USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 137
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
(VIII) Andrew, son of Arnold Potter, was
born at Pownal, April 3, 1832, died May 30, 1903. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of North Adams at Williams College, where both he and his brother, Arnold G. Potter, graduated in the class of 1856. Of this class of forty-two men no less than twenty-six en- tered the Union army in the civil war, includ- ing President James A. Garfield. Mr. Potter read law in the office of Gamewell & Bower- man, of Pittsfield, and in 1859 was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his profes- sion in partnership with E. M. Wood. After two years the firm of Potter & Wood was suc- ceeded by Adam & Potter, his partner being Robert Adam, and this relation continued until Mr. Potter entered the service two years later.
He was commissioned by Governor An- drew as captain in July, 1862, in Company B, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, being chiefly instrumen- tal in raising that company and he was rap- idly promoted. He was faithful and compe- tent and was honored alike by subordinates and superiors in rank for his bravery, loyalty and efficiency. He was twice wounded, first at Piedmont in May, 1864, in General Hunt- er's command, and second at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, in Sheridan's com- mand. While holding a captain's commis- sion from early in 1864 to July, 1865, he commanded his regiment in various opera- tions and battles. In December, 1864, he commanded the first brigade of the second independent division of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, and retained command of his regiment until the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, at which he was present. He received his commission as major in 1864 and at the end of the war was made colonel by brevet.
Upon the return of Colonel Potter to civil life, he resumed the practice of law at Ben- nington, Vermont. He entered partnership with his brother, Arnold G. Potter, who was practicing law in North Adams. The firm had offices at both North Adams and Ben- nington until 1887, when Colonel Potter re- moved to North Adams. The firm was for a generation one of the strongest in western Massachusetts and Vermont. Colonel Pot- ter was a number of years the oldest mem- ber of the Berkshire bar and one of the old- est in the country. He was a member of San- ford Post, Grand Army of the Republic. In religion he was member of Episcopal church.
13
-
2
2090
MASSACHUSETTS.
In politics he was a Republican, and first city solicitor of North Adams.
He married, August 1, 1865, Sarah Mc- Daniels, of Bennington, born June 1, 1841, daughter of Thomas and Erin (Pratt) Mc- Daniels. Children, born at Bennington : I. Thomas McDaniels, August 4, 1866. 2. Mary Agnes, September 16, 1867. 3. James Tracy, January 26, 1870, mentioned below. 4. Philip Sheridan, June 26, 1875. 5. Ralph, December 25, 1877.
(IX) James Tracy, son of Colonel Andrew Potter, was born at Bennington, January 26, 1870. He attended the public schools in his native town and in North Adams. In 1888 he entered Phillips Academy, Andover, Mas- sachusetts, where he was graduated in the class of 1890, entering Yale College that year and graduating with the class of 1894. He studied law in his father's office and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1896. He began imme- diately to practice his profession in North Adams, where he has since had his office. He is a director of the First National Bank of Adams, Massachusetts. He is a vestryman of the North Adams Protestant Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican and has taken an active part in public affairs in city and county. Since 1906 he has been secretary of the school board of North Adams, and at present, 1909, chairman of city Republican committee. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of Greylock Lodge, Free Masons ; of Composite Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar. Since 1905 he has been identified with the state militia and September 29, 1908, he was commissioned captain of Company M, Sec- ond Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard.
He married, August 12, 1896, Milicent Louise Peirce, born November 28, 1870, daughter of Henry B. and Adelaide (Potter) Peirce. Children, born in North Adams: I. Martha Erin, November 25, 1897. 2. Judith McDaniels, January 13, 1900. 3. Ralph An- drew, December 5, 1902. 4. Daniel Peirce, January 2, 1904.
EDWARDS There were several pioneer immigrants in New England bearing this name, and all left a very respectable and useful progeny. Among the most distinguished of the name may be mentioned the Rev. Jonathan Ed- wards, who left a strong impression upon edu-
cational and theological matters in the New England and the whole United States. The name belongs to the possessive class of Welsh origin, similar to Evans, Richards, Jones (John's), and many others.
