The Newtown bee., 1890-04-11
BEDDING.
noN THoMAs sANFonn

and first members of the Congregational church, which was formed in 1733. He was elected deacon in TAO. His grand- father, I4emuel Sanford, was also dea- con of the church, Both represented the town in the General Assembly many times. His father, Jonathan R. San ford, was also twice 8 representative in the Legislature, town clerk, treasurer for half a century and judge of probate for several years. Mr Sanford's grand father on the maternal side was Thomas Davies, M. D., one of the early practi- tioners of medicine in the town and for him he was named.
 Mir Sanford was born, September 27, 1923 and, therefore, was 66 1-2 years of farmer and q farmer all his life, though public business occupied much of his time. His education was obtained in the public and private schools of this country hill town. But he was a dili- gent reader and student all his life, so that he attained unto a large knowledge of men and things and no small ac- quaintance with legal science. He some times acted the lawyer in behalf of neighbors and was well fitted for re- sponSible positions, to which he was called by the courts of the State. He was moderator of town meetings often; se- lectman for 10 years, after which he de- | ciined re-nomination; assessor; mein- | Der of relief and, after the retirement of his brother, judge of probate for two years.
 In 1850, he became deputy sheriff and continued in the office six years. In 1860, he was elected sheriff of the county for three years and discharged his duties greatly to the satisfaction of the people. 1 He was favOrite of the members of the bar. He declined a re-nomination. He was chosen q representative of the town in the General Assembly in 1856. 1877 and | 1881. The last two teIms he served on important committees, took part in de- bate, when his views attracted special attention and was a favorite with both political parties. He has been on sever al important commissions appointed by the governor. One of these revised and condensed the pauper laws of the State and prepared the present law on the statute book. In this work, Alr San ford took prominent part. At his death, he was in his second term as a director of the State prison.
 He was appointed many times by the Superior court on committees for the trial of cases and the assessment of dam ages when lands were taken by railroads and for other purposes. He was serving on such committee in Wilton on the day preceding his death. He was also
 largely employed in the settlement of es-
 tates, was at times trustee of funds and a guardian of minor children. All the
 people had complete confidence in his = ability, honesty and fidelity.
 He united with the Congregational
 church. in Bedding in 1868 and always
 took deep interest in it's welfare and il the affairs of the ecclesiastical society , He was a liberal supporter, of Gospel in stitutions and steady attendant on pub lie worship.
 Y. The weeping April skies of Friday l seemed a fit symbol of the gloom, tha
 rested like a pail on our community
 when the poodle of Bedding assembled n to pay the last tribute of respect to ou
 leading citizen and sorrowfully and rev f erently committed his remains to thei ' last resting place, by the side of his hon
 ored ancestors. The body of Thomas s Sanford arrived at West Bedding by
 the D m train on Friday, accompanied n bp his family and was received by thes, s bearers: T.. M. Abbot, A. Treadwell - William F.. DuncOmbe. Moses Hill, Will
 liam F. Vaudeville and S.B. GOrham. Or
 it's arrival, the casket was borne up tn
 aisle of the Congregational church, 0
 which he was such an honored membe n and liberal supporter, amid the tollins r of the bell and solemn dirge on the or gan. HIS ItCN " c' n deliveren a funeral discourse full of pa l. thos, which touched a responsive chor( s in every heart. The choir sang tha Q beautiful hymn, ''Jesus, Lover of NJ,
 Soul,'' after which an opportunity wa , given to take a last look at those feature . so familiar to every inhabitant of ou town for the past 40 years. Owing t u the storm, not as many were present a C would have been. There were, howev
 CT, quite number present from Danbu e ry, Ridgefield and Norwalk.
 = By the death of Thomas Sanford, Red
 ding has met with an almost irreparabl
 loss. No man during the last 30 year
 has been more closely identified with tn social, political and financial interests 0 r. the town. A man of ability, great eS
 perience and sound judgment, we look
 ed to him as counsellor and guide l n everything pertaining to the interest 0 n the town. Whoever got into trouble
 however humble his position, instinct
 ively turned to Tom Sanford for aid an
 never failed of hearty response. iii
 genial nature made his presence like 'I ray of sunshine in a gloomy day. o strong party man, his political opponent a were among his warmest friends. Thu 's has passed away a typical New Englan II man, representative of a class that, alas 1T is becoming smaller as the years go by 
 l. During the heavy gale, Saturday, tn
 house of Mrs Charles D. Leavenwort r. in Sanfordtown caught fire and, notwitf e standing the efforts of the neighbort st soon burned to the ground. Most of tn n furniture was saved and, by the heroi e action of James Treadwell, the barr
 though but few rods from the house ! escaped. In his efforts to save it, M n Treadwell was severely scorched. Nil l, Leavenworth owns another house nea 'ae, that burned, into which she moved he " furniture.
 s- Rev D. Taylor was home from confer E. ence, Sunday, and preached in the ever 0 ing. Rev J. Hill officiated in the morl
 ing, preaching an admirable Easter di' ;, c8drse.
 n It is striking coincidence, that Easte 1t Sunday for four years has been an e1
 ceptionally beautiful day.
 y J. T. Gregory was compelled by finar :. cial embarrassment to make an assigI It ment, last week Wednesday, for the be1
 eft of his creditors, to J N. Nickersor
 One cause of his embarrassment was hi i, disastrous apple speculation,by which h 2 lost heavily.
 Mrs Thomas Sanford and children rt
 turned to New Haven, the day after tn
 funeral, where they will remain for tn
 present.
 Charles Sweezy and family will nov T from Bridgeport into the Moses Shel z, wood place. Mir Sweezy will continu T. to work in Bridgeport, coming homo ?. Saturday night.
 $ Charles Utter of Danbury has move V into the tenement house of J. l.. Sar : ford, for whom he will work
 $ Mrs Walker Bartram has moved hs
 housenold goods into the old Aaron Ba ;: tram homestead in Sanfordtown, wher <, her husband has been keeping bachelor l. hall for a year.