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Family History 



IN THE UNE OF 



3^osepb Confers of 3Be6forb 



MASSACHUSETTS 



1739—1828 



JOHN JAY PUTNAM COMPILER AND EDITOR 



WORCESTER 

F. S. BLANCHARD ft COMPANY 

1897 



} 



EMENDATIONS. 



3 — For Mchitabcl read Mchitablc wherever occurring. 
32 — ^Third line from bottom, for Geo. H. Fitch read Capt. Joseph 

Fitch. 
26 — Eleventh and twenty-seventh lines from top, for Edward read 

Edmand. 
2'j — Eleventh line from top, for 1779 read 1799. 
28 — Sixteenth line from bottom, for Hall read Holt. 
30— Fourth line from bottom, before Caroline Hastings, read Jan. 

XI, 1815. 
30— Fourth line from top, for first Boston read Northfield, Mass. 
30— Thirteenth line from bottom, for Bowker read Brower. 
31 — Bottom line, read Maria C, dau. of Capt. Budd and Mary 

(Hinckley) Parsons of Bangor, Me. 
32 — ^Twelfth line from bottom, for 1835 read 1825. 
33 — Eleventh line from bottom, for Edward read Edwin. 
38 — Eleventh line from bottom, for Kataryi read Kilenyi. 
38 — ^Third line from top, after married read Sept. 25, 1862. 
38 — Fourteenth line from top, for Rutherwood read Rutherford. 
40— Twelfth line from bottom, for X — i read X — 3. 
43 — Twelfth hne from top, for 1848 read 1648. 
45 — ^Seventh line from bottom, for Kendrick read Hedrick. 
48 — Fifteenth line from bottom, for Aug. 27, 1845, read Nov. 2 7, 1849. 
51 — Fourteenth line from botttom, for 1739 read 1839. 
53 — ^Tenth line from top, for Dec. 15, 1700, read 1619 or 1629. 
55 — ^Tenth line from bottom, for Peter read Peyton. 
58 — Seventeenth line from top, for bom read borne. 
58 — Seventh and twelfth lines from bottom, for Elizabeth read Ellen 

Elizabeth. 
61 — ^Fourteenth line from top, read died Sept. 17, 1847. 
6x — Seventeenth line from top, for Elmira read Almira. 
65 — Eleventh line from top, read Julia Anna Pearson. 
65 — Seventh line from bottom, for Christine read Mary Christine. 
65 — Bottom and fourth line above, for Gronine read Grovine. 
68 — Ninth line from bottom, for Orrin read Orvin. 
90 — First line, for 1852 read 1854. 
94 — ^Tenth and twenty-first lines from bottom, for Herman read 

Heman. 






OCT 28 1903 



Bn^ mis <Ko{) put it Into mine beart to fiatbet todetber 
tbe noblcBt anb tbe rulete, anb tbe peoplCt tbat tbeis 
midbt be teclioneb bie (lenealodie. iVeAemioA. 



f nquftet f praie tbee* ot tbe fotmer afie, anb prepare 
tbi^It to tbe 0earcb ot tbdr tatbers* Jo&. 



Tnibatever britide tbe memory ot tbe paet into tbe lite 
ot tbe presents makes for patriotiemt 000b citi3enBbip» a 
fonb attacbment tor bome* anb a bidber respect tor 
Itinbreb. IF. W. Orapo. 



jfamfliee. 



Page. 
I. JOSEPH AND ELIZABETH (DAVIS) CONVERSE. 23 

a. LEVI AND BETSEY (CONVERSE) MEAD. 34 

3. JOSEPH AND LUCY (BROWN) CONVERSE. 41 

4. JEREMIAH AND SARAH (CONVERSE) GOLDSMITH. 43 

5. JOSIAH AND DEBORAH ( ) CONVERSE. 5a 

6. JAMES AND MEHITABEL (COGSWELL) CONVERSE. 53 

CHARLOTTE (WHITE) " 53 

7. WILUAM AND SARAH (HUNT) CONVERSE. 66 

8. JOHN AND MARY (CONVERSE) PUTNAM. 73 
0. JOSHUA AND JOANNA (HILDRETH) CONVERSE. 83 



fnttobuctton. 



This unpretentious book could not have been produced 
without much painstaking labor ; and that labor largely 
distributed among helpful assistants. It originated in 
the desire of a single member of the Converse Family, 
for strictly private reasons, to extend his knowledge be- 
yond his own limited branch, and learn what might be 
easily possible of other closely related groups claiming a 
common ancestry. His accumulation of material soon 
enlarged beyond expectation. Correspondents early in- 
terested themselves in the work; and from many quarters 
facts and data came, which only had to be methodically 
arranged to constitute a compendium of quite inclusive 
history. 

The genealogy of the earlier generations, in the line of 
inquiry, it was comparatively easy to obtain from printed 
town histories, court records and personal sketches in- 
terspersed in commemorative addresses. But when the 
sixth generatum was reached, which is made a dividing 
line, the acquisition of what was sought relating to the 
descendants of Joseph of Bedford^ and of these exclusively, 
necessarily involved the labor of obtaining by persistent 
inquiry, here a little and there a little, what tradition, frag- 
ments of old manuscripts, and lingering memories could 
supply from numerous household circles. It would be 
invidious to mention by name the persons who have 
most generously contributed, by their assiduous research, 



INTRODUCTION. 



to what is primarily essential in a book of this kind, 
namely, minute items drawn from obscure sources. It 
has been from inadvertence if acknowledgment of help 
thus received has not been duly made by the compiler. 

For the broadening of human sympathies, and the 
strengthening of ties of kinship, it is a happy augury of 
our time that a greatly increased interest is felt in the 
preparation and preservation of family histories. None 
of them but portray some characters that are an incite- 
ment to all the higher virtues; while the impression 
made by a larger number of members of average promi- 
nence and merit, may be that of kindliness, cheerfulness 
and patient endurance in the discharge of humble duties. 
And that one's own name may brighten the page of some 
future genealogist, will all the more become an individual 
resolve from having attention called to those of his 
ancestors whom he instinctively venerates for their real 
nobility, however slight the mark they have made in the 
world's history. 

Should any surprise be expressed that the following 
records are not complete and exact in utmost detail, one 
explanation is that such perfection would be impossible 
under existing conditions ; and another less creditable one 
is that importuning letters without number have been 
addressed to members of the family in distant localities 
begging for scraps, if not the sum total of information in 
their possession, with most disappointing results. This 
has been the hardship to which the compiler has found 
it most difficult to be reconciled. The immemorial cus- 
tom of keeping family records within the covers of the 
Bible, shows with what sacredness they have been held; 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

and the eager genealogist must not press with rude haste 
his purpose to give them wider publicity, although this 
object may, after a little thought, seem commendable. 
Genealogy is only a systematic patchwork of personal 
and family records; a gathering together of tabulated 
facts and remembered experiences drawn from private 
diaries and household memoranda; the story of bygone 
generations, from whom a rich inheritance has been 
received; and in this light it should preserve some savor 
of the sanctity that invests the tenderest relations and 
memories of domestic life. Its real province is to enlarge 
home sympathies, thence leading to wider friendships 
and fellowships, and in the end to create a relish for all 
the sweet humanities, without which passing life is drear 
and barren. Since first of all to receive assurance of 
divine favor from the angelic messenger, was Abou-Ben- 
Adhem, because he loved his fellow men^ some share of 
blessing surely remains for those who cultivate attach- 
ment to those of their own blood and lineage. 

The compiler is not unaware that his work may be 
fairly criticised as to the frequency and length of its 
sketches of personal history. A preponderating con- 
sideration has been that bare names, figures and statis- 
tics become very tiresome unless relief is afforded in 
some way ; and as in conference between relatives about 
family matters, narrative and description take a very free 
turn, so something of the same liberty and method may 
be allowed in a printed record. These notices are based 
on material offered, and always used with impartiality. 
To '' tell the story*' familiarly as by the fireside, may be 
better than overmuch reticence and stately reserve. 



^m^^auciOf ^ ^ CciufiJU/ , 



jFoteian Hncestti^^ 



Remoteness is suggestive of indefiniteness and un- 
certainty. What is far away in time or space does not 
impress one with its reality as does that which is within 
reach, or easily accessible. This applies to the tracing 
of ancestry; and while, therefore, a natural passion may 
lead to an eager hunt for the "royal line,** or a more 
chastened ambition xirge the modest purpose to run the 
generations back to the farthest possible date, lead where 
they may, the same reminder is needed of the difficulty 
of the search, and that it is quite as much as the ordinary 
inquirer can expect, to select with intelligence trusts 
worthy authorities, and confide in the results of their 
research. Even with this caution, uneasiness of mind 
will not be wholly prevented, for even specialists an- 
nounce different results. Before the links in any com- 
plete genealogical chain are finally welded, there should 
be great assurance that they will need no readjustment 
by a future historian. 

Mr. William G. Hill, of Maiden, Mass., compiler and 
editor of a distinct line of Converse genealogy, and whose 
caution and thoroughness as an investigator in this 
branch give weight to his conclusions, has kindly fur- 
nished the following Table of Pedigree, which has 
much value as outlining the order of far-back generations, 
and showing where, in their successive reach, they con- 
nect with American descendants: 

1. Rogers de CoiGNSRiESy Coigneries, France, and Durham, 

England. Bora about loio. 

2. Roger' de Coigneries, Durham, England. 

3. Roger' de Conisrs, Durham, and Sockbura, England. 



10 



ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONVERS. 



Died 1395. 

B. 1371, d. 1433- 



4. Galfkid^ Conyers, Sockburn, England. 

5. John* Conyers, Sockbum, England. 

6. Sir Humphrey* Conyers, Sockburn, England, 

7. Sir Johm^ Conyers, Sockburn, England. 

8. Roger* Conyers, Sockburn, England. 

9. Sot John* Conyers, Sockburn, England. 

10. Robert^* Conyers, Sockburn, England. 

11. JoHN^^ Conyers, Hornby, England. 

12. Sir Christopher 1' Conyers, Hornby, England. 

13. Sir John^* Conyers, Hornby, England. 

14. Sir John^^ Conyers, Hornby, England. 

15. Reginald^ ^ Conyers, Wakerly, England. Died 1514- 

16. Richard'* Conyers, Wakerly, England. 

17. Christopher^ 7 Conyers, Wakerly, England. Bapt. 1552. 

18. Edward^* Conyers, Wakerly, England. Bom 1590. 

Members of some branches of the early family, living 
in France at and about the time of the St. Bartholomew 
Massacre (1572), were avowed Huguenots, and became 
victims of the bloody persecutions inflicted by their 
Catholic adversaries. The harshest kind of religious in- 
tolerance drove many of them for refuge to England. 
The characteristic spirit of the Huguenots^— devoutness, 
independence, invincibility — kept alive for two generations 
longer, doubtless influenced the coming of their descend- 
ants to America.* Fortunately, when once here, these 
emigrants could readily affiliate with the then prevalent 
Puritanism of New England. While in exile, and thrown 
among new surroundings, they sturdily maintained their 
Christian convictions, and wrought righteousness in the 
fear of God, following methods that helped to mould 
succeeding generations after a pattern of peculiar but 
undeniable excellence. In proportion to their numbers 
they did their part in stamping the population with a 



•John Fiike states, in his " Beginnings of New England,'* that after the revo- 
cation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, 150 families of Hugenots came to Massa- 
chusetts. 



FOREIGN ANCESTRY. 11 

type of Christian civilization which was not destined to 
become a permanent model, but only modifications of 
which were necessaiy, in process of time, to make the 
New England of to-day. 

Notes. — ^The Roman numerals at the extreme left of each page, 
indicate the generation of the person against whose name it is 
placed. The Arabic numerals immediately to the right of these 
denote the order of the births of children. 

The blank leaves inserted at the end of the book are intended 
for the correction of discovered errors, and the supply of omissions 
in the text They are also, adapted to general family record. 



Zhc Immiotant JFamilie. 



I— DEACON EDWARD CONVERS; bom in Wakerly, 
County of Northampton, Eng., Jan. 30, 1590; died in 
Wobum, Mass., Aug. 10, 1663. He was the oldest of 
eight children of Christopher and Mary (Halford) Con- 
VERS; namely, Edward, 1590; Mary, 1590; John, 1593; 
Moses, 1594; Lucy, 1595; Joshua, 1596; Samuel, 1597; 
Noah, 1599. 

Deacon Edward married (probably), first, Jane Clark, 
of Theckenham, Eng., who is supposed to have died be- 

fore 161 7; second, Sarah , in England, who died 

Jan. 14, 1662; third, Joanna Sprague, Sept 19, 1662. 
She died Feb. 24, i68o. 

Ckiidnn of Edward and Sarah : 

II — I. Josiah; bom in England 1617 ; died Feb. 3, 1689; mar- 
ried, March a6, 1561, Esther Champney. 

II — a. James; bom in England i6ao; died 1715; married Oct. 
24, 1643, Anna Long, of Charlestown. 

II — 3. Mary; bom in England 1622; married, first, Simon 
Thompson ; second, John SHELtx>N, of Billerica. 

II — ^4. Samuel; baptized Jan. 12, 1637 ; married, June 8, 1660, 
Judith Carter. He died Feb. 20, 1669. His son Samuel 
was the founder of Thompson, Conn., and had numerous de- 
scendants. 

So much as may be gathered relating to this ancestral 
immigrant from the fatherland to America must begin 
with his preparations for the adventurous voyage. Him- 
self, wife and three children were of a company of some 
seven hundred bound for new homes far away from the 
familiar ones they had known, influenced mainly by long- 



DEA. EDWARD CON VERS. 13 

ings for larger liberty, both political and religious, and 
the expectation of increased material proisperity. \ AH 
things in order, they were ready to embark. Such are 
the instincts and S3mipathies of human nature that it 
would have been impossible for them to quit their native 
land and endeared friends without any emotion at parting; 
and if any farewell words were to be spoken, who but 
their leader, Governor Winthrop, could have been selected 
for the duty? Fortunately, the address on the occasion 
has been preserved; and is remarkable as showing the 
strain of ties of nativity, long associations and Christian 
brotherhood, as opposed to a new and commanding sense 
of duty, compelling, at all cost, a forward movement. 

Reverend FoAers and Brethren : 

However your charity may have met with discouragement through 
the mis-report of our intentions, or the indiscretion of some among 
us, yet we desire you will be pleased to take notice that the princi- 
pals and the body of our company esteem it an honor to call the 
church of England, from whence we rise, our dear mother, and can- 
not part from our native country, where she specially resideth, with- 
out much sadness of heart, and many tears in our eyes ; blessing God 
for the parentage and education, as members of the same body ; and 
while we have breath we shall sincerely endeavor the continuance and 
abundance of her welfare. Be pleased, therefore, reverend fathers 
and brethren, to help forward the work now in hand, which, if it 
prosper, you shall be the more glorious. It is a usual exercise of 
your charity to recommend to the prayers of your congregations the 
straits of your neighbors ; do the like for a church springing out of 
your own bowds ; pray without ceasing for us who are a weak colony 
from yourselves. \ 

The voyage, not the pleasantest, lasted about two 
months. The first harbor approached in America was 
Salem. It was near the middle of June, 1630. About 
three weeks later a party effected a landing and settle- 
ment at Charlestown, prominent among which was 
Edward Convers. It was a stirring time, and events 



i 

■ i 

14 ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONFERS. 

1 hurried. His name appears the fourth of the list of 

thirteen inhabitants. He united with the First Church 

I in Boston, whose incipient organization was in Charles- 

town, and from which he, together with his wife and 
thirty-three other members, were dismissed two years 
later to form a new body of Christian worshipers and 
workers, whose sustained vitality has caused it to be 
known under its original name to this day, as the First 
Church of Charlestown, organized Nov. 2, 1632. At the 
beginning its membership consisted of nineteen males 
and sixteen females, the same total as the withdrawals 

I ^ from the church in Boston. 

( The form of church covenant then in use was simple, 
comprehensive, and singularly free from the remotest im- 
plication or suggestion of the stem theological dogmatism 
of the period. It read as follows : 

In the name of our Lord God, and in obedience to His holy 
will and divine ordinances : 

We whose names are here written, being by His most wise and 
good providence brought together, and desirous to unite ourselves 
into one congregation and church, under our Lord Jesus Christ, our 
Head, — in such sort as becometh all those whom He hath redeemed 
and sanctified unto himself, do here, solemnly and religiously, as in 
His most holy presence, promiise and bind ourselves to walk in all 
i our ways according to the rules of the Gospel, and in all sincere con- 

\ formity to His holy ordinances, and in mutual love and respect each 

to other, so near as God shall give us grace, j^ 

Edward's activity in religious directions did not mo- 
nopolize nor exhaust his energies. As a man of affairs in 
common life he came well to the front Records show 
that he was admitted freeman in 1631, served as select- 
man from 1635 till 1640. A noted project of his, looking 
toward an increase of public conveniences in those early 
days, was the establishment, by legislative grant, of the. 
first ferry from Charlestown to Boston, on the site of 

the present Charles River Bridge, he paying forty potmds 

j 



DEA. EDWARD CONVERS. 16 

per year rental to the colony for the franchise. The 
lease was given in 1631, and among other stipulations 
was the regulation of fares by state authority. He was 
allowed "to charge two pence for fenying a single person, 
and one pence if there be two or more." This enterprise, 
which only a man of energy could have conceived, was 
under his control for several years, when his legal rights 
were surrendered for the benefit of Harvard College. It 
has been stated that this transaction was the result of an 
acquaintance between John Harvard and Edward Con- 
vers, which is made probable by the fact that the founder 
of the university was, in 1638, the owner of about 120 
acres of land in Waterfield (Charlestown Village), not far 
from the location where Convers so shortly after estab- 
lished a home. 

The name of Edward Convers next heads the list of 
seven commissioners appointed by the church to superin- 
tend the general business of settling the town of Wobum, 
previously known as " Charlestown Village." A month 
later the church voted that "full power be given to 
Edward Convers to go on with the work." An act of 
incorporation was secured Sept 27, 1642. It was, perhaps, 
the briefest on record: "Charlestown Village is called 
Woobume." Not imtil April 13, 1644, was the muncipality 
organized by the choice of required officers for the admin- 
istration of its affairs. The organization of the church 
was prior to that of the town by about three j^ears; and 
the fact that Edward Convers was then chosen one of the 
deacons, shows that he must have taken prominent part 
in the enterprise. Classing duties as sacred and secular, 
he neglected neither. He served the town on the first 
Board of Selectmen, and thereafter for nineteen successive 
years. He held a commission from the state for the trial 
of "small cases," a subordinate judicial office. In 1660 
he was deputy to the General Court; altogether an alert 
and enterprising citizen, and resolute supporter of Chris- 



16 ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONVERS. 

tian institutions; really, a typical Puritan. As character- 
ized by Champney, quoted in the New York Genealogical 
and Biographical Record by C. Crozat Converse, his ad- 
miring and grateful descendants could wish for nothing 
more eulogistic: "Prompt, clear-headed, devout, con- 
scientious, outspoken, unflinching, yet prudent; self-con- 
tained and uniform, are the adjectives which best describe 
his whole career." 

Rev. Daniel March, D. D., fourteenth minister of the 
First Congregational Church in Wobum, on the occasion 
of the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town, 
preached a sermon in which proper reference was made to 
"the little band of seven who struck out from the mother 
church in Charlestown, strong in muscle and sound in 
faith, to build new homes in the wilderness." He con- 
tinued: "So the first seven men constituting this church 
of Christ two hundred and fifty years ago, covenanted 
together in the bonds of faith and fellowship with each 
other, while the war-whoop of the savage was still heard 
in the wood, and the bears broke the stillness of the night 
with their long howl. The elders and messengers, in the 
name of the churches they represented, accepted the vows 
of the banded seven and gave them the right hand, of 
fellowship, with hearty pledges of confidence and sym- 
pathy." * ♦ ♦ "The weary fathers felflhat good work 
had been done for the new town and for all mankind that 
day. To us, seeing it from this side' of two and a half 
centuries, it is greater and better far than it could have 
seemed to them." 

The Covenant adopted at the institution of the church, 
as a declaration of obligations assumed and pledges made 
by individual members, remained unchanged until 1756, 
enduring the test of more than a century. It is given 
here as showing for what these thoroughly in earnest 
religious people were willing to band themselves together 
before God and the world, and how far the peculiarities 



DEA. EDWARD CON VERS. 



17 



of tbeir convictioiis, observances, and methods of Christian 
activity were a reflection of the times in which they lived. 

We that do assemble ourselves this day before God and His 
people in an unfeigned desire to be accepted of Him as a church of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the rule of the New Testament, 
do acknowledge ourselves to be the most tmworthy of all others to 
the performance of everything that is good, abhorring ourselves for all 
our former defilements in the worship of God, and other wayes, 
and resting only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for atonement, and 
upon the power of His grace for the guidance of oiu: whole after 
course, do here, in the name of Christ Jesus, as in the presence of 
the Lord, from the bottom of our hearts agree together, through His 
grace, to give up ourselves, first, unto the Lord Jesus as our only King, 
Priest, and Prophet, whereby to be subject to Him in all things, 
and therewith one to another, as in a church body, to walk together 
in all the ordinances of the Gospel, and in all such mutual love and 
offices thereof as toward one another in the Lord ; and all this, both 
according to the present light that the Lord hath given us, as also 
according to all further light which He shall at any time to reach out 
unto us out of the Word by the goodness of His grace ; renouncing 
also in the same Covenant all errors and schismes, and whatever by- 
ways that are contrary to the blessed rules revealed in the Gospel, 
and in particular, the inordinate love and seeking after the things of 
the world. ** Every church hath not the same for words, for they 
are not for a form of words." 

