History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 63

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 63

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).

Luther Hall, born in 1842, is a son of Thomas, who was the oldest son of Jesse, and grandson of Josiah Hall. His mother was Hepsa, daughter of Barnabas Hall. Mr. Hall was in a store at Dennis twenty-five years, and was postmaster ten years of the time. Since selling the store, in 1885, he has been a cranberry grower and cran-

560

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

berry commission merchant. He is now agent for the Nobscusset House. He has been a member of the school board twenty years. He was in the war of the rebellion, in Company E, Fifth Massa- chusetts Volunteers, nine months ; then re-enlisted, in the same regi- ment, for one hundred days. He was afterward commissioned a cap- tain of militia by Governor Andrew. He was married in 1869, to Minerva, daughter of Howes Chapman. They have three children : Frank B .. Nernie A. and Howard L. They lost one child.

Joshua Harding, son of Thomas, and grandson of Sylvenus Hard- ing, was born in 1825. in Chatham. His mother was Betsey, daughter of Matthias Taylor. Mr. Harding followed the sea from 1834 to 1881, the last twenty years as master of a steamer. He was married in 1847. to Lois B. Crowell. who died in 1879. He was married in 1885, to Mrs. Susan F. B. Whelden, daughter of Elphenus Baker. Mr. Harding has been a resident of Providence, R. I., since he was nine- teen years of age.

Milton P. Hedge, born in 1825, is a son of John and grandson of Daniel Hedge. His mother was Nabbie, daughter of Joshua Sears. Mr. Hedge began going to sea in 1838, continuing until 1878, and was captain at the age of twenty-one. He is a member of the Boston Marine Society. He was married in 1848, to Elizabeth L. Sears. They have three children : John M., Joseph and George S.

James B. Hopkins, son of Isaac and Polly (Jarvis) Hopkins, was born in 1836, in Orleans. He went to sea at twelve years of age, and continued until 1872. He was acting master's mate in the naval service from 1863 to 1865. in the war of the rebellion. From 1872 to 1883, he was on the railroad in the postal service. He was married in 1867, to Georgianna. daughter of Doane Kelley. Mr. Hopkins is secretary of the Mount Horeb Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and junior vice. commander of Frank D. Hammond Post, No. 141, G. A. R.

Carlton Howes, son of Moses Howes, was born in 1812, and died 1871. He was a master mariner from 1836 to 1860. He was married in 1836, to Eunice C., daughter of Eben Paddock. They had two chil: dren, both of whom are deceased.

David P. Howes, born in 1815, is a son of William, grandson of Levi and great-grandson of David Howes. His mother was Lydia, daughter of Joseph Howes. Mr. Howes went to sea about twenty- five years, and has since been a farmer. He was married in 1836, to Temperance L., daughter of Eben Lothrop. They have three children: George P., Eben L. and Deborah B. (Mrs. C. W. Hall). Mr. Howes owns the homestead where his father and grandfather both lived. George P. Howes. son of David P. Howes, was born in 1840. He followed the sea for seventeen years. Since 1871, he has been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1873, to Carrie A ..

-- -- ---

J. C. HOWES.

561

TOWN OF DENNIS.

Farnsworth. They have four children: Eliza D., David P., Jennie T. and Inez J.

Daniel Willis Howes, born in 1835, is descended from Daniel', Reuben®, Daniel', Thomas', Ebenezer', Jeremiah2, Thomas Howes'. He went to sea until 1873, as master of steamships, and has since been special agent for the underwriters. He was married in 1862, to Abbie J., daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Howes) Nye, of Sandwich. Their children are: William N., Mona J., Willis N. and Joseph N.

Ezra Howes, was born in 1813, and died in 1872. He was a son of Zachariah Howes. He married Lydia A. Clark. Seven of their eight children are living: Ezra Thacher, Willis N., Lydia H., Her- bert A., Charles F., Bessie E. and Fanny M .; one daughter having died. The residence built in 1805, by Zachariah Howes, was rebuilt in 1838, by Ezra T. Howes and his business associate, Edward H. Cole, and very appropriately named Bleak House (as it stands on an eminence with Scargo lake on the south, and Cape Cod bay on the north). Here these two gentlemen with their families spend the summer months. Mr. Cole is a native of Orleans, being the only survivor of Nathan and Caroline (Kendrick) Cole, and a grandson of Joel Cole.

