History of Milton, Part 21

Author: Hamilton, Edward Pierce
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: Milton, Mass. Milton Historical Society
Number of Pages: 356

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HINCKLEY, Thomas H. 1813-1896

Against the wishes of his father, he studied drawing in Philadelphia evenings while "engaged in mercantile pursuits", a genteel expression for clerking in a store. In 1833 he started in Boston as a sign painter, and then graduated into portraiture. His success came in the field of animal paintings which had a great vogue during the Victorian period. He sold many paintings of this nature at what were high prices for the times. His house and small studio stood on Brook Road just east of Ridge Road and opposite the Town Field. His daughter, Mary Hinckley, 1844-1944, inherited his artistic ability and published several illustrated scientific papers on tadpoles, frogs and toads, as well as some studies in Milton history.

HOBART, Caleb ? - 1843

Early in the last century he engaged with very considerable success in the meat trade, dealing mostly in mutton, and in the associated wool pulling and skin business. His shop was near Ruggles Lane at Pine Tree Brook. In his will he left a considerable sum for the benefit of the poor of Milton.

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HOLBROOK, Dr. Amos 1754-1842

Having just completed his medical education, he joined the Continental Army as a surgeon's mate in 1775, resigning in 1777 because of poor health. He then went as surgeon on a privateer, which lay in a French port for sev- eral months, thus allowing him to visit hospitals in that country, and to im- prove his medical knowledge. He established himself in Milton in about 1778. In 1783 he married Patience, daughter of Daniel Vose, and lived for a period in the Suffolk Resolves House, which very probably was altered to its present form for his occupancy. Patience died in 1789 and he married Jerus- ha Robinson of Dorchester. In 1800 he built the house at 203 Adams Street, which later was owned for many years by Mary A. Cunningham. His connec- tion with the Milton sinallpox vaccination is mentioned under that subject.

HOLLIS, Thomas 1773-1859

An early operator in the granite business in the Milton area. He built the house still standing on the northwest corner of Randolph Avenue and Brook Road.

HOLLIS, Thomas, Jr. 1801-1873

Suceeded his father in the business. From about the middle of the century he lived in the stone Railway House at East Milton. Was President of the Granite Railway Company and laid the granite foundations for the present Minot's Ledge lighthouse.

HOLMAN, John ? - 1652

A prominent early settler in that part of Dorchester which became Milton. He held various town offices and was an officer of the Dorchester trained band, and a member of the Artillery Company. He was a partner of Colle- cott's in the fur trade in 1641. His house stood on the site of the Belcher house at 401 Adams Street.

HOLMES, Dr. Christopher Columbus 1817-1882

For over forty years he ministered to the ills of the town. Was Captain of the First Corps of Cadets, an accomplished musician, and a good friend.

HOUGHTON, Ralph 1623-1705

Settled in Milton in 1690 and built first house southeast of Blue Hill. Hough- ton's Pond was named after him. The family's name is mentioned many times in the Milton Records.

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How, Peggy 1760 ?- ?

She had a small school during the first years of the nineteenth century in a house on the southeast corner of Randolph Avenue and Centre Street, and also took Milton Academy boys as boarders. John M. Forbes lived in this house with his mother at one time.

HUNTOON, Rev. Benjamin ? - 1864

The first Unitarian minister in Milton, he was installed in 1834, but served for less than three years. While in Milton he married Lydia Baker, grand- daughter of Daniel Vose. He went to a church in Cincinnati, but eventually returned to Canton, where he died. His son Daniel T. V. Huntoon wrote the excellent history of Canton.

HUTCHINSON, Gov. Thomas 1711-1780

A man much maligned by history, he loved his country and Milton, but felt that the King was right. Died in exile in England. An excellent short biogra- phy by C. K. Shipton is found in Sibley's Harvard Lives, Volume VIII.

HUTCHINSON, William 1586-1642

His wife was Anne Hutchinson, and at one time he owned much of the land in East Milton between Gulliver's Creek and the Quincy line. Governor Thomas Hutchinson was his great-great-grandson.

KINSLEY, Stephen ? - 1673

Probably the first lay minister in Milton, he came here from Braintree in the early days and settled on Adams Street near Algerine Corner. He was one of the three petitioners for the establishment of Milton, and was the first repre- sentative to the General Court.

KITCHAMAKIN (also CUTSHUMAQUIN)

Brother of Chickataubut, he was Chief of the remnants of the Neponset In- dians in 1636. He was present with Sergeant Collecott when the treaty was made with the Narragansett Indians in 1645, probably as interpreter.

