USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Bedford > History of the town of Bedford, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the year of Our Lord 1891 > Part 28
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James, 4 son of James,3 m. Jan. 10, 1751, Mary Welling- ton. He d. Jan. 4, 1799; she (Mrs. Mary Moore) d. April 12, 1806. Ch. Oliver Wellington,5 b. Oct. 27, 1751, gradu- ated from college in 1772, and settled in Boston,* d. Nov. 3, 1793. James,5 b. Mar. 10, 1754. m. 1805, Molly Pollard. He d. 1836; she d. 1848. It Solomon,5 b. Aug. 7, 1756. h David,5 b. Mar. 11, 1759. Isaac,5 b. May 13, 1766, d. May 24, ISO3.
James Lanet divided his lands between three sons who lived in Bedford. James5 had the portion which included the present Rodman estate, where he settled. Solomon5 had the homestead and dwelling where five generations were born (Coolidge place). David5 had the part which has descended through sons to Job B. (See Homestead.)
Samnel,4 son of James,3 eighth ch. of Capt. James3 and Martha Minott, mn. Oct. 2, 1762, Ruth Davis, who d. Oct. 22, 1772 ; m. 2d, Jan. 6, 1774, Hannah French, who d. Sept. 29. 1796; m. 3d, May 21, 1799. Mrs. Frances Reed, who d. Sept. 19, 1807. He d. Jan. 26, 1802. Ch. Jonas,5 b. May 10, 1761, settled in Lancaster. Rebecca, b. Jan. 17, 1763, d. Nov. 27, 1791. Ephraim,5 b. Mar. 22, 1767, settled in Wal- pole, N.H. Ruth, b. Jan. 27, 1769, m. Nathaniel Brown. Ebenezer,5 b. May 14, 1771, settled in Cambridge. By 2d wife, Daniel,5 d. young. Hannah, b. April 6, 1776, m. Dec. 13, ISO1, Isaiah Green of Carlisle. Samuel,5 b. Jan 15, 1778, m. Lucy R. Jones, dau. of Timothy. Had 4 ch. b. here; removed to North Brookfield, where 5 were born. He d. Oct. 2, 1823. She m. 2d, Thomas Wilson of Mason, N.H., d. Jan. 8, 1864. Ch. David Woodward, a prominent man and noted teacher. Others have many descendants. Pata, b. Aug. 9, 1780, m. Tilly Green of Carlisle. (See Elm Farm.)
Luke,5 son of Job,4 m. Mar. 24, 1791, Hannah Crosby of Billerica. He d. Aug. 27, 1801. She m. 2d, Nathan Dudley of Lexington. Ch. Luke,6 b. Sept. 9, 1791. (See epitaph.) h Job,6 b. Aug. 7, 1794. It Seth,6 b. Aug. 9. 1796. Hannah, b. May 4, 1799.
John,5 son of John, + m. Nov. 25, 1773, Ruhamah Reed. He d. Feb. 22, ISO8; she d. April 30, 1817. Ch. Ruhamak, b. Jan. 10, 1775, m. Amariah Preston, M.D., q.v. Grace, b. Dec. 22, 1777, d. Nov. 16, 1806. Eliab, d. young. h Eliab,6 b. June 21, 1780. Eliot, b. April 31, 1782, m. | Asa Webber. John,6 b. July, 5, 1784 Abner,6 b. April 18, 1786, d. Aug. 9, 1826. Jesse,6 b. Mar. 25. 17SS. h Amasa,6 b. April 30, 1790. h Roger,6 b. 1796.
Ziba,5 son of John,4 m. April 1, 1778, Lydia Danforth. Ch. Hannah, b. Nov. 27, 1778. Josiah,6 d. young. Ziba,6 b. Jan. 31, 1782.
Jonathan, son of Jolin,4 m. Feb. 1, 1787, Hannah, dau. of Samuel4 and Elizabeth (Fitch) Lane. He d. Mar. 4, ISOS; she d. Mar. 9, 1848. h Jonathan,6 b. Jan. 27, 1788. Hannah, b. Oct. 11. 1789, mn. Elijah Putnam, d. April 22,
* It is recorded that when George Washington visited Boston, after being chosen the first President of the United States, he was met at the foot of Cornhill by Master Lane and his school, each student carrying a large goose quill.
