USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > History of Milford, Massachusetts, part 2 > Part 78
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URSULA B., a. 17 yrs.
They removed to Ashland, where Mr. Wilcox d. Aug. 31, 1861, a. 54 yrs. His wid. still survives; she res. in So. Douglas.
WILKINSON. Our Wilkinsons, though of ancient lineage, are compara- tively recent comers. William S. Wilkinson came into town in 1843; his bro. Robert in 1845; and their younger bro., David L., not long after. They were sons of David and Thankful (Sayles) Wilkinson, natives of Smithfield, R.I. About the yr. 1848 Capt. Alexander T. Wilkinson came over from Mendon with his family, and set. here. A yr. later Mrs. Abigail, his mr., came with 2 drs., Lovicy and Silence, and an elder sister, the wid. of Alexander Thayer, all from North Mendon. Mrs. Abigail was the wid. of Israel Wilkinson, a cousin of tlie aforesaid David, and a native of Smithfield, R.I. All these are descendants of an eminent immigrant from Eng., who joined Roger Williams at Providence, R.I.,
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1124 BIOGRAPHICO-GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
between the yrs. 1645 and 1652. Omitting many interesting historical facts concerning this ancestor and his descendants, I will commence my tabulations on the authority of a vol. entitled "Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America," with the record of, -
WILKINSON, DAVID 6 (Robert,5 Israel,4 Samuel,3 Samuel,2 Lawrence 1), b.
Dec. 5, 1783; m., 1st, Lucy Capron, dr. of Joseph Capron; she d. at an early age, leaving 1 child, a dr. -
ABBY ANN, b. Nov. 1, 1810; m. Caleb Bryant of Woonsocket; d. Aug. 7, 1837.
The lus. m., 2d, Thankful Sayles, dr. of Smith and Abigail (Scott) Sayles of Smithfield, R.I .; further particulars not given. Their chn .:-
LUCY CAPRON, b. April 29, 1814; m., 1st, Barton Cook; 2d, Otis Carpenter; 3d, - Bailey.
ROBERT SMITH, b. Feb. 19, 1817; m. Maria Morrison, Woonsocket, R.I., 1841.
MARY LAPHAM, b. Jan. 7, 1819; m. John O. Sayles. She d. June 5, 1842. JOANNA, b. March 29, 1820; m. Elbridge G. Cook.
JULIA EMMA, b. Oct. 13, 1821; m. Samuel Ford. She d. April 8, 1848. WILLIAM SCOTT, b. March 26, 1823; m. Laura C. Paine, April 27, 1848. AMANDA MALVINA, b. March 12, 1825; unm .; res. mostly in Mil.
DAVID LAWRENCE, b. Oct. 6, 1826; m. Sarah L. Tourtellott, June 15, 1853. ADELIA BALLOU, b. March 25, 1828; m. Samuel Ford, Newark, N.Y. THANKFUL SAYLES, b. July 9, 1831; m. Amariah A. Taft, Feb. 20, 1854.
The hus. and fr. d. Aug. 9, 1836, a. 53 yrs. Mrs. Thankful, his wid., d. May 31, 1860. An intelligent, enterprising, and much respected family. David Wilkinson is thus justly described in the "Memoirs" above alluded to: "He was a man of delicate constitution, a good scholar, well versed in mathematics, including surveying and navigation. He was frequently elected to offices of trust, being at different times member and president of the town council, representative to the General Assembly," etc.
WILKINSON, ISRAEL 6 (Israel,5 Israel,4 Samuel,3 Samuel,2 Lawrence 1), b. March 23, 1789; an ingenious mechanic; m. Abigail Carpenter, dr. of Oliver and Joanna (Ballou) Carpenter of Mendon ; further particulars of the inge. not found. Their chn. : -
ALEXANDER THAYER, b. June 10, 1815; m., 1st, Maria Sayles; 2d, Emily Morrison.
EDWIN CARPENTER, b. Oct. 19, 1816; d. Oct. 17, 1817.
LOVICY, b. Jan. 10, 1819; lives in unm. usefulness.
SILENCE JUDD, b. Jan. 28, 1821; lives in unm. usefulness.
A family of excellent capabilities and solid moral worth. The fr. d. Oct. 18, 1820. Mrs. Abigail, his wid., d. in Mil., Nov. 20, 1859.
