Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1008


USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 10


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138


(\'II) Hiram, son of Joshua Tucker, was born in New Salem, February 6, 1810; died in Ware, in 1876. He married ( first) Lucy Allen ; ( second ) Mary Eliza Bond, born March 5, 1816, in Brookfield, died in Ware, January 29, 1895. He was a farmer and blacksmith. Children, all by second wife: 1. Lucy Allen, born September 20, 1838. 2. William Henry, July 28, 1840; died August 12, 1908; married (first ) Dahliaetta M. Dennis, who died April 30, 1867; ( second ) June 6, 1878, Marion A. Spooner : children : i. Frank H., died January 4, 1896: ii. Ethelyn M .; iii. Howard Hiram; iv. Marion Eliza. 3. George Edward, Novem- ber 2. 1843: mentioned below. 4. Mary E., April 7. 1847 : died April 27, 1848. 5. Mary Louise, June 19, 1849; married, October 16, 1872, John F. Lothrop, of Newtonville ; chil- dren : i. William H. Lothrop; ii. Stanley B. Lothrop: iii. Rowland 1. Lothrop. 6. Frank H., October 10, 1852 : died April 20, 1858. 7. Fred Herman, August 16. 1856; member of Farley. Harvey & Company, of Boston. 8. Nelson H., January 2, 1860: resides at Newton- ville, Massachusetts.


(VIII) George Edward, son of Hiram Tucker, was born at Hardwick, November 2. 1843. He attended the public schools of his native town, Monson Academy and the East- man Business College. Poughkeepsie, New York. He was for a time teller in the Na- tional Bank. of Barre, Massachusetts, and then was for five years bookkeeper for the Fitch- burg Lumber Company, at Fitchburg, Massa-


698


MASSACHUSETTS.


chusetts, and later with the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company, of West Fitchburg. In 1875 he became paymaster for the Otis Company, at Ware, Massachusetts. In the course of time he was made superintendent, and March 14, 1895, promoted to his present position as resident agent. He occupies an important position in the manufacturing world and commands the esteem and respect of em- ployers and employees alike. He is an active and prominent member of the East Congrega- tional church, of Ware, and a liberal supporter of its benevolences. In politics he is a Repub- lican, a citizen of public spirit and enterprise, of large and wholesome influence in the com- munity. He is a trustee of the Ware Savings Bank, and director of the Young Men's Library Association, and was its president two years. He married, March, 1875, Caroline Elizabeth Hawes, born at Barre, Massachusetts, July 5, 1846, daughter of Estes and Caroline E. Hawes, of Barre ( see Hawes, VI.). Children, born at Ware: I. Ruth Estabrook, born May 27, 1877 ; married Anson Ely Morse, of Amherst, Massachusetts, son of Professor Morse, of Amherst College. 2. Caroline V., born July - 3, 1884.


(The Hawes Line).


(II) John, son of Edward Hawes (q. v.), was born in Dedham, December 17, 1657, and resided there. He married, May 27, 1683, Sarah Deering, probably daughter of Samuel Deer- ing, of Braintree. Children: 1. Mary, born February 10, 1683-84. 2. Sarah, 1686. 3. Lydia, August 22, 1697 ; married, January 27, 1719-20, Joseph Pratt. 4. Abigail, February 5, 1699-1700. 5. Samuel, mentioned below.


(III) Samuel, son of John Hawes, owned the covenant and was baptized at the Dedham church, May 31, 1724. He married Elizabeth Children : 1. Zaccheus, born April 20, 1728. 2. Samuel, baptized October 10, 1731. 3. Abigail, September 24, 1733. 4. John, February 18, 1735-36; mentioned below. 5. Deering, November 7, 1739.


(IV) John (2), son of Samuel Hawes, was born in Dedham, February 18, 1735-36, bap- tized March 7 following, at South Dedham church. He married (intentions dated Feb- ruary 25, 1769) Anne Thayer, of Stoughton. He settled in Wrentham, Massachusetts, an adjoining town. He was a soldier in the revo- lution from Wrentham. He settled later in Belchertown, Massachusetts, and was a mem- ber of the church there. Children: Herman, born 1783 ; mentioned below ; and others. His son John married, 1821, Elizabeth Sexton,


formerly of West Springfield; he lived at Belchertown; was a member of the church there and died in Virginia.


