Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Boston and eastern Massachusetts, Part 54

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 768


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Boston and eastern Massachusetts > Part 54


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Nathan Mortimer Hawkes, a HAWKES leading member of the legal fraternity of Essex county, and a prominent citizen of Lynn, is noted for his mental attainments, professional ability, and literary accomplishments. He was born November 1, 1843, in Lynnfield, formerly a part of Lynn, a son of Nathan D. Hawkes. He comes of a long line of honored and distin- guished ancestry, being an eighth generation descendant of Adam Hawkes, who was born in England in 1608, came to America with Winthrop in 1630, and died in Lynn in 1671. In 1631 he married Ann Hutchinson, by whom he had two children-John and Susanna. (Susanna married in 1649, William Cogswell, of Ipswich. ) After her death he married Sarah Hooper, by whom he had one daughter, Sarah. Adam Hawkes first located in Charles- town. In 1638, at the time of the first division of lands in Lynn, he received a grant of one hundred acres, and settled in that part of Lynn now known as North Saugus, on the homestead which has since been in the fam- ily, descending from one generation to an- other in unbroken succession. His son John, the first male member of the family born in America, was born in 1633, and died in 1694. He first married in 1658, Rebecca, daughter of Moses Maverick, the first magistrate of Mar- blehead, and Sarah ( Allerton) Maverick. daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Norris) Aller- ton, who came over in the "Mayflower," and for his second wife married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Cushman, ruling elder of Ply- mouth, and his wife Mary, who was also the daughter of Isaac Allerton.


Moses Hawkes, the next in line of descent, was born in Lynn, November 20, 1659, and died there February 1, 1709. On May 10,


1698, he married Margaret Cogswell, of Ips- wich, this county; and their eldest child, Moses Hawkes (2d), born March 4, 1609. was the succeeding progenitor. He was a man of prominence in his day, and one of the original founders of the town of Saugus. On April 9, 1730, he married Susanna Hitchings, a relative of Daniel Townsend, a minute-man, who was killed by the British at Lexington, April 19. 1775. Their son Nathan, who was born in Lynn, July 1, 1745, and died in Sau- gus. October 17, 1824, was the great-grand- father of Nathan M. Hawkes, the special sub- ject of this sketch. He was very active in the management of town affairs, serving as select- man in 1805, 1806 and 1807, during the con- tention between the town and the First Parish as to the use of the old Tunnel meeting-house, and was for several years parish clerk. He was one of the leading petitioners for the formations of the towns of Lynnfield and Saugus. On September 3, 1769, he married Sarah Hitchings, a descendant of Daniel Ilitchings, a soldier in King Philip's war, who held the title to his lands under a deed from the Indian sagamores. Nathan Hawkes was ensign of Captain David Parker's company of Lynn minute-men at the Lexington alarm, April 19. 1775 ; and his great-grandson has the sword which he wore on that day of days, and under the sword stands the chair in which he sat when he told the story of how


"The embattled farmers stood


And fired the shot heard 'round the world."


Nathan Hawkes (2d), grandfather of Nathan M., was born in that part of Lynn now Saugus, January 22, 1775, and died in Saugus. August 22, 1862. On January 22. 1805. he married Elizabeth Tarbell, a daugh- ter of Jonathan Tarbell, a minute-man of Danvers, who was at the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, and a descendant of John Tarbell, of Salem Village, the leader in re- moving the Rev. Samuel Parris from his pas- torate of the Salem Village Church after the witchcraft trials of 1692.


Nathan D. Hawkes was born in Lynn, May 4. 18II, and died in that city, April 23, 1850. On November 10, 1842, he married Tacy Pratt Hawkes, daughter of Ahijah and Theodate (Pratt ) Hawkes, who was born on the old Hawkes homestead, which has been in the family since it came into the possession of the immigrant ancestor, Adam Hawkes, in 1638.


