USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 18
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(XII) George Williams, Jr., son of Colonel George and Sarah (Hodges) Williams, was born in Taunton, August 18, 1745, and died in Raynham, February 23, 1814. He married, October 2, 1766, Bathsheba King, daughter of Phillip and Abigail King. Children, all born in Rayn- ham, were : Sarah, born July 27, 1767; George, February 26, 1769; a son, May 6, 1771 ; Abiathar, of whom further ; Bathsheba, January 25, 1775; Melancy, February 28, 1777 ; Francis, October 13, 1779; Narcissus, Sep- tember 13, 1781 ; Enoch, December 29, 1783 ; and Samuel K., November 17, 1785. George Williams was of fine personal appearance, according to the accounts handed down in the family. He was a farmer and owned a fine property. While it is certain he served in the Revolution, it is difficult to pick out his record from the many. It is thought he served in New York State from about the beginning of 1776, until December, being or becoming a sergeant in Captain James Allen's company, Colonel Simeon Carey's regiment. He certainly was quartermaster of his father's regiment in Rhode Island, December, 1776, and January, 1777.
(XIII) Abiathar Williams, son of George, Jr., and Bathsheba (King) Williams, was born in Raynham, January 8, 1773. He married Anna Dean, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Strobridge) Dean, and they had eleven children, as follows: Anna, born September 1, 1806; Bathsheba, September 11, 1808; Harriet Dean, November 17, 1810; Frances Amelia, January 30, 1813; Abiathar K., March 11, 1815; Helen Melancy, July 6, 1817; George Bradford, of whom further. Abiathar Williams was known as Captain Williams. He ran a sloop from Taunton to New
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York from the time he was fifteen years of age until he was fifty-five. He made his sons, Abiathar R. and George B., his partners. A successful and influential citizen, he represented his town in the General Court, and held various local offices.
(XIV) George Bradford Williams, son of Abiathar and Anna (Dean) Williams, was born November 12, 1824. He was educated in the Taunton public schools, and always prided himself on being an old Academy boy. He became one of the stanch monied men of Taunton, starting early in life with a goodly inheritance. He constantly added to it by thrift and good management, until gradually he became the largest real estate owner in Taunton. Like his father, he was engaged in the lumber business. In the early days lumber was discharged far down the river, and rafted up, and Mr. Williams was a prominent figure on all of these rafts after he became old enough to go into business. He became his father's partner, and his name appeared in the firm, through all its changes, until his retirement in 1887. He was a sturdy specimen of old New England stock. He was quiet and unpretentious in manner, keen in business affairs, and strictly honest in all of his dealings. It would seem that no man could leave a better heritage to his family. Like his ances- tors, he was a stanch supporter of the First Congregational Society of Taunton. Mr. Williams married Sarah Carver Barstow, daughter of Charles Carver Barstow, and sister of the late Charles M. C. Barstow. They reared a large family, as follows: George, born July 29, 1849; Charles K., February 9, 1851 ; Sarah, born September 4, 1852; Frederick, born August 4, 1854; Abiathar G., born February 4, 1856; Enos D., Octo- ber 30, 1857 ; Charlotte A., October 20, 1858; Alice M., September 17, 1860; Franklin D., November 21, 1861 ; Enos D., August 9, 1863 ; Alfred B., July 8, 1865 ; Ida L., October 11, 1868.
Simeon Williams, of Taunton, son of John and Hannah (Robinson) Williams, born February 21, 1716-17, in Taunton, died September 10, 1799. He was twice married ; his first wife, Zipporah (Crane) Williams, of Raynham, whom he married, August 26, 1742, died in Taunton, May 21, 1748. In 1750 he married (second) Waitstill Hodges, born December 21, 1723, died November 21, 1820, in Taunton. Their children were: Zipporah, born February 5, 1750-51, died October 28, 1812; Lurana, born December 30, 1752; Nathaniel, of whom further; Waitstill, born August 10, 1758, died September 16, 1776, at Taunton; Hannah, born January 22, 1761, died February 24, 1846; Levi, born August 25, 1763, died August 5, 1764; Jemima, born June 30, 1765, died December 18, 1793, at Rayn- ham ; and Cynthia, born September 9, 1767, died December 6, 1854.
