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 33
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The family was established in Westboro hy Thomas Smith Gilmore, who was a son of Robert and Betsey or Elizabeth (Fay) Gilmore, of Green- wich. Thomas Smith Gilmore was born in Green- wich about the year 1812. For many years he car- ried on extensive farming operations in his native town, and was prominently identified with civic affairs, serving at different times as selectman, high- way surveyor, overseer of the poor, etc. In 1866 he removed to Westboro and continued to follow agriculture there for the remainder of his life, which terminated March 30, 1883, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a man of decisive opinions which were rigidly adhered to, and in addition to careful foresight and sound judgment in business transactions, his dealings were char- acterized by a desire to preserve intact his personal integrity, which he valued in excess of all other worldly possessions. Thomas Smith Gilmore mar- ried Eliza Adeline Bailey, daughter of Eber Wil- Jard and Elizabeth (Powers) Bailey, the latter a descendant of one of the original proprietors of Greenwich. Thomas S. and Eliza A. Gilmore were the parents of seven children, namely : Edward Thomas, Elizabeth Adeline, Mary Frances, Stephen Albert, Henry Augustine and Hervey Augustus (twins), and Myron Walter.
Edward Thomas Gilmore was during the civil war employed by the United States Government in the gun-stocking department of the armory in Springfield, this state. He subsequently became ex- tensively engaged in the transplanting and whole- sale distribution of oysters, was later a commission merchant in New York city, and in 1872 engaged in the manufacture of spring beds in Westboro, where he has ever since resided. For many years he was actively identified with the business interests of that town. He was formerly superintendent of the water works and a member of the board of assessors. He was married in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 3, 1865, to Mary Melissa Harris, who was born March 1, 1836, in Vernon, Vermont, known as the Gretna Green of New England. She is a daughter of Austin and Polly (Clark) Harris, and her maternal great-grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. They have had three children: Gertrude, deceased; Maude Adeline and Alice Clark, who became teachers in the Westboro public schools. Elizabeth Adeline Gilmore is now residing in Florida. Mary Frances is the wife of D. Guilford Groundwater, of Cottonwood, Chase county, Kan- sas. Stephen A. will receive a more extended no- tice presently. Henry A. is an auctioneer and cat- tle inspector in Westboro. Hervey A. is the sub- ject of another sketch in this work. Myron W. is the owner of a cattle ranch in Elmdale, Kansas.
Stephen Albert Gilmore was born in Greenwich, December 4, 1843. He was educated in the Green- wich public schools, and after the completion of his studies assisted his father 'in carrying on the farm. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-second Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit in the civil war, participating in , the memorable seige of Port Hudson. When twenty- five years old he came to Westboro and engaged
in mercantile business. Subsequently he conducted business in Springfield, Massachusetts, and New York city. Returning to Westboro he established himself in the manufacture of brick, investing a large amount of capital in the erection of a modern plant fully equipped with all of the latest improve- ments and having a capacity for producing two mil- lions of brick annually. He has ever since con- ducted a large and successful business, and his pro- ducts are extensively used in the bulding operations of this neighborhood. In politics he is a Republican. He is a comrade of the local post, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Gilmore has been three times married. His first wife, whom he married in 1866, was Miss Addie A. Cooley, daughter of Barnamus Cooley, a native of this state. She became the mother of three children, namely : Earl N. and Annie A., who are no longer living; and Laura W., who mar- ried Harry C. Kinnetson and has one son, Amos. He married (third) August 20, 1893, Nora L. Casey.