Before the close of the year Thomas Carter had been 
secured as the first minister of the church. The cere- 
mony of his ordination was according to the primitive 
Congregational usage, and would be noticeable in these 
days for its unconventionality and simplicity. Two private 
members, in the name of the rest, rose up reverently, 
stepped forward, and laid their hands upon his head, 
solemnly sapng, "We ordain thee, Thomas Carter, to be 
pastor unto this chmrch of Christ." A church formed, 
and a pastor inducted into office over it, perhaps no mem- 
ber was more to be congratulated than Deacon Edward 
Con VERS, who was conspicuous at every stage of its history. 



18 ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONVERS. 

One thing additional. Where and how was this sturdy 
Puritan pioneer, of whom the foregoing is related, work- 
ing every day wisely and strenuously for material im- 
provements and religious objects; moulding things for 
orderly government and Christian privileges, — where did 
he meet his family at nightfall, converse about matters of 
domestic interest, join in home worship as he was wont, 
and retire for needed rest from the weariness of daily 
activity? Curiosity would follow him to' his primitive 
abode, only eight or ten miles from the metropolis of 
New England, and within a circle that now includes so 
large a number of palatial residences. There this master 
of enterprises built the first house within the (then) terri- 
tory of Wobum. No sooner finished than, on Jan. 4, 
1640 (O. S.), a group of settlers around met for the pur- 
pose of congratulation, and such festivity as could be 
toned with pious sentiment The location can now be 
visited and identified on Main Street in the town of Win- 
chester. 

The dimensions of the habitation are known : Thirty- 
five feet by thirty. There were nineteen windows and 
one hundred and forty feet of glass. The style of archi- 
tecture conformed to the times, presenting two stories in 
front and one in the rear. Its valuation was six hundred 
and fifty dollars. On the opposite side of the road was 
the •• Corners Mill,'' equally historic with the house. The 
latter was occupied by the descendants of Edward for 
several generations. In 1774 it became the property of 
Mr. Abel Richardson. ) A picture of the house has been 
produced, from description, as it appeared in 1798. No 
traces of it remained later than 1841, except in print and 
memory. 

n— LIEUT. JAMES {Edward)\ second son of Edward; 
emigrated from England with his fa ^br; bom 1620; died 
May 10, 171 5; married, first, Oct 24, 1643, Anna, daugh- 




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LIEUT. JAMES CONVEES. 19 

ter of Robert Long, of Charlestown. She died Aug. 
ID, 1691. Married, second, in 1692, Anna (Sparhawk) 
Cooper, widow of Deacon John, and daughter of Deacon 
Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Cambridge. 

Children of James and Anna: 

III — I. Anna; born July 15, 1644; died Jan. 30, 1645. 
Ill — 3. James; bom Nov. 16, 1645 ; died July 8, 1706. 
Ill — 3. Deborah; bom July 25, 1647; manried John Pierce 

July I, 1663. 
Ill — ^4. Sarah; bom April 21, 1649. 

Ill — ^5. Rebecca; bora May 15, 1651 ; married Enoch More. 
Ill — 6. Lydia; bom March 8, 1653; died May 20, 1655. 
Ill — 7. Edward; bom Feb, 27, 1655 ; married Sarah Stone; died 

July 26, 1692. 
Ill — 8. Mary; bom Dec. 29, 1656; married Nathaniel Davis 

1676. 
Ill — 9. Abigail; bom Oct 13, 1658; married Jonathan Ket- 

TBLL^ died 1690. 
Ill — 10. Ruth ; bom Feb. 12, 1661 ; married Philemon Dean. 

James was sergeant, 1658 to 1672; ensign, 1672 to 
1688; lieutenant, 1688 to 171 $> under which commission 
he served in the Wobum Company in garrison of King 
Philip's war, Wobum, Mass. He was deputy to General 
Court, Mass. Bay Colony, 1679, 1683, '84, '85, '86 and 
1689. 

m— MAJOR JAMES (James, Edward) \ first son, second 
child of James; bom in Wobum Nov. 16, 1645; died 
July 8, 1706; married J^. i, 1668, Hannah Carter, 
bom Jan. 19, 1650; died Aug. 10, 1691. 

Children of James and Hannah : * 

rv — I. James; bora Sept 5, 1670. 

IV — 2. John; bom Aug. 22, 1673. 

IV — 3. Elizabeth; bora April 20, 1675 > died July 27, 1694. 

rv — ^4. Robert; bora Dec. 29, 1677 ; died July 20, 1736. 

IV — 5. Hannah; bom June 12, 1680. 



20 ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONVERS. 

IV — 6. Josiah; born May 24, 1683 ; died early. 

r\^ — 7. JosuH (again) ; Sept 12, 1684. 

IV — 8. Patience; born Nov. 6, 1686; died July 23, 1707. 

IV — 9. Ebenezer; born Dec. 16, 1688; died early. 

Major James earned distinction both in civil and 
military affairs. He was deputy to the General Court 
five tenns, 1679-92; elected speaker of the House 1699, 
1702-03; commander at defense of Storer*s Garrison at 
Wells 1691-92, for efficiency in which service he was 
promoted to the rank of major, and placed in charge of 
all the military forces of Massachusetts in Maine. 

An attempt was made in June, 1692, to avert by con- 
ference and agreement an impending conflict. This 
peaceful measure failed on account of the treachery of 
the enemies of the colony. It was at once followed by* 
events that showed with what skill and bravery Captain 
Convers conducted operations at the post to which he had 
been assigned. The force under his command at the 
time consisted of fifteen men in garrison, and about an 
equal number aboard sloops in the adjacent river. In 
view of the approaching contest, Captain Convers ordered 
his men to be sure of their aim, which was so far obeyed 
that the discharge of their artillery was followed by great 
destruction among the enemy. Many were killed, and 
many fled for their lives. 

The assaulting forces, numbering from three to five 
hundred, commanded by the Frenchman, Labocree, and 
by Moxus, Madocawando, Egeremet, and other Indian 
sachems, were concealed as much as possible in hiding 
places. Their chief aim was to "get the dog, Convers," 
against whom they had uttered savage threats, and as 
many of his men as possible. Failing to accomplish 
either of these purposes, their wrath was vented upon 
the cattle in the fields, and upon one human victim, a 
helpless captive. Labocree, their chief commander, was 
among the slain, and all the dead were left behind. In 



JOHN CONVERS. 21 

the ganison, and wherever the report of the victory 
spread throughout the country, the rejoicing was great. 
In its proportions of men engaged, strategic move- 
ments, duration of contest, and all that relates to the 
science and destructiveness of modem warfare, its rating 
is not high; but the courage and determination with 
which it was won equaled that displayed by the trained 
armies of the world, whose triumphs are celebrated with 
tmbounded enthusiasm. 

In further recognition of the distinguished service 
rendered the colony by Major Convers, several grants of 
land were bestowed upon his heirs. Among these was 
one of four hundred acres located in the town of Ash- 
burnham, Mass., '' on condition that within five years the 
petitioners settle two families on the granted premises, 
each of which to have an house eighteen feet square and 
seven feet stud, at the least, and four acres each brought 
to and plowed, or stocked with English grass fitted for 
mowing." This land was surveyed by Joseph Wilder in 
May, and the title confirmed by the General Court, June 
lo, 1735. See Sew«irs His. of Wobum, p. 178-183. 
His. of Ashbumham, by Steams, 1887. 

The residence of Major Convers was a short distance 
east of Winter Pond in the present town of Winchester. 

Note. — ^Any male person above the age of twenty-one yeais who 
is a lineal descendant from either Deacon Edward, Lieutenant, or 
Major James Convers, is eligible to membership of Societies of 
Colonial Wars. 

rV — JOHN {Janus, Jatnes^ Edward); second son of Major 
James; bom in Wobum Aug. 22, 1673; died Jan. 6, 
1708; married, May 22, 1699, Abigail Sawyer, daughter 
of Joshua Sawyer of Wobum; bom March 17, 1679, She 
married, second, Nov. 29, 1720, John Vinton. 

Children of John and Abigail: 

V — I. James; bom Feb. 26, 1700; died 1752. 
3 



22 ANCESTORS OF JOSEPH CONVERS. 

V-^2. John; born Feb, 3, 1701. 
V — ^3. Joshua; bom Jan. 3, 1704. 

V — ^4. Abigail; born , 1705. 

V — ^5. Patixhce; bom May i, 1707. 
V — 6. Josiah. 

V— JOSHUA {John, Javies, Janus, Edward)\ the third 
son of John; bom in Wobum Jan. 3, 1704; married, 
July 31, 1729, Rachel, daughter of Joseph and Abiah 
(Hassel) Blanchard of Dunstable; bom March 23, 171 2; 
died 1801. 

Children 0/ Joshua and Rachel: 

VI — I. Joseph; bom Nov. 13, 1739; died Feb. 16, 1828; settled 

in Bedford, Mass. 
VI — 2. Jessb; bom Dec. 31, 1741. Not traced. 
VI — 3. Zebulon ; bom March 21, 1744; settled in Rindge, N. H. 

See Steams' His. of Rindge. 

At the time of his marriage Joshua was a resident of 
Dunstable. Ten years later he settled in that part of 
the town of Merrimac known as Naticook, or Litchfield. . 
After the incorporation of Merrimac, about 1746, the 
records relating to the Naticook district were deposited 
in Litchfield. These records show that Joshua Convers 
was chosen moderator of the town meetings in 1 740 and 
1741 ; also chosen selectman on the last named date. The 
records further show that on Jan. 1 1, 1741 ; May 18, 1741 ; 
Nov. 24, 1 741, and Dec. 29, 1 741, "Joshua Convers was sent 
to Portsmouth to the Great and Grand Court with a peti- 
tion," presumably relating to the division of the towns, 
which was effected five years later. In 1744 Joshua was 
drowned in the Merrimac river. His estate amounted to 
1,205 potmds, 14 shillings, 4 pence. 

Rachel Eland^rd Convers was married three times; 
second, to ^S^f^ps^ FrrcH; third, to John Page. Her 
brother, Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable, was a promi- 
nent man in the early part of the i8th century. 



JOSEPH CONVERS OF BEDFORD. 23 

VI— JOSEPH {^Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)\ the 
first son of Joshua; bom in Merrimack, N. H. (now Litch- 
field), Nov. 13, 1739; married. May 27, 1762, Elizabeth 
Davis, bom 1742. Resided many years in Bedford, 
Mass., where his ten children were bom. Removed to 
Chesterfield, N. H., in 1794 or 1795, where he died Feb. 
16, 1828. His wife died Aug. 10, 1817. 

The residence of the family in Chesterfield was on an 
eminence one-half mile north of the village. The estate 
was purchased of its former occupant, Nathaniel Brigham. 
The Convers family burial ground was a part of the farm, 
and is pleasantly located near the main road. 

Joseph was an industrious and useful citizen in Bed- 
ford, and served the town in various functions. Bom in 
New Hampshire, and returning to his native state at the 
age of fifty-five, his connection with Bedford was severed 
a little past middle life. 

The following Certificate tells authentically of milu 
tar y heroism; — an inspired passion that had to do with 
the founding of the American government 



Commonwealtb ot AassacbusettB* 

REvoumoNARY War Service. 
Joseph Convars: Appears with rank of Sergeant on Lexington 
Alarm Roll of Capt. John Moore's Co., which marched on the 
alarm of April 19, ^7759 from Bedford. Service, 4 dajs. 
Residence, Bedford. 
Joseph Convars : Appears among a list of men from Bedford as 
Sergeant in Col. Baldwin's Regt. 
/ certify the foregoing to be true abstracts from the Record Index 
to the Revolutionary War Archives deposited in this office. 
Witness seed of the Commonwealth. 

Wm. M. Oun, Secretary. 



In the collection of relics exhibited at the centennial 
celebration at Concord, 1875, was a sword of Lieutenant 
Davis, of the Bedford militia, worn by him at North Bridge. 



24 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Where the second lieutenant of the company was, the 
first sergeant may be supposed to have been ; and the 
descendants of an ancestor who took part in that engage- 
ment may well note the circumstance with patriotic 
pride. It was there the shot was fired '' heard 'round the 
world." The " embattled farmers," unskilled in warfare, 
but bold for freedom, near their homesteads and firesides 
won the first of the victories that led to national inde- 
pendence. 

Norro. — ^All lineal descendants of Joseph Convers are eligible to 
membership of the Societies of the Sons or Daughters of the Revo- 
lution, now doing so much to awaken a true patriotic feeling through- 
out the country. 

Children of Joseph and Elizabeth Convers : 

VII — X. Betsey; bom March 7, 1763; died Dec. 4, 1842. 
VII — s. Joseph; born Jan. 26, 1765 ; died Sept. 4, 1841. 
VII — 3. Sarah; bom May 4, 1767; died March 2, 1849. 
VII — 4. J06IAH; bom May 10, 1769; died Nov. 20, 1827. 
VII — 5. James; bom July 26, 1772; died Jan. 14, 1839. 
VII — 6. Wbluam; bom Oct 12, 1774 ; died Dec. 3I1 1831. 
VII — 7. Mary; bom July 13,1777; died Sept. 4, 1853. 

VII — 8. Thaddeus; bom Sept. 26, 1779 ; died ^ 1788. 

VII — 9. Joshua; bora Aug. 19, 1786; died Sept. 4, 1833. 
VII*-io. John; born April 2, ; died four days after, 

VII— I. BETSEY {Joseph, Joshua, John, James, James 
Edward); bom in Bedford, Mass., March 7, 1763; died 
Dec. 4, 1842; married, in Boston, Sept 16, 17.82, Levi 
Mead, of Lexington, Mass., Rev. Dr. Parker of Trinity 
Church officiating at the ceremony. 

The immigrant ancestor of the Mead fiBimily to New England was 
Gabriel (1587-1666), and the date of his arrival not &r from 1635. 
He settled in Dorchester, Mass., and was made Freeman May s, 
1638. His will, made in 1654, makes mention of four daughters 
and two sons, Israel and DAvm. The date of DAvm's birth does 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 25 

not appear, but he married Hannah Warren of Watertown, Mass. 
Sept. 34, 1675, by whom he had six children, one of whom was 
David. This second David (167 8- 1767) married in 1708 Hannah 
Smith, and settled in Watertown. Matthew, a son of David second, 
born Aug. 9, 17171 married, Jan. 24, 1754, Martha Danforth, of 
Billerica, Mass., who died Aug. 8, 1792. He died April i, 1796. 
Matthew resided in Lexington. 

Levi Mead, son of Matthew, resided in his native 
town, occupying the historic mansion of his father till 
his removal, with his family, in the spring of 1801, to 
Chesterfield, N. H. On the memorable 19th of April, 
1775, he witnessed the approach of the British soldiers 
on their destructive and murderous raid; felt the thrill 
of alarm which agitated the whole rural population; saw 
armed men enter his own home only to ravage and fire 
the place; and worst of all, he was in full view of the 
flash of the guns before whose deadly shots the yeoman 
patriots fell. 

There is on record a deposition of young Mead and an 
associate, taken by authority of the Provincial Congress, 
on the 25th of April, 1775, which soberly tells of the hor- 
rors of the beginning of the War of the Revolution. It 
read thus: 

<'We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington, in 
the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England, and of lawful age, do testify and declare that on the morn- 
ing of the nineteenth of April, being on Lexington Common, as 
spectators, we saw a large body of regular troops marching up 
towards the Lexington company; and some of the regulars on 
horses, whom we took to be officers, fired a pistol or two on the 
Lexington company, which was then dispersing. These were the 
, first guns that were fired ; and they were immediately followed by 
several volleys from the regulars, by which eight men belonging to 
said company were killed, and several wounded." This deposition 
seems to be in evidence as showing where the first blood was shed 
in the struggle for American independence. 



26 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Family tradition accords to the youthful Mead the 
glory of joining the Americans in their pursuit of the 
British toward Concord, as "a powder-horn bearer." It 
could have been predicted that one so resolute and heroic 
would have some part in the struggle for national inde- 
pendence then sure to follow. Accordingly he has a 
record as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, first as 
serving in the Ninth Campaign, December, 1776; three 
months to Boston, and one to Dorchester. Again his 
name appears with fourteen other Lexington men, in the 
company of Edward Monroe, of the same town, who in 
1777, Jan. I, was commissioned captain in Col. Timothy 
Bigelow's regiment, being the 15 th Regiment of the 
Massachusetts Line, then forming in Worcester County. 
The endurance and heroism of the officers and privates 
of this ever-to-be-honored regiment, make a thrilling 
passage in the story of the Revolution. 

A grandson, Dr. William B. Mead, of Providence, has 
furnished the following certified copy of his ancestor's 
military record from the State Archives at Boston: 

Levi Mead appears among a list of men in Capt. Charles -Miles' 
Co., Col. Jonathan Reed's Regt, Dec. 20, 1776, to Ticonderoga. 
Reported discharged. 

Levi Mead, Private, Capt. Caleb Brooks' Co., Col. Dikes' Regt.; 
in service Dec., 1776, to Feb., 1777, three months, guarding stores 
in Boston. 

Levi Mead, Private and Sergeant, Capt. Edward Monroe's Co., 
Col. Timothy Bigelow's Regt., in the Continental Line, three years, 
1 77 7-1 780. [Was with Gates in the Northern Army, and under 
Washington in the Jerseys, and passed the winter at Valley Forge. 
— W. B. M.] 

Levi Mead, Sergeant, Captain Bowman, Colonel Bigelow, Jan. i, 
1780, to March 10, 1780. 

Levi Mead, Private, Captain Abraham Andrews' Co., Col. Cy- 
prian How's Regt., July 27, 1780, to Oct. 30, 1780. Middlesex 
Co. Regt. 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 27 

Levi, after removing to Chesterfield, as before stated, 
occupied a farm in the Center Village; built a well-known 
tavern; was many years deputy sheriff for the County; 
died April 29, 1828, and was buried with Masonic honors. 

Children of Levi and Betsey: 

VIII — I. Levi; bom Jan. 6, 1784. 

VIII — 2. Joseph; bom Aug. 17, 1785. 

VIII — 3. James; bom Aug. 4, 1788. 

VIII — ^4. Bradley; bom May 26, 1792. 

VIII — ^5. Larkin Goldsbiith; bom Oct. 2, 1795. 

VIII— 6. EuAS; bom March 7, 1779. 

VIII — 7. Marshall Spring; bom June 4, 1802. 

VIII — 8. Betsey Raymond; bom Oct 18, 1805. 

Vin — I. LEVI (Betsey^ Joseph^ Joshua^ John^ Javus^ 
/ames^ Edward)\ bom in Lexington, Mass., Jan. 6, 1784; 
married, Feb. 17, 1805, Lemira, daughter of Rufus Har- 
VEY of Chesterfield. He died March 5, 1861; his wife 
died a year later, May 10, 1862. They removed to Chico- 
pee, Mass., in 1829. 

Children of Levi and Lemira : 

IX — X. CHARLorTE; bom April 10, 1808. 
IX — 2. Caroline F.; bom Jan. 189 1810. 
IX — 3. Emelinb; bom Jan. 269 1812. 
IX — 4. Martha C; bom May 29, 1813. 
IX — 5. Almira; bom Jan. 12, 1815. 
IX — 6. Charles W. ; bom July 4» 1816. 
IX — 7. Marshall B.; bom Aug. 25, 181 8. 
IX — 8. Adbua E.; bom Nov. 21, 1819. 
IX — 9. Sally Maria; bom April 11, 1823. 
IX — 10. Rhoda Ann; bom April 10, 1825. 
IX — II. Larkin G.; bom April 6, 1827. 

EK— I . CHARLOTTE {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Janus, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield April 10, 
1808; married, Oct. 3, 1835, Edward Cooley of Chico- 
pee; died Aug. 30, 1857. 



28 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— 2. CAROLINE P. {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Janus, James, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield Jan. 
18, 1 8 10; married, September, 1855, Augustus Brown 
of Lancaster, Pa.; died Nov. 29, 1888. 

IX— 3. BMELINE {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield Jan. 26, 
181 2; married, Feb. 5, 1836, Samuel C. Dennis of Con- 
cord, Mass. 

Children of Samuel and EtneKne : 

X — I. WiLUAM Dennis; bom April 26, 1837; married, Sept. 27, 
1868, Sarah Arnold Rhodes of Providence, R. I. He joined 
the First Rhode Island Regiment, and was wounded at the first 
battle of Bull Run ; graduated at Baltimore College of Dental 
Surgery; practiced many years in Providence; died July 18, 
1877. 

X — 2. Fannie C. ; bom Dec. 16, 1838; married, Feb. 23, 1880, 
Charles T. Hall of Brooklyn, N. Y., where they reside. 

IX— 4. MARTHA C. {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward) \ bom in Chesterfield May 29, 1813 ; 
married, Nov. 25, 1832, William Miller of Chicopee, an 
inventor, who died in Boston Nov. 12, 1884. 

Children of William and Martha. 

X — I. WirxiAM George; bom Oct. 7, 1833; ^^^^ June 27, 1843. 
X — 2. Charles Marshall; bom Dec. 23, 1839; died March 10, 

1843- 
X — 3. George M.; bom March 23, 1843 ; Custom House, Boston. 

