Person Page - 877

     Keziah Phelps was born on 12 November 1757 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Ezekiel Phelps and Elizabeth Gillette. Keziah Phelps married Lt. Luke Viets, son of Capt. John Viets and Lois Phelps, on 30 June 1777. Keziah Phelps died on 22 November 1850 at age 93.

Newgate was the State's prison until 1827, and no doubt some of the prison officials, as well as comers and goers, were guests at the Luke Viets' tavern. Kendall's Travels through the Northern Parts of the United States in the chapter on "Newgate" gives a unique description of the family of Luke Viets:

The traveler, after fording the Farmington, and passing through a region "beautiful with the varied charms of hills, field, and pasture" approached the place from the south. He says: "On my right I saw a house of respectable figure and dimension, wooden and white-painted. This was the inn. On entering the door the good looks of the landlord afforded me some consolation . . . .

"My landlord was a plain and industrious farmer, in whom and his whole family there was realized, more than in any other instance I have met with, the picture which the imagination of so many has drawn, as that of the agricultural life in America. He was himself a grandfather, and had living with him his very aged mother. He was the father of nine children, of whom one or two were married and settled at a distance, and one or two near by. Two daughters and two or three sons were still under his roof. All the members of the family were personable and well-featured, and the two girls were beauties, one a blue-eyed blond (Esther) and the other a dark-haired brunette (Chloe). I found them employed in a building detached from the house, one at the wheel, the other at the loom. They were presently in the farmyard milking the cows." The traveler adds further that he was "informed by the family that there was somewhere in the neighboring hill a black stone, by looking through which the seventh son of a seventh son born in the month of February with a caul over his head could see everything in the interior of the globe."¹

     Festus Viets was born on 12 June 1790 at Copper Hill, Simsbury, CT. He was the son of Capt. James Viets and Elizabeth Brown. Festus Viets married Maria Hatheway, daughter of Ebenezer Hatheway and Mehitable Cowdrey, on 1 October 1823. Festus Viets died on 24 September 1874 at age 84.

     Maria Hatheway was born on 24 June 1802. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Hatheway and Mehitable Cowdrey. Maria Hatheway married Festus Viets, son of Capt. James Viets and Elizabeth Brown, on 1 October 1823. Maria Hatheway died on 27 September 1860 at age 58.

     Capt. James Viets was born on 28 August 1752 at Copper Hill, Simsbury, CT. He was the son of Henry Viets and Margaret Austin. Capt. James Viets married Elizabeth Brown on 10 May 1780. Capt. James Viets died on 23 December 1827 at age 75.

     Elizabeth Brown married Capt. James Viets, son of Henry Viets and Margaret Austin, on 10 May 1780. Elizabeth Brown died on 23 February 1837.

     Henry Viets was born in 1709 at probably in New York. He was the son of Dr. John Viets and Catherine Meyers. Henry Viets married Margaret Austin on 22 May 1751.

     Margaret Austin was born on 5 March 1712/13. She married Henry Viets, son of Dr. John Viets and Catherine Meyers, on 22 May 1751. Margaret Austin died on 15 October 1783 at age 70.

     Arispha Mitchelson was the daughter of Eliphalet Mitchelson. Arispha Mitchelson married Elisha Griswold Jr., son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets, on 14 May 1787 at Scotland (now Bloommfield), CT.¹

     Elizabeth Mitchelson married Alexander Viets Griswold, son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets, on 6 May 1786 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Elizabeth Mitchelson died on 10 September 1817 at Bristol, RI.

     Ruth Roberts was born on 24 January 1768 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Lemuel Roberts Jr. and Ruth Woodford. Ruth Roberts married Ezra Griswold, son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets, on 8 November 1789 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 Ruth Roberts died on 31 May 1847 at Worthington, Franklin Co., OH, at age 79.¹ She was buried at Saint John's Cemetery, Worthington, Franklin Co., OH.²

     Lemuel Roberts Jr. was born on 2 October 1742 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Lieut. Lemuel Roberts and Abigail Beaman. Lemuel Roberts Jr. died on 19 December 1789 at age 47.

