children: Robert Merritt; Abigail; Polly Lyoma;
John Satterlee.
(XII) Robert Merritt Burwell, of New Haven,
was born March 31, 1814, in the town of Milford,
a son of the above mentioned Robert, and left home
when but eighteen years of age, going to New Ha-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1451
ven, where for two years he clerked in the drug
store of L. K. Dow, whose place of business was
on Chapel street. In 1835 he went to the city of
New York and there remained until 1841, a portion
of which period he was employed in a drug store.
I'^rom New York he went to New Hartford, Conn.,
remaining some six years, then w-ent to Watcrbur)^
and after a residence there of nearly two years came
to New Haven, and ever afterward made that point
the field of his operations and his place of residence.
Here he entered the drug house of Samuel Noyes,
known as "Apothecaries' Hall," and in that house
it was that he began experiments in making soap
which led to the business in which he engaged in
1852, and in which his ettorts, energy and great
industry were crowned with deserved success. His
employer aided him in starting and became inter-
ested in the enterprise, but this interest Mr. Bur-
well soon purchased and was on the road to pros-
perity. By manufacturing a superior article of
laundry soap, and possessing sufficient tact to get
it before the people and trade, his business grew,
became extensive and its founder prospered. In
1880 Mr. Burwell retired from active business, leav-
ing it to his son Merritt W. to manage and carr^
to still greater success. The year that the father re-
tired Merritt W. Burwell succeeded to the man-
agtnuent of the large concern.
The senior Air. Burwell came into possession of
a farm of some 270 acres just north of Allingtown,
in which was "Alount Round Hill," a point some
3(X) feet high, overlooking the surrounding coun-
try for miles and miles, and Irom the mansion home
there is a most beautiful view. This farm Mr.
Burwell called "Wellwood," its appellation being
made up of the last syllable of his own surname
with the first of that of his wife. His later
life was principally devoted to the beautifying of
the picturesque country seat.
On June i, 1847, Mr. Burwell was married to
Elizabeth, daughter of Asa and Polly (Spencer)
Woodruff, prominent people of Ne^v Hartford,
Conn. Three children blessed the union of these
excellent people : Elizabeth R., born Nov. 24, 1855 ;
Merritt \V., born July 16, 1859; ^"^ Robert Noyes,
born Aug. 3, i860. Mr. Burwell was one of the
founders and trustees of the Howard Avenue Con-
gregational Church. His death occurred Dec. 6,
1888.
(Xni) Robert Noyes Burwell, born Aug. 3,
i860, at Plainville, Conn., spent his early school
days in New Haven, later attending the Russell
Commercial and Collegiate Institute. His student
days over, he embarked on a business career, and
entered the store of the Wholesale Spice Co. of
C. Coburn & Co., New Haven. Later he was con-
nected with the late George W. Hazel, in the manu-
facturing of hot air furnaces and ranges, also as
a plumbing company for eight years. Mr. Hazel
w-as the father-in-law of Robert Noyes Burwell,
and after the death of this gentleman Mr. Burwell
retired from business for seven years. For a short
period Mr. Burwell was on the road for a New
York house, but in 1898 he engaged in the under-
taking business, establishing same and building it
up himself. It is conveniently located at No. 966
Chapel street. Mr. Burwell is well fitted for his
chosen business, understanding its details thor-
oughly.
Un April 15, 1885, Air. Burwell was married to
Ella Hazel, who was born Nov. 5, i860, daughter
of George W. Hazel, a well-known and prominent
business man of New Haven, now deceased. Mrs.
Burwell is a descendant of John Davenport, first
pastor of the New Haven Congregational Church.
To Mr. and Airs. Robert Noyes Burwell two chil-
dren have been born: Julietta Elizabeth, Nov. 29,
1887 ; Stanley Burgess, July 22, 1893.
(X) Samuel Burwell married Comfort Law,
and of their children, besides Robert Burwell (from
whon> the late Robert Alerritt and his three chil-
dren already mentioned trace their ancestry), was a
son,
(XI) Benedict Burwell, who was born at Bur-
well Farms Feb. 26, 1785, and died April 14, 1863.
