Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II, Part 38

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 38

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).

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May 20, 1844, George Baker, he died 1854; aged thirty-six years. 2. Maria A., born Feb- ruary 2, 1817; married, February 26, 1846, Sumner Flagg. 3. Elizabeth B., born Septem- ber 28, 1819 ; married, 1853, Isaac Kendall. 4. William, born May 29, 1821 ; mentioned below. 5. James H., born January 19, 1823 ; married Annie M. W. Reed. 6. Harriet M., born Feb- ruary 15, 1825; married, 1852, George W. Tuxbury. 7. Louisa A., born March 13, 1827 ; married, 1849, John Wetherbee. 8. Emily C., born June 27, 1831 ; married, 1854, Edward C. Mitchell. 9. John W., born in Newton, Janu- ary 8, 1834; married, 1859, Virginia A. Sim- mons. 10. Joshua G., born August 25, 1836; mentioned below.

(VII) William (2), son of William (I) Beals, was born in Boston, May 29, 1821. He attended the Boston public schools and the English high school. He began his business career at the age of fourteen, determined to become a merchant, and ambitious to win suc- cess and distinction in his chosen field, and in which he was eminently successful. He began as clerk for an old-fashioned establishment on Milk street, where a commission business was done in baled goods, remaining there until he was twenty-two years old, when he embarked in business on his own account as a manufac- turer of flannels for five years, and achieved a notable success. He then engaged in the im- porting trade, buying and selling English, French and German textile goods for the next twenty years, in partnership with George Baker, under the firm name of Baker & Beals for five years. Afterward he continued the business under his own name for fifteen years. His store was at Milk street, Boston. In 1863 he retired from business as a merchant, and from that time to 1907 devoted his time to the care and management of his property and vari- ous estates and trusts committed to his care. The death of his son William impelled him to give up all possible business cares. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Bos- ton. In politics he is a Democrat of the old school. He resides at 125 Newbury street, Boston. Mr. Beals achieved a remarkable success in trade, and in later years displayed conspicuous ability and sound judgment in the management of large property interests. He has the esteem of all who know him.

He married (first) June 7, 1848, Nancy Wil- kinson Marchant, of Providence, Rhode Island, born September 26, 1826, died August 26, 1854, daughter of Henry Marchant, a distinguished manufacturer. He married (second) October

28, 1857, Sophia B. Mauran, of Providence, born June 27, 1831, died October 29, 1905, daughter of Captain Suchet, a captain of ocean- going vessels. Children of first wife: 1. Sarah Elizabeth, born at Boston, September 14, 1849; died July 9, 1852. 2. Emily Frances, born May 28, 1853; died February 8, 1875. Chil- dren of second wife: 3. Sophie Elizabeth, born November 5, 1858, died February '2, 1863. 4. William, Jr., born April 3, 1865; died at San Francisco, January 9, 1907; graduated from Harvard College, taking degree, class of 1888, magna cum laude, and became a brilliant and expert mining engineer ; he had visited and inspected every mine of importance in North and South America, except the Calumet & Hecla ; had made ten visits to Europe in the employment of mining interests, and was well known abroad; his career was cut short sud- denly while he was on a trip to inspect mining property in Nevada. Married Edith Maude Melcher, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire ; re- sides there. 5. Edward Mauran, born March 30, 1869 ; educated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ; now a merchant in Boston ; mar- ried Bertha W. Thomas, of Brookline, Massa- chusetts ; children: i. Madeline T., born Au- gust 16, 1900; ii. Edward M., born at Marble- head, May 28, 1902. 6. Mary Alice, born May 28, 1873; died July 28, 1875.

