USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 7
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
(IV) Eleazer, youngest child of Cornelius and Leah (Heaton) Fisher, was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, July 8, 1663. His will is dated December 26, 1732, and gives to his sons Nathaniel and John enough to make with what he has already given them fifty pounds ; to son Eleazer he had given a double share: to son Leonard the rest of the estate ; to daughter Sarah five pounds, having previ- ously given her and his daughter Hannah their shares ; to Sarah's children, Richard, Samuel and Sarah, he gave five pounds each; to his wife Mary he gives ten pounds a year, one end of the house, all the household goods and a cow and keeping. He married (first) at Wrentham, March 21, 1688, Hannah Leonard. Children : I. Eleazer, born December 19, 1688 ; died March 24, 1769. 2. Hezekiah, Sep- tember 29, 1691 ; died 1724. 3. Hannah, Octo- ber 15, 1695. 4. Sarah, September 10, 1697. 5. Nathaniel, see forward. 6. John, twin of Nathaniel, May 20, 1700; died young. 7. Leonard, June 8, 1704. 8. John, April 1, 1706. He married (second) at Wrentham, June 2, 1718, Mary, born February I, 1699-70, died April 20, 1733, daughter of William and Ruth Maccany.
(V) Nathaniel, fifth child and twin son of Eleazer and Hannah (Leonard) Fisher, was born in Wrentham, May 20, 1700, died in the same town, in June, 1772. He was a yeoman and cooper, owned considerable land and re- ceived a part of the liomestead by his father's will. He married (first) March 26, 1728, Hannah, born at Medfield, April 24, 1699, died at Wrentham, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth ( Metcalf) Ellice, of Wrentham. Chil- dren : I. Joseph, born March 30, 1729; died November 3. 1761 ; married, January 2, 1753. Margaret Wright. 2. Nathaniel, see forward. 3. Hannah, March 29, 1733; died August 21,
1755; married, November 26, 1753, James Holbrook .. 4. Elizabeth, October 13, 1734' died July 16, 1820; married, June 25, 1750 Asa Whiting. He married (second) March IO, 1766, Lydia, widow of David Darling.
(VI) Lieutenant Nathaniel (2), second son and child of Nathaniel (I) and Hannah (Ellice) Fisher, was born at Wrentham, De- cember 13, 1730, died at Franklin, Massachu- setts, July 12, 1829. Deeds show him to have been a yeoman, and in his will he gives to his son Lewis his property and homestead and makes mention of a tract of land near Na- thaniel Fisher's saw mill. He was first lieu- tenant in Captain John Metcalf's company, Colonel Ephraim Wheelock's regiment, also in Captain Ebenezer Pond's company, Major Metcalf's regiment. This company marched from Wrentham to Providence and Warwick, Rhode Island, on the alarm of December 8, 1776. Lieutenant Fisher married, December 7. 1757, Jemima, who died September 9, 1784, daughter of John and Jemima (Gay) Richard- son. Children: 1. Jemima, born December 5, 1758; died December 25, 1758. 2. and 3. Jacob and Jerusha, March 20, 1760; died the following day. 4. Amasa, September 19, 1762; died October 3, 1762. 5. Darius, July 24, 1765 ; died July 18, 1771. 6. Lewis, see for- ward. 7. Jemima, April 13, 1770; died March 12, 1815 : married, September 22, 1789, Rev. Walter Harris, of Lebanon, Connecticut.
(VII) Lewis, fourth son and sixth child of Lieutenant Nathaniel (2) and Jemima (Rich- ardson) Fisher, was born at Wrentham, De- cember 6, 1767, died at Franklin, Massachu- setts, November 29, 1844. He was one of the most energetic and prosperous citizens of Franklin, engaged in farming throughout his life, and left a considerable fortune at the time of his death. At one time he owned one thousand acres of land in Douglas, Massachu- setts, and also considerable land in Maine. Toward the close of the revolutionary war he was in service as a private in Captain Samuel Fisher's company for a short time. In politics he affiliated with the Whig party, taking an active interest in public affairs, and spared neither 'his time nor services in matters of public welfare. He served as selectman of Franklin, 1809-18-20-24-28; representative to the general court, 1815-16-18-21-23-26-28; state senator, 1822; county commissioner, 1828 to 1835 ; school commissioner, 1810-11 ; justice of the peace. He and his wife were devoted members of the North Wrentham Congrega- tional Orthodox Church, and he was a promi-
683
MASSACHUSETTS.
