Person Page - 957

     Capt. Isaac Seymour was born on 10 October 1723. He was the son of John Seymour and Lydia Mason. Capt. Isaac Seymour married Agnes Humphrey, daughter of Nathaniel Humphrey and Agnes Spencer. Capt. Isaac Seymour died on 14 January 1755 at age 31.

     Rachel Nichols was baptized on 18 November 1733. She was the daughter of Cyprian Nichols and Agnes Humphrey.¹

     George Nichols was baptized on 13 December 1741. He was the son of Cyprian Nichols and Agnes Humphrey.

     Samuel Humphrey was born on 23 January 1707/8.¹ He was the son of Captain Samuel Humphrey and Mary Ann Eno.¹ Samuel Humphrey died on 7 April 1718 at age 10.¹

     Hepzibah Humphrey was born on 5 February 1720/21.¹ She was the daughter of Captain Samuel Humphrey and Mary Ann Eno.¹ Hepzibah Humphrey married Isaac Pettibone, son of Samuel Pettibone and Judith Shepard, on 11 February 1738.² Hepzibah Humphrey died in 1800 at Norfolk, Litchfield Co., CT.^1,2

     Lucy Humphrey was born on 2 April 1723.¹ She was the daughter of Captain Samuel Humphrey and Mary Ann Eno.¹

     Joseph Humphrey was born on 5 September 1718.¹ He was the son of Joseph Humphrey and Abigail Griffin.¹ Joseph Humphrey died young.¹

     Zillah Humphrey was born on 25 January 1726/27.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph Humphrey and Abigail Griffin.¹ Zillah Humphrey married John Hoskins Jr. on 26 November 1747.

     John Hoskins Jr. was born on 28 January 1715 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He married Zillah Humphrey, daughter of Joseph Humphrey and Abigail Griffin, on 26 November 1747. John Hoskins Jr. died in 1782 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Elizabeth Humphrey was born on 22 April 1684. She was the daughter of Lt. Samuel Humphrey and Mary Mills.

     Hannah Humphrey was born on 6 April 1697.¹ She was the daughter of Lt. Samuel Humphrey and Mary Mills.¹

     Abel Humphrey was born on 13 March 1714 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Ensign Samuel Humphrey and Mary Tuller.¹ Abel Humphrey married Jemima Warner on 13 December 1736.²

     Lydia Humphrey was born on 7 November 1715. She was the daughter of Ensign Samuel Humphrey and Lydia North. Lydia Humphrey died in 1775.

     Julius Phelps was born on 5 March 1805. He was the son of Shubael Phelps and Ziba Griffin. Julius Phelps married Lucia L. King on 23 October 1851.² Julius Phelps died in 1876.

     Mary Phelps was born in 1810.¹ She was the daughter of Shubael Phelps and Ziba Griffin.¹ Mary Phelps died on 23 February 1814.¹

     Lucia L. King was born on 13 March 1813 at Suffield, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She married Henry W. Viets, son of Luke Viets Jr. and Abigail Phelps, on 24 November 1831.¹ Lucia L. King married Julius Phelps, son of Shubael Phelps and Ziba Griffin, on 23 October 1851.¹ Lucia L. King died in 1906.¹

     Henry W. Viets was born on 2 September 1809 at a farmhouse near Newgate, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Luke Viets Jr. and Abigail Phelps. Henry W. Viets married Lucia L. King on 24 November 1831.¹ Henry W. Viets died on 2 August 1840 at age 30.¹

     Laura Adelaide Lillie was born on 22 April 1848 at Argyle, Lafayette Co., WI; based on cemetery records and gravestone.¹ She was the daughter of George Hiram Lillie and Malinda Margaret Wilder.² Laura Adelaide Lillie married Charles Harrison Norton, son of Harvey Norton and Frances Marian Austin, on 28 June 1868 at Virgil, Greenwood Co., KS.³ Laura Adelaide Lillie married John C. Boynton on 23 August 1881 at Greenwood Co., KS.⁴ Laura Adelaide Lillie and John C. Boynton were divorced on 30 April 1883. Laura Adelaide Lillie married W. B. Vandeventer on 16 August 1883 at Greenwood Co., KS.⁵ Laura Adelaide Lillie died on 15 August 1944 at Eureka, Greenwood Co., KS, at age 96.^6,7 She was buried on 16 August 1944 at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka, Greenwood Co., KS; Grave 3, Lot 5, Block 2.^6,8

Laura was living in Washington, DC, at the time of her son's marriage there.


