USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > History of Westminster, Massachusetts (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893, with a biographic-genealogical register of its principal families > Part 75
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I. EAGER, JONATHAN4, s. as it would seem of the last named pair, was b. in Shewsbury, Jan., 1765. He came to W. soon after attaining his majority and was pub. to Rebecca, dau. of James and Mary (Pearson) Cowee, July 19, 1789, afterwards marrying her. He was a mason by trade and res. intermittently in this town and Gr., his exact place of residence here not being known. After bearing him 6 chn. his w., Rebecca, was divorced from him and m. (2) John Bigelow, the husband of her deceased sister Mary. Mr. Eager d. May 1, 1830, a. 65. His w., Rebecca (Cowee) Eager Bigelow, d. Nov. 24, 1853, a. 84. Chn .:
2. FARWELI 5, b. 1790; m. Althina Bennett; res. W. and Lanc.
3. HORATIO5, b. July 1, 1794; m. 3 times; res. W.
4. HARRIET5; b. unrecorded; m. and had chn .; d. bef. 1830.
5. NANCY5; b. unrecorded; prob. d. unm.
6. BETSEY5; b. unrecorded; m. John F. Humphreys, Stow.
7. ELMIRA5; b. unrecorded; m. Thomas Knower; res. W.
[2.] EAGER, FARWELL5, s. of the last, m. Nov. 30, 1820, Althina Bennett of Lancaster. After remaining here a few years and having 2 chn., he rem. to L. where he continued through life, dying Feb. 1, 1839, a. 49. He had in L. 5 chn., John B., Eliza, and three whose names have not been learned, as they d. in infancy or early childhood. Those of W. were :
8. CAROLINE6, b. Oct. 22, 1821; d. Dec. 2, 1842.
9. SARAH6, b. Feb. 11, 1823; d. Nov. 27, 1840.
625
THE EAGER FAMILY.
[3.] EAGER, HORATIO5, s. of the last, mi. (1) Sally, dau. of Timothy and Phebe (Miller) Damon (pub. Oct. 31, 1819), and the same year bought land of his wife's f., upon which he built the brick house where he subsequently lived. He followed the vocation of his f. and later on purchased land and carried on farming in connection with his other business. His w. d. Feb. 4, 1834, a. 39, and he m. (2) Huldah, dau. David and Huldah (Brown) Wyman, May 25, 1834. After bearing 4 chn. she d. Jan. 24, 1865, a. 60, and he m. (3) wid. Louisa H. Flagg, dau. Amos and Mary Hardy of Hollis, N. H., May 18, 1865. He d. Sept. 30, 1875, a. 81, and his wid. d. July 16, 1887, a. 76. His chn. were :
10. ELMIRA5, b. Dec. 19, 1819; m. Abraham Adams; res. Waterbury, Vt .; d. March 26, 1843.
11. AUGUSTUS6, b. April 10, 1822; m. twice; res. W .; 6 chn.
12. CATHARINES, b. June 25, 1824; d. unm. Sept. 14, 1863.
13. HARRIET B.6, b. March 27, 1827; m. David W. Goss; res. Montague; 3 chn .; d. June 3, 1891.
14. GEORGE H.6, b. Aug. 24, 1833; d. Nov. 12, 1835.
-15- GEORGES, b. Sept. 18, 1835; d. Aug. 3, 1842.
16. SARAH D.6, b. June 19, 1837; d. Feb. 24, 1851.
17. ADALINE W.6, b. Jan. 29, 1841.
18. ELMIRA A.6, b. March 10, 1846; m. - Freeland; no chn .; res. Montague; ].
[II.] EAGER, AUGUSTUS6, s. of the last, m. (1) Harriet L., dau. of Aaron and Abigail (Boutelle) Wood, in May 1849. He was a chair dealer, res. in W., building the ho. on the So. side of the common, near the pound, for a home. His w. appears to have d. March 26, 1859, a. 32, and he m. (2) Nov. 16 of the same year, Lucy E., dau. of Josiah and Betsey Babcock of Berlin. He passed on March 24, 1871, a. 48, and his wid. m. (2) G. W. Ames. Chn .:
