Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. IV, Part 68

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 68

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HORACE WAKEFIELD LINCOLN, one of the most prosperous farmers and prominent resi- dents of Oakham, is a son of the late Alonzo Lin- coln, and through Abner and Stephen he traces his

line of descent directly to Thomas Lincoln, a weaver, who was one of the original settlers of Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1633. Stephen Lincoln resided in Dedham, New Braintree and Oakham, this state, and Abner Lincoln, grandfather of Horace W. Lin- coln, was born in Oakham, 1780. Alonzo Lincoln, father of Horace W. Lincoln, whose birth took place in Oakham, 1810, was an industrious farmer of Oakham and a prominent resident of that town in his day. He married Elizabeth Dean, daughter of Richard and Mehitable Dean of New Salem, Massa- chusetts. Alonzo and Elizabeth (Dean) Lincoln reared two sons, Horace W. and Fred A.

Horace Wakefield Lincoln was born in Oakham, March 7, 1838. He was educated preliminarily in the public schools of his native town, and com- pleted his studies in the North Brookfield high school. He then turned his attention to educational pursuits, teaching schools in Oakham, North Brook- field and Hubbardston, but eventually engaged in farming at the homestead, which he inherited. Mr. Lincoln has served upon the Oakham board for more than forty years. His intellectual attainments, sterling integrity and sound judgment have natur- ally brought him into prominence in civic affairs, having served upon the board of selectmen for two years, and as assessor for ten years. Although fast approaching the age of three score and ten, he still retains the strength and vigor of a much younger man, and is an excellent type of the intelligent Massachusetts farmer. Politically he acts with the Republican party. For over thirty years he has been a deacon of the Congregational Church,

In 1864 Mr. Lincoln was united in marriage with Frances Amelia Field, daughter of John A. and Florence (Hopkins) Field, of Scituate, Rhode Isl- and. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln have had five children, namely : Eugene Augustus, born May 15, 1866, now practicing dentistry in Belfast, Ireland. Stephen Hopkins, born December 25, 1868, died September 2, 1892. Maria Louise, born March 15, 1872, mar- ried Dr. Brown, of Worcester, and has two chil- dren. Morton Field, born February 15, 1875, is unmarried and resides at home. Florinda Eliza- beth. born June 20, 1886, now attending college at Oberlin, Ohio.

CAPRON FAMILY. Banfield Capron (I), the immigrant ancestor of the Capron family of Ux- bridge, Massachusetts, was probably born in the north of England, in 1660. He left England as a stowaway with three other boys, each about four- teen years old. After a few years Capron settled in Barrington, Rhode Island. After twenty years he removed with a large family of children into the backwoods, now Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he purchased and laid out a large tract of land between Bungay river and the Falls. A part of his old farm is known now as the Lucas Daggett place. He also had land from the estate of his first wife, who was a daughter of John Callender, who lived where the Philip Brady house now stands. Capron owned land where the Farmers Village is now, and built his first house on the present site of the James B. Dean residence, and the second near the site of a house built by the late B. J. Angell, on his farm which is still called the Jacob Capron farm. He married ( first) Emma Callender, of Rehoboth, Mas- sachusetts. He married (second) Elizabeth Black- ington, of Attleboro. She died May 10. 1735. He married (third), December 16, 1735, Sarah Daggett,

PUBLIC LIBRA

IM Capron.

253.

WORCESTER COUNTY

widow of Deacon John Daggett, of Attleboro. Capron died August 20, 1752, aged ninety-two years ; his widow died later. Children of Banfield Capron : Banfield, Jr., see forward; Josephi, a farmer, settled in Attleboro, six children; Edward, a shoemaker, settled in West Greenwich, Rhode Island; Walter, a forgeman, settled near Groton, Connecticut, near New London; John, a seafaring man; Jonathan, farmer, settled in Attleboro; Betsey, married Captain John Brown; Mary, born October 22, 1684, married Captain Samuel Tyler, of Attleborough; Hannah, married David Aldrich, of Mendon ; Mary, married William Arnold, of Smithfield, Rhode Island; Sarah, married Ralph Freeman, of Attleborough, settled in Bellingham, Massachusetts; a daughter.

