cs
171
. B7423
G684x
1867
VTRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
PROVO, UTAH
Do Not
Circulate
UALVIN M. lYIUKSL,
WARE,
MASS.
No.
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Brigham Young University
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GENEALOGY
>F THE DESCENDANTS <>K
JAMES BREAKEN^IDGE
WHO EMIGRATED
FROM IRELAND, JULY, 1727.
COLLECTED AND ARRANGED
CORNELIA A. GOULD
WARE, MASS.
CHARLES W EDDY, PRINTER
| \m \in . [887
THE LIBRARY
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY *
PROVO, UTAH
PREFACE.
The writing of this memorial of the Breakenridge
families of Palmer and Ware has been in greater part
a labor of love, tor it' books enough ean be sold to
cover the actual cost of publication it is more than 1
expect. The gathering of material I commenced
more- than ten years ago as a matter of personal grat-
ification. Wm. Sinclair Brakenridge of Westfield
long had it in mind to compile such a volume and
collected mam- facts relating to the family, some of
which his daughter, Mrs. Root, has kindly furnished
me; but doubtless much of his information is lost, as
during his busy life he never found time to place it in
connected form.
The tradition concerning the derivation of the
name from the Scotch Bracken or common brake as
growing abundantly on the ridge where the family
was first distinctively known, was obtained by him
from Rev. E. S. Breckenridge of Binghampton,
\. Y., who came from .Scotland in the present cen-
tury, as is witnessed by a letter from Wm. S. 15. to
Susan II. 15.. dated at Rochester, X. Y.. Aug.. [869.
It has some support in the fact thai Francis "I
Palmer, tin- first one born in this country, to pre-
serve his descent, spelled his name Brackenridge.
Francis, of Ware, followed his example, as .seen on
the headstones of himself" and wife in the old grave-
yard near the church at Ware Center. But the first
emigrant wrote his name Breakenridge, and his
youngest son George and his descendants to the fifth
generation kept up that spelling. His second son
William, of Ware, dropped the e and spelled Brak-
enridge and it was so kept up by most of his descend-
ants, except the families of his son George. Now al-
most all our cousins of the name throughout the coun-
try adopt the Southern method Breckenridgc. It has
produced greater uniformity, but I am by no means
certain that it conveys the right idea.
I wish here to express my thanks to all those cous-
ins who have so kindly assisted me by furnishing for
this work statistics of their respective branches of the
family. I have taken great care and pains to avoid
inaccuracies of every description, but fear I have not
been entirely successful.
Ware, September, 1886. C. A. GOULD.
NOTE.
Numbers at the right hand of masculine names refer to sections
or ward.
Numbers over the sections indicate male heads of families.
Abbreviations: h. horn, m. married, ch. children, dan. daugh-
er, res. residence, unm. unmarried.
The maiden names of married women are printed in Italics.
Heads of families in the female line are included under the section
if their father.
GENEALOGY
FIRST GENERATION.
1
The first record that we know of our branch of the
Breakenridge family, originally from Scotland, was
contained in a manuscript book brought over by the
first emigrant. "Jacobus Breakenridge, his music
book made and taught per me Rob't Cairnes Glen-
reavoll, September, 1715." Born in 1696, Jacobus must
have been about nineteen years old at this time. This
little book contained the scale and rudiments of
music, but he appears to have used it afterwards as a
sort of diary and memorandum book. There are but
two or three persons now living who have seen and
examined it, for it was lost from the family more than
thirty years ago. For the preservation of the items
extracted from it we are indebted to the sketch of the
earlier inhabitants of Ware by the Hon. William
Hyde, published in 1847.
His marriage was in 1720, and the births of his
children were minutely recorded, giving the time of
the moon as well as the year, month, day, hour and
minute. On one page was written, "We departed
from Ireland, July 1 6th, 1727, and my child died on
the 19th of August." He had three sons to take with
him on leaving his home in Ireland. James, six years
old, William, tour. Francis, two and one-halt". It
was Francis that died on the voyage. It is probable
that he left his mother behind him, as she died in
1729. His father died in 1709, when James was a
boy of thirteen. Very likely there were other child-
ren in the family, but we do not certainly know.
He was one of a company of emigrants who
settled in the forks of the Chickopee river, on the
Elbow Tract, under the claim of Joshua Lamb, Esq.,
of Boston. The township, at first called Kingstown,
is now Palmer. The titles under this claim were dis-
puted and the settlers appealed to the Provincial
Legislature, and were at last conditionally allotted
tracts of about one hundred acres each ; that of James
Breakenridge was a mile east of Palmer Center.
Here he lived and brought up his family in comfort
and respectability, and kept up some intercourse with
the "old country," for the late J. C. Hamilton of
Feeding Hills told me that he had seen a curiously
directed letter, superscribed on this wise, "James
Breakenridge, Town of Kingston, County of Hamp-
shire, Province of Massachusetts Bay." Mr. Hamil-
ton also showed me a stout oak cane headed with sil-
ver which came over the blue waters with his great-
grandfather.
James Breakenridge d. April 5, 1767, aged 71.
Sarah, his wife, d. Nov. 17, 1773, aged 78. Their
eight children were :
I. James b. May 28, 172 1. (2.
II. William b. Sept. 17. 1723. (3,
III. Francis b. Jan. 8, 1725, d. Aug. 19, 1727.
IV. Francis 2nd b. Nov. [8, 1727. (4.
V. Sarah b. Oct. 6, 1729.
VI. Esther b. Sept. 19. 1731 .
VII. George b. June i. 1733. (5.
VIII. Margaret b. d. Sept. 9. [787, unm.
Of Sarah there is a tradition thai she in. James Lammon of Pal-
mer and left numerous descendants, some living in Ware.
Esther m. James Hamilton of Palmer and had Bons James and
John: some of her descendants are now living in Palmer and BOme
in Feeding Hills, Mass.
SECOND GENERATION.
Of James, eldest son of the first James, but little is
now certainly known. In the earliest town records of
Ware. I find the births of six children of James
Brakenridge and Mary his wife. viz. :
I. Janet b. Aug. [8, 1746.
II. Isabel b. Oct. 22. 174S.
III. Esther b. Sept. 22. 1751.
IV. Mary b. Feb. 1. 1754.
Y. James b. Aug. 26. 1750.
VI. William b. Dec. 8, [75
I do not think lie lived in Ware during these years,
but he may have been here, though I have heard no
tradition of place or occupation. It is certain that he
went to Bennington, Yt.. some time before the Revo-
lutionary war. He and his brother William were
members of tin- Provincial Congress in 1775. James
was sent on a mission to England for redress of
grievances; while there he was so persuaded of the
wrong of rebellion against' the king that he turned
"tory," ;is it was called, ami so could not return to
his home in Vermont till after peace was declared in
1783.
There is a tradition that he came back t" Canada
and that one of his Dear relatives, perhaps uncle,
came with him. died there, and that his family emi-
grated to Kentucky. A lady in Belchertown related
to Susan II. B., that she distinctly rem em 1
seeing James Brakenridge alight from the stage at
her father's tavern there, when he was on his way to
Boston to start on his English mission, and that he
was a man of the most noble presence that she had
ever seen. One of his sons, probably James, settled
in Vergennes, Vt. ; the other remained at Benning-
ton, and had descendants of the name there only a
few years ago.
SECOND GENERATION.
William, second son of James and Sarah Breaken-
ridge of Palmer, m. Agnes, daughter of William and
Mary Sinclair of (Boston?) They were companions
on the emigrant ship. Her father, William Sinclair,
d. July 3, 1753 ; Mary, his wife, d. Aug. 9, 1765.
William Brakenridge took up a thousand acres of
land in Ware on both sides of Muddy Brook, em-
bracing the farms afterwards owned by his sons
William. James and Francis. At first he and his
young wife lived in a cabin near what has been called
the Gulf, about a quarter of a mile north of where
he afterward built his house.
I have heard it related that when it was necessary
for him to go back to Palmer to bring on some young
stock, and perhaps be gone till very late or even all
night, he urged his wife to have Rachel Simonds
from the settlement above, come and stay all night
with her lest she should be afraid, but she scouted the
idea : however, as tin- night wore on. she grew so
lonely and fearsome she thought it would be better to
curl down in the hovel with the COW where she could
9
hear her chewing her cud than .stay alone in the cab-
in, showing how inherent it is in human nature to
seek the company of any living creature rather than
endure solitude in stillness and darkness. She had
not been there a great while before the loud voice ol
her husband was ringing through the woods calling
to his cattle. She made haste to get hack to her
proper place and conceal all signs of trepidation. In
after \ ears she related the incident to the wife of her
son James, who told it to me among the many stories
with which she amused my childhood.
William Brakenridge has been described to me by
.i grandson George, who well remembered him. as
over six feet in height, with an erect, well-proportioned
figure, long featured and of Scotch cast of counte-
nance. He had such a loud, clear voice that he could
stand in his dooryard and make himself distinctly
heard by his sons when they were nearly a mile
away in the hill pastures opposite. More than one
of his descendants may trace their relation to him by
a similar loudness ol' voice.
According to all traditions ol him he was a man of
most notable qualities and well fitted for a successful
pioneer. The wife of his son George, who lived at
the homestead for eight or ten years after their mar-
riage, considered him the most nearly faultless of anj
one she ever knew.
Captain Brakenridge never united with the church
in Ware, some scruple of c >nscience preventing; hut
he w.is a religious, Godfearing; man ; maintaining
family worship with reading the Scriptures, singing
and prayer, in the Scotch-Presbyterian way. He
was .1 lover ot good ho..ks including Henry's Com-
mentary in huge folio: the Greater Catechism, ex-
plaining and enlarging on the questions of the small-
er, on one of the fly pages of which was written
Queen Elizabeth's reply to her questioners about the
real Presence in the Sacrament,
"He was the Word that spake it.
He blessed the bread and brake it.
And what the Word doth make it.
That I bless and take it.'*
He had a set of Scott's Bibles, some of the volumes
being in existence now; Bayley's dictionary, which
was as great a treasure then as Webster's unabridged
is now. These I remember looking over with child-
ish curiosity.
He was one of the first Board ot Selectmen after
the town was incorporated; was Town Clerk for
eighteen years ; was chosen delegate to the Provincial
Congress in 1775; had held a Captain's commission
under the King, but resigned it and afterward raised
a company for the war of the Revolution, his eldest
son William being the first to enlist in it as a private,
saving -'he was going to take care of his father."
The company was engaged in the strife in Connecti-
cut, (probably Stonington,) also in the battle of Ben-
ington.
The silver-hilted sword which he used as captain
of this company is now preserved as a relic, having
descended to his son Francis, who used it as a militia
captain, then to his son Francis, also captain of the
militia, and is now in the possession of Francis
Homer Brakenridge, living on the homestead of his
great-grandfather. A heavy sword cane is in posses-
sion of another great-grandson, Joseph C. Braken-
ridge. Francis Homer now has the tall cast- brass
clock Captain Brakenridge bought from the estate of
1 1
Rev. Ezra Thayer, who died in Ware. Feb. [2, 1775.
in the sixteenth year of his ministry.
The death of Agnes, first wife of William B.. is
thus recorded in his family Bible, now in possession
of his great-grandson Moses Paige B., of Westfield,
Mass., "The partner ol my joy and sorrow departed
this life," etc., beautiful way that our fathers had of
not calling their loved ones dead, but gone on to a life
beyond. The inscription on her tombstone at Ware
Center is as follows :
MEMENTO MORI.
In memory of Mrs. Agnes, the amiable Consort of
Captain William Brakenridge, who died March
19th, 1789. in the 70th year of her age.
Her virtues would a monument supply
But underneath this stone her ashes lie.
The second marriage of Captain Brakenridge was
to Mrs. Rosella Anne, widow of George Paige of
Hardwick, March 17. 1790.
