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Col. Fergus anzle Easton
Until three years prior to his death, his home was in Worcester, then he erected a beautiful home in Shrewsbury, where he had formerly owned a bungalow and passed his summers. He built several small houses near the bungalow, where his guests were lodged on week-end visits. His estate at Shrewsbury was a handsome one, and only a few months before his death he there entertained the survivors of his old regiment, the famous New York Sixth Cavalry, he being life president of the Veteran Association of the regi- ment. He was also a member of General William S. Lincoln Command, Union Veteran Union, and a member at one time on the staff of the national commander of the union, there gaining his title of colonel. He was also a member of Massachusetts Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Hyde Park Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Stoughton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hyde Park Council, Royal and Select Masters (thrice illus- trious master ) ; Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar; and of the Lodge of Perfection, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. His clubs were the Worcester Golf, Worcester Country, Tatassit Canoe, Economic and Shrewsbury.
Fond of the theater, Colonel Easton was an inveterate "first nighter," and had many warm friends among theatrical folk. He traveled a great deal during the later years of his life, and frequently went south during the win- ters. While he ever retained an intense love for the "land of the heather," he never revisited the scenes of his youth but once, and that was in 1856. Neptune was most inhospitable on both passages, and he never again would run the dangers of such illness as he endured. He was one of the most pop- ular and picturesque men in business, very friendly with his employees, and had acquaintances with people in every walk of life. He was a most inter- esting raconteur, and his stories of war life and of Scotland are treasures that will long live in the memories of his friends. He retained his love for his native land to the last, and no concert or celebration given by the sons and daughters of Scotland was complete without him. Add to these traits a charm- ing personality, a devotedness to his friends, a charitable disposition and a cheerful optimistic spirit, and the explanation is simple as to why he was so highly esteemed.
Colonel Easton married, in 1871, Mary Ella Pratt, who died in 1905. He married (second) in 1910, Miss Jean Cameron, who survives him.
Lloyd S. Carle
AN extended history of the early generations of the Earle family begins with Ralph Earle, born in England, and doubtless mar- ried there Joan Savage. He was in Newport, Rhode Island, as early as 1638. His second son, William Earle, resided in Portsmouth until about 1670, when he removed to Dartmouth, where he had a large landed interest. He was the father of
Thomas Earle, who died at his homestead in Warwick, Rhode Island. His third son, Oliver Earle, lived for a time in New York City, where he was engaged in the East India trade. He married Rebecca Sherman, and their second son, Caleb Earle, was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, and lived there. He married (first) Sarah Buffington, and (second) Hannah Chase, of Swansea.
Weston, eldest son of Caleb and Sarah ( Buffington) Earle, was born April 18, 1750, in Swansea, where he resided until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 5, 1838. He was buried in the Friends' cemetery in Somerset, Mass- achusetts. He married (first) Hepzibeth Terry, (second) Sarah Slade, (third) Martha S. Smith. Children by first marriage: Caleb, born February 27, 1771; Sarah, 1777; Hepzibeth, 1778. By second marriage: John, May 24, 1790; Slade, mentioned below; Edward S., October 17, 1795. By third marriage: Thomas G., October 19, 1823.
Slade, third son of Weston Earle, and child of his second wife, Sarah Slade, was born October 16, 1791, in Swansea, lived in Somerset, and died September 21, 1872, in Fall River, Massachusetts. He married, in 1812, Han- nah, daughter of Robert and Martha Gibbs, of Somerset, and granddaughter of John Gibbs, of Swansea, Massachusetts. John Gibbs, of Swansea, was a private in Captain Peleg Shearman's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's (Bristol county) regiment, from October 13 to 18, 1775, five days, includ- ing travel from Swansea to Howland's Ferry, on a secret expedition to Rhode Island, at the request of General Spencer. He was in Captain Ward Swift's company, Colonel Freeman's regiment, four days, on an alarm at Dartmouth and Falmouth, September 6, 1778. He was in Captain Peleg Peck's com- pany under the same colonel from August 3 to August 9, 1780 (seven days) ; company marched to Tiverton on an alarm. All Swansea men were consoli- dated in one company under Captain Peck by order of Colonel Slade. Chil- dren: Lloyd S., mentioned below; Gibbs, born July 20, 1814, married Laura Carpenter ; George W., April 25, 1818, married (first) Julia A. Vickery, (second) Mary E. Case; Slade W., January 24, 1820, married (first) Eliza- beth W. Winslow, (second) Mary Becknell; Hannah J., February 19, 1824,
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Lloyd S. Earle
married William Maxim; John M., July 3, 1830, married Lucretia A. Sinsa- baugh.
