Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 20

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 20

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(III) Hon. John Chandler, son of Deacon John Chandler (2), was horn at Roxbury, Massachu- setts, April 16, 1665. He married. November 10, 1602, Mary Raymond, of Woodstock, who was born March 12, 1671-2, the fifth child of Deacon John Raymond, who married, December 10, 1652, Eliza- beth Smith, daughter of Nehemiah Smith. Deacon Joshua Raymond was the eldest son of Richard and Judith Raymond, of Salem. Mrs. Chandler died April 8. 1711, aged thirty-nine years, and is buried on Plain hill. Woodstock. There is an interesting tradition in the family of Mrs. Joshua Raymond and Captain Kidd, whom she had entertained at her house for some time. It is said but not universally

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believed that when the blithesome pirate left her hospitable roof he filled her apron full of gold, jewelry and costly plunder. Mr. Chandler married (second), November 14. 1717, Esther Butman, widow of Palgrave Alcock.

John Chandler was town clerk of Woodstock in 1690, 1691, 1692 and 1694, and selectman in 1693 and 1694. He resided several years at New London, where four of his children were born. In 1698 he had a tavern license there. He returned to Woodstock to live and was surveyor of the town in 1703, deputy to the general court in 1711, Wood- stock then being in Massachusetts. When the county of Worcester was established he was appointed judge of probate. He held the first probate court in the meeting house of Worcester July 13, 1731. He also held the court of common pleas and general sessions August 10, following. The county was organized April 2, 1731. Judge Chandler's son John was appointed clerk of the courts. Judge Chandler held his position as judge of these two tribunals until his death. One of his sons, John, Jr., suc- ceeded him on the bench, while another, Thomas Chandler, became a judge in Vermont, where he had settled. Judge Chandler was for forty years a commissioner of the peace and was seven years in his Majesty's council. He died at Woodstock, August 10, 1743, in his seventy-ninth year.

The children of John and Mary Chandler, born at Woodstock or New London, were: John, born at New London, October 18, 1693, of whom later; Joshua, born February 9. 1695-6, married Elizabeth Cutler ; William, born November 3, 1698, married Jemima Bradbury : Mary, born April 30, 1700, mar- ried John McCoy; Elizabeth, born May 13, 1702, married Joseph Frizzell; Samuel, born January 5, 1703-4. married Dorothy Church; Sarah, born Octo- ber 11, 1705, died March 7, 1721-2; Mehitable, born at Woodstock, August 10, 1707, married, 1747, Thomas Buckminster, of Brookfield; Thomas, born July 23, 1709, married Elizabeth Eliot ; Hannah, born March 27. 1711, died May 23, 17II.

(IV) John Chandler, son of John Chandler (3). was born at New London, Connecticut, October 18. 1693. He married, October 23, 1716, Hannah Gardiner, on the Isle of Wight, off Long Island. She was born December II, 1699, and died January 5. 1738-9, in Worcester, and was buried on the Worcester common. Her grave with the others has been covered from sight, and the stones cov- ered, for some inscrutable reason. She was de- scended from Lion Gardiner, who came over in 1635 and married Mary Williams, daughter of Dericke Williams and Hachim Bastians Williams ; he bought the Isle of Wight, better known, perhaps, as Gardiner's Island (east of Long Island). His son, David Gardiner, married Mary -: his grandson, John Gardiner, son of David, married Mary King and three other wives, and was the father of Han- nah Gardiner, who married Judge Chandler. Ac- cording to the Chandler Genealogy Gardiner's Island was entailed. The attempts to entail estates in Massachusetts failed in every case. The old English law of primogeniture was broken down effectually. John Chandler married (second) Sarah Clark, widow of Hon. Nathaniel Paine, of Bristol, Rhode Island.

