USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 85
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theology, natural history, geology, English literature, and the modern languages; and during the later years of his life he was accus- tomed each year to take up some one of these branches of study and carefully review and enlarge upon his original investigations. He read French as fluently as English, and was a fine reader and speaker of German. He was exceedingly fond of poetry, and owned and carefully read and studied nearly all the writings of English and American poets. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts, conferred by Amherst College in 1841, and Doctor of Laws in 1861 ; also Williams College, Master of Arts, in 1836, and Harvard College, Master of Arts, in 1864, also LL. D., and from Yale the same.
Following are some extracts from a discourse at the funeral of Judge Chapman in the South Congregational Church, Springfield, July 26, 1873, by Rev. Samuel G. Buckingham, pastor : "We all know how truthful and honest he was. Sincerity and uprightness were the warp and woof of his whole character, and whatever else was woven into it, this was the main fabric, and set off all the rest to advantage. * We know, too, his worth as a neigh- bor and friend. His advice which was worth so much, was always freely given. His en- couragement was sure to be bestowed upon the deserving, especially upon the young and the modest. His sympathy we were sure to have, and the most tender expressions of it, whenever trouble befell any of us. * *
* As a member of this community, and a citizen, we are greatly indebted to him for helping to create a just public sentiment, and for a hearty co-operation in our public improvements. He was always interested in such subjects, and an admirable adviser in regard to them. The improvement in our public schools had his encouragement from first to last. The in- crease of church accommodations, and of mis- sion enterprises in the city was one of his favorite projects. He was a sturdy friend of the temperance cause, taking an active part in the promotion of this reformation when it began forty or fifty years ago, and always de- voting his professional services to its aid with the utmost satisfaction. But he was especially anxious to have public sentiment right ;- to have it pure, intelligent and Christian, as the soil out of which everything good would natur- ally spring :- so he encouraged the dissemina- tion of right views and the advancement of good men. He frowned heavily on all cor- ruption, even in politics. He denounced un-
sparingly the highest in office, of any party, who sold himself to corruption, or attempted to mislead the people. He was for truth, righteousness, purity, and the public good. * We also love to remember him as we met him in his own home, and with his family. His wonderful amiability and loveli- ness there, together with his generous hospi- tality, made that a delightful household. * * * But it is of his religious character that we love best to speak. He believed the Bible, and had no such difficulties, as many have, about accepting the whole of it as the inspired word of God. Accustomed to inter- pret language, and weigh evidence, he found proof enough of the divine origin of these writings, and could never be too grateful for such 'a lamp unto our feet.' He held what is called the evangelical faith, regarding Jesus Christ as the divine Redeemer of mankind, trusting in Him, and in Him alone, for salva- tion. He was always a diligent student of the sacred writings. He was the first superintend- ent of this Sabbath school, and for many years the teacher of a Bible class. The Sabbath always found him in the house of God, and he * was habitually present at the weekly prayer meeting. He always had for his Sunday read- ing some standard religious work. * *
His relation also to the church at large, and his connection with our religious institutions and missionary organizations, demand notice. He was one of the trustees of Andover Theo- logical Seminary, and a corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He took a deep interest in the work of home missions. *
* * He was greatly interested in what we call home evangelization. *
* * He was the origi- nator of the Hampden County Conference of Congregational Churches ;- one of the oldest, and most efficient in the state ;- and was always aiding by his presence and suggestions, as well as by his sympathy and prayers. His advice was greatly desired upon ecclesiastical councils, and in regard to all matters of church government, which he had studied care- fully, and he was always ready to give atten- 0* tion and time to such subjects.
* But what shall we say of his connection with this church, more than that he was one of its origi- nal founders; that he was for nearly twenty years its clerk, and for the same time a mem- ber of the church committee; that he was always its steadfast and liberal supporter ; that his first and last interest was bound up in our welfare ;- that wherever he went, his
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heart turned lovingly back to this, as his spirit- ual home ;- that as he had lived so long and pleasantly in communion with us, so he ex- pected to die and be buried here."