(II) Banfield Capron, eldest child of Banfield Capron (1), born in Barrington, Rhode Island, July 16, 1683, died in Cumberland, Rhode Island, August 16, 1752, in his seventieth year. He learned the trade of mason, also of weaver, and worked in the vi- cinity of Providence. He was on the grand jury, 1748. He married ( first) Hannah Jenckes, of Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, daughter of Nathaniel Jenckes, Esq. She died in 1738. He married (second) (in- tentions dated February 2), 1744-5, Sarah Brown, of the famous Rhode Island Brown family. Children of Banfield Capron, Jr .: I. Nathaniel, unmarried, died at sea, 1734, aged twenty years; Charles, see forward; Philip, born February 1, 1719-20; Benja- min, born at Bellingham, June 20, 1724; Jonathan, Hannah, Betsey, Lydia. The preceding six children and their mother died of fever in 1738. Oliver, born July 17, 1736, at Cumberland, perhaps the youngest, died July 31, 1816, settled at Richmond, New Hamp- shire; Leah, born March 10, 1722, married Joseph Scott, of Bellingham; Sarah, married David Scott, of Bellingham, nine children; Elizabeth, married Elkanah Spear.

(III) Charles Capron, son of Banfield Capron (2), born at Bellingham, Massachusetts, October, 1716, died May 9, 1789, at Cumberland, Rhode Is- land. He was a prominent citizen of Cumberland and held various town offices. He married, Decem- ber 16, 1742, Mary, daughter of Joseph Scott. Their children, first three born in Bellingham: Hannah, born October 16, 1743; Philip, April 28, 1745; Phebe, May 17, 1747; Charles, Jr., June 8, 1749; Joseph, September 15, 1750; Mary, April 7, 1752; Nathaniel, September 22, 1753; Lydia, born at Cum- berland, August 31, 1755, died 1841, married Elisha Bosworth; John, see forward; Jemima, December 13. 1758; Grace, November 2, 1761.

(IV) John Capron, ninth child of Charles Capron (3), born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, July 28, 1757, died July 11, 1836. He was a farmer. He was a soldier in the revolution, a private in Cap- tain Silas Cobb's company, Colonel Timothy Wal- ker's regiment, 1775, and was in Captain Richard- son's company for five months in 1776. He married (first) Asenath Cargill, died November 1, 1810. He married (second) Mrs. Abigail Barstow, died July 26, 1841; she was the mother of two daughters (Mrs. Sally Ingersoll and Mrs. Nabby Thayer) by her first marriage. His will was dated July 6, 1832, allowed November 22, 1836. Their children were: Mary, born February 17, 1784, married John S. Chapin, settled in Pomfret, Connecticut; Phebe. born March 26, 1786, married Elkanah Spring ; William Banfield, born. January II, 1788, died young ; Miranda, born November 20, 1789, married Edward Foster; Effingham Lawrence, born March 29, 1791 ;

Asenath Cargill, born October 5, 1792, married Josiah Chapin; Laura Waldo, born October 22, 1794; John Willard, born February 14, 1797, see forward; Will- iam Cargill (twin), born August II, 1799, see for- ward; Lucy Waldo (twin), born August II, 1799, died young.

