Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II, Part 56

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 56

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).

(V) Thomas (3), son of Thomas (2) Bar- den, was born in Attleborough, Massachusetts, February 24, 1765. He married Nancy Alex- ander.

(VI) Thomas (4), only child of Thomas (3) Barden, was born in Attleborough, Mass- achusetts, May 3, 1788. In early boyhood he was placed by his mother in the care of Luther Fisher, of Wrentham, with whom he lived dur- ing the remainder of his minority, and attend- ed the district school. When a young man he was employed at heading nails by J. T. Wal- cott and others, and he later worked for Joseph Grant, in Cumberland, Rhode Island, remain- ing there for several years. Returning to Wrentham, he purchased a farm located on Blake's Hill, which from a rough and unim- proved condition he brought to a high state of fertility, and by his energy and perseverance made it one of the most productive pieces of agricultural property in that section of the state. He also erected new buildings, which were thenceforward kept in good repair, and during the remainder of his life the general appearance of his homestead denoted the thrift, prosperity and neatness of its owner. In con- nection with farming he engaged quite ex- tensively in the wood and lumber business, purchasing several tracts of woodland, the products of which he sold in the villages of Attleborough, Pawtucket and Central Falls, and he also carried on a profitable business in the manufacture of hoops for the West Indian trade. From the very moment in which he began to solve the problem of life, he never neglected an opportunity which promised ad- vancement, and as a result his prosperity con- tinued unabated for the remainder of his life, which terminated October 13, 1845. In poli- tics he was a staunch Democrat, supporting the principle of equal rights and strongly op- posing monopolies.

Thomas Barden married, September 13, 1812, Rachel Smith, born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, March 1, 1789; died in North Attleboro, January 29, 1880, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Fuller ) Smith, the latter a daughter of Jeremiah Fuller. Thomas and Rachel Barden were in every respect exemplary

people. They not only taught their children habits of honesty, frugality and thrift, but through their own example inculcated within them the highest principles of christian moral- ity, and they made their home a sacred reposi- tory of all that is noble, righteous and elevat- ing. The family attended the Baptist church. It was said of Rachel that she was her hus- band's guardian angel, and it may be truthfully added that she was similarly regarded by the entire family. The best of helpmates, the noblest and most self-sacrificing of mothers, she did for them all she could and did it well. She survived her husband many years, spend- ing her last days with her daughter, Ann, and her son, Halsey, and died a nonogenarian. She reared a family of seven children: 1. John Smith, born November 19, 1813; died Febru- ary 8, 1905; was a manufacturer of water- wheels, meters and pumps; married Rosetta Ives ; children: Jesse and Lorinda. 2. Ann Elizabeth, born September 3, 1816; died July 16, 1876; taught school in Attleboro and Wrentham ; married Joseph Blake; children : i. Edmund, married Ellen Cheever, and has daughter Ethel ; ii. Halsey ; iii. George Henry, married Elmira Blackington (deceased) ; one son, Elmer. 3. Thomas Alexander, born May 30, 1819; died February 7, 1905; was a mer- chant and manufacturer, and later a farmer in North Attleboro ; served in town offices and acted as justice of the peace; married Susan Emily White, who died February 12, 1890; children : i. Emily Frances, born June 1, 1845; ii. Francis Irving, born December 4, 1846, married Harriet B. Warren, and had daughter, Mabel Warren, married William F. Smith ; iii. Ella Irene, born October 6, 1851, married George Eugene Fisher; children: Charles

Ellis, born January 24, 1880; Elliott B., Au- gust 1, 1894, deceased ; iv. Walter Elliott, born December 10, 1853, married Lucy S. Bugbee ; children: Harry E., Elvena Burnham, born November 29, 1879; L. Annie, April 3, 1882 ; Helen S., June 16, 1887; Thomas Russell, Estelle ; v. Evelyn Rhoda, born October 20, 1858, died March 3, 1859; vi. Elvena Rachel twin of Evelyn Rhoda, died April 19, 1867; vii. Emily Louise, born July 3, 1861. 4. Lau- rinda White, born June 6, 1821 ; died October 6, 1838. 5. Joseph Grant, referred to below. 6. Stephen Halsey, born August 30, 1826; see sketch. 7. Clarissa A., born September 13, 1829: died September 28, 1875; she taught school for many years ; married, October 12, 1856, George E. Bicknell ; children: i. George Atherton, born June 25, 1858, married Olive

940

MASSACHUSETTS.

