Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

land in an allotment there, not far from
the present home of many of his descend-
ants, on West Long Hill. He died September
12, 1690. He married, October
8, 1673, his step-sister, Elizabeth Wetmore,
born 1648, daughter of Thomas
Wetmore. Jlphraim Atkins, fourth son
of Josiah, born March 9, 1685, lived in
Middletown and died December 26, 1760.
He married, June 16, 1709, Elizabeth Wetmore,
born September 2, 1685, eldest child
of Thomas, Jr., and Elizabeth (Hubbard)
Wetmore. Elizabeth Hubbard, born January
15, 1659, in Middletown, was the
youngest child of George Hubbard, the
patriarch. She was married, February
20, 1684, to Thomas Wetmore, who was
born October 19, 1652, and died February
I, 1689. She died December 6, 1725.
The eldest son of Ephraim Atkins was
Thomas Atkins, born April 5, 1710, lived
on Long Hill and built a house there in
1734, a short distance northwest of the
present handsome home of his descendant,
whose name heads this article. He married,
August 6, 1735, Martha Miller, born
March 28, 1705, daughter of "Governor"
Benjamin Miller and granddaughter of
Thomas Miller, the Middletown pioneer.
Ithamar Atkins, only son of Thomas
and Martha (Miller) Atkins, born Novem-
ber 16, 1757, was a prominent figure in
the town, residing on the spot now occu-
pied by T. J. Atkins, where he built a
brick house in 1807. His farm embraced
more than eight hundred acres of land,
much of which is still in possession of his
descendants. He was possessed of a
strong mind, was industrious and capable,
and achieved unusual success in life. He
married, November 27, 1783, Anna Hub-
bard, born October 18, 1762, twelfth child
of Nehemiah Hubbard and Sarah Sill, de-
scended from George Hubbard, the patri-
arch. Ithamar Atkins died January 27,
1829, and his wife April 11, 1838.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
183
Albert Atkins, sixth and youngest son
of Ithamar and Anna (Hubbard) Atkins,
was born September 14, 1804, on the pa-
ternal homestead and lived there all his
life, dying January 30, 1881, as the result
of over-exertion in building a stone wall.
The strain of severe labor brought on
pleurisy, which was succeeded by con-
sumption. Like all of his tribe, he had a
strong will, was industrious, and pros-
pered accordingly. He was three years of
age when his parents moved to the house
built by his father, which continued to
be his home through life. The district
school of the day furnished the founda-
tion of his education, and he also attended
a select school in Middletown. In early
life he was a successful teacher, and
among his pupils was his first wife, the
mother of his children. Ambitious for a
military career, frail health prevented the
attainment of his hopes. In association
with his elder brother, Henry, he managed
the home farm for some years, and
after the death of his father, he acquired
its ownership by purchasing the interests
of the other heirs. Of medium height and
solid build, he was able to accomplish
much by his own labor, and did not flinch
from the eflfort. His labors were guided
by intelligence, and he left a fine property
to his heirs. Gifted with intelligence and
a fine memory, he acquired much informa-
tion of a practical nature, was often consulted
by his neighbors, who found no
cause for regret in following his advice.
His methods of agriculture were in advance
of his time, he was possessed of determination
and independence, and none
were left in doubt as to his position on
any subject that engaged his attention.
A faithful supporter of the Methodist
Church, as the exponent of his religious
views, and an equally ardent supporter of
Democratic principles in politics, he was
respected by adversaries and adherents