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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS
AND
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS
OF
WORCESTER COUNTY
MASSACHUSETTS
WITH A HISTORY OF
WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY
PREPARED UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF
ELLERY BICKNELL CRANE
Librarian of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, and Editor of its Proceedings
Author of "The Rawson Family Memorial," 'Crane
Family," two vols., Etc.
" Ki!<iw/fif£t' of kindrfd aiul the genealogies of the ancient J ainilies deserveth the highest
praise. Herein eonsisteth a part of the Itnowledge of a man's, own self. It is a great spur to
virtue to look haek on the work o_t our lines." — Lord Bacon.
There is no heroic poem in the world but is at the hottom the lite of a man." — Sir
Walter .Scott. ' ' : " ' ' ' , . ' ' '
Vol. IV
1 1^ I^ Ur STT P« ^^ TT E: ID
NBW YORK CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1907
\>
^^.
WORCESTER COUNTY
DANIEL SIMONDS. Samuel Simonds (i), the
pioneer ancestor of Daniel Simonds. of Fitchburg.
Massachusetts, was one of the Puritan leaders of
the early days in the Massachusetts Bay colony.
He settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he was
a proprietor. He was called Gentleman in the
earliest records, indicating that he belonged to the
gentry. He was a proprietor of the town, was
admitted a freeman March, 1637-8. was deputy and
assistant to the governor June 6, 1638, and was deputy
governor of Massachusetts. He was a man of large
ability and excellent record as a citizen and public
official. He mentioned his cousins Gallop, Waite
and Harris in a letter to John Winthrop, Jr., in
1652, and in another letter in 1662 he mentions his
only' brother, "who dwells at Much Yeldham, Es-
sex County, England."
His will was dated February 16, 1673, and Jan-
uary S, 1677, and was proved November 6, 1678;
he bequeathed to his wife Rebecca all that belonged
to her in England before marriage with him, made
ample provisions for her also at his farm in Ips-
wich called Argilla, or elsewhere, if she prefer;
bequeathed to sons Harlakenden and William ; to
son and daughter Epps, she to have the "damaske
sute which was the landy Cheynies if she desire ;"
bequeathed also to daughter Martha and her hus-
band John Denison. to daughters Baker and Dun-
kin ; to son Chute ; to granddaughter Sarah Sym-
onds; to wife's granddaughter Rebecca Stace ; to
the son of John Hale or son John Hale, one of the
overseers. The will refers to Hon. Samuel
Simonds' brother, Mr. Richard Fitz Simonds. from
whom a legacy is expected for son Harlakenden.
The widow Rebecca died July 21, 1695 ; her in-
ventory showed articles marked W. R. and others
marked R. H. ; her son and daughter Hall are
mentioned. Mrs. Martyn is one of the children
among whom Mr. Simonds' estate was divided Oc-
tober IS, 1679.
Samuel Simonds married (first) Dorothy Har-
lakenden; married (second) Martha Reade Epps.
daughter of Edmund Reade and widow of Daniel
Epps, Sr. : married (third) Rebecca Hall, widow
of John Hall, of Salisbury. His children were :
Samuel, died in 1654 (will on file) ; John, of whom
later ; Harlakenden, William, Martha, Ruth,' Pris-
cilla, Dorothy, married Thomas Harrison, of the
parish of Dunstans in the East, London. England,
and they sent a power of attorney February 10,
1653. to her brothers. Samuel and William Simonds,
for the collection of anything due them.
(II) John Simonds, son of Hon. Samuel
Simonds (i). was born in England about 1615; he
was a proprietor of Salem as early as 1636 and was
iv — I
admitted freeman March, 1637-8. His wife Mary-
was a member of the Salem Church in 163S. He
married (second) Elizabeth -. His presence
in England in 1653 indicates that the lack of de-
tails about him on this side may be due to his-
living much of the time in the old country. He died'
before his father. His will was proved September
19, 1671 ; it bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth; to
sons James and Samuel; refers to deceased daugh-
ter Ruth Swinnerton, and servant John Pease. His
children were: Samuel, baptized November 4, 1638;
James; Ruth, married Swinnerton. Savage
thinks that Samuel just mentioned who settled in
Boxford was the grandson of the Hon. Samuel
Simonds and the details from Pope's Pioneers given'
above seem to indicate that he is correct. Kath-
rine Simonds, who married Jacob Towne, June
26, 1657, in Bnxford, was perhaps a sister of Sam^
uel of Boxford.
(III) Samuel Simonds, son of John Simonds
(2), was born January. 1638, and baptized Novem-
ber 4, 1638, at Salem. Massachusetts. He settled
in Boxford, a neighboring town, and married Eliza-
beth Andrews, daughter of Robert and Grace An-
drews, early settlers in Boxford, Massachusetts,-
Simonds was there in 1663 and was admitted a'
freeman March 22, 1689-90; served as selectman ;
and in other offices of trust and honor. His house
lot was that just west of the house now or lately
of George W. Twitchell, in Boxford. He died'
August 14, 1722, aged eighty-four years, sevens
months; his wife died March 17, 1725, aged eighty-
two years.
Their children were: Elizabeth, born July 12,
1663; Hannah. December 27. 1665; Grace, October
14, 1667, married Zerubable Endicott, of Boxford;
Mary, February 26, 1669, married Joseph Peabody;
Samuel, April 6. 1672, settled in Middleton, was
deacon of the church, had twelve children, diedi
July 7, 1755; John, of whom later; Ruth, Decem-
ber 24. 1676, married Andrew Eliot; Rebecca. ]\Iay
31. 1679. married Jacob Smith; Phebe. October 2,
1682 : Joseph. May 24. 1685, settled in Boxford,
married Mary Peabody ; Nathaniel, January 26. 1687.
(IV) John Simonds, sixth child of Samuel
Simonds (3), was born in Boxford. Massachu-
setts. March 29. 1674. He married, February 13,
1705-8. at Boxford. Hannah Hazen, daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Howlett) Hazen. Both Hazen
and Howlett families were pioneers in Boxford.
John Simonds appears to have been a modest farmer
of Boxford all his life. The children of John and
Hannah (Hazen) Simonds were: Jacob, born June
.30. 1712; AlHs, April 13. 1714. died young; Allis,
September I, 1715; Sarah, August 26, 1717; Lidia,
WORCESTER COUNTY
October 12, 1720; Phebe, February 28, 1722-3; John,
of whom later.
(V) John Simonds, youngest child of John
Sinionds (4). was born in Boxford. Massachusetts,
March 11, 1725. He settled in Boxford, but the
records indicate that he lived also in the adjoining
town? of Topsfield and probably elsewhere. He
bought land at what is now Petersham in 1637
from Jacob Perley, of Boxford, and sold it the
same year, June 17. He married Ruth when
very j-oung. He was in Lunenburg, May 10, 1763,
when warned as a newcomer usually was to leave
town. The same John Simonds was in Holden in
1762 apparently. The children of John Simonds, as
recorded at Topsfield, were : John, baptized at
Topsfield, February 26, 1743-4; ^lary. born July 21,
1745: Mary. September 7, 1746: Joanna, baptized
April 3, 1748: Joseph, baptized October 29, 1749.
(VI) Joseph Simonds, son of John Simonds
(5). was born 1745-1749, baptized October 29. 1749,
at Topsfield, Massachusetts. He removed with his
father to Lunenburg about 1750. He was living
there in 1770 and probably lived there during his
active years. He signed a deed in 1770 with the
other heirs of his wife's father, Job and Elizabeth
Colman, of Ashburnham, Johan and Hannah Gip-
son, of Ashby, Joseph and Mary Simonds, of Lun-
■enburg, and one unmarried daughter, Martha Mar-
tin, of Lunenburg. Joshua Martin, brother of Mrs.
Simonds, was the purchaser, April 13, 1770. Joseph
Simonds served for eight months in the revolution.
He was in Captain Burt's company. Colonel Asa
Whitcomb's regiment. He died October 10, 1820,
aged about seventy-five years.
Joseph Simonds; son of Joseph Simonds, of
Boxford, was also interested in land in Lunenburg
through the rights of his wife. Sally Gould. With
Samuel L. Smith, Joseph Gould. Daniel Bixby. of
Topsfield. Joseph Simonds. Jr. and Mary Gould, of
Topsfield. he bought February 2, 1753. the rights
of lot No. 28 owned by Joseph Gould and sold
out October 8, 1781. to Amos Dresser. This Joseph
Simonds, Jr. was then living at Boxford and per-
Tiaps never lived at Lunenburg.
Joseph Simonds, then of Fitchhurg. married. Oc-
tober 17. 1767. Mary Martin, of Lunenburg. Their
only child known to the writer was Joseph, born
1768 or 1769, of whom later.
(VH) Joseph Simonds, son of Joseph Simonds
(6), was born in 1768 or 1769; he came to Fitch-
burg from Lunenburg when he was quite young and
spent the remainder of his days in Fitchburg. uni-
versally respected, being for many years connected
with town affairs as selectman and treasurer. Few
men have been more often and continually honored
with positions of trust and honor in the town or
city of Fitchburg.
He married Sally Downs (published INLiy i,
1794). She died September 24. 1S18. aged forty-
nine years. He married (second) Mrs. Polly Bou-
tell. June 15, 1820: she died October iS, 1846. aged
seventv-five years, nine months. He died at Fitch-
burg. November o. 18,^9. See gravestone for records.
The children of Joseph and Sally (Downs) Simonds
were: Artemas. born November 15, 1794. settled
in Fitchburg: Sally. March 6, 1797, died Septem-
ber 7 or 9, 1800. aged three years, six months, three
days; Polly, February 6. 1800 : Levi, April 23, 1802.
was a town officer; Abel, of whom later; Alvan
December 10. r807: Eliza. February 22. 1814.
(Vni) .-Xbel Simonds. son of Joseph Simonds
(7), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Decem-
ber 10, 1804, on the old homestead in the south part
of the town. The house is now known as the Elijah
C. Farwell place. In later childhood he lived in
the house under the shade of the great elm oppo-
site the new cemetery. From the age of ten until
he was thirteen he lived with an uncle in New Hamp-
shire, after which he returned to Fitchburg to learn
the trade of scythe making. He served an ap-
prenticeship of seven long years, earning his board
and clothes with a bonus of $50 when he ended his
seven years. His school days were brief." After
he was ten he attended the district school for six
weeks each winter until he was too old to continue.
He worked at his trade at Fitchburg and Chelms-
ford until he was thirty years old, when he pur-
chased the mill privilege later occupied by the
Buckeye Mowing Machine Co. in West Fitchburg
and built there his first scythe shop. Deacon John
T. Farwell and L. C. Sanborn, who later removed to
Iowa, where afterwards associated with Mr.
Simonds, and for many years they carried on the
business, not only in the original shop, but also on
the location where the Hanna Mill owned by
Crocker, Burbank & Co. now stands, and on still
another mill on the site later occupied by Whitman
& Miles. In 1851 the firm dissolved partnership
and Mr. Simonds continued until 1864 alone and
in partnership with his son, Joseph F. Simonds.
When he retired from business in the year last
named he leased the shop to Simonds Bros., his
successors in business. He was the founder of the
present Simonds Manufacturing Co., or rather of
"the concern from which the company grew. He died
April 22, 1875, in Fitchburg.
The Sentinel said of him : "He was one of the
oldest and most generally known and esteemed
members of the community. There are compara-
tively few men of whom we can say that their his-
tory is so completely identified with that of the city
as was his. We can most sincerely say that his
death is the removal of a very familiar and promi-
nent social landmark. Mr. Simonds was a man
of auiet. sober, industrious habits." When a young
liy he learned some lasting lessons in temperance
while doing his duty as an apprentice serving the
regulation grog to the workmen daily. He was an
earnest temperance leader. His apprenticeship
taught him the lesson of industry also. He believed
in work. From his youth to the end of his life he
wished to he active. Idleness was a weariness to
his flesh. He was a man of integrity. His ability
was recognized by his fellow citizens w'ho elected
liim often to fill important town offices. He was a
trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank from the
date of its organization. He was for more than
thirty years a member of the Calvinistic Congre-
gational Church. In an unobtrusive, thoughtful
way he tried to exemplify the christian rules of
conduct, to deal justlv. love mercy and to walk
humbly before God. Like so many New England
fathers he w'as quiet, earnest, firm and faithful.
He strove to be just in all his dealings. He was
naturally cheerful, kindly, v.ishing his neighbor
well and his face showed forth the pleasant feeling
which ruled within. He was a good citizen, good
nei.ehbor and good friend.
He married (first), November 29. 7827, Eliza-
beth T. Farwell. who w-as born November 17, 1807,
and died September 28. 1829. She was the daughter
of Deacon Jchn Farwell. He married (second),
ABHI, SlMOXnS
WORCESTER COUNTY
September 2, 1830, Jane Todd, daughter of Captain
Moses and Jane (Whitman) Todd, of Rindge, New
Hampshire. Her father died August 10, 1840, aged
seventy-six years; her mother December 2. 1858,
aged eighty-seven. She died June 24, 1886, at
Fitcliburg. There was one child by the first marriage,
Joseph Farwell, born October 5, 1828, died October
26, 1896; married, November 19, 1851, A. Annette
Howe. Children by second marriage were: Charles
H., born January 19, 1831, died June 24, 1832, aged
one year, five months ; Mary Caroline, born October
2"}, 1832. married, April 28. 1852, A. W. Bullard; mar-
ried (second) Robert Mc^lasters ; Thomas Todd,
born May 17, 1834 ; William Henry, born June 17,
1836, died August 14, 1863, in New York ; married.
November 22, 1859, Lizzie Howard, of Anihert. New
Hampshire; John, born November 27,1838. married.
December 6, 1865, Hattie E. Beaman, of Winchendon,
Massachusetts; Alvan Augustus, born January 28,
1841, married, February 14, 1865, Marcella E. Wil-
lard, of Leominster; (jtorge Frederick, born Janu-
ary 12, 1843, died at Scranton, Kansas, November 5,
1894: married, November 15, 1866, Mary D. A.
Hatch, of Marshfield. Massachusetts; Elizabeth
Jane, born October 3, 1844, married John F. Hatch,
of Marshtield, June 12, 1866; Daniel, born Sep-
tember 18, 1847, of whom later; Edwin Franklin,
torn October 22, 1849, married. January 12, 1882, at
Culumbiana, Ohio, Myra C. Flaugher.
(IX) Daniel Simonds, is a son of Abel (8) and
Jane Todd Simonds. He attended the public
and high schools of his native town and Comer's
Commercial College of Boston. He went to work
for his- father, who was at that time manufacturing
scythes and edge tools in West Fitchburg, a busi-
ness he had carried on since 1832. About the time
that Daniel Simonds entered the business his father
tegan to manufacture mowing machine knives.
Abel Simonds had taken as a partner his eldest son,
Joseph F. Simonds, and the firm name was A.
Simonds & Son for several years. In 1864 the busi-
ness was sold to two other sons of Abel Simonds,
Alvan Augustus Simonds and George F. Simonds,-
■who with Benjamin Snow, Jr. organized the firm
of Simonds Bros. & Co. Daniel Simonds worked
for the new firm. Machine knives, mowing ma-
chines and reaper sections were manufactured and
the business prospered and grew rapidly.
In 1868 the Simonds Manufacturing Company
was incorporated to take over the business. The
capital stock was $50,000 and the works were
removed from West Fitchburg to their present loca-
tion on Main and North streets. The same line of
work was continued until 1878. when on account of
the consolidation of the mowing machine and reaper
interests by western manufacturers, the Simonds
company sold that department of its business and
began to make saws by a new method of manufac-
ture and tempering. The Fitchburg concern found
the field well occupied by older firms, but the new
method gave them a start, and against all competi-
tion the Simonds saws made rapid headway in the
markets. The company has for many years had
liranch works and office in Chicago and San
Francisco. John Simonds, who was treasurer of the
Simonds Manufacturing Company from the time
Alvan A. Simonds withdrew in 1876 until 1886, is
now at the head of the Simonds Saw Company of
San Francisco, a company that handles the prod-
ucts of the Fitchburg concern in the west. John
Simonds was one of the sons of Abel Simonds. The
company has just acquired control (1906) of four
plants in Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada,
and has consolidated them under the corporate name
of the Simonds Canada Saw Company, with the
main office in Montreal. Daniel Simonds is presi-
dent of the new company. Daniel Simonds held
various oflices in the company from time to time as
the business grew and the active members of the
company changed. In the eighties he was the su-
perintendent of the manufacturing and vice-president
of the company. In 18S8 he succeeded George F.
Simonds as president of the company, and in 1893
the latter retired from business.
From a modest beginning the business of the
company has grown until eight hundred hands are
employed and an annual product of $2,000,000
turned out. The capital stock is at present $500,000.
The present officers are: President, Daniel Simonds ;
treasurer, Giflford Kingsbury Simonds ; vice-presi-
dents, Edwin Franklin Simonds, Charles F. Braf-
fett, Alvan Tracy Simonds : directors, the president,
vice-presidents, and Henry F. Coggshall. B. N. Bul-
lock. C. A. Hubbell. During the years 1904 and
1905 a magnificent new plant was constructed on
the site of the old one in Fitchburg at a cost of a
quarter of a million dollars. The new shops are
three in number. On North street the first of the
new structures has been extended sixty by one
hundred and seventy-five feet, making the main
building three hundred and forty feet in length,
basement and three stories of substantial brick con-
struction. At right angles is another shop sixty
by one hundred and twenty-eight feet, basement and
three stories. The new power plant is behind these
buildings. Between the old shop and the first of
the new buildings is the smithy, eighty by one hun-
dred and thirty-three feet. The equipment is of
the best, as durable, permanent and efficient as seems
possible to make it. The firm have better and larger
facilities than ever before. The new plant means
a great deal to Fitchburg, for this company is one
of its most flourishing industries. The new shops
alone have a floor area of 100.000 square feet. Be-
sides this plant and the allied Canadian company's
plants in Montreal, the Simonds Manufacturing Co.
has a large manufacturing plant in Chicago. The
old shops in Fitchburg are to be torn down, and
in every particular the new plant will be new, neat
and modern in its appointments. The office force
and headquarters of the company will occupy the
basement and three stories at the extreme north
of the main shop, a section forty by sixty feet, with
large safety storage vaults and safes on each floor.
In January. 1906, when a large part of the new
plant was occupied, the event was celebrated by a
rather unusual demonstration. The officers and em-
ployees of the company gathered in the evening of
January 17. 1906. on the second floor of the main
shop which had been appropriately decorated with
laurel. Florida moss, paper flowers, etc. The em-
. ployees and their friends were received by Presi-
dent and Mrs. Daniel Simonds, Miss Marietta
Simonds, Mrs. T. F. Howarth and Mrs. H. B. Mc-
Donald. The affair was managed by committees of
employees and their families. The building was
dedicated with feasting, music and dancing. When
the first building was completed a year before, a
similar celebration was held, and the employees
showed their appreciation of the good will toward
the company by presenting to Mr. Simonds a hand-
some solid silver loving cup.
WORCESTER COUNTY
Mr Simonds is especially proud of the new
power' plant. In addition to the old steam plant
of four hundred and twenty-five horse power capac-
ity the new boilers have a joint capacity of seven
hundred horse power, and the three new ^tea.n en-
gines have a combined capacity of six hundred
horse power. The power plant is a model of neat-
ness and efficiency. But a unique ^^^'ure o the
plant is its electrical equipment, too technical to be
described in detail here. It is sufficient to say that
The electrical power is, developed two miles away
from a water privilege having. a O"'^ 'j^-'f-^^^ji f
thirty-five foot fall and transmitted at high teiisum
to the factory to be used for power or lighting.
The prediction is freely made by electrical engineers
that mills and factories may be located w'hou re-
gard to the water fall u=ed for power as the motor
fystem is being generally adopted by New England
mills even where they are already built at the
source of their water power. The Simonds Manu-
facturing Company has recently published a book-
let ent tied "Simonds' Guide for Carpenters,' con-
taining much useful information for the men who
use the products of this company. , , „. ,^
Mr Simonds is also president of the S.moi^s
File Company, a new and prosperous concern. He
is president of the Wanoosoc P°^^^,V Company of
Fitchburg. another new concern, allied with the
Smonds companies. He is a director of the Fi ch-
birg National Bank and of the Fitchburg Mutual
Fire Insurance Company. t u . AT-,„^r
Mr Simonds has a villa at Larchniont Manor,
New York, on Long Island Sound, and is a mem-
ber of Larchmont Yatch Club. He is a member of
the Union League Club of Chicago, Park Club and
the Manufacturers' Club of F/'^hburg and was he
founder and first president of the latter. He ib a
member of Aurora Lodge of Free Masons and of
Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar^ In poh-
ics he is a staunch Republican, and ^ough too busy
to accept political office has been an efficient leader
and an earnest worker at critical times. He and
his family attend the Calvinistic Congregational
^'' 'Mrs' Daniel Simonds was Ellen Maria Gifford
daughter of Eli and Abbie (Tracy) Gifford, of
Rchburg. Their children are: Alvan Tracy
born December 23, 1877, married Susan Gansevoo
Lansing, April 16, 1901. and they have two children
Robert AlcClellan Simonds, born April n,
rm. and Daniel, second, born February, 1906.
X'n T is manager of the Chicago office and yice-
m-esident of the Simonds Manufacturing Co. , he
Fs a graduate of the Fitchburg high school, Exeter
Acadlmv and Harvard. 1899, and had a year o
fnedalstudy in the analysis of iron and steel at
Sheffield England. Gifford Kingsbury born m
Hopkinson School, Boston ; is with T. A. Mcintire,
broker. Congress street, Boston.
DR CHARLES H. RICE. Edmund Rice (i),
one of the founders and leading citizens o Sud-
^yllllsLhusetts^m gc= early^ays was^ the emi-
^^ ^^a-^U^ttf- S^ ^ice was the an-
cestor of the founder and first settler of Worcester,
and his descendants have been very prominent in
the New England towns, especially in Worcester
county. He was a proprietor and selectman in
1639: was admitted a freeman May 13, 164-'; and
was a deputy to the general court, 1643- He was
born about 1594, in England, according to a deposi-
tion made April 3, 1656. He was a member of the
committee to convey lands at Whip Sufferage in
i6;7 He removed to Marlboro, being one ot the
pedt'ioners for the grant. He was a deacon of the
Sudburv church. His wife Tamazine died m Sud-
burv June 13, i6S4. He married (second), March
I, 1655. Mercy (Heard) Brigham, widow of .rhomas
Brigham, the emigrant. Edmund Rice died in Marl-
boro, May 3. 1663. and was bnried in Sudbury.
His widow married (third)), 1664 Williain Hunt
and died December 28, 1693. Children of Edmund
and Tamazine Rice; Henry, married Elizabeth
Moore; Edward, born 1618, married Anna — —
Thomas, of whom later; Mathew, married Martha
Lamson; Samuel, married Elizabeth King; Joseph
born 1637, married Mercy King; Lydia, married
Hugh Drurv; Edmund; Benjamin, born May 31,
1640; Ruth,' married September 29, 1659, S. \\ ells ;
Ann. married N. Gerry ; Daniel, born about 1632 ,
^?II) Thomas Rice, son of Edmund Rice (i),
was born in England. He married Mary King
dau^^hter of Thomas and Ann King. They removed
to Marlboro in 1664. They had thirteen children,
and the family was remarkable for the ongevity
of the children. He died in Marlboro November
,6, 1681. She died March 22, 1715. {See Boston
Gazette, December 26, 1768.) Children of Thomas
and Marv (King) Rice: Grace, died 1653-S4,
Thomas, born Tune 30, 1654; Mary, born September
4, 1656. married Josiah White ; Peter born October
04 1658. married Rebecca How; Nathaniel born
Januarv 3. 1660, married Sarah -; Sarah, born
Tai ary IS. 1662. married Adams died at
{^e of eightv: Ephraim. born April 15, 1665, mar-
•rfed Hannah Livcrmore ; Gershom, born May 9.
,667. married Elizal)eth Haynes ; James, born March
6 669. married Sarah Stone; Frances, born teb-
ruarv \ 167071 : Jonas, born March 6, 1671, mar-
ried' Marv Stone ; Grace, born January 15, 1675.
married Nathaniel Moore; Elisha, born December
"' (IH) Elisha Rice, son of Thomas Rice (2),
born in Marlboro. Massachusetts, D^^^'^^ber ",
,679; married. February 20 1707-8. /.hzabeth
Wheeler, of Concord. He resided for a few years
in Sudbury, and in 1719 was one of the proprietors
of Worcester and was residing there. Soon atter
ward he returned to Sudbury, and died there in
1761. His youngest of seven children was Zebulon
'TlV) Zebulon Rice, son of Elisha. Rice (3).
horn in Sudbury. January 5. ;7|S: married^ Decem^
ber 7, 1749. Susanna Allen, of Sudbury. He settled
n Lancaster and at the incorporation of the own
"f Bovlston,' or ^o^e other . change m tlie town
lines, his farm was included in Boyl. ton. He d ed
Bovlston. December 26, 1799^ "'^71?°^,^'!,'*
in Ashburnham, December 17. 1823. Of the seven-
een children of Zebulon and Susannah CMlen)
mce six lived in Ashburnham-Jonas, Reuben,
llakiiS anna, wife of Jonathan Samson; Mary
wife of Stephen Randall, Jr., and Dolly, wife of
John Babcock.
WORCESTER COUNTY
(V) Jonas Rice, son of Zebulon Rice (4), was
born in Boylston, Massachusetts, then Lancaster,
February 16, 1754. He resided in Salem in 1775
and in 1776-77 was in Sterling. He married, May
10, 1779. Zilpah Townsend, daughter of Joshua and
May Townsend, and in the same year settled in
Ashburnham, Massachusetts. He was a farmer and
an industrious, respectable citizen. He settled in
the southwest part of the town; but later removed to
the Sawin farm. He died April 26, 1836. His
widow died July 22. 1846.
Jonas Rice enlisted April 19, 1775. in a company
of volunteers at Salem, commanded by Captain
Derby and marched to Cambridge. After a week
of service he enlisted at Cambridge for eight
months in the company of Captain John Bachelor
of Colonel Bridge's regiment. (This company was
engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill.) He was
stationed during all of this service on Cambridge
conunons at the house of one Hastings. He was
employed under General Putnam in an attempt to
construct a fort on Lechman Point, from which they
were driven by British ships. He again enlisted in
the summer of 1776 for five months in a militia
company of Captain Samuel Sawyer. Marched from
Sterling through Worcester, Hartford, New Haven
to New York city, remained there a few days and
then moved up the Hudson about two miles ; was
on duty at Fort Prescott when the city of New
York was given up to the British. He then moved
up to Harlem Heights, where he remained through
the rest of this service. He again enlisted July r.
1777. for six months in militia company of Captain
Francis Wilson, of Holden, Colonel Keyes' regi-
ment. He marched to Leicester, thence to Provi-
dence. During this time of service he went to Point
Juliette to assist in collecting boats to be used on
an attack on New York. In sailing around the
point many of the boats were destroyed, eight men
being drowned and so the contemplated attack was
abandoned.
The children of Jonas and Zilpath (Townsend)
Rice were: Persis, born July i, 1782, blind, died
unmarried July 4. 1857; she was an apt scholar and
became quite Droficient in reading by raised letters;
she had the Psalms and other books; she enjoyed
reading; Zilpah. born February 25. 1784, married
Abel Wright, of Ashby ; Levi, born August 19, 1785 ;•
Mary, born June g, 1788, married, January 28, 1813,
Luther Willoughby, of Hollis, New Hampshire;
they resided in Gofifstown, New Hampshire, where
she died April i. 1843; Lucy, born July 24. 1790,
married, 1809. Ebenezer Jaquith ; lived at Wash-
ington. New Hampshire, and subsequently at Mil-
ford. New Hampshire ; Jonas, born April i, 1792.
blind, died unmarried, November 26, 1854. Al-
thou.gh born blind he so perfected himself in music
that he was in great demand throu.ghout the county
to assist in private as well as public musical en-
tertainments ; he could play equally well on the
■violin, melodeon or flute; Ruth, born December 31,
1793. married Samuel Brooks, son of Thadde'us
Brooks : Susan, born January 20, 1796. died un-
married. June 13. 1863; Silas, born April 13, 1798;
Salmon, born September ,30. 1800.
(VI) Silas Rice, son of Jonas Rice (5), was
born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, April 13, 1798.
He settled in Ashburnham and conducted a farm
there. He removed to Ashby in 1844 ^nd died
there September .^o. 1862. He married. September
12, 1825, Almira Corey, daughter of Stephen and
Joanna (Adams) Corey, of Ashburnham. She died
February 25. 1843. He married (second). May 8,
1S44, Adaline (Kendall) Sawin, widow of Stephen
Sawin, of Ashburnham. She died in Fitchburg,
August 24, 1885. Silas Rice was very active in the
town affairs of Ashby ; he was chosen as one of
the selectmen for ten years out of the eighteen that
he resided in the town.
Children of Silas and Almira (Corey) Rice
were: I. Elizabeth C. born March 21, 1827, died
in Fitchburg, May 3, 1874 ; she married Jonas
Whitney, of Fitchburg, April 4, 1850, who was
associated with his father, Prescott Whitney, in
manufacturing of organs and nielodeons. Only one
child was born to them, Frank O. Whitney, who
graduated with the first class that was graduated
from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ; he has
been in the civil engineering department of Boston
ever since his graduation. He married Annie Snow,
of Boston, and they have one son, Franklin Snow,
who is now a senior in Harvard College. 2. Ed-
win, born December 21, 1834. died in Paxton, Illi-
nois, April 24, 1884. He married Almarine Moore,
in Lisbon, Illinois, 1859. He was a successful grain
and real estate dealer in both Chicago and Paxton.
3. Walter, born December 25, 1836, a Congrega-
tional minister, graduated from Beloit College,
Wisconsin, in 1862. and from Newton, Massachu-
setts, Theological Seminary. Subsequently he took
a special course at Andover Theological Seminary.
He has preached as a settled pastor in West Acton,
South Royalston, Lunenburg and Brandon, Ver-
mont ; at present and for over fourteen years pas-
tor of Agawam Congregational Church. He
married Nellie F. King, August 24, 1865; to them
one son. Dexter W., was born, September 6. 1870,
and died May 8, 1890; the wife died November 11,
1901. 4. Dexter S., born August 3, 1840, died Oc-
tober 9. 1896 ; married Mary Bangs, November 29,
1866. He went to Portland, Maine, in i860, and
entered the employ of Walter Corey Furniture Co.
Enlisted in the Thirteenth Maine Regiment, Decem-
ber 10, 1861. Served through the civil war and
was mustered out of the service January 6, l86Si
On returning from the service he became manager
and later principal owner of the Walter Corey
Furniture Co. The business was greatly enlarged
under his administration. One son Irving was born
June 14. 1870, now engaged in the coal business in
Portland ; married Maud Packard, of Portland, in
1896. 5. Charles H., born February 19, 1843. 6.
Almira M.. born January 28, 1845, died February
17. 1856. She was of the second marriage to Ada-
line (Kendall) Sawin.
(VII) Dr. Charles H. Rice, son of Silas Rice
(6), was born in Ashburnham, February 19, 1843.
When he was a young child the family removed to
Ashby. He attended the public schools of that
town and subsequently graduated at Appleton Acad-
emy at New Ipswich. New Hampshire, in 1863. Dr.
Rice studied medicine with Dr. Emerson, of Ashby,
and was graduated from Dartmouth Medical Col-
lege in 1865 and from Harvard Medical School in
1866. He located immediately in Fitchburg and has
since practiced his profession successfully in that
city. Dr. Rice has built up a large general practice
in Fitchburg. He has been not only a physician
of prominence, but a leading citizen. He is a mem-
ber of the Worcester North District Medical Society
and of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was
for twelve years surgeon of the Sixth Regiment,
WORCESTER COUNTY
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, from December,
1884, to April, 1897. He was the first city physi-
cian in Fitchburg and also chairman of the first
city board of health. He served for sixteen years
consecutively on the school committee. He is a
trustee of the Burbank Hospital and a consulting
physician and surgeon for that institution. He is
one of the trustees of the Wallace Public Library.
He is a Mason of high standing. He belongs to
Qiarles W. Moore Lodge, Thomas Royal Arch
Chapter and Jerusalem Commandery, Knights
Templar of Fitchburg. He is a member of the
Royal Arcanum, the local council.
He married, June i, 1870, Delia L. Estabrook,
.daughter of Samuel and Lucinda (.Hayward) Esta-
brook, of Ashby. Their children are : Dr. Robert
Astley, born August 13. 1875, graduated at the
Fitchburg high school in 1894, at Amherst Uni-
versity m 1898 and at the Harvard Medical School
in 1902 ; he has since practiced his profession in
Fitchburg : Helen Haywood, born November 13,
1878, graduate of the Fitchburg high school in 1897
and of Smith College in 1901, is living with her
parents ; Margaret Corey, born February 13, 1886,
graduate of the Fitchburg high school, class of
1902, of Dana Hall, Welle^ley, Massachusetts, 1903,
member of class of 1908, Smith College.
ROCKWELL-GIBSON. John Gibson (i). the
emigrant ancestor of Henry Franklin Gibson, and
progenitor of many Fitchburg and Worcester county
families, was in New Towne, as Cambridge was first
called, in 1634. He was born in England in 1601,
and died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1694, aged
ninety-three years. He was admitted a freeman
May 17, 1637, although his name appears on the
records first August 4, 1634. He had a grant of si.x
acres of land in a list of lots granted to settlers in
the West End, in that part of the city lying between
the present Sparks street, Wyeth and Garden streets,
Harvard and Brattle squares, and the Charles river,
now a very valuable section in the heart of the city.
His house was built at the end of Sparks street, not
far from Brattle street, then called the Path to Wa-
tertown. He bought a large amount of real estate
during his life in Cambridge. In 1639 he bought of
Edward Elmer three acres adjoining his land on the
southeast, which extended his house lot or home-
stall to Garden street. He doubtless belonged to
the church of Mr. Hooker on his arrival in 1633.
He became a member of the succeeding society Feb-
ruary I, 1636, under Rev. Thomas Shepard, and is
on the list of members in 1637. He remained a
member until his death. The original church until
1650 stood at the corner of Dunster and Mt. Auburn
streets. He held several minor town oflices, and in
1676 was a fence viewer. His connection with the
witchcraft delusion is probably of more interest to
his descendants than it was to him. He and his
wife were sued by Winifred Holman for damages
for accusing her daughter, Mary Holman, of being
a witch. The Gibsons were found guilty, and
doubtless they really believed that Mary was a witch.
They were fined the costs of the court and fifteen
shillings, ten pence. At the same time one of their
sons was obliged to apologize in court for calling
Mary a witch when being a witch was dangerous
business.
John Gibson married first, Rebecca , who
was buried December i, 1661, in Roxbury. He
married (second), July 24, 1662, Joan, widow of
Henry Prentice, of Cambridge, and together with
his wife administered the estate of her late husband.
Children of John and Rebecca Gibson; I. Rebecca^
born Cambridge, 1635, baptized in the First Church ;
married (second), June 22, 1654, Charles Stearns,,
of Watertown. (The fact that she partially lost
her mind believing herself bewitched by !Mary Hol-
man explains the law suit brought by ^Irs. Holman
against the Gibsons).' 2. Mary, born May 29, 1639,.
married, November 3, 1657, Jacob Newell, of Rox-
bury; he was born on board ship, 1634, and buried in
Roxbury, December 30. 1678; was son of Abraham and
Frances Newell, from Ipswich, Suffolk county, Eng-
land, Roxbury pioneers of 1634. 4. John, Jr., born
about 1641, married Rebecca Errington. 5. Samuel,
born in Cambridge, October 28, 1644. died in Cam-
bridge. March 20, 1709-10; married, October 30,
1668, Sarah Pemberton, who died October 10. 1676 ;
married (second), June 14, 1679. j\lrs. Elizabeth
(Remington) Stedman, of Cambridge; married
(third) Abigail .
(II) John Gibson, Jr., son of John Gibson (i),
born Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1641, was baptized
in First Church there ; died in Cambridge. October
15. 1679. He settled in Cambridge on the old home-
stead at the west end, deeded to him by his father,
November 30, 1668. He also was involved in the
suit of the Holmans. He had accused Mary Holman
of being a witch, believing, when he said it, that his
sister was a victim of her arts. The court gave him
his choice of openly acknowledging his error in court
or of paying a fine of five pounds. He saved the five
pounds. He was a soldier in King Philip's war, in
Captain Thomas Prentice's company, August 27,.
1676. The expedition started for Rhode Island,
June 24, 1676. He was in the fight at Swansea.
June 28, and in the skirmish in July on Mt. Hope
Neck, near Bristol, Rhode Island. He was also in
the company of Lieutenant Edward Oakes, which
started on a scouting expedition, March 24, 1675-76,
near Marlboro. He was a private in Captain Daniel
Henchman's company, impressed April 27, starting
May 27, reaching Hadley. June 14, 1676. He was
possibly the John Gibson in the list of Captain
Joshua Scotow's men at Malock Point, near Saco,
Maine. September, 1677, the garrison bemg captured
the following month by Mogg Megone. a celebrated
Indian chief. He was admitted a freeman October
II, 1670, and held various small offices in Watertown.
He was only thirty-eight years old when he died of
smallpox. His widow was administratrix. He mar-
ried, December 9. 1668, Rebecca Errington (Harring-
ton later), born in Cambridge, baptized in the First
Church, and died December 4, 1713, daughter of
Abraham and Rebecca (Cutler) Errington. Her
father was a blacksmith, the son of Widow Ann Er-
rington. who was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Eng-
land. Abraham Errington died at Cambridge. May
9, 1677, aged fifty-five years. He married Rebecca
Cutler, born in England, a member of the Cam-
bridge Church in full communion prior to January
1659; died at Cambridge, 1697. Children of John,,
Jr., and Rebecca Gibson: i. Rebecca, born in Cam-
bridge, October 4, 1669, died in Woburn, June 10,
1698, unmarried. 2. Martha, born in Cambridge,
died in Woburn after 1733; married (first), 1696,
Reuben Lilly, of Concord: married (second). April
4. 1699. Joseph Knight, of Woburn. born at Woburn,
December 12. 1673. died January 23. 1732-33, son of
Joseph and Hannah Knight, of Woburn, and prob-
ably grandson of John Knight, of Watertown, Mass-
WORCESTER COUNTY
achusetts. (See Knight Family). 3. Mary, born
at Cambridge, married at Concord, Octolicr 17, 1700.
Nathaniel Gates, of Stow (born probably at Cam-
bridge, died 173 1, aged fifty-six, son of Stephen
Gates. (See Gates Family). 4. Timothy, of Sud-
bury and Stow.
(Ill) Timothy Gibson, son of John Gibson, Jr.,
(2), was born in Cambridge, 1679, died at Stow,
July 14, 1757. His gravestone in the graveyard in
the lower village in the eastern part of Stow indi-
cates that he was seventy-nine years old when he
died. He married (first), in Concord. November
17, 1780, Rebecca Gates, of Stow, daughter of
Stephen, Jr., and Sarah (Woodward) Gates. (See
Gates Family). She was born in Marlboro, July 23,
1682, and died in Stow, January 21, 1751, and was
buried at the right side of her husband. He married
(second), (published November 30,) 1755, Mrs. Sub-
mit Taylor, of Sudbury, Massachusetts. She died
in Stow, January 29, 1759, and was buried at the
left of her husband. Deacon Gibson was brought
up by Selectman .Abraham Holman, of Cambridge,
son of William and Winifred Holman. After 1689
he removed with him to Stow. He lived with the
Holman family until 1703, when he removed to the
northwest part of Sudbury, and settled there near
the Assabet river, on a sixty-acre farm, bounded
west by the Stow line, east by the road to Concord
from Jewell's mill, southwest by land of Joseph
Jewell, north by land of John and Jonas Burk. It
was deeded to him June 21, 1703, by his foster
father Holman. Again, November 29, 1708. Holman
gave him twenty acres of land on the north side of
the Assabet river, in Sudbury, and again ten acres
southeast of the river, April 23, 171 1. Timothy
Gibson's will, dated September, 171 1, mentions his
wife Sarah, nephews Abraham and Jeremiah Hol-
man, son Timothy.
Timothy Gibson was one of the thirty-one signers
of the petition for a church at the west precinct, now
the centre of Sudbury, dated January 15, 1706-07.
The church at Rocky Point, as Sudbury Centre was
then called, was not built until 1723. The original
church, where all in the vicinity worshiped from
1639 to 1723, was in East Sudbury, now Wayland,
Massachusetts. The first bridge over the Assabet
river was built between land of Gibson on one side
and Burk on the other, by vote of the town, Decem-
ber 14, 1715. Timothy Gibson also owned land in
Cambridge and Lunenburg. The records show that
Ephraim Sawtelle sold land to Timothy Gibson
about June 25, 1723. Five or six other lots were
granted to him. Of his sons, John, Harrington,
Isaac and Reuben settled in Lunenburg. They were
men of great personal prowess, and they and their
descendants were prominent in the town. Timothy
Gibson removed to Stow between December 6, 1728,
and February 24, 1731-32. He was selectman of
Stow, 1734, 1735, 1736 and 1739. He was one of
those who dissented from the vote to give Rev. John
Gardner sixty pounds May 17, 1736. He was a dea-
con of the church while Gardner was the pastor.
His homestead in Stow lay on the south slope of
Pomciticut Hill. He deeded his homestead to his
son Stephen ten years before he died, and the place
descended in the family in this way until 1823. when
it was sold. In 1826 it was bought by the Maynard
family, who called it Summer Hill Farm. The
northwest part of Sudbury, including Assabet village
and the northeast part of Stow, including the hill
and the Gibson homestead, were incorporated April
19, 1871, as the town of Maynard.
The children of Deacon Timothy and Rebecca
(Gates) Gibson were: Abraham, born in Stow. 1701,
died there November 8, 1740; married Mary Wheel-
er, born November 5. 1707, died in Stow, Janflary
15- 1793. daughter of Deliverance and Mary (Davis)
Wheeler ; resided in Stow and Sudbury. 2. Captain
Timothy, born in Stow, January 20, 1702-03. 3. Re-
becca, born in Sudbury, March 19, 1703-04: married.
May 4, 1727. Joseph F'arnsworth, of Groton, born in
Groton, February 26, 1698, died 173 1, son of John
and grandson of Matthias Farnsworth, pioneer.
4. John, captain, born in Sudbury, .April 28, 1708,
settled in Lunenburg, died there June lo, 1761 ; mar-
ried at Lancaster', November 9. 1737. Elizabeth Hart-
well, born 1715; married (second). May 9, 1764,
Jacob Gates, of Harvard, died February i, 1792,
daughter of Judge Edward and Sarah (Wilder)
Hartwell, granddaughter of Edward Hartwell, bora
in England, settled in Concord, Massachusetts. 5.
Sarah, born in Sudbury, October 27, 1710, married
(first) Thomas Willard, of Harvard, son of Heze-
kiah and Anna (Wilder) Willard, of Lancaster. 6.
Samuel, born in Sudbury, August 27, 1713, died
April II, 1746. 7. Stephen, born in Sudbury, March
1715, died young. 8. Harrington, born in Sudbury,
March 22, 1717, died in Lunenburg, February 24,
1756; he died July 15, 1795, aged seventy-eight.
9. Stephen, deacon, bona in Sudbury, June 6, 1719,
died in Stow, October 23, 1806: married, 1744, Sarah
Goss, daughter of John and Mary Goss ; she was
born in Lancaster, April 13, 1719, and died in Stow,
October 26, 1802. aged eighty-four. 10. Isaac, born
in Sudbury. .April 27, 1721, lived in Stow, Fitchburg,
Grafton, Vermont (originally Thomlinson), died in
Grafton, 'Vermont, June i, 1797, in his seventy-
' seventh year ; married at Lunenburg, February 4,
1744-5, Keziah, daughter of Deacon Samuel and Re-
becca Johnson (Rebecca was descendant of Capt.
Edward Johnson, author of "Wonder Working
Providences of Zion's Saviour in New England") ;
married (second), at Leominster, November 27,
1766, Mrs. -Abigail (Darby or Stearns) Bennett, who
died at Grafton, Vermont. November 26, 1808, aged
eighty-one years. 11. Mary, born in Sudbury. June
14, 1723. 12. Captain Reuben, born in Sudbury, Feb-
ruary 14, 1725.
(IV) CAPTAIN REUBEN GIBSON, son of
Timothy Gibson (3). born in Sudburj\ February 14,
1725, died in Fitchburg, July 27, 1800, buried in the
South Street burying ground ; married, at Sudbury,
November 13. 1746. Lois Smith, born in Sudbury,
November I, 1726, died in Fitchburg. November 22,
1816, (aged ninety-four as per stone, correct age was
ninety as per church records), daughter of Thomas
and Elizabeth Smith, and granddaughter of John
and Sarah Smith, of Sudbury.
Captain Gibson was one of the famous Gibson
brothers of Lunenburg. Four of them settled there
on Pearl Hill. Reuben had a farm of one hundred
acres there before he was of age, deeded to him by
his father, October 25, 1744. This homestead re-
mained in his family until 1863, when it was sold.
The old bouse was torn down in 1892. The Gibson
boys were famous for their size, great strength and
physical courage. They were remarkable also for
their enterprise and force of character. They were
leaders in Lunenburg and Fitchburg after the new
town was formed. Captain Reuben Gibson was on
the first board of selectmen of Fitchburg, 1764.
The first election was on March 5, 1764. He served
the town as highway surveyor 1767; was one of the
thirteen largest taxpayers in 1771 and afterward a
8
WORCESTER COUNTY
member of tlie committee of correspondence, elected
December I, 1773 ; constable, 1775 ; chairman com-
mittee of safety and correspondence, 1776; tax col-
lector, 1781. He was captain of the militia com-
pany, as the records of the town show, after 1772 ;
was one of the five Gibsons among the forty-four
Fitchburg minutemen in 1775 ; was a soldier in the
Revolution, sergeant in Capt. Ebenezer Woods'
company. Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment of militia,
April 19, 177s, in the Lexington call. His will,
dated May 10, 1797, was allowed September 2, 1800.
The children of Captain Reuben and Lois
(Smith) Gibson were: l. Lois, born August 15, 1747,
at Lunenburg, died in Ashburnham, May 27, 1820;
married in Fitchburg, June 12, 1772, Joshua Billings,
■of Cambridge Farms, part of Ashburnham, died
there May 18, 1799. 2. Reuben, born in Lunenburg,
September 21, 1748. 3. Abraham, born in Lunen-
burg, August 15, 1752, died in Leicester, April 10,
1829; married Mary Brown (born in Lexington,
May 5, 1758, died in Goshen, Vermont, March 3,
1835), daughter of Daniel and Anna (Bright)
Brown, of Lexington ; a Revolutionary soldier.
4. Thomas, born November 19, 1753, died in Ash-
burnham, June II, 1841 ; married, April i, 1783, Re-
lief Hartwell, of Fitchburg; she died October 19,
1849, aged eighty-five; daughter of Phineas and Mary
(Pierce) Hartwell; a soldier in the Revolution. 5.
Harrington (or Arrington), born in Lunenburg,
August 14, 1756, died in Fitchburg, October 12, 1847,
settled on Pearl Hill; was in the Fitchburg train
band in 1775. 6. Bezaleel, baptized August 29, 1761,
died in Ashburnham, November 17, 1840, married at
Acton, November 23, 1784, Lois Billings, of Acton
(baptized July 21, 1832), died in Ashburnham, Octo-
ber 21, 1854; was a soldier in the Revolution. 7. Is-
rael, born at Fitchburg, December 8, 1765, died April
14, 1818, buried at Laurel Hill cemetery; married
(published March 10, 1797), Lucinda Whiting (born
in Hanover, Massachusetts, died in Fitchburg, July
15. 1870, aged ninety-three years). 8. Ephraim,
born in Fitchburg, November 10, 1768, died there
September 7, 1844 ; married, November 18, 1795, Ly-
dia Kinsman (born in Ipswich, July 15, 1770, died
in Fitchburg, September 4, 1863, aged ninety-one
years), daughter of Jeremiah and I\Iary Kinsman,
of Ipswich and Fitchburg, iMassachusetts.
(V) Reuben Gibson, son of Captain Reuben
Cibson (4), was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts,
September 21, 1748, died in Fitchburg, April 20,
,1836. He married, February 8, 1774. his second
■cousin, Betty Gibson, born in Stow, June 6, 1750,
•died Septeiuber 12, 1824 (her name is given Betsey
on her gravestone), daughter of Jonathan and Mary
(Forristall) Gibson. He was a soldier in the Revo-
lution, a private in Captain Ebenezer Woods' coni-
pany, Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment, and was with
the company when it marched to Lexington, April
I9> 1775- He was a man of great strength and cour-
age. It is said of him that he and his cousin "Jake"
set at defiance the soldiers sent to arrest them as
suspects at the time of Shay's Rebellion. He held
many offices of honor and trust ; was surveyor and
collector of highway taxes, 1778; on school com-
mittee 1783, 1786 and 1788. He acquired consider-
able real estate in Fitchburg, besides the forty-nine
acres he bought of his father, March 22, 1777. He
had half a pew in the meeting house in Ashburnham.
His will was dated November 4, 1831, and proved
June 2, 1836. He left a small legacy to each of his
children, and the residue to his eight surviving
■daughters and the three children of his deceased
daughter, Sally Whitcomb. The children of Reuben
and Betty (Gibson) Gibson: I. , born in
Fitchburg, October 5, 1774, died young. 2 Jonathan,
born in Fitchburg, September 5, 1775, died in Salis-
bury, Vermont, November 22, 1851 ; married (first)
March 11, 1800, Deborah Allen, of Leicester, Ver-
mont, who died July 13, 1822; married (second),
January 29, 1826, Esiner Spencer, of Salisbury, Ver-
mont; she died January i, 1875. 3 IMary, born at
Fitchburg, May 26, 1777, died at Fitchburg, Novem-
ber 9, 1848; married, 1800, Daniel Chesmore. 4.
Lois, born at Fitchburg, May 22, 1778, died in Salis-
bury, Vermont, January 29, 1852 ; married, October
10, 1798, Mark Mossman, of Thetford, Vermont,
and Schroon, New York, (born in Sudbury, Septem-
ber 3, 177s, died Salisbury, Vermont, May 29, 1858),
son of Matthew Mossman, of Ashburnham. 5. Bet-
sey, born in Fitchburg, May 22, 1780, died about
1853; married, February 11, 1802, Lyman Cook, of
Thetford, Vermont. 6. Reuben, born December 8,
1781, died at Salisbury, Vermont, October 22, 1813;
married, May 14, 1S07, Hannah Burnap, of Fitch-
burg. 7. Sally, born December 8, 1782, died at Pat-
ten, Broome -county, P. Q., Canada, May 27, 1826,
buried in North Troy, the adjoining town in Ver-
mont; married Elijah Whitcomb, born Henniker,
New Hampshire, 1778, died Patton, 1863, son of
Benjamin and grandson of Benjamin, of Stow. 8.
Jeremiah, born August 25, 1784 ; married, first, Octo-
ber 28, 1806, Asa Berry, of Rindge, New Hampshire,
who died September 21, 1822; married (second),
October 23, 1823, Captain Francis Dean, of Fitch-
burg, who died December 10, 1851. 9. Susanna,
born December i, 1785, died October 15, 1786. 10.
Susanna, born February 20, 1787, married
Morse, of Thetford. 11. Gibson, baptized April 27,
1788, died November 5, 1788. 12. Simeon, born No-
vember 18, 1789, died February 19, 1852; married,
Salisbury, Vermont, Lovica Graves, who died Feb-
ruary 9, 1828, aged thirty-two; married (second),
August 27, 1829, Sarah, daughter of Israel Wilkins.
13. Abigail, born August 12, 1791, died at Salisbury,
April 9, 1884; married at Salisbury, April 1810,
James Gipson (originally Japson) of Salisbury, born
in Leominster, Massachusetts, May 15, 1790, died in
Salisbury, September 11, 1883, son of John Japson.
14. Olive, born March 11, 1793, died at Hyde Park,
Vermont, April 23, 1879; married, December 19,
1813. Enos Sherwin, of Rindge, New Hampshire,
and Stow, iMassachusetts, born in Rindge, September
23, 1790, died in Stow, July i, 1863. 15. Lovica,
born October 6, 1795, married, October 22, 1818,
Samuel Stratton, of Rindge, who died there August
21, 1840.
(VI) Mary (or Polly) Gibson, daughter of
Reuben Gibson (5), born in Fitchburg, March 26,
1777; baptized in First Church, May 4, 1777; died
in Fitchburg, November 9, 1848. She married (first)
about 1800, Daniel Chesmore, of Henniker, New
Hampshire, and Troy, Vermont. He died after
1816. She married (second), April 6, 1823, Jona-
than Battles, of Fitchburg.
Mr. Chesmore took a lively interest in church
aflfairs, and at Henniker, he and bis wife's uncle,
Thaddeus Gibson, voted , against the settlement of
Rev. Moses Sawyer. Later he removed to Troy,
Vermont, about 1815. She returned about that time
to Fitchburg with her children. Children of Daniel
and Polly Gibson Chesmore: I. Mary, born in Hen-
niker, New Hampshire, December 20, 1801, died in
Ashburnham. Massachusetts, March 26, 1872; mar-
ried, November 9, 1829, Moses Stowell, of Ashburn-
. (7/'lfz:^u^%^Ji^
WORCESTER COUNTY
ham. 2. Daniel, born in Henniker, September lo,
1803, died lu Leominster, June 15, 1886; married
Mehitable Gerry, April 3, 1829; married (second),
December 25, 1844, Almira Bartlett, who died De-
cember 25, 1887, aged eighty-two years. 3. Eliza-
beth, born in Troy, Maine, October 31, 1804, died
June 23, 1864; married, April 25,. 1825, Jonathan
Whittemore. 4. Caroline, born January I, 1806, died
young. 5. Reuben, born in Troy, Vermont, Novem-
ber 13, 1808, died at St. Joseph, Missouri, March 3,
1895; married, December 10, 1835, Elizabeth Upton,
born in Andover, Massachusetts, March 9, 1805, died
in Westminster, December 14, 1880. 6. William
Riley, born in Thetford, Vermont, March 26, 1810,
died in Worcester, Massachusetts, INIarch 26, 1870;
married, November 30, 1834, Lucinda Lovering, of
Hopliinton, Massachusetts. 7. Ransom S., born in
Troy, Vermont, September 29, 181 1, died in Au-
burn, Massachusetts, June 9, 1895; married (first),
1847, Eliza Plummer; married (second) Mrs. Caro-
line (True) Wilson. 8. Royal Chesmore, changed
his name to Henry Otis Rockwell ; see below.
(VII) Henry Otis Rockwell, son of Daniel
Chesmore (6), and Mary Gibson Chesmore, was
born in Troy, Vermont, June 18, 1815 (date 1S13
also given), died in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, No-
vember 30, 1877. He married, April 20, 1842, Sarah
Laws, born in Westford, Massachusetts, January 6,
1822, daughter of William and Lucinda Laws. He
settled in Fitchburg and became a prominent and
highly respected business man there. He was a man
of decided views and took a great interest in public
questions. Children of Henry Otis and Sarah C.
(Laws) Rockwell: I. William. Henry, born in Fitch-
burg, April 27, 1845, died September 7, 1847. 2.
William B., born in Fitchburg, September 28, 1847 ;
resides in San Francisco, California. 3. Henry
Franklin Rockwell, born September 9, 1849.
(VIII) Henry Franklin Rockwell, son of Henry
Otis Rockwell C7), was born in Fitchburg, Mass-
achusetts, September 9, 1849. He attended the pub-
lic schools of his native town and entered the high
school in 1862. He left school to enter the employ
of Samuel H. Wood, 51 Tremont street, Boston,
druggist, where he learned the business and became
a pharmacist. This drug store was on the site now
occupied by the department store of Houghton &
Dutton. After three years there he went west for
a year. He returned and accepted a position as
clerk in the drug store of George S. Goodell, in
Brooklyn, New York, formerly a Worcester man,
and remained in this position for nine years. In
1877 he returned to his native town and bought the
drug store of Z. Fortier, at 401 Main street, and has
since then conducted the business with much suc-
cess. He was one of the original directors of the
Fidelity Cooperative Bank of Fitchburg. He is a
member of Alpine Lodge, No. 35, K. P., Uniform
Rank ; Apollo Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; Board of Trade ;
Merchants' Association ; Columbian Club ; Mayors'
Club of Massachusetts.
Mr. Rockwell is best known as one of the most
popular mayors who ever served the city. He has
had a very creditable public career. While he is a
Republican in politics, he is decidedly independent
in municipal affairs, and has been a prime mover in
various citizens' movements in city elections. He
was a member of the common council in 1886, 1887
and 1888, during the last two years being president
of the board. He was an alderman in 1889, 1890
and 1891. He was a representative in the general
court in 1892 and 1893, and served on the committee
on railroads. He was mayor of Fitchburg in 1896,
1897, and 1898. He was elected not as a Republican,
but at the head of an independent citizens' ticket.
He married, in Brooklyn, New York, April 28,
1881, Jessie F. Lamberson, born in New York City,
■August 8, 1857, daughter of Thomas and Emeline
(Nostrand) Lamberson. She is descended from the
early Dutch settlers in New York. Their children :
I. William Milton, born in Fitchburg, August 4,
1882 ; graduate of Fitchburg high school and Har-
vard College (A. M. 1903) ; now with Scribner's,
New York. 2. Jessie Kimball, born in Fitchburg,
November 30, 1886; graduate of Fitchburg high
school ; student at Vassar, class of 1908.
GENERAL JOHN W. KIMBALL. (I) Richard
Kimball, the emigrant ancestor of General John W.
Kimball, of Fitchburg, JNIassachusetts. was from the
parish of Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England, where
his son Henry was baptized August 12, 1615. He
married, in England, Ursula, daughter of Henry
Scott, of Rattlesden. The will of Henry Scott,
dated September 24, 1625, was proved in the court of
the archdeaconry of Sudbury, January 10, 1624-5.
He was buried in Rattlesden, December 24, 1624.
The will mentions Abigail, Henry, Elizabeth and
Richard Kimball, his grandchildren, the children of
Richard and Ursula (.Scott) Kimball ; his wife,
Martha, and sons Roger and Thomas Scott, the lat-
ter of whom came to America in the same ship with
Richard Kimball and Martha Scott, the widow, aged
sixty years. The family came to America in the
ship "Elizabeth," of Ipswich, sailing April 30, 1634.
The ages of the family as then given were : Richard,
thirty-nine, with wife Ursula and children; Henry,
fifteen ; Elizabeth, thirteen ; Richard, eleven ; Mary,
nine ; Martha, five ; John, three ; Thomas, one. They
settled in Watertown, where Henry Kimball, aged
forty-two, and family, also settled. This Henry
Kimball is thought to have been a brother. He
came in the same ship.
The home lot of Richard Kimball was six acres
on the Cambridge line, now in the city of Cambridge,
near the corner of Huron avenue and Appleton
streets. He was admitted a freeman May 6, 1635,
and was a proprietor in 1636-7. Soon after this he
removed to Ipswich, where the settlers required the
services of a wheelwright. He settled there and
followed his trade and carried on his farm. The
town granted him a house lot February 23, 1637,
next adjoining Goodwin Simons, at the west end of
the town. He was granted at the same time forty
acres beyond the North river, near the land of Rob-
ert Scott. In 1641 he was mentioned as one of the
commoners of Ipswich, and was appointed one of
the selectmen, ("Seven Men") March i, 1645. He
had various other grants of land and served on var-
ious town committees. He was one of the execu-
tors of the estate of his brother-in-law, Thomas
Scott, who died February, 1653-4. He was one of
the proprietors of Plumb Island. He married (sec-
ond), October 23, 1661, Margaret, widow of Henry
Dow, of Hampton, New Hampshire. She died
INIarch i, 1675-6. His will was dated March 5, 1674.
and proved September 28, 1675. He bequeathed
to his wife fulfillment of marriage contract, and
named children and other relatives. He died June
22, 1675. aged eighty years. Children of Richard and
LIrsuIa Kimball: i. Abigail, born in Rattlesden,
county of Suffolk, England, died in Salisbury, Mass-
lO
WORCESTER COUNTY
achusetts, June 17, 1658; married in England, John
Severans ; twelve children. 2. Henry, born in Rat-
tlesden, 1615. 3. Elizabeth, born in Rattlesden, 1621.
4. Richard, born in Rattlesden, 1623, died May 26,
1676, in Wenham, Massachusetts. 5. Mary, born in
Rattlesden, 1625, married Robert Dutch, of Glouces-
ter and Ipswich, Massachusetts ; they had six chil-
dren. 6. Martha, born in Rattlesden, 1629, married
Joseph Fowler, son of Philip and Martha Fowler;
he was born in England in 1622, and was killed by
the Indians, May 19, 1676, near Deerlicld, Massachu-
setts, in Kmg Philip's war; had four children. 7.
John, born in Rattlesden, 1631, died May 6, 1698.
