Source: McKeen, Rev. Silas, A History of Bradford, Vermont, Montpelier, VT., J.D. Clark & Sons, 1875 Page 223+ The Bliss Family A Genealogical Chart prepared by Neziah Bliss, Esq., of Missouri, traces the descent of his family from Thomas Bliss, of England, who emigrated to America and settled at Hartford, Ct., about the year 1638-or-9; and who, of course, must have been one of its very early inhabitants, as its settlement was not commenced till 1635. He died there in 1640; leaving four sons and six daughters. Thomas Bliss, Jr., son of the last named, had two sons and six daughters, all natives of Saybrook, Ct., with the exception of the two youngest, who were born at Norwich, near by. Samuel Bliss, son of Thomas, had three sons and one daughter. John Bliss, a son of Samuel, graduated at Yale College in 1710. He had but one classmate, Benjamin Colton. They both became ministers of the gospel. Rev. John Bliss was the first minister ordained in the town of Hebron, Ct. This was in October 1717. He was then a Congregationalist. "He declared for Episcopacy in 1734, and having laid the foundation of a society, a house of worship was erected the next year, for that denomination; and Mr. Bliss preached and read service for them for a number of years afterward." (see History of Connecticut) He died in 1741, at the age of 51. Rev. John Bliss had been twice married and had a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of whom, but two, lived to marry. One of the sons Constant, was shot in the Old French war, at Deerfield, Mass, Aug., 1746. Ellis Bliss, son of Rev. John Bliss, and his second wife, Hannah Post, was twice married and had eight sons and seven daughters. One of his sons, Flavel, was drowned in 1778, off the ship Trumbull, at New London, while guarding British prisoners there. Another son John, was drowned at Bradford, Vt., while engaged in building a bridge across the Waits River in 1803. A daughter, Lydia, married Andrew B. Peters of Bradford. The youngest son John Flavel, born June 28, 1788, was a minister of the gospel in Western New York. The father of this large family remained and died at Hebron, Ct. Ellis Bliss, Jr., son of the Ellis last named, and his first wife Tamar Dewey, was born at Hebron, April 9, 1871. He served for 9 months in the war of the Revolution; married Abigail Taylor; emigrated ti Bradford, Vt., and made, as a farmer, a permanent settlement here, in the south part of the town, somewhat back from the river. They had two daughters and six sons. Four of the sons died in childhood. Their eldest daughter Abigail, born at Hebron, Ct., June 7, 1787, married to Dr. Lockhart Wright of Bradford, Feb., 1798, and had two sons, Neziah and Hubbard, and one daughter, Abigail. Mrs. Dr. Wright died at the house of her son Hubbard Wright, in Bradford, July 3, 1855. Lydia Bliss, born at Bradford, August 31, 1783, married Absalom Baldwin, May 25, 1801, and died Feb. 4, 1860. See Baldwin Family. Flavel Bliss, born Dec. 11, 1791, married Hannah Corliss, Dec. 15, 1812; had several children and died Dec. 7, 1864. Capt. Ellis Bliss, son of the above named Ellis Bliss, Jr., born July 25, 1787, married Mary Worthen, Dec. 4, 1807, owned and cultivated a good farm near Bradford village. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss had thirteen children, two of whom died in their infancy; all the rest lived to be men and women, of activity and usefulness in the world. The father died May 8, 1851, in the 54th year of his age; and their mother March 2, 1873, at the age of 83 years. Of this family, we give the following brief notice: 1. Ellis Bliss, born May 10, 1810, married Lucy Richards of Piermont, N.H., kept for several years, a hotel in Bradford village; was a man of activity; engaged in various business; and died Nov. 21, 1870, in the 61st year of his age. He left one daughter, Lucy, the wife of Charles H. Harding. 2. George, born Oct. 17, 1811. He studied for the medical profession with Dr. John Poole, of Bradford, and became established in business in Ohio, where he married, and at this date has two sons, Newton and Edmund, and two daughters, Priscilla and lovie Jane. 3. Edmund P., born October 14, 1813, remained with his parents till their decease, and was left in possession of their old homestead. 4. Mary A., born August 6, 1817, married Jesse Johnson, of Bradford; by occupation a farmer, who died in Fairlee. They had six children. Two died in early childhood. Two daughters Martha and Sarah, died when young ladies; and Ellen and Mary, at this date, are surviving comforts of their often and sorely bereaved mother. 5. Abigail, born August 16, 1819, married Manly Harriman, then of this town. They had two sons, George and John, still living; and two daughters who died in early womanhood: Abie and Mary, the wife of Chauncy Throop Blodgett. Mr. Harriman died October 14, 1840; and his wife May 13, 1857. 6. Susan, born December 223, 1821, married Ira Clark. They resided some time at Bradford, then at Orford, N.H., and finally removed to Illinois. They had two sons and two daughters. 7. Joseph W., born January 31, 1824; married Cynthia Paterson of Piermont, N.H., who died March 26, 1863 at the age of twenty-seven years. they had two daughters, Mary and Abbie who still survive, greatly to their father's comfort. Mr. J.W. Bliss, owning a very pleasant homestead, next south of his brother Edmund's, has remained in Bradford, and been repeatedly called by his fellow townsmen to fill offices of public trust and importance. He represented the town in the State Legislature of 1874. 8. Neziah W., born January 31, 1826, graduated at the university of Vermont; studied the profession of law; removed to the State of Missouri, and has there been engaged not only in the business of his profession, but in superintending the affairs of an enterprising an successful mining company. He has the reputation of a man of intelligence, energy and moral integrity. He married Amanda Jessie Andrews, December 1, 1852. They have seven sons and three daughters. Two of the daughters died young. The rest of the children at this date are still living. 9. Lucinda, born February 14, 1828, married Lewis R. Morris, a very respectable attorney at law, who for a time, edited a semi-monthly paper at Bradford called the Green Mountain Farmer, but has since for several years been established in the business of his profession at West Lebanon, N.H. 10. Julia M., born May 14, 1830, married Robert Shum, manufacturer of jewelry, cutlery, etc., at Springfield, Mass. They have four daughters: Julia, Lucy, Nellie, and Abbie. 11. Lauretta, born October 8, 1832, married Stephen Merrill, then of Bradford, but since settled in Illinois. End of Part 1 -- Part two is the memorial of Mrs. Mary (Worthen) Bliss, written by Rev,. S. McKeen. > > Subject: > Re: [VTORA] History of Newbury -- Bliss Family > From: > Carla Mascara <pigletcompany@yahoo.com> > Date: > Fri, 11 Jul 2003 08:43:00 -0700 (PDT) > To: > VTORANGE-L@rootsweb.com > > >Steve, > Thank you soooooo much!!! Yes, I would love to have the Bradford information as well. That is where my g-g-g-grandfather was born. His name was George Webster Bliss, and his father was Ellis Bliss. > > > > > >