Edward Stanley

Edward Stanley (June 6, 1814 - April 25, 1884) was the first West Hartford representative at the General Assembly of Connecticut in 1855. He was also the owner of land that would become Buena Vista.

Life and Death
Edward Stanley was born on June 6, 1814 in West Hartford as the son of Truman Stanley (1778-1860) and Mary Ann Bramen (c. 1770's - 1867). He grew up in the old Stanley homestead, located on the north side of the old road over Selden Hill, and just west of West Lane, now Mountain Road. After attending school, he married Susan Selden (1816-1888) on June 26, 1840 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was the owner of a large farm embracing the tract of land now known as Buena Vista and many acres of woodland. Indeed, in 1840, the year of his marriage, he built a Greek Revival house at 15 Buena Vista Road. He and his wife lived there for several decades. He was a breeder of fine horses and Devonshire cattle. He was a member and strong supporter of the Congregational Church of West Hartford, and his two-horse, three-seated family wagon conveying nine people to church was a noticeable feature in the community for many years. He had the distinction of being the first person elected to the position of representative of West Hartford in the General Assembly of Connecticut in 1855, and for 24 years, he served the town as a selectman and much of the time as first selectman.

He died on April 25, 1884 in West Hartford. He left his wife, Susan Selden, a widow for four years. He also left his children:
 * Frederick Edward Stanley (Aug. 31, 1832 - May 4, 1884)
 * William Mortimer Stanley (Mar. 1841 - Sept. 28, 1852) - 11 years old
 * Everett T. Stanley (Jan. 27, 1846 - Feb. 18, 1936)
 * Mary Ida Stanley (Feb. 6, 1849 - Sept. 14, 1852) - 3 years old
 * Helen Annetta Stanley (Aug. 11, 1854 - 1930)