Laua was enumerated in the 1920 Los Angeles, CA, federal census in the household of her son George Harvey Norton.


Laura was enumerated in the 1930 Eureka, Greenwood Co., KS federal census. She was 75. (Roll: T626-703; Page: 6B; ED: 4; Image: 0784)


from the Eureka Herald 17 August 1944:


Mrs. Laura Norton, age 96, passed away at the home of Mrs. Guy Wheeler in Eureka Tuesday. Funeral service was held from the Baird Funeral Home Wednesday at 1:30 p. m. conducted by Rev. Bert Sutton. Interment was in Greenwood cemetery. Mrs. Norton was the aunt of Mrs. Douglas Peebles and Mrs Blair of Eureka.

     Charles Harrison Norton was born on 21 April 1841 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY.¹ He was the son of Harvey Norton and Frances Marian Austin. Charles Harrison Norton married Laura Adelaide Lillie, daughter of George Hiram Lillie and Malinda Margaret Wilder, on 28 June 1868 at Virgil, Greenwood Co., KS.² Charles Harrison Norton died on 20 April 1876 at Madison, Greenwood Co., KS, at age 34.¹ He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka, Greenwood Co., KS; Grave 7, Lot 5, Block 2.¹

Obituary from Eureka (KS) Herald...April 27, 1876

"Charles H. Norton, of Lane Township died on Thursday, April 20, 1876, in the 35th year of his life.

The deceased was born in Jefferson County, New York. His father emigrated at an early day to Mahaska County, Iowa, from whence the family moved to what was then Madison Co., KS, in the fall of 1858. That part of Madison Co. in which they settled was in Feb. 1862 annexed to and became a part of Greenwood County. Mr. Norton's father and one brother preceded him to the spirit land. He leaves an aged mother, a wife and one little boy and several brothers and sisters." (Note: At the first general election in Nov. 1862, Harvey Norton, father of the deceased was elected county clerk which position he filled for several years.


At a meeting of the Pomona Grange of Greenwood County, April 22, 1876, the following resolutions were adopted:


"Whereas, It has pleased our Divine Master to remove from the scenes of an earthly life our lamented Brother, CHARLES H. NORTON, Past-Master of Shell Rock Grange No. 1147, therefore,


Resolved, That we holding his memory in high esteem and feeling deeply his loss as a good citizen and a true Patron, express to the friends of the deceased our sympathy in their bereavement,


Resolved, That we admiring the spirit exhibited by him as an earnest and faithful Patron, commend his example as worthy of imitation by all members of our Order.


Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be given to the family of our deceased Brother and a copy be furnished to the Eureka Herald and to the Spirit of Kansas for publication. /s/ Mrs. H.S. Cochrane, Committee...." From The Madison Star and also in the Eureka Herald.


Charles (age 29) was recorded in the 1870 census of Lane Twp, Greenwood Co., KS, (film M593-434) with his wife (age 17), and baby George (age 4/12 mos). He was living next door to his brother Frederick. Their mother Frances, age 70, was living with him.

