Person:Erastus Chester (1)

ROME TOWNSHIP.
This township was purchased of the Connecticut land company by Henry
Champion, on the 10th day of September. 1798, he paying for the same at the
rate of forty cents per acre. Elijah Crosby became agent for the sale of these
lands, the last of which were sold as late as 1851. The township was, in the
year 1S05, surveyed by Timothy R. Hawley. This division was into lots one
mile long east and west, by one-half mile in width, and numbering fifty.
SETTLEMENTS.
In 1805, Elijah Crosby, of East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut,
came to this part of New Connecticut, and made a selection of five hundred and
fifty acres of land in lots 13 and 14, and caused two acres to be chopped on the
northeast corner of lot 13. This journey was made on horseback, he being ac-
companied by Daniel Hall. The same year Abner Hall purchased land in lot 12,
and erected on the southeast corner thereof the first log house in the township.
In this he resided until the spring of 1807, when he sold a part of this land to
J. D. Hall and departed the township. The next settler was Elijah Crosby, who,
with his family and two young men named Hall, started for Ohio on June 18,
1806, and arrived at Rock creek on the 2d day of August following. Here the
family remained until a log house was completed in the clearing above referred to,
which was first occupied by the family the subsequent fall. Mr. Crosby’s family
at that time was as follows : Phebe, who married M. C. Wilcox (deceased) ; Lu-
cinda, married John Crowell (deceased) ; Calvin, drowned in Grand river (this
township), August, 1818 ; Lovina, married Daniel Hall (deceased) ; Elial, mar-
ried Mary Way, resides at San Diego, California; Elijah (deceased); Joseph,
lives in Wisconsin ; Levi, married Sarah Leonard, who died in 1846 ; present wife
was M. C. Willey, and their place of residence is on the original location of the
elder Crosby Dwight L., the present county treasurer, is the second son of Levi
Crosby) ; Elijah, Jr., married Elizabeth Chester, resides on farm formerly occu-
pied by Erastus Chester ; Anna (deceased) ; Henry C. (deceased) ; Larissa, mar-
ried John McLaren, of San Diego, California, and resides there at present.
October 29. 1806, another pioneer part)* arrived in the township. They were
also from East Haddam, Connecticut, aud by name as follows : William Crowell,
wife, and eight children, John Crowell and wife, David Walkley and wife,
Jonathan Walkley, and Ephraim Sawyer. This party came by team the entire
distance, their route being over the mountains to Pittsburgh, down the river to
Beaver, and thence, via Warren, to Rome, passing their first night in this county
iu Orwell ; and it was on this occasion that a vast number of wolves surrounded
their camp and made the woods resound with their hair-lifting melody.” Ar-
riving in Rome, they began their life in the wilderness in the house previously
erected by Hall. Resided here until the succeeding March, when Mr. Crowell
and family removed to the new house which had been constructed in the mean
time, and which stood near the central portion of lot 13. William Crowell's chil-
dren are William. Jr., Sybil, Jerusha, John, Ezekiel, Ruth, Susan, Emeline, and
David. John Crowell, Sr., located on the south part of lot 13, building his cabin
near where S. M. Scoville’s house now stands. David and Jonathan Walkley

began on lot 25. Joseph Hall began life on lot 12, and David, his brother, on
lot 14, where their heirs still reside. The next settlers in the township were Syl-
vester Rogers and Henry Brown, who arrived in the winter of 1809-10. Mr.
Rogers erected his habitation on the northeast corner of lot 15. And here in
after-years he conducted a hotel ; this was in the era of “ staging,” and from John
Thompson, the veteran driver, we learn that there was “ not such another tavern
between the Ohio river and the lake.” We do not find that Henry Brown, or
“ Uncle Henry,” as he was familiarly called, ever fixed his residence on any par-
ticular piece of ground, yet he was quite a celebrity iu his way, having in his
possession a gun of enormous length and wonderful destructive qualities.