Simonson ; ii. Annie Louise, born July 31, 1864, married Henry P. Palin, children : Ches- ter A., born 1889, and Homer Alden, born July 13, 1892.

(VII) Joseph Grant, son of Thomas and Rachel (Smith) Barden, was born in Wrent- ham, September 2, 1824. He was the fifth of a family of seven children. He was educated in his home district, called Blake's Hill. In the years of his childhood and early manhood, Wrentham being largely engaged in the manu- facture of straw bonnets, nearly every well- to-do farmer reserved a plat of land whereon he raised straw, cradled, cured and bunched in June, afterward cut out, whitened, split and made ready for braiding. This was much in demand by those who manufactured the bonnets. During the long winter evenings the children, both girls and boys, were seated around the tallow candle, each having their number of yards to braid. Those energetic enough to complete their task early could have for their own use all they earned afterward. Here was a chance for our protege to own what, above all things, he most desired-a violin. By the aid of a master he soon became proficient, and his presence, with bow, was one thing needful at parties and singing schools. Later he sold his first purchase and secured one of the finest violins then made; this was a lifelong companion. It was no menial ser- vice in those days, even for a promising youth, to walk beside a yoke of oxen, with cords of wood, to be delivered in Providence, some fourteen miles away, and bring back whatever was ordered by grocers or contractors of build- ings in the villages he passed. Much of the route on his way, was at that time thinly peo- pled, so he was acquainted with the heads of each household, and when in the decline of life enjoyed greatly the narration of these jour- neys which he punctuated with many funny incidents. Soon after his twenty-first birthday, his father's death placed him as the head man- ager of the homestead farm. In 1847, two years later, his younger brother, Halsey, and he became partners in this and other lines of business. They started a small grocery trade, also manufactured hoop poles, which found a ready sale in Providence. They quarried from a ledge on the farm large quantities of stone, not delivered though by the oxen his father had owned, but by two pairs of fine spirited horses of his own purchase. The suc- cess which followed proved his ability in plan- ning work and acting as leader in responsible places. In 1850 they built the house which

stands on the corner of Park and Whiting streets, North Attleboro, the ground floor being used as a grocery and dry goods store by their older brother, Thomas A. In 1853 Thomas A. sold the business to them. Two years later, 1855, Joseph Grant and Stephen Halsey erect- ed a fine structure at the junction of Park and Washington streets, locating their business, "Flour, Grain & Groceries," on the east side of the building, and renting to Thomas A. the west side for "Dry Goods." The second story was fitted and furnished for a hall. It was dedicated on Thanksgiving Eve, 1855, and is remembered to be the first building (aside from the shops) in North Attleboro where gas had been installed. It was known as "Barden's Store." Residents in town and the towns ad- joining made this the "Mecca of Trade ;" their rule was "Large sales with small profits." In 1857 he changed his residence to north Attle- boro, but managed the homestead farm until 1861. The year of 1864 found the brothers in partnership with Charles B. Thompson, who had been in their employ as clerk. Joseph G. (always the buyer) now made several trips west, purchasing cargoes of corn, and flour from the mills, visiting the dairy farms of Ver- mont and New Hampshire, purchasing at first cost. Shortly afterward he also established a grain business in Providence with Otis Cook, and conducted it successfully until 1868 when it was dissolved. In 1869 the brothers (part- ners for twenty-two years) sold the North At- tleboro store and business to Charles B. Thompson. Industrious and persevering by nature, Joseph G. decided in 1872 to give the coal trade a trial. This he followed for seven years with good results. Later he was the senior member of a jewelry firm known as Barden, Blake & Company of Plainville, and in 1897 he retired from active service and the jewelry plant passed into the hands of one of his sons.

His judgment regarding the value of prop- erty was considered excellent, and his consci- entious scruples (never swerving from right for either party ) made him even in early man- hood much in demand as a referee in the ap- praisal of estates. He filled various offices of trust in town, selectman, school committee, surveyor of streets, assessor, overseer of the poor, on the building committee for the high school, alms house, &c. He with Henry F. Barrows obtained from the legislature the charter for the North Attleboro water works ; this charter was later transferred to the town. He was an active member of the Attleboro

94I

MASSACHUSETTS.

