USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Boston and eastern Massachusetts > Part 70
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Dr. Aaron Ordway, son of Stephen and Mary ( Brown ) Ordway, was born in Hebron, May 4, 1814. He began his education in the district schools of his native town and con- tinued it at the Franklin Academy. He be- gan life as a merchant in Springfield, Massa- chusetts, but subsequently studied medicine, attending lectures at Harvard. He began his practice as a physician at Rumney, New Hampshire, and in 1847 established himself as an Eclectic physician in Lawrence. He shortly afterward opened a retail drug store and conducted it in connection with his prac- tice. and through his untiring energy he man- aged to give his close personal attention to both without neglecting any of the multifarious duties devolving upon him. From early in
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the morning until far into the night he could be seen either at his store or going about among his patients, and so constant was his attention to business and professional duties that his friends wondered how he could posi- bly find time for the necessary rest and re- freshment. This strenuous mode of life con- tinued for a period of twenty-five years or until about 1872, when he retired, and having amassed a competency he thenceforward de- voted himself to pursuits of a less exacting nature. He was financially interested in tim- ber lands and in the manufacture of lumber, andI was for some time president of the Brown Lumber Company of Whitefield, New Hamp- shire, and also of the Whitefield & Jefferson railroad.
In addition to his unusual activity and capa- city for hard work, he possessed a marked in- dividuality which asserted itself whenever oc- casion demanded, and among his other com- mendable qualities were his sincerity of pur- pose and his devotion to his friends. His interest and influence in public affairs were exceedingly beneficial to the city, and his de- sire for honest government was amply demon- strated during his two terms as a member of the board of aldermen. In politics he was de- voted to principle rather than party, and as long as the platform coincided with his con- science he could be depended upon to support it, but if otherwise he promptly manifested his disapproval, and his opposition was considered dangerous. He generally acted with the Re- publican party. Although having no prefer- ence for any particular church or creed, he was in sympathy with all religious denomina- tions pertaining to the christian faith, and he contributed liberally toward the support of several churches that were struggling for ex- istence. His physical powers became seriously affected in 1888, as the inevitable result of his unrestrained activities in former years. He gradually failed until his death, which occurred February 8, 1890. Dr. Ordway was very much interested in the Lawrence General Hospital, and contributed freely at the early period of its existence, and a memorial room has been furnished in his memory, by the family, be- cause of this interest.
Dr. Ordway married. August 9, 1839, Mary Ann Mooney Kelley, of New Hampton, New Hampshire, born October 6, 1815, died Octo- ber 21, 1866, daughter of Joseph Kelley. He married, second, Mary Ann Kelley, of Frank- lin, New Hampshire. His children, all of the first union, are : I. Martha Ann, born Octo-
ber 17, 1841, married William Kibbler ; chil- dren: i. Ida Mary, born January 17, 1868, died aged ten years ; ii. Leslie Lawrence, born September 21, 1871. 2. Aaron Patterson, born September 5, 1843, died in 1845. 3. Aaron Patterson, born August 6, 1846, married Jane Hutchins; children: i. Edith, born Novem- ber 4, 1888; ii. Helen Dorothy, born August 3, 1893. 4. Mary Ellen, born October 25, 1848. 5. Frank Leslie, born November II, 1854, married Cora E. Hume, children: i. Grace B., born June 3, 1884 ; ii. Frank Aaron, born October 4, 1894.
This name has been con- BATCHELDER tinuously identified with New Hampshire from the carliest colonial period. Among the first towns settled in the state was Hampton, and this surname appears among those of the first settlers there. It has been found with many spellings, and its representatives now use more than one. The great majority use the form Batchelder as it will appear in this narrative, with an attempt, however, to conform with the various spellings of different generations. The members of this family have been con- spicuous for their pertinacity of endeavor, for their moral lives and intellectual acumen. Many have occupied somewhat humble posi- tions, but all have been good citizens. Some have achieved distinction and representatives of the name in the present day have upheld its credit and standing.