(V) Herman, son of John (2) Hawes, was born at Wrentham, in 1783; died at Belcher- town, in 1841. He was a farmer and black- smith at Belchertown, whither he removed with his father's family. He was a prominent member of the Congregational church; Free Mason, and Whig in politics. He married (first) Mehitable Peeso, born in Belchertown, 1786, died 1834, daughter of John Peeso. He married (second) Sally Kendall, who was dis- missed to the Belchertown church from the church at Enfield, Massachusetts. After his death she lived at Amherst, Massachusetts. Children, born at Belchertown: I. William, married twice; resided at Chelsea, Massachu- setts. 2. Nancy, married Franklin Dickinson. 3. Estes, born June 29, 1817 ; mentioned below. 4. George, died young. 5. Christina, died 1856; married Henry Wright. 6. Francis, a veteran of the civil war ; lived in Mansfield, Massachu- setts.


(VI) Estes, son of Herman Hawes, was born in Belchertown, Hampshire county, Mass- achusetts, June 29, 1817. He was educated in the district schools and at the age of fourteen years bound out to learn the tailor's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In September, 1841, he came to Barre, Massachu- setts, where he was engaged in active business as a merchant tailor for more than forty years. He died there in 1904. He prospered in busi- ness and ranked among the foremost mer- chants of the town. He was a trustee of the Barre Savings Bank and a member of its financial committee ; was director of the Barre National Bank. He was originally a Whig. later a Republican in politics, but intensely interested in the movement to prohibit the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors. He was always active in town affairs and was for four years an assessor. He was a prominent member of the Worcester County West Agri- cultural Society. He and his wife were active members of the Congregational church and he was deacon for many years. For nearly sixty years he lived in the same homestead in Barre. and in 1889 he lost the old house by fire, build- ing a handsome new residence in its place. He married, April 18, 1844, Caroline E., born in Barre, March 8, 1826, died 1901, daughter of David and Mary (Easterbrook) Kendall. granddaughter of Samuel Kendall. Her father and grandfather came from Enfield to Barre and engaged in farming, hat-pressing and in


699


MASSACHUSETTS.


the manufacture of woolen cloth. David died at the age of seventy-four and his wife at eighty-seven years; they had two children, Caroline E. Hawes and Henry J. Kendall. Children of Estes and Caroline E. Hawes: I. Herman Kendall, died in infancy. 2. William Kendall, died young. 3. Caroline Elizabeth, born at Barre; married George E. Tucker, of Ware, Massachusetts (see Tucker, VIII.). 4. Mary Christine, died aged six years.


EATON Francis Eaton, immigrant ances- tor, came to Plymouth in the "Mayflower," and signed the famous compact on board that historic vessel. He lived at Plymouth, was admitted a freeman in 1633, and was a carpenter by trade. His wife Sarah came with him, also his son Sam- uel and an infant. His wife Sarah died before 1627, and he married (third) Christian Penn. Administration was granted on his estate to Thomas Prence and John Doane, November 25. 1633. Children: I. Samuel, born in Eng- land; mentioned below. 2. Rachel, married, March 2, 1645, Joseph Ramsden. 3. Benja- min, born 1627 ; was apprenticed February II, 1635, for fourteen years, including two years at school, to Bridget Fuller, widow.


(II) Samuel, son of Francis Eaton, was born in England, about 1618, and died at Middleborough, Massachusetts, in 1684. His father died when he was a child, and he was apprenticed August 13, 1636, for seven years, to John Cooke, Jr. He lived at Duxbury and Middleborough, and was one of the two May- flower Pilgrims who settled in Middleborough, where he was living before 1675. He was ad- mitted a freeman in 1670. He was one of the purchasers of Dartmouth in 1652 and of Bridgewater. The Eatons were not very rigid Puritans evidently, for Samuel was once ad- monished by the court for "mixed dancing" with Goodwife Hall. He bought land at Dux- bury of Love Brewster, and sold it in 1663 to Josiah Standish. He married, January 10, 1666, Martha Billington, daughter of Francis. Children: I. Mercy, married Samuel Fuller. 2. Samuel, mentioned below.