nent official in that institution. He married (first) April 7, 1709, Abigail, born at Wrentham, February 28, 1769, died at Franklin, February 25. 1809, daughter of Captain Lewis and Abi- gail Whiting. Children: I. Nathaniel, born January 23, 1791 ; died December 25, 1794. 2. Lewis Whiting, December 29, 1792; died April 20, 1827; married, January 4, 1820, Nancy Fisher ; children: i. Lewis Emmons, born July 19, 1821, died March 4, 1888; ii. Henry Jones, October 18, 1822, died Septem- ber 29, 1870; iii. Elizabeth E., November 17, 1825: iv. George Park, August 10, 1827. 3. Harvey. September 1, 1795 ; died May 1, 1796. 4. Harlow, twin of Harvey ; married, Febru- ary 25, 1845, Mrs. Ruth (Guild) Scott. 5. Abigail Whiting, October 10, 1797; died Sep- tember 25, 1800. 6. Nathaniel Emmons, Sep- tember 29, 1800. 7. Maria Ann, October IO, 1802; married, October 13, 1828, Stephen San- ford. 8. Caroline, August 7, 1804; married, March 2, 1828, John Torrey, of Sutton. 9. John Hancock, January 23, 1807; married (first) Belinda Adams; (second) April 17, 1834, Nancy Thayer. 10. Walter Harrison, see forward. Lewis Fisher married (second) January 16, 1812, Ursula Chandler, of Sutton, Massachusetts, born at Charlton, Massachu- setts, 1787, and died at Franklin, of cancer, 1857, daughter of Rufus and Eleanor (Ed- wards) Bacon. Child: Abigail Ursula, born August 10, 1813; married Adams Daniels, of Medway.
(VIII) Walter Harrison, youngest child of Lewis and Abigail (Whiting) Fisher, was born at Franklin, January 28, 1809, died at Norfolk, Massachusetts, over eighty years. His early years were spent on the farm of his father, and he acquired the education usually received by farmers' sons of that period, being obliged to assist in farm labors as soon as his strength permitted it. At the time of the death of his father the farm came into his possession and he managed its one hundred and fifty acres successfully. He was progressive in his ideas, ready to adopt all improvements in agricul- tural work, and with the assistance of his sons made a success of general crops, making a specialty of dairy farming. His barns were always well filled and he had a herd of twenty cattle. In 1860 his son Walter M. divided his property known as the Torrey farm with his father, the latter receiving the part on which were situated the buildings, on which he fre- quently lived and where his death occurred. He entertained Whig views at first, but upon the formation of the Republican party joined
that and took an active interest in public affairs. He served as overseer of the poor three years, as road commissioner, was a mem- ber of the district school board, having special charge of the school property and the duty of engaging the services of the teachers. He kept in touch with the affairs of the world at large by means of reading, and he and his wife were constant attendants at the North Wrent- ham Congregational Orthodox Church, in which he had inherited the two family pews, and served as warden and member of the parish committee. Later he and his wife joined the Congregational church at Franklin and were members till their death. He married, April 17, 1834, Emily Pond Merrifield, born at Wrentham, died at Norfolk, Massachusetts. Children : I. Emily Harris, born March 29, 1836; died at Saugus, Massachusetts; mar- ried William Swan, and had one child, Walter. 2. Walter Merrifield, see forward. 3. Francis H., August 12, 1840 ; died November 12, 1851. 4. Harriet A., June 26, 1842 ; died July 4, 1869 ; married Charles Mann Aldrich, and had one child: Charles Fisher, who married Edith Bullard. 5. Jane M., October 19, 1845; mar- ried, September 13, 1871, Willard Gould Cowell. 6. John Lewis, February 4, 1848; married, December 17, 1872, Maria Louise Read. 7. George Henry, July 27, 1851. 8. Ella Maria, March 2, 1854. 9. Isabella Louise, January 20, 1856; married (first) William Bennett ; (second) Eli Wyman.