JOHN WESLEY LOWELL. Percival Lowell (I), the immigrant ancestor of John Wesley Lowell, of Holden, Massachusetts, was born in England, in 1571. He resided in Kingston, Seymour, Clive- don, Portbury and Weston-Gardano, all in Somer- setshire, England, also in Bristol in Gloucestershire. He was sixty-eight years old when he emigrated to America in the ship "Jonathan" in 1639. In 1597 he was an assessor of Kingston-Seymour, England. The family has a pedigree dating back several centuries in an unbroken line, as given in the sketch of Charles C. Lowell, Worcester, and the descendants of Percival Lowell have the right to his coat-of-arms-Sa. a dexter hand couped at the wrist, grasping three darts, one in pale and two in sattire argent. Crest-a stag's head cabossed, or, between the attires a pheon azure. In Bristol, Lowell was at the head of a large mercantile estab- lishment owned by the firm of Percival Lowell & Co., composed of Percival, his son John, probably Richard, and possibly William Gerrish, who came over with the Lowell family and subsequently mar- ried Percival's sister. Percival and John Lowell were of the ninety proprietors of Newbury in 1642. He took the oath of allegiance required of all citi- zens of Massachusetts in 1678. He was well edu- cated and wrote a poem of some merit on the death of Governor Winthrop. He died January 8, 1664, aged ninety-three years. His wife Rebecca died in Newbury, Massachusetts, December 28, 1645. Their children, born in England: 1. John, see forward, 2. Richard, born 1602. 3. Joan, born 1609, died in Newbury, June 14, 1667, aged fifty-eight years ; married, 1639, John Oliver, born in Bristol, Eng- land, 1613, died at Newbury, Massachusetts, June, 1642, leaving many descendants.
(II) John Lowell, son of Percival Lowell (1), was born in England, 1595, died at Newbury. July 10, 1647. He came to New England in 1639 with his wife and his father and family. He was well edu- cated and became a man of prominence and in- fluence in New England. He was admitted a free- man February 2, 1640, was elected a constable, December 10, 1641, to the general court, March 7. 1644, one of the three commissioners to end small causes May 14, 1643, an office he held until his death, and was town clerk of Newbury. He was a glover by trade, having served an apprenticeship under Richard Rough, of Bristol, England. He married ( first) Margaret who died in 1639, after bearing five children. He married (second), 1639, Elizabeth Goodale, born at Yarmouth, in Norfolk
STEPHEN A. GH.MORE
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county, died April 23, 1651, daughter of John Goodale. The children: I. John, born in England, 1629, died January 7, 1694; married Hannah Proctor and ( second) Elizabeth Silvester. 2. Mary, born in England, 1633, married Thomas Wyburn. 3. Peter, born 1635. 4. James, born 1637. 5. Joseph, see forward. The children of John and Elizabeth Lowell were: 6. Benjamin, born Newbury, September 12, 1642, died there October 22, 1714. 7. Thomas, born June 4, 1644, probably died young. 8. Elizabeth, born February 16, 1646, at Newbury, died at Rowley, December 14, 1703.
(III) Joseph Lowell, son of John Lowell (2), was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, November 28, 1639, died at Boston, August 19, 1705, and was buried in the Old Granary burying ground, beside the Park Street Church. Joseph Lowell was ap- pointed administrator of the estate of his "nephew," John Lowell, of Bristol, England, deceased on the ship "Amity," Boston. This nephew was probably the son of his brother, John Lowell. In 1695 the records show that he bought a negro of Benjamin Pemberton. He married, March 8, 1660, Abigail Proctor, born 1635, died June 27, 1707, aged seventy- two years, sister of Hannah Proctor Lowell, wife of John Lowell, and daughter of George Proctor, of Dorchester, cooper. The children of Joseph Lowell: 1. Joseph, died young. 2. Hannah, born January 31, 1602-63. 3. Joseph, see forward. 4. Abigail, born February 4, 1667, died young. 5.
James, born March 27, 1668, died August 25, 1718; married, August 12, 1688, Elizabeth Guston. 6. Abigail, born March 9, 1671. 7. Samuel, born July 13, 1678. 8. Benjamin, born November 5, 1679.
