ Rose Marv', born Oct. 22, 1871. Feoxora', born in Boston, ^F'^r. 10, 1844; died Nov. 21, 1864. Richard Hexry", born in Boston, Feb. 19, 1847; married (i) at San Francisco, Sept., 1870, Fmma Gertrude Coon, born. New Orleans; died in Boston, Feb. 6, 1875. They had issue : Richard Hexry", born in San Francisco, Dec. 21, 1871. AFary Joseph", born in San Francisco, Sept. 23, 1873. He married (2) at Sparta, Georgia, April 18, 1876, Rebecca Christine, eldest child of Finton and Fmcline (Thomas) Stephens, born in Sparta, Nov. 22, 1852; died at the same place, Sept. 17, 1880. They had issue: 1 Johx AFvry", born in Sparta, June 23, 1877. Agxes Fmhlixe", born in Sparta, Aug. 14, 1879; died in Fower California, Mexico, July 24, 1889. ! » Salter. 75 He married (3) at Boston, Mass., July 27, 1885, Katharine, daughter of William Gideon and Catharine Stephens, born New Orleans, June 20, 1853. They had issue: Paul Percival^, born, Haverford Hill, Mass., Feb. 15, 1887; died Ensenada, Lower California, Mar. 5, 1888. A DAUGHTER^ born in San Diego, Cal., Sept. 23, 1889. Abigail Edith", born in Peoria, 111., Nov. 18 or 19, 1892. Emily Otis', born in Boston, April 11, 1851 ; died in Boston, Jan. 3, 1853. Edith Agnes^ born in Boston, June i, 1854; [removed to England after the death of her father, and was for some years secretary to the poet, Aubrey de Vere ; since his death she has re- sided in Shepard's Bush, London ; a woman of remarkable sweetness of disposition, strong devotion to her chosen (Roman Catholic) faith, and exceptional intellectual attainments. Though totally deaf from childhood, she learned to converse by reading the lips and has never been seriously debarred from the society of her friends,] Thomas Gardner^ tenth child and third son of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, married Dec. 10, _ 1844, Mary, eldest daughter and third child of the Hon. Timothy Gardiner and Betsey (Parker) Coffin of New Bedford; born, April 7, 1821. She died at New London, March 29, 1884. He died at Charlestown, Mass., Feb. 25, 1872. Thomas G. Salter having completed his studies at El- lington, Conn., entered Yale College in Oct., 1828, and thus was a member of the famous class of 1832. W^hen the class disruption caused by the " Conic Sections Rebellion " oc- curred in 1830, he entered Rutgers College, N. J., where after a thorough examination, he was admitted to the Junior class and graduated in 1832. Although trained in strict Scotch Presbyterianism, his views underwent a great change and in 1834 he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in N. Y., where he graduated in 1837. He was ordained deacon at Christ Church, Hartford, Dec. 16, 1838, by Bishop Brownell. He took charge of Grace Church, Utica, N. Y., for a few months, and then supplied the pulpit of the church at Lansdale, R. I. There he received priests orders from Bishop Griswold of the eastern New York diocese. From March, 1841, to Nov., 1842, he was in charge of St. Stephen's Church, East Had- 76 Descendiints of Ezekiel Williams. » dam, Conn.; from June, 1844, to March, 1848, of a church in Nantucket. In 1847, he was settled over St. Thomas' Church, Dover, N. H., and continued in charge of this parish till July, 1861. Receiving the appointment of chaplain in the United States Navy, he resigned the rector- ship of St. Thomas' and until his death remained in the navy. As a boy, he was high spirited, generous, and religious. He was sympathetic and quickly won the affection of his parishioners and friends. In the navy he was highly esteemed. He was always a true pastor. His sermons were brilliant and his manner and spirit in preaching made a good impression, hence his instructions appealed more to his promiscuous congregations, than if he had been of deeper mind. He was not great but good and true, and a Christian gentleman. Chaplain Salter was on board the Minnesota in 1862 when she was nearly destroyed by the Merrimac, while lying off Hampton Roads during the late war between the States. The shock was severe and it is thought unsettled his system. The children of Thomas and Mary (Gardner) Salter were : Mary Williams', born in New Bedford, Feb. 3, 1846; married as second wife, Feb. 14. 1885, Charles Bernon, son of Philip and Phcrbe (Aborn) Allen, born Dec. 23, 1831. No children : Jane Colby Coffin', born, New Bedford, Oct. i, 1848; married, Nov. 23, 1875, Abiel Ward, son of Job Pierce and Fatlma (Baker) Nelson, born in Lakeville, Mass., Aup;. 24, 1835, graduated from Brown Universitv and from Harvard Medical School (1861). Timothy Garuixer Coffin', born Dover, N. H., Nov. 11, 1850; graduated from the Naval Academy, Annapolis; an oflicer in the United States Navy. Thomas Gardiner', born Dover, N. H., Aug. 9, 1854; re- ceived the usual education; became a Roman Catholic in 1878, and after a course in college entered the Society of Jesus to study for the priesthood; after three years of study he left in 1884 and spent the following years in travel. Gf.orge Waldron\ born, Dover, N. H., Nov. 11, 1856; died Jan. 25, 1861. Abbie Waldron", born, Dover, N. H., Mar. 19, 1861; died Jan. 25, 1861. Salter. 77 Mary Juliana^ eleventh child and eighth daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Salter, born Feb. 15, 18 13, lived but a few hours. Mary Jane\ twelfth child and ninth daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Salter was born Dec. 23, 18 14; mar- ried as second wife, April 26, 1865, Edward Gilbert of Mansfield, who died Nov. 30, 1869. She died at Waltham, Mass., Nov. 30, 1884. yS Descendants of Ezekiel JVilUams. ESTHER^ Born April 14, 1771. Died June 24, 1820. Fifth dau, ^y ,^^ '^>.. r LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 548 395 2