IX— 5* ALMIRA {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward); bom in Chesterfield Jan. 12, 
181 5; married, Dec. 12, 1839, Capt. Nathaniel Cutler 
of Chicopee; died March 30, 1880. 

IX— 6. CHARLES W. {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield July 4, 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 29 

i8i6; married, Sept. 25, 1844, Clementine Thompson of 
Maine; died Nov. 6, 1853. 

EK— 7. MARSHALL B. (Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward) \ born in Chesterfield Aug. 25, 
1818; married, May 14, 1844, Martha A. Emmes of Provi- 
dence, where Dr. Mead was long established as a practic- 
ing dentist. He died July i, 1879. 

Childrtn of Marshall and Martha : 

X — I. Annie Case; bom Jan. 24, 1846; married, Sept. 29, 1864, 
George T. Lane of Troy, N. Y., where they reside. 

X — 2. Marshall B. ; bom Dec. 18, 1847; married, Nov. 9, 1891, 
Helen Sedgewick of New York city. For many years a broker 
in Providence. 

EK— 8. ADELIA E- (Jjevi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Janus, Edward); bom in Chesterfield Nov. 21, 
1 8 19; married, first, May 7, 1842, George M. South- 
worth of Springfield, Mass.; died Sept 23, 1851 ; second, 
Dec. 23, 1856, William Ball of Chicopee. 

EK— 9. SALLY MARIA {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield April 
II, 1823; married, first, July 29, 1840, Azel Sherman 
of Chicopee; second, Dec. 11, 1847, Lucius J, Heath. 

Children qf SaUy Maria^ Azel and Lucius : 

X — I. Harris L. Sherman ; bom Dec. 29, 1842 ; married, Dec. 25, 

1884, Amelia W. Sawyer. 
X — 2. Jenny Lind Heath ; bom Sept. 30, 1850 ; died Dec. 27, 1871. 
X — ^3. Edward ]• Heath; bom March 3, 1852 ; died Aug. 2, 1891. 

EK— 10. RHODA AITN {Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Josltua, 
John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield April 10, 
1825 ; married, Jan. 25, 1845, Philip Case of Providence. 

Child of Philip and Rhoda: 

X— I. Philip; bom May 16, 1847. 



80 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— II. LARKIN G. (Levi, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Janus, Edwara); bom in Chesterfield April 6, 1827 ; 
married, Nov. 6, 1854, Hope R., daughter of Dr. Marshall 
S. Mead of Boston. Dentist in Boston; also served as 
assistant surgeon in the War of the Rebellion. 

Chihf of Larkin and Hope : 

X — I. Marshall Spring; born Sept 22, 1857; married, Dec. 12, 
1882, AucE M. Banks of Northfield. Druggist in Attleboro. 

Vm— 2. JOSEPH {Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jafnes, 
Janus, Edwardy, bom in Lexington, Mass., Aug. 17, 1785 ; 
married, March 10, 181 2, Lvdia Farwell, daughter of 
Levi Farwell of Chesterfield, bom June 16, 1785; died 
Feb. 24, 1866. He died Feb. 19, 1838. 

Joseph removed to Sacketfs Harbor, N. Y., in 1812; 
practiced medicine there, and afterwards in Middleburg 
and Catskill, N. Y., finally locating in Troy. 

Children of Joseph and Lydia : 

IX — I. Angeuca; bom Sept 6, 1813 ; died young. 

IX — 2. Jane D. ; bom Oct 14, t8i6; married, 1833, Jereboah 

BowKER of New York ; residence in Lansingburg. 
IX — 3. Elizabeth C. ; bora March 14, 1821 ; married Jacob Spone 

ofTroy,N.Y. 

Vni— 3. JAMES {Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jatnes, 
James, Edward)\ bom in Lexington Aug. 4, 1788; mar- 
ried Vellonia, daughter of Nathan and Nancy (Day) 
Farwell of Chesterfield, N. H., bom June 27, 1800. 

Vni— 4. VRkDlXY {Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
James, Edward)-, bom in Lexington May 26, 1792; mar- 
ried, first, Charlotte Hastings of Chesterfield, N. H., 
bom March 24, 1796; died April 29, 1841. Married, sec- 
ond, Jan. 31, 1844, widow Sarah W. Jones, who died 
Feb. 13, 1856. 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 81 

Bradley was a farmer; also raised and purchased fine 
cattle for the Brighton Market. In 1 8 14 he was lieuten- 
ant in Capt. Reuben Marsh's company of detached militia, 
stationed at Portsmouth, and afterwards commissioned 
captain. He died in Providence, R, I., Nov. i, 1871. 

Children of Bradley and Charlotte: 

IX — I. George Larkin; boro May 18, 1816. 
IX — 2. CoRNELU Maria; bora Dec. 23, 1818. 
IX — 3. Charlotte Helen; bom Oct 13, 1820. 
IX — ^4. William Bradley; bom Jan. 2, 1823. 
IX — 5. JohnSargeant; bom Feb. 13, 1825. 
IX — 6. Mary Elizabeth ; bora Sept. i, 1830. 
IX — 7. Frances Euza; bom Jan. 9, 1833. 

Children of Bradley and Sarah: 

IX — I. George Jones; bom Nov. 13, 1844. 
IX — 2. Anna Maria; bom Oct 26, 1847. 
IX — 3. Edwin Doak; bom Sept 29, 1849. 
IX — ^4. Nellie Jane; bom July 5, 1854. 

EC— z. GEORGE LASEIH; son of Bradley and Char- 
lotte, bom in Chesterfield, N. H., May 18, 18 16; died Aug. 
30, 1 841. 

IX— 2. CORNELIA MARIA; daughter of Bradley and 
Charlotte; bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Dec. 23, 1818; died 
May 5, 1839. 

IX— 3. CHARLOTTE HELEN {Bradley, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, Jafnes, Edward) \ bom in Chesterfield, 
N. H., Oct 13, 1820; married, Sept. 9, 1844, Elijah Wil- 
LARD of Winchester, N. H.; died May 28, 1859. 

IX— 4. WILLIAM BRADLEY {Bradley, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield, 
N. H., Jan. 2, 1823; married, first, Aug, 24, 1852, at 
Oconomewoc, Wis., Maria C, daughter of Captain and 



82 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Mary (Hinkley) Parsons Budd of Bangor, Me., who died 
at Providence, R. L, May 25, 1887. Married, second, Nov. 
30, 1889, Abbie L. Hobbs, daughter of Hon. James H. 
Famuni, Oxford Co., Me. 

Dr. Mead studied medicine under Dr. Amos Twitchell 
of Keene, N. H., and in 1844 entered the office of Dr. 
Marshall B. Mead of Providence, then a leading dentist 
of the city. After a prolonged residence in the West, he 
returned to Providence in 1869, where he still pursues his 
profession. He has found time to accumulate a large 
amount of material relating to the Mead and Converse 
family histories; and is still eager in the same search. 
The stores which are the fruit of his untiring research are 
not made a strictly private possession ; so far from this, 
the compiler of this book gratefully bears witness to his 
prompt and willing contributions in instances that cannot 
be recorded. He earlier sketched the Mead family record 
for the history of his native town in a most satisfactory 
manner. 

EK— 5. JOWRSi^Qi&KST {Bradley, Betsey, Joseph Joshua, 
John, Janus, Janus, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield, N. H., 
Feb. 13, 1835 ; married, March 1 1, 1846, Caroline P. WiL- 
LARD of Winchester, N. H., where he resided until 1856, 
when he removed to Milford, Mass., where he has been 
honored with numerous offices of public trust. 

Children oj John and Caroline: 

X — I. Sarah Euza; bom Dec. 19, 1846 ; died July 9, 1859. 

X — 2. Edward Bradley; bom Sept. 10, 1848. 

X — 3. CoRNEUA Maru; bom April 30, 1852 ; died Jan. 24, 1859. 

X — ^4. John Larkin; bom March 2i» 1854. 

X — 5. Carrie Willard; born Nov. 27, 1857. 

EC— 6. MARY ELIZABETH {Bradley, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward); bom in Chesterfield, 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 88 

N. H., Sept. I, 1830; died July 11, 1878; married, Feb. 4, 
185 1, Henry O. Coolidge, who died Feb. 29, 1896. 

Child of Henry and Mary: 

X — I. Helen Cooudge ; born July 27, 1854 ; died July 5, 1868. 

EK— 7. FRANCES ELIZA (^Bradley, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, Janies, Edward) \ bom in Chesterfield 
Jan. 9, 1833; married, April 4, 1854, George, son of Fran- 
cis Henry. 

Children of George and Frances: 

X — I. William Francis; bom Aug. 12, 1854; died April 16, i88x. 

X — 3. Ellen Pamelu; bom Feb. 6, 1856. 

X — 3. Mary Eliza; bom April 30, 1857. 

X — ^4. John Charles; bom March 25, 1859 ; married Maria Cum- 

lONGS June II, 1885. Three children : Ruth Chapin, Willard 

FRANOSy Norman Saroeant. 
X — ^5. FRANCES EsTELLB ; bom Not. 17, 1861. 
X — 6. Jennie Mabel; bom March 23, 1863. 

EC— 8. GEORGE ySSE& {^Bradley, Betsey, Joseph, Joslma, 
John, Janus, Janus, Edward); son of Bradley and Sarah; 
bom Nov. 13, 1844; married, March 21, 1871, Anna M. 
WiLHELM of Mishawaka, Ind. Dentist in Erie, Pa. 

Children of George and Anna: 

X— I. Edward Bradley; bom June 30, 1875 ; ^ student of archi- 
tecture (1897) in Mass. Institute of Technology. 

X — 2. George Wilhelm; bom March 6, 1878; died March 20, 
1879. 

EC— 9. ANITA MARIA; daughter of Bradley and Sarah; 
bom Oct 26, 1847. 

EK— 10. EDWnr DOAK {Bradley, Betseys, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Janus, James, Edward); son of Bradley and Sarah, 
bom Sept. 29, 1849. 

In 1866 Edwin entered the publishing house of Ticknor 
& Field, Boston, where he remained nine years. He went 



34 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

abroad in 1875, and during an absence of four years he 
was chiefly engaged in study at the Universities of Cam- 
bridge and Leipsic. Since 1879 he has been principally 
occupied in lecturing and various literary pursuits; 
Among his publications that have won him reputation 
are the " Philosophy of Carlyle," and " Martin Luther ; A 
Study of the Reformation." He is now (1897) editor of 
the New Englatid Magazine^ in which position his schol- 
arly resources and accomplishments are made apparent. 

IZ— II. HELLIE JANE; daughter of Bradley and 
Sarah; bom July 5, 1854; died May 19, 1872. 

Vm— 5. LARKIN GOLDSMITH {Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Jaines, Edward); bom in Lexington, Mass., 
Oct. 2, 1795; married, June 8, 1829, Mary Jane, daugh- 
ter of Hon. John and Polly (Hayes) Noyes of Putney, Vt. ; 
bom Sept. 16, 1806. 

The descent of this branch of the Noyes family is thus : i • Rsv. 
WiujAM Noyes, Rector at Choulderton, Wiltshire, Eng., from 1602 
to 162 X. 2. Nicholas; bom in Wiltshire, Eng., 1614 ; emigrated 
in 1634 ; settled in Salisbury, Mass. ; married Mary Cutting ; died 
Nov. 33, 1 701. 3* James ; born at Amesbury May 16, 1657 ; mar- 
ried, March 31, 1684, Hannah Knight; died 1723. 4. Joseph; 
bom Sept. 20, x6S6; married Martha Clark. 5. Humphrey; 
bom 1718 at Atkinson, N. H. ; married Elizabeth LriTLB; died 
May 31, 1790. 6. John; bom April 3, 1764; married Polly 
Hayes. 

Mr. Mead was long a resident of Chesterfield, N. H. ; 
a student in early life in the academy located there, which 
at the time held a prominent rank among the educational 
institutions of the State ; later a graduate from Dartmouth 
College. After finishing his collegiate course, he studied 
law, and was admitted to the Cheshire County Bar. Out- 
side of his professional duties, his good citizenship was 
shown in his conscientious support of sound learning, 






THE MEAD FAMILY. 36 

pure morals and Christian institutions. About 1840 he 
removed to Brattleboro, Vt., and there, aside from his 
legal practice, accepted the position of Treasurer of the 
Vermont Savings Bank, one of the earliest chartered in- 
stitutions in the State. He was honored by election to 
the State Senate. 

Children of Larkin G. and Mary Jam : 

IX— I. John Noyes; bom April 2, 1831. 

IX— 3. Charles Levi; bora Jan. 21, 1833. 

IX — 3. Larkin Goldsmith; bom Jan. 3, 1835. 

IX — ^4. Elinor Gertrude; bom May i^ 1837. 

IX — 5. Albert; bora March 18, 1840. 

IX— 6. Joanna Elizabeth; bom March 30^ 1842. 

IX — 7. Mary Noyes; bom June 6, 1844. 

IX — 8. WiLUAM Rutherford; bora Aug. 20, 1846. 

IX — 9. Frederick Goodhue; bom March 19, 1848. 

IZ— X. JOHN HOYES {Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Ja^nes, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield, N. H., 
April 2, 1 83 1 ; died Aug. 15, 1850. He was a member of 
the senior class in Harvard College at the time of his 
death. While in Cambridge young Mead drew three 
picture sketches of college life, which were received with 
unusual appreciation by fellow students and outside 
friends, who saw in them foregleams of artistic genius. 
The compiler has preserved his copies for nearly half a 
century, and begs indulgence for imperfectly describing 
the series. The first represents a fine-featured, home-bred 
Freshman, alone late at night in his modestly furnished 
room, very seriously engaged in study by lamplight, his 
finger following the lines on the page, while on the table 
before him lies an unfinished letter addressed to ''Dear 
Mother** The hour, as shown by the clock on the wall, 
verges on midnight. The second picture represents the 
study-room of a Sophoffwre. On the mantel and walls are 
statuettes and pictures, not all without questionable sug- 



86 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

gestion; on the table are shown a variety of theatrical 
programs and sporting equipments, while the occupant 
is in a standing posture lighting a cigar, in full dress for 
some entertainment or social occasion. The decorations 
of the Junwrs' room include fencing-foils, boxing-gloves, 
fancy pipes, and other paraphernalia. A flute lies on the 
table, indicating musical tastes. His aspect is grave, as 
if the thought of a forthcoming forensic had turned his 
mind from favorite diversions, the whole appearance in. 
dicating advanced maturity. Inevitably the series was 
left unfinished. 

IX— 2. CHARLES LEVI {Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Janus, James, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield, N. H,, 
Jan. 21, 1833; tnarried, May 12, 1864, Isabella Sophia 
Martin of Walpole, N. H., bom April 29, 1842. He is 
the managing officer of the Stanley Rule Co. of New 
Britain, Conn., residing in New York City. 

Children of Charles and Isabella: 

X — I. Albert; bom in Brattleboro^ Vt.^ March 10, 1865 ; died in 

New Britain, Conn.| Feb. 12, 1871. 
X — 2. Kathekine Lois ; bom in New Britabi Conn., March 5, 1869 ; 

is a graduate of Smith CoUege, Northamptoii, Mass., in the 

class of 1891. 
X — ^3. Larkin Goldsmith; bom in New Britain, Conn., June 39, 

1874 ; a senior (1896) in Yale College. 
X — ^4. Mabel Converse; bom in New York City Jan. 8, 1879. 

IX— 3. LARKnr GOLDSMITH (Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); bom in Chesterfield, 
N. H., Jan. 3, 1835; married, Feb. 26, 1866, at Florence, 
Italy, Marietta de Benvenuti. 

Mr. Mead has earned fame as a sculptor. His artistic 
proclivity was manifested in early life to such an extent 
that he was placed under the pupilage of Henry Kirke 
Brown of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he made rapid profi- 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 37 

ciency. Among his best known productions are the 
Recording Angela the statues of Verinmt and Eikan Allen^ 
which adorn the Capitol at Montpelier; his Lincoln Monu- 
ment at Springfield, 111., and later, his statue of Ethan 
Allen, ordered by the State of Vermont for the National 
Gallery at Washington. Florence has been his home 
since 1862, although during this period he has made pro- 
tracted visits to his native country. 

IX— 4. BLINOR GBRTRUDE {Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield, 
N. H., May i, 1837; married in Paris, France, Dec. 24, 
1862, William Dean Ho wells, then United States 
Consul at Venice, where they resided for several years. 
Mr. Howells was bom in Martinsville, Ohio, March i, 
1837. His father was a printer, of whom he learned the 
trade. He was afterwards connected editorially with the 
Cincinnati and Ohio State Journal. From 1861 to 1865 
he was United States Consul to Venice. He edited the 
Atlantic Monthly irom 1871 to 1881. As an author his 
publications have won for him great favor. He suc- 
ceeded Mr. Curtis as editor of Harper's Magazine in 1886, 
and held the position for several years. 

Children of William and Elinor: 

X — X. WiNiFRto; bom in Venice, Italy (Casa Falier, Grand Canal), 

Dec. 17, 1S63; died March 2, 1889. 
X — 2. John Mead; bom in Cambridge, Mass., Sacramento Street, 

Aug. 14, 1868. Was graduated from Harvard University in 

1891. 
X — 3. Mildred; bom in Cambridge, Mass., Berkeley Street, Sept. 

26, 1872. 

IX— 5* ALBERT; son of Larkin G. and Mary Jane; 
bom in Brattleboro, Vt, March 18, 1840; died Sept 16, 
1856. 

4 



88 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— 6. JOAITNA ELIZABETH {Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Brattleboro, 
March 30, 1842; married Augustus Dennis Shepard. 
Mr. Shepard is president of the American Bank Note 
Company of New York City. 

Children of Augustus and Joanna. 

X«-i. EuNOR Matilda; bom in New York City Dec. ii, 1865 ; 
marriedi June i, 1891, John Doull Miller of London^ Eng. 

Children of Elinor and John : 

XI — I. EuNOR Joanna; bom Oct. 5, 1893 ; died Aug. 5, 1894. 
XI — ^. Mildred; bom March xo, 1896. 
X — 3. Augustus Dennis; bom in Fanwood, N. J., April 2, 1869. 
X — 3. BuRREiT Hamilton ; bbm in Fanwood, N. J., Sept. 13,1870. 
X — ^4. RuTHERWOOD Mead; bom in Fanwood, N. J., Oct 4, 1874. 
X — 5. Joanna Hayes; bom in Fanwood, N. J., Oct. x, 1876. 
X — 6. Frederick Mead ; bom in Fanwood, N. J., July 30, 1879. 

IX— 7. MARY HOYES ; daughter of Larkin G. and 
Mary Jane; bom in Brattleboro, Vt., June 6, 1844. Un- 
married. 

IZ— 8. WILLIAM RUTHERFORD {Larkin, Betsey, 
Joseph, Joshua, John, Janus, James, Edward) ; bom in Brattle- 
boro, Vt., Aug. 20, 1846; married, Nov. 13, 1883, Olga 
Kitaryi, a Hungarian, from Buda-Pesth. 

Mr. Mead graduated from Amherst College in the class 
of 1867 ; student in architecture for two years with Rus- 
sell Sturgis, Jr., of New York ; spent two years abroad in 
further preparation for his profession. He is a member 
of the well-known firm of McKim, Mead & White, archi- 
tects, New York City. 

IX— 9. FREDERICK GOODHUE {Larkin, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jafnes, James, Edward) \ bom in Brattleboro, 
Vt, March 19, 1848; married, April 29, 1886, Maria 
Louise, eldest daughter of Lawrence and Lactitia M. 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 39 

Myers; bom in Plattsburg, N. Y., June 7, i860. He 
held a responsible position in the American Bank Note 
Company, under his brother-in-law Mr. Shepard, till his 
death, May 21, 1890. 

Children of Frederick and Maria : 

X — I. Margaret Platt; born May 13, 1887. 

X — 2. Lawrence Myers; bom Sept ai^ 1888. 

X — 3. Frederica Rutherford; bom June 15^ 1890. 

Vni — 6, ELIAS {^Betsey, Joseph^ Joshua^ John, Janus, 
James, Edward) ; bom in Lexington, Mass., March 7, 1799 ; 
married, Nov. 4, 1825, Elvira, daughter of Daniel and 
Sarah ( Wood ) Harvey. He was engaged in hotel-keep- 
ing the greater part of his active life; successively in 
Keene, Lexington and Chesterfield, where he died on the 
old Mead homestead Aug. 16, 187 1. No children. 

Vm— 7. MARSHALL SPRIVG {Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, 
fohn, James, James, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield, N. H., 
June 4, 1802 ; married, 1832, Frances L., daughter of Dr. 
Charles and Fanny (Hunt) Blake of Northfield, Mass. 
Educated at Chesterfield Academy; received his medical 
degree from Dartmouth College in 1 825. Settled in North- 
field, where he long practiced his profession. He died 
Nov. 12, 1883. 

Children of Marshall and Frances: 

IX — I. Hope R.; bom Sept. 19, 1835. 
IX— 2. Ellen Frances; bom Dec. 18, 1838. 
IX — 3. Grace Gerirude; bom Oct. 18, 1842. 

H — I. HOPE R. {Marshall, Betsey, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Jafnes, Edward); bom in Troy, N. Y., Sept 19, 
1835; married, Nov. 6, 1854, Larkin G., son of Levi 
Mead. 