(IV) Joseph Lowell, son of Joseph Lowell (3), was born in Boston, November 19, 1665, baptized June 21, 1670. He married (first) Patience -
who died January 3, 1714. He married (second) March 9, 1720, Sarah M. Prescott, born January 20, 1701, died June 12, 1746, daughter of Deacon James Prescott, Jr., deacon of the church at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, born September 1, 1671, married, March 1. 1695, Maria Marston. She was the daughter of William and Rebecca (Page) Mars- ton. James Prescott, the immigrant, (see sketch elsewhere in this work), was born in England, 1643, came to New England from Dryby, Lan- cashire, 1665, and settled at Hampton on the old road to Exeter about two miles north of Hampton Falls Academy. He was admitted a freeman in 1678; married Mary Boulder, born at Exeter, May 16, 1648, daughter of Nathaniel and
Grace Boulder. James Prescott, Sr., moved to Hampton Falls, 1694, and died there November 25, 1728. Sarah Lowell, wife of Josepli, was ad- mitted to the church in full communione April 19, 1725. His occupation is given as mariner in 1726- 27. He removed from Boston to Hampton Falls about 1726. He was there several years. He sold a lot of land there July 12, 1727, to Samuel Seldon. He was a member of the second foot company of Newbury, Massachusetts, under Captain Hugh March, January 15, 1710-II.
Children of Joseph and Patience Lowell were : I. Joseph, Jr., born at Boston, January 3, 1696, died July 10, 1697. 2. Abigail, died at Boston, August 26, 1663. The children of Joseph and Patience Lowell: 3. Jeremiah, born at Hampton, New Hampshire, April 15. 1722. + David, born at Hampton Falls, November 19, 1723, died before March 8, 1798; was a soldier, resided at Salisbury. Epping and New Hampton. 5. James, see for- ward. 6. Lucy, born 1727, died April 21, 1811 ; married Deacon Abner Sanborn, Jr. 7. Mary, bap- tized May 10, 1730.
(V) James Lowell, son of Joseph Lowell (4), was born at Hampton Falls, March 20, 1725, died 1820. He married Mary Clark, of Falmouth, Maine. Ile was apprenticed to Caleb Sanborn, of Hampton Falls, settled at Salisbury, New Hampshire, and is the ancestor of the Lowells of that place. He deeded land at Salisbury to his son Oliver, January 15, 1803, in consideration of which the son was to sup- port his parents the remainder of their days. James Lowell's will mentions his wife Mary, daughters Sarah Brown, Mary Fowler and son Joseph. James had been a soldier of the Crown Point expedition in 1756 in Colonel Thatcher's regiment, and before that, in 1747, fought at Louisburg under Captain Prescott from Hampton Falls. He was a private also in the Continental army in Captain David Quimby's company, Colonel Joseph Gale's regiment, together with his brother, David Lowell. Children of James and Mary Lowell were: I. Oliver, see forward. 2. Sarah, born August 22, 1750, died at Seabrook, New Hampshire, December 29, 1824; married John Brown, of Seabrook, born there Janu- ary 3, 1747, died August 12, 1739, aged ninety- three years. 3. Mary, married, Fowler. 4. Joseph.
(VI) Oliver Lowell, son of James Lowell (5), was born in 1747, died probably before June 17, 1811, when his father's will was made. He mar- ried Elizabeth Huntoon and she married ( second) Samuel Viezee, of Salisbury. Oliver was a yeo- man, and always lived at Salisbury, except perhaps a year or two at St. Albans. Children: I. James, resided at Fletcher, Vermont. 2. John, yeoman, Salisbury, transferred land there and lived in Andover, Massachusetts, 1821-25. 3. Joseph, born at Salisbury, New Hampshire, died at Swanton, Vermont, March 10, 1888; married in Fairfax. Ver- mont, Anna Webster, of Grand Isle, Vermont, and died at Fairfax, March 22, 1873, farmer. 4. Oliver, see forward. 5. Molly. 6. Betsey. 7. Ursula, died at St. Albans, Vermont, October 16, 1887; married at North Fairfax, Vermont, June 21, 1826, Theron Webster, born at North Fairfax, March 12, 1805, died at St. Albans, May 9, 1884; she had children- Madison Webster, Ozro C. Webster, Helen
Webster, who married Fay ; Adelaide L. Webster, born August 7, 1843, married at St. Albans, September 20, 1871, Sheldon S. Allen, born at Royalton, Vermont, March 27, 1842.