19. MYRA A.7, b. March 16, 1854; m. Merlin A. Beaman; res. Fg .; 2 chn .; living.
20. CHARLES D.7, b Jan. 27, 1861; m. Lilla M. Southwick; res. Berlin; 3 chn.
21. HATTIE E.7, b. Oct. 22, 1862; d. Sept. 1, 1864.
22. NELLIE G.7, b. Aug. 24, 1866; d. March 7, 1867.
23. WILLIAM S.7, b. Jan. 28, 1868; res. Berlin.
24. GEORGE A.7, b. March 28, 1870; d. June 19, 1871.
25. EAGER, WILLIAM O., s. of Uriah and Mary of Barre, was b. May 25, 1834; lineage untraced. Hem. Emily (Brown), wid. of Emory Warner, Feb. 29, 1861, and a few months later enlisted in the U. S. service for the suppression of the Rebel- lion. (See p. 407.) After his return he engaged as sailor in a whaling expedition on board the Susan N. Smith of Boston, from which he fell overboard Aug. 29, 1869, and was lost. His wid. is still living. One chd .:
26. WILLIAM ARTHUR, b. Feb. 10, 1862; has res. in Gr .; unm.
I. EAMES, NATHANIEL, s. of Nathaniel and Mary (Curtis) Eames, was b. Brunswick, Me., ab. 1797. He m. Marian H., dau. of Stephen and Sybil S. Chaffin of Kingfield, Me., and set. at Lisbon in that State. Came to W. after the war and went
40
6:26
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
into trade with Charles G. Giles at the Whitman (Merriam) store, establishing an apothecary department, of which he had special charge. He d. April 12, 1873, a. 76. His wid. d. Jan. 14, 1887, a. 59. No chn.
EATON.
Several persons of this name were among the early settlers in Massachu- setts, each of them having families and becoming the head of a long line of descendants. Nathaniel, an associate of Winthrop and bro. of Gov. Theophilus Eaton of Conn., was teacher in Harvard College before it was fully organized and put in working order under Pres. Dunster. He resided in Cambridge, where he left children, though he himself returned to England under somewhat of a cloud, having been discharged from his office on account of alleged avarice, tyranny, and other misconduct, as he was also, for the same reasons, excommunicated from the church. John, who m. wid. Abigail Dammant (Damon), came to this country in 1635 and settled in Dedham. He was the ancestor of the Eatons of Gr., and also of Dea. Orland Eaton, of Hancock, N. H., a leading citizen of that town, and one much interested in its recently published " History" -- a work of 1076 pages, prepared by Rev. W. W. Hayward, late of Medfield, dec'd. William, with 3 chn., was an early resident of Watertown.
Jonas Eaton1, the fourth of these immigrant settlers, and per. bro. of Wm., was among the early proprietors of Reading, being there with his wife Grace in 1634, when a dau. Mary was b. They were both natives of England, of course, and very likely m. before coming to these shores. They had a son Jonathan2, whose w. Mary bore him Nathaniel8. He m. Lydia , and of this union came the first of the name in W., to wit :
I. EATON, NATHANIEL4, b. in Reading, 1732. In April, 1759, he bought of Richard Newton lot No. 43, 2d Div., on which he soon after located. There he spent the remainder of his days, and there his s., Nathan5, lived after him. (See A. H. No. 34.) His w. was Mary Wesson of Sudbury, whom he appears to have m. 2 or 3 yrs. bef. coming here, though she did not join him for some time afterward. He d. Feb. 24, 1799, a. 67. Mary, his wid., d. Jan. 3, 1821, a. 90. Chn. :
2. BETSEY5, b. ab. 1757; d. unm. May 9, 1845, a. 88.
3. POLLY5, b. ab. 1760; d. unm. Jan. 30, 1839, a. 78.
4. ABIGAIL5, b. ab. 1762; d. unm. May 20, 1828, a. 58.
5. EUNICE5, b. Nov. 7, 1764; m. Wm. Trask; res. Temp.
6. BENJAMIN5, b. June 15, 1768; m. Elizabeth Atwood; res. W. and N. H.
7. NATHAN5, b. June 8, 1772; m. twice, as below; res. W.
[6.] EATON, BENJAMIN5, s. of the last, m. Dec. 18, 1792, Elizabeth Atwood of Temp. He purchased of his f. 2d Div. lot No. 25, with ho. and improvements, Sept. 9, 1795, living upon it ab. 2 yrs. and then selling it to Elisha Pierce. The exact loca- tion of this lot has not been determined. He rem. to Gilsum, N. H., where he has descendants still 1. He had sev. chn., of whom the first only was a native of W., to wit:
S. BENJAMIN6, b. July 25, 1794; m. and had a family at Gilsum.
[7] EATON, NATHAN5, bro. of the last, lived and d. on the homestead left by his f. He m. (1) Milly, dau. of John and
627
THE EATON FAMILY.