From 1815 to 1828 we find the names of the following settlers : Asa and
Lynds Tinker, lot 12; four brothers Linan; Edward C. Dodge, lot 48; Calvin
Church, David Rood, Simon Maltbie, Richard Miller, Samuel Ackley, Samuel
Crowde, lot 11 ; Henry Hungerford, lot 47 ; Sylvester Cone, lot 22 ; Erastus
Chester, lot 24; Andrew Champion, lot 13; James Baldwin, lot 45; Hazard
Morey, lot 18; Edmund Richmond and Stukely Stone; Azariah Smith, lot 26.
Sereno Smith, a son of the above mentioned, was murdered on the morning of
April 25, 1872, while at the barn, by John Housel, a hired man, who hid the
body so effectually that several days were consumed iu fruitless search. Housel
was convicted of the crime and sentenced to the penitentiary for life.
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION, WATER-COURSES, ETC.

From the “field book” used by Hawley on the occasion of the survey we
extract the following : “ The soil of this township is generally loam, of a clay
color, mixed with gravel. The surface is mainly level, except along the streams
of water,” the two principal of which are Grand river and Rock creek. The
former stream flows from the south through the township about one-half mile
from the west line. It derives its name from the Indian Geaugah, which in that
tongue signifies Grand. The course of Rock creek is through the east portion
of the township, and its waters are discharged into Grand river in Morgan.
Grand river was in early times a navigable stream, and crafts capable of carrying
two tons and under plied its waters as far up as Windsor. The first log barn was
erected by William Crowell in the year 1807, and was in size some twenty feet
square. The same gentleman erected the first frame barn. This was in 1814,
and the frame is still standing. Iu May, 1815, the first frame house was
“raised.” This building is still in existence. The joiner-work of this building
was done by William Crowell, Jr., father of our popular county auditor.

The first school-house was of logs, and was erected by Elijah Crosby and Wil-
liam Crowell in the fall of the year 1810, and as they each sent seven scholars,
made out quite a respectable pioneer school in point of numbers, and no doubt
equally so in mental endowments, if we may judge by the present representatives
of these families at the county-seat. The first school taught in the township
assembled in the log cabin of John Crowell in the summer of 1809. The teacher
was Miss Lucinda Crosby, afterwards the wife of John Crowell. The first winter
term of school was taught in the school-house above referred to in the winter


'H CRO SBY, R ome Tp Ashta bula Co.,






HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.


219


following its erection. William Humphrey was the teacher. The term was of
few months’ duration, and the wages paid were ten dollars per month. The first
frame school-house was built in the summer of 1821. Its location was some
eighty rods north of the residence of John Crowell. This was first occupied the
subsequent winter by Win. A. Otis. In this house were also held religious meet-
ings. The township is now divided into five school districts, with sehool-houses
and grounds valued at five thousand dollars. There are one hundred and seventy-
three scholars of requisite school age, and the total amount paid teachers for the
year preceding September 1, 1877, was six hundred and thirty-eight dollars and
eighty cents.

The first sermon delivered in Rome was in the year 1808, at the house of
Elijah Crosby, by the Rev. Jonathan Leslie, of Geneva. The second services
were by the Rev. Mr. Darrow, at the house of David Walkley. At this time it
was arranged to hold regular religious services on the Sabbath, and we are
informed they have been kept up until the present time. The first church
organization was on the 20th day of May, 1819, of the order known as Presby-
terian. The Rev. Giles H. Cowles was minister in charge. The following are
the members of this class : Elijah and Phebe Crosby, John and Lucinda Crowell,
Daniel and Lovina Hall, Levi Bayley, Elizabeth and Prudence Walkley. Levi
Bayley was appointed moderator ; Elijah Crosby and Levi Bayley, committee ;
and John Crowell, clerk. Of church edifices, we find that the Baptist church at
the centre was erected in 1835; the Presbyterian, which is located one-fourth
of a mile north of the centre, built in 183G; and the Episcopal, situated about
one mile north of the centre, built in 1837. The present building at the station,
occupied by the Methodists, was removed to that point from the centre in 1877,
and is the one first erected by the Baptists, as above stated. The pulpit of this
church is supplied by the Rev. Robert Crane, of Green, Trumbull county. The
pastor at the Presbyterian church is the Rev. Henry Farwell, who is the only
resident minister in the township.

The first post-oflice was established in this township in the year 1815, at the
house of Elijah Crosby, who was the first postmaster, and who continued to hold
the office until 1829. The present postmaster is Leander C. Reeve, the office
being located at Rome station. Another office was established at New Lyme
station (also in Rome township) in 1873. This office is kept at the residence
of the postmaster, Hiram Moses.

ROADS.

