Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. IV, Part 55

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 55

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caster, Massachusetts. He passed the examination and accepted the school at twenty dollars per month and his board. The school had been known as a hard one to manage, but Mr. Burdett was equal to the task and ruled with tact and kindness, through which he soon won over the pupils. His first school was a success in every particular. He was then twenty years of age and when he reached his majority he was to receive seventy-five dollars "freedom money," and he decided to use this snug sum with which to bear his expenses while taking another term of school. But he had counted too soon-for a few months prior to the time in which he was to receive the money, he was informed by his father that it would be impossible for him to give him the amount promised him on his twenty- first birthday. This was, indeed, discouraging, but nothing can bar the entrance to the temple of suc- cess, when an iron will is behind it.

He entered a grocery store, working for his board and studying nights. Later he found employ- ment in the stationery store of E. Merrill, where he clerked and kept up his studies until there came a call for him to go to Shrewsbury to teach the district school. It was known as a hard school to handle, but he went forth to conquer and in a short time he had one of the best disciplined schools in Worcester county. He next taught at Leominster with much success for two years. But he had not yet struck his sphere. He decided to study medi- cine, hence he went to Pittsfield, where he studied medicine and was apothecary, as was the combined profession at that time-1849. During that year, he

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opened the pioneer drug store of Clinton, Massa- chusetts. He built up a large, paying trade and continued until 1887, when he sold. The building he first occupied still stands and is used for drug store purposes by his son, Oscar A. Burdett. After leaving the drug business he engaged in fire insur- ance for many years-twelve in all. In this line he met with good success and rapidly accumulated property in and around Clinton.

Politically he was a stanch, abiding Republican, ever doing all within his power to promote the best interests of his party. He served as a selectman, town treasurer, was a member of school committee many years, also a member of the state legislature. At one time he was assessor and field driver. He was one of the trustees of the Historical Society of Clinton, and stood high in the Masonic fraternity. Not forgetting the spiritual side of life, he was identified as a member with the Baptist Church of Clinton, of which he was treasurer for over forty- two years.

1849 marked a new era in his life, for during that year he married Miss Matilda A. Boynton, who died August 5, 1902. Matilda A. Boynton was the daughter of the late Asa Boynton, of West Boylston, Massachusetts. The children of Alfred A. and Ma- tilda Burdett are: Walter C., died in childhood; Helen M., wife of Dr. W. P. Bowers ; Henry A., druggist, married Elva A. Jenkins ; Charles A., died in childhood; Oscar A., a druggist of Clinton; Alice E .; Ernest G., married Lottie Avery, and have three children : Alfred E., Walter A., and Helen M. Hon. A. A. Burdett died at his home in Clinton, March 25, 1906.

JEREMIAH F. REGAN was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of James H. and Margaret (McCabe) Regan, June 19, 1865. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland in the twenties and settled in Woonsocket. Both grandfather and father were stone masons by trade. His father, James H. Regan, was born December 25, 1838, and raised in Woon- socket. He is now living in Fitchburg, Mas- sachusetts.

Jeremiah F. Regan was educated in the public schools of his native place. He graduated from the Woonsocket high school in 1883. In his youth he had shown great skill as a base ball player, and upon leaving school found himself in demand as a ball player. He became a famous player on the league teams in the eighties. He made a record with Roolstones of Fitchburg, the Independents, and other minor league clubs. In 1885 he played on the Detroit National Club. In 1888 he left the big league and in 1891 went into business as proprietor of a restaurant, which has since been a popular re- sort for base ball men and the younger element in- terested in base ball and other athletics and sports. For the past few years Mr. Regan's restaurant has heen located at 23 Mechanic street. Mr. Regan is a member of Worcester Lodge of Elks. He is un- married.

ANDREW J. WIHITNEY. Samuel Whitney, father of Andrew J. Whitney, of Charlton, Massa- chusetts, settled in the little town of Nassau, near Troy, New York. He was born May 10, 1814. He had a common school education. He was doubt- less descended from the New England Whitneys, sketches of many of whom appear in this work. He was a Republican after the formation of that

party. He spent his last years in the town of Charlton, Massachusetts, with his son Andrew and died there in 1890. He married (first) Chloe M. Whitin and (second) Jane J. Washburn. He had by his first wife eight children, who are widely scattered.

