Notes on Diary People and Places

Note: This index is in the process of being considerably expanded and is only a rough draft. Last update: June 29 2002

Abram: See Abram S. Nash.

Aunt Biar: See Abiah Seymour.

Aunt Clara: See Clara Nash Olmstead.

Aunt Lucy: See Lucy Keeler Dudley.

Batterson, Coleman: A farmer who lived just north of the Nash family farm on Silver Spring Road[1].

Batterson, Mary: Mary J.E. Batterson dies Dec. 19 1865 at the age of 19, probably of complications from childbirth[2]. She is the wife of Nell Batterson. She is not recorded as being buried in Ridgefield.

Batterson, Nell: Nelson Batterson was the son of Coleman Batterson (q.v.). In the 1850 census, Nelson was six years old, making him about 21 at the time of his wife's death[3].

Benedict, John: Emily visits him June 12, 1865 and July 21, 1866. He was a farmer who lived near corner of Silver Spring Road and West Lane. John Benedict, son of Ezra and Maria Dreamer Benedict, was born Aug. 16, 1821. He married Harriet Olmstead, who was born July 9, 1818 in Ridgefield and died there March 28, 1850. They were married July 2, 1845. After Harriet’s death, he married on April 2, 1851 her sister, Sarah W. Olmstead, who was born Nov. 2, 1813 and died in Stamford, Conn., March 8, 1862. The two Olmstead sisters were daughters of Walter Olmsted, born Sept. 28, 1784 and died Nov. 19, 1834. He married on Jan. 1, 1813, Fanny Rockwell (born Oct. 25, 1794, who was a daughter of Thaddeus and Mehitabel (Smith) Rockwell. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Olmsted married on Nov. 20, 1840, Aaron Northrop. She died in Stamford Jan. 12, 1871.[4]

Bennett, Daniel: A farmer who lived on Silver Spring Road in a house almost opposite entrance to the country club, Daniel Bennett was a Ridgefield native who died June 14, 1877 at the age of 82.[5] He often helps at the Nash farm, and the Nashes sometimes help at his.

Bennett, Jerry: Mentioned Feb. 8, 1865. Apparently, Jeremiah Bennett, who lived in the Silver Spring area, had been cutting hoop poles on someone else’s property, and had been arrested or civilly sued for it. And, as Jared suggests, the case was settled out of court. He was about 43 at time of diary and was listed in the 1850 census as being a shoemaker. Deed descriptions[6] speak of a Jere Bennett as being a bordering landowner.

Betts, Curtis: Curtis Betts, a Ridgefield shoemaker, spent the night of June 7, 1865, at the Nash home. He was a native of Wilton. He died in 1868 at the age of 70. He was probably a friend of father.

Bill: Jared's horse. No genealogy available.

Bissell, Mr.: On Oct. 17, 1865, "Father went to Norwalk to carry pigs. He sold to Mr. Bissell for $20." Several Bissell families were living in Norwalk around this time. Identity unknown.

Booth, C.: "Father went to Wilton Depot to carry C. Booth and family" on Aug. 14, 1865. Unknown connection, though probably related to the Nashes or the Smiths.

Booth, Mrs.: Jared Olmstead gets wood for her Jan. 28, 1865. A “C. Booth” is mentioned later.

Briggs, Mrs.: Rany Briggs helps out at household starting on Nov. 7, 1865 and also shows up for spring cleaning in June 1866, when she is called just Rany. The 1860 Census lists “Rany Briggs” as a Ridgefielder. The 1860 census of Wilton lists a Claybone Briggs, born in Virginia, 12 years old, who is living with the Aaron Lockwood family.

Canfield, Daniel: Daniel Canfield was from Lewisboro -- probably a neighbor of Abram S. Nash, who also lived there at this time. His wife was named Sally.

Charly I: Charles S. Nash (1865-1929), Jared’s son.

Charly II: See Jane. Possibly Charles Nash, son of Abram S. and Jane Gray Nash. Or Charles S. Nash Jr., son of Sanford Nash.

Church, Francis: Francis Church was born in Ridgefield in 1821,[7] son of Samuel and Jane Keeler Church. One of his brothers was Bela St. John Church (born 1817) and he may have had a son named Bela St. John Church[8]. In the diary Jared occasionally mentions Bela St. John, who was a Wilton farmer. Jane Keeler’s twin sister, Esther, was the wife of Bela St. John of Wilton.[9] Both Jane and Esther were born in Wilton. Francis probably lived in Wilton; Jared mentions Francis Church’s death on April 27, 1866, but the death isn’t recorded in Ridgefield records.

Cole: See Coleman Batterson.

Daniel: See Daniel Smith #2. Daniel delivers vests March 21, 1866

Diarist: Jared Nash. See Introduction.

Dudley, Lucy Keeler: “Aunt Lucy” appears from time to time in the diary. She stayed with the Nashes from July 30, 1865 off and on until Aug. 6, and her death is noted on May 28, 1866. Lucy Keeler was born in Wilton on April 27, 1782, a daughter of Stephen and Hannah Marvin Keeler[10]. She married Major William Dudley, who was a farmer in northern Wilton. She was the sister of Roxy Keeler Nash, Jared’s mother.

Dunning, Kate: She comes to visit Emmie on April 7, 1866. This may be the only reference to a child visiting another child. Kate is probably the daughter of Richard and Mary Henrietta Dunning (below).

Dunning, Mary: She visits Nov. 11, 1865 with Rebecca Olmstead, wife of Jared N. Olmstead -- they are sisters in law. Mary Dunning was born Mary Henrietta Olmstead in 1824 in Wilton, a daughter of William and "Aunt Clara" Nash Olmstead[11]. Mary, who was about 31 at this time, was Jared's first cousin and was a sister of Jared N. Olmstead (q.v.). She had a brother William or Willy Olmstead (q.v.). In 1855 she married in Ridgefield to Richard Dunning, whose occupation was listed as “musician,” a rather unusual profession for a Ridgefielder in those days. He played the bugle and instructed the Ridgefield Band, founded in 1838 and well known in the area. Richard Dunning was born in 1814 in Wilton, the son of John and Lydia Dunning. His father was a wheelwright[12]. There is no record of Richard or Mary Dunning's death in Ridgefield so they probably moved away. Richard Dunning's sister, Mary Ann, married Russell Mead (q.v.), who also appears in the diary. Richard and Mary may have had a daughter, Kate (q.v.)

Edmonds, John D.: Jared mentions the death of John D. Edmonds, a Civil War veteran and a lawyer, died July 23, 1865 at the age of 33. John enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil War with the 20^th Regiment of New York Volunteers, April 23, 1861, and was discharged only a few months later, Aug. 2, 1861.[13] No reason has been discovered for his short term of service. His death record in town hall calls him a lawyer.

Edmonds, Mr.: mentioned March 12, 1865: See R. C. Edmonds.

Edmonds, R.C.: Robert Chauncey Edmonds lived on the south side of Silver Hill Road, a little west of Wilton Road West. He is mentioned as Mr. Edmonds on March 12, 1865 when Urania Taylor's funeral is at his house, and he is mentioned again when his son, John, dies July 23, 1865He and Jared’s grandfather, Jared Nash, had served together on the committee that erected the new Flat Rock Schoolhouses in 1846-47. He died Dec. 2, 1884, aged 83, and is buried at Ridgefield Cemetery next to his wife, Abby Darling Edmonds, a native of Redding, who died April 29, 1898 at the age of 94. They were married here Nov. 5, 1823 (the town record calls him "Chauncey Edmonds," leaving off the Robert.) They had a daughter, Mary, who died in 1867 at the age of 21, according to headstone records. The death of their son is recorded in July -- see John D. Edmonds. Robert's grandfather, Robert, whose father was from Scotland, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to this country in 1754, and eventually wound up in Ridgefield where he died at the age of 93[14].

Emily: Jared’s wife; see Emily Smith Nash.

Emmie: Emily Louise Nash (1860-1915), about five, Jared’s daughter.

E.R.G.: See Elizabeth R. Grummun

Father: see Charles Nash.

Ferris, Mary: Mentioned as visiting Oct. 4, 1866 with Amos Smith’s wife. Roxy Keeler Nash, Jared’s mother, had a sister, Mary Keeler, who married Seth Ferris and who died in 1861. Seth and Mary Keeler Ferris had a son, Stephen Gould Ferris, who was Jared’s first cousin and who married a Mary Ann Beers in 1838. She would then have been a Mary Ferris, and she lived until 1906 when she died in Norwalk. Mary Ann also had a daughter, Mary Augusta Ferris. Mary Augusta would have been married to the Rev. Joseph Woolley by this time, however, since her daughter Mary Emma Woolley was born in 1863. Incidentally, Mary Emma Woolley – Jared’s first cousin, twice removed -- grew up to be the first female student at Brown University, and later the president of Mt. Holyoke College from 1901-1937.[15]

Fitch, Samuel B.: He helped on the farm. See March 1, 1865. His family may have been from Wilton, though he was clerk of the Ninth School District in 1866. Father went to see him March 19, 1866, and he came to the Nashes the next day. Samuel P. Fitch was surveyor of highways in the Ninth School District in 1864.[16] On Dec. 16, 1864, Samuel B. Fitch was elected “committee and collector” of taxes for the Ninth School District. Minutes indicate he functioned as the district committee until Sept. 4, 1865. On Nov. 17, 1866, a special district meeting took place “for the purpose of instructing or authorizing the collector to collect the School tax (of last term) of Samuel B. Fitch and to do any other business necessary to be done in regard to the same.” However, at the meeting, when a motion was made “that Mr. Fitch’s rate be raised by subscription from the district,” the motion lost and the meeting was dismissed.[17] It appears that Fitch failed to collect part or all of the taxes he was supposed to. Whether he was just negligent or whether he pocketed money is not indicated.