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1874. Josiah Abbott,6 b. Aug. 17, 1791, m. P'hebe Smith of New York, d. Jan. 15, 1860. Arinda, b. May 26, 1793, m. May 6, 1824, George Fisk of Amherst, N.II., d. Jan. 24, 1885. Rollin, d. young. Sarah, b. May 1, 1797, In. Ebenezer Hayward of Acton. Sally, b. 1801, m. Franklin Stearns. Elisabeth and Myra, d. young. h George,6 b. May 8, 1802. Charles,6 b. Aug. 4, 1804, m. 1827, Sarah B. Wheeler ; m. 2d, 1845, Elizabeth Carleton of Dorchester. Ile d. Oct. 15, 1872. John Samuel,6 b. Jan. 15, 1808, m. 1834, Sally Ann Veninlya. d. July 21, 1850.
Stephen,5 son of Timothy,4 m. May 1, 1806, Mrs. Alice Abbott. Ile d. May 7, 1827; she d. June 25, 1855. Ch. Lydia Harriet, b. Mar. 20, 1808, m. John W. Hayward, d. Dec. 25, 1884. (See Sunny Side, in Homesteads.)
Solomon,5 son of James,4 at Concord fight and in the Continental army, m. May 29, 1781, Sarah, dau. of Rev. Josiah Stearns and Sarah Abbott. He d. Feb. 1, 1837 ; she d. Aug. 13, 1825. Ch. Anna, b. Aug. 19, 1782, m. Nov 28, 1805, Samuel Dutton ; m. 2d, Samuel Parkhurst. Josiah,6 d. young. Josiah Stearns,6 b. Nov. 11, 1787, m. Amelia Gragg of Groton. Sally, b. April 30, 1789, d. Nov. 17, 1854. Enoch,6 d. young. h Oliver Wellington,6 b. June 16, 1794. Abigail French and Daniel,6 d. young.
David,5 son of James,4 m. Oct. 11, 17SI, Molly (dau. of Job Lane4 and Susanna Fassett), who d. Dec. 12, 1820; m. 2d, April 30, 1820, Phoebe (dau. of Samuel Lane4 and Elizabeth Fitch. He d. Sept. 10, 18.42; she d. July S, 1838. Ch. Molly, b. April 23, 1782. m. Thaddeus Wilson. Susanna, b. Oct. 14, 1785, m. Samuel IFastings of Wal- tham. Job,6 b. April 3, 1789, d. Nov. 15, 1814. Amittai Bacon, b. July 26, 1793, d. Sept. 13, 1842. h David,6 b. Sept. 7, 1796. James,6 b. July 15, 1799, d. Dec. 11, 1859. Sylvana, b. Sept. 17, 1801, m. Benjamin Bacon.
Job,6 son of Luke,5 m. Aug. 16, 1815, Mary Hadley. He d. 1830; she d. 1866. Ch. Mary Elizabeth, b. Mar. 5, 1816, m. Jephtha Parkhurst, d. 1852. Olive M. b. April 9, 1817, d. ISSI. Hannah A. b. ISIS, m. Charles C. Corey. An- drew W. b. 1820, d. 1842. William.7
Seth,6 Ch. Emeline, b. Jan. 27, 1829. Reuben Bacon, b. Jan. IS, 1831. Alonso, b. July 5, 1838.
Eliab,6 son of John,5 m. Mar. 21, 1802, Anna Welling- ton, who d. May 30, 1844; m. 2d, Mrs. Sally Reed. He d. Jan. 9, 1853. Ch. Eliza Ann, b. May 17, 1804, m. William Everett. h Abner Bridge,7 b. May 24, 1806. Susan Grace, b. Jan. 22, 1SoS, m. Nathaniel C. Cutler. Catherine W b. Sept. 2, 180g, m. Silas Wilkins. Galen, b. April 24, 1811. Mary Priscilla, b. Oct. 12, 1812, m. Amos R. Cutler.
