HOMAS RUTHERFORD TROW

THOMAS

BRIDGE was the son of Thomas Rutherford and Caroline (Hoadley) Trowbridge of New Haven, and was born in that city Mar. 3, 1839. He died Oct.

Litchfield,

and was

buried on the 28th in the family plot in

Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven. He was a descendant in the eighth generation of Thomas Trowbridge, who emigrated as early as 1636 from Taunton, England, to Dorchester,

known schools of Amos Smith, Lewis M. Mills and Stiles French. After leaving school he became identified with the firm of Henry Trowbridge's Sons, which had

Massachusetts, and removed in 1639 to New Haven, where his eldest son settled and the direct ancestors of Thomas Rutherford Trowbridge were born, lived and died.

Mr. Trowbridge received his early education in his native city at the well

been founded by his grandfather, was one of the largest and best known shipping houses in New England, and owned a large

fleet of sailing vessels that carried on a flourishing trade between New Haven and the West Indies. From the earliest days of the Colony his family had been identified with the West India business, and

the firm Mr. Trowbridge entered may be considered the successor of those of which his ancestors and relatives were members. The offices were on Long Wharf, New Haven, and it was in them, with his father and uncles, that Mr. Trowbridge began his business career. At the age of nine

teen he was sent to the West India branch of the firm, and lived in the Islands of Barbados and Trinidad five years, returning to New Haven in 1863. A few years later the business was transferred to New York, as that city offered a more convenient port, although the main office still continued in New Haven. The firm was finally dissolved by mutual consent in 1892. During all that time, thirty-six years, Mr. Trowbridge had been one of its most active members and in later years a partner. Since his retirement from business he had been occupied with his private interests and those of the institutions with which he was connected.

Mr. Trowbridge was always interested actively in whatever concerned the welfare of New Haven, and, although never taking a very prominent part in the politics of the city, held several public offices of trust. He served in both branches of the City Council, and was President of the Board of Aldermen. In 1886 he was a candidate for Mayor on the Republican ticket, but was defeated, although he reduced considerably the usual large Democratic majority. He was also for several years President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, and was the first President of the Republican League Club. At the time of his death Mr. Trowbridge was President of the Mercantile Safe Deposit Company, a director of the Mechanics Bank, and a trustee of the New Haven Savings Bank; President of the New Haven Colony Historical Society; a trustee of the Grove Street Cemetery and the New Haven Orphan Asylum; a member of the Society's Committee of Center Church and of the Chamber of Commerce; a vice-president of the Connecticut Humane Society; a member of the New York Produce Exchange, American Historical Association, Society of Colonial Wars and Sons of the American Revolution, and an

honorary member of several historical societies in different parts of the country. In the field of archaeological and historical research Mr. Trowbridge's contributions are well known and will always be valued. It was by his efforts that the funds were raised for the many memorial tablets set in the walls of Center Church and the crypt below restored. He more recently made similar improvements in the Grove Street Cemetery. He was a leading spirit in planning and carrying through the celebrations which during the past twenty-five years have commemorated the city's growth and history, and many of the tablets which mark historic spots were placed as a result of his researches and under his personal supervision.

Mr Trowbridge was connected with the New Haven Colony Historical Society for thirty years as a director, Secretary and President, and rendered important service to the Society in contributing and securing additions to its collections. He also compiled a number of papers which he read before the Society. He was at great pains to investigate the facts connected with the subjects upon which he wrote, and his papers are regarded as trustworthy records of early New Haven

history. These papers contain many valuable references to the business, commercial and social life of the colony and city.

Mr. Trowbridge was an authority on Connecticut shipping interests, and was familiar with their history from the earliest records to the present time. His writings are preserved in the published "Collections" of the Society, those on the "Ancient Houses of New Haven" and the "Ancient Maritime Interests of New Haven "being the most important. Among his other papers were "A Sketch of the History of the New Haven Colony Historical Society," written for the open

ing of the present building in 1892, and "The Action between the Chesapeake and the Shannon." He also contributed articles for several histories and historical publications.

Mr. Trowbridge married in 1864 Katherine, only child of General Francis and Elizabeth Sheldon (Dutcher) Bacon of Litchfield, who survives him with a son Francis Bacon Trowbridge; an only daughter, Miss Edith Champion Trowbridge, having died three years ago.

F. B. T.

TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND.

An old citizen of this city, a neighbor of Mr. Trowbridge both in this city and in Litchfield who knew him well pays him this tribute:

HE business and public life of Mr.