James F. Howes®, born in 1847. is descended from James S.", Lothrop, Sturges5, Samuel', Ebenezer', Jeremiah", Thomas Howes1. His mother was Lydia, daughter of William Howes. Mr. Howes is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1870, to Sarah E., daughter of Nathan Stone, whose father, Nathan Stone, for many years held the office of town clerk, and was the first postmaster at Dennis. His father, Rev. Nathan Stone. was for forty years minister of the church of the East precinct of Yarmouth, now Dennis. He graduated from Harvard College in 1762, and died in 1804. The father of this eminent divine was Rev. Nathan Stone, of South- borough. Mr. and Mrs. Howes have four children: Susie B., Jessie S., Freeman and Lydia.

James P. Howes®, born in 1826, is descended from Eli3, Stephen', Amos3, Joseph2, Thomas Howes1, who came from England to America in 1637. His wife was Mary. Mr. Howes is a farmer, and owns a part of the farm which has been in the Howes family for about two hun- dred years. He was married in 1852. to Margaret Jones. They have one daughter, Sarah, married to F. J. Prouty, and they lost one daughter ..

JOSHUA C. HOWES .- This esteemed citizen of Dennis was born November 12, 1816, and is the only surviving child of Elkanah Howes and Lucy Crowell. The direct lineage of the subject of this paper can be traced back along the generations of the past to Thomas, the primogenitor of this name on the Cape. Beginning with Joshua C.,

562

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

it is then Elkanah, born 1778; Elkanah, born in 1751, and married Desire Eldridge; Stephen, who married Thankful Hall in 1739; Amos, who married Susanna Hedge in 1701; Joseph, who married Elizabeth Mayo; and Thomas, the pioneer of 1639.

Joshua C. Howes, like his neighbors' children, went to sea at ten years of age, which vocation he continued twenty years, the last ten as a master. He soon after embarked in a mercantile life that was continued twenty-five years, a history of which is given in another connection. In 1870 he was chosen director of the Yarmouth National Bank, in 1875 its vice-president, and in 1879 its president, which posi- tion he now holds. He represented his district in the legislature dur- ing the years 1855 and 1856, and held the appointment of deputy assessor in 1862, and continued as assessor and collector of internal revenue for the district until 1876.

He married Priscilla, daughter of Abner and Hannah (Sears) Howes, on the 11th of January, 1844, she being a descendant from. the same Thomas Howes along another line, also the seventh in di- rect descent from the Pilgrim, Richard Sears. The fruit of this mar- riage has been four children: Flora, who survives; and Priscilla, Wal- lace and Florence, deceased.

CAPTAIN MOSES HOWES was born September 18, 1817, and when at the tender age of ten years he went forth to fight life's battle single- handed, he could hardly have anticipated the measure of success which he subsequently achieved by his persistent, well directed in- dustry. Born of poor parents he early felt the importance of earnest effort on his part if he would succeed. His father, Moses, a son of Joseph Howes, a descendant of Thomas Howes, married Priscilla Sears. After one summer as cook on board a mackerel smack, with Captain Christopher Howes, the subject of this sketch, although young, resolved to take a better position, and so shipped before the mast on a foreign voyage from Boston. This his father opposed, but his answer was "I'll be master of a ship some day and a good one too-no smack." He was not content with a life of fishing and coasting as his father had long been, and his ideal in the shipmaster's profession was rapidly realized. From sailor to mate, and then master, and while yet young to the command of a fine clipper ship, were steps to which his determination led him, and he never, during his long career, lost a ship or was compelled to make a port he was not bound for. The year he was married he went as captain for Thomas B. Wales & Co., of Boston. He was at home one winter, after some years of active duty, when he was offered a clipper ship in the California trade. On this voyage a strife arose between his ship and one commanded by Captain Frederick Howes, of Yarmouth, as to which should arrive first. On the voyage, Boston to San Francisco, they arrived at the latter

Clases Hours

Dennis, Mass.