Amasa,6 son of John,5 m. July 4, 1822, Beulah Burnham. He d. Aug. 11, 1865. She d. Aug. 23, 1891. Ch. Lois Elis- abeth, b. Oct. 8, 1823, m. Jan. 9, 1843, Cyrus F. Crosby. Sarah Ann, b. May 29, 1829, m. 1849, George A. Sampson. Reuben A7 b. Sept. 2, 1831, m. 1853, Mary L. Skelton. George ET and Charles H. twins, b. Aug. 6, 1834; Charles d. Dec. 10, 1865. Franklin S.7 and Lemuel B.7 twins, b. Jan. 30, 1838; Franklin S. m. 1868, S. Maria Hodgkins; Lem- uel, d. May 22, 1866. Caroline A. b. Aug. 30, 1847, m. 1866 Charles J. Davis.
Of Amasa Lane's6 descendants in 1890 there were six children, thirteen grandchildren, and nineteen of the next generation.
Roger,6 son of John,6 m. Zelima Bacon. He d. Dec. 21, I8 53; she d. Feb. 29, 1856. Ch. John Roger," b. July 10, 1824. Mary Maria, b. July 7, 1826, m. Hiram Clark h George,7 b. Ang. 7, 1827. Eli, d. young. Caroline, b.
May 5. 1831, m. Charles Fox, d. June 6, 1858. Eli,7 b. Mar. 3, 1833, d. May, 1857. Emeline, d. young. Emeline, b. Sept. 14, 1835, m. Asa Howland. Susan, b. Nov. 20, 1836, m. Bradley M. Clark; m. 2d, Joseph Litchfield. Eliot,7 b. Dec. 29, 1837, m. Cyrus Munroe, d. June 12, 1859. Amos,7 d. young. Sophronia, b. Sept. 21, 1840, m. Frank Gardner, d. Mar. 9, ISSS. Lavinia, b. July 9, 1842, m. Ist John Kyle, 2d Nelson George, 3d Harry Rattenbury.
Jonathan,6 son of Jonathan,5 m. July 27, 1815, Ruha- mah l'age. (See Homesteads and epitaphs.) Ile d. Nov. 12, 1860; she d. June 19,'IS82. Ch. Ruhamah and Jonathan Abbott,7 d. young (see epitaph). Samuel Wright,7 b. Aug. 2, 1820, d. Mar. 25, 1856 (see epitaph). h Jonathan Abbott,7 b. May 15, IS22. Ruhamah Augusta, b. 1824, m. Rev. Elihu Loomis, d. Feb. 24, 1867. Henry Edward,7 and Sarah Ann, d. in infancy.
George,6 son of Jonathan,5 m. 1826, Lucy Mariah Dunn ; m. 2d, 1831, Sarah H. Berry of Maine. Ife d. Feb. 11, ISS2. Ch. Frances Maria, b. Aug. 26, 1827, d. June 3, 1885. Lucy Miranda, d. young. By 2d wife, Charles De Witt,7 b. Feb. 2, 1833, m. June 20, 1865, Josephine Belle Baker. Elizabeth Nickerson, b. Nov. 2, 1835, m. Oct. 30, 1860, Charles A. Church. Ellen Watson, b. Feb. 25, 1839. Richard Byron,7 b. Feb. 10, 1843, d. Sept. 30, 1881. Frank Ernest, d. young
Oliver Wellington,6 son of Solomon,5 m. July 23, ISIS, Catherine Walton, who d. July, 1841 ; m. 2d, Feb. 26, 1843, Mrs. Harriet Blinn. He d. Aug. 1877; she d. June 6, 1869. Ch. Sarah E. b. Nov. 27, ISIS, m. Henry Good- win. Mary IV. b. Mar. 31, 1820, m. Sept. 26, 1841, George W. Briggs, d. April 4, 1866. h William A7 b. Mar. 12, 1822. Catherine A. b. Dec. 4, 1823, m. Joseph H. Goodwin. Abigail R. b. June 3, 1826, m. Samuel Wilson, d. June 29, 1854. h Oliver J.3 b. Jan. 29, 1828. Laura Ann, d. young. Laura Ann, b. May 1, 1834, m. Samuel Wilson, d. June 15, 1863. ] Samuel L. b. Feb. 24, 1838. Henry Francis,7 d. young.