(I) Alexander Edwards, a Welshman by birth, came early to Massachusetts and settled first in Springfield. He is of record there as early as 1642, having married April 28, that year, Sarah (Baldwin), widow of John Searle. In 1654 or the following year he removed to Northampton, Massachusetts, and died there September 4, 1690. He was proprietor of the first mill in that town, and was a prominent and useful citizen of the pioneer committee, helping to establish civilization in the midst of a wilderness. His house lot was on the south- east corner of the present Main and Pleasant streets. Six of his children were born in Springfield, and two in Northampton, namely : Samuel, September 1. 1643; Hannah, Febru- ary 18, 1645: Joseph, August 8, 1647; Mary, September 20, 1849: Benjamin, June 24, 1652 ; Sarah, October 21, 1654; National, mentioned below : Elizabeth, February 22, 1659.
(II) Nathaniel, fifth son of Alexander and Sarah (Baldwin) Edwards, was born June 25, 1657, in Northampton, and . resided in that town through life, dying October 3, 1731. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned num- erous tracts of land, as indicated by the first inventory of his estate måde December 24, 1631, including a house and""Homestead, thir- teen acres of meadow, fourteen acres over Mill river, a lot in the long division, and lots and rights in meadows and commons. He mar- ried (first) May 17, 1688. "Tepzibah Janes, born February 13. 1665 ; ( . November 9, 1691 ; daughter of William and Hannah ( Broughton ) Janes : (sı baptismal name Thankful, d
d) Elizabeth Stiles, who died April 5, 1710. His third wife, May 13, 1727. He married ( fourth ) Octob . 12, 1728, Han- nah, widow of John Goodman. of Hadley. She died in 1724. Children : Lyd born February Experience, Nathaniel, 5. 1689: Daniel, June 26, ! married Jonathan Wright, died young : Nathaniel, ment med below ; Jo- seph, died young : Joseph, Ma -- h 19, 1698; and iel Bartlett, Elizabeth, who married ( first 1719, and (second) Joseph I avons.
( III) Nathaniel (2), third on of Nathaniel (1) Edwards, and second child of his second wife, Elizabetli Stiles, was bo n July 26, 1694, in Northampton, and was a farmer in that town, a man of much means for his time, and of free-hearted disposition. He studied for a
209I
MASSACHUSETTS.
year in Yale College, and was a very apt scholar learning with little effort. He was subsequently a pupil for a time in a school maintained by Mr. Dwight, in Northampton. His free-heart- ed disposition and easy mode of life dissipated much of his property, and he died at the early age of fifty-one years, October 7, 1745. He married. May 18. 1720, Mary Strong. born May 19, 1701. died December 6, 1729, daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Sheldon ) Strong ; (second ). 1733, Elizabeth Sykes, of Springfield, who mar- ried (second ), 1748, Henry Curtis, of Coven- try. Children : Ebenezer, died aged two years ; Elizabeth, born November 29, 1723; Mary, No- vember 23, 1725; Ebenezer, mentioned below ; Ruth, August 15, 1729, died same year.
(IV) Ebenezer, second son of Nathaniel (2) and Mary (Strong) Edwards, was born Sep- tember 4. 1727, in Northampton, where he was a farmer, and was killed by a falling tree, Au- gust 22, 1771, near the close of his forty-fourth vear. The inventory of his estate, in October following his death, amounted to £972, 8s. He married, about 1748, Lucy Warner, born Sep- tember 2, 1725, died August 19, 1807, daugh- ter of Mark and Lydia (Phelps) Warner, of Northampton. Children : Nathaniel, born May 4, 1749; Timothy, March 25, 1751 ; Solomon, July 19, 1753; Oliver, mentioned below ; Lucy, August 12, 1757; Lydia, baptized July 30, 1759; Nancy, Augi st 16, 1761 ; Thadeus, 1763 ; and Alanzon, Je ary 19, 1766.