(VII) Joshua Gardner, son of William Beals, was born in Boston, August 25, 1836. He was educated in the public schools in Bos- ton, from which he graduated as a first scholar. From the Boston Latin School he entered Har- vard College, where he was graduated in the class of 1858. He studied law for a time in Dane Law School, Harvard University, leav- ing in 1859 to assist his father and his brother, James H., in the management of the Boston Post. His father's partners in the ownership of the newspaper at that time were Charles G. Green and Richard Frothingham. In 1875 Mr. Beals retired from the Post. In 1877 he re- moved to New York, but three years later re- turned to Boston, where he has since made his home. He attends the Arlington Street Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the University Club, the New England Soci- ety of New York, and the Harvard, Athletic and University clubs, of Boston.

He married, October 25, 1865, Edith W. Simmons, born October 20, 1845, in Boston, daughter of George W. and Frances A. (Gay) Simmons. Children: 1. Gertrude, born May 25, 1868 ; married Frank A. Bourne, an archi- tect, graduate of Institute of Technology ; child,

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Philip Walley Bourne. 2. Gardner, born Jan- uary 14, 1873. 3. Sidney Lane, born April 22, 1880. The latter two are graduates of the Harvard Law School, and practicing in Bos- ton.

The surname Miller is common

MILLER in both England and Scotland, and is derived from the occu-

pation. At least a dozen immigrants of the name came to New England before 1650, and settled in Massachusetts. Obadiah Miller was a brother of the immigrant, Thomas Miller, mentioned below. He married Joanna -, who died in November, 1695. He was a hardworking man, and often in the employ of Governor Pynchon. He had an account at Pynchon's store, in Springfield, for which he gave land in payment. He had three children, Lazarus, Obadiah and Joanna.

(I) Thomas Miller, brother of Obadiah Miller, married, October 12, 1649, Sarah Marshfield, sister of Samuel Marshfield. He was killed by the Indians, October 5, 1675, in King Philip's war, and his widow married (second) Edward Foster. He lived in Spring- field. Children : I. Sarah, born September 3, 1650; married Jonathan Ball. 2. Thomas, April 1, 1653; married Rebecca Leonard. 3. Samuel, April 20, 1655 ; married (first) Ruth Beamon ; (second) Catherine Halliday, widow. 4. John, April 23, 1657; married Mary Bea- mon. 5. Joseph, September 27, 1659; died No- vember 10, 1659. 6. Josiah, September 27, 1660. 7. Deborah, November 9, 1662; mar- ried James Gerald. 8. Martha, November 10, 1664; died young. 9. Martha, November 4, 1665 ; married John Ferry. IO. Ebenezer, August 25, 1667 ; mentioned below. II. Mehit- able, November 12, 1669; married John Clem- mons. 12. Joseph, December 13, 1671; died December 26, 1671. 13. Experience, May 19, 1673; married Samuel Frost.

(II) Ebenezer, son of Thomas Miller, was born August 25, 1667, in Springfield, died Feb- ruary 6, 1754. He married Hannah Keep, daughter of John and Sarah Keep, October 16, 1690. Children : I. Ebenezer, born March II, 1692; mentioned below. 2. Martha, June 19, 1695 ; married Ebenezer Leonard. 3. Han- nah, July 27, 1696; married Abigail Noble. 5. Sarah, March 15, 1700; married William Smith. 6. Margaret, April 1702; married Daniel Graves. 7. Jacob, October II, 1704. 8. Elizabeth, March 12, 1707. 9. Esther, April 9, 1709; married Moses Miller. 10. Rachel, married Benjamin Pike.

(III) Ebenezer (2), son of Ebenezer (I) Miller, was born March II, 1692, in Spring- field. He married Elizabeth Smith. He was a farmer in Springfield and an extensive land- owner. He received land from his father by deed dated 1722 and gave land to his son Ebenezer in 1746 and on other dates. His father gave him the homestead by deed dated May 27, 1735. His father referred to his will in that deed and to another son Jonathan. Chil- dren of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Miller : I. Jemima, born January 8, 1719-20. 2. Eben- ezer, September 4, 1721 ; mentioned below. 3. Stephen, December 20, 1723. 4. Reuben, Sep- tember 27, 1727.