(I) Rev. Stephen Bachiler, a leading non- conformist who settled in Hampton, New Hampshire, was born in England, 1561, matri- culated at St. Johns College 1581, and in 1586, at the age of twenty-six was presented by Lord de la Warr to the living of Wherwell ( Horrell). a pretty village in Hampshire on the river Test. In 1605 Mr. Bachiler was 'deprived' of the benefice, presumably for calvinistic opin- ions, and by order of the commission appoint- ed by James I. to investigate religious opin- ions. Soon after leaving Wherwell, Mr. Bachiler settled in Newton Stacy, the nearest hamlet on the east, where he purchased land and sold it from 1622 to 1631. He sailed from England in the "William and Francis," March 9, 1632, and landed at Boston June 5 that year. Thence he proceeded to Lynn, Massachusetts, then called Saugus, where his daughter Theodate, wife of Christopher Hus- sey, resided. Here he commenced the exer- cise of his administration on Sunday, June 8, 1632, without installation, having formed a
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church of those who desired to join with the six or seven persons he brought with him, who are said to have been members of the church with him in England. He remained in Lynn until February, 1636, when he removed to Ipswich, from there went to Yarmouth, six miles beyond Sandwich, and next to Newbury, where July 6, 1638, the town made him a grant of land, and October 7, 1638, the gen- eral court of Massachusetts granted Mr. Stephen Bachiler and his company, who had petitioned therefor, liberty to begin a planta- tion at Winnicunnet, now called Hampton, New Hampshire. Tuesday, October 16, 1638, the settlement was begun. June, 7 1639, Winnicunnet was made a town, and about the same time the said plantation (upon Mr. Bachiler's request made known to the court ) was named Hampton. There he lived until about 1647, at which time he lived in Portsmouth. He returned to England about 1654, and died at Hockney, in Middlesex, then two miles from London, 1660.
The tradition is that Mr. Bachiler was a man of remarkable personal presence, and was particularly noticeable on account of his wonderful eyes ; they were dark and deep set, under broad arches, and could throw lightning glances upon occasion. For more than a cen- tury the Bachiler eye has been proverbial, and in Essex county, Massachusetts, the striking feature has been maintained. The resemblance between the Whittiers and Daniel Webster was long ago observed by those who were una- ware of relationship. Though unlike in many respects, there appeared to be a marked simi- larity in their broad and massive brows, swarthy complexion and expressive eyes. The characteristic of the eyes was in the looks of inscrutable depth, the power of shooting out sudden gleams, and the power of tender and lovable expression as well. It is now known that not only Whittier, Webster, but W. Pitt Fessenden, Caleb Cushing, William B. Green and other prominent men inherited their fine features, penetrating eyes and gravity of man- ner from the same ancestor, Rev. Stephen Bachiler.
Rev. Stephen Bachiler married first, 1582, Deborah ,who died in England. He married second, in England, Helen
born 1583, died 1642 ; third, about 1648, Mary All his known children were born in England, and married in Hampshire or the neighboring counties in England, and were: Nathaniel (2), born 1590; married Hester Mercer, Southampton ; children : Stephen,
Anna, Francis, Nathaniel and Benjamin. (2) Deborah, born 1592; married John Wing; they came to America with her father, Rev. Stephen Bachiler, 1632; their children, who came with their parents from England were Daniel, John and Stephen. (3) Stephen, born 1594, died 1680. (4) Theodate, born 1596; married Christopher Hussey ; she died Octo- ber 20, 1649, at Hampton, New Hampshire ; children: Stephen, born about 1630; Joseph ; John, baptized at Lynn, 1635; Mary, born at Newbury April 2, 1638; Theodate, born at Hampton, New Hampshire, August 23, 1640; Huldah, born about 1643, died 1740. (5) Samuel, born 1598; was in Holland as chap- lain in 1620. (6) Ann, born 1600; married about 1619, John Sanborn, baptized 1600, one of the Hampshire Sanborns; their three sons -John, William and Stephen-came t America in 1632 with their grandfather, Rev. Stephen Bachiler, and they were the founders of the Sanborn family in America.
(III) Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel and Hester (Mercer) Bachiler, was born in 1630. lle married December 10, 1656, Deborah, daughter of John Smith of Marthas Vineyard. She died March 8, 1675, and he married sec- ond, October 31, 1676, Mrs. Mary ( Carter) Wyman, daughter of Rev. Thomas Carter and widow of John Wyman, of Woburn. She was born July 24, 1648, and died in 1688, and was a cousin of his first wife. He married third, October 23, 1689, Elizabeth B. Knill, widow of John Knill. She survived him. He was al- ways a resident of Hampton and held many offices of trust and honor in the town and church, being constable for some time and se- lectman for nine years. He died suddenly January 2, 1710. His children were: De- borah, born October 12, 1657; Nathaniel, De- cember 24, 1659; Ruth, May 9, 1662; Esther, December 26, 1664; Abigail, December 28, 1667; Jane, January 8, 1670; Stephen, July 31, 1672, died in infancy ; Benjamin, Septem- ber 19, 1673 ; Stephen, March 8, 1675; Mercy, December 11, 1677; Mary, September 18, 1679, died in infancy ; Samuel, January 10, 1681 : Jonathan, 1683; Thomas, 1685; Joseph, August 9, 1687; Mary, October 17, 1688, died in infancy ; Theodate, married Morris Hobbs, 1703.