On Nov. 24, 1808, he married Dolly Welch. Their
children :
(XII) Caroline Welch, born Oct. 29, 1809, died
July 13, 1893; Charles, born Aug. 21, 1810, died
Oct. 6, 1813; Charles I'enedict, born Nov. 10, 1813.
died Alarch 25, 1896 (married Jan. 14. 1844, Har-
riett A. Gay) ; Welch F., born April 6, 1816, died on
Jan. 28, 1876; Fitch W., born in 1818, died in 1897 :
Calena, born April 20, 182 1. died March 13, 1832;
Mary E., born July 15, 1823, married Robert Blair;
Sarah Jane, born Feb. 12, 1827, married Thomas .
Barrett, who died in the battle of Fredericksburg,
and they had a daughter, Caroline, who married
P. S. Gehrish, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and has one
daughter, Helen, born in Brooklyn (Airs. Barrett
married for her second husband Dr. Halsey, of
Brooklyn). The father, Benedict Burwell, spent
his early school days at Burwell Farms, where he
engaged in farming. He was a deacon in the Old
South Church in New Haven, on Columbus avenue.
Of the above family, Charles Benedict Burwell
was born at Burwell Farms, and there spent his
early life, but attended school at Alilford and New
Haven. Although he learned the trade of shoe-
maker, he did not follow that calling very long. For
a time he resided in West Virginia, where he mar-
ried Harriet Gay, and later, returning to New Ha-
ven, engaged in a fancy goods business on Chapel
street, on the present site of the Hubinger building.
About thirty years ago he disco'ntinued the busi-
ness and engaged in fruit raising and market gar-
dening. During his later days he was treasurer of
the Second Congregational Church. Mrs. Burwell
w-as a daughter of Amos Hastings Gay, of Point
Pleasant. \\'. Va., a captain of an Ohio river steam-
boat. The children born of the marriage of Charles
Benedict Burwell and his wife were:
145:
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
(XIII) Mary Gay, born May 27, 1845, died
July 25, 1854; Eunice Jane, bom Feb. 17, 1847,
died Sept. 5, 1847; Robert Fitch is mentioned be-
low; Harriet Rosalie, born Feb. 27, 1856, was a
teacher in New Hampshire for a number of years ;
Lillian Gay was born April 23, 18 — ; Carrie Agnes
was born Jan. 11, 18 — .
Robert F. Burwell, of the above family, was
educated in New Haven, attending Lovell's School,
learned the science of dentistry under Dr. Strong,
and for thirty years has been in practice in this
city.
Of the family born to Benedict and Dolly
(Welch) Burwell, Fitch W. Burwell, bom Nov. 5,
1818. died Dec. 12, 1897. On April 28, 1843, he
married Maria Chapman, a daughter of Robert
Chapman, of Norfolk. W. Va. To them came :
Charles D., born in 1844, married Martha Wilkin-
son, and resides in Brooklyn, X. V. Eleanor D.,
bom in 1847, married (first) Charles Chapman, of
Louisville, Ky., and for her second husband Ed-
ward G. Merwin, a bookkeeper in the Mechanics
Bank at New Haven ; Caroline May died at the age
of seven years ; and Frank, born in 1852, died in
childhood.
Fitch W. Burwell spent his childhood in Mil-
ford, and at the age of eighteen began his business
career in New Haven, with Benjamin & Ford, a
jewelry firm, and was afterward with Mr. Free-
man, of Norfolk, Va. Later he engaged in the
jewelry business for himself in Norfolk, Va., re-
maining there until 1854. when he returned to New
Haven and built a beautiful home at No. 146 Co-
lumbus avenue. Having always been interested in
photography, he invested some $50,000 in the Will-
ard Mfg. Co., manufacturers of photographic sup-
plies, and unfortunately lost the greater part of this
sum. In addition, he also furnished several studios
and had them managed by expert photographers.