WILKINSON, ALEXANDER THAYER7(Israel, 6 Israel, 5 Israel, 4 Samuel, 3 Samuel,2 Lawrence 1), b. June 10, 1815; m., 1st, Maria Sayles, dr. of Arnold and Lillis (Irons) Sayles, b. in Burrillville, R.I .; cer. Mendon, Aug. 17, 1833, by Rev. Paul Dean of Boston. Their chn .:-
EDWIN, b. Feb. 19, 1835; m. Mary F. Rainsford, March 28, 1860.
LEONIDAS, b. Feb. 28, 1837; m. Rhoda V. Davis, 1864.
IRA, b. Nov. 25, 1838; d. Oct. 25, 1842.
WALTER, b. Dec. 5, 1840; d. in battle, May 5, 1862, Williamsburg, Va.
MARY, b. Jan. 2, 1843; m. Francis Metcalf, Bell.
ABBY, b. Nov. 21, 1844; unm .; res. Bell.
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WILKINSON FAMILIES.
EMMA, b. May 31, 1847; m. E. Davee.
LESLIE, b. Dec. 21, 1849; d. May 15, 1870.
ALICE, b. Nov. 22, 1851; m. Frederick Warren ; res. Auburn.
Mrs. Maria d. Oct. 11, 1853. The hus. m., 2d, Emily Morrison, dr. of David and Lydia (Streeter) Morrison, b. Cumberland Hill, R.I., Aug. 15, 1818; cer. at Woonsocket, Aug. 6, 1855, by Rev. John Boyden.
The hus. and fr. has distinguished himself by general intelligence, mercan- tile aptitudes, patriotic public spirit, and his interest in the reforms of the age. He has been captain of militia, held various town offices, been justice of the peace, and assistant collector of internal revenue. He has res. mostly in town since he first became a citizen, though for short periods in Boston, Worces- ter, etc., as circumstances rendered necessary. Three of his sons went to the war in defence of the Union; viz., Edwin, Leonidas, and Walter. The latter fell in battle at Williamsburg, Va. He was the first soldier from Mil. that lost his life in that great conflict. He received eminent funeral honors from our citizens. In respect to all three, see the "War-Record."
WILKINSON, EDWIN & (Alexander Thayer,7 Israel,6 Israel,5 Israel,4 Samuel,8
Samuel,2 Lawrence1), b. Feb. 19, 1835; m. Mary F. Rainsford, dr. of John L. and Maria E. Rainsford, b. in Bangor, Me. ; cer. at Hopedale, March 28, 1860, by the writer. Their chn. : -
FREDERIC SAYLES, b. Jan. 7, 1862.
NELLIE AUGUSTA, b. Jan. 10, 1864; d. March 27 ensuing.
WALTER F., b. Jan. 23, 1865.
MARY, b. date not reported.
JESSE, b. date not reported ; present res. Natick.
WILKINSON, LEONIDAS,8 bro. of Edwin, b. Feb. 28, 1837; m. Rhoda V. Davis of Winchendon, 1864; other particulars not given. Issue: -
WALTER E., b. March 26, 1865.
Several more chn. since b., but not reported; present res. Chicopee.
WILKINSON, ROBERT SMITH7 (David,6 Robert,5 Israel,4 Samuel,3 Samuel,2 Lawrence 1), b. Smithfield, R.I., Feb. 19, 1817; m. Maria Morrison, dr. of David and Lydia (Streeter) Morrison, b. in Woonsocket, R.1., April 17, 1822; cer. at Woonsocket, 1841, by Rev. William S. Balch. Their chn. :- DAVID LUCIAN, b. June 18, 1842; commenced practice of law here; d. sud- denly, New Orleans, Nov. 5, 1878.
ELIDA M., b. April 24, 1844.
FRANK E., b. Jan. 18, 1847; d. New Orleans, yellow-fever, Oct. 15, 1878.
An enterprising and worthy family, but subjects of much affliction. Mrs. Maria d. Mil., Dec., 1866. The only dr. is beclouded by mental derangement ; and the 2 sons d., as above, only a few weeks apart. The fr. res. with his bro. William, and bears up under his adversities with remarkable fortitude.
