Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. IV, Part 58

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 58

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He married (first) Harriet Proctor. Their chil- dren were: Francis, died young; Harriet, died young ; and Harriet Jane, who married Louis G. Mosher, deceased. He married (second) in 1846, Charlotte Hutchinson, daughter of Leonard and Maria (Proctor) Hutchinson, of New York state. His widow survives him, residing in the homestead on Pleasant street.

HARRISON PARKER MURDOCK, of Clin- ton, Massachusetts. engaged in the fish business, is a native of the town in which he now resides, born December 1I, ISSI. He is a son of Charles and Henrietta E. (Parker) Murdock, whose family con- sists of three living children, as follows: Anna Mor- gan, wife of Alfred B. Wiseman: Harrison ; Evelyn L., wife of Clarence L. Wood. of Clinton, Massa- chusetts, and they are the parents of two living children : Florence E. and Mildred.

Charles Murdock ( father) was born in Boylston, Massachusetts. August 25, 1846. He was actively connected with the Parker Machine Company, as treasurer and bookkeeper, devoting his full energies to the same throughout the active years of his carcer. He attended the Congregational Church, adhered to the principles as laid down in the Republican platform, and in all matters that concerned the pub- lic welfare was among the foremost to act. He served throughout the entire civil war in Company K. Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, and re- ceived a severe wound in the wrist. He was a mem- ber of Grand Army of the Republic. He entered the army as a private and was promoted to captain. His wife, Henrietta E. (Parker) Murdock, a na- tive of Clinton, Massachusetts, born July 29, 1847, was daughter of the late Deacon B. Parker. was a graduate from the Clinton high school, in 1865, and an active worker in the Congregational Church. in the Sunday school and the Ladies' Benevolent So- ciety, and had a large circle of friends. Mr. Mur- dock died December 3, 1902, universally estcemed and regretted by all who knew him.

HENRY PROCTOR BARRETT was born in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, in the year 1812. After completing his education in the schools ad- jacent to his home, he turned his attention to deal- ing in cattle, a line of work which he followed suc- cessfully throughout the years of his long and active life. He was honored by election to a number of

town offices, among them being selectman, over- seer of the poor, school committeeman, tax collector, and road surveyor. He also served as one of the directors of a Union Store Company, the business of which was both extensive and profitable. He was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, was a leader in the choir, and also held a number of offices in the same. He was a stanch Re- publican, accepting in full the doctrines they advocate.

In 1836 Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Celuria W. Tuttle, of Winchester, New Hampshire, who was born in 1816, a daughter of Daniel Tuttle, of Winchester, a blacksmith by trade, a Unitarian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Bar- rett was reared in her native town, educated in the schools thereof, and since her marriage resided in West Brookfield, Massachusetts. She is the mother of seven children, namely: Jabeth C., a resident of West Brookfield; Harriet C .; Marie S., deceased ; Ruth E .; Daniel P .; Laura; and Henry W., a resi- dent of Brookfield, a farmer. He married May White, of Hardwick, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of four children : Annie M., who attends the public schools at Warren ; Jennie F., Luther H., and Francis L. Barrett.

JOHN NUGENT. James Nugent (I), the great- grandfather of John Nugent, of Blackstone, Massa- chusetts, was born in county Westmeath, Ireland. He was a prosperous farmer of a family famous for many generations as breeders of fine horses. He married Mary Reilly. Among their children was James.

(II) James Nugent, son of James Nugent ( I), followed in his father's footsteps in the same parish and same county. He raised horses and cattle and prospered when the crops were good. He married Among their children was James.