In 1893 Mr. Burwell lost his dearly beloved wife,
about four years before his own demise. He was
a man of prominence in New Haven, and his loss
was deeply felt in the community.
Referring again to the issue of the marriage of
Samuel and Comfort (Law) Burwell, the ancestry
is traced through another branch, as follows:
(XI) Samuel Burwell, son of Samuel and Com-
fort: (XII) George Burwell, son of Samuel (2);
(XIII) David C. Burwell, son of George: (XIV)
S. Clark Burwell, son of David C. Burwell.
("XlII) David C. Burwell was born in the town
of Milford, Conn., April 10, 1833, and died in New
Haven, Aug. i, 1893. His early life was spent in
New Haven. During the Civil war he served in
the 9th Regiment Band. After the war he engaged
in the wholesale oyster business, in which he con-
tinued until a short time prior to his death, and
this enterprise was located at No. 73 Front street.
David C. Burwell married Miss Mary Hosley, of
Bran ford, Conn., and to them were bom the fol-
lowing family: George Loring, who died at the age
of eighteen; S. Clark; Mary; Marcus, who died
when young; Malintha A., who died when young;
and Sarah M. Mr. Burwell was an earnest member
of the Methodist Church. For many years he was
an aldemxan and councilman from the Eleventh
ward, having been elected on the Republican ticket,
he being an ardent supporter of that party; for
twenty-five years he was a member of the fire de-
partment.
(XIV) S. Clark Burwell was born in New
Haven April 14, 1858, and his boyhood days were
spent in that city. When old enough to embark in
business he traveled in the interests of the oyster
trade, and about 1888 he became associated with his
father in the oyster business. After the death of
David C. Burwell, S. Clark managed the concern
alone, and then, in 1897, formed the S. C. Burwell
Co., of which he is president and treasurer ; his
wife (E. M. Burwell), secretary; F. R. Bames,
general manager ; and John Stewart, vice president.
This corporation is one of the largest in the city,
and was founded as a wholesale and commission
house in fresh, salt, frozen and smoked fish, oysters,
clams, lobsters, scallops, etc., all of which are
shipped throughout the United States. Ever since
he assumed charge of affairs Mr. Burwell has given
his entire time to its development, and its present
large proportions testify to his success.
S. Clark Burwell was married, in New Haven,
Sept. 19, 1884, to Eva M. Wipper, of that city. To
this marriage the following children have been
born : George Loring, Eva Katharine, Marion
Hammond, David Clark, Ellen Hosley and Flor-
ence Elizabeth.
For eight years Mr. Burwell was a member of
Hook and Ladder No. 3, serving as callman. So-
cially he is a member of Polar Star Lodge. I, O.
O. F., and also of the A. O. U. W. Fraternal Benefit
League. Both he and his wife are members of the
East Pearl Street M. E. Church.
! Another prominent representative of the Bur-
well family i* Nelson Burwell, son of Thomas Bur-
well, and grandson of John Burwell. John Bur-
well lived the greater portion of his life in Milford,
Conn., and died highly respected by all. He mar-
ried a Miss Welch.
Thomas Burwell, son of John, and father of
Nelson, during the early part of his life resided in
INIilford, and by calling was a farnxer, which occu-
pation he followed all his life. He lived to the re-
markable age of ninety-one years and eight months,
and his wife lived to be ninety-eight years and eight
months old. Her maiden name was Sarah Beach,
and she was a daughter of John Beach, and a na-
! tive of Milford, Conn. To Thomas Burwell and
his wife were born: Mary, who married a Mr.
Tibbals ; Horace (deceased), a carpenter, who had
a daughter, Mrs. Darham; Nelson; Beach (de-
ceased), a carpenter; Eliza; Martha; and Elias.
Nelson Burwell was born on the farm in Mil-
ford, Conn., Dec. 26, 1815, and spent the first
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1453
twenty-five years of liis life in Milford. After this
he learned the trade of carpenter in New ILaven^
and for a number of years was one of the leading
carpenters of the latter city, but for the past six
years has lived retired from active life.
