Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. IV, Part 104

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 710

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. IV > Part 104

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Sarah, born December 28, 1700; died 1706; 4. Eliza- beth, born September 29, 1702; died 1725; mar- ried Jonathan Metcalf.

(III) Henry Plympton, son of John Plympton (2), born December 19, 1684; died March 24, 1731. He inherited the old homestead on the Dover road, in Medfield, now or lately owned by David Plymp- ton. He married first, 1705, Mary Smith, born November 22, 1688, died June 21, 1774, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Smith. She married (second ), 1732, Lieutenant Jabez Pond, of Dedham, and (third), April 24, 1750. Deacon Joseph W. Wight. Children of Henry and Sarah Plympton : I. Mary, born October 8, 1707, died November 15, 1781 ; married, 1735, John Wight, of Medfield. 2. David, born December 13, 1708; died March 21, 1731. 3. Sarah, born October 23, 1711; died July 27, 1798; married Jonathan Wight, Jr. 4. Henry, see for- ward. 5. Job, born May 11, 1718; died March 18, 1797 ; married February 28, 1743, Esther Pond.

(IV) Henry Plympton, son of Henry Plymp- ton (3), born August 1, 1714, died January 6, 1805. He resided ten years in Boston, and was a whar- finger there. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church. He returned to Medfield and re- sided in the old homestead. In 1776 he gave six- teen volumes of Gales' Commentaries to the Bap- tist Church of Medfield, of which he was a mem- ber, but became disaffected in 1792 and was read- mitted to the old parish church. He married first, 1734, Anne Pond, died February 4, 1750. He mar- ried ( second ) Abigail Bacon, of Dedham, March 26, 1776, and (third) Mehitable - died January 5, 1796. Children of Henry and Anne Plympton : I. Anne, born June 6, 1735; married - Perry. 2. David, mentioned below.

(V) David Plympton, only son of Henry Plympton (4), born in Medfield, September 28, 1738, died April 15, 1826, aged eighty-eight years. Ile was a farmer on his father's place in Medfield. He was a soldier in the revolution. He married Saralı Wight, who died August I, 1834, aged nine- ty-nine years. Their children: I. Henry, born August 17, 1762; died December 17, 1842; married, 1792, Lois Smith, of Walpole; married (second) Catherine Boyden; resided in Medfield and Stur- bridge; was soldier in the revolution. 2. Elzaphan, mentioned below. 3. David, horn September S, 1768: died Jauary 17, 1837; married 1792, Hannah, daughter of James Richardson, of Medfield. 4. Sarah, born April 20, 1774; died May 10, 1817; married - Chickering. 5. Anna, born Septem- her 25, 1779; died 1803; married Calvin Chickering.

(VI) Elzaphan Plympton, second child of David Plympton (5), born in Medfield, Massachusetts, September 4, 1764, died in Shrewsbury, September 17, ISI9. He was a soldier in the revolution. The old place on the Dover road was repaired for his use, but soon after his marriage he removed in 1792 to Shrewsbury and settled there. He was a shoemaker as well as a farmer. He settled in the wilderness at Shrewsbury, built his log house, cleared his land, and planted his orchard. He mar- ried, February 11, 1789, Sarah Hunt, of Sherborn, horn ( ctober 2. 1765. died February 23, 1841. Their children: 1. Polly, born February 14, 1790; died April 18, 1825; married, 1807, Joseph Plympton. 2. Sarah, born July 19, 1791 ; died 1826; married, 1812, Thomas Brewer, Jr., a carpenter of Boylston, Massachusetts. 3. Abigail, born July 15. 1793: died 1834; married, 1814, Russell Garfield, carpenter of

Shrewsbury. 4. Olive, born in Shrewsbury, March 22, 1796; died 1820; married, December 1, 1818, Elijalı Ball of Shrewsbury. 5. Lyman, born March 8, 1798; died June 25, 1825; married, 1819, Eliza- beth Gale, of Boylston, born August 17, 1797, who married (second), 1836, Elijah Ball, his third wife. 6. Nancy, horn July 10, 1800; died 1835; married, 1824, Elijah Ball, his second wife. 7. Jonathan, born April 28, 1803; died January 13, 1852; married, December 27, 1825, Maria D. Cornish, of Boston, born November 2, 1799, died January 22, 1864. 8. Alexander Hamilton, born July 28, 1804; died Feb- ruary 21, 1884; married Harriet Foote, of Sutton ; he was a carpenter, machinist and farmer, residing in Shrewsbury. 9. John Baxter, mentioned below.