Agricultural Association during the years of its existence, filling many of its offices without stint of time, labor or purse ; vice-president in the same for a number of years, and presi- dent for two years. In the Attleboro Savings Bank he served for fifteen years as investigat- ing committee and more than twenty years as trustee. In the Plainville Savings & Loan Association he was trustee and director for twenty-three years. Quoted from the records of 1903: "Mr. Barden's long connection with the association is pointed to with great pride by the board of governors, and they regretted to be obliged to accept his resignation. The secretary was instructed to prepare a set of . resolutions on the long and able service of Mr. Barden, the retiring officer." He was from early life greatly interested in all things pertaining to the welfare of the town and its suburbs. Though his zeal even at this date was in no way abated, his declining health caused him to relinquish one by one his accus- tomed public places, the last one as director of the North Attleboro Gas Light Com- pany, chosen in 1862 and remaining on the board until his death, a period of forty-six years. Was often a member of some com- mittee to attend to its most important affairs ; also an auditor of the company for many years, which made him familiar with all the details of the business. Quoted from the writings of one among them: "Mr. Barden was a very valuable member of the board, and was held in the highest esteem by other mem- bers whose financial interests were larger than his own. He had the entire confidence of those associated with him. A man of tem- perance and integrity ; of few words, but when he expressed his opinions they carried weight. Gifted, like his mother, with a remarkable mem- ory ; a great reader, and kept in touch with all events of the day. Never aspired to office, yet during Cleveland's administration was urged by the Democratic party to allow his name to be used and was nominated as repre- sentative. Though the Republican party won this is worthy of note-he ran far beyond his ticket. He had a wide acquaintance among business men, and held the respect of those with whom he had associated during his long life of more than eighty-four years.'

Joseph Grant Barden married, December 9, 1857, Ann Frances, born in Attleboro, Novem- ber 26, 1835, daughter of Stephen and Chloe Martin (Pierce) Clark, the former a black- smith of Wrentham. Children: I. Cora Flo- rence, born August 31, 1859, a teacher in the

public schools of North Attleboro for nearly thirty years. 2. Arthur Stephen, born Octo- ber 9, 1861, died July 18, 1864. 3. Edgar Joseph, born March 26, 1865, an engraver. 4. Winthrop Francis, see forward. 5. Adelbert Mason, born June 18, 1872, is connected with the J. C. Hall Company, of Providence, Rhode Island. For a number of years was foreman of their lithographing department, and is now the traveling salesman. Is a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders. He mar- ried, December 5, 1899, Mattie Louise Dean, of North Attleboro. 6. Henry Clark, born May 12, 1875, is an electrical engineer. He graduated from Tufts College in 1897. Was for seven years chief electrician at Massachu- setts State House.

(VIII) Winthrop Francis, third son and fourth child of Joseph Grant and Ann Fran- ces (Clark) Barden, was born in North At- tleboro Massachusetts, December 3, 1868. His education was acquired in the public and high schools, supplemented by a course in the Bry- ant & Stratton Commercial College in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, from which he was grad- uated in 1888. He then became bookkeeper for Wade, Davis & Company of Wrentham (now Plainville), Massachusetts, remaining with them until 1893 when he was made man- ager of the jewelry manufacturing concern of Barden, Blake & Company. In 1897 he formed a partnership with Martin L. Chapman, the firm name being Chapman and Barden, manufact- urers of jewelry. In 1904 they removed their business from Plainville to more commodious quarters at No. 37 County street, Attleboro. Two years later Mr. Chapman disposed of his interest to Harry E. Hull, the new firm being Barden & Hull, manufacturers of solid gold jewelry. Mr. Barden was for a number of years a director of the Plainville Savings and Loan Association. He was the leading spirit in the organization, under the Massachusetts laws, of the Bronson Building Company, an association which bought the late Dr. John R. Bronson homestead property and built a mod- ern block called the Bronson Building, which in addition to stores and offices, contains the very attractive and convenient Masonic halls and parlors. Later the Bronson Apartments and Court Building were erected, these being among the substantial structures in Attleboro. Dr. Charles S. Holden is president of this company, Major Everett S. Horton, vice-presi- dent, and Mr. Barden is a director and also general manager of the properties. Mr. Bar- den has also erected a residence on South Main

942

MASSACHUSETTS.

street, where he now resides. He is a member of the Pilgrim Church of Attleboro, and is serving on the standing committee and has served on the building committee. He is a member of the following organizations: Bris- tol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attle- boro Council, Royal and Select Masters ; Bris- tol Commandery, Knights Templar, in which he is now holding the office of generalissimo. Mr. Barden married, at Attleboro, April 12, 1899, Louise, daughter of Dr. John R. and Catherine (Wheelock) Bronson. Dr. Bron- son was distinguished as a physician surgeon, in general practice in Attleboro. During the civil war he served as surgeon and at one time was in charge of the military hospital at Fort- ress Monroe:

(For earlier generations see preceding sketch).

