USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Boxborough > Boxborough: a New England town and its people > Part 14
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I quote from The Bunker Hill Times, of Aug. 24, 1889, with regard to another son of Mr. Stone : "On Sunday morn- ing at 3.20 o'clock, Phinehas J. Stone, Jr., passed away at the Isles of Shoals, terminating a life, the closing years of which were marred by almost uninterrupted illness. Well known and liked by every old resident of the district, his death, though not unheralded, was an event which called forth universal sorrow and sympathy, He was born in Charlestown, Jan. 28, 1842. In youth his constitution was far from robust, but he pursued his studies without interruption until he was graduated with honor from the High School. His delicate health prevented his attempting a collegiate course, and he prepared himself for a business life. His qualifications for a commercial career were remarkably good. Affable and honest, it was a pleasure to transact business with him, while his remarkable memory was the wonder of all who knew him. His nature was refined and artistie, and his passionate love of music was evinced even to the last moments of his life. He was of a hopeful and merry disposition, and while on his death-bed strove to cheer his attendants and friends, allowing no complaints or murmurs to escape him. His charity was spontaneous but discreet. He
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could not witness suffering without attempting to alleviate it. Many instances of charitable deeds done by him have come to light, and that he is sincerely mourned by many who have received aid at his hands in days of trouble is the best eulogy that could have been pronounced upon his life.
.. Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Stone was filled with the patriotic desire to serve his country at the front. In spite of his feeble constitution nothing could deter him from entering the service of the government ; finally, as he was pronounced unfit for the infantry arm, which he had proposed entering, a commission in the navy as paymaster was secured for him. He was attached to the gunboat Hastings, on the Mississippi River, and afterwards to the Volunteer. He left the service of the United States at the close of the war, broken down in health, but after an illness, which with its convalescence con- fined him for a year, he was able to accept the chief clerkship of the internal revenue collector's office, his father at that time being the incumbent of that office. This he held until the abolishment of the office, when he became chief clerk of the Five Cents Savings Bank. He also represented several of the most reliable fire insurance companies, as their local agent. In 1876 and 1877 he represented Ward Three in the Common Council of the city of Boston. He was also a member of King Solomon's Lodge of Masons.
"Five years ago his condition became so alarming that he was ordered by his physicians to pass the winter in a warmer elime. In obedience to their decree he spent two winters at Nassau. While on his last visit to this island he was thrown. from his carriage, and his spine injured. This accident increased his debility, and he soon returned home, to remain there save for a few weeks of summer, when he was carried to some resort not far from Boston. It was during the annual outing that his disorder culminated in death. His remains were brought to Boston, and funeral services held over them Tuesday afternoon. The interment was at Mount Auburn."
Phinehas Jones Stone commenced business in the West India goods trade in 1834, and by untiring industry and perse-
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Phinehas J. Stone.
verance laid the foundation of his success in after life. He retired from this occupation in 1851. He was selectman of Charlestown in 1839 and 1840 ; member of the house of repre- sentatives in 1840. 1856, 1862 and 1863 : and, after Charles- town became a city, he was several years elected to the common council, and was president of the same. He was also upon the board of aldermen. From 1856 to 1859, he was inspector of the Massachusetts State prison. It was during this time that Deputy Warden Walker and Warden Tenny were murdered, and Mr. Stone took charge of the prison for six weeks, pending the appointment of new officials by the governor, displaying great executive ability, giving courage to the officers under him, and keeping in order the prisoners, excited and almost demoralized by this double act of blood. "Will there be services in the chapel this morning ? " he was anxiously asked after the murder of Warden Tenny. "Most certainly," he replied, and providing arms and ammunition for each officer. gave orders for their immediate use in case of any indications of a revolt.
HIe. was mayor of Charlestown in 1862, 1863, and 1864; was instrumental in raising and forming several companies for the defence of the country during the Rebellion, who did active service in the army of the North. During his adminis- tration was completed the introduction of water from Mystic Pond, yielding an ample supply for the inhabitants, not only of Charlestown, but several other surrounding towns.
He was United States assessor, sixth Massachusetts district, from 1867 to 1873, when the office was abolished by act of Congress.
He was one of the original movers for the act of incorpora- tion, authorizing the improvement of about one hundred acres of flats, lying between the north and south channels of the Mystic River, upon which today there is a taxable property of more than $1,000,000, and which eventually will increase to many millions, as it is the terminus of the Northern railroads to the deep water of Boston harbor.
