History of Fairfield County, Connecticut

Jlr. Parrott, in 1827, at the early age of twenty years, commcncefl business as a manufacturer of furniture, and built the first sofa and hearse that was ever used in Bridge]iort. It was while engaged in this business that his attention was directed towards the manufac- ture of varnishes, which he commenced in 184G, and laid tlie foundation for the present firm known as the Parrott Varnish Comjiany, which was organized in ISGilby his associating with himself his son, Henry R. Parrott, and .son-in-law, John D. Whitney. By strict attention to business and the manufacture of the best quality of goods, this industry has increased from a small beginning to its present large proportions. The increasing demand for their varnishes from all quar- ters of the globe has given them a world-wide reputa- tion. Mr. Parrott Inis been in iictive business over half ;i century, tiiid, so far as can be ascertained, is the only man now still in active life who w;is thus engaged. Fifty years ago! within this time tiie city and town, with its entire eominerce, has |)asscd into other liaiids, and has doubled and (luadrupled and changeil over and over again. Mr. I'arrott has always been tin active business man, taking great interest in local aftairs and prominently iileiitified with our municii>al government, in the managemcjit of which he served 1G2 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. as alderman, member of Council, and board of road and brid;io ronimissioners. In all these departments lie labored iaitlifully and diligently to subserve the best interests of the city, by his efforts to have its aftairs conducted on strictly business principles. His best service to the town was undoubtedly as first selectman, which jjosition he held during our late civil war. His stalwart Republicanism and unbounded confidence in the justice and final success of the cause made him a hearty supporter and worker in respond- ing to the calls for recruits made by the general gov- ernment,— his plain, unassuming manner and strict business integrity enabling liim to fill Bridgeport's quotas for troojis rapidly and with great success finan- cially. It would hardly bo possible to find any one man so thoroughly identified with Bridgeport growth and progress during the last half-centur^'. He was married in 1827 to Miss Lucelia A. Eemer, of Derby, Conn. At the golden wedding of this venerable couple, which was celebrated May 17, 1877, a pleasant feature of the occasion was the jiresenta- tion by the Ladies' Charitable Society of a beautiful silver piece, for fruit and flowers, to Mrs. Parrott, she being one of the oldest living members, having joined it in 1828. The occasion was one of special interest and was a marked social event. HON. SHERWOOD STERLING. The Sterling family date their ancestry back to Jacob Sterling, who was born in England about the year 1677. He emigrated to this country and settled at Haverhill, Mass., a short time before the Indian massacre at that place. He fled to Cape Cod ; later removed to Fairfield, and finally located in Stratfield (now Bridgeport). His children were Joseph, Jacob, John, Stephen, and Mary. Upon reaching maturity, John and Stephen located near their father, and Jo- seph settled in the town of Trumbull. Jacob settled at Newtown. Stephen was born about the year 1712, and married Eunice Sherman. Their children were Abijah, Ste- phen, Jr., Sylvanus, and Eunice. Abijah located in Bridgeport and married Eunice Sherwood, and their family consisted of David, Daniel, Abijah, and Sher- wood. David also located in Bridgeport. He married Deborah Strong, daughter of Joseph Strong, of Strat- field. Their issue were John W., David, George, Sher- wood, Ann, Cornelia, and Cordelia. The male line in the ancestry of the subject of this sketch dieil as follows: Jacob, Jan. 0, 1769; Stephen, 175)2; David, June 1.5, 1843, aged seventy-three; and Abijah, June 1!>, 1862. Deborah, the wife of David, died March 10, l«4fl, aged seventy-three. She was the daughter of the Hon. Joseph Strong, who was descended in the following line : Selah and Thomas from Ehler John Strong* The latter, who was born at Taunton, England, In 1605, sailed from Plymouth, England, JIarch 20, 1630, and in the following May landed at Nantasket (Hull), Mass. The subject of this sketch, Hon. Sherwood Sterling, was born in Bridgeport, May 23, 1803, where his entire life was passed. He married Jane Elizabeth Hawley, a lady whose mental and social worth en- deared her to all who knew her. Their family con- sisted of twelve children, ten of whom survive. Mr. Sterling was closely identified with all enter- prises for the religious, moral, and material advance- ment of his native city. From his youth he was greatly interested in religion, and was always an ac- tive, energetic worker in the church, also practically exemplifying his profe.