Lloyd Slade, eldest child of Slade and Hannah (Gibbs) Earle, was born December II, 1812, in Somerset, and spent his youth in the town of Swansea, whither the family had removed. Until seventeen years of age he was oc- cupied in season at work on his father's farm or that of one in the neighbor- hood, in the meantime attending the schools of his vicinity. In 1829 he went to New Bedford for the purpose of learning the mason's trade, and there served an apprenticeship at it with Messrs. Pierce & Wheaton, contractors and builders. Four years later, in the summer of 1834, after completing his apprenticeship, he went to Fall River, Massachusetts, and worked that season for Ephraim G. Woodman. In the fall he entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law, Danforth Horton, for the purpose of carrying on business as contractors and builders. For four years following, during the winter season, he taught school, first in his own district in Somerset, and later in Dighton. Messrs. Horton and Earle did an extensive and successful business in their line, and in 1860, after the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Earle con- tinued the same line of business alone, doing a large business through the remaining years of his active life. He erected some of the finest mills and houses in and about Fall River. Some of the mills which he built, which numbered almost a score, were the Granite, the American Print Works (which were destroyed by fire and rebuilt), Flint mills, American Linen mills, Shove mills, the first Union mills, Bourne mill, Wampanoag mill No. 2, and the Pocasset mills. He gained a reputation as a successful con- tractor, especially for superior work in brick and stone and for finishing, plastering interior work. Starting in life a poor boy, Mr. Earle through his own efforts, through his energy and industry, through the force of his make- up, rose to position and wealth, to occupy a most honorable place in society and substantial and useful citizenship. In politics he was a Democrat at first, and acted with the Free-soil party, becoming a Republican on the formation of that party in 1856 and acting with it thereafter. He served one term in the common council of Fall River, and was a representative from that city in the General Court of Massachusetts in 1860-61. For many years he was actively connected with some of the leading enterprises of Fall River, and ever took a deep interest in the public improvements of the city. He was es- pecially interested and active in the moral and religious life of the place, and was a strong advocate of temperance, he himself never using strong liquors of any kind or tobacco. He was identified with the First Baptist Church in Fall River, and was active in Sunday school work, serving off and on through forty or more years as a teacher in the school. He was president of the Robe- son Mill, a director in the Shove, Wampanoag, Robeson and Bourne Mills, for a number of years a director of the Pocasset National Bank, a trustee of the Citizens' Savings Bank and a member of the board of investment of the latter institution. Mr. Earle died August 1I, 1895. He married, in 1836,
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Llopd S. Carle
Persis P. Sherman, born January 23, 1808, daughter of Carlton and Sarah (Brayton) Sherman, died April 16, 1884. Their only child was Andrew Bray- ton Earle, mentioned below.
Andrew Brayton, only child of Lloyd Slade and Persis P. (Sherman) Earle, born February 27, 1837, received his education in the public schools of Fall River, graduating from the high school when eighteen years of age, and from the time he commenced work was identified with the grocery busi- ness. After leaving school he clerked for several small dealers until ready to engage in business on his own account, forming a partnership with Step- hen Taber, located on South Main street. Mr. Earle had just withdrawn from this association to go into business with his father when his untimely death occurred, January 12, 1867, before he had completed his thirtieth year. He was a man of high aims and character, and though not a church member, he held to the tenets of Christianity and reverenced its doctrines. He married, August 26, 1858, Hannah E. Borden, born in Fall River, January 5, 1839, daughter of Durfee and Grace ( Read) Borden, and granddaughter of Lemuel and Ruth (Borden) Borden, the latter a daughter of Parker Borden and he a son of William Borden. Mrs. Earle died March 17, 1915, at her home in Fall River, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Artemas Briggs
T HE surname Briggs is from the old Saxon word Brigg, mean- ing bridge, and has been in use from the earliest times in England. "William atte Brigge of Salle" was mentioned in the records of Edward I. and Edward II., about 1272, and the Norfolk family of this name traces their descent from him. Various branches of the family in England have coat- of-arms and include many distinguished men.