LESLEY, Peter (J. P. Lesley) 1819-1903

Graduate of the Princeton Divinity School, he had previously assisted in the first geological survey of Pennsylvania. He came to the Milton Congrega- tional Church in 1847 and preached for a period, but was never approved by the Norfolk Association of Ministers because of a charge of heterodoxy. Mar- ried a niece of Hon. James H. Robbins in 1849. Soon left Milton, gave up the ministry and returned to geology, becoming Professor at University of Pennsylvania and later an eminent consulting geologist. Mrs. Lesley was

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very active in organized charities in Philadelphia. In 1885 her brother and her cousin John M. Forbes gave her a house on Central Avenue near Colum- bine Road, to which the Lesleys eventually retired.

LILLIE, Major John 1755 ?- 1801

Enlisted in the artillery at the outbreak of the Revolution, eventually becom- ing a Captain. He was at one time Aide-de-Camp to General Knox, and was presented with a sword by Lafayette. Knox referred to him as "Major", but there is no formal record of this rank. Shortly after the war he married Eliza- beth, daughter of Daniel Vose. Relatively unsuccessful in commerce, he worked for a period building forts at Gloucester and (perhaps) other ports, and then was inspector of customs at Boston. In 1801 he was appointed Cap- tain in the Army and assigned to the command of West Point, where he made preparations for the opening of the Military Academy, which occurred in the month of his death. His daughter Elizabeth married Jesse Pierce and was the mother of Henry L. and Edward L. Pierce. Mrs. Lillie later married Edmund Baker and was mother of Edmund J. Baker.

LION, Preserved 1688-1728?

Just think of Preserved Lion, what a wonderful name! He was the son of one of the earliest settlers in the Brush Hill area, George Lion, who died in 1694, and his wife, Thankfull Lion. His sister was christened Silence, and one would like to know how she lived up to her name.

MCKEAN, Rev. Joseph 1776-1818

Minister in Milton 1797-1804. See further details in chapter "The Church".

MCLEAN, Hugh 1724-1799

A native of the North of Ireland, he went first to Maine, and then came to Milton where he took up papermaking with James Boies whose daughter he married. He lived in the old Jackson House at Mattapan.

MCLEAN, John 1761-1823?

Son of Hugh, he went into business in Boston. After making and losing one fortune, he acquired another, much of which was left to the Massachusetts General Hospital. The McLean Asylum was named after him.

MARTIN, Nathan C. 1790-1864

Teacher in the Dorchester school on River Street for seven years, he became postmaster in Milton in 1817 and held that office in all for thirty-seven years. Was active in the Militia, the Milton Church and in town affairs. His son,

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Henry B. Martin, 1835-1927, was Town Clerk for forty years. The latter's daughter, Eleanor P. Martin, 1873-1957, established the Martin Fund for charitable purposes, and the Audubon Sanctuary on Maple Street. She was much interested in the early history of Milton and wrote several papers on this subject.

MIGHILL, Rev. Thomas

Minister in Milton 1671-1678. See further details in chapter "The Church".

MILLER, Rev. Ebenezer 1703-1763

Son of Samuel Miller, who ran a famous inn on Adams Street near Dudley Lane, and owned much land in the Hillside Street area, he was prepared for Harvard by the Rev. Peter Thacher and graduated in 1722. He became an Anglican, went to England in 1726 and was given an M.A. by Oxford, after a fortnight's residence. He married a well-to-do English girl, was ordained and appointed missionary to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and was back in Boston late in 1727. All these accomplishments were crammed into about eighteen months! He became the Church of England minister in Quincy and assisted other little groups of Anglicans in the South Shore area. He visited England again in 1746 and was given a D.D. degree by Oxford, a somewhat uncommon honor in those days. He served the Braintree church until his death.

MILLER, Colonel Stephen 1727-1817

Grandson of the Samuel Miller who had the inn on Adams Street, he lived near Hillside Street and Randolph Avenue. A prominent citizen of the town, he was loyal to his King and moved to New Brunswick.

Samuel Miller, 1696-1761, his father, filled many town offices during his lifetime. He was the second richest man in Milton at the time of his death. Andrew Belcher, the late governor's son, alone paid a larger tax.

MORISON, Rev. John H. 1808-1896

Unitarian minister in Milton from 1846-1886, he gathered historical facts and preached two sermons on Milton's history at the 200th anniversary in 1862.

