PALMER BILL, an influential
resident of Norwich, was born in the town of Ledyard, April 20, 1823, son
of Avery and Betsey (Barnes) Bill. Joshua Bill, the father of Avery, divided
his attention between coopering and farming. Of his eight children, all
now deceased, three were sons. His wife lived to a venerable age. Both
rest in the Ledyard cemetery.
Avery Bill, who was born in Ledyard, October
1, 1797, successfully followed the cooper's trade in Ledyard, Griswold,
and Colchester. He also speculated in farm property to a moderate extent,
but was, perhaps, better known in connection with his official duties as
Constable, having served in that capacity for thirty years. Betsey Bill,
to whom he was married about the year 1820, bore him ten children, four
sons and six daughters, all of whom reached maturity. Five of the number
survive, namely: Palmer, the subject of this sketch; Maria E., the wife
of Horatio Bardon, living in Peoria, Ill.; Emeline, the wife of William
O. Brooks, living in Lincoln, Neb.; Joshua, in Southington, Conn.; and
Abby, the wife of Henry D. Frost, of Hartford, Conn. The father died in
March, 1862; the mother on July 7, 1861, in her sixty-fourth year. Both
lie buried in the Yantic cemetery.
Palmer Bill spent his boyhood on the farm.
He obtained a good education in the schools of Wilbraham, Mass., and of
Suffield, Conn., and afterward was engaged in teaching for three winters.
After his marriage he worked at carpentry with his father-in-law. Although
neither of the two men served an apprenticeship to the trade, they were
good workmen, and they erected a large number of houses in Norwich and
other places. In 1852 Mr. Bill went to Peoria, Ill., where he spent two
years in the building and grocery business. Returning at the end of that
time to Norwich, he purchased a farm. His present estate, at 211 West Thames
Street, with about two acres of land, was bought by him in 1884. The small
house then standing here has been replaced by an attractive and commodious
residence.
On January 15, 1849, Mr. Bill married Miss
Sarah Maria Brown, of Lebanon, Conn., a daughter of William W. and Nancy
(Post) Brown. They have four living children, namely: H. Arthur Bill, of
this city, who is married and has three daughters; Fannie M. Bill, for
several years a teacher in the West Chelsea school district; Sarah T.,
the wife of John E. Post, of Norwich, by whom she has one son; and Frank
A. Bill, a shoe dealer, who is also married and lives in Norwich. In politics
Mr. Bill is a Republican. He has served the town as Assessor for a long
period, and he has been Tax Collector for several years. In both the old
and new State-houses he held the position of door-keeper, and published
the legislative statistics from 1882 to 1885 inclusive. He was for several
years a member of the Board of Education, acting as visitor for one year;
and he has been on the District School Board three years. He has held the
important office of Registrar of Voters for over twenty-six years. Both
he and his family are members of the Central Baptist Church, he being one
of the Board of Managers.
(Photo Attached)
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 61 - 64
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