     Harvey Norton was born on 29 July 1802 at NY.¹ He was the son of Nathan Norton and Experience Howe. Harvey Norton married Frances Marian Austin, daughter of Benjamin F. Austin and Jerushia Mather, on 15 November 1821 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY.¹ Harvey Norton left a will on 1 December 1869 at Greenwood Co., KS.² He died on 5 December 1869 at Lane Twp., Greenwood Co., KS, at age 67.¹

Harvey was enumerated in the 1830 Houndsfield, Jefferson Co., NY, federal census. Enumerated were males 20-30 (1); males 5-10 (1); and males under 5 (1); females 20-30 (1); females 5-10 (1); and females under 5 (2).


Harvey was enumerated in the 1840 Houndsfield, Jefferson Co., NY, federal census. Enumerated were males 30-40 (1); males 15-20 (1); males 10-15 (1); males 5-10 (1); males under 5 (3); females 40-50 (1); females 15-20 (1); females 10-15 (2); females 5-10 (2).


Harvey Norton and Fannie Austin resided at Watertown and Sacketts Harbor, N.Y. until the Spring of 1844 when they with their family of ten children moved to what is now Mahaska County, Iowa, but then a territory in possession of the Indians. Their two months' journey to this new home was made by water. (*See below story of Mahaska Co., IA, from "A Short History of Mahaska County, Iowa, from A.T. Andreas' Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875) There Mrs. Frances Prichard, their 11th child was born. In the Spring of 1858 during the Territorial War, they moved to Kansas, settling near Madison, Greenwood Co., KS.


Harvey and Fanny were enumerated in the 1850 Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., IA, federal census. He was 47, she was 50. Children in the household were Austin 19, Emma A. 18, Eunice J. 16, Walter 14, Frederic 12, Charles 10, and Frances 6.


*From "A Short History of Mahaska County, Iowa, from A. T. Andreas' Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875", which sheds understanding of the above "journey to this new home WAS MADE BY WATER": "The mode of access to this county during its early history was by water to Keokuk, the "Gate City" (so called because it was the gateway to the territory northwest as far as Des Moines), thence up the Des Moines River by such rode water craft as could be procured to points whence the immigrants could make their way to their destined location by team and wagon. The way was roundabout and the journey long and slow, yet such means of communication with the outer world were then regarded as exceedingly valuable and convenient. Hence the settlement which extended up the Des Moines River valley was the first of any great importance that penetrated far into the interior of the state. This was before the era of direct and rapid communication by rail. Then Mahaska County was away in the far west, a long distance beyond civiliazation. Now it is the home of civilization, with all its best institutions. The river has been abandoned for the ready communication to the rail, and the county is traversed by numerous railroads."


Harvey and Fanny were enumerated in the 1860 Verdigris Twp., Madison Co., KS, federal census. He was 57, she was listed as 16 but that was probably the daughter Frances listed later. Children in the household were Frederick 21, Charles 19, and Frances 16.


From History of Greenwood County, Kansas, Chapter 5: The Establishment of Greenwood County Government, p. 24...."Janesville continued to serve as the county seat until November 17, 1866, when an election was held to locate the county offices permanently. Eureka received 91 votes, Philadelphia (located where the Pleasant Valley School house was at 6-25S-12E about 5 miles southeast of Hamilton) received 68 votes and scattered votes for other sites failed to produce a majority. A second election on November 27, 1866, gave Eureka 116 votes and Philadelphia 112. (Today the townsite of Philadelphia is a plowed field.) The county records were then brought to the new county seat of Eureka on horseback by CLERK HARVEY NORTON, who carried the files of his office across his saddle in a grain sack. Most county offices in earlier days had been held in the officers' homes, and people having business with them were their guests. One story relates how NORTON, upon riding up to a little store which at the time served as a court room, town hall, and place of general utility, had joked that he "had the county seat of Greenwood County in that sack."/S/ The History of Greenwood County, Kansas", Vol. 1, pp. 24-25.


From The Eureka Herald, August 1, 1868:


"Mr. Harvey Norton has a splendid farm on the Verdigris. He knows how to use it too, if we judge from the splendid specimens of wheat, oats, corn, &c., that he shows us. He says that he raises every year from 15 to 20 bushels of spring wheat to the acre. This year we think he will have more. He had one of the finest sweet potato patches we ever saw. We are indebted to him for much valuable information concerning the county generally."