Fitzgerald, Thomas: Thomas Fitzgerald, a native of Ireland, was a laborer who died in 1882 at the age of 69. He helped on the farm Oct. 31, 1865. He lived on West Lane, almost opposite Olmstead Lane, and next to Libby Grumman's place

Gallagher, C.: Mentioned Feb. 14, 1865. Probably Charles Gallagher, a laborer. No record found. See also Feb. 15, 1865.

Gregory, C.: This person, mentioned July 12, 1865, may have been Charles Gregory of Wilton, a farmer.

Grummun, Elizabeth A.: “Libby,” a frequent visitor, is Elizabeth A. Grummun. For instance, On Jan. 20 and May 27 in 1865, "Libby Grummon" comes to visit. She is Elizabeth R. Nash Grummun’s daughter and diarist Jared Nash’s niece. Elizabeth was born around 1844 and was about 21 or 22 at the time of the diary and was a teacher at the Titicus and the Flat Rock schoolhouses. She eventually married Alonzo B. Brown (1839-1895), a Ridgefield native and son of Solomon Brown of Farmingville, who was a railway postal worker.[18] They lived in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., until Mr. Brown’s death. She then returned to Ridgefield where she lived until around 1930 when she moved back to Mt. Vernon to live with her daughter in law, Mrs. Arthur Brown. She died in August 1934 at the age of 90.[19] She may have lived on Peaceable Street just west of the intersection of Peaceable Hill, where a “Mrs. E. Brown” lived in 1912[20]

Grummun, Elizabeth R.: E.R.G., as she’s called in the diary, was Elizabeth R. Nash Grummun, the daughter of the daughter of Charles Nash by his second wife, Roxy Keeler (his first wife Roxanna Nickerson died in 1821, and Elizabeth was born in 1822). Although no birth record has been found, this relationship seems certain because: 1. Elizabeth R. Nash married Charles Grummun in 1841. When Charles died a few years later, Charles Nash and his father, Jared Nash, served as administrators of his estate[21]. 2. Charles C. Grummun, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Grummun, is living with Charles and Roxy Nash in 1850.[22] 3. Elizabeth R. Grummun, her husband and child are buried right next to Charles and Roxy Nash at the Ridgefield Cemetery.[23] Thus, E.R.G. is Jared Nash’s sister. She was born in 1822[24], married Charles Grummun Nov. 10, 1841,[25] but he died Aug. 6, 1847, only 29 years old.[26] Two weeks earlier, on July 31, 1847, their year-old son, Henry S. Grummun, had died[27]. On Dec. 24, 1847, Elizabeth R. Grumman was appointed guardian of their two children – Elizabeth A. Grummun (q.v.), 5, (called “Libby”) and Charles C. Grumman, 7.[28] She died 1901.[29] She may have been a seamstress. She became professed member of the First Congregational Church in 1840.[30] Charles and Elizabeth lived in a house at the north corner of Main and Market Streets, possibly the one still standing there today, now owned by the town.[31] The house was right across Market Street from Hurlbutt’s Market. She sold the place in 1850 to Rufus H. Pickett,[32] who lived there and had a cabinet shop just down Market Street from the house[33]. She later lived in New York City and Stamford – and possibly died in Stamford. When Charles Nash (q.v.) transferred all his property to his father, Jared, in 1842 to handle his insolvency problems, Elizabeth R. Grummun and Harvey Smith signed as witnesses.[34] In 1875, Charles Nash mortgages his farm to Elizabeth R. Grummun, who is then living in Brooklyn, N.Y.[35] The mortgage was for $1,070, interest free until after Charles and Roxy Nash’s death. It indicates that she was a person of some means by then. In 1882, after both Charles and Roxy have died, Elizabeth quit claims to Richard R. Walker for $1,000 her interest in the family homestead.[36] Walker was the husband of Grummun’s niece, Roxana Nash. By then, she is living in Stamford. Walker had acquired an interest in the farm in 1876. Elizabeth’s husband may have been a son of Caleb Grumman, whose daughter, Emily, married David W. Olmstead. Both David and Emily Olmstead appear in the diary. Name is spelled Grumman, Grummon, and Grummun in various sources, but the gravestones say Grummun and, in March 25, 1850 guardianship report, Elizabeth clearly signs her name Grummun, the rarest of the three spellings today.

Hawley, Samuel: Mentioned as a visitor March 9, 1865. There was a Samuel Hawley who was a cabinetmaker with a shop on Main Street and, according to the 1850 census, a Samuel Hawley who was a butcher.

Hiram: Mentioned May 12, 1865; maybe Hiram Seymour (q.v.)

Holmes, Mr.: He brought Aunt Lucy on Aug. 4, 1865. Father goes there Dec. 29, 1865. He visits June 16, 1866. See below

Holmes Mrs.: She visits July 7, 1865, with Emily Olmstead. Esther Smith Holmes, daughter of Amos Smith, died Sept. 6, 1887, age 81.[37]

Holmes, John: On Feb. 20, 1866, Father buys two brooms from John Holmes. This is possibly John W. Holmes of Titicus, a New York City native who was listed in his death record as a laborer. Mr. Holmes served as a "musician" in the Civil War and was wounded and captured at Chancellorsville in 1863.[38] A year later, he was discharged. Mr. Holmes died in 1885 at the age of 62.[39] The 1860 Census shows a John F. Holmes living here.[40]

Hoyt, David: Father went to a stone bee there Sept. 9, 1865. David K. Hoyt [1822-1884] had his farm on Silver Spring Road in Wilton, land that is about a half-mile south of the Nashes' land.

Hoyt, Munson: Munson Hoyt was a farmer who lived north of the Nashes on Silver Spring Road, just north of the Silver Spring. He appears often in the diary and was a good friend of the Nashes. Munson lived with his mother, Anna Hoyt (called "Mrs. Hoyt" [q.v.]) and his sisters Natalia [q.v.] and Orrilla. Anna Hoyt[41], was the widow of Isaac Hoyt, who died in 1862[42] (Hoyt genealogy incorrectly says he died in 1865[43].) Anna died Jan. 11, 1872, aged 81. Buried next to them in Ridgefield Cemetery is Munson Hoyt, died Oct. 30, 1906, aged 79[44] as well as Orrilla, born April 14, 1823 and died March 11, 1893. Isaac Hoyt was a native of Wilton while his wife, nee Anna Hoyt, was from Lewisboro.[45] Munson and his sisters had a brother, Andrew, who was living at Sioux Valley, Union County, Dakota Territory by 1875 when he quit claim interest in the family property.[46] Andrew was living in New Canaan by 1906, probably with his grown children. Munson's name appears both as "Monson" such as Sept. 8, 1865 (and so spelled even in legal documents) and as Munson (Dec. 12, 1865). The man signed his name Munson.[47] Munson bequeathed his estate to his sisters[48], but only Natalia Hoyt was still alive by his death. According to Munson's will, Jared N. Olmstead (q.v.) was supposed to be the executor of the estate, but Olmstead died before Hoyt did. The court appointed D. Smith Sholes (see David Sholes) as the next executor, but he died in 1907 before the estate was settled. When Isaac Hoyt died in 1862, he owned 125 acres and buildings, mostly along Silver Spring Road.[49] The value was nearly $7,000. In 1909 just the homestead and 12 acres was sold to Mary and Smith Remington for $1,575. Today, that property would probably worth one thousand times that price. The house, though, has been much modified and modernized, and little is left of the original 18^th Century structure that Isaac Hoyt and his offspring knew. Over the years Munson Hoyt served in various town offices, including surveyor of highways in the Seventh School District – West Lane (1859, 1861, 1866)

Hoyt, Mrs.: Emily and Emmie walked up West Lane March 21, 1865, but Jared went only as far as Mrs. Hoyt's. Father went there Feb. 19 and May 21. Mother and Emmie went there June 15, 1865. This was Anna (Mrs. Isaac) Hoyt, mother of Munson Hoyt (q.v.). Mrs. Hoyt was apparently a seamstress for on June 7, 1865, Mother went there "to get Father's pantaloons made." There may have been two houses on the Hoyt farm – Mrs. Hoyt and her two daughters, Natalia and Orrilla, may have lived in one while Munson lived in the other.

