Extracted From
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
a history of the north society of Middletown, Ct.
from 1650 to 1800
with genealogical and biographical chapters
on early families.
Charles Collard Adams
New York: Grafton Press, 1908.
[transcribed by Liz Matthews & Dona Ritchi]
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FOURTH GENERATION [This section transcribed by Liz Matthews] 20 Jeremiah4 Ranney (Thomas3, Thomas2, Thomas1), b. June 13, 1720, Upper Houses; m. Dec. 30, 1742, Upper Houses, Martha Stow, b. May 6, 1721, dau. of Thomas Stow and Martha White. (See Stow and White chapters.) The house in which she was born is given herewith. In 1743 Nathaniel Eells sold to Daniel Ranney, and he sold to Jeremiah Ranney, a small lot from the southeast corner of the Eells homestead. Here Jeremiah Ranney built a house and a blacksmith shop, and probably set out the elm tree still standing. The house was torn down in 1857 and the Methodist Church was erected on its site. The view of Main street looking north shows this church and the great elm tree. Jeremiah sold out to Francis Whitmore when he removed to Bethlehem, taking a church letter with him. He d. in Bethlehem, Ct., June 14, 1801. Children:
Martha, b. Jan. 29, 1746, Upper Houses. Jeremiah, b. Feb. 28, 1748-9, Upper Houses. 41 Nathan, b. June 20, 1751, Upper Houses. Rebecca, b. Oct. 8, 1753, Upper Houses. 42 Solomon, b. ----- -, 1756; Bethlehem. George, b. ----- --, ----; killed in Stony Point battle, Rev. War. 43 Stephen, b. May 24, 1761. 44 Julius, b. ----- --, 1765. ___________________ 21 Dea. Thomas4 Ranney (Thomas3, Thomas2, Thomas1), b. Feb. 17, 1723, Upper Houses; m. Feb. 25, 1747, Mary Little, who brought a letter from a church in the town of Farmington. (A Dr. Sylvester Little practised medicine in the Upper Houses 1742-47.) Thomas Ranney was "granted" the land known as "Prospect Hill" and built thereon what is now known as the "West Cottage" of the "Cromwell Hall" Sanitarium. The view of Middletown described in his diary of 1771 by John Adams was from this vantage ground. The "View of Middletown" given herewith is copied from "Barber's Collections" of 1835, when the stage coach passed close to the Ranney house abutting on the turnpike laid out in 1802. Thomas Ranney was corporal in the Rev. War. In 1780 he sold to Matthew Wells of Long Island and removed to Westminster West, Vt., where his son William had gone in 1777. He d. Nov. 8, 1909. His wife had d. Feb. 23, 1799, aged 80 years. Children:
Rebecca, b. ----- --, 1755. ___________________ 22 Ephraim4 Ranney (Thomas 3, Thomas2, Thomas1), b. Apr. 10, 1725-6, Upper Houses; m. Nov, 26, 1747, East Middletown, Silence5 Wilcox, b. Apr. 19, 1726, East Middletown, dau. of Janna4 Wilcox (Ephraim3, John2, John1) and Rachel Boardman. They res. in Upper Houses till 1755, when he bought a 60-acres farm in Haddam, Ct. In 1761 he rem. to Westminster, Vt., where he purchased lot No. 7, Mar., 1761, on the bank of the Conn. River. He kept a tavern, was one of the seven founders of the church there and its first deacon, as he was the first Ranney to hold that office. He was a justice of the peace and 2d Lieut. In the Southern Regt. Of Militia. He and four sons, Ephraim, Jr., Elijah, Daniel and Waitstill, served in the Rev. War. (See Hall's Eastern Vermont and Vermont Muster Rolls of Rev. War.) He lived to see his eleven children married, and but one of them died before him. He was a man of sterling character, and Silence travelled on horseback with her stock of herbs, being a doctress of considerable reputation. In the Westminster Cemetery are their graves, with headstones bearing these inscriptions: Erected in memory of Dea Ephraim Ranney who died June 9, 1811 after a long and painful sickness in the 87 year of his age. Spectator dost thou desire his silent stone to speak the virtues of the man whose mortal part is here interred. Let it only say he was an affectionate Husband, a tender Parent and an Ornament in Society. When receiving the bitter cup of affliction he could say, "Not my will but thine, O Lord, be done." Erected in memory of Mrs Silence, the amiable consort of Deac. Ephraim Ranney who died April 10, 1811 in the 85 year of her age. To you my children and my friends Which I have left behind, Come view this solemn monument, And here instruction find. Children:
47 Elijah, b. Mar. 14, 1750. 48 Daniel, b. Feb. 5, 1753. Rachel, b. May 27, 1755; d. Apr. 6, 1630; m. Job Dickenson. Children: Job, Ephraim, Ira, Rachel, Mary, Esther, Huldah, Rebecca. Silence, b. Mar. 18, 1757; m. ----- Goold of Chester, Vt. Lydia, b. A pr. 18, 1759; m. William5 Ranney (Thomas4). 49 Waitstill, b. Jan. 3, 1762. 50 Esther, b. July 28, 1764; m. Seth Arnold. 51 Janna, b. June 11, 1766. 52 Joel, b. Mar. 2, 1768. 53 Benjamin, b. Sept. 18, 1770. ___________________ 23 Abijah4 Ranney (Thomas3, Thomas2, Thomas1), b. Aug. 28, 1743, Upper Houses; m. -----, Lucy -----. He inherited part of the homestead, and purchased the parts which had been given to the other children. In 1795 he rem. To Sheffield, Mass. He m. (2) after May 7, 1803, widow Hannah Talcott of Glastonbury, who in his will is named "Annar." He d. Feb. 12, 1821. The dog story as given by the Hon. T. H. L. Talcott of Glastonbury, her grandson, is as follows: Captain Abijah Ranney of Sheffield, Mass., was a son of one of the first settlers. The Captain lived in Cromwell until he had grown to manhood. He married for his second wife Mrs. Annah Stillman Tallcott of Glastonbury, grandmother of Judge Thomas H. L. Tallcott of that town. Captain Ranney was the owner of a dog remarkable in many ways, and who once saved the Captain from being robbed, and perhaps, murdered. Judge Tallcott often heard the story in his youth, and related the tale to a reporter recently. The story runs as follows: Early one morning a man called at the Captain's house and said the Captain's dog was killing his sheep. Captain Ranney said it couldn't be his dog, as the canine was shut up in the woodshed and had not been let out that morning. They visited the woodshed and found the dog in his bed. The man said: "It isn't your dog that is killing the sheep, but one that looks just like him." Other complaints were made, but on going to the woodshed the dog was always there. Finally one morning a man drove up at top speed and said to the Captain: "Your dog is in my sheep; I left him there and raced my horse to get here before he did." "Well, " said Captain Ranney, "we will look in the woodshed." They went to the shed. The dog was there, but covered with blood and licking himself. The only way out of the shed, except by the door, was a small opening just a little larger than the dog's body and about four feet from the floor and the same distance from the ground outside. Through this small opening the dog had leaped in and out in his trips to the sheep field. The idea that the dog could use the opening to enter and leave the shed had not occurred to the Captain, and he was greatly surprised. Turning to the visitor he said: "It is my dog that is killing sheep! I won't keep a dog that kills sheep." He told his sons to tie the dog up back of the barn, and that after breakfast he would shoot him. The boys put a rope on the dog, and evidently tied it very loosely, as they felt bad at the idea of losing the dog, who was much liked by the family. When the Captain and the boys went out after breakfast the dog was gone. He was not seen again in Sheffield that summer, and no more sheep were killed. Captain Ranney sold his cheese and other farm products to a merchant over the New York State line. It was the custom to collect in the fall for the product taken. The fall of the same year in which the dog left his home, Captain Ranney went on horseback to the New York town, made a settlement with the merchant and was then ready to start for home, intending to go to the next village, where he would remain over night. It was nearly dark, and the merchant and others tried to persuade him not to start until morning. There was a long and dark piece of woods between the two villages, and several persons, who had started to go from one village to the other, had never been seen after entering the woods. It was supposed that they had been murdered. Captain Ranney said he had a good horse and thought he would get through all right. He had proceeded well into the woods when a man sprang into the road from behind a large rock, and grasped the horse by the bridle. A large dog followed the man. The man said to the dog, "Seize him!" The dog looked up at the Captain and whined. The man repeated, "Seize him, I tell you, seize him!" Still the dog would not obey the man. Captain Ranney looked at the canine and saw it was his old dog. He turned to the man, who still held the bridle, and said: "You have tried your luck with the dog, now I'll try mine." He called the dog by his old name and said, "Seize him!" The dog instantly jumped at the robber and had him by the throat, tearing open his jugular vein. The dog looked up at Captain Ranney and whined. The Captain said to him. "You can go home with me. I'll keep you now if you kill all the sheep in Sheffield." The dog leaped about in an ecstasy of joy at meeting his old master again and the permission to return home with him. Captain Ranney continued on to the next village and reported to the officers. A posse started at once and found the dead body of the man near the rock. The next day there was a general turning out of the men of the village, who made a thorough search of the woods to find the quarters of the robber. They found the place about a mile from the road. There were evidences of graves of several persons, the skeleton of a horse, and a peddler's wagon, accounting for the mysterious disappearance of a peddler some months before and also of other persons. Evidently the man had trained the dog to aid him in killing his victims. Captain Ranney continued home the day after his adventure, taking his dog with him. Great was the joy of the family at seeing the animal again, and it is not stated that he was ever again guilty of killing sheep. Children:
