USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Historic homes and places and genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 21
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(VI) Ephraim Frost, son of Ephraim Frost (5), was born in West Cambridge, Massachu- setts (Arlington), April 7, 1766, and died there
4
Leurs Historical Pub Co
Nemel C. Frost
Mearanda Frost
Henry Frost
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July 18, 1848. He received a common school education and, like all his ancestors in the Frost family, became a farmer. His farm of a hundred acres or more was situate where his grandson, Charles A. Frost, now resides. Ephraim had a large dairy, selling the milk in Boston, whether he hauled it by way of East Cambridge and the ferry. He was a very in- dustrious man, and for his day well-to-do. He was a faithful and devout member of the Con- gregational church (orthodox) at West Cam- bridge, a scrupulous observer of the Puritan Sabbath, and he trained his children according to the strict code of his sect. He was a Demo- crat in politics. He married (first) Elizabeth Lottridge, July 4, 1793. He married (second), April 9, 1815, Mrs. Sarah Green, who died December 19, 1847. Children by the first wife : I. Ephraim, born July 25, 1794, married Caro- line Cutter ; children : i. Caroline, married Hor- ace Wilson; ii. Maria, married Josiah Locke Frost, of West Cambridge, and had children : Charles, Etta, Frederick and George Frost ; iii. Ephraim Lottridge, served during the Civil war, had a daughter, Emma; iv. Angenette, married Charles Chase, and had son George Chase; v. George, died in the service during Civil war. 2. Mary Ann Jones, born January 3, 1796, died young. 3. Henry Hope Jones,
* The following is the
will full of Eph- in
raim Frost (5) : "In the name of Almighy God, Amen. I, Ephm. Frost of West Cambridge in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, Yeoman, being weak in body, but of sound mind, do make this my last will and testament, in manner following.
"Calling to my mind and knowing it is appointed unto man once to die, and not knowing how soon it may please God to call me away by death, and first of all, I give and commend my immortal soul to God that created it, my body I recommend to the earth by a Christian burial, by my executors hereafter named. Hoping to receive the same again at the general res- urrection ( ?) by the Almighty power of God, and by the merits of my Glorious Redeemer, and as touch- ing such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with I give, devisc and dispose of in the following manner.
"Item 1. I order that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my personal estate by my ex- ecutor, hereafter named.
"Item 2. I give and bequeath to my oldest son Eph- raim Frost all the lands and tenements, more particu- larly described in a deed to him dated March 9, 1824, together with whatever I shall hereafter direct.
"Item 3. I give and bequeath to my eldest daugh- ter Lydia Cutter and wife of Jonas Cutter, the use and improvement of a dwelling house where she now lives, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging. Also the entire use and improvement of about 14 acres of land in West Cambridge ( Menotomy or Arlington), which land came into my hand and possession by vir- tue of a deed of mortgage, made to me by her hus- band Jonas Cutter, together with what I shall here- after order for her use, and during her natural life as aforesaid, and at her death, to her lawful heirs, the whole to remain in the hands of my executor as aforesaid until a Trustee shall be duly appointed to take charge of the same for her use, and if in case I do not appoint such a trustee, I hereby direct the Judge of Probate for the time being to appoint one under the restriction of law in such cases made and provided.
"Item 4. I give and bequeath to my second daughter Mary Buckman all the lands and tenements more par- ticularly described in a deed to her, bearing date
born August 17, 1797, died August 24, 1799 .. 4. Henry, born March 5, 1801, mentioned be- low. 5. Isaac, born August 27, 1804, mention- ed below.
(VII) Henry Frost, son of Ephraim Frost. (6), was born in West Cambridge, March 5, 1801, died October 12, 1882. He attended the district school during the short winter terms until he was about fourteen. He worked on his father's farm in West Cambridge until after he came of age, then purchased a farm of thirty-three acres on Alewive brook on the boundary line between Cambridge and West. Cambridge. He sold this place, however, in 1842, to Smith & Cook. It was known as the old Dixon place and is now the property of the city of Cambridge and in use for an almshouse. Mr. Frost was a prosperous farmer. During the spring run of alewives in the river and brook he profited largely by fishing, as did many of his neighbors. All who owned land on Alewive brook made a business of fishing during the season. In 1842 Mr. Frost removed to West Cambridge and carried on the home- stead which he and his brother Isaac inherited. He devoted his attention to market gardening with marked success. He was a man of sound judgment, excellent principles, upright, honest and pious. He was the first deacon of the Uni-
March 10, 1824, together with what I shall hereafter order and to her heirs and assigns ( ?) forever.
