Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 120

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 120

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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Byers, eldest daughter of Colonel Charles P. and Emeline (Cox) Byers, of Tennessee and Massachusetts. They had three children, two of whom died in infancy, and the eldest, Florence Cora, died February 21, 1895, aged twenty-three. 2. Almanzor Ames, born No- vember 25, 1844, married November 16, 1881. Ella D. Wood, youngest daughter of Rev. Pliny Wood. At the time of their marriage, she was ill, being in the last stages of diabetes ; she died one week later. November 23, 1881, aged thirty-one years. October 3. 1888, he married (second) Julia Isadore Buckland. Almanzor A. died November 27, 1893, at his home, 735 State street. Julia I. Buckland married (second) Lewis G. Putney, April, 1895. Almanzor A. was associated with his brother, Edward H., in the jewelry business in Springfield before the latter studied den- tistry. This business was given up on account of the failing health of Almanzor A. and change of business of Edward H. Their store in the building of the Springfield Institution for Savings, corner of Main and State streets, will be remembered by many because of the sidewalk clock they erected in front of the building. 3. Anne Sophia, resides in the homestead, 731 State street, erected by her mother in 1887. She is a member of Wo- man's Club. Daughters of the American Revo- lution, and the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which she is much in- tercsted. She is also active in works of benevolence and charity.

(The Moseley Line).

The original bearer of this cognomen took it without doubt from the locality in which he dwelt. The assumption of the name in- dicates that he was one who dwelt perman- ently at one place, and was a person of settled habits. When the religious troubles of the seventeenth century arose, a descendant of the first Moselcy found his environment intoler- able on account of fanatical oppression and removed from England to the freedom of the New England forest, and settling there was the first of five generations who lived con- tentedly in the same town. The name and the record of the family both show that the Moseleys were of that class of citizens who arc esteemed for their virtues, love of home, and can succeed wherever they choose to make their abiding placc. The name now spelled Moseley was anciently written with many var- iations, as Mawdesley, Modesley, Madesley and Maudsley, before assuming its present form.

(I) John Moseley came probably in the ship "Mary and John," which sailed from Plymouth, England, March 20, 1630, settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, of which he was one of the founders, the same year, was ad- mitted freeman March 14, 1639, and died there August 29, 1661. He married (first) Eliza- beth (surname unknown), and by her had a son, Joseph or John, born 1638, but whether any more children is not known. His second wife, Cicely, who died December 3, 1661, named in her will three children: John, Eliza- beth, and Thomas, next mentioned.

(II) Thomas, the youngest child of John and Cicely Moseley, was born in Dorchester, about 1636, and died there October 22, 1706. He was admitted to the church in 1658. He married, August 28, 1658, Mary Cooper, daughter of Thomas Lawrence, of Hingham, and his wife Elizabeth, who was the Widow Bates. She died April, 1723. They had nine children : Increase, John, Mary, Thomas, Eliz- abeth, Unite, Ebenezer, Nathaniel and Joseph.

(III) Ebenezer, fifth son of Thomas and Mary Cooper ( Lawrence), Moseley, was born in Dorchester, September 4, 1673, died September 19, 1740. He was constable in 1705, town treasurer, 1720, town clerk, 1721, selectman, 1719-21. He was a weav- er and resided in Stoughton. He mar- ried (first) Elizabeth, daughter of Wil- liam Trescott, and had: Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Samuel and Sarah. He married (second) Hannah Weeks, daughter of John. She was born February 28, 1677, died in Dorchester, March 27, 1747. They had Mary, Samuel, Hannah, Nathaniel and Silence.

