History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896


USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 29


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for a ministerial library ; $500 to the Second Congregational Church as a permanent ministerial fund; $1000 as a fund for the repair and improvement of the Arms Cemetery ; $5000 as a fund for the support of the Arms library ; and $18,000 as an endowment for the Arms Academy.


Mr. Arms was a native of Greenfield, but passed nearly the whole of his life in Shelburne, where he died in 1859, and where, in the Arms Cemetery, a marble monument marks his last earthly resting-place.


BURIAL-PLACES.


The first burying-ground was laid out at the Falls, in 1768, and the second, north of the centre: These two grounds are now unused. The oldest cemetery in use is the one near Shel- burne Centre. The first person buried there was the wife of Reuben Nims, in April, 1774. There are several burial-places in the town, but the most extensive is the Arms ('emetery, at the Falls, which was opened for public use in 1857. During his lifetime Ira Arms donated a piece of land on the Buckland side of Shelburne Falls for a Shelburne cemetery, and this land was, with his approval, exchanged for the ground now occupied by the Arms Cemetery. At his death Mr. Arms left a fund of $1000, the income of which is devoted to repairs and the improvement of the grounds.


This beautiful city of the dead is an object of pride to Shel- burne's citizens, and deserves, too, such a tribute, since it is at once a spot of great natural beauty and artistic adornment. Embowered within a pine grove and set upon a commanding bluff, it overlooks the gracefully-winding Deerfield River, and incloses neatly-kept lawns, smooth drives, and many imposing monuments.


SOCIETIES, ORDERS, ETC.


There are in Shelburne numerous societies, all of which are located at tbe Falls. They will be found named as follows :


MOUNTAIN LODGE, F. AND A. M.,


was organized in Rowe in 1806, transferred to Coleraine in 1818, where, in 1840, it disappeared from the enrrent of events, and was revived in 1856 at Shelburne Falls. The lodge num- bers now 70 members, and had as officers in 1879 the follow- ing: Edwin Baker, W. M .; George R. Pierce, S. W. ; J. H. Warner, J. W .; Herbert Newell, Treas. ; J. H. Wilder, Sec .; J. K. Patch, Chap. ; F. W. Merriam, Mar. ; James Halligan, S. D .; H. W. Merrill, J. D .; F. G. Mitchell, S. S. ; A. N. Sprague, J. S .; A. W. Ware, 1. S .; H. O. Smith, Organist ; L. T. Brown, Tiler.


THE GERMAN TURNVEREIN


was organized in 1868, and has now a membership of 45. This society is a flourishing one, and owns a commodious hall at Shelburne Falls, built in 1874 at a cost of $2800.


ATHENEUM DIVISION, NO. 79, SONS OF TEMPERANCE,


was organized December, 1874, and has now (1879) 74 mem- bers. The officers are F. W. Bannister, W. P .; Miss M. E. Nims, W. A. ; T. A. Montague, R. S. ; Miss E. E. Eldridge, A. R. S .; Charles E. Dewsnap, F. S. ; Mrs. S. E. Cummings, T. ; Miss Nellie Dewsnap, Inside Sentinel; Rev. O. P. Emer- son, Chaplain ; W. S. Ball, Con. ; Miss Lizzie Sprague, A. Con. ; Albert Mann, Outside Sentinel; Rev. S. G. Davis, P. W. P.


LOOMIS LODGE OF GOOD TEMPLARS, NO. 244,


was organized February, 1867, and had in 1879 a membership of 51, with officers as follows: Charles R. White, W. C. T .; Mrs. S. Huntley, V. ; George Ilinde, R. S. ; Mrs. E. F. Steel, F. S. ; John Thompson, T. ; James Martin, M. ; Rev. N. F. Benson, Chaplain; Miss E. Shaw, I. G .; George Lees, O. G .; W. E. Cooney, A. S .; Miss Agnes Turton, D. M .; L. P. Allen, W. R. Il. S. ; M. J. Tooley, L. H. S .; M. O. Lamfair, P. W. C. T .; John Thompson, Lodge Dep.


82


650


HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.


TIIE IIARUGARI,


a German organization, was organized in 1873, and has now 33 members.


THIE INDEPENDENT FORESTERS,


organized in 1878, have 75 members.