8. Thomas, born 1633, died May 3, 1676. 9. Sarah,
born in Watertown, Massachusetts, 1635, died June
12, 1690; married, November 24, 1658, Edward Allen,
of Ipswich; eleven children. 10. Benjamm Kimball,
born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1637, died June 11,
1695. II. Caleb, born in Ipswich, 1639. died 1682.
(II) Thomas Kimball, son of Richard Kimball
(i), born in Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England,
1633, was one year old when he came to New Eng-
land with his parents. He later went to Ipswich,
Massachusetts, and to Hampton, New Hampshire,
where he was living October 20, 1653, the owner of
a mill property on Oyster river there. He had his
home there as late as 1660, and afterward removed
to that portion of Rowley later included in the pres-
ent town of Bradford, Massachusetts. This part of
Rowley was originally known as Merrimac. Thom-
as Kimball was elected constable in Rowley in 1669.
His home was on the road to Boxford. He lived
there ten years. He was a mechanic as well as farm-
er, and owned over four hundred acres of land at
the time of his death. He was a victim of Indian
raiders in King Philip's war. On the night of May
2, 1676, three well known "Praying Indians" who
had turned against the whites, Peter, Andrew and
Simon, so they had been christened, started for
Rowley on an errand of murder, but failing to reach
their destination early enough for their purposes
they sought the home of Thomas Kimball in ^lerri-
mac when the night was far advanced, and killed the
father. The mother and live children were taken
into captivity and carried forty miles into the for-
est. The lives of Mrs. Kimball and her baby were
frequently threatened, and twice the fire was light-
ed to burn them at the stake. Through the friendly
offices of VVanalancet, of the Pennacook Indians,
they were freed after forty-one terrible days in cap-
tivity, and reached their desolated home June 13,
1676. The prayers of the congregation at Ipswich
were asked May 3, 1676, for the safety of the cap-
tives. Subsequently the widow petitioned the gen-
eral court for protection from Simon, the Indian
who murdered her husband and threathened to kill
her and her children if they returned to their home.
Accordingly the three Indians were seized and put
in jail, but they escaped and continued their murder-
ous course most mercilessly thereafter, we are told.
They were well known, for they had lived a great
deal in the settlements and worked for the colonists.
Thomas Kimball served the town of Merrimac as
selectman and in other offices. He married Mary,
daughter of Thomas and Joanna Smith, of Ipswich.
Joanna died about 1681. The children of Thomas
and Mary (Smith) Kimball: i. Elizabeth, born
Hampton, Massachusetts, December 5, 1658. died
December 27, 1658. 2. Richard, born Hampton.
1660, died Bradford, Massachusetts, January 21,
1732-3? 3. Joseph, born 1662, died 1699; was im-
pressed into His ^lajesty's service in 1689 and ag:aia
in 1690. 4. Mary, born about 1663 ; married,-
March 22, 1682-3, Thomas Reddington, of Boxford,.
Massachusetts; six children. 5. Hannah, born Jan-
uary 27, 1661, died before 1699. 6. Thomas, bora
1665, died June 30, 1732, in Bradford. 7. Ebenezer,
born April 20, 1668. 8. John, born October 14, 1675 ;,
removed to Piscataquis, Ekst Jersey. 9. Joanna,,
died April 10, 1690; married Joshua ^Nlorse, of New-
bury, Massachusetts, who died March 20, 1691.
(III) Thomas Kimball, son of Thomas Kimball.
(2), born in Rowley, Masachusetts, 1665, died in
Bradford, Massachusetts, January 11, 1732; married,
in Maiden, Massachusetts, December 22, 1686, Deb-
orah, born 1668 and died December 22, 1726, daugh-
ter of John Pemberton, of jNlalden. He died 1692,
and administration was granted to his wife Deborah.
Thomas Kimball married (second) Grace, widow
of John Currier, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, daugh-
ter of Christopher and Sarah Hall. Pie resided
September 4, 1729, in that part of the town of Brad-
ford now Groveland. His old homestead was stand-
ing until 1893, when it was torn down by the owner,.
Mrs. William Gray. Children of Thomas and Deb-
orah (Pemberton) Kimball: i. Thomas, born in
Bradford where all the children were born, October
14, 1687, died September 11, 1748. 2. Jonathan,
born February 21, 1689, died unmarried. 3. Dorothy,
born September 13, 1690; married June 19, 1711,
Daniel Poor ; ten children. The children of Thomas
and Grace (Currier) Kimball were: 4. John, born
November 16, 1692, died November 11, 1748, at
Bradford. S- Mary, born February 25, 1694, mar-
ried, August 13, 1713, Samuel Webster; ten chil-
dren, among them Rev. Samuel Webster, of Salis-
bury, Massachusetts (H. C. 1737). 6. Deborah, born
April 13, 1695, died probably before December 29,.
1758; married Samuel Poor, of Andover ; five chil-
dren. 7. Ebenezer, born July 8, 1697. 8. Ephraim,
born April 29, 1699, died December 28, 1743. 9.
Abigail, born April 12, 1702, married, November
14, 1722, Samuel Kimball, son of David Kimball. 10.
Priscilla, born June 14, 1703 ; married, November
17, 1728, Ebenezer Gage. 11. Sarah, born January
22, 1705-6. 12. Hannah, born September 17, 1707.
died April 13, 1727-
(IV) Ephraim Kimball, son of Thomas Kim-
ball (3), born in Bradfor^. Massachusetts, April
29, 1699, died December 22, 1743- He married, Jan-
uary 12, 1721, Anna Tenney, born 1700, died August
6, 1726. He married (second), October I, 1726,
Mary Wittier, born 1703, died April 3, 1740. He
married (third), February 5, 1740-41. Sarah Mul-
liken, who survived him. He resided in Bradford,
Massachusetts, and owned land in Rowley and Lun-
enburg, Massachusetts, and Chester, New Hamp-
shire. His will was proved January 23, 1743-4- He
ordered his executors to sell his negro girl slave to
pay his debts. Children of Ephraim and Anna (Ten-
ney) Kimball: i. Ephraim, born August 16, 1722,
resided in Lunenburg, jNlassachusetts. 2. Dorothy,
born June 30, 1724, died April 30, 1797; married,
January 25, 1742. Edmund Kimball, of Bradford.
Children of Ephraim and Mary (Witter) Kimball:
3. Marv, boirn December 30. 1730, married, P>b-
ruary i, 1749, Peter Hunt, of Tewksbury;. thirteen,
children. 4. Ann, born December 25, 1732, died
September 14. 1736. 5. William, born May 31,
1734, died September 21, 1736. 6. Eliphalet, born
October 11. 1736, died 1760. 7- William, born
March 29, 1740, resided at Charlestown, New Hamp-
WORCESTER COUNTY
ir
shire. Children of Ephraim and Sarah (MulhUen)
Kimball: 8. Hannah, baptized October 25, 1741.
died November 2, 1754. 9- Nathaniel, born l-t-b-
ruary 3, 1743-4, resided at Bradford.
(.V) Ephraim Kimball, son of Ephraim Kimball
(4), born Bradford, Massachusetts, August 16. 1722,
died February 14, 1782; married, July 18, 1746, Mary,
daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Wetherbee, of
Lunenburg, Massachusetts, who was born January
6, 1730, died 1816. He resided in Bradford and
Lunenburg, Massachusetts (.now Fitchburg). He
had the rank of ensign ni the militia. Children of
Ephraim and Mary (.Wetherbee) Kimball: i. Mary,
born January 14, 1747-48; married, September 30,
1766, John Dunsmore; ten children; she married
(.second) Lovell, of Charlestown, New Hamp-
shire. 2. Anne, born December 24, 1749; married,
Octoljer 20, 1767, Jonathan Dix, of New Ipswich,
New Hampshire. 3. Ephraim, born February 15,
1752, resided at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. 4.
Rachel, born September 5, 1754; married, December
3, 1772, Benjamin Frost. 5. Levi, born October 23,
1756; married, October 23, 1776; was in Cap-
tain Ebenezer Wood's company of Fitchburg,
April ig, 1775, at Lexington Alarm. 6. Han-
nah, born December, 1758; died March 6,
1786; married, 1781, Joseph Farre ; resided in Pep-
perell, Massachusetts. 7. Elizabeth, born March 31,
1761, died young. 8. Abigail, born April 23, 1763;
married, October 28, 1782, John Polly. 9. Eliphalet,
born July 22, 1765. 10. Elizabeth, born July 17,
1767. II. Sarah, born August 6, 1770.
(VI) Ephraim Kimball, son of Ephraim Kim-
ball (5), born Fitchburg, JMassachusetts, February
15, 1752, died May, 1825; married, April 14, 1774,
Betty White, born April 14, 1754, died July 26,
1844, aged ninety. He resided in Fitchburg, where
he was prominent in public affairs. He held the
principal offices of the town ; was deacon of the
Congregational Church. He was in Captain William
Thurlo's company under Major Ebenezer Bridge, in
the revolution, serving at the Bennington call, 1777.
Betty White w^as the daughter of John and Mary
(Whitney) White of Lunenburg. Their children:
I. John, born February 17, 1775, married Beulah,
born July 4, 1779, daughter of Joseph and Mary
Sawyer; settled in Bloomfield, Maine. 2. Ephraim,
born January 12, 1777, died November 27, 1853. 3.
Polly, born April 9, 1778, died August 22, 1846;
married, December 6, 1804, Joseph Farwell, of Fitch-
burg. 4. Betsey, born October 5, 1779; married
Smith, of Bloomfield, Maine. 5. William, born
June 26, 1781 ; married, February 20, 1807, Catherine
Adams ; resided at Petersburg, Ohio. 6. Samuel,
born March 31, 1783. 7. Porter, born January 8,
1785. 8. Hannah Farrar, born August 2, 1786, died
January 182 1 ; married, March 11, 1807, Samuel
Putnam, died July 31, i860; resided at Fitchburg.
9. James, born November 21, 1789, died January 24,
1821 ; unmarried. 10. Joseph, born January 17, 1791,
died young. 11. Alpheus, born June 26, 1792, died
February 13, 1859. 12. Abel, born May 12, 1794,
died young. 13. Nancy, born July 16, 1796, died
at Fitchburg, January 6, 1847; married, December 3,
1818, Jonas Holden, of Shirley, Massachusetts. 14.
Elvira, born November 7, 1798, died in Fitchburg,
January 18, 1856; married, January 2, 1840,
Ephraim Crocker.
(VH) Alpheus Kimball, son of Ephraim Kim-
ball (6), born Fitchburg, June 26, 1792, died there
February 13, 1859; married, September 29, 1816,
Harriet Stone, of Framingham, Massachusetts, born
July 29, 1790, died January 6, 1888. Alpheus Kim-
ball was educated in the public schools of Fitch-
burg. He started in business in Fitchburg as a
merchant, but is best known as a manufacturer of
scythes. He was the founder of the firm of Alpheus
Kimball & Sons, scythe manufacturers, of Fitchburg.
Mr. Kimball was actively interested in politics. He
left the Whig party when the Free Soil party was
formed, and voted for Fremont for president. He
was a member of the Congregational Church and
leader of the anti-slavery faction when the church
was divided over the ethics of the slavery question,
about 1840. He was a charter member of the Fitch-
burg Fusiliers, organized February 3. 1817, with
John Upton, captain, Alpheus Kimball, lieutenant,
and Walter Johnson, ensign. The three officers of
the company were of equal height, all over six
feet. Mrs. Kimball was daughter of Luther and
Mary (Trowbridge) Stone of Framingham, Massa-
chusetts. Their children were all born in F'itchburg :
I. Harriet Ann, 1817, married, October 2, 1851,
Jeremiah B. Lovett. 2. Alpheus P., born 1819. 3.
Eliza F., born 1821 ; married Richard Hobart Tor-
rey. 4. William, born 1823. 5. James, born 1825.
6. John W., born February 27, 1828.
(VHI) General John W. Kimball, son of
Alpheus Kimball (7), was born in Fitchburg, IMas-
sachusetts, February 27. 1828. He was educated in
the public schools of his native city, and also at-
tended Fitchburg Academy. He began his busi-
ness career in the scythe factory of Alpheus Kim-
ball & Sons, and was associated with his father
and brothers later in the partnership. After the
death of the senior partner in 1859 the business was
conducted by William Kimball and John W. Kim-
ball until 1864.
When the civil war broke out General Kimball
was the captain of the local militia company, the
Fitchburg Fusiliers, of which his father was a
charter member and first lieutenant after organiza-
tion. General Kimball himself joined the company
at the age of eighteen and had risen from the ranks
through the various oflSces of the company, and was
a faithful and conscientious officer from the very
first. His company maintained a high standard of
efficiency. He tendered his company to Governor
Andrew to serve in the war, January, 1861, and
his company with Companies A, and C, of the old
Ninth Regiment, became the nucleus of the famous
Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers under Colonel
Charles Devens. The Fitchburg Fusiliers had also
been a part of the Ninth Regiment, M. V. M. as
Company B. He had been adjutant of the regi-
ment from May I, 1858, to January 7, i860. Be-
fore leaving the state he was commissioned, August
I, 1861, major of the regiment, and became lieuten-
ant-colonel April 29, 1862. As lieutenant-colonel
of the Fifteenth he commanded the regiment in all
the battles of the Peninsular campaign, siege of
Richmond, Second Bull Run, South Mountain,
Antietam, and down to Fredericksburg. In the
battle of Antietam alone the regiment lost in less
than twenty minutes 330 killed and wounded and
fourteen missing — 344 out of 606 officers and men,
including First Massachusetts Sharpshooters at-
tached to the regiment. His horse w-as shot under
him. The Fifteenth was attached to the First Brig-
ade, Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the
Potomac. In November, 1862, Colonel Kimball was
called from the front to take command of the
12
WORCESTER COUNTY
Fifty-third Regiment. He commanded that regi-
ment in 1863 in the Department of the Gulf, and was
at the siege of Port Hudson. In the assault of June
14, 1863, he was dangerously wounded in the thigh,
but did not leave the field until after the fighting
was over. His regiment was in the Third Brigade,
Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, Depart-
ment of the Gulf. An attack of malarial fever pros-
trated him, and he returned to Worcester county to
serve as superintendent of recruiting there. In the
winter of 1864 he organized the Fifty-seventh Regi-
ment in JNIassachusetts. He was brevetted briga-
dier-general March 13, 1865, "for gallant and dis-
tinguished services in the field during the war."
He was in the service nearly three years.
He re-organized the Fitchburg Fusiliers in 1866,
and again took command as captain. He was ap-
pointed August 17, 1870, engineer on the staff of
Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, commanding Mas-
sachusetts Volunteer Militia, and served until April
28, 1876, when he resigned to take command of the
Tenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
He served as colonel until 1878, when he resigned.
He has to his credit almost thirty-two years of con-
tinuous service in the military branch of the gov-
ernment. He was one of the most distinguished
soldiers and officers of the civil war from Massa-
chusetts, rising from the ranks to the command of
his regiment, he was wounded, and passed through
the most bloody and decisive battles of the war.
He won the confidence of men and superior officers
by his steadiness and coolness, his courage and
confidence. He was a loyal friend and admirer of
Gen. Devens, and no living man is more interested
probably in the completion and dedication after
forty years of a suitable memorial to Gen. Devens.
During the past twenty-five years, though not
actively connected with the militia. Gen. Kimball
has never failed to show his interest in the depart-
ment he served so long and so well whenever there
was an opportunity. He became a member of Ed-
win V. Sumner Po^. No. 19, G. A. R., in 1867, and
was elected commander in 1871, 1872 and 1874. In
the latter year he was also department commander.
During the years since the civil war. Gen. Kim-
ball has been almost continuously in the public
service. He was tax collector of Fitchburg from
1865 to 1872, and at the same time was constable,
member of the state police, and police commissioner.
From 1873 to 1877 he was United States' pension
agent. One of the most honorable and responsi-
ble positions that Gen. Kimball has held was as
custodian of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving
■of the national treasury department at Washington.
He had the custody of the rolls, dies, plates and
engravings used in printing bonds, treasury notes,
rational currency and government securities. He
was recommended for the position without his
■knowledge, by Gen. Devens, the colonel of Gen.
Kimball's old regiment, who was then attorney
general of the United States. Gen. Devens said of
Gen. Kimball, that he "not only urged his appoint-
ment but would become personally responsible for
bis honesty and integrity." He resigned his po-
sition of custodian at Washington to accept the ap-
pointment as postmaster of Fitchburg in i879,_from
President Hayes, and served the people in this ca-
pacity faithfully and capably until 1887. In 1888
be was elected to the general court. He had previ-
ously served during the civil war while he was
recruiting in 1864 and 1865, and again in 1872, be-
ing on the military committee in 1864 and 1865, and
its chairman in 1872; he served on the finance
committee in 1888, and on the railroad committee
from 1889 to 1891, being chairman in 1890-91 ; and
remained in the legislature, an unusually efficient
representative, until he was elected state auditor in
1891. As state auditor. Gen. Kimball will be well
and favorably known throughout the state as long
as the memory of faithful and conscientious public
service lasts. He held this important and honorable
position until 1901, serving nine years and being re-
elected annually. No man in that otiice ever had the
public confidence more fully than Gen. Kimball.
Many of his friends objected to his retirement in
1901 from the position, believing he should continue
to hold it for the best interests of the state.
Gen. Kimball has been trustee and auditor of the
Fitchburg Savings Bank for a number of years. He
is a member of Aurora Lodge of Free Masons;
Thomas Royal Arch Chapter, m which he held sev-
eral of the minor chairs ; Jerusalem Commandery,
Knights Templar, of which he was for two years
the eminent commander, and in which he held all
the offices in succession from senior warden up.
He is a member of the Fitchburg Grange, Patrons
of Husbandry ; of the Home Market Club, and the
Middlesex Club of Boston. He belongs to the
Loyal Legion of JNIassachusetts. He is at pres-
ent living at his home, 47 High street, Fitchburg.
He married Almira Melissa Lesure, who was born
July IS, 1831. Their children are: i. Emma
Frances, married, April 17, 1878, Frederick William
Eager. 2. Mary Elizabeth. 3. Edward Franklin.
4. Josephine White, born April 28, 1876, died Sep-
tember 2, 1881.
CHARLES E. WARE. Robert Ware (i), the
immigrant ancestor of Charles E. Ware, of Fitch-
burg. was indeed the ancestor of all of that name
known in this part of the country. Robert Ware
was born in England and came to this country be-
fore the autumn of 1642. He became a proprietor
of the town November 25, 1642. He bought the
house and three acres of land of Thomas Eames, of
Dedhain. His lot was on Great or Dedham Island.
Grants of land were made to him February 6, 1642-3,
and from time to time afterward in Dedham. He
joined the church at the time of the baptism of his
eldest child October 2 or 11, 1646. He was admitted
a freeman May 26, 1647. He became a member of
the artillery company in 1644. He lived and died
in Dedham. though three of his sons, John, Na-
thaniel and Robert, settled in what was later and
is now called Wrentham, Massachusetts, adjoining
Dedham. Robert Ware paid the second largest tax
in Dedham.
He married (first) in Dedham, Margaret Hunt-
ing, March 24, 1644-5. She was the daughter of
John Hunting, first ruling elder of the Dedham
Church and his wife Esther Seaborn. Margaret,
the mother of all his children, died in Dedham, Au-
gust 26. 1670. He married (second). May 3, 1676,
Hannah Jones, born March 28, 1636, died April 20,
1721, daughter of Thomas Jones, of Dorchester.
Her grave is marked by a stone in the Dorchester
burying ground. She died April 20, 1721, aged
eighty-four years. Richard Ware died in Dedham,
April 19. 1699. His will was made February 25,
1698. and proved May 11, 1699. The children of
Robert and Margaret (Hunting) Ware were: John,
born October 6, 1646, of whom later; Nathaniel,
WORCESTER COUNTY
13
October 7, 1648, died July 10, 1724. at Wrentham ;
Margaret, February 14, 1650-1, died July 22, 1664;
Robert, August i, 1653, died September i5, 1724,
at Wrentham; Esther, September 28, 1655, died
September 3. 1734, at Wrentham; married, May 13,
1673, in Dedham. Rev. Samuel Man, lirst minister
of Wrentham, only son of William Man, of Cam-
bridge; had eleven children; Samuel, September 30,
1657, died March, 1730-1 ; Ephraiin, November S,
1659, died March 26, 1753, aged ninety-three years,
at Needham ; Elizabeth, November 19, 1661 ; Joseph,
September 8, 1663 ; Ebenezer, October 28, 1667, died
1765, aged ninety-seven years, at Needham.
(II) John Ware, son of Robert Ware (i), was
born in Dedham, Massachusetts, October 6, 1646,
died in Wrentham, Massachusetts, April 7, 1718.
He settled in Wrenthan in 1671, two years before
it was incorporated as a town. In March, 1676. the
town was deserted by the settlers on account of the
Indians, and they did not return until 1680, after
King Philip's war was over. John Ware built his
house, it is thought, as early as 1668 on the south
slope of Knockings Hill. The farm is now or was
lately occupied by Richard Dimond. His brothers,
Robert and Nathaniel, also settled in Wrentham.
John was one of the first board of selectmen of the
town. He was lieutenant and captain of the first
military company. His commission as lieutenant
of the First Company of Militia in the town of
Wrentham, signed by Governor Stoiighton, is still
extant. He seems to have served as lieutenant from
1689 to 1704 and as captain till 1715. He was en-
gaged in King Philip's \var and led his men in
attack against the Indians at Indian Rock, in the
eastern part of what is now Franklin, Massachu-
setts.
He married (first") in Dedham, December 10,
1668, Mary Metcalf, daughter of Michael Metcalf,
Jr., and his wife Mary Fairbanks. (See Fairbanks
F'amily.) She was born August 15. 1646. and died
in Dedham, March 22. 1676-7. He married (sec-
ond). March 24, 1678-9. Joanna Gay Whiting,
daughter of John and Joanna Gay. of Dedham, and
widow of Nathaniel Whiting, Jr. She was born
March 23, 1644-5. and died at Wrentham, October
26, 1708. He married (third), December 21, 1709,
Dorothy Wood, widow of Eleazer Wood, of Sher-
born. She died in Sherborn, December 10, 1728.
The children of John and Mary (Metcalf) Ware
were : John, born June 17, 1670. in Dedham, died
March 29, 1751, in Wrentham; Elizabeth, born July
13. 1672, in Dedham, died February 20, 1672-3, in
Dedham ; a son, born and died in Wrentham, Feb-
ruary 10, 1673-4, first burial in new ground ; Eleazer,
died in Wrentham, September, 1675; Eleazer, born
October 2, 1676, in Dedham, or September 28. 1676
(Wrentham records), died July 23, 1750, in Wren-
tham. The children of John and Joanna (Gay)
Ware were : Abigail, born in Dedham, January,
1680, married in Wrentham, November 18, 1702,
Thomas Throop ; he died November 18, 1708 ; Jo-
seph, born June 2, 1681, in Wrentham, died Janu-
ary 20, 1754, in Sherborn; Zachariah, born Novem-
ber 16. 1683, died January 13, 1684; Mary, born
November 15, 1684, died December 27, 1747, in her
sixty-fourth year, married. March 31. 1730, Deacon
Francis Nicholson ; Hannah, born September 24,
1686, died June 8, 17,10; married, December 20,
1709, Joshua, son of John and Hannah Fairbanks ;
Benjamin, born Jnlv 8, 1688. died July 16, 1744.
(Ill) Joseph Ware, son of John Ware (2),
was born in Wrentham, June 2. 1691-2, and died
in Sherborn. January 26, 1754. He married, Janu-
ary S, 1708-9, Hannah Wood, daughter of Eleazer
and Dorothy Wood, of Sherborn. Eleazer was the
son of Nicholas Wood. Hannah was born Feb-
ruary II, 1688-9, died March 4, 1754. They settled
on the Wood farm in Sherborn. In 1710 with Jo-
seph Morse he built the first grist mill on Sawin's
Brook and the privilege is still in the Morse fam-
ily. He purchased half the Hull estate from Judith
Cooper, daughter of Judge Sewall, and built upon
it a house which is now or was recently standmg.
It was occupied in 1856 by Major Goulding, a de-
scendant. In 1885 it was owned and occupied by
Thomas Colford. Henry Ware, Sr., was born in
this house. Hannah Wood inherited half this farm.
His slave Duty planted the great elm tree near the
house, three-fourths of a mile south of Sherborn
common.
The children of Joseph and Hannah (Wood)
Ware were: Hannah, born August lo, 1710, mar-
ried in Sherborn, December 27, 1753, Nathaniel
Haven; Zipporah. November 22. 1712, married Cur-
tis Goulding; Abigail, April 27, 1715, died May 6,
1715; John, May 20, 1717, died September 18, 1779;
Eleazer, November 3, 1719, died August 18, 1722;
Abigail, January 7, 1722-3, died March i, 1788;
married. September 2, 1742. Nathaniel Prentice,
son of Deacon Henry Prentice, of Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts ; settled on the south quarter of the Hull
farm in Sherborn; he died January 23, 1791, aged
eighty-one; Joseph, August 3, 1725, died March 31,
1743, immarried; Benjamin, April 18, 1730, died
February 25, 1754; was captain, served as cornet
of horse in expedition against the Indians; about
1710 he and Captain Joseph Morse built the first
grist mill on Sewall's brook ; was selectman eleven
years.
(IV) John Ware, son of Joseph Ware (3),
was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts. May 20, 1717,
and died there September 18, 1779. He inherited
the north half of the homestead in Sherborn. He
was selectman in 1758. He married, June 19, 1743,
Martha Prentice, daughter of Deacon Henry Pren-
tice, of Cambridge, who was a son of Solomon and
grandson of Henry Prentice, the emigrant, of Cam-
bridge. Massachusetts. Martha was born June 27,
1724, died April 20, 1805. The children of John
and Martha (Prentice) Ware were: Martha, born
May 7, 1744. died April 30. 1751 ; Elizabeth, Au-
gust 22, 1746, died 1814 ; married, April 24, 1765,
Peter Bullard, born September 23, 1734, had fourteen
children ; Mary, December 5, 1748. married, Decem-
ber 6, 1770, Jonathan Holbrook, 2d., both at Sher-
born; Joseph, April 30, 1751. "Esquire;" John,
July 4, 1753, fought at the siege of Boston and at
Bunker Hill, died September 14, 1833, at Deer-
field; Martha, June 6, 1756, inarried, October 11,
1781, Joel Coolidge, born July 19, 1759; Benjamin,
January 8, 1759. died February 2, 1814; Persis. Au-
gust 12, 1761, married, June I, 1780, William
Adames ; Henry, Sherborn, April i, 1764, of whom
later; Azariah, January 12, 1769.
(V) Henry Ware, son of John Ware (4),
was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, April i, 1764.
and died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 12, 1845,
aged eighty-one years. He married (first), March 31,
1789, Mary Clark, daughter of Rev. Jonas and Lucy
(Bowes) Clark, of Lexington. Rev. Jonas Clark
was the son of Thomas, grandson of John, great-
grandson of John and great-great-grandson of Hugji
14
WORCESTER COUNTY
Clark. Mary Clark was granddaughter of Rev.
John Hancock, who was grandfather of Governor
John Hancock, of revolutionary times. She was
born May 4, 1762. and died at Cambridge, July S.
1805. He married (second), February 9, 1807,
Mary (Otis) Lincoln, daughter of James (Dtis and
widow of Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. She died at Cam-
bridge, February 17, 1807, aged forty-three. He
married (third), September 18. 1807, Elizabeth
Bowes, daughter of Nicholas Bowes, of Boston.
She was born May 27, 1776, and died August 30,
1850.
Henry Ware was a feeble child, but by the
help of his mother's tender care in childhood he
acquired a strong constitution in manhood. In his
youth he attended school in winter for six or eight
weeks and the remainder of the year did the lighter
kinds of work on the farm. By the generous aid
of his brothers he was fitted for college by the min-
ister of the parish. Rev. Elijah Brown. He entered
Harvard in 1781. His college course was full of
honors and he delivered the Latin valedictory ora-
tion at graduation. He studied for the ministry,
teaching the Cambridge school in the meantime.
He began to preach in 1787 and was ordained Octo-
ber 24, 1787, minister of the First Church of Hing-
ham, Massachusetts. He preached in the Hingham
Church for eighteen years and won a place in the
first rank of ministers at a time when the best
minds and abilities of the people were in the min-
istry. In 1805. when he was forty years old, he
was elected Hollis professor of divinity at Harvard.
His election marked a new era in the history of
the Congregational churches in New England. It
was vehemently opposed by a faction of the clergy
and laymen, on the ground that Mr. Ware's theology
was of so liberal a character that it was not right
to place him in a professorship intended to inculcate
and maintain Calvinistic doctrines. As a matter
of fact Thomas Hollis. of London, who founded the
professorship in 1719, was not a Calvinist but a very
liberal Baptist, who had required in his deed of gift
only that his professor should "believe in the
Scriptures as the only perfect rule of faith and
manners and should promise to explain the
Scriptures with integrity and uprightness, according
to the best li.ght that God should give him." Mr.
Wai-e took no part in the long and bitter controversy
following his election until 1820. when, by the
advice of his friends, he published a reply to "Let-
ters to Unitarians" by Dr. Woods and followed tlie
discussion several years. He took his share in the
Sunday pulpit service in the college chapel as well
as his regular lectures and teaching. Twice he be-
came the acting president. He also devised in 181 1
a course of regular exercises with the students of
divinity who remained in Cambridge after taking
■their college degree and this course developed into
the Harvard Divinity School, established in l8ig.
His son. Henry Ware. Jr., became one of the pro-
fessors in the Divinity School in 1830. Dr. VVare
devoted himself to these varied duties with ability
and diligence for more than thirty-five years. In
1840 he underwent an unsuccessful operation for a
cataract on the eye and for the last five years of
his life was confined to the house most of the time.
Dr. J. G. Palfrey wrote of him: "Henry Ware's
W'as a character of mark. I have known few minds
so sagacious, none more firm, more calmly balanced.
more candid or more just. Its influence has operated
extensively. Nearly all the ministers of one of the
principal Christian denominations in the coiuitry
have been his pupils."
The children of Henry and Mary (Clark) Ware
were: Fanny and Julia (twins), born May 17,
died May 22, 1790; Lucy Clark, June 6, 1791, died
February 10, 1866, at Xorthboro ; married. Febru-
ary 3. 1818, Joseph Allen, son of Phineas and Ruth
(Smitli) Allen; Mary Cotton, December 3, 1792,
died March 29, 1862 ; married, December 3, 1818.
Jairus Lincoln, son of Hawkes and Mary Howe
Lincoln, of Hingham (H. C. 1814) ; Henry, Jr., April
21, 1794, died at Framingham. September 22, 1843;
John, December ig, 1795. died in Boston, April 29,
1864; William, August 3, 1797, died at Cambridge,
February 19, 1852; Martha, June 2. 1799, died Octo-
ber 21. 1802; Harriet. December 25, 1801, died June
24. 1838 ; married. October 30, 1826, Rev. Edward
Brooks Hall, of Northampton, Massachusetts, son
of Nathaniel and Joanna Cotton (Brooks) Hall;
Martha Ann, April 5. 1804. died April 16. 1805.
The children of Henry and Elizabeth (Bowes)
Ware were : Elizabeth Anne. June 9, 1808, died in
Roxbury, March 29. 1866: married, August 24. 1831,
George Putnam, son of Andrew and Jerusha
(Clapp) Putnam; Edward Augustus, December 29,
died December 30, 1S09: Caroline Rebecca, Decem-
ber II, 1811. died December, 1869. at Newton Lower
Falls ; married, October 27. 1835, Edward Warren.
M. D., son of John and Abby (Collins) Warren;
tlie mother was a daughter of Governor Collins,
of Rhode Island; Charles Eliot, born May 7, 1814,
died September 3, 18S7, at Winchendon. Massachu-
setts : Edward Proctor, January 12, 1816. drowned
in Charles river, July 13, 1825; Charlotte Louisa,
April 12. 1818. died at Cambridge, December 8,
1903, unmarried ; George Frederick, February 14,
1820. died September 29, 1849, at San Francisco.
California (H. C. 1838); Thornton Kirkland. born
February 23. 1S23; Anne Storrow. March 10. 1S26,
died at Cambridge. October 3. 1896, unmarried.
(VI) Thornton Kirkland Ware, son of Dr. Henry
Ware (5), was born in Cambridge. Massachusetts.
Februarv 23. 1823, died at Fitchburg. April 26. 1892.
He was graduated at Harvard College in 1842. He
took the degree of LL. B. in 1844. He came to
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1846. and established
a practice there. He had for law partners at various
time, Hon. C. H. B. Snow, George A. Torrey. and
his son, Charles E. Ware. He served the town as
representative in 1830 and 1854. He was post-
master during the civil war from 1861 to 1866. He
was justice of the Fitchburg police court from the
time it was established until his death. He was
a trustee of the Wallace Public Library from the
time it was established until his death, except one
year, and was chairman from 1875 foi" about twenty-
five years. He was president of the Fitchburg
Savings Bank and a director of the Fitchburg Na-
tional Bank. Judge Ware was one of the best
known and most highly respected men in public
life in Fitchburg.
He married in Fitchburg, January 22. 1R52. Lucy
Ann Adams Marsliall. daughter of Chedorlaomer
and Martha Fox (Upton) Marshall. She was born
in Fitchburg. March t6. 1828. Their children were:
Charles Eliot. 2d., born July 17. 1853 ; Thornton
Marshall. April 27, 1866.
(VII) Charles Eliot Ware. 2d., son of Thorn-
ton K. Ware (6), w-as born in Fitchburg. Massa-
chusetts. July 17. lSi;3. He was educated in the
Fitchburg schools, Roxbury Latin school and at
WORCESTER COUNTY
15
rvard College, where he was graduated in 1876.
attended the law school and received his de-
e in 1878. He began immediately to practice his
ifcssion in Fitchburg. In July. 1879, he was ad-
;ted to partnership with his father and George A.
rrey, in the firm of Ware, Torrey & Ware, aftcr-
irds T. K. & C. E. Ware, which was among the
eminent firms of the coiuity until the death of his
;her in 1892. Since then Mr. Ware has continued
e business alone. He is president of the Fitch-
irg Savings Bank and holds other positions of
ust and honor.
He married in Roxbury, June 30, 1881, Harriet
rieice Long, born in 1855. daughter of George
Washington and Mary Elizabeth (Nash) Long.
Their children were : Mary Elizabeth, born August
6, died August 8, 1882; George Long. February 14.
1884; Charles Eliot, August 20, 1885; Thornton
Kirkland, December 24, 1887.
HUBBARD HAMAIOND BRIGHAM, M. D,
Thomas Brigham (i). the pioneer ancestor of the
Brigham family and of Dr. Hubbard Hammond
Brigham, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was un-
doubtedly an Englishman by birth. The name Brig-
ham is from the Saxon brigg (bridge) and ham
(house). There is a Manor of the name in county
Cumberland, adjoining Scotland, and in ancient days
part of Scotland. The Barony from which the fam-
ily name is derived is now generally called by
another name, Cockermouth. The old castle was one
of the strongest in its day. It was built largely
of material taken from an old Roman castle in the
vicinity. As late as 1648 it was garrisoned and
stood siege for a month. After it was captured it
was nearly destroyed, but at last accounts a small
part was still habitable. From this Manor the
English and American Brighams get their names,
and all probably are descended from the early Brig-
hanis of this place.
Thomas Brigham embarked at London for New
England, April 18. 1635. in the ship "Susan and
Ellen," Edward Pyne, master. No other of the
same name is known to have embarked for the
American colonies. He settled in Watertown. In
1637 lie had a fourteen acre lot there, bought of
Jolin Doggett. It was situated in a part later an-
nexed to Cambridge. He built his house in Cam-
bridge on a lot containing three acres and a half.
His neighbors were Joseph, Isaac and Simon Cros-
by. His home was about two-thirds of a mile from
Harvard College, and at one point abutted on
Charles river. He resided there until 1648. He was
admitted a freeman April 18. 1637. He was one of
the leading citizens, was selectman in 1640. 1642,
and 1647. and was a constable in 1639 and 1642.
He made a specialty on his farm of raising hogs,
and in 1647 owned a third of all the swine in the
town. He was fined for letting his hogs get away
and run at large. He owned a wind mill in which
corn was ground.
He died December 8. 1653. His will was dated
December 7, 1653-4. and was proved October 3,
1654. He married (first) Mercy Hurd, who is said
to have come with her sister alone from England
owing to religious differences from which they suf-
fered annoyance and persecution at home. After
the death of Mr. Brigham she married (second).
March i. 1655, Edmund Rice, of Sudbury, and
Marlboro, ancestor of a notable Worcester family.
l>y whom she had two daughters. (See Rice sketch).
He died 1663, and she married (third) William
Hunt, of Marlboro, 1664. He died 1667, and she
died December 23, 1693, after being in her third
widowhood a period of twenty-six years. The chil-
dren of Thomas and Mercy (Hurd) Brigham were:
Mary, born probably at Watertown ; Thomas, see
forward ; John, March 9, 1644, died September 16,
1728, aged eighty-four years; Hannah, March 9,
1649. married Samuel Wells; Samuel, born Janu-
ary 12, 1652-3, died July 24, 1713.
(H) Thomas Brigham, second child of Thomas
Brigham (i), was born 1640-1. died November 25,
171 7, aged seventy-six years. On the death of his
father and the marriage of his mother to Edmund
Rice he seems to have lived with his mother in the
Rice family. He bought of his father-in-law or
step-father, as we now call it, Edmund Rice, a town
right when he was of age. He paid thirty pounds
for this valuable right to shares of the common
land in Marlboro. The deed was given by Edmund
Rice's executors, August 28, 1665. Through this
purchase he became the owner of e.xtensive tracts
located in four of the richest farming towns of
Massachusetts.
In 1686 he was one of a company to buy 6,000
acres of land near Marlboro and afterwards an-
nexed to it. He drew many lots in the south-
west part of Marlboro, and the adjoining towns of
Northboro and Westboro as now bounded. He set-
tled in the southwest part of Marlboro, known in
later years as Warren Brigham's farm, on the south
road to Northboro. His house built not long after
King Philip's war is now or was lately standing.
It was strongly built and used as a garrison house
in time of Indian wars. Thomas Brigham was a
leading citizen in his day. His will was made April
17. 1716. and proved January 2, 1717. He gave his
sons, David and Gershom Brigham. all his lands
on the west side of the Assabet river and other
lands near them. He bequeathed to Nathan and
Jonathan in equal shares all that part of the Eaton
family's on the east side of the Assabet river. El-
nathan settled on part of the homestead. Nathan,
Jonathan and Gershom were executors.
He married Mary Rice, who was born September
ig, 1646. daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Moore)
Rice, granddaughter of Edmund Rice, of Sudbury.
He married (second), August 30, 1695, Susanna
(Shattuck) Morse, widow. The children of Thomas
and Mary (Rice) Brigham were: Thomas, born
February 24, 1666: Nathan, see forward: David,
August ir, 1673. died young: Jonathan, February
22, 1674, married Mary Fay; David. April 12. 1678;
Gershom. Dr.. February 23, 1680; Elnathan, March
7, 1683: Mary, October 26, 1687.
(Ill) Nathan Brigham, second child of Thomas
Brigham (2), was born in Marlboro, June 17. 1671,
died February 16. 1746-7, aged seventy-five years,
eight months. He settled on part of the old Marl-
boro homestead, inherited the town rights of his
father and drew shares when the land was divided.
He held many town oflices. was seven years select-
man, his last year being 1738. His will was dated
April 5, 1733. and his estate was divided amongst
the heirs. March 26, 1746-7.
He married Elizabeth Howe, who died March
20. 1733, aged sixty-nine years, lacking four days.
She was found kneeling dead by her chair. He mar-
ried (second) Mehitable Pake (Parker). The
children of Nathan and Elizabeth (Howe) Brigham
were : Nathan, see forward ; Thomas, February
i6
WORCESTER COUNTY
22, 169s; Tabitha, August 20, 1698; Elizabeth, Jan-
uary 4, 1699-1700; Sarah, December 14, 1701 ; Zip-
porah, September 14, 1704; Hannah, March 9, 1706;
Lieutenant Ephraim, born January 20, 1707-8.
(IV) Lieutenant Nathan Brigham, eldest child
of Nathan Brigham (3). was born in Marlboro,
Massachusetts, November 28, 1693, died September
15, 1784. Prior to the second division of the town-
ship of Marlboro in 1727 he served in several minor
offices in Marlboro. After the division he was in-
cluded in the new town of Southboro, and became
one of the leading citizens. He was on the first
board of selectmen, and at the age of seventy-seven
was chosen for the twenty-ninth time, and after
he remonstrated with the voters he was excused
with public thanks. He was town treasurer and
often on the school committee. His homestead
was in the north part of the town of Southboro, near
where Samuel and Dana Brigham lived within the
memory of the present generation. He is supposed
to have inherited land southeast of Crane meadow,
drawn in the right of his grandfather. He inherited
Bible, books, cane and sword of his father, Nathan.
He remained vigorous to the last and when ninety
used to mount his horse without help.
He married, December 24, 17x7, Dinah Rice.
He married (second), about 1729, Elizabeth (Ward)
Snow, widow. Rev. Abner Morse relates a romance
of the susceptible daughter of Mrs. Snow. The
maiden set her cap for Moses, son of Nathan Brig-
ham. and so jealous did she become of her rival
that she hamstrung the horse that Moses used to
go courting. Moses married the other girl and the
historian fails to say whether the enamored daugh-
ter recovered from her disappointment or not. The
children of Lieutenant Nathan and Dinah (Rice)
Brigham were: Dinah, born September 5, 1719; Eu-
nice, October 4, 1721 ; Moses, January 2, 1722, died
December 3, 1769, married Mehitable Grout ; Persis,
April 3, 1724, died July 12, 1740; Elizabeth, December
18, 1725; Nathan (captain), March 13, 1730-1 ; Uep-
sibah, June i, 1732; Edmund, see forward; William,
April 8, 1735; Phineas, October 11, i737, died July
16, 1740; Tabitha, August 27. 1739, died July 5, 1740;
Ebenezcr, June 24. 1741 ; Elizabeth, September 5,
1743.
(V) Deacon Edmund Brigham, eighth child of
Lt. Nathan Brigham (4), was born August, 1733,
in Westboro, Massachusetts. He settled near Brig-
ham's pond in the northeast part of Westboro,
where Silas Walker used to live fifty years ago.
He became a distinguished citizen. He was warden
in 1774, served on the committee of safety and
correspondence in 1777 and 1778, was a selectman
in 1779. He had command of a company of volun-
teers at the surrender of Burgoyne, and on his way
back to Boston from the north the company camped
on his farm in Westboro, and he entertained the
officers. A curious coincidence followed this camp.
A Hessian prisoner was so struck with the beauty
of the farm that he made a map of it for the pur-
pose of claiming it in case the British arms were
successful as he expected of course they would be.
This map was recognized by an American traveling
in Germany in 1800. It was hanging on the wall of
a tavern, and the owner of the map was still waiting
for the farm. He was deacon of the Westboro
Church.
He married. November 2, 1757, Sarah Liscomb,
who died May 27, 1769. He married (second)
Elizabeth Beuel, ' from Marlboro, w'ho was born
1740, died at Westboro, May 11, 1825. He died
June 29, 1809, aged seventy-three. The children of
Deacon Edmund and Sarah (Liscomb) Brigham
were: Edmund, born October 19, 1758, married
Polly Martin; Hepsibah, July 29, I7tx), married
Antipas Brigham ; Roger, February 28, 1762, married
Betsey Rich, removed to Schoharie county. New
York; Samuel, December 6, 1763. died June 11,
1826, married Lydia Ball; Sarah, March 15, 1765,
died unmarried October 20, 1785; Liscomb, see for-
ward. The children of Edmund and Elizabeth
(Beuel) Brigham were: Pierpont, September 16,
1780, died October 6, 1836, married .^nna Warren;
Betsej', May 7, 1782, married Asa Godrey, married
(second) Hezekiah Murdock, and resided' at Whit-
tingsham, Vermont; Elizabeth, July 31, 1784, mar-
ried Polly Fay, daughter of Peter Fay, settled in
Sterling; Dexter, May 25, 1786, married Catherine
Warren.
(VI) Deacon Liscomb Brigham, seventh child
of Edmund Brigham (5), was born in Westboro,
]\Iassachusetts, May 19, 1769. He married there
(first), November 29, 1792, Martha Fay, daughter
of Benjamin, Jr. and Beulah Fay, of Westboro.
where she was born April 5, 1775. He removed
from Westboro to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, about
1794. Thence he removed to Pelham about two
years later. About 1810 he removed to Shutesbury,
Massachusetts. The births of his first five chil-
dren, born in Hopkinton, Pelham and Westboro, are
all recorded in Pelham, Massachusetts. In Shutes-
bury Mr. Brigham became a prominent citizen and
for many years was deacon, of the Baptist Church
there. He married (second) Betsey Hammond.
The children of Deacon Liscomb and Martha (Fay)
Brigham were: Curtus, born May 21. 1793, in
Westboro; Martha, May 7, 1795, in Hopkinton;
Ebenezer Liscomb, November 13, 1797; Benjamin
F., August 25. 1800, in Pelham, was a merchant in
Springfield; Stillman, January 19, 1808. The child
of Deacon Liscomb and Betsey (Hammond) Brig-
ham was Dr. Hubbard Hammond, see forward.
(VII) Dr. Hubbard Hammond Brigham, young-
est child of Liscomb Brigham (6), was born in
Shutesbury, Massachusetts, October 31, 1819.
Through his mother, Betsey Hammond, of Dana,
he is descended from one of the most prominent
families of early New England. One of her broth-
ers went south when a young man and became gov-
ernor of South Carolina, and another brother be-
came a celebrated physician of Mississippi.
Dr. Brigham attended the district schools of
Shutesbury and Phillips Academy at Andover,
Massachusetts. He began his medical studies with
Dr. Horace Jacobs and Dr. Sumner Jacobs, of
Chicopee. He was graduated from the Worcester
Eclectic Medical College and joined the Eclectic
Medical Society of Hartford, Connecticut. He
started to practice his profession in Ware, Massa-
chusetts, in 1842. After three years he removed to
Fitchburg, where the field was larger, and he has
lived there since, practicing actively until recently.
He started in the spring of 1845 and after the first
years, in which he encountered the usual difficulties
of the young physician, enjoyed an abundance of
business. In December. 1885, he suffered a severe
accident, being struck by a locomotive and thrown
sixty-five feet against a telegraph pole, breaking
several ribs and injuring his hip and back. He
WORCESTER COUNTY
17
was. confined to his bed and house for four montlis,
but made a good recovery and enjoyed good health
afterward.
Dr. Brigham is a member of the local State and
National Eclectic Medical Associations. In religious
faith he was brought up a Baptist, but subsequently
embraced Spiritualism and Naturalism. In politics
he began as an Abolitionist and cast his vote for the
first Abolition candidate for president. He then
became a Free Soiler and later a Republican. He
has been active in various temperance movements
and belonged to the Good Templars. He has many
friends in Fitchburg and the vit:inity, and is es-
pecially popular among the children, who in later
years have named him from his long white beard
and kindly disposition, "Santa Claus."
He married (first) in 1S40. Deborah Thomas, of
Shutcsbury, Massachusetts. He married (second),
Marcli 21, 1851, Sarah C. Reed, of Brattleboro. Ver-
mont. The children of Dr. Hubbard H. and Deborah
(Thomas) Brigham are: George, born October 9,
1841 ; Leonella, August 22, 1844; Howard, March
10, 1846.
LUTHER J. BROWN. There is a tradition in
the family of Luther J. Brown, of Fitchburg, that
the immigrant ancester was Peter Brown, who came
over in the "Mayflower." There was some con-
nection with the family of John Brown, the martyr,
who was descended from Peter Brown through his
son Peter, who settled in Connecticut. If the New
Hampshire Browns from whom Luther J. Brown
descended came from Connecticut where many of
the settlers did, the relationship may be established.
(I) John Brown, the great-grandfather of
Luther J. Brown, settled in Packersfield, New
Hampshire, before the revolution. He was a select-
man of that town in 1778 and 1780. Packersfield
was granted first by the Masonian proprietors as
Monadnock, No. 6, and was named for Thomas
Packer, a prominent man of Portsmouth. The name
was changed to Nelson, October i, 1814. _ This
may be the John Brown, of Nottingham, or his son.
Many of the settlers seem to have come from Not-
tingham. The records indicate that the following
w4io were in Packersfield also were the sons of
John Brown (i) : Abijah. born about 1753, signed
the association test in Packersfield ; John, Jr., born
according to his own family records September
16, 1770; Isaac, who was one of the first three set-
tlers of Eden. Vermont, where John Brown, Jr.
settled. (The first meeting of the proprietors of the
town was held in Wolcott, Vermont, August l,
1799. the proprietors being the survivors and heirs
of Captain Seth Warner's company of revolutionary
soldiers. It is likely that the Browns were heirs
of some soldier in the company. The first child
born in the town was Eden Brown, son of Isaac
and Lydia Brown.)
(II) John Brown, Jr., son of John Brown (i).
was born in Packersfield, New Hampshire, Septem-
ber 16. 1770. He was married, November 17. 1796,
to Nancy Johnson, of New Ipswich. New Hamp-
shire, by Rev. Gad Newhall. They settled in Rox-
bury. New Hampshire, where thev lived for several
years. They removed in 1804 to Eden. Vermont,
where they lived the reriiainder of their lives. Their
children: Betsey, died January, 1800; Joanna
Heaton. died January. 1800 ; Luther Heaton, of
whom later : Joanna Kidder, claimed relationship
with Captain John Brown, the anti-slavery martyr,
and had a letter written by him to another relative ;
she died aged ninety-five years in Vermont; Mary,
Sally, John, died 1814; Charles Pearson, Rachel
Johnson, Lucretia, Noah, Jane, Betsey, Lucy Salome,
John Holmes, an infant, died unnamed.
(III) Luther H. Brown, son of John Brown. Jr.
(2), father of Luther J. Brown, of Fitchburg,
Alassachusetts, was born in Roxbury, New Hamp-
shire, September 30, 1800. He was one of a family
of sixteen children. At an early age he removed
with his parents to Eden, Vermont (1804), where
he procured the best education afforded by the
public schools, and when a young man became a
school teacher. He worked on his father's farm
in summer and taught various schools in the vicin-
ity during the winter terms. He established a
general store at Eden at an early age and became
one of the leading citizens of the town. He was
a representative in the state legislature, postmaster
and for a long period the town clerk. In June, 1845,
be removed to Manchester, New Hampshire, where
he continued in the mercantile business until he
retired on account of age. He spent the last years
of his life in Fitchburg, 1873, living with his only
son, Luther J. Brown. He died there December
17. 1886. He was buried at Manchester. He was
a member of the Hillsboro Lodge of Odd Fellows
and of the Odd Fellows Veteran Association of
Manchester. He was also a member of Washing-
ton Lodge of Free Masons of Manchester.
He married (first) Bersheba Shattuck, who died
May 22, 1842, leaving two children. He married
(second) Mrs. Laura A. Henry, widow. The chil-
dren of Luther H. and Bersheba Brown were :
Luther J., of whom later; Annie Lucretia, married
James E. Dodge, of Plymouth, New Hampshire,
resides at 87 Cottage street. New Bedford, Massa-
chusetts,
(IV) Luther J. Brown, son of Luther Heaton
Brown (3), was born in Heaton, Vermont, Decem-
ber 31, 1827. His early education was acquired in
the district schools of his native towm, at the acad-
emy in Johnson, Vermont, and at Appleton Acad-
emy. New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He was a
promising student, fond of books, and was fitted
for college, but financial reverses compelled him to
relinquish the idea of a college education. liis
father kept a general store at Eden and he gained
his first business experience there. About 1843
he went to work for Noyes Brothers of Hyde Park,
Massachusetts, in their country store. He worked
for a time in Manchester in one of the cotton mills,
and also for a short time in a hardware store.
In 1850, when twenty-three years old. Mr. Brown
went to Boston and became a clerk in the large
wholesale and retail dry goods house of Brett, Ellis
& Company on Federal street. He remained in this
concern for several years and acquired a thorough
and valuable knowledge of the business. In 1853
he went to Natick, Massachusetts', and took charge
of a branch store of his employers, remaining there
about a year. In August, 1855. Mr. Brown went
to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and soon afterward
entered partnership with Andrew B. Sherman. (See
sketch of Mr. Sherman.) Their store was located
in the building adjoinin.g the present Rollstone Bank
building. They carried dry goods chiefly and en-
joyed a flourishing and successful business.
In i860 Mr. Brown entered into a partnership
with Charles Kimball, of Haverhill, the firm of
Sherman & Brown having been dissolved some time
i8
WORCESTER COUNTY
hefore, and under the firm name of Kimball &
Brown started in the dry goods business in the store
on the site now occupied by the L. J. Brown block.
Main street. In 1862 Mr. Brown bought out his
partner and with his wife and one clerk to assist
him began on his own account. He made rapid
progress and his business grew constantly. Much
of his success at this important period was due to
the assistance, co-operation and ability of his wife.
He purchased the building in which his store was
located and on five occasions built extensions and
•■additions to accommodate his growing trade. While
Tie carried only dry goods and cloaks at first, he
soon added dress-making. The carpet department
was added in 1882 and the millinery department in
the year following. He had more than fifty clerks
employed at the time of his death and owned one
of the largest and most prosperous stores in the
city. In 1882 he built the present building which
bears his name. At the time it was built it was
the finest business building in Fitchburg.
In addition to his large establishment in Worces-
ter Mr. Brown had for three years a branch store
in Shelburne Falls. Massachusetts, and was active
in whatever he thought would benefit the city of
Fitchburg. He held many positions of trust and
Tionor. He was a director in the Wachusett Na-
tional Bank from the date of its organization in
1875. vice-president of the Worcester North Savings
Institution and trustee since its organization, presi-
dent of the Wachusett Electric Light Company from
its organization, and first president of the Old
Ladies Home. He served the city of Fitchburg
in the common council and board of aldermen and
represented it in the general court in 1878 and
1879. He was an earnest and active Republican in
politics. Mr. Brown was a prominent Odd Fellow
and Free Mason. He was a inember of Mt. Roll-
stone Lodge of Odd Fellows, and King David En-
cainpment, Aurora Lodge of Free Masons, and Jer-
usalem Commandery. Knights Templar. He was
an active member and vestryman of Christ Episcopal
Church.
Mr. Brown had an attractive and magnetic per-
sonality. He made many friends in every relation
of life! He was generous and charitable. _ Among
other ways that he gave of his means was in open-
ing the hall in his block for many purposes, for
religious, political and temperance meetings and
for several years he gave the hall lighted and heated
to the local Railroad Men's Christian Association.
He died at Fitchburg. September 29, 1884. At the
time of his death the Sentinel said: "The death
of no citizen could have produced a more profound
sensation ; his had been a busy and useful life
and his loss is deeply felt in this city where the
best part of his life was spent." The funeral was
in many respects the most impressive ever held in
the city. All the business houses were closed and
many "thousands attended the exercises in Christ
Church, many entering after the ceremonies to pay
their last respects.
He married. January 13, 1856, Sarah P. Hard-
ing, of East Mcdway. Massachusetts, who did so
much to help him in the early days of his business
career. She is the daughter of Theodore Harding
and a descendant of the pioneer, Abraham Harding,
who was born in England in 1620, came to Braintree.
Massachusetts, about 1640. and settled in Medfield
about 1650. He was an Indian fighter, a typical
pioneer. He married Elizabeth Adams, daughter
of Henry Adams, the progenitor of President
Adams. Mrs. Brown survives him and is active
in church and social life in Fitchburg. They had
no children.
THE SHATTUCK FAMILY. (I) William
Shattuck was the immigrant ancestor of Luther J.
Brown, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, through his
mother's family. He was the progenitor of all the
families of the surname in America. He was born
in England in 1622 and died in Watertown, Massa-
chusetts, where he was an early settler, August 14,
1672. at the age of fifty years. He was a proprietor
of Watertown in 1642 and his homestall was ad-
joining those of John Clough and William Perry.
He was a w-eaver as well as a planter and gave
evidence of being a man of property and good social
position. His grave in the Watertown cemetery
was marked in 1853 by the genealogist, Lemuel
Shattuck, also the grave of his son John, of whom
later. William Shattuck's will was dated August
3, 1672-
He married, 1642, Susanna , who married
(second) Richard Norcross. She died December
II, 1686. The children of William and Susanna
Shattuck were ; Susanna, born 1643, married J.
Morse and J. Fay ; Mary, born August 25. 1645,
married Jonathan Brown: John, born February 11,
1646-7. married Ruth Whitney : Philip, born 1648,
married D. Brastow Chamberlain ; Joanna, born
about 1650, died April 4, 1673. unmarried ; William,
born 1653, married Susanna Randall; Rebecca, born
1655, married Samuel Church: Abigail, born 1657,
married J. Morse and J. Parker; Benjamin, born
February 28, 1666, married Abigail .
(II) John Shattuck, son of William Shattuck
(i), was born in Watertown, Massachusetts. Feb-
ruary II, 1647. He owned land at Groton, but it
is not known that he ever lived there. He was a
carpenter by trade and lived in the middle district
of Watertown, now the center village of Water-
town. In 1669 he ran the mill on Charles river
located near where the road frotn Watertown to
Newton Centre now crosses the river.
He gave his life for his country in King Philip's
war. He was a sergeant in Captain Richard Beers'
company of Watertown. They marched to the relief
of Hadley in w'estern Massachusetts, but were
diverted by a report that the Indians had attacked
Northfield. On their way thither they were attacked
by a large force of Indians and narrowly escaped
annihilation. Out of thirty-six only sixteen escaped
with their lives. Captain Beers was among the
slain. Shattuck was chosen to make the lonesome
and perilous journey to Boston to inform the gov-
ernor of the state of affairs and of the result of the
skirmish. In ten days he arrived safely at Qiarles-
town. but. while crossin.g the ferry, the boat, over-
loaded with horses and other freight, was upset
by the waves and foundered. Shattuck was the only
man drowned in the accident.
He married, June 20, 1664. in his eighteenth year,
Ruth Whitney, daughter of John and Elinor Whit-
ney (See sketch). She was born in Watertown,
April 5, 164.^. She married (second), March 6,
1677. Enoch Law-rence, son of John Lawrence, and
in 167S with the Shattuck children they removed
to Groton and occupied John Shattuck's land there.
Lawrence died in Groton. September 28. 1744, aged
ninety-five years, six months, twenty-three days.
The children of Sergeant John and Ruth Shattuck
WORCESTER COUNTY
19
were: John, born June 4, 1666, married Mary
Blood; Ruth, born June 24, 1668, married Jonathan
Farnsworth; William, born September 11, 1670,
•married Hannah Underwood; Samuel, of whom
later. The children of Ruth (Whitney) (Shattuck)
Lawrence were: Nathaniel, Daniel, Zachery and
Jane Lawrence.
(III) Samuel Shattuck, son of Sergeant John
Shattuck (2), was born in Watertown, Massachu-
setts, in 1673. and died in Groton, July 22, 1758,
aged eighty-five years. His eldest son, Samuel,
was administrator. He married Elizabeth Blood,
who was born April 27, 1675, daughter of James and
Elizabeth (Longley) Blood. She died October 20,
1759, aged eighty-four years, five months, and twen-
ty-five days. She joined the church in 1705. he in
1709. Their children: Samuel, born April 7, 1696;
James, born February 9, 1700; Jeremiah, of whom
later; Elizabeth, born July 2. 1705; Joseph, born
1707; Ruth, born February 6, 1709; John, born Jan-
uary 21, 1711; David, born August 4, 1713; Sarah,
born December 11, 1717; Rachel, born June 9, 1719.
(IV) Jeremiah Shattuck, son of Samuel Shat-
tuck (3), was born in Groton, Massachusetts. June
II, 1703. He was a blacksmith by trade and lived
in that section of the town now Pepperell. He
was very prominent in the town, selectman many
years, captain of the militia company and holding
other positions of honor and trust. He died Au-
gust 2, 179S. aged ninety-five years, one month and
twenty-one days.
He married, July 2, 1723, Sarah Parker, who
was born April 12, 1705, the daughter of Nathaniel
and Lydia Parker, granddaughter of Joseph and
great-granddaughter of Joseph Parker. She died
June 8, 1789. The inscription on her gravestone
commends- her "industry, prudence and sobriety."
He married (second), February 8, 1792, Ruth Bixby,
when he was aged ninety years and she was seventy-
five. The children of Captain Jeremiah and Sarah
Shattuck were: Nathaniel, born August 12, 1724;
Jeremiah, of whom later; Elizabeth, born May 17,
1728; Oliver, born August 15, 1730; Sarah, born
December 8, 1732; David, born February 19. 1735;
Solomon, born June 9, 1737 ; Nehemiah, born Feb-
ruary 21, 1740; Sybil, born 1743: Parker.
(V) Jeremiah Shattuck, son of Captain Jeremiah
Shattuck (4). was born in Groton. Massachusetts,
April II, 1726. He was a farmer in Oak Hill.
Pepperell, where he died March 26, 1815, aged
tighty-eight years, eleven months, fifteen days.
He married, August 10, 1749, his cousin. Lydia
Lakin, daughter of John and Lydia (Parker) Lakin,
granddaughter of Nathaniel and Lydia Parker. She
was born January 8, 1734, and died February 19,
1767. He married (second). November 25, 1767,
Tiis third cousin, Keziah Shattuck, who was born
February 4, 1745, daughter of Jonathan Shattuck.