( IV) Deacon Nathaniel, second son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Weeks) Moseley, was born December 1, 1715, died in Hampton, Connecticut, March 7. 1788. He was a clock maker. He moved to Windham, Connecticut, before 1745. Hc married, August 11, 1742, Sarah Capen, born July 21, 1725. They had thirteen children, the first born in Dorchester, the others in Hampton: Nathaniel, Joseph, Hannah, Flavel, Thomas, Sarah, Beulalı, Eliz- abeth (died young). Uricl, Elizabeth, Ebene- zer, Ruth and Elisha. Sarah Capen was de- scended from John Alden and Priscilla Mul- lins, his wife, as follows :

(1) John Alden, the progenitor of all of the name of Alden in the United States, was one of the pilgrims of Leyden, who came in the "Mayflower" to Plymouth in 1620. Hc was, says the Family Memorial, by Elisha Thayer, "about twenty-two years of age, when he arrived, and was one of those who signed

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the original civil compact formed and solemn- ly adopted by the first adventurers at Cape Cod Harbor, on the 15th of November. This was a few days previous to their finding and selecting a place for the commencement of their settlement in this western world. He was a single man and appears to have been an intimate in the family of Captain Myles Stand- ish. He was the stripling who first leaped upon the rock, as mentioned by President Adams in a certain communication. It is well known that of the first company, consisting of one hundred and one, about one-half died in six months after landing, in consequence of the hardships they were called to encounter. Mrs. Rose Standish, consort of Captain Stand- ish, departed this life on January 29, 1621. This circumstance is mentioned as an intro- duction to the following anecdote, which has been carefully handed down by tradition :

"In a very short time after the decease of Mrs. Standish the Captain was led to think that if he could obtain Miss Priscilla Mullins, a daughter of Mr. William Mullins, the breach in his family would be happily repair- ed. He, therefore, according to the custom of the times, sent to ask Mr. Mullins' per- mission to visit his daughter. John Alden, the messenger, went and faithfully communi- cated the wishes of the Captain. The old gentleman did not object, as he might have done, on account of the recency of Captain Standish's bereavement. He said it was per- fectly agreeable to him, but the young lady must be consulted. The damsel was then called into the room, and John Alden, who is said to have been a man of most excellent form, with a fair and ruddy complexion. arose, and in a very courteous and pre- possessing manner, delivered his errand. Miss Mullins listened with respectful atten- tion, and at last, after a considerable pause, fixing her eyes upon him, with an open and clear countenance, said, 'Prithee, John, why do you not speak for yourself?' He blushed, bowed, and took his leave, but with a look, which indicated more than his diffidence would permit him otherwise to express. However, he soon renewed his visit and it was not long before their nuptials were cele- brated in ample form. For a few years John Alden lived in Plymouth, and then settled in Duxbury, on a farm, which it is a little re- markable, has remained in the possession of his descendants ever since, and is one of the best in the town. He built his house on a rise of land near Eagle Tree Point, where

the ruins of his well are still to be seen. Through a long protracted life John Alden was almost continually engaged in public employments. In the patent for Plymouth, in New England, dated January 16, 1629, and signed by Robert, Earl of Warwick, Myles Standish, Edward Winslow, John Howland, and John Alden or any of them, are named as the true and lawful attorneys of the council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon. Accordingly, John Alden entered into some part of the tracts specified in the patent, and took possession in due form, and delivered the full and peace- able possession and reign of the same to William Bradford, Governor of the Old Col- ony, his heirs, associates and assigns, secun- dum formam chartac. He was one of the court of Assistants in 1633, and successively for a number of years. From 1641 to 1649 inclusively, he was chosen to represent the town of Duxbury in the General Court of the Old Colony. In 1633, and for several suc- ceeding years he was one of the council of war, appointed on account of danger appre- hended from the Indians. In the year 1650, he was again elected one of the assistants to the governor, and every year after till 1686. He was assistant to all the governors of the Old Colony, except Carver, who early fell a victim to the distressing calamities which af- flicted the adventurers on their first arrival at Plymouth. For thirty-six years without in- terruption he was elected to this office, and for the last twenty years of his life, from 1666 till the liberties of the people were infringed, through the folly of James the Second, he was senior assistant. From tradition, this aged and venerable Puritan was distinguished for his holy life and conversation. He was meek, humble, sincere, pious, and faithful follower of the blessed Redeemer, and his end was peace and triumph. The object which in his youthful days he anxiously sought, was fully attained. He came to the howling wilds of America to enjoy the sweets of religion, pure and undefied. Like the saints of old he was willing to endure the hardships with the peo- ple of God, while he might be instrumental in extending the Kingdom of Immanuel, and looking to a better and eternal state of exist- ence for the rewards of grace."