ALETHIAN LODGE, I. O. O. F., NO. 128, meets on the Buckland side of the Falls, but draws largely in membership from Shelburne.


THE OREENLEAF GUARD (CO. E, SECOND MASS. REGT.)


is a fine military command of 62 members, organized Septem- ber, 1872, and named in honor of Col. Il. S. Greenleaf (now residing in Rochester, N. Y.), who went out from Shelburne into the war of the Rebellion in command of the 52d Mass. Regt. This company is handsomely uniformed in gray, and has a well-appointed armory at Shelburne Falls. The officers are Frederick W. Merriam, Captain ; John A. Halligan, First Lieutenant; Herbert W. Swan, Second Lieutenant; George D. Eldridge, Orderly Sergeant. Previous to the last war, Shelburne Falls had a well-drilled military organization known as Co. II, 10th Mass. Regt.


OZRO MILLER POST, NO. 93, G. A. R.,


was organized in 1869 and named after Ozro Miller, who went into the last war from Shelburne as captain of Co. HI, 10th Mass Regt .; was shortly afterward promoted to be a major ; was wounded and captured in 1862, at Malvern Hill, and died that year in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. The post numbers 42 members, and is commanded by George O. Wilder.


JESSIE RUPERT POST, MATRONS OF THE REPUBLIC,


is composed of the wives, widows, and sisters of soldiers who served in the last war. The post took its name from Jessie Rupert, who joined the 34th Mass. Regt. in the Shenandoah Valley during the last war, and was afterward known as the daughter of that regiment.


Shelburne Falls has two musical organizations, known as the MECHANICS' BAND and the SHELBURNE FALLS CORNET BAND.


THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,


of which G. R. Pierce is chief engineer, is located at the Falls, and includes two hand-engine companies and one hook-and- ladder company.


Hook-and-Ladder No. 1 was organized in 1873, has now 25 members, and occupies a house with Neptune Engine Com- pany, on the Shelburne side of the Falls.


Neptune Engine Company was organized in 1863, runs a hand-engine, and has 110 members. Niagara Engine belongs to the department, but has its engine-house on the Buckland side of the Falls. Its organization dates from 1863, and its membership numbers now 75. The Fire District was organ- ized in 1854; the Fire Department in 1863.


7 INDUSTRIES.


Shelburne is a town of agriculture and manufactures, and derives the elements of its substantial prosperity about equally from each industry. At Shelburne Falls village the extensive cutlery-works of J. W. Gardner furnish employment to 70 persons, and manufacture one hundred and twenty dozens of pocket-knives daily. The works are exclusively devoted to the production of pocket-cutlery,-jack-knives mostly. Mr. Gardner was for nearly a quarter of a century previous to 1876 interested with the Messrs. Lamson in their cutlery- works in Buckland, and in that year began the manufacture of cutlery at his present location.


Streeter & Mayhew occupy a commodious mill of two and a half stories for the manufacture of silk-twist, of which their production is about 700 pounds monthly. The mill is op- erated by steam-power, and when running to its full capacity gives employment to 50 persons. The firm of Streeter &


Mayhew was organized in 1870, and occupies the site whereon A. W. Streeter manufactured bit-braces previous to 1870.


H. Il. Mayhew & Co. have been engaged since 1866 as the successors of H. S. Shepardson & Co. in the manufacture of bits, braces, gimlets, etc. They employ 25 men, and operate with water-power. . Messrs. Mayhew & Co. manufacture the double-cut bit, patented by C. C. Tolman, of Shelburne, many years ago, and first made in this country in 1855 by Sargent & Foster, of Shelburne Falls.


The German Harmonica Company, composed of Jacob Oefinger and II. M. Willis, was organized at Shelburne Falls by Jacob Oefinger in December, 1877. Mr. Oefinger began the manufacture of small tools, etc., at the Falls in 1874, and in 1876 removed to North Adams, Mass., where, with E. R. Tinker, he organized the American Harmonica Company for the manufacture of harmonicas. The company was dissolved in 1877, in which year Mr. Oefinger formed the present com- pany, which is said to be the only one of its kind in America, and the only one in the world that manufactures harmonicas by other than hand-power. The present daily production is from two to three gross of instruments, and the number of employés 10, but, according to expectations, these figures will soon be increased fivefold.