Hoyt, Natalia: Sister of Munson Hoyt, daughter of Isaac and Anna Hoyt.[50] Born in Lewisboro, Natalia lived with her brother Munson, and sisters Orrilla and Nancy in a house on Silver Spring Road north of the Nashes. She never married and died May 24, 1909, at the age of 88 from complications of a broken hip.[51] Her obituary observed that "Miss Hoyt had been a resident of Ridgefield for a long term of years, and resided with her brother, the late Munson Hoyt, Silver Spring Road. She was one of those who extended to all that old-fashioned hospitality which was once a part of all the early communities. She was the last survivor of a large family and was aunt of Aaron G. Hoyt of Ridgefield."[52]

Hoyt, William: On Oct. 3, Jared "went down to Wm. Hoyt's before breakfast after some meal." W.M. Hoyt lived on Ridgefield Road (Route 33) in Wilton. Another lived in South Salem, but died in Ridgefield. William R. Hoyt lived in Ridgefield. Charles Nash, born Oct. 6, would as an adult go into business with a William F. Hoyt.

Hulda: See Rhoda.

Hurlbutt, Clara: probably the wife or sister of George; mentioned March 5, 1865 as a visitor after the death of Aunt Clara Nash.

Hurlburt, George: Mentioned March 3, 1865, as a visitor after the death of Aunt Clara Nash, George Hurlbutt was the husband of Clara Amanda Olmstead, daughter of Clara Nash. He was a Wiltonian -- the 1850 census describes him as being a 19-year-old carriage maker, living with the large Sherman Cole family in Wilton.[53] Nearby the Coles was the family of William B. Hurbutt. George also visits Jan. 3, 1866 with Jared Olmstead.

Hurlbutt, John: On Jan. 31, 1866, John Hurlbutt sticks his hand in the cage of a lion at a Danbury menagerie. He is bitten severely on the wrist, contracts tetanus, and dies Feb. 11, 1866.[54] Seven years earlier, his father, David Hurlbutt, was gored to death by a cow he was butchering. His brother is Sereno Hurlbutt (q.v.).

Hurlbutt, Sereno S.: [1825-1904] was a noted carpenter and one-time partner in the carriage factory that operated in the Big Shop[55], which then stood at Main Street and West Lane [site of the First Congregational Church today] and houses restaurants, shops and offices off Bailey Avenue. Hurlbutt was collector of town taxes during the period of the diary[56] and also from 1885 to 1904. At this time he was serving as a constable, elected by the town meeting. Charles Nash [Father] may also have been some sort of court official such as a deputy sheriff, charged with escorting prisoners or defendants to the court in Danbury or Bridgeport -- see Feb. 8, 1865. Hurlbutt also owned and operate Hurlbutt’s Market[57] on Market Street, having taken it over after the death of his father, David (see under John Hurlbutt above)

Ingersoll, Henry: Henry S. Ingersoll, who visits Jan. 9, 1865, and Feb. 24, 1866, was born in 1825, the son of Samuel Ingersoll and Millicent Smith Ingersoll (q.v.). His mother dies Dec. 24, 1865. Henry and Jared were first cousins, once removed. He probably lived in Brooklyn. His brother, Horace, lived in Manhattan.

Ingersoll, Milly: Millicent Smith Ingersoll, 68, the widow of Samuel Ingersoll, was daughter of Amos and Sarah Keeler Smith of Ridgefield.[58] She was born on Nov. 13, 1797, and was married Feb. 1, 1824, and died Dec. 24, 1865. Jared’s father was Millicent’s mother’s brother; thus, Jared and Millicent were first cousins. Samuel, collector of the port of New York, was a grandson of the Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll, who served at minister of the First Congregational Church here from 1740 to 1778. Their son, Henry (q.v.), visits twice. They also had a son, Horace, who does not appear in the diary.

Jane: On Oct. 29, 1865, "Jane and Charly come over" with Sanford. Are they the wife and child of Charles Sanford Nash. On June 11, 1866, “Sanford and Jane” come over. See Jane E. Nash.

Jared: Appears frequently. See Jared N. Olmstead

Jennings, Nancy: Father brings a half cord of wood to her on June 23 and Aug. 11, 1866. A Nancy Rowe Jennings was married to Zebedee Jennings, and lived in Ridgefield in 1852 when Mary Frances Jennings was born.[59] A Nancy Jane Jennings Burns is buried at Ridgefield Cemetery, died Dec. 3, 1900, age 77 years, three months, wife of James H. Burns.

Jimmy: Possibly a blacksmith; mentioned Feb. 7, 1865.

J.N.O: See Jared N. Olmstead.

John: See John Betts Smith.

Keeler, George: Father goes to George Keeler's on March 17, 1865. George Keeler was a harness-maker, and Father was probably visiting him to have some work done on his rig. George Keeler, who died in 1881 at the age of 76, had his home and shop for nearly a half century on Main Street. Betty Lou Campbell now owns the house. On March 24, Father brings lard to Geo Keeler's. On June 13, 1866, Jared gets a pair of cockeyes for a harness from Keeler.

Keeler, Harry: Harry Keeler, formally known as Henry D. Keeler, lived in Lewisboro.[60] He was the town blacksmith and his home was what is now the Horse and Hound restaurant on Spring Street in the village of South Salem.[61]

Keeler, Isaiah: Father went there to see cattle on Sept. 7, 1865. He was a farmer who lived in northern Wilton, possibly off Whipstick Road in the area of what is today called Tito Lane. Isaiah was the father of LeGrande Keeler (q.v.) and the husband of Lucy Watrous Keeler.[62] A Lucy Waterous was born in Ridgefield on March 26, 1776, daughter of John and Hulda Scott Waterous.[63] They may have been the Watrouses who lived up Silver Spring Road in a house that was later Munson Hoyt’s place. (Watrous or Waterous later was commonly Waterhouse.)

Keeler, LeGrand: LeGrand W. Keeler was involved in a turkey exchange Nov. 14, 1865. Could be son of Isaiah (q.v.) and Lucy Watrous Keeler[64], About 41 years old, he was a prominent farmer who was living in northern Wilton in the Nod Hill section at this time -- see his parents. He was a selectman of Wilton in 1871[65]. He died in Ridgefield in 1879. He married Sept. 17 1844 Catharine Lockwood[66]. LeGrand Keeler's son, Samuel [1845-1932] was a prominent Ridgefield attorney and one-time owner of The Ridgefield Press[67]. A Legrand Keeler is buried at Ridgefield cemetery -- died Feb. 8, 1879, age 56/1/8. His wife was Violet Scofield, died March 19, 1878, age 43/2/22. This Legrand had an earlier wife, Sarah E. M. Keeler, who died Feb. 15, 1862, age 31. Ridgefield vital records show LeGrand Keeler died Feb. 8, 1879, age 56.1.8. Born in Ridgefield, son of Nehemiah and Polly Keeler.

Keeler, Mr.: The Nashes buy a pig from him on Sept. 4, 1865.

Mrs. Keeler: She visits with "Rhoda" on Jan. 15, 1865. Probably from Wilton. See also Jan. 20, 1865. Mother goes there Aug. 25, 1865.

Keeler, Rufus: His boy, Willy, dies Dec. 17, 1865. He was two years old. Rufus Keeler, his wife Ruth Gray Keeler, and his family lived in the West Lane district. A farmer, he died at the age of 64 in 1888. Ruth Keeler, daughter of Jonathan Gray, a native of Weston, and Fannie Keeler, birplace unknown. She was born March 25, 1829 in Wilton, and was 80 years old when she died Feb. 25, 1910.[68]

Ketchum, Sally: Sally Ketchum is a visitor March 5, 1865, after death of Aunt Clara Nash. She came with Kate Wells and Clara Hurlbutt, her sisters She stays around -- is at house March 8. On the 9^th, she goes "to Jared's." Sally Ketcham is Sarah Maria Olmstead, a sister of Jared N. Olmstead. She married on Feb. 14, 1844, Anthony Ketcham.[69]

King, Grace: The funeral of Grace King is recorded Feb. 15. Grace King had died Feb. 13 at the age of 57. A native of Ridgefield and single, she was born on April 16, 1809, the youngest child of Lt. Joshua King. Lt. King was Revolutionary soldier, the man who escorted Major John Andre to the gallows, and a founder of a Ridgefield general store that lasted more than 200 years -- most recently as Bedient's Hardware. He lived at the corner of Main Street and King Lane, where his daughter also lived, probably with her brother, Joshua Ingersoll King. In all, she had nine brothers and sisters. Five of the 10 children of Joshua King and Ann Ingersoll never married.[70]

Laura: See Laura Smith.

Libby See Elizabeth A. Grummun.

Lobdell, Hatty: "Hatty Lobdell & Joshua & Libby G. come here at night after we was abed," says Jared June 29, 1865. Libby and Hatty visited June 23, 1866. Samuel Lobdell (q.v) had a wife and a daughter, both named Harriet. His wife was Harriet Nash. He also had a son, Joshua. Samuel dies Sept. 25, 1865.

