Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 145

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 824

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I > Part 145

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Herman S. Hastings was educated at the public graded schools of Worcester, and later attended the Boston University Law School. At eighteen he graduated from the Foster Business College of Worcester. For a time he followed bookkeeping, but later became secretary of the Worcester Repub- lican committee, during which period he was assoc- iated as a lawyer with Frank L. Dean, of Wor- cester, and devoted much of his time to the adjust- ment of estates. In 1901 he was elected secretary of the Worcester Agricultural Society, the oldest and wealthiest organization of its kind in the United States. Two years later he was appointed secre- tary of the Worcester Metal Trades Aassociation, a manufacturers' association, which place he still fills with much credit to all concerned. Politically he is an active worker in the Republican party. He has held all the offices of the Worcester Republican Club, which has a membership of five hundred. As an accountant and bookkeeper he stands at the head among his profession in Worcester.

ROGER FREEMAN UPHAM. John Upham (1), probably of Somersetshire in England, canie to America in the company with Rev. Joseph Hull known as the Hull colony in 1635. With him were his wife Elizabeth, aged thirty-two, Sarah Upham, probably his sister, aged twenty-six, and his children, John, Jr .. aged seven, Nathaniel aged five, Eliza- beth aged three. His wife was probably Elizabeth Webb. These emigrants made their home at Wey- mouth, where John Upham was made a freeman September 2, 1635, at the same time that Rev. Mr. Hull acquired his citizenship in the colonies in the same way. In 1636 Mr. Upham drew land at Wey- mouth and from time to time afterward added by purchase and drawing. He was a prominent figure

in the colony from the outset. He was one of the six who treated with the Indians for lands at Wey- mouth. He was appointed a commissioner to try small cases. He was selectman in 1645-46-47, and was a deputy to the general court. He removed to Malden, about 1648, and was elected selectman there in 1651-52-53. He was commissioner also for Mal- den. In August, 1671, he married Hollie, probably Katheryn, widow of Angell Holland. He was moderator of the town meetings in Malden in 1678-79-80. He was a deacon of the church for twenty-four years. He and his son were interested in the settlement of Worcester at the time of King Philip's war. He died February 25, 1681, aged eighty-four years.

His children were: I. Nathaniel, born May 23, 1629-30, in England, married Elizabeth Steadman, March 5, 1661-2, died March 20, 1661-2, leaving no children ; widow married Henry Thompson, 1669. 2. Elizabeth, born 1632, married Thomas Welch, had thirteen children. died January 12, 1705-6. 3. Phineas, born probably 1635. 4. Mary, married Johan Whittemore, died June 27, 1677. 5. Priscilla, born 1672, married Thomas Crosswell, died 1717; she had twelve children ; she died December 8, 1717.

(II) Lieutenant Phineas Upham, son of John (1) Upham, of Malden, was born in 1635 at Wey- mouth or during the voyage from England. He mar- ried Ruth Wood, April 14, 1658. He bought land in Malden in 1663 and resided there. In 1673 he surveyed a road from Malden to Cambridge. In the year 1672 he first became interested in the set- tlement of Worcester together with other Malden men. He drew a lot of fifty acres July 8, 1673, in consideration of his services in promoting the col- ony. The grant was confirmed in April, 1675. The breaking out of Philip's war at this junction turned the attention of the lieutenant from real estate to the battlefield. He was commissioned as lieutenant in the little army of the colonies as early as Sep- tember of the year 1675. The forces under General Winslow met the Indians in battle December 19. 1675. In this fight, which is known as the storming of Ft. Canonicus or the battle at the Great Swamp Fort, he was mortally wounded. With other wounded he was carried to Wickford from the field of battle. H was sent to Rhode Island, January 6, 1675-6, and later was borne to his home at Malden. The march from Rhode Island is called the Hungry March. There was much suffering from lack of food and the horses were killed and eaten on the way. In October, 1676, he died. The general court made a special appropriation to pay the cost of his long illness and gave the widow ten pounds, as she was left with seven small children to support. The wife was Ruth, widow of Edward Wood, who died in Charlestown, August 20, 1642. She died Janu- ary 18, 1696-7, at the age of sixty years. The Up- ham Genealogy says of him: "In battle Lieutenant Upham exhibited the character of a brave man and patriot, purchasing with mortal wounds the palm of victory and the government was not unmindful of his great sacrifice but bore testimony upon the records to the long and good services he did to the country and the great loss sustained by his friends in his death." His children were: Phineas, born May 22, 1659: Nathaniel. born 1661; Ruth, born 1664. died December 8, 1676: John, born December 0. 1666. married Abigail Hayward (or Howard) ; Elizabeth, married Samuel Green, October 28, 1691 ; Thomas, born 1668; Richard, born 1675.

