Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. I, Part 73

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 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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is as follows : "Rev. Samuel Reed, second minister at Warwick, died July 13th, 1812, aged 57. He had strong powers of mind; was bold in the defense of truth; severe against wickedness; mild towards the humble; pitiful to the distressed; affectionate towards his friends. Frank and sincere in all his professions ; rational and fervent in his piety; faith- tul in his pastoral duties.

"He taught the Christian doctrine in its sim- plicity and truth; he maintained the freedom of the human mind, the unchangeable obligations of moral duty, the impartial justice of God and future retri- bution.

"Under the vital impression of this faith, he felt, and communicated the cheering entertainments of life, and enjoyed the richest solace and triumph in death."

The children of the Rev. Samuel Reed were: Samuel, born March. 23, 1781, died young ; Anna, born April 19, 1784, died 1835, in Warwick; mar- ried, December, 1813, Deacon Joseph Wilson; Abi- gail, born February 17, 1786, married, December, 1805, Joel Mayo; Samuel, born April 25, 1788, mar- ried Melinda Wheelock; Stephen, born November 5, 1790, died 1847; married Jerusha Moor ; Timothy, born July 10, 1793, died 1854; married Susan Kings- ley.

(VI) Samuel Reed, son of Rev. Samuel Reed, (5), was born at Warwick, Massachusetts, April 25, 1788. He married Melinda Wheelock. They settled in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He died very suddenly and was buried in Warwick, Massachusetts, where his widow afterward resided. His children were: John, born February 26, 1820, married Delia Winter; Melinda A., born October 12, 1824.

(VII) John Reed, son of Samuel Reed, was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, February 26, 1820. He married Delia Winter. They resided first at Croyden, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, where their son, Frederick E. Reed, was born. They re- moved to Worcester about 1850. John Reed was a teacher of music and later foreman of one of the departments of one of the largest and best equipped machine shops in New England at that time. He continued in the machinist business after coming to Worcester. He retired from active work in 1883. He resided after that at Shrewsbury and Worcester. He died in Holden, Massachusetts, December, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two. He was a mem- ber of the First Church of Christ. His children were: Frederick E., born in Croyden, New Hamp- shire, March 1, 1847; Ella E., born in Worcester, Massachusetts, August 7, 1856.

(VIII) Frederick E. Reed, John Reed (7), was born in Croyden, New Hampshire, March 1, 1847. He came to Worcester with his parents when very young, and was educated in the Worcester schools. At seventeen he went into the machine shop and learned the trade of machinist. After two years he returned to school and took a course at Worcester Academy and at Howe's Busi- ness College in Worcester. While attending school he also kept books for the Wood & Light Machine Co., the concern with which his father was for many years connected. This business was established in 1848. They made iron working machinery, did mill work, dealing in shafting, pulleys and hangers. He was bookkeeper five years for this company. He

rested for a year on account of his health, and then went into the draughting department and had charge of the draughting and designing of the company for five years. He studied in the drawing school of the Worcester County Mechanics' Association. This school was established in 1864 and is said to be the first of its kind in the country. It gave practical

instruction in architectural and mechanical drawing and daughter. Drawing was later introduced into the public schools, and when it was finally taught in the evening schools of the city the school of the Mechanics' Association was discontinued. Mr. Reed was active in the promotion and support of the school during the time when it was needed in the city.