He was a surveyor by profession and was ap- pointed to plot Pomfret, Connecticut, and later he surveyed the line agreed upon between Massachu- setts and Connecticut. June, 1714. He was coroner for Suffolk county before the county of Worces- ter was established. He removed to Worcester when the county was formed, and was moderator of the town meeting in 1733. He represented Woodstock

in the general court and also Worcester in 1732-35- 38-39-52-53. He was a selectman of the town of Worcester in 1733-34-35-37-39-40-42-43' to 1753 in- clusive ; town treasurer 1741 to 1752 inclusive; first clerk of the county courts 1731 to 1754 inclusive ; sheriff from 1751 to 1754 inclusive (while Mr. Chandler was sheriff Timothy Paine was associate clerk with him) ; register of probate from the or- ganization of the county until 1754; register of deeds until 1762. In May, 1754, he was appointed judge succeeding his father, and in May, 1757, he was made chief judge with three associates. He was one of the delegates of the American colonies who met at Albany, New York, delegates of the Five Nations of Indians, and were partly successful in making allies of them. An interesting character in Judge Chandler's family was a colored slave "Aunt Sylvia," who lived to be one hundred and seven years old.

Of Judge Chandler the historian of Worcester, Lincoln, wrote: "On the decease of his father he succeeded to the higher office of judge, colonel and councillor. His talents were brilliant and showy, rather than solid and profound. With manners highly popular he possessed a cheerful and gay dis- position, indulging in jest and hilarity and he exercised liberal hospitality. While Judge of Pro- bate he kept open table for the widows and orphans who were brought to his tribunal by the concerns of business." He was made a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1734, and was elected commander in 1737. He died Au- gust 10, 1762, and is buried on the Worcester common.

The children of Hon. John and Hannah Chand- ler were: Mary, born at New London, September 9. 1717, married, February 7, 1736-7, Benjamin Greene : Esther, born May 23, 1719, married, May 9. 1745, Rev. Thomas Clapp: John, of whom later; Gardner, born at Woodstock. September 18, 1723, married Hannah Greene; married (second), August 2. 1767, Anne Leonard; Sarah, born January II, 1725, married. 1749, Timothy Paine; Hannah, born February 1, 1727-8, married, May 17, 1750, Samuel Williams; Lucretia, born July 18, 1728, married, September 1, 1761, John Murray, of Rutland; Eliza- beth, born January 5, 1732-3, married, September 20, 1751, Hon. James Putnam; Katherine, born March 28, 1735, married Levi Willard; a son, born and died January 5, 1737-8.

(V) Hon. John Chandler, son of Hon. John Chandler (4), was born at Woodstock, Connectcut, February 26, 1720-1. He married Dorothy Paine, of Worcester, March 5. 1740. She was the daugh- ter of Colonel Nathaniel Paine, of Bristol, Rhode Island, and Worcester, Massachusetts. Colonel Paine's wife, her mother, was Sarah Clark, daughter of Timothy Clark, of Boston. Colonel Paine re- moved to Worcester in 1738 and had land near Lincoln street. Mrs. Dorothy Paine died October 5. 1745. He married (second), June 11, 1746, Mary Church. daughter of Charles Church, of Bristol, Rhode Island, sheriff, who died December 31, 1746, aged sixty-four years. Her sister, Dorothy Church, married Samuel Chandler. Their father, Colonel Charles Church, was son of Colonel Benjamin Church, born in Duxbury, 1639, and wife Alice, the daughter of Constant Southworth, of Plymouth. (See sketch of Southworth family).

John Chandler resided on the east side of Main street near the present site of Clark's block, formerly the site of Mower's Tavern and of the United States Hotel. He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both prominent servants of the Crown. He was town treasurer from 1753 to

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1760, inclusive; town clerk from 1764 to 1768, in- clusive; county treasurer from 1702 to 1775, in- clusive: sheriff from 1751 to 1762; judge of probate from 1762 to 1774. Colonel Chandler marched to the relief of Fort William Henry, August, 1757. John Adams, who was then living in Worcester, afterwards president of the United States, wrote: "At the time Fort William Henry was besieged Colonel Chandler had occasion to send expresses often and while keeping school in Worcester 1 of- fered iny services and was sent to the Governor of Rhode Island."