(V) John Willard Capron, eighth child of John Capron (4), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, February 14, 1797. He was educated in the public schools there and in Leicester Academy at Leicester, Massachusetts. He died at Uxbridge, December 25, 1878. He and his two brothers, William G. and Effingham L. were admitted into partnership with their father, who carried on a manufacturing busi- ness at Uxbridge. John W. Capron was generally known as colonel, having risen to that rank in the militia during ten years service. He was active in public affairs, was for a number of years postmaster after 1827, and for thirty years notary public and local magistrate; representative to general court 1836 and 1837; and many years chairman of the board of selectmen. Colonel Capron had the implicit confidence of his fellow citizens and was universally trusted and respected. He was rather reserved, silent and quiet in manner, but always cheerful and kindly. He administered many estates and other trusts for his fellow citizens. He married (first), January 4, 1820, Abigail M. Read, who died May 22, 1828. He married (second), October 30, 1831, Cath- erine B. Messinger. The children of Colonel Jolin Willard and Abigail M. Capron were: Elizabeth Reed, born December 3, 1820, died August 5, 1865; married Dr. Truin Record. April 28, 1848, and they had children: John Capron Record, born September 27, 1851; Charles Truin Record, born August 26, 1857; Mary Ann, born September 9, 1827; Abigail R., born April 12, 1831, married Franklin W. Worcester. The children of Colonel John Willard and Catherine D. Capron were : John, born May 26, 1838. Charles Cargill, born August 7, 1841. C. Messinger, born July 22, 1844. Catherine Adelaide, horn December II, 1846, see forward.

(VI) Catherine A. Capron, daughter of Colonel John Willard Capron (5), was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, December 11, 1846. She married, September 12, 1883, Dr. William L. Johnson, born October 23, 1856, son of Dr. Ilenry F. Johnson, who was a native of Southboro, Massachusetts, and a prominent physician, and at one time dean of the Philadelphia Medical College. Dr. Henry Flavel Johnson, born June 21, 1813, at Southboro, married Eunice S. Fay. Elisha Johnson, Jr., father of Henry Flavel Johnson, was born in Southboro, October 24, 1783; married (intentions dated March 18), 1808, Sophia Lomos, of East Windsor, Connecticut. Elisha Johnson, father of Elisha Johnson, Jr., was born in Southboro, July I, 1753, and married Sarah The father of Elisha was Isaac Jolison, who settled in Southboro; married there Rachel Thomas, October 3. 1733. Isaac Jolinson was a de- scendant of William Johnson, planter, of Charles- town, who was admitted to the church there Febru- ary 13, 1634-35. William Johnson was born in Eng- land in 1603.

Dr. William Louis Johnson was educated in the public schools of Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father was practicing medicine. In 1875 he en- tered Harvard Medical School and was graduated in 1878. He commenced to practice his profession in 1879 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and has been located there ever since, having an excellent practice.

254

WORCESTER COUNTY

In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Uxbridge school committee, trustee of the public . library and medical examiner. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and president of the Worcester District Medical Society. He is a member of the Masonic order and has been through the chairs of the Uxbridge Lodge. The children of Dr. William Louis and Catherine A. (Capron) Johnson are: Dora L., born 1886; Grace C., 1887; Beulalı, 1892.

(V) Deacon William Cargill Capron, born Au- gust II, 1799, was a son of John Capron (4). He lived in Uxbridge, and Deacon Capron was in busi- ness with his father and brothers there. He died at Uxbridge, February 6, 1875. The Capron Mill at Uxbridge was erected in 1820 and went into opera- tion in the winter of 1821-22. It was owned first by John Capron, who took his sons into partnership afterward. It was thirty-three by sixty feet, three stories high, and started with one set of cards, one billy of forty spindles, two jennies of one hundred and twenty spindles each, two cotton spinning framnes of sixty-four spindles each. The mill had also twelve power satinet looms, the first satinet looms operated by power ever built, it is said. They were built on the premises by Luke Jillson, of Cum- berland, Rhode Island. In 1824 the Capron Mill added a set of cards, a billy of fifty spindles and a jenny of one hundred and twenty spindles, built by the Carpenters; a jenny of one hundred and fifty spindles built by Jerry Wheelock; eight satinet looms, two cotton cards and two spinning frames of sixty-four spindles each, built in Woonsocket. The development of this industry marked the very begin- ning of the transition from the old customs and methods of cloth making to the new. The Caprons prospered. In 1837 sixty feet were added to the length and more equipment placed in the mill. In 1855 the capacity was again enlarged by a forty-foot addition. The mill became a six-set mill. In 1851 the mill was leased by the Caprons to Moses Taft and J. W. Day, under the firm name of Taft & Day. Later William C. Capron became a member of the firm and the name became Taft, Day & Company. Mr. Day soon withdrew and the firm continued as Taft & Capron until about 1862, when R. and J. Taft bought them out and carried on the business until their lease expired at the close of the civil war. The mill then passed into the hands of the firm of H. and C. C. Capron, consisting of Henry Capron and Charles C. Capron, mentioned above. Charles C. Capron was succeeded by William E. Hayward, under the firm name of Capron & Ilay- ward. The Capron Woolen Company was formed later, composed of llenry Capron, Charles C. Capron and Royal C. Taft, of Providence, Rhode Island, and the mill has since been operated by this com- pany under substantially the same management.

