Biography Topics – Page 6 of 791

Biographical Sketch of Rev. N. R. Nichols

Rev. N. R. Nichols served as pastor of the Congregational church in Norwich village from February 1880 to May 1904, following a seven-year term in Barnet, Vermont. His nearly 25 years in Norwich were marked by significant growth, evidenced by 195 new church members. Beyond his pastoral duties, Nichols contributed to community welfare and served as a trustee of the Norwich public library, honoring his late wife with a memorial door at its entrance. He was celebrated for his impactful life and service in the community.

Biographical Sketch of Deacon Israel Newton

Doctor Israel Newton, the inventor of Newton’s Bitters and Newton’s Pills, passed away in January 1856 at the age of seventy-three. A well-educated physician, he was respected in Norwich for his medicines, mechanical talents, and contributions to the community, including building a church organ used for many years. Newton served in various town offices and represented Norwich in the general assembly in 1814. As a deacon of the Congregational church for twenty-five years and a Revolutionary War veteran, he left a notable legacy.

Biographical Sketch of Doctor Enos Lewis

Doctor Enos Lewis, born on January 19, 1784, in Norwich, was the youngest son of Dr. Joseph Lewis. He studied medicine with his father and graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1804. Serving as a U.S. Army surgeon from 1808 to 1810, he later practiced in Norwich after marrying Katurah Denison in 1812. Despite a brief career, he gained recognition for his treatment of spotted fever and contributed to medical education while amassing a significant library. He passed away on September 14, 1823.

Biography of Doctor Joseph Lewis

Doctor Joseph Lewis, born in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1746, moved to Norwich, Vermont, in 1767. He practiced medicine for over fifty-five years, often traveling on horseback or snowshoes to treat patients across several towns. Married to Experience Burr, he had eight children, with three sons pursuing medicine. Lewis served as a surgeon’s mate during the 1775 expedition against Quebec and returned to practice after the campaign. He was known for his integrity and dedication until his death in 1833.

Biography of Doctor Horace Hatch

Doctor Horace Hatch, born on May 23, 1788, in Tunbridge, Vermont, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1814 and earned his M.D. in 1817. He practiced medicine in Norwich for twenty years before moving to Burlington, where he continued for another two decades. In 1861, he took a position in the Treasury Department, actively supporting Vermont soldiers in hospitals. He relocated to New York City in 1865, passing away on October 28, 1873. Known for his benevolence, he was survived by his notable son, A. S. Hatch.

Biography of Honorable Reuben Hatch

Reuben Hatch, born on July 7, 1763, in Preston, Connecticut, moved to Norwich with his father early in life. He attended Dartmouth College but left due to health issues, later becoming a successful farmer in Tunbridge, Chelsea, and Weathersfield. Hatch owned significant properties, including a large brick house and a tavern. He represented Tunbridge and Chelsea in the General Assembly and married Eunice Dennison, with whom he had ten children. Hatch passed away on January 5, 1818, in Norwich.

Biographical Sketch of Captain Joseph Hatch

Captain Joseph Hatch settled in Norwich with his brother John, building a log cabin and later a frame house, which became the first of its kind in the area. He acquired substantial land and had two marriages, first to Elizabeth Brown, yielding two children, and then to Hannah Freeman, with whom he had six children. Hatch passed away in 1811 at age 73, following the deaths of both wives. His contributions include the Erastus Messenger House, erected around 1773.

Biography of John Hatch, Esq.

John Hatch, Esq., born on June 9, 1727, in Preston, Connecticut, was an influential early settler in Norwich, Vermont. He served as selectman and town clerk from the 1760s until 1780, also holding the role of county surveyor for Cumberland County. A skilled surveyor, he contributed significantly to the town’s layout and infrastructure. Married to Sarah Richards in 1748, they had nine children together. Hatch passed away on April 24, 1806, shortly after his wife.

Biography of Reverend Samuel Goddard

Samuel Goddard, born in Sutton, Massachusetts, on July 6, 1772, faced limited educational opportunities and initially worked in trade before pursuing a religious vocation. Studying under Doctor Seth Payson, he was ordained in 1809 as pastor of a small church in Concord, Vermont, where he expanded the congregation significantly and established missionary work. In 1822, he became pastor of the North Congregational Church in Norwich, Vermont, growing its membership and promoting community welfare. Goddard was known for his devotion, despite personal losses and health challenges, leaving a lasting impact on his community.

Biographical Sketch of Moses Davis

Moses Davis married Sarah Sawyer in Dracut, Massachusetts, on April 6, 1785. He moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, around 1806 and later to Norwich by 1814. Davis fought in the Revolutionary War, participating in the Battle of Lexington, and possibly the Battle of Bunker Hill. He served at Fishkill in 1777 and at Valley Forge in 1778, and was among the guards for Major Andre prior to his execution. His total military service exceeded two years.