(IX) Walter Merrifield, eldest son and sec- ond child of Walter Harrison and Emily Pond ( Merrifield) Fisher, was born at Norfolk, Massachusetts, then a part of Franklin, Jan- uary 8, 1839. His early education was acquired in the district school and he later attended the Franklin Academy and the Medway ( Massa- chusetts) high school until the age of sixteen years. He then managed the affairs of his father's farm until September 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Forty-fifth Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. He went into camp at Readville, Massachusetts, where he was mustered in September 26. It was a nine months' regiment and they soon embarked for North Carolina in the transport "Mississippi." Under the protection of a gun- boat they reached Beaufort, November 15, and finally went into camp near Newbern. They were detached for special duty at More- head City, January 17, 1863, and went as far as Trenton. From January 26 to April 25 they were detailed for provost guard at New- bern and then returned to the brigade on the
te
3- be 2 :
= ed 1. e
re
684
MASSACHUSETTS.
Neuse river. Mr. Fisher's first engagement was at Core Creek, where they were success- ful in assisting to plant the regimental flag on the enemy's entrenchments. After remaining in camp near Fort Spinola until June 24, they proceeded to Morehead City and there em- barked for Boston, where they were mustered out at Readville, July 8, 1863. While in Bos- ton they took part in suppressing the draft riots. Mr. Fisher re-enlisted, November 27, 1863. at Salem Harbor, in the Twelfth Un- attached Company (H), Third Heavy Artil- lery, and was engaged in garrison duty along the Massachusetts coast until the spring of 1864. They then occupied various forts in the vicinity of Washington, District of Colum- bia, and June 18, 1864, Mr. Fisher was ap -. pointed sergeant, a rank he held until the close of the war. The regiment saw service in Maryland and Virginia and was a part of the Eighteenth and Twenty-second Army Corps. They were actively engaged in the defence of Washington at the time of Early's attacks. Mr. Fisher was an inmate of the hospital at Saratoga, Maryland, at one time, and during the last two years of his service was in the quartermaster sergeant's department, being mustered out September 26, 1865. Upon his return to his home at Franklin he entered the employ of the H. M. Green's Straw Shop, as a hat presser, and was thus engaged until June, 1866 ; he then formed a partnership with E. D. Metcalf under the firm name of Metcalf & Fisher, hat and bonnet bleachers, in Elm street, Boston. At the end of eighteen months he purchased the interest of Mr. Metcalf, con- tinued alone until 1881. then sold the entire business and returned to Franklin. He be- came associated with the firm of O. F. Met- calf & Sons, purchasing the interest of one of the old members, the new firm being composed of Otis F. Metcalf, Walter M. Fisher, Nahum F. and Frank D. Metcalf, conducting a hay, grain and lumber business. They commenced the manufacture of sashes and blinds, mill supplies and undertook general mill work in addition to the original interests, their plant being at the rear of Central street. In 1891 Mr. Fisher and Frank D. Metcalf became the sole proprietors of this concern, which is in a very flourishing condition, supplying all the surrounding towns. They are also dealers in paints and general feed supplies. Mr. Fisher's political sympathies have always been witli the Republican party, and he has contributed liberally of his time and means to the further- ance of good government. He has served as
selectman and tree warden, and represented his party as a delegate to a number of conven- tions. He is the first vice-president of the Benjamin Franklin Savings Bank, and is a member of the board of trustees and invest- ment board. He is a member of Franklin Post, No. 60, Grand Army of the Republic, served as post commander five years, is at present adjutant, and has held other offices in this body. He is a member of the Franklin Business Men's Club, and is a devout member of the Franklin Congregational Orthodox Church, and has served on the parish com- mittee since he attained his majority. He is especially interested in the temperance move- ment and the furtherance of all christian work. He married, December 3, 1869, Alice Isadore, born in Franklin, July 10, 1846, daughter of Otis Fisher and Lucy M. (Daniels) Metcalf, of Franklin. Children : 1 .. Alice Emily Mar- tha, married, September 15, 1906, William F. Southwick, of Mendon. Child: Walter Ed- ward, born August 13, 1907. 2. Elmer Met- calf, now associated with the Filiene Company at Boston.