Nelson Burvvell was married, in New Haven,
Conn., to IMiss Mary E. Clark, who died about
seven years ago. To them were born : Ella, who
married Charles D. Kinney, a native of Seymour,
Conn. ; and Marion A.
WILLIAM EBEN BECROFT, a well-known
contractor and architect of Wallingford, was born
in that town, June 20, 1857.
James Seth Becroft, the grandfather of William
E., was born in Troy, N. Y., May 20, 1796, and be-
came a mason and contractor. On Feb. 2, 1822, he
married Clarinda Weldin, who was born Dec. 24,
1802, and who died Oct. 12, 1872. He died April
27, 1840. The Becrofts were of remote Holland
ancestry.
Jam€s Henry Becroft, son of James Seth, was
born in Troy, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1827. He was a
theatrical machinist, and had charge of the stage in
Wallack's theatre in New York about fifteen years.
About 1877 he began a contracting business from
Meriden, and contracted with a number of the
large theaters in different parts of the country. On
Nov. 22, 1898, he died in Meriden. A Democrat
in jxilitics, he was exceptionally posted on political
affairs. He was a charter member of the Dramatic
Society, and was the first one to receive a benefit
therefrom, having fallen in Booth's Theater in New
York. During the Mexican war he served as a
soldier, and was badly wounded on the hand by a
saber stroke. Mr. Becroft was married, Nov. 3,
185 1, to Miss ^lary Jane Whittaker, of New York,
who died in March, 1893, in Wallingford. Ten
children were born to them, of whom seven are now
living: Emma Florence, who married John Bur-
bridge, of Meriden ; William E. ; James Henry, Jr.,
a carpenter of Wallingford; George Samuel, a car-
penter and decorator of Waterbury; Elizabeth
Mary, the wife of Robert Clark, of Meriden ; Silas
Weldin, a silversmith, of W^allingford ; and Albert
Whittaker, a paper-box maker, of Waterbury.
William Eben Becroft had his early education in
the town of his nativity, and in Meriden, to which
point his parents removed when he was quite young.
At the age of ten years he left school and worked
with his father until he was twenty years old. For
the seven ensuing years he was employed by other
parties, and then forming a partnership with his
father, they began contracting under the firm name
of James H. Becroft & Son, at Meriden. For three
years this association continued, and then our sub-
ject came to Wallingford, to become foreman for
Newton C. Wooding. At the present time he is
foreman and architect for Charles F. Wooding,
who has succeeded his father in the same business.
Mr. Becroft was always deeply interested in archi-
tecture, and has devoted so much time and study to
it that he has become a proficient architect. He
has drawn the plans for a number of important
buildings the last few years, and is manifesting
much ability in this art which is practically self-
acquired. In 1896 he built himself a very pleasant
home on North Whittlesey avenue.
Mr. Becroft belongs to the Odd Fellows frater-
nity, and is a member of Accanant Lodge, No. 71,
of which lodge he is now past grand. In his politi-
cal views he is a 'Democrat, but business cares and
obligations have kept him from active political am-
bition. Mr. Becroft is a member of St. Paul's Epis-
copal Church, and has been assistant superintendent
of its Sunday-school. Mr. Becroft was married
Sept. 7, 1887, to Miss Annie Elizabeth Hobson, a
daughter of William Hobson, of Meriden. To this
union were born two chiklren, Mildred Madeline,
born Jan. 18, 1889, and Gladys Beulah, born Jan. 8,
1892, and died June 22, 1893.
One of Mr. Becroft's ancestors was the first
settler in what is now Columbia county, and owned
the entire tract thus described. All the family pos-
sessions were lost during the Revolution, in which
war the great-grandfather of jNIr. Becroft lost his
life. Another member of this family was the first
banker in Hudson, New York.