THE

by

Trowbridge has been set forth those better able to do it, and I would but add a brief word of his personal qualities as they appeared to a friend's eye. He had a noble personality. He was a whole souled man. His heart and hand were open as the day. He was of a generous, manly nature, but did good modestly and his good actions were not always recorded in subscription lists or newspapers. Many a young man was aided along in life by him. Many a poor widow's heart was made to sing with joy by his timely benefactions. He was quick in his sympathies with the joys and sorrows of others. He

judged men albeit shrewdly, but kindly and genially. While ardently attached, traditionally so, to his own church, he was broad minded towards other religious denominations and had friends in them all, whether Protestant or Catholic. A New Haven man to the core, he was also beloved in Litchfield where he had his country home. None knew better than he the whole region of Litchfield County and its pleasant drives. He had an eye

to nature and scenery. Among his dying requests was to be moved to the window where he might see the eastern hills on which lay the sunrise light-his last morning on earth.

Mr. Trowbridge had a great love for historical researches, and much that is curious in the history of his native city and state, picked up by him in odd corners and ways, will die with him. His library, which was a fine one for a private collection, was composed largely of books relating to American and English history, and, above all, the naval and maritime history of the country. The papers which he read before the New Haven Colony Historical Society on these and kindred topics, and published in the records of the Society are, in their carefully collated facts, of real value. His personal observations also in regard to the West Indies were exceedingly interesting, mingling as he did in writing and conversation the narrative and the general in his remarks. He was the type of a good citizen, awake to every popular interest, not seeking his own advancement nor jealous of the advancement of others, but working on the lines of sound sense and honest politics, whether of a local or national character. He was a man who disliked controversy, and while ready to defend his own opinions with spirit, was willing to give others the same chance and thus he avoided bitter strife. There was something sweet

hearted about him which prevented him from having enmities, or arousing ill-will. He would rather be the anvil than the hammer, to take than to give offense. He was a loyal unselfish friend, a man of absolute integrity and honor. And so another pilgrim of us on life's dusty road has gone to his everlasting rest.

J. M. H.* *Professor James M. Hoppin, in the New Haven Register of Oct. 26, 1898.

QUERIES.

I. (a) Woodruff-Hannah wife of Matthew Woodruff, Sr. of Farmington, 1640. When were they married? Who were her parents? When did she die? She was living in September, 1682 at death of her husband.

(b) Wright.-Thankful (perhaps of Wethersfield) m. July 7, 1709; Capt. Nathaniel Woodruff of Farmington and later of Litchfield. Who were her parents? Any information will be gladly received. E. E. S.

2. Newbury-Eli (or EDI) my gr. gr. grandfather was married (recorded in hist. of Warwick, Orange Co. N. Y.) to Ruth dau. of David Burt who went from Conn. to Orange, Co. Did Newbury come from Conn.? What was ancestry of this Newbury? K. C. K. Stim (p) son of Tolland, Conn. and. Mr. Edward P. Stimson of West Randolph, Vt. is collecting data on this. family.

3.

Vt.

4. (a) Chase.-Dean, Stephen and Wm. "suffered" on account of their active support of the "Republic of Guilford," Vt., 1765-'89 and later fought for the supremacy of N. Y. against Vt. Dean probably went to Bainbridge, N. Y., and was a recipient from N. Y. of pay for his "suffering." Who were parents of these Chases? What brothers, sisters and children did they have?

(b) Harrington.-James,1 b. abt. 1774 near Chatham, N. Y.; d. 1812 Herkimer, Co.; m. Sarah Purdy, b. 1772 and had James2 b. 1810: James1 had three bros., William, Isaac and John and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mrs. Long. Who were parents of James1 and what their ancestry?

(c) Purdy.-Sarah had two bros. and one sister who m. Richard Lane. These Purdys were probably from Dutchess Co. N. Y. Who were parents of Sarah?

(d) Chase.-Paul is said to have introduced in 1761 the Chase name in the What Republic of Guilford, Vt. children and gr. children did he have? Who were his parents? D. C. H. 5. (a) Terbush (Terbos.)--Benjamin, bp. Feb. 2, 1744, Fishkill, N. Y.; m. June 13, 1767, Rondout, N. Y., Mary Ann Fox. In 1770 they had two children bp. in Mt. Ross, N. Y., church. Benjamin was son of Hendrikus Ter Bosch, bp. May 28, 1704, N. Y.; m. May 5, 1728, Kingston, N. Y., Rachel Freer. Hendrikus was son of Johnnes TerBos bp. Oct. 18, 1665, N. Y.; m. April 6, 1688, Kingston to Lysbeth Henderixen. Johnnes was son of Jan and Rachel (Vermilye) Ter Bosch.