(III) James Nugent, son of James Nugent (2), was born in county Westmeath, Ireland, 1807. He received his education in the schools of his native parish, and until he came of age worked on the farm with his father. When the cloud of famine cast its gloomy shadow over the Green Iste, even the best and noblest families had to join the stream of cmigration to America. In 1847 Nugent left his na- tive land forever. He settled first at Millville, a vil- lage in the town of Blackstone, Massachusetts. He obtained employment first in the factory of E. S. Hall and worked there for a number of years. When he had saved money enough to buy a horse and wagon, he started in business in a humble way as a junk dealer. When he had enough capital in sight he sold that business and invested in the livery stable business, which he followed with uniform success until a few years before his death. He died in 1882. Mr. Nugent was one of the pioneer Roman Catholics in his section and was always a faithful attendant and supporter of the church. Even when he had to walk seven miles every Sunday to attend church, he did his duty faithfully. He was honest and upright and was respected by all classes and conditions of men. He was a good and faithful citizen. He married, 1846, in Ireland, Margaret Broughn. Their children were: I. John, see for- ward. 2. Thomas, born 1850. 3. Mary, born 1851, deceased. 4. Rose, born 1854, resides in Millville.

(IV) John Nugent, son of James Nugent (3), was born in Blackstone, Massachusetts, March, 1849. He received a common school education there. At the age of fourteen he began to work in his father's

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business. Then he worked for six years for John Scott, in his stable. Hle left this position to take a place on the street railroad in New York city, but after a short time he returned to Blackstone. Next he returned to New York city as clerk of the St. Clair Hotel. He returned to Massachusetts again and engaged in the teaming business in Uxbridge on his own account, following it and prospering until 1879, when, owing to his father's declining years, he was called to take charge of the livery business. He removed it at once to Blackstone, where he has been in business ever since. . He has also a large livery stable in the city of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Mr. Nugent is one of the best known and most prominent citizens of the town of Blackstone. He was for sixteen years the deputy sheriff for this section of Worcester county, and is well known in all parts of the country. He was a faithful and efficient officer. He was for four years town clerk of Blackstone, assessor ten years and collector of taxes three years. He is a Democrat in politics. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and prominent in church work.

He married, 1870, Margaret Conlon, daughter of John and Rose Conlon. Their children: 1. James, born in Uxbridge, married Jessie Marshall, of Mill- ville. 2. John B., born in Uxbridge. 3. Charles, born in Blackstone. 4. Pearl May, born in Black- stone, married Charles Hunter, of New York, mar- ried (second) Edward Clark, now residing in New York.

CARLOS BOND, one of the most prominent and widely-known residents of Charlton, is a son of the late Eli Whitman Bond, of that town, and be- longs to an old Worcester county family whose American origin goes back to an early date in the Colonial period. His grandfather, Jacob Bond, was born November 18, 1795, and resided in Oxford, this county. His great-grandfather, also named Jacob Bond, who resided in Leicester, was a son of Benja- min Bond. Jacob Bond, Sr., married Hannah Mer- ritt, of Ware, Massachusetts. December 14. 1792. Jacob Bond, Jr., married Tamma Powers, of Palmer, whose birth took place in 1804. The settled in Charlton.

Eli Whitman Bond, Carlos Bond's father, was born in Oxford, in 1832. In his earlier years he was employed in cotton mills, but he later turned his attention to farming in Charlton, and his death occurred in that town July 6, 190.4. I11 1851 he mar- ried Sarah Louisa Stockwell, of Paxton, who was born in 1833.

Born in Charlton, November 9, 1860, Carlos Bond pursued the primary branches of his education in the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he went to Iowa, where he continued his studies in the Tabor College Preparatory School, and he was subsequently for two and one half years a student in the academic department of Tabor Col- lege. Returning to Charlton he engaged in the lum- ber business, but shortly afterward went to Hope Valley. Connecticut, where he followed the same line of business for six years. at the expiration of which time he again took up his residence at Charl- ton and established himself in the hay, grain and lumber trade. In addition to his mercantile busi- ness, which is in a most flourishing condition, he carries on a dairy farm, and his entire herd of registered cows produce large quantities of milk,

which is sent to market. As a Republican Mr. Bond has attained a considerable prominence in local civic affairs, having rendered able services to the town as a selectman for five years, as assessor for six years, as road commissioner for three years, and he has also officiated as overseer of the poor. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry, in which latter body he has occu- pied all of the principal offices.