WILKINSON, WILLIAM SCOTT7 (David,6 Robert,5 Israel,4 Samuel,8 Samuel,2
Lawrence1), b. Smithfield, R.I., March 26, 1823; mn. Laura C. Paine, dr. of Thomas A. and Zilpha (Remington) Paine, b. in Woonsocket, R.I., June 18, 1826; cer. New York City, April 27, 1848, by Rev. William Y. Rooker. Issue : -
ANNA MAE, b. Nov. 4, 1848; m. George Schuyler Whitney, June 9, 1870. THOMAS PAINE, b. Jan. 20, 1852; m. Anna M. Taft, Oct. 28, 1875; res. Mil. CHARLES FREMONT, b. July 12, 1856; m. Etta A. Leland, Dec. 24, 1879; res. Mil.
MAUD, b. May 11, 1866.
1126
BIOGRAPHICO-GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
Reputable family, - industrious, economical, and orderly. Mr. W. has been engaged mostly in farming and the meat business. Res. on So. Main St., on a landed estate once belonging to the Haywards of that neighborhood, - the Ora Howard place.
WILKINSON, DAVID LAWRENCE 7 (David,6 Robert,5 Israel, 4 Samuel,3 Samuel,2 Lawrence1), b. Oct. 6, 1826, Smithfield, R.I .; m. Sarah L. Tourtellott, dr. of Lyman and Laura Ann (Fisher) Tourtellott, b. in Woonsocket, R.I., Nov. 15, 1834; cer. in Woonsocket, June 15, 1853, by Rev. John Boyden. Their chn. :
ELLEN L., b. Nov. 28, 1854; m. Allen C. Sweeting, Nov. 15, 1875.
EDITH L., b. May 27, 1863; d. Pawtucket, May 27, 1874.
IRVING LAWRENCE, b. Dec. 8, 1865; d. Dec. 12 ensuing.
Intelligent and estimable family. While res. here he was first engaged in, the meat-business with his bro. William. Later he turned his attention suc- cessfully to surveying and civil engineering. He left town a few yrs. since, and now res. in Pawtucket, prosperously pursuing his engineering business.
WILL, Capt. JOHN and wf. Ruth, with chn. ELIZABETH, CHARLES, and
NANCY, came into town, as tenants of Seth Davenport, April 10, 1788, were warned out in 1791, and no more mentioned.
WILLARD, HENRY, son of Joseph and Betsey (French) Willard, b. Grafton, Vt., Sept. 16, 1833; machinist; m. Elnora Goodenow, dr. of Leonard and Harriet (Evans) Goodenow, b. Charlestown, N.H., Nov. 12, 1834; cer. Claremont, N.H., Jan. 1, 1868, by Warren Evans, Esq. Issue : 1 child, b. Nov. 5, 1863; d. 14th same month. I infer that this family must have res. in town some 10 or 12 yrs. I presume they are worthy people, of com- mendable characteristics in business and social circles, and altogether su- perior to Mr. Willard's chirography, which I fear I may have misinterpreted in rendering names. If so he must excuse my awkwardness, for I am a tyro in hieroglyphics.
According to directories, the following named Willards have res. here :-
WILLARD, CHARLES, bds. at Felton's Hotel. 1856.
WILLARD, JOSIAH, watchmaker. 1856.
WILLARD, PHINEAS. 1869, '72, '75, '78, '80.
WILLARD, GEORGE, painter, Hopedale. 1872, '75, '78, '80.
WILLARD, EDGAR P., bootmaker. 1875, '78, '80.
WILLIAMS, PRUDENCE, negro servant of Jonathan Williams, was bap. by Rev. Mr. Frost, Sept. 29, 1776.
WILLIAMS (wid.) ABIGAIL, had the following-named chn. bap. here by Rev. Mr. Long, Nov. 8, 1801 :-
JASON, POLLY, HENRY, HARLOW, and LORING.
WILLIAMS, HARLOW, above named, and wf. Sarah (Pierce), are credited with the following specified births :-
HENRY, b. April 8, 1823.
SARAH, b. Nov. 23, 1824.
SOPHIA, b. April 1, 1827.
SAMUEL, b. March 15, 1829.
WILLIAM, b. July 31, 1830. Family no further traced.
WILLIAMS, GEORGE H.4 (Nathan A.,8 William, jun.,2 Rev. William 1), b. Wrentham, Dec. 26, 1838; mr.'s maiden name Esther B. Haradon; m. Anna Ferniough, dr. of William and Catherine (Burnett) Ferniough, b.