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He was elected in 1854, at the organization of the Charles- town Five Cents Savings Bank, its president, a position he holds at the present time (1891). This bank is a highly successful institution, with a deposit, today, of upwards of $4,800,000.
He is a director in the Charlestown Gas Company, also in the Mutual Protection Fire Insurance Company.
A man of commanding presence, loyal to his country in the hour of its peril, of sterling integrity of character, upright and honorable in all his dealings with his brother man, sympathetic with distress, his hand open to relieve suffering without osten- tation or publicity, he is an honor, both to his native State and the one of his adoption .*
Silas Stone, second son of Phinehas and Hannah, was born Sept. 30, 1812. When a young man he worked in New York City at baking ; from there he went to his native town, Weare, and kept store ; from there he went to Charlestown, and from there to Stoneham, Mass .. where he died, March 2, 1842, aged 29 years, 5 months, 2 days. He married Sarah Ann Hall, June 8, 1838. They had one son who died June 22, 1841, aged 22 months, and is buried in the tomb at Boxborough.
AMOS STONE.
Amos Stone, fourth son of Phinehas and Hannah, was born Aug. 16, 1816. He was educated in the Charlestown free schools. At the age of fifteen he went into his father's grocery store, and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age ; he then bought his first parcel of land, which he now owns, and commenced a real estate business ; built and sold houses, and has continued in that business, more or less, down to the present time, until now he has become one of the largest real-
estate holders in Middlesex County. Not infrequently legal questions arose in reference to titles and boundaries, and it became necessary to appeal to the law : he always prepared his own cases, employed the most eminent counselors to manage them, and never lost a case in court.
Charlestown became a city in 1847, when he was elected its first city treasurer and collector of taxes, and held that office
* Phinehas J. Stone died Aug. 13, 1891.
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Amos Stone.
until 1854. In that year he was elected treasurer of the county of Middlesex, and held the office until January, 1886, when he declined a re-election. In 1854 the Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank was incorporated. He took an active and lead- ing part in its organization, and was elected one of its trustees and its first treasurer, and now holds both positions. It has proved one of the most prosperous and successful banks in the commonwealth. For more than ten years, he, as treasurer, with the assistance of the president, performed all the labor of the savings bank without any compensation to either. In 1861, the Mutual Protection Fire Insurance Company was incor- porated and organized, in which he took a leading part, and was chosen one of its directors, and soon succeeded to the pre- sideney, which position he now holds. In 1863, he was elected a director of the Monument National Bank, and still retains that position. He was one of the original shareholders of the Mystic River corporation, a large landed company, and for more than twenty years has been its clerk and treasurer, and is now president of the Ocean Terminal Railroad Dock and Elevator Company.
In the several positions as treasurer, he has administered the duties with signal ability. His attention to business, great executive ability and physical endurance, enabled him to work sixteen hours per day, and to perform all the duties in the several offices that he held at the same time, and during the thirty years he held the office of county treasurer, he never employed a clerk or assistant.
In polities he was originally a Democrat, voted for Franklin Pierce for president ; then he became a Republican, and voted for John C. Fremont, and has continued in the party since. When the Rebellion was begun he was one of the first to come to the support of the government, and was one of the twenty- one persons who paid the expense of fitting out the first three companies from Charlestown to go to Washington to defend the capitol ; although exempt from draft, by reason of age, he sent the first representative recruit from Charlestown at his own expense, and contributed hundreds of dollars during the
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continuance of the war. Early in life he joined the Free Masons and is quite prominent in the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second degree, and is now treasurer of two Masonie organizations. He remained a single man until after he was fifty years of age, when. June 13, 1871, he married Sarah Elizabeth Mills. They removed in 1873 to Everett, Mass., where they have a beautiful and pleasant home.
Jasper Stone, fifth son of Phinehas and Hannah, was born Aug. 26, 1818 : married (1) Elizabeth Ann Gray, Oct. 19, 1845, who died Feb. 17. 1847, aged 25 years, 10 months, leaving one son ; (2) Mary Patten Swett, May 6, 1849. They have one son and five daughters. They reside in Charles- town, where Mr. Stone carried on the jewelry business for about forty years. He was on the board of aldermen in 1873.