Lobdell, Samuel: The death of Samuel Lobdell is reported Sept. 25, 1865, and father goes down to Newark, N.J. apparently to get the body. Samuel -- who used to live in the village -- was married to Harriet Nash, father's daughter by his first wife, Roxana Nickerson. The Lobdells were apparently living in Newark. Samuel Lobdell, about 46 at the time of his death, had been a Ridgefield tailor, according to the 1850 census. He married Harriet Nash on Nov. 1, 1840, and they had five children by 1850: Charles N., Joshua H., Harriet E., Arvilla, and a girl whose name could not be deciphered from the census report. Also living with them was Morris Canfield, 20, also a tailor. Headstone records do not show a Samuel Lobdell buried here; perhaps he was buried in Wilton or South Salem. Did he die of injuries sustained in the Civil War?

Lynes, Dr.: Jared and Emmie went to get a "certificate" from him. No record yet found.

Mary Jane: On Dec. 22, 1865, Jared carried a turkey to Jared O. “for Mary Jane.” See Mary Jane Olmstead.

Mead, Lewis and Alanson: Lewis and Alanson Mead, who grew up in South Salem visit the Nash home May 27, 1865. Alanson married Maria A. Olmstead of Ridgefield in 1834. Born Sept. 27, 1805 in Greenwich, Alanson was son of Eri and Esther (Benedict) Mead, of South Salem, N. Y. He was a colonel in the 38th Regiment, New York State Militia, from 1830 to 1838, and moved to Colebrook, Conn., in 1859. There, he served in the Conn. State Legislature. Maria was the daughter of Nathan and Martha Watrous Olmsted of Ridgefield.

Mead, Russell: A farmer who lived on lower Wilton Road East and was active in the Ninth School District. He died in 1877 at the age of 71. Russell Mead was married April 28, 1830, to Mary Ann Dunning. The Nashes provide him with chickens in January 1865 and 1866. Mead was connected with the family. His wife was Mary Ann Dunning, daughter of John and Lydia Dunning of Wilton. Mary Ann's brother, Richard Dunning, married Mary Henrietta Olmstead, daughter of William Olmstead and Clara Nash Olmstead (q.v.). Clara Nash was Father's sister.

Meeker, Francis: Francis Meeker [1818-1868], a Norwalk native, was a farmer who lived just north of the Nashes on Silver Spring Road. Mother visits him Sept. 6, 1865.

Monson: see Munson Hoyt.

Mother: see Roxy Keeler Nash

Mother Smith: So called Jan. 21, 1865. See Polly Northrop Smith.

Munson: See Munson Hoyt.

Nash, Abram: Abraham or “Uncle Abram” Nash was father’s uncle and Jared’s grand uncle.

Nash, Abram S.: Abram St. John Nash may have lived on northern St. Johns Road in an old house still standing opposite and between South Olmstead Lane and Serfilippi Drive. A shoemaker and farmer, he appears a half dozen times during the diary -- see Oct. 13, 1865, Nov. 10, 1866 and Dec. 12, 1866 in particular. Abram S. Nash was born on Feb. 9, 1822, and died July 14, 1906, according to cemetery records[71]. He was married to Sarah A. Gray [1827-1912]. Mormon records say Abram St. John Nash was born in Ridgefield Feb. 9, 1822, son of Samuel Olmstead Nash and Glorianna "Anah" St. John Nash[72] -- see Anah Nash. An Abraham S. Nash, age 28, was living with Anah Nash, 64, and female, in 1850[73]. Jared and Abram are first cousins, once removed. On Feb. 21, 1870, Abram declared himself insolvent[74] -- unable to pay his debts of $675-- and appointed Jared N. Olmstead (q.v.) to settle his debts using "any real or personal estate of every name and description." He lost his home and many of his belongings; the most expensive thing he was left owning was a $35 cow. Abram held various town offices over the years including hayward (1860) and surveyor of highways for the Ninth School District (1861).[75]

Nash, Anah: Mother went to visit her June 17, 1865. She was probably ill. Anah Nash was 64 years old in 1850[76] and was living with Jery P. Nash, Silvia Nash, and Abraham S. Nash, then 28 and a shoemaker. Anah Nash was born Glorianna St. John June 4, 1785 in Wilton, the daughter of Samuel St. John and Glorianna Gregory. She married Samuel Olmstead Nash on Jan. 5, 1804[77]. Her death is mentioned in the diary on Oct. 12 as "Aunt Anah died." The next day, Jared says: "I went up to Abram's after dinner." Both this reference and the 1850 census placing Abraham S. Nash and Anah Nash in the same household indicates Abram was the son of Anah. (Glorianna clearly changed how she wanted to be known, preferring Anah and using that name when the census agent came.) Anah had three children, two of whom were dead by this point -- including Sylvia. But a Catherine Nash [1808-81] married William Osborn.

Nash, Charles: father of diarist Jared Nash; about 72, farmer, shoemaker[78]. He was born in Ridgefield[79] in 1793 and died May 26, 1878 of cancer. He was 84 then.[80] He was a selectman in 1833, 1834, 1848, 1849, and 1850[81]. His father Jared was selectman in 1835 and 1836[82]. He held other offices such as, in 1860, surveyor of highways for the Ninth School District. Despite his position of respect in the community, Charles had serious financial problems and in 1842, declared himself insolvent and unable to pay debts of nearly $877 -- a sizable sum then -- and lost his home and much of his property.[83] He appointed his father, Jared Nash, as the person to oversee the dispersal of his property to his sundry creditors. David Gedney purchased his homestead, probably at auction, for $924, but Charles later inherited his father Jared's place on Silver Spring Road. He was married first to Roxana Nickerson, and by her had at least two children mentioned in the diary: Charles Sanford Nash and Harriet Nash Lobdell. His second wife was Roxy Keeler, mother of Jared. Bedini reports that “a town pound was maintained at Silver Spring near the Wilton line by Charles Nash who lived at the corner of Silver Spring and St. John Roads.”[84] In his will, dated May 12, 1877, Charles Nash leaves his grandson, Charles Smith Nash, $50, and his granddaughter, Emily L. Nash, $25, plus his “feather bed and bedding consisting of sheets, bolsters, pillows, and quilts sufficient to complete a bed,” and leaves the rest of his estate to be divided equally between his daughter, Harriet M. Lobdell, and his daughter in law, Emily A. Nash. Jared N. Olmstead is appointed executor. Witnesses are D. Smith Gage, J. Cullen and Y. A. Hefft [?].[85]

Nash, Charles: Charley, son of Jared, the diarist. See Introduction.

Nash, Charles Sanford: (1817-1897), half brother of Jared, is a farmer in Lewisboro. He is first mentioned Jan. 21, 1865 as a visitor. Probably called Sanford to distinguish him from Charles Nash, Jared's father. Charles Sanford Nash was born in 1817, a son of Charles and Roxana Nash. Thus, he was a half brother of Jared Nash, born about 1825 to Charles and Roxy Nash. The 1850 census shows a Charles S. Nash living in Lewisboro. By the 1860 census, he is called simply "Sanford Nash." No doubt, this is the same person. Charles S. Nash is buried at the Ridgefield Cemetery along with his daughter Roxana Nash Walker and her husband, Richard R. Walker. The July 2, 1897 Press noted that "Sanford Nash of Flat Rock died at his home Wednesday" and said more information would appear the next week. But none did. According to town hall records, Charles Sanford Nash died June 30, 1897, at the age of 79 of "pericarditis."[86] Ridgefield Vital Records note that on Dec. 27, 1886, Roxana Walker, daughter of Charles S. Nash, died at Flat Rock, aged 43 years, seven months -- see under Roxana and Charles Walker. In 1900, Annie Walker married Cyrus A. Cornen Jr., a 21-year-old oilman from Pennsylvania. They settled here, but Cornen, who became town clerk, probate judge, and treasurer of St. Stephen’s, stole huge amounts of money from the church and town, and disappeared in 1917, presumably moving to Pennsylvania. After her husband’s death, Annie Cornen returned to Ridgefield, “living with her sister, Mrs. William R. Keeler, at the Keeler homestead on Wilton Road West, and moved with her to Bradford (Vt.) when she went to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Forrest St. John.”[87] She died in January 1958 in Bradford. On Oct. 29, 1865, "Sanford, Jane and Charly come over." On June 11, 1866, “Sanford and Jane come over and spent the day.” See entry for “Jane.” Did Sanford have a wife, Jane, and a child, Charly? Or were both Jane and Charly children? The latter seems most likely, based on a legal notice placed in the March 12, 1879 Ridgefield Press: “NOTICE – This is to certify that my wife, Amand E. Nash, has left my bed and board without cause or provocation and I hereby forbid any person or persons harboring or trusting her on my account as I will not pay any debts of her contracting. CHAS. S. NASH Jr. March 6^th, 1879.” Also, “Chas. S. Nash Jr. brought into our sanctum last Tuesday one half dozen stalks of rye, measuring six feet, five inches. This rye was grown on the farm of Mr. Sanford Nash, Flat Rock District.”[88]

Nash, Emily Smith: Jared’s wife, nee Emily A. Smith (ca 1832-1901), about 33, seamstress. She is the daughter of Gamaliel and Polly Northrup Smith, who lived on West Lane near Olmstead Lane. Probate records show that Emily, by then a widow, took care of Charles Nash, her father in law, between September 1876 – just after his wife died -- and March 1878, two months before he died.[89]

Nash, Emily Louise: (1860-1915), “Emmie,” around 5 and 6 during the diary period, is Jared’s daughter. At the age of 40, she married 60-year-old Daniel Smith Sholes, a banker and merchant [see Jan. 30, 1865 and Nov. 9, 1866]. Her death record in 1915 calls her Emma, a version she probably preferred to Emily or Emmie.