One who knew him wrote of Deacon Capron : "His intelligence, his constant acquaintance with a choice library, his vigorous support of all religious institutions, his natural good judgment and common sense could not fail and did not to give him an eminent place in the esteem of all his fellow citizens. He identified himself especially with the best inter- ests of the young by a faithful service of forty-four years as teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school. In Christian character he was a tower of strength to the church. His piety was not impul- sive, never developing into rash enthusiasm." He was deacon of the church. Ile married, October 29,

1821, Chloe Day, born August 10, 1800. Their chil- dren : William Banfield, see forward; Helen Maria, born January 26, 1826, died July 26, 1838; Henry, see forward; Samuel Mills, see forward; 5. Laura Ann Washburn, born May 13, 1837, married Pro- fessor T. D. Bisco; resided at Marietta, Ohio.

(VI) William Banfield Capron, son of Deacon William Cargill Capron (5), was born April 10, 1824. He joined the Congregational Church at Ux- bridge at the age of thirteen, and from early man- hood was active in religious work. He fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachu- setts, and graduated from Yale College in 1846. For six years he was principal of the Hopkins grammar school at Hartford, Connecticut, and was active there in the Sunday school and city mission work. He became a missionary in the foreign field in 1856, and graduated from the Andover Theological Semi- nary in 1856. He was ordained as an evangelist at Uxbridge, September 3, 1856. He became a mis- sionary in Madura, India, whither he sailed Novem- ber I, 1856. He visited his home in Uxbridge in 1874, and returned in 1875. He died in India, Oc- tober 6, 1876. Rev. Mr. Capron was modest, cau- tious, pious, yet not afraid of progress and innova- tions. His kindness was always practical and to his mission he bequeathed the memory of a pure and saintly life. He married, October 1, 1856, Sarah B. Hooker, born April 26, 1828, the daughter of Rev. Dr. H. B. Hooker.

(VI) Henry Capron, son of William Cargill Capron (5), was born in Uxbridge, November 25, 1827. He pursued his preliminary education in the public schools and supplemented his studies with a course of instruction in the higher branches at the Leicester Academy, an excellent preparatory school which was founded in 1784, also at East Hampton and Andover. After the completion of his studies he operated the gristmill for several years and at different times was in the factory, but subsequently turned his attention to agriculture. Some years ago he retired from the activities of life and is now spending his time in rest and recreation. He is, however, actively interested in the Uxbridge Savings Bank and still vetains a seat upon its board of trus- tees. For twenty-one years he served as town clerk and town treasurer, and in politics is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. In his religious faith he is a Congregationalist and a deacon of that churchı.

Mr. Capron has been three times married. On April 25, 1850, he married Josephine A. Davis, of Uxbridge, who was born in 1823, and died in 1855. His second wife, whom he married in 1871, was Minerva L. Taft, who was born in Uxbridge in 1839, daughter of Orsmus and Margaret (Smith) Taft. She died in 1891. On June 14, 1894, he married Mrs. Sylvia L. Rawson, nee Wood, daughter of the late Willian Wood, of Uxbridge, and widow of Charles B. Rawson, formerly of that town. His second wife bore him three children, one of whom died in in- fancy. The survivors are: Chloe D., born in 1874, and Walter T., born in 1877. Neither are married.