(I) Clement Briggs came from Southwarke, England. At any rate he made an affidavit August 29, 1638, to the effect that in the year 1616 he was living with Samuel Latham on Bermundsey street, Southwarke, England. He came to the Plymouth Colony in New England in 1621 in the ship "Fortune," and was a felsmonger by trade. Latham was also a felsmonger, and doubt- less taught him his trade. In this affidavit Briggs states that Thomas Har- low was then dwelling with Robert Weeks at that place. Briggs is mentioned in a letter from Governor Bradford to Governor John Winthrop in 1631. He was in Weymouth in 1633; acknowledged the sale of a piece of land at Plymouth to Robert Weeks, August 29, 1638; shared in the division of the common cattle, May 22, 1627; owned land at Jones Swamp, June 3, 1639; was an innholder at Weymouth, June 5, 1650, and earlier. His will was proved October 24, 1650, bequeathing to wife and to sons, Thomas, Jonathan, Clement, David, Remember. The widow made her will November 13, 1683, bequeathing to grandchild, Clement, and to son, Remember Briggs. He mar- ried (first) Joane Allen. Mr. Thomas Stoughton performed the ceremony, and was fined for the action March I, 1631. Apparently the marriage was properly legalized, but the magistrate exceeded his authority in some man- ner. Briggs was a resident of Weymouth from about 1630, though this mar- riage was before a Dorchester magistrate. Clergymen were not allowed to of- ficiate at marriages in the early colonial days. He had a second wife, Eliz- abeth. Children of first marriage: Thomas, born June 14, 1633; Jonathan, mentioned below; David, August 23, 1640; Clement, January 2, 1643; of sec- ond marriage: John, died young; Remember.
(II) Jonathan, second son of Clement and Joane (Allen) Briggs, was born June 14, 1635, in Weymouth, and lived in Taunton with his wife, Ex- perience. Two children are recorded there, namely: Jonathan, born March 15, 1668; David, December 6, 1669. There were several others, including the next mentioned.
(III) Thomas, son of Jonathan and Experience Briggs, was born in 1680, and settled in Taunton, where he made his home. He married (first) in Scituate, in October, 1702, Katurah Hatch, baptized June 24, 1683, in that
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artemas Briggs
town, daughter of Thomas and Sarah ( Elms) Hatch. He married (second) Sarah Reed.
(IV) Seth, son of Thomas and Katurah ( Hatch) Briggs, was born in Taunton, and settled in that part of the town which is now Dighton, Massa- chusetts. There he married, September 22, 1726, Ann Whitmarsh, of Digh- ton. Children: Silas, Zepheniah, Jedediah, Nathaniel, Ann, Welthea, Heze- kiah, Olive, Bethia.
(V) Jedediah, son of Seth and Ann (Whitmarsh) Briggs, lived in the town of Berkley, Massachusetts, and was a soldier of the Revolution. He was the first lieutenant in Captain James Nicolls' (Eighth) company, Second Bristol County Regiment, commissioned April 26, 1776, and was subsequently in Captain James Durfee's company, of Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regi- ment, raised from the brigade of Brigadier-General Godfrey, for service in the Continental army. He was with Captain Nicolls, Colonel Edward Pope's (Bristol county) regiment, which marched to Rhode Island on the alarm of December 16, 1776, serving twenty-two days, including travel to camp at War- ren and home. He again enlisted August 1, 1780, was discharged August 7, of the same year, serving in an alarm at Rhode Island, in the company of Cap- tain Abel Babbit, Colonel John Hathaway's regiment. He married Bath- sheba Paull, who survived him, and died August 25, 1842, about ninety-four years of age. Children: Enoch, born June 30, 1770; Experience, January 8, 1772; Bathsheba, October 1, 1773; Olive, August 23, 1775; Ruth, August 12, 1777; Jedediah, March 3, 1779; Nathaniel, mentioned below; Sylvia, January 4, 1783; Nancy, January 13, 1785, died December 18, 1808; Artemas, August 29, 1786; Cyrus, September 10, 1788, died October 7, 1815; Betsey, October 2, 1792, died December 21, 1802; Bethiah, September 21, 1794.
(VI) Nathaniel, third son of Jedediah and Bathsheba (Paull) Briggs, was born March 22, 1781, in Berkley, Massachusetts, and married, in Free- town, Mary Winslow, daughter of Joseph Winslow. After their marriage they settled in the town of Dighton, Massachusetts. Children: Mary Ann, married Jonathan Briggs; Joseph; Caroline, married John Deane Babbett; Ar- temas, mentioned below; Bathsheba; Charles Albert; James.