(VII) John Baxter Plympton, son of Elzaphan Plympton (6), born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, July 6, ISOS, died there March 9, 1876. He was one of the pioneers in the shoe manufacturing industry of that section, and conducted a safe and conserva- tive business, retiring in 1861. He was influential in town affairs, and for some years was chairman of the board of assessors. He was a strong abolition- ist in the early days when pronounced anti-slavery sentiments were discouraged even in New England. He was an open advocate of abolition, and aided fugitive slaves to the full extent of his opportunities. In his views he was liberal, having sympathy for all forms of liberal and practical religion. He was a man of strict integrity and high character. He married, September 4, 1832, Hannah Almira, daughter of Captain Noah Allen, for whom Colonel Plympton, their son, was named. Their children : I. Lucy Ann, born May 6, 1834; was - principal of the Albany Female Academy at Albany, founded ISI4. 2. Albert Horatio, mentioned below. 3. Noah Allen, mentioned below.

(VIII) Albert Horatio Plympton, second child of John Baxter Plympton (7), was born at Shrews- bury, December 27, 1836. He received his early edu- cation in the public schools there and in Berlin Academy. He learned the shoemaker's trade in his father's shop, located near his present residence. For ten years he was foreman for I-1. G. Fales & Company, shoe manufacturers, after which he bought out a trucking business and has been en- gaged therein ever since, largely between Shrews- bury and the adjoining city of Worcester. On ac- count of severe injuries received while at work he has not himself been in active work for a number of years. He was for five years a member, three of which he was chairman, of the Shrewsbury board of Assesors. He married Catherine E. Bennett, of Boylston, and they have one daughter, Annie E., graduate of Wellesley College, who has taught in an Ohio college.

(VIII) Colonel Noah Allen Plympton, son of John Baxter Plympton (7), was born September 7. 1841, at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He attended the public schools. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of watchmaker and jeweler, serving his time under the old system until he was of age. He followed this trade, soon en- tering into business for himself in Worcester. and continuing there until 1878, when he took up the more congenial and promising business of life in- surance. He first became associated with the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia in 1880, in the capacity of local agent at Wor- cester, and two years later was made general agent of the company in Boston, a position that he held

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until May. 1883, when he resigned to take the office of examiner for the State Insurance Department, to which he was appointed by Insurance Commis- sioner Tarbox. After a year he resigned, in May, 1884, and returned to his former position as general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany. Soon afterward he was appointed to his pres- ent position of general manager of the New Eng- land department of the Penn Mutual Life. In 1885 he was elected to the board of trustees of the com- pany, a position he still holds. He has been for many years chairman of the committees on medical department and on accounts. He was chairman of the building committee in charge of the construc- tion of the company's handsome building in Boston.

Colonel Plympton was formerly a Democrat, but since ISS4. when he differed with his party on the tariff question, he has generally supported the Republican candidates, especially when the issue was protection. He was a member of the Demo- cratic state committee from 1880 until June. 1884, when he resigned. In 1882 and 1883 he was in charge of the state campaigns when General Benja- min F. Butler was elected governor. In 1883 he was appointed insurance commissioner of the state by Gov- ernor Butler, but was not confirmed by the Republican council. He never sought public office, and accepted the appointment as insurance commissioner at the instance of the governor, who was a strong per- sonal friend. Colonel Plympton removed from Worcester to Wellesley Hills in May, 1888. His residence there is at 41 Florence avenue. He has been deeply interested in the development and im- provement of that beautiful suburban village, was chairman of the commission that constructed the water works for Wellesley, and has been chair- man of the board of selectmen there. He is at present representative in the general court from the Ninth Norfolk District, to which Wellesley be- longs, serving in 1905 on the railroad committee. Ile is president of the Maugus Corporation. He has been president of the Boston Life Underwriters Association; member of the Algonquin Club; of the Butler Club, of which he was the original president : of the New England Club of which he has been vice-president : Athelstan Lodge, F. and A. M., and Worcester Chapter, R. A. M., of Wor- cester.