PIERCE, Edward L. 1829-1897

Son of Colonel Jesse Pierce and great-grandson of Daniel Vose, he graduat- ed from Brown and Harvard Law School and became an active abolitionist. After Civil War service both as a soldier and as an agent of the Treasury De- partment he settled in Milton and was active in politics. A keen historian, he

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wrote the standard biography of Charles Sumner. He was Moderator of Mil- ton town meeting for a number of years. His son, Charles Sumner Pierce, also held this position for over a quarter century, as well as being the first Town Counsel, appointed such by the Selectmen in 1909.

PIERCE, Henry L. 1825-1896

After completing his schooling at the Bridgewater Normal School, his health became too poor to allow him to teach school. By his mid-twenties he was clerking in the Baker Chocolate Mill. In 1852 he leased the mill from the es- tate of Walter Baker and commenced to build it up into a great success. Mayor of Boston and member of Congress. Brother of Edward L. Pierce.

PIERCE, Dr. M. Vassar 1856-1937

After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1880, he studied abroad for two years and then became a much loved doctor here until his death.

PITCHER, Andrew ? - 1660

One of the earliest settlers in Milton, his house was on the northern side of Thacher Street at Canton Avenue. His son, Nathaniel, 1651-1736, had a tannery in the hollow between the hospital and Canton Avenue just north of Highland Street, and it seems possible that Andrew first established it.

REED, Jason 1794-1873

A lawyer, he was Town Clerk for thirty years. His estate, on the opposite side of Reedsdale Road from the Public Library, was named "Reedsdale" and gave its name to the street.

ROBBINS, Hon. Edward Hutchinson 1758-1829

Son of Rev. Nathaniel Robbins, he married Elizabeth Murray, sister of Mrs. John (Dorothy) Forbes. A lawyer, active in local and state politics, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1802. Retiring from that office in 1807, he was appointed Judge of Probate for Norfolk County. A very outstanding cit- izen of the town, and instrumental in the founding of Milton Academy.

ROBBINS, James Murray 1796-1885

Son of Hon. Edward H. Robbins, he continued the family's tradition of ser- vice to the town. He went to school at Milton Academy and later was the President of its Trustees for many years. He was a successful merchant and a keen historian. In the latter capacity he was one of the committee appoint- ed by the town in 1884 to prepare a history of Milton. This was done by Dr. Teele, assisted by the other members of the committee.

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ROBBINS, Rev. Nathaniel 1726-1795

Minister in Milton 1751-1795. See further details in chapter "The Church".

ROTCH, A. Lawrence 1861-1912

Graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1884, he commenced building the Blue Hill Observatory in that same year. A keen scientist and a great traveler, he visited many scientific establishments in Europe, and climbed Mt. Blanc three times. Was professor of meteorology at Harvard and was chosen exchange professor to the Sorbonne just before his death. Was active in the early days of aviation and was awarded a number of foreign dec- orations. See the section on the Blue Hill Observatory.

ROTCH, Joanna 1826-1911

She came to Milton from New Bedford and was long active in parish and charitable work. For years she gave an annual picnic at Houghton's Pond for all the children of the Milton Hill area.

RUGGLES, John 1773-1846

Selectman for a total of twenty-six years, and Town Clerk for twenty-one, Assessor and Representative to the General Court, he served the town in many ways for many years.

RUSSELL, Colonel Henry S. 1838-1905

Colonel of the Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry in the Civil War, he married a Forbes and acquired large land holdings in the town. He served Boston as Police Commissioner and as Fire Commissioner, and also held various offices in this town. Grandson of the Hon. Jonathan Russell.

His son, James S. Russell, 1864-1951, served the town in many useful ca- pacities throughout his life.

RUSSELL, Hon. Jonathan 1771-1832

A Providence boy, he graduated from Brown and became a lawyer, but was also active in trade and politics. Was a consul in France, minister at Stock- holm, and one of the five commissioners who negotiated the treaty of Ghent in 1814. He then became minister to Norway and Sweden until 1818. He married Lydia Smith, whose father, Barney, had bought the Governor Hutchinson house on Milton Hill.

SAFFORD, Nathaniel F. 1815-1891 A lawyer prominent in local affairs, a long-time resident of Milton, he served as a Norfolk County commissioner for many years.

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SANDERSON, Isaac

A papermaker from Watertown, he took over operation of the old paper mill in 1801 and continued it until 1834, when it was sold to Dr. Jonathan Ware. He experimented with making paper out of beach grass.