(III) Samuel (2), son of Samuel (I) Eaton, was born about 1662. He was one of the original members of the First church, of Middleborough. He married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Rev. Samuel Fuller, first pastor of Middleborough, also of Mayflower ancestry. Children, born at Middleborough: Mercy, born 1695; Keziah, 1700; Elizabeth, 1701 ; Barnabas, mentioned below.


(IV) Barnabas, son of Samuel (2) Eaton, was born in Middleborough, in 1703. He mar- ried there (first) in 1743, Mehitable -; (second) Mehitable Clements. He settled in Middleborough. Children, born in Middle- borough : 1. Hannah, 1732. 2. Samuel, 1733; mentioned below. 3. Mary, 1735. 4. Sarah, 1737. 5. Seth, 1739. Children of second wife : 6. Lot, born 1744; married Martha Cobb. 7. Mehitable, 1747. 8. Elizabeth, 1749. 9. Ziba, 1750. 10. Nathan, 1753. II. Wealthy, 1755. 12. Keziah, 1757. 13. Meribah, 1760.


(V) Samuel (3), son of Barnabas Eaton, was born in Middleborough, in 1733. He was a soldier in the revolution, sergeant in Cap- tain William Tupper's company (Sixth), of Middleborough, Colonel Ebenezer Sprout's regiment, 1776; also first sergeant in same company, 1778, on two alarms, and again in 1780, when Colonel Ebenezer White com- manded the regiment. He lived in Middle- borough ; married there, 1753, Patience Tink- ham. Children, born at Middleborough : I. Samuel, 1754. 2. Barnabas, 1757. 3. Israel, 1760. 4. Mehitable, 1763. 5. Daniel, 1767. 6. Darius, 1770; mentioned below. 7. Eunice, married Bryant. 8. Enos, born 1773.


(VI) Darius, son of Samuel (3), Eaton, was born in Middleborough, in 1770. When a young man he removed to Ware, Massachu- setts, and settled. He died in that town in 1829. He lived for a time, however, in Rich- field, New York. He married Phebe Rich- mond, born June 1770, at Brookfield, died in 1854, at Ware. Children: I. Lucy, born 1790; married Samuel Lamberton. 2. Gervaise, born 1794. 3. Rufus, born 1796; died 1855. 4. Darius (twin), born 1796; mentioned below. 5. Joseph, born 1799 ; died 1877. 6. Benjamin, born 1801; died 1886; mentioned below. 7. Nancy, born 1804; died 1897; married Syl- vester Bowen. 8. Daniel O., born 1814; died 1896.


(VII) Darius (2), son of Darius ( I ) Eaton, was born in 1796, in Richfield, New York, where the family lived for a short time. He returned with the family, and was educated at Ware in the public schools. He was a farmer. He was active in the militia, and rose to the rank of captain ; was prominent in town affairs, and was selectman for a number of years. He died at Ware in 1867. He married Golacy Coney, born 1797, at Ware, died there in 1883 (see Coney). Children, born in Ware : I. William Coney, born August 10, 1826; men- tioned below. 2. Charles W., born 1829; died unmarried, 1874: a farmer in Ware all his life.


-


...


1-


700


MASSACHUSETTS.