Mr. Reed went into business for himself in 1875 at 54 Hermon street under the firm name of A. F. Prentice & Co. He manufactured an improved up- right drill, also hand and foot power lathes, slide rests, milled machine screws and made to order special machinery of all kinds. He makes a spe- cialty of machine tools, of engine lathes, hand lathes and foot lathes of all kinds. He built the first building on the present site in 1883 at 120 Gold street. The business has been very successful and the plant has grown from a small beginning to large proportions. The present name of the com- pany is F. E. Reed Company. The original shop at the Gold street location had 2262 feet of floor space. In 1905 the shops of the F. E. Reed Co. had two and three-tenths acres of floor space. The first building in 1883 was two stories high, 55 by 183 feet. The second, built in 1888, was 50 by 58 feet. A large building was erected in 1889, another in 1890, another 93 by 107 was erected in 1896; another 50 by 131 in 1899; another 30 by 107 in 1901 and another in 1904, 40 by 53 feet. The later buildings are four stories in height and all are well constructed brick buildings of modern design. When Mr. Reed began he employed six men. The average pay roll lately has contained over three hundred names of employees. He is the chief owner of a number of other important enterprises in Worcester. The Mat- thew Manufacturing Company at 104 Gold street was organized in 1894 with Mr. Reed as president and A. T. Matthews as general manager. They manufacture metal goods and employ one hundred and fifty hands. They make a specialty of drawn sheet steel work, stove trimmings, steam pipe collars, bicycle fittings, ferules, and other sheet metal specialties. Mr. Reed is a partner in the Reed & Curtis Machine Screw Company, which employs one hundred and fifty hands. He is the proprietor of the Reed Foundry Company at 95 Gold street, iron foundaries, employ- ing one hundred and twenty-five hands. He is treasurer of the Worcester Lawn Mower Company, employing sixty hands. Mr. Reed has been one of the most successful manufacturers in Worcester. He has built up a very large business and has shown himself possessed of business ability of a high order. He has been devoted to his business career and has cared for no outside interests. He is counted among the leaders of industry in Worcester. Mr. Reed's summer home at Thompson, Connecticut, is a model of its kind.

SOUTHGATE FAMILY. Richard Southgate, the pioneer of the American branch of the family, came with Daniel Denny from Coombs, Suffolk, England, in 1715. The following year he went back for his family, brought then over in July, 1717, and with them his brother James. In March, 1718, the Southgates and Daniel Denny removed to Leicester and settled there, but what circumstances led to their selecting that spot is not known. Mr. Southgate became an extensive landowner in the town, and is one of the grantees in the settlers' deed; lots Nos. 35. 41, and 42 were conveyed to him by that deed. In 1737 he was the owner of seven hundred and sev- enty acres in the town. He was the first treasurer of the town, and was much employed as a surveyor of lands, being a skillful and trustworthy person.

Richard Southgate was born in 1671, a son of

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John Southgate. In October, 1700, he married Eliza- beth Steward; they had six children, all born in England, five of whom came to Leicester, Massa- chusetts. Steward, born 1703; Elizabeth, 1705, died 1791, unmarried ; Hannah, 1709, married Nathaniel Waite, of Leicester, 1737, and died 1754; Mary, 1712, married Daniel Livermore, of Weston, 1732; Rich- ard, 1714. Richard Southgate ( father) died in 1758, aged eighty-eight years; his wife died in 1751. in the eighty-eighth years of hier age. They are said to be the ancestors of all of the name in New Eng- land.

Steward Southgate, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Steward) Southgate, married Elizabeth Scott, of Palmer, then called the "Elbow," in 1735, while he was living there. About 1740 he returned to Leicester, and spent the remainder of his days there. Their children were: John, born 1738; Robert, 1741, was a physician, removed to Scarboro, Maine, and is noticed in this work; Margaret, 1743; Sarah, 1744, married Azarialı Dickinson, of Hadley; Stew- ard, 1748.

Steward Southgate, son of Steward and Eliza- betli (Scott) Southgate, married and removed to Hardwick. He was a soldier in the revolution, and after the close of the war went to Barnard, Ver- mont, where in 1795 he lost five children by the canker-rash within a few days of each other. For his second wife, Mr. Southgate married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Potter, and their children were: Amos, born 1751, died in Boston, 1775; he married and had a daughter born after his death, who became the wife of Jonah Earle; Rebekah, born 1754, died 1756; Ruth, born 1758, died in Boston, 1777; Moses, born 1761, died in Boston, 1777. Mr. Southgate was at first a member of the Congrega- tional church, but became a zealous and leading mem- ber of the Society of Friends, to which society his second wife's father belonged prior to 1732. He must have been well educated for his day, and seems to have possessed a clear head, strong purpose, and withal great sensibility and Christian resignation. He had a commanding influence among his religious brethren, and the memoranda that he left alludes in terms of deep emotion to the afflictions through which he was called to pass. He did in 1765, and his second wife died in 1748.