Reuben A. Chapman married, June 2, 1829, at Blandford, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Knox, who was born in Blandford, Massachusetts, March 26, 1808, and died in Springfield, April 27, 1898. She was the daughter of General Alanson and Lucinda ( Knox) Knox, of Bland- ford. General Knox was a distinguished law- yer of Blandford, and representative and sen- ator of Massachusetts. He removed to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he died. Their children were: I. Elizabeth, born November 20, 1837 ; married, April 16, 1863, Timothy Manning Brown, son of Manning and Mary ( Smedley ) Brown, a lawyer, of Springfield, Massachu- setts. They had three children: i. Edward Manning, born February 25, 1872 ; graduated from Yale, B. S., 1894, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Depart- ment of Columbia University, 1898; now a practicing physician in Springfield ; married, 1899, Elizabeth Katherine Pettinger, daughter of Henry Pettinger, of Lasselsville, New York ; she died April 10, 1907, leaving two children- Edward P. and Elizabeth Chapman ; ii. Harold C. Brown, born April 2, 1879 ; tutor in Colum- bia College; graduate of Williams College 1901, and degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Harvard, in 1905; married, 1903, Frances S. Norton ; have two children. 2. Reuben, born September 16, 1842 ; was admitted to the bar, and died at Westfield, Massachusetts, April 4, 1870. 3. Mary, born January 5, 1845; was educated both at home and abroad; she is a member of the North German Chemical Society ; the American Association for the Advancement of Science ; the American Folk Lore Society ; The Red Cross; Mercy Warner Chapter, D. A. R. ; Springfield Woman's Club ; life member of the W. B. F. M .; member of the Woman's Association of the M. L. T., and of the Farmington Lodge Society. She trans- lated Janet's "Theory of Morals," published sometime in the eighties, besides other trans- lations.
WESTON Edmund Weston, immigrant an- cestor, came to Boston in the ship "Elizabeth and Ann," and settled in Duxbury in 1635. His age at the time of coming was given as thirty years. It is said that in England his trade was a thresher of grain. He was apprenticed to John Winslow, and transferred November 2, 1636, to William
Thomas. In 1639 he formed a partnership with John Carver for planting and farming, and in 1640 had a grant of four acres at Stony Brook, Duxbury, and a tract of land at Green Harbor. He was on the list of those able to bear arms in 1643. In 1652 he was surveyor of highways, and took an active part in town affairs. His will was dated February 18, 1686, and proved June 3, 1686. He died in Dux- bury in 1686, aged eighty. He married late in life, De La Noye (Delano). Children : I. Elnathan, mentioned below. 2. Mary, mar- ried John Delano; lived in Duxbury. 3. Ed- mund, born 1660, died September 23, 1723. 4. John, born 1662, died 1736.
(II) Elnathan, son of Edmund Weston, was born in Duxbury, 1657, and died April 23, 1724. He lived on his father's farm, near Mill Brook, Duxbury, and was surveyor of high- ways in 1687 and 1692, and a freeholder in 1707. His will is recorded with the Plymouth records. He married Desire, granddaughter of Miles Standish, who came in the "May- flower." All her descendants are eligible to membership in the Mayflower Society. She died May 13, 1735. Children: I. Samuel, died 1752. 2. Joseph, born 1692, died Septem- ber II, 1778. 3. Mary, married, April 10, 1717, Joseph Simmons. 4. Sarah, married, April 10, 1717, John Churchill. 5. Abigail, born 1704, died 1764.
(II) John, son of Edmund Weston, was born in Duxbury, 1662, and died in 1736. He resided at Powder Point, Duxbury, and in 1690 he with others hired the common meadows. He was a freeholder in 1707. He married Deborah Delano. Children: I. Isaac. 2. Jonathan. 3. Abner. 4. Ellphas, mentioned below. 5. David, died September 4, 1805. 6. Desire. 7. Deborah, married Benjamin Prior.
(III) Eliphas, son of John Weston, was born in Duxbury, in 1702, and died March 15, 1762. He was a mariner, and lived in Dux- bury. He met his death by drowning in Dux- bury Bay, in a severe snow storm, his son Joshua sharing the fame fate. He married Priscilla Peterson, who died in 1778. Chil- dren: 1. Warren, born 1740, died 1799. 2. Ezra, born July 13, 1743; mentioned below. 3. Daniel, born 1744, died November 17. 1766. 4. Eliphas, born 1745. 5. Arunah, born Febru- ary 4, 1746, died January 17, 1831. 6. Joshua, born 1748; drowned March 18, 1762. 7. Tim- othy, born 1749.