(VII) Artemas, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Winslow) Briggs, was born May 4, 1810, in Dighton, where he grew to manhood, where he was as- sociated for a time with his brother Joseph in the management and cultiva- tion of the homestead farm. Later he removed to Taunton, Massachusetts, and took up the blacksmith trade for a short time. In association with his brother, Charles Albert Briggs, he engaged in the grain dealing business, and added flour, hay and feed, conducting a very large business. They had a branch establishment at Newport, Rhode Island, and their warehouses were at one time among the largest in New England. They owned vessels and chartered others to bring their goods from New York and elsewhere, and gave occupation to the greater part of the Taunton river fleet. After his son, Lyman E. Briggs, became a partner in the business, Artemas Briggs retired,
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Artemas Briggs
and his sons continued the business with marked success. He was a man of great activity, and could not remain idle. Soon after his retirement he again embarked in business and built a large grain elevator, where he continued to conduct business, finally turning over the same to his sons. He erected the family home on Somerset avenue, in Taunton, opening up Briggs street. There he died May 23, 1876, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. It was nat- ural that a man of his ability and well known integrity should be desired for the public service, but he steadfastly refused to accept office other than that of a member of the city council. He married, November 27, 1834, Susan Shaw Williams, born August 21, 1812, in Taunton, daughter of Joshua and Frances (Williams) Williams, of that town. She died at Taunton, 1895, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. She was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Taunton. Children: I. Mary Frances, married Dr. Joseph Mur- phy, and both died in Taunton. 2. Lyman Eustis, was a member of the firm of Briggs & Company, and died in Taunton, July 17, 1891. 3. Sarah, mar- ried Dr. Silas D. Presbrey, of Taunton; and she is now deceased. 4. Susan Shaw. 5. Nathaniel W., deceased. 6. Ella Augusta, married Alvin Good- win, and died in Taunton. 7. Horatio Wallace, resided in Newport, Rhode Island, now deceased.
Daniel B. Clatlen
T
HE name of Claflen is found in New England records with a multitude of spellings, arising no doubt from the inability of English-speaking people to comprehend the broad Scotch pro- nunciation of those bearing it. Its original was MacLachlan, and sometimes appears in Massachusetts records as Mack- clothlan, but it was rapidly toned down to the present form, in which it appears now in many states and communities.
(I) The first representative of the family in America was Robert Mac- Lachlin, who was probably among the prisoners captured by Cromwell's army at the battle of Dunbar, many of whom were sent to this country. He appears in Wenham, Massachusetts, November 4, 1661, at which date he was accepted as an inhabitant of the town. He was a soldier in defense of the colonies against the French and Indians, under Sir Edmund Andros, received a grant of land in 1669, and was a town officer. His house was desired by the town for a parsonage, and he exchanged it for fifteen acres of land in 1673. Part of a house which he built is still standing, and the well he dug is still in use. The inventory of his estate, made September 19, 1690, amounted to £IOI 9s 6d, and the estate was increased later by three pounds due him for military service. He married, October 14, 1664, Joanna Warner, supposed to have been a daughter of John Warner, an early resident of Ipswich and one of the founders of Brookfield, Massachusetts. Children: Joanna, born August 12, 1665; Robert (probably born in Brookfield, no record found) ; Elizabeth, May 18, 1670; Priscilla, August 22, 1672; Daniel, January 25, 1674; Abigail, March 19, 1676; Mary, February 22, 1678; Antipas, mentioned below.
(II) Antipas, youngest child of Robert and Joanna (Warner) Claflin (MacLachlin), was born 1680, in Wenham, and lived a few years in Lexing- ton, Massachusetts, where four of his children are recorded. He received a deed of land in Attleboro, same colony, March 1, 1715, and settled there about that time. This tract embraced thirty-two acres, and his holdings were in- creased January 16, 1733, by purchase of all the lands of John Sweet, of At- tleboro. This he sold back to Sweet inside of six months. He died in Attle- boro, January 21, 1756. His wife Sarah died in September, 1777, supposed to have been one hundred years old in the preceding March. Children: Sarah, born November 1, 1706; Robert, mentioned below; Noah, April 12, 1710; Ne- hemiah, September 28, 1713; Hepzibeth, November 17, 1717; Antipas and Eb- enezer (twins), December 8, 1721.
(III) Robert (2) Claflen, eldest son of Antipas and Sarah Claflin, was born March 13, 1708, in Lexington, and died in 1797, in Attleboro. He was a member of the second company of militia of the town, but was too old for serv-
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Daniel B. Clatten
ice in the Revolution. He married (first) January 28, 1737, Ann Tolman, who died about 1742. He married (second) published October 25, 1745, Ab- iah (Hodges) Follett, born 1714-15, daughter of Nathaniel Hodges, died June 23, 1774. Children of first marriage: Nehemiah, born March 2, 1739; Rob- ert, July 3, 1741, died September 8, 1746. Children of second marriage: Robert, July 2, 1746; Anne, July 22, 1750; Nathaniel, October 26, 1751 ; Dan- iel, mentioned below.