A few years ago, prior to the first settlement in j Rome, a marked route was
made from Austinburg to Warren, Trumbull couuty. This passed through this
township a short distance east of the present turnpike. The first record we find
of a road being officially located bears date June, 1812. This is couched in
language having the merit of brevity, at least, and reads, “ From Rome to
Orwell.” In March, 1816, another road was opened “ from the centre road on
a line between Daniel Hall and John Crowell’s, about forty-five rods south of said
Crowell’s dwelling-house, and running one mile west.” February, 1819, “from
Rome to New Lyme, on centre line.” June, 1819, “ From road by C. Chap-
man’s, in Morgan, to Orwell.” December, 1826, “ From the centre of the east
line of No. 9, in the fourth range (Rome), and running west on centre line of
said No. 9 to Grand river; thence ranging two degrees northerly until it meets
the centre road of No. 9 of the fifth range” (Hartsgrove). December, 1827,
“ From the turnpike road between lots Nos. 11 and 12, and running west to the
township line.” There are now some thirty-six miles of road in the township.

FIRST ORCHARDS.

About 1807, Joseph D. Hall and David Walkley purchased each fifteen apple-
trees of 0. R. Hawley, at Austinburg, carried them on their backs to Rome, and
set them out on their respective places. They grew finely, and it is related that
in the course of time Mr. Hall made from the first of these trees a barrel of cider;
this was stored in the cellar until it had acquired the necessary “ sparkle,” when
the neighbors were invited to the cabin to partake of the delicious beverage, and
no doubt derived fully as much pleasure drinking from the tin cups as do the
fashionables of the present day as they sip from gilded goblets the same liquid
under the euphonious name of champagne. Some of the trees of these pioneer
orchards are still standing.

FIRST SAW-MILL.

This was erected by E. C. Dodge, in the year 1818. Its location was on Rock
creek. In the year 1820 John Ried put in operation a small grist-mill about
one mile north of the Dodge mill. In 1830 another saw-mill was built by David
Walkley and Daniel Hall, on the farm of the latter. His mill was located on a
small stream emptying into Grand river. The first steam-mill was put in opera-
tion by Azariah Smith, in 1853. This stood one mile south of the centre, on the
southwest corner of lot No. 28. There are at present two steam-miHs in the
township, one at Rome station, owned by Messrs. Stiles & Smith, and another
55


at New Lyme station, owned by Hill & Smith, and a grist-mill on Rock creek,
one mile south of the centre, owned by Messrs. Shultz & Jayne. The first wheat
was grown by Elijah Crosby, in the year 1807. The first grinding was done for
William Crowell, he transporting his grain to a mill situated in Pennport, east of
Kinsman, Trumbull county. The first store was opened by Travis A. Miller, in
the year 1824, on lot No. 25. The present store is situated at Rome station,
and is owned by G. D. Carter.

The first hotel and stage-house in Rome was opened by John Crowell, in 1819.
This stood on the turnpike, about one and one-half miles from the north line of
the township, on the farm now occupied by Michael Scoville. The second house
of entertainment was the one erected by Sylvester Rogers, and to which reference
is made in the previous pages. The present hotels are the “ United States Mail,”
at Rome station, James Kelsey host, and one at New Lyme station, by Harvey
Hill.

The first marriage which occurred in the township of Rome was that of Jerusha,
daughter of William Crowell, to Erastus Flower, of Lenox. This interesting
event took place in June, 1807. T. R. Hawley, justice of the peace, of Jeffer-
son, solemnized the marriage contract, and it is said the wedding-party was a
happy one.

The first physician who located in the township was Dr. Baird, who began
practice in about 1826. Dr. Chester also practiced the “ healing art” for a time,
but at present Rome is without a physician.

The first birth was that of a daughter to William Crowell and wife, in June,
1807. This was “ Aunt” Emeline, who at present resides at Rock Creek, in
maiden meditation, fancy free. The first male child was Harry, the eleventh
child of Elijah Crosby and wife ; and it is said that Champion, the owner of the
township, having promised to the first male child born in Rome fifty acres of
land, promptly executed the deed to the juvenile Henry. This tract was situated
about one mile south of the centre.

The first death was that of the wife of John Crowell, which occurred on the
8th day of August in the year 1808. Who conducted the funeral obsequies we
are unable to ascertain. The body was interred on lot No. 14, being the same
ground now occupied for cemetery purposes, opposite the residence of Elijah
Crosby.

