Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 39

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 39

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(V)) John Thayer, Jr., son of John Thayer (5), born in 1787, married Ruth Mowry, in ISI0, and had three children-Mowry Richardson, Charles Dexter and Aurilla.

(VII) Mowry Richardson Thayer, eldest son of John Thayer (6), was born April 27, 1811. Like most farmer boys at that time he received only an ordinary common school education. He devoted his life to farming and cutting and marketing wood and timber. He was also widely known as a trader, mostly in cattle and horses, and was an excellent judge of both. He held many town offices, and was by nature highly endowed with practical common sense. Had he received a college education he would probably have taken high rank among the prominent men of the state. His natural attain- ments were of a high order, and his opinions and judgment were much sought by his fellow towns- people. May 1, 1838, he married Harriet Morse, and to them were born three children: Chester M., Lucy A., and John Randolph. The last named is referred to in a following narrative.

(VIII) Hon. John Randolph Thayer, ex-con- gressman, was born in Douglas, Massachusetts, March 9. 1845, son of Mowry Richardson and Har- riet (Morse) Thayer (7), and grandson of John and Ruth ( Mowry) Thayer. Of this line of the Thayer family for three generations down to him- self. he was the first to choose a professional life.

He was left an orphan at the age of fifteen, to which time his school days were passed in his native town. At the age of sixteen he became a student at Nichols Academy in Dudley, where he fitted for college. In 1865 he entered Yale College, at New Haven, Connecticut, and graduated four years later with far above average standing in his class. While at college he took much interest in athletics, and rowed in his class crew. He belonged to various college societies, and was quite a favorite among the students.

Immediately after his graduation Mr. Thayer came to Worcester and at once began the study of law with the law Judge Henry Chapin, and in 1871 was admitted to the bar. During his early practice he was associated first with Judge Hartley Williams, later with W. A. Williams and afterward formed a partnership with Charles S. Chapin, the firm being styled Thayer & Chapin. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Arthur P. Rugg, which co-partnership 'has continued under the name of Thayer & Rugg to the present time. From the be- ginning of his professional life Mr. Thayer has enjoyed a lucrative practice, and has tried many im- portant cases, including six capital cases. Some lawyers succeed best before juries but fail when addressing their argument to the judge alone; but not so with him of whom we write, for before the highest courts, where strictly legal questions are involved, he has achieved signal success. A logical reasoner and well read in law, he commands the attention and respect of the justices of the highest courts. Of late years his special practice has been in civil cases.

Not unlike other fellow attorneys, he early took a deep interest in political affairs. He has been in great demand as a campaign speaker for the last thirty years and more, and, gifted by nature as an interesting and impressive orator. ever holds the closest attention of his audiences.

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As an indication of the admiration in which

le IS held for his manliness of character, it need only be remarked that whenever he has been a candidate for public position, his majorities have been much larger than his party vote would have promised. If one trait be stronger than another in his well-balanced make-up, it is his earnest belief in the civil equality of all men, and their everyday rights, whether as laborer or capitalist. His friend- ship when once made becomes part of his life, and unfailing as it is strong. His is a true friend- ship, a genuine fraternal regard not often found among the politicians of modern times.

For four years Mr. Thayer served as a member of the common council in the city of Worcester, and the same number of years on the board of alder- men. For two terms ( 1880-81) he was a repre- sentative in the general court, serving on the judiciary committee, one of the most important in that body. His work was effective among the leaders of the house in both sessions. The people set a high value upon his services, and in 1890 and 1891 he was elected to the state senate, although the sena- torial district was naturally Republican by more than two thousand plurality. He ranked among the most active and influential leaders of the senate during both terms of his service. Another evidence of his strong hold upon the regard of his fellow townsmen is afforded in the fact that notwithstand- ing his city is strongly of another political belief than that which he advocates, when he was nom- inated for mayor of Worcester he received the larg- est vote ever given up to that time to a Demo- cratic candidate for that position. When he was put forward as the candidate of his party for a seat in congress, in 1892, against Hon. J. H. Walker, he wanted only seven hundred and eighty-four votes of being elected, while at the same election the Democratic candidate for president ran three thon- sand behind the Republican nominee in that con- gressional district. His party friends felt such en- couragement that they believed his election to con- gress could be accomplished, and in 1898 he became a candidate against Mr. Walker, who had held his seat for ten years, and this time Mr. Thayer was elected by a plurality of one hundred and sixty-seven votes, while the Democratic candidate for governor ran more than eight thousand votes behind the Re- publican candidate in the district.