(IV) Ezra, son of Eliphas Weston, was born July 13, 1743, and died October II, 1822. He lived in Duxbury, and was one of the most
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enterprising and wealthy men in the province. He was the largest shipbuilder and owner in the country, and was familiarly known as "King Caesar." He was the richest man in Plymouth county, and owned nearly half of the town of Duxbury, and did a great deal for that town, and was of course by far its most prominent man in all respects, a man of high sense of honor and integrity and beloved by all. He served in the revolution, in Captain Benja- min Wadsworth's company ( Second Duxbury ), Colonel James Warren's regiment, and answer- ed the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775; also in same company under Lieutenant Nathan Samson and Colonel Thomas Lothrop, Decem- ber 10, 1776; and in Captain Allen's company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's regiment, on a secret expedition to Rhode Island, September and October, 1777. He married (first) April 20. 1767, Sylvia Church, who died May 21, 1768; (second) October 25. 1770, Salumith Wadsworth, of Marshfield; (third) July 4, 1817, Priscilla Vergin, of Plymouth. She was a widow at time of marriage. Child of first wife: I. Sylvia Church, born May 13, 1768; married Captain Sylvanus Sampson. Child of second wife: 2. Ezra, mentioned below.
(V) Ezra (2), son of Ezra (I) Weston, was born in Duxbury, November 30, 1771, and died August 15, 1842. On arriving of age he was taken into partnership by his father, under the firm name of E. Weston & Son. Both father and son resided on their farm of one hundred acres at Powder Point, Duxbury. They established one of the finest shipbuilding plants in the state, consisting of a shipyard on Blue Fish river, of ten acres and wharf; a ropewalk a quarter of a mile in length ; a spar yard and a sail loft, on their farm at Powder Point, as well as a wharf with five large build- ings on it on their water front on the Bay. So they built all their ships, made the spars, rigging and sails, and when their ships left the wharf they were all ready to proceed on a voyage. They also conducted a country store from which they paid in goods their army of work- men in their employ, there being at that time little if any money in circulation. They had a foreman over each department under their direction. On the death of "King Caesar" in 1822, his son continued the business in his own name of E. Weston, with the same energy and enterprise, as successfully as his father, and proved a worthy successor to him, being in 1830 still the largest ship owner in the United States and wealthiest man in the county. He married Jerusha Bradford, who died Octo-
ber II, 1833. She was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from William Bradford, governor of Plymouth Colony. All her de- scendants are eligible to membership in the Mayflower Society. Children: I. Ezra, born 1796; died 1805. 2. Maria, born 1798, died 1804. 3. Gershom Bradford, born August 27, 1799 ; mentioned below. 4. Jerusha, born 1802, died 1804. 5. Alden Bradford, born 1805. 6. Ezra, born 1809; he was a Harvard man, grad- uated in the famous class of 1829, studied law and was admitted to the bar, but never entered into the active practice of his profession. He was very popular with his classmates, and they elected him captain, and he commanded the college military company. After his gradua- tion he was called to the command of the Boston Light Infantry, familiarly known as "The Tigers." Some few years later he was urged and accepted the appointment of "City Marshall," of Boston. He visited Europe several times, and traveled abroad extensively.
(V1) Gershom Bradford, son of Ezra (2) Weston, was born August 27, 1799, in Duxbury, and died there September 14, 1869. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and assisted his father in building ships. In 1840 he was ad- mitted to partnership with him, together with his brothers, Alden B. and Ezra, in Boston and Duxbury, the firm name being changed from Ezra Weston, to E. Weston & Sons. They continued in the shipping trade until 1857, when the firm dissolved. The business had thus been carried on successfully for about one hundred years, from father to son. Their ships were always rated AI, and to say that. a ship was built in Duxbury and owned by the Westons silenced and satisfied all criticisms or inquiries. Their ships sailed and their sails whitened every known ocean and sea on the globe, and carried the Stars and Stripes into all the principal maritime ports of the world, where the names of Ezra Weston (2) E. Weston & Son, (3) E. Weston, and (4) E. Weston & Sons, were familiarly known and their credit unlimited. E. Weston's brig "Smyrna" was the first ship to carry the United States flag into the Black Sea through the Dardanelles and Sea of Marmora under a "Fir- man" issued by the Sublime Porte in 1830. He served as representative to the general court for fifteen or twenty years, and as sen- ator for some years; member of the constitu- tional convention in 1852: a member of Gov- ernor George S. Boutwell's council; and ont of the first commissioners for the Hoosic Tun- nel. He lived in Duxbury until 1850, when
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he removed to Boston for five years, returning then to Duxbury. In politics he was a Repub- lican in his later years. He was president of the Duxbury State Bank, and director of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Boston ten years. He attended the Unitarian Church.