SMITH, James 1688-1769

A prosperous Boston sugar refiner, he built a house on Brush Hill in 1734. His wife was a Murray, who, marrying again in 1771, left the farm and house to her two Murray nieces, one of whom became Mrs. John Forbes, the other Mrs. Edward H. Robbins.

SMITH, Jeremiah 1704-1790

A native of the North of Ireland, he came with his wife to Boston in 1726 and to Milton in 1736. He worked for the paper mill company and soon bought their interest in the mill. He continued the paper business until it eventual- ly passed to his son-in-law, Daniel Vose.

STEBBINS, Edith E. 1877-

The wife of Rev. Roderick Stebbins, Unitarian minister in Milton, 1886- 1924, she devoted much of her life to the care of the unfortunate and served for many years on the Board of Public Welfare.

STONE, Nathaniel H. 1853-1927

A useful citizen of the Town who served in many ways, he was one of the original Cunningham trustees.

STOUGHTON, Israel ? - 1645

A prominent early settler of Dorchester, he built Neponset Mill and owned much of the land on Milton Hill. He commanded the Massachusetts forces in the Pequot War. He returned to England to enter the Parliamentary Ar- my, in which he commanded a regiment.

His son, William, 1631-1701, served the Colony in many ways, even- tually becoming Lieutenant-Governor and then acting Governor. He left a 40-acre farm to the poor of Milton, and to the Church a beautiful silver cup by Jeremiah Dummer, now in the possession of the Unitarian Church.

SUMNER, Roger 1632-1698

Settled on Brush Hill in about 1678 and founded a family long known in Milton. One descendent was Major General Edwin V. Sumner, who served through the first half of the Civil War, but died in 1863. Charles Pinckney Sumner, 1776-1839, was Sheriff of Suffolk County for many years and his son was Senator Charles Sumner of abolition fame.

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SWIFT, Thomas 1635-1718

Son of Thomas Swift of Dorchester, he was the first Milton Swift and was most prominent in town affairs, serving as Selectman for thirty-five years. His military service and connection with the Punkapoag Indians is told in the chapter "The Wars". He lived on Adams Street near Dudley Lane or in that vicinity. His son, Colonel Samuel Swift, 1683-1747, was also long promi- nent in the town and held many offices. The grandson of Colonel Samuel was Captain John Swift, 1747-1819, who lived on the site of the Milton tele- phone exchange and whose hatter's shop still stands today, the doctor's of- fice building at 98 Adams Street.

TAYLOR, Rev. John 1704-1750

Minister in Milton 1728-1750. He appears to have been a cheerful and pleas- ant soul who was said to have been agreeable rather than great. He was op- posed to the Great Awakening and Whitefield's preaching. He built his house on the site of the present Town Hall. It burned down in 1864.

TEELE, Rev. Albert K. 1821-1901

A graduate of Yale, Class of 1842, Dr. Teele came here from a Connecticut parish in 1850 and served the Congregational Church for the next twenty- five years. His work as minister led him into handling trusts and business af- fairs for some of his parishioners and he developed great interest in these di- rections. In 1875 he asked to be relieved of his pastoral duties and devoted all his attention to acting as a trustee and manager of investments. He was a keen historian and student of Milton antiquities. Dr. Teele's History of Mil- ton credits him merely with editing the work, but he actually was the author of almost all of it. He also wrote a number of short historical studies for the local paper. From 1856 until 1890 he made weather observations for the Weather Bureau. He served the Town on the School Committee and in many other ways. He loved to sing, and not just hymns, for his rendition of "Ole Black Joe" was long remembered.

THACHER, Oxenbridge 1681-1772

Son of Rev. Peter Thacher, he graduated from Harvard in 1698 and appears to have preached to the Indians at Ponkapoag. He soon moved to Boston and engaged in trade as a brazier, which in those days meant a merchant dealing in all sorts of brass and copper wares, hinges, kettles, warming pans, candlesticks, etc. He was prominent in Boston politics, but upon his father's death returned to Milton where he remained for the rest of his long life. He was the father of the eminent lawyer Oxenbridge Thacher, 1722-1767.

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THACHER, Rev. Peter 1651-1727

Milton's first regular minister. See chapter "The Church".

TUCKER, Deacon John A. 1830-1916

Builder and contractor, he was a keen historian and delved deep into the an- cient records. Author of several pamphlets on Milton's past. His son, Arthur H. Tucker, 1865-1930, continued the family interest in history and was most active in the Milton Historical Society.