Oliver, bapt. Apr. 4, 1779; d. Nov. 30, 1784. Luther, bapt. June 3, 1781; m. ----- --, ----, Prudence ------. He d. 1835. She m. (2) ----- Noteware. Oliver, bapt. Sept. 19, 1790; m. ----- --, ----, Chloe -----; d. Sept. 3, 1852, Sheffield, Mass. Had son, Garrett, d. before 1855. Children:
Mary, b. ----- --, ----. ___________________ 24 Willett4 Ranney (Willett3, Thomas2; Thomas1), b. Mar. 28, 1731, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 19, 1752, Upper Houses, Mary Butler, dau. of Benjamin Butler and Thankful Sage. (See the Butler and Sage Families.) His father deeded to him the homestead of 90 acres and removed to the Roger Gibson place of 4 acres. In 1761 Willett, Jr., sold his homestead to Deacon Solomon Sage and purchased the homestead of his father-in-law, who had been lost at sea, 1749. In January, 1776, he sold the Butler homestead to his brother-in-law, Capt. Eli Butler, and rem. to Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Western Mass., then just opened to settlement. His Revolutionary service there was as follows: Private in Capt. Samuel Wolcott's Co., Col. Hopkins' Regt., July 16, 1776-Aug. 5, 1776; marched to Highlands, N. Y.; private Capt. Elijah Deming's Co., Col. John Ashley's Regt., July 8, 1777-July 28, 1777, called out by order Maj. Gen. Schuyler to march to relief of Fort Edward; private, same Co., Col. John Ashley's Regt., Sept. 19, 1777-Oct. 4, 1777, under Brig. Gen. Fellows, ordered out by Gen. Gates to reinforce the Northern Army. Rem. 1778 to New Lebanon, N. Y., and was next known with his large family at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N. Y. In the year 1786-7, the settlements of the English beyond German Flatts, the outpost of the Germans on the Mohawk, consisted of three log houses at Utica, seven at Whitesboro, three at Oriskany and four at Fort Stanwix, now Rome (Jones's Annals of Oneida Co.). Daniel E. Wager in his History of Oneida County says: "The next settlers in what is now Oneida Co. came from Connecticut in 1785 or 1786, and located in the shadow of Fort Stanwix. They were all related to each other by blood, or connected by marriage. Their names were as follows: Willett Ranney, Sr., with a family of eleven children, all grown to maturity, and the most if not all married; Seth Ranney, one of the sons, with wife and children, located northeast of the present Rome court house; Nathaniel Gilbert and David I. Andrus, both of whom had married in the Ranney family." Elkanah Watson, famous as the first importer of Merino sheep, made a trip through this section in 1788, and at Fort Stanwix wrote in his diary: "Settlers are continually pouring in from the Connecticut hive, which throws off its annual swarms of intelligent, industrious and enterprising emigrants, the best qualified to overcome and civilize the wilderness. They already estimate 300 brother Yankees on the muster list, and in a few years hence they will undoubtedly be able to raise a formidable barrier to oppose the incursion of the savages, in case of another war." On Oct. 22, 1784, General Lafayette and others representing the United States had met the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix and had made a treaty concerning giving up captives and regulating boundaries, and while they were willing to treat with the thirteen fires they were not willing to treat with the State of New York. In 1788, however, a treaty with the State was made at Fort Stanwix. The "land grabbers" of that day, known as "Lessees," were opposed to this lest they should lose the title to their land obtained by contracts not authorized by the State, which in 1777 had enacted a statute forbidding the purchase of the fee in the lands of the Indians, reserving the right to the State alone. It was a formidable organization, embracing men of wealth and political importance. Governor Clinton met the whole matter with energy and promptness and urged upon the Legislature the adoption of decisive measures to counteract the plans of the "Lessees." In March, 1788, an act was passed authorizing the Governor to disregard all contracts made with the Indians not sanctioned by the State, and to cause all persons to be arrested who had entered upon the Indian lands under such contracts, and to be driven off by force and the buildings destroyed. A military force was called out and the orders were strictly obeyed. The time set for the treaty was September 1, 1788. The "Lessees" planned to meet the Indians at this time and dissuade them from making a treaty. The Governor took the field in person, backed by all the official influence at his command. A