Mr. Bond was married in Hope Valley to Miss Emma Saunders, born April 3, 1865, daughter of Charles Henry and Sally Dresser (Brown) Saund- ers. She became the mother of five children, namely : Otto Ferdinand, born November 3, 1885, now a student at Clark University, Worcester; Milo Edgar, born in 1889. died in 1892; Everett Charles, born December 1, 1892; Le Roy Whitman, born July 3, 1895; and Clarence Earle, born April 26, 1807. Mrs. Bond died January 6, 1899.

MONROE CHANDLER NEEDHAM, formerly a prominent railway contractor and now proprietor of the Coldbrook House, Oakham, was born in New Braintree, this county. He is a son of Lamson Andrew and Cynthia (Penney) Needham. well- known residents of New Braintree in their day, and the parents of nine children. Cynthia Penney was a native of Wales, this state.

His early education was acquired in the public schools, was augmented with a commercial course at a business college in Chicago, Illinois, and after its completion he secured a position in the First National Bank in that city, retaining it for three years. Returning east he was for some time in the service of the Adams Express Company, and after severing his connection with that concern he estab- lished himself in business as a general contractor, constructing several railway lines of importance, including the Ware River branch of the Boston and Albany Railway, and a line running into Spring- field. He was subsequently for a period of thirteen years employed as a traveling salesman. Some time since he became proprietor of the Coldbrook House, Oakham, one of the largest as well as one of the best known hotels in that section of the county, and his familiarity with the wants of the traveling pub- lic enables him to carry on that establishment with profitable results. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a charater member of the local tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, in which he has occupied all of the important chairs.

In 1872 Mr. Needham was joined in marriage with Miss Frances R. Bemis, of Oakham. Their children are: Florence, married C. F. King, of Ilardwick, this county; Ida, who is residing at home: Edward L., married Esther L. Clark, of Oak- ham; Gertrude, wife of B. F. Robbins, of Worces- ter : Herbert, Paul and Francis, who are residing at home : Mary, who is now Mrs Wooley, of Ware, Massachusetts ; and James, died in childhood.

GEORGE REED. William Reed (1), the im- migrant ancestor of George Reed, of Fitchburg, was born in England in 1587. He is believed to be the son of Thomas and Mary Reed or Reade, of Brocket Hall. He sailed from London with his wife and four children in the ship "Defence," July. 1635. under Captain Fostick, and arrived at Boston in New England, October 6, 1635. His wife, Mabel Kendall, was born in England in 1605. They set-

PUBLIC

GEORGE REED

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tled first at Dorchester where he was admitted a freeman, Marchi 4, 1638. He sold his Dorchester place August, 1639, to Thomas Clark, and removed to Scituate, where he was town constable in 1644. His wife rode horseback to Dorchester, carrying an infant to be baptized there in 1644. He bought his brother's place at Brookline (Esdras Reed) and moved there in 1648, but July 7, 1648, bought land at Woburn of Nicholas Davis, of Charlestown, and settled there. He died in England at Newcastle-on- Tyne in 1656 and his estate was probated there. Letters were granted by the Lord Protector Crom- well himself to his widow. She married (second) Henry Summers, November 21, 1660, and she died June 5, 1690, aged eighty-five years.

The children of William and Mabel Reed were : George, born 1629: Ralph, born 1630; Justice, aft- erwards called Abigail, 1632: Bethia, married John Johnson; Israel, born 1644: Sarah, married Sammel Walker, September 10, 1662; Rebecca, married Jo- sephi Winn.

(II) Ralph Reed, second child of William Reed (I), was born in England and was brought to America by his parents when he was five years old in the ship "Defence" in the summer of 1635. He inherited the farm that his father hought of Nicholas Davis at Woburn, now generally known as the Nicholas Wood farm. His name first appeared on the Woburn records March 31. 1654. He mar- ried Mary Pierce, daughter of Anthony Pierce, of Watertown, who died February 18. 1700. He died William. January 1, 1711. Their children were : born 1658; John, born 1660. married Elizabeth Holden, March 21. 1682: Joseph. of whom later ; David. David. Timothy. born February 14, 1664, died January 12. 1720. Jonathan, born May 5, 1710; Marv. married Beniamin Pierce.

(III) Joseph Reed, second child of Ralph Reed (2). was born in Woburn. Massachusetts. He set- tled on a farm near his father on part of the home- stead known now for many years as the Sylvanus Wood place in Woburn. His will was proved Jan- tiary, 17.11. He married Phehe - Their chil- dren: Phebe. born March 22, 1695; Joseph. of whom later : Joshua, born October 1. 1700; Nathan- iel. born March 28. 1701. Susanna. horn August 17. 1707, married Samuel Fowle: Abigail, born July 29, 1700.

(IV) Joseph Reed, youngest child of Joseph Reed (3), of Woburn, was born there June 23. 1608. He was a famous Indian hunter. He was with Seth Wyman and others of Captain Lovewell's men in 1725 scouting for Indians. He lived some of the time after his marriage in Sudbury Massa- chusetts, but he died at the house of his father in Woburn westside, now called the Sylvanus Wood place.

He married Sarah Reed. daughter of Daniel and Sarah Reed. his first cousin, January I. 1723 He died of a prevailing epidemic March 6. 1730 Their children : Tames. horn 1724. married Abigail Hinds. of Fitzwilliam; Bethia. born August 1. 1725: John. born 1728, was steward for Governor Bowdoin: Jo- seph. of whom later.

(V) Joseph Reed. youngest child of Joseph Reed (4), was born at Woburn. Massachusetts. Ian- uarv 1, 1730. He settled in Sterling. Massachusetts. where many of his descendants have lived He died in 1704 at Sterling. The following children were mentioned in his will. viz: Tahina, married Miriam Fairbanks, March 2. 1784; Nathan, of whom later ;

Danforth, Levi, William, married Anna Reed, of Sterling (intentions dated January 28, 1809), died at Princeton. Massachusetts, October, 25, 1815; Lincoln, died in Winchendon, 1837, married Betsey - -

(VI) Nathan Reed, son of Joseph Reed (5), was born in Sterling about 1760. He married, 1787, Hannalı -, who died October 10, 1842, aged sev- enty-five years, at Princeton. He died at Princeton, June 28, 1810. He removed from Sterling to Prince- ton shortly before his death. He was a farmer. The children of Nathan and Hannah Reed were: Willard, married Esther Willey, of Barre, November 9, 1834; Jabez G., born at Sterling, Massachusetts, 1797, died January 28. 1849, aged fifty-two years ; settled in Princeton; married Levina B. Rice, of Worcester, May 5, 1831; Davis, of whom later; Major Joseph A., born about 1795, married Mary B. - , who died July 28, 1822, aged twenty-five years; married (second) Mrs. Tamer (Ball) Bea- man, daughter of Silas and Persis Ball, of West Boylston, in 1826; he died April 20, 1846. aged fifty years, eleven months, fourteen days; Jacob, married Hannah Maynard, December 5, 1826; Julia. married Oliver Davis, March 2, 1819; Lydia, married Elbridge Sawin, November 21, 1838; Mary Ann, married Henry Withington, 1843; Silas W., married Mary McNamary, of Sutton, 1826.

(VII) Davis Reed, son of Nathan Reed (6), was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, about 1805 and died in Fitchburg. He was a farmer. He was the father of seven children, most of whom were born in Sterling, viz .: Davis, Jr., George, of whom later ; Frances, Abigail, Joshua, Susan, and one other child.