Nash, Harry: wanted to buy a cow Dec. 30, 1865; unknown, but possibly Henry W. Nash, a tanner who lived in Wilton at the corner of Westport and Chestnut Hill Roads (Route 33 and 53).[90] Or he may have been Harry Nash, born 1819 in Ridgefield, who married Jane Eliza Northrop[91]. They may have moved to Norwalk. Janes Eliza Northrop Darrin was born about 1823. They had a child, Sarah Eliza Nash, born Aug. 11, 1845.[92]

Nash, Jane E.: Indications from the diary and from probate records suggest that Jane was Sanford’s wife, though she could have been his daughter (this seems likely in view of the Legal Notice described under Charles Sanford Nash, above, which says Amand E. Nash left his bed and board). See also entry above under “Jane.” Charles Nash’s estate paid Charles S. Nash (“Sanford”) and Jane E. Nash $200 “for labor” between June 19, 1875 and March 20, 1876. Sanford and Jane were probably taking care of Sanford’s parents – or at least, Sanford’s mother Roxy, who died in August of 1876.[93] Emily A. Nash took over the caring duties after Sanford and Jane. Sanford is buried alone at the Ridgefield Cemetery. Is it possible Jane was from South Salem, which Sanford and Jane lived in the 1850s and 1860s, and that she is buried there? She is not listed in the cemetery index in the Lewisboro town history.

Nash, Jared: The diarist. (1825-70), age about 40, farmer, shoemaker. See Introduction.

Nash, Roxy Keeler: “Mother” of diarist Jared Nash (1794-1876), about 72 at the time of the diary, homemaker. She died Aug. 21, 1876, of “infirmities of old age,”[94] and that she was 84 years old and born in Wilton. That would have made her birth year around 1792. Keeler Genealogy says she was born April 1, 1794.[95] She was Charles' second wife; his first wife, Roxana, died in 1821. They must have married within a year of Roxana’s death. Roxy, a daughter of Stephen Keeler and Hannah Marvin, was born in Wilton. Her health seems to be good during the period of the diary, though she is probably too frail to deal with the infirmaries of the family, such as her daughter-in-law's long recuperation from the birth of Charles Nash. Unlike her Methodist husband, Roxy Nash was a member of the First Congregational Church; she professed in 1832.[96] (Many members of the Keeler clan were Congregationalists.)

Natallia: See Natalia Hoyt.

Northrop, Aaron: Father goes to an auction at his place March 31, 1866. A shoemaker, Aaron Northrop died in 1880 at the age of 69. He, then 39, and his wife or sister, Mariah, 46, lived with Harvey Northrop, 42.

Northrop, J.: mentioned Feb. 15, 1865 as Uncle J. Northrop. He was probably Emily Nash’s mother’s brother -- possibly named Jared, since her grandfather was also named Jared. Her mother was Polly Northrop before her marriage.

Northrop, Linus [O.]: Visits with Benjamin Smith on March 2, 1865, and on June 30, 1865, Jared got a pair of shoes for Emily from him. They sell him a pig on May 24, 1866. On Sept. 7, 1866, mother went to visit him. The son of Josiah and Rebecca (or Rhuanna) Reed Northrop, he was born 9 Jun 1830[97] and died Feb. 12, 1914[98]. He married Margaret Wallace Holmes on Sept. 25, 1856[99]. He was a shoemaker and harnessmaker who lived on Wilton Road West in a house just below Main Street (once owned by Jeremy Wilmot). He was a state representative from Ridgefield in 1886[100]. Bedini says of him “among the best known of the harness makers…was Linus O. Northrop, who operated a shop behind his home on Wilton Road West until his death in 1914.”[101]

Olmstead, Clara Nash: (1800-1865) Aunt Clara is the sister of Jared's father, Charles Nash, and dies on March 1, 1865 in Portchester, N.Y. She is the mother of Jared N. Olmstead. Her husband, William, drowned in Norwalk Harbor in 1836. Her son William visits March 16, 1865. Jared Nash, her father, calls her "Clarry" in his will.[102]

Olmstead, David W.: David Whitney Olmstead [1800-1877] was a shoemaker who lived in the house at 91 Olmstead Lane owned in 2000 by Jack and Sally Sanders. His wife was Emily Grumman, probably related to Elizabeth Grumman (q.v.), who grew up on nearby West Lane. She was the daughter of Caleb and Hester (Dault) Grumman. They had four children: John H. (q.v), Elizabeth, Emily, and David[103] (who died as a teenager). Elizabeth married John Betts Smith, brother of Emily A. Smith Nash, Jared’s wife. Caleb and Hester Grumman may have been the parents of Charles Grumman, who married Elizabeth R. Nash, the Libby or E.R.G. who appears often in the diary.

Olmstead, Emily: An Emily Olmstead visits the Nashes on July 7, 1865 with "Mrs. Holmes." It could have beenEmily [1835-1899] who was a daughter of David W. and Emily Olmstead who lived in a house on Olmstead Lane, owned in the last quarter of the 20th Century by Jack and Sally Sanders. She was a dressmaker, and being about 30 years old at this time, probably grew up with Emily Smith Nash, who was about 33 and who had lived just around the corner from Emily Olmstead before marrying Jared Nash. The visitor could also have been Emily Olmstead’s mother, Emily; for on Aug. 11, 1866, Jared mentions a visit by Emily Olmstead and “girl.” Emily, the daughter, never married.

Olmstead, Ira: Mentioned March 3, 1865 as a visitor following the death of Aunt Clara Nash Olmstead (q.v.), Ira Olmstead was a son of Clara Nash Olmstead.[104]

Olmstead, Jared (from Redding): Jared Olmstead from Redding visits the Nashes on May 23, 1866. Born Feb. 14, 1793[105], he was the son of Jared and Hannah Betts Olmstead of Ridgefield and was a cabinet-maker.[106] Hannah Betts was the daughter of Gideon and Rachael Betts of Ridgefield, and was born May 10, 1755[107]. His father, called “Jared Olmstead, Esq.,” died May 28, 1825, aged 72. Hannah died the next year, age 71. Between the Betts and the Olmstead connections, visitor Jared was probably a distant cousin of Jared Nash.

Olmstead, Jared Nash: (ca 1819-1904), about 46, farmer, town official, cousin of diarist Jared Nash. Jared Nash was the son of William and Clara Nash Olmstead. He held many offices in the town. He was a state representative to the General Assembly in 1862 and 1863 and a selectman in 1867 and 1868[108], a constable (1855, 1863), surveyor of highways (1859, 1862, 1866, 1867), member of the Board of Relief (1861, 1864).[109] He was also active in the Ninth School District affairs. His wife is Rebecca Roscoe (q.v.). Sometimes called “J.N.O,” but usually just “Jared,” he lived on St. John’s Road at the curve just south of Windy Ridge. This had earlier been the home of Jared Nash, father of Charles Nash and grandfather of diarist Jared Nash. The present owners, the Kukulka family, were remodeling the house in 2000-01. According to an inventory of grandfather Jared Nash’s property at the time of his death in 1860, the farm consisted of more than 110 acres plus a house, barn, and cornhouse.

Olmstead, John H. and Maria: On April 19, 1866, Jared mentions that “John H. Olmstead’s wife was dead.” Maria Whitlock Olmstead died that day of “placenta praevia,”[110] a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta is too low in the uterus and can cause hemorrhaging. She was only 30 years old. Maria was born in Ridgefield on July 24, 1835, a daughter of Joseph and Polly Smith Whitlock.[111] She married John Henry Olmstead on Oct. 26, 1859.[112] No children survived her. John Henry was a son of David Whitney and Emily Grumman Olmstead. Their daughter, Elizabeth Olmstead, married John Betts Smith, brother of Jared’s wife, Emily.

Olmstead, Mary Jane: On Dec. 22, 1865, Jared Nash picked a turkey and delivered it to Jared Nash Olmstead "for Mary Jane." Mary Jane Olmstead was Charles Nash’s niece and Jared N. Olmstead’s sister-in-law. Born in 1830 in Norwalk, daughter of Charles and Mary Emeline Brown Lockwood, Mary Jane Lockwood married Charles Olmstead on Dec. 8, 1850, in Portchester, N.Y.[113] Charles was a son of William and Clara Nash Olmstead (q.v.) as was Jared N. Olmstead. Mary Jane is probably not well, for she dies May 26, 1866 in Norwalk (the death is not mentioned in the diary, but Jared does note that Father traveled to Norwalk that day). Charles subsequently marries Nannie Ells Taylor.