sloop came up from New York with Indian goods, stores for the expedition, marquees, tents and specie for the purchase money. Among those who came were Count Monsbiers, the then French Minister, and the Marchioness de Biron, his sister, out of curiosity. The commissioners and the retinue, goods and baggage, going up the Mohawk, started August 23, in batteaux built expressly for the occasion, and arrived August 28 at Fort Stanwix. A wild and romantic scene presented itself. The veteran soldier, Governor Clinton, pitched his marquee and was as much the general as if he had headed a military expedition. Among the commissioners were William Floyd, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his relative, Ezra L'Hommedieu, late of "Upper Houses"; of the Indians, were Skenandoah, who spoke and signed the treaty, and was, at his death, 110 years of age; Peter Otsequet, whom Lafayette sent to France to be educated, and Paulus, an Oneida chief. "They were surrounded by the camp fires of the numerous representatives of the Six Nations, who had been attracted to the spot, some from interest, some from curiosity; but by far the larger proportion of them had been attracted from their scattered wilderness homes by the hopes and promises of presents, feasts and carousals." The head men of several of the tribes were holding a counter meeting at Geneva with the "Lessees," where "firewater" was flowing freely. It was the 8th of September before the different nations got together, as the result of efforts by Governor Clinton, after having recovered from their "beastly state of intoxication." Under these circumstances it is not to be wondered at that Willett Ranney, Sr., was alarmed. The story was told by Mrs. Cushman of Theresa in a letter to Mr. Wager, in which she wrote: "I have often heard my grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Jarvis, daughter of Willett Ranney, Sr., tell of her early life at Fort Stanwix. She was a little girl when her father moved there; she was born in Middletown, Conn., April 2, 1773. I have often heard her tell of assisting her mother baking bread at the time of the treaty with the Indians, at Fort Stanwix, in September, 1788; the bread was baked at her brother's, Seth Ranney's house, where many barrels of flour were stored to be baked into bread for the use of those expected to attend the treaty. The oven was on the outside of the house; it was a large one and was kept running night and day in baking bread some days before the treaty. There was also stored in the barn near by a quantity of liquor, and as it was feared the Indians might get it and thereby become furious and massacre the people, Willett Ranney, senior, with a few others went to the barn and poured the liquor on the ground." Willett Ranney, Sr., with eleven children, several of whom were there with their own children, had a busy time of it, and "lost," what they must have brought with them, the liquor. Children:
Mary, b. Mar. 2, 1755; m. Bill Smith of Conn. 54 James, b. Feb. 27, 1757. Lucretia, b. Jan. 20, 1759; m. Benj. Murray. Children: Willett, John, Benjamin, Martha, Eunice, Lucretia. 55 Seth, b. Jan. 21, 1761. 56 Sarah, b. Jan. 2, 1763; m. David I. Andrus. 57 Sybil, b. Jan. 7, 1765; m. (1) Richard Willis, (2) Joseph White. Lucy, bapt. Jan. 6, 1767; m. ----- Bradner. 58 Willett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1769. Benjamin, bapt. Aug. 6, 1769. ___________________ [From this point on, transcribed by Dona Ritchi]
60 Butler, b. after Jan., 1776. ___________________ 25 George4 Ranney (George3, Thomas2, Thomas1), bapt. Apr. 14, 1723, East Middletown; m. Jan. 23, 1745-6, Hannah4 Sage, b. Mar. 15, 1724-5, Upper Houses, dau. of John3 Sage, Jr. (John2, David1) and Mary Hall. Both were adm. to full communion in East Middletown Ch. Dec. 7, 1746. Their tombstones are given herewith. He d. Feb. 25, 1804; she d. June 9, 1797. The three first born, sons, settled in Ashfield, Mass. Jonathan inherited. the homestead. Children:
62 Thomas, b. July 6, 1749. 63 Francis, b. Apr. 19, 1753. Hannah, b. May 9, 1755; m. Joel Hall. (See the Hall Family.) 64 Mary, b. June -, 1757; m. July 1, 1779, Nathaniel Bosworth. Esther, b. Jan. 8, 1761; d. May 24, 1818, Camden, N. Y.; m. Apr. 13, 1779, Daniel6 Parke, a Rev. soldier, b. Apr. 6, 1758, East Middletown, Ct.; d. Oct. 6, 1836, Camden, N.Y. (Joseph5, Joseph4, Nathaniel3, Thomas2, Robert1). Children: Molly, Clarissa, Sage, Sally, Johnson, Ranney, Elisha, Fanny, Hannah, Marshall, George, Esther, George Scribee. Mrs. W. J. Frisbie, Camden, N.Y., is of this line. Lucy, b. Sept. 6, 1763; m. Jan. 22, 1784, Seth Knowles. 64a Jonathan, b. Sept. 3, 1765. Abigail, bapt. Sept. 24, 1769; m. Dec. 5, 1790, Asahel5 Pelton, b. June 17, 1768, d. July 26, 1843 (Joseph4, John3, Samuel2, John1), She d. Mar. 12, 1839, Chatham, Ct. Children:
Eliza, b. July 1, 1798; m. Wm. Turner.