Andrew J. Whitney, son of Samuel Whitney, was born in Nassau, New York, November 28, 1836. He was cducated there in the common schools. He went to work in a cotton mill in Troy, where he learned the trade of weaver and worked at his trade in various places until 1861, when he went to Chicopee, Massachusetts. During the civil war he was twice refused as a soldier on account of his health. He left Chicopee and worked for a few years as boss carder in a cotton mill there. He returned to Chicopee and worked on harness for Japanese cotton mills. became expert packer for foreign shipments, and was employed in that capacity until 1876, when he bought his farm at Charlton. He was a successful farmer, industrious, energetic and shrewd in trading. He bought other real estate in Charlton City and for many years conducted a livery stable there. He had the con- tract for carrying the mails before the electric railroad was built. Mr. Whitney is a typical American farmer of the old school, well posted, prosperous, hard working until increasing years obliged him to take life more easily. He is a Re- publican in politics but never sought public honors. He is respected by all the townspeople for his demo- cratic ways, his sterling character and his up-hill but winning fight under many adverse conditions.

He married, 1857. Cornelia Van Housen, daugh- ter of John Van Housen, of one of the oldest Dutch families of old Albany, New York. Their children : Charles E., married Maud Alberty and has Charles A., and Stella, resides in Worcester. Edgar, died young.

CHARLES ROMINE HUNTLEY. Alanson P. Huntley, father of Charles R. Huntley, was born July 29, 1796, in Lyme, Connecticut, and was a son of Huntley, whose name is on record as a soldier of the revolutionary war. Alanson P. Huntley was educated in the common schools. Both as a farmer and a citizen he stood well in the community, holding several township offices, among them that of selectman. He was noted for his interest in military matters and belonged to a com- pany of militia. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. Mr. Huntley married Julia Tucker, of Lyme, Connecticut, and their children were: William H., born March 3, 1821; Joseph L., April 29, 1822; Julia A., September 10, 1823; Jane E., December 1. 1825; Romine C., April 4, 1828; Stephen C., November 20, 1830; Niles H., October 15, 1834; Horace H., March 5, 1836; Niles R., May 10, 1840; and Charles Romine, see for- ward.

Charles Romine Huntley, son of Alanson P. and Julia (Tucker) Huntley, was born May 10, 1840, in Windsor, Connecticut. With his twin brother, Niles R., he moved to Oakdale, Massachusetts. a part of West Boylston. At the age of nineteen he was sent to Nichols Academy, Dudley, Massa- chusetts, where he studied for several terms. On his return to Oakdale he went into the hootmaking business, and in the early part of the civil war en- deavored to enlist, but could not pass until July 27, 1863, when he was accepted and joined Com-

PUBLIC LIBRARY

Chas de. Nurton

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pany G, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He served in the Army of the Potomac until the end of the war.

After his return home he resumed his trade of bootmaking, which he followed for six years in North Brookfield, with the firm of the Batchellers. He lived for a long period in Worcester, finally settling in West Boylston, where he has since re- mained. While in Worcester he was employed for some time in the office of Herbert Goff, dealer in building supplies. He later was associated in mer- cantile business with William P. Rowell. He be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic Post, of West Boylston, and is affiliated with Central Lodge. No. 168, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Mount Vernon Encampment. of Worcester. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of Trinity ( Methodist Episcopal) Church, of Worcester, in which he has served as librarian.

Mr. Huntley married, April 22, 1863, Olive Julia, born January 24, 1845, daughter of Norman H. and Olive Julia (Reed) Goodell, the former a farmer of West Boylston. Mr. and Mrs. Huntley are with- out children.

CHARLES H. NEWTON. Richard Newton (I), the immigrant ancestor of Charles H. Newton, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was born in England about 1601. He was one of the early settlers of Sudbury, Massachusetts. and was a proprietor of that town as early as 1639. He was admitted a freeman there in May, 1645, and again for some reason in 1647 according to Savage. He was one of the founders of Marlborough, whither he went in 1656. He settled in the southern part of the new town and was eventually set off in the town of Southboro, where his descendants have been very numerous.

He married (first) Anne ; (second) Han- nah -, who died December 5. 1697. He died August 24, 1701, aged about one hundred years. Their children were: John, born at Sudbury, Oc- tober 20, 1641, married, January 6, 1666, Elizabeth Larkin: Mary, born June 12, 1644. married Jona- tban Johnson; Moses, born May 12, 1646, married, October 27, 1668,Johanna Larkin; he was shot in the arms by the Indians while defending the women during King Philip's war, 1676, at Marlborough ; Joseph, born about 1650, married Katherine

Hannah, born April 13, 1654, died March 13, 1697, unmarried ; Daniel, of whom later ; Elizabeth, born about 1658, married Dingley; Sarah, mar- ried - Taylor; Isaac, not mentioned in will; Hannah, died young.