John Southgate, son of Steward Southgate, mar- ried Eleanor Sargent, daughter of Jonathan Sargent, 1776, and their children were: Sally, born 1777, died unmarried ; John, born 1778, died 1804, unmar- ried, as related in this work; William, born 1782, died 1811, unmarried. He was rather a skillful and talented painter, he had cultivated his taste under several masters. among others, Ralph Earle, to whom he was remotely related, and Gilbert Stuart. The department of art to which he devoted his attention was that of portraits, in which he would have prob- ably attained a distinguished reputation had he dili- gently devoted himself to it as a profession. Har- riet, born 1792, died 1841, unmarried; Eliza, born 1796, married Jacob Bigelow, then of Montreal, where she died, leaving one son, Dr. George F. Bigelow, of Boston. George W., born 1800. Mrs. Southgate died in 1825.

Richard Southgate, youngest son of Richard and Elizabeth (Steward) Southgate, the pioneer an- cestors, came with his father from England. He married Eunice Brown, daughter of Samuel Brown, 1741, and their children were: Richard. born 1742, removed to Bridgewater, Vermont; Isaac, 1744; Samuel, 1747, resided in various places and died in Scarborough, 1773; Elijah, 1751, married Patty Hastings, died in Shrewsbury, 1837, aged eighty-

seven years, without children; Jonas, 1753, married Mary Whitney, of Grafton, 1782, and died 1784; Eunice, 1757, died unmarried; Judah, 1761, mar- ried Susannah Taylor, of Spencer, 1798, and died 1799; Mercy, died unmarried. Mr. Southgate was known as "Elder," and was a Baptist preacher. He held meetings in the schoolhouse, when it stood where the brick factory now stands, opposite to where Esquire Rawson lived. He resided in the southeast part of the town, near the line of Spencer, and was a farmer.

Isaac Southgate, son of Richard and Eunice (Brown) Southgate, married Rebekah Brown, daughter of John Brown, 1769, and they were the parents of one daughter, Rebekah, born 1770, mar- ried a Mr. Hodges, of the state of New York. Mr. Southgate married for his second wife, Eunice White, 1771, and their children were: Asa, born 1772; Betsey, 1774, married Nathan Beers, 1790; Samuel, 1776, married Hannah Waite, 1801, and they reared a family of children in Leicester; one of their sons, John P., died 1882, in Worcester, and another, Samuel, died in 1874, in Leicester ; Eunice, 1779, married Sylvanus Earle, removed to Ohio, and died in 1835; Isaac, 1782, married Maria Webb. daughter of Peter Webb, Esq., and granddaughter of Thomas Denny, Sr. Mr. Southgate died in 1800, aged fifty-six years. He was one of the active bus- iness men and public-spirited citizens of the town; for many years a manufacturer of cards. He rep- resented the town in the legislature, served as trus- tee of the Worcester County Agricultural Society, and took an active part in promoting the interests of that important association.

James Southgate, who came with his brother Rich- ard Southgate, from England, as above stated, became a proprietor of the settlers' half of the town, as owner of lot No. 30. At the first town meeting he was chosen one of the selectmen and surveyor of highways. He with his brother and several other inhabitants of Leicester addressed a letter to the governor, in 1725, asking for soldiers to guard the town from the Indians. He was a deacon of the church, and took an active part in settling Mr. Parsons in 1720. His wife's name was Mary, and they had one son, James, born 1718, who married Dorothy Lincoln, in 1741, and they were the parents of one daughter, Dor- othy, born 1746. His house was located a little north of Mr. Morton's, in the east part of the town. There is no trace of the family after that period.