(V) Oliver, fourth son of Ebenezer and Lucy ( Warner) "Edwards, born August 29, 1775, in Northampton, was a soldier of the revolution. He enlisted first as private in Capt. Jonathan Aller bajompany of Gen. Pomeroy's minute-men, who marched April 20, 1775, on the Lexington em, and served eight days. He enlisted Apılı 27, in same company, under Col. John Fel' , 8th Massachusetts regi- ment : muster - dated August 1, 1775, serv- ice, over three months one week four days. He participated in Arnold's foolhardy and disastrous e . ogjon against Quebec, in the winter of It - enlisting September 9, 1775. He was taken guljoner at Quebec, and released in August, 1776, returned home and was for a time released iscr A poll tax on account of serv- ice. He rec .. ....... in order for money in lieu of bounty coat, at Dorchester, November 11, 1776, showing that he ;was again in the service at that time. His name appears in the list of men recruited for Continental army, sworn to in Hampshire county, April 8, 1779. He joined Capt. Jonathan Allen's company, Col. Putnam's regiment. for thine years, was reported at one
time as a deserter, but was reinstated. He probably served in the militia, as he is referred to in the records as Capt. Oliver Edwards. He is described as having light complexion, light hair, five feet six inches in height. Soon after the war he settled on Sugar Hill, in Chester- field, Massachusetts, where his sons Luther and Oliver subsequently resided. He served as selectman of the town, 1790-94, 1800. He married, January 15, 1783, Rachel Parsons, born August 15, 1757, daughter of Isaac and Lucina (Strong ) Parsons, of Northampton. The records of the town note baptisms : Rachel Parsons, January 5, 1783 ; Luther, January II, 1784; Sereno, January 22, 1786. There were several other children born in Chesterfield, among them : Mrs. William Pomeroy and Mrs. Ambrose Stone, of Williamsburg, and Joshua Bates, of Spaneatelus, New York.
(VI) Dr. Elisha, son of Captain Oliver and Rachel ( Parsons) Edwards, was born January 26, 1795, in Chesterfield, and died February 7, 1840, in Springfield, Massachusetts. When a young man he went to Northampton, and was employed in the apothecary store of E. Hunt as clerk, and about 1815 removed to Springfield, where he engaged in business on his own ac- count. From about 1820 to 1825 he was in partnership with Henry Stearns in the same business, and in 1828 became associated with Charles J. Upham, under the firm name of C. J. Upham & Co. He was one of the subscribers for land now used as Court Square. In 1822- 3-4 and 1826, was on parish committee of the Unitarian Society of Springfield. He was one of the organizers in 1836 of the Chicopee Bank of Springfield, now known as the Chicopee Na- tional Bank, and was one of its first nine di- rectors. The following tribute to his character is from the pen of one who knew him well.
"In the death of Dr. Elisha Edwards the community has lost one of her most esteemed citizens : the town, an enterprising, high mind- ed merchant ; and his family, a most kind and affectionate friend and counsellor. Few men among us have been more successful in busi- ness than Dr. Edwards, and very few can be found who possessed the independent enter- prise and perseverance with which he was en- dowed. Blessed as he was in affluence, he used it not for himself alone. The genuine sym- pathies of his nature were always alive to the misfortunes and wants of others. His hand was ever open to minister to the necessities of the poor and the destitute. No one in distress appealed to him in vain. In his friendship he was warm, decided and unwavering. Clouds
C :
2002
MASSACHUSETTS.
might arise, winds blow, and storms beat, but he was true as the needle to the pole. The home, the garden, and the flowers he once loved and cherished, remain. The flowers will again bloom, but not for him. - The hand that reared them is laid low. The clods of the valley cover him as he rests in his narrow dwelling, but he is gone, and we trust to a brighter and better world, where 'the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.'