William and A.gnes Sinclair Brakenridge had
sewn children :
I. Sarah b. Aug. 22. 1747. m. Joseph Ruggles
of Enfield. Their six children were:
1. Joseph b. Mar. 10. 1779.
j. William Brakenridge b. Feb. 28, 1781.
3. Benjamin b. Apr. 13, 1783, m. Abigail, dau. of Ebenezer ami
Milli\ Coney Gould of Ware. Their seven children were, Lavasta,
Betsey, Evander Knox, Lorasa, Willard Gould. Orestes, Lorrsine.
(. Sail} Sinclair b. Aug. 29, 17S5. d. Mar. 21, 1790.
5. Betsej b. Aug. 2. 1787, d. Mar. 19, 179a
6. Sarah b. Aug. 12, 1795, m. Abner Pepper.
Sally Sinclair and Betsey Ruggles died from tin- well water be-
coming poisoned b\ tin- breaking <>t" a mineral spring. William B.
Ruggles, a ver) promising young man, died <>f small-pox in bis
22nd vear. The nature of the disease waa at firsl unknown: his
uncle. George Brakenridge went ami took care <>t" him am) bad the
disease himself in "the natural way" and recovered.
I 2
The attachment between this brother and sister was especially
strong. Ili- youngest daughter said that when they would
observe father dressing up of a week day they expected to hear
him say, "1 am going to step over to sister Ruggles." The step
was a matter of five miles by the nearest crossways.
Mrs. Ruggles died 1827, aged 80.
II. William, Jr., b. Mar. 5, 1750. (6.
III. James b. Nov. 22, 1752. (7.
IV. George b. Aug. 5, 1755. (8.
V. Francis b. Jan. 11, 1759. (9-
VI. Mary, or Molly as called in her father's re-
cord, was a twin with Francis She m. in 1780 Jesse,
son of William and Mercy Aiken Paige of Hard-
wick, Mass. He wasb. Mar. 4, 1752, d. July 3, 1818.
Their seven childred were :
Francis. Mary, Christopher. Nancy A.. Sally, Jessee, Hadassah.
Christopher settled in Prescott and has sons still living there.
Nancy married Bassett Fay of Hardwick, Mass.. and when their
children, Mary. Jane and Charles B., were grown, moved to Ohio.
Sally married Colonel Briggs and moved to Indiana.
Mrs. Mary Paige d. Feb. 28, 18 10.
VII. Infant b. Jan. 25, 1762.
William Brakenridge died Feb. 16. 1807. in his
84th year.
SECOND GENERATION.
4.
Francis 2nd, fourth son of James and Sarah
Breakenridge, born in Palmer, 1728, lived with his
parents at the family home. I have not been able to
learn the name of his first wife. They had no
children, which was a grief to him. When over sixty
years old he married a second wife, Rebecca Blair of
Warren, Mass. fie died in his sixty-second year,
before his daughter Rebecca was born. She grew to
womanhood, married Joseph Brickett and went to
[3
Webster to live, carrying with her main- valuable
family papers. I was told by the late J. C. Hamil-
ton that Mrs. Rebecca Breakenridge married second
Jonathan Webber and continued through life on the
homestead and left several Webber descendants.
The name <>f Francis has been kept to the present
day in all the generations of his brother George.
SECOND GENERATION.
5.
The records under this number were not obtained
until the book was nearly ready for publication, so
they are placed at the back of the volume.
THIRD GENERATION.
<>.
William, eldest son of William and Agnes Sinclair
Brakenridge, married Thankful, daughter of Judah
Marsh of Ware. She was born Aug. 9, 1748. Their
rive children were :
I. Thankful, b. Jan. 8, 1781,01, Amasa Ander-
son and lived a short distance north of the meeting-
house in Ware Center : the house was built to board the
workmen on the meeting-house. Her family were
especiallv helpful to the church as singers, musicians
and sextons. She hail tour children :
1. Oriva b. Apr. 16, 1803, m. i-t. Marshall Edson of Greenwich,
Mass., ami had seven children; m. 2nd, Artemaa Ellis. Mrs. Ellis
is now living in Ware.
1. William b. Oct. u. 1805, d. Julv 21, 1SS4.
3. Samuel Franklin b. Nov. 10. 1807. m. Sylvia Maria, dau <>l
Warren Conkev of I'elham. Mas^., and they hail one BOn George b,
[line 20, 1831, m. Dei-. 31, 1^7.}. Emilv Vowles Kingsleyof Norwich.
Conn., they having one son George Kingsley, b. 1^74- S. F. An-
derson died Apr. iS. 1S60.
4. Charles b. Aug. 6, 1822, d. Sept. [2, \^-<>-
Mrs. Thankful Anderson d. Jan. 14, [870.
II. William Sinclair, b. Sept. 8, 1783. 1 i<>.
III. Judah Marsh, b. Sept. 8, 1785. (n.
IV. Sully b. Feb. 14. [787, m. Joseph Cummings
of Ware, b. Mar. 5, i;sf.. Their ten children were:
1. Mar) b. June 30, 1808, d. Mar. 6, 1815.
Sarah, b. Mar. 10, 1810, m. Lyman Taylor, had 2 children.
;. Eliza b. Dec. j.v 1811, m. Charles Adams of North Brook-
field, her present res.
4. Delphia, b. April 11, 1S14. m. Nicolas Harris, of Hartford,
Ct, d. Dec. 5, 1879.
5. Joseph Austin h. Ma\ 26, 1816, m. Frances Elizabeth Bliss, of
Springfield, Mass., res. Ware.
Lutheria b. Apr. jo. 1S18. m. Ezra Batcheller of NorthB rook-
field, d. Sept. 16, [878.
7. Mar) Anne b. July 16, 1820, m. John Yale, M. D., of Ware,
her present res.
8. William Brakenridge b. Sept. 4. i8jj. m. Mary P., dau. of
Aver) Clark, n-s. Brooklyn, N. Y.
• /■ Elbridge b. Aug. 14. 1824, m. Emetine Reckard of Ware. res.
North Brookfield.
IO. Martha b. Oct. 31, 18J9. m. Frank II. Palmer. Res. Boston.
Mrs. Sally Cummings d. May 21, [852.
V. Charlotte b. Nov. 5. [789, m. Isaac Stearnes,
of Temple, X. II.. in 1815. Their five children were:
1. Charlotte b. Aug. 25, 1815, d. Jan. to,
J. Isaae. Jr.. h. Dec. I, 1X17- m. Frances A. Davis, of Ware, and
had three children. Re-. Warren, Mass.
Maria I.. Ma\ ip 1820, m. Edwin Menitt of Hartford, Ct.
One dau., Emma St. Clair. Res. Hartford.
\. Alonzo b. Mar. 19, [822, m. Sophronia Grainger, dau. of
Haskell Cummings of Ware. Three children. Res. Ware.
5. Hannah h. Nov. to, [824. For several years teacher in Hart-
ford, Ct Res. Ware.
Mrs. Thankful Brakenridge d. Dec. 27, [831.
William Brakenridge d. Dec. 17. 1833. IK' was ,1
man of calm, even temperament, eminendy known as
.1 peacemaker in the neighborhood; of a devouth
religious character, though subject to doubt and
'5
depression, rather than having a confident hope. In
such seasons he would go to his son-in-law, Deacon
Joseph Cummings, have a long talk and go home
refreshed and comforted. His grandson, William
Anderson, has told me that when his aged grand-
parents would come over on Saturday to spend the
Sabbath and go to meeting, starting out early to ring
the bell, he would foliov\ along after his grandfather
and hear him engaged in vocal prayer all the way to
the meeting-house.
THIRD GENERATION.
7
James, second son of William and Agnes Sinclair
Brakenridge, m. Priscilla, daughter of William and
Mehetable Ellcs Coney.* -She was born in Sharon.
Mass., Aug. 28, [762, m. Jan. 2, 1781. Their eight
children were :
I. James b. Sept. 4th, [783. ( [2.
I I. Allender b. Jan. 1 1 . 1785. (13.
III. Polly b. May 11, [788, m. Barnard Whit-
comb, eldest son of Samuel and Hannah Pratt Brown
of Ware. Their three children :
1. James Frederick b. Mar. 29, 1813, m. June 10. 1S41. Eunice
M. Woodford, of Burlington, Conn,, and had three children, rst
Eugenia A. i>. June [4, is^. m. Dec. 28, 187 G Casey, 2nd
dau. t>- M.'o i;. [851, d. in infancy. 3rd, James Franklin, b. Jan.
mice M. Brown, died Jan. 2, [864, at East Douglass,
Mass., and m. June 13, 1866, Ada Fairbankol V Mass.
j. H drich b. Aug., isjj. m. Man Barrett, "t" Brattle-
boro', Vt. So children. Res. Collinsville, Ct,
;. Mary Jane b. m. Amasa M. Cobb. He died al
Collinsville, Ct Mrs. Cobb has lived in Westfield, Mass., for
many years.
I\'. Reuben Moss b. ( >ct. 29, \\ (if.
Appendix.
i6
V. Priscilla, b. Julv 9, 1794. m. [st, Dexter
Bridges of Western, now Warren, Mass., June, 1816:
2nd. Seth Gould of Ware, Aug. [9, [828, d. Oct. j,
1838.
Mrs. Bridges had one daughter, Cornelia Dexter, b. Dec. 13. 1S21 .
who took the name of Cornelia Adeliza Gould in 1830. and the
position of adopted daughter to S. Gould.
VI. William b. Aug. 16, 1797. (15.
VII. Agnes Sinclair b. Apr. 15. 1800, m. Ches-
ter Hall of Enfield, Sept. 5, 1S22. He was a cloth-
ier and set up business at Marsh Mills in the north
part of Ware, and they both died of malignant fever
in Dec, 1822. within two days of each other.
VIII. Mehetabel Elles, afterward called Alice
M., b. May 26, 1804, d. Sept. 22, 1864, unm. She
always had her home in her father's house, in the fami-
ly of her brother William, and was beloved and res-
pected by his large family of children almost as an-
other mother. Her mother, towards the close of lite,
was for a long time almost a helpless invalid and this
daughter attended upon her with unwavering devo-
tion and care.
James Brakenridge had the south end of his father's
thousand acres for his homestead. He was several
years in clearing his land and getting his house built,
on which he did a good deal of work himself. I
suppose there must have been a bridle path by the
place, for grandmother has told me that she was
going with a small grist from her sister Morse's to
the mill over at Ware Town, and had so much curi-
osity as to get offher horse and "peek in" to the half-
built house of which she was afterwards to be the
mistress, but never dreaming of such a destiny then.
From Joseph C. B. I learn that his grandfather
used to say ""brother James was not noted for his
force and energ} when a young man at home, but
when he went out for himself he was a smasher"
This brother was of calm, even temper and mild
deliberate speech, a contrast to James, who was
hasty, impulsive and somewhat rough in manner.
Their dwellings wore about half a mile apart. Wil-
liam's at the foot of a steep hill. James had part of
the .Muddy Brook meadows and was quite apt to put
on too heavy a load for his team. William would
have his oxen yoked and ready tor use about the time
he expected James along, and when with much urg-
ing and loud talk he was trying to get the load up the
hill. William would come up with his oxen and say,
••Hold on James. I'm a cominY and so with both
teams the load would he dragged up the hard road.
It was the fashion in those days tor men to wear
the hair long and dressed in a queue, and J. B. wore
his so. till one day being at work in the woods, it
bothered him so by catching in the twigs that he held
his head to a log and cut off the queue with his axe
and ever after wore short hair.
He was a natural mechanic. When a young man
he worked with Deacon Jenkins in his tannery; the
place was the next southeast of his. He learned also
something of shoemaking and had a bench and kit
of tools so as to repair for his own family : but his
taste was for wood work and he had a shop at the
end of his cider mill where he made spinning wheels
and reels, etc., when the wool was all worked up by
hand, ami main a farmer's daughter went to his
house and spun for a "great wheel" when they want-
ed one for themselves. Farm wagons, carts, sleds,
etc., were also in his line of work, and a little coop-
ering, such as making tubs and barrels, besides. \
1 8
wonder that his sons and grandsons have taken to
mechanics and in several instances shown quite a
genius for invention.
