Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut

was interrupted by an attack of typhoid fever. From that time his studies were prosecuted with- out aid except as helped by private instructors, but his zeal and persistence have enabled him to gain an excellent education covering a wide range of information. After his recovery from the fever he spent some time in working upon a farm, in order to strengthen his constitution by wholesome out-door life, and on fully regaining his health he opened a select school at Patterson, N. Y. His ability as a teacher being proved, he was soop placed in charge of a district school in the same locality, and he continued this occupa- tion for ten years. From childhood he had felt a strong call to the ministry, and when only eleven years old he united with the Presbyterian Church. Having no funds to enable him to pur- sue a theological course, and being at the same time unwilling to accept aid from the Presbytery, he found his progress sadly delayed, and yet it may be that in this period of struggle he learned practical lessons from the book of experience which have been of untold value in the work of the ministry. While teaching, he made use of all his spare time in study, and he was frequent- ly called upon to assist the neighboring pastors in revival seasons. After a time his pastor. Rev. Isaac L. Kip, of the Presbyterian Church, Patter- son, N. Y., offered to instruct him in theology, and this opportunity was gladly accepted. Two years he spent with this instructor, and then he completed his course with Rev. J. Ritchie Smith, of Peekskill, N. Y., continuing his work as a teacher until his last year of study. The Church at Noroton having been without a settled pastor for a number of years, Mr. Requa, in 1886, went there as a supply, and so effective was his work that in January, 1887, he was or- dained and installed as pastor. There were only thirty-five members at that time, but eighty- one have since united with the Church, which is in a most prosperous condition. Recently a new chapel was built at a cost of $3,500. In addi- tion to his regular duties Mr. Requa preaches once a month at Fitch's Home for Soldiers at Noroton. He is greatly interested in temper- ance reform and in work among the young peo- ple, being one of the leading members of the State Sabbath School Association, and for four years he was president of the Stamford Christian Endeavor Union. While he is not a politician, he takes keen interest in all the questions of the day, and is outspoken in his convictions. One might suppose that the varied activities men- tioned would fully occupy his time, but he is also deeply interested in editorial and educational work. At one time he was chairman of the ed- itorial committee of the Connecticut Sunday School Record [noi being published at present), and is editor and publisher of the monthly known as Church Tidings. As to educational matters, he is president of the board of education of the town of Darien, also the sole Acting Visitor of the schools, which office is similar to that of superintendent of public instruction. On October 11, 1876, Mr. Requa married Miss Mary J. Stebbins, daughter of Benjamin J. Stebbins, of Patterson, N. Y. , who died in 1885 in his eighty-first year. E EDWARD MEAD (deceased). This, in his ^41 day, well-known citizen of Greenwich, who died October 27, 1885, was a man whose char- acter and life were an inspiration to good works among all who knew him. In every relation of life he satisfied the test of a true Christian char- acter, and the most precious inheritance left to his family is the memory of an honorable and honored career. Mr. Mead was a descendant of John Mead, the noted pioneer [other authorities say Will- iam], of Greenwich, who (according to some au- thorities) located at Sound Beach in 1660, the line of descent being traced through John, son of the pioneer, Ebenezer (i), Ebenezer (2), Deliv- erance, and Robert Mead, our subject's father. Ebenezer Mead (2) was born in October, 1692, and died in May, 1775. He and his wife Han- nah (Brown) reared a large family of children. Deliverance Mead, who married Abigail Howe, made his home at Indian Field, in the town of Greenwich, and a more complete account of him is given in the biographies of other members of the family. Robert Mead, our subject's father, was born at Indian Field November 22, 1768, and was married October 29, 1794, to Prudence Mead, who was born May 15, 1775, a daughter of J. Mead and his first wife, Rachel (Knapp), of whom further mention is made elsewhere. Robert Mead inherited from his father the home- stead on the Post road, near Cos Cob, which later became the property of our subject, the dwelling occupied in the old days being only a short distance east of the present residence of the family. He followed farming during his active life, but in later years he was an invalid. His death occurred April 30, 1836, and his wife died September 23, 1849, the remains of both being interred in the Congregational cemetery at Green- wich. Our subject was born June 22, 1809, at the old homestead, and his education was begun in the district schools of Cos Cob. Later he at- <; ; (U ,.::iiT .lL>:.