40 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

ChUd of Larkin and Hope : 

X — I. Marshall Spring; born in Northfield, Mass., Sept. 22, 1857 ; 
married, December, 1882, Auce M. Banks. Druggist in Attle- 
boro, Mass. 

n— 2- BLLBNFRANCES {Marsltall^Betsey Joseph Joshua, 
John Jantes, Janus, Edward)] bom in Northfield, Mass., 
Dec. 18, 1838; married, June 18, 1862, William H. Sher- 
wiN of Madison, Wis., born Nov. 5, 1837; died Feb. 13, 
1873- 

Children of William and Ellen : 

X— I. Harold Blakb ; bom in Madison, Wis., Jan. 24, 1864 ; mar- 
ried, Sept. 24, 1895, Margaret S. McImtire of Philadelphia. 

Child: 

XI — I. Jean M. ; bom in New York City Nov. 3, 1896. 
X — 2. William Henry; bom in Northfield, Mass., June 7, 1865 ; 
married, Jan. i, 1890, Edith M. Wiley of Greenfield, Mass. 

Children of WilUatn and Edith : 

XI — I. Helen ; bom in Minneapolis, Minn., March 18, 1892. 
XI — 2. Marion A. ; bom in Ottumwa, Iowa, March 20, 1894. 
X — 3. Charles FlLUfORs; bom 1870; died Oct 9, 1871. 

IX— X. 6RACB GERTRUDB {^Marshall, Betsey, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward) ; bom in Northfield, 
Mass., Oct. 18, 1842 ; married, June 8, 1864, Capt. Milton 
S. Lawrence of Wisconsin. Died Sept 18, 1873. He 
died in Richmond, Va., March 10, 1880. 

Children of Milton and Grace : 

X — I. Annie FkANCBS; bom in Northfield, Mass., July 3, 1865 ; 
married in Kansas City, Dec. 22, 1888, Vernon J. MiLUOt of 
Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Children of Vernon and Annie : 

XI — I. Grace Miller; bom at Coldwater, Kan., Nov. 12, 1890; 
died Nov. 10, 1893. 



THE JOSEPH CONVERSE FAMILY. 41 

XI— 2. Jaen Miller; bom in Coldwater, Kan., Aug. 12, 1892. 
XI — 3. Daughter; born Nov. 21, 1895. 

Vm— 8. BETSEY RAYMOND (^Betsey, Joseph, Joshtia, 
John, James, James, Edward)', born in Chesterfield, N. H., 
Oct 18, 1805; married, Oct. 18, 1831, Thomas D. Doak, 
merchant in Northfield, Mass. In 1846 they removed to 
Clinton, N. Y., and in 1858 to New Castle, near Toronto, 
Ontario, Canada. Betsey died at New Castle Aug. 14, 
i860, and was buried in Northfield. 



Vn— 2. JOSEPH (Joseph, Joshua, John, James, James, Ed- 
wordy, bom in Bedford, Mass., Jan. 26, 1765; died in 
Chesterfield, N. H., Sept 4, 1841 ; married. Sept 15, 1788, 
Lucy Brown of Lexington, Mass., who died Feb. 10, 
1845. He died Sept 4, 1841. 

Children of Joseph and Lucy: 

VIII — I. Charles; born Dec. 30, 1788; died Sept 18, 1858. 

VIII — 2. Lucy; bom ; manied Daniel Fletcher, 18 10. 

VIII — ^3. TbADDEUS (perhaps) ; died Oct 30, 1807. 

Vni— 1. CHARLES (Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
James, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Dec. 30, 1788 ; 
married, in 1839, Mary Adeline, daughter of Clark and 
Sarah (Hildreth) Streeter; bom Oct 13, 18 19; died May 
4, 1877. He was a farmer. Justice of the Peace, Select- 
man, and repeatedly chosen Representative to the General 
Court 

Children of Charles and Mary Adeline : 

IX — I. Lewis; bom May 30, 1839. 

IX — 2. Sarah F. ; bom May 19, 1840 ; died 1841. 

IX — 3* Schuyler; bom July 14, 1842. Unmarried. 

IX — ^4. Juuus C; bom Oct 13, 1844. 

IX — 5. Charles; bom Aug. 4, 1847. 

IX — 6. Eugene; bom Aug. 18, 1850. 



42 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX — 7. WiLUiiM R.; bom Aug. 8, 1853 ; married Cora Wakefield. 
IX — 8. J. Stedman; bom Jan. 30^ 1856. 

IX— 1. LEWIS {CItarlcs, Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Javtes, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield, N. H., May 
30, 1839; married, May 13, 1865, Charlotte Yeager. 
Dentist in Urbane, Ohio. No children. 

IZ— 4* JULIUS C. {Charles, Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Jafnes, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Oct. 
13, 1844; married. Sept 4, 1867, Gertie Henry of Bel- 
lows Falls, Vt 

Child of Julius and Gertie : 

X — I. Edward S. ; bom July 2, 1872. 

IX— 5. CHARLES {CliarUs, Joseph, Joseph, JosJtua, John, 
James, James, Edward) ; bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Aug. 
4, 1847; married, Oct 2, 1882, Rose E. Russell; bom 
Feb. 9, 1848; died May 14, 1886. Married, second, Es- 
telle G. Taylor Feb. 16, 1888. 

X — I. ChUd: Christabel Ruth. 

IX— 6. EUGENE {Charles, Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Aug. 
18, 1850; married, Nov. 29, 1877, Jennie E. Wheeler. 

Children of Eugene and Jennie: 

X — I. Charles Leonard; bom Feb. 18, 1881. 

X — 2. Lizzie Mildred; bom May 23, 1883. 

X — 3. Everett Eugene; bom Feb. 20, 1885. 

X — ^4. Cuo Wheeler; bom Dec. 24, 1889. 

X — 5. Ida Beatrice; bom Jan. 18, 1894 ; died Sept 8, 1896. 

X— 6. Ernest JuuuB ; bom Oct 13, 1896. 

IX— &. J. STEDMAN {Charles, Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward); bom in Chesterfield, N. H., 
Jan. 30, 1856; married, Aug. 25, 1881, Ida May Arm- 



THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY. 43 

STRONG of Urbano, Ohio. Graduate of the Ohio College 
of Dental Surgery, and for fourteen years a practicing 
dentist in New York City. No children. 



Vll — 3. SARAH {Joseph^ Joshua, John, Javus, James f Ed- 
ward)] bom in Bedford/ Mass., May 4, 1767; died March 
2, 1849; married, Dec. 30, 1788, Jeremiah Goldsmith of 
Andover, Mass.; bom 1760; died July ij, 1842. 

The history of the Goldsmith Family in this country 
dates back to the early settlement of the town of Wen- 
ham, Essex Co., Mass. The name of Richard first ap- 
pears. He received a grant of land in 1644, and joined 
the church in 1^48. It is related of him that on Sunday, 
May 18, 1673, he was killed by lightning in the house of 
the parish minister. Rev. Mr. Newman, in the presence of 
Rev. Mr. Higginson, who supplied the pulpit for the day, 
and others. Rev. Increase Mather alludes to the event in 
his work on Remarkable Providences \ and it is said that 
Rev. Cotton Mather made it the occasion of a sermon, a 
copy of which is still in the hands of one of his de- 
scendants. 

The generations of the family are thus indicated: i. Richard 

( ^ 1673) \ msurried Mary Perkins. 2. Zaccheus (1662-1747) ; 

married Martha Hutton. 3. Zaccheus (1701-1777) ; mamed, 
first, Tabitha Dodge; second, Mehitabel Kimball. 4. William 
(i 725-1812) ; married, first, Margaret Cogswell; second, Hannah 
BuRNHAM. 5. Jeremiah (i 760-1 842); married Sara^ Converse. 

The first Zaccheus purchased the Saltonstall farm in Ipswich, 
and removed there. His son Zaccheus located in Andover about 
the year 1760. 

The Goldsmiths have a record for patriotism; a product 
of the agitated times in which they lived. William, the 
father of Jeremiah, shared the anxiety and struggle of 
the Revolutionary period. He was a militia^man from An- 
dover in the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. His name 



U DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

appears on the "Roll of Travel and Service" to which 
Capt. Henry Abbott made oath Feb. 14, 1776. ("Lexing- 
ton Alarms," Vol. XIII, p. 62.) He was a large land-holder 
in Andover; said to have been taxed for one thousand 
acres before he became a resident of the town. 

Jeremiah, the husband of Sarah, fired with the ardor 
of youth, and stimulated by paternal example, showed his 
devotion to the cause of American independence by en- 
listing, at the age of sixteen, as drummer boy in Capt. 
Abbott's company, in reinforcement of the army in Cam- 
bridge Dec. 9, 1 775. He remained in the service through- 
out the war; and at the surrender of Burgoyne stood with- 
in a few yards of General Gates. His graphic description 
of this historic event is remembered to this day by many 
who listened to it from his lips. He was a govern- 
ment pensioner from 1831 until his death in 1842. 

Children of Jeremiah and Sarah : 
VIII — I. Sarah; bom Nov. i, 1789. 
VIII — 2. Euzabeth; bom Aug. 29, 1791. 
VIII — ^3. Wiluah; bom March 19, 1793. 
VIII — ^4. Mary Converse; bom Feb. 17, 1795. 
VIII — ^5. Clarissa; bom April 11, 1797. 
VIII— 6. Jeremuh; bom Oct. 24, 1799. 
VIII — 7. Aphia; bom Feb. 24, 1801. 
VIII— 8. Joseph C. ; bom April i, 1803. 
VIII — 9. Hannah; bom May 17, 1805. 
VIII — 10. Joshua; bom March 27, 1807. 
VIII — II. Lozina; bom Jan. 27, 1813. 

Vni— 1. SARAH {Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
Janus, Edward); bom in Andover, Mass., Nov. i, 1789; 
died Jan. i, 181 7. Unmarried. 

Vm— 2. ELIZABETH {Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)) bom in Andover, Mass., Aug. 29, 
1791; died March 25, 1867; married, Dec. i, 18 16, Ben- 
jamin Abbott of Andover. 



THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY. 45 

Children of Benjamin and EUtabeth: 

IX— 1. SARAH COHVERSB; bom in Andover Dec.2— 
1817. 

IZ— 2. SAMUEL WARREN; bom in Andover March 
14, 1828. 

Vm— 3. WILLIAM ( Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
Jatnes, Edward); bom in Andover March 19, 1793; died 
April 30, 1869; married, Sept. 11, 1826, Eunice Rice, 
bom March 5, 1808. 

Children of WilUam and Eunice : 

DC — I. William Converse; bom July 3, 1827. 
DC — 2. Sarah Converse; bom March 7, 1829. 
DC — 3, Eunice Howe; bom Nov. 10, 1830. 
DC — 4. Afhu Davis ; bom June 30, 1832. 
DC — 5. Jeremiah Jefferson ; bom Sept. 16, 1834. 
DC— 6. Hannah GronniGs; bom Dec. 4, 1836. 
IX — 7. Abbie Rice; bom June 9, 1839. 
DC — 8. LoziNA Waldo; bom Dec. 6, 1841. 
DC— 9. Elizabeth Abbott; bom Nov. 22, 1843; <U<^ ^*y i5> 
x8s4. 

IZ— X. WILLIAM CONVERSE ( Williavt, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Stow, Mass., 
July 3, 1827; died Aug. 9, i860; married, Oct. 7, 1851, 
Eveline H. Sloper of Bolton. 

Child of WilHam and Eveline : 

X — I. Edwin ; bom Aug. 15, 1855 ; married Adeline A. Kendrick 
at Aptos, Cal. 

Children of Edwin and Adeline: 

XI — I. Earle Victor; bom Dec. 9, 1892. 
XI — 2. Marjorie Evelyn ; bom July 6, 1895. 
X — 2. Freemont; bom at Stow Sept. 18, 1857; died March 6, 
1872. 



46 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— 2. SARAH CONVERSE ( William, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)] bom in Bolton, Mass., 
March 7, 1829; died March 30, 1885; married Asa F. 
H ALL of Wiscasset, Me., Sept. 29, 1849. 

Children 0/ Asa and Sarah : 

X — I. Charles Franqs; born in Stow June 7, 1850. 

X — 2. Mary £. ; bom in Stow Sept. si, T852. 

X — ^3. Walter Henry; born in Stow April 12, 1855. 

IX— 3. EUNICE HOWE ( William, Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward); bom in Harvard, Mass., Nov. 
10, 1830; married, June 20, 1848, Franklin Hemen- 
WAY of Framingham. 

Children of Franklin and Eunice : 

X — I. Franklin Rockwood; bom April 30, 1851. 
X — 2. Sq>ney Eugene; bom April 3, 1853. 
X — ^3. LxjCY Emmons; bom Aug. 141 1857. 
X — ^4. Alice Lozina; bom Nov. 21, 1863. 

IX— 4. APHTA DAVIS ( William, Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Janus, Edward)-, bom in Bolton June 30, 
1832; married, Feb. 18, 1852, John Marshall. 

Child of John and Aphia : 
X — I. Cora A.; bom April 27, 1858; died Sept. 18, 1861. 

IX— 5. JEREMIAH JEFFERSON (^William, Sarah, 
Joseph, Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); bom in Bol- 
ton Sept. 16, 1834; married Mrs. Warren Davidson. 

ChiU: 
X — I. Elizabeth J.; bom July 16, 1855. 

IX— 6. HANNAH GIDDINGS, daughter of William and 
Eunice; born in Bolton Dec. 4, 1836. Unmarried. 



THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY. 47 

IX— 7, ABBIE RICE ( William, Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, 

John, Janus, Janus, Edward) \ bom in Bolton, June 9, 

1839; married, Oct. 9, 1854, John B. Blake; died May 12, 

1872. 

Child: 

X — I. George Biake; bom in Stow Sept. 19, 1855. 

IX— 8. LOZINA WALDO {William, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, James, Edward) ; bom in Stow Dec. 6, 
1 841; married, July 3, 1856, Charles H. Hosmer of Con- 
cord, Mass.; died Oct. 6, 1863. 

Children of Charles and Lozina : 

X — I. Stephen Demerett; bom March 28^ 1858. 
X — 2. Charles Henry; bom Aug. 19, 1859. 
X — 3. Helen Maria; bom July 29, x86i. 
% — ^4. Frederick Prescott; bom July 7, 1863. 

IX— 9. ELIZABETH ABBOTT; bom in Stow Nov. 22, 
1843; died May 15, 1854. 

Vm— 4. MART CONVERSE ( Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Andover, Mass., 
Feb. 17, 179s ; died Aug. 10, 1864; married, Nov. 4, 1825, 
George Daland, bom June 24, 1797; died June 6, 1867. 

Mr. Daland was a Minister of tbe Baptist denomina- 
tion. His itinerancy was remaricable, he having held ten 
pastorates from the date of his ordination at Peterboro, 
N. H., March i, 1834, to 1863, avjeraging in duration less 
than two and one-half years. His death occurred while 
fulfilling an engagement for the supply of Dr. Surles* 
church in Brooklyn, N. ¥• 

Children of George and Mary : 

IX — I. Mary GoLDSinTH ; bom July 25, 1826. 
IX — 2. Clara Goldsmith ; bom July 25, 1827. 
IX — 3. Sarah Converse ; bom Sept. 22, 1828. 
IX — ^4. George; bom Oct 7, 1829. 



48 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX — 5. WiLUAM Batchelder; bom Jan. 5, 1831; died Sept. 7, 

1831, 
IX — 6. WiLUAM Batcsieldxr ; bom April 13, 1832. 
IX— 7. John; bom May 15, 1833. 
IX — 8. Elizabeth Abbott; bom March 17, 1834. 
IX— 9. Benjamin Abbott; born March 18, 1836. 
IX — 10. Adoniram Jucson; bora Aug. 3, 1837; died Dec. 28, 

1856. 
IX — XI. Hattie Foster; bom March 27, 1843. 

IZ— X. MARY GOLDSMITH; bom July 25, 1826; 
died Aug. 6, 1881; married, Sept 26, 1847, Jeremiah 
W. Reed. 

IZ— 2. CLARA GOLDSMITH; bom July 25, 1827; 
married, Sept 26, 1847, Cyrus Thompson. 

IX— 3. SARAH CONVBRSE {Mary, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom Sept 22, 1828 ; 
died May 13, 1883; married, Aug. 27, 1845, Asa R. 
Porter. 

X — Children: i. George Porter. 2. Mary Evangeuns. 3. Asa 
Herbert* 4. Susie. 

IX— 4. GEORGE {Mary, Sarah, Joseph, JosJma, John, 
James, James, Edward) ; bom Oct 7, 1829; married, March 
12, 1850, Fannie Stilwell. 

X — Children: x. Fannie S. 2. Carrie V. 3. Georgeanna. 4. 
Fred Daland. 5. John. 

IX— 6. WILLIAM BATCHELDER (Jl//rr^,&irtf A, /^j^A, 

Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom April 13, 1832 ; 
married, Nov. 28, 1854, Alexina J. Ken worthy. 

X — Children: i. William Cufton. 2. George GoiDSMnH. 
3. Alexina. 4. Dudley Amerage. 5. Henry. 6. Grace. 
7. Elmer. 8. May GoLDSMriH. 



THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY. 49 

IZ — 7. JOHlf ( Mary^ Sarah^ Joseph^ Joshua, John, Jatncs, 
Janus, Edward)', bom May 15, 1833; died Dec. 31, 1877; 
married, Aug. 15, 1858, Sarah Elizabeth Bowditch. 

X — Chiidren: i. Sarah Eloise Strong, a. Maths. 3. John. 

4. GOLDIE. 

IZ— 8. BLIZABETH ABBOTT {Mary, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jatncs, Janus, Edward); bom March 17, 1834 ; 
died July 8, 1895; married, May 4, 1856, George W. 
Baker. 

X — Chiidren: i. Mary Daland. 2. George W. 3. Susie 
Goldsmith. 4. Charles Dean. 

IZ— 9. BENJAMIir ABBOTT {Mary, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward)', bom March 18, 1836; 
married, June 6, 1859, Jane A. Hautsinger. 

X — Children: i. Adoniram Judson. 3. Viola Ida. 3. George. 
4. Jans A. 5. Flora. 

IZ— XX. HATTIE FOSTBR ; daughter of George and 
Mary Daland; bom March 27, 1843 ; married, July 3, 1864, 
William Henry Fay. 

X — 1. Chiid: HattieMaud. 

Vni— 5. CLARISSA {Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jafnes, 
Janus, Edward)', bom in Andover, Mass., April 11, 1797; 
died Jan. i, 1874; married John Wilson of Danvers, 
Mass., June 21, 1831; bom Jan. 18, 1778; died June 26, 
1863. 

Chiidren of John and Clarissa : 

IX^i. John Wilson; bom Oct 13, 1833. [See Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Lozina Goldsmith. ] 

IX — 3. Edward Hooker ; bom March 14, 1835; died July 36, 
1887. 

Vni— 6. JESCEUlUlR {Sarah, Joseph, Joshtia, John, Janus, 
James, Edward) ; bom in Andover Oct. 24, 1799; died Jan. 



j 60 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

28, 1864; married, Dec. 31, 183 1, Elizabeth Gleason of 
Billerica, Mass.; bom Oct. 8, 1805; died Sept 12, 1895. 

Chiidren of Jeremiah and Elizabeth : 
IX — I. William Gleason; born Nov. 38, 1832. 
IX — 2. Elizabeth; bom Dec. 23, 1834; died Oct. 12, 1854. 
IX — 3. Jeremiah; bom March 27, 1837 ; died Aug. 20, 1871. 
IX — 4. Josiah; born Oct. 8, 1839 ; died May 24, 1883. 
IX — 5. Albert ; bom June 11, 1842. 
IX — 6. Joshua; bom April 3, 1845 ; died Dec. 29, 1851. 

H— I. WILLIAM GLEASOK {Jeremiah, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jaincs, James, Edward) ; bom Nov. 28, 1832 ; 
married, March 29, 1865, Joanna Bailey Holt, bom 
Sept. 19, 1845. 

Mr. Goldsmith graduated from Harvard College in 
1857; was elected in 1858 Principal of the Punchard Free 
School in Andover, Mass.; resigned this office in 1870; 
reelected in 1871, and held the position for several years. 
He has served as Acting Principal of Phillips Academy, 
and Peabody Instructor in Natural Science. 

Children of William and Joanna : 

X — I. Clara Gleason; bom Feb. 16, 1866; died March 4, 1873. 
X — 2. Clarence; bom May 29, 1874; student (1896) in Massa- 
chusetts Institute of Technology. 
X — 3. Bessie Punchard; bom Nov. 21, 1882. 

Vin — 7. APHIA {Sarah, Joseph, Joshtia, John, J amis, 
James, Edward) \ bom in Andover Feb. 24, 1801 ; married, 
July 24, 1823, Rev, Joseph Davis, a Baptist Minister of 
Nottingham West, N. H., who preached in Antrim and 
Manchester, N. H. Aphia died in Antrim about 1850. A 
daughter resides in Manchester. The location and his- 
tory of the other children are unknown. 

Mr. Davis married a second wife, and died in New 
Orleans, La. He is said to have been a distant cousin of 
the President of the short-lived Southern Confederacy. 



THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY. 51 

VIII— 8. JOSEPH Z. {Sarah, Joseph Joshua, John James, 
James, Edward) \ born April i , 1 803 ; died Oct. 31, 1854; 
married, May, 1827, Phebe Russell, bom in Andover 
March 30, 1807. 

Children of Joseph and Phebe: 

IX — I. Sarah Jane; born April 16, 1828 ; died Dec. 4, 1891 \ mar- 
ried, June 8, 1852, Alfred Dunlap. Six children. 
IX — 2. Joseph Converse; bom April 26, 1831 ; died Aug. 26, 1895. 
IX — 3. jAifES Henry; bom April 26, 1833. 

Vm— 9. HANNAH BURNHAM ( Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward) \ bom in Andover May 17, 
1805; died Jan. 22, 1892; married. May 17, 1837, Isaac 
GiDDlNGS of Andover; bom May 22, 1795 ; died May 28, 
1852. 

The Giddings ancestral line ransthus: i. George; who came 
from England in 1635, <^^ settled in the town of Ipswich, Mass. He 
married Jane Tuitle. 2. Joseph C; married Susanna Rindge. 
3. Isaac; married Abigail Dodge. 4. Isaac; married Elizabeth 
GoLDSiirrH. 5. Isaac; married Elizabeth Knight. 6. Isaac; 
married Hannah Goldsmith. 

Children of Isaac and Hannah : 
IX — 1. James Hutchins; bom Feb. 20, 1739 ; died Feb. 28, 1839. 
IX — 2. Isaac Edward; bom Feb. 15, 1840. 
IX — 3. Hannah Euzabeth; bom May 27, 1843. 

IX— I. ISAAC EDWARD {Hannah, Sarah, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Andover Feb. 
15, 1840; died in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 30, 1876. Mr. 
Giddings was a manufacturer of the firm of P. P. Emory, 
Coppersmiths and Brass Moulders. His real forte was in 
Mechanical Engineering. He patented several parts of 
engines. For several years he was a resident in Flint, 
Mich. ; afterwards was in business ten years in Spring, 
field, Mass., where he died. 

Vni — 10. LOZINA {Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
James, Edward)-, bom in Andover, Mass., Jan. 27, 181 3; 



52 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

married, July 29, 1832, Jonathan Waldo of Andover, 
bom Sept. 6, 1799. 

Children of Jonathan and Lo%ina : 
IX — 1. Sarah Converse; bom Oct. 5, 1832. 
IX — 2. Elizabeth Abbott ; bom March 14, 1834. 
IX — 3. John; bora Dec. 20, 1836. 
IX — 4. Abbie Corbin; bom May 28, 1839. 
IX — 5. Clarissa Wilson; bom June 10, 1842. 
IX — 6. Mary Frances; bom Dec. 16, 1845. 
IX — 7. John Warren ; bom July 6, 1849 ; died May 10, 1875. 

IZ— 2. ELIZABETH ABBOTT {Losiiia, Sarah, Joseph, 

Joshua, John, J antes, Janus, Edward) \ bom in Andover 

March 14, 1834; married, Nov., 1856, John Wilson (see 

Clarissa, VIII— 5); bom Oct 13, 1832; died July 17, 

1867. 

Children of John and Elizabeth : 

X — I. Charles Palmer ; bom Dec. 3, 1857; died Dec. lo, 1857. 
X — 2. John Brainard; bom Feb. xi, i860; married Oct 24, 1894, 
Annie Mabel Elder. 
Child: 
XI — I. John B. ; bom Oct 2, 1895. 

X — 3. Frederick Wiluam ; bora June 12, i86x ; died same day. 
X — ^4. Abigail FkUNCSs; bom Jan. xo, X863. 
X — ^5. Mary Angeline; bom Aug. 28, 1864. 
X — 6. Emma Lucina; bom July x, 1867; died March 3, 1871. 



Vn — 4* JOSIAH {Joseph, Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, 
Edward)\ bom in Bedford, Mass., May 10, 1769; died in 
Chesterfield, N. H., Nov. 20, 1828. He was buried in the 

Family Lot. Married Deborah , bom 1777; died 

April 14, 1 8 10. Probably no issue. 



vn— 5. REVEREND JAMES {Joseph, Joshua, John, 
Janus, Janus, Edward)\ bom in Bedford, Mass., July 26, 
1772; died in Weathersfield, Vt, Jan. 14, 1839; preached 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 58 

his New Year's sermon, and died of lung fever on the 
following Sunday. He married, first, Mehitabel, daugh- 
ter of William and Abigail Cogswell of Marlboro, Mass., 
June 17, 1802. She was bom Oct. 15, 1780; died April 
21, 1810. 

The descent of Mehitabel Cogswell was in the following line : 
I. John Cogswell, son of Edward and Alice Cogswell, bonii 1592, 
in Westbury Leigh, County of Wilts, England ; marriedi Sept. 10, 
1 615, Elizabeth Thompson; emigrated to America in 1635 ; settled 
in Ipswich, Mass. 2. Wojliam; born in England Dec. 15, 1700; 
married Susanna Hawkes, bom in Charlestown, Mass., 1633. 3. 
Jonathan; bom April 26, 1661, in Ipswich, Mass.; married, 
May 24, 1686, Elizabeth Wainwright, bom in Ipswich, 1667. 4. 
Francis; bom in Ipswich March, 1698; married, March 14, 1727, 
Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of Rev. John Rogers, bom in Ipswich 
July 28, 1707. 5. William; bom in Ipswich June ir, 1750; died 
May 27, 1823; married, May 24, 1773, Abigail Dawes, bom in 
Boston Dec. 27, 1752; died Nov. 19, 1833. Lived in Marlboro, 
Mass. 6. Mehitabel. 

James married, second, Charlotte White of Water- 
town, Mass., Jan. 6, 181 3. She was bom March 30, 1787 ; 
removed with her parents to Windsor, Vt, in 1806; died 
June 16, 1851. 

The lineage of Charlotix WHrne may be traced thus : i. John 
Whtis ; came to Boston from England in 16 — ; died in Brookline, 
Mass., in 1691-2; married Fkances Scarborough, who died in 
Brookline Feb. 26, 1695-96. 2. Joseph White; bom (probably 

in Brookline) in 1642; died Sept. i, 1725 ; married Hannah ^ 

who died Jan. 21, 1720. 3. Bcnjaion WHrrs; bom in Brookline 

; first deacon of the church in Brookline ; married Margaret 

Weld July 16, 1701. 4. Moses Whtie; bom in Brookline Jan. 3, 
1709-10; died Aug. 25, 1780; married Rachel Davis of Roxbory, 
Mass., Jan. 10, 1740, who was bom March 22, i7ri ; died March 
22, 1 781. 5. Moses Whtfe; bora in Brookline, 1750; died in 
Windsor, Vt, Feb. 10, i8r2 ; married Susanna Davis June r8, 1776, 
who was bora in Roxbury, Mass., Sept. 22, 1726; died in Windsor, 
Vt., Sept. 12, 1842. 6. Charlotte. 
5 






64 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Reverend James was graduated from Harvard College 
in the class of 1799. After pursuing theological studies 
with Rev. Dr. Seth Payson of Rindge, N. H., he was 
ordained, Feb. 10, 1802, minister over the Church of 
Christ in Weathersfield, Vt. He held the same charge 
till his death. Through his long pastorate it is probable 
he had no higher ambition than to be a friendly and use- 
ful official, serving the causes of religion, pure morals, 
sound education, and good citizenship as at that period 
it was expected a typical New England divine located in 
a country district, influential in manifold ways, would do. 
Appreciation of him as a townsman well informed in 
civil affairs was shown in his election as Representative 
to the Vermont Legislature in 18 19. He also served for 
a term as State Chaplain. 

Telling as they do of earlier times and obsolete meth- 
ods, some may be interested in the proceedings of the 
town, as separate from the church, preliminary to Mr, 
Converse's settlement The form and terms of the invito- 
tion extended to him are still matters of record, and are 
as follows: 

''At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Weathersfield, 
legaUy warned and holden on the first Monday in Sept., 1801, 
the said town unanimously voted to concur with the Church of 
Christ in Weathersfield in giving Mr. James Converse a call to settle 
with us in the gospel ministry. Voted^ to give Mr. Converse one 
hundred pounds for his services yearly, so long as he shall remain a 
settled minister in said town ;— one-half of the above sum to be paid 
in money, and the other half in wheat, rye or Indian com. Voied^ 
to choose a committee to treat with Mr. James Converse on the 
above premises, and receive his answer." 

''At an adjourned meeting holden at Weathersfield the twenty- 
sixth day of October, 1801 ; VoUd^ to reconsider that part of a pre- 
ceding vote by which one-half of the above sum is to be paid in 
money, and the other half in wheat, rye or Indian com, and vote to 
have it stand, that the town of Weathersfield agrees to give Mr. 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 66 

James Converse one hundred pounds^ y^^rlyy for his services in the 
gospel ministry." 

Children of James and Mehitabel: 

VIII — I. Almira; bom May 29, 1803. 

VIII — 2. MEHrrABEL; bom Sept 6, 1804 ; died Sept. 24, 1805. 

VIII — 3. Elizabeth; bom Dec. 16, 1805. 

VIII — ^4. James Cogswell; bom Sept. 23, 1807. 

VIII — 5. Lucas; bom Dec. 10, 1808. 

VIII — 6. Mehitabel; born April 9, i8io; died April 28, 1810. 

Children of James and Charlotte: 

VIII — I. Susan; bora Feb. 14, 1815. 

VIII — 2. Charlotte Davis; bom Dec. 27, 181 7. 

VIII — 3. Mary Putnam; bom April 20, 1820. 

VIII — ^4. Henry J.; born April xi, 1822. 

VIII — 5. Edmund Winchester ; bom July 12, 1825. 

VIII — 6. Harriet; bom Aug. 30, 1828. 

Vin — I. ALMIRA {James^ Joseph^ Joshua^ John^ James^ 
Jafftes, Edward) \ bom in Weathersfield, Vt, May 29, 1803 ; 
died Nov. 10, 1892; married, first, Anthony Jones of 
Newfane, Vt., about the year 1832. Soon after their mar- 
riage they traveled in Europe, spending one winter, at 
least, in Italy. Married, second, David Chandler of 
Saxon's River, Vt., January, 1845. 

Mr. Chandler's first wife was a Ranney, of Townshend, 
Vt., by whom he had a son, Peter R. Chandler, bom 
1 81 7; went to Chicago in 1858, and soon made his mark 
in business enterprises. His financial ability is indicated 
in the fact that for twenty-five years he was the financial 
adviser of Mrs. Hetty Green, who intrusted millions to 
his care. But better to relate than his making and hand- 
ling of fortunes, was his constant and tender solicitude 
for his far-away step-mother, ordering everything possible 
to be done for her comfort. He died suddenly at his 
home in Chicago Nov. 10, 1896. 



56 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Vm— 2. ELIZABETH {/antes, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
Jantes, Jatnes, Edward) ; bom in Weathersfield, Vt, Dec. 
1 6, 1805; living in New York City 1897: married, Jan. 
30, 1830, Dr. Simon Cummings Hewett, bom in Ward, 
Mass. (now Auburn), in July, 1803; ^^ ^^ Boston, Feb- 
ruary, 1888. Dr. Hewett was one of the most celebrated 
practitioners of medicine in his day in Boston. 

Children of Simon and Elizabeth: 
IX — I. EuzABETH Cogswell; bom Sept. 19, 1831. 
IX — 2. jAifzs Daniel; bom Aug. 2, 1833. 
IX — ^3. WnuAM Wirt; bom June 14, 1835. 
IX — ^4. Frank Converse; bom March, 1837. 
IX — 5. Grace Almira; bom Jan. 25, 1839. 
IX— 6. Frances Converse; bom Oct. 27, 1841. 

IZ— I. ELIZABETH COGSWELL {Elizabeth, James, 

Joseph, Joshua, John, Jatnes, Janus, Edward) ; daughter of 

Simon and Elizabeth; bom in Boston Sept 19, 1831; 

married George C. Roberts of Hartford, Coim., Dec. 23, 

1850. 

Children of George and Elizabeth : 

X — I. Elizabeth Converse; bom in January, 1852, in Hartford, 
Conn. ; married in December, 1886, Henry Edmond of Nor- 
wich, Conn. No children. Mr. Edmond died in 1894. 

X — 2. George Simon; bom in New York City July 3, i860; mar- 
ried Florence McKen23£ of New Haven, Conn., in 1886. 

Children of George and Florenee: 
XI — I. George Sdion; bom in 1887. 
XI— 2. William Burr; bom in 1888. 
XI — 3. Edward McKenzie ; bom in 1892. 

IX— 2. JAMES DANIBL {Elizabeth, Jantes, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jatnes, Jantes, Edward) ; bom in Boston Aug. 
2, 1833; married Adelaide Stokes of New York City 
Jan. 14, 1863. No children. 

James D. Hewett, M. D., was first a surgeon in the 
army; now a lawyer in New York City. 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 57 

IX— 3, WILLIAM WIRT {Elizabeth, Janus, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward) \ bom in Roxbury, 
Mass., June 14, 1835; married in December, 1861, Caro- 
line Elizabeth Stokes of New York City. Lawyer. 
Child: 

X — I. WnxiAM Wirt; bom Aug. 28^ 1868^ in South Egremont, 
Mass. ; manried Adelaide Louise Bain of North Chathami N. 
Y.y Sept. 25, 1889. Removed to Providencey R. I., 1891. 

Children of William and Adelaide: 
XI — I. Adelaide Budd; bom April 22, 1891. 
XI — 2. Elizabeth Stokes ; bom July 9, 1892. 
XI — 3. WiLUAM Wist; bom Sept 4, 1894. 
XI — ^4. Marie Nilbs; bom Jan. 19, 1896; died May 31, 1896. 

IZ— 4* FRAITK CONVERSE; bom in Boston, March, 
1837; <^^^ ^° ^^^ ^^y J^^« 5' 1840. 

IZ— 5* GRACE ALMIRA; born in Boston Jan. 25, 
1839; married in May, 1880, John Henry Cahoon. No 
children. 

IX— 6. FRANCES CONVERSE {Elisabeth, Janus, Jo^ 
seph, Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward)-, bom in Boston 
Oct 27, 1 841; married Leverett Nelson Jarvis of 
Brattleboro, Vt Mr. Jarvis died in Rosl)^, L. I., in 
July, 1887. No children. Residence New York City. 

Vm— 3. JAMES COGSWELL {Janus, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Janus, Edward)-, son of James and Mehit- 
abel; born in Weathersfield, Vt, Sept. 23, 1807; died in 
Greenfield, Mass., May 23, 1891; married, Jan. 8, 1834, 
Sarah Ann Peabody, who was bom March 24, 18 10; 
died May 20, 1866. 

Mr. Converse at the age of nineteen chose Boston for 
the field of his future activity; and there, for a protracted 
period, wrought a work which earned for him honorable 
distinction. Not long before his decease the Massachu- 



68 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

setts Historical Society applied to him for a sketch of his 
business career for publication. He never accomplished 
this ; but, when in declining health, began the record by 
dictation to his daughter. The manuscript is preserved ; 
and for the particular and general interest the narrative 
may excite has been put in permanent print. It is the 
autobiography of one who in early life outgrew his rural 
environments, and by the force of native energy struck 
out for larger opportunities. After alluding to the min- 
isterial settlement of his father in Weathersfield, Vt., and 
the farm attached to the homestead, assisting in the care 
of which he found agreeable and healthy employment, the 
relation proceeds as will be found in the Appendix to 
this book. 

There comes to the most eflScient of men a time for 
unloading the burden of care and responsibility that 
earlier may have been bom without physical or mental 
fatigue. It was the good fortune of Mr. Converse to 
spend his last years of pleasant retirement in Greenfield, 
Mass., occupied as was most agreeable, and always 
happy in extending generous hospitality to his many 
friends. 

Children of James and Sarah Ann: 
IX — I. Elizabeth; bom May ii, 1836. 
IX — 2. Katherine Peabody; born Jan. 20, 1839. 
IX — 3. Anna Hakper; bom June 22, 1841. 
IX — ^4. James Blanchard; bom Feb. 17, 1846. 
IX — 5. Edmund Cogswell; bom Nov. 7, 1849. 

IZ— I. ELIZABETH; bom in Boston May 11, 1836; 
died May 13, 1859. 

IX— 2. EATHESIHE PEABODY {Javies, Javus, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, Jaines, Edward); bom in Boston Jan. 
20, 1839; married, June 8, 1864, Edward Reynolds 
Blagden, son of Rev. Dr. Blagden of Old South Church, 
Boston. Mr. Blagden died in July, 1894. 



7 HE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 59 

Children of Edward and Kathtrine : 
X — I. Ellen Converse; born Sept. i6, 1866. 
X — 2. Edward Reynolds; born June 30, 1868. 
X — 3. James Converse; bom Sept. 7, 1872. 
X — 4. Philip; bom Oct. 8, 1873. 

IX— 3. ANNA HARPER {James, James, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward); bom in Boston June 22, 
1 841; died in New York City Dec. 18, 1885; married, 
April, 1865, John Holdane Flagler. 

X — I. Child: Anna Harper. 

IX— 4. JAMES BLANCHARD {James, James, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, Janus, Edward); bom in Boston Feb. 
17, 1846; died Dec. 24, 1883; married, Sept 17, 1874, 
Louise K. Dunshee. 

Child: 
X — I. James Cogswell; born Sept. 6, 1875. 

IX— 5. EDMUND COGSWELL {James, Jatnes, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jafnes, Janus, Edward); bom in Boston Nov. 
7, 1849; married, Jan. 2, 1879, Jessie McDonough Green. 

Mr. Converse is Vice-President and General Manager 
(1897) of the National Tube Works Company, New York 
City, including several departments of production in dif- 
ferent localities; — a position calling for rare administra- 
tive and executive ability. 

Children of Edmund and Jessie : 
X — I. ANTOiNETrE McDonough; bom Oct 29, 1880. 
X — 2. Edmund Cogswell; bom March 21, 1881. 
X — 3. Katherinb Peabody; bora April 10, 1887. 

Vm — 4* LUCAS {Janus, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jatncs, 
James, Edward); son of James and Mehitabel; bom in 
Weatbersfield, Vt, Dec. 10, 1808; died in Weston, Vt., 
June 23, 1876; married in Brookfield, N. Y., Aurelia P. 
Smith, who died Dec. 13, 1882. 



60 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Children of Lucas and AureUa : 

IX — I. Frances C. ; born April 29, 1837. 

IX — 2. Juua; bom March 29, 1840. 

IX — 3. Helen; bom ; died Oct. 29, 1878. 

IZ— I. FRANCES C. (Jjucas, Jatnes, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Javus, James, Edward); born in Hamilton, N. Y., 
April 29, 1837; married in Brewster, N. Y., Sept. 21, 
187s, Joseph L. Lyon. 

IZ — a. JULIA {Lucas, Jantes, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)-, bom in Lebanon, N. Y., March 
27, 1840; married, Dec. 3, 1867, Alphonso Field of 
Cavendish, Vt. 

Children of Alphonso and Julia : 

X — I. Helen; bom Nov. ii, 1868; died Nov. 13, 1869. 

X — 2. Lulu; bom Jan. 13, 1870. 

X — 3. Forrest; bom June 15, 1872. 

X — ^4. Charles; bom Sept. 14, 1874. 

X — ^5. FkKD; bom June 15, 1876. 

X— 6. Herbert; bom Aug. 22, 1880; died Oct. 23, 1880. 

Vm— 5. SUSAN {James, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
Janus, Edward); daughter of James and Charlotte Con- 
VERSE; bom in Weathersfield, Vt, Feb. 14, 181 5; died 
Dec. 22, 1 891; ntiarried, Nov. 27, 1844, Rev. Nelson 
Bishop, bom in East Hartford, Conn, (now Manchester), 
Nov. 20, 1802; died Jan. 10, 1871. 

Mr. Bishop entered Bangor Theological Seminary in 
1823; was licensed to preach Dec. 20, 1826; ordained 
and installed pastor of the Congregational Church in 
Clinton, Me., Nov. 19, 1828. Overwork so told on his 
strength during this pastorate that he felt compelled to 
resign in 1834. He went to Andover, Mass., entering 
the Theological Institution there as a resident graduate, 
preaching as opportunities offered. In 1839, after the 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 61 

death of Rev. James Converse, he was called to the sup- 
ply of the vacant pulpit in Weathersfield, Vt., and was 
installed as minister there in November of the same year. 
He remained over this charge till Feb. 22, 1 842, when he 
accepted a position as associate editor and publisher of 
the Vermofit Chronicle. His connection with this religious 
journal covered the period from March 5, 1842, to Jan. i, 
1866. Closing his relations with the Clironicle^ he became 
associate editor of the Boston Recorder^ occupying this 
position till the sale of the Recorder to the Congregaiiotialist 
in 1869. Beyond this date he had employment under 
the direction of the Vermont Bible Society. 

Children of Nelson and Susan : 
IX — I. Charles Henry; bom Sept 11, 1845 ; died Sept. 11^ 1845. 
IX — 2. Edward Nelson; bom Nov. i, 1847. 
IX — 3. Susan Elizabeth; bom June 20, 1849. 
IX — ^4. Charlotte Elmira; bom Nov. 30, 1850. 
IX — ^5. Sarah Frances; bom Aug. 28, 1852. 