(II) Daniel Newton, fifth child of Richard Newton (1), was born in Sudbury. Massachusetts, December 21, 1655. He married about 1680. Sus- anna Morse. She died May 13, 1729, at Southboro, and he died there November 29, 1739. He was a farmer on the old place probably and always lived in what is now Southboro. Their children were : Daniel, born May 29, 1681, married Sarah

Benjamin, born May 13. 1683. married. October 3. 1712, Abigail Knapp, of Newton; Susanna, born February 14. 1684: Isaac, of whom later; Eph- raim, horn February 12, 1689, married May 29, 1711, Christiana Ripley: Abigail, born March 2, 1691, married, October 20, 1709, Rachel Newton : Mary, born July 26. 1693, died August 12, 1711 ; Samuel, born August 10, 1695, died 1771 ; Nathaniel. born September 4, 1697, married, 1720, Abigail

Toser; Lydia, born August 24, 1699, married, Au- gust 12, 1799, Samuel Morse; Mary, born May 10, 1702, married. September, 1725, Othniel Taylor, of Worcester.

(III) Isaac Newton, fourth child of Daniel Newton (2), was born March 12, 1686, in that part of Marlboro, now Southborough. He settled there. He married Sarah Their children were : Keziah, born February 22, 1717; Hezekiah, of whom later ; Mary, born May I, 1721; Isaac, Jr., born. May 29, 1723; Martha, born July 26, 1726.

(IV) Hezekiah Newton, second child of Isaac Newton (3), was born in Marlborough, Massa- chusetts, July 28, 1719. Their home was located in that part of the town that was set off as South- borough. He married, September 8, 1742, Eunice Brigham, at Southboro. He removed to Rutland about 1750. He died in Paxton, 1786, and she in , the same town in 1792. Their children were : Persis, born at Southboro, June 14, 1743, married, April 16, 1666, Daniel Esterbrook, Jr .; Silas, born. December 10, 1744; Catherine, born January 10, 1746-7, at Southboro, died young; Catherine, born at Rutland, May 16. 1751 ; Ruth, born at Rutland, April 25, 1753; Hezekiah, born June 25, 1755, died at Royalston, January 6. 1848, aged ninety-two years, ten months and twelve days, married Lucy Coggswell; Eunice, born at Rutland, March 17, 1758; Nathan Brigham, of whom later; Elizabeth, born February 4, 1763; Edmund, baptized June 9, 1765, settled in Spencer ; married Mary Davis, May 14, 1780.

(V) Nathan Brigham Newton, son of Hezekiah Newton (3), was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, March 28, 1760. When young he resided at Rut- land and Paxton. He moved to Royalston, where he bought a farm of fifty-one acres of Nathan and Nabby Wheeler, July 10, 1786. He was a cord- wainer or shoemaker by trade. He was a soldier in the revolution. a fifer in Captain Joshua Whit- ney's company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's regiment, in 1778, at the Rhode Island campaign. He was also in Captain Daniel Grout's company. Colonel Enoch Hallet's regiment, sent to re-inforce the Continental army. He enlisted as "Brigham New- ton." Few men bore middle names as early as he, and in most cases the war records clip names short in this way.

He married Mary Stewart. He died in 1844. His will was made in 1837 and allowed at Worces- ter, May 23, 1844. He mentions his wife Mary and the children given below, viz: Elmer, of whom later; Sophia, married John Fay; Lucy, married Barnet Bullock ; Lucinda, married Myrick, of Princeton, had children: George D., Harriet, Mary, Ardelia Myrick; their mother died before her father: Mary, married Colonel John Whitney, of Princeton, and had children: William, Miriam. Mary Whitney: Hezekiah, married Eliza Lewis, of Danvers: he died 1853: Willard.

(VI) Elmer Newton, son of Nathan Brigham Newton (5), was born about 1790, and died March 26, 1880. at Royalston. He married Adeline Esta- brook and they settled at Royalston. In his will he mentions the children as given below and also makes a bequest to his grandson, Charles M. New- ton. The children of Elmer and Adaline Newton were : Sophia F., of Royalston; Charles H., of whom later: Phineas S., of Royalston: Edward E., of Royalston; Martha. George.