LATE RESIDENCE OF MOSES HOWES,

ما

חפו זים)

ur Borumul

2.00

563

TOWN OF DENNIS.

port within five hours of each other. The last voyage he made was as master of the Belvidere, in the California, China and India trade, thence home, in 1870, by the Cape of Good Hope.

On the 2Sth of September, 1841, he married Jerusha S., daughter of Ezra and Jerusha (Sturgis) Hall. Ezra was a son of Isaiah and grandson of Edmund Hall. Mrs. Howes, who was born September 12, 1818, accompanied the captain five years on his voyages, including a trip around the world, taking pride in his superior seamanship, and she still retains as memorials the books of the voyages so well kept in his beautiful, bold chirography. In 1854, while he was absent, Mrs. Howes superintended the erection of their fine residence at Dennis, of which a view appears. Here, on the 29th of January, 1887, Captain Howes closed his earthly career, leaving her to complete the voyage of life alone.

Thomas Howes, son of Thomas, grandson of David, and great- grandson of Thomas Howes, was born in 1829. His mother was Hul- dah, daughter of Seth and Ann Allen. Mr. Howes has been a mem- ber of the school committee twenty-four years, justice of the peace sixteen years, commissioner to qualify civil officers nine years, is a trustee of the Bass River Savings Bank, and a director in Barnstable County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was married in 1862, to Esther D., daughter of Shubael Nickerson, jr. They have one daughter, Phebe D. Mr. Howes has been deacon of West Harwich Baptist Church for nine years.

CAPTAIN THOMAS PRINCE HOWES is the seventh in the line of de- scent from Thomas Howes, one of the grantees of Old Yarmouth, in the following order: Thomas'; Jeremiah', his youngest son, who mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Governor Thomas Prince; Prince3; Lot': Jere- miah5, a lieutenant in the revolution, afterward justice of the peace; Prince®; Thomas Prince'. He was born in the year 1817. At the age of thirteen years he commenced his vocation by going upon summer voyages. After that age he had no summer schooling, and none in winter after he was eighteen years old. He was master on voyages to the West Indies in 1841 and 1842, and to Europe until in 1850, when he commenced upon longer voyages-and in years succeeding he made many long voyages in the California and East India trade, retiring from life at sea in 1871.

After his retirement, his services were sought by his fellow-citizens in the civil affairs of the town. He was chosen a member of the school committee of Dennis for nine successive years, in six of which he cc- cupied the position of superintendent of schools-the third incumbent of that office in the town. His labors to advance the educational standard of the schools bore good fruit, and marked improvement resulted from his efforts. He was elected a representative from the

564

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Third Barnstable district-comprising the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis -- for the years 1878 and 1879, and took an active and intelli- gent part in the debates and committee work of that body. Since 1SS1 he has filled the position of pilot commissioner for the port of Boston, receiving several reappointments. He is a working member of the Boston Marine Society, and is in frequent request in its busi- ness deliberations, and upon all its social and festive occasions.

Captain Howes has repaired the deficiencies of his early education by reading, study and observation. There are very few men engaged in business pursuits who have a better knowledge and higher appre- ciation than he of the best literature of the age; and he has traveled with open eyes, receptive mind, and habits of investigation in what- ever portion of the world his voyages have carried him.

Captain Howes married Deborah Bassett, of Ashfield. Mass., who died in 1860. He has two sons: Thomas B., a master mariner in the East India trade, and William C., engaged in business in Florida; and a daughter, Martha P., wife of Richard R. Hefler, of Dennis.