He inherited the traits of character as well as the offices of his father and grandfather. He was cheerful and engaging in manner, hospitable as a citizen, friendly and kind as a neighbor, indus- trious and enterprising as a merchant. To a chivalrous sense of loyalty to the British govern- ment he sacrificed during the revolution property valued at over 36,000 pounds. In his own schedule presented to the British government after he had left his country, he reduced these figures which were probably about right, to 17,000 pounds, includ- ing 6,000 for loss of income from his offices. So just and moderate was this compensation ascer- tained to be, at a time when extravagant claims were presented by others, that his claims were allowed in full and he was called in England "The Honest Refugee." His portrait is to be seen at the foot of the stairs in the front hall of the American Antiquarian Hall at Worcester. Colonel Chandler had a pew in Old South Church.

After the revolution broke out and Colonel Chandler left Worcester to affiliate with the Torics and British, he never returned. His estate was con- fiscated and he was named with his brother-in-law, Hon. James Putnam, and others of his family on the list of six who were banished and forbidden to return under penalty of death. Two of his sons, Rufus and William, were among the proscribed, and his nephew, Dr. William Paine. The son, William Chandler, and Dr. Paine, were permitted later to return home. and Dr. Paine regained the confi- dence and esteem of the community. Col. Chand- ler died in London, September 26, 1800, and was buried at Islington. His son Rufus was buried in the same grave. The spot is marked by a simple stone suitably inscribed.

The children of John and Dorothy Chandler were: John, born March 3, 1742, of whom later : Gardner, born December 1, 1743. died December 16, 1743: Clark, born December 1, 1743; Dorothy, born September, 1745, married, December 26, 1767. Samuel Ward, of Lancaster. The children of John and Mary Chandler were: Rufus, born May 18, 1747, married, November 18, 1770, Eleanor Putnam; Gardiner. born January 27, 1749, married in 1772, Elizabeth Ruggles: Nathaniel, born November 6, 1750; William, born December 7. 1752: Charles, born January 22, 1755, married, November 18, 1796, Sally Mower; Samuel, born February 25, 1757; Sarah, born December 14. 1758, married, Septem- ber 14, 1780, William Seaver. Jr .: Benjamin, born August 15, 1761, died December 16, 1775: Francis, born July 28. 1763, died December 16. 1775; the two latter were drowned together in the mill pond in South Worcester; Lucretia, born June 9, 1765, married, October 24, 1786, Rev. Aaron Bancroft : Thomas, born January 11, 1768, married, Septem- ber 25, 1802, Eliza Davis, widow of William Denny : Elizabeth, born February 20, 1770, married, Decem- ber 2, 1786, Ebenezer Putnam, of St. John, New Brunswick, where the family lived after the ex- patriation.

(VI) John Chandler, son of Colonel John Chand-

ler (5), was born in Worcester, March 3, 1742, the eldest child; married, April 4, 1766, Lydia Ward, who was born in 1732 and died July 30, 1794, aged sixty-two years. She was descended from Deacon William Ward, who came over with his second wife Elizabeth, from Yorkshire, and settled in Sudbury, dying in Marlboro, formerly part of Sudbury, aged eighty-seven years. His son, William Ward, born in Sudbury in 1640, married Hannah Johnson, daughter of Solomon Johnson, widow of Gershom Amee. His son, Colonel Nahum Ward, of Shrews- bury, was born 1684, and married Martha How, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Kerby) How. They were the parents of Nahum Ward, Jr., of Shrewsbury, who married Lydia Stearns; was a merchant, died when about twenty-five years old, leaving two daughters, one of whom Lydia, mar- ried a Mr. Chandlee.

John Chandler was an enterprising merchant of Petersham, Massachusetts. His home was about a mile from the center and is still remembered for the deer park in which he indulged. His deer es- caped finally from the enclosure and he lost them all. He was successful in business. He com- mitted suicide during a fit of despondency and melancholy, to which he was subject, in 1794, aged fifty-two years.