Margaret C., b. Mar. 3, 1892. John C., b. Apr. 17, 1895. James, b. Jan. 22, 1897. Francis, b. Nov. 5, 1804. Abigail, b. Nov. 28, 1806; m. Augustus Brown. Lucy Bosworth, b. Mar. 18, 1809; m. John Wilcox. (See Pelton Genealogy.) ___________________ 26 Nathaniel4 Ranney (Nathaniel3, Thomas2, Thomas1), b. July 16, 1735, Upper Houses; m. Mar. 10, 1757, Prudence Willard, b. - -, -, dau. of Thomas Willard, who d. Sept. 24, 1803. He inherited his father's homestead. Served in the French-Indian War and in the Rev. War. In both wars he carried a "wooden bottle" as a canteen for water. It is seen in this volume and bears his initials and the years he carried. it in the two wars. It was taken to Ohio by his grandson Comfort and is now owned by his descendant, Luther Kelsey Ranney of Peninsula, O. It was exhibited at the 1904 reunion of the Society of Middletown Upper Houses. Nathaniel Ranney d. May 13, 1800. No gravestones. Children:
65 Comfort, b. Dec. 19, 1759. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 26, 1761; d. May 12, 1817. Prudence, bapt. Aug. 18, 1763; m. -Bishop. Rachel, b. Apr. 9, 1765. Daniel, b. Sept. 14, 1769. David, b. May 22, 1769; in 1812 was m Mifflinburg, Penn. Alle, b. May 13, 1771. Hannah, b. Mar. 17, 1773; d. Mar. 30, 1798. Anne, b. Apr. 27, 1775. Huldah, b. Aug. 6, 1777; d. Oct. 13, 1804. Willard, b. July 3, 1779; alive in 1802. ___________________ 27 Abraham4 Ranney (Nathaniel3, Thomas2, Thomas1), bapt. June 7, 1746, Upper Houses; m. Oct. 16, 1769, Miriam Treat, dau. of Stephen. He built the house given herewith on the north part of his father's homestead, given him in the will. He d. Oct. 17, 1775. The widow m. (2) Mar. 20, 1776, Elijah Fellows of New York. She was descended from Governor Robert Treat. (See the Treat Genealogy.) Children:
Huldah, b. Mar. 9, 1772; d. Aug. 6, 1775. Luther, b. Mar. 27, 1774; d.- -, -. ___________________ 28 John4 Ranney (John3, John2, Thomas1), b. Sept. 23, 1731, East Middletown; m. Nov. 7, 1754, North Killingly, Ct., Sybil Wilson. He served in 1755 with his father in 4th Co., 1st Regt., French-Indian War. A John served. in 1757, 1758, 1759 and 1760. As his father died in the army m 1760, he must have been the one who died in the army in 1758, when his widow was appointed adm. Child:
___________________ 29 Amos4 Ranney (John3, John2, Thomas1), bapt. Apr. 22, 1744, East Middletown; m. (1) Rachel Hill, m. (2) Lucy -. He applied June 21, 1820, for a pension, stating that he was then 78 years of age. "He the said Amos Ranney enlisted for the term of seven months in the latter part of April, 1775, in the State of Connecticut, in the company commanded by Captain E. Scott, in the regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Wyllys, in the line of the State of Connecticut, on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the expiration of said seven months when he was discharged at West Point in the State of New York: that he enlisted for the term of eight months on the - day of January in the year 1776 in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Capt. Elijah Blackman in the Regiment commanded by Colonel - Mead in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment: that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the - day of September, 1776, when he was discharged from the said service in Horse Neck in the State of Connecticut; that he enlisted for a cruise on the - day of January in the year 1778 in the State of Connecticut on board of the ship Oliver Cromwell commanded by Captain Timothy Parker: that he continued to serve in the said ship for the space of twelve months when he was discharged therefrom at Charleston in the State of South Carolina: that he enlisted for the term of nine months on the - day of March in the year 1779 in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Edward Bulkeley in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Webb in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment: that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the day of December, 1779, when he was discharged from the said service in West Point in the State of New York: that he was in the battles of Bunker Hill, White Plains & Monmouth; and while on board the said ship Oliver Cromwell assisted at the capture of the ship Cyrus and the ship Admiral Keppel in one engagement; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services, except the annexed affidavit of Major Robert Warner." He further testified that for more than eighteen years last past he had been a "wood cutter" and that by reason of age and in- firmity he was unable to labor more than one-fourth of the year: that his family consisted of one person who steadily resided with him: who was his wife Lucy, aged. 78, and that without a pension he cannot support himself except by the aid of public or private charity." "Schedule of the real and. personal estate of Amos Ranney above named, comprising every article of the same, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted: to wit: Value dols. cts One ax 1. Shovel and tongs .25 Four chairs .80 One old table .25 One hammer .06 One small looking glass .50 Six pewter spoons .06 Six knives and forks .10 Four plates and two platters .50 No provisions, except those which I obtain from day to day. One water pail .25 [Total] --- $3.77 From Oliver Boardman's Diary on Ship "Oliver Cromwell" On 2d cruise. Apr. 15th. "15th at Day Break we saw two sail bearing S. E. by S. distance 2 leagues. We gave chase under a moderate sail at 9 o'clock, P. M. Came up with them. They at first shew French colors to decoy us when we came in about half a mile of us she Ups with English colors. We had Continental colors flying-We engaged the ship Admiral Keppel as follows. When we came in about 20 rods of her we gave her a Bow gun. She soon returned us a stern chase and then a broad side of grape and round shot. Cap't orders not to fire till we can see the white of their eyes. We got close under their larboard quarter. They began another broad side & then we began and. held tuff and tuff for about 2 glasses and then she struck to us. At the same time the Defense engaged the Cyrus who as the Kepple struck wore round under our stern. We wore ship and. gave her a stern chase at which she immediately struck. The loss on our side was one killed and six wounded, one mortally who soon died. Our ship was hulled 9 times with six pound shott three of which went through our Birth, one of which wounded the boatswain's yeoman. The loss on their side was 2 killed and 6 wounded. Their larboard. quarter was well filled. with shot. One nine pounder went through her main mast. "May 2lst. sent the prizes northward. "May 30th Reached Charleston with the Defense, Capt. Smedley. Charleston May ye 30th 1778." captain's conversation on third cruise with oliver boardman "Charleston July 6, 1778. You have had a hard task of it and I will consider you. You shall have as much again as you expect. Ranney & those that leave me without a discharge will never get anything. You better go aboard, Boardman. I will consider you and you'll lose nothing by it. Answer, 'I am obliged to you, Sir,' and so went aboard." "3d cruise. Lost masts in storm. reached New London Sept. 6, 1778." There is no record of the death of himself or wife. And this patriot without a mark to tell where he is buried. deserves the fullest record for the honor of his name and services. He may be buried in Hog Hill Cemetery, East Hampton, near his home. Children by 1st marriage:
Martha, b. Sept. 25, 1772. John, b. Mar. 23, 1775; m. Beulah Hubbard, b. Chatham. He d. in Florida. She is buried in Hog Hill Cemetery, Middle Haddam. Child: David Seth, b. Aug. 2, 1828; m. (1) June 2, 1850, Phebe A. Arnold, who d. Oct. 23, 1888. He m. (2) Aug. 1, 1889, Hattie L. Rogers; is in bakery business, Moodus, Ct. Child: Mary, b. Apr. 3, 1895. Amos, b. Mar. 15, 1777 Timothy, b. July 1, 1781; m. 1802, widow Damaris Gay and became guardian of her two children. Res. then, Haddam, Connecticut. ___________________ 30 Jeremiah4 Ranney (Richard3, John2, Thomas1), b. Dec. 17, 1730, East Middletown; m. Jan. 31, 1754, Chloe Leete, dau. of John Leete. Both adm. to full com. Nov. 6, 1754. He served in Canadian campaign of 1762. Was taken prisoner. Died in Service Nov. 3, 1762. Widow m. Thomas Lloyd. Children:
Rebecca, b. May 22, 1757. Rhoda, b. Aug. 28, 1758. ___________________ 31 Elijah4 Ranney (Richard3, John2, Thomas1), b. Oct. 6, 1735, East Middletown; m. Mar. 2, 1763, Granville, Mass., Mary Cook. In 1756 he had purchased land in Granville. In 1773 he rem. to Blandford, Mass. On Oct. 7, 1789, the estate was distributed by the probate court. In 1809 the widow had married Noah Warren. She resided with her son, Deacon Jeremiah, and her tombstone at Waterville, New York, says: "Mary, wife of Elijah Ranney died April 1, 1832, aged 88 years." Children:
Sybil, b. July 29, 1765; m. - Crane. 68 Jeremiah, b. May 5, 1769. Elijah, b. - -, -; rem. to Watervliet, N. Y., where he was a merchant many years; described, 1794, in Blandford as a goldsmith. 68a Ebenezer, b. May 25, 1776. 69 Rufus, b. - -, 1780. Roxana, b. - -, -, m. 1791, John Lloyd; d. at age of 99 years 9 mo. Children were Thomas, Leicester and Roxana. Eunice, b.- -, -, m. Darius Stephens. ___________________ 32 Stephen4 Ranney (Richard3, John2, Thomas1), b. Jan. 15, 1737-8, East Middletown; m. Elizabeth Dixon, b. Feb. 25, 1741, dau. of Robert Dixon. Re served in 1st Regt., Capt. Timothy Herlihy, 1758, 1759, 1761 and 1762, French-Indian War. Also in the Rev. War, 1777, 1780, 1781. He d. 1807. The widow d. Sept. 12, 1836, and the heirs applied June 29, 1837, for a pension, which was allowed. Children:
Abigail, bapt. Aug. 18, 1765. Reuben, bapt. Oct. 18, 1767; in 1837 it was stated in the application for a pension that he had gone to N.Y. State some years previously and had not been heard from for 12 or 15 years. (See Appendix.) 71 Joel, bapt. Oct. 29, 1775. Elizabeth, b. - -, -; m. Agift Pease and received from her mother bywill the homestead. (See the Pease Genealogy.) ___________________ 33 Abner4 Ranney (Richard3, John2, Thomas1), b. Mar. 15, 1747-8, East Middletown; m. (1) Oct. 6, 1778, Blandford, Mass., Lovisa Shepard, b. Mar. 24, 1759, dau. of Jonathan Shepard and Rachel Lankton. He had rem. in 1773 to Blandford and received, 1773, 1776, 1783, deeds of land from Jonathan Shepard, who had gone from East Midd.letown. He enlisted Sept. 22, 1776, as 2d Corp., Capt. Wm. Cooley's Co., Col. John Moseley's Regt., and served to Nov. 16. He was also sergeant in Capt. Samuel Sloper's Co., Col. David Moseley's Regt., June, 1782. Re rem. to Augusta, New York, where he died Sept. 1, 1847. "Patriot of a hundred years," says his tombstone. His portrait as given herewith was taken a few months previous to his decease. His wife d. Dec. 25, 1817. He m. (2) Oct. 21, 1818, Augusta, N.Y., Miriam (Shepard) Cook, b. July 4, 1755, d. June 6, 1834, sister to his frst wife. Children by 1st marriage:
73 Lovisa, b. Nov. 18, 1870; m. Samuel Allen. 74 Abner, b. Jan. 14, 1782. 75 Joel, b. Oct. 28, 1783. 76 Oliver, b. Dec. 6, 1785. Sally, b. Aug. 19, 1789; m. Samuel Newell. Timothy, b. Feb. 22, 1790; Sunday, Apr. 15, 1810, was reading the Bible alternately with his cousin, Riley Shepard, when.he was accidentally shot. 77 Wells, b. Sept. 17, 1791. 78 Lyman, b. Dec. 13, 1793. 79 Eli, b. June 27, 1796. Harvey, b. - -, -, killed by a fall from a tree. Anson, b. ___________________ 34 Fletcher4 Ranney (Joseph3, Joseph2, Thomas1), b. Apr. 29, 1726, Upper Houses; m. -, Elizabeth Powell of Hartford, through her mother a descendant of Thomas Welles, Governor, 1655-58. His father built for him the house known as the Fletcher Ranney house, seen herewith, which stood till 1902. He was a carpenter. He d. Dec. 14, 1772. She d. Jan. 14, 1785. Both have gravestones. Children:
Caroline, b. May 27, 1753; m. Nov. 14, 1784, John Hamlin, son of Capt. Nathaniel Hamlin and Lucretia4 Ranney. Re was a Rev. soldier. Built the present Wm. F. Ewald house. He d. Nov. 29, 1834, she d. Aug. 10, 1839. Rebecca, b. May 3, 1755; d. June 11, 1775. Elizabeth Welles, b. Jan. 20, 1757; m. Sept. 30, 1779, Epaphras Sage. a Rev. soldier. She was pensioned. (See the Sage Family.) 81 Simeon, b. Nov. 25, 1759. Lois, b. Nov. 16, 1761; m. Nov. 26, 1789, Daniel Arnold, lost at sea, 1819, aged 54. She was alive in 1839. Children: Sarah, Daniel and George, bapt. Aug. 21, 1803. 82 William, b. Nov. 14, 1763. Sarah, b. Jan. 15, 1766; d. May 13, 1786. ___________________ 35 Stephen4 Ranney (Joseph3, Joseph2, Thomas1), b. Sept. 18, 1730, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 27, 1752, Middletown or Guilford, Patience Ward, b. Mar. 25, 1733, Middletown, dau. of Samuel Ward, b: 1704, and Lucy Rogers, b. 1708. Re was a shipbuilder and rem. to Middletown where he purchased a wharf of Col. Comfort Sage. His marriage is recorded in Guilford records. Andrew Ward, Jr., of Guilford, was Capt. and Lt. Col. of the 4th Reg. in 1755, French-Indian War, and Stephen Ranney was clerk, Sept. 4-Dec. 8. He built a house on the site of the Green St. schoolhouse, Middletown. Re furnished material for the brig, Minerva, built by the Colony of Connecticut for the defense of the cause in Rev. War. He was raised in St. Lodge No. 2, F.A.M., Middletown, May 4, 1768. In 1784 was warden of Christ Epis. Ch. On Sept. 17, 1786, he and his wife were confirmed by Bishop Seabury. Some of his children were baptized on the day of birth, some on the day after birth. The inventory included his Masonic leather apron and gloves, silver knee buckles, 11 silver buttons, gold sleevebuttons, a sword, 2 canes, a whip, and a silver medal. At vendue seven "old tea spoons" were sold for $2.25. The Masonic, 1782, cane is owned by T. W. Beanmont. He d. Dec. 12, 1803. His tombstone in Mortimer Cemetery bears the Masonic emblems. The widow d. Dec. 4, 1821. In signing the inventory the two sons differed. Stephen Rainey and Samuel Ward Ranney is the way they wrote their names. Children:
Samuel Ward, b. Oct. 23, 1755; d. Nov. 22, 1756. 83a Samuel Ward, b. May 13, 1758. Lucy, b. Apr. 24, 1762; m. Richard Butler. (See the Butler Family.) Daniel, b. Nov. 19, 1764; d. Jan. 13, 1792; m. Sept. 1791, Martha Southmayd. She m. (2), 1796, Benj. Conklin of Hartford. Diana, b. Apr. 15, 1769; d. Sept. 20, 1770. Patience, b. June 9, 1771; m. Jan. 8, 1791, William Russell, d. Sept. 22, 1796. He m. (2) July 19, 1798, Sarah Plumb, dau. of Reuben Plumb and Mary Shepard. Children:
Ruth Whitmore, b. Sept. 28, 1793; d. Oct. 19, 1817. Patience Ward, b. Aug. 27, 1795; d. June 19, 1799. ___________________ [RUSSELL LINEAGE - William1 Russell came to New Haven with the Whitfield company; m. 1644, Sarah Davis; d. Jan. 2, 1664-5, ć. fifty-two years and three months.