Nathan M. Hawkes acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of Lynn, and was


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graduated from the Friends' School in Provi- clence, Rhode Island, in 1861. He immedi- ately began to read law in the office of Perry & Endicott, of Salem, and on the twenty-first anniversary of his birth. November 1, 1864. was, on motion of Judge Endicott, admitted to the Essex county bar. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, and in local affairs has been prominently identified with the highest interests of his city. county and state. From 1867 until 1879 he was special justice of the Lynn police court. From 1869 until 1872 inclusive he was a member of the common council of Lynn ; three years of the time being president of the board. He was also a member of the school committee, and a trustee of the public library. In 1875. 1876, 1877 and 1878 he was a mem- ber of the general court, and in 1879 was state senator. At present he is a member and chairman of the Lynn Park Commission, which controls the Lynn Woods, that the late Charles Eliot called "the largest and most interesting, because the wildest. public domain in all New England." He is also a member of a commission appointed by the city council, consisting of the mayor, the city clerk, and himself, to secure the publication of the early records of the town.


He has ever been interested in literary pur- suits, and his frequent contributions to the press have proved a source of pleasure to innumerable readers. In 1887 and 1888 the Boston Record published a series of sketches entitled, "The Best Town to live in." Mr. Hawkes showed his appreciation of his native town by writing an article setting forth the natural and acquired charms of Lynnfield, and its desirability as a place of residence. He has since published a work entitled "In Lynn Woods with Pen and Camera, 1893." The Essex Institute has also published his "Glean- ings Relative to the Family of Adam Hawkes," and "Semi-historical Rambles among the Eighteenth-century Places along the Saugus River." The Magasine of American History and the New England Magasine have printed some of Mr. Hawkes's local historical studies, including "The Lynn Iron Works," and "Cap- tain Robert Bridges, Founder of the Iron Works."


He is a forcible and eloquent speaker, and is often called upon in this capacity on public occasions. Many of his addresses of this character have been published. among them being an "Address at the Dedication of the New Town Hall" at Lynnfield, January 28.


1892; an address delivered before the Essex Agricultural Society at Haverhill, Massachu- setts, September 21, 1893 ; a memorial address commemorative of James Robinson Newhall, given before the Lynn Press Association, January 17, 1894: and an address delivered before the Bay State Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary. In 1900 he edited and published the "Com- monplace Book of Richard Pratt." In 1904 he prepared a book called "Semi-Centennial of the National City Bank of Lynn, Massa- chusetts." On June 17, 1905, he delivered the oration, "Lynnfield in the Revolution," at the Lynnfield town hall, before the people of Lynnfield, the Old Essex Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Lynn Historical Society. On June 16, 1906, he de- livered the address in the Saugus town hall before the citizens of Saugus ; General Hinks Post No. 95, Saugus, Grand Army of the Re- public ; Old Essex Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution ; Daughters of the Rev- olution, Chapter of the Third Plantation ; and the Lynn Historical Society, on the occasion of the marking of the graves of the Revolu- tionary soldiers of Saugus. On Sunday, June 9. 1907, he delivered an address on "The Parting of the Ways Between Parish and Town." as the representative of the Lynn His- torical Society, at the celebration of the 275th anniversary of the First Church of Christ in Lynn. In the same year he published a book of local history entitled "Hearths and Homes of Old Lynn.


Mr. Hawkes is the holder in fee of one bit of real estate in Lynnfield, which has to him a peculiar interest. It is the little enclosure which contains the mortal remains of some of his kin. including his great-grandfather, Jona- than Tarbell. the Danvers minute-man, who was on Lexington Green. April 19, 1775.


Mr. Hawkes was married December 2. 1867, to Mary, daughter of Benajah and Cyn- thia Buffum, of North Berwick, Maine, at the Buffum homestead. They have one child, Alice Hawkes.


Mr. Hawkes is a member of the Essex In- stitute and of the New England Historic- Genealogical Society, his taste for historic research and investigation making him a most desirable member of each. He is an Odd Fel- low, belonging to Bay State Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. He was a charter member of the Lynn Historical Society, and is a member of its council. He is a member of the Society of "Mayflower" De-


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scendants. He is president of the Old Essex Chapter of the Sons of the American Revo- lution.