Olmstead, Rebecca: She is the wife of Jared N. Olmstead. Born Rebecca Ruscoe in Lewisboro, she died Jan. 26, 1886 at the age of 56, making here around 35 at the time of the diary.

Olmstead, Stephen: The death of Stephen Olmstead, another shoemaker, is mentioned June 15. He died June 14 at the age of 71. Born in 1794, he was the son of Matthew Olmstead and brother of David W. Olmstead, whose daughter married Emily Nash’s brother, John B. Smith. Stephen lived on Olmstead Lane in the house owned for many years by Paul and Kathryn Rosa.

Olmstead, William: William Oscar Olmstead was a son of Aunt Clara Nash Olmstead (q.v.) and twin brother of Clara Amanda Olmstead Hurlburt (q.v.), who had visited on March 5. Born April 9, 1832, he was Jared's first cousin and probably lived in Port Chester, N.Y.

Osborn, Lockwood: He and his wife visit with Mr. Holmes on July 9, 1866. Lockwood Keeler Osborn was a son of Ashahel and Nancy Keeler Osborn.[114] Nancy Keeler [1780-1812] was a daughter of Stephen and Hannah Marvin Keeler[115], and thus was a sister of Roxy Keeler Nash, Jared’s mother. He is Jared’s cousin.

Osborn, William: Visits with his daughter July 31, 1865. Jared Nash and William Osborn are first cousins. William’s mother, Nancy Keeler Osborn, was a sister of Jared’s mother, Roxy Keeler Nash. Since they stayed overnight, Osborns probably lived in another town some distance away. William was born in Ridgefield on April 19, 1812, a son of Asahel and Nancy Keeler Osborn.

Patrick: Jared helped "Patrick" plaster potatoes on July 4, 1865; Patrick and Abram had helped plant potatoes May 16, 1865

Partrick, D.: He brought a yearling to the Nashes to pasture May 23 1865. probably Daniel Partrick -- Jared leaving out the “r,” a common mistake with this name. About 60 years old at this time, Mr. Partrick lived on Wilton Road West and was treasurer of the Ninth or Flat Rock School District. He was married Eliza Esther Keeler. Daniel Partrick was town hayward in 1862.

Perry, Isabell: Isabell Perry, only 20 years old, had died March 20 of typhoid fever. A Fairfield native, she was an “instructor” at the Flat Rock Schoolhouse and died while in her first year on the job. She is not buried here, though her father was probably living here at the time of her death. She had been hired Oct. 17, 1864, at $12 a month to teach the winter session. Libby Grumman may have taken over her job when she fell sick -- see March 8, 1865. It's not clear who Samuel Perry (q.v) was.

Perry, Dr.: The Perry family administered to the health needs of Ridgefield for more than a century, starting with Dr. David Perry, who graduated from Yale in 1772 and died in 1822. He was a minister at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church just after the Revolution. He was followed by his son, Dr. Nehemiah Perry [1790-1866], and his grandson, Dr. Nehemiah Perry Jr. [1827-1909]. Nehemiah Sr., who lived on Main Street, established the Glenburgh Mills and Chemical Works in Georgetown to produce medicines, spices, and chemicals, such as dyes. "Certainly many of the doctor's wares brought happiness to the housewife and efficacious remedy," wrote Historian George L. Rockwell. Bottles that held Dr. Perry's patent medicines are drug up from time to time from old dumps around town. One of the most famous of his medicines was "Demulcent Compound for Coughs and Colds." When Dr. Perry died Feb. 19, 1866, the Nashes attended his funeral. In 1865, Dr. Perry is quite ill and Jared is probably seeing his son, Dr. Nehemiah Jr., who took over his father's practice, which was located in the Perry home, two doors south of the Keeler Tavern. Samuel Lobdell, who lived in Newark, N.J., and died Sept. 25, was probably a member of the old Ridgefield Lobdell family, but his birth is not recorded in old Ridgefield records.

Perry, Samuel: An entry on March 22, 1865, mentions that Samuel Perry’s daughter had died – See Isabella Perry. A Samuel Perry was elected surveyor of highways in the Seventh School District in 1859[116], indicating that he lived in the West Lane School District.

Quintard, Walter: Walter Quintard, mentioned Sept. 6, 1865, lived in South Norwalk and was married to Sarah Smith, sister of Emily Nash, Jared's wife. Thus, he was Jared's brother-in-law. A well-known businessman in Norwalk, he was a partner in the carriage-making firm of Quintard and Smith -- the Smith was probably someone else in Emily's family. Quintard once worked in the carriage factory in the Big Shop where the First Congregational Church now is on West Lane -- which may be how he met his wife, who grew up a quarter mile west on West Lane. He started his own firm in Norwalk and became successful enough in life to have been selected mayor of South Norwalk

Rany: See Rany Briggs.

Rebecca: See Rebecca Olmstead.

Rhoda: See Mrs. Keeler. She also shows up Oct. 9, shortly after Charles Nash is born. She also visits with Hulda on Dec. 11, 1865. She visits the Nashes to take care of Emily on Oct. 8, 1865.

Richard and Roxanna: They visit Sept. 3, 1865 and March 27, 1866. Unknown, but see under "Roxanna and Richard."

Rockwell, Lucy: Father carries a half cord of wood there Feb. 26, 1866. Connection as yet unknown.

Roscoe, Alva: On April 11, 1865, the Nashes sold a shoat to Alva "Ruscoe." Alva Roscoe lived in Wilton.[117] Rebecca Olmstead, wife of Jared Nash’s cousin, Jared N. Olmstead, was born Rebecca Ruscoe, but her family was from Lewisboro. Perhaps Alva was a relative of Rebecca. Alva lived next door to John St. John (q.v.) In 1850, when he was 21, he had a wife, Julia A?, who was 19.[118]

Roxanna and Richard: See Roxana and Richard Walker.

St. John, Bela: On July 30, 1865, "Bela St. John brought Aunt Lucy here and left her." He also visits with his wife July 5, 1866. Bela St. John was a farmer who lived in northern Wilton. He was married to Esther Keeler, sister of Roxy Keeler Nash, Jared’s mother, and was thus Jared’s uncle. He was probably the son of Bela and Martha Northrop St. John[119], and was about 38 years old when he visited. These St. Johns were an old Wilton and Norwalk family, probably related to the Nashes through Aunt Lucy (q.v.). Hurd's History of Fairfield County says "Bela St. John, M.D., son of Bela St. John, practiced dentistry several years in Danbury."[120] See also Francis Church.

St. John, James: On March 22, 1866, Jared says: "Went up to see James St. John. He is sick." Jared typically uses "up" and "down" to indicate north and south so James probably lived north of him (there were two James St. Johns living to the south in Wilton in 1850). A James R. St. John died of phthisis [a wasting away of the lungs, such as from tuberculosis]. Oct. 15, 1896, aged 71 years, nine months. He would have been around the same age as Jared.[121] James R. St. John was a teacher in the Flat Rock School district.[122] On Feb. 14, 1856, James, 31, married Matilda Keeler, 26. Both were born in Ridgefield. Clinton Clark performed the ceremony. Matilda was the daughter of Matthew Keeler and Sally Ann Smith. She was born Oct. 22, 1827 and died Oct. 22, 1910, on her 83^rd birthday.[123] James R. St. John was surveyor of highways in the Ninth School District in 1864.[124]

St. John, John O.: Jared sells John O. St. John a pig for $10 on June 15, 1866. (See also under Alva Roscoe) St. John probably lived in northeastern Wilton, near Georgetown, for he was an organizer in 1839 of The first Methodist Protestant church in Redding, which was situated in Georgetown. The congregation was organized at a meeting held at the house of Sturges Bennett. “The following officers were chosen. David Nichols, chairman, John O. St. John, secretary. John O. St. John was duly elected clerk of said society, and the oath was administered by Walker Bates, Esq. John O. St. John was also elected Treasurer of said society."[125] Mr. St. John and Charles Scribner built the church building that year. John O. St. John was an avid abolitionist, and was also treasurer of the Georgetown Anti-Slavery Society, founded in 1838 – it was one of the first such societies founded in the state. It was not a popular organization, and Todd reports that when members had their first meeting on a Monday night at the Baptist Church in Georgetown, a mob outside “was so violent that the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday evening. All through Tuesday there was great commotion among the enemies of the cause, and this culminated in the evening, when a mob composed of men and boys, some with painted faces and some wearing masks, surrounded the church and assailed it with stones, clubs and hideous outcries. Being dispersed by the citizens, the band betook itself to quieter mischief. Dr. Hudson drove to the meeting a beautiful milk-white horse, and on that night his tail was sheared so closely that it resembled a corn-cob; and other outrages were committed.”[126]

Samuel Perry's daughter: See Isabell Perry.

Sanford: see Charles Sanford Nash

Scott, A.: Unknown person, but possibly Amelias Scott, shown on the 1860 census.

Scott, Nathan: Father goes to his funeral May 14, 1865. Scott, a well-known local farmer, died May 12 at the age of 78 and had lived on North Salem Road at Barlow Mountain Road.