His conduct while representing his district in congress was not only above reproach. but he'ac- quitted himself so capably and with such integrity as to win the admiration of both political parties. Elected as he was from a Republican district, he never shirked the labors and responsibilities of look- ing after the best interests of the district at large and of the entire people, and made many personal friends . even among his political opponents. His courtesy was extended in behalf of every constit- uent, regardless of his political affiliations. In brief, the important district which he had the honor to represent in congress enjoyed the services of a clean, honorable, progressive, painstaking and capable ad- vocate during the six years he occupied his seat, he being re-elected twice, the last time with a ma- jority of nearly eight hundred. which was five times the majority he received at his first election. He voluntarily retired at the expiration of his third term, though strongly urged by leading representa- tives of both political parties to accept another nom- ination. He was succeeded by Hon. Rockwood Hoar, son of the late lamented Senator George F. Hoar. Mr. Thayer is recognized as one of the most force- ful Democratic leaders in Massachusetts, and while

he takes much pride in tracing his Democracy through three generations, he is one of the most independent thinkers and actors in public life at the present time.

Mr. Thayer possesses a strong and magnetic personality, and with it great will power, but con- trolled by a most kindly tempered disposition, en- abling him to make and retain the constant friend- ship of a wide circle of his fellow-men. While his brain is ever active, and his mental powers find constant exercise, he is wise in that he takes occa- sion to turn from his multiplied duties and care for his physical manhood by interesting himself in various sports and amusements. For twelve years he was president of the Worcester Sportsmen's Club, which comprises in its membership about one hun- dred and eighty sportsmen who give their atten- tion principally to fox hunting. It cannot be af- firmed that he is a society man, for aside from his college fraternities he has never connected himself with any of the many civic, military or secret or- ganizations of his day.

Mr. Thayer is happy in the possession of a most interesting family. He married, January 30, 1872, Charlotte D. Holmes, daughter of Pitt and Diana (Perrin) Holmes. Their six children are: Henry Holmes, born November 25. 1873; John Mowry, January 4, 1875; Charlotte Diana, May 8, 1879; Marguerite Elizabeth, February 2, 1881 ; Mary Per- rin, February 7, 1885; . Edward Carrington, Octo- bcr 2, 1893.

(III) Benjamin Thayer, son of Ferdinando (2), by wife Hannah Haywood, had among other chil- dren,

(IV) Aaron Thayer, who married Jemima Cook. in1 1738. Their son

(V) Benjamin Thayer, born April 16, 1744, mar- ried first Sarah Bosworth, in 1767, and second Ruth Alden, in 1793.

(VI) Cushman Tlfayer, son of Benjamin Thayer (5). married Miranda Pond in ISIS, by whom sev- eral children were born.

(VII) Hon. Eli Thayer, son of Cushman Thayer (6), born in Mendon, Massachusetts, June 11, 1819. He is sixth in descent from John Alden, who came in the "Mayflower." through Ruth, daughter of Rev. Noah Alden, of Bellingham, who married his grand- father, Benjamin Thayer.

Eli obtained his early education in the old fashioned common schools of Mendon and at Bellingham high school. Later he attended the academy at Amherst and the Manual Labor school, now the Worcester Academy. In 1835-6 he taught a school in Douglas, and the next four years clerked in his father's store in Millville. In ISto he en- tered the Manual Labor school to fit for Brown University, and entered as a student there in the autumn of that year. In 1842 he taught school at Hopkinton, Rhode Island. In September. 1844, he took charge of the boys' high school at Providence, receiving $600 for the balance of that year. It had been an unruly school, but he became complete master of every pupil. He graduated from Brown University in 1845. second in his class. He im- mediately came to Worcester to accept a position in the Academy and soon became its principal. The same year he bought land on what was styled Goat Ilill, at $150 per acre, and began the erection of the building called the Oread, which was com- pleted in 1852. Here he established the famous school for young women, which he conducted with much success, until he entered upon his well-known work as congressman. He served in the legislature in 1853-54. when he introduced a bill to incorporate

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the Bank of Mutual Redemption. It was in 1854 that Mr. Thayer accomplished the great and his- toric act of his life, in originating the plan which saved Kansas and other territories to freedom and settled the destiny of the nation; for had the southern leaders then secured this territory for slavery, it would have held it long years and no rebellion would have followed and the slave would not have been free, at least for many decades. It was at a meeting to protest against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, held in the old city hall at Worcester, March 11, 1854, that Mr. Thayer an- nounced liis celebrated "Plan of Freedom." He at once secured an act to incorporate the Massachu- setts Emigrant Aid Company, and prior to the re- peal of the Missouri Compromise, he hired a hall in Boston and began speaking day and night, to further his course of sending emigration to Kansas, but it was difficult to arouse enthusiasm and make up the first Kansas Colony. He traveled much, ad- dressed many thousands of people, but soon after the departure of the first colony in 1854, there was no trouble. and the south soon awoke to the fact that it had a power to contend with. The border war in Kansas began and the powers at Washington abandoned the fight at the close of 1856.