(VI) Samuel Mills Capron, son of Deacon William Cargill Capron (5), was born May 15. 1832. He attended the public schools and Phillips (And- over) Academy, where he fitted for college. He graduated from Yale in 1853, and succeeded his brother as master of the Hopkins school, a position he held for ten years. He went to Europe in Sep- tember, 1863, and remained fourteen months. When

PUF'IC 1v

LIBR

Henry Capron

255

WORCESTER COUNTY

he returned he resigned his position, but was pre- vailed upon finally to remain in Hartford as prin- cipal of the high school there at nearly double his former salary. He went abroad again in 1871. He died January 4, 1874, at Hartford. He was an emi- nent teacher in his day, a man of high character and large ability. He married, November 23, 1854. Eunice Maria Chapin, born May 1, 1832. Their children were: Helen Maria, born March 26, 1858, died January 6, 1863; Alice Louise, born March 26, 1862, died January 13, 1863 ; Clara D., born August, 1864; Bertha C., born March, 1868; William C., born July, 1869.

JAMES E. CRAIN, son of Michael Crain and Ann (Hacken) Crain, was born at Leominster, Massachusetts, February 1, 1866. Both parents were of Irish descent. His father came to America when a young man. His mother was born in Leominster. Both parents are dead.

James E. Crain was one of four children born to his parents. When he left school he entered one of the Leominster shops where various fancy goods are made from bone. There are several large factories manufacturing combs and similar goods from cellu- loid and bone. He inherited from his father, who was a skillful mechanic in his line, a natural aptitude for his trade. He rose steadily in the confidence of his employers, and for the past fifteen years he has been the superintendent of the factory of the Patton Manufacturing Company. His employers express the greatest confidence in his judgment and ability. It may be said that he has filled his position with credit, and that he has won an important place in the business life of Leominster. He is a Republican in politics, and devotes much time and attention to help win the success of his party at the polls. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a regular attendant of the Roman Catholic Church at Leominster. He married, in 1892, Gertrude A. Doyle, a daughter of James Doyle, a prominent citi- zen of Sterling, Massachusetts. Their children are: J. Harold, born 1893; James, Jr., born 1895.

HENRY NELSON GRANGER. James Granger, Granger, father of Henry Nelson Granger, of Au- burn, Massachusetts, was born in Canada about 1830. He learned the trade of machinist. He came to Worcester in 1854 as factory agent. He resided on Leicester street, then on Harvard street. Later he had a place at Leesville, in South Worcester, near the Auburn line. He married Mary Bashaw, also born in Canada. Their children, all born in Worces- ter, are : 1. Mary Jane, born June 12, 1854. 2. Mary G., born March 12, 1856. 3. Henry Nelson, men- tioned below. 4. Euphenie, born April 24, 1859. 5. John, born February 20, 1861. 6. Arthur, born March 24, 1865.

Henry Nelson Granger, son of James Granger (I), was born in Worcester, June 13, 1857 (Worces- ter records). He was educated there in the common schools. He became a farmer and has prospered in business. His farm is located in Auburn, a small town adjoining Worcester, and he has an excellent dairy and market garden. Altogether he has one of the best appointed farms in the county. He has a herd of fine cattle and raises blooded stock. In pol- itics Mr. Granger is called an independent Repub- lican, and while he takes an interest in town and public affairs of all kinds, he prefers not to accept office or participate more actively in politics. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and a generous sup-

porter of his faith. He has deserved and enjoyed the fullest respect and confidence of his townsmen. He married, in 1880, Laura F. Sibley, daughter of War- ren Sibley, of Auburn, and belonging to one of the oldest and most honored county families. The chil- dren of Henry Nelson and Laura F. Granger are : Harry W., and Gertrude L. Granger.

