Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

after completing his courses there went
to Philadelphia Dental College. In 1892
he was graduated with the degree of
D. D. S., and immediately afterward went
to the West Indies where he practiced
for about six years. In 1896 Dr. Crosby
settled in South Norwalk, Connecticut,
and has since been successfully engaged
in practice there. Dr. Crosby has inherited
many of the fine traits which were
characteristic of his ancestors, and he
takes his place among the foremost citi-
zens of South Norwalk. Matters of pub-
lic interest have always engaged his
attention, although he has been at no
time desirous of holding office. His pro-
fessional duties occupy the major part of
his time ;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
he is one of the oldest practicing
dentists of Norwalk and his clientele is a
large one. Dr. Crosby's fraternal affili-
ations are with the Masonic fraternity.
He is a member of Old Well Lodge, No.
108, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Dr. Crosby married Jennie M. Wyman,
daughter of Asa Wyman, of Ohio, Nova
Scotia, and their children are: Stanley,
a resident of Boston ; Dorothy ; Francis, a
member of the class of 1922 at the University
of City of New York ; Lawrence ; El-
mer. The family are attendants of the
Baptist church.
(The Porter Line).
The ancient family of Porter has a record
of nearly three centuries in New Eng-
land, and was founded by William de la
Grande, a Norman Knight, who accompanied
William the Conqueror to England
and in return for his services was
given lands in or near Kenilworth, War-
wickshire.
Ralph or Roger, son of William de la
Grande, became Grand Porteur to King
Henry I., and from his tenure of this high
office was derived the family name. The
escutcheon of the Porters is as follows:
64
Anns—Argent, on a fesse sable between bar-
rulets or, three bells of the first.
Crest—A portcullis argent chained or.
Motto— Vigilantia et virtute.
(I) John Porter, founder of the Ameri-
can branch of the family, was born in
England, about 1596, and about 1637 is
known to have been of Hingham, Massachusetts.
Later he removed to Salem,
and there passed the remainder of his life.
He was a man of prominence in the community,
holding high and responsible of-
fices, and is said to have been a personal
friend of Governor Endicott. John Por-
His death oc-
ter married Mary .
curred in 1676.
(II) Samuel Porter, son of John and
Mary Porter, was born, probably in Eng-
land and was a mariner, owning a farm in
Wenham, Massachusetts, near Wenham
Pond. He married Hannah Dodge, and
died about 1660.
(III) John (2) Porter, son of John (1)
and Hannah (Dodge) Porter, was born
in 1658. and about 1680 moved from Danvers
to Wenham, Massachusetts. He was
a malster, and lived on a farm. Mr. Porter
married Lydia Herrick. He was an
active and influential citizen and lived to
the venerable age of ninety-five years,
passing away in 1753.
(IV) Nehemiah Porter, son of John (2)
and Lydia (Herrick) Porter, was born in
1692, in Wenham, Massachusetts, and
was a weaver and a yeoman. He lived on
a farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He
married, in 1717, Hannah Smith, who was
a daughter of Hezekiah Smith, of Bev-
erly. Nehemiah Smith died in Ipswich in
1784.
(V) Nehemiah (2) Porter, son of Nehemiah
(1) and Hannah (Smith) Porter,
was born March 22, 1720. He early determined
to study for the ministry. He
graduated from Harvard College, and in
1750 was ordained pastor of the church