When the parsonage house on the corner of the
main and south roads in Ware Center, was built for
Rev. Reuben Morse, he wanted it set square with the
points of the compass. 1 am told "Uncle Jim" went
down one evening and set the stakes by the North
star.
In 1800, when the bell tower and cupola were
attached to the new church, just built, it was to be
done by private effort without expense to the town.
The corner posts were solid timbers, extending from
the underpinning up above the bell deck ; three of
them were prepared ; where the fourth was to come
from was a puzzle till grandfather heard of a tall
white pine in the edge of Belchertown. So one
morning about sunrise he took his axe, broad axe,
etc., and went over there on horseback. He cut
down the tree, scored and hewed it about sixteen
inches square at the butt, cut his initials "J. B." on
it and got home about sundown. The relater of this
anecdote says he found the 'kJ. B." on the timber
when the steeple was taken down in 1843. Some-
what later this same steeple came near being the
means of his death, for being at work on the belfry
he fell over on the east side, caught on the staging
as he came down, all but the lowest giving way. He
hung by his right hand till he could be taken down,
when it was found that only one nail of the fastening
held. His shoulder was so wrenched as to make it
trouble him greatly for the rest of his life.
He took great interest in fruit growing and from
Deacon Jenkins, who brought nice fruit from Rox-
*9
bury, he learned about the cultivation of it, and made
many experiments in planting and grafting. I>\
carefully splitting the cions he succeeded in produc-
ing a tree which bore apples one-half sweet and the
other sour. Climate and soil allowed the cultivation
of peaches in those days. Oriva Anderson tells me
that when she was a little girl, going from town to
her grandfather's in the peach season, there was a
rine large tree in the little garden at the top of the
hill, before getting to the house, and she was tempted
to go through the bars and help herself, well knowing
that she would be welcome to them. After eating all
she could hold and putting a few in the bosom of her
dress, (little girls didn't have pockets then,) she was
hurrying on by as fast as she could, but Uncle Jim
espied her from the shop and called out, "Here, come
hack you little trollop you, and get some peaches to
carry to your granny. She wants some." So she was
loaded with all she could carry in a bag, and given
strict orders to stop when she came back and take
another load to her mother, her heart all the time in a
tremble for fear they would ask why she couldn't
eat any more.
He had the habit of speaking sharply to children,
but was kind and indulgent to them nevertheless.
Once when his two eldest boys wen- abusively pun-
ished by a passionate school teacher, they were sent
to bed with small sympathy from him, but he took
pains to go a long distance that night to give the
young man a ''talking to." and a warning that it
must never occur again.
When his youngest son was married in [827, his
parents were too infirm to go to the wedding. The
bride had been left fatherless in childhood and deeply
20
felt the want of a father's house and home, and it
moved her to the core of her heart to have her hus-
band's father saw as she came over the threshold,
"My daughter, I bid yon welcome." For only a
year did she enjoy this late found kindness, as he
died ot typhoid lever Dec. 10. 1828, aged 76. Pris-
cilla his wife died Sept. 11, 1840. aged 78. Both
united with the church in 1794. in the ministry ol
Rev. Reuben Moss.
THIRD GENERATION.
8.
'George, third son of William and Agnes Sinclair
Brakenridge, married May. 1784, Persis Joslyn, of
New Braintree, b. 1767. Their ten children were:
I. Dwight b. Sept. 29, [785. (16.
II. John b. May 4, 1788, d. Aug. [3, [822, unm.
III. George b. Jan. 12, 1791, d. Oct. 23,1871, unm.
IV. William b. Dec. 10. 1793. | l8.
V. Benjamin b. June 26, 1796. (19.
VI. Betsey b. Mar. 12, 1799, m. Isaac Osborn of
Ware. Their five children were:
1. George B. b. Oct. 9, iSiy, cl. July 11. iSjo.
2. William I. b. June, 1821, m. Sarah Nelson of Sturbridge.
Their two daughters, both married, reside at Kendall, Mich.
3. Elizabeth b. Sept. 20, 1S24. m. Henry Plympton of New Lon-
don. Conn., had two children and died Oct. [876, at Columbus,
Ohio.
4. Franklin 15. 1). Nov. m. 1S26. d. Nov. 10. 1S42.
5. Persis B. b. Mar. 26, [829, in. George Rich of Ware. Their
six children arc: George B., Ella Persis, John Andrew. Henr\
Franklin. Mary Semantha. William Dwight. Mr. Rich d. May,
1S76. Mr-. Rich resides on the homestead of her grandfather.
Mrs. Betsey Osborn d. July to, 1829.
2 1
VII. Sally b. May .3, "802, m. Aewis Demond
0fBarre,Mis.,Oct.3o,i823. Their three children
^Mar, Anne b. Sept 9, .8*4, n,j Ruggles, of H.rdwick,
M.88. No children. Res. San Francisco, CM.
. EUa laneb. Sept ,. .833, m. Philip H. Sagendorph ol «.-
, Walter Lewi. I, Nov. 30. .847. ">• Charlotte F daughter o<
SSS».sB=-'«r:'
M„. Sallv Demond d. Nov. ,7. .88!. Deacon
Lewis Demond d. Dec. 2, .880. The most of his life
walpassed in mercantile business in Ware Village,
retired to a small farm north of the village, where his
daughter, Mrs. Sagendorph now lives.
V1I1 Theodosia More b. May 22, 1804, lived on
the homestead with her parents and remained unmar-
ried When in 1829 her sister Osborn died, eaving a
baby only a few months old, this child was taken to the
h„nu. 0f her grandmother and brought upas adaugh-
ter 0f the house; but the principal care was taken by
lu„. WDosia, who well fulfilled the part ol mother
andwho in her turn received a daughter scare and
^derness from this adopted child. T. M. B- in he
youth was remarkable for personal beauty, and all he,
life for gentle, courteous, ladylike demeanor She
died Aug. 13.1884. aged s"'
IX Susan Howe b. July 9, i8o7,d.Apr. 17,1880.
,,,,,',„ eariy life to middle age she was an acceptable
teacher in the public schools of her native town and
Ife adjoining ones, and many a pupil remembera her
as a guide not only in lessons toon the books, but m
ways of honor and good principles. She was one- of
the first teachers in this vicinity to introduce singing
as a daily exercise in her schools and excelled as a
disciplinarian.
X. Franklin b. Oct. 23, 1809. (20.
George Breckenridge lived at the homestead with
his father for about eight years after his marriage,
then the Captain Oliver Coney Farm, lying just south
of the one thousand acres, was bought on for him and
a new house built fully upright ; the others had houses
two stories in front sloping down to one at the back.
Not far from this time he was chosen one of the
"Queristers,, by the town and was persuaded to finish
one end of the second story of his house into a hall
that could be used for singing meetings, etc. This
house is still standing in good preservation, though
important changes have been made in it, and is now
occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs. Persis B. Rich.
He was the first of the name to unite with the church
in Ware, in 1789. Died June n, 1828. Persis his
wife d. Jan. 5, 1849, aged 82.
THIRD GENERATION.
9.
Francis, youngest son of William and Agnes Si>/-
clair Brakenridge, m. Lydia Pepper of New Brain-
tree. The had one son :
Francis, Jr., b. February, 1790.
F. B. was a captain of the militia ; like most of the
elder men of the family was very tall and had a re-
markable erect figure and a stern cast of counte-
nance, which well suited his military dignity. He
lived at the homestead of his father and died there
June 17, 1 83 1 . Lydia his wife died May 28, 1819.
23
FOURTH GENERATION.
10
William Sinclair, eldest son of William and Thank-
fill Marsh Brakenricjge, m. ist, Anna, daughter of
Joseph and Temperance Nye Cummings of Ware.
Their five children were :
I. Charles Sinclair b. July 18, 1811. I 22.
II. Henry Porter b. Nov. 20, 1813, d. Jan. 5. 1838,
unmarried.
III. Mary Ann b. Mar. 24, 1816, m. Charles French
of Oakham. Mass., Oct. 16, 1839, and went directly to
Northeastern Missouri to live. Five children were
born to them here :
1. Catharine Davis b. Oct. ist, 1841, d. June 2, 1S60; unm.
2. Lucy Ann Brakenridge b. Sept. 27, 1843, d. at Cleveland. O..
Apr. 10, 1S84, unm.
3. Martha Ellen b. May 28, 1S46.
4. Anne Maria. 5. Mary Esther. They both died in early child-
hood at Mount Pleasant, Missouri.
Mrs. Mary Anne French died at Mount Pleas-
ant, Missouri, May II, 1850.
IV. Newell Cutler b. Sept. n, 1818. (23.
V. Bradish Cummings b. Jan. 22, 1822. (24.
Mrs. Anna Cummings Brakenridge d. Feb. 24.
1822.
William Sinclair Brakenridge's second marriage
was to Lvdia, daughter of Israel and Hannah Dem-
ond, of Barre, Mass. They had three children :
I. Lucy Brown b. Mar. 20, 1825, m. Edwin Ilar-
roun of Sylvania, Ohio, May 29, 1862. Their two
children are :
1. Earl b. Oct. 29, 1S63.
2. Hall b. Mar. 10, 1S65.
II. Edward Augustus b. Feb. 29, [828. (25.
III. Lewis Demondb. Sept. 14. [829. (26.
24
William Sinclair Brakenridge d. Apr. 22, [832.
Mrs. Lydia D. Brakenridge m. second. Deacon
Joseph Cummings of Ware, d. Mar. [3, [870, at the
house of her daughter Mrs. Lucy 15. Ilarmun.
W. S. B. had a farm at the south end of the one
thousand acres, between his father's, and Uncle
James".
FOURTH GENERATION.
11
Judah Marsh1, second son of William and Thank-
ful Marsh Brakenridge, m. Sela, daughter of Joseph
and Temperance Nye Cummings. of Ware. Apr. 29,
1813. She was horn Feb. 25, 1792. Their three
children were :
I. Mary b. Feb. 11. 1814, m. Newell Cone.
Oct. *855. moved to Iowa. d. Mar.
1861.
II. Joseph Cummings h. Sept. 4, 1 8 1 5 . ( 27.
III. William Wesson b. Nov. 21, 1817. d. Dec.
17, 1850, unm.
Judah M. Brakenridge d. July 23. 1859.
Mrs. Sela Brakenridge d. Jan. 21, 1875.
He always lived on the homestead of his father.
erecting good substantial buildings when the old ones
decayed. His son, Joseph C now occupies the
place.
FOURTH GENERATION
James, eldest son of James and Priscilla Coney
Brakenridge, m. Martha Carey of Brookfield, b.
17SS.
25
Infant son born, and died Mar. 26, 1809.
Mrs. P>'s brother, Luther Carry, dying at their
house, left an orphan daughter, Mary Ann b. Apr. 14.
1822. Before his death he gave this child to Mr. and
Mrs. Brakenridge and she was by them adopted as
their own, m. Apr. [3, [843, to Timotlrj Mason Dun-
can, of North Brookfield, Mass.. d. Sept. 12. [869,
leaving no children.
Lieutenant James Brakenridge d. Apr. [3, [825.
Mrs. Martha B. m. second, Benj. Cummings of
North Brookfield.
FOURTH GENERATION.
13.
Allender, second son of James and Priscilla Coney
Brakenridge, m. Dee. 13, 1X07. Esther, b. Mar. 27.
1787, daughter of Captain Elijah Perry, of Ware.
Their eight children were:
I. Elijah Perry b. Aug. 24. 1808.
II. James Madison b. July 24. [8lO. I 2<s.
III. Allender Coney b. Oct. 20, i8i2,d. Feb.
28, [814.