Captain Howes retains his homestead, near the site of the house of the original Thomas Howes, and upon soil that has never been alien- ated from the Howes family since it was granted to the first of the name by the colony court, in 1639. His place as a literary man is farther noticed by Hon. C. F. Swift, at page 255 of this work, where his portrait appears.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM F. HOWES was born October 8, 1813. He was the descendant in the fourth generation of David Howes, who about 1728 removed from Nobscusset, now North Dennis, to Sesuet Neck- in the common vernacular "Suet neck." This ancestor David, was a son of Lieutenant Jonathan Howes, whose father was Captain Thomas Howes, who several times led the Yarmouth contingent in the Narra- gansett war. His father Thomas Howes, sr., was one of the original grantees of Yarmouth.

The subject of this sketch was one of five sons of William Howes, who spent his later years cultivating the hereditary acres. These five sons all, sooner or later, took to the sea. William F. remained longer on shore, working on the farm and attending school, than most boys. In fact he was eighteen before he left home. Once commenced, he followed his calling closely. His home was literally on the deep for the greater part of his sea life. He was an active and efficient seaman and officer, and after numerous voyages, and passing through all the grades of seamanship, took command of a vessel in 1840. From that time on to his retirement in 1862 he was almost constantly at sea on distant voyages to most of the seaports of the world. It is worthy of notice that in eighteen years of his service he only changed ships once-sailing nine years each in two ships.

William 7:16 ames

565

TOWN OF DENNIS.

On retiring from the sea with somewhat enfeebled health, he de- voted his time mainly to his private affairs. but he was interested in all matters that concerned the public good. He was an earnest pro- moter of the East Dennis library, and all measures for social improve- ment. He was a person of somewhat reserved manners and taciturn- ity of speech, but his heart was sincere and kind, and his hand open when his judgment approved. He had a high character as shipmaster and as a man of business, and his firmness, perseverence, honesty and integrity were worthy of his sturdy ancestry.

Captain Howes was married December 31, 1838. to Captain Parker Miller's daughter, Betsey H., who died June 17, 1859. On the second of August, 1860, he married Margarette J., daughter of Stephen Homer. Mr. Homer, born in 1796, received a christian name which was born by his paternal ancestors for several generations. He was in his day a leading local man, a justice of the peace, school commissioner, mas- ter mariner, and for years an active salt maker at Quivet neck, where he lived and died in the house where his daughter, Mrs. Howes, was born.

Of Captain Howes' seven children, two died in infancy; William F., jr., born in 1844, was second mate in a merchant ship, and died in Calcutta, May 30, 1865; Benjamin P., born in 1849, was first mate on a merchant ship, and died in the West Indies, in 1876, and was buried at sea; his twin sister, Hannah, died in 1872; Stephen M., born Decem- ber 31, 1852, went into the stove business in 1872, at Rockland, Mass., and seven years later, at Boston in a wholesale stove business. His children are William F., Frank M. and Evelyn Howes. The only other surviving child of Captain Howes is his daughter, Bertha, born April 12, 1862, who with her widowed mother, resides at the home- stead at East Dennis, where he died November 4, 1878.

CAPTAIN LEVI HOWES, the eldest of the four brothers of Captain William F. Howes, above mentioned, was born February 20, 1812, and died May 11, 1874. He was the oldest of the five sons, all of whom retired safely after a seafaring life. At the age of twelve he went to sea, first serving as cook on a packet between East Dennis and Bos- ton, and within ten years he was himself a master mariner. His career at sea was somewhat eventful. At the age of twenty-eight he com- manded the ship Harold, of Boston, on a voyage from Calcutta, when the vessel was burned, barely allowing the escape of the crew to the boats. After several successful years in foreign merchantmen, he was interested with Christopher Hall and Prince S. Crowell in ships built at East Dennis, where, in 1845, he erected the residence now the summer home of his widow. The financial crisis of 1857 having effectually impeded this business, he again went to sea for a few years, retiring in 1865, having several times circumnavigated the globe.

