Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

who inherited one-third of the paternal
estate lying in that part of Wethersfield
which is now Glastonbury, and there died
by drowning in attempting to cross the
Connecticut river, July 15, 1665. He bore
the military title of captain, and the
inventory of his estate placed its value
at £1,100 sterling. His second son,
Thomas Wells, born July 29, 1662, died
December 7, 171 1. He married, May 17,
1705, Jerusha Treat, of Wethersfield, born
about 1678, died January 15, 1754, daugh-
ter of James and Rebecca (Latimer)
Treat. Their eldest child, Waite Wells,
born 1708, died July 3, 1789. He mar-
ried, January 10, 1734, Jerusha Treat,
born March 14, 1707, died September 7,
1782, daughter of James and Prudence
(Chester) Treat. John Wells, second son
of Waite Wells, was born August 25,
1736, and married, March 4, 1766, Hannah
Curtis, born February 6, 1742, in Weth-
ersfield, daughter of Samuel and Lois
(Belding) Curtis. Their eldest child was
Samuel Wells, born 1767, married, April
19, 1787, Anna Griswold, baptized September
12, 1762, died September 15, 1828,
daughter of Ozias and Anna (Stanley)
Griswold. Their fifth daughter, Laura
Wells, born March 8, 1800, baptized July
6 following, became the wife of Moses
Morris, of Wethersfield. They were the
parents of Samuel Wells Morris, who was
born January 15, 1827, in Wethersfield,
died September 8, 1880, in Newington,
Connecticut.
Samuel Wells Morris was a man of am-
bition and energy and inaugurated vari-
ous enterprises. In 1862 he removed to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was
associated with his brother, Frank Morris,
in operating a foundry and machine
shop. Desirous of returning to agricul-
ture, he visited various points in Illinois
and at length purchased a farm in the
town of Ludlow, near the State Capital,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
335
which he tilled for three years. From
Illinois he removed to Lexington, South
Carolina, about fourteen miles from Columbia,
where he engaged in farming
for three years. On account of the fail-
ing health of his wife's father, he returned
to Connecticut to look after the estate,
and after living for some time in Wethersfield,
removed in 1878 to Newington,
where he engaged in agriculture, and
died as above noted. He was a member
of the Congregational church, and a Republican
in political principle, but sought
no share in the management of public
affairs.
He married, May 27, 1856, Jane Hastings
Savage, of Wethersfield, born May
31, 1828, daughter of Captain Florace
Savage, who was born in 1799 in Cromwell.
In his sixteenth year he shipped
as cabin boy on the merchantman, "Commerce,"
of Hartford, commanded by Cap-
tain James Riley. After making successful
voyages, this vessel was wrecked on
the northwest coast of Africa and all on
board were held by the natives for ran-
som. The experiences of the party in
this adventure have been narrated in full
in a book published by Captain Riley.
Through the efforts of William Wilt-
shire, the British Consul, the release of
the party was obtained, and Captain
Savage returned to his native land. For
several years he resided in Matamoras,
Mexico, where he was a prosperous merchant.
His last twenty-five years were
spent in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where
he died in 1881. Captain Savage was
descended from John Savage, who was
in Flartford as early as 1652, but very
soon removed to that part of Middletown
which is now Cromwell, then known as
Middletown Upper Houses. He had
built his house there before May 18, 1654,
at which date he was made a freeman by
the General Court. His lot was two miles