(b) Fox.---Mary Ann (above) who were her parents? Tradition says she

was a Quaker; and a widow Fox, her maiden name having been Fish. (c) Terbush.---When and where did Benjamin, Hendrikus and Johannes die? Was Benjamin in the Revolutionary War ? Was Johannes the one of this name in N. Y. General Assembly from Dutchess Co. and who died in 1725? 6. Root---Jonathan, b. Dec. 20, 1707, Farmington, Ct.; prominent in town affairs in Farmington and Southington, 1750--1780; m. Ruth she d. Feb. 17, 1749, aet 38. What was Ruth's maiden name and who were her ancestors? S. W.

8.

9.

7. Alling---John, jr., b. Dec. 13, 1663, son of John sr. of New Haven ; m. before Feb. 1686-7 a dau. of Nicolas Ellsey. His father gave him a farm of 43 acres at Homes' Race bounded on the west by the Milford town land; he had land at Oyster Point and in the suburbs quarter by the cherry trees. What became of him? What children did he have. G. P. A. Beckley-Benjamin, b. Jan. 27, 1650, New Haven; d. April 27, 1736; m. Oct.7, 1685, Rebecca. who were her parents?

(b) Blinn---Rhoda, b. Jan. 7, 1756; d. June 5, 1818; m. Joseph North, both probably b. at Wethersfield or Berlin, Ct. Who were her parents?

(c) Cooke.--Thomas, jr., d. 1701 or 3; m. April 15, 1677, Sarah Mason of Saybrook, Guilford, Conn. Who were his parents? She d. July 6, 1701. Who were her parents? H. N. S.

Doane---Capt. John. Ancestry wanted. Born perhaps in Litchfield Co. Conn. June 24, 1769, and d. Aug. 1832 in New York city; m. 1st March 21, 1793; Eunice Tuttle, m. 2nd, Aug. 1805; Eliza Todd. Went to Catskill, N. Y., about 1793 where he was one of the first to organize a Presbyterian church; lived 1826 at Tompkinsville, Staten Island; one son, Edward T., was missionary to Caroline Islands; was related to Reeve, Hammond, Hildreth and Topping families of New York. A. A. D. 10. Squire---Ens.Samuel son of George1 had Sarah bp. April 16, 1704; Serg. Thomas Squire son of George1 had

II.

Sarah bp. Aug. 1607, (see records of Fairfield, Ct., parish). Was either of these the Sarah Squire who m. about 1730 Lemuel Raymond, (b. Jan. 7, 1702, son of John and Elizabeth) of Norwalk and New Canaan, Ct? If not, who was she? She was a member of New Canaan Congregational church 1752 and 1773. P. E. R.

11. (a) Brown--Nathaniel, of Mansfield, served as a private in the Connecticut troops, Rev. War, for twelve months under Capt.Waterman and Col. Durkee. (b) Gallup---Samuel, served as a private in Col.Lippitt's reg't.in 1776 and in Col. John Topham's R. I. regt. in 17789 Rev. War.

12.

(c) Watson---Samuel, served 18 months as a private in the R. I. troops under Capt. Gorton and Col. Lippit, Rev. War Desired, ancestry; wife's name with ancestry and names of children of each of the above.

NATHAN R. GARDNER, Baltic, Conn. Clinton---Lawrence, d. about 1810 to 1815; lived in Clintonville near the Wallingford line. Is there any one in Fair Haven who owns the Bible of Lawrence Clinton ? G. E. S. 13. (a) Bloomfield.-Smith, lived in or near Metuchen, N. J., had two wives, Ist Hannah-2nd Susan; had a son Wm. Bloomfield d. aet 72 ; m. Catharine Van Mater Croes and had a son Thomas Blanch Bloomfield m. Ellen Bidwell Luther and have a dau. Catharine Van Mater Croes Bloomfield. Who were parents of Smith Bloomfield? And what were maiden names of his wives?

(b) Luther.-Levi had a son John m. Lucy Lord (d. act 104) and had a son Monroe Luther, m. Catharine dau. of Benjamin and Clarissa (Beckwith) Banning. Who were parents of Levi Luther, Lucy Lord, Benjamin Banning and Clarissa Beckwith?

(c) Croes.-Rt. Rev. John, 1st Bishop of N. J. had a son John, m. Van Mater. Who were parents of Rt. Rev. John and this Van Mater? C. V. C. B. 14. Paine.-Mary 1735 m. Noah (1730) son of Stephen and Jemima (Bronson) Hopkins, all of Nine Partners, N. Y. Who were parents of Mary Paine? L. C. H.