"Item 5. I give and bequeath to my second son James Frost the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid him by the executor as aforesaid after my decease ( ?) and I consider this with what I have heretofore given him to be his full part and share of my estate.
"Item 6. I give and bequeath to my third daughter Ruthy Russell, wife of Jonathan Russell, after my death, the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid her by my executor as aforesaid and this I consider, to- gether with what I gave her at her marriage and since to be her full part and share out of my estate.
"Item 7. I give and bequeath to my grandson Henry Frost for his dutyfull conduct and behaviour to me, and his heirs and assigns forever all the lands and tenements more particularly described in a deed to him bearing date Mar. 10, 1824, on condition that he pay into the hands of my executor the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to be disposed of as I shall hereafter direct.
"Item 8. I give and bequeath to my grandson Isaac Frost for his dutyfull conduct and behaviour to me all the lands and tenements more particularly described in a deed of the same bearing date Mar. 10th, 1824, and unto his heirs and assigns forever on condition that he pay into the hands of my executor the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to be disposed of as I shall hereafter direct.
"Item 9th. I order my executor to pay into the hands of the trustee of my daughter, Lydia Cutter, the sum of three hundred dollars for her use and benefit as aforesaid, when he shall have received the same from my grandsons, and I order that what shall remain out of real and personal estate, not heretofore disposed of to have it equally divided into three parts or shares. One share I give to my son Ephraim Frost, one share to my daughter Mary Buckman and the other remain- ing share to be placed in the hands of the Trustee for the use of Lydia Cutter aforesaid. And I hereby place, put and appoint my son Ephraim Frost my sole executor to see this my last will and testament per- formed & executed. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and prefixed my seal as my last will and testament this sixteenth day of February 1825. Signed, sealed, pronounced the last will and tes- tament of Ephraim Frost in presence of us the sub- scribing witnesses."
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versalist church of Arlington. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican. He served the town as an overseer of the poor. He married, at West Cambridge, November 18, 1830, Miranda Clorinda Cutter, who was born October 4, 1810, and died January 6, 1892, the daughter of Jonas and Lydia (Frost) Cutter. Her father was a shoemaker. Chil- dren, born at West Cambridge or Arlington : I. Henry, Jr., born September 3, 1831, men- tioned below. 2. Miranda, born November 13, 1833, died June 1, 1903 ; married, February 2, 1854, Edmund Monroe Walton, of West Cam- bridge; he died February 28, 1906; children : i. Clarence Munroe Walton, born January 17, 1856, and has one child, Munroe Lawrence Walton, born June 20, 1890 ; Clarence M. Wal- ton married (second), June 2, 1897, Bertha W. Kimball ; ii. Annie Florence Walton, born Feb- ruary 17, 1858, married, September 12, 1877, John Henry Russell (children : Edith Walton Russell, born May 18, 1879; Ernest Munroe Russell, February 17, 1884; Florence Elvira Russell, January 17, 1891). 3. Sarah Green, born January 29, 1836, married, December II, 1862, Addison Russell, of Methuen, Massa- chusetts ; children : i. Emma Florence Russell, born February 17, 1866, died December I, 1892 ; married, July 7, 1892, Benjamin F. Phif- fen ; ii. Albert Henry Russell, born August 24, 1868, died January 19, 1898; married, Sep- tember 28, 1892, L. Alvira Gove. 4. Charles Austin, born April 20, 1839, died January 22, 1840. 5. Esther Cutter, born December 27, 1840, died May 14, 1844. 6. Charles Austin, born April 29, 1843, mentioned below. 7. Al- bert Cutter, born August 17, 1845, died Sep- tember 17, 1863 ; private in Fifteenth Massa- chusetts Regiment ; died the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. 8. Esther Frances, born February 6, 1848, married, October 18, 1872, Isaac Fish, of South Boston, Massachusetts.
(VIII) Henry Frost, son of Henry Frost (7), was born at Cambridge, September 3, 1831. He was educated in the common schools of Cambridge and West Cambridge, whither he removed with his parents in 1842. He worked with his father market gardening from an early age and continued for many years. Afterward he and his brother, Charles A. Frost, continued the business established by their father. About 1868 Mr. Frost bought the old Russell farm of five acres, converted it into a thriving market garden and continued to market the produce raised by his brother as well as his own. He sold this place in 1905 and retired, after a very successful career. He built his present residence at 289 Pleasant
street, Belmont, Massachusetts, in 1866, the land being a part of his father's farm. By an arduous life Mr. Frost has well earned a period of rest which he is now enjoying. He achieved success by unremitting toil and constant en- deavor. He is a man of much force of char- acter and strict integrity. He is an active mem- ber of the Universalist church at Arlington. In politics he is a Republican. From 1871 to 1877 inclusive he served the town on the board of selectmen, and for some years before the new water system was introduced he was chief engineer of the Belmont fire department. In his public positions Mr. Frost has shown much executive ability and proved himself an able and efficient officer. He was made a Ma- son in Belmont Lodge at Belmont, Massachu- setts, and joined at Arlington, June 4, 1868, Hiram Lodge, of which he was worshipful master in 1877-78. He is also a member of Menotomy Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Arlington since February 1, 1870, and held offices in that body from 1872 to 1899.