She married (second), 1821, Moses Blood, whose
first wife was Abigail Shattuck, daughter of James.
She died suddenly September 8, 1832. The children
of Jeremiah and Lydia Shattuck were : Lydia, born
March 19. 17.S0: Phebe, born June 20, 1752: Jere-
miah, born June 24, 1754, killed at the battle of
Bunker Hill; Ebenezer,- born September 8. 1756;
Abraham, born October 12, 1739; Eunice, born Octo-
bier 18, 1761 ; Sarah, born July 18, 1764; a child,
born February 17, 1767. The children of Jeremiah
and Keziah were: Levi, born August 8, 1768;
Keziah, born August 31, 1770; Moody, of whom
later; Amaziah, born May 17, 1774; Jeremiah, born
August, 1776; Daniel, born October 26, 1778, died
August 14, 1800; Keziah, born March i, 1781 ;
Rhoda, born March 17, 1784; Leah, born June 10,
1786.
(VI) Moody Shattuck, son of Jeremiah Shat-
tuck (5), was born in Pepperell, Massachusetts,
April 28. 1772. He was a farmer. He went to
Athens. Windham county, Vermont, to live in 1796.
In 1804 he removed to Belvidere, Lamoille county,
Vermont, where he died April 7, 1851, aged seventy-
eight years.
He married. 1795, Eunice Tarbell, who was born
June 6, 1767, the daughter of David and Bathsheba
Tarbell, who died in Belvidere, April 16, 1850, aged
eighty-two years. The children of Moody and
Eunice Shattuck were : Moody, Eunice, Bathsheba,
of whom later; Keziah, Daniel T., Jeremiah, Ran-
dall, born April 4, 1811.
(VII) Bathsheba Shattuck, daughter of Moody
Shattuck (6). was born in 1802; married Luther
Heaton Brown, mentioned above, the father of
Luther J. Brown.
AIERRIA^I FAMILY. William Merriam of
Hadlow. county Kent, England, was the progenitor
of Lyman Wheeler Merriam, of Fifchburg, Massa-
chusetts. He never came to America, but at least
three of his sons were pioneers in New England;
he was buried in Hadlow, September 23. 1635. His
sons were : Robert, settled in Concord, was town
clerk, deputy to the general court, died 1681 ; George,
settled in Concord, was admitted a freeman June
2, 1641 ; died December 29, 1675 ; Joseph, see
forward.
(II) Joseph INIerriam, son of William Merriam
(i), was born in Hadlow, county Kent, England,
and all of the name Merriam in America trace their
lineages to him. He w'as an "undertaker" or stock-
holder in the ship "Castle," which arrived at Charles-
town in July, 1638. He also settled in Concord,
Massachusetts. He was admitted a freeman March
14, 1638-30. He died January i, 1640-41. His will
was proved October 26, 1642. His wife was left the
whole estate for the bringing -up of all the children
until they were of age. Children of, Joseph and
Sarah JNIerriam : William; Joseph, see forward; a
daughter who married John Buss ; Elizabeth, mar-
ried Thomas Henchman, of Charlestown ; Sarah,
married William Hall; John, born July 9, 1641.
(III) Joseph Merriam, son of Joseph Merriam
(2), was born in Hadlow, England, about 1630,
and came with his parents to America in 1638. He
was admitted a freeman May 22, 1650. He mar-
ried, July 12, 1653, Sarah Stone, daughter of Gregory
Stone, of Cambridge. He died April 20. 1677. aged
forty-seven years, and his gravestone is the oldest
in the Concord cemetery. His widow removed to
Cambridge Farms, where she died April S. 1704,
aged seventy-one years. Their children, born at
Cambridge Farms or Lexington were: Sarah, born
.'August 2, 1654, married Samuel Fletcher; Lydia.
born August 3, 1656, died December 29, 1690, un-
married ; Joseph, born May 25, 1658, died May 31,
1727; Elizabeth, born May 20, 1660, married Isaac
Wood; John, born May 30. 1662, died 1736; Mary,
born June 4. 1664, married Isaac Stearns ; Robert,
born December 17, 1667, died February 11, 1717, in
Lexington ; Ruth, married Nathaniel Stone ; David,
died 1744, at Townsend : Thomas, born 1672; Jonas.
(IV) Thomas Merriam, son of Joseph Merriam
(3), was born in Lexington, Massachusetts, 1672.
20
WORCESTER COUNTY
He was one of the original members of tj^e^hurch
at Cambridge Farms, and was one of those who
obtaiTd permission to build pews for the women in
the back part of the church He was a constable
n 1716 and selectman in 1718-22-25. He died Au-
gust 16, 1738, aged sixty-six years. His w-ife died
September 9, 1756, aged eighty-one years^ He mar-
ried I^Iary Howard, December 23, 1696, f Con-
cord. Their children: Mary married Ebenezer
Locke; Thomas, see forward; Lyd.a, baptized Au-
gust I 1703, married Nathamel Eaton ; Nathaniel,
bap ized December 9, I705, married Esther R uzzy,
daughter of Benjamin Muzzy; Sunon, baptized No-
vember 28, 1708, died February 8 1747, ^^-d- l^-^P;
tized September 2, 1711, died December 17, 1/43.
Uaac baptized July n, 171+ d'^d September, i/4i-
^'"'(V) Thomas Merr.am, son of Thomas Merriam
(A-) was born in Lexington, Massachusetts and
^ftiz^d Apra"2l, 17-. He died at Westminster,
Massachusetts, June 4, 1752- He settled "i \)«t-
minster He was admitted to the Lexington Church
AuRis['2, 1721. His wife died June 22, 1760, and
he d ed June 4, 175^- Their children; Samuel, born
December 2 ^723 see forward; Nathan, born Apnl
7 T7.q married, May 26, 1755. W"y Hosmer,
llary, born June '25. 1727. ""-'i. ^^^A^^;;"? V
Hannah, born August 7. 1729, died February 14.
17,0 Thomas, born August 24, I73i, married Sarah
WMer Tabtha. born May 10, I73i married
Na han'Whkney.'of Waltham ; Lydia born October
28 1734, married, March 27, 1755. Jos.ah Cutting,
ofWeinnmster; Heps.bah, born 1-ebruary 24, /37,
dcd Au-ust 10, 1740; Elizabeth, born July 27, i/3i>,
n rritd,°NovenAer 5,.I755. Moses Sawte l_e Hai.
nah, died young; Eunice, born J un 30 i/ 40, d. d
April 27, 1741 ; David^ married 1 alty Conant,
cestor of Rev. G. W Phillips. rhm,^^^ Mer-
(VI) Samuel Mernam, son of Thomas lUtr
riam (5) was born in Lexington, Massachusetts,
nam (3), w settled m Westminster,
December 21, 1723-, xic s'-^l i„,,„ , tvc:.
Massachusetts, in 1769. He married June 4, 1/5-,
Anna Whitney, daughter of David and Kebecca
Whitney of Waltham. They were. dismissed from
A;» 7 ItMnrton Church to the Westminster Church m
,772 He bought Deacon Joseph Miller's house
March K, 1772 on lot No. 61. on the east side of
Grav s hi'll where he, his son and his .g«ndson
al of the same name, lived in succession. The
dier in the revoution in Captain Manasseh Sawyers
^^;^f Rutl. baptized February^ :7^^marr,ed
?:^^li^^^^l4' ^-d I>cenrber f tg.
married Thomas Johnson ; died July ^2, i»30
• ^ rfA wn^ born at Lexington, Massachusetts,
nam (6), ^as corn ai » j Westminster
ruary 13 1798, Betsey Harris, born September 25,
1772, died May 30, 1865. He died January 13,
1S2S Their children, born in Gardner, Massachu-
setts were: Jacob Harris, born January 22, 1799,
see forward; Nathan, born August 7. 1800, died
September 19, 1805, m Gardner; Betsey M., born
August 7, 1802, died September 16, 1805, at Gardner;
Salty Harris, born October 18, 1S04, died August
17 1838, in Fitchburg; Samuel Harris, born May it),
1808, died December 2, 1824, m Gardner; Chiton,
born June 20, 1810, died January 19, 1825, at Gard-
ner ; Betsey, born November 17, 1813, married, June
10, '1841, John Milton Harris.
(VHI) Jacob Harris Merriam, son of Jonathan
]\Ierriam (7), was born in Gardner, Massachusetts,
January 22, 1799, and died April 3, 1888, m Fitch-
burg. He was a Congregational minister of pro-
nounced "orthodox- views. He preached about three
vears. but his health gave way and he left the pulpit
for the farm. He bought in 1833 the house and
farm where his son Lyman now lives and sold halt
to his brother-in-law. The old colonial mansion
was built by E. J. Garfield in 1781 and was for
many vears the finest dwelling house in the town.
He married Abigail Lowe Wheeler, \vho died Octo-
ber g 1890. Their children: Mary Elizabeth, born
January 4. 1S38, died November 18, 1891 ; Sarah
Abbie, born September 24, 1839, died November 26,
i8s5. unmarried; Ellen Augusta, born September 21,
1840, died December 12, 1871, m Pittsheld, New
Hampshire; married Charles Prescott, of Pittsheld;
left one son, George Prescott, who learned his trade
i„ the Fitchburg Machine Works at Fitchburg and
has an important position there; Lyman Wheeler,
see forward. . i t 1,
(IX) Lvman Wheeler Merriam, son of Jacob
Harris .Alerriam (8), was born in Fitchburg m the
homestead where he now lives, March 31, i«44. tie
was educated in the old day street public school and
the Fitchburg high school. He \vas naturally in-
clined to mechanical problems. His inventive abi -
itv was demonstrated early m life, and he has fol-
lowed the career of a professional inventor all his
Hfe with credit to himself, having procured valua-
ble patents besides devising many useful machmes
for making patented and other articles for which
he applied for no patents. „ , • • . ^^t.
Air Merriam does not confine all his interests
to his lathe and tools. He is well known as a worker
and thinker in the temperance movement He him-
self is a total abstainer, not only from all alcoholic
drinks, but from tobacco, tea, cotfee and meats He
has been a strict vegetarian for many years and cer-
tainly has demonstrated in his own case that a man
needs no fish, oysters or meat of any sort to enjoy
robust health and great mental energy.
He married, July 16, 1868, Ellen Maria Lowe,
daughter of John Lowe. She was born Apri 30,
1847 (See sketch of the Lowe family ot F'tchburg
of her lineage). Their children: i. Sa>-ah A*'^'
born August 9. 1869, married Septenbei n. 890,
James Lewis Harrington, of Lunenburg, farmer.
Their children : Lewis Lowe, born January 14. 1892 ,
Ruth Louise born May 23, 1893; Carl Rogers,
bo March 2, 1896; Harold Leon, born
Tune l^ isk 2 Frederick Lowe, born August 2,
,871 died aged nine months, Apnl 23. 1872. 3-
Lor sa Adeline, born at Holden, August 21, 1872.
ted of tvphoid fever. September 22, 1890, in F tch-
lurg 4 Alice Edna, born November 2> 1874,
g duate of Fitchburg high school, 189S, married,
TTK^, /S
WORCESTER COUNTY
21
April 20, 1904, Charles Allen Nutting; resides in
Ashby; he is a farmer. Their children — John Ly-
man, born June I, 1905; Charles Edward Nutting,
born August 16, 1906. 5. John Lowe, born July
9, 1876, at Jaffrey, New Hampshire, died
April 13, 1898; graduated from Fitchburg high
school in 1895. 6. Edith Augusta, born March 5,
1878, at Jaffrey, New Hampshire, graduate of the
Fitchburg high school, 1S96. 7. Lizzie Waria, born
September 27, 1880, in Winchendon, graduate of the
Fitchburg high school, 1898; married, July 7, 1905,
Rosser Adams Malone, Jr., of Albany. Georgia,
clerk in the transportation department of the United
States Canal Work at Panama ; son born at Albany.
October 6, 1906. 8. Clifton Harris, born December
30, :883, at Winchendon, graduate of the Fitchburg
high school, 1902; employed in the office of the
Fitchburg Machine Works. 9. Henry Mead, born
September 11, 1885, at Fitchburg, died August s.
1887.
WILLIAM' E. PUTNEY. The Putney family
seems to have settled first in this country in New
Hampshire. They are of English origin. One of
the earliest, if not the first settler of this name
was Joseph Putney, who came to Londonderry, New
Hampshire, when that was the leading settlement in
the vicinity. He and James Rogers settled in the
territory of what is now Dunbarton, New Hamp-
shire, and many of the American families are de-
scended from him. He was born about 1700, and
was in Dunbarton about 1746, The Indian wars
compelled him to leave his home in the wilderness,
but in 1749 he returned and rebuilt his house. He
had a son Henry and perhaps Jonathan, of whom
later.
(II) Jonathan Putney, perhaps son of Joseph
Putney (i), of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, was
born about 1740. Lie became one of the earliest
settlers in Cheshire county, and was in the town
of Walpole and vicinity before the revolution. He
fought in the revolution under Captain Stilson, of
Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Joseph and Thomas
Putney were in the same company. Children of
Jonathan Putney were : Amos, see forward ; Ezra,
Samuel, Asa, Abigail and Sally. There were in the
revolution an Amos and Asa Putney, probably re-
lated to this family.
(III) Amos Putney, son of Jonathan Putney
(2), was born in Cheshire county. New Hampshire,
about 1780. He was a soldier m the war of 1812.
He married Nancy Daggett, who bore him the fol-
lowing children : Eliza, Francis, Maria, Permelia,
Adaline, Jonathan, married Betsey M. Tole and had
William H. and Minnie E. "Putney; they resided
at Walpole, New Hampshire; Willard Dean, see
forward ; Loren D., Mary Adeline, see forward ;
Harriet E.. Lucy Jane, Bradley A. and Louisa M.
(IV) Willard Dean Putney, son of Amos Put-
ney (3), was born in Winchester, New Hampshire,
June 25, 1825. The family removed to Westmore-
land, where he received a common school education.
He removed to Athol and was engaged during his
active years in the railroad business. He is now
living in Royalston. Massachusetts, retired. He
married Ruby B. Wilbur, of New Hampshire, born
December 6, 1829, and she also is living at the pres-
ent time (1907). Among their children was Will-
iam Emerson, see forward.
(IV) Mary Adeline (Putney) Arnold, daughter
of Amos Putney (3), was born at Westmoreland,
New Hampshire, but has resided in Fitchburg since
1842, and is therefore among the longest time resi-
dents of that city, her home being at No. 9 Park
street, with her daughter, Mrs. Luella F. Wyman,
widow of Charles H. Wyman, who is the last of
her three children, two having died in early life.
She became the wife of Charles Arnold, who died
in 1893. Mrs. Arnold has been a communicant of
the Methodist Church sixty-seven years, having first
united with a church of that denomination at Chico-
pee Falls, in 1840. When she came to Fitchburg
she brought a letter to the First Methodist Church,
and is the oldest member of that church, both in
years and time of membership. She is still very
constant in her attendance at church, and has a class
in the Sunday school, where she has been a teacher
most of the time since she has been connected with
the church. She has been a great worker in the
Ladies' Parsonage Society, and labored zealously for
the erection of the present church edifice and the
parsonage. Mrs. Arnold is remarkably well pre-
served in body and mind for her age, eighty-five
years, enjoys reading and keeps informed in rela-
tion to current events. She is held in high esteem
by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance.
(V) William Emerson Putney, son of William
Dean Putney (4), was born in Athol, Massachusetts,
September 4, 1856. He was educated there in the pub-
lic schools, and began his business life in the employ
of the Fitchburg railroad. He made himself use-
ful as telegraph operator and in other positions of
responsibility for a number of years. Subsequently
he engaged in the coal and wood business in Fitch-
burg. conducting the same for a number of years. In
1888 he entered the fire insurance business in Fitch-
burg with Charles E. Kirby under the firm name of
Kirby & Putney. Their offices were at No. 162
Main street, with a branch office at West Fitchburg.
Since the retirement of his partner, in 1890, Mr.
Putney has conducted the business alone, under his
own name, and has built up one of the largest
agencies in the city. He represents over fifty in-
surance companies, among them the best in the
world. He is a director of the Fitchburg Safe De-
posit & Trust Company, Fidelity Co-operative Bank,
Fitchburg Real Estate Association, Bennett Shoe
Company, Lancaster Manufacturing Company and
C. H. Brown Engine Company, and is counted
among the leading business men of the city.
I\Ir. Putney is a Republican in politics, but has
never sought public preferment. He is prominent
in the Masonic fraternity, having taken the thirty-
second degree. He is a member of Aurora Lodge,
Boston; Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite; Giles F. Yates Council. Princes
of Jerusalem, Boston; Mount Olivet Chapter, Rose
Croix, Boston; Massachusetts Consistory, Sublime
Princes of the Royal Secret, thirty-second degree.
He is equally prominent as an Odd Fellow, and is
a member of the Knights of Pythias. He attends
Christ Episcopal Church.
Mr. Putney married, November 13. 1879, Abbie
A. Stearns, of Fitchburg, an adopted daughter of
George Waite, of Fitchburg, and had taken his name.
Their children were : Lillian, born February 16,
1884. Ruby, born October 27, 1888, died young.
Laura, born May 20, 1893. resides at home with
parents. Alrah, born June 20, 1900, died young.
LYMAN PATCH. Nicholas Patch fi). the
immigrant ancestor of Lyman Patch, of Fitchburg,
22
WORCESTER COUNTY
Massachusetts, was the son of Nicliolas and Jane
Patch, of Parish South Petherton, Somerset, near
Burlefcomb, England, where he was baptized June
26, 1597. He antl his brother Edmund Patch set-
tled in Salem, Massachusetts. They had also a
brother, John Patch. Edmund's daughter Eliza-
beth is given the honor by genealogists of bein.g the
first female child born of English parents in Salem
and of the Massachusetts colony.
Nicholas Patch was a proprietor in Salem in
1637 and came to Salem the year before, 1636. He
was admitted a freeman in 1639. He joined the
Beverly Church April 14, 1650. He was a farmer
and prominent in the church and town. He was one
of the founders of Beverly, Massachusetts, where
he died November, 1673. He married Elizabeth
Brackenburg, daughter of Richard Brackenburg; she
was born 1629 and died January 14, 1716. It seems
that some authorities believe that Elizabeth Patch,
the first female child born in Salem, was Elizabeth
(Brackenburg) Patch, instead of Elizabeth as stated
above.
The children of Nicholas Patch were : James,
born in England ; John, ancestor of the Beverly
families ; Thomas, born in Salem 1640, of whom
later.
(II) Thomas Patch, youngest child known of
Nicholas Patch (i), was born in Salem. Massachu-
setts, about 1640. He married Mary A. Lovett. He
was admitted a freeman in 1670 and was a repre-
sentative to the general court in 1689. He married
(second) Mary Scott, daughter of Thomas Scott,
of Ipswich, JNIassachusetts. His children were:
Thomas, born July 19, 1674; Stephen. April 12, 1680;
Isaac, of whom later; Ephraim. Simon, James, born
ill Wenhani, 1677, married Rebecca Byles, ancestor
of the Francestown Patch family; Sarah, December,
1666; Marah, February 3, 1669.
(III) Isaac Patch, son of Thomas Patch (2),
was born in Salem, probably in 1682. He settled in
Groton when a young man. He lived also in Con-
cord and perhaps in Lancaster. Little is known
about him. The children of Isaac and Edith Patch:
Isaac, Jr., resided in Groton. Massachusetts ; Jona-
than, of whom later; Edith, February 24, 1717;
Ebenezer, born at Concord, September 7, 1719, set-
tled in Groton; Lois, February 24. 1720; Lois, Au-
gust 13, 1721 ; Ephraim, May 5, 1723. lived in Concord
and Groton; Mary, April 7, 1725. Probably all the
children after about 1715 were born in Concord, al-
though not all are on the records. There may be
others not given here.
(IV) Jonathan Patch, son of Isaac Patch (3),
was born in Concord, Massachusetts, about 1708.
He resided in Concord, Massachusetts. The chil-
dren of Jonathan and Lydia Patch were : Samuel,
of whom later; Elizabeth. September 12, 1731;
Ebenezer, May 29, 1733; Lydia, June 24, 1735; Han-
nah, December 31, 1737; Jonathan, October 17, 1739;
Sarah, November 3, 1741 ; Benjamin, !March 7, 1743;
John, December 15, 1747.
(V) Samuel Patch, son of Jonathan Patch (4),
was born in Concord, Massachusetts, January 6,
1729-30. Early in life he settled in that part of Con-
cord, set ofif as Stow. He was a soldier in the
revolution. He was captain of a Stow company in
Colonel William Prescott's regiment. May 25. 1775
He fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, of which
there is a curious documentary proof on record in
the shape of a certificate signed by Captain Patch
and Lieutenant Joshua Brown, botli of Colonel Pres-
cott's regiment. They petitioned to be reimbursed
for clothing lost in the battle of Bunker Hill. June
I/.. 1775, and their statement is endorsed by Colonel
William Prescott with the statement that they were
in the engagement as they claimed. The general
court allowed the claims. After the revolution
Captain Samuel Patch removed to Fitzwilliani, New
Hampshire, where July 10, 1788, he presented his
letter from the Stow Church to the Fitzwilliani
Church. He lived a few years in what is called the
Spinney House at the North village, but finally
settled on lot 15, division 10 R, where he lived the
remainder of his days. He died February 15, 1817,
aged eighty-seven years. His wife Lydia died De-
cember 22, 1820, aged seventy-four years. The
youngest son was the only child born in Fitzwilliani
according to the records.
The children of Captain Samuel and Lydia Patch
were : Oliver, Abraham, John, Samuel, married,
January 30, 1805, Betsey, who was born September
7, 1778, daughter of Daniel and Hannah Mellen ;
they settled in Fitzwilliam ; Lydia, married, Febru-
ary 26, 1805, Joseph Church, of Templeton, Massa-
chusetts; Susannah, married, September 17, 181 1,
John Anderson, of Templeton; Jacob, of whom
later.
(VI) Jacob Patch, .youngest child of Captain
Samuel Patch (5), and father of Lyman Patch, of
Fitchbnrg (7), was born in Fitzwilliam, New Hamp-
shire, February 25, 1789. He married, March 13,
1817, Elizabeth Harkness, born April 26, 1797,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sweet) Harkness,
of Richmond, New Hampshire. They settled in
Richmond, New Hampshire. His farm was on what
is called locally the William Hills place, lately owned
by Eddie Putney, lot 14, of division R i. He after-
wards carried on the farms of Stephen Buffum,
Obadiah Harkness and George Buffum in Rich-
mond. In 1837 he removed to Templeton, Massa-
chusetts,. In 1840 he returned to Richmond and
took charge of Daniel Bassett's farm. He removed
to Swanzey in 1841. He and his wife both died
in Fitchbnrg, where some of their children were
living.
The children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hark-
ness) Patch were: Edwin, born October 4, 1817,
settled in South Royalston, Massachusetts; Ange-
lina, January 29, 1819, died February 16. 1821 ;
Jacob, March 25, 1821, removed to California; Ly-
man, of whom later ; Lydia M., July 10, 1825, died
March 17. 1845 ; Eliza E., October 17, 1827, married
Harvey Evans; she died September 18, 1S58; Isaac,
May 31, 1831, lived in Fitchburg: John H., Septem-
ber 14, 1835, lived in Springfield, Massachusetts ;
he was road master for the Connecticut River Rail-
road; Mary Jane, April 20, 1840, married George
Green, died August 30, 1865.
(VII) Lyman Patch, fourth child of Jacob
Patch (6), was born in Richmond, New Hampshire,
December 24, 1822, and died in Fitchburg, Massa-
chusetts, September 14, 1901. He received a common
school education in the towns where the family
lived during his boyhood. He worked with his
father at farming until he was twenty-eight years
old, when he came to Fitchburg, and opened a store.
He was a dealer in stoves and tin ware. The busi-
ness prospered and Mr. Patch became one of the
most substantial men of the town. He was in busi-
ness for fifty years and while he acquired a large
competence he clung to the simple habits and life of
his early days. His store at 390 !Main street is con-
WORCESTER COUNTY
23
ducted by his two sons, Arthur and Henry C.
Patch, who in later years had been associated with
their father in business. In politics JNIr. Patch was
a strong Republican, He served the city of Fitch-
burg as councilman. He was director of Safety
Fund National Bank. He attended the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Fitchburg.
He married, August 12, 1852, Catherine A. Davis,
daughter of Stillman and Lucy (Bush) Davis, of
Templeton, Massachusetts, Their children are :
Maria A,, born November 28, 1S53, married Charles
F, Smith, died August 21, 1905; Walter, June 17,
1856; Arthur, June 22, 1858, married, November
28, 1883, Jennie M. Connor, and have two children;
Richard H., and James A. ; he was with the Sole
Leather Tip Co., now part owner of his father's
business j'Burtis L,, September 28, 1862; Henry C,
May 19, 1867,
FOSDICK F.\MILY. Stephen Fosdick (l),
immigrant ancestor of ex-Mayor Frederick Fosdick
and Charles Fosdick, of Fitchburg, is the progenitor
of all the old families of this surname. He was
an inhabitant of Charlestown, Massachusetts, in
1635. He was admitted a freeman September 7,
1638, According to his deposition made June 22,
1653, he was then seventy years old. He was there-
fore born in England in 1583. He is thought to
have come from Lincolnshire. He was admitted
to the Charlestown Church in 1638. He died May
21, 1664, His will was dated February 23, 1664,
and proved June 21, 1664.
His wife Sarah was then "aged about seventy-
five years, lame and infirm, who was married to him
a maid about 1624 and took care of his six children
by a former wife," as stated in a deposition of his
brother-in-law, John Wetherell, her brother. His
will bequeathed to his wife ; to daughter Hannah,
wife of James Barrett; and Martha, wife of Richard
Holden and to their children; to daughter Marah,
wife of Thomas Webb ; to son John Fosdick, and
to the two sons of his son Thomas, deceased. The
children of Stephen Fosdick were ; Samuel, died on
a voyage to the Barbadoes. no children ; Thomas,
died June 21, 1650, leaving issue; John, had sons
Samuel and others; Hannah, married James Barrett;
Martha, married Richard Holden ; Mary or Marah,
married Thomas Webb ; she was admitted to the
church in 1652.
(H) John Fosdick, son of Stephen Fosdick (l),
was born in England about 1626, died in Charles-
town, Massachusetts, September 17, 1716. He mar-
ried (first). 1648, Ann Shapley, daughter of Nicholas
Shapley ; she died October 15, 1679, aged fifty-two
years. He married (second) Elizabeth Belts, widow
of John Betts ; she died September 27, 1716, aged
sixty years. He died September 17, 1716, aged
ninety years. The children of John Fosdick were :
James, born November 13, 1649: Mary, July 17,
1651 ; Ann, September 26, 1653 ; Samuel, December
T5- 1655 ; John, February 20, 1658 ; Stephen and
three younger children baptized with two older
than he April 15, 1677; Thomas, Jonathan. Ann.
(in) Samuel Fosdick, son of John Fosdick (2),
born December 1.=;, 1655. died August 27, 1702. He
removed about 1680 from Charlestown, Massachu-
setts, where he was born, to New London, Con-
necticut. He served in King Philip's war in 1676.
He married. November i, 1682, Mercy Pickett,
daughter of John Pickett, who married Ruth
Brewster, daughter of Elder John Brewster, who
came to Plymouth on the "Mayflower." All the
descendants of Samuel Fosdick therefore are also-
descended from the famous old Elder William
Brewster, father of Jonathan Brewster, and grand-
father of Ruth Brewster, who married John Pickett,
of New London, Connecticut. After the death of
Samuel Fosdick his widow married (second) John
Arnold. The children of Samuel and Mercy
(Pickett) Fosdick were; Samuel, born Septem-
ber 18, 1684, at New London ; Mercy, November
30, 1686, married Thomas Jiggles, 1708 (second)
Thomas Morris; Ruth, June 27, 16S9, married
Oglesby, of New York ; Anna, December 8, 1691,
married Thomas Lathaine ; John, February i, 1693-4,
at Guilford, Connecticut ; Thomas, .\ugust 20, 1696 ;
Mary. July 7. 1699 (on Charlestown records) mar-
ried Richard Sutton. 1719-20.
Captain Samuel Fosdick was one of the owners
of Plum Island and had a farm well cleared and
productive there. He resided in town on what is
often called Fosdick's Neck. later known as Shaw's
Neck. He had through his wife that part of the
Pickett lot subsequently bought by Captain Nathaniel
Shaw. Another lot that he owned is the block
in the city of New London now between Golden
and Tilley streets on the bank. It was later the
home of his son Thomas and his descendants.
(IV) Samuel Fosdick, son of Samuel Fosdick
(3). was born September 18. 1684. at New London,
Connecticut. He removed to (Dyster Bay. Long
Island, in 1750, and later removed to Charlestown,
Massachusetts, where his ancestors had lived. He
was a blacksmith by trade. He was heir to his
father's rights to land as a soldier in the Narra-
gansett war. He married Susanna Turner, July
13, 1706, at New London, Connecticut; she was ad-
mitted to the church July 26, 1741, and died Feb-
ruary 22, 1753. in her sixty-eighth year. His will
was dated April 23, 1767, as he was about to start
on a voyage. It was proved November 4. 1784.
He bequeathed land received from his great-grand-
father. Stephen Fosdick. by will. He was one hun-
dred years old when he died. His second wife,
Elizabeth LaCross. was of Oyster Bay. Long Island.
The children of Samuel and Susanna (Turner)
Fosdick were : Mercy, born 1707. married Samuel
Wolcott; Mary, March 28, 1708; Samuel, ^larch
II, 1710-11, taxed in Charlestown; William, Feb-
ruary 4, 1712-3; Ruth, January 25, 1713-4; James,
NovemlDer 20. 1716. baptized at New London, July
2, 17:7; Ezekiel. February 17, 1719-20, moved to
Wethersfield, Connecticut; Jesse, November 7. 1722;
Susanna, October 11, T724, married Samuel Froth-
ingham. (All the children were recorded at Charles-
town, as born in New London.)
(V) James Fosdick, son of Samuel Fosdick (4),
was horn in New London, Connecticut, lived at
Charlestown, Massachusetts. W'here he died October
16, 17S4. He was a card maker by trade. He mar-
ried, December 6, 1735, Elizabeth Darling, at Bos-
ton. .She died October 6. 1799. aged eighty years.
His will was dated October 8. 1784. Their children
were ; Abigail, baptized April 18, 1736, married
Solomon Phipps. 17,14; married (second) James
Braisier, 1767; Elizabeth, baptized July 31, 1737,
married Edward Tennev, 1761 ; James, baptized June
3. 1739. served in the French war in I7=;7 and in the
revolution; married Mercy Callis; William, baptized
T741, married, and was in service in 1761 ; Ruth,
baptized January 22, 1743-4, died December g, 1747;
Mary, baptized July 27, 1746, died December 27,
24
WORCESTER COUNTY
1747; Ruth, baptized July 24, 1748; Mary, baptized
May 20, 1750, married William Trumbull, 1770;
Thomas, baptized October 15. 1752; Jesse, baptized
January 5, 1755, was in revolution; David, born
April 27, 1757; Sarah, baptized December, 1759.
(VI) David Fosdick, son of James Fosdick (5),
was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, April 27,
1757, and died there January 16, 1812. He married,
August 26, 1779. Mary Frothingham, a descendant
of William Frothingham. an early settler in Charles-
town. He joined the Baptist Church. His wife
Mary died May 29. 1848, aged eighty-four years.
Their children were: Mary, born July 15, 1780, mar-
ried William Fuller: Sarah, March 28, 1782, mar-
ried William Porter: Abigail T., March 12. 1784,
died December 4, 1800 : David, June 18, 1786 ; James,
January 8, 1789; Elizabeth, May 10, 1791, married
Nathaniel Ayer, 181 1; she died August, 1857: Han-
nah. May 19. 179.^, married William Ayer, August
18. 1857; Hepsibah, May 19, 1793, married Leonard
Tufts: John, March 27. 1798, married Deborah
Frothingham; Leonard, December 31. 1800. cord-
wainer, married Julia Halbrook, died March 26,
1852 : Stephen. April q. 1803, married Abigail
Thayer, died April ig, 1869; Abigail, May 9. 1806,
married Francis Raymond, died November 28, 1863.
(VH) David Fosdick, son of David Fosdick
(6), was born in Charlestown. Massachusetts. June
18, T786. and died May 29. 1872. He was a dry
goods merchant in Charlestown and a farmer later
in Groton, Massachusetts. He was a representative
to the general court in 1835-6. He married (first),
June 19, 1810, Joan Skilton. of Billerica, descendant
of Rev. Samuel Skilton. of Salem. She died Octo-
ber 31, 1825. aged thirty-six years. He married'
(second) Lucy Wyman. March 21, 1826; she died
February I, 1834. He married (third) Mary
(Harkness) Smiley, of Grafton, Vermont. He re-
moved to Groton, Massachusetts, where he died.
The children of David and Joan Fosdick were:
David, born April 29, 1811. died 1812 ; David (Rev.),
November 9. 1813. settled in Lancaster, Massachu-
setts; Mary. May 27. 1815. died June 9. 1824; Sarah,
Mav 27. 1815, married John Tarbell, of Groton,
died June 19, 1882 ; Joan. October 18, 1818; Henry
Martin, December 22. 1822. married Lucy A. Hollis,
November 27. 1847 ; Samuel Putnam. December 30,
1826; Lucy Wyman, July 2. 1828; Mary. March 13.
i8^o. married Alonzo W. Hildreth. INIay 20. 1S51. died
Mav 2T, 18.38;, Pamelia S.. December 15. 1832. died
1833; Pamelia Tarbell. December 19, 1835, married
Moses Miller: James Smiley. December 9, 1837,
died September 12, 18.38; Elizabeth Harkness. May
29, 1840. died November 16, 1887. married John H.
Huntington: Adelaide. January 29, 1844, married
Rev. C. J. Baldwin ; James Smiley, January 2, 1847,
died April •;. 1871.
(VHI) Rev. David Fosdick, son of David Fos-
dick (7), was horn in Qiarlestown, Massachusetts,
November 9, 1813, died in Groton. Massachusetts.
January 28. 1892. He was educated in the public
schools, graduating at Amherst College in 1831.
He attended the .^^dover Theological Seminary and
became a Unitarian clergyman. He was a scholar
and acquired a reading knowledge of thirteen
languages. He was settled at Charlestown, Boston,
Sterling and Groton. He married. March 10, 1841.
Sarah Lawrence Woodbury, daughter of Rev. Sam-
uel and Mary (Lawrence) Woodbury, a descendant
of John Lawrence, of Watertown, Massachusetts
(1636). Of their children two have been prominent
men in Fitchburg. They are ; Samuel Woodbury,
born October 10, 1841, died April 3, 1865; married
Christine Dakin Keargl, February 8, 1865 ; Mary,
February 17, 1844: George, January 14, 1846, died
October 4. 1848; Charles. March 9, 1848; Frederick,
Groton. Massachusetts, April 24. 1850; David, De-
cember 14. 1852, died December 21, 1854; Rose,
July 24, 1855. died July 15. 1870 ; Lucy. November
21, T858, married Dr. Charles Sedgwick Minot, June
I, 1889: Sarah Woodbury, November 4, i860.
(IX) Charles Fosdick, son of Rev. David Fos-
dick (8), was born in Groton. Massachusetts. March _
9. 1848. He and his brother Frederick purchased the *
Haskins Steam Engine Co. in July, 1876, and have
been the principal owners of the same ever since.
Mr. Fosdick is a skillful mechanic and lor many
years has been superintendent of the factory. He
was president of the common council in 1886.
He married, October I, 1874, Mary Louise Snow,
daughter of William and Adeline (Willis) Snow,
and their children were : Margaret Willis : Charles
Mussey; Elsie Woodbury: JNIarian Lawrence.
(IX) Frederick Fosdick, son of Rev. David Fos-
dick (8), was born in Groton. Massachusetts, .April
24. 1850. He received his education under a private
tutor, practically a college course of study. In 1870,
at the a.ge of twenty, he came to Fitchburg to work
for the Burleigh Rock Drill Company. He was with
this concern for thirteen months. He worked for
a time for a Pennsylvania coal company, setting up
pumps and other machinery in the mines. He re-
turned to Fitchburg to work as draughtsman for
the Haskins Machine Company.
In 1877 Hale W. Page, Frederick Fosdick and
Charles Fosdick purchased the Haskins Steam En-
gine Company, together with its good-will and
changed its name to the Fitchburg Steam Engine
Company. Mr. Page was president of the company
until his' death. Mav i?. 1887. when Frederick Fos-
dick was chosen. Mr, Fosdick has since occupied
this position. The other officers of the company
during most of its historv have been : Charles Fos-
dick. superintendent ; William J. Clifford, clerk.
The company employs over a hundred hands, most
of whom are skilled machinists, and manufactures
horizontal and vertical automatic cut-off steam en-
gines. The Fitchburg engine, manufactured by this
company, has been a favorite among the manufac-
turers of Worcester county. It is well known all
over the country. The company has developed _a
large foreign business in addition to that in this
country. The Fitchburg Steam Engine Company has
been one of the most prosperous and stable in-
dustries of the city. The Fosdick brothers have
won a high place in the esteem of their business
associates. The business has been repeatedly en-
larged.
Mr. Fosdick has been active in public affairs. He
has served seven years on the school committee and
was for two years member and president of the
common council and ex-officio member of the school
committee. He was the mavor of Fitchburg in
7886 and i<88o. He has been a trustee of the Worces-
ter North Savings Institution. He is chairman of
the hoard of trustees of the Foxboro State Hospital.
He married. April 24, 1873. Lucy M. Hill, daugh-
ter of Henrv Hill, of Groton. Massachusetts. Their
children are: Frederick W., Nellie, Richard C,
Merriam E.
^.^
WORCESTER COUNTY
25
UPTON FAMILY. The history of the Upton
family dates back in England to the days of the
Norman Conquest. The lineage of the family is
traced for twelve centuries in direct line in Corn-
wall to the ancestor. De Uppeton. of Upton. While
the family has spread widely over England, Scot-
land and Wales, the original seat of the family
was Upton in Cornwall.
(I) John Upton, who came to New England
about 1652, was the pioneer ancestor in this coun-
try. He is the progenitor of the late John Upton,
Colonel Edwin Upton and Joseph Upton, of Fitch-
burg. Massachusetts. He settled in Salem village,
in what is now Danvers. Massachusetts. There is a
tradition that he came from Scotland. He may have
been one of the Scotch prisoners taken by Crom-
well at Dunbarton, September 3, 1650, or at Worces-
ter, 1651. The last named battle was fought near
the town of Upton, England, the seat of the ancient
family. Cromwell took seventeen thousand English-
men and Scotchmen prisoners in these two battles
and many of them were sent to the American
colonies. There is a tradition that the name of
his wife was Eleanor Stuart and that she too was
Scotch. He seems to have refused to join the
Puritan Church and that may indicate that he was
Scotch and a Presbyterian. He did not take the
freeman oath until it had been modified. He was
admitted April 18, 1691. a freeman. The first record
is of date December 26, 1658, when he bought land
of Henry Bullock, some time of Hammersmith (the
Lynn Iron Works at Saugus). He paid four pounds
for forty acres in Salem. He bought land of Daniel
Rumboll, of Salem. April 6, 1662, adjoining his farm.
Hi? homestead was near the line of the present town
of Danvers. half a mile from the present line of
Lynnfield, one mile south of the Ipswich river and
- two miles west of the Newburyport turnpike. It
is two miles and a half from the site of his later
residence in North Reading. His neighbors were the
Popes. Gardners. Flints, Walcotts and Smiths. He
bought and sojd considerable land in the vicinity.
Active, energetic and successful, he began with no
capital and accumulated a handsome estate. He died
July II, 1699, aged about seventy-seven. The will
was dated November 16. 1697, and proved July 31,
i6qo. He used a fleur de lis for a seal and in his
will tried to entail his estate, but the laws of the
<;olony effectually prevented him.
The children of John and Eleanor Upton were:
John, born 1654: Eleanor. 1656: William, 1658;
James, September, 1660; Mary, 1661, died 1663;
Samuel, October, 1664: Ann; Isabel, January 3,
1666-7. died i68q; Ezekiel, September, 7668; Joseph,
April 9, 1670: Francis, July I, 1671 ; Mary,
(II) William Upton, sixth child of John Upton
fi), was born in Danvers, June 10, 1663. He mar-
ried Mary Maber, May 27. 1701, He and his brother,
Samuel Upton, received by will from their father
the farm in the southwest corner of Danvers, near
Lynnfield, and they held it in common until 1708.
•when they divided their possessions but always lived
near each other and perhans in the same house.
They also inherited a negro Thomas, whom they set
free after he had worke.d for them eighteen years,
TJecember 21, 1717. William Upton deeded his
land to his eldest son William before his death.
His will is dated April 13, 1739. and was proved
March ID, 1739-40. His son Paul was executor and
residuary legatee. The children of William and
Mary (Maber) Upton, all born in Danvers and all
living in 1740, were: William, of whom later; Mary,
September 28, 1705; James, January 5, 1707-8; Paul,
February 20, 1709; Frances, May 13, 1712; Edward,
April 16, 1714; Richard, May 20, 1716; Dorcas
(twin), September 4, 1718; Tnnothy (twin), Sep-
tember 4, 1718; Caleb,
(III) William Upton, eldest child of William
Upton (2), was born in Danvers, Massachusetts,
July 17, 1703. He married (first) Lydia Burnap,
of Reading, January 4, 1726-7. He married (sec-
ond) Hannah Felton, of Danvers, December 9,
I7S5. He lived in Reading, Massachusetts. The
children of William and Lydia (Burnap) Upton
were : William, of whom later : Daniel, August 19.
1731 ; James, March 26, 1733; Lydia, February 22,
173s : Mary, September 30. 1737 ; Jacob, December
^o. 1739; Jacob (twin), February 5, 1741 ; Mary
(twin). February 5, 1741 ; Tabitha, March 30, 1745,
resided in Templeton, Massachusetts, and married
Aaron Felt, May 21, 1766.
(IV) William Upton, eldest child of William
Upton (3), was born in North Reading. Massa-
chusetts, August 5,- 1729. , He married (first). May
ID, 17.W, Sarah Herrick, widow of Benjamin Her-
rick, of Lynn; he married (second) at Wilmington,
Massachusetts. Hannah Stanley, of Wilmington. De-
cember I, 1757. She died 1778. He married (third)
Mehitable . He lived at North Reading until
1770 and then removed to Temple. New Hamp-
shire, where he was living when his second wife
died in 1778. He also died there 1790. aged sixty-
one years. He served the town of North Reading
as constable in his younger days. The only child
of William and Sarah (Herrick) LTpton was: Sarah,
born November 20. 1755. married Samuel Gardner.
The children of William and Hannah (Stanley)
Upton were: John, of whom later; William, 1759;
Eli, 1760; Thomas, November 28, 1761 ; Mehitable,
November 6. 1763, married Captain Thomas Thurs-
ton ; Hannah, October 6, 1765; Nathan, August II,
1767; Lydia, April 6, 1769; a child, born in Temple,
May, 1773; Eunice. 1775. The children of William
and Mehitable were: Dorcas, Rhoda, EH, 1785, mar-
ried five times.
(V) John LTpton, second child of William Lip-
ton (4), was born in North Reading. Massachusetts,
1758. He married Abigail Low. July. 1783. He re-
moved from North Reading to Temple. New Hamp-
shire, with his father in 1770. Later he removed to
Fichburg. Massachusetts, and onened a store there.
William Upton for two hundred pounds sold land
in Temple and New Ipswich. New Hampshire, to
him. His father died in 1790 and he was adminis-
trator. He was active and energetic and became a
man of property. He was captain of the Fitchburg
Fusiliers. He died at the house of his son. Joseph
Upton. October 18. iSii. a.ged fifty-three. His widow
Aljigail died at the same house September 7, 1829.
Their children, all born in Fitchburg, were: Jo-
seph, of whom later ; John. August 7. 1787. married
Cunningham, of Tennessee, where they went
to live, thence to Illinois: he died at Keeseville, Illi-
nois. September i. 1834; Abigail. October 22. 1789,
died 181 1, at Fitchburg: Timothv F'elton. Novem-
ber 12. 1792, married Eunice Vinton ; Mehitable,
June 22. 1794. married Thomas Swcetser. of Fitch-
burg. January 12. 1814. removed to Lowell. Massa-
chusetts, where she died February. 18,^8; Lucv. ^lay
31. 1798. married Joseph Wiggin, removed to Boston
26
WORCESTER COUNTY
where she died September, 1830; William, August
23. 1803, died at Alaumee City, Ohio, September,
1827.
(VI_) Joseph Upton, eldest child of Captain
John Upton (5), was born in Fitchburg, Massachu-
setts, July 3, 1784. He married Susan Thurston, of
Fitchburg, February 12, 1807. She was born in 1788.
He was a carpenter by trade and became a well-
to-do citizen, notwithstanding the fact that his health
was not robust. He lived and died in Fitchburg.
The date of his death was July 17, 1855. Although
a man of quiet disposition and of domestic habits
Mr. Upton was deemed one of the most substantial
and reliable citizens of the town, and was highly
esteemed by his neighbors. The children of Joseph
and Susan (Thurston) Upton were: Joseph, Octo-
ber 15, 1807, married Betsey Messenger, married
(second) Amelia F. Lowe; Mary Thurston, Novem-
ber 10, 1809, married Jonathan Barrage; Thomas,
August 22, 1813, married Abigail Downe, resided
at Westminster, Massachusetts; Edwin, Deceinber
9, 1815, married Louisa Maria Farwell, of whom
later ; John, of whom later ; Susan Abigail, July 20,
1819, married James P. Putnam; Charles, Novem-
ber 4. 1821, married Sarah A. Hagar, resided in
W'estminster; Martha Ann, February 21, 1826, mar-
ried George Curtis ; their son, Edwin Upton Curtis,
has been city clerk and mayor of Boston, a very
prominent Republican, prominent lawyer; another
son. Nelson Curtis,, is a paper manufacturer and
business man of Boston.
(VH) Colonel Edwin Upton, fourth child of
Joseph Upton (6), was born in Fitchburg, Massa-
chusetts, 1815. He died there May 10, 1890. The
house in which he and his brothers and sisters were
born is on Blossom street and now or lately occu-
pied by Mrs. A. F. Adams. When nine years old
he had to begin to help support the family. His
wages the first year was three dollars a month in
summer. " He went to school in the winter term.
He worked out until he was sixteen when he was
apprenticed to his older brother, Joseph Upton, to
learn the mason's trade. For the first year he re-
ceived thirty-five dollars for eight months and a
half of hard work, and received forty dollars in his
his fourth year. When his apprenticeship was com-
plete he went to work for his brother at thirty dol-
lars per month and followed his trade until public
services demanded all his time.
Colonel Upton was identified with the civil his-
tory of the city of Fitchburg for a long time, and he
discharged with great fidelity every trust committed
to him. He was selectman of the old town in 1848,
and every year except 1855 until i860, in 1870 and
in 1873 when Fitchburg became a city, and was
chairman during these sixteen years for a consid-
erable part of the time. He was assessor in 1853-
54-56-59-60. He was on the committee which
erected the present city hall. In 1859 and i860 he
was representative to the general court. In 1861
Colonel Upton was appointed to a position in the
Boston custom house, which he held until he entered
upon military service in the civil war. After his
return from the service he was six years in the
storekeeper's department of the custom house. Early
in 1869 he was appointed keeper of the house of
correction in Fitchburg and served faithfully until
disabled by a terrible accident, September 16, 1874.
He was superintending some blasting near the jail
and was tamping a charge with an iron rod when
the blast exploded. He was severely burned and
lost his eyesight. He bore the deprivation with
much patience and his own misfortune enlarged his
sympathy for the unfortunate, as many whom he
helped have testified.
Colonel Upton was one of the most distinguished
military figures of Worcester county in the civil
war. When very young he showed an aptitude per-
haps inherited from ancestors, who were distin-
guished in the military service. He joined the
militia in 1836 and served in it about twenty-five
years, rising from private through the various ranks
to the command of a regiment. He was colonel
of the old Ninth Regiment for eight years, and
under his command it was under excellent disci-
pline and ranked among the best in the state. Nearly
every officer from Fitchburg and vicinity who served
with distinction in the late w'ar received their mili-
tary training from Colonel Upton, and his services
in this direction proved of great value in the early
part of the war when trained officers were in de-
mand. Many warm friends who were associated
with him in church work and anti-slavery affairs,
believing that the time was at hand when men should
war no more, objected to any military establishment
and ridiculed as fuss and feathers any military dis-
play. But when Sumter was fired on many of his
former critics were most active in promoting en-
listments and admitted the good judgment and pa-
triotism of the men who had preserved the volun-
teer militia, the best defence of that state and na-
tion. After he resigned as colonel he accepted the
command of the Washington Guards of Fitchburg,
in order to help raise the efficiency of that company.
Soon after the battle of Bull Run, when a new regi-
ment was raised in Worcester county, he was ap-
pointed colonel by Governor Andrew and A. B. R.
Sprague, of Worcester, lieutenant-colonel. Captain
Denny said in his history : "Col. Upton was an of-
ficer of sterling worth. He brought to the service
not only a high character for integrity and honor,
but a genuine patriotism and zeal for the loyal
cause which made him a fit leader of intelligent
JMassachusetts soldiers. During all the time he was
with the regiment he was earnest for the welfare and
comfort of the men. In return to an extent not
often experienced by commanding officers, he had
the fullest confidence and love of the regiment."
Before going to the front Colonel Upton was pre-
sented by friends and neighbors with a horse and
complete equipment, valued at $300. His associ-
ates at the custom house presented him a sword.
The regiment was brigaded with the Twenty-third,
Twenty-fourth and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts
Regiments and Tenth Connecticut in Burnside's
Coast Division, and the excellent discipline of the
regiment won for it the right of line in the brigade
and division. His regiment took part in the Ro-
anoke expedition and in the engagement that took
place at the assault the regiment did gallant service.
At the battle of Newbern, March 14, following, the
regiment again displayed great bravery, having the
honor of planting the first state flag on the works.
Colonel Upton received the sword of the Confed-
erate colonel in command and the regiment took
about one hundred and fifty prisoners. Continued
ill health incapacitated Colonel Upton for active
service in the field and he resigned October 27,
1862. A testimonial from the men under his com-
mand amounting to nearly $1,200 with sword and
WORCESTER COUNTY
27
sash was presented to Colonel Upton after he left
the service and returned home. This sword is pre-
served in the Wallace Library and Art Building.
Colonel Upton was a member of the Calvuiistic
Congregational Church for tifty-five years. On his
return from Boston in 1869 he joined the Rollstone
Church and society and was chairman of the build-
ing committee during the latter part of the con-
struction.
He married (first) Louisa 1\L Farwell, of
Hoosick, New York, November 10, 1842. She died
August 6, 1882. Their adopted daughter, Emily J.,
married George F. Fay. She died in 1866. Colonel
Upton married (second), May 29, 1883, Lucy B.
Putnam, widow of James P. Putnam, whose first
wife was Colonel Upton's younger sister.
(VII) John Upton, fifth child of Joseph Upton
(6), was born in the old homestead on Blossom
street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where Abel F.
Adams lived for many years, December 29, 1817,
and died in Fitchburg, June 24, 1895, at his home at
140 Pritchard street. He was raised on his father's
farm. He preferred a mercantile life and began as
clerk in dry goods stores in Worcester and Lowell.
He began business on his own account in company
with the late Jacob Haskell in the store in Fitch-
burg under the Calvinistic Congregational Church
soon after the building was completed in 1844. The
partnership continued for several years, when Mr.
Upton bought out his partner's interest and con-
tinued alone until 1862.
Soon after the internal revenue department was
established during the civil war in 1862, he was ap-
pointed deputy collector and inspector of internal
revenue for the ninth district, a position that he held
until the department was practically abolished. It
was his duty as inspector to investigate the returns
of manufacturers made for the purposts of taxation,
and he brought to the discharge of his duties ability
and integrity of the highest order. His integrity
was sometimes tested by men whose returns had
not conformed to the law, but they found him un-
compromising in the discharge of his duty. He was
assessor under the town government in 1862 and
under the city in 187,3. He was deputy collector of
taxes from 1874 until 1890. He entered the insur-
ance business in 1870 with Henry A. Willis, his
brother-in-law, and continued until his death. He
was a trustee of the Worcester North Savings In-
stitute and a member of the examining committee
from 1868 till his death.
Early in life he joined the Calvinistic Congrega-
tional Church. In 1863 he became a constituent
member of Christ Church and was vestryman from
March 29, 1869, until March 26, 1895, when he de-
clined re-election. He was much interested in music
and was for many years the leading singer in Calvin-
istic Congregational Church. He was chorister at
Christ Church for twenty-five years. He was a good
citizen in every way, exemplified the finer elements
of character and was highly esteemed.
He married Louisa C. Willis, daughter of Samuel
and Cynthia Willis, sister of Henry A. Wills,
(see Willis Family sketch) of Fitchburg, April
S, 1848. She was born in 1828 at the home-
stead on Main street, Fitchburg. Their chil-
dren were : Frederick Willis, born in Fitch-
burg. April 8, 1S52, educated in the public schools
of Fitchburg and at Highland I\Iilitary Academy,
where he graduated in 1870; clerk in the Rollstone
National Bank until his death, October 7, 1870, from
typhoid fever ; Amy Louisa, born in Fitchburg, June
II, 1858, married Herbert 1. Wallace, son of the
late Rodney Wallace. (See Wallace sketch).
(VII) Joseph Upton, son of Joseph Upton (6)^
was born in Fitchburg. Massachusetts, October 15,
1807. He attended the district schools of his native
town, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed
to learn the mason's trade. He worked at his trade
until he was thirty, when he bought a farm in Fitch-
burg and conducted it for the remainder of his
life. In addition to his farm he carried on a lum-
ber business. In business and private life alike
Mr. Upton was a man of unquestioned integrity and
universally liked and respected. He was a member
of the Calvinistic Congregational Church ; he loved
music, and for over twenty years led the choir. He
was active in town and military affairs, being cap-
tain of the Fitchburg military company. He was
an unusually healthy and vigorous man, never sick
in his life but once. His death was due to a fall
from the upper scaffolding in his barn. He lived
forty-eight hours after the fall, but was unable to
talk or recognize his familv. He died March 14,
1870.
He married (first), January 20, 1831, Betsey
Jilessenger,daughter of Calvin and Betsey Messenger.
She died December 25, 1864, aged fifty-eight years,
eleven months. He married (second), March 28,
t866, Amelia F. (Vose) Lowe, born in South
Royalston, Massachusetts, August 17, 1834, the
daughter of William Vose, of Leominster. She
survived him and is living in Fitchburg. She is
highly esteemed by her neighbors for her kindly
ways and practical charity.
The children of Joseph and Betsey (Messen-
ger) Upton were: i. Susan Elizabeth, born Octo-
ber 9, 1831, married Marraton Upton. 2. Calvin,
May 21, 1833, killed by the accidental discharge of
a gun in his own hands October 3, 1847. 3. Jane
Augusta. January 19, 1835, married, September 7,
1859, Edward N. Leavens, at Chicago ; she died at
Faribault. Minnesota, December 24, 1863. leaving
one child. Frank N. Leavens, born in Faribault,
May 25, i860. 4. Emily M., December 31. 1836,
married, December 20, 1859, at Fitchburg, John M.
Farnsworth. 5. Louisa Adeline, February i, 1839,
married Edward J. Davis, at Pittsfield, June 25,
1862 ; their children are : Gertrude L. Davis, born
at North Adams. January 23, 1865 ; Walter E. Davis,
horn at Fitchburg, November 2, 1866, died Septem-
ber 4, 1868: Grace Upton Davis, born in Lunen-
burg. August 23, 1868. 6. Harrison, December 2,
1840, married Sarah M. Greenwood, at Marlboro,
New Hampshire, December 14, 1870. 7. Mary T.,
April II, 1843. married, at Fitchburg, October 19,
i8(58, George M. Bowker; she died at Fitchburg.
June 16, 1S70. 8. Daniel C, June 21. 1844. died
August 29, 1844. 9. Lydia H., August 27, 1846. died
August 12. 1847. 10. Abby Caroline, November 2,
1849. married, at Worcester, August 6, 1867, Simeon
Fuller, and had one child : Alice C. Fuller, born in
Fitchburg, November 20, 1870. .The children of
Jo=cph and Amelia F. (Vose) LIpton were: 11. Su-
san A., born April 8, 1867. died February 6, 1903 ;
married H. G. Townend, and had two children :
Robert Vose and Maurice Garthwaite. 12. George
Vose, July 6, 1868, married, September 28, 1891,
Helen Abbott Mason, of Warren, Alassachusetts, born
November 19, 1867. They have five children, born
28
WORCESTER COUNTY
in Fitchburg, viz. : Frances Elizabeth ; Helen Beat-
rice; Dorothy Christine; George Vose, Jr., and
Joseph Mason, twins.
CHARLES SIDNEY HAYDEN. John Hayden
(l), the emigrant ancestor of the late Charles Sid-
ney Hayden, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was born
in England and was one of the early settlers at Dor-
chester. He was one of the proprietors in 1632.
He was admitted a freeman May 14, 1634. He re-
moved to Braintree, where he died. His will was
dated October 31, 1678, and was proved July 26,
1682. He bequeathed to his wife Susanna, sons
Ebenezer, Joseph. Nehemiah and John, daughter
Hannah and the children of a deceased son, Samuel.
He provided for his son Joseph's maintenance.
The children of John and Susanna Hayden were:
John, born 1636, married, April 6, 1660. Hannah
Ames, daughter of William ; Joseph ; Samuel, died
tefore 1682 ; Jonathan, of whom later ; Hannah, born
April 7, 1642 ; Ebenezer, born September 12, 1645.
died February 13, 1718; Nehemiah, born February
14, 1647-8, married Hannah Neal.
(H) Jonathan Hayden, son of John Hayden
(i), of Braintree, was born May 19, 1640, in Dor-
chester. He married. April 20, 1669, Elizabeth
Ladd. They settled in Braintree. His will was
dated May 13, 1718, and proved June 5, 1718. Their
-children were: Margaret, born !NIay 11, 1670: Amy,
September 16. 1672; Jonathan. February 17, 1775;
Samuel, of whom later; Sarah; Elizabeth.
(HI) Samuel Hayden, fourth child of Jonathan
Hayden (2), was born in Braintree, Massachusetts,
June 19, 1677. He married Mary , and set-
tled in Braintree, Massachusetts. Their children
were : Samuel, born January 17, 1703 ; Jerusha, Feb-
ruary 6, 1704; Mary, April I, 1705; Jonathan. May
18, 1706; Clement, October 4, 1707. married (first)
Hannah Hogin, October 31, 1734, and (second),
November 17, 1762, Hannah Blancher ; his son Rich-
ard removed to Concord. Massachusetts and Rich-
ard and his brother Clement were both in the
Tevolution; Richard, of whom later; Elizabeth, born
March 10, 1715.
(IV) Richard Hayden. son of Samuel Hayden
(3). was born in Braintree, August I, 1710. He
settled in Braintree; he married Mary .
Their children were: Aminadab, born August 26,
1746. soldier in the revolution ; Cozbi. daughter, No-
vember 26. 1749; Asenath. daughter. November i,
1751 ; Ziba, January 22, 1754. revolutionary soldier;
Cyrus, June 13, 17.^6. revolutionary soldier; Sage,
daughter. August 28. 1759 twin of following; Molly.
August 28, 1759, twin of preceding; Lewis, of whom
later, also a revolutionary soldier, all four sons be-
ing in the army.
(V) Lewis Hayden, son of Richard Hayden
(4), was born in Braintree. Massachusetts. Febru-
ary 6. 1763. He was one of the men raised Decem-
ber 2. 1780. for the town of Brainlree, and March
23. 1781. enlisted for three years. He was in Cap-
tain William Treadwell's company, Colonel John
Crane's regiment (Third Artillery). He seems to
have lived in Boston for^a time and then settled in
Concord, where he had cousins and other relatives.
The family historian of one branch says that there
was some relationship' apparent between the three
emigrant Haydens, John (l). mentioned above. Will-
iam Hayden, of Concord, who seems to have left no
descendants of the name of Hayden, and James, of
Charlestown, Massachusetts, all of whom came be-
fore 1635. (See the Hayden Genealogy). The same
authority has an account of the Haydens in Eng-
land. The name is most common in Devonshire.
Lewis Hayden settled finally in Harvard, where
he seems to have had relatives. He bought, in 1814,
of Captain Israel Taylor a tract on the road between
Lancaster and Groton, where the road to Shirley
branches off. Here' his son and descendants have
lived and the family farm is still owned by a direct
descendant (1906). He was an ofiiceholder in Con-
cord. He married, at Concord. JNIay 6, 1792, Mary
Beirsto. of Concord; he was then living in Boston.
From the time of his marriage to 1798 he lived in
Concord, and the three eldest children were born
there. He was in Winchendon in 1800, when his
son Nelson was born. He seems to have been in
Harvard in 1802 and lived there after that date.
