Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. III, Part 102

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 772

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. III > Part 102

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In politics Mr. Prouty is a Republican, but has never sought or held public office. In 1800 he mar- ried Emma Hindley, of Spencer, a native of Man- chester, England, daughter of John and Sarah (Fox) Hindley, who became residents of Spencer. Mrs. Prouty died in November, 1878, leaving one son, Nelson Hindley Prouty, born in North Hadley, May II, 1866, completed his education at a business col- lege in Worcester and is now holding the responsi- ble position of assistant to the president of the In- ternational Correspondence School. In 1890 Nelson Hindley Prouty married Lillian Hubbard.

CLEMENT DAVIAU, deceased, for almost forty years a shoe manufacturer of Webster, Worces- ter county, Massachusetts, was born July 23, 1841, the son of Peter and Mary ( Mandeville) Daviau. Peter Daviau was born in Canada in 1795, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a member and vice-president of the Redmen, and vice-president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society. He married Mary Mandeville, born 1811 and died 1870. His death occurred February 2, 1895.

Clement Daviau was afforded no educational ad- vantages, and at the tender age of seven years was compelled to find employment. His first work . was in the cotton mills at Oxford and Putnam, and later

at Stoneville, where he was employed until has was nineteen years of age. The civil war then broke out, and he was prompt in offering his services to de- fend the Union cause. He enlisted in the Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Light Battery, and served for four years, distinguishing himself during this period for. his gallantry and intrepidity on the field of action. Upon the cessation of hostilities he located in Webster, and there associated himself with the firm of C. C. Corbin & Company, shoe manufacturers, being thirty-nine years engaged on contract work. The last five years of his life were spent in retirement. His whole career was one of success. He was pre-eminently a self-made man. Starting out in life with none of the advantages that are the lot of the average boy, he struggled de- terminedly on, undaunted and undiscouraged by the obstacles that he encountered, and with the char- acteristic industry and energy of the average young. American, succeeded in reaching a high place in the business world. He was an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Webster, and also the St. Jean Baptiste Society. His religious faith was Roman Catholic, and he was a member and director of the Sacred Heart Church.

Mr. Daviau was twice married: First, to Lucy Laporte, of Worcester. They had four children, one of whom, Lucy, is now living, the wife of John Simard, and mother of six children; Napoleon, Eva, Mary Angelc, Cecille, John, and one other who died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Daviau mar- ried, August 23, 1873, Exenie Blake, who was born July 19, 1851, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Vandal) Blake, the former born 1818 and died 1866. Of this marriage the following named chil- dren were born: I. Exenie, June 14, 1874, married May 2, 1900, Daniel Marois, of Webster; their chil- dren : A child, born April 20, 1901, died in infancy ; Eva, born September 28, 1902, and Stanislaus, May 7, 1904. 2. Mary, born March 12, 1876, married, April 14, 1896, Alfred Jaques, of Webster; their children : Phillip, born April 25, 1898; Alice, June 9, 1899; Cora, September 22, 1902; and Amelia, Octo- ber 13, 1904. 3. Clement, born November 20, 1877. 4. Adolpheus, born October 6, 1880, died 1888. 5. Phillip, born April 8, 1882. The good and useful life of Clement Daviau was brought to a close on July 29, 1901, after he had just attained his sixtieth year.

JOHN JOSEPH GILLES, one of the representa- tive agriculturists of Dudley, Massachusetts, also prominenty identified with its public affairs, is a na- tive of Germany, born March 10, 1845.