-sion in his daily life. He was deacon in the South Congregational Church from 1833. At different periods of his life he was engaged in commerce, and was chiefly instrumental in establish- ing the Newfoundland and whale fisheries, which were successfully 2)rosecuted for many years. One of the originators of the Bridgeport Savings Bank, he was president of that institution from 1804 until his death. He also held the office of president of the City National Bank at the time of his de- cease, having been elected in 18.57. In polities Mr. Sterling was an old-line Whig, sub- sequently a Republican, and though never an active politician, — avoiding publicity, and declining office unless convinced it was his duty to accept, — yet his advice was frequently sought and his influence felt in the councils of his party. He was mayor of the city in 1847 and 1848, and was repeatedly elected a State re])resentative, serving with honor and marked ability during the troubled period of the war. He was inti- mately associated in council with the Hon. William A. Buckingham, then Governor of the State, who, re- lying upon his sound judgment and discretion, ofttimes advised with him during those gloomy and memorable days. The iron business established by his father, David Sterling, in 1798, and in whicli Sherwood continued until within ten years of his death, still reuuiins in a prosperous condition, conducted by his eldest son, under the old firm-name of " S. Sterling's Sons." Sherwood Sterling inspired all with whom he came in contact with unbounded confidence in his common sense and uncompromising integrity. Possessing great energy and marked business ability, he was frequently selected to act as arbitrator, trustee, guardian, and advisor. He was a man of fiiu^ i)rcsence, and commanded universal respect. Of excej)tionally even tempera- ment, probably no person ever saw him in an angry mood. Extreme suavity of manner and gentleness of demeanor characterized him at all times. " None knew him but to love him, none named him but to praise." He died Oct. 31, 1869. Upon liis decease resolu- tions of condolence were passed by the directors of v^ ->> 7^ ^ '/^e.M BEIDGEPORT. 163 the Bri(lgO]>ort Pavings Bunk and City National Bank, also by the Board of Aldermen and Conncil of theeity. . One of the eity papers, referring to his death, said, "He was a great and good man, honored hy all who knew him." His was an active and eventfnl career. P.'ath at last laid his hand ujion the strong man, and he passed to that higher life whieli he had endeavored to exem- plify in his dail)- walk and conversation. *"Thf- ho.ist of lliTftIdr.v, the ponip of pnWL-r, Ami all tlint beauty, all that wealth, n'er gave. Await alike the inevitahle hi'iir; The jjath of glory Uails hut to the grave." 1S'ATII.\XIEL IIEWIT, D.D.s This eminent theologian and reformer was horn In New London, Conn., Ang. 28, 17.SX. He grailnated from Yale College in ISOS, and at first determined to follow the profession of the law, I)Ut afterwards eho.se the gospel ministry. He was licensed to preach Sept. 24, ISll, hut, feeling the need of further prejiaration, repaired to Andover for more thorough training. His first charge was the Presbyterian Church at Platts- hurgh, N. Y., over which he was installed July o, 181o. At that time Plattsburgh was but little more than a military outjiost. Its rigorous climate told upon jiis health, and he was obliged to resign. He was dismissed Oct. 2, 1S17, and <in the 14th of the following January was in-tailed pastor of the Congregational Church at Fairfield, Conn., where he continued to labiu' half a score of years, rejoicing iii a rich fruitage of souls born into the kingdom. He was bold in his warnings and denunciations against intemperance, and enlisted multitudes on the side of total ab-stinence. His fame spread abroad, ami the American Temperance Society engaged liis services. In 1827 he spoke in the principal cities of Cininccti- cut, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania, and organized many temperance societies. On the 18th of the following December he was dis- missed from liis church in order to give himself more effectually to the work, and traveled far and wide for a number of years prochiiming total abstini'iiee. Tlie results were marvelous. Everywhere multitudi's were convinced and converted, and without doubt what Lutlier was to the Reforniation, Nathanitd Hmvit was to the early temperance movement. After having thus successfully inaugurated this grand reformation, he returned to his first love, and Dec. 1, 18.'i0, was installed ]ia.stor of the Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Conn. On the 18th of May, 18.31, he sailed for Kngland to give impetus to the temperance cause in the Old World. He arrived in London June 28th, and delivereil an ad- drcs.s in E.^eter Hall the ne.vt evening. On the li»th of July he assisted in the formation of the British * By Alexander Wheeler. and Foreign Temperance Society and then visited I'aris, returning afterwards to London, and delivering addresses there ;ind in Birmingham and Liverpool. In the fall of the same year he returneil to Bridge- ])ort and resumed his pastoral duties. For more than twenty years he ministered to his flocdc, his fame and influence as a theologian continuing to increase till he became known and felt as .a power in the elnirch.