(VIII) William Coney, son of Darius (2) Eaton, was born August 10, 1826, at Ware. He attended the district schools there, and the Warren Seminary, at Warren, Massachusetts. He took up the profession of civil engineering, and became a bookkeeper and engineer for the Gilbert Mills, in Ware. He had charge of the construction and alterations in the plant of the company. He resigned in 1886, and for twenty years practiced his profession as civil engineer and surveyor in Ware. He had much of the public work in this section, and had charge of the erection of many of the more important buildings of the town. In 1906 he retired from active life. He has taken a prominent part in public affairs. A Republican in politics, he represented his district in the general court in 1896-97. He was a member of the school com- mittee several years; road commissioner from 1887 to 1890, and for six years a county com- missioner. He is a trustee and vice-president of the Savings Bank, of Ware. He attends the Congregational church. He is keenly inter- ested in history and in genealogical research. He possesses the respect and esteem of all his townsmen, and is counted among the most substantial and useful citizens of the town. He married Loina Hinckley, born June, 1828, at Belchertown, Massachusetts, died at Ware, July, 1908. Children, born at Ware: 1. Fred- erick William, bookkeeper in First National Bank, of Boston; married Fannie Amidon ; children : Fred M., Mary Ellen. 2. Ellen E., married Professor A. C. Gill, of Ithaca, New York. 3. Emma T., single.


(VII) Benjamin, son of Darius (2) Eaton, was born in Ware, 1801, and died there in 1886. He was a farmer. In religion he was Congregationalist, in politics a Whig, and later a Republican. He married (first) Phebe Fos- ter, born at West Brookfield ; one child, Ben- jamin Franklin, mentioned below. Mr. Eaton married (second) Mary Field Ross ; they had no children who grew up.


(VIII) Benjamin Franklin, son of Benja- min Eaton, was born in Ware, September 28, 1829, and died there July 6, 1883. He attend- ed the public schools of his native town, and entered Yale College, and also attended Am- herst. He adopted the profession of teaching, and followed it with enthusiasm and success all his active life. He taught in private schools in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and in Rensselaerville Academy, Rensselaerville, New York, where he spent the last five years of his life. He never lost his interest in educational matters, and was a constant student of new


and improved methods in pedagogy, as well as of the various branches of learning in which he was proficient. In fact he was a student and scholar, and divided his time between his books and his home, to which he was especially devoted and in which he was most happy. He was a Republican, but took no part in politics. In religion he was a Congregationalist. He married, November 13. 1861, Mary E. Seeley, born February 25. 1836, at Ballston, New York, daughter of Anson and Betsey (Jen- nings) Seeley ( see below ). Children : I. Clara, single. 2. Bessie, married Rev. William F. White, of Ledyard, Connecticut ; children : Eloise H., Emmons E., Harold W., Helen E. 3. Mary, married Erdman B. Foth ; children : Elizabeth, Frederick E., Charles E. 4. Fran- ces, married John T. Fankhauser ; no children.


(The Seeley Line).


The Seeley family. from which is descended Mary E. (Seeley) Eaton (q. v.), settled first in Connecticut, removing thence to the state of New York after the revolution.


(I) Nathan Freeman Seeley, born probably in Connecticut ; died at Ballston. He married Amy Lyon, probably also of the Lyon family of eastern Connecticut, who died at Ballston. Children: Major Judson, Anson (mentioned below ), Melinda.


(II) Anson, son of Nathan Freeman Seeley. was born at Ballston, New York, in 1795, and died there about 1869. He had a common school education, and learned the trade of wheelwright. He followed his trade in addi- tion to farming. He was very industrious and energetic. He took an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and for many years was chorister of that church. He married Betsey Jennings, born 1794, at Ballston, died there about 1865. Children, born at Ballston: 1. William. 2. Nicholas. 3. Nathaniel. 4. Henry. 5. Charles. 6. Abram. 7. Mary E., born February 25, 1836: married Benjamin Franklin Eaton, son of Benjamin Eaton (see above ).


This distinguished family is of PARSONS royal descent. Its antecedents in England are known to have been numbered with the gentry, and at Ash- prington, near Dartmouth, in Devonshire, there are still occupied by members of the family. two country seats in which the ancestors of the Parsons family of America resided. One of these was erected between the years 1485 and 1503, and the other was built about one


701


MASSACHUSETTS.


hundred years later. They are known respec- tively as the upper and lower manor houses. Through intermarriage they became allied with the Chauncys, Greenleafs, Copley, Greenes, Chandlers. Gherardis, and other noted fami- lies. Among the most prominent representa- tives of the American family were Hon. Theo- philus Parsons, once chief-justice of the com- monwealth of Massachusetts, and his son, Theophilus, who for many years was an honor- ed professor at Harvard University, both of whom are referred to at length hereinafter.


