Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

It is said that the family of this name
was the most numerous in that section.
The head of this branch was an intelli-
gent, upright man, well considered in the
community, and for many years a soldier
in the British army.
James H. Goulden, his son, was a native
of Hanley. He was a carpenter by trade,
and highly respected ; indeed was held
to be a man of considerable dignity, fill-
ing the office of chorister and bell-ringer
at Salisbury Cathedral. But with many
other progressive men of that day, he
looked ahead for the future of his chil-
dren, and came to America with his family
about 1836 or 1837. He married Lydia
White, who was born not far distant from
Hanley. She died in Elmira, New York,
aged eighty-seven years.
William Goulden, father of the late Mr.
Goulden, was also born in Hanley. He
was only a boy when he came to America
with his father. They settled in Bridgeport,
Connecticut, and he grew up with
the training of the American youth. He
learned the trade of carpenter, taking a
whole-souled interest in the work of construction,
and putting into it the thorough
excellence of workmanship which makes
a structure something more than a shelter,
something of greater significance and
value. He located in Fairfield, Connecti-
cut, where he engaged in business as a
contractor and builder, erecting many of
the best residences in that vicinity. It
was a distinct loss to the community that
he died in the prime of life, in 1863, at the
age of thirty-eight years. He married
Harriet Louisa Sturges, who was born in
Fairfield in 1827, and died in 1882.
Through his mother, Mr. Goulden is
descended from the early settlers of this
part of Connecticut. John Sturges came
to Fairfield in 1660, at which time he was
thirty-seven years of age. He was made
a freeman, May 14, 1669, and his name
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43
appears on the list of three selectmen in
October, 1669. He purchased a home-
stead, and shared in the division of lands,
becoming, as time passed, owner of a
large estate. His will is dated March 4,
1697. He married Deborah, daughter of
John and Ann Barlow. John Barlow was
also an early settler of Fairfield.
Joseph Sturges, their son, was born in
1653, and died in 1728. He was, like his
father, prosperous and a leading man in
the community. He married (first)
Sarah Judson, daughter of Jeremiah and
Sarah (Foote) Judson, born in Stratford,
April 17, 1662; a descendant of William
Judson, one of the first inhabitants of the
settlement of Stratford.
Solomon Sturges, the next in line, was
born in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1698;
he was a man of influence and note, and
took a gallant part in the War of the Rev-
olution. He married, March 3, 1723,
Abigail Bradley, born in 1695, daughter
of John and Hannah (Sherwood) Brad-
ley. Solomon Sturges met his death at
the hands of the British soldiers, July 7,
1779.
Hezekiah Sturges, his son, was commis-
sioned ensign of the militia company in
1765; lieutenant in 1767, and captain in
1771. He was noted for bravery and loyalty
to the cause of the Colonies. Noth-
ing discouraged him, and he was utterly
fearless in making known his stand on the
questions of the day. His home was
burned by the British, and he built again,
in 1779 or 1780. His Revolutionary rec-
ord was one of unswerving faithfulness.
He married Abigail Dimon, born in 1732,
daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Burr)
Dimon, who died in 1803. He died in
1792.
Samuel Sturges, their son, was bap-
tized in 1766. He inherited considerable
property from his father, which he subsequently
lost through litigation. His