Since the immigrant Englishman, Adam Hawkes, pitched his tent in the wilderness out- skirts of Lynn, each succeeding generation to the time of the subject of this sketch has tilled the soil on the banks of Saugus River; and possibly he, too, looks with longing eyes upon the scenes familiar to his fathers, and craves the serenity of rural life that may come after the treadmill drudgery of office work is over.


Isaac Buzzell (or Buswell)


BUZZELL immigrant ancestor of most of the New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts families of this surname. was born in England about 1593. He was in Salisbury, Massachusetts, and one of its pro- prietors in 1639. Ile was admitted a freeman October 9, 1640. He drew land in the first division at Salisbury, and again in 1640. The general court allowed his removal to Hamp- ton in 1639, but he returned. His wife Mar- guerite died September 29, 1642, and he mar- ried second, Susanna , who died March 21, 1676-7. He died July 8, 1683. flis will, dated April 9. 1680, proved September 25 following, bequeathed to son William and his wife: daughter Sarah: son-in-law John Gill. husband of daughter Phebe; Philip Browne, husband of daughter Mary, and son Samuel Buzzell: to three children left by his son Isaac, and to grandchild Isaac, son of William. Children : 1. William. 2. Phebe, married May 2, 1645. John Gill. 3. Samuel born about 1628. married July, 1656, Sarah Keyes ; see forward. 4. Mais, born August 20, 1645 : married June 21 1669. Philip Brown. 5. Isaac, born July 21. 1650; married October 11. 1671. Mary Eaton : second. May 19, 1673, Susanna Parker. (Il) Samuel Buzzell, son of Isaac Buzzell, was born about 1628, in England. He was a planter in Salisbury and Bradford, Massachu- setts. He was of Salisbury in 1662, and prob- ably 166g, but of Andover in 1696, and in Boxford at the time of his death. Savage says he may have been at Marblehead for a short time in 1668. His will, dated April 9, 1704, proved July 27, 1704, named his wife Sarah, executrix, and his brother-in-law Solo- mon Keyes, of Chelmsford, and John Boyn- ton, of Boxford, overseers. Children : I. Isaac, born August 6, 1657; married Anna Ordway. 2. John, born October 7, 1659 : men- tioned below. 3. Samuel, born May 25, 1662 ; probably died before his father. 4. William,


born August 5, 1664; resided at Salem. 5. Robert, born February 6, 1666-7: married De- cember 9, 1697, Hannah Tyler. 6. James, born March 30, 1668-9. 7. Mary. 8. Joseph, mar- ried May 15, 1707. Mary Harvey.


(III) John Buzzell, son of Samuel Buzzell, was born October 7, 1659. He resided at Box- ford from about 1700 to 1707, perhaps longer. The death of a John Buzzell is recorded at Poxford February 22, 1750-1. Family tradi- tion has it that he was from the Isle of Jersey. meaning doubtless his father or grandfather. Seems probable that all the Buzzells of this vicinity were related closely, but the spelling of the name was so varied as to bewilder the investigator. Many of the settlers of Marble- head and the towns in that vicinity were from Jersey, Guernsey, and seaports of England. with many French Huguenots and their de- scendants. In 1694 Buzzell had a grant of land in Dover. He married first, Elizabeth ; second Sarah or vice versa. The children cannot be given in their natural order. At Boxford John Buzzell married, July 2. 1700. Elizabeth Stiles. Children: 1. James, married, 1733, Rachel - ; settled in Wells, Maine. 2. John, mentioned below.


(IV) John Buzzell, son of John Buzzell. horn about 1700, settled in Madbury, New Hampshire. Ile died in 1775. He was ser- geant in the Louisburg expedition in the French and Indian war in 1745. He married. January 4, 1724-5, Sarah Wiborb, who died in New Durham. New Hampshire, September 25. 1788. Among their children was John. men- tioned below.