David,6 son of David,5 m. Jan. 26, 1826, Betsey B. Simonds. He d. Jan. 19, 1853; she d. Dec. 15, 1868. Ch. Mary Ann, b. Ang. 2, 1826, m. William Kelsea, d. July 29, 1875. I Job Blanchard, b. Oct. 18, 1828. Maria S. and Caroline E., twins, b. Oct. 10, 1833; Maria S. m. May, 1854, George Isaacs, d. Mar. 31, 1872; Caroline E. m. Nov. 29, 1853, Fairfield R. Davis.
Abner Bridge 7 son of Eliab,6 m. Lydia Bailey. He d. July 23, 1884; she d. Oct. 1890. Ch. ha George,8 b. Oct. 26, 1849, m. Sarah M. Butters. h Chandler.> Henry, d. Dec. 5, 1847.
William A.7 son of Oliver W.6 m. Mary Wright, who d. 1852; m. 2d, Julia M. Houghton, who d. 1872; he m. 3d, Sarah M. Lane, d. ISS7. Ch. Mary Ella, b. Feb. 25, 1849, mn. Charles A. Corey. William IV.8 d. an infant. Rosa Bella, b. July 4, 185S, m. Wallace Ellithorpe.
Oliver J.7 son of Oliver W.6 in. April 29, 1853, Mary A. Billings. Ch. In John I1.8 b. May 2, 1854. Alice IV. b. Feb. 16, 1857, m. Aug. 29, 1883, James Stoddard, had Alice Lane, d. May 29, 1884. M. Athaiia, b. Dec. 18, 1859. It Elmer A.8 b. Nov. 17, 1863. Edith L. b. Jan. 4, 1866.
Oliver J. Lane7 is a carpenter and builder, often in town office, and has held the office of selectman twenty-five years, - the longest service of any one in the history of the town. He has served as moderator of more town meetings than any other citizen.
Jonathan Abbott,7 son of Jonathan,6 m. Nov. 13, 1851,
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Sarah Delia, dau. of Rev. Benjamin F. Clarke. Ch. John Chapin,8 b. Nov. S, IS52, m. Sept. 1SS3, Harriet Brewer Winslow. Augusta B. b. June 2, 1854, d. July 31, IS56. Frederic H.8 b. May 25, 1858. Alfred Church,8 b. Jan. 29, 1863. Benjamin Clarke,8 b. Oct. 2, 1866. Lucius Page,8 b. Jan. 7, 1872.
Jonathan Abbott Lane removed from Bedford to Boston when very young. He has been a successful merchant for many years, has been honored by elections to both branches of the state Legislature, and is a prominent man in business. philanthropic, and religious circles.
Samuel L.7 son of Oliver W.,6 a carpenter (see military history), m. May 23, 1861, Frances Pinkham. She d. Jan. II, IS77. Ch. Arthur,8 b. July 21, 1865, d. July 7, 1879. Ernest P.8 b. Aug. 31, 1873.
Job B.7 son of David,6 m. June 17, 1862, Caroline P. Russell. He d. May 14, 1890. Ch. Walter D.8 b. Oct. IS, 1866.
George,7 son of Roger,6 m. July 4, 1858, Laura A. Smith. He d. Oct. 18, 1859; she d. April 2, ISS9. Ch. It Willis G.8 b. May 14. 1859.
John W.s son of Oliver J.7 m. Oct. 17, ISSO, Mary M. C. Marble. Ch. William Josiah,9 b. May 11, ISS2. John Franklin,9 b. July 12, 1884, d. Mar. 17, 1890. Onslow Stearns,9 b. Feb. 4, 1887. Herbert Billings,9 b. Dec. 20, ISSS. Samuel Marble, b. Aug. IS, I891.
Elmer A.8 son of Oliver J.7 m. Oct. 23, 1888, Nettie L. Adams. Ch. Frank Adams,9 b. Sept. 16, ISS9.
Willis G.6 son of George,7 m. June 23, ISSI, Alice Copeland. C'h. Maynor Wilfred,9 b. June 11, ISS3. Percy Howland,? b. Mar. 5, 1887.
SECOND JOR LANE FAMILY.
The second family of Lane, with Job at the head, appears in the records of Billerica about 1700. The connection with the first Lane family is uncertain ; but it is possible that he was a son of James, who was brother of Job of the Winthrop purchase. He is recorded in the early records of Bedford as Job Lane, Sr. (See Oak Grove Farm.)
