Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 67

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 67

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).

August 7, 1851, he married Julia Perkins Pratt, born in Athens, March 27, 1828, daugh- ter of Captain David Pratt. She was a de- scendant in the seventh generation of John Pratt, first of the name in America, who immi- grated from England in 1633, locating first in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and subsequently re- moving to Hartford, Connecticut, where he became a very prominent man, serving as a deputy to the general court and as a magistrate. From John ( I) the line of descent is through John (2), who died in Hartford, 1687; Ser- geant Joseph (3), born 1671 ; Lieutenant Dan- iel (4), born 1710, died 1795; John (5), born 1740, died 1817; Captain David Pratt (6), was born in Colchester, Connecticut, March I, 1780, and died in Athens, Ohio, July 6, 1861. Julia Perkins ( Pratt ) Ballard was also a direct descendant of Governor William Bradford, of the Plymouth Colony, and of John Perkins, who was born in Newent, England, in 1590, and arrived at Boston in the ship "Lion," in 1631. Mrs. Ballard is widely and favorably known as the author of "Building Stones, "Seven Years from To-night," "Grandmother's Story," "Hole in the Bag" and "Among the Moths and Butterflies." Professor and Mrs. Ballard were the parents of three children.

(IX) Harlan Hoge Ballard, A. M., son of Rev. Addison Ballard, was born in Athens, Ohio, May 26, 1853. He was graduated from Williams College with the class of 1874, re- ceiving the degree of Master of Arts in course, and shortly after leaving college he engaged in educational work. For six years he was prin- cipal of the high school in Lenox, Massachu- setts, was principal of the Lenox Academy for the same length of time, and while residing in that town he founded the Agassiz Association. In 1887 he was chosen librarian of the Berk- shire Athenaeum, and the following year be- came secretary of the Berkshire Historical and

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Scientific Society of Pittsfield, in which capac- ity he is still serving. In addition to the above he is curator of the New Museum of Natural History and Art, presented to the city of Pitts- field by Zenas Crane, Esq., of Dalton, the brother of United States Senator Hon. Win- throp Murray Crane. He was for several years the editor of "Swiss Cross," and has de- voted considerable time to other important literary work. He is author of a translation of Virgil's "Aeneid," into English hexameter ; "The World of Matter ;" "Open Sesame ;" "Three Kingdoms," and joint author of Barnes's Readers. In Masonry he is well advanced, being a member of Berkshire Commandery, Knights Templar, and a thirty-second degree Mason, Massachusetts Consistory. He is a member of the Park Club, Pittsfield. As chairman of the school board and as curator of the Museum of National History and Art he has labored diligently and effectively in forwarding the interests of public education, and his efforts are heartily appreciated. Polit- ically he acts with the Republican party.

On August 30, 1879, Mr. Ballard married Lucy Bishop Pike, of Lenox, daughter of John and Lucy (Bishop) Pike. Her father was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, son of Nicholas Pike, and a descendant of an early settler in this state. Nicholas Pike was for many years master of the Newburyport grammar school, served as town clerk for some time, as sur- veyor from 1776 to 1802, and was the author of an arithmetic which was in general use in the public schools of his day. His work as a mathematician was highly commended by Gen- eral Washington in a personal letter. He died in Newburyport, December 9, 1819, aged sev- enty-six years. On the maternal side she was a granddaughter of Judge Henry Walker Bishop, of Lenox, and great-granddaughter of Hon. Nathaniel Bishop, of Richmond, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard have three children : I. Harlan Hoge, Jr. 2. Eliza- beth Bishop. 3. Lucy Bishop.