     Thetis Gilchrist was the daughter of Peter Gilchrist and Damaris (?) Thetis Gilchrist married Rev. Samuel Griswold, son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets.

     Maria Riley was the daughter of Samuel Riley and Mary (?) Maria Riley married Rev. Samuel Griswold, son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets.

     Ameda Elizabeth Burbank married Charles Case II, son of Capt. Charles Case and Phoebe Griswold, on 29 December 1796 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹

The Case Genealogy calls her Ameda Elizabeth Ellsworth, perhaps indicating an earlier marriage.

     Deborah Case was born circa 1776. She was the daughter of Charles Case II and Deborah Viets. Deborah Case married Ralph Griswold. Deborah Case died on 21 February 1807 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

from the Courrant April 8, 1807:

At Simsbury, on the 21st Feb. of a consumption, Mrs. Debby Griswold, wife of Mr. Ralph Griswold, and daughter of Capt. Charles Case of New Connecticut, in the 31st year of her life.

However, the Case genealogy indicates that this Deborah was buried 21 May 1789 in the Hopmeadow Cemetery.

The Griswold Genealogy, 6th and 7th Generations, page 64, shows a Ralph Griswold with an unidentified spouse(s). The first child listed is Zopher born 1800, a name common to Deborah's family, and a later daughter Deborah with no birth date. The last child of Ralph is Ralph W., born about 1826. If this is the correct family, the later children would have been from a second wife.

     Zopher Case was born on 26 June 1792.² He was the son of Charles Case II and Ameda Elizabeth Burbank.² Zopher Case married Anna Randall, daughter of David Randall and Sarah Gibbs, at Kinsman, Trumbull Co., OH.

     Anna Randall was born at KY. She was the daughter of David Randall and Sarah Gibbs. Anna Randall married Zopher Case, son of Charles Case II and Ameda Elizabeth Burbank, at Kinsman, Trumbull Co., OH.

     Julia A. Viets was born on 13 January 1815 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Julia A. Viets died on 24 April 1843 at Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co., OH, at age 28.²

     Armenus E. Viets was born on 18 June 1817 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Armenus E. Viets married Delia U. Smith on 16 December 1840 at Cherry Valley, OH.² Armenus E. Viets died on 28 August 1881 at Amboy, OH, at age 64.²

Armenus was by trade a cigar manufacturer and his church connection, Congregationalist.³

     Emeline A. Viets was born on 17 November 1819 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Emeline A. Viets married William Royal, son of Henry Royal and Charlotte Hillman, in 1834. Emeline A. Viets died on 29 June 1891 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH, at age 71.²

     Daughter Viets was born on 7 January 1821. She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Daughter Viets died in infancy.

     Zopher H. Viets was born on 16 April 1823 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Zopher H. Viets lived in 1900 at Troy, Bradford Co., PA.²

     Lois A. Viets was born on 28 October 1825 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Lois A. Viets married James B. French, son of William Manley French and Hannah Bebee, in 1846.² Lois A. Viets died on 23 April 1857 at age 31.²

William held the position of Township Trustee for several years. During the Civil War he assisted in raising troops from his township of Andover, Ohio.³

     Hiram A. Viets was born on 19 January 1828 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Hiram A. Viets married Clarissa (?) Hiram A. Viets married Emma Wilder in 1878.²

Dorothy Schell notes some confusion over Hiram's wife; the 1870 census naming 'Clarissa', and his obituary naming 'Emma Wilder'. There is apparently no documentation of the marriage or of Clarissa's death. She quotes:

Obituary, Beloit, Wisconsin, Daily News (ca 1909)

Hiram A. Viets, one of the best known and highly respected old residents of the city, died at this home yesterday afternoon. Mr. Viets had been in feeble health for five or six years, but until about three weeks ago when he was stricken with paralysis, his condition was ot critical.