Job,1 m. Mary, dau. of Patrick and Sarah Fassett of Billerica. (See epitaphs.) Ch. Mary, b. Nov. IS, 1706. Joseph,2 b. Dec. 11, 170S, m. Thankful Amsden, d. at Sut- ton, 1736; Heft son, Joseph, b. 1736. Susanna, b. Mar. 2, 1710-11. h Jo/2 and Elisabeth, twins, b. Jan. 29, 1713-14. Samuel,2 b. April 7, 1716, d. Nov. 25, 1736. (See epitaph.) Silence, b. April 2, 1719. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 17, 1722-3.
Job,2 m. Sarah -. Ch. Sarah, b. Jan. 28, 1739-40. Job,3 b. Feb. 14, 1741-2. Jonathan,3 b. Feb. 3, 1743-4. bap. Feb. 5. Samuel,3 b. May 6, 1746. Mary b. Mar. 16, 1747-8.
Job Lane3 was a college graduate (1764). The follow- ing is a translation from a Latin epitaph on a headstone erected over his grave at Hartford, Conn. : "Stop Traveller. Here, hard by, lyeth D. Job Lane, A.M., Tutor in Yale College, a man distinguished for his talents, sobriety, lit- erary attainments, and piety. This perishable monument briefly witnesses to thee - That he was born in Bedford, A.D. 1741; That in Youth he was very fond of study; That in academic pursuits he surpassed others; That for three Years he earnestly preached the Gospel ; That for two years he faithfully performed the duties of Tutor; That he was very dear to his parents; loved by his friends and all favorers of piety, and that deeply mourned by all he departed this life Sept. 16, 1768."
This family is found to be connected with the Lanes of the state of Maine.
LAWRENCE, Sylvanus, of Waltham, m. H. Melvina S. Reed, d. July 30, 1868. Ch. h Charles F. b. April, 1841. Geor e Otis, b. Jan. 1843. Frank L. d. young.
Charles F. m. Esther Walker. He was in Battery C in the Union Army, in twenty-seven engagements, and escaped without injury. He d. Nov. 9, 1884. Ch. Mel- vina N. b. May 28, IS71, m. Edward Hunnewell. Annie Winship, b. 1874, d. 1875.
LAWS, Hiram, b. in Westminster, June 27, IS44, m. Oct. 15, 1871, Mary Elizabeth Dutton, b. in Chelms- ford, Oct. 15, 1849. Ch. Eugene Hiram, b. Sept. 20, 1873. Frederick Adams. b. April 4, 1876. Kenneth Rogers, b. May 3, 1SS3. Julia Ellen, b. Jan. 8, ISS6.
LITCHFIELD, Joseplt, b. in Boston, June 14, 1815, m. Sept. IS, 1845, Theresa Wehber, who d. Nov. 15, 1853; m. 2d, May 9, ISS4, Mrs. Susan L. Clark. Ch. Joseph War- ren, b. Sept. 11, 1847, m. Abbie Mitchell of South Paris, Me .; have Harry Warren and Edith Marion. Marion T. b. July 4, 1846, m. Henry M. Ames of Oswego, N.Y., d. at Pasenda, Cal .; have Nellie Theresa and Louisa.
LOOMIS, Elilttt G. b. Oct. 22, 1852, m. April 11, 1882, Marian Hillhouse Fitch of Norwich, Conn. Ch. Mary Fitch, b. July 29, ISS3. Ralph Lane, b. April 13, ISS7. Hubert Hillhouse, b. Mar. 16, ISS9. (See professional men.)
LYONS, William, came from Sudbury, settled on a portion of the Page estate, and built the present dwelling in ISS5. m. Margaret Flannigan. Ch. John Bernard, b. May 30, 1853, m. Louisa Sexton of Boston. Mary Jane, b. Sept, 2, 1854, m. John F. Dowd of Concord. William Joseph, b. April 6, 1856. Margaret Ann, b. Nov. 17, 1857, m. Daniel Gorman of Lexington. Sarah Frances, b. May 30, 1859, m. William J. Neville of Lexington. Elizabeth Agnes, b. Nov. 12, 1860, m. William HI. Bowler of Wal- tham. Henry Dennis, b. April 8, 1862. George Augustine, b. Feb. 14, 1864. Edward Joseph, b. Sept. 14, 1865, m. Sarah J. Lawler of Westvale. Francis, b. June 14, 1867, d. April 10, 1877. Charles Augustus, b. Sept. 13, 1868. Ellen, b. July 19, 1870, d. Sept. 25, 1871. Emma Louise, b. Sept. 26, 1875. d. April 6, IS77.