AUGUSTIN H. PARKER, who resides upon a valuable estate in the vicinity of Westboro, is a son of the late Henry Hills Parker, who was born in Mount Vernon, New York, educated in its common schools, then entered Columbia Law School, from which he graduated with honors, and practiced law with success during the active years of his life. He died in 1885. He married the late Elizabeth P. Fay, a daughter of Richard S. Fay, of Boston, Massachu- setts, and their children were: Richard F., born 1869, graduated from Harvard in 1890, a broker in Boston, married Rose Guild, and they have three children : Catherine R., Elizabeth and Rose. Henry M., born 1870, an artist in Florence, Italy, married Catherine F. Banoy. Augustin H.

Augustin H. Parker was also a student at Har- vard, graduating with the class of 1895. Since leav- ing college he has resided upon a beautiful estate situated in the immediate vicinity of Westboro, its location being in one of the most fertile and other- wise desirable regions in Worcester county. Al- though ostensibly a man of leisure, he takes pleasure in superintending the cultivation of his property, and displays much genuine ability as an agriculturist. In politics he acts with the Republican party. Mr. Parker is unmarried.

BROWN FAMILY. John Browne (1), of Bor- ough Stamford, England, chief magistrate of the city 1376 and 1377, was the first known ancestor of the Brown family of Winchendon. The English an- cestry is given on the excellent authority of Dr. Bond, author of the Watertown Genealogies.

(11) John Brown, son of John Brown (I), re- sided in Stamford, Lincoln county, England. Among his children was John, see forward.

(III) John Brown, son of John Brown (2), was a draper and merchant of the Staple of Calais. He was alderman, at that time the chief magistrate of the city, in 1414-22-27. He died July 26, 1442, and is buried at All Saints Church, which was erected at his expense. He married Margaret -, who died November 22, 1460, and is also buried in All Saints, Stamford. Their children were: I. William, died at Stamford, 1489, married Margaret Stokes. 2. John, see forward. 3. Alice, married

Bredmey; she died February 10, 1481, and is buried at All Saints.

(IV) John Brown, second child of John Brown (3), was born in Stamford, England, about 1410. He was a draper and merchant. He was alderman 1448-53-62. He died between 1462 and 1470. He married Agnes who died 1470 and was buried at All Saints. Their children: Christopher, sce forward; John: Edward; Agnes, married Will- iam Warren, of Okeham; Elizabeth, married Will- iam Cook.

(V) Christopher Brown, son of John Brown (4), was born at Stamford. He resided at Stam- ford and at Tolethrope in Rutland county. His will was made 1516 and proved at London, February 15, 1819. He married (first) Grace Pinchbeck, daugh- ter and heir of John Pinchbeck, of Lincoln county. He married (second) Agnes -, of Beding-

256

WORCESTER COUNTY

field, Norfolk county, and (third) Elizabeth - Children of Christopher and Grace Brown were : Francis, married Margaret Mather ; Edmund, settled in Stamford; Christopher, see forward; Robert; Anne, married Gornley; George; Catherine; Agnes.

(VI) Christopher Brown, son of Christopher Brown (5), was born about 1460-70. He resided at Swan Hall, Parish Hawkedon, Suffolk county, Eng- land. His will was dated May 27, 1531, and proved at Bury St. Edmunds, July 3, 1538. He was church warden in 1564. His children : Robert, probably had no issue; Christopher, see forward; Thomas, Eliza- beth, Margaret, Agnes.

(VII) Christopher Brown, son of Christopher Brown (6), was born about 1490, at Swan Hall. He was church warden there in 1564 and his children were born there. His will was dated November 24, 1568, and proved at Bury St. Edmunds, May 31, 1574. Their children: Thomas, see forward ; Robert, buried June 7, 1629, married Anne ; Joan, married Thomas Bailey.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. IV, Part 68

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