His father, John Joseph Gilles, born at Aix-la- Chapelle, Germany, died in Dudley, Massachusetts, 1893, was a son of Gilles, a manufacturer of woolen goods in Germany. John J. Gilles was also the owner and operator of a factory for the manufacture of woolen goods, later disposed of his plant to a corporation, but through bad faith was deprived of a life position, which was a part of the contract of sale. In 1849, under contract with the Slater Company, Mr. Gilles emigrated to the United States and located in Webster, Massachusetts, send- ing later for his family, which consisted of his wife, Barbara ( Steffens) Gilles, and four children: Hen- rietta, born March 12, 1841, deceased; John Joseph, born March 19, 1845, see forward; Alexander, born June 10, 1847; and John Herbert, born June 7, 1849. After their arrival in this country the following children were born: Nicholas, March 21, 1851; William, March, 1853; and Ellen M., March 14, 1855. Mr. Gilles followed his trade of woolen finish-

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er for a number of years. The last years of his life were spent on a farm in Dudley, where he led a re- tired life, enjoying to the full the consciousness of years well spent in honest toil.

John J. Gilles, eldest son of John Joseph and Barbara (Steffens ) Gilles, attended the public schools of Webster, Massachusetts, until fourteen years of age, he having been brought to that town from his native land, Germany, at an early age. For a number of years thereafter he was connected with a private circulating library in Worcester, and later was a clerk in a clothing store in Lawrence. In 1863 he returned to Webster and was employed in a woolen mill until 1869, when he turned his attention to farming, conducting his operations on the farm in Dudley, the property of his father, where he is now (1905) engaged in dairying and general farming. His well-improved farm is finely stocked with a high grade of cattle, and furnished with all the machinery and implements requisite for general farming. He has rendered valuable service to the public as asses- sor of Dudley since 1877, member of the school board, and in other local offices which are within tlie gift of the people. He is a trustee of the public li brary of Dudley, a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, and a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, having served in the capacity of first secretary for several years. He wrote the historical sketch of the town of Dudley for the History of Worcester Coun- ty, edited by Hamilton Hurd.

GEORGE ZADOCK TAFT. Robert Taft (1), the inimigrant ancestor of most of the Worcester county Taft families, was the progenitor of George Zadock Taft, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. He was born in Ireland or England about 1640. The name is common in Ireland at present. It seems, how- ever, to have been originally English. The idea that the family was of Scotch descent is doubtless due to inter-marriages with Scotch families in the north of Ireland and the affiliation with Scotch- Irish rather than with the Celtic families. The fam- ily seems to have been Protestant about as early as there were any Protestants in Ireland. One historian places the coming of the Tafts or Taaffe family in Ireland from England at the end of the thirteenth century. Mr. Lodge in his book on British Peerage and Baronetage says that King James gave William Taaffe much honor; also that Queen Elizabeth, also a Protestant, gave him pre- ferment. Sir John Taaffe was knighted in his father's lifetime and the king in 1628, "having re- ceived commendation of his virtues and abilities and that he was a principal gentlemen of an ancient family of England was pleased to advance him to the dignity of a Baron of Ballymore and Viscount Taffe of Corren by patent dated Dublin August I, 1628 and he took his seat in the House of Peers July 14, 1628." Sir William Taaffe was granted one thousand acres of land in county Cavan, pre- cinct of Castle Rahen, in 1610. Taaffe granted it to Sir Thomas Ashe before 1619. Sir William was then of Louth, Ireland. This was one of the grants of land to Scotch and English Protestants on which the so-called Scotch-Irish settled. Louth is a mari- time county of the Province of Leinster.

Robert Taft spelled his name Taffe on the first deed in which his name appears, October 19. 1678. His place of birth is not known. He came to this country and settled in Braintree, where he owned land as early as 1677. He removed to Mendon in 1679, at the time of the resettlement following King Philip's war. The deed of his home lot in Brain- tree to Caleb Hobart was dated November 18, 1679. and acknowledged March 12 following. He had

