USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Royalston > Reflections on Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A > Part 43
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Reflections on Royalston
THE RICHARDSON FAMILY.
Timothy Richardson was born in Attleboro, about 1715, and removed from Wrentham, probably, to Royalston, before the town was incorporated. He set- tled on the place at the north part of the town long known as the Benjamin W. Upham place, and mentioned as occupied in 1926 by Miss Margaret Burrage. Tim- othy Richardson's wife was Alice Wyman, and it is told that she rode with him on horseback to Royalston, and as they started she broke off a twig from an apple tree to use as a riding whip, and having brought it to her new home she stuck it in the ground and it took root and became a thrifty tree and bore fruit many years.
This Timothy Richardson and his wife, Alice, were the first named of the 16 original members of the "Church of Christ in Royalston;" he was the person di- rected in the warrant for the first town meeting "to notify and warn the free- holders and other inhabitants of said Royalston to meet at the meeting-house in Royalston" for the first town meeting for the election of town officers; at that town meeting he was chosen one of the members of the first board of Selectmen, and he served in that office 8 years; he served as the first Representative to the General Court, in 1776; he was probably too old to take part in the Revolutionary War, but he was undoubtedly patriotic, and Mr. Cross, in his list of Royalston's Revolutionary War soldiers, includes the names of Abiel, Abijah, Eliphalet, Stephen and William Richardson, who, probably, were all sons of Timothy Rich- ardson. He died in 1801.
Eliphalet Richardson married Elizabeth Chase, in 1794; they settled on the next place north of his father's, long known as the Eaton place; they had 6 chil- dren, one of whom was the mother of Joseph R. Eaton (see page 257).
Abiel Richardson married Rebecca Chase, in 1794 (see page 260).
Abijah Richardson married Hannah Eddy, in 1878; they remained on the home place, and had 8 children, one of whom was
Abijah Richardson, Jr., born in 1794; he married Lucy Whitney, in 1821 (see page 242); and they also remained on the home place; they had several children, among them
Ephraim W. Richardson, who graduated from college with much promise, but died when he was about to enter the ministry.
Jefferson Richardson, born in 1827; became a school teacher; married, and had 2 children; he enlisted in a New Hampshire regiment in the Civil War, and died in the service at New Orleans, in 1863.
Andrew Jackson Richardson, born in 1829; he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment in the Civil War, and became a Captain.
Abijah Richardson, Jr., married, 2nd, Melinda Cutler, in 1834; he died in 1840, and she died in 1879; and they had 3 children, one of whom was
Leander Richardson, born in 1838; he served in a New Hampshire regiment in the Civil War.
Timothy Richardson, Jr., born in Attleboro, in 1741; he married Sarah Estey, and they settled on the next place south of his father's, and had 8 children.
Stephen Richardson, son of Timothy, Jr., and Sarah (Estey) Richardson, was born in 1779; he resided all of his life on the farm on which his father settled; he served the town as Selectman in 1829, 1830 and 1846; and as Assessor in 1826; he married, 1st, Lydia Raymond, in 1807 (see page 235); they had 3 children:
Luther Richardson, born in 1808; married Abigail Hazelton, of Winchendon, in 1835; he died in Winchendon, in 1842.
Lysander Richardson, born in 1812; he became a physician, and settled in Jaf- frey, N. H., where he died, in 1843.
Franklin Richardson, born in 1815; he remained with his father on the farm; he married, 1st, Sarah Emerson, in 1840; the wife died within a year, and her infant daughter soon followed her; he married, 2nd, Abigail M. Tenney, in 1841; after the death of his father, in 1863, he removed to the Center, residing for a time on the Frye hill, and afterward at the old Major Norton place, at 13E on our map; he kept the store at the head of the Common about 2 years, ending in 1865; he died in 1881. He had an adopted daughter, Addie (Falis) Richardson, who married Henry R. Newton, in 1880; they resided at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and had 2 sons.
Stephen Richardson's 1st wife, Lydia (Raymond) Richardson, died in 1838; he
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married, 2nd, Mrs. Sally (Grant) Walker-Wilder, in 1845; it was her 3rd marriage (see page 266); he died in 1863, and she died in 1877, at the age of 93 years.
Among other members of the Richardson family, whose kinship has not been exactly traced, but who were probably closely related to those here "illuminated," may be mentioned Columbus Richardson, who married Mehitable Nichols, in 1826; and George Richardson, who married Sophronia Nichols, in 1827 (see page 254).