-iJ;/VJ>b ;.jI U'. in; L.i!a-'2al-! 212 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tended a private school in Stamford, also the academy in Greenwich, but being an only child he was called upon to take charge of the home- stead at a comparatively early age. He was of small stature and slender build, yet his industry and shrewd management brought him marked success in his chosen occupation, as he was re- garded as one of the leading farmers of the neighborhood. While he was not inclined to os- tentation he believed in enjoying the good things of life, and his handsome and commodious resi- dence, built in 1832, is a model of comfort. His affection for his family was a notable trait in his character. Without relaxing from wholesome discipline he gave his children every suitable amusement at home, no games being barred out except cards. Fond of books himself, he placed a high value upon education for his children, and their appreciation and use of their opportunities afforded him keen pleasure. The spacious home is admirably adapted to social gatherings, and has long been the center of a rehned hospitality, Mr. Mead delighting in the society of his friends. His kindly nature was manifested in many ways, and he was prominently identified with religious work in his locality, being a leading member of the Church at Greenwich. For many years he held the office of treasurer of the society, and his voice added much to the effectiveness of the the choir for a long period. He was a quiet, un- assuming man, but he had the "courage of his convictions," supporting fearlessly any cause that he thought just. Politically, he was a strong Re- publican, but he never aspired to office. On December 24, 1832, Mr. Mead was married in Greenwich to Miss Susan Ann Eliza Merritt, who died August 26, 1884, her remains being laid to rest beside his own in the Congregational cemetery. She was born February 6, 1814, a daughter of Capt. Daniel and Sarah (Lyon) Merritt, and sister of Capt. Caleb W. Merritt, of Greenwich, whose biog- raphy appears elsewhere. The Merritt fam- ily is one of the oldest in New York State, and Mrs. Mead traced her descent from Will- iam Merritt, who was mayor of New York City from 1696 to 1698. Among others of the family who have won distinction is Gen. Wesley Merritt, who graduated from West Point in 18C0, and after a notable career in the army was appointed in 1898 as Governor-General of the Philippine Islands. Our subject and his wife had a large family of children (six of whom are living): (i) Daniel Merritt, born June 2, 1834, attended Yale College and the law school at Poughkeepsie, and for some time practiced law in Greenwich. He was a young man of line intelligence, deservedly popular among his asso- ciates, and gave promise of a successful career. In 1857 he completed the "History of Green- wich." At the opening of the Civil war he went to the front as captain of Company I, Tenth Conn. V. I., and later was promoted to the rank of major. While in the service he was stricken with typhoid fever and sent home, where his death occurred September 23, 1862. On June 16, 1856, he married Miss Louise Mead, but they had no children. She survived him and became the wife of Thomas Ritch, of Green- wich. (2) Mary A., born July 22, 1836, was married December 17, 1856, to John G. Clark, of Bedford, N. Y. (3) Sarah E., born Febru- ary 2, 1839, married Seaman Mead, of Green- wich. (4) Miss Amelia resides at the home- stead. (5) Susan C, born January 20, 1844, was married October 18. 1865, to W. H. Wilcox, of Greenwich. (6) Miss Catherine M. resides at the old home. (7) Robert, born May i, 1849, died August 11, 1872, at the threshold of a promising career. (8) Edward W., born March 2, 1852, was a graduate of Columbia Law School, and engaged in practice with every prospect of success. He married Miss Mary Ella Knapp, and died October 6, 1882, leaving no children. (9) Augustus, born September 13, 1854, is not married, and has charge of the homestead.