The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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Abraham Humphrey, of Symsbury, and Lois Merrill, of Hartford, were published 1760.
AsHBEL Humphry, of Goshen, and Lois Cadwell were published Nov. 8, 1761. (See p. 276,
Part HL)* From West Hartford Church Records.
(P. 911, note t. and p. 916, note f.)
"Oxford, Aug. 19th, 1884.— * * * -phg pld Humphrey homestead that was
given to the family as settlers, is stiil in the family, and is occupied by the fifth generation. It
is situated in the South part of the town of Oxford. * * My mother is a descendant of
the family, and is the only one who remembers much about the old 'deacon' who first had records
of the family— she having known him since she was born, seventy years ago. He had several sons;
one of them, Stephen, went to Dudley, and raised a family of four boys— David, Daniel, Stephen
and John— all born in Dudley, and all lived and died there except Stephen. He married Roxana
Brown (my grand-mother on my mother's side), and left her with three girls, the oldest not five
years, and the youngest an infant. This was about 1817. He went to Waterbury, Conn., promis-
ing to come back, but he never did, and was seen only once by any one who knew him. but he
denied his name, and since that time was never heard from. But, as his father left his family and
went to New York State, and raised another family, we have thought it not improbable that he
did the same. Stephen's occupation was mason, but in winter he did shoe-making, and was a
first-class mechanic. He was quite a military man, and my mother distinctly remembers him of a
training day 'on a high-stepping horse.' * * * * Mrs. J. M. Barnard."
Copy of a letter sent to Mr. C. H. Humphrey.
Rev. J. C. Humphrey, son of WilUam and Susan (Woodward) Humphrey, was born in
Darien, N. Y., 3 July, 1829. He received the usual academical training, and entered Genesee
College, at Lima, N. Y. Owing to feeble health, he left before graduation, and thinking a more
genial climate would restore his health, he went to Georgia, and engaged in teaching private
classes of young men preparing for college. Whilst thus employed in Griffin, Ga., he commenced
his studies for the ministry, and entered the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C, where he
graduated in 1857. He was licensed by Flint River Presbytery, 10 Oct., 1856. He preached in
several places during the last year of his seminary course—two months in Charleston, and also in
Columbia, during the temporary absence of Dr. Thornwell. On leaving the seminary he was called
to the First Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Ga., but owing to the unsettled state of his health, he
preferred being a stated supply. This arrangement lasted for eight months, when he accepted the
appointment as Evangelist for Hopewell Presbytery. It was thought that the active open-air exercise
in travelling would enable him to overcome the disease which was gaining upon him. He entered
upon his labors with zeal. On leaving Augusta, the congregation presented him with a handsome
horse and carriage and every convenience for travelling. He was ordained by Hopewell Presbytery,
May 2, 1858, and during the spring and summer his labors were arduous and unremitting. He
was a good extempore preacher, with a clear voice, and loved his work so much that his enthusiasm
prompted him to labor beyond his strength, when sudden debility forced him to refrain from
preaching. Finding that his health was suddenly failing, he returned to the scenes of his early
life, where, after a few more months of resistance to disease, he died at Marilla, N. Y., Sept. 14,
1859, of hemorrhage of the lungs, being the final development of consumption.
He was, though a continual sufferer, a bright and cheerful Christian. With a deep and
fervent piety he combined a sound judgment and a firm purpose. All loved him, and his brief
career awakened the confidence and respect of his brethren. He was a brother of Mrs. Danforth,
a missionary at Ningpo, China. He married Sept. 30, 1857, Miss Louise (dau. of Hon. Judge)
Jackman, of Marilla, N. Y., who survives \{\rs\.— Wdson's Presby. Hist. Almanac, Vol. III. (i86i).
• Prohahly Lois (dau. of Thomas) who was b.ip in West Harllord, Nov =9. 1741 (M. K Talcot.)