IV. Allender Coney, 2nd, b. Mar. 18, [816. (20.
V. Elias Keyes b. Dec. 10, 1818. (30.
VI. Josiah Carry b. Feb. 28, [8ai. (31.
VII. Julia Ann Childs h. Apr. 12. 1S24. d. Jan.
28, [830.
VIII. William Lowell b. Feb. 1. [828. (32.
Mrs. Esther B. died Nov. 23, [846, and Allender
B's second marriage was to Mrs. Celia Cha-pin Web-
iter, Feb. 16, [848.
Allender B. d. Dec. 12. [871. Celia his wife d.
Max 1. [875.
26
James and AJlender Brakenridge settled on the
Perry farm, about a mile north of Ware Center.
Both families lived in the house which was built in
the old style with two front rooms. James had tin-
north part and lived there till his death. When the
factory village began to be settled AJlender was em-
ployed there in the building of the works, he was a
wheelwright and carpenter, and took up one of the
free lots and built a house on it for his family and
lived there until 1830 or [831, when he moved back
to his farm and lived there the remainder of his life.
Mrs. Esther B. was so unfortunate as to lose her
reason after the death of her third child and was
never fully rational again while she lived, a period of
more than thirty years. The patience, forbearance
and tender indulgence of her husband through all
these trying years were worthy of all praise and were
unfailing to the end.
The two brothers and their wives united with the
church in [813, Rev. Samuel Ware, pastor.
Allender was connected with the Sunday School
work from its beginning and was for several years
Superintendent : was active in the "Temperance Re-
formation." He cast one of the three votes in town
tor James G. Birney for President, in anti-slavery
days, was sent to the Legislature with Homer Bartlett
in [832. He and his brother James were Captain ami
Lieutenant of an independent military company, prob-
ably the first organized in town. It was short lived,
but military titles generally stick, and ••once C.ip'n
alius Cap'n." In the war of [8l2 he was one of a
drafted company of soldiers from Ware, led by Cap-
tain E. S. They went into camp near Boston.
but peace was declared before they were called into
^7
action. One-dax on parade Captain S being a
little ton full of spirits, addressed his company thus :
"There are three principal (Unit's of tin- soldier. The
firsl is subordination to your officers : tin- second is
like unto it : and tin- third is likewise." Words tail to
express the mock heroic of speech, ground out with
slow, deliberate emphasis between halt-shut teeth.
After he had retired some one asked Allander B. how
long Captain S. had been in the service. With a
pucker to his lips and a twinkle in his eye, which
those who were acquainted with him will recall, he
answered, "I can't exactly tell, but I believe he was
Orderly Sargeant under Pontius Pilate.'1
FOURTH GENERATION.
14
Reuben Moss, third son of James and Priscilla Co-
ney Brakenridge. m. 1814, Sylvia, b. Nov. 10.
1 7> > j . daughter of" Solomon and Sarah Southard Cut-
ter of Ware, Mass. Their seven children were:
I. Melitia Coney b. Nov. 24. [814, m. Benja-
min Sherman Stedman. Now 28, [839. Their three
children were :
1. Laura Jane l>. Jan. 23, 1841, il- Mar. >>. [861
2. Emma F. b. July, 1853, d. Sept. .-.,.
Mar) E. b. Sept. 27, 1854, d. Nov. j<>
Benjamin S. Stedman d. June [9, 1S60.
Mrs. Melita C. Stedman d. July 29, ;
II. Dexter Bridges b. Aug. i<>. 1817. (35.
III. Agnes Sinclair b. July u. 1820, m. May 5.
isp'. David Woods. Their nine children wen-:
1. Clara E. I). Mar. 27, [847, ai Ware, Ma-.
2. Ella I.. I>. Jan. 1-. 1849, :lt Warren, M;i-.. m. Frederick D.
Sherwood <>!' Southport, Conn., Maj -• 1 isn>. Their three children
are: William I), b. Mar. 7,1. |SS, George A. 1'. Jan. JO, iss;.
Frederick D. b. Aug. 25 1884.
28
Liuv A. b. Nov. 25, 1850, at Ware.
4. Sarah F. 1>. Juno 17. 1852, at Meriden, Conn.,d. Oct 15, 1882.
5. George A. b. Feb. n, 1855- at Meriden, Conn.
6. Jessie M. b. Dec. 12, 1856. d. Juno 21, 1857.
Agnes S. b. Aug. 7. 1S5S.
Sylvia A. b. Mar. 12. 1S60. m. Sept. 28, 18S1. George A. Car-
tor, of Meriden. Conn.
9. Edward H. b. Mar. 23. 1S63.
IV. Sarah Ann b. Apr. 15, 1822, unm. Resi-
dence with her brother. R. M. B., at Meriden, Conn.
V. James Henry b. Jan. 5, 1826. (34.
VI. Lucy Cutter b. Doe. 12. 1827, m. Oct. 29.
1856, Alfred H. Stocking, res. Kensington, Ct. Zana
L. Bradley b. at Highgate, Vt., June 17, 1863, adopt-
ed by A. H. and Mrs. L. C. Stocking. Nov. 14, 1870.
VII. Reuben Moss b. Jan. 1833. (35.
Reuben M. Brakenridge, Sr., d. at Ware. Mass..
Mar. 22. 1843.
Sylvia his wife died at Meriden. Conn.. June 3,
1859.
R. M. Brakenridge, Sr., had a part of the west
side of his father's farm, with a shop for wheelright
work, etc., but did a great deal away from home at
carpentering and jobs of that kind. When he died
in the prime of life it was said : "How much he will
be missed in the neighborhood in his ways of useful-
ness."
FOURTH GENERATION.
15
William, 4th son of James and Priscilla Coney
Brakenridge m. Clarissa, daughter of Moses and
Mary Aiken Paige of Hardwick, Mass., Nov. 6,
[827. She was b. Dee. 24. 1S07. Their ten children
were :
-9
I. James William b. Apr. 16, t8 (37.
II. Moses Paige b. Jan. 5. [831. (38.
III. Mary Lucetta b. Oct. 20, [832, m. Jan. ,^0,
[856, William Augustus b. April 8, [030, son of Rev.
Augustus B. and Mrs. Melinda Harden Reed. Their
seven children were :
1. Mary Delight b. Jan. 17. 1S57.
1. Alice Sinclair b. Maj 4. 185S. ci. June 3, 1S62.
3. William B. b. Nov. 6. 1S61. d. Au-. 9. 1S62.
4. Robert Brown b. Dec. 24. 1S62. d. Aug. 30. 1S63.
5. Lucy Paige b. Feb. 9. 1864, d. Feb. 12, 1864.
6. Theodora Williams b. Apr. 10. 1866.
7. Annie 15. b. May 13, 1S69. d. Mar. 7. 1S70.
IV. John b. Oct. 26, [834. (39.
V. Julia Priscilla b. Jan. 21, 1837, m- May s-
1861, John Richard Reed of Westfield, Mass. He
was second son of Rev. Augustus Brown and Mrs.
Melinda Borden Reed. b. Mar. 25, [832. Their four
children are :
1. Richard Durfee b. Feb. 4th. 1S62.
1. Clara Melinda b. May 21, 1S65.
3. William Breckenridge b. Mar. 31. 1869.
4. Bessie Borden b. Nov. 12, 1870.
Mrs. Julia P. Reed d. Dec. 14. 1874.
VI. Anne E. Limbric b. Oct. II, 1838, d. Jan.
.10. 1871.
VII. Asa b. Apr. 7. [841. (40.
VIII. Orlando b. May 15. 1843. (41.
IX. David Aiken b. Sept. 30, [845. d. Jan. 27.
1867.
X. Agnes St. Clair b. April 1. 1849, lL •^l1^-
13, 1854.
William I>. lived on the homestead of his parents,
and cared for them during their lives. The place is
marked b\ >t.i' id \ elms, which were left in clearing
the original forest.
3°
FOURTH GENERATION.
Dwight, eldest son of George and Persis Joslyn
Breckenridge m. Hannah Bugbee of Ashford, Conn.
They had one son :
James Maro b. June 30, 1809. (42.
Dwight Breckenridge died at Charleston n. Mass..
Sept. 15, 181 2.
FOURTH GENERATION.
IS
William, fourth son of George and Persis foslyn
Breckenridge m. June 12. 1814. Violata daughter of
Sylvenus Fuller of Ware. Their nine children
were :
I. George P. b. at Ware. Oct. 17. 1815, d.
1816.
II. Philo C. b. at Ira, N. Y., May 9. 1818. d.
May 9, 1818.
III. Sophia Shaw b. May 24, 1819, at Ira. N. Y.,
m. at Brecksville, Ohio, Dr. C. E. Clapp b. at
Northampton. Mass. Their four children are:
1. Charles B. b. Aug. 1838. m. Rhoda Dunham, Nov. 20. [866.
Rev Burlington, Iowa.
2. Hattie S. b. Sept. 1840.
3. Helen S. b. 1S43. d. 1846.
4. Edward E. b. 1846.
Dr. C. E. Clapp d. 1868.
Mrs. Sophia S. Clapp now lives at Aurora, 111.
IV. John b. May 17. 1822. at ha. N. Y. (43.
V. Elitha Violata b. Nov. 9, 1824. at Ware,
Mass.. m. first. Sept. 28, [859, Jerome B. Long of
Litchfield, Mich., who d. May, 1866. Her second
3i
marriage was to Samuel Lovejoy, Dec. 28, 1875.
Res. Litchfield, Mich. No children.
VI. William F. b. Feb. 21, 1S27. at Brecksville,
Ohio. (44.
VII. George W. b. Apr. 21. [830, at Brecks-
ville, Ohio. (45.
VIII. Betsey L. b. Dec. [3, [832 at Brecksville,
Ohio. in. Nov. 19, 1856, Ralph F. Hosford, of Litch-
field, Mich. Their rive children arc :
1. Frederick Horace b. June jS, i860.
2. Edward Latimer b. Mar. 21, [865.
}. William Breckenridge b. Mar. 4. 1S6S.
4. Alice Mav b. July 15, 1S72.
5. Ralph Benton b. Aug. 28, 1S47.
Residence of the Hosford family, Burlington, Iowa.
IX. Julia A. b. June 2b. [835, at Brecksville,
Ohio. in. Sept. 28, [853, Thomas R. Fowler. They
had one son. William R. b. July 4, 1854. m. in Bur-
lington, Iowa. d. May 4. 1880. Res. of Mr. and
Mrs. Fowler, Jonesville, Mich.
Mrs. Violata Breckenridge, d. Nov. 5, [855, and
William Breckenridge d. Nov. 17. [857, both at their
home in Litchfield, Mich.
FOURTH GENERATION.
19
Benjamin, fifth son of George and Persis ybsiyn
Breckenridge m. Oct. 30, 1823, Avis B, daughter of
Joseph Barr, of Ware. She was horn Apr. [9, 1S01.
Their live children were :
I. Dwight Hervey b. Dec. -:;. [824. (46.
II. Merrick Bowman b. July 24, [828. 147.
III. George Andrews b. Ma\ 31, [830. 1 p.
IV. Joseph Barr b. July 3, 1836. I yg.
32
V. Harrietta Eliza b. Mar. 29, 1841, d. Apr. 20,
1843.
Mrs. Avis B. Breckenridge d. at Chardon, Ohio.
Apr. 30, 1855. Benjamin Breckenridge, m. second,
of Chardon, Ohio. They had one son :
VI. William C. b. Mar. 14, 1859. d- Julv 3°'
1865.
Benjamin Breckenridge was noted for many years
as a successful teacher of winter schools. By natural
gift he was an excellent disciplinarian, and the con-
stant practice ot taking difficulties home to study out
enabled him to keep up with the times and be accept-
able as a teacher almost to the end of his life.
He removed from Ware to Chardon, Ohio, about
1853, in the hope that emigration would benefit his
family. He d. there July 3, 1865.
FOURTH GENERATION.