The children of John and Lydia Chandler were : John, born July 23. 1667, married, June 5. 1800, Elizabeth Greene; Lydia, born August 28, 1768, mar- ried Joseph llead; Clark, born April 19, 1770, mar- ried. July 14, 1791, Nancy Lyon; Nathaniel, boru February 3, 1772, died August 19, 1772; Nathaniel, of whom later.

(VII) Nathaniel Chandler, youngest child of John Chandler (6), was born in Petersham, Massa- chusetts, October 6, 1673: married, August 17, 1802, Dolly Greene, of Lancaster. She was born in Staf- ford, Connecticut. February 25, 1783, died July 30, 1869. the tenth child of John Greene, son of Na- thaniel, who was born in Surinam, South America, December 10, 1736. John's wife was Azubah Ward, born at Woodstock, Connecticut, November II. 1737. daughter of Major Daniel Ward by his wife Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Stone, and widow of Henry Coggin. Major Daniel Ward was a son of Obadiah and Hannah (Harrington) Ward, grandson of Richard Ward and wife Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Moore, and great-grandson of the Sud- bury immigrant, 1639, William Moore. (See Moore family sketch).

Nathaniel Chandler graduated from Harvard College in 1792. He settled in Petersham and man- aged the Petersham branch of the business of John Chandler & Brothers. Afterwards he removed to Lancaster to assume the estate of his uncle-in-law there, Samuel Ward, Esq. He was representative to the general court in 1807. Although troubled with an affliction that kept him under the care of Dr. George Chandler and Dr. S. B. Woodward during the last years of his life, Dr. Chandler wrote of him: "He was of medium height and size, his complexion light and features regular and marked. He retained his intelligence, shrewdness, wit and dry humor. his dignity of person and character, his marked courtesy and gentlemanly bearing to the last." He died in Worcester, June 4, 1852, aged seventy-eight years.

The children of Nathaniel and Dolly Chandler were: Samuel Ward, born July 12. 1803, married, November 18, 1830, Eliza Fales Richmond : Catherine Amory, born April 18. 1805. married, May 7, 1833. Theophilus Parsons, Esq. ; Charles, born September 7. 1807. married. March 25. 1834. Sarah Whitney ; John Greene, of whom later: Mary Greene, born

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May 23. ISIS, married, February 25, 1862, Dr. John Ware, son of Rev. Henry Ware, of Harvard College. (See sketch of Charles E. Ware and family of Fitchburg. George Frederick, born March 12, 1822, married, April 22, 1847, Susan Buss. (VIII) John Greene Chandler, fourth child of Nathaniel Chandler (7), was born in Petersham, Massachusetts, December 18, 1815. He was brought up on the farm in Lancaster and attended school there. Having a natural aptitude for drawing he learned the art of wood engraving. and became one of the most proficient artists in this line of his day. After residing in various places Mr. Chandler returned to Lancaster in 1869 and spent the re- mainder of his life there. In religion he was an earnest Unitarian.

He married, June 5, 1850, Sarah Aun Guild, who was born October 26, 1817, the daughter of Samuel Guild. president of the People's Bank of Roxbury. Her father was born in Walpole. March 18, 1777, and died January 12, 1862; married, 1806, Sarah Means, daughter of James Means, Jr. Her grand- father. Nathaniel Guild, married. 1733. Mary Boy- den, of Wrentham; he was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Hartshorn) Guild; the grandson of Samnel and Mary ( Woodcock) Guild. Mary Woodcock was the daughter of Samuel and Ann' Woodcock. The immigrant ancestors were John and Elizabeth ( Crook) Guild, of Dedham. The children of John Greene and Sarah Ann Chandler were: Alice Greene, born July 18, 1851, who resides in Lan- caster : Miss Chandler has been connected with the Lancaster town library since 1872. For eighteen years she was librarian and is now advisory librarian and trustee. Fanny Guild, born July 10, 1857, died July. 1901.

CHARLES FRAZER, a prominent business man of Worcester county, was born in Glasgow. Scot- land. April 7, 1838, the son of the late Charles and Margaret (Bruce) Frazer, both natives of Scot- land.