houses and orchards mentioned in this deed. He bought his first lot at Mendon of Colonel William Crowne for ninety pounds in partnership with Savill Simpson, of Boston, cordwainer, August 15, 1679. Colonel Crowne was a leading citizen in Mendon before the town was destroyed by the Indians. He did not return when Mendon was resettled. Robert Taft soon became one of the largest land-owners of the vicinity. He had among other holdings a tenth interest in the tract of which the town of Sutton was formed, eight miles square. His land nearly encompassed the Mendon pond. He and his sons built the first bridge over "Great River." and in 1729 the Tafts built the second bridge. Robert was a housewright by trade. He was on the first board of selectmen January 3, 1680, and was on the committee to build the minister's house. Robert Taft died at Mendon, February 8, 1725. Children of Robert and Sarah Taft were: Thomas, born 1671, died 1755: Robert, Jr., 1674, died April 29, 1748: Daniel, 1677, died August 24, 1761 ; Joseph, 1680. of whom later ; Benjamin, 1684, died 1766.

(II) Captain Joseph Taft, son of Robert Taft (I), was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, 1680, and died there June 18, 1747. He was captain of the military company of the town and a leading citizen. He opposed the issue of bills of credit to the town, but, when defeated, was placed on the committee to receive and invest the town's quota. When the town of Uxbridge was set off from old Mendon Captain Joseph Taft's farm was in the new town and he became prominent in its affairs also. He served on a similar financial committee for receiv- ing and investing bills of credit in Uxbridge. He was on the building committee of the meeting house, and it was part of his duty to provide fifteen gallons of rum necessary, according to the vote of the town, to raise the building. Twice as much rum was used for the meeting house at Mendon, so Uxbridge must be counted a temperance town in the early days. Captain Taft was selectman in 1732 and held many other positions of trust and honor. The inventory of his estate was dated August 19, 1747. John Taft was appointed guardian of the youngest son Aaron, then nineteen years old. The elder sons, Moses and Peter Taft, were sureties on the bond of their mother Elizabeth, administratrix, on the same date. The names on the guardian's bond are: John, Peter, Moses and Josiah Taft and Joseph Morse, besides that of Joseph Taft, the father and Aaron, the son. His brothers, Robert, Jr. and Benjamin, also became residents of Ux- bridge. The home of Captain Taft was on the east side of the Blackstone near the Uxbridge woolen mill, and he had land, given him by his father, on both sides of the river. His house was not far from the meeting house and much of the original farm is now owned by a lineal descendant, George Za- dock Taft, having been handed down in the family from the time of the first grant. Captain Taft fol- lowed the example of his father and deeded a farmi to each of his sons.

He married. 1708, Elizabeth Emerson, grand- daughter of the first minister at Mendon. Their children were: Lucy, born September 22, 1709; Moses, January 30, 1713; Peter, 1715; Sarah, March 2. 1719: Joseph. April 19, 1722: Elizabeth, October 30. 1724: Aaron. April 12, 1727, of whom later ; Margaret, February 9, 1729; Ebenezer, August 8, 1732.

(III) Aaron Taft, son of Captain Joseph Taft (2), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, April 12, 1727, died at Uxbridge in 1805. He settled in Uxbridge and owned large tracts of land there. His estate was partitioned May 24, 1806, a pre-

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ZADOK A. TAFT

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liminary agreement by the heirs signed August 9, 1806. He married Nancy and their children were: Willis, executor, died 1842; Patience, mar- ried William Holyrod; Thaddeus, died 1831 ; Za- dock, of whom later; Parna, died 1814. unmarried, mentions sisters and nieec in her will; Rhoda, mar- ried John Grout.

(IV) Zadock Taft, son of Aaron Taft (3), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, about 1775, died there in 1843. His will was made December 26, 1839, filed December 5, 1843, and allowed January 2, 1814. He lived ond the old homestead and left it to his only son. Zadoek Arnold Taft. Children of Zadock and Abigail Taft were : Hannah T., Eliza M .. married Calvin Taft: Joanna B., Rhoda G .. married Forbush of Grafton; Zadock A., of whom later.