566

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Captain Howes was a well-known shipmaster, standing high in his profession as a practical mariner, while as a business man he was highly respected in commercial circles. His first wife, Myra, daugh- ter of Isaiah and Thankful Howes, died in 1850, leaving a son-Levi A. Howes, now of Woods Holl. The captain was again married, December 28, 1852, to Eliza J. Davis, of Chatham, daughter of Samuel Davis, whose father was also Samuel. Her mother was Jane King, daughter of Roger King, of Brewster. The three children by the second marriage are: Austin P., who married Mollie Cook, and is a lumber and grain dealer at Blair, Neb .; Myra E., who married Nathan C. Sears, and resides at Wisner, Neb., and Helen L., who married Zebina K. Doane, and resides at Blair, Neb.

Captain Howes in his lifetime was deeply interested in the advancement of the schools of his town, to which he gave several years of his personal attention. He was characterized by his strong will, industry and conservative business habits, which assured his success in all undertakings on land and sea. His ability made him conspicuous for the official positions within the gift of his townsmen, but he declined all such honors, save the few years he was superin- tendent of their schools. The social relations of life and the scatter- ing of blessings in the paths of others pleased him best.

Thomas S. Howes, 2d, born in 1852, is descended from John', John", Edmunds, Amos4, Amos3, Joseph", Thomas Howes1. His mother was Sabra Sears. Mr. Howes is a cranberry grower. He was married in 1885, to Annette, daughter of Freeman G. Hall. They have two daughters: Annette S. and Elsie G.

Ebenezer B. Joy, eldest son of Ebenezer B. and Rhoda Joy, and grandson of John Joy, was born in 1833. Mr. Joy is a seafaring man. He was married in 1856, to Melissa D., daughter of Enos Rogers, of Harwich. Their children are: Allen B., Lulie E., E. Lincoln (died February, 19, 1890, aged twenty-two years,) Enos Rogers and Wini- fred Mary. Mr. Joy has been secretary and treasurer of the West Harwich Baptist Society for thirteen years.

Charles G. Kelley was born in 1823, in North Harwich, and died October 31, 1889. He was a son of Isaac, grandson of Anthony, and great-grandson of Ebenezer Kelley. His mother was Hannah, daugh- ter of Theophilus Burgess. Mr. Kelley first went to sea at the age of twelve, and at twenty-two took charge of a vessel. He was a member of Mount Horeb Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was married in 1845, to Chloe, daughter of Peter Coleman. They have had two children: Charles H. and Flora B. The latter is deceased.

Elihu Kelley was born in 1817. He is a son of Elihu and grand- son of Elihu, whose father was Eleazar Kelley, who was a large land owner in the southwestern part of the town of Dennis. His mother

Levi Homes

567

TOWN OF DENNIS.

was Betsey, daughter of Jabez Howes. Mr. Kelley was a seafaring man from the age of thirteen until 1882, and was master of vessels forty years. He was married in 1840, to Anna C., daughter of Gideon Crowell. They have four children: Gideon C., Ruth A. (Mrs. I. N. Baker), Faustina H. (Mrs. R. P. Kelley) and Ada A. (Mrs. George A. Nickerson).

Fernandes G. Kelley, son of Isaiah and grandson of Patrick Kelley, was born in 1821. His mother was Sally, daughter of James Downs. Mr. Kelley began going to sea at fifteen years of age and from 1843 to 1887 was captain. He was married in 1843, to Susan, daughter of David Howes. They have four daughters: Ellen, Susan H., Adelia C. and Lura M. Mr. Kelley is a member of the West Harwich Bap- tist church.

Howard Kelley, son of Ahirah, and grandson of Amos Kelley, was born in 1850 and is a seafaring man. He has been master of a schooner since 1884. He was married in 1876, to Amelia L., daughter of Richard Nickerson. They have three children: Celia D., Obed B. and Irving W.

James Kelley, the only surviving child of Samuel E. and Eliza (Covil) Kelley, grandson of Ebenezer, and great-grandson of Oliver Kelley, was born in 1837. At the age of twelve he began going to sea and since 1860 has been master of coasting and foreign vessels, and is now a member of the Boston Marine Society. His first wife, Mary H. Kelley, died, leaving one son, Edwin T. The present Mrs. James Kelley, is Mary L., daughter of Sears Howes. They have three daughters: Lizzie M., Sarah T. and Mary H.