Joseph Stone, sixth son of Phinehas and Hannah, was born Aug. 12, 1820. He kept grocery store at Charlestown about three years : studied law in the office of Abel Cushing, Boston ; died of consumption at Charlestown, Jan. 28, 1846, aged 25 years, 5 months. 17 days. and is buried in the tomb at Box- borough.
JONATHAN STONE.
Jonathan Stone, the seventh son of Phinehas and Hannah, was born in Weare. N. H., Apr. 29, 1823 ; was engaged in the grocery and provision business in Charlestown ; built, owned and let houses and stores ; was elected and served on the common council in 1872 ; was elected mayor of Charlestown in 1873. lle was the last mayor of Charlestown, it being annexed to Boston, Jan. 1. 1874. He was married twice ; Dec. 29, 1857, he married Sarah Rebecca, daughter of Abra- ham and Caroline S. . Andrews, of Groton, Mass., who died Feb. 17. 1862, leaving one daughter, Sarah Lizzie, and a son, John Henry. July 23, 1863, he married Mary Louisa Andrews. a sister of his first wife. They have one daughter. Carrie Louisa. Mr. Stone built a fine residence in Revere, Mass .. on land formerly owned by Dr. Tuckerman, on the rise of ground west from the corner of Broadway and Aladdin Streets. where he moved June 21, 1876, and now resides.
Jonathan Stene
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The Stone Family.
[From items compiled by Miss Mary Taylor.]
Mr. Silas Stone built the house that Mr. Philip Cunning- ham now occupies, about the close of the last century. He left Groton, his native place, took his bride and settled in Templeton. His wife, Eunice, was a daughter of Phinehas and Sarah Fairbanks, of Harvard. Mr. Stone first met Miss Fairbanks at an evening party, and it was love at first sight. Miss Fairbanks was a poetess, possessed of great personal beauty and loveliness of character. They spent their declining years in the home which he had built, living to a great age, Mr. Stone being eighty-six and Mrs. Stone eighty-five at time of death. Three of their daughters married and went to New York, which at that time was the far West, requiring an eight days' journey. Eunice married Jonas Faulkner and lived in Rindge. N. H. Betsey Fairbanks Stone married Capt. Oliver Taylor, Aug. 12, 1800, and ever after lived in Boxborough. Silas. young, active, enterprising, went to Baltimore and was afterward unheard from. Jasper lived in Boston for a few years, but after his brother Joseph's death returned to the old homestead and cared for his parents the remainder of their lives. He married Mary Babcock, of Weston, Mass. He died when seventy-six years of age, and his widow lived to the age of ninety-three. Jasper Stone was a man interested in town business (having represented his district in the Legislature ). in the anti-slavery cause, in the church,-a good neighbor and kind friend.
Joseph Stone, the fourth of these brothers, born in Harvard, Dec. 17, 1783, died at thirty-eight. He was a young man of great promise, prepossessing in personal appearance. of great energy of character, and intellectual attainments. In society he was the leading man ; as a townsman, almost every im- portant office was laid upon him ; as a teacher he was active and faithful. He was repeatedly sent to the Legislature, appointed a Justice of the Peace, and a deacon of the Congregational church. Few men of his age have filled so many high offices so faithfully and so well. The following is a poem composed by Mrs. Eunice Stone on the death of her son. Joseph, who died Nov. 4, 1822 :
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November fourth, that mournful day I shall remember long, When pale relentless Death came in And took my darling son.
While friends stood weeping all around, My heart was pierced with pain ;- Nor will that sweet and pleasant voice E'er cheer my heart again.
While angel bands stood 'round the bed, And filled the solemn room, A smile of joy shone on his face ;--- They then conduct him home.
By faith I traced his wondrous way Where the sweet angels sing ; And thought how loud the harps would play When Joseph entered in.
And is he gone to realms above ? Dear Jesus, he is thine ; Freely I cast him on thy arms, -- They 're sweeter arms than mine.
Prepare my soul to follow too, 'Mid all the glorious ranks, And hail my dear beloved son, On Canaan's flowery banks.
