In the History and Genealogy of the Ancestors and Some Descendants of Stukely Westcott, Volume I (1932), Roscoe Whitman included profiles of five cousins “who achieved a place in the history of our country” under the title “Westcotts in History” (page 404): Edward Noyes Westcott, the author of David Harum; journalist John Kimberly Mumford; railroad operator Robert Estling Westcott; statesman and Lincoln rival Stephen Douglas and wayward cousin General Benedict Arnold. The articles on Edward Noyes Westcott and Benedict Arnold have been updated and placed on separate pages; the other three are given below.
John Kimberly Mumford (1863-1926) John Kimberly Mumford photo at FindaGrave.com John Kimberly Mumford was the grandson of a Baptist minister, whose wife was a daughter of the elder Reuben Westcott of Milford, New York. His father was a newspaper man at Syracuse, New York and John K. followed his foot-steps. After some years of journalistic work at Syracuse, he went to New York City and became identified with the Hearst newspapers. During the last months of the Spanish-American War, he was chief of the New York Evening Journal staff in Cuba. He contributed to magazines, and became an authority on Oriental carpets. He was author of Oriental Rugs. He died in 1926 at Singapore, Straits Settlement, British East India. John Kimberly Mumford was a descendant of Stukely and Juliana Westcott in the ninth generation: John Kimberly Mumford9, Prosper8, Orissa Westcott7, Reuben6, Stukely5, Stukely4, Stukely3, Jeremiah2, Stukely1. See also John Kimberly Mumford memorial on FindaGrave.com. |
Robert Estling Westcott (1855-1907)Robert Estling Westcott, founder of the Westcott Express Company, was son of Robert, who dwelled and died at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York. The father passed away about 1910. Robert E. had a half-sister, Mary Houston Westcott, who married ______ Salley [Solley], and a sister Corinne, who became the wife of Charles Conquest. He amassed a large estate, owning extensive land interests throughout central New York. His will mentions “Aunt Hattie”; his wife, Ada L.; his sister, Corinne; his daughter, Thalia Millett, also Ethelbert E., son of his deceased sister-in-law Frances Morrill; Ada C., daughter of Frances; also his cousin Emily DuBois of New York City, another cousin Ada Blanch Belknap of Yonkers, N.Y.; his son-in-law Stephen C. Millett; Mrs. Elizabeth Westcott of Yonkers; half-sister Mary Houston Westcott Solley. He had but the one child: Thalia. Robert Estling Westcott was a descendant of Stukely and Juliana Westcott in the eighth generation: Robert Estling8, Robert Folger7, Ezbon Sanford6, John5, Stukely4, William3, Jeremiah2, Stukely1. |
Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813-1861) Stephen A. Douglas, Photograph, Matthew B. Brady or Alexander Hesler, circa 1850–1852. (Courtesy Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.)) Stephen Arnold Douglas, statesman, known as “the little giant,” Secretary of State of Illinois, judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, member of Congress (1843-44), and the U.S. Senate (1847); in 1852, received the largest number of votes of any candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency but was not nominated; he returned to Congress, and again, in 1856, was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency. In 1858, defeated Abraham Lincoln to the Senate from Illinois, and in 1860 was defeated by Lincoln for the Presidency. His last coherent words (1861) expressed an ardent wish for “the honor and prosperity of his country and the defeat and dispersion of her enemies.” Stephen Douglas was a descendant of Stukely and Juliana Westcott in the eighth generation: Stephen Arnold Douglas8, Mary Arnold7, Stephen6, Joseph5, Samuel4, Caleb3, Damaris Westcott2, Stukely1.  On this day of issue cover, Lincoln gets first billing on the 100th anniversary of their famous debate (MysticStamp.com) |