(IV) Ebenezer (3), son of Ebenezer (2) Miller, was born in Springfield, September 4, 1721. He was a farmer in Springfield, prob- ably on the homestead deeded to him in 1746 by his father. He died about 1778-81. There is on record a receipt signed by Hannah Miller for her share in the estate of Ebenezer, Octo- ber 9, 1778, given to Eunice Miller, Caleb Mor- gan and Justina Morgan, executors. That was probably his father's estate. A deed of Eben- ezer Miller, Sr., to Ebenezer, Jr., was dated May 23, 1781. His son Asa was executor and as such deeded land to Israel Miller, another son. Asa and Roger deeded land to Calvin

Miller after their father's death. They were administrators of the estate of their father, Ebenezer, January 22, 1791, and sold an estate to Israel Miller. He married Sarah

Children: I. Ebenezer. 2. Asa, mentioned be- low. 3. Calvin. 4. Israel. 5. Roger, born No- vember. 4, 1753. 6. Tamer, July 16, 1756.

(V) Lieutenant Asa, son of Ebenezer (3) Miller, was born in Springfield in 1741. He was a soldier in the revolution in Captain John Morgan's company, Colonel Benjamin Rug- gles Woodbridge's regiment August and Sep- tember, 1777, and in November of the same year in the northern army. He was at Scars- dale, New York, in the service, December, 1777; also first lieutenant in Captain Levi Ely's company, (second) Third Hampshire County Regiment, Colonel Moseley, of West- field. In 1790, according to the first federal census, Lieutenant Asa Miller had two males over sixteen, three under sixteen and five females in his family. His brothers, Israel. Roger, Jacob, and. sister-in-law, Eunice Miller, were the other heads of families in that census, living at West Springfield. Asa Miller bought land of Nathaniel Colburn, in 1793; he sold land, which he inherited for the most part, in 1777 to Joshua Fuller, in 1779 to Ebenezer

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Barber, in 1785 to Jonathan Chauncey, in 1790 to John Worthington in 1794 to David Smith, in 1788 to John Wallis, in 1791 to Selden Nott and Israel Miller. He married (first) at Sringfield, December 12, 1765, Tabitha Sever- ance. He married (second) at West Spring- field, November 12, 1778, Eunice Shevoy. Chil- dren, born at Springfield: I. Calvin, June 10, 1767. 2. Anna, August 19, 1769. 3. Asa B., mentioned below. Lieutenant Asa Miller married a third wife, and had in all twelve children.

(VI) Asa B., son of Lieutenant Asa Miller, was born about 1790, in West Springfield. He was educated there in the district schools, and had a farm in the village of Tatham in that town. He was a lieutenant in the Second Company of Militia in Hampshire County. He married Laura Rogers. Children, born at West Springfield: I. Norman Rogers, 1816. 2. Lucy, 1818. 3. Horace S., March 4, 1820. 4. Henry Martin, mentioned below.

(VII) Dr. Henry Martin, son of Asa B. Miller, was born in the village of Tatham, West Springfield, June 10, 1826. He was educated in the district schools and learned the profession of dentist under a local practi- tioner, as was the custom of all dentists in his day. He was a successful man of affairs, a prominent citizen of Westfield, where he prac- ticed for many years. He was a faithful and active member of the Second Congregational Church of Westfield, and many years deacon and treasurer. He was a trustee and member of the finance committee of the Westfield Sav- ings Bank. He died at his home in Westfield, April 9, 1902. He married (first) Emily L. Holmes, born May 16, 1836, died November 23, 1866. He married (second ) July 27, 1868, Sylvia Clark, born April 23, 1847. Children of first wife: I. Henry Sanford, born May 13, 1864; mentioned below. 2. Elizabeth Holmes, July 3, 1866; married Charles E. Spencer ; who was accidentally killed in Hart- ford, Connecticut, by an automobile, October 20, 1908. Children of second wife: 3. Ed- ward C., born in Westfield, Massachusetts, November 25, 1869. 4. Gilbert Warren, born in West Springfield, September 19, 1878. 5. Martin Peck, born in West Springfield, De- cember 20, 1879.