He married Sarah W. Stowe, of Hillsborough, N. H., an aunt of Benjamin S. Hager. Mr. and Mrs. Silas Stone made one trip to New York to visit their two remaining daughters, one, Mrs. Lucy Mallory, having died and left a little girl. This child, whose name was Sally M., they brought back with them, and their home became hers until she married Aaron Fiske, of Natick, Mar. 29, 1831, where she now lives in the pleasant home of her daughter, Mrs. Bruce.
THE TAYLOR FAMILY.
Miss Mary Taylor furnishes the following sketch :-
In the latter part of the seventeenth century, three brothers by the name of Taylor sailed from England to America, making their homes within a mile and a half of each other. Ephraim settled on the place where C. H. Burroughs now lives, Phinehas on what is known as the Samuel Hosmer farm, and John
Yarnum Taylor
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The Taylor Family.
on the Captain Taylor place. His son John, born 1697, lived and died on the same place. His children were John. born 1719, Jabe, born 1722, Solomon, born 1724, and Hannah, who married Elijah Willis, Dec. 3, 1760. In 1745 Solomon mar- ried Mary MacLaughlin, who was born on the water. Their children were Molly, born 1746, married Frederick Walcott, of Stow, Mar. 29, 1761 ; John, born 1748; Tabathy, born Nov. 13, 1749 ; Lydia, born Feb. 10, 1752; Oliver, born Mar. 30. 1754, married Betty Wetherbee, who was born Feb. 11, 1753_ the daughter of Phinehas and Betty Wetherbee, and grand- daughter of Daniel Wetherbee ;- Solomon, born Aug. 19, 1756, married Anna Whitman, Mar. 7, 1777; and Betty, born June 3, 1758, married Levi Wheeler, Feb. 3, 1776, and settled in Boxborough.
The descendants of Lydia live in Canaan, N. H. John enlisted in the Revolutionary War, where he remained through the seven years' struggle. Oliver remained on the farm with his father after his marriage, and his five children, Oliver, Hezekiah, Jonathan, Betty and Lovell were born there. Hezekiah married Sally Wetherbee, of Harvard. He was in consumption and was married on his bed. Jonathan married Lucy Whitcomb and lived and died in Chesterfield, N. H. Betty married Oliver Mead, lived a few years in Chesterfield, N. H., and then returned to Boxborough, living and dying upon the place now in possession of Walter Mead. Lovell married Mercy Rand and settled in Stow. Oliver lived in the house with his father, working on the farm or making barrels, as best suited their convenience. Aug. 12, 1800. he married Betsey Fairbanks Stone. Their children were Lucy, Betsey. Franklin, Nancy, Varnum, Sally Stone, Mary and Eunice. Lucy married Nathaniel Mead and settled within half a mile of the old place, where in her new and pleasant home, she, with her husband and children, lived until near the close of her life. Her family are described in the Mead family in this book. Franklin was a cooper by trade. and an excellent workman. He died unmarried, June 21. 1840. Sally Stone married Phinehas W. Houghton, of Harvard, where they lived awhile and then returned to Boxborough. She left no children.
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Eunice Taylor, a lady of purity and loveliness of character, died
young. Miss Mary Taylor. the only one remaining of the family, whose early and middle life was spent in teaching, is now living in her own house in the pleasant village of West Acton. Captain Varnum Taylor, then a commissioned officer, married Mary D. Bowers, of Harvard. Their children were Antoinette Lovina, Marietta Naney, Sarah Ann Stone, and Warren Varnum. Antoinette L. married Luther Barnard, a provision dealer in Chelsea, whose business was kept up until his death. In less than a year after her husband's death she buried her little girl. Ten years afterwards she married Mr. D. W. Cobleigh and settled on the limestone farm in Box- borough. Marietta N. married Charles H. Holton, and resides in West Acton. He is a son of Dea. Leonard Holton, of Bos- ton. His parents are buried at Mount Auburn. Sarah Ann S. married George H. Law, and lives in South Boston. Their children are Edith May, Ralph Henry. and Arthur Warren. Warren V. married Miss Susan Cutler, and they have two children, Bertha May and Warner Varnum. Mr. Taylor is a provision dealer. doing good business in Wakefield. Warner V. is the last one in this branch of the family to perpetuate the name.