MANSFIELD, Joel, m. Maria Bacon. He d. May 30, IS70; she d. Sept. 19, 1882. Ch. Elbridge B. b. Nov. 1847, d. Dec. 4, 1867. Charlotte M. d. young. Emily F. d. April 19, IS7S.
MAXWELL, a family prominent in the early history of the town, but now extinct. Hugh, b. near Belfast, Ire., left his country because of religious persecution, and set- tled in Bedford in 1732. (See Homesteads.) He d. 1759. (See epitaph.) His wife d. 1769. Their son, Hugh, b. in Ireland, m. Bridget Munroe of Lexington, 1759; had 5 ch. Hugh and Bridget joined Bedford church "in full com- munion " in 1761, and dau. Hannah was bap. at same time. He became a famous warrior and military leader. At the time of his death (1799), he held commission of lieutenant- colonel. (See military chapters.) The following is from his journal : "My parents early taught me the principles of liberty and religion which have supported me through many difficulties and hardships."
Thompson,2 son of Ilugh,1 b. at Bedford, 1742, m. 1763, Sybel Wyman of Lexington. He was famous in military life. (See military chapters.) He d. near Detroit, Mich., when past 90 years of age, having been pensioned with the rank of major. There are remarkable instances of lon-
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gevity in the family, - William, d. at 95; Margaret, at 99; Hugh, at 67 ; Sarah, at 90; Benjamin, at 92; James, at 83; and Thompson, at 93.
MeGOVERN, Terrance, from Ireland, settled on a portion of the Samuel llartwell farm. He m. Jan. 6, 1860, Mary Callehan, d. July 13, 1887. Ch. Mary, b. Dec. 1861. John and Lizzie, twins, b. July, 1863. James, b. July, 1865. Annie, b. April, 1867. Frank, b. Nov. 1868.
John, from Ireland in 1853, settled on Samuel Hartwell farm in 1862. He m. Jan. 6, 1861, Winnie Whalin, who d. April 7, 1871 ; m. 2d, June 10, 1883, Ann McGuire. Ch. Mary T. b. Feb. 6, 1862, m. Thomas McDonough. Il'il- liam, b. July 1, 1863. John, b. Aug. 20, 1865. James, b. Feb. 22, 1867. Annie, b. Dec. 3, 1869. Frank, b. Mar. 26, 1871.
McGUIRE, Peter, settled in Bedford on Amasa Lane farm, m. Aug. 1859, Sarah Cosgrove. Ch. Emily M. h. June, 1860. Mary A. b. May, 1866, d. Nov. 1885.
MEAD, a prominent family in the early years of the town. Savage says GabrielI was a freeman in 1638, and d. 1666, aged 79. Ilis son, Israel,2 b. 1639, m. Mary Hall, d. 1714. Their son, Stephen,3 b. 1679, m. Ruth Taylor in 1700, and had Joseph,4 b. 1712. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Samuel and Eunice Fitch. They had Stephen,5 b. 1736, Joseph,5 b. 1740, and others. Stephen5 m. 1765, Desire Batchelder, widow of Joseph Brown, q.v. Their son, Asa, b. 1774, m. Nabby Eames of Woburn. They had 8 ch., of whom Asa6 is buried on the abandoned " Meads' Place,8 q. v.
MERRIAM. The Merriams were among the very early settlers of Concord, hence of Bedford. Robert, George, and Joseph -three brothers from England - appear as the ancestors of the family.
Joseph1 is the head of the Bedford family. He was the last survivor of the trio, and d. Jan. 1, 1641. He m. Sarah -. Ch. Joseph,2 b. about 1630, m. Sarah Stone. h John,2 b. July 9, 1641. William2 Sarah, and Elizabeth are others.
