More About Samuel Rodman of the Manor of Pelham After Whom Rodman's Neck Is Named

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Samuel Rodman was an illustrious eighteenth century settler in the Town of Pelham who owned much of the mainland adjacent to City Island as well as City Island, and Hart Island.  The neck on which he lived is known today as Rodman's Neck.  It has been known by many names including Ann Hoeck's Neck (many spellings), Pell's Point, Pelham Neck, Rodman's Neck, and various other names. The area was part of the Manor of Pelham from 1654 until 1788.  In 1788, New York State established the Town of Pelham and included Rodman's Neck within the Town's boundaries.  Rodman's Neck remained part of the Town of Pelham until the area was annexed by New York City in the mid-1890's. 

I have written about Samuel Rodman, members of the Rodman Family, and Rodman's Neck on numerous occasions.  At the end of today's Historic Pelham Blog posting I have included a list of links to many such articles. (I have excluded from the list many, many other articles that simply reference Rodman's Neck -- i.e., Pell's Point -- as the landing point of the British and German troops before the Battle of Pelham on October 18, 1776.)

Samuel Rodman was a son of Joseph Rodman (born April 11, 1685; died September, 1759) and Sarah Lawrence.  Sarah Lawrence Rodman was Joseph's first wife.  The couple married on March 11, 1709.  Joseph and Sarah Rodman and their family lived in New Rochelle and had ten children before Sarah's death.  Joseph Rodman married again, to Helena Willett, on November 9, 1758.  

Joseph and Sarah Rodman had ten children:

Joseph Rodman, born October 6, 1708 (before the couple married)
Anna Rodman, born April 17, 1711; died September 13, 1713
William Rodman, born March 17, 1712; died October 22, 1713
Samuel Rodman, born February 6, 1715; died before May 8, 1780
Mary Rodman, born February 1, 1717; died before the American Revolution
Sarah Rodman, born September 24, 1719; died July 6, 1780
William Rodman, born October 31, 1721
Deborah Rodman, born December 26, 1725
Anna Rodman, born April 10, 1728
Elizabeth Rodman

Source:  Jones, Charles Henry, Genealogy of the Rodman Family, 1620 to 1686, pp. 22-23 (Philadelphia, NY:  Allen, Lane and Scott, 1886). 

Samuel Rodman (born February 6, 1715; died 1780, before May 8, 1780) was the fourth child and third son of Joseph and Sarah Rodman of New Rochelle.  He married Mary Hicks (a daughter of William Hicks) on October 13, 1737 in Flushing (in today's Queens County, New York).  Samuel and Mary Hicks Rodman lived on a large farm on Pelham Neck, known today as Rodman's Neck.  The couple had seven children:

Sarah Rodman, born February 20, 1739
Joseph Rodman, born April 29, 1740
William Rodman, born September 15, 1742
Samuel Rodman, born November 28, 1744
Mary Rodman, born October 28, 1746
Charles Rodman, born November 4, 1748; died September 18, 1751
Elizabeth Rodman

Source: Jones, Charles Henry, Genealogy of the Rodman Family, 1620 to 1686, p. 32 (Philadelphia, NY: Allen, Lane and Scott, 1886).

After the death of his first wife, Mary Hicks Rodman, on December 20, 1751, Samuel Rodman remarried to Mary Pell, a daughter of Caleb Pell.  Samuel Rodman and his family lived on a large farm on Rodman's Neck.  The farm was described in a sales advertisement published in 1774 as follows:

"[A] valuable peninsula, or neck of land at New-Rochelle, commonly called, and known by the name of RODMAN'S NECK, distant 23 miles from the city of New-York; containing about 200 acres, including 8 or 10 acres of salt meadow.  On the premises is a commodious new dwelling-house, a large new barn, with stables and other convenient out-buildings; a good bearing orchard, and a variety of peach and other fruit trees.  The Farm is in excellent order, divided in proper lots from five, ten, to fifteen acres, mostly inclosed with lasting stone fences; is well water'd, and has a sufficiency of timber for fire-wood.  The soil is naturally rich and luxuriant, and may easily be made more so if required as large quantities of sedge and rock weed (those best of manures) are continually drifting on shore from all quarters of the Sound, and can be conveyed to any part of the farm with very little trouble and expence. The situation is healthy and most delightful -- a full prospect up the Sound, unbounded as the ocean; -- an extensive view of New-England and Long-Island shores, with the innumerable islands interspersed, most of which are covered with cedars, pines, and other ever-greens; -- the continual passing and repassing of topsail vessels, sloops, boats, &c. -- and the pleasant and fruitful adjacent country around; renders it all together, inviting and agreeable beyond description."