John and Priscilla ( Mullins) Alden had eight children : four sons and four daughters, who lived to enter the marriage state, who had many children and most of them lived to a good old age. They were: John. Joseph,

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David, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ruth and Mary.

(2) Ruth, third daughter of John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden, was born probably in 1631. On the "12 month, 3, 1657," John Bass and Ruth Alden were married by Mr. John Aulden, of Duxbury. John Bass, son of Deacon Samuel Bass and wife Ann, was prob- ably born in Roxbury, about the year 1632. The children of this marriage were: John, Samuel, Ruth, Joseph, Hannah, Mary, and Sarah, next mentioned.

(3) Sarah, youngest daughter of John and Ruth ( Alden) Bass, was born 29, 1, 1672, and married January 7, 1692, Ephraim Thayer, born in Braintree, 17, II, 1669, son of Shad- rach and Deliverance Thayer. Sarah died Au- gust 19, 1751, aged seventy nine years. Ephraim died suddenly June 15, 1751, in the eighty-eighth years of his age; his death be- ing occasioned it is supposed by a violent blow in his forehead, with the sharp end of a rail, at the barn door where he was found dead. A great concourse of people attended his fu- neral. The fourteen children of Ephraim and Sarah were: Sarah, Ephraim, Philip, Hannah, Joseph, Shadrach, Christopher, Ruth, Esther, Naphtali, Peter Priscilla, James and Abigail. (4) Ruth, third daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Bass) Thayer, born April 1, 1704, married, September 20, 1722, John Capen, and settled in Braintree. John Capen, born Oc- tober 16, 1694, was the son of Preserve and Mary (Payson) Capen, of Dorchester. The children of this marriage were: John, Esther, Nathaniel, Ruth, Christopher, Anna, Eliza- beth, Sarah, Ephraim, Philip, Samuel and Re- becca.

(5) Sarah, fifth daughter of John and Ruth (Thayer) Capen, was born July 21, 1725, married Nathaniel Moseley, August II, 1742, and settled at Pomfret, Connecticut.

(V) Colonel Nathaniel (2), eldest son of Deacon Nathaniel (1) and Sarah (Capen) Moseley, was born in Dorchester, December 22, 1743. He was probably colonel in the raid on Danbury, April 20-28, 1779, with regi- ment from Fishkill; October 13, 1777; Peeks- kill, March and June, 1777. He married (first) Rosanna Alworth, September 29, 1768. He married (second) Esther Swift, when his youngest child was about fifteen years old. There were no children by the second wife. Those by the first wife were: Rosanna, Na- thaniel, Marsylvia, William, Samuel, Christo- pher and Mary.

(VI) Nathaniel (3), eldest son of Na-

thaniel (2) and Rosanna (Alworth ) Moseley, was born June 20, 1771, died September 26, 1854. He had a farm in Springfield, about two and a half miles east of the armory on what is now State street, then Boston road. In religion he was a Unitarian. Besides farm- ing he occasionally worked for the United States armory, making gun stocks, sometimes performing the work at home during the win- ter months. He married Electa Buckland, July 14, 1796. She was born December 18, 1778, died March 23, 1848, daughter of Alex- ander and Sarah (Smith) Buckland, of Ell- ington. They had Electa, Sarah, Nathaniel Buckland, Marsylvia, Jonathan Ogden, Ed- ward Franklin, James Albert, Sylvia Ann, So- phia, Charles Benjamin, Alexander Hosea (died young), and Alexander.