(VII) Oliver Lowell, son of Oliver Lowell (6), was born at Salisbury, New Hampshire, July 2, ISOS. His father died when he was very young and he went to live with Rev. Dr. True at St. Al- bans. He attended the district schools and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed during his active life. In 1833 he went to New Bedford, Mass- achusetts, where he stayed for about six months, going thence to Worcester where he entered the employ of a builder named Gleason and worked there at his trade many years. He was employed in building the first houses on Thomas street, now one of the old-fashioned streets of the city. He re- moved to Barre, where he became superintendent of a saw mill. In a deed of land at Salisbury, New Hampshire, July 3, 1829, and another December 29, 1829, his residence is given as Fairfax, Ver- mont, though at that time he was located in Worcester.
He remained at Barre five years, getting out lumber for William B. Otis, and then returned to Worcester where he lived a year or two and where he built himself a home, near what is called the Summit. In March, 1845, lie went to Holden, buy- ing of Oliver and Cornelius Nash the old Nash farm of one hundred and thirty acres in the southeast
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part of the town near the Worcester boundary. Here he farmed in connection with his carpentering and building the the remainder of his life. He built several houses in the vicinity. While in Worcester he was a member of the Park Street Methodist Episcopal church, later he was a member and officer of the church at Oakdale, Massachusetts. In poli- tics he was a Republican and served the town as highway surveyor and on the school committee. In his younger days he was a member of the state militia at St. Albans, Vermont.
He married, July 2, 1836, Catherine Moore, of Worcester. She was born April 30, 1809, daughter of Colonel George and Hannah ( Brooks) Moore, of Princeton, Massachusetts. Her father was a farmer. The children: I. Elizabeth Maria, born November 18, 1838, married, May 30, 1866, James Horace Bullard, of Holden, Massachusetts. 2. Henry Harrison, born at Barre, December 22, 1840, enlisted in Company F. Forty-seventh Regiment, and died at Alexandria, Virginia, October 5, 1864, while in the service. 3. Ellen Whitman, born May 15, 1843, married Joseph Henry Knowlton, of Shrewsbury. 4. John Wesley, see forward. 5. Julia Albertine, born September 7, 1846, died September 4. 1848. 6. Julia Albertine, born August 12, 1850, married, September 20, 1883. Frederick Taylor Holt, of Holden and had-Clara Lowell, born November 12, 1885, married Orin L. Potter and has one child, Everett Holt, born December 29, 1905; Henry Ernest, born March 20, 1889.
(VIII) John Wesley Lowell, son of Oliver Lowell (7), was born October 22, 1844. in the northern part of Worcester at the Summit, on what is known as the Chamberlain farm. He was an infant when his parents settled in Holden and was educated there in the public schools and high school. He was engaged in the duties of the farm with his father while getting his education and afterward until his father's death. He then bought out the other heirs and became sole owner of the home- stead and has since then carried on general farm- ing. The Lowell farm is on the old turnpike from Vermont to Boston, and the six horse stage used to stop at the house on its way each day. The Lowell farm is one of the best in the town and Mr. Lowell has prospered in his affairs. He has a dairy of twelve cows and raises produce for the markets of Worcester. He has some fifty acres of excellent woodland. He attends the Holden Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican, has been active in that organization, having frequently served as delegate to nominating conventions. He has been overseer of the poor, member of the school committee, highway surveyor. He was a member of Holden Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 78. and was at one time the master. He is a member of the Holden Farmers' and Mechanics' Club.
He married, May 22, 1889, Abbie Malinda Bryant born January 29, 1857, daughter of Charles and Mary J. (Bryant) Bryant, of Holden, Massa- chusetts. Children: 1. Mary Elizabeth, born July 8, 1890. 2. Helen Gertrude, born April 17, 1892. 3. Wesley Harrison, born November 16, 1895.