(V) Zadock Arnold Taft. son of Zadock Taft (4), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, Novem- ber II. 1817. He received a common school edu- cation in his native town. Being the youngest of five children and the only son. he had to help his father and after his father's death he had to take his place at the head of the family. He became a manufacturer in 1866, when he entered partnership with Richard Sayles in the ownership of the Rivulat mill. Sayles & Taft put in machinery for making over wool, known in the trade as shoddy, and carried on the mill until 1869, when Sayles & Taft leased the mill to E. S. Bradford, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. for the manufacture of knit- ting yarn, and it was run on this work until the mill was burned in October, 1872. It was rebuilt next year and cotton machinery put in, but Mr. Sayles soon returned to woolen goods. Sayles & Taft conducted the mill until October 1. 1878, and then leased the mill and machinery to Sayles, Taft & Company, composed of Henry S. Morse and the two partners already named. Mr. Taft withdrew from the firm in January. 1882. (Sec sketch of the Sayles family.)

In 1865 or 1866 Mr. Taft bought the property On Emerson brook, formerly known as the Leonard Taft saw and grist mills, then falling into decay from long idleness. Mr. Taft built a new mill and began to make cotton warps, but later changed to satinet manufacturing. After several years he leased the mill and various firms have inade satinets there since. Mr. Taft also operated the old shuttle shop on Drabble Tail brook for a time, making cotton yarn and shoddy. After retiring from busi- ness he devoted his attention to his farm. In early life Mr. Taft was station agent at Uxbridge for the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company. He was prominent in town affairs and held many offices of trust and honor. He was member of the school committee, assessor, justice of the peace, and selectman of the town. He also represented his dis- trict in the general court in Boston. He was a Republican in politics. He was a member of the Orthodox Church ( Congregational). He was a member and treasurer of the Uxbridge Lodge of Free Masons for many years, and was popular among his brethren of the lodge. He died May II, 1887. In every walk of life Mr. Taft was active and succesful. Except for the usual reverses that all manufacturers of his dav had and expected, re- gardless of the condition of their business. he was one of the manufacturers of the past generation to whom the town of Uxbridge owes a great debt for building up its industries. He was an honored public servant. He possessed the confidence of his fellow citizens and deserved and enjoyed their cs- teem.

Mr. Taft married, at Burrillville, Rhode Island,

Mary M. Brown, daughter of George and Sarah Brown. She died October 3, 1896. Their children were: George Zadoek, of whom later; Abigail C., born January 14, 1854, died March 27, 1854; Sarah S., born 1856, married Eugene A. Wheelock, re. sides in Putnam, Connecticut; Arnold A., born May I, 1858, died February 22. 1865.

(VI) George Zadock Taft, son of Zadock Arnold Taft (5), was born at Uxbridge. Massachusetts, August 17, 1850. He attended the public schools of Uxbridge, took a year's course in the academy at Woodstock, Connecticut, and another year at Wilbraham Academy, at Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He worked in his father's mill for five years and then took charge of the old homestead. He estab- lished a milk route and a dairy. In 1896 he engaged in the wood and coal business at Uxbridge and has built up a large and profitable trade. He ranks among the leading merchants of the town. He is a Republican in politics and liberal in his religious views. He is a member of the Uxbridge Lodge of Odd Fellows. the Uxbridge Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and the Ancient Order of United Work- men.

He married, November 4, 18So, Emma Jane For- bush, of Grafton, daughter of Justin and Rhoda A. (Sears) Forbush. She was born December 28, 1854. Her father. Justin Forbush, was a shoe man- ufacturer. George Z. and Emma Jane Taft have no children.