Deacon Simeon Williams was one of the many members of the First Church of Taunton who withdrew from the Society in 1792, and founded the Westville Congregational Church. The cause of the withdrawal was dissatisfaction with the new minister selected for the original church- dissatisfaction which seems to have been well grounded. Deacon Simeon
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Williams was a man of ability, strength of character and influence. He doubtless served in the French and Indian war ; served as corporal of the Second Company (Taunton) April 6, 1757, according to the roster of that date: he rose to be lieutenant and captain of the company, as he was on the alarm (or reserve) list, December 6, 1776; saw no active service in the Revolution. In 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, and possibly other years, he was probably elected a member of the Taunton Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, whose multifarious duties included the discipline and reformation of Tories, the care of confiscated property, the regulation of prices, the obtaining of supplies for the American troops, etc. He was selectman of Taunton from 1760 to 1766, in 1770 and in 1777.
Nathaniel Williams, of Taunton, son of Deacon Simeon and Waitstill (Hodges) Williams, born March 29, 1755, at Taunton, died there June 30, 1829. He married, April 20, 1780, Lucilda Hodges, born May 27, 1760, at Norton, Massachusetts, died May 7, 1847, at Taunton. Their children were: Lucilda, born May 16, 1781, died February 8, 1869; Polly, born May 2, 1783, died May 30, 1860; John, born September 2, 1785, died March 21, 1850; Charlotte, born April 26, 1789, died October 24, 1873; Susannah, born April 24, 1791, died May 13, 1884; Philander, born October 18, 1793, died November 16, 1796; Amelia, born May 7, 1796, died May 17, 1838; Nathaniel Hodges, born November 11, 1798, died December 25, 1879; Simeon, born May 31, 1801, died August 10, 1847; and Cassander, born December 9, 1804, died January 8, 1873.
Nathaniel Williams was one of the minute-men who, at the news of the battle of Lexington, marched toward Boston under Captain Robert Crossman. In December, 1776, and January, 1777, he served as corporal under Captain Samuel Fales in Rhode Island. In 1778 he served two terms, aggregating four and one-half months, as sergeant in Rhode Island, of the companies of Captain Samuel Fales and Captain Josiah Crocker. He may have served other terms, for the name occurs repeatedly in the records, but as in other cases the rolls are not explicit enough to identify the different individuals of the same name.
Theodore Dean Williams is also a direct descendant of Captain Myles Standish, from whom his descent is through Alexander, Ebenezer, Zachariah, Ebenezer (2), Shadrach and Levi. These generations some- what in detail and the order named follow :
(I) Myles Standish, of Plymouth and Duxbury, came in the "May- flower" in 1620, with his wife Rose, who died January 29, 1621. He early became a leading man of Plymouth Colony. He was chosen captain at a general meeting held in February, 1621, to establish military arrange- ments, and vested with the command. He conducted all the early expeditions against the Indians, and continued in the military service of the Colony during his whole life. He was also prominent in the civil affairs of the Colony, was for many years assistant, one of the governor's
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council, etc. He died October 3, 1656. It is supposed he was born about 1586. Captain Standish early went to live across the bay of Plymouth, in what is now called Duxbury, and the hill rising abruptly from the waters of Plymouth Bay, upon which he built his house and lived the remainder of his life, has been called Captain's Hill to this day, and here in his memory has been erected the Myles Standish monument. His children were: Alexander, Charles, John, Myles, Josiah, Lora and Charles G.
(II) Alexander Standish, of Duxbury, was admitted to the freedom of the Colony in 1648; was third clerk of Duxbury, 1695-1700. He married (first) Sarah, daughter of John Alden, and (second) Desire, widow of Israel Holmes and William Sherman, and daughter of Edward Doty He died in Duxbury in 1702. Desire died in 1723. His children were : Myles, Ebenezer, Lorah, Lydia, Mercy, Sarah, Elizabeth, all born to the first marriage ; Thomas, Desire, Ichabod and David.
(III) Ebenezer Standish, born in 1672, and of Plymouth, married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Sturtevant, of Plymouth. He died March 19, 1755, and she January 23, 1759. Their children were: Zachariah, Moses, Hannah, Zerviah, Sarah, Ebenezer and Mercy. Their daughter, Hannah Standish, married Deacon Seth Staples, of Taunton "Neck of Land," who was the son of Deacon John Staples, of Raynham. Their daughter Zeruiah married Deacon Abial Williams, of Raynham, November 16, 1758. Their son, Jonathan Williams, of Raynham, mar- ried, October 14, 1784, Polly Dean, the daughter of Thomas Dean and his wife, Sarah (Leonard) Dean.