Joseph Merriam's1 will, dated Dec. 29, 1640, mentions wife Sarah, brothers Thomas Flint, Simon Willard, and Robert Merriam, and son William. His widow m. ad, Lieut. Joseph Wheeler, who purchased the estate of the heirs of Joseph Merriam.1
The Bedford line is traced through John,2 who was the second son of Joseph.I
John,2 son of Joseph,I m. 1663, Mary Cooper. He d. Feb. 2, 1703-4; she d. Mar. 5, 1731, aged 85. Ch. John,8 b. Sept. 3, 1666, m. Sarah Wheeler. Joseph,8 b. Aug. 15, 1667, m. Dorothy Brooks. Anna, b. Sept. 7, 1669, m. Daniel Brooks. h Vathaniel,8 b. Dec. 16, 1672. It Samuel,8 b. July 25, 1681. Ebenezer,3 b. -- , m. Elizabeth Brooks.
One branch of the Bedford line descends through Na- thatiel,8 the fourth child of John.2 He m. Nov. IS, 1707, Mary Taylor. Ile d. Dec. 11, 1738; she d. May 19, 1764. Ch. Mary, b. Dec. 22, 1702, m. Francis Wheeler. It John, 4 b. May 16, 1704.
Nathaniel Merriam8 was active in the incorporation of the town and in organizing the church. He was chosen deacon Aug. 4, 1730, and remained in the position till his death, Dec. 11, 1738. A silver cup in the communion service of the church is inscribed to the memory of Dea. Nathaniel Merriam and Mrs. Eunice Taylor. (See epi- taph.) Nathaniel Merriam,3 by will, dated Oct. 18, 1738, proved Jan., 1739, provided for wife Mary, and gave to
son John the residue, after paying legacies; and after the decease of his mother to have the entire estate.
John,4 son of Nathaniel,8 m. Mar. 23, 1731, Abigail Howard, d. Sept. 20, 1767. (See epitaph of Lieut. John.) She m. 2d, James Lane, and d. Nov. 15, 1793, (See epitaph of 4th wife of James Lane.) Ch. Rebekah, b. Sept. 28, 1731, m. Joseph Stone of Framingham. Mary, b. July 25, 1733, m. Ephraim Crosby of Billerica. hJohn,5 b. Feb. 13, 1734-5. Anna, b. July 13, 1737, m. Thomas Page of Bed- ford. (See Anna Page's will.) Nathaniel,5 b. Dec. 15, 1739, d. in his majesty's service at Lake George. Sept. 1758. Lydia, b. April 6, 1742, m. Rev. Nathaniel Sherman. Three d. young. h William,5 b. Aug. 25, 1750.
Abstract of John Merriam's4 will, made Aug. 11, 1767; To wife, Abigail, money and household goods and the im- provement of certain parts of house, and my negro servant named Abraham to be at her own disposal agreeable to the term of his service. (See slavery.) To my sons, John and William, the residue of my estate after paying lega- cies.
John,5 son of John,4 m. Dec. 4, 1760, Hannah Brooks of Lincoln. He d. Dec. 26, 1792; she d. June 8, 1829, aged 92. (She gave a silver cup to the church in ISI8.) Ch. Rebecca, d. young. Hannah, b. April 14, 1764, m. John Reed. Rebecca, b. Mar. 25, 1766, d. Mar. 2, 1790. Anna and Mary, d. young. h John,6 b. Aug. 28, 1774.
William5 (Lieut.), son of John,4 m. Esther Bellamy (see epitaph) ; m. 2d, Mrs. Rebecca Fisk. Ch. Esther, b. Nov. I, 1771, m. John Page. William Bellamy,6 d. young. William Bellamy,6 b. Feb. 2, 1779, m. Rebecca Whiting of Shirley. Josephus,6 d. young. Josephus,6 b. Mar. 10, 1785, m. Betsey Rand of Stow, d. at Westport, N.Y. By 2d wife, Rebecca, b. Nov. 23, 1786. Anna P. b. May 2, 1790. m. Caldwell Hindman of Boston. (See epitaph.) Had Anna, m. Kendall, live in Woburn. Louisa H. b. Oct. 2, 1792, d. young.