(IV) Daniel, youngest child of Robert (2) and Abiah (Hodges) Claf- len, was born October 15, 1755, in Attleboro, and died there, December 10, 1822. He was a soldier of the Revolution, serving first in Captain Moses Wilmarth's company, Colonel John Daggett's regiment, nine days on the Lex- ington Alarm. He was a private in Captain Stephen Richardson's company, Colonel George Williams' regiment, on a secret expedition from September 25 to October 29, 1777. He was corporal in Captain Samuel Robinson's com- pany, Colonel Ward's regiment, on a Rhode Island alarm, from June 21 to July 13, 1778. He was a private in Captain Wilmarth's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, in Rhode Island, from August 17 to September 9, 1778. He married in Attleboro, Phebe Brown, daughter of Noah and De- borah (Wilmarth) Brown, born September 5, 1760, died July 25, 1826. Chil- dren : Sally, born February 13, 1783; Deborah, February 20, 1785; Phebe, De- cember 22, 1786; Daniel, September 27, 1788, died July 21, 1792; Daniel, mentioned below ; Leicester, December 24, 1793; Robert, May 17, 1796; Oren, July 21, 1799; Paschal Chandler, April 24, 1803.
(V) Daniel (2), second son of Daniel (1) and Phebe (Brown) Claf- len, was born June 23, 1792, in Attleboro, and there spent his life, engaged in agriculture. His home was on what is now South Main street, where he died, July 10, 1850. He married, September 16, 1822, Lita Bliss, born March 8, 1797, in Rehoboth, daughter of Abial and Rebecca Bliss of that town, died April 6, 1883, in Attleboro. Children : Mary Bliss, born June 26, 1823; Dan- iel Brown, July 22, 1825; Caroline Elizabeth, October 1, 1828, died June 21, 1829; Caroline Elizabeth, October 23, 1830; Rebecca Kent, April 25, 1833; Augustus, August 2, 1835; Phebe Harriet, December 21, 1837, married No- vember 29, 1860, Roswell Blackinton; Ellen Amanda, August 29, 1843.
(VI) Daniel Brown, eldest son of Daniel (2) and Lita (Bliss) Claflen, was born July 22, 1825, in Attleboro, on the paternal farm, which he inherited and occupied through life. He attended the local schools, and settled down to agriculture upon the death of his father, which occurred when he was twenty years of age. Stock raising received considerable attention, and he made valuable improvements in the homestead farm, being recognized as a progressive and successful farmer and a trust- worthy and useful citizen. His death occurred July 4, 1903, at the age of sev- enty-eight years, and his body was laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery. A Christian in principle and practice, he was esteemed and respected, acted po- litically with the Republican party, and was much devoted to his home and
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family. He married, June 2, 1857, Julia M. Clark, born August 28, 1833, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, daughter of Daniel Russell and Maria (Eddy) Clark. She survives him, and now resides in the family homestead on South Main street, is a member of the Congregational church, and esteemed as a lady of fine mind and devotion to all that is uplifting. Her children: Mary, died unmarried, in her forty-second year; and Chester, died at the age of twenty-four years.
Thomas Jalilcox
T "HE Wilcox family, which was represented in the present gen- eration by the late Thomas Wilcox, for many years a prom- inent resident of New Bedford, dates back to an early period in English history. One "Wilcox or Wilcott" is recorded as furnishing three men at arms at the battle of Agincourt, and another of the name is of record as court physician to King Charles. In the eighteenth century a member of the family served as a bishop of the Church of England and dean of Westminster Ab- bey, and several branches of the family are known to heraldry. In this coun- try the name is found on some early records, namely-Jamestown, Virginia, 1610; Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1636; and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 1656.
(I) Daniel Wilcox, the earliest known ancestor of the line herein fol- lowed, had a grant of fifteen acres of land at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, De- cember 10, 1656, where he resided until 1664, when he purchased a house in Dartmouth, in which place he was constable in 1665, and subsequently changed his place of residence to Tiverton, residing there at the organization of the town, March 2, 1692. He married, November 28, 1661, Elizabeth Cook, daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Warren) Cook, the former a "Mayflower" passen- ger, and their children were: Daniel, Mary, Sarah, Stephen, John, Edward, Thomas, Lydia and Susanna. Daniel Wilcox, father of these children, died July 2, 1702, survived by his widow, who passed away December 6, 1715.
(II) Edward Wilcox, fourth son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Cook) Wil- cox, was a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and there spent his active and useful career, his death occurring in the year 1718. He married Sarah Man- chester, daughter of William and Mary (Cook) Manchester, who bore him four children: Josiah, of whom further; Ephraim, born August 9, 1704; Wil- liam, December 26, 1706; and Freelove, December 18, 1709.
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