History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 171

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 171

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Subsequently, difficulties arose concerning the funds of the first society, the trustees of which were Horatio Leonard, Maj. John Gilmore, and others, who were all among the seceders. They refused to pay over the income of the investment. Suit was brought, and the case conducted by Z. Eddy, of Middleborough, carried before the Supreme Court, where the decision was in favor of the first society, on the ground that the funds were originally given to it, and those who withdrew from the society could not lawfully carry any portion of the funds with them. The income then was about two hundred dollars, formerly it had

1 See Appendix.

2 Condensed from Rev. Mr. Sanford's " History of Raynham."

716

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

been more. Not long after Capt. Edward Leonard left to the society by his will a legacy of one thousand dollars and land worth eight hundred dollars. He also gave one thousand dollars to the Unitarian So- ciety in behalf of his brother Samuel, who intended to make the bequest had he executed a will.

Rev. Simeon Doggett, pastor of the Unitarian Church, came from Mendon to Raynham soon after the formation of the church in 1828, and died in 1852. He was the first preceptor of Bristol Academy, a scholarly man of dignified habits, and highly re- spected for his worth. He married a daughter of Dr. Fobes, and lived at the Centre, in the house now oc- cupied by E. B. Dean. His will, on record at the probate office, commences thus : "Impressed with the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said to Hezekiah, 'Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live.'" His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Charles Brigham, of Taunton.

The Union Church at North Raynham1 was or- ganized in 1875, the following being the original members : Willard M. Copeland, Mrs. W. M. Cope- land, Lafayette Dean, Mrs. Cassander Gilmore, Bar- num Hall, Edwin B. Hall, Mrs. Hiram E. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Hall, Mrs. Harriet E. Howard, Mrs. Julia A. Kelly, Mrs. James S. Leach, Mrs. S. Russell Lincoln, Rev. and Mrs. C. A. G. Thurston, Mrs. John D. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer B. Towne, Mrs. Charles E. Wetherell, Mrs. Sarah E. Wilbur, Barnum Hall and E. B. Towne, deacons, Willard M. Copeland, clerk and treasurer.

This society was established in accordance with a liberal bequest of Martin Luther Hall, of Brookline, a native of North Raynham, son of the late Seth and Selina Hall. He was a Boston merchant, and died Feb. 19, 1875, at the age of seventy-three years, leav- ing in his will a bequest of fifteen thousand dollars to purchase the land and build a church for the " North Raynham Religious Society for Christian worship forever," the trustees being his brothers, Barnum Hall, John G. Hall (of Boston), and Cassander Gil- more, of North Raynham. A handsome and tasteful church edifice was erected in 1876, in compliance with bequest, by the trustees co-operating with Deacon E. B. Towne, and was dedicated in November of that centennial year. The two latter trustees have de- ceased since the church was completed. Rev. C. A. G. Thurston was called as first pastor. He subse- quently resigned, and since that time the society has had no settled minister, but regular services are held, and the Sunday-school with scholars is in a prosper- ous condition. Edwin B. Hall was the first superin- tendent.

Baptist Church.1-The Baptist Society in Rayn- ham was organized in 1811. Meetings were held at the house of Asa King, and preaching services con- ducted by Rev. James Barnaby, Rev. Silas Hall, and

others. In May, 1815, Rev. Ebenezer Briggs, pastor of the Fourth Baptist Church in Middleborough, com- menced preaching for the Raynham Society one- fourth of the time, and thus continued his labors for fifteen years. From 1830 until 1843 he preached one- half of the time. Previous to 1831 he baptized five or six of the Raynham people. These joined the Fourth Baptist Church in Middleborough. In 1831 he baptized twenty-two in Raynham. From this date until 1839 the Raynham people were known as a branch of the Fourth Baptist Church in Middle- borough.

In 1832 the church edifice was erected at an ex- pense of about two thousand five hundred dollars. Asa King, Nathan Williams, Godfrey Robinson, Dorme- nio Hall, Turner E. King, and Job Robinson were the largest contributors to this object. After the com- pletion of the edifice the pews were sold and the money put on interest for the benefit of the society. Additions were afterwards made to this fund by Joseph Hall, Alvin Dean, and Bathsheba Caswell. The society now owns twenty-seven shares in the Bristol County Bank, and has three hundred dollars in the Taunton Savings-Bank. The income is annu- ally appropriated for the support of preaching.

