Person Page - 151

     Temperance Gossett married Butler Holcombe, son of Ozias Holcombe and Rachel Cornish, in 1793 at Litchfield, Herkimer Co., NY.

     Harriet Holcombe was born in 1795. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Penelope Holcombe was born in 1797. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Polly Holcombe was born in 1799. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Hiram Holcombe was born in 1801. He was the son of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Elam Holcombe was born in 1804. He was the son of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Amanda Holcombe was born in 1807. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Miranda Holcombe was born in 1809. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Roswell Holcombe was born in 1811. He was the son of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett. Roswell Holcombe married Evaline Farrar on 3 August 1834 at Oakland Co., MI. Roswell Holcombe died on 8 September 1843 at Atlas Twp., Genesee Co., MI. He was buried at Perry Mcfarland Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., MI.

     Mariah Holcombe was born in 1813. She was the daughter of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett.

     Daniel Holcombe was born in 1816. He was the son of Butler Holcombe and Temperance Gossett. Daniel Holcombe died on 2 December 1875 at Shiawassee Co., MI. He was buried at Perry Mcfarland Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., MI.

     William Holcombe was born in 1823. He was the son of Butler Holcombe and Mary L. Knight.

     Lydia Humphrey was born circa 1780 at CT.¹ She married Sterling Holcombe, son of Ozias Holcombe and Rachel Cornish.²

     Lydia Holcombe was born in 1804. She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey.¹

     Sterling Holcombe was born in 1808. He was the son of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey.² Sterling Holcombe married Eunice (?).

Sterling and Eunice were enumerated in the 1850 census of Pittsfield Twp. Warren Co., PA, federal census as farmer, owning real estate, $1,600. He was 41, she was 33. Children in the household were Harriet 12, Arvilla 6, Parney 2, and Hiram 6 months.

From other reports he was a magistrate there and accumulated wealth. ³

Sterling and Eunice Halcomb Jr. were enumerated in the 1860 Pittsfield, Warren Co., PA, federal census. He was a farmer age 50, she was 42. Children in the household were Lydia A. 15, Parney E. 12, Hiram E. 10, and Eva 7.

Widow Eunice was enumerated in the 1880 Pittsfield, Warren Co., PA, federal census. She was 62. Children in the household were Orville 19, and Eva 27. Son Hiram was nearby.

     Hiram Holcombe was born circa 1825.² He was the son of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey.¹

     Harriet Holcombe was born. She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey.¹

     Clarissa Holcombe was born. She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey.¹

     Eunice (?) was born circa 1816.¹ She married Sterling Holcombe, son of Sterling Holcombe and Lydia Humphrey. Eunice (?) died on 19 September 1897.

     Harriet Holcombe was born circa 1837. She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Eunice (?).

     Aurillia Holcombe was born circa 1843 at PA.¹ She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Eunice (?).

     Parney Holcombe was born in November 1847 at PA.^1,2 She was the daughter of Sterling Holcombe and Eunice (?). Parney Holcombe married Elmer Stow. Parney Holcombe died in 1922.

Elmer and Parnie were enumerated in the 1900 Harmony, Chautaugua Co., NY, federal census. He was a farmer, age 63, she was 52. The only child in the household was Sterling H. 19.

     Hiram Holcombe was born circa April 1849 at PA.¹ He was the son of Sterling Holcombe and Eunice (?).

     Abial Eno Taylor was born on 14 August 1827 at Wolcottville, Torrington, CT. He married Flora Ann Holcombe, daughter of Harmon H. Holcombe and Sophronia Avery, on 16 April 1866 at New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT. Abial Eno Taylor died on 18 February 1908 at Torrington, Litchfield Co., CT, at age 80.

     Albert Williams was born on 22 December 1828 at New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Albert Williams married Julia M. Loveland on 8 July 1851 at Loveland home, Colebrook River, Colebrook, Litchfield Co., CT. Albert Williams died on 14 October 1906 at Collinsville, Canton, Hartford Co., CT, at age 77.¹ He was buried at Village Cemetery, Collinsville, Canton, Hartford Co., CT.

