USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > Genealogies of some old families of Concord, Mass. and their descendants in part to the present generation, 1887 > Part 20
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denomination who came around. The first day school met there, also the earliest town meetings, courts, and elections, Mr. Barrett holding several town, eonuty, State, and United States offices. He left his farm to obtain better school and religions privileges, and moved farther west, to Wasioja, iu 1866, thence to Minneapolis, where he and his son Frauk had previously established the Asbestine Stone Company, for manufacturing artificial stone.
GEORGE MINOTT BARRETTMM3, of Grafton, Vt., was clerk for many years in Grafton for his uncle, Capt. John Barrett, and succeeded to the business, which he conducted for nearly fifty years successfully, and gained the esteem of all that lad relations with him. Ile died in 1883.
GEORGE BARRETTITE, born in New Ipswich, N. H., was for a time clerk for his cousin, Henry Melville, in Nelson, N. H., where he lived for several years, then returning to New Ipswich, where he for a time kept a store. He atter- wards removed to Boston, entering into a copartnership with Silas Bullard (they were agents for the sale of cotton goods which were made at the factories in New Ipswich, Mr. Barrett's father being a large owner in these factories), con- tinuing until the death of Mr. Bullard, in 1835. He resided in Boston seven years after his marriage, then re- turning to New Ipswich, living at the family mansion until the death of his mother. He succeeded Mr. Ainsworth as cashier of the bank at New Ipswich, and retained that posi- tion until illness obliged him to resign. After his election, he removed to the Bank Village, where the bank was then located; it was removed to its present location about the year 1845. Soon after this his brother Charles removed to Boston, and as it was George Barrett's great wish to own Forest Hall, the family homestead in New Ipswich, he pur- chased it, and lived there the remainder of his life. Although devoted to his business, he found great pleasure in beautify- ing his fine country home. All kinds of country pursuits gave him keen enjoyment. Ilis business qualifications were very fine, and his honesty and uprightness were such that persous often said of him, "His word is as good as his bond." A man of kindest heart and most generous impulses, and all of the many whom he numbered among his friends enter- tained for him the highest esteem and regard. One of his marked tastes was his great love of Shakespeare. He read and reread Shakespeare's plays, and could recite whole pages from his works. He died in 1862, after a painful illness of two years, which he bore with great fortitude. Ilis wife still survives him, and lives in the old homestead, Forest Ilall. A very pleasing incident in Mr. Barrett's life was his interview with Samuel Appleton, Esq., of Boston. Mr. Appleton's letter, and Mr. Barrett's account of the interview, are as follows : -
GEORGE BARRETT, Esq.
BOSTON, May 27, 1850.
Dear Sir, - I will thank you to call on me. at my house in Boston, as it is convenient for you so to do (it may be, perhaps, for their inter-
est), respecting the descendants of my early friend, your grandfather, the late Hon. Charles Barrett. Please write me and say when prob- ably you will call on me. Very respectfully,
Your friend and humble servant, SAMUEL APPLETON.
"On receipt of the above, I made arrangements and started for Boston. I called on Mr. Appleton, and he said : Your grandfather met me in the street, when I was young and very poor, and took a fancy to mne (for what reason I do not know, nor can I conceive to this day). He had large quantities of land in Maine, and sent me, with others, to settle the town of Hope. The others were to pay one hun- dred dollars cach, for their farms; mine he gave me, but I did not like it, and returned. He still fancied me, and tokl me he would put me into trade. He did. He built a store for me, lent me sufficient money, gave me an unlimited letter of credit on Samuel Parkman of Boston, took me with his owu family to board, and told me that if I lost the money he was satisfied ; if I never paid him for board he was satis- fied ; that I might pay him part of profits, if I pleased, or not. In fact, left it all to me to do as I pleased. Mr. Barrett was the origin of the wealth of our family, for if it had not been for him, I probably should never have gone to Boston.' He then inquired how many heirs my father's sister, Mrs. Dana, had. I told him five. He knew we had but three. He then said : 'I want to make some small presents on account of my early friend, your grand- father, the Hon. Charles Barrett, and I propose five thou- sand dollars for yourself, your brother Charles, and Mrs. Hersey.' Ile handed me a cheek for that amount on the Columbian Bauk, and the following receipt, in his own hand- writing, to sign : -
Received of Samuel Appleton, Five Thousand Dollars, which sum is given, as he says, for the kindness and patronage he received from my grandfather, the Hon. Charles Barrett, in early life, when he was young and poor. I promise to pay over to my sister, Mrs. Hersey, one third of it, and to my brother, Charles Barrett, one third. It will stand thus: -
For Mrs. Hersey $1,666.67
For Charles Barrett . 1,666.67
For myself, George Barrett 1,666 66
BOSTON, May 29, 1850.