In 1834 a deep religious interest prevailed. Rev. D. M. Crane, a student of Pierce Academy, preached evenings and alternate Sundays for a year or more. In the summer of that year Elder Briggs baptized forty-seven persons in Raynham. From this date until 1843, Professor Briggs or students from Pierce Academy frequently occupied the pulpit on the alter- nate Sundays.

The church was legally organized April 6, 1837. The following are the names of the constituent mem- bers, all of them being dismissed from the Fourth Baptist Church in Middleborough : Nathan Williams, Lucy Williams, Turner E. King, Charity Washburn, Rebecca King, Thankful King, Philip King, William P. King, Lucinda King, Samuel Shaw, Jr., Rachel Shaw, Mary Leonard, Serena T. Leonard, Hannah Robinson, Lucy Hall, Polly Allen, Mary Allen, Wil- liam King, Ardelia King, Job Robinson, Abiather Leonard, Alice Leonard, Morrill Robinson, Mary S. Robinson, Hannah Hall, Achsah Reed, Elvia Ann White, Philo Leonard, Serena K. Leonard, Soranus E. Leonard, Augustus L. Pratt, Vashti Pratt, Sidney Leonard, Hannah Leonard, Amasa Leonard, Dorme- nio Hall, Anna Hall, Enoch King, Elvira King, Silas King, Jr., Lucy King, Godfrey Robinson, Alanson Shaw, Elijah Dean, Hannah Dean, Martha S. Wil- liams, Abigail King, Mary Ann Hall, Phebe K. Hall, Eugenia Hall, Elizabeth Ann Waterman, Silas S. King, Philip K. Dean, Nancy Dean, William R. Rich- mond, Abigail Richmond, Bennet Perkins, William W. King, Fanny Hooper, Chloe Leach, Lerenda King, Bathsheba King, Julia K. Leonard, Keziah Leonard, Sarah Leonard, Phebe Leonard, Sarah Waterman, Susan Hall, Mary Eaton, Edward Gushee,

I By Capt. J. W. D. Hall.

2 By Mr. J. M. Manning.

717

RAYNHAM.

Fanny D. Gushee, Betsey B. Bump, Abigail Shaw, Caroline E. Shaw.

Dec. 7, 1839, Godfrey Robinson was chosen clerk of the church, and filled that office nearly thirty-five years. At the same date William King was chosen for one of the deacons, and Sept. 12, 1840, Godfrey Rob- inson was chosen for the other. These two performed the duties of this office for many years, the former most of the time until Jan. 31, 1880, when the present deacons were chosen. Enoch King has served as deacon for several years.

Elder Briggs baptized eleven in 1840. In 1842, Rev. A. W. Carr, a student from Pierce Academy, aided the pastor in an extensive revival. Fourteen were baptized in July of that year.

Feb. 22, 1843, Rev. Ephraim Ward was ordained pastor of the church, and continued as such about three years. He was followed by Rev. Silas Hall for one year. 'From 1847 to 1855 the church had no pastor. Rev. Abijah S. Lion, Rev. Charles Randall, Rev. Richard Lentell, Rev. Ebenezer Briggs, Rev. Silas Hall, and others supplied the pulpit.

In January, 1855, Rev. James Andem became pastor. During his pastorate five were baptized and the church was reorganized. Only those who signed the covenant anew, thus pledging themselves to at- tend the meetings of the church, were afterwards considered as members.

In 1855 the present parsonage was erected, costing sixteen hundred dollars. This expense was borne by individual proprietors. It is now owned in part by proprietors and in part by the Baptist Society.

In May, 1857, Rev. William Reed entered upon his duties as pastor. He baptized fifteen in 1858, and continued his pastoral labors until January, 1860. Rev. Thomas Atwood was the next pastor. Twenty- four were baptized by him in 1860. Rev. John Blain supplied the church with preaching for nearly a year, closing his labors in the spring of 1863. In the July following Rev. Lumin Kinney was chosen pastor, and remained as such over two years. In 1866, Rev. Asa Bronson occupied the pulpit from April until November. Rev. Ambler Edson was pastor from March, 1867, until January, 1870. He baptized fif- teen.

During the summer of 1870 the meeting-house was thoroughly remodeled inside and provided with a furnace, at an expense of about two thousand dollars.

Rev. Albert Colburn served the church as pastor from November, 1870, until May, 1873, and Rev. J. W. Lathrop from November, 1873, until November, 1875, baptizing six in 1874. In December, 1875, Rev. T. C. Tingley was unanimously chosen pastor. He baptized eleven in 1877. The church then numbered one hundred and four.

In 1863, Amos Robinson was licensed by the church to preach the gospel, and in 1877, William K. Miller received from the church a similar license. Both have been preaching in Iowa.

W. K. Miller served as church clerk for two years. Aug. 4, 1877, the present clerk was chosen.

In 1840 the Raynham Church was received into the Old Colony Baptist Association, and remained con- nected with that Association until 1860, then it united with the Taunton Baptist Association.

The present officers are Rev. T. C. Tingley, pastor ; J. G. Robinson, O. T. Dean, deacons; J. M. Man- ning, clerk.

Incorporation of the Town .- Raynham was set off from Taunton and incorporated as a separate town April 1, 1731. Among other things the act of incor- poration provided " that the inhabitants of said town do, within the space of three years from the publica- tion of this act, procure and settle a learned and or- thodox minister of good conversation, and make provision for his comfortable and honorable support, and likewise provide a schoolmaster to instruct their children to read and write."

The council ordered Ebenezer Robinson, one of the principal inhabitants, to warn a meeting of the citi- zens to choose town officers. The warrant was issued under the authority and in the fourth year of the reign of His Majesty George II.

At the first town-meeting Samuel Leonard, Jr., was chosen town clerk, and John Staples, Samuel Leonard, and Ebenezer Robinson selectmen.

In 1732, John White was chosen clerk of the market.

Elijah Dean and Thomas Baker were elected tith- ing-men.

Selectmen, Town Clerks, and Representatives from 1731 to 18841 have been as follows :

SELECTMEN.

1731. John Staples. 1795. Reuben Hall.

Ebenezer Robinson. 1798. Abraham Hathaway.

Shadrach Wilbur. 1802. Seth Dean.

1733. Joseph Jones. William Byram.

John White.

1804. Godfrey Robinson.

Jacob Hall.

1806. Nehemiah Jones.

1744. Jonathan Shaw.

Thomas Leonard.

1748. Josiah Edson.

1807. Barzillai King.

1751. Seth Leonard.

Edward Leonard.

Edmund Williams.

1813. Seth Washburn.

Joseph Dean.

1820. Capt. Samuel Wilbur.

1826. Amos Hall.

1762. Benjamin King.

1824. Nathan Williams.

1775. Joshua Leonard. Joseph Dean.

Silas King.

1826. Sylvester Robinson.

1776. Jonathan Ifall.

1831. Warren Lincoln.

1778. Gamaliel Leonard. Paul Leonard.

1833. Eli K. Washburn.

1781. Stephen Dean.

1836. Leonidas Dean.

Josiah Dean.

Enoch King.

1782. Andrew Gilmore.

1841. Ziba Wilbur.

Abiel Williams.

John Tracy. Job Robinson.

1785. Col. Jonathan Shaw.

1842. Abisha Lincoln.

Amos Ilall.

1815. Jahasialı King,

Thomas Dean.

1846. Absalom Leonard.

1787. John Gilmore.

1847. Amos R. IIall.

1792. George Williams.

1848. Charles Robinson.

1 For continuation of Representatives see Appendix.

1760. Ebenezer Britton.

Sylvester Robinson.

1754. Israel Washburn.

1814. Lloyd Shaw.

1756. Elijah . Leonard.

1832. Silas Shaw,

Mason Shaw.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1848. Henry H. Crane. Benjamin F. Dean.

1855. Abiathar Leonard.

1856. Richard G. Robinson.

1858. John D. G. Williams.

Philo Leonard.

Henry H. Crane.

Enoch Robinson.

1853. Alpheus Pratt.

1865. Thomas B. Johnson.

1855. Thomas F. Cushman.

1868. Thomas S. Cushman.

Many members of the board of selectmen served a number of years; the date of election only is given.

TOWN CLERKS.

1731. Samuel Leonard.

1821. Abraham Hathaway.

1749. Josialı Dean.

1832. William Snow.

1764. Zephaniah Leonard.

1846. Soranns Hall.

1777. Mason Shaw.

1857. Sainnel Jones.

1781. Robert Britton.

1865. Dennis Rockwell.

1785. Seth Washburn.

1866. Samuel Jones.

1805. Josiah Dean.

1868. Arunah A. Leach.

1806. Iloratio Leonard.

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT .- " By reason of the smallness of the town" no repre- sentative was chosen for the first thirty years of its existence. Then each town paid its own representa- tive. In 1759, Zephanialı Leonard was chosen but declined to serve. The next year the town was fined for not choosing a representative, and Josiah Dean was delegated to petition the General Court to remit the fine. In 1768 and 1769, Zephaniah Leonard was chosen to represent the town, and received £7 78. 6d. for the two years' service. This sum he gave to the public for the purpose of purchasing a lot for the proposed new meeting-house.

Benjamin King was chosen in 1774, and also to act as delegate to the Provincial Congress which met at Salem in October of that year. In 1775 he was again chosen, and in

1777. Zephaniah Leonard.

1828. Samuel Wilbur.

1780. Israel Washburn.

1830. Godfrey Robinson.

1782. Noah Hall.

1831. Ellis Hall.

1792. And the three following years, Josiah Dean.

1837. Amos Hall.

To the convention for rati-

1838. Enos L. Williams. Absalom Leonard.

fying United States Consti- tution, Israel Washburn.

1839. Amos Hall.

1795. Seth Washburn.

1841. Carini Andrews.

1798. George Williams.

1842. William King.

1799. Josiah Dean.

1843. Abisha Lincoln.

1801. Abraham Hathaway.

1850. Cassander Gilmore.

1803. William A. Leonard.

1852. Soramus Hall.

1804. Israel Washburn.

1853. Barzillai King.

1810. Josiah Dean.

1857. Rev. Robert Carver.

1813. John Gilmore.

1858. John D. G. Williams.

1859. Hiram A. Pratt.

1820. Delegates to Convention for revising Constitution, Rev. Silas Hall.

1860. Enoch Robinson.

1863. Henry H. Crane.

1821. Samuel Wilbur.

1865 Theodore Dean.

1822. Godfrey Robinson.

1825. Amos Hall.

" In the north part of the town are a number of intelligent and thrifty families of African descent. Their ancestor was Tobey Gilmore, a servant of John Gilmore the 5th. He served in the Revolutionary army, was servant to Gen. Washington, his particular duty being the care of the general's tents. He saved his bounty, bought land, and founded a family. He died April 19, 1812; lies in the North Cemetery, under

a blue headstone, and numerous descendants have preserved his name. One Boland, who became a Tory in the Revolution, formerly occupied the land confiscated and sold to Tobey. It subsequently ap- peared that Boland held only a life interest in the land, and the State repaid his heirs twenty thousand dollars about the year 1845, to indemnify them for the sale.

" Cuff Leonard, a colored citizen of this town, who died in 1825, was eight years in the Revolutionary army, a part of the time in the ranks, and a part of the time as servant of Governor Brooks. Cuff was brought up in the family of Capt. Joshua Leonard, from whom he derived his surname. Tradition says he captured six Hessians one night, when on picket guard, and brought them into camp. He was at the battle of Saratoga and surrender of Burgoyne. He received a pension, lived comfortably near the house of Mr. Macy Williams, and left a son Charles, famed for his amiability, intelligence, and debonair manners."

For many years after the organization of the town few debts were incurred. Money was scant, and stren- uous efforts were made to avoid liabilities. In 1754 the town voted " that their treasurer receive the bar- iron due to the town on their half-share on the old iron-works, and that he dispose of a part of it to buy a funeral pall for the use of the town, and keep the remainder till further ordered."

" It was put to vote to determine if the town would add three hundred pounds, old tenor, to Rev. Mr. Wales' salary, in order to raise it to four hundred pounds, one-third to be paid in bar-iron at nine pounds per hundredweight, the other two-thirds in provisions,-Indian corn at twenty shillings per bushel, rye thirty shillings, beef eighteen pence per pound, which sum, reduced to sterling money, is fifty- three pounds, six shillings, eight pence," and was voted in the affirmative.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES ROBINSON.

As the orthography indicates, the Robinson family originated in the Highlands of Scotland, where for many years they bore a prominent part in the stir- ring events of that country's history. Later they emigrated to the north of Ireland, and became lead- ing Protestants and earnest opposers of the Papal power.

Gain Robinson, the first American ancestor, brought to this country with him recommendations from the leading Protestant churches and churchmen in Ire- land. He landed at Plymouth, lived a while at both Braintree and Pembroke, but finally settled in East Bridgewater. His wife was Margaret Watson, by whom he had several children, one of whom was a

1850. Nathaniel B. Hall.

1854. Martin White.

1869. Enoch King.

1835. William Snow.

yours truly

719

RAYNHAM.

sergeant in the French war, under Gen. Winslow, and died in Nova Scotia. Gain1 died in East Bridge- water in 1763, aged eighty-one. His wife died in 1777, aged seventy-seven.

Gain2, son of Gain1, was born in 1724. He married a Dyer. They had nine children. He died of small- pox in 1778.

Gain3, son of Gain4, married a Gardner, by whom he reared a family, of whom Dycr4 was one. He was born Feb. 28, 1765. He married Abigail, daughter of Abishai Stetson, 1787, and settled in South Bridge- water. Their children were Clara, born Nov. 19, 1787, died Oct. 12, 1859; Increase, born Dec. 25, 1789, died July 17, 1869; Dyer, born Oct. 15, 1792, died Feb. 15, 1873; Gad, born Nov. 13, 1795, died May 27, 1880; Jacob, born Oct. 24, 1798; Charles, born Oct. 15, 1800; Salome, born March 3, 1803; Nabby, born May 25, 1805; Enoch, born July 31, 1808.

their facilities and increased their production. In August, 1881, they met with a very considerable loss in the destruction by fire of their nail-factory and steam tack-plate mill. Instead of rebuilding the nail-factory, they purchased what was known as the Somerset Iron Company's works, located at Somerset, Mass. This mill is now a part of and conducted under the charter of the Old Colony Iron Company. The tack-plate mill was rebuilt, and that department of the business is continued at East Taunton, as before. Prior to the fire they manufactured more nails than any other one concern in New England, their pro- duetion having reached as high as one hundred and thirty thousand kegs in one year. They now make a specialty of shovels, and also do a large business in rolling all kinds of iron plates for the manufacture of tacks and for various other purposes.

Mr. Robinson was at different periods stockholder and director in the Bridgewater Iron Company, Par- ker Mills, Weymouth Iron Company, Taunton Loco- motive Manufacturing Company, and Taunton Oil Cloth Company. He was a very successful business man, and continued in business up to the time of his death. He was a Whig and Republican in poli- ties ; was selectman in town many years, and was a member of the Unitarian Church at Taunton. He married Ann M. Keith, Nov. 24, 1825 ; she was the daughter of Zenith and Jane H. (Carey) Keith, of East Bridgewater. They had five children,-Charles T., Lucy Ann, Albert Jenks, Theodore (deceased), and Edgar. Mr. Robinson died Feb. 8, 1882, in the eighty-second year of his age, he having been born Oet. 15, 1800.

Dyer was by occupation a forgeman in iron-works, and his sons were brought up to the same business. Charles and Enoch early became practical iron-work- ers, and Charles, when a young man, was employed in the office of Lazell Perkins & Co. (now Bridge- water Iron Company). He was also at one time en- gaged, with an unele of his, at Marshfield, Mass., trading, and when about twenty years old spent one winter in North Carolina on a trading expedition. About 1828 he came to East Taunton as agent for Horatio Leonard & Co., the then owners of what is now Old Colony Iron-Works. The position he filled was equivalent to general manager or supervisor of the entire works, which consisted in nail and tack manufacturing and rolling iron, together with a store Enoch Robinson was born July 31, 1808. He had even less opportunities for education than had most boys of that period, as he only attended school one three-months' session, but by applying himself dili- gently to study at home during his leisure hours he managed to obtain a very fair English education. for furnishing supplies to the operatives. Some years later the style of the firm was changed to Taunton Iron Company. In the stock of this company both Charles and Enoch Robinson became shareholders, and Charles still retained the general management. In 1842 the works suspended, or rather an assignment At the age of seventeen he went to East Bridge- water and worked eighteen months for his brother Jacob; then to South Bridgewater, where he finished his trade, making forgings of all kinds for Lazell Perkins & Co .; then in 1829 came to East Taunton. was made to trustees, in order to have the affairs of the concern looked into and settled up. This inves- tigation resulted in finding the business solvent and capable of paying all indebtedness. In 1843 the works were sold at auction, and bought in by a syn- Like his brother Charles, he learned his trade as iron forger, making anchors, ete., as soon as old enough, and in 1829 he came to East Taunton and began work in the mills of which he is now superintendent. The development of this industry from its small beginning to its present large proportions has been largely due to the efficient management and superintendenee of the Robinson brothers, and it stands to-day a monu- ment to their skill, enterprise, and ability. Mr. Rob- inson has devoted himself strictly to his business, and has sedulously avoided, so far as in his power, all offices. He has, however, been one of the selectmen of his town since 1848, and was a member of the State Legislature in 1860. He has been ever since its or- dicate, of which Charles and Enoch Robinson were members. In 1844 it was reorganized and ineor- porated as Old Colony Iron Company, and was offi- cered as follows: Samuel L. Crocker, president ; Charles Robinson, as agent and secretary ; George A. Crocker, as treasurer; and Enoch Robinson, as superintendent. About 1856, Charles was chosen treasurer. He held the position of secretary till 1866, when his son, Charles T., was chosen in his stead. He continued, however, as treasurer of the company to the time of his death. Upon the reor- ganization of the company in 1844 they greatly en- larged the sphere of their operations, and from that time to the present they have year by year added to i ganization one of the directors of the Old Colony

720

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Iron Company, and is also director of the Bridgewater Iron-Works, the Weymouth Iron-Works, Parker Mills, the Taunton Locomotive-Works, and a shareholder in all of them ; also in the Taunton Oil Cloth Company. He is a Republican in politics. In 1834 he married Sophia V. Saunders, daughter of William Saunders, of Raynham, by whom he had six children,-Enoch (deceased), Amanda L., Henry H., Nahum S. (de- ceased), Caroline E., and Nahum S.2 Mr. Robinson married, second, Nancy T. Jewett; no issue. His · third and present wife is Julia (King), daughter of Daniel Hall, of Marion. They have one child,- Marie Dyer.

Of the children above named, Nahum S. is located at Somerset, and is one of the proprietors of that branch of the business. Henry is with his father in Raynham, and is assistant superintendent of the works. Amanda is now Mrs. Charles L. Haskins, of East Raynham. Caroline E. is now residing with her father.

Mr. Robinson is a hale, well-preserved man, and bids fair to live many years.

TOWNE FAMILY.

The name of Towne, Town, or Townes, as it is sometimes spelt, is one of not frequent occurrence. It may be found here and there, generally in com- munities of Anglo-Saxon derivation, and though sur- names began to be used in England about the time of the Norman Conquest, and from time to time for three or four centuries continued to be adopted till they came into general use, this does not seem to be one that met with much favor .. The earliest existence of it known to the writer was A.D. 1274, when William de la Towne, of Abvely, a village in the county of Shrop- shire, England, about twenty miles southeast of Shrews -. bury, the capital of the county, was at that time in the prosecution of a suit at law against one of the officers of the parish, and the following year was on a jury at Astley, in the same county. The next we hear from it is one hundred and thirty or forty years later, in the reign of Henry IV., when upon the win- dows of the church in Kennington, Kent County, im- paled with that of Ellis, of the same place, were the arms of a family by this name, being argent on a chevron, sable, three cross crossletts, ermine. Thomas at Towne, who at this time possessed much land about Cheving, and who bore the same coat of arms, married Benedicta, only daughter of John Brampton, alias Ditling, of Ditling Court, and thereby inherited a manor in Throwley, where he remained and erected a seat about one-fourth of a mile from the church, and named it Towne Place, soon after which he died, leaving his possessions to three daughters, coheiresses, of whom Eleanor married Richard Lewknor, of Chul- lock. Bennet, or Benedicta, married William Wattin, of Addington, and Elizabeth married William Sernes, of the same parish. His estate was divided about A.D.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 171

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818