(IV) Deacon Nathaniel, eldest son of Na- thaniel and Deborah ( Smith) Batchelder, born at Hampton, New Hampshire, December 24, 1659, died 1745; married, about 1685, Eliza- beth Foss, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, born 1666, died 1746. He was one of the as-
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sessors of Hampton Falls, 1719-20, and select- man 1722. He was one of the original pro- prietors of Chester, New Hampshire. His children were Deborah, Nathaniel, John, Josiah, Jethro, Elizabeth, Nathan, Phinehas and Ebenezer.
(V) Deacon John Batchelder, son of Dea- con Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Foss) Batch- elder, born in Hampton, New Hampshire, July 28, 1692, died March 16, 1753; married De- cember 30, 1714, Abigail, daughter of John Crane. She was born September 10, 1695, and died February 25, 1773; children : Mary, born December 25, 1715, married February 13, 1735, Captain Jonathan Sanborn; Eliza- beth, April 8, 1717; John, October 5, 1719; Joshua, 1720; Abigail, July 28, 1721 ; Deborah, January 13, 1723; Hannah, October 26, 1725; Ruth, November 23, 1727; Nathan, July 28, 1729 ; Daniel, May 6, 1731 ; Eunice, born 1733, died October 1, 1799; Benjamin, October 20, I737.
(VI) Lieutenant Benjamin Batchelder (he appears to have used the Bachelor form), son of Deacon John and Abigail (Crane) Batchelder, born in Candia, New Hampshire, October 20, 1737, died in Andover, New Hampshire, September 28, 1813. He was one of the early settlers of Candia, a prominent figure in public affairs, served several years as selectman, and during the revolution was lieu- tenant of a company in active service. The later years of his life were spent in Andover, where he died. He married, 1762, Dorotha Prescott, born October 30, 1742, died Decem- ber 26, 1837, daughter of Benjamin Prescott, of Kensington, New Hampshire, and cousin of Colonel Prescott of Bunker Hill fame. Children of Lieutenant Benjamin and Dorotha ( Prescott ) Batchelder : Sarah, born April 24, 1764, married Major Edward Currier of Can- dia, New Hampshire; John, born 1766, mar- ried Sally Robinson; Hannah, born March 23, 1768, married a Graves ; Abigail, born July 18. 1770, married December 20, 1792, Weare Hilliard; Dorothy, born April 23, 1773, mar- ried September 10, 1799, Dudley Hilton ; Ben- jamin, born April 23, 1773, died young ; Odlin P., born September 16, 1775; Zerviah, born April 20, 1778, died February 10, 1862, married Ed- mund Buzzell; Benjamin, born April 7, 1782 ; Nathan, born November 22, 1786.
(VII) Odlin Prescott Batchelder, son of Lieutenant Benjamin and Dorotha (Prescott) Batchelder, born in Candia, New Hampshire, September 16, 1775, died in Holliston, Mass- achusetts, April 30, 1860. His occupation was
that of tanner and currier, and he carried on business in Candia until 1817, then in Wil- mot, New Hampshire, later in Lowell, Mass- achusetts, and in 1832 removed to Holliston, Massachusetts. He married, first, in Rowley, Massachusetts, in 1798, Huldah Searle, born June, 1777, died December 13, 1846; married second, October 7, 1847, Millicent Barrett, born 1799, died July 15, 1869. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Holliston. Children : William Searle, born May 28, 1800, married Rhoda Whiting ; Benjamin Franklin, born November I, 1801, married Lucinda Daniels; John Cal- vin, born March 20, 1803; Mary, born Novem- ber 1, 1805, married Isaac Johnson; Lucretia, born December 1, 1806, married October 19, 1828, Timothy Fiske; George, born May 27, 1810, married Hannah Kingsbury; Frederick L., born January 17, 1815, married Elizabeth Willey ; Otis Robinson, born January 17, 1817, married Catherine Palmer ; Sophronia, died in in fancy.
