John Blunt, Revolutionary War soldier

Battle of Bunker Hill

John Blunt was born on 31 Jan 1756 at Andover, Essex, Massachusetts, the son of Isaac Blunt and his wife, Mary Abbott.  He was at the battle of Bunker Hill on 17 Jun 1775.  He enlisted in military service on 30 Sep 1777 in Capt John Abbott's company that went to Ticonderoga. He was at the surrender of Burgoyne.  He ended military service on 6 Nov 1777.  He married Sarah Eames, daughter of Caleb Eames and Mary Harvey, on 26 Oct 1780 at Wilmington, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

 He and Sarah Eames moved circa 1789 to Amherst, Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He died on 27 Nov 1836 at Amherst, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, at age 80.  From a letter for Sarah's pension application, signed by citizens of Amherst, "we have never heard their characters impeached but know that they were honest, respectable persons esteemed by all their neighbors and acquaintances, and that entire truth may be placed in their truth and veracity" on 6 Apr 1854.

Their son Ainsworth Emery Blunt was a Congregational missionary who moved to Dalton, Georgia to preach to the Cherokee. He went with them on the Trail of Tears. My mother-in-law,

Connie, is descended from John Blunt through his oldest daughter, Sally, who married Daniel Howe.

letter from pension file

Pension Application

Rhoda Glover Fairchild

Rhoda Glover was born on 25 Feb 1769 at Newtown, Fairfield,

Connecticut, the daughter of Henry Glover and Ann Sanford. The family home was

across from what is now old Town Hall on Main Street.

She married Joseph Fairchild Jr,

son of Joseph Fairchild and Mary Botsford, on 8 Sep 1793 at

Huntington Congregational Church, Huntington, Fairfield, Connecticut.

She and Joseph Fairchild Jr appeared on the census of 1800

at Huntington, Fairfield, Connecticut. They appeared on the census of 1810 at Sherman,

Fairfield, Connecticut.

They received a receipt of heirs for Rhoda and Joseph Fairchild from her father's

bequest on 8 Mar 1815. They are identified in the codicil to Henry Glover's will.

They appeared on the census of 1820 at Roxbury, Litchfield, Connecticut. Joseph died

30 Sep 1829 at Roxbury.

They had four children together: Sally baptized 8 Sep 1793, Glover (our ancestor) baptized 31 Jul 1796

in Huntington, Anna baptized 26 Jul 1801 in Huntington, and Mary Ann.

Rhoda moved west with her daughter Anna who had married Samuel Weller. The last we know of her

is that she appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Samuel

Sherman Weller at Orange, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

Her son Glover is my 4th great grandfather. He settled in Roxbury and Sherman and married Anna Beardsley.

Richest 20 people of all time

Henry, Duke of Lancaster; John of Gaunt; Richard FitzAlan; William de Warenne; and William the Conqueror are all our ancestors. Shouldn't some of their wealth have trickled down?

http://www.businessinsider.com/richest-people-of-all-time-2011-1?op=1

(Pictures are Carrie's home on Woodcreek Rd, Carrie and her third husband, Alonzo, and Carrie and her mother, Clarinda Wildman Durga).

Carrie Jane Durgy was born on 5 Apr 1865 at New Fairfield, Fairfield,

Connecticut, the daughter of John J Durgy (or Durga) and Clarinda L Wildman.

She married Elmer E Pearce, son of Alvah and Anna B Pearce, before 1883. They had

a daughter, Anna Clarinda Pearce. He died 20 Jul 1898 when he drowned in Ball's Pond, New Fairfield.

She married Ezra Norris Ballard, son of Ezra N Ballard and Mary Corbin, before 1900. She and Ezra appeared on the census of 1900 at New Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut. They had a son, Norris Ezra Ballard. Ezra died before 1905.

She married Alonzo Merritt Fairchild, son of George

Joseph Fairchild and Mary Ann Stevens, on 29 Jul 1905 at

Patterson, Putnam, New York. They had a son, John Alpheus Fairchild (my grandfather).

She and Alonzo appeared on the census of 1910 at New Fairfield,

Fairfield, Connecticut. He died 13 April 1916.

She purchased around 9 Oct 1918 the farmhouse at Woodcreek Road, New Fairfield.

She and her son, John, Henry Wildman, accompanied by Walter Knapp and family of

Danbury recently returned from a long motor trip on 11 Sep 1925.

In March 1926 Mrs Carrie Fairchild who had the misfortune

to fracture her wrist recently when she slipped on the ice is still unable

to do her work. Miss Mamie Rowley is assisting her.

She witnessed the marriage of John Alpheus Fairchild and Martha Post on 9 Oct

1927 at New Fairfield. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. John Fairchild, who were but recently

married were given a surprise variety shower at the home of Mrs. Carrie

Fairchild, Wednesday evening by over 20 relatives and friends. The evening

was spent in playing cards after which delicious refreshments were served.