The children of Lewis and Mary Hayden were :
Levi, of whom later ; William, born February 6,
1795; Hannah, May 6, 1797; Nelson, January 22,
1800. at Winchendon ; Washington. JNIarch 31, 1802,
at Harvard; Mary, February 16. 1805; Warren, May
12. 1807, lieutenant of Harvard Light Infantry, 1833,
died 1858; Jeflferson. April 29. 1809; Lydia, October
12, 1812; Emery. May 13. 1815.
(VI) Levi Hayden, eldest child of Lewis Hay-
den (5), was born in Concord, Massachusetts, March
23, 1793. He was a stone mason and gravestone
cutter and had a quarry in Harvard on Pin hill.
This quarry was worked from 1765 until about 1855.
He married Sally Richardson, of Boylston. Mass-
achusetts. Among their children were : Edmund
R., born December 23, 1819, removed to Lawrence
in 1853. was a stone cutter by trade, went to Cali-
fornia in 1851 and to Lawrence on his return in
1853 ; married Charlotte Fairbanks. April 4, 1844,
and they have one son, George. Edmund R. Hay-
den was a policeman in Lawrence from 1854 to 1863,
and was city marshal at the time of the Pemberton
mill disaster in i860; started in the wood business
in 1863. bought W. B. John's business, took into
partnership F. L. Runals, and dealt in wood and coal
under the firm name of Runals & Hayden ; bought
out Mr. Runals in 1874; he was mayor in 1876 of
the city of Lawrence. James G.. of whom later.
Lewis T., died January 9, 1853. N. Gilbert, resided
in Leominster.
(VII) James G. Hayden. son of Levi Hayden
(6), was born in Harvard, ^Massachusetts, March 13,
1822, and died at his residence, 45 Oliver street,
Fitchburg. November 21, 1890. aged sixty-eight
years, eight months, seven days. He went to school
in Harvard and learned the blacksmith's trade there.
He left his native town in 1848 and in 1851 went to
California. In 1852 or 1853 he returned to Harvard
and followed his trade as blacksmith until i860, when
he removed to the neighboring town of Ayer, but
after seven months went to Fitchburg, where he
lived the remainder of his life. He was for eight
years foreman for the Whitman & Miles Manufac-
turing Company in their blacksmith shop at West
Fitchburg. He started in business for himself as a
blacksmith in 1875 in a shop at 27 Oliver street,
and remained in business until 1890, when, shortly
before his death, he retired on account of failing
health.
He resided in various sections of the city during
his thirty years of residence in Fitchburg and was
widely and favorably known. He was very indus-
trious and his activity made him appear in the prime
of life even when he was nearly seventy. He was
'*IW TP'*'!^
WORCESTER COUNTY
29
an upright and respectable citizen, a good represen-
tative of the industrious and intelligent mechanics
who give character and prosperity to New England
cities.
He married Lucretia B. Proctor, from a well-
known family of Portland, Maine, who died Febru-
ary 2, 1895, at Fitchburg. Their only child was:
Charles Sidney, born November 10, 1S48, of whom
later.
(VIII) Charles Sidney Hayden, only chdd of
James G. Hayden (7), was born m Harvard on the
old homestead, November 10, 1848; he died suddenly
at Fitchburg in the prime of life, April 30, 1903.
He received his early education in Harvard, Ayer
and Fitchburg. He attended the Lawrence Academy
at Groton and the Fitchburg high school, where he
graduated in 1869, and fitted for Harvard Col-
lege. He decided to study law and entered the law
office of Hon. George A. Torrey and the Harvard
Law School, where he was graduated in 1871. He
was admitted to the bar in August of the same year
and began at once to practice in Fitchburg.
In June, 1879, he was appointed special justice of
the Fitchburg police court and took his seat for the
first time at its civil session August 9 of that year.
In October, 1888, he became the senior justice of
the court, at the death of Judge David H. Merriam,
and since June 7, 1891, was chief justice of the
court. He filled these positions with ability and
dignity and administered justice wisely. It has been
well said of him: "Judge Hayden has rare and pe-
culiar qualifications for judicial office. His decisions
show careful researches and that he possesses in a
marked degree a broad and judicial mind, together
with those qualifications which are essential for the
wise, pure and impartial administration of justice
while the honors already conferred upon him and
the extensive practice he enjoys are the best evi-
dence of his professional standing and popularity."
He was a member of the school committee in
1886-87-S8. He was mayor of Fitchburg in 1890.
There were spirited contests in 1S89 and 1890, both
when he was elected and when he was defeated in
the race for mayor. He was always a student and
especially learned in French literature. Perhaps his
two favored places of rest and recreation were his
stable and his laboratory. Judge Hayden was a
good judge of horse flesh and he indulged in fast
horses. He was at his best when driving his favor-
ite pair of horses. He loved scientific research and
had fitted up at his house a well equipped chemical
laboratory. He loved music also and played the
cornet skillfully. When a young man he was a
member of the First Regiment Band. He had an
excellent tenor voice.
He married (first), in 1871, Mary E. Lawrence,
of Fitchburg. Their children were : Florence L.,
died young. Frederick L., born March 10, 1882.
He graduated from the Fitchburg high school in
1893 and was for three years a student at the Mass-
achusetts Institute of Technology, leaving to become
a manufacturing chemist under the name of F. L.
Hayden & Co., at Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, in
1895. Judge Hayden married (second), August 27,
1898, Addie F. Gillette, daughter of Joseph Ham-
mond and Harriet Susan (Stearns) Gillette. She
was born February 27, 1875. Mrs. Hayden read law
in her husband's office and was admitted to the bar
in 1904. She succeeded to the practice of Judge
Hayden and also has a Boston office. She was ad-
mitted to practice in the United States courts De-
cember 13, 1905, and is the only woman practicing
jaw in Worcester county.
HENRY TITCOMB PAGE. Robert Page (1),
the immigrant ancestor of Henry Titcomb Page, of
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was the son of Robert
and Margaret Page, of Ormsby, county Norfolk,
England. The record shows that on April 11, 1637,
Robert Page, aged thirty-three, with wife Lucy, aged
thirty, and children — F'ranccs, Margaret and Sus-
anna, and servants, William Moulton, aged twenty,
and Annie Wad, aged fifteen, of Ormsby, passed
the required examination to go to New England.
They settled in Salem, where Lucy was admitted to
the church in 1639. He was admitted a freeman
May 18, 1642. He removed about 1639 to Hampton,
New Hampshire, where he had a grant of land be-
tween the homesteads of William JMarston and
Robert Marston, on meeting house green. The
original grant is still held in the family, or was
recently. He was selectman of Hampton si.x years;
deputy to general court of Massachusetts two years ;
marshal of the old county of Norfolk ; and served
on many important committees of the town. He
was elected deacon in 1660, and from 1671 to 1679
was the only deacon of the church. He had a
brother Edward Colcord, whose wife's name was
Ann (probably brother-in-law) for whom he se-
cured claims in 1654 and 1679. He died September
22, 1679. His will, dated September g, proved Sep-
tember 29, 1679, bequeathed to sons Francis and
Thomas ; daughters. Mary Fogg, Margaret Sanborne,
and Hannah, wife of Henry Dow ; grandchildren
Seth, James and Hannah Fogg; Joseph, Benjanun,-
Robert, Hannah, Sarah and Ruth Moulton ; Jon-
athan Sanborne ; Rebecca, Hannah, Samuel, Lucy
and Maria Marston ; Joseph, Samuel, Symon, and
Jabez Dow ; Robert, Samuel, John, Mary and Lucy
Page (some of these grandchildren were called by
their marriage names in the will). His age at
death was given as seventy-five years. Lucy, his
wife, died November 12, 1665, aged fifty-eight years.
Their children : i. Margaret, born in England. 1629,
married Jonathan Sanborn. 2. Francis, born in Eng-
land, 1633. 3. Susanna, born in England. 4. Thom-
as, mentioned below. 5. Flannah, born about 1641,
married Henry Dow. 6. Mary, born about 1644.
7. Rebecca, baptized at Salem, September 16, 1639.
8. Samuel, baptized September 16, 1639.
(II) "Thomas Page, son of Robert Page (i),
born in Salem, JMassachusetts, 1639 ; married, Feb-
ruary 2, 1664, at Hampton, Mary, daughter of
Christopher Hussey, and settled in Hampton. Their
children: I. Marj', born JNIay 21, 1665. 2. Robert,
born July 17, 1667. 3. Christopher, mentioned below.
4. John, born November 15, 1672, settled in Nan-
tucket. 5. Theodate, born July 8, 1675. 6. Stephen,
born August 4, 1677. 7. Bethia, born May 23, 1679.
(III) Christopher Page, third child of Thomas
Page (3), born in Hampton, New Hampshire, Sep-
tember 20, 1670; married, November 14, 1689, Abi-
gail, daughter of Daniel Tilton. He inherited the
homestead and lived at Hampton. His children:
I. Robert, born September 8, 1690. 2. Abigail, Feb-
ruary I, 1693. 3. Lydia, August 3, 1698. 5. Jona-
than, December 25, 1700. 6. David, mentioned be-
low. 7. Shubael, born March 28, 1708. 8. Tabitha,
August 21, 171 1.
(IV) David Page, sixth child of Christopher
Page (3), born in Hampton, November I, 1703;
married, June 27, 1728, Ruth, daughter of Deacon.
30
WORCESTER COUNTY
John and Ruth (Smith) Dearborn. Her father was
a resident of Hampton. David Page settled in.
Hampton, near his brother Jonathan Page, on the
Thomas Moore place. He was among the first set-
tlers of Epping, New Hampshire, his name and that
of his eldest son being among those on the first
petition for the town in 1747. A number of his
children lived in Epping. Children of David and
Ruth Page: i. John, born July 17, 1729. 2. Robert,
born April i, 1731 ; married, November 12, 1755,
Sarah Dearborn, and settled in Raymond, New
Hampshire; his children were baptized in Epping.
3. Deborah, born January 11, 1733. 4. David, born
March 26, 1735. 5. Benjamin, mentioned below.
6. Abigail, born June 20, 1740, died young. 7. Abi-
gail, February 25, 1743. 8. Christopher, October 23,
1744. 9. Ruth, November 5, 1745. 10. Josiah, Jan-
uary 13, 1749; married Sarah Marston.
(V) Benjamin Page, fifth child of David Page
(4), was born in Hampton, New Hampshire, Au-
gti'St 7, 1738; married, about 1762. Hannah .
His wife joined the church at Epping, September
II, 1763, and their children were baptized there. His
will was dated July 6, 1796. He took the associa-
tion test before the revolution. His children :
I. Ruth, born September 11, 1763, inarried
Shaw. 2. Elizabeth, baptized December 9, 1764;
married Merrill. 3, Deborah, born August
^4, 1766; married • Merrill. 4. David, "eld-
est son." 5. Nathan, mentioned below. 6. Sarah,
married French. 7. Abigail. 8. Molly.
(VI) Nathan Page, son of Benjamin Page (5),
born in Epping, New Hampshire, July 10, 1770, bap-
tized July 15, 1770. He was a farmer at Epping.
He married first, Sarah Perkins, of Hampton Falls,
lilarch, 1796 ; she died August 23, 1812, and he mar-
ried (second), 1813, ]\Iary Weeks, of Parsonfield,
Maine, born June 7, 1767, died at Epping, March
25, 1847. Their children : I. Nathaniel Perkins, born
June 7, 1797; died September 16, 1844, at Pembroke,
Maine ; married Mary Ann Robinson, of Exeter,
New Hampshire. 2. Nancy, born February 15, 1799;
died May 9, 1S26, at Nottingham, New Hampshire;
married Francis Harvey. 3. Samuel Plumer, born
June 30, 1801 ; died April 13, 1838; married Eliza-
beth Drew, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. 4. Sally,
born May 12, 1803; married John Fellows, of Fay-
ette, Maine. 5. Benjamin, born August 20. 1805;
married three times. 6. Hannah, born November
27, 1807 ; died November 3, 1833, at Nottingham,
New Hampshire ; second wife of Francis Harvey,
who married first her sister Nancy. 7. David Per-
kins, mentioned below.
(VI) David Perkins Page, A. M., son of Nathan
Page (6), was born in Epping. New Hampshire.
July 4, 1810. His father was a farmer in comfort-
able but not affluent circumstances, and was naturally
anxious to keep his son on the farm. The son de-
veloped early an ambition to become a teacher; his
father was opposed to the idea, though not opposed
to education. There was a fair library in the old
farm house, and the boy studied at every opportun-
ity, and acquired an excellent common school edu-
cation. At the age of fifteen or sixteen he had a
serious illness, and at the crisis of the disease, when
his father feared the worst, the boy exacted a prom-
ise from him that if he got well he should go to the
academy and become a teacher. That illness gave
to the world one of the leaders in the educational
progress of America in the nineteenth century. At
the age of eighteen he began his studies at Hamp-
ton Academy; he had his father's permission, but
he made every effort not to draw on his father for
expenses. In later years he confessed some of the
difficulties of his academy life, with homespun
clothes somewhat outgrown and very much out of
fashion. In a few months he was engaged as a
teacher, and his success in the school room justified
his confidence that he had found his natural voca-
tion. He returned to the academy and studied for
a time, and then taught school at Epping, New
Hampshire, Newbury and Byfield, Massachusetts.
After about two years of teaching in the district
schools he decided to open a private school in New-
buryport, then a city of 16,000 inhabitants. He be-
gan with five pupils, but before the end of the term
had his school full to its capacity. One of his bio-
graphers indicates that success was not as easy as it
might seem. "He had been accused, opposed, sus-
pected, and surmounted all attempts to put him
down. But he was always calm, cool, collected.
He lived down all his enemies, and there were few
men over whose solemn grave such a flood of tears
would so sincerely fall. He taught himself while
teaching others. Punctual to a proverb, the very
genius of order, and cheerful as the day, firm but
not severe, dignified but not haughty, social but not
trifling, there was a charm about him as irresistible
as it was benign and salutary."
Mr. Page was a natural musician and had a well
trained and powerful voice and a good ear, two im-
portant gifts for a teacher. It has been said of his
early work as a teacher : "The task was by no means
light. Faculty is the most essential element of suc-
cess in Yankee-land. Faculty the young teacher
was found to possess in liberal measure. The
school house was dingy and ill appointed, as were
nearly all of its kind. He filled it with the sun-
shine of a happy temperament and with the quick
conceits of an inventive mind, bent on making labor
light and wholesome. He boarded around among
his patrons, and was subjected to many petty incon-
veniences, but this enabled him to become acquainted
with the home influences in his surroundings and he
was keen in his perception of the elements with
which he had to deal. He became master of the
situation."
Within five years from the time he went to the
Flampton Academy he was elected associate princi-
pal and the head of the English department of the
public grammer school of the city of Newburyport,
Massachusetts. He was here for twelve years, and
his reputation as a progressive and successful teach-
er and writer became widely extended. He wrote
extetisively on educational topics, and lectured when
the platform was an important means of public edu-
cation. His address on "Co-operation of the Parent
and Teacher" was declared by Horace Mann to be
the ablest and most important educational paper that
had yet appeared in America. It was widely cir-
culated and made a strong impression in Massachu-
setts. His success as lecturer on educational sub-
jects cannot be easily over-estimated. He spoke
often, and he was a gifted speaker. He had a mes-
sage and knew how to deliver it. The very year
before his death he spoke in eleven counties, de-
livering as many as forty-seven lectures or ad-
dresses in thirty days before a thousand or more
teachers.
The State Normal School of New York, the first
in that state, was established chiefly through the
efforts of Governor DeWitt Clinton, and to Mr.
WORCESTER COUNTY
31
Page was given the task of making the school, for
which no model existed. As principal he had to
demonstrate that the school was useful and neces-
sary. He accepted the position knowing its diflicul-
ties. On his way to Albany he visited Horace Mann
at Boston. The advice of the great educator linger-
ed ever in the mind of the principal : "Succeed or
Die." The school was opened December 11. 1844,
before the building, was finished, with thirteen men
and sixteen women students. He felt his way at
first, beginning with review classes in rudimentary
subjects, adding algebra and physiolog}'. There
were ninety-eight students enrolled before the end
of the first term, and in May, 184S, the school had
17s students. He organized the model school in
charge of an expert teacher who guided the efforts
of the students who learned to teach under the eye of
a competent critic. The normal school was attacked,
but its growth soon demonstrated its usefulness and
success. But in his third year as principal of the
school his health failed, and he died at the very be-
ginning of his career, January i, 1848, at Albany.
The funeral discourse by Rev. E. A. Huntington, D.
D., pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church of Al-
bany, January 9, 1848, was published. "He toiled up
through a long and difiicult way to an eminence
which, in your sober and rational judgment, but
here and there another overshadows. Alas, that he
was only permitted, like Moses, to catch a glimpse
of the land he was so eminently qualified to subdue
and cultivate and enjoy. But we may not give way
to tears, since like Moses, too, his eye rested upon a
brighter scene upon which he was ready and waiting
to enter. * * * He was just what a teacher
should be, a model for youth. He had a true thirst
for knowledge, and the ability to a very uncommon
degree to • excite it for his pupil.x In addition to
this, the even balance of his various powers gave
him a taste for the details of business. His insight
into human nature has already been noticed. This
was perhaps his highest endowment. We do not
claim for him a finished classical or scientific educa-
tion. But his attainments were various and accurate
and important beyond those of many a philosopher.
* * * At all events, in self-knowledge ana self-
discipline, the ultimate end of study, he was not sur-
passed, and hence the certainty of his success in any
enterprise which he would venture to undertake.
* * * So completely did he fill his place at the
head of the school that he was felt by the executive
committee, the faculty, students and people through-
out the state, to be almost essential to its prosperity,
if not to its existence. All the friends of the insti-
tution and all the recipients of its benefits were
bound up in him. It was characteristic of the man
that he so identified himself with his station, what-
ever it might be, that he seemed the life and soul
of it."
His only book, "The Theory and Practice of
Teaching," is the patriarch, as it was the pioneer, of
pedagogical literature in the United States. Sin-
gular as the fact may seem, we are told by his bio-
grapher in the 1886 edition of the book, that none of
the later books on the same and kindred topics has
displaced it in any perceptible degree. It was never
so widely read as at present. The first edition was
in 1847. The second in 1886 was edited by William
H. Payne, professor of the Science and Art of
Teaching in Michigan University. Another work of
l\[r. Page, and one which showed the analytical char-
acter of his mind, was his "Normal Chart," which
presented graphically the powers of the English let-
ters and was formerly in general use in teaching the
principles of orthography. A third edition of the
works of Mr. Page was edited by J. M. Greenwood,
superintendent of the Kansas City Schools, in 1896,
containing a new li'fe with portrait. In addition to
the "Theory and Practice of Teaching," this edition
contains the address on "The Mutual Duties of Par-
ents and Teachers, and The Schoolmaster — a Dia-
logue." He married, December 16, 1835, Susan M.
Lunt, of Newburyport, (see Lunt family), born
June 5, 181 r, died February 5, 1878. Their children:
I. David Perkins, Jr., see forward. 2. Susan M.,
born July 15, 1838, married John James Currier,
shipbuilder and author, of Newburyport. 3. Mary
Lunt, born September 22, 1842, died January 13,
1879. 4. Henry Titcomb, mentioned below.
(.VIII) David Perkins Page, Jr., son of David
Perkins Page (7), born August 13, 1836; married
Emily Caroline, daughter of Rufus Wills, of New-
buryport, December 5, 1867. Their children: i.
David Perkins, Jr., born August 12, 1870. 2. Rufus
Wills, July, 1872.
(VIII) Henry Titcomb Page, son of David Per-
kins Page (7), born in Albany, New York, January
30, 1846, when two years old moved with his mother
to the old home at Newburyport. He attended the
Newburyport public schools, and the Putnam school,
now the high school of Newburyport. For a time
he was a student at the Old Thetford (Vermont)
Academy. He came of a seafaring people. His
ancestors built ships, and it was natural enough that
he and his brothers should follow the sea for a time.
He shipped before the mast for two years. In the
meantime the civil war broke out, and in returning
from a voyage to the East Indies his vessel had to
run the gauntlet of Confederate warships and priva-
teers. He resolved to "do some chasing instead of
being chased," and enlisted in the navy. He was ap-
pointed acting master's mate November 23, 1863;
promoted to acting ensign September 4, 1864; served
in the "Florida," "Peterhoff," and "Mohican," of
the North Atlantic squadron ; was in an engagement
at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in the sloop of war
"Mohican," December 25, 1864, and January 13-15,
1865 ; was discharged June 3, 1865, as acting ensign,
at the end of the war.
After the war he removed to Fitchburg to work
for George W. Wheelwright, the founder of the
present corporation which bears his name. Mr.
Wheelwright shares with the Burbanks, Crockers;
and Wallaces, the distinction of developing the pa-
per making interests of Leominster and Fitchburg.
The paper mill in Leominster had been in existence
about sixty years when, just before the civil war, he
bought the mill at North Leominster. He greatly
enlarged and improved it, and the business has
grown constantly, and the plant has been from time
to time enlarged to produce more paper. Mr.
Wheelwright built the Fitchburg mill on Fourth
street, on the river, in 1864. In the following year
Mr. Page became connected with the business. For
some years the Fitchburg plant was known as the
Rollstone Mill, and operated by Mr. Wheelwright
and his son George W. Wheelwright, Jr., who is
now the head of the concern. The firm name at
that time was George W. Wheelwright & Son. The
present company was incorporated in 1880, at the
time of the death of the founder. Mr. Page was
vice-president and superintendent, a position he
still occupies. The business of the company has in-
32
WORCESTER COUNTY
creased many fold in the past twenty-five years, and
the facilities correspondingly developed. In later
years Mr. Wheelwright's sons have become active
in the company. The present officers of the corpora-
tion are: President, George \V. Wheelwright; treas-
urer, George W. Wheelwright, Jr. ; vice-president,
Henry T. Page; assistant treasurer, Harry Wheel-
wright. The capital stock is $300,000; it is a Mass-
achusetts corporation. One of the mills produces
book paper ; the other lithograph paper and bristol
board of all weights and colors. No pulp paper is
manufactured by this company, and little, if any, in
Fitchburg or Leominster. The company employs
three hundred hands, and has an annual product of
paper valued at a million dollars. In twenty-five
years the capacity of the plants has been increased
from four tons to fifty tons a day. Mr. Page has
charge of the manufacturing end of the business, and
resides on Summer street, Fitchburg, in an attractive
colonial house copied from some of the old Essex
county mansions of two centuries ago.
Mr. Page is a Republican in politics, a member
of the Loyal Legion, a director of the Rollstone Na-
tional Bank, trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank,
director of the Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light
Company. He is a member and has for some years
been a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church of
Fitchburg. He married, June 23, 1869, Margaret A.
Brewster, daughter of William H. Brewster, of
Newburyport. They have one child, William Brew-
ster, born in Fitchburg, June 8, 1870, graduate of
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1S93;
now superintendent of the North Leominster mill of
the George W. Wheelwright Paper Company. He
married Mary H. Huse, of Newburyport. Another
son of Henry T. and Margaret A. Page, James Cur-
rier Page, born June 9, 1872, died March 17, 1876.
GEORGE H. CUTLER. John Cutler (i), the
emigrant ancestor of George H. Cutler, of Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts, was according to Rev. Abner
Morse, originally of Sprowston, now Sprauston,
two miles north of Norwich, and eight miles south
of Hingham, in England. It is in Norfolk county.
Mrs. Morse's authority was Daniel Cushman's manu-
script records of settlers in Norfolk county. John
Cutler was related to the other pioneers of the name
apparently, but the English line has not been traced
to the knowledge of the writer. John Cutler em-
barked on the ship "Rose of Yarmouth," William
Andrews, Jr., master, which sailed April 18, 1637,
and he immediately settled with his neighbors from
England in Hingham, Massachusetts. Land was as-
signed to him, June 10, 1637. He then had with him
his wife Mary and seven children, and one servant.
His home lot of five acres was south of the town
street. He had also two planting lots of six or
seven acres, bounded on one side by the World's
End, and twentj' acres on the plain for "a great Lot."
He had other grants as well. But he died in 1637-
38, leaving his widow and seven small children m
straits. It is presumed that the children were
taken by Robert Cutler, of Charlestown, Massachu-
setts, who must have been a relative. The widow
married (second), Thomas Hewett, of Hingman,
whose first wife died May 22, 1640. Hewett died
May 24. 1670. Children of John and Mary Cutler
were: Henry, died before 1670; John, born 1625. in
England; Samuel, see forward; Nathaniel, born
1630, died 1724, aged ninety-four years; Thomas,
born 1633-35, died December 7, 1683 ; ?Iamiah, mar-
ried, November 6, 1654, Onesiferous Marsh, who was
born in England, 1630, and resided m Hingham and
Haverhill, Massachusetts, where their house is still
habitable; she died March 17, 1686.
(H) Samuel Cutler, third child of John Cutler
(i), was born in England, in 1629. He was in
Marblehead in 1654, and in Salem in 1655. He lived
in Topsfield and Hingham in 1671, and was in
Gloucester in 1693. He married, while a resident of
Salem, his second wife, July 7, 1698, Sarah Church.
As heir and attorneys for her brothers and sisters,
he united with her mother, Mary Hewett, in the
sale of his father's estate at Hingham, in 1671. He
was often called upon as appraiser and administra-
tor of estates. His children, all born in Salem, were :
Hannah, born December 6, 1655, married John Put-
nam ; Abigail, November 7, 1656, died August 25,
1660; Sarah, October 23, 1O58; Samuel, born 1661,
died at Salem, 1733; Ebenezer, born 1664, died about
1729.
(HI) Ebenezer Cutler, youngest child of Sam-
uel Cutler (2), was born in Salem, Massachusetts,
1664. He married, March 11, 1689, ]\Iary Marsh,
daughter of Zachary and jMary Marsh, sister of Zach-
ary Marsh, Jr., who settled Killingly, Coimecticut
(.born December 8, 1666). Ebenezer Cutler died
1729 at Salem, intestate. His widow Mary died
there 1734, and the family left town that year. The
children of Ebenezer and Mary (Marsh) Cutler
were : Mary, born March 19, 1691, married
Sibley, of Sutton, ^Massachusetts, who died 1734;
Elizabeth, June 26, 1693, married Samuel Chamber-
lain, of Killingly, Connecticut; Ebenezer, see for-
ward; Zach^riah, February 5, 1698, died July 18,
1784, a fisherman; Ezekiel, November 4, 1700, died
about 1756; Amos, October 4, 1703, resided at Salem.
(IV) Ebenezer Cutler, third child of Ebenezer
Cutler (3), was born in Salem, Massachusetts, Octo-
ber I, 1695. He married (by Rev. David Hall) Mary
Stockwell, daughter of William Stockwell, (Dctober
16, 1732. Fie inherited the farm at Sutton, Mass-
achusetts, purchased by his father from his father-in-
law, William Stockwell, on which he settled before
1728. It is said that three of his sons resided at
one time in separate houses built on the old home-
stead. His will, proved April 3, 1779, mentions
only his wife Mary. He probably deeded away his
farm to his sons. The children of Ebenezer and
Mary (Stockwell) Cutler were: Mary, baptized at
Sutton, April 7, 1734, married Jeremiah Stockwell;
Jonathan, see forward ; Amos, born 1738, died ;\Iarch
6, 1823, aged eighty-five years; Sarah, baptized April
17. I743i married Jonathan Jacobs, May 2, 1759;
Stephen, baptized June 23, 1751, died at Montpelier,
Vermont ; Ebenezer ; Zaccheus.
(V) Jonathan (Sutler, second child of Ebenezer
Cutler (4), was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, and
baptized there October 3. 1737. He married Eliza-
beth Holman, daughter of Stephen Holman, of Sut-
ton, October 20, 1767, and settled in Royalston, Mass-
achusetts, two miles north of the village centre. He
died there August, 1826. Elizabeth died January,
1817. He and his eldest son, Ebenezer Cutler, were
both soldiers in the revolutionary war. The children
of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Holman) Cutler were:
Mary, born December 28, 1758, in Sutton, married
Nathan Thompson, and settled in western New
York ; Ebenezer, September 9. 1760, in Sutton, revol-
utionary soldier, died in Huntington, Vermont, 1843 ;
Elizabeth, October 26, 1762, in Sutton, married Isaac
Gale, of Royalston, and had seven children; she
WORCESTER COUNTY
33
died in Royalston ; Jonathan, October 6, 1764, at
Sutton, died July 9, 1842; Sarah, April 25, 1768, in
Royalston, married Judah Stockwell, of Royalston,
and had nine children; Hannah (.twin of the preced-
ing), April 25, 1768, died May 12, following; Tar-
rant, see forward; Hannah, February 11, 1774, died
August 6, 1778; Mehitable, July 1, 1776, in Royals-
ton, married Moses Nichols, of Royalston, and had
six children.
(VI) Tarrant Cutler, seventh child of Jonathan
Cutler (s), was born in Royalston, September 10,
1771. He settled there and was a farmer. He mar-
ried Lvdia, daughter of Levi Whitney, of Harvard,
Massachusetts, in 1796. He died 1842, at Royalston,
aged seventy-one years. The children of Tarrant
and Lydia (Whitney) Cutler were: I. Sarah, April
19, 1798, married Benjamin Heyw'ood ; she died Au-
gust 14, i860. Their children were: Benjamin, died
young; Lucy M., died young; John C, removed to
Eden, Maine; Silas N., removed to Minneapolis;
Joseph L., killed by bank burglars at Northfield,
^Minnesota; Sarah, married John Brooks, resided in
Minneapolis; Charles T., died in civil war. 2. Me-
linda, born March 16, 1800, married Abijah Richard-
son, who died June 26. 1869; she married (second)
Benoni Peck; their children were: Abijah J. Rich-
ardson, died unmarried; George O. Richardson, re-
sided at Jaff'rey, New Hampshire; Leander Richard-
son, resided at Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. 3.
John, born October 13, 1802, died February 9, 1861.
4. Lysander (general), born February 16, 1807, died
July 30, 1866. 5. Lydia, born March 27, 1809, died
September 6, 1842, unmarried. 6. Levi, August 7,
181 1, died August 13, 1881. 7- Tarrant, see forward.
8. George, July 20, 1815, resided at Bangor. Maine;
died Jlay 19, 1906. 9. Otis, October 17, 1817, died
Mav 27, 1868.
(VII) Tarrant Cutler, seventh child of Tarrant
Cutler (6), was born September 8, 1813, at Royals-
ton, Massachusetts, died June 11, 1898. He was
educated and brought up in his native town. During
most of his life he was a farmer. He held many
town offices and represented the town in the state
legislature in 1855. In 1869 he removed to Fitch-
burg and entered the grocery business with his son
und'er firm name of G. H. & T. Cutler. Their store
was at 235 ilain street, and Mr. Cutler lived at 57
Laurel street. He married (first) Harriet Fair-
banks, daughter of Jonathan and Asenath Fair-
banks, of Athol, Massachusetts, March 25, 1839.
He married (second) Mary P. Gale, daughter of
Jonathan and Martha P. Gale, of Royalston, June
25, 1849. Children of Tarrant and Harriet (Fair-
banks) Cutler were: Jane L., born September 26,
1840, died August 22, 1869; she was a teacher in the
public schools. George, see forward. Children of
Tarrant and Mary P. (Gale) Cutler were: Charles
E., born April 26, 1850, died August 23, 1852 ; Mary
E., born July 20, 1861.
(VIII) George H. Cutler, second child of Tar-
rant Cutler (7), was born in Royalston, IMassachu-
setts, April 2, 1845, on the old homestead. He at-
tended the district schools of his native town.
When a young man he went to Fitchburg and started
in the fish business. After a few years ^Ir. Cutler's
father al?o came to Fitchburg and they became part-
ners in the grocery business under the name of G. H.
& T. Cutler at 235 Main street. The firm has been
at the present location since 1869. Since the death
of his father, Mr. Cutler has carried on the business
alone. He never married. He is a Republican in
iv— 3
politics. He is a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings
Bank. He is a director in the Orswell Alills,
Xockege ;\lills, Ponikin Mills, and the Brown Bay
Machine Company, He attends the Congregational
Church. He is a member of the Order of Knights
of Pythias.
HENRY A. GOODRICH. William Goodridge
or Goodrich (l), was the immigrant ancestor of
Henry A. Goodrich, the clothing merchant of Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts. The spelling Goodridge was
more common in this family than Goodrich until
later generations. The present spelling will be used
here for convenience, how'ever.
William Goodrich w'as probably born in Bury St.
Edmunds, Suffolk county, England. He and his
wife Margaret went to New England, and as early as
1636 he was one of the proprietors of Watertown,
Massachusetts. He was admitted a freeman in
1642. His homestead of five acres was in or near
the northern boundary of Mt. Auburn cemetery,
which is about half way between Watertown Centre
and Harvard Square, Cambridge. He died in 1647.
The inventory of his estate was dated April 3, 1647.
He was a young man comparatively, probably under
forty. His widow married John Hull, of Newbury,
Massachusetts, where she went with her Goodrich
children. Mr. Hull died October i, 1670; she died
February 3, 1683.
The children of William and ^largaret Good-
rich were : Alary, born perhaps in England, married,
December 20, 1653, Edward Woodman, born 1628,
and died 1694 ; they had children : Edward and
Joanna;; Jeremiah, born March 6, 1638, married
Mary Adams ; Joseph, born September 29, 1639,
married Martha Moores ; he was apprenticed by his
mother to Samuel Thatcher: Benjamin, born April
II, 1642, married Mary Jordan; married (second)
Peborah Jordan; married (third) sarah Croad
(sic).
Jeremiah Goodrich, son of William Goodrich (i),
was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, March b,
1636. He married there, November 15, 1660. Mary
.A.dams, daughter of Robert and Eleanor Adams.
They settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, where he
was raised. Their children were ; Mary, born in
Newbury, Massachusetts, November 21, 1663, mar-
ried, .April 21, 1684, .Arthur Thresher; William, Au-
gust 2, 1665 ; Jeremiah, Newbury, married Mary
; Philip, November 23, 1669. of whom later;
Elizabeth, February 27, 1679, married, October 10,-
1710, John Cooper; Hannah, November 15,' 1681,
married, 1703, Nathaniel Pettingill, born January 21,.
1676, the son of Mathew and Sarah (Noyes) Pet-
tingill; perhaps it was she who married (second)
Jonathan Sibley ; John, i\Iay 26, 1685, married Han-
nah Brown.
(Ill) Philip Goodrich, son of Jeremiah Good-
rich (2), was born November 23, 1669, in Newbury,
Massachusetts, died in Lunenburg, Massachusetts,
January 16, 1729. He was one of the early settlers
of Lunenburg (now Fitchburg) and built, in 1724,
the third house that was put up there. He was the
first deacon of the Lunenburg Church. He was the
first person buried in the principal graveyard of the
town. He married, .April 16, 1700, Mehitable Wood-
man, born September 20, 1677, died February 24,
1755, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Stevens)
Woodman. Their children were: Benjamin, born
February 3, 1701, married Sarah Phelps; John, .Au-
gust 6, 1702, married (first), June 21, 1733, Annie
34
WORCESTER COUNTY
Scripture, born June 10, 1707, daughter of Samuel,
Jr., and Alary Scripture; married (second), Novem-
ber 28, 1755, Sarah Brown; JNIehitable, August 2,
1704, died May 21, 1790; married, January 17, 1733,
Stephen Stickney, born April 4, 1705, died March
23, 1782, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (.White)
Stickney ; Hannah, April 25, 1706, married, JIarch
31, 173J, William Turner; Joshua, February 7, 1708.
married Lydia Stearns ; Sarah, June 17, 1709, mar-
ried, April 10, 173s, William Grant; Dorothy, March
4, 1711; Philip, July 6, 1714; David, November 24,
1716; Joseph, September i, 1719, married, January
30, 1746, Sarah Foster; resided in South Lunenburg
(Fitchburg) ; Daniel, February 7, 1721, married, No-
vember, 1754, Sarah ; Rebecca, April 17, 1723.
married Ezekiel Goodrich, her cousin.
(IV) David Goodrich, son of Philip Goodrich
(3), was born Lunenburg, November 24, 1716, and
died in South Fitchburg, July 13, 1786. He resided
in what is now South Fitchburg and was one of the
early settlers. The character of this sturdy pioneer
is shown by an encounter that he had with the In-
dians. He was out in the woods hunting for some
lost cows when he was surprised and surrounded by
a band of Indians, who demanded his surrender.
He spurred his horse and charged through the line,
escaped and gave the alarm. The Indians retired.
Goodrich lost his hat in his haste to- get away from
the savages. Ten years afterward an Indian was
taken on the Connecticut wearing the identical hat
that Deacon Goodrich lost. Fitchburg was set off
from Lunenburg, February 3, 1764. David Good-
rich was one of the first board of selectmen of the
new town. He was a delegate to the provincial
congress at Concord and Cambridge in 1774, when
John Hancock w^as the president, and again at Cam-
bridge in 1775. .
David Goodrich lived in Ipswich for a time, in
1741 Elizabeth (Martin) Goodrich, his wife, was dis-
missed from the Chebacco Church to Lunenburg.
His wife was descended from John Martin, of Char-
lestown (admitted freeman 1640). Her parents,
John and Elizabeth (Durgin) Martin, went to Ips-
wich m 1733.
The children of David and Elizabeth (Martin)
Goodrich were: David, born March 14, 1741, died
October 4, 1744; Elizabeth, November 6, 1743, mar-
ried, September 22, 1773, Joshua Stanton ; Mehitable,
August 6, 1745; David E., April 23, 1747; Ebenezer,
May 12, 1749, married Beulah Childs ; Asaph, June
28, 1751, married Hannah Walker; Hannah, April
7, 1753, married Daniel Alellin. of Fitzwilliara, New
Hampshire; John, born jNlarch 17, 1755; Eunice,
May 6, 1757, married, August 2-;, 1777, Joseph Far-
well, of Fitzwilliam, and went west.
(V) John Goodrich, son of David Goodrich
(4), was born in Lunenburg (now Fitchburg),
March 17, 1755 (genealogy gives it; June 17, 1754.
in American Ancestry). He married, October 14.
1778, (town record gives date 1768 in one place, in-
tentions dated 1778), Desire Nichols. She died Feb-
ruary, 1788. He married (second) Prudence (Polly
in one record) Butler, July 9, 1789. He died April
13, 1S34. He was one of the minutemen of Lunen-
burg or Fitchburg when the revolution broke out.
He was in Captain Ebenezer Bridge's company.
Colonel John Whitcomb's regiment, April 19, 1775.
and marched to Lexington. He was in the battle of
Bunker Hill. He was also in Captain Fuller's com-
pany. Colonel Asa Whitcomb's regiment, later in
1775. He was corporal in Captain John Joslin's
company. Colonel Job Cushing's regiment, and
marched with it from Leominster to Bennington the
last of July, 1777, to join the forces under Colonel
Seth Warner. He was an overseer of the poor,
selectman and in fact for many years was in constant
public service in various public offices and commis-
sions for the town of Fitchburg.
The children of Major John and Desire (Nich-
ols) Goodrich were: John, born June 17, 1780;
Mehitable, August 29, 1782; Betsey, Fitchburg,
March 28, 1786, married, November 6, 1805, Samuel
Cowdin.
(VI) John Goodrich, Jr., son of Major John
Goodrich (5), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts,
June 17, 1780, and died there December 10, 1845.
He married, December 22, 1806, Lucy Pierce (pub-
lished November 15, town record gives marriage
December 15, 1805). He lived in Fitchburg and
was an honored citizen of that town.
Their children were ; Alonzo Pierce, born Au-
gust 17, 1807, lived and died in Fitchburg, Massa-
chusetts; John 3d, born in Fitchburg, November 17,
1808; Joshua Nichols, March i, 1811 ; Mary Ann,
May 2, 1814; Albert, June 17, 1816.
(VII) John Goodrich, son of John Goodrich,
Jr., (6), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, No-
vember 17, 1808. He died April 19, 1888. He was
an honored citizen in town and church. He served
in the Fitchburg militia company in i8-'0-4i-43.
He married, October 3, 1829, Mary Ann Blake, of
Concord, jNIassachusetts. Their children were :
Henry A., born November 22. 1830; William W.,
John B,, George E., Ira B., Charles E., Julia E.,
(twin), Mariette (twin), Emma.
(VIII) Henry A. (joodrich, son of John Good-
rich 3d, (7), was born in Fitchburg, November 22,
1830. His early education was obtained in the dis-
trict schools of his native town and later he attended
the Fitchburg Academy and the Fitchburg high
school. He was one of eight boys who attended
the high school during the first term after it was
opened. He was the only one of the eight to locate
permanently in Fitchburg. He began his business
career in 1849 as overseer in a woolen mill, and dur-
ing the four years after that saved enough to start
in business for himself in a small way. In January,
1855. he began his long and successful career as a
merchant by buying a hat and men's furnishing
goods store located under the Fitchburg Hotel. He
remained in this store until 1869, when he removed
to his branch store established some years previously
in Belding & Dickinson's block on Main street. He
had also started a branch store in Brattleboro, Ver-
mont. In 1885 he moved into his present handsome
and commodious quarters in E. M. Dickenson's
block, then newly built. He gradually added to his
stock until he has one of the largest and best cloth-
ing stores in the county.
In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Good-
rich has invested largely in Fitchburg real estate.
He was at one time half owner of the L. J. Brown
block. He sold his half to Mr. Brown. In 1868 he
bought the American House property. Later he
erccled two large blocks on Day street, one of which
is known as the Goodrich block. He sold the Amer-
ican House in 1874, and became a stockholder and
director of the Haskins Machine Company, which
proved to be a failure. He was active in organizing
the Fitchburg board of trade and was one of its first
vice-presidents. He was president of the Mer-
chants' .Asociation in 1887. He is one of the trus-
WORCESTER COUNTY
35
tees of the Worcester North Savings Institution, di-
rector of the Safety Fund National Bank. He was
a director of the Fitchburg Park Association. He
was president of the American Pruning Company.
During the civil war he was treasurer of the Fitch-
burg Bounty Fund and collected and disbursed over
$jo,ooo to the families of soldiers. The town after-
ward refunded the greater part of this money. After
the battles of the Wilderness in 1864, he was sent by
the town with Dr. Alfred Hitchcock and E. B. Hay-
ward to care for the sick and wounded Fitchburg
soldiers in the hospitals at Fredericksburg and
Washington. He performed his share of this trying
task thoroughly and faithfully.
Mr. Goodrich takes an interest in public afifairs
and questions. He has been in the past a frequent
contributor to the press. The Boston Herald in
criticising some of his articles in the Fitchburg Sen-
tinel, said: "The Sentinel opposes the sentiments of
these communications editorially, but it is beginning
to be evident that the unknown writer is more than
a match for the newspaper men, at least in vigorous
style, mastery of the arts of logic and power of
special pleading."
In politics Mr. Goodrich has never been an ex-
treme partisan. In early life he was a strong anti-
slavery man. He served on the first Free Soil town
committee with Moses Wood, Charles ^lason and
Henry A. Willis, and he cast his first vote for John
P. Hale for president. He has been a Republican
since the party was organized, but has not always
been in full agreement with his party. As a rule he
has voted the Republican ticket. In 1870-71 he rep-
resented Fitchburg in the general court. He served
two years on the Hoosac tunnel committee during
the most important period in the history of its con-
struction. At the organization of the government
under a city charter he served on the board of as-
sessors. He has been for several years one of the
trustees of the VV^allace Public Library. In 1885 he
was the candidate of the Citizens' party for mayor,
but his ticket was defeated on account of a radical
prohibition sentiment prevailing at the time. In
1892 he was Republican presidential elector from
his district. Mr. Goodrich is one of the leading
merchants of the town. He is a man of public
spirit, to whom the citizens of Fitchburg owe much
for his part in developing the city and encouraging
its enterprises. He stands high socially as well as
in a business way.
He married, December 17, 1856, Harriet Stebbins,
daughter of John and Harriet H. Stebbins, of Ver-
non, Vermont. Their children were : Emma L., mar-
ried W. L. Humes; John S., died in infancy; Will-
iam Henry, died March 24, 1894; a young man of
marked ability and great promise, a senior in Tuft's
College. Harriet (Stebbins) Goodrich was the
eighth in descent from Rowland Stebbins, who came
from England in 1634; settled in Springfield and
Northampton, Massachusetts. He was a friend of
John Pynchon.
WALTER A. FAIRBANKS. Jonathan Fair-
banks (l), from whom all the Fairbanks families of
Ainerica are descended, was the pioneer ancestor,
of course, of Walter A. Fairbanks, of Fitchburg.
Jonathan Fairbanks or Fayerbank (his name is spell-
ed variously) was born in England previous to the
year 1600 at Sowerby in Halifax, parish of West
Riding, county of York., He came to New England
with his wife and six children in 1633 and became
one of the original settlers of Dedham, Massachu-
setts. His wife, whose maiden name was Grace Lee,
died about 1673. He died December 5, 1668. His
brother, Richard Fairbanks, who came about the
same time, and was at one time postmaster in Bos-
ton, is not known to have had any descendants.
The Fairbanks' mansion near the centre of Dedham,
built by Jonathan in 1636, still remains in good state
of preservation and lias never gone out of the fam-
ily. Recently it has been bought by the Fairbanks
Association, a family organization, and it will be
preserved as long as possible, one of the most inter-
esting and oldest of the homes of the pioneers. His
will was proved January 26, 1669, and maintions his
six children and some of his grandchildren.
The children of Jonathan and Grace (Lee) Fair-
banks were all born in England, viz: John; George,
settled ill the south part of Sherborn, is ancestor of
the St. Johnsbury, Vermont, family, (see sketch of
ancestors of Mrs. Birney A. Robinson, of Worces-
ter) ; Jonas, of whom later; Jonathan; ^lary, mar-
ried INIichael Metcalf and Christopher Smith; Susan,
married, October 12, 1647, Ralph Day.
(II) Jonas Fairbanks, the third son and fifth
child of Jonathan F'airbanks (i), was born in Sow-
erby, England. He was a farmer and carpenter.
He settled in Lancaster in 1657 and signed the
covenant there March 5, 1659. He is the ancestor of
numerous families of the name in Lancaster and the
neighboring towns of Harvard, Sterling, West
Boylston, Ashburnham, and among his famous de-
scendants was the vice-president of the United
States, Charles W. Fairbanks. It is recorded that
in 1652 he was fined for wearing great boots, an act
prohibited in the colony for those having less than
two hundred pounds of property. He and two of
his sons were killed by the Indians, February 10,
1676, during King Philip's war. The farm which he
cleared from the wilderness is now owned by one
of his descendants.
He married. May 28, 1658, Lydia Prescott, who
was born in Watertown, jMassachusetts, August 15,
1641, the daughter of John Prescott, native of
Sowerby, mentioned above. Prescott was also a
pioneer at Lancaster. (See Prescott family sketch).
The marriage of Jonas was the first recorded in tlie
town of Lancaster. The w'idow married Elias Bar-
ron, of Watertown. Lieutenant Jabez Fairbanks is
believed to be the only son of Jonas and Lydia, who
left sons and posterity of the name of Fairbanks.
(III) Lieutenant Jabez Fairbanks, son of Jonas
Fairbanks (2), was born November 8, 1670, at Lan-
caster, Massachusetts. He was a lifelong resident
of his native town, a farmer and man of distinction.
He was deputy to the general court in 1714-21-22-23,
and was a soldier in the Indian wars. He died
March 2, 1758. He married (first) Mary Wilder,
daughter of Thomas and Mary (Houghton) Wilder.
She died February 21, 1718, in the forty-fifth year
of her age. ihe was the mother of ten children, of
whom Joseph was the first born, of whom later.
Captain Jabez Fairbanks married (second) Eliza-
beth Whitcomb, who died May 11, 1755, aged eighty
years.
(IV) Joseph Fairbanks, son of Captain Jabez
Fairbanks (3), was born in Lancaster, Massachu-
setts, in 1694. He is generally known as Deacon
Joseph from his position in the church. He inherit-
ed the Lancaster homestead. Fie was a prominent
citizen. When the town of Harvard was incorpor-
ated he was a resident of that section of Lancaster,
36
WORCESTER COUNTY
^nd he was on the lirst board of selectmen. He
served from 1733 to 1735 and again from 1743 to
1745. He was town treasurer from 1736 to 1740
and served the town on many important special com-
mittees. He was active in the church and a liberal
contributor to its support. He died December 6,
1772.
He married, April 21, 1718, Mary Brown, who
died November 14, 1791, aged ninety-one years,
eleven months, six days. Their children were:
Phinehas, born April 8, 1719; Mary, October 17,
1721 ; Joseph, of whom later; IMercy, February 6,
1724; Cyrus, May 23, 1726; Mary, January 19, 1729;
Lydia, August 16, 1731 ; Elizabeth, May i, 1734;
Amos, April 21, 1737, settled at Harvard, ances-
tor of Gardner branch also; Relief, December i,
1739-
(V) Captain Joseph Fairbanks, great-grand-
father of Walter A. Fairbanks, son of the preceding
Deacon Joseph Fairbanks (4), was born in Harvard,
Massachusetts, then Lancaster, November 4, 1722 or
1723. He was a leading spirit in civil and military
affairs of his day, serving as captain of a company
in a provincial regiment under Colonel Asa Whit-
comb, and marching to Lexington on the alarm of
April 19, 1775. He died in 1S02.
He married (first), November 11, 1742, Mary
Willard, daughter of Hezekiah and Anna (Wilder)
Willard. She was baptized in Lancaster, December
22, 1722, and died there August 26, 1748, in the
twenty-sixth year of her age, having had three chil-
dren. Deacon Joseph married (second) Abigail
Tarbell, of Groton, Massachusetts, October 4, 1749.
She died April 12, 1798, aged seventy-six years, ten
months, six days. She had eight children by this
union. The children of Captain Joseph and Mary
(Willard) Fairbanks were: Joseph, born December
. 5, 1743; Jabez, March 8, 1744-51 Anna, March 25,
1745-6. The children of Captain Joseph and Abigail
(Tarbell) Fairbanks were: Thomas, November 12,
1750; Cryus, of whom later; Ephraim, October 18,
1753; Levi, May 29, 1755; Abigail, November 24,
1756; Jonathan, September 4, 1758; Mary, July 12
or 13, 1762; Thomas, May 7, 1764.
(VI) Cyrus Fairbanks, fifth child of Captain
Joseph Fairbanks (5), was born in Harvard, jNLis-
sachusetts, INlay 17, 1752. He was a soldier in the
revolution and was the last revolutionary pensioner
in Ashburnham, whither he removed. He removed
from Harvard to Troy, New Hampshire, where he
was living between 1815 and 1820. He died in Ash-
burnham, Massachusetts, June 18, 1852, aged one
hundred years, one of the oldest citizens who ever
lived there. He was a farmer, a useful and honored
citizen in his active life.
He married, August 2$, 1779, :Mercy Hale, of.
Stow, who was born February 7, 1756, and removed
to Ashburnham in 17S8, where she died in 1840. aged
eighty-four. The children of Cyrus and JNIercy
(Hale) Fairbanks were; Sally, born August 8. 1780,
married (first) Joseph Gibbs; married (second),
November ig, 1835, Lewis Hill, of Chester, Ver-
mont; she died April 14, 1857; Jacob, born I^Lirch
17, 1782, married, Mav 25, 1808, Lydia Phillips,
daughter of Seth and Elizabeth (Hamlin) Phillip-,
of Fitchburg, a cousin of Vice-president Hannibal
Hamlin, of I\Taine; they have numerous descendants
living in Ashburnham and Fitchburg; Mercy, Octo-
ber 7, 1784, married Walter Russell Adams; Cyrus,
of whom later ; Abigail, l^ebruary 24, 1789. married,
August 28. 1806. Leonard Patch; married (second)
Walter Russell Adams, who married also her sister
Mercy; Artemas, May 26, 1791, died unmarried in
Troy, New Hampshire, August 27, 1863; Betsey,
April 10, 1796, married Amos Rice, who was born
February 5. 1797, son of Samuel Rice, of Ashby ;
they removed to New York state.
(VII) Cyrus Fairbanks, sixth child of Cyrus
Fairbanks (6), and father of Walter A. Fairbanks
(8), was born in Harvard, Massachusetts, November
17, 1786. He removed to Troy, New Hampshire,
1816, when a young man. He married, July 3. 1817,
Betsey Jackson, of Westminster, Massachusetts.
He was a manufacturer of boots and shoes on a
large scale for the time and methods of his day.
He died at Tro\', New Hampshire, November 23,
1861, and his wife, April 29, 1868. Their children
were : l. Eliza, born March 22, 1818, married Ran-
som Ingalls; she died August 15, 1857, leaving four
children. Silas H., born l3ecember 17, 1S19, married
Catherine (Woods) Aldrich, daughter of Asa
Woods, removed to Jaffrey, New Hampshire, 1856,
where he died October 24, 1858; their son. Arthur
Walter, born August 24, 1857, is a druggist in Fitch-
burg. Massachusetts. 3. Mary Ann, born December
3, 1822, married, July 9, 1844, Edward P. Kimball,
who was born in Hillsboro. New Hampshire, Feb-
ruary 23, 1819, and resided in Troy, New Hamp-
shire, where he was a merchant from 1842 to his
death, January 23, 1900; he was postmaster and high
sheriff; they had three children, one of whom, the
only one now living, Warren W., succeeded his
father as a merchant at Troy, New Hampshire. 4.
George, born October 22, 1825, married Abbie Wright,
who died August 27, 1848, married (second) Nancy
Watkins. who died July 27, 1858; married (third)
Mariett S. French, resided at Jaffrey, New Hamp-
shire, died at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, March 5,
1906; he had four children, one of the number being
DeLos Eugene Fairbanks, ladies' tailor of Fitchburg,
Massachusetts. 5. Charles, born March 15, 1827,
died June 18, 1843. 6. Walter A., of whom later.
7. Sarah W., born May 8, 1832. married, June 28,
1865, Daniel H. Sawyer, of Keene. New Hampshire ;
their only son, Walter Fairbanks Sawyer, is a physi-
cian in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. 8. Caroline A.,
born January 6, 1836, married, November 24, 1863,
Dr. Daniel Farrar ; he was an esteemed physician in
Leominster, Massachusetts; he died June 3. 1875.
They had two children, the son, Edward Bird Far-
rar, is a teller in Wachusett National Bank, Fitch-
burg. ^Massachusetts.
(VIII) Walter A. Fairbanks, son of Cyrus
Fairbanks (7). was born in Troy, New Hampshire,
January 5, 1830. He was educated in the schools
at Troy and in Ashburnham. After leaving school
he entered a general store at Troy as clerk. He be-
came manager of a union store at Fitzwilliam, New
Hainpshire. In 1863 he removed to Fitchburg and
has made his home there since. He went to work in
the dry goods store of Luther J. Brown, of Fitch-
burg. Here he filled a position of responsibility for
twelve years. He was successful in business and
acquired a competence. He has lived a retired life
for many years, caring for his property and invest-
ments. He is vice-president of the Wachusett Na-
tional Bank, a position he has held for many years.
He is trustee of the Worcester North Savings In-
stitution. He is a stockholder and director of the
Orswell Nockagc jNlills. He is a Republican but
never cared to hold public ^office. He attends the
LTnitarian Church. He is of a quiet and retiring
WORCESTER COUNTY
37
dispositon, interested especially in the affairs of
Fitcliburg, but loving best the comforts of home life.
He resides in an attractive residence on Pleasant
street.
He married (first) August 4, 1S64. Mary J.
Nourse, daughter of Brown Nourse ; she died in
1896. He married (second). 1899, Leila B. (Water-
house) Farrar, daughter of Jerry Waterhouse, of
Troy, New Hampshire, and widow of Henry W.
Farrar, of Troy, New Hampshire. He has no
children.
FREDERICK L. DRURY. Hugh Drury (i),
the progenitor of all the old American families of
this name, was the immigrant ancestor of Frederick
L. Drury, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was
born in England and is said to have come to New
England under the name of Georg:e Drury, who was
a passenger in the ship "Abigail" in July, 1635. aged
nineteen years. No other mention of a George
Drury is to be found. This ship brought a company
of the younger Winthrop's settlers who were bound
for the mouth of the Connecticut. But Drury is
found in Sudbury as early as 1641, a proprietor. In
1646 he removed to Boston, selling his Sudbury place
to Edmund Rice, and entering business in Boston.
He was a carpenter by trade. In 1654 he was made
z member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company in Boston and attained the rank of lieuten-
ant in it later. He was admitted to the Boston
Church, April 16, 1654, and made freeman May 3,
1654. He was a town otlicer of Boston.
His will was dated November I, 1687, and proved
July 30, 1689. He bequeathed to Mary, widow of
his son John, of whose estate he was executor, for
herself and children ; to his sister, Lydia Hawkins ;
to son Thomas ; refers to deceased wife Lydia and
to daughter Mary ; appoints his friend, Henry Allen,
and brother, Henry Rice, executors with his brother-
in-law, Edward Rice, alternate in case of the death
of either. He is buried in the Chapel burj'ing
ground in Boston and the grave has a stone.
He married (first) Lydia Rice, who was born
1627 and died April 5, 1675. She was the daughter
of the pioneers, Edmund and Tamazin Rice, of Sud-
bury. He married (second), October, 1676, Mary
Fletcher, widow of Rev. Edward Fletcher. His
■wife, Lydia, was admitted to the church March 12,
1648. The children of Hugh and Lydia were; John,
of whom later ; Thomas, probably died young, not
mentioned in father's will ; Mary, made noncupative
will 1680, bequeathing all to her cousin, Samuel
Shrimpton. One child by the second wife, Mary,
was Hugh, Jr., born July 19, 1677, probably died
young.
(II) John Drury, only son of Hugh Drury (i)
living to grow up, was born May 2, 1646, baptized
March 19. 1649. at Boston ; died before his father.
1678, leaving an estate valued at over five hundred
and sixty-two pounds. He was a lieutenant in King
Philip's war. He also was a house carpenter.
He married Mary Shrimpton, daughter of Ed-
^vard Shrimpton, merchant, of Bednall, county Mid-
dlese.x, England. Their children : Thomas, of whom
later ; Lydia ; i\Iary, married William Alden, who
was born September 10, 1669, son of John, Jr., and
widow Elizabeth (Moore) Alden; Elizabeth; Mercy;
Daniel ; John. Jr.. born December 26. 1678, died of
■smallpox in Boston. November I, 1702.
Captain Thomas Drury, son of John Drury (2),
was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 10, 1668,
and died at Framiugham in 1723. He was an early
settler of Framiugham and took a leading part in
the organization and government of the town. He
was the first town clerk, a position he filled for
eleven years. He was the first deputy to the general
court in 1701. He -was one of the first board of
selectmen of the town and served altogether for
thirteen years. He was the school master in 1713;
lieutenant of the military company in 1713, captain
in 1719. He was placed in charge of the public am-
munition with Ensign Bridges, June 15, 1719, and
they were directed to store the powder, etc., in a
vault in the loft of the meeting house. Framingham
certainly believed in "trusting God and keeping her
powder dry." He was also a conveyancer and local
"Squire."' In his will, dated November II, 1723, he
mentions besides his own family, his cousin, Mary
Ball.
He married, December 15. 1687, Rachel Rice,
daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Moore) Rice.
Their children, all born in Framingham, were:
Caleb, born October 5, 1688, of whom later; Captain
Thomas, Jr., born August 29, 1690, died December 2,
1783; married (first) Sarah Clarke, and (second)
Mary Ward; John, died 1754; married, May 21, 1719,
Susannah Goddard ; Mary, married, January i, 1713,
David Bent; Rachel married. December, 1718,
George Fairbanks ; Lydia, married, December 5,
1722, Joseph Pike ; Elizabeth, born June 22, 1701,
married Isaac Morse; Micah, born May 2, 1704,
married, September 10, 1724, Abigail Eames; Uriah,
born January 17, 1707, died 1754; married, Decem-
ber I, 1736. Martha Eames.
(I'V) Caleb Drury son of Captain Thomas
Drury (3), was born in Framingham, Massachu-
setts, October 5, 1688, and died 1723. He married,
October 10, 1706, Elizabeth Eames, daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Eames) Eames. They lived and
died in Framingham. She was born April 11, 1685.
Their children were: Josiah, born September 17,
1707; married, October 9, 1733, Hannah Barron.
Daniel, born April 25, 1709. died June 7. 1786; mar-
ried, July 14, 1729, Sarah Flagg; intention of mar-
riage with Elizabeth Chamberlain dated May, 1776;
intention with Mary Stacy dated September 5, 1776.
John, born June 18, 1711. married, November 22,
1733. Anna Gleason ; Caleb, born May 22, 1713,
married May 27. 1735, Mehitable Maynard ; Asenath,
born January 9, 1714; Seville, born January 11, 1715,
died June 2. 1715; Captain Zedekiah, born April 30,
1716, married (first). July 20, 1738, Hannah Ax-
tell; (second), April 2. 1741, Hannah Wooley ;
Ebenezer, born October 5, 17 18; Joseph, born De-
cember 19, 1720, married, 1744. Lydia Willard;
Elizabeth, born July 30. 1721, married, December 20,
1743, Thomas Winch, Jr.