20
Franklin, youngest son of George and Persis J'os-
lyn Breckenridge m. Nov. 29, 1842, Abigail, daugh-
ter of Elkanah Rich of Ware. She was b. Sept. 19,
1816. They had six children:
I. Ellen Augusta, b. Jan. 30. 1845, m. Dec,
[878, Reuben Doane. Organist and teacher of music
Madison, Wisconsin.
II. Jane Elizabeth b. Nov. 4, 1846.
III. Maria Eldora b. Apr. 20, 1849, m- June !5«
1868, Charles C. Hitchcock of Ware. Their three
children are :
1. George A. b. May 30, 1871.
2. John B. b. Aug. 19, 1875.
3. Mary M. b. Aug. 10, 1884.
Residence of the Hitchcock family, Ware.
33
IV. George Franklin b. Sept. 2. 1851, d. June
30. ^53.
V. Mary Theodosia b. Nov. n. [853, d. bept.
27. 1855.
VI. Henry b. Sept. 15. [856, d. Oct. 8, [857.
Mrs. Abbie Breckenridge d. Nov. 3, 1857.
Franklin Breckenridge in. second. May 27. [862,
Betsey, youngest daughter of Calvin and Lucinda
Wait Morse of Ware. b. Dec. 1821.
His occupation was farming. About 1847 he left
the homestead of his father and went to live with the
parents of his wife, and was in possession of that
farm till his death, of heart disease. May 15. 1883,
aged 73.
FOURTH GENERATION.
21
Francis. Jr.. son of Francis and Lydia Pepper
Brakenridge, m. Sally, daughter of Lemuel and
Martha Anderson Andrews of Ware. They had four
children :
I. Francis Homer b. June 3. 1821. d. Dec. 11.
[886.
II. Sarah Antha b Sept. 25, 182,:;.
ID. Theodore Harrison b. June 12. 18:5. d. June
25. [880.
IV. George Lemuel b. Nov. 4. [834. (50.
Francis Brakenridge d. May 20. 1834.
Salh . his wife. d. Nov. 27. 1865.
Mrs. Sally Brakenridge was a woman of great en-
ergy and force of character, and a successful mana-
ger "of business affairs, taking charge of her family
and farm after the death of her husband.
34
FIFTH GENERATION^
Charles Sinclair, eldest son «il William Sinclair
and Anna Cummings Brakenridge, after the death of
his father changed his name to William, being then
the fourth William in direct line of descent. He
was a young man of grave, thoughtful temperament,
early making a Christian profession in the ministry <>f
Rev. A. B. Reed. He began a course of study for a
preacher, but owing to a weakness of the lungs devel-
oping itself, also to the sudden death of his father,
that hope was relinquished. But through all his life
he was persevering in his efforts to bring others into
the kindom of his Master.
For two or three years he kept a country store in
Ware Center, then with his brothers was engaged in
the manufacture and sale of confectionery in Norwich,
Conn. After the death of his brother Porter he came
hack to Ware and established a druggist business in
the factory village. In connection with this he car-
ried on an extensive business in life, marine anil lire
insurance. Here he remained tor many years, taking
an active part in the town affairs, schools, etc.
Among other efforts for usefulness he kept a circula-
ting library of the best solid literature, especially the
choicest religious works. He was twice sent to the
State Senate for the district of which Ware is a part.
Here he gave his voice and influence lor making
Kansas a free state. He was a staunch total abstain-
er from intoxicants as a beverage and had the moral
courage to refuse wine at public dinner in honor of
the Governor, with only one friend to keep him com-
pany in so doing.
35
"Whether in private, business or political relations
of life, he showed sound judgment, undeviating rec-
titude and conscientious tidelitv to duty. Ili> genial,
Sympathetic and always courteous manner secured
the unquestioned friendliness of all his acquaintances
and deep affection ot" all his friends."
lie was twice married, ist to Minerva, daughter of
David Gould, of Ware, A.ug. 2-j. [835. Their chil-
dren w ere :
I. Helen Minerva b. June i-. 1836, m. Lewis
Fowler Root of Westfield, Mass.. Dec . 22. 1S57.
Their children were :
I. Nellie h. d. June 26, is'* 1
Lucy Minerva b. Dee. 13, 1S62. d. Aug. 13, 187J.
II. William Henry b. Sept. 2\. [839, d. Mar. 1.
1842.
Minerva Gould Brakenridge d. Mar. 13, [8
Married second Mrs. A. A. French. <>t" Cleveland,
().. Oct.. [872.
William S. Brakenridge d. Dec. [9, 1 >> 7 4 .
FIFTH GENERATION.
23.
Newell Cutler third son of William S. and Anna
Cufifmings Brakenridge, m. Nov. 14. 1842, Martha
L. Koath b. in Norwich. Conn., Nov. 2(7, [819.
Their three children were:
I. William Henry b. Nov. J. [844, d. Sept. 10.
1846.
II. Newell Bradish b. Nov. 22, [849, d. Sept. 14.
1851.
III. Newell Cutler. Jr.. h. Sept. 18, [852.
The residence of N. C. Brakenridge was Norwich,
SO
Conn., where he was a manufacturing confectioner.
He was sent from this district as State Senator. Died
in Norwich, Nov. 20, 1863. The following is an ex-
tract from a notice in the city paper:
Hon. N. C. Brakenridge.
"No man in this community could have been taken
away whose loss would create such a void in business
and social circles, and there was no man whose death
would be so deeply felt or so sincerely lamented."
FIFTH GENERATION.
u.
Bradish Cummings. fourth son of William S. and
Anna Cummings Brakenridge, m. Sept. 20, 1852,
Zeruiah E. Whittemore, b. at Thompson, Ct., May
[8, [832. Their four children were :
I. Porter Henrv b. Oct. 1 }. 1S54, d. Nov. 8,
1854-
II. Alice Zeruiah b. Feb. 21. [857, m. Dec. 6,
1879, Jonn Elliot. Their children .ire :
1. Sarah Blanche b. Feb. 21, 1881.
i. John Edwin b. Dec. 31. 1882.
3. Zeruiah Elisabeth, b. July 18, 18S4.
III. Frank L. b. Jan. 28, i860.
IV. Anna Mary b. Dec. 20, 1869.
Mrs. L. E. Brakenridge d. Jan. 22, [883.
I 'resent resilience of B. C. Brakenridge, Norwich.
Conn.
FIFTH GENERATION.
Edward Augustus, eldest of William S. and Lvdia
Demand Brakenridge, m. Feb. 12. [853, Loretta C,
daughter of Benjamin I), and Esther Bemis of Mich-
37
igan, formerly of Fryeburg, Me., where she was b.
Aug. 9, 1837. Their lour children are:
I. Edward F. b. Oct. 5, [857, at Port Huron.
Mich. (51.
II. Lucy E! b. Mar. 17. i860, at Memphis,
Mich., m. Rev. Donald L. Munroe, b. in Glencoe,
Out.. Feb. 20. [850, son of Neil and Catharine Mun-
roe. both natives of Scotland. Their three children
are :
1. Loretta C. b. Feb. 17. 1881, at Bay City, Mich.
2. Jessie May b. Nov. 12, 1882. at West Bay City. Mich.
j. Neil Edward b. Sept. 16, 1SS4, at West Bay City, Mich.
III. Charles E. h. April 28, 1862, at Sylvania,
Ohio.
[V. Newell I>. b. Apr. 23. 1864. at Sylvania,
Ohio. Residence, Minneapolis, Minn. He is en-
gaged as salesman for the company of his father and
brothers, in the lumber business.
Edward A. Brakenridge went from Ware to Mich-
igan in 1850. moved to Sylvania, Ohio, in i860, and
returned to Michigan in 1867. Since 1881 he has re-
sided most of the time in Nevt Orleans. Louisiana,
his present home. During most of this time he has
been engaged in some branches <>\ the lumber busi-
ness. I lis two sons, Edward F. and Charles E., arc
now in company with him in lumbering and real
estate business in New Orleans.
FIFTH GENERATION.
26.
Lewis Demond, second son of William S. and
Lydia Demond Brakenridge, m. Nov. 12. [851, Julia
Gates of Monson, Mass., b. Mar. 5. 1831, Their two
children are :
3«
I. Ellen Frances b. Nov. 15, 1852. m. at Ware.
Feb. 17, 1875, to Edwin A. Fisher. Their three
children are :
1. Lewis Gates b. Apr. 2, 1877.
2. Julia b. Sept. 9, 1879.
3. Florence May b. Jan. 10, 18S3.
II. Willinm Henry b. Dec. 1, 1857. (52.
FIFTH GENERATION.
Joseph Cummings, eldest son of Judah Marsh and
Sela Cummings Brakenridge, m. Dec. 24, 1864, De-
borah C. Drinkwater, of Greenwich, Mass. Their
two children were :
I. Mary Celia b. Nov. 6, 1869.
II. Joseph Cummings, Jr., b. Mar. 26, 1874. d.
Aug. 16, 1875.
FIFTH GENERATION.
28.
James Madison, second son of Allender and Esther
Perry Brakenridge m. Oct. 18, 1838, Hester Wade
of Patterson, N. J. Their four children were :
I. Charles Allender b. Apr. 13, 1840. (53.
II. James Harrison b. July 8, 1841, d. Aug.
1863.
III. Alice Helena b. June 18, 1844, d. Aug. 19,
i875-
IV. Hester Wade b. April 22, 1849. m- Mar. J4<
1870, Theodore Parselle, of New York City. Their
two children are :
39
i. Theodora Louisa b. Feb. 5. 1S72.
2. Hattie Wilhelmina b. May 14, 1S73.
Mrs. Hester Wade Brakenridge d. May 4, 1849.
James M. Brakenridge m. second Celia Chapin
Webster, Dec. 5, 1849, at Ware, Mass. Their three
children were :
I. Henry Dudley b. Oct. 1, 1853. d. June 15.
1856.
II. Mary Elizabeth b. Dec. 2S, 1856, d. Sept. 29,
1857.
III. Lucy Celia.
Mrs. Celia C. Webster Brakenridge d. Oct. 28,
.859.
James M. Brakenenridge m. third. Nov. i860. Mrs.
Louisa Merrill.
He learned the jeweler's trade of Lewis Babcock,
of Ware, but when about nineteen years ol age. went
to Bristol. Conn., to work in a clock factory. Hearing
from a shop mate the idea that elastic steel wire
might be substituted for the heavy cast metal bells
then in use for clocks, he experimented secretly, af-
ter working hours, till he succeeded in getting a tem-
per that made the coil of wire resonant like a musical
instrument. Such bells soon came into use and are
still the principal ones manufactured for clocks.
Present residence, New Haven, Conn.
FIFTH GENERATION.
29.
Allender Coney. 2nd. fourth son of Allender and
Esther Perry Brakenridge, m. Oct. 10. 1838, at
Ware, Mass.. Amanda Malvina b. Nov, 17. t8l8.
daughter of Timothy Medcalf and Bathsheba Beah
Puffer. Their three children were:
4o
I. Ellen Maria b. Mar. 23, [840.
II. Augusta Louisa b. Feb. jo. [842, d. Sep:
1849.
III. Warren Jones b. Dec. [6, 1845. (54.
Allender C. Brakenridge d. Sept. 28, 1884. The
most of his business life was passed in Meriden, Ct.,
for some years in the employ of Pratt & Co., in the
ivory comb works, but the last few years of his life he
was engaged in manufacturing carpet-sweepers.
Though very quiet, modest and retiring in manner,
he failed not of the respect and esteem of his asso-
ciates and was greatly beloved by his friends.
FIFTH GENERATION.
30.
Elias Keyes. fifth son of Allender and Esther Perry
Brakenridge, m., first, Martha Cook Culver of
Chicopee, Mass., Mar. 29, 1841. Sin- was born
June 25, 1817. Their three children were :
I. Martha Ann b. Nov. 8. [842, m. Daniel II.
Wells of Riverhead, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1869. Their six
children are :
1. Clara E. b. Sept. 22, 1870.
Maude E b. Dec. 5, 1871.