(VIII) John Calvin Batchelder, son of Od- lin Prescott and Huldah (Searle) Batchelder, born in Candia, New Hampshire, March 20, 1803, died in Holliston, Massachusetts, De- cember 26, 1891, after a long. useful and honorable life. In his youth he had no oppor- tunity to gain more than a common school education, but his hours of study were employ- ed to the best advantage. At the age of about eighteen years he started out to make his own way in life and went from Andover, New Hampshire, to Holliston, Massachusetts, and there learned the trade of shoemaking of his brother William S. At the bench he worked diligently until he had mastered the trade, then worked as a practical shoemaker for sev- eral years and in the course of a few more years became himself proprietor of a shoe manufacturing business. Mr. Batchelder's ac- tive business career covered a period of full three score years ; a period of general success and perhaps with less of the accompaniments of reverses and losses than fall to the lot of business enterprises in general. He was not only a capable man, but he was also an honest man, dealing honestly with others and exact- ing an honest due from them. And he was a temperate man; temperate in his habits in every respect, in his daily walk, in his home life, and was charitably inclined, giving freely and according to his means for whatever causes were worthy of his assistance, and giving in such a way as not to draw attention to himself; and he was a christian man, in
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word and example, always lived an upright life and did all that he could to encourage others in the same direction; for more than sixty years he was a consistent member of the Congregational church.
Mr. Batchelder married first, December 15, 1828, Emeline Mason, born July 20, 1809, died July 7, 1883 ; second, February 10, 1885, Mrs. Julia A. Collins, daughter of John Mor- rill Batchelder, of Kingston, New Hampshire. John Calvin Batchelder had children, all of first marriage: 1. Maria, born March 17, 1830, died January 22, 1847. 2. John Mason, born January 8, 1832 ; see forward. 3. George, born November 2, 1833, died December 13, 1834. 4. Emily, born April 18, 1837. 5. Matilda, born January 1. 1840, died April 20, 1864. 6. Henri, born October 4, 1842 ; see for- ward. 7. Charles, born May 18, 1845, died April 31, 1864 .. 8. Francis, born April 6, 1847, see forward. 9. Maria, born January 16, 1849, died February 2, 1864. 10. George Harding, born February 28, 1852, died Aug- ust 16, 1852.
(IX) John Mason Batchelder, eldest son of John Calvin and Emeline ( Mason ) Batchelder, was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, January 8, 1832. The strange fusion in his veins of the Batchelder blood with its persistence, fearless- ness, and outspoken bluntness, its rugged puritanism and intense benevelence ; and the Mason blood with its approachable geniality, retiring gentleness and lack of combativeness, wrought in him that firmness tempered with diplomacy, that approachableness alloyed with unselfishness, that has made him a marked figure in his town. He has always been a trusted leader and business adviser in his father's fam- ily, as well as with the dependent and helpless in his town who had no claim upon him, and matters of trust and probate have always been settled by him with ability and conscien- tiousness. Early in life he showed signs of the indomitable initiative and industry which char- acterized his entire business career, and which developed in his departure to the west in his early manhood where he stayed for a time. He returned to Holliston and entered into his father's employ, becoming proficient in the shoe manufacturing business, but which, owing to his unconquerable trading characteristic. he abandoned later to enter the general store business under the firm name of Daniels & Batchelder. He sold his interest in this busi- ness after four years to his partner, and en- gaged in traveling salesmanship for a year or more, after which he established for him-
self a grocery business which he conducted with success for about twenty years. He then retired from commercial pursuits and devoted his entire time to the settlement of estates as administrator, executor, guardian, trustee, etc. He has been a trustee for many institutions and individuals; also treasurer for the Lake Grove Cemetery for twenty years. He was commissioned by Gov. Andrew during the civil war as justice of the peace, which com- mission has been continuously renewed since. Ile has been trusted by his town's people in his selection for many town offices, and as representative to the general court, which office he filled with tact and business acumen, with credit to his constituency. He is a Re- publican in politics, but never a seeker of office. Ile has been prominently connected with the Congregational church since his youth, and a large share of his recreation in his busy life has been his absorbing interest in gene- alogical subjects, of which he has a great fund of authoritative information. During his gen- eration he has builded well, according to his gifts, on the imperishable foundation estab- lished by that sturdy quartet of Batchelder brothers who settled in Holliston in the early decades of the 19th century, stamping their personality on the moral and civic develop- ment of the town.