IX— a. EDWARD ITELSON ; son of Nelson and Susan ; 
bom in Windsor, Vt., Nov. i, 1847; graduated from 
Dartmoutb College in the class of 1866; died Nov. 23, 
1889. 

IX— 3. SUSAN ELIZABETH; daughter of Nelson 
and Susan; bom in Windsor, Vt, June 20, 1849; died 
Oct. 17, 1889. 

IX— 4. CHARLOTTE ALMIRA {Susan, James, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, Jatnes, Edward)-, bom in Windsor 
Nov. 30, 1850; married, Oct. 6, 1885, Walter J. NiCK- 
ERSON of Melrose, Mass. Cashier of Melrose National 

Bank. 

Chilil: 
X — 1. Atkins Nickerson; born Oct. i, 1887. 

IX— 5. SARAH FRANCES {Susan, James, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); bom in Windsor 



62 



DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 



Aug. 28, 1852; married, July 2, 1878, Horace Prescott 
McClary, bom in Peacham, Vt, Oct. 12, 1848. 

Children of Horace and Sarah : 

X — I. Lucy SMmi ; bom July 9, 1879. 

X — 2. Susan Converse; bom Oct. 8, i88i. 

X — 3. Charlottb Elizabeth; bom Aug. 29, 1883. 

X — ^4. Margaret Converse; bom Feb. 18, 1886. 

X — 5. Horace Prescxwt ; bom June 30, 1889. 

X — 6. Harvey Clark; bom Sept 4, 1891. 

X — 7. Andrew Bishop ; bom May 4, 1893. 

Vm— 6. CHARLOTTE DAVIS (/avivs, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward) \ daughter of James and 
Charlotte; bom in Weathersfield, Vt, Dec. 27, 181 7; 
married Chittenden Rossiter of Claremont, N. H., Feb. 
22, 1844, who was bom March 22, 18 16; died May 8, 1892. 

Children of Chittenden and Charlotte: 

IX — I. James Converse; bom May 28, 1845. 
IX — 2. Harriet Louise ; bom Feb. 28, 1848. 
IX — 3. Katherinb Elizabeth; bom May i, 1853. 
IX — ^4. William Chutendkn; bom Aug. ii, 1854. 

IZ— I. JAMES CONVERSE; son of Chittenden and 
Charlotte; bom in Windsor, Vt, May 28, 1845; died 
Nov. 28, 1868. 

IX— 2. HARRIET LOUISE {Cliarlotte, James, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); bom in Windsor, 
Vt, Feb. 28, 1848; married Alvah B. Chillis of Meri- 
den, N. H., Oct 13, 1870. 

Children of Alvah and Harriet: 
X — I. James B., bom May 16, 1879. 
X — 2. Converse A., bom March 22, 1884. 

IZ— 3. EATHERINE ELIZABETH ; daughter of Chit, 
tenden and Charlotte, bom in Windsor, Vt, May i, 1853. 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 63 

IX— 4. WILLIAM CHITTEFDKN; son of Chittenden 
and Charlotte; born in Windsor, Vt, Aug. 11, 1854. 

Vm— 7. MARY PUTNAM {Jatues, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Javus, Edward); daughter of James and 
Charlotte; bom in Weathersfield, Vt., April 20, 1820; 
died April 2, 1885; married, Oct. 2, 1844, George Bar- 
rett of Perkinsville, Vt. 

Children of George and Mary: 
IX — I. Charlotte; bom Nov. 8, 1845. 
IX — 2. Jane Gertrude; bom March 8, 1847. 
IX — 3. George Henry; bom March 11, 1850. 
IX — 4. Ella; bom ; died June 24, 1895. 

IX— I. CHARLOTTE; daughter of George and Mary; 
bom in Perkinsville, Vt, Nov. 8, 1845. 

IX— a. JAITE GERTRUDE; daughter of Geoxge and 
Mary; bom in Perkinsville, Vt, March 8, 1847; died 
August, 1866. 

IX— 3, GEORGE HENRY {Mary, James, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ bom in Perkinsville, Vt, 
March 11, 1850; married March 27, 1872, Mary Ellen 
Stimson. 

ChiU: 
X — I. Charles Hienry; bom in Sharon, Vt, Aug. 20, 1874. 

vm— 8. HENRY J.; son of James and Charlotte; 
bom in Weathersfield, Vt, April 11, 1822; died in 
Princeton, 111., March 6, 1846. 

vm— 9. EDMUND WINCHESTER {James, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); son of James and 
Charlotte; bom in Weathersfield, Vt, June 12, 1825; 
died in Newton Mass., Jan. 6, 1894; married, May 11, 
1854, Charlotte Augusta Shepherd Albree of Boston. 



64 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Edmund Converse went to Boston when seventeen 
years of age to enter the Dry Goods Jobbing House of 
Blanchard, Converse & Co., of which his brother James 
was a member. He was successively a partner in the 
jobbing houses of Blanchard, Converse & Co.; Con- 
verse, Harding, Gray & Co. ; also a partner of the dry 
goods commission houses of Converse, Stanton & Davis; 
also Converse, Stanton & CuUen. He was actively at 
the head of the last-named firm, which had branches in 
New York, Philadelphia and Chicago at the time of his 
death. He succeeded his brother James as President of 
the National Tube Works Co. He was also President of 
the Canonicut Mills Co. of Fall River, besides serving as 
director in other manufacturing corporations. His public 
service was rendered as a member of the State Drainage 
and Sewerage Commission ; a trustee of the Newton Pub- 
lie Library and Cottage Hospital; also chairman of the 
School Board of Newton. 

Children of Edmund and Charlotte: 

IX — I. Ellen Maria; bom Feb. 33, 1855. 

IX — 3. Charlotte; bom Dec. 19^ 1856. 

IX — 3. Edmitod Winchester; bom June 5, 1859. 

IX — ^4. Margaret; bom Nov. 7^ i860. 

IX — 5. Charles Henry; born May 13, 1863. 

IX — 6. James; bora Jan. 30, 1866. 

IX — 7. Frederick Shepherd; bom Jan. 5, 1871. 

K— I . ELLEN MARIA {Edmund, Janies, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Ja^neSy Jatfies, Edward); bom Feb. 23, 1855; married, 
Aug. 15, 1878, Andrew Barrows Cobb of Newton, Mass. 

Children of Andrew and Ellen : 

X — I. Andrew Edmund; bom in Calcutta^ India, Nov. 17, 1879; 

died Feb. 15^ 1895. 
X — 3. Margaret Eleanor; bom in Calcutta Sept. 18, 1S84. 
X — 3. Kathleen; bom Sept. i, 1893. 



THE JAMES CONVERSE FAMILY. 65 

K— a. CHARLOTTE {Edmund, James, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ bom Dec. 19, 1856; married, 
June 21, 1882, Harold Pierce of Bristol, Pa. 

Children of Harold and Charlotte : 

X — I. George; bom May 7, 1883. 

X — 3. Edmund Converse ; bom June 16, 1885. 

X — 3. Margaret; bom Nov. i, 1886. 

X — ^4. Mary; bom Dec. 25, i888. 

X — 5. Elizabeth; bom May 13, 1891. 

IX— 3. EDMUITD WINCHESTER; bom June 5, 1859; 
married, Dec. 21, 1882, Julia Ann Pierson of Newton, 
Mass. 

IX— 4. MARGARET {Edmund, James, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Jafnes, Edward) \ bom Nov. 7, i860; married, 
Nov. 7, 1888, William Lothrop Allen of Boston. 

Children of WilUam and Margaret: 

X — 1. Charlotte; bom July 19, 1889. 

X — 2. William Lothrop; bom Nov. i| 1891. 

X — 3. Margaret; bom Dec. 20, 1895. 

IX— 5. CHARLES HENRY {Edmund, Janus, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); born May 13, 1863 ; 
married, May 22, 1893, Mary Hannington of London, 
England. 

Child: 
X — I- Christine; bom Oct. 29, 1894. 

IX— 6, JAMES {Edmund^ James, Joseph, Joshuu, John, 
James, Janus, Edward)\ born Jan. 30, 1866; married, 
Sept. 17, 1892, Lucy Gronine Vail of New York City. 
Children of James and Lucy: 

X— I. James; bom March 5, 1S93. 
X — 2. Gronine; bom Aug. 21, 1894. 



66 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— 7. FREDERICK SHEPHERD {Edmund, James, 
Joseph, Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)', bom Jan. 5, 
1871; married,. June 7, 1893, Emma Cicile Tudor of 
Boston. 

Children of Frederick and Emma : 

X — I. Emma Louise; bom April i, 1894. 

X — 2. Charloti-e Augusta; bom Sept 1, 1896. 

Vni— 10. HARRIET (James, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward); daughter of James and Charlotte; 
bom in Weathersfield, Vt, Aug. 30, 1828; married, Nov. 
6, 1855, Ptolemy P. Severance of Greenfield, Mass. 

Child: 
IX — I. Charlotte Converse; bom in Greenfield, Mass., July 31, 
i860 ; married, June 30, 1891, Herbert Coluns Parsons. 

Child: 
X — I. Harriet Louise Parsons; bom April 27, 1896. 



Vn — 6. WILLIAM {Joseph, Joshua, John, Javus, James, 
Edward)', bom in Bedford, Mass., Oct 12, 1774; died in 
Westmoreland, N. H., Dec. 31, 1831; married, Nov. 13, 
1800, Sarah Hunt of Concord, Mass. The officiating 
minister was Rev. Dr. Ripley. Sarah was bom May 5, 
1777; died Dec. 30, 1831, one day before the decease of 
her husband. They were buried together in the Converse 
Burial Ground in Chesterfield, N. H. 

Immediately after his marriage William settled in 
Weathersfield, where his brother James was the minister 
of the town. There all their children were bom. Two 
daughters and one son married and located in Ohio, the 
then West It is probable that the parents passed some 
time in that region, but their last days were spent in 
Westmoreland. When they took up their residence there 
is undetermined. 



THE WILLIAM CONVERSE FAMILY. 67 

Children of Wil&atn and Sarah Converse: 

VIII — !• Eliza French; bom Oct. lo, 1801. 
VIII — 2. Sarah; born April la, 1804. 
VIII — 3. Wiluam; bom June 10, 1807. 
Vm — ^4. George Hunt; bom June 9, 181 1. 
VIII — ^5. Joseph Davis; bom Aug. 2, 1818. 

vm— I. ELIZA FRENCH {Williavi, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ born in Weathersfield, Vt; 
died at Elyria, Ohio, March i, 1853; married, Oct. 25, 
1 82 1, Dr. Elijah DeWitt; bom in Weathersfield, Vt., 
May 22, 1800. 

As far as traced the DEWnr lineal ancestiy is thus : i. Thomas 
DEWrrr of Hubbardston, Mass. ; married Rebecca GotTi daughter of 
Dr. Gott from Hesse Cassel^ who served in the Colonial Army in the 
Revolution. 2. Wainright; bom 1777; married Silena Ranney 
of Westminster, Vt. 3. Eujah; bom 1800. 

Children of EHjah and EUza: 

IX — I. RoLLiN Converse; bom Oct. 9, 1827. 
IX — 2. Eluah DeWeese Gott; bom June 18, 1830. 
IX — 3. Harriet; bom Aug. 3, 1841. 
IX — ^4. Elizabeth; bom Sept. 3, 1846. 

IX— I. ROLLIN CONVERSE {Eliza, William, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom in Lodi, Medina 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1827; married, Sept. 8, 1851, Charlotte 
Putnam, daughter of Austin and Mary Adeline Burchard 
of Fayetteville, Vt 

Children of RolHn and Charlotte: 

X — I. RoLUN Burchard; bom April 4, 1857. 
X — 2. John Converse; bom Sept i, 1858 ; married at Brattleboro, 
Vt, Nina Josephine Thomas. 

Children of John and Nina: 

XI — I. Ruth Thomas; bom May 12, 1890. 
XI — 2. Arthur Burchard ; bom June 28, 1892. 



68 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

X — 3. Frank Austin; born Feb. 9, 1864. 

X — 4. DeWeese Paul; bom Nov. 25, 1868 ; Tnarried, June 4, 1891, 
Ora Ella Hurd at Springfield, Vt. 

IX— a- ELIJAH DEWEESE GOTT (Eliza, WUliam, 
Joseph, Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) ; bom at Lodi, 
Medina Co., Ohio, June 18, 1830; died March 12, 1865; 
married, June, 1851, Fannie Perkins. 

Children of EUjah and Fannie: 

X — I. EujAH DeWeese; born ; died April 7, 1877. 

X — 2. Frank Luzerne; bom Dec. 5, 1858; maiTied, Jane 12, 
1883, Minnie C. Mftchell. 

Children of Frank and Minnie: 

XI — I. Louise Elizabeth; bom July 24, 1884. 

XI— 2. Frank DeWeisb; bom Dec. 28, 1888. 

XI — 3. Douglass MrrcHELL; bom March 9, 1891. 

XI — ^4. Margaret Katherine; bom June 16, 1893. 

X — ^3. Rev. William Converse; bom Oct. 31, i860; married 
Martha Louise Cossrrr July 20, 1886. Mr. DeWitt is Rector 
of St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Chicago, 111. 

Children of William and Martha: 

XI — I. Helen Cossnr; bom Dec. 18, 1887. 
XI — 2. Evelyn Isabel; bom Nov. 29, 1890. 

IX— 3. HARRIET {Eliza, William, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward); bom at Elyria, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1841; 
married, Aug. 6, 1865, Orrin N. Gaylord. Present resi- 
dence Cleveland, Ohio. 

Children of Harriet and Orrin : 

X — I. Grace; bora Sept. 9, 1866. 

X — 2. EujAH DEWrrr; bom June 4, 1868. 

X — 3. WiLBERT Nathaniel; bom Feb. 7, 1870; died April 27, 

1893. 
X — ^4. Edward Albert; bora Nov. 11, 1872. 
X — 5. Eugene Ray; bora June 4, 1875. 



THE WILLIAM CONVERSE FAMILY. 69 

X — 6. RoLUN Converse; bom Nov. 9, 1884. 
X — 7. Emily Gladys; bom Sept. 11, 1886. 

IZ— 4* ELIZABETH {Eliza, William, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward); bom in Elyria, Ohio, Sept. 
3, 1846. Unmarried. 

Vni— a. SARAH ( William, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
James, Edward)', born in Weathersfield, Vt., April 12, 
1804; married, Jtine 12, 1835, at Lodi, Medina Co., Ohio, 
Jeremiah Higbee, bom (probably) in Middletown, Conn., 
about 1792; died in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1878. Sarah 
died in Lodi, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1842. 

Children of Jeremiah and Sarah: 

IX — I. Edwin Converse; bom Sept. 7, 1837. 
IX — 2. Joseph Converse; boro Sept 6, 1842. 

a— I. EDWIN CONVERSE {Sarah, William, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Janus, Edward); bom at Lodi, Ohio, 
Sept. 7, 1837; married at same place Oct. 23, i860, Mary 
Elizabeth Haines. He is a member of the firm of 
Hower & Higbee, Dry Goods Merchants in Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

Children of Edwin and Mary Elizabeth : 

X — I. Howard Haines; bom Aug. 13, 1861. / 

X — 2. William TJuon; bom Oct. 24, 1867. 

X — 3. Anna Converse; bom Aug. 2, 1870. Deceased. 

X — ^4. Mary Emma; bom May 16, 1872. 

X — 5. Edith Auce; bom Dec. 30, 1874. 

IX— a. JOSEPH CONVERSE; son of Jeremiah and 
Sarah; bom at Lodi, Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 6, 1842; 
died Oct. 18, 1842. 

VIII— 3. WILLIAM {William, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, Janus, Edward) ; bom in Weathersfield, Vt., June 



70 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

lo, 1807; died June 19, 1889 at Pasadena, Cal.; married, 
first, Nov. 7, 1833, Elizabeth Ann Burr of Litchfield, 
Ohio; married, second. Abbey Pitman Colman of New- 
port, R. I. 

Dr. William studied at Dartmouth College; afterwards 
graduated at Miami Medical College at Oxford, Ohio. 
He practiced medicine at Medina Co., Ohio; removed to 
Princeton, 111., in 1845. He entered upon enterprises of 
magnitude, building the largest block in Princeton ; the 
City Hall and Dime Savings Bank in Chicago, where he 
removed in 1876. He was President of the last-named 
institution. From Chicago he went to Pasadena, Cal., in 
1884; where, after investing his property, he secured a 
fine home, in which he quietly enjoyed the remainder of 
his life. His second wife survived him, and in 1896 was 
living in Chicago. 

Children of WilUam and EUMobetk Ann: 

DC — I. Lucius Burr j bora Nov. 331 1S35. 
IX — 2. Jamis Arabella; bom June 9, 1838. 
DC — 3. Sarah Elizabeth ; bom June 14, 1840. 
IX — ^4. James William; bom Dec. 19, 1843. 
IX — ^5. Charles Henry; bom May 23^ 1847. 
IX — 6. Edmund DeWitt; bom July 9, 1850. 
IX— 7. Anna May ; bora Nov. 19, 1853. All the living children 
were residents of Chicago in x896« 

IZ— I. LUCIUS BURR {William, William, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward) \ bom in Lodi, Ohio, 
Nov. 23, 1835 ; married Mary L. Cole at Grinnell, Iowa, 
Jtine 20, 1871. She was bom in Fredericktown, Ohio, 
July 28, 1843, and is a graduate of Oberlin College. 
When a lad Lucius accompanied his father to Princeton, 
IlL, and after graduating from a Business College, fol- 
lowed different lines of trade in Chicago, Amboy and 
Brooklyn, Iowa. 



7 HE WILLIAM CONVERSE FAMILY. 71 

IZ— 3. JAMES ARABELLA ; born at Lodi, Medina 
Co., Ohio, June 9, 1838; lived only five years. 

IX— 3. SARAH ELIZABETH ( William, William, Joseph, 
Joshua^ John, James, Jatnes, Edward) ; born in Lodi June 
14, 1840; married, March, 24, 1868, William Kelsey 
Reed of Princeton, 111., bom at Hartford, Conn., Oct 26, 
1837. They first went to Cuba, and later settled in 
Chicago. Sarah Elizabeth was educated at Mount 
Holyoke Seminary. Mr. Reed organized the Illinois 
Land & Loan Company after the plan of the Dime Sav- 
ings Bank. 

Children of William and Sarah : 

X — I. Kelsey; bom March 37, 1870; died March 13, 1876. 
X — 3. Elizabeth Gertrude; bom Oct^ 4, 1873; died Feb. i, 
1886. 

IZ— 4. JAMES WILLIAM {William, William, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)-, born in Lodi Dec. 
19, 1843; prepared for mercantile business; early em- 
plo3red in Cleveland, Ohio; went into business for him- 
self at Muscalene, and afterwards at Brooklyn, Iowa. 
For the last eighteen years he has occupied the position 
of Teller in the Dime Savings Bank of Chicago. Un- 
married. 

IX— 5. CHARLES HENRT {William, William, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Princeton, 
111., May 23, 1847; married, June 20, 1878, at Chicago, 
Mary E. Wright, bom in Wisconsin May 23, 1847. 
After graduating from the High School in Princeton, lU., 
Charles Henry began mercantile life with his brothers in 
Brooklyn, Iowa, and continued in the same line with 
Orrin Gaylord at Vermilion, Ohio. He was also Teller 
in the Ddme Savings Bank in Chicago, succeeding to 
similar positions of trast He went to Pasadena, CaL, 



72 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

for his health in 1883, returning to Chicago in 1892, 
where he resides at present. 

Children of Charles and Mary : 

X — I. Bessie W. ; bom in Wisconsin Nov. 89 1882. 
X — 2. Infant; bom April i, 1887. 

IX— 6. DR. EDICUND ( William, William, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, Jatftes, James, Edward); bom at Princeton, lU., July 
9, 1850; married, first, Millie A. Waterman Dec. 19, 
1882, who died March 19, 1887. She descended, on her 
mother's side, Adelaide Lawrence, from the French Hu- 
guenots, who fled to Holland, and in 1702 came to this 
country, having received a grant of land in the city of 
BrooUjni, L. I., from Queen Ann of England. Her great 
grandfather was Dr. John Duffield, surgeon in the Revo- 
lution of 1776, and served with great credit. Dr. Con- 
verse married, second, Oct. i, 1895, Lucy Le Reba 
Driver, bom Jan. 17, 1874, at Belvidere, 111. She was a 
graduate of DeKolt High School, and Bryant & Stratton's 
Business College. 

Dr. Converse, after graduating at the Princeton, 111., 
High School, attended Knox College at Galesbury, then 
the Northwestern University, graduating at the Chicago 
Medical College in 1874. In the same year he was ap- 
pointed House Surgeon of Mercy Hospital. Subsequently 
he was House Physician in the United States Marine 
Hospital at Lake View, and Surgeon for the North- 
western Railroad. Desiring to pursue advanced studies, 
he attended Columbia University, New York City, where 
he graduated in 1876. He served by appointment as 
Assistant Physician in the Illinois Southern State Hospi- 
tal for the Insane during three years. In 1879 ^^ ^o^l^ 
the position of Division Surgeon in the Missouri Pac 
Roy, running west from Atchison, Kan. He was Presi- 
dent of the United States Examining Board of Pensioners, 



THE PUTNAM FAMILY. 78 

and Division Surgeon of the Union Pacific Railway; is a 
member of the American Medical Association, the State 
Medical Society of Illinois, the Chicago Medical Society, 
and at present (1897) is practicing medicine and surgery 
in Chicago. 