Talbot is an ancient English TALBOT surname. Walter Talbot and Hugh Colme, of Devonshire, England, were among the original settlers in Ulster province, Ireland, before 1630. They had fifteen hundred acres of land in the pre- cinct of Tullaghah, county Cavan. According to the official survey by Nicholas Pynnar, in 1619, Captain Hugh Colme and Walter Tal- bott had built a strong "bawn" surrounding a stone castle on this grant of land. Some of the

American families doubtless descend from this Walter, who seems to be progenitor of the Scotch-Irish (so-called), though his ancestry was undoubtedly English. About a third of the Ulster Protestant settlers were from Eng- land. Three of this surname came to Massa- chusetts before 1650. Moses Talbot, of Plymouth, was one of the crew of John How- land, at Kennebec river, in April, 1634, and was shot by Hocking. Peter Talbot also set- tled at Plymouth. By some genealogists he is believed to be identical with Peter Talbot, mentioned below. He was more likely the father, though the tradition does not harmonize with this theory. Peter, of Plymouth, was in the employ of Edward Doty, and had a claim on land for his service. The records show a deed of his claim August 22, 1636, and noth- ing more is known of him. Ralph Talbot was in Salem in 1643, probably a temporary resi- dent. William Talbot, a sailmaker, settled in Boston about 1650, and had daughters Judith and Mary, and son Joseph, born between 1652 and 1657. James Talbot, who lived for a time in Boston, may have been brother of William. A Jared Talbut married, April 1, 1664, at Taunton, Sarah Andrews.

(I) Peter Talbot, immigrant ancestor, according to the family history preserved by Joel Talbot, son of Ebenezer, who was born in 1723, grandson of Peter, and related in the New England Genealogical Register of 1855. He was born in Lancashire, England, and was sent to a boarding school in Edinburgh, Scot- and, where he was impressed with some fellow students by a press-gang and taken on a Brit- ish man-of-war bound for the American coast. When the vessel was off Rhode Island he de- serted alone, against the advice of his com- panions, and swam ashore. He passed so near the ship's watch in a rowboat that the bundle of clothes that he carried on his head was observed, and he narrowly avoided capture. When he reached the shore he hid under a haystack, and helped himself next morning to cow's milk, setting out at night to the north- ward, in the hope of reaching Dorchester, where he doubtless had friends. Hiding by day and nearly without food, he walked at night for the next three days. At nightfall on the third day he came upon a log house in which an aged woman lived alone, and she sheltered and fed him, and directed him on his way to Dorchester, whither he arrived two days later. He worked hard and saved from , wages in order to return to his home in Eng- land. Finally he engaged his passage on a

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vessel and went abroad, but strong head winds delayed the sailing and he went ashore for the night. At daybreak he found that the vessel sailed in the night, taking his belongings with her and leaving him penniless again. He set out again to save his passage money, but be- fore carrying out his purpose he married. He intended to take his wife with him to England, engaged their passage, and again the vessel sailed while he was ashore in the night. But this vessel was lost at sea and he accepted his good fortune in escaping death as prov- idential, and settled permanently in this coun- try. He removed from Dorchester to Chelms- ford, where his children were probably born. During the absence of himself and eldest son from home, the Indians killed an infant child and carried away his wife, but the Indians were pursued and she was restored to her home. The children Sarah and George and probably Elizabeth were out doors, and when the Indians came escaped capture or death by hiding in a ledge. The eldest son was killed by the Indians afterward. Talbot returned to his old home in Dorchester and died there about 1704. His widow lived with her son George in that part of Dorchester now Stough- ton, probably the original homestead of Peter Talbot, the immigrant. He married, at Dor- chester, January 23, 1677-8, Mary Waddell, of Dorchester, Worshipful Daniel Guggins offi- ciating. Children : I. George, mentioned below. 2. Elizabeth, married, November 27, 1713. Eleazer Puffer. 3. Sarah.