$5,000.00
"He also requested me to sec Gen. James Dana, my cousin, and tell him to call, and he would receive a check for five thousand dollars."
The following notice appeared in the Boston Daily Adver- tiser: " Samuel Appleton, Esq., has recently bestowed ten thousand dollars upon the descendants of an early friend. It is pleasing to record this act of private munificence, which reflects so much honor upon the heart of the generous donor."
GEORGE MINOTT BARRETT2152, of Staten Island, N. Y., settled at first in Malden, Mass. He was connected with his brother William's dyc-house, and about 1818 visited Staten
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Geor Barrett
George 76 Barritt
OLD FAMILIES, CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS.
Island, N. Y., in company with his brother William, Wmn. Tileston, and Farnham Hall, for the purpose of selecting a suitable location for erecting a dye-house. They purchased about sixteen acres of laud on the north shore of the island, and immediately commenced to erect suitable buildings, or- ganized and commenced work 1819. In 1824, the business having proved successful, was organized into a stock com- pany, under the name of the "New York Dyeing and Print- ing Establishment," under which name the business is still continued. Mr. Barrett was appointed chief superintendent, and held the position for many years, being a director until his death.
GEORGE HUBBELL BARRETT2937 of Oakland, Cal. He left his home at the age of fifteen ; attended school at Kings- ville Academy one year; he taught school during two winters, and was a part of the time a clerk in a store in Springfield, Pa., until he was eighteen years of age ; he then moved to Wisconsin, from thence to California, and there engaged in farming. In the time of the War of the Rebel- lion he was orderly sergeant of cavalry in the Home Guards, the State having armed ten thousand men for home safety, in the absence of the regulars. Ile moved, in 1875, from San Pueblo to Oakland.
HUMPHREY BARRETTTES was born at the Barrett home- stead in Bolton. He was for many years successful at the watch-making trade. He moved to Lancaster, where he was the postmaster for more than thirty years, and at the same time continuing in the wateh-making trade. In 1884 he went to Eustis, Fla., and died there the following year.
HUMPHREY BARRETTA53 owned and lived upon the farm where his ancestor, Humphrey Barrett, settled in 1640. A farmer, managing his farm with prudence and economy, making the returns profitable. He was assessor of taxes 1783, town treasurer 1792-93. He died in 1827, without issue, willing nearly all of his property to his nephew, Albert B. Heywood.
HENRY BARRETT2382 of Malden, Mass., after the death of his father in 1834, formed a company with his brothers Wil_ liam and Simon H., and Henry Jaques, to continue the dye- ing business at Malden. Upon the death of William, about four years later. the company was reorganized, with Mr. Barrett and his brothers Simon H., Augustus, and Aaron as members. About 1844, Simon H. and Augustus relin- quished their interests, after which time Mr. Barrett and his brother Aaron carried on the business until the death of Aaron, 1878; Mr. Barrett continuing it alone till the present time, his son, Richard S., now having the principal manage- ment of the business. The works were removed in 1882 to Somerville, Mass. Mr. Barrett was for several years presi- dent of the Middlesex Savings Bank, and has been personally interested in the welfare of his native town.