BARDEN (VII) Stephen Halsey, fourth son and sixth child of Thomas and Rachel (Smith) Barden, was born at Blake's Hill, Wrentham, Massa- chusetts, August 30, 1826, died in Providence, Rhode Island, June 19, 1881. His education was limited to that obtained in the district school, and during the intervals between ses- sions he assisted his father and brothers on the farm. Having been taught habits of in- dustry and economy, he early, determined to amas a fortune. When still very young he commenced making rounds with a team, sell- ing groceries and West Indian goods through- out the section. As the business prospered he and his brother Joseph Grant formed a part- nership, and in the course of time it became necessary to enlarge the business to such an extent that in 1855 they erected the building in North Attleboro known as Barden's Hall. They occupied the one store in the building as a grocery store, and their brother Thomas Alexander had the other one in the building for the sale of dry goods, etc. Later Stephen H. sold his interest in this enterprise to his brother Joseph G. and April 1, 1870, entered into partnership with Frederick E. Keep, forming the firm of Barden & Keep, doing business in flour and dry produce at No. 19 Exchange Place, Providence, Rhode Island. This was a very thriving concern, and upon the death of Mr. Barden he left his half of the businss to his three sons, Charles, Fred- erick and Wallace. The interest of Frederick was purchased by Charles, and he and Wallace conducted the business, the firm name re- maining unchanged. Mr. Barden was a man

of many sterling qualities, devoted to his fam- ily, and incessant in his efforts to give them the best possible education. He was a Re- publican in politics, and a member of the Free Evangelical church at North Attleboro, which he served in numerous offices. He married, April 27, 1856, Sarah Ann, born April 6, 1835, daughter of John and Sarah (Bradbury) Crossley, of Wrentham, the former a stone- mason and farmer. Children: I. Charles Al- bert, see forward. 2. Frederick William. 3 Wallace Lincoln. 4. Sarah Elizabeth, born December 5, 1864, died September 5, 1866. 5. Edward Everett, born September 19, 1867, married, September 24. 1891, Mary E. Wood, of South Pasadena, California ; children : Har- old and Halsey. 6. Estella Jane, born Decem- ber 6, 1874, married Professor Floyd R. Wat- son, a professor in the State University of Illinois, and lives in Urbana, Illinois ; has one child, Norman Allen, born May 11, 1909.

(VIII) Charles Albert, eldest child of Ste- phen Halsey and Sarah Ann (Crossley) Bar- den, was born in North Attleboro, Massachu- setts, February 26, 1858. He as very young when his parents removed to Wrentham, where he attended the district school until the age of eight years; his parents then returned to North Attleboro, where he graduated from the high school in June, 1872. He served for one year as clerk in the general store of C. B. Thompson, then took one year's course in the Military Academy at Leicester, Massachu- setts; two terms in the Friends' School; a course in the classical department of the high school, and a complete course in the Bryant and Stratton Commercial College, all of Prov- idence, Rhode Island. He then entered the employ of Barden & Keep, mentioned above, acting in the capacity of salesman until the death of his father, the senior partner (as stated in sketch of father). He and his brother Wallace Lincoln became members of the firm, and April 1, 1889, purchased the in- terest of Mr. Keep. February 1, 1897, Mr. Barden sold his interest in this enterprise to his brother, Wallace Lincoln, and engaged in business for himself as a wholesale flour mer- chant, shipping direct from the mill to the customer. At the end of about one year he discontinued this business and engaged as clerk with his brother Frederick W., in Boston, a dealer in wool waste. He retained this po- sition for two years, then became salesman for the Armour Packing Company, in Boston, and October 10, 1906, became manager of the Boston office of the banking house of E. D.

943

MASSACHUSETTS.