(II) George, son of Peter Talbot, was born about 1680, and died about 1760. He was the only surviving son. He was a Puritan of "consistent piety and goodness." At the age of twelve lie began to ask the blessing for the family when his father was absent. He was an earnest and useful citizen. His mother spent her last years in his family and he doubt- less had the homestead at Dorchester. Chil- dren, born at Dorchester: 1. Mary, March 24, 1708. 2. Daniel, March 7, 1709-10. 3. Hannah, May 1, 1712. 4. Captain George, October 24, 1714 ; married, July 27, 1737, Eliz- abeth Withington. 5. Peter, February 27, 1717-8; mentioned below. 6. Sarah, August 23. 1719. 7. Jerusha, October 6, 1721 ; mar- ried, November 20, 1746, Jonathan Capen, Jr. 8. Ebenezer, December 4, 1723. 9. Experience (daughter), February 20, 1725.

(III) Captain Peter, son of George Talbot, was born in Dorchester, February 27, 1717-18. Ile was a prominent citizen of Stoughton, which was set off from the old town of Dor-

chester, and. was a leading figure in the mili- tary affairs of the town. When the Lexing- ton alarm came he marched at the head of his company, April 19, 1775, in the regiment of Colonel Lemuel Robinson. He married (first) December 5, 1744, Abigail Wheeler, of Stough- ton. She died November 3, 1750, and he mar- ried (second) January 8, 1752, Mary Bailey, at Stoughton. Children of first wife, born at Stoughton: I. Peter, November 6, 1745. 2. Samuel, February 24, 1746-7 ; mentioned below. Children of second wife: 3. Jabez, born April 20, 1753. 4. Mehitable, March 12, 1755. 5. Esther, February 18, 1757. 6. Anna, May I, 1763. 7. Hannah, January 9, 1766. 8. Rich- ard, August 24, 1770.

(IV) Captain Samuel, son of Captain Peter Talbot, was born at Stoughton, probably on the original homestead. He was a soldier in the revolution, in his father's company, on the Lexington alarm; was first lieutenant in Cap- tain Simeon Leach's company, Colonel Benja- min Gill's regiment, at fortification of Dor- chester Heights, March 4, 1776; second lieu- tenant in same company March 21, 1776, when the militia was called out when the British ships lay in the harbor in Boston ; second lieu- tenant in Captain Robert Swan's company, Colonel Benjamin Gill's regiment, marching from Stoughton to Squantum, June 13, 1776, when the British fleet left Boston harbor ; cap- tain during the revolution, of Sixth company, Third Suffolk county regiment. He married, September 5, 1769, at Stoughton, Mary Fisher. Children, born at Stoughton : 1. Abigail, May 28, 1770. 2. Mary, July 2, 1771. 3. Ezra, January 20, 1773. 4. Lucy, September 12, 1776. 5. Samuel, September 15, 1778. 6. Polly, May 20, 1780. 7. Peter, June 30, 1783. 8. James, August 31, 1785. 9. John, Novem- ber 22, 1786. 10. Jabe, August 25, 1788. II. Joel, March 4, 1790; mentioned below. 12. Calvin, July 29, 1792.

(V) Joel, son of Captain Samuel Talbot, was born at Stoughton, March 4, 1790, and died there in 1859. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and in his boyhood worked at farming. He learned the trade of carpenter, and was a contractor and builder for many years. He acquired a knowl- edge of land surveying and conveyancing. He was also an architect of considerable reputa- tion. He held many places of public and pri- vate trust, and was much employed in settling estates and other probate business. He was for many years a member of tlte school com- mittee of Stoughton. In religion he was a

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Universalist. He was a member of Rising Star Lodge of Free Masons. He married Millie Gay Capen, born about 1797, died at Stough- ton in 1876. Children: 1. Lucy, married Luther Porter. 2. Sally, married Alanson Wentworth. 3. Mary, married William Waldo, 4. George, mentioned below. 5. Samuel, died aged twenty years.