In the north part of the town, on North River, are the Frankton Mills, operated by a corporation composed of Messrs. S. T. Field, W. II. Gould, and T. D. Purrington, and en- gaged in the manufacture of cotton prints. The company was organized in 1877, and began business in the present mills. These were built in 1870 by E. Wells & Co., and devoted by them until 1873 to the manufacture of printing- paper. From 1873, when the firm of E. Wells & Co. was dissolved, until 1877, the mills were idle. The capital stock of the Frankton Mills corporation is $30,000; sixty-four looms are operated and 40 people employed.


Other manufacturing industries of the town are the tannery of Messrs. A. Bardwell & Son, at the Falls, and the chair- factory of Messrs. Alvord & Franklin, at Shelburne Centre.


Agriculturally, Shelburne is somewhat noted for the pro- duction of fat cattle, butter, and maple-sugar.


BANKS, ETC.


At Shelburne Falls two banking institutions transact the financial business of the town.


THE SHELBURNE FALLS NATIONAL BANK


was organized as a State bank in 1855, and as such began business in 1856 with a capital of $50,000. In 1865 it was changed to a national bank. Its capital is now $200,000, and its deposit account $50,000.


THE SHELBURNE FALLS FIVE-CENT SAVINGS-BANK was organized in 1856, and in 1876 changed its name to the Shelburne Falls Savings-Bank. Its deposits in March, 1879, aggregated $640,000. Both banks occupy quarters in Bank Block, Shelburne Falls.


SHELBURNE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.


The Shelburne Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organ- ized June 18, 1877, with N. O. Newhall as President; I. W. Barnard, Treasurer; William T. Peck as Secretary ; and direc- tors as follows : 1. W. Barnard, S. M. Long, N. O. Newhall, O. O. Bardwell, I. T. Fisk, G. E. Taylor, G. N. Smith, W. T. Peck, JJohn Fellows, C. M. Long, and Ozias Long. The directors for 1879 are I. W. Barnard, N. O. Newhall, W. T. Peck, O. O. Bardwell, Albert Peck, G. E. Taylor, Z. D. Bard- well, C. M. Long, Ebenezer Nims, S. M. Long, G. N. Smith. N. O. Newhall is President; William T. Peck, Secretary ; and 1. W. Barnard, Treasurer.


MILITARY.


THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.


In 1868 the town erected (at a cost of $2000) in the northi part of Shelburne Falls village a handsome granite monu-


Solomon Smead


651


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


ment, and dedicated it to the memory of the citizens of Shel- burne who lost their lives in the military service of the gov- ernment during the war of the Rebellion. Upon the four sides of the upper portion of the shaft are the inscriptions :


" Fair Oaks, Malvern ffill, Wilderness, Petersburg, Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Antietam, and Fredericksburg."


Upon the three lower sides are the names of the slain patriots, as follows :


" Tenth Regt., Co. II, Maj. Ozro Miller, Lieut. B. F. Leland, If. C. Severance, A. C. Merrill, H. S. Putney, E. M. Briggs, Jacob Bringol, E. W. Fay, James M. Wil- liams, Silas Nims, H. C. Utley, Col. John Kellogg; 31st Regt., Co. B, Asa Tilden, Charles W. Rupell, 10th Mass. Jobn R. Campbell, 10th Mass.


George M. Lander; 34th Regt., H. W. Dodds; 521 Regt., Co. E, Nathaniel Iler- rick, L. E. Severance, II. D. Culver ; 10th Regt., Co. II, Charles B. Dole, Josiah S. Emerson, John R. Campbell ; Capt. Henry N. Kellogg, Ill. Vols. ; 27th Regt. Co. B, Chauncey L. Emmons, Patrick Sweeney, T. E. Caler, P. C. Collins."


On the fourth side appears the following :


" In honor of the fallen soldiers of Shelburne. Killed or died of wounds, 14; died in rebel prisons, 5 ; total from all causes, 26."


SHELBURNE'S REBELLION RECORD.


The following are the names of those furnished by Shel- burne for service in the army during the Rebellion of 1861-65:


Ozro Miller, 10th Mass.


Silas Ninis, IOth Mass.


Albert Tolman, 10th Mass.


HI. D. Culver, 52d Mass.