The bride received many beautiful and useful gifts. The guests included Mr.

and Mrs. Walter Knapp, Miss Frances Knapp, Mr and Mrs. Rudolph Baker and

Aiken Lee of Danbury, Mr and Mrs Harry Gardner and family, Mrs Hannah

Rowley, Miss Mamie Rowley, Mss Ada Benedict, Mr and Mrs Norris Ballard,

Miss Jennie Post and Eugene Post.

She appeared on the census of 1930 at New Fairfield. She died on

12 Feb 1934 at New Fairfield at age 68. She was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, New

Fairfield with her third husband, Alonzo Fairchild.

Luther and Elizabeth Hazelton Fitz

Luther Fitz was born on 13 Jan 1819 at Chester, Rockingham, New Hampshire, the son of Captain Benjamin Fitts (or Fitz) and Susannah Dearborn. He taught school for a

time in Chester. He married Elizabeth French Hazelton, daughter of Josiah Hazelton

and Sarah Emerson, on 22 May 1845 at Chester, Rockingham, New

Hampshire.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, appeared on the census of 1850 at Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, where he was teaching school, as well as his daughters Elizabeth and Helen (who died young).

He and Elizabeth appeared on the census of 1860 at Chester, Rockingham, New Hampshire,

with his daughters, Elizabeth, Ella, Mary and Josephine (another daughter, Henrietta, also died young).

He was a successful farmer. He was taxed for a carriage in 1866 at Chester. He and Elizabeth

appeared on the census of 1870 at Chester, with their daughters Ella, Mary, Josie, and the youngest, Isabelle.

Luther's barn was hit by lightning on 18 Aug 1875 at Chester. He

died on 13 Mar 1877 at Chester at age 58. His wife, Elizabeth, died in Faribault, Minnesota, where she was visiting

her daughter, Ella.

They are both buried at Chester Village Cemetery, Chester,

Rockingham, New Hampshire.

They are my mother-in-law Connie's great grandparents.

On Memorial Day I'd like to remember my great uncle, George Fairchild. He was the first soldier

from Danbury to die in World War I.

George Alonzo Fairchild was born circa 1895, the son of Alonzo Merritt Fairchild and Elizabeth R Meeker.

He appeared on the census of 1910 in the household of Alonzo

Merritt Fairchild and Carrie Jane Durgy, Alonzo's second wife at New Fairfield,

Fairfield, Connecticut, United States of America. George Fairchild, son

of Alonzo Fairchild, has entered the United States navy and later enlisted in the United States Army.

His military record follows:

Fairchild, George A.

Ind NA Danbury, Conn. Sept 7/17. Br Bridgeport, Conn. 23 2/12 yrs. Co M 304

Inf to Sept 19/17; Co E 102 Inf to death. Pvt Sept 7/17; Pvt lcl Feb 1/18.

Chanegnow; Seicheprey. AEF Sept 22/17 to death. KIA Ar 20/18. Notified Mrs.

Alpheus B. Durgy, Aunt, RFD 6, Danbury, Conn on 20 Apr 1918. He was buried

at Cypress Hills National Cemetery, 625 Jamaica Avenue, Brooklyn, Kings,

New York, United States of America.

From the Danbury NewsTimes

Geo. Fairchild First to Die

New Fairfield Man loses life in Battle on French Front

May 2, 1918 - George C. Fairchild of New Fairfield, one of the first

selective service men from this district to enter the army, was killed in

action on the western front of France, on April 20, 1918. A telegram from

the war department at Washington, received by his relatives in this city

last evening, brought first news of the young soldier's death.

Mr. Fairchild, who was a private in the 102d infantry, was the first man

from this exemption district to lose his life in battle. While not actually

a Danburian, a portion of his boyhood was spent in this city, and he had

many friends and acquaintances here.

George C. Fairchild was twenty four years old and was born in Bridgeport.

He came to Danbury with his parents when about ten years old and attended

New Street School. After the death of his mother his father re-married and

the family moved to New Fairfield. When he was seventeen years old he

joined the navy, serving an enlistment of four years, and receiving

honorable discharge. He is highly spoken of by his friends and

acquaintances.

The message from the war department was addressed to Mrs. Alpheus Durgy a

sister of the young man's step-mother whom he had looked up as his guilding

hand. It was signed by M. C. Cain adjutant general and read as follows:

"Deeply regret to inform you that Private George Fairchild, infantry, is

officially reported as killed in action, April 20."

While there is no present means of obtaining further information in regard

to the death of Private George Fairchild, it is assumed that he was killed

in the vicinity of Seichepry, where the 102d is understood to have taken

part in a furious battle that Captain Locke of Hartford, commander of

Company M. of the same regiment whose death was reported on Wednesday, was

killed.

The 102d infantry is the former First Connecticut infantry, in which there

are several Danbury men and scores who have relatives or acquaintances

here.

Private Fairchild went from this city to Camp Devens, at Ayer Mass. After

he was selected for service and with Cornelius J. Culhane and Arthur Crest

of this city, was transferred to New Haven with a detachment of men to

become members of the 102d. They started for Europe last fall but a mishap

to the boat on which they sailed made it necessary for them to return to

the port at which they embarked. They were sent to Fort Totten where they

remained two weeks, sailed for France at the expiration of that time.