Mr. Viets was nearly eighty-two years of age, having been born in East Granby, Conn. January 19, 1828. In boyhood he moved to Ohio, coming on from there to Beloit about the time of the close of the Civil War.

He was engaged for many years in the manufacture of cigars, but in the last twenty-five years had done a considerable real estate business, gathering about him considerable property.

He married Miss Emma Wilder in 1878. They had one child who died in infancy. Besides the widow, there survives one brother, Shalor Viets and one sister, Mrs. J. Simons. He also leaves numerous friends, including members of the Masonic fraternity, in which he had risen to the rank of Knight Templar.

The funeral services will be held at the residence tomorrow afternoon and the interment will be in the city cemetery.

     Mary Jane Viets was born on 2 June 1830 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Mary Jane Viets married Henry Grant, son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets, on 24 October 1850. Mary Jane Viets died on 29 December 1890 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH, at age 60.²

     Martha M. Viets was born on 25 May 1834 at Andover, Ashtabula Co., OH.² She was the daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Martha M. Viets married Jackson Simons on 6 September 1850.² Martha M. Viets died on 22 October 1910 at age 76.²

     Shalor Nelson Viets was born on 4 January 1837 at Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co., OH.² He was the son of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Shalor Nelson Viets married Catharine Gillett on 22 July 1862 at Cherry Valley, OH.² Shalor Nelson Viets died on 11 December 1923 at age 86.²

Shalor was a farmer; education, academic. he served as postmaster in Unionville, Ohio, from 1888 to 1893. He and Catharine afterwards lived in Madison, Ohio.³

     Gaylor G. Viets was born on 24 August 1840 at Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co., OH.² He was the son of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer. Gaylor G. Viets married Ella M. King on 8 September 1868 at Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., OH. Gaylor G. Viets died on 30 April 1899 at age 58.²

     Edward Grant was born on 14 May 1821 at East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets. Edward Grant married Mary Cole Keys in January 1845 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH. Edward Grant died in March 1850 at drowned, Lake Erie, at age 28.

     Mary Cole Keys was born on 14 November 1823 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH. She married Edward Grant, son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets, in January 1845 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH.

     Henry Grant was born on 10 February 1830 at East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets. Henry Grant married Mary Jane Viets, daughter of Zopher Viets and Tracy Hillyer, on 24 October 1850.

     Paschal Winthrop Grant Jr. was born on 10 July 1832 at East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets. Paschal Winthrop Grant Jr. married Maria Porter Woodruff in January 1858 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH. Paschal Winthrop Grant Jr. died on 16 January 1860 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH, at age 27.

     Maria Porter Woodruff married Paschal Winthrop Grant Jr., son of Paschal Winthrop Grant and Julia Viets, in January 1858 at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH. Maria Porter Woodruff died on 10 March 1895 at Lapeer, MI.

     Reuben Barker Jr. was born on 26 October 1789 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Reuben Barker and Sarah Holcombe. Reuben Barker Jr. married Chloe Viets, daughter of Lt. Luke Viets and Keziah Phelps, on 11 September 1811.¹ Reuben Barker Jr. and Chloe Viets were divorced. Reuben Barker Jr. died on 23 April 1862 at age 72.

     Chloe Viets was born on 9 May 1793 at Newgate, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Lt. Luke Viets and Keziah Phelps. Chloe Viets married Reuben Barker Jr., son of Reuben Barker and Sarah Holcombe, on 11 September 1811.² Chloe Viets and Reuben Barker Jr. were divorced. Chloe Viets died on 4 February 1855 at age 61.

     Lucy Barker was born in 1813. She was the daughter of Reuben Barker Jr. and Chloe Viets. Lucy Barker died on 21 February 1876.