(VIII) Henry Sanford, son of Henry Mar- tin Miller, was born in Westfield, Massachu- setts, May 13, 1864, and was educated in the public schools of that town. He served three years as an apprentice, learning dentistry in the old way in the office of his father. In

1884 he went to Colorado where he was en- gaged in the cattle business for four years. In 1888 he embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business in Denver, Colorado, and continued with much success for six years. He returned to his native town of Westfield to become treasurer and manager of the Bryant Box Company of Westfield. He has continued at the head of this thriving business to the present time. This concern has a plant consisting of the latest improved box machin- ery. It manufactures all kinds of paper and cigar boxes, and employs about forty hands. Mr. Miller is a member of the Second Con- gregational Church of Westfield and has been for three years a member of the prudential committee. He is a member of the Mount Moriah Lodge, Free Masons; Golden Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; St. Elmo Lodge, No. 85, Knights of Pythias; New England Order of Protection; Westfield Grange, Pat- rons of Husbandry; Woronoake Club. In politics he is a Republican. He married, in Denver, Colorado, May 13, 1888, Bernice I. Wood, of Galesburg, Illinois, daughter of W. H. and Jennie L. Wood. She died March 27, 1905, aged thirty-seven. He married (sec- ond) Gertrude E. Granger, born June 13, 1880, daughter of LaFayette Granger. Chil- dren, both by first wife, born at Westfield : I. Clarence Wood, January 5, 1894. 2. Irene Sylvia, January 7, 1901.

HILL There are various families of this surname in America which were transplanted on this side of the ocean at a much earlier date in the colonial period than the one presented in this article. All are of English descent and the name was a very common one in the mother country prior to the colonization of New England.

(I) The first known ancestor of the family now being considered was John Hill, a worsted comber, of London, who died in that city at the advanced age of ninety-nine years.

(II) John (2), son of John (1) Hill, was born about the year 1673. Tradition asserts that when a young man he fell desperately in love with Hannah Turtlebee, who belonged to a Bruce family of London of considerable dis- tinction, and while the young lady returned his love the parents of both objected, those of the girl's regarding him as socially beneath hier. They procured for him an appointment in the British Navy, which would keep him from England at least for fifteen years, ten of which he is said to have served, and at the

Hemy B . 16ilk

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expiration of that time he managed to return, arranged a clandestine meeting with the lady of his choice, and they were married. With his wife he came to America about the year 1725, first settling in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and about 1740 removed to Brookfield. He died in North Brookfield, in 1775, aged one hundred and two years and two months, and the history of that town mentions him as a wool comber and farmer. Other information at hand, however, states that he made many voyages to England as master of a ship previ- ous to his retirement to North Brookfield ; that he was seven feet in height, and when his body was being prepared for burial the scars of many wounds were disclosed. His chil- dren were: I. Peter, born 1725 or 1727. 2. Hannah, married Thomas Tucker, of North Brookfield. 3. John. Also two or three daugh- ters.

(III) John (3), son of John (2) Hill, was born in Rehoboth, about 1730. The only in- formation concerning him to be found in the records is that the Christian name of his wife was Hannah, and that his children were: I. Hannah, born 1749. 2. John, October 3, 1750. 3. Lydia, 1752. 4. Nathan, 1754. 5. Squire, 1756. 6. Lucretia, 1757. 7. Benjamin, see for- ward. 8. James, born 1761. 9. Persis, 1762. IO. Bartholomew, 1764. II. Elizabeth, 1766.