He married, February 2, 1854, Adeline Louise Frost, born May 12, 1835, daughter of Thaddeus and Abigail (Locke) Frost, of West Cambridge. Her father was a farmer. Chil- dren : I. Frank Clifton, born 1854, married, April 22, 1879, Mattie Bradley, born June 28, 1857, daughter of James and Martha (Coos) Bradley, of Rockport, Massachusetts; chil- dren : i. Jennie Clifton, born February 18, 1880; ii. Josephine Clifford, May 22, 1886; iii. Henry Bradley, August 8, 1892. 2. Helen May, born May I, 1859, married, October 28, 1880, Del- mont A. Butterfield, of Lexington, Massachu- setts ; children : i. Leslie Frost Butterfield, born September 23, 1883 ; ii. Amy Lawrence Butter- field, March 30, 1886; iii. Lawrence Butter- field, February 14, 1888, died February 16, 1888; iv. Eloise Butterfield, March 30, 1892; v. Lawrence Delmont Butterfield, November 15, 1894; vi. Helen Avis Butterfield, April 28, 1901, died July 26, 1901. 3. Addie Louise, born June 13, 1862, married, October 28, 1884, Charles A. Wilcox, of Somerville, Massachu- setts ; children : i. Loring Frost Wilcox, born August 30, 1886; ii. Hazel Louise Wilcox, September 28, 1889. 4. Abbie Frances, born April 22, 1866. 5. Marion Kendall, born June 5, 1876.
(VIII) Charles Austin Frost, son of Henry Frost (7), was born at Cambridge, Massachu- setts, April 29, 1843. He was but eleven months old when the family returned to the homestead at West Cambridge to live, in what is now Belmont ; he attended the public schools there until he was sixteen. He began in early
Siglaciter de. Frost.
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life to work in his father's gardens. When their father retired, Charles A. and his brother Henry conducted the farm for two years and the farm was then divided, each operating his part ; in 1883 Charles A. bought the old Ames farm at Stoneham and gave his attention to market gardening there on his own account. After five years the property was taken by the Metropolitan park commission of the state. He then returned to the homestead at Belmont for a time, and since 1900 has spent two winters in California. He inherited the homestead on which his ancestors have' lived for many gener- ations, during which time the name of the town or parish or precinct has changed from time to time-Menotomy, West Cambridge, Arling- ton, Belmont. He followed market gardening on the homestead after his return east, and he makes a specialty of lettuce and cucumbers, for which he finds in Boston a good market. He has five large green-houses in which he raises early crops. He has recently built a handsome modern house on the property, where he now resides. In religion Mr. Frost is a Universalist ; in politics a Republican. He was made a member of Belmont Lodge of Free Masons, July 25, 1872; joined Hiram Lodge of Arlington February 27, 1896; has been a member of Menotomy Chapter of Royal Arch Masons since April 24, 1873. He is a member of Boston Market Gardeners' Association. He married (first), September 8, 1864, Mary Olive Russell, of Methuen, Massachusetts, born August, 1845, died March 9, 1867, daughter of Charles and Azubah (Kimball) Russell, of Methuen. He married (second), December 8, 1869, Julia Teel, of Cambridge. She died June II, 1871, daughter of Levi Teel. He married February 22, 1881, Georgia Augusta Smith, born February 25, 1857, daughter of George and Helen (Evans) Smith, of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Children of Charles A. and Mary O. Frost: I. Hattie Emily, born October 22, 1865, died June 9, 1904; married, October 15, 1890, Arthur S. Parker ; children : i. Russell Frost Parker, born April 29, 1902; ii. Mary Frances, August 2, 1903. Children of Charles A. and Georgia A. Frost : 2. Albert Henry, born November 21, 1883, spent four years engaged in growing oranges in California and is now engaged in business with his father on the old Frost home- stead. 3. Marjorie, born April 19, 1890, died January 25, 1893. 4. Mabel Beatrice, born January 5, 1893.