(VIII) George Reed, son of Davis Reed (7), was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, October 4, 1826. He attended the schools in Princeton, where his father moved when he was young. He learned the trade of marble cutter. He became associated in business with Isaac Hartwell in the marble busi- ness in Fitchburg. Mr. Hartwell was his father- in-law. The firm name was Hartwell & Reed, and since the death of the senior partner Mr. Reed and his son has conducted it. The firm is located at 279 Main street in a central location. For some twenty years Mr. Reed has had in partnership with him his son, Edward H. Reed. For more than sixty years Mr. Reed has worked at his trade and he is as handy as ever with his chisel. Mr. Reed's home is at 12 Hartwell street. Few business men have had as long a career in the same line of business and practically at the same stand. None are more generally respected than Mr. Reed. He is an earn- est and active Republican. He was fire commis- sioner of the town and city for thirty-four years. He is a director of the Safety Fund National Bank. He is an active member of the Unitarian Church.

He married Katherine Hartwell, daughter of Isaac Hartwell, of Fitchburg. Their children were: Alice, deceased; Edward H., married (first) Ade- laide F. Gibson, their children: Almeda F., married William C. Hardy, and Margaret ; married (sec- ond) Ethel Cutler.

ELMER ANDERSON HILLMAN, an enter- prising dealer in grain and general merchandise at Furnace Village in the town of Hardwick, was born in Halifax, Vermont, May 17, 1859, son of Ander- son and Matilda (Nichols) Hillman.

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He acquired his education in the public schools of Halifax, including the high school, and after the completion of his studies he became an engineer. He subsequently engaged in the shoe business at Gardner, this county, where he resided for some time, but finally decided to avail himself of an ex- cellent business opportunity in Hardwick, and ac- cordingly removed to that town. Here he estab- lished himself in the grain business. His establish- ment, which is located in the old Furnace district directly on the line of the railroad, includes spacious grain repositories, an elevator and a grist mill. He also conducts at Furnace Village a country store, in which the postoffice is located, and is transacting a large and profitable business.

Prior to leaving Halifax Mr. Hillman took a lively interest in politics, serving as an assessor, a member of the school board and a delegate to several Republican conventions. Since coming to Hardwick he has resumed his activity in civic af- fairs, being at the present time a member of the board of selectmen and also of the board of health. His fraternal affiliations are with Mount Zion Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Gardner and the Patrons of Husbandry. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

In 1885 Mr. Hillman was joined in marriage with Miss Ida Harris, daughter of Simon Harris, of Hali- fax. Mr. and Mrs. Hillman have two children, namely : Clarence S., born February 2, 1888; and Marion, born April 6, 1896.

GEORGE EDWIN HOAR. Edwin Hoar, a prosperous farmer of New Braintree in his day, married Ann Eliza Presho, of Oakham, and George Edwin Hoar, the principal subject of this sketch, their only son. The latter was born in New Brain- tree, October 25, 1857. He went from the public schools of New Braintree to the Monson ( Massa- chusetts) Academy, and after the conclusion of his studies returned to the homestead farm, to the cul- tivation of which he has devoted the active period of his life. In addition of making a specialty of dairy products, lie is quite extensively engaged in the breeding of trotting horses, and at the present time has some promising foals of the well-known "Patch" stock out of own Hamiltonian mares, Mr. Iloar is very successful both as a dairy farmer and a breeder of speedy horses, and it would be dif- ficult to find in his or any other locality a man more capable of appreciating the fine points of a well- bred driving horse. In politics he is a Republican. Hle attends the Congregational Church.

In April, 1883, he married Miss Josephine Lin- coln, daughter of Alonzo Lincoln, of Oakham. Like her husband Mrs. Hoar is enthusiastically devoted to the equine race and is well informed in matters relating to the turf. Mr. and Mrs. Hoar have two children, namely Charles Sylvester, a commercial traveler in the employ of the Ilale Boot and Shoe Company of Worcester; and Clifford, who is at- tending school.

