History of Fairfield County, Connecticut

died in Brooklyn, L. I., Nov. 20, 1835. Aged m. Elizabeth Dimon, daughter of Jcpse & Bethia Dimon, wifu of Samuel S. Adams, died in Katon Rapids, Slich., Sept. IT, 18C1. Aged 63." Mr. .Marvin Hull purchased this estate, and in 1874 I built a new house, the old one being removed to the westward. The Hulls are of an old family; the first entry on the records of tlic Prime Ancient is: **Thco- philus Hull, and Mary his wife, renewed covenant, Aug. 26, 1694." (See "Special Houses.") A stone on Greenfield Hill commemorates the name thus: "K.II. In Memor>* of Doct' Eliptialet Hull, born April the 8^\ 1738, And died Novem' U^\ 17W, in the 62*^ year of his oge, Unlvernally lamented by all who knew him. 3Iay he sleep in Jrsrs aud awako in glory." No. 11. This was built by Jonathan Ogden, who had three sons — Sturges, Abel, and David — who set- tled near him. Sturges nnirried Zoa Thorpe, probably a descendant of Stephen Thorpe, wlio had )iis dwell- ing burnt during the conHagrution (tf Fairfield, and who afterwards purchased Chancellor Kent's jdace in ■\Vestport, now owned by Mrs. Mary 13urr Hedenberg. Sturges Ogden built the house on the corner, at the entrance to Oak Lawn Cemetery. David Ogden married Peter Perry's "Sail." and built the house on the opposite side of the street. Their (laughter Betsey married Samuel Morehouse (see " Colonial," Xo. 39), whose father owned the prop- erty known :ls Phipp's, where he built the first sloop or (fchooncr in these parts, which he sold for three thousand dollars, — a large fortune in those days. His FAIRFIELD. 2'J9 grandson, Deacon Samuel Jloreliouse, now owns this 0{!;(len property, wliieh has been occupied some years by Francis Louis. Mr. Morehouse is principal of a ward scliool in New Yorlc, — a position lie lias held for years. Ebenezer Burr and his sou, a lawyer, clerk of the County Court and ex-member of the Legislature, were descendants of this family of Ogdens, who occupied several houses on Mill Plain. George Ogden lived by tlie railroad, crossing where Jlr. Dickinson resides, and hi.s father, Maj. Abel < )gden, lived next to the Kcdfield house ; the latter built in 1795. He was a carpenter, and had just married at the time he raised his house. He and his lady were out one evening, when some one came in and announced a fire was on the Plain. The major coolly remarked, " It makes good work for the joiners." The historian fails to state his speech on finding tlie (ire consumed his future home. In the Fairfield west ground is an Ogdeu monu- ment, containing on the face : " Aliel Ogileii, die<I Jan. 14, IKOl, iEt. 811. Betsey, liis wife, Died JIn.v 17, 1S54, n't. 74. In the grace ami temler pity uf Christ, here restetli the hiiilv of Iliivi.l Ogili ettiir uf St. Shirk 's Chuirli, New Caiuuin, whu lieparteil the tilth d.ay of .lime, JlllfCCXI.V. Ann Elizabeth, his wife, depaited the tillh <l.iy ..f .ruly, MDCCfXLI. E<hvard Nasli, his sen, ilejiaiteii the niiilh day ..f Oetciher, MDCCCXLII. Have mercy on their souls. That Ixni^ht tlieiji with Thy Mood. Amen. Stnrgis Ogden, deliarteil .Sept. x.vviii.. Ml>CC<'XX\'II., at. 'ST. Elizalieth Ogdeu departed Jan. Ill,, MDCCCXLVIII, aged lU. Jesus mercy !" On the back is this : " Liierelia S. Ogden, Hied Oct.3I,l»C0,a't.5i" Jonathan Ogden's daughter Mary married Eleazer (son of James and Elizabeth Whitehead Bulkeley) in 1785. He was born in 1763, but in 1776 he enlisted to go aboard the " Defense," an armed vessel in the country's service, which he did duty on for thirteen months, and for which he received a pension. Again he went on board a vessel as a privateersman, which he followed for two years. In 1779 he enlisted in a guard, which was stationed on Kinsey 's Point. Stand- ing alone on the place now occupied by Oliver Perry, Esq., he saw two hundred British land, who at once commenced .to burn Fairfield. After this he followed the sea through various vicissitudes. He and Miah Perry owned a vessel for a time, when he bought out Mr. Perry's part and continued in the coasting-trade, increasing this business according to his means, and as his sons grew up placed them in business with himself under tlie shipping-firm of E. liulkeley & Sons, of New York, from 17.S8 till the present. (See Bulkeley Genealogy.) He took a lively interest in the perpetuity and welfare of his country, and after the war he was engaged in commercial business till he died. Elcazcr wa-s the sixteen liuudred and fifty-si.xth de- scendant from Peter I'ulkck'y, and was the father of six sons : ( 1 ) .Jonathan, born in 17.S6, married Jliranda Thorp (of a numerous and active family line as a whole in Fairfield, and wlm lias intermarried in all the old families), and was active in all public matters. He served in the war in 1812 and received a jiension. He was several times a member of the State