From The Eureka Herald..December 3, 1869, Page 3, Column 1: "We regret to learn that Mr. Harvey Norton is very sick and not expected to recover."


The Eureka Herald, December 24, 1869, Page 2,Column 4: "State of Kansas, Greenwood County, December 7 A.D. 1869. Notice is hereby given to all persons interested that the last will and testament of Harvey Norton, late of said county, deceased, has this day been filed in the office of the Probate Judge of said county. Proof in authentication of the same will be heard by the said Probate Judge at his office in Eureka on the 8th day of January A.D. 1870 at 2 o'clock p.m....James Kenner, Probate Judge".


LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HARVEY NORTON of the County of Greenwood, in the State of Kansas. 1 December 1869, Wednesday Greenwood Co. Courthouse


I, Harvey Norton, being advanced in years, but of sound and disposing mind and having in view the uncertainty of human life and wishing to settle my worldly affairs in a manner satisfactory to myself, and to prevent uncertainty hereafter in regard to my wishes as to the disposal of my estate and effects, do hereby make and constitute this as my last Will and Testament.


ITEM 1st: It is my will that all the personal effects and stock now on my farm in Greenwood County, Kansas, or belonging to me individually or jointly with my son, Charles H. Norton, shall be disposed of according to the terms of a partnership contract existing between myself and my said son, Charles H. Norton, that is to say, One half each, of all the stock, effects, produce and other personal property, to my wife, Frances Marian Norton, and my son, Charles H. Norton.


ITEM 2nd. It is my will that no part of the real estate now belonging to me shall be sold or alienated during the life time of my beloved wife, Frances Marian Norton, but shall be occupied and used by my son Charles H. Norton during said period, after whch it is to be sold and the proceeds divided among my legal heirs.


ITEM 3rd. It is my will that after the division of the personal property between my wife and my son, Charles, as provided for in the contract herein referred to, that portion of the effects, stock, farming implements then falling to the share of my wife, shall remain on the farm to be used by my son Charles during the lifetime of my wife, and at her death all the original stocks, implements and effects of her share, except one half of the increase of her livestock, shall be sold, and the proceeds equally divided amongst my legal heirs--the other half of the increase of said livestock I give and bequeath to my son Charles.


ITEM 4th. It is my will that my said wife continue to live with, and is to be supplied by my son Charles H. Norton, during the remainder of her lifetime. That he shall take care of and properly keep her and provide for her comfort and wants and, also, to provide food for her stock and deliver to her, as she may wish it, one half of the increase of her said stock in consideration of which I hereby will and bequeath to my said son all the farming products of my real estate, during the lifetime of my said wife.


ITEM 5th. It is my will that my half of the grain now on the farm shall be used for the support of my wife, after defraying the expenses of my funeral and payng my debts. And, finally, having full confidence in his honesty and integrity, I do hereby name and appoint as Executor of this, my last will and testament, my son John Austin Norton, and I do adjure him to carry out, to the letter, the will and wishes of his dead father.


This will was reduced to writing in accordance with the wishes and at the dictation of Harvey Norton on the 1st day of December, A.D. 1869, by Charles Sweney.


(John Austin Norton died the day before his father, Harvey, died. John died December 4, 1869, and his father, December 5, 1869; both died in and are buried in Greenwood Co., KS. Harvey is buried at Eureka Cemetery, Eureka, KS, and John and his wife, Sarah Wells (Ferree) Norton are buried in #8 Cemetery, just east of Madison, KS.)


1860 KS Territory Census, Madison County, Verdigris Twp, enumerated 10 August 1860 by E. Goddard shows: Lines 11-15, Dw 825, Fam 642: Harvey 51, Farmer, b. VT; Fanny M. (age incorrect; age shown is of their dau, Frances) b. CT; Frederick, 21, Farmer, b. NY; Charles H., 19, Laborer, b. NY; Frances, 16, Housework, b. IA.