DAVID N. TAFT. Robert Taft (1), one of the first settlers of Mendon and progenitor of most of the Taft families of the vicinity, was the emi- grant ancestor of David N. Taft, of Oxford, Massa- chusetts. He was born, probably in England, about 1640, and came to Braintree, Massachusetts, re- moving soon to Mendon, Massachusetts. llis house was on the Fort field near the Mendon pond. His wife Sarah came with him. They were in Mendon
in 1679 with their sons and they secured inany grants of land. Mendon pond was often called Taft's pond as the Tafts owned the land all around it, a tract two and a half miles square. In 1713, he was a tenth owner in the tract eight miles square which became Sutton, Massachusetts. Robert Taft was prominent in the early days of Mendon. He was one of the first selectmen in 1680. He was ap- pointed on a committee April 4, 1680, "to take care that the minister's house be done by Dec. 25." Mr. Taft and his sons built the first bridge over Great river to their land on the west side of the river, and the town in payment for the use of the bridge exempted Taft and his descendants from working the higliways, a contract that the town was sorry for and eventually voted to abrogate. In 1729 the Tafts built the second bridge across the river, a short distance from the first, and the town of Uxbridge helped pay for it. Part of the original farm is still owned by descendants of Robert Taft. He died February 8, 1725.
The children of Robert Taft were: Thomas, born 1671, married, 1692, died 1755; Robert, Jr., 1674, died April 29, 1748; Daniel, 1677, died August 24, 1761; Joseph, 1680, died June 18, 1747; Benjamin, 1684, died 1766.
(II) Thomas Taft, son of Robert Taft (I), was born in 1671. He married Deborah Genery, of Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1692. He died in1 1755. He came to Mendon, Massachusetts, with his parents and settled there. He was associated with his father. His children, all born at Mendon, were: Joseph, born May 26, 1693; Sarah, March 29, 1695; Eleazer, April 5, 1697, was a captain, son Moses graduated from Harvard, 1751, and was a minister ; Hannah, April 17, 1699; Rebecca, March 15, 1701; Deborah, November 14, 1702; Rachel, October 1, 1704; Martha, June 15, 1708; Isaac, July 15, 1710; Susannah (twin) March 15, 1713; Thomas (twin), March 15, 1713.
(111) Thomas Taft, son of Thomas Taft (2), was born at Mendon, Massachusetts, March 15, 1713. He married Lydia Thompson. Of their first seven children all but Lydia died young. He became some- what prominent because of his falling out with the minister, Rev. Mr. Willard. Taft was suspended. from communion "for repeatedly refusing to hear, and casting contempt upon the church, particularly upon the pastor of said church, until he make. manifest repentance and reformation." Mr. Wil- lard was tried on charges made by the Taft faction and acquitted but was soon afterward dismissed. The children of Thomas Taft were: Nathaniel,. born February 13, 1750; Deborah, February 18, 1751, died young; Thomas, October 30, 1753; Genery, 1756, died young; Lydia, and six who died young. aforesaid.
(IV) Nathaniel Taft, son of Thomas Taft (3), was born at Mendon, Massachusetts, February 13, 1750. He married Abigail Holbrook, May 31, 1768. He settled at Mendon. His children were: Polly,. horn December 20, 1768; Genery, June 29, 1770; Deborah, 1772, died young; Deborah, December 22,. 1775; Benjamin, 1777, died young; Abigail, 1779; Lydia, 1780; Elkanah, October 20, 1784, married. Ruth Benson; Benjamin, August 3, 1786; Thomp- son, October 22, 1788; Reuben, April 18, 1791 ; Nathaniel, July 18, 1793; Chloe, August 8, 1796.
(V) Elkanah Taft, son of Nathaniel Taft (4), was born at Mendon, October 20, 1784. He mar- ried Ruth Benson. He married second Aldrich. He settled at Mendon. His children were: Allen, born December 10, 1810; Chloe Ann,. September 17, 1812; Ruth Sibley, October 12, 1814;
BUSTUN PUBLIC LIBRAR
NATHANIEL E. TAFT
WORCESTER COUNTY
Lucy Benson, March 31, 1817; Henry, September 13, 1819; Charles, June 30, 1822, resided in North- bridge, Massachusetts, now deceased.