The children of Captain Jonathan Williams, born June 8, 1764, and his wife, Polly (Dean) Williams, born 1766, married, October 14, 1784, were: Jonathan Williams, Jr. ; Polly ; Hannah ; Eli, who married, March 25, 1830, Fannie Pickens, of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Their daughter Mary Dean Williams, married, January 1, 1857, John Hiram Nelson, of Middleboro, now called Lakeville. Jonathan, Jr., the son of Captain Jonathan and his wife, Polly (Dean) Williams, married, November 12, 1820, Phebe Elmes, of East Taunton, the daughter of Cyrus Elmes. The children of Jonathan and Phebe were: Theodore Dean Williams, born July 5, 1829, in Raynham, died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, August 4, 1900, married, January 2, 1849, Caroline Tuckerman, who was born in New Bedford, January 25, 1828. She died in New Bedford, December 24, 1900. She was a daughter of Captain Robert Tuckerman. He was born July 14, 1795, died in New Bedford, February 3, 1884, aged eighty-eight years, six months, twenty days, and his wife, Betsey (Buloid) Tuckerman, of New Bedford, born 1798, died August 14, 1875, aged seventy-six years, six months, fourteen days. The children of Theodore Dean Williams and his wife, Caroline (Tuckerman) Williams, were: Maria T., who married December 23, 1869, Alfred M. S. Butler, of Boston ; Elizabeth, who married Charles Warren Read, January 22, 1908,
Thomas Mandell
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the son of Joseph R. and Cynthia A. (Potter) Read, of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Caroline, died in infancy. She was born May 30, 1855, and died August 23, 1855. Charles D. Williams, the son of Theodore Dean and Caroline Williams, was born August 17, 1860, died May 8, 1878. The children of Maria T. (Williams) Butler and her husband, Alfred M. S. Butler, were: Theodore, Minnie Peirce, Maria Caroline, Sophronia Elizabeth, Alfred M., Jr., and Katherine James Butler. Alfred M., Jr., married Irene (Endres Von Dilscher) Butler; their children were: Clara W., and Elizabeth Caroline Butler. Katherine J. Butler married Arthur Taylor, of Boston ; they have one son, Robert.
THOMAS MANDELL.
Thomas Mandell was born in Fairhaven, August 9, 1792, and died in New Bedford, February 13, 1870. He was for a long time clerk in a store at the Head-of-the-River, and before reaching his majority com- menced business here as partner with the late Caleb Congdon. Soon after he took the entire management of a mechanics' store, developing there the business traits which attracted the notice of the firm of Isaac Howland & Company, and induced them to offer him an interest in their house. He became a member of the firm in 1819, and it is exact justice to say that to him more than any other partner is due the high credit which the house for a half century maintained, and the colossal fortunes built up. The late Edward Mott Robinson entered the firm about 1833, which soon after consisted of that gentleman, Mr. Mandell, and the late Sylvia Ann Howland. The new partner brought to the firm an eager- ness and boldness in enterprise which greatly extended its operations, but which never disregarded the sound judgment of Mr. Mandell; and the two, although widely differing in almost everything else, perfectly agreed in their notions of mercantile integrity, and each entertained the highest regard for the honor of the other. Besides his responsibility as a partner, Mr. Mandell for more than a quarter of a century had the entire care and management of the estate of the late Sylvia Ann How- land, and her appointment of him as sole executor of her will was a just recognition of his integrity, while her bequest to him of $200,000 was nothing more than a fair remuneration for the valuable service he had rendered.
Mr. Mandell was many years ago one of the selectmen of the town, and was the first to commence the keeping of the records by the board. He was a member of the Legislature for the years 1830 to 1836, inclusive. These were the only public offices held by him. He sought no such honors; but he was never without proofs of the confidence reposed in his probity and discretion as the responsible positions he held in various corporations showed. He was not a great man, but he was better than that-he was a good man.
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A merchant of the old school, he knew no road to success but that of upright and honorable dealing. Modest and unobtrusive, no man was more tenacious of an opinion when satisfied of its correctness. His name was a synonym of rectitude. He was a benevolent man. He was the almoner of his own bounty, which did not break out at long intervals in noisy, startling displays of beneficence, but flowing quietly, steadily, refreshingly. We need not speak of the objects of his charity, or the extent of his benefactions. He never spoke of them, and shrank from any mention of them by others. He may be forgotten as the honorable and successful merchant, but his memory will live in the hearts of those who have been sustained and cheered by his unostentatious and gentle charities.
JOSEPH R. READ.