S. F. Daniels, 52d Mass.


G. H. Fish, 52d Mass.


J. S. Coleman, 10th Mass.


Josialı S. Emerson, 10th Mass.


L. M. Blackwell, 10th Mass. E. M. Briggs, 10th Mass.


Charles F. Powers, 10th Mass.


E. P. Conant, 10th Mass.


F. D. Bardwell, 10th Mass.


J. A. Franklin, IOtlı Mass.


A. J. Foster, 12th Mass.


James Deane, 18th Mass.


Lewis G. Pratt, 21st Mass.


Thos. Mcintyre, 27th Mass.


Patrick Sweeney, 27th Mass.


II. C. Wright, 52d Mass.


Alfred Burdick, 27th Mass.


Asa Tildea, 27th Mass.


Jobn Tonio, 27th Mass.


P. C. Collins, 27th Mass.


C. L., Emmons, 27th Mass.


J. B. Slate, 27th Mass.


G. M. Lander, 31st Mass.


P. C. Maynard, 52d Muss.


E. C. W. Orcutt, 31st Mass.


Wm. A. Parmenter, 52d Mass.


Addison Goodnow, 31st Mass.


Chas. II. Clark, 31st Mass.


D. W. Reed, 52d Mass.


H. T. Brown, 31st Mass.


M. D. Shea, 52d Mass.


Moses Johnson, 3Ist Mass.


J. F. Severance, 52d Mass. Morris Vinceut, 521 Mass.


D. D. Ware, 3Ist Mass.


E. H. Hawks, 34th Mass.


C. R. White, 52d Mass.


Frank Allen, 34th Mass.


C. O. Pelton, 52d Mass.


Peter Ely, 34th Mass.


J. A. Pittsinger, 52d Mass.


H. S. Greenleaf, 52d Mass.


James Burke, 34th Mass.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


SOLOMON SMEAD,


during a long and a honorable life, was thoroughly identined with the business interests of Franklin County, and especially with Shelburne and the neighboring towns. He was born in Ashfield in 1792. He was the son of Elihu Smead and Mercy Bardwell Smead, who were born in Deerfield. She was a descendant of, and was named for, Mercy Sheldon, who was taken prisoner by the Indians, when that town was de- stroyed, in 1704.


The parents of Solomon Smead began life in a very humble way, as frugality and industry were necessary to support and care for so large a family, fifteen children being born to them.


In the early life of the subject of this sketch, the family removed to Shelburne. Upon arriving there the father com- menced the manufacture of leather and of boots and shoes on a small scale. But by indomitable energy and perseverance the capital was increased and business was extended to other branches of industry, bringing both patronage and money into his hands. He was a man of strong mind and conser- vative character. He expected his son and all connected with him to do their part in adding to the comfort and well-being of the family. The youthful life of the son was like that of most New England boys of his time,-the pure, quiet, un- eventful life of a New England farm, surrounded by those healthful influences and good examples of patient industry which have molded many a sterling character upon the New Eugland hills. His education was that of the common school,


the church, and the family. Upon attaining his majority he was admitted as a partner with his father, which partnership continued during the life of the latter. By close attention to business conducted upon the strict principles of justice and integrity, this firm was more than usually prosperous, and at the time of the father's death, in 1840, a large property had been accumulated.


Mr. Solomon Smead continued to carry on the same busi- ness, and, by the thoroughness and system which had been inculcated from his earliest years, he was enabled not only to carry it on successfully, but to add to it the manufacture of lumber. Meanwhile, he was gaining friends and increasing in influence and prosperity.


In 1825 he married Miss Dorinda Dole, youngest daughter of Capt. Parker Dole and Anna Trowbridge Dole, and was peculiarly happy in his domestic life. Capt. Dole was an influential farmer of the town and a nephew of Dr. Dole, who was killed by the British in their attack upon Dorchester Heights.


Mrs. Smead was one of the most dignified ladies in the vi- cinity, exercising a firm but quiet influence upon the society in which she moved. Their success in subsequent years was largely due to her cheerful helpfulness and self-denying exer- tions. This union was blessed with a son and two daughters, who were given a good education. The son, Elihu Smead, was associated with his father in business in his later years. IIe married Miss E. G. Wright, a teacher in Boston, and daughter


Wm. Streeter, 10th Mass. W. W. Carpenter, 10th Mass. Henry Daafin, 10th Mass.