LEWIS Edmund Lewis, immigrant ances- tor, is said to have come from Lynn Regis, England, but there is no record of him or any of fhis family on the church registers there. Alonzo Lewis, in his history of Lynn, states that he was a brother of William Lewis, who was at Roxbury in 1630 and was a founder of Lancaster in 1653, and who descended from a good Welsh family with a pedigree running back centuries. George Harlan Lewis, of Los Angeles, California, has recently written a sketch of Edmund Lewis which is as complete as is possible to gather. He says he has been unable to trace any rela- tionship between Edmund and William Lewis, although he has visited England and Wales and made careful research. His article is sub- stantially as follows: "There is no authora- tive connection of any of the Lewis immi- grants to New England during the seventh century with any Welsh or English family. It was a surname prominent in Wales and England. Edmund Lewis aged thirty-three, wife Mary, and two children, sailed April 10, 1634, in the ship 'Elizabeth,' from Ipswich, England. He settled in Watertown where he had a good estate, but removed to Lynn and bought forty acres of land on the seashore, in the part of the town called Wood End. His homestead in Watertown was on what is now the east side of Lexington street. He was
685
MASSACHUSETTS.
admitted a freeman May 24, 1636, and was elected selectman in 1638. In the same year he was on a committee to lay out the farms as they were ordered near the Dedham line." Opinions vary as to the time he removed to Lynn, some saying 1639, some 1642 or 43. He died in January, 1650, and his wife died September 7, 1658. His will was dated Janu- ary 13, 1650, and the inventory was filed February 12, 1650-51. Children : I. John, born in England. 1631, mentioned below. 2. Thomas, born in England, 1633. 3. James, born January 15, 1635, in Watertown. 4. Nathaniel, born in Watertown, August 25, 1639. 5. Infant, died aged twenty days, and buried November 6, 1642, at Watertown. 6. Joseph, born in Lynn. 7. Child, born in Lynn.
(II) Captain John, son of Edmund Lewis, was born in England in 1631. He inherited his father's estate in Lynn, forty acres through which Lewis street now passes. He was called yeoman. He was a lieutenant under Captain Henchman in King Philip's war in 1675, and was granted land at Souhegan West, now Am- herst, New Hampshire, for his services, which his grandson, Edmund Lewis, secured in 1728. He was also in Captain Nicholas Manning's company in 1676. He was admitted a free- inan April 18, 1691, and was then called lieu- tenant. He was elected a deacon of the church January 8, 1692. He kept a tavern in the eastern part of Saugus, known as the "Blue Anchor," probably being the successor of his father-in-law, Captain Thomas Marshall, who died in 1683. The inn was later kept by his son Thomas and grandson John, and was men- tioned often by travellers of the day. Madame Knight in her diary mentions this inn. He died in 1710, aged seventy-nine. His will was (lated February 25, 1706-07. He had previously, November 9, 1699, deeded his real estate to his sons John and Thomas. He married (first) June 17, 1659, Hannah Marshall, who died May 15, 1699, daughter of Captain Thomas Marshall. He married (second) September 2, 1699, Elizabeth King, widow of Ralph King, of Swampscott, and daughter of Captain Rich- ard and Jane ( Talmage ) Walker. He married (third) February 10, 1706-07, Sarah Jenks, born September 14, 1665, died January 4, 1740, widow of John Jenks, and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Breed) Merriam, of Lynn. Children of first wife: I. John, born March 30, 1660; mentioned below. 2. Hannah, born February 25, 1661, married, May 12, 1686, Captain Edward Fuller. 3. Thomas, born June 2, 1662. 4. Mary, born February
24, 1665 ; married, July 10, 1689, Thomas Baker. 5. Benjamin, born April 27, 1667, died young. 6. Nathaniel, born April 16, 1672, died Novem- ber 25, 1692. 7. Samuel, born July 25, 1675, died August 12, 1675. 8. Abigail, born May 16, 1679, died May 30, 1706. 9. Ebenezer. born July 16, 1681, not provided for by his father nor mentioned in the will. 10. Rebecca, died November 22, 1692. Child of third wife : II. Benjamin, born April 23, 1708.