Child of Edward and Millie : 
X — I. Whjjam Waterman; bom Aug. 28, 1886. 

IX— 7. ANNA MAT ( William, William, Joseph^ Joshua, 
John, James, Javies, Edward) ; bom in Princeton, 111., Nov. 
i9> 1853; married, June 20, 1878, Arthur H. Cadwal- 
LADER of La Porte, Ind., bom Feb. 6, 1836. Living in 
Chicago. 

Children of Arthur and Anna : 

X — I. Ediph C. ; bom April 2, 1879, at Chicago. 
X — 3. Ruth Fox; bom June 18, 1883, at Chicago. 
X — 3. Converse; bom Nov. 38, 1888, at LaCrosse, Wis. 
X — ^4. Catherine R. ; bom Nov. 38, 1892, at Chicago. 

Vm— 4. GEORGE HUlfT {William, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Janus, Edward)] bom in Weathersfield, Vt., 
June 9, 181 1. He was eccentric, if not unbalanced in 
mind; student in Middlebury College, Vermont; school 
teacher in Ohio; afterwards went further West. He was 
last heard from in Illinois, near Princeton, in 1845. He 
was never married, and is supposed to be dead. 

vm— 5. JOSEPH DAVIS {William, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)-, bom in Weathersfield, Vt, 
Aug. 2, 1818; died in Litchfield, Ohio, March 31, 1838. 



Vn — 7. MART {Joseph, Joshua, John, James, Janus, 
Edward)\ bom in Bedford, Mass., July 13, 1777; died 
Sept. 14, 1853; married, 1801, John Putnam of Chester- 
field, N. H., bom in Winchester, N. H., May 10, 1761 ; 
died Nov. 17, 1849. 



74 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

llie American ancestry of John Putnam was : i. John, of Aston 
Abbotts, County Bucks, England, and of Salem, Mass. ; son of 
Nicholas and Margaret (Goodspeed) Putnam; bom 1579; died 
Dec. 30, 1662. 2. Thomas (grandfather of General Israel) ; bom 
March 7, 1615 ; died May 5, 1686; married, first, Aug. 17, 1643, 
Ann Holyoke; married, second, Sept. 14, 1666, Mary Veren. 3. 
Edward; bom April 5, 1654 ; died March 10, 1747 ; married, June 
14, 1681, Mary Hale. 4. Elisha (father of General Rufus) ; bom 
Nov. 3, 1685; died Jan. 10, 1745; married, first, Feb. 10, 1710, 
Hannah Marble; married, second, Feb. 15, 1 713, Susanna Fuller. 
5. Stephen; bom April 4, 1728; died March 5, 1803; married, 
March 14, 1755, Mary Gibbs. 6. John. 

John Putnam was a resident of Chesterfield from his 
early boyhood until his death. After his marriage he 
occupied a village residence and farm, and was in inde- 
pendent circumstances. The town honored him by elec- 
tion to the o£Sce of Selectman for the years 1808, 1809, 
1820, 1 82 1, 1826. He represented the town at the Gen- 
eral Court for the years 1816, 1817, 1818, and for a con- 
siderable period served on the Board of Trustees of Ches- 
terfield Academy, an institution of some note during the 
early part of the present century. 

The service of John Putnam as a soldier in the Army 
of the Revolution is entered in the State Records of New 
Hampshire. The following is a certified copy by the 
Adjutant General, dated Feb. 28, 1894: 

''I certify that the following mention is found on the Revolution- 
ary Records of this office : In a return of men raised by the State 
of New Hampshire, under the command of Col. Hercules Mooney, 
for the Continental service at Rhode Island, 1779, ^^ name of John 
Putnam of Chesterfield appears as a private enlisted July 8, 1779; 
discharged Jan. 16, 1780. The Company was commanded by Cap- 
tain Ephraim Stone. In another place there is an account of thirty 
pounds bounty received by John Putnam, and eleven pounds for 
travel of one hundred and ten miles ; in all, forty-one pounds, re- 
ceived from Selectmen of Chesterfield for enlisting in the Rhode 
Island service. Also a muster-roll of the men raised in the Sixth 



THE PUTNAM FAMILY. 76 

Regiment of Militia of New Hampshire for the defense of Rhode 
Island in 1778; in a copy of the original in the Pension Bureau, 
Washington, D. C, the name of John Putnam of Chesterfield 
appears. Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. IV, p. 255." 

Children of John and Mary: 
VIII — I. Mary Adeline; bom Oct. 30, 1802. 
VIII — 2. Elizabeth; bom May 3, 1804. 
VIII — 3. Charlotte; bom March i, 1807. 
VIII — ^4. Charles Lewis; bom Sept. 10, 1810. 
VIII — 5. Frances Maria; bom July 18, 1816 ; died June 29, 181 7. 
VIII — 6. Juua; bora Aug. 17, 1819. 
VIII — 7. John Jay; born May 21, 1823. 

Vni— 1 . MAST ADELINE {Mary, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)\ bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Oct. 
13, 1802; died in Newfane, Vt, June 22, 1890; married, 
Sept 30, 1824, Austin Burchard, bom in Wilmington, 
Vt, Dec. 5, 1793; died Sept 12, 1879. 

Mr. Burchard was a beloved unde of Rutherford 
Burchard Hayes, President of the United States 1877- 
1881. In 1833 and 1834 he was a member of the Old 
Council, a co-ordinate branch of the Vermont State gov- 
ernment; in 1 84 1 he was elected one of the board of the 
Council of Censors; in 1846 he was State Senator. He 
conducted mercantile business for many years in New- 
fane, having branch stores in neighboring towns. In 
January, 1854, he was appointed Treasurer of the Wind- 
ham County Savings Bank, located in Newf ane, and held 
the o£Sce for twenty years. He was handicapped through 
all his busy life by the infirmity of deafness. 

Children of Austin and Adeline: 
IX — I. Charles Austin; bom Aag. 23, 1825. 
IX — 2. Mary Roxina; bom Feb. 13, 1827. 
IX — 3. Charloffb Putnam; bom Sept 23, 1828. 
IX — 4. Sardis; bom April 21, 1842. 

IZ-z. CHARLES AUSTIN. (See before.) 



76 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

IX— 2. MARY ROXnrA; bom Feb. 13, 1827; un- 
married; was killed in the horrible Ashtabula, Ohio, 
railroad disaster, Dec. 29, 1876. 

IX— 3. CHARLOTTE PUTNAM {AdeH?ie, Mary, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, James, James, Edward); bom in Newfane, 
Vt., Sept. 23, 1828; married, Sept. 18, 185 1, Rolltn Con- 
VERSE DeWitt of Elyria, Ohio, who died in March, 1882. 

[For Children see Rolun Converse, page 67.] 

IX— 4. SARDIS ; born in Newfane, Vt, April 2 1 , 1 842. 
At the age of twenty-one he enlisted, June 27, 1863, as a 
private in the Civil War. He was First Sergeant in 
Company L, i ith Vermont Regiment; was taken prisoner 
on the Weldon Railroad June 23, 1864, and carried to 
Andersonville, Ga., where he died Aug. 20 following. 
While d3ring with all the horrors and pangs of starvation, 
he entrusted to a comrade a parting message to be de- 
livered to his aged parents, such as only a heart over- 
flowing with patriotic and filial love could dictate. 

Vni— 2. ELIZABETH {Mary, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward); bom in Chesterfield, N. H., May 
3, 1804; died July 2, 1877; married, Jan. 10, 1822, Dr. 
Timothy S. Gleason of Claremont, N. H., bom in Gran- 
tham, N. H., May 31, 1789; died April 5, 1843. A 
physician of large practice. 

Children of Timothy and Elizabeth: 

IX — I. John Putnam; bom April 19, 1824. 
IX — 2. Charles Wistar; bom March 5, 1826. 
IX — ^3. Henry Clinton; bom Sept. 7, 1828. 
IX — ^4. Mary Converse; bom Dec. 26^ 1830. 
IX — 5. TtMOiHY Alexander; bom May 13, 1837. 



IX— 1. JOHK PUTNAM; son of Timothy and Eliza- 
beth; bom in Claremont, N. H., April 19, 1824; unmar- 



THE PUTNAM FAMILY. 77 

ried; served three years in the War of the Rebellion; is 
at the Soldiers* Home in Milwaukee. 

IX— 2. CHARLES WISTAR; son of Timothy and 
Elizabeth; bom in Claremont, N. H., March 5, 1826; 
died in California July 4, 1875. Unmarried. 

IX— 3. HENRY CLINTON (Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Javus, Janus, Edward) ; bom in Claremont, 
N. H., Sept. 7, 1828; married in Fond du Lac County, 
Wisconsin, April 22, 1854, Lucy Jane Hackett. 

Children of Henry and Lucy: 

X — I. Three died in infancy. 

X — ^4. Arian Elizabeth; bom July 12^ 1859. 

IZ— 4. MARY CONVERSE; daughter of Timothy 
and Elizabeth; bom in Claremont, N. H., Dec. 26, 1830, 
Unmarried. 

IX— 5. TIMOTHY ALEXANDER {Elizabeth, Mary, 
Joseph, Joshua, John, Janus, Jaines, Edward); bom in 
Claremont, N. H., May 13, 1837; died Jan. 6, 1884; ^lar- 
ried, Oct. 22, 1861, Clara A. (Wilson) Tribou, bom in 
Middleboro, Vt, May 15, 1840. 

Children of Timothy and Clara: 

X — I. Harriet Gertrude; bom Nov. 22, 1864 > married^ Sept. 21, 

1892, Charles Davies. 
X — 2. Charles Timothy; bom Nov. 4, 1867. 
X — 3. James Edwin; bom March 27, 1872. 

Vni— 3. CHARLOTTE {Mary, Joseph, Joshua, John, 
James, James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield, N. H., March 
I, 1807; died Sept. 22, 1858; married, 1829, Dr. Robert 
S. Gleason, brother of Timothy, and a physician in 
Claremont, N. H. 



78 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

Children of Robert and Charlotte : 

IX — I. Eujah; bom Sept. i6, 1830. 

IX — 2. Frances Putnam; bom June 20, 1834. 

IX — ^3. Lewis Putnam; bom March 7^ 1840. 

IZ— I. ELIJAH; son of Robert and Charlotte; bom 
in Claremont, N. H., Sept 16, 1830; died June 13, 1858. 
Killed by explosion of the Mississippi steamer Pennsyl- 
vania, returning from New Orleans. 

IX— 2. FRAKCES PUTNAM ; daughter of Robert and 
Charlotte; bom in Claremont, N. H., June 20, 1834; died 
Jan. 24, 1880. Unmarried. 

n— 3. LEWIS PUTNAM; son of Robert and Char- 
lotte; bom in Claremont, N. H., March 7, 1840; married 
in Lewiston, Me., Jan. 6, 1875, Serene Mayers Carney 
of Dresden Mills, Me. No children. 

ym— 4. CHARLES LEWIS {Mary, Joseph, Josh$ia, John, 
James, James, Edward); bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Sept 
10, 1 8 10; died in Worcester, Mass., July 17, 1877; mar- 
ried at Keene, N. H., June 23, 1835, Rev. Z. S. Barstow 
ofBciating, Dorothy Plagg, who died at the same place 
Aug. 19, 1 841, aged 26 years. An accomplished, sweet- 
tempered, Christian woman, early a victim of painful 
disease, which she endured to the last in the most admir- 
able spirit of resignation. 

Charles Lewis graduated from Dartmouth College in 
the class of 1830; a lawyer; many years Secretary of the 
Merchants' and Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of 
Worcester; Vice-President of the State Mutual Life In- 
surance Company; member of the State Board of Insur- 
ance Commissioners; Representative to the General Court 
from Worcester. 



THE PUTNAM FAMILY. •TO 

Child of Charles and Dorothy : 

IX— 1. MART FLAGG {Cliarles, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ bom in Claremont, N. H., 
May 1 6, 1837; married, Jtme 5, i860, Hon. John Davis 
Washburn of Worcester, bom in Boston March 27, 1833. 
He graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1853 ; 
received the degree of LL.B. in 1856; member of the 
Massachusetts Historical and American Antiquarian 
Societies; officer of Insurance Companies; Representa- 
tive to the General Court, and State Senator. In 1889 Mr. 
Washburn received the appointment of United States 
Minister to Switzerland, which office he resigned in 1892. 

Child of John and Mary: 

X — I. Edith; bom inWorcester, Mass., June i, 1863; married, 
April 33, 1884, Richard Ward Greene, bom Dec. 5, 1861. 

Vni — 6. JULIA {Mary, Joseph, Joshua, John, James, 
James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield, N. H., Aug. 17, 
1 8 19; died Jan. 16, 1897; married, Dec. 14, 1840, Orrin 
Rawson, a merchant successively in Worcester and Bos- 
ton, Mass. ; Cleveland, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky. ; bom in 
Richmond, N. H., Oct. 12, 1812; died in Louisville Aug. 
I, 1874. 

The RawsoDS were descended from Edward, of Newbury, Secre- 
tary of the Colony of Massachasetts Bay from 1650 to 1686. The 
ancestral line runs : i. Edward. 2. William. 3. DAvm. 4. 
JosiAH. 5. JosiAH. 6. Jonathan. 7. Orrin. 

Children of Orrin andJuKa : 

IX— I. JuuA Putnam; bom May 7, 1842. 

IX — 3. Mary; bom Aug. 17, 1846. 

IX — 3. Fanny Louisb; bom Jan 27, 1849. 

IX— 4. Charles Edward; bom March 3, 1854. 

IX — 5. Stella Lavina; bom Aug. 13, 1856. 

IX — 6. Nellie Cora; bom Sept. 8, 1859 ; died July 28, 1864. 

IX — 7. WnxuM Putnam; bom Jan. 7, 1863; died Dec. 4, 1876. 



80 



DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 



IX— 1. JULIA PUTNAM {Julia, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Jaines, Edward)] bom in Worcester, Mass., 
May 7, 1842; married, Nov. 9, 1865, Ransom Y. Scow- 
den in Louisville, Ky., who died Dec. 12, 1881. 

Mr. Scowden was a Civil Engineer. He first served 
oflBcially in Cleveland, Ohio; then, in 1857, in entire 
charge of the Water Works System of Louisville, Ky. ; 
later on the Louisville and Portland Canal; chief engi- 
neer of the Cincinnati Water Works, 1 870-1 874; the 
Water Works and Sewerage System of Dubuque, Iowa; 
City Engineer of Louisville from 1875 to 1890. At the 
time of his death he had nearly completed a three million 
gallon Water Works Plant in Poughkeepsie. 

IX— 3. MARY CONVERSE {Julia, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 

John, Jatfies, Janus, Edward) \ bom in Boston Aug. 17, 

1846; married, Sept. 16, 1 868,- William Vernon Wolfe 

at Louisville, Ky., Lieutenant U. S. A. Died May 8, 

1881. 

Child of William and Maty : 

X — I. Orrin Rawson; bom Jane 10, 1869. He is Lieutenant in 
23d In£mtry, U. S. A., stationed in Montana. 

IX— 3. FANinr LOUISE {Julia, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ bom in Boston Jan. 27, 
1849; married, Jan. 13, 1875, Lieut. George S. Hovt, U. 
S. A. ; afterwards Captain and Assistant Quartermaster 
U. S. A. 

When the War of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Hovt, 
then living in Wisconsin, joined the United States Army, 
and was thereafter a military man. He was engaged in 
many of the principal battles of the war. He continued 
in service after the return of peace, and was stationed at 
diflferent times at Ft. Reno, Ft. Russell, Ft. Leavenworth, 
Ft. Hays and JefiFerson Barracks. He was at Ft. Harri- 
son, Helena, Montana, when stricken with the paralysis 
that caused his death in October, 1896. 



i. : 



THE PUTNAM FAMILY. 81 

Children cf George and Fanny: 

X — I. Nelue; bom Jan. 34, 1876; died June 6, 1876. 
X — a. George S.; bom in Louisville Nov. 5, 1885. 

IZ— 4. CHARLES EDWARD (^Julia, Mary, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Janus, Ja^ttes, Edward)] bom in Boston 
March 3, 1854; married, Dec. 18, 1877, Adelia R. Pool. 

Child of Charles and Adelia : 

X — I. Ethel Potnam; bom in Louisville Sept. ip^ 1879. 

IZ— 5. STELLA LAVINA {Julia, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, Jaims, Edward)\ born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
Aug. 12, 1856; married, July 21, 1875, Thomas N. Lind- 
SEY, a merchant in Louisville. 

Children of Thomas and Stella : 

X — I. THOBCAS Raih^son; bora July 16, 1878. 
X — 2. Fanny Hoyt; bom Nov. 28, 1880. 
X — 3. JuuA Rawson; bom Nov. 30, 1883. 

IX— 6. NELLIE CORA; daughter of Orrin and Julia; 
bom in Louisville Sept. 8, 1859; died July 28, 1864. 

IX— 7. WILLIAM PUTNAM; son of Orrin and Julia; 
bom in Louisville Jan. 7, 1863; died Dec. 4, 1876. 

Vm— 7. JOHN JAY (Mary, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jamrs, 
James, Edward)-, bom in Chesterfield, N. H., May 21, 
1823; married by Rev. Joseph H. Phipps of East Bridge- 
water, Mass., May 9, i860, Isabella, daughter of Dr. 
William and Hannah (Bigelow) Parkhurst of Petersham, 
Mass. 

The Bigelow ancestry is thus: i. John, 16 17-1703, son of 
Randall Biglo of VVrentham, County of Suffolk^ England ; settled in 
Watertown, Mass.; married, first, Mary Warren, Aug. 30, 1643; 
married, second, Sarah Bemis, Oct. 2, 1694. 3. Joshua; bom 
Nov. S, 1655 ; married, Oct. 20, 1676, Elizabeth Flagg. 3. Daniel; 



I 



82 DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH CONVERSE. 

bapt. Aug. 29^ 1697 ; married Elizabeth Whitney ; parents of Colonel 
Timothy. 4. Daniel; bom Jan. 4, 1739 ; married, first, Nov. 21, 
1 75 1 , Mary Bond ; married, second , Mary Bullard. 5 . Daniel ; 
bom April 14, 1752; married, April 20, 1783, Annie Johnson; 
graduated from Harvard College, 1775; Lawyer, County Attorney, 
member of the State Senate and Executive Council. 6. Hannah ; 
bom July 19, 1792. 

John Jay was educated at the Academy of his native 
town, and later at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. 
H. He was diverted from his purpose to take a collegiate 
course by impatience to enter upon theological studies. 
The societies over which he has been settled were: Lib- 
eral Christian Society in Lebanon, N. H. ; First Congrega- 
tional Church, Bolton, Mass. ; First Congregational Parish, 
Petersham, Mass. ; First Congregational Society, Bridge- 
water, Mass. Protracted supplies of pulpits in Keene 

I and Concord, N. H., and Northampton and Leicester, 

Mass. 

After the dose of his ministry in Bridgewater Mr. 
Putnam entered upon a secular enterprise, in accepting a 

i General Agency of the New England Mutual Life Insur- 

ance Company of Boston for a large territory in Southern 
New England. This business adventure was followed 
from January, 1865, until June, 1879, Worcester being 
the headquarters of operations. 

Children of John and Isabella: 

IX— 1. CHARLES CONVERSE {John, Mary, Joseph, 
Joshua, John, Jatnes, Janus, Edward) ; bom in Bridgewater, 
Mass., Aug. 15, 1861; died in Worcester May 14, 1891. 
Graduated from Worcester Classical High School, 1880, 
and in the same year passed the entrance examination to 
Amherst College. His health was insufficient to warrant 
his undertaking the prescribed course of study, and the 
purpose was relinquished. 



THE JOSHUA CONVERSE FAMILY. 83 

IX— 3. JOHH PARKHURST (John, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, 
John, James, James, Edward)\ bom in Worcester, Mass., 
March 12, 1867. Graduated from Worcester Classical 
High School in 1886; from Harvard University in 1891 ; 
three years special course in Harvard Divinity School. 
In 1894 received from Harvard the degree of A.M. A 
candidate for the Unitarian Ministry. 



Vn— 8. JOSHUA {Joseph, Joshua, John, Janus, James, 
Edward)', bom in Bedford, Mass., Aug. 19, 1786; died 
Sept 4, 1833; married Joanna, daughter of Silas Hil- 
DRETH of Chesterfield, N. H., who was bom Jan. 5, 1796; 
died April 4, 1841. 

Joshua was a physician; graduated from Dartmouth 
College; commenced practice in Schoharie Co., N. Y.; 
returned to Chesterfield, where he died. 

Children of Joshua and Joanna: 

VIII — I. George; unmarried; settled io Jay, Essex Co., N. Y. 
VIII — a. CuNTQN ; died in in&ncy. 
VIII— 3. Mary; bom Sept 6, 183a. 

Vin — 3. MART {Joshua, Joseph, Joshua, John, Jatnes, 
James, Edward); bom Sept 6, 1832; married in 1851 
Nathaniel Webb of Chesterfield, N. H. 

Children of Mary and NaOianiel : 

IX — I. Charles F. C. ; born Oct 20, 1853. 
IX — 3. Sarah E. ; bom Dec. 21, 1854. 
IX — 3. Hattie M. ; bom Feb. 3, 1857. 
IX — ^4. George W.; bom March 7, 1858. 
IX — 5. William A.; bom Sept. 30, x86i. 