Copied from The Madison Star, 8 Feb 1895..... Last Friday, Fannie Norton died. She was born March 2, 1800 in New Haven, Conn. During the War of 1812, her father, Benjamin F. Austin with his family moved to the wilds of New York State where in 1820 she married Harvey Norton.


They resided at Watertown and Sacketts Harbor, N.Y. until the Spring of 1844 when they with their family of ten children moved to what is now Mahaska County, Iowa, but then a territory in possession of the Indians. Their two months journey to this new home was made by water. There Mrs. Francis Prichard, their 11th child was born.


In the Spring of 1859 during the Territorial War they moved to Kansas. She was raised a Presbyterian. Five children preceded her in death. She died Jan. 28, 1885.


Copied from The Madison Star 1 Feb 1895 and The Eureka Herald 8 Feb 1895:


Mrs. Sarah (this is a mistake: it should read Fannie) Norton died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. J. Godfrey. The deceased was 95 years old and had been almost helpless for years. She was a devout Christian lady and during the last days, she prayed incessantly to die. The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the Presbyterian Church. The remains were interred in the Park Place cemetery.(NOTE: Park Cemetery is now known as #8 Cemetery.)


Miss Effie Prichard came down from Emporia Wednesday morning to attend the funeral services of her grandmother...(sent by Melinda Norton, Edmond, OK).


Harvey and Fanny were enumerated in the 1850 Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., IA, federal census, (stamped page 188). He was 47, born in NY; she was 50, born in CT. Children in the household were Austin 19, Emma A. 18, Eunice J. 16, Walter 14, Frederick 12, Charles 10, and Frances 6.

When Harvey wrote his will shortly before his death, he provided for Fanny but only mentioned sons Charles H. and John Austin.

     Frances Marian Austin was born on 2 March 1800 at New Haven, New Haven Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Benjamin F. Austin and Jerushia Mather. Frances Marian Austin was also known as Fanny Austin. She married Harvey Norton, son of Nathan Norton and Experience Howe, on 15 November 1821 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY.² Frances Marian Austin died on 28 January 1895 at Greenwood Co., KS, at age 94.¹ She was buried at Number Eight Cemetery, Madison, Greenwood Co., KS.¹


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Francis Marian “Fannie” Austin Norton
BIRTH     2 Mar 1800
Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, USA
DEATH     20 Jan 1895 (aged 94)
Greenwood County, Kansas, USA
BURIAL     
Number Eight Cemetery
Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas, USA
MEMORIAL ID     11898582 · View Source

MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 2
FLOWERS 2
Copied from The Madison Star, 8 Feb 1895..... Last Friday, Fannie Norton died. She was born March 2, 1800 in New Haven, Conn. During the War of 1812, her parents, Benjamin F. and Jerusha Matther Austin, with his family moved to the wilds of New York State where in 1820 she married Harvey Norton. They resided at Watertown and Sacketts Harbor, N.Y. until the Spring of 1844 when they with their family of ten children (including John Austin) moved to what is now Mahaska County, Iowa, but then a territory in possession of the Indians. Their two months journey to this new home was made by water. There Francis Prichard, their 11th child was born. In the Spring of 1859 during the Territorial War they moved to Kansas. She was raised a Presbyterian but United with the Christian Church At Eureka, KS. Five children (Benjamin F., Phylinda M., John Austin, Walter H. and Charles Harrison) preceded her in death. She died Jan. 28, 1895.