(VII) Isaac Frost, son of Ephraim Frost (6), was born at West Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, August 27, 1804. He was brought
up on his father's farm, acquiring a practical knowledge of farming and gardening and a common school education. His father died about the time he came of age and he and his brothers carried on the farm together. He established a retail milk business in the adja- cent town of Cambridge and built up a flour- ishing trade. About 1843 he built his resi- dence on Pond street on what is now Lake street, Belmont, and here he started market gardening, in which he was quite successful from the first, continuing until within about ten years of his death. During his last years he worked for his son, who took the responsi- bility of management and the care of business from his shoulders. He died May 20, 1881, suddenly, while sitting in a chair reading a newspaper. Mr. Frost was devoted to his family and his home and had few other inter- ests outside of his business. He was an inde- fatigable worker at all seasons, a model of in- dustry and energy. He attended the Baptist church. In early life he voted with the Whigs, later with the Republicans. He trained with the militia in his younger days.
He married, April 12, 1832, Cynthia Wil- kins, born January 6, 1806, died June 22, 1875. Children : I. Harriet Ellen, born March 27, 1833, married, October 21, 1857, Adoniram Porter, of Beverly, Massachusetts ; children : i. William F. Porter, born June 29, 1859; ii. Ada F. Porter, March 9, 1861 ; iii. Walter F. Por- ter, September 20, 1862; iv. Jennie L. Porter (twin), November 7, 1864, died April 20, 1868; v. Jessie L. Porter (twin), born and died November 7, 1864; vi. Sylvester E. Por- ter, October 13, 1866; vii. Lewis W. Porter, March 18, 1870, died May II, 1873; viii. Albert J. Porter, born September 4, 1872. Adoniram Porter died November 30, 1904. 2. Adelaide Cynthia, born August 29, 1835, died May 10, 1860 ; married, October II, 1855, John Helen Edith Crosby, born July 29, 1856, died January 13, 1889. 3. Mary Dodge, born Oc- tober 9, 1839, died August 17, 1840. 4. Syl- vester Charles, born July 3, 1841, mentioned below. 5. Mary Emma, born August 12, 1845, living on Lake street, Belmont, Massachusetts, unmarried.
(VIII) Sylvester Charles Frost, son of Isaac Frost (7), was born at West Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 3, 1841. He received his. education in the public schools, and worked on his father's farm until he came of age. He en- listed, August 8, 1862, in Company K, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, at Boston, under Colonel Satchwell. He was stationed for a time at Arlington Heights, took part in
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the battle of Spottsylvania and afterward was ill with "fever and ague," and had to be trans- ferred to the hospital where he was treated for two months and was discharged and mustered out July 5, 1864. He was under fire at the battle of the Wilderness, at the fights at North Anna River and Fairfax Courthouse. He re- turned home after his term of enlistment ex- pired, and took charge of his father's farm for three years. Then he bought eleven acres of John S. Crosby in 1867. This farm was situ- ated in what was known as Pond street, near Pleasant, and is known as the old Frost place. He has been a very successful market gar- dener, making a specialty of lettuce, cucum- bers, dandelions, celery and various other vegetables and produce. The farm contains fifteen acres, more or less, in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Frost finds his market among the wholesale dealers in Boston. He built an attractive residence in Belmont, one of the finest in that section. He is a member of the Arlington Baptist church, of which he was the treasurer for several years. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his party as dele- gate to councilor conventions. Upon the es- tablishment of the First National Bank at Ar- ligion, Mr. Frost was elected a member of the board of directors and has filled that position to the present time (1907). He is a member of Hiram Lodge of Free Masons, being made a member April 30, 1868; also of Menotomy Chapter of Royal Arch Masons since June 20, 1893 ; also a member of Francis Gould Post, Grand Army ; was post commander in 1889- 90-91 and is at present quartermaster. He be- longs to the Past National Officers' Associa- tion of the Grand Army, to the Regimental Association of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery; the Frost family Association, and the Boston Market Gardeners' Association.
He married, February 2, 1871, Alice Amelia Locke, born November 9, 1849, daughter of Edwin and Evelyn (Perry) Locke, of West Cambridge. Her father was a farmer. Chil- dren : I. Gertrude Adelaide, born July 4, 1872, married George Tobey, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, died July 28, 1902 ; had Charles Sylvester Tobey, born July 4, 1902. 2. Harold Locke, born August 15, 1875, mentioned be- low. 3. Lena Rebecca, born April 21, 1877, died May 26, 1882. 4. Evelyn Perry, born November 3, 1881. 5. James John, born March 7, 1883, died March 27, 1883.