HON. JOSEPH BARRETTISH of Concord, Mass .. a grand-ou of Col. James Barrett, of Revolutionary fame ; his mother was Miliscent Estabrook, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Esta- brook, who was for years a minister of the town, and whose ancestry traces back to the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, the first minister in Concord. He received such educational advau- tages only as were afforded by the common schools. with the addition of a few months spent at the Westford Academy. While yet a boy he gave promising indications of the physi- cal powers that he was to be so noted for in after years. When about fifteen years of age, with his father upon his back, a man who weighed two hundred and sixty pounds, he forded the Assabet River. He learned the trade of leather dresser in New Haven, Conn., of his brother-in-law, and car- ried on that kind of business in Concord before his majority. Appointed deputy sheriff of the county and keeper of the jail at the age of twenty-five. In this capacity he became fa- miliarly known, it falling generally to his lot to arrest the desperate characters. Many stories are told of his fearless courage and feats of strength required in executing the duties of this office. He was also, about this time. elected captain of the military company known vulgarly as the " Old Shad," then in a state bordering on insubordination, and under his discipline reduced to perfect subjection. In 1822 he became the owner of the famous " Lee Farmi," of four hundred aeres ; added to this was one hundred acres of outlying land ; this. with his large sheep farm in New Hampshire, made him one of the most extensive farmers of the State, keeping hundreds of sheep and cattle ; scores of horses and oxen grazed upon his hills or labored in tilling his lands. He excelled in his various undertakings ; his product of wool was of the finest. winning the first prizes at the fairs ; and in the great plough- ing matches with the farmers, "Squire Joe," as he was famil- iarly called, was sure to come out ahead. He made large quantities of eider each season, often five hundred barrels or more. As instances of his strength. it is told that he could lift, unaided, a barrel of cider over the wheels and into his wagon. He one time shouldered and carried up two flights of stairs a bag containing over eight bushels of shelled eorn. Though upwards of six feet in height and weighing about two hundred and fifty pounds, he handled pitchforks, hoes, and other small tools about his farm with great strength, but with case and natural facility : could dance as lightly upon the floor as those of slighter build ; and it was his wont to enter church during prayer-time without disturbing the worship. He was always very active in the town offices : was chairman of the board of assessors, chairman of the board of selectmen. pres- ident of the fire association, and fire-warden, president of the Middlesex Agricultural Society, and held other minor offices. In 1831 he was elected to the State Legislature, and again. frequently, in subsequent years. In 1845 elected Treasurer and Receiver-General of the State, and was re-elected four times, being in the office at the time of his death. Joseph Barrett was a Concord produet, purely ; all his ancestry in this country were of Concord origin, or settlers of the town.
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A man of temperate habits, warm-hearted, generous, and possessing those traits of character which endeared him alike to both family and friends. He died suddenly, of heart dis- ease, in his seventy-first year, in 1849.
HON. JONATHAN FAY BARRETT2124, of Concord, in his youth attended Mrs. Bliss' private school in Concord. While in attendance there he was the playmate and class- mate of Judge Hoar ; the friendship then formed was firmly eemented in the intercourse of riper years. At a public meeting, held in the Concord Town Hall during the congres- sional contest between Judge Hoar and Gen. Butler, Mr. Barrett's love and esteem for his old schoolnate manifested itself in an eloquent and fiery attack upon the Judge's maligners, which few who heard will ever forget. He was one of the famous class of llarvard College, 1837. In 1855, Mr. Barrett, with Thomas W. Pierce, and other Boston eap- italists, became interested in railroad enterprises, and went to Galveston, Texas, where he originated and afterwards be- came the president of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroad, running between Galveston and Harrisburgh, and now a part of the great Texas Central Railway system. In religious matters he was somewhat of a free-thinker, but friendly to the church and its people, and an attendant at the Unitarian church in his native town for several years.
ISRAEL BARRETT2645, of Oneida County, N. Y., served in the operations against Nova Scotia in Capt. Ward's com- pany, and was taken prisoner September, 1775; he also served in the War of the Revolution.
JAMES BARRETT1839, the eldest son of Col. James Barrett, was born in Concord, in the old block-house now known as the Prescott Barrett Homestead, and made famous as the hiding-place for military stores on the 19th of April, 1775. Ile certainly began life in an exceedingly small way, for it is related that at the time of his birth he was placed, without squeezing, into a quart tankard ; but, like the oak, he was not daunted by so small a beginning, for on arriving at man- hood he measured fully six feet, being broad-shouldered and strong. While a young man he worked on his father's farm, getting his education from the schools of the town. July 4, 1758, being then twenty-five years of age, he married Miliscent Estabrook, granddaughter of the Rev. Joseph Esta- brook. Ile settled on the farm now known as the Geo. M. Barrett Homestead, the house he built, where he ever after- ward lived. He assisted his father in the preparations to resist the British in 1775, and was a participant in the " Con- cord fight." Hearing that a company of the invaders were on their way to search his house and that of his father, and realizing that his wife and seven little children were left un- protected, he mounted his horse and rode with all speed to their assistance. On reaching home, he found his house locked and its occupants gone. It seems his wife, hearing that the enemy were coming, had gathered her husband's papers,
and their little stock of silver, placing them in a bushel basket, then depositing the baby on top she started with her burden for the woods, followed by the rest of the chil- dren, where her husband found her. A kind and indulgent father, his children were brought up in the strictest manner. A religious man, he believed and insisted that no work should be done, other than was necessary, after sundown on a Saturday, but that the evening before the Sabbath should be spent in prayer and meditation. He required all his household to attend church, and his daughters were never allowed to receive callers on Sunday. He was an extensive farmer, and one of the leading men of the town; he trans- acted a good deal of legal business for his neighbors, as law- yers were then a rarity ; he was noted for his business ability and strict integrity. He was a justice of the peace, and a member of the first, last, and most of the intermediate Revo- lutionary committees of correspondence. He represented his town several times in the General Court. He died in his sixty-fourth year, and was buried in the Hill burying- ground.