Charles Richardson, too, cannot be fully illustrated; his place was at the north part of the town, well up towards the New Hampshire line; he was a thrifty farmer, who did not enter very much into public life. His son,
Charles E. Richardson, remained at the home farm in the north part of the town. He served on the School Committee from 1909 until the time of this print- ing in 1927, and on the Finance Advisory Committee for many years; he was a charter member of Royalston Grange, and held important offices; he married Mabel Viola Hutchins, in 1901, and they had 2 children: Clara Mabel Richardson, born in 1905, and Charles Francis Richardson, born in 1908.
Dr. Thomas Richardson, of whom a short story is told on page 220, was prob- ably only distantly if at all related to the Richardsons here expatiated. It may be added that one of the 11 children of Dr. Thomas Richardson was
George Carter Richardson, born in 1808; his business career began with a clerk- ship in the store of Franklin Gregory, after which he was Gregory's partner for 5 years; he then went to Boston, where, with various partners, he was extensively engaged in dry-goods importing, commission and jobbing business; he became prom- inent in financial and business organizations, and was Mayor of the city of Cam- bridge, where he resided.
CALEB W. DAY FAMILY.
Caleb W. Day was born in Richmond, N. H., in 1827. His father died in his early childhood, and his mother married again and removed to Warwick. When he was 14 years of age he walked from Warwick to South Royalston, a distance of 14 miles, with 73 cents in money and all his belongings tied up in a bandana hand- kerchief. He secured employment in the carding room in Rufus Bullock's woolen mill, where he received $5 per month and his board as machine tender for 3 years, and then $1 per day as overseer of the carding room for 2 years; after which he did not remain at the woolen mill and "grow up" to be its superintendent and then its wealthy proprietor, as by the example of other bright and good boys he might have been expected to do; but he turned his attention from manufactures of wool to those of wood; he began working in the shoe-peg business, at first for others, and then as proprietor, and sometimes with a partner; he was also connected with the furniture manufacturing business, and with the manufacture of brush-woods. His shop was destroyed by fire in 1885, and he did not rebuild in South Royalston, but, taking his 2 sons into partnership, he established a shop at "State Line," in the northerly part of Winchendon, near the New Hampshire line, where they continued in business until 1908. The story of Mr. Day's business operations is more fully told on pages 141 to 144, inclusive.
From early life he took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the pub- lic welfare, and he was called to serve the community in various official positions. He was Selectman 7 years; Assessor 12 years; Overseer of the Poor more than 20 years; School Committee 10 years; Trustee of the Public Library 12 years; Trus- tee of various town funds many years. He was a member and for many years a deacon of the Second Congregational Church, and one of its most liberal financial supporters; at his death he left a fund of $1000 for its benefit. He was a Trustee of the Millers River National Bank, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
He married Mary M. Upham, in 1848; she died in 1903; he died Sept. 16, 1919; they had 6 children, 4 of whom lived to maturity:
1. Martha C. Day, born in 1850; married J -- E. Lyman, of Northfield; he became a railroad contractor, and they resided at St. Louis.
2. John W. Day, born in 1853; married Nellie McColley; he was in partner- - ship with his father and brother in the shop at Winchendon; he died in 1911.
3. Ellen E. Day, born in 1854; married Leander M. Drury, who became pro- prietor of a hotel in Worcester.
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4. Charles Lorenzo Day, born in 1855; he was in partnership with his father and brother in the brush-wood business in Winchendon, and became prominent in the affairs of that town, serving as Assessor for many years, and as Treasurer of the Winchendon Co-operative Bank. He married Sarah Smith, in 1878; he died in 1922; they had 4 children:
(1.) Annie M. Day, born in 1879.
(2.) Ethel Day, born in 1883; married - Thomas.
(3.) Hattie W. Day, born in 1886: died in infancy.
(4.) Mildred R. Day, born in 1888; married Austin Hayes.
Another Day family in Royalston was that of Uri Day, who occupied a farm in the easterly part of the town. Uri Day was one of the most active members of the Methodist church at South Royalston. Two of his sons served in the Civil War: Nathan S. Day, born in 1840; enlisted in the 21st Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, in 1861; discharged for disability in 1863; died in 1889. Uri C. Day, born in 1844; enlisted in the 53rd Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, in 1862; died of disease, at Baton Rouge, La., in 1863.
David W. Day, a son of Chauncy Day, was born in 1831; married Amanda E. . Wheeler; enlisted in the Civil War in the 25th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, in 1861; discharged for disability in 1863; died in 1877.
THE HARRINGTONS.