(I) Jeffrey Parsons, of Ashprington, Devon- shire, born in 1631, accompanied an uncle from the mother country to Barbadoes, and after remaining there a few years took passage for New England in 1654. His vessel having touched at Gloucester, Massachusetts, he went ashore, and meeting Sarah Vinson at a Wish- ing Well. he fell desperately in love with her. Secreting himself in the woods until his vessel sailed, he settled in Gloucester, married the heroine of his romance, and became a promi- nent merchant in that town. In April, 1655, he purchased land and a dwelling house in Fisherman's field, where he established his home, and some of his descendants are still residing near the spot where he originally set- tled. For several years he served as a select- man. He died August 16, 1689, and his wife died January 12, 1708. Their children were: I. James, born 1658. 2. Jeffrey, 1661. 3. Sarah, 1663. 4. Elizabeth, 1665. 5. John, 1666. 6. Jeremiah, 1672. 7. Nathaniel, 1675. 8. Abigail, 1678. 9. Ebenezer, born 1680; died in infancy. 10. Ebenezer, mentioned below.


(II) Ebenezer, youngest son of Jeffrey Parsons, was born at Gloucester; in 1681. His business was that of a merchant. He fre- quently served as a selectman, was for years a deacon of the First church, and finally became a ruling elder. His death occurred December 19, 1763. He married (first) Lydia Haskell, who died in 1734, aged fifty-three years. His intention of marriage with Mrs. Alice Nor- wood was published April 11, 1741, and with Mrs. Jemima Todd, of Rowley, December 4, 1742 : the latter became his wife and died April 25. 1752, and October 31, 1754, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews, of Ipswich. The history of Gloucester mentions but four chil- dren, all of his first union: 1. Ebenezer, lost at sea in 1732. 2. Jacob, married Sarah Red- ling, 1732. 3. Isaac, married Hannah Burn- ham, 1734 ; became a deacon of the First church in Gloucester, and died July 15, 1767. 4. Moses.


(III) Rev. Moses Parsons, youngest son of Ebenezer Parsons, was born in Gloucester, June 10, 1716. He was graduated from Har- vard in 1736, and while pursuing his theologi- cal studies he taught school in his native town. He was ordained a Congregational minister, and in 1744 was installed pastor of the church in Byfield. This was his only pastorate, and he retained it until his death, which occurred December 14, 1783. He was a ripe scholar, an able preacher, and dearly beloved by his parishioners. January II, 1742 or '43, he mar- ried Susanna Davis, a lady of marked ability, who displayed unusual wisdom and prudence in the management of his household affairs. Upon an income of but four hundred dollars per annum she not only provided for a large family, but received all visitors in a most hos- pitable manner and sent four sons to Harvard College. It may be stated, however, that in addition to a considerable amount of wild game procured by her husband, who was an expert with his gun, their larder was fre- quently replenished by contributions of mutton, vegetables and other country produce from his parishioners. They were the parents of Moses, Ebenezer, Theophilus, Susanna, William and several other children.


Susanna Davis was a descendant in the sixth generation of Rev. John Robinson, of Leyden, and Professor Theophilus Parsons traces her line of descent as follows: Rev. John (I), Abraham (2), Abraham (3), Andrew (4), Anne (5), who married Abraham Davis, and became the mother of Susanna, who married Rev. Moses Parsons. Andrew (4) Robinson was a mighty hunter and famous Indian fighter ; was also familiar with seafaring life, and the inventor of the schooner rig for vessels, the name of which he originated.


