USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Historic homes and places and genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 17
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
(VII) John Roby, son of Lowell Roby (6), was born at Bridgewater, New Hampshire, June 20, 1809. Married, February 14, 1832, Elmira Smith, born December 14, 1810, daugh- ter of Abraham Dolloff. He was a farmer in Alexandria, New Hampshire, at Moore's Mills, at New Hampton and at Bristol, where he died February 23, 1892, aged eighty-two years, eight months and three days. She died in the family of Augustus J. Ferrin, New Hampton, New Hampshire, February 24, 1902, aged ninety-one years, two months and ten days. He was a Whig in politics and Bap- tist in religion. Children: I. Gustavus, born December 1, 1832, mentioned below. 2. Olive, born at Bristol, February 8, 1835, married Augustus J. Ferrin, of Bristol. 3. Nicholas Dolloff, born at Bristol, November 6, 1838, died June 26, 1846. 4. Sarah M., born April 15, 1843, married Augustus J. Ferrin. 5. Liz- zie Kathleen, born April II, 1853, was a school teacher; married George H. Robinson, of Bristol.
(VIII) Gustavus Roby, son of John Roby (-), was born in Bristol, New Hampshire,
December 1, 1832. Married, November 21, 1861, Mary Marcia Hayward, daughter of Jonas R. Hayward. She was born in Alexan- dria, March I, 1842, and died in Bristol, June 20, 1894, aged fifty-two years, three months and nineteen days. Mr. Roby early learned the trade of paper making, and for thirty-six years was employed by the Mason-Perkins Pa- per Company of Bristol, New Hampshire, and for twenty years was the superintendent of the mills. During those years that corporation was able under his supervision to produce some of the finest colored paper in the world. He retired from business in 1907. He is a Republican in politics, a Methodist in religion. His home is on Lake street, Bristol, New Hampshire. He was elected a delegate from his district to the constitutional convention in the year 1889. He enjoys the confidence of all his fellow citizens. Children: I. Austin Hayward, born June 17, 1867, mentioned be- low. 2. John Elwin, born in Bristol,, January 3, 1876, married, October 16, 1897, Mary An- nie George, daughter of Frank and Ellen Maria George, born in Chester, Vermont, June. IO, 1877. Resides in Bristol, New Hampshire, and is one of the best known and most indus- trious citizens of that thriving town.
(IX) Austin H. Roby, son of Gustavus Roby (8), was born in Bristol, New Hamp- shire, June 17, 1867. He was educated in the public and high schools of Bristol and in the New Hampton Institution and Business Col- lege. At the age of twenty-one he established himself in the wood working business in Bris- tol, but after a year he sold out his interest in this business and become the proprietor of a shoe store, in which business he continued for four years. During this time he was also Treasurer of the Bristol Electric Light Com- pany. In 1892 he removed to Boston, where he was bookkeeper and salesman for various Boston concerns for several years. Later, be- coming interested in the Young Men's Christ- ian Association, he accepted the position of state secretary for New Hampshire and Ver- mont. But he was primarily a business man, and longed for the more strenuous life of fierce competition and energy ; therefore he returned to the business world, and in 1899 engaged in the wholesale coal trade. He is at present director, secretary and treasurer of the Ander- son Coal Mining Company of Boston, which company owns and operates bituminous coal mines in Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Re- publican, and for two years was clerk of his native town, being honored by receiving every vote cast at the time of his reelection for a sec-
473
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
ond term. He is a notary public for the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Malden, also a member of the deliberative assembly, the Grand Army of the Republic Associates, Con- verse Lodge, F. and A. M., and a director of the Malden Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. His residence is at 105 Washington street, Malden, Massachusetts, where he is well known as being one who is vitally interested in all that pertains to the welfare of that city. He was elected a member of the common council from ward four in December, 1907.