(III) Nathaniel Upham, son of Lieutenant Phineas Upham (2), of Malden, was born at Mal- den, 1661. He married Sarah Floyd, who died aged fifty-three, October 14, 1715. He died November

Roger .Typham,

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II, 1717. and left by will his property to his chil- dren. His gravestone is to be seen at the old bury- ing ground at Malden. He had the rank of ser- geant in the militia. His children were: Nathaniel. born 1685-6; Sarah, born 1688-9. married Samuel Samuel Grover, 1713; Ruth, born 1691, married Nathaniel Nichols, 1716-7; Dorothy, married John Coleman. 1723, died 1734-5, at the age of forty-two : Noalı, born 1696; Joanna, born 1699, married Sam- ttel Wesson, 1717; Lois, born 1701, married James Hill, 1727; Eunice, born 1707, married Benjamin Wesson, April 18, 1726.

(IV) Noah Upham, son of Nathaniel Upham (3), of Malden. Massachusetts, was born at Malden, 1694. married Lydia Jenkins, daughter of Obadiah and Mary Jenkins and widow of Joseph Lewis. of. Swanzey. She died October 14, 1762. He lived at Malden until he was thirty-three years old. when he removed to Pomfret, Connecticut, and bought a farm of one hundred and three acres with buildings, fences, etc., built, for Joseph and Elizabeth Ses- sions for five hundred pounds. The date of the deed 1727 is probably the date of their removal from the old home in Malden. In 1748 he was living in Pomfret. Connecticut. He died February 8, 1766. His children were: Noah, born at Malden, 1720, married Hannah ; Benjamin, born April 10, 1723. married Ann Wood: Lydia, born January 3. 1725, at Malden; Mary, born October 22. 1730, at Pomfret, died at Mansfield, October 31, 1745.

(V) Noah Upham, son of Noah Upham (4). of Malden and Promfret, Connecticut, was born at Malden, Massachusetts, 1720. He married Hannah , who was the administratrix of his estate October 2, 1750. He died September 16, 1750, only thirty years old. His father was appointed guardian of his minor children. Their children were: Joseph, born March 30. 1748, married Mary Fletcher, re- sided at Mansfield, Connecticut; Noah, born De- cember 18. 1749, married Rebecca Freeman and set- tled in Marathon, New York: Mary, married Aaron Blackman, of Windham, Connecticut.

(VI) Roger Upham, son of Noah Upham (5), was born at Mansfield or Pomfret. Connectieut, De- cember 18, 1749. He married Rebecca Freeman, March 26. 1771. She was a daughter of Prince Freeman and born June 14. 1749. She was a sister of Experience Freeman, who married Jane Upham, January 17, 1781. He married (second) after the death of Rebecca, Widow (Newell) Solace. He moved from Mansfield, Connecticut, to Hanover, New Hampshire, and thence to Monson, Massachu- setts. In 1808 he went to Marathon, New York. He died in Cincinnatus, New York, February 17, 1817. Their children were: John, born November 22. 1772, lived and died in Woodstock, Connecticut, had a son Freeman; Roger Freeman, born January 3. 1777. married Anna Howard; Clarissa, born March 18, 1785, in Hanover. New Hampshire, married, May 14. 1807. Spencer Keep, of Monson. New York, and died there May 6, 1829; Newell Noah, born August 5, 1793. married Isabella Green, died Sep- tember 10, 1878.