Sons of Quebec 1778-1843

The Sons of Quebec (Fils de Québec) were written by Pierre-Georges Roy and published in 1933 in a four volume set. They provide a series of short biographies of one to three pages of Quebec men from 1778-1843. Warning… this manuscript is in French!

Biographical Sketch of Rear-Admiral George A. Converse

Born on May 13, 1844, in Norwich, George A. Converse was the son of Dr. Shubael and Louvia Merrill. He attended Norwich University and graduated with top honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1864. Converse served in the European squadron and held various positions, including instructor at the torpedo station and commander of the U.S.S. Montgomery during the Spanish-American War. He ultimately became chief of the Bureau of Navigation and was married to Laura Shelby Blood, with whom he had several daughters.

Biography of Doctor Shubael Converse

Doctor Shubael Converse, born on September 7, 1805, in Randolph, Vermont, trained under Doctor R. D. Mussey and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1828. He practiced medicine in Strafford and later in Norwich, where he served for 30 years until his death in 1867. A respected physician and community leader, Converse promoted education, served as a school superintendent, and was active in local politics. He married Louvia E. Morrill and had five children, including son Charles B. Converse, also a physician.

Biography of Abel Curtis

Abel Curtis, born June 13, 1755, in Lebanon, Connecticut, was a notable figure in Norwich’s early history. A Dartmouth College graduate in 1776, he played a crucial role in local governance from 1778 until his death in 1783. Curtis served in various capacities, including town clerk and legislator, and was instrumental in maintaining the unity of Connecticut River towns during the Revolutionary War. His contributions spanned multiple committees and conventions, reflecting his commitment to both state and community.

Biography of George Partridge Colvocoresses

George Partridge Colvocoresses was born on April 3, 1847, in Norwich, the son of Captain George Musalas and Eliza F. Colvocoresses. Serving as a captain’s clerk during the Civil War, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1869. His naval career spanned various commands, including executive officer on the cruiser Concord at Manila and later on the flagship Olympia. He also contributed to the Naval War Records of the Rebellion. Married in 1875, he had two sons, George and Harold.

Biography of George Musalas Colvocoresses

George Musalas Colvocoresses was born on October 22, 1816, in Scio, Greece. He endured captivity after a Turkish invasion during the Greek Revolution and was later rescued and educated in the United States. Colvocoresses served in the U.S. Navy, participating in significant expeditions and commanding ships during the Civil War. He received accolades for his service and authored a book on naval exploration. Tragically, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1872, with his death remaining unsolved.

Biography of Zebina Coit

Zebina Coit passed away on September 28, 1886, at the age of eighty-one, marking the end of a significant chapter in Norwich’s history. Born in 1805, he was the son of Captain Samuel Coit, a notable figure in Connecticut’s past. The Coit family had deep roots in the area, with Captain Coit’s involvement in key historical events, such as the burning of New London. Zebina lived on the family homestead, representing the last surviving link to the town’s early settlers. His death signifies the extinction of the Coit name in Norwich.

Biography of Doctor Thomas S. Brigham

Doctor Thomas S. Brigham, born in Coventry, Connecticut, in 1769, was the eldest son of Honorable Paul Brigham. He moved to Norwich at age twelve and likely studied medicine with Doctor Joseph Lewis. Brigham married Polly Dana and practiced medicine in Norwich before relocating to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where he married again and had five more children. After practicing in Maine, he and his family remained apart following his departure from Norwich. Brigham gained considerable recognition in his medical career before his death in 1821.

Biography of Fairbanks Bush

Fairbanks Bush, son of Captain Timothy Bush, settled in Norwich and first voted in 1807. He married Amy Yeomans and lived in Orange, Vt., before returning to Norwich, where he died on February 24, 1873. Known as Norwich’s minstrel poet, Bush composed lyrical poetry that he often sang from memory, though much remains unwritten. Despite financial struggles and the burden of creditors, he maintained a positive demeanor and spoke against societal issues, including slavery, reflecting both personal and communal concerns in his work.

Biography of Prof. George Bush

George Bush, born on June 12, 1796, in Norwich, Vermont, became a prominent Biblical scholar and Orientalist in America. He demonstrated exceptional intelligence from a young age, graduating as valedictorian from Dartmouth College in 1818. After studying at Princeton Seminary and serving as a Presbyterian pastor, he settled in New York City, where he devoted himself to authorship and lecturing. A professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature, Bush published influential works, including commentaries and theological treatises. He later embraced Swedenborgian doctrines, which alienated him from many former colleagues. Bush passed away on September 19, 1859.