(VIII) Sophia, youngest daughter of Na- thaniel (3) and Electa (Buckland) Moseley, married Harlehigh Heath Buckland. (See Buckland VII).

Thomas Kimberly, immi-

KIMBERLY grant ancestor, is progeni- tor of all of the name in America. He settled in Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, in 1635, coming from London, and his wife Alice was a member of the Dorches- ter church in 1639. He removed to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1638. He must have been a man of middle age at that time, as in 1643 the records of New Haven show that there were seven in his family. In 1667 he bought land of Joseph Hawley at Stratford, Connecticut, whither he removed. He mar- ried (second) December 18, 1668, Mary who married (second) in 1673, Eliasaph Preston. He left property to the amount of one hundred sixty pounds sixteen shillings. Children: I. Nathaniel, mentioned below. 2. Thomas, died February, 1705, at New Haven, s. p. 3. Eleazer, first male child born in New Haven ; many years secretary of state; went to Glastonbury; died 1707. 4. Abraham, killed by Indians. 5. Abia, married Mr. Boardman. 6. Daughter, married Mr. Hayes.

(II) Nathaniel, son of Thomas Kimberly, was born about 1640, and died at West Haven in 1705. Children, born at New Haven or West Haven : I. Elizabeth, married Mr. Mal- lory. 2. Sarah, married a Blakeslee. 3. Na- thaniel, mentioned below. 4. Daughter, mar- ried Mr. Kirby. 5. Mary, married Mr. Chit- tenden.

(III) Nathaniel (2), son of Nathaniel (1)

John Kimberly

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Kimberly, was born in the New Haven colony, about 1670, and died at West Haven, Connecti- cut, in 1720. Children, born in West Haven : Nathaniel, mentioned below ; Zuriel, Abraham, Abigail, Hannah, Mary, Bathsheba.

(IV) Nathaniel (3), son of Nathaniel (2) Kimberly, was born in West Haven, about 1700, and died there in 1780. Children, born at West Haven: Israel, mentioned below ; Silas, died 1803, married Mary, daughter of Jonathan Smith; Abigail, married Lamberton Smith.

(V) Israel, son of Nathaniel (3) Kimberly, was born about 1725, and died in 1768. He married Mary Umberfield. Children : Azel, Gilead (married Mary Brocke), Nathaniel, Israel, Ezra, mentioned below; Gideon, Lib- erty, Huldah, Mary, Sarah, Hannah.

(VI) Ezra, son of Israel Kimberly, was born about 1750. In 1790, according to the federal census, he was living at Hampden, Connecticut, and had three males over sixteen, two under that age, and three females in his family. He was a farmer, and also engaged in shipping at Woodbridge, Connecticut, own- ing one-half of a merchant vessel, which was captured by the French.

(VII) Ezra (2), son of Ezra (I) Kimberly, was born in Woodbridge (now called Beth- any ), Connecticut, April, 1794. He married Mary Mansfield, born at New Haven in 1800, died at Springfield in 1870, whose father was a soldier in the revolution. Ezra Kimberly learned the trade of clothier, and for a time followed his trade, fulling and dressing the homespun cloth that was manufactured on the farms. He then started a general store at Hampden, Connecticut. At the time of the great financial panic he removed to Spring- field, in 1837, and established a general store at the corner of Hickory and Walnut streets, near the water-shops; but after two or three years removed to the corner of Mill and Cen- tral streets, where his son John was located, the business having been conducted there since 1840 by Ezra and his family. He continued in business until the time of his death in 1867. He was active in public affairs, was selectman under the town charter, and a member of the first common council under the city charter, and as senior member had the honor of calling that body to order for the first time and pre- siding over the first meeting. In 1860 he was elected a representative to the general court on the Republican ticket. He was fortunate in his investments, and added largely to his possessions through the increase in value of

his real estate. He and his family were com- municants of the Protestant Episcopal church, and he was on the building committee in charge of the first church of that denomina- tion in Springfield. Children : Mary, married Elisha Gunn; William; John, mentioned be- low ; Rensselaer.