1127
WILLIAMS AND WILLIS.
Galway, N.Y., Aug. 2, 1843; cer. Frankford, Pa., June 23, 1864, by Thomas P. Coulston. Issue :-
CARRIE E., b. Medway, May 26, 1865.
An intelligent and reputable family. They have res. in Hopedale over 7 yrs. Mr. Williams is an expert and diligent machinist, held in respectful esteem by his employers and fellow craftsmen. He has good ancestry behind him. I knew somewhat of his gt. gd. fr., Rev. William Williams. He was pastor of the Baptist ch. in West Wrentham in the days of my boyhood. He is said to have been of Welsh extraction, but perhaps b. in Pennsylvania. Thence he came on horseback, in his youth, to Providence, R.I., to complete his education at Brown University. This he did, graduated therefrom, became a Baptist clergyman, set. in West Wrentham, opened a select seminary, and became, for those days, quite a famous educator, fitting many young men for admission into Brown University.
WILLIAMS, CHARLES, son of Joseph and Mary (Freeman) Williams, b. in
Marlboro', Sept. 26, 1818; bootmaker; set. in Mil., 1837; m. Roxana Nichols Adams, dr. of Obadiah and Mary (Johnson) Adams, b. in Med., June 30, 1820; cer. in Mil., June 30, 1842, by Rev. William Bell. Issue :-
FREDERICK GRANVILLE, b. Mil., Sept. 20, 1843; m. Mary Ann Dugan, Feb. 4, 1864.
EMMA LUCELLA, b. Mil., Dec. 1, 1846; m. Peleg Eddy Wood, April 25, 1869. MINNIE ADALINE, b. Mil., Dec. 24, 1856.
CHARLES ADAMS, b. Mil., Oct. 23, 1859; d. May 11, 1861.
Grandchn. - Chın. of Frederick G. and Mary A. (Dugan) Williams : -
Effie Roxana, b. Mil., May 30, 1864.
Charlie Eugene, b. April 25, 1868.
Frank Adams, b. March 7, 1870.
Chn. of Peleg E. and Emma L. (Williams) Wood :-
Elmo Williams, b. Mil., Sept. 10, 1875.
Fred. Eddy, b. June 10, 1878.
Charles Burt, b. June 17, 1879.
A family noted for sympathetic kindness and neighborly good-will, besides their other commendable qualities.
WILLIAMS, JOSEPH, who keeps a boarding-stable on School St., is an unm.
brother of Charles; b. in Marlboro', and has res. in town, I know not how many yrs. I think I have been told that one or two others of the same Marlboro' family res. here.
WILLIAMS, MOSES P., son of Bela and Mary Williams; b. probably in Barre, 1822; m., 1st, Elizabeth C. Bragg, dr. of Col. Arial and Nancy Bragg, b. Mil., May 20, 1818; cer. Dec. 9, 1845, by the writer. They had several chu., most, perhaps all, of whom d. young. They then passed away; and the hus., some yrs. later, m. a dr. of Dea. Peter Rockwood; dates and particu- lars not at my ready command. Whether Mr. Williams still survives, I can- not state.
Our directories, from 1856 to 1880, contain a considerable number of this name; but for lack of family records, as well as space and time, I halt where I am.
WILLIS. An infrequent name among our inhabitants. The only family record furnished me under this name is an imperfect one of
WILLIS, EDWIN, son of Ephraim and Charlotte (Tower) Willis, b. Bridge- water, 1811; bootmaker; m. Susan Maria Hlollis, dr. of John and Mary
1128
BIOGRAPHICO-GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
(French) Hollis, b. in Braintree, 1812; cer. Braintree, date not given, by Prof. E. Parks. Issue : -
CHARLOTTE M., b. Braintree, date not given; m. Emerson Walker; d. Jan., 1876, a. 42 yrs.
JOSEPHINE, b. and d. in Braintree; no dates given.
EDWIN L., b. Braintree, Jan. 26, 1837; our popular photographer.
CLARISSA, b. and d. in Braintree; no dates given.
AUGUSTINE, b. Braintree, Sept. 19, 1845; photographer; m. Hannah S. Gard- ner, April 15, 1880.
SUSAN ISABEL, b. and d. in Braintree; no dates given.