MAJOR JAMES ATWATER BARRETT2018 served throughout the Rebellion, having enlisted in July, 1861, as first sergeant in Company H, Forty-eighth Regiment, New York Volun- teer Infantry, and was mastered out Sept. 1, 1865. Ser- geant Barrett was promoted to second lieutenant Dec. 29, 1862, and to first lieutenant July 23, 1863; receiving then a furlough of two months, he visited his home in Concord, Mass., returning to his regiment in September. He was wounded in battle June 2, 1864, at Cold Harbor ; then, after a furlough of three months spent at the North, he rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, Va. Captain Barrett married Jane Farmer1202. He died at his home in Brooklyn, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1885.
CAPT. JOHN BARRETT1025. Born in Mason, N. H., he lived during his minority upon his father's farm, removing to Grafton, Vt., about 1805, then engaging in mereantile business with Nathan Wheeler. He at once took an active part in the affairs of the town ; he was chosen a selectman in 1807, and for several years sueeceding ; chosen a representa- tive to the General Assembly in 1811, and re-elected five terms. The business eopartnership of Wheeler & Barrett continued about ten years, after which Mr. Wheeler remained at the old stand, and Mr. Barrett built the brick building (now the town house), which he occupied as a store until 1828, when he retired from business, having aceumulated a handsome property, and gained a thorough and honest business reputation. Always an active member of the Congregational society, he became a member of the church in 1833. When that society was divided, he was prominent as a member of the South Congregational Society, contributing a large share of the funds required in building the church. He was State senator, 1841 and 1842. He died in 1856.
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REV. JOHN BARRETT'S, familiarly known in life as Father Barrett, a faithful minister of the Gospel, graduated at Wil- liams College, 1810. He was employed for a time by the Evangelical Society, and was ordained at Mesopotamia, Ohio, 1827. He died without issue, in 1849.
JOHN LYMAN BARRETT1134 of Greeley, Col., a graduate of Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt., 1847. He taught school several years in Georgia and Louisiana ; was ad- mitted to the bar, 1855, beginning law practice at Farmers- ville Union Parish, La. Ile was a member of the Consti- tutional Convention of Lonisiana, 1868, and removed to Greeley, 1874.
REV. JOHN P. BARRETT2529, of Farmington, Ill., fitted for college at Watertown High School, graduating from Havard College, 1864; spent one year at Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, when ill health compelled him to abandon study. From 1865 to 1876 he entered into business con- nectious at Boston, St. Louis, and Chicago. In 1877 he graduated from the Chicago Theological Seminary, aud was ordained and settled as pastor of the Congregational church at Manchester, Iowa, 1877 ; at Hennepin, Ill., 1881 ; thence to Farmington, INl., where he is now preaching. He also served for a short time with the Christian Commission.
CAPT. JOHN MILLER BARRETT1575 of Baltimore, Md., a captain of militia, and took a prominent part in the defence of Baltimore in the War of 1812, raising a company of his own, which did valuable service, in recognition of which Congress gave him a commission in the Regular Army as lieutenant, Fourth Regiment. Ile was stricken with yellow fever, and died, leaving an enviable reputation as a soldier. His momument at Baltimore bears the following inscription : "John M. Barrett, Lieut. 5th Reg. U. S. Infantry and Com- missary U. S. A., died in passage from New Orleans to Mobile, Oct. 16, 1819. A defender of Fort McHenry and Lieut. of the 38th U. S. Infantry of the line during the War of 1812."
JOHN LEAHY BARRETT1578, of Baltimore, Md., resided in New York City from 1844 to 1869, when he returned to Baltimore and engaged with his brother Minott in the gild- ing trade. He is now retired from business.
LIEUT. JONAS BARRETT1162, born in Concord, settled in Ashby (then Townsend) in 1760, when the town was a wil- derness : built a log-hut and began clearing his farm; in 1764-5 he built his dwelling-house, which is still standing. Lieut. Barrett was one of the leading meu of the town ; he was a seleetman of Townsend, 1767, and in May, 1768, was elected selectman of the new town, Ashby, and re-elected 1773 and 1774; assessor, 1769; treasurer, 1771 to 1774; town clerk, 1772-74; constable, 1775. He died in Ashby, 1803.