Josiah P. Day, 10th Mass.


C. C. Packard, 10th Mass.


James M. Warner, 10th Mass.


George F. Ilill, 52d Mass.


Joseph C. Merrill, 52d Mass.


C. A. Pratt, 52d Mass,


M. W. Rice, 52d Mass. George F. Steele, 52d Mass.


Chas. D. Ilotchkiss, 10th Mass. David Henry, 10th Mass.


Jacob Haiges, 10th Mass.


N. S. Putney, 10th Mass. H. C. Severance, 10th Mass. Andrew Sawer, IOth Mass. Elbert Stevens, 10th Mass. H. C. Utley, 10th Mass. Jas. M. Williams, 10th Mass. Geo. W. Wilson, 10th Mass. Jas. E. Wilson, 10th Mass. Adolph Stempel, 10th Mass.


Charles F. Alden, 52d Mass.


Win. R. Bardwell, 52d Mass.


S. M. Black well, 52d Mass. George B. Carter, 52d Mass. Stepheu Ford, 52d Mass. William II. Foster, 52d Mass. Silas C. Ilunter, 52d Mass.


S. M. Ware, 31st Mass.


George B. Pratt, 52d Mass.


Asa C. Merrill, 10th Mass. - Putney, 10th Mass. Birney Budington, 10th Mass. Amariah Chandler, 10th Mass. Pliny II. Briggs, 10th Mass. Wm. Levey, 10th Mass. Robert Shehey, 10th Mass. L. J. Smith, 10th Mass. Charles Stone, 10th Mass. R. M. Powers, Jr., 10th Mass.


E. II. Allen, 52d Mass.


S. Il. Blackwell, 52d Mass.


Nathaniel Herrick, 52d Mass.


Chas. B. Dole, 10th Mass. E. W. Fay, 10th Mass. Wm. II. Gragg, 10th Mass. Jolin Griebel, 10th Mass.


E. E. Severance, 52d Mass. G. A. Smead, 52d Mass. George O. Wilder, 52d Mass.


William Wells, 52d Mass.


652


HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.


of Prescott Wright, Esq., of Westford. In 1872 he became a merchant in Newton, Mass., where the family have resided since that time. The elder daughter, A. Amelia Smead, graduated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, South Hladley, and was a teacher at Lake Erie Seminary, Painesville, Ohio, and afterward associate principal at the Michigan Female Seminary, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is now (1879) at home with her mother. The younger daughter, Jennie W. Smead, graduated at Lake Erie Seminary, Painesville, Ohio, and was a teacher at the Michigan Female Seminary, Kalamazoo, Nich. She married Mr. L. L. Pierce, of Worcester.


Mr. and Mrs. Smead recognized for their family the impor- tance of a thorough education ; both, in this and in their home- life, kept abreast with New England progress, thought, and culture. The home of the family in Shelburne was a model New England country home. The true spirit of unity and atlectionate co-operation for the common good pervaded it. The business, domestic, and social interests of each member of the family were known to all. With natural industry and economy for a foundation, supplemented by steady, persistent effort and thrifty care of honest earnings, the sure reward of such industry followed, and Mr. Smead was able to enjoy, with his family, in his later years,-indeed, through most of his life,-conveniences and comforts in his home far beyond those enjoyed by the average New Englander in rural neigh- borhoods, and to leave to those he loved a comfortable fortune. He was interested in financial institutions in Shelburne Falls and Greenfield. Was active in the organization of the bank in former place, and a director until his death.


He held many of the elective offices of the town, and was chosen on many committees to oversee its business, in all of which he honored the town and gained respect for himself.


In business he was strictly just ; thoroughly systematic him- self and punctual in keeping all his business engagements, he admired such qualities in others. He believed in doing busi- ness in a business way, and strictly in accordance with the best business rules. He was always ready to aid, both by means and influence, any who desired his assistance, either in establishing business or in obtaining an education, provided they showed a readiness to make the most of the means at command. ITe was never a speculator ; but, as he was able to accumulate property, he sought to invest it where the element of safety was most prominent, never being tempted to unwise risks by the promise of large income. The strictest integrity characterized all his dealings with his fellow-men, and he had no patience with dishonesty and deception in others. He ab- horred shams of every kind. Broad and charitable in his re- ligious views, thoroughly devotional in his life, he was never wedded to any narrowness of doctrine or creed. Religion was with him an abiding principle, not the fitful vagary of an excited imagination. Ilis was the religion of the Bible, and he acknowledged its claims, reverently bowed to its teachings, and was rewarded by its abundant consolations.