3. Ernest A. b. July 1. 1S75.
4. Ralph O. b. Jan. 27. 1879.
5. Donald B. b. July 23, 1884.
6. Alden K. b. Feb. 20. 1SS6.
Residence of Wells family. Hartford, Conn.
II. Almira Lavina b. Mar. 15, 1844. m. Elbert
E. Wadsworth, Nov. 16, 1880. Their two children
are :
1. Elberta b. Apr. 18, 1882.
2. Martha Rachel !>. Mar. 30, [884
4'
Residence of Wadsworth family, Englewood, N. J.
III. Elias Emerson b. June 16, 1846. d. June u.
,s47.
Elias K. Brakenridge m., second, June 3, i'si;.
Margaretta Anne Minchen. Their four children
were :
IV. Clara Eliza b. May 3, [848, d. Sept. ii. [849.
V. Clarence Elias b. Now 3, 1 S5 1 - (55.
VI. Adelia Eugenia b. Nov. [3, [855, d. Nov. 11.
1864.
VII. Eva Wood b. Oct. 15. [858, adopted In E.
K.. and M. A. Brakenridge, m. William J. Wessen-
berg, Mar. 23, 1880.
Elias K. Brakenridge's residence is in Meriden,
Conn., where for many years he carried on a business
in casting small hardware, but has been retired from
active business for some time.
FIFTH GENERATION.
31.
Josiah Carey5, sixth son of Ailender and Esther
Perry Brakenridge rn. Frances Augusta Bradlex of
Meriden, Conn., Nov. 20, 1844. Their nine children
are :
I. Ailender Insign b. Aug. t2, 1845. (56.
II. Florence Fisk b. Dec. ti, [846, m. Sept. 15,
1875. Eugene Potter,silk manufacturer of West Win-
stead. Conn. They have one child, Louise Ellen, b.
Feb. 17. [877.
III. William Care\ b. Oct. 1. [848. (57.
IV. Frances Augusta b. Aug. -<>. 1850, d. Aug.
1- 1852.
4-
V. Fredrica Corinne b. Sept. 23, [8^3, m. Dec.
26, 1879, Walter Thorpe Babcock, of East .Milton.
Mass. Their three children arc:
1. Gertrude Ljdia b. Sept. 27, 1SS0.
j. Ethel Frances b. Nov. 12, 1882.
3. Thorpe b. Apr. 21, 1885.
Residence of the Babcock family, Quincy, .Mass.
VI. Rosetta Sarah b. Sept. 19 .1859.
VII. Robert St. Clair b. Nov. 10. [863, d. Sept.
[9, 1865.
VIII. Ethel b. July 2, 1865, d. Sept. 5, 1866.
IX. Philip Kendall h. Oct. 8. 1867.
In the tall of" 1840 and winter of "41 J. C. Braken-
ridge was a student at Wesleyan Academy at Wilbra-
ham, .Mass. In the spring of '41 he went to Boston
and was. tor two years clerk in the carpet store of
Ballard & Prince. Stopping at Meriden, Conn., to
visit his brother, A. C. Brakenridge, then in the em-
ploy of Pratt & Co., at the ivory works, he was
offered a situation in the cutlery works of Pratt.
Ropes & Co., a business recently transferred from
Saccarappa, Me., to the south village of Meriden.
then called Hanover. He began at first as an ordi-
nary hand, was soon made foreman, and with only
two short intervals of less than a year in all. continued
with the company until his death in 1869. In 1855
the methods of the business were remodeled and he
became a shareholder, was elected a director and
superintendent and continued to hold both positions
while he lived. Their table cutlery, in all varieties.
finished with ivory, bone, horn. South American
wood. etc.. obtained great popularity and extensive
^ales. and the building up of the business was in a
good degree due to his talent and energy.
\3
He \\;is a man of attractive manners, genial and
friendly with his companions, respected and be-
loved by the working people, so that main years after
his death some said: "Nobod} has ever cared how
we gol along since he iied. We don't have nobod)
to go to for an advice since Mr.Brakenridge died. Mr.
Brakenridge's family never could have missed him
more than the people of the village did.11
He built a handsome residence north of tin- facto-
ries, where his life very suddenly closed ;it the age of
59, by rheumatism of the heart.
FIFTH GENERATION.
32.
William Lowell, seventh son of Allender and Es-
ther Perry Brakenridge m. Apr. 25, [850, Mar\
Reynolds, daughter of Elijah Lyman and Celia Cha-
pin Webster, b. at Greenwich, Mass.. Jan. 21. [826.
Their nine children w ere :
I. Frederick Lowell b. June -:. [851, d. Aug.
24, 1872.
II. Lyman Webster b. I >e( . 6, [852.
III. Julia Ann b. Nov. 25. [854.
IV. Mary Emily h. July 20, [856.
V. Ilenn Ward b. Feb. 5. [858. (58.
VI. Seymour Chapin b. Aug. 30, [861, d. Sept.
11, 1 S( 13 .
VII. Harjin Augustus b. Mar. j.j. [863.
VIII. Fanny Esther b. Jul) 28, [864.
IX. ( >/", Ely b. Oct. 13, [865, d. Ma\ 27,
44
VY. L. Brakenridge had his home on the old farm
during his father's lifetime, but, true to the family
choice and capacity foi mechanical work, he was em-
ployed most of the time in the near factory villi
making and repairing machinery, working both
in wood and iron. After his father's death he bought
a residence and wheelright shop at Ware Center.
where he now lives.
hi FT 1 1 GENERATION.
33.
Dexter Bridges, eldest son of Reuben .Moss and
Sylvia Cutter Brakenridge. m. July 5, i860, Mrs.
Elisabeth Clark Dunlop, of Middletown, Conn. They
have one son, William Dexter b. Sept. 16, 1861.
1). B. Brakenridge died Sept. 8, 1886.
FIFTH GENERATION.
34
James Henry, second son of Reuben Moss and
Sylvia Cutter Brakenridge, m. June 14, 1849, Lvdia
Brockett b. Sept. 13, 1827, at Smithville, Chenango
County. X. V. Their six children were:
F Adelaide Elisabeth b. Aug. 21. 1X52. at Mer-
iden, Conn., m. Robert Walker b. May 1, 1849, ;lt
North Adams. Mass. Their two children are:
1. Anna Augusta b. Jan. 24, 1874.
2. Robert James h. Aug. 3, 1S7S.
Residence of Walker family. Meriden, Conn.
II. Arthur James b. Julv 25, [856. d. Sept. [3,
.S56.
III. Albert Henry b. July 25, 1S56. d. Sept. 8,
.S56.
45
IV. Flora Augusta b. Jan. l8, 1858.
V. Wilbur Augustus b. July 20, 1863, m. D
[O, [885, Annie J. Fenner. (59.
VI. Albert Edward b. Oct. 29, 1865.
J. II. Brakenridge Has long resided in Men den,
Conn., where bo is engaged in the manufacture of
small hardware.
FIFTH GENERATION.
Reuben Moss, third son of Reuben M. and Sylvia
Cutter Brakenridge, m. first, L. Virginia Potter of
Springfield, Mass.. Feb. 25. 1863.
Mrs. L. V. Brakenridge died Aug. 5, 1865, aged
27 years.
Reuben M . Brakenridge's second m. was to Ellen
Eliza Webb of Chester, Conn., Nov. 26, 1867. Their
three children were :
I. Leon Moss, born and deceased Nov. 15. 1869.
II. Hattie Leona b. Sept. 10, 1871, d. Sept. 7.
[872.
III. Gertrude Brooks b. Sept. 12. [873, d. Feb. 6.
[878.
Mrs. Ellen E. Brakenridge d. Mar. 8. 1885, aged
si years.
FIFTH GENERATION.
|aines William, eldest son of William and Clarissa
Paige Brakenridge m. Dec. 7. 1874, Fanny Eliza.
youngest daughter of Frantz ami Hannah Marsh
Fisherdick of Ware. She was born Mar. 2<>. iSp.
Their two children are :
I. Annie Louise b. June 12. 1876.
II. Hannah b. Oct. II, 1880.
J. W. B. lives at the place and cultivates the acres
that his grandfather cleared from the forest ; it is
marked by the big elm trees that were left for shade
over a hundred years ago. The dwelling was built
in 1882 t<» take the place of the <>ne destroyed by fire
that spring.
FIFTH GENERATION.
38.
Moses Paige, second son of William and Clarissa
Paige Breckenridge, m. Nov. 20. 1853. Lucretia L.
b. June 20. 1833. daughter of George W. and Har-
riet Richardson Wetherell of Ware. Mass. They
have one son :
Lester Paige b. May 17. 1858. (60.
M. P. B. has followed mechanical business at first
at the Collins Axe Manufactory in Connecticut, then
at Meriden, Conn., and of late years at the foundry
and steam heater works of Smith & Co., at Westfield,
Mass., as superintendent. He built a residence at the
corner of Day Avenue and Pearl Street, where he
now lives.
FIFTH GENERATION.
39.
John, third son of William ami Clarissa Paige
Breckenridge, m. Mar. 15. [859, Augusta E. Wood
ot Sparta, Wis. Their three children were:
I. Alice E. b. Feb. ;. 1861, m. William C. \n-
47
ge11 They reside at Granger, Wis., and have one
daughter, Ma3 Belle b. May 28, [882.
11 William b. fune t2, 1S63.
HI. John b. Jan. 23, 1866, and died about m
months old.
r0hn Breckenridge m. second, Bertha A. Kelsey ol
Kilbourne City, Wis., May 27. 1871. Their four
children are :
IV. Mary b. Feb. 20, 1872.
V. Julia Reed b. Mar. 27, 1875.
VI. Anna b. June 18, 1876.
VII. Clarissa b. Dee. 2, 1878.
por the grater part of his life John Breckenridge
has been engaged in educational work. He went to
the west in 1856; was at first employed in the public
schools at Sparta and New Lisbon, Wis <> late
vears he has been in Decorah, Iowa, at the head oi a
private institute, combining the best of normal in-
struction for teachers with the best -i practical
instruction for business ; also a scheme ol community
board by which expenses are reduced to the minimum.
In vacations he is extensively employed in conducting
teachers' institutes in the neighboring counties.
FIFTH GENERATION.
40.
\sa fourth son of William and Clarissa Paige
Breckenridge, m. Apr. 20, ^Harriet :Eliza, daugh-
ter of Curtis P. Ripley ol Alstead, N. H; Nn>
had one daughter, born and died Nov. 18, [879.
Vsa Breckenridge was in the >2nd Regiment ol
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and w,nt to Lou-
isiana. Me has followed tannin- as an occupation.
48
FIFTH GENERATION.
41.
Orlando, fifth son of William and Clarissa Paige
Breckenridge' m. Oct. 29, 1863. Mary Sergeant daugh-
ter of Lorenzo and Diana Packard Crowell of Wan-,
Mass. Their two children were :
I. Lorenzo b. Nov. 4, 1864.
II. Louis Mixter b. Oct. 12, 1866. d. Dec. 10.
1866.
Orlo* Breckenridge resides on a farm about two
miles south of Westfield, where he carries on some
branches of the whip business.
FIFTH GENERATION.
James Maro, only child of Dwight and Hannah
Bug-dee Breckenridge, b. June 30. 1809. He married
second Susan F. Gould of Conn. Their three
children are :
I. Emma b. Feb. 27, 1845.
II. James b. Dec. 15, 1853.
III. Julia F. b. Ang. 15. [858.
James Maro Breckenridge died at his residence in
New Haven, Conn.. June 8. 1886.
FIFTH GENERATION.
43.
John, third son of William and Violata Fuller
Breckenridge, m. Sept. 30, [858, Luc \ Ann, daughter
49
>>f William and Lucfetia Bouton of Homer. Mich.