John P. Southgate, son of Samuel and Hannah (Waite) Southgate, above referred to, was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, July 29, 1804, died Feb- ruary 7, 1882, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Samuel Southgate (father) was also born in Leicester, 1776, and probably attended the schools of that town. During the latter years of his life he engaged in the manufacture of cards, and con- tinued the same until his decease, February, 1882. John P. Southgate learned the trade of a cabinet maker of Deacon Murdock, then town sexton in Leieester, and after attaining his majority in 1825, worked at his trade a few years in Worcester, and then reurred again to Leicester, where he changed his business to brush making, and in 1834 removed again to Worcester, where he opened a shop for brush making in a building which stood on the site of the present Horticultural Hall on Front street. In 1837 he removed to the north corner of Main and Mechanic streets, where he went in company with James H. Wall in the boot. shoe and leather rade, and was burned out in 1841. He then re- moved to the building which then stood. on the

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site of Piper's Block, next south of the old United States Hotel, where he was alone two or three years, and in 1844 went in partnership with Thomas M. Rogers in the leather and shoe find- ings trade, the firm being Southgate & Rogers. In 1850 they removed to the north corner of Main and Pleasant streets, in the block on the site of the one now owned by Mr. Rogers. Mr. Southgate retired from this business in 1855, with a handsome com- petence, and engaged for a few years in some real estate operations which resulted very unfortunately for him in the sudden collapse of 1857 and '58, which proved disastrous to so many. From 1860 to 1880 he was engaged in manufacturing on a limited scale in Auburn, but during the last year or two, since the decease of his wife, he had re- sided in this city with one of his sons. Mr. South- gate was a man of sound practical judgment and strict business integrity, and universally respected. Always taking a lively interest in public affairs, he was a member of the common council in 1850 and 1851, and alderman in 1855 and 1856, ever faith- ful and prompt in attention to the duties assigned him.

Mr. Southgate married May 21, 1829, Sarah Swan, of Leicester, and their children were: John Frederick, born June 13, 1831, died 1858; Reuben H., born December 8, 1833, mentioned hereinafter ; Frank White, born February 10, 1840, now a resi- dent of Worcester; James Stewart, born October 8, 1842, died November 22, 1899.

Reuben H. Southgate, second son of John P. and Sarah (Swan) Southgate, was born in Lei- cester, Massachusetts, December 8, 1833. In 1835 he was brought by his parents to Worcester, Massa- chusetts, attended the common and high schools of that town and for a short time the Baptist Academy, now Worcester Academy. Shortly after attaining the age of eighteen years he engaged in business with his father, who was associated with Thomas M. Rogers, they being dealers in shoe findings. In 1855 Mr. Southgate, Sr., retired from active pur- suits, his son, Reuben H., succeeding him, and under the name of Rogers & Southgate they con- ducted a store at the corner of Pleasant and Main streets until 1873. In that year Mr. South- gate bought out the interest of his partner, Mr. Rogers, and moved to Franklin Square, where he remained until April 1, 1888, when he retired from business. Since then he has devoted his time to travel in foreign countries, visiting Asia, Africa, Europe, and in fact all parts of the globe, gaining thereby a vast store of useful and interesting knowl- edge and pleasure. He has always adhered to the principles of the Republican party, and he cast his first presidential vote for J. C. Fremont.

Mr. Southgate married, June 8, 1864, Anna J. Wood, daughter of Ichabod and Anna (Warren) Wood, of Watertown, the latter named now lead- ing a retired life at Asheville, North Carolina, aged ninety years. Their children are Louis Warren, born February 25, 1865, married, June 8, 1892, Clara Brigham, daughter of L. L. Brigham, of Worcester, and they are the parents of one child, Richard Brigham, born May 5, 1893. Philip Wood, born May 10, 1868, died December 7, 1905. Both Louis Warren and Philip Wood Southgate grad- uated at Worcester Technical School and Columbia Law School of Washington. Both spent three years in the patent office in Washington, D. C. Under the firm name of Southgate & Southgate they were engaged as patent attorneys in Worcester, where they conducted an extensive and lucrative business. They were admitted to practice in the supreme and district courts in all the states of the Union.