Luther Harrington was born in Vermont, in 1809. His father died while he was but a young child, and Luther's boyhood was passed in the family of Col. Josiah Wheeler, at South Royalston, whose wife was his mother's sister. He began to learn the carpenter's trade when 18 years of age, and became a builder, but later engaged in the manufacture of pine furniture; his sawmill and shop was one of several located on the north side of Millers River, and east of the woolen mill.
He served as a member of the Historical Committee of the Centennial Cele- bration, in 1865, and on the Building Committee of the Town Hall, in 1866.
He and his wife were among the first members of the Second Congregational Church when it was organized in 1837, and he was chairman of the committee which erected its building in 1838; he was a deacon of the church for more than 40 years, and superintendent and teacher in its Sunday school for many years.
He married Sarah Nourse, in 1834; she died in 1858; he married, 2nd, Mrs. S. T. F. Burrage, in 1860; she died, and he married, 3rd, a Mrs. Harwood, who sur- vived him; he died in 1886; he and his first wife had 2 children:
1. Henry Martyn Harrington, born in 1837; he received a full college educa- tion, and then was principal of New Salem academy, Spencer high school, and of a Worcester grammar school; he served as superintendent of schools at North Adams for 2 years, resigning to accept a similar position at Bridgeport, Conn., which he retained for 15 years, after which he engaged in various business enter- prises; he was always active in church and Sunday-school affairs, wherever he was, and was also prominent in secret orders. He married H. Maria Lovell, in 1861; they had 3 children; he died at Bridgeport, in 1915.
2. Caroline Ellen Harrington, born in 1841; she acquired a good education, and taught in a grammar school, and in a woman's college in Ohio. She married Thomas J. Deavitt, and their home was in Montpelier, Vt .; they had 5 children; she died in 1915.
Hiram Harrington was a thrifty and prosperous farmer at the west part of Royalston. He served as Selectman and Assessor in 1863, 1864 and 1865. Some- time in the vicinity of 1869 he acquired the old Cutler farm, on the road between the Center and South Royalston. About 1901 the buildings on the place were de- stroyed by fire, and were soon rebuilt. He had a son,
Allen Harrington, born in 1847; he married Sophia Elizabeth Chase, daughter of Francis and Ruth (Slade) Chase, and sister of Charles Francis Chase, and they remained on the Cutler farm; he died in 1922; they had 2 children:
1. Mamie Ruth Harrington, married Max C. Snow, of South Royalston, in 1916.
2. Arthur A. Harrington, married Pearl May Hawes, in 1924; they remained on the home farm.
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THE FARRAR FAMILY.
Salmon S. Farrar was born in Winchendon, in 1809, the son of Daniel Farrar. On pages 66, 139 and 140 the story is told of how he started out for himself before he was legally "of age," and located at South Royalston, in 1829; and the details of his manufacturing business, which was continued in one location by him, his son and his grandson, for 82 years, are there given, and need not be repeated.
While his name does not appear on the lists of those who held the principal town offices, or those who gained political prominence, he was a public spirited man and actively interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare. He served the town for many years as Collector of Taxes, and as Sealer of Weights and Measures. He was a prominent member and a liberal supporter of the Second Congregational Church.
He married Martha Evans, in 1832; he died in 1883; they had 5 children:
1. Salmon Nelson Farrar, born in 1837. As told on page 140, he grew up in hiu father's business, and continued it after his father's death. He married Sarah A. Whitney, in 1864; she died in 1893, and he died in 1896; they had 1 child:
(1.) Walter Nelson Farrar, born in 1865. He followed along in his grand- father's and afterwards his father's shop, and in 1890 formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of S. N. Farrar & Son, under which he continued the business until the death of his father, and then until his own death, in 1919. He served the town as Selectman 5 years, 1904-1908, as Chief Marshal on the occa- sion of the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, in 1915, and in other important positions.
He married Nellie G. Wheeler, about 1895; she was born in Chesterfield, N. H., in 1871; her mother died suddenly, while she was attending Westfield Normal School, and her father died 3 months later; after that she resided with her guardian in Worcester, and was employed in an office; when 21 years of age she entered the training school for nurses at Fall River hospital, where she achieved proficiency, served as head nurse, and had full charge of the children's ward; her experience gained there enabled her to be of service in many cases of sickness in South Roy- alston, and she was also prominent in the affairs of the town; she served on the School Committee 5 years, and was a member of the Committee on Antiques and Curiosities and the Committee on School Exhibits at the Sesqui-Centennial Celebra- tion, in 1915. Walter Nelson Farrar died in 1919; Nellie G. (Wheeler) Farrar mar- ried Edward M. Holden, of Walpole, N. H .; he died in 1924; he had made a trip to California, and had stopped at a hotel in Ontario, owned by Benjamin Hull Wood, became intimate with Mr. Wood and his wife, and after returning to the east cor- responded with them, his wife acting as secretary; after Mr. Holden died, in 1924, Mrs. Wood died, and the correspondence was continued between Mr. Wood and Mrs. Holden, with the result that an arrangement was made by which they met, for the first time, on a train at North Adams, April 14, 1925, and proceeded to Brattleboro, where they were married.
