Benjamin
Williams (commemorative
record Middlesex County, Connecticut)
Benjamin Williams,
was a miller andl large landowner, living at Centerbrook. He was quite
influential in the affairs of the town and State, and had become quite
well-to-do. He married Libbie Dickinson of Old Saybrook and their children
were: Samuel, a farmer and miller in Meadow Woods, married Irene Pratt;
Richard, a sea captain who resided in Centerbrook
married Sarah Cook; Benjamin is mentionedbelow; Temperance married Cornelius
Reed and lived in Deep River; and Ann died unmarried.
Benjamin Williams, son of Benjamin and grandfather of Henry Hobart, was
born in Centerbrook February 15, 1752. He, too, be-came a miller and ran
the saw and gristmill, which were located on the pine ledge now occupied
by the Connecticut Valley Manufacturing Company. For a time. he also ran
a carding mill, and he was engaged in blackstnithing to some extent. He
was known far and wide as a tavern keeper. His tavern was a popular place
for parties to stop for refreshment, and the stage coach horses were always
fed there. The house was supplied with a ball room, and was often the
scene of much gayety.
Like his father, Benjamin Williams was a slave owner, and a large land
holder, and he became very influential. He was a noted penman, and his
services in that line were often called in requisition. He married Patience
Pratt, who was born September 19, 1753, anti she died October 30. 182o.
His death occurred February 28, 1822. In religious connection he was an
Episcopalian
.Humphrey Williams, son of Benjamin and Patience and father of our subject,
was born April 1S, 1793, in Centerbrook, and when three years old was
taken to the house which his father had erected, and which stood on the
site of the present home of his son, Henry H. until 188o, when it was
removed. He also kept the old "Williams Tavern" until 1830.
As a farmer and miller he was very successful, and was the last miller
that personally conducted the old gristmill and sawmill, disposing of
the property to a stock company who made it over and added much to it.
The old grist mill was burned March 2, 1894, together with the other buildings,
and now new structures occupy the old site. Humphrey Williams spent the
later years of his life in farming, and he died February- 10; 1870, in
the house above mentioned. In. politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Roxanna
Bushnell, born in Guilford in 1793, was a daughter of Jonathan Bushnell.
She died February r6, 1870, and rests with the other members of her family
in the old cemetery at Centerbrook. To Humphrey Williams and wife were
born the following children :
....George H., a sailor, married Sarah Getchell, of New London, Conn.,
and died, in Essex at the age
of thirty-nine years ;
....Harriet E. died at the age of seventy-three; Julia died in infancy;
... Frederick W., a member of the firm of Williams & Marvin, of Deep
River, at one time a member of the Legislature, and a prominent resident
of the town, married Mary A. Hammett, and died in 1900:
.... Julia M. is deceased; Lewis died in infancy; Richard Lewis died unmarried
November i, 1869, aged thirty-six;
.... Selden E. married and lives in Bay City, Mich.
.... Henry H. Williams was born December 31. 18 39. in the old family
home. His early education was restricted to the advantages to be obtained
in the district schools, and while still quite young he shipped before
the mast. He made several voyages in different vessels, from New York
to Galveston, Texas, New Orleans, La.. Mobile, Ala.. and other southern
ports. Covering a period of four years he made short voyages on various
vessels, but at last the old farm attracted him and he returned to it.
Shortly after, he entered the Comstock & Dickinson ivory factory,
remaining there a number .of years, later entering the factory of the
Connecticut Valley Manufacturing Company, where several succeeding years
were spent. For the past fifteen Years Mr. Williams has been engaged in
teaming, grading highways, etc., becoming a very substantial citizen.
During President Cleveland's first administration he held the office of
postmaster, fulfilling the duties of the position in a creditable manner.
He was offered, but declined, the same office during the second administration
of that Executive. Always a stanch Democrat, he has been prominently identified
with local affairs, having faithfully served as assessor for two terms.
member of the school board, and of the board of relief, and in 1900 his
party chose him as a candidate for the office of first selectman. Socially
he is connected with the O. LT. A. M.On February 27, 1868, Mr. Williams
was united in marriage with Lydia O. Wright, born in Westbrook April 14,
1848, a daughter_ of Josiah and Phebe (Stevens) Wright.
..... One son, Cyrus C. has been. born of this union. _CYRUS C. WILLIAMS
was born March 14, 1871, and is one of the brightest and most progressive
of the younger generation of Essex. After graduation from Hannum's Business
College, at Hartford, Conn., in 1892, he became connected with various
lines of business, being an expert bookkeeper and stenographer. For two
years he was in the employ of E. A. Dickinson & Co., of Essex, and
he is now bookkeeper for the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, as well
as agent for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Northwestern
Life of Milwaukee. Socially he is connected with Putnam Phalanx being
one of the fifers; Fenwick Lodge, I. 0. O. F., of Essex; Hartford Lodge,
No. 88, F. & A. M., of Hartford; and Webb Council, Royal Arcanum.
In sporting circles he is well and favorably known as an expert vase ball
player of great promise. He married Susan I. McClay, and they have one
son,
.... Clifford H., born October 18, 1895.
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