He married. at Kewanee, Illinois, September 17, 1862, Helen Marion, daughter of Franklin and Harriet M. (Johnson) Flint of Shrewsbury. Their children: I. Herbert Flint, born at Worcester, April 1, 1867; died September 16, 1896; married Gertrude E. Allen, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and their children are : Alan Herbert ; Ralph Marion ; Gertrude Louise. 2. Alice Louise, born at Worces- ter, February 0, 1869: educated in the Worcester public and high schools and in Dana Hall ;

died April 1900. Ilarry Allen; born in Worcester. March 7, 1871: attended Worcester pub- lic and high schools; graduated from Newton High School; studied law in Governor Greenhalge's of- fice and at Harvard Law School: practiced in Bos- ton, with offices in the Penn Mutual Building; ap- pointed special justice of the district court for north- ern Norfolk county by Governor Wolcott; married Lucy E. Newton, daughter of George F. and Lucy (Johnson) Newton. of Worcester, and they have one child, Robert Waldo, born at Wellesley Hills. 4. Lucy Annabel. born at Worcester, February 4, 1877: attended Worcester school, graduate of Wel- lesley High School and Wellesley College ; resides

at home with her parents. 5. Frederick Knowlton, born at Worcester, June 14, 1881, attended the Wor- cester public school. Phillips Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire, and for two years Burdette's Commercial School, Boston; has been about four years in the financial department of the Penn Mut- ual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia; is at present general agent for New England department of that company under his father.

WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, whose business life has been successful as well as active, and who is widely known and highly respected as one of Mill- bury's representative citizens, was born in Sheffield, England. April 9, 1855. His parents were William and Ilannah ( Eaton) Proctor, natives of Sheffield, England, whose family consisted of five children : J. Catherine, Mary, Sarah E., who died in 1885; Amy and William L. William Proctor (father ), who commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him, was for a half a century actively engaged in the steel manufacturing business in England with the firm now known as the Vickers Sons & Maxim of Sheffield, England.

William L. Proctor pursued his studies at Wesley College. Sheffield, England, and upon the completion of the same spent considerable time in traveling, his journeys extending throughout Europe. He then learned the trade of making steel, becoming expert therein, and when thoroughly familiar with all the details was appointed to the position his father had previously occupied, he ( William L.) having been his father's assistant for some time prior to the death of the latter. He came to the United States three times on business. In 1887 he came to the United States to take up his abode here, located in Mill- bury, Massachusetts, and became associated with his father-in-law, Richard F. Buck, proprietor of Buck Bros, plant, engaged in the edge tool business. After the death of Mr. Buck, Mr. Proctor and Mr. Wood conducted the business for the estate, but finally purchased the plant, conducting the same suc- cessfully until October, 1905, when Mr. Proctor purchased Mr. Wood's interest and now controls the entire enterprise, which is one of the leading industries of the town. He manufactures carpen- ter's light edge tools, which find a ready sale throughout the United States and also in foreign lands. While this business was founded by the Buck Brothers, it was largely increased both in volume and importance under the capable management of Mr. Proctor, who is a man of integrity and business ability, his word being considered as good as his bond. Mr. Proctor takes an active interest in all matters relative to the welfare of the town and county, and is also deeply interested in religions and benevolent work. He is a member of the Second Congregational Church. He is well known as a musician of unusual ability.

In 1886 Mr. Proctor was married to Sarah E. Buck. a daughter of Richard Buck, of Millbury, Massachusetts. Their children are: Richard W., born 1887, is now associated with his father in the business : Hannah E .. 1889; Harold B., 1891.

BUCK FAMILY. Richard Taylor Buck, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Taylor) Buck. was born in Sheffield. England, October 1, 1832. His grand- father, Joseph Buck, was born at Sheffield in the year 1746, and died there in 1824. Joseph Buck, father of Richard Taylor Buck, was born in the ycar 1801, also in Sheffield, and became a skillful maker of edge tools. For thirty years he was the

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manager of a large factory where that industry was carried on in that great city, noted throughout the world for its manufacturers of fine .cutlery. He died in Sheffield, September 16, 1865, leaving three sons and a daughter.

Richard Taylor Buck acquired his early educa- tion in the schools of Sheffield, and was graduated from People's College. After becoming a master of his trade he came to New England, locating in the city of Worcester, where in 1853 he, with his two brothers, began the manufacture of edge tools in what is known as the Junction shop. Although the enterprise was started in a small way, the busi- nes gradually increased under the practical and skillful management of Mr. Buck, and in the sum- mer of 1864 was removed to the town of Millbury, where had been purchased a mill privilege of Den- nis Fisher, known as the Andrus March privilege, and here was established the Riverlin Chisel Works. which has become famous not alone in the United States, but in almost every foreign country for the excellent quality of edge tools produced at this factory. In the year 1878 Mr. Buck added a handsome brick structure to his plant. This new factory was of faced brick, two stories high, thirty- five feet wide and one hundred and twenty feet long. He also erected a dozen or more tenement houses to accommodate his employes, all so ar- ranged as to form an attractive little hamlet known as Buck Village. The tools made here have gained a most enviable reputation extending even world- wide, for shipments are sent on orders received to nearly all parts of the inhabited globe and are considered among the best in the market. Through Mr. Buck's untiring energy and good judgment, he built up a large and prosperous business. It was ever his aim to have his goods excel in quality all others of like nature, and in that way he gained for his business house a most flattering and honestly deserved reputation.