Charles Frazer obtained his. education in the common schools of his native place, and in 1849 emigrated to this country with his parents, landing at New York, proceeding to South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts. His father was an expert mill hand, and was engaged in the mill business at Hadley Falls, where he died in August. 1850, after which the family removed to Clinton and Charles was there employed in the Lancaster mills. He also was em- ployed with his father in the mill at Hadley Falls. He later learned the trade of a bricklayer, being thus engaged for some time. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Mr. Fairbanks, and conducted a contracting and building business with considerable success. In 1879 Mr. Frazer engaged in the coal business in Clinton, Massachusetts, which he has since conducted with the most flattering suc- cess. During the war of the rebellion Mr. Frazer enlisted, in 1861. in Company C. Fifteenth Massa- chusetts Infantry. He participated in the various engagements that made that company famous, and distinguished himself for his bravery and fearless- ness on the field of action. He entered the service as a private and was mustered out a lieutenant.

Mr. Frazer's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he has served as assessor and road commissioner for his party. He is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the com- mandery. He is an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., Clinton Post, a member of the Odd Fel- lows. and is also treasurer of the Sterling Worsted Mills. Mr. Frazer is pre-eminently a self-made man, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire

community. In matters of religion he and his family attend the Unitarian church.

On September 6, 1858, Mr. Frazer was united in marriage to Mary Barr, a daughter of Robert Barr, of Jamestown, Scotland, and their children were: Charles R., married Bertha Eager, and they have two children: Robert B. and Bertha A. Etta M .. married James Charnock, and two children were born to them: Sydney T. and Harold Irving. Fred- erick E., married Helen Smith and has three chil- dren : Etta F .. Helen and Jeannette B. Charles R., died June 8, 1906.

EZRA GREEN. James Green (1), immigrant ancestor of the late Ezra Green, of Fitchburg. Massachusetts, was born in England about 1620. He came to Charlestown, in New England, before 1647, and was admitted a freeman there May 26, 1647. He removed to Malden, the Mystic side, in 1647, and was one of the petitioners for a division of the town in 1648. He was interested in church affairs, and he appears prominent in various church matters. He married Elizabeth Their house lot was on land bought of Richard Harrington in 1656 and remaining in the possession of his family until 1765. It was situated on Green hill and the house is still preserved on what is now Appleton street. James Green served on a committee to lay out a highway in June, 1671. He was a citizen of influence in Malden. He died there March 29. 1687, aged seventy-seven years. His will was dated September 2. 1682, and probated May 5. 1687. It mentions his wife and two sons mentioned below. viz. : John. "of the Hill." died 1709, of whom later ; James, resided in Malden.

(II) John Green. "of the Hill." .as he was called from his place of residence to distinguish him from the other John Greens. of Malden, was son of James Green (I), and born perhaps in England about 1645. He was a mariner in 1673. He was ad- mitted a freeman in 1683 and died March 22, 1709. He married Mary It is obviously difficult to distinguish him from the others of the name in some instances. The children of John and Mary were: Mary, born December, 1668; Samuel, only son. of whom later: Elizabeth; Hannah. All were born in Malden.

(III) Samuel Green, only son of John Green (2), was born in 1679. He settled at Malden and became a prominent citizen. He was deputy to the general court in 1742 and selectman in 1743. He bought the dwelling and five acres of land of Rev. David Parsons after he had removed to Leicester. He ranked high socially as he was called "Mr." on various records. He died February 21, 1761. aged eighty-two years. His will dated January 30, 1752, was proved March 23, 1761. His wife, Martha Green, daughter of Samuel Green, died May 29. 1754. aged seventy-two years. He married about 1700. His wife was granddaughter of Thomas Green (I), of Malden, so that the children of Sam- uel Green are descended from both the immigrant Greens of Malden.