The fr. came to Mil. many yrs. ago, number not given. He d. here in Aug., 1876, a. 64 yrs. 9 mos. Mrs. Susan, his wid., d. here Sept., 1878, a. 65 yrs. 7 mos.
WILLIS, EDWIN L., commenced as a photographer here in 1861, is skilful in his profession, and succeeds well.
WILLIS, AUGUSTINE, is an operator under his brother, and gives promise of fair success.
Both brothers are in reputable social standing. It is not quite pleasant for me to present such a broken skeleton of a family record as this, but I could not do better. I omit mention of our few other Willises.
WILMARTH, WELCOME, and wf. Sarah, pedigrees and history untraced, stand credited on our records with one birth :-
SARAH BAILIES, b. March 26, 1834. No further information.
WILMARTH, BUTLER, M. D., parentage obscurely traceable, b. in Norton,
Dec. 18, 1798; adopted, at two yrs. of age, by Amos and Eunice (Butler) Wilmarth of Attleboro', and received their names; emigrated in boyhood with their family to Rowe, and thence, a few years later, to Montague, where he remained until his majority. His education and social advan- tages in early life were meagre, but his mental capabilities and aspirations superior. He made the most of his scanty opportunities, and resolved him- self, by persistent efforts, into a noble specimen of manhood. A genius for the medical profession developed itself in his youth; and he studied its pre- liminary requisites, first with Dr. William Sellers of Amherst, and later with a Dr. Brigham of Greenfield. At the age of about 25 years, without having fairly completed his scholarship as he wished, on account of adverse circumstances, he launched himself on the professional sea, without diplo- ma or license, but with a rare aptitude for success. He never ceased to be a close student in the trenchant school of experience and analytical obser- vation. He was constitutionally a free inquirer and an independent thinker in all the departments of human concern, physical, intellectual, religious, and social, that commended themselves to his attention. At the same time he was eminently conscientious, upright, and benevolent, a scrupu- lous devotee of truth and righteousness in all their bearings. The result was an ever expanding eclecticism and reformatory progression, chastened continually by a salutary cautiousness against extremism and erratic ex- travagance. He ardently craved " the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" on all subjects. He began, as a physician, a strict allop- athist, but gradually adopted whatever was practically excellent in the other distinctive systems of medicine -anxious above all to benefit his patients and alleviate the sufferings of humanity. Ile displayed the same characteristics in religion, in morals, and in the great reforms of his time.
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1129
DR. BUTLER WILMARTII AND WIFE.
This well-balanced mentality rendered him always too fast for the fogies and too slow for the ultras, - never popular with fashionable conservatives, nor yet with iconoclastic radicals. He was uniformly against whatever wronged the under classes or the upper, and in favor of all that elevated the common brotherhood of his race. He was heart and hand with me in my Restorationism, and in all my moral and social reforms. In the Com- munity movement at Hopedale, he was my stanch coadjutor, and a chief at our council-board, yielding, as I did, with deep regret, to the inevitable adversities which caused its failure. I deny myself the pleasure of extend- ing this biographical sketch beyond the mere outline I have given, with less reluctance, on account of the rich and interesting memoir of Dr. Wilmarth, written by Rev. William H. Fish, soon after his death, and published in 1854. That presents a full record of his character, his undertakings, his achievements, and the principal details of his mortal career. I refer who- ever desires a thorough knowledge of his biography, to that work. He lost his valuable earthly life in the dreadful railroad catastrophe at Norwalk Bridge, Ct., May 6, 1853. But we are sure that he lives on forevermore in the realms of a blissful immortality. Dr. Wilmarth m. a wf. worthy of him, viz., Phila Osgood, dr. of Joseph and Saralı (Graves) Osgood, b. in Wendell, Nov. 21, 1806; cer. probably in Wendell, March 1, 1831, by Rev. David Goddard. Issue: -
JEROME, b. Montague, Dec. 10, 1831; m. Abbie Frances Munyan, Nov. 19, 1856.
HARTLY, b. Montague, Sept. 12, 1833; d. a. 6 mos.
HARTLY, b. Leverett, April 21, 1835; d. a. 4 mos.
PHILA, b. Leverett, March 25, 1841; m. Henry James Weston, Dec. 25, 1865.