ORGANIZATION.

In connection with the organization of the township of Rome, we find on the
record of the commissioners of Ashtabula County, under date of June 2, 1828,
the following : “ A petition of Christopher Champlin and others, inhabitants of
the township of Richfield, praying that the name of said township be changed,
was presented and read, whereupon it was resolved by the board that said town-
ship, it being surveyed township No. 9, in fourth range of townships, and here-
tofore known by the name of Richfield, shall be hereafter known and designated
by the name of Rome, and said name of Richfield be abolished.” The first
election, which was held on the first Monday in April, 1829, resulted in the
election of the following officers: Joseph D. Hall, William Watrous, and Samuel
Crowell, trustees ; Justin Williams, township clerk and treasurer. As it may
appear a little irregular that these two offices should be filled by one person, we
will state that the office of treasurer at that day was principally honorary, there
being but little money handled by that officer. Charles Crowell and Justin
Williams were elected constables ; Lyues Tinker, Reuben Saunders, and Silas
Washburn, supervisors of highways ; Sylvester Rogers and Asa Tinker, overseers
of the poor; and Daniel Hall and David Walkley, fence-viewers. Justin Williams
was the first justice of the peace. He was succeeded, in 1830, by Samuel Crowell,
and he, in 1833, by Cyrus Richmond. The present justices of the peace are
Edward Allen and II. C. Ackley, and the present township officers are as follows :
Edward Nevison, S. C. McFarland, and Hiram Evans, trustees ; N. J. Decker,
treasurer ; H. L. Chester, clerk ; A. W. Stiles, assessor ; S. M. Scoville and
William Smith, constables, and six supervisors.

PRESENT MANUFACTORIES.

A handle-factory is located at Rome station, under the management of Agent
Spaulding. A butter-tub factory is at the same point, owned by E. A. Peck, and
a steam saw-mill and cheese-box manufactory, east of New Lyme station, by Giles
E. Scott. The first cheese-factory in the township was established in the year
1869, by a stock company, who eventually sold out to Messrs. Flagg & Frisbie.
The location of this factory is on the turnpike at the centre. In 1871 another
factory was erected, on lot 10. This was burned in 1873.

In relation to the patriotism of the citizens of Rome, we learn that when the
alarm consequent upon Hull’s surrender sounded throughout the meagre settle-
ments of the Reserve, “ every able-bodied man in the township, except one, re-
sponded to the call for troops.” During the Rebellion Rome was represented in
many a hard-fought battle. In the “ roll of honor” will be found the names of


220


HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.


those who gave their lives for our starry ensign, the pride of every true citizen.
Mr. G. H. Crosby furnishes the following: “ The Indians made frequent calls at
the houses of the early settlers while hunting in this section. Some of them
came to be quite well known. Being friendly, were ever ready to barter their
surplus game. They were in the habit of coming in the spring to make sugar
on the ; flats’ of Grand river. Thin sap-troughs were constructed of white birch-
bark, which was brought with them from, it is thought, Canada. One Sunday,
a pleasant spring day, David Walkley and Sylvester Rogers visited their camp.
The sap was running freely, but the Indians were sitting about. They asked
why they were not making sugar. The reply was, ‘ Sabbat big day. No make
susrar on big day.' They never visited the Indians again on Sunday.”

“ In the days of militia training, when all the able-bodied men from eighteen to
forty-five years were required by law to do two days' drill, Rome had its titled
men. — General Miller and Colonels Tinan and Latimer. The regimental train-
ings were several times held on lands of Sylvester Rogers, and a big time was
had on these occasions.”

STATISTICS FOR 1877.


Wheat 196 acres. 2.14S bushels.

Oats 482 “ 14,464 “

Corn 405 “ 13,702 “

Potatoes 4S “ 3,014 “

Orcharding 116 “ 7,010 “

Meadow 1623 “ 1,797 tons.

Maple-sugar 6,030 pounds.

Butter 45,697 “

Cheese 97,292 “


Population in 1870, 669.

Vote for President in 1876: R. B. Hayes, 143; S. J. Tilden, 39.