(VI) George, son of Joel Talbot, was born at Stoughton, January 14, 1824, and died there July 8, 1878. He received his education in the public schools of Stoughton, and learned civil engineering and surveying of his father. He became a general contractor, and had many large and important contracts for the construc- tion of railroads, bridges, etc. Among the contracts he carried out were a section of the Old Colony Railroad and a large number of highway bridges in different parts of Massa- chusetts. He was prominent in public life. For a long time he was a member of the school committee of Stoughton, and for several terms an active and efficient county commissioner of Norfolk county. He also held the office of selectman of Stoughton, and other positions of trust and responsibility. He led an extremely useful and busy life. He administered many important estates in his later years. He was a Universalist in his younger days, but later a Spiritualist. He was a prominent Free Mason, a member of Rising Star Lodge ; of the Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; and of Old Colony Commandery, Knights Templar, of Abington. He married, January, 1855, Lucy Ann Pack- ard, born in 1830, in Stoughton, died there in 1906, daughter of Orin and Cynthia (Hol- brook) Packard, of Avon, Massachusetts. Her father was a boot and shoe maker by trade. She had three sisters-Betsey Bates Packard, married Alden Capen ; Mary Frances, married Rufus Clark Hewett, and Sarah Jane Packard, married Mr. Upham. She had one brother, Henry Packard, who died young. Children, born in Stoughton: I. Mary, February 29, 1856; married Charles W. French, and resides at Arlington Heights; two sons: George Tal- bot, Oscar Wyman. 2. L. Alice, born July 7, 1859 ; resides in Stoughton.

HART Isaac Hart, immigrant ancestor, was probably born in Scratby, Eng- land, about 1614. He embarked at Yarmouth, England, April 11, 1636, in the ship "Rose," Captain Anderson, master. He came as tutor in the family of Richard Car- ver, of Scratby, county Norfolk. He settled

in Watertown, and about 1642 bought an acre of land and built a house. He sold this Feb- ruary 3, 1656, and October 4 following bought a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Reading, in what is now North Lynnfield. In 1673 he bought five hundred acres in what is now Lynnfield, near North Reading, on which he resided until his death, February 10, 1699. He was in King Philip's war, in Captain Gard- ner's company, February 29 to November, 1675-6. His will was dated February 6, 1699, and proved February 19, 1699-1700. He mar- ried, about 1650, Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Anne Hutchin's. Elizabeth was charged with witchcraft, and sent to Boston, May 18, 1692, where she was imprisoned until December, nearly seven months. Her son Thomas peti- tioned for her release, which was finally granted. The testimony against her was as follows : "The deposition of Mary Wolcott, who testi- fied and saith that on the 13th of May, 1692, I saw the apparition of Goody Hart, who hurt me much by pinching and choking of me and urged me grievously to set my hand to her book, and several times she has tormented me, ready to tear body to pieces." She died No- vember 28, 1700. Children : I. Elizabeth, born December 1I, 1651. 2. Deborah, mar- ried, February 15, 1673, Benjamin Proctor. 3. Thomas, died unmarried, March 8, 1730-1. 4. John. 5. Samuel, born February 9, 1656; men- tioned below. 6. Adam, born April 4, 1666.

(II) Captain Samuel, son of Isaac Hart, was born February 9, 1656, and resided on the homestead. From the age of sixteen to sixty he followed the sea, and became a captain. After 1716 he remained on his farm at Lynn- field. On one of his voyages he received from the Grand Turk a silver cup and other trinkets. The following traditional story of him is hand- ed down in the family: He said, as he was lying awake one night in his cabin, a woman entered, having in one hand a lighted candle and in the other an hour-glass. He looked at the hour-glass and saw that the sands were almost run, and thought it meant he should die with the running of the last sands. But as the last sands were run, the woman turned the hour-glass and vanished. He then concluded that his life was half spent, and voted to him- self the time, but would never tell his family when this occurred. He died December 30, 1730. He married Sarah Endicott, said to be a niece of Governor John Endicott. Children. born in Lynn, now Lynnfield, Massachusetts : I. Elizabeth, November 16, 1686. 2. Thomas.

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August 12, 1696. 3. Samuel, October 30, 1698. 4. John, March 25, 1703; mentioned below. 5. Jonathan, November 2, 1710.