Elizabeth (Marshall) Baker, June 4, 1794, by whom he had 3 chn. She d. Oct. 20, 1802, a. 29, and he m. (2) Elinor Parmen- ter of Sudbury, May 15, 1803, and had 13 more. He d. Oct. 14, 1861, a. 89; his wid., Elinor, d. April 22, 1864, a. 83. Chn. :
9. JOHN", b. July 24, 1796; m. Emma Kemp; res. W .; 11 chn .; d. March 13, 1844.
IO. MILLY6, b. June 20, 1798; m. Nathaniel Trask; res. Gr .; 3 chn .; d. Jan. 3, 1873.
II. MYRA6, b. June 20, 1800; m. Sumner May; res. W. and Ash .; 9 chn .; d. May 4, 1861.
12. MARY6, b. Feb. 17, 1804; d. July 31, 1804.
13. NATIIAN", b. May 22, 1805; m. three times; res. W .; d. Dec. 21, 1884.
14. MARY6, b. Nov. 21, 1806; d. Feb. 6, 1SoS.
I 5. JAMES6, b. Nov. 14, ISOS; m. Harriet Fowler; res. Irving; chn .; d. June 25, 1852.
16. ELINORG, b. April 10, ISIo; now living unm. in W.
17. BENJAMIN6, b. Feb. 26, 1812; m. Susan Hosmer; res. Gr .; 2 chn .; d. March 29, 1891.
IS. MARSHALL6, b. Feb. 22, 1814; d. April 22, 1814.
19. MARSHALL6, b. March 3, 1815; m. Equilla Haynes; res. W .; d. March 10, 1881. 20. ELEAZER6, b. July 25, 1817: m. Maria -; res. Gr .; I chd .; living.
21. STILLMANG, b. Oct. 31, 1819; m. Mary E. Wheeler; res. W .; 4 chn .; d. May 5. 1879.
22. WILLIAM6, b. Jan. IS, 1822; m. Ann Gates; res. W .; 4 chn .; living.
23. NANCY6, b. Feb. 25, 1824: d. July 3, 1828.
24. SARAH6, b. July S, 1827; d. unm. Nov. 12, 1842.
[9.] EATON, JOHN6, s. of Nathan and Milly (Baker) Eaton, m. Emma, dau. of John and Sarah (Shattuck) Kemp of Gr., where he res. sev. yrs. Returning to W., he took up his abode in the ho. located on the back road to Gr., near the present dwelling of R. L. Conkling. He d. as a result of an injury received from a circular saw, March 13, 1844, a. 48. His wid., Emma, m. (2) Samuel Learned and l. on the so-called Daniel Sawin place, in the S. W. part of the tn. She d. Jan. 31, 1884, a. 78. The chn. of John and Emma Eaton were:
25. THOMAS S.7, b. Oct. 29, 1823; in. twice; res. W.
26. MILLYT, b. Sept. 19, 1825; d. Sept. 18, 1826.
27. NATHANIEL W.7, b. Feb. 21, 1827; m. and res. Camden, N. Y .; 1 chd.
28. BENJAMIN7, b. Dec. 7, 1828; d. Aug. 3, 1830.
29. SARAII A.7, b. Sept. 11, 1830; m. Edward Whitaker; res. Bethel, Vt .: 4 chn .; d. April 8, 1870.
30 JAMES M.7, b. Oct. 31, 1832; m. twice; res. W. and Gr. In war of the Rebel- lion. (See p. 416.)
31. WENDELL7, b. Sept. 5, 1834; m. Serepta A. Johnson; res. Ash. and Temp. (See p. 416.)
32. SIMEON7, b. May 27, 1837; m. and res. Lowell; 3 chn.
33. JEFFERSON™, b. June 27, 1839; m. Ellen E. Brooks; res. Worc.
34. FRANCIS7, b. Jan. 27, 1841; m. Sarah Scranton; res. W.
35. CHARLES7, b. Jan. 30, 1843; d. June 9, 1854.
[13.] EATON, NATHAN6, half-bro. of the last, m. (1) Mary Ann Bruce, Marlboro', in 1830. She d. soon s. p., and he m. (2) Emeline Ball of Athol, by whom he had 3 chn. She d. July 10, 1841, a. 34, and he m. (3) Eliza Ann Tavener of Newton, who d. May 7, 1877, a. 65. He res. in the ho. now occupied by his s. Nathaniel, 1 1-2 miles west of the Central Village. His d. occurred Dec. 21, 1884, at the a. of 79. Chn .:
36. MARY7, b. March 15, 1836; d. Oct. 25, 1839.
37. NANCY7, b. prob. 1838; d. Aug. 12, 1841.
38. NATHANIEL7, b. June 28, 1841; d. Sept. 28, 1841.
628
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
39. NATHANIEL, b. Dec. 18, 1842; m. Lucy Ann Eaton; res. W .; 2 chn.
40. GEORGE W.7, b. Oct. 23, 1845; m. Mary Whitney; res. W .; no chn.
41. CALVIN7, b. Aug. 27, 1847; m. Laura B. Miller; res W .; no chn.
42. SUSAN C.7, b. Nov. 4, 1850; d. Sept. 13, 1852.
[19.] EATON, MARSHALL6, s. of Nathan and Elinor, m. Sept. 22, 1842, Equilla, dau. of Russell Haynes of Sudbury, and set. in the Silas Perry ho., in the west part of W. village, where his s. Charles now 1. He was a chairmaker by trade, as were most of his brothers. He d. March 10, 1881, a. 66. His wid., Equilla, d. March 21, 1888, a. 72. Chn .:
43. NANCY J.7, b. July 26, 1843; m. Albert Rice; res. W.
44. FRANK7, b. June 1, 1845; m. Martha C. Jackson.
45. HELEN7, b. March 6, 1847.
46. MARY7, b. May 30, 1849; d. unm. Oct. 28, 1888.
47. HANDELT, b. Oct. 30, 1851; m. Sarah L. Peabody; res. W.
48. CHARLES7, b. Dec. 20, 1854; m. Maud Butterfield; res. W.
[21.] EATON, STILLMAN6, bro. of the last, m. Mary E., dau. of Nathaniel and Elvira Wheeler, Nov. 21, 1850, and 1. in the cottage opposite the residence of Marshall, just spoken of. He d. May 5, 1875, his wid. still surviving him. Chn. :
49. LUCY E.7, b. Nov. 5, 1851; d. 'Ang. 17, 1852
50. EMMA A.7, b. May 18, 1853; m. George N. Haynes; res. W .; I chd.
51. ADDIE L.7, b. Sept. 12, 1862; res. W .; unm.
52. DELLA A.7, b. May IS, 1865; m. Frank M. Rice; res. W.
[22.] EATON, WILLIAM6, youngest s. of Nathan and Elinor, m. Ann Gates, dau. of Jonathan of Gr., Aug. 12, 1849. They reside in the Penniman ho., a few rods off the main street of the village, near the chair establishment of Nichols Bros. They have had 4 chn., but only I is spared to them, as the appended table shows :
53. EMMA7, b. Jan. 19, 1852; d. Feb. 3, 1852.
54. C. ADELIA7, b. April 8, 1853; d. May 1, 1860.
55. LUCY ANN7, b. Aug. 15, 1855; m. Nathaniel Eaton (39).
56. WASHBURN7, b. June 3, 1865; d. June 25, 1865.
[25.] EATON, THOMAS S.7, s. of John and Emma (Kemp) Eaton, m. (1) Lydia L. Warner, dau. of Calvin and Lydia of Harvard, Oct. 29, 1846. She was the mother of 4 chn., dying April 8, 1858, a. 38. The f. then m. (2) Sarah, dau. of Jesse and Betsey (Comee) Lovewell of Gr., Nov. 28, 1858. Mr. Eaton is a man of enterprise and influence, taking much interest in public affairs. He has been for sev. years Collector of taxes, and is at this present writing Chairman of the Sch. Com. He has had 5 chn., but a sad fatality has left but I to gladden his advancing yrs .:
57. EMERETT L.S, b. April 21, 1848; d. Sept. 17, 1852.
58. GEORGIANNA P.8, b. Dec. 20, 1850; d. Sept. 12, 1852.
59. GEORGE EMORY8, b. Sept. 20, 1854; d. Nov. 9, 1859.
60. FREDERICK A.8, b. Dec. 4, 1857; m. (1) Alice A. Shepard and (2) Maggie L. Brown; res. W .; no chn.
[30.] EATON, JAMES M.7, bro. of the last, m. (1) Nancy Bal- entine, July 1, 1854. She d. Feb. 18, 1875, and he m. (2) wid.