In the fall of 1856 Mr. Thayer was elected to a seat in congress from the Worcester district, and at once took a leading place in national matters. He was ever a great advocate of colonization of the colored men, whom he divided to be set off in Cen- tral America, or other localities, thus freeing our own republic of the curse entailed upon us by the . slave trade. His speeches on "Suicide of Slavery" and on the admission of Oregon, brought great fame to him. In 1860, after a most exciting can- vass, he failed of re-election by a narrow majority.

The south end of Worcester owes much to him for the matter of developing its domain, for manu- facturing purposes. It was nearly fifty years ago that he was instrumental in the erection of the large shops called the Adriatic mills. He laid out streets and improved several tracts in that neigh- borhood. He was the author of "The Kansas Crusade," a graphic, valuable historic work. He also wrote much for newspapers and magazines, concerning the great times which tired' men's souls.

(V) Benjamin Thayer and wife Sarah Bos- worth. Their seventh child

(VI) Benjamin Thayer, married Rachel Wales, 1802: settled in Mendon, Massachusetts. Their eighth child

(VII) Davis Thayer, born October 13, 1817, in Mendon, marricd. April 15, 1845, Sarah, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Sarah Grout. Mrs. Thayer was born February 13, 1820. They had one son and two daughters. Alr. Thayer died in Worcester, April 13, 1895.

(VIII) Charles Davis Thayer, son of Davis Thayer and grandson of Benjamin Thayer, was born in Worcester, July 7, 1850, his father being buried on his fiftieth wedding anniversary day. For many years he was the private gardener for Colonel Isaac Davis, mayor of Worcester. For a quarter of a century he conducted a market garden. In 1869 he sold out and settled on Pleasant street, continuing his agricultural pursuits for pleasure. April 15, 1845, he married Sarah A. Grout. Three children were born of this union, one of whom, Idella Grout, died May 2, 1870, aged about seven years. The others were: Charles D. and Anna E.

Charles "Davis Thayer was educated at Wor- cester, graduating from Highland University Mili-

tary Academy, July 9, 1869, where for two years he had been an officer in the corps. He drilled and was an honorary member of the Worcester Light Infantry. He clerked for his uncle, Jonathan Grout, bookseller, a short time, and when nine- teen years old engaged in his present business. agriculture, horticulture and florist. He began without capital, indeed had to borrow a thousand dollars, paying more than seven per cent interest. He at once began his greenhouse work. For a short time he employed his father, a man of experience, to assist him. Today his greenhouse is among the most extensive of any in the great commonwealth. From time to time he had added to his real estate, including a part of the Greendale estate; also the "Liberty Farm" of seventy acres, known as the Abby Kelly Foster property. The latter he con- verted into a dairy farm, selling milk to city cus- tomers. His possessions are now wide and valua- ble. He is a member of the Worcester County Agri- cultural Society and Horticultural Society ; the Wor- cester Grange, of which he has been chaplain. He has also been commander of Cavalry, Commandery H. and I. Order, Knights of Malta; and first lieu- tenant of Company A of the Worcester Continentals. Politically he uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party.

Mr. Thayer married, December 9, 1874, Nellie Wyman, who was born in Newburyport, Massa- chusetts, but reared in Worcester. Her father was a thriving flour merchant in Worcester. He was a noted Abolitionist in his younger days and later a strong Republican. He died June, 1895, aged seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer are the parents of seven children, of whom two died young. Willie, second-born, died when he was seven years old, and Leon in infancy. The others were: Al- fred D., Joseph F., Mary W., Charles D., Jr. and Sarah G.

(V) Benjamin Thayer and second wife, Ruth Alden, had four children, one of them,

(VI) Alden Thayer, born December 27, 1796, brother of Cushman, married Silance McNama, April 6, 1821. Their son,

(VII) Alden Thayer, born February 3, 1826, married Martha C. Knowles, in 1850.