(VIII) John, son of Ezra (2) Kimberly, was born in Hamden, Connecticut, November 16, 1820, and died April 15, 1906. He attend- ed school in his native town, and also in Springfield, being a student in the high school when Rev. Simeon B. Calhoun was principal, on School street. He worked as clerk in his father's store, and when he came of age was admitted to partnership under the firm name of E. Kimberly & Company. After the death of his father in 1867 he admitted his son, Fred Hobart Kimberly, to partnership, and the name was changed to J. Kimberly Com- pany, which has continued in use to the pres- ent time (1909). Mr. Kimberly as well as his father was constantly investing in real estate. He was a director in the John Hancock Bank from 1870 to the time of his death. He was a Democrat, but the only office he ever consent- ed to fill was that of school committeeman.

He married, in 1842, Sarah Ann King, born June 9, 1822, died January 5, 1897, daughter of Horace and Mercy (Treat) King, of Springfield. Her father's old farm is now in a busy section of the city, located where King street is now. Children, born at Springfield : Fred Hobart, mentioned below; Louise Amelia, born October 4, 1848; unmarried ; re- sides in Northampton, Massachusetts.

(IX) Fred Hobart, son of John Kimberly, was born in Springfield, October 24, 1842. He attended the public and high schools of Springfield, and like his father went into the Kimberly store as a clerk in his youth, and at the death of his grandfather became a partner with his father in the business. The present head of the firm has shown the same sagacity and enterprise that characterized the founder and his successor. The store has been en- larged to meet the growth in business, and the excellent reputation of the firm for square dealing and quality of merchandise sold has always been maintained. In politics he is an Independent, in religion an Episcopalian. He is a member of Roswell Lee Lodge, F. and A. M .; and was a charter member of De Soto Lodge, I. O. O. F. He married, October IS, 1865, Henrietta Bush, born in Tariffville, Con- necticut, July 23, 1843, daughter of William and Jane (Clark) Bush.

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(IX) John Burton, only child of Fred Ho- bart Kimberly, was born in Springfield, Jan- uary 16, 1874. He received his education in the public schools of his native city, and grad- uated from the Springfield high school. He became a clerk in the old John Hancock Bank, and filled various responsible positions in that institution for twelve years, when he resigned to look after his real estate and other interests. He is a member of Nayasset Club, Country Club, and the Winthrop Club. In politics he is a Republican, in religion is a member of Christ Church ( Episcopal). He married, Feb- ruary 9, 1909, Emilie A. Owen, daughter of Joel S. and Lucy V. (Chapin) Page, the for- mer a native of Stockbridge, and the latter of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

COWELL The coat-of-arms of the Cowell family is a Shield with deer standing. Motto: "Pax et amicitia". The name according to Lower (the authority) possibly came from the dis- tract of Cowal, Argyleshire, England, when surnames were derived from districts or coun- ty seats.

(I) Captain Edward Cowell, emigrant an- cestor of the Wrentham, Massachusetts, Cowells, was born about 1620 in England, died September 12, 1691. He with his wife Mar- garet, were of Boston and Great Island in 1645. He was a cordwainer by trade. He was also one of the Narragansett grantees, and a prominent man in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was witness to the will of Thomas Williams, November 5, 1646. He was debtor to Robert Button's estate, No- vember 10, 1653, and to William Peacock's Marclı 29, 1661. He was captain of horse in King Phillip's war, and took part in the march and battle with Mohegans and Pequots under General Winslow in the Narragansett campaign at Quaboag ( Brookfield). He was allowed £3 six shillings for horse meat, the company having been reduced to such straits as to cat horse flesh. He was in the Sud- bury fight, commanding eighteen men, four of whom were killed and one wounded. When returning from Brookfield via Marlboro and his band was rescued by Captain Prentice's dragoons. The account of the fight will be found in "Historical & Genealogical Register", vol. xi, pp. 400-405, and vol. xiv, p. 117. In his will he is named yoeman and gives to sons John and Joseph, Mary at Hingham, and Sarah his wife, his housing, outhousing, lands in Boston, shop goods, &c. (Will in copy of