As Rome township was the last to retain the name of Richfield, we deem it
proper to give in connection with this township history the following record of
an early election held in that township. This was on April 6, 1807. at which
time Eliphalet Austin was chosen chairman and Hosea Wilcox and Stephen
Brown judges of election. The following are the names of those elected : Elijah
Crosby, T. R. Hawley, and Sterling Mills, trustees; Xoah Smith, clerk; J. M.
Case and Edmund Strong, overseers of the poor; Ambrose Humphrey and Ste-
phen Knowlton, fence-viewers; Sterling Mills and T. R. Hawley, listers and ap-
praisers ; Cornelius Phelps, John Henderson, Xoah Smith, Calvin Knowlton,
James Stone, Jesse Hawley, and Daniel Hall, supervisors of highways; Joab
Austin and Asa Gilbert, constables; J. M. Stone, treasurer; and Xoab Cowles,
Elijah Crosby, T. R. Hawley, and Edward Friethy, justices of the peace, whose
commissions were dated October 6, 1S08. We obtain these facts from the book
of records, now in the office of the clerk of Rome township. The records of
Rome township are also to be fouud in this volume, from the years 1828 to 1861.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


WILLIAM CROWELL, Sr.*

The pioneers of the Connecticut Western Reserve, with few exceptions, were
from Xew England, and a large majority of them from the State of Connecticut,
which formerly owned the territory. The character and habits of Xew England
people made and left a deep impression on the early settlements, which remains
influential to the present day. Mr. Crowell was born at East Haddam. Middlesex
county, Connecticut, July 10, 1771. His father, Samuel Crowell, was born at
Chatham, Barnstable county, Massachusetts. March 16, 1742, and was descended
from Puritan stock that emigrated from England at an early day and settled in that
county. He emigrated to Connecticut, and married Jerusha Tracy, and had six
children, — William, Samuel, Eliphaz, John, and Hezekial, and a daughter that
died in infancy. The subject of this sketch was the oldest son, and at the age
of fourteen was apprenticed to a Mr. Mack to learn the joiner’s trade, and served
the full term of seven years. He was married to Ruth Peek, August 26, 1792,
and had nine children, one of whom died in infancy, and after his removal to
Ohio the number was increased to fourteen ; only two of whom are now
living, — a son in the city of Cleveland and a daughter at Rock Creek.

The first settlers of the Western Reserve were generally intelligent and enter-
prising men, and capable of enduring the fatigues, hardships, and privations of a
new country, which they were compelled to bear. On his journey to Ohio he was
in company with two other families, and they traveled in covered wagons drawn
by oxen, and were more than forty days on the way. They traveled through
Pennsylvania, over the mountains, to Pittsburgh, and thence to Ohio, and reached
the end of their long journey the last of Xovember, 1806. From Bristol to Rome,


$ Prepared by Hon. John Crowell, Cleveland, Ohio.


a distance of more than twenty miles, there was an unbroken wilderness, without a
house to shelter them, and they were obliged to camp out for the night in the
most primitive style. The darkness and gloom of that Xovember night were
rendered more hideous to the weary travelers by wolves howling around the camp-
fire, and seeming to take offense at the intrusion of strangers upon their ancient
domain, occupied iu common by savage beasts and men for unnumbered generations.
The log cabin wliicb had been built for them, and in which they spent the winter,
stood near the dwelling-house of the late Joseph D. Hall. The building, not a
large one for three families, was divided by a stone wall five or six feet high, and
extending partly across the room. On each side of the wall fires were built for
comfort and convenience, and over these an opening was left in the roof for the
smoke to escape. One part of the log cabin thus fitted up was occupied by Mr.
Crowell and his family (the writer of this was one of them), and the other part
by the two families already mentioned. With the thermometer at zero, the
apartments of the cabin could not be esteemed very extravagant or luxurious by the
most prudent and economical. In the spring Mr. Crowell built a log house on
his farm, and at once commenced clearing it up for cultivation. He soon found
employment at his trade in the older settlements, where frame houses soon took the
place of log cabins, not only in different parts of this county but in the adjoining
counties, for he was esteemed a very good workman at his trade.

His family lived upon his farm at Rome, to which he retired in later life, and
where he died July 15, 1852, at the age of eighty years. He became a member
of the Protestant Episcopal church when the diocese of Ohio was organized,
and was frequently a member of the diocesan convention, in the time of Bishop
Chase, and when the bishop resigned voted to accept his resignation, and also in
favor of the election of his successor. Bishop Mcllvaine, whom he esteemed very
highly as a great and good man. Bishop Chase speaks of him very kindly in
his “ Reminiscences,” published several years before his death, and both of the
bishops were always his welcome guests in their diocesan visitations. He was a
very earnest and devoted member of that communion, and organized a parish and
built a cburch in the neighborhood of his residence, and in the grave-yard attached
to it his remains now repose. His wife survived him several years, and died at
the age of eighty-four, June 12, 1856, and was laid by his side.