Lieut. William Merriam5 fitted for college, and entered Brown University, took part course, settled on the farm in Bedford; was town clerk, selectman, and deacon in church. His mind became diseased, and he killed David Bacon, who had been placed as keeper over him. He was dis- missed from the arms of the law, and cared for by his son in New York, where he died.
Jolin6 (Esq.), son of John,5 m. Dec. 3, 1799, Mary, dau. of Nathan and Mary (Page) Reed of Lexington. He d. Sept. 19, 1853; she d. Aug. 14, 1855. Ch. h Eldridge,7 b. Feb. 8, 1802. h John Augustus,7 b. Dec 20, 1803. Mary Adeline, d. young. Hiram R.7 b. Aug. 5, ISOS, d. Mar. 29, 1848. Mary A. b. Jan. 28, 1812, m. Mar. 7, 1833, Joseph B. Hodgman, d. Feb. 12, 1843; left Charles Otis, who m. E. Fannie Clement, and d. Mar. 3, 1889. Susan F. b. Oct. 20, 1818, m. Dr. Abel B. Adams.
John Merriam6 was a leading man in the town, and prominent in promoting its varied interests. He was a leader in laying out Shawshine Cemetery, and gave the sum of $100 to aid the enterprise.
Eldridge,7 son of John,6 m. April 15, 1823, Eliot Web- ber, who d. July 24, 1855; m. 2d, Mar. 23, 1856, Mrs. Sarah Brown. He d. Sept. 25, 1868. Ch. John Eldridge,8 b. Oct. 13, 1824, d. 1889. Lucretia Eliot, b. Nov. 9, 1827, m. Hiram Farmer. Eveline, d. an infant. Lucy Eveline, b. Jan. 11, 1835, m. George W. Cutler, d. Mar. 26, 1857. Asa Minot, h. July, 1838, m. Charlotte Gorham. Nathan Albert, b. Mar. 1840, m. Lucy P. Lincoln; 2 ch. died; she d. April,
25
MUDGE.
MERRIAM.
1891. Mary Adeline, b. April 9, 1844, d. Jan. 15, 1863. By 2d wife, Charles, b. 1858, d. 1877.
John Augustus,7 son of John,6 m. April 14, 1830, Nancy Bacon. He d. Mar. 19, 1882; she d. July 20, 187S. Ch. Maria Antoinette, b. Dec. 20, 1830, m. Daniel L. Shorey- Nancy J. d. young. h William A.8 b. May 20, 1834. Mary Jane, b. Nov. 10, 1835, m. Amos Warren Proctor. Ed- ward Jerome,8 d. young. George H.8 b. Jan. 22, 1840, d. Feb. 8. 1886. John,8 d. an infant. Nancy, b. Dec. I, IS47.
Maria Antoinette Shorey attended the district school, also a private school taught by Rev. George W. Wood- ward, the pastor of the Unitarian church in this town, and in the latter was inspired to press forward to higher attain- ments than were generally sought by her sex. The teach- er, being associated with such educators as Samuel J. May and Horace Mann, was ahead of the times, but found in this young lady one who was ready to follow him. She studied six months at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and at the age of sixteen years began the profession of a public school teacher, which she followed with success until her marriage, in 1856, with D. L. Shorey, attorney at law, when she went to reside at Davenport, Ia. Two children, Panl and Martha Hall, were born to them during their resi- dence of ten years in that town, after which they located in Chicago, where she has gained fame as a writer for magazines and various publications. She has studied in Europe, and perfected herself in the German tongne. Her son, Paul, a graduate of Harvard College (1878), studied in Germany, received the degree of Ph.D. at Munich, and is now (1891) professor at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsyl- vania, and a writer and lecturer upon the Greek and Latin classics.
William A.8 son of John A.7 m. 1859, Mary Deckro. Ch. Annie, b. Aug. 1860. Walter, Arthur, and Elizabeth.
SECOND BRANCH OF BEDFORD LINE.
Samuel,3 son of John,2 m. Sarah Wheeler, He d. Mar. 22, 1761 ; she d. Dec. 1, 1743. Ch. Sarah, b. April 1, 1713, m. David Wheeler. Benjamin,4 b. Aug. 5, 1717. h Na- thaniel,4 b. May 7, 1720. Amos,4 b. July 13, 1723, m. Han- nah Danforth (?).
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