(III) John, son of Captain Samuel Hart, was born in Lynnfield, March 25, 1703. He. was a farmer in Lynn. His will was dated April 9, 1777, and proved December 1, 1777. He married Mehitable Endicott, born August 14, 1699, in Boxford, daughter of Zerubbable Jr. and Grace (Simonds) Endicott, grand- daughter of Dr. Zerubbabel, and great-grand- daughter of Governor John Endicott. Her father was a merchant in Boxford. Children, born in Lynnfield: 1. John, 1733 ; mentioned below. 2. Zerubbabel, 1738; died February 14, 1797. 3. Mehitable, 1743; died April 9, 1766, unmarried. 4. Sarah, married, Novem- ber 7, 1776, Anthony Baxton.

(IV) John (2), son of John (1) Hart, was born in 1733, and died April 11, 1811, aged seventy-eight. He resided in Lynnfield, and was a farmer. He served in the revolution, and was at the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775 ; he was in Captain Ebenezer Winship's company, Colonel John Nixon's Fifth Regi- ment, in 1775. He married, April 19, 1757, Lydia Curtis. Children, born in Lynnfield : I. Jacob, baptized November 12, 1758. 2. John, baptized October 13. 1760. 3. Ebenezer, born November 15. 1762. 4. Mehitable, baptized December 16, 1764. 5. William, born 1766. 6. Sarah, baptized April 23, 1769 : died unmar- ried September 22, 1815. 7. Daniel, baptized November 10, 1771 ; mentioned below. 8. Joseph, baptized November 19, 1774. 9. Lydia, baptized August 25, 1775. 10. Molly, baptized July 18, 1779.

(V) Daniel, son of John (2) Hart, was born in Lynnfield, and baptized November 10, 1771. He was a farmer on the homestead, and died October 20, 1827. He married, December 13, 1792, Polly Tapley, died November 2, 1860, aged nearly eighty-five years, at North Read- ing, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Tapley, of Lynnfield. Children: I. David, born April 22, 1793. 2. Daniel, October 23, 1794; mentioned below. 3. Betsey, May 22. 1797. 4. William, June 13, 1799. 5. Lucy, August 21, 1801. 6. Phebe, October 13, 1803. 7. Aaron Tapley, March 13, 1806 ; died August 3, 1846, of consumption, unmarried. 8. Eli- jah Tapley, born September 23, 1808; died unmarried, January 18, 1848. 9. Polly, born March 23, 1811; died August 16, 1820. IO. Joseph Tapley, born March 10, 1813. II. Sally Avery, April 8, 1815. 12. Clarissa Tap-

ley, February 20, 1818. 13. Polly, November 23, 1820.

(VI) Daniel (2), son of Daniel (I) Hart, was born at Lynnfield, October 23, 1794, and died of consumption, May 31, 1855. He re- sided at North Reading, where he was a farmer. He married (intentions dated Janu- ary 1, 1821), Margaret Norton, born October 30, 1796, died in Reading, February 4, 1867, daughter of Major John and Margaret ( Batch- elder ) Norton of Royalston. Her father was a cordwainer by trade, and served in the revo- lution, in Captain Abel Wilde's company, Col- onel Doolittle's regiment, in June, August and October, 1775; also in Captain Peter Wood- bury's company, Colonel Nathan Sparhawk's regiment, in 1778, his age given as twenty-one years, height five feet eight inches, complex- ion light. He was sergeant in Captain J. R. Smith's company, under Lieutenant Colonel Calvin Smith, in 1781 and 1782. According to the family, he served at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was of an Ipswich family, and moved to Reading. His wife Margaret was daughter of Major and Deacon John Batch- elder, of Haverhill, granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Batchelder, and fifth in descent from Joshua (I), who was from Kent, England, through John (2) of Reading. Children, born at North Reading: I. Eliza Norton, June 16, 1822. 2. Daniel Augustus, August 15, 1824. 3. Thomas Norton, mentioned below.