He married (first) 1820, Judith Sprague, who died November 25, 1845. He married (sec- ond) February 23, 1848, Deborah Brownell, born in Little Compton, Rhode Island, August I, 1822, died 1907. Children of first wife: I. Captain Gershom Bradford, born October 25, 1821, died April, 1887 ; he was a master mari- ner, took command of a ship at the age of twenty-one, and commanded some of the finest ships that sailed out of Boston. He married, January 19, 1843, Mary B. Moore, and had eight children. 2. Maria, born December 16, 1822, died May 30, 1823. 3. Jerusha Brad- ford, born March 15, 1824, died December 8, 1824. 4. John Allyne, born November 3, 1825, died May 12, 1869; he was a Harvard man, graduated in the class of 1846; studied law in the Harvard Law School, and in the office of Judge Barton, at Worcester; was admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession in the town of Milford. He married Mary Paine, of Worcester ; had Annie Sprague, born Janu- ary 25, 1851. 5. George Canning, born March 28, 1828, died January 18, 1856. 6. William Bradford, born June 20, 1830; mentioned below. 7. Edgar, born August 31, 1832, died October 31, 1851. 8. Jerusha Bradford, born December 19, 1834; resides in Duxbury. 8. Alfred, born January 19, 1837 ; in response to the call of Abraham Lincoln in the name of the nation in 1861, for men to avert the nation's death, the records of the Navy Department show that Alfred Weston was appointed as acting master's mate in the United States Navy, October 3, 1861 ; acting master, November 4, 1861, and served on the United States barque "Ethan Allen;" detached between March 31, 1863, and May 31, 1863, and ordered to com- mand United States schooner "Fox ;" detached and ordered to U. S. S. "San Jacinto," flagship of the East Gulf Squadron ; detached Septem- ber 5, 1864, and granted sick leave of absence ; ordered to U. S. S. "Iuka," October 6, 1864; promoted to acting volunteer lieutenant, De- cember 17, 1864; detached October 26, 1865, to await orders ; ordered to U. S. S. "Yantic," November 13, 1865; detached October 24, 1866, granted leave of absence, and honorably discharged February 27, 1867 ; appointed act- ing master, April 5, 1867, and ordered to U. S. store ship "Relief ;" detached July 24,
1867, and ordered to the South Pacific Squad- ron ; served on U. S. S. "Wateree ;" returned east and mustered out of the service October 2, 1868. The U. S. barque "Ethan Allen," steamer "luka," and schooner "Fox" were employed in blockading the ports patrolled by the vessels of the East Gulf Squadron. In 1870 was appointed by President U. S. Grant lieutenant in the U. S. Revenue Marine. He served on several revenue cutters at the sta- tions at Savannah, Georgia; Boston, Massa- chusetts; Ogdensburg (Lake Ontario) New York ; and Portland, Maine. In 1881, for domestic reasons, he resigned from the service and returned to private life. He married Laura Eldredge, of Duxbury; resides in Ash- mont. 10. Maria, born June 3, 1839, resides in Duxbury with her sister. 11. Alden Brad- ford, born November 25, 1844; he was edu- cated at private schools in Pembroke and Northfield, Massachusetts, and also took an academic course at the Highland Military Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts. No- vember 30, 1863, he entered the Union army as private in Second Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out De- cember 19. 1865. He participated in all en- gagements and battles in which the regiment took part up to October 29, 1864, and after that, as he was wounded and sick, was sent to the Hampton Hospital, near Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he remained under treatment until mustered out of the service. After the war he was appointed deputy constable of the commonwealth of Massachusetts by Governor John A. Andrew, and served as such for a year and a half. In 1871 he entered the United States postal service as a clerk in the Boston, Massachusetts, postoffice, and after passing through the different grades was pro- moted to the position of superintendent of the registry division in 1884, which position he now holds. He married Helen P. Baker, of Duxbury, Massachusetts ; resides in Dorches- ter. Child of second wife : 12. Edmund Brownell, born in Duxbury, 1849, resides in Providence, Rhode Island.
(VII) William Bradford, son of Gershom Bradford Weston, was born in Duxbury, June 20, 1830. He received his education in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen entered the counting room of Edward C. Bates & Company, importers and shippers, as clerk. At the age of seventeen he became head book- keeper, cashier and confidential clerk, in full charge of the counting room, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to the firm. Mr.
