Dwight Barstow was born in Canterbury Plains, August 8th, 1820. He is a son of Hezekiah and Rebecca (Gager) Barstow, and grandson of Hezekiah and Olive (Bradford) Barstow. He was educated in Canterbury, and is about the only living person that attended Prudence Crandall’s school at the time she dismissed her white scholars and filled up her school with colored. He held the office of highway surveyor for thirty years. He was married to Amelia Lyon, September 18th, 1854, and their children are: Charles, George and Frank. Mr. Barstow is a member of the Congregational church. The family have occupied one slip in the Canterbury church for 50 years.
George L. Carey was born in Canterbury, October 12th, 1842, is a son of Benajah and Mary Bacon Adams Carey, and grandson of James and Phebe Carey. He was educated in the Canterbury schools. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the 1st Connecticut cavalry, Company A, Captain Andrew W. Bowen. He served for three years under such generals as Grant, Sheridan, Custer and Sigel, and is now a member of Sedgwick Post, No. 1, G. A. R. His brother Dwight Carey, enlisted at the age of 16, and lost his life at the battle of Antietam. His remains were brought home. His brother Asa B. Carey, is a graduate of West Point, served all through the rebellion, and is now paymaster in the regular army. Mr. Carey represented his town in the legislature for two sessions. He is married to Fannie R. Fisher, daughter of Benjamin F. and Fannie -Havens Fisher. He attends the Congregational church.
T. G. Clarke was born in Franklin, Conn., June 16th, 1809. His parents were Allen G. and Celinda (Darling) Clarke, and his grandparents were Asa and Rebecca (Allen) Clarke. Mr. Clarke taught school in the winter time from the age of 16 to 21, then prepared for the theological seminary at East Windsor, from which he graduated and preached until health failed. He then engaged in farming. He was a member of the legislature four years. He married for his first -life Cressa Judson, in September, 1844, and by her had the following children: Rebecca, Isabella. Josephine J., Andrew T. J., Allen G. and John D. He was married in April, 1870, to Sarah Johnson. Mr. Clarke has been deacon of the Congregational church 34 years.
J. L. Hyde, born in Canterbury, June 12th, 1826, is a son of Nehemiah and Rebecca (Lewis) Hyde, and grandson of Jonathan and Hannah (Bentley) Hyde. He was married March 24th, 1851, to Mary Ann Olin.- Their children are: Hannah Adelaide and Frederick Louis.
G. T. Kendall, born in Canterbury, October 30th, 1821, is a son of John and Sarah (Parkhurst) Kendall, and grandson of John and Lois (Palmer) Kendall. Mr. Kendall has held numerous town offices. He attends the Unitarian church of Brooklyn.
Rufus S. Ladd, born in Franklin, Conn., August 17th, 1824, is a son of Festus and Ruby Ladd. His maternal grandparents were Ezekiel Ladd and Ruth Hyde. His paternal grandparents were Abner Ladd and Abigail Perkins. Mr. Ladd was representative in the legislature of 1875. He was married May 27th, 1857, to Jane 1I. Ladd. Their children were: Elsie D. and William E. Elsie D. died March 14th, 1884, in the 29th year of her age. Jane M. Ladd’s grandfather on her father’s side was Hazen Ladd, and her grandmother Rhode Smith; on her mother’s side Abner Ladd and Sallie Cook.
John McMurray was born in County Ayr, Scotland, September 16th, 1827, and is a son of Gilbert and Janet McMurray. He married February 11th, 1868, to Sarah, daughter of George and Miranda Lyon, and has one daughter, Jennie Faith. Mr. McMurray is a deacon in the Congregational church.
James B. Palmer, son of Asher and Joanna (Ames) Palmer, and grandson of Uriah and Elizabeth (Newton) Palmer, was born in Norwich, Conn., January 17th, 1830, and is a farmer. He represented his town in the legislature and is at present – first selectman. He was married in 1854 to Sarah W. Holmes. Their children are: Alice, Alida, Addie, Nellie, Mary, Frankie, Jennie, Libby, Asher P., and William J. Mr. Palmer attends the Congregational church.
Charles L. Ray, born in Voluntown, Conn., in 1826, is a son of Palmer and Annie (Brewster) Ray. He is deacon of the Congregational church of Canterbury Green. He was married January 27th, 1850, to Phebe Eaton.
Edmund Smith, born in Canterbury, November 8th, 1834, is a son of John and grandson of Roger Smith. His mother was Emeline Williams and his grandmother Alice Bingham. His brother John O. Smith was born in Canterbury October 31st, 1840, and is a graduate of the New York Eclectic College. His sister Harriet W., was born in Canterbury July 15th, 1832, and in 1856 married Danforth C. Bugbee. Mr. Smith holds the office of selectman. He was married March 17th, 1863, to Abbie C. Stanton and has one son, Burr S.
Walter Smith, born in Canterbury February 12th, 1811, is a son of Walter and Lydia (Mudge) Smith. His grandfather was John and his great-grandfather Joseph Smith. Mr. Smith has represented his town for three terms in the legislature. He was married in 1835 to Susan Lyon. Their children are: Henry, Helen, Columbus, Mellen W., Elbert and Flora.
Washington Smith, born in Canterbury in January, 1833, is a son of J. B. Smith and grandson of Roger Smith. For thirty-five years he has successfully conducted his business of blacksmith in this place. He married Mary A. Brown in 1856. His children are: George W., born 18;5S; Mary E., 1860; Charles F., 1863; and Ruth K., 1867.
Additional Offsite Biographies
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut, Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889
Walter Smith (Susan Lyon) is my 3xGreat Grandfather! Columbus is my 2xGreat Grandfather. I did not know that was a legislative representative for Canterbury. Learn something new every time I research!