(VII) Roger Freeman Upham. son of Roger Upham (6). was born in Mansfield. Connecticut, January 3. 1777. He married. November 25, 1802, Anna Howard, at Woodstock, Connecticut. She was born at Ashfield, Connecticut. December 27, 1779. died at Belchertown, Ostober 14. 1857. He removed from Connecticut to Belchertown, Massachusetts, in 1812. He died in Belchertown. March 14. 1858. Their children were: Howard, born December 17, 1803. married Cynthia Freeman Childs, resided at Belchertown; Freeman, born April 1, 1805, married Elizabeth Livermore; Lucius, born July 7, 1807,

died December 12, 1855, married, no children ; Amos, born August 2, 1809, married Eloisa Leonard, re- sided at Castile, New York: Anna, born February 25 18II, died at Enfield, Massachusetts, unmar- ried : Newell, born September 6, 1812, married twice; Whitman, born December 6, 1814, died January 22, 1825: Lathrop, born January 1, 1816, married Calista Livermore; Hannah, born December 17, 1817, mar- ried Abijah Child, September 24, 1840; Porter, born October 1, 1820, died April 17, 1872, unmarried ; Martha, born November 18, 1822. married George L. Washburn, of Castile, New York; Emily. born Au- gust 25, 1825, married, April 7, 1847, Gilbert Mc- Kenny, died Jannary 8, 1883.

(VIII) Freeman Upham, son of Roger Freeman Upham (7), was born at Mansfield, Connecticut, April 1, 1805. He married Elizabeth Livermore, daughter of David Livermore, of Spencer. Massa- chusetts, who was born June 18, 1809. They set- tled in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was a prom- inent contractor and builder. He died February 1, 1876. They had one child, Roger Freeman, born at Worcester, September 13. 1848.

(IX) Roger Freeman Upham, son of Freeman Upham (8), was born at Worcester, September 13, 1848. The other lines of Mr. Upham's ancestry are not less interesting. A prominent ancestor on his mother's side was Oliver Watson, of Leicester, a revolutionary soldier. His mother was 'a Livermore, a lineal descendant of John Livermore, who settled in Watertown in 1638, and of his son, John Livermore, who was a lieutenant in the King Philip war, fighting in the same troops with which Lieutenant Phineas Upham served. The great-grandfather of Roger Upham. David Liver- more, was a soldier in the revolution. He was in Captain Ebenezer Mason's company from Spencer, which marched to Lexington at the Lexington alarm and joined the regiment commanded by Colonel Jonathan Warner.

Roger Freeman Upham was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native city. He was the salutatorian of the class of 1866 at the Worcester high school. Immediately after graduation he entered the office of the People's Fire Insurance Company of Wor- cester as entry clerk and was soon advanced to the position of bookkeeper. In a few years he had be- come assistant secretary, a position that he occupied when the great Boston fire of 1872 which ruined so many fire insurance companies caused the failure of the People's Company. Mr. Upham soon after- ward entered the office of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with which he has been associated ever since.

The Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance, of which Mr. Upham has been secretary for twenty-five years and of which he is also the treasurer, is the oldest mutual fire insurance conducting business in the state of Massachusetts. It was organized in 1823 and its first president was Levi Lincoln, who re- signed within a year to become the governor of the Commonwealth. The presidents have been among the most prominent men of their day-Rejoice New- ton. Frederick William Paine, Anthony Chase, Ebenezer Torrey, John A. Fayerweather. Mr. Up- ham has been president of the Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Union, an organization composed of the managers of the various fire insurance com- panies of the state. Mr. Upham is a vice-president of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank. trustee of the Rural Cemetery Corporation and secretary of the Home for Aged Men. He is interested in other social and charitable organizations in the city. He is a Republican in politics.