(IV) Hon. Theophilus Parsons, son of Rev. Moses Parsons, was born in Byfield, Febru- ary 24, 1750. He took his bachelor's degree at Harvard in 1769, and was considered the most brilliant member of his class. After his admission to the bar in 1774 he went to Fal- mouth, Maine (now Portland), where for some time he practiced law in connection with teach- ing, and was there when it was destroyed by the British. In 1777 he settled in Newbury- port, Massachusetts, where he practiced his profession successfully for more than twenty years, and in 1800 removed to Boston. Recog- nized as one of the most able scholars and dis- tinguished lawyers in New England, he took a leading part in framing the state constitu- tion in 1780, and forcibly advocated the ratifi-


702


MASSACHUSETTS.


cation of the federal constitution by the state of Massachusetts in 1788. In 1806 he was chosen chief-justice of the Massachusetts supreme court, and retained that high position for the rest of his life. He had previously been offered the appointment of attorney-gen- eral of the United States, but declined, as he regarded the chief-justiceship of his native state to be a far greater honor. When he was on the bench there was difficulty then as now, in finding men who would sit on jury. On one occasion a certain Boston merchant ap- proached the Justice, and said, "Sir, it is most inconvenient for me to serve at this time. I have affairs of importance ; many ships; much business. I would be excused." "Sir," replied the Chief-Justice, "The reason why you have so many ships and so much business is, be- cause the laws are administered as they should be. Take your seat, Mr. Perkins." And Mr. Perkins did so without further parley. He possessed a wonderful memory, was an elo- quent speaker, and as a jurist he stood pre- eminent among his contemporaries. It was said of him by one of his associates at the bar that "he knew more about everything else than he did about the law, and knew more law than any one else." Chief-Justice Parsons died in Boston, October 30, 1813. His decisions, con- tained in six volumes, are regarded by the legal profession as high authorities. His name is among the fifty-two immortals of Massa- chusetts to be seen in the rotunda of the State House in Boston, and it is also among those carved on the front of the Boston Public Library. In 1780 he married Elizabeth Green- leaf, who was born in Newburyport, July 13, 1758, daughter of Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf. Of this union there were ten children ; six sons and four daughters. Their sons died young. The others were: Charles Chauncy, born April 8, 1782; Theophilus, mentioned below ; William, born February 17, 1800. The only daughter who left issue was Charlotte, who married Charles Phelps, and had five children.


Elizabeth Greenleaf was of the sixth gen- eration in descent from Edmund Greenleaf (1), who immigrated from Ipswich, county of Suffolk, England, and settled at Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1635. His wife's given name was Sarah, and they had nine children. Ste- phen Greenleaf (2), son of Edmund ( 1), mar- ried Elizabeth Coffin, daughter of Tristram Coffin. John Greenleaf (3), son of Stephen (2), married Elizabeth Hills. Hon. John Greenleaf (4), son of John (3), married Sarah Smith. Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf (5), young-


est son of Hon. John (4), was born March 19, 1732, and resided in Newburyport. Septem- ber 22, 1757, he married Elizabeth Chauncy, his first wife. She was a daughter of Rev. Charles, D. D., and Elizabeth (Hirst) Chauncy. The Chauncys date their origin in England from the Norman conquest. The Rev. Dr. Charles Chauncy was a descendant of Charles Chauncy (I), the second president of Harvard College, through Rev. Isaac (2), and Charles (3). Mrs. Elizabeth (Greenleaf) Parsons died February 13, 1829.


(V) Professor Theophilus Parsons, son of Judge Theophilus Parsons, was born in New- buryport, May 17, 1797. He prepared, for college at a private school taught by an Eng- lishman named William Wells, who was a stern disciplinarian, and caned his pupils severely for any infringement of his rules. Entering Harvard in 1811, he was graduated with the class of 1815, and was subsequently for a time editor of the Gentleman's Magazine and of the Boston Daily Advertiser. Accept- ing an appointment as attaché of the United States legation at St. Petersburg, he accom- panied the Hon. William Pickney to that city, and having gained the admiration and friend- ship of the Czar, Alexander I., he was nearly persuaded by that monarch to attach himself permanently to the Russian court. Upon leav- ing St. Petersburg he travelled quite exten- sively in Europe, and after his return to Amer- ica he prepared for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law in Taunton, Massachusetts. He afterward returned to Boston, where he acquired an ex- tensive and lucrative general law business, and at one time was counsel for every insurance company in that city. In 1848 he accepted the Dane professorship at the Harvard Law School, and retained that chair until 1870, when he relinquished his activities. He died in Cambridge, January 26, 1882.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.