(IX) Henri Batchelder, son of John Cal- vin and Emeline ( Mason) Batchelder, was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, October 4, 1842. He was educated in the Holliston pub- lic schools. During his minority he enlisted in the United States navy, serving with honor and due promotion on the sailing bark "Pur- suit" for three years. He assisted in the cap-
ture of the steamship "Florida" and many other prizes, of which he received his share of the prize money. In 1865 he received an honor- able discharge, and upon his return to civil life he engaged in the shoe manufacturing business with his father. Later he removed to West Medway, Massachusetts, taking the superintendency of the shoe manufacturing plant of Parker Brothers. In 1884 he removed to Everett, Massachusetts, and became en- gaged in the wholesale provision business with his brother in Boston, where he is still connect- ed. He has been an apt student, augmenting his early education by that practical self im- provement that is open to every American. He became interested in the Chatauqua move- ment at its inception, and by persistent and voluminous reading, and careful observation, has developed into one of the best informed
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men of his city. He is a trustee of the First M. E. Church, of Everett, which he has at- tended since he has been a resident of that city. He has never stood for or held public office since being honored by his selection as asses- sor in his adopted town of Medway. He is a member of the James A. Perkins Post, G. A. R., of Everett. He has inherited the marked characteristics of his Batchelder and Mason ancestors, and is highly esteemed and trusted by his business and personal friends.
(IX) Francis Batchelder, son of John Cal- vin and Emeline ( Mason) Batchelder, was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, April 6, 1847, and for forty years has been closely identified with the business life of Boston, be- ginning in a small way in East Boston in 1869 and continuing there about two years, then starting a retail provision store and doing business on a larger scale and with gratifying success until 1882, when he established an extensive wholesale provision house on Black- stone street. His home is in the adjoining municipality of Everett, where he is well known in all circles, and where too, he has been a factor in the civil, social and moral life of that city, for his influence always has been for good, and his work has been for that which would educate young men and direct their energies in right channels. He is and for many years has been especially interested in advancing the welfare and influence of the Young Men's Christian Association, local and state, having active membership in both organi- zations. As citizen and taxpayer he naturally feels an interest in public affairs in his home city, and as one who feels it a duty to the pub- lic welfare his interest in Everett politics has been more than passive ; but he is not a politi- cian, for every instinct of his nature is directly the opposite of everything that constitutes that character; his interest is for clean politics, just laws and municipal regulations, and their faithful and rigid enforcement. These were the chief principles of the platform on which he stood in his candidacy for the mayoralty of Everett, and no man can say that he was in any respect remiss in his endeavors to se- cure their honest fulfillment during his incum- bency of that office. He is a Republican in political affiliations, but with him principles weigh far more than party advantage, and if occasion requires he has the moral courage to step outside the party ranks in the advocacy and support of measures which he believes will make for the public good.
Mr. Batchelder married, April 6, 1869, Har-
riet L. Rawson, of Holliston, born November 22, 1847, daughter of Liberty and Harriet (Blake) Rawson, of Medway, Massachusetts, and granddaughter of Simon and Abigail (Wood) Rawson (see Rawson family). Chil- dren of Francis and Harriet L. (Rawson) Batchelder: I. Grace Louise, born in East Boston, July 28, 1870; married April 8, 1891, Albert R. Shepardson ; had Douglas A. Shep- ardson, born December 30, 1892; Helen, born May 23, 1894; Robert, born July 11, 1896; Rowland, born November 30, 1897; Francis, born October 7, 1901. 2. Emily Frances, born in Everett, August 14, 1872, died in Everett, August 14, 1878.
This is one of the early Eng- RAWSON lish names which has been formed by adding "son" to the name of the father. The general usage of surnames among the common people of England dates back to a comparatively short time from the present and we find many of origin similar to this. The name Ralph is of ancient usage, is a christian name and was very often written in the early English spell- ings, as Relf, Rauf, and many other forms. It was usually pronounced very broad, as Rawf, and when the suffix "son" was added, it was soon found convenient to omit the con- sonant "f," and it became very easily Raw- son. In this form it has been traced back in England for a period considerably previous to the emigration of the Puritans. The records show a Richard Rawson as a canonist and jur- ist, who died in 1543. About 1580, General Blake, Jr., of Little Baddow, county Essex, England, married Anna, heir of Rawson. Wil- liam Blake, a brother of this John, came to America in 1630 and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts. The principal features in the Rawson coat-of-arms are a castle stamped up- on a shield, a design used to commenorate some noted capture made by the one who received this coat.
(I) The first in America, so far as has been ascertained, was Edward Rawson, who came to New England 1636-7, and became an in- habitant of the town of Newbury, colony of Massachusetts Bay. Most of the people who settled in that section were from the counties of Hants and Wilkes, adjoining Dorsetshire. Rev. John Wilson, the first minister in Boston, was an uncle of Edward Rawson, his mother having been Margaret, sister of Rev. John Wil- son. It is said that Edward Rawson was named for an ancestor, Sir Edward Rawson, who liv-
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