wills, Suffolk county court house at Boston, vol. viii, p. 74), dated March 1, 1682, pro- bated March 24, 1691. The inventory of Cap- tain Edward Cowell's property, May 11, 1696, included dwelling house, barns, stables, brew house and lands situated on west side of street leading to Roxbury, and dwelling house on east side. He married (first) Margaret ----; (second) June, 1668, Sarah Hobart, at Hing- ham; she died prior to May 1, 1696. Chil- dren: I. Joseph, born about 1640, mentioned below. 2. John, baptized June 26, 1653, was a blacksmith at Boston, died December, 1693. 3. Edward, baptized June 26, 1653, died Sep- tember 7, 1662. 4. Elizabeth, born August 17, 1653, died August 7, 1654. 5. William, born June 28, 1655. 6. Mary, January 23, 1657.

(II) Joseph, son of Captain Edward Cowell, was born in England, about 1640, and came to Boston with his parents. He was a cordwainer by trade, and owned lands at Boston. He is also recorded by Savage as cooper. His will is dated January 4, 1708, and mentions his wife Elizabeth, who was the executrix, sons Richard Carter, Joseph, John, and daughter Mary. He was admitted to the First church at Boston, and was a factor in the colony. Ile married (first) 1673, Mary, born July 3, 1641, widow of William Hunter, and daughter of Richard and Ann Carter, of Boston. Richard Carter was in Boston in 1640, and was a weaver and carpenter. Chil- dren : I. Joseph, born 1673, mentioned be- low. 2. Mary. 3. John. Joseph Cowell married (second) August 6, 1696, Elizabeth Williams, ceremony performed by Rev. Mr. Miles. Child : 4. Richard Carter, born Sep- tember 6, 1699.

(III) Joseph (2), son of Joseph (I) Cowell, was born in Boston, 1673. died at Wrentham, Massachusetts, March II, 1761. He came to Wrentham in 1690, and was one of the early planters of Wrentham, and a cooper by trade. He bought land, dwelling house, barn, orchard. and thirty acres abutting upon Robert Ware's mill pond under date of March 8, 1710-11. His land was a part of the old Cowell farm, now owned by Dr. Jo- seph H. Cowell, of Saginaw, Michigan, and has been in the possession of the family near- ly two hundred years. Joseph Cowell ac- quired and sold many other pieces of land in Wrentham ; at least three deeds signed by him are in existence, and he signed his name with only one 1. He was a man of considerable education, as his correspondence shows. He lived to a good old age, and died in Wren-

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tham, in the house built by him in 1730. This house was demolished in 1841, and another erected on the site. He and his wife Mar- tha lie side by side in the old Wrentham burying ground, where their headstones can be seen, though the inscriptions are some- what faded by time. He married ( first) in Wrentham. May 7, 1701, Martha Fales, born October 28, 1675, died October 27, 1737, daughter of James and Ann Fales. Married (second ) February 23, 1742-43. Mrs. De -. borah Barber, of Rehoboth, sister of his first wife. Children : I. Anna, born August 10, 1702, married Benjamin Fisher. 2. David, born December 12, 1704: graduate of Har- vard, 1732; professor and president of Col- lege of New Jersey (now Princeton). 3. Jo- seph, born February 14. 1710, died February 23, 1710. 4. Joseph, born March 27, 1713, mentioned below. 5. Ebenezer, born Decem- ber 7, 1716: went to Trenton and Philadel- phia, and founded the Philadelphia branch of the family.

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Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 120

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848- Publication date: 1910 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 986

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 986