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