     Julia Ann Williams was born on 13 October 1830. She was the daughter of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Julia Ann Williams died on 7 April 1832 at age 1.

     Richard Lewis Williams was born on 3 September 1833. He was the son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Richard Lewis Williams married Susan Jane Doolittle, daughter of Seth Doolittle and Betsy (?), on 11 March 1855.² Richard Lewis Williams married Rachel Belle Smith on 10 September 1884.² Richard Lewis Williams died on 21 February 1930 at Dover, NH, at age 96.² He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Sec. 5, Lot 27, Southington, CT.²

Before removing to Long Branch, New Jersey, prior to the birth of Richard L. Williams, Jr., he shared ownerhip of , a dealer of lumber, building materials, grain, feed, fertilizers in Southington. ³

     Susan Jane Doolittle was born on 31 January 1833 at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Seth Doolittle and Betsy (?). Susan Jane Doolittle married Richard Lewis Williams, son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe, on 11 March 1855.¹ Susan Jane Doolittle died on 31 October 1883 at Southington, Hartford Co., CT, at age 50.¹ She was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Eloise Baker Williams was born on 13 January 1856 at Pleasant Valley, CT. She was the daughter of Richard Lewis Williams and Susan Jane Doolittle. Eloise Baker Williams married Charles A. Cadwell, son of Birdsey Cadwell and Martha Neal, on 22 September 1875 at First Baptist Church, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.² Eloise Baker Williams died in 1936 at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA.² She was buried at South End Cemetery, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.

Theirs was a double wedding in the First Baptist Church: Charles A. Cadwell married Eloise Baker Williams, and his sister, Mary Cadwell married David Vaughn Jones. Mr. Cadwell was a graduate of Suffield Academy, Suffield, Conn. and Brown University, Providence; he was an undertaker in Springfield since 1900; in 1925 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary; he was a deacon in the old State Street Baptist church and a Mason. She was a member of the First Baptist church, successor to the former State Street Baptist church.³

     Charles A. Cadwell was born on 1 June 1851 at Southington, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Birdsey Cadwell and Martha Neal. Charles A. Cadwell married Eloise Baker Williams, daughter of Richard Lewis Williams and Susan Jane Doolittle, on 22 September 1875 at First Baptist Church, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Charles A. Cadwell died on 2 July 1929 at 5 Manitoba St., Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, at age 78. He was buried at South End Cemetery, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.

     Lois Holcombe died on 14 March 1911. She was born on 14 March 1911. She was the daughter of Hiram Frank Holcombe and Mabel Florine Cadwell. Lois Holcombe was buried at South End Cemetery, Southington, Hartford Co., CT.

     Mildred Williams Holcombe was born on 11 August 1914 at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA.¹ She was the daughter of Hiram Frank Holcombe and Mabel Florine Cadwell.

     Lilia Ann Williams was born on 15 May 1835. She was the daughter of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe.

     Emma Jane Williams was born on 21 April 1838. She was the daughter of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Emma Jane Williams died on 25 September 1839 at age 1.

     Sophronia G. Williams was born on 1 May 1842. She was the daughter of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Sophronia G. Williams died on 25 December 1863 at age 21.

     Douglas P. Williams was born on 15 May 1845. He was the son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe.

     Mary E. Williams was born on 18 October 1847. She was the daughter of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Mary E. Williams married Samuel Benjamin III, son of Samuel Benjamin and Ascenath Holcombe.

     Schuyler P. Williams was born on 30 May 1849. He was the son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe.

     Howard Williams was born on 2 January 1853. He was the son of Douglas Williams and Sophronia Gibbs Holcombe. Howard Williams was born on 7 January 1853.

