Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

and a copy of John Cleveland's poems,
1654. Perhaps the most curious of all
the collection is a two volume cook book,
of the thirteenth century. Among these,
also, are a volume of Materia Medica of
the sixteenth century, and a volume of old
English laws of the same period.
Mr. Weed and his sister, who shares his
home and his tastes, are both deeply in-
terested in Spiritualism.
WEED, William Francis,
Artist, Photograplier.
(I) Carey Weed, great-grandfather of
William F. Weed, was a descendant of
Jonas Weed (q. v.). Carey Weed was
born in 1782, and died November 9, 1842.
He married (first) Clarissa St. John, and
they were the parents of William H., of
whom further.
(II) William H. Weed, son of Carey
and Clarissa (St. John) Weed, was born
April 13, 1813, and died November 10,
1863. His boyhood was spent in his
native town, and early in life he learned
the trade of shoemaker, but he did not
follow this very long. Most of his time
was given to farming, and he did some
contract work in laying stone walls and
so forth. Mr. Weed was a member of the
Connecticut Militia, and was captain in
the Horse Artillery. He married, in
Poundridge, New York, Januar}' 27, 1837,
Mary E. Hanford, daughter of Austin
Hanford. The latter met his death in the
War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Weed were
the parents of seven children, among
whom was Francis Edward, of whom
further.
(III) Francis Edward ^^'eed, son of
William H. and Mary E. (Hanford)
Weed, was born in New Canaan, Connec-
ticut, November 26, 1841. He attended
the public schools, and at an age when
most children are playing he was helping
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
456
in the support of the family by working
by the month. When he reached the age
of eighteen, he entered the New Canaan
Post OfiSce, where he remained until
i860. After the Civil War was over, Mr.
Weed was employed for a time with the
Hoyt Manufacturing Company; in 1868,
upon the completion of the New Canaan
railroad, he became station agent. This
position he held until 1879, ^"^ during
the time had not only taken care of the
agent's duties but had also made the
freight contracts of the railroad and at-
tended to the general freight and ticket
agent's duties.
In 1880, Mr. Weed embarked in the
coal business as the agent of David Waterbury,
of Stamford. His mother's un-
cle, John St. John, was the founder of
the St. John Woodworking Company, of
Stamford, who had a mill and lumber
yard, and at the same time he entered the
coal business Mr. Weed began to sell
lumber in New Canaan on commission.
He started with almost no capital but his
own sterling character, ambition and in-
dustry. In May, 1882, he took as a partner
George E. Lockwood, the firm name
being Weed & Lockwood. Six years
later George Kellogg became a member
of the firm, Mr. Lockwood having withdrawn.
Subsequently Mr. Kellogg withdrew,
and Mr. Weed carried the business
on alone until he admitted H. C. Turner
as a partner, the name being Weed &
Turner. After about five years Mr. Turner
sold his interests to George W. Duryea,
and the name was changed to Weed
& Dur3'ea. In 1914 the business was incorporated
under the name of The Weed
& Duryea Company, Mr. Weed being
president of the company. A large busi-
ness was built up, and among the articles
carried were building supplies, fertilizers,
and heavy hardware for contractors.
Mr. Weed took an active and interested