He married, June 16, 1873, Clara C. Story, dangh-

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ter of Simeon N. Story. She was born April 2, 1850. They have one child, Edith Story, born Sep- tember 21, 1882.

WATSON FAMILY. The surname Watson is derived from "Wat," the familiar form for Walter, with the termination "son," signifying therefore, son of Walter. It is of English origin, though the fam- ily for some generations 'before coming to America lived near Londonderry in the northern part of Ireland and intermarried with the Scotch-Irish peo- ple there. The Watson family of England bore arms and members of the family were Barons of Rockingham. To this branch of the family it is believed that the American family's descent may be traced.

Edward Watson, of Lydington, Rutland county, had fifteen children. His eldest son and heir died in 1530, leaving

a son Edward, of Rockingham Castle, county Northampton. His son, the second Baron of Rockingham, married Lady Anne Wentworth, eldest daughter of the Earl of Stafford. and had two sons: Lewis, who became the Baron of Rockingham, and Thomas, who took his mother's name, Wentworth. The son of this Thomas ( Watson) Wentworth became Earl of Mal- ton and later also the heir of the barony of Rochester. The arms of the family, brought to America by the first emigrant, are: Parted Pr. Pale first argent on Chevron Azure three crescents or between three martletts sable. (See the Watson Family of Leicester, printed for the family).

(I) Matthew Watson, the immigrant ancestor, was from Londonderry, coming to Boston in 1718 with his wife, Mary Orr. Her father was a victim of the Catholic soldiers at the time of the siege of Londonderry. He was not only killed but his head was severed from the body and borne on a pike. A branch of this Orr family settled in New Hampshire, where the largest number of the Scotch- Irish immigrants in 1718 settled. The Watsons spent the first season in Framingham, Massachusetts, and in 1720 settled in Leicester and built their home. In that year Mr. Watson introduced the potato in that section. Before the year closed he was killed by a falling tree, and his widow and children had to take up the task of carrying on the farm. In Ireland Mr. Watson had been a manufacturer and dealer in linens and cloth. He married there in 1695 and eight of their nine children were born in Ireland, the youngest being born on shipboard on the way over.

The children: Matthew, born March, 1696, died at Barrington, Rhode Island, January 17. 1803. aged one hundred and seven years; married Bethia Reed ; had a remarkable career : left an estate worth $80,000, a fortune in his day; Samuel, born 1698. died at Leicester. March 19, 1776: Patrick, born 1706; Robert ; William: Elizabeth. born 1709. died Decem- ber 1, 1815: Margaret, married a Mr. McNeal : John, born November. 1716. died at Palmer, November 9, 1795: 'Oliver, of whom later.

(II) Oliver Watson, son of Matthew Watson (1), was born in 1718 on the voyage to America ; spent his carly life in Leicester. He bought 2.000 acres of land there from Joel Whittemore: at the time of the incorporation of Spencer. May 14, 1753, his place was included in the new town; it is the first farm over the line on the old post road from Leicester to Spencer. He became one of the leading citizens. In 1771 he was third in point of wealth ; he was selectman in 1755, 1756, 1757. 1760 to 1767 inclusive, 1771-1778: town treasurer 1757 to 1768 inclusive; assessor 1755, 1756. 1757, 1760 to 1767 inclusive, 1771, 1778; four years in the gen-

eral court. He was a patriot before and during the revolution ; he was a delegate to the provincial con- gress in Watertown in 1775, and was also a member of the committee of safety and correspondence of that year. He was deacon of the Spencer church. Three of his sons served in the revolutionary army. Ile died December 20. 1804, aged eighty-six years.

He married (first) Elizabeth Blair, of Worcester, December 4, 1742. She died December 4. 1779, aged fifty-five years. He married (second) Hannah Peters, of Brookfield, November, 1782. She died March 6, 1808, aged eighty-four years. The chil- dren of Oliver and Elizabeth Watson, all born in Spencer, were: Oliver, born November 18, 1743; Robert, of whom later; Elizabeth, born January I, 1748; Mary, born April 30, 1752; James, born July 20, 1754; Abigail. born November 27, 1759. married Reuben Whittemore; Martha, born June 18, 1763. married Benjamin Green; David, born March 17, 1766.