(I) Thomas Green, the grandfather of Mrs. Samuel Green, was born in England. 1606, and came to this country in 1635 or 1636. He was probably in Ipswich until 1649 or 1650, and then settled in Malden, Massachusetts. He was selectman in 1658. He died December 19. 1667, and his will is dated November 12. 1667. He married (first) Elizabeth . and (second) Frances Cook, widow of Richard Cook, and previously widow of Isaac Walker. (See further facts in sketch of the Green Family of Leicester and Worcester.) Ex-Mayor Green, of New York, was a descendant.

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The children of Thomas and Elizabeth Green were: Elizabeth, born in England, about 1628; Thomas, born in England, about 1620 (See Pope's Pioneers of Massachusetts), married Rebecca Hills ; John, born about 1632, married Sarah Wheeler; Mary, born about 1633, married Captain John Waite; William, born 1635, married Elizabeth Wheeler, and (second) Isabel (Farmer) Blood ; Henry, born 1638, married Esther Samuel, of whom later; Hannah, born 1647, married Joseph Richardson ; Martha, born 1650; Dorcas, born May 1, 1653, married James Barrett.

(II) Samuel Green, father of Martha, who mar- ried Samuel Green (III), was the son of Thomas Green (I), mentioned above. He was born March 1645: married, 1666, Mary Cook, sister of Frances Cook, whose third husband was Thomas Green (I). Mary died November 24, 1715, and Samuel (II), married (second) Susanna -, who survived him.

Samuel Green (II) lived in Malden and was known as Samuel, Sr. He bought, October, 1670, of his brother William half of his father's farm and occupied the old mansion house. He bought the other half June 13, 1684. He died October 31, 1724, aged seventy-nine years, seven months. His will was dated January 3, 1721. The children of Samuel (II) and Mary Green were: Samuel, born January, 1667-8, married Mary Wheeler; Thomas, born 1669, married Hannah Vinton; John, born April 1, 1672; William, born August, 1674, married Elizabeth Farmer; Mary, born about 1677, married her cousin, John Green; Jonathan, born February 2, 1679-80 married Lydia Buchmann; Martha, of whom later ; David, born 1685, married Martin Pratt ; Elizabeth, born November 16, 1687, married David Gould; Isaac, born May 20, 1690, married Mary Pratt.

The children of Samuel Green (son of John (II)) and his wife Martha Green, daughter of Samuel Green (son of Thomas (I) Green) were: James, born November 22, 1702, selectman of Malden, 1751; Martha, born January 18, 1703-4, married John Sweetser, October 2, 1722; John, born August 11, 1707, resided in Carlisle ; Timothy, born October 10, 1709, removed to Lancaster; Ezra, of whom later; Mary, born December 28, 1717; Sarah, born April 24, 1721; Samuel, born April 14, 1724.

(1V) Ezra Green, fifth child of Samuel Green (3), was born in Malden, Massachusetts, February 31, 1714-5. He was deacon of the Malden Church. and very prominent in town affairs. He was select- man in 1753-57-63-68: deputy to the general court 1760-61-62; town clerk and for many years justice of the peace and magistrate. He died April 28, 1768, aged fifty-four years.

He married (first) Sarah Hutchinson, Febru- ary 12, 1740. She died July 7, 1741, aged twenty- six years, without issue. He married (second) Eunice Burrill, daughter of Hon. Eben Burrill, of Lynn. She died October 2, 1760. lle married (third). April 29, 1762, Mary (Green) Vinton, daughter of Isaac Green, and widow of Benoni Vin- ton. The children of Deacon Ezra and Eunice Green were: Dr. Ezra, born June 17, 1746, graduate of Harvard, 1765, surgeon in the revolution; settled at Dover, New Hampshire, and died there July 25; 1847, aged one hundred years, twenty-eight days ; Bernard, of whom later. The children of Deacon Ezra and Mary were: Mary, born March 22, 1763; Aaron, horn January 22, 1765.

(V) Bernard Green, second child of Ezra Green (1). was born in Malden, Massachusetts, January 14 or 15, 1752. Ile was one of the most distinguished

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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 20

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