     Benjamin F. Austin was born on 16 June 1772 at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA. He was the son of Benjamin Austin and Anne Goodrich. Benjamin F. Austin married Jerushia Mather, daughter of John Mather and Mercy Higgins, on 21 December 1797 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.¹ Benjamin F. Austin died on 4 May 1854 at Houndfield, Jefferson Co., NY, at age 81. He was buried on 5 May 1854 at Lakeside Cemetery, Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY.¹

Benjamin and Jerusha were enumerated in the 1850 Hounsfield, Jefferson Co., NY, federal census. He was a mill wright. The were in the household of son-in-law Joshua and Anna (Austin) Harlow.


from the Christian Ambassador, Auburn NY, 13 May 1854

In Sackett’s Harbor, N. Y. on the morning of the 4th inst., Mr. BENJAMIN AUSTIN, father of Rev. J. M. Austin, aged 84 years.- The deceased was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on the 15th day of June, 1770. In early life he followed the sea; but some sixty years since, he emigrated into Northwestern New-York, and became one of its pioneer settlers. He passed a quiet and humble, but useful and upright life, exemplifying the truthfulness of the maxim-"an honest man is the noblest work of God." He was formerly a member of the Baptist church. But about thirty years ago his faith became enlarged to the full scope of the gospel, and embraced the entire world as the final subjects of salvation… When Rev. Pitt Morse first commenced the proclamation of the gospel of impartial grace in Watertown, N. Y., the deceased was among those who rallied around him, and encouraged and aided him in his labors. And when Mr. Morse, in 1822, organized a church in connection with the Universalist Society in Watertown (one of the first churches formed in our denomination in this State), Br. Austin was its first deacon, which capacity he filled while he continued a resident of that place. His religion was to him a great reality, and few probably have ever loved it more ardently... His funeral took place on the 5th inst. An able and appropriate discourse was delivered by Rev. Pitt Morse, from Ps. Ivii.1. He was assisted in the services by Rev. S[eth] Jones...

     Jerushia Mather was born on 25 February 1763 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.² She was the daughter of John Mather and Mercy Higgins.³ Jerushia Mather married Daniel Stephenson on 18 July 1790 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.⁴ Jerushia Mather married Benjamin F. Austin, son of Benjamin Austin and Anne Goodrich, on 21 December 1797 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.⁵ Jerushia Mather died on 13 September 1851 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY, at age 88.⁶ She was buried on 15 September 1851 at Lakeside Cemetery, Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY.^5,6

from the Christian Ambassador, Auburn NY, 27 Sep 1851

In Sacket’s Harbor, N. Y. on the 13th inst., Mrs. JERUSHA MATHER AUSTIN, consort of Mr. Benjamin Austin, and mother of Rev. J. M. Austin, aged 88 years. After a sojourn of more than four score years on this earth, this venerable mother in Israel has passed to her home in heaven. During her long career, she bore an irreproachable reputation as a wife, a mother and a neighbor. Her life was distinguished for love of religion, a kind and charitable spirit, great benevolence of heart, and uncommon cheerfulness of disposition. For more than thirty years she has been an unwavering believer in Jesus as the Saviour of the world; and in her daily walk endeavored to reduce to practice the teachings of this beautiful faith. It was her comfort, her joy, in life and her consolation in the hour of death.

The deceased was a native of Lyme, Conn., from whence, more than fifty years since, she removed with her venerable husband, who still survives her, to north-western New York, then nearly a wilderness. She has left behind, to mourn her departure, a husband, six children, forty-three grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren… Her funeral took place on the 15th inst., and a sermon appropriate to the occasion was delivered by Rev. Pitt Morse.

     Frederick Augustus Norton was born on 31 October 1838 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY. He was the son of Harvey Norton and Frances Marian Austin. Frederick Augustus Norton married Laura B. (?) Frederick Augustus Norton died on 31 March 1912 at Ripley, Payne Co., OK, at age 73. He was buried at Ingalls Cemetery, Ripley, Payne Co., OK.

Frederick and Laura B. were eunmerated in the 1870 Lane, Greenwood Co., KS, federal census. He was a farmer, age 31; she was 20. Children in the household were John R. 3, and Loretta W. 1.

     Walter H. Norton was born on 5 May 1836 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY. He was the son of Harvey Norton and Frances Marian Austin. Walter H. Norton died on 2 May 1877 at Eureka, Greenwood Co., KS, at age 40.