(VII) Charles H. Newton, son of Elmer New-

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ton (6), was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, May 13, 1828, and died at Fitchburg, March 12, 1905, aged seventy-six years. nine months and twenty-seven days. He was educated in the public schools of Royalston, at the Westminster Academy and a school at Worcester. He went into busi- ness in Royalston with his brother, Phinehas S. Newton. They kepta general store and carried on the manufacture of straw goods after the fashion of the times. They had a large and prosperous business, for the size of the community in which they were located. He was postmaster there several years. In 1870 Mr. Newton withdrew from the business and removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Fitchburg Flour Company as long as that concern existed. He entered the Beoli Mills as bookkeeper and he held a responsible position in this concern for twenty-three years. The principal owner was James Phillips, Jr. Mr. Newton became the treasurer of the company. He left the business when it was sold to the American Woolen Company a few years ago. Mr. Newton was beloved and respected by many friends. He was a conscientious and highly esteemed member of the Rollstone Congregational Church. His home was at 190 Blossom street, where his family re- sides. He was a Republican in politics.

He married (first) Harriet Meade, of Worces- ter, who died April 11, 1886. He married (sec- ond). August 4. 1889, Adele Estabrook, daughter of Samuel Estabrook, of Ashby. The children of Charles H. and Harriet Newton were: Charles M., born June 20, 1856, married Ella Brown and have five children; they have resided at Little Rock. Arkansas; Homer E., born May 10, 1860, died June 5, 1876: Llewellyn. born July 20, 1865, died March 21, 1871. The children of Charles H. and Adele Newton were: Ruth, Dorris, Stewart.

FREDERICK ERNEST CLARK, who recently settled in West Boylston, is a native of New Hamp- shire. and belongs to one of the oldest families of that state. His ancestors were early settlers in Warner, of which town his father, George Watson Clark, was a native, as was also his grandfather, Amos Clark. Amos Clark, whose birth took place in 1780, was in early life a shoemaker and later a farmer. In politics he acted with the Whig party, and was quite actively interested in local public affairs. He married Betsey Hardy. of Hop- kinton, New Hampshire. and his children were: Roswell L., Moses K., Molly, Lucinda, Jerilla, and George Watson.

George Watson Clark was born December 24. 1821, and was a lifelong resident of Warner. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, and was favorably known throughout his locality, as an able mechanic and a worthy citizen. For many years he was a deacon of the Congregational Church and was otherwise officially connected with the society, serving as auditor. treasurer and upon the parish committee. In politics he supports the Republican party. During the civil war he was drafted for the army, hut was subsequently ex- empted from service. George Watson Clark mar- ried Eliza Ann Currier, daughter of Jacoh and Sally Ann (Clark) Currier, of Warner. She be- came the mother of nine children, namely: Oren Francis. born October 9, 1847. died July 1. 1849; Matilda Almeda, June 7, 1850; George Henry,

April 19, 1853; Justus Olin, July 18, 1855; Eliza Ann, November 22, 1857; Frederick Ernest, sec forward; Willis Paine, August 13, 1863, died Sep- tember 3, 1886; Stillman Bailey, June 22, 1866; Marshall Dimond, January 17, 1869. Matilda Al- meda was the first wife of James Oren Harriman, of Warner. by whom she had two children, Grace Eliza and Willis James. She died August 17, 1876. George Henry Clark married Lillian C. Mason, of Warner, and has two children, Morris Clifton and Milan Henry. Justus Olin Clark married Emma Frances Carter, of Concord. New Hampshire. Eliza Ann married James Oren Harriman, who died leaving three children, Frederick Waldo, Carlton George and Leon Scott Harriman. She married for her second husband George B. Hall, and of this union there is one son, Howard George Ilall. Stillman Bailey Clark married Grace Jor- dan, of Warner. His children are, Stillman Bailey, Jr .. and Arthur George Clark.

Frederick Ernest Clark was born in Warner, January 15, 1861. Having concluded his attendance at the public schools at the age of sixteen years. he turned his attention to agriculture, and in 1881 came to Boylston, where for six years he was em- ployed upon the estate of John B. Gough, a well- known temperance advocate. The succeeding nine years was spent upon a farm in his native town. In 1899 he went to Worcester, where he entered the employ of F. W. Ruggles, an envelope manufac- turer, as superintendent, but three years later he resumed agricultural pursuits as manager of a large farm in Brookfield, this county. In 1904 he pur- chased a desirable farm located in the southerly part of West Boylston. and has ever since devoted his attention exclusively to its cultivation. He has been more or less actively interested in local public affairs, having served with ability in several town offices, including that of highway surveyor. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Clark is an earn- est advocate of temperance and total abstinence and has been president of a local temperance or- ganization. He is a member of Centennial Lodge, No. 178, Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, Worcester, and formerly affiliated with the Patrons of Husbandry.

On September 4. 1889, Mr. Clark was married in Clinton to Celia Eliza Tucker, daughter of Jo- seph and Sarah Jane (Davidson) Tucker. of Boyls- ton. Joseph Tucker followed the trade of shoe- maker and also carried on a farm. He was at one time highway commissioner in Boylston. Mr. and Mrs. Clark attend the Congregational Church. They have no children.