He married, July 28, 1888, Maude Gordon, only child of Francis A. and Ellen M. Gordon, of Bristol, New Hampshire. Her father, who descended from Alexander Gordon, of Scot- land, served in the Civil war, enlisting at the age of nineteen years with Company I, Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers. After an honor- able discharge he returned to his native town and for many years was one of the principal business men of Bristol, being a contractor and builder, and owning a large mill, where he was engaged in the manufacture of hosiery boards and mill supplies. He was very active in both the Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges, and was also superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Congrega- tional Church and leader of the choir. He now resides in Wollaston, Massachusetts, where he is well known in Masonic circles, be- ing a Chapter Mason. Maude Gordon Roby, wife of Austin H. Roby, was for three years previous to her marriage the librarian of Minot-Sleeper Library of Bristol, New Hamp- shire, being the first one to occupy this posi- tion, and probably the youngest librarian in the state, having entire charge at the age of seven- teen years. Upon her removal to Boston with her husband, she began the systematic study of music under some of the best masters, al- though she had been a public singer since childhood. For the past five years her lectures on music have been in great demand, as they are unique, being given in native costume worn by the women of the country whose music she is describing, and illustrated by vocal selec- tions. She is an acknowledged authority on all subjects pertaining to music or musicians, having made an exhaustive research into musical history, both ancient and modern. She is a member of First Congregational Church of Malden, the Malden Musical Club, the Daughters of New Hampshire, the Old and New Club of Malden. Faneuil Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as- sociate member of John Paul Jones Chapter, and
active member of the Professional Women's Club. They have one child, Donald Gordon Roby, born in Bristol, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 22, 1889. He is now a student in the Mal- den high school, class of '08, is president of the High School Literary Society, prominent in the fraterninty of Alpha Pi Alpha, member of High School Glee Club, and active in local and state Young Men's Christian Association work.
The Farnum or Farnham FARNUM family is of ancient English origin. The principal family seat is at Querndon House in Leicestershire, the lineage of which is traced back to the reign of Edward I. The Farnum arms: Quarterly or and az. in the two first quarters a crescent countersigned. Crest: An eagle or, wings close preying on a rabbit arg.
(I) Ralph Farnum, the immigrant, was born in England in 1603. He came with his wife Alice from London in the brig "James," sailing from Southampton, April 6, 1635, and reaching Boston, June 3, 1635. He gave his age as thirty-two, his wife's as twenty-eight, and they had with them three young children, Mary, Thomas and Ralph. He was a barber by trade, but followed husbandry after com- ing to New England. He settled first in Ips- wich, of which he was a proprietor of 1639. He settled finally at Andover, Massachusetts. He died January 8, 1692-93, and the inven- tory of his estate is dated March 29, 1693. Children: I. Mary, born 1628, married Daniel Poor, of Andover, in Boston, October 20, 1650; resided in Andover where she died February 3, 1714. 2. Thomas, born 1631, married Elizabeth Gibbons in Andover, July 8, 1660; she died August 26, 1683; he died January II, 1685. 3. Ralph, born 1633, mar- ried Elizabeth Holt in Andover, October 26, 1658; she died October 14, 1710; he died January 8, 1691-92. 4. Sarah, born at An- dover, married George Abbot, April 16, 1658, ancestor of most of the prominent Abbotts of America. 5. John, born 1640, mentioned be- low.
(II) John Farnum, son of Ralph Farnum (I), was born at Andover, Massachusetts, about 1640, died there June 17, 1723, in his eighty-third year. He married, November 12, 1667, Rebecca Kent, of Newbury. She died February 8, 1728-29, aged seventy- eight. Children, born at Andover: I. John, born January 20, 1670, died February 14, 1670. 2. John, born April 13, 1672, men-
----
474
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
tioned below. 3. Stephen, born October 19, 1674, probably died young. 4. Anne, born December II, 1677, married, April 17, 1701, Thomas Russ. 5. David, born October, 1681, died November 3, 1687. 6. Jonathan, born April 27, 1684, died May 24, 1761; mar- ried (first), 1708, Elizabeth Parker, who died June 18, 1732; (second), May 31, 1733, Me- hitable Poor, who died January 19, 1763. 7. Thomas, born August 11, 1687, died young. 8. David, born April 4, 1690, married Doro- thy Dunkan.
(III) John Farnum, son of John Farnum (2), was born in Andover, April 13, 1672, died September 9, 1749, in the seventy-eighth years of his age, at Uxbridge. He removed to Mendon about 1700, having land granted to him in 1701 and 1704 and after that many large grants. His house lot was originally that of Job Tyler. His name frequently ap- pears on the town and proprietors' records after July 8, 1701, when he bought the Tyler lot. He married, June 30, 1693, Mary Tyler; (second), November 17, 1733, Abigail Marsh, of Bellingham; she died February 21, 1759. Children: I. Mary, born at Andover, March 16, 1694, married, December 5, 1716, Nathan Penniman, of Mendon. 2. Anna, born January 18, 1696, died April 20, 1696. 3. John, born December 26, 1697, married Mary Wood, of Mendon, November 8, 1722. 4. Ann, born June 3, 1701, married Penniman, of Mendon. 5. Moses, born Sep- tember 8, 1705, mentioned below.