     Emily Merrill Johnson was born on 26 November 1824 at "Missing Place" no. 5164. She was the daughter of Nathan Johnson and Sarah Butler Merrill. Emily Merrill Johnson married James Huggins Holcombe, son of Phinehas Holcombe Jr. and Nancy Smith Huggins, on 23 April 1844 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. Emily Merrill Johnson died on 29 May 1912 at "Missing Place" no. 5164 at age 87. She was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, "Missing Place" no. 5164.

     James Winthrop Holcombe was born on 3 February 1846 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of James Huggins Holcombe and Emily Merrill Johnson. James Winthrop Holcombe died on 26 June 1909 at Isle of Capri, Italy, at age 63. He was buried at Isle of Capri, Italy.

Upon graduating from Yale in the class of 1868, James was engaged in literary work and teaching for several years. During this time he contributed to various periodicals and translated a work of Jules Verne entitled "In Search of the Castaways" which was published by Lippincott. In 1872 he went around the world and shortly after his return to America went again to Europe, this time with his parents and sister, where he lived until his death, devoting the greater part of his time to taking artistic photographs in various countries for which he gained a good deal of a reputation and received medals from cities in England, Italy and America. He also spoke fluently French, German and Italian and played extensively on the piano and flute. Unmarried.

The picture of James could, in fact, be that of his brother, John Marshall Holcombe.

     John Marshall Holcombe was born on 8 June 1848 at 79 Spring St., Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.^5,6 He was the son of James Huggins Holcombe and Emily Merrill Johnson. John Marshall Holcombe married Emily Seymour Goodwin, daughter of Edwin Olmsted Goodwin and Hannah Harriet Brown, on 28 January 1873 at 187 Cumberland St., Brooklyn, NY; at the bride's home.⁶ John Marshall Holcombe died on 15 January 1926 at 79 Spring St., Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 77.^5,6 He was buried at Ancient Burying Ground, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.


Parts of the following from: Ancestry.com. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, Vol. I [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2002. Original data: Cutter, William Richard Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.


After attending the Hartford Public High School, John M. Holcombe graduated from Yale in 1869 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.


In 1909 , at commencement, Yale conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. In awarding the latter degree Professor William L. Phelps for the university spoke as follows: "In giving a degree to Mr. Holcombe , Yale is recognizing one of her own sons, one of the foremost citizens of a neighboring city, and one whose reputation has become national. During the years since his graduation so many Yale men have gone into business that it is highly appropriate that success honestly won should receive academic reward. Yale trains men for the cloister and the hearth; for political, legal and medical schools of activity; and for the fierce competitive strife of business where men bear the burden and heat of the day. In the enormous activities of modern life insurance, one of the most complex and difficult subjects to master, Mr. Holcombe has achieved eminence; he possesses that optimism which is the philosophical basis of his vocation; he has added reputation to a city which with less than 100,000 inhabitants has never hesitated to insure the entire world. And lastly in a field of work that has peculiarly been subject to attack from the reformer's standpoint, Mr. Holcombe has been true to the name he bears, the name of the greatest judge in American history--John Marshall ."


Mr. Holcombe took a thorough course in law but early turned his attention to life insurance. His first position was in the office of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, whence he was called to act as actuary of the state insurance department. His connection with the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company dates from 1874 , when he was made assistant secretary. The following year he was promoted to be secretary and continued in that position until chosen vice-president in 1889 . December 28, 1904 , he was elected president, which office he now holds. His writings, lectures and addresses have given him a national reputation in the world of finance and of insurance. One of the promoters of the insurance course at Yale, he has been a lecturer there ever since the course was established. Life insurance with him always has been a subject for deep study and most scientific research and investigation. He was one of the earliest members of the Actuarial Society 1251 of America , and his advice frequently has been sought and freely given in matters of import under consideration by insurance commissioners and other state officers and by legislators. This notably was true at the time of the New York investigation in 1902 and at the passage of the New York state laws emanating therefrom. His own company at that time of great stress received the highest commendation.