2. Martha M. Farrar, 2nd child of Salmon S. and Martha (Evans) Farrar, wss born in 1840; she became a school teacher, and afterwards married Henry N. Fos- ter, who died in Athol, in 1907; they had 3 children:
(1.) Mattie Foster, born in 1872.
(2.) Myrtie Foster, born in 1878.
(3.) Willie Foster, born in 1884; died in 1885.
3. Edwin Evans Farrar, 3rd child of Salmon S. and Martha (Evans) Farrar, was born in 1844; spent the greater part of his life in South Royalston; died in 1922.
4. Helen Isabella Farrar, 4th child, was born in 1816; died in 1847.
5. S. Ardella Farrar, 5th child, born in 1850; she married Benjamin Warren Rich, in 1874; she died in 1900.
THE SAFFORD FAMILY.
Roby Ruel Safford was born in Lancaster, Mass., in 1821. In his early man- hood he removed to Fitchburg, where he became connected with the woolen manu- facturing business. He was one of the band of about 30 members of the Calvinistic Congregational Church in Fitchburg who left that society, in 1843, and organized the Trinitarian Congregational Church, standing for the abolition of slavery and
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other radical reforms (see page 127). He was the first choristor of the new church, and became noted for his fine leadership and excellent singing.
About 1860 or 1861 he removed to South Royalston, and became agent and superintendent of the Royalston Woolen Mill, which connection he held until 1878. He and his wife were prominent members of the Second Congregational Church. His singing in "old folks concerts" and on other occasions was always very much appreciated. He served the town as School Committee 4 years and as Assessor 2 years. He married Orissa Wood Maynard. He died in 1892, and she died in 1904. They had 7 children:
Maria O. Safford, married Charles A. King, son of John King; they resided in Worcester, where she died, in 1921.
William R. Safford, married Anna King, and they resided in Athol.
Henry A. Safford, became a merchant in South Royalston, and died from the results of an accidental gunshot wound, in 1887.
Mary E. Safford, married, 1st, S. A. Sargent, of Utica, N. Y., and 2nd, Henry Tottingham; they resided in Worcester, where he died, in 1914.
Edward Safford, died in infancy.
Myra A. Safford, married Dana M. Dustan, a former teacher in the South Roy- alston school; they resided in Worcester.
Charles R. Safford, born in Fitchburg, in 1856. He went with other Royalston boys to Colorado, to engage in cattle raising, in 1876, but returned the following year, and accepted a position in the United States service at the port of Boston, which he held for many years, with several promotions. His home was in Quincy, where he became a trustee of the Thomas Crane Public Library, and a trustee of the Memorial Congregational Church. He was the first president of the South Royalston School Association, and was re-elected to the position for many consecu- tive years. He married Drucilla A. Robinson, and they had 3 sons.
EVERARD B. HANSON.
Everard B. Hanson, who became prominent in Royalston affairs, was born in Maine, in 1855. After receiving school and academic education he was employed at farming, teaching and civil engineering. In 1882 he removed to Athol, and was employed in the Starrett shops for 4 or 5 years, retiring from that work on account of ill health. He was employed in railroad work at Athol and Keene for several years. In 1891 he removed to South Royalston, where he served the Whitney Woolen Mill Company as bookkeeper, superintendent and agent until 1907; and after the mill was taken over by the American Woolen Company he was retained as agent and superintendent. In 1909 he established greenhouses at South Royals- ton, and built up quite a business in growing and shipping flowers, cucumbers and other products to remunerative markets.
He served the town as School Committee 2 years, and as Auditor for several years; was a member of the town financial committee from its inauguration; served on the committee for rebuilding the schoolhouse and public hall after the calamitous fire of 1904; and the Phinehas S. Newton Library Building committee.
He was active in the affairs of the Second Congregational Church, chairman of the committee for erecting the new structure in place of the one destroyed by fire in 1904; and chairman of the prudential committee and clerk of the Church for many years. He was affiliated with the Masonic order, and held prominent posi- tions in that and other fraternal organizations. He held commissions as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for many years.