(V) John Buzzell, son of John Buzzell, ac- cording to the best evidences available, settled in Barrington and became progenitor of a numerous progeny in Barrington. Northwood and vicinity. He married Phebe -. and was a farmer living on the north side of North River Pond. Children : 1. John, had the homestead in Barrington and left it to his chil- dren : had sons Jeremiah and David. 2. Sam- nel ( ?). 3. Benjamin ( ?). 4. Solomon, born January 5, 1761: soklier in the revolution in 1777 : married Elizabeth Burnham : resided in Northwood, his house being next the Barring- ton line on the road to that town. 5. Reuben, mentioned below. The census of 1790 gives as the heads of families in Barrington, John. Samuel and Benjamin who had sons over six- teen, also Daniel, Moses and Rachel.


(\'T) Reuben Buzzell, son or nephew of John Buzzell (5), was born in Barrington about 1770. He married Anne Hussey.


i-19


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Among his children was John, mentioned be- low.


(VII) John Buzzell, son of Reuben Buzzell, born in Barrington, 1802, died 1891, aged eighty-nine years, at Lakeport, formerly Lake Village, New Hampshire. He was educated in the district schools, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed all his active life. He was an active and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a deacon and steward for many years. He married first, Betsey Hill, born in Northwood, New Hamp- shire; second, Mary Hill, sister of Betsey. Children of first wife: I. Horatio. 2. Gilbert H. 3. John Gardner, mentioned below. 4. Mary. 5. Ebenezer. 6. William. 7. Charles, postmaster at Lakeport, New Hampshire. 8. George.


(VIII) John Gardner Buzzell, son of John Buzzell, was born in Barrington, November 12, 1827. When he was eight years old he left home and went to Meredith, New Hampshire, to live. He attended the public schools of Barrington, Meredith and Sandwich, New Hampshire, where he lived afterward. He learned the carpenter's trade of his father, working as an apprentice for four years. He worked at his trade for two years at Man- cester, New Hampshire, and afterward at Meredith, where he helped build the "Lady of the Lake," the second passenger boat on Lake Winnepesaukee, and at Concord, New Hamp- shire. During the next four years he was employed in making pianos in a Boston fac- tory, and then removed to Lynn to work for his brother-in-law Charles Felch, carpenter and builder. After two years he turned to the trade of millwright, and followed that in Lynn for two years in the employ of "Ves" Breed. He was a skilful craftsman in iron as well as wood, and had a natural aptitude for me- chanics. He became foreman of Breed's shop, and while employed in this capacity evolved several valuable improvements to shoe ma- chinery. When he suggested to his employer the idea that was subsequently used in the Buzzell buffing machine, Mr. Breed did not encourage him, expressing his opinion that such a machine would not pay. Mr. Buzzell went ahead, however. and perfected the ma- chine, formed a partnership under the firm name of J. G. Buzzell & Company to manufac- ture the machines, and put them on the market. His partners were George Emerson and Na- than C. Ellis. In addition to making shoe machinery, the firm took millwright jobs and installed shoe machinery. Mr. Buzzell con-


tinued to invent shoe machinery. He patented a machine for turning spring heels; a top-lift scalloping machine for rounding out the inside of shoe heels ; a sand-paper moulding machine ; a heel breast finishing machine; heel scouring machine. The sand-paper moulder was a simple invention, but of great value and it has been adopted by manufacturers in a great many other industries for a multitude of processes. His son, Ernest L., was in business with him at this time.


But perhaps of all his inventions destined to give him the highest and most lasting fame, is the bicycle wheel, which led to the modern bicycle and automobile. He had three patents on a "velocipede wheel" of the now familiar wire-spoke pattern, and at the beginning of the bicycle era he sold them to the Pope Manu- facturing Company of Boston, the pioneers in bicycle manufacture.