629
THE EATON AND EDGELL FAMILIES.
Anna M. Burnet, Dec. 19, 1881. His chn., all by his first w., were :
61. MARY J.8, b. Jan. 24, 1856; m. Alfred Hobbs; res. P'n .; 1 chd.
62. ELLEN E.8, b. Oct. 31, 1857; m. Reuben Puffer; res. Ash .; 1 chd .; d. Aug. 3, 1880.
63. CHARLES E.8, b Sept. 19, 1859; d. at Boston unm. Dec. 7, 1886.
64. LUCINTHIA8, b. May 24, 1861; m. Albert May; res. Gr .; 1 chd .; d.
65. ADA8, b. June 16, 1863; d. W., April 7, 1870.
66. GEORGE H.8, b. Sept. 17, 1865. 67. ALICE L.8, b. July 17, 1870.
68. ADRIAN R.8, b. Sept. 2, 1872.
[34.] EATON, FRANCIS7, bro. of the last, m. Sarah Scranton and res. for some time in his native tn., but left a year or two since. While here he had a fancy goods store on Bacon St.
[39.] EATON, NATHANIEL7, S. of Nathan6 and Eliza Ann Eaton, m. Sept. 23, 1880, Lucy Ann, dau. of Wm. and Ann (Gates) Eaton, and set. on the est. of his f., a mile west of the village. They have 2 chn .:
69. ARTHUR GEORGES, b. June 4, 1887. 70. LORA ANN8, b. April 22, 1889.
[44.] EATON, FRANK™, s. of Marshall6 and Equilla, m. Martha C., dau. of Levi and Jane Jackson, Nov. 25, 1871. They res. in the west part of the Central Village, and have 2 chn .:
71. SUSAN M.8, b. Oct. 23, 1873. 72. ROY M.8, b. March 18, 1881.
[47.] EATON, HANDEL7, bro. of the last, m. Sarah L. Pea- body of Gr., Jan. 18, 1874, and l. in tn. He d. March 12, 1887, a. 35. Chn. :
73. FLORENCE E.8, b. Nov. 16, 1878.
74. LEON H.8, b. Sept. 21, 18So.
[48.] EATON, CHARLES", another bro., m. Maud Butterfield and res. in tn. They have 2 chn. :
75. RUBY M., b. March 15, 1881. 76. HERMAN R., b. July 25, 1888.
EDGELL.
The first man of this name in this country, so far as is known, was Wil- liam Edgell1, sometimes spelled Edgehill (possibly derived from a town in England where the family may have originally lived), who came hither about 1720 or 1725. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Norman of Marblehead. and resided in both Woburn and Lexington. He had 4 sons :- William2, b. 1726, and John2. Simon2, and Benjamin2, of subsequent birth. A well- authenticated tradition in the family reports him to have been a man of wealth, leaving considerable property in the old country when he emigrated to these shores. It further specifies that after being here some years. and building for himself a home, he returned to his native land to look after his possessions, with a view of converting them into money, or its equivalent. and bringing it back with him, but was never heard of more: the implication being that he was made way with. by parties likely to be financially profited by such an act. At any rate, he did not return, and the Probate Court accounted him dead in 1743, and took action accordingly, adopting meas- ures for the settlement of his estate and providing proper guardianship for his children. His widow m. (2) Isaac How of Framingham, in which place she d. Oct. 20, 1770, a. 73. The two oldest sons, Wm.2 and John2, settled in W., Simon2 in Framingham, and Benjamin2 in Woburn. Of the latter and
630
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
his descendants little has been learned. Simon2, by his son Aaron3, had a grandson, Moses4, who was one of the foremost citizens of F. in his day -a man of superior intellectual and executive ability, of disinterested public spirit, and of irreproachable character. In addition to a splendid example and a grateful memory, he bequeathed to his fellow-citizens and to coming generations a considerable tract of land for a public burial-place, with ample funds for its support. It has been put in order, properly laid out and beautified according to his wishes, and bears the appropriate name of " The Edgell Cemetery."