Mr. Hanson married, 1st, Lizzie E. Tucker, in 1876; she died in 1903; they had 3 children:
1. John Tucker Hanson; he died in 1898.
2. Viola M. Hanson; she married Arthur C. Oliver, of Athol.
3. Ruth E. Hanson; she married Stanley F. Smith, of Athol.
Mr. Hanson married, 2nd, Mrs. Mary A. Rowe, Oct. 25, 1904; this was the date of South Royalston's great fire, and the recollection is that the Hanson wedding function, at Athol, was somewhat disturbed by the exciting reports about the destructive catastrophe in connection with things in which Mr. Hanson was most intensely interested. He died in 1915.
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THE RICH FAMILY.
Benjamin Ward Rich, son of Thatcher Rich, Jr., of Phillipston, was born in that town, in 1821. In the vicinity of 1850 he opened a general store in the base- ment of the Methodist Church building in South Royalston, and that store was continued there by him and his son for something like 60 years; the South Royals- ton post-office was located in the store for about 10 years. Benjamin Ward Rich was a man of character and integrity, and was called to fill positions of honor and responsibility; he served as Representative to the General Court in 1886; as Select- man 6 years, as Assessor 4 years, and in other important offices. He was a good musician, leader of the South Royaiston Brass Band, and of orchestras. He mar- ried Lydia B. Witt; he died in 1900; they had 4 children:
1. Benjamin Warren Rich, born in 1847. He began to work in his father's store while a schoolboy, and grew up in the business, and continued in it after the death of his father for the remainder of his life. He was postmaster for about 10 years, and served as Selectman 3 years, as a member of the board of health, and a trustee of the Bartlett fund. He was prominent in Masonry. He married, 1st, S. Ardella Farrar, in 1874; she died in 1900; he married, 2nd, Mrs. Irene (Foster) Fuller. He died in 1911, and his 2nd wife died in 1923.
2. Jeremiah Edward Rich, born in 1849. He was employed in the Whitney chair shop at South Royalston for 27 years, elsewhere for several years, after which he was with his brother in the store until it was closed in 1911. He was for several years janitor of the public hall and school building.
3. Marcia Jeannette Rich, born in 1857; married, 1st, F. B. Stockwell, and 2nd, N. McDonald; resided in the vicinity of Boston; had 2 children.
4. Charles Witt Rich, born in 1860. He received a commercial college educa- tion; was for 12 years connected with a wholesale dry-goods house in Boston; then traveling salesman for garment manufacturers; in 1900 he established a dry-goods store in Athol; afterwards engaged in laundry business, and in the latter part of his life with the American Woolen Company. He became prominent in Masonry. He married Jennie M. Hughes, in 1892. He died in 1925.
Jeremiah Atkins Rich, son of Thatcher Rich, Jr., was born in Phillipston, in 1825. In his early manhood he was employed in railroad bridge building; in 1850 he went with others to the California gold mines, returning to South Royalston in about 5 years; he then became connected with chair manufacturing, and was superintendent of the Whitney chair shop until the business was discontinued, in 1893. He served as Representative in 1874, as Selectman 6 years, Assessor 8 years, Trustee of Public Library 15 years, and in other important positions. He was a prominent member of the Second Congregational Church, and clerk of the society for several years. He married Susan Kendall; she died in 1903. He died in 1899.
George Thatcher Rich, son of Thatcher Rich, Jr., was born in Phillipston, in 1828. He was employed in mechanical pursuits, in Athol, South Royalston, Gard- ner and Fitchburg. He was best known, probably, from his prominence in musical affairs. He was a leader of the South Royalston Brass Band, organizer and leader of the Gardner Band, and one of the organizers and leader of the Fitchburg Cor- net Band; at the time of the Civil War he was leader of the 21st Massachusetts Regiment Band; and he played in orchestras for 25 years. He married Frances Johnson, and they had 4 children; two sons, Frederick and Thatcher, became loco- motive engineers on the Fitchburg railroad.
THE RICHMONDS.
Alfred J. Richmond was born in England, in 1843, and came to New England in 1882, and settled in Sonth Royalston a few years later. He married, 1st, Eliza- beth Forrest, who died in 1893; they had 5 children, 4 of who lived to maturity; one son became a clergyman; and another son, Edward J. Richmond, became pro- prietor of stores in Baldwinville and South Royalston, and Alfred J. Richmond was manager of the South Royalston store for many years. He was a deacon of the Second Congregational Church. He married, 2nd, Mrs. Ella M. Brown, in 1900. He died Nov. 4, 1926.
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