Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Robert Arthur Tefft


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Robert Arthur Tefft and seven of his descendants down to the third generation.


First Generation
1. Robert Arthur Tefft,1 born 30 August 1894 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, the son of Elmer James Tefft, Sr. and Jessie Louise McClure;1, 2, 3, 4 died 22 January 1982 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.1, 4 Robert married, 6 June 1923 in Baltic, Connecticut, Ethel C. Firth4, 7, 8, 9 (born 25 February 1901 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the daughter of Fremont Firth and Edith Crumbie;5, 6, 7 Ethel died 22 October 1978 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut5, 7). Robert and Ethel are buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.4, 7

Robert served in the Merchant Marines in 1918, worked in Civil Service, ran a grocery store in New Hampshire, was a carpenter at Electric Boat for 15 years, and last worked for the city of Norwich Parks Department. He was a member of the General Assembly and former first selectman of Montville, where he was a resident for more than 50 years. He moved to Norwich in 1957. Robert was a member of the Oxoboxo Lodge of Masons for 44 years, and a member of Oweneco Chapter, Order of Eastern Star for 35 years. He was also a member of Lee Methodist Church in Norwich.4

Ethel was employed for many years at the former Baltic Mills. She was a member and past matron of the Oweneco Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in Montville, and a past matron of the New London County, Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of Bethany Shrine, White Shrine of Jerusalem of New London, Jessimine Court, Order of Amaranth, Lee Memorial Church and the Montville Center Social Center.7


Children of Robert Arthur Tefft and Ethel C. Firth:

+2i. Carolyn E. Tefft, born 30 December 1924 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; died 9 March 2007 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. Married Joseph Maoli.
 3ii. Robert A. Tefft, Jr., born ca. 1926;6 died before 1935.10
+4iii. Muriel Edith Tefft, born 3 August 1930 in Oakdale, New London County, Connecticut; died 5 September 2015 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. Married Milford Ernest Newbury, Jr..

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Robert Tefft, no. 043-14-3414
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Connecticut, New London County, Oakdale, Enumeration District 456, Sheet 22B. The census record shows his birth as Aug 1893, which is believed to be in error by one year.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Connecticut, New London County, Montville, Enumeration District 456, Sheet No. 22B, family of Elma J. Teft [sic, Elmer J. Tefft] (34, Connecticut, April 1866, farm laborer); wife of 13 years Jessie L Teft (33, Scotland, Aug 1866, 3 children, 3 living); son Elma J. Teft (11, Connecticut, July 1888); son Luther Teft (9, Connecticut, Aug 1890); son Robert A. Teft (6, Connecticut, Aug 1893).
  4. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, Robert Tefft, 23 January 1982
  5. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Ethel Tefft, no. 045-42-8841. The SSDI shows her birth date as 5 February 1901 but this is believed to be incorrect based on information from her family.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Montville, Enumeration District 6-21, Sheet No. 13B
  7. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, Ethel Tefft, 23 October 1978
  8. Index to marriage, death, and land records, Montville, Connecticut, Town Hall Website, file number 1923-00000087, marriage of Robert A. Tefft and Ethel Firth
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Connecticut,
  10. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, Elmer J. Tefft, 29 April 1935. Robert apparently died before 1935; he is not listed among the survivors of his grandfather Elmer J. Tefft, although his sisters and all other known descendants of Elmer are named.
Second Generation
2. Carolyn E. Tefft2 (Robert1), born 30 December 1924 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut;1, 2 died 9 March 2007 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.2 Carolyn married, 5 October 1968 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, Joseph Maoli2, 4 (born 27 June 1919 in New York, New York, parents not determined;3, 4 Joseph died 14 April 1997 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut3, 4).

Carolyn worked in the cafeteria at the Montville Fair Oaks School. She was a member of the Montville Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.2

Joseph was educated in New York. He worked for 15 years at John Meyer Co., Yantic, Connecticut. He also worked at Connecticut College. Joseph was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Bozrah, and he had served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.4


4. Muriel Edith Tefft2 (Robert1), born 3 August 1930 in Oakdale, New London County, Connecticut;5, 6 died 5 September 2015 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. Muriel married, 26 June 1954 in Montville, New London County, Connecticut, Milford Ernest Newbury, Jr.9, 10 (born 18 September 1929 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, the son of Milford Ernest Newbury, Sr. and Lillian J. Brewster;6, 7, 8, 9 Milford died 14 November 2015 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut7, 9). Muriel and Milford are buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.5, 7, 9

Children of Muriel Edith Tefft and Milford Ernest Newbury, Jr.:

+5i. Mark Newbury, Married Robyn _____.
+6ii. Paul R. Newbury, born 23 March 1956. Married Candy _____.
 7iii. Daniel A. Newbury, born ca. 1957.
+8iv. Joy Ethel Newbury, born 6 February 1959. Married Thomas Andrew ‘Tag’ Griffin.

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Montville, Enumeration District 6-21, Sheet No. 13B
  2. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, Carolyn Maoli, 11 March 2007
  3. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Joseph Maoli, no. 042-10-9633
  4. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, Joseph Maoli, 16 April 1997
  5. Obituary, The Norwich Bulletin, 9 September 2015, Muriel Edith (Tefft) Newbury, died: 5 September 2015. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her husband, children and their spouses, grandchildren, and place of burial.
  6. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, Milford E. Newbury, born: 18 September 1929; died: 14 November 2015 (from record, which provides the name and link for his wife).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Norwich, E.D. 6-58, Sheet No. 9B, Benjamin F. Brewster, 61, Connecticut, first married age 27, laborer, port office; wife Lillian E. Brewster, 53, Connecticut, first married age 20; son-in-law Milford E. Newbury, 29, Connecticut, first married age 25, bookeeper, oil; daughter Lillian J. Newbury, 29, Connecticut, first married age 25; granddaughter Faith L. Newbury, 2, Connecticut; grandson Milford E. Newbury, Jr., 6/12 Connecticut; nephew-in-law Lloyd C. Hiscox, 11, Connecticut; nephew-in-law Harold R. Hiscox, 23, Connecticut, laborer, circuit.
  9. Obituary, The Norwich Bulletin, 17 November 2015, Milford E. Newbury, Jr., born: 18 September 1929 in Norwich, Connecticut. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his wife, children and grandchildren and their spouses, nephew, and place of burial.
  10. Index to marriage, death, and land records, Montville, Connecticut, Town Hall Website, file number 1954-00000169, marriage of Milford Ernest Newbury, Jr. and Muriel Edith Tefft
Third Generation
5. Mark Newbury3 (Muriel,2 Robert1). Mark married Robyn _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

6. Paul R. Newbury3 (Muriel,2 Robert1), born 23 March 1956.1 Paul married Candy _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

8. Joy Ethel Newbury3 (Muriel,2 Robert1), born 6 February 1959.1 Joy married, 28 July 1990 in Montville, New London County, Connecticut, Thomas Andrew ‘Tag’ Griffin2, 3 (born 29 July 1955, parents not determined1).

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  2. Index to marriage, death, and land records, Montville, Connecticut, Town Hall Website, file number 1990-00000124, marriage of Thomas Andrew Griffin and Joy Ethel Newbury
  3. Connecticut Marriage Index, 1959-2001, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Groom: Thomas A. Griffin, age 34. Bride: Joy E. Newbury, age 31. Marriage Date: 28 Jul 1990. Marriage Place: Montville, New London, Connecticut.