LEWIS WARREN BLACKMER. Deacon Solomon Blackmer, father of Lewis Warren Black- mer, and one of the most prominent residents of Dana in his day, was born July 13, 1798. His activities in both civic and religious affairs ex- tended through a period of many years, and as a selectman of the town, and as deacon of the Con- gregational Church, he exerted a far-reaching in- fluence in hehalf of the general welfare of the community. On September 26. 1827, he married for his first wife Harriet Stone, born June II, 1804. died June 21, 1833, and May 10, 1843, he married for his second wife Cynthia S. Freeman. The children of his first union are: Lauriston, horn July 28. 1828; Lorenzo S., born September 29. 1830; and Frederick Augustus, born November 5,

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1832, died April 12, 1833. Those of second mar- riage are : Harrison Ransler, born April 27. 1844; William Nelson, born August 15, 1845, died in childhood; Lewis Warren, the principal subject of this sketch; and Jacob Spooner, born December 22, 1849. Two of his sons served in the civil war, Lewis W., whose army record will be given pres- ently; and Harrison R., who experienced much active service in the field, and died of small-pox in 1864. at Newport News, Virginia.

Lewis Warren Blackmer was born in Dana, April 27, 1847, and acquired his education in the public schools of that town. At the age of fifteen years he went to Vermont, and while there en- listed for service in the rebellion as a private in Company B. Third Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the second brigade, second division, sixth corps, Army of the Potomac, and served under Generals Mead and Grant. He too experienced a large share of active service, participating in numerous important battles, includ- ing Rappahannock. Mine Run, Madison Court- House, North Anna River, the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania and Cold Harbor. In the last-named en- gagement he was severely wounded in the right leg above the knee. from the effects of which he still suffers. He was honorably discharged and mustered out with his regiment of the close of the war in 1865. Upon his return from the army he learned the trade of a piano-case maker, which he followed as a journeyman for a number of years, acquiring a high reputation as a workman and commanding the highest remuneration obtainable at that time. With a view of still further advancement financially lie went to San Francisco, California, where he readily secured employment as an inside finisher at the cabinet-maker's trade, and by carefully hus- banding his earnings he was at length enabled to unite with others in operating a mill. This venture proving somewhat sluggish in yielding the amount of profit expected, he sold his interest in the con- cern and. turning his attention to prospecting and mining, experienced at the hands of fickle fortune the varying degrees of success shared in common by the majority of gold-seekers on the Pacific coast. Deciding at length that the staid old commonwealth of Massachusetts was not by any means the least desirable place, he returned to Dana, and has ever since resided there, devoting his time and energies to farming.

In political matters Mr. Blackmer professes allegiance to no party in particular, preferring to support the candidates who are in his judgment the best qualified, both by ability and personal character. to hold public office, and he believes that a high standard of public service can only he se- cured and substantiated through independent action. His church affiliations are with the Congrega- tionalists.

He married. July 13. 1885. Martha A. Hanson. of Prescott. this state. and has a family of eight children, namely: Leroy L., born February 3. 1886; Clayton. September 7. 1887: Mattie Ella, October 18. 1888: Ruby Cynthia. May 30. 1892; Lorenzo Ransler. October 25. 1804: Fanny Viola. December 0. 1808: Estelle Lutheria. July 22, 1901 ; Forrest Hanson, August 10, 1904.

FRANCIS MERRIAM. The Merriam family of West Boylston, represented in this work by Francis Merriam, came to Worcester county from

Lexington, Massachusetts, and descendants of the original settlers are to be found in Harvard, Sterl- ing and other towns. Francis Merriam is a son of William (7), and tracing backward from the latter the line of descent is through William (6), William (5), Jonas (4), Deacon John (3), and Joseph (2) to Joseph (1) Merriam, the immigrant, who was a son of William and Sarah Merriam, of Hadcows, county of Kent, England.

Joseph Merriam. the immigrant, arrived in New England in 1636. and settled in Concord, Massa- chusetts, where he died in 1641. The Christian name of his wife was Sarah, and she bore him three sons, namely : William, Joseph and John. Joseph moved from Concord to Lexington, and died there in 1677. He married Sarah Stone. Deacon John Merriam, son of Joseph and Sarah (Stone) Mer- riam, who was born in Lexington, in 1662, and died in 1727, married Mary Wheeler, and their son, Jonas, whose birth took place in 1704, married Abigail Locke. Jonas Merriam died in 1776.

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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 55

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