A man of quiet manner, unostentatious, devoted to business, yet public spirited, with clear decided convictions of duty, Joseph R. Read in his day and generation enjoyed a secure position in the regard of his fellow citizens of New Bedford, Massachusetts. His fine mind was richly stored with the best in literature, history being his favorite study, while his unusual conversational powers and social qualities endeared him to a very large circle of intimate friends. In his home his qualities of mind and disposition shone brightest, and there he found his greatest happiness. In business he was head of a prosperous firm of men's out- fitters, ranking as one of the city's substantial men. He traced descent to John Read, who is of record in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1637, and through his marriage with Cynthia A. Potter, Mr. Read formed an alliance with an ancient family of Rhode Island, founded by Nathaniel Potter, who was one of the twenty-nine signers of the "Compact," his residence in Portsmouth dating from the year 1638. Both the Reads and Potters were English families of ancient lineage, and in this country have attained unusual eminence.
John Read, the founder, remained in Massachusetts until 1643, then accompanied Rev. Mr. Newman and his church society to Rehoboth, settling in that part of Rehoboth now known as Seekonk, Rhode Island. The line of descent from John and Sarah Read is through John (2) and Rachael Read; their son, Thomas Read, and his second wife, Martha ; their son, Noah Read, who married Anna Hunt ; their son, Thomas Read, and his wife, Hannah (Bourne) Read; their son, William Read, and his wife, Sarah (Rogers) Read, the parents of Joseph R. Read, of New Bedford, whose life this review commemorates. William and Sarah (Rogers) Read resided in Somerset, Massachusetts, where some of their children were born including Joseph R. Later the family moved to Fall River, Massachusetts, and there William Read died, November 2, 1863.
Joseph R. Read, of the seventh American generation, was born in Somerset, Massachusetts, July 5, 1818, and died September 12, 1879, in
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New Bedford, Massachusetts. After completing his school years he learned the tailor's trade in Fall River, Massachusetts, and was there employed until his removal to New Bedford to take a position as cut- ter with the outfitting firm of O. and E. W. Seabury. He remained in that position until 1850, then with Edward Taber, an employee of the same firm, purchased the stock and good will of the Seabury business, Read & Taber continuing successful clothing merchants for several years. Nathan S. Ellis was at one time a partner with them, and after his death Darius P. Gardner succeeded to the Ellis interest. They con- tinued a remarkably successful career as long as Mr. Read lived, his connection with the business world as a merchant covering a period of twenty-nine years, 1850-1879. He was essentially the business man, with no desire for public office, but strong in his loyalty and patriotic devotion to his duty as a citizen. This caused him in 1874 to accept a nomination for alderman, and for one term he served his ward in that branch of the city government. He commanded the respect of all men through his sterling attributes of character, his manliness and deep sympathy for those in trouble.
Mr. Read married, November 17, 1844, Cynthia Ann Potter, born September 20, 1823, died in New Bedford, January 19, 1913, daughter of Jonathan and Cynthia (Howard) Potter, a descendant of Nathaniel Potter, of the "Island of Aquidneck," 1638. The line of descent is through the founder's son, Nathaniel (2) Potter ; his son, Ichabod Pot- ter ; his son, Jonathan Potter ; his son, Wesson Potter ; his son, Jonathan Potter, born June 26, 1795, died November 17, 1842, married, February 5, 1816, Cynthia Howard, born in 1795, died in 1887, daughter of Daniel and Grace Howard. Jonathan and Cynthia A. Potter lived in West- port and New Bedford. Their daughter, Cynthia Ann Potter, born in the last named city, September 30, 1823, married, November 17, 1844, as stated, Joseph R. Read. Mr. and Mrs. Read were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Clara A., born September 28, 1845, in New Bedford, died July 9, 1914, in Scotland ; William Francis Read (q. v.); Ella Howard, born December 13, 1850, a resident of her native New Bedford; Charles Warren, born January 19, 1853, married, January 22, 1908, Elizabeth, daughter of Theodore Dean Williams, and resides in New Bedford.
SAMUEL IVERS.
Third in direct line to bear the name Samuel, Mr. Ivers was the first to locate in New Bedford, a city to which he came as a clerk when a young man of minor years, and departed from sixty years later full of honors, with a record of business activity, usefulness and success which few men ever achieved. He developed a creative faculty which was expressed in the organization and promotion of corporations and busi- ness enterprises. He was richly endowed intellectually, was ever a stu-
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dent and a man of remarkable personality. He was intimately associated with many enterprises, then new, now well established and strong ; in the North Congregational Church and Sunday school; and in the Wam- sutta Club he is remembered as the long time treasurer.