ELIJAH CROSBY

was born in East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, on the 14th day of
February. 1805. He is a younger brother of Levi Crosby. The subject of the
present sketch was married on the 10th of October, 1831, to Elizabeth L.,
daughter of Deacon Erastus and Lydia Williams Chester, formerly of Colchester,
Xew London county, Connecticut, and who arrived in Rome township, this
county, on June 1, 1827, where the father died on March 9, 1877, and the
mother, August 30, 1857. Mr. Elijah Crosby has held many township offices,
and has filled them with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitu-
ents. This couple became members of the Presbyterian church in 1831, and
have been since that time active and consistent members. The occupations of his
life have been that of house-building, which avocation he followed during the
early years of his life, and farming, of which class he has for years been an in-
dustrious and honored member. Is in politics thoroughly Republican. The
children of Mr. Crosby, with dates of birth and marriage, are given below, viz. :
Lydia A., born December 23, 1832, married to J. W. Springer, June 3, 1861 ;
Frank E., born July 29, 1834, married to Emma Wood, September 12, 1863;
Orietta M., born August 5, 1836, -married Oliver Smith, August 31, 1856;
Elliot 31., born February 28, 1839, married Betsey Crowell, August 20, 1865,
died January 5, 1876 ; Albert C., born January 24, 1S42, married Sylvia Fobes,
December 23, 1870 ; Sarah E., born June 2, 1844. married E. J. Crowell, De-
cember 16, 1866 ; Phebe C., born February 22, 1S47, died October 29, 1876,
unmarried ; Alice L., born April 22, 1850 ; Carrie J., born Xovember 18, 1856,
married E. H. Stiles, December 25, 1877.


LEVI CROSBY,

a tine view of whose farm, residence, and pleasant surroundings, with portraits,
appears in another portion of this work, was born in East Haddam, Middlesex
county, Connecticut, on the 2d day of April, 1803. His father, Elijah Crosby,
was born iu the township and county above given, 3Iay 13, 1764. His mother
was Phoebe Church, and the date of her birth was Octobef 7, 1767. They were
married October 31, 1787, and settled in Rome township in the month of August,
1806. Here the father died July 30, 1835, and the mother, July 30, 1846.
The subject of the present sketch was, on the 28th day of February, 1832, united
in marriage to 3Iiss Sarah Leonard, whose place of nativity was Warren, Herki-







HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.


221


mer county, New York. The result of this marriage was four children ; the dates
of whose several births are as follows: Giles TI., born January 19, 1833, married
October 5, 1862; Dwight L., born November 21, 1835, married November 16,
1864; Maria J., born March 16, 1840, married January 2, 1863; and Jane E.,
who was born on the 10th day of October, 1844, and was married on the 24th
day of September, 1866. The wife of Levi Crosby died in January, 1846, and
on December 8, 1851, he was again married, to Mrs. M. C. Willey. After the
death of his father, Levi was appointed agent for the sale of the lands yet re-
maining unsold in Rome township. He was for many years engaged in the mer-


cantile and produce business in connection with farming, but of late has given up
everything else and is, as he expresses himself, “ only an honest tiller of the soil.”
He is eminently worthy of a place among the pioneer fathers of Ashtabula County,
and has ever been foremost in promoting the general growth of his adopted home.
In politics Mr. Crosby is a stanch Republican, having been first a Free-Soiler
and afterwards a Whig. Giles II., the eldest son of this gentleman, has turned
his attention somewhat to inventing. Is the patentee of the iron-bob sled
bearing his name, and has recently obtained letters patent on a buggy wheel, which
is quite superior, we believe, in some respects to anything that has preceded it.