(III) Lieutenant John (2), son of Captain John (1) Lewis, was born in Lynn, March 30, 1660, died intestate about a year after his father. His widow Elizabeth was appointed administratrix, June 27, 17II. He was ad- mitted a freeman, April 18, 1691. In the divi- sion of his father's lands he had the south half. next the sea. He married, April 18, 1683, in Lynn, Elizabeth Brewer. Children: I. Eliz- abeth, born April 7, 1684, married, February 8, 1708-09, Samuel Graves, Jr. 2. Hannah, born January 22, 1685-86, married, November 13, 1711, Lieutenant Samuel Stocker; died December 16, 1760. 3. Sarah, born April 5, 1688, died young. 4. John, born September 23, 1690, died young. 5. Nathaniel, born Jan- uary 18, 1692-93, died young. 6. Edmund, born December 8, 1695, mentioned below. 7. Rebecca, born June 18, 1699, married, Febru- ary 17, 1725-26, Grover Pratt. 8. Tabitha, born July 22, 1702, married, January 1, 1722, Nathaniel Ingalls. 9. Thomas, born May 10, 1708, died 1774; married Elizabeth Carder.
(IV) Edmund (2), son of John (2) Lewis, was born in Lynn, December 8, 1695, and was a farmer. He came into possession of his father's estate by purchase of the rights of the other heirs. He added to this land by purchase of most of the estate of his uncle, Thomas, and of other property. He sold his uncles estate soon afterward. To his eldest son John he conveyed half his house and cer- tain land, at the time of his marriage. He died intestate, September 29, 1777, and Sam- uel Ingalls, his son-in-law, was appointed ad- ministrator. He married (first) January 8, 1723, Hepsebah Breed, born June 19, 1697, buried March 15, 1756, daughter of Allen and Elizabeth (Ballard) Breed, of Lynn. He married (second) November 25, 1756, Hannah (Prince ) Fuller, widow of Captain John Fuller. She died in 1795. Children of first wife: I. John Jr., born October 16, 1724. mentioned below. 2. Sarah, born October 25. 1726, married, April 10, 1746, John Newhall. 3. Lydia, born August 7, 1729, married Sam- uel Ingalls. 4. Nathaniel, born October 30,
P
5
T
F1
I
686
MASSACHUSETTS.
1731. 5. Joseph, born March 15, 1733. 6. Elizabeth, born July 8, 1736, married, Novem- ber 27, 1758, Eleazer Collins Ingalls. Child of second wife: 7. Edmund, born June 20, 1757.
(V) John (3), son of Edmund (2) Lewis, was born in Lynn, October 16, 1724, and was called "Junior," there being another of the same name in the town. He was a farmer and resided on the east half of his father's farm, which had been given him by his father, De- cember 8, 1756. He added to his land and at the time of his death was the owner of con- siderable land. He died intestate and the ad- ministrator of his estate was appointed Octo- ber 7, 1777. The inventory, filed March 3, 1778, showed real estate valued at one thous- and six hundred and sixty-four pounds. He married, November 22, 1748, Elizabeth New- hall, born July 24, 1728, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Potter) Newhall, of Lynn. Children : I. Martha, born September 22, 1749, married, June 4, 1772, Jacob Ingalls. 2. John, born October 15, 1751. 3. Edmund, born February 10, 1754. 4. Hepsebah, born June 10, 1756; married, June 17, 1783, Eph- raim Alley; died February 4, 1828. 5. Eliza- beth, born November 4, 1758, married, Octo- ber 8, 1778, Daniel Ingalls. 6. Benjamin, born January 31, 1761. 7. Sarah, born January 25, 1763, died August 12, 1765. 8. Joseph, born February 4, 1765. 9. Nathaniel, men- tioned below.