He married, in 1821, Eunice, daughter of Daniel and Sylvia (Burt) Lombard, born Oc- tober 13, 1797, died December 15, 1875, sur- viving him more than thirty-five years. She was a lineal descendant of John Lombard. pioneer settler of Springfield. Her mother was descended from Henry Burt, also an early set- tler, and his wife Eulalia. John Lombard was twenty-three years postmaster at Springfield. and one of the first removed from office under the "spoils system" inaugurated by Jackson in 1828. Mrs. Edwards was remarkable for her beauty, which she retained during her seventy- eight years of life. She was endowed by un- usual capacity for business and cared for her ten children and the family estate with remarkable judgment and success. Children: I. Caroline L., wife of William L. Smith, Springfield. 2. Sophia Orne, married James H. Johnson ; home in Bath, New Hampshire. 3. Charlotte E., mar- ried, November 28, 1848, Benjamin F. Warner, who died in 1862; children: i. Caroline, born December 3, 1849, died December 19, 1886; ii. Ellen Warner, born May 31, 1854, married William M. Davis, professor, Cambridge Uni- versity ; children : Richard Mott Davis, Na- thaniel Burt Davis, Edward Mott Davis ; Frank Edwards Warner, born May 31, 1856, married Blanche Fay, child, Richard Fay Warner : Mr. Warner is connected with Bell Telephone Com- pany Boston. Mrs. Charlotte E. Warner re- sides in Springfield. 4. William, merchant, Cleveland, Ohio. 5. Julia E., married Charles H. Hurd, of Dorchester, Massachusetts. 6. Gen- eral Oliver, see forward. 7. Mary E., wife of Oscar A. Child, of Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1824 Dr. Edwards built the house at No. 5 Chestnut street, Springfield, where the re- mainder of his life was passed and where his children grew up. It was the cheerful abode of harmony and kind hospitality. When a young man, Mr. Edwards was read out of the
First Church at the time of the Unitarian se- cession, but its pastor, Dr. Osgood, remained his firm friend to the end. Dr. Edward's home on Chestnut street was known as "Rose Cot- tage," and its piazzas were covered with climb- ing roses. His garden was of the best, and here he reared fruit, flowers, and vegetables in profusion. In speaking of this home, one of his children says: "In the early days of peach culture there was such a yield the peaches were gathered in quantities under a large willow tree in sight of the so-called 'back gate' for free distribution. That same willow tree! Boys and girls, do you remember the swing that seemed to carry us skyward, almost to Heaven ; the elastic branch that bent but never broke, swaying in perfect harmony with the motion of the swing; and the fruit ochard yielding its fruit all the summer months, cherries, plums, early pears, apples, such immense red sweet apples as only that one tree was ever known to bear, its branches growing on purpose to make comfortable seats, where the children could pass hours in play or study. The Fourth of July picnics in that same orchard sometimes in the grove opposite, do you remember ? Also in the winter months, when the fruit that often seemed to boys the 'sweetest' was no longer there to tempt, its covering of shining ice at- tracted both boys and girls. Only this winter a sixty-year 'young' man recalled the jolly old times in that same ice-clad orchard."
(\'1I) General Oliver (2) Edwards, son of Dr. Elisha and Eunice ( Lombard) Edwards, was born January 30, 1835, in the Chestnut street home in Springfield, where he grew up. Hle was among the most valiant soldiers of the civil war, enlisting carly in 1861 in the roth Massachusetts Regiment, in which he was made first lieutenant and adjutant, June 21 of that year. He was mustered as colonel of the 37th Massachusetts Regiment, September 4, 1862. and was brevetted brigadier-general, October 10. 1864, for gallant and distinguished service at the battle of Spotsylvania, and was appoint- ed brigadier-general May 19, 1865. He received mention for meritorious conduct at the battle of Winchester, and was brevetted major gen- eral April 5, 1865, for conspicuous gallantry at Sailor's Creek, Virginia; was mustered out January 15, 1866, and subsequently took up his residence at Warsaw, Illinois.
3678
一
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.