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Bates always fully appreciated young Weston's business ability and willingness to work at all times, and as a partner placed great and full confidence and reliance in him, leaving it in his hands to execute and carry out all the busi- ness affairs as planned by his senior. The counting room of the company was located at 47 India Wharf, Boston, until 1851, when Mr. Bates was elected the first president of the Bank of Commerce (which he was largely instrumental in founding and organizing) when the counting room was moved to 85 State street, over the bank. The business was with the West Indies, especially Cuba. They shipped goods also to various other countries- Russia, England and Spain-having a very large exporting and importing trade, ranking then, as always, among the largest merchants of his day and time. During the financial panic of 1857 the firm went out of business, when Mr. Bates, with his nephew Ives G. Bates, under the firm name of E. C. & I. G. Bates, were appointed and accepted the Boston agency of the Cunard Steamship Company. They had carried on an extensive trade, im- porting molasses, sugar and cigars and export- ing sugar box shooks, hogshead shooks, and empty molasses hogsheads, salt fish, railroad sleepers, and machinery for the manufacture of sugar. The firm owned their ships, among them being the old ships "Tirrell" and "Queen of the Pacific," and barques "Lecocq" " and "Mimosa." Mr. Weston passed the winter of 1858 in Cuba and traveled all over the island, renewing his acquaintance with the friends and correspondents of his old firm and arranging for his future business, and on his return to Boston started in business on his own account, importing sugar, the firm name being William B. Weston, the counting room situated at Rowe's Wharf, and afterward at 99 State street, Boston. For seven years Mr. Weston car- ried on the business, importing sugar, molasses and cigars. He then entered into partnership with G. P. Carter, the firm name being Carter & Weston, successors to the old firm of Charles Hickling & Company, having the largest book printing and binding business in the state, in the manufacture of school books and music books. In 1880 Mr. Carter died and Mr. Weston continued the business alone until 1895, when he retired. He resided in Boston many years, and in 1860 removed to Roxbury, and ten years later to Milton, where he has since lived. He was a director of the Kansas City & Atlantic Railroad Company ; in 1860 a director of the Fairfield Gold Mining Com-
pany of Colorado; treasurer of the East Bos- ton Dock Company, Lexington Paint Com- pany, and American Patent Tubing Company ; also served as an expert accountant on several occasions. He has voted the Republican ticket at every election since 1856, and has often served his party as delegate to nominating con- ventions, and has exerted a potent influence in political affairs. Mr. Weston, being of a very modest and retiring disposition, would never accept public office (though urged to do so by his friends) but always worked and voted for highminded and honest men for public office. Mr. Weston, in 1907, gave to the town of Milton a handsome drinking fountain for man and beast, and in other ways has shown his interest in municipal welfare. This fountain, cut from Quincy granite, is a very handsome affair. It is so arranged that clean water con- stantly flows into three receptacles-one for the human family and another for horses, and a third for dogs. It stands at the corner of Adams street and Randolph avenue, and bears this inscription: "Adam's ale for man and beast." "Presented to the town by William B. Weston, 1907." It is a credit in design to both the donor and the town, and signifies the inter- est taken by Mr. Weston in his town and his kindness and forethought for the animal king- dom. Mr. Weston, being a gentleman of high sense of honor, integrity and honesty, always lived a simple life, minding his own business and private affairs, and never wronged any one out of a cent, always having for his guid- ance, "live and let live," and "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." He was trustee of the Public Library for ten years or more. The Westons were all large men, mostly six footers or more.
He married, October 25, 1856, Charlotte Louisa Fiske, born in Charlestown, Massachu- setts, October 23, 1823, died February 1, 1900, daughter of John J. and Sarah (Stetson) Fiske, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and New York City.
MANN The surname Mann appears very early in English history and no doubt in Germany eariler as a patronymic. In the earliest records it is gen- erally spelled Man, and in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries both Man and Mann. In the Domesday Book ( 1086), Willelmus filius Manne is mentioned as a landholder in county Hants, England. Various branches of the Mann family are found in counties Norfolk, Northampton, Gloucester, Norfolk, Lincoln
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and York. The principal seat of the family seems to have been at Bramley, county York, and from this family the immigrant William Mann, who settled at Cambridge, Massachu- setts, is thought to have descended. There are several coat-of-arms borne by various branches of the Mann family, all somewhat similar, some bearing three lions, others three goats, and one, three legs conjoined, while a tower appears in the crest. Arms of the Essex family : A chevron ermine between three lions rampant sable. Crest: A tower or, issuant from the top five tilting spears proper. Motto: Virtus vincet invidiam. Another : Argent three antique boots sable spurs or. Crest: A demi-man proper wreathed about the temples and loins vert holding over the dexter shoulder an arrow proper. The Lancaster family bore arms: Per fesse embattled argent, and azure, three goats passant counter charged, attired or.
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