(III) Benjamin, son of John (3) Hill, was born in Brookfield, in 1759. He went to sea in the merchant service, became a shipmaster, and resided in Salem. In 1793 he accidentally fell overboard and was killed by a shark. He married Mary Whitford, and among his chil- dren was a son Benjamin.

(IV) Benjamin (2), son of Benjamin (I) Hill, was born in Salem, about the year 1784. Like his father, he became a sea captain, mak- ing many deep sea voyages, but tiring of bat- tling the elements he gave up the foreign trade and ran a packet vessel between Salem and Boston. This was prior to the advent of rail- roads. He died in Salem, December 23, 1836. He married Astriss Pearce Lane, daughter of Nicholas and Nancy (Bozyol) Lane, the for- mer of whom subscribed with other Salem citizens toward the building of the frigate "Essex," which they presented to the govern- ment. The Lanes went to Salem from Glou- cester. Mrs. Astriss P. Hill was a lady of unusual energy, and inherited from her mother an indomitable will, which she displayed in a most efficient manner after the death of her husband. Her death occurred in August, 1870. Children of Benjamin and Astriss Hill: Ben-

jamin, Henry B., Edwin Ruthven, Horace L., Annie Matilda (Mrs. Nicholas Delano), Will- iam Kittridge. All these are deceased except Henry B. and Mrs. Delano.

(V) Henry B., son of Captain Benjamin (2) Hill, was born in Salem, November 16, 1823. He was educated in his native town. At an early age he learned to make cigars, but not to smoke them; was for a short time em- ployed as office boy by a Salem merchant ; and when about twelve years old he took the posi- tion of cook on his father's packet. At the age of thirteen the death of his father made work an actual necessity in order to assist his mother in her strenuous effort to provide for the family, and he accordingly accepted a posi- tion with a furniture concern at two dollars per week. His duties consisted principally of delivering goods on a large rack or hand wagon, thus combining the work of horse and driver, and he was frequently obliged to haul heavy loads a distance of several miles. When fifteen years old he went to sea as cabin boy in the brig "Chili," Captain Frederick G. Ward, the father of Admiral-general Fred- erick T. Ward, of Chinese fame. In the "Chili" he made voyages to Charleston, New Orleans, Havana and Matanzas. As Captain Ward was to relinquish the command of the brig, he informed his cabin-boy that he must obtain a passage from Cuba to Boston in some other vessel. Accordingly young Hill made arrangements to return to the United States as cook in an American schooner, at twelve dollars per month. Captain Ward, however, insisted that he should go in the "King Philip," Captain Humphrey, but pre- ferring to keep his promise, the boy refused to obey, declaring that he was no longer under Captain Ward's jurisdiction. This so enraged the choleric captain that he attempted to thrash his cabin-boy into submission, but failed, and young Hill took refuge ashore. Meanwhile the schooner had left port, and as there was no other vessel available except the "King Philip," his only alternative was to go in her after all. Going direct to Captain Humphrey, who knew his reason for disagreeing with Captain Ward, his proffered services as cabin- boy were accepted at twelve dollars per month, and during the voyage to Boston his conduct and efficiency were such as to gain the esteem and good will of his employer, who was desirous of retaining him permanently at the same wages. Although twelve dollars per month was in those days excellent pay for a cabin-boy, he declined, and the homeward voy-