(VHI) Hon. Thomas Norton Hart, son of Daniel Hart, was born in North Reading, January 20, 1829. He received a common school education in his native town, and left home at the age of thirteen to begin his career in Boston. Since 1842 he has been a resident of that city. He was first a clerk in the store of Wheelock, Pratt & Company, dry goods dealers. After one and a half years with this firm he returned home and attended the Read- ing Academy for about six months, then enter- ed the employ of C. B. Grinnell, in Hanover street, Boston, dcaler in hats and furs, where he remained with Grinnell and other owners until January, 1850, when he became a clerk in the store of Philip A. Lockc, dcaler in hats and furs, and his diligence and ability won promotion from time to time. In 1855 he was admitted to partnership by his employers. The firm was Philip A. Locke & Co. Mr. Locke retired, and the firm was dissolved in 1861, when Mr. Hart organized the firm of Hart, Taylor & Company, dealers in hats, caps and furs. His partner was Frederick B. Taylor.

Thomas M. roast

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The business grew to large proportions and was eminently successful. In the course of time the firm became the largest in this line of business in New England. In 1878 Mr. Hart retired from the mercantile business with a substantial fortune. In 1880 he was elected president of the Mount Vernon National Bank of Boston.

Successful as he was in business and bank- ing, Mr. Hart is best known to the public by his brilliant career in political life. He was elected to the common council of the city of Boston in 1879, and served in that body for three years with distinction. He was pro- moted to the board of aldermen in 1882 and served also as an alderman in 1885 and 1886. He was an active and influential Republican, though always inclined to independence in

municipal affairs, eliminating politics as far as possible from public business. He was nominated by the Republican party for mayor on a non-partisan platform in 1886, but was defeated by Hugh O'Brien. Boston was then a very strong Democratic city. Mr. Hart ran against Mayor O'Brien in 1887, and mater- ially reduced the majority of the Democratic candidate. In 1888 he was successful, defeat- ing his former opponent at the polls and re- ceived the largest vote ever cast for a Repub- lican for mayor of Boston. He was again elected in 1899 for two years, receiving the largest vote ever cast up to that time for mayor of Boston. His third election as mayor was a striking evidence of the public approval. He was an able and conscientious executive, and fairly and consistently carried out the policies of his platform, "to administer its affairs faithfully, honestly, according to law, without discrimination on account of creed or color, nativity or party." Mayor Hart receiv- ing many convincing proofs of the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, espec- ially from those who respected the old-fash- ioned virtues of honesty and public economy and favored his policy of "pay-as-you-go" for cities as well as persons. He taught the policy of non-partisanship in municipal affairs effec- tively. He was appointed in 1891 postmaster of the city of Boston by President Harrison, and he filled the office with ability and effi- ciency until his successor was appointed by President Cleveland, June 30, 1893. He was well liked by Democrats as well as Republi- cans in the postmastership as well as the may- oralty. Since his retirement from public life, he has not ceased to take an interest in politics and to use his influence effectively in matters

pertaining to the municipal welfare and prog- ress. Few men have secured and held so fully and unreservedly the sincere regard of their fellow-citizens in commercial, financial, civil and religious life.

Mr. Hart is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and for three years was a mem- ber of the Clearing House committee. He was for many years trustee of the Penny Savings Bank of Boston. He is a member of the Mer- chants and Algonquin Clubs of Boston. In religion he is a Unitarian. During the pastor- ate of Rev. Minot J. Savage, he was a member of the Church of the Unity and an officer of the society. For many years he has been a member of the Arlington Street Church. He is a life member of the American Unitarian Association, and was the treasurer. He is fond of out-door sports, and has been for many years a member of the Hull Yacht Club. He is interested in art and belongs to the Bos- ton Art Club. His home is on Commonwealth avenue, Boston. He has a summer cottage at Swampscott, Massachusetts.

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Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 67

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