Source:  To Be Sold, at Public Vendue on the Premises, The New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, Feb. 21, 1774, p. 2, col. 4.

In addition to owning the large farm on the mainland, Rodman also owned much of today's City Island located just off the shore of Rodman's Neck.  Thus, in 1754 Samuel Rodman advertised for sale about 236 acres of "upland and meadow" with "well water and timber" known by the name of "Minyford's Island" where, according to the advertisement, there was a good dwelling house, a barn, and other outhouses as well as "a good orchard with upwards of 200 apple trees, besides other fruit trees."  See [Advertisement], The New-York Mercury, Apr. 8, 1754, Issue 87, p. 4.  

Shortly before the onset of the Revolutionary War, Samuel Rodman and Benjamin Palmer successfully lobbied the New York Lieutenant Governor, the Council and the General Assembly to enact a statute authorizing them to build a free draw bridge between Rodman's Neck on the mainland and Minneford's Island (known today as City Island).  The plans were part of a grand scheme to develop Minneford's Island into a major city seaport to be named "City Island." 

The onset of the Revolutionary War dashed these plans.  The statute required that the bridge be built within seven years of its date of passage on April 3, 1775.  The War raged for the next eight years.  Thus, the bridge was never built and the grand plans to develop City Island as a seaport to rival New York City were relegated to the trash bin of history.

Samuel Rodman also owned Hart Island, a large island in Long Island Sound located adjacent to City Island.  He bequeathed a portion of that island to his son, Joseph, in his will.  That will provided:

"'I, SAMUEL RODMAN, of the manor of Pelham, in Westchester County.  I leave to my son Joseph one half of my island called Hart Island, lying in the Sound before the manor of Pelham; also £300, and my wearing apparell and one English mare.  I leave to my sons, William and Samuel, all my Neck of land and meadow where I now live, with all buildings, which I bought of Thomas Pell; also my stock of horses and cattle.  I leave to my daughter, Sarah Bleecker, £300.  To Miriam Hicks, daughter of Deborah Hicks, £50; to her sister, Elizabeth Hicks, £25.  To my granddaughter, Sarah Bertine, £100, and the money due me on a bond from Peter Bertine and his sons, Peter and John.  To my grandson, Samuel Bertine, £200.  To Joshua Hunt, Sr., £5.  To Miriam Hicks the bed I lye on, with all bedding.  To my son William a pair of silk stockings and a bosom Gold Buckell.  To my son Samuel a pair of Gold sleeve buttons.  To my granddaughter, Sarah Bertine, one good feather bed, with furniture.  I leave to Richard Hicks my square of land on Miniford's Island where Deborah Baxter now lives.  All the rest of my movable estate I leave to my three sons, Joseph, William, and Samuel, and my daughter, Sarah Bleecker.  I appoint [Page 108 / Page 109] my sons, William and Samuel, and John Bartow, Sr., executors.'

Dated September 10, 1779.  Witnesses, James Pell, Sr., Thomas Pell, Elizabeth Pell.  Proved, May 8, 1780.

[NOTE. -- Minifords Island is now City Island.]"

Source:  "Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogates Office, City of New York Volume IX January 7, 1777 -- February 7, 1783 with Letters of Administration, January 17, 1779 -- February 18, 1783" in Collections of The New-York For the Year 1900, pp. 108-09 (NY, NY:  Printed for The New-York Historical Society, 1901) (citing Liber 32, p. 240).