I. EDGELL, WILLIAM2, oldest s. of Wm.] and Elizabeth (Norman) Edgell, was b. 1726, being 18 yrs. of age when his guardian was appointed, Dec. 12, 1743. He first appears in Narragansett No. 2, according to the records, Dec., 1750, when he purchased of Jonathan White and Gardner Wilder house lots Nos. 28 and 67, the original estate now represented by Theodore S. Wood. On the 23d of June, 1752, he exchanged that property, which 4 yrs. later came into the possession of Nathan Wood, with James Walker for lot No. 25, long known as the Edgell place, the buildings upon which and a few acres of land are now owned and occupied by Aspasio H. King. He was a public-spirited and active citizen of the tn., esteemed and honored by his contemporaries, holding important positions in the people's gift, and serving the general welfare in numerous ways and to the acceptance of his constituency. An ardent patriot and friend of the colonies in the conflict with the mother country, he did much as a private citizen and by his more pub- lic labors, to further their interests and promote the cause of liberty and independence. Animated by much of the military spirit which seems to be a family characteristic, he entered the ranks of the soldiery to rise rapidly to popular favor and to a commission, as an accredited and efficient officer. He was elected Ensign of the Ist W. Co. of the 2d Worc. Co. Regt. in 1771. Later he was promoted to the position of Quartermaster of the Regt., and also served as Lieut. in the Co. of minute men, of which John Estabrook was Capt., marching to Camb. with his comrades immediately after receiving tidings of the Lexington and Concord invasion, April 19, 1775. On the 20th of June, 1776, as the Revolution came hurrying on, he was com- missioned Capt. of the 3d Co., 8th Regt., in Worc Co., of which Abijah Stevens was Col. and John Rand Maj. He was in the field very little during the conflict, but rendered his town and country essential and praiseworthy service as enlisting agent and drill-master of raw recruits. (For a more detailed account of Capt. Edgell's patriotic labors, see Chap. X.)
Soon after coming to Narragansett, Mr. Edgell m. Elinor, dau. of Joseph and Ruth Wheeler of Concord, b. Feb. 20, 1727-8, who proved a devoted companion and faithful helpmeet through a long and eventful life. He passed away Jan. 13, 1809, a. 82. She survived him 4 yrs., dying Feb. 12, 1813, a. 84. Their chn. were:
631
THE EDGELL FAMILY.
2. LOIS3, b. May 31, 1754; prob. d. young.
3. JOSEPH3, b. April 16, 1756; m. Dorcas Sawyer: res. Gr. and W.
4. REBECCA3, b. Jan. 10, 1758; nothing further found.
5. WILLIAM3, b. Jan. 27, 1760; m. Thankful Puffer; res. W.
6. SAMUEL3, b. Feb. 26, 1762; m. Sarah Heywood; res. Gr .; 7 chn.
7 . BENJAMIN3, b. 1764 ?; m. Priscilla Graves; res. Gr .; 10 chn.
[3.] EDGELL, JOSEPH3, oldest s. of the last, m. Dorcas, dau. of Nathaniel and Jerusha (Flint) Sawyer (pub. May 29th), 1790. He res. for some years in Gr., where most of his chn. were b., but ret. to his native place ab. 1805, spending the remainder of his days in Wachusettville and vicinity. He d. Feb. 5, 1840, a. 83. Dorcas, his wid., d. at date unkn. Chn .:
8. CHARLES4, b. Dec. 14, 1791; d. 1809.
9. NANCY4, b. May 8, 1793; m. Isaac Kilburn; res. Groton; had chn.
IO. JOSEPH4, b. Feb. 6, 1795; d. June 21, 1795.
