On the first of January, 1861, he was married to Miss Carrie Jeanette Norton of Suffield, who died in February, 1875, after fourteen years of happy wedded life.
J. A. Spalding, “Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut,” 1891, https://www.cga.ct.gov/hco/books/Illus_Pop_Biography_of_CT.pdf.
Edward marries on three occasions throughout his lifetime. In his early twenties, he ties the knot with Caroline Jeannette Norton, a resident of Suffield, Connecticut. Sometime between 1859 and 1860, Edward of Pine Meadow and Carrie met despite the distance of over 5 miles between their two homes long before trains link Suffield and Pine Meadow, Connecticut. How, when, and where could their paths have crossed?
“The highway through Pine Meadow (Windsor Locks) to Suffield, which had been opened about a dozen years before, ran along the river bank from Pine Meadow Brook, a mile below the lower lock, as far as the railroad crossing in its present location; thence continuing to the Horton mill on the river bank except at the Haskell & Dexter saw mill.”
Ibid.
As an aside, we see above, Mr. Hayden mentions the Horton mill in his 1900 book. It makes me curious if Ann Horton, 26 years old, was engaged and subsequently faced the heartbreaking loss of her fiancé in the Civil War. She is two years older than Edward and very attractive, maybe even more so than him in terms of social status. However, as we will soon realize, time balances things out.
In 1861, the United States found itself at a pivotal point in its history, with the looming threat of a devastating civil war. Despite the impending political and social turmoil that would eventually tear the country apart, everyday life continued for its citizens. During this period, there was a notable rise in the number of immigrants, leading to a mix of cultures and traditions. In those days, it was customary for women to marry within their social class. This makes me think that Edward’s talents and his brother’s successful position in the mill town would likely overcome any objections her parents might have about him being a foreigner.
“United States Census, 1860”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH5B-XGR : Wed Oct 04 10:52:51 UTC 2023), Entry for Benjn Norton and Aurelia Norton
The 1860 Suffield, Connecticut census shows Carrie’s father worked as a farmer, and it is possible that the educated brothers involved in manufacturing impressed him.
Her sister currently works at the local cotton mill, we see on the same census. Does Medlicott Co., buy its fabric regularly from the Suffield factory? Did Carrie get a job at the mill too? Does he meet her there? I have a picture somewhere of four Norton sisters, all beautiful in their 30s to 40s. It is uncertain whether Carrie is in the photo, as we haven’t verified it. I believe she was an attractive young lady who would have caught Edward’s interest.
Could it be possible that they encountered each other at the church? As early as 1689, residents of Suffield frequently traveled to Pine Meadow, especially for church, as mentioned by Mr. Hayden in the aforementioned book. I remembered Edward’s sister-in-law in Windsor Locks, whom he lived with, left a gift for a church in her will. Perhaps if I found the church, it would lead me to the Norton family. Mary A. Newport’s will and a report in the newspaper led me to the Congregational Church in Windsor Locks. So far I haven’t found any information on members. Definitely, an idea for research in Salt Lake City.
Ancestry.com. Connecticut, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data:Connecticut County, District and Probate Courts.“Mrs. Mary A. Newport’s Will,” Windsorlocks.Advantage-Preservation.Com, December 3, 1893, https://bit.ly/48I1MMq.
Since Edward arrived in Pine Meadow (Windsor Locks) at the end of 1859, sometime in 1860 he met Miss Caroline Jeanette Norton. I see a pattern here as I examine Edward’s obit/biography. There are more unanswered questions than I expect.
Notes:
- Pine Meadow and Windsor Locks are one and the same area.
- Carrie’s age does not agree with the census, but does match her tombstone.
- Fun story about how we genealogists go down rabbit holes: I looked for churches to find the name of the church where his sister-in-law left money in her will, but couldn’t remember it’s name. Just awhile before examining the will, I came across a1900 document online, authored by Jabez H. Hayden. According to him, there seemed to be regular travel between Suffield and Windsor Locks. Good to know. But, here’s the fun part: his sister-in-law’s will executor was Nathaniel W. Hayden, the only son of Jabez H. Hayden. Mary, August and Edward probably knew the author of the Historical Sketches of Windsor Locks.
Nancy Barber 