James Westcott, the grandfather of Henry Westcott, familiarly known as the ” Captain,” was born March 5th, 1740, and married Martha Tillinghast. Their son Joseph, whose birth occurred April 9th, 1779, in Glocester, Rhode Island, married Esther Richmond of the same town. The children of this union were: Henry; Almira, wife of Jude Sabin; Elizabeth, married to James Wood; and David. Henry, the eldest son, was born April 18th, 1801, in Glocester, and in early childhood removed to East Killingly, where the primitive schools of the day afforded him a beginning for that practical education which was chiefly the growth of experience and observation.
In early years a farmer, he afterward identified himself with the commercial interests of East Killingly, and was associated with Thomas Pray as a manufacturer, under the firm name of Westcott & Pray. They built the Ross mill and the Whitestone mill, conducted an extensive business, and were regarded as among the most prosperous owners of mill property in the county. Mr. Westcott’s marked ability, keen discrimination and indomitable perseverance won for him an enviable reputation in financial circles, and carried him safely through many a crisis where a less resolute man would have faltered. In his business relations he enjoyed a record for integrity and generous dealing, while his genial nature made all transactions a matter of pleasure to others. On disposing of his interest at East Killingly, he retired to Danielsonville, his residence at the date of his death, on the 5th of June, 1878. Mr. Westcott was an active and honored member of the Baptist church, and contributed with liberality toward the erection of the new edifice in the borough where he resided. In politics a whig and republican, he filled the more important town offices, and was elected to the state legislature in 1840. Mr. Westcott was, on the 3d of February, 1824, married to Almira Browning of Rutland, Mass. Their eldest child, Nancy N., died in infancy. The surviving children are a daughter, A. Elizabeth, and a son, Henry T., both of Danielsonville.