Legisla- ture, and was one of the committee for suijeriutend- ing government works in Southport Harbor. (2) Andrew, born in 1789, married Sally Dinion ; also was a member of the State Legislature three times, and had a lively interest in his town, State, and country. (3) Lot, born 1794, married Enieline Jennings. (4| Moses, born 1796; married Catharine Bulkeley. He was a sea-captain of very high rejiute both on sea iiiid laud, and jiad a worthy position in the commerce of our country. (5) George, born 1800; married Eliza- beth Andrews. He lived in New York, and had the principal man.agement of tlie business of the firm. He now resides in Southiiort. ((!) Charles, born 1804; mar- ried Elizabeth Beers, daughter of Capt. Aliel Beers, of Mill Plain. (There are but twoleltof this large Beers family, David and Abigail, who reside on Mill Phiin.) All of these sons were captains and engaged in the firm of E. liulkeley & Sons, which amassed for each a large property and was a distinguished business association. Of Eleazcr's sons, Moses occupied this "colonitd," where his sons Oliver and Frederic were born ; the latter dying, Mr. Oliver Bulkeley is the owner of this property, which he repaired and painted about five years since. This is his farm-house now occupied by William Price. Mr. Oliver Bulkeley married Amelia Gilbert, of New Haven, and has a handsome residence in Siiuthiiort. He is not engaged in any active busi- ness, l)ut is a patron of art and literature, and is the benefactor of many in a very quiet and inconspicuous way. This house was occu])ied some years liy Walter Bulkeley, who married Betsey Siuith, si.ster of Cliarles Smith (1880), of Mill Plain, whose history is sorrow- ful. She was the mother of several children, three of whom — Theodore, John Henry, and Edgar — were lost at sea on a passage from Bordeaux, France, to New Orleans. One other son, Horatio, died in Matura, Cuba. The other of her children all died, also her husband and her adopted ones and a brother; and yet her days were not shortened by all these bereave- ments, for she dwelt more than fourscore years in the land (she died 1877), and many can rise and bless her good works, especially the sick whom she soothed and comforted. Her own physical sufierings were not small, but her Christian fortitude sustained her. No. 12. This is known as the Silliman jdace, situ- ated at the entrance to Oak Lawn Cemetery. It was built a few rods from the rotid, with a large baru in 300 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. front. Tradition locates tlie first Perrys on tliis ground. It is authentic tliat it was in the Ogden family for many years. One of the daughters, Kllen, daughter of Sturgcs Ogden, was tlic sole heir to the estate. She married a sea-captain, Ebenezer Sillinian. They left no issue, but he willed four thousand dollars to the Stratfield church. His journal, which he kept for years, was indicative of his occupation. It mat- tered not what occurred, the direction of the wind was given. They arc reported as living entirely by themselves, and as free from work as possible. Everybody used wood for fuel in those days, so when the winter supjdy was provided they saved all the large chips, which they used as plates. One side becoming soiled, they were reversed, and, that side becoming likewise, they were consigned to the fire, thus obviating dish-washing. This was related to the writer by various parties. In the winter season eight ' loaves of bread — the capacity of the great brick oven — was their usual baking, which did not recur often. ' Dr. .Teremiah T. Deni.son (" Colonial," No. 2) related that when he began i)racti<-c in Fairfield, some forty years since, he was called there, a distance of some two miles. After attending the patient he was asked what was the charge. Tlie doctor stated twenty-five cents (half-price, as he thought, from appearances, thev were poor people), which they paid him daily till his patient recovered. The doctor found in a day or so he had been deceived by ajipearances, as they were quite wealthy for the times, but studied to avoid care and labor. The widow survived the captain several years. At her decease the property, most of which was sold to difl'erent owners, was divided among numerous rela- tives. The present owner is Mr. Henry Hanks,* who has made it comfortable by repairing with new win- dow-casings and sa.sh. The old shingle siding yet remains, weatherbeaten and pray. No. 13. This house was built by Dr. Rogers, a phy- sician of considerable celebrity. His wife wius a Miss Tennant, sister to Rev. William Tennant, who preached on (Jreenficld Hill from 1772 to 17S1, then removed to Philadelphia, leaving his silver door-plate behind. Dr. Rogers had one son, who went to Savan- nah to purchase slaves. While out riding, his horses ran away, upsetting and injuring him fatally.