Col. Roswell Allyn

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON, county of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900, by Richard Anson Wheeler, New London, CT, 1900, p. 585

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Col. Roswell Allyn, son of James and Anna (Stanton) Allyn, was born in North Groton (Ledyard), July 11, 1789. In the spring of 1806 he commenced as an apprentice at tanning, currying and shoemaking, just north of Preston line, at the place where later was the grist and saw-mill of the late Jonah Witter. He served two years there with a Mr. Capron. In the spring of 1808 he began as a journeyman with a Mr. Woodbridge at the head of Mystic, where he worked two years. In 1810 he set up a small tannery near where he was born and where he afterward lived most of the time, and where he died Aug. 11. 1860. He was twice a representative from Groton in the State Legislature; the first time with Hon. Elisha Haley, who was afterwards in Congress. He held several town offices in Groton. In 1836, after Ledyard became a town, he was appointed sheriff's deputy by Alex. Stewart, then sheriff of New London County. He resigned this to become qualified to act as representative for Ledyard, being elected in April, 1843.

He held town offices at various times in Ledyard. He belonged to the order of Free Masons. In early life he enlisted in the troop and when that was disbanded he served in infantry and held offices in company and regiment. In 1811 he married Henrietta Morgan, of Groton, whose children were Henrietta, born 1812, who afterward married Stephen M. Stoddard, of Ledyard, and who died his widow in 1887. Deborah A., died July 23, 1814, aged 10 months, 14 days. Emila, died Aug. 13, 1815, aged six weeks. His wife dietd Sept. 27, 1824. In June, 1826, he married Harriet Palmer, of Preston, who died Sept. 14, 1888. Her children were Palmer, born April 26, 1827. Stanton, born Aug. 23, 1835, and who died in the army in Louisiana, Aug. 28, 1863. [P. A.]

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD 1650-1900, by Rev. John Avery, published by Noyes & Davis: Press, Norwich, Connecticut, 1901, p. 164