Q for Quash
Quash
In 1777, Cato Quash of CT and Gideon Quash of RI enlisted to fight in the Revolutionary War. They became free men who lived in Colchester most of their lives and received military pensions for their service. It is not clear if they were relatives, and the lineage of Gideon Quash can be followed below.
James Quash (1794 - 1886)
James Quash was born June 8, 1794 in Colchester, New London County, Connecticut, United States
ANCESTORS
Son of Gideon Quash and Alice (Waters) Quash
Brother of Lovice Quash and Polly (Quash) Proctor
Husband of Clarissa (Freeman) Quash — married October 23, 1814 in Colchester, New London County, Connecticut, United States
DESCENDANTS
Father of Charles Mumford Mansfield Quash, Abby Ann Quash and Sophia Emily (Quash) Apes
Died October 1, 1886 at age 92 in Colchester, New London County, Connecticut, United States
James Quash was a Teacher at Colchester's School for Colored Children from 1820-1840.
Heritage: his father was of African descent, and his mother was of European descent.
Occupation: Stone Mason, Teacher.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - "Negro School in Colchester". “The second teacher was a local colored man by the name of James Quash who taught from at least 1820 to 1840 The presumption is that Quash was an early’ pupil of Prince Saunders and succeeded him as master when he left. The records of the first school district show that Quash was paid $40 annually for teaching the school four months during the winter season I Outside his teaching Quash followed the trade of a stone mason specializing in foundations, dams, cisterns etc. He is said to have been a man of good conversation — a man of honor and integrity. Whatever job he undertook was well done. He took pride in his work. He resided on the Norwich road in the house now owned by Lucius Chapman. He died in 1886 at the age of 92.
Note: Prince Saunders's half-brother was Anthony Tattoon, who married Mary Apes. Mary's younger brother Griswold became James's son-in-law in 1835.
James married twice.
1. Clarissa Mason (1800-1819), married 23 Oct 1814 in Colchester. She was the mother of three children: Charles Mumford Quash, Abby Ann Quash, and Sophia Emily Quash.
2. Sarah/Sally Freeman (1803-1885), married 1821 in Colchester
Colchester residents Charles J. Quash (son of James) and his cousin Elias Apes were great-grandsons of Gideon Quash. During the Civil War they chose to enlist together in the 14th Colored Regiment in Rhode Island which later became the 11th Regiment of the US Army Colored Heavy Artillery. They earned pensions for their military service. In addition to Charles and Elias, there were eight other African American men living in Colchester who enlisted to fight for the Union in the Civil War.
Census Records
1820 - Household of James Quash in Colchester, New London, Connecticut, USA. His wife Clarissa died in 1819, so the older female in the household is likely a relative or hired help.
• Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 14 - likely Charles (5)
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 - likely James (24)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 14 - likely Abby Ann (4)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 14 - likely Sophia (2)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 45 and over - ?
• Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture 1
1830 - Household of James Quash in Colchester, New London, Connecticut[4][5]
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 24 thru 35 - James (34)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23 - likely Abby Ann (14)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23 - likely Sophia (12)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 36 thru 54 - probably Sally, though with her age in the wrong column, as she was 27
1840 - Household of James Quash in Colchester CT. One person is employed in agriculture.
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 36 thru 54 - James (44)
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 36 thru 54 - Sarah (37)
1850 - James and Sally lived in Colchester.
1860 - James and Sally lived in Colchester.
1870 - James and Sally lived in Colchester.
1880 - James and Sally lived in Colchester.
“Q for Quash” Extra Documentation