Nathan Philo

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He resided at Norwalk, April 4, 1782, at Dover, Dutchess County, N. Y., April 17, 1789, showing soon after his wife died, he removed to New York State (Artemas says 1786, or near it). Here he m. second, about 1786, widow Derrick Wheeler whose maiden name was Wix. She d. July, 1846, and buried in Middletown Cemetery, Saratoga Co., N. Y. He settled in Saratoga Co, about 1794. His son Aaron was b. there in 1797. While at Norwalk, Nov. 18, 1776, he enters on N. records" a red heffer, coming two-year old, marked with a swallow fork on the near ear, a. crop! on the off ear, and slit in the crop." April 10, 1792, he sells his right in a tract undivided, between John, Stephen, Sarah Potter, and Deborah Mott. This same property four days after Stephen sells to Isaac Fillow, his one-sixth part, indicating there were six owners. The same day Nathan sells to John, one-sixth part of a certain piece of salt meadow, at Duck Pond, undivided and owned by the same persons. The cause of his going to Dover, it is said, was because he was persecuted by the Tories, for he was very enthusiastic in the cause of liberty, and was injured in the service as captain in the cavalry, but served all through the war. His name, however, does not appear on the rolls at Washington.

His two boys, Azor and Adams, 13 or 14 years.old, were placed on picket, and to try them Nathan came upon them horseback, at dusk, and they demanded the sign twice, when he was convinced they would not run, he didn't wait for the third call but made himself known. 'When he settled in Sa. co., he bought 200 acres of land, which was well situated, with only four acres of wood and the rest fine land. For it he gave 20s. per acre; he soon after added fifty acres more. It was situated about one-half mile east of Middletown village, a little south-west of Nehemiah, Philos present residence; here he gave his five sons fifty acres apiece. Artemas says: "He had three sons born in Norwalk, and when he moved to Dover he lived with my father Phineas Phillow." It has been truly noticed that elegant traits of character were formed in the early settlement of this country, and he transmitted these to many of his descendants. We find in the struggle of the Revolution(and they were eventful years) he participated and chose the side of liberty. About the close of war or soon after, he emigrated to Dover. This must have needed great determination to make this journey in those times with the limited means of travel. Thinking as he did, imagine his feelings when he probably went out a few lots back of his house and saw the British" in brilliant uniform marching back from a barbarous scout (the news of the results of their doings not yet reached their ears), on their return journey toward their waiting boats. Burning of Danbury, Ct., 1777. By trade he was a tailor. His name has been followed by a succession of generations. He d. Mar. 28, 1810; his remains repose in Middletown Cemetery with four of his sons.

Compiled by D H Van Hoosear of Wilton, Conn. in 1888.

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