Samuel (3) Ivers, of New Bedford, was a son of Samuel (2) Ivers, of Dedham and Somerville, Massachusetts, son of Samuel (1) Ivers, of Boston, son of William (2) Ivers, of Boston, son of William (1) Ivers, who was married in Boston by a Presbyterian minister, April 28, 1724, to Jane Barber.
Samuel (3) Ivers, son Samuel (2) and Caroline (Fuller) Ivers, was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, June 14, 1828, died in New Bedford, November 24, 1905. His education, begun in the Dedham schools, was continued in Roxbury until his sixteenth year, when the family removed from Roxbury to Cambridge. In Cambridge the lad gained his first business experience, being for one year a clerk in the dry goods store of Ivers & Campbell, his brother being a partner. The sale of the business threw him out of a position, and about 1845 Samuel Ivers appeared in New Bedford as a clerk in the Shaw Dry Goods Store. A year later he became clerk with Nehemiah Leonard, an oil commission merchant and candle manufacturer. In course of time he was admitted a partner, the firm, N. Leonard & Company, continuing until the death of Mr. Leon- ard in 1869. For several years prior to that date Mr. Leonard had been in feeble health, the burden of the business falling almost entirely upon Mr. Ivers. By the terms of Mr. Leonard's will, Samuel Ivers was appointed trustee and executor of his estate, valued at $100,000, the burden of that trust being carried in addition to continuing the business of N. Leonard & Company. He continued that business until about 1880, then sold out, and at once began his successful career as a pro- moter of business corporations.
His first great promotion was in 1880, when, in connection with three others, he organized the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Com- pany, a corporation which, beginning with a small capital and limited franchises, grew under another name to be one of the great public utili- ties of Southern Massachusetts. Mr. Ivers was treasurer and clerk of the company from its incorporation, and finally withdrew from other enterprises, the business of the telephone company having increased to such an extent as to require his entire time. His connection with the company continued for a quarter of a century, he being a director of the New England Telephone Company at the time of his death in 1905. At about the same time (1880) Mr. Ivers promoted the Williams Manu- facturing Company, of which he was treasurer ; the New Bedford House Company, being its treasurer and clerk ; and later elected treasurer and clerk of Clark's Cove Guano Company, which he served for about five years, then resigned all his offices to devote himself to the duties of his treasurership of the telephone company and of the Opera House Com-
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pany. He continued active in business until his death, being officially connected with several smaller enterprises, a director in several com- panies of which he had once been treasurer. His connection with the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank began with its inception, he being one of the incorporators and a trustee until his death. Thus sixty years of active business life were spent, and to enumerate all the cor- porations, companies and firms with which he was connected as treasurer and director would now be impossible. He was the builder of his own fortunes, and his work was so well done that it endures.
Mr. Ivers was a Republican in politics, deeply concerned for the welfare of his city, but without ambition to hold political office. He was a member of the Republican city committees at different times, served as its chairman and treasurer, held some minor local offices, and was once in his absence from the city nominated for the Legislature without his consent. Indeed that was the only way he could have been nomi- nated for he persistently refused offers to make him the party candidate for alderman and for mayor. He was a member of the North Congrega- tional Church and was treasurer of the Sunday school for fifteen years. He was one of the organizers of the Wamsutta Club, and its long time treasurer ; member of the Board of Trade, and interested in several soci- eties. During his latter years, books were a great source of enjoyment to him, Shakespeare being his favorite in literature. He possessed a mind of varied and analytical power, and he delighted to study the works of the great English poet.
Mr. Ivers married (first) October 29, 1851, Jane Frances Tobey, who died early in the year 1853, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Sears) Tobey, her father a son of Jonathan (2) Tobey, son of Jonathan (1) Tobey, son of Samuel Tobey, son of Thomas Tobey, who was of Scitu- ate, Massachusetts, later of Sandwich, where he is recorded as a member of the church in 1694. Mr. and Mrs. Ivers were the parents of a daugh- ter, Ella Frances Ivers, who is residing in New Bedford. Mr. Ivers mar- ried (second) late in the year 1855, Elizabeth Perkins, who died in 1885, daughter of John Perkins. They were the parents of a daughter, Lizzie Perkins Ivers, who died October 30, 1883.
GEORGE E. BRIGGS.
While never a man to seek public position, Mr. Briggs as little shuns it, and when confronted with any duty has accepted it as an obligation of citizenship. Hence he has been much in the public eye through his connection with city affairs, political and otherwise, his most valuable service being in connection with the Board of Assessors during the years 1894-95-96. His term as assessor was marked by radical changes in methods of assessing real estate, the total value of property as assessed in 1894 increasing $7,000,000 in the face of the fact
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