___________________ 36 Elezekiah4 Ranney (Joseph3, Joseph2, Thomas1), b. Sept. 1, 1742, Upper Houses; m. (1) Feb. 28, 1765, Lucretia Hartshorn, b. Mar., 1746, Bristol, R.I.; d. Sept. 5, 1784, dau. of Jacob and Martha Hartshorn; m. (2) Martha (Edwards) Stocking, b. 1744; d. Nov. 14, 1790 ; ‚widow of Capt. Zebulon Stocking and dau. of David Edwards and Mary Churchill; m. (3) Mrs. Ann (Wright) Sage, widow of Giles Sage. His first wife's children were baptized in the Epis. ch. of lower Middletown, indicating that their mother belonged to an Episcopal family in R.I., at which time there were but four Epis. parishes in that State. He was noted as a schoolmaster. His school report for 1786 gave the name of each head of a family, the number of days each set of children attended. and how much wood each family contributed. His grandson, the Rev. Roderick H. Ranney, in 1873 wrote to the compiler the following: "He sometimes taught school, as I chanced to learn by an incident he related to me of having flogged (for using disrespectful language to an old man as they were taking a sleigh ride past the house at night) six young men, his pupils, larger than himself; for in those days the teacher was held responsible for the pupils' conduct at all times and all places. The parents heard their sons were to be flogged the third day and came to see him, saying 'you are not able to do it and will get flogged yourself.' 'Well, I will try it.' 'No,' said they, 'we have contrived it for you. We will keep four of them home all day to-morrow and send two whom you can flog, and so also on the two succeeding days.' A few days after having been flogged, two by two, these same young men, feeling the necessity of progressing faster in their studies, came to him with the request that he would give them evening lessons 'for a consideration.'" His father had deeded hirn, who had remained at home to care for the old folks, the homestead. In 1795 he sold it and rem. to New Providence, Saratoga Co., N.Y. The grandson, above named, visited hirn in 1825 at his home, Edinburg, near Lansingburg, where he died in 1826. The widow went to live with her son, Orrin Sage, and is buried in Rochester, N.Y. Children by 1st marriage:
Lucretia, b. Jan. 11, 1769; m. -Johnson. Child: Julia -; m. -Leake. 84 Charles, b. Oct. 4, 1771. 85 Hezekiah, b. Jan. 17, 1774. Charlotte, b. Feb. 22, 1776; m. Eli Judson. Child: David. Abigail, b. Mar. 30, 1778; m. Leonard Baker, dau. Harriet, d. 1880; m. -Rogers. 86 Roderick, b. Mar. 24, 1780.
88a Sylvester, b. Aug. 2, 1802. Martha, b. -; m. -Bennett. Children: Solon S., Charles E. Mary, b. -; m. Orizam Corbin. He d. abt. 1835. She d. in Cleveland. ___________________ 37 Lucretia4 Ranney (Daniel3, Joseph2, Thomas1), b. Mar. 12, 1737-8, Upper Houses; m. May 16, 1753, Capt. Nathaniel4 Hamlin, b. May 29, 1732, son of Capt. Richard Hamlin3 and Martha Smith, dau. of the Rev. Joseph3 Smith, first pastor at Upper Houses. Capt. Richard Hamlin3, b. May 17, 1693, was the son of William2 Hamlin and Susannah Collins, b. Nov. 26, 1669, dau. of the Rev. Nathaniel Collins and Mary Whiting of Middletown. William2 Hamlin was the son of Giles1 Hamlin and Hester2 Crow, dau. of John1 Crow of Hartford. Giles Hamlin was a distinguished mariner. His epitaph says he was "near fifty years crossing the ocean wide." Capt. Nathaniel Hamlin was app. Oct., 1770, Captain l0th Co., 6th Regt. Militia; resided in Newfield Street and d. 1778. Children:
John, b. Jan. 7, 1757; m. Nov. 14, 1784, Caroline5 Ranney (Fletcher4). A Rev. soldier, buried in Cromwell. 90 Esther, b. July 10, 1759; m. Abner Hubbard. 91 Mary, b. 1760; m. Benj. Gilbert. Martha, b. Mar. 29, 1761; m. Oct. 3, 1782, Daniel Eells. (See the Eells Family.) Lucretia, b. May 3, 1763; m. Samuel Cotton. ___________________ 38 Jonathan4 Ranney (Jonathan3, Joseph2, Thomas1), bapt. May 20, 1744, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 25, 1773, New Haven, Ct., Hannah Tiley or Tilly of Saybrook, Ct., b. 1753. He was a boy when his father rem. to Guilford; was a hatter, and had an establishment in New Haven and later in Middletown, Ct., where he d. July 16, 1828. She brought a letter, 1791, from the 2d Church of Saybrook, now Essex, to the 1st Church of Middletown, where she d. May 24, 1838. Her father after a few years owned the Rev. Joseph Smith house, sold it, 1746, and rem. to Saybrook, now Essex, Conn. Children:
92 William, b. Nov. 30, 1783. Sally, b. -; m. Jan. 10, 1802, Joshua Cone. Child: Chloe, b. 1808, d. 1880, East Haddam. Hannah, b. 1787; d. Jan. 9, 1844. Phineas, b.-; d. unm. abt. 1860, Middletown. ___________________ 39 Ebenezer4 Ranney (Ebenezer3, Ebenezer2, Thomas1), bapt. Apr. 24, 1748, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 30, 1769, Newington Church, Lois4 Blinn, b. May 13, 1745, Newington Society of Wethersfleld, Conn. He inherited the original Ranney homestead and built on the north part a house for his. son James. He served in the Rev. War. A bronze markerof the S.A.R. is at his grave. He d. Oct. 7, 1822. She d. Oct. 24, 1831. Children:
Lois, bapt. Mar. 7, 1773; d. unm. Dec. 28, 1861, was the tailoress of the village, cared for her mother and brother Eben. After 1847 she resided with her nephew James Ranney. Read always, but never used glasses. 93 Margaret, b. Dec. 23, 1775. Elisha, bapt. Jan. 3, 1779; d. Oct. 23, 1780. Ebenezer, bapt. Dec. 24, 1780; d. unin. Aug. 16, 1845. 94 James, bapt. Nov. 10, 1782. Vester, bapt. Aug. 28, 1785. ___________________ [BLINN LINEAGE - Peter1 Blinn of Wethersfield was a carpenter; m. Johanna -. His will is dated Mar. 2, 1725, "age eighty -four years being in health of body."
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