Jonathan E. Kelley, son of Jonathan, grandson of Nehemiah, and great-grandson of Joseph Kelley, was born in 1849. His mother was Tabitha Hawes. Mr. Kelley has followed the sea since he was twelve years old, as master since 1877, and is a member of the Boston Marine Society. He was married in 1872, to Eliza, daughter of Sylvester Baker. They have two children: Thacher T. and Almena.

Joseph B. Kelley, born in 1819, is the only surviving child of Asa and grandson of Jeremiah Kelley. His mother was Hannah, daugh- ter of Joseph Kelley. Mr. Kelley began going to sea at the age of nine years, and from twenty-two years of age until 1878, went as cap- tain. He was married in 1840, to Abigail Howes. They have six - children: Leander, Esther H., Abbie, Joseph H., Isaac R. and Albert C. Mr. Kelley is a member of the West Harwich Baptist church.

Nathan Kelley; born in 1815, is a son of Bangs and grandson of David Kelley. His mother was Priscilla Small. Beginning at nine years of age, Mr. Kelley followed the sea until 1882, and was master thirty-five years. He was married in 1837, to Mehitabel Gage. They have two children living: Nathan B. and Phebe -- and have lost two.

568

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Otis E. Kelley, born in 1855, is the youngest son of John and Eliza Ann (Kelley) Hawes. Mr. Kelley's father died when he was a small boy and he was adopted by his mother's brother, Ebenezer Kelley, son of David Kelley, and his name was changed from Hawes to Kelley. He was married in 1879, to Lydia, daughter of Sears Howes. They have two children: Otis E., jr. and Athelia L.

Royal P. Kelley, born in 1848 in Harwich, is a twin son of Nehe- miah D., jr., and Mary (Doane) Kelley, and a descendant of Jeremiah Kelley, who was the first one of the name that settled on the Cape. Mr. Kelley has been engaged in the meat business at Dennis Port since 1875. Prior to that he was a sailmaker with his father. He was married in 1873, to Faustina H., daughter of Elihu Kelley. They have two children: Sarah H. and Inez M. Mr. Kelley is a member of the West Harwich Baptist church.

STILLMAN KELLEY .- This venerable gentleman, now a resident of East Dennis, is a descendant in the third generation from Patrick Kelley, who had a son of the same name, both residents of Harwich in the last century. Oliver, the next in the male line of this branch of the family, was born December 31, 1795, and married Priscilla Chase, born November 28, 1796. Of their seven children four sur- vive: Stillman, the subject of this sketch; Lorenzo, Priscilla and Mary A. Of these, Lorenzo, born January 9, 1820, married Fanny Small, of Brewster, and resides at Harwich: Priscilla, born December 15, 1822, married Zebina S. Doane, a ship broker in Boston; and Mary A., born February 17, 1834, married Anthony Megathlin, a mariner of Harwich.

Stillman Kelley was born February 16, 1816, went to sea at twelve years of age, coasting and fishing until 1840, and subsequently for nine years was captain of a packet from East Dennis to Boston. In 1849 he engaged in a fishing and mercantile business, as given in the East Dennis history. On December 22, 1836, he married Olive Howes Sears, daughter of Heman and Abigail Sears. She spent years in originating and perfecting the Sears family tree. She was born De- cember 29, 18IS, and at her death, February 1, 1879, left ten children: Heman Sears, born October 25, 1837; Olive Frances, July 18, 1840; Abbie Sears, September 18, 1842; Hannah Salisbury, February 13, 1844; Ellen Maria, January 27, 1846; Fannie Lavinia, April 19, 1848; Stillman Francis, February 28, 1851; Zebina Doane, November 17, 1852; Elsie Mary, March 17, 1857; and Carrie Walton, born April 29, 1860.

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.

History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 63

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York : Blake Number of Pages: 1292

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292