Erastus Chester
Birth: 9 Feb 1790 Montville, New London County, Connecticut, USA
Death: 9 Mar 1877 Wayne, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA
Burial: Crosby CemeteryAshtabula County, Ohio, USA
Memorial #: 51903981
Bio: >son of Joseph Chester (1758-1791 Montville CT) and his wife, Elizabeth Lee>grandson of Joseph Chester (1731-1803) and his wife, Elizabeth Otis (1740-1789)>great-grandson of John Chester (1692-1771) and his wife, Mary Starr>great-great-grandson of Samuel and Hannah Chester>3rd-great-grandson of Samuel Starr (1641-1687) and his wife, Hannah Brewster (1641-1684)>4th-great-grandson of Thomas Starr (b 1615 in Ashford, Kent, England; died 1658 Charlestown MA) and his wife, Rachel Harris (1618-c1660)>5th-great-grandson of Thomas Harris (born in England; died in Charlestown MA) and his wife, Elizabeth Williams (1577-c1632)>4th-great-grandson of Jonathan Brewster (born 1593 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire England) and his wife, Lucretia Oldham>5th-great-grandson of William Brewster (born 1566 in Scrooby England; died 1644 Plymouth MA; passenger on the Mayflower) and his wife, Mary Love (1570-1627)>great-grandson of Joseph Otis (1712-1793) and his wife, Elizabeth Litte (b 1719)>great-great-grandson of Joseph Otis (1665-1754) and his wife, Dorothy Thomas (1670-1755)>3rd-great-grandson of John Otis (b. 1623 in Barnstable, Devon England; died 1685 Scituate MA) and his wife, Mary Jacob (1632-1683)>4th-great-grandson of John Otis (born in Glastonbury, Somerset England; died 1657 in Scituate MA) and his wife, Margaret (b 1598 in Devonshire England; died 1653 in Hingham MA>4th-great-grandson of Nicholas Jacob (born in Hingham, Norfolk England in 1597; died in Hingham MA in 1657) and his wife, Mary Gilman (1604-1681)>5th-great-grandson of Edward Gilman (born c 1587 in Hingham England; died 1655 in Hingham MA) and his wife, Mary Clark (born c1590 in Hingham England; died 1681 in Hingham MA)>3rd-great-grandson of Nathaniel Thomas (1643-1718) and his wife, Deborah Loring Jacob (1643-1696. She was the daughter of Nicholas Jacob and Mary Gilman mentioned above.)>4th-great-grandson of Nathaniel Thomas (1606-1674) and his wife, Mary (b1614)>5th-great-grandson of William Thomas (born 1573 of Wiltshire England; died 1651 in Plymouth MA)>grandson of Benjamin Lee (1712-1777) and his wife, Mary Ely (1714-1736)>great-grandson of John Lee (1670-1716) and his wife, Elizabeth Smith (1670-1761)>great-great-grandson of John Lay (c1633-1696) son of John Lay (born c1607 in Horley, Surrey England; died 1675 in Lyme CT)>great-great-grandson of Richard Smith (c1620-c1681 and his wife, Joanna Quarles (born c1630)>great-grandson of Daniel Ely (1693-1776) and his wife, Mary Ann Champlin (1682-1731, daughter of Christopher Champlin who was born 1656 in Devon England and died 1732 in Westerly RI)>great-great-grandson of William Ely (born c1647 in Plymouth, Devonshire England; died 1717 in Lyme CT) and his wife, Elizabeth Smith (1661-1750)>3rd-great-grandson of Richard Ely (born 1625 Basingstoke, Hampshire England; died 1684 Lyme CT) and his wife, Joane Phipps (born 1614 England; died 1660 Plymouth, England)>3rd-great-grandson of Simon Smith (1628-1687) and his wife, Elizabeth Ely (c1632-1683)
Family Members
Parents
Elizabeth Lee Chester 1757-1843
Spouses
Lydia Williams Chester* 1788-1857
Mercy Jackson Chester* 1795-1877
Created by: skye (47137314)
Added: 2 May 2010
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51903981/erastus-chester
Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 05 January 2018), memorial page for Erastus Chester (9 Feb 1790–9 Mar 1877), Find A Grave Memorial no. 51903981, citing Crosby Cemetery, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA ; Maintained by skye (contributor 47137314) .

1840 United States Federal Census

View1840 United States Federal Census
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Name: Erastas Chester
[Erastus Chester]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Rome , Ashtabula , Ohio
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 80 thru 89: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 7
Source Citation
Year: 1840; Census Place: Rome, Ashtabula, Ohio; Roll: 376; Page: 256; Family History Library Film: 0020158

Ashtabula Weekly Telegraph (Ashtabula, Ohio)16 Mar 1877, FriPage 3