Melissa Dodge

Melissa Dodge (Phelps)

Find A Grave Memorial ID # 127210308

Daughter of Anson Greene Phelps and Olivia Eggleston.
Married in New York City on June 24, 1828 to William Earl Dodge, Sr.

Melissa Phelps Dodge, widow of William Earle Dodge, Sr., died yesterday morning at 225 Madison avenue, where she made her home with two of her sons, the Rev. D. Stuart Dodge and Norman W. Dodge, and the latter's wife. She was in her ninety-fifth year, having been born on March 3, 1809.

Mrs. Dodge's ancestors were members of an old Staffordshire family which landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1630, and were among the first settlers of Connecticut. Her grandfather, Lieut. Thomas Phelps served through the Revolutionary War and named his son Anson Greene Phelps in honor of the Revolutionary General.

After several years in business at Hartford, Connecticut, her father came to this city in 1813 and lived in Beekman street near the old St. George's Church. The family later removed to Cliff street. There in 1828 she was married to Mr. Dodge, who five years later entered her father's large metal importing house, the name of which then became Phelps, Dodge & Company. Their wedding trip was made through Connecticut in an old fashioned chaise.

Mrs. Dodge joined the Brick Church when she was 13 years old, becoming its youngest member. At her death she was its oldest member. She was interested in a number of benevolent and charitable organizations and in church work. She attended church every pleasant Sunday, although compelled in recent years to go in a carriage or chair.

Mr. Dodge died in 1883. They had seven sons and two daughters, of whom six sons survive their mother. They are; William Earl, Jr., Anson Phelps, Norman W., George E., the Rev D. Stuart and Brig-General Charles Cleveland Dodge.

Source: The Sun, New York, Monday, March 16, 1903, pg2