(III) Robert Watson, second child of Oliver Watson (2), was born in Spencer, May 28. 1746; married, 1777. Tamer Whittemore, who was born June 12. 1757. and died October 9, 1836. He died January 20, 1806. He was a Minute Man in Cap- tain Eben. Mason's company from Spencer in 1775 and marched to Lexington. He inherited the liome- stead and always lived in Spencer. His children : Amos, born March 2, 1778. married Polly Wood ; Betsey. October 28, 1779; An infant, born October 13. 1781, died next day; Jeremiah, of whom later ; Charles, October 15, 1784; Robert, October 16, 1787, married Lydia Watson, who died April It, 1880. aged one hundred and two years; Sally, July 18, 1788. married Simeon Sibley; Aaron, born 1800, died October 28, 1813; Tamer, married, September 4, 1816, Josiah Green: she died October 13. 1820; Polly. married Jonathan Ryan, of Charlton ; A child. horn April 4. 1796, died young ; A child, born Octo- ber 27, 1797, died young ; Sibilla, born February 24. 1799. married William Mouley. Ashtabula, Ohio.

(IV) Jeremiah Watson, fourth child of Robert Watson (3), was born December 14. 1782. in Spen- cer : married Chloe Sprague, daughter of James and Chloe (Baldwin) Sprague, Sr., July 6, 1809. She was born December 30. 1786, and died 1860. He died January 2. 1856. Their children: Lodicea Amanda, born April 5. 1810, married Horace Waite, of Leices- ter: Lory Sprague, of whom later ; Emily, born Iuly 14. 1817, married Thomas Hersey ; Roswell. horn July 31. 1819. died November 6, 1820; Roswell S., born February 26. 1822, died December, 1876; George Henry, born April 29, 1828, died October 30. 1828. (V) Lory Sprague Watson, second child of Jere- miah Watson (4). was born in Spencer, May 4. 1814. He obtained his education in the common schools, and while living with his father helped on the farm and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Spencer for a short time. In 1812 he removed to Leicester and in company with his brother-in-law. Horace Waite, under the firm name of Waite & Watson, began the manufacture of hand cars and stripping cards. In 1845 Mr. Watson pur- chased his parner's interests and continued alone. ad- ding to the business the manufacture of wire heddles His business constantly grew and he had to increase his facilities from time to time. The business was incorporated in 1800 with Mr. Watson as president, a position he continued to fill until his death. His son. Edwin L. Watson, was associated with him in the business as secretary and treasurer of the company. and after his death he became the presi- dent. The name of the corporation is the L. S. Watson Manufacturing Co.

Mr. Watson took a leading part in public affairs

Henry C Har

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in Leicester. He was for several years in succession selectman and assessor; in 1868 and 1870 he repre- sented the town in the general court, serving on important committees. The handsome public library building of Leicester was his gift to the town; it is a standing monument to his generosity and pub- lic spirit. In politics Mr. Watson was an active and loyal Republican. He was a director of the Leicester National Bank and president of the Leices- ter Savings Bank. He was an active member of the Congregational church, and a liberal contributor to the building fund and to the various departments of the church. His interests were thoroughly identified with those of the town, and no man in his day was more generally respected and esteemed by his fel- low-citizens.

He married, February 23, 1837, Mehitable Luther, who was born April 22, 1811, and died October 19, 1885, the daughter of Sylvester and Catherine (Howe) Luther, of Spencer. He married (second), June 16, 1887, Mrs. Hannah (Grout) Watson, widow of Roswell S. Watson, his brother. She was born November 27, 1825, the daughter of Joel Grout. Lory S. Watson died May 21, 1898. The children of Lory Sprague and Mehitable Watson were: Ed- win Lucius, of whom later; Henry Luther, of whom later.