J 



CONCLUDING WORDS. 



Sttch personal notices on the preceding pages as are 
at all extended, relate almost exclusively to viale members 
of the family. It may seem invidious that such is the 
case. The protest against lack of chivalry, or preju- 
diced oversight of the real service and noble character- 
istics attributable to the other sex, would pass for nothing. 
There must be further search for the real cause of 
noticeable omissions. Such search will be likely to draw 
attention to one of great social agitations of comparatively 
recent date, which has to do with the proper and rightful 
sphere and occupations of woman. If the field of activity 
which lies open to her to-day be compared with the con- 
finement to strictly domestic concerns which stifled her 
ambition and cramped her energies during much of the 
period which our history has covered, it will be seen that 
little could have been written of the wives and daughters 
whose names appear in this family record. Public opinion 
would not allow them to occupy the platform or pulpit: 
to take part in the organization of towns, and in providing 
the means of education; to receive official appointments 
and select business callings, — in short, to employ their 
talents in the manifold ways adopted by their latter day 
sisterhood. In the seclusion of their homes, busy with a 
monotonous round of labor that rose scarcely above 
wearisome drudgery, they spent their daily strength and 
found their daily comforts. Their environment and 
range of operation absolutely prevented them from be- 
coming makers of history, afterwards to be read by their 
descendants. Husbands and sons for the common de- 
fense were obliged to do military duty; they made settle- 



C0_\'CLVI, 



.;* 



^^y 









•-=3" ^r^-z.' 






-- .--- •-- -.^ * 

^ ^-c lir- ,^ _.^ ^ - - - . s**^,rt,^t 

~* ' ^---r- .: ~L~ ^'. -.^'■" *"' ^P^^ their 

■ ^^^ -7-' ---• -^ rr''_ 't ' ""^'^'^^ ^ 
^'^^ ' - — - _— — _ "* '• ^eommoadt^ 




CONCLUSION. 86 

ments, planted churches and schools ; were forced to take 
part in all local affairs, and thus had opportunity to make 
a record of service worthy of transmission to their pos- 
terity. All this while, hand, intellect and heart were 
engaged in a ministry of blessing within domestic circles, 
where capacity and fidelity were as marked as in many 
whose ability and qualities of character were shown on 
a broader arena of life. The age in which we live clamors 
for a change that will secure a more equitable distribution 
of duties, and recognition of the work and influence of 
man and woman in the world; so that the story of their 
lives will be less one-sided than in the past. The rearing 
of a family, including the direction of an orderly and 
happy home, may be as important as the building of a 
state, or the management of mammoth business enter- 
prises. But clearly, in the first instance, the sphere of 
action is narrower, and the work done is not open to the 
gaze of the multitude. It would be out of place to argue 
here the question suggested by these remarks. A move- 
ment is well started that will rectify the disparities 
noticed without imperiling a valued social system. The 
day of woman's emancipation has already dawned; and 
that it was not earlier heralded is the reason for this 
apologetic explanation that more has not been recorded 
on these pages of her devotion and achievements. Yet, 
what other distinction is to be compared with that of 
having deserved the tender and affectionate tribute paid 
to so many mothers and daughters by the epigrammatic 
epitaphs still to be read on the moss-covered headstones to 
be found in however lonely and neglected burial-grounds? 
Proverbs xxxi: 10-31. 
7 



Hppenbix. 



JAMES COGSWELL CONVERSE. 

(Autobiogimphical See pages S7* S^*) 

My education was acquired in the village school until I was about 
fifteen years of age. I was then sent to the Academy at Chester, Vt. 
In 1823 I was sent to Keene, N. H., to be fitted for college. Re- 
turning home in the M of the same year, I learned that my fiither 
wished me to keep school during the winter to obtain the money 
necessary for my college expenses. But having a desire to enter 
upon mercantile life, I became impatient at the delay of a college 
course, and consequently determined to start at once on my chosen 
pursuit This led to a discussion with my father, and the result was 
that he started with me in his << one-horse shay" to visit an old 
merchant friend in Putney, Vt, Captain Green. On arriviog at 
Putney I was pleased to learn that Captain Green had an opening 
for me in a branch store at West Townshend, Vt I was left to enter 
his service, remaining with him about one year, and leaving of my 
own choice to carry out a plan I had formed of going to Boston. 

Arriving in Boston in February, i8a6, 1 took lodgings at the Hol- 
land Cofiee House, Howard Street My first year there I worked for 
I3.00 per week. By taking an attic chamber I was enabled to get 
boarded for the same sum. I worked along, living veiy carefully 
until 183a ; engaged in business for myself as junior partner in the 
firm of Farrington & Converse. In 1836 I formed a copartnership 
with John Blanchard, under the firm name, Blanchard, Converse & 
Co. 

When in business at this time, we were largely engaged in Southern 
and Western trade, and suffered considerably for the want of better 
transportation facilities, as at that time Boston was far behind New 
York in this particular. For nine successive years, from 1843 to 
185 a, I personally visited what was then considered the <<far West," 
canvassing for trade in competition with New York, and found the 
chief obsUde to buflding up a trade was the lack of transportation 
facilities. 



90 APPENDIX. 

In the spring of 1852^ before leaving for my usual trip West, I 
formed the plan of organizing the merchants of Boston into a body, 
to meet the condition of things indicated. After some consultation 
with the leading merchants, a preliminary meeting was called to con- 
sider the matter, which resulted in the formation of the Boston Board 
of Trade, organized under an Act of the Legislature, approved May 
zo, 1854. Samuel Lawrence was chosen first president. I served 
as director ; as committee on finance and transportation ; as vice- 
president from i860 to 1863 ; as president from 1863 to 1865 ; and 
as chairman of committees on transportation during my connection 
with the board, which continued until I left the State. 

A convention was held in Philadelphia June 5, 1868, for the or- 
ganization of a National Board of IVade, to which I was appointed 
a delegate from the Boston Board of Trade. The organization being 
complete, I was chosen vice-president and member of the executive 
council, serving till my removal to Pennsylvania. In the address of 
welcome by Hon. John Welch, president of the Philadelphia Board 
of Trade (since U. S. minister to England), occurs the following : 

''In July, 1865, 1 had the honor to be a member of a Commercial 
Convention held in Detroit. During its session Mr. James C. Con- 
verse of Boston submitted two propositions, one for the creation of 
an additional department for the National Government, in whose 
charge should be all subjects connected with commerce ; the other 
for the establishment of a National Board of Tk-ade ; a representa- 
tive body to concentrate the commercial sentiment oi the country, 
and through which to impart this to the community. A multitude 
of other subjects, seemingly of more immediate importance, were 
pressed on the attention of the convention, while these, with a hasty 
approval, were referred to the Boston Board of Trade, that, if pos- 
sible, by its direct instrumentality, and by the co-operation of kin- 
dred institutions, they might be carried with effect. 

''True to its trust, that active, intelligent and efficient body has 
kept them both in view, and at a convention held in Boston in Feb- 
ruary last, certain Articles of Association were determined on as a 
basis for a National Board of Trade. In accordance therewith, at 
the instance of the Boston Board of Trade, and on the invitation of 
the Commercial Exchange of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia 
Board of Trade, you, gentlemen, are assembled to-day as representa- 
tives from the incorporated commercial bodies of the United States. 



APPENDIX. 91 

''The presence of this large assemblage is the assurance that the 
one proposition — a National Board of TYade — ^has already an exist- 
ence, and as the other is a necessity, it likewise wiU soon spring into 
being. 

''It is not always the case that he who plants can enjoy the fruit 
of his planting ; but in this instance I am happy to-day to recognize 
among us Mr. Converse himself, whose thoughtful forecast has been 
the means of bringing us together, and whose name, I trust, will be 
ever associated with these two instrumentalities, which are calculated 
to be so eminently useful." 

Mr. Converse's sketch continues : While chairman of the Boston 
Board of Trade, I presented to the Massachusetts Legislature a peti- 
tion for redress of transportation grievance of the dty. Thb resulted 
in the appointment of a Board of State Raihoad Commissioners, of 
which I was the chairman in 1869. After serving for a term of four 
years, although strongly urged to continue in office, I resigned to 
accept the position of president of the National Tube Works, engag- 
ing in the active service of the company, with a view of superintend- 
ing the construction of its works at McKeesport, Pa., near Pittsburg. 
I remained at McKeesport four years, during which time I was con- 
stantly employed in laying the foundation of many branches of the 
now large iron works located there. 



ALLEN CONVERS OF WOBURN. 

It is a matter of record that one Allen Convers was living in 
Salem, Mass., in 1629. Who was he t When, and fiom where, did 
he come to this country? What was his relationship, if any, to the 
pioneer Edward? It appears that for some reason he was drawn to 
Wobum, where Edward was already a leading man in town and 
church affairs. He located there in 164a, among the earliest set- 
tlers. Thirty-six years later he was a school teacher in town; and 
his wife is mentioned as receiving a salary for like services. He 
died of small-pox April 19, 1679, his irife surviving him only three 
days. Their children were : 2^hariah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Joseph, 
Mary, Theophilus, Samuel, Mary 2d, and Hannah, — all supposed to 
have been bom in Wobum. Their records are not traceable with 
any cleamess. On the authority from which the above Ceusts are ob- 



92 APPENDIX. 

tained — ^Mr. Alfred C. Vinton^ in Wobum Record of Marriages, Part 
Illy p. 331 — it is learned that ** though his immediate family was 
thus numerous, his race is perhaps now extinct." The obscurity of 
the case is increased by the will of Edward Convers, in which Alien 
is mentioned as my kinsman — a designation that admits of some 
latitude of interpretation. 

Side hy side dwelt these two £imilies ; one steadily making a local 
reputation, and the other leaving no mark whatever ; the one greatly 
multiplying generation after generation, and the other early becom- 
ing extinct Their intimacy or separation is wholly conjectural. 
The confusion of family names to the genealogist is what might be 
expected. The future can only darken the mystery, the key to its 
solution having been long lost There is a legal document in which 
kinship was acknowledged ; but no one knows what it was. 

Allen immigrated to this country earlier than Edward. They 
may or may not have known each other abroad. Identity of name 
would have been a mutual attraction far away from their native 
land. Savage supposes they may have been brothers, but the rec- 
ords do not favor this surmise. No known feud had alienated them. 
No dark suspicions have been raised ; but the circumstances con- 
nected with the parties are a puzzle to the genealogist. 



COLLATERAL FAMILY BRANCHES. 

Edward Conv£rs the first, of Wobum, hzAfour children ; James 
the Second, /fii;. James the Third, mm; John the Fourth, five; 
Joshua the Fifth, three; in all thirty-one, whose names appear on 
the preceding pages. Of this list, by far the larger number became 
heads of separate families ; and their children and grandchildren in 
like manner multiplied oAhoots fix>m the early ancestral stock. 
Hence the difficulty, increasing with every generation, of tracing 
more than a single line of descent. 

In the common walks of life, in society, in business, in the asso- 
ciations of the church, and the whole round of entertainments, per- 
sons bearing the same patronymic are often introduced ; and nat- 
urally the question of family and relationship is suggested. The 
chances are that the particular sources of inherited names cannot be 
indicated ; and whether the connection be nearer distant must be left 



APPENDIX. 98 

unsettled. The reason of the embarrassment, if any, has been ex- 
plained. The writer remembers that once, on being mtroduced to 
the Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbnry, he abruptly put the challenging 
question — ** What right have you to your namef^ — ^not expecting, of 
course, any genealogical details in reply. The multiplication of 
family histories is greatly enlarging the circle of known relation- 
ships, and often of intimate friends. The barriers of exclnsiveness 
yield to the magic potency of household names. One group takes 
kindly to another, while a broadening interest yields its own satis- 
fiurtions. 

1. John Convers^ (sometimes confounded with John^, of Wo- 
bum), a brother o{ Joshua^, married Abigail Baldwin about 1727. 
This family, as the evidence points, moved to Leicester, Mass. 
The children were : ^ John; bom July 31, 1728. Benjamin; bom 
May 20, 1732. Luke; bom October 6,1734. Robert; bom April 
20, 1737. Abigail, bom March 5, 1739. The last four were bom 
in Leicester. 

Bef^amin married Prudence Harrington of Spencer in 1754, 
Wiih little doubt he was the person whose name appears on the list 
of Leicester's minute men who marched on the alarm of 19th 
April, 1775. Luke married Buth Lamb of Spencer, 1759. The 
records point to him as the man who enlisted in 1 754 in the service 
of the French and Indian war. Bobert married Sarah Newton^ 1 762. 
There were nine children. See Washbum's << History of Leices- 
ter." 

2. Zebolon CkMJVERS, a younger brother o{ Joseph, of Bedford, 
setded in Rindge, N. H. There were numerous descendants who 
kept their jesidence in that locality. See ** History of Rindge,'' by 
Steams. 

3. The only catalogued book on (exclusively) Convers Genealo- 
gy is one bearing the title, " Extract from the FamUy Record of 
Deacons James W. Converse and Elisha S. Converse, compiled and 
edited by William G. Hill, Maiden, Mass. Privately printed, 1887." 
This Record shows the line of descent of ihe persons named from 
the first Edward, thus : 

Edward\^yiohom; b. Jan. 30, 1590; d. Aug. 10, 1663. 
Samuel*^ of Wobarn; bap. Mar. 12, 1637; d. Feb. 20, 1669. 
Samuii\ of Thompwn, Conn.; b. April 4. 1662; d. ab. 1732. 
£dward\ of Thompion, Conn.; b. Sept. 25, 1696; d. July 9, 1784. 



94 APPENDIX. 

ycnaihan*^ of Thompion, Conn.; bap. Apr. 28, 1723; d. , 1761. 

Jonathan*^ of Thompson, Conn.; b. Jan. 27, 1760; d. Oct. 25, 1845. 
Elisha''^ of Woodstock, Conn.; b. June 19, 1786; d. Jan. 26, 1854. 

The two sons of Elisha'^, James W. and Elisha S. Converse, are 
much esteemed citizens of Maiden, the place of their residence, 
where church and municipality have long shared the benefits of 
their unstinted co-operation, not to speak of wider circles. The 
mention of the memorial gift to the city of a costly and admirably 
equipped Public library by the latter, it would be affectation and 
injustice to omit, however modestly the benefaction may have been 
bestowed. 

4. The late Rev. John Ksnimuck Converse, of Burlington, Vt, 
is remembered for the intelligent interest he manifested in the his- 
tory of the Converse Family. The sketch of foreign ancestry which 
appears in the ** History of Rindge," N. H., on the authority of his 
son, was fix>m his pen. It will gratify many to follow his line of 
descent: Edward^, Samuel^, Samuel^, Thomas^, Jcel^, John 
Kendrick^ ; bom in Lyme, N. H., June 15, 1801 ; died in Burling- 
ton Oct. 3, 1880; married Sarah, daughter of Hon. Herman 
Allen, M. C. Seven children — ^three sons and four daughters. 

Mr. Converse graduated from Hampden Sidney College in 1827, 
and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1832 ; was Pastor of 
Congregational Church in Burlington, Vt, from 1832 to 1844; 
Principal of Burlington Female Seminary for twenty-five years ; Su- 
perintendent of Public Schools, and Secretary of the Vermont Col- 
onization Society. A recently erected Public School Building in 
Burlington is named ^* The Converse School," in memory of him ; 
also a new Dormitory Building of the University of Vermont called 
'^ Converse Hall ;" the latter a gift to the University by a son, John 
Herman Converse, who, with a brother, Charles Allen Converse, 
both graduates of this institution, are prosperous business men in 
Philadelphia, and otherwise connected with various societies and or- 
ganizations of the city. 

5. Charles Crozat Converse, of Highwood, N. J., is another 
lineal descendant from the first Edward ; thus : Edward, Samuel, 
Samuel, Edward, Jacob, Jacob, Manning, Charles Crozat The 
last named was bom in Warren, Mass., 1831 ; graduated in Music 
at Leipsic, 1857, and in Law, 1861. Author of several publications 
in Literature and Music. He has been deeply interested in tracing 






APPENDIX. 96 

the fkmilj lines farther back than the immigrant ancestor, and has 
contributed the result of some of his researches to the New York 
Genealogical and Biographical Record. More may be expected from 
his pen. 

6. Within a short time a book has been published in Chicago 
giving the Genealogy of the Ancestors and Descendants of Pamela 
(Converse) Morris. This Pamela Converse was the sixth in de- 
scent from Deacon Edward, of Wobum ; thus : Pamela^ Jesse, Jo- 
siaA, JosiaA, James, James, Edward. Not having the book at hand, 
no information can be given pointing to residences of the members 
of the last three generations of this branch ; but they are supposed 
to be outside of New England. 

7. As appears from a Circular of Invitation, dated Plain City, 
O., July 18, 1896, there is an Association of members of a Converse 
Family in that vicinity that for twenty-three years has held annual 
reunions of a most cordial and friendly character. Their officials 
speak of ^* a whole-souled social visit." Who are these kindred of 
such warm-heartedness and loyalty to family ties?" 

Fragmentary sketches of Converse frimilies are to be found in 
many New England Town Histories. They are detached links in 
some line of descent which it is not always easy to trace, and pri- 
marily intended to satisfy a local interest. Couit records are also a 
source of information in genealogical researches, as also gravestones, 
that tell authentically of names, dates and relationships, so as to fill 
many a blank in the pages of the historian. The traditions that are 
lost by the daily passing away of elderly persons of intelligence and 
retentive memory, remind all of the necessity of securing what 
they can from lips that soon will relate nothing of departed gen- 
erations. What is secured now is not only of present worth, but 
will have a surprisingly increased value as the years roll on. 



THE MORAL SENSE THEN AND NOW, 

On a preceding page the names of Richard Goldsmith and In- 
crease Mather have been associated in connection with the sudden 
fatality that befell the former on a Sunday afternoon in 1673. 
Mather's description of the character of Mr. Goldsmith in his work 
on «* Remarkable Providences;' in style and sentiment is a unique 



96 APPENDIX. 

literary specimen that cannot fail to excite interest in the modem 
reader. It is as follows : 

'^ Richard Goldsmith, who was thus slain, was a shoemaker by 
tradCi being reputed a good man in the main; but he had blem- 
ished his Christian profession by frequently breaking his promise, it 
being too common with him (as with many professors among us) 
to be free and forward in engaging, but backward in performing ; 
yet this must be added fiuther that half a year before his death, 
God gave him a deep sense of his evils, and he made it his 
business, not only that his peace might be made with God, but with 
man also, unto whom he had given just offense. He went up and 
down bewailing his great sin of promise-breaking, and even became 
a very conscientious and lively Christian, promoting holy and edify- 
ing discourses, as he had occasion. At the very time he was struck 
dead he was speaking of some passages of the sermon he had newly 
heard, and his last words were, ' Blessed be the Lord.' " 

Apart from its seriousness and pathos, the humor of this sketch, as 
read to-day, is in the fru:t that uncounted shoemakers, garment- 
makers, craftsmen and artisans of whatever sort, not to except members 
of the various professions, are proverbially careless about the pecca- 
dillo of promise-breaking. They are jocose and unconcerned when 
reminded that they have not kept their contracts to the letter. 
Rarely they humiliate themselves by an apology. They would smile 
if the matter was treated seriously, as if die moral law of contract 
had been deliberately broken, and shield their delinquency behind 
prevailing custom. Yet, this humble Richard Goldsmith, pegging 
away wearily the live-long day at his bench in the poorly requited 
service of his neighborhood ; possibly hindered by chronic disa- 
bility, or emergency calls from his family ; perhaps losing a needed 
meal to gain time for his promised work ; often finding the rents to 
be mended more troublesome than he had hastily judged, — taking 
the whole situation into account, at last found himself unable to 
meet his stipulated engagements with his employers, — and what 
then? For a time he was hardened against censure, and succumbed 
to no feeling of remorse; but repeated accusations drove his 
thoughts inward, till at last he was quite overcome by the pang of 
conscious guilt In a state of distraction he rushed wildly up and 
down bewailing his heinous offenses. Through much contrition — 
long and passionate beseeching for mercy, how glad oite might be 



APPENDIX. 97 

that he found peace and hope, and experienced a joyfol re- 
covery. 

Such is the contrast of the times. Puritan training showed itself 
not only in austere piety, but in profound moral conviction. It bore 
upon common duties. Righteousness, such as the old-time prophets 
enjoined, meant something real and solemn in the days when on 
the one hand the Sovereignty of God was contemplated with an awe 
bordering on terror ; and on the other, when the violation of the di- 
vine law governing human conduct took the severe name of re- 
bellion, and was proclaimed to be a voltmtary choice of satanic rule, 
with the fearful hazard of sharing the doom of the Rich Man in the 
Parable. Motives may be questioned, but somehow the moral sense 
was reached at lower depths in the days of the forefathers than in 
the easy-going times into which the lot of their descendants has 
been cast. 

Noix. — ^A History of the Goldsmith Family is in course of prep- 
aration by Mr. G. H. Chapm of Dorchester, who has generously 
furnished some of the material used in the branch of Sarah Con- 
verse Goldsmith of Andover. Family affection and loyalty are strongly 
shown by Miss H. Elizabeth Giddings, a granddaughter of Sarah,who 
has gathered all that is to be known of her kindred for a generation 
or two back, and loves to tell of them to any really interested in- 
quirer. 




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