Mrs. Phila, the suddenly widowed wf. and mr., bore the shock of her hus.'s tragic death with remarkable fortitude and calmness. The following obituary, copied from "The Practical Christian" of Aug. 20, 1859, is truthful, and just to her memory : -
"In Hopedale, on the 10th inst., of consumption, Mrs. Phila O. Wilmarth, in the 53d year of her age. She was a most respected and beloved member of the Hopedale Community, and one of the excellent of the earth. As a woman, wife, mother, relative, friend, and practical Christian, her memory is crowned with rich commendation and eulogy by all who knew her. Her life was replete with unassuming worth and usefulness. As she scattered only blessings, meekly and patiently, all along the pathway of her pilgrimage, so only blessings follow her emancipated spirit into the spheres of immortality, whither, we doubt not, she has been joyously welcomed.
"Her husband, our beloved brother Butler Wilmarth, M.D., was suddenly ushered into the spirit-world in the awful railroad catastrophe at Norwalk Bridge, May 6, 1853. He had been anxious for her to qualify herself, by a regular course of medical studies, as a female physician. She had partly done so, at the 'Boston Female Medical College,' previous to his death. That over- whelming blow did not crush her spirits, as many of us feared it might; but, rallying all her womanhood, with the feeling that she was following out her departed husband's unchanged wishes, she bravely completed her medical course, and duly received her diploma from 'The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania.' She subsequently practised as a regular female physician in this town, and at Clifton Springs water-cure establishment, N. Y., till her health began to fail. Latterly she has resided with her two children at the quiet fam-
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1130
BIOGRAPHICO-GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
ily home in this place, a sinking invalid. For some time she suffered great mental depression along with her bodily debility; but a few weeks since, she regained her normal state of mind, so that her sunset-sky was clear, serene, and beautiful. With affectionate farewell benedictions to the' dear of earth, she passed hopefully to the embrace of the dear departed in the spirit-land."
Their two chn., richly endowed with the virtues of their parents, still sur- vive to bless their memories.
WILMARTH, JEROME, M.D., son of Drs. Butler and Phila (Osgood) Wilmarth,
b. in Montague, Dec. 10, 1831; m. Abbie Frances Munyan, dr. of Lemuel and Fanny Willard (Pitts) Munyan, b. in Millville, then Mendon, but now Blackstone, July 7, 1833; cer. at Hopedale, Nov. 19, 1856, by the writer. Issue :
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS, b. Hopedale, June 30, 1861.
LEMUEL BUTLER, b. Upton, Jan. 16, 1868.
An excellent family, from an excellent parental stock, with bright and promising chn., and an auspicious future before them. Dr. Jerome inherited the medical genius, taste, and aptitudes of his parents. He grad. first at the Westfield Normal School in 1851, then at the Commercial College, Providence, R.I., in 1855, and, finally, at the Harvard Medical College in 1866. Thus, by natural gifts and the accomplishments of education, he was prepared to enter on his profession with high prestiges of success. And he has achieved such success. He has established himself in Upton as a physician by over 15 yrs. of acceptable practice. He is deservedly popular there, and throughout a wide circuit in this general vicinity. For, besides eminent skill, he carries into every sick-room a gentle and soothing magnetism, no less salutary and agreeable than medical competence. He is greatly beloved and trusted by his numerous patients. As a townsman, citizen, and member of general society, he enjoys the same confidence.
WIRES, EPHRAIM LEWIS, son of Alvan and Amy (Lewis) Wires, b. in Cam- bridge, Vt., Aug. 12, 1833; m., 1st, Mary Helen Pond, dr. of Charles and Mary (Bruce) Pond, b. in Norwich, Ct., March 14, 1839; cer. Mil., June 30, 1859, by Rev. James R. Johnson, Issue : -
LEWIS, b. Mil., March 30, 1860; d. April 13 ensuing.
EVELYN MAY, b. Mil., April 11, 1861.
Mrs. Mary d. June 3, 1868. The hus. m., 2d, Mary Freeman Fitch, dr. of George W. and Cassandra (Morrill) Fitch, b. Feb. 7, 1845, in Charlestown; cer. in Providence, R.I., May 31, 1871, by Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, D.D. Issue : -
EDITH CASSANDRA, b. Mil., June 14, 1872.