(VI) Edwin Lucius Watson, eldest child of Lory Sprague Watson (5), was born in Spencer, Massa- chusetts, January 22, 1841. He is at present living in Worcester. He was educated in the public schools of Leicester and in Wilbraham and Leicester Acad- emies. He became early in life associated with his father in the manufacture of hand cards, and when the business was incorporated in 1890 he became the secretary and treasurer of the corporation. For many years the burden of the business has been on his shoulders. Since the retirement of his father he has been the president of the L. S. Watson Manu- facturing Company. At present the company manu- factures improved cotton and wool hand cards of every description. Hand stripping cards are made of all lengths from eight to fifty inches of hardened and tempered steel wire. The patent heddles of the company have a high reputation among manufac- turers. They are made on machinery specially de- signed for the purpose. The company also manu- factures shuttles, pickers and lug straps. and is agent for the Endless Steel Tempered Tinned Wire Heddle. Mr. Watson was a director of the Leices- ter National Bank. now in liquidation. He is a Republican, but has declined to accept public office. He is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Watson was active in getting the electric railway built to connect Worcester, Leicester and Spencer. and was president of the Worcester, Leicester & Spencer Street Railway Company.

He married, June 10, 1869. Lonesa M. Cogswell, daughter of John D. and Fanny H. (Leonard) Cogswell, of Leicester. She was born July 15, 1846, and died March 3. 1893. He married (second), September 12, 1896. Rhoda M. Lawson. His only child was Walter Cogswell, of whom later.

(VI) Henry Luther Watson, youngest child of Lory Sprague Watson (5), was born in Leicester. July 12, 1845. He was educated in the schools of his native town and Wilbraham Academy. In 1867 he removed to Minnesota and entered the woolen manufacturing business. In 1873 he returned to Leicester and was interested in the card manufac- turing business. He was a soldier in the civil war. For ten years he was trustee of the town library.

He married, November 21, 1867. Amelia Maria Brown, daughter of Hugh C. and Sarah (Young)

Brown, of Leicester. She was born March 30, 1848, and died December 27, 1873. He married (second), May 16, 1876, Gertrude Moore Ray, daughter of Trask and Mary (Davis) Ray, of Templeton, Massa- chusetts. She was born June 18, 1854. The chil- dren of Henry Luther and Amelia M. Watson were: Edwin R., born August 20, 1868; Amelia B., born December 6, 1873, died August 27, 1882. The chil- dren of Henry Luther and Gertrude were: Henry Ray, born February 27, 1885; Gertrude, born May 24, IS92.

(VII) Walter Cogswell Watson, only child of Edwin Lucius Watson (6), was born in Leicester, May 21, 1870. His education was received in the public schools and at the famous old Leicester Acad- emy of his native town. He became connected with the L. S. Watson Manufacturing Co., established iti 1842 by his grandfather, and at the present time: (1906) is the manager of the company and director of the corporation. He has served the town of. Leicester for five years as town treasurer. He is. a trustee of the public library, of which his grand- father was the founder, and in which the Watson' family has always been interested. He is an active Republican, and takes an interest in the affairs of the town and state. He is a member of the Leicester Congregational Society, of which he is at the pres- ent time the treasurer.

He married. December 6, 1893, Lelia Blanche Jordan, daughter of John Quincy and Mary S. (Lane) Jordan, of Leicester. She was born in Lewis- ton. Maine, February 25, 1872. Their children are: Wilbur Lory and Clifton Edwin.

AMOS A. GOULD, who is now leading a re- tired life at his home in Leicester, surrounded with peace and plenty, and realizing to the full that there is no reward so satisfactory as the consciousness of a life well spent, was born in Douglas, Massa- chusetts, August 28, IS41, one of fourteen children born to Sylvester and Julia A. (Aldrich) Gould, the former named being for many years a prominent resident of Douglas, Massachusetts.

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Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 145

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 824

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 824