Shepard & Company, New York, acting in this capacity until April 1, 1909, when the firm discontinued their Boston office. In religious faith he is a Unitarian, and in politics a Re- publican, and was a member of the Providence city council, 1904-05. He is at present, or has been connected with the following organiza- tions : Rising Sun Lodge, No. 30, A. F. and A. MI., of East Providence, Rhode Island, of which he is past master : Providence Royal Arch Chap- ter ; St. John's Commandery, No. I. Knights Templar ; Palestine Temple, Order of the Mys- tic Shrine; What Cheer Lodge, No. 48, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served as noble grand ; Minnehaha Encampment, No. 16, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; presi- dent of the Rhode Island Business Men's As- sociation in 1894: West Side Club; Rhode Island Yacht Club, all of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Barden married, December 19, 1887, Clara Cornelia Wilbur.

PARKHURST Hugh Parkhurst, immi- grant, was progenitor of a very notable family of this commonwealth and was of English birth and parentage. It is said that he left his home in London in 1770, in consequence of a dispute with his father on the subject of American politics, from which it is inferred that the son expressed sympathy with the cause for which the American colonies were contending, and although the struggle for liberty had not begun the provinces were laboring under the burdens of taxation put upon them bythe mother country and even then were making preparations to re- sist the royal authority. However, this may have been, it is nevertheless true that Hugh Park- hurst and his brother left their father's home and came to New England in the year men- tioned, and settled in Gloucester, on Cape Ann. He was a young man of good education, and soon found employment as teacher in the public school at Sandy Bay, in that part of the old town of Gloucester which now is Rockport. In the spring of 1775 he was teaching in the fourth parish of Gloucester, but left the schoolroom to enlist in Captain Rowe's company of Glou- cester men, and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. He remained in the ser- vice until the following year, and then entered the naval service on board a privateer, in which he met his death, an account of which, as given by Mr. Babson in his admirable "History of Gloucester," is of sufficient interest as a matter of family history to be given a place in these annals.

"On the expiration of the time for which they had enlisted, many of our soldiers return- ed home; and in choosing employment better suited to their habits and liking, they shipped on board the privateers, which in the spring and summer of that year were fitted out at this and the neighboring ports of Salem and Newburyport. One of those sent out from the latter port was captured, under singular circumstances, while on her passage round the cape to Gloucester, whither she was bound for the purpose of completing her armament and crew. She was called the 'Yankee Hero,' and was commanded by Captain John Tracy. She sailed from Newburyport on the 10th of June. On the same day a large ship appeared off the cape, which seemed to be clumsily worked and to have but few men on board. Supposing she could be easily taken, the people of Sandy Bay made preparations to board her. They were urged on by Lieutenant Pool, who on this occasion showed more valor than discretion. He persuaded Captain Rowe, against his own better judgment, to join in the enterprise, for the latter had some suspicion that the vessel was a ship of war, in disguise. Every mechanic, fisherman and farmer that could be found was enlisted, to the number of about twenty; and having procured three fishing boats they proceeded fearlessly to the attack They had scarcely left their moorings when the 'Yankee Hero' hove in sight, coming round Halibut Point. The boats steered directly for her, and on getting alongside the men were re- ceived on board by Captain Tracy, who eagerly declared his readiness to attack the British ship. The boats were sent back and the brig made all sail and stood towards the ship, into which, as soon as she got within cannon-shot, she let off a broadside. The ship immediately opened two tiers of ports and sent such a broadside in return as satisfied our cape men of their great mistake. Pool wished to board the ship and carry her sword in hand, or die in the attempt ; but his advice of this reckless measure uas unheeded, and a fight commenced almost under the ship's guns. The brig main- tained the contest for about an hour, at the end of which, having spent all her amunition, she struck to the British frigate 'Milford,' of thirty-six guns. The brig's last gun was filled with pieces of iron, spikes and a crowbar. The latter being the only missile left on board, was thrust into the gun by Pool, who when he went on board the frigate as a prisoner discovered this new implement of war stick- ing through the bits of her windlass. It was

.944

MASSACHUSETTS.

called by the British sailors the 'Yankee belay- ing-pin.' The only person killed on board the 'Yankee Hero' was Hugh Parkhurst." In this connection it is well to add that William Park- hurst, who came to America with his brother Hugh, also was a solider of the revolution and was killed in action.

Hugh Parkhurst married Mary Goss, of Sandy Bay, daughter of Thomas Goss, fisher- man, who went to Gloucester from Marble- head, married Mary Tarr, in 1751, and settled at Sandy Bay. It is said that when well ad- vanced in years he removed with a part of his family to Maine. He was a son of Thomas Goss, of Annisquam. Hugh and Mary ( Goss) Parkhurst had two children, William and Mary.

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.

Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II, Part 56

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