After fourteen years he retired from the firn and established a new business in Boston undler his own name, continuing seven years, when he retired. His son, Ernest L. Buzzell, has continued the business successfully to the present time. In politics Mr. Buzzell is a Re- publican. In religion he is a Methodist, though strong in faith of Adventism. He married first, Mary J. Page, born at Thornton, New Hampshire, daughter of John and Sirene Page ; second. Jennie Puffer, born at Haverhill, New Hampshire, October 20, 1843, daughter of Stimson and Mary (Clifford) Puffer. Her father was a native of Stow, Massachusetts, and her mother of Bradford, Vermont. Chil- dren of first wife: I. Ella, born in Meredith Village, New Hampshire. 2. Oscar Ward, born March 18, 1852, mentioned below. 3. Frank P., born in Concord, New Hampshire, died 1904 ; married Clara Parker, of Rochester, New Hampshire ; children : Irving, Ella, Les- lie and Parker. 4. Pearl (son), born in Con- cord. Children of second wife: 5. Gardner Leroy, born in Lynn, April 8, 1874, died Sep- tember 2-3, 1876. 6. Ernest L., born in Lynn, July 5, 1877; educated in public schools of Lynn : succeeded to his father's business ; mar- "ied Bessie Durant, of Nova Scotia ; no chil- dren.


(IX) Oscar Ward Buzzell, eldest son of John Gardner and Mary J. (Page) Buzzell, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, March 18, 1852, died at his residence in Lafayette Park, Lynn, now occupied by his widow, Ang- 11st 31, 1901. He attended the public schools of Boston, whither his parents moved when he was a young child. When only fourteen years


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of age he rode the first small bicycle in this section, winning a prize of twenty-five dollars. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist with the firm of Buzzell, Emerson & Ellis, becoming highly proficient, and in due course of time became a partner with his father in his business in Boston, remaining in that capacity for a number of years. For a period of three years he was enaged in the printing business under the firm name of Buzzell & Leach, conducting his operations in the Sherry block on Monroe street, Lynn, the building in which he later engaged in other pursuits. At the age of twenty-five he engaged in business on h'- own account, manufacturing the Buzzell moulded sandpaper, under his own patents, the paper being used extensively by the shoe manufacturers of this country and Europe. Mr. Buzzell was well known abroad among the manufacturers of boots and shoes, as well as in his own country, having traveled exten- sively as a salesman for shoe machinery. He also conducted an extensive real estate busi- ness, building houses for worthy people who were struggling to secure a home and allowing them to pay for same in the easiest manner possible for them, thus performing a kindly and generous act. He was connected with the local fire department for eighteen years, first in the Federal street engine house, where he was an engineer on steamer 3, and later was transferred to the Broad street engine house, where he was on duty for several years. He was a member of Warren Council. United Oider of American Mechanics, Lynn, which he joined at the age of eighteen ; Peter Wood- land Lodge, Knights of Pythias: Winnepur- kitt Tribe, No. 55, Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a Universalist. He was of a very charitable disposition, giving liberally of his means to allay the sufferings of the worthy poor, and at his death left a large amount of money to public and charitable institutions. Mr. Buzzell married, February 20, 1890, Mary C. Hardy, born at Ossipee, New Hampshire. September 16, 1864. daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Sias) Hardy, the former of whom was born in Wolfborough, New Hampshire. and the latter at Ossipee, New Hampshire. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Buz- zell.


Thomas Joslin, JOSLIN OR JOSLYN immigrant ances- tor of the Jos- lins or Joslyns in America, embarked at Lon-