Although Mr. Buck was deeply occupied with caring for his private business affairs, still he found time to take interest in various reforms and mat- ters of public moment. He was a strong believer in temperance and engaged prominent advocates of the cause to visit Millbury and address the peo- ple there on that subject. He was a member of the Second Congregational Church and contributed generously toward its support. was charitable to the poor, thoughtful of the interest of his employes, always according to them the highest price for their labor. In politics a stanch Republican, always at- tending to his duties as such, although he never aspired to political honors. For many years was one of the trustees of the Millbury Savings Bank, a good financier, and considered at the time of his death the wealthiest man in Millbury, yet was a modest, unassuming citizen, never making a show of his wealth. Mr. Buck was fond of travel and one who gained knowledge in traveling. He made frequent visits to the prominent cities in the United States both on account of business and pleasure. and was quite familiar with the advantages to be gained in every locality within his home country. As the accounts of his trips abroad in the years 1883-87-00, as expressed in letters written home to his family and friends, were of especial interest to the general reader. at the same time showing the trend of his investigations and characteristics, we quote a few paragraphs :

"On our arrival at Liverpool we left our trunks in care of an agent of the London and North

Western Railway, who checked them to our hotel in London, charging us two shillings for each one. Our tickets to London gave us the privilege of going by way of Manchester, where we found relations and friends. One of our excursions out of London was to Reading. A young friend. a graduate of Oxford University, who is teaching at an endowed school at Soming, was our guide. We were shown the fine old house where Queen Eliza- lethi passed one night when on one of her visits to her wealthy subjects; the house where Charles I had his last interview with his children; the old church, recently converted into a cathedral, with its fine peal of bells, which rang out merrily as we were walking about the streets; the fine and ex- tensive library building which my friend told us contained a large and rich collection of books. Reading is interesting to me because it is the home of Miss Millford, whose charming volume 'Our Village' is worth reading again and again. How often in my boyhood did I recite her 'Rienza.' In this part of England (Berkshire county) in the rural villages very little progress has been made. One may see England as she was during the reign of the first and second Georges. While on a visit to Venice, in the church of St. Mark's I noticed the unevenness of the floor, which our local guide told us was caused by carthquakes, and not from the rotting of the piles on which the church stands. Repairs are being made, however, and the floor evened up as fast as funds for the purpose are ob- tained. One afternoon we had an excursion on the Grand Canal; we had seven gondolas, with four or five persons in each one, and on every boat an American flag was fixed, and on the return trip some of our national songs were sung: 'America,' 'Star Spangled Banner.' Some of the buildings on the Grand Canal have been rebuilt or altered over, and in many places I see signs of improvement. There is not that decayed appearance now that had such a depressing influence when I saw the city in 1883."

Mr. Buck was an extensive reader, therefore well equipped for conversation on almost every question or subject of public moment. His large and care- fully selected library was a source of great com- fort to him and he found much enjoyment read- ing and rereading the volumes he prized so highly.

Mr. Buck married. November 10, 1853. Eliza- heth Edge, born in Manchester, England, daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Warburton) Edge. Her father died in 1832, shortly prior to the birth of his daughter. He was a merchant tailor, having among his customers many officers in the English army. The widow. left with two sons and one daughter, died in 1847, and Elizabeth came to the United States less than a year before her marriage to Mr. Buck. whom she met while he was engaged in busi- ness in Worcester, and she proved indeed a help- mate, as much is due to her helpfulness for her husband's remarkably successful career, and was beloved by all who had the pleasure of her ac- omaintance. She was constantly bestowing acts of charity. and like her husband given to helping the poor and needy wherever found. Mr. Buck died January 12, 1893. Their children were: Willie, who died aged six and one-half years. Mary A .. died aged nineteen. Annie M .. married E. M. Wood. Sarah E., married W. L. Proctor. For some years the business was continned by the sons-in-law ; recently, however, Mr. Proctor has come into pos- session of the plant and is conducting the business.