Detail of Map Prepared in 1853 Showing Rodman's Neck

(Pelham Neck) Once Owned by Samuel Rodman.Source:

Dripps, Matthew & Conner, R.F.O., Southern Part of

West-Chester County N. Y. (1853) (Museum of the City of

New York, No. 29.100.2628). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *           *

For a list of prior postings about Samuel Rodman, members of the Rodman Family, and Rodman's Neck, see:

Thu., Oct. 16, 2014:  Genealogical Information Regarding Samuel Rodman of Rodman's Neck in the Town of Pelham.

Tue., Oct. 07, 2014:  Legislative History of the 1775 Statute Authorizing Construction of City Island Bridge.

Fri., Oct. 03, 2014:  1775 Statute Authorizing Construction of City Island Bridge.

Fri., Sep. 19, 2014:  Abel Deveau, An American Skirmisher on Rodman's Neck as British and Germans Landed Before the Battle of Pelham.

Wed., Sep. 17, 2014:  References to the Battle of Pelham in 18th Century Diary of Ezra Stiles, President of Yale College.

Tue., Feb. 09, 2010:  1755 Census of Slaves Older than Fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham"

Thu., Dec. 13, 2007:  Abstract of Will of William Rodman Dated Oct. 28, 1782.

Mon., Sep. 10, 2007:  Abstract of 1799 Will of Samuel Rodman, Jr. of Pelham.

Tue., Apr. 17, 2007:  Executor's Notice Regarding the Estate of Samuel Rodman, Published in 1784.

Fri., Mar. 23, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Samuel Rodman of the Manor of Pelham Prepared in 1779 and Proved May 8, 1780. 

Tue., Mar. 13, 2007:  Abstract of 1752 Will of Joseph Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Proved September 28, 1752.

Tue., Dec. 26, 2006: 1775 Statute Authorizing Samuel Rodman and Benjamin Palmer to Build City Island Drawbridge.  

Wed., Sep. 27, 2006:  Abstract of 1779 Will of Samuel Rodman of the Manor of Pelham in Westchester County.

Mon., Aug. 21, 2006:  Efforts to Sell Rodman's Neck in 1774 and 1775, Apparently Due to Financial Difficulties of Joseph Rodman, Jr.

Tue., Mar. 22, 2005:  The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham.

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Genealogical and Biographical Information Regarding George Washington Horton and His Family, Early Settlers of City Island in the Town of Pelham

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George Washington Horton and his family were early settlers on City Island in the Town of Pelham.  As of 1818, most of the island was owned by Nicholas Haight and Joshua Huested.  On January 1, 1819, however, Nicholas Haight and his wife, Mary, sold to George Washington Horton 42 acres on the lower (southern) portion of City Island.  For the next sixty years or so, most of this land was owned by George Washington Horton and, later in that time, by two of his sons:  Captain Stephen Decatur Horton and Captain George Washington Horton, Jr.

As one might expect, the Horton family is forever linked with the early history of City Island, its development, and its maritime traditions.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham blog transcribes genealogical and biographical information published in 1907 for various members of the Horton family tied to City Island.  Included in today's posting is a fascinating photograph of the George Washington Horton homestead on City Island as well as portraits of Stephen Decatur Horton and his wife, Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton.

"George W. Horton was born February 21, 1786, died September 22, 1860.  He married Elizabeth Horton, April 24, 1813.  She was born April 6, 1794, died June, 1861.  The children of this marriage were:  Joshua, born September 29, 1814, died January 10, 1815.  Benjamin Franklin, born December 25, 1815, died March 20, 1867.  Sarah Ann Glover, born October, 1817, died June 30, 1896.  Andrew Jackson, born July 16, 1819, died May 3, 1899.  Stephen Decatur, born January 18, 1821, died October 23, 1900.  Phebe Jane, who married Matson S. Arnow, was born May 10, 1824, died March 5, 1905.  George W., born June 27, 1827. . . . 

George W. Horton, grandfather of Dudley R. Horton, resided in New York City until 1833, and was there engaged in the transportation business.  During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the United States Army.  He was the first of the Horton family to settle on City Island, where in 1833 he purchased a tract of land comprising about one-third of the entire island and thereon erected the old Horton mansion, which is still standing on Main street, at the lower end of the island.  He was an energetic and progressive citizen, and during his active career contributed materially towards the growth, development and building up of City Island, a most delightfully located and beautiful tract of land.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, and father of Dudley R. Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821, a reference to whose career will be found elsewhere.  He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore.  Her father, Hubbard Skidmore, and grandfather Thaddeus Avery, fought in the Continental Army, and her original ancestor, Captain John Underhill, was commissioned by the English Governor Sir Edmund Andross to punish the Indians for the massacre of the noted Ann Hutchinson and her family at Pelham Neck, a duty he zealously performed.

Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903.  She was known as a most worthy woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her.  She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church for many years, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal Church of the community in which she resided. . . . 

CAPT. STEPHEN DECATUR HORTON.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821.  He was educated in the schools of City Island, and upon attaining to manhood engaged in boating and shipping.  After pursuing this line of work for several years, he gained sufficient experience to become a licensed pilot on the East River and Long Island Sound, technically known as a 'Hell Gate Pilot,' and continued the same for a period of nearly fifty years, during which time he became well known as a successful and careful navigator.  Captain Horton was held in esteem for his many excellent personal qualities.

He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore, and their children were as follows:  Gertrude, born October 17, 1844, married Nicholas William Abbott, December 21, 1899; her husband was born December 5, 1832.  Dudley R., born December 17, 1854.  Estelle Mary, born May 2, 1857, married Edward Woodin, August 9, 1877, and has children:  Edward Bruce, born May 29, 1878, died January 8, 1879, and Estelle Lucilia, born June 4, 1880.  Howard L., born October 10, 1861, married Louise Van Zandt.  Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903.  She was known as a most estimable woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her.  She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church at City Island throughout her life, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches of the community in which she resided in the absence of a church of her own denomination.

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II, pp. 202-03, 205-06 (New York and Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).  

"Old George W. Horton Homestead.

Foot of Main Street, City Island.  Borough of Bronx.  New York."

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And

Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II,

p. between pp. 202-03 (New York and Chicago:

The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).

"Stephen Decatur Horton" and "Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton"

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And

Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II,

p. between pp. 204-05 (New York and Chicago:

The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).

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Brief Biographies of Henry Waters Taft and Horace Dutton Taft of Pelham Manor (and Other Family Members)

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On May 30, 2006, I posted a brief biography of Horace Dutton Taft to the Historic Pelham Blog. Taft founded what became one of the nation's premier college preparatory schools, The Taft School (now located in Watertown, Connecticut) in Pelham Manor in 1890. See Tue., May 30, 2006: A Biography Published in 1906 on the Life of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

On February 14, 2006, I posted a brief biography and reminiscenses of Henry Waters Taft, Horace D. Taft's brother, who also lived in Pelham Manor for a time. See Tue., Feb. 14, 2006: An Account of the Blizzard of 1888 by Pelham Manor Resident Henry W. Taft.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes genealogical and biographical data of Horace Dutton Taft and Henry Waters Taft (as well as other members of their families) that appeared in a book published in 1907. The material appears within genealogical data regarding the Taft family of Worcester County, Massachusetts. The text that follows includes all of the pertinent information, as well as a citation to the source.

"THE TAFT FAMILY, of Worcester county, Massachusetts, trace their ancestry to Robert Taft, who was a housewright by trade, and settled in Mendon, Massachusetts, in 1669, to which place he came [from] Braintree, which was then a province. His wife, Sarah Taft, bore him five sons: Thomas, born 1671; Robert, 1674; Daniel, 1677; Joseph, 1680; and Benjamin, 1684. The father, Robert Taft, died in February, 1725; the mother, Sarah Taft, in November of the same year.

Captain Joseph Taft, fourth son of Robert and Sarah Taft, was born in 1680, died in 1747. He married, 1708, Elizabeth Emerson, granddaughter of the first minister of Mendon, Massachusetts. They were the parents of nine children, among whom were the following: Moses, born 1713; Peter, 1715; Joseph, 1722; and Aaron, April 12, 1729.

Captain Peter Taft, second son of Captain Joseph and Elizabeth (Emerson) Taft, was born in 1715. He was a farmer in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth Cheney, and the sons born of this marriage were: Henry, Gershom, Aaron and Peter.