Seymour, Abiah: The person called "Aunt Biar" on July 6, 1865, is probably Biah or Abiah Seymour, who lived on upper Wilton Road West. She was the daughter of Abraham and Sarah Nash -- Jared's great grandparents -- making her Jared's great aunt. The widow of Thaddeus Seymour, she died of pneumonia April 5, 1869 at the age of 86,[127] and was probably somewhat infirm at this time. Thus, the visit July 6 was probably to an ailing aunt. The Olmstead genealogy says she was born April 21, 1782 and married Thaddeus Seymour. It says she died Nov. 13, 1862[128] but her headstone says April 4, 1869[129] and town hall records, April 5. She had six children, including Hiram L. Seymour (see Hiram Seymour below).

Seymour, Benjamin: Visits June 19, 1866. Benjamin Seymour and his wife Eliza lived in Wilton. He was a shoemaker. They had a daughter, Jane, who was 25 in 1850. Benjamin was about 70 at this time.[130] Why he is “Uncle” is unclear, but probably has to do with the relationship of his wife, Eliza, with the Nashes or the Smiths.

Seymour, G.: On March 25, 1865, Jared drove a farrow cow to G. Seymour's. On June 3, Father bought a heifer from G. Seymour. Possibly George W. Seymour, living in Ridgefield in 1860[131]. He was born April 10, 1837 and died Nov. 20, 1896[132] and is buried, with a bunch of other Seymours, in the Ridgefield Cemetery. Seymour was the “committee” or manager of the Ninth School District in 1866 and 1867.

Seymour, Hiram: Maybe the "Hiram" mentioned May 12, 1865. See June 10, 1866, when Hiram’s wife pays a visit with Jared and Rebecca Olmstead. Hiram was 45 years old in 1850 and had a wife named Margaretta[133]. They had several children and lived on Wilton Road West, opposite and north of St. John’s Road. Hiram died Oct. 1, 1887, aged 81, and Margaretta, Nov. 9, 1877, aged 72.[134] Barbour’s index says she’s Margaret Pike, and they were married Dec. 26, 1830. Her (probably) sister Elizabeth married a Richard B. Pike in 1838.[135] Margaretta Pike was born in 1804 in Fairfield, daughter of Lt William Pike and Molly Thorp Darrow.[136] [137]

Seymour, William: Jared went to see him to get a pick sharpened on April 10, 1866. William Seymour, then about 49 years old, was a blacksmith and native of Wilton[138]. He probably lived on Olmstead Lane.[139] On June 25, 1868, the Rev. Francis Russell married William W. Seymour, 52, to Mary E. Dauchy, 38. He was a blacksmith, born in Wilton. She was born in Carmel, N.Y. He was a widower, she single.[140]

Sherwood, Purdy: Father goes to an auction there March 28, 1866. Purdy had died June 5, 1865. A native of New Castle in Westchester County, Purdy was born in 1808 and married Sarah Lockwood, also of New Castle but of Norwalk stock. They lived in Wilton from at least 1835 until 1859, during which time they had 12 children.

Sholes, Daniel: Nashes visit Jan. 23, 1866.Daniel Sholes [1800-1889] lived in the West Lane district. Daniel, who came here from Vermont and was 65 years old at this time, was the father of D. Smith Sholes, who was 25 at this time. In 1900, D. Smith Sholes, who was the town's probate judge in the 1870s, married Emmie Nash (q.v.), Jared's daughter, who was only five years old at the time of this visit. D. Smith Sholes died in 1907, aged 67. Daniel Sholes, who died in 1889 at the age of 89, was a shoemaker, like Jared and his father. The fact that his son was named D. Smith Sholes indicates that perhaps Daniel Sholes was somehow connected with the Smith clan. His wife, Catherine, was probably his second wife; Daniel Sholes married Clarry Beers in 1825 and she appears to have died in 1837. Catherine Smith Sholes was born in Ridgefield on July 11, 1807[141], daughter of Daniel and Phebe W. Smith, and died June 13, 1891,[142] age 83.

Smith, Amos: Amos Smith Jr. [1811-1872] and Jared Nash are first cousins. Amos was a farmer who in 1838 married Esther A. Lee [1814-1888] of Farmingville District. Their home was on Main Street at the north corner of Gilbert Street, near where his parents, Amos Sr. and Sarah Keeler Smith, had also lived. In 1850[143], Amos Sr. and Sarah, then 81 and 76 respectively, had their granddaughter Laura Smith, 16, living with them; Laura’s parents, John and Lucy Keeler Smith, had died a year apart in the 1830s. Amos and Esther were living nearby with Sarah M. Smith, age 7. Amos Sr. and Sarah also had a daughter, Millicent Smith (q.v.), who married Samuel Ingersoll. Milly Ingersoll's death on Dec. 24, 1865, is recorded in the diary. Jared’s mother, Roxy Keeler Nash, was Sarah Keeler, mother of Amos Jr.; thus, Jared was a first cousin of Amos Jr. Amos Smith’s wife and Libby visited July 14, 1865. Various legal documents involving Elizabeth R. Grummun, Charles Nash’s sister, such as mortgages in the 1870s, use Amos Smith as a witness. Amos and Elizabeth were first cousins.

Smith, Benjamin: Mentioned March 2, 1865 as visiting with Linus Northrop. A Benjamin Smith was born in Ridgefield around 1782, son of Benjamin and Hannah Stebbins Smith.

Smith, C.: There was an auction at his or her place March 16, 1865. Identity unknown. No death or probate records on an auction.

Smith, Catherine: See Catherine Sholes under Daniel Sholes.

Smith, Daniel: “Uncle Daniel” of Jan. 3, 1865 funeral is probably the brother of Emily Smith’s father, Gamaliel. He was 74 at his death, was a local merchant, and is buried in Ridgefield Cemetery. His wife, Sarah (q.v.), died April 19, 1880 at the age of 89 and is buried next to him.

Smith, Daniel #2: On Aug. 11, 1865, "Daniel come down to tell Emily that a trunk of vests had come." This may be Daniel Smith, brother of Emily. Might also be Daniel Sholes (q.v.) "Daniel Smith" comes Nov. 25.

Smith, E.: See Egbert Smith.

Smith, Egbert: On Aug. 17, 1865, "E. Smith's wife, Phebe Ann," visits. Later in the diary, an Egbert Smith visits. An Egbert Smith and his wife Phebe Wilber were living in Duchess County, N.Y. in the first half of the 19^th Century. The relationship is unknown. Another Egbert Smith, a butcher, was a selectman in Wilton from 1870 to 1873[144]; his wife, however, was Harriet. Nonetheless, it seems likely that Wilton Egbert Smith is the one who is involved in any livestock transaction, such as Sept. 29, 1865, when Egbert Smith buys a heifer.

Smith, Emily: See Emily Smith Nash.

Smith, Gamaliel: Gamaliel Smith, Emily Nash’s father, died Feb. 15, 1861 -- before the diary begins. A shoemaker, he was 73 years old and had been born in Ridgefield[145]. His parentage is unknown. However, a Gamaliel Smith died in Ridgefield Jan. 5, 1782, probably the son of Samuel Smith 3^rd and Mary Smith.[146] The 1850 Census shows Gamaliel Smith being married to “Mary,” age 56.

Smith, George: Mentioned Jan. 9, 1865; possibly another brother of Gamaliel Smith, who was father of Emily. 1850 Census shows a George Smith, then, 18 and a cabinetmaker, son of Henry and Ann Smith, who lived very close to the Gamaliel Smith homestead. Father and mother visit G. Smith June 23, 1865; Mother visits him on Aug. 30, 1865 and again, Dec. 3, 1865, and spends the night June 29, 1866. Henry and Anna Smith are buried virtually next to Uncle Daniel Smith (q.v.) and his wife, Sarah. A George Smith died Dec. 8, 1874, age 87 years, 8 months. His wife, Emma, died Nov. 21, 1896, age 87 years, 1 month. George and Emma had at least seven children, five of whom died young. They are buried near Amos and Sarah Smith (who died in mid-1850s)[147]

Smith, John Betts: "John’s folks was down from Carmel" on July 16, 1865. John’s wife and Laura from Carmel visit July 30, 1866. John is Emily Nash’s brother and part of the Smith clan lived in Carmel, N.Y., as did John for a while. John was born April 2, 1829. In 1850, he was 21 and living on West Lane with his parents[148]. He married Elizabeth Olmstead Nov. 23, 1859 and a daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Smith, was born Feb. 4, 1865, but the event does not show up in the diary[149]. Elizabeth Olmstead, the daughter of David Whitney Olmstead and Emily Grumman Olmstead, who lived just off West Lane on Olmstead Lane, was born Feb. 21, 1833.[150] (Ridgefield vital records indicate that Elizabeth Smith, widow of John B. Smith and “daughter of Gamaliel and Mercy Smith,” died April 10, 1883, age 61.9.23. Born in Ridgefield June 17, 1821 by that age, she died on West Lane. Both her parents were born in Ridgefield. Parentage must be an error. Perhaps Samuel, not Gamaliel; Samuel and Mercy Smith? Samuel d. 1880, age 83, and Mercy, 1880, 82; they died a week apart). On Nov. 11, 1832, George Smith of North Salem married Emma Smith of Ridgefield before the Rev. Charles G. Selleck.[151] Thus, Emma is a Smith, too.