Always quiet and dignified, Mr. Smead was never as demon- strative in the manifestation of his emotions and affections as many men. But they were none the less strong, pure, and true. With extreme modesty, combined with courtesy to all, he lived more for others than for himself. ITis own pleasure was an incident rather than an end. He was ardent, yet careful in expressing disapprobation of anything wbich his principles of morality would not approve.


Even before temperance societies existed he was a thorough temperance man in practice as well as in theory. His habits of life were extremely simple and unostentatious. Hence, at the advanced age of seventy-seven, he stood as erect and had as much vigor and strength as are usually found in persons much younger.


In politics he was a member of the old Whig party, whose leader in Massachusetts was Daniel Webster, whom he, in common with others, held in that esteem which is akin to


veneration. In his political views he was clear and reliable; without offensively thrusting his opinions upon any one, he was yet no coward in the utterance of the sentiments he thought right. When the Whig party was merged into the Republican in Massachusetts, he acted with the latter.


lle was opposed to slavery, and a consistent and zealous defender of the rights of man. At the outbreak of the Re- bellion he took an active part in its repression, using his in- fluence and means to raise money and to fit men for the field.


Mr. Smead was a fond and devoted husband and father and a genial companion, always delighting in the society of the young, enjoying heartily the companionship of friends, and taking a deep interest in everything that had for its motive the good of the community in which he lived. Possessing by nature a sanguine temperament and a healthy mind and body, he was fitted to be a good neighbor and citizen. Few who met him only in ordinary business life knew of the peculiar tenderness of his inner nature. Those who had the pleasure of knowing him intimately, who have known something of the life, of his home, and of his kindly interest in friends not of his own blood whom he had come to confidently trust and love, remember with pleasure many manifestations of his deep and tender affection. He loved to deal with those he believed to be honest and true. Those who held such a place in his regard remember him as kind, accommodating, free to offer friendly counsel and aid. Many feel that a measure of their own success in life is due to the purity of his example,-to his wise counsel and his timely aid when the only guarantee they could offer him was evidence of industrious habits, integrity of character, and an honest purpose in life.


Mr. Smead died April 25, 1869, at the age of seventy-seven, in the home in Shelburne where the whole of his business and domestie life had been spent.


EBENEZER NIMS


is of English ancestry. He is the son of Joel Nims, and the grandson of Reuben, who was the son of John, Jr., son of John, who was the son of Godfrey, who emigrated from Eng- land at an early date, and is supposed to have settled at Deer- field, Mass., between 1665 and 1667.


Reuben Nims was born on the 14th of June, 1740, and settled in Shelburne on a large farm, and in connection with the business of farming kept a hotel. His house was quite an important point in those days, and was well known in the sur- rounding country as " Nims' Tavern." He married for his first wife (on the 1st of July, 1762) Sarah Burt, by whom he had five children, viz., Jonathan, Reuben, Joel, Abigail, and Sarah. His wife died on the 2d of April, 1774, and he mar- ried Deliverance Gould on the 25th of January, 1777. By this union he had four children,-Elizabeth, Samuel, Joel, and Mary.


Joel, the youngest son of the second wife, was the father of the subject of this notice. He was born in Shelburne, Frank- Jin Co., Mass., on the 29th of December, 1782. He was a farmer, and also kept the hotel after his father's decease. As a man he was highly respected, and was for many years a member of the Congregational Church of that town. He was married, on the 29th of November, 1806, to Betsey Níms, by whom he had three children, viz., Abner, Direxa, and Mary. His first wife died on the 7th of December, 1812, and he married for his second wife Lovena, daughter of Reuben Bardwell. By this union he had five children, all sons. They are Joel B., born Aug. 25, 1815; Reuben, boin Aug. 15, 1817 ; Charles, born July 31, 1820; Ebenezer, born on the 30th of September, 1822; and David W., born May 6, 1824.




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