don, April, 1635, on the ship "Increase," with his wife Rebecca, each aged forty-three, and their children-Rebecca, aged eighteen ; Doro- thy, eleven; Nathaniel, eight: Elizabeth, six, and Mary, one. Abraham, the elder son, does not appear to have come with them, but a short time after; he is here with the family which settled first at Hingham, of which Thomas was one of the proprietors in 1647. He remained there but a few years, and re- moved to Sudbury, now Wayland. He was a property owner there and owned the first lot east of the meeting house. Later he with others went to the Nashua valley to make a settlement, and settled in Lancaster, Massa- chusetts, in 1654. He and his son Nathaniel had lands located on the west side of what is now Main street, a little north of the center. He died at Lancaster in 1660. His will, dated May 9, 1660, proved March 29, 1661, be- queathed to wife Rebecca Nicholls, his chil- dren except Dorothy, and his grandson Abra- ham Joslin. His son Nathaniel and his son- in-law, Roger Sumner, were named executors. The widow in 1664 married William Kerley. At the time he settled in Lancaster it was on the western outpost of civilization. Thomas Joslin died before the attack by the Indians in 1675. His son Nathaniel and his family managed to escape at Marlborough. The grandson Abraham had married and had an infant child: they took refuge in the Row- landson garrison, which he helped to defend until they could no longer hold it, and he with others perished in the conflict. His wife and child were taken captive and carried into the wilderness where they were both subsequently put to death. Thomas Joslin married Re- becca Nicholls. Children : I. Abraham, born 1618, married Beatrice --: died 1670. 2. Rebecca, married Nicholls. 3. Doro-


thy, born 1624. 4. Nathaniel, born 1627, mentioned below. 5. Elizabeth, born 1629. married - Emmons. 6. Mary, born 1634. married Roger Sumner. 1656; he was the founder of the Sumner family in America.


(II) Nathaniel Joslin, son of Thomas Jos- lin (1), was born in 1627, in England. He came to America with his parents in 1635; resided for a time at Hingham and Wayland, then at Lancaster, where he signed the origi- nal covenant with his father, 1654. He was a large land owner in Lancaster and Marl- borough, and his will disposed of it very care- fully, each member of his family receiving a plot of land. His "loving wife" and his sons Nathaniel and Peter, with his friend, Isaac


1


.


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Amsden, were made "overseers" of the will. Nathaniel Joslin was a man of more than average ability. He held several town offices and was held in high esteem. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas King, of Marl- borough. 1656. He died April 3, 1694, at Marlborough. Children: I. Elizabeth, born June 7, 1657, died July 16, 1657. 2. Nathaniel, born June 21, 1658, died June 8, 1667. 3. Sarah, born July 15, 1650. 4. Dorothy, born March 4, 1662. 5. Peter, born December 22, 1665, mentioned below. 6. Elizabeth, born June 7, 1667. 7. Martha. 8. Nathaniel. 9. Rebecca, born May 14, 1672.


(III) Peter Joslin, son of Nathaniel Joslin (2), born at Lancaster, December 22, 1665, died at Leominster, 1759. He was a proprie- tor in Lancaster, and an influential man in town affairs. For many years he was select- man, and was often chosen moderator in town meetings. August 4. 1715, he was chosen deacon of the Church of Christ, Lancaster. He was known as Captain Joslin on account of his military service in the defence of the town. In 1704 he was an ensign, and com- manded a garrison, having under his charge eight families. July 18, 1692, he was at work in the field when the Indians attacked his house and murdered his wife and three young- est children, also a Mrs. Whitcomb, who hap- pened to be with them at the time. The eldest child, Peter, they carried away with them into the woods and afterwards barbarously mur- dered him. Peter Joslin married first, Sarah How, of Marlborough, who was killed by the Indians, July 18, 1692; second, Joanna Whit- comb, born January 8, 1673, died September 24. 1717, daughter of Josiah and Rebecca Whitcomb ; third, Hannah Woods, of Groton, who died August 14, 1739, aged seventy-one years ; married fourth, Mrs. Maria Wheeler, born 1679, died May 21, 1742. Children by first wife: 1. Peter, born December 8, 1686, taken captive by Indians, July 18, 1692, and afterward killed. Three younger children were killed with the mother on the same day. Chil- (ren of second wife: 5. Peter. 6. Johanna, baptized May 30, 1708. 7. Sarah, baptized May 30, 1708. 8. Rebecca, baptized May 30, 1708. 9. Deborah, baptized October 31, 1708, married Joseph Wilder, July 4, 1733. IO. John, baptized December 10, 1710, mentioned below. II. Abigail, baptized August 2, 1713, married John Carter, March 10, 1736-37 ; died December 18, 1795. 12. Dorothy, baptized December 26, 1714, died April 22, 1732. 13.




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