Mr. W. must have res. in town some 22 yrs. or more. His genius first won him very reputable distinction as a photographer, in which artistic vocation he achieved much success and high appreciation by an extensive public. Later he embarked, still more successfully, in the manufacture of the famous clinching- screws, etc., under the firm-name of "Estabrook, Wires, & Co.," in an estab- ment on Spring St., opposite Front. This establishment has become renowned in its peculiar line, and I need not here magnify it. Nor need I expatiate on the worth of Mr. W. and family, which is otherwise well enough known and respected in our community. His house is on Claflin St.
WISWALL, THOMAS4 (Lieut. Thomas,3 Capt. Noah,2 Eld. Thomas1), b. in
Newton, date not given; mr.'s maiden name Hannah Cheney of Newbury; blacksmith; m. Sarah Daniell of Needham (whom I suspect to have been a sister of Jasper Daniell), Dec. 20, 1733, and set. soon after on the Sherborn
1131
WISWALL FAMILIES.
road, our Main St., East, at the place where his son Timothy lived and d., now an abandoned site. Eld. Thomas and his bro. Eld. John Wiswall came from Eng., 1635, and set. in Dorchester, where they were men of distinction, as many of their descendants have been in their various localities. The chn. of our Thomas 4 and wf. were, -
HANNAH, b. Nov. 3, 1734; m. Daniel Wedge, jun., March 6, 1755.
LYDIA, b. Oct. 7, 1737; m. Mordecai Day, Dec. 15, 1757.
NOAH, b. 1741; m. wid. Susanna Tenney, April 11, 1764.
HENRY, b. not found; m. Joanna Thayer, Feb. 17, 1774.
TIMOTHY, b. not found; m. Diadama Daniels, Nov. 17, 1773.
The fr.'s death-date not found. Mrs. Sarah, his wid., d. Jan. 20, 1798, in her S7th yr.
WISWALL, NOAH5 (Thomas,4 Lieut. Thomas,3 Capt. Noah,2 Eld. Thomas 1), b. not found; mr.'s maiden name Sarah Daniell; m. the wid. Susanna Ten- ney, formerly wf. of Isaac Tenney, and dr. of Jonathan and Lydia (Jones) Whitney; cer. April 11, 1764, by Rev. A. Frost. Their chn. : -
RUBY, b. Jan. 12, 1765; m. Silas Brown, May 9, 1790.
PERLEY, b. March 11, 1767; untraced; may have d. young.
JERUSHA, b. July 17, 1769; m. Moses Green, June 24, 1792.
Concerning the subsequent history of the drs. and their families, I am not informed. I suspect they must have removed from town to other localities. The parents dwelt on what is still known to many of our inhabitants as the Noah Wiswall place, just beyond the junction of Cedar St. The house is still standing. The farm was a very handsome one, lying on both sides of the Holl. road. It has been cut up into house-lots and small parcels. Mr. Wiswall has been represented to me, by those who knew him well, as naturally a very capa- ble man, an intelligent thinker, and remarkably benevolent. His kindness to the poor was proverbial. He was one of our earliest Universalists, and much devoted to the promulgation of his faith. See the chapter on " Religious Socie- ties," where he is spoken of in connection with the original Universalist organi- zation. The great drawback to his worth was intemperance, which alınost ruined his old age. This failing and ruin was in those days too common with church-members, even those who regarded him as an incorrigible heretic. His doctrine procured him more reproach among his orthodox contemporaries than his intemperance. One of these, who dwelt on what is now Cedar St., a man that sometimes felt the sharp pinches of poverty, and to whom Wiswall one day carried a much needed load of wood, as he was wont to do in such cases, paid him the following compliment: "Don't you think," addressing Parson Frost, " the good Lord yesterday sent me a load of wood by the hand of the devil !" Such devils might be worse, and such saints might be better. Mr. Wiswall, toward the close of life, built him a stone tomb on a flat rock, near where the first Catholic ch. was long after erected. It was then in one of his pastures, and stood prominent on the hill. I visited it soon after I came into town, in 1824. The walls were cracking, the door falling in, and the bones of the decsd. partially scattered around the perishing coffin. It was told me, that, in his un- fortunate moods toward the close of his career, he had more than once made him a straw-bed, and passed the night in his tomb. Be this as it may, the late Pearley Hunt, Esq., who had purchased the farm, carefully gathered the relics, and gave them rest in his own family tomb. They now repose in the Hunt lot in Pine-grove Cemetery. He d. March 9, 1804. Mrs. Susanna's death-date I have been unable to ascertain.
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