     John Mather was born on 13 July 1721 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.^1,2 He was the son of Lt. Joseph Mather and Phoebe De Wolf.² John Mather married Mercy Higgins, daughter of Capt. Joseph Higgins Jr. and Mercy Remick, on 13 June 1745 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.^1,3 John Mather married Mrs. Ruth Robbins on 27 February 1785.^4,5 John Mather died on 1 January 1804 at Old Lyme, New London Co., CT, at age 82.⁴

     Mercy Higgins was born circa 1728 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Capt. Joseph Higgins Jr. and Mercy Remick.^1,2 Mercy Higgins was also known as Marcy Higgins.³ She married John Mather, son of Lt. Joseph Mather and Phoebe De Wolf, on 13 June 1745 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.^4,5 Mercy Higgins died on 20 October 1782 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.⁶

     Lt. Joseph Mather was born on 29 January 1686 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Richard Mather and Catherine Wise.² Lt. Joseph Mather married Phoebe De Wolf, daughter of Simon De Wolf and Sarah Lay.³ Lt. Joseph Mather died on 30 September 1749 at Old Lyme, New London Co., CT, at age 63.⁴

     Phoebe De Wolf was born on 20 January 1691 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Simon De Wolf and Sarah Lay. Phoebe De Wolf married Lt. Joseph Mather, son of Richard Mather and Catherine Wise.¹ Phoebe De Wolf died after 1736.

     Richard Mather was born on 22 December 1653 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ He was the son of Timothy Mather and Catherine Elizabeth Atherton. Richard Mather married Catherine Wise, daughter of Joseph Wise and Mary Thompson, on 1 July 1680 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ Richard Mather died on 17 August 1688 at Lyme, New London Co., CT, at age 34.¹

Richard Mather, named after his grandfather, was a farmer, and settled at first in Dorchester, but a few years after his marriage he removed to Lyme, Conn. In the year 1687 he bought a tract of land in Lyme of Hezekiah Usher of Boston. As Mr. Mather died the next year, he could not have done much in his new enterprise. He died on the fifty-third anniversary of the landing of his grandfather in America, which was on the 17th of August, 1635. ²

     Catherine Wise was born on 8 December 1658.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph Wise and Mary Thompson.¹ Catherine Wise married Richard Mather, son of Timothy Mather and Catherine Elizabeth Atherton, on 1 July 1680 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co., MA.² Catherine Wise died at Lyme, New London Co., CT.¹

     Simon De Wolf was born in 1648 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Balthazar Dewolf and Alice (?) Simon De Wolf married Sarah Lay on 12 November 1682 at Lyme, New London Co., CT. Simon De Wolf died on 5 September 1695 at CT.

     Sarah Lay was also known as Sarah Lee. She was born circa 1663. She married Simon De Wolf, son of Balthazar Dewolf and Alice (?), on 12 November 1682 at Lyme, New London Co., CT.

     Humphrey Atherton was born circa 1608. He died on 16 September 1661 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co., MA.

From the NEHGS electronic newsletter, July 11, 2003, by Carol S. Radford of St. Clair, Missouri:


came to America in 1635 or 1636, accompanied by his wife, Mary Wales. They settled in the Dorchester, Massachusetts, area and soon raised a large family.


Soon after his arrival, he established himself as a leader of the colony. He was elected as a selectman of Dorchester in 1638 and represented the town in the General Court. In 1653, he was chosen speaker of the house of deputies, and the following year he became an assistant to the governor.


Humphrey Atherton was also involved in the colony's military affairs. He became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and was its captain from 1650 to 1658. He commanded the Suffolk Regiment, with the title of major general, and served as the chief military officer in New England.

     John Austin Norton was born on 15 March 1830 at Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY. He was the son of Harvey Norton and Frances Marian Austin. John Austin Norton died on 6 December 1869 at Madison, Greenwood Co., KS, at age 39.