CV) Josiah Drury, son of Caleb Drury (4),
was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, Septem-
ber 17, 1707. He was killed by an ox-cart accident
in Wayland. He married, October 9. 1733, Hannah
Barron, who was born August 6. 1709, the daughter
of Timothy and Rachel CJennison) Barron, of Sher-
born. Massachusetts. Their children, all born in
Framingham. were: Sarah, born December 8. 1734,
married, January 16, 1755, Richard Rice, died in
Maine; Elizabeth, born November 30, 1737; Josiah,
born June 29. 1740; Moses, born August 4, of whom
later; Hannah, born May or March 24, 1744, died
1S25; married Micajah Gkason; (second) Jolin
38
WORCESTER COUNTY
Nixon ; Nathan, liorn Scptcni1)cr 27, 1746 ; Asa, cap-
tain, born June 24, 1748, died June 26. 1816: mar-
ried Dolly Glcason : Elisha, born April 21, 1749,
died young; Elisha, born August 5, 1753.
(VI) Moses Drury, fourth child of Josiah
Drury (5), was born in Framinghani, Massachusetts,
August 4, 1742, and died September 6, 1S36. He
removed to Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, in 1770
or 1771. The tirst three children were baptized in
Framinghani. the remainder of them in Fitzwill-
iam. His name first appears in Fitzwilliam records
in 1771.
He married Cata Adams, who was baptized April
13, 1740, and died March 11, 1816, the daughter of
Joseph and Prudence (Pratt) Adams. Their chil-
dren were : Cata, born May 2g, 1762, married
Artemas Wilson ; Sally, born March 7, 1764, mar-
ried, March 7, 1787, Isaiah Stoddard ; Josiah, horn
April 5, 1766, married INIargaret Alyers, and lived
at Rockingham, Vermont ; Lovina, baptized April
5, 1772, died January 19, 1793, unmarried; Hannah
Barnes, baptized February 19, 1775, married, Feb-
ruary 4, 1799, John Newton, and removed to Dum-
merston, Vermont. Children recorded at Fitzwill-
iam as born at Dummerston : Joseph, born Novem-
ber 10, 1777, married, January 30, 1799. Martha
Cameron; Betsey, born April 22, 1780; Annis, born
August II, 1782, married Alexander Gleason ;
Elisha, of whom later; Moses, born July 7, 1788;
Nathan, born September 3, 1791, married, June 5,
181 1, Ruth Colles, daughter of Ezekiel and Anna
Colles, and had four children.
(VII)^ Elisha Drury, son of Moses Drury (6),
■was born in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, July 28.
1783, and died February 25, 1S41, at Winchendon,
Massachusetts. He was buried at Fitzwilliam.
He married, April 20, 1819, Levina Saunders,
who was born August 23, 1789, the daugh-
ter of David and Molly (Livingston) Saunders,
and widow of Jesse Livingston. Their children
were : Elisha, Jr., of whom later ; Lovina E., born
Troy, New Hampshire, November 2, 1828, died at
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 6, 1882.
(VIII) Elisha Drury, son of Elisha Drury (7),
was born at Troy, New Ha'mpshire, December 10,
1821. He was a farmer and wood worker. He re-
sided in Winchendon, Massachusetts ; Fitzw-illiam,
New Hampshire; and Readsboro, Vermont. He
returned to Fitzwilliam and died there January 20,
i860. He married, February 15, 1S43, Lucinda
Stoddard, of Winchendon, Massachusetts. The
children of Elisha, Jr., and Lucinda Drury were:
Edwin E., born April 18, 1845, married (first) Ida
E. Root, 1871 ; (second) Emma L. Dyer, 1898; they
have one son living at South Royalston, Massachu-
setts, a farmer; Leander M., born October 12, 1850,
proprietor of the Langdon Hotel, Front street,
Worcester ; he married Nellie Day, of South Royals-
ton, Massachusetts, 1879, and they have a daughter,
Iilyrtice ; Frederick L., of whom later.
(IX) Frederick L. Drury, son of Elisha Drury,
Jr., (S), was born in Readsboro, Vermont, .^pril
14, 1856. His mother removed to South Royalston,
Massachusetts, when he was very young, and he
was educated in the public schools there. He be-
gan his business career in Boston as clerk in a fancy
goods store in 1876. He removed to Fitchburg.
Massachusetts, in 1878, and entered the employ of
Walter P. Guy, now a^ prominent Worcester and
Springfield merchant, in the store that he himself
bought in 1890 and has since conducted. For a
number of years Mr. Drun.- was the proprietor of
the Drury House, a hotel at 144 Main street,
Fitchburg.
In his experience of nearly thirty years in mer-
cantile business in Fitchburg, Mr. Drury has main-
tained a reputation for square dealing and for good
judgment in business. He is ex-president of the
Fitchburg ilerchants' Association, which comprises
the local board of trade. In politics he is a Repub-
lican and active in the organization of his party.
He is ex-president of the Retail Grocers' Associa-
tion of Fitchburg and vice-p'resident of the Massa-
chusetts Retail Grocers' Association in 1905-06. He
is a member of Aurora Lodge of Free Masons and
Lady Emma Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star;
of Alt. Rollstone Lodge of Odd Fellows and of
King David Encampment and the Daughters of
Rebekah. He is a member of the Rollstone Con-
gregational Church, and has been a member of the
finance committee for the past fifteen years.
He married, September 25, 1878, Flora E. Sher-
win, daughter of Addison and Amanda (Partridge)
Sherwin, of South Royalston. Their children are:
Leon Arthur, born at Fitchburg, October 23, 1880,
graduate of Fitchburg high school, 1898, and Brown
L'niversit}-, 1902, is associated with his father in
the grocery store; married, October 12, 1904, Daza
P. Mowry, of Providence, Rhode Island; Ralph
Sherwin, born January 10, 1890, student in the Fitch-
burg high school, class of 1907.
FRANKLIN AUGUSTUS BAGLEY. Orlando
Bagley (i). the immigrant ancestor of Franklin Au-
gustus Bagley, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was
born probably in England about 1630. The only
other early settler of this or similar surname was
John Bagley or Eiglow, of Watertown, most of
whose descendants spell the name Bigelovv. (See
Bigelow family.) Orlando Bagley's name was
spelled Baggley, Baglee and Bagly often. He set-
tled first in Boston, where he was living from 1658
to 1663, when he removed to that part of Salisbury
now Amesbury, Massachusetts.
He married Sarah Colby, March 6, 1653-4, 'f
Salisbury, and she died in Boston, May 8, 1663. He
probably died soon afterward. Their children were:
Orlando, born February 18, 1658, of whom later;
John, born August 31, 1659; Sarah, born January
14, 1660 died September 30, 1661 ; Mary, born Jan-
uary 5, 1661 ; Sarah, born March 2, 1663, married
John Mack, April 5, 1681, settled in Salisbury.
(II) Orlando Bagley, eldest child of Orlando
Bagley (i), was born in Boston, February 18, 1658.
He was a yeoman and settled in Amesbury, Massa-
chusetts. He married (first) Sarah Sargent, of
Amesbury, December 22. 1681. She died at Ames-
bury, October 3, 1701. He married (second) Sarah
Annis, of Newbury (published May 25), 1703-4.
He was admitted a freeman 1690, was constable
1692. died 1728. His wife died 1729.
The children of Orlado and Sarah Bagley were :
Orlando, born in Amesbury. December 14, 1682,
(lieutenant) : Sarah, born February 27, 1683, mar-
ried (fir.st) Henry Lancaster, July 15, 1703; married
(second), April II, 1713, Elisha Weed; John, born
January 21, 1685; Jacob, of whom later; Judith, born
November 13, 1691, married John Carter, of Kings-
ton, New Hampshire. April 25. 171 1 ; Joseph, born
January 26, 1704-5; Benjamin, born November 10,
WORCESTER COUNTY
39
1707: Anne, born August 14, 1708, married Abel
Merrill; Hannah, born March 29, 1712, married
Thomas Morrill.
(III) Jacob Bagley, son of Orlando Bagley (2),
was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts. December
13, 1687. He was a prosperous farmer and black-
smith at Amesbury. He married (first) Hannah
Stanwood, January 21, 1712-3; (second) Kezia
(Colby), widow of David Currier, June 2, 1748.
She died November 3, 1754, aged fifty-nine years.
He married (third) Hannah Currier, widow of
Timothy Currier, March 13, 1755. His will was
dated December 21, 1767. and proved February 23,
1773. The children of Jacob and Hannah Bagley
were: William, of whom later; Elizabeth, born
January 18, 1715-6, married Samuel Adams, June
27, 1734; resided at Salisbury in 1767; Jerusha. born
January I, 1717-8, died April 13, 1718; Jerusha, born
November 29, 1719, died before 1767; Jacob, Jr.,
born November, 1721, died February 4, 1724; Han-
nah, born June 6, 1723, married Richard Currier,
February ig, 1750; Jacob, Jr., born June 30, 1724;
Samuel, born December 21, 1728, died February 4,
1729.
(IV) William Bagley, eldest child of Jacob
Bagley (3), was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts,
October 9, 1713. He was a mariner; he had his
home in Amesbury, and died a young man, at
Amesbury, November 19, 1746. He married, Au-
gust 18, 1740, Susan Webster, of Salisbury. She
married after his death David Currier, March 13.
1749. The children of William and Hannah Bagley
were: Eunice, born April 27. 1740; William, of
whom later; Jerusha, born September 9, 1743, living
in 1758; Anne, bom December 2, 1745, died Janu-
ary 23, 1748.
(V) William Bagley, Jr., son of William Bagley
(4), was born at Amesbury, Massachusetts, Decem-
ber 26, 1741. He became a yeoman at Amesbury.
He married (first) Mary , before 1766. She
died February 19, 1782, aged thirty-six years. He
married (second) Hannah , before 1785. The
children of William and Mary Bagley were : Jacob,
born 1/(56; David, of whom later; JNIolly, born
January 9, 1771 ; Anne, born April 16, 1773 ; Betty,
born 1776, died October 17, 1776, aged si.x months.
The children of William and Hannah Bagley were :
William, Jr., born 1783, died November- 24, 1791,
aged eight years; Amos, born 1795, died August 14,
1796.
(VI) David Bagley, son of William Bagley (5),
W'as born in Amesbury, October 23. 1768. He was
a ship cooper by trade and resided at Amesbury.
Among his children was John, of whom later.
(VII) John Bagley, son of David Bagley (6),
was born in 1786 at Peabody, Massachusetts, where
his father settled. Like his ancestors he was a
member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in re-
ligion. He died at Peabody in i860. He was a
farmer in Corinth, Vermont. He married Elizabeth
Bickford, and they had fourteen children. Those
who grew to maturity were : John, Francis, Alnion
F., of whom later; Sarah, married Samuel Swett;
Harriet B., born January 26, 1828, married J.
Warren Stiles, who was .born in Wilton, New
Hampshire, and died 1903; she resides (1906) at
13 Gardner street, Peabody : Elizabeth, died unmar-
ried ; Dolly, died unmarried ; Lydia. Mary.
(VIII) Almon F. Bagley. son of John Bagley
(7), was born at Corinth. Vermont, and died at
Wenham, Massachusetts, in 1871. He settled at
Danville, New Hampshire, and at Hamilton, Massa-
chusetts. He married Louisa Nason. Their chil-
dren were: Franklin Augustus, of whom later;
George A., resides at North Beverly, and has four
children: Almon F., Amelia Ross, Laura Ethel,
Grace Viola; Charles W., resides at Wenham, Mas-
sachusetts, and has children; Emcline, married Will-
iam Flint, and they have one child, Edith, married
Fred Ellis, whose children are : James Rolland,
Dorothy and Corinne.
(IX) Franklin Augustus Bagley, son of Almon
F. Bagley (8), was born in Danvers, Massachusetts,
July 3, 1844. He attended school there and at Pea-
body, whither his parents removed when he was
twelve years old. His father was a market gardener
and he helped him in his business. He lived at
Hamilton one year and at Wenham eight years. He
worked at various places in Lynn and Salem. He
began business as a milk dealer in Wenham. He
also dealt in provisions. He finally removed to
Lynn and started in the grocery business on Main
street. Water hill. Federal square. He bought and
sold stores several times and was in business at
Franklin street, Pearl street, and twice on Union
street. In 1894 he sold out and removed to Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts, and entered the real estate bus-
iness. Lately he has added tire insurance to his
business. He has been very successful.
In politics he is a Democrat. He is a justice of
the peace. He belongs to West Lynn Lodge of
Odd Fellows and has been treasurer of Fraternity
Encampment. He is a member of A. C. Moody
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of Sagamore and
Nanepashemet Tribes of Red Men of Lynn, and has
held the various chairs. He attends the iNIethodist
Church.
He married, January, 1865, ^lacia H. Kent, a
daughter of Joseph G. and Nancy (Kimball) Kent,
of Newbury, Massachusetts. She was born June
10, 1847. Their children are : Florine, born April
13, 1866, married William Taylor; Henrietta, born
July 29, 1868.
STEPHEN V. WARE. Robert Ware (i). the
immigrant ancestor of Stephen V. Ware, of Fitch-
burg. Massachusetts, came from his English home
to the colony in Massachusetts Bay some time be-
fore the autunm of 1642, the earliest date on the
records being November 25, 1642, at Dedham, when
he bought land there of Thomas Fames. This lot
was his homestead and it was on the Great or
Dedham Is'and. His house was probably at or near
the causeway. Various other grants of land to him
were made February 6. 1642. and later. He joined
the church at the time of the baptism of his eldest
child, October 2 or 11, 1646. He was admitted a
freeman May 26, 1647 : was a member of the
artillery company as early as 1644. He lived and
died in Dedham. although three of his sons — John,
Nathaniel and Robert — removed to WoUomonopoag,
set of? in 1661 and incorporated in 1673 as Wrent-
ham. Massachusetts.
He married (first) in Dedham. March 24, 1644-S.
Margaret Hunting, daughter of John Hunting, first
ruling elder of the Dedham Church, and his wife,
Esther Seaborn. She died in Dedham, August 26,
1670. He married (second). May 3, 1676, Hannah
Jones, hern March 28, 1636, died April 20, 1721,
daughter of Thomas Jones, of Dorchester. Her
gravc.-tnne is to be seen in the old Dorchester bury-
ing ground. Her will dated January 21. 1720-I,
40
WORCESTER COUNTY
mentions a large number of relatives and friends.
Robert Ware died at Dedham, April ig, 1699. His
will, dated February 25. 1698, proved May 11, 1699,
contains much information of family and local his-
torical interest.
The children of Robert and Margaret Ware
were : John, bnrn October 6, 1646, died April 7,
1718, at Wrcntliam ; Nathaniel, born October 7,
1648, died July 10, 1724, at Wrentham ; Margaret,
born February 14, 1650-1, died July 22, 1664; Robert,
Jr.. of whom later ; Esther, born September 28,
1655. died September 3, 17.U; married, May 13,
1673, Rev. Samuel Mann, first minister of Ded-
ham, Massachusetts, and they had eleven children ;
Samuel, born September 30, 1657, died March,
1730-1 ; Ephraim, born November 5, 1659, died
March 26, 1753, at Needham ; Elizabeth, born No-
vember 19, 1661 ; Joseph, born September 8, 1663,
died September 22, same year; Ebenezer, born Octo-
ber 28, 1667, died 1765, aged ninety-seven, at Need-
ham.
(II) Robert Ware, son of Robert Ware (i),
was born August i or 6, 1653, at Dedham, Massa-
chusetts, and settled in the adjoining town of
Wrentham, where he died September 16, 1724, in
his seventy-second year. He served in the Ded-
ham company in King Philip's war, 1675, and also
in the Wrentham company, 1689. He was a deputy
to the general court in 1703, on the committee on
Meeting House 1669, agreed to settle in Wrentham
in T671, was one of the executors of his brother-
in-law. Rev. Samuel Mann. His will was dated
August 8, 1724,
He married (first) in Dedham. June 4. 1677,
Sarah Metcalf, daughter of Michael Metcalf, Jr.
and Mary Fairbanks, his wife, and bnrn in Dedham.
December 7, 1648. She died in Wrentham, April
13. 17T8. Robert Ware married (second), Febru-
ary 26. 1719-20, Elizabeth Holbrook, of Mendon,
who died in Wrentham, July 28, 1723. All his chil-
dren except the eldest were born in Wrentham.
The children of Robert and Sarah Ware were:
Ebenezer, born March 15. 1677-8, in Dedham, died
April 26, 1750, in Wrentham ; Robert, Jr., born
December 6, 16S0, died January 9. 1731-2, at
Wrentham: Michael, born June 11. 1683, died Sep-
tember 21, 1725, at Wrentham; Margaret, born June
6, 16S5. married. December 4, 1704, in Roxbury,
Major John Foster, of Attleboro ; Jonathan, born
February 28, 1686-7, died April 20, 1740, at
Wrentham ; Sarah, born March 4, 1689-90. died Au-
gust 5. 1729; married, June 6. 1722, Francis Nichol-
son : Esther, born May 7, 1693, died September 14,
1745: married, December 17, 1718, Hezekiah Hawes ;
Elizabeth, born September 30, 1697, died before Au-
gust 28, 1724.
(III) Michael Ware, son of Robert Ware (2),
was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, June 11.
1683, and died September 21, 1725. He married,
December 4, 1707. Jane Wight, daughter of Jona-
than and Elizabeth (Hawes) Wight, granddaughter
of Henry and Jane (Goodnow) Wi.ght and great-
granddaughter of Thomas Wight, the immigrant.
She was born September 6, 1688. and she married
Csecond). December 2, 1734, Daiiiel Hawes, and
died -April 26. 1754. in her sixty-sixth year. The
children of Michael and Jane Ware were: Jean,
born December 16. 1710, married.. July 30, 1729.
John Fairbanks; Margaret, born October 21. 1712,
married. January 29, 1734, Eleazer Metcalf: Hepzi-
bah. born November 22. 1714, married, December
29, i/jo, Leonard Fisher; Esther, born December 3,
1716, married, February 8, 1737-8, Ezra Blake;
Michael, of whom later; Phebe. born February 25,
1720-1, married Elisha Pond: Jabez, born February
28, 1722, died June 28, 1805; Mehitable, born March
8, 1722-3.
(IV) Michael Ware, Jr., son of Michael Ware
(3), was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, De-
cember 5, 1725, died in Buckland. Massachusetts,
about 1814. He was a soldier in the French war
in Captain Blake's company in 1756. He and his
son Abiel were also in the revolution under Cap-
tain Samuel Fisher in 1781 in the Fourth Suffolk
Regiment.
He married (first), February 5, 1754, Ariel Met-
calf, daughter of Michael and Ariel (Colburn) Met-
calf, in Wrentham. She died December 25, 1757.
He married (second) Lucy Grant. The children
of JMichael and Ariel Ware were: Jane, born No-
vember 7. 1754; Abiel, born Deceniber 25, 1757.
The children of Michael and Lucy Ware were:
Molly, born October 15, 1759, in Wrentham; Abiel,
perhaps the same as -the second child, born before
1765. served in revolution in 1781 ; Michael, born
at Wrentham, 1765, died aged eighty-four years in
1849 : Reuben, died in San Francisco ; George, died
at Buckland; James, died in 1816; Abijah, Lucy,
Phebe.
(V) Abiel Ware, son of Michael Ware (4),
was born in Wrentham before 1765 and was prob-
ably the son born by the first marriage. December
25. 1757. He died in the summer of 1832 at Buck-
land, Massachusetts, but lived most of his life at
Dighton, Massachusetts. He married (first) at Cum-
berland, Rhode Island, Esther Haskell. He mar-
ried (second) Submit Phillips, daughter of Richard
and Ruth Pitts Phillips; she was born in Dighton
and died there July. 1835.
The child by the first marriage was Abner,
but was changed May 26. 1796, to Lewis Ware
"by the request and order of now Esther Hawkins."
The Ware Genealogy gives Abiel a brother Ariel,
born about 1775, the husband of Submit Phillips.
If the genealo.gy is correct Lewis was the only son
of Abiel and Esther and she married (second) W.
Hawkins, It seems fully as likely that Abiel and
his first wife parted. Abiel was in the revolution
in 1781.
The children of Abiel (or Ariel) and Submit
Ware were: Richard, born at Buckland, May 31,
1797, died .'\ugust 22, 1840; married Roxanna Mon-
son and Huldah Watson; Leander, born about 1800,
died about 1884, lived most of his life at Buckland;
Esther, born October 15, 1802, died May 25, 189.=;;
married (first) Homer Johnson and (second)
Josiah Booth ; Amanda, bom November 4. 1804,
married. February 2. 1826, Zopher Woodward ; Hul-
dah, born at Buckland, November 14, 1807, died
July r8, 18S8; married Job Woodward: Sophronia,
born January i, 1809, married George Viber; Anne,
born November 25, 1811, died 1891 ; married (first)
Willard Ware and (second) Jesse Edson ; Frank-
lin, born February 10, 1813. died June 8, 1899;
married twice.
(VI) Lewis Ware, son of Abiel Ware (s). was
bnrn January 25. 1779, and died in Newfane Hill.
\'crmont. in 1832. He was a physician and resided
at Cumberland. Rhode Island. Westminster and
Winchendon, Massachusetts, and Richmond. New
Hampshire. He is buried at Newfane Hill, Ver-
mont.
^/^
Jl\e ZiiiAs I'itchshin^ Co
WORCESTER COUNTY
41
He married, October g, l8oj, at Newton. Massa-
chusetts, Matilda Morse, who was born in Stur-
bridge, Massacluisetts, December 14, 1783, and died
at Gardner, Massachusetts, October 10, 1853. The
children of Dr. Lewis and Matilda Ware were :
Abner Haskell, born April 14, 1805, at Cumberland,
Rhode Island, died young; Rufus. born January 30,
1808, died young; Lucy P., born 1810, died at West-
minster, Massachusetts; married (first) William
Jones, of Wardsboro, Vermont, divorced ; she mar-
ried (second) Dennis Gates, of Westminster;
(third) Leonard Mossman, of Ashburnham ; Stephen
v., born August 28, 1812, at Winchendon, died
December 22, 1893; Lewis, born at Cumberland,
Rhode Island. November 22, 1816, died at Fitch-
burg, March 22, 1873 ; Samuel Morse, born at Win-
chendon, May 13, 1818, died at Eureka, Kansas,
March 20, 1895.
(VII) Stephen V. Ware, son of Dr. Lew-is Ware
(6), was born at Winchendon, Massachusetts, Au-
gust 28, 1812. He died after an illness of two
weeks at his home, 23 East street, Fitchburg, De-
cember 22, 1893. He received a common school
education. During his early years of business he
was a traveling salesman and he covered the New
England and Middle States for a number of years.
At the time of the gold fever in 1851 he went
to California and resided there and in Nevada for
fifteen years, occupied in mining and the grocery
business. He also made considerable money in cat-
tle dealing. He came back to Massachusetts in 1866
and resided in Ashburnham and Gardner until 1884,
when he removed to Fitchburg. He had acquired
a competence and did not care for active business.
He had a grocery store near his residence in Fitch-
burg, however, and carried it on up to the time of
hiis death.
He was remarkably vigorous for a man of
Iiis years and at the age of eighty made the trip
to the home of his only surviving brother, in Kan-
sas, Samuel Ware, formerly also of Fitchburg.
He was a Methodist in religion, a Republican in
politics, and belonged to the order of Odd Fellows.
He was an upright and respectable citizen, greatly
"beloved by his friends and family. He was a quiet,
unassuming, domestic man, successful in his busi-
ness and gifted with exceptional ability in many
■ways.
He married Charlotte A. Marshall, daughter of
Abel and Roselma (Naramore) Marshall, and sister
of Alfred .'\. Marshall, of Fitchburg. She was born
in 1840 in Fitchburg. She survives her husband and
resides in the homestead in Fitchburg. The chil-
dren of Stephen V. and Charlotte A. Ware were:
jMabel Marshall, born at Ashburnham. May 9. 1868,
married, March g, 1892, Frank C. Blood, 'who was
born at West Groton in 1867 ; Henry Augustus,
■born at Fitchburg, February 14, 1870-1 ; George
Franklin, born at Gardner, February 21, 1874: Annie
F.loise, born January 10, 1877; Oscar Elliott, born
October 5, 1879, married Sophia Dohia, and they
have one child, Robert.
HENRY FAYETTE . COGGSHALL. John
Coggshall or Coggeshall (i) was the immigrant an-
cestor of Henry Fayette Coggshall, of Fitchburg.
Massachusetts. The name Coggshall appeared in
England soon after the Norman Conquest and has
included many distinguished men. John Coggshall
came from Esse.x county, England, and arrived in
Boston, in New England, September 16. 1632. He
is believed to have come from the Coggeshall
family of Coggeshall. • He was admitted a freeman
in November, 1632. He settled first in Roxbury,
and he and his wife Mary joined the church there.
He soon removed to Boston and was dismissed from
the Roxbury Church to the First Church of Bos-
ton together with his wife Mary and servant Anne
Shelley, April 20, 1635-6. He became prominent
in the town and church, and was a prosperous mer-
chant. He served the town of Boston in the general
court for nine years. He was a deacon of the First
Church. He sympathized with Mr. Wheelright and
Anne Hutchinson when the schism came, and with
twenty-three others w^as exiled. He went to Rhode
Island, where Roger Williams welcomed them
hospitably, and became one of the proprietors and
original settlers at Portsmouth in Rhode Island, but
with others went to Aquidnet, now Newport, and was
one of the founders of that town. At the union
of the four towns of Newport. Portsmouth, Provi-
dence and Warwick, he was elected the first presi-
dent of the Provincial Plantation.
John Coggshall was born about 1591 and died at
Newport, Rhode Island, November 27, 1647, aged
fifty-six. He was buried on his own land in New-
port, where his descendants have erected a monu-
ment and enclosed the family burying ground with
a neat and substantial stone wall. His business was
a silk merchant. His farm was situated on Cogge-
shall avenue, near Victoria avenue, Newport. The
children of John and ]\Iary Coggeshall were: John,
born in England, i6rS, died in Newport, Rhode
Island. October i, 1708; Joshua, see forward; Ann,
born in England about 1625, died in Newport. March
6. 1687; Hannanell (daughter), born in Boston, bap-
tized May 3. 1635 : Wayte. baptized at Boston, Sep-
tember II, 1636; Bedaiah, baptized in Boston, July
20, 1636 or 1637,
(II) Joshua Coggeshall, second child of John
Coggeshall (i), was born in England in 1623 and
died in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, May I, 1688.
He came from England with his parents and went
with them to Rhode Island. After his father's death
he removed to Portsmouth. Rhode Island, and
bought a farm on the west side of the island, where
he resided until his death. A large part of his
original farm is still held by his descendants, never
having passed out of the family. He married (first)
Joan West, of Newport. December 22, 1652. She
died April 24, 1676, aged forty-one years. He mar-
ried (second), June 21, 1677, Rebecca Russell, a
Quaker, born in London. His children were all
born at Portsmouth. The children of Joshua and
Joan (West) Coggeshall were: Mary, born Febru-
ary, 1655; Joshua, see forward; John, born 1659.
died May i. 1727; Josias, November. 1662: Daniel,
April. 1665; Humility, January, 1670; Caleb, De-
cember, 1772; Isaac.
(HI) Joshua Coggeshall, second child of Joshua
Coggeshall (2), was born in Portsmouth, Rhode
Island, May, 1656, and died at Newport, Rhode
Island, 1723. He married, Mav 13, 1671, Sarah .
.She died March 20, 1697. He married (second)
Sarah , August 26. 1697. He had a farm at
Newport, now Middletown, Rhode Island, near
Portsmouth. He had seventeen children, eight by
the first and nine bv the second wife, all born in
Newport. The children of Joshua and his first
wife were: Joshua, born May 13. t68i. died Au-
gust 2, 1727; Thomas, May 29, 1686. died young;
Elizabeth, March 29, 1686 (twin of the preceding),
42
WORCESTER COUNTY
married Spencer, of East Greenwich, July,
1708; John. December 14, 1683; Thomas, see for-
ward; Josiah, December 12, 1690; Mary, May 15,
1695, married Beard; Richard, February 11,
1692, married Wait Gould, daughter of John and
Wait Gould. The children of the second marriage
were: Caleb, July 25, 169S, died July 31, 174S; mar-
ried Barbara Easton, daughter of Nicholas Easton,
May 19, 1720; Sarah, March 22. 1700: James, March
17, 1701 ; a daughter, January 15, 1703; Benjamin,
January 31, 1705, died December 17, 1710; Ann,
November 18, 1709; Waite, January 11, 1709; Com-
fort. April 22, 171 1.
(IV) Thomas Cogge.=;hall, Son of Joshua Cogge-
shall (3), was born in Newport, Rhode Island, June
24, 1688, died there January 26, 1771. He married,
March 11, 1708, Mercy Freeborn, daughter of
Gideon Freeborn, of Newport. She was born i6gi
and died May 26, 1776. They resided at Middle-
ton, Rhode Island, on the old place. He was a
farmer. Both are interred in the family burying
ground on the Coggeshall place at Middletown.
Their children were : Elizabeth, born August 30,
1710. died September 29, 1797; married, July, 1731,
Peleg Peckham ; Comfort, September 17. 1712, died
December, 1778; married Daniel Peckham, son of
Joshua Peckham, November 29, 1734; Mercy, born
June 30, 1714, died young; Sarah. August 20. 1715.
married, November i, 1759, Thomas Weaver ; Wait,
January 4. 1717, married (first) James Easton;
Mary, May 27, 1720, married Samuel Allen, of Mid-
dletown, January 16, 1745; Joshua, see forward:
Mercy, February 23, 1724, married (first) Joseph
Dennis ; (second) Samuel Allen, widower of her
sister Mary; Gideon. April 20, 1726, died October
27. 1801 ; married. October 5, 1749, Hannah Law-
ton, daughter of Jeremiah: she died July 17, 1780,
aged fifty-four; Thomas, August 26. died January
17, 1S03: married, July 4. 1750, Hannah Cornell;
Hannah. I\Iay 20, 1731. died March 22. 181 1: mar-
ried Joseph Dennis, son of Robert Dennis.
(V) Joshua Coggeshall, seventh child of Thomas
Coggeshall (4), was born in Middletown, Rhode
Island. March 11, 1722, died there September 24,
1786, and is buried on the Coggeshall farm. He mar-
ried (first), January 12, 1743, Sarah Bailey. She
died November 4. 1750. He married (second) Ann
Dennis, daughter of Joseph Dennis, January 2. 1752.
The children of Joshua and Sarah (t3ailey) ) Cogge-
shall were : Thomas, born at Middletown, August
30, 1744, died 1829 : married Esther Kenyon, of
Newport. November 27, 1766: Ruth, June 26, 1747.
died November 14, 1747; Gideon. December 13, 7748,
died November. 1750. The children of Joshua and
Ann (Dennis) Coggeshall were: Sarah, Septem-
ber 25. 1752, died March i, 1788; married John
Cornell, son of Thomas and Hannah Cornell ; Jo-
seph, August 16. 1754. died October 7. 1830; mar-
ried Elizabeth Horswell. September 29. 1774, and
she died October i, 1840; Elizabeth. October 14,
1756. died September 3. 1828; married. November
9. 1786. Gideon .^uthons: George. March, 1750. died
November 16. 1762 : Mary. July 14. 1761, died Feb-
ruary 15. 1837; Mercy. September ta. 1762. died
March. 1844; married, April 2, 1786. Thomas Man-
chester: Ann, June i. 1764. died December 21,
1842 : George. June 8, 1767, died .August T4, 1S43 ;
married Cynthia, daughter of Richard .Sherman.
(VI) Thomas Coggeshall. eldest child of Joshua
Coegcshall (5), was born in Middletown. Rhode
Island, August 30, 1744, died there 1829. He was
a farmer at Middletown. He married Esther Ken-
yon. November 27, 1766. Their children, all born
in Middletown. were: Samuel, born 1770, died in
Middletown. August 31, 1852; William, December,
1771, died September 22, 1775; John Bailey, see for-
ward ; Asa, March 4, 1783, married, Fel3ruary 21,
1802, Sarah Barker, daughter of Mathew Barker;
Elsie or Alice, born 1787, died February 17, 1872;
married James Taggart ; William, married Ruth
Chase ; Sarah, married, February 18, 1790, Rescom
Sanford; George; Ruth, married David or Nathaniel
Wyatt.
(VII) John Bailey Coggeshall, third child of
Thomas Coggeshall (6), was born in Middletown,
Rhode Island, January 29, 1774. He married (first)
Mary Sanford. daughter of Peleg Sanford, of Tiver-
ton, Rhode Island, October 16, 1794. He married
(second) Betsey Parsons, widow of • Jennings,
in 1829. He was a farmer. In middle life he left
Middletown or Newport and settled in Mansfield,
Connecticut. He was member of the Baptist Church
in its early days. The children of John Bailey and
Mary (Sanford) Coggeshall were: Peleg Sanford,
see forward; Thomas, born January 22, 1798, mar-
ried Elizabeth Hovey ; Esther. 1799, married C. S.
Hovey ; Rescom, iSoi, married Susan Branch;
Sarah, December 9, 1S03, married Job Eddy; Nancy,
December 29. 1805, married Lemuel Barrows ; she
died June. 1896 ; John A., born February 28, 1830,
married Mary S. Cardwell.
(VIII) Peleg Sanford Coggeshall, eldest child
of John Bailey Coggeshall (7), was born in New-
port, Rhode Island, August 31, 1795. He received
the usual common school education in his native
town. He went with his parents to Mansfield. Con-
necticut. He was first a farmer, but for many years
was engaged in the manufacture of combs in Mans-
field, where for many years many comb factories and
silk mdls have been operated. In his later years
he manufactured shoes. He was an active member
and deacon of the Baptist Church.
He married (first) Nancy Read, who died April,
1817. leaving no children. He married (second),
in 1S17. Evelina (Dimmock) Jenney. widow, daugh-
ter of Jonathan Dinnnock. He died in t868, aged
seventy-three years. The children of Peleg San-
ford and Evelina (Dimmock) Coggeshall. all born
in Mansfield, were: I. Philecta Sanford, born Feb-
ruary 23. 1820, died May 26, 1851. 2. William San-
ford, February 24. 1820, married Matilda A. Carey;
he died September, 1896; his children were: Dr.
William Coggeshall, born December 26, 1850. died
September 7, 1885, at Richmond, Virginia, leaving
a son Louis I., born October 19, 1875 : Florence N.,
born May 16, 1858, at Berckman, married Thomas
McDonough Brook.';, June 21, 1899. and resides at
Wilmette. Illinois. 3. Henry Fayette, of whom later.
4. Nevi-ell Jndson, December 28, 1830, married
Alsina . August 6, 1854; he died November 14,
1893. Their daughter. Emma A., born August 22,
1857, married Walter J. Smith, Januarv i, 1879, and
they have Nellela A. Smith, born April 6. 1S81.
"(IX) Henry Fayette Coggshall, third child of
Peleg Sanford Coggeshall (8). was born in Mans-
field. Connecticut. December 26, 1823. He and his
immediate family have not used the "E" in the
surname. He attended the common schools of his
native town when a boy. At the age of fifteen he
went to work as a clerk in the general store in
Mansfield and remained there three years. Through
the kindness of one of the mill proprietors near his
WORCESTER COUNTY
43
home he was instructed in the art of keeping books.
His first position as bookkeeper was for the Stone-
ville Manufacturing Company at Auburn, Massa-
chusetts, five miles from Worcester, for the
munificent salary of $loo for the first year, in
addition to his board and lodging. That was the
usual salary for a new clerk or bookkeeper at that
time. Mr." Coggshall gained the confidence of his
employer at ' the start by his capable handling of
their accounts. At the outset he worked day and
night until he had taken a trial balance and put the
books in good order. He managed to save half his
salary the first year. In three years, before he
was of age, he had paid a mortgage of $350 on his
father's home.
In July, 1845, Mr. Ackley of the Stoneville Com-
pany leased the cotton mill at Fitchburg known as
the Stone mill and placed Mr. Coggshall in charge
until his brother came to Fitchburg to run the mill,
w'hen Mr. Coggshall returned to Auburn. He was
attracted by the growing tow-n and had invested
his saving "in a lot of land on Main street. This
lot was the site of the house and store of Lawren
Pratt with whom Mr. Coggshall boarded during
the three months in which he lived in Fitchburg.
Nichols & Frost's store now stands on this lot.
Mr. Coggshall paid down all his savings, $300, and
paid the balance in instalments.. He had confidence
in Fitchburg. Later he bought three acres of land
on the other side of the river and built a double
house. Then he laid out the land in building lots
and sold it. Fitchburg had already felt the effects
of the railroad connection with Boston and manu-
facturing w^as growing. The little towm_ was pros-
perous and attracted Mr. Coggshall as it attracted
other ambitious young men.
He was with the Stoneville Company as book-
keeper and cashier for seven years. In 1850 he
bought an interest in the store of Lawren Pratt
and moved to Fitchburg, but he was not satisfied
with his experience as a merchant and in six months
sold out his interests. He kept books for a year,
during 1850 and 1851, for the Putnam Machine
Company. In 1851 he commenced his long and
honorable career as a railroad official, first with the
Fitchburg & Worcester Railroad Company and also
after 1864 with the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg
Railroad Company. He was general ticket agent,
freight and passenger agent, respectively. He was
treasurer of these companies from 1863 until he
resigned in 1871. He was one of the best known
railroad men of Massachusetts during the two dec-
ades from 1851 to 1871.
Mr. Coggshall has been equally prominent as
manager and treasurer of the Fitchburg Gas Com-
pany. He has been connected with the gas business
in Fitchburg from the time the contract was let for
the plant. In 1853 Mr. Coggshall was engaged by
Levi Benedict, who had the contract for the con-
struction of the Fitchburg gas works, to take charge
of the work, as he had at the same time the con-
tract for the gas works at Jamaica Plain, Massa-
chusetts. In December of that year, when the gas
works were ready for . use, Mr. Coggshall was
elected manager and he has been closely connected
with the affairs of the gas company ever since. He
has been the treasurer since 1866. The capital stock
is $60,000. In 1888 the Fitchburg Gas Company
bought a majority of the stock of the Wachusett
Electric Light Company, and the united capital be-
came $385,000. Herbert I. Wallace succeeded his
father, Hon. Rodney Wallace, as president. The
company has paid handsome dividends.
In a paper which Mr. Coggshall read at the
twenty-seventh annual meeting of the New England
Association of Gas Light Engineers at Boston in
1897, he told of the trials and ditSculties of the
early days of the gas business. The progress then
made during his connection with the business is
indicated by an extract from this paper : "Now,
what do we find has been the progress in these
forty-three years of gas manufacturing ? In 1853
three iron retorts to a bench, burning off 450 pounds
of coal in about five hours with one man on a shift,
producing 1,100 feet to a charge. In 1897 six re-
torts to a bench, charged with 1.800 pounds of
coal and producing 9,000 feet in four hours with
two men to a shift."
And in the past few years the Fitchburg Com-
pany has been extending its field and improving
its plant like all up-to-date companies. The ad-
vances in gas lighting through new methods of
production; the improvement and cheapening of gas
light with the discovery of the incandescent mantle
and the coming into general use of gas for cooking
and power, have kept Mr. Coggshall's company
growing and expanding rapidly. Mr. Coggshall is
perhaps the best known man in the gas business in
the state. He has a record of fifty-three years as
manager and treasurer of the company. It is be-
lieved that his record is the longest of any of-
ficial in the business. Yet it should be said here
that many men twenty years younger than Mr. Cogg-
shall are older physically and mentally than he is.
In recent 3-ears he seems to have been at his best.
He has been trustee of the Fitchburg Savings
Bank since 1866 and a director of the Fitchburg
National Bank since 1870. He is a director of the
Simonds Manufacturing Company, a large and pros-
perous concern in Fitchburg, and was for many
years the treasurer also. He was formerly director
and treasurer of the RoIIstone Machine Company.
He is a trustee of the Old Ladies' Home in Fitch-
burg. In politics he was first a Whig, and since
the Republican party has existed he has affiliated
with it. He served the city as representative to the
general court in 1876. For the past ten years he
has been chairman of the park commission. He
is a member of the Park Club of Fitchburg. For
nearly forty years he has been an active member
of the Calvinistic Congregational Church. He has
been prominent for many years in the Masonic
Fraternity. He was a charter member and junior
warden of the Charles W. Moore Lodge, A. F. and
A. M. He belongs to Thomas Royal Arch Chapter
of Fitchburg. and to Hiram Council of Worcester.
He was a charter member and captain general of
Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, of Fitch-
burg.
Mr. Coggshall has given generously of his large
fortune to many charities and public objects. He
has been particularly interested in the park system
of the city and in anticipating the future needs of
Fitchburg in this respect. In 1894 he gave to the
city Coggshall Park, which is in line with the
memorial gifts, such as the Wallace Library and the
Burbank Hospital, given to Fitchburg by men who
made their fortunes in the city and at the same
time helped to build up the city. Coggshall Park
includes his handsome summer home at Mt. Elam,
the use of which he retains during his life. The
original size of the estate was eighty-six acres. He
44
WORCESTER COUNTY
bought seventy-four acres adjoining to form the
original park, and in 1896 he bought and gave to
the city fifty-two acres more, making in all two
hundred and twelve acres in this beautiful subur-
ban park. It is an ideal location for a park, fhe
grounds are picturesque and attractive, and it is a
favorite resort, especially on Sunday, for those who
can appreciate a park. Hundreds of people may be
seen in the park every good day during the season.
The park is about two miles from the centre of the
city and is between South street and Mt. Elam.
Mr. Cog.gshall married (first), December 10,
1846, Sylvania L. Carpenter, daughter of Stephen
Carpenter, of Brattleboro, Vermont. She died May
3, 1904. He married (second). December 6, 1904,
Carolina T. Wilbur. He has no children.
STEPHEN CH.\PIN KENDALL. Francis
Kendall (i), the immigrant ancestor of Stephen
Chapin Kendall, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was
born in England. The records give him an alias
Miles, and some of his descendants believe that
the name was assumed when he left England to
avoid the religious examination imposed on emi-
grants at that time. His original name was cer-
tainly Kendall and he bore his own name from the
first after reaching this country. He settled in Wo-
"burn. He was a miller by trade. He was one of
the most prominent and influential men of his day.
He was in Woburn before 1640 and was admitted a
freeman there May 26, 1647. His brother, Thomas
Kendall, settled at Reading, not far away, and the
children of Thomas Kendall are mentioned in the
will of Francis. They were all daughters, so that
the various Kendall families trace their ancestry
to Francis in every case. Francis was selectman
for eighteen years between 1659 and 1688. He was
on the committee to lay out land to the proprietors
in 1667. He was not always in accord with the
Puritan Church, for he was presented by the grand
jury in 1671 for refusing to take communion with
the Woburn Church. He is also on record as be-
ing fined for tardiness at a selectman's meeting in
1674. He served as tithingman in 1676. He was
horn in England between 1615 and 1620. He died
in 1708. His will dated May 9, 1706, mentions wife
and children given below.
He married, December 24. 1644, Mary Tidd,
daughter of John Tidd, of Woburn. She died 1705.
Their children were : John, born May 2, 1646. died
1732, soldier in King Philip's war, 1675 ; had eleven
children, of whom John settled in Dunstable about
l7,'?o; married Deborah Richardson, March 25, 1718,
and Francis's son John settled in Leominster.
Thomas, born January 10, 1648-9, died May 26,
1730. aged eighty-one years. Mary, born January
20. 1650-1, married Israel Reed. Elizabeth, born
January 15. 1652-3, died October 16, 1715: married
James Peirce. Hannah, born January 26. 1654-5,
married William Green. Rebecca, born March 21,
1657-8, married Joshua Eaton. Samuel, born March
8. 1659-60, died 1749. Jacob, born January 25,
1660-T, of whom later. Abieail. born April 6, 1666,
married. May 24, 1686. William Reed.
(II) Jacob Kendall, eighth child of Francis Ken-
dall (i), was born in Woburn, Ma'ssachusetts. Jan-
uary 26. T660-1. He settled in Woburn where all
■his children except the youngest were born. He
removed in 1716 to Billerica. where he lived for a
short time. He married twice (first). January 2,
1683-4, Persis Haywood, who died October ig, 1694;
(second) Alice Temple, January 10, 1694-5.
The children of Jacob and Persis Kendall were:
Persis. born August 24, 16S5 ; Jacob (twin), born
January 12, 1687, died January 20, 1686-7; Jacob
(twin), born January 13, 16S6-7, named in the will
of his grandfather, Francis Kendall, in 1706, died
before April 22, 1714; Joseph, born December 17,
1688, died October 3, 1743; Jonathan, born Novem-
ber 2, 1690, died November 11, 1690: Daniel, born
October 23, 1691, of whom later. The children of
Jacob and Alice Kendall were : Ebenezer, born No-
vember 9. 1695 ; John, born January 9, 1696-7, died
October 17, 1697: Sarah, born July iS, 1698, mar-
ried Benjamin Whittemore, of Boston: Esther, born
November 20, 1699 ; Hezekiah, born May 26, 1701 ;
Nathan, born December 12, 1702, of whom later;
Susanna, born October 27, 1704; Phebe, born De-
cember 19, 1706: David, born September 28, 1708;
Ebenezer, born April 5, 1710; Alice, born January
31. 1711-12; Abraham, born April 26, 1712; Jacob,
born April 22, 1714, died June i, 1714; Persis. born
August 23, 1715; Jacob, born at Billerica, July I,
1717.
(III) Nathan Kendall, twelfth child of Jacob
Kendall (2), was born in Woburn, Massachusetts,
December 12, 1702. He was one of the pioneers at
Litchfield, New Hampshire, and was for many years
a leading citizen. He represented the town in 1744
in a petition to the legislature for a change in
boundary lines and other matters. (See page 473,
Vol. IX. N.^ H. Documents.)
.-\mong his children were : Nathan, Jr., born
1726, died November 10, 1791 ; removed to Amherst,
New Hampshire, between 1747 and 1754; married
Rebecca Cobnrn, 1753, who died in Antrim 1818,
aged eighty-eight years; they had eight children.
Amos, signed petitions in Litchfield in 1746. Daniel,
born about 1725, of whom later.
(IV) Daniel Kendall, son of Nathan Kendall
(3), was born in Litchfield, New Hampshire, about
1725. or was brought there soon afterward, prob-
ably from Woburn. Massachusetts. He was in Cap-
tain Goffe's company in the Indian war in 1745. He
was on the committee to adjust the claims of revo-
lutionary soldiers against the town for unpaid wages
or stipend in 1781. Among his children was Jacob,
of whom later.
(V) Deacon Jacob Kendall, son of Daniel Ken-
dall (4), was born in Litchfield, New Hampshire,
in 1758. He was a revolutionary soldier, enlisting
at Litchfield in 1777 in Ensign David McQuig's
company, and again he served in Colonel Went-
worth's regiment at Portsmouth in 1779. He was at
the battle of Ticonderoga probably. In 1784 he
signed a petition for a ferry on the Merrimac river.
He settled in Amherst, an adjacent town to his na-
tive place, directly after the revolution in 1783. He
became a leading citizen of the town and was select-
man in 1794-95-96-97-98-99-1800-03. The town of
Mount Vernon including the Kendall farm within
its bounds was incorporated in 1804. He died in
Mount Vernon. June 3, 1823.
He married, June 25, 1782. Sarah Jamson, of
Amherst. She was born March 20, 1761. and died
August TO. 1847. Their children were : Amos, born
1782, died at New Boston, January 12. 1859. Sarah,
born January 17. 1784. died September 14, 1861 ;
married (first") Simeon Flint, August 20, 1804; (sec-
ond) Aaron Wilkins, September 16, 1724. Jacob,
WORCESTER COUNTY
45
born April 15, 1785. Elizabeth, born August 11.
1788. Jonathan, born August n, I79i. married
Phebe Flint, 1815, died October 24, 1859. Josiah,
of whom later.
(VI) Josiah Kendall, youngest child of Deacon
Jacob Kendall (5), was born at Mount Vernon,
then Amherst, New Hampshire, January 21, 1797.
He was a farmer at Mount Vernon during all his
active life. He lived for a few years at Antrim,
New Hampshire, in the Simon Story house which
was built for him. Several of his children lived
there also. The children of Josiah and Mary
(Lovett) Kendall were: i. John L., married Chris-
tiana Lovejoy in 1851 and resided in the Cummings
house at Antrim, New Hampshire ; he was lost over-
board on the Potomac while in the service in the
civil war ; ' their children died young. 2. Stephen
C. of whom later. 3. Adoniram J., settled in An-
trim, removed to Nashua in 1851 ; lost an arm while
using a circular saw in a mill; married Amanda
Abbott, and they had three children: Frank E., born
in Antrim, 1851, died young, left a daughter, Maud ;
George Henry, unmarried ; William, unmarried. 4.
Elizabeth, died 1852.
(.VU) Stephen Chapin Kendall, son of Josiah
Kendall (6), was born in Mount Vernon,
New Hampshire, August 27, 1825. He re-
ceived a common school education in his na-
tive town and learned the trade of carpenter at
Nashua, New Hampshire, where he worked for sev-
eral years. He removed to Antrim, New Hamp-
shire, in 1849, and followed his trade there. He
was engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash and
blinds in the shop now occupied by A. F. True in
company with his brother, John L. Kendall, and
afterward with Charles E. Jackson. He built part
of the shop now standing there. He built for Ij'S
residence there the house now or lately owned by
Lewis Bass.
In 1859 he left Antrim to go to Southbridge,
Massachusetts, where he assisted in the erection of
R cotton mill, and he remained there in the cotton
manufacturing business four years. He followed
his trade as carpenter and builder at Tamworth,
New Hampshire for six years. He went to Fitch-
burg, November 18, 1870, and from 1872 to 1S98, a
period of nearly seventeen years, he was master
mechanic for the Parkhill Manufacturing Company,
a position of great responsibility requiring extensive
knowledge of mechanics and much skill and ability.
He was a constant attendant of the Rollstone
Congregational Church, and an active member of
the Young Men's Christian Association. He was a
worthy and highly esteemed citizen, faithful in all
life's various duties and relations. In politics he
was a Republican and held the position of road com-
missioner several years. He died at the age of
seventy-three, ten months and twenty-one days,
July 17, 1899.
Stephen Chapin Kendal married. June 7, 1848,
Alfreda C. Jackson, daughter of Charles A. Jack-
son, of Tamworth. New Hampshire. They had no
children, but they lived happily and celebrated their
golden wedding, June 7, 1S98. They adopted a son,
Charles H. Kendall, who married Mary Elizabeth
Merriam, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Mer-
riam. and they have a son and two daughters :
Charles M., not married : Mrs. C. D. Wilder, whose
children are : Jones Warren, Marie, Margaret, Stan-
ley Kendall, and Lois Wilder; Mrs. B. F. Wilder,
of New York city, whose children are: Robert,
Dorothy and Nellie Wilder.
Noah Jackson, Sr., son of Joseph Jackson, Jr.,
brother of Charles A. Jackson, was born October 9,
1795, died December 15, 1868, aged seventy-three
years. He married. September 5, 1822, Alfreda
Cobb, born September iS, 1799, died November 27,
1877, aged seventy-eight. Children: Elizabeth M.
R., born October 11, 1823, died March 28, 1832.
Alfreda N., born January 23, 1826, died March 25,
18S7, aged sixty-one years. Sophia W., born May
13, 1828, died August 29, 1890, aged sixty-two years;
she married W. A. Chamberlain, who died in May,
1890, aged seventy; they were the parents of eleven
children, all deceased but the two youngest, a son
and daughter. Harriet A., born February 17, 1830,
died September 22, 1894, aged sixty-four years. She
married Archy A. MacDonald, who died in 1876.
They had four children, two of whom are living, a
son, a lawyer, and a daughter. Elizabeth, born
April 9, 1832, living at the present time (1906),
aged seventy-four years ; she married John O'Brien,
by whom she had nine children, all of whom are
living with the exception of the eldest son ; two
sons are ministers and three sons are farmers.
Joseph C, born August 9, 1833, now living (1906),
aged seventy-three years ; married Mary O'Brien,
who bore him seven children, three sons of whom
are deceased and the other two are farmers in Can-
ada. Charles A., born March 5, 1836, died April,
1841. Noah W., born June 30, 1838, now living
(1906), married Pauline Adams, to whom were
born seven sons and one daughter ; of the seven
sons four were doctors, the eldest being now de-
ceased, one a civil engineer, one in government em-
ploy and one died young. Pauline (Adams) Jack-
son died April 22, 1876, and Noah W. Jackson mar-
ried (second) Alice Worrell, to whom were born
seven children. Charles H., born April 26. 1841,
now living (igo6), married Ellen Hoskins, who died
in 1869; he married (second) Elizabeth M. Quigley.
GEORC^E S. PIERCE. John Pierce or Pers
(l), who is the immigrant ancestor of many of the
families of Pierce and Peirce in Worcester county,
was the progenitor of George S. Pierce, of Fitch-
burg. Massachusetts.
He was born in Norwich, Norfolk county, Eng-
land, and was a weaver by trade. He was one of
the earliest settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts,
and was admitted a freeman there March, 1637-8.
His will was dated March 4, 1667-8, and he died
August 19, 1661. His widow Elizabeth died March
12. 1666-7. Her will dated March 5. and proved
April 2. 1667. mentions her son Anthony, son Robert,
son John, granddaughters Mary and Esther Ball,
children of her daughter Elizabeth ; daughters Esther
Morse and Mary Coldham ; John, son of Anthony;
and Judah. daughter of Robert.
The children of John and Elizabeth Pierce were:
Anthony, of whom later ; John, born in England ;
Robert, born 1620, in England : Barbara, born in
England ; Judith, born in England, married, at Wo-
burn. January .30. 1644-5, Francis Wyman ; Mary,
married Ball : Esther, married Morse.
(II) Anthony Pierce, son of John Pierce (i),
was born in England in 1609 and came to America
before his father. He was admitted a freeman
at Watertown, Massachusetts. September 3, 16,34,
and is the progenitor of most of the early families
46
WORCESTER COUNTY
■of this surname in and about Watertown, Waltliam,
Weston, Lincoln and Lexington. His homestead
was on the north side of the road from Cambridge
to Watertown. west of the house of John Stowers,
which was afterwards the parsonage. His sons,
Joseph and Benjamin Pierce, lived there after him.
He married (lirst) Sarah . He married
(second) about 1638, Anne - — — . He died May
9, 167S. His will was dated September 6, 1671.
His widow died January 20, 1682-3. The children
of Anthony and Sarah Pierce were : John, eldest,
married Ruth (Bishop) Fuller, daughter of Na-
thaniel Bishop, and widow of William Fuller; Mary,
born October 20, 1633; Mary, born 1636, married
Ralph Read, son of William and Mabel Read, of
Watertown; Jacob, born September 15, 1637; Daniel,
of whom later; Martha, born April 24, 1641 ; Jo-
seph, admitted a freeman April 18, 1690; Benjamin,
admitted freeman April 18, 1690; Judith, born July
18, 1650, married, February 1666-7, John Sawin.
(HI) Daniel Pierce, fifth child of Anthony
Pierce (2), was born in Watertown, Massachusetts,
January i, 1639-40. He married Elizabeth ,
and they settled in Groton, Massachusetts, where
five of their children were born. They had to
leave on account of the Indian troubles in King
Philip's war, and they were in Watertown again in
1681. They joined the church there January 16,
1686. He was a weaver by trade as well as a farmer.
His will was proved in 1723, the year of his death.
The children of Daniel and Elizabeth Pierce
were: Elizabeth, born May 16, 1665, married, Octo-
ber 17, 1684, Isaac Mixer, Jr.; Daniel, born No-
vember 28, 1666. married Abigail ; John, born
August 18, 1668, baptized at Watertown, January 16,
1686; Ephraim, of whom later; Josiah. born May
2, 1675, probably died young : Joseph, born Decem-
lier 30, 1678, married ^lary Warren; Abigail, born
January 3, 1681, died unmarried 1723 ; Hannah, born
1685, baptized January 16, 1686; Benjamin, bap-
tized January 16, 1686; Mary, married
Scripture.
(IV) Ephraim Pierce. f(5urth child of Daniel
Pierce (3), was born at Groton. Massachusetts,
October 15, 1673. He married Mary Whitney, who
was born July i, 1675, and died December 29, 1749.
They settled in Groton, where he died February 27,
1740-1. He was one of the first settlers of the town
of Lunenburg. He owned lot No. 68 and he was
the first selectman elected in the town in 1728.
The children of Ephraim and Mary Pierce were :
Mary, born August 9. 1696, married, March 17,
1719-20, Josiah Farnsworth ; Elizabeth, born July
24, 1698, married. December 24, 1723, Thomas Far-
well ; Ephraim ; Sarah, born March 8. 1702, married,
October 27, 1720, Jonathan Parker ; both died Sep-
tember 21, 1723; David, born May 23. 1704. married,
June IS, 1725, Elizabeth Bowers; Jonathan, bom
April 15, 1706. died September 13, 1723; Simon, born
October 15, 1707. married. May 26. 1737, Susanna
.Parker ; resided in Groton ; Abigail, born Novem-
ber 20, 1710. married. 1735, Ezra Farnsworth; Lydia,
born November 20. 1713, died September 24, 1723.
(V) Ephraim Pierce, third child of Ephraim
Pierce (4), was born in Groton. Massachusetts,
November 12, 1700, married, October 30. 1721, Esther
Shedd, who died June 28, 1768. He married (sec-
ond), January 12, 1773, Mrs. Huldah (Martyn)
Weatherbee. They resided in Lunenburg. He was
deacon of the Congregational Church there. He
died in 1781.
The children of Ephraim and Esther Pierce
were: Esther, born May 29, 1722, married, Octo-
ber 17, 1740, Benjamin Gould; Jonathan, born No-
vember 29, 1724, married, February 4, 1745, Sarah
Dodge; Ephraim, born ^larch 13, 1726, married
(first) Sarah Norcross and (second) Olive Good-
ridge, of Lincoln; Amos, born July 8, 1729, died
January II, 1741 ; Sarah, born November 27, 1731,
married, January 25, 1749, John Lovejoy; Mary,
born March 5, 1733, married, November 28, 1754,
Phineas Hartwell, of Lunenburg; Benjamin, born
June 3, 1736, died December 23. 1757; Prudence,
born February 6, 1738, married, September 6, 1762,
Reuben Smith; Oliver, born July 17, 1741, married,
May 19, 1768, Mary Smith ; Keziah, born December
4, l74^^ died September 18, 1746; Elizabeth, born
November 25. 1746, married, November- 19, 1766,
Jacob Steward.
(VI) Oliver Pierce, ninth child of Ephraim
Pierce (5), w-as born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts,
July 17, 1741. married, May 19, 1768. Mary Smith,
who was born in 175 1 and died in 1827. He died
March 6, 1815. They resided at Lunenburg. He
was a soldier in the revolution in Captain Benjamin
Flagg's company April 19, 1775 ; in Captain Joseph
Warren's company and Lieutenant Colonel
Wheelock's regiment in 1777 with the northern army.
The children of Oliver and Mary Pierce were:
Oliver, born March 8, 1769, married, October 27,
1791, Hannah Davis; Polly, born May S, 1771, mar-
ried, February 11, 1790, Nathan Adams, Jr.; Na-
thaniel, born June i, 1773, died young; Benjamin,
born May 19, I77S, married Abigail Devoll, died in
Leominster, June 3, 1846 ; Nathaniel, born October
8, 1778. married (first) Judith Kendall; (second)
Zebia Smallpeace ; (third) Visa (Clark) Knight;
John, of whom later ; Betsey, born November 9,
17S9, married Billings, of Lunenburg.
(VII) John Pierce, sixth child of Oliver Pierce
(6), was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, Sep-
tember 18, 1787, married, November 28. 1816, Esther
Smith, who was born in 1782 and died March 10,
18,30; married (second), July 13, 1831, Sarah
(Tyler) Smith, who was born 1794 and died May
27, i860. He died November 12, 1867. They re-
sided at Lunenburg.
The children of John and Esther Pierce were :
Betsey, born February 2, 1818, died unmarried at
Lunenburg : Mary, born March 2, 1819, married.
April 21. 1853, David S. Jewett; she died in Fitch-
burg. i860, leaving two children; Benjamin, born
July 27, 1S20 : Joseph, born May 17, 1822, married
Almira Burrell : Nathaniel, born March 20, 1824,
married. September 23, 1874. Melinda Willard; he
died March 22. 1S28 ; resided at Ashburnham ; no
issue ; Otis, born November 16, 1826, married Mary
King, died December 25, 1903. The children of John
and Sarah Pierce wsre : Martha A., born 1832,
died unmarried July 3, 1863; George S., of whom
later.
(VIII) George S. Pierce, youngest child of John
Pierce (7), was born at Lunenburg, July 9, 1833.
He was born and brought up on the old Pierce
homestead and lived on it until 1871, when he re-
moved to Fitchburg. He attended the public schools
and the academy in Lunenburg. Lie was a pros-
perous farmer. After his removal to Fitchburg he
devoted his time to the care of his real estate. _ He
built a number of houses for investment in Fitch-
burg. His residence on Beacon street, which he
erected soon after coming to Fitchburg, was burned
WORCESTER COUNTY
47
Alarch i6, 1897, and re-built sliortly before his death.
Mr. Pierce acquired a competence by prudence and
wise investments. He was a Republican in politics
and a Unitarian in religion. He died at Fitchburg,
October 23, 1898.
