Euclid was born on October 9, 1798 in New London CT. He was the son of Euclid (Sr.)(1769-1816) and Abigail (Starr) (1775-1816). Euclid married Lucy Smith Coit,born in New London in 1801, on April 21, 1822 in New London. They had two children who died in infancy (John and Lucy) and three who survived into adulthood: (Capt.) William (1824-1877), John (1829-1888, and Richard (1838-1905).
Euclid died on March 27,1846 in Norwich CT. An article in the Peoples Advocate (Norwich CT) issue dated April 8, 1946 records his passing: ”Capt. Euclid Elliott died this morning – having been poisoned by taking corrosive sublimate through mistake. I learn that he had his reason in the last moment of life, and that his end was peace. Of course our colors are at half mast. Capt. Elliott, as you know, was formerly one or our most useful shipmasters, but for two or three years has been somewhat debilitated in body and mind. He has now gone, and, as I trust, is ere this the habitant of a better world”. Lucy died on March 9, 1883 at age 82. Euclid and Lucy are buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London
Euclid was master for one voyage of one ship with a home port in New London:
BETSEY (sometimes BETSY) (AS0979): (schooner, 118 tons, length 71’, built in Beaufort NC in 1810, registration surrendered in 1845, ship lost). BETSEY sailed for a whaling and sealing voyage to the So. Atlantic on July 31, 1832 and returned on May 8, 1834. Joseph Lawrence was the agent. AV01833. Colby lists this voyage under fur-sealing. Decker and Connecticut Ship Databases show the name of the ship as BETSY. Starbuck records a ship named BETSY sailing to the So. Atlantic in 1832 without any further information. The New London Historical Society holds the logbook for this voyage.
Euclid was issued Seamen’s Protection Certificate #5893 In New London on November 4, 1818. The certificate recited that he was then 18 years of age. There is no record of Euclid sailing as a master or crew member on other ships.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
May 2025