History of Windham, (Windham County) Connecticut United States of America

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Biographies:

James Luce Kingsley, educator, was born at Windham, Conn., Aug. 28, 1778. He was a student at Williams college, and was graduated from Yale in 1799. He taught school at Wethersfield and Windham, Conn., 1799-1801; was a tutor at Yale, 1801-12; librarian, 1805-24; professor of ecclesiastical history, 1805-17; of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages, 1805-31; of Latin language and literature, 1831-51, and emeritus professor, 1851-52. He received the degree of LL.D. from Middlebury college, Vt., in 1831. He published a discourse on the 200th anniversary of the founding of New Haven, Conn., April 25, 1838; a history of Yale college in the American Quarterly Register (1835); a life of Ezra Stiles, president of Yale college, in Sparks's American Biography, and translations of the works of Tacitus and Cicero. He died in New Haven, Conn., Aug. 31, 1852.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Oscar C. Badger, naval officer, was born at Windham, Conn., Aug. 12, 1823. He was appointed to the U. S. navy from Pennsylvania as a midshipman, Sept. 9, 1841. As a midshipman on board the Saratoga, in 1843, he was attached to a landing party from that ship, and took part in the attack upon the Bereby villages on the west coast of Africa. He served on board the Mississippi with the Gulf squadron during the Mexican war, and participated in the attack upon Alvarado in 1846. Subsequently, in 1855, as lieutenant he commanded a party from the U. S. sloop John Adams, which attacked and destroyed the town of Vutia, Fiji Islands. His services during the civil war were particularly meritorious. While in command of the steamer Anacostia, in 1861-'62, he was engaged in a number of attacks upon Confederate batteries on the Potomac river and Aquia creek, and in the bombardment of Yorktown, Va., and the defences at Gloucester Point. He was promoted lieutenant-commander July 16, 1862, and commanded the ironclads Patapsco and Montauk in the attacks on the batteries and forts on Morris Island and on Forts Wagner, Gregg and Sumter, in Charleston harbor. While performing the duties of fleet-captain on board the ironclad Weehawken in a night engagement with Forts Moultrie and Sumter, he was severely wounded, his right leg being shattered by a metallic splinter, caused by a round shot striking the turret of the Weehawken. His efficient and faithful services were recognized in an official report made to the navy department by Admiral Dahlgren, under date of Sept. 2, 1863, and by the navy department in communication addressed to Commodore Badger, under date of Jan. 7, 1864. After the close of the war he was on shore duty until July, 1866, when he was promoted commander. During a cruise on the Peoria he received a vote of thanks from the legislatures of St. Kitts and Antigua for services rendered to the authorities of those islands. In 1872 he was promoted captain, and on Nov. 15, 1881, commodore, and was placed on the retired list in 1885.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Heard, representative, was born in Windham, Conn., Nov. 29, 1800. He removed with his father's family to Randolph, Vt., when a lad and was educated at Randolph academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1827 and removed to Chelsea in 1845. He represented his town in the general assembly, 1835, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1858-59, 1864-65, and 1872; was a state senator, 1836-40; state's attorney, 1832, 1834, and 1836; judge of probate, 1838, 1840, 1841; delegate to the constitutional convention, 1857; member of the council of censors, 1834 and 1848, judge of the supreme court, 1842-44, a representative in the 31st and 32d congresses, 1849-53, and a delegate to the Republican national convention of 1860. He died in Chelsea, Vt., Oct. 22, 1875.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Durkee, soldier, was born in Windham, Conn., in 1728. He was an officer in the Colonial army in the war against the French and Indians and for his bravery he was made major of militia. He was correspondent of the Sons of Liberty in 1766 and in 1769 led to the Wyoming valley a colony of settlers, known as the Susquehanna company. He built Fort Durkee and defended it against the forces sent out by Gov. John Penn, till captured and sent to Philadelphia, where he was imprisoned for about one year, when he returned to the colony and again assumed command of the defences of the settlers. He returned to Connecticut and in 1776 raised a company which was attached to Putnam's brigade, and he served with distinction as major in the battle of Bunker Hill. He commanded a regiment in the retreat of Washington's army and was present at the battles of Long Island, Harlem, White Plains, Germantown, Trenton and Monmouth. He then served with Sullivan's expedition against the Six Nations in 1779, and in 1780 resigned from the army on account of failing health. He died in Norwich, Conn., May 29, 1782.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor