USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dracut > History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701 > Part 35
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Samuel, Jr.7, married in 1821, Hannah, daughter of Colonel Prescott and Elizabeth Varnum. He inherited the farm owned by his father, Samuel6, but after his marriage he removed to the Ebenezer Varnum farm which he transferred to his son, Phineas, and his later years were spent on a farm in the immediate neighborhood on Broadway. His children were: Phineas, born in 1821; Edward E., born in 1823; Prescott V., born in 1825; Samuel W., born in 1828; Andrew, born in 1830; George Au- gustus, born in 1835; Calvin, born in 1837; Cyrus, born in 1840. Two children died in infancy.
At the present time only two are living, viz., Calvin, who for many years was a farmer in Dracut, but recently removed to the Pacific coast and Cyrus now living at Concord, Mass.
T
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE
(See Page 199)
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Professional life attracted Cyrus rather than farming which was the occupation of his brothers, and he entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1864. Deciding to enter the ministry, he became a student at the Andover Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1869. His first pastorate was at Plymouth, N. H., and after three years' service, he ac- cepted a call to Keene, N. H., remaining there ten years. Re- ceiving a call to a church at Nashua, N. H., he accepted it and was very successful as a pastor. The church at Nashua was one of the largest in the city and in the twenty-six years of his labors there, his ability as a preacher and his faithfulness in pastoral work endeared him to his congregation and the people of the city where he located and from which he removed in 1909. He has held important offices. He was a trustee of Dartmouth College for the term of fourteen years and from which he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was also a trustee of the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society for twenty years. As a lecturer and orator, his services were in demand, and as a speaker in this capacity he was successful.
David7, born April 16, 1803, married Fanny Varnum. Dana?, born April 11, 1805, married Emily Swett. One son, Amos Tappan8, lived in Dracut. Josiah, Jr.5, had a son, Jonathan6, who married Mercy Richardson. There were twelve children. Among them Jonas7, born July 31, 1780, and lived at Hovey Square. He married Joanna Jones and the three children, Henry8, Julia8, who married Charles Hamblett and Justus8, all lived in town. Asa W. M. Richardson was son of Asa, a de- scendant of Ezekiel1. The line is Ezekiel1, James2, Thomas3, James4, James5, James6, Samuel7, Asa8, Asa Warren Mansur9. He married Catharine Clary. He inherited his father's farm on Burns' Hill, but his progenitors lived in Pelham. The line of Oliver, who lived at East Dracut, is the same as the above except that it is James6, James7, Oliver8, Almon9, Melvin9, Otis9, now living in Dracut.
VARNUM
George1 Varnum's home was at Ipswich, and his son, Sam- uel2, was the first to purchase land in Dracut with the intention of becoming a permanent settler. In 1668, he purchased a large
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tract of land on Merrimack River, but as the Indians were un- friendly, as it was immediately preceding King Philips' War he at first located on the Chelmsford side of the river when pro- tection was afforded by Hinchman's garrison and by Tyng's garrison in Tyngsboro. He cultivated land on the north side of the river, crossing in a boat for that purpose.
In 1669, Edward1 Colburn, who had been Varnum's neigh- bor at Ipswich, purchased land adjoining Varnum's on which was a garrison house, and it became the centre of a settlement of which Varnum was a member. He had seven children, five of whom were probably born at Ipswich, as only the two youngest appear on the Chelmsford records. The two oldest children, George3 and Samuel3 were killed by the Indians while crossing the river with their father, the Indians being in ambush on the Dracut side of the river. There is no record of the death or burial place of Samuel, Sr., but his death did not occur until after 1702, as in that year his name is found affixed to a petition for authority to lay out the town of Dracut. Thomas3, the oldest son, born in 1662, inherited the home farm. It is now in possession of Thomas, of the eighth generation.
The second son, John3, born in 1669, was the first white child born in the settlement and when he arrived at maturity his home was in the vicinity of the falls where he owned a mill.
Of the eight children of John3 none of the male line have been prominent in Dracut history, except Parker4 Varnum, who, being familiar with legal business, was called Squire Varnum. His home was at the corner of Varnum Avenue and Old Meadow Road. IIe was interested in the erection of Pawtucket bridge and was clerk of the corporation until 1805. Joseph3, born in 1672, located on the Indian reservation where a garrison house was built and which remained standing until recent years. This reservation included what is now the western part of the Navy Yard village and reached from Beaver Brook to some point above Pawtucket bridge and bordered on Long Pond. He purchased the Prime lot which was the sixteenth lot on the river in the Reserved Lands, in what is now the Kenwood district, which he deeded to his son, Samuel4, who married Mary Prime. Their son, Joseph Bradley5 Varnum, was very prominent in the affairs of the town. Inheriting the farm, he became a successful farmer
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and his grave is in the Varnum cemetery. He commanded a company of Dracut men in the Revolution and remaining a mem- ber of the State militia, he afterward attained the rank of Major General. He became a member of Congress, representing the district when the 4th National Congress assembled at Philadel- phia, and upon the removal of the seat of government to Wash- ington, he was elected Speaker of the House. Previous to this time he represented the town in the general court of the state.
The Varnums were influential in the early history of the town. Recognizing the value of the water privileges at the falls, they secured the land on Merrimack river and Beaver Brook, on the former of which they were the owners of valuable fishing rights. With the Colburns, the Varnums share the honor of being the pioneers in the settlement of the town.
Joseph3 had sons, Joseph4 and John4. Joseph4 had a son, Bradley5. Bradley, Jr.6, had a son, Charles7, whose sons, Joseph B.8 and Charles8, lived in Lowell, while the son of Charles8 is Thomas9, now a resident of Chelmsford.
GENERAL JAMES M. VARNUM
James M.5 was the oldest son of Samuel4, who purchased the Prime lot on Merrimack River, and whose wife was Mary Prime. His brother, Joseph Bradley5, inherited the home farm, while James received his share by being provided with a liberal edu- cation. From the schools of Dracut he entered Harvard College, where he remained one year and removed to Rhode Island Col- lege, since known as Brown University. After graduation he taught a classical school for a short time and then studied law in the office of Hon. Oliver Arnold, the attorney-general of Rhode Island. He married a daughter of Hon. Cromel Child, of East Greenwich, Conn., and resided at that town where he afterward entertained Generals Washington, Greene, Sullivan and others.
In 1774, he was elected colonel of the Kentish Guards, and as colonel of a regiment of Rhode Island infantry, he marched to Boston to take a part in the war for American independence. He bore an honorable part in the war, being present at the battle of White Plains. He was promoted to brigadier general in the Continental Army and in November, 1877, was ordered by Gen- eral Washington to take command of Fort Mercer, Red Bank
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and Fort Mifflin. The next year he returned to Rhode Island and took part in the defence of the state. His military career ended the next year, 1779, when he resigned and was chosen a member of the Continental Congress. He served in this body during the years 1786 and 1787, when the Northwest Territory being opened, he was appointed one of the judges of this territory.
In those early days public conveyancers were not introduced in the unsettled regions and the long journey was made, with only one companion, on horseback. He became very popular, as his education and natural ability enabled him to enter upon his duties and perform them to the satisfaction of the Govern- ment and to the people of the territory. But his health failed, he was obliged to relinquish his duties and he passed from earth in 1789 at the age of forty-one. This brief sketch is taken from a paper prepared by the late George B. Coburn and read before the Lowell Historical Society.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VARNUM
6
Benjamin Franklin, the youngest son of General Joseph B. and Molly (Butler) Varnum, was born April 11, 1795. From the district school he attended the Westford Academy, where he graduated and for a short time he taught school in the district where he formerly was a pupil. When 18 years of age, he went to Washington, where his father was a senator, and for a brief period, he was clerk of a committee. The duties were of a nature to be pleasing to him, as in his later life, he was successful in similar pursuits. But home duties demanded his presence, as his four older brothers, disliking a farmer's life, had gone out into the world and held honorable offices in state and nation. The life of a farmer was distasteful to him and his inclination was to follow his brothers into public life, but there was no one left to attend to the farm and care for the parents in their de- clining years, and laying aside his own inclinations, he accepted the trust.
The citizens of the town, realizing his ability, chose him for one of the selectmen, and in 1824 and 1825, he represented the town in the Legislature as Representative and the district as Senator in the six years that followed.
VARNUM SUPPLEMENT
On account of some oversight which was most unfortunate, the manuscript of the Varnum family was sent to the prin- ter incomplete.
It is the more regrettable as this was the pioneer family, its members active in the settlement of the town and the promo- tion of its welfare to the present time, and for its prominence in civil, military and political life. In an endeavor to do justice to the family and to the town, and to make partial amends for such incompleteness, these pages are added.
The names of George1 and Samuel2 have been recorded and the line of Thomas3 will be given. It is as follows: Thomas4 Thomas5 Thomas6 Thomas7. The last named is a successful farmer and, like his ancestors, lives on the ancestral acres. Thomas5 had a son, Jeremiah6, whose portrait is shown and sketch of life may be found on page 422. His son, Atkinson C., unlike his progenitors, who were farmers, chose a professional life, and after leaving Harvard College, he became a prac- ticing attorney in the City of Lowell. He was chosen to represent the 25th District in the Legislature. During the Civil War, he served as paymaster with the rank of Major. He served on the board of selectmen, his home being then located in Dracut, as Pawtucketville had not, at that time, been annexed to Lowell. He was President of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society and member of the State Board of Agriculture. He enjoyed historical work, and much of Dracut's carly history has been preserved which would have passed into oblivion if it had not been placed upon record by him. John4 had a son, Parker, who transacted legal business and was known as Squire Varnum. John4 had a son, Jonas5 who lived in the Collinsville section. His son, Jonas6, inherited his father's farm which he occupied during his lifetime. William P.6 lived near the outlet of Long Pond and with his brother, Nathaniel6, were quarrymen and furnished foundations for the
Lowell factory buildings. His brother, Nathaniel, owned the gristmill, as already recorded. William Parker, Jr.,7 inherited the farm and mill which at present are owned by Joseph P.8 Joseph,3 son of Samuel2 purchased Samuel Primes lot on Merrimack River, as recorded on page 89. Samuel4 succeeded his father on the lot which at his death, passed to his son, Joseph B.5, whose biographical sketch has been recorded on page 418. Benjamin Franklin6 was the youngest son of Joseph B.5 and a sketch of his life is already on record. Joseph, Jr.4, had sons, Ebenezer5 and Bradley.5 Ebenezer5 had a son, Prescott,6 who had a large family, only three of the sons Archibald O.7 John7 and Henry7 settling in Dracut. Archibald O.7 was a successful farmer and he inherited his father's farm. Biogra- phical sketches of John and Henry have been recorded. Prescott6 was prominent in Dracut affairs and held the office of Colonel in the Militia.
Benjamin F.6 had sons, Henry Clay," George W.7 and John M.7 The last named was a historian and the author of "The Varnums of Dracutt," a work of great value not only as a genealogy but as a history of the family. In common with other families and as was the custom in New England at that time, this family owned slaves. But the system of slavery was mild and while they could be bought and sold and be disposed of by leaving them to others by will, all information leads to the conclusion that they were treated in a humane manner, and cared for when old age came on.
While these pages record only members of the family who lived in Dracut and in common with the other old families have, for lack of space, only the record of such families, a study of the Varnum family will reveal the information that the descendants of these sturdy ancestors who have settled in other localities have been prominent in whatever occupation they have chosen. The military profession has been one in which they have been prominent. And as physicians, clergymen, lawyers, and men of business they have excelled.
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His duties as a farmer did not prevent his study of other professions, as he acquired the knowledge of surveying and when in 1826 the question of the boundary of the states, which had never been definitely settled was resumed, as related in a former chapter, he became a member of the commission from this state to determine the location. The duties of this commission did not produce definite results, but the work performed by him was so satisfactory that it had a great influence upon the final settlement many years after his death. He was employed by the town to survey the streams, ponds and highways, an account of which may be found in another chapter. This survey was of great benefit to the town, as it preserves much that is valnable in the history of the town.
The duties of the County Commissioners were at first per- formed by the Court of Sessions, but in 1828 this was abolished and a Board of Highway Commissioners, afterward known as County Commissioners, came into existence. He became a member of this first board on which he served until 1831, when he resigned to become high sheriff of Middlesex County, an office which he held for two terms of five years each.
He served as clerk and executive officer of the Central Bridge Corporation when incorporated, and he foresaw the wonderful changes which were to take place in a few years. His home was on the heights in Centralville overlooking the river and he had planned an extensive water system, which was abandoned at his death. In 1820, he married Caroline, daugh- ter of Joseph Bradley, whose father, Amos, purchased the ferry in 1761, where Central bridge now stands. She was eminently fitted to become the wife of one of the prominent men of the County, and she will be remembered for her many virtues. His ambition led him to desire higher offices which he intended to endeavor to secure when his term of Sheriff had expired, but all earthly honors ceased when on January 11, 1841, his life ended.
Adjutant General John Varnum, son of Colonel Prescott and Lydia (Richardson) Varnum, was born May 18, 1823. He received his education in the district schools of Dracut and chose for his life work the occupation of carpenter. At the termina- tion of his apprenticeship, he soon became a contractor, a busi-
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ness which he followed until the opening of the Civil War in 1861. He enlisted early in the war and was promoted to the rank of captain of a company of colored infantry, and at the close of the war, he became a resident of Florida. He repre- sented his district in the State Legislature and was chosen adjutant-general of Florida.
Henry Varnum, the seventh in descent from George, who lived in England, was the youngest son of Colonel Prescott and Lydia (Richardson) Varnum. He was a worthy citizen of the town, and while possessing sound judgment and good reasoning faculties, he had a retiring disposition, one which did not seek public office while well fitted for the duties. He was a farmer by occupation. He held the office of superintend- ent of highways several years and his services met the approval of the town. As superintendent of the town farm, he managed the affairs economically and with good judgment.
Jeremiah Varnum was a descendant of Samuel, who, with Edward Colburn, came from Ipswich and settled in the wilder- ness afterward called Dracut. He was a worthy citizen of the town and while not holding office, endeavored in every way to promote the interest of the town. By occupatiou he was a farmer and his home was on Varnum Avenue near his birthplace. As a young man he was familiar with this locality when there were only a few farm houses where Lowell now is situated. He was an earnest active Christian and his daily life proclaimed the fact that he was a faithful follower of the Master, whose teach- ings and example it was his desire to follow. He was for many years a deacon in the Pawtucketville Church and he is buried in the Woodbine Cemetery.
PEABODY
The name is an English name and found in the early records of England, in 1520, spelled Paybody. The Peabody genealogy states that: "The name itself was variously spelled even in the same parish and on the same document. The oldest and most prevalent form previous to the settlement of New England was Paybody. Two common words these syllables are, and perhaps they point back to a man or a succession of men
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in the fourteenth century (when surnames were chrystalizing) who paid the servants. Body meant person or individual, pay- body would carry the same idea as paymaster or paying teller."
The same authority given the spelling as Pabare, Paybodey, Paybodye, Pebody, Pebboddy, Paibody, Pabody and Peabody. Another writer records as follows :
"The original name was Boadie, and the founder of the family, at the instigation of Boadicea, Queen of the Britons (who was publicly whipped before her grown up daughters by the order of the bloody Emperor Nero in the year 61), made a raid upon the tyrant, and even ventured into his palace and carried away the miniature picture of his wife Poppea, which was retained in the family till about the eleventh century. By this daring exploit and others, which much pleased the rulers of that day 'Pea' which signified a large hill or mountain, big man, mountain man, was added, and as then spelled was 'Peabodie.' "
Lieut. Francis Peabody was born in St. Albans Hertford Co., England. When 21 years of age he, in the year 1635, having received a certificate of good character from the minister of his parish and been examined for emigration, sailed for America in the ship Planter. He lived at Ipswich until 1639, when he removed to Hampton, N. H., where he resided 18 years. He then removed to Topsfield, where he became a member of the board of selectmen and served as town clerk. At a town meeting held March 4, 1664 the town voted to "give liberty to Lieut. Francis Peabody to set up a grist-mill and to flow so much of the town's common as is needful for a mill so long as the mill does stand and grind for the town." His home was a few rods from the spot where his mill stood. He was probably a brother of John1 who also came from England at that time.
John1 was born in England, and came to this country about 1636, and lived at Duxbury. Francis2, born in England about 1612, married Mary- . William3, born at Hampton, N. H., married first Mary Brown and second Hannah Hale. Eph- raim4, born in Boxford, married Hannah Redington. Nathaniel5, born at Boxford in 1727, died August 17, 1778; married Hepsi- bah Barker of Andover. He was a soldier in the Revolution.
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His widow came to Dracut, and with her son, Amasa6, pur- chased of Daniel Hardy the land on Marsh Hill, a part of which was until recently owned by the descendants of John1. Nathaniel6, born in Boxford in 1767, died in Dra- cut in 1844. He married Elizabeth Cole. Nathaniel7, born in 1792, married, in 1822, Mary Gilchrest, and died in 1857. There were nine children in this family, all but two arriving at maturity.
Nathaniel& married first Elizabeth Blackwell and second her sister Nancy, widow of Jonathan Clough, and died January 25, 1917. John W.8, married Helen M. H. Colburn, and his home was formerly at New Boston village, but at present writ- ing he lives at the Navy Yard Village. Moses7, married Hannah J. Gregg of Windham, N. H., and at his death left three children. The son, Henry F.8, lived at the homestead and died in 1914. Ephraim7, married Sarah P. Davis of Acton, and died in 1858, in California, leaving one son, Benjamin H.8, who died in Lowell. The Peabody farm laid in the range of lots in the re- served lands, south of the Colburn New Meadows and north of the Cedar Pond road.
In the division of the farm, the Widow Hepsibah had the eastern half and her son, Amasa6, the western part, the last named was purchased later by Russell Fox. Hepsibah, in 1813, transferred her part to her son, Nathaniel6, who, in 1833, divided the farm between his sons Nathaniel7 and Moses7. Nathaniel7 conveyed his share in 1846 to his son Nathaniel8. Henry F.8 inherited the eastern part at his father Moses"7 death, as before mentioned.
THISSELL
The name is often spelled Thistle and the families of both names claim relationship, as it was not unusual for one branch of a family to continue the original spelling and the other branch to change it. Richard Thissell and wife Abiah, came from Beverly, and in 1750 purchased land on Christian Hill of John and Olive Coburn, who owned a large tract on the southern part of the eastern half of the Russell grant, this half being known as Belchers. In a deed given 1768 from John
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White to Solomon Abbott of 110 acres, it is described as border- ing on a townway that leads from the road to Bradley's Ferry to Richard Thissell's land, the road to Bradley's Ferry being the present Bridge street.
The Thissell farm which can be located was in the vicinity of the lower resevoir bounded on the west by Beacon street and until recently remained in the possession of the descendants of Richard.1 Joshua2 son of Richard and Mary (Mears) second wife, had sons, Nathan3, Joshua3, and Daniel3, who settled on this farm, but none of the name are left in the town.
There were three of the name in the Revolution one of these being Joshua2 the father of the three last mentioned, who mar- ried Lydia Mears of Billerica. Nathan4, son of Nathan3, inher- ited the homestead on the road to Methuen, later Methuen Street, and John Wallace4, son of Daniel3, married Mary A. Fox, and lived on Broadway. His occupation was that of farmer.
John Wallace Thissell was the son of Daniel and Prudence G. (Varnum) Thissell. He was born in Dracut September 4, 1826, and died in 1916. He resided in Dracut until a few years before his death when he removed to Lowell. His occupation was that of a farmer and his skill in farming enabled him to acquire a competence. He was interested in the affairs of the town although he preferred to not hold office. He was a con- sistent member of the Church at Dracut Center and was active in assisting and promoting every movement for the benefit of his fellowmen. Kind hearted and broad minded he won the re- spect of all who knew him.
WEBB
As the first white man to become a resident on the soil of Dracut, but not, as we have reason to believe, as a permanent settler, but as a speculator in the wild lands of the "Wilder- nesse," John Evered alias Webb is entitled to a place in these biographical sketches. His early home was in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, and he was in Boston as early as February 9, 1634, when he was admitted to the church, being then called a single man. He was made a freeman in 1636 and lived as
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a merchant in Boston for several years, owning the site of the "Old Corner Book Store" on School Street. He removed to Chelmsford after 1650, where he trafficked with the Indians, and assisted in locating land grants. He was ensign and captain of a Chelmsford military company and a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, and served as a Deputy from Chelmsford in the General Courts of 1664 and 1665. In 1659, with three of his military associates, he was granted 1000 acres of land on the north side of the Merrimack River, as described in the chapter on Early Grants.
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