JONAS STONE BARRETTE is mentioned in the " History of Belfast, Me.," as having a peculiar religious belief, which he set forth in a pamphlet entitled "New Views of the Bible, and its Abuses by the Priests," which was published in 1812. He removed to California, and died there in 1864
CAPT. JOSEPH BARRETTOR removed from Concord to Mason, N. II., before that town was incorporated, and set- tled upon the farmi which is still owned by his descendants. He was an industrious farmer, and had the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was town clerk fourteen years, first selectman fourteen years, town treasurer twelve years, and representative four years. He died in 1831.
REV. JOSHUA BARRETT 117, a graduate from Dartmouth College, 1810. He studied theology and engaged in preach- ing and as a missionary, and was ordained over the Second Church at Plymouth, Mass., JJau. 11, 1826. He died 1868.
REV. LUTHER G. BARRETT251 at the age of teu went to reside with a relative in Sturbridge, Mass. Here, at the age of twelve, he was converted and baptized into fellowship with the Baptist Church. At sixteen he entered the High School in Watertown, his native place, thence to Harvard College, graduating in 1862 ; also graduated from the New- ton Theological Seminary, class of 1865. While a student at the seminary, he spent most of the winters 1864 and 1865 in the service of the Christian Commission, in the army before Richmond; was ordained to the ministry at Watertown, Sept. 7, 1865. Ill health now compelled a rest. during which he made the tour of Europe. In September. 1867, he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church in Weston, Mass. ; called to Winchester, Mass., 1870 ; in 1875 to a Baptist church in New York City ; in July, 1878, to the church in South Abington, Mass; in July, 1880, of the Pleasant Street Baptist Church, Concord, Mass.
MYRON ERASTUS BARRETT2950 of Niles, Mich. He was a teacher of writing in Cochrane Commercial College. in Detroit, Mich., in 1856, and afterwards established a college at Kingsville, Ohio, conducting it successfully until it was destroyed by fire. Hle theu moved to Niles, Mich .. and is principal and proprietor of Barrett's Commercial College. St. Joseph's, Mich.
COL. NATHAN BARRETT1894 was the second sou of Col. James Barrett, born in Concord, and was the first of the name on Poukatasset Hill, or Barrett's Hill, as some- times called, he having come into possession of this estate in 1761. He married Meriam. a daughter of Dr. Simou Hunt, and raised a family of fifteen children. all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. He was a man of high character, prominent in public affairs, publie-spirited, ener- getic, and charitable. At "Concord fight " he was captain of the third militia company, and while in pursuit of the Brit .
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ish was wounded in the arm. His great-grandson, Edwin S. Barrett, of Battle Lawn, Concord, has in his possession five commissions given to this ancestor, viz. : ensign's com- mission, dated March 26, 1776, from George III., by Gov. Francis Bernard : captain's commission, July 10, 1773. also from George III., by Gov. Thomas Hutchinson : major's commission, Feb. 14. 1776, signed by the Council of Massa- chusetts Bay : lieutenant-colonel's commission, May 3, 1779, also signed by the Council ; and a further lieutenant- colonel's commission, July 1, 1781, given by John Hau- cock, the first governor. "On the retreat from Concord of the British, April 19, 1775, Major Pitcairn was wounded, and fell from his horse. The animal was captured by the Americans, and subsequently sold at Concord. On the back of his horse was Major Pitcairn's holster, containing his pis- tols. Capt. Barrett bought them, and offered them to Gen. Washington, then in command of the Provincial army around Boston. Gen. Washington declining to accept them. Capt. Barrett then presented them to Gen. Israel Putnam, who used them until the close of the war, when they came into the possession of the general's son, and were by him willed to a grandson of the general, JJohn P. Putnam. These were exhibited at the Centennial. They are about one foot in length, made of steel, with flint-lock attachments of the Revolutionary period."
NATHAN BARRETT2140, known as the second Nathan Bar- rett, was born on Ponkatasset Hill, in Concord. He was not, like his immediate ancestors, active iu the military call- ing, being affected with a slight lameness. As an energetic business man he had few superiors : with a strong mental grasp. he was equal to all emergencies of life ; his counsel and advice were always in demand. Benevolent in disposi- tion, ever ready to aid the needy, he died greatly lamented. His wife was Mary Jones4291.
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