LEWIS JOHNSON, son of George Wash- ington Johnson (VIII). was born at Worcester, Massachusetts, June 25, 1840. He removed with his parents to Shrewsbury when he was a young boy and he began his schooling there. When he was four- teen years old his father moved to Holden and he completed his education in the public schools of that town. He helped his father on the farm until he came of age. He left home to work for Thomas Damon, of West Springfield, Massachusetts, as teamster, working for him three years and for an- other year for Mr. Bartholomew of that town. He returned to Holden to take charge of the farm of Calvin Hubbard, who was away in the service dur- ing the civil war for a year. Mr. Johnson then came to Worcester and was employed by the second Stephen Salisbury on his farm. He then started in the business of teaming in Worcester on his own ac- count. After four years he returned to Holden to carry on the farm on which he has lived ever since and which he now owns. It was formerly his fa- ther's place and consisted of some 35 acres, known as the old Cutler place. It is on the road to Rut- land. Mr. Johnson has added some fifteen acres to the farm which supports a herd of ten cows. The milk produeed on the place is made into butter for the local market. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Holden Baptist Church and though retiring in dis- position and tastes, he is highly respected by his townsmen and exerts an influence for good in town affairs. He is especially earnest in his support of temperance and prohibition measures. In polities he is a Republican and has served the town of Holden as an overseer of the poor.

He married Hattie Sophia Hubbard, who was born March 14. 1848. the daughter of Calvin and Martha J. ( Miles) Hubbard, of Rutland. Her fa- ther was a farmer: he was in Company G, Thirty- sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, in the civil war and he died February 26. 1863, a prisoner of war in the infamous Libby Prison.

The children of Lewis and Hattie Sophia John- son were : I. George Calvin, born August 12, 1870;

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married Williamy Josephine Howe, of Holden, Sep- tember 2, 1896, and they have -- i. Robert Howe, born March 19, 1898; ii. Raymond Walker, born July 14, 1902; iii. Benjamin Hubbard, born December 14, 1904. 2. Mattie Alona, born August 7, 1872, resides at home with her parents. 3. Florence Luella, born October 17, 1873; married J. Henry Lonergan, of Holden, and they have Howard Johnson Lonergan, born April 15, 1905. 4. Helen Clara, born March 15, 1876, school teacher, resides at home with her parents. 5. Lewis Albert, born January 19, 1879, married Nellie Newton Cole, of Holden, and they have two children-Myrtis Pauline, born July 27, 1902; Evelyn Hollis.

THE CHEEVER FAMILY of America to which William David Cheever, of Clinton and Worcester, belonged, is descended without doubt from one Eng- lish ancestor, the father or grandfather of the first settlers. There were four pioneers of whom it is necessary to speak.

(1) Bartholomew Cheever came in 1637 to Bos- ton, where he was admitted a freeman May 26, 1647. and he was a proprietor of the town. He was ad- mitted to the Boston church, May 31, 1646. He was born in Canterbury, Kent county, England, in 1608. He was a shoemaker by trade. He served the town of Boston as constable in 1653. He died December 18, 1693, aged eighty-five years. His will was dated

October 21, 1693, and proved December 28, 1693. He left a wife Lydia, but no children. He be- queaths to brother Daniel and his seven children; to "cousins" (meaning nephews according to the best authority) ; Ezekial, the pedagogue; and Rich- ard (and son Bartholomew when he comes of age) ; to cousins Elizabeth Harwood, William and Samuel Barrett, William Twing, Benjamin Marsh; to Stephen Palmer that married his brother Daniel's daughter Elizabeth; to the children of his cousin John Ballentine; to the poor of the old church. His widow was a sister of William Barrett; she died

(I) Daniel Cheever, brother of Bartholomew (I), was a husbandman of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was born in Kent, England, in 1621. He suc- ceeded William Healy as the prison keeper at Can- bridge, Massachusetts, in 1683, and served ten years, being succeeded by his son. His wife was Esther, and he left a large family. He died March, 1703-04. His will dated April 30, 1698, and proved June 21, 1704, refers to his brother Bartholomew (named above) of Boston, deceased; bequeathed to children.