He married. March 20. 1872, Mary B. Houghton,
daughter of Stephen and Mary (Bruce) Houghton,
of Lunenburg. Their children: Jonas S., resides in
Fitchburg and is engaged in the real estate and in-
surance business; Halbert E., graduate of Brown
University, 1902, and engaged in business in Bos-
ton ; Manila Alberta, died young.
COOK FAMILY. Gregory Cook (i), immi-
grant ancestor of George Albert Cook, of Lunen-
burg, Massachusetts, was doubtless born in Eng-
land, about 1625. He was a cordwainer or shoe-
maker by trade. He caine to this country about
1660, and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He
bought land there in 1665 of Abraham Williams, in-
cluding a mansion house on the highway from Wa-
tertown to Roxbury, alongside land of Edward
Jackson, Sr., and the Dnmmer farm, near what
is now Newton Centre, near the Watertown
line. In 1672 he bought the Dummer farm,
or one hundred and twelve acres of it, adjoining
his own farm, part in Cambridge, part in Water-
town. Cook's mansion house was torn down in
1823; it was located on a lot of sixteen acres of land,
bought in 1668 of Samuel Hyde, and located on the
East Dcdham highway west of Edward Jackson,
Sr.'s place. The homestead was handed down to
his son, Stephen Cook, who probably lived in it.
The last owner in the Cook family was Captain
Phineas Cook. Later it was owned by Captain
Nutting and Nathaniel Brackett.
He was a prominent man in public life. He was
constable in Cambridge Village in 1667, selectman
of Mendon 1669 to 1670, and proprietor of forty
acres of land there, but though his posterity appears
to have been numerous in Mendon and vicinity, he
did not stay long. He was selectman of Watertown
in 1673-78-79-S1-84. He was on a coroner's jury
in Watertown June 15, 1674. He died January i,
1691. His son Stephen administered the estate. The
inventory gave the value of the estate as one hun-
dred and ninety-one pounds.
He married (first) Mary . who died August
17. 1681. He married (second) Susan Goodwin,
widow, November i, 1681, and after his death she
married (third), September 15, 1691, Henry Spring.
The names of only two children are known, viz. :
I. Susanna (see Newton records for note of birth),
died at Watertown, November 13, 1674. 2. Stephen,
see forward.
(II) Stephen Cook, son of Gregory Cook (i),
was born presumably in England, 1647, and was
brought to Cambridge, where his parents settled
when he was an infant. He lived on the line be-
tween Watertown and Newton, then Cambridge, and
it is difficult to know whether he was a resident of
Watertown or Cambridge and where his children
were born. He married, 1679, Rebecca Flagg,
daughter of Tlionias Flagg. 'They were admitted
to the church of Rev. Mr. Bailey in full communion,
IMarch 4. 1687-8. She died June 20. 1721, and he
died at Newton, 1738, aged ninety-one years. The
children of Stephen and Rebecca Cook were: i.
Mary, born December 2, 1681, baptized at Water-
town, April 15, 1688. 2. Stephen, see forward. 3.
Isaac, born April 28, 1685. 4. John, born March
15, 1686-87, settled in Preston, Connecticut. 5.
James, born January 23, 1688-89. 6. Samuel, born
December 3, 1690, settled Windham, Connecticut.
7. Peter, born August 10, 1692. 8. Daniel, married,
1722, Mary Jackson, daughter of Abraham Jackson.
(III) Stephen Cook, Jr.. son of Stephen Cook
(2), was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, Jan-
uary 9, 1683. He settled in Watertown and was a
miller by trade. His will, dated 1757 and proved
1761, confirms to his son John house, land and grist
mill previously described in a deed of gift; be-
queaths a farm at Framingham to his son James.
The executors W"ere his son John and son-in-law,
John Dix. His wife's will also names the children.
He married Hannah Fuller, daughter of Joshua
Fuller, Sr., and their children, all born at Water-
town, were i. Mary, born January 9, 1706, married,
September 8, 1726, . 2. Hannah, born October 3,
1709, married, November 20, 1729, Samuel Dix. 3.
James, see forward. 4. Peter, born April 26, 1716.
5. Susannah, born October 23, 1717, married, Sep-
tember 25. 1741, . 6. Abigail, born August 7, 1721,
married William Gamage, Jr. 7. John, born March
31, 1724-
(IV) James Cook, son of Stephen Cook, Jr.
(3), was born at Watertown, Massachusetts,
March 3, 1714, died at Newton. His father left
him a farm at Framingham and he lived there after
his marriage until 1747. when he returned to Newton.
His first six children were born in Framingham and
the other si.x at Newton. He married, in Newton,
November 24, 1737, Lydia Fiske, who died I\Iarch
9, 1759. He married (second), September 21, 1759,
Mary Foster. Children of James and Lydia Cook
were : I. Jonathan, born December 3, 1738, married
Lydia Bacon. 2. Lydia, born January 22, 1740. 3.
Stephen, born June 24, 1741. 4. Enoch, see forward.
5. Zebediah Fiske, born February 26, 1746. 6. Eliza-
beth, born July 6, 1748, married William Badlam,
of Sherborn. 7. Mary, born June 16, 1750, died
November 8, 1750. 8. Rebecca, born June 18. 1753,
married William Flagg. 9. Esther, born May 4,
I75S- 10- James, born January 8, 1758. The chil-
dren of James and Mary Cook were: 11. Hannah,
born June 8, 1760. 12. Peter, born December 10,
1764.
(V) Enoch Cook, son of James Cook (4), was
born at Newton, JNIassachusetts, January 4, 1744.
He lived in Newton until 1770, when he went to
Groton and settled. He was a soldier in the rev-
olution, with the rank of sergeant in the company
of Captain John Sawtelle and regiment of Colonel
James Prescott on the Lexington alarm, April 19,
1775. This company was raised in Groton and
Pepperell, jNIassachusetts. He was also in Captain
Edmund Longley's company, Colonel Cogswell's
regiment, in 1778, detached to guard and fortify
posts at and about Boston. He married Mary
Foster, 1765. Their children, born at Newton, were :
I. Lydia, born January 29, 1765-66. 2. Samuel, see
forward. 3. i\Iary. born March 26. 1769. The pre-
ceding were born at Newton, the following at
Groton: 4. Enoch, Jr.. born November 15, 1771. 5.
John, born April 16. 1774.
(VI) Samuel Cook, son of Enoch Cook (5),
was born at Newton, Massachusetts, March 12,
1767. He was an infant when the family removed
to Groton. He lived in Groton until 1808, when he
settled in Lunenburg, where he bought the Abel
Page place. JNIarch 21, 1808, of Joshua Longley. of
Shirley, agent for the heirs of Page. The farm
48
WORCESTER COUNTY
consisted of one hundred and eighty acres o£ land
in the northeast part of the town, with house, barn
and other buildings. Samuel also owned land in
Shirley. He made his will December 6, 1848, and
died in 1859. He bequeathed to his wife Dolly, and
son Abel, who was to care for his invalid brother
Edward all his life. Abel had the homestead on
Hunting Hill, Lunenburg. He married, April 23,
1797, at Pepperell, Sarah Green, of the Groton fam-
ily of Green to which Dr. Samuel A. Green, of Bos-
ton, the author, historian of Groton, librarian, be-
longs. Their children were: I. Daughter, died of
influenza at Lancaster, October 13, 1807. 2. Abel,
see forward. 3. Edward, invalid, died unmarried.
(VH) Abel Cook, son of Samuel Cook (,6),
was born at Groton, Massachusetts, May 24, 1807.
He was a farmer and succeeded to the homestead
and estate of his father. He lived and died in Lun-
enburg. He married Betsey Robinson, 1S34, daugh-
ter of Ebenezer and Betsey (Harrington) Robin-
son, of Lunenburg. Children of Abel and Betsey
Cook were: i. George Albert, see forward. 2.
Harriet Elizabeth, born July 19, 1839, married .W-
bert Sanderson, son of Jesse and Marilla Sanderson,
April 19, 1859. 3. Alonzo, born February 20, 1843,
died April 8, 1847. 4. Ada Augusta, born June iS,
1845, died March 25, 1847. 5. Adelaide Augusta,
born August 19, 1847, married Edwin Lewis Fair-
banks, in Fitchburg, August 7, 1872. Abel Cook
married (second) Lucy Kilburn, daughter of David
and Lucy (Pingree) Kilburn, 1849. Their children:
6. Alonzo Baxter, born April 25, 1850. 7. Ella
Pingree, born November 5, 1853.
(Vni) George Albert Cook, son of Abel Cook
(7), was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, Au-
gust I, 1835. He was educated in the public and
high schools of his native town, and during his
youth assisted his father on the homestead. He
learned the trade of cooper and worked first for
Augustus Jewett, of Pepperell, then for Powers &
Adams, of Townsend, where he lived until the lat-
ter part of 1858, when he returned to Lunenburg.
jNIuch of the time since then he has been in the em-
ploy of Augustus Taylor, who owns an extensive
cooperage works at Lunenburg, near Hunting Hill,
where Mr. Cook resides. He has an attractive home
on the old homestead where his grandfather settled
a hundred years ago. He is a Republican in poli-
tics and attends the Congregational Church.
Mr. Cook married (first), August 10, 1856, Ann
Maria Spaulding, daughter of Henry and Betsey
(Farrar) Spaulding, of Townsend. She was born
Mav 23, 1835, died August 5, 185S. Her father was
a miller by trade and a successful dealer in feed and
grain at Townsend. He married (second), Novem-
ber 29, i860. Lydia Spaulding Adams, daughter of
Edward Gary and Martha (Spaulding) Adams. She
was born November 30, 1827. The children of
George Albert and Ann Cook were: l. Henry Al-
bert, born in Townsend, May 26, 1857, married
Emma J. Daniels, of Brookline, New Hampshire,
and their children were — Lena Edward, Albert
Spaulding, George Henry. 2. Abel Franklin, died
in infancy.
DR. ERNEST PARKER MILLER. The immi-
grant ancestor of Dr. Ernest Parker Miller, of
Fitchburg, settled in Rehoboth. Massachusetts. The
family records begin with John Miller, born in
Rehoboth, August 3. 1725- The name of his father
is not known but it seems probable that his grand-
father was Robert Miller, son of John Miller, Sr.,
of Rehoboth.
(I) John Miller, Sr., was in Rehoboth as early
as 1643. He was a town officer in 1648. His chil-
dren were : Robert, born probably about 1643, and
probably other older children ; Hannah, December
23, 1653; Sarah, October 15, 1655; Samuel, Octo-
ber 5, 1658; Joseph, August, 1660; Benjamin, Sep-
tember 22. 1662. John Miller, Sr. was cousin and
heir of Thomas milliard, of Boston, in l66g. The
name Millard is to be found on the Rehoboth
records side by side with Miller, spelled Millerd
usually.
(II) Robert Miller, believed to be son of John
Miller (i), born in England probably about 1640,
married Elizabeth Saben, of Rehoboth, December
24, 1662. He was a soldier in King Philip's war
in 1675. Their children, all born in Rehoboth, were:
Elizabeth, born February S, 1663-4; Robert, June 12,
1666; Nehemiah, June 8. 1668; Josiah, July 26, 1670;
Nathaniel, March 31. 1672, married Ruth Chase,
of Newbury, Massachusetts, May 20, 1716; Solomon,
May 6, 1674; Mary. June 14. 1680: Sarah, Septem-
ber 26, 1684: Experience, May 20, 1687.
(III) Robert Miller, son of Robert Miller (2),
was born June 12, 1666. It remains to be proved
that he is the father of the John Miller who was
born August 3, 1725, in Rehoboth. One of his
brothers may be the father.
.(IV) John Miller, grandson of Robert Miller
(2), of Rehoboth, and ancestor of Dr. Ernest P.
Miller, of Fitchburg, was born in Rehoboth, Massa-
chusetts, .•\ugu5t 3. 1725, and died there September
7, 1797. He married Martha , born August 5,
1723, died May 23, 1804. They had a son Robert,
of whom later.
(V) Robert Miller, son of John Miller (4),
was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. November
2. 1753. died June 28. 1830, in Vermont. He mar-
ried Mary Perry, born September 6, 1762, died June
19. 1853. He was a soldier in the revolution. He
removed to Westminster, Vermont, and his farm
there was on the west road (near the residence of
Freeman Gorham). He was the father of twelve
children, all born at Westminster. Vermont, as fol-
lows: Toby (?), born August 27, 1782, died March
I, 1873. at Londonderry, Vermont : Polly, March 22,
1784, died October I, 1865: John (twin), March 22,
1786, died December 19, 1867; Jabez (twin). March
22, 17S6; Sally, April 9, 1788, died October 23, 1806;
Cynthia. July 14, 1790, died August 8, 1865; Jesse,
September 10. 1792. died 1875: Robert R., Novem-
ber 30, 1794. died in 1890: Sophia, October 15. 1796,
died 1890: Fylindia, .August 12. 1799. died Decem-
ber I. 1877; bphia. November II, 1801 ; Belal, July
31, 1805. died February 9, 1881.
(Vf) John Miller, son of Robert Miller (5),
was born in Westminster, Vermont. March 20, 1786,
died there December 19, 1867. He settled on a
farm on the west road where Coren Goodell now
or lately lived. He married Betsey Robinson, daugh-
ter of Nathaniel Robinson. She was descended
from George Abbott, of Yorkshire, England, one
of the first settlers of Andover, Massachusetts,
Their children were: .Mfred, born March 15. 1815,
died November 15. 1877: Lucy, married Lyman
Rannev: John: Betsey, married Ebenezer Hall; Pat-
terson; Wealthy, never married; Reuben, married
Martha Goodhue.
(VII) Dr. Alfred Miller, son of John Miller
(6). and grandson of Robert Miller, was born 'in
WORCESTER COUNTY
49
Westminster. Vermont, March 15. i8i5- He pur-
sued his preparatory studies in the public schools
of Westminster and Bernardston, Vermont, and wqs
graduated from Middlebury College in 1840. While
reading for his profession he taught school for a
number of years. He studied with Dr. Alfred Hitch-
cock and at the medical school in Woodstock. Ver-
mont, where he was graduated in 1844. In the fol-
lowing years he entered upon the practice of his
profession in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, w^here
he remained until 1862, when he settled in Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts. He was a skillful physician
and highly respected by all who knew him. He
was a leading citizen as well as a popular and suc-
cessful doctor. He was repeatedly elected a mem-
ber of the school committee and to other offices
of trust and honor. He represented the town in
the general court in 1866 and 1876. He was emi-
nently successful in his practice in Fitchburg. He
died there November 15, 1877, aged sixty-two years.
He married, December 28, 1847, Elsie L. Kibling,
born March 23, 1826, daughter of Francis Kibling.
Their children were: Alfred M., born October 13.
1849, died October 20, 1849 ; Ernest Barker, Janu-
ary 4, 1851 ; Alice, April 20, 1855, graduate of Fitch-
burg high school, 1873, Vassar College, 1876 ; mar-
ried Clarence W. Spring, physician, resides in Fox
street, Fitchburg; Emma Louise. November 26,
1857, married, October, 1878, George H. Crocker,
has son. Samuel E. M. Crocker; Margaret Fiske,
March 8. 1868; Alfred Kibling, March 31. 1870,
married Dorothy McTaggart, of Fitchburg ; she is
one of the leading contralto soloists of Worcester;
he is in the automobile business in Worcester,
Massachusetts.
Francis Kibling, son of John Kibling married,
February 23, 1825, Waity Lawrence, daughter of
Moses Lawrence. John Kibling was son of Deacon
Jacob Kibling. The latter was very promment in
Ashburnham. He was selectman, deacon of the
Baptist Church, revolutionary soldier: he removed
to Stafford, Vermont, where he died 1S39. He mar-
ried. February 21, 1777, Sarah Coolidge, daughter
of Elisha Coolidge, of Ashburnham. Jacob Kibling,
father of Deacon Jacob, was one of the German
emigrants, and an early settler of the town. He
was born in Germany in 1722 and removed to Ash-
burnham in I7.=;S. being one of the seven original
proprietors of the Lexington grant. Fie settled on
land since known as the Constantine farm, and
exchanged farms with Jacob Constantine and
removed to the farm now or lately owned by Alden
B. Marble. He was a man of recognized character
and ability: was selectman nine years. He married
Catharine Wolfe. He died April 4, 1777; she died
at the home of one of her children in Vermont,
March 28, 1821, aged ninety-one years ; they had
nine children.
(VIII) Dr. Ernest Parker Miller, son of Dr.
Alfred Miller (7), was born in Ashburnham. Massa-
chusetts, January 4, 1851. He attended the public
schools of his native town and Fitchburg, and grad-
uated from the high school of the latter town in
1868. He was graduated from Harvard College in
1872 and spent the two following years as assistant
teacher of the Fitchburg high school. He then
entered the Harvard IMedical School, from which
he was graduated in 1877. He was house officer in
the Massachusetts General Hospital for a year, after
which he came to Fitchburg and took up his father's
practice. For twenty-eight years he has been en-
iv— 4
gaged in practice at Fitchburg and he is one of the
leaders of his profession. He was medical examiner
for the county from 1877 to 1891, when the election
of a Democratic governor caused a change in the
office. Dr. Miller is a Republican. He was city
physician in 1878 and in 1883. Since 1S84 he has
been a member of the examining board for the
L'nited States pension bureau. He is surgeon at the
Burbank Hospital. He is a member of the Worces-
ter North District and Massachusetts Medical So-
ciety. He belongs to the Park Club.
He married, October 22. 1878, Myra B. Richard-
son. Their children are : Richard Henry, born in
Fitchburg, October 11, 1884. graduate of Harvard
University, 1905: master in the Groton school; Elsie
Lawrence, April 10. 1886. graduate of Fitchburg
high school, 1904, Vassar College, class of 190S;
Ernest Parker, Jr., January 28, 1890, is in Fitch-
burg high school ; Wyman Richardson. July 23, 1892.
LUNT FAMILY. Henry Lunt (i), the immi-
grant ancestor of Henry T. Page, of Fitchburg,
through his mother, Susan Maria (Lunt) Page,
sailed from England in the "Mary and John" of
London, March 26, 1633 ; settled in Newbury, Mass-
achusetts, 1635, and was admitted a freeman there
May 2, 1638. He was one of the proprietors. He
died July 10, 1662; his will was proved September
30, 1662. His widow Anna married (second) Joseph
Hills, previously of Maiden, Massachusetts. (See
Hills Family). Henry Lunt is believed to be the
son of Henry Lunt, in England. He is buried in
the graveyard of the First Parish Church at New-
buryport. Children of Henry and Anna Lunt:
1. Sarah, born November 8, 1639. 2. Daniel, men-
tioned below. 3. John, born November 30, 1643.
4. Priscilla, February 16, 1646. 5. Mary, July 13.
1648. 6. Elizabeth, December 29, 1650. 7. Ensign
Henry, February 20, 1653.
(II) Daniel Lunt, second child of Henry Lunt
(l), born in Newbury, Massachusetts, May 17, 1641,
married. May 16, 1664, Hannah Coker, daughter of
Robert Coker. She was born January 15, 1645, and
died January 29, 1679, aged thirty-four years. He
married (second) Mary Moody, granddaughter of
Captain John Cutting, a very prominent pioneer of
Watertown and Ne\vbur>-port. Daniel Lunt died
January 26, 1702. Children of Daniel and Hannah
Lunt: I. Hannah, born May 17, 1665. 2. Daniel,
May I, 1667. 3. Henry, mentioned below. 4. John,
January 10, 1672. $. Sarah, June 18, 1674. 6. Mary,
July 24. 1677. Children of Daniel and Mary Lunt:
7. Joseph. March 4, 1681. 8. Anna, January 28,
1683. 9. Benjamin, March 15, 1686.
(HI) Henry Lunt, Jr., son of Daniel Lunt (2),
was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, June 23,
1669. His children: I. Daniel, born June 15, 1695.
2. Benjamin, June 21, 1700. 3. Henry. 4. Johnson.
August 12, 1704. 5. Abner. 6. Sarah.
(IV) Abner Lunt, son of Henry Lunt, Jr., (3),
born in Newburyport, 1706; married, May 6, 1726.
Hannah Stickney. Their children. i. Hannah,
February 17, 1727. 2. Sarah, September 14, 1730.
3. Abner.
(V) Abner Lunt, son of Abner Lunt (4), born
in Newburyport. July 25, 1732; married, April 19,
1751, Miriam, daughter of Benjamin Coffin; she was
born August 22, 1732, descendant of Tristam Cof-
fin, the pioneer ancestor of the Coffin family of that
section. (T^Iiriam 5; Benjamin, 4; Stephen, 3;
Tristam, Jr., 2; Tristam,:). Abner Lunt died at
50
WORCESTER COUNTY
sea, aged fifty-five. She died March 7, 1787. Their
children: i. Abner, born October 29, 1751; 2. Miriam,
February 9, 1754: 3. Jacob; 4. Micajah.
(VI) Micajah Lunt, youngest child of Abner
Lunt (s), born at Newburyport, November 9, 1764;
married Sarah Giddings, June 11, 1792. She was
the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Lord) Giddings,
and granddaughter of Lieutenant Daniel Giddings,
who served in the capture of Louisburg in 1744.
The father of Lieutenant Giddings was William (bid-
dings, judge of probate in Essex county. Micajah
Lunt died August 30, 1840, aged seventy-five years.
Sarah, his wife, born August 13, 1765, died January
5, 1827. Their children: i. William, born
1794. 2. Micah, April 22, 1796. 3. William.
January I, 1798. 4. Sarah Lord, October 6, 1800.
S. Mary Coffin, November 9, 1802. 6. George, March
7, 1805. 7. Hannah Giddings, March 25, 1S07. 8. Su-
san Maria, mentioned below. 9. Jacob William, Jan-
uary 20, 1829. Micajah Lunt married (second)
Sarah B., daughter of Edmund Sweet; she was born
June 13, 1793, died September 2, 1876.
(VH) Susan }ilaria Lunt, daughter of JNIicajah
Lunt, (.6), born in Newburyport, June S, iSii. died
February 5, 18S7; married, December 16, 1832, David
P. Page, mentioned above.
WHITIN FAMILY. Nathaniel Whitin (i), the
immigrant ancestor of the Whitin family of Whit-
insville, Massachusetts, was born in 1609, in Eng-
land. He is mentioned in the will of his grand-
father, John Smitli, who bequeathed to his mother,
Sarah (Smith) Whiting, lands in Hoxden, ;\liddle-
sex county, England. He had a brother, Samuel
Whiting, also mentioned in this will. Nathaniel
Whiting came first to Lynn as early as 1638. when
he was a proprietor of that town. In the first
records his name is spelled Whiting, Whyting and
Whitinge, most of the descendants having used the
form Whiting. He removed to Dedham a few
years after he came to New England and was a
proprietor there in 1640. He was admitted to the
church, July 30, 1641, and was made a freeman,
May 18, 1642. pe died at Dedham, January 15,
1682-83. His will was dated May 15, 1677, and
proved April 19, 1683. He gave his whole estate
to his wife Hannah to distribute at her discretion.
The w-idow died November 4, 1714, aged eighty-
nine years.
He married, November 4. 1643. Hannah Dwight,
daughter of John and Hannah Dwight, of Dedham,
progenitors of a famous old family. She came to
Dedham from England with her parents and brotli-
ers John and Timothy. Her father was at Water-
town in 1635, removed to Dedham, was admitted
a freeman March 13, 1638-39, owned half the water-
mill. Nathaniel Whiting was also a miller. His
descer.dants at Whitinsville -seem to have inherited
tlicir predilection for mills and machinery from both
immigrant ancestors named.
Children of Nathaniel and Hannah Whiting
were: i. Nathaniel, born September 26, 1644, mar-
ried Joanna Gay, daughter of John Gay, of Ded-
ham; settled in the adjoining tow'n of Medficld,
where he resided on North street, not far from the
present Pine street : was burned out by the Indians
in King Philip's war; had five children — Joanna,
Nathaniel, John, Samuel, and Hezekiah. 2. John,
born September 28, 1646, died November 26, 1646.
3. John, born November 3, 1647, died September
25, 1656. 4. Samuel, born December 20, 1649. mar-
ried, November 23, 1676, Sarah Metcalf. 5. Han-
nah, born February 17, 1651, married John Fair-
banks. 6. Timothy, born January 5, 1653, married
Sarah , died December 26, 1728. 7. Mary
(twin), born July 8, 1656, died October 29, 1656.
8. John (twin), born July 8, 1656, died same year.
9. ]\Iary, born October 12, 1658. 10. Sarah, born
December 3, 1660, married Nathaniel Farrington.
II. Abigail, born June 7, 1663, died October 25,
1721 ; married James Draper. 12. John, born July
19, 1665, settled Wrentham (see Goodwin's Gen-
ealogical Notes). 13. Jonathan, see forward. 14.
Judith, born March 30, 1670, married Barachiah
Lewis. 15. Anna, born January 25, 1672.
(II) Jonathan Whiting, son of Nathaniel Whit-
ing (i), vvas born in Dedham, jNIassachuseits, Oc-
tober 9, 1667, died at Roxbury, Massachusetts, Sep-
tember 4, 1728 (gravestone in First Parish ceme-
tery at Dedham). He married at Dedham, Decem-
ber 3, 1689, Rachel Thorp, daughter of James and
Elannah (Newcomb) Thorp. She was born at
Dedham, August 17, 1671, died after 1728. Admin-
istration was granted on his estate October 21,
1728, to widow Rachel, and the heirs entered into
an agreement, dated November 22, 1728, for the
settlement of the estate and providing for the sup-
port of the widow. He was a member of Captam
Whittington's company in the expedition against
Canada in 1690.
Their children were: i. Rachel, born at Ded-
ham, September 27, 1690, married at Roxbury,
April 20, 1715, Ebenezer Healey, of Stoughton. 2.
Ehphalet, died at Roxbury, November 30, 1693.
3, Alary, born at Dedham, April 13 1694. 4- Jona-
than, born at Dedham, November 8, 1696. 5. Eben-
ezer, born at Roxbury, July 11, 1699. 6. Eliphalet,
born at Roxbury, March I, 1701-02. 7. Nathaniel,
see forward. S. Moses, born at Roxbury, August
7, 1706, sold some of his father's lands to his brother
Aaron, December 13, 1733. 9. Aaron, born at Rox-
bury, July 18, 1709. 10. Hannah, born at Roxbury,
July 20, 171 1, died there about 1765; married Oc-
tober 26, 1732, Seth Tucker, son of Ebenezer and
Jemima (Daniell) Tucker.
(III) Nathaniel Whiting, son of Jonathan
Whiting (2), was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts,
March 20, 1703-04, died at Roxbury, January 19,
1790. He married (first), at Roxbury, May I, 1729,
Hannah Lyon, daughter of Joseph and JIary (Ald-
lidge) Lyon. She was born at Roxbury, December
25, 1712. He married (second), at Dedham, April
6, 1774, Hannah Richards, widow of Josiah Rich-
ards, daughter of Nathaniel Whiting. He was a
blacksmith by trade. David Weld was the adminis-
trator of his estate, appointed February 8, 1790, as
also of the estate of his first wife, the division of
which names the children — heirs of Isaiah, de-
ceased; heirs of Benajah, deceased; Paul Whiting,
the only son of Nathaniel, deceased ; widow Mary
Richards: heirs of Hannah Williams, deceased;
Rachel Whitney; Keziah 'Vose; widow Sarah Dra-
per and heirs of Lucy Everett, deceased. Their
children, all recorded as born at Roxbury: I. Mary,
born July 7, 1730. married, at Roxbury, January 19,
1748-49, Nathaniel Richards. 2. Isaiah, born June
24, 1732. 3. Hannah, born December 25, 1734, mar-
ried (first), at Roxbury, April 26, 1753. Thomas
Dudley; (second) Joseph Williams. 4. Rachel born
April 19, 1737. married, at Roxbury, November 15,
1759, Jacob Whitney. 5. Benajah, born June 18,
173S. 6. Keziah born January 29, 1740-41, died at
WORCESTER COUNTY
Robiiry, August 27, 1816; married there, September
24, 1767, William Draper; (second) at Roxbury,
February 5, 1778, Oliver Vose. 7. Rebecca, born
December 15, 1742, died at Roxbury, JNlay 6, 1743.
S. Nathaniel, born May 28, 1744, died at Roxbury,
December 26, 1744. 9. Sarah, born October 6, 1745,
married Paul Draper. 10. Nathaniel, sec forward.
II. Lucy, born April 26, 1751, died at Roxbury, Sep-
tember 20, 1788; married Peter Everett.
(TV) Nathaniel Whiting, son of Nathaniel
Whiting (3), was born in Roxbury, Massachusettts,
April 28, 1748, died at Roxbury, June 21, 1709
(gravestone) ; married at Trinity Church, Boston,
September 23, 1767, Sarah Draper, daughter of
Aloses and jSlary (Aldis-Allen) Draper. She was
born at Roxbury, June 5, 174S, died at Northbridge,
December 8, 1831. IMoses Draper, of Roxbury, was
appointed guardian of Paul Whiting, only son of
Nathamel. She married (second), December 21,
1770, lieutenant James Prentice, of Sutton, "son of
Samuel and Phebe Prentice. He died at Spencer,
i\Iay 20, 1837, aged ninety-one years. Prentice was
lieutenant m Captain Mark Chase's company of
Sutton and served in the revolution at Roxbury,
Alassachusetts, and Providence and Newport, Rhode
Island. The only child of Nathaniel, Jr., and Sarah
Whitin was Paul, see forward.
(V) Paul Whitin, son of Nathaniel Whitin
(4), was born at Roxbury, Massachusetts. De-
cember 3, 1767, and was baptized after his
father's death in the Dedham church, November 5,
1769. When a young lad of fourteen Paul was
apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade to Jesse
White, of Northbridge. His advantages for educa-
tion were exceedingly limited; his whole attendance
at school probably did not amount to six months.
Few men have ever entered upon business life with
less encouraging prospects. When he closed his ap-
prenticeship his health was poor and continued .^o
for some years. He had no capital of his own and
no relatives to whom he could look for aid. But he
improved every opportunity to supplement his edu-
cation and fit himself for a business career. By
perseverance and diligent improvement of those in-
tervals of labor that many young men spend in idle-
ness, he acquired a good knowledge of those
branches of study necessary for the successful prose-
cution of business. He was essentially self-educated ;
he was naturally studious. When he was twenty-
eight years old he was elected town clerk of North-
bridge, and filled this position thirteen successive
years. Fie was often elected to other town oflfices.
He was active in the state militia and rose through
the various grades to the rank of colonel. He was
for, several years justice of the peace. Fie was re-
peatedly urged to run for the office of representa-
tive to the general court, but he refused because
of the demands of business on his time. Indeed,
it was his custom to make up by extra labor all the
time taken from his business by military duties and
the town business.
While Colonel Whitin was not the pioneer in
iron manufacturing in Northbridge, he was pre-
eminently the founder of the great industries that
have made the village of Whitinsville, named in his
honor, a great centre of manufacturing and brought
wealth to many of his descendants. The very early
development of the manufactures of iron in North-
bridge, of which Whitinsville is a part, was doubt-
less due to the existence of iron ore within its
limits. Ore was taken out of Mendon as early as
1700, in the section now Uxbridge. and the iron
works were built at the falls on Alumford's river,
on account of the water power and abundance of
fuel, by Samuel Terry, in 1727 or 1728. The iron
works passed through the hands of various owners
until September 16, 1771, when Colonel Ezra Wood
bought the property of the estate of the late owner,
John Merritt, for four hundred and fifty pounds.
James Fletcher, who married Colonel Wood's
daughter, Margaret, December 24, 1771, now occu-
pied the property and carried on the works whicli
were situated about twenty rods below the bridge on
the south side of Mumford river in what is now
Whitinsville. The water for power was conveyed
in a ditch from the dam, which was about a hundred
feet west of the present dam next to the bridge.
About this time the works were removed to a build-
ing on the south side of the river, close to the
present dam, which w^as built at that time. The
new works took the name of "The Forge," or
"Fletcher's Forge" and began to acquire a reputa-
tion for good workmanship. In 1794 Colonel Wood
sold two-thirds of the property to his son-in-law,
James Fletcher, and one-third to Paul Whitin, who
had married Mr. Fletcher's daughter Betsey the
year previous.
Fletcher & Whitin continued to make bar iron
from scrap iron until 1812 or 1813. Mr. Whitin
did not work in the forge. He was a blacksmith and
had a shop on the north side of the river at tlic
end of the dam opposite from "The Forge," and at
first he did only the ordinary work of a blacksmith.
The manufacturing business was suggested by the
demand for agricultural tools during the war of
I.M2 when the embargo on trade getween this coun-
try and Great Britain had shut off the supply from
the old country. He fitted up his shop for tlie
manufacture of hoes and scythes. He hired an ex-
pert in tempering and the other unfamiliar parts
of the W'Ork, and soon acquired skill of his own.
Among the articles for which he found a ready sale
was the large hoe used by the negro slaves on
the southern plantations. Business grew rapidly.
He soon had three forges, a trip-hammer and a
grindstone operated by power. He continued this
business with great success to the time of his death
in 1831, when his sons succeeded him.
He had other large interests also. In 1826
Colonel Whitin formed a partnership with his two
elder sons, Paul, Jr., and John C. Whitin, to manu-
facture cotton goods. They built a brick mill hav-
ing a capacity of fifteen hundred spindles on the
site of the old forge on the south bank of the
river. His son, John C. Whitin, was superintendent,
of the mill and machinery. Colonel Whitin erected
the first cotton mill, however, in 1809, at the upper
dam, which was about three hundred feet east of the
present dam of the Whitin jNIachine Works. Colonel
James Fletcher, his father-in-law and partner, con-
tributed the w-ater privilege as his share in the en-
terprise. After the mill was erected INIr. Whitin
organized a company of which he was the principal
stockholder for the manufacture of cotton goods,
under the name of Northbridge Cotton Manufactur-
ing Company, which was later incorporated. June 9,
1814. This was the third cotton mill erected in the
Blackstone Valley above Pawtucket, the mill of
.A.liny Brown and the Slaters of Slatersville and the
original mill of the present Blackstone Company at
Blackstone (then South Mendon) preceding it by
two years. The manufacturing consisted in breaking.
52
WORCESTER COUNTY
carding and spinning. The raw material, having some
seeds and much dirt mixed with it, was put out to
families to be cleaned; some families took a bale at
a time. From four to six cents a pound was paid
for the work. The yarn was also put out to be
woven in the homes of the farmers by the over-
worked wives and children, the weaver receiving
eight cents a yard for weaving No. l6 yarn, the
grade then in use. After about eight years power
looms superseded the hand work. The mill was of
wood and had a capacity of fifteen hundred spindles.
It was rented for two years to Gladding & Cady ;
sold in 1S24 to William & Thomas Buflum ; to
Samuel Shove in 1829.
In 1815 Colonel Whitin, not content with what
the Northbridge Cotton l^Ianufacturing Company
was doing, entered into partnership with Colonel
Fletcher and his two sons under the firm name of
Whitin & Fletcher and they fitted up the old forge
building on the south side of the river as a cotton
mill of three hundred spindles for the making of
yarn. This mill was operated until 1826, when
Colonel Whitin, who had owned a half interest,
bought out his partners and formed a new firm with
his own sons, Paul, Jr., and John C. Whitin, under
the firm name of P. Whitin & Sons for the manu-
facture of cotton goods, and this firm, as already
stated, built the brick mill, Colonel Whitin fur-
nishing the capital, and on this foundation a great
business was developed by the sons. He was a
Whig and Republican, and served as state senator.
Colonel Whitin died at the age of sixty-three
years, February 8, 1831. Though never a church
member Colonel Whitin was a generous supporter
of religious institutions and his was an exemplary
life and character. Colonel Whitin belongs in the
class with Alvah Crocker, of Fitchburg. the Dra-
pers of Hopedale, George Crompton, Ichabod Wash-
burn, the Knowdes Brothers, and Philip L. INIoen,
of Worcester, the Bigelows of Clinton and other
founders of great industries in Worcester county.
He married, December 3, 1793, Betsey Fletcher,
daughter of Colonel James and Margaret (Wood)
Fletcher, of Northbridge, Eleazer (4), Samuel (3).
Samuel (2), Robert (i). Margaret Wood is a
descendant of Ezra (4), Jonathan (3), Ebenezer
(2), Thomas (i), of Upton. She was during
Colonel Whitin's life a most efficient helper in
the work he did for the community and the
world. She survived him thirty-seven years and
was, until near the time of her death, a member of
the firm of P. Whitin & Sons and contributed her
full share to its success. She died July 2, 186S.
They had ten children, of whom eight lived to
years of maturity, namely : Paul, see forward ;
"i\Iary, born January 4, 1802, married in 1818, Amin-y
A. Walker; no living descendants; Nathaniel Dra-
per, born September l, 1804. married Sarah .\.
Nichols, September 3, 1832, died at Northbridge.
August 19, 1869; John Crane, see forward: Charles
Pinckney, see forward ; Sarah Ann, born February
22, 1812, died 1838, unmarried ; James Fletcher,
see forward; Margaret, born September 4, 1817.
married Rev. J. J. Abbott, September 16, 1845; she
now lives in Whitinsville. They had six children,
the sons, James W.. Jacob J., William W., and Paul
W., lived to maturity and married.
(VI) Paul Whitin, Jr., son of Colonel Paul
Whitin (s), was born at Northbridge. now Whitins-
ville, February 5, 1800. The years of his childhood
and youth were spent mostly in his native town. He
attended the district school during the few months
of the year it was in session. When he was ten
years of age he commenced work in his father's
cotton mill on the day of its starting, tending a
breaking machine, and he became a skillful oper-
ative in all departments of the mill. When about
twelve years of age he spent some time with an
uncle in Amsterdam, New York, and attended school
there. He also had two terms at Leicester Acad-
emy. But from his tenth year, when not in school,
he worked in the mill or on the farm, until he was
eighteen, when he went to Boston in the dry goods
business of James Brew'er as clerk. At the age of
twenty-one he formed a partnership with a fellow-
clerk and opened a dry goods store on Maiden Lane,
New York city, under the firm name of Lee &
Whitin.
In 1S26 he returned to his native place and with
his father and younger brother, John C. Whitin,
formed the firm of P. Whitin & Sons. He took
charge of the mercantile department, having charge
of the store, buying the material for the cotton
mill and selling the product. He was well fitted,
by nature and training for his duties. When the
firm was re-organized after his father's death he re-
tained the same department and continued during
the great growth and development of the business
for a period of thirty-eight years. His ability and
thoroughness contributed materially to the success
of the business. When the firm was dissolved in
1864, he continued in the manufacture of cotton
goods as president of the Paul Whitin ]\Ianufactur-
ing Company with mills at Rockdale and Riverdale,
Massachusetts, until his death. In 1864 the cotton
mills of P. Whitin & Sons had increased from a
capacity of fifteen hundred spindles mentioned above,
to thirty thqusand spindles, with the mill at Rockdale
and the privilege at Riverdale. Paul Whitin was
president, and his son, Charles E. Whitin, treas-
urer and agent. They erected the mill at Riverdale
soon afterward, putting a brick addition on the stone
building which had been occupied by Harvey Waters
for the manufacture of scythes and bayonets, filling
it with cotton machinery and making it a mill of
seven thousand spindles. (Riverdale was sold
•after 1884.) In 1884, when Paul Whitin died,
Charles E. Whitin became president and his eldest
son, Harry T. Whitin. became agent.
Though never robust of body, his regular habits
and attention to his health enabled Mr. Whitin to
accomplish a large amount of business and to live
to a good old age in the full possession of his fac-
ulties. He always took a deep interest in town
and public affairs. He was elected representative to
tlie general court in 1837 and to the state senate in
1849. His perfect integrity and sound judgment
won the confidence of all men and he was called
upon to fill many positions of trust and responsi-
bility. He was elected director of the Blackstone
Bank at Uxbridge, October 6, 1828, remained a
director until 1S65, and wns president after October
6. 1845. He resigned to become president of the
National Bank at Whitin<ville, a position he re-
tained the remainder of his life. He was director
of the Worcester ISIutual Fire Insurance Company
from 1838 and attended a meeting only the day be-
fore his death. He was also a director of the
Worcester IManufacturers' Mutual Insurance Com-
pany from t86o. He was a director of the Provi-
dence it Worcester Railroad Company from its
fonhation until two years before he died, when he
WORCESTER COUNTY
53
resigned. He was for many years an active member
and trustee of tlie Worcester County Agricultural
and Horticultural Societies and always took a lively
interest in farming, especially in horticulture.
He was a man of decided religious convictions,
a member of the Congregational Church at North-
bridge Centre, which he joined in 1820 and to which
he was faithful in attendance and in the support of
its ordinances. He was very active in the forming
of the new church at the village of Whitinsville.
By his life and deeds he was ever a power for good
in the community. He was generous in giving to
church and charity. He died i^'ebruary 7, 1884.
Paul Whitin married, at Uxbridge, August 22,
1822, Sarah Richardson, daughter of IJeacou Phinea.,
(6), (.Gershom 5, Joseph 4, Seth 3, Josiah 2, Sanmcl
I, of Springfield) Chapin and Eunice (5), (Bezaieel
4, Josiah 3, Daniel 2, Robert i, of Alendon) Taft.
She was born in Uxbridge, April 30, 1800, and died
in Whitinsville, April 16, 1884. Thus husband and
wife were born in the same year and died in the
same year, after a period of life of sixty-two years.
Paul and Sarah R. (Chapin) Whitin had children:
I. Charles E., see forw-ard. 2. Henry, born Octo-
ber 26, 1826, died in JMorristown, New Jersey, No-
vember 9, 18S5, leaving a widow and two sons,
Frederick H. and Ernest Stagg, now residents of
New York city. 3. Sarah JNL, married, November
15, 1852, Franklin H. Orvis, and now resides at
Manchester, Vermont. Their children — Paul W.,
Edward C, William F., George A., Louis C. 4.
Annie L., now occupying her father's home in
Whitinsville.
(VI) John Crane Whitin, son of Colonel Paul
Whitin (5), was born at Northbridge, now Whitins-
ville, Massachusetts, March 1, 1807. Until he was
fifteen years of age he attended the school of his
district during the usual summer and winter terms.
After he was nine years old, when not at school,
he was employed in the cotton mill of his father,
working first in the picker room. When twelve he
was placed in the repair room and worked there
three years, the only apprenticeship to his life work,
the best possible schooling for his future career.
Early in 1822 he went to work in the dry goods
store of his brother, Paul Whitin, Jr., and remained
there until the latter part of 1825, when he returned
home to form with his father and brother the firm
of P. Whitin & Sons for the manufacture of cotton
goods. He took charge of the manufacturing and
mechanical departments of the business. He had
early been impressed with the imperfection of the
machinery used, especially of that used in picking
cotton, and in 1830 he directed his efforts to its
improvement. With two lathes, not worth more
than fifteen dollars each, and with an occasional
job done in a neighbor's shop, he, with two assist-
ants, completed the first picker in about a year.
Having the machine completed, he patented it in
1832. The picker immediately attracted the atten-
tion of other manufacturers, and the firm of P.
Whitin & Co. decided to manufacture the machines,
using as the shop the picker house of the mill just
purchased, a building thirty-two by forty feet. Ma-
chinery and tools were set up in it and put in
operation. The machines were crude compared
with those used at present, but so much superior to
those previously used that all manufacturers had
to have them. The demand steadily increased and
for many years the pickers in use throughout the
country were made at these works. Mr. Whitin
was encouraged to build other machines in the
fame line. To accommodate the increasing business
of the concern the Picker House was enlarged and
new buildings erected. In 1847 "The New Shop."
as it was called, was erected, three hundred and six
by one hundred and two feet, two stories and base-
ment, on the north side of the river. Among the
machines built in the works were : cards, card
grinders, doublers, railway heads, drawing frames,
ring-frames, spoolers, warpers, dressers, looms, and
in fact all the machinery used in the cotton mill,
except roving machinery, mules and slashers. Need-
less to say the firm kept in the front rank with new
styles and improved patterns.
In i860 John C. Whitin purchased the Holyoke
Alachine Works on his ow'n account and retained
them four years, giving much of his time to them.
In 1864 the firm of P. Whitin & Sons was dis-
solved and the business divided among the part-
ners. In this division John C. Whitin took the
manufacture of machinery, which in thirty years had
grown from one picker a month in the old Picker
House to many hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of a large variety of machinery in the large
shop of 1847 and its additions. On coming into
separate proprietorship Mr. Whitin erected a new
shop parallel with the shop of 1847, north of it, four
hundred and seventy-five feet long, seventy in
width, three stories and basement. Then a large
foundry was added to the plant and repeatedly en-
larged. A blacksmith shop was built and in 1883
a large shop on the south side of the river, three
hundred and eighty-six feet long, eighty-six feet
in width, three stories high. From time to time
further additions have been built until at present
(1906) the concern has acres of floor space all
connected and devoted to the various parts of the
business, and gives employment to two thousand
hands.
Mr. Whitin secured patents on the picker or
lapper in 1833 ; on the union card in 1862. These
proved useful to the manufacturers and brought
considerable profit to the inventor. These inven-
tions, however, were less important and valuable,
than the various improvements in tools and imple-
ments for the working of metals and the simplify-
ing of existing methods. As long as he continued
in active management of the shops he took the
deepest interest in all improvement of tools and
methods of manufacture. The last to which he
gave special attention was the machine for drilling
spinning frame rails, which proved successful. He
did not seek patents on these improvements of tools
used in the shops. He felt that the gain in his
own work was all the profit he should ask. In
1870 the business, which had been during the six
years preceding owned by John C. Whitin, was in-
corporated in a joint-stock company under the
familiar name of "The Whitin Machine Woi;ks."
The officers were: President, John C. Whitin;
treasurer, Josiah Lasell ; superintendent, Gustavus
E. Taft. Mr. Lasell was Mr. Whitin's son-in-law
and had been in his employ since i860. (See sketch
of Lasell family). In 1881 Mr. Taft became agent
and Harvey Ellis superintendent. Mr. Whitin died
April 22, 18S2, and Mr. Lasell became president
and treasurer. Januarv i, 1886, his son-in-law, G.
;\Iarston Whitin, became treasurer. On the death
of Mr. Lasell, March 15, 1886, his eldest son,
Chester W. Lasell, became president, and on the
death of Mr. Taft, June 24, 18SS, his eldest son.
54
WORCESTER COUNTY
Cyrus A: Taft, succeeded him as agent. He was
succeeded by Lawrence M. Keeler in 1906.
Mr. Whitin was a man of great energy and ca-
pacity for hard work. He had to a remarkable de-
gree an insight in mechanics that saved him much
time in working out his ideas. He could plan a
machine entirely in his mind before constructing
it and he never made a pattern which was not used
enough to pay for making — a fact true of very few
inventors of machinery.
Mr. Whitin was interested in public affairs. He
was a Republican in politics and was representa-
tive to the general court. In 1876 he was elected
a presidential elector from the state of Massachu-
setts. He was a director of the Whitinsville Bank
and president of the Whitinsville Savings Bank.
He was a director of the Providence & Worcester
Railroad Company. He joined the Congregational
Church at Northbridge Centre. December 4, 1831,
and he was one of the original members of the
Congregational Church at Whitinsville, in which he
was a deacon from 1834, at the beginning, until hi.5
death in 1882, though during his last years relieved
from active service. He was superintendent of the
Sunday school for twenty-five years. He was a
constant attendant of the Sunday services and a
liberal supporter of the churcli and its charities.
He married (first). May 30, 1831, Catharine H.
Leland, of Sutton, Massachusetts. She as well as
Mr. Whitin was a lineal descendant of John Dwight,
the pioneer, of Dedham, her grandmother being
Silence Dwight. Their only son reaching maturity
was John Maltbie, born June 10. 1838, died Octo-
ber 22, 1872; married Achsah F. Crane, and adopted
Grace Maria Whitin, who was born October 15,
1863. He was employed in his father's business;
his widow died December 15. 1895. ;\Ir. Whitin's
only daughter, Jeanie W., born January 27, 1834,
married. June 5. 1855, Josiah Lasell. a sketch of
whose family is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs.
Catharine H. Whitin died January 31, 1S73, and he
married (second), January 20, 1875. Sarah Eliza-
beth Pratt, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.. Their
only child, John C, died in infancy.
(VI) Charles Pinckney Whitin, son of Colonel
Paul Whitin (5), was born August 6, 1809. His
education was obtained in the public schools of his
native town, Northbridge, Jlassachusetts, and at the
Leicester Academy. At the age of sixteen he
taught school acceptably in the stone school house
near Plunmier's Corner. He began at an early age
to work in his father's cotton mill and learn the
business. He continued with his father and brothers
until his twcnty-lirst year, when he went to Willi-
mantic, Connecticut, to fit up and take charge of a
cotton mill. He was called home during his
father's last illness, and after the remained at
Whitinsville and became identified with the growth
and prosperity of the village. He was admitted to
partnership in the firm of P. Whitin & Sons, whicli
had been former in 1826 and in which he had
an interest from the first. He took charge of the
cotton manufacturing of the firm and became an e:x-
pert, recognized throughout the trade as an author-
ity. He superintended the erection of the Stone
Mill in Whitinsville in 1845, the enlargement of
the North Uxbridge Mill in 1847 and 184S and the
erection of the mill at Rockdale in 1856 and 1857.
He took great interest in the improvement of the
Mumford river, devising and building the reservoirs
and dams, which have increased the steadiness and
reliability of the water power so much. Whenever
his brother, John C, who had charge of the ma-
chine shop, was absent his cares and responsibilities
devolved upon him and he was virtually in charge
from April, i860, to January, 1864, while his brother
was engaged in Holyoke.
The firm of P. Whitin & Sons was dissolved
January I, 1864, and Charles P. Whitin took the
cotton mills at Whitinsville and East Douglas,
Massachusetts. The stone mill with a capacity of
seven thousand five hundred spindles was built in
1845 3't Whitinsville. He enlarged the stone mill
in 1865, to thirteen thousand six hundred spindles.
Next year, 1866, his two sons, Edward and William
H.- Whitin, were associated with him in the business
under the name of the Whitinsville Cotton Mill,
and with his brother, James F. Whitin, he built
the Linwood Mill of fifteen thousand spindles
capacity under the firm name of Whitin Brothers.
Ill 1881 he purchased the mill at Saunders-
ville. Since his death the business has been car-
ried on by his three sons, Edward, William H.
and Arthur F. Whitin, who joined the firm in 1S81.
He was eminently practical, quick to discover the
requirements of his business, of great executive
ability and, though not of strong constitution and
though his health was poor especially in his youth,
he was a man of great industry and capacity for
work. He was a man of common sense and good
judgment. In his special department of cotton man-
ufacture it may be doubted if he had a superior.
He was careful but progressive, enterprising and
far-seeing, uniformly prosperous.
He joined the Congregational Church at North-
bridge Centre on his eleventh birthday, August 6,
1820, and for sixty-five years was an active member
of the Congregationali^t denomination. He was
identified with the Congregational Church in
Whitinsville from the first in 1834 and did much
for its prosperity by personal efforts and liberal
contributions. He was generous in charit)'. He was
especially fond of the children and was generally
beloved by the young people who knew him. He
was a Republican in politics and was selectman of
Northbridge in 1852 and representative to the gen-
eral court from his district in 1859. At the time
of his death he was a director of the Douglas Axe
Company and president of the Whitinsville Na-
tional and Savings Banks. He died August 29,
1887.
He married, October 20, 1S34, Sarah Jane Halli-
day. who died December 31, 1891. Their children
were: i. Helen L., born May 29, 1836, died at
Whitinsville, May 9. 1885; married, November 30,
1863, George L. Gibbs. 2. Edward, see forward.
3. William Halliday, see forward. 4. Lewis Fred-
eric, born Januarj- 20, 1844, died September 29,
1904: graduate of Yale, 1S64; assistant paymaster
United States navy. 1864-65 ; dry goods commission
merchant. New York city ; left widow and two
children: Louise and Gladys jMorgan, (Mrs. Thomas
E.) Peters. 5. Arthur Fletcher, see forward.
(VI) James Fletcher Whitin, son of Colonel
Paul Whitm (5), was born in Northbridge, Massa-
chusetts, December 21, 1814. His education was re-
ceived in the public schools there and at the acad-
emies at Uxbridge, Leicester, Monson and Am-
herst, Massachusetts. On the completion of his
schooling he went into the counting room of P.
Whitin & Sons and in a short time was placed in
charge of that department, and remaitied until the
FREDERICK B.WHITIN
WORCESTER COUNTY
55
firm was dissolved January i, 1864, having been a
member of the firm after 1847. In the partition of
the bu^^iness among the brothers he liad the mill at
North Uxbridge, known as the Uxbridge Cotton
Mill, which the firm bought in 1849. In 1866 he
and his brother, Charles P. Whitin, built the cotton
mill at Linwood. He manufactured cotton with
great success the remainder of his life. He was a
stanch Republican in politics, and a man of high
character and large influence. He died March 2,
1902.
He married, July 23, 1842, Patience Howard
Saunders, of Grafton, ^lassachusetts. Their chil-
dren: I. George Milnor, born June i, 1849, died at
Whitinsville, January 24. 1883, superintendent cot-
ton mills at North Uxbridge several years. Ide
married, March, 1871, Julia F. Wesson and had
Frederick Eirney, born 1873; selectman -of Ux-
bridge, 1902, Mary Alice, married Charles H. Lar-
kin, of Buffalo, December 19. 1899. Betsey, married,
February 20, 1900, Matthew Percival Whittall, of
Worcester. James Earle, see forward. 2. Albert
H., see forward.
(VH) William Halliday Whitin, son of Charles
P. Whitin (6), was born in Whitinsville, September
5, 1841. His education was received in the schools
of his native town, at Easthampton Academy, where
he prepared for college, and at Yale College, which
he entered in 1859. When he graduated in 1863
he chose his native town for his home and place
of life work. He chose the business of his father,
a cotton manufacturer. He studied the business
carefully and thoroughly, especially the many de-
tails essential to proper economy in production
which is requisite to success in a business in wh.ch
there is such sharp competition. He secured the
esteem and confidence of his fellow manufacturers,
as was manifest in their choice of him and his
service as one of the board of of directors of the
New England Cotton Manufacturers' Association.
He was for twenty-five years superintendent of the
Whitinsville Cotton Mills. At the time of his
death he was agent of these mills, president of the
Saunders Cotton ]\Iills and interested in the cotton
mill at Linwood. He was also a director of the
VVhitinsville National Bank and one of the trustees
of the Whitinsville Savings Bank.
He was elected on the school committee of the
town of Northbridge, of which Whitinsville forms
a part, in 1864, and he remained on the committee
until his death. He was always deeply interested
in and zealous for the improvement and efficiency
of the public schools and he spared no effort or ex-
penditure to promote their welfare. He served the
town also for several years as selectman and for
four years was chairman of the board. As a friend
to all in need and as a helper in every good work
in the community, men learned to trust him and he
never failed them.
His crowning excellence was in his earnest, con-
sistent Christian life and work. While at East-
hampton, he began his confessed Christian life and
united with the church in Whitinsville, May 2,
185S, when but sixteen years old. and he retained his
connection with this church, except during the four
years of his college life, until the day of his death.
From his childhood a member of the Sabbath school,
he became a constant teacher in it as soon as he
rnade his home in Whitinsville again, and he con-
tinued a successful teacher until he was called in
1872 to the superintendeiicy, which he retained to
the end of life. He had no desire for such leader-
ship, but when it came to him by the unanimous-
call of the church he accepted it as a sacred charge
from the Master as well as from the church, and to it
he gave his best energies, his warmest affection, his
untiring eft'orts, his earnest prayers and his con-
sistent example. His great desire was to see its.
members coming into the Christian life and enrolling
themselves among the confessed followers of the
Master whom he loved and served. During all
these years from 1872 he also served the church as
deacon, having special interest in those coming
into the church that they might do it intelligently.
And yet he was tender and considerate of the feeble
ones. He died June 4, 1893.
One who knew him well wrote in the Coitgrc-
gationalist of July 6, 1893: "His most distinguish-
ing trait was his fidelity. In every trust secular or
religious, a promise, whether specific or implied,
was sacred, and if within his power it was kept.
His religious promises were as binding as business
contracts. He accepted all his being with its pow-
ers and opportunities as a steward from the Lord,
and sought to use them for His honor and for the
good of his fellow men. The property that came
under his control he held also and used as a stew-
ard, giving from it discriminatingly, largely and
gladly for the Lord's work in securing the good
of men. He loved to give to worthy objects and he
knew how to refuse and rebuke the unworthy.
"When failing strength compelled him to lay
aside some of his care and labor, it was not the re-
ligious but the secular that he first laid down. In-
deed, he so held on to his religious work until
physically unable to perform it, that friends, not of
the immediate family, had no idea what serious
inroads disease had been making on his stren.gth.
When it became manifest in February of this year
that what had been gradually undermining his
constitution was Bright's disease, resort was had
to a milder climate. But only a temporary relief
was obtained and he came home May 19, evidently
not improved as had been hoped. After a brief
struggle, he breathed out the mortal life peacefully
June 4, on a Sabbath evening. We are assured it
was promotion to which the Master called him,
saying, 'Thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord.'
"Mr. Whitin's character was the normal devel-
opment a godly ancestry, of a training in a home,
where the law and the habit were a reverent fear
of God and a loving interest in men and of a loyal
acceptance on his own part of all the implications
of such ancestry and training. From such ante-
cedents we rightly expect a beautiful childhood, a
filial sonship, a loving and useful manhood, as
friend, citizen and Christian. Jilcn of such character
are a blessing while they are with us and a blessing
in their continued inllucnce and efficiency when
they are transferred to higher service. They are
the aim and the glory of our humanity. J. R. T."
(VII) Charles E. Whitin, son of Paul Whitin,
Jr. (6), was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
September 13, 1828, died there February 8, 1890.
He attended the public schools of his native town,
also the academies at U.xbridge and Leicester. He
began his business career as a hand in his father's
red brick cotton mill. He learned the . methods
and details of cotton manufacturing thoroughly. He
was advanced to a position of responsibility in the
56
WORCESTER COUNTY
concern. When the firm of P. Whitin & Sons was
dissolved Charles E. Whitin remained in the cotton
manufacturing business. He became treasurer and
agent of the Paul Whitin Manufacturing Company,
of which his father, Paul Whitin, was president
to the time of his death in 1884. Then Charles E.
Whitin became president and he continued the
progressive policy of his father, increasing both the
business and the mill capacity. He lived at North
U.xbridge from 1849 to 1864. when the change was
made in the Whitin plants. He then took charge of
the mill at Rockdale. After 1864 he resided in
"vVhitinsville, first on Railroad avenue, later m his
father's mansion south of the river, where his sister,
I\liss Annie Whitin, now resides.
Mr. Whitin devoted his whole life to cotton
manufacturing with marked success. He was a man
of exceptional capacity, gifted with the executive
ability and common sense requisite to modern
manufacturing. He built up the business until the
mills under his management and control had a ca-
pacity of twenty-five thousand spindles and required
a floor area of a number of acres. In politics he
was a very active and thoroughly consistent Re-
publican. He held various local ottices and served
his district in the state senate in 1883 with con-
spicuous ability. He was for many years selectman
of the town of Northbridge and a leader in town
affairs. He was a delegate to the Republican Na-
tional Convention in 1872 from his congressional
district.
He was a member of the local lodge of Free
Masons. He was an active member and generous
supporter of the Village Congregational Church.
During the civil war he devoted himself and his
means freely to the support of the Union, helping
the enlistment of troops and leading and influencing
his fellow citizens to do their duty to the end.
Such financial and moral support as men like Mr.
Whitin gave to the government in the civil war
was the primary source of the strength and endur-
ance of the American Republic in its hour of trial
and distress. Men like Mr. Whitin strengthened
the soldiers in the field as well as the president
and others in authority at Washington.
He married Adeline C. Swift, who died Decem-
ber 8. 1902, daughter of Oliver C. and Eliza
(Jenkins) Swift. Their children: George Marston,
see forward; Henry T., see forward; Eliza, Paul,
died at the age of eleven years.
(VHI) Lewis Frederick Whitin, son of Charles
Pinckney Whitin (6), was born in Whitinsville.
January 20, 1844. He passed his boyhood and
young manhood in the place of his birth, but the
greater part of his life was lived in or near New
York city. He attended the Whitinsville schools,
and hten entered upon a college preparatory course
of study at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, from
which he graduated in 1S60 as valedictorian of his
class. He entered Yale College soon after, and
graduated with high honors in the class of 1864,
at the early age of twenty. On his twenty-first
birthday, January 20, 1865, he was appointed acting
assistant paymaster in the United States Navy.
When his appointment to this position was under
contemplation, the Yale professor to whom refer-
ence was made, said Mr. Whitin was capable of
filling any position to which he might be appointed.
After about eleven months' service in tin sposition,
he resigned his commission on November 19, 1865,
and in August, 1865. he entered the firm of Collins,
Atwater & Whitin, dry goods commission merchants
of New York city. The firm name was afterwards
changed to Collins & Whitin, and when Mr. Whitin
became the senior member of the firm in 1878, it
was changed to Whitin & Collins, and remained
so until failing health obliged Mr. Whitin to give
up the cares of business in 1902. Untiring in in-
dustry, progressive, and with great executive ability,
his success was assured from the start, and under
his leadership, Whitin & Collins enjoyed the highest
credit and a large and constantly increasing
patronage.