Their lour children are :
I. James Henry h. June 15. 1 S 3 1 .
II. Philo Fuller b. July 7, [862.
III. Ella Violatab. Feb. 17, 1865.
IV. Lucy Bouton b. Feb. 27, 1N71.
John Breckenridge d. Sept. 15, 1882, at Litchfield-,
Mich.
FIFTH GENERATION.
44
William Franklin, fourth son of William and Vw>
lata Fuller Breckenridge, m. Dec. 13, 1855, Jennie
E. Mills, b. June 14, 1883. Their three children
are :
I. Julia F. b. Mar. 10, 1857, m. Dec. 25, 1873,
Mnrill F. Lewis of Litchfield, Mich. Jennie B.
Lewis b. Oct. 19, 1874.
II. Sarah B. b. Jan. 5, 1862.
III. Frank E. b. Dec. 15. 1868.
FIFTH GENERATION.
45
( reorge W., fifth son of William and Yiolata Fuller
Breckenridge, m. Dec. 25, I855, Lorinda Van Wert.
Their lour children are :
I. M,m E. h. Jan. 29, 1S57. m. Oct. l6, 1 S77.
Benjamin W. Herring, of Litchfield.
II. George b. Nov. to, 1859.
III. Harriet M. b. Jan. 22, 1862.
IV. Minnie Bell b. Oct. 6, 1877.
5°
FIFTH GENERATION.
i&
Dwight Hervey. elde- benjamin and
B. Breckenridge. m. first. Mar. 13, 1S50. Eliza Ann.
daug - -non and Miriam H. S War-
ren. Mass She was -:-,. d. Dec
No children.
D. H. Brakenridge m. second. Dec. 21,
Martha Adeline, daughter : William and Elisabeth
>• v. [ass., b. Apr. j - Res-
idence. Warren.
FIFTH GENERATION.
Merrick Bowman, second - : f Benjamin and
B. Brakenridge m. Jul 8, [850, Laura T
are. They had one daughter. Laura, who died
in infancy.
Mrs. Laura Brakenridge d. Sept. 16. 185
Mrrrick B. Brakenridge went to California. J. Jan.
20. 1854. at San Francisco.
FIFTH GENERATION.
George Andrews, third son of Beniamin and
B. Brakenridge. m. Mar. 31, 1S67. Clara L.. daugh-
ter of Benjamin Ryder of Chardon. Ohio. She was
born :n Enfield. Mass.. d. Mar. 12. 1S68.
FIFTH GENERATION.
V.)
ph Barr. fourth son of Benjamin aud Avis B.
Brcckenridge m. Sept. 18, 1858. Mary Anne Hack.
Id. Ohio, daughter of
George and Christiana Hack. Their eight children
are :
I. Avis Christiana b. Mar. 30. 1S61. m. June
17. 1S85. Henry Weiser of Norton. Ohio.
II. Mary Laura b. Oct. 15. 1862.
IIL Harriett b. May 3, 1865. m. Apr. 9. 1882.
Wesley Ingle. They have one son b. iSv^
dence, Troy, Ohio.
IV. Frank Barr b. M... 24 9 )
V. Clara Emma b. Oct. 7. 1869.
VI. Barbara Maggie b. 0
VII. George Martin b. Oi
VIII. Benjamin Joseph b.
FIFTH GENERATION
(t ■_• Lemuel, voun^ si - nci> and Sally
Andrews Brakenridge. m. Jan. 22. 1S68. C. Emily
Allen of Banc Mass. They had or mnel,
\vh<> died when abou >ld.
5?
SIXTH GENERATION.
That persons of this generation may more easily
trace their descent, the names of their fathers are
inserted, marked with a small figure at the left hand.
51.
'James, ^William, 'William, "'William S., -"Edward
A., ,;Edward F. m. in Monson, Mass., Jan, 10. 1877.
llattie L., daughter of Charles W. and Clara Gilbert
of Monson, formerly of Hartford, Conn., where she
was born Oct. 4, 185S. Their three children are:
I. Maude b. Dsc. 23, 1877, d. Aug. 8, 1878, at
Oscoda, Mich.
II. Eddie b. May 30, 1879, <*. same day at Osco-
da. Mich.
III. Florine b. Feb. 27, 1885, at Detroit. Mich.
SIXTH GENERATION.
52.
'James, 'William, 8William, 'William S., 'Lewis D..
•William Henry in. Aug. 28, 1882, Anna Louisa Ban-
nister. Their two children are :
I. Grace Gates.
II William Sinclair.
SIXTH GENERATION.
53.
'James, ^William, :iJames, 4Allender, 5James Madi-
son, "Charles Allender m. Louise M. Gierding, Oct.
17, 1866. They have one son, Arthur Gierding b.
Sept. 22, 1867. Residence, Meriden, Conn.
He was in a Conn, Regt. in the late war.
5.1
SIXTH GENERATION.
54
'James, -William, ''James, *Allender, "'Allender Co-
nes-, "Warren Jones, who m. May 20, 1869, Jennie
E. Bingham, of New Britian, Conn. She was born
Dec. 8, 1847. Their four children are :
I. Clara Louise b. July 28, 1870.
II. Ilattie Augusta b. Mar. 24, 1874.
III. William Warren b. July 8, 1878.
IV. Florence Isabelle b. Oct. 26, 1881.
Residence of Warren Jones Breckenridge, Middle-
town, Conn.
SIXTH GENERATION.
55.
'James, -William, 3James, 4Allender, -vElias Keves,
'Clarence Elias, whom. Nov. 25, 1880, Ella M. An-
drews, of Saratoga, N. Y. They have one son, Clar-
ence J. b. Oct. 5, 1881.
Clarence Elias is salesman in New York city for
the Wilcox Silver Plating Company of Meriden,
Conn. His residence is in May wood, N. J.
SIXTH GENERATION.
'James. 2William, :,James, 4AUender, 5Josiah Carry.
•Allender Insign, whom. Aug. 23, 1871, Mary, adopted
daughter of Walter W. and Sarah Wheelock, of
Brooklyn, X. Y. Their six children are:
54
I. Allender Robert b. Sept. 10, 1872.
II. Walter Wheelock b. Nov. 23, 1873.
III. Marietta Sarah b. 23, 1875.
IV. Frances Augusta b. Nov. 10, 1878.
Y. William Carey b. Jan. 9, 188 1.
VI. Frederick. Keyes b. Aug. 10, 1884.
Residence of Allender I. Breckenridge. Waterloo,
Iowa.
SIXTH GENERATION.
'u .
'James, 2William, :!James, 4Allender, 5Josiah Carey.
"William Carey, who m. Lucy Woodhouse of Wethers-
field, Conn., Jan. 5, 1871. Their one son, George
William, died at the age of three months.
Present residence of William C. Breckenridgv at
Chattanooga, Tenn.
SIXTH GENERATION.
58.
•James, -William, 3James, ^Allender, 5William Low-
ell, (!Henry Ward, who m. Jan. 7, 1885, Minnie May.
b. Nov. 30, 1861, daughter of Andrew and Fanny
Sweet, of Providence, R. I. Thev have one son.
Henry Lowell, b. Mar. 5, 1886.
SIXTH GENERATION.
59.
James, -William. 'James, 'Reuben Moss. 5James
Henry. i;Wilbur Augustus, m. Addie J. l^enner.
55
SIXTH GENERATION.
60
'James. -William, 'James, ■'William. sMoses I*. "Les-
ter Paige, m. Dec. 17, 1883, May Brown of Memphis.
Term., b. May 3, 1861. They have one child, Blanche
Farguson b. Oct. 14, 1884.
PALMER AND OTIS FAMILIES.
SECOND GENERATION.
George, youngest son of James and Sarah Braken-
ridge of Palmer, m. Nov. 1 75S, Mary Thomp-
son, b. May 16, 1736. Their eleven children were:
I. James b. Sept. 20, 1759. (1.
II. Anne b. May 13, 1761. d. Sept. 5, 1820.
III. Margaret b. July 31, 1763, m. Clark
McMaster of Palmer. Their seven children were:
1. Clark, Jr., m. Aseneth Smith, lias descendents now live in
Palmer and Springfield.
Calvin, Margaret, Phila ami Lovis all died in early youth of con-
sumption.
6. Linda, m. Dea. Henry Forbes of Enfield. They had one
daughter, Susan, who died of consumption when about 21 years old.
7. Livy d. at about thirty yean of" age.
IV. Mary b. Sept. 9, 1765, d. Oct. 17, 1767.
V. Mary 2nd, or Molly, b. Oct. 10. 1767,111.
Isaae Warren. Their live children were:
Three s,,ns. Dura. Eli, George. Two daughters, Su-
sannah ami Polly. This family emigrated t<> De
Ruvter, \. Y.
56
VI. George b. Sept. 29, 1769, m. Catharine Mc-
Clenathan. Their six children were: Three sons.
Reuben, George and John. Three daughters, Tir-
zah m. Roberts : Catharine m. Stanley ; and
Mary Anne.
This family lived in Wilmington, Vt.
VII. Sarah b. May 16, 1771, m. John Dunbar of
Palmer and lived in Ware at the foot of the hill Pota-
quottock. They seven children were : Anne, John.
Sarah, Lucy Cummings, Daniel, Electa.
John graduated at Williams College, was appoint-
ed by the A. B. C. F. M. to the Pawnee Indians
about 1836. He married Esther, daughter of Deacon
Jacob Smith of Hadley. They continued many years
at the mission, but finally settled in Kansas, where
they died leaving seven children.
Sarah m. first, John Eddy Lamberton. Their two
sons were :
1. Charles Milvins, d. 1840.
2. John E. D. d. 1857, aged 22 years, not long after graduating at
Williams College.
Sarah m. second, in 1841, to Solomon B. Davis of
Ware. Their five children were :
1. Enos Evander b. 1842, d. 1SS3 at the Isthmas of Panama.
2. George Breckenridge b. 1848, graduated at West Point Mili-
tary Academy, and is now resident there as teacher.
3. Samuel H. died in infancy.
4. Augustus Daniel b. Jan. 1S52.
5. Harriet G. b. 1856, d. 1859.
S. B. Davis lived in Springfield, Mass.. d. 186 — .
Daniel Dunbar m. Susannah Cummings, of Ware.
They had one son, John M., who was a volunteer in
the late war and was killed in the battle of the Wil-
derness, May 6, 1863. They also had three daugh-
ters: Mary E., Susan C. and Julia.
57
Electa Dunbar m. Lucas Gibbs of Ware. Their
nine children were :
Daughters: Sarah A.. Lucy Maria, Electa, Ella, Augusta.
S.»n-: }. Wilhur, who was in the 31st Regimenl of Massachu-
setts Volunteers, captured in Louisiana and kept a prisoner for ahoul
three months, William. Charles T.. Samuel L.
Mrs. Sarah Dunbar d. May [851.
VIII. Ruth b. April iS. [773, in. Solomon Brown
of Palmer. They tour children were:
Polly m. Royal Collister of Warren, Mass.
Sarah m. Olds of Ludlow.
Talmai and Solomon.
IX. Daniel b. Apr. 2. 1775. d. Apr. 4 1775.
X. Obadiah b. April 2. 1775. m. Chloe Watson
of Leicester, Nov. 2. [802. Their three children
were :
1. Louisa b. Au-. 14. [803, d. Sept. 22, 1823.
2. A/rl b. Dec. 28, 1804, m. Apr. 14. [830, Eliza
W. Smith of Palmer. Their six children were:
1. William A. b. May [2, [831. He was for mam year- a teach-
er in Newark. N. J.
j. Marj Louisa b. Aug. 12, [833, m. Nov. 12, 1857, George Rob-
inson, Esq., of Palmer. Their two children are : Marj E. b. Mav
j, [864. Helen b. April 3, 1S67.
V Charles II. b. Dee. 7. 1S35. m. Dee. 1S57. Nellie M. Webber.
Their two children are: Charles \V. b. Mav [9, [863. Carrie Belle
b. Oct 1867.
