The Samuel Russell House, Library of Congress.
Samuel Russell House in Middletown, Connecticut. Photo, Library of Congress. Few are aware that, in 1867, Middletown’s Frances Russell donated the Gothic Revival Chapel at Indian Hill Cemetery in memory of her late husband Samuel Russell. This was their home.
Few are aware that, in 1867, Middletown's Frances Russell donated the Gothic Revival Chapel in memory of her late husband Samuel Russell. Samuel Russell was an American Entrepreneur and Trader who founded Russell & Company in Canton, China. While he was in China, Samuel's first wife Mary died, leaving their sons, George and John Russell. Mary's sister, Frances Osborne, cared for the children for several years until their father's return. When he returned to Middletown, Samuel married Frances. Later, the family increased when Samuel and Frances were blessed with a son, Samuel Wadsworth Russell.