Mr. Whitin married Miss Lucy Morgan, April
16. 1872. He lived many years at West New Brigh-
ton, Staten Island, but afterwards removed to New
York city. He was a member of the University
Club, also of the Merchants' Club, and at one time
its president. He became a member of the Village
Congregational Church in Whitinsville. September
4. 1859, and in February, 1867, he removed his re-
lationship to the Madison Square Presbyterian
Church, New York city. Mr. Whitin died Thurs-
day evening, September 29, 1904, from Bright's
disease, at the age of sixty years, eight months and
nine days.
(VIII) George Marston Whitin, son of Charles
E. Whitin (7), was born in Whitinsville, Massa-
chusetts, September 11, 1856. He attended the pub-
lic schools of his native town and graduated from
the Whitinsville high school in 1872. He studied
at Williston Academy at East Hampton, i\Iassa-
chusetts. He then worked for three years in the
cottcfn mills at Rockdale, New Bedford and other
places with the purpose of getting a thorough
knowledge of cotton manufacturing in every de-
partment, from top to bottom. He obtained some
skill in the various trades employed in the cotton
mill and became a practical operative himself. He
was then placed in charge of the Riverdale Cotton
mill which he conducted for about three years. He
came from the Riverdale mill to the Whitin IMa-
chine Works at Whitinsville and was made assistant
superintendent, and later, in 1885, he became assis-
tant treasurer. When the president of the company,
Josiah Lasell, his father-in-law. died in 1886, he
was elected treasurer to succeed him, and during
most of the time since then he has been the active
manager of the works as well as director and treas-
urer of the corporation. What the company has
achieved in recent years and how it has developed
the village in connection with the other Whitin
enterprises is told in another place.
Mr. Whitin has had time for few interests out-
side of the corporation of which he is treasurer.
He is a Free Mason, a member of the Whitins-
ville Lodge and of Worcester County Commandery,
Knights Templar. In politics he is a Republican.
He is a member of various manufacturers' clubs
and associations, of the L^nion and Algonquin Clubs
of Boston, of the Grafton Country Club. He is a
member of the Village Congregational Church at
Whitinsville.
He married. October I. T879. Catharine Whitin
Lasell. born at Whitinsville, March 10, 1856. daugh-
ter of Josiah and Jennie (Whitin) Lasell (See
sketch of Lasell family). She was educated in the
public schools of Whitinsville, graduating from
the high school in 1S72 in the same class with Mr.
Whitin. She took a two-year course at Bradford
Academy and one ve.ir in a private school in Brook-
lyn. New York. " Their children: i. Elizabeth
4.uSlhSa
•r
WORCESTER COUNTY
57
Klock, born November 27, 1880, educated in the
Spence School of New York city and at Smith
College, where she was graduated in 1902; married
Jtme I, 1905, Lawrence Murray Keeler, son of
Julius and Julia Keeler, of San Francisco, Cali-
fornia; graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover,
Massachusetts; has been salesman for the Whitin
Machine Works, appointed agent in 1906 to succeed
Mr. Taft, who retired; they have one child. Mars-
ton Whitin Keeler, born April 28, 1906. 2. Elsa,
born August 7, 1884, educated in the Spence School.
3. Katharine Leiand, born October 13, 1887, student
in Smith College. 4. Lois Haven, born March 31,
1896, student at Spence School.
(VIII) Henry T. Whitin, son of Charles E.
Whitin (7), was born at North Uxbridge, Massa-
chusetts. He was educated in the public schools
and at the Highland Military Academy at Worces-
ter. He began as an apprentice in Whitin Machine
Works and learned the various branches of the busi-
ness. He then went into his father's mill at Rock-
dale and learned the business of making cotton
goods with the machinery he studied in the works.
He became the superintendent of the mill and fin-
ally treasurer of the Paul Whitin Manufacturing
Company. He has been very active and successful
in business. He is a member of the local lodge of
Free Masons and of the Worcester County Com-
mandery. Knights Templar. He is a member of the
Tatnuck and Grafton Country Clubs. He is best
known outside the textile business in the vicinity
of Whitinsville and Rockdale for his connection
with the Republican party. He is chairman of the
Republican town committee of Northbridge and
an active and earnest supporter of Republican poli-
cies and candidates. He has served the town for
many years as selectman and in other positions of
trust and responsibility.
He married Cora Berry, daughter of Scotto
Berry, whose ancestor settled in Framingham,
Massachusetts, among the early settlers. Their
children: i. Paul, born September 22, 1876, assist-
ant treasurer of Paul Whitin Manufacturing Co.
2. Florence, born 187S, married Theophilus Par-
sons, of Hempstead, Long Island; have two chil-
dren: Theophilus, Jr. and Paul Whitin Parsons.
3. Marion Lovett, resides at home. 4. Marjorie
Swift, resides at home. 5. Richard Courtney.
Cyil) Albert H. Whitin, son of James F'letcher
Whitin (6), was educated in the public schools of
his native town. Mr. Whitin preferred the study
of art and literature to business and has devoted
much of his time to this purpose. He spends a
l^rge part of his time abroad. He is an Episco-
palian in religion. He has never married.
(VII) James Earle Whitin, son of George
Whitin (7), and grandson of James Fletcher Whitin
(6), was born in North Uxbridge, Massachusetts,
August 14, 1879. He attended the public schools
of his native town and St. Mark's School at South-
borough, Massachusetts. He graduated at Phil-
lips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and finished
his education with a course at the Philadelphia
Textile School. In 1900 he entered his grand-
father's mill at North Uxbridge (Rogerson Village)
and started to learn the fundamental principles of
cotton manufacturing. He passed from one depart-
ment to another, mastering one by one the prob-
lems of the work and the details of the business,
and has recently been elected president and treas-
urer of the corporation. He belongs to the Winter
Club and Auto Club of Worcester.
He married, June 6, 1905, in Worcester, Edge-
worth P. Whittall, daughter of Matthew J. Whit-
tall, the carpet manufacturer.
THE VILLAGE OF WHITINSVILLE. In
that part of the town of Northbridge, Worcester
county, Massachusetts, which lies not far from
Uxbridge and Douglas, is the village of Whitins-
ville, constituting in wealth and population the most
important part of the town. It was about 1828 that
the name was given by the postofifice department to
the thriving settlement located at the falls of the
Manchaug or Mumford river; being given in honor
of the family which was then, as it has continued
to be, the essential part of the economic, political
and social life of the community. The founder of
the family and of the industry which called the
village into being was Colonel Paul Whitin, who
was born in Roxbury, but came to Worcester county
with his mother at an early age. His mother was
a niece of David Draper, of Uxbridge, at whose
home she presumably met her second husband. The
story of the establishment of the Whitin indus-
tries will be given under the sketches of Colonel
Whitin, his sons and grandsons. The following
sketch of the business and the village is from the
October number of the "Engineering Magazine" for
1896.
"The history of the Whitin concern as here
sketched, gives strong indications of the <Whitin
characteristics of fair dealing and consideration of
the rights of others, which alone could make the
long continued and amicable association of Colonel
Paul Whitin and his sons, and their sons and their
sons' sons, so that now the fourth generation of the
family is in control of the great business which has
grown up from small beginnings in the little iron
works at the falls of Mumford river at the place
commonly called Masconsapong. Except in its fierce
and uncompromising disapproval of Medford rum
and all allied beverages which make it impossible
to alleviate a nineteenth-century normal thirst in
Whitinsville of to-day by open purchase, the Whitin
character is marked by a spirit of broad toleration
in all directions — a full and generous interpreta-
tion of the rights of others, no matter how inde-
pendent their position, or how feeble their powers
for the maintenance of those rights.
"The one other marked trait of the Whitin
character is a love of beautiful surroundings, which
found expression in the castellated architecture of
the 1847 shops, the half-oetagon eastern end of the
"New Shop" of 1864. fine terracing and landscape
effects produced on the south end of the hill, just
across the road north of the shops and in full view
of the shop windows on that side, and in the streets
and public buildings of the town. The natural
beauties of Whitinsville were very great, and they
have been preserved and added to by irregular
streets, ornamental stone retainin.g walls and bridges,
and the preservation of trees, which our simian an-
cestry makes us ever regard as symbols of home
and rest, so that Whitinsville is everywhere pleas-
ing to the eye of the beholder. * * *
"Thi; Whitin concern owns a very large amount
of land, and has about six hundred tenements, us-
uallv in the form of double dwellings rented to
employees ; the rental varies from $3.50 per month
58
WORCESTER COUNTY
for a five-room tenement to $14 per month for an
eight or ten room detached cottage. Their tenement
district extends along the bank of the pond and
rises on the foot of the hill. The location is beau-
tiful, and in many cases the occupants maintain
flower beds ; in most cases, however, exterior adorn-
ment is neglected. (An inspection of the mill
houses in 1906 gives a contrary impression. Almost
every house has its rambler rose and shrubs ; some
have been made very attractive, and the back yards
with their vegetable plots and flower gardens are
seen everywhere.) The pond and surrounding hills
give a beautiful outlook. The air is pure and cool ;
the water supply is a gravity system from two large
springs of great purity, and belongs to the com-
pany. It is the rule for workmen to marry, and
children are abundant, healthy and happy.
"The nearest approach to a strike in the Whitin
shops occurred when the ten-hour law was passed
in Massachusetts. The workmen asked for the ten-
hour day from the members of the Whitin family
at that time in charge, and it was given them, with
the information that the works would be fenced
in, and provided with locked gates. The working
hours had been nominally eleven ; if a workman
•was five or ten minutes late it was not noticed,
and, if a man wanted a piece of pie in the forenoon,
he simply walked out of the shop to his house after
it. The mail came to the little postoffice across the
road from the works at five in the afternoon, add,
of course, nothing was more reasonable than that
a workman should go over to the office tO' see if
he had any important letters. There were fish in
the pond and fur' and feathers on the hill about
Whitinsville, and in the old days many of the
hands took their guns to the shop with them, and
a flock of ducks in the pond, or even a musk rat
swimming across, was the signal for a sporting
expedition. The ten hour day with the locked
gates made such a change in affairs that some of
the old hands were broken-hearted and resigned
their places, and the management obtained much
better results from a day's labor than ever before.
"The ten-hour day incident was the only one in
the whole time of four generations of Whitin man-
agement that caused any hands to leave the shop,
and in this case there was not the remotest approach
to a strike. The old hands who quit simply could
not brook the idea of a locked gate. There has
never been any formal recognition of the 'rights'
of the workmen, and, in point of fact, the Whitin
management is simply a despotism, with power to
banish any objectionable person. Whitinsville has
five or six thousand inhabitants — perhaps more.
Statistics were unobtainable. The industries are :
The Whitin Machine Works, Whitinsville Cotton
Mill, controlled (at present 1906) by Edward and
Arthur F. Whitin, Whitinsville Spinning Ring Com-
pany ; Paul Whitin Manufacturing Company and
Linwood Cotton Mill. All of these concerns are
controlled by the Whitin family and its branches,
and no workman not approved by the Whitin in-
terests could remain in the place. There is no
drink sold openly, or to the knowledge of the
Whitins. Schools are excellent, $80,000 having been
expended on school buildings recently (^and a very
beautiful and artistic high school building has just
been completed, half the cost being paid by two
members of the family) : there is a free night school
for adults, which has from eighty to one hundred
pupils during the winter months. There -ire numer-
ous Protestant churches, and a large Roman Cath-
olic church.
"The Whitin Memorial Building, a gift from
representatives of the family to the town, contains
fine assembly rooms, a well-selected circulating
library, a music room, and the needful rooms for
the transaction of town business.
"The Whitinsville Savings Bank has a total of
$633,000 deposits, ntJiinly to the credit of the work-
men employed in the various manufactories con-
ducted by tiie Whitin family and its branches. The
exact amount of deposits to the credit of the iron
works hands could not be obtained, but it is a large
sum. From 1835 to 1865 the iron works borrowed
the savings of its workmen at six per cent com-
pound interest, renewing its notes in April of each
year with interest added. This arrangement was
closed before the establishment of the savings bank,
which pays four per cent on deposits.
"There is no theatre in the place, nor is there
an objectionable resort. A few only of the machine
works employees own their houses — perhaps one
hundred and fifty all told. Churches, secret so-
cieties, Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias,
the Order of Red Men, the Musical Society of
Whitinsville and cycle clubs furnish the social dis-
tractions. The labor at the machine works includes
a considerable number of Armenians and some
Turks ; the Armenians recently demanded the dis-
charge of the Turks, and when this was refused
about forty of the Armenians left. This was purely
a race matter.
"The harmony existing between master and man
at the Whitin Machine Works is due to the beauti-
ful and healthful and comfort-giving environment,
to the heredity of obedience and confidence trans-
mitted from generation to generation of workers
under one management, and the Whitin sense of
justice and the employer's duty to protect the de-
fenceless. The workmen are happily situated, their
children are robust and their wives are contented.
Wages are low. but rents are low, and there is no
car fare to pay or drinking places to rob the work-
man's family of his earnings : and the work is such
that a man must be wholly decrepit before he can-
not produce a fair daily output. There are over
a hundred workmen who have been more than
twenty-five years in the shop. * * * It is quite
the rule for sons to follow the fathers into the
shops ^nd some names appear on the pay rolls
continuously from the first until now.
"The original fifty or sixty horse power of the
falls of the "Mumford river has been increased by
an extended reservoir system to four hundred horse
power. This is supplemented by seven hundred
horse power of steam. The floor acreage is almost
continually being extended and the reputation of
the Whitin cotton machinery is of the highest;
all of the work produced is as good as the shop
knows how to make ; improvements in design are
constantly produced, and there is a disposition to
increase their weight, and to substitute iron for
wood in framing: and to replace the light old tools
with heavier modern patterns. The shop is a credit
to the countrv, because of its mechanical ability,
and to humanity beca'.tse of unremitting application
of the wisdom of its managers to the betterment of
the living conditions of its workmen."
TAIMES FREEMAN DANA GARFIELF), son
of Elisha and Bathsheba (Egerton) Garfield, was
%^$^^1^''7^^^^ lT,
-^,
WORCESTER COUNTY
59
bom at Langdon, Sullivan county, New Hampshire,
August 14, 1828, betng the youngest of thirteen
children who lived to the age of maturity.
His early boyhood was passed upon his father's
farm, attending the district school a mile and a half
distant, during terms of ten to twelve weeks each,
winter and summer. For the sake of better school
advantages, at the age of eleven years, he was per-
mitted to leave his early home to reside with an
elder brother, then a prosperous merchant at Keese-
ville, Essex county, New York. Here, from the age
of twelve to fifteen, he attended the Keeseville
Academy, working out of school hours and during
vacations in the village store. At school he was
awarded the highest prize for excellence in English
exercises. He returned to New Hampshire when
fifteen years old and worked for a year at Alstead,
learning the printer's trade in the office of the Amer-
ican Citizen. Leaving Alstead in April, 1846, he
went to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where for the
next three years he worked at his trade in the office
of the Fitchburg Sentinel, attending school at inter-
vals at the Fitchburg Academy. Lawrence Academy,
Groton, and at Leicester Academy. From 1849 to
1852 he worked at prmting in the office of Henry J.
Howland, of Worcester, as foreman of the book
printing department, at the same time having charge
of the bookkeeping of the establishment.
In 1852 Mr. Garfield returned to Fitchburg, and
bought the half interest of John Garfield in the
Fitcliburg (weekly) Sentinel, of which John Garfield
was himself the founder in 1838. The other half
of the business was owned by Elisha Garfield, an
older brother. The paper was published for eight
years under this management, James F. D. Garfield
being the editor, and also manager of the print-
ing department. It should be said that the Sentinel
has been the leading weekly and daily newspaper in
Fitchburg, practically all the time since it was
founded in 1838, It was owned and managed by the'
Garfield family from its first issue, except during
the forties, until 1871. It is now a prosperous daily
and weekly, with an extensive job printing depart-
ment, the daily issue dating from 1873.
When Mr. Garfield retired from the newspaper
in i860 he sold his interest to the senior partner,
Elisha Garfield, and after a residence of three or
four years in Boston, Massachusetts, and Pawtucket,
Rhode Island, working at his trade, he returned to
Fitchburg and entered into partnership in April,
1864, with John P. Sabin in the retail coal business.
At the end of the yearr Mr. Sabin left the firm and
was succeeded by William O. Brown. In April,
1866, George N. Proctor bought jNIr. Brown's inter-
est, and the firm name became Garfield & Proctor.
Their office was at 23 Water street, near the pres-
ent location of the New Park block. From the first
this firm took the lead in their line of traffic, and the
coal business gradually grew to be an important
factor in the commercial interests of the growing
city of Fitchburg.
The completion of the Hoosac tunnel in 1875
opened a large area for the sale of coal at whole-
sale, by all-rail shipment, and Garfield & Proctor
were quick to avail themselves of its advantages.
They received the first coal shipped through the
tunnel, direct from the mines, by all-rail transpor-
tation to eastern ]\Iassachusetts, and soon succeeded
in building up a large wholesale trade on the tunnel
line. In 1876 the firm secured extensive wharf ac-
commodations at New Bedford, with facilities for
discharging and storing coal, whereby they were
enabled to extend their business as shippers and
wholesale dealers throughout southeastern ^lassa-
chusetts.
The firm of Garfield & Proctor continued as a
copartnership until 1888, when the business was in-
corporated under the name of the Garfield & Proctor
Coal Company, and the wholesale department of the
business was soon afterw"ard transferred from Fitch-
burg to Boston, where it is still carried on; while
the retail business was continued in Fitchburg un-
til 1896, when it was sold to the Union Coal Com-
pany, of which John Thompson became manager
and George N. Proctor president. For thirty years
the name of Garfield & Proctor had been a familiar
one on the streets of Fitchburg, and the firm had
held an honorable position among the business in-
terests of the city. When the Garfield & Proctor
Coal Company was incorporated in 1S88 Mr. Gar-
field became a director and served as its president
till 1893, when declining further service as presi-
dent, he was succeeded by George N. Proctor, who
served in that capacity until igo6, W'hen he disposed
of his interest in the company, and Mr. Garfield
again accepted the position of president. William
E. Macurda has been treasurer of the company from
its incorporation, and other directors have been W.
M. W. Spring, who sold his interest in 1905, and
Wendell F. Pray, who has also been with the com-
pany from its incorporation.
iMr. Garfield has various other business interests.
He has been a director in the Orswell (cotton) Mill
Company of Fitchburg from its incorporation in
1887, is also a director in the Nockage (cotton)
Mill Company of Fitchburg, and was for several
years president of the Sawyer Tool Manufacturing
Company of that city. He is a director and treas-
urer of the Brown Bag Filling Machine Company,
a corporation for the manufacture of an ingenious
machine for the packcting of seeds. These machines
are leased to the various seed companies throughout
the country for use in packeting their seeds for mar-
ket. By the use of this device the Brown Company
have been able to secure important contracts with the
United States department of agriculture for putting
up seeds for the annual congressional seed distri-
bution. Mr. Garfield is a director in the Safety
Fund National Bank of Fitchburg, a position which
he has held since 1881. Fie was elected trustee of
the Worcester North Savings Institution in 1S88,
and has served on the board of investment from that
time. He was elected vice-president of the same
institution in 1892, on the death of Hon. Harris
C. Flartwell, and president in 1899, to succeed Hon.
Amasa Norcross, since which time he has been at
the head of the institution.
At the municipal election in 1S81 ISIr. Garfield
was elected a member of the school board of Fitch-
burg; was re-elected in 1884, and again in 1895, i"
each case for the term of three years, and has always
taken a keen interest in educational affairs. He
was alderman for ward four in 1886 and 1887, dur-
ing the latter year being president of the board. He
represented Fitchburg in the general court in 1887,
his colleague being Joseph S. Wilson. He has been
a Republican in politics from the formation of that
party, having been previously allied with the old
Whig party.
He is interested in history and genealogy and was
one of the founders, and for ten years secretary of
the Fitchburg Historical Societv, and later vice-
€o
WORCESTER COUNTY
president and librarian. He is the author of "Walker
and Egerton Genealogy," first published in Chand-
ler's History of Shirley (1883) "Journalism in
Fitchburg." first published in Emerson's "Fitch-
burg Past and Present" (1887), and of the
following papers read before the Fitchburg Histor-
ical Society and published in the "Proceedings"
of that society, 1895 : "Fitchburg's Response
to the Lexington Alarm," "Lunenburg and
Leominster in the Revolution," "Ebenezer Bridge.
Leader of the Fitchburg Minute Men," "Pioneer
Printers of Fitchburg," and "Early Fire Service of
Fitchburg." He also edited the first three volumes
of the Fitchburg Historical Society's "Proceedings."
Mr. Garfield is a life member of the New Eng-
laad Historic Genealogical Society, a corresponding
member of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, a
life member of the American Unitarian Association,
and a member of the National Geographic Society.
His religious connections have been with the First
Parish (Unitarian) Church of Fitchburg, in which
society he has been active and helpful.
During his residence in Worcester, Mr. Garfield
was a member of the military organization known
as the Worcester City Guard, and after his return
to Fitchburg in 1852, was for five years a member
of the Fitchburg Fusiliers, serving as clerk of the
company. He is well known in the Masonic organ-
izations of Fitchburg, being an honorary member of
both Charles W. Moore Lodge and Thomas Royal
Arch Chapter, and an active member of Jerusalem
Commandery. Knights Templar.
Mr. Garfield married, December i, 1853, Emily
Charlotte Newton, daughter of Captain Martin and
Susan (Chamberlain) Newton, of Fitchburg. Cap-
tain Newton was a pioneer in cotton manufacturing
in Fitchburg, he having commenced spinning cotton
yarn in 1810, and for two years later erected cotton
factories in what is now Newton Place, where he
made the first cotton cloth woven by machinery in
the town. The buildings are still standing, though
used for other purposes. Captain Newton was a son
of Nathan and Polly (Nichols) Newton, of South-
boro, Massachusetts, grandson of Nathan and Lydia
(Hager) Newton, great-grandson of Jonathan and
Bethia (Rice) Newton. Jonathan was son of
Moses and Joanna (Larkin) Newton, and grandson
of Richard Newton, the emigrant, who settled in
that part of Marlboro, which many years later
(1726) became the town of Southboro.
Mrs. Garfield died January 27, 1903, at the age of
seventy-one years, ' her married life lacking less
than a year of reaching the golden anniversary. A
woman of refinement and rare gentleness of char-
acter, she was a devoted wife and mother. After
a life crowned with usefulness the memory of her
virtues and many good qualities is treasured as a
rich inheritance by surviving friends. The children
of James F. D. and Emily C. Garfield were: Char-
lotte Gertrude, born July 7, 1856, died October 11,
1859. Emma Susie, born June 2. 1861, married.
October 9, 1882, William Ashley Blodgett, son of
'Warren Kendall and Minerva (Paddock) Blodgett,
of Boston. They reside in Lincoln. Massachusetts,
and have had three children : Emily Louise, born
July 6. 1883; Margaret Paddock, born November 21,
1885 : Helen Newton, born August 19, 1887, died
Alarch 28, 18R9. Mary Louise, born October i. 1863.
Fdnnuid Dana, born October 12. 1866. Theresa
Newton, born February 18, 1879. The Garfield fam-
ily are of undoubted Puritan ancestry.
(I) Edward Garfield, the emigrant ancestor of
James Freeman Dana Garfield, of F'itchburg, was
born in England about 1675. It has been difficult for
genealogists to believe that the long career of this
emigrant belongs to one and the same man, and in
some cases he is given a hypothetical son by the
same name. Edward Garfield was a proprietor of
Watertown, ^Massachusetts, and was admitted a free-
man May 6, 1635. His wife Rebecca, the mother of
all his children, died April 16, 1661, aged about
fifty-five years. He married (second) Joanna,
widow of Thomas Buckminster. Edward Garfield
died June 14, 1672, aged about ninety-seven years.
His will was dated December 30, 1668, and proved
August II, 1672. He bequeathed to his sons Samuel,
Joseph, and Benjamin Garfield; daughters Rebecca
Mixer and Abigail Garfield, grandchildren Sarah
Parkhurst and Sarah and Ephraim Garfield, and
to his wife. The children of Edward and Rebecca
Garfield were: Samuel, married Susanna , who
died May 2, 1652: he married (second), September
28, 1652, Mary Benfield. He settled in Lancaster,
and had descendants who settled in Shrewsbury and
vicinity. Edward, born in England, a proprietor of
Watertown, died before his father. Joseph, born in
Watertown. September 11, 1637, admitted a freeman
April 18, 1690, died August 14, 1691 ; married Sarah
Gale. Rebecca, born March 10, 1641, died March
16, 1683 ; married, January 10, 1662, Isaac !Mixer,
Jr. She died March 16, 16S3. Benjamin, born 1643,
admitted a freeman April 18, 1690; died November
28, 1717, aged seventy-four years. Abigail, born
June 2g, 1646, married about 1670, John Parkhurst,
and died October 18, 1726. Edward Garfield was
selectman in 1638. His son, Edward Garfield, proba-
bly was selectman in 1655 and 1662. The son Ed-
ward may, however, have died early, as there is no
trace of his descendants or children.
(II) Benjamin Garfield, son of Edward Gar-
field (l), was born in Watertown,. Massachusetts,
1643, and died there November 28, 1717. He repre-
sented Watertown nine years in the general court
between 1689 and 1717. He received numerous
municipal appointments. He was a selectman in
1689 and 1692, and was prominent in the church as
well as the town government, and was captain of
the militia company of Watertown.
He married (first) Mehitable Hawkins, daugh-
ter of Timothy Hawkins. She died December g,
1675. He married (second), January 17, 1678, Eliza-
beth Bridge, daughter of Matthew and Anna (Dan-
forth) Bridge, and granddaughter of Deacon John
Bridge, of Cambridge, who came from England with
Hooker's company in 1633. John Bridge was one
of the few that remained at Cambridge when Hooker
removed to Hartford. A bronze statue to his mem-
ory has been erected on Cambridge coinmon. Cap-
tain Benjamin Garfield died November 28, 1717.
His widow, Elizabeth, married (second), October
25. 1720. Daniel Harrington, of Lexington. She was
born .\ugust 17. 1659. The children of Benjamin
and Mehitable (Hawkins) Garfield were: Benja-
min, born May 8, 1674. Benoni, born December 4,
1675, died July 25, 1725 ; married Abigail Stearns ;
she died July i3,'i7lo. The children of Benjamin
and Elizabeth (Bridge) Garfield were: Elizabeth,
born June 30. 1679, died September 25, 1700. Thomas,
bom December 12, 1680, of Weston. Anna, born
June 2, 1683, married, 1703, Deacon Benjamin
Brown, of Weston ; had eleven children. She died
September 13. 1737. Abigail, born July 13. 1685.
WORCESTER COUNTY
6i
Mehitable, born December 7, 1687, married, Decem-
ber 8, 1714, John Jones, of Weston. They had nine
children. Samuel, born September 3, 1690. .Mary,
born October 2, 1695.
UII) Lieutenant Thomas Garfield, son of Cap-
tain Benjamin Garfield (.2), was born in Watertown,
December 12, 1680, and died in Weston, February
4, 1752. He was an ancestor of President James A.
Garfield, through Thomas Garfield, his eldest
son. He married, January 2, 1707, Mercy
Bigelow, who was born 1686, and died Feb-
ruary 28, 1745. He died February 4, 1752. He
was a farmer in that part of Weston, which wab
set off in 1654 and incorporated as the town oi
Lmcoln. His wife Mercy was a daughter of Sam-
uel and Mary (Flagg) Bigelow. Samuel Bigelow,
born October 28, 1653, died February I, 1732, was
son of John Bigelow, the emigrant ancestor of the
Bigelows in America, and Mary (Warren) his wife.
The latter was the daughter of John Warren (1585-
1667), who came from England in 1630 and settled
in Watertown. The marriage of John Bigelow and
Mary Warren is the first on record in Watertown.
Mary (Flagg) Bigelow, wife of Samuel Bigelow,
was a daughter of Thomas Flagg, who died in
Watertown, February 6, 1698. She, Mary (Flagg)
Bigelow, died September 7, 1720. The children of
Thomas and Mercy (Bigelow) Garfield were: Eliza-
beth, born August 10, 1708, died January 31, 1782;
married, September i, 1738, Samuel Brooks, of Con-
cord, JNIassachusetts. Eunice, born August 23, 1710,
died October 4, 1777; married Ebenezer Hobbs, of
Weston, and had eleven children. He died Octo-
ber 19. 1762. Thomas, baptized April 5. 1713, aged
five weeks, died in Lincoln, January 3, 1774; mar-
ried, 1742, Rebecca Johnson, daughter of Sanniel
Johnson, of Lunenburg. They had five children, of
whom the eldest, Solomon, was ancestor of Presi-
dent Garfield. Thankful, born February 15, 1715,
married, November 28, 1751, John W'alker, of Wes-
ton (his second wife) ; two children. Isaac, born
F'ebruary 19, 1717. He removed to western Massa-
chusetts in 1739 and commenced the settlement of
Tyringham, Berkshire county, in which section there
are numerous descendants. John, born December 3,
1718, died i\Iay, 1767; married, 1745, Thankful
Stowell, born 1722, two children. Samuel, born
April II, 1720, settled in Spencer, Massachusetts, in
1748. Mercy, born June 17, 1722, married, I7S6,
Ebenezer Hammond, of Weston, second wife. Anna
born June i, 1724, married, 1749, Josiah Livermore,
of Leicester.^ Lucy, born October 5, 1725. Elisha,
born November 11, 1728, married, November 15,
1753, Susanna Beniis, had eleven children; resided
in Lincoln. Enoch, born January 23, 1730, died
June 19, 1758.
(IV) Samuel Garfield, son of Lieutenant Thomas
Garfield (3), was born in Weston (that part now
Lincoln, Massachusetts), April II, 1720, and died
in Spencer, June 12, 1792. He was an officer in
the Indian war of 1744, .and fought under General
Abercronibie in the attack on Ticonderoga in 1758.
He had three sons in the revolutionary war, and
aided the patriot cause by contributions of money to
encourage enlistments. He settled in the northerly
part of what is now Spencer (formerly Leicester,
Massachusetts), in 1748, on the farm where some
years ago his grandson, Joseph Garfield, lived, and
where his descendants of the third and fourth gen-
eration still reside. Draper's History of Spencer
refers to him as "a large athletic man. formerly
well recollected for his sallies of wit, feats o£
strength and cheerful disposition." The following
anecdote may serve as a specimen of his great
strength. Mr. Garfield being at the store of Colonel
Chandler in Worcester, was inquiring the price
of a grindstone that he wished to purchase. Mr.
Garfield thought the price too high for so small
a stone, and banteringly said he could carry it home
on his back. "Well,' says Colonel Chandler, "the
stone weighs two hundred pounds ; if you will carry
It to Spencer without taking it from your shoulder
you shall have it free." The challenge was ac-
cepted, the stone placed upon his shoulder and he
literally complied with the bargain, carrying the
stone to Spencer without removing it from his
shoulders. He was one of the selectmen in 1745,
when Leicester and Spencer were one town.
Samuel Garfield was twice married; (first),
April 17, 1751, to Hannah Garfield, of Waltham, by
whom he had o"ne daughter, Hannah, born July 18,
1755, and (second), May 27, 1756, to Abigail Peirce,
of Holden, by whom he had eleven children. His
second wife, Abigail Peirce, born September 22,
^7iit was a descendant in the fifth generation from
Thomas Peirce, an early settler of Woburn, who
married Elizabeth Cole ; through Samuel Peirce,
who married Lydia Bacon; Samuel Peirce, Jr., who
married Abigail Johnson ; and Samuel Peirce, third,
who married Abigail . Lydia Bacon, who mar-
ried Samuel Peirce, was daughter of Daniel and
Mary (Reed) Bacon, of Newton. Abigail Johnson,
who married Samuel Peirce, Jr., was a daughter of
Major William Johnson, of Woburn, and grand-
daughter of Captain Edward Johnson, author of
the curious history entitled "Wonder Working
Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England,"
published in London in 1654. Major William John-
son married Esther Wiswall, born 1635, died 1707,
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Wiswall, of
Newton, Massachusetts.
Samuel Garfield had twelve children, all born in
Spencer. Hannah, by first wife, born July 18, 1755,
married, 1794, Daniel Spear, had two children. His
children by second wife Abigail Peirce were : Sam-
uel, born March 5, 1757, married, 1783, Sally Harris,
died in Langdon, New Hampshire, November 10,
1842 ; they had twelve children. Joseph, born Sep-
tember 19, 1758, married, 1790, Elizabeth Myrick,
of Princeton; died in Spencer, June 10, 1836. He
had six children. Daniel, born September 29, 1760,
married, 1788, Dorothy Myrick, of Princeton; died
in FitzwiUiam, New Hampshire, August 18, 1790.
They had one child. These three sons, Samuel, Jo-
seph and Daniel, were revolutionary soldiers. Sam-
uel as one of the Spencer minute men, marched on
the alarm from Lexington, April 19, 1775, and en-
listed into the service. Joseph and Daniel were
at ihe capture of Burgoyne's army 1777, and Jo-
seph was at West Point at time of Arnold's treason.
Josiah, born October 12, 1762. married Polly Ball,
had five children ; died in Charlestown, New Hamp-
shire, j\lay 15, 185 1. He w-as a tanner. Abi-
gail, born August 28, 1764, married, 1789,
Phillips Bailey, and died October 13, 1798, at
Readsboro, Vermont, had one child . Enoch,
born September 28, 1766, married, 1796, Martha
Powers, resided in Rockingham, Vermont; had
eight children; died April 30, 1844. Elisha, born
April 25, 1769. was twice married, had fourteen chil-
dren, and died in Langdon, New Hampshire, Janu-
ary 6, 1856. John, born July 26, 1771, married, 1800,
62
WORCESTER COUNTY
Susan Rogers, had eight children ; died in Charles-
town, New Hampshire, July 5, 1842. Elizabeth, born
September 15, 1773, married, 1799, Isaac Osgood,
had six children ; died in Littleton, New Hampshire.
Silas, born January ig, 1776, was thrice married;
had three children, and died April 22, 1829, in
Spencer. William, born February 18, 1778, died April
23, same year.
(V) Elisha Garfield, son of Samuel Garfield
(4), was born in Spencer, April 25, 1769, died in
Langdon, New Hampshire, January 6, 1856. He
was a selectman of Langdon in 1818 and 1819, and
held other minor offices. He married (first) Polly,
daughter of John and Jane D. Vance, by whom he
had ten children, only four of whom lived to j-ears
of maturity. He married (second), December 26,
1820, Bathsheba (Egerton) Stearns, widow of Cap-
tain Benjamin Stearns, of Langdon, and daughter
of James and Bathsheba (Walker) Egerton. James
Egerton was a son of John and Abigail (Snow)
Egerton, and grandson of Dennis and Experience
(Bearce) Egerton, of East Bridgewater, Massachu-
setts. Experience Bearce was a daughter of James
and Experience (Hamlin) Bearce, and grand-
daughter of Austin Bearce. Bathsheba (Walker)
Egerton was a descendant in the sixth generation
from Captain Richard Walker, of Lynn (who came
from England in 1630), through Samuel of Reading,
Joseph of Billerica (who married Sarah Wyman),
Seth of Groion (who married Eleanor Chandler),
and Samuel of Shirley (who 'married jNIary Strat-
ton). Sarah Wyman was a daughter of John and
Sarah (Nutt) Wyman, of Woburn. Eleanor Chand-
ler, who married Seth Walker, was a daughter of
William and Eleanor (Phelps) Chandler, and grand-
daughter of Thomas Chandler, a .first settler, inn-
keeper and proprietor of iron works in Andover,
jMassachusetts. Abigail Snow, who married John
Egerton, was a daughter of James and Ruth (Shaw)
Snow, granddaughter of Joseph and Hopestill
( ) Snow, of East Bridgewater, and great-grand-
daughter of William and Rebecca (Barker) Snow,
of West Bridgewater, emigrants. Rebecca Barker
was a daughter of Robert Barker, a settler of Dux-
bury, I^Iassachusetts. Ruth Shaw, who married
James Snow, was daughter of Joseph and Judith
(Whitmash) Shaw, of Weymouth, granddaughter
of John and Alice ( ) Shaw, and great-grand-
daughter of Abraham Shaw, of Dedham, who in
1637 had a .grant by the general court of "one-half
of the coal and iron to be found in the common
lands;" — which grant (says Savage), would "more
stimulate his curiosity than increase his wealth, had
he not died the next year." Mary Stratton, who
married Samuel Walker, was a daughter of Eben-
ezer and Lydia (Fuller) Stratton, of Watertown,
granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Traine)
Stratton, and great-granddaughter of Samuel Strat-
ton, who died in Watertown in 1672. Elizabeth
Traine was daughter of John and Margaret (Dix)
Traine, w-ho came from England in 1635 and set-
tled in that part of Watertown now Weston, where
he died in 1681, aged seventy years. Lydia Fuller,
who married Ebenezer Stratton. was daughter of
Joseph and Lydia (Jackson) Fuller, of Newton,
granddaughter of John Fuller, one of the first set-
tlers of Cambridge village (Newton). Lydia Jack-
son was a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (New-
gate) Jackson. Edward Jackson and John Fuller
were early settlers and large land owners of Cam-
bridge village, Fuller owning upwards of a thousand
acres, including what is now Newtonville, and Jack-
son, at time of his death in 1681, upwards of six-
teen hundred acres. Elizabeth Newgate, wife of
Edward Jackson, was daughter of John Newgate
and widow of Rev. John Oliver, first minister of
Rumney Marsh, now Chelsea.
The children of Elisha Garfield by first wife,
Polly Vance (who lived to adult age), were: Elisha,
born January i, 1802, married, June 8, 1826, Harriet
Walker, of Langdon. He died October 25, 1873;
she died August 14, 1896; six children. Mary, born
April 14, 1804, married, November 30, 1830, Ezra
Walker Reed, of Langdon ; died in Fitchburg, Oc-
tober 14, 1832; he died in Fitchburg, January 9, 1841.
No children. Betsey, born September 5, 1810, mar-
ried, November 30, 1830, Thomas Rcdington
Prentiss, of Langdon; died in Alstead, New Hamp-
shire, April 27, 1839. He died September 27, 1879;
four children. John, born April 10, 1815, married,
}ilay 9, 1S50, Mary Jane King, of Acworth, New
Hampshire. He died in I'itchburg, August 19, 1885 ;
she died April 16, 1S90; two children. The children
of Benjamin and Bathsheba (Egerton) Stearns
were : John Walker, born September 12, 1806, died
in Chicago, March 19, 1890, married, July 12, 1837,
Betsey JNIaria Eaton, of Peru. New York. They
had six children. Willard Egerton, born May 29,
1808, died unmarried in Fitchburg, May 10, 1901.
Abigail, born !March 16, 1810, married, April 5, 1832,
Luke Putnam, of Acworth, New Hampshire. He
died in Danvers, 2klassachusetts, February 5, 1890.
She died there February 7, 1890. Two children.
Nancy Maria, born April 18, 1815, married, Decem-
ber 26, 1839, William Miller Morrison, of
Langdon. She died in Danvers, May 20, 1891 ;
he died there May 24, 1891 ; no children.
Sarah Alexander, born December 6, 1817, mar-
ried. June 29, 1842, Samuel Willard Prouty. of
Langdon. He died at Alstead, New Hampshire,
September ig, 1876; she died there September 12,
1889; one child. The children of Elisha and Bath-
sheba (Egerton) Stearns Garfield w'ere — Esther Jane,
born March 8, 1822, married, October 18, 1849, Jo-
seph Garfield, of Spencer, Massachusetts. He died
June s, 1876; she died January 20, 1902. They had
three children. Benjamin Stearns, born June 19,
1823, married, December 11, 1850, Catherine Palmer
Davis, of Langdon. He died December 17, 1853;
tw'O children. Edmund Holden, born February 6,
1825. married, October 19, 1859, Eliza Strong Smith,
of Vergeunes, Vermont. He died in Keeseville,
New York, September 24, 1875. She died Angust
20, 1902. Four children. James Freeman Dana,
born August 14, 1S28, married, December i, 1853,
Emily Charlotte Newton, of Fitchburg. She died
in Fitchburg, January 27, 1903. They had five chil-
dren, all born in Fitchburg.
PITTS FAMILY. Peter Pitts (i), of Taunton,
Massachusetts, who came from England and set-
tled there before 1643, was the pioneer ancestor of
the well known family of* this surname, of whom
three generations have been distinguished as manu-
facturers in Fitchburg, Leominster and Lancaster.
Peter Pitts married Mary Hodges, widow of Will-
iam Hodges, and daughter of Henry Andrews, about
1651. He died in i6g2. His will was made at
Bristol, Rhode Island, where he died, and it was
proved January 12, 1692-3. His children, named
in his will, were: Samuel, of whom later; Peter,
Ebenezer, Alice, Mary, Sarah.
WORCESTER COUNTY
63
(II) Samuel Pitts, son of Peter Pitts (i), was
born about 1660, married. March 25, 1680, Sarah
Bobbett, daughter of Edward Bobbett. The^ chil-
dren of Samuel and Sarah Pitts were : Sarah,
born March 10, 1681 ; Mary, bora March 10, 1685 ;
Henry, born July 13, 1687; Abigail, born February
3, 16S9; Peter, born August 8, 1692; Ebenezer, born
November 27, 1694, of whom later.
(III) Ebenezer Pitts, son of Samuel Pitts (2),
was born November 27, 1694. He was a well-known
manufacturer of clocks in his day. His home was
in Taunton, Massachusetts. Among his children was
Abner Pitts, of whom later.
(IV) Abner Pitts, son of Ebenezer Pitts (3),
was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, about 1730.
He settled in Taunton and lived there all his life.
He owned and conducted a grist mill.
(V) James Pitts, son of Abner Pitts (4), was
born in Taunton, Massachusetts, about 1780. He
removed to East Bridgewater about 1812 and manu-
factured machinery for the Russell cotton mills.
In 1815 he removed with his family to that part
of Lancaster, now comprising the town of Clinton.
He purchased the mill privilege now ow-ncd by the
Lancaster mills, then a wild and uncultivated terri-
tory, mostly woodland. He built there a grist and
saw mill and a small cotton factory, conducting
various business enterprises until his death in 1S35.
He married, at Norton, Massachusetts, a daugh-
ter of Major Zebulon White, Prudence White. Her
father owned a foundry there and had helped the
American cause immeasurably during the revolu-
tion by casting cannon. The children of James and
Prudence Pitts were : James, Jr., William, Hiram
W., of whom later ; Seth G.
(VI) Hiram W. Pitts, son of James Pitts (5),
was born in East 'Bridgewater, Massachusetts, De-
cember 2. 1814. When he was about a year old
the family moved to Lancaster, where his father
built the first mills on the present site of the great
Lancaster mills at Clinton. He began at the age
of eight years to learn the business of cotton manu-
facturing. He worked also in his father's grist
mill. During this period from eight until he was
eiglitecn he attended all the schools available — ten
weeks in summer and eight in winter. He had
inherited a liking for mechanics from his clock-mak-
ing ancestor, and during his youth developed a con-
siderable business in repairing clocks and putting
in knife-blades. He spent his savings largely for
books and clothing. His father died in 1835 and the
sons continued the business. Hiram was associated
with his brothers until 1S42, manufacturing satinet
warp in the cotton mill at Clinton. The brothers
sold the entire property, including buildings, mill
privilege and about one hundred acres of land "for
$10,000 to E. B. Bigelow, the founder of the carpet
mills, the present Lancaster Mills Corporation being
formed and taking, over the property of the Pitts
mills at once.
After si.x months spent in Worcester running a
woolen mill, which was not successful, Mr. Pitts
removed to West Fitchburg under contract with
Colonel Ivcrs Phillips to take charge of a mill there
as superintendent, a position he held for two years.
He then spent one year in the mill that he owned
at the time of his death and with which his name
is associated. He entered into partnership with
Edwin F. Wheeler and they conducted a mill at
Saunuoit. New York. The owners of this mill had
another at Cooperstown. New York, about thirty
miles distant, and wished Pitts & Wheeler to take
that mill also on the same terms. The offer was
accepted, Mr. Pitts taking charge of the Coopers-
town concern, removed to that town and remained
there most of the time until he began business with
Benjamin Marshall, of Troy, New York. He was
for a short time in 1848 in Greenwich, New York,
where he conducted a mill for Thomas Truesdell,
of New York city.
Benjamin Marshall, with whom Mr. Pitts was
connected in business for many years after 1849,
was an Englishman by birth. He came to New York
in 1803 and entered largely and very succe.-sfully
into mercantile operations in New York. He was
at the head of the firm of B. & J. Marshall, founders
of the celebrated line of Black Ball packet ships
between New York and Liverpool. In 1825 Mr.
Marshall withdrew from commerce and engaged in
manufacturing. In that year he built the mills at
Utica, New York, and in 1826 the Hudson Print
Works and the Ida Cotton Mills at Troy. New York.
Later he came into possession of a cotton mill at
Middlebury, Vermont, in connection with which he
entered a partnership with Mr. Pitts, whereby Mr.
Marshall furnished the mill and the capital and
INIr. Pitts managed the business, buying the stock,
manufacturing the goods and selling them. Two
years later, when Mr. Marshall desired to be re-
lieved from care in business. Mr. Pitts assumed the
entire business, Mr. Marshall owning only the real
estate. He continued to manufacture sheetings and
cotton warps. For one year he had a partner, Fred-
erick W. Harris, who established the St. Lawrence
cotton mills at Montreal, Canada.
In 1854 Mr. Pitts bought the adjoining mill
privilege, a fourth interest of which he sold to
Harmon A. Sheldon. They entered into partner-
ship in the ownership and operation of a grist mill
adjoining the cotton mill and conducted the busi-
ness successfully until 1866. In 1858 J\Ir. Marshall
died, but ^Ir. Pitts continued to operate the mill
at Middlebury, the ownership of which passed by
will to Charles Carville, of New York city. In
1864 he purchased the mill of Levi Sherwin at Fitch-
burg, but he did not begin to manufacture there
until 1867. He removed with his family in 1866
from Middlebury, Vermont, to Leominster, Massa-
chusetts, the town adjoining Fitchburg, and re-
mained a citizen of Leominster the remainder of
his life, although his chief business interests were
at Fitchburg. For a time afterward he also oper-
ated the grist mill at jNIiddlebury. In 186.S he
had sold for Mrs. Carville the cotton mill at Mid-
dlebury to Charles Francis, of Boston, and George
H. Francis, of New York, The new ownership
was not successful. Mr. Pitts ran it again in 1867,
after Mr. Francis gave it up, manufacturing carpet
warps there successfully.
Immediately after the lease of the Fitchburg
mill expired and Mr. Pitts took possession he trebled
its former capacity, increasing the number of spindles
from a thousand to three thousand five hlindred,
enlarging the buildings accordingly to accommodate
the new machinery. At first he manufactured cotton
sheetings only, but after a year or so he devoted
the entire mill to the manufacture of carpet w-arps.
In 1876 Mr. Pitts built a new mill in Fitchburg,
the main building of which was forty-eight by one
hundred and one feet, three stories high, with a
boiler house twenty-five by sixty-six feet having a
one hundred horse-power engine.
64
WORCESTER COUNTY
Mr. Pitts was a careful and successful mati of
business, a good citizen, honored and respected in
the communities where he lived. He devoted most
of his time and energy to his business affairs, the
nature of which demanded all that any man could
give, yet he found time to serve the town of Mid-
dlebury in various public offices from 1862 to 1866.
He was a director of the Safety Fund National Bank
of Fitchburg from its organization until his death,
December 22, 1881.
Mr. Pitts married (first) Betsey Burdett, of
Leominster, in 1842. She died a year later. He
married (second), 1846. Mary A. Merriam, of Fitch-
burg, sister of the late David H. Merriam. (See
sketch of Merriam family.) The children of Hiram
W. and Mary A. Pitts were: B. Marshall, of whom
later ; Abbie E., resides at the homestead, Leom-
inster; Etta L., resides at the homestead, 78 Grove
avenue, Leominster.
(VH) B. Marshall Pitts, only son of Hiram W.
Pitts (6), was born in Middlebury. Vermont, Sep-
tember 10, 1851. He attended the public schools
there and at Leominster, whither the family went
in 1867. He attended Comer's Commercial College
in Boston also. From his earliest youth he was
familiar with the operation of his father's mills
and he learned the business thoroughly. He entered
the mill at Fitchburg, where his father manufac-
tured cotton warp, and in 1872 he became the super-
intendent. After the death of his father he became
the sole proprietor, and in 1884 removed to Fitch-
burg to live. He was very successful in business,
following the example of his father, who was one
of the industrial pioneers of New England.
The Sentinel said of Mr. Pitts: "Mr. Pitts thor-
oughly understood his business and had a high repu-
tation as a kind and considerate employer of labor.
He frequently received the most gratifying evidences
of thctr high regard for him, especially during his
last illness. He won high esteem and sincere friend-
ship among all classes by his reliability, high sense
of honor and uniform courtesy. There are few
men whose deatli would be so generally regretted
in Fitchburg and Leominster as Mr. Pitts'." He
died August 17. 1905.
Mr. Pitts was a man of unusual public spirit
and strong influence among his fellowmen. In poli-
tics he was a Republican. He represented ward
three in the common council of Fitchburg in 1892
and 1893, and was in the board of aldermen in
1896 and 1S97. He was a member of the committee
on highway and fire department and was chair-
man of the latter. He took a lively interest in the
fire department and was him?elf a fireman when liv-
ing in Leominster. In 1882 he succeeded bis father
as director of the Safety Fund National Bank, a
position he held until he sold his stock in 1888. He
was a member of Wilder Lodge of Free Masons ;
of Thomas Royal Arch Chapter ; of Jerusalem Com-
mandery, Knights Templar, of Fitchburg; of Hiram
Council of Worcester; of Aleppo Temple, Mystic
Shrine, of Boston; of Apollo Lodge of Odd Fel-
lows : of King David Encampment : of the Grand
Canton of Hebron. Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows : of the Park Club ; the Home Market Club
of Boston.
He married, July 3, 1877. Mary Etta Phelps,
daughter of B. S. Phelps, of Leominster. Their
children were: Hiram W., and Earl P., of whom
later.
(VIII) Earl P. Pitts, son of B. Marshall Pitts
(7), was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, Octo-
ber II, 1879, and was educated in the public schools
at Fitchburg and at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology of Boston, from which he was grad-
uated in 1902. He began in business as a con-
tractor, but on the death of his father in 1905 he
returned to Fitchburg and took charge of the mill.
Mr. Pitts is a Republican in politics.
He married, June 22, 1904, Mabelle T. Slipp, of
Dorchester, Massachusetts, daughter of Joseph B.
and Sarah (Thompson) Slipp. They have one child,
Earl P. Pitts, Jr., born January 24, 1906.
HENRY AUGUSTUS WILLIS. George Willis
(l) was the emigrant ancestor of Henry Augustus
Willis, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was born
in England in 1602 and came to New England in
1626, when he settled in Cambridge. He w-as a
mason by trade and engaged in Cambridge in the
manufacture of brick. He was a proprietor of Cam-
bridge in 1636 and was admitted a freeman there
May 2, 1638. He petitioned to be excused from
training in 1662, when he was sixty-one years old.
He was probably a brother of Michael Willis, cut-
ler, of Dorchester. There were at least seventeen
emigrants in Massachusetts and Plymouth, heads
of families, before 1650, bearing the surname Willis
and it is of course impossible to trace the connec-
tion between them, if any existed. George Willis
acquired considerable land in Cambridge, Brookline,
Billerica and vicinity. He resided on the west side
of the common in Cambridge. He was representa-
tive in the general court in 1638.
He married Jane Palfrey, widow, who had chil-
dren, John and Elizabeth Palfrey. The son. John
Palfrey, who came to America and joined the church
December 10, 1658, is the ancestor of the Palfrey
families of America. On joining the church in 1640
Mrs. Willis spoke of being formerly in Newcastle
and Heddon, England. He married (second)
Sarah , who survived him. He died September,
1690. The children of George and Jane Willis were:.
John, born in 1630 in Boston, married in Boston,
February 11, 1655, Hannah Elsie, daughter of Roger
Elsie; Nathaniel, George, Thomas, born December
28, 1638. at Cambridge, died August 14. 1724, at
Medford; Roger, of whom later; Stephen, born
October 14, 1644.
(II) Roger Willis, son of George Willis (i),
was born in 1640. in Cambridge. He married, July
19. 1664. Ruth Hill, daughter of John Hill and wife
Frances. John Hill was an emigrant, settled in
Boston, was a blacksmith and planter, was admitted
to the church with his wife August, 1641, and he was
admitted a freeman May 18, 1642. He was one of
the' founders of Lancaster, accepted by the general
court in 1645. He belonged to the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. He died
May 31. 1654. (See Gen. Reg. 1904 and Hill
Genealogy by J. G. Bartlett.)
Roger Willis was one of the pioneers at Sud-
bury. He settled in the northwest part of the town
and west of Willis pond and Willis hill. His de-
scendants have been very numerous in that locality.
The children of Roger and RiUh (Hill) Willis
were: Mary, born January 7. 1660; Samuel, of whom
later ; Sarah, March 20, 1684 ; Josiah, December 8,
16S6; Thankful. September 14. 1690; and probablv
three others, according to the Hill Genealogy, while
in Dorchester. Those named above were born in
Sudbury.
WORCESTER COUNTY
65
(III) Samuel Willis, second child of Roger
Willis (2), was born April I, 1675, at Sudbury,
Massachusetts. He died November 26, 1758. He
married Susanna Gleason, daughter of Joseph and
Martha Gleason, and granddaughter of Richard
Gleson. Susanna was born March 24, 1676. Samuel
Willis signed a petition in Sudbury in 1706-7. He
was a farmer and settled in Sudbury, Massachu-
setts. His wife died May 12, 1756. Their children
were: Joseph, of whom later; Elijah, March 6,
1720: Samuel.
(IV) Joseph Willis, son of Samuel Willis (3),
was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, November 10,
1712. He married Thankful , and settled in
Sudbury. He served in the French war in the Sec-
ond Regiment of Foot. The children of Joseph and
Thankful Willis were: John, born March 16, 1736
(gravestone at Sudbury) ; Reuben, June 9, 1738,
married Sarah Brigham; Eunice, January 15, 1740,
died August 8, 1791 ; Anne, May 21, 1744; Hopestill.
of whom later ; Abel, October, 1750.
(V) Lieutenant Hopestill Willis, son of Joseph
and Thankful Willis (4), was born in Sudbury,
January 9, 1747. He married, May i, 1766, at Sud-
bury, Olive Smith. He was a soldier in the revolu-
tion in various companies from Sudbury, and took
part in the battles at Concord and Lexington. Soon
after the war he became lieutenant of the Sudbury
company as appears from the records. He is re-
ferred to as lieutenant after 17S5. He died March
14, 1823. Olive Smith was born in Sudbury. Sep-
tember 8, 1747. the daughter of Zephaniah and
Abigail (Wheeler) Smith Zephaniah, born October
29. 1705. at Sudbury, was the son of Thomas and
Elizabeth Smith. Thomas, born- December 3. 1679,
at Sudbury, was the son of Thomas and Abigail
Smith. Thomas Smith was the son of John and
Sarah (Hunt) Smith. John Smith was born in
England, son of John and Isabel Smith, of Water-
town. The latter were the emigrant ancestors. John
Smith, Sr., was a proprietor in Watertown in 1636
and was admitted a freeman December 7, 1636.
His wife Isabel was born in England 1581 and died
in Watertown. 1639, buried November 12.
The children of Lieutenant Hopestill and Olive
Smith, all born in Sudbury, were : Jedathan, born
January 11, 1766-7, married Persis Puffer: Jonas,
February 5, 1768; Ruth, June 18, 1769, married John
Puffer, of Sudburv- ; Daniel, March 25, 1772 ; Josiah,
September 11, 1773: Hopestill, Jr.. August 9, 1776,
died October 25, 1778: Zenas, October 4, 1778;
Peter, September 17, 1781, died February 28, 1784:
Susanna, December 2. 1784: Anna, February 15.
1787: Samuel, of whom later.
(VI) Samuel Willis, youngest child of Lieu-
tenant Hopestill Willis (5), was born in Sudbury,
^lassachusetts, June 20, 1792. He died at Fitchburg,
^Massachusetts, September 30, 1843, aged fifty-one.
When a young man he left his native town.
He learned the business of woolen manufact-
ure, and lived at Northbridge, Massachusetts,
where there are several mills on the Black-
stone river, and two of his children were born in
that town. In 1822 Mr. Willis settled in Fitchburg,
Massachusetts. In that year he and Abial J. Town
purchased the brick cotton mill in the then centre
of the village of Fitchburg, and founded what
has since been known as the Fitchburg Woolen
Mill. They furnished it with two sets of cards
and the necessary looms, spinning jennies and finish-
ing machinery for the manufacture of cassimeres
exclusively from fine wool. Subsequently Paul
Farnum and Daniel Kimball, commission merchants
of Boston, became partners with Willis and Town,
each having an equal share in the company. In 1834
the mill and machinery having been injured to some
extent by fire an addition was made to the main
building, other necessary buildings erected, the
water power improved by a new dam and tha cap-
acity of the mill increased to three sets of narrow
cards. When Mr. Willis died in 1843 the interest
belonging to the estate was purchased by Porter
Piper and at the same time the interest of Paul
Farnum was bought by William B. Town. Later
it passed into the control of the Kimball family,
then into the Vose family, and finally was sold after
a long and successful history to the'Parkhill Manu-
facturing Company in 1887, and is run by that con-
cern at present.
Although cut off in his prime Mr. Willis was
a successful busness man and prominent in Fitch-
burg affairs. He was an earnest advocate of the
railroads and helped materially the efforts of Alvah
Crocker to get Fitchburg connected with Boston,
Worcester and elsewhere by steam railroads. His
name appears for several years in the jury lists. He
was fire ward of the town in 1839 and 1840, and
served the town in 1841, 1842 and 1843 on important
special committees. He was in the general court
from Fitchburg in 1838.
He married Cynthia Merriam, daughter of
John and Diana (Hendson) ^Merriam, at North-
bridge, Massachusetts, and their children were :
Amanda, born at Northbridge, June 22, 1819, mar-
ried, 1846, John Brown, Jr., of Concord; Adeline,
born in Northbridge, Massachusetts, December 10,
1821, married W. H. Snow, June 15, 1846; they
lived in Troy, New York; Francis, born December
24, 1823; Samuel Aaron, January 20, 1826; Louisa
Cynthia, June 17, 1828, married, 1848, John Upton
(see Upton Family sketch) ; Henry Augustus, No-
vember 26, 1830; William Merriam, March 8, 1833;
Charles Edmund, July 4, 1835 ; Emma Maria, De-
cember 7, 1837. All the preceding except the first
two were born in Fitchburg.
(VII) Henry Augustus Willis, sixth child of
Samuel Willis (6), was born in Fitchburg, Massa-
chusetts, November 26, 1830. He was educated in
the public schools of his native town and at the
Lawrence Academy, Groton, Massachusetts. He be-
gan his business career as clerk in the RoUstone
Bank, which was organized in 1849, and which be-
came the Rollstone National Bank in 1865. It has
a capital of $250,000 and a large surplus. Its first
quarters were in a small granite building on the
same site now occupied by the handsome Rollstone
Bank Building, which was erected in 1869. Hon.
Moses Wood was the first president. Mr. Willis be-
came cashier in 1858. On the death of j\Ir. A\'ood
in 1869 Alvah Crocker became president. L'pon
his resignation in 1872 Mr. Willis became presi-
dent, and he held this position for thirty-two years.
When the Worcester Savings Institution was
established June 13, 1868, Mr. Willis was elected
treasurer. The savings institution has occupied the
same building with the Rollstone National Bank,
with which until a recent law changed the rela-
tions it has been intimately connected. Hon. Moses
Wood was the first president. Mr. Willis has been
treasurer from the organization of the bank to the
present time, and has seen it grow to large propor-
tions. Feb. 24, 1906, the Rollstone National Bank
66
WORCESTER COUNTY
went into liquidation and was merged into the
Fitchburg Safe Deposit and Trust Co. Mr. Willis
is chairman of the board of directors.
Mr. Willis is also president of the Fitchburg
Street Railway Company, which was incorporated
April 10, 1886, with a capital of $60,000, and has
been its president since its incorporation. It began
•operations July i. 1886. The company now has a
well equipped electric system covering the city
and suburbs, and the enterprise has been very suc-
cessful as an investment. He is a director of the
Grant Yarn Company ; the Shirrefifs Worsted Com-
pany ; and a trustee of the Fitchburg Public Li-
brary, and chairman of the board for many years.
Mr. Willis served his country in the civil war.
He enlisted in the Fifty-third Regiment, which was
recruited largely from Fitchburg and the neigh-
boring towns in August and September, 1862.
Colonel John W. Kimball took command November
29, 1862, and the regiment proceeded to New
York; Mr. Willis was made adjutant of the regi-
ment. On the arrival in New York of the regi-
ment there was a delay of some weeks and much
suckness among the soldiers. Finally the regiment
set sail January \y. 1863, for New Orleans. They
camped six miles from the city with the Third
Bri.eade. Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps.