FRANCIS A. GASKILL. Many persons in the United States bearing the name of Gaskill may trace their lineage to Edward, the ship carpenter of Salem, Massachusetts. As early as 1636 his name appears among those in the list of proprietors of lands in that old historic town. The name is variously spelled in the early records as Gaskin, Gasking, Gascoyne, Gascoins, Gaskell, Gaskill and Gaskil.

(I) Edward Gaskill, the ship carpenter, owned in 1636 the right to twenty acres of land in Salem, and by his wife Sarah had children: Samuel, baptized August 7, 1639; Daniel, born October 10, 1640; Sarah, born May 14, 1643, married Peter Joy, May 24, 1661; Hannah, born March 1, 1646; Ed- ward, born April 30, 1648.

(II) Samuel Gaskill, born 1639, married Pro- vided Southwicke, 30th day, Ioth month, 1662. In the Registry of Deeds, book 9, leaf 29, date of October 13, 1690, we find that Thomas Maul of Salem, merchant, for forty-five pounds conveyed to "Josiah and Daniel Southwicke, Samuel Gaskin, Caleb Buffum, Christopher Foster, and Sarah Stone, all of Salem, in New England, Samuel Collins of Lynn, and several others of ye people called Quak- ers, in ye county of Essex in New England, a small tract or parcel of land containing about four rods or poles, be it more or be it less, being situate in ye town of Salem aforesaid, bounded easterly and southerly by said Maul, westerly by land in pos- session John Richards of Salem; northerly hy the main broad street or highway just as it lies and is now fenced together, with a meetinghouse which stands upon said land, for the use of the above named and several other of ye people commonly called Quakers, to worship and serve God in." The hefore mentioned meeting house was the first Quaker meeting house in Salem, and the Samuel Gaskill mentioned is without doubt the son of Edward, who married Provided Southwick, and was punished for. attending the Quaker meeting. In 1716 they sold this meeting house and the land to Thomas Maul, of Salem, for twenty-five pounds, and two years later Daniel Southwick, Samuel Gaskill, Caleb Buffum, and Samuel Collins having bought another lot on the other side of the way, more commodious for setting a meeting house, and erected a meeting house thereon, etc. (See deed recorded November 18, 1718, vol. xxxiv, p. 202, Registry of Deeds.) This was the second Quaker meeting house in Salem. The children of Samuel Gaskill and Pro- vided Southwick: Samuel, born 23, IIth month, 1663; Edward, horn October 23, 1667; Hannah, born January 2, 1669; Provided, born April 22, 1672.

(III) Samuel Gaskill, born 23, IIth month, 1663, married Bethiah Gardner, daughter of Thomas Gardner, Jr., and his wife Hannah, February 18, 1723-4. Mr. Gaskill owned four rights to common land in the two lower parishes of Salem. By his will dated September 1, 1725, we find the names of several of his children: I. Samuel. 2. Nathan. 3. Jonathan, married Alice Pickering, of Salem, and had Jonathan, married Hannah Estes, November 30, 1761. 4. Hannah, married David Nichols. 5. Content, and 6. Sarah, both unmarried; also four other daughters, names not given; ten children in all. Nathan had, January 18, 1726, eighty acres of land in Mendon, and Jonathan had eighteen acres laid out to him in the same town in February, 1737-8.

(IV) Samuel Gaskill married Sarah -, and was living in Salem in 1722, a shipwright by occu- pation. April 8, 1736, he purchased of Stephen Swett a large farm which was formerly the prop- erty of John Cass, situated in the south parish of

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Mendon (now Blackstone) whither he removed, and where he died in September, 1761. In his will dated December 5, 1758, his son Ebenezer was named executor. An inventory of the estate was filed October 28, 1761. His children were: Samuel, died prior to December 5, 1758; Ebenezer; Joseph ; Stephen; Benjamin; Sarah, married Richard Estes ; Huldah, married Benjamin Cook; Elizabeth.