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THE DAMON FAMILY. John Damon (1) was the progenitor in this country of the family for whom the Damon Memorial of Holden, Massa- chusetts, was erected. He emigrated from Read- ing, England, to Reading in New England in 1633. He was admitted a freeman in May, 1645, and was a proprietor in 1653. He was a town officer, and deacon of the church. His wife Abigail was ad- mitted to the Church in 1648.

He married Abigail Sherman, about 1645. She was the daughter of Richard Sherman, merchant of Boston. uncle of the Rev. John Sherman, of Boston. Children of John and Abigail Damon were : John, died January 14, 1651 ; John, born March 18. 1652; Abigail, August 26, 1654; Samuel, June 23, 1656; Joseph, September 28, 1661.

Their home in Reading was on the Common, where formerly the Quinnapowitt House stood. He also had a homestead on Cowdrey hill, where now or lately a deserted cellar marked the spot where the house stood. He drew a lot of land also on Bear brook at the head of the great pond ; his son Samuel occupied this land and his grandson, in 1751, built there the Damon mansion, which at the time it was built was one of the best dwelling houses in Middlesex county. Six generations had occupied the house in 1876, and others have lived there since.

(II) Joseph Damon, son of John Damon (1), was born in Reading, Massachusetts, September 28, 1661. He learned the tanner's trade. About 1680 lie removed from his native town to Dedham, Mas- sachusetts, and for two hundred years he and his descendants have figured in the history of the town. although in recent years none of the family remains there. He married December 12, 1686, Elizabeth Kingsbury, born in Dedham, November 23. 1668, daughter of Joseph Kingsbury, Sr. and his wife Millicent. Joseph Kingsbury was admitted a freeman of Dedham, June 2. 1641, but was a yeo- man of that town at least five years before that. Elizabeth was born September 14. 1638. In 1779 Deacon Samuel Damon, one of his descendants, left a bequest of $1,000 to the town of Dedham, the interest of which has been used since that day to buy Bibles for the poor of the town. A public school at Hyde Park, formerly part of Dedham, has been named the Damon School in honor of the family. Joseph Damon settled in Dedham. Those of his children found on the church or town records are: Joseph, born July 6, 1690; Noah, September (record torn), 1691-92: Sarah, May 17, 1694. All the children noted here were born in Dedham. (III) Joseph Damon, son of Joseph Damon (2), was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, July 6, 1690. He married Mary They settled in Dedham, but may have removed after 1730 to some other place, possibly Medway, an adjoining town. There is very little to be learned from the public records about Joseph. He was evidently a member of the Dedham Congregational Church, because their chil- dren were baptized in the Dedham Church. Chil- dren of Joseph and Mary Damon were: Joseph, born - - 6, 1716: Mehitable, baptized August II, 1718: Ebenezer, baptized July II, 1725; Abigail, baptized October 13, 1728, died April 5, 1809, aged eighty-three, at Dedham.

(IV) Joseph Damon, son of Joseph Damon (3), was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, - 6, 1716. He married, about 1646, Hopestill --. He died in Dedham, September 30, 1775. They settled in Dedham and their children, born there were: Jo-

seph, baptized January 29, 1748-49, married Patience White, September 4, 1773; Jonathan, born April II, 1751; Rebecca, born August 6, 1752; Samuel, born August 13, 1755; Abigail, born in Dedham, baptized there May 9, 1756.

(V) Colonel Samuel Damon, son of Joseph Damon (4), was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, 1755. He married Abigail Penniman and soon after- ward made his home in Holden, Massachusetts. She was born in 1754 and died March 18, 1842. He died in Holden, May 27, 1813. Children of Samuel and Abigail ( Penniman) Damon were: Penniman, born October 31, 1779; Abigail, born in Holden, 1783, died 1838; Samuel, born 1786, died 1857.

(VI) Samuel Damon, son of Samuel Damon (5), was born in Holden, in 1786, and died 1857. He married Alony Chenery, July 4, 1810, at Holden. Children of Samuel and Alony Damon were: Susan Abigail, born in Holden, December 17, 1810, died July 30, 1831 ; Alony Ann, born February 12, 1813; Samuel Chenery, born February 15, 1815: Isaac Peirce, born October 26, 1817: Frances Caroline, born August II, 1820, died March 21, 1834; Harriet Amelia, born June 20, 1823; Charles Frederick, born May 21, 1826: Augustus Franklin, born June 17, 1828: Susan Abigail, born May 7, 1833.

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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. IV, Part 104

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 710

Author: Crane, Ellery Bicknell, 1836-1925, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 710