II. REBECCA4, b. Feb. 21, 1797; went to Me., m., and d. soon after.
12. JOSEPH4, b. Aug. 21, 1801; m. and res. Rochester, N. Y.
13. KENDALL F.4, b. Oct. 30, 1804; nothing ascertained.
14. CHARLES+, b. ISII; d. Aug. 21, 1813.
15. MARY J.4, b. July 11, 1816; d. Sept. 5, 1834.
[5.] EDGELL, WILLIAM3, bro. of the last, m. Thankful, dau. of Josiah and Mary (Reed) Puffer, Sept. 8, 1793, and succeeded to his f.'s est., kn. more recently as the Hager place. He was a man of genial temperament, hospitable and generous to a fault, dispensing favors with a liberal hand and to his own per- sonal detriment. Inheriting from his f. a love of military life, he devoted much time and money to matters connected there- with. His first experience in actual service was as a sold. in the detachment of State troops sent out for the suppression of Shays' Rebellion in 1785. Later he joined a company of cav- alry recruited from W. and vicinity, of which he was elected and commissioned Capt. in 1807. He sold his farm in 1820 and rem. to the "Pond place," so called, owned by the heirs of his w.'s f. His d. took place July 29, 1831, in the 72d year of his a. His wid., Thankful (Puffer) Edgell, survived him many years, dying at Westfield in 1857, a. 88. Chn .:
16. POLLY4, b. Oct. 5, 1794; d. Nov. 18, 1814.
17. BETSEY4, b. June 17, 1799; m. John Heywood; res. W .; d. March 21, 1872.
18. WILLIAM+, b. July 6, 1802; m. Lorena Miller; res. W.
19. JOHN4, b. Oct. 15, 1804; m. Elvira Nichols; res. W. and Gr .; now living.
20. MELINDA4, b. May 8, 1807; m. George F. Miller; res. W. and Royalston; d. 1870.
[18.] EDGELL, WILLIAM4, s. of the last, m. Lorena, dau. of Ezra and Lucy (Whitcomb) Miller, early in 1824, and spent his days in his native tn. He was for some years a popular stage driver, and later in life a shoemaker and insurance agent. He served the tn. repeatedly and acceptably as Collector of taxes. He and his w. were both great sufferers during their last years from a most painful form of chronic rheumatism, from which they found release only by death, which occurred in his case June 29, 1865, at the a. of 63, and in hers 6 months earlier, Dec. 20, 1864, at the a. of 62. Chn .:
632
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
21. MARY LORENA5, b. April 2, 1827; d. Oct. 24, 1830.
22. STILLMAN W.5, b. Aug. 27, 1830; res. Boston; d. unm. Jan. 24, 1892. (See P. 416.)
23. MARY LORENA5, b. May 19. 1834; d. March 26, 1836.
[19.] EDGELL, JOHN4, bro. of the last, m. Aug. 13, 1829, Elvira, dau. of David and Rachel (Howard) Nichols. He began life as a shoemaker but soon turned his attention to the manu- facture of chairs, carrying on the business for a time in company with Almond Derby at Wachusettville, and then by himself at the Jacob Brown place, now owned by Andrew C. Ham. About the year 1836 he rem. to Gr., continuing awhile in the same occupation, and running for some years in connection with it a weekly stage to and from Worc. The combined business of underwriting and conveyancing, augmented by a wide experi- ence in Probate matters, has constituted the regular em- ployment of his later life. He has been one of his adopted town's most active and useful citizens, serving in all the more important positions of public duty. He represented the tn. in the General Court during the memorable session of 1851, as he had also done the preceding year, was one of the projectors and first Directors of the First National Bank of Gr., and one of the corporators of the Savings Bank, as well as one of its Trustees and Investment Committee, from the beginning. A man he is, who, all his life long, has been interested in public improvements, good causes, works of reform, and whatever he has deemed promotive of the general welfare and happiness. In his character and career he has illustrated a high type of manhood and of good citizenship. His w. passed to the unseen world Jan., 1887, in the Sist year of her age. Chn. :
24. ELVIRA E.5. b. July 19, 1832; d. Nov. 29, 1839.
25. EMILY A.5, b. Aug. 8, 1834; m. Christopher C. Temple; res. Gr .; no chn.
26. JOHN I).5, b. Sept. 16, 1836; m. Sarah Greenwood; res. Gr .; 2 chn.
27 . CHARLES N.5, b. Jan. 29, 1843; m. Helen Bryant; res. Gr .; 4 chn.
28. THEODORE F.5, b. June 15, 1845; d. July, 1845.
29. WALTER E.5, b. Sept. 9, 1850; d. March 8, 1861.
John D. Edgell5, oldest s. of John and Elvira N. Edgell, is a man of excellent business ability, rare moral worth, and of good repute wherever known. He was a Capt. in the service of the nation for the suppression of the Rebellion, and repre- sented his district in the General Court of 1879. He was elected first Cashier of the National Bank of Gr., from which position he was elevated to that of President at the death of the former incumbent, Mr. Charles Heywood, in 1882.
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