(VI) Allen Taft, son of Elkanah Taft (5), born December 10, 1810, at Mendon, Massachusetts, died April 24, 1847. He married, September 21, 1834. Zilpha Allen, of Sutton, daughter of John and Patience (Lee) Allen. She died April 30, 1876. Their children were: John Allen, born July I, 1836, now living in North Oxford, Massachusetts; Caroline, November 10, 1838, died October 27, 1896 ; married Albert William Cargill, of Worcester; Nathaniel Elkanah, December 21, 18441, died October 27, 1896; Clarissa Ann, March 17, 1847.
(VII) Nathaniel Elkanalı Taft, son of Allen Taft (6), born at Mendon, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 21, 1841, died October 27, 1896. He married, May 30, 1873, Chloe Ann Fitts, daughter of David and Chloc ( Nichols) Fitts. Chloe was the daugh- ter of J. P. Nichols, a soldier in the war of 1812. She is still living (1906) at the age of ninety-four. His parents removed to Blackstone when he was a boy and he attended school there. Learning the shoemaker's trade at Sutton, Massachusetts, he followed it until the war broke out in 1861. He enlisted as a private in the Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts Regiment. He served until within six months of the close of the war, when he was honor- aby discharged on account of disability. He spent the following year in the effort to regain his health. When able to go to work, he found employment as a wool sorter in a Rochdale mill. Later he entered partnership with Edward Thayer in the woolen waste and junk business in Worcester. On the death of Mr. Thayer soon afterward, he was suc- ceeded in the firm by his brother, Frederick Thayer. The firm of Thayer & Taft, however, was finally dissolved and the business discontinued. Mr. Taft bought a water-power privilege at North Oxford, Massachusetts, in 1875, and engaged in the manu- facture of shoddy woolen. Business prospered and in 1886 he bought the Bernon mill privilege at Ox- ford Plain and established a satinet factory there. This factory was burned in 1891. In 1895 it was re- built and resumed business, Mr. Taft having en- tered a partnership with his son, David N. Tait, who undertook the management of the satinet mill and has continued and developed the business since then. Nathaniel E. Taft was an unusually energetic and capable man. He did much to revive the busi- ness interests of the town of Oxford and to develop its industrial resources.
His children were: Robert Fitts, born July 12, 187.4, died December 10, 1877; David Nathaniel, born at Oxford, May 21, 1876.
(VIII) David Nathaniel Taft, son of Nathaniel Elkanah Taft (7), was born at Oxford, Massa- chusetts, May 21, 1876. He attended the Oxford schools, Worcester Academy and a Worcester busi- ness college. At the age of nineteen he entered business in partnership with his father as manager of the satinet mill at Oxford Plain, which was re- built in 1895, and he was only twenty years old when his father died and he succeeded to all his business interests. He is now the owner and manager of the satinet business at North Oxford which his father established as well as the satinet mill at Oxford. The latter mill makes a specialty of satinet skirtings and suitings. In the past ten years Mr. Taft has developed the business rapidly. He is one of the most prominent and promising of the younger busi- ness men of the vicinity. Mr. Taft is a member of Oxford Lodge, A. F. and A. M., also Tyrian Chap- ter (of Millbury) R. A. M., and Worcester County Commandery, K. T.
He married, September 16, 1902, Maude Russell, daughter of Walter and Lillian (Munyan) Russell, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She was born in. Northboro, Massachusetts, April 24, 1879.
MCDERMOTT FAMILY. Henry McDermott, father of James A. McDermott, was born in Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 1828, son of Andrew McDermott, of Ballurgan, county Louth, Ireland, and Elizabethr McDermott, of Dublin, county Dublin, Ireland. Af- ter living in Dublin for three years, Andrew Mc- Dermott with his young Dublin wife and son Henry, then two years old, and one daughter, Mary, a child of a few months old, returned to Ballurgan, im county Louth, and settled on the farm where he was born and which was held by the McDermott family: for several generations, and is still owned by one of the same family. Here three more children were born, a son James, a daughter Fannie,' and a son Peter, who still resides on the old homestead in Ballurgan.
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