(V) Ebenezer Gaskill married Hannah Girdler (or Gurley), July 15, 1745. He resided in the south parish of Mendon, now Blackstone. Their chil- dren were: George, married Sarah Read, Novem- ber 5. 1767; David; Peter; Joseplı; Samuel, mar- ried (first) Olive Cook, May 27, 1784, and had Hannalı, Naum and Saralı.

(VI) Peter Gaskill, born 1763, died May 17, 1846; married, January 20, 1790, Hannah Thomp- son, of Mendon, who was the mother of his chil- dren. She died July 1, 18og, in the forty-seventh year of her age. He married (second) Esther Scott, widow of David Metcalf. He resided in the south parish of Mendon, now Blackstone. He was a very thrifty farmer, and left a large estate for his time. His will was dated November 24, 1830, in which he provided for the care of his wife Esther, gave each of his six daughters one thousand dol- lars, and named his son Peter sole executor. He also mentioned the following children: I. Lebbeus. 2. Elisha. 3. Dianna, married Daniel Aldrich. Sally, married William Metcalf. 5. Asenath, mar- ried Joseph Aldrich. 6. Mariah, married Thomas Aldrich. 7. Hannah, married Caleb Thayer, Jr. 8. Anne, married Samuel Verry. 9. Peter, died un- married, September 18, 1846, before his father's will had been approved. This Peter Gaskill left a will dated September 17, 1846, by which he be- queathed the farm where he lived to Albert and David Gaskill, sons of his brothers, Lebbeus and Elisha. By an inventory of the Peter Gaskill estate, dated October 10, 1846, and returned October 27, same year, we learn that the value of the estate was $21,097.83.

(VII) Lebbens Gaskill married Susan De Witt. He was by occupation a farmer, and called of Cuni- berland, Rhode Island, but was the proprietor of lands in Mendon, south parish. His will was dated December 23, 1861, and the inventory was returned March 16, 1863. He died February 9, 1863, aged sixty-nine years, seven months and ten days. The widow, Susan Gaskill, then of Smithfield, Rhode Island, made her will October 15, 1867. Their chil- dren were: Albert, born April 9, 1821; Warren, born August 31, 1822.

(VIII) Albert Gaskill married Anna Smith Comstock, December 30, 1840, Rev. Adin Ballou performing the ceremony. Mr. Gaskill was a farmer and an extensive dealer in real estate. His chil- dren were: I. Alice K., attended Oread Institute, Worcester, 1869 and 1870, married Charles Wilson, who is deceased and they have one child also de- ceased. 2. Francis Almon.

(IX) Judge Francis Almon Gaskill was born January 3, 1846, at the family home in that part of Mendon now known as Blackstone. He attended the schools in his native town and after taking a course at the Woonsocket High School entered Brown University, from which institution he grad- ated in 1866 at the age of twenty years. For a year he served as private tutor for a family in Newport, and at the close of this engagement entered the Harvard Law School, remaining there a year and a half, when he came to Worcester and continued the study of law in the office of Hon. George F. Verry, one of the most noted and accomplished lawyers in central Massachusetts. After being ad-

mitted to the bar in 1869 an association was formed for the practice of law under the style of Verry & Gaskill, resulting in a most successful business career, and which was brought to a close by the death of Mr. Verry in 1883. In 1875 and 1876 Mr. Gaskill served the city of Worcester as a mem- ber of the common council. After the death of Hon. George F. Verry, Mr. Gaskill became associated with a stepson, Horace Verry, Esq. For ten years this firm continued, and during this time Mr. Gaskill was district attorney for the middle district of Massachusetts, holding that office from 1887 to 1895, when he was appointed by Gevernor Greenhalge associate justice of the superior courts of Massa- chusetts, an office which he now holds.

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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 73

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