WILLIAMS ADONIJAH NEWCOMB. The Newcombs of Hardwick are the descendants of Francis Newcomb, who arrived at Boston from Eng- land in 1635, and settled at Mount Wallaston, in 1638. He died in 1692 at the advanced age of one hundred years. Williams A. Newcomb is a son of Samuel W. Newcomb, grandson of Joseph New-

comb, great-grandson of Annas Newcomb, and great-great-grandson of Joseph Newcomb. The lat- ter, who was a descendant of Francis, the immi- grant, probably a great-grandson, resided in Norton, Massachusetts. The Christian name of his wife was Judith. She survived her husband and became the second wife of Nathan Babbitt, who will be again referred to.

Annas Newcomb was born in Norton, March 25, 1762. He was a clothier. In 1791 he settled in Harwick, locating upon a farm on the Petersham road, and his deathi occurred August 5, 1823. De- cember 18, 1783, he married Abigail Babbitt, who was born March 31, 1764, daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Cobb) Babbitt. She was a descendant in the fifth generation of Edward Bobit (Babbitt), of Taunton, (Edward (2), Nathan (3) and Nathan (4) Babbitt). Her father served as a lieutenant in the revolutionary war. Her brother, Nathan Babbitt, M. D., who was a surgeon in the Conti- mental army, settled in Westmoreland, New Hamp- shire. He married Anna Newcomb, daughter of Joseph and Judith Newcomb, previously mentioned, and a sister of Annas Newcomb. Annas and Abi- gail Newcomb were the parents of eight children, namely : Annas, born October 28, 1784. Abigail, born October 22, 1787, married Edward Babbitt, of Savoy, this state. Sarah Wild, born May 14, 1792, died unmarried January 9, 1871. Ruth Washburn, born February 2, 1796, married John Hastings, Jr., and died in South Shaftsbury, Vermont, April 20, 1861. Mary, born March 14, 1798, became the second wife of Abram Dunham, ot Savoy. Joseph, the date of whose birth will be given presently. Anna, born January 13, 1804, married Jason Gorham. Nathan Babbitt, born May 18, 1806. Mrs. Abigail Newcomb, the mother of these children, died in March, 1847, aged eighty-three years.

Joseph Newcomb, second son of Annas New- comb and grandfather of Williams A. Newcomb, was born in Hardwick. December 16, 1800. He was a lifelong resident of Hardwick and devoted his ac- tive years to the cultivation of the homestead farni. llis death, which was somewhat untimely, occured September 21 or 22, 1840. In February, 1828, he mar- ried Alma Dexter, daughter of Captain Samuel Dex- ter. Joseph and Alma Newcomb were the parents. of Alma Maria, born March 29, 1830, married Stephen P. Hillman, of Hardwick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. John Joseph, born June 29, 1832. Saralı W., born October 15, 1834. married Charles S. Clark. Samuel Williams, see- forward.

The birth of Samuel Williams Newcomb took place at the family homestead in Hardwick, Octo- ber 9, 1836. Like his father and grandfather he became a prosperous farmer and a useful citizen, de- voting his attention chiefly to agriculture. On April 23, 1863, he married Julia Ann Dennis, daughter of Adonijah Dennis. She became the mother of three children, namely: Williams Adonijah, see forward. Julia Alma, born April 5, 1869. Samuel W.

Williams Adonijah Newcomb was born in Hard- wick, March 6, 1865. His education, which was be- gun in the public schools of his native town and continued in Brimfield, was completed at Cushings Academy. Turning his attention to educational pur- suits he taught school in Hardwick for some time, but at length found it advisable to relinquish teaclı- ing in order to devote his time exclusively to the cultivation of the homestead farm, and is now

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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 58

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