During the time of his stay at Fort Totten Private Fairchild was given a

nine day leave of absence, which he spent at the home of his sister, Mrs.

R.F.Baker, of 37 Stevens St. of the city.

A brother of Private Fairchild, Eli K. Fairchild, has served eight years in

the navy and is now an instructor in the nautical school in Brooklyn. Mr.

Fairchild is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Baker of this city and Mrs.

Benjamin Segur of Kent and a half brother, John Fairchild of New Fairfield.

Mrs. Joseph Hamilton of George St. and Mrs. John Sherman of 74 Balmforth

Ave. are the aunts of the young man. John Fairchild of Branchville and

William Fairchild of New Fairfield are uncles.

An interesting letter written by Private Fairchild to his sister, Mrs.

Baker, under the date of April 18 was received by the News yesterday before

news of the young man's death arrived and was prepared for publication

today. This letter which now has unusual interest was written only two days

before Private Fairchild's death.

Dated "Somewhere in France," the letter reads as follows:

"I am writing to let you know that I feel o.k. as well as the rest of the

boys who left Camp Ayers with me. That is, the Danbury boys, Connie Culhane

and Artur Cresci. We have been here almost six months and during that time

have seen some lively times.

"I have heard that in an article in the Danbury News they stated that the

Danbury boys were in a very heated argument with Fritz, mentioning the

names of Connie Culhane and others, but not Cresci and myself. Now I want

to say that we three have been together since leaving Ayer. Cresci and I

are in the same company, "Galloping" Company E. and Culhane is in Company

F. You can just bet that this war is not all gravy for the allies. But

before it is over, Heinie will have to turn over the whole of Germany to

the allies in payment for the damages he has done.

"But he still insists upon keeping us just so uneasy. We are in back of the

firing line, on reserve, after having done our third bit in the front

lines. Only last night just as we had nicely settled, Heinie had to start

in shelling us to disturb our slumber and believe me he came very near

doing so. But the old reliable American artillery just opened upon on him

and he shut up like a clam.

"I have not seen a Danbury newspaper since I have been here, so I do not

know very much about what is going on in the old Hat Town. When a fellow is

in the front line trench and he is expecting something to happen every

minute, no, every second, for it takes the short end of a second for the

fireworks to commence, he doesn't fee any too good.

"I am writing this in the Y.M.C.A. which is our only place of amusement. A

great deal of praise is due them for their good work but tobacco is our

greatest need at this stage of the game. Well, anyhow, I expect to see all

the folks once more very soon, perhaps a year and a half.

"Culhane, Cresci and myself would be tickled to death to receive the

Danbury News, even if you can only send the weekly. It can be sent to any

one of us and we can pass it around. You know on the 15th of March it will

be six months that we are in the world's war and we want to know something

about our home town.

"Will close now with love to all and my regards to good old Danbury. Also,

tell the Danbury people that her boys over here are among the best and I

will tell the kaiser that he had better watch out as there are more Danbury

boys coming.

"P.S. Watech the papers for news about the New England troops and you can

tell when we are in the fight" on 2 May 1918 at Danbury, Fairfield,

Connecticut, United States of America.

The family received the following letter:

In Memory Of

Private 1st Class George A. Fairchild Co E 102nd Infantry who was killed in

battle April 20th 1918. He bravely laid down his life for the cause of his

country. His name wll ever remain fresh in the hearts of his friends and

comrades. The record of his honorable service will be preserved in the

archives of the American Expeditionary Forces.

John J Pershing

Commander-in-chief on 20 Apr 1918.

Nancy Williams Moore

For years I've been stuck on Allan's great-great grandfather, Charles Moors, who married Jerusha Neal and lived in Washington county, Maine and I couldn't go further back. Thanks to Allan's 3rd or 4th cousin, Monica Pollard, who is descended from Benjamin Franklin Moors, the brother of Allan Forrest Moors (Allan's gr-grandfather), I can now go back 3 more generations. The Moors were apparently Scottish Covenanters who removed to Ulster, Ireland to escape persecution. Hugh Moor is the first of the line now identified who came to Boston in America with others of the Scotch-Irish about 1718. They then established the town of Londonderry, New Hampshire. Hugh married Jannett Morrison and they had 10 children. Hugh died about 1758 and Jannett, along with six or more of her children and their families, decided to move to Truro, Nova Scotia, where the British were offering land, following the expulsion of the Arcadians (see Evangeline).

Hugh and Jannett's son, William, married Susannah Long in Truro. He was a wheelwright by trade and was known as "Clean Billey" (use your imagination, I guess). He removed to Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia where he spent the remainder of his life and died.

Their son, another William, married Rebecca Nelson and moved to New Brunswick. It's possible that William married Katherine Card, who might have been the mother of Charles Moors, but I'm still researching his mother.

Charles Moors married Jerusha Neal and were the parents of Allan Forrest Moors. He married Grace Goodwin and they were the parents of Millard Moors, Allan's grandfather. The map shows property that belongs to Moors and Moors Inn in Shubenacadie.