(IV) Moses Farnum, son of John Farnum (3), was born at Mendon, September 8, 1705, died at Uxbridge, formerly part of Mendon, September 8, 1770. He married, November 10, 1726, , who died October 2, 1773. He resided in Mendon and Uxbridge. Chil- dren: I. John, born 1728, married, May 3, 1750, Elizabeth Gaskell, and (second) Mar- tha Comstock. 2. Moses, born October 25, 1730, mentioned below. 3. Mary, born Sep- tember 2, 1732, (twin) married Silas Taft. 4. Anna, born September 2, 1732 (twin), married Benjamin Buffum. 5. Hannah, born September 11, 1737, married John Reed, of Smithfield. 6. Stephen, born September 19, 1739, died April 27, 1761. . 7. Abigail, born August 19, 1741, married David Harris, of Smithfield. 8. Rachel, born January 13, 1743, married Daniel Reed. 9. Jonathan, born June 28, 1745, (twin) married, 1765, Uranah Harris. IO. David, born June 28, 1745 (twin).
(V) Rev. Moses Farnum, son of Moses Far- num (4), was born at Uxbridge, October 25,
1730. The following account of his life is from a pamphlet published after his death by the Friends: "His parents were then in profes- sion with the Presbyterians and were after- wards convinced of the Truth as professed by us and were zealously concerned to educate their children therein. This concern was af- terwards gratefully remembered by the sub- ject of this memoir as being to his lasting advantage. When quite young he appears to have been inattentive to these parental re- proofs and to have lightly esteemed con- cerned friends until his tender mind was reached by the supplication of a friend, particularly for his father's family, at a meet- ing held at his house. After this he dare not speak lightly of our profession. Not- withstanding the repeated visitations of Di- vine Goodness to him, he made but little progress in religious experience for several years. After he married and had a family of several children around him, he became more obedient to the teaching of truth and useful in our society, and being favored to improve the talent received, the Lord was pleased to commit unto him a gift in the ministry. In entering upon which service he was deeply baptized under a humbling sense of the weight of such a work, and often ap- peared much affected in our meetings under the influence thereof. He as a minister was a close reprover of backsliders; but to the sincere and heavy-laden, his words were like oil to their comfort and encouragement. He was short but comprehensive in his public testimonies and at times much favored in supplication. He was ready to indite in a short and comprehensive manner and was extensively useful in the discipline of the church. He was a man of good natural un- derstanding and capable of argument, yet he seldom engaged in any doubtful disputation, but in our meetings for discipline, when such questions arose, he forbore, keeping a bridle upon his tongue until the truth opened his way when often by a simple expression of his feelings they were satisfactorily settled. He was steady in the attendance of our religious meetings and a good example therein, humbly waiting for divine assistance and often recommended it to others as the only way to renew their strength.
"In the enduring relation of father and husband he was kind, tender and careful, keeping his family constant in attending our meetings and bringing them up in our Chris- tian order of plainness of speech, behavior and apparel and in the frequent reading of
475-
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
the Holy Scriptures, and he often called them together to sit in silence, sometimes counsel- ing as truth gave utterance. But what ren- dered him still more admirable in the view of his friends as being a strong mark of true discipleship, was his readiness to be advised and to take advice, showing thereby his great love for the brethren. In his neighborhood he was useful and respected, having a dis- position and qualifications which rendered his company and conversation instructive and desirable. He was useful and instru- mental in obtaining the freedom of oppressed, enslaved Africans and became so deeply con- cerned to unbind the heavy burden and let the oppressed go free that for several years before his death he declined the use of such goods as he knew to be the product of the labor of slaves. He very constantly attended the Quarterly and Yearly meetings to which he belonged and traveled considerably within their limits as a minister visiting monthly meetings in company with other friends. He visited on a religious account most of the farms in his own Monthly Meetings and some of them several times to their satisfac- tion, being well qualified for such a service. And in this as well as his other labors he was fervently engaged for the prosperity of the Youth.
"In the year 1769 with the concurrence of Friends he visited Pennsylvania on a religi- ous account and attended the yearly meeting in Philadelphia and many adjacent meetings to the satisfaction of Friends. Shortly after- ward in company with Abraham Griffiths from Pennsylvania he made a religious visit to Friends in the Salem Quarterly Meeting in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, and it being winter and much snow on the ground suffered great hardship, and this with his exposure afterwards in going to meetings through roads impassable for horses by reason of snow caused him to think he must perish by the way. He however re- mained in comfortable health until the third month of 1780, about which time he was ob- served to fail and his disease proving to be apoplectic greatly affected his speech, yet he conversed brokenly and by signs until near his last. Being asked as to the state of his mind he said that on a review of his life, he had seen many things in which he had been unfaithful. but had known them all done away, so that nothing but peace and quiet of mind remained, and that this was his happy state appeared by his patient resignation through the whole of his illness. He gave his
family much good advice, exhorting them to live in love one to another, and counseling his children to be obedient to their remaining parent and was enabled so to speak to them that they were much affected.