TUCKER, Robert 1605 ?- 1682

The first Milton Tucker, he settled on Brush Hill in 1663. His house, the oldest in Milton, still stands in rear of 676 Brush Hill Road.

TUCKER, Manasseh 1654-1743

Son of Robert, he was one of the founders of the Milton Church. His house still stands at 23 Robbins Street.

VOSE, Captain Daniel 1741-1807

A prosperous merchant and leading citizen. Mention is made of him at vari- ous places in this book. His house, formerly in the Village, has been restored and is now located at 1370 Canton Avenue.

VOSE, General Joseph 1739-1816

Was a major at start of the Revolution, and continued actively engaged in the service for the entire war. Brevetted Brigadier General at close of war. He built the old Vose House still standing on Vose's Lane. A brother, Eli- jah, 1744-1822, was a Lieutenant Colonel in his regiment.

VOSE, Colonel Josiah 1784-1845

Son of General Joseph Vose, he was a Captain and Major in the War of 1812, and continued in the regular service until his death.

VOSE, Robert 1599-1683

The first Vose in Milton, he lived near the junction of Canton Avenue and Brook Road. A prominent early settler and founder of one of the largest Mil- ton families.

VOSE, Captain Thomas 1641-1708

The son of Robert Vose, he was in active service during King Philip's War. His son was Sergeant Thomas Vose, 1667-1722, the father of Captain Thom- as Vose, 1707-1760, who established a farm in the vicinity of Canton Ave-

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nue and Atherton Street. This last Captain Thomas commanded a troop of horse in 1757, and was the father of Captain Daniel, the Milton Village mer- chant.

WADSWORTH, Rev. Benjamin 1670-1734

Son of Captain Samuel Wadsworth (see chapter "The Wars") he graduated from Harvard in 1690 and was minister of the First Church in Boston in 1696. In 1725 was chosen President of Harvard and retained that office until his death. His family's house burned in 1669, but the barn was saved and it was there that Benjamin was born. Wadsworth House at Harvard was built for him.

WADSWORTH, Captain Samuel ? - 1676

A prominent citizen, he was killed by the Indians in King Philip's War. See chapter "The Wars".

WARE, Emma Forbes 1838-1898

Founder of the first Convalescent Home, and member of the School Com- mittee for many years, she was a good citizen of the town.

WARE, Harriet 1834-1920

Long active in the affairs of the Unitarian Church, she was a Trustee of Mil- ton Academy from 1879-1912.

WARE, Dr. Jonathan 1797-1877

Served as a surgeon's assistant in the War of 1812, received the degree of M.D. from Brown in 1821, and came to Milton in 1828. Married a Tileston of the Tileston & Hollingsworth family. In addition to his medical practice he owned a mill on the site of the old paper mill.

WEBSTER, Mary P. 1858-1950

A granddaughter of the second Thomas Hollis, she was very influential in starting the Milton Woman's Club.

WHITNEY, Mrs. A. D. T. 1824-1905

An author of novels and books for girls and of poetry, she came to Milton as a bride and lived here for the rest of her life.

WHITNEY, Ellerton P. 1858-1928

To him, probably more than to any other one man, is due the credit for the excellency of the Milton Fire Department around the turn of the century. He was a Metropolitan Park Commissioner, and was very active in improv- ing the Blue Hills Reservation.

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WHITNEY, General Moses 1775-1859

Came to Milton from Roxbury in 1787 as a tanner's apprentice, eventually becoming a successful tanner and merchant of lumber and wool. He was Milton's second postmaster, holding the office for eleven years. A promi- nent citizen of the town and active in many ways, he also served in the State Militia, eventually becoming a Brigadier General.

WIGGLESWORTH, George 1853-1930

Of distinguished ancestry, he was a leader, in his quiet way, in every worthy civic and philanthropic movement in Milton.

WOLCOTT, Governor Roger 1847-1901

A lawyer, who devoted his energies to managing estates, he was Lieutenant- Governor of Massachusetts from 1892-1895, and Governor 1896-1898.

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APPENDIX NUMBER 5

History of Milton, Part 21

Author: Hamilton, Edward Pierce Publication date: 1957 Publisher: Milton, Mass. Milton Historical Society Number of Pages: 356

Author: Hamilton, Edward Pierce
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: Milton, Mass. Milton Historical Society
Number of Pages: 356