He received an honorary degree from Trinity College, Hartford in 1920. He was elected to the Board of Aldermen in Hartford, to which board later his son, J.M. Holcombe, Jr. was also elected; later his grandson, Harold G. Holcombe, Jr., became the third republican generation to serve in the same capacity, representing the same district and living at the same address: 79 Spring Street, Hartford. He enjoyed golf and fishing, as well as exploring on old dirt roads in the Columbia car.


Mr. Holcombe 's interest in public affairs has been manifested in many ways. He has been member of the court of common council, and presiding officer of both branches thereof. He was the originator of the Hartford board of health and served as commissioner for several years. He was also a member of the Hartford board of finance. Outside of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company he is identified with several financial and philanthropic institutions. He is a director of the Fidelity Trust Company, of which he was president from 1896 to 1907. He is a director in the American National Bank, the Mechanics' Savings Bank and the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. He is treasurer of the Hartford Retreat for the Insane, has been president of the Hartford Municipal Art Society and of the Yale Alumni Association of Hartford, and is now chairman of the Yale Loan Fund of that association. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Society of the War of 1812 and of the Society of Colonial Governors, of the Hartford Club and of the University Club of New York. In religion Mr. Holcombe is a Congregationalist, thus preserving the creed of his forefathers, and continuing through successive generations an unbroken line of membership in the ancient First Church of Christ in Hartford.


Since her marriage Emly has been prominent in the social life of Hartford . She organized the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was its first regent, which office she still occupies. The chapter, by unanimous vote, removed the term limit from this office as long as Mrs. Holcombe would remain. In the chapter's patriotic movement to save the ancient and historic burying ground of Hartford , Mrs. Holcombe accomplished a great public improvement. It was she who conceived a plan for the widening of Gold street, to remove the row of disreputable tenement houses and make the dirty and disgraceful alley into a fine street, and secure to the historic cemetery cleanliness, light, and a conspicuous position in the center of the city. A similar work, though much less extensive, had been previously attempted resulting in complete failure. Mrs. Holcombe received the cordial support of the chapter, official boards, and the public, and contributions were generously made. Delays occurred and appeals from property assessments were made to the courts, but at this period of discouragement Mrs. Holcombe was always hopeful. She overcame all obstacles, and carried through the undertaking with a sagacity, diplomacy and brilliancy of execution which won her the thanks of the citizens of Hartford, and a position of prominence in the state. She was the central figure on the celebration of the event at the grounds, June 17, 1899 , on which occasion, she, as regent of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter , and originator of the plan, delivered an eloquent address in presenting to the mayor of the city the deeds of certain parcels of land. She was presented with a loving cup by Mrs. William H. Palmer , vice-regent, in behalf of the members of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter. At a banquet given on the evening of that day by the historic Putnam Phalanx, one of the speakers said: "If there is a society in Connecticut that deserves to be honored, the Daughters of the American Revolution is that society, and if there is a woman who should feel happy to-night, Mrs. John M. Holcombe is that woman." General Hawley suggested a toast to Mrs. Holcombe , and all present rose.
⁷


John M. and Emily were listed in the 1916 Hartford City Directory at 79 Spring St., Lord's Hill. He was President of Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. co. at 49 Pearl St. John M. Jr. was listed as a clerk, Phoenix Mutula Life, also living at 79 Spring Street.


John and Emily were enumerated in the 1920 Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, federal census (ED 74) at 79 Spring Street. He was 71, she was 67. Children in the household were Emily 32, and John 30.

     William Howard Holcombe was born on 3 January 1851 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of James Huggins Holcombe and Emily Merrill Johnson. William Howard Holcombe died on 3 July 1852 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 1. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.

     Emily Johnson Holcombe was born on 26 May 1857 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of James Huggins Holcombe and Emily Merrill Johnson. Emily Johnson Holcombe died on 13 May 1859 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 1. She was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.