"He had borne his testimony against war and bloodshed by refusing to pay the tax for the support of it, and near his end he ex- pressed his satisfaction that he had so done and his belief that such a testimony would. arise into dominion. About two days before his decease, feeling himself drawing to a con- clusion he took his solemn and final farewell of his family (at which time his understand- ing appeared clear and he a little revived) taking them each by the hand as well as others present, being unable to say more than yes or no, but with the appearance of a. mind truly sensible of the nature and solem- nity of such a parting. He gradually sunk till near the close when falling into a sleep. he remained till he breathed his last without: a sigh or groan the ninth day, fifth month,. 1780. His remains were interred in the Friends Burying Ground in Uxbridge on the eleventh following on which occasion a large concourse of Friends and others attended. Thus time closed with a valiant in the Lord's- Cause who we doubt not is at rest in a man- sion of glory. Signed on behalf and by the direction of the Meeting aforesaid held at Smithfield first day, ninth month, 1780, by Thomas Lapham, clerk."
Moses Farnum married Sarah Comstock, who died March 1, 1776. He married (sec- ond), May 2, 1777, Elizabeth Southwick. Children, born at Uxbridge: I. David, born September 29, 1753, mentioned below. 2. Daniel, born June 4, 1755, died October 14,. 1772. 3. Ann, born January 19, 1758, died June 4, 1833; married Seth Gifford, of New Bedford; settled in Uxbridge. 4. George, born June 12, 1760, died March 15, 1837; married (first), 1787, Sarah Pitts, who died' January 17, 1789, (second), 1790, Deborah Pitts, her sister. 5. Royal, born January 7, 1763, married, 1792, widow Aldrich; he died April 12, 1852. 6. Peter, born May 22, 1765,. removed to Grafton where he died May 6,. 1832; married, March 9, 1788, Susannah' Wadsworth. 7. Abigail, born July 20, 1767,. died May, 1794: married (first) James; Buffum; (second) Seth Sumner, of Taunton,. 1791. 8. Moses, born April 10, 1770, died: August 31, 1855; married (first), December 5, 1792, Rachel Daniels, born December 25. 1767, died August 11, 1846; (second), Decem- ber 31, 1847, Widow Mary (Barker), Allen, a:
e
Ci di
h
le
à a
2
e 0
476
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
gifted minister of the Friends, who died at Nantucket, January 31, 1861. 9. Sarah, born April 7, 1780, died September 10, 1853; mar- ried, May 3, 1797, James Harkness, who died April 27, 1806; (second), August 5, 1807, Caleb Wall, of Worcester, father of the jour- nalist and historian.
(VI) David Farnum, son of Moses Far- num (5), was born in Uxbridge, September 29, 1753, died at Grafton, February 29, 1844. He lived in Uxbridge and Grafton. He was a farmer. He married, December 7, 1781, Ruth Southwick. Children: I. Hannah, born December 22, 1782, died May 29, 1860; mar- ried Humphrey Taylor, lived at Grafton. 2. Daniel, born November 22, 1784, mentioned below. 3. Moses, born January 29, 1789, re- moved to Michigan. 4. Phebe, born April 15, 1791, died October 3, 1852, unmarried. 5. Jesse, born June 7, 1795, died July 10, 1877, in Grafton, unmarried. 6. Mowry, born De- cember 23, 1799. 7. Samuel Judson, born November 8, 1805, removed to Poughkeepsie, New York; married Sallie Ann Swartout, re- sided in Newburgh, and was mayor of that city.
(VII) Daniel Farnum, son of David Far- num (6), was born November 22, 1784, and died at Northbridge, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 10, 1879, at the advanced age of ninety- five years and eighteen days. He lived through all the mature years of his long life in Northbridge, near the border of Ux- bridge. He was a farmer. He was born with a good constitution which he preserved by regular and temperate habits, experienc- ing but little sickness (we quote from an obituary notice written by one who knew him well), and retaining his faculties in re- markable vigor till within the last year. His was emphatically a sound mind in a sound body; he was characterized for sound com- mon sense, strong sentiment of justice and honesty, insistence on his own rights, and respect for those of others; economy, sim- plicity and hospitality in domestic affairs; was provident, faithful and kind in the family circle; a peaceable, prudent and accommo- dating neighbor; a serviceable, judicious and trustworthy townsman, honored with the principal municipal offices, including those of selectman and representative in the legisla- ture; a reliable counselor in financial matters; a lover of his country and its liberties; a firm opposer of slavery and oppression; sparing in religious professions; of broad tolerance to- wards all denominations; liberal in theology, and a steadfast hoper in the final triumph of
good over evil. These were qualities and char- acteristics which in the deceased over- shadowed the incidental imperfections com- mon to human nature.