Miss Nancy Taylor married Mr. Jacob Littlefield. Sheldon. their only child, was born Feb. 18. 1834, and his mother dying in his infancy, he was left in the care of his mother's family, and one after another passing away, the guardian care and tutorage devolved on Miss Mary Taylor, his mother's sister. At seventeen he left the old homestead for the city, but after spending a year in a grocery store in Charlestown. he, with two or three of his old school-mates, attended New Ipswich Academy one term. During his stay there he accepted an appli- cation to teach a winter term at Brookline, N. H. So success- ful was he in his new vocation that his services were solicited for another month to be paid for by subscription. He returned to his native town and spent a few weeks in a shoe-shop, but in early spring went to Charlestown again and engaged him- self to Mr. Palmer, a provision dealer. where he remained until
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The Taylor Family.
1855, when, being of age, he set sail in a vessel bound for Cali- fornia. Crossing the isthmus on mules he took passage on the other side, and landed at the Golden Gate. After spending a few months there and at Marysville, he proceeded to the mines. Here successes and reverses alternated continually ; but never discouraged, he at length opened a store. He had made many friends and business was good. He was soon appointed Jus- tice of the Peace. Here he remained until 1864, when he went to San Francisco and engaged in business as a commission merchant, remaining there twenty-four years. In 1878 he made a trip to his native State and the home of his childhood, not having taken a holiday for fourteen years. In 1870 he married Miss Nancy Southwood, and in '87 or '88, they, with their growing family, sought a home in a more congenial climate. He is now one of the leading men, a wealthy and honored citizen, of the fast-growing city of Anaheim, Southern California.
When the first three pioneers. Ephraim, Phinehas, and John Taylor came to this section, the country was wild and wooded. They felled trees and built their houses. Their farms joining, although a mile and a half from each other they thought themselves near neighbors. In the year 1782 the old log house owned and occupied by Captain Oliver Taylor, Sr .. was burned with all its treasures. It was just after harvest- ing, when the corn was in the garret and the vegetables in the cellar. The neighbors for miles around, kind, helpful, and full of sympathy, gave expression to their feelings by felling trees, hewing timber, digging a new eellar. and raising the frame - of green timber, which was all they had. It was of oak and is sound today. Although rude. it was a shelter, and with its three huge fire-places they called it comfortable. So quickly was the work despatched that upon Thanksgiving Day they were living in their own home. With hearts overflowing with gratitude they partook of the bounty prepared by the neighbors, who were present to receive their thanks. Not a man or woman took a cent of pay for all this work. Ever after this it was Captain Taylor's custom upon every returning
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Thanksgiving Day, as children and grandchildren stood around the festal board, to ask a blessing, and after the meal to return thanks.
In the year 1826. Captain Taylor's wife died suddenly on Monday evening, and was buried on Thanksgiving Day. Without eating or drinking, he sat by her side until she was laid away : all he could say was, "I can't be with her long."
When a boy of sixteen, Captain Taylor brought a beautiful little elm from Wolf Swamp on his back, and set it southeast of the old log house. The wind blowing from the same direction during the fire, the tree was not injured, not even a twig. This tree was his darling pet and received his care for seventy years. In 1883, July 4, just one hundred and one years after the burning of the old house, the grandchildren made a festival in honor of their grandfather and his pet tree. The long, flowing branches, by actual measurement from north to south, extended eighty-seven and a half feet. In the shadow of these drooping branches the tables were set, laden with
every luxury. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great- great-grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren - Miss Emma Cutler, of the sixth generation - neighbors, friends, and invited guests, came till they numbered nearly one hundred. The minister was there to express the children's thanks for the past, and invoke Heaven's blessing on all the future generations. After the repast - the tables cleared- the company with joyous hearts were seated in the shadow of the drooping branches of the old tree, while two little girls, Edith M. Law and Bertha May Taylor, on a platform erected for the purpose, gave recitations. Captain Varnum Taylor wrote and read a brief sketch of family history. In speaking of the old elm he said, " It measures in circumference, one foot from the ground, 17 1-2 feet. and is estimated to contain at least five cords of wood. My friends, we witness at this late day the life of a noteworthy tree that long existed before any of us first breathed the breath of life, and we invoke the Divine blessing to rest upon it and prolong its life for at least another century, that the same unabated patriotism may then exist as
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is manifested by us here today. And I, this fourth day of July. 1883, especially recommend that henceforth this tree may be known and called. . The Independence Elm of Boxborough." " A poem was written and read by Miss Mary Taylor, entitled " The Old Elm Tree," from which we quote :
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