(II) Ezekiel Cheever, the most famous of the name, is known in history as "The Schoolmaster." He is a nephew of the two preceding, probably the son of an older brother of Daniel and Bartholomew. He was born in London, January 25. 1614-5, and graduated from Oxford. He resided in Boston in 1637, New Haven 1638, Ipswich 1650, Charlestown November, 1661, and Boston, again January 5, 1670. He died in Boston, August 21, 1708. His will be- queaths to wife Ellen, to children and grandson.

(II) Richard Cheever, the progenitor of William David Cheever. was nephew of Daniel (I) and Bartholomew (I), mentioned above. It is not known whether his father ever came over or not. Richard is called cousin in his uncle's will and Savage trans- lates this to mean nephew after the common usage of the time. Richard Cheever was a shoemaker by trade and settled in Boston, where the births of his ten children are recorded. He married Abigail Their children were: Bartholomew, born September 9, 1681, died young; Susanna, born Au- gust 27. 1682; Bartholomew, born December 2, 1684 (mentioned in will of Bartholomew, his great-uncle,

of Boston) ; Mary, born December 24, 1686; Sarah, born April 5, 1689; Mary, born January 2, 1691 (record gives mother as Mary) ; Daniel, born Au- gust 8, 1696, see forward; James, born November 22, 1698; Hannah, born January 27, 1699; Hannah, born July 3, 1702.

(III) Daniel Cheever, son of Richard Cheever (2), was born in Boston, August 8, 1696. He set- tled in Boston, where his children were born. He married Mary The children: William Downs, born July 18, 1720, settled in Worcester county ; Abigail, born October 4, 1722, died at Prince- ton, May 1, 1771; Richard (twin), born October 30, 1724, see forward; Bartholomew (twin), born Oc- tober 30, 1724, died young; Bartholomew, born Jan- uary 25, 1726; Rebeckah, born May 28, 1729: Mary, born September 1, 1732; Sarah, born June 2, 1735.

(IV) Richard Cheever, son of Daniel Cheever (3), was born at Boston, October 30, 1724, and died May 6. 1789, aged sixty-six years, at Princeton, Massachusetts. He was a merchant of Boston until 1747 when he and his brother Bartholomew re- moved to Rutland, Massachusetts. Bartholomew bought a tract of land first of Thomas Hubbard of Boston, May 25, 1747, lot No. 16, the original right of Jacob Stevens in Rutland. He sold a half in- terest in this lot December 7, 1747, to his brother Richard, who settled there probably the following year. Both brothers are called merchants in the deeds. He married (first), at Holden, Massachu- setts, Rebecca Bigelow (Biglo), January 2, 1750-51. She died November 22, 1797, aged seventy-two years. Their children were: Richard, Jr., born at Rutland, March 23, 1753, married Mary Toazer, September, 1772, and settled in Barre (Rutland district) ; Rachel, born at Rutland, March 3, 1756, married, September 26, 1776, Aaron Ball; Daniel, born September 5, 1757; Bartholomew, born at Rutland, January 9, 1758, died January 8, 1838; married, April 16, 1781, at Princeton, Susanna Farmer, who died April 8, 1812, aged fifty-three years. James, born 1766, died at Princeton, October 11, 1776, aged ten years.

(V) Daniel Cheever, son of Richard Cheever (4), was born at Rutland, September 5, 1757, and died at Princeton, September 9, 1822, aged sixty- five years. He settled in Princeton, but none of his children are recorded as born there. He married there, February 1, 1786, Betty Keyes, daughter of Cyprian and Martha Keyes. He was a soldier in the revolution in Captain Peter Woodbury's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment in 1778, and in the same regiment later in 1778 under Captain David Jewett. His widow administered the estate under appointment dated September 24, 1822. She died May 20, 1845, aged seventy-eight years, eleven months and twenty days. The following children are named in the probate records: William Johnson, Hepsi- bath, Bartholomew, died June 17, 1846, aged fifty- five years, ten months, twenty-five days ; Polly, Mary, married ; Daniel, died 1870; David, see forward; Jacob. James.

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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. III, Part 102

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 772

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 772