Aaron Taft, third son of Captain Peter and Elizabeth (Cheney) Taft, was born May 28, 1743. His early education fitted him for Princeton College, but the exigencies of the family called him home before he had established a good reputation as a scholar. He then turned his attention to farming in his native town of Uxbridge, from which, after a residence of thirty years, he removed in March, 1799, to Townshend, Vermont, where he died March 26, 1808. About 1768 he married Rhoda Rawson, daughter of Abner and Mary (Allen) Rawson and great-great-granddauther of Edward Rawson, secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1650 to 1686. Mrs. Taft, who was a woman of superior intelligence and ability, died June 9, 1827. Their children were: Milley, born July 29, 1769; Selina, February 20, 1771; Cynthia, August 17, 1773; Rawson, October 15, 1775, died 1776; Nancy, August 20, 1777; Jeremiah, November 21, 1779; Mary, July 12, 1783; Peter Rawson, April 14, 1785; Sophia, December 3, 1787, died 1843; Judson, Novembe 6, 1791, died 1794; Samuel Judson, October 4, 1794.

Peter Rawson Taft, third son of Aaron and Rhoda (Rawson) Taft, was born April 14, 1785. In 1810 he married Sylvia Howard, and settled in Townshend, Vermont, where he taught school and later was admitted to the bar. He was judge of the court of Windham county, also one of the commissioners of the county and for many years a member of the legislature of Vermont. In 1841 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died in 1867, aged eighty-two years, leaving one son, Alphonso Taft.

HON. ALPHONSO TAFT, son of Peter Rawson and Sylvia (Howard) Taft, was born in Townshend, Windham county, Vermont, November 5, 1810. Through the hard work and self-sacrifice of his parents, who possessed a large amount of ambition for their son, and the boy's own intense desire for a thorough education, he entered Yale College in 1829, and graduated therefrom with high honors in 1833. For two years thereafter he taught in Judge Hall's Academy, in Ellington, Connecticut, and was afterward tutor at yale. He studied law in the Yale Law School, and was admitted to the bar of Connecticut in 1838. The following year he began the practice of his profession in Cincinnati, Ohio, rose steadily and rapidly in his profession, was engaged in many important cases and became a leader of the bar of Ohio. In 1857 he argued successfully before the United States supreme court the claim of the city for the bequest of Charles McMicken, whoch secured the fund forming the nucleus of the endowment of the University of Cincinnati.

In 1865 Mr. Taft was appointed by the governor of Ohio to a vacancy in the superior court of Cincinnati. He was afterward twice elected to the office by the people, the second time having the unusual honor of being chosen by the votes of both parties, no opposing candidate being presented. He was considered a model judge. It was said of him that 'no young man was ever turned away with the impression that his case was too small for the judge's patience; no experienced lawyer ever felt that his case was too large, or the questions involved too intricate, for the judge's capacity and learning.' Perhaps the most important case which came before him as judge of the superior court was that of 'The Bible in the Public Schools.' The Catholics and Jews, who formed a large proportion of the citizens of Cincinnati, complained of the introduction of religious instruction in the schools as violating the spirit of the Constitution, and doing them an injustice. The school board stopped the reading of the Bible in the schools. The court was appealed to on the ground that the board had no power to take such a step. A violent contest arose on the question. Feeling ran high, and it was evident that the judge who dared face the storm must incur great unpopularity. To Judge Taft, however, there seemed absolutely no question of the right of the school board to take such action. His mind clear on that point, it was not in the nature of the man to consider for a moment the popular clamor or the effect of the decision on his own career. The other two judges decided against the school board. [Page 1 / Page 2] Judge Taft delivered an elaborate dissenting opinion. When the case was taken to the supreme court of Ohio, this opinion was sustained in every point by a unanimous court of five judges, and has since beome the law throughout the United States. 'The Bible in the Public Schools' case arose in his path several times later and probably prevented his being governor of Ohio. When, however, the storm of prejudice and bigotry had subsided and people had time to consider the matter, Judge Taft's reputation as a judge who knew neither fear nor favor was inevitably increased. In 1872 he resigned from office in order to join his two sons in the practice of law under the style of A. Taft & Sons.

