Hubbell Pioneers - Connecticut
Ingenious Hubbells
Harvey Hubbell II
In the introduction of the book Hubbell Pioneers called "The Beginnings," stories are told of the Hubbell immigrant ancestor Richard Hubball, who settled in Connecticut, and his immediate descendants. In this chapter stories are told of other Connecticut Hubbells.
One of these is Harvey Hubbell II who founded the company Hubbell Incorporated in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1888, a company that is still going strong. The company manufactures over 15,000 products for the generation, transmission, and utilization of electrical energy.
Harvey II invented and patented two electrical devices which are still in use today. One is the pull-chain electric socket without which the light bulb might not have replaced the kerosene lamp. The other is the familiar interchangeable combination of a plug and a receptacles used throughout our homes.
Harvey II headed the company from 1888 until his death in 1927. He was succeeded by his 26-year-old son Harvey III who continued his father's acumen for product innovation and business development over the next 40 years.
Other Connecticut Hubbells of note include Luman, who was born in Danbury in 1797, apprenticed to a woolen manufacturer and formed a prosperous business Coe and Hubbell in 1841; Fenelon, who ran the Hubbell & Curtiss furniture warehouse in Bridgeport; Richard, who in 1856 started a hoop skirt factory; Harvey, father of Harvey II, who was in the tailoring business; Charles Benjamin, a general merchant in Bridgeport; William Lewis of Bridgeport, a major in the Civil War who fought at Gettysburg and was a prisoner in Libby Prison; and William of Bristol who spent 10 months in infamous Andersonville Prison.
Several Hubbells were sailors: William Lewis of Fairfield, Norman of Huntington, and Captain Amos, who was in the West Indies trade with his father and brother both named Richard and played an active part in the Revolutionary War.
Ezekiel seems to be the best documented sailor in the family. He was born in Bridgeport in 1768 and by 14 was a clerk on ships owned by Amos and Richard. By 1797 he was managing owner of two ships.
He heard of trading opportunities on the Pacific Coast of South America and arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, in 1800. Spain did not allow non-Spanish ships to trade through her ports but allowed his ship to remain in port because many of the crew had scurvy. He was given a passport to Santiago and was reputed to be the first U. S. citizen in Santiago.
After a plan to sell to the Spaniards in Valparaiso failed he traded with local Indians. With furs received in payment he set sail for China and sold the furs and took on tea and silk. In 1802 he arrived in New York, "the first circumnavigation of the globe from that port."
Most of Ezekiel's sons followed him to sea. Anson Ezekiel died at sea aged 23. Alexander died at 27 just after returning from China. George William also died young -- at 35 in Manila -- but during his brief career he sailed around the world, founded a business in Manila, became a U. S. consul and was a ship owner and importer.
Another son, Henry Wilson, traveled 370,000 miles and spent 2,680 days (seven years, four months and five days) at sea. He was one of the founders of Mutual Life Insurance Co. and a strong supporter of President Lincoln.
Wilson Hubbell, a son of Amos, was also a ship owner. In 1799 his sloop was captured by a French privateer. He managed to elude his guards, overpower the mate and take command of his ship again. After Hubbell let the mate go free the Frenchman dropped his cigar between Hubbell's feet and threw him overboard. Hubbell was not seen again.
The sons of Isaac -- Lucius, Peter and Francis Burritt -- became stonemasons in the White Hills of Shelton. Lucius was building by contract at age 20. His most personal work is the 43-foot monument erected in the churchyard of the White Hills Baptist Church. Francis also built a monument there with a likeness of himself.