MARTIN HELLMANN was a man whose
many quiet deeds of benevolence and charity won
for him the love and esteem of hundreds who had
no special right to his consideration, and in his
death, which occurred at his residence on Bank
street, Waterbury, March 5, 1892, the city lost one
of its most prominent German business men and
citizens.
Mr. Hellmann was born Aug. 7, 1844, in Ba-
varia, Germany, and at the age of twenty-one came
to America, locating in Bridgeport, Conn. For a
time he was in the employ of the Wheeler & Wil-
son Sewing Machine Co., and then engaged in the
hotel business. In about 1878, in connection with
Michael Kipp, also of Bridgeport, he purchased
the Naugatuck Valley Brewery of Frederick Nuhn,
and under his judicious management the business
was developed until the establishment became one
of the largest and most successful breweries in the
State. In about 1889 Mr. Hellmann bought the
interests held by his [lartner, ?.nd thereafter con-
ducted it alone. His good business attainments
and great popularity brought him into favor in the
city, and his services were sought for places of
public trust and honor. He was elected by hand-
some majorities to a number of municipal offices,
among them being that of alderman, from the Third
ward, in which capacity he served in 1882-83, 1884-
85, 1886-87 and 1890-91. He was councilman
from the .^ame ward m 1881. In 1889 and 1890
he held the office of tax collector, and declined to
serve longer owing to the pressure of his extensive
business. Mr. Hellmann took great interest in
•454
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
fraternal organizations, and had high standing in
many. He was a member of some twenty so-
cieties in Bridgeport and Waterbury, among whidi
may be mentioned the W'aterbiiry Turnverein ;
Steuben Lodge; the Order of llarugari; the Union
City Maennerchor ; the Bavaria-\'ercin of Bridge-
port ; Friendship Lodge, O. D. H. F. ; Tunxis
Tribe, I. O. R. M. ; Court Fruitful Vine, A. O. F.
of A.; Friedrich Wilhelm Lodge, K. of P.; the
Concordia Singing Society; and the Lyra Singing
Society.
In 1867, at Bridgeport. Conn., Mr. Hellmann
was married to Sibilla Merg, who is yet living.
The following children survived the father: Will-
iam, who died Feb. 13, 1898; Mrs. W. D. Richard-
son; Mrs. Ferdinand Stener; Charles M. ; and
Otto L.
HENRY A. MATTHEWS. The life of Henry
A. Matthews, of Southbury, Conn., illustrates a
fact strikingly exhibited in this country, namely,
that prominence and wealth and honor may come
to the boy whose future seems narrowed to the
most modest of spheres. The son of a machinist,
and by circumstances fated to become an operator
in a cotton mill at the early age of eight years, our
subject has nevertheless won wide social and po-
litical recognition, and has by his energy and abil-
ity as a manufacturer occupied an honored place in
the unexcelled industries of his native State.
Mr. Matthews was born in Goshen, Conn.,
Nov. 24, 1825. His father was a machinist, and
the boy at eight years of age left leisure behind
and began to work in a cotton mill. When thir-
teen years old he removed with his parents to
Waterbury, and there found employment in the
Webb factory of Hotchkiss & Merriman, with
whom he remained five years. Thereafter he en-
gaged in the manufacture of saddlery hardware,
stove trimmings, etc., until 1865, when, owing to
ill health, he retired to the farm which he now
occupies, and where, at the end of five years of
agricultural life, he had regained health, strength
and ambition. Accordingly he returned to Water-
bury and became senior partner in the firm of
Matthews, Stanley & Co., manufacturers of hard-
ware, saddlery, etc., and after the death of Mr.
Stanley five years later the firm of Matthews, Wil-
lard & Co. succeeded, and conducted a large and
prosperous business until 1891. That year Mr.
Matthews organized at Sevmour the well-known
manufacturing business of H. A. Matthews &
Co., and two and a half years later disposed of
his manufacturing interests and retired to his pres-
ent home on the farm near South Britain. This
finely improved possession is known as the old
Mitchell homestead, and there Mr. Matthews still
manages the general and prosperous farming
which his fertile and well-improved acres permit.
On Jan. 15. 1849, ^'Ir. Matthews married Sarah
Peck, of Southbury, to whom has been born three
children: Charles H., a carriage manufacturer of
Detroit, Mich. ; Florence, wife of John F. Ireland,
of Detroit; and William F., who died in 1880.
Mr. Matthews, while a thorough and efficient busi-
ness man, has been public-spirited as well and has
frequently been summoned bv his fellow citizens to
positions of honor and responsibility. While a
resident of Waterbury he served as a member of
the State Legislature in 1863-64, and again in
1880-81. In 1886-87 'le was a member of the State
Senate, and in 1884-85 he was elected mayor of
Waterbury. For many years he served continu-
ously as a member of the school board of Water-
bury. In politics he is a Democrat. For fifty-one
years he has been an active and prominent mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
He has been one of the largest and most success-
ful manufacturers of Waterbury, and at one time
employed about 800 men and conducted a business
aggregating $1,000,000 a j^ear. He is widely known
and universally esteemed for his many sterling
qualities.
GEORGE HODGSON TOWNSEND, M. D.,
a prominent physician of Stony Creek, this county,
has brought zeal and enthusiasm to the practice of
his profession, for which he has been thoroughly
fitted by study and experience under especially fa-
voraljlc conditions.
Of English and French extraction, Dr. Town-
send was born in Hartsdale, Westchester Co., N. Y.,
June 4, 1867, and is a son of Samuel B. and Mary
A. (Brundage) Townsend. His father in early life
was a Methodist minister, and in his later years
was engaged in a mercantile business at Hartsdale.
Dr. Townsend obtained his general and literary
training in the high school at White Plains, N. Y.,
and in 1890 began the study of medicine at the
Bellevue Hospital College, New York City, from
which he was graduated in March, 1893. He im-
mediately located at Danbury, Conn., and entered
upon his professional career, continuing there until
September of that year. In June of the following
year he opened an office in Stony Creek, where he
has since remained, and has met with gratifying
success. He has won the patronage of many of
the leading families of the community, and com-
mands the respect and confidence of the public to
a marked degree. Dr. Townsend is recognized as
one of the rising young men of his profession in
this locality. He belongs to the New liaven County
Medical Society and to the State Medical Associ-
ation ; and is a member of several fraternities, being
enrolled with the Widows Sons Lodge, No. 66,
F. & A. M.; Star of Hope Lodge, No. 1051, I. O.
O F. ; and the M. XJ. In politics he is a Re-
publican.
In his earlier years Dr. Townsend was actively
devoted to athletics, and from 1885 to 1888 was
catcher for the Athletic Base Ball Team of Phila-
delphia, and from 1888 to 1891 he served in the
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1455
same capacity for the llaltimore team of the Na-
tional League, lie was the founder of the Mt.
Vernon Athletic Association, of Mt. \'ernon, N. Y.,
and served as its first president. The Doctor stiill
retains a lively interest in all manly and athletic
rccreaitions.
Dr. Townsend was married, March 26, 1897, to
Maud Bryson, a daughter of Richard and Lottie
(King) Bryson, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Mrs. Town-
send is a woman of many chamiing characteristics,
and has a large circle of friends.
FREDERICK A. JACKSOX, a resident of
West Haven, where he is held in the highest re-
spect as one of the most useful, loyal citizens of the
place, is a descendant of Henry Jackson, who came
in 1635, at the age of twenty-nine, to this country
from England in the ship "Elizabeth & Ann;"
he located first in Watertown, Mass., and afterward
removed to Wethersfield, still later, in 1642, to
I'alirfield, being one of die original settlers and
l^rojirietors of the last named place. His tract of
land, among the "long lots" at Poquonnock, became
at a later day the boundary line bettween Fairfield
and Stratford. Fie followed farming, had a mill at
"Jackson's Nook," and died in 1686. His will,
dated Nov. 11, 1682, was proved in September,
1686. This document, still in a fine state of
preservation, is lin Fairfield. Henry Jackson's wife