In 1876 Judge Taft was appointed secretary of war by President Grant, succeeding General Belknap, and the following May was transferred to the office of attorney general, which he held until the end of the administration in March, 1877, when he resumed the practice of his profession in Cincinnati, Ohio. In April, 1882, he was appointed by President Arthur, United States minister plenipotentiary to Austria, and in 1884 was promoted to the Court of Russia, remaining until August, 1885. In the spring of that year he had a sever attack of pneumonia, followed by typhoid fever, being one of the numerous Americans who have fallen victims to the Russian climate. The disease broke down his extraordinary rugged constitution and he returned, shattered in health, to private life. He sought relief in southern California, but his death occurred in San Diego, May 21, 1891, aged eighty years.

Judge Taft was exceedingly fond of historical and genealogical research, and gave considerable attention to tracing the lineage of the Taft family. He delivered the historical address at the Taft family re-union at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, August 12, 1874. Judge Taft took an active interest in all educational matters, and served more than twenty years as a trustee of the Cincinnati high school. he was a member of the corporation of Yale College and was honored with its degree of LL. D. in 1867. His five sons graduated from that well-known institution, and his grandsons keep up the family tradition. In politics Judge Taft began life as a Whig and an ardent supporter of Webster. He joined the Republican party at its formation, and was always a warm supporter of its principles. In 1856 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which nominated John C. Fremont for president. In the same year he was nominated by the Republicans of Cincinnati for congress, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, George H. Pendleton. In every position to which Judge Taft was called he rendered most able, effective and loyal service. He was a gentleman of scholarly attainments, of the highest personal character, and a kindliness and sweetness of disposition which endeared him to all who came in contact with him.

Judge Taft was twice married. He married (first) in September, 1841, Fanny Phelps, daughter of Judge Charles Phelps, of Townshend, Vermont. She died in 1851. Of their five children three died in infancy; the surviving children were . . . . . . . . . .

Judge Taft married (second), December 26, 1853, Louisa Maria Torrey, daughter of Samuel D. Torrey (see sketch of Samuel D. Torrey), of Millbury, Massachusetts. They had five children:

1. Samuel Davenport, died in infancy.

2. William Howard, born September 15, 1857, [became U.S. President and Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court] . . .

3. Henry Waters, born May 27, 1859, in Cincinnati, Ohio. After his graduation from Yale College in the class of 1880, he studied law in Cincinnati and Columbia, and established himself in practice in New York city, being now a member of the firm of Strong & Cadwalader. One of his ablest and most important arguments recently was in the United States supreme court, where he was employed by the government to prosecute its suit against the Tobacco trust. The decision of the court was a complete triumph for principles which have far-reaching consequences. This important case is reported as Hale vs. Henkel in volume 201 of the United States Supreme Court Reports. In 1905 Mr. Taft received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Yale. He married in 1883, Julia Walbridge Smith, daughter of Hon. Levi Smith, of Troy, New York, and their children are: Marian Jennings, died in infancy; Walbridge smith, of the class of 1907 at Yale; William Howard, class of 1909 at Yale; Louise Witherbee.

4. Horace Dutton, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 28, 1861. He graduated from Yale College in 1883, studied law and was admitted to the bar, but decided to pursue the vocation of teaching. He was for three years a tutor of Latin in Yale College. In 1890 he established the Taft School for boys at Pelham Manor, New York, but in 1893 moved the school to Watertown, Connecticut. The school has prospered and has now about one hundred pupils. The catalogue announces that 'the object of the school is to give boys a thorough preparation for the best colleges and scientific schools, and to make them strong, healthy and manly men.' In 1893 Mr. Taft received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Yale. He married in 1891, Winifred Shepard, daughter of Mrs. Helen Bierstadt Thompson, of Niagara Falls, New York.

5. Fanny Louise, the only daughter, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 18, 1865. She was educated in Cincinnati and at Farmington, Connecticut, completing her studies abroad in music and the languages. In 1890 she became the wife of Dr. William A. Edwards, a physician and surgeon, formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now resideing in Los Angeles, California.

HON. WILLIAM H. TAFT . . . . . "

Source: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, ed., Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personl Memoirs of Worcester County Massachusetts with a History of Worcester Society of Antiquity, Vol. II, pp. 1-2 (NY Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company 1907).

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