"He was warmly attached to the interests of the town, and was a constant attendant on town meetings, the last one he attended be- ing in 1878 when in his ninety-fourth year. Among the positions of financial trust he oc- cupied was that of director in the Blackstone Bank of Uxbridge over twenty years. He had been expecting his departure for three years, expressed his entire resignation to the Divine disposal, and passed away in the con- fident assurance of the life everlasting. Ap- propriate funeral honors were paid to his memory and remains, at his late residence, the thirteenth, with ministrations by Rev. George S. Ball, of Upton, and Rev. Adin Ballou, of Hopedale, and now his mortal part sleeps with the dust of his ancestors in Friends Cemetery at South Uxbridge. All the numerous descendants of deceased were present at the funeral, except the five great- grandchildren."
He married, February 28, 1811, Mary Southwick, of Uxbridge. She died in 1872. Children: 1. Jonathan, born October 15, 1812, died July 14, 1814. 2. Joseph S., born August 21, 1814, died December 22, 1873, at Worcester; married Lois N. Stoddard; they had two children: Mary Alice, Ann Eliza. 3. Luke S., born January 20, 1817, died August 23, 1883; married Chloe Taft and had four children: Elizabeth S., Ella F., Moses T., Walter J. T. 4. Ruth M., born August 29, 1819, resided in Uxbridge and Northbridge; unmarried. 5. James M., born April II, 1822, mentioned below. 6. Mary Alice, born August 4, 1828, died December 31, 1829.
(VIII) James Moore Farnum, son of Daniel Farnum (7), was born in Northbridge, Massa- chusetts, April 11, 1822. He attended the pub- lic schools of his native town, the Macomber Academy in Uxbridge and the academy at Bolton. At the age of fifteen he left school and worked for a short time at the trade of shoemaker, but he made his principal voca- tion in life farming. In addition to the man- agement of his large farm he had other busi- ness interests. He carried on a considerable trade in lumber and wood. He was prosper- ous, and was a leader among the farmers of his vicinity. On his own place he carried on general farming, making something of a specialty of cranberries for which he had land specially suited. He was one of the
477
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
most prominent men of his day in public and town affairs. Someone has truly said that he could have had every office within the gift of his townsman. He had held the principal offices with credit to himself and honor to the town of Uxbridge. He was assessor, mem- ber of the school committee and overseer of the poor for several terms. He was select- man several years in succession, and in 1889 represented his district in the general court, serving on important committees and doing his full duty to his constituency. He was a trustee of the Uxbridge Savings Bank to the time of his death, and his good sense had knowledge of financial matters were of great value to that institution. He was for several years treasurer of the Blackstone Valley Agricultural Society and of the Uxbridge Creamery Company. He was a prominent member of Solomon's Temple Lodge of Free Masons and was its treasurer more than ten years. At the time of his death he had been a member forty-four years, one of the oldest members of the lodge, which attended his funeral in a body as a mark of respect. He died July 20, 1904, at his home in Uxbridge. He attended the Congregational church with his family. Mr. Farnum was a familiar figure on the streets of Uxbridge for several generations. He was known and honored by all its townsmen. Kindly, genial, sym- pathetic in manner, he was easy to approach, making many friends. The Uxbridge Com- pendium said of him: "In everything and everywhere that he could be of help to pro- mote the best interests of the town, its insti- tutions or its citizens, he could always be counted on to lend his services. Mr. Farnum was one of the good citizens of Uxbridge."
He married, May 26, 1847, Ophelia Stod- dard, daughter of Lot Stoddard, of Midway, Massachusetts. Children: I. Mary Alice, born May 28, 1849, married, January II, 1871, Charles W. Ellison, children: i. Min- nie Farnum Ellison, born October 7, 1873, died January 18, 1874; ii. Elizabeth Clark Ellison, born August 5, 1870, died August 13, 1882; Alice Mary Ellison, born March 4, 1883. 2. Daniel Stoddard, born April 4, 1855, mentioned below. 3. James Herbert, born August 15, 1857, married, August II, 1886, Emma Jane Jefferson; no children. 4. Sarah Joanna, born July 20, 1860, married, January II, 1882, Frank J. Hamilton, a very prominent citizen of Uxbridge; child: Mary Westcott Hamilton, born September 11, 1883, married, June 29, 1905, Walter Garfield
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.