(IX) Harold Locke Frost, son of Sylvester Charles Frost (8), was born at Belmont, Mas- sachusetts, August 15, 1875. He was educated there in the public and high schools, and at the
Massachusetts Agricultural College at Am- herst, Massachusetts, from which he was grad- uated in 1895 with the degree of B. S. He was soon afterward appointed on the Massachu- setts Gypsy Moth Commission under the state board of agriculture, serving from July, 1895, to January, 1896. Then he engaged in busi- ness on his own account under the firm name of H. L. Frost & Co., as foresters and ento- mologists, making the care of trees a specialty ; spraying, pruning and moving trees in a scien- tific manner ; treating all kinds of insect pests and fungus diseases effectually and furnishing expert advice. This business came into being at an opportune time and has grown rapidly. Mr. Frost numbers among his customers, not cnly the owners of fine estates who need the assistance of an expert forester and landscape gardener, but the farmer and market gardener who has suffered an invasion of insects or other pests, especially the San Jose scale. Mr. Frost has gained a national reputation and now accepts contracts in any states east of the Mississippi river, employing a large corps of trained experts, many of whom are graduates of agricultural colleges who understand and execute with skill the details of the work. Mr. Frost has no less than twenty-five spraying outfits and seventy-five men in the spraying department of his business, combating the gypsy moth, the brown tail moth, the San Jose scale, the elm leaf beetle, the canker worm, etc. Mr. Frost is not only the pioneer in this line of business but is the foremost and most successful. At times he has in his employ two hundred men. In 1906 Harold L. Frost was instrumental in incorporating the Frost Insecti- cide Company under the laws of Massachu- setts, of which institution he was elected presi- dent ; W. E. Freeman, vice-president, and C. H. Higgins, secretary and treasurer. The company is largely engaged in real estate en- terprises and have erected a substantial brick building in Arlington which is being used ex- clusively for offices and store-rooms, labora- tories, etc. The firm of H. L. Frost & Co., of which Harold L. Frost is the chief member, have offices in Boston, New York, and Phila- delphia, from which their entomological and forestry work is directed in various states east of the Mississippi river. While Mr. Frost is correctly regarded as a pioneer tree specialist, in which line of pursuit he has done much to preserve our native shade trees and is deserv- ing of much credit, he has worthily upheld the traditions of the family and has proved himself a worthy scion of the name and his: ancestors.
Stavold &. Frost.
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Mr. Frost is a member of the Baptist church of Arlington, and is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school; president of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor in Ar- lington. He was president of the association also while in college at Amherst. In politics he is a Republican and has served the town of Belmont three years as tree warden. He was made a member of Belmont Lodge of Free Masons, March 7, 1901, and also belongs to Menotomy Council, Royal Arcanum. He was president of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at College; is a member of the Massachusetts Alumni Association of Massachusetts Agricul- tural College; of the Boston Club of Frater- nity; of the Economic Entomologist Associa- tion of America; of the American Entomolo- gist Association; of the Massachusetts Fores- try Association; of the Massachusetts Horti- cultural Society.
He married, December 31, 1901, Sophia Wood Freeman, who was born November 3, 1878, daughter of George Tilton and Annie Wyman (Wood) Freeman, of Arlington. Her father was a jeweler in Boston. They had one child, George Freeman, born May 17, 1903, died October 4, 1907.
(For early generation see preceding Frost sketches.)
(V) John Frost, son of Ephraim FROST Frost (4), was born at West Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 9, 1760, and died March 15, 1812. He lived in Belmont, then Menotomy, near his brothers Ephraim and Amos. They were all very hard workers. It is said that he was a very powerful man. He was known as "Money John." He and his wife owned the covenant in the Precinct church, February 4, 1781. He married, November 21, 1780, Susanna Hill, who died September 29, 1804, aged forty-four, daughter of Abraham and Susanna (Welling- ton) Hill, of Menotomy. Children : I. Susan- na. baptized March 4, 1781, married Amos Warren, Jr., of Charlestown, December 19, 1802. 2. Anna, born January 25, 1783, mar- ried Lathrop Perkins, April 16, 1809. 3. John, born 1784, died October 7, 1802. 4. Jonathan, born December 7, 1788, mentioned below. 5. Asa, baptized November 7, 1790. 6. Isaac, baptized December 16, 1792. 7. Mary, bap- tized December 21, 1794. 8. Infant, died June 6, 1801, aged four months. 9. Eliza (twin), baptized March 20, 1803. 10. Lavinia (twin), baptized March 20, 1803. II. John, baptized February 14, 1808.
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