(VI) Nathaniel, son of John (3) Lewis, was born in Lynn, in 1771, died there January 24, 1824. Hewas a shoemaker by trade. He married March 13, 1791, Rebecca Richards, who died August 1, 1821. Children, born in Lynn: I. Richard, born September 26, 1792, died July 15, 1793. 2. Benjamin Richard, born May 26, 1793, mentioned below. 3. Betsey, born May 7, 1795, married, September 5, 1816, Fred- erick Newhall. 4. Rebecca, born March 29, 1797, married Edmund Lewis, October 10, 1816. 5. Nathaniel, born May 29, 1799, died December 31, 1822. 6. Thomas, born Janu- ary 7, 1801, died January 25, 1839; married Mary Harris; (second) Nancy Bryant. 7. Richard, born November 6, 1802, died January 18, 1878; married Hannah Farnham. 8. Hebzabeth, born September 16, 1804, married, November 8, 1827, Denison Gage; died June 20, 1885. 9. John, born June 6, 1806, died June 20, 1808. 10. Lucy Ann, born March 4, 1808, married, April 28, 1830, Joseph A. Proc- tor ; died March 23, 1888. 11. John N., born September 5, 1812, married, June 21, 1835,
Mary Jane Todd; went to California and was never heard from.
(VII) Benjamin Richard, son of Nathaniel Lewis, was born in Lynn, May 26, 1793, died March 30, 1868. He removed to Northamp- ton, and later to Westfield, where he died. He married, in Lynn, October 29, 1815, Hannah Knapp, born 1795, died March 14, 1869, daugh- ter of Samuel and Grace (Guiller) Knapp, of Marblehead. Her mother was a friend and playmate of General Lafayette, who, on his last visit to this country in 1824, went to Marblehead to call upon her. At this inter- view Hannah and her son were present. Chil- dren: I. Hannah Knapp, born in Lynn, Au- gust 26, 1816, married, January 23, 1839, Addi- son Bryant ; she died September 20, 1908. 2. Benjamin Franklin, born in Lynn, October 22, 1820, died January 12, 1905. 3. Albion Wes- ley, born in Lynn, August 4, 1823, died Octo- ber 12, 1826. The following born in North- ampton. 4. Albion Wesley, born May 8, 1828, mentioned below. 5. Martha Ellen, born May 8, 1828 (twin), died young. 6. Martha Ellen, born November 28, 1830, died April 1, 1835. 7. Mary Grace, born June 8, 1834, married Charles Henry Stebbins ; died March 30, 1907. 8. Edward Talbott, born July 25, 1837, unmar- ried ; resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(VIII) Albion Wesley, son of Benjamin Richard Lewis, was born in Northampton, May 8, 1828. He attended the common and high schools of Westfield, Massachusetts. He learned the trade of cabinet maker in the shop of Erastus Grant. He joined the Argonauts in 1849 and went to California to dig gold, taking the long journey around Cape Horn and remaining in the gold fields for four years. When he returned to Westfield, he established himself in the business of manufacturing whips in partnership with Samuel Tryon, under the firm name of Lewis & Tryon. He was his own traveling salesman. His next business venture was in the clothing business in partner- ship with Timothy H. Loomis under the firm name of Loomis, Lewis & Company. Upon the death of his partner, Mr. Loomis in 1877, Mr. Lewis sold out the business and retired. He was in the cotton business in the south at one time, after the war. He enlisted in the civil war, in Company K, Forty-sixth Massa- chusetts Volunteers, and was in active service at the front for a year under General Burn- side. He re-enlisted in the Thirtieth Com- pany of Artillery, unattached, and served nine monthis in the defence of Washington. He was a member and held various offices in
687
MASSACHUSETTS.
Lyons Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He was a very prominent Free Mason, a mem- ber of Mt. Moriah Lodge ; of Springfield Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons ; of the Council, Royal and Select Masters; of Springfield Command- ery, Knights Templar, and had taken the thirty- second degree in Masonry. He died March 28, 1903. He married, October 23, 1855, in Westfield, Caroline H. Loomis, born March 15, 1835, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Timothy H. Loomis, born November 12, 1810. (See Loomis, VII). Children, born at Westfield : I. Frederick Albion, born June 19, 1859, died September 13, 1875. 2. Grace Holland, born April 1, 1869, married, at West- field, Raymond Wesley Richards, born May 8, 1866, son of Rodolphus Palford and Sarah (Burt) Richards ; children : i. Donald Lewis Richards, born January 20, 1893; ii. Dorothy, born August 28, 1894; iii. James Loomis Rich- ards, born March 2, 1901. (See Richards ).
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.