Atwood, Stephen, 1784-ca. 1865

Stephen Atwood (1784-c. 1865) was a sheep trader in Watertown, Connecticut, during the first half of the 19th century. In 1805, he worked with Young L. Cutler, presumably learning the sheep farming business. In 1813, Atwood began to trade sheep of his own accord by purchasing his first stock of Merino sheep from Colonel David Humphreys, former minister to Spain, and he eventually became somewhat prosperous in the business. He married Ruth Bronson around the year 1815, and the couple had several children.

From the guide to the Stephen Atwood papers, Atwood, Stephen papers, 1803-1853, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)