Smith, Laura: about 45, sister of Emily Smith Nash, lived on West Lane. Often visits the household, especially when Emily is recuperating from birth of Charly. 1844-1910. Laura Smith died Jan 2, 1910, age 90.9.4. Born in Ridgefield March 29, 1819. Both parents born in Ridgefield.

Smith, N.R.: Wife visits Feb. 22, 1865. Could it be H.R. Smith? As in Henry? Or is it Nathan R. Smith, son of farmer Nathan Smith, who was 60 years old in 1850.

Smith, Oliver: Emily goes to the funeral of his wife on June 9, 1866. Unknown.

Smith, Phebe Ann: See Egbert Smith

Smith, Polly Northrop: Polly Smith was the mother of Jared's wife, Emily A. Smith Nash. The widow of Gamaliel Smith, she is first mentioned Jan. 21, 1865. She was born in Ridgefield on March 20, 1794, a daughter of Jared Northrop and Eunice Betts,[152] and died May 13, 1881. She is buried in an old Smith cemetery on lower West Lane. The 1850 Census calls her “Mary.”

Smith, Sarah: She visits Sept. 8, 1865 with Libby Grumman. She may have been the Sarah Smith who was the widow of Daniel Smith (q.v.) who died Dec. 30, 1864, just before the diary started. Daniel was a brother of Emily's father, Gamaliel Smith. Sarah died in 1880 at the age of 89. However, she may also have been Sarah M. Smith, daughter of Amos (q.v.) and Esther Smith of Main Street, who would have been about 21 years old at this point. On Sept. 24, 1865, "Amos Smith, his wife, and Libby" visited the Nashes, so it's quite possible Sarah is their daughter.

Smith, Stephen: On Oct. 27, Stephen Smith and his wife visit. This may have been Jared's first cousin. Roxy Keeler Nash, Jared's mother, had a sister, Sarah, who married Amos Smith, and their son, Stephen, lived in Ridgefield for several years in the 1850s, and then moved to Michigan[153]. Perhaps this Stephen, with his wife Marcia, was visiting in the area and heard of Charles Nash's birth. Marcia's family was from New Milford; Stephen's, from Wilton

Taylor, Mrs.: Her funeral is mentioned March 12, 1865 as being at Mr. Edmond's place. Urania Taylor, age 87, had died on March 9. A widow and native of Greenfield [Fairfield], she may have been related to Mr. Edmonds and to the Taylors who operated the mill -- see Jan. 12, 1865. Edmonds was probably R.C. Edmonds who lived on the south side of Silver Hill Road, a little west of Wilton Road West. He and Jared’s grandfather, Jared Nash, had served together on the committee that erected the new Flat Rock Schoolhouses in 1846-47.

Uncle Abram: See Abram Nash.

Walker, Roxana and Richard: They visit Sept. 3, 1865 and March 27 1866; this is Roxana Nash Walker and her husband, Richard. Roxana was born in Ridgefield May 27, 1843, a daughter of Charles Sanford Nash and an unknown mother. She was thus Jared Nash’s niece. She married Richard Walker and she died Dec. 27, 1886 at “Flat Rock,” aged 43 years, seven months. Richard R. Walker was born on March 5, 1841, probably in New York City. She and Richard Walker had two children, one of whom was Annie Mae Walker, who inherited the Nash farm on Silver Spring Road after the death of her father Nov. 5, 1890[154]. She married Cyrus A. Cornen Jr. of Ridgefield in 1900. In 1916, Cornen, then the town clerk, probate judge and treasurer of St. Stephen’s Church, was caught stealing untold thousands of dollars from church and bank accounts. He quietly left town, but after his death some years later, Annie Cornen returned to Ridgefield, “living with her sister, Mrs. William R. Keeler at the Keeler homestead on Wilton Road West, and moved to Bradford when she went to make her home with her daughter Mrs. Forrest St. John.”[155] She died in Jan. 19, 1958 at the age of 83. Cornen’s father and grandfather were both prominent and wealthy Ridgefielders in the 19^th Century.[156]

Wells, John: Mentioned March 3, 1865, as a visitor after the death of Aunt Clara Nash Olmsted. Probably James Armstrong Wells, who married to Kate (Catherine Olmsted) Wells, mentioned March 5 as a visitor. James and Kate were married March 15, 1848, in Chester, Orange County, N.Y.[157] Kate was a daughter of Clara Nash Olmsted (q.v.)

Wells, Kate: see John [James] Wells.

Willie: He plastered corn July 7, 1865. Unidentified, but may be Willie Olmstead – see entry for Nov. 11, 1865. In an 1875 deed for the farm from Charles Nash to his son, Charles S. Nash, one of the witnesses was Willie E. Duncan; the other was D. Smith Gage.[158]

The Places

At the door: At the dooryard, probably just outside the back door of the house.

Bailey’s: Bailey’s general store, in what’s now part of the Aldrich Museum. See April 24, 1865 and Dec. 29, 1865.

Bald Hill: Bald Hill is the section of Wilton along northern Route 33 (Ridgefield Road). For many years, the Bald Hill Methodist Church stood there, and members of the Nash family attended services there.

Brown's Mill: Nashes had salt ground there June 13, 1865, and went there with feed Oct. 5, 1865. Sylvenus L. Brown operated grist and saw mills in the Vista hamlet of Lewisboro where Brown's Reservoir is today. The site is just off Silver Spring Road shortly after it meanders into New York State after traveling through Wilton.[159].

Church: See Jan. 22, 1865. Probably the Methodist Church.

Comstock’s Store: On Ridgefield Road (Route 33) in Wilton at Olmstead Hill Road, operated by James Comstock.

Depot: Mentioned from time to time, such as April 17, 1865, the depot is probably the Wilton station. For the Nashes, it was as close -- perhaps closer than -- the Ridgefield Station at Branchville. (Service from the village station in Ridgefield was not available until 1870.)

Factory (wool): On July 11, 1865, Father went "to factory with wool." The factory here was probably Elias N. and John Glover’s woolen factory on the banks of the Norwalk River near the northern corner of Route 7 and Topstone Road. Founded around 1770 by Hugh Cain, after whom Cain’s Hill is named, the mill factory processed, wove, and dyed wool.)

Gilbert's Mill: See Jan. 21, 1865. During the period of the diary, Harry Gilbert operated the grist, cider and saw mills along Saw Mill Hill Road at the Titicus Village.

H. Gilbert's Mill: See Jan. 20, 1865. H. stands for Harry.

Gregory's Mill: A saw mill in Wilton along today's Route 7, just north of the Route 33 intersection. Gregory also had a cider mill there. Today, there is still a saw mill on the site. Father went with feed Dec. 18, 1865.

Hoyt's Nursery: Mentioned April 8, 1865, located in New Canaan.

Hurlbutt's: Hurlbutt's Market on Market Street -- see Sereno Hurlbutt.

Nash farm was on Silver Spring Road, opposite St. John’s Road. By 1875, when Charles Nash mortgages the farm to his daughter, Elizabeth R. Grummun, the farm consists of at least 45 acres, but was probably larger since not all the land appeared to be included in the mortgage. The main property then was described as bounded north by Augustus Ri(t)ch, Edwin Benedict’s wife, and Roxy Nash; east by James R. St. John, land of wife of Edwin Benedict, and highway; south by Hiram L. Seymour; west by Joshua I. King, Daniel Partrick, heirs of Irad Hawley, and Jere Bennett. Also, 15 acres bound south by heirs of Jared N. St. John, and all other sides by highway.[160] Also in 1875, Charles Nash sells his son, Charles S. Nash the farm, including 30 acres, “reserving the use of the above described property during the natural lives of myself and wife. Also that the said Charles S. Nash is to cancel the mortgage now on said property of ten hundred and seventy dollars.”[161] A year later, Charles S. Nash quit claims the property back to Charles,[162] and Elizabeth R. Grummun quitclaims her interest to Charles, thereby canceling the mortgage,[163] and then Charles and Roxy transfer five acres to Grummun.

Ninth School District included most of Wilton Road West, lower Wilton Road East, St. John’s Road, lower Silver Spring Road, and Silver Hill Road. The schoolhouse was located on Wilton Road West, Route 33, near the sharp curve just south of Woodchuck Lane. The Nashes and many of the others mentioned in the diary, such as Jared N. Olmstead and Russell Mead, were active in the operation of the school.

Taylor's Mill: A grist mill situated on Norwalk River just north of Stonehenge Inn. Nashes get feed ground there Jan. 12, 1865. Father goes there April 1, 1865 and other times. On Nov. 24, he got rye flour there, after going to Gilbert's mill with corn. Operated by David Taylor.

“Up West Lane” meant the Smith homes on West Lane, between Olmstead Lane and Silver Spring Road, where Emily grew up.

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