,. John A. b. Feb. uj. [842, m. Nov. K tie Kellogg.
Their two children are: William E. b. Sept. 1869. John E. b.
Mav 4. t873.
5. Jane E. b. June 24, [845, m. George Hastings. Their one
daughter, Marj E., b. Apr- 27, 1869.
6. Helen M. b. Nov. IO, [849, m. Charles T. lhainerd. June.
1872. Their one daughter, Jennie E., b. Jan. 17. 1875. Mrs. Helen
M.' Brainerd d. 1886.
3. Mar} T. b. Mar. 3, 1807, m. Mar. 23, is-s.
Calvin Ward and d. at Enfield, Mass.. Feb. 2, [829.
Obadiah Breakenridge d. Jan. 27, is
5«
'Chloe Watson, his wife, d. Jan. 5, [808.
XI. Francis b. June 4. 1777. d. June 11, 1800.
George Breakenridge, father of' this family, d.
March 11, 1797. at Palmer, Mass.
THIRD GENERATION.
Otis Family.
James, eldest son of George and Man- Thompson
Breakenridge of Palmer, m. Dec. 6, 1 781 , Eunice
Shaw b. Oct. 28, 1756. They went to live in Otis.
Mass. Their seven children were:
I. Miriam H. b. Oct. 17, 1782, m. Ira Smith of
Sandisfield. They had five children. She died
Aug. 27, 1874.
II. Polly, or Mary, b. June 8, 1784, d. Aug. 12.
1799.
III. George b. Dec. 9, 1786. (2.
He was a physician, went to Canada, married, and
had seven or eight children. On account of political
disturbances between^ Canada and the States in 184 —
he removed with part of his family to Wisconsin.
IV. James, Jr., b. May 14, 1789. (3.
V. John b. May 10, 1 791 . (4.
VI. Eunice b. Apr., 17, 1794, d. Mar. 2, 1866'
unmarried.
VII. Francis b. Mar. 13, 1796. (5.
James Breakenridge d. Aug. 21, 1826.
Eunice, his- wife, d. Oct. 4, 1835.
THIRD GENERATION.
3
James, Jr., second son of James and Eunice Shaw
59
Breakenridge, m. Nov. 6, [821, l'atia Marcy b. Sept.
27. 1796. Their four children are:
I. Henry I), b. July 2. 1824, m. Nov. 24. 1847,
Milly A. Wheelock b. Jan. 19 [828. They have two
children :
1. George E. b. Jan. 4, 1849, m. Jan. 22. 1869,
Katie Dorothey. Their two children are: [ohn I),
b. Oct. 26, 1870. Sadie A. b. Nov. 29, [872.
Mrs. Katie Breckenridge d. Feb. 8, 1875, a-Vtl J>-
at Spring Hill, 111.
George E. Breckenridge m second, \anc\ Allen,
June 27. 1876. Their two children are: Silas A.
b. July 16. 1877. James H. b. Jan. 7. 1883. Resi-
dence of this family. Tampieo. 111. Occupation.
farming.
2. Carrie M. b. July 21, 1864. m. George Lutyens
.Mar. 11, 1885. who is a jeweller in Tampieo.
II. Mary O. b. Dec. 9. 1825, m. Levi Carroll.
Mar. 24. (845. They have one son. James Carroll
living in New York state, and also one daughter,
Fannie, m. William Ecker and have two children
nowlivingin Kansas. Mrs. Fannie C. Ecker d. June
10, 1862.
III. James L. b. Sept. [3, [828, m. Mar. 10.
[853, Melvina M. Hills. They had one son, Frank
E. b. May 10. 1854, d. Dee. 6, 1 855.
Mrs. Melvina Breckenridge d. June 3, 1865.
James L. 1>. m. second. Mrs. Janet E. Fielding.
Their children were: Twin daughters b. June 18,
. Minnie N. d. Mar. 11. 1870. Minnia P. now liv-
ing in Tyringham. Martha J. b. June 18. [fi
James L. Breckenridge waa by occupation a rake
maker. He was a good eiti/en and an acti\ e member
of tin- Methodist Episcopal church. lie died in
6o
Tyringhara Oct. 4. 188 \.
[V. Harriet Prances b. Dec. 11, [832,111. Apr. 24.
[851, Alans. hi Rodgers. Their four children are:
1. Alanson Eugene b. Apr. 22, 1852. He mar-
ried and had one child. Now lives in Pleasant
Valley, Conn., and is a manufacturer of hand hay
rakes and dealer in all kinds of domestic lumber.
2. H. Isabelle b. Jan. 19, 1856, m. Oscar Stead-
man, a farmer living in Monterey, Mass.
3. Henry J. b. July 15, 1858, farmer living in
Monterey, married and had two children.
4. Sherwood J. S. b. Oct. 3, 1861.
James Breakenridge, Jr., d. Mar. 22, 1869.
Patia, his wife, d. Apr. 5, 1871. Their residence.
Tyringham, Mass.
THIRD GENERATION.
John, third son of James and Eunice Shaw Break-
enridge b. May 10, 1 791, m. Mar. 17, 1825, Susan
Jones, b. Aug. 5, 1789. Their four children were:
I. John James b. Dec. 9, 1826, d. Sept. 2^.
1859.
II. William Francis b. Aug. 4, 1830, m. Feb. 26,
1857, Lovina Smith b. Sept. 23, 1838. Their four
children are :
1. Albert J. b. Mar. 20, 1858.
2. Allen J. b. Oct. 22, 1861.
3. Flora L. b. Aug. 18, 1870.
4. Lucia C. b. Oct. 4, [875.
William Francis Breakenridge's residence. Torring-
ton, Conn.
III. Mary Anne b. Oct. 12. 1S32. d. Dec. 3. 1S53.
6i
[V. Nancy Jane b. Mar. 4. [835, m. Fob. 11
[863, Charles Clark of Otis, Mass. They have n<
children and reside in Otis.
John Breakenridge d. June 26, 1862. His occupa-
tion was farming.
Susan, his wife, d. May 12. 1764.
THIRD GENERATION.
Francis, fourth son of James and Eunice Shaw
Breakenridge m. Feb. 22, 1820, Zillah Millard. Their
six children were :
I. Mary Zillah b. June 1, 1821. m. Dec. 14, 1843.
C. W. Foster of Lenox. Mass. They have four
children.
II. John Francis b. Feb. 22, 1823, m. Oct. 21,
1845, Julia S. Foster. They have one son, Stillman
Francis, b. July 8, 1846, m. Oct. 21, 1868, Myra E.
Messenger. Their six children were:
1. Charlie Francis b. Julv 6, 1870, d. Aug. 25,
1870.
2. Edith Emma b. May 25, [872, d. Sept. [3, [872.
3. George Milan b. Oct. 8, 1874.
4. Frank Ashley b. June 3, 1S78.
5. Civile Pearl b. July 4, 1880, d. Nov. 22, 1
6. Gertie May b. Mar. 28, 1882, d. Nov. 4. [882.
This family live on a farm in West Springfield,
Mass.
III. Clarissa Maria b, Feb. 23, 1 S j 5 . m. Mar. 19,
[847, Henry Alexander of Lee, Mass. They had
five children.
IV. James William b. Jan. 22, [827, m. May is.
Lydia Carter, Their seven children were:
62
i. Francis William b. May [8, [851, m. Aug. 8,
1874, Flora B. Potter, of Pittsfield.
2. Mary Carter b. June 22. 1852. m. Jan.. 1S71.
Henry C. Edwards of Pittsfield.
3. Lydia Cornelia b. June 22, 1857. in. Nov. 1*77.
Erwin H. Kennedy of Pittsfield.
4. Myron Gaius b. Oct.. 1858. d. i860.
5. Lincoln b. Aug. 24, i860, m. 1885. Fannie
Hoyt of Pittsfield. Resides now in North Adams.
Mass.
6. Lana b. Nov. 1864, m. Dec. 9, 1885, in Troy.
X. V., William S. Francis of Pittsfield.
7. James Ernest b. Feb., 1872, in Pittsfield, d.
Aug., 1872.
This family, except the last mentioned, were born
in Becket.
James William Breckenridge is a mechanic and
lives at present in Troy, N. Y.
APPENDIX.
Priscilla Coney was horn in Sharon, Mass.. Aug.
28, 1762. Her eldest sister Abigail, married to Phille
Morse, having emigrated to Wan', when Priscilla was
about thirteen years old she came to live with her
awhile. Their mother was taken sick and their father
came after Priscy. She went hack with him on
horseback, riding double according to the fashion of
the times.
Mrs. Mehitable Coney died Aug. 14. 1777- She
had ten children :
1. Oliver b. June 11, 1749- ^° carn<~' to War.
with his brother-in-law. Phille Morse, ami friend,
Daniel Gould, somewhere about 1770 probably, pro-
specting for a place of settlement. When the Revo-
lutionary war broke out he enlisted, was captain of a
company and was in several battles.
He married a wife of Dutch descent somewhere in
York State, but lived many years in Ware, on a farm
afterwards owned by George Breckenridge. He died
I tec. 19, 1830.
2. Nathan d. in infancy.
,;. Abigail b. 175s, m. Phille Morse of Sharon.
The) Bettled in Ware near the river falls. The de-
scendants of their son Calvin still own and occup\
main- of the paternal acres. Mrs. Morse died there
at 90 years of age. Her daughter Clarissa, wife of
Prince Andrews, also lived to that great age.
4. John b. [755, had sons John and Martin. II. ■
had his home for some years in Hawley, Mass.. then
went to western New York and had descendants in
Chatauqua County.
64
5. Molly b. 1758, m. Captain Ephraim Scott.
The}' lived first at Ware, then at Belchertown. Most
of the family lie buried at Ware Center. Captain
Scott composed the following quaint epitaph for him-
self and wife :
Farewell, vain world ; we've had enough of the ;
And now we're careless what thou sayest of us ;
Thy smiles we seek not, nor thy frowns we fear.
Our cares are past, our heads lie quiet here,
What e'er you saw amiss in us, be sure avoid,
Search your own heart and you'll be well employed.
6. Milley b. Dec. 13, 1760, m. Ebenezer Gould,
Jan. 2, 1 781, lived near Ware Center, died June 17,
185 1, at the age of ninety years and six months. Her
daughter Mehitabel Elles m. James Magoun, d. in
Hastings, Mich., at over ninety years. Her daughter
Milley m. Nicholas Cummings, lived in Augusta,
Oneida County, N. Y., had a family of thirteen
children, most of whom lived to maturity, d. Nov. 20.
1885, aged ninety-one years and six months.
7. Priscilla b. Aug. 28, 1762, m. James Braken-
ridge.
8. William b. Feb. 3, 1765, always lived on his
father's farm in Ware. His daughter Galacia m. Da-
rius Eaton. Children of his sons Nathan and John
are now living in the factory village.
9. Daniel b. Jan. 3, 1768. His grandson D wight
lives at the old farm on Coy's Hill.
10. Ellis b. Apr, 19, 1770. He was a physician,
lived at Goshen, Mass., d. Oct. 29, 1807, leaving two
daughters. Mary, the younger, m. Leonard Smith ;
the family moved to Wethersfield, Henry County.
111., in 1838.
65
William Coney m. Mary Can*, widow of Aquila
Robbins, for a second wife, and soon after moved to
Coy's Hill, then in the border of Brooklield and in
the neighborhood of his daughter Mrs. Morse. He
has been described to me by his grandson, Allender
Brakenridge. as a man of small stature and that he
never gave up the fashion ot wearing breeches with
long stockings. He went to meeting at Brookfield,
and having missed the reckoning was out at work one
Sabbath when a neighbor came home from the ser-
vices. He was so shocked at his desecration of the
day that he and his family kept Monday in the most
religious manner. He is said to have had a brother
Lowell, hence the name in Allender B's family. He
died in 1805. aged seventy-eight.
B?««^^
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