Alden Thayer, Jr., son of Alden Thayer, Sr., was born February 3, 1826, at Mendon, Massa- chusetts, where he spent his boyhood days, con- pleting his education at Worcester Baptist School, taking the civil engineering course. On leaving school he found employment as surveyor's assistant in making surveys for the Boston & Worcester Rail- way. He gave this up and clerked in his father's store in Worcester; he having recently removed from his farm at Mendon and engaged in business. in 1850 he bought a business of his own, which increased, and he sought better and more spacious quarters from time to time, and finally became a leader among Worcester merchants. When his son became of age he was admitted as a partner. The entire business was sold in 1884, when Alden Thayer retired to a beautiful home at Tatnuck and there spent the remainder of his days. He was ever known as a man of correct habits and con- scientious and one who made few mistakes. Being a foremost Baptist, he aided in building up the Dewey Street Church. He died in 1889. Martha C. Knowles became his wife in 1850. Their children were: Ida, Walter L., George A., Charles Austin, Sarah Maud, Isadore Grace, and Lucius.

George Alden Thayer, son of Alden and Martha C. (Knowles) Thayer, was born in Worcester, March 1I, 1856. His father was a merchant at old

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Boylston, but later came to Worcester and en- gaged in trade. He died in 1889 at Tatnuck, pos- sessed of the esteem of all who knew him. George Alden passed his youth in Worcester, attending the public schools. He then spent seven years as book- keeper for a pork-packing house, and three years more at Swift & Company's branch at Ithaca, New York, as resident manager. We next find him as- sociated with his father at Worcester, who then con- ducted the largest grocery in the city. This busi- ness was sold in 1884, when George Alden en- gaged in the meat and provision business, con- ducting the same until 1890, when his real estate interests demanded his whole time and he sold out.

In 1884 he married Eliza A. Rice, by whom were born : Ida May, Ralph T., Helen and Carl A. Mr. Thayer died February 13, 1893. Of a genial. warm-hearted nature, he easily made friends, and had the happy trait of keeping them his admirers. When very young he united with the Baptist church and was ever a devout Christian. Like his father he was a great Bible student.

RODNEY HAYWARD DAVIS. Dolor Davis (1), the emigrant ancestor of Rodney Hayward Davis, of Worcester, was one of the prominent pioneers in both colonies. His posterity is very numerous and among them have been some very dis- tinguished men, namely : Hon. John Davis, governor and United States senator, and Hon. John D. Long, governor, congressman, and secretary of the navy. He married, in County Kent, England, March 29, 1624, Margery Willard, daughter of Richard Willard, of Horsemonden, County Kent, yeoman. She was baptized at Horsemonden, November 7, 1602, and died before 1667. Dolor Davis, accompanied by his wife. three children, and Simon Willard, his wife's brother, came from England to New England and settled prior to August 4, 1634, in Cambridge, Massa- chusetts. Simon Willard was one of the founders of Concord; he was captain of foot in 1646, major in 1654, and at his death in 1673 "the colony lost one of its most distinguished members." Dolor Davis was a carpenter and master builder. He re- received first grant of land in Cambridge, June 4. 1635, and others later. He removed to Duxbury, August 5, 1638-39, was admitted a freeman, and was granted land there in 1640. He was a resident of Barnstable in 1643, and was admitted a freeman there, June 2, 1646. He was honored in Barnstable with various public offices, including those of high- way surveyor and constable. He and his wife were dismissed from the Duxbury to the Barnstable church, August 27, 1648. In 1656 he left Plymouth colony and returned to Massachusetts Bay, and pur- chased in Concord one hundred and fifty acres with a house thereon. In 1666, however, he returned to Barnstable and died there, in June, 1673. His will was made September 13. 1672, and proved July 2, 1673. It mentions sons Simon and Samuel as al- ready having their portions: eldest son John: son- in-Jaw Lewis and Mary his wife; and daughter Ruth Hall.

Children of Dolor and Margery (Willard) Davis were: John, born in England about 1626, to whom was bequeathed the Concord homestead; Mary, born in England about 1631 ; Elizabeth ; Lieutenant Simon, see forward; Samuel, settled in Concord and Bedford, Ruth, born in Barnstable, March 24, 1645.

(II) Lieutenant Simon Davis, son of Dolor and Margery (Willard) Davis, was born in America, and died in Concord, June 14, 1713, aged seventy- seven years. His will was proved July 3, 1713. His

homestead was near his father's house on a farm given him by his father. He was one of Captain Thomas Wheeler's troopers in the expedition of 1675 to the Nipmuck country, and he took command when the captain was wounded. He received his commission as lieutenant, July 2, 1689. He was admitted a freeman, March 21, 1699. He was deputy to the general court in 1689-90-92-1705. He married. December 12, 1660, Mary Blood, daughter of James and Eleanor Blood, born at Concord, July 12, 1640. Their children were: Dr. Simon, see forward ; Mary, born October 3, 1663, married Deliverance Wheeler, of Stow; Sarah, March II or 15, 1666, married Thomas Wheeler ; James, January 19, 1668; Eleanor, October 22, 1672; Ebenezer, June 1, 1676: Hannah, April 1, 1679, married Samuel Blood.