In March they sailed up the river to Baton Rouge
and skirmished considerably in the surrounding
country. They then took part in various assaults
on Port Hudson and served in that campaign until
Port Hudson surrendered July p. 1863. They re-
turned by steamer in August to Cairo, Illinois, and
thence by rail to Fitchburg, where they were
mustered out at Camp Stevens. Groton Junction,
September 2, 1863. Of nine hundred and fifty men
■one hundred and thirty-two died of disease during
their nine months enlistment and thirty-three were
killed or died of their wounds. No regiment lost
more men in the same length of time by disease.
The effect of that deadly campaign was felt for
many years by the survivors and many probably
had their health undermined and lives shortened
by the exnosure and fevers.
Mr. Willis was on a relief committee of the
•town for the soldiers in 1861. He served on the
committee to erect the soldiers' monument ap-
pointed in 1866. He was president of the first com-
mon council of the city of Fitchburg and subse-
sequently treasurer of the city for several years.
He represented the town in the legislature in 1866.
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, the Society of Colonial Wars; the Loyal
Legion, and the "Sons of the American Revo-
lution."
Mr. Willis never married. He has been a liberal
contributor to charities and public enterprises in
the citv of Fitchburg. He has been for many years
one of the financial leaders of this manufacturing
centre, and his efTorts and influence have always
been exerted to develop and improve his native
town, and to enlarge and diversify her industries.
He has taken his part as a citizen. He has been
interested in the excellent work of the Fitchburg
Historical Society, was its president for ten years.
Mr. Willis enjoys travel and has crossed the At-
lantic on six trios abroad for the purpose of study,
rest and recreation. He is an observing traveler
and has seen more of the world than most men.
MARTIN WEBBER. Thomas Webber (i),
the immigrant ancestor of Martin Webber, of Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts, was the master of the "May-
tlovver" and part owner. He was one of the early
.settlers of- Roxbury, whence he removed to Boston
in 1643. He joined the church in Boston, March
31, 1644. He sold his share in the "Mayflower,"
seven thirty-seconds, in 1652, and the bill of sale
is recorded in the Suffolk registry. He made a
contract October 7, 1652, while in England (see
Suffolk Deeds III, 66). He removed to what is
now Kennebunk, Maine. He was back in Charles-
town in 1676, probably on account of King Philip's
war. His widow received a grant of land in Charles-
town, 1681.
He married (first) Sarah , and (second)
Mary Parker, sister of John Parker. His children
were: Thomas, Jr., born 1639, baptized February
2, 1650-1, removed to' Falmouth, Maine; Michael,
of whom later; Sarah, born 1643. baptized Decem-
ber 8, 1644, aged three days ; Bathsheba, baptized
September 24, 1648, aged three days ; Mehitable,
born June 10, 1652, died young; Samuel, of Fal-
mouth ; Richard, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire ;
Joseph, mentions father in records.
(II) Michael Webber, son of Thomas Webber
(i), first appears in Gloucester. He was born in
1639. and died in Gloucester in 1729, aged ninety
years. Many writers have confused him with his
son. Michael Webber. Very little is known of him
on account of the loss of early records. His chil-
dren were : Samuel, settled in York, Maine, and
had a large family; Michael, Jr., settled in Glouces-
ter and has many descendants in that section ;
James. This family is given in order to give what
little is known of the two early settlers of
Gloucester.
(II) Samuel Webber, son of Thomas Webber
(i), was born about 1655. He was doubtless a
mariner like his father and brother Michael. He
and Michael settled in Gloucester. He owned land
at Goose Cave in Gloucester, which he sold to
Thomas Riggs. In 1681 he was living in Falmouth,
now Portland, Maine. In 1692 he was a witness
in the trial of Rev. George Burroughs at Salem,
one of the notable witchcraft trials, testifying to
the defendant's great physical strength. He was
back in Gloucester in 1695. but removed to York,
Maine, before 1700. He died in 1716, leaving a
wife, Deborah, and six children. His children were :
Samuel, Jr., of whom later; Thomas, Benjamin,
Joseph. Mary, married Joseph Sayward, Dorcas,
Deborah, born at Gloucester, 1663 ; John, Waitstill
(son) (twin), born 1698; Patience (twin), born
1698.
(III) Samuel Webber, son of Samuel Webber
(2). was born about 1780 in Gloucester or vicinity.
He settled in York. Maine. His children, born in
York, were: Elizabeth, born 1705; Samuel, born
1708, married Elizabeth Young, daughter of Row-
land Young, of York: Mary, born \y'o: Gerslio-i
born 1712; Mercy, born 1716: Abigail, born 1718;
Sarah, born 1720; Nathaniel, of whom later;
Joseph.
(IV"l Nathaniel Webber, son of Samuel and
Elizabeth Webber (3). was born in York. Maine,
September 9. 1722. He resided in York. He mar-
ried Lucy Bradbury, daughter of John Bradbury,
December 25, 1745. Their children were : William,
WORCESTER COUNTY
67
born October 26, 1746, settled at Castine, Maine,
and was deputy to the general court at Boston,
(Maine, was part of Massachusetts until 1820);
Philomela, born Iilay 21, 1749; Jotham, born Jan-
uary 28, 1751, married Elizabeth Russell, and re-
moved to Mason. New Hampshire; Lucy, born April
10, 1754; Jerusha, born July 4, 1756; Maria, born
August 25, 1759; Theodore, born May 20, 1762;
Jabez, born May 27, 1765; David, born January 17.
1769, married Jane Grout.
(V) Deacon Jotham Webber, son of Nathaniel
Webber (4), was born in York, Maine, January 28.
1751. He was a farmer and the original homestead
on which he settled in Mason, New Hampshire, is
still owned by his descendants. He removed from
York to Mason during the revolution. He died
there May 2, 1824, aged seventy-two years. He was
deacon of the Baptist church at Mason many years.
He served eight months in the revolutionary army
in Captain Darby's company. Colonel James Scam-
mon's regiment, as corporal from York, Maine, in
1777. He removed to IN'Iason according to the family
records in February, 1780. His widow Elizabeth
died March 5, 1838. He was one of the selectmen
of Mason in 1785 and 1786, and one of the leading
citizens.
He married, March 12, 1778. Elizabeth Russell,
daughter of Jason Russell, of Mason, formerly of
West Cambridge. Massachusetts, and a descendant
of William Russell, a sketch of whom appears else-
where in this work. The children of Deacon Jotham
and Elizabeth Webber were : Jotham. Jr., born in
West Cambridge, Massachusetts. December 24, 1778,
of whom later; Jason, (and the remainder) born
at Mason, September 24, 1780; William, born July
18, 1782, married Hannah Flagg. February 21, 1811;
John, born January 29, 1785; Elizabeth, born May
15. 1787; John, born December 18, 1789; Jonas, born
July 29, 1792; Ebenezer, born January 2, 1795;
Prudence, bnrn June 11. 1797.
(VI) Jotham Webber. Jr., son of Deacon Jotham
Webber (5), was born in West Cambridge, Massa-
setts, the home of his mother, December 24. 1778.
when his father was in the army. He settled on
the homestead at Mason, New Hampshire. He mar-
ried Dolly Stratton, of New Ipswich, New Hamp-
shire, December 21, 1S06. Their children, born in
Mason. New Hampshire, were : Joel, born January
12, 1808 : George, born August 17, 1809, of whom
later; Elizabeth, born July 16, 181 r; Asa. born June
15. 1813; Sarah, born December 29, 1815; Charles,
born July 11, 1818; Mary, born March 16, 1820;
Elizabeth, born January 12, 1823.
(VII) George Webber, son of Jotham Webber,
Jr. (6), was born in Mason, New Hampshire,
August 17, 1809. He was a blacksmith by trade.
He settled in Ashby. Massachusetts, an adjacent
town to his native place. He died there April 16.
1861, and is buried there. He married Diantha Jane
Barrett. Their children were: Myra J., born Jan-
uary 31. 1S35 ; Amos A., born August 26. 1836,
now living at New London, Wisconsin, where he
is a large lumber merchant and real estate dealer ;
George F.. born April 12, 1838; Martin, born De-
cember 26, 1840. of whom later : Sarah E., born
May 31. 1842: Lucy D.. born January 6, 1843;
Francis, born October 3. 1S44; Nancy, born March
13. 1S46; John S.. born December ir. 1849: Martha
D., born October 26, 1851 ; Marv E., born August
16. rS;.^.
(VIII) Martin Webber, son of George Webber
(7). was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, De-
cember 26, 1839. He was educated there in the com-
mon schools and then learned the carpenter's trade.
He began his career as a dealer in furniture in
Fitchburg in 1876 and built up a large and flourish-
ing business. In 1892 he sold his store and started
in the lumber business. He established the Webber
Lumber Company, but retired after a few years.
The cotnpany is continued under the same name
by the present owners. He has devoted his time
and capital to the building of houses for renting
and selling. Mr. Webber is a Prohibitionist in
politics and has been active in various temperance
movements. He is a director and chairman of the
finance committee of the Fitchburg Co-operative
Bank. He attends the Congregational Church.
He married, January i, 1862, Elizabeth G. Hay-
ward, who was born in 1840 in Ashby, the daugh-
ter of Ephraim and Sarah Hayward. They had
one child, Edward, who was born November, 1S66,
died young.
(VIII) John S. Webber, son of George Web-
ber (7), was born December ir, 1849, in Townsend,
Massachusetts. He passed his boyhood at .A.shby
and came to Fitchburg in 1867. He was clerk for
his brother Martin in the furniture business for
thirteen years. He established himself in the fur-
niture and upholstery business in iSgi with J. P.
Hayward under the firm name of Webber & Hay-
ward, and has so continued to this time. He is
unmarried.
PARKS FAMILY. Richard Parks (i) is the
pioneer ancestor of Gilbert M. Parks, of Fitch-
burg. The name was spelled more often Park and
Parke on the early records, and while the family
lived in Shrewsbury the spelling Peirks was adopted
by most of them for several generations, "rhat
spelling prevailed nowhere else and was not kept up.
Richard Parks was a proprietor of Cambridge
in 1636 and of Cambridge Farms in 1642. His house
was near the cow common in old Cambridge. He
h;id eleven acres in Cambridge village at the di-
vision of lands ; this lot bounded on Edw-ard Jack-
son's land and on the highway to Dedham which
was laid out through it in 1648. The very ancient
house on this lot was torn down about 1800; it was
.supposed to have been built bv him. It was within
a few feet of the site of the Eliot church. Previous
to 1652 he owned a large tract in the northwest
part of the town bounded west by the Fuller farm,
north by Charles river, east by the Dummer farm
and south and east by Edward Jackson's land.
His will, dated July 12. 1665. bequeathed to his
son Thomas all his houses and lands after the de-
cease of his wife Sarah. The appraisal of hjs estate
at nine hundred and seventy-two pounds shows him
to have been one of the wealthy men of the colony.
In 1657 he served with Edward Jackson, John Jack-
son and Samuel Hyde to lay out and settle high-
wavs in the village. In 1663 he was released from
training on account of his age.
Deacon William Parks, of Rnxbury, Samuel
Parks, of ^ledford. and Thomas Parks, of Stoning-
ton. Connecticut, were brothers as appears from the
will of Deacon William Parks. It is supposed that
Richard Parks was also a brother. Henry Parks,
who may have been a brother also, was the son of
Edward Parks, of London, a cousin of Governor
Winthrop, who wrote him from London. March 8,
1647. asking his aid and advice for his uncle. Henry
68
WORCESTER COUNTY
Bright, and son, Henry Parks, about land ordered
to himself by the court. In 1648 Edward had
seventy-two acres of land on the Concord road and
in 1650 the son of Henry, merchant and heir of Ed-
ward Park, of London, deceased, conveyed the land
in Cambridge to John Stedman. Robert removed
to Connecticut and had sons William, Samuel and
Thomas. Thomas Parks had a son Robert, who
settled in Wethersfield, and Thomas, Jr., at New
London, Connecticut.
Richard Parks married Sarah Brewster, widow
of Love Brewster, the eldest surviving son of Elder
William Brewster. She was the daughter of Will-
iam and Jane Collier. After the death of her sec-
ond husband she went to live in Du.xbury again.
She sued Thomas Parks, December 4, 1671, on ac-
count of the estate ; she sold her interests to him
September 26, 1678. Richard Parks left a widow,
son Thomas and two daughters, one of whom was
thes wife of Francis Whittemore. He died 1665.
(H) Thomas Parks, son of Richard Parks (i),
was born in 1629 and died August 11, i6go. He
married Abigail Dix, of Watertown, in 1653. He
owned a six thousand acre tract and house near
the Bemis Mills on Charles river. He died August
II, 1690, aged si.xty-two; his wife died February
3, 1691, and the estate was divided among the heirs
in 1693-94. He had seven hundred and twenty-two
acres of land and part of the corn mill on Smelt
brook erected by Lieutenant John Spring.
The children of Thomas Parks were : Thomas,
born November 2, 1654, died .August 28. 1681, un-
married; John, of whom later; Abigail, March 3,
1658. married John Fiske : Edward, April 8. 1661,
father of Nathan Parks, of Uxbridge ; Richard. De-
cember 21, 1663. lived in Concord; Sarah. March
21, 1666, married John Knapp ; Rebecca, May 13,
1668, married John Sanger. 1686; Jonathan. .-August
27, 1670; Elizabeth, July 28, 1679. married John
Holland.
(HI) John Parks, son of Thomas Parks (2),
was born in Newton, then Cambridge, Massachu-
setts, September 6, 1656. He married Elizabeth
Miller for his second wife. He died 1718, aged
si.xty-three years. His estate was divided in 1720.
His children were : Elizabeth. February 24, 1695,
died young ; John, of whom later ; Solomon. Octo-
ber 16. 1699; Elizabeth, February 27, 1701 ; Abigail, -
April 20, 1702; Joseph, March 12, 1705 (H. C.
1724) ; Mary, March 17, 1808.
(IV) John Parks, son of John Parks (3),
was born in Newton, Massachusetts, December 20.
1696. There w-ere two John Parks living at the
same time and the difficulty in tracing them is
shown by the fact that the history of Newton and
the history of Watertown gives but one John Parks
with two wives. But John Parks married Abigail
Lawrence. December 3. 1718, at Weston, while the
son of John Parks and wife Esther, John, born in
Newton, May I, 1719, proves that there were two
families. I think John and Esther must have left
town. I find a John Parks in Killingly, Connecti-
cut, vi'ho had a daughter Sybil, baptized there June
23, 1729. Then we know that Deliverance Parks,
daughter of John Parks, went to Killingly from
Weston, where she and her sister Mary were bap-
tized when adults.
There is no question that the two Parks families
were closely related. I believe that one of the
John Parks, of Newton, may have been descended
from Joseph Parks, mentioned above. It is possible
that some of the Connecticut family returned to
Massachusetts and lived in Concord or vicinity.
Samuel Parks died in Waltham where the son of
John and Esther Parks married his wife. Samuel
died in Waltham, September 2, 1768, aged eighty-
eight ; he may have been the father of one of the
John Parks, of Newton. Some descendants of Jo-
seph Parks, of Concord, were living in Waltham at
the time of the marriage of John Parks (51 of
whom later.
The children of John and Esther Parks were:
John, born !May i. 1719. (the statement tliat he-
died young is based on the supposition that the son
of John and .Abigail was his brother. Nor is there-
Kny record to be found of the death of Esther Parks,
(his mother) ; Sybil, baptized at Killin.gly, Connecti-
cut. June 23. 1729. Probably others in Weston,-
Newton or Killingly. (John and Abigail Parks-
had six children in New'ton between 1725 and 1753.)
(V) John Parks, son of John Parks (4) and
Esther Parks, of Newton, was born there May i,
1719. and died at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, June-
8, 1804, aged according to the town records eighty-
four years, making Iiim the exact age of the John
Parks, of Newton, son of John and Esther as here
given. He spelled his name Peirks generally. He
married, at Waltham, Hannah Hammond, of that
town, November 28. 1748, and soon removed to-
Shrewsbury. He was admitted to the Shrewsbury
church in 1794. His wife died March 26, 1809.
The children of John and Hannah Parks were:
Abigail, born June I, 1749, died unmarried July 4,
1828: Hannah. November 22. 1750, married Nathan
Waite. died Aoril. 1847. aged ninety-six years, six
months: Jonathan, settled in Sutton and 0-xford,
Massachusetts, married Rhoda Allen and Sarah
Livermore. of Spencer: died in North Brookfield,
1847, aged ninetv-foiT years: David, born April 12,
1778, married Catherine Parker, resided in Shrews-
burv ; John, baptized July i. T7.=;o, married Mary
Joslin and lived in Shrewsbury: Samuel, of whom
later; Mary, baptized July 10, 1707. married Nathan
Muzzy. 1700.
(VI) Samuel Parks, son of Tohn Parks (5),
was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and bap-
tized there .August 2t. 1761. He married Annis
Muzzv. October id, 1793, and they settled in Stow.
He died before 1820. possibly soon after marriage.
The only son I have found on record is William,
born about 1805. (He was over fourteen and under
twentv-one May 15. 1821").
(VII) William Parks, son of Samu.el Parks
(6), was born in Stow about 1805. His father died
■ivhen he was a bov. He had as sruardians .-Vbiiah
Parks and after May !.■;. 1821. Eliiah Houghton, of
Sterlin.e. He lived in Stow and Shrewsbury prob-
ably with relatives. He was livin.e in Lancaster,
September 20. 18^6. -when he married Dollv S. Mc-
Intire, of Westminster. He removed to Fitchlmrg.
He was for a time a farmer in Westminster. The
children of William and Dollv S. Parks were:
Jennie A., married William K. .-\shton, Gilbert
M., of whom later.
Gilbert M. Parks (VIII). only surviving son of
William Parks (7). was born in Westminster,
Massachusetts. August 15. 1842. He received a
common school education and then learned the trade
of gas and steam fitter in Fitchburg. In 1872 Mr.
Parks started in business on his own account in
Fitchburs in compan-v with John H. Carpenter. The
nnrtnership continued successfully until 1887. when:
Mr. Parks bought out his partner and continued the-
business under his own name until 1901, when it
^^^^^^^ "H^ y&r-^
WORCESTER COUNTY
69
was incorporated with his sons, Robert S., Fred-
erick W. and Howard M. Parks, as directors with
him. Mr. Parks has built up one of the largest and
most complete gas and steam fitting plants in this
section of the state. He ranks among the soundest
and most successful business men of the city. He
is a director of the Lancaster Cotton Mills at Lan-
caster. Massachusetts. He is an active member of
Mt. Roulstone Lodge of Odd Fellows. He attends
the Unitarian Church. In politics he is a Repub-
lican, but has never cared for public office. He has
given practically all his time to his business.
He married, October 27, 1870, Abbie F. Samp-
son, daughter of Captain Robert Sampson, of Fitch-
burg. Massachusetts. Their children are: Robert
S., of whom later ; Frederick W., of whom later ;
Jennie, born February 11, 1877, married H. C.
Townsend ; Howard M., December 26, 1878; Helen
A., August 5, 1884.
(IXl Robert S. Parks, son of Gilbert M. Parks
(8), was born in Fitchburg, March 7, 1872. He was
educated in the public schools and fitted at the
Fitchburg high school for the Worcester Poly-
technic Institute, from which he was graduated in
1893. He went into his father's business and has
been connected with the G. M. Parks Company
ever since. He is a director of the corporation, and
has already won a creditable position as a business
man. He is a member of the Masonic order. He
married Caroline H. Goodwin, and they have two
children : Dorothy and Hester.
(IX) Frederick W. Parks, son of Gilbert M.
Parks (8), was born in Fitchburg, December 21.
1874. He is a graduate of the Fitchburg high school
and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, class of
1896. He became connected with the G. M. Parks
Co. and is a director of the corporation. He is
prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having taken
the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and
is a member of the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He
married, 1902, Ruth W. Chapin, of Southbridge,
and they have one child, Eleanor C. Parks.
JOHN HERBERT DANIELS. William Dan-
iels, the immigrant ancestor of John Herbert Dan-
iels, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was born in Eng-
land. He settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, be-
fore 1646, when he was a proprietor of the town and
an inn-keeper there. He was admitttd a freeman
in 1648. He removed to Milton, a town adjoining
Dorchester, and lived on an estate deeded to him by
his father-in-law. The farm was on Milton Hili.
He married Catherine Greenaway, daughter of John
Greenaway. She began about 1650 to teach the In-
dians, and September 24, 1653, she was publicly
thanked by the commissioners of the United Colon-
ies for her good work, and voted twelve pounds for
reward of merit, and three more to encourage her
to teach during the coming year. She died Novem-
ber 14, 1680. William Daniels made his will July 2,
1678 : it was proved September 28, 1678. He be-
queathed to his wife Katherine ; sons John and
Samuel ; daughter Hannah Babcock ; son-in-law
John Kinsley; grandchildren Susanna Kinsley and
Silence Woods. He left his shop and blacksmith's
tools to his son Samuel. The children : John, see
forward; Mary, baptized July 7, 1650; Susanna, bap-
tized October 18, 1646, married John Kinsley; Mary,
baptized May 10, 1653 ; Hannah, baptized April 22.
165s, married Benjamin Babcock, February 11, 1673;
Samuel, baptized April 24, 1659; William.
(_II) John Daniels, son of William Daniels (l),
was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and bap-
tized there August 6, 1648. His name is spelled
variously on the records ; Dancll, Daniel, Danil and
Daniels. He settled at Milton, Massachusetts. He
died. October 6, 1718, aged seventy years. He mar-
ried, at Milton, March 29, 1672, Dorothy Babcock,
daughter of George Babcock (or Badcock). She
was admitted to the church June 18, 1682. He had
a second wife Abigail , who died November
9, 1717. The children: i. Elizabeth, born at Milton,
August 22, 1673; married, June 5, 1694, Samuel
Spear. 2. William, born January 2^, 1674-75, died
July 8, 1676. 3. Dorothy (twin), born (October 21,
1676. 4. Mary (twin), born October 21, 1676.
5. Mary (twin), born May 31, 1678, married. May
31, 1699, Benjamin Scott, of Braintree. 6. William
(twin), born May 31. 1678. 7. John, born March 5,
1680, died June 17, 1685. 8. Hannah, born Novem-
ber 25, 1681 ; married George Babcock. 9. John, see
forward. 10. Zebediah, born June 24, 1686.
II. Hannah, born May 17, 1695 (daughter of John
and Abigail — records do not state the name of the
mother of the other children.
(Ill) John Daniels, son of John Daniels (2),
was born in Milton, INIassachusetts, JNIarch 9, 1685.
He also settled at Milton. In 1742 he bought
Howe's !Mills, Pomfret, Connecticut, for twenty-four
hundred pounds with land adjoining, including
house, barn, mill, maltshop and the whole manufact-
uring stock of the Quinebaugh Valley Company
comprising "ye conveniences of 3 coppers, 2 presses,
two screws, two pair shears, 2 iron bars, blue pot,
paper for press and sear cloth for malting." He was
called captain on the records and was moderator
of the Pomfret town meeting in 1753. He was
on the committee locating the meeting house in Kill-
ingly. He returned to Milton before his death. He
married, August 5, 1707, Eleanor Verin. She was de-
scended from Joshua Verin, of Salem, a roper by
trade, who came with Philip Verin (Veren, Verein or
Vereing) in the ship "James," sailing from England,
April 5, 1635; Joshua and his wife. Jane Verin, were
admitted to the Salem Church, June 21, 1640; his son
Hilliard was admitted to the church November i,
1648; he was born in 1621, in England. Eleanor was
probably Hilliard's granddaughter. Philip Verin,
who came over with Joshua, settled also at Salem but
soon removed to Rhode Island and was disciplined
there because he would not let his wife attend the
meetings of Mr. Roger Williams as often as she
wished.
(IV) Nathaniel Daniels, son of Captain John
Daniels (3). of Pomfret and Killingly, Connecticut,
was born about 1730. In 1760 he sold the land be-
tween the Quinebaug river and Mill river with
the dwelling, malt houses, dye-house, etc.. to Ben-
jamin Cargill, of South Kingston, Rhode Island, a
descendant of Rev. Donald Cargill, of Scotland.
This Daniels mill had for several years done the
malting, dyeing and grinding of corn for the farm-
ers in Pomfret, Killingly and Thompson parish,
Connecticut. Nathaniel Daniels was highway sur-
veyor of Killingly.
(V) Verin Daniels, son of Nathaniel Daniels
(4), was born September 9, 1769, probably in Kill-
ingly, Connecticut. He seems to have been brought
up in the mill business. He settled in Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, when a young man, and married
there, April 21, 1796, Polly Eaton, daughter of
Thomas Eaton, all of Fitchburg. To observe the
70
WORCESTER COUNTY
custom of the time the fellow citizens of Air. Dan-
iels at the next town meeting celebrated his mar-
riage by electing him hogreeve. Most of the lead-
ing citizens of early days began their public life in
this humble but at that time quite important office.
Polly Eaton was born March 26. 1774. and died
February 23, 1853. Verin Daniels bought his pew
in the church (No, 30) in 1797, and was on a com-
mittee to clapboard the meeting house that year.
He was a house carpenter by trade, but familiar
evidently with saw mills, he bought a place of
Amos Taylor, of Fitchburg, in the west part of
Fitchburg, with buildings and t venty-five acres of
land, April i, 1795. With Seth Phillips he bought
half a saw mill, iiarch 25, 1806. The other half was
owned by Blaney Phillips and Daniels later bought
that half. He erected a number of sawmills. In
1823 he was in the manufacturing business under
the firm name of Tyler, Daniels & Company. Mr.
Daniels served the town often on important com-
mittees. He was tythingman in 1805 and on the
school committee in i8o8. One interesting item
relating to the customs of former days was his pur-
chase of Mary Ware at a sale of paupers. For
Mary W'are he paid the sum of three cents a week
at the public auction. Verin Daniels died June,
1839-
The children of Verin and Polly Daniels were :
Polly (Mary), born at Fitchburg, March 12, 1797,
died October 28, 1872; Verin, Jr., born November
7> 1798, removed to Jacksonville, Illinois; Thomas
Eaton, of whom later ; William, born February 10,
1803, died at Fitchburg, February 22, 1803 ; Reuben,
born January 23, 1804, died 1876 ; David, born May
31, 1S06, married, November 19, 1831, Lorinda C.
Carter; he died July 19, 1876; Samuel, born No-
vember 15, 1808, settled also in Jacksonville, Illinois;
Ann Eliza, born May 30, 1811 ; John, born March 4,
1814, died 1833.
(VI) Thomas E. Daniels son of Verin Daniels
(5), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Decem-
ber 19, 1800. He was educated in the common
schools there and learned the trade of machinist in
Troy, New York. He was the inventor of the Dan-
iels planer, which for some years he manufactured in
Worcester. The principle of this machine was very
valuable and is still in use in the improved patterns
of wood planers. Mr. Daniels removed to Fitch-
burg, where he was a pioneer in manufacturing. He
died January 25, 1867.
He married, April 23, 1829, Lucy Sherwin, who
was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, February 24,
1806, the daughter of Zimri Sherwin, born in Town-
send, February 7, 1754, and Polly (Kimball) Sher-
win, born at Lunenburg, October 31, 1777, married,
June 3, 1791. The children of Thomas Eaton and
Lucy Daniels were : Lucy Ann, born at Woodstock,
Vermont, December 30, 1830, died December 23,
1833; the following were born in Worcester: George
Thomas, born August 5, 1834; Charles Samuel, born
August 2, 1836; Mary Linda, born November 8,
1838, married Oliver P. Conklin, January I, i860;
had son, Harry Raymond, born September 12, 1867;
Abby Lucy, born May 31, 1841, married (first)
Franklin Moses, and their children were : Chester D..
and Lucy L. ; (second) Edwin 5. Cleaves; John
Herbert, born January 27, 1845.
(VII) John Herbert Daniels, son of Thomas
Eaton Daniels (6), was born in Worcester. January
27, 1845. He attended the public schools and grad-
uated from the Fitchburg high school in 1863, after-
wards attending a business college. At the age of
seventeen he became clerk in the provost marshal's
office at Greenfield, ^vlassachusetts, where he remain-
ed until the end of the civil war. For the next
twenty years he was connected with the Fitchburg
railroad, first as clerk in the freight office, then as
freight cashier and later as general agent of the
Fitchburg railroad at Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
In 1884 he came into possession of a fine tract of
land, embracing one hundred acres, including what
had been known as the Daniels farm, lying by the
side of the Fitchburg railroad between Fitchburg and
West Fitchburg, and he proceeded to develop it
■for manufacturing purposes, giving much of his
time and attention to the enterprise. He attracted
manufacturers by the gift of suitable land for fac-
tory sites, opened streets and encouraged the opening
of stores, schools and residences. As a result of his
efforts and public spirit a thriving community was
established in a few years. In this district are sev-
eral mills and factories, many homes, a parochial
school, French Catholic Church, Methodist Episco-
pal Church, and no less than seventy stores. Mr.
Daniels is especially interested in the growth and
advancement of the city of Fitchburg. He has been
secretary of the board of trade since its re-organiza-
tion in 1891. He is a trustee of the Fitchburg Sav-
ings Bank, director of the Fidelity Co-operative
Bank. He has also been vice-president of the Young
Men's Christian Association, and has been treasurer
of the First Baptist Church of Fitchburg. Mr. Dan-
iels is a Republican in politics. He was a member
of the common council in 1884-85. He has been on
the Fitchburg school board since 1888.
He married, in 1872, Abby F. Lane, who died in
1879. He married (second), June 29, 1892, Flor-
ence R. Dwinnell, daughter of Major B. D. Dwin-
nell (see sketch of Dwinnell family).
The children of John H. and Abby F. Daniels
were: i. Ernest T., engaged in the hardware busi-
ness with the Fitchburg Hardware Company in
Fitchburg; he married Helen M. Hitchcock, of
Fitchburg; their children are: Marion F., and Char-
lotte H. 2. Herbert L., a graduate of Cornell Uni-
versity, now engaged in Colorado in engineering
work for the United States Government. The chil-
dren of John H. and Florence R. Daniels are; El-
len Shepherd) George Eaton, Florence Dwinnell.
CHARLES A. BABBITT. The Babbitt family
of Fitchburg is descended from Edward Babbitt, of
Taunton, Massachusetts, who is said to have been a
native of Wales. He was in Taunton as early as
1643. He married, September 7, 1654, Sarah Tarne,
daughter of JNIiles Tarne, of Boston. He was living
in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1675, and was killed
by the Indians in 1676. Children of Edward and
Sarah (Tarne) Babbitt were: Edward, born July 15,
1655 : Sarah, March 20. 1660, married Samuel Pitts,
March 25, 1680; Hannah, March 9, 1660; Damaris,
September 15, 1663; Elkanah (daughter), December
15. 1665; Dorcas, January 20, 1667, died aged seven;
Esther, April 15, 1669; Ruth, August 7, 1671 ; De-
liverance, December 15. 1673. For several genera-
tions the Babbitts were located in this vicinity. The
first settler in Worcester county came from Norton,
Alassachusetts. Benajah Babbitt came to Barre
among the first settlers and cleared a farm. His
two sons, Dean and Isaac, left numerous descendants
in Barre and vicinity.
Isaac Babbitt, grandfather of Charles A. Bab-
bitt, of Fitchburg, was born September i, 1781. He
settled in Barre. He removed to Jamestown. New
WORCESTER COUNTY
71
York, where he died February 8, 1858. He
married Sarah Phinney, March 13, 1806.
She was born January i, 1781, daughter of
John and Sarah ('I'hompson) Phinney. Her mother
was tlie daughter of Nathan Thompson, granddaugh-
ter of Thomas, great-granddaugliter ot John, the
son of the immigrant, John Thompson. Sarah
Babbitt died September i, or jNIarch 17, 18-14.
The children of Isaac and Sarah (Sally) (Phin-
ney) Babbitt, all born in Barre, Massachusetts, were :
Isaac Thompson, born December 21, 1806, at Norton,
Massachusetts ; married. May, 1838, Ann Packard,
daughter of Ebenezer Packard, of Fitchbnrg ; Ade-
line (alsQ called Irene), born April 30, 1809, died
September 9, 1855, married Cyrus Lovell, June 22,
1S39; they resided at Jamestown, New York, JNIans-
field, Massachusetts, and Strawberry, Clayton coun-
ty, Iowa, where he died July, 1885; Harrison Willard.
born March 31, 1812, married Marilla T. Converse;
Pliny Henry, born June 15, 1818; Charles Albert,
born December 8, 1821, married, i\lay 15, 1845, Char-
lotte Eaton, married (second) Cornelia Crosby.
(II) Pliny Henry Babbitt, son of Isaac Babbitt
(i), was born in Barre, jNIassachusetts, June 15,
1818. In early life he became an auctioneer, a busi-
ness that he followed successfully for some sixty
years. He settled in his native town and has been
honored by his townsmen with various town offices.
He has been constable and deputy sheriff for over
fifty years. He married Lydia Perry, June 19, 1839,
(intentions dated May 23, 1839) ; she was the daugh-
ter of Asa Perry, of Jaffrey and Temple, New
Hampshire, and granddaughter of Asa Perry, Sr.,
who sold two hundred acres of land to the town of
Fitchburg for a poor farm in 1826. She died in
1864. Children of Pliny Henry and Lydia (Perry)
Babbitt were : Deborah Perry, born February 5,
1841, married Dr. Seth L. Chase, of Colchester, Ver-
mont; Caleb Henry, born August 11, 1842, died
1885; Franklin Phinney (twin), born January i,
1844; Francis Fairbanks (twin), January i, 1844;
Mary Ann or Marian, born April 28, 1847, married
Theodore Bemis, resided in Providence, Rhode Is-
land; George Franklin, born November 25, 1848,
member of the Boston board of health, married Mrs.
Humphrey Allen; Charles A., born March II, 1851;
Elizabeth or Lizzie, married Harding Jenkuis, of
Barre. Six of the foregoing children were born
in Athol, and two in Barre, Massachusetts.
(III) Charles A. Babbitt, son of Pliny Henry
Babbitt (2), was born in Barre, Massachusetts, March
II, 1851. He attended the district schools of Barre
and the Barre high school. He graduated at Westfield
Normal school and began life as a school teacher.
He was principal of the academy at Londonderry,
Vermont, for two years, was principal of the West
Dennis (Massachusetts) high school for two years,
and then taught in the Boston evening schools for
three years. He began the study of law while teach-
ing in Boston, and having saved money enough for
his purpose went to Dartmouth College, where he
was graduated in 1879. He entered Boston Univer-
sity Law School, and after two years of study was
admitted to the bar in Barnstable county in
1882.
He began the practice of law in Orange, Mass-
achusetts, where he remained for five years. He re-
moved to the city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in
1888 and has built up there a large practice. In
1891 he admitted to partnership William G. Farrar.
In politics Mr. Babbitt is a Democrat, and in spite
of the fact that his is usually the minority party he
has been frequently honored in Fitchburg with posi-
tions of honor and tru.-;t. He was a member of the
common council in 1897 and 1898, was on the water
board in 1899 and 1900, and was mayor of the city
in 1901 and 1902. He gave the city an able adminis-
tration, was thoroughly non-partisan and he won the
esteem of his political opponents as well as of his
own supporters. He was made a Mason in Mt.
Zion Lodge of Barre in 1872 and was an officer of
the lodge. He is- a member of Thomas Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons, of Fitchburg.
He married Addie Packer, daughter of Josiab
Packer of Hudson, Massachusetts, in 1883. Their
children are : Edith D. and Ina F.
STEPHEN SLADE. The two earliest settlers
of the Slade family in New England were Robert
Slade, who was a proprietor of Sudbury. Massachu-
setts, in 1639, and William Slade, of Rhode Island
who in l66l signed a contract with the Indians. He
was admitted a freeman in 1659. Whether he was
a relative of the following line has not been determ-
ined. He was of English descent undnubtedly,while
tradition has it that the family of William Slade
mentioned below was of Irish origin.
(I) William Slade, the immigrant ancestor of
Stephen Slade, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was
probably born in Ireland of Protestant stock, not
the Scotch-Irish stock, but possibly originally Eng-
lish. He settled in Connecticut, it is supposed, as
his family is found there, but little is to be learned
of him from the records. His son used the Junior
as late as 1747, so that there is ground far believing
that William, Sr., was living near Windsor, Con-
necticut, at that time. Among his children were :
William, Jr., settled in Windsor, Connecticut, and
had children there in 1747 and later; James, settled
also in Windsor and had children there from 1751
to 1765; John, of whom later.
(II) John Slade, son of William Slade (i). was
born about 1720, probably in Connecticut, though
possibly in Ireland. He married, at Windsor. Con-
necticut, September 12, 1751, Martha Gleason, widow.
After the birth of the two older children they re-
moved to Enfield, Connecticut, where the remainder
of them were born. In the autumn of 1773 they re-
moved to Alstead, New Hampshire, with their chil-
dren. While at Enfield he served in the French and
Indian war in 1759 under General Phineas Lyman
in the company of Captain Giles Wolcott.
The children of John and Martha Slade were;'
John, born at Windsor, Connecticut, June 10, 1752,
settled finally in Brookfield, Vermont ; Martha, born
in Windsor, probably died young. Lieutenant Will-
iam, born November 25,, 1756, of whom later;
Samuel, born January 12, 1760, died young;
Samuel, born February 2, 1762, married Hannah
Thompson, and had three sons and five daughters;
Thomas (twin), born August 22, 1764. settled in
Windsor, Connecticut, and had five 'sons and three
daughters; Daniel (twin), born August 22, 1764,
died October 3, 1765 ; Martha, born February 6,
1765. died September 14, 1765.
(III) Lieutenant William Slade. son of John Slade
(2), was born in Enfield, Connecticut, November 25,
1756, and died in Alstead, New Hampshire, October
25. 1857. aged over one hundred years. He married
Anna Root, who was born September 8, 1758, and
72
WORCESTER COUNTY
died March 26, 1838, aged eighty-two years. He
was a soldier in the revokition. He lived at Alstead,
New Hampshire.
The children of Wilham and Anna Slade were :
Thomas, born May 21, 1780, died December 12,
1830; .Anna, born March 24, 1782, married
Wolf, resided at Springfield, Vermont, and Leomin-
ster, Massachusetts, has descendants in Northheld,
Vermont, died October 2, 1837; Achsah, born April
I, 17S5, died March 28, 1812, married
Graves, and descendants live in Walpole, New
Hampshire; Asenath, born April- 6, 1787, married
Burroughs ; William, Jr., born August 6,
1790, has descendants living in VV'alpole, New Hamp-
sliire. Springfield, Vermont, Albany, New York,
died May 17, 1831 ; John Slade, born May 14, 1792,
died February 8, 1868; his descendants live in North-
field, Massachusetts, and Westminster, Vermont ;
Allen, mentioned below ; Henry, born October
II, 1798, died July 17, 1863, resided in Charle^town.
New Hampshire, and had very few descendants ; a
grandson lives in Worcester, Massachusetts.
(IV) Allen Slade, seventh child of Lieutenant
William Slade (3), was born May 26, 1796, in Al-
stead, New Hampshire. He settled there and con-
ducted a farm all his active life.
He married, about 1818, Nancy Kingsbury, who
was born August 11, 1798, and died January i, 1878,
aged eighty years. He died February 12, 1884, aged
eighty-eight years. The children of Allen and
Nancy Slade were : Sophia L., born JMarch 30, 1819,
died June i, 1896; Lucy A., born September 5, 1820,
resides at VValpole, New Hampshire, married
Watts; Stillman, born March i, 1822, died July 26,
1880; Ephraim K.. born April 25, 1825, died Novem-
ber 2i, 1895 ; Emeline, born October 14, 1827, died
March 8, 1903; Louisa Slade, born June 5, 1831,
died March 27, 1833; Marietta L., born June i, 1833,
resides at Walpole, New Hampshire, married
Chandler ; Stephen, of whom later.
(V) Stephen Slade, youngest son and eighth
child of Allen Slade (4), was born at Alstead, New
Hampshire, October 11, 1835. He acquired a com-
mon .school education in his youth and supplemented
that by extensive reading, and his studies extended
throughout the greater part of his life. He assisted
his father on the farm during his boyhood and later
conducted the old farm on which he was born and
where he lived for nearly sixty years. In 1894 he
removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and gave up
farming. His son, Norman A. Slade, had located
in F'itchburg and is at present captain of truck No. 2
of the fire department, and Frederick W. C, his
other son, was formerly a member of the common
council.
After making his home in Fitchburg he entered
the employ of the Postal Telegraph Company as
groundman under Superintendent Rand of the fire
alarm telegraph system. He made many friends in
Fitchburg. where members of his family are very
well known and highly esteemed. He died Septem-
ber 7, 1905, at his home, 92 Prichard street. Mr.
Slade was an active member of Ashuelot Grange,
No. 54, of Surry. New Hampshire. He attended
the Universalist Church. In politics he had been a
Democrat.
He married. 1859. Ellen M. Chandler, daughter
of Calvin Chandler, a prominent farmer. She was
born September 28, 18,39. and resides in the home-
stead on Prichard street, Fitchburg. Their children,
all born at Alstead, were: Elbridge A., born January
4, 1862, died May 5, 1869; Norman A., born Septem-
ber II. 1865, married Alice Atherton, and they have
two children, Mabel and Harold ; Norman A. is cap-
tain of truck No. 2 of the Fitchburg fire department;
Frederick W., born April 13, 1872, has been a mem-
ber of the Fitchburg common council; married
Minnie Booth and they have four children : Harry,
Helen, Fred, and Edith.
JOSEPH AUGUSTUS BATTLES. Thomas
Battle or Battles Cij, also spelled Battelle and var-
ious other ways, now as in the earlier days, is the
pioneer ancestor of Joseph Augustus Battles, of
iMthburg, Massachusetts. He came from England
probably in 1642 and settled in Dedham, Massachu-
setts. He was a townsman there in 1648, and was
admitted to the church January 22, 1653-4. He was
admitted a freeman jNIay 3, 1654. His wife Mary
joined the Dedham Church January 21, 1648. He
married, September 5, 1648, Mary Fisher, daughter
of Joshua Fisher. She died August 6, 1691. He
died February 8, 1705-6. His will was dated Feb-
ruary 6, 1701-2, and proved March 7, 1705-6. He
bequeathed to his sons John and Jonathan, and
daughter Mary. The children of Thomas and Mary
(Fisher) were: Jilary, born 1650, married John Bry-
ant; John, of whom later; Sarah, born August 8,
1654, married Silas Titus; Jonathan, born July 24,
1658, married, April 15, 1690; Martha, born August
19, 1660. Some of the foregoing dates do not agree
with Savage's, but the correct dates are here
given.
(II) John Battles, son of Thomas Battles, of
Dedham (i), was born July i, 1652, in Dedham,
Massachusetts. He married, November 18, 1678,
Hannah Holbrook. He died September 30, 1713.
The following list of children is probably incomplete
and there is no record found of the birth of Edward.
A search of all the available records confirms the
belief that he was not related to Robert Battle, of
Boston, who died December 23, 1658, and that he
could not have been the son of any other than John,
of Dedham, as here given.
The children of John and Hannah (Holbrook)
Battles were: Hannah, born July 26, 1680; Edward,
of whom later; Mary, born May 12, 1684; John,
born April 17, 1689, removed to Plymouth and had
descendants in Stoughton ; Ebenezer, born January
2, 1692.
(III) Edward Battles, son of John Battles (2),
as stated above, was born in or near Dedham, Mass-
achusetts, about 1682 or about 1685-6. (See His-
tory of Hingham). He settled early in Hingham,
Massachusetts. A duplicate record of his marriage,
the history states, gives his name as David. He
married, (published March 13) 1706-7, Experience
Pratt, and they resided in the second precinct of
Hingham, where their children were born. AH the
children were baptized together June 2, 1723, at
Hingham. '
The children of Edward and Experience (Pratt)
Battles were: Edward, born 1709, (see Worcester
county deeds, Vol. 88, page 195 ) ; ]Mary, born .\pril
25, 171 1, married (first). May 18, 1732, Joshua Lin-
coln, son of Peter Lincoln; married (second), Feb-
ruary 7, 1763, Solomon Briggs, of Norton, Massachu-
setts; Joseph, of whom later; Experience, born
1715, married, November 15, 1734, Thaddeus Murk-
son, of Rochester, Massachusetts ; Susanna, born
April 25. 1717, died young; Jeremiah, born March
16, 1719-20, married Hannah , had daughter,
Hannah, in Hingham. January 16, 174^-3. and re-
moved to Mendon, (see W. C. deeds) ; Sarah,
>
'■■■fr:
WORCESTER COUNTY
73
born July 20. 1721, married, June 11, 1740,
Henry Washburn; Susanna, born June 2, 1723,
married, March 23, 1743-4, Benjamin Washburn, of
Bridgevvater. The Battles families of Plymouth
and Bridgewater were evidently connections of the
Hingham family.
(IV) Joseph Battles, third child of Edward
Battles (3), was born in Hingham, JMassachusetts,
May 18, 1713. He married, 1738, Susanna Studley,
of Scituate, and after living for a time in the second
precinct of Hingham (but Dean says he was the
tirst of the name to live in Scituate, where his wife
was born, and many of his descendants have lived
there), he bought eighty-seven acres of land in
Leominster, April i, 1760, of James Richardson, of
Dover and Leominster, for two hundred and two
pounds. He removed to Leominster and died there
in 1766. Guardians were appointed in Worcester
county for si.x children who were under age. The
first eight children are recorded at Hingham; the
ne.xt three baptized there, probably born in Scituate,
and the youngest, Content, was born probably in
Leominster. The estate was divided by a committee
December 13, 1773. Mabel deeded her share to
James Richardson, July 13, 1773, as soon as she
was of age ; similar deeds were taken by Mr. Rich-
ardson from other heirs. Without the deeds and
probate records it would have been impossible to
establish the line in this family. Either Joseph or
his son Joseph bought forty-one acres of land in
Leominster in 1764 of Stephen Symmes, of Bo.x-
ford, Massachusetts.
The children of Joseph and Susanna (Studley)
Battles were: Hannah, born August 16. 1739; Joseph,
of whom later; Susanna, December 20, 1742; Sarah,
baptized July 14, 1745; Lydia, January 22, 1746;
Ephraim, June 9, 1749, went to Hingham, deeded
his rights to father's estate, December 13, 1773;
Rachel, June 7, 1752 (twin); iMabel, June 7, 1752
(twin); Priscilla, baptized August 15. 1756; James,
baptized October 26, 1760, probably of Leominster ;
John, of whom later; Content, born 1762, (James
Richardson guardian 1769).
(V) John Battles, eleventh child of Joseph Battles
(4), is not the ancestor of the subject of this sketch
but of many of the family in Fitchburg and vicinity.
John Battles resided in Leominster and Fitchburg,
Massachusetts. He was a revolutionary soldier in
Captain David Wilder's company, Twenty-third Con-
tinental Regiment.
The children of John and Hannah Battles were :
John, born in Leominster, December 4, 1786, died
December, 1788; Dolly, December 4, 1788, at Leomin-
ster; the following at Fitchburg: John, March 21,
1790, married (tirst), 1823, Jilrs. Polly Chesemore.
and (second) Lois Carter, of Leominster, June 4.
1837; David, January 12, 1792; Hannah, ^L^y 12,
1793; Caleb, August 12, 1796, died February i, 1819;
Nathan, November 25, 1796, lived in Fitchburg and
had three sons settle in the adjoining town of West-
minster; Thomas W., Benjamin F., and .Alfred;
Asa, March 8, 1797; Martin, removed and settled
in Hingham, married, December 10, 1826, Cynthia
Lincoln, and had eight children ; Leonard, October
I, 1801 ; Lydia, August 20, 1802, died September,
1803 ; Samuel, August 24, 1804, died 1880, at Fitch-
burg, married Elizabeth Wilkins, at Jaffrey, New
Hampshire, September 5, 1838; married (second)
Fanny Evans, (October 3, 1845.
(V) Joseph Battles, son of Joseph Battles (4),
brother of the preceding, and ancestor of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born October 5, 1740. He
married, 1759, Rebecca Burbank, of Scituate, and
lived there. His home was there in 1766 at the
time of his father's death, and it is not known that
he lived there. He sold ten acres of land in Leomin-
ster, December 9, 1766, after his father's death. The
deed included his interests in his father's real estate
in Leominster. His deed, like the similar convey-
ances from his brothers and sisters, was to James
Richardson. The children of Joseph Battles were
probably born in Scituate. They were: Joseph, Jr.,
born about 176S; David (no record to prove parent-
age), born about 1770, settled in Leominster and
had eight children, among whom were : David, El-
mira, Lucy, Rebecca, Sarah A., and Betsey. (The
eldest son lived in Fitchburg and had three children 1.
(VI) Joseph Battles, son of Joseph Battles (s),
was born about 1768, probably in Scituate. He set-
tled in Fitchburg, in the south part of the town. He
deeded half this farm to his son, Joseph, Jr., in con-
sideration of good will and love, December 15. 1829.
The son evidently prepared his home for house-
keeping, for he nfcrried a few months later. He
was living in 1836 on the farm when his son, Henry
Battles, deeded his interests in the estate on which
Joseph Battles, Sr., was living at that time to Joseph
Battles, Jr., who owned the other half. The children
of Joseph Battles were: Joseph, Jr., born about 1800;
Henry, see above deed.
(VII) Joseph Battles, father of Joseph A. Bat-
tles, and son of Joseph Battles (6), was born about
1800, in Leominster, JMassachusetts. He was edu-
cated in the common schools there and followed his
father's footsteps as a farmer on the old place. He
was a Whig in politics. He married Betsey Whit-
ing, of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, June 3, 1830.
Their children, born in Fitchburg, were : Elbridge
Dana, born in South Fitchburg, June 13, 1832, died
1857 at Fitchburg; Joseph Augustus, of whom later.
(VIII) Joseph Augustus Battles, younger son of
Joseph Battles (7), was born on the old homestead
at South Fitchburg, Massachusetts, April 5, 1835.
He was brought up there on the farm near Mount
Monoosnoc and attended the district schools of
Fitchburg. He went to work first for P. Smith &
Company, bakers, and continued in this business
and farming for several years. In 1866 he started
in the livery stable business, in which he became
very successful in later years. At first he had only
three horses. He soon afterward established his
business in Oliver street. In 1869 he removed to
Day street. For a few months only he had a partner.
He was in the livery business altogether for twenty-
three years. He was the owner of the first hack in
Fitchburg. He made a specialty of hacks and stage
coaches for hire. When he retired from the busi-
ness and sold his stable he had invested in real es-
tate some $25,000. He was appointed superintendent
of streets and held the position to the satisfaction
of the citizens and with credit to himself for seven
years. , Of late years he has retired from active life
and is occupied only with the care of his real estate.
He is a strong Republican in politics. He is a mem-
ber and has been president of the Fitchburg (Worces-
ter North ) Agricultural Society.
He married, in 1873, Ellen L. Smith, who died
May II. 1896. She was a daughter of Joseph Smith,
of Fitchburg. They have no children.
In closing this sketch of Mr. Battles is is but fair
to describe in a few words the manner in which this
man is respected by the citizens of Fitchburg and
74
WORCESTER COUNTY
his many friends outside. Truly Mr. Battles can
be called a home man. His home on Main street
is where he spends his idle hours, generally sur-
rounded by two or three friends who take great de-
light in hearing him recount experiences of the past,
for Mr. Battles is ranked as one of the best story
tellers in Fitchburg. He is outspoken and what he
has to say to a man he says to his face. As an old
resident remarked, "Gus Battles would never do a
•man an injustice if he knew it."
Adorning the w^alls of i\Ir. Battles' cozy home
are^ many works of art executed by his late wife, in
which Wr. Battles takes great pride in showing to
his many friends. He is a public-spirited man and
also philanthropic, and has done many deeds of
charity which no one knows anything about. For
his kind, genial maimer he has erected a monument
to himself which will be enduring to those left be-
hind.
THE HARDY FAMILY. Thomas Hardy (i),
the immigrant ancestor of William A. Hardy, of
Fitchburg, was one of the first ttvelve who planted
the settlement of old Ipsw'ich on the Esse.x shore of
New England. He was born in England, and was
brother of John Hardy, the only other early settler
of Massachusetts Bay colony. Rev. Mr. Perry in
his anniversary sermon at Bradford, Massachusetts,
said the two brothers John and Thomas Hardy came
to this country in the family of Governor John Win-
throp as laborers. Not finding business tor them,
Winthrop gave them land, at first at Ipswich, but as
they did not like the soil there he gave them leave to
come to Bradford and furnished them with their
patent. Their first house stood just back of David
Mardin's house (in 1820) where the cellar was then
visible. This account is rather vague, but interest-
ing. Thomas Hardy was at Ipswich, April i, 163J,
and was then a proprietor, not a servant. He lived
there for some twenty years, a citizen and planter,
and about 1653 removed to the neighboring town of
Rowley. Soon afterward he settled at Bradford,
where many descendants have lived and are stdl liv-
ing. He was one of Major Denison's subscribers
in 1648. His home in Ipswich was a lot near the
river adjoining Robert Adams' and Thomas Hew-
lett's farms. He was called of Haverhill when he
gave land to daughter Mary, wife of Samuel Cur-
rier, of Haverhill, July i, 1670, though his home
may have still been Bradford. He made a will at
Merrimack village, near Haverhill (Bradford)
March 4, 1671-2, with codicil dated December 12,
1677, when he was aged seventy-two years. He was
therefore born in 1605. The will was proved March
7, 1677-8, and becjueathed to wife, to son? John,
Joseph, Jacob, and William ; son-in-law William
Hutchins ; daughter Mary and her children. He
died January 4, 1678. His children: I. Thomas,
born Bradford ; married Mercy Tenney, mentioned
below. 2. John, made freeman 1676 ; married Mary
, and Marctha . 3. Joseph, born
1642, died January 11, 1726-7, aged eighty-four
years ; had son Joseph and others. 4. Jacob, born
Bradford; married Lydia ; died November
2, 1713. S- William, born May 3, 1678; married
Ruth Tenney. 6. Daughter, married William Hut-
chins, perhaps Ann, who was baptized at Rowley,
April 26, 1666. 7. Mary, married, 1670, Samuel Cur-
rier, of Flaverhill.
(II) Thomas Hardy, son of Thomas Hardy (i),
born in Ipswich or vicinity about 1650; married
(first) Ruth
who was given as the mother
of .Thomas when he was baptized June 17, 1683. He
married (second) Mercy Tenney, who joined the
church November 4, 1694, ^nd died 1716, at Brad-
ford. Their children: i. Thomas, Jr., born about
1680, baptized June 17, 1683. 2. Isaac. 3. Hannah.
4. Sarah. The three last named were baptized
August 26, 1695.
(III) Thomas Hardy, son of Thomas Hardy
(2), was 'born in Bradford, Massachusetts, about
1690. He joined the church there June 26, 1721.
He settled on a farm in Bradford and lived there
all his life. He married Martha Hardy, January 4,
1721-2. Their children, all born in Bradford, were:
I. Gideon, born May 7, 1722. 2. Reuben, September
24, 1724. 3. Phineas, July ir, 1726, mentioned be-
low. 4. Ebenezer, born November 7, 1728. 5. Isaac,
August 5, 1730. 6. Martha, December 29, 1731. 7.
Phebe, December 3, 1732, S. Anna, July 30, 1735.
(IV) Phineas Hardy, son of Thomas Hardy (3),
was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, about 1725.
He removed to HoUis, New Hampshire, and made
his home there. He had four sons in the Revolution.
In 1775 there were four of the family on the tax list
of Hollis — Phineas, Phineas, Jr., Nehemiah and
Aaron. The children of Phineas and Abigail Hardy:
I. Elizabeth, born Bradford, July 22, 1750. 2. Martha,
born June 24, 1752, at Hollis. 3. Phineas, Jr., born
June 25, 1754, at Hollis, was a soldier in the revo-
lution. 4. Thomas, born June II, 1756, at Hollis;
resided at Dublin and Marlboro, New Hampshire ;
married Lucy Coburn ; was a soldier in the Revol-
\itionary war. 5. Noah, born September 17, 1758,
mentioned below. 6. Jesse, born December 19, 1760,
settled in Hollis. 7. Isaac, born July g, 1763.
8. Moses, born 17, 1765 ; married Abigail Wheat ;
resided at Hollis. g. Solomon, born August i, 1767.
(V) Deacon Noah Hardy, son of Phineas
Hardy (4), born September 17, 1758, at Hollis, New
Hampshire, settled in Nelson, New Hampshire,
where he lived during most of his active years. In
his old age he went to Antrim, New Hampshire, to
live w-ith his daughter, Mrs. Buckminster, and died
there December 21, 1835. He was a soldier in the
Revolution, in Capt. Daniel Emerson's company in
1777 and 1778. The town of Nelson, where he set-
tled, was granted first by the Masonian proprietors
as Monadnock, No. 6, later it was granted as Pack-
ersfield, named for Thomas Packer, of Portsmouth.
He was, says the "History of Antrim," a good man,
little known in Antrim. He married Sarah Spof-
ford, who died May 9, 1850, aged eighty-five years.
Their children: i. Noah, mentioned below.' 2. Bet-
sey, married Ezra Prescott, long register of deeds at
Amherst, New Hampshire. 3. Sally, married David
Ames, Jr., of Hancock, New Hampshire; settled in
Charlotte, New York. 4. Deacon David, born about
1800; married Sally Farwell, of Hancock; was in
Westminster, Vermont, and Hancock : settled on the
North Branch, Antrim, in 1833, on John G. Flint
place ; in 1837 removed to Homer, New York. 5.
Hannah H.. born in Nelson; married Benjamin M.
Buckminster in 1819; died July 19, 1848; resided
in Antrim. 6. Silas, born in Nelson. November 20,
1799; married Abigail Farley, of Hollis, in 1826;
came to Antrim, New Hampshire, from Westmin-
ster, Vermont; in 1835 settled in New Ipswich, New
Hampshire. 7. Lois, married Henry Kelsey.
(VI) Captain Noah Hardy, son of Deacoii
Noah Hardy (5), was born in Nelson, New Hamp-
shire, September 16, 1789. He settled in Nelson.
WORCESTER COUNTY
75
He was captain of tlic military company there and
served during the war of 1812 for a short time.
He married Jerusha Kimball, who was born August
13. 1790- Their children, born in Nelson, were:
I. Augustus Hardy, born September 4, 1S12. 2. Syl-
vander W. Hardy, mentioned below. 3. George B.,
born September 25, 1816. 4. Abby, September 5,
1818. 5. Noah W., November 9, 1820. 6. Charles,
October 18, 1822. 7. Caroline M., February 3, 1825.
8. Silas, April 3, 1827. 9. Franklin B., April 28,
1829. 10. E. Prescott, September 3. 1831.
(VH) Sylvander \V. Hardy, second child of
Captain Noah Hardy (6), was born in Nelson, New
Hampshire, February 25, 1814, and died in Charles-
town, Alassachusctts. April 10, 1850. He was a
skillful machinist and foreman of the machine shop
at the Charlestown navy yard from 1843 to 1850.
He married, 1835, Mary Batchelder, of Wilton, New
Hampshire. Their children were: i. William A.,
mentioned below. 2. Charles K., born May 10, 1847.
a well-known artist of Worcester, Massachusetts.
(Vni) William Augustus Hardy, son of Syl-
vander (7) and Mary (Batchelder) Hardy, was born
in Pepperell, Massachusetts, June 12, 1837. He at-
tended school at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and at
Guilford (New Hampshire) Academy. After the
death of his father he went to live on the farm of
his uncle, George Hardy, at Nelson, New Hamp-=
shire. He worked there four years and then went
as an apprentice to learn his trade at Lake Village,
New Hampshire. In 1855 he removed to Fitch-
burg and has made his home there ever since. He
began in business with Levi Stevens, who had a
small brass foundry established in 1850, located
near the site of the present Fitchburg hardware
store. The foundry was soon removed to the pres-
ent location off Water street. Jilr. Hardy also be-
came interested in the manufacture of screen plates
for the use of paper manufacturers, in partnership
with Charles Finder. The firm name was Hardy &
Finder, for the manufacture of screen plates onlj',
until 1893, when Mr. Finder retired, and died two
years later. Mr. Hardy bought the interests of his
partner and continued the business under his own
name until it was consolidated with the brass foun-
dry and the whole concern incorporated. The pres-
ent corporation was formed December 15, 1902, with
a capital of $50,000, as William A. Hardy & Sons'
Company. The officers are the same as those first
chosen : President, William A. Hardy ; vice-presi-
dent, Walter A. Hardy ; secretary, William C. Hardy ;
treasurer, Frank O. Hardy. The company manufac-
tures all kinds of brass castings, babbitt metal,
screen plates, etc. Mr. Hardy is one of the oldest
manufacturers in Fitchburg, having been in active
business over fifty years. He has won an enviable
position in the business world.
Mr. Hardy enlisted in the civil war in Company
D, Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, of Charlestown,
Col. George H. Pierson commander, and was wound-
ed at Goldsborough, North Carolina. He was after-
ward active in the militia. He was a member of
the Washington Guards of Fitchburg in the Ninth
Massachusetts Regiment. Boston. 1855-60; of the
Boston Light Infantry Veteran Corps. He is now
a member of Post No. 19, G. A. R., at Fitchburg,
and of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany of Boston. Mr. Hardy is also a member of
the order of Odd Fellows and of the Red Men. In
politics he is a Republican. He was selec