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age in the "King Philip" concluded his seafar- ing life. In a little book entitled "Jottings From Memory," published by Mr. Hill; and recording the chief incidents of his life, he writes as follows: "When I arrived in Salem 1 found work of all kinds very dull, and it was discouraging looking for a place. So every day I watched the tide, knowing that there were lots of fish desiring to be caught that their destinies might be accomplished. So I spent half a day to accommodate the fish, and the remainder trying to get work. At last I found it." At that time coopering was an important industry in Salem, and young Hill entered into an arrangement with Messrs. Phippen and Kehew to serve a five years ap- prenticeship at that trade, beginning with sixty-five dollars the first year, with a gradual advance upwards to one hundred and sixty- five, which he was to receive for his last year's service. Having completed his apprenticeship, he followed his trade as a journeyman for several years, principally in Salem and East Boston, and acquired a high reputation as an expert cooper. He was following his trade in Salem at the time the famous novelist Nathan- iel Hawthorne was a familiar figure about town. His first attempt to carry on busi- ness on his own account proved disastrous, consequently he was obliged to work very hard for a considerable length of time in order to clear himself from debt. He paid in full, however, and was subsequently able to engage in business on a more substantial basis. For some time he was employed in Manzanillo, Cuba, and although he was favorably im- pressed with the climate and business prospects there, his stay was cut short by a severe attack of yellow fever. Once more establish- ing himself in business, this time in East Bos- ton, he secured a firm footing, and later estab- lished the firm of Hill and Wright, which grad- ually expanded into large proportions. Under this firm name the business was continued with profit until 1888, when it was incorporated as the New England Steam Cooperage Company, with Henry B. Hill as president. Three years later he resigned from the presidency and re- tired from business, retaining, however, his share of the company's stock. He was later solicited by his former associates to again be- come the guiding hand of the cooperage com- pany, but could not be induced to resume active connection with it.

In January, 1888, Mr. Hill visited California for his health. Shortly after his return he engaged in philanthropic work. For many

years he had been a director of the Massa- chusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and also of the American Humane Education Society, of which latter he was one of the organizers, and entering actively into the work of these bodies he became vice-presi- dent and treasurer of both. In the former body he is chairman of the committees on officers, on prosecutions, and on the legisla- ture ; and in the latter body he is chairman of the committee on humane education. He was instrumental in establishing a national bank in East Boston, in 1873, and he was one of the founders of the Citizen's Trade Associa- tion, and successfully advocated the establish- ment of a municipal court in 1873. In his earlier years Mr. Hill was a Democrat in politics, but the attempt by that party to make Kansas a slave-holding state through the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise, caused him to with- draw from its ranks, and he eventually became a Republican. He was a member of the Massa- chusetts house of representatives in 1872-73- 76, and of the State senate in 1877-78. At the beginning of his last term as member of the lower house he requested the speaker, Hon. John D. Long, who later became governor of Massachusetts and still later secretary of the navy, to assign him to a committee that had something to do. "I do not care what com- mittee it is," said Mr. Hill, "as honor consists in duties performed, and not in positions occu- pied." The speaker appointed him chairman of the committee on claims. In the senate he held the chairmanship of the same committee, and he took the preliminary steps which finally resulted in the passage of an act whereby an action of law could be brought in the courts against the state in the same manner as in- dividuals are sued. This act made wholly un- necessary the further existence of the com- mittee on claims, and as a consequence that party sought to prevent his re-election to office. As a leading member of the Unitarian church he took a profound interest in the propagation of religious work, and as a Sunday school superintendent he was remarkably successful. His "Jottings From Memory." previously re- ferred to, contains much interesting matter, as well as numerous incidents in his life, which owing to lack of space cannot be presented in this article, and the little book might be read with profit by the younger generation.

January 1, 1846, Mr. Hill married Mary Louise Saul, daughter of Captain John and Martha ( Foye) Saul, of Salem. Captain John Saul was for many years a shipmaster hailing

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from Salem, and his last voyages were made in the ship "Rome." He died in 1869, and his wife died in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had three children: 1. Henrietta Louise, mar- ried (first ) William G. Smith; ( second) Will- iam S. Shaw. 2. John Henry, died in early childhood. 3. Benjamin Dudley, married (first) Ida Prescott Brown, who bore him two children-Marion Prescott and Prescott Spaulding Hill. He married (second) Nancy Blanchard Young, who is the mother of five children-John Henry, Francis Cleveland, Louis Blanchard, Dorothy Dudley, and Ben- jamin Cutler Hill.

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Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II, Part 38

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

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