(III) Dr. Simon Davis, eldest son of Lieutenant Simon and Mary (Blood) Davis, was born in Con- cord, Massachusetts, October 12, 1661. He settled in Concord and was one of the distinguished phy- sicians of his day. The children of Dr. Simon Davis were: Dr. John, see forward: Simon, born Sep- tember 7. 1692, married, June I. 1719, Hannah Bacon: Henry, February 23, 1694; Elizabeth, March 28, 1695, died November 15, 1706: Mary, Novem- ber 8. 1701; Samuel, March 6. 1703, see forward; Eleanor, March 4. 1705-06; Peter. September 25, 1707, probably removed to Rutland.

(IV) Dr. John Davis, eldest son of Dr. Simon Davis, lived in Concord and Acton. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, November 19, 1689, and dicd November 16, 1762. He married, December 17, 1713: Abigail Dudley, and their children were: John, born July 15, 1714, died young; Ezekiel, see forward; Micah, February 15, 1720; Isaac, October 24. 1723; Abigail, March 22, 1726-27: Samuel, April 23, 1730, resided at Acton; John, June I, 1735, of

Acton. Dr. John Davis was the grandfather of Captain Isaac Davis, who was killed in the Con- cord fight. In order to show the relationship with the Worcester family the line will be continued.

(V) Ezekial Davis, or as the old records almost invariably give the name down to the last century (1800) Davies, son of Dr. John and Abigail (Dud- lev) Davis, was born in Concord, Massachusetts, June 8, 1717. He settled in Acton. He married his third cousin, Mary Gibson, daughter of Abraham Gibson (4), granddaughter of Deacon Timothy Gib- son (3), great-granddaughter of John Gibson, Jr. (2), and great-great-granddaughter of John Gibson (1). The children of Ezekial and Mary (Gibson) Davis were: Isaac, see forward; Mary, born Novem- ber 21, 1746; Sarah, married Stephen Hosmer, brother of Abner Hosmer, who was killed in the Concord fight; Ruth, February 19, 1751; Sergeant Ezekial, born in Acton, June 8, 1753, was in his brother's company in the fight at Concord; Josiah, Tune 1.4, 1755, was a revolutionary soldier in Captain Israel Heald's company. Colonel Eleazer Brooks' regi- ment : Rebecca, September II. 1757: Lois, April 7. 1760: Abraham, February 10, 1764; Olive, October 29, 1765.

(VI) Captain Isaac Davis, eldest son of Ezekial and Mary (Gibson) Davis, was born at Acton, Massachusetts, February 23, 1744-45, and was killed at the fight at North Bridge (Concord), April 19, 1775, at the head of his company, the first officer killed in the revolution. He joined the church, February 10, 1765. His old homestead is or was lately owned by Charles Wheeler. It is located about eighty rods southwest of the present site of Deacon W. W. Davis's house. Two fine old elms that were planted by Captain Davis still mark the location, on the opposite side of the road from where the

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house stood, in which the Acton company gathered to go to Lexington, and in which the funeral of the three victims was held. Captain Davis, the man who headed the first column against the King's troops in the revolutionary war, was early on the ground with thirty-eight Acton minute men, and in the hesitancy of older officers to attack the British regn- lars drew his sword and said: "I. am not afraid; I haven't a man that's afraid to go." He led two companies from Concord, two from Bedford, and one from Lincoln besides his own. They advanced to the bridge to the tune of "The White Cockade." He was the first to fall. The other two victims of the fight were friends. neighbors and relatives. Abner Hosmer, son of Deacon Jonathan Hosmer, was twenty-two years old, and engaged to be married. Sarah Davis married his brother, Stephen Hosmer. James Hayward, son of Deacon Samuel Hayward, was killed after the battle, near Fiske Hill, on the road from Concord to Lexington. He lived eight hours after he was shot. A monument was erected by the town and state jointly in 1851 to the memory of Captain Davis and his two soldiers, Hosmer and Hayward, and their remains were placed under the memorial. Captain Davis married. October 24, 1764, Hannah Brown. born in 1746.

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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 39

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